Audio Podcast: Recent Episodes
Bridge Church Chepstow
Welcome to the Bridge Church Podcast. We're a church based in Chepstow, South Wales and it's great to have you join with us. We hope you enjoy the teaching and the God speaks through it.
We need to think biblically about congregational worship. We need to think biblically about the gathered church. And that’s what this new series is all about. What we do, and why we do what we do when we gather together. This introductory message considers who gathers and why?
At the end of the passage exhorting us to put on the full armour of God, Paul highlights the importance of prayer, and the need to pray in the Spirit at ALL times, with ALL types of prayer, with ALL perseverance, for ALL people.
In this message we consider how the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, enables us to stand firm against the enemies schemes and tactics.
How does the helmet of salvation protect our minds from the lies of the enemy. We need to think biblically about who we are and what we do.
The shield of faith is not given to prevent hardship, but to protect our hearts, minds and futures when we walk through it, which we inevitably will. In this message we think about the flaming arrows that the enemy launches at us and the connection they have with trials and suffering and how we can take up the shield of faith and trust God in the midst of them.
In this message we take a look at the shoes that represent the gospel of peace; peace with God, peace with others, and peace with ourselves.
’Stand firm then… with the breastplate of righteousness in place…’. Not your self-righteousness, which is a useless protection in the spiritual war, but put on Christ's perfect righteousness, given to you, as a spotless covering, and a secure foundation, upon which you can stand firm and live a life empowered by the Spirit that pleases Jesus, silences Satan, and brings glory to God.
We begin our study of the armour of God by looking at the belt of truth and the importance of being rooted in God's Word.
How do we fight against the devil and his schemes. In Ephesians 6 v 10-14 Paul gives us the answer.
In this message we look at the opposition in the spiritual war, and think specifically about Satan and his schemes, and how we might overcome them.
As we launch a new series on Spiritual Warfare, based in Ephesians 6, we Strat by laying five foundational truths that are important for us to recognise as we consider this topic.
Serving Community is part of our vision and is all about connecting people closer to Christ. We can do that by following the example of Christ and listening well, showing compassion, and being moved to action. In this message we also highlight the seven key ways/projects with which the church are currently reaching out into our community.
Growing Together is really about fulfilling the Great Commission; following Jesus and helping others to know and follow Him too. In this message we consider the actions involved in fulfilling this commission; Go, Baptise, Teach.
In Acts 4 we have a group of new believers, learning what it means to live for Jesus, and responding to the work of His Spirit in their lives, and so their approach to prayer should serve as a great guide and encouragement to our own praying. In this message we consider four things from the prayerful account in Acts 4; The prompt, practice, purpose and prize of their praying.
What will the result be of living in the fullness of the Spirit? What evidence will there be that we have indeed been filled with the Spirit and are living a Spirit-filled life? We will live a life that glorifies Jesus through our witness and our worship.
We are commanded to go on being filled with the Spirit, but what are the barriers to us living in the reality of this command? And what do we need to do to go on being filled?
What does Scripture reveal about when and how we receive the Holy Spirit? In this message we think about our connection with the Holy Spirit before conversion, at conversion and after conversion.
In this message we consider some of the things the Holy Spirit does in our lives and our world; He convicts us of sin, He converts us to Christ, He confirms that we are Gods children, and He conscripts us into Gods mission.
In this message we seek to understand who the Holy Spirit is by considering the personality of the Spirit, the Deity of the Spirt and four symbols of the Spirit; Oil, Fire, Wind & Water.
What is the Trinity and what does it matter? This morning before we focus more specifically, in the weeks ahead, on understanding who the Holy Spirit is and what He does, we must first understand the person of the Holy Spirit in the context of God’s revelation of Himself as three in one, or One God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
This week we begin a new series all about the Holy Spirit. We want to learn truth about the Holy Spirit in order to deepen our relationship with the Holy Spirit and encounter more of the Spirits power and presence in our lives. In this message we hear about the heart for this new series.
