Chapel Talks

Oak Hill College
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Weekly preaching & conference messages from Oak Hill College, London Join us each week for sermons and conference talks from Oak Hill College’s chapel services — teaching rooted in Scripture, shaped for real life Christian faith and ministry. Whether you’re a student, church-leader, or simply exploring faith, Chapel Talks offers biblically grounded reflections to encourage, challenge, and equip you. With talks drawn from the Bible and Christian tradition, we aim to deepen worship, nourish discipleship, and inspire faithful service. Subscribe now to make time to listen, reflect, and grow in Christ. Learn more about Oak Hill College: www.oakhill.ac.uk Connect with us on social media: Instagram - www.instagram.com/oakhilllondon/ X - https://x.com/OakHillLondon

  1. Oct 28

    Helpless and Hopeful | Psalm 127 | Eric Ortlund

    In this Oak Hill College Chapel Talk, Dr. Eric Ortlund (Lecturer in Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew) preaches from Psalm 127. Are you running on the treadmill of 80-hour work weeks and late-night study sessions, driven by anxiety? Psalm 127 is designed to push us into a position that is slightly uncomfortable yet deeply comforting: feeling entirely helpless and profoundly hopeful at the exact same time. Looking at the historical context of ancient Israel, Eric unpacks why human effort apart from God is pure vanity—and why true sleep is a gift of grace. Moving beyond "babies are cute," verse 3 reveals a radical gospel promise: the thing you need most for survival that you are least in control of, God will give you. 00:00 – Scripture Reading: Psalm 127 00:46 – Helpless and Hopeful: The Aim of Psalm 127 01:25 – Facing Our Total Helplessness (v. 1) 03:05 – Why Anxious Toil Fails & How to Rest (v. 2) 04:55 – God Provides What You Need Most (v. 3) 08:01 – Letting Go of Performance in Ministry & Study 09:15 – "Will You Hold Still and Let Me Love You?" 11:35 – New Covenant Application: Spiritual Miracles in Ministry 13:59 – Overcoming Resistance & Silencing the Enemies at the Gate (vv. 4–5) Key Takeaways: Why 80-hour work weeks without God are just running on a treadmill. The ancient cultural context behind watchmen, city gates, and infant mortality rates. How facing our helplessness enables us to actually rest and sleep. How Psalm 127 applies to New Covenant gospel ministry, spiritual rebirth, and church leadership.

    Helpless and Hopeful | Psalm 127 | Eric Ortlund

  2. Oct 21

    God’s Over-the-Top Grace | Zechariah 3 | Eric Ortlund

    In this Oak Hill College Chapel talk, Dr. Eric Ortlund preaches on Zechariah 3, exploring the scandal of Joshua the High Priest standing in filthy garments before God. Even when Satan’s accusations against us are objectively true, God shows an over-the-top, disproportionate grace—silencing the accuser, clothing his servant in clean garments, and promising complete atonement through "The Branch". Discover how God’s fierce protection and holiness meet to bring true restoration and deep rest. Speaker: Dr. Eric Ortlund Context: Oak Hill College Chapel Talk Passage: Zechariah 3 00:00 - The Problem: A Filthy High Priest00:02:07 - God’s Defense Against the Accuser00:05:33 - Clean Clothes and Divine Restoration00:07:11 - The Charge: Obeying the God of Grace00:09:48 - Access to the Heavenly Courts00:11:19 - The Branch and Total Forgiveness00:13:00 - Rest, Restoration, and Everyday Joy

    God’s Over-the-Top Grace | Zechariah 3 | Eric Ortlund

  3. Oct 14

    God’s Show Home: Sexual Purity, Grace, and the Gospel | Ephesians 5:1-25 | Jago Wynne

    In this Chapel Talk from Oak Hill College, Jago Wynne (Rector of Holy Trinity Clapham) explores Ephesians 5:1–25 to unpack both the "what" and the "why" of Christian purity. Addressing single and married Christians alike, Jago counters the view that God is a "celestial killjoy". Instead, he demonstrates how biblical purity in our actions, thoughts, and speech flows directly from being deeply loved by God, radically transformed in Christ, and continuously filled with the Holy Spirit. Jago Wynne is the Rector of Holy Trinity Clapham (HTC) in South London. Before entering ordained Anglican ministry, Jago worked as a management consultant. He trained in theology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and is married to Susannah. Jago is an experienced speaker and author with a passion for workplace discipleship, gospel-driven relational integrity, and seeing lives radically transformed by Jesus Christ. Key Topics Covered: The Church as God's "Show Home" to the worldDefining purity in actions, thoughts, and speech (Ephesians 5:3–4)Why marriage isn't an automatic cure for sexual struggleThree gospel motives: Walk in Love, Walk in Light, and Walk in WisdomReplacing self-effort with the filling of the Holy SpiritSpeaker: Jago Wynne (Holy Trinity Clapham)Passage: Ephesians 5:1–25Venue: Oak Hill College Chapel, LondonChapter Timestamps 00:00 - Opening Prayer & Introduction00:00:48 - The Church as God's "Show Home"00:03:00 - "Is Living for Jesus Boring?" (Hotel Story)00:05:35 - The WHAT of Sexual Purity: Actions, Thoughts, and Words00:07:30 - Singleness, Marriage, and Past Patterns00:10:48 - The WHY (1): Walk a Life of Love (Ephesians 5:1–2)00:15:08 - The WHY (2): Walk as Children of Light (Ephesians 5:8)00:17:48 - Story of Radical Transformation at HTC00:19:05 - The WHY (3): Walk in Wisdom & Be Filled with the Spirit00:21:20 - Gospel Grace, Forgiveness, and No Judgment

