Ulverstone Baptist Church

Faith is not passive belief; it is the living connection between your heart and God’s power. Over the past weeks, we’ve explored the God who holds us, the miracles He still works, and the danger of settling for comfortable faith. Today, we step into a truth that can reshape your entire life: God is preparing you for something amazing. What would you attempt if you were convinced He was with you? In this episode, we unpack the blueprint of flawless, demonstrative faith, a faith that Jesus presents to His disciples for readiness for life. Faith sees differently, acts boldly, and speaks with conviction. There is a hidden gem here in Jesus ' revelation of how His faith works on earth; we should pay attention.

Welcome to today’s conversation. Beyond Comfortable Faith. Where we explore a truth many believers sense but rarely name: faith was never designed to be comfortable. From Abraham stepping into the unknown, to Peter walking on water, to the early church preaching through persecution, Scripture shows us that God’s greatest works often begin where our comfort ends. Yet in the modern church, comfort has quietly become an idol, soft, subtle, and spiritually numbing. What if the real threat to your faith isn’t hardship, but ease? What if God is inviting you into a faith that moves, risks, obeys, and expects Him to act? It’s time to rediscover a living, relational, courageous faith. Let’s begin

I still believe in miracles is a current challenge to the Christian church today. There are many ways we may describe a miracle or an intervention by God on our behalf. However, it is much easier not to believe in miracles than to believe in miracles. Not because miracles are easier than reality, not because I ignore disappointment or unanswered questions, but because I believe in a God who is greater than what I see, greater than what I understand, and greater than what seems possible. God is not distant. He is not watching from the balcony of heaven. He is present, here, now, stepping into ordinary moments with extraordinary grace. The Question Jesus Still Asks all of us in John 11, do you believe this? The most significant challenge is Do I believe Jesus is who He says He is?

When life pulls at you from every direction, true discipleship and victorious living begin with one anchoring truth: you don’t hold yourself together; you let God hold you together. Every believer knows the swing, faith blazing one day, cornered or pressured the next. Yet God always has something better in store. As you stand, keep the call steady. Stand firm, stand still, and watch for the miracle only God can bring. Don’t let the enemy become your teacher or plant fear in your spirit. Stand long enough to see God move. This isn’t pretending everything is fine; it’s trusting the One who holds you when you can’t hold yourself.

The sober truth is this: every person will one day stand before Jesus, without exception. This is why He speaks so plainly about the end times, the future, and the separation of the sheep and the goats. He does not want anyone confused or mistaken. This is a matter of life and death. Our lives reveal our hearts. A good heart produces good fruit; a corrupt heart produces corrupt fruit. None of us is perfect, but all of us are called to place our trust in Jesus, to know Him, seek Him, and live for Him. And here is the good news: every single person can stand on the right side of that moment, no exceptions. But Jesus’ warning must be taken seriously. Live like Him. Welcome one another, honour one another, love one another, pray for one another. How we live our lives truly matters.

A world full of empty wells cannot satisfy the soul. Jacob dug a well, declaring that his family would live, flourish, and meet God there. Centuries later, Jesus sits at that same well - waiting, not by accident, but on purpose. He meets a woman carrying an empty jar and an even emptier heart. Her physical thirst exposes a deeper spiritual thirst, the ache every human carries. Jesus doesn’t shame her longing; He steps into it. He names it, meets it, and transforms it. True thirst becomes true satisfaction, and true satisfaction becomes true encounter. She leaves her jar behind because once you meet Jesus, the old thirst loses its power. Living water changes everything.

In all our living and doing, Jesus gives us the simplest and greatest invitation: Whoever is thirsty, come to Me. Thirst is not weakness; it is worship. It is the pause where we stop pretending we are full. It is the surrender that opens our hands. It is the offering Jesus actually asks for. Because thirst tells the truth. It reveals the ache beneath our busyness, the longing beneath our confidence, the hunger beneath our routines. And Jesus meets us right there, not when we are sorted, strong, or impressive, but when we are thirsty. This is His open invitation to all who are searching, all who are wanting, all who are challenged by whatever is going on. Your thirst is not a problem to fix; it is a signal to follow. Make it a priority not to ignore it. Your thirst is your great offering to Jesus.

