Talks

Following the ‘fish incident’, Jonah is recommissioned by God with dramatic effect. Andrew considers the implications for our understanding of mission.

Jeremy considers what Jonah’s experience in the belly of the fish tells us about God’s salvation.

Christians are meant to know happiness, but we live in a world where countless influences threaten to rob us of our joy. Guest preacher, Matt Hosier (Gateway Church, Poole), suggests eight practical ways in which we can cultivate joy. (inc a short introduction of Matt & Grace Hosier)

Jonah is a subversive book; it’s meant to disturb us. Andrew considers three ways in which the story messes with our conceptual categories, looking at Jonah, the pagan sailors and God himself.

An introduction to this new series starts with the fact that the story of Jonah is not really about Jonah at all, it’s about God. About God and shaped by God. Jonah is a character we can relate to and in his call we see a parallel with Israel’s call, how Jesus fulfilled that call and how this connects with our call as believers

In this short address for baptism Sunday, John reflects on the significance of crossing over from death into life.

Paul wants the believers in Colossae to understand how the cosmic implications of salvation drill down into the personal experience of every individual who trusts in Christ. Laura’s story illustrates what this looks like at a practical level (note that her testimony references the themes of sexual assault, substance abuse and suicide).

Both Matthew and John directly refer to the prophet Zechariah in recounting the moment of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. How does knowing this Old Testament backdrop illuminate what’s going on at Palm Sunday?

It would be tragic if the story of Grace Church Truro, having started as a story about what God can do, turned into a story about what we can manage. Andrew concludes our series on faith by reflecting on how Jesus addresses the slow and subtle creep of unbelief in our hearts. 

‘Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you.’ Drawing on some of her painful experiences, Anna reflects on the themes of mothering and fathering, talking about what these mean for the church as family. [Note: this talk does include reference to suicide.]

‘Faith is a deep conviction in God’s faithfulness, which inevitably leads to action.’ Peter draws out a series of practical lessons from the story of Jesus healing blind Bartimaeus.

Most of the Christian life isn’t lived on the mountaintop: it’s lived in the valley, where life is frequently a challenge and we can struggle to hold on to Jesus. Andrew explores the complex relationship between faith and doubt, urging us to bring our small faith and our honest doubt to Jesus.

‘It’s not enough to be impressed with Jesus, we need to put our trust in Jesus.’ Andrew presents five lessons on faith from this sobering passage.

Jeremy reflects on two faith stories that are woven together in Mark’s gospel: the stories of the woman with a haemorrhage and Jesus raising a dead girl.

What’s really going on in the story of Jesus calming the storm? Sarah invites us to listen to this famous story as if we were hearing it for the first time.

In Mark 2, we hear the story of someone who becomes a new man, inside and out. And it happens because of the faith of his friends who bring him to Jesus. How does this story speak to us today?

Andrew Sampson launches our new sermon series by considering how Jesus’ summons to ‘Repent! Believe!’ relate to his message about the Kingdom of God.

We give our money to God out of all he has given us. As an act of worship, and an antidote to the power of money but also that we might see God’s kingdom and temple (the church) established on the earth. At a big moment in the life of Grace church we look at David rallying Israel in 1 Chronicles 29 to lay down their treasures to see the temple built under Solomon’s kingship.

Andrew turns his attention to the content of Daniel’s prayer of confession, considering how we might understand it today in light of the Cross of Christ.

‘Christmas is about the God of the universe becoming everything that it means to be a human being.’ Liam concludes our advent two-part mini-series on the miracle of the incarnation.

Beginning with John 1, Liam considers what it means to believe that ‘the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.’ Why is it important that we affirm the humanity AND divinity of Jesus Christ?

The famous story of ‘the writing on the wall’ is about one man confronting and speaking the truth to power. Jon explains how the story finds its fulfilment in Jesus, who confronts both the dark spiritual powers in the world and the darkness that’s inside all of us.

God’s will for our lives is not merely that we’ll ‘make it through’, but that we’ll be firm and unshakeable in the storm. Declan from Blaze Church, Newquay, explains the significance of finding our identity ‘in Christ’.

‘God is on a mission to conquer the human heart.’ Andrew considers what the testimony of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon teaches us about pride and humility.

