In Titus 3:4-8 Paul writes to encourage and empower believers in our grace through Jesus' sacrifice, reminding us of our new lives with an inheritance full of hope. As we are transformed we live within new boundaries- grace covers our sins yet we strive to live godly lives, devoting ourselves to the one who gave it all for us.
Through the season of advent we can engage with the hope and expectation of Jesus coming, but it's also an opportunity to engage with the pain of waiting. We see this theme in the very first chapters of the Bible and as it develops we see that the increase in the pain we experience is a sign of the life and joy to come.
Luke 2:8-20, a short message shared with the whole Church family. Steve Shepherd tells us of when the angels visited him to share the news of the birth of Jesus. The Old Testament promises of a Messiah have been fulfilled as Jesus has come to be with us on earth, changing the history of the world for everyone.
Daniel 3. Is following God in our world today worth it? In Daniel 3 we see that faithfulness to God in Babylon is deeply costly, but if we fully embrace the cost & sacrifice, his promise is that he will be with us. As we enter the furnace, we get to enjoy deep, vivid relationship with Jesus himself.
In Daniel 2:24-49 we read the story of Daniel interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. We see how God there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries because of his grace.
In 2 Kings 5:1-5, 15 a little girl approaches a Syrian army commander who is in need of healing and shares the power of God with him. The commander is healed and declares a new found faith all because of this ordinary girl with an extraordinary message. Guest speakers Jon and Katherine Brown share how we are all messengers and ambassadors of God and encourage us to step out and share the gospel.
Daniel 2:1-23. In Babylon, power is not what it seems. In Chapter 2, God begins exposing the limitations of Babylon's power and shows that he is about unveiling the strength of his Kingdom through most unexpected people trusting him with expectant faith.
In Mark 10:46-52 is the story of Bartimaeus, a blind man who society deems of little worth yet he maintains strong in his faith and boldly approaches Jesus for healing. We look at how we can also give our everything to God as He knows and cares for us each individually.
Daniel 1. The Bible tells us we are exiles in a foreign land, learning how to live faithfully in a culture that doesn't follow God. In part 1 of our Daniel series, we see we need to be alive to the reality of life in Babylon and choose to live with uncompromising conviction to stay faithful to our God, knowing that he will rescue us.
Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus tells us we absolutely must do justice in the world around us. In this final part, we see how Jesus is going to bring about final justice and how he raises our practical acts of justice to being of the greatest importance.
Romans 3:21-26. While we often struggle to believe that God really is just, at the cross we find complete assurance that he is working to make everything in our world right. We see how Paul speaks of the cross unleashing the power of justice upon the world, and how he has worked to ensure we are included in the promise of a righteous and just world.
This week, we heard from different members of the staff team about some of the first steps we're hoping to take as a church to reach Moss Side, in line with the vision we shared earlier this year. Listen to hear about how we're planning to work out our strategy through the three pillars of relief, renewal and revival.
Exodus 2:23-25, 3:7-8. We all have an intuition towards caring for issues of justice, and in part two of this series we see how he wants to make us into a people who pursue justice. In the Exodus, God shows us what justice really looks like - he calls us to experience him working justice in our lives so we might show the same to the world around.
Deuteronomy 10:18-19. We all have a longing for justice in our world. In this series we'll see how God is working his justice in the world and we begin by looking at how God is a God justice and how he is always at work bringing his justice into a broken world.
As Jesus meets the rich young ruler in Mark 10, we see a man who has everything the world has to offer yet still comes hungry to Jesus. We look at how giving our money is an essential part of our discipleship to Jesus, and through our giving he invites us to enjoy the true treasure of knowing him.
If we want to be a people who practice hospitality, we need to understand the deep hospitality that we've received from God. Through Ephesians 2:11-22 we see that we were once outsiders to both God and his people, but now we've been welcomed in and brought near.
