Audio files of Sunday talks: July - December 2020
Click on any of the links below to enjoy our recent Sunday talks.
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December 27, 2020
Standing at the crossroads John Sparkes Bible references - Luke 2:13-14 - Romans 4:18 |
You may not want to look back on last year but what did you learn in your walk with God? John looks at the subject of what to leave behind, and what to carry forward into the New Year.
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December 20, 2020
Restoring peace Tim Sparkes Bible references - Isaiah 40 - Matthew 2 |
Tim encourages us to remember the Christmas story and the light that it brings into our lives and situations. We are reminded of the Lord's sovereignty and his perfect plan, and we are able to walk by faith and trust him to bring peace into our lives.
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December 13, 2020
A Christmas challenge Tim Sparkes Bible references - Romans 15:1-4 - John 2:24 |
Tim encourages us to go into this Christmas season with joy in our hearts, despite the circumstances around us, to be strong in our walk with the Lord and to put others first and respond to them from his love.
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December 06, 2020
Submission to God Tim Sparkes Bible references - Romans 10:1-13 - Romans 14:1-4 - Romans 15:5-6 |
What does it mean to submit to God? When our foundation is knowing the sovereignty of God, we are able to submit our hearts to Him. When we submit our hearts to God we are set free to replace the fears and anxieties with the righteousness of God.
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November 29, 2020
The sovereignty of God Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Romans 9 |
Tim reads some verses from Romans 9 where Paul expressed his anguish and then gave it to God. He understood God's sovereignty and was able to live in the freedom that comes from recognising our role in God's glorious plan.
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November 22, 2020
Hearing God Tim Sparkes Bible references - John, chapters 7 & 8 |
Some verses in John's gospel help us to see the importance of hearing God. Jesus tells us plainly that if we belong to God we will hear him - God's truth must be shared. Let's take up the challenge of hearing God for the people he has given us.
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November 15, 2020
Slaves to righteousness Tim Sparkes Bible references - Romans 4:1-6 - Romans 5:1-5 - Romans 6:15-18 |
Tim asks what are we enslaved to - to sin or to obedience. In the book of Romans Paul encourages us to be like Abraham who stepped out in faith and believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. As people who follow the Lord we have the choice to obey the Lord and live our lives in righteousness.
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November 08, 2020
Freedom and maturity Tim Sparkes Bible reference - 1 Corinthians 13:10-12 - 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 |
Paul's writings encourage maturity as well as the objectivity to look at our own situations and make changes. We want to represent God in the best way possible; often we find this hard. By recognising who we are in Christ we begin to see how we can be different.
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November 01, 2020
Reconciled to God Tim Sparkes Bible reference - 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 |
This week's talk follows on from the Bible study where we looked at 1 Corinthians 13. What drives you? Perhaps influences from the past or pressures within. We must ensure we live in the freedom for which Christ died.
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October 25, 2020
In between John Sparkes Bible reference - Romans 8:16-39 |
God's power has broken into the community of his people - the church. Miracles happen - but what about when we pray for one and it doesn't happen? What is going on? John explores this subject and in his talk helps us understand why.
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October 18, 2020
Open-hearted Tim Sparkes Bible references - James 1:22-25 - Ephesians 1:17-23 |
In Ephesians, we see how Paul encourages the church to continue to know God better through wisdom and revelation. He wants them to see things as they are. We must see things clearly in order to live for God.
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October 11, 2020
God's perspective Tim Sparkes Bible reference - 1 Peter 3:13-17 |
This week we read some verses from 1 Peter that challenge our way of thinking. Peter has experienced the importance of seeing things through God's eyes and is able to help us to face life's challenges with the right perspective.
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October 04, 2020
A heavenly view Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Luke, chapter 10 |
Looking at Luke 10, we see Jesus handling tricky situations. His perspective is rooted in reality so he is able to navigate life's challenges. We're tasked with doing the same. A heavenly view will ensure we address the truth.
