LIGHTChurch Podcasts

In week five of our "Honest to God" series, our good friend Stephen Baines reflects on Psalm 1, exploring the contrast between just surviving and really thriving. Challenging us to delight in God's Word and live intentionally, Stephen unpacks how true wisdom roots us in spiritual strength, leading not just to survival - but to thriving in every stage and season of life. If you're hungry for true wisdom and growth, this message is for you.

In week four of our Honest to God series, Lyndsey Holmes unpacks Psalm 51:1-10 - a powerful prayer of repentance from King David. In this message Lyndsey explores the depth of God's mercy, the reality of our brokenness, and the hope of transformation through a clean heart and renewed spirit. This message beautifully reminds us that no one is beyond God's grace, and through Jesus, we can come with honesty and receive restoration, healing and salvation.

In the third week of our series Honest To God, Rachel Calland brings the powerful truth of Psalm 23:1-4 right to the heart of our everyday lives. She challenges us to find true rest - not in distractions and escapism, but in trusting the Shepherd who leads, restores, and protects us. Whether you're facing times of uncertainty, weariness, or deep struggle, this message offers bold hope: God's presence is constant, His guidance is sure, and His comfort unending. It's a reminder that no matter what valley you walk through, God is with you!

In the third week of our series Honest To God, Hols dives into Psalm 42 with a powerful reminder: real strength begins with real honesty. Hols challenges us with the fact that it's probably time to drop the “I'm fine” mask and get honest with God - pain, questions, and all. This message gives us permission to feel, to pause, and to hope again. Whether we're soaring or struggling, we're invited to meet God in the middle of it and praise before the breakthrough.

Paul Holmes opens up our new series Honest to God , where we journey through Psalm 103, reflecting on our tendency to forget God's goodness in the busyness of life. In this message Paul shares personal stories and biblical truths that remind us of God's forgiveness, healing, redemption, and sustaining love. It's an invitation to pause, remember, and respond with gratitude.

This week, our good friend Dan Cronin shared from Joshua 1:1-9, encouraging us to keep stepping forward in faith. We're not called to stay still - we're invited into a journey with God, who promises His presence wherever we go. Dan reminded us that strength and courage aren't about having it all together, but about trusting the One who never leaves us. He challenged us to build our lives on God's Word - not just hearing it, but letting it shape us from the inside out.

Dan Belshaw preached an Easter Sunday message to close out our Lenten series. It was a message all about trades - is Christianity a 'bad trade'? Or is there something to gain that is beyond what we thought? Check out this message to see! Happy Easter.

Speaking on the final Sunday of Lent, Pastor Dan Belshaw brought a Palm Sunday message from Matthew 21 where Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a humble donkey. Framing it around the idea of our expectations, Dan looked at four parts of this passage and how it confront our often self-centred expectations God. Sometimes we can be so wrapped up in our expectations that we actually miss what God is doing right in front of us. Are you in your own way?

Joining us from North Church in Leeds, Abs Niblock brought us into week five of our series 'FROM___TO'. Speaking from Mark 10, Abs looked at the story of blind Bartimaeus and how he called out for Jesus, Jesus heard him, stopped and healed him. Abs challenged us on how often, just like the crowd did to Bartimaeus, we 'shush' ourselves and stop ourselves from calling out to God. How desperate are we for God to actually show up in our situations and lives? God hears and answers when we call to Him.

Hols Belshaw took us into week 4 of 'FROM__TO', speaking from Mark 8, where Jesus calls His disciples to “carry their cross.” Her message, titled “From Self to Surrender,” explored Jesus' words: “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me.” Hols talked about how we live in a world that constantly focuses on the self, whereas Jesus teaches that true life is only found in surrendering to Him.Hols reminded us that this isn't a one-time decision but a daily choice. True freedom comes in letting go. So, what do you need to surrender to God today?

Dan Belshaw took us into week 3 of 'FROM__ TO__' by looking at why humanity is so susceptible to fear and how we can live a life truly free from fear. Are you sick of being fearful? There is a way to be free - God can take us from fear, to peace.

