Hope Community Church Helensburgh Sermons

‘New Year Commitments: Commitment to Jesus’. In the first of a four-part series for the New Year, Rodger goes back to the Free Church’s challenge for each congregation to become a ‘Healthy Gospel Church’. He identifies four commitments, the first being commitment to Jesus , and explains it using a passage from Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Bible passage: Romans 11:33-12:2 Find out more about us: ⁠W...

As Israel stands on the brink of the Promised Land, facing change, loss, and uncertainty, God speaks words of assurance and strength. In this sermon from Joshua 1, Niall Munro reminds us that God’s promises remain firm—and that His presence gives courage to obey, move forward, and trust Him in the unknown. Bible passage: Joshua 1 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: ⁠hopehelensburgh.org⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠...

‘Christmas Explained: Death Destroyed’. In his ongoing series taking a deep dive into the meaning and implications of the Christmas story, Rodger preaches from the book of Hebrews to explain how Christ has overcome death itself. Bible passage: Hebrews 2:14-18 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠ Instagram Facebook Main scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible,...

‘Christmas Explained: Poverty Embraced’. Focussing on 2 Corinthians 8:9, Rodger considers how Christ became poor in order that we might become spiritually rich: through his incarnation, and his suffering and death on the cross. Bible passage: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 Other material: Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q27. Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠ Instagram Facebook Scripture...

‘I am the True Vine’. In the last part of his series on Jesus’ ‘I am’ statements from John’s Gospel, Rodger looks at the final one: ‘I am the True Vine’. What did Jesus mean when he used the metaphor of the vine, and what implications does that have for us as Christians? Bible passages: Isaiah 5:1-6 John 15:1-11 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠ Instagram Facebook Scripture qu...

‘God Brings Outsiders In!’. Preaching from 2 Kings Chapter 5, Niall Munro explores the attitudes of three people we encounter during the passage: the slave girl; the Syrian commander Naaman;  and Elisha’s servant, Gehazi. How is our relationship with God affected by how we approach Him? Bible passage: 2 Kings 5 (verses 1-14 read by David Ridland) Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.o...

‘A Musician’s Testimony’. This week we welcomed Evan Macdonald from Crow Road Free Church , who preached from Psalm 73 on the doubts its author, Asaph, experienced when he saw the injustice in the world around him. How should we respond when we encounter ungodly people with power, wealth and influence? Bible passage: Psalm 73 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠ Instagram Faceboo...

In this message from John 14, Rev Rodger Crooks explores Jesus’ words spoken on the night before His crucifixion: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” To anxious disciples, Jesus reveals Himself as the only path to the Father, the ultimate truth about God, and the source of real, everlasting life. In a world of confusion and competing claims, this reminds us that hope, peace, and salvation a...

In this message from John 11, Rev Rodger Crooks explores Jesus’ powerful declaration at the tomb of Lazarus: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Through this encounter, we see that Jesus doesn’t just give life — He is life itself. He enters our sorrow, overcomes death, and calls each of us to trust in Him, the One who brings hope beyond the grave. Bible passage: John 11. Find out more about us:...

In this message from his series on the “I am” sayings of Jesus, Rev Rodger Crooks turns to Christ’s words, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Drawing on Ezekiel 34 and John 10, he shows how Jesus claims to be God Himself—the Shepherd who rescues, knows, and protects His flock. We explore how the Good Shepherd lays down His life willingly, personally, and purposefully for His sheep, offering salvation, secu...

‘I am the Gate’. In the third part of his series looking at Jesus’ ‘I am’ statements, Rodger explores the context and meaning behind the first part of Chapter 10 of John’s Gospel. Bible passages: Isaiah 43:1-13 John 10:1-10 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠ Instagram Facebook Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Cr...

‘I am the Light of the World’. In the second part of his series looking at Jesus’ ‘I am’ statements, Rodger comes to Chapter 8 of John’s Gospel. What does Jesus mean when he calls himself the ‘Light of the World’? Bible passages: John 8:12 John 8:48-59 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠ Instagram Facebook Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Sta...

