Calling A City To Life

In this episode of Calling City Life, Richard, Ian, Brodie, and Jacq conclude their series on the Holy Spirit by exploring the difficult reality of suffering through the lens of Romans 8. The team unpacks the "three groans" of creation, the believer, and the Spirit, delving into deep theological questions about whether God experiences pain while addressing practical challenges like mental health and the pressure Christians often feel to "suffer well." Ultimately, this conversation offers a compassionate reminder that we do not groan alone—the Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness, and our present struggles are held within the sure hope of future glory.

Based on Romans 8, this sermon explores the inevitable reality of suffering, which is framed as a "groaning" shared by creation, by believers, and by the Holy Spirit. It explains that while hardship is a part of both the broken world and the Christian life, it is not without purpose and can be a place of transformation. The central message of hope is that in our weakest moments, when we don't even know how to pray, the Spirit himself intercedes for us, meeting us in our suffering and empowering us to endure.

In this episode, Brodie discusses his sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, focusing on the theme "The Spirit in the Future". He explains that with Jesus's resurrection, the "age to come" has entered our present, making believers "God's eschatological people". This new identity in Christ is a change in both location and time , meaning followers are part of the "new creation" now. This status changes how believers relate to one another, moving beyond worldly divisions like politics to see each other as fellow new creations. The group explores how this identity calls everyone to a "ministry of reconciliation," urging them to first "be reconciled to God" and then extend that reconciliation to others , practically by building friendships with those who are different.

The sermon "The Spirit and the Future," part of the "Naturally Supernatural" series and based on 2 Corinthians 5:13-21, explains how the Holy Spirit forms believers into God's "eschatological people" by bringing God's future into the present. In Christ, we are a "new creation" and have been "relocated" from death to life. While we must actively shed our "old world ways" (as "Grandpa lives in our bones"), this new life is compelled by the "love of Christ." This love gives us a new perspective, causing us to "regard no one from a human point of view" and transcending worldly divisions. This new identity commissions every believer with the "ministry of reconciliation," calling us to be reconciled both vertically to God and horizontally to one another, thereby becoming living examples of God's righteousness and justice in the world.

In this episode of the "Calling Us to Life" podcast from Queen's Park Baptist Church, hosts Richard and Jacqui are joined by pastors Iain and Brodie to dive deep into Iain's recent sermon on Romans 15.The conversation is a practical and honest debrief of the sermon's "3 P's" of a Spirit-led mission: Presence, Power, and Proclamation.Presence: The team discusses the challenge of being "present" in the world. Referencing a quote about "comfortable pews" seeing more of Christians than the "multitudes", Jacqui asks how to balance structured church activities with building authentic, day-to-day relationships with people outside the church.Power: What do you do when your faith feels "eroded" and you don't feel the "confident hope" the Holy Spirit is supposed to provide? Brodie shares a powerful insight, emphasizing that our confidence isn't in our feelings but in the good news itself, and that being authentic about our struggles is essential.Proclamation: The group talks about the necessity of speaking the gospel, not just living it. Brodie candidly shares his own struggle with "flying the plane" but failing to "land it"—having great spiritual conversations but stopping short of an actual invitation. The team explores what a clear, accessible invitation looks like in a post-Christian world.The episode wraps up with a real-life story about how a simple search for barn owls led to a spiritual conversation, illustrating how the 3 P's work together.

This sermon is a powerful call to action based on Romans 15:15-19, and it will challenge how you see your everyday life as a Christian.Iain dives deep into what it really means to be a minister of the "good news." He explains that sharing your faith isn't just a chore or a duty; it's a profound act of worship, what Paul called a "priestly duty."To make it easy to remember, Iain breaks his message down into three key ideas (all starting with "P"!):Being Present: It's not just about ideas; it's about being physically present and engaged with people in specific places. Iain uses Paul's journey from "Jerusalem... to Illyricum" as the model for us to be in our communities.The Holy Spirit's Power: This is the core of it. You don't have to do this in your own strength! Iain passionately reminds us that this is all accomplished through the "power of the Spirit of God," which includes signs, wonders, and the incredible hope only the Spirit can give.The Act of Proclamation: While our actions are vital, Iain makes a strong case that the gospel must be spoken. The good news needs words to be fully understood and received.