Dan Belshaw brought the second part of our Lent series 'FROM__ TO__', looking at Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Dan highlighted that true freedom is not found in running from God but in returning to Him. He explained how the younger son sought independence but ended up broken, realising that sin promises freedom yet leads to emptiness. His turning point wasn't just conviction nor just action, but it was the embrace of the Father who welcomed the undeserving Son back into the family. The older son's resentment reflected the Pharisees' self-righteousness, missing the joy of God's redemptive mission. Dan emphasised that Jesus didn't come for mere moral reform but to bring dead souls to life, calling all to move from lost to found.

Kicking off our brand-new series, FROM__, TO__., Dan Belshaw began with Jesus' time of testing in the wilderness, found in Matthew 4:1-11. Examining the three temptations of Christ, Dan highlighted how we often face temptation in much the same way - especially when we're tired and alone. He also tackled the fear many of us have in admitting our struggles, reminding us that within every temptation lies a choice: to choose wisely or unwisely. Temptation isn't a matter of if, but when it strikes- and it can, and must, be resisted.

Dan concluded this mini-series on Generosity by exploring Mark 12, where Jesus contrasts the giving of a destitute widow and the rich in the temple. He highlighted how God's Kingdom operates on different metrics than the world's - true generosity is measured not by the amount we give but by the cost to us. More than money, generosity is about surrendering our hearts to God. If it were just about the amount, the widow's gift would have been insufficient. But God has always been after our hearts.

Kicking off a two week mini-series all about generosity, Dan Belshaw walked through 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 where the Apostle Paul lays out the groundwork for a full and generous life. As humans we are prone to running through life like a 'rat race', lusting after money, sex or power - but the Kingdom of God offers a counterculture to the way of greed - Generosity.

Yesterday we were joined by our friend Pete Gardner from York Church, who brought a thought provoking and challenging message all about loving God. Deep diving into Matthew 22, Pete looked at two words spoken by Jesus and how they reframe our whole view of loving God. Ever felt like you just can't 'do enough' to love God? Don't know where to start? This message helps to reground our understanding of where our love for God comes from.

Closing out our series, The Better Way, Dan Belshaw examined the foundation of our lives and questioned whether we were building on something secure or on something bound to crumble. Drawing on Jesus' final metaphor about discipleship in Matthew 7:24-27, he reminded us that true faith was established not only by hearing God's word but also by putting it into practice. What is your life built upon?

In week 3 of our series, The Better Way, Dan Belshaw unpacked our penultimate passage in Matthew 7, where Jesus spoke with striking clarity. Was it those who merely professed their faith? those who did 'Christian things'? or those who did the will of God who truly belonged to Him? In what seemed like a challenging passage, Dan broke it down, revealing the assurance we can have in our salvation through faith in Jesus.

Friend of Light Church, Rich Martin, joined us from York Church and unpacked Philippians 1:27. He challenged us to live in a way that is worthy of the gospel. Using the framework of Head, Heart, and Hands, he explores how our knowledge of Jesus (Head) must move to deep conviction (Heart) and ultimately be lived out in action (Hands). Through the example of Zacchaeus, Rich encourages us to let the gospel transform every part of our lives, responding to the Holy Spirit with faith and obedience. Such an important and down to earth message.

Walking into the second week of our new series, The Better Way, where we're exploring Jesus' teaching on true discipleship. Have you ever felt stuck, trying your best to grow but never truly changing? Dan unpacked Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7 on how real transformation isn't about doing all the right things on the outside, but about being truly aligned and surrounded to Jesus and letting Him change you from inside out. Looking at the contrast between healthy and diseased trees, Dan explored what it means to bear good fruit and how we can actually go about growing. Whether you're a Christian struggling to grow or someone searching for answers, this message invites you to let God shape your life from the inside out.

Welcome to the launch of our new series, The Better Way. In this series, we explore the final section of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus contrasts genuine discipleship with hollow discipleship. In this first episode, Dan Belshaw dives into Matthew 7:13-14, unpacking the contrast between the 'narrow' and 'wide' roads. It's a thought-provoking message to help us reflect on our hearts as we step into a new year.

