CBC Podcast

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in a person's conversion? What does the Holy Spirit do at conversion? What does it mean when people talk about 'baptism in the Holy Spirit' or 'being filled by the Spirit'? Just a few of the questions we'll look at this week.

When the Bible talks about being patient it means more than just waiting for your birthday to come. In our all age service we explore the different aspects of patience and have a practical activity to practice the different elements of being patient!

Are you a creative person? Do you think in images? Do you process thoughts through painting or composing music? Do you always have a creative project on the go? Today we're looking at the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament - where his role in creation and creativity is evident. The Holy Spirit didn't just turn up at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has been present and active since the first verses of the Bible. So what can we learn about the Holy Spirit from the Old Testament and how is this relevant for us today?

Today we start a new series on the Holy Spirit with this overview/introduction. But we don't want the outcome of this series just be that we know more about the Holy Spirit - instead we want to know Jesus better and be more like him.

Life is not a sprint. It is full of ups and downs. There are times we might feel like giving up. But in Hebrews we are encouraged to fix our eyes on Jesus, to throw off everything that will get in the way. We should also be encouraged by the prize that awaits.

The first Easter Sunday changed everything. Jesus came back to life, the tomb was empty, and therefore the stone, the burial cloths, the ritual spices... these were just some of the things that were no longer needed. But what else is no longer needed now that Jesus is alive?

Although Pilate and Jesus were talking, and using the same words, Pilate really had no idea what Jesus was talking about. How often do I use the same words as Jesus - but mean something totally different?

Do you pray? And if you do, what sort of things do you pray for? As we conclude our series on Jesus' words in the Upper Room, we come to the longest recorded prayer of Jesus - John 17. And amongst other things Jesus prays that his disciples might be united. Why is this so important?

Especially at the moment, with all that is going on in the world and how the ripple effects are impacting everyone in one way or another, it can be very easy to feel overwhelmed. To feel anxious or worried. And yet Jesus wants his followers to know that he has overcome the world and that we can know peace.

We have reached the point where it is nearly impossible to tell whether images or videos you watch are genuine or fakes. We don't know what is true or what isn't. But truth is really important. How do we know what is true? Jesus promises his followers that the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of truth - will guide us. But how does he do that?

A Christian is someone who Jesus has chosen from out of the world. And yet, for the moment, we still live in the world. So what does it look like - in my context - to be a follower of Jesus?

Our fruitfulness does not depend on our efforts or our abilities - it depends on whether or not we remain in Jesus. If we do we will be fruitful. But what does that mean and what does that look like?

Why don't we talk more about self-control? As we move into Lent why is self-control important? How can I practice self-control this week?

Peace is one of those things that can seem very elusive and in very short supply. Our news is full of stories of war and conflict and threat of conflict. But even in countries where there is 'peace', often people can be anxious and worried. We hear a lot about the mental health crisis. Jesus promises his followers peace. But how can we experience this peace for ourselves?

When you think of Jesus' words, 'I am the way' - what pictures come to mind? What does the 'way' look like? A narrow track through the woods, a paved route through a valley...? Are you at a cross roads in life and wondering which way to turn? So what does Jesus mean when he says that he is the way?

How would you explain what compassion means? Jesus often explained things by telling a story. Today we're exploring this theme of compassion.

When Jesus was asked to summarise the whole of the law he told his disciples it was all about loving God and loving your neighbour. In his final few hours before his death Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another. And it is the love that we have that marks us out as disciples - not the miracles or the clever arguments.

If you're a fan of the Traitors you will know it is possible to think that someone is your best friend, only to have them 'throw you under the bus'. Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him from the beginning and yet he loved Judas. Jesus knows that there will be times when we will let him down, deny him, betray him, and yet he loves us too. We have a God who is gracious and ready to forgive us.

There are times when we read the Bible and we can be left scratching our heads as we wonder how it can possibly apply to our lives in 2026. This is not one of those passages. Jesus shows his disciples what kind of followers he wants. Those who will love others by serving them. The specifics might look different from context to context - but our attitude should be one where we are willing to serve.

At a time of year when many are thinking about their goals and choices for the year ahead, are you the sort of person who makes New Year's Resolutions? Even if not, if you are a follower of Jesus, our desire for the coming year should be to walk more closely with Jesus and to be more like him. But what does that actually look like?

Donut Sunday. 'What's that?' you ask. Join us as we use donuts to explore the good news of Jesus.

Apparently 58% of adults will receive an unwanted gift this Christmas. But what percentage leave the greatest gift of all unwrapped under the tree?

Are you looking for hope? Many people today are - and they're wondering where they are going to find it. And there were situations in the Bible where everything seemed hopeless - and yet people were invited to put their trust in God and in his promises for the future. The Christmas story is a central part of the hope that we can experience today - no matter what is going on in our lives.

