Here are the previous sermon series that we have run at Christ Church. You can follow the links to see details of the sermons from each series.
Each August we get the opportunity to hear different members of Christ Church take to the pulpit and talk about ‘Why I am a Christian’. In it we hear some of the story of their lives and the key factors that have led them to become and continue as Christians. These have turned out to be some of the most popular and helpful talks that we have during the year.
Each August we get the opportunity to hear different members of Christ Church take to the pulpit and talk about ‘Why I am a Christian’. In it we hear some of the story of their lives and the key factors that have led them to become and continue as Christians. These have turned out to be some of the most popular and helpful talks that we have during the year.
We live in a world that often wants to restrict the relevance of what it calls 'religion' and it is very easy for Christians to collude with this. Instead, we are meant to integrate our faith with every part of our lives, and in this series we will look at what this means about the place of animals, politicians, grandparents, and sport in God's world.
We live in a world that often wants to restrict the relevance of what it calls 'religion' and it is very easy for Christians to collude with this. Instead, we are meant to integrate our faith with every part of our lives, and in this series we will look at what this means about the place of animals, politicians, grandparents, and sport in God's world.
Within his so-called Pastoral Epistles to Timothy and Titus, we see five instances of Paul using the phrase: 'This is a trustworthy saying...'. Presumably referring to slogans that already existed in the early church, Paul endorses these pithy statements as part of the wider points he wants to make. During this series, we will look at each of the 'trustworthy sayings' and what they have to say to our lives as we seek to follow Jesus.
Within his so-called Pastoral Epistles to Timothy and Titus, we see five instances of Paul using the phrase: 'This is a trustworthy saying...'. Presumably referring to slogans that already existed in the early church, Paul endorses these pithy statements as part of the wider points he wants to make. During this series, we will look at each of the 'trustworthy sayings' and what they have to say to our lives as we seek to follow Jesus.
This series of talks considers what it means for us to be serious about some of the beliefs that are central to what the church stands for. The genuineness of this sort of belief is not so much shown by what we say, as what we do. During this series we will be taking a look at a number of things that the church officially believes in, asking what it will look like if we are serious about safeguarding, the ascension of Jesus, the reality of the Holy Spirit and understanding God as Trinity.
This series of talks considers what it means for us to be serious about some of the beliefs that are central to what the church stands for. The genuineness of this sort of belief is not so much shown by what we say, as what we do. During this series we will be taking a look at a number of things that the church officially believes in, asking what it will look like if we are serious about safeguarding, the ascension of Jesus, the reality of the Holy Spirit and understanding God as Trinity.
Safeguarding within the church has gained notoriety in recent times, with numerous scandals emerging. Rather than being an important part of church life, safeguarding is completely central to the calling that God has given to the church and the role of its leaders to be its faithful shepherds. As with most important issues, being clear in our theological thinking is essential to being a church that is safe for people, as opposed to an institution concerned with its own preservation. In this series of talks, we will look at the theological basis for safeguarding within the church, beginning with God's character, and then everything that springs from this in the church's calling to safeguard the vulnerable.
Safeguarding within the church has gained notoriety in recent times, with numerous scandals emerging. Rather than being an important part of church life, safeguarding is completely central to the calling that God has given to the church and the role of its leaders to be its faithful shepherds. As with most important issues, being clear in our theological thinking is essential to being a church that is safe for people, as opposed to an institution concerned with its own preservation. In this series of talks, we will look at the theological basis for safeguarding within the church, beginning with God's character, and then everything that springs from this in the church's calling to safeguard the vulnerable.
Lent is a time when Christians review our lives and what God wants to change within them. Spring is also traditionally a time for the deep cleaning of our houses. Within this series we will use the metaphor of spring cleaning to examine a number of areas of Jesus' teaching about our daily lives and think about the changes that God is calling us to make within them.
Lent is a time when Christians review our lives and what God wants to change within them. Spring is also traditionally a time for the deep cleaning of our houses. Within this series we will use the metaphor of spring cleaning to examine a number of areas of Jesus' teaching about our daily lives and think about the changes that God is calling us to make within them.
Whilst the New Testament is more associated with the opening up of God's people to those previously excluded, this theme is very much anticipated in the Old Testament. During this series we will look at a number of examples of this, and reflect on what they reveal about the good news of Jesus, and how they can inform the mission of Christ Church.
Whilst the New Testament is more associated with the opening up of God's people to those previously excluded, this theme is very much anticipated in the Old Testament. During this series we will look at a number of examples of this, and reflect on what they reveal about the good news of Jesus, and how they can inform the mission of Christ Church.
Apparent overfamiliarity with the Christmas story can be a major problem, particularly as we grow older. Part of the answer is to ask fresh questions about them. In our Christmas services this year, we will take different aspects of the Christmas story, and ask why they are included, and what makes them important within its overall message.
