Oasis Church Birmingham: Talks

'Rebuilders' delves into the journey of an Old Testament figure whose heart for prayer, service, compassion and the presence of God brought transformation to his community, city and nation. It's an ancient story that speaks powerfully into this modern moment and into each of our stories today! This week, Rich looks at how to deal with opposition, challenges and interruptions - and how we are invited to see them as moments to encounter God's presence with us as we respond in prayer, truth and unity.

This week, Oasis welcomed Jonathan Bell from Churchcentral Birmingham as a Guest Speaker for the morning. Jonathan and Helen moved to Birmingham in 1996, just a couple of years before Oasis began, and together they have become great friends of Oasis over the past quarter-century. Jonathan has an incredible gift for unpacking the Bible in a way that is both profound and accessible, and his talk explores how the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.

This summer, we are releasing Adrian Hurst, who leads the Oasis Team, for a three month sabbatical from the beginning of June until the end of August. This is a fantastic opportunity for him to recharge after helping to lead the community through a period of significant transition over the past few years — including the move to South Street, it's renovation, restoration and purchase, and the COVID pandemic. This week, Mike takes some time to unpack the Biblical basis for sabbatical, as well as honouring Adrian, Lucy and the Hurst Family for the significant role they play in the life of Oasis.

'Rebuilders' delves into the journey of an Old Testament figure whose heart for prayer, service, compassion and the presence of God brought transformation to his community, city and nation. It's an ancient story that speaks powerfully into this modern moment and into each of our stories today! This week, Alice (plus a few friends!) explores how each of us are called to help build out part of the wall - recognising that no individual can do it all themselves, but that we all have a unique role to play in building today for the kingdom that will endure.

'Rebuilders' delves into the journey of an Old Testament figure whose heart for prayer, service, compassion and the presence of God brought transformation to his community, city and nation. It's an ancient story that speaks powerfully into this modern moment and into each of our stories today! This week, Adrian looks at the story of Nehemiah inspecting the walls of Jerusalem, and the invitation within it to live understanding the reality of the world around us.

'Rebuilders' delves into the journey of an Old Testament figure whose heart for prayer, service, compassion and the presence of God brought transformation to his community, city and nation. It's an ancient story that speaks powerfully into this modern moment and into each of our stories today! This week, Rich explores Nehemiah's encounter with the King of Persia - looking at how his perspective shapes his response in a moment of opportunity.

'Rebuilders' delves into the journey of an Old Testament figure whose heart for prayer, service, compassion and the presence of God brought transformation to his community, city and nation. It's an ancient story that speaks powerfully into this modern moment and into each of our stories today! In this first week, Adrian introduces the series and explores Chapter One - Nehemiah discovers the extent of Jerusalem's ruin, and cries out to God for renewal.

Easter is a season that reminds each of us that God is a LIVING God - someone we are invited to encounter every day in His power, His kindness, His wisdom and His grace. What Jesus does by coming as a human, living, dying, and rising again, changes everything because it means that the presence of God isn't for a select few. He is for everyone! In the final week of the series, Alice explores Jesus' encounter with his disciples in the upper room - particularly, the way that he meets Thomas and brings peace.

Easter is a season that reminds each of us that God is a LIVING God - someone we are invited to encounter every day in His power, His kindness, His wisdom and His grace. What Jesus does by coming as a human, living, dying, and rising again, changes everything because it means that the presence of God isn't for a select few. He is for everyone! On Resurrection Sunday, Rich explores Jesus's encounter with Mary at the tomb, connecting her experience with that of those being baptised during the service.

Easter is a season that reminds each of us that God is a LIVING God - someone we are invited to encounter every day in His power, His kindness, His wisdom and His grace. What Jesus does by coming as a human, living, dying, and rising again, changes everything because it means that the presence of God isn't for a select few. He is for everyone! This week, Adrian explores the Palm Sunday celebrations - Jesus coming to Jerusalem as King...but a very different kind of King from the one who had been expected!

Easter is a season that reminds each of us that God is a LIVING God - someone we are invited to encounter every day in His power, His kindness, His wisdom and His grace. What Jesus does by coming as a human, living, dying, and rising again, changes everything because it means that the presence of God isn't for a select few. He is for everyone! This week, Adrian continues the series by exploring the story of Mary annointing Jesus with perfume.

