Audio files of Sunday talks: July - December 2017
Click on any of the links below to enjoy our recent Sunday talks.
If you find any of these talks particularly helpful please do share them with your friends.
If you find any of these talks particularly helpful please do share them with your friends.
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December 31, 2017
Vision for 2018 John Sparkes Bible references - Genesis 39:2-16, 20-23 |
John shares his vision for the coming year, for us as individuals and as a church, that the Lord wants us to be kind, to have a strong sense of journey and be led by the Spirit in 2018.
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December 24, 2017
Breaking the mould (2) John Sparkes Bible references - Luke 1:16-17 - Luke 3:4-6 |
In the second part of his talk on breaking the mould, John encourages us to journey together and set our sights on change as we enter 2018. Let's determine to be like Simeon who, as his life neared its end, knew that he'd lived well for God's glory.
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December 17, 2017
Breaking the mould John Sparkes Bible reference - Isaiah 9:6-7 |
The Christmas story broke the mould and went against all natural instincts and, although we're created in God's image, faith goes against our natural instincts. John challenged us to break the mould as we enter 2018 and choose to go a different way and break old patterns.
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December 10, 2017
Where is he who is born the King of the Jews? John Sparkes Bible reference - 1 Kings 18-19:9 |
Using the story of Elijah and his desperation when he ran away from Jezebel after his triumph on Mount Carmel, John explained that we find the Lord in the stillness in the depths of our hearts, as Elijah did.
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December 3, 2017
The big picture John Sparkes Bible reference - Genesis 45:1-15 |
Joseph didn't live his life waiting around for his dreams to be fulfilled; he lived with a sense of call. He had a strong sense of direction which gave meaning and purpose to his life. God has called each one of us and it's our responsibility to fix our eyes on God, keep our attitude right and follow the vision he has called us to.
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November 26, 2017
A fresh start Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Lamentations 3:13-24 |
Tim encouraged us that we can have a complete restart each morning and choose what to do with how we feel. Wen we take our troubles to the Lord he can set us back on our feet free of things which hold us back.
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November 19, 2017
Rights or responsibilities? Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Psalm 62 |
As God's people we have a responsibility to live our lives in the image of God. When God is at the centre of our lives the Holy Spirit will align us with the truth that he is our fortress, as David discovered.
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November 12, 2017
Remembrance Sunday John Sparkes Bible reference - Psalm 42 |
Using experiences from his week Tim shared about the importance of seeking depth in our walk with the Lord. John expanded the theme, using the illustration of a bouncy castle being filled with air and expanding to illustrate the effects of going to a deeper place with the Lord.
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November 05, 2017
One way to live Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Psalm 24:1-10 |
David recognised that there is only one way to live in response to what God has done, that is to put his hope in God all day long. When we see God for who he is, that changes everything and enables us to live an exciting and fully engaged life, as David did.
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October 29, 2017
Peace Tim Sparkes Bible references - Psalm 23 - Psalm 22:1, 15-21 |
Despite his mistakes David was described as a 'man after God's own heart' because he had learnt to express himself and trust God, even in the midst of difficulties. He was therefore able to experience God's peace. Tim asked whether we follow David's example and live in the peace of God?
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October 22, 2017
Perfect rest John Sparkes Bible reference - Matthew 11:28-30 |
John asks how rested we are and whether it's realistic to expect to find peace in this world. Jesus offers us rest but we have to choose to go to that place within ourselves where we can find it.
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October 15, 2017
The sower John Sparkes Bible references - Matthew 13:1-23 - Jeremiah 4:3-4 |
At our Harvest thanksgiving John spoke about the parable of the sower and challenged each one to develop the 'seedbed' of our hearts.
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October 08, 2017
Don't mess with God! John Sparkes Bible reference - Daniel 5:1-31 |
John encourages us to trust the Spirit of God within us, to use the challenges of life to strengthen that trust and live in the light of God's love.
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October 01, 2017
The source of truth Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Romans 1:8-21 |
Tim encourages God's people to live in the reality and truth of who we are in God and thereby bring hope for the broken world in which we live.
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September 24, 2017
Privileged to serve John Sparkes Bible reference - Daniel, chapter 4 |
As servants of God we are called to impart the life of God to others. John speaks about the importance of keeping our hearts and minds clear so we can convey God's truth and life.
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September 17, 2017
The beginning of the story Tim & John Sparkes Bible reference - Isaiah 57:15 |
Tim and John both spoke about the importance of establishing solid foundations for our faith. Once we establish who God is and his perspective on our lives we can trust him, whatever circumstances we may face.
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September 10, 2017
Final, final thoughts on Job! Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Job 42:7-17 - Psalm 33:16-22 |
In his final talk on the book of Job, Tim challenged our view of life, whether we simply put up with things that go wrong or whether we believe that we're servants of God, as Job did, and choose to live life differently.
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September 03, 2017
Lessons from Job Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Job 42:10-17 |
Tim continues his series on Job and encourages us to see our lives through God's eyes and respond like Job when we face challenges in our lives.
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August 27, 2017
Unbelievable? Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Job 42:1-6 |
Tim had read Justin Brierley's book 'Unbelievable?' whilst on holiday and spoke about the supreme control that God has on the universe and on our individual lives. Job acknowledged who God was and allowed God's love to break through into his life - do you?
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N.B. There are a few lines missing from the beginning of the talk; it starts mid-sentence.
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August 20, 2017
Stay engaged John Sparkes Bible reference - John 20:24-29 |
Using the example of Thomas, John explains the importance of staying fully engaged whatever may happen or appear to go wrong in our lives.
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August 13, 2017
Maturity John Sparkes Bible references - James 1:22-25 _ James 2:14-18, 26 |
John explains that, in order to grow to maturity, we need to choose to put into practice what we learn and what the Lord says to us.
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August 6, 2017
Is God in control? Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Job 1:13-22 |
Tim asks some important questions about the book of Job, a book which tackles issues of suffering, trust and obedience to God.
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July 30, 2017
Trust Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Job 1:1-8 |
Tim introduced a new short series on Job and encouraged us to let Job's story affect our hearts rather than trying to work it out with our minds.
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July 23, 2017
Do not give way to fear John Sparkes Bible reference - 1 Peter 3:1-7 |
In Sunday's talk John explored the roots and consequences of living in fear and the difference when we live in the safety of God's love for us.
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July 16, 2017
The big picture (2) John Sparkes Bible reference - Ephesians 4:1-16 |
How do we make the right choice when our emotions are running in the opposite direction? Why can it feel so comforting to feel sorry for ourselves and what does it mean in practical terms to put the other person first? Listen to this week's talk as John continues to explore what it means to truly serve one another.
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July 09, 2017
The big picture John Sparkes Bible reference - Ephesians 4:1-16 |
John explains what Paul means by 'works of service' and what attaining to maturity looks like in practice. He challenged each one to anticipate that we will participate in bringing the word of God to one another.
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July 02, 2017
Decisions John Sparkes Bible references - John 14:27 - Hebrews 4:11 - Colossians 3:15 |
John explains that the Lord provides the desire and the power to make good choices but doesn't actually make those choices for us. To read more on this topic go to John's latest Bible insight, Choose to change, and the ensuing discussion.
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