Shirley Baptist Church Solihull, Sermons

What causes us to rejoice? In other words, what makes us joyful? Why do some people seem full of joy, even when things aren't going great? In 1 Peter, we read that even in hardship, the Holy Spirit can bring joy by enabling a focus on the salvation that Jesus brings. So, not a joy instead of hardship, but one within hardship, made possible by the Holy Spirit. Surely that is good news!

Romans 8:14-17 explains how the Spirit can give us an identity, enabling us to know God in a deep and personal way. How is your identity marked? By your job, your background, your culture, your education or something else? For Christians, we are identified as people who can call God our Father. We live in the love of Jesus, and the Spirit speaks truth that we are forever in God’s family. What a tr...

How does the Holy Spirit make us new? Well, when the Spirit enters our lives, the Bible describes this as us becoming a new creation. In John’s gospel, we read the story of Nicodemus. who knew a great deal about God, but Jesus invited him to something much more life changing – a relationship with God. This happens by receiving the Spirit, being born again, and accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour....

Both Jesus and Ezekiel tell us that the Holy Spirit has always been a key part of God’s amazing plan. But who is the Holy Spirit, what is he like, and why is he essential to the life of every Christian? Simply put, he is key to God’s strategy to transform our lives.

Our world is a turbulent place. At both the big picture level - wars, politics, natural disasters - and also at a more personal level - relationships, work, health , finances. Amongst all this, what does it mean to find hope in knowing the Prince of Peace, Jesus?

Have you ever felt rejected, marginalised or quietly judged by your own friends, family and neighbours? Imagine Jesus returning to speak in his hometown synagogue and being turned on by his own people. One minute, they were marvelling at this 'local boy made good'; the next, they sought to throw him to his death from a local cliff. Thankfully, they underestimated the power of a mighty God who step...

The prophetic words of Isaiah 9:6 are clear - we have a ‘Wonderful Counsellor’, one who offers guidance and wisdom for all that is beyond our expectations and human understanding. So let us trust in Jesus and ask for His counsel.

Christmas is over for another year. But Jesus, that small wonder we celebrate, has not gone away. Rather, He is our big hope. The world's big hope. As it says in Matthew 12 - 'His name will be the hope of all the world'. And what can we have hope in? Well, let's start with an Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6).

Have you ever had the experience of waiting for an important visitor to arrive? Maybe you've been in the crowd when a royal procession is due to pass by, or perhaps you've been part of the reception party for a celebrity visit. The anticipation builds as the moment approaches. But suppose that royal visitor or celebrity wants to get to know you, not just for a selfie or an autograph but for a genu...

The most life-changing moment showed up in the most unexpected way - a baby born in Bethlehem. His arrival brought the good news our world was missing, and it’s still the good news we depend on today. Want to explore what that means for you?

God has a wonderful plan for the world. But what does that mean? At Christmas, we often focus on the details of Christ's birth. But as we start this Advent season, let's consider the big picture - God's grand plan for the world and how our lives fit into this.

Hands up anyone who has ever felt inadequate, unconfident, unsure, not good enough or vulnerable? I’m guessing there are quite a few hands in the air! Most of us have, at some point, felt like this and may even think that these things are signs of a weak character. Vulnerability is actually a strength, and here’s the best bit… God delights in using vulnerable people to do amazing things! Gideon in...

There is good news and bad news, and it’s always best to start with the bad! The bad news is none of us is perfect, no matter how hard we try. However, the good news is that God knows this! And not just that, God knows our flaws and imperfections and yet still gives us His grace and mercy, and enables us to step out in faith. God calls each one of us to step forward and, when we do, He equips and...

Remembrance Sunday. A time to reflect, remember and give thanks for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. However, sadly, in the world today, there are more wars than ever. Some quick research on the internet suggests that there are currently 130 armed conflicts worldwide. Double that of 15 years ago! The world is in chaos and crisis, and we may feel helpless. The story of Abigail in 1 Samue...

Do you remember Tales of the Unexpected? This was a popular series on UK TV between 1979 and 1988. In each episode, everyday folk got caught up in surprising and bizarre stories. Each story ended with a twist. This story from the bible is similar. Rahab, a lowly prostitute, gets involved with hiding two spies from Joshua's Israelite army. She does a deal, involving hanging a crimson ribbon in her...

Have you ever been too frightened to follow God’s call on your life? That may be a big question, so let's put it another way. What is stopping you from God’s leading and direction in your life? Maybe that’s still too big a question. Another try. Do you realise that God can use you, even if you don’t feel adequate? Ah, that may be easier to answer, and it was exactly what Moses thought when God spo...

Around 4000 years ago, a man living in what is now Syria gets a message from God. He is called to uproot and go to live in a foreign land called Canaan. So begins a story of God interacting with generations of his family over thousands of years. That story of God interacting with humanity lives on. The God who called Abraham at age 75 calls us now, whatever our age or background. The journey conti...

We are created to relate all our experiences to God. Even the bad ones. To hand over to God all our moments of questions and doubts, anger and pain, silence and suffering, that all may be an act of trust in Him and His presence in our lives. Psalm 10 ends with the reminder that God hears us.

We continue our Summer Psalms series by looking at Psalm 9. Let us use it to reflect on how God can be trusted, whatever the situation.

God’s mercies are new every morning, and such mercies, along with his love, affection, grace and goodness, are a gift for us all. We are noticed today, and He has made you for loving Him and living for Him today and for all eternity. So, we are pretty amazing and God thinks the world of us. This is the message of Psalm 8!

Have you ever needed to run from a situation or been falsely accused of something you didn’t do or wrongly spoken about behind your back? That’s what David is singing about in Psalm 7. The tune to the psalm isn’t the sweet melody of worship songs on a Sunday morning but the wild, erratic, jarring tones of irregular musical strains! David laments, cries out in despair for God to save, protect and b...

Forgiveness. When we've been hurt or betrayed, it is sometimes so hard to offer. But it is empowering for the giver. Joseph’s story in Genesis shows us the power of forgiveness. Despite being betrayed, Joseph forgives, reminding us that even in tough times God is at work, making things happen for His glory and our good.

In this psalm, the writer, King David, is not in a good place. In fact, he says he is 'flooding' his bed with tears. It's a lament. When was the last time you lamented? When was the last time you cried? Perhaps, sometimes, crying is good for you. Why? Because crying can open your heart, and maybe that's how God gets in? Maybe those kinds of tears are the ones that God counts?

Are you a morning person or a night owl? Psalm 5 is about seeking God in the morning and laying requests before God. It’s a discipline, but also a brilliant way to start each day. So let’s have a shout-out for the quiet time in the morning! The Psalm is also about learning to live a life well and being rooted in God’s love. We all need that, right? And maybe it begins when we wake up each day, bec...

As we continue our Summer Psalms, we dive into Psalm 4, reflecting on how God is trustworthy and present with us in all circumstances.