St Jude's Southsea

This talk was given by Rev Steve Clarke at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 9th August 2026. The reading was Psalm 46.

Psalm 46 is one of the best-known psalms in the Bible, often read on Remembrance Sunday, with its famous line "Be still and know that I am God." In this talk, we explore what this ancient hymn — written against the backdrop of the threatened Assyrian invasion of Jerusalem — has to say to us today, in a world of war, uncertainty and personal struggle. Along the way, we look at how the sea and stormy waters are pictured in Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, and how Jesus calming the storm shows us a God who is both with us in the boat and over the waves.

Beginning with a vivid memory of watching a dry riverbed in South Wales become a rushing river, the talk traces three widening circles of hope in the psalm: God is over and in the chaos of our lives, of our city, and of all things. There is a warm invitation to prayer-walk the streets of Southsea, praying for the river of God's love to flow through the city, and the talk closes with a guided time of stillness using a contemporary form of the ancient Jesus Prayer. Whether you're a regular churchgoer or simply exploring faith, this is a thoughtful and encouraging listen for anxious times.

This talk was given by Helen Bolton at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 13 July 2025. The reading was Acts 18:1–18, with supporting passages from 1 Corinthians 2:1–5, Romans 16, Matthew 7:8, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, and John 14:27.

Helen explores the final stage of Paul's second missionary journey and what his time in Corinth can teach us about living out our faith today. She traces the strategic and courageous steps Paul took — choosing a difficult city, working alongside others, reasoning with those who opposed him, and persevering through God's power rather than his own strength. The talk draws on both Luke's account in Acts and Paul's own words in his letters to build a rich picture of a man who was honest about his weakness and fear, yet wholly committed to God's calling.

With warmth and honesty, Helen reflects on how Paul's example speaks into our own lives — in our workplaces, families, and relationships where faith doesn't always come easily. She shares her own story of returning to faith after a prompting one Good Friday, and gently asks whether we share our faith boldly or apologetically. The repeated biblical refrain "do not be afraid" runs through the talk as a thread of encouragement, reminding us that God's presence and power sustain us even when the journey feels difficult. A thoughtful and personal talk to close the church's series on Acts.

This talk was given by Jack Cross at St Jude's Church, Southsea. The reading was Acts 17:16–34, Paul's address to the Athenians at the Areopagus.

Jack explores what he calls Paul's "masterclass of evangelism" in Athens, drawing out two essential pillars that should undergird every form of sharing the Christian faith. The first is being genuinely in love with God — not attending church "just in case," but being wholeheartedly committed to Jesus. The second is knowing the people you are trying to reach, learning their context, their concerns, and their language so that the unchanging gospel can be communicated in ways that truly connect. Jack illustrates both pillars with vivid personal stories, including an unexpected talk on relationships in a Thai prison and his involvement with youth work in Portsmouth.

Jack is honest about the reality that even the apostle Paul received mixed results in Athens — some mocked, some were curious, and some believed. He encourages the congregation not to measure success by immediate responses but by faithfully playing whatever role God gives, whether sowing, watering, or harvesting. The talk closes with a warm invitation to let God's love become the starting point for all evangelism, and a challenge to consider the specific contexts and communities each person is uniquely placed to reach.

This talk was given by David Bacon at St Jude's Church, Southsea. The reading was Acts 16:16–40.

David explores what happened when Paul and Silas brought the message of Jesus into the Roman city of Philippi — and the fierce opposition they encountered. He examines how introducing Jesus disrupts spiritual, financial, and cultural interests, leading to hostility and suffering. He then turns to the remarkable story of Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns at midnight in prison, the earthquake that freed them, and the jailer's desperate question: "What must I do to be saved?"

David draws out two main themes from the passage. First, that sharing the good news of Jesus will inevitably stir up opposition — spiritual, economic, and cultural — and Christians should not be surprised when that happens. Second, that trusting Jesus brings genuine freedom and rescue, whether that comes quickly or over a long time. He reflects on Paul and Silas's worship in the darkness before any sign of rescue, the jailer's dramatic change of heart, and the joy that followed his baptism. The talk closes with a warm and direct invitation: if life feels like a mess, the answer from this passage is to put your trust in Jesus, who can bring you through. David also gently encourages anyone not yet baptised to consider it as a sign of that trust and new life.

This talk was given by Lorna at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 6th July 2025. The reading was Acts 16:1–15.

The talk explores a searching question: do we as Christians move towards those outside the church, or do we simply hope they will come to us? Using Acts 16 and Paul's journey with Timothy to Philippi, Lorna examines how mission and relationships are inseparable — and why the quality of our relationships within the church directly shapes how others perceive the Christian faith.

Drawing on the TV show Race Across the World as an analogy, Lorna traces Paul's recruitment of Timothy, the surprising decision to circumcise him to remove barriers, and the Spirit's redirection of their travel plans. She highlights how Paul's willingness to be flexible and obedient to the Holy Spirit led to the encounter with Lydia by the river — a meeting that would never have happened had Paul insisted on his own plans. Lydia's conversion and baptism, along with her entire household, stands as a powerful example of what happens when mission is relational, spirit-led, and willing to meet people where they are. Lorna challenges us to consider the barriers we might unknowingly place in front of others — including church language — and to ask not "God, bless what I'm doing" but "God, help me to notice where you are already moving."

