Recorded Earlier

These are Sunday talks from the last few years which are not listed on the pages for major series. For the very latest, see the "Latest Recorded Talks" page. Sermon series are available on churchExodus, selected PsalmsIsaiahLuke's Gospel, 1 CorinthiansEphesiansPhilippians, 1 Peter and James.  You can download older files, back to 2011, from the Sermon Archive. For some of our favourites from all these collections, see the panel at the lower right of this page. 

Your browser may play the "Ogg" files straight away – some others may be happier with mp3 format. One or the other is virtually certain to work. Contact us with comments or questions.

Galatians 6:9 - Pressing On

Mike Workman, 18 September 2022 

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Mark 15 – Jesus crucified

How awesome is it to know that before we lived in sin, Christ already died for us?  Where are you in this story? Only by recognising our guilt of the cross – that which is done by us – can we share in its grace – that which is done for us.  (Matt Brinkley, 10 April 2022) 

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Matthew 3:13 - 4:4 Jesus' Baptism – heading to the Cross

His Baptism in the river Jordan was the moment of decision when Jesus commits Himself to the Father's will alone and takes His first step to His passion.

There is a connection between Jesus' Baptism and ours. (Erik Pattison. 3 Apr 2022. Bible reading by Susan Pattison) 

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Jonah 4 – Anger and Grace

Is there anyone you dislike enough that you don't care that they need God's grace and don't show them His compassion?  Are you angry now because things aren't going the way you wanted or expected? Is God calling you to give something up and trust Him?  (Peter McMahon, 20 February 2022.  Bible reading by Keziah Davidge

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Jonah 3 – Second chances

It's easy to give Jonah a bad name. But God gives him a second attempt, rather than finding someone else. Are we able to see potential in people without writing them off for their past failures?  How does our repentance affect other people?  Can you see a role for you in our community to help other people to be reconciled to God?  (Matt Brinkley, 6 February 2022. Bible reading by Erik Pattison

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Jonah 2 – God's plan for salvation

The Bible is not about what God's servants did but what God did despite their failures.  (Gary Davidge, 23 January 2022.  Bible reading by Coral Bynoe

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Jonah 1 – God's grace to an ungracious man

The fish is not the most remarkable thing in the story.  Why does God choose to work through such an unsuitable character as Jonah?  (Erik Pattison, 16 January 2022) 

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Acts 14:1-23 – Through many hardships we must enter the Kingdom

How do we hear these words in verse 22?  What God is guaranteeing is not the suffering, but our entering the Kingdom at the end of the road.  Can we, like the apostles, find ways even to rejoice in suffering, because it is our road to see the King?  (Neville Reid, 9 January 2022.  Bible reading by Keziah Davidge) 

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Ezra 7:8-10 – A man of the word

Ezra saw God's hand on his life.  This was linked to his devotion to God's word.  Do we neglect the Bible? Pray for a fresh desire and passion for the word of God.  (Tony Uddin, 2 January 2022. Bible reading by Sue Pattison.  Recorded over Zoom.)

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Matthew 2:1-12 – Light and Reflection

As different objects reflect light differently, how do we want to reflect the light of Jesus in our lives?  He came to be a King, but ruling over hearts rather than any particular territory – is he ruling in ours?  (Nikson Robinson, Christmas Day 2021.  Bible reading by Sue Pattison) 

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An interrupted Christmas

What can we learn from the many interruptions in the Nativity story, and in the rest of the story of Jesus?  (A short talk at the end of our Nativity service, by John Day, 19 December 2021)

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Acts 11:19-26 – Be a Barnabas!

Barnabas' name (nickname, really) means "son of encouragement".  He was like the Lord Jesus in coming alongside people who were different from him, and people who were hurting, encouraging them to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.  Just the sort of person we need – and we can all be a Barnabas.  (Neville Reid, 5 December 2021)

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Jude – Contend for the faith

Jude has a message for all who follow Christ.  It was even more urgent for him than talking about our salvation, and it is still urgent today.  (Neville Reid, 26 September 2021. This recording includes a full reading of the letter of Jude)

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1 Peter 1:22–2:3 – Loving, leaving, longing

Sunday 5 September was the official launch of THCC Lighthouse. For the video recording of the whole service, including a talk by Tony Uddin, see YouTube: 05th September 2021 - THCC Sunday Service @ Lighthouse

John 9:8-34 – A model witness

The healed man only knows a little about Jesus, but he sets us an example of being prepared to answer boldly when he is asked. (Erik Pattison, 25 April 2021. This recording includes a talk given in church, and a long Q&A from our online meeting.)

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John 9:4 – We must work while it is day

A first look at Jesus healing the man born blind.  Jesus is not interested in questions about blame for suffering.  Instead, he is focussed on taking an opportunity to do good.  (Erik Pattison, 18 April 2021. Includes a long Q&A time at the end.)

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Zechariah 12:10–13:1 – They will look on me whom they pierced

Until Jesus came, Zechariah's prophecy was so baffling that translators thought the words must be a mistake.  Is God mortal, so that be could be wounded, and that people would mourn for him?  (Neville Reid, 11 April 2021. Recorded in church, with edited Q&A from Zoom afterwards.)

