Stapleford Baptist Church

After a pause, we're back looking at what God had to say to the church in Rome almost 2000 years ago. Boring history? Of academic interest? Or a scathing diagnosis of what happens when we turn our backs on God? See what you think as you join in our service and listen to our pastor taking you through this short section of the Bible. https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/ https://www....

Paul - possibly Jesus's most notable follower - is in prison. Yet he is passionate about the good news (the 'gospel') about Jesus. And he even thinks his imprisonment is good for the spread of this good news! What's so special about this 'gospel'? https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww http://www.stapleford...

God's good news for all of us is that he offers us hope! And that's hope of a completely forgiven past and a completely joyful future - and this is no advert that promises a lot but delivers little, because God backs up his offer of such hope with a guarantee that's rooted in his own eternal and perfect character. https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/ https://www.youtube.co...

The good news of the Bible is that you and I can be as good, as perfect, as God himself - and that is not because we have to become spiritual commandos, overcoming everything bad. No! This perfection is a gift from God because he wants to give it - and no-one is excluded. He will give his goodness, his perfection, to anyone who asks him in the right way. What a generous God!

APOLOGIES for the 'muddy' sound quality. We're taking a break from Luke's account of the life of Jesus Christ to read the letter written by one of Jesus' most notable followers - Paul of Tarsus - to the relatively new church in the city of Rome. And how does he start his letter? By pointing his readers to Jesus! What a treat for them, and for us as we read a copy of that letter...

Is this the highpoint of Jesus' life on Earth? He is feted by the crowds as he arrives in Jerusalem. They are proclaiming him as King. Well, it's true, he is a king, but their misunderstanding of his kingship is total. He's not arriving to conquer the city on a warhorse complete with an army - he's arriving on a young donkey and he's only got a week left to live. Do we misunder...

Luke is continuing his record of Jesus' teachings ... and, as so often, what Jesus has to say isn't altogether comforting. He tells a story in which a royal figure (a picture of Christ himself) leaves 10 servants (i.e. us) to look after his belongings (i.e. this world) while he goes away to get crowned as king. When he returns (i.e. Jesus' return) he finds that some of those servants h...

Why did Jesus come and live on earth and then die on earth? Why didn't he stay in the comfort of Heaven? Two people who could give you an answer to that are in this week's look at Luke's account of Jesus' life. And one of these two can't see and the others into dodgy finance. Should you take any notice of what they say? https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/ https://...

Oh dear! Today Luke's record of Jesus' life give us three examples of how not to get a good life after your death. The first is when we trust religion, the second when we trust status and achievements, the third when we trust in the good things we've done for God. And Jesus says "none of these count where it matters". What are we to do? https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbapt...

A repeating theme in today's snapshot of Luke's 'life of Jesus' is faith - faith that leads to healing, faith that leads to answered prayer and faith that leads to eternal safety. May God give us all such faith in him. https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/

When Jesus talks about sin, do you expect to get zapped, or do you think it's something that can be ignored? In the brief section of Luke's account of Jesus' life that we look at today we find Jesus condemning the persons who drive others to sin and preaching a way back to God by repentance and forgiveness ... and the need for humble service (not driving others to sin) to the God who a...

This week, Dr Luke tells us about Jesus' critique of everyone who relies on themselves rather than calling out to God in repentance to rely on him. Before he came to earth, the standard you and I would have had to achieve to please God was daunting but Jesus has raised the standard - it's now impossible; we must rely on him only. https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/ https://www.youtub...

After several months we're back with Dr Luke's account of Jesus' life ... and what a strange part we come across today! Jesus tells a story about the manager of a business who engages in some seriously devious practice in order to save his skin ... and Jesus seems to commend him for that. Strange or what! Doesn't Jesus condemn cheating in other places? What's going on? Watch th...

Death is dead! Christ has risen! He has died, thereby dealing with the sin ... for ever. And now he's drawing people of all types, and all histories into the family of God. If he's drawn you in, then join in our celebration ... and if not, use this celebration to ask him to join you to his family. He forgives. He delivers. He loves. He strengthens. Praise King Jesus who was dead, but is al...

Just a week to go. Jesus is travelling to the city in which he will be subjected to a trial with a fixed outcome - his death in the most painful way imaginable. For a short while he's treated as a great celebrity but his adoring fans will soon turn on him and shout for his murder. And he knows it! Why would he make such a journey, knowingly and deliberately? https://www.facebook.com/stapleford...

Some people think the Bible histories are so old that they're irrelevant for modern readers. Today's look at something that happened more than 3000 years ago could be a description of parts of the world in 2026 if you changed a few names - there's jealousy from someone who missed out on some glory from a success ... because they hadn't wanted to help achieve that success. So they s...

Today, our look at the Bible book called 'Judges' brings us face-to-face with Jephthah - a great hero who trusted God ... and who then made a promises to God that revealed him to be a great fool. Just think of the promises you have made to God. Did you keep them all, 100%? If not, what will happen? https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_...

Gideon was a hero ... who slid into spiritual decay. Now he's gone and, as so often, the next generation has no interest in God at all and abuse of neighbours becomes the norm. How like us. Only God can bring justice. Only God can bring mercy. https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/

Hard on the heels of last week's recounting of Gideon's spiritual success we find his slow descent into spiritual complacency - how like us! God helps us, we are super excited and thankful ... and then we begin to push God to the margin of our lives because we don't feel we need him much. May the story of Gideon prompt us to get back to God! https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistch...

Last week we learnt about Gideon - a scared and doubting believer in God. This week we find him doing something amazing as God motivates him and encourages him. As God removes the tension between Gideon and God, things change completely. A lesson for all of us! https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww http://www.staplefordbaptist.or...

What an unlikely hero - Gideon. He's scared of the enemy of his country, he's scared of his family and he's scared of what his neighbours will think of him. But God can use him ... as long as he trusts God. But Gideon's not at all sure this is believable. Is that like anyone you know? - it sounds to me too much like you and me! https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/ http...

This week we're looking at exactly the same events as last week ... but from a totally different perspective and, hence, with a totally different method. This week its a song. There were tough times, but that doesn't stop our singer having joy even though there are many challenges around - because God is at work and joy can never be hidden when that's true. https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbapti...

Today we hear about several people, knowingly or unknowingly, being used by God to bring salvation. Could you be that person where you live? https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/

When we cry out to God in distress he hears us - and he sends help ... the question is whether we are ready to respond in the way God wants us to. In today's tale of woe from the Bible book of Judges we find God sending leaders to rescue God's people when they get themselves in a mess. Help they're keen to receive, but only for so long, thanks very much! https://www.facebook.com/staple...

Last week didn't reveal a great start by the ancient Israelites ... and this week things get worse! They turn away from God and provoke him to anger. So, does God have them face the consequences? He's got every right todo so, and certainly they get into all kinds of trouble ... but God is compassionate and merciful in the face of such contempt. There's hope for us, too. https://www.fac...