1 Samuel 21:1 to 22:5 - A Distressed Heart

David experiences rejection but God assures him of his presence, his power and that he is building a people with him as their leader. Jesus the greater Son of David perfects that faith and trust shown by David and triumphs at every point and is saved and brings salvation to others through suffering. To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from 1 Samuel 21 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 24th November 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

TalkBack: Making Disciples

Jesus calls on the church to "make disciples and teach them to obey". One writer has said every church has two questions to answer about this - do we have a plan for making disciples and how is that plan working. In our TalkBack session we will think about some values that we have recently thought about as elders but also talk about how with God's help we work this out in the church family. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy Also, the link below has the handouts from the evening Making disciples Nov 2013

Mark 3:7 to 35 - New Family

Jesus is calling out a new Israel and a new family. He is not under our control but we submit to his. To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from Mark 3:7-3:6 on Sunday evening 17th November 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

1 Samuel 20:1 to 42 - United Hearts

In the committed friendship between Jonathan and David we learn something about friendship but a lot about the character of God's loving covenant. God makes a Covenant showing unfailing kindness. We deserve wrath, he shows mercy. He seals the Covenant with the sacrifice of Christ.

The outcome is peace and eternal friendship. To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from 1 Samuel 20 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 17th November 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

Mark 2:23 to 3:6 - Look what they are doing

Jesus is here as Lord of the Sabbath. He can interpret the law and he fulfils it. He offers rest and restoration. To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from Mark 2:23-3:6 on Sunday evening 10th November 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

Jesus - friend of sinners

To listen to Mark Ventham speaking at our All-Age Service at Christ Church on Sunday morning 10th November 2013 use the link below. Or click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

1 Samuel 18:1 to 19:24 - An insecure heart

David comes into King Saul’s Court but it the most dangerous place he has ever been. However the Lord is with him and that makes all the difference and all Saul's plans to get rid of him are thwarted. Instead Saul's son, his daughter and his people all see David as the true anointed one. How are you responding to God's anointed king, Jesus? Are you rejecting him like Saul? Will you accept him as the rightful king in your place and pledge your allegiance to him? To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from 1 Samuel 18 and 19 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 3rd November 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

TalkBack: Explaining the reasonableness of faith

God uses reason and revelation to show us himself. We certainly can't convince anyone of the truth but we can explain the reasonableness of believing in a transcendent God and the resurrection of Christ. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy Click here to download a copy of the slides used

1 Samuel 17:1 to 58 - a confident heart

David as such a concern for the name of God that is being defied by the giant Goliath and an unshakeable confidence that the Lord will deliver - not by spear or sword because the battle belongs to the Lord. To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from 1 Samuel 17 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 27th October 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

Mark 2:13 to 22 - Feasting and Fasting

Jesus is here for the outcasts. For those that the religious people look down on. And because he's here for them it's a time for feasting not fasting. The kingdom of God is breaking in. To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from Mark 2:13-22 on Sunday evening 20th October 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

1 Samuel 16:1 to 23 - Looking on the heart

God tells Samuel to anoint a new king. A king provided by God. Not the people's choice this time, but God's. A man with the right heart and a man who has God with him, whilst Saul clearly does not. To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from 1 Samuel 16 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 20th October 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

Mark 2:1 to 12 - Which is easier?

There's a crowded house in Capernaum with Jesus preaching and some men of faith bring their friend to Jesus. From this story we learn that forgiveness of sins is our greatest need, that Jesus has the authority to forgive sins so we need to bring our friends to Jesus and pray for a change of heart. To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from Mark 2:1-12 on Sunday evening 13th October 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

John 8:36 - We are made for God like fish are made to swim

We are only completely happy and secure when we are in relationship with God. Anywhere else is unnatural and unsustainable. To listen to Mark Ventham speaking at our All-Age Service at Christ Church on Sunday morning 13th October 2013 use the link below. Or click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

Mark 1:21 to 45 - Everyone is looking for you

Speaking with authority, healing with power, showing compassion for the outsiders and the broken. Who is this man? To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from Mark 1 on Sunday evening 5th October September 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

1 Samuel 15:1 to 35 - Rejecting the Chosen

God tells Saul to totally destroy the Amalekites whose wickedness had not gone unnoticed. Saul chooses a flexible approach to obedience which God calls disobedience. How bad is it to reject the voice of God? To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from 1 Samuel 15 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 6th October 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy There is also a very helpful article in the briefing which give some further explanation about the Amalekites. Click here (opens in new window)

Mark 1:14 to 20 - Follow me

Jesus proclaims the good news into a dark and desperate world and he calls people to follow him and to be those who call others to follow him too. To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from Mark 1 in Sunday evening 15th September 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

1 Samuel 14:24 to 52 Sad Success

In contrast to his son Jonathan, Saul demonstrates fear and the desire to control others and deflect the blame. To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from 1 Samuel 14 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 22nd September 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

Mark 10: Jesus Welcomes Children

Jesus welcomes children to his kingdom and calls us to welcome them too. To listen to Graham Nicholls speaking at our All-Age Service at Christ Church on Sunday morning 15th September 2013 as part of the celebration of 40 Years of Mayflower Playgroup use the link below. Or click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

Mark 1:1 to 13 - Introducing Jesus Christ

The beginning of the greatest story ever told - the story of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Mark writes his headline and brings forward his evidence - the three witnesses The OT Prophets, John the Baptist, and God the Father. To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from Mark 1 in Sunday evening 8th September 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy

1 Samuel 13:23 to 14:23 - The Lord’s rescue

Jonathan and his armour bearer show their faith that God can save by many or by few. Are you with us, heart and soul as we go out with the gospel? To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from 1 Samuel 13 and 14 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 8th September 2013 use the link below. Click here to listen in your own player or save a copy