The Rookie Rev Podcast

Rev Stuart Finlayson
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The Rookie Rev Podcast is a place for sermons, reflections and occasional conversations from Rev Stuart Finlayson, minister with West Moray Church of Scotland. "I don’t claim to have everything worked out, and I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers. These are simply my own modest offerings as I try to read Scripture carefully, faithfully and truthfully — taking seriously its historical setting, its theology, the wider story of the Bible, and above all what it reveals to us about Jesus Christ." Most episodes will come from what I’m preaching and teaching on Sundays at West Moray Church of Scotland, alongside occasional reflections on faith, discipleship, church and life. Think of this less as someone speaking from a place of certainty about everything, and more as an invitation to listen, wrestle, learn and discover together what it might mean to follow Jesus faithfully today. You’re very welcome to come along for the journey.

  1. 21h ago

    Harvest Festival 2026

    In this Harvest Festival sermon from St Leonard’s Church, Forres, Stuart reflects on Luke 12:22–31 and Jesus’ call not to be consumed by worry, possessions, or the search for security. Beginning with the story of the rich fool and his ever-bigger barns, the reflection asks a simple but searching question: what are we trusting to make us safe? From Israel’s story, to the way nations store up resources, to our own desire for more space, more control, and more certainty, Jesus points us somewhere deeper — to the Father who knows what we need, the Kingdom we are called to seek, and the generosity that becomes possible when our hands are no longer tightly closed. A Harvest reflection on three words: Trust. Seek. Share. Reading: Luke 12:22–31

    Harvest Festival 2026

  2. Sep 27

    The Story We Live In: What's the Problem?

    We begin a new teaching series, The Story We Live In, tracing the great story of Scripture from creation and rebellion, through promise and Christ, to the hope of new creation. In this first message, From Adam to Christ, we begin at the beginning: humanity made in the image of God, the entrance of sin and death into the world, and the first promise that evil would not have the final word. We then turn to Romans 5, where Paul shows us Jesus as the new Adam — the one whose obedience, grace and life are greater than the ruin brought by sin. This is more than background to the Christian faith. It is the story that shapes everything else we will discover together: who God is, who we are, what has gone wrong with the world, and what God has done about it in Jesus Christ. Readings: Genesis 1:26–31; 3:1–15 and Romans 5:12–21.

    The Story We Live In: What's the Problem?

  3. Jul 28

    Nec Tamen Consumabatur

    🎙️ NEW PODCAST EPISODE Nec Tamen Consumebatur — Yet it was not consumed Exodus 3:1–12 At the burning bush, Moses encountered the holiness of God—and yet the bush was not consumed. In this message, we explore what that ancient scene reveals about God’s presence, God’s calling and the good news of Jesus Christ. Before a holy God, we are not spared because holiness no longer matters, but because Christ has made a way for us to draw near. Listen now to the latest Forres Community Church Podcast. 🔥 In Christ, we are not consumed before a holy God.

    Nec Tamen Consumabatur

  4. May 26

    Pentecost - Genesis 11:1-9 & Acts 2:1-21

    🎙️ **The Community Podcast — Pentecost Sunday** **Many Languages, One Gospel: From Babel to Pentecost** In this Pentecost episode, we explore the great biblical story that stretches from **Genesis 11** to **Acts 2** — from the scattering of the nations at Babel to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Along the way, we reflect on God’s promise to Abraham, the Exodus story, Passover, Firstfruits, Sinai, the giving of the Law, and the life-giving work of the Spirit. At Babel, humanity said, “Let us make a name for ourselves.” At Pentecost, Peter stands and proclaims the name of Jesus. This is the story of many languages, one gospel, and the Spirit-filled Church sent into the world with the good news of Christ. 📖 Readings: Genesis 11:1–9 and Acts 2:1–21 🔥 Theme: Pentecost, mission, Spirit, and the nations

