St Jude's Southsea

This talk was given by David Bacon at St Jude's Church, Southsea. The reading was Acts 16:16–40. David explores what happened when Paul and Silas brought the message of Jesus into the Roman city of Philippi — and the fierce opposition they encountered. He examines how introducing Jesus disrupts spiritual, financial, and cultural interests, leading to hostility and suffering. He then turns to the r...

This talk was given by Lorna at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 6th July 2025. The reading was Acts 16:1–15. The talk explores a searching question: do we as Christians move towards those outside the church, or do we simply hope they will come to us? Using Acts 16 and Paul's journey with Timothy to Philippi, Lorna examines how mission and relationships are inseparable — and why the quality of our re...

This talk was given by Emmanuel at St Jude's Church, Southsea. The reading was Acts 15:1–12 and 22–31. Emmanuel, who works for Tearfund and is based in Kigali, Rwanda, explores the question at the heart of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15: who qualifies for God's grace? The early church debated whether Gentile believers needed to meet certain preconditions before they could truly belong. Emmanuel...

This talk was given by Nigel Bennett. The reading was Acts 14:8–23, which follows Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey through the city of Lystra and beyond. The talk explores what it means for the church to be "militant" — not in the aggressive sense the word often carries today, but in its original meaning of being active, determined, and faithful in spiritual service. It examines...

This talk was given by Richard Portlock at St Jude’s Church Southsea on 7 June 2026. The reading was Acts 13:1–12. The church in Antioch was worshipping and fasting, hearing the Holy Spirit’s direction to send Barnabas and Paul, and beginning a new phase of mission in Cyprus. In Paphos they meet opposition from Elymas the sorcerer, and Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit—exposes the deceit at work. T...

This talk was given by Andrew Walker at St Jude’s Church Southsea on 31 May 2026. The Bible readings were Acts 12:1–19 (primary), with references to Romans 8:26–27 and Ephesians 6:10–18. Warm and down-to-earth, the talk moves from the humour of Rhoda at the door to the hard edges of persecution, holding together realism and hope. Andrew encourages prayer that is honest, persistent, and expectant,...

This talk explores how the good news of Jesus moved beyond one culture to many in Acts 11:19–30. Scattered by persecution, believers reached Antioch and began speaking not only to Jews but also to Greeks. The Lord’s hand was with them, many believed, and Barnabas arrived to encourage them to remain true to the Lord. He then brought Saul to help teach for a year, and the disciples were first called...

Acts 10 tells the story of Peter and Cornelius: a vision of clean and unclean animals, an angel’s call, and the realisation that God shows no favouritism. This talk explores how God knows us by name, welcomes people from every nation, and brings salvation through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. It considers Peter’s vision, the inclusion of Gentiles, the role of the Holy Spirit, and what it means...

