The Street Church

John has called his readers his 'dear children', and he now reveals a marvellous truth - the incredible love that God has lavished on believers, that they get to be called the children of God! John invites Christians to marvel at their adoption into God's family and to ensure their actions reflect the character of their heavenly Father.

What do you do when you want to pray but have no idea where to begin? Jesus’ disciples asked the same question, and his answer shows that prayer was always meant to include other people.

John returns to the first point of his letter: It's all about Jesus. We can know we are true children of God if we don't deny Christ - that he is God in the flesh, he is the way, the truth and the life.

Love for the Lord and one another is compared with loving the world. John says we can know we are true children of God if we don't love the world - don't adopt the way of life of those who oppose God, nor their value system or anything that draws our affection away from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Love is essential. John has written about this previously in his gospel account, when Jesus urged his disciples to love one another. John revisits this call to love one another strongly to his dear children in the faith.

John makes many comparisons throughout his letter, telling believers how they can know they are true children of God. The first of these is that they walk in the light and not in the darkness: choosing holiness over sin and yet being quick to repent when they do sin.

The Church is still young and facing many pressures, not the least of which is a departure of many from the faith. John writes to strengthen Christians in the face of many troubles and urges them to hold fast to their faith - and he begins by bringing their eyes to the Lord Jesus Christ: The Word made flesh!

Creation has been one of God's biggest billboards since day one, but we grow familiar with it as we live amongst it. How can we see the created world afresh and hear our Father's voice calling to us on a daily basis?

There's no such thing as a lone wolf in Christianity - God desires us to be in community and will speak to us through others in that community. We're here to speak the truth in love and be conduits for God's voice to one another.

Perhaps the most difficult way to pin down and also the least understood - God speaks to us through our hearts through impressions, thoughts and instincts. But how can we tell it's God speaking and not just our own thoughts or selfish desires?

One of the gifts of the Spirit used to build up the church is the gift of prophecy. This isn't future-telling, but speaking God's words to encourage and build others up. How do we use this biblically within the body of Christ?

Jesus did not wait for people to come to him. He went through the towns and villages, proclaiming the good news and healing the sick. In this message, Jenny Gill encourages us to take seriously the mission Jesus has given his people and to faithfully play our part in the harvest.

To know the Son, we must know scripture. Scripture is one of the primary ways God continues to communicate clearly and across time to his church.

As we begin a new series about discerning the voice of God, we look at the number one way Scripture says God speaks to us - through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

God dwells with his people by his Spirit and causes fruit to grow as we keep in step with his Spirit. He also gives us gifts to use to build and strengthen the church. What are they? Why are they important? And how can we use them? Jenny Gill lands our Spirit series today by looking at the gifts of the Spirit.

So often our minds go to the obvious shows of miraculous power when we think of the Spirit - healing and tongues. But the Fruit of the Spirit is one of the most important outworkings of a life filled with the Spirit. What do we miss when we take the Fruit of the Spirit for granted?

It's one of those secondary issues in Christianity that can often divide people. Is a secondary baptism of the Holy Spirit required, or is a believer immediately filled with the Spirit upon conversion? Does it matter either way? Today, Simon Gill looks at the baptism of the Spirit and what is true for every believer, no matter where they land on this issue.

One of the deep longings of the human heart is to live with God. Augustine said, "Our heart is restless until it rests in you." God's desire is also to dwell with us - he did it in the garden, and he'll do it fully again on the New Earth. But what about now? How does God dwell with us now? By his Spirit.

In light of all that God accomplished through his Son at the cross - how now are we to live? What does living a life crucified with Christ actually look like?

Jesus did it all for us at the cross. It was his great victory over sin, death and Satan, and made a way for us to be reconciled to God and to each other. How could we boast in anything we've done? Paul says all such boasting is worthless - there's only one thing worth making much of: the cross.

The cross made a way for Jews and Gentiles to be reconciled, but only because it made it possible for us all to be first reconciled to God. How did the cross make it possible for lost sinners to come near to a holy God?

