Hope Community Church Helensburgh Sermons

What happens when God calls us to do something we simply don’t want to do? In this sermon from Jonah 1:1–6, Rev Rodger Crooks explores the deliberate, foolish and destructive nature of disobedience, and how we try to justify running from God. But there is hope for disobedient people: Jesus, the greater Jonah, whose perfect obedience and sacrifice bring forgiveness, justification and life.

Bible passage:

Jonah 1:1-6

1 Peter 3:8-18

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Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© Hope Community Church Helensburgh 2026. All rights reserved.

What can we learn about God when his people are in transition, or when his plans challenge our own desires? From Joshua 1:1–9 and Jonah 1, Rev Rodger Crooks reminds us that God’s mission and promises remain unchanged. Discover how God patiently perseveres with his people and actively saves, transforming us to become more like Jesus, our great High Priest.

Bible passage:

• Jonah 1:1-6
• 1 Peter 3:8-18

Find out more about us:

• ⁠hopehelensburgh.org⁠⁠

• ⁠Instagram⁠

• ⁠Facebook⁠

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© Hope Community Church Helensburgh 2026. All rights reserved.

‘Jonah: It’s All About Him’. Rodger begins a new series on the Book of Jonah, looking at God’s Sovereignty and drawing parallels between Jonah’s situation and our own.

Bible passage:

• Jonah 1:1-17

Find out more about us:

• ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠

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Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© Hope Community Church Helensburgh 2026. All rights reserved.

‘The Great Invitation’. This week, we welcomed the Rev Neil Longwe of Merchant City Church, Glasgow as our guest preacher. Neil spoke from Psalm 100 on our human need to worship, how that need can be corrupted into idolatry, and how we need to come to the Lord with thanksgiving and praise.

Bible passage:

• Psalm 100

Find out more about us:

• ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠

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To hear more of Neil’s preaching, and to find out more about Merchant City Church, visit merchantcitychurch.co.uk. 

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© Hope Community Church Helensburgh 2026. All rights reserved.

In this message from Romans 5:1-5, Rev Kirk van der Swaagh explores the foundation, nature, and shape of the Christian life. Through justification by faith, we find peace with God and stand in His grace, while even suffering becomes a means through which God deepens our character and strengthens our hope. A life marked by grace, hope, and love, secured by Christ.

Bible passage:

• Romans 5:1-5

Find out more about us:

• ⁠Website: ⁠⁠hopehelensburgh.org⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© Hope Community Church Helensburgh 2026. All rights reserved.

What does Jesus expect from those who lead and serve his church? From Acts 15 and 1 Peter 5, we explore how church leadership reflects Christ’s own shepherding and servant-hearted care. Office bearers are called to serve willingly, seek God’s glory, lead by example, and look forward to the Chief Shepherd’s unfading reward.

Bible passage:

• Acts 15:1-21
• 1 Peter 5.1-11

Find out more about us:

• ⁠Website: ⁠hopehelensburgh.org⁠⁠

• ⁠Instagram⁠

• ⁠Facebook⁠

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© Hope Community Church Helensburgh 2026. All rights reserved.

‘Presbyterianism: Jesus’ Rule in His Church’. This week, we looked at the biblical origins of the presbyterian mode of governance, focussing on the roles of elders and deacons as Paul defines them in his first letter to Timothy.

Bible passage:

• 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Find out more about us:

• ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠

• Instagram

• Facebook

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© Hope Community Church Helensburgh 2026. All rights reserved.

‘Assurance: Signs of Life’. Continuing his series on Assurance of Salvation, Rodger takes a look at our own lives, asking what evidence might there be that we are on the way to eternal salvation.

Bible passage:

• 1 John 1:1 - 2:2

Find out more about us:

• ⁠Website: hopehelensburgh.org⁠

• Instagram

• Facebook

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© Hope Community Church Helensburgh 2026. All rights reserved.

How can we have confidence that we truly belong to Christ, especially when doubts arise? Continuing the series on assurance, Rev Rodger Crooks points us away from ourselves and towards Jesus: his finished work on the cross and his sure promises in Scripture. This week, discover why Jesus makes us safe—and his Word makes us sure.

Bible passages:

• 1 Peter 2:4-10
• John 10:22-42

Find out more about us:

• ⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopehelensburgh.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© Hope Community Church Helensburgh 2026. All rights reserved.

What happens when you believe in Jesus but still have doubts about whether you really are a Christian? In Assurance: In Two Minds, Rev Rodger Crooks explores the biblical difference between doubt and unbelief, showing that a Christian can struggle with assurance without losing their faith. We are pointed back to God’s Word, through which the Holy Spirit strengthens our confidence in Christ and reminds us that “the Bible tells me so.”

Bible passages:

• 1 Peter 2:4-10
• 1 John 5:1-13

Find out more about us:

• ⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠hopehelensburgh.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© Hope Community Church Helensburgh 2026. All rights reserved.