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  • Can we trust God's protection? - Psalm 91 (David Bacon)

    Can we trust God's protection? - Psalm 91 (David Bacon)
    2026/08/23
    This talk was given by David Bacon, at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 23 August 2026. The reading was Psalm 91, and the talk also draws on Matthew 4, the book of Job, and Romans 16. Psalm 91 is one of the best-loved passages in the Bible, promising that God is a refuge and fortress for those who trust in him. But it also raises an honest question: if God promises that "no harm will overtake you", why do faithful people still suffer? This talk explores how to read Psalm 91 well — looking at the power of the Psalms as a lifeline for prayer, the discomfort they can cause, and the deep comfort they offer when read in the light of the whole Bible and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. David encourages us to pray the Psalms daily, bringing every emotion to God — praise, anger, confusion and grief — without filtering anything out. He shows how Jesus himself resisted a misuse of Psalm 91 in the wilderness, how the book of Job warns us against blaming those who suffer, and how the psalm points ultimately to our resurrection hope, when God's protection will be experienced in full. Along the way, he shares the remarkable story of how St Jude's itself was spared during the Blitz. Whether you are new to the Psalms or have prayed them for years, this talk offers a thoughtful and pastoral way into one of Scripture's richest prayers.
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    24 分
  • How and why should we praise God? – Psalm 150 (Jack Cross)

    How and why should we praise God? – Psalm 150 (Jack Cross)
    2026/08/30
    This talk was given by Jack Cross, at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 30 August 2026. The reading was Psalm 150, bringing to a close the church's series on the Psalms. Psalm 150 is the final psalm in the Bible, and this talk explores it as a comprehensive picture of praise and worship: Where we worship (everywhere, on earth and in heaven), why we worship (because God is worthy, for both his mighty deeds and his character), how we worship (with every sound, instrument and gift we have – the psalm's seven instruments suggesting completeness), and who worships (everyone who has breath). Jack also draws attention to two things the psalm deliberately leaves out: Personal circumstances and personal preference. We are not told to praise God only when life is easy, or only when the music suits our taste – we are simply told to praise him. Drawing on the example of Paul and Silas singing in prison (Acts 16), the talk gently challenges us to worship God in hard times as well as good, and to remember that worship is for God rather than for us. It closes with an invitation to bring energy, honesty and thankfulness to our praise – not to earn anything from God, but because he is worthy. A warm and practical encouragement for anyone thinking about what worship really means.
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    19 分
  • What does it mean to be a church of the Word? – Luke 24:13–35 (Steve Clarke)

    What does it mean to be a church of the Word? – Luke 24:13–35 (Steve Clarke)
    2026/09/06
    This talk was given by Steve Clarke at St Jude's Church, Southsea, on v6 September, as part of a series revisiting the church's vision and values. The reading was Luke 24:13–35, the account of two disciples meeting the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus. The talk explores what it means to be a church grounded in the living Word of God — the first of the church's core values. Drawing on the Emmaus Road encounter, along with the story of Augustine's conversion through Romans 13, Steve considers how Scripture is meant to shape not just our minds, but our hearts and our actions: head, heart and hands. Beginning with the grief and confusion of the disciples after the crucifixion, the talk follows their journey from knowing the story in their heads, to hearts burning within them as Jesus opens the Scriptures, to feet and hands set in motion as they rush back to Jerusalem to share the news. Steve suggests that all Scripture ultimately points to Jesus and is best understood through him, and that God's Word is meant to jump off the page and animate our everyday lives — at home, at work, at school and in our neighbourhoods. The talk closes with a time of prayer, inviting listeners to ask the Holy Spirit to renew their minds, rekindle their hearts and anoint their hands for whatever God is calling them to next.
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    27 分
  • Following Paul's Roadmap Through Fear and Faith – Acts 18 (Helen Bolton)

    Following Paul's Roadmap Through Fear and Faith – Acts 18 (Helen Bolton)
    2026/07/19
    This talk was given by Helen Bolton at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 13 July 2025. The reading was Acts 18:1–18, with supporting passages from 1 Corinthians 2:1–5, Romans 16, Matthew 7:8, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, and John 14:27. Helen explores the final stage of Paul's second missionary journey and what his time in Corinth can teach us about living out our faith today. She traces the strategic and courageous steps Paul took — choosing a difficult city, working alongside others, reasoning with those who opposed him, and persevering through God's power rather than his own strength. The talk draws on both Luke's account in Acts and Paul's own words in his letters to build a rich picture of a man who was honest about his weakness and fear, yet wholly committed to God's calling. With warmth and honesty, Helen reflects on how Paul's example speaks into our own lives — in our workplaces, families, and relationships where faith doesn't always come easily. She shares her own story of returning to faith after a prompting one Good Friday, and gently asks whether we share our faith boldly or apologetically. The repeated biblical refrain "do not be afraid" runs through the talk as a thread of encouragement, reminding us that God's presence and power sustain us even when the journey feels difficult. A thoughtful and personal talk to close the church's series on Acts.
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    27 分
  • Two Pillars of Effective Evangelism – Acts 17:16–34 (Jack Cross)

