St Helen's midweek talks podcast

George Diwakar - We all have hopes in life—but despite our best efforts, we can't guarantee their fulfillment. We might be tempted to respond to shattered dreams with bitterness or withdrawal, but the God of the Bible offers us a better way: he tells us to place our hope in him.

George Diwakar - Often the Square Mile can feel like the last place that God could be at work. But Isaiah shows us that he is the matchless maker and master of all. Hear what God is doing in our world and why we need his rescue.

George Diwakar - Ever felt forgotten, neglected, left behind? What about your colleagues? The prophet Isaiah tells us where to look: the God of rescue who redeems, reveals, remains, and returns.

William Taylor - There is no denying that the teaching of Jesus is subversive. It has brought down empires, literally demolished walls and changed the world. Of all Jesus' teaching, his claims that he makes buildings, religious places and ceremonies redundant is perhaps the most challenging of all. Find out why, more than challenging, it is encouraging!

William Taylor - Of all the trials we face in a broken world, those concerning children cause us some of our greatest griefs. Jesus' interaction with the parent of a deeply disturbed young boy gives deep and concrete hope in the face of profound trauma.

William Taylor - This weekend's funeral will see 400,000 gathering with world leaders and millions of others watching. This provides a great 'backdrop' for our Summer Series as we consider what really is the true church of Christ? What constitutes membership? Who belongs?

William Taylor - He has risen...What next?

William Taylor - What was the earliest Christian message as it was proclaimed? With so many around the world expressing faith in Jesus, and numerous now investigating again, we will explore Christianity 101.

William Taylor - It sometimes surprises people that the Bible is so full of advice about what we do with our money! As Paul concludes his letter he has five key financial 'indicators' for the wise investor. Whether the markets are tanking or surging God has wisdom for us with regard to AAA-rated savings.

William Taylor - Developing belief and culture are key to establishing resilience. So said Sir Gareth Southgate in his outstanding 'Dimbleby lecture' last week. These things are precisely what Paul's letter to the Philippians has been about. The big difference with what Paul is offering is the divine source and supernatural strength that can be found in Jesus and is available to all.

William Taylor - The way we think about things - our opinions - shapes the whole direction of our life. Our mindset matters. This week's talk will help us in understanding what the mature Christian mind should look like and where it should focus.

William Taylor - Health, safety, risk and danger – they're all things we take remarkably seriously, and rightly so! But there are real risks and dangers for the Christian and indeed anyone who wants to succeed at life in their own strength. Paul wants us to know how to mitigate them.

William Taylor - It's one thing to tell someone what to do…it's quite another to show them what doing it will look like. At the heart of Paul's letter to the Philippian church are two 'worked examples' of what it means in practise to have the mindset of a heavenly citizen. The examples provide us with a brilliant blueprint of gospel partnership in action.

William Taylor - With Jesus Christ as the 'model citizen' and the anointed ruler of God's everlasting kingdom, Christians have been given a bench-mark of what citizenly conduct looks like in action. Jesus' demonstration of the values at the heart of God's kingdom is not only profoundly attractive, it has also been vindicated by God and will triumph in eternity.

William Taylor - Citizenship and citizenly values has been in the news over the weekend. It is precisely this theme that forms the central part of Paul's letter to the Philippians. What are the characteristics of a true citizen of God's kingdom?

William Taylor - The good news of Jesus' kingly rule has multiplied exponentially across the globe, century by century. How has this happened? Through men and women so persuaded of the benefits of Jesus' rule that they make speaking of Jesus and of the message of his death and resurrection their life-passion: both in life…and death.

William Taylor - Partnership is a major theme of Paul's letter to what appear to be model believers in the church at Philippi. Up front in the letter Paul tells them what it is that he longs for from Christian believers who have made an exemplary beginning to their life of faith in Jesus.

Paul Williams - There's nothing more devastating than death, but it's all around us, all the time. This week in the news, we've marked the liberation of Auschwitz, seen the Southport killer sentenced and heard of man's death as a result of storm Éowyn. In Mark chapter 5, Jesus shows that he is more powerful even than death as he raises a little girl from her death bed.

Paul Williams - There are few things more personally devastating than being struck down by a long-term debilitating disease, but it's something that many have to live with, day in and day out. In Mark 5:21-34, Jesus meets a woman who's tried everything to deal with a condition that has blighted her life for more than a decade. The way Jesus deals with her condition gives us all hope.

Paul Williams - The news headlines are dominated by such acts of wickedness that most would not doubt that there are powerful forces of evil at work in the world. In Mark Chapter 5 we see Jesus coming face-to-face with pure evil, defeating it and delivering a whole town of its power and presence. But the response of the people is surprising, if not shocking.

Paul Williams - Jesus calms a raging sea in Mark Chapter 4:35–41. We can trust him, who is the Lord Almighty, even as we fear the very real threat of natural disasters.

Paul Williams - Once you get through all the Christmas wrapping, at the heart of Christmas is the message that God loves us and has given us the greatest gift any of us could wish for - eternal life. If that's not amazing enough, what it cost him to give us this gift is extraordinary. He gave his only Son.

