Central Church Bristol

Our passage from Romans 8 reveals the surprising truth that new life comes through death. Through Christ’s death and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we move from the realm of the flesh (death) into the realm of the Spirit (life and peace). This means daily dying to sin by the Spirit, putting to death the misdeeds of the body, and the confident hope of future resurrection. Far more than external appearances, following Jesus is an inner transformation as God dwells in us and reshapes our lives. God's word calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and walk with the Spirit into true freedom and joy.

Tim continues our Led By the Spirit series as he unpacks Romans 8:1–4, highlighting three powerful assurances for Christians: forgiveness, freedom, and God’s presence. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, there is now no condemnation for those in Him; our sins are fully forgiven. Through the Holy Spirit, we are not only declared free but empowered to live in that freedom. Finally, God’s Spirit now dwells within us, guiding and strengthening us daily to live for God. God's word encourages us to live confidently in these truths, resting in our secure identity in Christ.

Why Christians Still Struggle | Romans 7:7-25 | Tim Jones | 26th April 2026 by Central Church Bristol

Ellen begins our new series looking at how we can be Led by the Spirit. As we dive into Romans 7, we see how Jesus has released us from the laws of the Old Testament and instead invites us to simply walk alongside him.

Rob Morgan opens Genesis 12 and 15 and follows one big thread through the Bible: God keeps his promises. We hear how God's promise to Abraham points forward to Jesus, and how the story of scripture holds together around love, mercy, and faithfulness.

Why do we look for the living among the dead? This Easter Tim tells us the resurrection is too good to ignore, that it stands up to honest investigation, and that it still changes lives. Come explore the events of the first Easter morning with us and discover how God's rescue plan for humanity is available for us today!

Emma carries on our A Generous Life series as we dive into Romans 12:3-8 and think about talents, confidence and comparison. We're reminded that God gives different gifts on purpose—so we can build each other up, not compete, and not hide. If we trust the Holy Spirit to stir courage in us, we can say yes to what we're given, whether that looks like serving, leading, giving, encouraging, teaching, or showing mercy.

This Sunday Tim Browne continues our A Generous Life series. In Romans 12 we're challenged to strive for sincere love, real devotion, choosing honour, and practising hospitality. Generosity only counts when it costs us—our commitment to showing up even when life gets tough. Tim encourages us to devote ourselves to each other as this is how real relationships are built.

Tim kicks off our new series—A Generous Life—as we dive into 2 Corinthians and look at money! We unpack how God doesn't force generosity, instead inviting it and supplying all we need so we can give with joy.

In this final talk of our God's Abundant Grace series, Pete Walker speaks from Romans 6:15-23 and asks what's really setting the pace of our lives. Paul uses strong language, slavery and masters, yet we all give ourselves to something—power, money, image, comfort, and even good things like work and relationships. But Jesus offers a different kind of freedom, the kind that forms us from the inside out.

As we continue our God's Abundant Grace series, Tim speaks from Romans 6 and reminds us that we're not under law, we're under grace. Tim shares four practical steps from the passage—reason, reckon, resist, replace—and calls us to offer every part of our lives to God as instruments of righteousness.

We’re continuing our God’s Abundant Grace sermon series as we open up Romans 6:1-7. Dan unpacks sin as the thing that brings shame, brokenness, and death, then sets grace alongside it as God’s free gift to restore us. We look at baptism as a sign of dying to the old life and rising into a new one, not as people trying harder, but as people made free in Christ.

Helen Johnson continues our God’s Abundant Grace series, preaching from Romans 5:12-21 on how sin and death entered through Adam, and how life and freedom come through Jesus. We hear why the gospel is good news for real people, not perfect ones, and how God’s gift of grace won't run out.

What does a London comedy club and Christianity have in common?? In this talk, Tim Jones carries on our God’s Abundant Grace sermon series and opens up Paul’s surprising logic about love and justice in Romans 5. We hear why Christianity doesn’t start with having it all together, why “justified” isn’t just church jargon, and what it could mean to have a real relationship with God.

Athan kicks off our God’s Abundant Grace series, walking us through the start of Romans 5 and showing how grace, faith, suffering, perseverance, character, and hope fit together in real life. The unbelievable truth is that we can rejoice in suffering, because pressure produces perseverance, perseverance shapes character, and character grows hope.

