Christ Church Balham Talks

How do we respond to the brevity of life? Psalm 90 teaches us to number our days, that we would see that God is everlasting and we are to find refuge in Him. Come and see how we can live a life of wisdom, the blessed life in the Lord Jesus. NOTES: See that He is Everlasting (vv1-2) Know that we are dust (vv3-11) a) We are dust because life is brief b) We are dust because of His wrath Teach us to n...

How can the powerless possibly enter into relationship with God? In this passage we discover the power of the name of Jesus and God's plan to fulfill the Scriptures and restore creation through him.

Being a part of a growing church is simultaneously exciting but also sometimes bewildering. How can we grow numerically whilst also remaining devoted to one another and the Lord? This short passage offers some wisdom and encouragement from the early church in Jerusalem. NOTES: 1) God-given Growth (v41) Spirit-led Devotion (vv42-45) a) The Apostles' teaching b) The fellowship c) The breaking of bre...

Who is the Christian message for? In this passage we see God's heart for all the peoples of the nations, and the response he commands.

In this special Ordination service sermon Tim Davies shows us how the early church teaches us to pray, listen, trust and serve as we wait for the King. NOTES: The church waits for the King The church prays for the King The church listens for the King The church trusts for the King The church serves for the King

What is the main thing Christians are to be getting on with while we wait for Jesus' return, and do we have everything we need to do it? We have a kingdom to proclaim (vv1-3) We have a Spirit to cleanse (vv4-5) We have a Spirit to empower (vv6-8) We have a return to await (vv9-11)

Many people these days, including Christians, struggle to make sense of the purpose of their life. Luke ends his gospel account in the same way that he began, by offering certainty and fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

How can we meet Jesus today? It is tempting to think that we are unlucky for not having met Jesus in the flesh but in this passage we see how Jesus expects us to meet him - in the Scriptures and in the bread. Notes: Remember Jesus' words (vv1-12) Meet Jesus... (vv13-35) a) ...in the Scriptures b) ...in the bread

You don't need to be an expert or an eloquent preacher to share Jesus with others. You just need three simple words. And to do it yourself. Notes: the Lamb who waves (vv35-36) the Teacher who stays (vv38-39) the Messiah who transforms (vv40-42) the One who surprises (vv43-46) the Son who reveals (vv47-51)

What are we to make of Peter's call to 'give a defence' for the faith? Are we all to become specially trained, intellectual Christians? Or is there another way to give reasons for the hope we have?

Why should we share our Christian story to those around us? In this passage we learn from the example of the Samaritan woman that the the Lord Jesus knows our story, and that He wants us to share our stories so that others may know Him. We are called to be active in reaping in the spiritual harvest, “Come and see the Saviour of the world!”

James shares from Matthew as we hear that Christians are salt and light in the world. Notes: We are salt Jesus is the light The Church is the light We are the light

Connor speaks from Colossians on being motivated to the fundamentals in the way Paul intended.

When we feel disappointed and disillusioned it can be tempting to look back to the past with nostalgic longing as though the ‘glory days’ are behind us. In this passage the Chronicler gets us to look back at Solomon’s kingdom in order that we might look forward to Jesus’ eternal kingdom to come.

Christians have been saved by grace alone through faith alone, but to what end? This passage challenges us to not just enjoy God’s forgiveness but to seek the expansion of the kingdom of God among the nations. Notes: With the temple built... ...the kingdom expands (vv1-6, 17-18) ...the nations ascend (vv7-11) ...the worship perpetuates (vv12-15)

It is often said that ‘clarity is kindness’, but how clear can we be of God’s love towards us, particularly given our ongoing struggles with sin? In this passage we are shown various reasons why we can be absolutely certain of God’s enduring love towards us

Psalm 15 Notes: Thankful for the blameless one... (vv1-2a) ..live as the righteous one (vv2-5)

How does God feel about me? Does he really love me? When we feel unloveable, these are the questions can plague our hearts. Come find the solution to your worry in Zephaniah 3:9–20. See the astonishing love that God has for His people. Be encouraged to know that the Lord Jesus Himself rejoices over you with singing! The Lord will Purify His People (vv9-13) The Lord Rejoices over You (vv14-17) The...

In a world of injustice, what hope is there? In today's sermon in Zephaniah we see how God's judgement means hope for God's people. Come and see how the refining fire of the Lord's judgement brings the justice we long for and points us to Jesus. Judgement for the Nations and Hope for Judah (2:4-15) a) Philistia (West) - vv4-7 b) Moab & Ammon (East) - vv8-11 c) Cush (South) - v12 d) Assyria (No...

Are you ready for the Day of the Lord? As we study Zephaniah together we will see how the Lord is coming to bring judgement to the whole world and the idols that cause us to stumble. The wrath of God is coming, but there is comfort for those who are humble and seek Him!

How is it that, in the ordinariness of every day life, Christians can live extraordinary lives in Jesus? Tom Barker answers this question as he takes us through 3 John. Walking In The Truth Ordinary Walk (vv1-4) Ordinary Hospitality (vv4-9) Ordinary Welcome (vv9-10) Extraordinary Good (vv11-14)

How is it that we can know the truth about Jesus, and what does the truth about Jesus mean for how we live for Him? Tom Barker takes us to the short letter of 2 John to find out. Contending in Truth Truth Lives (vv1-3) Truth Loves (vv4-7) Truth Discerns (vv8-13)

Our culture is crying out for forgiveness but where should we look? This passage is structured right at the centre of Solomon’s reign and reveals Kings heart for our forgiveness.

Living as we do in a world of broken promises, how can we expect God to keep his? In this ‘recap’ style passage we are encouraged to see how all of God’s promises as ‘yes’ in Christ.

Many of us go through life longing for permanence and stability but where should we look for this ‘forever home’? In this passage we discover how our King has done everything necessary to both bring God into us and also to prepare a place so that we might go to him. Celebrate God's Resting Rule Celebrate God's Permanent Place Celebrate God's Holy Habitation