Easter is a season that reminds each of us that God is a LIVING God - someone we are invited to encounter every day in His power, His kindness, His wisdom and His grace. What Jesus does by coming as a human, living, dying, and rising again, changes everything because it means that the presence of God isn't for a select few. He is for everyone! This week, Mike begins the series by exploring the story of Jesus raising Lazarus to life.

In a world which seems to be becoming increasingly polarised, fractious and bitter - when life feels like a battle - how are those who have centred their lives on Jesus to live? Paul's encouragement to the church in Ephesus is to shift their perspective; remembering that people are not the enemy, but that there is a spiritual battle going on which can be easily missed. In light of that reality, what's needed is supernatural support, and that's what God gives to His people in the form of a spiritual armour which gives the strength to stand. This week, Sarah concludes the series by picking up on Paul's encouragement to "pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion"

In a world which seems to be becoming increasingly polarised, fractious and bitter - when life feels like a battle - how are those who have centred their lives on Jesus to live? Paul's encouragement to the church in Ephesus is to shift their perspective; remembering that people are not the enemy, but that there is a spiritual battle going on which can be easily missed. In light of that reality, what's needed is supernatural support, and that's what God gives to His people in the form of a spiritual armour which gives the strength to stand. This week, Adrian explores the final piece of the armour: shoes, which are to be the peace that comes from the Good News, which enables the wearer to be fully prepared. NOTE: Towards the end, Adrian accidentally says the wrong name of the author of 'It Is Well With My Soul' - the correct author is Horatio Spafford.

In a world which seems to be becoming increasingly polarised, fractious and bitter - when life feels like a battle - how are those who have centred their lives on Jesus to live? Paul's encouragement to the church in Ephesus is to shift their perspective; remembering that people are not the enemy, but that there is a spiritual battle going on which can be easily missed. In light of that reality, what's needed is supernatural support, and that's what God gives to His people in the form of a spiritual armour which gives the strength to stand. This week, Rich explores the Sword of the Spirit, which is, as Paul says, the Word of God.

In a world which seems to be becoming increasingly polarised, fractious and bitter - when life feels like a battle - how are those who have centred their lives on Jesus to live? Paul's encouragement to the church in Ephesus is to shift their perspective; remembering that people are not the enemy, but that there is a spiritual battle going on which can be easily missed. In light of that reality, what's needed is supernatural support, and that's what God gives to His people in the form of a spiritual armour which gives the strength to stand.

In a world which seems to be becoming increasingly polarised, fractious and bitter - when life feels like a battle - how are those who have centred their lives on Jesus to live? Paul's encouragement to the church in Ephesus is to shift their perspective; remembering that people are not the enemy, but that there is a spiritual battle going on which can be easily missed. In light of that reality, what's needed is supernatural support, and that's what God gives to His people in the form of a spiritual armour which gives the strength to stand. This week, Adrian looks at the Belt of Truth - the first piece of armour that Paul lists, which sits underneath the others and helps to provide the firm foundation that everyone needs.

In a world which seems to be becoming increasingly polarised, fractious and bitter - when life feels like a battle - how are those who have centred their lives on Jesus to live? Paul's encouragement to the church in Ephesus is to shift their perspective; remembering that people are not the enemy, but that there is a spiritual battle going on which can be easily missed. In light of that reality, what's needed is supernatural support, and that's what God gives to His people in the form of a spiritual armour which gives the strength to stand. This week, Rich looks at the Body Armour of God's Righteousness, and our invitation to both the Great Exchange and the Daily Exchange. This talk was part of an all-age service, so includes a number of moments for interaction with others - perhaps take a moment to pause the recording at those points and consider the questions for yourself!

In a world which seems to be becoming increasingly polarised, fractious and bitter - when life feels like a battle - how are those who have centred their lives on Jesus to live? Paul's encouragement to the church in Ephesus is to shift their perspective; remembering that people are not the enemy, but that there is a spiritual battle going on which can be easily missed. In light of that reality, what's needed is supernatural support, and that's what God gives to His people in the form of a spiritual armour which gives the strength to stand. This week, Mike looks at the Helmet of Salvation.

