Audio files of Sunday talks: July - December 2019
Click on any of the links below to enjoy our recent Sunday talks.
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December 29, 2019
Approaching the New Year John Sparkes Bible reference - 1 Samuel 30 |
As we stand on the threshold of a New Year John encouraged us to make good choices and strengthen ourselves in the Lord, as David did when he faced challenging circumstances in Kiklag.
Click here to download the talk.
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December 22, 2019
Living with God John Sparkes Bible reference - John 14:15-31 |
John spoke about love - the love that Jesus had for his Father and his disciples - and asked if love is our motivation. He challenged us to open our hearts to God's love this Christmastime, and to love in return.
Click here to download the talk.
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December 15, 2019
The light of Christmas Tim Sparkes Bible references - 1 John 1:5-7 - Philippians 2:1-2 |
Tim spoke about the light of Christmas. The lights we use to decorate our homes and see in our towns represent the light of Christmas. When we fix our eyes on the light that Jesus brings we are then able to bring light to the world around us.
Click here to download the talk.
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Apologies - due to technical difficulties the talk didn't record on 8th December. John had continued to speak on the theme of 'Greater things' and may pick the topic up again in the New Year and expand upon it - so watch this space!
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December 01, 2019
Greater things Mike Wood & John Sparkes Bible reference - John 14:1-14 |
Following on from Tim's talk last week, Mike shared his thoughts on the Beatitudes and John explored what it means to pray in Jesus' name and what Jesus meant when he said that his followers would do even greater things than he had done.
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November 24, 2019
The principles of God's ways Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Matthew 5:1-12 |
Tim explores what is means to be a peacemaker and how having a pure heart enables us to find the heart of God and live in peace.
Click here to download the talk.
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November 17, 2019
Perfect love John Sparkes Bible reference - John 5:1-23 |
Jesus knew he was perfectly loved by his Father and was therefore happy to do his Father's will in every situation. John asked how this affects the way we love one another and respond to the calling on our lives.
Click here to download the talk.
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November 10, 2019
Remembrance Sunday Tim Sparkes Bible references - Psalm 18:16-19 - Philippians 3:12-16 |
How many of us ask the Lord for his opinion when we are faced with a difficult issue? Tim spoke about some of the challenging situations in the world today, including war and the refugee crisis and encouraged us to fix our eyes on the Lord.
Click here to download the talk.
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November 03, 2019
The parable of the bags of gold John Sparkes Bible reference - Matthew 25:14-30 |
Having laid the foundation that God is good and he loves us, John asked what we each do with that which God has entrusted to us, as one day we will be accountable for how we use what God has given us.
Click here to download the talk.
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October 27, 2019
Do you shrink or stretch? John Sparkes Bible references - Matthew 25:24-28 - Matthew 20:1-16 |
Drawing on the parable of the workers in the vineyard, John asked whether we put other people first in our hearts - or whether we think primarily about ourselves. How we respond to challenges determines whether we shrink inside or choose to be stretched and grow.
Click here to download the talk.
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October 20, 2019
Wisdom from the Lord Tim Sparkes Bible references - 2 Corinthians 13:1-5a - Proverbs 15:22,31 - Proverbs 16:2-4 |
Tim shared that God takes all of who we are and uses it. We can directly show the love of God in all our situations. Our challenge is to get to know ourselves so we don't limit God who works through us.
Click here to download the talk.
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October 13, 2019
Harvest Sunday Tim Sparkes Bible references - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - 1 Corinthians 14:20 - 2 Corinthians 13:5 |
Tim outlined his vision for the church and how our lives can touch the lives of others when we are part of a community who are seeking what the Lord wants for each of us.
At the AGM in the afternoon John also outlined his vision for church - click here to read John's vision. Click here to download the talk.
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October 06, 2019
What is church? (24) John Sparkes Bible reference - John 13:1-17 |
In his concluding talk in the series on church John emphasised that we cannot live as a community grace in our own strength, rather we need to rely on the life of the Spirit of God within us.
