Creation
“Understanding the Old Testament” Part 2 (Genesis 1 & 2) We read the creation account, and then look at how the rest of the Bible reflects on, and adds to, the event. We end with the key question: How are WE to respond to the creation?
Why Study the Old Testament?
“Understanding the Old Testament” Part 1 (Hebrews 8, Numbers 21, John 3) The purpose of this talk is to convince you of the value of exploring the Old Testament, and to begin the journey.
Celebrating Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Part 3 (Leviticus 23; Psalm 118) We start with the origins of our Thanksgiving Day, work through the kind of things Jesus gave thanks for, and look briefly at modern discoveries of how thanksgiving changes your brain. Then we do it!
Thanksgiving as a Weapon
Thanksgiving Part 2 (Phil 4:6-7; 2 Chron 20) There is strong Biblical support for the power of weaving thanksgiving into the story of our lives. In more than one place, victory and answer to prayer are linked to giving thanks.
Giving Thanks Always and for Everything
The best remedy for Covid-19 depression is to increace our daily level of thankfulness by taking some practical steps. Here are some suggestions of things you can do. (Col 2:6-10; 3:16-17)
What the David and Goliath story is really about
A different take on this well-known story: You don’t have to be a David, and try to defeat Goliath! (1 Samuel 17)
Meeting Jesus in the pages of John
Gospel of John Part 37 (21:24-25) John’s desire is that we should meet Jesus through his writing. Even if we are Christians, we can meet him in a new and powerful way as we engage in these pages with the one who is both God and human.
Peter’s Restoration from Sin and Shame to Strength
Gospel of John Part 36 (21:15-23) This story helps us understand how Jesus deals with our failure. Come to him and let him gently restore you and give you strength. Just honestly tell him about it, and accept it is the same gentle Jesus that talked with Peter on the beach that morning.
A Meal on the Beach with Jesus
Gospel of John Part 35 (John 21:1-14) People get fixated on the 153 fish, Peter’s clothes or odd behaviour, and miss the wondrous and life-changing point that this story is making.
What we can learn from Mary Magdalene at the Empty Tomb
Gospel of John Part 34 (John 20) Life from the resurrected Jesus brought life to those around him. You can experience more of that life, as Mary did.
How Jesus’ Resurrection Directly Empowers Us
Gospel of John Part 33 (John 20 & 1 Cor 15) The resurrection of Jesus was not simply coming back to life, but the start of a new kind of humanity. It gives us access to a new kind of life within us—empowered for victory.
Jesus’ Burial, with some Insights from Archeology
Gospel of John Part 32 (John 19:31-42) We believe the Bible because it is God’s word, but nevertheless it is encouraging to our faith so see the strength of the evidence. Plus it helps us to visualize and conceptualize what actually happened at a real place and date.
Why John is so selective when telling the story of the Crucifixion
Gospel of John Part 31 (John 19:17-30) John is very selective, but this is because he is very focused in the unique way he wants us to relate to Jesus as he suffers and dies on the cross, a way that we miss if we don’t follow his references
What we can learn about ourselves from Pilate
Gospel of John Part 30 (John 18:28-19:16) Pilate was faced with a choice that in some ways is very similar to ours, even if we are a Christian. The challenge is to see what it is for you!
Bread Wine: the Body of Christ United
(1 Cor 11:17-34) The simple celebration to remember Jesus is so often misunderstood. If we get what was so terribly wrong with the way the Corinthian church was breaking bread, then we have the key to bringing joy to the heart of Jesus.
Betrayed, Arrested, Abandoned, Denied and Abused —John 18
Gospel of John Part 29 (John 18:1-27) Jesus was betrayed, arrested, abandoned, denied and abused. Yet those were the very people he came to die for! What manner of love is this?
How We Should Bring our Complaints to God (Psalms 54, 142)
(Psalms 54, 142) A third of the book of Psalms is devoted to bringing complaints to God. But the form of these complaints is very specific. By giving us so many psalms in this form, God is telling us that he wants to hear the honest cries of our heart, but also teaching us how he wants us to bring these complaints to him.
Our Destiny: to Receive and to Give Divine Love - John 17
Gospel of John Part 28 (John 17:24-26) We are a gift from the Father to Jesus: his beloved ones. He gives our love back to the Father as a gift: to be revealers of God’s self-giving love to the world (and universe). This is the highest expression of the Christian faith you will ever hear. More than that, it is the highest point of human existence
The High Point in the whole of Jesus’ Teachings
Gospel of John Part 27 (John 17:20-23) Jesus highest teachings, given just to his disciples in John 14-17 come to a climax in his prayer at the end, and now we reach the very pinnacle of the prayer
Safe and Sent — Coming to Grips with the Challenge of Jesus in John 17
Gospel of John Part 26 (John 17:14-19) Jesus’ words move from comfort to challenge, from ‘Safe’ to ‘Sent’ as this amazing prayer in John 17 moves towards it’s climax.