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Galatians 6:11-18 – The only thing that counts

For the second time in this letter Paul says only one thing counts – but he says it's a different thing.  How do these make sense together?  And shouldn't we put people right, where we disagree with them?  (Erik Pattison, 14 February 2021. Recorded on Zoom, with Q&A)

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Genesis 15:1-6, Galatians 5:5 – The unique Christian hope

 Continuing to look at what is special about the Christian faith: we have a unique hope, but it is often under-valued. (Erik Pattison, 7 February 2021)

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Matthew 5:11-17 – What is the unique thing about us?

People may try to get us on board with all sorts of ideas, but there is one thing that must always be central.  (Erik Pattison, 31 January 2021.)

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Matthew chapters 1 & 2 – Joseph, man of decision

Joseph is the forgotten hero of the Christmas story.  (Erik Pattison, 20 December 2020)

This talk mentions a song which we had listened to beforehand. This was Tim McGraw's song "It Wasn't His Child" (click for YouTube link).

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1 John 2:3-14 – Made complete in love

John is offering powerful reassurance to people living through chaotic times.  John tells believers in Jesus that they have enough to save them now, and for all eternity.  (Erik Pattison, 6 December 2020.  Includes a long Q&A.  Please forgive the noises caught on the recording.)

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1 John 1:5–2:8 – Atonement for the sins of the world

As we understand that people must repent and trust in Jesus, what does it mean that he is the atonement "for the sins of the whole world"?  (Erik Pattison, 29 November 2020.  Includes a long Q&A at the end)

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1 John chapter 1 – Knowing God in confusing times

These are confusing times, but God may use such times to make us more clear about what really matters.  (Erik Pattison, 22 November 2020. Please excuse the lower sound quality.)

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Matthew 16:1-12 – Yeast

What is Jesus getting at when he warns against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees?  We find that it is a timely message for us all.  (Erik Pattison, 25 October 2020)

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Ephesians 1:22 – Head over everything for the church

This is the beginning of a discussion about the sovereignty of Jesus and his purpose in the Covid-19 crisis. (Erik Pattison, 18 October 2020.  Apologies for the poor recording quality.)

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1 Corinthians 11:26 – Proclaiming the Lord's death

This is a look into the Apostle Paul's statement about the Lord's Supper, "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."  (Erik Pattison, 30 August 2020)

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1 Corinthians 10:17 – We are one body

What has it meant to Christians in the early years, and in modern times, that we are one body in Christ?  (Erik Pattison, 16 August 2020)

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Mark 14:25 – I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine

After speaking of his body and blood, Jesus made what seems to be a strange vow.  When we look into it, we find that it is a wonderful promise about the future.  (Erik Pattison, 9 August 2020)

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Mark 14:24 – My blood of the covenant

What is this covenant that Jesus made, and with whom?  (Erik Pattison, 2 August 2020)

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Mark 14:22 – The broken bread

The meaning of the bread: Jesus invites us to a relationship of trust. Jesus also shares in our brokenness.  The bread looks forward, too: we will also share his resurrected body.  (Erik Pattison, 26 July 2020)

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1 Corinthians 10:14-22 – Participation in Christ

What does it mean for us, at the Lord's Supper, that we "participate" in Christ?  How does it connect us to God?  (Erik Pattison, 12 July 2020.  Note: the recording quality is not good, as we currently meet with the windows open after the lockdown)

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Psalm 37 – Waiting for the Lord: Do not fret

This Psalm tells us several more things about what waiting on God really means.  For a start, those who love God have a choice: wait on him, or fret.  (Erik Pattison, 15 March 2020.  Do read the text first, as the reading is not included in this recording: Psalm 37 NIV)

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Psalm 27 – Waiting for the Lord

Waiting is unpopular, but wonderful things are promised to those who "wait for the Lord".  What does it really mean and look like?  (Erik Pattison, 8 March 2020. Note: Erik's voice at the start of this recording was a bit hoarse from our cheerful singing, but he soon recovered.)

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Psalm 96 – Rejoicing in God's justice

Second talk on God's justice: a look at what is so wonderfully good about it, that we long for it and all of creation will rejoice in it.  (Erik Pattison, 23 February 2020. Includes a long Q&A again)

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Romans 12:19 – "Vengeance is mine, I will repay"

Vengeance is an essential part of justice, both human and divine.  The prophets tell is that it is also a central part of salvation.  How has the death of Jesus turned these things around for the believer? (Erik Pattison, 16 February 2020. Includes Q&A at the end)

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Luke 1:35 – The Holy Thing within Mary

Gabriel announced to Mary a "holy thing", which grew to be a holy child.  (Erik Pattison, 25 December 2019)

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Luke 2:1-7 – Jesus' quiet Christmas

The angels must have made a loud noise – but only a few saw them.  Back in Bethlehem, it would have been mostly quiet for Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.  God does not do "spectacle"; but his eternal Word was with mankind in a new way.  (Erik Pattison, 22 December 2019)

