Episodes

  • Why earnest prayer matters, Acts 12:1–19 (Andrew Walker)

    Why earnest prayer matters, Acts 12:1–19 (Andrew Walker)
    May 31 2026
    This talk was given by Andrew Walker at St Jude’s Church Southsea on 31 May 2026. The Bible readings were Acts 12:1–19 (primary), with references to Romans 8:26–27 and Ephesians 6:10–18. Warm and down-to-earth, the talk moves from the humour of Rhoda at the door to the hard edges of persecution, holding together realism and hope. Andrew encourages prayer that is honest, persistent, and expectant, without pretending outcomes are always the same. He offers practical help for different prayer temperaments, urging each of us to discover and use the way we best pray. The closing invitation is simple: become more wholehearted in prayer, look for God’s action, and ask the Holy Spirit to raise our expectancy, deepen our love for Jesus, and lead us into freedom.
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    23 mins
  • Gospel hope for everyone, Acts 11:19–30 (Homnath Dhakal)

    Gospel hope for everyone, Acts 11:19–30 (Homnath Dhakal)
    May 17 2026
    This talk explores how the good news of Jesus moved beyond one culture to many in Acts 11:19–30. Scattered by persecution, believers reached Antioch and began speaking not only to Jews but also to Greeks. The Lord’s hand was with them, many believed, and Barnabas arrived to encourage them to remain true to the Lord. He then brought Saul to help teach for a year, and the disciples were first called Christians there. When Agabus foretold a famine, the Antioch church responded with practical generosity, sending help to Judea. Themes include mission across cultures, encouragement, collaboration, the power of the Holy Spirit, and measured success by God’s grace rather than human effort. This talk was given by Professor Homnath Dhakal at St Jude’s Church Southsea on 17 May 2026. The reading was Acts 11:19–30; other references included Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18–20; 2 Timothy 2:1; Luke 19:1–10; and Revelation 7:17. With a warm, pastoral tone, the talk invites us to see how God uses ordinary people to share hope, to encourage one another in faith, and to cross cultural and social boundaries with the love of Christ. It also points to Antioch’s example of thoughtful, proactive generosity. Listeners are encouraged to consider where God may be calling them to remain faithful, to collaborate humbly, and to put love into action in their own communities.
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    31 mins
  • Does God show favouritism, Acts 10 (Ruth McCabe)

    Does God show favouritism, Acts 10 (Ruth McCabe)
    May 10 2026
    Acts 10 tells the story of Peter and Cornelius: a vision of clean and unclean animals, an angel’s call, and the realisation that God shows no favouritism. This talk explores how God knows us by name, welcomes people from every nation, and brings salvation through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. It considers Peter’s vision, the inclusion of Gentiles, the role of the Holy Spirit, and what it means to trust Jesus as the way to the Father. Key passages include Acts 10:1–20, 34–38, with links to Luke 12:7, Acts 4:12, and John 14:6. This talk was given by Ruth McCabe at St Jude’s Church Southsea on [Date]. The readings were Acts 10:1–20 and 34–38. Peter’s journey from hesitation to obedience shows God preparing hearts on both sides: Cornelius seeking truth, and Peter learning that the gospel crosses every boundary. The talk invites us to pray, listen, and be open to the Spirit’s leading, whether through Scripture, prayer, or even dreams and visions. It points us to Jesus—his life, death and risen power—and to the hope of being one family in Christ, whatever our background. Listeners are encouraged to seek God, to invite others to explore faith, and to trust that the Holy Spirit is at work today.
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    23 mins
  • Praying bold prayers in everyday life, Acts 9:32–43 (Rachel Drake)

