Shirley Baptist Church Solihull, Sermons

By looking at four Biblical characters, we explore our seasons of life and the unique opportunities and invitations they hold.

This is the final talk in our three-part mini series on giving. It is based on Luke 21:1-4, which contrasts the attitudes of giving between rich people and a poor woman who is a widow. The circumstances are vastly different, but Jesus notes the heart of devotion as the important and central aspect of giving. What, or rather, who, are you devoted to? Be encouraged in your devotion to God because the truth is, God is devoted to you!

2nd Corinthians 9 says that God loves a cheerful giver. What does it mean to give cheerfully and generously, regardless of our situation? How can this inspire and transform us?

Giving in the life of the church. This is not an easy topic. Money, sex and power are often the things that cause most contention in church life, so approaching the subject of giving can be sensitive. We all experience the challenge of finances, but the Bible is clear about our shared responsibility of giving and how this is an act of worship and devotion.

Palm Sunday. A day when we celebrate Jesus as King as he rode into Jerusalem. It’s a great opportunity to offer praise and worship, thanking God for His goodness, but it’s also a great challenge. What actually is worship? And what sort of worship does God really desire from us? Jesus said true worship is in the Spirit and in truth, so what does this look like for each of us?

Baptism in water is something many of us in church have experienced. In a Baptist Church, this is through believers' baptism, while in other denominations, infant baptism is practised. But what about baptism in the Holy Spirit? What does that mean? What does it look like to be a person filled with the Spirit?

It's been said that church would be wonderful if it weren't for all the people. Paul was grappling with this as he wrote his letter to a young church in Corinth. A church split by different personalities and perspectives. He describes the church as a body with multiple parts - each one different but all needing each other. Then he breaks off with an interlude on the beauty of love shared among God's people, claiming love is the most excellent way. Sounds easy? Take another look!

What causes us to rejoice? In other words, what makes us joyful? Why do some people seem full of joy, even when things aren't going great? In 1 Peter, we read that even in hardship, the Holy Spirit can bring joy by enabling a focus on the salvation that Jesus brings. So, not a joy instead of hardship, but one within hardship, made possible by the Holy Spirit. Surely that is good news!

Romans 8:14-17 explains how the Spirit can give us an identity, enabling us to know God in a deep and personal way. How is your identity marked? By your job, your background, your culture, your education or something else? For Christians, we are identified as people who can call God our Father. We live in the love of Jesus, and the Spirit speaks truth that we are forever in God’s family. What a treasure and an inheritance that is!

How does the Holy Spirit make us new? Well, when the Spirit enters our lives, the Bible describes this as us becoming a new creation. In John’s gospel, we read the story of Nicodemus. who knew a great deal about God, but Jesus invited him to something much more life changing – a relationship with God. This happens by receiving the Spirit, being born again, and accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Other words the Bible uses to describe this are renewal or regeneration. The Holy Spirit is active and at work in people’s lives today, bringing fullness of life and hope. Are you alive, attentive and alert to what the Spirit is doing in your life and how the Spirit is inviting you to a deeper encounter with Jesus?

Both Jesus and Ezekiel tell us that the Holy Spirit has always been a key part of God’s amazing plan. But who is the Holy Spirit, what is he like, and why is he essential to the life of every Christian? Simply put, he is key to God’s strategy to transform our lives.

Our world is a turbulent place. At both the big picture level - wars, politics, natural disasters - and also at a more personal level - relationships, work, health , finances. Amongst all this, what does it mean to find hope in knowing the Prince of Peace, Jesus?

Have you ever felt rejected, marginalised or quietly judged by your own friends, family and neighbours? Imagine Jesus returning to speak in his hometown synagogue and being turned on by his own people. One minute, they were marvelling at this 'local boy made good'; the next, they sought to throw him to his death from a local cliff. Thankfully, they underestimated the power of a mighty God who stepped in to save the day. A mighty God who acts in ways that are unexpected, unplanned and out of our control. Sometimes we marvel at that, sometimes it drives us crazy. But always, it is a Small Wonder that brings us Big Hope.

The prophetic words of Isaiah 9:6 are clear - we have a ‘Wonderful Counsellor’, one who offers guidance and wisdom for all that is beyond our expectations and human understanding. So let us trust in Jesus and ask for His counsel.

Christmas is over for another year. But Jesus, that small wonder we celebrate, has not gone away. Rather, He is our big hope. The world's big hope. As it says in Matthew 12 - 'His name will be the hope of all the world'. And what can we have hope in? Well, let's start with an Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6).

