エピソード

  • Praying bold prayers in everyday life - Acts 9:32–43 (Rachel Drake)

    Praying bold prayers in everyday life - Acts 9:32–43 (Rachel Drake)
    2026/05/03
    What does it mean to pray bold prayers when outcomes are uncertain? In Acts 9:32–43, Peter tells Aeneas to rise and calls Tabitha back to life—and many turn to the Lord. This talk explores how and why Christians can pray courageously for healing, drawing on Jesus’ promise that his followers will continue his works (John 14:12) and his commissioning of the apostles (Luke 9:1–2). It also acknowledges that God does not always answer as we hope, and invites us to pray with humility, sensitivity and trust. This talk was given by Rachel Drake at St Jude’s Church, Southsea on 3 May 2026. The reading was Acts 9:32–43; additional references include Luke 9:1–2 and John 14:12. With a warm, pastoral tone, Rachel reflects on Peter’s story—his faith and his failings—and encourages us to take the next small step in boldness, perhaps just “10%” more than we pray now. She offers simple, practical ways to pray for healing: listen, ask clearly, believe in God’s faithfulness, and give thanks. A personal testimony about praying for her son’s health reminds us that God is at work even in the waiting. Listeners are encouraged to bring honest requests to God and to share answers that build up the church.
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    29 分
  • "Paul: Not the Creator of Christianity, but Its Greatest Ambassador" with Colin Towner

    "Paul: Not the Creator of Christianity, but Its Greatest Ambassador" with Colin Towner
    2026/04/26
    This is the talk from our 10:45 service on 26 April 2026. The readings were Acts 9:20–31 and Galatians 1:11–24. From Damascus to Jerusalem, Saul’s dramatic turnaround sparks astonishment, opposition and a helping hand from Barnabas. We trace how Jesus—not Paul—is the true creator of Christianity, while Paul becomes his tireless ambassador, preaching, planting and suffering for the gospel he received by revelation. The talk invites us to engage afresh with Paul’s letters: sometimes demanding, often luminous, always rich in Christ-centred wisdom and encouragement. Expect challenge, reassurance and a call to read, rejoice and trust the God whose love in Christ will not let us go.
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    21 分
  • "The God of the Unexpected" with Kathy Bacon

    "The God of the Unexpected" with Kathy Bacon
    2026/04/19
    This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 18th May 2025. The reading was Acts 9:1–19. Kathy explores the dramatic conversion of Saul — the man who was breathing out murderous threats against the church — and draws out three ways God works unexpectedly. First, God brings unexpected people to follow Jesus, even those we'd consider most unlikely. Second, God forms an unexpected family, bringing together people who would never naturally be close. Third, God gives unexpected callings, surprising us with new purposes we never imagined. Kathy shares her own experience of becoming a youth worker at fifty, and encourages us to stay open to God's surprising plans, to pray for those who seem furthest from faith, and to embrace one another as family.
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    19 分
  • "Under Persecution the Gospel Spreads" with Jos McCabe

    "Under Persecution the Gospel Spreads" with Jos McCabe
    2026/04/12
    This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 18th May 2025. The reading was Acts 8:1–8 and 26–40. In the first of a series on the book of Acts, Jos explores how the early church grew through persecution and the surprising ways God used ordinary people. Focusing on Philip — a man originally chosen to wait on tables — he shows how the Holy Spirit equipped him to proclaim Jesus in Samaria and to an Ethiopian official on a desert road. With stories of persecuted Christians today and a challenge not to put God in a box, Joss asks: are we ready to be used wherever God puts us?
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    21 分
  • "Walking Out of the Tomb" with Jack Cross

    "Walking Out of the Tomb" with Jack Cross
    2026/04/05
    This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 20th April 2025. The reading was Luke 24:1–12. On Easter Sunday, Jack reminded us that the resurrection isn't just something we celebrate — it's something we're invited to live in. Using the angels' words to the women at the tomb, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?", he challenged us to stop carrying the guilt and shame that Jesus has already dealt with. He shared a three-step blueprint for freedom: bring our sin to the cross, leave it in the grave, and walk out of the tomb into the new life Christ offers. A powerful encouragement for first-time visitors and long-time churchgoers alike to step into the freedom of Easter.
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    15 分
  • "When a Good Thing Isn't a God Thing" with Jack Cross

    "When a Good Thing Isn't a God Thing" with Jack Cross
    2026/03/29
    This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 29 March 2926. The reading was Luke 19:28–40. Palm Sunday is celebration—Hosanna!—but also submission to Jesus our King. We heard why he is King to us today: Creator, healer, loving, in control and present even when unseen. The talk explored how the crowd moved from Hosanna to crucify when their good plan for political rescue clashed with God’s perfect plan: victory over the real enemy and freedom that lasts. A personal story of leaving a dream abroad to follow God’s call in Portsmouth showed the joy of surrender. We responded by laying “palms” and our plans at the cross, choosing his way.
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    11 分
  • "From Abraham to Jesus: A Heritage of Faith" with Ruth McCabe

    "From Abraham to Jesus: A Heritage of Faith" with Ruth McCabe
    2026/03/22
    This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 30th March 2025. The reading was from Ruth 4:18–22 and Matthew 1:1–6. The genealogy of Jesus might seem like a dry list of names, but it reveals something extraordinary about God's character. Tracing the line from Abraham through to King David and on to Jesus, the talk explores how God wove together the stories of flawed, faithful and surprising people — including foreigners like Ruth and Rahab — to fulfil His promise of a Saviour. Through themes of faith, forgiveness, mercy, holiness and love, we are reminded that our true heritage is not found in our ancestry but in being born again into God's family through Jesus.
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    28 分
  • "God's Restoration: Hope for the Stuck and the Broken" with Andrew Hargreaves

    "God's Restoration: Hope for the Stuck and the Broken" with Andrew Hargreaves
    2026/03/15
    This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 30th March 2025. The reading was Ruth 4:13–17. On Mothering Sunday, Andrew Hargreaves, Director of Ministry and Discipleship for the Diocese, shared an encouraging update on the diocesan Rejuvenate strategy before diving into the conclusion of Ruth's story. He explored what this remarkable tale of restoration reveals about God's character — a God who redeems, includes, and provides abundantly. Matt also reflected on the importance of the wider family of God, and gently addressed the things that can keep us stuck — shame, grief, and bitterness — and the hope that God offers renewal to all.
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    23 分