CBC Podcast

What is God calling us to build today? On Sunday we looked at the book of Haggai and saw that it was time for God's people to rebuild the temple after the exile. But in the New Testament we see that God's people are where God's spirit lives. So how does God want us to be building his temple this week?

The people had become proud. They were proud of their accomplishments. They thought they knew best. They did not listen to God or see the need to obey God. But judgement was coming. Are we proud? Or have we humbled ourselves before God?

Have you ever been in a situation where you have been praying for something and wondered either whether God has even heard your prayer, or wondered why God is taking so long to answer? That was Habakkuk's question. He even questions God answer and God's plan. But in the end he comes to a place of peace. So what does God say to him? And what does God want to say to us?

When we use the word 'worship' we often think about things we do in church - particularly singing. But it is possible to just go through the motions. We might look the part but our outward actions do not reflect our hearts. What does God have to say about that kind of 'worship'?

We might think that the Old Testament is full of an angry God who is waiting to punish people who step out of line. But if you actually read it you see that the opposite is true. God is patient - desperately wanting the people to turn back to him and choose life. Today we'll see how in the warnings of Amos there is still this invitation - seek me and live.

Jonah is so angry that he wants to die. Why? Because God was gracious and compassionate and forgave those whom Jonah thought should be punished. Are we open to the surprising and compassionate ways God might want to work in the lives of those around us?

Have you ever wished for a second chance? For the opportunity to go back and do things differently? That's what happens to Jonah here. Having disobeyed God previously, God gives him another chance. And that is what God is like with us too. Even when we mess it up, when we turn back to God he welcomes us back and gives us another chance.

Even though Jonah had hit rock bottom he still knew that God would hear him when he cried out and that God could save him. Wherever we are, and no matter why or how we got there we can still cry out to God.

Have you ever heard from God - and then wanted to do the absolute opposite? Jonah did. Called to go east - he headed as far west as was possible. What happened to Jonah and what can we learn today in 2025?

Paul has learnt the secret of being content because he has put his trust in God. Do we struggle to trust God when we don't have enough? Do we get greedy when we have enough? What can we learn from Paul?

5 steps to knowing joy and peace everyday. Although this letter was written two thousand years ago it remains as relevant as ever. How can we know peace and joy - not just when everything is going well, but especially when the going gets tough.

We know that to be an elite sports person requires a life that is dedicated to training. Many sacrifices have to be made along the way. And they do it because of the rewards. Their eye is fixed on the prize. And Paul wants to encourage us as Christians to keep our eye on the prize and to press on with following Jesus.

Paul had all sorts of things going for him - and yet compared with the privilege of knowing Jesus, all those other things counted as nothing. Can we know Jesus like this?

Wherever Paul travels he is with others, and along the way, and in his letters he introduces us to many of his co-workers. But he also knows that life in community is not easy. Why is being a part of a church community important and how do we make it work?

What do we mean when we talk about God working in us - and does that mean we can just sit back and let God do it all? And how does this lead to a life with less grumbling and more joy?

Paul wants us to follow Jesus' example - and in this passage from Philippians 2:1-11 he helps us to see what that looks like.

Why are so many Christians reluctant to share their faith, and why would the example of someone being put in prison because they were a Christian, give us confidence to talk about Jesus? Just some of the questions we're exploring today.

Today we start a new series looking at Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. If you were in prison, facing possible execution, because you were a follower of Jesus, and were writing to Christians who were experiencing persecution for their faith what would you message and prayer be? Paul's letter is full of joy and thanks and his prayer is not for an ease in their circumstances but that they might know God better.

Jesus told the parable of the tenants just a few days before Good Friday, challenging the religious leaders whether they were going to treat him just as their ancestors treated the prophets - the prophets who were vindicated as the people were taken into exile. None of what was about to happen to Jesus was a surprise or a mistake. It was all a part of God's plan in order that we might know peace and forgiveness.

Jesus tells a parable set in the context of first Century Jewish wedding. He was not making the point that it is really important to be on time for a wedding - so what it the point this parable and how is it relevant to us?