Freedom Church Chester: Recent Episodes
Freedom Church Chester
The Way of Wisdom Sermon 6 - The Rich and the PoorSunday 2nd August 2026Aneesh Alexander Preaching
The Way of WisdomSermon 5 - The Parent and ChildSunday 26th July 2026Verity Lowe Preaching
The Way of Wisdom Sermon 4 - The Content and DiscontentSunday 19th July 2026Matt Banks preaching
The Way of WisdomSermon 3 - The Rich and the PoorSunday 12th July 2026Matt Banks Preaching
Proverbs - The Way of WisdomSermon 2 - The Righteous and the wickedSunday 5th July 2026Chris Palmer preaching
The Way of Wisdom Sermon 1 - An introduction to ProverbsSunday 28th June 2026Aneesh Alexander Preaching
Jesus over Everything - Sermon 9Hebrews 12:4-12:29Sunday 7th June 2026Chris Palmer Preaching
Jesus over Everything - Sermon 8Hebrews 11:1-12:3Sunday 31st May 2026Aneesh Alexander Preaching
Jesus over Everything - Sermon 6Hebrews 8:1-9:28Sunday 17th May 2026Dave Brown Preaching
Jesus over Everything - Sermon 5Hebrews 6:13-7:28Sunday 10th May 2026Verity Lowe Preaching
Jesus over Everything - Sermon 4Hebrews 5:1-6:12Sunday 3rd May 2026Matt Banks Preaching
Jesus over Everything - Sermon 3Hebrews 3:12-4:16Sunday 26th April 2026Keith Cooper Preaching
Jesus over Everything - Sermon 2Hebrews 2:5-3:11Sunday 19th April 2026Chris Palmer preaching
Jesus over Everything - Sermon 1Hebrews 1-2:4Sunday 12th April 2026Dave Brown Preaching
Easter Sunday - Death swallowed up by the God-ManSong of Songs 2:8-13Sunday 5th April 2026Matt Banks Preaching
Preparing for Easter 2The devil defeated by the God-Man 1 John 3:8Sunday 29th March 2026Aneesh Alexander Preaching
Stepping out in Faith```````New Lead Eldership Anointing Sunday 19th January 2026Graham Webb Preaching
Baptism ServiceTestimonies of those being baptisedSunday 30th November 2025Lydia Banks, Luci Bath, Mary Jones, Ryan Brown
The Creed - Study 12Everlasting Life1 Thessalonians 4v13-18Sunday 2nd November 2025Keith Cooper Preaching
The Creed - Study 10ForgivenessMatthew 6v9-14Sunday 19th October 2025Matt Banks Preaching
The Creed - Study 9The ChurchEphesians 1 v 3-14Sunday 12th October 2025Verity Lowe Preaching
The Creed - Study 8The Sanctifier1 Corinthians 6v11 / Ephesians 2:1-5Sunday 5th October 2025Keith Cooper Preaching
The Creed - Study 7Jesus the judge2 Thessalonians 1v5-12Sunday 28th September 2025Khumbulani Sibanda Preaching
The Creed - Study 6He ascended into HeavenActs 1:6-11Sunday 21st September Matt Banks Preaching
Study 5 - The CreedHe Rose Again1 Corinthians 15v12-19Sunday 14th September 2025Dave Brown Preaching
The Creed - Study 4"The Passion of Christ"Isaiah 53 1v6Sunday 7th September Aneesh Alexander preaching
The Creed - Study 3"Conceived by the Spirit, Born of the virgin"Luke 1 v 26-35Sunday 31st August 2025Chris Palmer preaching
The Creed - Study 2I believe in Jesus ChristHebrews 1v1-4Sunday 17th August 2025Matt Banks Preaching
The Creed - Study 1"I believe"Deuteronomy 6v4-9/Matthew 28v16-20Sunday 10th AugustGeoff Brown Preaching
Study 20 - What should I do?1 Samuel 27:1-28:25Sunday 27th July 2025Khumbulani Sibanda preaching
Study 19 - It is mine to avenge1 Samuel 25:1-26:25Sunday 20th July 2025Keith Cooper preaching
Sunday 13th July 2025Study 18 - The king on the throne and The king on the run1 Samuel 23:15-24:22Dave Brown Preaching
Study 17 - King in the wilderness1 Samuel 21:1-23:25Sunday 6th July 2025Verity Lowe preaching
Sunday 29th June 2025Study 16 - At the New Moon feast1 Samuel 20:1-42Matt Banks Preaching
Sunday 22nd June 2025Study 15 - Love him or hate him1 Samuel 18:1-19:24Khumbulani Sibanda Preaching
Sunday 8th June 2025Study 13 - Enter the shepherd king1 Samuel 16:1-23Dave Brown Preaching
Sunday 1st June 2025Study 12 - The final straw1 Samuel 14:47-15:35Chris Palmer preaching
Sunday 4th May 2025Study 9 - Finding a King1 Samuel 10:1-11:15Keith Cooper and Elizabeth Biggs preaching
Sunday 23rd March 2025Study 7 - A king like the nations1 Samuel 7:13-8:22Keith Cooper Preaching
Sunday 16th March 2025Study 6 - From bad to worse1 Samuel 5:6-7:14Keith Cooper Preaching
Sunday 2nd March 2025Study 4 - A Coming Prophet1 Samuel 3:1-4:1aAneesh Alexander Preaching
Sunday 23rd February 2025Study 3 - Good Priest, Bad Priest 1 Samuel 2:11-3:1 Chris Palmer Preaching
Sunday 19th January 2025Pray Scripture James 5:17, 1 Kings 17:2-4Keith Cooper Preaching
Sunday, 8th December 2024Luke 19:1-10Close encounters... ZacchaeusChris Palmer preaching
Sunday, 1st December 2024Mark 10:17-31Close encounters... The young rulerKeith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 24th November 2024John 11:1-46Close encounters... LazarusKhumbulani Sibanda preaching
Sunday, 10th November 2024John 8:2-11Close encounters... The condemned WomanKeith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 3rd November 2024Close Encounters: Stories of Jesus impacting livesThe man with the evil spirit: Mark 1:21-34Keith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 27th October 2024Close Encounters: Stories of Jesus impacting livesJairus: Luke 8:40-42 and 8:49-56Chris Palmer preaching
Sunday, 13th October 2024Luke 1:1-11Close encounters... The man with a withered handKeith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 6th October 2024Matthew 9:9-13Close encounters... MatthewKeith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 29th September 2024Luke 5:12-15Close encounters... The LeperAneesh Alexander preaching
Sunday, 22nd September 2024John 4:1-42Close encounters... The Samaritan WomanKhumbulani Sibanda preaching
Sunday, 15th September 2024John 2:1-21Close encounters... NicodemusDave Brown preaching
Sunday, 8th September 2024John 1:19-28Close encounters... John the BaptistKeith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 1st September 2024Rev 3:14-22To the church in Laodicea...Keith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 11th August 2024Revelation 3: 7-13To the Church in Philadelphia...Keith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 28th July 20242 Chronicles 7:14-16Prayer and FastingKhumbulani Sibanda preaching
Sunday, 21st July 2024Revelation 2:18-29To the Church in Thyatira...Dave Brown preaching
Sunday, 14th July 2024Revelation 2:12-17To the Church in Pergamum...Aneesh Alexander preaching
Sunday, 30th June 2024Revelation 2:1-7To the Church in Ephesus...Elizabeth Biggs preaching
Sunday, 16th June 2024Revelation 1:9-20Letters to the 7 Churches: IntroductionDave Brown preaching
Sunday, 9th June 2024Titus 3:9-15Part 8 - What to focus on...Khumbulani Sibanda) preaching
Sunday, 26th May 2024Luke 15:1-24Saving the Lost: Weekend at Home sermonSteve Hurd preaching
Sunday, 12th May 2024Titus 2:11-15Part 5 - Holy Spirit TeacherDr Aneesh Alexander preaching
Sunday, 21st April 2024Titus 1:10-16Part 3 - How Not to Grow in GodlinessEmma Beddoes preaching
Sunday, 14th April 2024Titus 1:-5-9Part 2 - God's Plan for Church LeadershipDave Brown preaching
Sunday, 7th April 2024Titus 1:-1-4The Gospel Transformed Church Part 1Khumbulani Sibanda preaching
Sunday, 25th March 2024Matthew 21: 1-11The Significance of Palm SundayDave Brown preaching
Sunday, 10th March 2024Genesis 44 (Part 10)The Family God IntendedEmma Beddoes preaching
Sunday, 18th February 2024Genesis 41:41-57 (Part 7)God's man in chargeDr Aneesh Alexander preaching
Sunday, 11th February 2024Genesis 41:1-40 (Part 6)From Prison to PalaceKeith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 28th January 2024Genesis 39 (Part 4)Meanwhile, back in EgyptKhumbulani Sibanda preaching
Sunday, 21st January 2023Genesis 38 (Part 3)A tale of two brothersKeith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 14th January 2023Genesis 37:12-36 (Part 2)The Brothers' RevengeDave Brown preaching
Sunday, 24th December 2023Mark 10:13-16What would it look like for us to truly enjoy God's gift like a little child this Christmas?Keith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 18th December 2023John 1:1-14Is the Christmas Story true?Rosannah Cooper preaching
Sunday, 10th December 2023Ephesians 2:11-22, Luke 2:14Christmas is for peaceKeith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 3rd December 2023Acts 11:19-30Apostolic and Prophetic ChurchChris Frost preaching
Sunday, 19th November 2023Psalm 104, John 1:18Christmas is BeautifulEmma Beddoes preaching
Sunday, 12th November 20231 Peter 1:3-12, Isaiah 9, Micah 5:2Christmas JoyKeith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 29th October 20231 Thessalonians 5:23-28Prayer and partnershipKhumbulani Sibanda preaching
Sunday, 22nd October 20231 Thessalonians 5:16-22All and everything Keith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 17th September 2023 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12Increase In LoveKeith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 10th September 2023 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 What we obeyKhumbulani Sibanda preaching
Sunday, 27th August 2023 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13How we really liveKeith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 27th August 2023 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5 What is our joy?Rob Pomeroy preaching
Sunday, 20th August 2023 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 What suffering shows Emma Beddoes preaching
Sunday, 13th August 2023 1 Thessalonians 2: 7-12 Family Ministry Elizabeth Biggs preaching
Sunday, 16th July 2023 Matthew 10:34-42 Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me Keith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 18th June 2023 1 Kings 18:36-46 Persistence - Seeking God in Times of Drought and Plenty Keith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 25th June 2023 John 10:9 "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." Khumbulani Sibanda preaching
Sunday, 18th June 2023 Mark 2:21-28 Following the way of Jesus - Sabbath Keith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 11th June 2023 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 I am the Resurrection and the Life Chris Palmer preaching
Sunday, 4th June 2023 Luke 10 v 38-42 Following the way of Jesus - silence & solitude Keith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 9th April 2023 John 11:25I Am The Resurrection And The LifeKeith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 12th March 2023 John 14:6"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."Elizabeth Biggs preaching
Sunday, 26th February 2023 //Genesis 22:15-24 //Son of Promise // Dave Brown preaching //
Sunday, 12th February 2023 //Genesis 21:22-34 //Well Hard // Khumbulani Sibanda preaching //
Sunday, 15th January 2023 //Genesis 12-24 Part 14 //Service Order // Keith preaching //
Sunday, 20th November 2022 // Genesis 12-24 Part 12 // Service Order // Keith preaching //
Sunday, 6th November 2022 // Genesis 12-24 Part 10 // Service Order // Dave preaching //
Sunday, 23rd October 2022 // Genesis 12-24 Part 9 // Service Order // Keith preaching //
Sunday, 9th October 2022 // Genesis 12-24 Part 7 // Service Order // Keith preaching //
Sunday, 2nd October 2022 // Genesis 12-24 Part 6 // Service Order // Khumbulani preaching //
Sunday, 25th September 2022 // Entering into the house of God// Service Order // Dave preaching //
Sunday, 18th September 2022 // Genesis 12-24 Part 5 // Service Order // Dave preaching //
Sunday, 11th September 2022 // Genesis 12-24 Part 4 // Service Order // Emma preaching //
Sunday, 4th August 2022 // Genesis 12-24 Part 3 // Service Order // Khumbulani preaching //
Sunday, 21st August 2022 // Genesis 12-24 Part 2 // Service Order // Chris preaching //
Sunday, 14th August 2022 // Genesis 12-24 Part 1 // Service Order // Elizabeth preaching //
Sunday, 7th August 2022 // 1 Cor 15:1-20 Part 12 // Gospel Foundations // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 24th July 2022 // 1 Cor 14:26-35 Part 11 // Service Order // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 17th July 2022 // 1 Cor 14:1-26 Part 10 // Tongues and Prophecies // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 10th July 2022 // 1 Cor 13:7-13 Part 9 // The Greatest of These // Dave Brown preaching //
Sunday, 3rd July 2022 // 1 Cor 12:31-13:7 Part 8 // The Most Excellent Way // Rob Pomeroy preaching //
Sunday, 26th June 2022 // Baptism Sunday // But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him on those whose hope is in his unfailing love // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 19th June 2022 // 1 Cor 12:21-31 part 7 // We together are Christ’s body // Emma Beddoes preaching //
Sunday, 12th June 2022 // 1 Cor 12:12-20 part 6 // Your Church Needs You (1) // Khumbulani Sibanda preaching //
Sunday, 5th June 2022 // 1 Cor 12:1-11 part 5 // Gifts and their Giver // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 22nd May 2022 // 1 Cor 11: 23-32 part 4 // Preparing For Supper // Rob Pomeroy preaching //
Sunday, 15th May 2022 // 1 Cor 11:17-34 (Part 3) // Whose Supper? // Geoff Brown preaching //
Sunday, 8th May 2022 // 1 Cor 11:1-16 (Part 2) // Not really about hats! // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 1st May 2022 // I Corinthians 1-10 Overview // Called // Keith Cooper preaching // Unfortunately, the introduction to the sermon was not recorded, so you are joining it part way through.