In James 1:1-4,12 we are instructed to count suffering as joy. The hope we find in God allows us to change our perspective on the sufferings we experience on the earth as we know that through it, God is producing something good.
In 1 John 5:13-21, at the end of his letter, John summarises the points he's been making throughout his letter making very clear what he wants us to know. When we know Jesus we know we have assurance of eternal life, of answered prayer, of Spiritual protection, that we belong to God, and of the truth of Jesus Christ.
In 1 John 5:1-3 John leaves no doubt about who it is who is born of God. We are all born into sin, but everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has now been born of God.
1 John 4:7-21 talks a lot about love. We can love because we have known the love of God, displayed uniquely and fully on the cross.
In 1 John 4:1-4, there is a call for the people of God to be a discerning people. Martin urges us towards this goal, showing us why discernment is so crucial and how we can receive it as a gift from God.
In 1 John 3:11-24, John emphasizes the central message of knowing and showing love, urging believers to love one another as evidence of their faith. This passage underscores the importance of genuine, sacrificial love, reflecting God's love for us. By living out this love in actions and truth, believers demonstrate their identity as God's children and fulfill His command to love one another deeply and authentically.
In 1 John 2:28 - 3:10, John highlights the profound identity of believers as children of God, urging them to abide in Christ and live righteously. This passage reveals the transformative love of God, which sets believers apart and calls them His own. By embracing this divine identity, believers are encouraged to reflect God's nature, purify themselves, and practice righteousness, embodying the true characteristics of God's children.
In 1 John 2:18-27, John warns believers about the emergence of the antichrist, those who deny Jesus as the Christ, emphasizing the urgency of the last hour. He cautions against deceivers and urges the faithful to remain steadfast in the truth they have received. This passage highlights the importance of vigilance, encouraging believers to hold firm to their faith in Jesus and rely on the anointing of the Holy Spirit to discern and resist false teachings.
In 1 John 2:3-17, John outlines the path to spiritual maturity, emphasizing that knowing God is evidenced by obedience to His commands and love for others. This passage encourages believers to turn away from worldly desires and abide in God's truth, fostering a deeper, more mature faith. By living in obedience and love, we grow in our relationship with God and reflect His light in the world, following the true path to spiritual maturity.
1 John 1:5-2:2 In this letter, John makes the simple and wonderful statement that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. As we look upon the one who is light we recognise the insidious darkness that dwells within us and we start to realise just how good it is that Jesus stands, in his righteousness, as our advocate.
In 1 John 1:1-4, John passionately proclaims the tangible reality of Jesus, emphasizing that they have heard, seen, and touched the Word of life. This passage reveals how God's love is made known through the incarnation of Jesus, who brings eternal life and deep fellowship with the Father. Through this profound experience of Jesus, we are invited to share in the joy and fellowship that comes from knowing God's love intimately. This message of love made known underscores the transformative power ...
In John 14:12-14, Jesus promises that those who believe in him will do greater works, including praying for the sick and seeing them healed, through the abiding power of the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes in verse 12 that faith in Him enables us to perform extraordinary deeds. John 14:16 assures us of the Holy Spirit's constant presence, empowering our prayers. John 15:1-5 and verse 5 highlight the importance of staying connected to Christ, as a branch to the vine, to bear fruit, including the fruit...
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 The power of the Holy Spirit is one that changes us. As we look upon God, our inner being is transformed to be more and more like him. The gift of the Holy Spirit is one that should thrill and excite us - God himself has come to live inside of us! In this four part series we are looking at this gift and understanding what having the Holy Spirit really means for our lives.
In Ephesians 5:15-18, Paul encourages believers to live wisely and make the most of every opportunity, emphasizing the importance of being continually filled with the Spirit. Amidst life's challenges and distractions, he underscores that the power of the Holy Spirit sustains and guides us, offering strength and clarity. This ongoing filling empowers us to walk faithfully, embracing the fullness of God's presence and purpose in our daily lives. The gift of the Holy Spirit is one that should thril...