    God’s Show Home: Sexual Purity, Grace, and the Gospel | Ephesians 5:1-25 | Jago Wynne

  4. Oct 7

    Why Your Success Is More Dangerous Than Your Failure | Philippians 3:3–10 | Eric Ortlund

    In this Oak Hill College Chapel Talk, Dr. Eric Ortlund (Lecturer in Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew) preaches from Philippians 3:3–10 on the shocking truth behind Paul’s former life as a Pharisee. It was not Paul's moral failures that kept him from Jesus; it was his success and obedience in the flesh. Dr. Ortlund addresses how Christian ministry, academic excellence, and moral successes can subtlely obscure the grace of the gospel far more than our failures do. Discover what it truly means to receive "a righteousness from God that depends on faith" (v. 9) and to know Christ deeply. Key Topics Covered: Why Paul described his strict biblical obedience as "rubbish" / putrid foul wasteThe crucial difference between fleshly self-righteousness and Christ’s imputed righteousnessWhy moral or ministry successes can make the gospel feel dim and distantPractical steps for turning biblical truth into heartfelt prayer and personal fellowship with GodPassage: Philippians 3:3–10 Speaker: Dr. Eric Ortlund (Oak Hill College, London) 00:00 – Intro: A Shocking Truth in Philippians 3 00:15 – Kept from Jesus by Success, Not Failure 01:14 – Counting Past Obedience as "Rubbish" 03:22 – Confidence in the Flesh vs. Righteousness from God 05:31 – The Doctrinal Level: Imputed Righteousness in Devotions 07:45 – The Experiential Level: What Being "Right" Feels Like 11:15 – Why Success Is More Dangerous to Faith Than Failure 15:35 – Justification Depends on Christ, Not Our Feelings 18:35 – From Doctrine to Relationship: "That I May Know Him" 21:45 – God Doesn't Need Slaves: Experiencing Gospel Love

    Why Your Success Is More Dangerous Than Your Failure | Philippians 3:3–10 | Eric Ortlund

  5. Sep 30

    The Lord Is My Portion | Lamentations 3:19-33 | Blessing Chishanu

    In this Oak Hill College Chapel talk, speaker Blessing Chishanu preaches from Lamentations 3:19–33. Rather than rushing past pain or sanitising grief, biblical lament invites us to face tragedy square-on before turning our hearts toward God. Drawing from Church history, Augustine's reflections on the fall of Rome, and Jeremiah's grief over Jerusalem, Blessing challenges us to evaluate where our ultimate hope lies—and whether Christ remains our sufficient portion when success, recognition, and ministry ambitions fall away. 00:00 - Sitting with Spiritual Grandparents & Historical Context 03:47 - Opening Prayer & The Misleading English Cottage Painting 06:22 - Standing in the Rubble of Jerusalem & God's Sovereignty 09:41 - Dignifying Grief: Why We Must Sit in Lament 12:33 - "Yet This I Call to Mind": Turning toward Hope 13:10 - Point 1: Remember God in the Darkness 18:00 - Point 2: Remember His Character (Love, Mercy, Faithfulness) 25:11 - Point 3: The Lord Is My Portion—Is Christ Enough? 30:05 - Stepping into Uncertainty with Defiant Hope 30:35 - Closing Prayer

