Coming immediately after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem we hear his welcome of the least and the outcast, are reminded that the Temple was the place of God’s indwelling, and that its rightful purpose was being abused. As temples of God’s Holy Spirit the Believer is reminded that blessing comes when we use our bodies […]
Peter Cunliffe develops the subject of discipleship and draws on Deuteronomy 4:4-9 and Mark 10:13-16 to explore what it means to have responsibility for the whole church in nurturing faith in one another, especially thinking about our roles in the faith development of children and young people. As adults in the church we face the […]
On Pentecost Sunday, Kate Baker continues the series about the life of discipleship speaking from personal experience and the miracle at the wedding in Cana about a life of faith and trust (John 2:1-11). There is a one minute pause for listening to God at the end of the recording before a final prayer.
Formed by the Spirit The Spirit is at work in us, in the church and in the world. In us…revealing the love of the Father to us, and so making us more like Christ In the church…forming the body of Christ – the Church and making a bride that will be holy and blameless and […]
This is the second in a series about what it means to be a disciple of Christ. The first was a more general introduction to the series. Peter Cunliffe explores nurturing a life of faith and trust in God. This is done one step at a time Formed for a purpose – God’s initiative our response […]
Peter Cunliffe, speaking from Numbers 6: 22-27, encourages us to exercise the power of blessing from the outset of the New Year 2017
Rev Peter Cunliffe speaks from Isaiah 2:1-5 and Matthew 24:36-66 “As in the days of Noah”
Christ the King Sunday, Peter speaks about the plea of the thief on the cross. The lectionary for this Sunday was Colossians 1:11-20 and Luke 23:37-43. With thanks to Scott Hoezee of Calvin Theological Seminary for inspiration. The kingdom of God is expressed now whenever the People of God live lives that reflect the desire, purpose […]
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.