Regent Hall SA: Recent Episodes
Regent Hall
Regent Hall is a Salvation Army church on London's busiest high street - Oxford Street.
We have meetings on Sundays at 11am - all are welcome: 275 Oxford Street London W1C 2DJ
For more information please contact us at: info@regenthall.co.uk
Today is the final Sunday of our church leaders Majors Richard and Caroline Mingay. Richard brings the Bible message and speaks about the lasting imperative and deep meaning of this Cross for us, for our church and for our Community. The cross must always be central.
The theme of our worship is ‘Choosing Joy’. We make so many conscious choices daily and I wonder how many of those choices are to do with our spiritual attitude and well-being?
I have preached before about the importance of being a life-giver. There is nothing more attractive than a person who is positive and generous, who sees the best in others and in their own situation. Choosing Joy is an intensely spiritual act. It has past, present and future dynamics:
We choose joy because we consciously remember what God has done for us; we choose joy because as a consequence such joy is a present reality; we choose joy because the Hope of Christ is everlasting – there is a future dimension.
This is no ordinary joy. This is the JOY of the Lord Jesus Christ, the JOY He promised us. As we delve deeper into these thoughts, my prayer is that you will each choose and experience the joy of the Lord now and forever.
Major Richard Mingay
Today is the first of our two Vision Sundays per year when our worship, prayer and teaching focusses on different aspects of Regent Hall's theology of welcome: "We will be a visible, vibrant church bringing God’s transforming welcome to life in the world, in the heart of London and in to people’s lives"
Because today, sadly, is the last Regent Hall Vision Sunday for Richard and I, we're going to go full circle and return to the first Vision Sunday teaching focus back in May 2019 when this particular season in the life of the corps first began. And this will hopefully provide opportunity to think and pray about how far we've come so far!
Major Caroline Mingay
Trinity Sunday is the annual Christian festival celebrating the doctrine of the Trinity or ‘God who is three-in-one and one-in-three’. Introduced in the ninth century, at a time when faith and belief was under threat, Trinity Sunday reminds us to be good guardians of the non-negotiables of Christian faith.
Today our Bible message is given by the Regent Hall Community Engagement leader, Emma Neil.
Pentecost – the birthday of the Church! It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and other followers of Jesus while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks as described in the book of Acts.
God knew that when Jesus went up to heaven, his followers would need access to the same power that Jesus had and so he sent the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2: 4 says, ‘When the day of Pentecost came, the believers were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where thy were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.’
Those people present at the first Pentecost had encountered Jesus and were empowered by the Holy Spirit to go and out and win others for Christ, that same power is ours today so let’s celebrate the birthday of the church and then go out there and make a difference for Jesus!
Major Alison Stone
This week I conclude our series considering worshipping God with our senses by speaking about the sense of taste. What does the Bible teach about taste and how we worship God?
Certainly, you might think of the stories of the children of Israel and how they ate manna in the desert – the manna that came directly from God. Here was divine provision of sustenance. Then we remember how Jesus changed water into wine. Here was a Kingdom story, again of provision, that reminds his followers of the new spirit and life that would be available through his eventual death and resurrection. Note the symbolism of the manna / bread and the wine here.
But what about you and me today? How consciously do we go deeper in our understanding and appreciation of Christ’s work for us, when we physically participate in tasting food? We look forward to exploring this question further together in worship and truth.
Psalm 119 says: “How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.”
May God bless and inform our understanding by His Word today!
Major Richard Mingay
Today we continue our series ‘Worshipping God with our senses’ , focussing on the sense of smell; smell, so often mysterious and intimate with the power to attract or repel us. I’m sure that even sitting here reading this, you can bring to mind sweet (and not-so-sweet) smells which evoke memories and experiences of people and places you love, or even find difficult.
Sadly, the bible is meagre in its references to smell and our hymnology is not great either – but digging deeper, it becomes clear that God has a sense of smell! And, as importantly, as human beings we are gifted an amazing olfactory system meant to be a sacred pathway through which we can worship God and communicate God’s welcome to the world.
So let’s pay loving attention to this gift of smell which we so often undervalue (until, of course, it’s taken away by illness), and let it teach and train us again to appreciate who God is for us. And let us be, as Paul says, a ‘Christ-like fragrance rising up to God ...’ (2 Corinthians 2:15).
Major Caroline Mingay
One of the things people have missed during the lock downs and even still now, is physical touch. To be able to hug those that we love has been something many of us have missed greatly. Even greeting each other with a handshake has been off limits and so ‘elbow bumping’ some how seems to be the thing to do!
We’re looking at ‘Worshipping God through our Senses’ - a five week series covering how we can worship God through sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. This week we are thinking about the sense of touch. We’re going to use three stories from Matthew’s gospel, two where Jesus touches others and one when someone touches the garment Jesus was wearing and all three people were changed forever after those encounters.
Major Alison Stone
We continue our series: ‘Worshipping God with our senses’. Here, I shall be considering thoughts around hearing and listening.
I want to say right at the outset that God still speaks! In a world that both demands and attracts our attention in a myriad different ways, our ears, hearts and minds are not always attuned to physically listening out for a Word from the Lord.
However, God’s sound can be heard audibly if only we know how to listen. Sometimes this takes discipline. It often involves summoning a quiet consciousness – finding time and space to concentrate on what is speaking to you about God and consequently, what is urging you on to worship God.
A deep spiritual skill is distinguishing between the voice of God and the voices which are not of God. The writer Henri Nouwen suggests that ‘the more faithful we are to our vocation (as Christians) the easier such distinguishing will become. Do not despair’
The Bible has many and varied verses which speak of the sound of God, his voice and presence. We will prayerfully explore this wonderful topic together in our worship. Thank you for being with us. ‘If you have ears, come and hear!’
Major Richard Mingay
Today we commence a five-week series on Worshipping God with our senses. This is fascinating stuff! More than that, it is deeply spiritual. Scripture is full of references that speak of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching.
