St Basil's Church

What are the implications for the belief that we are justified by faith? This phrase typically conjures up explorations of a mechanism of freedom. However, in this talk, Pete Davies explores the idea that God does what we cannot do. This enables us to live lives of vulnerability and liberation. This liberating power leads us out of our sin and shame through the freeing act of confession, in the presence of a loving God and his faithful people. 

Jonah begins our Lent series focusing upon Romans. In one of the most famous verses of the book, Paul claims “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But what does this actually mean? What glory have we fallen short of and why is this important to a community in social upheaval? Jonah unpacks the social context and then extorts us to live a life of vocational glory, not falling prey to a subtle functional deism that relegates glory to the end of time and our lives to a task of sin-management.

Pete James wraps up a pairing of talks about how important it is as a church to move beyond our own strength and into God’s strength. Pete looks at the life of Peter and how he was shaken from the fragile foundations of self-confidence and – via failure – was set upon the firm foundation of Jesus’ strength. Pete aims to give us hope to search inside the shaking and find God’s loving, faithful, purifying activity at work there.

Pete James highlights how fasting wakes us from apathy, reveals the things that control us, trains us for joy in times of lack and facilitates a power surge as we intentionally embrace our weakness and rely on God’s strength. Fasting is more than just something for Lent: its a vital way of life for a Christian aiming to push back against the idol of comfort

Ben shares movingly from his own testimony of anchoring himself in Psalm 37 in the midst of a difficult circumstance. The Word of God can be a lamp to our feet when we consistently choose to immerse ourselves in it and let it form us.

Becky continues the BREAD series by exploring Scripture as the authoritative lens that grounds our identity and interprets reality, forming us over time into freedom as we submit to and abide in truth. By standing in the Word, we learn to discern and resist the distorted lenses of the world, the flesh, and the devil, following Jesus’ example of using Scripture to dismantle lies and remain secure as beloved sons and daughters.

Pete James kicks of a new teaching series called “Bread: The Word of God as a Way of Life”. In a world where it’s easy to get blown about by the “winds of life” we need a rope to hold onto: an anchor in the blizzard. With an insatiable cultural appetite for personal growth but a diminishing focus on the word of God as the guide to that formation, Pete highlights an “authority gap” that has developed and asks us to take a look at what we have filled that gap with: the idol of the self or the fear of man. This series is seeking a re-enchantment with the word of God.

Pete James helps us reflect on the events of 2025 using the milestones of Holy Week: naming the unmet expectations, deaths, silences and new life experienced. Pete encourages us to take the posture of the thief on the cross next to Jesus who couldn’t “improve himself closer to God” and had to simply rely on the “one way love” of Jesus.

Pete James highlights how easy it is for deeply held beliefs and values to remain largely theoretical and unpracticed. He encourages us to make the journey of courage that is moving "from believing to trying" and casts a vision for the whole church being activated in their authority so the power of God can move through the church into the world.

Speaking from the story of Daniel, Pete James highlights how – as Christ carriers – our distinctiveness is our relevance to the culture around us and encourages us to be bold and confident in a world searching for meaning right now. In particular, Pete highlights how Daniel's relevance was cultivated through refusals and rhythms.