22nd February 2015. 

Matthew 22: 34 – 40 and 5: 43 – 48. Can I love the world without loving God? Can I love God without loving the world? This talk sets out to answer these questions. For the follower of Jesus love of God and neighbour are bound together: the double love commandment. JTH

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the  website 

15th February 2015.

 1 Corinthians 13: 11-13 and Isaiah 40: 28-31. Faith, hope and love. The text of this talk can be downloaded but it was not recorded because of technical difficulties. JTH

8th February 2015. 

1 Corinthians 13. The absence of love. The Bible claims that God defines love. What world a world without love look like and sound like? Without love I am nothing, I am no one, I have no real humanity. Paul says that in his day love remains. Agape love is essential for people and the world to thrive. JTH

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the  website

1st February 2015.

 John 15: 1 – 17. Stable love - Rooted love. The vine as an allegory of God’s people growing in the earth. Consider the rootedness and visibility of God’s work in the earth. Jesus was planed – incarnated in the earth and we too are to be planted and rooted in Jesus and in the earth. I am part of the people of God and not just a grape! We are commanded to love one another as Jesus has loved us and to live in Jesus. JTH

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the  website

25th January 2015.  

Matthew 13: 31-35. Patient love – Slow church. God has worked patiently with humanity since its creation and through thousands of generations. He is our loving vine-dresser – John 15. The parables of the sour dough and others demonstrate that speed is not the most important thing – something that we need to remember in the 21 century in our slow build of relationships in church and community. What are the implications of this theology for the way the church works? JTH

18th January 2015.

 2 Corinthians 5:14. Constrained by the love of Christ. How can I continue or begin to love the world? Paul says that it is Christ’s love that motivates him and shapes his actions. Christian service is at personal cost. What is our attitude to the world?  Some have accused Paul of being crazy. We cannot rely on our love alone to motivate us to love and serve the world. JTH

11th January 2015.

 John 3: 1 -18 esp. verse 16. Jesus as Saviour of the whole world. Why do we doubt the love of God? The world in opposition to God? Communion meal is a celebration of God’s Salvation. What does the Bible mean when it talks about Salvation? Do I have a personal story to tell of how God rescued me? Songs of deliverance. JTH

 

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the  website