A collection of teachings.
Now we are meeting in person again, we have developed an archive for the audio recordings of our sermons below. This collection will grow and evolve, and we hope that there isn’t a need for full online services for a time. If you’re looking for home church content that we produced during the pandemic period, you can visit this page.
Sunday 25th October, 2020
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
Luke 16:1-15 | Kim Beales
Some commentators argue that this is one of the hardest passages to interpret in the gospels. It’s easy to take offence or object to Jesus’ teaching, because the exemplar in the story behaves in a questionable way. Yet this is the genius of Jesus, who loves to be surprising. Come explore a wonderful parable about how to deal shrewdly with worldly wealth.
Sunday 18th October, 2020
The Prodigal, the Father & the Older Brother
Luke 15:11-32 | Kim Beales
Here we explore one of Jesus’ most famous parables. We’ll see that he has something immensely significant to say through each character of the story: the prodigal son who returns home, the Father who embraces his son, and the older brother who doesn’t want to be a part of the celebrations. We invite you to join with us as God speaks to us through this remarkable parable of God's grace.
Sunday 27th September, 2020
The Cost of Discipleship
Luke 14:25-35 | Kim Beales
Between stories of the banquet invitation, and the amazing parables of grace in chapter 15, Luke places an interaction between Jesus and the crowds where he maps out for them the cost of discipleship. What is the cost for the disciple? Nothing short of everything… In this sermon we explore Jesus’ challenging teaching, and the ways in which family, wealth, and even one’s desire for life can be obstacles to discipleship. Yet we can trust Jesus, because what Jesus calls us to do is precisely what he has done for us to bring us life and peace with God. Along the way we explore the relationship between grace and discipleship, the cost of each, and why true Christianity must always include both.
Sunday 20th September, 2020
The Parable of the Great Banquet
Luke 14:15-24 | Jackie Law
We continue at the house of the Pharisee where Jesus tells an amazing parable about a great banquet. This week Jackie Law unpacks the passage, exploring the context of the parable, issue of class in our own time and what it looks like to be a church who truly embraces Jesus’ teaching. The banquet belongs to Jesus and is open for everyone. Little do the Pharisees know that they are rejecting the host of an eternal banquet, while the poor, the blind, the crippled, the lame, and anyone who might not normally get an invite to the party are being gathered for the eternal feast.
Sunday 13th September, 2020
How to be a great guest and host at the table of life
Luke 14:1-14 | Stuart Carnaby
We return to Luke’s gospel and in this sermon, Stuart leads us through a stunning passage in which Jesus is the guest of a prominent Pharisee. While the guests at the dinner party were watching Jesus closely to see if he'd take a step out of turn, we discover that Jesus himself is actually watching the guests at this dinner party. He sees them jostling for positions of importance and presents an alternative approach to being both a guest and a host. Come join us as we explore an important story about humility, and what it is to open our lives and homes to people who might not normally get an invite to the party.
Sunday 6th September, 2020
The Secret of Being Content in all Circumstances
Philippians 4:10-23 | Kim Beales
In this sermon we conclude our series on Philippians and explore what Paul describes as the secret to being content in all circumstances. What is this secret? And how might we find this same contentment in our lives? Come join us as we explore this final section of Philippians.
Sunday 30th August, 2020
Rejoice in the Lord Always
Philippians 4:4-9 | Kim Beales
What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord always? What about in hardship and tough times? Here we unpack a profoundly encouraging passage and along the way we learn more deeply what it is to know the peace of God that surpasses understanding. This message was delivered on our AGM Sunday. In the midst of a strange year we remember the goodness of God and what it means to rejoice in the Lord, always.
Sunday 23rd August, 2020
What does Christian maturity look like?
Philippians 3:15-4:3 | Kim Beales
This week we explore Christian maturity. What does it look like? Can we recognise it when we see it? And what does it mean for you and I to become mature in Christ? We all benefit from people who are examples of maturity, and in this passage Paul invites us to consider the role models we choose for ourselves. Along the way he leads the Philippian church through an internal conflict that was bringing much trouble, and he shows the way towards a mature approach for dealing with conflict.
Sunday 15th August, 2020
What do we put our confidence in?
Philippians 3:1-14 | Kim Beales
In this passage, Paul warns the church against trying to become right with God by their own efforts. There was a group at the time teaching that as well as belief in Jesus, people also needed to fulfil the Jewish law (which included circumcision!). Paul calls this putting our “confidence in the flesh”, and warns the church not to go back to the law now they have met Christ. Paul presents his own kind of “religious resumé”, as possible grounds for confidence, and explains why he’s learned to regard this kind of thing as utter garbage! What matters now is to know Christ, and the righteousness that comes from faith in him. Paul wants to know Jesus more and more, and explains how Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection have become the pattern and basis of his whole life.
Sunday 9th August, 2020
Living the story of Jesus
Philippians 2:12-30 | Kim Beales
At the heart of Philippians there's a song about Jesus who humbled himself, even to the point of dying on a cross, and who was then exalted to the highest place. This story, this song, is the pattern for Christian community. In today's passage, Paul continues to unpack what it means to live our lives in response to Jesus' story. We'll see that shining as lights in the world involves down to earth things... like not grumbling and arguing. Instead, Paul teaches us to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. And he commends Timothy and Epaphroditus, two people who are emulating the way of Jesus, whose lives have been shaped and formed by the gospel.
Sunday 2nd August, 2020
The Mindset of Christ Jesus
Philippians 2:1-11 | Kim Beales
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul encourages the church to adopt the mindset of Christ, to do nothing out of selfish ambition and to look to the interests of others. In this sermon we compare two contrasting mindsets. The first is exemplified in the story of Adam and Eve, who grasp at life, autonomy, and glory, but instead find death and disorder. The second mindset is embodied by Jesus, who lowers himself to the point of crucifixion, and is given the name above all names. Along the way, we see that this attitude is not only exemplified by Christ, but is central to the very nature of God’s character as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Sunday 26th July, 2020
Learning to process everything through the framework of the gospel
Philippians 1:12-30 | Kim Beales
How we process life is so important. In this passage we see how Paul processes everything in life through the framework of the gospel. Here Paul is processing three very important themes. He is reflecting on his imprisonment, the experience of internal opposition in the church, and even the possibility of his martyrdom. In each case Paul’s reflections are surprising and inspiring. Along the way he conveys that great Christian truth, “to live is Christ, to die is gain.”
Sunday 19th July, 2020
A letter from prison about community
Philippians 1:1-11 | Kim Beales
To coincide with a return to face to face services at St Mark's, we have begun a new series on Paul's letter to the Philippians. Writing from prison, Paul relates to the Philippian church with deep affection, much thanksgiving, and a genuine yearning to be with them once more. In this sermon we celebrate the gift of Christian community and explore what it is to love one another with the affection of Jesus Christ.