St Helen's Sunday talks podcast

George Diwakar - In a time of national decline and despair, 2 Kings 13:14–25 reminds us where true hope lies. Even as Israel faces judgment and death, God’s grace still remains and his word still has power to give life. When everything else collapses, the promises of God endure—and through his word he can still bring people from death to life.

Aneirin Glyn - Why is the number of strikes with the arrows so important? Why is a man returned to life only after being thrown into a grave? The writer of Kings wants us to think hard, to realise that the word of Lord both demands comprehensive obedience and brings life from the dead.

William Taylor - James concludes his letter by laying out the pattern for a Christian’s restoration. The verses speak to the weak, the wobbly, and the wandering. The whole church is to be involved in restoring the sinner.

William Taylor - James concludes his letter by laying out the pattern for a Christian’s restoration. The verses speak to the weak, the wobbly, and the wandering. The whole church is to be involved in restoring the sinner.

George Diwakar - Delay can be deadly – especially when responding to the word of the LORD. God’s people, Israel, had so many chances to listen, but they didn’t take them. When judgment arrived, it was too little, too late. Will we make the same mistake, or will we listen to Jesus as saviour before his return as judge?

Nick Heeley - In 2 Kings 8, we see a final glimpse of the life God offers through Elisha, before the long-delayed judgement on the house of Ahab is finally set in motion. Yet these verses also reveal that Israel has already faced a kind of judgement—divided in two by how people respond to Elisha’s life-giving ministry. The certainty of coming judgement is a warning to those who have not yet turned to Jesus, reminding us that delay does not mean it will not come. At the same time, the passage encourages Christians to persevere in serving the God who faithfully provides for his people.

William Taylor - James’ aim for his readers is that we are completer-finishers. He is adamant that the Lord Jesus is returning – imminently – and that we therefore need to be steadfast and patient. But patience involves action: disciplined with regard to our hearts, tongues, trials and promises.

William Taylor - James’ aim for his readers is that we are completer-finishers. He is adamant that the Lord Jesus is returning – imminently – and that we therefore need to be steadfast and patient. But patience involves action: disciplined with regard to our hearts, tongues, trials and promises.

George Diwakar - In a dramatic episode from the life of Elisha, God’s people appear surrounded and helpless before their enemies. Yet this ‘Oscar-worthy’ story shows that God’s word cannot be stopped. As God opens eyes, protects his prophet, and even shows mercy to his enemies, we see that nothing can stand against his purposes. This passage calls us to trust God’s power, sovereignty, and grace even when his people seem outnumbered or afraid.

Nick Heeley - Fear can stop us speaking and living boldly for Jesus in a hostile world. In 2 Kings 6, Elisha is the victorious saviour who shows mercy to his enemies, who points us forward to the our merciful saviour, Jesus. Seeing we belong to the winning side is the antidote to fear. Seeing Jesus's mercy to his enemies should drive the winning side out in courageous service in the world.

William Taylor - In their small print, those who run savings or investment accounts suggest that the price of their product may go ‘up or down’. There is no small print in James’ instruction on wealth. He issues a straight-talking and unequivocal warning about wealth.

William Taylor - In their small print, those who run savings or investment accounts suggest that the price of their product may go ‘up or down’. There is no small print in James’ instruction on wealth. He issues a straight-talking and unequivocal warning about wealth.

Jack Stileman - Our world is full of suffering and self-interest. In 2 Kings 5 we see that the true hope of the world is the word of the Lord.

Nick Heeley - As we reach the high point of the Elisha narrative, we see the power of the life-giving word and how far it can reach—to the worst enemy of Israel, one who is unclean and a picture of death. All of this comes about because a servant girl trusts in the life-giving power of God’s word. She stands as a model of bold speech in a hostile world for us to imitate.