The cross was God's most decisive victory of the power of sin, death and Satan. But it looked like the moment of his defeat. How did God orchestrate this great reversal? What made this victory so triumphant? Today we look at the victory of the cross on Resurrection Sunday!

The Jews and Gentiles simply did not mix - they had nothing in common, and the Jewish laws made sure the Gentiles were treated as inferior and 'other'. But then Jesus went to the cross and tore down the dividing walls between them - to make new humanity! How is that possible? What does that mean for us today to live reconciled to one another?

What's the big deal about the cross? It's everywhere: necklaces, tattoos, gravestones, bakery items. Has it become so common that is has lost its offensive power? What actually happened at the cross all those years ago? In part one of our Easter series, we're reminded of just how powerful the cross of Christ is.

The Sermon On The Mount concludes with a parable of two builders and their different foundations. It's an apt ending to a powerfully countercultural sermon. How can we live out Jesus' desires for our lives? Not by striving, but by ensuring our lives are genuinely built on the solid rock of God's word.

As Jesus draws near to the end of the message, he has a few words about how he desires Christian relationships to work, particularly about how we ought to be slow to judge others before we've taken a good look in the mirror ourselves.

Money and possessions. Two things that have pulled human hearts away from their loving Creator since the Fall. But they cannot sustain nor comfort us, and Jesus doesn't want his followers worrying about such things, but to seek first the Kingdom of God and trust that their needs will be met.

Giving, prayer and fasting. Three simple practices that Jesus expects his followers will continue to do in their obedience to him. But how do these simple things go beyond mere rule-following and habit? As we looked at last week, it's all about our heart posture in doing them.

As he continues his counter-cultural sermon, Jesus takes aim at the teachings of the Pharisees, the religious elite of the day. Jesus raises the bar to show them - and us - that we cannot achieve righteousness through our outward efforts, because it's an inward thing that begins in our hearts.

Salt and light. Two incredibly simple illustrations Jesus used to show his followers how they ought to live differently from the surrounding culture, and simultaneously how they'll impact that culture for the kingdom of God. So it's worth asking, how salty are we? How brightly do we shine?

What are the Beatitudes all about? In Jesus' opening remarks to his famous Sermon on the Mount, he describes the character qualities that he desires his followers to embody - and the blessing they will receive. At first reading, it looks like a simple list, but dive a bit deeper, and you'll see they are incredibly counter-cultural.

We wrap up our One Another summer series by looking at the outworking of how we love, bear with, forgive and show humility towards one another in the church: we serve each other. What gifts have you received that can be used to encourage and bless others in service?

What if humility is not optional, but essential to becoming like Jesus? In Philippians 2:1–11, we’re challenged to “value others above yourselves” and to adopt the mindset of Christ, who took the posture of a servant. This sermon connects Philippians 2 with Jesus’ “golden rule” (Matthew 7:12) and brings it into real life: relationships, church community, consumerism, boundaries, generosity, and what it looks like to love people when it’s costly.What is one practical way you can value someone else above yourself this week?

In Colossians 3:1–14, we discover that God’s “dress code” is not about what’s on your body, but what’s forming your character: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love. This sermon gets practical about how to deal with difficult people, when to bear with someone, and when to forgive, so resentment doesn’t quietly shape your life. If you’ve ever struggled with anger, grudges, awkward relationships, or the urge to isolate, this is for you.

In John 13:34–35, Jesus gives a “new command”: love one another, as I have loved you. In this sermon, we explore what it means to love like Jesus: humble service (even when it is costly), authenticity and vulnerability instead of performance, and living from a secure identity in what the Father says about you.

Peace so often feels fleeting or unattainable in our day. Whether it's conflict between nations, friends or even within our own minds and emotions. How do we gain perfect peace in a tumultuous world? We come to our final Christmas message as we explore Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace.

This coming son and child, this savious, will also be known as the Father of the Everlasting. Supreme over eternity past and future, the Lord Jesus reigns now in the heavens and will some day bring his Kingdom to earth with finality and everlasting authority.

