Central Baptist Church Sermon Recordings

The final message of this short series answering the question in 1 Corinthians 14:26 ‘What should be done then my friends?’ (regards speaking in tongues in public worship).

A challenge to pray bigger, bolder prayers. Rev Dr Nick Ashton before training as a Baptist Minister studied as a medical microbiologist at the University of Surrey, Guildford. In the mid 90s he started to work at Guildford Baptist Church and was part of the leadership of one of its church plants. During this time he began to explore his call to Baptist ministry. In 1997 he studied theology, church planting and evangelism at Spurgeon’s College, London, and part-way through the course became the student minister at Cove Baptist Church, Farnborough, Hampshire. After completing Spurgeon’s, he embarked on a Master of Theology degree, via London School of Theology, exploring issues of conversion in introductory faith courses, whilst continuing as the full-time minister at Cove. In September 2005 he moved to Melton Mowbray after accepting an invitation to be the minister there. In 2015, Nick completed, and was awarded, a Doctor of Philosophy degree, again via London School of Theology, exploring Baptist theology and ecclesiology in contemporary culture. He is passionate about the church rediscovering who it is and what it is for. After 13 years of ministry at Melton Mowbray, in September 2018, Nick joined the East Midland Baptist Association as a Regional Minister.

1 Corinthians 3:1-23, A Ministry of Gold

Genesis 28:10-22 & John 1:43-51

Do we see and experience God’s favour?

‘Don’t waste your time on getting angry at other people’s sin. Turn your eyes on Jesus.’

In the USA it is believed that around 20 million children come from fatherless families.[1] A headline in a South African newspaper read, ‘consumed by fatherlessness.’[2] It is believed that over 60% of South African children are fatherless![3] A UK newspaper reported that, ‘Britain is facing a “crisis of fatherlessness” in which almost half of all children born today will not be living with both parents by the time they are 15.’[4] Christian adoption charity, Home for Good, state that ‘every year 40,000 children and young people come into care in the UK’.[5] As a result of this fatherlessness several negative consequences have been highlighted through several different studies:[6] Poverty, substance abuse, decreased educational achievement, increased involvement in crime, sexual activity and teen pregnancy, decreased physical and emotional health, low self-esteem, a lack of ability to form happy long lasting relationships as adults, increased aggression, and more! So, it is important for us to think about two questions: As the Church, what do we have to say into this situation of fatherlessness?What hope do we have to offer our society, this world, as the people of God concerning fatherlessness? [1] http://fathers.com/wp39/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/fatherlessInfographic.pdf[2] https://www.thetrumpet.com/16988-south-africa-consumed-by-fatherlessness[3] https://www.thetrumpet.com/16988-south-africa-consumed-by-fatherlessness[4] https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/feb/12/fatherless-society-children-in-poverty-iain-duncan-smith--social-justice-thinktank[5] https://www.homeforgood.org.uk/[6] These consequences are taken from the previously referenced sources and http://fathers.com/statistics-and-research/the-consequences-of-fatherlessness/

Bruce and Louise Nadin joined us this morning as part of their sabbatical from ministry in South Africa.

We begin to explore our 4 key CBC values beginning with worship.

Palm Sunday 2019

The third part of our current series, Baptism: What’s the Point?

As part of our commitment to Christian discipleship (one of our four key values) we offer believers baptism to all those who have declared that they have turned to God and placed their trust in Jesus Christ with the intention of living as Christian disciples. Those being baptised are dipped or immersed (the meaning of the word baptism) in water in our baptistery pool. This is located under our stage and is opened up and filled with water on the day of baptism.We have two baptism services coming up in the life of the church at CBC in April and October 2019. In order to help us to understand more about why a person might receive believer’s baptism we will be exploring some of the key principles behind it over the next four weeks. These principles are helpful to us even if we have already been baptised since they are part of and inform our everyday Christian discipleship.

As part of our no compromise series, the springboard of which is Psalm 86:11, we looked at a particular example of sharing the gospel from Acts 4:1-22. The Church is in the early stages of development as the apostles have been called to be witnesses to the gospel of Christ. Today’s passage presents us with a particular method of sharing: public preaching. In response the Jewish religious leaders try to shut down the preaching of the gospel. Hoever, the one thing the apostles would not compromise on was sharing the gospel regardless of the consequences.

We continue to hear from our series ‘No Compromise’ as we look at how we might be a voice for the voiceless in matters of injustice. 'Although it may look different from person to person and church to church, cost comes with following Christ. Christianity and comfort do not go together if we live lives of no compromise. Lives that share the whole breadth of the gospel - salvation moving us into seeing others saved but also speaking out for justice for those who need it.'

Rev. Craig Sweeney-Essex continues our No Compromise series with the latest installment!

This week, Rev. Craig Sweeney-Essex brings us the next message in the No Compromise series.

During a shorter morning service due to a Church Members Meeting, Rev. Craig Sweeney-Essex brings us a prayerful reflection around Psalm 86.

After a break over the Christmas period, the Central Baptist Church podcast is back! This week, Rev. Craig Sweeney-Essex brings us an introduction to a new sermon series ‘Living with an Undivided Heart’. This promises to be a hard-hitting series, and will be brought to you over the next few weeks and months.

This week Rev. Craig Sweeney-Essex brings us the next instalment in ‘The Presence of God’ series.

This week, Rev. Craig Sweeney-Essex continues our mini series about Peace. This week we concentrate on how to have peace within the Church, encouraging discussion and accountability amongst members.

This week, Craig Sweeney-Essex begins a new mini series about obtaining greater peace with God. This poignantly begins on Armistice Day, as we commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One.

This week, Rev. Craig Sweeney-Essex brings us a message about the work that the Baptist Missionary Society is doing throughout the world, in particular the Diamond family who have since returned from India. The Diamond family are a family that we have been specifically supporting throughout their time with BMS and we pray for God’s blessing on them. Also discussed is a new vision for Central as we move forward, thinking about Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8. Where is our Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria? Craig unpacks this and much more!

This week, Rev. Craig Sweeney-Essex brings us the next instalment in our new mini series 'Becoming Holy'

The Bible verses from this weeks sermon are: John 17:6-21 & 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

This week, Craig Sweeney-Essex brings us Gods word from John, analysing how easy it is for us to deny the truth that Jesus brings us.

In this week's podcast, Rev. Craig Sweeney-Essex brings us a message from 1 Kings 18:16-39. Entitled 'Make a Choice', Craig examines whether it's now time to make a choice between those a relationship with Christ and those things that get in the way of that relationship.