This week, we deliver a powerful double-header, exploring two vital and often challenging gifts of the Spirit: Healing and Prophecy. Brodie tackles the complex theology of healing, emphasizing the importance of expectancy and faith while acknowledging the reality of suffering and unanswered prayer, urging us to step out in boldness rather than merit-based faith. Ian delves into prophecy, demystifying it as an accessible, Spirit-given ability to listen for God's voice, encouraging us to practice listening and offering words of strengthening, encouraging, and comforting affirmation to one another, often found simply by pausing to take a "beat" in our everyday lives.

This sermon emphasises that the Christian life is naturally supernatural, with a focus on prophecy it highlights that God actively speaks, and believers are called to be active listeners, much like disciples learning from their master. Prophecy is presented not as infallible scripture, but as a valuable spiritual gift—putting into human words what God brings to mind—primarily intended to strengthen, encourage, comfort (1 Cor 14:3), and guide the church community. Guided by the Holy Spirit (our "internal teacher"), believers should eagerly desire this gift (1 Cor 14:1) and use it lovingly and responsibly, always testing its content, to build up the body of Christ.

This sermon explores the Holy Spirit's power to heal, focusing on the story of Peter and John at the Beautiful Gate in Acts 3. The speaker explains the dunamis power of God as both "dynamite" (dramatic, explosive signs) and "dynamo" (steady, sustaining power). The message highlights the contrasts in Acts 3—the excluded, penniless beggar versus the opulent temple and the equally penniless but bold disciples. This healing is presented as a sign of God's inclusive kingdom, which operates in the "now and not yet," explaining why we see miraculous healings but also continue to face suffering. Ultimately, the sermon argues that all signs and wonders, including healing, have the primary purpose of glorifying and pointing us to Jesus, urging listeners to "fix their eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 2) and live with "great joy and generosity" in all circumstances.

This week on Calling A City to Life, Richard, Jacq, and Iain dive into what it really means to “become like Jesus” — not as a self-improvement project, but as a Spirit-led transformation. They explore how the Holy Spirit works in us to make us Christlike and through us to release spiritual gifts.From shame-free growth to the beauty of unseen gifts, this conversation covers everything from wellness culture to holy longing — with plenty of laughs, YouTube algorithm confessions, and the occasional hot dog challenge along the way.💡 Topics include:The difference between wellness and wholenessWhy gifts are given, not earnedHow to discern and steward spiritual giftsBecoming “naturally supernatural” in everyday life📖 Key verse: 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others…”🎧 Tune in for warmth, wisdom, and a few grumpy Scottish laughs.

This sermon explores the nature and purpose of spiritual gifts as described in 1 Corinthians 12, encouraging believers to discover, desire, and use their gifts to make the unseen reality of God visible for the benefit of the church.

This sermon explores the process of sanctification, arguing that true spiritual transformation into the image of Christ is not a self-help program but the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. This change happens as we intentionally fix our gaze—our contemplation—on the glory of God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. The central theme is a powerful truth: what we behold, we become.

This week on Calling a City to Life, the team dives into Romans 8 and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Iain unpacks what it means to be no longer slaves but sons, exploring adoption into God’s family, relocation from the old life, and renewal through the Spirit. Along the way, Jacq wrestles with moving house (and moving hearts), and Brodie highlights participation in God’s purposes. Meanwhile, Richard pitches a new TV show combo of The Chosen meets Succession. Together, we reflect on:The difference between slavery and sonshipWhy adoption in the New Testament carried high honourHow God shifts us into a new “location” in ChristInheritance that doesn’t divide, but multipliesJoin us as we consider what it means to live as heirs with Christ—adopted, relocated, and renewed.

This sermon from Queen's Park Baptist Church explores Romans chapter 8, highlighting the profound transformation experienced by believers through the Holy Spirit. It delves into how individuals are liberated from slavery to sin, adopted into God's family, and empowered to live purposeful lives as co-heirs with Christ. The sermon emphasizes that this "change of location" and "change of status" provides acceptance, belonging, and a significant role in God's work, even amidst suffering.

This week on Calling a City to Life, Jacq and Richard welcome back Brodie – and special guest Josh Silver – to explore how the Holy Spirit meets our deepest human needs: love, guidance, and purpose.Josh gives a 60-second recap of his recent sermon on John 14:15-27, and together they unpack:Why the Holy Spirit is the key to knowing we’re not left as orphansHow God speaks to us in everyday ways (yes, even car number plates!)Practical ways to grow in sensitivity and awareness of the Spirit’s leadingThe difference between conviction and condemnationPartnering with the Spirit in mission – without pressure to “convert” people on the spotWhy practice, mistakes, and boldness are part of Spirit-led growthThis is an encouraging and practical conversation about living a Spirit-empowered life every day — not just on Sundays.📧 Send in your questions: [email protected]🎧 Listen, subscribe, and share if this conversation encouraged you!

