Friendship Matters

14th October 2024

Jesus’ friends find God has gone before them

Helen Brocklehurst Sunday Sermon Acts 28, discipleship, friendship, Friendship Matters, Jude Smith, sermon 0 Comments

On 6th October, we read Acts 28:1-16 as Paul and others arrive on the island of Malta after their shipwreck. Jude Smith asked us, what is your Kingdom ambition? What is it that God invites you into? Sometimes our ambitions are ‘shipwrecked’ as Paul was, but that isn’t the end of our story. How can we welcome people who have been disappointed and hold them in their pain? We continue by prayer and intention, maintaining integrity, sometimes waiting and resting, sometimes spotting the Kingdom activity that happens in the unexpected diversion. You can listen here or using the player below.

28th September 2024

Jesus helps his friends

Helen Brocklehurst Sunday Sermon Acts 27, courage, discipleship, friendship, Friendship Matters, Sarah Bullivant, sermon 0 Comments

Reflecting on the story of Paul’s shipwreck from Acts 27:21-44, Sarah asks, ‘Whose voice do we trust in a storm?’ God is with us in every difficulty, not sparing us or giving us an escape route but present alongside us. Trusting in God’s presence and friendship is the foundation for our prayers, actions and courage. We may see God’s blessing extend beyond us to those around us. You can listen here or using the player below.

Two people stand at either ends of a digit laid on the floor. One sees it as a number 6 and the other as a 9. They are arguing from their different perspectives.

13th August 2024

Jesus’ friends can change (part 1)

Helen Brocklehurst Sunday Sermon Acts 9, discipleship, friendship, Friendship Matters, Mandy Bentley, sermon 0 Comments

Mandy visited Kairos on 4th August and spoke to us about Saul’s conversion story recorded in Acts 9:1-19. Are we viewing the world, our circumstances and other people from God’s perspective? Do we need to change? Empowered by God’s Spirit and with the support and encouragement of the Christian community, change is possible. You can listen here or using the player below.

17th June 2024

Jesus’ friends have courage

Helen Brocklehurst Sunday Sermon Acts 4, Ben Askew, courage, discipleship, friendship, Friendship Matters, sermon 1 Comment

Continuing our series on friendship with God and other people, Ben reflects on the courage of Peter and John in Acts 4:1-21. They have healed a man in Jesus’ name and now they are facing criticism from the religious authorities, trusting in Jesus’ promise that they will be given the words they need in the face of hostility. Ben explores how we can allow God to cultivate this sort of courage in us as individuals and in community, helping us to overcome the temptation to fight or run away (even when that seems like a sensible option) and instead accept God’s invitation to live in freedom in troubling times, perceiving more clearly what God is doing, and ‘weaving a canopy of trust under which other people can find shelter’ (Elizabeth Oldfield, ‘Fully Alive’).

What do you need courage for? Who might God be inviting you to stand with? How might God grow courage in you?

You can listen here or using the player below.

21st April 2024

Resurrection encounters – Peter

Helen Brocklehurst Sunday Sermon Forgiveness, Friendship Matters, Hope, John 21, Paul Dowling, resurrection, sermon 0 Comments

Reflecting on the restoration of Peter recorded in John 21 v1-19, Paul talks about the possibilities and challenges of forgiveness, reassuring us of the kindness of God who is always ready to make the first move towards reconciliation with us. The first minute or so of the talk is missing from the recording; here Paul set the scene by reminding us of Peter’s betrayal of Jesus on the night of his arrest. You can listen here or using the player below.

The image is of a bowl repaired using the kintsugi method which Paul refers to in his talk. Picture by David Pike.

13th April 2024

Resurrection encounters – Thomas

Helen Brocklehurst Sunday Sermon Chris Watson, doubt, Faith, Friendship Matters, John 20, Peace, resurrection, shalom 0 Comments

On Sunday 7th April, Chris spoke about John’s gospel, ch20 v19-31 which tells the story of Jesus’ visits to his disciples, hiding behind locked doors. Thomas misses the first encounter and doubts Jesus until he appears the second time. Jesus breathes his gift of peace (wholeness or ‘shalom’) onto his frightened disciples. God’s shalom is stronger than the fears within us and the adversity we face. Chris encourages us that doubt is an element of faith; the opposite of faith is certainty, and Jesus’ gift of peace empowers us to risk even when we are not certain. You can listen here or using the player below.

The image is Caravaggio’s ‘The incredulity of St Thomas’.

Friends of Jesus Female Sermon Luke 8.1-3 (1)

23rd March 2024

Friendship Matters – Jesus’ friendship with women

Helen Brocklehurst Sunday Sermon Build Community, discipleship, friendship, Friendship Matters, Jen Bradley, Lent, Luke 8, sermon 0 Comments

Continuing our series on friendship, Jen reflects on Jesus’ inclusive and mutually supportive friendships with women and asks how we can use the power and privilege we have to invite others into community. The reading is Luke 8 v1-3. You can listen here or using the player below.

4th March 2024

Friendship Matters – Jesus, friend of sinners

Helen Brocklehurst Lent, Sunday Sermon Ben Askew, discipleship, Friendship Matters, Lent, Luke 7, sermon 0 Comments

Jesus spent time with all the ‘wrong’ people, those who didn’t live up to the standards expected of them, taking their shame and disappointment, and the judgement of others onto himself. He continues to offer friendship, welcome and compassion to all, especially those of us who have ‘missed the mark’ (a literal translation of the word used for ‘sinners’). The reading is Luke 7v36-50. Ben offers a particular encouragement to the younger generation who are measured and tested so much – you are loved just as you are. You can listen here or using the player below.

4th March 2024

Friendship Matters – Mary, Martha & Lazarus

Helen Brocklehurst Lent, Sunday Sermon Ben Askew, discipleship, Friendship Matters, John 11, john 12, Lent, sermon 0 Comments

Continuing our series on friendship, Ben reflects on Jesus’ friendship with Mary, Martha and Lazarus which is recorded in John’s gospel chapters 11 and 12. Friendship with Jesus is transformative. We can learn from the way relationships were formed in this group: paying attention to one another, offering hospitality and unhurried presence, and allowing others to help us. You can listen here or using the player below.

11th February 2024

Friendship Matters – Nicodemus

Ben Askew Sunday Sermon Friends, Friendship Matters, Jen Bradley, John 3:1-21 0 Comments

On Sunday 4th Feb Jen launched our new teaching series: friendship matters. We didn’t managed to record the sermon then, but Jen has done another version (thanks Jen) which you can listen to on the player below or click on the link to download.

The reading was John 3: 1-21