Godfirst Cheltenham: Recent Episodes
Godfirst Cheltenham
Josh continues our series from Mark looking at chapter 14, highlighting the different responses 'wort it or wasteful', can any sacrifice be too much for Him.
Howard continues our series from Mark 12 and talks to us about the greatest of all commandments.
Chris continues our series and talks through Mark 10 and how to enter the Kingdom of God.
Howard continued our series from Mark and spoke on 'His Disciples' challenging us to deny ourselves, taking up our cross daily.
Tom continues our series from Mark and challenges us on faith being an active daily choice.
Andrey Bondarenko challenges on our prayer life, offering practical application for daily life.
Howard continues our series from Mark and talks from Mark 7 around setting aside commands of God in order to observe your own traditions.
Ben speaks from Galatians 5:16-26 around the battle between desires of the flesh and that of the Spirit., giving practical advice on how we can have the winning strategy.
Pete continues our series from Mark's gospel, speaking about the bread of life and the insufficient becoming sufficient in the hands of Jesus.
Howard continues our series from Mark and speaks about His power over the chaos of a broken world.
Howard continues our series from Mark and challenges us on the parable of the Sower, bringing fresh insight into the life of Jesus.
Howard continues our series from Mark where he challenges on being one family in Christ and what that means for His church.
Chloe continues our series from Mark and talks through His Rest, identifying the characteristics of the Kingdom of Grace.
Howard continues our series in Mark, talking from Mark 2 and what can course paralysis in our own lives.
Howard starts our new series from the Gospel of Mark and speaks about HIs call from Mark 1
Howard talks on Easter Sunday around the undoing of death and death that has lost sting.
Our last In the current series on 'The heart of worship' and Howard talks from Mark 11 challenging us on the fruits of worship that Jesus is seeking.
Adam continues our series on 'The Heart of Worship' talking how worship fuels our mission from Revelation 7.
Andy speaks to us about Mary and Martha, posing the question about what we can do to be ready for Jesus.
Howard continues the series on 'The Heart of Worship' speaking to us from Corinthians 14 and challenges on how prominent liturgy, prophecy and prayer ministry are in our church life.
Zak continues our series 'The Heart of Worship' and talks from 1 Corinthians 13 around 'The way of Love' highlighting the necessity, character and permanence of love.
Andy Smith continues our series on 'the Heart of Worship' focusing on corporate worship, with it being the fabric of the Kingdom of God.
Howard continues 'The Heart of Worship' series and talks from Isaiah 40 and Little God, Big God.
Howard speaks from Proverbs, focusing on how everything flows from the heart and on aligning our hearts with Christ.
Lucy Smith speaks from Proverbs 31, focusing on how wisdom is Spirit-given and lived out daily.
Howard speaks about the Royal Father parenting from proverbs. Giving practical advice for different seasons of life.
If there's a God, then why are there natural disasters and diseases? Dr Sharon Dirckx tackles these challenging questions.
Adam speaks to us about the sluggard from Proverbs, drawing on themes of laziness and work, and concluding with the idea of resting in the work of Christ.
Howard introduces the new series of 'People in Proverbs' and talks through the voice of Lady Wisdom and the choices we have in our own lives.
Howard leads us through the Ascension of Christ, showing how it runs throughout Scripture. He unpacks the topic with three main words: King, Priest, and Spirit.
Howard speaks on Jesus becoming man, emphasizing that this is central to our salvation, embodied life, and worship.
Howard takes us through the truth that God as a Trinity means God is a community of love—one that, staggeringly, invites us in.
Our Family Worship service in which we worship together as a church family, and learn about Gods love.
Howard takes us through Psalm 103, where David encourages us to move the truth about who God is and His wonderful love for us to the centre of our being.
Chloe speaks from Psalm 91, giving us a beautiful image of the God we serve and the inheritance we have through Jesus Christ.
Josh Allaway leads us through Psalm 38 — a heavy psalm, but he walks us through it well, leaving us with the hope found in Christ Jesus.
We continue our series in Psalms 'real people, living God' where Naomi takes us through Psalm 126 and the Lord restoring us.
Guest speaker Wayne Nolan guides us through Psalm 1, emphasizing the importance of turning to God, being rooted in Him like trees planted by streams of living water, and avoiding the path of the wicked.
Sarah speaks from Psalm 42, focusing on our hope and encouraging us to put our hope in God.
Chris brings us a message from Psalms 115 and challenges us about idols in our own life that shape the way we live.
Howard preaches from 2 Kings 6 and 7, where Israel is under siege and has lost faith that God can bring victory. Yet God uses four lepers to share the good news of His deliverance—a powerful lesson for the mission of today's Church.
Howard guides us through 2 Kings 5, drawing connection between Naaman’s leprosy and our sin—and how, just like Naaman found healing in an unexpected way, we find the cure to our sin in Christ Jesus.
Richard Stamp speaks from 1 Kings 19, focusing on God's plan and how we are called to respond with faith.
Howard continues our series on faith in the living God by speaking from 1 Kings 19, focusing on those moments when we’ve had enough—reminding us that God meets us with grace in times of burnout.
Howard speaks from 1 Kings 18, encouraging us to be people of faith, prayer, and action.
This talk continues our series on faith in the living God and draws lessons from when Elijah is on Mount Carmel in 1Kings 18.
Howard preaches on " I thirst" from John 19. Jesus physical thirst from the cross and the link to our spiritual thirst that only Christ can satisfy.
Howard preaches on Luke 23. Jesus dying words from the Cross, and the importance of forgiveness.
Simon Allen walks us through how to be hospitable. Focusing on the value of hospitality and factors which hold people back.
Sean Green talks about church as the family of God. The practical challenges of family and church and how we as Christ followers live that out.
Rhys Gronow speaks on Strength to Stand, outlining 4 practical points from the passage of Mark 14:26-31.
Ending our series in Romans Howard takes us through chapter 16, encouraging us to be a deeply relational, diverse, and women honouring church.
As a continuation of our series from Romans, Zak takes us through chapter 15 and talks to us about following on Paul's journey in gospel ambition.
As a continuation of our series in Romans, Howard challenges us on how we work through disputable matters and the unity of our one body in Christ Jesus.
As a continuation from our series in Romans, Howard challenges us on being citizens of God's kingdom and how that influences our life.
As a continuation of our series in Romans, this talk from Romans 11-12 challenges us on a culture of self, and what it means to be called to be a living sacrifice.
As a continuation of our series on Romans, Howard tackles Romans 9-11 and challenges us on God's sovereign choice.
As a continuation of our series from Romans, Howard talks through how nothing can separate us from the love of God. The talk is based on Romans 8:18-39
As a continuation of our series in Romans, this talk is taken from Romans 8 and talks about the spirit of adoption and our new life in Christ.
A talk about how the law of the Spirit of life through Jesus overcomes the law of sin and death in the lives of believers.
As a continuation of our series from Romans, we look into chapter 7. As the talk breaks it into 4 parts to delve deeper into the chapter; humanity's sinful nature, good law makes good people, dying to what bound us and the new way of God's spirit.
A talk about how Jesus completes and fulfils the law on our behalf so that we may be united to Him through the gospel of grace.
An encouragement to consider the importance and urgency of planting churches in all the world.
A talk on how baptism in water as a believer is a demonstration of uniting ourselves into Jesus and the gospel.
Guest speak Hugh Palmer takes us into Paul's arguments for a Righteousness that comes through faith.
A talk highlighting the Apostle Paul's challenge to the hypocrite and hedonist culture in Rome and us today.
An introduction into our new series in Romans. This talk provides an overview of Romans and talks through being unashamed of the gospel.
The Apostle Paul argues for the benefit of being one with Christ rather than remaining one with Adam.
Finding joy in life, even through times of trials and suffering, as a means of experiencing God's presence and grace.
An all-age sermon about the importance of not showing favouritism and how the gospel helps us do this.