Have you ever wondered what it is that God actually wants you to do? Micah, one of the Old Testament prophets gives us a good starting point. To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God. But what does that actually look like?

What is God calling us to build today? On Sunday we looked at the book of Haggai and saw that it was time for God's people to rebuild the temple after the exile. But in the New Testament we see that God's people are where God's spirit lives. So how does God want us to be building his temple this week?

Graham Daniels from CIS and CUFC was the speaker at this year's West of Cambridge Churches Joint Service. Graham encouraged and challenged us from John 2 - the story of Jesus turning water into wine.

The people had become proud. They were proud of their accomplishments. They thought they knew best. They did not listen to God or see the need to obey God. But judgement was coming. Are we proud? Or have we humbled ourselves before God?

Have you ever been in a situation where you have been praying for something and wondered either whether God has even heard your prayer, or wondered why God is taking so long to answer? That was Habakkuk's question. He even questions God answer and God's plan. But in the end he comes to a place of peace. So what does God say to him? And what does God want to say to us?

This week we were learning about and praying with the persecuted church. It was an all age service so we started with a few activities to get us thinking before thinking about how 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 could help us to pray for Christians in countries where they are being persecuted for their faith. To find out more go to www.opendoorsuk.org

When we use the word 'worship' we often think about things we do in church - particularly singing. But it is possible to just go through the motions. We might look the part but our outward actions do not reflect our hearts. What does God have to say about that kind of 'worship'?

We might think that the Old Testament is full of an angry God who is waiting to punish people who step out of line. But if you actually read it you see that the opposite is true. God is patient - desperately wanting the people to turn back to him and choose life. Today we'll see how in the warnings of Amos there is still this invitation - seek me and live.

Jonah is so angry that he wants to die. Why? Because God was gracious and compassionate and forgave those whom Jonah thought should be punished. Are we open to the surprising and compassionate ways God might want to work in the lives of those around us?

As well as thanking God for the harvest we need to be aware of how we can help those who don't have enough. Today we'll see how God made provision for this in his law and what it means for us now.

Have you ever wished for a second chance? For the opportunity to go back and do things differently? That's what happens to Jonah here. Having disobeyed God previously, God gives him another chance. And that is what God is like with us too. Even when we mess it up, when we turn back to God he welcomes us back and gives us another chance.

Even though Jonah had hit rock bottom he still knew that God would hear him when he cried out and that God could save him. Wherever we are, and no matter why or how we got there we can still cry out to God.

Have you ever heard from God - and then wanted to do the absolute opposite? Jonah did. Called to go east - he headed as far west as was possible. What happened to Jonah and what can we learn today in 2025?

Whether it is the first day at a new school or the first day at a new job I'm sure that we can all remember some of the emotions and feeling that new things bring - nerves, excitement, worry, anticipation...Joshua was stepping into a new role and God had both promises and instructions for him - what can we learn at the beginning of this new term?

We all know from personal experience that life can be tough - and that fact is recognised in many Christian songs (including Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake). Not everything that we experience in life is going to be good but today we're going to be exploring what Paul means when he says that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

Humility is not something that is particularly celebrated or valued in today's culture - but is something that we see at the heart of Jesus' character. But is it a characteristic that we are given when we start to follow Jesus or do we need to cultivate it?

A reflection on Psalm 139

Before we start looking at the Exodus story and the Passover - just how did the Israelites end up as slaves in Egypt? To answer that question we need to go back into the book of Genesis.

Paul has learnt the secret of being content because he has put his trust in God. Do we struggle to trust God when we don't have enough? Do we get greedy when we have enough? What can we learn from Paul?

5 steps to knowing joy and peace everyday. Although this letter was written two thousand years ago it remains as relevant as ever. How can we know peace and joy - not just when everything is going well, but especially when the going gets tough.

We know that to be an elite sports person requires a life that is dedicated to training. Many sacrifices have to be made along the way. And they do it because of the rewards. Their eye is fixed on the prize. And Paul wants to encourage us as Christians to keep our eye on the prize and to press on with following Jesus.

Paul had all sorts of things going for him - and yet compared with the privilege of knowing Jesus, all those other things counted as nothing. Can we know Jesus like this?

Wherever Paul travels he is with others, and along the way, and in his letters he introduces us to many of his co-workers. But he also knows that life in community is not easy. Why is being a part of a church community important and how do we make it work?

What do we mean when we talk about God working in us - and does that mean we can just sit back and let God do it all? And how does this lead to a life with less grumbling and more joy?

Living as a follower of Jesus should lead other people to notice that our life is different and ask us about it. But are we ready to answer those questions and if not - how can we prepare?

Paul wants us to follow Jesus' example - and in this passage from Philippians 2:1-11 he helps us to see what that looks like.

Why are so many Christians reluctant to share their faith, and why would the example of someone being put in prison because they were a Christian, give us confidence to talk about Jesus? Just some of the questions we're exploring today.