Paul Williams - The perceived wisdom of the world is that it's very unwise to be in someone else's debt as it leaves us vulnerable and beholden to them. But in Mark 10 we meet a blind man who could see that there's only one way to prosper, and that is to be indebted to Jesus.

Paul Williams - In the City, we serve those in the highest and most exalted places. In Jesus' kingdom it could not be more different. As we dig into Mark 10:45 we discover a God who comes to serve us.

Paul Williams - If you could have one thing from God what would it be? Much of the City functions on there being a desire for success, status and significance. When the disciples ask Jesus for that, he showed them a better way.

Wes Illingsworth - We're surrounded by advisers, consultants, and life coaches telling us how to be healthier, wealthier, and happier. Come and hear why Jesus Christ's strategy for a successful life is totally unique – lose life!

William Taylor - The death of Jesus on a cross has been described as 'folly' and 'weakness'. It is not hard to understand why. Even Jesus' own disciples found it offensive. However, Jesus himself taught that his death on a cross was central to his entire mission and rule.

William Taylor - The Church is the largest human entity on the planet. But what is it? And how is it constituted? And how does it continue to grow at such pace? In five short sentences Jesus answers all these questions - and more!

William Taylor - There is no shortage of evidence in support of the claims of Jesus. What we do with it tells us everything - about ourselves!

Dave Jensen - What is true greatness? Dave discusses the greatest event in human history and how it impacts each one of us.

William Taylor - Against the 'better judgement' of his disciples Jesus includes rank outsiders amongst his followers. He has a few things to teach us about diversity!

William Taylor - Every culture, religious or not, has values by which it measures whether people have 'crossed the line' and are either 'in' or 'out'. Jesus suggests that such things can be profoundly misleading - to the point of being dangerous. Come and hear how Jesus' way is better.

Wes Illingsworth - Jesus says everyone needs to accept him as Lord and come to him for forgiveness. But there are many respectable secular and religious leaders who tell us we can be good without relying on Jesus. Come and hear how Jesus exposes how dangerous these leaders actually are.

William Taylor - The benefits of belonging to Jesus are, quite literally, out of this world. But what does it take to be one of his highly blessed people?

William Taylor - Wherever Jesus went he was pursued by vast hoards of people. The crowds were an ever present part of his ministry - and no wonder! He healed their sick, taught them and fed them. The feeding of the 5,000 is one case in point. But the lesson of the feeding is of something far more than the provision of mere physical requirements. Jesus has compassion on the crowds, and he cares for their deepest eternal need.

William Taylor - There can be no denying that the church of Jesus Christ is the most significant movement in human history over the last 2,000 years. Currently, with over 2.8 billion followers across the globe it is certainly the most numerous and the benefits of membership are second to none. We love being part of something that matters. So how come some people aren't interested? Matthew's analysis is both challenging and immensely encouraging.

Will Trump - When the boss is sick of the sight of you

Emmanuel Archampong - Our summer series continues with talks from the book of Revelation, where the speakers share personal experiences of being Christian in their workplaces.

Ali Blundy - Our summer series continues with talks from the book of Revelation, where the speakers share personal experiences of being Christian in their workplaces.

Ian Bright - Our summer series continues with talks from the book of Revelation, where the speakers will share personal experiences of being Christian in their workplaces.

Andrew Smith - There are many temptations in the City which can cause Satan to gain a foothold in the lives of believers.

Gabor Szarka - Christian believers in first century Smyrna faced the risk of reputational damage, financial loss, or potentially even imprisonment and death. But in Jesus' economy, they were in fact rich.

Leo Elbourne - What is the greatest danger a church could face? The answer is surprising! This passage looks at Jesus' analysis of a famous New Testament church in Revelation 2:1–7 and we'll hear about a surprisingly fatal mistake Christians are prone to make.

Wes Illingsworth - With the world in election fever, do you know what Jesus offers that no leader does? Whether we've already joined Jesus' side or not, this passage will help us weigh up the consequences of our decision.

William Taylor - What do you think happens to people who want to remain neutral to Jesus? Jesus wants us to know that nothing will prevent the advance of his rule across the globe, and that neutrality is not an option.

William Taylor - We all know how much good - or harm - words can do in this life, but Jesus says they are even more significant than that. Not only do they reveal what otherwise is hidden, they also spell out our future.

William Taylor - Jesus insists there are only two sides when it comes to good and evil. Logic demands that Jesus must be on the side of good, but that logic also demands us to answer: which side are we on?

Paul Williams - Jesus confounds the greatest minds in Israel, as he gives a man something he never thought he wanted, but then discovered it was the greatest gift of all.

Paul Williams - This talk addresses the question, 'What if I can't be good enough for God?'. In Luke Chapter 5, Jesus has a highly risky encounter with a man in desperate need of cleansing. Luke shows us a powerful, loving saviour–Jesus who achieves what religious rule keeping cannot.

Paul Williams - In Luke Chapter 5, we see why keeping Jesus to the religious zone of life is so outrageous.

William Taylor - There are multiple reasons why a person might choose to follow Jesus. His leadership is one of them – it is like no other. To be led by Jesus and to follow his lead in our own leadership styles is truly liberating.