An overview of the Book of James and the series topics to come. James is very concerned that believers walk in the 'wholeness' of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
An encouragement from Ezekiel to enjoy and experience all of God's presence and fullness of life by the Holy Spirit.
An overview of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that God gives His people to serve others and be built up in our own faith.
An encouragement to Walk in the Spirit and create an environment for the Holy Spirit to bear the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
Jesus says it is better that He goes to the Father so that they can send the Holy Spirit to be with God's people? Why is that and how can we live in the good of the promised Holy Spirit?
Acts 6 shows us that church growth requires leaders to release more leaders. Godfirst intends to raise up and release deacons and teams of leaders into various key ministry areas.
Speaker Jeremy Moses highlights the reasons why our generation is so susceptible to burnout, especially in the workplace.
God's plan is to gloriously renew the heavens and the earth as the setting for the wedding of Jesus and His bride, the church.
An all-age family meeting in which we consider why the death of Jesus on the cross in our place is good news.
The future direction of Godfirst Church outlined during a Vision Sunday talk, highlighting the Godfirst values of Caring for the poor, Mission, Community, Discipleship and being Spirit-filled.
The opening verses of John's Gospel describes the importance and impact of God coming to earth in human form, as Jesus chooses to be made like us so that we can become like Him, sons and daughters of God.
'Mothers Say' is a series of short talks by mothers from Godfirst about the various stages, joys and challenges of motherhood.
An encouragement and reminder out of Psalm 121 to receive help and grace from God who loves to sustain and do His people good.
Attempting to engage meaningfully with a culturally relevant topic, we RE:Think the impact of the Sexual Revolution with OCCA speaker Sara Stevenson.
We investigate how God develops the theme of building the Temple and His presence dwelling with man in it, and how Jesus is shown to be the true Temple and build His people into Him.
God's rescues His people from slavery and death so that He might love us like a Bridegroom loves His bride. The 10 Commandments are like wedding vows of love and commitment.
Abraham receives the promise that God would bless him and his offspring to carry the blessing of God to every nation. Jesus commissions His followers to continue this mandate.
CEO of the charity Jubilee+ highlights the great mercy of God towards people and how His mercy is meant to flow through us towards others, especially the most vulnerable in society.
Symbols and images have value because of what they represent. Humanity images God which is the soil for all thoughts of human rights, and marriage images Christ and the church, a beautiful picture of the gospel.
God the Father, Son and Spirit have always been a community of love and giving. When God created the world we get the first glimpses of the overflowing love that culminates in Jesus coming to live and die for those He loves.
At the top of Simeon's bucket-list was to live to see the coming of the Messiah. Simeon's blessing reveals the thoughts and priorities of our hearts.
On the road to Emmaus we find Cleopas and his wife arguing whether Jesus is risen. In the midst of their deep despair, Jesus walks alongside, opens their eyes and sets their hearts ablaze.
We see from Simon of Cyrene and the 2 criminals crucified next to Jesus, the greatest blessing is found in taking up our cross and following Jesus even when times of suffering come.
CEO for Care For The Family, Robin Vincent, encourages loving relationships within the church family as a means of blessing those within and demonstrating the gospel to those looking in.
A biblical introduction to God as 'Family' and how the church of God and the members within it are to reflect that in being a Family together.
Pontius Pilate, the crowds and Barabbas all encounter Jesus on His way to the cross. Adam looks at what true Justice and Power are, and how they are fulfilled in Jesus.
Author and speaker Simon Edwards discusses the compelling evidences that God and science work hand-in-glove rather than being at odds.
A look at Peter's denials of Jesus and how the gospel restores and upholds the believer through the trials in life.
A comparison of the Rich Young Ruler with Zacchaeus reveals the transforming power of Jesus' love over the power of money in our lives.
Tom preaches through a prophetic word on the joy and lightness of finding and living in the will of God for our lives.
A look at Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees and the dangers we all face in trying to create a prefect world without Jesus in the centre.
The Transfiguration holds one of the most beautiful and glorious revelations of who Jesus truly is, and how we should respond to Him.
Two encounters of desperate faith, and the power and kindness of Jesus as He responds to their faith in Him.
During our Youth Group Takeover Sunday, Eleanor and Lily share about the blessing of being in community with Jesus and one another as we go to Him as our healer.
Howard kicks off our new series by looking into what Jesus meant and what the implications are for us when He read His ministry manifesto from Isaiah.
Adam concludes the True North series by highlighting our salvation through Jesus' goodness and mercy.
Sarah describes how The Fruit of The Spirit have been poured into her from a young age, and have poured out of her through her life journey.
Tim points us to the encouragements of Jeremiah that the people of God are to remain close to the Fountain of Living Waters.
John highlights the story of Jesus forgiving a sinful woman who worshipfully comes to Jesus, and relates it to our ability to freely and thankfully come to Jesus as our saviour as well.
Daniel encourages God's people to love walking with God and in His ways, rather than trying to appeas God through sacrifices.
The Apostle John concludes the letter of 1 John with an encouragement that faith is the key to remaining confident in Jesus's victory over the world.
The Apostle John emphasises that the God is not merely loving, but that He IS love. Howard explores this theme and the implications for believers.
Howard recaps the story of God so far through Godfirst and looks forward in faith and thankfulness to the launch of the Chapel.
The Apostle John reminds the believers of the deep love God has for His people in making us and calling us 'Children of God' through Christ Jesus.
The Apostle John encourages believers to have an appropriate sense of the importance and value of temporary, earthly and fleshly things when compared to the life found in Jesus.
The Apostle John encourages believers be assured of their standing in Christ, and to stand firm against the lies and heresies that plagued the church.
Howards kicks off a new series in 1 John, by looking at the encouragements in chapter 1 to live our lives in line with the confession of our faith, and live in the grace and forgiveness of God.
Christopher concludes the Cross series by looking at how the death of Jesus on the cross offers us forgiveness through justification.
Howard preaches through the story of the Prodigal Son and emphasises the wonder and the power of the cross to bring us Acceptance through Jesus.
Howard encourages believers to recognise and live in the good of Jesus' victory over sin and death, through His death on the cross.
Anthony looks at how the death of Jesus on the cross offers us purification from sin and atonement with God.
Howard opens the Easter series with a look at how Jesus' death on the cross brings freedom to the people of God.
Christopher discusses the Godfirst distinctives of being gospel-centred, Bible-based and mission-focused.
Howard encourages commitment to genuine community as essential to growing as disciples of Jesus.
Howard highlights the importance of why belonging and being committed to a local church really matters.
Zak summarises the last chapters of Acts. The Apostle Paul's incarceration and journey to Rome catalyses a passing of the baton of gospel and missional impact to the next generation and to us.
Christopher speaks about the 'constraint of the Holy Spirit' that Paul felt to go to Jerusalem and discussed why this was so important to Paul as an expression of gospel unity.
Howard uses the idolatry in Ephesus and Paul's gospel message to help us see, reflect and repent of the idolatry in our own hearts.
Christopher identifies Paul's methods and words from his time in Athens to encourage us to be thoughtful missionaries of Jesus into our culture.
As part of the appointment of a new elder, Sean Green preaches from Titus about how elders are selected, what they do and how a church is to respond to their leadership.
The early church changed everything for women. From Acts 16 Howard highlights how the gospel brought hugely positive counter-cultural change from women, slaves and gentiles.
Christopher looks at the perseverance modeled by Paul and Barnabus in Acts 14 and encourages their example to spur us on in our own perseverance in following Jesus.
Christopher brings a New Years Encouragement to live all-out for Jesus out of Philippians.
Christopher highlights the need for mercy in our lives and how Jesus is the only one who can fill us to overflowing with His mercy.
Howard and Naomi Kellett explore Jesus' encouragement that life does not consist of an abundance of things.