Whenever the people of God gather, unity becomes visible, unity in mission, unity in purpose, unity in witness. In a season when we rise toward the higher call of faith and the kingdom, we remember that culture is always being formed and is always spiritual. The gathering is an invitation: to draw near, to know God, to step deeper into the story we all share. Our language, our discipline, our behaviours - these shape us. They call us to grow. They call us to rise. They call us to become a people whose life together reveals Christ. Because something powerful happens when Christ is witnessed together. If you want people to see Christ, show them the body of Christ.

Whatever your struggle is today, pressure, fatigue, or the quiet battles, don’t assume God has stepped away. The devil is a liar, and your struggle is not proof of God’s absence; it is evidence of His activity. Colossians 1:24–29 reminds us that Christ gives us purpose in the pressure, victory in the battle, and strength in the weakness. We don’t start with the struggle; we start with the Saviour. Your struggle isn’t failure; it may be where God is forming something new. Wherever you are today, you are not alone. This message is for you.

This message invites us to pause and ask the deeper question - not just what we do for Jesus, but why we do it.  As believers, our works matter, but our motives matter even more. Jesus cares about the heart behind every act of service. So lean in and be encouraged. The same Jesus who saved you is the Onebefore whom you will one day stand. He is no stranger, He carried your sins, knows your weaknesses, sees your struggles, and notices every quiet act of faithfulness done in His name. Nothing escapes His eye, and nothing done forHim is ever wasted.

The Christian life is more than going through the motions. It’s a question, and a wake‑up call. When was the last time you knew -without doubt - that the Holy Spirit was the One leading you? In a world that prizes speed, strategy, and self‑effort, this message calls us back to dependence, back to the breath of God. Paul’s words in Galatians 3 confront us: ‘Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?’ This is the challenge of our time: to begin, stay, and finish in the Spirit. To lead not from pressure, but from presence. To build not from technique, but from trust. So today, let’s pause. Let’s listen. Let’s be still again and rediscover the power of living still in the Spirit.

We live in a fast‑paced, buy‑something‑to-do-moving kind of world. The lists never end, the pace never slows, and if we’re not careful, we forget the most important thing: to guard our devotion. In all the noise, God invites us to rest, to pause, to breathe, to return to what keeps us spiritually healthy. Devotion is what sustains us. Devotion is what strengthens us. Devotion is what keeps us anchored, so we do not drift. Today, we’re looking at three ways to guard your devotion, simple, practical, essential actions that keep your heart awake and your faith alive.

In Part Two of “The God I Want Now,” we step into some of Scripture’s most difficult passages - not to confuse us, but to deepen our understanding of the one true God. The god we want now is small and convenient, but the God we try to reshape is actually the God who longs to reshape us. Today, we explore how the real God transforms our lives in ways far beyond our understanding, and how that journey leads us straight toward Pentecost, the moment of ultimate Spirit-powered change.

You’re invited. The great banquet reminds us of the invitational heart of Jesus, a Saviour who welcomes anyone who desires to know Him, draw near, and grow. We refuse to build walls or agendas that limit people from coming to Christ. His Kingdom is radically inclusive. Our challenge is simple: what speaks loudest to the world about who we are? It is our love for one another, our shared worship, and our life together as His people. Which is inviting, relational and accepting.

We are learning to live from victory, not for victory. Scripture keeps pulling us back to the promises of God, reminding us who we are and where we stand in Christ.In every challenge, struggle, and pressure, the Spirit leads us away from the old ways of Egypt and back to the One true foundation — Jesus. Victory begins when we return to God with our whole hearts and build our lives on Him.This is the deep rest of salvation: not striving to win something, but standing in what Christ has already won. From that place, we live, move, and overcome.

