Recent talks - The City Church

Prophecy and Revelation That Builds Up

November 1, 2026 • Martin Segal • 1 Corinthians 14:1–5

Does God still speak today, and could he speak through you? Continuing our A Charismatic People series, Martin takes us to 1 Corinthians 14 as we move on from the foundations of the series to the gifts themselves, starting with prophecy. Writing to a gifted but chaotic church in Corinth, Paul gives a clear command: pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. Martin explains what prophecy is and what it isn't. It is not a replacement for Scripture, it is not fortune-telling, it is never perfect, and it must never be a cover for our own opinions. Put simply, prophecy is hearing and sharing God's voice, or God's heart, so that the church is built up, encouraged and consoled. At its heart, prophecy is about relationship. We don't pray to a silent God but to a living God who speaks: above all through his Word, and also through visions, dreams, our conscience, life experience, the world around us and quiet inner promptings. And because Jesus has taken God's anger on himself, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ, so a word that crushes and condemns is not from him. Martin closes with practical wisdom for weighing and sharing a word well, and an invitation for every one of us to eagerly desire this gift, so that we pursue love and build up the church. Want to get connected into the church family? Take the next step and fill in this form: https://http://www.thecitychurch.org.uk/kitform Find a serving team: https://http://www.thecitychurch.org.uk/serving Giving: https://http://www.thecitychurch.org.uk/how-to-give

The More Excellent Way of Love

October 25, 2026 • Kathryn Bailey • 1 Corinthians 13

Continuing our A Charismatic People series, Kathryn takes us to 1 Corinthians 13 to lay the final foundation before we look at the gifts one by one: the way of love. Far from being a gentle wedding reading, Paul wrote these words to a church that had every spiritual gift but was using them for its own glory rather than God's. Looking at the passage in three parts, we see that love is essential, we explore the essence of love, and we discover that love is eternal. Without love, even tongues, prophecy, knowledge and great sacrifice amount to nothing. And when we hold our everyday lives up against Paul's description of love, we soon find we can't produce it simply by gritting our teeth and trying harder. The good news is that we learn to love not by being told how to love, but by being loved. Jesus is the essence of this love, and the Holy Spirit pours it into our hearts so that it flows through us to others. One day the gifts will pass away, but love never ends. So as we eagerly desire the spiritual gifts, we pursue love first.

An Encounter with Jesus Changes Everything

October 18, 2026 • Jonathan Law • John 4:1–42

What happens when we truly encounter Jesus? In John 4, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well. It's an unexpected encounter that crosses cultural boundaries, confronts personal brokenness and challenges religious expectations. But through it all, Jesus offers something extraordinary: living water that satisfies forever. In this message, John explores three barriers that Jesus breaks down: cultural barriers, personal barriers and religious barriers. We discover that no matter our background, our mistakes or the questions we carry, nothing can put us beyond the reach of God's love. And when we encounter Jesus, something changes. Just like the woman at the well, we're invited to share what we've experienced with the people around us. Because sharing our faith isn't simply another thing to add to our to-do list. It's the natural overflow of a life transformed by Jesus.

Charismata: Grace-Gifts for All

October 11, 2026 • Martin Segal • 1 Corinthians 12:1–11

Are the gifts of the Holy Spirit still for today? And are they really for everyone? Continuing our A Charismatic People series, we explore why we believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are just as relevant for the church today as they were in the New Testament. Drawing from Scripture, church history and the promise of Christ’s return, we unpack why God continues to give spiritual gifts to His people and why these gifts aren't reserved for a select few. Whether you've experienced the gifts of the Spirit, have questions about them, or have been hesitant because of past experiences, this message is an invitation to rediscover what it means to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit aren't something we earn. They're gifts of grace, given to every believer for the good of others.