Guest speaker Richard Stamp from Gateway Church Poole, highlights the gospel imperative at the heart of the Council of Jerusalem to 'Remember the poor'.
Christopher looks at the conversion process that God takes Saul on from zealous persecutor of the church to zealous apostle of Jesus.
Howard looks at Peter's Vision in Acts 10 as the pivotol moment the gospel goes global. This shifts from a Jewish-only to a gospel that includes the gentiles, has huge implications for the spread of the gospel and for us today.
Christopher continues the Acts Series with a look at the learns and encouragements from the life and terrible death of Stephen, the church's first martyr.
Adam speaks about the heart and response of Jesus towards Lazarus and his loved ones at his death and resurrection.
Howard continues the Acts series discussing the power and importance in the name of Jesus for salvation and identity as God's people.
Guest speaker Alan Frow from our Advance Partner church in California, encourages that it is God's presence that has always distinguish His people, and through Jesus, always will distinguish us.
Christopher discusses the reasons for God using miracles to empower the early church and why the Holy Spirit continues to empower believers today.
Author and speaker Simon Edwards answers the question, 'What is life worth?', as part of Godfirst's Re:Think evenings.
Howard continues the series through the book of 'Acts', highlighting how God purposely uses the same signs throughout His story, to show how the Church is now the New Temple, the place where He dwells by His Spirit.
Howard encourages Godfirst with faith lessons from the life of Abraham as we trust God to buy Chapel Arts as a mid-week and office hub for Godfirst.
Howard kicks off the new series through the book of Acts by introducing the book and highlighting the grid of the '2 temples' and the '2 Visions' that we'll use throughout part 1 of the series.
Daniel Charlesworth preaches about the blessings and joy of our salvation in Jesus through the practices of confession and repentance, as he looks at Psalm 32.
Panashe preaches out of Psalm 139 and highlights how Jesus becomes our safety net when we know that He's always with us.
John Dally preaches through Psalm 23 and reminds us of the great truth that Jesus is our Great Shepherd who can be entrusted with our lives.
Christopher preaches out of Psalm 121 about how Jesus, as the keeper of our lives, is the antidote to fear and anxiety in life.
Anthony Bradbury continues our series through the Psalms with a look at Psalm 118, and compares it to the life of Jesus, where he sees ultimate victory even in the face of the greatest adversity.
Christopher walks through Psalm 42 with an emphasis on the pastoral applications for hearts that are thirsty and desperate for Gods presence.
The psalmist calls us to consider the spleandor of God in creation and then leads us to be staggered by the glory of God in the gospel.
Howard pulls up a chair and shares some of the exciting possibilities that God is calling Godfirst to in the future, as we look to Go, Give and Grow for His glory.
As part of the 'Formed' Series, Adam highlights the importance and implications of being baptised as believers.
Christopher discusses how important it is for Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit as part of our process of being formed into the image of Jesus and being empowered for His mission.
Howard continues the 'Formed' series by looking at how the things we love dictate what we worship and that we become what we worship. Jesus is worthy of our love and worship because only He can satisfy the deepest longings of the soul, and becoming like Him is best thing for us.
You can’t think your way to Christ likeness, you need the gospel to realign the compass of your heart towards Jesus
Christopher spoke about Jesus' mission toward us has caused us to be drawn into his story as his missionaries to the neighbours and the nations, and that the greatest joy in this life is found not in pursuing self, but in being on mission with Jesus.
Guest speaker Andre Ntambwe from Common Ground Church in Cape Town, preached out of Luke chapter 1, about responding well to interruptions when God suddenly and surprisingly breaks into our lives.
Guest speaker Gareth Bowley demonstrates how the love of God through the person of Jesus busts the myths that we believe about the conditional love of God.
Adam discusses the value and importance of Discipleship THREE'S as part of the disciples formation into the image of Jesus.
Using Matthew's gospel, Christopher discusses what the empty tomb of Jesus asks of us as genuine disciples and the hope that it offers us.
The story of Palm Sunday shows us that the Jesus we want is not the Jesus we need. (This sermon was preached at Trinity Church London, the week after it was preached at GodFirst, this is the audio from Trinity Church London).
As part of our Formed series, Howard encourages us to live the Bible story and to meet Jesus by learning to meditate on scripture.
Christopher worked through 2 Corinthians 3 and discussed how Paul says that the Spirit sets us free to increasingly become more like Jesus.
Howard talks about how we are formed out of our experiences. He spoke out of James 1 highlighting how God uses our pains, trials and sufferings to continually form us into the image of Jesus.
Tom Bradbury encourages greater followership of Jesus by assessing and minimising distractions caused by abuse and addiction to our phones and digital media.
Tom Bradbury encourages a focus and prioritisation on being and making disciples of Jesus by assessing and streamlining the unhelpful distractions through the us of our phones and digital media.
Christopher highlights that the gospel creates community and that the purpose of community is to create disciples who learn to obey the commands of scripture as well as live in the good and blessing of that community.
Sean Green from Reading Family Church (https://www.readingfamilychurch.org.uk/) encourages Godfirst and the Lead Couples to trust God and expect Him to do great things through the church as he preaches out of 2 Kings 13:14-21.
We are formed by the habits, routines and rituals of our lives. Paul in scripture encourages us to enter the strict training of athletes. Yet spiritual practises are not just training and effort like rowing but training and effort like sailors to catch the wind of God's Spirit.
Pete Cornford from Redeemer Church London, walks us through the story of Abraham and Isaac. Stirring us to faith like Abraham and showing us how this story is a picture of the Gospel.
Jesus offers us a stark choice, deny yourself, pour yourself out and you'll find true life, or grasp for a life of self, gain the whole world but lose yourself. When we know Jesus is the true treasure, to sacrifice everything for him is no loss.
Howard unpacks how we are formed, looking at 5 pathways, story, experiences, community, practices and loves.
Our failure to fulfil the Great Commission is due to the Great Omission: our failure to truly live our lives shaped as Jesus' disciples.
At our carol service, Howard talks about how birth helps us to understand the story of the world. Hope, suffering, darkness, pain, turns to joy and new life. This is the story of the nativity and the resurrection.
Howard continues his advent series on 'Emmanuel - God with us'. This week Howard tells us how Jesus has come to reconcile all things to the Father, and in doing so has reconciled people with people and eventually heaven and earth.
Advent series on 'Emmanuel - God with us' This week Howard walks us through Big Story of God's presence from Eden, Moses, Tabernacle, Temple, and Exile culminating in how all these threads find their fulfilment in Jesus Incarnate, Crucified, Risen.
Stan concludes the preaching series in the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ with a deeper look at what Jesus meant when He encouraged us to build our houses on the eternally unshakable rock.
Rigby Wallace who leads an Advance partner church in Cape Town served us excellently by preaching about the importance, value and means of living in the patience that the gospel brings.
Steve encourages us to press on with our prayer life as a church in light of the great promises Jesus made when calling us to be those who ask, seek and knock.
Christopher continues the Godfirst Church series in the 'Sermon on the Mount' with a look at what Jesus means when He says 'Do not judge, or you too will be judged', and how he encourages us to live in the light of that.
Howard continues the series on "Sermon on the Mount", looking at why we can trust God to look after all of our needs and how the gospel empowers us to lay down the anxieties that come with chasing idols.
Howard encourages us to live authentic lives, stop living to impress others and to take off our masks.
Howard continues the 'Sermon on the Mount' series, working through Matthew 5 : 27 - 32, with a particular look at Jesus' view on marriage, sexual desire and justice.
Howard continues the series of the 'Sermon on the Mount' with a look at Jesus' practical teaching of how to be a community of the kingdom. This week we look at 'Anger and forgiveness'.
Howard kicks off the new series in the 'Sermon on the Mount' with this look at the Beatitudes and how rather than being a high moral bar, they point to Jesus and the kind of people that the gospel will reach.
Steve looks at rebuilding fresh rhythms of prayer in our lives out of the story of Nehemiah.