The Bible reminds us of the lessons that we can learn to help us know God more deeply. Today’s message is a challenge to consider what I am doing in my faith, or how my beliefs are reshaped by my priorities and bias towards God and life. Today, we must consider genuineness and make room for the God who is, rather than the God I want for me. In saying that, is your God still too small? God is inviting you to know him more deeply, as he is!

UBC is invited to remember why we exist and who we are called to be. We serve an amazing Lord and Saviour who keeps growing us in faith and fullness. Like the early churches addressed in Revelation, we too can drift into seasons of distraction, complacency, or weariness. These letters weren’t written to shame but to awaken God’s people to return to their first love and realign their lives with Christ. So we ask: What might a letter to UBC say today? What challenges would Jesus highlight for us — not to create fear, but to call us to attention and renewal? This message explores three key concerns facing the modern church and invites each of us to embrace our role and purpose.

David offers a compelling and necessary picture of faith in light of the wrath of God. His message challenges us not to hide, soften, or hold back the truth, but to live with a clarity shaped by our relationship with God, our understanding of His character, and our grounding in Scripture. He calls us to courage — to follow the Holy Spirit as He forms God’s nature in us for the sake of those around us. At its core, this message reminds us that genuine faith is built on obedience: a willingness to respond to God wholeheartedly, no matter the cost.

All of us, at some point, walk through seasons of deep sadness, loss, uncertainty, and confusion. Yet when we choose to rise in faith and move beyond our pain — refusing to let our brokenness or circumstances define us — we begin to see who we truly are and who is for us. Today’s message from Hebrews Chapter 11, reveals the reality which speaks into those deep places of hurt and invites us to stay alert to the challenges that try to pull us back into old patterns and old thinking. Our hope is that this message strengthens and lifts you, whatever you’re facing.

Easter -the focal point of Knowing Jesus!Easter Sunday Is the Celebration, Joy and Jubilation That Christ Has Risen. Easter is knowing and seeing what is at the centre of Christian faith. You are invited to see the joy portrayed in the resurrection story. Easter helps us to unpack the Christian faith. Our faith as all believers stands and hinges on, the risen Christ. In the midst of grief and uncertainty, Jesus calls out, reaches out, speaks to you, and calls you by name. A powerful message of truth and life, Jesus is still inviting you, me, and anyone who is willing to seek Him out today.

The most unlikely believer is a heartfelt testimony of God's great love for you, and anyone can accept and receive. Phil shares his story of running away from God and doing everything in his power to resist Him. But then, one day, it happens. Whoever you are, open your heart to listen to God's voice speak to you. If you’ve been running, resisting, fighting or controlling your life, maybe it's time to offer and surrender to Jesus. It is never too late for God's mercy, hope, and his powerful, transforming love to reach into your life.

God has placed in every human heart a longing for connection. We are created for relationship with Him and with one another. That longing isn’t a weakness or a flaw; it’s a divine imprint. And because of that, friendship becomes one of the greatest opportunities for encouragement, support, and mutual growth. But Jesus brings us back to a foundational truth: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” That command assumes something important: you already know how to love yourself. Not in a self-focused or self-indulgent way, but in a healthy, grounded, God-shaped way. Because here’s the reality: If you don’t love yourself, you won’t easily love other people. You simply can’t give what you don’t have. Self-love and self-acceptance aren’t optional extras; they’re the starting point. They shape how we relate, how we respond, and how we show up in community.

