Stapleford Baptist Church

Although we've been looking at the first few chapters of the Bible book of Isaiah for several weeks, today is the first time we get to see the prophet Isaiah up close. God gives him an awful job to do - and the encouragement God gives him is an immense shock for Isaiah - God reveals Isaiah's helplessness and hopelessness in a dramatic way ... but he also shows that Isaiah that can rely 100% on God.

https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww

http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/

Today we continue to look at the early chapters of Isaiah and a parable about God and his people - the picture is of a farmer who plants a vineyard, nurtures everything and looks for good wine at the end of the process ... but he gets rubbish. What has God done for us? What have we produced for him?

https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww

http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/

More darkness to unpick in chapters 3 & 4 of the Bible's book called Isaiah! This week we see Isaiah the prophet laying into his hearers on behalf of God. "You've brought calamity upon yourselves". It's a message we all need to hear as everyone of us has to a greater or lesser degree failed to keep to God's standards. But, as last week, there's a glimmer of hope - for God himself, who we've all mistreated and ignored at some time or another, is constructing a shelter from the judgement we deserve ... a shelter for everyone who turns to him honestly and sincerely.

https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww

http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/

Today we start a new series on Sunday mornings in which we'll look at the first 9 chapters of the Bible's book called Isaiah. Isaiah was a prophet to whom God gave a challenging job - to tell his hearers that calamity was about to fall upon them. And Chapter 1 of this book is the start of his wake-up call. Those to whom Isaiah gave his message really needed to hear what he had to say ... their lives might depend on them taking action. And we're not so different. We need to hear the same message from God because our lives might depend on us taking action.

https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww

http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/

This is an all-age end-of-special-weekend service! So, whatever age you are, you are welcome! The talk is in 2 parts today and there's a focus on Matthew's account of Jesus' message that each of his followers must be salty and shiny! Acting as world preservers and world enlightners ... for that is what Christ himself is.

https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww

http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/

Today's the last of our short, 4-part, series covering the vision we have for out church ... though we guess we're covering much what every church wants to be - the church that Jesus wants us to be. He has welcomed us into his family, his kingdom and his life so we want to welcome any and everyone so that they, too, can find a home with him.

https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww

http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/

Here's the third look at God's plan for Christian communities ... we look much more like cracked flowerpots that are unable to hold anything useful - broken and unable to fulfil God's purpose for us. But God is changing us into a people with an eternal value beyond price ... like smashed pottery we are being turned into a glorious treasure!

https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww

http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/

Last week we got off to a great start, finding out what God wants Christian communities to look like ... and discovering that God will definitely make his church into a perfect, gorgeous one. Today the picture is of a family and a temple - people being united together in Christ's family - the place where God lives. This church may not much look like that yet, but we are on our way!

https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww

http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/

This week, and the next 3 Sunday mornings, we're looking at what God wants Christian communities to look like ... and encouraging each other to become a community more like God's model. Today we look at the Bride & Groom imagery - the Church is designed to be a radiant bride approaching the wedding ceremony. Her wedding dress is amazing, but it's the look on her face which is much more impressive. Does she look like your church?

https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww

http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/

Last week we heard about Luke's account of Jesus showing his followers that he was the promised Messiah - the special one who came from God the father in Heaven to live on Earth and to call us all into God's family ... and this week we find about the cost. A huge cost, not to anyone who listens to Jesus but to Jesus himself.

https://www.facebook.com/staplefordbaptistchurch/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCON8kZnw_hT-2eaVyUXWCww

http://www.staplefordbaptist.org/