Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church

Deb and Donald discuss what shapes our thinking and what kind of things we can do if what we think doesn't match up to how Jesus thinks.

Jesus is silent when we want him to say something, then to make matters worse he appears to say something racist and divisive. What is going on? Donald unpacks a tricky passage in the Gospel of Matthew and helps us find a deeper message of radical faith and inclusion

Looking at Ephesians 5:1-14, Deb explores why the problems Paul names in Ephesians 5 are still an issue today and how we might avoid destructive habits and instead expose ourselves to God so we learn how to live in love.

Jesus tells us to look into our hearts, rather than worry about the actions of others. It's a tricky balance to manage the need to be honest with ourselves about our failings and yet also understand and receive the forgiveness of God rather than live in condemnation. Donald explores from Matthew 15

It's Harvest and Donald goes deeper on a story from David's life about Kindness. He also answers some questions texted in about Kindness and the difficult reality

Jesus is repeatedly annoyed with the seriously religious, for their hypocrisy - where they are zealous about the less important parts of faith and ignore the essential elements of the fundamental command to love. How does this speak into our troubled world today and our daily living?

Why does Jesus wait to go to the disciples in their moment of need and why don't we have answers to the "why" questions? What does Jesus feel about our fears, doubts and failures? Donald takes a different look at a familiar event in Jesus' life and addresses these and other questions.

We all struggle to pray. Even the disciples, close to Jesus, needed help. Jesus gives a template, not just set prayer, but an agenda. Donald takes the Church through the themes but also shares his own failures in prayer and the importance of just keeping going

For Jesus, his own needs and the needs of others clash - Jesus needs to be now His own, the people need help. How do we balance the needs of others and our own needs? Donald also shares his own experience of solitude and busyness

Donald explores the story of Herod and John the Baptist with 5 different characters, each with a different experience. A difficult story of sex and weakness, tragedy and coercion. We all battle with our self-control and are damaged by other people's lack of self control, where can we find hope in this painful story?

How do we reflect Jesus when we're the only follower of Jesus amongst our family, friends or colleagues? Cath is back for a one off and she and Donald share their thoughts and experiences

Inspired by the writings of King David - Donald leads us through a personal reflection on the elements of worship we see in David's thoughts and actions and helps us think this through for ourselves

After a week of our Youth Camp, Sam, our Youth and Young Adults Co-ordinator helps us learn from Romans 12. Is there more to life than this? And if so how do we access what we are meant for?

What do we long God to rid of in the world? We may be longing for Jesus to return and get rid of all that is wrong, but what do we do if we fear his return and feel we are part of the problem. Donald brings re-assurance with the words of Joel.

Deb explores what it means to live for the common good, why we would do this, and how to live this way.

Neil explores the emotive character of smells - and how Jesus' aroma rubs off on us when we spend time with him, so that those around us can tell from being with us that we have spent time with Jesus.

Deb continues her series through Ephesians focusing in on one word that is repeated 6 times in two chapters.

In the light of the constantly changing news, and the rise of nationalism Donald unpacks the question "what makes a nation great?". With questions on Britain, Israel and the USA, Donald looks at what measure the Bible gives for greatness

What is strength in God? What does it look like? How can we find this strength? Prompted by the story of Jonathan and David, Donald helps us seek resilience

Joel tells us of a time when God would be within everyone. What difference can this make? Donald explores the significance of this for us today. We use one of the great videos from the Bible project to help us understand the wonder of God's Holy Spirit. BibleProject is the author and owner of this video. To find more BibleProject resources, visit bibleproject.com.

Our mission partner Charlie shares the three values he and Abby have lived by in Sutton, Ibiza and now in Mevagissey - that have led to amazing opportunities and positive changes. Values that we can all adopt if we are willing to.

Will leads us through John 12:1-8 - reflecting on Jesus' shocking statement after Mary pours a year's worth of perfume on his feet.

Following on from our last Questions of Life on free speech. Mark and Donald discuss the problems with and the guard rails to speaking the truth to another person "in love".

Sensitively, Paul unpacks the warnings from the story of Lot in Sodom. How do we respond when God, seeking to protect us, gives us warnings?

When the Bible talks of God being jealous - what does it mean? Donald seeks to explain and show how this links to God's promise to do the best for his people. When we have lost much in life God seems to promise to give us much more in return. Was might this look like?

We are all faced with choices as to whether to do what we think is right when it looks pointless or doomed to failure, or whether to do what is expected and easy, though it feels wrong. How do we carry on? The woman carried on to the tomb when there seemed no point - "Who Will Roll Away The Stone?" they asked. Why did they go when they expected their way to be blocked?

It would appear that the freedom to be able to say whatever we want is one of the new core values of the current social media world, but is this what God thinks? How do we handle our words? When is freedom of speech good or bad? Donald and Mark discuss with audience questions

James from Compassion spoke on Compassion Sunday on Exodus, looking at how we all face disappointment at times and how we can deal with this well.

Paul continues his series in Genesis. How do we react when faced with this passage?

We long for an end to suffering, but how will this happen? Donald explains the "day of the Lord"

Deb and Vanessa explore how our world has become broken, and Jesus' offer to renew us and bring fullness of life.

In the prequel to his first talk on Ephesians 6v10, Donald looks at the first half of the verse. Why are we given life? What are we meant to do with it?

We were created to do good things but how do we know what good things we are to do? With illustrations from his own life Donald unpacks this question. He had just been away with our young people on their weekend away and this is the final talk back at the Church. The first part of this verse will be explored in a week's time.

Kent, director of European Christian Mission in Britain, explored how we will all have to wait at some point in our lives and therefore - how can we learn from the Bible how to do this well…

Donald begins a new series from the book of Joel. Is it ok to be honest with God and tell him how we are really feeling? What is the power of being heard?

Deb explores the beginning of chapter 4 of Ephesians - the turning point in the book - that looks back on all that has come before and moves forwards to how we can live as a result...

Charlie shares a story from his life of waiting on God not rushing into his own solution

It's the week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Donald leads this United Service with the other Town Centre Churches. Churches all over Britain are reflecting on Jesus' question to Martha - "Do you believe this?" What is it we believe and how do we know if we believe it?

Paul continues his series in Genesis. What can we learn from the way Abraham welcomes three strangers?

Donald reminds us of our Church's purpose and mission and leads us in renewing our commitment

In the first part of Renewal Sunday, Donald concludes his mini series on Matthew 11:28-30 and helps choose some prayers to pray as we seek to walk with Jesus

In Part 2 of our Carol Service Donald explain's the Good News of God' love and how it can save us

Part 1 of our Carol service - Donald talks about Jesus is good news for those who want peace

Paul continues in Genesis with stories of the unexpected

How do we handle doubt in ourselves and in others - especially when it creates damaging behaviours? Do we pull people close or push them away? Jude tells us to be merciful, Donald tries to unpick this message

Deb looks at the time needed to have strong roots and foundations if we are to remain firm through the things life will throw at us.

What does it look like to be walking in God's love and how do we stay in that place? Deb and Donald discuss these and other related questions from the congregation

Former Staff member Sarah uses Psalm 146 to update us on her news and ministry in South Africa

What causes war? Can we do anything about the culture that creates war? How might living as Citizens of Heaven help us make an impact for good? Donald delves into some controversial areas this Remembrance Sunday

How are we affected by the negativity of others? Is it ok to ovoid Grumblers? What if we are one?

Prompted by Psalm 142 Lorna shares a personal story of God's healing and deliverance