Talks And Sermons From St Matthew's

God made us for his pleasure. The account of Jesus in the temple, aged 12, gives us some strong clues as to how we can do that more and more.

In this all-age Christmas Day service Kirstie reminds us that on the first Christmas Love Came Down and encourages us to respond with joy.

David explains vividly how John the baptist's ministry was so life-transforming and carried the greatest hope and joy.

Nehemiah's earnestness in prayer, his deep personal faith, his total reliance on grace and his eternal perspective are a wonderful antidote to backsliding faith.

There are two ways to live - in worship of God or in forgetful self-absorption - and in chapters 11&12 Nehemiah shows us how to live lives of worship.

How does is make us feel when we consider meeting Jesus face to face? Perhaps it makes Advent preparation a higher priority!

Just as the disciples were called to distribute the loaves and fish to the five thousand, so we are called to be distributors of God's love and grace in the world.

There are only two alternatives. Justice or Grace. If we demand justice for others, we must be prepared to receive justice ourselves. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want justice - I want grace.

We know we are lost if we haven't been found. Have you been found, or are you still lost?

Just as completing the wall brought physical restoration to Jerusalem, God's Word brought spiritual restoration to the people - and the good news is, it still brings new life, healing and restoration today.

To be criticised is to feel we're being attacked - it hurts! Nehemiah shows us how to respond in the right way without being deflected from God's purpose for our lives.

Jesus challenges his disciples to be hungry for mission, to engage people in conversations about God, because many are ready to hear the good news. Will we respond?

As we face things coming against us in life - Nehemiah shows us that there is always hope, encourages us to bring these things to God, who changes us as we stand on his promises and seek support from praying friends.

None of us is good enough, none of us can save ourselves - our only hope is in the saving work of Christ on the Cross

We have all been wounded, and Nehemiah shows us that the place of restoration and healing is a community of believers with a unified vision, overcoming fear and pride by doing what they could to the glory of God.

We long for things to happen at our bidding, but Nehemiah shows us how waiting on God's timing is the best way to ensure the right result.

Many have unrealised dreams of what could have been. Nehemiah shows us how to respond when God breaks our hearts for what's on his.

As James and John jockey for position next to Jesus, Simon asks us to consider our own motives for the parts we play in church life and in the Kingdom of God.

As the Apostle Paul concludes his letter, his words remind us that the church of Jesus Christ is one which operates on love, generosity and unity - and calls us to put that into practice.

The linchpin of Christianity - the resurrection - transforms lives, assures us of our eternal destiny, and motivates us as witnesses to the world of Christ's victory on the cross.