Media

Series on Ephesians: 5. I enjoy watching those TV crime dramas based on the theory that 'every contact leaves a trace' ... so evidence is really important. And in the final verses of Ephesians 4 Paul suggests what some of the evidence might be to prove you are Christian - a different lifestyle (vs. 17 - 19), a noticeable change (vs. 20 - 24) and recognisable new standards (vs. 25 - 32).

Series on Ephesians: 4. In the Christian life you grow by ... 1. Being prepared to strive for unity (verses 1 - 6); 2. Serving others (verses 7 - 13); and 3. Maturing (verses 14 - 16).

Series on Ephesians: 3. Read this chapter 3 in Ephesians again soon if you can! It's one of the high-points of the whole Bible. Paul prays for 4 things for the church at Ephesus, and for you - that you may be strengthened, that you may comprehend the extent of God's love for you, that you may be filled, and that you might bring glory to God.

Series on Ephesians: 2. The main things the writer wants to give us assurances on in this chapter are - (a) How we acquire 'new life' - "by grace you have been saved through faith"; and (b) what is God's aim for people? - unity and peace.

New Series on Ephesians: 1. What a Start. A man (the Apostle Paul) who realises his life is coming to an end, writes from prison to friends he knows he'll never see again. This first chapter shows that, more than anything else, he wanted them to grasp something of all that God had done for them, and for us, through Jesus ..... "according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us".

This Summary brings to a conclusion our series "Step by Step to New Life". We look for renewal in our own lives, then we wish to share God's love with others. But you must do this humbly, you must be prepared to listen, and you must be yourself. "The Teachers" reading is taken from 'He was in the World': John Bell, 1995, Wild Goose Publications.

Step by Step to New Life: 12 - Mission and Evangelism. Step 12 is about sharing the good news with others. For those who have recovered from a debilitating addiction, that's simply sharing with others what it was that helped your recovery. For those who have become Christians, this step is about sharing God's love with others, humbly, and in a variety of different ways.

Step by Step to New Life: 11 - Growth and Guidance. Step 11 is about two of the most important things to us in life: First, we all want to think that, no matter what age we are, there is also a sense that we are still developing, still maturing; growth, even in our spiritual life, is important. Second, everyone is looking for a sense of direction ..."hear his voice saying 'Here is the road, follow it.' ..." (Isaiah 30:21)

Thursday 6th January was marked as the Day of Epiphany - the manifestation of Christ to the Wise Men, and, by implication, to the whole world - 'All is Revealed'. Then we are told virtually nothing about Jesus until his ministry starts 30 years later ... 'and Part is Hidden', apart from this incident recorded in Luke 2. We can't all be in the limelight for the whole of our lives, but God's still there in 'the hidden years'.

Service for the first Sunday in the New Year. As we say farewell to the old year and welcome in the new year, we spend some time looking at that familiar question - Is this the end? .... or just the beginning? Sadly, some things do have to come to an end. But we see all through the Bible that God is revealed as a God of new beginnings.