In this series Ali, Caroline and I will be exploring each one of these senses and how they enhance our experience and worship of God. For some, the past year of Lockdown may have heightened these senses, for others they will have been dulled. Our prayer is that through God’s Word to us here, we might really delve deep into our feelings and there find God in Christ at the very depth of who we are with all our faults yet also, with all our gifts.
In this Bible message we consider ‘Sight’ focussing on Isaiah’s great vision of God in Chapter six of his book. As Saint Matthew’s Gospel says: ‘blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. May that be so for us all.
Major Richard Mingay
We conclude our mini-series on the Sabbath. This week we consider ‘The Story of the Prodigal Son through the lens of the Sabbath.’ At first sight this might appear to be a bit of a mouthful, but I hope and pray that this story will provide us an example of how to truly apply Sabbath thinking to our own lives today.
So many of us know that this well-known story is about the love and the grace of the Father. There is a correlation here between the life of true love and freedom as seen in the Prodigal’s renewed relationship with his father, and the liberation that the Israelites found in the Promised Land.
Once they were slaves, working all the hours God sent for little reward, but then they became free to enjoy the blessing, the grace and the rest of God our Creator. God loves us for who we are. We don’t have to prove our worth. God says ‘You are worthy, whatever your story, whoever you are’. This is the Grace of the Sabbath.
Major Richard Mingay
We continue our 3-week mini-series on the theme of ‘Sabbath’. This is a topic which concentrates our hearts and minds on benefitting from quality rest and quality time with God. It’s a lovely and appropriate theme for these early weeks of the new year. Last Sunday Caroline introduced us to the thought that we are supposed to stop. This week I shall be considering how our Almighty God exemplifies true Sabbath by showing us the importance of deep spiritual time out. As you know well, Scripture tells us that on the seventh day God rested.
Our theological friend and guide, Walter Brueggemann writes that Sabbath is Resistance: He says:- ‘The divine rest on the seventh day of creation has made clear a) that YHWH is not a workaholic, b) that YHWH is not concerned about the full functioning of creation and c) that the wellbeing of creation does not depend on endless work’. I love that last point! Well worth absorbing.
As we slowly come through this Pandemic, an understanding of the God of Sabbath rest can remind weary doctors, nurses and all keyworkers including tired teachers and indeed harried parents, that abiding in God in Christ can raise Godly Hope and Godly Joy to the surface of hearts and spirits. If God stops – then, with spiritual discipline, let us try and believe that we can do the same.
Major Richard Mingay
Now some of us have felt as if the last year has been a bit like a lengthy sabbath (even if forced) but is that really true?
Walter Brueggemann, who has thought long and hard about biblical sabbath rest, speaks about the pandemic experience in this way: ‘many of us are committed to time as something to fill, master, control and plan ... so this (staying home) feels more like sheltering under house arrest, and it hurts ... we become rest-less, unable to enter restorative rest’.
So ... over the next three weeks, come on a journey as we explore and pray into ‘sabbath’ as restorative rest, which brings freedom from the insatiable need to control our lives and to trust in our generous God who is enough, and does not ask if we have done enough to prove ourselves.
Major Caroline Mingay
In Jesus’ first year of ministry he’d performed some miracles, fed a lot of people, healed some others, preached some parables and he was teaching in the synagogue. It was all these things that had gained Jesus his popularity but it will also be all these things which later on earn him a lot of enemies and in particular his teaching.
Jesus first listeners went from praises to wanting to see Jesus dead; but are we any better? The message of Jesus never changes, the blessings offered to those who receive him are the same today as they were when Jesus walked the earth and the challenge is the same too. Get popular with God, it may not always be easy but it will certainly be a life worth living.
Captain Alison Stone
As we mark Epiphany Sunday know that true reliance on God will bring us through every wilderness experience. God has called you to receive his Holy Spirit baptism.
Major Richard Mingay
God calls to the world through the sound, the cry of a new born baby. He says: 'This is who I am. This is my way of being. This is my language - it is the language of love.' This language transforms us. It is a love that transforms our lives. Major Richard Mingay
The good news of Christmas remains unchanged – God is coming in Christ for the world God loves! And it’s the task of the church to joyfully announce Christ’s coming to our tired old world in need of hope. May we hear a fresh word of ‘Comfort and Joy’ in the story of the shepherds and angels outside Bethlehem when Christ was born.
Major Caroline Mingay
The Christmas story is so much about light bursting into darkness. Yes – it is about ‘Comfort and Joy’ in the direst of situations and this speaks to us more than ever in 2020. The Story is about the fulfilment of Scripture. It is about God working His Purposes out through the generous giving of His Son Jesus for everyone.
Our Scripture this morning considers the response of the Wise men, the light they followed and the difference it made to their journey. All this within the context of remembrance of loved ones – loved ones who now live in the eternal light and life of Christ.
Major Richard Mingay
As we come to this season of Advent our theme for our worship over these next weeks is ‘Comfort and Joy’ – both things we might need reminding about if we’re finding things tough.
What things has God done for you, what things has he given you, that you’ve forgotten about? This year in many ways has been a difficult year, but through it all God has given us what we’ve needed to get through each day. We can look around us and see things which bring us comfort and joy every day.
Captain Alison Stone
Today we focus our worship on Christ the King. This prepares us for the Advent Season. What a significant title for Jesus as we look toward His coming to earth and ultimately to His gift of salvation and new life.
Henri Nouwen in his Sabbatical Journey said "on the last Sunday of the liturgical year, Christ is presented to us as the mocked King on the Cross as well of the King of the universe. The greatest humiliation and the greatest victory are both shown to us today. It is important to look at this humiliated and victorious Christ before we start the celebration of Advent. All through the year we have to stay close to the humiliation as well as to the victory of Christ, because we are called to live both in our own daily lives." We consider these words from 2 Peter 1:3, ‘By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvellous glory and excellence.’ And so we join in worship to consider who Christ is both in our world and most important for us today, who He is in our lives. How do we declare with our living that Christ is King to a world who needs to hear that message of the King of Glory, bringing hope and life?