Today, we return to the core problem of humanity: we are natural-born sinners. Scripture describes this as our total depravity—not that we are as bad as we could possibly be, but that nothing within us naturally moves us toward God. Left to ourselves, we do not drift upward. We drift away. Our sinfulness is the very reason Jesus came. If sin is never named, a Saviour is never needed. We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners—broken at the root, not just at the branches. But the glorious hope of the gospel is this: in Christ we are rescued, reborn, and called into a holy and righteous life. When a culture celebrates what destroys us and rejects what heals us, it is already collapsing. The gospel does not say, “You’re basically fine—just try harder.” The gospel declares, “You are lost—but deeply loved. Come and be made new.”

All individuals who identify as believers are universally encouraged to pursue spiritual maturity. Advancing in spiritual growth represents the most authentic response to the call for a deeper spiritual life. God calls us to all walk in truth and to choose to grow in Christ. The Bible is a book that calls us into a relationship that reflects the nature of Jesus Christ.The mature church operates at a relatively high level of godliness and experience of God working through his people, reflecting the nature of Jesus Christ. Grounded in the word, led by the Holy Spirit and desiring to grow in obedience, holiness and godliness, unafraid of being rooted in truth and faith in the Great I am.

In today's cultural climate, staying true in a world that worships anything can be challenging. The Cultural Moment We’re Living in demands courage, clarity, and spiritual alertness. A world where God is on the list, but rarely on the throne. Everyone is being discipled by something. God’s Word is our answer and assurance; it has always prepared God’s people for moments like this. The Speed of cultural change and moral shifts is unprecedented. How can we stay in tune and strong? How can we ensure we don’t fall into compromise? Paul gives Titus advice and instructions on building churches and developing leaders, outlining exactly what to prioritise. Below are three practical ways to stay true in a world that worships anything.

Lost in Translation -Wk3 Pt1 -March 1st 2026In today’s world, where individuals often seek solutions independently of faith, encouragement remains essential. This message explores the foundational Christian belief that affirming God’s goodness, even during challenging or uncertain periods, is crucial. It further examines the complexities introduced by language, changing perspectives, and varied descriptions, which may lead to confusion. Such challenges stem from a relentless diminishing sense of authority and identity among believers. Christian doctrine holds that, after the adversary’s fall from grace, he seeks to redirect all worship—whether toward himself or anyone else—but always away from God.

End of Daze is our heartfelt response to the moment we’re living in. This isn’t an us‑versus‑them message. It’s a call to live out our faith with courage, to understand the times, and to stay spiritually awake. When the disciples asked Jesus about the end of the age, He didn’t begin with signs or disasters—He began with a warning to the heart:“Watch out that no one deceives you.”  In this series, we explore the big questions people are asking: Where did evil come from? Did God create it? Why does it matter for our faith today? We turn to Scripture for clarity, wisdom, and confidence—learning how to nurture our souls, guard our minds, and stand firm in God’s truth. This is a journey into understanding our world, knowing God’s Word, and living with eyes wide open.

The End of Daze series is our honest, prayerful response to the moment we’re living in. These messages aren’t about drawing battle lines or creating an “us versus them” mindset. Instead, they call us to live out our faith with clarity, to understand the world around us, and to stay spiritually awake.When Jesus’ disciples asked about the end of the age, His first words weren’t about wars, disasters, or global turmoil. His first words were a warning to the heart: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” Every other sign—every hardship, every shaking, every pressure—comes after that caution.So stay awake. Stay discerning. Keep watch, my friend. The times may be turbulent, but Jesus has already told us howto stand.

As Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount, He tells the story of two builders to drive home a final truth: it’s not enough to admire His teaching—you must live it. Matthew 7:24–27 isn’t just another parable; it’s Jesus’ verdict after three chapters of kingdom instruction. Both builders hear His words, both build, and both face the same storm—yet their outcomes couldn’t be more different. Jesus’ challenge still stands today: don’t settle for knowing. Let His words shape how you live.

