NCF Sunday Talks

We were created to connect with God our Maker. We are fruitful in our lives as we keep close to our Lord. The Holy Spirit causes us to be fruitful as we witness for and with Him. Let us not be passive in the way that we live for God, but intentionally act so that we might glorify Him in an ongoing way. The script for the whole Service can be read here.

As Jesus called the original cohort of His Disciples to be witnesses about what He has done in their lives, so He is calling us to speak to others about Him too. They don't have to be similar to us - we can and should speak to anyone who God leads us to. God promises to give us the power to do this. What an honour! The script for the whole Service can be read here.

Jesus came to earth to set us free from death and sin. Despite our very best efforts, only He had the power to do this. God valued humanity enough that He dealt with the power of sin. In this Talk we explore how you are God's special possession. His very real mercies cascade onto us. We are set apart exclusively for Him and He enables us to live for Him. Even if we feel that we have never truly been loved by anyone, we are reminded that God loves us in a lavish manner. We can celebrate that we are God's peculiar people! The script for the whole Service can be read here.

The Lord is our Shepherd and a very present help in times of trouble. He will be with us when you go through the fire and through deep water. Most of us don't live perpetually epic lives, where we're always on the mountaintop. Generally we don't stay in the valley too long either. The brilliant news is that God is in our dull, ordinary, repetitive and predictable lives anyway! The Lord is your Shepherd, to feed, to guide and to shield you. God's amazing grace is there to lift us, so that we can in turn be a blessing to others in their ordinary lives too. Let's take God seriously about this. Let us find our identity in Him. The script for the whole Service can be read here.

In April and May 2017 we explored the 'I Am' sayings of Jesus that John recorded in his Gospel. The Bible tells us a lot about what God thinks of us as His followers and apprentices. This present Series of Talks is all about the 'You Ares' of Scripture. Our identity is often found in what others says about us or what we perceive they think about us. These ideas change as time goes on. However, God clearly says what He thinks about us in the Bible and these evaluations do not change through time. Throughout Scripture we read about sin and that all of humanity are sinners. In this Talk, we consider this but then remember that there is a BUT through Jesus. The immense cost to restore us to a right relationship with God could only be met by Jesus. You and I were lost, dead and hopeless. Solely through Jesus, we are now found, alive and hopeful. May we all comprehend and know this immense and life-changing love. May we remember the BUT of the Christian gospel message and then work with God to see our lives become more Christlike. The script for the whole Service can be read here.

During the Thanksgiving Service for worshipping, learning and serving for 25 years in our present building in Nuneaton, we were reminded that we are all unique bricks that God wants to use. We come together as one, with God as our head. We are different ages and have different ideas, yet God makes us one for the good of others. Let's work together today for the benefit of others in the future. The script for the whole Service can be read here.

At various times in our lives we will reach out to someone or something for help. The situation we are facing is too difficult to be good on our own. We need outside help! That's just like a lifebuoy being thrown to someone who is in distress in a body of water. Many people in the Bible turned to God. Bartimaeus was one such person. He was in great need physically, but knew he needed mercy from God. In this Service we baptise Rebecca. Like many people she realised that God's goodness was strong enough and kind enough to transform her life and allow for her sins to be forgiven. It was a wonderful celebration to hear from Rebecca and to she her baptised with some of her family with her. The script for the whole Service can be read here.

It's not only famous and wealthy people who leave a legacy when they die. Everybody does! In fact, we all also have a legacy before we physically die. God has given you gifts - certain assets. They are peculiar to you, are beautiful and will encourage others if you use them. The Bible says that Jesus came to earth to serve humanity. We are definitely called to be servants to others too. The world is in need of normal Christians who happen to be spiritual heroes. People who forgive quickly, who support the vulnerable, who are good listeners and who follow Jesus as His apprentice. In the past there have been many Christian philanthropists who acted for God in society. We desperately need similar heroes again in 2026. Jesus was anointed to bring liberty to others (Isaiah 61:1,2). That can be our legacy too. Simply do what Jesus says! The script for the whole Service can be read here.

We hear about the work of Asia Link, with special attention given to one country. We are also reminded that we are all lights in the world too. You can read about the work of Asia Link here. The script for the whole Service can be read here.

The Book of Acts seems to not have a satisfactory ending at 28:31. There is no 'proper' conclusion. How wonderful! This reminds us that God is still at work today and has been through the past two thousand years. As well as concluding this Series of Talks, we are reminded to get involved with what God is doing today. He is at work. His actions on our behalf and for the good of the world are continuing. Don't be a spectator today or simply relish what He has done in the past! Actively work for and with Him today and tomorrow. The script for the whole Service can be read here.