Howard looks at the importance of time and how different moments and seasons can impact our lives.
Christopher looks into the life of Solomon to demonstrate that Jesus is the only one who can bring us true and lasting Joy in our lives.
Guest speaker Matt talks about Christians being like living stones, that are being built into a spiritual house. He touches on how evangelism should be as natural as the way we shamelessly tell others about our last vacation or latest Netflix series we have watched.
Steve looks into 3 vital aspects of Generosity which include: Justice, Mercy and Faithfulness.
Howard looks at how we are shaped by our experiences, people, habits and stories. But as Jesus followers we are to be formed by: Teaching from the gospel, encounter moments and spiritual practices.
Andrew speaks about what we can learn from Jesus' way of praying. He highlights that a devotional prayer life is birthed out of being Sons and Daughters of God.
Jesus' answer to individualism and loneliness in our culture is the proper practice of Christian Community.
Howard starts of the year by starting a new series called The Way of Jesus where he talks how we must be with Jesus, become like Jesus and do things that Jesus does.
Andy speaks courageously and honestly about the recent difficult times that he and his family have gone through. He goes onto speak about how joy and comfort can be found in these times.
Howard encourages Godfirst to pursue spiritual gifts especially the gift of prophecy. The talk ends with helpful practical steps to grow in prophecy.
A pitch for thanksgiving, Steve Moat talks about the problem and then goes onto speak practically how we can plan and discipline ourselves so that we may learn to be a people of thanksgiving.
Guest speaker Owen Cottom from Cardiff, Wales speaks about the prayer he tries to pray everyday. This powerful prayer is asking God to open our spiritual eyes so that we may see the Hope that we have in Jesus and that we may see the Glory of our identity in Christ and the surpassing Power of Jesus.
Tom Clewer a guest speaker from Wales starts off the new series on prayer by encouraging us that prayer changes the world.
Howard finishes off the series on culture shift by discussing that secularism seems to be winning and the church declining. However, God is in control and he wants us all to remember Him.
Howard looks at the meaning of water baptism and goes onto explain that the christian life is about sacrificing your own life and way of living to God.
Howard outlines and unpacks four habits to cope with a culture that is trying to throw us in the lions den.
Howard unpacks how current culture likes to build up the self and how tenuous this way of life can be.
Howard begins a challenging new preaching series based on the book of Daniel. Howard goes onto unpack what 'me culture' is and its effects on the Christian faith.
Howard wraps up the last parable of the series on revolutionary stories by unpacking the parable of the lost sheep.
Christopher unpacks the parable of the rich fool by discussing how and what we should spend our time, money and lives on, in light of the kingdom of God.
Jonny speaks on the Parable of the sower and he unpacks what the 4 different soils represent in our lives today.
Zak Bonnington on his debut preach unpacks the challenging parable of the shrewd manager.
Judith speaks brilliantly from two of the shortest parables in the bible as she unpacks what they mean for us today.
Howard speaks from the parable of the great banquet revealing that God came down and out to bring us up and into his heavenly feast!
Howard unpacks the parable of the vineyard workers revealing Gods compassion towards us.
Howard starts the new series of The Parables of Jesus by unpacking the parable of the Good Samaritan
Christopher looks at how Isaiah points towards a suffering servant. That suffering servant is Jesus who lays down his life for us.
Tom looks at Gods redemption plan through Israel and how God promises to send his beloved Son to make things right again.
Steve Moat looks at Isaiah 40 as he talks about how things in our lives can easily creep into becoming idolatorous. But, in working through these things we see God as our comforter and how awesome He is.
Guest speaker Sean Green spoke about how diversity within the church is a must and what that looks like for us here in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire!
Christopher talks about that at times it may seem like we are walking through darkness, but, Jesus has come into this world to bring light and a hope.
In this first talk on the series of Messiah in Isaiah, Jonny unpacks Isaiah's vision of God on the throne and how God is calling us to share the gospel in Cheltenham and to the nations.
This preach on resurrection Sunday looks at how Jesus is crucified outside the land because God wants to kick sin , death and hell outside of the new city.
The second message in our Easter series, set against the story of Abraham & Isaac, this talk explores how the cross of Jesus provides the hope and solution we need in our lives.
Howard and Naomi talk openly and honestly about God's desire for family and their experiences of family life.
This talk looks at the sexual revolution of the 21st century and what sex and sexuality looks like in and out of a married context.
The preach looks at singleness from several different stand points including: the old testament, the gospel, a gift and in the church.
A sexual revolution is around us. We cannot bury our faces in the sand. Howard unpacks the revolutions ideals and story.
This talk looks at a biblical view of marriage, conveying that marriage is a covenant, its about teamwork, it celebrates unity and difference, it is built on Love, sacrifice and submission.
The first in our new series about Divine Sex. This talk looks at how parenting and marriage require fruitfulness, faithfulness and sacrifice.
This talk looks at Jesus' command to love one and other just as He has loved us. This command thus infiltrates the way we do community and the way we love others in our daily lives.
This talk looks at how grace teaches us to be generous to one and other, the incredible power of giving and to marvel at the giving grace of Jesus.
This talk looks at how our hearts are constantly pursuing joy, but pure lasting joy can only come from abiding in Jesus!
This talk looks at our hearts' longing for an encounter with God, longing for God to demonstrate his power in such a way that we cannot pass it off for anything else.
This talk looks at how we are unavoidably hope-based men and women. The hope demonstrated through the bible is one of confident expectation of what God has promised. As a result, the talk challenges us to pursue God over all our worldly passions and desires.
This talk looks at the story of Jesus' birth in light of the wise men who seek after Jesus. The talk goes onto reflect on how and why humanity should seek after Jesus.
This talk looks at the true meaning of Christmas through the classic Christmas carol 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing!'
This talk looks at how grace can transform areas such as community, bible reading and being honest with one.
This preach looks at how we should boast in Jesus Christ instead of our own strengths, so that when suffering comes our way we can trust and boast in our cornerstone Jesus!
This talk looks at how Grace teaches us that we aren't just saved from sin and death but into God's loving family, therefore empowering and teaching us to say no to the sinful desires of the flesh, so as to not let sin control our lives.
This talk looks at Gods scandalous Grace in that we have been justified by Christ, therefore, no condemnation can be found in Christ. The talk goes onto look at how we can fight any condemnation in our lives by living in the truth of Jesus justifying us.
Through the use of the Mr Men characters, this preach looks at how we need to die to the law as no one can be made right with God by doing what the law commands and instead marry into Jesus to receive his Love and Grace.
A preach about the parable of the prodigal sons. Howard unpacks the severity of the younger son leaving his family and the astonishing Grace to which is father demonstrates on his return, a brilliant illustration of Gods amazing Grace.
This talk looks at what true greatness looks like and how that affects us now and also the future generations.
Through the story of the woman caught in adultery the talk highlights God's unmerited favour and love towards us. The talk goes onto look at how Grace can transform our lives.
Referencing Hebrews 11 & 12, Howard walks through the culture and strategy steps for the next stage of growth of Godfirst Church Cheltenham.
The talk looks at when Acts describes Paul arriving in Athens and is concerned by their lack of faith. The talk goes onto look at the relevance of this story in today's society and how we should be concerned with Cheltenhams lack of faith driving us to mission and evangelism.
This third preach in this series looks at how becoming one with Jesus is like a marriage.
The second of three talks in the series of 3-2-1 looking at the beginning of Mankind and how the world is shaped by 2 representatives.
A new series called 3-2-1. This talk goes into depth about the characteristics of who God really is.
The final preach in the series of Exodus looks at the greatness and importance of God's presence in our lives and within the Church. Moreover, the talk goes onto speak of how being in Gods presence is far better than any earthly gift or thing.
This talk looks at the wisdom Jethro gave to Moses, revealing and demonstrating the heart God has for people.