What can you say to someone who has suffered a profound loss, or what words of comfort can you truly offer? Often,as Christians, we try to provide answers when, in reality, simply waiting and being present is what’s needed. Our presence holds great power, offering silent grace and a tangible start to healing. The Book of Job is both challenging and unsettling. Ultimately, Job, in his pain, loss, and tragedy, moved from knowledge of God to a deeper knowing, from transaction to transformation.

Job’s friends spoke confidently about a God they didn’t truly know—and their words only deepened his pain. Even in silence, God was present, watching how they misrepresented Him. This challenges us to consider the kind of friend we are to others, and the kind of friend God calls us to be. May we move beyond knowing about God and seek to truly know Him.

What does God want to show us, and what do we expect? Are we ready to explore beyond our comfort zones? The book of Job isn't just about loss or suffering—it's about knowing a God who understands and is with us. Job challenges us to learn from hardship, ask deeper questions, and seek a greaterunderstanding of God. Job reminds us to dig deeper, go further, and to know God more.

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God Is Not Done. This Christmas Eve message explores how God's nature has remained steady throughout history, continually showing faithfulness and love. The story of Christmas serves as a reminder that God never abandons us, no matter what happens—even when it’s difficult to accept or understand. Through this message, we learn that Christmas encourages us not to give up, because God will never give up on us.

This season serves as a poignant reminder that our world is often challenging, confusing, and shrouded in darkness. Jesus stands as the light of life—the one true source of illumination. Christmas encourages us to recognise Christ's presence in every circumstance we encounter. The significance of this message extends beyond the holiday itself; it calls for a daily, continuous focus. Jesus brings light; he is the essence of life. True victory, healing, breakthrough, and eternal life are found only through him.

Everyone goes through changes and transitions—both on a daily basis and throughout life. Navigating these transitions is a universal experience. It's essential to remember that, from this perspective, God remains constant during times of change. Consider what opportunities or lessons might be present for you right now. How can we make wise choices when faced with decisions? Much like travellers, we must determine which paths are best. Central to this is discovering how to live in harmony with God's guidance and building prayerful dependence. Remember, you're not facing transitions alone; trust that God provides direction, strength, and hope along the way. Whether you're currently in a period of transition or anticipating one, take a moment to reflect on how you will approach it in the future.

Friend, we can all feel beaten down in life, struggling with challenges, changes in our circumstances, or anything else. But a thorough look into God's word, and you will find it filled with people who felt beaten or beaten by life circumstances. But then, God shines through. He has given us all we need to live in this life. He gave us His Holy Spirit. To know him, to trust him, to daily surrender to Him. This is so vital for the Christianlife. It is not doing life in our own strength but in His, with his enablement and empowerment through the Holy Spirit. So, lean in, trust God, talk to God, read your bible, obey God, and be led by the Holy Spirit. That’s how you can start to live an unbeatable Life.

It is because of the faith we have received that we can all experience freedom in Christ. Freedom from the drain of sin, the damage of sin. God gives us faith to enable us to live in His power through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Ken unpacksfor us the importance of justification. That is why every day is an essential day for the gospel and building faith. The Christian life is far more than a theological concept; it needs to be a theological experience.

Hey friends, no second guesses about the focus of today’s message — that’s right, “Hello Anxiety.”Friends, we are living in a time filled with more distractions, more options, more technology, and more voices competing for our attention than ever before. In the middle of all of that, we must learn to stop, slow down, breathe, and listen. What is God saying to your spirit today? Through God’s Word, we are able to see anxiety for what it really is. Not only can we manage anxiety, but we can transfer it into the care of God. Life brings challenges, pressure, and stress. And yes — we can easily begin to worry, fear, or even imagine the worst.But God invites us to come to Jesus, bringing everything that weighs us down, in prayer, believing that with Him we are becoming healthier, freer, stronger, and filled with hope.So be aware of anxiety—what fuels it, what triggers it, and what opens the door to it—but never allow it to control you.With Christ, anxiety does not have thefinal say.