The three friends were determined to follow God even as their lives were threatened. Matt continues our series in Daniel with what it means for us to look at the response of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were determined to worship God even into the fires of a furnace and how they miraculously found that God was there with them and for them in that moment. 

Christians are called to be distinctive, and Peter sets the bar high! What does it mean for us to be holy as God is holy?

In this world we can expect to suffer. But a Christian doesn’t suffer without hope. Andrew considers the relationship between rejoicing and grieving in the Christian life.

As we prepare to baptise Aidan and Jackson, Matt explains the significance and meaning of Christian baptism.

How does God lead us? James Hunter considers how his and Anna’s call to move to Liberia echoes the story of God leading the Israelites in the wilderness.

The in-breaking of the Holy Spirit dismantles the social and cultural barriers that exist in society.  Andrew Sampson connects the Spirit being given at Pentecost with the Asuza Street revival of 1906 with Grace Church Truro today.

For followers of Christ, this world is not our home: our citizenship is in heaven. Andrew considers how cultivating a heavenly mindset helps us live well here and now.

Sarah launches our series on this fascinating book by exploring Peter’s backstory.

A passage about women wearing head coverings in church may seem irrelevant, but first appearances can be deceptive. Andrew explains what this text teaches about the difference that Jesus’ coming into the world makes to male-female relationships.

What is God’s heart for our communities and for all nations of the world? Guest preacher, Jonnie Conibeer (Christ Central, Redhill), encourages us to cross barriers, including the barrier of our own fear, to share the good news of Jesus with others.

Christians hold differing views on the roles of men and women in the church. Andrew offers a general introduction to the debate, highlighting the non-negotiables which are ‘written in blood.’

Guest speaker, Matt Hosier (Gateway Church, Poole) explores what it means to have steady hearts in a shaking world. 

The gospels tell us that the crowd that received Jesus as king had this psalm in their minds and hearts. Andrew considers how Psalm 118 illuminates the Palm Sunday story and Jesus’ onward journey to the Cross.

Guest preacher, John Gillespie, considers what this great ‘mission Psalm’ tells us about God’s heart. God is into the nations. Will we get on board with his agenda?

Andrew considers what it means to ‘think Christianly’ about assisted dying, before reflecting on how biblical teaching on the dignity of human life impacts on our day-to-day lives.

The church in Antioch is presented as a model church. Andrew considers three ways in which it shows us what the kingdom of God is like.

Antioch provides a helpful case study in how the gifts that God gives his people work together for the building of Jesus’ Church and the advance of his mission.

In this talk for our ‘International Sunday’, Andrew explains what we learn about God’s intention for humanity from the story of Peter and Cornelius and how this fits with the vision of Grace Church.

Jeremy considers how Philip and Ananias show us how the Spirit directs God’s people in mission.

‘The way of the cross and the way of the Spirit are one and the same.’ Andrew considers what this portion of Acts tells us about the Spirit-filled life and the mission of the Church.

Luke doesn’t separate the internal organisation of the church from the outward mission of the church and nor should we. Andrew considers the example of ‘the Seven’, and what they have to teach us about the Spirit-filled life.

Jeremy encourages us to follow the example of the early believers in praying for boldness and Spiritual gifts.

Matt considers the theme of Spirit-empowered healing from the Book Acts, and how that should inform our expectations today. The start of the preach is missing.

‘God by the Spirit wants to work in us, so that he can work through us, to change the lives people around us.’ Andrew launches our new teaching series by looking at the prominence of speech through the Book of Acts.

Jon concludes our summer series on ‘Tales of the Kingdom’ with the story of how God extends his gracious invitation to all.

At Grace Church, we believe that the Holy Spirit is received at conversion, and that there’s more! Andrew considers how Paul in Ephesians affirms both sides of this statement, drawing out the implications for us today.

‘God wants to close the gap between biblical promise and personal experience.’ On this Pentecost Sunday, Jeremy Bunce invites us to open our lives to more of the Holy Spirit.

Emma, our project coordinator, explains how the message of Jesus’ story relates to each of us individually as well as our growing partnership with Transforming Lives for Good.

