Shirley Baptist Church Solihull, Sermons

SBC is growing in cultural diversity, but this is also true of our town and wider community. What does it look like to build friendships among different languages, faiths and cultural differences? How can the good news of Jesus be shared within those friendships?

Jesus had 12 close friends, His disciples, at the age of 30. Some people might consider that His greatest miracle! Joking aside, what does the Bible say about Jesus’s friendship among the 12 disciples? What happens when 12-15 meet up regularly to share life and grow in faith, and how does this benefit friendship?

Do you ever feel the pressure of friendship? If so, why? This pressure can be for many reasons - a lack of spare time or what is or isn't being said on social media are just two examples. But it is important to realise that spiritual opposition is fundamental in this pressure. The devil’s goal is to isolate us. God’s desire is for us to find community and flourish in our friendships.

What makes someone your best friend? That can be a tricky question regardless of whether you are 5, 25 or 85, as sometimes you just don't know! So instead perhaps we should consider what are the best kinds of friendships, and how does Jesus show us in his own life this kind of friendship?

“Good friendship changes everything” says author Phil Knox in his book, ‘Best of Friends’. More than that, he explains how vital friendship is when we follow Jesus because we cannot follow him alone. Church life can mean many things to many people, but at its heart is friendship with God and people. What does friendship mean to you? Who are your friends both inside and outside the church? What doe...

We are all on the road to learning, growing and maturing in Christ-likeness. What an adventure that is! But even better - we are not told to do this alone. Ephesians 4:1-16 speaks about all Christians playing their part to encourage others to grow in maturity in Christ.

How many of you have picked up the bible, read a few verses, put it down again, looked into the distance and said quietly to yourself, 'I just don't get it'? This is what the disciples of Jesus thought when he spoke to them after the miracle of feeding the five thousand. Some of them got so confused and bewildered by Jesus's teaching on the 'bread of life' that they drifted away and left him. We m...

Feeding 5000 people sounds like a mammoth job, and with few resources, it seems an impossible problem! But Jesus pulled it off, and it became one of his most famous miracles. What do we do when we are facing a tricky situation? Do we look to Jesus to help us? If not then perhaps we should because, as this story shows, Jesus can be the solution to any problem!

The book of Nehemiah is a great place to look when searching for a story of hope, joy, grace and renewal. The joy of the Lord was their strength and can be ours today!

Does life sometimes feel like a rollercoaster?! In the ups and downs that we face, where can we turn for help? Psalm 46 has the answer! It tells of an unshakeable God who offers us his power, presence and peace.

Everyone loves a wedding! But would you be willing to go out into the streets and extend an open invitation to anyone who would come? As we come near the end of our series about the Kingdom of God, we see an open invitation to any who will respond to be the people of the Kingdom. No matter our background, culture or nation, we are all invited to come and be a part of the Kingdom of God, but are we...

This week the UK has been to the polls to decide which political party will be in power for the next 5 years. In other countries, similar elections have recently taken place or will soon be held. Around the world, governments exercise power with varying degrees of wisdom, integrity and competence. As Christians, we are also citizens of another kingdom, the Kingdom of God. But what is the source of...

What is the parable of the Sower all about? The seed? The types of earth? No! The clue is in the name - it's about the Sower, who represents God. A God that spreads his love (the seed) across all types of soil (our hearts), regardless of whether they are hard, stony, chocked with seeds or fertile.

Kingdom Peace comes through having a different vision - the vision of Isaiah, one of the Old Testament's greatest prophets. The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, implores us to be ambassadors of this Kingdom Peace. But how can we do that when every day we look upon conflict between people and nations? It seems impossible to us. But maybe our judgement is wrong and God’s vision is correct. If...

Do religion and politics mix? Some may want to view them like oil and water - things that separate themselves out. But the Bible shows us that God is always concerned for the welfare of humanity and good governance. Leadership and social issues are very much part of the faith and life and how we engage with politics matters.

How does one participate in the Kingdom of God? Well, in His parables, Jesus gave examples - something that could grow from small beginnings, like a mustard seed, or something that could affect great change, like yeast in flour. And how best to action this? Check out 2 Peter 1:5-7 - there is a clear answer!

"Surely the Lord was in this place, and I was not aware of it…How awesome is this place!". This is what Jacob said in Genesis 28. There are places where God seems closer than normal. Celtic Christianity speaks of “thin places” where the distance between heaven and earth collapses. Was this the experience of Pentecost when the Spirit came and moved among the followers of Jesus? And where is your “t...

What was the greatest theme that Jesus spoke about during his three years of ministry on Earth? It might surprise you that it wasn’t the church but the Kingdom of God. Jesus spoke loads about this topic. It could be compared to a bar of soap - slippery to handle, but it makes you clean! Okay, maybe that analogy is a bit rubbish - but there are so many ways Jesus explained the Kingdom and described...

'Do you love me?'. It's a big question. It's a question Jesus asked the disciple Peter three times at the end of the greatest story ever told. 'Do you love me?' As one story was ending, another was beginning. 'Feed my sheep'. Jesus had been crucified and he had resurrected. He was giving Peter a big job. 'Feed my sheep'. How do these verses change things today - for you and the church? How do we l...

Baker, Le Tissier, Patel, Vale. Names often have meaning, telling us about family origins - perhaps their trade or status or where their house could be found. Similarly, the name of the Lord our God tells us very much who He is. His name is Yahweh in the Hebrew. It is often translated to 'I am who I am', but it is a phrase without any tense. So it can also mean 'I've always been who I've always be...

Breakfast. The experts say it is the most important meal of the day. What does yours typically consist of? When the resurrected Jesus invites his followers to ‘Come and have breakfast’, it is an invitation to recognise Jesus, to identify him, to know him and to be present with him. So not only the best meal of the day but the best meal of their lifetime! And the good news is that this is an invita...

Easter has happened, and Christ has risen! Just as the disciples continued to be amazed in the days and weeks that came after, we too can continue to learn and be astonished as we continue this journey with Jesus.

Easter is about rising from the dead, rising from the ashes of lost hope and rising from a life of loneliness and separation to a life of joining God and living with him forevermore. The cross is the greatest act of love where forgiveness reigns and reconciliation rules. Jesus is Lord. He is Risen. Hallelujah! This Easter, commit to Jesus and celebrate lives transformed and changed. In a world of...

James concludes his letter by writing about the ups and downs of community life and how PRAYER and PRAISE need to be woven throughout our relationship with God and one another. James’ final sentence focuses on people who may have wandered away from FAITH. Because James is about doing faith, not just having faith! Why not act now to pray and encourage people in their faith journey! Especially frien...

In chapter 5 of his letter, James encourages us to be patient, but, in reality, what does that mean? Well, in simple terms, being patient in waiting, patient in times of difficulty and patient with each other. But this is not easy - we all struggle with patience if we’re honest! The good news is we don’t have to struggle in our own strength - we have the power of the living Lord Jesus available to...