Talks

Matt introduces us to the new summer series: Heroes of Faith, based on Hebrews 11.
Have you ever been surprised to see Sarah, Abraham’s wife, listed under the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11? When the three visitors prophecied that she would have a son in a year’s time at 90 years of age, she laughed and then denied that she had laughed. That doesn’t really sound like a hero of faith, does it?
Mandy Walker explains beautifully how she can identify with that story/person in the bible and encourages us to hold on to God’s promises whatever need we are facing. Seeing how Sarah doubted, yet God still fulfilled His promise, we can rest in the assurance that we are in good company when we struggle with our faith.
God’s faithfulness is a thread that runs through all stories in the bible.

Jono Wright and Martin Walker remind us of the beauty of the world our God has created and talk to us about the severe consequences of climate change.
What can we do to leave our children a future rather than an apology? They encourage us to be proactive in our stewardship, to use our talents well: to keep learning, to reduce, reuse, repair and to recycle. They also mention possible changes in diet (e.g. eat less meat, buy local) and transport methods.You don’t know where to start? It doesn’t matter if you start only small and/or imperfectly. What matters is that you DO START.

As part of our “Shining Bright in a Broken World” teaching series, Bob Goody spoke on “Shining Bright” - and how we make a difference in our world.  Everyone can SHINE where we are - referencing Matthew 5: 14-16.

If you missed it, or want to listen again - use the link below to hear how Bob unpacked the points of praying, letting your light shine and letting your words shine. Matthew 12: 34 For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.  Bob concluded with the Lord’s Prayer - Your will be done Lord!

Hope is dwindling in our world; fear and anxiety are spreading alarmingly instead. We, as Christians and as a church are not immune to this. We all experience personal trauma, but as a worldwide community we have all just gone through the trauma of Covid. Psychologists explain that even our physical bodies carry the trauma in many different ways.
Anxiety is the feeling of anticipated failure in advance.
Hope is the expectation of fulfilment or success.
We need to know the truth in order to be able to BE hopeful:
With Jesus, there is a better future
With Jesus, we have the power to get there
With Jesus, we can be flexible in order to get there
With Jesus we can overcome the obstacles that will be on the way
How can we CARRY this hope to the world around us? 3 Ways:
Introduce a suffering Jesus (Jesus is not unfamiliar to trauma in his body – the bible tells us He sweated drops of blood in the garden of Gethsemane)
Point to heaven (Ultimately the best future there can be)
Provide and build community
Imagine how today could be if we begin to so this more and more….
To watch the service, go to Ashwood Facebook page and scross down to the broadcasted service on 25.6.23

After honouring Father’s and Father Figures and the dedication of two children Matt kicks off our new series “Shining bright in a Broken world.” This week his message is: “Shining Bright in a Broken world - The unrealised potential of kindness”.
The world is a dark and broken place – but Jesus told us to bring light to the world.  How can we “Shine Bright”?  Let’s start with KINDNESS!

Definition : “Kindness is a type of behaviour marked by acts of generosity, consideration, rendering assistance or concern for others, without expecting praise or reward in return.”

Matt suggests 3 different categories of kindness:
1.        Regular (but still beautiful) kindness
Day in day out, week in week out kindness – in our work place, in our schools, in the supermarket (!) and especially in our homes! So many different ways: giving gifts, spending time, helpful actions or kind words…
2.        Sacrificial kindness
Jesus said “love your enemies!” Ouch! He says don’t just be kind to those who are kind to you! This means being kind to those people who annoy us, or frustrate us.  Sacrificial kindness has the potential to soften hearts, bring healing and even bring some barriers down!
3.        Unexpected kindness
How can we be kind when nobody expects it? Just like the good Samaritan in the famous story that Jesus told.

Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see!  Let’s think about kindness this week.  Are there different or new ways you could be even more kind – and bring some extra light to those around you?

What a powerful testimony this is from Claire Bell about her decision to choose joy throughout her journey with cancer!
The talk is sparked with challenging quotes like:
When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy! (James 1:2)
JOY is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.
Life is not like mountains and valleys, it’s more like train track: Joy and sorrow run parallel to each other!
People, Possessions, Places and Positions are too fleeting to hold up our expectations - only God can be that source.
We need to switch our focus from how we feel to how we think.
It’s impossible to be joyful and full of worry at the same time: When you’re worrying, you’re not trusting, and when you’re trusting, you’re not worrying
Gaze at God and only Glance at your Problems
.... and these are just a taster - Claire said so much more!

In this second part of the series “The day that changed the world”, Matt goes deeper into what significance Pentecost has for us today.
He explains that the Holy Spirit came to be our advocate who walks alongside us and how we are to learn to walk alongside him (illustrated beautifully be two young men walking the three legged race).
The Holy Spirit is also the one who provides legal council and comforts us.
The Holy Spirit will:
never leave you
teach you everything and remind you of everything
testify about Jesus
guide you in all truth
tell you about the future.
Matt also explains what both the fruit and the gifts of the Spirit are.
As we are encouraged to “eagerly desire the spiritual gifts” we set some time apart in prayer to receive God’s spiritual gifts, especially the gifts of speaking in unknown languages (tongues), prophecy and healing.

If you are not sure what “Pentecost” is all about, listen to this talk and let Matt explain to you how this was the day that changed the world. Matt doesn’t just talk about what it meant 2000 years ago when it actually happened, but also the implications from the Old Testament. 
“I will also make you a light to the nations, (or gentiles) so that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah) Isaiah 49 vs 6
“You shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth” (Jesus) Acts 1 vs 8

The Holy Spirit comes (still today!) to enable, equip and empower!

Zoe explains the different ways we can support children in foster care and Paul gives us an insight of what God thinks about putting the lonely into families. They also share what fostering has lookied like for them the last few years and how it could possibly develop for them in the future. 

Matt moves us on to the topic of baptism and explains why we baptise people:
1. Jesus says
2. It’s a symbol
3. It’s a declaration
4. It’s an encounter
The highlight of the day was Dan Pepper sharing his moving testimony and being baptised. Oh, what a happy day!

Have you ever wondered what drove the apostle Paul to persecute Christians? Jack answers this question: Paul was afraid for God and felt that he needed to defend God! (As if God couldn’t take care of himself!)
Jack makes a clear distinction between the fear for God (a destructive fear) and the fear of God (an essential fear that leads to vision and mission). Because God is exalted above all gods, we should be in awe of Him and not worry that anything can diminish Him. What are the gods in our lives that we feel we need to defend?
Paul felt helpless, became blind lying on the ground - when Jesus met him on his road to Damascus. Jesus did not leave him there: “Get up and stand on your feet, I have stuff for you to do”. Jesus says the same for us today!