2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.1 Peter 2:2-3One of the realities of Church life is that you are around babies alot. And it’s wonderful. But I know from my own that when babies are hungry, they let you know about it. Hopefully you haven’t experienced that on an international flight o...  Read More

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.1 Peter 1:17We just finished a Living Grounded Episode on the Fear of the Lord. You can find that on Spotify. But I thought I’d continue the theme by reflecting on this verse in 1 Peter.I’ve got three children and now two nieces who we spend a fair bit of time with. The n...  Read More

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.2 Timothy 2:1-2I’ve been reading a book on the 14th century - when the bubonic plague decimated the populations of Europe (up to 50%!).It made me very thankful for our government. Aft...  Read More

Q.11. What are God’s works of providence?A. God’s works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.Westminster Shorter CatechismWe are over 10 weeks into the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Written in the 1600’s, it was designed to teach people all they needed to know about what God has revealed in the Scriptures using what...  Read More

Trust in the Lord with all your heartand lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight.Proverbs 3:5-6One of the greatest lies that our culture ever told was that a godly existence = condemned to a boring vanilla life. To think that you might only ever have sex with one person or no person. Or that you wouldn’t enjoy the pleasures of drug exp...  Read More

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving...  Read More

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Romans 15:5-6From before we even planted Village Church, Romans 15:5-6 has been my prayer. One of my experiences of Church has been division. No, not at Village (so far). But bef...  Read More

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when ...  Read More

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.Psalm 107:21We’ve talked a few times about what we give thanks for. And I reckon, most of us are still in the boat of giving thanks most of all for things that make our life easier, safer or more enjoyable.We thank God for the food He gives. For the shelter. For the friends and family we love. For the job o...  Read More

Q.10. How did God create man?A. God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.Westminster Shorter CatechismWell, nothing controversial here! But worth noting, for thousands of years, God’s people have celebrated His creative work and the order established therein. Honouring God’s intention for differences, between ...  Read More

Is not wisdom found among the aged?Does not long life bring understanding?Job 12:12One of the great signs that a civilisation has lost the plot - is when it starts to ignore older people’s wisdom. Have you noticed this? There’s been a shift in where wisdom can be found. It’s not in old people but in the young. Think of Greta Thunberg.Or maybe it’s not about old/young. It’s about profile. Isn’t it ...  Read More

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,1 Peter 1:1In our 1 Peter blog over the next bunch of Tuesdays and Saturdays, I want to engage with areas of the text that I couldn’t or didn’t give much time to in the Sunday Sermon. And I thought it would be worth taking a little time to talk about Peter ...  Read More