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September 27, 2020
How to 'live in Christ' John Sparkes Bible reference - Ephesians 1:1-14 |
The phrase 'in Christ' is at the heart and soul of Paul's letters. He uses the phrase at least 164 times in his letters. But what does it mean and what does living in Christ really look like? John answers these questions in this week's Sunday talk.
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September 20, 2020
Judgement Tim Sparkes Bible reference - James 2:1-13 |
As Christians we have a responsibility to make judgements, but we need to do so in the context of the bigger picture. In this week's talk Tim highlights the danger of condemning ourselves, and how this prevents us from living in the freedom and mercy we have been given.
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September 13, 2020
Listening and doing Tim Sparkes Bible reference - James, chapter 1 |
Tim encourages us to let the word of God go deep into our hearts and to live in the freedom of knowing that we are servants of the Lord. As we become 'doers' of the word rather than just 'listeners' we become better equipped to deal with the bumps of life.
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September 06, 2020
Don't give way to fear John Sparkes Bible reference - 1 Peter 3:1-7 |
What does giving way to fear look like and how do we make sure we don't do it? In this week's talk, John looks at how first-century Christian wives were encouraged to find peace in difficult situations and what we can learn from this today.
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John has written a Bible Insight on the above passage entitled 'No fear' (page 68). 'Insights from the Bible', a compilation of the Bible Insights that John has written over the past 5 years, is available in print. Click here for payment details and to order your copy.
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August 30, 2020
A light burden Tim Sparkes Bible reference - Mathew 11 |
A look at Mathew 11 where Jesus says his yoke is easy and his burden is light. We spend some time understanding what this means and how Jesus can make that statement.
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August 23, 2020
Draw near to God Tim Sparkes Bible reference - James 4:1-8 |
God wants us to be in step with him and with what he wants for us. The emphasis is on us, to submit ourselves to God and to get involved where he's called us.
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August 16, 2020
Christ in us John Sparkes Bible reference - Ephesians 3:14-19 |
If we walk with God when we're faced with the pressures and difficulties of life, we will find that Christ expands into those areas of our lives where we struggle and we will find a place of rest and peace and solidness.
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August 09, 2020
A weak conscience John Sparkes Bible references - 1 Corinthians 8:4-13 |
In this week’s talk, John questions what Paul means in Corinthians by a 'weak conscience'. Do we have a weak conscience and if so what can we do about it?
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August 02, 2020
Washed and called John Sparkes Bible references - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - 1 Corinthians 1:1-3, 26-31 |
In this week's Sunday talk, John makes the point that if we accept that we are washed, sanctified and justified then we can get on with living out the call that God has put on our lives.
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July 26th, 2020
Wholehearted Tim Sparkes Bible references - Isaiah 58:11, 40:29-31 |
Tim encourages us to be wholehearted in our walk with the Lord, to be deeply commited in our souls to the Creator God and to be at peace, knowing that we are saved and strengthened by God.
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July 19, 2020
Paul's message of encouragement Tim Sparkes Bible readings - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Galatians 2:11-14 |
Tim looks at some verses in Corinthians and one in Galatians. Paul is able to encourage us in pushing forward with our relationship with God. We are told to be disciplined and reminded how easily we can revert back to old habits.
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July 12, 2020
God's 'work of art' John Sparkes Bible reading - Ephesians 2:1-10 |
We are God's 'work of art'. What does that mean? What difference will it make if we let that truth touch our soul? Find out as you listen to John's talk, which is based on Ephesians 2:10.
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July 05, 2020
Further thoughts on Paul's character Tim Sparkes Bible reading - Colossians 2:1-10 - Colossians 3:1-5 |
This week we look at Paul’s writing. We are in Colossians 2 and 3. Paul understood what it meant to live for God and set himself aside - we must do the same! It is the appropriate response to a creator God who made us and loved us.
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