Sunday, 24th April 2022 // John 15:12-17 // Love each other // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 10th April 2022 // Matthew 27:45-53 // My God, my God. Why Did You Abandoned Me? // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 3rd April 2022 // John 18:2-11 // Who is it you want? // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 27th March 2022 // Matt 26:36-45 // Are you still sleeping? // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 20th March 2022 // Colossians 4:7-18 (Part 16) // Not just a list of names // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 13th March 2022 // Colossians 4:2-6 (Part 15) // Upwards and outwards // Khumbulani Sibanda preaching //
Sunday, 6th March 2022 // Colossians 3:18-4:1 (Part 14) // Family life // Dave Brown preaching //
Sunday, 21st February 2022 // Colossians 3:12-17 // Outward acts from inward life // Sharon Pomeroy preaching //
Sunday, 13th February 2022 // Colossians 3:5-11 // Old Self, New Self // keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 6th February 2022 // Isaiah 62:1-5 // The Glory of the Church // Jeremy Simpkins preaching //
Sunday, 30th January 2022 // Psalm 46 // Be still and know that I am God // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 23rd January 2022 // Colossians 3:1-4 - Part 11 // With Christ // Emma Beddoes preaching //
Sunday, 16th January 2022 // Colossians 2:20-3:1 - Part 10 // Don’t live for “don’t” // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 9th January 2022 // Colossians 2:16-19 - Part 9 Don’t go for extras // Rob Pomeroy preaching //
Sunday, 2nd January 2022 // Colossians 2:8-15 - part 8 // Christ has done all // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 12th December 2021 // Chosen - stepping into the promises of God // Elizabeth Biggs preaching //
Sunday, 5th December 2021 // Colossians 2:6-7 Part 7 // Go on as you started // Khumbulani Sibanda preaching //
Sunday, 28th November 2021 // John 10:1-11 // Jesus said, 'I am the good shepherd and the gate' // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 21st November 2021 // Colossians 2:1-5 Part 6 // Not-so-hidden treasures // Rob Pomeroy preaching //
Sunday, 14th November 2021 // Colossians 1:24-29 Part 5 // Real Ministry // Dave Brown preaching //
Sunday, 7th November 2021 // 1 Peter 2:1-12 // The People of God // Dave Fellingham preaching //
Sunday, 24th October 2021 // Colossians 1:21-23 - Part 4 // Then and Now // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 17th October 2021 // Colossians 1:15-20 - Part 3 // The Glory Of Christ // Emma Beddoes preaching //
Sunday, 10th October 2021 // Colossians 1:9-14 - Part 2 // How to Pray // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 3rd October 2021 // Colossians 1:1-8 - Part 1 // Gospel Truth // Khumbulani Sibanda preaching //
Sunday, 12th September 2021 // Psalm 20 - Freedom on the Streets // Trust in the Lord // Keith Cooper preaching //
Sunday, 12th September 2021 // Acts 20 | Eldership // Appointing Elders// Graham Webb preaching //
Sunday, 22nd August 2021 // Psalm 42-43 | A Song of Hope // Dealing with depression and discouragement // Rob Pomeroy preaching //
Sunday, 15th August 2021 // Psalm 41 | Remember the Poor // The Faithful Complaint of Christ - the pattern of betrayal // Keith Coopers preaching //
Sunday, 8th August 2021 // Psalm 40 | Give Yourself to God // The obedience of Christ // Lizzy Biggs preaching //
Sunday, 1st August 2021 // Psalm 31 | Comfort for a King // The remedy for stress // Khumbulani Sibanda preaching //
Sunday, 25th July 2021 // Psalm 22 | Faithful agony // The suffering and glory of Christ //
Sunday 14 March 2021 // Ezra 5:1-2 / Zech 2:1-13 - Prophetic Encouragement // Paul Jackson preaching
Sunday, 7 March 2021 // Ezra 4:1-24 - In the world you will have trouble // Emma Beddoes preaching
Sunday, 28 February 2021 // Transcendent majesty: The Holiness of God // Keith Cooper preaching
Sunday, 17 January 2021 // The fear of the Lord | Joyfully fearing God // Keith Cooper preaching // // Cover photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/FgNAw7qniIk
Sunday, 10 January 2021 // Wakeful Wisdom // Nathan Paylor preaching // // Cover photo by Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/tG5dTPMf1I4
Sunday, 3 January 2021 // 1 Timothy 6:17-21 | Where your treasure is // Keith Cooper preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 27 December 2020 // 1 Timothy 6:11-16 | Just Like... // Dave Brown preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 13 December 2020 // Christmas Visitors - Shepherds // Keith Coopers & Rosannah Cooper preaching
Sunday, 6 December 2020 // Christmas Visitors - Angels // Rob Pomeroy preaching // // Cover photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/gsrzYHQmk_g
Sunday, 29 November 2020 // 1 Timothy 6:3-6:10 | Corrupt or Content? // Paul Jackson preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 22 November 2020 // 1 Timothy 5:17-6:2 | Elders and Slaves // Keith Cooper preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 15 November 2020 // 1 Timothy 5:1-16 | Care in the Family // Dave Scotland preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 8 November 2020 // 1 Timothy 4:11-16 | In Plain Sight // Lizzy Biggs preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 1 November 2020 // 1 Timothy 4:1-10 | Gospel FIt // Keith Cooper preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 25 October 2020 // 1 Timothy 3:14-16 | Why we are Church // Dave Brown preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 18 October 2020 // 1 Timothy 3:8-13 | Suitable Servants // Andy Lawrie preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 11 October 2020 // 1 Timothy 3:1-7 | Orderly Oversight // Rob Pomeroy preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 4 October 2020 // 1 Timothy 2:8-15 | Church, Men and Women // Sharon Pomeroy preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 27 September 2020 // 1 Timothy 2:1-7 | Prayer Perspective // Rob Pomeroy preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 20 September 2020 // 1 Timothy 1:18-20 | Keep on course // Khumbulani Sibanda preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 13 September 2020 // 1 Timothy 1:12-17 | Thankful Testimony // Keith Cooper preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday, 6 September 2020 // 1 Timothy 1:1-11 | True/False? // Dave Brown preaching // // Cover photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/dGxOgeXAXm8
Sunday 16 August 2020 // Acts 25-26 | Paul the Defender // Andy Lawrie preaching // // Paul faced malicious, false charges brought against him by the jealous Jewish leaders. He was caught in a spiritual war - a fight against the powers of darkness, seeking to suppress the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. // // Therefore we must put on the armour of God (Ephesians 6), always on the alert to the schemes and attacks of the devil. The enemy lies in wait, looking for opportunities to oppose God’s purposes. But, compared to God, he has limited power. // // We must also be on our guard against our own sinful nature. Foolish arguments, pride, envy, poor doctrine - all these and more can lead us into danger. Wisdom is to feed regularly on God’s word, making careful choices about what we take into our minds and hearts. // // In every case, Paul’s defence when on trial is the gospel of Christ - the salvation for all his hearers and the salvation open to us and to all around us. Acts 26:29: And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am--except for these chains.”
Sunday 9 August 2020 // Acts 24 | Paul the witness // Keith Cooper preaching // // Three accusations are made against Paul: // 1. A personal allegation // 2. A political allegation // 3. A doctrinal allegation // // Paul responds that he serves the same God as his accusers, whom he serves with a clear conscience. Further he demonstrates how the gospel is central to his life and his defence. // // In this sermon we hear how dependent we are on God - on his Spirit - to live our lives and to stand innocent before him in the last judgement. Righteousness, self-control are the the work of Christ in us.
Sunday, 2 August 2020 // Acts 22:30-23:35 | Paul the Prisoner // Rob Pomeroy preaching // // Today's passage is in nine parts: // (1) Paul taken before the Jewish council // (2) Paul provokes division in the council // (3) Jesus appears to Paul and encourages him // (4) The Jews plot to assassinate Paul // (5) Paul's nephew tips off the Romans // (6) The tribune protects Paul // (7) The tribune's self-serving letter // (8) Armed guard escorts Paul to Caesarea // (9) Paul taken to the palace
Sunday, 26 July 2020 | Acts 21:18-22:29 // Khumbulani Sibanda | Avoiding Misunderstanding // In this passage, we see the apostle Paul submitting to a holiness tradition – the Narazite vow. It is clear that Paul knew his position in Christ. Therefore this cleansing ritual was not to bring Paul into a right relationship with God; it was to preserve and support his relationship with others. Paul would go to all possible lengths to ensure that no barrier came between the gospel and those hearing his message. // // Even though Paul was arrested, he still found a way to share his testimony. In this, he obeyed Jesus’s commission – to spread the Good News to every nation. Paul’s journey was not easy – our journeys are often not easy – but he put his trust in the Lord, and so must we.
Sunday, 19 July 2020 | Acts 21:1-17 // Keith Cooper | Following the Saviour // Paul’s travels bring him into contact with yet more believers. Their warm welcome shows how completely they have forgiven him for his history as a persecutor of the church, present and assenting to the murder of the martyr Stephen. Simply, the believers love Paul. // // These brothers and sisters in Christ warn Paul of the risks he faces, pursuing his course; these warnings are based on revelation from the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, Paul single-mindedly continues as he believes he must, to share the gospel to many nations, even at the risk of his own life. Paul is committed to the mission.
Sunday, 12 July 2020 | Acts 20:17-38 // Dave Brown | Passing on the baton // After a long season of ministering and teaching, now Paul addresses the Ephesians elders, in humility. He is walking in the narrow path set before him by the Holy Spirit. He charges the elders to continue the task of caring for the church – protecting the Christians from the attacks that would surely come.
Sunday, 5 July 2020 | Acts 20:7-16 // Keith Cooper | Sleepy head // Why does Luke choose to include in Acts the story of Eutychus? In a warm room, after hearing Paul speak for a long time, Euthychus became sleepy – and fell out of a third storey window, to his death. // // Though this was a shocking event, the apostle Paul, unperturbed, prays over the body of Eutychus, who returns to life, completely unharmed. They then carry on with the meeting! // // We gain here a glimpse of the early church – meeting on a Sunday, sharing communion, listening to Paul share for hours! And against the background of persecution, a shocking incident and an incredible miracle, the church gladly remembers Jesus together. // // Luke includes this story to demonstrate the power of God and to give a revelation of the reality of our living Saviour.
Sunday, 28 June 2020 | Acts 20:1-6 // Khumbulani Sibanda | Mission bearing fruit // Here we see Paul after the riot in Ephesus, preparing to depart for Macedonia. Luke stresses the point that Paul encouraged the believers before leaving. Similarly as he continued on his journey, he brought encouragement to those who followed Christ. // // Our enemy Satan seeks to deceive and discourage us. He questions what God has told us, bringing doubt and fear. The encouragement from our brothers and sisters is one of the gifts of God that keeps us walking on his path.
Sunday, 21 June 2020 | Acts 19:21-41 // Rob Pomeroy | Riots and Reasons // In today’s passage, we see a riot that occurs in Ephesus, centring around the perceived threat of Christianity to the livelihood of some craftsmen – to the prestige of the city: // // - Christianity is not a threat to the state. // - We don’t normally attack the world’s sin; we present the truth. // - Do not cling to worldly things. // - But also don’t be afraid of the world, or fear its people. // - Be a true friend to sinners. // - Respect, appreciate and pray for the authorities.
Sunday, 14 June 2020 | Acts 19:11-20 // Keith Cooper | Power encounters // Jesus’ mode of operation included frequent healings & casting out demons – whether requested by the sick person or initiated by Jesus himself. Today’s passage shows that God’s attitude towards healing and deliverance is unchanged. // // Healing is not magic however. God is not at our beck and call. Not everyone will be healed in this life. Nevertheless, the power of God cannot be denied. We must still ask God, we must persist in prayer, asking in faith, knowing that God can heal us. And in his good time, he works his miracles.
Sunday, 7 June 2020 | Acts 19:1-10 // Keith Cooper | Another Pentecost? // Paul and John the Baptist had in common a realisation that Jesus is God. The twelve men mentioned in this passage needed to understand this. Like them, without the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, there will always be something missing from our lives. // // Though the men had to some extent repented, they had not yet turned to Christ – which is necessary for salvation and transformation. The authenticity of their salvation could only be demonstrated by receiving the Holy Spirit – as we must. // // Be filled with the Spirit. Let your life‘s purpose be glorifying Jesus.
Sunday. 31 May 2020 | Acts 18:24-28 // Dave Scotland | God’s wisdom – man’s folly // In this passage we are introduced to Apollos, a well-educated, gifted speaker. In spite of all his knowledge and wisdom, he had yet to learn about Christ and the work he accomplished. He humbly submits to the teaching of other disciples and then is used powerfully by God.
Sunday, 24 May 2020 | Acts 18:18-23 // Emma Beddoes | Travelling around // Paul spent a long time in Corinth. While he was there, Gallio, the representative of the Emperor in the region, gave a political-legal judgment in favour of Paul. This decision had wide-reaching consequences for the spread of the gospel. // // In today’s passage, we see Paul had his hair cut, which possibly marked the end of a Nazarite vow (which would focus on abstinence and cleanliness). That in turn may have been a response to the uncleanliness and immorality he found in Corinth. Next they travelled to Ephesus and Paul left his travelling companions there. // // When asked to stay longer in Ephesus, Paul indicated that he would return, if God willed it. He was fully submitted to the direction of God and would not pursue his own agenda. We do well to emulate this example; wait on God, hear his voice, follow his direction, surrender your plans.
