Perhaps one of the most moving accounts in the Gospels is the story of the woman who had suffered for many years with an illness that caused frequent discharge of blood. It’s wrapped around by the healing of Jairus’ daughter. This helps us to see a few things. First, we see Jesus’ willingness to be… Continue reading If I can just get close enough (Mark 5:21-43)
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Hello Great Barr
Last week, we said goodbye to Bearwood and Smethwick and moved a short distance to the north of Birmingham. Today, I thought I’d share some photos from our new area. I’ve three reasons for this. I’d love to encourage you to pray for us as we seek to encourage and enable church planting into the… Continue reading Hello Great Barr
Peace in the storm (Mark 4:35-41)
There’s a great storm raging, the waves are battering against the boat and it is being tossed about like a toy by the wind. The sailors are struggling against the storm. Several of them are seasoned sailors who know these waters well but there’s something different about this storm that fills them with dread. Meanwhile… Continue reading Peace in the storm (Mark 4:35-41)
A Christian country and a covenant with God?
I wanted to pick up on a comment made on Twitter by Matthew Mason who is a tutor in Christian ethics at London Seminary and honorary “Theologian at Large” for Evangelicals Now. Matthew wrote, reflecting on the Queen’s Jubilee weekend: This provoked some sharp responses including: And Now, I’m not convinced that it is fair… Continue reading A Christian country and a covenant with God?
The Cost of Living Crisis – what should the church be doing?
I started writing this little series about the Cost-of-Living Crisis back in February and I began by observing that this is something that will affect the church so it isn’t something we can just ignore. Since then, we’ve talked about the political and economic challenges of responding to the crisis. We’ve also seen what the… Continue reading The Cost of Living Crisis – what should the church be doing?
What is the Biblical basis for financially supporting pastors?
Having spent ten years as a paid pastor in a church, I’ve spent the past year and a bit in a slightly different position. I’m currently self-supported which means I’m responsible for raising my own support. There are a lot of positives and benefits to this. One reason I was keen to spend some time… Continue reading What is the Biblical basis for financially supporting pastors?
We are family (Mark 3:31-35)
In Mark 3:20, Jesus’ mother and brothers have come looking for him. They are convinced he has gone mad. The scene fits into a theme running through the chapter which asks the question “Are you able to truly see who Jesus is? His glory and power, his goodness and love?” Or do you end up… Continue reading We are family (Mark 3:31-35)
Beyond Repair? (Mark 3)
Here’s my sermon outline from today. Introduction We loved our little Citroen C3. It took us everywhere and we spent thousands of pounds on annual repairs. Until one day, on a journey to Bradford after a decade and 100k miles, it decided to die. We crawled up the M6 and M62 at a dangerous snail’s… Continue reading Beyond Repair? (Mark 3)
The Lord of Space and Time (Mark 2:18-35)
I’ve always enjoyed Doctor Who, but there was a moment when David Tenant’s character wanted me to shout “No” at the screen and that’s the moment when he declares himself lord of Space and time. There is only one person who owns that title, The Doctor is just an ordinary alien. Here we see the… Continue reading The Lord of Space and Time (Mark 2:18-35)
Who needs a doctor? (Mark 2:13-17)
We now begin to see why sharp divisions were growing between Jesus and the Pharisees. There was a clear line drawn between “us and them”. That line was between those who were considered to be faithful or at least trying to be faithful to YHWH by keeping Torah, by seeking to be pure, clean, hol… Continue reading Who needs a doctor? (Mark 2:13-17)
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