Andrew Gillham

Advent Sunday (Matthew 25:1-13)

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42)

Why not take time this Advent to prayerfully consider whether you are ready for Jesus’ return? The sermons will help. Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at three of the stories Jesus tells to help us in our Advent reflection. They pose the following questions for us to consider: Am I prepared to follow Jesus for the whole of life or is it just a fad? Am I using the gifts and talents God gave me as I should? Do I treat other people, as though they are Jesus?

Christ the King (Luke 23:33-43)

“For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17)

He is also our shepherd. ‘Shepherd’ was a common image in the ancient world for kings. They led the people as a shepherd leads his flocks. In this verse, however, in imagery echoing Psalm 23, we are told that Jesus as our shepherd king will lead us to springs of living water. His rule brings us life, a life where God will wipe every tear from our eyes.

Why not recommit to making Jesus the king of your life, accepting his sacrifice for your sins and allowing him to lead you to eternal life?

Work Hard, (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13)

“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Are you tired of doing good? There are all kinds of reasons why people might answer, ‘Yes’ to that question. Continuing our short series of talks on 2 Thessalonians

Remembrance Sunday, (Job 19:23-27a; 2 Thes. 2:1-8)

Job 19:25: ” I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”

This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, when we celebrate the courage and bravery of those who risked and gave their lives protecting our country and freedom. It is also a time to remember the horrors of war, which helps to encourage us to do all we can to avoid war breaking out in the future.

Perseverance and Faith (2 Thessalonians 1:1-12)

“We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thes. 1:12)

This week we begin a mini-series on the short letter of 2 Thessalonians.

Seeking Mercy (Luke 18:9-14)

Psalm 51:1: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.”

This week is the last in our series on ‘Stories Jesus told’. This week we look at the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

Persistent Prayer (Luke 18:1-8)

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

This Sunday we will be looking at the parable of the Persistent Widow.

Repentance and Resentment (Luke 15:11-32)

Luke 15:32: “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

This week we continue our series on the stories Jesus told, with a look at one of the most famous parables of all, the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Rich Regret (Luke 16:19-31)

This week we will be looking at another of the stories Jesus told from Luke’s gospel, the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. An appropriate parable for Homelessness Sunday!

Harvest – Sowing for Growth (Luke 8:1-15)

“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;” – Psalm 24:1

Let us remember the ultimate source of our food. The verse above reminds us that everything in the earth belongs to God, he is the creator and source of all things. Ultimately, he is the one who provides the food we enjoy, so it is only right that we stop to thank him!