Second in a series on prayer. After reading Galatians 3:26-4:7 and John 10:7-16 Allen talks about prayer in other religions – naming three and the difference with Christian prayer. He speaks about his own personal experience and how he takes time for prayer today.
As we talk about prayer over the coming Sundays let’s be clear we are looking to the Bible as the source of our encouragement to engage with the Lord God, YHWH, the God and father of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer is engaging God in relationship with him, a relationship that has been brought about by Jesus. It is personal, an expression of that relationship with God who has become our Father – having adopted us as his dearly beloved children. Effective prayer is linked directly to our inheritance –the kingdom of God that is pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay, an inheritance that is given for everyone. Through prayer we are recognising the reality of God’s kingdom, gaining confidence, standing tall in our new identity as chosen and beloved of God.
Clive Sprawson speaks from the lectionary reading for the day, Luke 12:32-40, about possessions, the return of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God
Rosie Cunliffe speaks from Luke 12:13-21 and asks “What is your treasure?”
As we continue to read carefully through Matthew’s gospel, looking at all that Jesus said and did, we are taking note of who Jesus is, his character and the actions that flow from that. We note too that Jesus is teaching disciples; disciples who will continue to demonstrate that the kingdom of God is among us until that day when Jesus returns.
Continuing the series ‘All that Jesus said and did’ Peter Cunliffe speaks from Matthew 14:22-34
Peter Cunliffe addresses the rejection of Jesus at Nazareth, and the perceived ordinariness of Jesus, as an encouragement for all would-be disciples of Jesus to exercise the authority that Jesus gives to us.
Drag nets and storerooms N.B. The introduction to this talk is missing.
Weeds and wheat Trish Latimer talks about the persecution experienced in the church today and about trust in God