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Such a Child!

By Central, Faith, Hope, Love

‘Such a child’ is often used as an insult, but when we come into the family of God, they are some of the best three words we can hear. As children of God our pasts have lost their power, we have nothing to prove and we are completely, unconditionally loved by our Heavenly Father. If we can love one another in the same way we’re onto a winner!

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Hope Deferred

By Central

‘Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.’ (Pr 13:12). In this message we consider those things which we had hoped would come to pass, or which we’re sure we’ve been promised, but seem to remain out of our reach, or delayed in their coming. It can have a huge impact on our lives. And in this message, we consider why we experience deferred hope, how it happens, and what God can achieve in our lives through these times. King David knew all about this process, and his confession can also be ours – ‘I would have despaired, had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.’ (Ps 27:13, Amplified)

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1 Thessalonians: A Faith, Hope & Love Letter

By Central, Faith, Hope, Love

Paul spent just 3 weeks planting a church in Thessalonica (Acts 17) before being forced out of town! His first letter back to the church a few weeks later reflects his deep affection to the believers there. It starts and ends with descriptions of their faith, hope and love. In this message we hear the epistle read aloud and highlight features that are most relevant to us here and now.

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Family Values

By Central, Faith, Hope, Love

Do we practice what we preach? Mike Shuter picks out 5 family values that have impacted him as he has seen and heard taught over the years. He encourages and challenges us to consider them afresh and to keep putting them into practice in our lives.

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How Do Churches Grow?

By Central

God wants His church to grow! From the opening verses of the Bible onwards, we discover that fruitfulness and multiplication is at the heart of His plan and purpose. In this message we look at some simple biblical principles and some vital ingredients of church growth. Embracing these things will enable us to be ‘harvest-ready’ in this time of great uncertainty and upheaval in our world.

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A Cord of Three Strands

By Central, Faith, Hope, Love

The apostle Paul commended the Thessalonians for their work of Faith, labour of Love and steadfastness of Hope (1 Thess 1.3). In this message we’ll start to build on our existing definitions for these three great aspects of our life in God’s Kingdom. And we’ll also consider how together, working in unison, they can prove to be a cord of three strands for us all (Eccl 4.12).

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Who Do We Have Faith In?

By Central, Faith, Hope, Love

Who we have faith in is a hugely important question. A.W. Tozer says that ‘What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.’ With this in mind we’ll ask these 3 questions: Should we know God? Can we know God? And does knowing who God is make any practical difference to our lives? With the response to all of this being, God help me to know you better!

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The Curtain and The Cross

By Central

We take the wonderful opportunity that Easter Sunday gives us, to talk about how God came to restore relationship with us. What does a curtain and cross have to do with all this? Why not watch and find out? 😊
It is a strange expression – “feed on me!” But we have all heard the expressions “He was feeding him the lines”, “He feed him a load of lies”, “People just seem to feed on this situation or rubbish”. But God doesn’t want us to feed on rubbish, lies, bad situations or be drawn along by the political or devious will of others. He wants us to follow Christ – to believe in Him. He wants the things “we feed” on to be of Him.

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Hope & Healing

By Central

On this Mothers Day, Jonathan Conrathe reminds us of the role mothers and women play in the Bible story and in the life and growth of the church. And, assuring us of the faithfulness of God towards them and all of us, he shares the good news of hope and healing for everyone through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This message has great power for all of us…

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Neighbours & Nations

By Central

In this time when historic global events are taking place around us, we’re reminded that God’s great love for the world has implications for all the nations and for all our neighbours; those near and far. And the story of God breaking-in amongst the Gentiles in Acts chapter 10 speaks profoundly into this moment, showing His love and power impacting the lives of family and friends, neighbours and nations – and reminding us that He has prepared “good works” for us to do (Eph 2:10). This message unpacks the story and shows us how we can open our homes, reach out to help and play our part in all that God is doing in these historic days…

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Reasons for Hope

By Central, Faith, Hope, Love

If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. (1 Peter 3:15, NLT)

We’re living in days where hope is in short supply, or just in the wrong things. In such days, God’s people are called to hold out rock solid hope, which is based on the person and work of Christ, rooted in eternity, guaranteed with the seal of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by lives full of Jesus’ resurrection power; and from which none are excluded. In this message, we consider why these five essential reasons explain the glorious hope we have.

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Breaking Bread – Feed On Me

By Central

As we come around the table this morning – it is important to remember that Jesus said this “Anyone who feeds on me will live because of me.” There is something in “taking in Christ” in “feeding on Him” Normal bread doesn’t fill us in the same way. The children of Israel eat the bread in the wilderness – but eventually they all died! But this bread – the body of Jesus – brings eternal life!

It is a strange expression – “feed on me!” But we have all heard the expressions “He was feeding him the lines”, “He feed him a load of lies”, “People just seem to feed on this situation or rubbish”. But God doesn’t want us to feed on rubbish, lies, bad situations or be drawn along by the political or devious will of others. He wants us to follow Christ – to believe in Him. He wants the things “we feed” on to be of Him.

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Go, Give, Gather, Grow

By Central

“Go, Give, Gather, Grow!…” is the simple and powerful way that Jesus has commissioned and instructed His followers. We’re to GO into all the world (Mt 28:19-20); and as we go we are to GIVE freely (Mt 10:7-8) so that His Kingdom is proclaimed and demonstrated; then as disciples are made we should GATHER together in His name (Mt 18:20); for as do we stay closely connected with Him and GROW in our fruitfulness and influence (Mt 13:31-32, Jn 15:8). In this message we unpack this healthy life-cycle of the church, see it at work in the New Testament, and consider some of the opportunities we face at the start of this year…

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Gatherings – Prayer & Prophecy (part 2)

By Central, His House, Our Home

In the last part of this mini-series HIS HOUSE, OUR HOME we look at the significance of prayer and prophecy in our gatherings – powerful weapons as we advance God’s kingdom and build-up the church. Reminding us that the church is “the house of God” and “the gateway to heaven” (Genesis 28:17), David unpacks the apostle Paul’s teachings set out in 1 Corinthians 11, and encourages us to have a heavenly perspective on what happens when we gather together.

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