Through the story of the Exodus we can see easy it is to create our own 'golden calf idols' and that when we sin we are committing adultery against God. However, by God's outrageous grace, He rescues and restores us from our 'golden calf idols'.
The talk looks at how God rescues us not because we keep the rules but because He wants a relationship. The 10 commandments are like the wedding vowels as God brings us into relationship with Him.
This talk looks at a series of grumbles recorded in Exodus after the Israelites had escaped Egypt and how God responds to these grumblings. The talk goes on to unpack that grumbling reveals something much deeper about ourselves as it is often rooted in the heart.
Unfortunately due to recording difficulties the recording does not start at the beginning of the preach. Despite this, the preach looks at the moment the Israelite's are at the foot of the red sea having been freed from Egypt yet, only to see the Egyptian army chasing after them. The theme temptation is discussed as a metaphor to this story and how Jesus is the ultimate Saviour.
This talk looks at the significance of the final plague in the Exodus story which meant death would come to the first born of every family. Within this story, the theme 'freedom' is discussed revealing what true freedom looks like.
This talk looks at the 10 plagues of judgement placed upon Egypt by God. The talk goes onto explain that the plagues not only demonstrating Gods judgement on the people of Egypt but, also His Grace. From this story we see a foreshadowing of Jesus's sacrifice on the cross, revealing His unconditional Grace to all.
This talk, looks at how the sense of identity is huge in this day and age. The story of Moses in the book of Exodus reveals Gods rescue plan for us so we can trust and put our identity in Jesus
This talk marks the beginning of a new summer series going through the story of Exodus and the way it mirrors Jesus' story. The talk goes onto to discuss contentious contemporary issues derived from the first few chapters of Exodus.
This is a talk about the gospel being a moment and a process. We receive the gospel, grow strong roots and spread the gospel as a community of believers
This talk looks at the important role of the sabbath day, a day of rest, within our working lives. It goes onto look at practically applying the sabbath to our often very busy 21st century lives.
The talk looks into the fact that Christ redefines greatness in our modern era and that means Jesus must become greater and we must become less.
The talk looks at the early church's devotion to the word, to prayer and community. He goes onto talk about how Godfirst might follow the model and challenge described in Acts 2:42-47
A talk about working hard for the glory of God and how the gospel gives us an identity, value, purpose, and joy to be different within the workplace.
Guest speaker Sean Green begins his talk with a little update about his church in Reading and then goes onto to speak about what it means to really follow Jesus.
Guest speaker Ben Franks begins the talk with encouraging stories and news from Rhondda Valley, Hope Church in Wales before beginning (8minutes 42 seconds)his talk on trusting God in the midst of troubles. He goes onto to unpack how God is our shelter, strength and helper.
The second part of the series on 9 to 5 - God's plan for work and this talk unpicks how the way we think about work can transform how we do work. The talk goes onto describe how Ephesus was transformed by the gospel and how this then incredibly transformed their working lives!
This talk was on the day 2 families within in the church celebrated and asked God for help to parent the best they can. The talk goes onto unpack that the best way to parent is through knowing and living your life for Jesus
This is a preach with a twist. The talk unpacks the passage of Mark 4:26-29 in a bible study manner, line by line and word by word. However, instead of telling you all the answers straight away, you, can interact as you listen and think for yourself. This talk is packed with wisdom about spreading the gospel no matter where you are in life!
This talk unpacks that God created us to work and that from the beginning it was His design. We as humans are able to continue on in Gods work of creation. As a result, this allows our work to coincide and connect with Gods work. Not only this but, the gospel of Christ frees us from the need to achieve self-worth or satisfaction through work as we already have this in Christ.
This is a pumping packed message full of great truth surrounding Jesus' Ascension. The talk goes onto explain why the ascension is even important, how it impacts us and practically, how does it effect our lives.
This message discusses how Christianity has either everything to do with our lives or absolutely nothing to do with our lives. It can never be moderately important. The message goes on to talk about the evidence behind Jesus rising from the dead and as a result demonstrating that Christianity has everything to do with our lives!
A message about Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The talk unpacks the expectations people had of Jesus coming as the Messiah and how He might solve their needs. However, Jesus conquers the world but, not how people may have expected. This is relevant to our lives now as its worth asking, what kind of king are you expecting that is worthy of our lives? What kind of king are you living for?
A message about Gods justice and wrath being poured out on Jesus as He was on the cross. The anger, wrath and outrage that we deserved is substituted through Jesus for Gods glorious love and grace.
This talk looks at Jesus on the day of the last supper and his remarkable actions in pouring out himself onto the disciples by the washing of their feet. In this moment Jesus was teaching his disciples and us that it is far greater to serve and pour your life out to one and other than to try and meet our own needs.
The talk unpacks the stories of Jesus cursing a fig tree for its lack of fruit and Jesus overturning tables in the temple due to people thieving in the house of the Lord. From this we can challenge ourselves and reflect, are we fig trees baring fruit or fig trees of fruitlessness?
A message about pastoral care within the church family. The talk speaks of how its not just the "top" leaders that pastor but we all have the ability to rebuke, pastor and love one and other. The talk goes onto describe 4 gospel truths to pastor well.
A message about God being Love and how His overflow of Love spills out into our lives. Baring children, making a family and pouring our Love into them is a replication of how God poured his Love into us. The talk goes onto describe some vital and wise parenting tips!
A message about the church being compassionate toward the poor. The word "poor" or "poverty" appears 446 times in 384 separate verses in the Bible. Jesus was passionate about caring for the needs of the poor. This talk discusses why and how to care for the poor of Cheltenham.
A message about discipleship being a journey in becoming more like Jesus. It starts with saying no to the discipleship of the cultures and putting your faith in Jesus. The being continually discipled by other men and women speaking the truth in love. Gods plan of changing the world is through disicples!
A message about God being love, not just showing Love but, how He is inherently Love. Through this truth the christian community is transformed to displaying sacrificial cross shaped Love. Because of this, the christian community is where people see and believe the gospel!
A message about the Church being a missionary community, going out into the town of Cheltenham and beyond to share the irresistible good news of the gospel. The talk further unpacks the truth that the Church are a chosen people called to do God's works and speak out about Him.
The start of a new series at GodFirst Cheltenham called Everyday Church. The message was about being a Christian in the 21st Century. The talk unpacks how and why we should be ready to give a reason for the belief that Jesus is our Lord and Saviour.
A message about Jesus being the author and creator of all things, the rescuer and peacemaker and the restorer of the world. The talk unpacks the verses from Revelations 1 that describes Jesus as Him who was and is and is to come.
A message about Jesus being The True Vine and how God is passionate about dwelling with us and that we can dwell with Him because of Jesus dying for our sins. From this relationship with Him he prunes us to make us fruitful and take away any dead branches that are sin, so that we are more like Him.
A message about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead demonstrating that He is the Resurrection and the Life, that by Jesus' own death and resurrection He defeated death once and for all time, giving us eternal life for those who believe in Him.
A message about Jesus being the Good Shepherd who becomes like a sheep to sacrifice Himself so that death and evil are defeated. Allowing us to have life to the full in Him!
This message discusses the historical events surrounding the protestant reformation. It helps the listener understand the mindset of the Christian culture of the day, and ultimately underlines the important role the bible should play in the Christian doctrine.
This message goes through the account of the prostitute washing Jesus’ hair with her feet. Steve encourages the listener to compare and contrast the woman and the man Simon who’s house they were in. One was interested in being good, the other was interested in God. Ultimately everyone is morally bankrupt and in need of a savior
This sermon describes the meaning of light and darkness to our culture today, and what it means spiritually. It peaks with a challenge for all Christians to live as children of the light, on fire for God.
This sermon describes how God is the great ‘I AM’. That he is eternal and unchanging, Alpha and Omega, and completely self existent. Howard then explains how Jesus is the ‘I AM’ God.