    The Lord Is My Portion | Lamentations 3:19-33 | Blessing Chishanu

  6. Sep 23

    Loving God with All Your Mind | Mark 12:28-31 | Mike Gilbart-Smith

    What does it mean to love the Lord your God with all your mind in a culture that separates love from thought? In this Oak Hill College Chapel Talk, Associate Teacher and church leader Mike Gilbart-Smith explores Jesus’ command in Mark 12:28–31. Addressing modern misconceptions of love, the rise of Artificial Intelligence, and the nature of Christian worship, Mike unpacks four essential ways we are called to love God with our intellect: A Posture of Worshiping the Lord — Approaching theology with awe, moving from study to praise.A Pursuit of His Word — Receiving God as He has revealed Himself, rather than creating Him in our image.A Practice of Remembering — Learning truth not merely to pass exams, but to live faithfully.A Patience in Maturing in Love — Loving God with the mind you have today while looking forward to eternal perfection.📖 Scripture Reference: Mark 12:28–31; Deuteronomy 6:4–5 🎙 Speaker: Mike Gilbart-Smith (Associate Teacher, Oak Hill College) 📍 Venue: Oak Hill College Chapel, London 🌐 Learn more about Oak Hill College: https://www.oakhill.ac.uk 📌 Subscribe for more chapel talks, lectures, and biblical theology resources. 00:00 - Introduction: Does Love Exclude the Mind?00:02:03 - The Greatest Commandment & Hearing Truth (Mark 12 / Deut 6)00:03:33 - 1. A Posture of Worshiping the Lord00:06:44 - 2. A Pursuit of His Word (The Challenge of AI & Identity)00:11:22 - 3. A Practice of Remembering00:12:12 - 4. A Patience in Maturing in Love00:14:04 - Concluding Prayer

    Loving God with All Your Mind | Mark 12:28-31 | Mike Gilbart-Smith

  7. Sep 18

    How to Use God-Breathed Scripture in Ministry (Part 2) | 2 Timothy 3:10–17 | Thomas Renz

    In this Oak Hill College Chapel talk, Thomas Renz explores 2 Timothy 3:10–17 to unpack how Scripture is profitable for ministry. Rather than focusing solely on what Scripture is, Paul emphasises how Timothy—and believers today—must use God-breathed Scripture to teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness. Learn how Scripture makes us fully alive human beings, rescues our thinking from satanic accusations, and equips us for every good work in gospel-centered community life. Speaker: Thomas Renz (Lecturer of Hebrew and Old Testament at Oak Hill College) Passage: 2 Timothy 3:10–17 Venue: Oak Hill College Chapel Timestamps / Chapters: 00:00 - Living as One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church 01:02 - 2 Timothy 3:16: Scripture in Ministry vs. Nature of Scripture 04:13 - God-Breathed: Becoming Fully Alive Human Beings 06:11 - Profitable for Teaching: Understanding the Gospel 10:44 - Rebuking: Divine Grace vs. Satanic Accusation 15:35 - Correction and Training in Righteousness 17:29 - Proclaiming the Word in Christian Fellowship

    How to Use God-Breathed Scripture in Ministry (Part 2) | 2 Timothy 3:10–17 | Thomas Renz

  8. Sep 16

    Grace Received, Grace Invested: The Radical Leadership of Barnabas (Part 2) | Chris Howles

    In this Oak Hill College Chapel talk, Chris Howles continues a two-part series exploring the life and ministry of Barnabas across Acts 11, 13, and 15. Barnabas demonstrates what it looks like when gospel grace loosens a leader's grip on possessions, status, and control. From developing Paul’s leadership in Antioch to navigating global church partnerships and handling sharp ministry conflicts, Barnabas shows us that grace received must become grace invested. Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Scripture Readings: Acts 11:19–30, 12:25–13:3, 15:36–41 04:18 – Opening Prayer 04:58 – Walking with the Wise: Barnabas Part 2 09:05 – Leader Makers: Barnabas & Saul in Antioch 13:46 – Grace Received, Grace Invested 17:32 – The Global Church: Table vs. Kitchen 21:40 – Hardships, Mission & The Jerusalem Council 24:45 – Messy Moments: Galatians 2 & Gospel Confrontation 29:55 – The Split: Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark 34:00 – Closing Prayer Speaker Bio Chris Howles is the Director of Cross Cultural Training at Oak Hill College in London. Prior to his role at Oak Hill, Chris served for over a decade in cross-cultural theological education in Uganda. He holds a PhD in Missiology and is dedicated to equipping local and global Christian leaders for cross-cultural mission, biblical exposition, and gospel ministry.

    Grace Received, Grace Invested: The Radical Leadership of Barnabas (Part 2) | Chris Howles
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About

Weekly preaching & conference messages from Oak Hill College, London Join us each week for sermons and conference talks from Oak Hill College’s chapel services — teaching rooted in Scripture, shaped for real life Christian faith and ministry. Whether you’re a student, church-leader, or simply exploring faith, Chapel Talks offers biblically grounded reflections to encourage, challenge, and equip you. With talks drawn from the Bible and Christian tradition, we aim to deepen worship, nourish discipleship, and inspire faithful service. Subscribe now to make time to listen, reflect, and grow in Christ. Learn more about Oak Hill College: www.oakhill.ac.uk Connect with us on social media: Instagram - www.instagram.com/oakhilllondon/ X - https://x.com/OakHillLondon

Information

  • Creator
    Oak Hill College
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Oak Hill College 2026
  • Show Website
    Chapel Talks

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