Isaiah says this coming Saviour will also be a Mighty God! We see this in Jesus' life as he calmed storms, healed the sick and raised the dead, and we see it in the future as he reigns supreme over a restored earth. But what about now? How is Jesus exercising his authority as Mighty God today in our lives? We explore this second title in our Christmas series today - and what a comfort it is!

As we begin our four-week Christmas series, we explore a popular passage from Isaiah 9 which details four titles as expressions of the coming Messiah's character. Today we look at Jesus Christ as Wonderful Counselor. What a name! In a world of chaos and confusion, isn't it wonderful to know that we come to a Saviour who has perfect counsel, perfect wisdom to help us navigate life with Him.

On Celebration Sunday, Simon and Floyd unpack the story of Samuel’s “Ebenezer” stone in 1 Samuel 7:12 and invite us to look back on a year of God’s faithfulness at The Street. From quiet revival among young people and online church stories, to caring for refugees, raising emerging leaders, and planting new churches, this message calls us to remember how “thus far the Lord has helped us” and to ask what part we’ll play in what God is doing next.Where have you seen “Ebenezer moments” in your own life – times when you can honestly say, “Thus far the Lord has helped me”?

When you consider your family, workplace, community, city - what things are present that grieve God's heart? What things do you long to see renewed and restored? What things are you crying out for revival in? Habakkuk was someone who longed to see God repeat his works of old in his day. What can we learn from this prophet of old in crying out for revival in our day?

Similar to Jehoshaphat, King Hezekiah faces a terrible threat from the Babylonian army, and while his response is similar, it's also different. Hezekiah prays a very simple prayer of trust and makes a clear request for God to act in specific ways for specific reasons.

When faced with an existential threat, King Jehoshaphat goes straight to his source of strength and trust - Almighty God. What's your tendency when things are getting crazy or difficult? Jehoshaphat's prayer shows us what it looks like to trust God and worship even before we see a favourable outcome.

David was Israel's most revered King. A man after God's own heart. A warrior. A poet. And he sinned terribly against the Lord. It's from this pit of regret and repentance that he writes Psalm 51, acknowledging the depths of his sin, and calling on God's mercy and compassion to restore him. We can all sin like David, but can we repent like him?

Do you find it easier to worship God when things are or aren't going well for you in life? What about when you finally get the answer to the prayer you were longing for - do you immediately turn it back to God in worship, or carry on with a small 'thanks' to him? Hannah's prayer shows what deep worship and gratitude look like after a journey of pain and waiting. The reminder for us is that God is ALWAYS worthy of praise, no matter life's circumstances.

Feeling dry, anxious, or stuck? In John 7:37-39, Jesus invites anyone who is thirsty to come and drink—promising the Holy Spirit as “rivers of living water.” In this message, we explore what that means today: God’s presence within, abundant life (not just survival), deep joy that reshapes our character, and the cleansing that gives us a new heart (see Ezekiel 36). Whether you’re new to faith or have followed Jesus for years, discover how to ask and receive the life He offers.

The dwelling place of God is now with his people—in a city, a garden city. Eden has been restored! Jesus finishes his revelation to John with the important words: “I am coming soon!” How do we now live in response to His Second Coming? We say, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

You might've heard the phrase, "It is better to give than receive." But is it something you've truly experienced? Why do we often find it so much easier to receive than to give? Matt Rowan takes a look at the topic of generosity in this one-off message and shows us that it's much easier to give things away when you don't see them as yours to own.

When people disappoint you, or even oppose you, what keeps you going? In Paul’s last recorded words, we meet real people (Demas, Alexander, Luke, Mark) and a very real God. Paul is emotionally drained yet spiritually sustained, so the message was fully proclaimed, and God received the glory. Discover how to build teams (turn ladders into relays), restore broken relationships, face opposition wisely, and find hope in Jesus’ presence when you feel alone.

Psalm 67 is a call for the nations to be glad and praise God! But how will the many nations respond to such a call? Paul Windsor shows how Psalm 67 is a beautiful missional call to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, for the glory of God.