This week, Dan Belshaw kicked off the year with a powerful challenge and encouragement. Drawing from Isaiah 40, he reminded us how easily we rely on our own limited strength, forgetting the eternal, infinite source available to us. God's power is like a fresh set of clothes, ready to replace the worn and weary ones we cling to. Do you know where to find the energy to go again this year?

Stepping into the penultimate week of our series, BEHOLDING, Dan Belshaw looked at the narrative of The Magi from Matthew 2:1-12. Dan contrasted the response of Herod/Jerusalem (those who should've been most joyful at the coming Messiah) with the Magi (those who didn't even fully understand the significance, yet fell down and worshiped Jesus). What is your response this Christmas time?... The choice is yours!

Kicking off our new series, BEHOLDING, Dan Belshaw explored our expectations of Jesus this Christmas. He focused on the story of Nathaniel, whose preconceived ideas about the Messiah were challenged by the reality of Jesus. A thought-provoking message to help shape our perspective this Advent season.

In this one-week "add-on" to the series The Higher Road, Dan Belshaw addressed the feeling of being overwhelmed when it comes to implementing change, facing challenges, or responding to conviction in our lives. Often, we can feel trapped in a cycle of disappointment with God, believing we can never fully please Him. Yet, Jesus offers us a simple remedy: "Come to me."

Concluding our series 'The Higher Road', Dan closed out on what it means to have courage. Following closely the transformation of Peter from denying Jesus to hiding behind a locked door out of fear, to suddenly boldly proclaiming the gospel and defying the very men he once feared - what happened!? Check out this message to find out!

Speaking on our next uncommon virtue, Dan Belshaw looked at 'spiritual vision'. Looking at Paul's letters to the Ephesians and the Romans, we walked through how a spiritual vision for our lives begins with a revelation of Jesus. To gain a spiritual vision, we need to see with different eyes and a new mind. The Higher Road has been a great series so far, which has been most impactful for you?

In a continuation of our series 'The Higher Road', Dan Belshaw talked about a fear of decision making and then walked us through three ways to think about decisions. If we want to be a people who walk the higher road, who demonstrate the beauty of God's created order here on earth - we have to make better decisions. Make sure to listen right through, Dan outlines a helpful 6-step process towards making good decisons.

Kicking off our second week of THE HIGHER ROAD, Dan Belshaw brought a challenging message on the subject of humility and its profound impact in our lives. It may be a paradox, but in the kingdom of God, the way up is down.

This Sunday was week one in our new series 'the higher road'. Paul Holmes opened up the series talking to us about integrity and how important it is for us to be people who are the same no matter the environment or the situation we find ourselves in. We're called to a higher road.

In the final weekend of our values series, Lyndsey took us through our seventh value 'we will be a church that builds a genuine family'. Lyndsey challenged us to push past convenient relationships & consumer culture and actually become a community of people who are truly bound by love.

Dan Belshaw takes us into the penultimate weekend of our values series, looking at 'we will be a church that expresses its essential creativity'. Dan challenged us to not neglect the creative capacity that God has gifted to every human being. But what do eagles have to do with this!?

It was week five of our series 'VALUES' and we were looking at 'we will be a church that makes Kings & Queens'. Rooted in 1 Timothy 4:12-16, Dan looked at how Paul encouraged and challenged Timothy in his ministry and life and how he ultimately made a king out of Timothy. A challenge to live an intentional life of excellence.

Taking us into week 4 of our series on our values, Dan Belshaw looked at our fourth value: 'we will be a church that has a voice of influence'. Looking at three key reasons why we should be intentional about the influence we have and some practical steps to better manage this in our lives, this message is a challenge to live authentically and be the real deal.

We're in week three of our VALUES series and we looked at our third value: we will be a church that 'Talks with its hands'. Touching on Jesus' interaction with the fig tree in Matthew 21, Dan looked at the feeling of disappointment when something 'says' one thing and turns out to be another. This value is a challenge to align our beliefs and our behaviour - because everything is a message.

Taking us into our second week of VALUES, Dan looked at our second value; "We will be a church that MULTIPLIES AND GROWS". Based in Hebrews ch5-6 Dan walked us through the 'why', 'How' and 'What' of this biblical value. A challenge for anyone who feels like their faith has stopped growing.