Sunday, 17 May 2020 | Acts 18:1-17 // Andy Lawrie | Stages of ministry // Paul was driven by his love for Jesus to travel, sharing the good news. He knew that, like us, he had done nothing to deserve the grave he’d received – quite the contrary. // // This passage sees Paul arrive at cosmopolitan Corinth, a city well-known for its immorality. There Paul worked and ministered. He could not be accused of sponging off believers. In his passion he demonstrated integrity. // // God continued to work out his purposes through Paul, as he works out his purposes in us today.
Sunday, 10 May 2020 | Acts 17:16-34 // Paul Jackson | The gospel and idols // Though we love God, we all have idols. These are things or people that have a dearer place in our heart than God. These may even be good things in their own right; it is just that we are giving them inappropriate priority. // // The apostle Paul was provoked by the idols he saw in Athens. He knew that the answer then, as now, was the gospel. And so Paul presented the gospel to this city in terms relevant and accessible to his listeners.
Sunday, 3 May 2020 | Acts 17:10-15 // Keith Cooper | Greater Nobility // We need to know the Word. We have such ready access to the bible, there can be no excuse for failing to read and take in these precious truths. // // We must approach the word of God humbly, with an open heart. He still speaks and reveals himself to us. // // The Bereans in this passage were willing to listen and in this they set a good example. A willingness to listen and a determination to keep Christ central will stand us in good stead as we face the uncertainties of life, contrasting them with the certainty of God’s eternal, certain supremacy.
Sunday, 26 April 2020 | Acts 17:1-9 // Rob Pomeroy | Trip to Thessalonica // This week we return to Acts, catching up with Paul and Silas as they journey to the city of Thessalonica. We learn to trust that God will use as as he has equipped us, and we reflect on the amazing future that awaits all those who put their trust in Jesus Christ. // // You can listen to the sermon on SoundCloud or watch on YouTube: youtu.be/bYYif5qNK68?t=31m26s
Sunday, 19 April 2020 | Vision & Values – Episode 6 // Andy Lawrie | Working together to build God’s kingdom // Andy concludes our series focusing on Freedom Church’s vision and values. In this final episode, we address look at our comitment to working together, to build the Kingdom of God.
Sunday 12 April 2020 | He made a way // Keith Cooper | Colossians 1:16 // History is His Story, God’s story. His purposes are worked out through Jesus Christ. // // In Colossians 1:16 re read that all things created by him and for him; our purpose is to glorify God. That is the goal of our existence. // // Crucifixion was not unusual in Jesus’ time. But there was nothing usual about Jesus’ sacrifice. He voluntarily gave up his life. The earth shook. The sky darkened. The temple curtain separating God’s presence from the people, was torn in two. Despite what the Romans thought, it was Jesus, not them, who was in control of this situation. // // Jesus’ perfect sacrifice established a new way of dealing with sinners, characterised by grace and mercy.
Sunday, 5 April 2020 | Vision & Values – Episode 5 // Keith Cooper | Growth, Gifts & Talents // Episode 5 considers Freedom Church’s value relating to gifts & talents, specifically: “Encouraging everyone to grow in faith, developing the gifts & talents God has given us”. As the UK and many other countries continue in lockdown, due to COVID-19, it is all the more important to reach out to one another, to encourage each other in the faith, to spur one another one and to show love and kindness to our neighbours and communities.
Sunday, 29 March 2020 | Vision & Values – Episode 4 // Khumbulani Sibanda | Value everyone, irrespective of their differences // The third edition of our series on the church’s values concentrates on the value of every person. This sermon was delivered via Zoom, as the congregation met online during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Sunday, 22 March 2020 | Vision & Values – Episode 3 // Andy Lawrie | Outward looking with compassion for Chester // In the next in our series focusing on Freedom Church’s values, Andy looks at compassion. This is always relevant and never more so that during the current coronavirus situation. // // This sermon was delivered via Facebook live; the video is available here: https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchChester/videos/808012069688884/
Sunday, 15 March 2020 | Vision & Values – Episode 2 // Matt Banks | Generous in everything // Matt continues our season examining Freedom Church’s values. This week, we focus on generosity. // // Cover image by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/epBIrtdg2Hk
Sunday, 8 March 2020 | Vision & Values – Episode 1 // Dave Brown | Creatively reflecting God’s best in all we do // Today, Dave opens our mini series focusing on the church’s core values. We begin with “Creatively reflecting God’s best in all we do”. // // Cover image by Plush Design Studio on Unsplash
Sunday, 1 March 2020 | Acts 16:25-40 // Emma Beddoes | God Turning the Tables // Conversion is the first step along the road of salvation. This starts a journey of growing in faith and freedom. Freedom comes from following God’s direction, pursuing dependence on God and passion for his purposes. // // We have been destined for freedom. Destined for freedom from sin, freedom from the tyranny of our own selfishness, freedom to love and serve others. True freedom is found in being like Christ. // // After his conversion, the jailer in this passage was immediately moved to serve Paul and Silas, with joy. Serving others is a far higher calling than serving ourselves.
Sunday, 23 February 2020 | Acts 16:16-24 // Keith Cooper | Fighting Evil & Paying the Price // Demonic spirits cannot be trusted with the gospel. In this passage we see Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl who was exploited by her so-called owners for selfish profit. // // Satan intends to rob us of the inheritance promised to us through Abraham and fulfilled in Christ. We are divinely empowered with weapons to fight against strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Jesus regained the authority that Adam and Eve surrendered in the Garden of Eden.
Sunday, 16 February 2020 | Acts 16:11-15 // Rob Pomeroy | Open doors // Through the experiences of Paul, the other apostles and the new convert Lydia, we learn: // // - God calls us // - God commands obedience // - God's plans are perfect // - God opens hearts // - How we should respond //
Sunday, 9 February 2020 | Acts 16:6-10 // Keith Cooper | Where to, Lord? // The Holy Spirit prevented the apostles from travelling in the direction they had intended. During this process of closing doors, God was teaching them an important lesson about actively seeking, discovering and hearing God’s direction. It is essential for followers of Christ to walk by faith. // // When seeking his direction, consider: // // 1. The word of God // 2. Others’ wise counsel // 3. Whether the direction will result in blessing // 4. Running towards need // 5. Not overlooking what you love, the passion God has placed in you // 6. Reviewing your holy desires // 7. Prayer //
Sunday, 2 February 2020 | Acts 16:1-5 // Dave Brown | Cutting Issues // The Jerusalem Council ruled that the Gentiles did not need to follow all the ceremonial Jewish law. This enabled Gentiles and Jews to meet together without bondage or disunity. Nevertheless in this passage, Paul arranges for Timothy to be circumcised. // // Timothy, under Jewish tradition, was a Jew (by his mother’s line). And under Greek tradition, he was a Gentle (by his father). Paul had Timothy circumcised not to convert Timothy but because he loved the Jews and he did not want there to be a hindrance to them receiving the gospel.
Sunday, 26 January 2020 | Our Father // Graham Webb // // Jesus’ example was to focus on the Father. We can do no better than to follow his example. // // Our Father is always working // Our Father always longs for his children // Our Father sees and rewards // Keep trusting your Father
Sunday, 19 January 2020| Acts 15:36-41 // Dave Scotland | Unfortunate Division // Paul and Barnabas were set aside together into a divinely appointed, godly, spiritually successful partnership. And yet here we see them in intense conflict with each other, despite the fact they are apostles. Apostles are not infallible. // // There is no mention in this passage of prayer and fasting, or of the direction of the Holy Spirit. This section gives us a poignant reminder that no matter how well we may feel we are doing, we must always be in submission to God’s purposes. He knows the beginning from the end. His ways are perfect. His direction is infallible.
Sunday, 12 January 2020 | Acts 15:22-35 // Khumbalani Sibanda | Letter Writing // God’s truth transforms lives and lifts burdens. Should we follow the world’s patterns (e.g. political correctness) or God’s? // // The apostles wrote to the gentile converts to clarify the place of the law in their lives. The law, fulfilled by Christ, shows us how to live, but no longer confers righteousness (it never would). Living now under grace, they should not look to live in bondage to every letter of the law; rather they were to live lives that were clean before God, out of love and obedience to him.
Sunday, 5 January 2020 | Acts 15:5-12 // Keith Cooper | The Evidence Decides It // Some Jews considered that the Mosaic law should be applied to the new Gentile converts. This meant, for example, subjecting the new believers to circumcision. // // Peter makes the point that God has shown his approval of the Gentiles by giving them the gift of the Holy Spirit – without asking any additional legal requirements of them. Since God is not showing favouritism, the Jews should not subject the Gentiles to any form of bondage. Their confession of faith and the presence of the Holy Spirit was evidence enough that they were accepted. // // Next, Paul and Barnabas give testimony to the signs and wonders they were able to do among the Gentiles. Again, this shows the way I’m which God was accepting non-Jews. // // Finally, James speaks and he makes reference to prophecies that predict the salvation of the Gentiles. He then Laura down some simple guidelines for spiritual cleanliness; guidelines that would not be burdensome to these believers.
Sunday, 22nd December 2019 | John 1:1-2 // Keith Cooper | Consider Jesus (part 2) // As John begins in v1 he does not speak of the ‘Word of God’, but of the word who was with God, and was God. John is telling us how things have been from all eternity. For John the Word is revealing the man: Jesus Christ. // // 1. Jesus Christ shares God’s eternity. // 2. Jesus Christ was eternally with God. // 3. Jesus Christ is one with God.
Sunday, 15 December 2019 | Hebrews 3:1 // Elizabeth Linton | Consider Jesus // Ignorance is growing, of the true meaning of CHRISTmas. Society is becoming superuser illiterate. But the bible tells us to consider Jesus. // // He is the radiance of God’s glory (Hebrews 1:3). And through him we find freedom – freedom from sin and freedom from the curse of death. // // At Advent, we remember Jesus’s first coming. We also think of his second coming, when he will arrive in power and the dead in Christ will rise.
Sunday, 8 December 2019 | Acts 14:21-28 // Matt Banks | Heading into Advent // We approach scripture through the lens of Christ. Christ is all and in all. With this lens, today we look at the incarnation afresh. The incarnation is about the coming, the suffering, the resurrection and the coming again of Christ. // // Three small details are worthy of notice in this passage: // // 1. Paul and Barnabas retraced their steps. Even though they had suffered hardship there, they went back. // 2. They returned to strengthen the believers. They chose to risk suffering for the sake of the new believers. // 3. The message they brought was a reminder that the disciples must suffer hardships in order to enter God’s kingdom. // // We, who are called, will suffer. We come to Christ to die. And then we live through him. Here’s the joy: whoever loses their life, for the sake of Christ, will find it.
Sunday, 1 December 2019 | Hebrews 10:19-25 // Dave Fellingham | Worship Ushers in the Kingdom // Hebrews was written primarily to the Jews, who were rooted in the Old Testament. The theme of worship predominates Hebrews, as it does the entire bible, Genesis to Revelation. We must worship God holistically, body, soul and spirit. // // Every time revival has come, worship has been an integral component. We see worship in its prophetic context: ushering in the Kingdom of God. The book of Hebrews demonstrates that Old Testament worship is a prototype of what was and is to come.
Sunday, 24 November 2019 | Acts 14:8-20 // Keith Cooper | Same Story, Different Reaction // The key word in the story of a crippled man, healed by Paul, is ‘faith’. This is not a difficult concept once we believe in a big God and a small Satan. This powerful God sent Jesus to save us. In the gospels Jesus repeatedly indicates that faith is involved in the process of healing and salvation. // // Healing is not primarily about the person who has faith though; it is about the God who heals. God in his divine wisdom allows some sickness and infirmity to endure. But in other cases it is his delight to heal, as in this encounter seen in Acts. // // Paul and Barnabas knew full well that God operates at all times for our good and for his glory. They were troubled when people thought that they themselves were gods – that they were the ones with the healing power. So they were at pains to redirect all adulation and worship to the one true God.
Sunday, 17 November 2019 | Acts 14:1-7 // Dave Brown | The Cross at the Crossroads // Paul and Barnabas travelled along major trade routes, to commercial & cosmopolitan areas. In these busy locations they had ample opportunities to talk about the work of Christ. // // The effectiveness of the message was helped by the fact that Paul and Barnabas were: // // 1. Commissioned // 2. Anointed by the Holy Spirit // 3. Mindful of their audience // 4. Rooted in scripture // 5. Intelligible // // They spoke boldly and God graciously gave them the power to perform miracles. This confirmed the message to those with the faith to follow Christ.
Sunday, 3 November 2019 | Ephesians 6:12 // Rob Coleman | Knowing and Living in our Authority in Christ // Ephesians 6:12 – our struggle isn’t against flesh and blood. // // Notes: // 1. We are God’s workmanship // 2. God created humans to rule and reign over creation, serving in love // 3. He gives us the keys to bind and loose // 4. So let’s take back the ground that the enemy has stolen
Sunday, 27 October 2019 | Acts 13:4-12 // Rob Pomeroy | What’s in a Name? // Discipleship requires humility // 1. Commit all your plans to God // 2. He is God, not our servant // 3. What we ask may be bad for us // 4. God’s way is the best way // // Key points // 1. Salvation is from the Jews // 2. Treat people wisely, kindly & with grace // 3. Always seek God’s will // 4. Ask for, and exercise discernment // 5. God is much more intelligent than us // 6. God always wins // 7. Follow the direction of the Holy Spirit, always
Sunday, 20 October 2019 | Acts 12:24-13:3 // Keith Cooper | The Start of Missions // A central theme of Acts is the word of God spreading and the church growing. This is all in accordance with the sovereign will of God, under the direction of the Holy Spirit. // // Some points on direction: // // 1. The Holy Spirit brings personal direction. His plans are always better than ours. Obedience is the key to understanding his will. // 2. Start with things you know you ought to do. (Prayer, reading the Bible, worship.) // 3. Do God’s will from the heart. // 4. The Holy Spirit brings corporate direction into mission work, from local churches. // 5. In Acts we see apostolic leadership taking, following and championing this direction of the Holy Spirit. // Note: Apostleship isn’t the top of a leadership hierarchy. It’s a foundation-laying function, a master builder, working with local church leadership, bringing objectively and helping discern direction.
