Talks

Baptism Sunday! It was great to hear from Tony and Rob and alongside Matt explained why Baptism is important for us.

1) Jesus was baptised - We follow His example
In Matthew 3:13-17 we see the account where Jesus is baptised by John the Baptist. After Jesus was baptised we see that the Heavens opened and a voice from Heaven saying: “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” There’s a sense that as we are baptised – we can also hear the affirmation from our Heavenly Father.
2) Jesus instructed His followers - We follow His instructions
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus says to his disciples (us!):
  - Make more disciples
  - Baptise them and
  - Teach them
  Matt pointed out that for those of us who have been baptised are part of the ongoing outworking of Jesus’ instructions! We are part of the story!!
3) Jesus and Water
  - Just like water, Jesus cleans us. Romans 6:2-6 says: That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace - a new life in a new land! That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country.
4) Welcomed into Jesus’ body

In baptism, believers are baptised INTO the church – the body of Jesus.

Jesus’ Name has Power!
Bec spoke on Sunday in the last part of our mini series on ‘In Jesus’ Name’.
Bec shared that Jesus’ name has power, focusing on 3 points:
Jesus’ name commands authority
What we speak has power
We are in a battle - are we ready?
She spoke about how people in the bible were often perplexed by Jesus’ authority, and that we can speak with the authority that Jesus has given us.

Bec shared that what we speak has power, using examples of Freedom in Christ and how declaring truth over ourselves can help to change our inner narrative.

She spoke about the reality of the spiritual battle that we live in and the importance of knowing that we have the upper hand. That comparing the devil to God is like comparing an ant to an atom bomb, there is no contest (Steve Goss) and referenced Elisha and his servant receiving ‘spiritual sight’ to see they had the upper hand in battle.

Bec posed the question: ‘so what next?’ challenging us to ponder the question- ‘Am I willing to be transformed?’ by Jesus and encouraged us to stand in the unity we have, in Jesus’ name as a church family.

In Jesus’ Name!
Bob brought us a powerful message this Sunday, talking about being SENT in Jesus’ name.

When Jesus sends us out in His name, His reputation is at stake! We represent Him wherever we go!  It’s a responsibility but also an honour and a privilege!
Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
      1) Power (Dynamis) = the state of that which is not yet fully realised.
        The Spirit is enabling us with His power, He is the power source. We need to stay connected.
      2) Authority (Exousia) = Authority, the right or power to act
      Jesus doesn’t require us to be perfect and He still sends us out in His name.  “Sometimes Obedience is more important than understanding.”

In Luke 10:1-2, Jesus sends out 70, two by two to share His message and bring the power of His Kingdom : His Mission is not just for a few and we’re not alone. 

The mission of God was (and still is) this : The Father sent the Son >> The Son sent the Spirit >> The Spirit sends us > to be a Christian is to be sent (Apostolos = sent one).
When we end our prayers with “in Jesus’s name, amen”, it is not a polite formula, but a declaration of His Lordship.
Who is Jesus sending you to this week? Simple obedience matters!

At the end of the meeting we prayed and anointed with oil (a biblical expression and symbol of God’s favour and presence) everyone who wanted it! To be sent to our communities, workplaces and world – In JESUS Name!

In the middle of our Prayer Season, and still with all the focus on Jesus - Matt started a new series on Sunday - “In Jesus’ Name”. What did it mean to live and pray in Jesus’ name during Bible times and what does it mean for us today? And why do many of the songs we sing speak about the name of Jesus?

Matt read an incredible story from the book of Acts is chapters 3 and 4 where Peter and John meet a lame man at the gate of the temple who had been lame for over 40 years.  He was there to ask for money but he got more than he expected!  Peter said to him:  “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”.  And He did!!