John Peel joins us from Redeemer Church, Plymouth, as we continue our series on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. This week, John explains how the Spirit assures us of the security of our status as children of God.

Andrew launches our new series, ‘Come, Holy Spirit’ by looking at Luke’s account of what happened when the Spirit first came. Luke wants us to understand that we’re in a new day. And that means that the gift of the Holy Spirit is for all.

As we meet Jesus after his resurrection, we see the beauty of the relationship between him and his disciples. He meets them at work in failure and exhaustion, bringing sustenance and joy. Let’s join them!

The first person to be given the honour of meeting Jesus following his resurrection was Mary Magdalene. Peter explores five lessons that we can learn from her story.

Jeremy continues our series on ‘tales of the kingdom’, considering how Jesus’ picture of the growing seed helps us understand the nature of the kingdom of heaven.

The Kingdom of Heaven repeatedly confounds our expectations. Through this story, Jesus gives us an insight into what God is like and what it means for the Church to be a colony of the Kingdom.

‘The gospel advances on two frontiers: to the ends of the earth and the depths of our hearts’. Guest preacher Matt Hosier (Gateway Church, Poole, and part of the global team for the Advance movement) explains how we can get caught up in global mission.

‘A sacrificial life is the only means by which a life of faith matures’. Focusing on the story of Abraham and Isaac, Andrew considers how and why God calls us to make sacrifices today.

Matt explains how the birth of Abraham and Sarah’s son, Isaac, foreshadows the coming of Jesus into the world: the new and better Isaac.

Picking up last year’s series on Abraham, Andrew explores the meaning of ‘the fear of the Lord’, the main biblical phrase for what it means to ‘live responsively and appropriately’ before God.

Andrew takes an unusual theme for an address to a carol service, exploring how John’s pictures from the Book of Revelation give us a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the Christmas story.

On the first Sunday in advent, Ben reflects on how we might celebrate the coming of God’s Son into the world.

Our guest speaker continues our Abraham series and reflects on what he’s been learning personally about faith through recent experience.

Despite our actions, God is more faithful and dedicated to us than we can imagine. Our guest preacher from Blaze Church in Newquay explains how God doesn’t make a contract with us: he establishes a covenant that’s unbreakable.

We’re not called to an individualistic walk with Jesus: God invites us into his family. On this Dedication Sunday, John explains what it means in practice for the church to function as family.

The story of Abraham consistently shows that God’s plan is not thwarted by our mistakes. Matt reflects on the importance of knowing ‘the God who sees me’.

There’s only one thing that matters more than our faith in God, and that’s God’s faithfulness towards us. Andrew Sampson explores these ideas in connection with the extraordinary story of God establishing a covenant with Abram.

Abram knew God in a way that was unique. Which raises the question: Do we know God as Abram knew him?

Andrew continues our Abraham series by looking at what happens when faith gives way to doubt and fear.

Andrew launches our new teaching series on Abraham by looking at God’s command, God’s promise and the launch of God’s mission.

Unfortunately, please be aware only the last 15 minutes of the talk has been recorded, we are sorry for the inconvenience.

Matt concludes our ‘Jesus is Better’ series from the spring.

Peter resumes our ‘Jesus is Better’ series from the spring.

Romans 1 & 16

Esther 1-4

Andrew considers the invitation that God extends to each one of us to partner with what he’s doing.

In the first of four messages on the theme of Vision, Matt presents the possibility of Grace Church making an offer on Woodlands House.

Why do we need Jesus? Andrew explains how the message of Jesus as our great high priest answers the single greatest need in our lives.

The message of Hebrews can be summed up with the following words: ‘keep trusting God and don’t give up on Jesus.’ Matt explains how this theme applies to our lives ‘today’ from Hebrews 3.

Jesus is superior to the angels, but why does that matter? Andrew returns to the opening chapters of Hebrews to explore how Jesus is superior to the angels in his dignity and status, and in his humility and condescension.

Ben concludes the series by exploring how we grow as individuals and as a church.

The Church is called to demonstrate and display the values of the kingdom of God. Andrew Sampson is joined by Emma Mills who explains the steps that Grace Church is taking to serve some of the needs in our wider community.

