City Church Sheffield Podcast

As those who call on the name of the Lord, we are made holy in Christ so that we can live accordingly, enriched in our speaking and knowledge, and secure for eternity - Jesus will keep us strong until he returns.

Like the disciples in the boat, we are called to be courageous disciples when we face adversity and difficulties by remembering what the Lord has already done for us, because Jesus doesn't leave us but comes to us.

Jesus is training his disciples. As disciples of Jesus, we should neither be passive observers nor arrogantly do things on our own initiative. We need to spend time with Jesus, learn how to cope with interruptions beyond our control, and take risks and steps of faith.

Herod had persuaded Herodias to leave Herod's brother Philip so that Herod may marry her, and John's message of repentance troubled his conscience. John shows us what it's like to live for God. Being different is costly. There is a clash of kingdoms. Do we live for the kingdom of God or the kingdom of "me"?

Jesus sends his disciples to take the good news to the people. But he isn't looking for people who are well-prepared, but people who are willing. He is looking for people whose only support and safety net is God. And he gives them what they really need - his authority.

Stephen speaks boldly of the God who does not live in temples made by human hands.

Learning from Moses how to handle hardships and learning from the Israelites how not to.

We can learn from the exploits of David's Mighty Men. Although we are under a different covenant, we have the same God. We no longer fight against human beings as they did, but we should have the same conviction and mindset that they had. Just as they were willing to lay down their lives for David, we should be committed to following Christ no matter what.

When we break bread together as a church we remember and proclaim Jesus' death and also look forward to his coming. His death and his return are two vantage points that we can focus on in times of hardship. We also need to discern his body as we celebrate the Lord's Supper.

We can take offence at Jesus by stumbling over the messenger, over the message or over our own disappointments and failed expectations. We can promote an atmosphere of faith by enjoying God's word, being honest with God when things are difficult and giving thanks for what we've already received.

Jesus is our brother who saves us, he is our brother who understands and helps us in our temptations and he is our brother who is an example for us and whom we can follow.

The testimony of the Galatians' early experience, the testimony of Abraham, and the work of Jesus all show that the only way to be saved is through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. God looks for faith, not works.

It was important for the Apostles to devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer, and the Church grew as a result. We too should study God's word and spend time with God in prayer.

Although Jesus was always the perfect Son of God, God saw fit to make him a perfect sacrifice through suffering, so that could pay the wages of sin. God saw fit to show grace to us, and it's fitting for us to show grace to one another.

A synagogue ruler humbles himself before Jesus in desperation, and a sick woman is healed by touching his cloak. But Jesus is not satisfied with just healing physically - he stops to ask who touched him so that he can give the woman peace.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. God is good and his grace is enough to sustain us when we suffer, in order that He would be glorified. [Download Blessan's slides](http://d2lpchbt6qg0df.cloudfront.net/uploads/Acts_5.ppt)

Jesus commissions his worshippers to go and share his love without fear because He is always with us. [Download Ben's slides](http://d2lpchbt6qg0df.cloudfront.net/uploads/15-03-08_-_Ben_s_Slides.pptx)

We should pray on our own when we're suffering, praise God when we're cheerful, call in the elders (our spiritual fathers) to pray for us when we're sick, and confess our sins and be transparent with our brothers and sisters. God hears our prayers just as he heard Elijah's.

Jesus reaches the other side of the lake and encounters a troubled man. We see Jesus' supreme authority, but also a sad ending to the episode as the people of the region beg Jesus to leave their area rather than experience his freedom.

We live between the Passion and the Parousia of Jesus, and Jesus mentions four good things and four bad things that will happen during this period. He encourages us to live in expectation of his return, but not to speculate.

In spite of what we see around us, Jesus our brother is risen and reigning, has restored and redeemed us, and is our rock-solid hope.

Jesus demonstrates his power and authority in the presence of his disciples. What should our response be when we face storms in our lives?

Jesus wants us to show him to others, even when others don't seem interested. God can be working in people's lives without us being aware of it.

We are lost without Jesus but with him are life, hope, and a future. So let's pay attention and get rid of anything that might cause us to drift away.

How do we listen and respond to God's word? Do we have hard hearts, shallow hearts, over-cluttered hearts, or soft hearts that accept God's word?

The family of Jesus thought he was mad, his critics thought he was bad. But his disciples sat at his feet and learnt from him what the will of God is.

Following Jesus means putting our resources at his disposal, and nailing our colours to the mast and being known for identifying ourselves with him.

God uses us to heal the sick. We are Christ's ambassadors. It is not about how much faith we have but whom we have faith in.

Barnabas fell in love with people and out of love with possessions. Ananias and Sapphira loved money but also loved the praise of men.

God has spoken through Jesus - something new has happened, a new covenant and a new kingdom, but also a continuation of the past.

Jesus brings joy. Trying to live up to expectations can crush our joy, but when we are with Jesus we needn't be glum.

God chose us before we were born to be his arrows taking his gospel to the nations. We face difficulties because God is preparing his arrows for use.

The grace of God as revealed by Jesus saves sinners, brings people together and turns religious expectations inside out.

The teaching of Jesus is backed up with authority to heal and forgive. We just have to come to Jesus for forgiveness.

The cornerstone is a stone without which the building could not exist. God has placed the cornerstone and the whole of history lines up with Jesus.

Jesus cleanses a man with leprosy, not to get a following or to prove that he is Son of God, but out of compassion. He also cleanses us of our sin.

The Kingdom of God is near - our God reigns, and everywhere we go, we carry the Kingdom of God.

Jesus showed what God's kingdom is like by teaching, driving out demons, healing the sick and spending time with his Father in prayer.

After all Josiah has done, he now fails to hear what God says through Neco. Fear, discouragement or self-sufficiency can cause us to fail to hear God.

As the Church grows, persecution increases. Let us pray for courage through persecution, for many to see the truth and for God to be glorified.

Jesus is proactive. He doesn't wait for people to come to him but goes to where the people are and calls them to follow him. He takes the initiative.

We can love one another increasingly because God first loved us, and if we love, God will live in us. It is not a feeling but a serving love.

There is great news - we can join Jesus' life. John the Baptist prepares the way for God himself. Whereas Israel failed in the desert, Jesus overcame.

Although Josiah turned wholeheartedly to God, when we look under the surface we see that the people were just going through the motions.

We are all called to serve like Jesus did, but deacons support the elders by being responsible for looking after specific aspects of the church.

Because we are connected to Jesus we can heal in his name and also open people's spiritual eyes in his name.

A good overseer will lay his life down for the church. Character is important rather than IQ, and elders must avoid conceit and disgrace.

Daniel's 3 friends had learnt from him to have faith and be courageous. They were courageous because they sought God.

Will we choose to be like King Josiah and live lives wholeheartedly for God?

Marking the start of our second chapter' as a church, Gary encourages us to know that God is with us and to step into all that he has for us.