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1 Cor 15:58 – Not in vain

"Your labour in the Lord is not in vain."  This is a message about hope.  How does it relate to the the Old Testament wisdom book of Ecclesiastes, which starts with "Everything is vanity"?  (Erik Pattison, 10 November 2019. Includes Q&A at the end)

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Acts 2:32-41 – Save yourselves from this corrupt generation

Peter urgently commanded his countrymen to know the truth, repent, and be baptised.  This call to conversion is the start of the apostolic tradition; we must still obey it, be changed by it and make it known today.  (Neville Reid, 27 October 2019)

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Roots: A short series

Sermon 3. Ephesians 2:19-22  Nourished by our Roots – Tradition

The power, value, danger and importance of tradition.  (Erik Pattison, 20 October 2019)

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Sermon 2. Romans 11:17-24 – Nourished by our Roots

Paul says we are nourished by our roots. We have roots in Christ, Israel and the Bible.  How has the church in the West gone wrong and made us weak by neglecting our roots?  (Erik Pattison, 13 October 2019)

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Sermon 1. Romans 11:13-24 – Saved by grafting

We are saved by being grafted into Jesus, and into his people Israel.  This gives us an extra root: we are rooted in Israel's history with God.  (Erik Pattison, 6 October 2019)

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1 Kings 3 – Prayer for a hearing heart

God was pleased with Solomon 's prayer.  Let us also ask for a hearing heart.  (Neville Reid, 29 September 2019)

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Psalm 57 – Praying for the glory of God

David's prayer, in a time of trouble, helps us pray according to God's will in hard times and at all times.  (Neville Reid, 22 September 2019)

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1 Kings 17:1 & James 5:13-18 – Standing in Prayer

Elijah was introduced as a man who stood before the living God.  James, writing about prayer, says Elijah was a man just like us.  What does this mean for us as we pray?  (Erik Pattison, 15 September 2019)

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James 2:12-26 – What good is faith without deeds?

James does not tolerate our excuses, but insists that if faith does not act, it is dead.  (Neville Reid, 18 August 2019)

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Freedom: A short series

Sermon 3. 1 Corinthians ch 6 & 10 – Everything is permissible, but…

This is a dangerous saying, yet Paul repeats this sentence four times.  (Erik Pattison, 17 February 2019)

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Sermon 2. 2 Corinthians 3 – The Spirit of liberty

Liberty is the freedom that we take, rather than what we wait to be given.  (Erik Pattison, 10 February 2019)

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Sermon 1. John 8 – If the Son sets you free

True freedom starts with standing free before God.  (Erik Pattison, 3 February 2019)

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Hebrews 12:2 – Fix your eyes on Jesus (New year message 2019)

Advice to help us at a turning point and all through the year.  We have no idea what Jesus looked like, so what does this really mean?  (Erik Pattison, 6 January 2019)

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2 Corinthians 2:14 – Living with uncertainty

Life is unpredictable, our plans go astray and we do not always manage to reach our goals. Uncertainty is OK if you know you are in Christ's procession.  (Erik Pattison, 30 December 2018)

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Matthew 1&2, Luke 1&2 – Fear not (Christmas Day 2018)

The angels repeatedly said "Fear not" when they met people. This was not a matter of feelings, but of how people must act.  Also: does God need to be brave?  (Erik Pattison, 25 December 2018. Two short talks at Christmas)

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Worship: A short series

Matthew 6:9 – Hallowed be your name

What does this line mean, and why does Jesus give this as the first thing that we should pray for?  (Neville Reid, 2 September 2018)

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Romans 12:1-2 – The life of worship

Once God has redeemed us, how are we to live? What does it mean to "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice"? (Erik Pattison, 26 August 2018)

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Revelation 5 – A New Song in Heaven

What extraordinary event prompts the worship of heaven to change forever?  The revelation of God in Christ, and his work of redemption.  (Erik Pattison, 19 August 2018)

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Revelation 4 – The Holy Creator

This is the first theme of the everlasting worship of God in heaven.  What does it mean that God is Holy, and what does it mean that he is Creator?  (Includes Q&A. Erik Pattison, 12 August 2018)

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Luke 7:36-50, Mark 14:3-10 – Perfume for Jesus

Two women anointed Jesus with perfume – an act that was extravagant and embarrassing.  What does it tell us about true worship?  (Erik Pattison, 5 August 2018)

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Matthew 2:1-12 – Worshipping Jesus

The wise men made a long journey to find the baby Jesus.  What do we learn about real worship from these men?  (Erik Pattison, 22 July 2018. Includes a wide-ranging Q&A at the end)

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John 8:2-11 – The writing's on the floor

What has gone wrong with religion that brings a woman to be stoned, and what was Jesus doing by writing in the dust?  (Roy Scarsbrook, 15 July 2018)

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Luke 20:34-38 – Laying a sister to rest

This is a short message that was given at the funeral of Iona Rebecca Simon. (Erik Pattison, Friday 29 June 2018)

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1 Peter 1:1-9 – Born again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus

Christians believe that God raised Christ from the dead. Well and good; but what does that have to do with us? (Erik Pattison, Easter Day, 1 April 2018)

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Hebrews 10:19-25 – Living in the New and Living Way 

Let us draw near to God; let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess; and let us consider how we may spur one another on to love and good works.  (Neville Reid, 7 January 2018)

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1 John 4:7-12 – This is love 

"He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him."  If we are not marked by our love for one another, are we are born again at all?  (Neville Reid, 31 December 2017)

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Carol service 2017 – Peace from Heaven 

Genesis 3:1-19, Isaiah 8:19-9:11, Luke 2:1-20, 23:13-25,32-47, 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2

If Christmas is about "peace on earth", where is it?  (Neville Reid, 24 December 2017)

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Isaiah 9:1-11 – Who does Jesus belong to?