Marked Out by Grace

October 4, 2026 • John Bailey • Ephesians 2:1–10

What does it really mean to be a charismatic people? In this message, John continues our series exploring the person and work of the Holy Spirit, looking at the biblical meaning of charisma - a gift of grace. Through Ephesians 2, we see that grace is at the heart of the Christian life: grace that saves us, grace that gives to us, and grace that keeps on giving. We are saved not by what we can achieve, but entirely through the gift of God in Jesus Christ. But God’s grace doesn’t stop at salvation. He brings us near, makes us His children, gives us His Spirit and equips His church with gifts to serve, love and carry out His purposes in the world. As we seek to be a people led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the challenge is simple: don’t switch Him off. Instead, let’s earnestly desire His gifts, grow in dependence on Him, and use everything He gives us for His glory.

Called to Our Neighbourhoods and the Nations | Vision Sunday

September 27, 2026 • Martin Segal • Isaiah 49:1–7

What is God calling us to as a church in this next season? On Vision Sunday, Martin looks at Isaiah 49 and the mission God has given His people: to be called by Him, sent into our neighbourhoods, and to carry the good news of Jesus to the nations. The mission of The City Church remains the same: inviting everyone to encounter Jesus. Whether that means loving the people on our street, sharing Jesus with friends and colleagues, serving our communities, or being sent further afield, every one of us has a part to play. As we look ahead to a new year as a church, we want to grow in intimacy with Jesus, become more confident in sharing our faith, and be ready to follow wherever the Holy Spirit leads.

The Word and the Spirit Together

September 20, 2026 • Jonathan Lewis • 2 Timothy 3:14–17

What does it actually mean to be led by both the Word and the Spirit? In this message, we explore why Christians need both: the truth and direction of Scripture, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible helps us know who God is and how He calls us to live. The Holy Spirit helps us actually live it out, bringing freedom, courage, transformation and the strength to follow Jesus in everyday life. Whether reading the Bible has become difficult, your faith feels dry, or you simply want to know God more deeply, the invitation is the same: go again. Grow again. Press into His Word and ask for more of His Spirit. Part of our series exploring what it means to be a charismatic church.

The Person of The Holy Spirit

September 13, 2026 • Martin Segal • John 14

Who is the Holy Spirit, and what difference does He actually make in our lives? In the first message of our new series, A Charismatic People, Martin explores what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit: not an impersonal force or something reserved for extraordinary moments, but God Himself, present with us, living in us and empowering us. Looking through John 14 and across the New Testament, we discover how the Holy Spirit convicts us, gives us new life, dwells within every believer and fills us with power to live the life Jesus has called us to. This series is an invitation for us as a church to rediscover what it means to live in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, not simply looking back at what God has done before, but becoming increasingly hungry for His presence and power today.

Lord, Teach Us To Pray | Week of Prayer

September 6, 2026 • Martin Segal • Luke 11:1–13

Why is prayer often so challenging, and why do we tend to shrink back when it comes to praying with others? Kickstarting our Week of Intentional Prayer, this message dives into Luke 11:1–13 to explore why the disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray." In this sermon, we unpack three fundamental truths about prayer: 1. The Priority of Prayer – How prayer reflects our true dependence on God. 2. The Perspective of Prayer – How prayer transforms us before it changes our circumstances. 3. A People of Prayer – Moving from an individual mindset to the power of praying together ("Our Father"). Whether you are new to faith or have been a Christian for years, discover how building the "muscle of prayer" can transform your life and our community.

God's Army

July 19, 2026 • Kathryn Segal

What does it mean for the church to be God’s army? In the final message of our Church series, we explore Ephesians 6:10–18 and Paul’s call to put on the full armour of God. Jesus has already defeated sin and death, so we are not fighting to earn victory—we stand together and proclaim the victory He has already won. This message considers the reality of spiritual warfare, the strength we receive from God, and the armour He gives us: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the Word of God. We also discover why prayer is not passive, but a powerful way to stand firm, take ground and remain connected to our Commander. The church was never meant to fight alone. United in Christ, equipped by His Word and empowered by His Spirit, we are stronger together.