Sometimes, as we say, 'we cannot see for looking'.

Or 'we can't see the wood for the trees'.

People can read the bible all their lives and never see that the very existence and nature of the bible implies the existence of God and that He meets with people.

There are so many encounters with God described in the bible over a long period by many different people, that it would be impossible for this to happen if God was not real and and if He did not meet with real people.

The writers of scripture write in depth about God because they know the God they are describing. They have met Him. If they had not they would not have had anything to write.

Let's home in on Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush and see God in action speaking to Moses and to us.

Inspiration from Jesus for living the Christian life.

This congregation is small by city standards.

Jesus clearly loved to work with small groups.

We explore some of the advantages of that.

We always seek growth, but we explore why we should revel in the opportunities for personal and spiritual growth which a small congregation best provides.

It is really striking how vehemently opposed Jesus is to all the religious authorities of His day who burden people with demands for conformity to man-made ideals. Why is this? What does Jesus offer that they do not?

If Jesus is a container, and faith is a liquid we pour, how much faith can we pour into Jesus?

With the help of the centurion's surpassing faith we see how to trust Jesus for compassion, mercy and power!

The story of the Jewish people, like so many others, makes heroes of those who destroy their enemies.

In Jesus' day they were seeking a Messiah to destroy the Romans.

Jesus distanced Himself from those hopes; His kingdom is built on better values.

Our challenge today is to live out those values with His power and help.

We want to set people free from the burdens of legalistic religion and from the burdens of secular expectations.

Only Jesus can do that.

Let us find our freedom in Him and help others to do the same.

The book of Esther tells the origin story of the Feast of Purim, still celebrated by the Jews today.

What happens at Purim and what do those of us who are Gentiles need to remember from the deliverance of the Jews being celebrated?

A deep challenge to follow the right ways in our relationships so that our lives, and the together-life of the church, may be like a life-giving river in a barren land.

We come to the bloody climax of the book.

No mercy is shown by the Jews to their enemies.

What will be the consequences of that?

Is there such a thing as a just war?

Yes, but this is not it!

Our hearts cry for mercy.

Christ shows us the best path.

Are we worshipping a god who says 'yes' to us living as we please?

Have we got free from any worship of a god so we can live as we please?

Are we rejecting the God who says 'no' to us living as we please?

Jesus Christ, the True God, exposes the empty worship of temple and synagogue which rejects Him.

Jesus exposes how we say 'no' to Him rather than Him saying 'no' to us.

Jesus says 'yes' to us as He calls us forward to straighten us up and restore to us true worship.