Matt explained “in Jesus name” isn’t a formula or a magic password but we can understand four things:
1. Authority in JESUS name - Peter could have worded it like this: “Under the authority and acting on behalf of Jesus Christ of Nazareth - be healed and get up and walk!”  When we live and pray in Jesus name we are representing Jesus and operating under HIS authority.
2. Power in JESUS name. Peter: “...he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene….”
3. Salvation in JESUS name. “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
4. Faith in JESUS name. “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed - and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes…”
When we pray “in Jesus’ name”, our requests and how we live should be aligned with Jesus’ teaching and living, then we ask God for faith like Peter to see miracles today In JESUS name!

Simply JESUS - Who do you say I am?
What a great Sunday! We welcomed Joe Gisbey (CEO of Links Charity and friend of Ashwood) to give us an update on what is happening with Links but also to bring us a great message based on Matthew 16:13-20.  The same passage we have focused on already in 2025!

Peter has a revelation of who Jesus is and then Jesus gives Peter a new name! Peter the rock!

Joe explained in detail the context for this significant moment for Peter (and the other disciples) This exchange took place in Caesarea Philippi, it was a place where the gods Baal and Pan were worshipped in all sorts of horrific ways. And so it was significant that Jesus was saying in the middle of the darkness and the evil in the world I will build my church and start by building it on you Peter!
Joe shared his own story about a very dark time in his life and how he got there. He also told us about the moment when Jesus met with him in a powerful way and lifted him out of the darkness and gave him a new hope and a bright future.
What would it look like if we took our light into these dark places? Jesus asks: “Will you come with me to these dark places?” Are you willing to say: “Here I am, send me”?

Let’s continue to pray during our prayer season for us to Encounter Jesus and have a revelation of him just like both Peter and Joe did.

On Sunday Matt relaunched our vision of the year: “Simply Jesus!”
Paul summarises his vision of Jesus beautifully in two passages: Colossians 1 verse 15-20: Christ is the visible image of the invisible God…
and Ephesians 1 verses 20-21:... He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything.
Read what the author of Hebrews writes Hebrews 1 verses 1-4…The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God…

Matt said: “If it doesn’t sound like an exaggeration, it probably isn’t a big enough description of Jesus.”

We don’t just want to talk about Jesus as THE King, Saviour, Friend etc, but we want to experience Jesus as OUR King, Saviour and Friend!
This year isn’t over yet, we still want to experience Jesus more in every aspect of our lives.

What is Jesus’ vision for you in 2025?

Our prayer season is centred around “EXPERIENCE JESUS”  linked to 1 John 1 verses 1-4: ...We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ…
We’re encouraging everyone to Experience more of Jesus during our prayer season. Why not download the “Pause APP” and join the “Experience Jesus” programme led by John Elderedge. (See handout for more details)

The Final scripture Matt shared was Philippians 3 verse 7-9: But all these things that I once thought very worthwhile - now I’ve thrown them all away so that I can put my trust and hope in Christ alone. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have put aside all else, counting it worth less than nothing, in order that I can have Christ, and become one with him.”

That’s it! Knowing and Experiencing Jesus! Let’s do it!

Sunday marked the conclusion of our summer series, Jesus Stories. We were blessed to hear from Dave Redfern and Abby Clark as they shared their testimonies.

Both spoke honestly about struggles with feeling unworthy or “not enough,” and how discovering true Freedom in Christ has transformed their lives. Their stories were an encouragement and a reminder of the hope we have in Him.

Over the 5 summer weeks we get to hear from 10 different people sharing with us part of their Jesus Story.
This Sunday we heard from Esther Bell and David Logsdail! Both brilliant!
What’s your Jesus Story?

Summer Sundays - Jesus Stories.
Over the 5 summer weeks we get to hear from 10 different people sharing with us part of their Jesus Story.
This Sunday we heard from Dom Torr and Amy Shaw! Both brilliant!
What’s your Jesus Story?

Over the 5 summer weeks we get to hear from 10 different people sharing with us part of their Jesus Story.
This Sunday we heard from Maisy Bell and Michael Olajide! Both brilliant!
What’s your Jesus Story?