"To us a child is born"  – this all sounds wonderful, so let's be clear: who is meant by "us"?  (Erik Pattison, 24 December 2017)

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Isaiah 6 – Experiencing holiness and atonement

Isaiah had a shock: realising how holy God is.  He was also confronted with the freeness of undeserved forgiveness.  It changed him and equipped him for a hard calling.  Pray for this gift, to see God as he really is.  (Erik Pattison, 17 December 2017.)

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Isaiah 55 – Doing business with God

There is only one way to relate to God.  God licensed Isaiah to declare it long in advance of Jesus' birth.  Here is food, pardon and life, for those who have nothing to give.  (Erik Pattison, 10 December 2017. We apologise for the low sound quality on this recording.)

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Psalm 56 – Put my tears in your bottle

One of the worst things about suffering is that it seems to be a total waste, but this psalm tells us that some tears are precious to God.  (Neville Reid, 3 December 2017)

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1 Corinthians 15:29-58 – Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption

Jesus' resurrection means that we too will be raised to new life. It will be unlike anything we can imagine now – but what a hope: we will be like him.  (Neville Reid, 30 April 2017)

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Job 19 – I know that my Redeemer lives

These are glorious words about our God, who cannot die, and who will raise us for ever.  To see this testimony in its full splendour, we must encounter it in its original dark and tragic background.  (Neville Reid, 23 April 2017)

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Acts 2:22-24 – Easter Day: It was impossible for death to hold Christ

We are used to the fact that it is impossible for us to escape death.  Surprisingly, Peter says the opposite for Jesus.  The Resurrection justifies Christ, God himself, and all who believe in him.  (Erik Pattison, 16 April 2017)

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Matthew 21 – Palm Sunday

Hosanna!  God save the King!  The big question is, do we take Jesus as our king, and will we carry his cross?  (Erik Pattison, 9 April 2017)

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Acts 1:1-11 – What does the Future Hold?

At the start of a new year we are often thinking about this question. What was in the minds of the apostles when they asked Jesus about the time to restore the Kingdom to Israel, and what does Jesus' answer mean for us?  (Erik Pattison, 1 January 2017)

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Hebrews 4:14-16 – The Throne of Grace

Why did the writer come up with this new expression for the place where God rules?  What is the difference between mercy and grace, and how do we actually draw near to this Throne?  (Neville Reid, 18 September 2016)

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2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves

It is good to test ourselves from time to time. This is a searching challenge: "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith."  (Erik Pattison, 11 September 2016)

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Acts 2:40 – Save yourselves from this corrupt generation

Last in the series on the Failure of the Law.  This is Peter's surprising way to summarise his gospel message.  (Erik Pattison, 4 September 2016)

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1 Cor 2:4-20 – The wisdom of the Kingdom

A survey from the Bible and church history on the failure of the Law.  (Erik Pattison, 28 August 2016)

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James 1:16-2:13 – The "perfect law of freedom" – what it is and how it works

The law of Moses is not binding on disciples of Jesus but we are not "lawless". The Words of Christ are our perfect law. By them we are set free and by those words we shall be judged. (Erik Pattison, 24 July 2016)

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Genesis 19:1-29 – Run for your life! 

What happened at Sodom and Gomorrah, and why is it mentioned so many more times in the Bible?  (Neville Reid, 17 July 2016)

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Hebrews 7 – The failure of the Law of Moses

One of the great themes of the Bible is the failure of the Law. It cannot save us or solve our problems and it was never meant to. What then is the Law for? Why do we read the Old Testament? This is a long recording because it includes a Q & A session. (Erik Pattison, 10 July 2016)

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John 21 – Jesus' priorities for us 

After Jesus was raised from the dead, he took Peter aside in Galilee.  How does their conversation show us God's priorities for our lives today?  (Neville Reid, 10 April 2016)

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Acts 1:2, Luke 24 and John 21 – What Jesus did after he was raised from death

Jesus has a Sabbath day resting after the griefs of Good Friday. Early on Sunday he is raised from death. And what does he do next? He teaches the Bible in a new and deeper way. The foundation he lays in those 40 days is in the New Testament now. (Erik Pattison, 3 April 2016)

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Mark 16 – The Unfinished Story of Easter

Why does Mark's Gospel end so abruptly?  If the story is unfinished, what does that mean for us?  (Neville Reid, Easter Day, 27 March 2016)

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Isaiah 49 – The Apparent Failure of the Cross

We all experience frustration in life.  What does God know of this?  Who is the Servant of the Lord, who would experience utter failure after giving his all?  (Neville Reid, 13 March 2016)