In a world which seems to be becoming increasingly polarised, fractious and bitter - when life feels like a battle - how are those who have centred their lives on Jesus to live? Paul's encouragement to the church in Ephesus is to shift their perspective; remembering that people are not the enemy, but that there is a spiritual battle going on which can be easily missed. In light of that reality, what's needed is supernatural support, and that's what God gives to His people in the form of a spiritual armour which gives the strength to stand. This week, Alice examines the POSTURE that followers of Jesus are to take within the battle.

In a world which seems to be becoming increasingly polarised, fractious and bitter - when life feels like a battle - how are those who have centred their lives on Jesus to live? Paul's encouragement to the church in Ephesus is to shift their perspective; remembering that people are not the enemy, but that there is a spiritual battle going on which can be easily missed. In light of that reality, what's needed is supernatural support, and that's what God gives to His people in the form of a spiritual armour which gives the strength to stand.

This week, Rich continues our focus on prayer by exploring what it means that Jesus is among us in a particularly unique and significant way when we gather together - based on Matthew 18:19-20: “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” (NLT)

Vision Sunday is a service at the start of every new year to look back at what God has done amongst the community and beyond, and to look forward to what He might do in the months and years ahead! This year, Adrian reflects on 2024 (with the help of some friends), and looks again to the Oasis Vision for 2025 - Legacy: Multiplication - based on the passage below. MATTHEW 14:15-20 15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “That isn't necessary—you feed them.” 17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. 18 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.

In the first message of 2025, Adrian explores how to live centred on Jesus - introducing different PRINCIPLES to live from, PATTERNS to live with, and PRACTICES to live exploring.

Advent means ‘arrival' or ‘appearing', and is an annual season for engaging with the reality of the ‘time between' the comings of Christ. It is not simply the ‘build up to Christmas', as if we pretend Jesus has not yet been born and then celebrate his birth. Rather, it is ‘forward leaning' and engages with the unseen forces at work in the world, facing the darkness, embracing the light, and encouraging us in how to wait patiently whatever situations we are living with. In this final talk, Alice explores how Jesus' coming brings with it the hope of his return to renew and restore all things - a moment when all the pain, brokenness and suffering of our world will come to an end.

Advent means ‘arrival' or ‘appearing', and is an annual season for engaging with the reality of the ‘time between' the comings of Christ. It is not simply the ‘build up to Christmas', as if we pretend Jesus has not yet been born and then celebrate his birth. Rather, it is ‘forward leaning' and engages with the unseen forces at work in the world, facing the darkness, embracing the light, and encouraging us in how to wait patiently whatever situations we are living with. In this second talk, Rich looks at the promise in the Old Testament that the light is coming, the arrival of the light through the life of Jesus, and how the light coming changes everything for us and for our world.

Advent means ‘arrival' or ‘appearing', and is an annual season for engaging with the reality of the ‘time between' the comings of Christ. It is not simply the ‘build up to Christmas', as if we pretend Jesus has not yet been born and then celebrate his birth. Rather, it is ‘forward leaning' and engages with the unseen forces at work in the world, facing the darkness, embracing the light, and encouraging us in how to wait patiently whatever situations we are living with. In this first talk, Adrian explores how the presence of light within the darkness brings immense hope to all, whatever life is looking like right now.

Everyone worships something, something that we put at the centre of our lives and orient ourselves around. In this series, we are exploring together as a community what it truly means to worship God - to put Him at the centre and allow Him to shape and transform everything about us. This week, Guest Speaker Jemma Mellor from Churchcentral and Sputnik shares about how we can worship using creativity, and the vital importance of the arts in bringing colour and flavour to the world around/

This week, the Oasis community joined together in the joy of celebrating baptisms! But what exactly is baptism? In this podcast, Adrian explores that very question under two headings: baptism is a sign, and baptism is a seal.

Everyone worships something, something that we put at the centre of our lives and orient ourselves around. In this series, we are exploring together as a community what it truly means to worship God - to put Him at the centre and allow Him to shape and transform everything about us. This week, Adrian (with the help of some friends), shares about how worship can take the form of striving to show justice and mercy to all those that we encounter.

