Talks

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?

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?

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!

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.

Jono and Abby led an engaging and thought-provoking Eco Church morning focused on climate change. Jono kicked things off quite literally — by throwing rubbish into the congregation! Later, we used that same rubbish to write personal pledges, committing to changes we can each make to care for creation.

We watched an inspiring video from Sam Walker, who shared how communities in Malawi are tackling climate change in practical and hopeful ways.

A fun and eye-opening game based on the book How Bad Are Bananas? challenged us to guess which everyday items have a greater carbon footprint—like whether a large latte is worse for the planet than a choc ice!

Jono then delivered a segment of “Breaking News,” spotlighting pressing climate-related issues from around the world. Abby wrapped up the morning with a thoughtful reflection and a prayer, helping us ground our actions in faith and hope.

It was a creative, challenging, and inspiring time together. Let’s keep the momentum going as we care for God’s creation!

Rachael Heffer (Head of Missions of the Evangelical Alliance) spoke to us about Jesus the source of all courage.
In Isaiah 43:1-13, Jesus says: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine”.
When we see the news in the world, it can make us spiral into darkness and hopelessness: Our response to this should be like the three train experiences Rachael had in the last few months: stop – review – advance.

Stop:
Train scenario: Pull the emergency cord!
Isaiah was in a similar situation to us today: the world around him looked very bleak. But God says: do not fear, I have called you by name, you are mine. Whatever scenarios you find yourself in today, do not fear. We are called for a purpose. STOP and consider whose you are and focus on positives. There is a lot we can celebrate:  1 in 5 people in the UK believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. 45% can believe in Jesus dying and rising again.

Review:
Train scenario: The train driver comes into the carriages, explains the situation and the plans.
We need to look to Jesus as our driver.
In Isaiah’s time, the people were in exile, but God reframed their situation and encouraged them: “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not see it? “

Advance:
Train scenario: Once the obstacle is removed the train can move on in your journey.
The Lord our God is powerfully with us and will not forsake us.
You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen.
Advance with confidence!
We’re on a journey of a lifetime to become like Jesus.