Have you ever had the experience of waiting for an important visitor to arrive? Maybe you've been in the crowd when a royal procession is due to pass by, or perhaps you've been part of the reception party for a celebrity visit. The anticipation builds as the moment approaches. But suppose that royal visitor or celebrity wants to get to know you, not just for a selfie or an autograph but for a genuine relationship. Wouldn't that be special? Well, there's good news this Christmas!

The most life-changing moment showed up in the most unexpected way - a baby born in Bethlehem. His arrival brought the good news our world was missing, and it’s still the good news we depend on today. Want to explore what that means for you?

God has a wonderful plan for the world. But what does that mean? At Christmas, we often focus on the details of Christ's birth. But as we start this Advent season, let's consider the big picture - God's grand plan for the world and how our lives fit into this.

Hands up anyone who has ever felt inadequate, unconfident, unsure, not good enough or vulnerable? I’m guessing there are quite a few hands in the air! Most of us have, at some point, felt like this and may even think that these things are signs of a weak character. Vulnerability is actually a strength, and here’s the best bit… God delights in using vulnerable people to do amazing things! Gideon in the Old Testament knew all about this, so let’s explore his story and how vulnerable people are, paraphrasing what a well-known bear once said, "braver than they believe, stronger than they seem, and smarter than they think".

There is good news and bad news, and it’s always best to start with the bad! The bad news is none of us is perfect, no matter how hard we try. However, the good news is that God knows this! And not just that, God knows our flaws and imperfections and yet still gives us His grace and mercy, and enables us to step out in faith. God calls each one of us to step forward and, when we do, He equips and provides and is present with us. The Albania team will be sharing this morning about how God called them to step forward and go to Albania and to experience God at work in a different country and culture

Remembrance Sunday. A time to reflect, remember and give thanks for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. However, sadly, in the world today, there are more wars than ever. Some quick research on the internet suggests that there are currently 130 armed conflicts worldwide. Double that of 15 years ago! The world is in chaos and crisis, and we may feel helpless. The story of Abigail in 1 Samuel 25 is an example of God’s call to be a peacemaker in the middle of conflict. We may not be able to stop national wars, but we can still be people of peace in our local area and sphere of influence. Perhaps the best way to remember the fallen is to rise up and build peace in the present around those we love and live amongst. Abigail brings peace between two men, and her strategy is simple and helpful to our lives today.

Do you remember Tales of the Unexpected? This was a popular series on UK TV between 1979 and 1988. In each episode, everyday folk got caught up in surprising and bizarre stories. Each story ended with a twist. This story from the bible is similar. Rahab, a lowly prostitute, gets involved with hiding two spies from Joshua's Israelite army. She does a deal, involving hanging a crimson ribbon in her window, and the story ends with her and her family being saved from certain death. Maybe God wants to invite each of us into our very own episode of Tale of the Unexpected? In particular, like Rahab, maybe we are sometimes unexpectedly called to protect others? Family. Friends. Colleagues. Strangers.

Have you ever been too frightened to follow God’s call on your life? That may be a big question, so let's put it another way. What is stopping you from God’s leading and direction in your life? Maybe that’s still too big a question. Another try. Do you realise that God can use you, even if you don’t feel adequate? Ah, that may be easier to answer, and it was exactly what Moses thought when God spoke to him. Now, we may not encounter a burning bush or see a staff turned into a snake or be raised in royalty or indeed have committed murder, but for many other reasons, you might feel the same inadequacy before God. If, for whatever reason, you’re hesitant about God’s leading in your life, that’s no excuse for how God might speak to you!

Around 4000 years ago, a man living in what is now Syria gets a message from God. He is called to uproot and go to live in a foreign land called Canaan. So begins a story of God interacting with generations of his family over thousands of years. That story of God interacting with humanity lives on. The God who called Abraham at age 75 calls us now, whatever our age or background. The journey continues...

We are created to relate all our experiences to God. Even the bad ones. To hand over to God all our moments of questions and doubts, anger and pain, silence and suffering, that all may be an act of trust in Him and His presence in our lives. Psalm 10 ends with the reminder that God hears us.

We continue our Summer Psalms series by looking at Psalm 9. Let us use it to reflect on how God can be trusted, whatever the situation.

God’s mercies are new every morning, and such mercies, along with his love, affection, grace and goodness, are a gift for us all. We are noticed today, and He has made you for loving Him and living for Him today and for all eternity. So, we are pretty amazing and God thinks the world of us. This is the message of Psalm 8!

