The Cranmer Group Podcast

Annie continues our series on the Fruit of the Spirit by considering the gift of Joy, referring to 1 Peter 1:1-9 and Mark 1:1-8. Unlike happiness, joy doesn’t depend on our circumstances but remains with us, even in adversity. It’s closely tied to Grace and grows as our confidence in the ‘Good News’ of God’s Kingdom flourishes, and is a fruit intended for us to share to bring life to those around us.

Tim kicks off our new sermon series on the Fruit of the Spirit described by Paul in Galatians Chapter 5, verses 13-26, reflecting on Jesus's command to us to love one another (John's Gospel 13:31-35), and St. John's description of the relationship between divine love and human love (The First Letter of John 4:7-21).

Particularly drawing on what Paul says to the early Christians in Corinth (1 Corinthians 14:1-5), Tim explores how the Spiritual Gifts of prophesy and encouragement can show us the character of God; be a blessing individually and as a church family, as they build us up and reveal the fruit of the Spirit in us - which we'll explore more fully after our brief summer pause. See you again in September, for more spiritual nourishment from our preachers!

Reflecting on Luke 21:1-4 and Philippians 4:10-20, Annie shares with us why generosity is an important gift for the Church; and how we develop and use this gift for God’s glory and the building up of his Kingdom here, in this place.

Through Jesus's teaching to his disciples in Matthew's Gospel, chapter 20, verses 20-28, and the command of the prophet Micah (chapter 6, verses 6-8) to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God", Bronwen encourages each of us to consider whether God may be calling us into a position of servant leadership, following in Christ's footsteps.

Continuing our sermon series on the Holy Spirit, Tim leads us in the first of our explorations of the Gifts of the Spirit which Paul outlines in Romans 12:1-8. Tim invites us, through God's grace, to receive the spiritual gift of service, that we might use all the gifts He has given us through his Holy Spirit, in the service of His people in our Benefice, and beyond.

Drawing on Ephesians 1:3-14 and Luke 11:5-13, Annie outlines five simple elements to being "filled continually" with the Holy Spirit, as Paul desires for us: Believe; Ask; Stay close; Let go! - yes, 5  not 4!

With the help of Jesus's encounter with Nicodemus (John 3:1-8), and Paul's Letter to the Romans (chapter 8; verses 9-17), Tim helps us discover that the Holy Spirit gives new life; that the Holy Spirit comes and makes his dwelling in us; and that the Holy Spirit leads us as children of God, testifying with our spirit that we are not only God’s children, but also his heirs.

With the help of the illustration of the 'Borromean Rings', Bron helps us to discover God's promise for each one of us that the Holy Spirit is His gift to us, and, because God is love, we experience that love through the Holy Spirit.

On this day of Pentecost, Tim invites us all to step into a place of spiritual health and maturity - which is nothing less than ever-increasing closeness to the person of Jesus himself - by opening our hearts and lives to the work of God’s Holy Spirit in us.