We Are Emmanuel

Here is Matt Carvel's preach from the Sons of conference that happened earlier this month. Due to technical issues the first few minutes of Matt's preach was not recorded, we do apologise!

In this message, Matt Simmonds speaks from 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17 about what it means to be changed by the truth. He challenges the idea of self-improvement and reminds us that true transformation comes only through God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re called to stand firm and hold fast to God’s Word, allowing His truth to shape our hearts and lives. Even when change feels slow or incomplete, God’s love, patience, and Spirit are at work - making us more like Jesus day by day.

In this message from The Truth series, Tobi Ford-Western unpacks what Jesus meant when He said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). He explores how truth isn’t just an idea or belief - but a person: Jesus Himself. True freedom isn’t found in doing whatever we want, but in knowing Christ, who frees us from sin, addiction, and deception. This sermon calls us to live in the truth, walk in freedom, and reflect heaven’s wisdom on earth.

In this message, Matt Simmonds explores what it means for Jesus to be “full of grace and truth” by unpacking John 1. In a world of lies, mistrust, and broken promises, he reminds us that God’s truth is not only objective reality but also relational faithfulness. Through Jesus, we see God’s steadfast love and covenant loyalty revealed - a foundation we can truly build our lives on.

In this message, Matt Carvel explores Jesus’ powerful words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). In a world searching for wisdom and meaning, he reminds us that true life and lasting peace are found not in philosophy or self-help, but in knowing the person of Jesus. Through His compassion and faithfulness, Jesus offers hope for today and the promise of an eternal home with the Father.

In this talk, Tobi Ford-Western explores one of the most important questions of faith: Can we trust the Bible? Drawing from John 17:17, he examines historical, textual, prophetic, and eyewitness evidence for the reliability of Scripture, showing how both the Old and New Testaments stand up to scrutiny. Tobi highlights how fulfilled prophecy, extra-biblical sources, and the testimony of the disciples affirm the Bible’s truth. More than a book, he explains, the Bible has the power to transform lives and point us to Jesus - the Son of God, not just a good teacher. Ultimately, we’re left with a choice: will we trust His Word and receive the life He offers?

In this sermon, George Benson unpacks the truth of the resurrection from 1 Corinthians 15, showing why it is the foundation of Christian faith and hope. He addresses historical evidence, the longing in our hearts for life beyond death, and the personal transformation that comes from meeting the risen Jesus. This is a powerful reminder that because Christ is alive, everything (our lives, our struggles, and even our future) will be made new.

In this sermon, Matt Carvel explores what it means to hold fast to the truth of Jesus in a post-truth culture. Drawing from Philippians 2:12-18, he challenges us to stop defining our own “truth” and instead receive God’s truth through His Word, living as children of God who shine as lights in a crooked and twisted generation. It’s a call to depend daily on Jesus, reject grumbling, and root our lives in the gospel that brings freedom and joy.

In this preach, Neville Jones looks at the life of Elijah in 1 Kings 17 to show what it means to live by faith when hope feels delayed, disappointment sets in, or mystery surrounds us. He calls us to trust God’s unceasing provision, even when circumstances seem bleak, and to step out in faith, knowing Christ offers abundant life. This is a message of encouragement to keep believing, keep receiving, and let faith rise in every season.

In this preach, based on Psalm 130, Matt Simmonds explains that sin is more than a few mistakes - it’s a powerful force that leads to brokenness, guilt, and helplessness, with both temporary and eternal consequences. Yet in the depths of our failure, God offers steadfast love and plentiful redemption through Jesus’ sacrifice, wiping away all sin and granting true freedom. Our awareness of sin is evidence of His grace at work, calling us to repentance and hope in His unending forgiveness.

In this sermon, George Benson unpacks Psalm 131 and teaches us that true peace comes from humility and trust in God, not control or self-reliance. Pride and striving lead to anxiety, but like a child resting in its mother’s arms, we can find calm by depending on God. George shows us how Jesus perfectly modelled this humility at the cross, making peace possible for us. Therefore our role is to trust in Him, surrender pride, and rest in His care.

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.