Have you ever needed to run from a situation or been falsely accused of something you didn’t do or wrongly spoken about behind your back? That’s what David is singing about in Psalm 7. The tune to the psalm isn’t the sweet melody of worship songs on a Sunday morning but the wild, erratic, jarring tones of irregular musical strains! David laments, cries out in despair for God to save, protect and be his refuge (strong tower) when he faces false accusations and attack. He desperately wants to be rescued and saved from an experience in life that has hurt him. If you are hurting or in need of safety and security, then this one might be for you!

Forgiveness. When we've been hurt or betrayed, it is sometimes so hard to offer. But it is empowering for the giver. Joseph’s story in Genesis shows us the power of forgiveness. Despite being betrayed, Joseph forgives, reminding us that even in tough times God is at work, making things happen for His glory and our good.

In this psalm, the writer, King David, is not in a good place. In fact, he says he is 'flooding' his bed with tears. It's a lament. When was the last time you lamented? When was the last time you cried? Perhaps, sometimes, crying is good for you. Why? Because crying can open your heart, and maybe that's how God gets in? Maybe those kinds of tears are the ones that God counts?

Are you a morning person or a night owl? Psalm 5 is about seeking God in the morning and laying requests before God. It’s a discipline, but also a brilliant way to start each day. So let’s have a shout-out for the quiet time in the morning! The Psalm is also about learning to live a life well and being rooted in God’s love. We all need that, right? And maybe it begins when we wake up each day, because there is something special about the morning light that wrestles with the darkness of night.

As we continue our Summer Psalms, we dive into Psalm 4, reflecting on how God is trustworthy and present with us in all circumstances.

History has seen many battles and I’m sure many of us have faced battles of our own. David definitely did. We read here a Psalm when his own son was leading a rebellion against him! Yet David declares that he is not afraid of his enemies, and the Lord is victorious. How amazing that we can also make the same declaration and be convinced that no matter what we face in life, the battle belongs to the Lord.

For thousands of years, in response to injustice, pain and suffering in the world, men and women have got on their knees and asked God - WHY? In today’s Psalm, God turns the tables and asks us that same question - WHY? Are you prepared to give Him an answer?

Psalms are prayers and hymns directed to God. They are words that express the range of human experiences from joy and thanks to pain and anger, and all this is brought before God. Psalms are full of honesty and openness. There is no spiritual performance or polite Christianity. Rather, faith is expressed in raw and real ways. Psalm 1 is about what it means to live wisely in the world today. Jesus may have had Psalm 1 in mind when he taught the beatitudes because both are about finding true happiness. To be blessed or happy is to be rooted in God, and it seems many are starting to discover the wisdom of this.

On our frontlines, it is good to be prepared to share our story of why we have hope in Jesus. 1 Peter 3:14-16 explores what it means to give such an answer. What is important to remember is that those asking matter to God. So we need to make the effort to enter their world, the world of the curious, the questioner, the seeker and the lost. Whether we are asking the questions or attempting the answers, each thumbprint is cherished by God.

God invites us to be champions of right living and fair dealing on our frontlines. Every day we have the opportunity to promote good, fair and just ways of living. But being bold and courageous and speaking up for others when we see injustice can be difficult. So how can we be encouraged to do this in our daily routines, with the people we meet, work with and live alongside?

Have you ever heard someone being described as 'the salt of the earth'? The Oxford Languages Dictionary says it means "a person or group of people of great kindness, reliability or honesty". When Jesus described his followers as the salt of the earth, what did he have in mind? And what was his warning about salt losing its saltiness? Hopefully, this gets your taste buds tingling and gives you a flavour of this sermon's theme.

What does it mean to live a radical lifestyle - where grace and love are acted out? The story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 is the inspiration for such a lifestyle. This might be a well-known story heard many times before, but we shouldn't lose sight of the challenge of Jesus’ words - "go and do the same". What does it mean for us to do the same as the Good Samaritan? What might it look like to act graciously and lovingly to those we might otherwise consider different from us? What does it mean to be a neighbour to everyone rather than those who are like us and think the same as us? That’s the challenge of grace and the boundless nature of love!

Monday to Friday, nine to five. For many people, that is their working week. But patterns of work change, full-time, part-time, shift work, some are employed, some work for themselves, some are paid while others are not. For some people, their week is taken up with caring responsibilities - for children or others needing help with some of life's basics. Whatever we do from Monday through to Saturday, if we are to be whole-life disciples, we should consider how our actions reflect our walk with God.

Wherever we are and wherever we go, God is present and at work. Everyone is made in God’s image and that is a beautiful thing. The truth is, however, that although each of us is gloriously made by God, we are tragically fallen too. So, how do we model God’s character when we are imperfect and fallen? The answer to this is to live a life by the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS and SELF-CONTOL. Our frontline everyday life is to be characterised by these fruits. Not one or two, but all of them. This is a challenge, not just inside the church walls but outside them too!

