Matthew 13:31-35 Speaker Abi Ord The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast contrast our earthly perceptions of what God’s kingdom looks like with its true nature. The gospel message we carry began with the birth of a baby in a stable, and by worldly standard appears utterly weak and foolish – yet Jesus declares that this tiny seed will one day fill the whole earth.
Nothing is impossible with God by Greyfriars & New Hope Church
Psalm 126 Speaker: Asa Humphreys When the returned exiles hear God’s word, Nehemiah insists they trade tears for feasting because “the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Paul, writing from prison, repeats “rejoice” until the chains almost rattle in rhythm. Jesus pictures heaven itself being overjoyed over one lost sheep or coin found. Celebration testifies that grace is real, forgiveness final, and the future bright—even while wounds still heal.
James 1:22-27 Speaker: Natalie Worsfold The church scatters to be Christ’s ambassadors all week; the gathered church is the launch pad, not the landing strip. Paul sweeps every task - emails, nappies, spreadsheets - under the banner “whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus.” James warns that hearing without doing calcifies faith into self-deception. The Great Commission’s Greek literally reads “as you are going, make disciples,” insisting that mission is laced into the fabric of Monday-to-Saturday life.
Ephesians 4:11-16 Speaker: Chris hall Big Idea: Clergy and Church staff aim to be equippers, but the ministry belongs to the saints – us all! Church is better thought of as a jigsaw, whereby all the parts make up the whole. God gifts each individual with qualities to achieve their ultimate purposes in their local contexts.
Acts 2:42-47 Speaker: Natalie Worsfold Church isn’t an event we watch but a covenant family we belong to. Jesus had crowds that followed him throughout his ministry because they came to see what he could do; to some of them, he was a spectacle and remained so. But Jesus showed them the power of God in him, not to entertain but to save; to invite them into the family of God.
Romans 16 Speaker Asa Humphreys In these final verses of this great letter, Paul highlights a number of people for their jobs – Priscilla and Aquila (vs3), Mary (vs6), Urbanus (vs9), Timothy (vs21) and more. They are commended for working hard and doing so “for the Lord”. Not all these people worked in ministry – Erastus was the city’s director of public works. Paul himself was a tentmaker. God has created us to work (Genesis 2:15) and your job is part of God’s plan to redeem this world, in the power of Christ.
Acts 8:26-40 Speaker: Chris Hall The passage tells the story of Philip, a deacon and evangelist, encountering an Ethiopian eunuch and converting him to Christianity. How do we follow the Holy Spirit?
Romans 15:14-33 Speaker - Dan Bright Paul brings his letter to a close with a reminder of his own priestly calling (vs16), speaking of Christ and ministering in the power of Christ, through signs and wonders (vs19). As we pray, share the Gospel and seek the kingdom of God, we too are taking on priestly duties. Paul made sure that Christ was glorified through words (the Gospel – vs18), works (ministry to the poor – vs26-27) and wonders (signs of the kingdom – vs19). Do we live in this fullness of calling, empowered by the Spirit?
Romans 15:1-13 Speaker: George Eapen Jesus came to this world to bring hope. Paul includes the passages from Isaiah 11 to remind the church in Rome that our hope is in Christ. Through Jesus, we are able to endure (vs5), to be encouraged (vs5), to accept others (vs7), and to know joy and peace (vs13). Paul’s final prayer (vs 13) is for us to overflow with hope by the power of the Spirit, being a witness to the world of our hope in Christ.
Romans 14:1-23 Paul is writing to two groups of Christians – those who are more Jewish / conservative, and those who are more Gentile / liberal. These two groups are disagreeing on what to eat and it has caused a division in the church. Paul’s response is to hold fast to the most important elements of the faith – the Gospel and the Lordship of Christ (vs9). He encourages us to ‘disagree well’ on secondary issues, such as matters of diet. We are not to pass judgement on one another or to look down on others, but to love (vs15). How does this wisdom apply to other areas of dispute in our lives / the church?
Romans 13:8-14 Paul outlines, that the only debt we have (following on from vs 6-7) is to love your neighbour as yourself, and in doing so, he urges us to get ready for Christ’s return. As part of his instruction to ‘wake up’, we are to turn from darkness, sexual immorality, drunkenness and jealousy. Instead, we are to clothe ourselves with the Lord. In what ways do you need to wake up and get ready for Christ’s return? What will you do differently, starting today?