Colonel Evie Diaz
Today, we conclude our Exodus series in following the Israelites from Egyptian slavery on their long road to freedom and their new home in the promised land. But, as we’re already learning, it’s not plain sailing! And on the way, riddled at times with fear and doubt, the people lurch from crisis to crisis. And today in Chapter 17 we meet the Israelites complaining deeply and calling God to account for who he says he is. In our current circumstances, we may not find it too difficult to identify with this!
Interestingly, for the Israelites, genuine complaint is always part and parcel of a robust faith in God. So I pray that we too, through Israel’s story, might find capacity to be real and authentic in our relationship with God who is big enough to shoulder the worst of us!
Major Caroline Mingay
It is a privilege to share the message today in our continuing study of Exodus. Today’s lesson is about the miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea. A continuation of the Israelites’ escape from slavery and movement toward freedom and a new life. There are many perspectives to consider in this Bible reading in Exodus 14. I urge you to think about your place in the story and how God wants you to respond.
Colonel Evie Diaz
As a Salvation Army church, we are part of a global movement fighting against the injustice and evil of slavery and human trafficking. Our International Headquarters is rallying the worldwide Army to action through its Fight for Freedom strategy and our own territory is raising awareness through its #WeAreNotForSale campaign. We all have a role to play and there are plenty of resources out there to equip and empower us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
But even as we seek to support those who are tricked and trapped by slavery, we realise that we too are in need of saving. We don’t have to look far to find greed and suffering.
As we move through Exodus in the current teaching series, it’s appropriate that we explore Passover today – the liberation of the Israelites from the oppression of the Egyptians. This dramatic rescue, and its ultimate fulfilment in the death and resurrection of Jesus, confirm our identity as children of God: forgiven people, free from the judgement of sin and commissioned with a divine purpose to help others find welcome in God’s family.
Bethany Gibson, Youth Leader
We continue our new series on the Exodus Story by looking at Moses’s encounter with Yahweh on Mount Sinai. This is well known Scripture. The Lord appears to Moses in a burning bush. Moses obeys and is told to remove his sandals as the place where he stood was holy ground. Well this was not exclusive to Moses! I wonder how many of us realise that the ground on which we stand each day can be holy?
For millions around the world, 2020 has so far been like a wilderness experience. We have been exposed to restrictive practices that have curtailed and in many instances completely changed our usual way of life. We have felt under threat. Many have felt fear, others have known a mental and physical isolation as anxiety has taken its toll. Others have sadly suffered and died. An air of deep gloom has pervaded the year.
But – Let’s remember that when Moses responded to God here in Exodus chapter 3:1-15, he too was standing on ground in the wilderness. The isolation of the People of Israel lasted 40 years! What a privilege and blessing it was that God met Moses and made Himself clearly known in such dark days. God promised and still promises a way out! This nightmare will end! You will be free! For us, because of Christ’s sacrifice, our freedom can start at any time. We just have to have the courage to remove our sandals and to remove anything that hinders our devotion to God and then become aware of his eternal presence with us now, wherever we are. When this happens we stand on Holy Ground.
Major Richard Mingay
Exodus means 'the way out' and this is so apt for us right now in our present circumstances. So let's get right into the epic story of God leading his people out from oppression into his new and loving rule. Today, our theme starts the question of Identity: who you are and whose you are - questions which haunted the Israelites on their 'way out' of oppression, and still challenge us. Major Caroline Mingay
The imperative for God’s people to be aware of the deeply spiritual responsibility of looking after our planet has never been greater. We must be forever thankful that the Lord of the Harvest provides for our physical well-being and nourishment year upon year. Coronavirus has not been able to stop this. We are, as the Psalmist said, ‘Blessed by God’.
Our key emphasis this year will be on the Thanksgiving element of Harvest – what one writer has termed ‘the attitude of gratitude’. Today we look at what Jesus had to say about greed. It is interesting that, in speaking about a rich man’s desire for more land and possession, Jesus turns the whole argument toward nature reminding his listeners, and us, that the only element in this world that anyone can ever be certain about is that of eternal life with our Creator-God.
Nothing else is as sure as this, therefore we can do ourselves a favour by living by God’s priorities, and endeavouring not to worry about anything more than that. Creation teaches us the deepest of lessons. We look forward to learning more about this in our worship together this Harvest Sunday.
Major Richard Mingay
Jesus was keen to talk to his listeners about greed and if it was relevant for those days, perhaps it is even more relevant for us today. The verses for today are not always an easy read and can stir many emotions within us, some positive and some challenging. When you look at your life just now do you have everything you need? Not necessarily everything you ‘want’ but do you have everything you need? Just as the vineyard owner was generous in today’s Bible reading so God is generous towards us, whether we’re a new Christian or whether we’ve known him for years. ‘And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19 Captain Alison Stone
We continue our ‘Season of Creation’ series by looking at what’s called ‘The Protection of the Commons’. No – not a political centre or amphitheatre, but rather those created elements that we, as the crown of God’s creation, have dominion over; for example the land, the seas and all living beings.
The key emphasis when considering ‘The Commons’ is how we communally participate in and protect those common elements that unite all human beings. When we consider this we realise that we have more that unites us with one another and creation, than perhaps we’ve understood before. So in this week’s teaching we will be considering the following: - the Commons of Biblical community; - the Commons of Creation and then - the Commons of Church Life.
How do these elements speak into our lives and how do we care for so many created things that we often take for granted?
In recent worship meetings together we have remembered the command to Love the Lord your God and to Love your neighbour as yourself. In this teaching we will see how the concept of ‘One Anothering’ ties in with this and with the overarching exhortation to protect the Commons. What actually is ‘One Anothering’?
It’s an ‘Oh so simple’ theological idea. It is relevant to us all without exception because we all have a responsibility to protect and treat one another and all creation with the deepest respect and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Major Richard Mingay
This week, inspired by the wider Church Lectionary we commence a 4 week series called Season of Creation. This will take us to the last Sunday in September when we will celebrate Harvest Thanksgiving. It is an incredibly relevant theme for these times.