A lot can happen in a single day—as a new day begins, as seen in Matthew chapter nine, which is filled with Jesus’s ministry: breakthroughs, transformations, healings, miracles, and even raising the dead. At the end of this eventful day, Jesus sends out his disciples, facing head-on the challenge of the kingdom harvest and embracing kingdom life in the present. May you draw encouragement and hope from this, especially whenconfronted by life's challenges, busyness, and demands, and may your prayers inspire prayers for new harvesters.

God has modelled very specifically how to overcome fear and disabling dread. The most epic fail of what fear can do as it intrudes on God's plans for your life. As seen in believing God's promises are for you to take possession of the land He has promised. God breaks it down as a model that works if we work it into our daily lives. It's not rocket science, it's not mysterious or vague. God, say you don’t need fear to interfere with your life. You need to release your faith, receive what God is showing you, and allow faith to speak over fear, holding on tightly.

Today's message is a powerful reminder that God's grace is a profound force in our lives, serving as the source of every promise and blessing we receive. It is through grace that God's heart responds to us, providing what we need forourselves and the benefit of others. Grace supplies all the necessary promises, Salvation, blessings, and practical responses from God's heart to our lives. Grace is the means by which God enable us, empowers us, fills us, and keeps us. Grace is where we stand in faith and how we walk in confidence and assurance of faith.

In today's world, where fear and propaganda are widespread, it's easy to become overwhelmed. Fear is profitable for many. Yet, we are encouraged to confront our fears, acknowledge them, and claim our freedom from them. The Scriptures state that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Life can be difficult,especially when it feels like a spiritual struggle. However, there's hope: God's word explains how fear and dread might take hold of us, but also shows us a path to freedom, reminding us that we are not meant to return to a life controlled by fear.

We all know we are living in a time of darkness. We are alsoliving in an appointed, strategic, opportune, heaven ordained time. However, in that darkness, the children of God are the light that shines bright. God is casting his fisher’s net across the earth, resulting in multitudes being saved into His kingdom.

Is there a difference between being grateful and thankful? Probably not much. Both words are used to show appreciation.David goes on to tell the story of the 10 lepers and shares how being grateful and thankful are not natural behaviours, but learnt.

On this Anniversary Celebration Sunday, we shared a fresh “now word” for UBC, capturing the heart of God’s mission for us today. Following this, Pastor Matt Garvin, our incoming Mission Director, gave a powerful message on the kingdom of God. He reminded us that we are not to adopt the patterns and principles of the world, but instead to live differently—and better—because of Christ. He also challenged us to consider the reality of the moment we are in, highlighting four temptations that churches often face and fail to respond to, unless they remain rooted in God’s kingdom.

One Priority - In our busy world, where life is filled with constant motion and endless demands, the main issue is not opportunity but a lack of focus or a lack of priority. Amidst all the noise, Jesus calls us to a different path. In Matthew 6, He highlights generosity, prayer, fasting, and above all, setting one priority. If there's one thing Jesus desires from us, here it is…ONE PRIOITY!

We all face challenges and temptations in life, often feeling torn by difficult decisions and emotions. This message aims to address real issues we encounter daily and encourages us to confront and learn from temptation. Paul offers guidance to help the early church overcome various temptations, reminding us that difficulties are part of our journey. The key is that God provides a way out and supports us, especially through prayer—renewing, removing, and reviving us. Even if we fail, there is always sufficient grace for restoration and encouragement.

The phrase “Who is your daddy?” is a contemporaryinterpretation of Jesus questioning the religious leaders of his day. Because they thought Abraham was our father, as a legacy and mark of superiority. Jesus couldn't let this one go. His mission to set the captives free included everyone,even religious people. He had no other option but to refute. The argument escalates in a robust exchange where Jesus declares his divine nature with the statement, “I assure you: Before Abraham was, I am.” The pursuit of authentic faith, opposing false hope, and recognising alone. Jesus is the one who can set you free indeed.