Shirley Baptist Church Solihull, Sermons

Reconciliation - the restoration of friendly relations after a dispute, argument, or estrangement. Often very tricky - more so than forgiveness. Why? Well, because forgiveness only takes one person's commitment, but reconciliation requires all parties to participate. So what does the Bible say about reconciliation? Thankfully, we have some great guidance in the letter that Paul wrote to Philemon in which he appeals to him to forgive and extend grace to his runaway slave, Onesimus. The good news of Jesus Christ is all about reconciliation with God through grace and forgiveness. So how did this impact Paul and Philemon, and how might it impact us today?

Both Jesus and Ezekiel tell us that the Holy Spirit has always been a key part of God’s amazing plan. But who is the Holy Spirit, what is he like, and why is he essential to the life of every Christian? Simply put, he is key to God’s strategy to transform our lives.

Have you ever felt rejected, marginalised or quietly judged by your own friends, family and neighbours? Imagine Jesus returning to speak in his hometown synagogue and being turned on by his own people. One minute, they were marvelling at this 'local boy made good'; the next, they sought to throw him to his death from a local cliff. Thankfully, they underestimated the power of a mighty God who stepped in to save the day. A mighty God who acts in ways that are unexpected, unplanned and out of our control. Sometimes we marvel at that, sometimes it drives us crazy. But always, it is a Small Wonder that brings us Big Hope.

Christmas is over for another year. But Jesus, that small wonder we celebrate, has not gone away. Rather, He is our big hope. The world's big hope. As it says in Matthew 12 - 'His name will be the hope of all the world'. And what can we have hope in? Well, let's start with an Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6).

The most life-changing moment showed up in the most unexpected way - a baby born in Bethlehem. His arrival brought the good news our world was missing, and it’s still the good news we depend on today. Want to explore what that means for you?

Hands up anyone who has ever felt inadequate, unconfident, unsure, not good enough or vulnerable? I’m guessing there are quite a few hands in the air! Most of us have, at some point, felt like this and may even think that these things are signs of a weak character. Vulnerability is actually a strength, and here’s the best bit… God delights in using vulnerable people to do amazing things! Gideon in the Old Testament knew all about this, so let’s explore his story and how vulnerable people are, paraphrasing what a well-known bear once said, "braver than they believe, stronger than they seem, and smarter than they think".