St. Luke's, Ramsgate

Does it matter what we believe? Sometimes it does. Sometimes it can be a matter of life and death. John here shows us that what we believe about Jesus is a matter of eternal life and warns us against some of the lies that may risk our salvation.

Why should we love other Christians? What does this love look like? How easy is it to love in this way? What has all this to do with true faith? These are questions that 1 John keeps coming back to and answering in slightly different ways as he strengthens our desire to love one another more and more.

If we belong to a church does it matter if we really believe in what God has done for us in Jesus? If we have a ‘personal relationship with God’ does it really matter if we go to church? Should we just carry on watching services in the comfort of our home once the restrictions are lifted on church services? All of these questions are answered by the simple statement: “God is love.” Check out this talk to see why.

We talk a lot about love and its importance, but do we ever ask ourselves what we mean by ‘love’? In 1 John we are called to love one another as Christians, but we are also shown what love is through the lens of the cross.

Often to show things are definite and certain they are said or done three times. In this epilogue to John’s gospel not only does Jesus certify his resurrection by appearing for the third time to his disciples, but he has a three-fold conversation with Jesus to undo Peter’s three-fold denial.

Many people find the idea of Jesus being resurrected from the dead completely unbelievable. It is just not possible for dead people to come alive again. Thomas one of Jesus’s closest disciples was one of those people. He had been told by ten other disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead, but he refused to believe. Then the risen Jesus appeared to him…

Mary is distraught at the death of Jesus. Her one consolation is that she can care for his dead body. Then she discovers it is missing! Yet, in the midst of her grief she discovers an amazing truth.

Jesus is brought to Pilate, the Roman governor, the most powerful person in Judea, the only one who can officially condemn Jesus to death. The Jewish leaders demand that Jesus be executed. Who has the real power here? What is the truth about what is happening? What kind of king is Jesus?

Peter is flabbergasted that Jesus would wash his feet. How can the one who is Messiah degrade himself and act like the lowest of slaves? Yet, Jesus’s actions are designed to help Peter understand some very important truths.

How does an ancient Psalm, mothering Sunday and the film Terminator connect? This talk looks at a vision for the future as we seek to pass on the great truths of God's saving works and his rules for life from generation to generation.