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Genesis 4 – Abel's sacrifice as a sign of Easter

Acceptable and unacceptable sacrifices. The first religiously motivated murder and the two cases of talking blood. How Easter is tucked away in the story of Cain and Abel.  (Erik Pattison, 6 March 2016)

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Leviticus 16 – The Day of Atonement – Beyond Forgiveness 

Why is forgiveness not enough?  Why do we need Jesus, as our High Priest, also to satisfy divine justice?  (Neville Reid, 28 February 2016)

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Leviticus 16 – The Day of Atonement is all about Jesus and His sacrifice

Four animals die and one is exiled. Each of them is picture of the Atonement sacrifice of Jesus. The instructions were so precise because every element of the Day of Atonement is a foretelling of what He would achieve.  (Erik Pattison, 21 February 2016)

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Exodus 12 – Jesus fulfils the Exodus

Second in our series on the Cross prefigured in the Old Testament.  How is Jesus our Passover Lamb, and what does this tell us that he achieved? (Neville Reid, 14 February 2016)

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Genesis 3:15 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 – Easter in the Old Testament Part 1

Mankind has defeated evil. Jesus became sin, was wounded and will crush the serpent's head.  (Erik Pattison, 7 February 2016)

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Psalm 55 – Trusting God in the Horrors of Life

When David's life was truly horrendous, even being betrayed by a friend, how did he still trust in God? How do we? {Neville Reid, 31 January 2016)

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Psalm 54 – Praying for vengeance but leaving justice to God

In the face of betrayal and hatred what can we do? What did David do? What did Christ do? (Erik Pattison, 24 January 2016)

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Psalm 52 – Divided loyalties and wicked obedience

Doeg the Edomite did what his King wanted and earned the hostility of the King who was to come. Like the days of Saul and David we live in two Kingdoms and we must choose where our loyalty will be given. (Erik Pattison, 10 January 2016)

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3 John, and Psalm 86 – Walk in the truth

Not a resolution - more a direction of movement. Walking in truth does not mean arguing about it but loving the Christ Who IS Truth and can be trusted.  (Erik Pattison, 3 January 2016)

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John 1:14-18 – Full of Grace and Truth

Why is it essential to hold grace and truth together? How do grace and truth come supremely in Jesus? (Neville Reid, 27 December 2015)

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John 1:14 – The Word has become Flesh

Why does John use the surprising word "flesh" to describe the eternal Christ becoming man?  
(A Christmas Day meditation – Neville Reid, 25 December 2015)

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John 1:10-14 – Become Children of God 

If God has come down to people, how does it change us?  
(From our Christmas Carol Service – Neville Reid, 20 December 2015)

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John 1:1-9 – The True Light of all Mankind 

What is the eternal meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and how do we gain a part in his Life and Light?  (Neville Reid, 20 December 2015)

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1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 – A vision for your church

Some of us have an individualist vision, some have an institutional vision. Paul seems to have had a communal vision of the church, filled with the Holy Spirit and with every person bringing what they have from God to the common development of the congregation. (Erik Pattison, 13 December 2015)

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1 Thessalonians 5:1-12 – Live in the light of the coming Day

What is admonishing? Persuading people to believe and behave differently. Here we are admonished to work out our calling and destiny as children of the Day. (Erik Pattison, 6 December 2015)

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1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 – The Destiny of both the Dead and the Living in Christ

The "Rapture", the moment when we greet Christ on his way to earth. The dead in Christ have the first joy of this moment and the living shall join them on the Day He makes all things new. (Erik Pattison, 29 November 2015)

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1 Thessalonians 4:9-11 – Quiet respectable goodness – a different kind of ambition

Be ambitious - to be quiet. Work hard - to be peaceable. Respect - and be respected. The fruit of christian ambition is different from ambition as this world understands it but it has a real beauty of character. (Erik Pattison, 22 November 2015)

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1 Thessalonians 3:11-4:8 – Abstain from sexual immorality

Sexual chaos is not new. The Greeks of Thessalonica needed to learn a new way of behaving when they converted to Christ. And so do we. Their apostle gives them reasons for living together in right relationships. (Erik Pattison, 15 November 2015)

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1 Thessalonians ch.3 – The most important church in Paul's world

He uses the most extravagant language to express why they are so valuable to him. There is so much for us to learn about what a gospel-formed church can be. (Erik Pattison, 8 November 2015)

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1 Thessalonians ch.2 – Heroes and role models

When the Thessalonian believers turned from the idols of Ancient Greece and the old Heroes where would they get role models and new heroes from? And how have they themselves become a model for other churches? (Erik Pattison, 25 October 2015)

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1 Thessalonians ch.1 – Delighting in the Work God does in His Church

It is wonderful to see people changing and beginning to work for God as the Holy Spirit Himself sets to work Congregations of believers are where this work becomes visible and this is why we can delight in church. (Erik Pattison, 18 October 2015)

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Micah 6:8 – What does the LORD require of you?