What are the implications of the kingdom of God being within us as believers. Chris Vaz shares five manifestations of the Kingdom of God within.
With God working through us our potential as Christians is amazing. What might be in the way in your life that prevents God working fully in you and through you?
Today we finish our series in Romans 8 with the final question that ultimately answers every other question & dispels every other doubt. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Paul concludes this section of his letter with five questions intended to strengthen beyond all doubt the faith, assurance and hope of every believer. Questions intended to combat the lies of the enemy with the truth of Gods Word. In this sermon we look at the first four of those questions.
In this message we consider one of the most often quoted verses in the NT and try and understand it in its wider context.
This passage reveals three things for us to consider: The reality of suffering (even for the Christian), the hope of glory, and the need for patient faith.
In these four verses Paul repeatedly emphasises our position as children of God. Indeed if we truly want to understand what it means to be a Christian then we need to grasp and appreciate the reality of divine adoption.
Continuing our journey through Romans chapter 8. The first part of this message is missing due to technical issues. However it begins by unpacking verse 6 ' The mind governed by the flesh is death'.
We kick off a new series in Romans chapter 8, one of the most inspiring chapters in the Bible. We begin by looking at the wonderful promise held out to us in the opening verses: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
In this message we consider the importance of prayer as one of our key values as a church. We think about the privilege of prayer and the attitude of prayer.
In the second part of our Bridge Values series we consider the importance of the Holy Spirit to our lives as individuals and a church. How can we live full of the Spirit so that our own lives are transformed and the world around us is impacted.
In this message we consider one of our key values as a Church, the priority of the Word of God. Using Psalm 19 v 7-11 we unpack the privilege, power, trustworthiness and truthfulness of Gods Word.
How's your faith candle burning? Are you asking God what steps of faith he wants you to take? Are you living in a state of readiness to take steps of faith? These and other questions are explored in this encouraging and challenging message.
Thinking about the parable of the talents and what that means for the way we use what God has given to us.
How can we glorify God in the midst of our suffering? The only real answer is to locate our story in His bigger story and look to the cross and the resurrection.
In this message we consider three people in the Easter story who changed their position.
Ultimate Giving involves cultivating a generous life for the glory of God. In this message we think about the why, the what, the when, the where and the how of generous giving.
Jesus said open your eyes and see that the fields are white unto harvest. This message is an encouragement to take our place in the mission of God, reaching out to our community with the message of Gods love and grace.
Serving for the glory of God involves looking to Jesus. Ultimate serving will be rooted in the love of Christ, modelled on the love of Christ, and all for the love of Christ.
What does it mean to parent to the Glory of God. How can we honour God and make much of Him through the way we bring up our children. This message is about parenting but it includes many helpful discipleship principles relevant for all Christians.
As part of our ultimate series we consider ultimate marriage and take a look at how God has designed and desires us to live out our marriages for His glory with the grace that He provides.
We continue our Ultimate series by considering how we can worship to the glory of God especially in our Sunday services. Ultimate worship should point us to the excellencies of God and is rooted in the excellence of Christ.
In the second part of our Ultimate series we consider how the Glory of God relates to the Gospel and to the way we approach Scripture.
This series is all about realigning our lives with the ultimate goal and good in all things: The Glory of God. Romans 11 v 36 (NLT) says; ‘For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.’ We will consider how we can pursue what's ultimate (the Glory of God) in and through the different activities of our lives.
During this advent season we consider the incredible truth in the Christmas story; Immanuel, God with us.
Part two of looking at some important attitudes and characteristics of a growing church. What kind of environment are we creating?
In these final instructions to a young church Paul highlights some of the attitudes and behaviours that should be present amongst them as a growing Christian community. What kind of environment is being created? And so as we conclude our journey through this NT letter, we draw attention to 14 important aspects of church life that Paul mentions, which are all equally helpful for us today.
The church has always been fascinated with how and when it’s all going to end, and how and when Jesus is going to return, but the important thing to know is not when this will happen, but who (or whose) we are when this day arrives.