Sunday, 13 October 2019 | Acts 12:18-23 // Paul Jackson | Don’t dare mess with God // This passage details a fairly gruesome end to King Herod. Some would reject this (or the entire bible) because of the parts that are not to their taste. But the whole bible is the word of God and contains truth. We pick and choose at our peril. // // This King Herod was the same Herod who ordered the murder of all the children under the age of two when Jesus was born. He had friends in high places including the emperor Calligula. But his so-called power was no match for God’s. He stood against God, and God dealt with him.
Sunday, 6 October 2019 | Acts 12:1-17 // Keith Cooper | Herod versus a praying church // Herod was ready to do whatever it would take to increase his popularity. He has had James (the brother of John) killed and his sights are set on Peter. But the church prayed earnestly. And God arranged a rescue. // // Our natural, default response, in every situation, should be to pray. In good times, in bad. In sorrow, in joy. Things happen in response to prayer that will not happen otherwise. This is how God chooses to operate in this world.
Sunday, 29 September 2019 | Acts 11:19-30 // Rob Pomeroy | Worthy of our Trust // God knows we are frail. In this passage, we see real people in real danger, responding to their situations with a mixture of fear and faith. We need not be discouraged though, when we face all kinds of trials and challenges. When we live to please God, we can live dailing in his presence, pursuing eternal treasure, trusting him through all circumstances. // // We see too that God is unstoppable. The gospel will always advance. And in this advance, God reveals his glory and his plans are worked out. God is so far beyond and above us; can does not need us. And yet he chooses us, to be part of his plans and to receive a glorious eternal heritage – as have those early Christians who testified boldly about the good news of Jesus Christ.
Sunday, 22 September 2019 | Acts 11:1-18 // Emma Beddoes | Turning Points // The Apostle Peter presents to the church his vision from God, where God transforms the ceremonial Israelite laws. This reinforced the message already brought by Christ: Jesus told his listeners that uncleanness was from within, from evil hearts, not from eating particular foods. By the same token, salvation was not exclusively for the Jews, as they had supposed, but also for the Gentiles.
Sunday, 15 September 2019 | Acts 10:44-48 // Keith Cooper | God's confirmation // 1. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. You cannot be saved without him. But God pours out his Spirit willingly to all who come to him. // // In this filling we experience the love of Christ. He fills us with his joy. And we receive gifts. // // 2. God works according to his own sovereign will. He will fulfil his purposes in his way at his time. He does not have favourites and he cannot be contained. // // 3. God is still looking for Spirit-filled men and women of faith and action. People who live in complete dependence on the Holy Spirit, those who humble themselves before God. People who are hungry for him. We will never reach the end of God's resources!
Sunday, 8 September 2019 | Acts 10:23b-43 // Keith Cooper | To the Gentiles // God is changing Peter’s heart as he prepares him for ministry to the Gentiles. This involves overcoming a lifetime of teaching that the Gentiles were excluded from God’s plans. // // There is no salvation apart from Jesus. God in his good purposes chose Cornelius and Peter to be a key part of the plan, formed before the beginning of time, to bring the Gentiles into the family of God.
Sunday, 1 September 2019 | Acts 10:1-23a // Keith Cooper | Visions and Menus // This is a pivotal chapter, concerned with the grafting of the Gentiles into the Christian church. Peter was to be used sovereignly by God for this specific mission. This was a process spanning many years. God works according to his own timing and plan. We can trust his methods and timeline. His word will come to pass; no person can prevent this. // // Cornelius was a ‘model’ religious person. But he did not know Jesus as his Saviour. Here we are God plants the seeds of change and salvation in Cornelius. Religion could not save him. Only Jesus could – and in this story, we see that Peter was to be the one who would introduce Cornelius to Jesus. // // Meanwhile God was working in Peter to transform his preconceptions about what was clean and unclean. Just as God declared all food clean, he was now declaring that cleanliness was to be no barrier for the Gentiles: the Gospel was for everyone, not just for the Jews.
Sunday, 18 August 2019 | Acts 19:32-43 // Matt Banks | Gospel in Action // Aeneas had been paralysed for 8 years, completely dependent on others for all his needs. Tabitha had been devoted to the works of the gospel and yet suddenly died. Both experienced suffering, a fundamental aspect of living in this fallen world – suffering that can remain this case, even though we lean into God. We should not interpret suffering as God’s disfavour. // // Peter travels through their towns, bringing healing – resurrection, emulating the ministry of Christ. And this profound witness, showing God’s care, results in many putting their faith in Jesus. This gift of healing turns our attention, in the suffering, to the One who can bring relief from the suffering or comfort in the suffering.
Sunday, 11 August 2019 | Acts 9:19b-31 // Keith Cooper | A New Direction // Paul’s original mission to persecute Christians, was so well known that his change of heart caused great confusion. This confusion quickly turned into murderous intent. But Paul now considered it a privilege to suffer and be persecuted for the sake of Jesus Christ. // // Paul understood what he had been saved from. He valued the treasure that he had received: a relationship with Christ and the gift of eternal life and redemption. This drove his passion to preach and share his new faith.
Sunday, 4 August 2019 | Acts 9:1-19a // Andy Lawrie | A Transformed Life // Luke paints a beautiful picture of the transformation of Paul’s life through the direct revelation of Christ. In this, God answered the martyr Stephen’s prayer (chapter 7) not to hold the persecutors’ sin against them. No matter how bleak the situation, we should never underestimate how God responds to faithful prayers. The person who once hated and despised Jesus would now learn to call him ‘Lord’; to receive Jesus as his own Saviour.
Sunday, 28 July 2019 | Acts 8:26-40 // Keith Cooper | Divine Appointments // Philip willingly travelled to spread the gospel, despite persecution, because of the love God have given him for people’s souls. He listened well to the Holy Spirit’s direction and brought the enlightenment of the scriptures and the revelation of Christ to the people he met. And Philip obeyed God, going where he was sent and speaking as he was directed. // // As Philip explained to the eunuch, all of scripture points to Jesus. The passage confusing the eunuch could only be understood in the light of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Sunday, 21 July 2019 | Acts 8:1-25 // Elizabeth Linton | Gospel Effects // // Chapter 8 of Acts is a pivotal chapter. Death changes things. Stephen was the first to die, in a savage ‘mob rule’ attack. This changed the rules and the Christians became fair game. // // This may have seemed like a disaster, but God was building his kingdom and he would not be stopped. Christ has established his disciples with the Great Commission – to take the gospel to all nations. Signs and wonders – miracles – intensified. The cords of fellowship strengthened, that bound together the believers in fellowship. // // Simon the sorcerer thought he could buy all this and attain fame and power. He had no idea about the true meaning, purpose and self sacrifice inherent in the gospel. God looks at the heart, not on outward appearance.
Sunday, 14 July 2019 | Acts 7 // Keith Cooper | Stephen’s reply // Stephen delivers an empowered speech, in faith tracing the story of God’s grace to his people from Abraham onwards. An overriding theme was that God’s most devout followers made him the Lord of their lives. // // We see this in Joseph, who became the vessel of God’s salvation during a time of famine, and in Moses, who led the captive Israelites out of servitude in Egypt. Having led the Jews to safety, Moses was then rejected by the people, who turned to false gods. In a similar way, says Stephen, first century Jews were rejecting the Holy Lamb of God: Jesus, the one true Saviour and Lord. // // We must treasure Jesus, pursue him, fill our minds and hearts with his gospel. Whatever the cost, whatever the consequences, he is worthy and his way is the only way worth pursuing. There is no other name by which we can be saved
Sunday, 7 July 2019 | Acts 6 // Rob Pomeroy | Life Happens // // The gospel was being proclaimed, Christians were facing and dealing with issues of poverty, and persecution was among them. In this environment, God blessed and used the new church powerfully. In Acts 6 we learn: // // 1. We are to be prepared // 2. Our lives as Christians should be marked by good deeds (though these do not themselves gain salvation) // 3. We should not belittle our calling, whatever it may be // 4. We are accepted // 5. The results can be left to God alone
Sunday, 30 June 2019 | Acts 5 // Dave Brown | Fear and Persecution // The disciples, moving in the knowledge of God, were preaching of Christ and his sacrifice. The church was growing and reaching out into the entire community and Jewish places of worship. // // Ananias and Sapphira sold some land but attempted to deceive the apostles in relation to the proceeds of sale. They claimed they were handing over the entire sale price, but secretly, hoping for admiration and position, they held some back and lied about this. For this deception, in which they persisted when challenged, God slayed them. // // News of Ananias and Sapphira spread and unsurprisingly caused fear all around. At the same time, people were hearing the gospel and holding the disciples in high esteem for their message of peace, power and providence. The religious leaders jealously opposed and imprisoned the apostles, but God miraculously intervened, freeing and protecting them so that they could carry on preaching in his name.
Sunday, 23 June 2019 | Acts 4:23-37 // Keith Cooper | One Heart and Soul // The disciples' knee-jerk reaction to persecution was to raise their voices in praise to God. They recognised that God was fully in control and that his authority was delegated to them, to preach his hand and spread the gospel. // // Exercising our authority in Christ: // 1. The Word of God is warfare // 2. Authority is found in the name of Jesus // 3. Remind Satan the blood of Jesus Christ defeated him // 4. Stand in the power of the Holy Spirit // 5. Live together in God-given spiritual unity // 6. The word of our testimony is potent truth // // The foundational nature of prayer: // * Prayer means getting God's will done on earth, not man's will done in heaven. // * Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; ask for powers equal to your tasks. // * Pray ambitious prayers. // * Pray in unity. // * Pray in an attitude of surrender and in readiness to be changed.
Sunday, 16 June 2019 | Acts 4:1-22 // Andy Lawrie | No other name! // Scorn or salvation? // // The Spirit of God has moved, and here we see some of the fallout. Some people were curious and eager to see what God was doing. Others were outraged and stood in fierce opposition to the disciples and tut gospel spread.
We should not be surprised then when we experience similar reactions. Jesus said that his word would bring division, that persecution would follow. // // Our reaction is important: we have a responsibility to the gospel. But this should not put us under pressure. We can lean into God and rely on him to guide us, to show us when to be silent and when to speak. And if it is to speak, he will give us the words to say. // // We need to be filled – continually filled – with the Spirit.
Sunday, 9 June 2019 | Acts 3 // Paul Jackson | Power in his name // Having been filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples were then able to move in power. In Acts 3, we see the disciples Peter and John used to heal a lame man. And this healing was for purpose: not only to restore the lame man, but also to pave the way for the testimony of the gospel. // // As Peter says in verse 16, “And [Jesus’] name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.” And he continues, “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out…” (verse 19).
Sunday, 2 June 2019 | Acts 2:42-47 // Emma Beddoes | Church Begins // They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
Sunday, 26 May 2019 | Acts 2:14-41 // Keith Cooper | Gospel Preaching // God gives his Spirit to anyone who comes to Jesus Christ. So now in Acts 2, Peter extends that same mercy to the crowd that have gathered together on the day of Pentecost. But first of all he explains the what, the how and the why of what had just happened before their eyes...
Sunday, 19 May 2019 | Acts 2:1-13 // Dave Scotland | Promise Fulfilled (The Baptism In The Holy Spirit) // The Holy Spirit came with power on the day of Pentecost. God's Spirit blew and the fire fell on the believers who were radically changed and the Church was birthed.
Sunday, 5 May 2019 | Acts 1:1-11 // Rob Pomeroy | Witness // // The Acts of the Apostles picks up with the Gospel of Luke leaves off. Here we see Jesus ascending into heaven and promising to send the gift of the Holy Spirit, who will empower the disciples for purpose: their purpose to continue all that Jesus did and taught and to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth.
Sunday, 28 April 2019 | Ezekiel 47:1-12; John 7:37- 39 // Dave Fellingham | Being an authentic Christian // The mark of authenticity is the quality of the believer’s life, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are in relationship with the living God!
Resurrection Sunday, 21 April 2019 | Esther 9-10 // Keith Cooper | A World Turned Upside Down (Jesus the better reversal) // // The story of Esther demonstrates that the power of death can be overcome. There is a picture here of a God who fights for his people, who will not abandon them. The devil’s efforts to eliminate God’s chosen people will always fail. // // On Resurrection Sunday, we see clearly that the threat of death must give way to Almighty God. Crucifying Jesus was the biggest mistake Satan ever made. Jesus is now and always will be our Saviour.
Sunday, 14 April 2019 | Esther 8 // Khumbalani SIbanda | From Victims to Victors (Jesus the better missionary) // Haman’s plan to kill Mordecai had been thwarted and instead he was hung on the gallows he’d prepared for Mordecai. His house and goods were transferred to his God-fearing enemy who had refused to bow down to Haman. // // Those who put their trust in the Lord will find strength and stability in the Lord, their source and Saviour. God fought for Mordecai and he fought for the Jews. // // Whatever our struggle, we only need to be still and trust in God.