Everyone worships something, something that we put at the centre of our lives and orient ourselves around. In this series, we are exploring together as a community what it truly means to worship God - to put Him at the centre and allow Him to shape and transform everything about us. This week, Mike explores worship in the workplace - how our vocations (whatever that is looking like for us right now) are a place to enjoy and encounter Jesus.

Everyone worships something, something that we put at the centre of our lives and orient ourselves around. In this series, we are exploring together as a community what it truly means to worship God - to put Him at the centre and allow Him to shape and transform everything about us. This week, Rich explores how we can express worship through hospitality to others - helped by some fantastic contributions from different members of the Oasis community!

Everyone worships something, something that we put at the centre of our lives and orient ourselves around. In this series, we are exploring together as a community what it truly means to worship God - to put Him at the centre and allow Him to shape and transform everything about us. This week, Adrian continues to look at how we all called to worship as we scatter into our many different locations - empowered and equipped to bring God's colour and flavour wherever we go.

Everyone worships something, something that we put at the centre of our lives and orient ourselves around. In this series, we are exploring together as a community what it truly means to worship God - to put Him at the centre and allow Him to shape and transform everything about us. This week, Adrian begins to look at how we all called to worship as we scatter into our many different locations - empowered and equipped to bring God's colour and flavour wherever we go.

On the 25th Birthday of Oasis Church, Adrian leads the community in a commissioning moment celebrating with thanksgiving all that God has done in the past and looking ahead to all He might want to do in the future. As part of this, he invites a number of friends to share what is on their hearts for the Oasis community.

Everyone worships something, something that we put at the centre of our lives and orient ourselves around. In this series, we are exploring together as a community what it truly means to worship God - to put Him at the centre and allow Him to shape and transform everything about us. This week, Andy explores how and why we are called to worship with celebration.

Everyone worships something, something that we put at the centre of our lives and orient ourselves around. In this series, we are exploring together as a community what it truly means to worship God - to put Him at the centre and allow Him to shape and transform everything about us. This week, Becca explores who worship connects us to one another as well as to God.

Everyone worships something, something that we put at the centre of our lives and orient ourselves around. In this series, we are exploring together as a community what it truly means to worship God - to put Him at the centre and allow Him to shape and transform everything about us. This week, Lucy Hurst continues the series off by looking at how worship catches up our hearts in the wonder of who God is. Technical Note: We were running a simplified PA system on this Sunday, so the talk recording from this week sounds a little different to normal!

Everyone worships something, something that we put at the centre of our lives and orient ourselves around. In this series, we are exploring together as a community what it truly means to worship God - to put Him at the centre and allow Him to shape and transform everything about us. This week, Dave Harris kicks the series off by looking at how worship, at its heart, is all about God.

In 2024, Oasis is seeking to grow in living with a posture of thankfulness - recognising that this is a key foundation in living in a way that outlasts us. The Psalms provide some wonderful examples of how to do this, and over the summer, each week will explore a different one of these. This week, Adrian continues the series with Psalm 118: 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.” 5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. 10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my strength and my defense[a]; he has become my salvation. 15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord's right hand has done mighty things! 16 The Lord's right hand is lifted high; the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!” 17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. 18 The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. 19 Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. 21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. 22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. 25 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.[b] 27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up[c] to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

In 2024, Oasis is seeking to grow in living with a posture of thankfulness - recognising that this is a key foundation in living in a way that outlasts us. The Psalms provide some wonderful examples of how to do this, and over the summer, each week will explore a different one of these. This week, Rich continues the series with Psalm 138: I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord, for all of them will hear your words. Yes, they will sing about the Lord's ways, for the glory of the Lord is very great. Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud. Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.

In 2024, Oasis is seeking to grow in living with a posture of thankfulness - recognising that this is a key foundation in living in a way that outlasts us. The Psalms provide some wonderful examples of how to do this, and over the summer, each week will explore a different one of these. This week, Adrian continues the series with Psalm 92: It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument, a harp, and the melody of a lyre. You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts. Only a simpleton would not know, and only a fool would not understand this: Though the wicked sprout like weeds and evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever. But you, O Lord, will be exalted forever. Your enemies, Lord, will surely perish; all evildoers will be scattered. But you have made me as strong as a wild ox. You have anointed me with the finest oil. My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents. But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord's own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!”