Apparent overfamiliarity with the Christmas story can be a major problem, particularly as we grow older. Part of the answer is to ask fresh questions about them. In our Christmas services this year, we will take different aspects of the Christmas story, and ask why they are included, and what makes them important within its overall message.
During Advent, our talks will look at the figure John the Baptist and how he prepared the way for Jesus. Bridging the Old Testament and the New Testament, John the Baptist revealed important truths about the coming Messiah that we can benefit from today, as we prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world at Christmas time.
During Advent, our talks will look at the figure John the Baptist and how he prepared the way for Jesus. Bridging the Old Testament and the New Testament, John the Baptist revealed important truths about the coming Messiah that we can benefit from today, as we prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world at Christmas time.
The Psalms are a remarkable collection of very different ancient songs expressing to God the full range of emotions and experiences that accompany seeking to live for him in the world. Within them we see joy and despair, gratitude towards God and deep perplexity over some of the things that he has allowed to happen. All of us have time when we do not know what to pray and the Psalms are there to help us express our response to God in every situation that we find ourselves in.
The Psalms are a remarkable collection of very different ancient songs expressing to God the full range of emotions and experiences that accompany seeking to live for him in the world. Within them we see joy and despair, gratitude towards God and deep perplexity over some of the things that he has allowed to happen. All of us have time when we do not know what to pray and the Psalms are there to help us express our response to God in every situation that we find ourselves in.
Over the last fifteen years or so, we have used the month of August as an opportunity to hear different members of Christ Church talk about ‘Why I am a Christian’. In these talks we hear some of the story of their lives and the key factors that have led them to become and continue as Christians. They have turned out to be some of the most popular and helpful talks that we have had during the year.
Over the last fifteen years or so, we have used the month of August as an opportunity to hear different members of Christ Church talk about ‘Why I am a Christian’. In it we hear some of the story of their lives and the key factors that have led them to become and continue as Christians. These have turned out to be some of the most popular and helpful talks that we have had during the year.
The earliest days of the Christian church have a great deal to teach us: not only about the significance of the events of Jesus' resurrection, his ascension into heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but also about the way in which his Spirit then worked through the fellowship, power, witness and prayer of the early church. During this series we will look for practical ways in which all of this can guide Christ Church as we move forward.
The earliest days of the Christian church have a great deal to teach us: not only about the significance of the events of Jesus' resurrection, his ascension into heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but also about the way in which his Spirit then worked through the fellowship, power, witness and prayer of the early church. During this series we will look for practical ways in which all of this can guide Christ Church as we move forward.
During the period in which we continue to celebrate Easter, we will look at the accounts of the resurrection of Jesus contained in the gospels. Each of these accounts contain different emphases. All of them, however, are shaped by a vivid portrayal of the way that the surprise and confusion that occurred when the tomb was found to be empty soon gave way to the realisation that the world was now a very different place because Jesus had risen from the dead.
During the period in which we continue to celebrate Easter, we will look at the accounts of the resurrection of Jesus contained in the gospels. Each of these accounts contain different emphases. All of them, however, are shaped by a vivid portrayal of the way that the surprise and confusion that occurred when the tomb was found to be empty soon gave way to the realisation that the world was now a very different place because Jesus had risen from the dead.
As we continue through Lent, we will look at some of the parables recorded in Luke's Gospel that Jesus told as he approached Jerusalem. Most of these centre upon the response that God's people made to his presence coming amongst them in Jesus. Lent is a good time for reflecting on the messages these parables contain and making sure that our lives are ready for Jesus and his coming.
Over the weeks leading up to Easter, we will take a look at some of the parables recorded in Luke's Gospel that Jesus told as he approached Jerusalem. Most of these centre upon the response that God's people made to his presence coming amongst them in Jesus. Lent is a good time for us to reflect on the messages contained in these parables, and to make sure that our lives are ready for Jesus and his coming.
One of the great themes of the New Testament is the inclusion of those who felt that they were excluded within the People of God. This begins during Jesus' ministry with figures like the Canaanite woman and continues after Jesus' ascension with the entry of the Samaritans and Gentiles into the church. The nature of these episodes has a great deal that can guide and inform our approach to mission and help us to become a church that is more effective at sharing God's love with those presently outside his people.
One of the great themes of the New Testament is the inclusion of those who felt that they were excluded from being part of the 'People of God'. This begins during Jesus' ministry with figures like the Canaanite woman, and continues after Jesus' ascension with the arrival of the Samaritans and Gentiles into the church. Exploring these events and encounters can guide and inform our approach to mission, and help us to become a church that is more effective at sharing God's love with those who currently feel as though they are on the 'outside'.
