Led by Chris and members of the congregation, whilst Mike leads our sung worship.
Sermons by Chris Johnson (Page 10)
This week we complete our Advent series with Chris looking at John’s account of the coming of Jesus. Like Mark he dispenses with the story of the birth, choosing not to to focus on the literal events that took place but on the immense implications of Jesus’ arrival. He takes us right the way back to Genesis and Exodus to explain how the same God that created the world and had spoken to Moses through the burning bush came down to Earth in the form of Jesus. His purpose is to explain these events so that through the spirit-influenced writings we may be confident in our belief in Jesus.
Karen leads the rest of the service whilst Mike leads our sung worship and we also share communion together.
As we get ever closer to Christmas Chris continues our Advent series looking at how the four gospel writers introduce Jesus. This week we think about Luke, the historian. Luke was a learned man, he was a man of evidence-based research and he spends a significant amount of time in his gospel not just relaying the stories of Jesus’ life but explaining the evidence for them so that we can be sure what is written is true. His introduction to Jesus’ life is no different. What evidence can we see that makes us trust in God more?
Mike and Lynne lead our sung worship and we have an update from our mission of the month, BMS.
As we enter the season of Advent, looking forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmas, this year we are looking at how each Gospel writer records that event. Chris begins by looking at Matthew, the teacher, who opens his book with a recording of the genealogy of Jesus showing that Jesus came both from the line of kings but also a group of ordinary people who didn’t know their part in the great events to come. Yet through that line, God kept his promise. How do we see God keeping his promises today?
Andy leads the rest of the service with a game that is a twist on an old TV show, whilst Mike and Lynne lead our sung worship. We also share Communion together.
In the conclusion to our recent series on Love, we look at Paul’s final and definitive statement that love never fails. Chris examines how things like prophecy and knowledge will cease as we move from the “now” where we currently are to the “then” when Jesus returns in his glory but how love will endure. Love both leads us to God and keeps us in His presence, ever-enduring and never ceasing.
Pete and Nick lead our sung worship and we also have an update from Trevor about November’s Mission of the Month, Mercy Ships.
In our All Age Service for November, Chris looks at verse 7 of 1 Corinthians 13. “[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (NIV)
What does that mean? How does God practically show that protection, trust, hope and perseverence and how can we show those qualities to others?
Mike and Lynne lead our sung worship and Vanessa launches our Operation Christmas Child appeal for 2022.
In a world where absolute truth is increasingly being sidelined by opinions stated as truth as Christians we have the task of making sure that the truth of Jesus doesn’t get diluted by false truths and alternate facts. How do we do that? Chris looks at how – through the ability to love given to us through the Holy Spirit – we can confront the sin and evil in the world with the truth of Jesus.
Susan leads the rest of the service with our final YWAM update, and Pete leads our sung worship.
Anger. It’s something that, if left unchecked, can take over our lives. We can be angry with each other, angry with ourselves, even angry with God. In the latest in our series on love, Chris looks at how love can overcome anger. The agape love that the Holy Spirit brings us allows us to forget our anger and forgive.
Karen leads the rest of the service as we hear how our mission of the month YWAM is helping with the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Mike leads our sung worship.
When we look at the gifts that God has given others, it can be very easy to fall into the trap of either being jealous of that person or considering your gifts to be of greater value than theirs. This week Chris reminds us that love does not envy, does not boast and is not proud. Each person has a gift and each gift has a part to play in God’s plan. We shouldn’t need to be envious or value ourselves above anyone else.
Andy leads the rest of the service as we hear a bit about our mission of the month, YWAM, and Pete and Nick lead our sung worship.
This Sunday we live in a world irreversibly changed from the one we are used to. Queen Elizabeth II was a woman of exceedingly strong faith and who was fully aware of her significance and responsibility to God and to the people she served. But what about us? Chris looks at where our significance lies and reminds us that whilst we may seem insignificant God views us completely differently.
Karen leads the rest of the service with reflections and prayers for the new King and the Royal Family whilst Pete leads our sung worship.