We are so excited to start our series on Growing on the Frontline. Join us as we explore 'The Big Picture' — the reality that we, as Christians, walk in every day.

What does it mean to welcome someone who is 'not one of us'? This question is at the heart of Paul's most personal letter to Philemon, his family and the church in Colosse. He writes, '... so if you consider me your partner, welcome him (Onesimus the slave) as you would welcome me'. It is clear what Paul is saying and asking of the church. You should expand your welcome beyond your imagination. Paul aligns Onesimus, the runaway slave who has stolen and wronged Philemon, with himself. You couldn’t get two more different people, yet Paul says to Philemon and the whole church, treat us the same. What is going on here? Every church wants to be welcoming until, perhaps, it becomes too uncomfortable. Welcome was never meant to be an easy characteristic of church life. Welcome is costly, it is challenging, it disturbs and for some, it is plain frightening. But welcome is also at the heart of the gospel because welcome says you belong, and to belong is the invitation of Jesus to all. Now that is good news!

In the second talk in our mini-series on Paul's letter to Philemon, we piece together the puzzle of how Paul walks the talk of relational leadership in this deceptively graceful letter. And we ask ourselves the question, 'So what?'. So what if Paul, two thousand years ago, facilitated the reconciliation of the former slave, Onesimus, and his former master, Philemon? How does that speak to us today as followers of Jesus Christ? What does it mean for how we treat each other today as brothers and sisters in Christ? The clue to these questions lies in realising one shocking truth - we are all Onesimus! We are all Onesimus. We are all runaway slaves and we all need a second chance!

Question – Are you willing to do a bit of preparation before you listen to this sermon? The mission, should you choose to accept it, is to read the letter of Philemon. It’s the shortest letter written by the apostle Paul - only 25 verses long - and comes just before Hebrews towards the end of the New Testament. The heart of the letter is about the health of the heart. It involves human relationships, gospel transformation, inspiring challenge and change in action and attitudes, and about living in such a way that honours Jesus by refreshing the lives of others. Wow, so much packed into such a short letter. Go on, give it a read. It’ll both warm and soften your heart, which is never a bad thing!

Holy Week is that moment in the year when we pause to remember that “Christmas is important but Easter is decisive”* Why? Well, because Jesus showed us the full extent of his love on the cross. How He forgave us and set us free to experience the fullness of life. How He rose from the dead and so offered hope for the world. A lot happens in Holy Week. It is decisive. Have you made a decision to follow Him? *Apparently quoted by the former Arsenal Football manager Arsene Wenger regarding winning the English Football Premier League, but hey, it's a good line for the Christian faith too!

The apostle Paul sometimes gets so carried away by what he is trying to communicate that his whole style and tone of writing changes. In Philippians 2 he launches into a beautiful poetic hymn of praise as he reflects on the servant heart of Jesus. As we conclude our mini-series on servant leadership, we share Paul's wonder and see how he encourages the Philippian church to show humility in the pursuit of unity.

'Jesus loved them to the end'. This is one of those phrases in the Bible that stops you in your tracks. What does it mean for Jesus to love them to the end? As we explore the second topic on Servant Leadership, our focus will be on when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples - a symbolic act that displays ‘loving them to the end’. Jesus knows who he is. He knows why he has come into the world. He knows what is about to happen to him on the cross, and the foot washing is an act of selfless, sacrificial, servant love. Wow! It is sometimes hard for us to receive such love. We may be resistant, or feel unworthy or uncomfortable at being served. It is humbling to receive such love. Leadership is about learning to answer the question that Jesus asks 'Do you understand what I have done for you?' As we learn to answer, we are invited to follow and also wash the feet of others - meaning to love as Jesus loves. 'It is when we love one another, that the world might believe' (John 13:34-35).

What do you most admire in a leader? There are many answers to this. Some might say they admire clear thinking and straight talking, others competency, whilst others look for character. What was Jesus' model of leadership? He has certainly has authority and power. He teaches in a way that inspires some and turns others away. He acts in a way that both provokes and heals. That said, the standout attribute of Jesus the leader is his position of servanthood. What does it mean to follow Jesus the servant leader? Let's explore this by looking at Mark 10:32-45 and the request of James and John, who needed to learn a lesson from Jesus about what it means to lead. It is a lesson that applies to every follower of Jesus.

As we continue through Luke’s gospel, we are looking at and thinking about how Jesus does and says new things, transforming lives and breaking new ground; and how he is drawing us all to doing the right thing over and above doing things right! The question is, are we willing to break out beyond what is right and proper and known into the unknown life-giving way that Jesus offers?