In his first talk in the book of Job, Andrew Sampson considers what we can learn from the two most prominent innocent sufferers in the Bible: Job and Jesus.

Note: This recording started partway through the talk. We apologise for any inconveniences.

God has revealed his truth to us. We’re not making it up as we go along. Andrew and Jon explore what this means for us both communally and individually, concluding with ten statements of what we value at Grace Church.

‘To say “yes” to God is to say “no” to other things.’ Matt Leach considers how this applies to our culture today as well as presenting a new vision statement for Grace Church.

The God of the Bible is a promise-making, promise-keeping God. Andrew Sampson explores how God’s promises fuel our faith, enabling us to remain committed to him for the long haul.

No sooner has God granted his people ‘rest’ in the land than Israel once again finds herself preparing for war. How does this story challenge our view of unity and our tendency to ‘do our own thing’?

We explore how God is always fighting with us every step of the way through life, and how that is shown throughout Joshua and the entire Bible.

We have an enemy who wants to take us out! Andrew Sampson draws parallels between the Gibeonites’ deception in Joshua 9 and the Book of Revelation to explain where we’re most vulnerable and what we can do about it.

The Battle of Jericho is important not only because it opened up Israel’s conquest of Canaan. It gives us a window into the nature of God and our salvation.

Matthew 21:1-11

1 Thessalonians 5: 12-28

Ephesians 3:14-21

Ephesians 3:1-13

Ephesians 2:19-22

Ephesians 2:11-18

John 4

Ephesians 2:1-10

Psalm 89

Ephesians 1:15-23

Psalm 88

Ephesians 1:11-14

Ephesians 1:1-10

Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus (or Nick as Matt likes to call him) highlights just how revolutionary Jesus was in how he showed us to relate to God. Matt unpacks this encounter and helps us to see the amazing nature of the grace of God.

Barry encourages us by sharing how Jesus is sending us, just as the Father sent him – loved and empowered.

Andrew speaks from John 20, looking at the power of Jesus’ resurrection in bringing complete peace and wholeness at every level.

Jesus died on a cross – seems like a pretty basic Christian statement. But what does it mean to follow a King who died in humiliation and shame?

Peter speaks from Ephesians 6, urging us to be filled by the Holy Spirit to stand firm in the fight.

The Christmas story is so familiar to many of us – and no-one thinks they can learn anything from Herod, and little from the Magi. Ben takes a special look at these characters, and the reason that Matthew includes them in his account of Jesus’ birth, helping us to understand just how amazing the news of Jesus’ kingship is.

Laura tells the story of the church year in the same storytelling style as used with GraceKids week to week.

Speaking from Psalm 96, Matt looks at how we can celebrate in prayer as we look to the day of judgement; including an exploration of why judgement is good news, not bad.

Andrew opens Psalm 105 and finds a remarkably broad and sweeping account of the history of Israel. He uncovers how this gave them their identity and how it can also form a basis for our identity as the people of God today.

In Psalm 137 we find some of the most challenging and violent language in the entire Bible. Andrew looks at how it is that this found its way in, and what it teaches us about how to pray.

John Peel speaks from Romans 3 on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. He looks at Martin Luther’s struggles with a God who seems to demand so much of a failing humanity, and on to find the joy of Jesus’ message of good news.

Matt uncovers the astoundingly comprehensive nature of our salvation as he expounds Psalm 103

Speaking from Psalm 57, Andrew explores the arena of corporate worship and challenges us to move from an individual-centric mode to a corporate-first mode of worship.

Andrew ties up the Jesus in Community series with a call to obeying Jesus’ teaching – with the promise of standing firm through life’s storms.

Terry Virgo speaks to the Cornwall churches.

Jo explores how Jesus eats in community, how central eating is to Jesus’ ministry, and who Jesus chooses to eat with. She leads us to some exciting but challenging conclusions on how we handle our mealtimes.

Andrew opens the Jesus in Community series by looking at how Jesus forms the community around him; selecting the twelve apostles from the crowds.

Tom draws the series on God’s Promised Rest to a conclusion with an exhortation to persevere and have hope – a faith-building message to catapult us into the summer.