In the opening message of a new series on the “I am” statements of Jesus, Rev Rodger Crooks begins with Christ’s words, “I am the bread of life.” From John 6, we discover how this first declaration reveals Jesus as both fully God and the only one who truly satisfies the hunger of the soul. He alone offers the bread that endures to eternal life. Bible passages: John 6:1-5, 25-51 Find out more about...

‘Covenant Kindness’’. Andy Tamata looks at the interaction between David and Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, in the second book of Samuel and draws parallels between their relationship and our own relationship with God.  Bible passages: 2 Samuel 8:15 - 9:13 (read by Ian Shaw) 1 Samuel 31:1-2 2 Samuel 4:4 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠ Instagram Facebook Scripture quotations...

‘Gospel Encouragement’. This week we welcome Isaac Spiers from Crow Road Free Church. Isaac preaches from the books of Leviticus and Hebrews, on how we have full assurance of the new world to come, through Jesus’ work, and how this should bring us encouragement within our church community.  Bible passages: Leviticus 16:1-16 (read by Andy Tamata) Hebrews 10:19-25 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: h...

This week, Niall Munro preaches from the opening of Paul’s letter to the Romans — a passage that captures the heart of the Christian message. What makes the gospel so powerful, and why are we often hesitant to share it? In this sermon, we’re reminded that the gospel is not just good advice but God’s power to save — for everyone who believes. It’s news worth living for, and news worth proclaiming w...

This week, we hear from Mr Campbell Brown of Crow Road Free Church on Paul’s final charge to Timothy — a call to be strong, to share the load, and to endure hardship. Preaching from 2 Timothy 2, this sermon reminds us that the Christian life isn’t about self-reliance but about faithful dependence on God. Like soldiers, athletes, and farmers, we’re called to discipline, perseverance, and passing th...

‘God Wants You to be Rich!’. Andy Tamata preaches from Luke’s Gospel Chapter 12: the Parable of the Rich Fool. Bible passage: Luke 12:13-21 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠ Instagram Facebook Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All right...

‘The Transfiguration’. This week, Rev David Parker explores the mountaintop moment when Jesus’ glory was revealed before his disciples. We’re invited to consider the paradox at the heart of the Christian faith — a radiant Messiah who walks the path of suffering, and a glory that will one day be shared with those who follow him. The voice from the cloud says it all: “This is my Son... listen to him...

‘For Pity’s Sake!’. Niall Munro concludes his three-part series on the book of Jonah. What can we learn about God’s character and Jonah’s character? And how does God change Jonah? Bible passage: Jonah 3:10 - 4:11 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠ Instagram Facebook Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a p...

‘Deep Waters’. This week, our elder Andy Tamata preached on the relationship between God the Son and God the Father, using Jesus’ prayer from John’s Gospel. Bible passage: John 17 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠ Instagram Facebook Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News P...

‘You can run, but you can't hide!’. This week, Niall Munro preaches from Jonah 1, reflecting on the prophet’s futile attempt to flee from God. Through storms, sailors, and a sovereign rescue, we’re reminded that God’s grace relentlessly pursues both unbelievers and reluctant believers — and that running from God is never the end of the story. Bible passage: Jonah 1 Find out more about us: ⁠Web...

‘The Quality of Mercy’. This week we welcomed a guest preacher, Rev Steven Reid from Crow Road Free Church. His sermon was on the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, looking at how it reveals how we can miss the mark in our worship, and our need to rely upon God’s mercy alone. Bible passage: Luke 18:9-14 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠ Instagram Facebook Scripture...

‘Will You Be There, Before the Throne?’. This week we are delighted to welcome the Rev Colin Dow, from Crow Road Free Church. Colin examines the Apostle John’s vision of Heaven in the book of Revelation. Bible passage: Revelation 7:9-17 Find out more about us: ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠ Instagram Facebook Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),...

‘Faithful Kingdom Investment’. This week, Rev Kevin Thumptson of Watershed Fellowship preaches from Luke 19, exploring the parable of the ten minas. In a world of distractions and competing priorities, what does it mean to invest faithfully in God’s kingdom? Kevin challenges us to move from fear to fruitfulness, recognising that the small acts of faith today echo into eternity. Bible passage: Luke...