St Helen's Sunday talks podcast

Tim Sheppard - Why is it so hard to find forgiveness in a world that claims to prize it? In Luke 6, Jesus makes a bold call to radical generosity—and also shows that only those with a gospel root can hope to bear such fruit.

Nick Heeley - As Jesus continues his sermon on the plain, he turns to address the issue of who we listen to. Are those we listen to helping us grow into his likeness, bearing good fruit, or causing us to bear judgemental, hypocritical fruit, like the religious leaders of his day, whose hearts were not transformed by God's mercy. Take care Jesus says that we don't follow blind guides.

William Taylor - A proper understanding of Jesus’ death and resurrection radically challenges our understanding of worship. The way we think about worship will show whether we genuinely grasp who Jesus is and what Jesus has done or whether, like the woman at the well, we still have pre-Christian concepts of worship.

William Taylor - A proper understanding of Jesus’ death and resurrection radically challenges our understanding of worship. The way we think about worship will show whether we genuinely grasp who Jesus is and what Jesus has done or whether, like the woman at the well, we still have pre-Christian concepts of worship.

George Diwakar - Jesus calls his disciples to radical love — a love that reaches even our enemies. Pointing to the self-giving mercy of God, shown supremely on the cross, he challenges us to reflect his compassion, responding to hostility not with retaliation but with the grace we ourselves have received.

Nick Heeley - In Luke 6:27–36, Jesus calls his followers to love their enemies, those opposing Jesus's disciples. Disciples are to giving without expecting anything in return, in contrast to the selfish love of the world. Jesus gives three motivations to do this, the heavenly reward, being children of our heavenly Father, and having received his mercy.

William Taylor - Great sportsmen and women speak of the cliff edge moment which comes when, having triumphed, they are left asking ‘what’s next’? The cliff edge moment comes to us all. Jesus offers life from God that never leaves a person lacking fulfilment or satisfaction. The shock comes in realising that Jesus offers this life to anyone, for free, no matter what their background or previous performance.

William Taylor - Great sportsmen and women speak of the cliff edge moment which comes when, having triumphed, they are left asking ‘what’s next’? The cliff edge moment comes to us all. Jesus offers life from God that never leaves a person lacking fulfilment or satisfaction. The shock comes in realising that Jesus offers this life to anyone, for free, no matter what their background or previous performance.

George Diwakar - True happiness isn’t found in wealth, success, or popularity but in following Jesus with humble faith. In Luke 6:17–26, the Saviour turns the world’s values upside down, showing that those who are poor, hungry, and hated for his sake are truly blessed, for the kingdom of God belongs to them.

Nick Heeley - At the beginning of the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus assures the needy, opposed disciples that they are blessed and can rejoice now in the face of opposition as they have a secure heavenly reward. Jesus as the Son of Man has authority to bless, and he will also judge those who oppose his people. To the many in the crowd who heard Jesus, this begins Jesus' challenge to them throughout the Sermon on the Plain - 'Will you follow me by building your life on what I say and be blessed?'

William Taylor - John chapter 3 overflows with the love of God. This makes the concluding statement that God’s wrath remains on those who reject Jesus a jarring conclusion. Why would the wrath of God be an appropriate response to those who will not obey the Christ?

William Taylor - John chapter 3 overflows with the love of God. This makes the concluding statement that God’s wrath remains on those who reject Jesus a jarring conclusion. Why would the wrath of God be an appropriate response to those who will not obey the Christ?

George Diwakar - In a world of fake news and doubt, Jesus appoints twelve real men as the foundation of his true family. This sermon shows how their eyewitness testimony gives us certainty about Christ and confidence in the gospel—God’s revolutionary plan to build a new people on a trustworthy foundation.

Aneirin Glyn - Jesus the king was a man of persistent prayer, who appointed twelve to be his apostles. What does this show us about Jesus and his kingdom? What are the implications for us today as members of Jesus’ kingdom?

William Taylor - By recording Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, John the Apostle enables us to make sense both of our own and of other people’s response to Jesus. We are shown both why we need to believe in him – and why we don’t.

William Taylor - By recording Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, John the Apostle enables us to make sense both of our own and of other people’s response to Jesus. We are shown both why we need to believe in him – and why we don’t.

Luke Cornelius - The Pharisees want to catch Jesus out with Sabbath rules, when he is bringing true Sabbath rest! He comes to restore his kingdom of rest.

Aneirin Glyn - Is Jesus Christ a force for good in the world, or a harmful threat to be rejected? In these verses, Jesus makes plain his identity, and the wonder of the life he has come to bring.

Gwilym Davies - Shouldn't love simply embrace people where they are? Isn’t it unloving to confront? In John 3:16, we see that God's love for the world is so much better than mere affirmation. The measure of God’s love is what he was willing to give: and he gave his only Son. And the effect of God’s love is that we might live. And for seekers like Nicodemus, this is really good news.

Tim Sheppard - John 3:16 is probably the most famous verse in the Bible, but it's easy to miss the weight of this 'gospel in miniature'. Tracing through seven surprises in this verse, we're shown how wonderfully God has demonstrated his love for us, and all that he has given to us in Jesus.