Ben looks at Jesus’ words, “Come to me … and I will give you rest.” He unpicks parts of what Jesus does and doesn’t mean here, and helps us to see the joy of focussing on our glorious God instead of ourselves.

The powerpoint presentation is here.

Andrew looks at different attitudes to weekly Sabbath rest, and discovers which ones Jesus accepts and which ones Jesus rejects.

God created the world good, with appropriate rhythms and enough rest. What went wrong?

Starting the series, “God’s Promised Rest”, Matt sets the scene for rest being an essential part of life; how rest and work fit together to make a healthy and happy rhythm – including how this rhythm is all part of paradise.

Speaking from the part of the Bible where Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer, Jem looks at how and why we should be persistent in prayer, and the generosity of God in response to us.

Send off week for the Falmouth team. Includes Andrew preach titled ‘As the Father sent me, I am sending you’.

Andrew looks at how he has come to an understanding of God’s design for the church, and whether church is an optional extra in the Christian life.

We all feel disconnected from one another, God, sometimes. In sharing communion together, Jesus has given us a wonderful meal with which to connect to God – Ben explores the magnitude of this gift today.

Guest speaker, Jeremy Moses, from Grace Church Waterloo concludes the series ‘Being Human’ by sharing his story.

Andrew continues the Being Human series

Andrew introduces the Being Human series by addressing a key issue in our culture, and human experience – where we find our identity.

Also includes praying for Falmouth team.

We apologise for the background noise on this recording.

The Book of Daniel commends a worldview that places God at the centre, but why is this preferable to the alternative? Andrew Sampson relates the story of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to the realm of ideas and to our lives as individuals.

Our culture has taken the biblical value of tolerance (treating all people with dignity and respect) and turned it into the ‘new tolerance’ that treats all beliefs as equal. Yet, no one can live consistently that way. Matt Leach explores how the Book of Daniel points us towards an alternative way to live.

Andrew Sampson continues with our series on the Book of Daniel by
considering the important question ‘How do we know what we know?’ While many
people today believe that revelation is little more than superstitious
nonsense, he argues that reason and revelation should be regarded as allies
rather than enemies.

Daniel 1
Andrew Sampson launches our new 9-week series on Daniel by considering the sense of tragedy and loss that Daniel must have felt when the mighty Babylonian army conquered his homeland. He shows how the Book of Daniel commends a worldview that rejects the easy answers of religious fundamentalism on the one hand and secularism on the other.

Reminding Timothy of what it means to be lovers of God rather than lovers of self. Paul calls him and us to stand firm and hold on to the truth of the gospel, equipping us to live lives of distinction in times of difficulty and persecution.

2 Timothy 2:14-26
Taking verse 15 as a headline statement, Andrew explains that the kind of life that God is looking for is one in which we’re attending to our character and becoming better skilled in our handling of God’s Word.

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Andrew Sampson introduces our new teaching series entitled ‘Confident’ by surveying three of the big themes in Paul’s second letter to Timothy: a call to activism; a call to loyalty; a call to have confidence.

Exodus 33:1-6, 12-17 Andrew Sampson concludes our series on Redemption by explaining how the presence of God is the unifying theme of both the Book of Exodus and the grand story that the Bible tells.

Exodus 34:1-10 This recording begins with an interview with Roger Chilman, discussing his battle with depression and encouraging more open discussion about mental illness. Following this Andrew Sampson explains how the God we read about in the Book of Exodus is the same God who reveals his glory and expresses his commitment to humanity through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 16

The newly-redeemed Israelites were expecting a land flowing with milk and honey and found themselves in a dusty wilderness. Andrew Sampson explains how God uses everything in our lives to help build our trust in him.

Our guest speaker from Redeemer Church, Plymouth, shares four significant life lessons from one of the great men of God in the Old Testament.

Today we celebrate Pentecost, the day we remember when the promised Holy Spirit was first poured out on the disciples to enable them to experience the power and the presence of God. The Holy Spirit is still being poured out on the church, and on individual believers today.

Exodus 5, 6:1

​Being freed from slavery hurts.

​We are all susceptible to bring trapped into depending on things that aren’t good. And when we seek freedom from them, it is harder than we expect. Why? And what can we do about it?

