St Helen's Sunday talks podcast

George Diwakar - In a dramatic episode from the life of Elisha, God’s people appear surrounded and helpless before their enemies. Yet this ‘Oscar-worthy’ story shows that God’s word cannot be stopped. As God opens eyes, protects his prophet, and even shows mercy to his enemies, we see that nothing can stand against his purposes. This passage calls us to trust God’s power, sovereignty, and grace even when his people seem outnumbered or afraid.

Nick Heeley - Fear can stop us speaking and living boldly for Jesus in a hostile world. In 2 Kings 6, Elisha is the victorious saviour who shows mercy to his enemies, who points us forward to the our merciful saviour, Jesus. Seeing we belong to the winning side is the antidote to fear. Seeing Jesus's mercy to his enemies should drive the winning side out in courageous service in the world.

William Taylor - In their small print, those who run savings or investment accounts suggest that the price of their product may go ‘up or down’. There is no small print in James’ instruction on wealth. He issues a straight-talking and unequivocal warning about wealth.

William Taylor - In their small print, those who run savings or investment accounts suggest that the price of their product may go ‘up or down’. There is no small print in James’ instruction on wealth. He issues a straight-talking and unequivocal warning about wealth.

Jack Stileman - Our world is full of suffering and self-interest. In 2 Kings 5 we see that the true hope of the world is the word of the Lord.

Nick Heeley - As we reach the high point of the Elisha narrative, we see the power of the life-giving word and how far it can reach—to the worst enemy of Israel, one who is unclean and a picture of death. All of this comes about because a servant girl trusts in the life-giving power of God’s word. She stands as a model of bold speech in a hostile world for us to imitate.

William Taylor - James teaches us that God gives grace to the humble who submit to him. If humbling ourselves before God is the gateway to receiving his grace, pride is the opposite. James identifies key indicators of proud resistance to God’s grace. It is humbling stuff.

William Taylor - James teaches us that God gives grace to the humble who submit to him. If humbling ourselves before God is the gateway to receiving his grace, pride is the opposite. James identifies key indicators of proud resistance to God’s grace. It is humbling stuff.

Jack Stileman - What will restore the church and renew the world? 1 & 2 Kings says: the word of the Lord. But in 2 Kings 2, the prophet Elijah is leaving. What then? New prophet, same word.

Nick Heeley - As Elisha's ministry begins, we get a glimpse of what his ministry is all about: bringing life to a land of death, followed by bringing final judgement to the House of Ahab. Elisha points us forward to the agenda of the Lord Jesus today, bringing life to the world, before returning to finally judge the world.

William Taylor - James’s teaching in chapters 1–4 is deeply challenging. He urges his readers to remain steadfast so that they may be mature and complete at the coming of Jesus. How this is to be achieved is explored through his four-step ‘programme’ for change.

William Taylor - James’s teaching in chapters 1–4 is deeply challenging. He urges his readers to remain steadfast so that they may be mature and complete at the coming of Jesus. How this is to be achieved is explored through his four-step ‘programme’ for change.

Jack Stileman - In a world of comforting lies, the word of the Lord is a confronting truth. But what happens when someone disregards it? In the middle of a battle between Syria, Israel and Judah, 1 Kings 22 teaches us a valuable lesson: no listening, no life.

Aneirin Glyn - What happens to Naboth reveals not only what King Ahab is like, but also our world. The Lord sees it all, especially how his people are treated, and will certainly judge. Which makes the glimpse of God’s outrageous grace all the more astounding.

Tim Sheppard - What does the ‘wise life’ look like? As James focuses in on this major theme of his letter, he challenges us to see that our ambition is far more sinister than we might think. At the same time, he shows us the heart of heavenly wisdom: meekness. We may think meek is weak, but James shows us why meek is wise.

Tim Sheppard - What does the ‘wise life’ look like? As James focuses in on this major theme of his letter, he challenges us to see that our ambition is far more sinister than we might think. At the same time, he shows us the heart of heavenly wisdom: meekness. We may think meek is weak, but James shows us why meek is wise.

Luke Cornelius - What happens when reformation is not enough, when forgiveness is repeated but change is not? How does the Lord save the world when his church is utterly compromised? In 1 Kings 19, we begin that journey.

Aneirin Glyn - 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart.' How will God respond when Israel, persistently, refuses to do that? Elijah is summoned to Mount Sinai where God reveals what he will do. We see that God will not clear the guilty, and yet is also merciful and gracious.

Gwilym Davies - In James 3:1–12, James warns against rushing to teach and turns our attention to the power of the tongue. Though small, it directs, destroys, and reveals far more than we expect. Untameable by human effort, our speech becomes a tell—exposing the true state of our hearts. James leaves us asking not simply how we speak, but whether our faith is truly single-minded.

Tim Sheppard - The book of James offers a spiritual check-up that continues in chapter 3 with an assessment of the tongue. Rather than treating it as a small, insignificant muscle, James shows how far it punches above its weight. He gives a sobering warning to those who presume they are ready to teach—but his challenge is for all of us. Do our words reflect God’s transforming work within us, or do they expose our double-mindedness?