Talks

The Connection Between Healthy Living and Healthy Giving - Part 1: Everything Belongs to God & The Principle of First

In this message, Matt explores how developing a healthy attitude towards money and possessions is an important part of following Jesus. Drawing on Jesus’ teaching in Luke 12, he introduces the biblical concept of Stewardship: the understanding that everything we have ultimately belongs to God and that we are called to be faithful Caretakers of the resources He has entrusted to us.

Through scripture, practical examples and a memorable story (about doughnuts!) Matt challenges the modern mindset of ownership and invites us to see money, possessions and opportunities from God’s perspective. The message also introduces the Principle of First, encouraging believers to honour God by putting Him first in their giving rather than offering what is left over. Ultimately, Matt reminds us that our thinking about money is not just a financial issue but a matter of Discipleship. The message concludes - inviting us to seek God’s specific guidance on how we can steward our personal resources effectively.

Our Special Guest Speaker - Stuart Bell explored what it means to be a healthy church, using Ezekiel 37’s vision of dry bones as a picture of how God brings life, growth and maturity.

He highlighted five key components:

1.    Structure (skeleton) – the frame determines the size of the body.

2.    Systems (Sinews/tendons) – the life flow of blood around the body. Love for one another.

3.    Style (Skin), Every Church has a unique DNA. Style or Skin which is unique.

4.    Spirit (the source of life), We need the breath of the Holy Spirit.

5.    Stature (Standing) – Healthy church has the ability to stand. An important posture.

Every person has a valuable part to play, with different gifts and abilities, and no one should compare themselves with others. Stuart encouraged us to be comfortable in our God-given identity and to connect meaningfully with our community. A healthy church grows in unity, love, maturity and service, equipping people to stand firm, deal with challenges, and make an impact in the community and beyond.

Matt encouraged us to consider what it means to be Fruitful in every season of life. Matt reminded us of our 2026 theme for the year.  He took us back to Spring when when we talked about the importance of being PLANTED in the church. And then later on when we explored the importance of being ROOTED in Jesus. He asked us to reflect: How is that going for you?

Then he talked about FRUIT!

Using the picture of seasonal fruit, Matt highlighted that while natural fruit comes in particular seasons, our 3 key scripture speaks of God’s people continuing to bear fruit in every season. This fruit is not about productivity, success, wealth or achievement, but about developing Christlike character, loving obedience and good works that glorify God. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—can grow in us even during difficult or painful seasons.

The key is not striving, but remaining grafted into Jesus, abiding in Him. Matt encourages us to ask, “God, how can I be fruitful in this season?” and to enter the coming prayer season trusting His promise that we can be fantastically fruitful in every season.

Week 2 in our Summer Sundays - Kimberly and David talked about how they stay Planted and Rooted in God.  Click here to listen to their story.

It was wonderful to welcome Annie and Francis from Malawi on Sunday morning, Annie gave us many examples on how the money we have donated over the years has made a difference in Malawi through her organisation “HOPE MISSIONS”.
Francis in his own unique style, reflected on the theme “Planted in the church and Rooted in Christ”. He spoke about his own story and how his decision to follow Jesus 44 years ago has shaped his life. He described God’s faithfulness through hardship, illness, ministry and danger, emphasising that choosing Christ does not remove difficulties but that God always comes though!
He stressed that Jesus was and is both God and Lord, and that through His death and resurrection we are reconciled to God and become His children. From Acts Chapter 2 Francis talked about being rooted in Christ means that we: read Scripture, pray, fellowship and allow others to encourage and strengthen us. Francis passionately encouraged us to ensure that we have made the most important decision in life to Follow Jesus and make Him our Lord and our Saviour.

Week 3 in our Summer Sundays - Matt and Denny talked about how they stay Planted and Rooted in God. Click here to listen to their story.

Week 2 in our Summer Sundays - Emmeline and Christine talked about how they stay Planted and Rooted in God.  Click here to listen to their story.

Week 1 in our Summer Sundays - Debby and Anthony talked about how they stay Planted and Rooted in God.  Click here to listen to their story.

On 19th July, our guest speaker - Paul Blundell (from Alive Church in Lincoln) finished our Rooted Series talking about the “Practice of Presence”.
He talked from Genesis 28, focusing on Jacob’s encounter with God at Bethel. He began by describing how easily we can be physically present yet mentally distracted, often missing what God is already doing around us. Jacob arrived at an ordinary, unnamed place while running from his past, yet there he discovered that “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”
Paul emphasised that God’s presence is not limited to special locations or spiritual highs. God meets people in ordinary places, difficult circumstances, and everyday moments. The foundation of our relationship with God is not our performance, but His faithfulness. We do not earn His presence through good works; we receive it through His covenant love revealed fully in Jesus.
Using the example of Brother Lawrence, who learned to encounter God while working in a noisy kitchen, Paul encouraged us to practise awareness of God’s presence throughout daily life. Prayer, scripture, fasting, community, service, Sabbath, and witness are not ends in themselves but pathways to encounter God. He invited us to ask where God is already at work in our lives and which spiritual practices He is calling us to deepen this summer, so that Ashwood might become a community known for finding God in the ordinary and unexpected.

Bob’s talk focused on the Practice of Witness—sharing faith as a natural outflow of being rooted in Jesus. He started by explaining that Romans 1:16–17 is a good summary of everything he wanted to talk about. Emphasising that the gospel is God’s power to save and that followers of Jesus are called to testify to this truth.
Bob explained that a “witness” is simply someone who has seen something and they are willing to testify to what they have seen.  For Jesus followers, we have “witnessed” the power of God in our lives, and therefore we are called to simply tell people: “This is what I have seen!”  Sometimes we can overcomplicate or overthink speaking about God or sharing our faith, but what could it look like if we simply shared what we have seen Jesus do in our lives and in the lives of others.
Bob explained that often the key for us, is to recognise where God is already at work and partner with Him. Using examples from his work with “Rural Missions” Bob illustrated how simple acts—like sharing cake, moving a carol service to a pub, or hosting conversations over coffee—can become expressions of witnessing to others.
Drawing on the words of Jesus in John 15, Bob explained that remaining Rooted in Christ produces fruit effortlessly. Through the practice of witnessing to others, we actually find that our faith is strengthened and we draw closer to Jesus as we talk about Him and what He has done in our lives.