Exodus 2:23 – 3:10

​In the beginning of the book of Exodus, we find the Israelites crying out to God in their suffering. Beau shows us how we too can cry out to our heavenly father in the midst of our own desperate situations.

The Bible tells one big story. It’s the story of how a loving God sets about redeeming a people for himself. That people is made up of individuals like you and me.
Launching our series where we’ll be looking at the story of the book of Exodus Matt Leach invites us to see the humanity of the people involved and connect with the God who never lets go.

Luke & Acts

Andrew Sampson explains why church planting and strengthening churches is integral to our mission. Looking at Luke’s writings in the New Testament, he shows how our commitment to church planting is rooted in an understanding of the big story that the Bible tells.

1 John 3:1-2

​Sometimes our idea of “Father” is tainted by our experience of our fathers. In this sermon Barry Heaton unpacks these verses to reveal an all loving, all caring, perfect Father: God. Barry looks at the kind of love the Father has for us and the impact is has on our lives.

Jesus said that one day he will return. What will that day be like, and what are the consequences? Ben looks at what he had to say about it and how we can respond.

“It’s not about what you say, it’s about what’s understood.”

Communication is a two-way process that isn’t always as simple as it seems. Stu Alred looks at the example of Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 and asks us to consider what we may have to change in order to better communicate the hope we have in Jesus.

Does God accept me? How does the cross of Jesus answer this question and what does his resurrection from the dead mean for us now. Matt Leach takes a survey on this key foundation of the Christian faith.

Paul Hanley explores what it means to be a disciple of Christ. He encourages us to count the cost of being a follower, all while looking forward to the hope that lies before us.

Heaven is a dream in our culture. We hope and wish for a better future, but is it coming, and if so, when? Ben explores this question and discovers that Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is breaking in already. What could that mean for us today?

Luke 14:1, 7-24 “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” Andrew Sampson explains how God offers every one of us – regardless of our background – a life that richly satisfies.

Jesus loved spending time with the Father and hearing his voice. In this message, visiting speaker Simon Brown explains three keys that can help each of us hear God’s voice more clearly.

Luke 3 & 4 Christians are followers of Jesus who, filled with the same Spirit that filled Jesus at his baptism, are being empowered to live lives that increasingly look like Jesus’ own life. In this talk, Andrew Sampson explains how this truth should shape our expectations, and invites us to ask God for more of his empowering presence in our lives and in our church.

Luke 1:26-33

In this first sermon from our new series, Christlike, Tom Beaumont unpacks the doctrine of the Incarnation – the truth that God himself came down to earth to participate in our humanity. He argues that by wrestling with the paradox of Jesus, who is both God and Man, we find the full expression of the Gospel itself, and an encouraging example of how to live Christ-shaped lives today.

God loves us just as we are but love us enough not to leave us that way” When come to God it’s like he switches the lights on inside. As we go on He gets to work on us straightening out the kinks. As we launch our 40 day giving challenge from 2016 Matt Leach invites us to give our financial priorities a fresh lick of paint in the light of how God encourages us to turn to him in every circumstance and the strength of his promises.

Isaiah 9:2-7

“For onto us a child is born, to us a son is given.”
Looking at this amazing prophesy Barry encourages us to remember the wonder of the incarnation this festive season.

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14Face the Facts, Fear God, Follow His Commandments
John Peel from Redeemer Church, Plymouth, wraps up our series on the Book of Ecclesiastes by taking us to the Teacher’s conclusion. He invites us to consider: to what extent do we ‘fear God’ by allowing Him to shape our lives?

How should we relate to those in power when the promises made are constantly under delivered and our Christian values clash with those in authority? Matt Leach looks at this contentious subject.

Ecclesiastes 9:7-12 (& 7:13-14) ‘Time and chance happen to us all’. But how do we respond when misfortunes strike? In this talk, Andrew Sampson shows us how the Teacher urges us to trust God in the midst of the calamaties, misfortunes and unexpected events that occur in our lives.

Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 One of the recurring themes of Ecclesiastes is that we live in a broken, messed up world. In this talk, Andrew Sampson shows how the Bible provides us with the resources we need to respond to evil and injustice.

