We have all heard the expression - "He is his father's son" or "they are a chip off the old block" or "the apple didn't fall far from the tree!". This morning I'm not going to discuss methods on how to bring up your children, but I am going to show you how to influence them. It is about leadership and example - because it is more a case of our children, young folk and those around us are watching you as opposed to us instructing them! Paul says in Philippians 4:9 "Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." The best training is demonstration, not instruction. How many times have we heard folk say to their children, "do as a say, not as I do!"? When really we should be saying, "do as I do!". Demonstration has more impact than instruction. As the people of God we have the opportunity to influence those around us, the unsaved, work colleagues, friends, our children and young people, all those in our sphere of influence. That we become imitators of Christ, influencing the world and advancing the Kingdom.
Kingdom Family
March 24, 2024 • Stephen Russell
How Deep is Your Word?
April 28, 2024 • Christopher Alton
The ‘Parable of the Sower’ (Mt 13:1-9, 18-23) shows us the barriers which can prevent us receiving the Word of the Kingdom (v.19). We can all have places in our hearts which are closed to God’s Word, too shallow for it to take root, or simply find us too preoccupied with cares of this life to produce anything. In this message we consider Jesus’ call to each of us to prepare our hearts for His Word to go down deep, take root, find space in our lives, and by holding fast to it, see a harvest of abundance produced in us and others.
Step Into His Story
April 21, 2024 • Sharon Chapman
For our all-together gathering in April we step into Jesus’ story, taking a whistle-stop tour through some amazing parts of Mark Gospel, to follow Jesus and see how we can live like Jesus did. Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit and with power, went around doing good, healing people and setting people free (Acts 10:38). He promised His followers that they too would receive the Holy Spirit and power to carry on spreading the good news of Jesus and His Kingdom - and that includes us! Step into His story with us and look out for some exciting encounters with Jesus, a surprise song and a calendar challenge. Walk this Way!
Are You Well Kneaded?
April 14, 2024 • Stephen Russell
God Wants you to have Kingdom Yeast! Without the yeast the flour cannot be made to rise. Without Jesus and His Kingdom the world cannot be saved, cannot be changed - Both work silently and unseen. The power of the Kingdom is not physical and yet it produces definite results. The same applies to our own lives - the Kingdom (and all it's teachings) needs to rise, invade and permeate every part of our lives. Through the parable of the yeast, Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of Heaven is alive, it's everywhere, it takes attention and patience to grow, and it transforms everything it touches. Yeast is microscopic in size, and only a little is kneaded (and a only a little is needed!) into the dough. Yet, given time, the yeast will spread through all the dough. In the same way, Jesus started with twelve men in an obscure corner of Galilee, but it has spread throughout the world. We need to "knead the dough" of our lives making sure it reaches, permeates, and touches every part of our lives. It takes effort and technique - it is hard work sometimes! He wants our characters and walk with Him to rise evenly, with no flat spots, no section that are unleavened.