We believe that God the Holy Spirit sparked creation into life. This very act was an act of love and so demands a loving response in return. Our spiritual response must therefore encompass how we care for God’s creation; our response to current environmental issues and then a deeper look into how we actively care for one another, our place of worship and our community.
Of course, the Creation theme implies so much, and here we will consider re-creation too! Such a relevant theme for the day. What, in these unique times, will God re-create for you, for me, for this Corps, for His Church?!
Major Richard Mingay
This week is the last in our ‘Jesus Stories’ series and we’re looking at ‘The Rich Farmer.’ A short story of a guy who was prudent and stored away provision for the future.
At first glance there seems nothing wrong with what he’s doing – surely putting a bit a side for leaner days is something we all do. We budget and try to save a bit so that we have some disposable income should we need it. So what is the issue and what can we take from this story for ourselves today?
Well, the issue with the rich farmer weren’t his actions but his motives. The only people on his mind were he, himself and I. Everything he had saved was for him. As Christians we are called to look beyond ourselves. As the words of a well-known song say: ‘So let us learn how to serve and in our lives enthrone him. Each other’s needs to prefer, for it is Christ we’re serving.’
Look with God’s eyes to be generous this week. It could be generous with your time or in coffee and cake or simply in listening. However it is, may we wake up and live freely and generously sharing our experience of God with everyone we meet.
God bless you Captain Alison Stone
We are nearing the end of our series ‘Stories Jesus Told’. It has been lovely to consider the deep truths of the Gospel in some of the shortest story accounts in the Bible. Indeed some of these stories have only lasted for just two verses! But here’s the point: Jesus could make clear the things of God in very few words. It’s something a few of us preachers and teachers should sometimes take on board more often perhaps!
This morning we look at the parable of the Good Samaritan, one of the most well-known stories ever told. Our Children’s book calls this story ‘The Good Stranger’. Short but deep. There are a host of interpretations and a host of questions: Why does Jesus tell it? Why does he choose to portray a Priest and a Levite as uncaring and unloving? Who exactly were Levites? And then - importantly - how does this connect with me on an August Sabbath morning?
We must remember the greatest commandment! Yes – you know the one – the one about loving! Jesus’s example and his commands to us regarding unconditional love cannot be ignored because they are fundamental to the outworking of our own Salvation experience day by day. How do we not love our neighbour and yet say that we do love God? Do we know who our neighbour is? As we explore further together in our Online Worship time, I really pray that the Lord will bless His Word to our hearts this Sabbath.
Major Richard Mingay
This week it is my privilege to share the Bible lesson with you. We continue the wonderful word pictures that Jesus used in his teaching ministry and which we’ve described as Jesus Stories.
This week’s story is set in the familiar event of the Rich Young Ruler’s encounter with Jesus. We are reminded in this story that we do have a part to play in our faith journey. We are asked to surrender whatever may prevent us from following Jesus.
During this week, my prayer is that you will consider what is holding you back from trusting Jesus and turn that thing or multiple things over to Him. The life which Jesus offers us is so much better than what we may be trusting in now.
And you can go in confidence because, we are not on this Christian journey alone. We have Jesus and with Him all things are possible.
Colonel Evie Diaz
We are continuing with our ‘Jesus Stories’ series and today we’ll be looking at the parable of ‘The 10 Silver Coins’ from Luke 15 and will also have some supporting scripture from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. This parable really high lights God’s attitude towards sinners. We are all of great value and importance to God. Captain Alison Stone
We continue our series looking more deeply into the stories Jesus told - this week we unpack the story of the wise and foolish builders.
Jesus calls us to reject closed and rigid forms of faith for a more expansive, inclusive vision of God’s kingdom: Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock … but everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand (Matthew 7: 24)
When we have read and heard Jesus’s words, what will we do?
Major Caroline Mingay
We look at another story Jesus told in our series called ‘Jesus Stories’. It’s very simple. It’s called ‘The Two Sons’; two sons who possessed two different responses. The first repents of disobedience, the second lives with hypocrisy, promising one thing yet doing another. This is not the sign of a healthy connected relationship.
There is of course a much more extensive back story as to why Matthew relates this story in his gospel. It is personal to him. He shows with clarity just how Jesus confronts hypocrisy and sham.
Major Richard Mingay
This week we are continuing with our ‘Stories Jesus Told’ series and we’ll be looking at a tiny parable from Matthew’s gospel called ‘The Pearl of Great Price’. It’s always good to have a story to tell isn’t it? I recently spent some time with someone and recanted to them the story of an adventure I’d had involving a distraught young woman, four police cars, two police vans and an ambulance. I was just telling the story with no purpose other than to make them smile but their response was ‘there’s a sermon in there somewhere’. Sometimes we do tell a story to entertain others but when Jesus told a story there was always a deeper meaning behind what he said. Story telling is a valuable tool in teaching, it was in Jesus’ day and it still is today. Captain Alison Stone Regent Hall Salvation Army Church and Community Hub
We commence a new teaching series called 'Jesus Stories'. Jesus was a master storyteller and used parables to wake people up to new realities about God and God's kingdom.
Like all great storytellers, Jesus starts with an ordinary situation we recognise then casts a new twist on it so that we end up saying 'Wow, I've never thought about it like that before!"
Major Caroline Mingay
This is the last in our series ‘Living the Lord’s Prayer Now’. Our final teaching looks at the last phrase ‘For thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory Forever and Ever – Amen!’
Here we find a great benediction, a final seal, a definitive affirmation that our God is Lord of all, and that God’s Kingdom is the one true Kingdom of heaven and earth – and we participate in this!
Yet it is interesting that Jesus did not actually say these words! So who did? Why have these words been added? They are glorious and they relate to us where we are right now! My prayer is that God will touch and bless you at this time.
Major Richard Mingay
Our theme is the line ‘Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil’. I imagine that the first question that arises might be ‘how can God lead us into temptation?’
