Advertise on podcast: Messages – Today's Community Church

We've all had at least one disappointment. Our guest speaker, Jesse Willis, looks at some of the disappointments we face. He looks at disappointments among the early church members and how God worked on their behalf. Then, using a brilliant bow and arrow illustration, he demonstrates how and why God can do the same for us when unexpected events and disappointments hit us, and how our reaction can also affect the outcome.

On Father's Day, Ben reminded us that the best example of a man is one who lifts people up instead of putting them down. There are three postures men often adopt: angry, argumentative, and open-handed. But only the holy-hands people, those with a posture of open hands, are open to receiving from God. What makes holy hands holy? And how do we change our posture from anger or argumentative to lifting holy hands? Listen in as Ben gives us some practical pointers.

What's a leader? Who are the good leaders? And who on earth is Jethro? Sometimes God will require any of us - including you - to step up to a leadership position. And sometimes God brings those people into our lives to help us. How? And what does that look like? Rachel takes a look at Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, and how his observation and wise advice helped shape Moses into the brilliant person he became. And then she challenges us to listen to the "Jethro" God has sent you, or even to become a "Jethro" for others.

In the Bible, Elisha's student lost his axe. He lost his edge. What happens when we lose our edge? We become blunt. We turn problems into dramas. We might "fly off the handle". We might become resentful. So how do we keep ourselves sharp? With personal stories, Ben shares how he stays sharp. Enjoy listening to these practical methods that will keep you sharp in life too.

Discipleship is about helping people become mature in Jesus. Spending time with them. Jesus spent time with many people. Many different types of people. And Family Acts is all about being with people. Listen in as Ben shares how to be really good at it.

Our story changes as we journey in life. But the core of the story remains the same. Steve talks about our stories and convictions, looking at Paul telling his own story of his life journey from terroriser to apostle, and his deepening convictions. People want to know about us. Why we have changed. What happened to us. Our story. But how do we tell our story well and with conviction? Steve explains in today's talk.

We see throughout book of Acts how God strengthens and empowers the disciples through the Holy Spirit. In her talk, Chevon Taylor takes a lesson from the art of swimming and how important it is not to hold our breath as we pursue the other side, but adopt a regular rhythm of rest so we can be strengthened and empowered as we go.

Join us as Chevon Taylor leads a panel conversation all about servanthood and recognising how we better understand our purpose as we start with what’s right before us or in our hands. We hear from three of our community on the challenges, experiences and joy that have come from their journey of serving.

Our founding leader, Dave Belfield shared about how we respond when it feels like Jesus isn’t showing up for us, or like He’s late when we need Him the most. Looking at Luke 8 through the story of Jairus’ daughter, Dave shows us that grief often comes before resurrection.

This Sunday, Rachel was joined by a special guest Daniel Eduardo from The Message Trust. Listen as Daniel talks about Festival Manchester, his faith, his mission and his love for spreading the hope found in Jesus.