Caversham Baptist Church Talks and Sermons
Graham leads an all age service through Isaiah 7, The Sign of Immanuel.
It was during a period of national instability and insecurity that God appeared to Isaiah. Isaiah saw the Lord, he acknowledged his need for cleansing and received it; he heard God's call, was ready to respond and went. Isaiah's assignment wasn't easy, but it was divine. God sends us into hard places, not to guarantee success, but to obey his voice.
Revd Steve Prince explores how we can identify and manage the noise (those things that rob and distract us from our peace) we seem to constantly face in our daily lives. Revd Steve explores the parallels he finds in professional football at Reading FC. The challenge we're left with is “How do you become still before God?”
God speaks with passion because he's loving. God speaks against hollow religion because he desires our hearts. God speaks a call to return, offering cleansing and restoration. God speaks a warning because he is merciful and just. What in particular is he speaking to you about and how will you respond?
After Jesus' resurrection, two of his disciples were walking along the road to Emmaus, sharing their grief of the loss of Jesus. Jesus came along-side and journeyed with them - but they did not recognise him. Revd Colin reminds us that even though the disciples failed to recognise Jesus, he was still there - with them, ministering to them, working for them. Jesus' presence and ministry was not dependent on the disciples seeing him, feeling him or knowing he was there.
Graham goes through Luke 23 v50-56 and 24 v1-12, showing the referrences and disbelief in the resurrection of Jesus.
Colin goes through Luke 18 v 31 - Luke 19 v1-10, showing how Jesus heals the physically and spiritually blind.
Revd Graham Coldman sets the context for the moving story of the prodigal son. Jesus introduces the story with two illustrations, the first about a lost sheep and then another about a lost coin. The prodigal son is really a story of two lost sons and is full of outrageous events. The big challenge for us is to consider where are we in that story and our relationship with the father. Father God never gives up on us, are we ready to be found?
What did Jesus intend to teach us when he spoke out the Lord's prayer? Did He intend to inform us or inspire us? It was to inspire us, to encourage us to be creative in our imaginations, to explore the richness of our relationship with our father in heaven. Let's use the Lord's Prayer, inspired and enriched with imagery, verse, poetry & song to draw close to our abba, our Father in heaven.
Revd Colin Baker unpacks the story of Noah and the flood and how this points to baptism. We are all encouraged to turn to Christ for forgiveness, cleansing and salvation - and to follow the example and command of Jesus to be baptised.
Revd Graham Coldman explores the events of Jesus invited to a meal by Simon the pharisee. Simon was a highly religious man and wanted to catch Jesus out. A sinful woman tuned up; unlike Simon she recognised Jesus who he was, she knew she needed forgiveness and restoration and worshipped him. We're left with a stark challenge – are we more like Simon, the one who is always right but misses the point or the woman who knew she needed forgiveness and restoration and received it?
Revd Keith Saynor explores Jesus' encounter with the Pharisees where they accused Jesus of acting unlawfully when carrying out good deeds on the Sabbath. Revd Keith summarises this situation as one where legalism collides with grace and challenges us to ask ourselves whether we have really learnt to love, whether we have received the blanket of God's love into our lives and learned to cast it onto others who we encounter.
Revd Colin Baker reminds us that the world is constantly changing and that we need to change with it. He challenges us to fast and to pray, to listen to the Lord's prompting and be prepared to step out in faith and do new things in new ways – new wine in new wine skins.
Revd Graham Coldman takes us through the extraordinary events of the paralysed man being lowered through a hole created in the roof of a house where Jesus was teaching in order to receive healing. We're challenged to consider what type of faith we have – the sort that drives us to action and results or is it passive, something we keep in a box? Jesus forgave the man's sins and healed him. We too need to receive God's forgiveness and enter into the fullness of life he offers.
Revd Graham Coldman discusses Luke's account of Jesus' teaching in the synagogue of his home town of Nazareth. Jesus challenges some of the traditional beliefs of the character of God. The listeners were initially amazed at what he said, his insight and knowledge of the scriptures. This soon turned to anger as he painted a different picture to the one they were familiar with, so much so that they wanted to kill him. But Jesus walked away unscathed, Jesus' mission concluded as planned.