How can we know God’s will for our lives, especially at the start of a new year? Tim Jones opens Proverbs 16 and shows how our plans matter and that we can find freedom in our day-to-day as we surrender our motives to God. Even when life seems unclear, the promise of Romans 8:28 is that God is working all things for our good.

As we enter 2026, Michael opens Exodus 33:12-15 and Moses’ bold prayer, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Experience, skill, and planning can only get us so far in life, but God’s presence changes everything; it brings new life and a new beginning.

Tim speaks at our annual Carols by Candlelight service. Our theme this year has been the incredible reality that through Jesus God came to be Emmanuel: 'God With Us'.

Nobody likes to wait, but when there's something worth it at the end it has to be done! In this final talk in our 'Made For More' series, Emma opens up Luke 1 and the story of Mary and the angel Gabriel, helping us to see Advent as a season of faithful, hope-filled waiting. We unpack the discomfort of waiting, the joy of promise, and the truth that we are made for more than today; we're made for eternity with God.

Tim continues our 'Made For More' sermon series by looking at the faith of the centurion in Matthew 8. We see how this unlikely Roman officer comes to Jesus with bold expectation, simply asking Him to "say the word" so that his servant will be healed. Together we see what his response teaches us about faith, authority, humility, disappointment, and how our expectations of God shape our walk with Jesus.

Continuing our 'Made For More' series, Athan opens up Judges 6 and helps us see how God speaks to our true potential, not our present limitation. We walk through Gideon’s story and hear the call to rise from hiding, step out of our personal “winepress”, and live as men and women full of God-given purpose. Athan shares how endurance, prayer, and spiritual gifts shape us, and how the Holy Spirit works in us so we can do far more than we could on our own. Jesus has already won the victory, so we can move from fear to faith and from settling to stepping out.

Continuing our Made For More series, Rob asks "What would be on your bench?" and how will we be remembered. Drawing on Philippians 2:25-30 and the life of Epaphroditus, we look at a legacy of service and sacrifice. What would it look like for us to truly know the price that Jesus paid for us on the cross and live in the legacy and freedom that he made possible?

In week two of our sermon series 'Made For More', Dan Jeffery speaks on repentance from Luke 18. We explore the Pharisee and the tax collector in our passage and a model of turning to God in humble prayer. Drawing on the tax collector's prayer and Psalm 51, we see how regular repentance keeps our feet clean as we walk with Jesus.

Tim kicks off our new sermon series ‘Made for More’, unpacking what it looks like to endure through God's strength. We look at the picture Paul paints of running a race as we live our lives, the encouragement being that God promises to carry us through all our hardships and into eternal glory.

We continue looking at the vision for Central as we open Luke 12 to hear Jesus’ clear words on money, worry, and greed. Tim Browne teaches how stewardship, trust, and planned, proportional giving shape our hearts and our habits. We consider why giving to the local church fuels mission, discipleship, and care in our city and beyond. Join us as we seek God’s kingdom first and set our treasure where it lasts.

Join us as Tim Jones opens Isaiah 26:1-8, calling us to build our lives on Jesus, our strong city and rock. We look at the promise of perfect peace, the smooth path God sets before his people, and a simple prayer that shapes a lifetime: your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. We share how this vision shapes our growth as disciples and as a church, with open doors and open hearts for our city.

Life is exhausting! Our day-to-days can be filled with so much stress, yet maybe you feel like the world's solution is to just "try harder" and "believe in yourself"? This Sunday, Tim unpacks the end of Matthew 11, sharing Jesus’ invitation to come and find true rest. We explore how Jesus welcomes the weary, guides us with a gentle heart, and carries our burdens—all with a bit of beatboxing thrown in for good measure!

In this second and final week of our two-part sermon series 'Saved' from the book of Titus, Tim Jones unpacks how God saves us through new birth and a fresh status before Him. We explore the evidence of salvation in our daily lives, marked by good works that flow from grace, and the hope of eternal life as heirs with Christ. Join us as we reflect on God's mercy that changes everything and equips us to live gratefully for Him.

Join us as we kick off our new two-week sermon mini-series in Titus called "Saved." Tim Jones opens up the book of Titus and takes us to the roots of our faith, exploring what it really means that God saves us—not because we earn it, but out of his mercy and love. We look at our need for rescue, the kindness God brings, and how this changes not just what we believe, but how we can live with hope and confidence.

