NCF Sunday Talks

In Nik’s second Talk on Isaiah 40 we reminded of how and why God comforts us, but then we are challenged to be Heralds for God. We are saved by grace, but God looks to us to make effort. time and finances available to Him. Josephus is used to fill out the story of Isaiah, John the Baptist and Jesus.

The foundations of the nation of Israel were built on prophecies. Isaiah 53 is a brilliant prophecy about Jesus. His blood is powerful. This Talk helps us to consider several aspects of His sacrifice. Do what God says even if it doesn't make sense at first.

It’s really good to look at the structure of Isaiah whether you believe one person wrote it or several. Chapter 40 is a turning point in the book. It’s the beginning of Isaiah’s second statement about/from God. Three themes in chapters 1-39:1/ God is the God of all nations – not just Israel2/ God is the God of the individual and not just the nations.3/ The Assyrian army is close and threatening. O...

God makes a barren desert blossom. What is our part in this? Are we prepared to toil and labour for God with everything that we have - time, energy and ideas? What is our character like? Does it reflect what is written in Galatians 5:22, 23? Will we decide to be full-time lighthouse keepers for God? Do we have a sense of urgency? All of the PowerPoint slides for this Talk, as well as John's n...

Join us as we listen to most of the talking components of our Gift Day Service. God certainly loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7)!

Are we ready, prepared and available to God for Him to use us? Are we praying for Divine opportunities to share our 'God Story'? We hear a short Talk as an encouragement to testify to others in various ways. This includes an experiment using dominoes (photos are on our website). Looking at the notes on our website will help you as you listen to this Talk as you will be able to see the Po...

Our first Prayer Sunday of 2018. Near the very end we hear a picture that is very powerful.

Who do we think Jesus is? What title should we personally give him? The notes for this Talk are on our website. At the end we also hear from Nohemi Granados Pinilla and pray for her as she returns to South America to carry out more translation work with YWAM.

In our last Talk in this Series, we think about who influences us and who do we influence? It is good to praise and pray for those who have influenced us for the better. John Mark felt he had the freedom to say No. It's part of our Christian DNA to reach out to others. As we do this we can lift up the name of the Lord.

Bravery, faith and obedience sums up the life of many people in the Bible. It certainly does of Hannah.

Nicodemus is a well known person in the Bible. His conversation with Jesus in John 3, is perhaps one of the most quoted chapters in the Bible. Who was he, why did he visit Jesus, what happened after and why is he a hero? Is it easy to be spiritually fit? Our website contains the notes for this Talk. This includes all the PowerPoint slides, as well as other ideas that aren't actually explored...

Bezalel was a brilliant craftsman. He was also a spiritual man and that meant he knew that God was with him – Emmanuel. This enabled him to do something that might seem impossible to most people – to be in charge of building God’s Tabernacle. God often calls us to do things for Him that we are good at, just like He did with Bezalel. Is our relationship with God something we work at? Do we “Come” t...

Acts 16 - Lydia’s Lifeline. It’s our responsibility to build churches and preach the Gospel on the new estates, not the Council or builders. We shouldn’t abdicate the responsibility we have to educate and help others. Paul and Silas were led to Philippi to preach the Gospel. Lydia worshipped God. Paul and Silas met her with a group of women in Philippi, though she was originally from Thyatira. God...

Nathan was a political advisor to King David and King Solomon and often spoke prophetically to them. He had a strong influence on David. There are three episodes in the Bible that are looked at in this Talk. He was humble and obedient towards God. Toddlers ‘hide’ and think adults can’t see them. Do we act this way with God when we sin? Nathan doesn’t tell the Law to David but gives him a parable t...

Have you got a nickname? Joseph from Cyprus was called Barnabas by the early leaders of the Church as he was such an encourager. What do people call us (whether to our face or behind our backs)? Is it a positive name or something that isn’t? We explore some of Barnabas’ life in this Talk and remind ourselves how excellent it is to be an encourager ourselves. It would be a good idea to consult the...

There are many people in the Bible that have a large number of chapters or even whole Books written about them. There are many more people who might appear in only one chapter. This Series will concentrate on them. Many of these people are significant heroes and are worth learning about. In this Talk we are reminded who Jethro is and how God used him to help Moses become a better leader. Jethro wa...

What is the Day of the Lord? Why is it called "great and dreadfful" in the Bible? What is a good response to this?

Lots of people were involved in the first Christmas. What was there response to Baby Jesus? What is our response as the Risen, Ascended and Exalted Jesus talks and interacts with us today?

This Talk is based on Philippians 1:3-14.

What is Christian joy?

Using the books of Kings, Job, Romans and Revelation, we remind ourselves what worship is. Do we mostly focus on the Cross or on the Throne as we worship?

The Media gives us false information when describing heroes. Jesus is the greatest hero and as we follow Him, so we become heroes too. The Outline for this Talk is on our website.

God desires that we pray with others. It's good for us and it's good for the others we meet with.

Jesus still encourages His disciples to fast. This could be from food, but also from activities that we might cherish. Examples are given from the Bible and from recent history. Spending time at a Retreat is also mentioned. The most important issue is whether we are hungry for more of God.

On this Remembrance Sunday we are reminded of the sacrifice of others. The Bible encourages to look back and be grateful for what God has done in our lives. This can be a very positive part of our regular devotions with God. Is that in conflict when we are also told to forget the former things and ponder on what God is about to do in the near and distant future? God calls us to costly grace.