A small matter and a heart matter (Romans 2:14-21)

It has been a contentious week when it comes to identity and status.  Did you pick up in the Meghan and Harry interview that so much of the fall out between the Sussexes and the Royal Family (not forgetting the media and the UK in general) was to do with the status of their son… Continue reading A small matter and a heart matter (Romans 2:14-21)

No place for excuses or hypocrisy (Romans 2:1-11)

If COVID-19 has highlighted one thing, it is our ability to spot the wrong in others.  We read a newspaper report about crowds on a beach and we notice with disgust that someone has gone to that beach, expecting that they would get to be there and enjoy it for themselves, missing the irony that… Continue reading No place for excuses or hypocrisy (Romans 2:1-11)

Revealed … suppressed (Romans 1:16-32)

What is the mission of the local church in the city?  A lot of churches if asked that question will talk about sharing the love of Jesus, being salt and light, showing compassion etc. But what dies it mean to be salt and light, what does it mean to show the love of Jesus? Those… Continue reading Revealed … suppressed (Romans 1:16-32)

Join us for Faithroots Live on Wednesday

Once again you are invited to our Faithroots Live day. The aim is to provide some more in depth teaching and training for those who would appreciate it but for various reasons might not be able to access traditional theological education. All are welcome and it’s free of charge. Join us at 9am for devotions.… Continue reading Join us for Faithroots Live on Wednesday

Irrevocable gifts and calling – the danger of out of context Bible verses

One of the biggest dangers to healthy life is our ability to rip Bible verses out of context and misapply them. One such example is this verse: 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable[1] I’ve heard this verse used by people to justify continued support for people who seemingly had a gifting or… Continue reading Irrevocable gifts and calling – the danger of out of context Bible verses

Served by the Gospel… Serving the Gospel Romans 1:8-15

We started Romans by asking “What is it that believers seeking to serve God in our cities need” and I suggested that we would find the answer in this letter, specifically the need for Grace and Peace. This is now reinforced by the next part of the letter.   A letter from Paul often seems… Continue reading Served by the Gospel… Serving the Gospel Romans 1:8-15

Grace and Peace (Romans 1: 1-7)

I have spent the bulk of my life living in three of the UK’s biggest conurbations.  I grew up in West Yorkshire, spent 4 years in London and then we moved to the West Midlands. This has given me a huge concern for the city. I am keen to see churches rooted and established on… Continue reading Grace and Peace (Romans 1: 1-7)

A suppressed virus will always return

It’s not just Britain then -and it probably isn’t just about a new mutation. Around the world, coun tries are bracing themselves for a third wave of Coronavirus.  Today, the news attention has shifted focused form the South East of England to South Korea which is experiencing its own third wave of the virus. In… Continue reading A suppressed virus will always return

The Curse

Covenant History blessed in God’s presence, cursed by exile from it To understand the Covenant ceremony, we need to go back to Genesis  1-3.  God creates a good world and also plants a beautiful and secure garden for the first humans, Adam and Eve, to live in.  Adam is commissioned to tend to the garden… Continue reading The Curse