Listen to our latest talks and sermons from St Aldates Church Oxford. We are a welcoming church at the heart of Oxford | Join us ONLINE Sundays at 10am or in-person at 10am,12pm,4pm & 6pm
This Sunday saw the start of our new series on The Lord’s Prayer. Stephen showed us how this ancient prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-13, gives us such clarity when we don’t know what else to pray. It shows us how best to pray from the one who prayed best. Matthew 6:9-10
So often, the world tells us that ‘the heart wants what it wants’ and to be 'true to ourselves'. But the reality is our desires, what The New Testament calls ‘the flesh’, can lead us away from our every day pursuit of God. Unpacking James’ teaching on temptation, desire and sin, Jodie encourages us to try the holy habits of fasting and confession in order grow in holiness with Christ. James 1:12-18
Living out the values of the Kingdom of God in ordinary circumstances and choosing love can be challenging. Laura encourages us to embrace the extraordinary reality of knowing Jesus in everyday life. Our transformation comes through a close relationship with Him. 2 Corinthians 3: 12-18 & Galatians 5: 19-23
Our holiness is not just a set of rules and regulations, but a deep relationship with Jesus Christ that can inspire goodness in us. Mark encourages us to live out this goodness through acts of love, hospitality, and service. We are saints in God's eyes and the Holy Spirit empowers us to do good. 1 Peter 2:9-12 | 1 Peter 4:8-11
Simon helps us to understand that goodness is the standard set by God. He encourages us to experience God's goodness, embrace holiness, and actively extend goodness to others, transforming chaos into beauty and bringing light into the world. Ephesians 5:1-10
Tom explores the concept of holiness, emphasising that it is not about rigid rule-keeping, but rather about worship and embracing our true identity. Holiness enables us to engage with the world, becoming agents of positive change and transformation through our relationships, actions, and influence. 1 Peter 1:15-16
Holiness is a journey of transformation, facilitated by the Holy Spirit. Simon helps us see that we are called to cooperate with the Spirit's guidance, align our lives with God's purpose and imitate Jesus. Holiness is not achieved through self-effort alone but is a result of God's grace working in and through us. Ezekiel 36:24-27 | Acts 1:1-8
‘God provides the fire but we provide the sacrifice.’ Being a Christian isn’t always easy. It’s a lifelong surrender to God, trusting in Him and continually pursuing His holy fire. Emily helps us to see that If we want to live holy lives we must make the choice to offer ourselves to Him daily, asking to be filled afresh with His holiness. Acts 2:1-13
‘His instruction is His mercy and His commands are His kindness.’ Stephen explores how holiness is not being well behaved or morally right. It’s a deeply personal and highly relational call from God to be more like Him. God wants us to be set apart and ‘wholly’ His. What things in your life are distancing you from this call to holiness? 1 Peter 13:13-25
Jonah 4
Simon helps us explore Jonah 4 and unpacks God’s beautiful response to Jonah who seems to have missed the point. God cares for everyone, so much that He sent Jesus, can we get on board with that? Jonah 4
Jonah 3
We are given a second chance because of Jesus. Simon helps us understand Jonah and Nineveh’s second chance and what that looks like for us today. Will you accept the offer of a second chance? Jonah 3
After being swallowed by a big fish Jonah is in the depths of the ocean. Emily unpacks Jonah’s response to his situation, and how we see that in the midst of the deep he cries out and turns to God. We can know that the Lord always hears our cry. Jonah 1:17 - 2:10
No matter who we are, how far we run or how deep we go, God is with us in the depths of our struggles. Looking at Jonah 2, Jodie encourages us to speak out, look up, hold on and think back. Jonah 1:17 - Jonah 2:10
Never underestimate how one small act of obedience to God can contribute to His salvation purposes. That obedience might be the answer to somebody else’s prayer. Jonah 1:1-17
How can we live in hope, in light of the Resurrection? Will takes us on a journey, answering the question and showing us how Jesus’ resurrection is our new lifelong hope. 1 Peter 1 : 3-5
The power of God lives in us because of Jesus’ resurrection. We are given a new hope and a new power that helps us to fulfil the purpose God has equipped you for. Romans 8:11
Jesus resurrection means that God has the final word. His promises are true and dependable. Sin is atoned for and justice is served. Simon reminds us on Easter Sunday that these things are of first importance to us. Easter is the time light and life dispel and cast out the darkness. Jesus knows you and calls you, and invites you to meet with him. John 20:1-18
Jesus has risen from the dead. Eternal life is available for all of us. But how can we be sure? Jesus wasn’t in the tomb on Easter. Jesus was with people after the resurrection. Seeing Jesus transformed people. Stephen encourages us that we can trust Jesus because He has risen. Our sin has been dealt with and the risen Jesus is proof, and as a result we can have resurrection life too. Luke 24:1-8
Simon reflects on the significance of Good Friday, and how the suffering that Jesus endured was no accident. A willing sacrifice, a choice to suffer and pay the ransom we deserve. Jesus’ suffering is foundational to our faith and when we respond and are moved by the cross we are brought home to God. This was the only way to save those He loved. Mark 15:1-15
The cross rescues us, the cross redeems us, and the cross restores us. Heading into Holy Week, Simon explores the fullness of life given to us through the Cross. Colossians 1:91-4
Emilie takes us through Palm Sunday, and how expectation didn’t meet reality. None of what happened adds up, and yet Jesus is King. A humble King. A Saviour King. He did this for us, he wants you and was willing to humble himself, die on a cross, rise from the dead, all because of His love for you. Our response is to carry the king. We have been entrusted to carry Jesus’ message to the world and tell others that Jesus’ news is always good. John 12:12-19
If we want to consistently host the glory of God in our everyday lives, then we must be willing to let go of our pride and dignity just like David. Will takes us on a deep dive into God’s glory and how it doesn’t rest on status, success or reputation. Psalm 24:1-10
The cross is like a diamond, there are many different facets to be encountered. Stephen helps us understand the transforming power found in the cross and how it empowers us to be compassionate, forgive and have hope through what Christ did for us. Luke 23:26-43
Jesus’ death on the cross was a once and for all sacrifice. Not a temporary one. We have been set free for freedom itself. Emilie unpacks Hebrews 9:11-15 and helps us understand the freedom we have been given through Christ. Hebrews 9:11-15
Emily unpacks Mark 5 and helps us understand the healing power of the Cross. In Mark we see a beautiful example of Jesus meeting us in our pain. He’s not put off by what we’ve done or what we’re going through and He provides us with peace that we can share with this broken world. Mark 5:21-34