    Two Pillars of Effective Evangelism – Acts 17:16–34 (Jack Cross)
    2026/07/12
    This talk was given by Jack Cross at St Jude's Church, Southsea. The reading was Acts 17:16–34, Paul's address to the Athenians at the Areopagus. Jack explores what he calls Paul's "masterclass of evangelism" in Athens, drawing out two essential pillars that should undergird every form of sharing the Christian faith. The first is being genuinely in love with God — not attending church "just in case," but being wholeheartedly committed to Jesus. The second is knowing the people you are trying to reach, learning their context, their concerns, and their language so that the unchanging gospel can be communicated in ways that truly connect. Jack illustrates both pillars with vivid personal stories, including an unexpected talk on relationships in a Thai prison and his involvement with youth work in Portsmouth. Jack is honest about the reality that even the apostle Paul received mixed results in Athens — some mocked, some were curious, and some believed. He encourages the congregation not to measure success by immediate responses but by faithfully playing whatever role God gives, whether sowing, watering, or harvesting. The talk closes with a warm invitation to let God's love become the starting point for all evangelism, and a challenge to consider the specific contexts and communities each person is uniquely placed to reach.
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    29 分
  • Be Still and Know: Finding Hope in the Chaos – Psalm 46 (Steve Clarke)

    Be Still and Know: Finding Hope in the Chaos – Psalm 46 (Steve Clarke)
    2026/08/09
    This talk was given by Rev Steve Clarke at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 9th August 2026. The reading was Psalm 46. Psalm 46 is one of the best-known psalms in the Bible, often read on Remembrance Sunday, with its famous line "Be still and know that I am God." In this talk, we explore what this ancient hymn — written against the backdrop of the threatened Assyrian invasion of Jerusalem — has to say to us today, in a world of war, uncertainty and personal struggle. Along the way, we look at how the sea and stormy waters are pictured in Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, and how Jesus calming the storm shows us a God who is both with us in the boat and over the waves. Beginning with a vivid memory of watching a dry riverbed in South Wales become a rushing river, the talk traces three widening circles of hope in the psalm: God is over and in the chaos of our lives, of our city, and of all things. There is a warm invitation to prayer-walk the streets of Southsea, praying for the river of God's love to flow through the city, and the talk closes with a guided time of stillness using a contemporary form of the ancient Jesus Prayer. Whether you're a regular churchgoer or simply exploring faith, this is a thoughtful and encouraging listen for anxious times.
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    27 分
  • What Must I Do to Be Saved? – Acts 16:16–40 (David Bacon)

    What Must I Do to Be Saved? – Acts 16:16–40 (David Bacon)
    2026/07/05
    This talk was given by David Bacon at St Jude's Church, Southsea. The reading was Acts 16:16–40. David explores what happened when Paul and Silas brought the message of Jesus into the Roman city of Philippi — and the fierce opposition they encountered. He examines how introducing Jesus disrupts spiritual, financial, and cultural interests, leading to hostility and suffering. He then turns to the remarkable story of Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns at midnight in prison, the earthquake that freed them, and the jailer's desperate question: "What must I do to be saved?" David draws out two main themes from the passage. First, that sharing the good news of Jesus will inevitably stir up opposition — spiritual, economic, and cultural — and Christians should not be surprised when that happens. Second, that trusting Jesus brings genuine freedom and rescue, whether that comes quickly or over a long time. He reflects on Paul and Silas's worship in the darkness before any sign of rescue, the jailer's dramatic change of heart, and the joy that followed his baptism. The talk closes with a warm and direct invitation: if life feels like a mess, the answer from this passage is to put your trust in Jesus, who can bring you through. David also gently encourages anyone not yet baptised to consider it as a sign of that trust and new life.
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    21 分
  • Moving Towards Outsiders: Mission and Relationships – Acts 16:1–15 (Lorna Sandland)

    Moving Towards Outsiders: Mission and Relationships – Acts 16:1–15 (Lorna Sandland)
    2026/06/28
    This talk was given by Lorna at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 6th July 2025. The reading was Acts 16:1–15. The talk explores a searching question: do we as Christians move towards those outside the church, or do we simply hope they will come to us? Using Acts 16 and Paul's journey with Timothy to Philippi, Lorna examines how mission and relationships are inseparable — and why the quality of our relationships within the church directly shapes how others perceive the Christian faith. Drawing on the TV show Race Across the World as an analogy, Lorna traces Paul's recruitment of Timothy, the surprising decision to circumcise him to remove barriers, and the Spirit's redirection of their travel plans. She highlights how Paul's willingness to be flexible and obedient to the Holy Spirit led to the encounter with Lydia by the river — a meeting that would never have happened had Paul insisted on his own plans. Lydia's conversion and baptism, along with her entire household, stands as a powerful example of what happens when mission is relational, spirit-led, and willing to meet people where they are. Lorna challenges us to consider the barriers we might unknowingly place in front of others — including church language — and to ask not "God, bless what I'm doing" but "God, help me to notice where you are already moving."
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    27 分