Revd Colin Baker unpacks Luke's account of events following Passover, when rather than setting off for home with his parents, Jesus remained in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Colin challenges us to reflect on 3 priorities – our relationship with God, our relationship with authority figures in our lives, our desire to be right with God.
Geoff Wilson challenges our response to situations where we make plans and they don't work out the way we hoped. We can make our plans, but we have to trust God for our future. God will sometimes surprise us with what he has in store – a new and more exciting plan, a God adventure that causes us to grow and to prosper.
Revd Graham Coldman discusses the use of words. We communicate with friends and family more than usual during Advent, sharing news, greetings and offering words of encouragement. The apostle John describes Jesus as the Word who became flesh – the fullness of God being made manifest to all. We are challenged to listen for the Word of God spoken into our lives and to allow that to change us. To speak the Word of God into the lives of others and to Live out (express) the Word of God in our lives
Revd Graham Coldman introduces one of the key themes of advent – waiting. We approach advent with anticipation, expectation and hope. We are challenged to ask “what do I need to be a good waiter?” Revd Graham offers some suggestions but the real challenge is for each of us to reflect and explore through prayer.
Revd. Billy Fenning takes us through Ephesians 3 v 14-21, showing how we need to be deep in our relationship with God to reach great heights.
God reveals his character and the fullness of the covenant made with his people. Even in the times when God appears to be silent and therefore absent, we are called to remain in obedience to his laws, to live and serve as priests of a holy nation in obedience and trust in God. Then His presence, grace and mercy will fill every aspect of our lives. Jesus made a way for all of us to know the fullness of God in our lives, not something we can buy, but a free gift for all.
Revd Steve Prince unpacks Isaiah 61 1-7, we explore the character of father God and understand what God has done in our lives, establishing us as oaks of righteousness, reminding us of strength and endurance. We are called into the priesthood of believers, ministering to one another, encouraging and building each other up in the faith.
We explore the parallels between Passover and the plan of salvation – Passover reminds us how God recued his people from a dark and oppressive ruler. These events foreshadow the salvation that God has made available to all people. Passover provides God's people with a reminder of what God had done for them. Breaking bread together, offers an opportunity to reflect, remembering what God has done for us and what he can do for dark and needy world.
Revd. Julia Binney goes through Exodus 3, where God shows himself to Moses via the burning bush and explains who I AM.
Joseph was exiled to a foreign land where he demonstrated great wisdom and integrity in his dealings with pharaoh. Joseph was drawn into the culture of Egypt, becoming an Egyptian without compromising his relationship with God – even pharaoh recognised the spirit of God in him. Like Joseph, we must live authentic godly lives in whatever "land" God has placed us.
Richard explores the life of Joseph – how throughout his life he was wronged and treated badly by those who were closest to him. Joseph leaned to trust is God's promises and provision and God blessed him and made him successful in all he did. We see echoes of this in Jesus' life and death – the actions of those who wanted to kill him resulted in the salvation of the world.
Revd Graham Coldman explores the relationship between Esau and Jacob. Jacob used an elaborate deception to obtain his brother's birthright. This deception overshadowed Jacob's life for the next 20 years. Esau and Jacob were reconciled in an encounter with echoes from the parable of the prodigal son. Despite a life built on lies and deception, God's purpose was fulfilled trough Jacob. God has a plan for each one of us and can use us for His purposes irrespective of our past failing
Revd Steve Prince calls us to be real, authentic in our relationship with God and others. Life can be challenging with all sorts of struggles. Psalm 23 highlights 3 key themes: living in and being carriers of the presence of God, knowing His refreshing and restoration in the valleys and feasting on and sharing sustenance at the banquet of His table.
Revd. Keith Saynor takes us through Romans 15 v 22-24, explaining how we need to avoid disappointment taking over our lives and how our attitude should be to focus on God.
Revd Graham Coldman explores the deepening relationship between God and Abram. God had a purpose for Abram, he has a purpose for your life too!
