Jonah 4 - An ironic response to God's mercy

We end our studies in Jonah as we began - amazed at the sovereign grace of God. Jonah protests at the mercy of God to the Ninevites but he's more than happy when God's mercy helps him with some shade. Jonah has to learn that God's grace is not restricted by our views of who deserves it. God is concerned for all his creation and for many people who are currently in darkness - and we need to be the same. To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from Jonah 4:1-11 at Christ Church on Sunday evening 25th March 2012 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

John 19:17 to 27 - Crucified

Looking at the Cross we see a man powerless, humiliated and using his last moments to speak with his mother. However looking with John's perspective we see the one who is still king for all the nations, even in his death; the one who was purposely serving in order to make us clean; and the one who was signalling the beginning of the new spiritual family - the church. To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from John 19:16-27 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 25th March 2012 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

Jonah 3:1 to 10 Succesful Preaching

God’s grace is still the thread running through the book of Jonah as we get to chapter 3. Jonah is given a second chance and this time he heads North East and preaches to Nineveh and amazingly it turns out to be some of the most successful prophet work he has ever done. See God’s amazing grace even to the failures and the sinners.
To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from Jonah 3:1-10 at Christ Church on Sunday evening 18th March 2012 use the link below.
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John 19:1 to 16 - Condemned

Pilate is a sad figure in history who knows Jesus is innocent, probably thinks he is special but still, because of his pride and his fear, sends him away to be crucified. The Jews just hate Jesus – he is the king they do not want over them. But at the same time, John presents Jesus, the object of injustice, flogged, mocked and mistreated but the true King and the perfect Passover Lamb. John invites us to take a good look.
To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from John 19:1-16 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 18th March 2012 use the link below.
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Jonah 2:1 to 10 - Deep Water Praying

Prayers have been recorded in remarkable places but perhaps one of the most unusual is Jonah’s prayer from inside the belly of a fish. Not a great place to live for three days but a great place to reflect on what has happened. Jonah’s prayer a re-telling in spiritual terms of what has just happened to him. It’s the story of a rescue for a man who was good as dead by a God who is much far more gracious than we deserve.
To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from Jonah 2:1-10 at Christ Church on Sunday evening 11th March 2012 use the link below.
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Jesus Always Obeyed His Father (All Age Service)

Jesus always obeyed God the Father. He did this willingly and joyfully and he never failed and he never fell. Jesus grew in his obedience and learned the hard way to practise obedience despite the opposition and suffering it brought him. He did that for us that we might gain his perfection in place of our failure. This is what we thought about together at our All Age service
To listen to Mark Ventham preaching at our All Age Service on Sunday morning 11th March 2012 use the link below.

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John 18:28 to 40 - Tried

Jesus is on trial with the one who seems to have the power to decide whether he is executed or not. Pilate, the Roman governor, interrogates Jesus but ends up being himself questioned. Jesus is the innocent one who will give his life in place of the rebel revolutionary. Jesus is the true King whose kingdom will be built despite all the efforts of evil men. The question for Pilate and for us is this: will we recognise his rule or will we remain cynical or ignorant?
To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from John 18:28-40 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 4th March 2012 use the link below.
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Jonah 1:1 to 17 - Man overboard

The big banner headline across this book is God’s Sovereign Grace. In Chapter 1 God pursues Jonah across the Mediterranean; organises a storm; turns idol worshipping sailors into those who worship the LORD; and arranges a rescuing fish for the repenting Jonah. God's breath-taking mercy and persistent grace sets the tone in the first chapter for the rest of the book.
To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from Jonah 1:1-18 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 4th March 2012 use the link below.
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