Recent talks - The City Church

Grace Builds Healthy Churches

May 17, 2026 • Martin Segal

What kind of foundation are we building our lives on? In this opening message of our new series through the book of Titus, Martin introduces Paul’s letter to Titus and explores the foundations of healthy Christian living and church leadership. Looking at Titus 1, we’re reminded that the gospel doesn’t just change what we believe — it transforms how we live. Paul writes into a culture marked by deception, corruption, and poor leadership to remind the church of a foundational truth: God never lies. In a world where trust can feel fragile, we’re invited to build our lives on the unchanging character of Jesus. This sermon explores: • Why the character of God matters as the foundation of our faith • What healthy, godly leadership looks like in the church • Why character matters more than charisma • How the gospel transforms every area of our lives • What it means to build your life on Christ, the firm foundation

The Costly Path That Leads to Real Life

May 10, 2026 • Andrew Bunt • Mark 8:27–37

*Sermon starts at 12:05* What does it really mean to follow Jesus? In this message from Mark 8, guest speaker Andrew Bunt explores Jesus’ challenging invitation to discipleship: a path of self-denial, carrying our cross, and following Him wholeheartedly. Far from promising an easy life, Jesus calls us to a way of surrender that leads to true life and deeper relationship with Him. Drawing from Mark 8:27–37, Andrew unpacks Jesus’ words to His disciples and challenges us to reflect honestly on what faithful discipleship looks like today. What does it mean to deny ourselves in a culture built around self-expression and self-fulfilment? How do we follow Jesus when it is costly, painful, or misunderstood? In this sermon, we explore: • Who Jesus really is – Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ • The unexpected path of Jesus – suffering, death, and resurrection • What it means to follow Jesus – denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Him • Why following Jesus is worth it – losing our lives to find true life in Him Andrew also shares personally about following Jesus in costly areas of life, reminding us that while discipleship can be difficult, it ultimately leads to freedom, intimacy with God, and lasting hope. Whether you’re exploring faith or have followed Jesus for years, this message invites us all to consider: What does it really look like to follow Jesus?

Evening: The Running God

May 3, 2026 • Martin Segal

In this final message from our Jonah series, we explore Jonah chapter 4 and the surprising reaction of the prophet after Nineveh repents. Instead of rejoicing at God’s mercy, Jonah becomes angry — revealing the pride, bitterness, and despair that can grow in every human heart. This sermon unpacks the danger of ungodly anger and the grace of God that continually pursues us, even when we run from Him. Through Jonah’s story, we’re challenged to examine our own hearts: where have we become bitter, judgmental, or resistant to God’s mercy toward others? Most importantly, this message points us to Jesus — the better Jonah — who stood outside the city not in judgment, but in sacrificial love, making a way for us to receive grace, forgiveness, and freedom.

Morning: The Running God

May 3, 2026 • Kathryn Bailey

What happens when God shows mercy… and we don’t like it? As we continue in the book of Jonah, we come to a surprising and deeply challenging moment. Nineveh has repented. God has relented. But instead of rejoicing, Jonah is angry. In this message, we explore Jonah chapter 4 and uncover the tension between justice and mercy—not just in Jonah’s heart, but in ours too. This sermon invites us to reflect on how we respond when God’s compassion extends beyond our expectations. Are we aligned with God’s heart, or are we holding onto pride, prejudice, or a desire for control? Through Jonah’s story, we are reminded that God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love—and He invites us to reflect that same heart to others.

Evening: Running for God

April 26, 2026 • Martin Segal

In this message from Jonah chapter 3, we explore the powerful theme of God’s grace and the reality of second chances. After running from God and experiencing His mercy, Jonah is recommissioned to go to Nineveh—and this time, he obeys. But Jonah’s obedience isn’t perfect. Through his story, we see both imperfect obedience and genuine repentance, as an entire city turns back to God in response to a simple message. This passage reminds us that God works through weakness, calls us again when we fail, and responds with grace when we repent. No matter where you’ve been or how far you feel you’ve drifted, God is still calling—and His grace is still available.

Morning: Running for God

April 26, 2026 • Martin Segal

In this message from Jonah chapter 3, we explore the reality of God’s grace as a God of second chances. From Jonah’s reluctant obedience to Nineveh’s genuine repentance, this sermon reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy. We see how God calls Jonah again—despite his failure—and how even imperfect obedience can be used for incredible impact. At the same time, the response of Nineveh challenges us to consider what true repentance looks like in our own lives. Whether you feel like you’ve been running from God or simply struggling to follow Him fully, this message is a reminder that God’s grace meets you where you are—and calls you forward.

Evening: Running to God

April 19, 2026 • Nii Noi Osuteye

In this message from Jonah 2, we explore the reality of drifting from God—and the incredible grace that calls us back. Through Jonah’s story, we see a reflection of our own journey: moments of disobedience, seasons of distance, and the invitation to return to the Father. This sermon reminds us that no matter how far we run, God’s rescue plan is always at work. From the depths of despair to restoration on dry ground, Jonah’s prayer reveals a God who hears, saves, and restores. If you’ve ever felt distant from God, overwhelmed by guilt, or unsure how to return—this message is for you.

Morning: Running to God

April 19, 2026 • Rhys Poore

In this message, we dive into Jonah 2 and discover a powerful picture of God’s grace in the most unexpected place—the belly of the fish. Rather than a place of punishment, we see it as a moment of rescue, where Jonah encounters the mercy of God in the depths of his failure. Through this passage, we explore three key shifts in Jonah’s journey: • From focusing on judgment to recognising God’s grace • From running away to abiding in God’s presence • From death to life This sermon challenges us to reconsider how we respond in difficult seasons. Do we default to questioning God’s judgment, or do we recognise His grace at work—even in the hardest moments? Ultimately, we are reminded that just as Jonah was rescued, we too have been brought from death to life through Jesus. Our response is simple but powerful: to fix our eyes on Him by choosing to look, remember, and worship.

Running from God

April 12, 2026 • Jonathan Lewis • Jonah 1

Have you ever felt frustrated with God—or struggled with the idea that His grace is available to anyone? In this opening message of our Jonah series, we explore one of the most confronting truths of the gospel: God’s grace is both beautiful and deeply challenging. Through Jonah 1, we see a prophet running from God, wrestling with obedience, and struggling with the reality that God’s mercy extends even to those he despises. This sermon unpacks three key movements in the story: • Jonah’s flight • God’s pursuit • The echo of the gospel in Jesus As Jonah runs in the opposite direction, God pursues him—not to punish, but to restore. And in the storm, the sailors, and even the great fish, we see a God who is relentlessly committed to saving, redeeming, and showing mercy. Ultimately, Jonah’s story points us to Jesus—the greater and better Jonah—who didn’t run from God’s will, but obeyed fully, even to death on a cross, so that we could receive grace we could never earn.

Easter Sunday | Groundbreaking

April 5, 2026 • Martin Segal • Matthew 28:1–10

On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the greatest news in history—Jesus is alive. But what does that really mean for us in a world that still feels broken, painful, and uncertain? In this message from Matthew 28:1–10, we explore how the resurrection of Jesus doesn’t ignore the reality of suffering—but transforms it. From the curse of sin in Genesis to the promise of restoration in Revelation, this sermon walks us through the full story of Scripture and shows how Jesus’ victory over death brings hope not just for us, but for all of creation. We look at three key themes: Broken Ground – understanding the reality of a fallen world Broken Promises – why the world’s solutions leave us empty Breakthrough – how Jesus’ death and resurrection change everything No matter what you’re facing today, this message reminds us: there is real hope, because Jesus is risen.