We Are Emmanuel

In his preach, Neville Jones unpacked Psalm 139, highlighting God’s omniscience and omnipresence - the Lord knows everything about us, from our actions to unspoken thoughts, and is present everywhere. God surrounds us, guides us with His hand, and brings light into darkness. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, intricately formed by Him and known before birth. Neville tells us how these truths should lead us to worship, trusting that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ and that our lives have purpose and divine care from start to finish.

In this sermon, Matt explores Psalm 119, focusing on its call to love, obey, and delight in God's Word. He explains that while the psalm emphasises obedience, its true aim is deep relationship with God. Drawing from the life of Jesus - who perfectly fulfilled God's law - Matt highlights that we are invited to walk in that same way, not by our own strength, but through the divine power given by the Spirit. Obedience isn't just about moral behaviour, but about entering into God's very nature, experiencing His love, blessing, and power. Matt finishes with a call to repentance and wholehearted devotion, urging us to embrace the life-giving way of Christ.

In this preach, Tobi Ford-Western addresses the global and local crisis of depression, particularly in Brighton, showing that despite a culture promising freedom and happiness, many are suffering deeply. Using Psalm 42, he explains that depression can be spiritual, physical, or practical, and calls listeners to find hope in Jesus, who offers comfort, healing, and ultimate restoration.

In this preach, Glen Scrivener uses Psalm 24 to help us reframe our understanding of prayer. He does this by challenging the view that the world is a mechanical factory and we are merely workers, reminding us instead that we are priests in a temple where all creation is sacred and infused with God's presence. He emphasises that Jesus, our great High Priest, has ascended into heaven carrying us on His heart, giving us access to the Father and making prayer a deeply relational act rooted in our union with Christ.

In this sermon, George Benson concludes our Otherside series on Exodus by focussing on the topic of Sabbath rest. George teaches us that God commands rest not as a burden but as a gift - one rooted in mercy, worship, and trust in God’s provision. He challenges listeners to reject the modern "treadmill" of self-justification through work and to find true rest in Jesus, who completed the ultimate work on the cross. The message ends with a call to wholehearted worship and surrender, emphasising that following Jesus means giving our entire lives to Him.

In this sermon, Matt Carvel unpacks the moral laws in Exodus 22, showing how our emotional reactions to them are shaped by cultural values. While some laws may seem harsh, they reflect God's justice, compassion, and desire to protect His people. The message points to Jesus, who took on sin so we could be made holy and belong to God.

In this sermon, Matt Simmonds highlights God’s concern for justice, ownership, and restitution. He explains that we are stewards, not owners, of what we have, and that theft can take many forms—greed, carelessness, or withholding from others. True repentance involves more than apology; it means making things right, just as Jesus restores us through his grace.

In this sermon, Matt Carvel tackles the accusation that the Bible condones slavery by unpacking Exodus 21. He explains that the passage describes a form of voluntary servitude meant to protect the vulnerable, not oppressive slavery as we understand it today. These laws were compassionate provisions in a broken world, pointing to a deeper spiritual truth: through Jesus, we are set free from sin and made children of God. Matt also critiques modern society’s focus on individual rights, warning that without a foundation in God, human value is easily lost. Ultimately, true freedom is found only in Christ.

In this sermon Tobi Ford-Western reflects on the profound holiness of God as revealed in Exodus 20 and contrasts it with His equally astounding mercy. Tobi emphasises that God’s holiness is overwhelming and often causes fear and guilt in humanity, yet God desires closeness, not distance. Instead of expecting perfection, God invites people to approach Him through simple, humble means - symbolised by the altar made of dirt. Tobi warns against idolatry, whether by creating a false version of God or worshipping worldly desires, and urges us to tear down these idols. Ultimately, it proclaims that Jesus met us in our sin and shame, becoming "our dirt" so we might be made holy and know God’s grace.

As part of our Gift Day Sunday, Matt Carvel gives a powerful call to faith and generosity, highlighting how God transforms lives through His Word and invites us to spread the gospel locally and globally through the church and acts of giving.

In this sermon, Stephen unpacks the relevance of the Ten Commandments for us today, presenting them not as outdated rules but as a gift from a loving God. He explains that the commandments act as a mirror to reveal our sin, a window into God's character, a guide for living the good life, and part of a covenant of love between God and His people. Far from being legalistic, the commandments show us our need for grace and point us toward deeper relationship and obedience to God. True love for God is expressed by keeping His commands, not to earn salvation, but in response to His saving grace.