Sunday, 7 April 2019 | Esther 7 // Dave Brown The Mask Comes Off (Jesus the better Esther) // The story of Esther tells us: // // - If the balance of power seems against us, that is an illusion; if God is for us, none can be against us // - God’s judgement on sin is absolute // - Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more
Sunday, 31 March 2019 | Keith Cooper // Esther 6 | Warning Signals (Jesus the better servant) // // Once again the hand of God is invisibly at work in the life of King Ahasuerus. Through a night of insomnia, God uses the king to advance his plans. // // God is not in a hurry, but also he is never late. Mordecai simply needed to wait patiently in order to see the providence of God. Haman intended to spend a day anticipating the execution of Mordecai. Instead he was compelled, by God’s good pleasure, to spend the day honouring him. // // So we see God’s good plans for his children. And we see that he can never be thwarted. Let Christ’s will triumph in your life.
Sunday, 24 March 2019 | Elizabeth Linton // Esther 5 | Meekness and Subtlety (Jesus the better Identity) // // Esther’s response to her challenge was to seek God and to encourage the Jews to do likewise – to fast and pray. Esther then risked her life and approached the king, with salvation on her mind. She showed wisdom, restraint, bravery, discretion and respect. Not knowing God’s plans, she played her part, despite personal risk and uncertainty.
Sunday, 17 March 2019 | Andy Lawrie // Esther 4 | Decision Day (Jesus the better mediator) // // Mordecai and Haman are starkly contrasted in their reaction to Haman’s plot. While Haman callously sits down to drink with the king, Mordecai demonstrates his profound grief by tearing his clothes and mourning in public. // // Our world, our country is struck by poverty, homelessness, injustice, persecution. What is the appropriate Christian response? Should we not respond with compassion? With an outpouring of grief? // // We, like Mordecai, like Esther, must be prepared for God to use us, even if it costs us everything. Through his power in us, the world can be transformed.
Sunday, 10 March 2019 | Keith Cooper // Esther 3 | Mordecai Makes a Stand // // Haman was descended from a nation that had been a long-standing enemy of the Jewish people. King Saul had not obeyed God and completely destroyed the Amalekites. Instead he had left descendents - descendants with a grudge. These descendants of the Amalekites now represented the devil's plan to destroy God's people. // // King Ahasuerus honoured Haman and required all people to bow down to him. Mordecai, who owed such duty to God alone, declined to do so. And thus the ongoing enmity between the Jews and their oppressors escalates. // // Conflict and threats like these need not trouble servants of Christ. Though in this life we may experience persecution and hardship, we are ultimately citizens of the heavenly kingdom of God. We are, in a very real sense, safe.
Sunday, 3 March 2019 | Rob Pomeroy // Esther 2 | The New Queen (Jesus the better Saviour) // // In chapter 2, we are introduced to the book’s heroine, Esther. We see the way God works through circumstances and people to achieve his purposes – all of which are leading up to the sacrifice of Christ.
Sunday, 24 February 2019 | Keith Cooper // Esther 1 | Standing firm (Jesus the better King) // King Xerxes was a proud man and he loved to boast about himself. But no matter where he thought his authority came from; all authority comes from God alone. Xerxes’ actions were subject to the plans of God, as we shall see as the story of Esther unfolds.
Sunday, 17 February 2019 | Michael Jerreat // Genesis 13 | Look from the place where you are // // God speaks to us through the ordinary and through the extraordinary. We don’t always understand our circumstances, or the way God works, but we know we can trust him. If we fix our eyes on him, look at the things he show us, we can be sure that he will lead us into his purposes.
Sunday, 10 February 2019 | Dave Scotland // Galatians 6:11-18 | How to Boast // // Let us fix our eyes on the true meaning of that about which God calls us to boast. We boast only in the death, the power of the cross, the triumph of Jesus Christ. Adherence to the law is irrelevant; it does not buy us life or salvation. It is through Christ alone we live.
Sunday, 3 February 2019 | Keith Cooper // Galatians 6:7-10 | Keep it up // // The religious amongst the Galatians were mistaking the point of the gospel – focusing on their appearance and neglecting the poor and needy. God ordains that we reap where we sow. They were sowing self-centredness and self-righteousness – the deep desires of the flesh. That, Paul says will result in a harvest of corruption. // // Rather, a generous spirit, an open-handedness with that which we have received from God after all, will produce a harvest of blessing and righteousness. Paul enjoins us to work hard, to do good to all. Not because we are motivated by a personal increase, in our reward – that would put us back in the first position, the greedy self-reliance. No, we are to be motivated by love – love for God first and for others second.
Sunday, 27 January 2019 | Paul Jackson // Galatians 6:1-6 | Gospel Relationship // The apostle Paul says we are to help one another, to bear each other’s burdens. We help each other deal with sin (their ‘trangression’, verse 1). // // At the same time, we must keep guard on our minds, not becoming jealous of someone else’s gift or position, not trying to become them. We only need to be the person God calls us to be. We only need to become like Jesus – and that is not our struggle; it is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Sunday, 20 January 2019 | Keith Cooper // Galatians 5:16-26 | Gospel Character // // God has lovingly accepted us, so we are free to be motivated to do good works. But the sinful flesh within us is in conflict with the Spirit of God at work in us. Further, the law brings its own challenge: we strain against the law and break it. // // We need to add our will to the Spirit’s leading, so that we voluntarily yield to God’s perfect path for our lives. We need to ensure that we are worshipping God, not idols, not anything or anyone that will turn our hearts away from God.
Sunday, 13 January 2019 | Dave Brown // Galatians 5:1-15 | Firmly Free // For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1) // // We are free to love, free to obey, free from slavery to sin, free from slavery to the law. Best of all, we are free to be in God’s presence.
Sunday, 06 January 2019 | Keith Cooper // Galatians 4:21-31 | Grace to the Barren // The law can’t bring life or fruitfulness: Legalism is barren. So if the church goes back to the slavery of the law it will mean barrenness and disobedience to the word of God. It is only by grace that the church can be fruitful and spread across the world.
Sunday, 30 December 2018 | Dave Brown // 1 Samuel 7 | Ebenezer – stone of help // The Ebenezer stone directs attention to God and his work in our lives. It reminds us to look backwards and see the thread God weaves throughout our lives and history. // // Let us always say, “Thus far, the Lord had brought us.”
Sunday, 23 December 2018 | Emma Beddoes // Luke 2:22-35 | Messiah fulfilled // // Simeon recognises that Jesus is the One who was to appear, who was foretold by the Messianic prophets and prefigured by various characters through history before. Jesus was the answer to the foretelling of the prophets and biblical characters; Jesus is the answer to every person’s need today.
Sunday, 16 December 2018 | Keith Cooper // Genesis 22:1-14/Jonah 2 | Messiah prefigured // // Adam, Isaac, Jonah – and others – in their different ways foreshadowed Jesus – the Word who became flesh. They help us to understand the reason why Jesus came. They point us to the only One in whom we should put our hope – the One whose birth we particularly celebrate at this time of year.
Sunday, 9 December 2018 | Rob Pomeroy // Micah 5/Psalm 22 | Messiah foretold // Scripture is saturated with prophecies predicting the appearance of a Messiah. And yet when Christ arrived on earth, few recognised him for the Saviour he was, despite the fact that he fulfilled all these prophecies! // // Today’s sermons considers a small selection of these prophecies and demonstrates how we have every reason to come and adore him.
Sunday, 2 December 2018 | Keith Cooper // Galatians 4:12-20 | Love’s Appeal // // It is possible that Paul had caught malaria and was travelling with the illness. This could account for why Paul looked so unwell, which could also have affected the appearance and function of his eyes. Whatever the case, there would have been some reason for people of his culture to shun him, given their fear of visible illnesses and deformities. And yet the Galatians received Paul with love, refusing to judge him by his appearance. // // God uses the most unlikely people, often when they feel most inadequate. Then he is most glorified. So how we feel does not excuse us from using the gifts he has given us. // // God led Paul to Galatia because of his sickness. Because of his illness, the Galatians heard the gospel. So although this was not Paul's plan, although we would not say that the illness was from God, God was very much able to use this situation. // // Paul now warns the Galatians to return to their original position of pure love. To set aside the deception that has come upon them. To let God use them for his purposes as God has used Paul.
Sunday, 25 November 2018 | Graham Webb // Mark 3 | The Way of the Kingdom of God // Jesus was accused of being mad (Mark 3:21). Christians are often accused of this too. But our faith experience is not crazy; it’s a sane reaction to what we know of God’s character and faithfulness. // // They said that Jesus was bad (verse 22). But there was no foundation for this charge. He only did good. // // No: Jesus was God (see Mark 4:41). He was not mad & not bad; he was God and he is worthy of our praise. //
Sunday, 18 November 2018 | Keith Cooper // Galatians 4:8-11 | Don’t Go Back // God is engaged in a war to recapture our hearts, tearing down idols, bringing us home. The Galatians were turning back to idols. Paul feels the pain of this betrayal and expresses his dismay. // // The law can diagnose the disease, but it cannot produce the cure. The only way is grace and it is grace against which the Galatians have turned their backs. // // The antidote to idols, whatever the idol might be, is Jesus Christ.
Sunday, 11 November 2018 | Andy Lawrie // Galatians 3:23-4:7 | The Grace of Law // // The Judaizers didn’t appreciate that the whole purpose of the law was up point out sin – not to be followed for its own sake. Rather, Paul says, “So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith” (chapter 3, verse 24). We are not to be critical and judgemental but to see the love and grace shown in both the law and Christ’s fulfilment of the law. // // An intense focus on the law, on right and wrong, may seem noble but it can completely distract us. We should be focusing our attention on Jesus, on who he is – on how the Law, Jesus’s sacrifice and how the entire body of scripture points to and gives glory to God – and we must do likewise. //
Sunday, 4 November 2018 | Elizabeth Linton // Galatians 3:15-22 | So what’s the point of the law? // “Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.” (verse 19) // // To reject the false, we need to know the true. Paul argues from truth, from scripture, to demonstrate to the Galatians the real purpose of the law and its place in God’s overriding story of grace. The law did not set aside any of God’s previous purposes; it acted to highlight sin and to prepare the way for the One who would conquer sin.
Sunday, 28 October 2018 | Keith Cooper // Galatians 3:10-14 | Law’s Curse, Faith’s Blessing // // The person who relies on the law is not operating in faith. That person CAN NOT please God. Law demands COMPLETE obedience to the WHOLE law. Breaking just one law results in the curse of God as if every law was broken. The law brings curse, not blessing. // // The just shall live by faith in Christ. Jesus, through his shameful death, crucifixion, took the full weight of shame and guilt that the law would impose on us. The curse is removed and we receive that benefit through accepting his sacrifice through faith in him. // // (Apologies for the poor audio quality for the first 41 seconds of the sermon.) //
Sunday, 21 October 2018 | Dave Scotland // Galatians 3:1-9 | The Gospel & the Word // // - Hearing // - Believing // - Receiving // // This is the power of the gospel. We must hear the word of God, believe it and receive. In so doing, our hearts and lives will be transformed and our expectations will be lifted.
Sunday, 14 October 2018 | Keith Cooper // Galatians 2:17-21 | Grace: free, yet priceless // Paul deals with the argument against grace. Misunderstanding the free gift of grace, some people were becoming blasé about sin causing a decline in their behaviour. Paul bluntly states that this is to miss the point entirely. // // And just because grace is freely given, that doesn’t mean it was free. Christ paid a heavy, heavy price to achieve this, in being beaten, mocked, crucified, experiencing the righteous anger of God as he took on all sin, and ultimately being separated from his father. // // Now for us, having been saved by grace through faith, there is no sense in returning to the law. The is no sense in rebuilding the works-based structures that were torn down when we accepted Christ’s sacrifice. An intimate, personal life-giving relationship with Jesus through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the only coherent way to live. // // Law says, “Do.” Grace says, “Done!”
Sunday, 7 October 2018 | Rob Pomeroy // Galatians 2:11-16 | In Step with Truth // // Peter takes a wrong turn in his journey of faith. Paul boldly corrects him, imploring him to walk in step with the truth of the gospel. As we see this drama play out, we learn not to allow our fear, pride and jealousy interfere with our appreciation of God’s free gift of grace.
Sunday, 30 September 2018 | Keith Cooper // Psalm 112 | Dedication & baptisms // One of the greatest promises in the Bible is that those who follow Jesus Christ will have eternal life. God’s way and his provision is the only way. // // In today’s meeting, parents commit their baby daughter to the lifelong journey of learning about God. Meanwhile, two members of the same family take the step of obedience to Jesus, by undergoing baptism by full immersion.
Sunday, 23 September 2018 | Emma Beddoes // Galatians 2:1-10 | The Truth of the Gospel Preserved // // The Jews were expecting the Messiah, but they had fixed ideas about what he should be like. This led them to add ideas and rules to the gospel. // // But there are no add-ons. We don’t believe a ‘gospel plus’. We receive the revelation from God, we recognise it as truth, and we respond to it in submission. We don’t need to ‘get ourselves ready’ before we can become Christians. The important issue is to know and love God and to cling to and preserve the true, unadulterated gospel.
Sunday, 16 September 2018 | Keith Cooper // Galatians 1:13-24 | Born Free! // // Paul, mindful of who he was prior to conversion and of how he met Christ, was determined to preach only the true gospel. This message of grace and hope was given to him by God and no other. All the glory and praise was to go to God and God alone. // // This message of grace is hard for us to understand. We use words like ‘deserve’ and ‘fair’. We think that those with a better standard of living deserve to be saved more then those who are obvious sinners. When the wicked repent and are saved, we ask if that’s fair. // // God’s grace is not based on our merit or efforts. It is based entirely on his goodness, his love and his generosity. Our attitude towards God’s gifts, to us and to others, can only be gratitude. None of us deserves God’s grace and yet he gives it anyway, as he chooses. //
Sunday, 9 September 2018 | Andy Lawrie // Galatians 1:6-12 | New Gospel = No Gospel // // Paul, with his passionate care for the church, is writing urgently to the Galatians, to warn them about straying away from the true gospel. False teaching was a continual problem for the early church. // // Today we have the same problem. Gospels of moralism, individualism, prosperity, consumerism and more seduce and tempt us away from the true gospel. The only true gospel has Christ at the central focus. It's all about him & his glory. We cannot save ourselves; only Jesus saves. // // To ensure we do not stray from the truth, we need to stay close to the word of God, to ensure we read our bibles. We must remain humble and let God correct us when we err. This is for our good and for his glory.