As Christians we don't grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope, for we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that truth changes everything. In this message we consider the reality that awaits us as believers when Jesus returns.
In this message we consider Paul's warning to the Thessalonians to avoid sexual immorality, and seek to understand Gods good design for sex and marriage. Please note: The first 5 minutes of the message is missing due to technical complications, so we join the sermon after the introduction and bible reading.
Paul knew who was behind the Thessalonians faith and perseverance and so He gives thanks to God and then he prays for God to do even more.… setting an example of what it means to live a Godward life of humble, prayerful, grateful dependence.
Paul knew that hardship & persecution was inevitable for the Christian, which is why he was so keen to remind these new converts that trial & tribulation is a necessary part of Christian growth & witness. We too need to hear this message.
Considering Paul's example of faithful ministry and what lessons we can learn for our own ministry and service.
We kick off a new series in 1 Thessalonians this morning, and after introducing the context of the church to which Paul writes we consider the evidence of Gods grace in the lives of the Thessalonians which was displayed in their work produced by faith, their labour prompted by love and their endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus.
As we celebrate 15 years since the Launch of The Bridge Church, Martin Coleman shares some of the most important things that have shaped both his own life and ministry and the life and mission of the church. Posture, priorities, people and perseverance.
This is the final message in our 'one another' series. Today we consider what it means to welcome one another into our hearts and lives in response to the way Christ has welcomed us.
Continuing our 'one another' series with a look at the important exhortation to encourage one another. Why should we encourage one another, and how do we do it?
We continue our 'one another' series by looking at the challenging and often painful topic of forgiveness. What wrong assumptions do we have that make forgiving others difficult, and how does the Gospel empower our forgiveness.
Part three of our 'One Another' series; Serve one another. We consider the encouraging reality that there are no small acts in the Kingdom of God.
In the second message of our 'One Another' series we look at what it means to teach and admonish one another.
This is the first in a six week mini-series titled 'One Another' as we consider some of the New Testament commands that relate to how we as a church relate to one another. We will look at; Love one another; teach one another, serve one another, forgive one another; encourage one another; welcome one another.
In this message we hear about the great work of Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) and the heart of God for children and young people, and how we can play our part to make a difference.
In this message we consider one of The Bridge Church values; Spirit. The importance of living a Spirit filled life, both in the context of our personal lives and our corporate life together as a church.
In this message we consider another one of our foundational values as a church; Generosity. We consider how our generosity and giving is a natural overflow of the grace we have been given in Christ Jesus and an essential part of glorifying God in our world.
This message is to encourage us in prayer and to help us become a powerhouse of prayer as individuals and a church. Praying prayers that are pleasing to God; simple, humble, persevering prayers.
Lessons form a beach in Cornwall about the way the ocean tides reveal something about Gods work in and through our lives.
At The Bridge Church we have a few key foundational values that help shape the way we do what we do; Word, Spirit, Prayer & Generosity. Over the next few weeks we will consider each of these values in turn. This morning we consider why the Word of God should have a central place in our lives individually and corporately, and we consider some practical ways to help make Gods Word a priority.
In this message Keith unpacks the importance of worship through all of life, but also through singing.
After God had rescued Israel and led them out of Egypt through the Red Sea, Moses and the people sing and praise God for who He is and what He has done. In this song we encounter some key themes about God; His unrivalled Power, His uncompromising Justice and his unfailing love.
Israel left Egypt only for God to lead them into an even more difficult situation, with their backs to the Red Sea and the Egyptian army in hot pursuit. What a terrifying and impossible situation. However, God was at work and all they needed to do was wait and watch what God would do.
Despite the hard reality of judgement and death, the Passover is an event to celebrate because it is a lasting demonstration of Gods promise of salvation for all who will trust in His provision; the lamb, Jesus Christ, who takes away the sins of the world.
In this message we continue our journey through the plagues of Egypt and particularly focus on the last and most devastating of the plagues, the death of the firstborn. What does this reveal about who God is, who we are, and what we need.