This talk was given by Emmanuel at St Jude's Church, Southsea. The reading was Acts 15:1–12 and 22–31.

Emmanuel, who works for Tearfund and is based in Kigali, Rwanda, explores the question at the heart of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15: who qualifies for God's grace? The early church debated whether Gentile believers needed to meet certain preconditions before they could truly belong. Emmanuel draws a striking parallel with our own tendency to set conditions on who is welcome — whether based on background, appearance, or circumstance — and argues that grace, by its very nature, has no boundaries. He captures this idea in the memorable phrase "grace has no postcode."

Drawing on his experience of church life in Rwanda, Emmanuel shares a moving story of believers walking over 40 kilometres each way to worship together, because as one woman put it, "I find grace among other people." He reflects on how communities are transformed not by outside intervention alone, but because God is already at work in their midst. He connects the letter sent by the Jerusalem Council — which brought gladness and encouragement — with the practical acts of generosity and solidarity that cross borders today. The talk is a warm and compelling reminder that God's grace is not confined to any place, culture, or condition, but moves freely and reaches everyone who seeks it.

This talk was given by Nigel Bennett. The reading was Acts 14:8–23, which follows Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey through the city of Lystra and beyond.

The talk explores what it means for the church to be "militant" — not in the aggressive sense the word often carries today, but in its original meaning of being active, determined, and faithful in spiritual service. It examines how Paul and Barnabas navigated a dramatic clash of cultures in Lystra, where a miraculous healing led the local people to mistake them for Greek gods, and how the apostles responded with humility, flexibility, and courage — even in the face of a violent stoning.

Drawing lessons from Paul's approach of starting with common ground rather than unfamiliar scripture, the talk encourages Christians today to listen carefully to those around them, to understand the worldview of the people they speak with, and to communicate the good news of Jesus authentically. It reflects honestly on the challenges of living in a society that has largely moved away from Christian understanding, while affirming that God's grace continues to work through his people in partnership. The talk closes with a call to perseverance, resilience, and joy in sharing the gospel — not retreating from the world, but engaging it with faithfulness and hope.

This talk was given by Richard Portlock at St Jude’s Church Southsea on 7 June 2026. The reading was Acts 13:1–12.

The church in Antioch was worshipping and fasting, hearing the Holy Spirit’s direction to send Barnabas and Paul, and beginning a new phase of mission in Cyprus. In Paphos they meet opposition from Elymas the sorcerer, and Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit—exposes the deceit at work. The proconsul Sergius Paulus then believes, struck by the teaching about the Lord. This talk explores corporate guidance, prayer and fasting, spiritual discernment, responding to opposition, and how the gospel reaches people we might not expect.

With a historian’s eye, Luke highlights a praying, diverse church that listens together and then obeys. The message challenges us to make space for God—individually and together—so we can hear and respond to his leading. It also reflects on how to handle resistance with humility, truth and love, relying on the Spirit rather than the world’s methods. Finally, Sergius Paulus reminds us not to pre‑decide who might be open to Jesus. If you’re exploring faith, a good next step is to read Luke’s Gospel and consider who Jesus is and what his life, death and resurrection mean for you.

This talk was given by Andrew Walker at St Jude’s Church Southsea on 31 May 2026. The Bible readings were Acts 12:1–19 (primary), with references to Romans 8:26–27 and Ephesians 6:10–18.

Warm and down-to-earth, the talk moves from the humour of Rhoda at the door to the hard edges of persecution, holding together realism and hope. Andrew encourages prayer that is honest, persistent, and expectant, without pretending outcomes are always the same. He offers practical help for different prayer temperaments, urging each of us to discover and use the way we best pray. The closing invitation is simple: become more wholehearted in prayer, look for God’s action, and ask the Holy Spirit to raise our expectancy, deepen our love for Jesus, and lead us into freedom.

This talk explores how the good news of Jesus moved beyond one culture to many in Acts 11:19–30. Scattered by persecution, believers reached Antioch and began speaking not only to Jews but also to Greeks. The Lord’s hand was with them, many believed, and Barnabas arrived to encourage them to remain true to the Lord. He then brought Saul to help teach for a year, and the disciples were first called Christians there. When Agabus foretold a famine, the Antioch church responded with practical generosity, sending help to Judea. Themes include mission across cultures, encouragement, collaboration, the power of the Holy Spirit, and measured success by God’s grace rather than human effort.

This talk was given by Professor Homnath Dhakal at St Jude’s Church Southsea on 17 May 2026. The reading was Acts 11:19–30; other references included Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18–20; 2 Timothy 2:1; Luke 19:1–10; and Revelation 7:17.

With a warm, pastoral tone, the talk invites us to see how God uses ordinary people to share hope, to encourage one another in faith, and to cross cultural and social boundaries with the love of Christ. It also points to Antioch’s example of thoughtful, proactive generosity. Listeners are encouraged to consider where God may be calling them to remain faithful, to collaborate humbly, and to put love into action in their own communities.