This sermon unpacks the original design God had for mankind. Much of this has to do with growing. Plants, gardens, animals, humans, we all naturally grow. It was God’s desire that Adam and Eve would tend the garden well that they were in and then grow it to fill the entire earth. This desire of God’s is now being carried out through what Christ has done for us on the cross, like a seed, dying for us, in order to grow the most spectacular, everlasting garden, called the Kingdom of God. In the remainder of the message, Howard outlines Godfirst’s goals of growth for 2020, hoping that Godfirst can play an exciting part in God’s kingdom filling the whole earth.
This sermon begins by going through many reasons why we should give freely and generously, then expounds on the practical application for that in our lives, and in Godfirst church's community.
This is the first in a series about man’s original purpose here on earth, to be fruitful and multiply, to go fill the earth and rule over it. This sermon focuses on how because we are created in God’s image and he is pro-active, we should be to. Howard describes how difficult it is for mankind to do this, because our natural desire is to stay in our comfort zones and be turned inward, uncaring about the rest of the world. However, ultimately God desires for us to ‘Go’ and bless the world, to ‘Go’ and make disciples of all nations so that is what we must do as Christ-imitators.
This sermon discusses the successes, challenges, and promises given to the early Christian churches outlined in John’s letter. Howard then compares these with Godfirst church, in order to check the health of Godfirst and ultimately to check the health of our own relationships with God.
Tom simplifies the evils referred to in this prayer in to two camps, the badness outside of us in the world, and the badness inside of us; both of which we can ask of God the father to help us defeat and avoid. He touches on how important it is to incorporate this part of the prayer into lives daily. The sermon also focuses on how well Jesus our savior perfectly resisted temptation while on earth, and reminds us that He is in our corner, wanting us to ask him for assistance to resist temptation in our own lives.
Vicky unpacks the verse ‘Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us’. She makes three points stating that our debt against God does exist, it carries a real consequence, and we can never pay it back. She then goes on to discuss how important it is that we forgive others in light of the radical and gracious forgiveness we have received from God the father for our sins.
This sermon touches on not just the importance of being reminded to see God as a providor, but how unhealthy it is if that is the only part of the prayer we ever pray to God. This sermon also elabrates on the plural form the prayer takes when it says 'Give Us our daily bread'. Abbe suggests Jesus may have had in mind that when we pray this prayer, it is important that we pray it not only for ourselves, but for our brothers and sisters in christ as well.
This sermon focuses on what the kingdom of God is and what it is like to live daily as part of the Kingdom of God here and now. It also reminds us of the importance of asking for God's will to be done in our lives instead of asking God for our will to be done.
Adam discusses prayer and it's importance, he also unpacks the first famous verse of the Lord's prayer emphasizing how important it is to know God as an intimate father, and how important it is to know him as a Holy God.
In this 4th and final part to the series on Joseph, Joseph's odd behavior towards his brothers during the famine gets unpacked by Howard. Joseph is careful and intentional to act, in order to see what is in their hearts, and move them towards repentance. Joseph's behavior is then paralleled with God's grace and mercy towards us.
This sermon part 3 of Joseph unpacks the similarities between Joseph's calling from God to be the savior of the ancient world in famine, and Jesus being the savior of the entire world.
Tom discusses how important it is that the church recognize their role to play in the body. It is key that everyone participate, not just a few. He also spoke on how not everyone is meant by God to do the same roles within the church, and how a healthy church is diverse, but still a strong unit.
In this sermon part 2 of the life of Joseph, Howard discusses how Joseph was met with various temptations, but was able to resist them. He was able to do this not by mere will-power, but by his dedication and passion for Yahweh.
This sermon unpacks how important it is for us to no longer be on "spiritual milk" if we are mature Christians we should be devoted to the word and to the apostles teaching, eating "spiritual meat".
This Sermon focuses on the character of Joseph, what kind of man he was, and how God used the low point in his life of his brothers hating him and tossing him in a pit to begin to really mold him in to the man we have all come to admire. Howard also draws parallels between Jesus and Joseph.
This track delves in to the background, and deeper meaning behind breaking bead together. It helps us to better understand that it is more than simply eating a piece of bread and drinking a sip of wine/juice. It's about Unity, Participation, Blessing, Remembrance, Proclaiming, and self-examination.
This sermon unpacks what it looks like to worship the lord with our mind, heart, body,and soul. It touches on what it means to worship God, how crucial it is to desire to be in God's presence, and how being in His presence is the true source of Joy and key to being a healthy church.
This message hammers home the importance that participating in community is crucial to us staying healthy believers, and becoming a healthy Godfirst church
This sermon discusses the importance of guarding your inner self, who you are when no one else is looking. Duncan gives three helpful ways to do this well.
This sermon unpacks how destructive and deceitful pride can be. Pride is easily accepted in our culture as the norm, and and what God desires of us.
What does your bank statement say about your relationship with God? Howard examines the roots of our love of money, and explains the God-given antidote, generosity.
Steve shows us God's generous and just character and how important it is for us to imitate him in our lives.
Andy explores making plans and encourages to submit our ways to God's plan for our lives
This sermon explores how the power of Christ that raised him from the dead in his toughest moments, is at work in us, allowing us to become resilient towards the challenges life brings.
This Sermon looks at Kingship throughout the bible, who God appointed King, who man appointed king and which King we should bow our knee too, a tyrannical one or a loving one.
Howard Kellet speaks on the wisdom gleaned from the book of Proverbs on how to raise up children well, with Christ as your focus and not your child.
This sermon is a tag-team effort by students Johnny and Ben based out of what Proverbs says on how to choose our friends wisely
Guest speaker Paul Hunt preaches out of the book of Proverbs, sharing his thoughts and Proverb's wisdom on the importance of marriage and the key to a thriving marriage
We can only go so far in our faith being told what we do - we need spiritual parents that we can imitate. Howard draws on Proverbs and Corinthians, encouraging us to be and find spiritual parents.
Sean explores what happens when Zacchaeus, a thieving tax collector, meets Jesus, and brings out the call Jesus has for all of us to live lives radically changed for him.
Ben explains how the tongue might be a small thing, but it has massive impacts on a person's character and life.
Howard explains what a sluggard is in the book of Proverbs, and challenges us not to settle for being slackers, but push on with the Gospel
In his introduction to our Proverbs series, Brian explains what the Bible means by 'fool', 'wisdom', and 'fear of the Lord', challenging us to put our faith in God.
Arno de Bruin, a visiting speaker from Everyday People in East London, South Africa, talks to us about the dangers of uncostly worship.
What is your ambition in life? Steve exhorts us to be ambitious about spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To often as Christians we are distracted by side issues, leading to division. Howard looks at a disagreement about food in the Roman church, arguing with Paul that we need to keep our eyes fixed on the main goal of our lives - looking to make disciples.
When culture challenges us as Christians what is our response? Do we respond with religious anger or compromise? Howard looks through Paul's letter to the Romans showing how we can respond in love.
Paul's gospel gets very practical as he invites us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. He encourages us to be discipled by community, not the patterns of this world, using our spiritual gifts to build each other up in discipling community.
We all have things on our 'bucket list', but what is most important - experiences, travel, family? At Christmas, Howard looks at the one thing each of us must do.
Can we trust in God's faithfulness? We journey with Paul as he unpacks God's sovereign choice, and Paul's anguish at those who have rejected God.
What does it mean to live in a broken world, but have eternal hope in Jesus? Howard challenges us to leave behind comfort and the idols of our society.
What does it mean to be loved by God the Father? Howard shows us the full depth of our adoption.
Are things getting better or worse? Visiting speaker Tim Chester works through Psalm 77, showing how our sadness and question of God can lead us into worship.
In the second of his workshops, Glen explores how we are shaped either by Adam or Jesus, and what this means for mission.
In his first workshop, Glen gives an insight into what it means to be an evangelist, and what God's character is really like, mythbusting a few misconceptions.