Well – we have to be clear that God does not. We see that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, but not by God. This line is rather a real heartfelt plea of one who realises that it is not in his or her own strength that victory is won.
Our daily prayer must be more ‘God protect me from yielding to that which would influence me to be sinful’. The line demands personal self-examination and honesty where we go on to ask ourselves ‘from what do I need to be delivered at this time?’
Major Richard Mingay
As we continue our series Living the Lord's Prayer Now, we come to the crucial line 'Forgive us our Sins, as we forgive those who sin against us'.
Christianity, and Hebrew tradition from which Christianity emerges, never skirts around forgiveness or sweeps things under the carpet. We are called to face up to sin in the presence of a loving God who deals justly, honestly and kindly with us. Just read Psalm 103 to be assured of that. So we needn't fear this tough, demanding prayer or be destroyed by neurotic guilt. Forgiveness, if painful, is healthy and life-giving! Most importantly forgiveness is good news because where forgiveness is, the kingdom of God is breaking in.
But is forgiveness easy and do we always feel like it? In the church, are we falling over ourselves in our eagerness to be forgiven and to forgive? My prayer is that this Sunday we will take a step deeper into the heart of this prayer and allow it to more deeply shape our lives.
Major Caroline Mingay
The Trinity teaches us the importance of relationship, as the three persons of God share in a communion of love that offers us a model for our own Christian life. As the Father, Son, and Spirit are one God, we as Christians are the many members of the One Body of Christ, distinct but united in an interconnected love for God and each other. This is a message that the world desperately needs to hear right now. My message centres on Trinity as Family! It’s a truth that helps us in these coronavirus days, whoever we are and whatever our story. Major Richard Mingay
Caroline Mingay speaks about the meaning of the line of the Lord's Prayer - Give is this day our daily bread.
Eugene Peterson who said: "We start with the body ... we are flesh and blood creatures. We need bread in order to live. We are souls destined for eternity but these souls are embodied with digestive systems. If we don't eat, we won't pray."
How true that is, and it's a great starting point for our reflections on this wonderful line in the Lord's Prayer.
Major Richard Mingay brings the third part of our series focusing on the Lord's Prayer and the line 'Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven'.
Major Caroline Mingay continues our series looking into what the Lord's Prayer says to us today and speaks on the line 'hallowed be your name'.
Major Richard Mingay begins our series of Bible messages focusing on the lines of the Lord's Prayer - beginning with 'Our Father who art in heaven.
Today on the first Sunday in Lent we start our ‘The World Will Be Saved By Beauty’ series which will take us through this season.
Ephesians 2: 10 tells us: "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
This morning we look at ‘The Beauty of Faith’. The temptations of Jesus show us how we have everything we need to help us cope with all the world can throw at us. God will give us all we need.
Captain Alison Stone
Our Bible reading today denies true blessing... But what do these beatitudes really say to a 2020 world; a world of unrest and where people are looking for a sense of personal worth - dignity and acceptance? God's blessings are not commodities; they are a gift. Such blessings in turn, free us up to bless others. Major Richard Mingay
Major David Jackson speaks about refreshing our commitment to God.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith."
At the Last Supper Jesus makes a profound statement about what life would be like for those who follow him. It is very relevant to our thinking, especially in our volatile world at the start of a new decade. Jesus says: 'In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world'. Major Richard Mingay
'Epiphany' means shining forth and is linked to the three kings, or wise men, following the star to Bethlehem. Epiphany is not just the kings' journey - it is everyone's journey. It's ours.
May we like the three wise men venture into the brave new land of 2020 - let the glory of the Lord, the light that is at the heart of all life, open us up on our travels. May we find the courage to trust every step of the way.
Major Caroline Mingay
The great book of Revelation is vast and complex. It paints rich colours and pictures. It relates stories and prophecies that demand a deep understanding. Ultimately it reveals just a glimpse of future Glory under the reign of The King. We delve into a few verses to see how Kingship is relevant to our lives within our challenging contemporary context. Major Richard Mingay
We are looking at the reading from 2 Thessalonians. In the Bible the title for verses says "Warning against idleness". It made me think of that saying 'the devil makes use of the idle hands'. We'll be looking at Paul's words to the church in Thessalonica and seeing how we can apply it to our lives today to make sure we guard against this. Captain Ali Stone
Today is Remembrance Sunday. While today speaks of sacrifice, its proximity to Advent can indicate the inevitable Hope ahead. Psalm 10 reminds us that God is present - God will never desert or forget us. God is the helper of the helpless and the defender of the oppressed and afflicted.
Through active remembrance and engagement, Christians must aid those who feel forgotten in their communities, and always pray more for peace in troubled times.
Major Richard Mingay
Regent Hall blesses new members of its leadership team. Major Caroline Mingay reminds us of Paul's words, to 'Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ' (1 Corinthians 11:1). We all need to listen for God's voice as he leads the way.
Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham brings the Bible message encouraging us each to think about every part of our lives - everything that we do is an expression of how great God is. What is your purpose? Your life can be fulfilled by living with Christ.
We need to be the best ‘us’ we can be and do all that we do for the glory of God. We should look to glorify God in our bodies, in our conversations and in our thought lives. He will give us the right words to say to those that we meet that they might become children of God. Captain Alison Stone
On the Annual Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking, our teaching focus is based on the Joseph narrative, the boy once sold by his brothers into slavery and yet as an adult rose to become the highest slave-trader in the court of Egypt.
Such teaching is harsh, but then truth is sometimes harsh - and our prayers need to become a resistance movement against the dangerous prospect that we ourselves, however unwittingly, might become pawns and enablers in this evil game.
Major Caroline Mingay
Mary is crying at Jesus’s tomb. John 20 vs 14 says: ‘she turned around, saw Jesus standing there but did not realise it was Jesus. She thought he was the gardener.’
The principle here is the same as the story that Luke tells of the two on the road to Emmaus. It took time for them to recognise Jesus. They speak but it is only when Jesus broke bread in their home that they recognised him – and Scripture tells us that their eyes were opened.
