We Are Emmanuel

Gift Day Sunday // Time to Build - Stephen Dawson // Ephesians 2:19-22 by Emmanuel

In this exploration of Acts 11, we delve into the establishment of the church in Antioch and explore what it means to be the body of Christ. Matt reminds us that the heartbeat of the church is, and always must be, the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Are we keeping Jesus at the centre of our faith and our church? The passage illustrates how the early Christians didn't just preach a concept, but proclaimed the living presence of Jesus himself. Our faith is not about following a set of rules, but about a transformative relationship with the living Christ.

In this exploration of Acts 10, Matt Simmonds challenges us to confront the barriers that divide and embrace the unifying power of the Gospel. The story of Peter and Cornelius reminds us that God shows no partiality - a revolutionary concept in a world marked by division. We see how the Holy Spirit breaks down walls between Jews and Gentiles, foreshadowing the inclusive nature of God's kingdom.

In this message, Stephen Dawson explores the miraculous healings of Aeneas and Tabitha in Acts 9, reminding us that God's power to heal is still active today. We're challenged to examine our faith and expectations when it comes to divine intervention. The story emphasises how these miracles not only transformed individual lives but also led many to turn to the Lord.

The transformative power of God's grace takes center stage in this exploration of Saul's conversion in Acts 9. We're reminded that God's grace doesn't just save us - it saves us into His church, bringing us into profound union with Christ. When we hurt, Jesus feels it personally. The story of Saul, the church's archenemy turned apostle, showcases how God's grace brings powerful change, often starting with our hearts rather than our circumstances.

In this exploration of Acts 8, we're confronted with a profound truth: God often works through seasons of suffering to bring about His greatest purposes. The early Christians faced intense persecution, yet this very hardship became the catalyst for spreading the Gospel beyond Jerusalem. We see how Philip, despite likely grieving the loss of his friend Stephen, becomes a vessel for miraculous conversions and healings.

In this exploration of Acts 7, Stephen Dawson delves into the life and martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The central message revolves around imitating Christ through our actions, even in the face of persecution. Stephen's unwavering faith and bold proclamation of the gospel serve as a profound example for us today. The parallels between Stephen's death and Jesus' crucifixion are striking, reminding us that following Christ may involve suffering, but also brings ultimate victory.

In this talk, Matt Carvel explores the early church's growth and challenges as described in Acts 6:1-7. We're reminded that the church, despite its imperfections, has been a force for good for 2,000 years. God uses ordinary, imperfect people to spread His message and meet the world's needs. Just as the apostles appointed seven men to address the neglect of Hellenistic widows, Jesus continues to call and empower us today. We're challenged to consider: What is Jesus calling us to do? How can we bear fruit in our current season? In Christ, there's no 'subs bench' – we're all called to active ministry, whatever form that may take in our lives.

In this exploration of Acts 5, Tobi Ford-Western reminds us of the early church's unwavering commitment to proclaiming Jesus Christ. The apostles faced intense opposition, yet their faith remained unshakeable. We see God working through both supernatural means (angelic intervention) and practical wisdom (Gamaliel's advice), teaching us that He uses various methods to accomplish His purposes. The apostles' joy in suffering for Christ challenges us to examine our own perspective on hardship. Are we willing to rejoice when faced with opposition for our faith? This passage encourages us to boldly proclaim the name of Jesus, regardless of the consequences, trusting that God is building His church through our faithfulness.

In the first talk of the new series, The World Turned Upside Down, Neville Jones looks at the story of Ananias and Sapphira. This passage challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith and the dangers of hypocrisy. We're reminded that true Christianity isn't about following rules, but about experiencing a heart transformation that leads to genuine generosity and honesty. The stark consequences faced by Ananias and Sapphira serve as a sobering reminder of God's holiness and the seriousness of attempting to deceive Him.

Neville Jones challenges us to embrace the power of prayer, drawing lessons from Elijah on Mount Carmel about persistence, private communion, and praying God's promises.