Is God a tyrannical selfish ruler or a humble, gracious, poured out lover? Glen uses Philippians 2 to show us what we've misunderstood about God.
Howard explains how we are moved from the Law of Sin and Death to the Law of the Spirit of Life.
Do you ever struggle to do what you know is right? Howard explores Paul's famous words "What I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do", showing us the true solution to our struggle, Jesus.
Leah and Rachel: Two sisters married to the same man, constantly comparing themselves to the other. Paul talks us through their story, showing that comparison, the thief of joy, gives nowhere near as much satisfaction as Jesus.
We're all 'Ladder Climbers', but where does the ladder go? Howard takes the story of Jacob's ladder, and shows us the true Hope and One worth going after, Jesus
Tired of living up to the requirements of the law. Paul tells us we have died to our marriage to Mr Law that we can be joined in a transformational and fruitful marriage to Jesus - Mr Grace.
Paul's big truth here in Roman 5 is that we are UNITED with Jesus. Taken out of Man United into Jesus United. In Christ God pours out his love into our hearts by his Spirit so we can face a hostile world
What does it mean to be righteous? Is it about following the rules and good behaviour? Or, when we come to the end of ourselves, is there another who comes along side and helps us run the race?
Romans | Nobody Likes a Hypocrite | Howard Kellett | Romans 2:11-3:22 by Godfirst Cheltenham
As Paul writes to a Roman culture rotten on the inside, we find out what happens to a culture when they exchange the truth about God for a lie, and how we have done the same. Howard explains how Jesus took the destruction meant for us, inviting us into his righteousness.
Howard takes us into the Roman world, setting the scene for our Romans series, and showing how Jesus is the true Good News.
We often see #blessed on social media, but what does it mean to be blessed? Who is blessing you? Adam explores this through the story of Jacob, who steals his brother's blessing.
We often inherit more from our parents than our genetics. Howard explores the good and the bad that Isaac inherits from Abraham, showing how God intervenes to help us move away from bad habits our parents have taught us, and embrace the good things they have put in us.
Can you change God's thoughts and actions with prayer? Steve takes Abraham's intercession for Sodom, and uses it as a call to action for us to pray for our nation and the world.
Why would a loving God ask you to murder your child? Sophie challenges us to be faithful and obedient, trusting the Promiser over the promise.
How does Sarah's laugh of derision turn into a laugh of joy? Vic unpacks Sarah's journey showing how God changed in her the highs and lows, drawing out practical lessons for everyone.
Whilst Abraham is counting stars God looking forward to the cross is counting Abraham righteous like his dear Son.
Each of us has a call from God on our lives. Howard asks: will we settle into our comfortable living or push on into God's promises like Abraham?
What are you living for? Have you missed out on what life is really about? Greg Tait visiting from Godfirst Joburg puts life in perspective.
What does it mean to serve recklessly? Andy shows us how Jesus means us to serve through the story of Mary and Martha.
Howard talks about how to be the adult your child wants to become - Pour yourself out on others
Ben Franks takes us through three revelations of God experienced by John the Evangelist and explains their relevance to us today.
Howard begins our Reckless Series by unpacking Phillipians 2 to show us the Poured Out God
Why is there such pain in the world - where is God? We join Mary and Martha in their cry "If you had been here my brother wouldn't have died!" and find out why Jesus wept.
What happens when Jesus has dinner with a Pharisee? Visiting Speaker Dave Bish takes us through the story of the immoral woman who anoints Jesus with oil.
Donnie Griggs, visiting from One Harbor Church, talks about our reason for breathing, being missionaries to our city.
How would you like to meet God? The lady in this story met Jesus at the lowest point of her life. Jesus responds to her with love and grace.
How far does God's grace go? Sean shows the extent of God's grace through the story of the church in Corinth.
Jesus meets a member of the religious and political elite, yet despite Nicodemus' privileged birth, Jesus tells him he needs to be born again.
Dan takes us through Nathaniel's story, showing us Jesus' love for the skeptic in all of us.
How do we become fruitful people? Do we follow rules, follow our feelings or is there a third way? Paul explains how walking with the Spirit can transform us into fruitful people.
Matt Hosier from Gateway Church Poole gives us Reality Checks, Practical Tips and Encouragements about living prayerful lives.
Using Paul's letter to the Ephesians, Howard explains how Roman and Jewish perspectives can be synthesized to understand how we can become a people of God's Spirit.
Sean Green joins us on our Eldership Sunday, explaining the need for leadership in the church, what leaders do and why.
Howard explains why we sometimes feel ashamed of the Gospel, but gives three motivations, and calls us to be unashamed of the Good News that Jesus died for us.
What does it mean to be a radical disciple? As Jesus heals and forgives a paralyzed man, Howard shows us how we can support each other as we go 'through the roof' into radical discipleship.
What are the Vital Signs of healthy Christians and healthy church? Journey with Godfirst as we take our spiritual pulse on everything from knowing Jesus, our communities, and our mission, to handling our money and our time.
Howard walks us through his church planting experience and looks at how changing culture has led him to radically different approaches to church planting. Where does Godfirst plot on the Attractional or Everyday Church axis.
At the start of the New Year Howard encourages us from Zechariah to be strong and build on the foundation that has been laid at Godfirst. Sharing God's zeal, sharing our lives and sharing the gospel.
So what is the shape of Godfirst church? How can we live as a community of disciples on a mission; a family of servant missionaries?
Faith waits where unbelief is impatience. Unbelief breeds cynicism, blame and creates passivity and fear. Faith energizes and makes us bold. Faith lives in the momentous light of eternity, unbelief loses itself in the momentary nature of small things.
How do we react when God says no? However so often when God says no he has something far greater for us. David is not going to build a house for God because God is building a house for him.
It's the weight of small things that tip the scale, it that look, that becomes a thought, that becomes an action that brings a king to his knees. But it's vast glorious the amazing grace of God that restores.
Human life is amazing, it looks as if the universe knew we were coming. We are not here by chance but we are hand crafted and loved by God and that makes you so special. Baby Dedication.
The 23rd Psalm The Lord is my shepherd fills us with the images of green pastures and feasts, but Paul wonderfully shows how this Eden song comes to us only through the song of suffering one of 22nd Psalm. A must listen!
When you have received grace from God you will find yourself asking the question David asked "is there anyone to who i can show loving kindness?
The truth is that most people quit on their dreams when things get tough. Yet David has an unrelenting passion for the gospel and his God honoring dreams.
What do you do when everything in your life - your dreams and hopes, seem to be coming to nothing? Journey with David in to the Cave of Adullam and discover hope in the darkest moments.
Howard draws out the true meaning of friendship from the story of David and Jonathan. The true friendship that points to Jesus' relationship with his church.
What is the story of David and Goliath really about? It's it really about search for the hero inside yourself and defeat your giants; OR is it truly about Jesus, the greater David, who gives us the victory over Satan, Sin and Death?
In his fourth Session of the 2015 Weekender, Matt gives us practical ways we can live as fruitful disciples on mission. "Those with changed hearts change nations."
In his second talk from 2015 Weekender Matt helps us to recognize those hearts moments learn to repent and renounce unchristlike roots and apply spiritual disciplines to bring transformation.
Matt Hatch kicks of our 2015 weekender talks on Disciple Making by tell us the tale of two trees.
In his third brilliant session from 2015 Weekender Matt asks us to examine our hearts and allow the truth of the Gospel, and God as Father to dismantle the lies we believe about God and ourselves
This is the gospel: One must live so one will go free. Jesus or Barabbas - his fathers son. The Father knew he would have to treat Jesus like Barabbas so he could treat Barabbas’ (like us) like his true son Jesus.
Howard explores four biblical metaphors for what Jesus cross achieved and what it means for us. The slave market - redemption; The court room - justification; The temple - cleansing; The family, the home - reconciled.