This morning I want to talk about recognising Jesus in three different ways: 1. Recognising Jesus in our personal lives 2. Recognising Jesus in others 3. The eternal Kingdom meaning for us
Every moment is another chance - this moment right here. So we watch and listen and we’re open. Christ has made it possible. He looks like a gardener, but God is in Him… May that be so for all of us.
Major Richard Mingay
Try saying 'I am difficult to offend' to help make the experience real for you. The parable of the prodigal son can help us reflect on being difficult to offend in our own lives. It helps us focus on a father who didn't take offence, who did not bear a grudge and who forgave his son. Captain Alison Stone
Jesus tells his followers to "Go and make disciples". For some this is easier said than done. It is a challenging commandment - we look further into what this simple sentence means for us individually. What kind of person can actually make a disciple? Major Richard Mingay
We all experience change in our lives - but how do we view change? God is in the business of change - transforming us to become more and more like Christ.
Major Christine Comely
Major Caroline Mingay introduces the Theology of Welcome which underpins the new vision statement for the Regent Hall Church of The Salvation Army. 'Welcome' can be costly and challenging but where God's welcome is honoured, the Kingdom of Heaven is already breaking in.
This well known Bible reading from Ezekiel speaks to us today - God will not leave our lives in a scattered state. The Church is strongest when it is totally united.
1 Corinthians 12 teaches us that Christ can make the broken person whole again. God has the power to make things become what they ought to be.
Major Richard Mingay
Captain Andrew Stone - editor of the War Cry weekly magazine - speaks about the joy of accepting God's call.
At the end of the Gospel of John, after the resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples. This message is relevant to us too - it helps us come out of the Word and go into the World with the glory of Jesus's life and purpose inspiring our hearts. Major Richard Mingay
Major Richard Mingay considers the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and what it means for each of us - let us live as a resurrected people, enabling us to rise above the challenges of daily life. Encounter Christ in Spirit and in Truth.
Here is Easter morning and Christ is risen! Our hearts and minds are again taking in the good news of the third day. If you can't easily feel joyful and hopeful today, then I simply say this: Let Easter have its way with you. Easter is about a new creation. Trust in the Calvary work of Christ to give you faith and deep trust so that you may live in greater and greater hope.
Major Richard Mingay
Major Caroline Mingay looks at John 19 to unpack the Good Friday message and the reminder of Jesus' sacrifice for each of us.
Let's look at the text of the prodigal son through the perspective of Lent - a season of spring cleaning and decluttering all that obstructs God's claim on our lives. Lent helps us see the 'lostness' of all the characters. This story invites us to stand in the experience of lostness, whichever brother we identify with - or even the father who weeps for his children. Major Caroline Mingay
This is a huge story. It is an event that instilled wonder in the three simple fishermen - Peter, James and John. They are stunned by this mountaintop experience.
Mountaintop experiences are not everyday occurrences but they are necessary because they can really change how we react and respond to life when we come back down the mountain. They can give us new perspectives. We see God's glory in new ways.
Major Richard Mingay
How should we treat our enemies? Jesus speaks to the violence within us by encouraging us to love to the extremes - because we are extremely loved by God. Living in that reassurance we can pass it on. Major Caroline Mingay
The story of the storm is a strong metaphor for those disruptions that come and smack into our lives and personal situations. And so I'm going to speak on the following three thoughts: - the nature of the storm - reaction to the storm - how to come through the storm Major Richard Mingay
Christ's message was to welcome the marginalised, love the foreigner and the outcast. You see God's love and blessing cannot be boxed within the confines of human prejudice and preference. God's story for all is a big fat word called 'Grace'. Once we understand Grace for ourselves, then we too are charged with spreading the Truth of his Word. Major Richard Mingay
We look at Jesus's first sermon - in fact it's the first thing he says at all in Luke's Gospel. It's also his personal vision statement. And it speaks to us today, as we pray 'pour out your Spirit on us today, that we who are Christ's body may bear today the good news of your ancient promises to all who seek you. Amen.' Major Caroline Mingay
The story of Jesus's baptism as recorded in Mark's Gospel is all about Jesus confirming and setting his identity both with an earthly context and also within the much wider eternal Kingdom picture. Holy Spirit Baptism gives us our means of identity as Christians, individually and corporately. It can challenge us and help us identify our true priorities. Major Richard Mingay.
In our light service we take time to consider how those we have loved and lost are nearer than we comprehend because, through the Divine, the distance has been covered. Major Richard Mingay
Biblical narrative is packed with advent longing: Old Testament waiting for the promised Messiah; New Testament waiting for Christ to return.
We must dwell in advent because it trains us to ache for God. Let this advent guide you back home to God who will open the heavens for your salvation.
Major Caroline Mingay
CS Lewis made a famous remark at the beginning of The Screwtape Letters: 'The average person has two equal and opposite reactions when faced with demons and devils. Either they're tempted to say that this is all a bunch of nonsense and we can't believe in them, or they take a very unhealthy interest in them.'
And Lewis rightly say neither of those is the right approach. In this message we are going to look into what the Scripture actually means.
Major Richard Mingay
Remembrance Sunday silence always draws us together in a unique way. Whatever our age or experience, in this moment we allow the reality of war to touch us – some of us stretching back to personal memories - some of us stretching forwards trying to imagine what those impacted must have felt - and all praying to find peaceful ways in resolving difference and withstanding aggression. But every silent remembering is a call for us, here and now, to join the Prince of Peace in restoring the broken world he loves. Major Caroline Mingay
What does it mean to be truly authentic, truly genuine? You don't have to be a Christian to be a person of real integrity and truth, but from the tense encounter in John 8, of Jesus with a woman accused of adultery, we can learn for our own lives just how True Grace and integrity can triumph over the abuse of power. Major Richard Mingay
Like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house 1 Peter 2: 5
Richard Mingay
Jesus asked, 'Who of you is willing to follow me with everything you have and are?' The Cross must be central to keep us focused on Jesus.
