Alex Bainton
“I am the bread of Life”
“I am the bread of Life” John 6:1-15, 35, 47-51 Jesus made some great “I am” claims for himself, which we find in John’s gospel. I want to take one of these and think about it with you this morning. It is “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst." John 6:35 Do you have a favourite bread? Read more
“I am the bread of Life” John 6:1-15, 35, 47-51 Jesus made some great “I am” claims for himself, which we find in John’s gospel. I want to take one of these and think about it with you this morning. It is “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst." John 6:35 Do you have a favourite bread? Read more
The Compassion of Jesus
The Compassion of Jesus Mark 1: 40-42 6:30-34 Last Sunday we thought about one particular character trait of Jesus, namely his humility. This morning I’d like to think with you about his compassion. In the gospels we read how on several occasions Jesus had compassion on someone or towards others. One such occasion was when a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean. Read more
The Compassion of Jesus Mark 1: 40-42 6:30-34 Last Sunday we thought about one particular character trait of Jesus, namely his humility. This morning I’d like to think with you about his compassion. In the gospels we read how on several occasions Jesus had compassion on someone or towards others. One such occasion was when a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean. Read more
The Humility of Christ
The Humility of Christ Philippians 2:3-11 If I asked you to tell me what’s your friend like, you might include one or more of his/her noticeable character traits. What’s Jesus Like? This is a big subject, but this morning and next Sunday I’d like to focus on just one of his character traits. This morning we will think about his humility, and next Sunday about his compassion. There was a comic strip Peanuts, in which Linus and Charlie Brown were sitting and talking about their plans for when they grew up. Read more
The Humility of Christ Philippians 2:3-11 If I asked you to tell me what’s your friend like, you might include one or more of his/her noticeable character traits. What’s Jesus Like? This is a big subject, but this morning and next Sunday I’d like to focus on just one of his character traits. This morning we will think about his humility, and next Sunday about his compassion. There was a comic strip Peanuts, in which Linus and Charlie Brown were sitting and talking about their plans for when they grew up. Read more
Christ our Foundation
Christ our Foundation Every architect and builder knows the importance of stable solid foundations. If the stability and strength of buildings depends largely on their foundations, so does the stability and strength of our lives and church community. Today we are gathering again after several months of not being able to. We thank God for being able to get back together and for sustaining us through the last months. As we come together again as a church, and go on into the future, I think it may be appropriate that we think again about the foundation on which we are building our lives and church, and also how we are building. Read more
Christ our Foundation Every architect and builder knows the importance of stable solid foundations. If the stability and strength of buildings depends largely on their foundations, so does the stability and strength of our lives and church community. Today we are gathering again after several months of not being able to. We thank God for being able to get back together and for sustaining us through the last months. As we come together again as a church, and go on into the future, I think it may be appropriate that we think again about the foundation on which we are building our lives and church, and also how we are building. Read more
Forgiven and forgiving
Today I imagine a lot of people would be in the position of owing money to a finance company or bank, and some, due to unforseen circumstances, such as Covid 19, would be wondering how on earth they can meet the expected payments. Jesus told his disciples a parable (Matthew l8: 21-35) in which we hear of a man who must have felt like this because he had incurred a staggering debt. Read more
Today I imagine a lot of people would be in the position of owing money to a finance company or bank, and some, due to unforseen circumstances, such as Covid 19, would be wondering how on earth they can meet the expected payments. Jesus told his disciples a parable (Matthew l8: 21-35) in which we hear of a man who must have felt like this because he had incurred a staggering debt. Read more
The Second Coming of Jesus (part 2)
In last Sunday’s message we began to think about our “blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13 In this message we will continue to think about this second coming of Christ. When he “appears a second time” Heb. 9:28 it won’t be like his first coming. At his first coming not many knew about it. Only a few shepherds knew about it, and a few close relatives, until wise men from the East told King Herod. Read more
In last Sunday’s message we began to think about our “blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13 In this message we will continue to think about this second coming of Christ. When he “appears a second time” Heb. 9:28 it won’t be like his first coming. At his first coming not many knew about it. Only a few shepherds knew about it, and a few close relatives, until wise men from the East told King Herod. Read more
The Second Coming
On our calendars or in our diaries we might have some special future dates - anniversaries, birthdays etc. There’s a special future date on God’s calendar too - the coming of his Son Jesus. “They will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory”. Matthew 24:30 “……Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time….." Hebrews 9:28 Read more
On our calendars or in our diaries we might have some special future dates - anniversaries, birthdays etc. There’s a special future date on God’s calendar too - the coming of his Son Jesus. “They will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory”. Matthew 24:30 “……Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time….." Hebrews 9:28 Read more
The Holy Trinity
Augustine, while puzzling over the doctrine of the Trinity, was walking along the beach one day when he observed a young boy with a bucket, running back and forth to pour water into a little hole. Augustine asked, ‘What are you doing?’ The boy replied, ‘I'‘m trying to put the ocean into this hole.’ Then Augustine realised that he had been trying to put an infinite God into his finite mind. Read more
Augustine, while puzzling over the doctrine of the Trinity, was walking along the beach one day when he observed a young boy with a bucket, running back and forth to pour water into a little hole. Augustine asked, ‘What are you doing?’ The boy replied, ‘I'‘m trying to put the ocean into this hole.’ Then Augustine realised that he had been trying to put an infinite God into his finite mind. Read more
Pentecost - the event, the explanation, the effects.
“Pentecost” - the event, the explanation, the effects. Over a number of Sundays since Easter day we have been thinking about the resurrection of Jesus, and last Sunday we thought about his ascension to heaven, to the right hand of his Father. Ten days after his ascension, the disciples of Jesus “were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” Acts 2:4 Today in many churches is known as ‘Pentecost Sunday.’ It is a term or title taken from the Bible, for it was on the Jewish day of Pentecost that the promised gift of the Holy Spirit was given. Read more
“Pentecost” - the event, the explanation, the effects. Over a number of Sundays since Easter day we have been thinking about the resurrection of Jesus, and last Sunday we thought about his ascension to heaven, to the right hand of his Father. Ten days after his ascension, the disciples of Jesus “were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” Acts 2:4 Today in many churches is known as ‘Pentecost Sunday.’ It is a term or title taken from the Bible, for it was on the Jewish day of Pentecost that the promised gift of the Holy Spirit was given. Read more
The Ascension of Jesus
‘The Ascension of Jesus’ Ps 8, Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1- Over several Sundays we have been thinking about the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and what it means. So, where did we ‘go’ from here? Well, where did Jesus go? ‘Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. Read more
‘The Ascension of Jesus’ Ps 8, Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1- Over several Sundays we have been thinking about the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and what it means. So, where did we ‘go’ from here? Well, where did Jesus go? ‘Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. Read more