Christ Church Balham Talks

It is often said that ‘clarity is kindness’, but how clear can we be of God’s love towards us, particularly given our ongoing struggles with sin? In this passage we are shown various reasons why we can be absolutely certain of God’s enduring love towards us

Psalm 15 Notes: Thankful for the blameless one... (vv1-2a) ..live as the righteous one (vv2-5)

How does God feel about me? Does he really love me? When we feel unloveable, these are the questions can plague our hearts. Come find the solution to your worry in Zephaniah 3:9–20. See the astonishing love that God has for His people. Be encouraged to know that the Lord Jesus Himself rejoices over you with singing! The Lord will Purify His People (vv9-13) The Lord Rejoices over You (vv14-17) The...

In a world of injustice, what hope is there? In today's sermon in Zephaniah we see how God's judgement means hope for God's people. Come and see how the refining fire of the Lord's judgement brings the justice we long for and points us to Jesus. Judgement for the Nations and Hope for Judah (2:4-15) a) Philistia (West) - vv4-7 b) Moab & Ammon (East) - vv8-11 c) Cush (South) - v12 d) Assyria (No...

Are you ready for the Day of the Lord? As we study Zephaniah together we will see how the Lord is coming to bring judgement to the whole world and the idols that cause us to stumble. The wrath of God is coming, but there is comfort for those who are humble and seek Him!

How is it that, in the ordinariness of every day life, Christians can live extraordinary lives in Jesus? Tom Barker answers this question as he takes us through 3 John. Walking In The Truth Ordinary Walk (vv1-4) Ordinary Hospitality (vv4-9) Ordinary Welcome (vv9-10) Extraordinary Good (vv11-14)

How is it that we can know the truth about Jesus, and what does the truth about Jesus mean for how we live for Him? Tom Barker takes us to the short letter of 2 John to find out. Contending in Truth Truth Lives (vv1-3) Truth Loves (vv4-7) Truth Discerns (vv8-13)

Our culture is crying out for forgiveness but where should we look? This passage is structured right at the centre of Solomon’s reign and reveals Kings heart for our forgiveness.

Living as we do in a world of broken promises, how can we expect God to keep his? In this ‘recap’ style passage we are encouraged to see how all of God’s promises as ‘yes’ in Christ.

Many of us go through life longing for permanence and stability but where should we look for this ‘forever home’? In this passage we discover how our King has done everything necessary to both bring God into us and also to prepare a place so that we might go to him. Celebrate God's Resting Rule Celebrate God's Permanent Place Celebrate God's Holy Habitation

As Christians we are all involved in a building project since both our bodies and the church are described as temples of the Holy Spirit. But how can we avoid building with either graceless perfectionism or with perfunctory ease? In this passage we meet a king who builds with quality upon the solid foundation of grace. Build in the right place Build with the best quality Build with humble confiden...

When it comes to our relationship with our unbelieving culture, we are often tempted to swing towards two extremes: syncretism (blending in with the world) or separatism (retreating away from the world). In this passage King Solomon shows us a better way, being driven by a concern for God’s Name.

“The ends justify the means.” We all know that those who live by the mantra often end up as monsters, but to what extent do we pursue and pray for certain ends without concern for the means? In this passage we see how the King leads us towards the end goal of seeking God by not neglecting the means

Meditation Service, Good Friday 2026

We live in an unjust and cruel world, where evil is often seen to prevail over good. Where is God in this? As we consider the ‘Problem of Evil’, this passage may not give a complete answer, but it does give us the beginning of an answer. NOTES: Trial 1: Jewish Council - prejudiced but powerless (vv63-71) Trial 2: Pilate - savvy but spineless (vv1-7) Trial 3: Herod - curious but callous (vv8-12) Tr...

What is it that motivates our hearts to deny Jesus? What is it that motivates Jesus’ heart to embrace us? In this passage we are given remarkable insight into the mind of our Saviour, who took on human flesh for us and our salvation

At a time when more and more young people are considering following Jesus, fewer and fewer are entering into full-time paid ministry. In this passage Jesus lays out to the future leaders of his church his expectations for ministry and well as correcting our motivations.

At this Women's Breakfast, Jo talks about Money in our Money, Sex, Power series. Passages: 1. Proverbs 31:10-31 2.⁠ ⁠1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 3.⁠ ⁠1 Thessalonians 2:8-9 Discussion question: 1.⁠ ⁠USE YOUR MONEY FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD – Proverbs 31:10-31 •⁠ ⁠What is our natural reaction to thinking about money and finances? •⁠ ⁠Is there anything that surprised us in this passage? •⁠ ⁠What impact do you t...

What are Christians supposed to be thinking or feeling as we come to the Lord’s Table for communion? As Luke narrates Jesus’ last supper before his death we are encouraged to look forward to his return, look back to the cross, look around at our new family, and look within to check we come with repentance. The Lord's Sell-out (v1-6) The Lord's Sovereignty (v7-13) The Lord's Supper (v14-23) Look ar...

What is the hope for the diverse people of God in the midst of suffering? In this passage we see the hope of the nations. That God will save His people, and that His church is a diverse body of all then nations that will praise Jesus forever. 1) God will seal his servants v.1-3 2) God will save the Nations v. 4-12 3) God will comfort his people v. 13-17

How can people from totally different backgrounds truly live together in unity? In Colossians 3:11–15 Paul shows us how the gospel gives us a new shared identity in Christ which reshapes the way we treat one another. Unity in our diversity, Christ is all in all! 1.⁠ ⁠Christ brings Unity (v.11) 2.⁠ ⁠⁠Unity brings Love (v.12-14) 3.⁠ ⁠⁠We are One Body in Christ (v.15)

Why is it that Christians can be so easily drawn into hedonism, escapism or activism? In this passage Jesus tells us how we should live while we wait for his return, and how knowing about the events of AD70 can help us

Why should we bother contuining in costly discipleship when we feel our best efforts are but a drop in the ocean? In this passage Jesus both comforts those who feel unseen and undervalued, as well as challenging us to give in the same way that he gave for us.

In so many walks of life it is easy to allow ourselves to be distracted by what is irrelevant and so miss out on what is vital. In this passage Jesus warns us that not all those who would seek to lead and teach us are exhibiting faithful ministry.

We now live in a culture highly cynical of anyone in authority over us, but how should Christians be different? In this civilisation-transforming passage Jesus establishes how we should relate to rulers of this world, whilst living as citizens of the kingdom of God.