In this sermon, Josh encourages us to "Be Strong," sharing a powerful message about the Holy Spirit. He explores how the Spirit, our promised advocate, meets our fundamental human needs for love, guidance, and purpose. Drawing from John 14 and passages in Matthew, he explains how being Spirit-led helps us find our way in the world and fulfills the mission Christ has for each of us. Don't miss the story of his own personal experience with a word of conviction and an incredible moment of healing.

In this episode of 'Calling a City to Life', the hosts discuss the new season focusing on the Holy Spirit. They explore the importance of understanding the Holy Spirit's role in the Trinity, common questions about the Spirit, and the significance of the Spirit in the lives of believers. The conversation emphasizes the need for a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit and encourages listeners to engage with their faith through questions and community discussions.TakeawaysThe Holy Spirit is often depersonalized in discussions.Understanding the Holy Spirit is crucial for spiritual growth.Cessationism suggests that miraculous gifts have ceased, but the Spirit is still active.The Spirit acts as an advocate and counselor in our lives.The Spirit empowers believers and brings transformation.Questions about the Holy Spirit are welcomed and encouraged.The Spirit testifies about Jesus and points us to the Father.The Trinity consists of three distinct persons working in unity.The Spirit's work is cosmic and should not be limited to personal experiences.Engaging with the Spirit can lead to a deeper understanding of faith.Chapters00:00 Welcome to a New Season01:08 Exploring the Holy Spirit05:33 Understanding the Role of the Holy Spirit05:58 Questions About the Holy Spirit08:06 Interactive Church Services09:12 The Personality of the Holy Spirit09:57 Cessationism Explained15:01 The Impact of the Holy Spirit19:54 The Trinity and the Holy Spirit21:46 Worship and Understanding the Trinity26:13 Understanding the Disciples' Perspective27:31 The Trinity in Second Temple Judaism30:36 Exploring the Aspects of the Holy Spirit35:11 The Holy Spirit as Advocate and Witness40:48 Hopes for the Season on the Holy Spirit

Today’s message launches a new series on the Holy Spirit by looking at John 15:26, where Jesus promises to send the Paraclete — the Advocate, Helper, Comforter, and Witness. We explore why Jesus needed to prepare His disciples for life after His return to the Father, and how understanding the Spirit’s identity is key to living as followers of Christ today. Far from being a distant force or rare phenomenon, the Spirit is God’s presence with us — guiding, strengthening, comforting, and pointing us to Jesus. This talk invites us to open our hearts to know the Spirit personally, experience His transforming power, and grow together as God’s people in courage, love, and unity.

The team chat over the most recent sermon on Matthew Chapter 5

Iain starts our new series preaching from Matthew Chapter 4

Brodie preaches from Luke Chapter 1:26-38

Lenna preaches on the topic of, 'Being Christ's Witnesses'

Iain preaches from Acts Chapter 3.

Welcome to this week’s podcast & welcome back to Iain Mac! Brodie recaps Sundays sermon ‘Confronting the Enemy’ Richard poses the question: is the enemy a who or a what? The team discusses how ‘ordinary’ battles we fight every day can be supernatural. Brodie shares a 3 fold prayer of protection. The guys talk through our responses to situations we find ourselves in, how can we have difficult conversations & what does kindness really mean? Richard decides he is going to be The Grit & it’s fine because Iain said so… Book recommendations: ‘7 and a half lessons about the brain’ by Lisa Feldman Barrett ‘Leap over the wall: Earthly spirituality for everyday Christians’ by Eugene H. Peterson ‘Glittering Images’ by Susan Howatch ‘Atlas of the Heart’ by Brene Brown Remember videos are now available of Sundays sermon on YouTube & Spotify If you have any thoughts or questions then please contact email thoughts or questions to [email protected] Or Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/queensparkbaptist/message

Brodie preaches from the book of Romans on the topic Confronting The Enemy

Iain preaches from Ephesians Chapter 3

The team unpack Brodie's sermon from last Sunday

Brodie preaches from Exodus 20 and Romans 12.

This week, Steve joins Richard and Brodie to unpack his sermon on Feeding on the Word.

Steve Cobbin preaches from Exodus Chapter 3

Fiona joins Brodie and Richard to dive deeper into Fiona's sermon on Luke chapters 4 and 5

Fiona Stewart preaches from Luke Chapter 4 and 5.