Money controls so much of what happens in the works around us. As we try and harness it, far too easily we are hurt by it. Ben explores how the Teacher of Ecclesiastes and Jesus show us how to escape the grip of Money.

Ecclesiastes 2:17-24
What is my attitude to work? Am I at risk of turning work into an idol? Andrew Sampson considers how Ecclesiastes can help us keep work in proper perspective, and point us towards the rest offered us in Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 2: 1-11

Solomon had done it all. And by all we find that he had really done it all! Yet in the end everything he pursued, he determined, was meaningless. In this sermon Matt Leach takes us through Solomon’s assessment of the pursuit of pleasure points at how ultimate satisfaction found is found only with Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 & 2:12-16
In these passages the Teacher vents the frustration he feels as a student of knowledge and wisdom. Where can true wisdom be found? Andrew Sampson explains how the wisdom that comes from God is found in the cross of Christ.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
Andrew Sampson introduces our new series in Ecclesiastes by exploring three great themes of this remarkable book.

Hebrews 10:19-25

 We
Christians are called to ‘spur one another on’ to grow in maturity.
This means recognising that we have a responsibility towards one
another. Andrew Sampson invites us to consider:
who is on your list?

Andrew’s short paper about clusters can be found here –

Articles

Andrew Sampson reflects on the second of the whole-church themes that
we’re focusing on over the next year. Starting from Paul’s analogy of
the church as a body in 1 Corinthians 12, Andrew invites each of us to
consider the extent to which we own Grace Church’s vision for building
community.

In the first of two talks setting the scene for this academic year, Andrew and Matt discuss the importance of Partnership in church, and how we will be developing this in Grace.

Andrew Sampson is joined by Chris Plant (Blaze Church Newquay) and Paul Hanley (The Kings Arms Camborne). Together they look at how we can be caught up in God’s Big Story as we work in partnership to see the lights turned back on in Cornwall by planting and strengthening churches, making disciples and sharing the good news of Jesus with others.

Apologies for the background noise during this recording.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
(Romans 12v9-10)

Andrew takes us through Romans 12:1-8 and looks at how the church can find unity in diversity.

Matt looks at the foundation of how we become a distinctive community, speaking from Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 12.

We don’t just see divisions in 21st Century Britain – they’ve been around for some time. Speaking from a letter that Paul wrote to the Roman church, Andrew explores how Jesus broke down divisions in his time and continues to do so today.

Taking a look at the early church, Jo explores God’s best for how we can live as community. Georgie, Emma and Sian relate their experiences of Grace Church community, and Andrew introduces the Summer Community Challenge.

Apologies for the background noise during this recording.

Jesus is interested mostly in religious people, is he? Interviewing Allen and Gayle, and looking at a short episode from Jesus’ life, Ben discovers  that he’s more interested in those who know they don’t “make the standard”.

As those in a relationship with God, we are encouraged to deepen that relationship, to learn to walk with Jesus and ultimately, to know God. One way we can deepen our relationship is through prayer. Prayer is vital to our growth and maturity as we communicate with our Father.

Philippians 2:19-30

Visiting speaker Andy Arscott from Dorchester Family Church concludes our series on Paul’s letter to the Philippians by considering the examples of Paul’s team mates, Timothy and Epaphroditus. He challenges us on the extent to which Jesus Christ is influencing us, and using our everyday lives to magnify his influence in the world.

Philippians 1:3-11

What is God’s priority for our lives? Andrew Sampson shows how God’s ultimate purpose is to make us more like Jesus, so that all the glory and praise go to him. Coming to appreciate God’s ultimate purpose for our lives is profoundly liberating, as it makes it possible for us to take failure, disappointment and suffering in our stride.

Paul has learned the secret of being content in every circumstance. Mere bold assertion or is their some substance?

In the next part of our Christ Central series Matt Leach looks what could lie behind this and how we might step toward this in our own lives.

Philippians 4:4-9

In this passage, Paul calls upon us to take our private seriously, and to seek to cultivate an inner life which is characterised by peace rather than anxiety. Drawing upon Paul’s words in this passage, along with Gordon MacDonald’s book, ‘Ordering Your Private World’, Andrew Sampson examines two ‘pathways to peace’, namely prayer and a life centred on Jesus Christ.