Major Caroline Mingay
Ephesians 4 tells us about being an equipped church. This means every individual has to really desire to become spiritually mature and holy; every one of us using our own God-given personality, individuality, and giftedness right where we are... building up this church and this community together - like a well cared for, nourished, connected body. Richard Mingay
The heart of Easter is not chocolate eggs, or a bank holiday weekend. It’s resurrection. Resurrection meets me in my everyday life. That one-time yet cosmic event makes its way from the cross to meet us here today via our ordinary, day to day lives. Caroline Mingay
Major Caroline Mingay speaks about Transfiguration - God revealing his glory to each of us.
Major Richard Mingay describes how the Nicodemus story helps us understand what our salvation really means.
Major Caroline Mingay completes our series on Creation by focusing on holiness and the responsibility God has placed on us to care for our planet.
Major Richard Mingay speaks on John 12: 24.
Harvest means both sacrifice and abundant life.
Jesus's own spiritual life was nurtured through an intimate relationship with creation. He comes as the one who opens the door to the new creation and says "Behold I make all things new". Major Richard Mingay
I’d like to set the context for this month’s teaching through the season of creation. You see, we might ask what on earth creation has to do with traditional holiness and salvation themes. Well, if we can’t find any connection I think we’ll have to answer for that to our children and grandchildren!
So, this morning I am appealing that we are able to take a broader view of salvation and holiness – which encompasses within God’s mission the whole big cosmic creation as well as my own personal salvation and holiness. Major Caroline Mingay
God spoke a major message through this minor prophet - and if there was ever a message that was relevant for today it is this one given to Haggai: there is a time to consider, a time to believe and a time to act.
We too often minimise what God can do through us because we minimise our capacity to do God's will here on earth. But the truth is that God continues to do his extraordinary work through the ordinary.
Major Graham Mizon
The book of Habakkuk is unique in that it doesn’t provide a direct prophecy to the people but it records a dialogue between the prophet and God.
Habakkuk couldn’t make sense out of life and complained to God. But God’s ultimate aim is for his glory to cover the earth and for the just to live by faith. Habakkuk is able to conclude his prophecy with a hymn of praise as he rejoices in the Lord.
Major Graham Mizon
Nahum is a study of God’s justice coming to bear upon the city of Nineveh. Even in the midst of difficulties and oppression, God can bring good news – and we are the ones that God may send. In a world of darkness and need, Christian’s bring the light and hope of Jesus. Major Graham Mizon
Micah is a remarkable prophecy and contains some of the most exact prophecies that were to come to pass. It hardly gets a look in when we celebrate Advent and Christmas, but several centuries before Christ, Micah spoke the word of the Lord, that God will send a Saviour, who, like Micah, will come from a humble background and be born in the small outback village of Bethlehem, that this one who will be born will stand among the people a shepherd and will stand in the strength and might of the Lord God. Major Graham Mizon Major Graham Mizon
This morning we are going to look at what is no doubt the most famous and well-known of all the Minor Prophets - Jonah. It is a Biblical, fast-paced story, of a runaway prophet who got swallowed by a whale but survived in order that he could preach to the Nineties. I want us to see this morning that this ancient text, recording events in the latter part of the eight century BC, contains messages that can help us to live for Jesus today. There are major themes in this Minor Prophet that speak to the heart of our walk with God today. Major Graham Mizon
We come to the second in this series where we look at major themes in the Minor Prophets – the label given to the last twelve books of the Old Testament. We know nothing about Joel except that he was the son of Pethuel. We have no clue in the book of Joel as to when the prophecy took place, but it was probably one of the earliest of all the prophets – eight or nine centuries before Christ. Joel spoke out boldly speaking forth the message of Yahweh – a forth-teller, but also spoke of a better day in the future and as a foreteller told of a day when all will come to the Lord to be saved; both Jew and Gentile. Major Graham Mizon
The book of Obadiah is a message of judgement against the sin of humanity which had fallen upon the nation of Edom. But, as is the case with all these prophetical books, the message and vision that Obadiah brings is not without hope.
Through the message of judgement comes the Gospel message of hope - the hope of Christ in us and that his kingdom will come and we will be victorious. Major Graham Mizon
We come to the third in this series where we look at major themes in the Minor Prophets – the label given to the last twelve books of the Old Testament. This week we consider the prophecy of Amos. What do we know about Amos? Well, the book opens by telling us that Amos was a shepherd from Tekoa, which was a small rural community about 12 miles south of Jerusalem.
I just love the simple, straightforward way that Amos talks about how God called him. We can learn from his simple faith today.
Major Graham Mizon begins a series on the Minor Prophets, beginning with Hosea and his love story.
And so we come to the final part of this prayer, “and that you would keep me from harm”. Jabez is praying a prayer for protection.
It is so easy to be defeated, despondent and deflated. And that can especially happen when we are being blessed by God and when we are enlarging our sphere of influence. But we can live as the Redeemed, with our heads held high and our feet firm on the solid rock.
Major Graham Mizon
Have you ever thought that a little prayer to God can result in great surprises? Have you ever had the experience of praying a prayer that God has surprisingly answered for you? I hope you have. If you haven’t, let me warn you to be careful what you pray for. God has a habit of answering those prayers leaving us in awe of a God of the universe who is also intimately interested in our little prayers! It is possible to pray a prayer, think that you are not going to get an answer and then have the shock of your life. Jabez prayed: “Let your hand be with me!” This is a real, heartfelt prayer by Jabez for dependence; to be dependent upon the God of Israel. Major Graham Mizon
Jabez prayed: "Oh, that you would bless me And enlarge my territory Let your hand be with me And keep me from harm" This week we look at the second line of this prayer and see what it can tell us today. Jabez had a holy ambition to do more and to be more for God. Major Graham Mizon
Praying with Purpose: "that you would bless me indeed". We begin a four part series of sermons looking at the Prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4: 10. It is a remarkable, one verse prayer that is relevant to us today. Graham Mizon
In this final talk of this sermon series, I would like to talk about how we can reach out of the zone and become a blessing to others.