When we weigh money in one hand and Jesus in the other what choices do we make - not in theory but in how it affects our bank statements? How much does Jesus self giving on the cross move you? A few pounds? 10%?
So often we put God in a box because to encounter him in worship is scary, so we create religious structures to keep him at a distance. We need to understand Jesus is with us by his spirit, and we are to be hungry to meet him in worship
Sophie calls us to a life of Ruthless Trust! Brilliantly personal and biblical Sophie wraps the Fathers arm around all those who face life's big challenges. Death is swallowed up in VICTORY.
The story of the Bible was summed up in an everyday meal of broken bread and wine. Yet this meal is full of meaning we so often neglect and in doing so we fail to remember the gospel story.
What makes God mad? As Jesus clears the temple and judges the fig tree it's clear that fruitless religion is right up there. Jesus lifts the leaves and looks for the fruit of dependence on him, mission and intimacy with him.
We end up building walls and drawing circles and including us and excluding them. Here we find Jesus sets his disciples a practical Us and Them test, in which they fail to find their voice and pull down the barriers between Us and Them
In Mark 3 we find Jesus redefining both nation and family. In Jesus we are born of God into a new family. Howard explains how the negative influences of our natural families need to be re-parented as we disciple each other as a church family.
Our society finds failure compelling, because it shines a light into the human condition. But in Peter's story we find it is the cascading grace and kindness of Jesus that is compelling!
Paul challenges us to die to a life as material and spiritual consumers and live as disciples of Jesus, as servant missionaries.
Mark's use of Jesus' two stage healing of the blind man and Peter's confession of Jesus as Messiah illustrates that if you don't see Messiah-ship as the way of the cross then you will never be a disciple of Jesus.
Jairus' daughter is on the verge of death but Jesus waits and turns aside to a women who has touched him. What do we do when Jesus' timing is way out of line with ours?
When you can love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, then you are stepping beyond mere human forgiveness but you are walking with Jesus, as a disciple of the Great Forgiver.
Everybody cares who you sleep with! Its just that we disagree about what is sex and who gets to use it. Yet we all know that there is more to sex that skin on skin. Perhaps we all know something more spiritual is being imaged - Jesus's love for his Church.
Howard argues we are to strongly support feminism which affirms the equality of the sexes, but the Triune God shows us you can be equal but have complementary roles. In marriages these roles are cross shaped.
Is God really God? Howard walks through the Bible showing that Sin, Death and Hell are intrusive invaders into God's good earth. Picking up themes of darkness, separation, and outside the city we find ourselves at the Cross
If we step aside from prejudice and examine the historical / legal evidence for the resurrection of Jesus then we can come to no other verdict than he is risen beyond all reasonable doubt.
This remarkable story is our story. Ruth shelters under the wings of the God of Israel. Boaz shows Ruth loving kindness because his mother Rahab had be a foreigner and a prostitute who find in Israel God loving kindness. Boaz like Christ takes Ruth under his wings and catches her up in God's big story, as the great grandmother of King David.
How should Jesus followers live in a sex saturated world? Ultimately sex images the God you worship. It's either loving relational and self giving or it's all about power, control and self-gratification. The series journeys through Jesus our True Husband, Singleness, Marriage, Pornography, and Sexual Orientation.
Drawing on Tim Keller's The Meaning of Marriage, Howard contrasts the consumer, comodified unfaithful nature of our relationships with the covenant self giving love and faithful of Jesus. The committed and faithful Jesus who gave himself for us as "he stayed" on the cross.
All of us, like our first parents, are tempted at one time or another to hide behind the fig leaves of the image we create to cover our shame and the naked truth about us. Dave Bish brilliantly encourages us to be clothed in Jesus, as only in Jesus can we be ourselves and feel no shame.
How should Jesus followers live in a sex saturated world? Ultimately sex images the God you worship. It's either loving relational and self giving or it's all about power, control and self-gratification. The series journeys through Jesus our True Husband, Singleness, Marriage, Pornography, and Sexual Orientation.
What are the Vital Signs of healthy Christians and healthy church? Journey with Godfirst as we take our spiritual pulse on everything from knowing Jesus, our communities, and our mission, to handling our money and our time.
Unashamably drawing from Tim Keller's chapter on singleness in his book "The meaning of marriage", Howard shows how both over-desire and under-desire for marriage miss shapes the lives of singles (and married couples), and appeals for a positive view of singleness in Godfirst.
Howard looks at the ultimate vital sign - our relationship with Jesus, asking "I wonder if you know him?"
Andy exhorts us to love the church, showing God's love for the church in the story of Hosea.
The dramatic story of Nehemiah's rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem contains some brilliant lessons for us, as we seek to see the church of God in this nation rebuilt as the city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
The dramatic story of Nehemiah's rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem contains some brilliant lessons for us, as we seek to see the church of God in this nation rebuilt as the city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
The dramatic story of Nehemiah's rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem contains some brilliant lessons for us, as we seek to see the church of God in this nation rebuilt as the city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
Adam takes the story of Jonah's call and running from God and applies it, through his own experience, to each of us.
Paul looks at the relationship between Hosea and Gomer, using their story to illustrate God's love for us.
Paul looks at the relationship between Hosea and Gomer, using their story to illustrate God's love for us.
The dramatic story of Nehemiah's rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem contains some brilliant lessons for us, as we seek to see the church of God in this nation rebuilt as the city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
Brilliantly PJ uses Paul's mission to Athens to give us 10 tips to contextualise the Gospel without compromising. Recommended listening for all Godfirsters.
Nehemiah 4 highlights four tactics from the opposition and four responses. Ridicule countered by Prayer, Threats by Guarding your heart, Fatigue by Remembering and Despair by Fighting.
Howard unpacks the disciple making process from our Weekender and applies it to the rebuilding the gaps in the walls of our lives as a community each outside our own house.
Nehemiah bold prayers lead him to bold action. "Disturb us Lord when we sailed too close to the shore, when we grew comfortable and settled for small dreams"
Are we moved by the ruined state of much of the church in this nation; Howard stirs us to catch the heart of Nehemiah as he weeps and prays for Jerusalem. "Unless we weep over the ruins we will never rebuild the walls"
Only the God who has himself taken on human flesh and suffered on the cross can truly understand as we bring the "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" questions of our suffering to him.
How does science answer the big questions of life and cosmology. Something from nothing, order from chaos, life from no life and human conciousness. Is science the only truth.
As Godfirst has a taster Sunday at the Parabola Arts Centre, Howard asks us to find ourselves in God's parabola shaped story of the world from Creation through de-creation to new creation.
Saul's has the appearence to be the peoples king but has no gospel, his religion is a crowd pleasing sham. David is choosen by God before his was born, not on his appearence. God shapes David's heart after his...zeal for God's house consumimg him.
Howard sets the scene for David's life with 10 lessons for the lives of Samuel and Saul. The question we ask is what makes a person strong?
When hardship has made you bitter and passive, Ruth hope in the goodness of Isreals God moves her action, to the weight of small things. It just so happened that God response is to overwhelm Ruth with his loving kindness.
When leaving God's people and God's place for a place that seems easier is not always a wise choice. Naomi comes back bitter and empty but with Ruth the Moabite.
We are not passive but are being discipled by the world, if we are to be disciples of Jesus we have to move away from project self and to find our centre or identity in the sharing in relationship between Father, Son, Spirit.
Bruce takes us to Jesus' call of Peter, and encourages us to trust, repentance and a life of commitment to Jesus and his cause.
Godfirst friend Sean Green from Reading Family Church unpacks John 4 to show how Jesus the true and faithful husband to both marriaged and single christians.
Sex is more than animal desires because we are more than pipes and plumbing, glands and groan. Sex is spiritaul. Sex is not dirty or demeaning in it's God given shape. Christianity is the most body positive faith on the planet. Sex images the self giving faithful imtimacy of the trinity and the gospel.