Paul, who was transformed by God, wrote to many churches. He also wrote letters to various individuals - some of them were his protégés. There are four such letters in our New Testament canon: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. He writes to them with important topics that come from his desire that they mature well in the things of God. He encourages them to be careful and thorough in doctrine and also that their life must revolve around prayer. They should cultivate and stir up the things of God in their own lives, as well in the lives of others. You can read the script for the whole Service here.

The New Testament has nine letters written by Paul to various churches - some of which he had helped to found whilst travelling around the Mediterranean. There are some clues in the these letters that he wrote several more, perhaps even many more! We often read of Paul's feelings towards those he loved throughout these letters. All were written to encourage believers, with most having strong doctrinal reasons for Paul spending the time either writing himself or dictating to an amanuensis. This Talk is a whistle-stop tour covering some of the foundations for each of the letters that we still have. They are all still relevant to be read today, as they were inspired by God. Read them yourself as you will benefit from each one. Take your time and ask God to lead you in research and meditation. As with all these Talks, they are not meant to be comprehensive, but to inspire you to seek out more details for yourself - perhaps asking others for their ideas too. The script for the whole Service can be found here.

Paul was led by God to make several long journeys where he explained who God was and the truly incredible things He had done for humanity. You are also on a missionary journey with God. This might seem like a burden or barrier to you at the moment. Pray to God, asking for His anointing and emboldening power to grow in you. Talk to other believers and read the Scriptures too. These things will encourage you to be active in what God is asking you personally to do for Him. Being sleepy is destructive. Wake up! Listen to what God is calling you to do and with His help (and with the help of others) get on with it. The script for the whole Service can be read here.

For over three years, Paul travelled with friends to take the Good News about Jesus, the risen Saviour to countless numbers of normal people. He covered many miles on foot and by ship in what we call his Second Missionary Journey. In each of the places he would speak and live his life as an apprentice, disciple and apostle of Jesus. Listen to this Talk to hear more details about what he did and who he met. The script for the whole Service can be read here.

Paul wasn't just called an "Apostle" - he lived his calling from God. What happened on his first journey, where did he go and who went with him? Learn about these things in this Talk. Expect to hear about God giving the initiative and the response being prayer with action and opposition to the Christ centred message. Hearing about Paul and his friends, does it inspire you to fulfill, in God's strength, what He is calling you to do? The script for the whole Service can be read here.

Many people in our society demand instant access, instant knowledge, instant food and instant results. Often there is no short cut to grasping new concepts etc. If we are to get to know God, we need to spend time with Him. This needs to be regular and over a long period of time. After meeting the risen Jesus near Damascus, Paul spent three years in obscurity on the Sinai Peninsular (Arabia). We don't know exactly what he did there, but it was definitely a time of preparation for what God was going to lead him to do over the next twenty or so years. Make time to regularly be with God. What you do in private, will help you do well in public. Take appropriate action to enable you to meet with God in worship, service and learning. Many people consider the word 'protracted' to be a needless, tedious or wasteful time. Spending extra time with God will nearly always be positive and encouraging to you and then to others. God certainly wants to spend time with you! The script for the whole Service can be read here.

Saul/Paul met the risen Jesus as he approached Damascus. He'd gone there to persecute the Jesus believers and to stop them spreading a message that he personally thought was blasphemous. He soon discovered that Jesus was the Messiah as his life was interrupted by Him. He realized that he was a sinner and needed a Saviour. Jesus was that Saviour. Acts 9, 22 and 26 tell us about what happened and how God used a normal person called Ananias to interact with Paul in a beautiful way. Let God interrupt your life. Know that He wants you to bless and stir others, as you give your life over to Him. Press stop to what you are doing, as you hear God whispering to you. The script for the whole Service can be read here.

Paul the Sent One (Apostle) is a hero to many people. In this introductory Talk, we hear a little about his background, violently persecuting the fledgling Church and yet a few months before he was executed in Rome, he knew that he had fought a good race and that he had been faithful to God's call on his life. God had drastically transformed him, changing the trajectory of his life. May we too be faithful to God's call to the mission He wants us to take part in. The script for the whole Service can be read here.

Many of us say, "Amen!" regularly. What does it mean? It reminds us that God's Word is firm and true. God is faithful. We can rest in His grace. The four Gospel writers help us to understand the real importance of Jesus' words as they fairly often include the word at the beginning of statements made by Jesus. Like a town crier, let us listen carefully to what Jesus proclaims to us. Jesus is 'God's Yes,' being the guarantor of God's promises and purposes. Let us say a hearty Yes to whatever God calls us to do. Now is the time to be obedient to Him. The script for the whole Service can be read here.

God is our Father. We may not have had great dads growing or we may long to have been a father, so Father's Day may not be a day to celebrate. However, look how Jesus treated those who were physically around Him on earth. Aim to connect with God. He loves you. He can do things in your life that you can't even imagine. Open your heart and mind to Him. The script for the whole Service can be read here.