Click here to download the talk.
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September 29, 2019
What do we do with the wrong? Tim Sparkes Bible reference - 2 Corinthians 12:11-13:7 |
Tim asked what we do with the wrongness and brokenness of life and what that wrongness does to us and how we deal with it. The grace God has for each of us in whatever situation we are facing is enough provided we allow Christ to live in and through us.
Click here to download the talk.
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September 22, 2019
What is church? (23) John Sparkes Bible reference - John 13:1-17 |
John continued to explore the account of Jesus washing his disciples' feet and how the life of the Spirit within enables us to overcome our natural selfishness and set us free to live the resurrection life.
Click here to download the talk.
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September 15, 2019
What is church? (22) John Sparkes Bible reference - John 16:16-24, 31-33 |
Andy shared his practical experience of the church supporting him during a difficult week in his workplace and John's talk focused upon how church is the place where we can find God's perspective for our lives.
Click here to download the talk.
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Andy has also written his experiences - click here to read.
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September 08, 2019
The Father's heart Tim Sparkes Bible references - Hosea 11, 14:4-8 - Matthew 6:28-34 |
Tim described the picture of the Father's heart towards his people in both the Old and New Testaments and asked whether we fully trust his heart for us or whether we rely on our own ability.
Click here to download the talk.
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September 01, 2019
What is church? (21) John Sparkes Bible reference - John 13:1-17 |
John developed his thoughts on what it meant for Jesus to love his disciples 'to the end'. Jesus was secure in his Father's love and able to draw his resources from his Father, rather than being controlled by his feelings.
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August 25, 2019
What is church? (20) John Sparkes Bible reference - John 13:1-5, 12-17 |
In continuing to answer the question 'What is church?' John considers what it meant for Jesus to love his disciples 'to the end' and then asked how we can apply these principles to our lives.
Click here to download the talk.
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Merle shared a series of words beginning with the letter ’S’ which help us to focus upon becoming better at caring for one another practically, and which fitted very well with this talk - click here to read Merle's thoughts - and here to read the rest of the sharing from 25th August.
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August 18, 2019
Expand your heart (3) Tim Sparkes Bible references - Psalm 80:8-19 - Psalm 81:11-14 |
Tim asked what we have learnt and experienced of God during the previous week and whether we expect to hear from God during the coming week. He challenged us to let God mould and change us through the everyday circumstances of life.
Click here to download the talk.
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August 11, 2019
Expand your heart (2) Tim Sparkes Bible references - Psalms 81, 84 - Isaiah 55 |
In this week's talk Tim continues to show how we can only live our lives well if it is God's presence that we long for more than anything else.
Click here to download the talk.
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August 04, 2019
Expand your heart Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Psalms 81 & 82:1 |
Tim recounted a dream he had which illustrates God's heart and his grace and mercy towards us. He challenged us to have a bigger view of God and let him stretch our hearts.
Click here to download the talk.
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July 28, 2019
What is church? (19) John Sparkes Bible reference - John 20:4-19 |
John continues to unpack the process which Jesus allowed Peter to go through in order to strengthen him and prepare him for the work ahead.
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July 21, 2019
What is church? (18) John Sparkes Bible references - Matthew 26:31-35 - John 18:10-27 |
In Sunday's talk John developed his thoughts about Peter and how Jesus helped Peter to become strong and solid following his denial of his Lord. John made the important connection between trusting God and knowing our value.
Click here to download the talk.
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July 14, 2019
What is church? (17) John Sparkes Bible reference - Matthew 26:31-35 |
How do we help people to grow? In this latest talk, John describes how Jesus helped Peter to become strong in the areas of his weakness.
Click here to download the talk.
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July 07, 2019
What is church? (16) John Sparkes Bible reference - Luke 22:31-34 |
John continues to look at Jesus' interactions with his disciples and the very different men he chose to follow him. He asked how we feel about people in church who are completely different to us.
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