In one verse, the prophet gives a famous short summary of what God wants. (Neville Reid, 23 August 2015)

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Psalm 131 – Humble like a child

Seeing a little child with its mother, the writer understands the way to live humbly with God. (Neville Reid, 16 August 2015)

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Song of Songs chapter 2 – The Pursuit of Happiness

Where should Christians look for their joy? (Neville Reid, 26 July 2015)

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1 Corinthians 9:19-10:12 – The Possibility of Failure

Christian failure is a real possibility. Even the great apostle could imagine missing the prize. Every advantage can be squandered, but God can save us from every temptation.

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1 Corinthians 9 – A Free man with a Free Gospel of Free Salvation

Disciplined religion looks like a restricted life to people trapped in self-indulgence. But the Truth sets us free to proclaim the Gospel of freedom

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1 Corinthians 7:25-40 – Marriage and other Big Decisions – Part Two

Celibacy can be good, marriage can be good. Both can be a disaster. How do we think through hard choices?

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1 Corinthians 7:1-24 – Marriage and other Big Decisions – Part One

Many of us are poor at decision-making, but we can not spend our lives dithering. How do we make those big life-changing decisions? Whether or not to marry (and to whom) is one of the biggest. The guidance in this chapter covers more than just that one. There is wisdom for us all in here.

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1 Corinthians ch.6 – Freedom and Immorality do not belong together

The ethics of Christ are the ethics of real freedom and not the chaotic mess of immorality. Christians cannot adopt the Disney slogan "follow your heart" because our hearts lead us into strange places. 

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1 Corinthians ch.5 – When the church must discipline a member

Occasionally, churches have to act when there is scandalous behaviour and the person concerned justifies what they are doing  or they refuse to change. It is an unhappy business but sometimes doing nothing is worse

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1 Corinthians ch.4 – The ability to criticise – a great gift but greatly abused

We can judge and assess in so many ways but only some of them are healthy or good.

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1 Corinthians ch.3 – All things are yours – yes really!

Competition, boasting, comparing and judging people. None of these make sense when you realise God has already given us everything when He gave us His Son. This talk explores some of the implications of knowing all things are ours.

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Hebrews ch.2 – Celebrating God becoming flesh

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Christ because of who he was - the eternal Son of the Father - and what He became - a complete Saviour.

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1 Corinthians ch.2 – It's Wisdom but not as we know it...

Sometimes the worst thing the church can do is "give the customers what they want". There is a wisdom in Jesus but not as this world knows it.

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1 Corinthians 1 – Exclusivism excluded by Grace

In a church where people are dividing into factions Paul writes about boasting. That desire to be better than some other group or belong the best section of people comes from the same corner of our heart as boasting. Unity never happens without humility.

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1 Corinthians 1:1-9

You might call the church at Corinth many things: fractious, rebellious, ignorant, unstable - sometimes immoral and heretical. But God calls them saints - sanctified - and they will be blameless. How does that work?

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John 17 – The church in Christ and Christ in the church

Jesus' will for the church revealed in a prayer which God the Father loves to answer. The unity created by the Holy Spirit must be treasured and maintained..

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Philemon – Divine Brotherhood in Practice

A letter which illustrates how wonderful phrases like "the fellowship of the Spirit" and "the ministry of reconciliation" work in practice. Power and family relationships are transformed by the salvation we have in Christ.

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Ephesians 4:1-14 – The Pyramid of Truth

Think of a pyramid of truth with Jesus at the apex going down through Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists and Pastor/Teachers to the Church. Now do what every hierarchy has failed to do - turn it upside down.

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1 Peter 2 – Meeting God in the Supper

In the Old Covenant every Israelite knew how to meet God: go to the temple or at least pray in that direction. Where and how do we meet God now?

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Acts 2 etc. – The Spirit of Prophecy

The church is a prophesying community and the Spirit poured out means we are all prophets in various ways. This talk is an overview of how this happens.

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Joel 2 and Acts 2 – The Spirit fills the Church

An ancient promise of God fulfilled which is still ours to enjoy today.

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Matthew 18:1-14 – Who is most valuable in the Church?

Every group of people has some kind of ranking or pecking order doesn't it? Who is "Most Valuable Player" and who is the "weakest link"? Jesus had a slogan for these questions...

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Psalm 116 – Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints

A funeral and remembrance for a godly Lighthouse person, Bett Guidotti. It is a strange joy, tearful and exalting, to witness the transition to paradise of a saint. Now she waits in the presence of God with peace and hope of the resurrection to come.

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The Faith that moves mountains

You don't have this and neither do I. Jesus did! Some people pretend to have it. But God does inspire and give faith for other purposes. If the Lord wanted a mountain moved He would first inspire the necessary faith.

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Matthew 16:13-20 – Jesus' Church defeats the Gates of Death

Jesus will gather His people on the ground of Peter's confession the way Moses gathered Israel. But this time it is Hades itself which is under attack. Just as the gates of Jericho and the cities of Canaan fell before Israel so the gates of Death will fall.

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Matt 2 – The Dark Side of the Christmas Story – Slaughtered Innocents

Murdered babies tell us we can not get too sentimental in midwinter. Light has come but the Darkness is deep. This is our world.

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Matthew 15:29-16:4 – Jesus gives signs to some but refuses others

The crowd of disciples eats a miraculous meal and sees wonderful miracles but the people who demand signs will only have "the sign of Jonah".