In this message we consider what God was revealing to Pharaoh, to Egypt, to Israel and to us through the plagues. We encounter the living God who is Lord over all creation and all other gods and idols and the only true location for humanities hope.
Tim unpacks this story from Moses' childhood to help us understand the difference our lives can make, especially in the lives of the poor and needy, when we allow God to use us for His purposes.
Sometimes things seem to get worse before they get better in the journey of faith. This was certainly Israels experience in Egypt. In this message we consider the challenge of walking with God through seasons of trial and trouble and what we can do to ensure we persevere.
At the end of chapter 4 we encounter some challenging verses about God hardening Pharaohs heart, God declaring He will kill Pharaohs firstborn son and God also threatening to kill Moses. In this message we consider some of these difficulties and what they reveal about God and His work in our world.
Serving God is not about our ability and what we can do but about God's ability and what He can do through us. That's why simply saying yes to him and offering what's in our hand can be enough to impact the world around us.
In this passage Moses asks two questions of God; Who am I and who are you? The answers to these two questions are important for all of us.
In this section of the story we see how God was preparing Moses for the call He had placed upon his life.
In this message we consider the five women that God used to turn the tables on the enemy and bring about his purposes of raising up a rescuer for his people. We also considered the darker side of this story and how we can give thanks for what God is doing even in the midst of so much suffering.
This is the opening message of our new teaching series in Exodus titled 'the God who rescues.' In this message we highlight the hardship and oppression Israel faced in Egypt and consider the role that human sin and Gods providence had to play in the unfolding story.
In the penultimate message of the 'I Am' series, we look at Jesus' claim to be the way, the truth and the life and consider the implications for our lives in the midst of an ever changing and challenging culture.
We continue our series exploring the 'I am' claims of Jesus, this week looking at his claim to be the resurrection and the life, considering the hope that this truth should flood our lives with.
In this message we consider the claim of Jesus to be the Good Shepherd and are captivated by a powerful and wonderful revelation of who Jesus is and the way He cares for His sheep.
This week we consider Jesus' claim to be the Gate for the sheep and the implications for our lives, faith and futures.
In this message we consider the second of Jesus' 'I am' claims in John's Gospel; I am the Light of the world. We consider what it means for Jesus to be the light of the world, and look at the themes of Revelation, Guidance, Protection and Life.
This message begins a new series looking at the 'I am' claims of Jesus to discover more about who Jesus is and to allow our lives to be transformed by His grace.
In the final part of our Wellbeing series we look at the area of vocational wellbeing and consider the importance of work and rest.
This week in our series 'God's plan for your wellbeing' we consider the topic of financial wellbeing and in particular the important biblical principles of contentment and generosity.
This week in our series "God's plan for your wellbeing' we look at the area of relational wellbeing and in particular consider the importance of love, forgiveness and reconciliation.
This week in our series "God's plan for your wellbeing' we look at the area of our spiritual wellbeing and consider how we can fill up our spiritual tanks.
This week in our series 'God's plan for your wellbeing' we look at the area of emotional wellbeing and how we can move towards greater shalom in this area.
As part of our series 'God's plan for your wellbeing' we look at the area of physical wellbeing and how and why we should look after ourselves physically.
This is the first talk in our new series, called "God's plan for your wellbeing' based on a book and teaching resource written by Dave Smith. In this series we will consider six different aspects of our wellbeing and how we can take steps toward greater wellbeing in each area; physical, emotional, spiritual, relational, financial, vocational.
We kick off our Summer Psalms series by looking at Psalm 1 and considering the importance of being rooted in the Word of God.
What is an idol? Why is it so important that we keep ourselves from idols? How do we discern our idols? And how do we defeat them? During this message we attempt to answer these important questions.
What is the sin that does not lead to death, and what is the sin that leads to death, and are there really people we shouldn't pray for? In this message we attempt to answer some of these questions and also focus on the importance of prayer for brothers and sisters caught in sin.