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!
Note: This is the video from the whole of our online meeting.
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.
Note: This is the video from the whole of our online meeting.
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!
Note: This is the video from the whole of our online meeting.
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.
Note: This is the video from the whole of our online meeting.
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?
Note: This is the video from the whole of our online meeting.
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?
Note: This is the video from the whole of our online meeting.
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?
Note: This is the video from the whole of our online meeting.
Summer Sundays - Jesus Stories.
Over the next 5 weeks we get to hear from 10 different people sharing with us part of their Jesus Story.
This Sunday we heard from Mandy Walker and Matt Sutherland! Both brilliant!
What’s your Jesus Story?
Note: This is the video from the whole of our online meeting.
Matt brought us the season finale in our “Who do you say I am?” series based on the incredible statement that Jesus made in John Chapter 14 where he says: “I am the Way the Truth and the Life.”
He looked at each statement in turn:
“I am the Way”
Jesus is saying: “If you want to know the WAY to the Father, there’s only one road, there’s only one path — and it’s Me.”
In contrast to other religions Jesus is saying that self-effort, or earning favour with the higher power aren’t the way to God but the ONLY WAY is through Him.
Our culture says, “All paths lead to God,” or “Be sincere and you’ll be fine.”
Jesus contradicts that idea — not out of intolerance, but out of truth and love.
“I am the Truth”
Jesus doesn’t just speak truth — He IS truth.
• Our Culture says: “You have your truth, I have mine.”
• Postmodernism: Truth is fluid.
• Eastern philosophies: Truth is mystical or unknowable.
Jesus confronts all these ways of thinking… “I am the truth!” : Definite, knowable, absolute.”
“I am the Life”
John 10:10 – “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
In contrast to all other religions Jesus offers REAL life: Forgiveness of sins, Freedom from guilt, Purpose in suffering and Eternal hope. Now and forever!
Jesus is saying to us:
If you’re lost, I am the way.
If you’re confused, I am the truth.
If you’re empty or dying inside, I am the life.
He isn’t offering a philosophy. He’s offering Himself! Let’s accept and have fresh confidence that Jesus is EVERYTHING!
Note: This is the video from the whole of our online meeting.
Helen spoke to us about “Jesus the Rock”.
Rocks are firm, stable and trustworthy. Throughout the Old Testament, God is often likened to a rock. For example: Psalm 18 verse 2 “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge” He is completely trustworthy, dependable and solid. And then in the New Testament the Apostle Paul tells the church in Corinth that the ultimate foundation is Jesus. (1 Corinthians 3 verse 11)
Jesus Himself told a famous story about 2 men who built their houses. One built on the sand, and when the storms came it came crashing down, but the wiser man built his house on the rock. Jesus didn’t pull any punches! He says build your life on my teaching and you’ll be wise – otherwise you’re foolish. We believe it’s still true today!
Helen’s 3 points were:
1) The Foundation is everything
Every life is built on something! The question is: What are we building on. It’s easy to build our lives on success, money , our past or relationships. These things are not bad, but we shouldn’t build our lives on them.
So many people are looking for truth in a world that is full with lies.
2) Hearing is not enough - obedience is the key
Being obedient draws us closer to Jesus and we can feel the safety of His refuge.
3) Storms will come, we have to build now to withstand!
Helen said – don’t wait for the rain to start to come before building your foundations! It will be too late!
Helen shared (very vulnerably) some of her own personal story of Jesus being her rock, recently as she faced the death of her mother. Let’s make sure we all build our lives on Jesus the rock.
Note: This is the video from the whole of our online meeting.