Brodie and Richard unpack this weeks sermon on creating a richer prayer life...not a Richard prayer life!

Brodie preaches from Matthew Chapter 6 v 5 to 9

Al Cuthbert along with Brodie and Richard unpack this weekend's sermon

Al Cuthbert from Falkirk Baptist Church preaches from Ephesians Chapter 2 verses 1 to 10

Brodie and Jacq unpack this past weekend's sermon.

Brodie preaches from Psalm 82

The team has a guest this week! Stephen Crothers from Adelaide Place Baptist Church who was preaching on Sunday joins Brodie, Jac & Richard to discuss 1 Corinthians v 12. Stephen was preaching on knowing & contributing your gifts to strengthen the heart of the fellowship. His goal was for us to look at what our gifts are with fresh eyes. Jac asks how do we stay faithful in a gift when we don’t always see ‘success’ in it? Is it all about relationships? Does that mean that we are in safe places to receive feedback? The team chat about growth in character & how to develop a growth mindset. Brodie shares about valuing the hidden works & not focusing on the flashy. Jac shares her lesson from the wind farm & Richard makes the chat end, leaving everyone wanting more! If you are interested in finding out more about the School of Leadership course that starts in October or to sign up then the details are on churchsuite or you can email [email protected] for more information. Remember videos are now available of Sundays sermon on YouTube & Spotify If you have any thoughts or questions then please contact email thoughts or questions to [email protected] Or Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/queensparkbaptist/message

Stephen Crothers from Adelaide Place Baptist Church preaches from 1st Corinthians Chapter 12

Welcome back! It’s a new season of the podcast & the fab four are temporarily the tremendous trio. Iain is on sabbatical, don’t worry they haven’t mislaid him. The guys chat about Vision Sunday. Brodie preached from John 15 v 4 & how that passage relates to our vision of loving one another well. Jac questions if we are aware that there are other things that we are always abiding in and are we aware of what these things are? Does abiding always come from a place of stillness and contemplation? Brodie gives us tips on how to take time to listen to God & how to just be in His presence. Richard poses us a question for gardeners…answers on a postcard. If you are interested in finding out more about the School of leadership course that starts in October or to sign up then the details are on churchsuite or you can email [email protected] for more information. Remember videos are now available of Sundays sermon on YouTube & Spotify If you have any thoughts or questions then please contact email thoughts or questions to [email protected] Or Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/queensparkbaptist/message

Brodie starts a new series of preaching from John 15 : 1-7

Welcome to this week’s podcast. Iain has returned…to Richard’s fashion advice. Hear a little about Iain’s journey physically and spiritually. The team discuss Sundays sermon on Hebrews 12. Do we miss what God has done for us and focus on the visible? Jac asks about the language of ‘mountaintop’ experiences, what is our expectation? ‘Misery is not a spiritual gift’ - what exactly does this mean? How much of Iain’s sermon is off the cuff? Richard gets political. Don’t worry, it’s hopeful! Final thoughts from the guys. Please contact us below and let us know who YOU think the author of Hebrews is, particularly if you think Richard is wrong. Join us next week as the series continues. Remember videos are now available of Sundays sermon on YouTube & Spotify If you have any thoughts or questions then please contact email thoughts or questions to [email protected] Or Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/queensparkbaptist/message

Iain preaches from Hebrews Chapter 12

Welcome to this week’s podcast! This week we are joined by the wonderful Josh, our youth leader extraordinaire, who was preaching last Sunday. Trigger Warning The beginning of the chat starts with far too much chat about feet. Listen with caution. Josh gives us a 60-second summary. As the youth leader Josh shares what the youth of the church today are thinking…sort of. How are we different depending on our generation? Can we partner with the youth & learn from them? The team chat about the potential we have to grow, train, and endure as we run the race not matter our circumstances. How do we fix our eyes on Jesus? How did Jesus deal with the hard times? Josh shares what is going on in the youth ministry at QPBC & what is coming up as the year goes on. Join us next week as the series continues & Iain returns from his wee walk. Remember videos are now available of Sundays sermon on YouTube & Spotify If you have any thoughts or questions then please contact email thoughts or questions to [email protected] Or Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/queensparkbaptist/message

Josh preaches from Hebrews Chapter 12

The team delve further into Brodie's sermon on Hebrews Chapter 11

Brodie preaches from Hebrews Chapter 11

Join the team as we unpack Iain's Sunday sermon on Hebrews Chapter 10

Iain preaches from Hebrews Chapter 10