Sunday, 2 September 2018 | Keith Cooper // Galatians 1:1-5 | Gospel Truth // // We often struggle with the feeling that we need to earn the love of God. This is contrary to the teaching of scripture. There’s nothing we can do: it’s entirely a free act of grace on the part of God. It can’t be earned; it can only be received.// // Paul writing this letter offers by way of credentials his calling from God. We are wise if we follow God’s calling on our lives, directed by scripture, confirmed through prophecy. This provides a position of faith, an ongoing assurance through easy times and difficult of our position within God’s purposes. Further Paul’s motivation was, as ours must always be, not our power or recognition but the glory of God.
Sunday, 19 August 2018 | Rob Pomeroy // Genesis 9 | Noah – Part IV // // Today Rob wraps up our study of Noah and the Flood. Through this story, we learn of sin and salvation, grace and redemption. We see God’s sovereign purpose for us and his relentless pursuit of his divine plans – for our good and for his glory.
Sunday, 12 August 2018 | Keith Cooper // Genesis 8 | Noah – Part III // // God remembers us. He remembers his promises to us. He keeps his promises. // // After the storm, God renews life. Noah, as a kind of second Adam, is intimately involved in the re-creation of the earth. Noah operated in faith, waiting on God and completing the tasks God assigns him. We too would do well to wait on God, to understand how to do the right things at the right time with the right motives.
Sunday, 5 August 2018 | Paul Jackson // Genesis 7 | Noah – Part II // // We see poetic, repetitive language in Genesis 7, a kind of ‘second creation’, which mirrors the creation account in the earlier chapters of Genesis. This account deals with the destruction and ‘remaking’ of the earth. It deals with God’s judgment on those who were living apart from him, apart from his law. // // We need to recall that God isn’t a one-dimensional person, whose only characteristic is an out-of-context kind of love. No, God hates sin and injustice and leaving those who hurt people unpunished. God is holy. In Genesis we see God show a side of his character – righteousness and justice – that is real.// // We also see here a prefiguring of Christ. The ark is the instrument of God’s salvation and protection for his chosen people. In a similar way, Jesus provides salvation and protection for those who are in him at the final judgment.//
Sunday, 29 July 2018 | Keith Cooper // Genesis 6 | Noah – Part I // // Time after time, God’s people drift into apathy and rebellion. Every time, God raises up a remnant. Noah and his family were such a remnant, through whom God demonstrated his constant, consistent plan to save mankind. // // The thing that set Noah apart from the rest of humanity was that he listened to God, and in faith, acted on what he believed God to be saying. He valued obedience higher than his own dignity.
Sunday, 22 July 2018 | Dave Scotland // Genesis 4:8-16 | Crouching sin // // Sin takes control of us and masters us if we do not subdue it. Despite God’s warning, Cain allowed sin to conquer him; he murdered his brother Abel. God therefore brings judgment – but restoration and reconciliation are his ultimate aim. // // This is the story of wretched man meeting a faithful God. This is the story of sin and redemption.
Sunday, 15 July 2018 | Keith Cooper Genesis 4:1-7 | Cain and Abel
Although Adam and Eve had rebelled against God, they continued to have a relationship with him. We see them give praise to God for the blessing of their children.
Two of their children, Cain and Abel, are pictured in the continuing tragic story of sin. God, knowing the heart of man, rejects Cain’s sacrifice given as it was with impure motives; he accepts Abel’s. God, whose heart is always towards forgiveness, issues a warning to Cain, lest his sin get the better of him.
In the story we see God’s intention to bring forgiveness and reconciliation to a sinful world.
Sunday, 8 July 2018 | Andy Lawrie // Genesis 3:20-24 | Banished // // Sin is embedded within human nature and experience. It is the choice we so often make. It is a choice with consequences. In today’s sermon, Andy looks at the consequences for Adam and Eve of their sin but also the hope that was to come.
Sunday, 1 July 2018 | Keith Cooper // Genesis 3:16-19 | The Pain // // God's love of sinners in no way eliminates his hatred of sin. In today's passage we see God continue to pronounce his judgment on the sin of Adam and Eve. We notice however how even within the judgment, God's supreme love for his children is evident.
Sunday, 24 June 2018 | Rob Pomeroy // Genesis 3:14-15 | The Curse // // In today’s passage, we discover how, following the serpent’s deceit and Adam and Eve’s sin, the devil is punished, God’s children are lovingly disciplined and Jesus is glorified over all.
Sunday, 17 June 2018 | Keith Cooper Genesis 3:8-13 | The Blame Game
Notice how quickly things changed, how easily the relationship with God was spoiled. Eve was deceived and Adam chose to disobey God. Consequently, they were ashamed – indeed sin and disobedience should cause us to feel ashamed. We must listen to our consciences. If we ignore our consciences, we train ourselves to do wrong.
God graciously gives the couple an opportunity to confess and repent. He is always calling to people to listen to him, to obey, to turn back to him. We must take responsibility for our sin and disobedience. Excuses and playing the blame game will not fool or impress God. Confession and repentance are the only way to restore our relationship.
Sunday, 10 June 2018 | Paul Jackson // Genesis 3:6-7 | The Fall // // In Adam, all die. Our relationship with each other and with the world around us is fallen, because of sin. We cannot look on the face of God and live; he is holy and we are not. // // But there is hope: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Man, in God’s image falls. But then Jesus takes on the image of man, to raise mankind again.
Sunday, 3 June 2018 | Dave Brown // Genesis 3:1-5 | Enter the Snake // // God made man to rule over creation; in failing to rule themselves first, they undermined God’s purpose for them. // // This is an inspired passage of scripture. Whatever our supposed learning may tell us, the New Testament writers took this story to be literal. And so should we; in so doing we open ourselves to accepting the full implications of the story of the serpent’s deceit.
Sunday, 27 May 2018 | Keith Cooper // Genesis 2:18-25 | Perfect Match // // This is the first time in Genesis we see that something is ‘not good’. God himself knows what Adam needs in order for creation to be complete. Adam needs a helper. And none of the animals was a suitable helper. // // God has not made us to be alone. In marriage, he makes provision for us, knowing our needs. But more than that: marriage ultimately is an illustration of the loving relationship between Christ and the church. We are Christ’s bride; we come before him in purity and through our worship, with acts of love. // // Make no mistake: though human marriage is beautiful, it is not the final answer to loneliness. Our union with Christ is the cure, the complete solution to human need. We need Jesus above all else.
Sunday, 20 May 2018 | Emma Beddoes // Genesis 2:15-17 | Good & Evil // // Unlike us, God’s knowledge and understanding good and evil is not through his experience. God knows what is good, because it’s like him. He knows what is evil because it’s not like him. In eating the forbidden fruit, mankind attempted to stand in the place of God, deciding what is good (for himself) – believing the lie of the serpent, the devil. // // In declaring the fruit of a single tree out of bounds, God made mankind morally accountable to him. But man chose to trust his own understanding rather than God’s and in this way mankind rebelled.
Sunday, 13 May 2018 | Rob Pomeroy Genesis 2:4-15 | How humans flourish
What was God’s design and purpose, in shaping the world the way he did? When we look at today’s passage, what can we learn about ourselves and about God?
In today’s sermon, Rob considers the who, what and why of the creation account in Genesis 2.
Sunday, 6 May 2018 | Dave Brown Genesis 2:1-3 | True rest
“Rest” in Genesis 2 means cessation of activity. God rests, to model a pattern of behaviour for us. We can be sure that the world is safe in his hands while we rest.
And God’s rest is the first “it is finished” moment in the bible. He declared that the work of creation was done.
Rest is God’s gift to us and it is essential to our pattern of life and work.
Sunday, 29 April 2018 | Keith Cooper Genesis 1:26-31 | God’s Image
‘Us’ here is not a matter of grammar; it’s matter of theology. God is one in three persons.
We are the image and likeness of the living God. This includes a duty for us to act with dominion and responsible authority over his creation.
The truth that we are made in God’s image is so important it’s repeated three times in this passage. Being made in his image includes having the power of choice – between life and death, good and evil, love and hate.
Since the fall, we present a damaged image of God. But a damaged painting is still worth millions if made by an excellent artist. Nevertheless it is the artist, God, to whom the worship and honour must be directed, not to us, the image.
Sunday, 22 April 2018 | Keith Cooper Genesis 1:14-25 | From Form to Filling
We are to worship the one true God who made the heavenly hosts.
There’s a very small step between admiration and worship. Even today people head in the direction of worshipping or over-emphasising the stars and creation (at the expense of worship of the Creator).
In this passage we discover a God who delights in his creation. Creation itself is an expression of God’s glory. Creation should lead us to ask the question, “What must the Creator be like?”
This Creator is the only One worthy of our worship.
Sunday, 15 April 2018 | Dave Scotland Genesis 1:3-13 | From Chaos to Form
We need God’s light on our life. But we can’t just have God’s glory in his life; we also need his governance. We see in this passage how God brings his rule and order to the planet, just as we should allow his rule and order to come in our lives.
Jesus Christ is the light giver; he is the Light of the world. God is the God of rule and order – and no darkness can be found in him. And he calls us to him. It’s critical that we know him, that we accept his light, his life, his love.
Sunday, 8 April 2018 | Rob Pomeroy Genesis 1:1-2 | The beginning "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."
The full story of God’s creation is thus: in the beginning, God created everything, through Christ. Then we are remade, through the death and resurrection of Christ. And then when Christ returns, we are made like him. Three creative steps, all through Christ: we are made, we are made clean, we are made like him.
Today’s sermon kicks off a series studying Genesis, understanding this incredible story: the story of God.
Sunday, 1 April 2018 | Andy Lawrie 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 | The great exchange
‘Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favourable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’
The Corinthian church was spoiling the gospel. They were blending in false doctrines, causing division and dissent. But we should not look down on this church. We may think we’re doing better than them, but our best will still never be good enough to achieve the holy standard God requires.
Paul, rather than belittling and writing off the church, instead reminds them of the gospel. Jesus came to die for us so that sinners like us and sinners like the Corinthians could be right with God.
Ultimately all scripture is about Jesus. On this Resurrection Sunday it is all the more appropriate that we appreciate this as we remember with gratitude what he has done for us.
Sunday, 25 March 2018 | Keith Cooper
2 Corinthians 5: 21 | The great exchange
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Have we become desensitised to sin? We’re liars and cheats and gossipers. And we things that’s okay; we overlook it.
Adam’s great sin in the garden of Eden was doing nothing – nothing to prevent the sin of Eve. The truth is that many of us are doing nothing. None of us is righteous, no not one. (Romans 3:10)
God cannot tolerate sin. The great wonder is that God holds back his judgment from us. He sent Jesus to die, to take the punishment for our sins, even before we had repented! “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 ESV)
Why did he do this? For our sake. Love. Love was the reason God chose to exchange our sins, our filth for the pure righteousness of Jesus.
In today’s sermon, Keith invites us to view ourselves with sober judgment and to understand the extent of the gratitude we are bound to express, as we see the great exchange of Jesus Christ: his righteousness for our sins.
Paul Jackson preaching on 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 - Reconciliation.
Hebrews 9:15 - Christ is the mediator of the new covenant. We are now ambassadors for Christ - his representatives to the world where we live. Ambassadors live in an embassy, where the ambassador's country and culture are promoted.
We the church live in the embassy of heaven, promoting the lifestyle and morals of the kingdom. The first and most important call of the church is to encourage others to be reconciled to God.
Sunday, 11 March 2018 | Rob Pomeroy 2 Corinthians 5: 16-17 | A new creation and a new life
“We no longer regard people according to the flesh.” In this passage, Paul shows us the reality of the new life found in Christ. As we continue our journey to Easter and the message of the cross, we see how the entire message of the bible points towards the Kingdom of God, via the sacrifice of Christ.
Sunday, 4 March 2018 | Nathan Paylor 2 Corinthians 5: 11-15 | The message of the cross – one died for all
Paul has enjoyed a long and complex relationship with the Corinthian church. Prior to this letter, he’s written a painful letter of discipline. This has brought some strain into the friendship. The letter of 2 Corinthians is written against this background.
Paul is engaging in his work because of fear of the Lord. He wants to prepare this church. He wants to help the church understand the purpose and the message of the cross. Why did Christ die? What was God’s purpose?
This message makes clear this, the most supreme of God’s purposes. The cross of Christ is not man-centred; it’s Christ-centred.
Sunday, 25 February 2018 | Keith Cooper
So often we don’t make the gospel good enough. We sprinkle it with fear and we sprinkle it with death. Paul reminds us that there is joy in the gospel; joy in the preaching of the gospel. And we do it for God’s glory and because of his grace.
In this final stretch of Romans (15:25-16:27), Paul emphasises:
- The practical impact of the gospel
- The essential importance of prayer – earnest, heartfelt, persistent prayer
- His personal appreciation of the work of the saints
- The value and necessity of praising God
Sunday, 11 February 2018 | Graham Webb
– Love God – Encourage One Another – Transform Chester
Do you love God? Do you love Jesus?
