Gorse Hill Baptist Church is a vibrant church in the heart of Swindon made up of a diverse range of people from all across the town and surrounding areas. Our mission is knowing God to make Him know. This gives us a passion to deepen our relationship with God and to tell others of His love. This podcast includes sermons from Steve Robinson and others preaching at our church. If you enjoy our podcast, visit ghbc.org.uk to learn more about us.
https://www.ghbc.org.uk
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 2 days 23 hours 4 minutes
What is a church?
Church is not a building nor a particular denomination. Church is people, church is you and I, whenever, wherever and however we meet. The bible tells us that the church is like a body: there’s infinite variety in its make up but unity in the way it all fits together. We are part of something special (God’s church); we’re connected for a common purpose (serving the world); we’re growing up (directed and refreshed by the Holy Spirit).
Keep calm and carry on
Hanging on to faith, persevering in the face of trials, temptation, struggles and suffering is not easy. But, as James illustrates, if our attitude to the way we use our material resources is not right, then our perseverance is in vain. These verses are a corrective towards selfishness, a selfishness that apparently manifested itself in an extreme form in James's experience; so keen were some to get wealth and keep it, in that they were prepared to do anything to achieve their goal (v.4)...
Connected to God's power
If there is one thing we have learned from James over these past weeks, then it is that our responsibility as believers extends beyond ourselves and that our actions and our attitudes have a significant impact on the life of the church as a whole. Now, as James comes to the end of his letter he reminds us once again of our responsibilities towards each other...
Handing it over to God
We all suffer from conflict at some time or another and it often appears that it is really part and parcel of our everyday lives. After all there are so many things or situations that can trigger it off aren't there? Workmates, other car drivers, members of our families, others within the church fellowship and even from within ourselves?In these verses – having recognised the need the for Godly wisdom (3:13 – 18) James again looks at the uglier side of human nature...
Building not burning
Words are part of our day to day communication; they can build and maintain or they can destroy relationships. They can cement or they can fracture confidence and trust. Words have power; they can communicate love or hatred, acceptance or rejection. Words can just as easily libel people's reputations and spread false information as much as they express praise or encouragement.To maintain the bond of peace, before we speak let’s first think – is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind?
More than words can say
I sometimes think that James is like the little boy in the Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Story who exposed the emperor's nakedness. James has a painful habit of exposing our own spiritual pretence: do we just talk a good game? Do we know the language, read the right books, sing acceptable songs, go along to the right meetings? Fine, so far as it goes, but James argues that if that is our faith, then it needs to go a whole lot further: much, much further in fact, into a different way of living...
Facing my demons
Tough times face us, it is true but the Good News of Jesus Christ and of God’s provision is always the Good News. Faith and trust is truly the key to facing up to the tests that our daily lives set us. It is faith in the Lord who will equip us not just to stay still and survive but to thrive and grow to maturity through His Grace...