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Matthew 15:21-28 – Persist with God

A foreign woman is cold-shouldered by Jesus when she wants her child healed. But she persists until he relents. This strange story helps us learn a key element in living by faith.

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Matthew 14:22-36 – Walking on the Waves

It is spectacular but what does it mean? Is it a story telling us to believe harder? Not really. The big question is "Who is this man?"

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Matthew 14 – Jesus feeds His people

A blockbuster miracle. Jesus - like Moses - does a wonder in the wilderness to feed His followers. In a different way, He is still doing it today. Jesus is our food in the desert.

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Matthew 13:52-14:12 – The Christian Scribe and his treasures ancient and modern

The Old Scriptures and the new wine of the Kingdom combine to make the ministry of teaching a treasure trove.

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Matthew 13:36-51 – Motives for devotion

There is a treasure available so precious that nothing is too much to pay on the way to getting it. And there is a possible rejection so awful we should make every effort to avoid it.

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Matthew 13:24-43 – The Growth Secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven

The Kingdom of Heaven will grow among men and bring a harvest for God. But not like any other mass movement or religion. The secret work of God is always surprising.

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Matthew 13:1-23 – The Seed and the Soil

The message of the Kingdom and how it is received. How God gives more to those that receive His Word while taking away from those who do not. A story of life and growth and how they are sometimes frustrated.

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Matthew 12:46-50 – Jesus asks "Who are my mother and brothers?"

Then he answers his own question by declaring that the gathered disciples, those who do His Father's will, are His close family. This is the real church. Not an organisation but a willing gathering of disciples around Christ.

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Matthew 12:22-45 – The Unforgivable Sin

Forgiveness from God is a wonderful offer won by Jesus at immense cost. So why does he talk about something that is unforgivable? Is it really possible to put yourself beyond Grace? Apparently.

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Matthew 12:14-21 – The Way of the Prince of Peace

He has the power of life and death and He is the Almighty Son of God but when faced with murderous hostility He chooses a gentle path of non-opposition. What does this mean for us?

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Matthew 12:1-21 – Sabbath-keeping is not what God requires

Law-keeping is the normal way we humans imagine religion. God has different requirements. Jesus and the Rabbis clash over the Sabbath Day and its place in our lives. God desires Mercy not Sacrifice.

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Matthew ch 10 – The Unique work of the Apostles and being an Apostolic church

The 12 and a few others of their generation have become a foundation on which churches still are built today. We must receive their ministry to receive Christ and we must receive Christ if we would receive God.

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Matthew ch 10 – The Time is Short for Israel, so Preach the Kingdom

The 12 are commissioned to do miracles and preach the Gospel. The reaction will be mixed - sometimes hostile - but the work must done and the time of Israel's Doom is looming.

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1 Corinthians 11:17-34 – Proclaiming the Gospel by sharing the Supper

So many rules, doctrines and shibboleths have been assembled around the Lord's simple Supper by different traditions. It is often for the in-group, the members of the church club. Yet it is still part of God's great gospel invitation. Erik makes a plea for a free and simple proclamation of the Lord's death.

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Matthew 10:1-39 – Freely receiving and freely giving

How Christian mission and service work. We receive God's gifts and then we share them as freely as we were given them.

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Matthew 9:14-38 – Faith that touches Jesus and receives His touch

A touch that raises the dead, a timid hand on a cloak, and blind eyes healed with a touch. Faith is how we get in touch and stay in touch with Jesus.

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Matthew 9:1-17 – Jesus forgives Sins Here and Now

Jesus has the authority to forgive sins on earth. It creates a healing more permanent and deep than simply having an able body. "Sinners" are saveable and a new kind of religion results.

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Matthew 8:18-27 – Following Jesus? It's a Risky Matter.

Jesus is Lord. We are meant to be disciples, following Him. And let's be ready for the risks involved and be ready to trust Him in them.

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Matthew 8:1-18 – He carried our sickness

Jesus was the Healer like no other. He used no technique, not even prayer. He healed instantly by his own authority. But there was a great cost to this freedom. He bore our infirmities and carried our diseases.

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Matthew 7:13-27 – False Prophets and Real Hope

War-mongering Bishops, abusive priests and greedy pastors do a lot of harm But there are also "good trees" resulting in "good fruit". It is possible to build our lives on the Rock of Jesus' Words.

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Matthew 7:1-14 – We are Evil but God is good

A realistic understanding of what is wrong with ourselves and what is good about God leads to wiser living, real prayer and the pathway to Life.

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Matthew 6:19-34 – Single Minded Faith in Christ

The freedom of a simple heart. Seeking the real treasure, serving the right master and only worrying about what matters leads to freedom.

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Matthew 6:5-14 – Two kinds of prayer – Secret and Shared

There is a very free and private kind of prayer, and there is the communal or shared enterprise of praying together. Simplicity and directness are best for both.

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Matthew 6:1-4 – Doing Good in God's way

Doing good is always good, right? Err.... Not exactly. Public minded do-gooding gets its whole reward straight away but God ignores it.