In Joshua 22:5, Joshua is told to be very careful to love the Lord. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to seek first his kingdom; to put God’s purposes first.
Are we careful to love the Lord? Do we put him first? We should.
But there is no need for us to feel that this is an onerous obligation or a burden. The amazing truth is that God gives us the power to love him – as well as all the reason we could ever need. Romans 5:5 – God’s love has been poured into our hearts; he helps us to love him!
Sunday, 4 February 2018 | Keith Cooper
Mark 10:13-16. Jesus’ attitude here may have been a shock to the Jews. Boys were not considered significant until the age of 13; girls never so. Jesus’ counter-culture attitude reveals his loving heart. Further, Jesus demonstrates that salvation comes through a dependent, childlike faith.
Sunday, 28 January 2018 | Rob Pomeroy
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Romans 14:17-19, ESV)
Rob takes us through the fourteenth chapter of Romans as we consider the practical application of the apostle Paul’s magnificent letter.
Sunday, 21 January 2018 | Dave Scotland
In Romans 13, Paul shows of three duties to which we are called: - to the state - to each other - to Christ
Sunday, 18 February 2018 | Dave Brown
Paul echoes Jesus’ “new commandment” for us to love one another. A body that’s in a state of dysfunction is not a body that can work effectively – whether a human body or a church congregation. Jesus intervenes to correct this dysfunction, this separation within the church. In Romans 15:1-24, Paul raises a really cry for a unified, missional church.
Sunday, 14 January 2018 | Andy Lawrie
Paul was passionate about the Gospel. In Romans 12 he shows what Christianity should look like, based as it is on a living relationship with God.
Paul Jackson Psalm 119:1-8 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
Sunday, 24 December 2017 | Emma Beddoes
Isaiah 9:6-7, ESV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
These words were given to Isaiah 700 years before Jesus was born. What must Isaiah have made of this, as he was writing it? How did he know this was God? For that matter, how does anyone hear God? How do we know when God is speaking to us?
Against the backdrop of this Messianic prophecy, which foretold the coming of the Saviour Jesus Christ, Emma offers practical advice for all Christians, as relevant in ancient Bethlehem as it is for us today. And she considers some names by which our Lord is known – Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – and how these reveal his relationship to us and to his creation.
Dave Brown
Today Dave talks about God's divine design in the rescue of humanity. The tabernacle is shown as a divine picture of the coming of Jesus as our atoning sacrifice for sin.
Keith Cooper
Romans 9:30-10:21. In this talk we discuss the paradoxical relationship between God’s sovereignty and our human responsibility. One moment, Paul is explaining the 100% Sovereignty of God and a moment later he tells us that we have complete responsibly for how we behave. The conclusion, it is God’s action alone that saves someone and secondly, it is because of people’s rejection of the gospel that they are lost. Ultimately we need Jesus...
Sunday, 26 November 2017 Rob Pomeroy
Romans 9:1-29. Rob talks about God’s purpose and justice and encourages us to see the sovereignty of God in every part of life... God is God. we aren't!
Sunday, 26 November 2017 | Paul Jackson
Romans 8:18-39. In this central, gospel-affirming passage, Paul the apostle invites us to view all our suffering in the light of our coming redemption.
Sunday, 19 November 2017 | Keith Cooper
Romans 8: this chapter highlights the most amazing, wonderful news...
"In Christ" we are not condemned! In fact, 'in Christ' we have been set free. This is much stronger than simply saying 'I am not condemned'; it is that there is no condemnation at all - there is no possibility of it.
Not only are you not condemned, you can never and will never be condemned, in Christ.
Sunday, 12 November 2017 | Dave Brown
Romans 7: this chapter highlights how the struggle with a sin is a common experience. The closer we are to God, the more aware we become of our own inadequacy. But we no longer live under the law – what does this mean?
Sunday, 5 November 2017 | Keith Cooper
Does grace mean that we can carry on sinning? Paul says “No”. Grace means that we can live in victory over sin. Our identity now is not in sin, but in Christ’s death and resurrection.
Keith continues our study in Romans, expanding chapter 6.
Sunday, 29 October 2017 | Graham Anns
We can trust God, as we walk along the road of life; people should see that our journey isn’t so much about our getting from A to B as being about our trust in him. As we walk on the road of life we will meet people God has placed there. To those people, we most demonstrate Christ – where we work, in our communities, in our sports clubs, in ours schools.
God commissions us to love him and to love our neighbours. That’s our calling. Our neighbours are worthy of the same attention we give ourselves.
Graham teaches from Luke 10:25-37, the parable of the Good Samaritan and reminds us that this journey may be messy!
Sunday, 22 October 2017 | Rob Pomeroy
In this study on Romans chapter 5, Rob explores the work – and the necessity – of the cross. He also may or may not mention blob fishes, once or twice.
Sunday, 15 October 2017 | Keith Cooper
Keith preaches today from Chapter 4 of the book of Romans. A key theme in this chapter is that “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Paul here gives examples (in the form of Abraham and Kind David) of the way in which justification works. The kind of people God declares to be righteous are people of faith. Abraham was justified in Christ by faith, even before the time Christ’s sacrifice had occurred. Everyone at every point in history must come to God in the same way, through the same door.
It helps to understand this passage by thinking of “family”. God is the gracious parent who gives us much though we have nothing of value to give in return.
Sunday, 8 October 2017 | Paul Jackson
As David Pawson says, the cross is a double substitution. Not only did Christ receive our sin, we received his righteousness. Those who are in Christ are completely righteous. There is no need to strive or to attempt to achieve holiness through our own efforts.
Paul Jackson continues our study in Romans, where we see the Apostle Paul stating that neither Jew nor Gentile is superior. All are under sin. None has a reason to boast. And all can be saved.
By way of historical background, the then emperor Claudius tired of the Jews fighting over Christ, and banished them from Rome. This left the church in Rome solely comprised of Gentiles. Later the Jews returned, and their differing views brought conflict between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Conflict, which the Apostle determines to set aside.
Sunday, 1 October 2017 | Shirley Bowen, of CAP
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Jesus, in Luke 4:18-19, quoting the prophet Isaiah.)
Do we as a church display the radical love Christ showed? Do we hang out with sinners and outcasts? Do we preach good news to the poor? Bind up the broken-hearted?
Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
We represent Jesus to the world. And the mission of the unchanged Christ remains the same.
Shirley Bowen, an ambassador for CAP who has been with the debt relief charity for six years, explains how exists to help the church as it fulfil its mission. Shirley started as a CAP Money Coach; she’s now one of a dozen or so speakers who visit churches talking about the mission of CAP.
“God can move mountains, whatever your burden is.”
Sunday, 24 September 2017 | Keith Cooper
God chose Israel so they could be a light to the world, but they broke his law, pursuing idols and making a fake display of piety. Others see this sort of hypocrisy and use it as a reason to blaspheme God.
What we do in our personal lives matter; it is ultimately reflected in our public lives. We cannot suppress it. People see through the masks we wear. Religion and self-effort will only lead to empty faith. Our world needs authenticity.
God has a solution to all this! The Holy Spirit can change our hearts, transforming us on the inside to conform ever more closely to his will for us.
To find out more, listen as Keith preaches on Romans 2:17-29.
Sunday, 17 September 2017 | Andy Lawrie
We only truly understand God’s righteousness when we understand how unrighteous we are. In Romans 1:18-2:16 we see the case against humankind.
The charges:
- We suppress the truth.
- We do not honour God.
- We worship things other than God.
- We approve of sinful practices.
Sunday, 10 September 2017 | Keith Cooper
We’re sitting as jury and as the accused when we approach Romans. We are guilty, as rebellious humans. Here is the only solution to our rebellion, our only defence. This is the gospel of God.
This book is essential for understanding sanctification, justification, the deity of Christ and the righteousness of God. This is the gospel that transforms lives. This gospel does the one thing no other power can do: it saves you.
Keith preaches from Romans 1:1-17
Sunday, 3 September 2017 | Dave Brown
The Holy Spirit is God. He manifests the power of God throughout history.
He is a person, not an impersonal force. His work is to point us to Christ and he enables us to understand Christ’s teaching.
All Christians have the Holy Spirit living within them. Receiving the Holy Spirit is not an event, howver; it’s a lifestyle of submission.
Dave preaches from John 16:5-15
Keith speaking this Sunday from John 15:12-17 Christian love is not a feeling it is an act of the will. The proof of our love is not in our feelings but in our actions. Even to the extent of laying down our lives for Jesus and for others. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16
Sunday, 20 August 2017 | Sharon Pomeroy | But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
[Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)] | We can be confident in God's calling because his promises are steadfast and true. Therefore, we can be sure that what he calls us to do and to be, he WILL accomplish.
Sunday, 13 August 2017; Andy Lawrie
[ John 15:1-15 ]
As branches grafted into the life-bringing Vine, we must produce fruit in keeping with the love Christ has for us. Andy continues our study in John.
Every moment God delays the end of all things, this is his mercy. Jesus has not yet returned so that the gospel may be preached and many can be saved.
This world is no friend to God's grace. But Jesus' plan is to reach the world through the church. It's time for us to own this plan.
Keith continues our study in John chapter 14. This week we look at verses 15 to 31.
One day we'll finally be at home with our Creator. This is where true joy is to be found. This hope is our glorious certainty. What then do we have to fear?
Keith Cooper preaches from John 14:1-16.
Following his last sermon, God does not make mistakes, Rob focuses on the practical application of the Gospel to disability and special needs. Does the Bible have anything to say on this subject?
We particularly find our answer in the following scriptures:
Psalm 139:13-16 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 Romans 8:16-20
Modern culture tells us “if it feels right, do it”. This lie ignores the impact our choices have on future generations and how these decisions reverberate into eternity.
In his sermon, Andy draws inspiration from the book of Ruth, an historical account of redemption from poor choices.
"In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband." Ruth 1:1-5, ESV
God's agenda for us is full of surprises. One of the reason God tests us is not so HE can see how we're growing and maturing, but so that WE can see how we're developing. Does pressure come between you and God? Or press you closer to God? You can entrust your soul to a faithful Creator.
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." (John 14:1, NIV)
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. John 9:1-7, ESV
Rob Pomeroy, himself a father of children with special needs, speaks on the profound application of the gospel to disability. Though life may look chaotic and disastrous, God remains in control. And he does not make mistakes.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 1:18-23, NIV
Keith concludes a two-part series on spiritual warfare. We’re called to be spiritual warriors and the first principle of spiritual warfare is: fight the right enemy.
‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms’. Eph 6:12 We need to realise the truth that our battle is not against flesh and blood. We must become men and women who live with God given authority and win victories at every level. We are called to fight…
Listen to Graham Webb speaking for 2 Corinthians. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Paul Jackson speaking on the Lord's prayer "Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'" Luke 11:2–4
Keith cooper speaking on the importance of a devotional time with God. Psalm 88:9 says, ‘I call to you, O Lord, every day’. Prayer is the way ordinary people experience the supernatural. We all need to grow in our knowledge of prayer. How? Pray!
Keith Cooper continues to speak on Prayer and Revival Elijah prayed: He prayed earnestly: the literal Greek reads ‘and he prayed in his prayer’. This is more than just lazy religious words… His hearts must be engaged, His emotions were involved as He connect with the spirit and will of God. There should be an equal, determination and concerned in the way you pray that comes from the heart.
Keith Cooper continues the series on Prayer... God wants you to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking knock and keep on knocking. You are to go beyond any restraint you may have, you are to be shameless in your persistence in asking in prayer. You must cling to God in your prayers and not give up until you see the results,
Keith Speaking on the important of the word of God and the Holy Spirit in Prayer... The word and the spirit are inseparable and it is the combination of prayer and Bible Reading that brings us right into the presence of God.
Keith Speaking on prayer... James 5:16, ‘The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’. Living with un-repented sin, un-forgiveness and selfish desires will destroy your relationship with God and with others - and you will be powerless and ineffective in prayer…
Keith Cooper speaking on Prayer So why pray… 1. God likes your company 2. Give you access to the supreme power of this universe 3. Prayer helps us to get to know the true God 4. Prayer will change your life 5. Prayer teaches you to depend on God
Khumbulani speaking from John 11 and Ezekiel 37 “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11
The power of prayer is the greatest power in the world today, it will change your lives, your Church, your city and your nation. We will see the sick healed, breakthrough in lives, the lost saved, and the wonderer restored - if you pray!
Keith preaching from James 5:7-12: PART 12 A genuine believer excepts God’s timing and God's grace to cope, even in suffering. They committed their heart to faithfully serving God without grumbling. They set their soul towards Christ day by day.
Kardea speaking on opening yourself up to God. Psalm 24 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Part 11 - James 5:1-6 The Test of Wealth... A genuine believer is someone who is a cheerful giver. They are fair and just in business and generous with their money. They do not spend extravagantly but genuinely care for others, giving of what God has given to them.
Dave Brown speaking on Sunday evening 12th March. Human history is littered with people searching for the answer to this short but massive question. When you fix your heart on Christ and submit your identity to God you are: Adopted into sonship A child of God You will be like Christ In his wonderful light A royal Priest Part of a Holy Nation Part of a chosen people A Temple A new creation No longer your own you have significance beyond yourself.
Part 10 - James 4:13-17 The best way to live, is to be someone who obeys God, seeks first the kingdom of God and boasts only in Jesus. So whether your “business” is a building site, a church, a company, a home, a school or whatever. You need to want Christ’s will to triumph, more than your ‘wants’ or your own plans.
James 4v1-12: Part 9 A maturity and growing christian is someone who is saved by the grace of God and is satisfied in no one but God. They daily fight worldly influences in the life by submitting to God, resisting the devil, drawing near to God in humble repentance and therefore they rebel against the world, and not against God.