In an impatient world we need to understand God's plan for our lives and His timing for its implementation. Richard reminds us to have an eternal perspective, to live holy and godly lives, to be found ready when we finally meet Him face to face.
Revd Graham Coldman explores Abram's developing faith and relationship with God. Events in Abram's life caused him to reflect and assess where God is in each situation. Abram's confidence and trust in God grew as he exercised his faith, stepping out to face the unknown.
In whatever situation we find ourselves, Revd Barry Kirk challenges us to exercise the faith we have, no matter how small, to give the situation to God - pray and act - and God will be pleased with us! He will answer our prayers in the way that He knows is best for us.
The apostle Paul uses the imagery of a roman soldier to describe the spiritual battle that Christians face and the provisions that God has made to ensure every Christian can stand firm and overcome. Revd Graham Coldman takes us step by step through the imagery, as both children and adults are encouraged to engage in an activity to make their own, fully equipped model soldier.
Revd Keith Jackson shares five gifts from God - things that cannot be bought or earned.
Revd. Barry Kirk explains that each person is given something to do that shows who God is. We're challenged to explore our gifting and purpose and to put those gifts into practice so that the whole body (the church) works as God intends.
Revd Graham Coldman challenges us to ensure that all of our relationships are rooted in and characterised by reverence for Christ - reflecting care, compassion and love.
Rob explores 7 themes from Jesus' teaching on prayer - the passage we often call The Lord's Prayer. These themes provide us with a pattern or model for our personal and collective prayer.
Revd Graham Coldman discusses Paul's challenge to us all, to intentionally live the new life that we have in Christ - to "put off" the old life and "put on" the new. The imagery used by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians is that of changing clothes, it's an intentional action on our part. In a politically charged week, with a general election in the UK, we're reminded of the power of words, both constructive and destructive. God wants us to use words positively, to encourage and strengthen others.
Revd Billy Fenning discusses the Christian pilgrimage, the lifelong journey from coming to faith to arriving in glory. We will encounter challenges along the way, "valleys" times or seasons where life is difficult, maybe illness, maybe other trauma. We are called to show tenacity, to endure. Our hope is in God, in Him we live and move and have our being.
Richard uses Ephesians 4:1-16 to explore the exhortation from the apostle Paul, to seek unity, diversity and maturity. We are encouraged to seek common ground in our relationships, to seek and acknowledge our God given gifts and to use them for strengthening and growing His kingdom; to celebrate our diversity and encourage one another to maturity.
Revd Jonathan Edwards challenges us to express God's Love to others. We do this by deepening our love for God (abiding in Him) deepening our understanding of one another and deepening our desire to act - love in action.
Graham Coldman takes us through Ephesians 3 v 1-21, showing us the mystery of Christ and how we should have pride and passion to serve.
Geoff Wilson shares from Hebrews 11:1-16 & 12:1-3, encouraging us to keep following the Lord and not lose heart. He presents four challenges from Hebrews 12:1-3 - to Throw off everything that hinders..., to Run with perseverance the race marked out for us..., to Fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith... to Consider him who endured such opposition...
Revd Graham Coldman invites us to consider four grace related themes - the Cost of grace paid by Jesus, the Works of God's grace in our lives, the Community of grace and the Temple of grace (the church).
Revd Graham Coldman takes 5 key words - sound, sight, sent, scripture and together - all found in the account of the events of the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-21. Which of these words is God speaking into your life?
Revd. Steve Prince discusses how God takes ordinary people who are prepared to be moulded and shaped by Him to become effective influencers for His kingdom. Give thanks for people who have had a positive influence on your life - become an influencer and do great things for Him.
Richard runs through 2 Corinthians 8 v 1-8 and 2 Corinthians 9 v 6-15, asking what does it mean to be generous and do we really see things as gifts from God?
Rob Sproule goes through 2 Samuel 9 v 1-13, showing kindness as a Christ like characteristic and asks the question of how do we imbue kindness to others.
Graham Coldman touches on Ephesians 1 v 15-23, going through the origins of the Baptist movement and what it means to be a Baptist.
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