Kicking off a brand new series called "VALUES" looking at the seven values of Light Church. Starting with our most important value - "We will be a church that pursues the heart of God" - Dan brought a challenge for what this looks like in the lives of us as individuals and the life of us as a church.

Dan Belshaw concludes this four part series titled 'MAKE ROOM' with a message all about the familiar. Based in Acts 3:1-10, Dan observed how the disciples made room for God to move through their familiar journey and how we can do the same. Looking for God in the familiar? Invite Him in and watch what happens.

Ever felt like you can't find God in the everyday or the ordinary? Like you can only seem to find Him in the good times or the bad, but not in the in-between? Dan Belshaw took us into week 3 of 'MAKE ROOM' looking at Luke 9:28-37 where the disciples wanted to stay on a mountaintop. A challenge to make room for God in the everyday.

Dan Belshaw took us into week two of our series MAKE ROOM, looking at Jesus' response to the man who had everything - the rich young ruler. Rooted in Luke 18:18-30, Dan looked at how Jesus addressed both the ruler and the crowd, drawing principles for how we can make room in our noisy lives for God to move.

Dan Belshaw kicked off our summer series, MAKE ROOM, with a message all about how we can (and need to) make room for Jesus in our messy lives. We also made a special announcement about our new gathering times kicking off in September.

Joining us all the way from Greenville Illinois, Pastor Steve Pichaske brought a timely encouragement about walking in step with the Spirit. Centred around the idea of a "ping" (a heavenly signal that requires an earthly response) Steve looked at four aspects of these moments and our need to respond to them.

On our annual 'Giving Fund Sunday', a day where Light Church gives 10% of its annual income away to other churches, plants, ministries and charities. Dan Belshaw framed our giving with a message all around the movements of the kingdom of God vs the movements of the world. A helpful framework to view finance and giving.

This week we were joined by Pastor Johnny Leech from Light + Life Thornton. Speaking around the question "Are You Ready?", Johnny looked at the fact that there are struggles, beauty and future glory is coming - but are you ready? An encouraging message to stir and inspire your faith.

Dan Belshaw looked at Ephesians 6 where Paul outlines the armour of God. Looking specifically at the 'belt of truth' - Dan explored truth from a biblical perspective and how our culture has unpicked it. A challenging and encouraging message.

Dan Belshaw closed off our 9 week series 'Welcome to The Hard Times' looking at how we begin to move forward after a hard time. Dan talked about several unhelpful ways that people tend to deal with processing a difficult season: we either live in the pain and never move on (open wound) or we bury it and rush on (suppressed/unprocessed). A great way to finish the series!

Running into week 8 of 'Welcome to The Hard Times', we were joined by our great friend Pete Gardner of Table & Temple, York. Pete brought a powerful and vulnerable message, drawing on some experiences of pain & grief from his own life and teaching through some of the principles that he has seen in scripture. This message is a must listen for anyone going through a hard time!

Looking at the area of disappointment, Dan walked through a few big questions that we tend to ask ourselves during the hard times eg. Did God not answer me because I lacked faith? How do I actually pray for someone? What is God's will? and several more. A thought provoking message that aims to show you just how close God is to you during the difficulties of life.

Pastor Dan Cronin from Heart Church Morecambe joined us for week 6 of 'Welcome to The Hard Times' sharing some lessons that God has taught him through some of the difficulties of life. Dan has an amazing story and it was such an encouraging and hope-filled message - don't give up, God want to do more through you!

Week 5 of 'Welcome to The Hard Times' and we looked at Lament - what is it? Is it a lack of faith? Is is not just complaining? If we want to have a faith in Jesus that thrives no matter the circumstance, 'lament' is a critical tool that we need to learn how to use. A challenging and encouraging message for those going through something difficult.

Addressing the age old tension of 'how can God be 'good' and allow pain and suffering'?. This was the fourth week of 'WELCOME TO THE HARD TIMES' and Dan walked through how the bible has everything we need in order to address the tension that we sometimes hold regarding pain and suffering. An encouraging message fro those journeying disappointment!