John 15:1 to 17 - The Vine and the Branches

Jesus is giving leaving instructions to his anxious disciples. How do they know they are safe?
How do you know that you're doing the right thing following Jesus?

This text tells us that Jesus is the true vine - the Israel that Israel never was.

If you are in Christ you are completely safe, and you will be fruitful and joyful, knowing and expressing the obedient love and power of Christ.

But if you're just religious, even church-going and seemingly Christian, but don't really connect in faith and trust to the real Jesus Christ through his word, you are not safe, and in the end there will not be fruit.

To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from John 15:1-17 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 27th November 2011 use the link below.

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Hebrews 11:23-40 – Persistent Faith

What difference will it make to your choices and your actions if you really believe God exists, and that he will he will keep all his promises to save and to bless. This tremendous chapter comes to a crescendo with a roll call of ordinary heroes of faith who through triumphs and trials demonstrated faith in the promises of God.

To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from Hebrews 11:23-40 at Christ Church on Sunday evening 20th November 2011 use the link below.

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John 14:15-31 - The Counsellor

Jesus is about to leave his disciples but can truly say that things will be even better for them and for the world because he will send “another Counsellor” so the Father and the Son will dwell with believers, teaching then and giving the peace of Christ.

To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from John 14:15-31 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 20th November 2011 use the link below.

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John 14:5 to 14 - I am the Way

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all know God? If there were no mysteries or guesswork.  Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a way to know God and to be with him forever and to know his power in our lives?

Jesus says there is, and it’s Him.  He’s the way, and He gives the power.  The disciples were really struggling to understand this, even though they had Jesus with them.  They’re not the only ones.

To listen to Les White preaching from John 14:5-14 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 6th November 2011 use the link below.

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Hebrews 11:1 to 7 - Faith in the unseen

Is faith a tenacious belief in something against all reason?  No, but it is the belief in something you have not known in your own experience.  Even the disciples had to exercise faith – they saw the miracles, even the resurrection, but  they needed to see beyond that to the unseen reality of God behind all these events.

For the readers of the letter to Hebrews, and for us, we need to see the necessity of faith in an unseen God who nonetheless truly exists and rewards those who seek him.

In the first of the sermons from Hebrews 11 we see the definition of faith and then three examples – Abel, Enoch and Noah.

To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from Hebrews 11:1-7 at Christ Church on Sunday evening 6th November 2011 use the link below.

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John 13:31 to 14:4 – Jesus’ Going

Jesus was soon to die on the Cross.  He tells his disciples they must display a distinctive kind of love, modelled on his example and following his teaching.  This will be a powerful example to the world around them.

Peter believes he can be a saviour for Jesus rather than the other way around.  We sometimes think we can save ourselves. Peter needed Jesus to go (to the Cross) to prepare a way for them.  He needed to trust in God rather than himself. So do we.

To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from John 13:31-14:4 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 30th 2011 use the link below.

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Hebrews 10:26 to 39 - Persistent Faith

Why do people give up following Jesus?  It must be that they no longer think he’s important.  It might be because something’s happened in their lives that they blame God for.  It might just be other things seem a lot more interesting or beneficial.

In this text we see the Consequence of Persistent Sin. If you turn your back on Jesus, the only thing that can lead to is Judgment. But we also see the Reward for Persistent Faith. Jesus will come back to judge and save.

To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from Hebrews 10:26-39 at Christ Church on Sunday evening 30th October 2011 use the link below.

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