What does it mean to pray bold prayers when outcomes are uncertain? In Acts 9:32–43, Peter tells Aeneas to rise and calls Tabitha back to life—and many turn to the Lord. This talk explores how and why Christians can pray courageously for healing, drawing on Jesus’ promise that his followers will continue his works (John 14:12) and his commissioning of the apostles (Luke 9:1–2). It also acknowledge...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on 26 April 2026. The readings were Acts 9:20–31 and Galatians 1:11–24. From Damascus to Jerusalem, Saul’s dramatic turnaround sparks astonishment, opposition and a helping hand from Barnabas. We trace how Jesus—not Paul—is the true creator of Christianity, while Paul becomes his tireless ambassador, preaching, planting and suffering for the gospel he receiv...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 18th May 2025. The reading was Acts 9:1–19. Kathy explores the dramatic conversion of Saul — the man who was breathing out murderous threats against the church — and draws out three ways God works unexpectedly. First, God brings unexpected people to follow Jesus, even those we'd consider most unlikely. Second, God forms an unexpected family, bringi...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 18th May 2025. The reading was Acts 8:1–8 and 26–40. In the first of a series on the book of Acts, Jos explores how the early church grew through persecution and the surprising ways God used ordinary people. Focusing on Philip — a man originally chosen to wait on tables — he shows how the Holy Spirit equipped him to proclaim Jesus in Samaria and to...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 20th April 2025. The reading was Luke 24:1–12. On Easter Sunday, Jack reminded us that the resurrection isn't just something we celebrate — it's something we're invited to live in. Using the angels' words to the women at the tomb, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?", he challenged us to stop carrying the guilt and shame that Jesus has...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 29 March 2926. The reading was Luke 19:28–40. Palm Sunday is celebration—Hosanna!—but also submission to Jesus our King. We heard why he is King to us today: Creator, healer, loving, in control and present even when unseen. The talk explored how the crowd moved from Hosanna to crucify when their good plan for political rescue clashed with God’s per...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 30th March 2025. The reading was from Ruth 4:18–22 and Matthew 1:1–6. The genealogy of Jesus might seem like a dry list of names, but it reveals something extraordinary about God's character. Tracing the line from Abraham through to King David and on to Jesus, the talk explores how God wove together the stories of flawed, faithful and surprising pe...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 30th March 2025. The reading was Ruth 4:13–17. On Mothering Sunday, Andrew Hargreaves, Director of Ministry and Discipleship for the Diocese, shared an encouraging update on the diocesan Rejuvenate strategy before diving into the conclusion of Ruth's story. He explored what this remarkable tale of restoration reveals about God's character — a God w...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on 8 March 2026. The reading was Ruth 2. Our mission partner shares an update from Japan, then takes us through Ruth’s harvest-day encounter with Boaz. In a lawless age, Boaz’s obedience to God’s commands breeds kindness and protection, while Ruth’s humble graft and faith bring her under the Lord’s wings. We’re urged to build “Bethlehem in Portsmouth”—homes...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on 1 March 2026. The reading was Ruth 1. We begin our series in Ruth, set in the days of the judges and famine, tracing Naomi’s grief and Ruth’s costly loyalty: “Where you go, I will go.” Jack invites us to see how God welcomes the outsider and provides through the faithful love of his people. Drawing on Jesus’ words in John 13:35, he challenges St Jude’s to...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on 22 February 2026. The reading was Luke 10:25–37 (The Good Samaritan). We revisit a well-known story to face our responses to need: indifference, self-preservation, or costly mercy. Drawing on Jesus’ call to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength—and to love our neighbour as ourselves—we’re urged to move from knowledge to embodied discipleshi...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on 8 February 2026. The reading was Genesis 22:1-19. In a world of testing times, we consider Abraham’s supreme test on Mount Moriah and what it teaches about willing obedience and God’s unfailing provision. Abraham trusts, steps out early, and discovers ‘The Lord will provide’—a ram in place of Isaac—pointing us to Jesus, the true substitute given so we mig...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on 1 February 2026. The reading was Genesis 21:1–7. We explore the birth of Isaac as a joyous sign of God’s grace, faithfulness and perfect timing. Despite Abraham and Sarah’s missteps, God keeps his promises, turning doubt into laughter. The talk connects these ancient assurances with Jesus, in whom every promise is “Yes”, and with the everyday reality of w...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on 25 January 2026. The reading was Genesis 18:1–15 and Galatians 3:6–8. Tim explores Abraham’s generous welcome at Mamre, the startling nearness of the Lord, and the repeated promise of an offspring through whom all nations would be blessed. Linking Genesis to Galatians, he traces the line from Abraham to Jesus and on to a worldwide family, urging us to rem...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on 18 January 2026. The reading was Genesis 16:1-15 and 17:15-22. Richard continues our Genesis series on Abraham, exploring Sarai and Abram’s impatience, Hagar’s flight, and the God who sees and cares. We trace the messy fallout when we try to hurry God’s promises, and the surprising grace shown to the most vulnerable. God reaffirms his plan through Sarah a...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on 11 January 2026. The reading was Genesis 12:1–5 and Genesis 15:1–6. Rachel opens our new series, Walking by Faith, with Abraham’s call to go and God’s promise under the stars. She reminds us that faith isn’t about drumming up inner strength, but placing trust in a faithful God. Looking ahead to 2026 and our interregnum, she encourages obedient steps—small...

This is the talk from our 10:45 service on 15th December 2024. The reading was John 1:1-14. Lorna reminds us that Advent isn't just another seasonal tradition but an invitation to personally encounter Jesus, the light that darkness cannot overcome. Like John the Baptist, we're called to be "holy interruptions" in our communities, pointing others to Christ. The talk challenges us to move beyond com...