St Helen's midweek talks podcast

William Taylor - 'Religion does more harm than good.' Find out from Matthew 23:25-33 why Jesus Christ agrees!

William Taylor - Jesus warned his disciples about hell. Hell exists. Hell is real. Hell will be populated. Hell is forever. Hellish religion leads people to hell. It can look impressive - it is dangerously deceptive. And hellish religion is the default option of the City.

William Taylor - In Matthew 23:1-12 Jesus denounces human religion and provides a vital warning to us. The contrast between what Jesus offers, and the religion of his day could not be more stark. One is steeped in humility and is heavenly – the other oozes hypocrisy and is hell-bound.

Paul Williams - In Luke 7, Jesus meets a woman whose life had gone badly wrong. We will see both the depth of God's grace and its power to transform. It's a challenging and deeply encouraging passage that speaks to all of us, whatever our past.

Paul Williams - Jesus offers everyone the chance to take the greatest gift we all need - eternal life with God forever. And yet, many people don't want it. This week in Luke 7 we discover why many don't jump at the chance at having such a brilliant free gift.

Paul Williams - There aren't many more heart-breaking scenes than that of a widow burying her only son. But witness how Jesus transformed her heartbreak and brought hope - the hope that we all need in the face of death.

Paul Williams - We make value judgements about people all the time — ethically, economically, personally and spiritually. In Luke chapter 7:1-10 we discover the radical difference the gospel brings as we see Jesus' approach to people, whatever we may think they're worth.

William Taylor - They murdered Jesus because he claimed to be God - and every argument against him failed. What about ours?

William Taylor - 'Religion' that God loves is not only remarkably simple, but also profoundly freeing – and good. Jesus is at the heart of it, and he has been enthroned by God.

William Taylor - The Incas and Pharoahs mummified their dead for eternal life. Mufasa taught Simba that the dead are amongst the stars in the 'Circle of Life'. Bertrand Russell insisted 'When I die, I rot'. Jesus teaches resurrection. It is altogether more credible.

William Taylor - Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God', has been described as among the most significant phrases in Western literature - it is also among the most misunderstood.

Paul Williams - Explore Jesus' surprising picture of the kingdom of heaven—not as restrictive or dull, but like a joyful, lavish wedding feast you and your colleagues won't want to miss.

William Taylor - Who wants to live in a world without forgiveness or redemption? The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ tells us that we don't need to live our lives or face our deaths unforgiven by God.

William Taylor - Is God's patience endlessly inexhaustible? What happens when it runs out? When God's patience does run out, is there any hope for anyone? Hear what Jesus says in Matthew 21:33-46.

William Taylor - What right does a person have to say what they say or do what they do? Jesus' claims and actions were sufficiently extravagant for those around him regularly to question his authority. Their questions and his response reveal not only the truth about him – but also about them, and us!

William Taylor - Power both fascinates and appals us. Power is the issue when Jesus enters Jerusalem. Most particularly the abuse of religious power. Jesus, in divine power, both exposes and pronounces judgment on abusive power.

Paul Williams - Those in leadership can make decisions that reverberate around the world, as we've seen time and again. Often we feel that leaders fail us by misusing the authority their position gives them.

Paul Williams - We often hear that 'a civilisation is measured by how it treats its weakest members'. It's a value our culture proudly affirms and we see it being embraced by major corporations in the City—but where did it really come from, do we consistently live it out, and are we blind to our failures?

Paul Williams - Explore the breathtaking heart of Jesus' leadership: 'The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' In a world obsessed with status and authority, come and discover the beauty of servant-hearted sacrifice—and why it changes everything.

William Taylor - The lavish and undeserved generosity of God brings delight and humble gratitude to the true believer — but to those who fail to recognise their own sin and debt, it provokes grumbling. Explore what Jesus means when he says, ‘the last will be first, and the first last’.