bread church

By breadReligion & Spirituality Christianity

bread church episodes

March 18, 2025 Jesus, suffering friend.
We have reached the passion narrative at the end of Mark’s gospel, which
will take us all the way to Easter Sunday. This first event - Jesus’
anointing by the woman - is recorded in all four gospels, and it’s very
easy for us to forget quite how remarkable it is, not only that this woman
was Jesus’ close friend and follower, but that the gospels recorded this
intimate moment at all (women weren’t held in particularly high regard in
these days, to put it mildly).
Yet this scene shows us so much; what we see is Jesus' deep love of his
friend, who was the only one who was actually hearing him. This scene is an
invitation to know Jesus’ humanity in deeply profound ways.
By Hannah Flint
36 min
March 10, 2025 Jesus, the one who will return.
During his week in Jerusalem, Jesus prophecies about two future events: the
destruction of the temple and his second coming. Jesus gives detailed signs
about when the temple will be destroyed, so his disciples will know to
leave Jerusalem beforehand; but about his return, he says no-one, not even
he, knows when this will be. What he does make clear is that his return
will be glorious, and we as his followers should be watchful for it.
So, the timing of his second coming is something we do not need to obsess
over, but it is something we can draw comfort, reassurance, and purpose
from. Those who know Jesus is in control of the future, is all-powerful,
and will ultimately return to make everything right, can navigate the chaos
of this world with joy, hope and an expectant watchfulness.
By Ed Flint
41 min
March 03, 2025 Jesus, the revolutionary.
During Jesus’ life, the subject of revolution was never far away. When he
is asked about paying taxes to Caesar, the question behind the question is
this: ‘Are you a revolutionary?’ Jesus’ response amazes the crowd. He says
both ‘yes’ and ‘no’. No, he is not a revolutionary like any revolutionary
before or after. But yes, he is a revolutionary unlike the world has or
will ever see. His revolution is not of political but of cosmic,
supernatural power. His is the revolution of bringing heaven to earth. His
is a revolution of the defeat of sin and greed and lust for power.
As such, it is the only revolution worthy of our time. And he beckons us
not just to enjoy the fruits of it, but to extend it to a world in need. In
a time of political turmoil and anguish in our own country, remembering
that in the face of similar chaos, Jesus’ focus remained fixed on the
Kingdom of God is timely. We’re made for the kingdom that is both eternal
and material, now, and not yet. Let us embrace it as the only hope for a
world in need.
By Ed Flint
45 min
February 24, 2025 Jesus, the storyteller.
Jesus' confrontation with Israel’s leaders continues to build in Mark, as
we reach the parable of the tenants. In it, he likens them to tenant
farmers who reject the authority of the vineyard owner (God) and His
servants (the prophets), and foreshadows their ultimate rejection of Him,
the son.
We know that Jesus came to fulfill Israel’s covenant with God - the law and
everything that involved - but we should not ignore the deeper message
behind the parable speaking to us today. Seeking control, putting ourselves
in God’s place as owner and the worship of other idols, are still the crux
of our fallen human state. A message that confronts as much today, as it
ever did, but by the power of the spirit, because of His unwavering grace,
surrendering control will be all of our life's work.
By Hannah Flint
36 min
February 19, 2025 Alpha day return.
Concluding the theme of the alpha day away, we look at the person and work
of the Holy Spirit. Paul says as Christians we have an obligation to be
people of God’s Holy Spirit. This means knowing who he is, what he does and
how we can grow in our experience of him. We’re told the Spirit adopts us,
frees us, makes us joyful and empowers us. An ongoing experience of all
these things is vital to our growth as Christians.
By Ed Flint
40 min
February 17, 2025 Alpha day return.
Concluding the theme of the alpha day away, we look at the person and work
of the Holy Spirit. Paul says as Christians we have an obligation to be
people of God’s Holy Spirit. This means knowing who he is, what he does and
how we can grow in our experience of him. We’re told the Spirit adopts us,
frees us, makes us joyful and empowers us. An ongoing experience of all
these things is vital to our growth as Christians.
By Ed Flint
40 min
February 13, 2025 ALPHA WEEK 5: Prayer.
Alpha is a six week course exploring the big questions of life. It’s for
anyone interested in discussing spirituality, god and the christian faith,
in a non-judgmental open-minded context. Each week there’s a great meal, a
short talk, and discussion in small groups. People who come to the course
are from lots of different backgrounds - no faith, other faiths, brought up
christian, and agnostic. Everyone is welcome.
Catch up on WEEK 5’s talk here.
32 min
February 10, 2025 Jesus, the clearer of the temple.
Jesus’ first significant acts in Jerusalem are to curse a fig tree and
clear the Temple courts. The two are related. Jesus’ intention is not to
call the temple sacrificial system to reform, but something more dramatic:
to prophesy its destruction. It is no longer fit for purpose. God’s
presence will no longer reside in a building, but in the temple of Jesus’
followers’ hearts. And the atoning temple sacrifice will be once and for
all replaced by Jesus’ bodily sacrifice on the cross.
In light of this, all attempts to save ourselves or our world at the
altar's culture offers are futile. But when we receive the gift of God's
presence at the core of our very beings, achieved for us by Jesus at the
cross, we are enabled and empowered to live out the lives that offer real
salvation to us and our communities. This is how Jesus saves the world.
By Ed Flint
39 min
February 06, 2025 ALPHA WEEK 4: The bible.
Alpha is a six week course exploring the big questions of life. It’s for
anyone interested in discussing spirituality, god and the christian faith,
in a non-judgmental open-minded context. Each week there’s a great meal, a
short talk, and discussion in small groups. People who come to the course
are from lots of different backgrounds - no faith, other faiths, brought up
christian, and agnostic. Everyone is welcome.
Catch up on WEEK 4’s talk here.
32 min
February 04, 2025 Jesus, the Humble King.
In Mark 11:1-11, Jesus finally arrives into Jerusalem, the place that he
has laid out as where he will spend his final days. By riding into town on
a donkey, he is not only fulfilling the prophecy laid out to us in
Zechariah 9:9, but also is subverting expectations of what it means to be a
king. This approach, while completely countercultural then and now, invites
Jesus' followers to walk in similarly humble footsteps.
Jesus is building with us a KIN-dom relationship -- where we become
partners alongside him and continue the work that Jesus started. Through
this passage, he demonstrates to us what can happen when we allow God to
move, when we involve others in our lives, and when we admit that maybe we
don't know best. Jesus' humility is an invitation to us to embrace the
gifts we have not for our own glory or satisfaction, but for the good of
others.
By Rebekah Covington
28 min