    Pentecost - Genesis 11:1-9 & Acts 2:1-21

  5. May 17

    Ascension - Luke 24:44-53

    Things Are Looking Up — Ascension Sunday In this Ascension Sunday episode of The Community Podcast, we reflect on Luke 24:44–53 and the often-overlooked significance of Jesus’ ascension. The ascension is not simply Jesus leaving His disciples behind. It is the culmination of His reconciling work. Jesus came from the Father to bring us back to the Father. Through His death, resurrection, and ascension, He deals with sin, defeats death, and opens the way for humanity to be reconciled to God. This message explores why Ascension Sunday matters, especially in the face of grief, death, and uncertainty, and offers the simple hope of the gospel: reconciliation is the work of Jesus, and the invitation is to believe, trust, and receive what He has done. Bible Reading: Luke 24:44–53 Sermon Title: Things Are Looking Up Theme: Ascension, reconciliation, hope, and the completed work of Christ.

    Ascension - Luke 24:44-53

  6. Apr 23

    Bible Hearts Burn - Luke 24:13-35

    In this message from Luke 24:13–35, we walk with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus and discover how the risen Jesus makes himself known. Though they had knowledge, experience, and even reports of the resurrection, they still did not truly recognise him until he opened the Scriptures to them. This sermon explores the vital truth that we come to know the real Jesus not through our assumptions, feelings, or partial understanding, but through God’s Word rightly opened. As Christ opens the Bible, hearts burn, eyes are opened, and lives are changed.

    Bible Hearts Burn - Luke 24:13-35

  7. Mar 8

    Clothed Anew in Christ - Eph 4:17-32

    In this episode of the Forres Community Church Podcast, Stuart Finlayson continues our journey through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Paul moves from describing the growth and maturity of the church to something deeply practical: what it looks like to live the new life we have been given in Christ. In Ephesians 4:17–32, Paul contrasts the old way of life, shaped by hardened hearts and futile thinking, with the new self that believers are called to put on—created to be like God in righteousness and holiness. Together we explore what it means to put off the old self, be renewed in our minds, and put on the new self in Christ, learning how our words, attitudes, and relationships are transformed as the Holy Spirit works within us. This passage reminds us that the Christian life is not simply about behaviour change, but about living into the new identity we have received in Christ.

    Clothed Anew in Christ - Eph 4:17-32

  8. Mar 1

    Equipped to Maturity in Christ - Eph 4:7-16

    In this episode of our “… in Christ” series, we step into the turning point of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. After three chapters describing everything God has done for us in Christ, Paul now says: “Walk.” What does it mean to live a life worthy of the calling we’ve received? What are the apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers actually for? And what does it really mean to “equip the saints for the work of ministry”? This episode moves beyond personality labels and spiritual self-discovery, and instead explores maturity, participation, and shared responsibility in the body of Christ. Grace is the foundation — but grace also calls us to move. Not to earn God’s favour, but because we already have it. Together we consider what it looks like for every part of the body to supply something, and how true growth in the church is measured not just in numbers, but in depth, unity, and Christlikeness. As we continue shaping who we are at Forres Community Church, this passage invites us to step out of passivity and into participation — equipped in Christ.

    Equipped to Maturity in Christ - Eph 4:7-16
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About

The Rookie Rev Podcast is a place for sermons, reflections and occasional conversations from Rev Stuart Finlayson, minister with West Moray Church of Scotland. "I don’t claim to have everything worked out, and I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers. These are simply my own modest offerings as I try to read Scripture carefully, faithfully and truthfully — taking seriously its historical setting, its theology, the wider story of the Bible, and above all what it reveals to us about Jesus Christ." Most episodes will come from what I’m preaching and teaching on Sundays at West Moray Church of Scotland, alongside occasional reflections on faith, discipleship, church and life. Think of this less as someone speaking from a place of certainty about everything, and more as an invitation to listen, wrestle, learn and discover together what it might mean to follow Jesus faithfully today. You’re very welcome to come along for the journey.

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