    Praying bold prayers in everyday life, Acts 9:32–43 (Rachel Drake)
    May 3 2026
    What does it mean to pray bold prayers when outcomes are uncertain? In Acts 9:32–43, Peter tells Aeneas to rise and calls Tabitha back to life—and many turn to the Lord. This talk explores how and why Christians can pray courageously for healing, drawing on Jesus’ promise that his followers will continue his works (John 14:12) and his commissioning of the apostles (Luke 9:1–2). It also acknowledges that God does not always answer as we hope, and invites us to pray with humility, sensitivity and trust. This talk was given by Rachel Drake at St Jude’s Church, Southsea on 3 May 2026. The reading was Acts 9:32–43; additional references include Luke 9:1–2 and John 14:12. With a warm, pastoral tone, Rachel reflects on Peter’s story—his faith and his failings—and encourages us to take the next small step in boldness, perhaps just “10%” more than we pray now. She offers simple, practical ways to pray for healing: listen, ask clearly, believe in God’s faithfulness, and give thanks. A personal testimony about praying for her son’s health reminds us that God is at work even in the waiting. Listeners are encouraged to bring honest requests to God and to share answers that build up the church.
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    29 mins
  • "Paul: Not the Creator of Christianity, but Its Greatest Ambassador" with Colin Towner

    "Paul: Not the Creator of Christianity, but Its Greatest Ambassador" with Colin Towner
    Apr 26 2026
    This is the talk from our 10:45 service on 26 April 2026. The readings were Acts 9:20–31 and Galatians 1:11–24. From Damascus to Jerusalem, Saul’s dramatic turnaround sparks astonishment, opposition and a helping hand from Barnabas. We trace how Jesus—not Paul—is the true creator of Christianity, while Paul becomes his tireless ambassador, preaching, planting and suffering for the gospel he received by revelation. The talk invites us to engage afresh with Paul’s letters: sometimes demanding, often luminous, always rich in Christ-centred wisdom and encouragement. Expect challenge, reassurance and a call to read, rejoice and trust the God whose love in Christ will not let us go.
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    21 mins
  • "The God of the Unexpected" with Kathy Bacon

    "The God of the Unexpected" with Kathy Bacon
    Apr 19 2026
    This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 18th May 2025. The reading was Acts 9:1–19. Kathy explores the dramatic conversion of Saul — the man who was breathing out murderous threats against the church — and draws out three ways God works unexpectedly. First, God brings unexpected people to follow Jesus, even those we'd consider most unlikely. Second, God forms an unexpected family, bringing together people who would never naturally be close. Third, God gives unexpected callings, surprising us with new purposes we never imagined. Kathy shares her own experience of becoming a youth worker at fifty, and encourages us to stay open to God's surprising plans, to pray for those who seem furthest from faith, and to embrace one another as family.
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    19 mins
  • "Under Persecution the Gospel Spreads" with Jos McCabe

    "Under Persecution the Gospel Spreads" with Jos McCabe
    Apr 12 2026
    This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 18th May 2025. The reading was Acts 8:1–8 and 26–40. In the first of a series on the book of Acts, Jos explores how the early church grew through persecution and the surprising ways God used ordinary people. Focusing on Philip — a man originally chosen to wait on tables — he shows how the Holy Spirit equipped him to proclaim Jesus in Samaria and to an Ethiopian official on a desert road. With stories of persecuted Christians today and a challenge not to put God in a box, Joss asks: are we ready to be used wherever God puts us?
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    21 mins
  • "Walking Out of the Tomb" with Jack Cross

    "Walking Out of the Tomb" with Jack Cross
    Apr 5 2026
    This is the talk from our 10:45 service on Sunday 20th April 2025. The reading was Luke 24:1–12. On Easter Sunday, Jack reminded us that the resurrection isn't just something we celebrate — it's something we're invited to live in. Using the angels' words to the women at the tomb, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?", he challenged us to stop carrying the guilt and shame that Jesus has already dealt with. He shared a three-step blueprint for freedom: bring our sin to the cross, leave it in the grave, and walk out of the tomb into the new life Christ offers. A powerful encouragement for first-time visitors and long-time churchgoers alike to step into the freedom of Easter.
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    15 mins