Talks

THE REAL JESUS – PART 2
In the second part of our series “The Real Jesus”, Zoe introduced us to a FIERCE Jesus.
In Revelation 19;11-16 we read words like “judge”, “waging war”, “iron sceptres”, “swords” and the “fury of the wrath of God”, which don’t sound like the Jesus we
know.
If we think of “Aslan”, the Lion in Narnia, he is both gentle and loving, but at the same time, he’s wild. Beaver says about him: “Safe? Who said anything about safe?
Of course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you!” Similarly, Jesus is good but also fierce!
We can see that:
  - Fierce Jesus fights injustice on behalf of the oppressed. (Turning over tables, John 2:13-17)
  - Fierce Jesus doesn’t mince his words when challenging authorities (Luke 18)
  - Fierce Jesus is tough on his friends (Matthew 16:23)
  - Fierce Jesus fights the demonic (eg Luke 4: 31-36)
What can we learn?
  - fighting corruption and injustice are at the heart of Jesus’ mission. Justice should be at the heart of us too. We don’t need to be aggressive, but we do need to NOT be passive.
  - There are times to speak out. Against injustice, wrongdoing. Times to not join in with the crowd, to not be popular.
  - Whatever God has asked us to do, we should do it with zeal, and a determined fierceness.
  - We have the same authority as Jesus to confront evil
  - Jesus’ ferocity is always motivated by LOVE

On Sunday Matt launched a brand new series entitled “THE REAL JESUS” (drawing on a book by John Eldredge called Beautiful Outlaw)  In line with our theme for the year “SIMPLY JESUS” the goal of the series is to “remove the religious fog and uncover who Jesus really was and is.

Matt explained that often as we read stories in the bible we can see Jesus through a religious perspective and often the missing ingredient is His personality.  Subconsciously we may have imagined Jesus as a solemn, serious, religious figure – saving the world from sin, bringing revolutionary teaching but maybe not so much fun.  What about if Jesus was also: Cunning? Or Extravagant? Or even fierce?  This first week Matt asked the question: Was Jesus Playful?  He looked to clues in 5 different places:

Back to the Beach! How did Jesus reveal Himself on the beach with his disciples after he had risen from the dead?  (John Chapter 21)
His Nature is revealed in His Nature!  See John Chapter 1 verse 3: “Through him (Jesus) all thing were made; without him nothing was made that has been made!”        Look in creation! When you see something “Playful” this reflects part of Jesus’ personality!
Jesus and the Fish and the coin! (Matthew Chapter 17)  Check out this story where Jesus tells Peter to go and catch the first fish to find a coin that he can use to pay the temple tax!
Nathaneal and the fig tree – John chapter 1 verses 43-50.  Try reading this story but imagine the tone of how Jesus responded to Nathaneal!  He had to have a chuckle and a twinkle in his eye surely?
The Road to Emmaus – Luke 24 vs 19-31.  Go ahead and read this!  It’s amazing!  Jesus could have revealed Himself, but instead remains “hidden” and almost disguised!  It’s either bizarre or Jesus being playful with 2 of his disciples.
If Jesus was playful and even “cheeky” this doesn’t reduce him to anything less - He is still our Lord, our Saviour and ruler over all things – Matt said He thinks it makes Him Love Jesus even more because it opens us up to see more of his personality!  We believe that Jesus is still “Playful” with a sense of Humour today!  Let’s look out for that this week!

Matt also talked about squirrels, dogs and explained that this message could “mess with your thinking”!

On Sunday our guest Speaker Jonas Eyles spoke powerfully to us using the passage from John 21 verses 1-22. He explained the 5 things that Jesus beautifully does for Peter on the beach, and still does for us today.  He’s a reminder of the message:

Jesus Reminds
Jesus restores Peter by reminding him of his past experiences of Grace: Once again, Peter catches no fish, but an abundance when Jesus tells him to try the other side of the boat, just like he did before.

Jesus Renews
Jesus restores Peter by renewing him physically and spiritually: After Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus now gives Peter the chance to tell Jesus three times that he loves Him.
Jesus Recommissions
Jesus restores Peter by recommissioning him with the call of God over his life to be a leader and teacher and “feed His sheep”.
Jesus Repairs
Jesus restores Peter by beginning to heal and repair his brokenness and deal with areas of weakness in his life.
Jesus Refocuses
Jesus restores Peter by refocusing him on Him, and calling him back to simply follow Him again. Jonas challenged us with the question: Are you following Jesus or are you inviting Him to follow you?

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.