Rev. Craig preaches on Gentleness as the fruit of the Spirit

In this sermon, John unpacks the fruits of goodness and faithfulness from 1 John 1—showing that true goodness isn’t “being nice,” but reflecting God’s own character, and true faithfulness is steady, long-term loyalty to Christ.

With humour and clarity, he explores what these virtues are, what opposes them, the counterfeits we often settle for, and how God grows them in us through repentance, renewed hearts, and intentional habits.

A practical and challenging call to live with integrity and stay the course with Jesus.

In this message, Pastor James continues our series on the fruit of the Spirit by exploring what true biblical kindnessreally is. Far from the soft, sentimental niceness our culture celebrates, Scripture reveals a costly, active, truth-filled kindness—one that mirrors the love of Christ and moves toward others even when it hurts.

Drawing from 1 John 3, Galatians 5, and the example of Jesus Himself, James unpacks:

• what kindness is (love in action),

• what opposes it (envy and self-interest),

• the counterfeits we often settle for,

• and how the Holy Spirit cultivates genuine kindness in our lives.

Challenging, practical, and deeply gospel-centred, this sermon calls us not just to talk about love—but to show it through real, sacrificial kindness that points people to Jesus.

Listen in, be encouraged, and be sent out with open hands and a softened heart.

Patience- James 5- Rev. John Menear on 16th Nov 2025

We all want peace — but most of what the world offers is fragile and fleeting. In Philippians 4, Paul points us to a different kind of peace — one that doesn’t depend on perfect circumstances but on the presence of a perfect God. In this message, James unpacks what it means to have peace with God and the peace of God, how anxiety creeps in when we unanchor our hearts, and how the nearness of Jesus can steady us through any storm.

What if joy isn’t about your personality or your circumstances — but about knowing a God who never changes? In this message from John 16, James unpacks how Jesus offers a joy that runs deeper than happiness and stronger than sorrow. Discover why real joy isn’t fake smiles or good vibes, but a settled confidence that God is good, near, and in control — even when life hurts.

In this second message of the Fruit of the Spirit series, James explores the first and greatest fruit — love. In a culture that defines love as affirmation or feeling, this passage from 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that true love begins not in us, but in God Himself.

James unpacks what biblical love is, what it isn’t, and what its counterfeits look like. Real love, he shows, isn’t sentimentality or self-fulfilment — it’s self-giving, sacrificial, and rooted in God’s holiness. Drawing on Tim Keller, R.C. Sproul, and J.C. Ryle, this sermon invites us to reflect deeply on our motives, pull out the weeds of fear, and grow in the kind of love that mirrors Christ’s love for us.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to “love God and love your neighbour,” this message will help you see love not as emotion, but as transformation — the visible proof that the Spirit lives in you. 

🎧 “Fruit of the Spirit: The Battle Within” — Galatians 5:16–26
In this opening message of the Fruit of the Spirit series, James takes us to Galatians 5 to explore what real Christian growth looks like. Using the simple image of a fig tree, he asks: how can you tell if someone truly belongs to Christ? By their fruit.

This sermon unpacks the spiritual battle between the flesh and the Spirit — revealing how our old self fights against the new life God has planted within us. James challenges us to “pull the weeds, plant the seed, and walk by the Spirit,” reminding us that genuine transformation isn’t instant, but inevitable when the Holy Spirit is at work.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your faith or unsure whether you’re really growing, this message will help you see what’s possible when God’s Spirit takes root in your heart. 

This week, we conclude our journey through the opening chapters of Acts — and what a journey it’s been! From a handful of uncertain disciples in Jerusalem to the birth of a vibrant, multi-ethnic church in Antioch, we see the risen Jesus keeping His promise: the gospel going to the ends of the earth.

In Acts 11, Rev. James explores how God builds His masterpiece — the Church — through ordinary believers, prayerful dependence, and leaders who embody both truth and love. What was new about this church, this name “Christian,” and this kind of leadership? And what might it look like for St Alban’s today to uncover again the beauty of Christ’s original design?

Come be encouraged to share your faith, deepen your prayer, and live out your true identity — as one who belongs to Christ.

In a culture that’s increasingly skeptical of conversion, what does it mean to be truly changed by Jesus?

This week, James takes us to the dramatic turning point in Acts 9—the conversion of Saul of Tarsus—and reminds us why Christian conversion isn’t just possible, but essential. With clarity, depth, and urgency, this sermon explores:

• Saul’s life before Christ—zealous, sincere, yet sincerely wrong

• His encounter with the risen Jesus—a collision of glory and grace

• The radical transformation that followed—prayer, community, and mission

Whether you're unsure about Christianity, confident in your faith, or somewhere in between—this message challenges all of us to consider: Have I truly met Jesus? And if I have, am I living like it?