1 Peter 5:1 to 7 – Stress Free Leadership
Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd who entrusts the leadership of the church to under- shepherds, or elders, who are called to do their job willingly and diligently with a supportive church in an atmosphere of humility Elders are called to lead as shepherds would – not grudgingly but willingly, not greedily but eagerly and not in a domineering way but through example All, but particularly young people are called to respect the leadership structures God has put in place Everyone is called to be humble but at the same time encouraged that we can cast all our cares on Jesus because he really...
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1 Peter 4:12 to 19 – Suffer for a good cause
Is suffering normal? Peter seemed to think so. How should we respond to the persecution that we may suffer now, and be prepared for what looks like becoming a more and more hostile secular culture. To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from 1 Peter at Christ Church on Sunday morning 21st August 2011 use the links below. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. (Using Flash Audio Player) Or click here to listen in your own player or save a copy
Read MoreListen to Jesus
What is the most important thing for us to have? Time with Jesus, or cooking, sport, leisure, work or education? To listen to Mark Ventham preaching at our all service at Christ Church on Sunday morning 14th August 2011 use the links below. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. (Using Flash Audio Player) Or click here to listen in your own player or save a copy
Read MoreLooters – them or us?
From so many perspectives the rioting that took place in England during this summer raises questions: Was it connected with racial discrimination? Was it because of a marginalised underclass who had no fear and no hope? Was it nothing much really, but the media whipped it up to a story which became self-sustaining? Was it just boredom, or unrestrained opportunistic criminality? Whichever of those options are true, why did a large group of (mainly) young people feel the need and the freedom to steal and destroy? Are we just reaping what we have sown – individualism, consumerism and lack...
Read More1 Peter 4:1 to 11 – Transformed Lives
We believe Christ has risen and is victorious. But his life was one of suffering and cruel death. To some extent Christians will follow the same pattern from suffering to glory. As we live the distinctive lives we are called to, we may suffer abuse from other people. But in the end what matters will be the verdict of God. We are called to keep going, even as we face suffering, and to persist in loving each other deeply. To listen to Mark Ventham preaching at Christ Church on Sunday morning 7th August 2011 use the links below. Apologies for the sound quality – there was a problem with...
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