Christmas, the incarnation, is God coming to dwell with His people. It is God coming to make a home in a broken world. But thirdly, it is also God coming to identify with us as individual people too. Jesus did not float 2cm above the earth but was content to become like us, even live under the labels like, ‘Nazarene’ that even everyday people would wince under. Christmas is a story of how Jesus became like us, became like you, to rescue us, to rescue you. God became flesh. He was born as a human baby. With feet and hands and eyes and tummy button. He lived in obscurity, he lived under threat, he lived a life of misunderstanding, persecution and injustice. And He did it all for our sake. He has become like us, even identified among sinners like us. He has made His home with us. To make His home, with the Father, our home.

In this final message of our Crisis of Confidence teaching series, George Benson reminds us that crisis is an inevitable part of life, but peace is always possible through Christ. The central scripture, John 16:33, offers a profound truth: 'In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.' This teaching doesn't shy away from the reality of suffering, but instead prepares us for it. We're encouraged to find our peace not in circumstances, but in our union with Jesus. Just as He remained calm in the storms of life, we too can access His supernatural peace that surpasses understanding. This message challenges us to develop consistent prayer rhythms and to approach Jesus in both good times and bad, finding in Him a source of strength and tranquility that the world cannot provide.

Stephen Dawson reminds us of the profound responsibility and privilege of parenting as a spiritual journey. We're challenged to see our role as parents primarily as spiritual formators, shaping the souls of our children. He draws parallel between our earthly parenting and God's perfect parenting of us. It's a call to acknowledge God in all our ways, with wholehearted embrace. Stephen invites us to courageously trust God, even when parenting feels overwhelming, reminding us that it's not about having the biggest trust, but about trusting the biggest God.

Neville Jones takes us through an overview of scripture looking at references to caring for the poor. In our journey of faith, we're called to reflect on God's heart for the poor and marginalised. The Old Testament, from Exodus to Isaiah, consistently emphasises God's command to care for the needy, strangers, and oppressed. This isn't just a suggestion but a divine mandate. When we serve the poor, we're essentially giving to the Lord Himself. This powerful imagery reminds us that our acts of compassion are deeply intertwined with our worship. The early church exemplified this beautifully, sharing possessions and ensuring no one was in need. Their care for the vulnerable went hand-in-hand with powerful ministry and church growth.

This powerful message reminds us of our profound need for a great high priest - Jesus Christ. The sermon takes us through biblical history, from humanity's original role as priests in Eden to the Old Testament sacrificial system, culminating in Jesus as the ultimate high priest. We learn that Jesus isn't just sympathetic to our struggles; He intimately understands them, having been tempted in every way yet remaining sinless. This gives us the confidence to approach God's throne of grace, no matter our past or present struggles.

In our journey of faith, we often grapple with the question of how to become better people. In this talk, George Benson challenges us to reconsider our approach, focusing on the transformative power of Christ rather than mere self-improvement techniques.

In this talk, Stephen Dawson explores the transformative power of abiding in Christ's love and how it empowers our relationships. The central scripture, John 15:8-17, invites us to dwell in Jesus' love just as He dwells in the Father's love. This beautiful imagery of interconnectedness reminds us that we're not just servants, but friends chosen by God.

In our journey of faith, we often grapple with the concept of money and its place in our spiritual lives. This message challenges us to reframe our perspective on wealth through the lens of biblical stewardship. The key scripture, 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, invites us to consider the Macedonian Christians' example of joyful generosity despite their extreme poverty. Their secret? They 'gave themselves first to the Lord.' This profound act of surrender reminds us that everything we have ultimately belongs to God. We're called to be faithful stewards, managing His resources for His glory. This shift in mindset can liberate us from the grip of materialism and open our hearts to a life of God-honouring generosity.

In this exploration of self-worth and identity, we delve into Psalm 139, uncovering the profound truth that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. The story of David's anointing reminds us that God sees beyond outward appearances, choosing the overlooked and underestimated. We confront the epidemic of shame in our society, recognizing how childhood experiences and societal pressures can deeply affect our self-perception. However, the message of being knitted together by God's loving hands offers a transformative perspective on our inherent value. As we grapple with the tension between longing to be known and fearing rejection, we're reminded of Christ's ultimate act of love - taking on our shame so we can experience the Father's unconditional acceptance. This message challenges us to see ourselves through God's eyes, embracing our uniqueness and finding empowerment in His love.