Join us as we listen to guest speaker Toby Flint share practical insights from Luke 10 about living with purpose, compassion, and a strong sense of identity in our everyday lives. In this message, we explore what it means to be sent out by Jesus, how we can love those around us, and why sitting at Jesus’ feet makes all the difference.

In the last talk of our Rooted and Ready series, we look at the unchanging faithfulness of God, even in life's hardest moments. Michael Adegbite shares real stories about holding on to faith when facing rejection, hardship, and loss. We see how rooted trust in Jesus shapes our lives and brings comfort, no matter what we face. Michael's words help us to see that God's commitment always remains untouched by our problems or doubts.

Join us as one of our congregation members Ellen Haggan talks about what healthy church life looks like, drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22. We dig into Paul's advice on supporting church leaders, loving our church family, and keeping a personal posture of prayer, joy, and thankfulness, even when life is tough. Ellen shares honest stories, practical ideas, and real challenges we face together as a community.

Discover what it means to live as children of the light with Tim Browne as he unpacks 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. We take a close look at Paul’s message about being awake, alert, and ready for the return of Jesus. Tim shares his personal journey through fear and anxiety and shows how the Bible speaks to our real struggles with darkness. We learn that our faith, love, and hope can help us stand firm, even in tough times.

In this sermon Tim considers the reality of death, the certainty of Christ’s return, and the hope of resurrection that transforms how we live today. We see that while death is an enemy we all face, it is not the end for those in Christ. Paul’s words remind us that Jesus died and rose again, and so will all who belong to Him, leading to a joyful reunion and eternal life in His presence. This hope allows us to grieve honestly yet with confidence, encouraging one another until the day He comes again.

This Sunday Pete from City Church Bristol continues our sermon series in 1 Thessalonians 4 where it talks about the importance of our earthly work. Pete unpacks how our jobs and the activities in our wider life are a God given gift and that work is part of the life that He has planned for us, even in eternity!

Tim speaks from Thessalonians 4 on how God calls us to live our whole lives in a way that is pure and honouring to him, including not just our work and social lives but even our private thoughts and actions.

Tim reminds us of the joy it is to have each other as brothers and sisters in Christ as we continue in our Rooted and Ready series. More than just being a 'holy huddle' that merely encourages each other on, Tim urges us to be like the church in Thessalonica - being sanctified and prepared for life in heaven together.

Dan Jeffery shares four ways we can live our lives in a way that welcomes people to the revelation of Jesus as we continue our Rooted and Ready series in 1 Thessalonians - being prepared to be inconvenienced, ensuring our lives are blameless and holy, championing one another, and giving thanks for every gift from God, no matter how small.

Tim continues our Rooted and Ready series by asking us whether the way we act and behave points people to Jesus. Tune in as we hear how Paul modelled authentic faith to the church in Thessalonica and see how we too can live as people centred around Jesus.

What is a Christian?? Rob answers this question as he continues our series in 1 Thessalonians. More than just a person who goes to church or reads the Bible, we'll see that a Christian is someone who is rooted in the gospel and can stand strong when the storms of life approach.

Tim kicks off our new sermon series in 1 Thessalonians where we will look at the glowing example of the church in Thessalonica to learn how we too can stay rooted in God's love.

Tim wraps up our series in Nehemiah as we look at the celebrations and rededication of the people that follow the completion of the wall. Tim encourages us to continue dedicating our lives to Jesus so that we too may have joy when we celebrate one day in heaven.

Tim speaks on integrity as we continue our series in Nehemiah, challenging us to treat those around us in the same way our almighty God loves us.

Tim carries on our Built To Last series, looking at how Nehemiah was able to overcome opposition, and how we can apply this to spiritual warfare in our own lives.

Ellen continues our sermon series, looking at how we as individuals with different skills and backgrounds can come together to build God's kingdom.

Continuing our Built To Last series, Dan talks about laying the foundations after we hear our calling from God - even if those events are months apart like they were for Nehemiah.

Tim kicks off our new sermon series on the book of Nehemiah, looking at how to build our lives for God's glory instead of our own.

This Easter Sunday, as we celebrated Jesus' resurrection, Tim opened Luke's account of Jesus' first resurrection evening and the offer of Easter, the evidence for Easter and the explanation for Easter.

Tim speaks from 1 Corinthians on the meal Jesus taught us to take in remembrance of him, giving us six ways to posture ourselves as we receive Communion.

Jane brings our Naturally Supernatural sermon series to a close as we consider the theme of Hospitality from 1 Peter 4.