Galatians 5:1-15 In Greek mythology sailors had to navigate between two deadly monsters – Scylla and Charybdis – on opposing shores of a narrow stretch of water. The risk was that in seeking to steer away from one, they ended up in the clutches of the other. As Christians we too need to steer a course between two opposing dangers – legalism and licence. Galatians tells us how.
Habakkuk 1:1-11 Does God care about evil and suffering? And if he does why doesn’t he do something about it? These were questions that puzzled Habakkuk, and still puzzle Christians today. Thankfully God gave the prophet some answers. But are we ready to hear them?
John 12:1-8 As we head into a new year, and a new decade, a number of us will say things like: “I want to be a better Christian this year”…or perhaps after attending a carol service we were prompted to think: “I really must get round to making more time to understand and investigate Jesus.” But what level of time and attention to Jesus is ‘appropriate? What is the right amount of effort to put into serving Jesus? See what John, the Gospel writer, has to say about your new year’s ambitions.
Colossians 2:7 ‘Daddy, I want another pony’, proclaims Veruca Salt,in the film ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. She’s the archetypal spoilt brat – but sometimes we may be closer to her than we may like to think, instead of overflowing with thanksgiving.
1 Timothy 6:3-21 As the new year approaches, we have a chance to think through what it is we want to achieve in 2020. Whilst many around us chase money and earthly possessions, Paul calls us to chase something dramatically different. Here he warns us of the dangers of the path chasing earthly treasures and the great promises reserved for those who chase godliness in Christ.
2 Corinthians 9:15 At Christmas time, throughout the world, friends and families give each other gifts. Christmas is a time for giving. But where does the whole Christmas giving tradition come from? ‘Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift’.
Isaiah 9:6-7 What does Christmas have in common with the General Election – apart from them both being in December this year? They are both to do with appointing a ruler. But the Christmas ruler is global, eternal, and supernatural. And we don’t elect him – God has appointed him.
Isaiah 9:1-7 For many people Christmas is not a holly, jolly time, but a jolly hard time. The real Christmas of the Bible faces up to the darkness, but celebrates the light of hope that God has shone into it by sending Jesus.
Isaiah 9:1-6 For many people Christmas is not a holly, jolly time, but a jolly hard time. The real Christmas of the Bible faces up to the darkness, but celebrates the light of hope that God has shone into it by sending Jesus.
Matt 2:1-12 Listen in to the talk from the Barge Christmas Carol service as we think about why some gifts aren’t as good as they first appear and why God’s gift is the exact opposite.