In 2024, Oasis is seeking to grow in living with a posture of thankfulness - recognising that this is a key foundation in living in a way that outlasts us. The Psalms provide some wonderful examples of how to do this, and over the summer, each week will explore a different one of these. This week, Alice begins with Psalm 100: Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

What does a good leader look like? This year, Oasis is exploring the life of King David - a leader in the Bible who was known as "a man after God's own heart". Ultimately, David's story is one which shows us that God is overflowing with kindness and generosity, that human frailty can't derail his plans and his purposes, and that the one David's life is pointing to even in his flaws and failures, the true King, Jesus, really is enough. This week, in the final part of the series, Rich explores David's final words. They're a mixed bag - reflecting the legacy of both restlessless and rest to which his life leads. In them though, is wisdom for us too in all the different endings within our own lives - how looking to the true Shepherd King, Jesus, helps us to build a legacy of rest into every area of our lives.

What does a good leader look like? This year, Oasis is exploring the life of King David - a leader in the Bible who was known as "a man after God's own heart". Ultimately, David's story is one which shows us that God is overflowing with kindness and generosity, that human frailty can't derail his plans and his purposes, and that the one David's life is pointing to even in his flaws and failures, the true King, Jesus, really is enough. This week, Adrian explores a really ugly story - David's taking of Bathsheba. In it, he unpacks how it all starts with "the look", that moment when David's eyes drifted away from what really matters and became fixated on something else.

What does a good leader look like? This year, Oasis is exploring the life of King David - a leader in the Bible who was known as "a man after God's own heart". Ultimately, David's story is one which shows us that God is overflowing with kindness and generosity, that human frailty can't derail his plans and his purposes, and that the one David's life is pointing to even in his flaws and failures, the true King, Jesus, really is enough. This week, Rich looks at David's desire to build a house for God, and God's word to David in response; promising to build him a house which lasts for eternity. Together, we explore how easy it is for our desire to "do great things for God", to overtake and undermine the heart of the gospel, which is that God has done, is doing, and will do great things for us.

What does a good leader look like? This year, Oasis is exploring the life of King David - a leader in the Bible who was known as "a man after God's own heart". Ultimately, David's story is one which shows us that God is overflowing with kindness and generosity, that human frailty can't derail his plans and his purposes, and that the one David's life is pointing to even in his flaws and failures, the true King, Jesus, really is enough. This week, Mike takes us through the story of David hearing about the death of Saul, posing the question for each of us "What are you leaning on?" Together, we unpack how Saul died as he lived, leaning on his spear, whilst David leans on God's promises and the community of faith, and what we can learn from these two men about where we too need to be placing our hope.

What does a good leader look like? This year, Oasis is exploring the life of King David - a leader in the Bible who was known as "a man after God's own heart". Ultimately, David's story is one which shows us that God is overflowing with kindness and generosity, that human frailty can't derail his plans and his purposes, and that the one David's life is pointing to even in his flaws and failures, the true King, Jesus, really is enough. This week, Adrian looks at the story of David, now King at last, bringing the Ark into Jerusalem. As he does, he reveals himself to be a King who wants to put prayer at the very centre, and provides a powerful model for how we too are to keep Jesus at the centre through how we pray, worship and live.

What does a good leader look like? This year, Oasis is exploring the life of King David - a leader in the Bible who was known as "a man after God's own heart". Ultimately, David's story is one which shows us that God is overflowing with kindness and generosity, that human frailty can't derail his plans and his purposes, and that the one David's life is pointing to even in his flaws and failures, the true King, Jesus, really is enough. This week, Adrian explores how David demonstrates the kind of king he will be as he races to rescue his people, and how, as he does so, he reflects again the true King, Jesus, who leaves nothing behind to come and rescue us.

This week, the community continues to explore the outworking of Pentecost, as Adrian looks at how we can increasingly grow the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) in our own lives.

This week was Pentecost Sunday - the day when the Church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit. Sarah shares about what that transformational event means for us today!