Part 8: James 3v13-18 A genuine believer is someone who fears and loves the Lord and who applies God’s word humbly and consistently to their daily life. They therefore show wisdom at home, work and in all their relationships.
James 3:1-12 Part 7:The test of the tame tongue The smallest but biggest troublemaker in all the world is the tongue - but it does not have to be that way. God can use your tongue to bring blessing and good, to direct others into the way of life, to encourage people in the trials of life. The tongue may be small, but it has great power. Give God your tongue and your heart each day and ask him to use it to be a blessing to others.
James 2:14-26 A genuine believer is someone whose faith is saving faith. The out working off saving faith is seen in their commitment, obedience, worship and delight in the Lord. Therefore their salvation is not just based on a prayer they prayed years ago, but is a daily reality today, as the evidence of their love for God continues to grow.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. Paul Jackson speaking on Sunday evening...
A genuine christian is someone whose love of God is seen in an active desire to demonstrate love to everyone they meet - it means you will constantly fight the temptation to judge others. You will accept that it is your responsibility to always be the one who responds first to the needs of others and take time to open your heart to others irrespective of the persons background, personality or position.
The real emphasis of James 1:19-27 is the danger of self-deception. It is one thing for the Christian to be deceived by Satan, but if you deceive yourself, this is something far more serious. The mark of a mature person, is someone who faces themself honestly, who knows themselves, and admits they needs help. By contrast, the immature person thinks they are rich, self-sufficient, and have no need of anything. James says that this all comes down to your relationship with God and the word of God.
Perseverance in suffering - Be steadfast under trials, because your goal is to be more like Christ and more in love with God. So if that means God testing, humbling and breaking - you will prays ‘Lord, do whatever it takes, and help me to endure’. James 1:2-12
Listen to Keith's preaching part 3 of 'the serpent crusher'. Jesus is the serpent crusher, who has overturned the fall through His death on the cross. The result for those who find forgiveness and new life through Christ is that they are no longer enslaved to this life, but look to the next in confident hope.
Keith continues the Christmas series 'The Serpent Crusher' As the descendants of David fail, the prophets start to look forward to a coming King - God’s promised Messiah. Intriguingly, this King will rule the world by the words from his mouth, not with a sword or with armies.
The Bible reveals that the birth of Jesus Christ is something of enormous cosmic significance. It is the beginning of the end of a storyline, that starts on the very first pages of the Bible… It is the story of the forces of darkness that have ruled the world since the dawn of human history. a serpent who deceives. But one day someone would be born who would crush the serpent!
Rob and Sharon Pomeroy speaking from Titus 2:3-10. Encouragement to living a life of self-control, purity, love and integrity - With Jesus at the centre of everything we do...
Graham Webb speaking from John 3 : 19-21 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Stand firm in your faith, resist the devil and clothe yourself in the armour of God and prayer. 1 Peter 5:8-11 Ephesians 6:10-20 Speaker: Khumbulani Sibanda
Revelation is a book written to struggling, suffering Christians, to assure them that God is in charge, Jesus will return, Satan is defeated, and the world will one day be all they long for. (Revelation 22) 1. Live in Hope 2. Live by the Truth 3. Live with Expectancy
Revelation 21 We are heading for a world in which God will live with us, and we will have direct and unhindered access to him all the time; a world in which his glory will shine on us as the sun does now; a world in which there is no more evil or danger; a world in which there is no more sin or opposition. This is the glorious future which God has prepared for his people, and that includes you if you keep following the Lamb until you enter the incredible city.
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Titus 2:1-3
Revelation 13-18: A society organised without reference to God offers attractive prosperity and power. But it is inspired and driven by the devil himself. We must not be taken in. The reason the Bible doesn’t pull any punches is because this danger is real, serious… and often unseen. Beware! You need to live in the all-surpassing riches of knowing Christ and to seek first His kingdom and righteousness.
Part 1 of 2. Overview of Revelation 6-20 The message of revelation brings home to us the power of Satan to destroy, but more importantly the greater power of God to build his church and to protect his people. The book of Revelation is very much a celebration that the devil has been defeated.
Revelation 5 No one else in all of the universe was found worthy to break the seals. Jesus met all of the qualifications. He became flesh, became human, and he lived among us, but he also loves us and was willing to die on cross for us, because he is the sinless son of God, he was able to redeem us.
One day we will join with all of creation to gather around the throne God and worship the most wonderful, mysterious, creative God. All of your life, your work and your play should be done for His praise and glory. Revelation 4
The church In Laodicean: Revelation 3:14-22 This church is saying to themselves our spiritual temperature is white hot. This would've been fine if they have been using the same measuring scale as Jesus was, but they weren’t. So Jesus tells them ‘you are measuring your love for me and your devotion for me by using the wrong scale - the wrong thermometer’. He tells them 'You are neither hot nor cold, you are lukewarm, and I want to vomit'.
Faithful Philadelphia: Revelation 3:7-13 It is not the size or strength of a Church that determines it’s ministry, but faith in the call and the command of the Lord Jesus. If Jesus opens the doors, we must go through it - if he shut the doors, we must wait. But, above all, we must be faithful to him.
Thyatira - the corrupted church. Revelation 2:18-29 Those who live in victory and overcome sin are the ones who will receive all of God’s rich promises. In the end those that repent will overcome not just the sins of this life, but will come to a place where Jesus will conquer all that is evil, once and for all - For Jesus is victorious and we are called to be like Him….
99.9% isn’t enough in God’s eyes - he requires everything, 100% and he will not compromise or share you with anyone or anything else. He expects total commitment. You need to stop and ask yourself In what area are you feeling the greatest pressure to conform to this world’s standards and culture? Are there areas especially when it comes to idolatry and immorality, that you need to repent? The bigger question is… Will you?
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7v7-11
When you think of Smyrna you should think persecution! But, Christians be encourages. If you struggle to find encouragement that those who belong to Jesus are tested, or that you don’t feel much consolation that your suffering won’t last long - why not look at the prize - the crown of life, eternal life and joy and blessing that is yours though Jesus.
Ps 33:18 'My fear of God is shaped by an unfailing love, my hope by the steadfast unchanging love of my heavenly Father'. Testimony by Nay and Cal
Graham speaking on knowing God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Graham and Charlotte Webb lead Jubilee Church Liverpool which is part of the Christ Central sphere in Newfrontiers.
Khumbulani speaking on the second part of the lords prayer. ‘Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’. Matthew 6:9-13
Revelation 1:9-20 Jesus is crowned with glory, majestic in power, eternal in brilliance, radiant in energy, boundless in power, destined to be worshiped by all the peoples and nations of the world. He is our saviour, our judge, Lord of all and King of kings.
Keith starts a new series on Revelation - 'Coming Soon'. The word ‘revelation’ means ‘unveiling’. In this book the HS pulls back the curtain and gives us the privilege of seeing the Risen, ascended and glorified Jesus in Heaven.
Paul speaking from 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Keith Speaking on the story of Jacob; Genesis 28:10-22 God takes what is insignificant and makes it significant. He takes a man, who is a waster, lost cause and sees the potential in him. God looks on you with all your faults, insecurities, bad habits and failings and he sees the potential in you – He sees a great man or women.
Keith Speaking on the story of Esther... The book of Esther is a story where no miracles are recorded and where God does not directly intervene. However, it is a call for boldness in the face of uncertainty, and faith in God who is working behind the scenes. God actively and irresistibly draws you to Himself!
Mark speaking on the life of David... In every high and every low, David's life speaks of the testimony God declares over Him, THIS IS A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART!
More than ever before are nation needs men, women and young people who are sold out for God, living in dependence on Him, filled with His Spirit, functioning in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and praying that His glory would be poured out once again on our cities and towns. The story of Gideon - Judges 6-7
Genesis 22:1-11 Faith comes not just from hearing, but believing the promises of God and faith is only faith when it is lived out. This story confirms Abrahams fear of God and also the grace and faithfulness of God. A God who provides.
Keith finishing this series from Philippians 4:14-23. Giving is not as a burdensome duty, but as a joyful privilege. ‘a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God’. v18
Andy speaking on the legacy of Stephen. A man who reacted well in the face of opposition - he listen and forgave.
What is the secret to being content? Philippians 4:10-13. In all of the areas of life you are called on to be content, whether possessions, position or the practical demands of life. The grace of God is the ultimate solution to your discontentment.
Peter speaks from Ecclesiastes 2. A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God... This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Listen to Keith speaking from the series 'Running into Joy'. Phil 4v1 - 9 Worry is the greatest thief of joy. But Paul says that the antidote to worry is a secure mind. ‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Phil 4:7. Also, includes an amazing song written and sung by our children during Sunday School.
An unforgettable Easter Sunday. Celebrating the Risen Jesus. Listen to Chloe's and Colyn's Story of how they met Jesus.
Keith speaking on Phil 3:17-21. The true christian lives for the future, looking forward to the return of Jesus, their saviour. We should have such an anticipation of Jesus return that motivates us and keeps you looking forward to future hope.
Keith continues in Philippians 3 from the series 'Running into Joy'. Don’t stop running, starting is easy - but finishing well takes courage, devotion, direction, determination and discipline. So keep your eyes on Jesus to win the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Keith Cooper speaking from Philippians 3:1-11. 'But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord'.
Jeremy Simpkins speaking last Sunday evening at Freedom Church. A Prophetic and encouraging message on living as an Antioch Church. Jeremy and his wife Ann moved from Teesside to Manchester in 2009, from where he leads Christ Central Manchester and the ChristCentral Apostolic Team.
Epaphroditus is proof that you can live with a Christ-like mind and it is possible to live like this and run into Joy. 1. He was a balanced christian. 2. He was a Risk taker. 3. He was a blessing.
Philippians 2v19 - 24 Timothy is a great example for us. He loved the Philippians, the Lord Jesus, the gospel and he also loved Paul and wanted to serve and encourage him. All these things took precedence over his love of Himself.
Keith Cooper speaking on the in's and out's of living for Jesus. - Phil 2: 12-18 God works in us through the word, prayer and suffering and we work out our faith in our daily life and service. The example comes from Christ, the power comes from the Holy Spirit and the result is JOY.
Lizzy Biggs speaks on the subject of honesty and always speaking the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15,16,25,19 Matthew 5:31-33 Proverbs 8:7
Keith Cooper speaking on Philippians 2:1-11
What if we were to be single minded about Jesus. What if we lived with a confidence in God’s love for us. What if we shared every experience in partnership with the Spirit. What if we live in unity with other Christians and humbly loved other people.
Peter Robinson speaking at Freedom Church Chester on Sunday 31st January @ 6pm. Amazing Love.
Keith Cooper teaching the next part in our series from the book os Philippians. Fight Club - Phil 1 v 27 - 30 Sunday 31st January @ 10:30
Keith Cooper preaching a sermon from the book of Philippians. An Important Choice - Phil 1:12 - 26 Sunday 25th January at 10.30am
Peter sharing on the godly characteristic of what it means to love. Sunday 17th Jan @ 6pm
Mark Cuthbert will be preaching a sermon from the book of Philippians. Freedom in Chains Sunday 17th January at 10.30am
God Is Sovereign, God Is Good, God Is God Khumbulani preaching on Sunday evening 10th January.
Keith Cooper will be preaching part two of this new sermon series from the book of Philippians. Phil 1:3-11 - True faith, true prayer. Sunday 10th January at 10.30am
The Book Of Philippians - Running into Joy Keith Cooper kicks off the New Year with a new sermon series. SUNDAY 3rd JANUARY 10.30am
Sunday 13th December at 10.30am Keith Cooper will be starting the first of this two part Christmas message from Luke 1:46-56.
Lizzy Briggs speaking on trusting in God and knowing his presence at Freedom Church on Sunday evening - 6th December
Freedom Church Sunday 6th December at 10.30am Nehemiah Chapter 13 - Concluding the Beginning This week Mark Cuthbert concludes this series in Nehemiah.
Freedom Church Sunday 29th November at 10.30am at Chester City Mission, Nehemiah Chapter 11-12 - On the Move This week Keith Cooper continues this series in Nehemiah.
NEHEMIAH SERMON SERIES - SUNDAY 22nd NOVEMBER Nehemiah Chapter 10 - Commitment This week Paul Jackson continues this series in Nehemiah.
Nehemiah Chapter 9 - Prayer This week Keith Cooper continues this series in Nehemiah. Sunday 15th November at 10.30am at Chester City Mission
NEHEMIAH SERMON SERIES - SUNDAY 8th NOVEMBER Freedom Church Sunday 8th November at 10.30am at Chester City Mission, Nehemiah Chapter 8 - The People and the Book This week Mark Cuthbert continues this series in Nehemiah.
Freedom Church Sunday 1st November at 10.30am Nehemiah Chapter 7 - Vigilance This week Keith Cooper continues this series in Nehemiah.
Andy Lawrie speaks on Sunday evening 1st November on a biblical approach to sin and disagreements within the Church
Mark Cuthbert will be continuing this series on Nehemiah as we reach chapter 6 - Intimidation
Keith Cooper continues our series 'Grand Designs' and today is speaking from Nehemiah 5: 'Trouble within'.
Sunday 11th October 4pm at Chester City Mission, Nehemiah Chapter 4 – Workers and Warriors This week Paul Jackson continues this new series looking at what is needed on the front line to build for His glory.
Freedom Church Sunday 4th October Nehemiah Chapter 3 - The Rebuild This week Keith Cooper continues this new series looking at the long list of names who God wants to use to build for His glory.
Nehemiah 2 This week Mark Cuthbert continues this new series looking at the long list of names who God wants to use to build for His glory.
Keith Cooper kicks off this new sermon series from the book of Nehemiah. This week Nehemiah Chapter 1 'Who Cares?'