The Cranmer Group Podcast

Tim kicks off our new sermon series on the Fruit of the Spirit described by Paul in Galatians Chapter 5, verses 13-26, reflecting on Jesus's command to us to love one another (John's Gospel 13:31-35), and St. John's description of the relationship between divine love and human love (The First Letter of John 4:7-21).

Particularly drawing on what Paul says to the early Christians in Corinth (1 Corinthians 14:1-5), Tim explores how the Spiritual Gifts of prophesy and encouragement can show us the character of God; be a blessing individually and as a church family, as they build us up and reveal the fruit of the Spirit in us - which we'll explore more fully after our brief summer pause. See you again in Sept...

Reflecting on Luke 21:1-4 and Philippians 4:10-20, Annie shares with us why generosity is an important gift for the Church; and how we develop and use this gift for God’s glory and the building up of his Kingdom here, in this place.

Through Jesus's teaching to his disciples in Matthew's Gospel, chapter 20, verses 20-28, and the command of the prophet Micah (chapter 6, verses 6-8) to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God", Bronwen encourages each of us to consider whether God may be calling us into a position of servant leadership, following in Christ's footsteps.

Continuing our sermon series on the Holy Spirit, Tim leads us in the first of our explorations of the Gifts of the Spirit which Paul outlines in Romans 12:1-8. Tim invites us, through God's grace, to receive the spiritual gift of service, that we might use all the gifts He has given us through his Holy Spirit, in the service of His people in our Benefice, and beyond.

Drawing on Ephesians 1:3-14 and Luke 11:5-13, Annie outlines five simple elements to being "filled continually" with the Holy Spirit, as Paul desires for us: Believe; Ask; Stay close; Let go! - yes, 5  not 4!

With the help of Jesus's encounter with Nicodemus (John 3:1-8), and Paul's Letter to the Romans (chapter 8; verses 9-17), Tim helps us discover that the Holy Spirit gives new life; that the Holy Spirit comes and makes his dwelling in us; and that the Holy Spirit leads us as children of God, testifying with our spirit that we are not only God’s children, but also his heirs.

With the help of the illustration of the 'Borromean Rings', Bron helps us to discover God's promise for each one of us that the Holy Spirit is His gift to us, and, because God is love, we experience that love through the Holy Spirit.

On this day of Pentecost, Tim invites us all to step into a place of spiritual health and maturity - which is nothing less than ever-increasing closeness to the person of Jesus himself - by opening our hearts and lives to the work of God’s Holy Spirit in us. 

Drawing especially on Matthew chapter 11, verses 28-30, in The Message version, Tim reflects on what he may heave learned from the Lord during his mini-sabbatical over the summer holidays

Tim brings to a close our sermon series on our Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham's Vision 2030, reflecting on what we have to offer to the people of our communities: the "living hope" of Jesus Christ, of which Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:3-9. In the language of CS Lewis's 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe', Tim encourages us to discern where, already, "Aslan...

Annie suggests, with advice from Jesus in Luke 8:42-48 and Luke 11:1-10, how we might go about building up prayer in our lives, both individually and as the gathered people of God in this time and place.

Looking especially at Jesus' challenge to his disciples in Luke 9:23-25, to "deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow me", Bronwen encourages us to give up our current life for a life following Jesus, in which we are promised abundant life in this life, and eternal life in the life to come [also referring to Ephesians 5:1-17].

Looking at Exodus 18:9-27 and Matthew 8:35-38, and thinking about why we seek to be a church family that is “growing leaders", Tim challenges us to reflect on Jesus’s call on our lives as his followers, and to ask him to show us where, and how, he may be calling us to serve and lead, as part of this church family. 

Reflecting on both the Creation narrative of Genesis 1 and also Paul's image in 1 Corinthians 12 of the church as being like a body, comprised of so many different and complementing parts, Annie encourages us reflect on why we should seek to become more diverse in our church family. Firstly, we do so because Jesus embodied engaging with those who were the outsiders of society in his day; and...

Drawing on Psalm 95, and  John 4:7-26, Bron invites us to consider what "inspiring worship" might look like, and how, especially, "inspiring worship" ensures that our churches are places of welcome for all, because no one is beyond God’s love.

Drawing on Christ's words in Luke 18:15-17, and the declarations of Psalm 8, Clare Chambers shares with us what Scripture says about planting young spiritual seedings, and nurturing them into "oaks of righteousness", as Jesus would have us do. This is the first of the "Areas of Focus" in our preaching series on our Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham's Vision 2030: &q...

As we celebrate joy-filled baptisms at both our 9am and 11am services on this Trinity Sunday, Tim considers how Jesus's encounter with Nicodemus (John 3:1-17), and especially his words in verse 16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" - encapsulate our faith in the Trinitarian God: Father...

Tim considers how the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples on the first Pentecost, inspires us as we follow our new Diocesan Vision 2030: "Growing Disciples of Christ, with Compassion, Confidence and Courage". This is the first part of his sermon on Acts 2:1-21 & Matthew 9:35-38  - listen to it; then watch the Bishops of Southwell and Sherwood introduce the new Vision, and wh...

After our Bishops' introduction to the new Diocesan Vision ( here ), Tim continues his sermon considering how the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples on the first Pentecost, inspires us as we follow this new Vision 2030: "Growing Disciples of Christ, with Compassion, Confidence and Courage". Note that you need to listen to Part 1 of Tim's preach first, for this to make...

As we celebrate another baptism in our church family today, Tim explores with us Jesus's prayer for his disciples in John 17:6-19.  He reflects on how God the Father protects us; how God the Son prays for us; and how God’s Word - Scripture - purifies us, whilst at the same time His Holy Spirit fills us.

Tim invites us - with some help from Ella, the Vicarage Labrador - to consider the unique  qualities of Jesus' loving friendship for us all, that he describes in John 15:9-17 - sharing, 'stickability' and sacrifice.

Bronwen invites us to bear good fruit in our lives, as disciples of Jesus Christ. But, as Christ tells us in John 15:1-8, Bron reminds us that we can only be the disciples God wants us to be, when we remain connected to the vine, to Jesus himself. 

Tim looks at what Jesus says about himself in John 10:11-18 - that he is our Good Shepherd, who cares completely for us; in whom we can place our trust totally; and who gives everything for us.

Just as Bronwen reflected on Jesus's words to the Disciples in his first encounter with them after the Resurrection, as told by John, Tim considers Christ's same words to them in Luke 24:36-49. Tim examines how Luke’s message to us is that Jesus’ resurrection is real; that, despite all that we – like the Disciples – have done, Jesus comes to us with a message of his forgiveness and grace...