In Hebrews 8 once more, Tom offers an eye-opening comparison between the old covenant and the new. The People of God in ancient times were often able to know about God, but so seldom capable of truly knowing God. If you really want to know Him, reach deeper than the surface level of your life. Let Him change your heart.
In this powerful look at Hebrews 8, Toms cuts to the 'pith' of the matter. The early Hebrew Christians had a habit of chasing after religious shadows, so comfortable were they in familiar customs, and thus almost missed the glorious reality entirely. This is the same reality you have today. Come and see the real deal.
Rory continues our series in Matthew’s gospel, preaching from Matthew 26:1-16. In this passage we see the Jewish leaders plotting to kill Jesus, Judas’ betrayal of Jesus for a few silver coins, and in-between an amazing scene of a woman pouring very expensive perfume on his head! As Rory unpacks the passage, we see the immense value the woman put on Jesus - showing her love for him - compared with the minute value that Judas puts on him, and we look at the penetrating question: What is Jesus worth to you?
Beginning with the launchpad of Hebrews 7, Pete shows us the qualifications of Jesus expressed throughout the entire biblical narrative. What is it about Jesus that makes him uniquely capable of representing us before the Father? How can he be both priest and king? And who on Earth is Melchizedek?
At this high point on the rollercoaster of Hebrews 5: 11 - 6: 20, Pete acquaints us with our assurance. Do we need grand, Pentecostal demonstrations of the Holy Spirit to prove that we are saved? Or are the signs of saving faith so much simpler? God himself took an oath to bring us home; he'll never let us down.
This may be the most important thing you ever hear. Your eternal destiny depends on it. As Pete preaches our next section in Matthew’s gospel - Matthew 25:31-46 - we see Jesus describing what will happen when he comes again in His Father’s glory, and calls each and every person - you and me - to account for what they have done with their lives. The big question is: will you come to Jesus, or will you go from him?
With this challenging yet encouraging look at Hebrews 5:11 - 6:12, Tom asks us to get off the baby food. How is your spiritual growth? Have you solidly grasped the fundamentals of faith and nurtured them into a fruitful life? Here are hard truths, but also great assurances. Come and grow in Christ.
Tom Smith continues our series in Matthew’s gospel, preaching from Matthew 25:14-30. In this passage we see the parable of the Talents (sums of money), as Jesus gives another illustration of what the kingdom of God will be like. It can be easy to think that we need to do as much as we can to please God, or to view Him as an unfair ruler, but nothing could be further from the truth - as Christians we serve God in the context of His grace, and are called to be faithful with what he has given us. As Tom unpacks this passage, we look at the actions of the three servants, the master’s verdict, and what it all means for us today.
Bringing God's word to us from Hebrews 4:14 - 5:10, Tom reintroduces us to a saviour who feels as we feel and suffers as we suffer. Our high priest is no tin man: he has known every grief, triumphed over every sin, and now remains our advocate forever. How shall we respond to this depth of feeling? Approach Him with confidence.
This week we take a break from our evening series in Matthew’s gospel, as Tom takes us on a deeper dive of Hebrews 3:1-19, to further develop some thoughts on the practical command to ‘encourage one another daily’, in this book of the Bible that was written to Christians. Sin is deceitful and hardens us towards God and towards one-another, which is why it’s all the more important that strive to meet together and encourage one another in the faith.
What on Earth is wrong with Earth? In the third instalment of The Mix, Tom addresses this question and brings us to some unpleasant truths. The world is not as it should be; sin through doubt crept in, disrupting our relationship with God and taking us far from him. If only we had a representative to win the war for our souls...
Josh continues our evening series in Matthew’s gospel, preaching from Matthew 25:1-13. In this passage Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins (or bridesmaids, in those days) all of whom are waiting for the bridegroom to arrive, but not all of them are really prepared. As Josh unpacks this passage of scripture, we see how the ten virgins profess to be ready for the bridegroom’s arrival, how only half of them are really ready, the consequences of this, and what it all means for us today. How ready are you to meet Jesus?
This is a weary age. Through Hebrews 3: 12 - 4: 16, Pete presents us with one of the most oddly difficult aspects of the Christian's life: rest. Contrary to popular belief, true rest is not idleness, nor is joy found in dreams. There is only one treatment for the weary heart, and one saviour who provides it free of charge.
Pete continues our evening series in Matthew’s gospel, preaching from Matthew 24:36-51. In this passage we see Jesus explaining to his disciples about how they will know that he has come back, and how they are to be prepared. Although no-one except God the Father knows when Jesus will return, his return will be unmistakable to everyone, and we should all be ready for it. In this passage we see Jesus’ illustrations for how we are to be prepared today.
There is a heart disease affecting our generation. Through Hebrews 3: 1 - 4: 2, Tom shows us the symptoms and underlying cause of this heart condition, characterised by a pervading coldness and hardness that brings insensitivity to God's love. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart to it. Let Him work in you.
As we continue our series in Matthew’s gospel, Rory preaches from Matthew 24:1-35. In this passage we see Jesus explain to the disciples the destruction of the temple, the signs of the end times, and what it all means for us today.
Here is a calling for holy brothers and sisters as Tom brings us this crucial reminder from Hebrews 3: 1 - 6: fix your eyes upon Christ. Jesus is not an addendum to life, or a curiosity to be taken out of the box every Sunday, but the absolute focus of all thought, truth and life. Do as Moses did, and keep Him always in your thoughts.
Pete continues our series through the gospel of Matthew and takes us through the whole of chapter 23. While the temptation to don a religious mask to hide behind might be tempting, we are pointed to the perfect example of Jesus who is never hypocritical.
This month in The Mix, Tom presents us with the reality of a God who is not silent, but a God who has spoken clearly to all of us. Under his law, old cycles of hate and anger are broken, trust is possible again, and the enemies of God can finally reconcile. How wonderful is the law of love!
Chris continues our series in Matthew’s gospel, preaching from Matthew 22:34-46. In this passage we see Jesus being asked the question ‘what is the greatest commandment’ - we see Jesus’ response, his own question to the Pharisees, and Chris unpacks what it means for us today.