Christ Church Selly Park Christ Church Selly Park

Bobbie Frere | Mark 1:35-45 
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else - to the nearby villages - so that I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ So he travelled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Far from seeking fame, it actually hindered Jesus' ministry. Despite Jesus' command, a man he heals is unable to keep quiet about it, and his failure to obey just makes things more difficult for Jesus. Bobbie encourages us to put Jesus first in everything, even if this goes against our natural desires and preferences.
The recording begins with the reading from Pat Clayton.
The audio quality is below the standard that we aim for, but we hope to replace it with a better version soon.

Susan Haynes | Mark 1:14-34 
This recording was made via Zoom with limited audio quality. We hope to replace it with a better quality recording soon.

Susan Haynes | Matthew 28:16-20 
Jesus came to [the eleven disciples] and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’
The Great Commission, as it has become known, is perhaps the hardest task anyone has ever been set. Yet Susan has several stories of people who, in various times and places, have gone to others and brought them a little closer to following Jesus. The best news is that we don't have to do this alone: Jesus himself is with us, at work in us and those we meet.
The recording begins with the reading from Simon Jones.
An edited video recording of the Sunday service can be viewed on YouTube.

Allan Bartlam | Ephesians 4:11-16 | Colossians 2:6-7 
Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
As humans, we start life as babies and grow up through childhood and become adults more or less automatically. As Allan explains, spiritual growth as Christians takes a bit more effort. He describes some of the steps we can take to halp make it happen, even as God works within us as we remain rooted in Christ.
The recording begins with the reading from Pat Clayton.
An edited video recording of the Sunday service can be viewed on YouTube. This includes the photos Allan refers to in his talk.

Ben Green | Matthew 28.16-20 
Jesus came to [the eleven disciples] and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’
The first part of the Christ Church mission statement is "making disciples", following the command that Jesus gave to the apostles. And, says Ben, it is one of the hardest things for us to do. He explains what it means to "make" or become a disciple, why we should do it and some principles to follow as we go about it.
The recording begins with a short introduction from Ben, and continues with the reading from Susan Haynes.
An edited video recording of the Sunday service can be viewed on YouTube. You might also want to watch the video recording from the previous Sunday, when the Disciples of Jesus series was introduced. Most of the service material was visual and can't be presented in this podcast.

John Lanchbury | 2 Kings 6:15-17 | Matthew 28:16-20 
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked. ‘Don't be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha.
To human eyes, there seemed no way out for Elisha and his servant: a city besieged. Although we too may face hard battles, the reality is that God is with us through every trial. And Jesus promises to be with us as we carry out the Great Commission: ‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’ John reminds us that we don't carry out this task as individuals, but as part of a worldwide body of believers. Each of us has our part to play, at the right time and place.
The recording begins with the readings from James Williams.
An edited video recording of the Sunday service (which contains some material that can't be included in the audio) can be viewed on YouTube.