We Are Emmanuel

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.

In this message, we're reminded that our confidence in the future doesn't come from knowing what lies ahead, but from knowing who holds the future. Drawing from 2 Peter 1:3-4, we explore how God's divine power grants us everything we need for life and godliness. The sermon challenges us to shift our focus from worldly anxieties to eternal matters, encouraging us to fear the right things – not tomorrow's uncertainties, but the state of our souls before a holy God. Yet, this fear is quickly relieved by God's grace and the precious promises He offers us. We're called to treasure these promises, guarding them against the enemy who seeks to steal our confidence in God's goodness. As we face the future, we're invited to partake in the divine nature, sharing in God's holiness and becoming more like Him. This incredible truth should empower us to live with confidence, knowing that we're united with Christ and equipped for whatever lies ahead.

In this day and age many people feel that Christianity is irrelevant. To find empowerment today we need to have greater self-esteem, tell ourselves we can do it and manifest our goals. The Gospel of Jesus Christ starts from a very different place, in fact an opposite place. In the Gospel we find strength in our weakness. It may seem like, ‘foolishness to the Greeks’, but the power of God begins at the end of ourselves.

In our exploration of work through a biblical lens, we uncover profound truths about our purpose and identity. The passage from Colossians 3 invites us to view our daily labour as more than just a means to an end, but as a divine calling.

In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, how can we find strength and joy? The book of Habakkuk offers us a powerful lesson in transforming our perspective. We're introduced to a prophet who begins in a state of despair, questioning God's care for the world. Yet, by the end, Habakkuk sings a song of joy and strength, despite unchanged circumstances. This transformation isn't about external factors; it's about the internal 'song' we choose to sing. We're challenged to examine the narratives we tell ourselves about our lives and the world around us. Are we singing songs of fear and anxiety, or are we tuning into God's song of love and salvation?

At the start of the new term, Stephen Dawson brings a word of encouragement about unclogging wells from Genesis 26 and the story of Isaac reopening the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham.

Summer in the Psalms // Psalm 150 - Stu Gibbs by Emmanuel

Summer in the Psalms // Psalm 16 - Matt Simmonds by Emmanuel

Summer In The Psalms // Psalm 34 - George Benson by Emmanuel

Summer in the Psalms // Psalm 117 - Matt Carvel by Emmanuel