In this sermon, Neville Jones explores Exodus 19, emphasising that God’s law was not given to save the Israelites, but to shape them into His “treasured possession,” a holy nation, and a kingdom of priests. He draws parallels to Christians today, stressing that salvation comes through grace, not rule-keeping, and that obedience to God’s instructions flows from love and relationship, not obligation. The law, reinterpreted as God’s blueprint for living, helps foster intimacy with God, create a distinct Christ-centred community, and reveal Jesus to the world through transformed lives lived in unity.

In this sermon, Matt Carvel reflects on Exodus 18, where Moses receives wise advice from Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, about sharing leadership duties. He begins by noting society’s growing use of AI and reluctance to ask for help, linking it to Moses’ initial attempt to lead alone. Jethro’s counsel to delegate is seen as a moment of humility and growth. The sermon highlights that Christianity’s core message is not self-effort but God's rescuing love. We, as a church, are encouraged to depend on Jesus, embrace humility, and seek help from both God and our community, finding peace and rest in Him.

In this preach, Matt Simmonds explores Exodus 17 and the story of Israel's battle against Amalek. It emphasises how God's people, though delivered from slavery, still face attacks from external enemies, symbolising the kind of spiritual battles believers face today. Matt highlights the tactics of the enemy - attacking at moments of weakness and rest - and draws parallels to how the enemy works in our lives. The sermon teaches that victory comes through prayer, remembering God’s past faithfulness, and standing together in community. Ultimately, it points to Jesus' decisive victory on the cross, encouraging us as believers to fight spiritual battles not with our own strength but by relying on Christ’s finished work.

In his preach, Neville Jones explored Exodus 16 and reflects on two main themes: ‘grumbling in the desert’ and ‘God’s miraculous provision’. Drawing from the Israelites’ complaints after being freed from Egypt, Neville highlights how easily we forget past hardships and God’s grace when faced with new discomforts. He challenges us to examine our own hearts for dissatisfaction and mistrust, reminding them that desert experiences are often where God shapes us most deeply. He then connects the manna from heaven to Jesus Christ, the ultimate provision from God, who sustains us daily. Neville encourages us to embrace desert seasons, resist grumbling, and recognise Jesus as the true bread of life who meets our needs even in the hardest times.

In his preach Stephen Dawson focusses in on the themes of power and the importance of faith, encouraging us as Christians to trust in God’s timing and plan, even when circumstances seem somewhat uncertain. He draws from a number of biblical examples, and emphasises how faith is not just belief but action - it often looks like stepping out even when the outcome isn't visible. Stephen challenges us to live with expectancy, remain obedient, and trust that God is working behind the scenes for their good.

In this exploration of communion, Neville Jones reminds us of the profound significance behind this sacred practice. The breaking of bread and sharing of wine isn't just a ritual – it's a deeply meaningful act that connects us to the very heart of our faith. As we partake, we're looking back at Christ's sacrifice, recognising His presence with us now, and looking forward to His return. This practice, rooted in Jesus' last supper, serves as a tangible reminder of His body broken and blood shed for us. It's a celebration of victory, not just a sombre remembrance.

In this exploration of church membership, we're reminded of the profound mystery of Christ and His body - the Church. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 12, we see how each of us is an integral part of this living organism. In a world that champions individualism, convenience, and materialism, we're called to a radically different way of life. The Church isn't just an institution; it's a family bound by covenant love, mirroring God's steadfast commitment to us. As members of Christ's body, we're invited to shift from self-centered living to embracing a mission larger than ourselves.

In the first part of our Easter series, we delve into the mystery of Christ and our connection to Him through the practice of baptism. Baptism isn't just a symbol; it's a declaration of our faith, a demonstration of our spiritual rebirth, and an identification with Jesus' death and resurrection. We're challenged to consider: what does it truly mean to be 'in Christ'?

In this exploration of Acts 12, we're confronted with the challenging question of God's fairness in answering prayers. We see James martyred while Peter is miraculously freed from prison. This stark contrast invites us to grapple with the mystery of God's ways and the different paths He chooses for His followers. Neville reminds us that God's plans often surpass our understanding, and that both life and death can be powerful witnesses to His glory.