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Matthew 5:19-47 – These Commandments

Yes, they are so difficult you could call them impossible. They are a "Counsel of Perfection" addressed to us all. But they are not just vague ideals or aspirations. They are the life Jesus lived and they are our homework.

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Genesis ch.1&2 – The Days of creation fulfilled in the Days of Easter

Day 6 - The great work of Creating mankind and the greater work of completely saving us. It is Finished.

Day 7 - Sabbath. The spirit of Jesus rests in the Joy of God while his body rests in the tomb. God rests from all His good work.

Day 8(1) - Let there be light! New life leading to a new world....

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Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are the Peacemakers

No not Mandela or King. God is talking to us. Learning from the Sermon on the Mount on how to be children of God - real Peacemakers.

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Matthew 5:9 – The Pure in Heart who will see God

Purity of heart. What is it, how do we gain and keep it. And what will it mean to see God.

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Matthew 5:6 – Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness

How being filled with the Holy Spirit makes us dissatisfied. God spoils us for this life and creates a longing for Righteousness. Why this need in our souls leads to blessing.

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Matthew 5:5 – The Meek Inherit the Earth

The future rulers of creation are quietly living among us. You might be one. What is meekness? Where does it come from? What does it look like? Why must the meek inherit?

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Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn

Happy are the sad? Lucky are the losers? Blessed are the miserable? Almost! Here is hope rooted in a future reality. The comfort of God.

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Matthew ch.4 (part 2) – The Good News of the Kingdom

The Light shines in the darkness as Jesus brings his Kingdom near. Preaching, calling, saving.

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Matthew ch.4 (Part 1) – Testing the Son of God

God trained Israel in the Wilderness. That was a sign that God's Son would have His own "Desert Training". There is one difference. Israel failed, Jesus passes the test and goes on to save us.

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Matthew ch.3 – The Purpose of Baptism, for John, Jesus and us

What Baptism meant for John the Baptist, for Jesus and what it means for us now. Jesus commits Himself to the way of the cross and invites us to follow Him through the water.

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Matthew ch.2 – Contrasts – Kings, churches, worshippers

Herod contrasted with the real King. The official church contrasted with real worshippers. The powers of this age contrasted with the ways of God.

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Matthew ch.1 – From Abraham to Christ – He is the fulfilment

The nation of Israel and its scriptures were completed and fulfilled in Mary's Child. This is the start of a sequential reading of Matthew's Gospel which may well last all through 2013.

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A Leader worth Following

The courage of Jesus reveals something about God we could never have guessed. Our God has "skin in the game".

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Exploring the Way, Truth and Life

We come to God in and through Christ alone. The Way is the Destination, the Truth is real Knowledge and Life means Joy for ever.

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Acts 17 and 1 Corinthians 15 – The Resurrection of Jesus – Sign and Seal of God's Work

The Apostles often preach the story of Christ by starting with His Resurrection. it is the great fact which confirms everything Jesus did and seals all His promises.

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Hebrews ch.8 – The New Covenant - it really is new.

Not Judaism Mark Two. People have gone to war as a result of getting the doctrine of the Covenants wrong. The Old Covenant is dead and gone. The New one really is new. Neither national churches nor modern Israel are heirs of the old covenant.

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Remembering the Future

If we forget our destiny we lose our sense of direction. The story of the flood is a prophecy of the future if we see things clearly. So live for the future and let it shape your present life.

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2 Peter ch.2 – False Teachers – Then and Now

This was a hard talk to do but the Q & A showed it was necessary. That is recorded too.

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 8 Secrets of Productive Christians

Not a "self-help" guide so much as a reminder of the qualities which make for believers who bless others. Stir in these ingredients to make your knowledge of Christ count.

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Competition isn't Christian

Competition is worshipped in economics, politics and philosophy. Institutions are destroyed in its name and injustice justified. Here is another way.

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Luke ch.14 – Excuses, excuses

Ways we avoid God's invitations, and why they are all a mug's game.

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2 Corinthians 3:18 – From one Glory to Another

Christian metamorphosis. Growing into a new kind of glory. Scripture is the Mirror and the Spirit is the Power. 

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The Gospel and the Olympics

They don't have much in common, thank the Lord.The Way of Christ goes in another direction altogether.

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What is Church for? - 5

Meeting God: Not up a mountain nor in a garden nor in a spaceship nor in personal prayer and meditation. Christ is present as the "hope of glory" in churches.

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What is Church for? - 3

Church is to love. Four reasons to value church. Why you can't love God without loving churches. 1 Timothy 3:14/5

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What is Church for? - 1

Revealing God, His achievements and purpose. From the letter to the Ephesians, especially 3:1-11.

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Acts ch.1 – Ascension Day

It has happened and the consequences are wonderful. 

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1 Corinthians 14 – Church that makes sense

God wants our meetings to be mumbo-jumbo free and understandable so they can be good for everyone. 

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Philippians 3 – The Resurrection and our future

How the resurrection changes everything. Jesus will make all things new. 

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Matthew ch.4 – Victory in the Desert

How Jesus succeeds where Israel failed and shares His triumph with us. 

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Leviticus cf.25 – Real Jubilees

Jubilee is a Biblical event and much better than a damp June in London. 

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