25th August 2013  

“Judgement Day and the Jesus rest.” The talk is from Matthew11:2-30 where Jesus contrasts the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum unfavourably with Tyre,Sidon and Sodom. What were the three towns so seriously guilty of? What do we do about indifference and unbelief to the things Jesus said and did? We have so much still to learn. 

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

18th August 2013

 To what can we compare this generation? Jesus asked a very important question “ what’s going on in this generation?” The reading is from Matthew 11:16-19 and the talk looks at asking us to consider what is the context and spiritual climate of our generation just as Jesus made an assessment and discernment of his. How do we listen to the world to understand our context and to the Spirit of God to become effective agents of challenge and change? Our faithfulness and the wisdom of our service as a generation will be judged by its children and the works it produces. The parable of the invisible Weevil in the book by Mary Okrut is a novel that looks at Ugandan post-colonial history and is a reminder, however, to both church and society of the power of unseen forces hollowing out what appears fine on the outside but inside is corrupt and consuming. 

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

11th August 2013

The reading is from Mathew 11:1-19 and looks at Jesus shedding more light and meaning on his ministry and the nature of the Kingdom of God in the light of John the Baptist's uncertainty. The talk asks us to consider whether we are on target and the signs and some of the consequences of the Kingdom and the implications. These include the fact that Jesus will be considered by some as a stone to trip people up and clues as how to pray for the Kingdom and finding strength in service.
Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website. Last week was the Holiday Club presentation whch was not recorded but a few photos of the club events can be found here.

28th July 2013

Continuing the theme of being sent out by Jesus we re-visit the passage in Matthew 10:16-39 looking at the honest expectations, implications and consequences of solidarity taught by Jesus for his followers in this world and the next. The talk also looks at why such hostility existed and still exists towards Jesus. That a Jesus shaped gospel is a cross shaped gospel. To take heed how we can both confess and deny Jesus in public.
Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website.

21st July 2013 

Sent out by Jesus. Jane spoke from Matthew 10:15-39 looking at the honesty of Jesus in telling us what to expect if we follow him. Where to expect difficulties and opposition and that we are sent out into a hostile environment. That fear can make us reluctant witnesses but we do not need to be afraid because God values us greatly and nothing happens that he does not permit and that (v34) he ( Jesus as the Great Shepherd )is with us.

 

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

14th July 2013

The reading is from Matthew 10:1-15 and the talk by Jane looks at the motivation for on-going outreach linked to the three fold ministry of Jesus around teaching, proclaiming and healing. Linked to this is seeing people as Jesus saw people and as a consequence a five folds response of see, care, pray, receive and go. The talk looks too at the questions of “do we have the same authority as the apostles to witness?” “why did Jesus say at this time only go the lost sheep of Israel ?”, we are warned to expect a mixed response, and we are not to use the gospel as a means of making money as freely we have received so we are not to hoard it but He seeks our willingness and commitment to give it to others.

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

7th July 2013

7th July 2013

The reading is from Matthew 9:35-38 and the talk looks at motivation. Jesus sends out his disciples the same way he worked and the talk looks at the elements of the three fold ministry of Jesus described in the passage of teaching, proclaiming and healing. The motivation is compassion, pity, tenderness for the crowd as well as the individuals of their pain, loneliness, confusion and inadequate leadership. Jesus saw all people as valuable and gave a compassionate response to human need. The question is, though, whether we see people as Jesus sees them.
Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of website.