If you are a blessable person; if you have been abundantly blessed, you can hardly help but to be a blessing to others. You will constantly send blessing messages out. And, of course, that is how it should be. God hasn’t abundantly blessed us so we can live in our own little world. He has blessed us so we can share his Good News so that more people can be saved from Hell and received assurance and Heaven. And that is the tension I want to present this week. The tension between us as Christian’s living in our own world – our own fellowship – our own church, against the need for us to turn outwards and reach outwards in fellowship and love to others so we can be a blessing to them. Major Graham Mizon
Life in the zone is about God and generosity. Outside the zone is all about Satan and selfishness. In the zone it's about blessing; out of the zone it's about curse. In the zone it's about give, give, give. Outside the zone it's about get, get, get. With all the materialism around us today, no wonder we can so easily get sucked out of the zone. We are all born takers, while God is a giver. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3: 16). Major Graham Mizon
God wants us to live in this zone – the place where God can bless us and influence us, and a place from where we can bless others. The problem is, some of us live outside the zone – we are zoned out – we tiptoe on the edge of the ledge – we sometimes drift in and out. But God wants us to be zoned-in people. God is for us! God wants us to enjoy his presence and his blessings. God wants us to be in a good place. God’s the Blessor. He’s given everything to us—our personality, our drive, our creativity, our innovation, our smile, our laugh, our athletic abilities. He has given it all to us. And because we have it from God, the stuff we have is God’s. One of the fundamental things for a Christian to believe and to understand is that everything is from God and of God. Without him, there is nothing and we are nothing. But we need to go beyond this. Because we’re blessed—when we are in the zone, we can turn around and be a blessing. Major Graham Mizon
What does it mean to be 'in the zone'? A zone is simply an area that's distinguished from the surrounding areas. It's in contrast to other places. I want to suggest that God wants us to be in a zone - in a place - where he can bless us. What does it take to be where God wants us to be? To be in the centre of God's will and purposes for our life; to be in the right place; to be 'in the zone'? So for starters I want to talk about getting in there - how we get into a good place where God can bless us - the place where we can be a blessing to others. Major Graham Mizon
This morning I want to talk about the Glory of the Lord. But what is it? I want us to see that the glory of the Lord can be seen this side of heaven. It is encountered in that place which is the presence and settling place of God. So how do you make it a reality and not something you just read or talk about? When we are in harmony with God and seeking his will and his presence we will be transformed by degrees, and we will see the glory of the Lord. Graham Mizon
It is great to know the will of God, but what we are taught in Scripture is to do the will of God. Scripture is full of it. Not so much knowing, but in doing the will of God.
In this final message, I would like to give you a series of short thoughts about Jesus Coming Soon. The promise continues to be fulfilled as Jesus enters into your life. Jesus came - and he has not stopped coming! Graham Mizon
This is the third message in our Coming Soon series. This phrase is more often used with anticipated Second Coming of Christ, but I am using it here for the first advent. The coming of Christ is an ongoing reality for those believers who open their hearts and surrender their will to God. We consider one of the characters in the Christmas narrative - Joseph.
In this second message – on this first Sunday in Advent – I want us to get closer to the earthly scene that Jesus entered as he brought heaven to earth. We are now into Advent. The carols have started to be played, the Christmas trees are up, cards have started to be written and presents are being bought. So let us also get into that Christmas scene in Bethlehem as we once again celebrate God’s gift to us and as a result Christ will be born again in the hearts of believers and, in that sense, Jesus is coming soon. Major Graham Mizon
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Jesus prays that God’s kingdom might come so that the will of God might be revealed on earth in the same way that it manifests itself in heaven. I want to especially focus today on this phrase: On Earth as it is in Heaven. God has become King and his kingdom is with us and in us. Christ is coming soon. He wants his dwelling place to be in heaven – the heaven of our hearts. Graham Mizon
This morning I want to continue from where I left off last Sunday on the subject of transformation. Firstly, Jesus was transformed when he left Heaven and became a God/man and dwelt among us. Secondly, the presence of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit transforms us into Christians. And thirdly, as Christians, now empowered and engaged with the will and purposes of God we become agents of transformation. We, too, do Christ’s work in this world and become transformers in our own right. Major Graham Mizon
Jesus has been in the transforming business for 2,000 years – beginning with himself. Jesus was both man and God. And Jesus transforms lives. Jesus came in transformation in order that we might be transformed by his Spirit. Graham Mizon
This morning we come to the final message in this series called Espresso Yourself. And the final shot of espresso that I want to serve to you is all about enthusiasm. Enthusiasm – as we shall see – is a powerful, caffeinated God-thing that is worth striving for. The enthusiasm I want to talk about this morning is not something that is dependent upon everything going right for us in the world, but it’s more about us being right with God – us being “in God” - “en Theos”. Major Graham Mizon
Thank you — two powerful words. Thank you — two trajectory —changing words. Thank you — two words that can be like two shots of espresso. I believe that God wants us to live lives of true and deep appreciation. He wants our lives to be so caffeinated with God’s love that we adopt a spirit of gratitude. And this is what I want to talk about in this third message in this caffeinated series – Espresso Yourself. Graham Mizon
1 Corinthians 13 Espresso provides a theme and a backdrop for this series of sermons: Espresso Yourself. Christian’s need to be caffeinated with God and be a powerful punch for Him. I have another message this morning that packs a powerful caffeinated punch. I am going to talk to you about some of the strongest stuff, and, like espresso, some of the bitterest stuff that we as Christian’s have to swallow. Graham Mizon
Starting this morning is a new four-week series called Espresso Yourself. At Regent Hall, we have recently opened our refurbished Oasis Café, and in doing so, we have introduced real espresso coffee. Suddenly, we have become caffeinated with this strong coffee that packs a real punch for serious coffee drinkers. In much the same way our lives can make a powerful impact on those around us. This series promises to caffeinated your Christianity as you understand what it means to Espresso Yourself in ways that glorify God and build up others. Major Graham Mizon