Sermons on Menno Simons:

The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 18, 2024

Jesus said 'I am the Good Shepherd.' This is one of Jesus' most famous descriptions of himself. It gives us a lot of encouragement. But there are some things he calls us to do: follow, listen and flee.

INTRODUCTION A couple of weeks ago, we started a new series for the afternoon services, looking at WHO JESUS IS. In the Bible, God the Father and Jesus have many titles and descriptions. They tell us something about God the Father or Jesus. When Jesus was crucified, Pilate had a notice prepared ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Anointed Fugitive Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 23, 2024

Samuel anointed David. But now, he's a fugitive, holed up in a cave! He isn't happy. But he does exactly the right thing. We can learn from him for the times when we feel everyone has abandoned us, when we're in a dark, damp, smelly metaphorical cave.

Last week we started a new series looking at David in the Old Testament. I made two very simple points. First, David is a huge figure in the Bible. There is loads about him in the Old Testament. That alone means that David must be really important. But even more significant is the way the New ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus The Rock Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 24, 2024

The Old Testament knows God as the Rock. But Jesus is also The rock. He is the only firm foundation to build our lives on. But we need to learn from the ancient Israelites. They were unfaithful and most were destroyed. We must not make the same mistake.

INTRODUCTION We’re in a series looking at descriptions of Jesus. The Bible is full of descriptions of God the Father, of Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit. Last week, we looked at one of Jesus’ descriptions of himself. He said, ‘I am the good shepherd’ [John 10:11]. We looked at what shepherds were ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:4

Denomination: Baptist

David: Man Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 30, 2024

In this talk we look at how David prayed when he faced enemies or storms in his life. He cried out to God. But he also remembered vital things about God - things that enabled him to overcome his enemies and stand firm in the storms.

INTRODUCTION How do we pray? Could we pray better? If I asked you, who in the Bible is an expert in prayer, who would you say? You might say David. The psalms are prayers and at least 75 of the 150 psalms in the Book of Psalms were written by David. We’re in a series on David, the shepherd ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus, The Bread Of Life Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 31, 2024

Jesus is the bread of life. He is our daily sustenance and this bread gives eternal life. And although his claim sounds unbelievable, too good to be true, we have reason to believe it. Jesus had just fed 5,000 people.

INTRODUCTION We’re doing a series on ‘Titles of Jesus.’ We’ve done two so far. My first talk was on Jesus the Good Shepherd. Then, last week, we looked at Jesus the Rock. It’s wonderful to know that Jesus is our Good Shepherd and our rock. Both of those descriptions of Jesus have their roots in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

David The Musician Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Sep 7, 2024

In this talk we look at why music and song are so important for Christians.

Note: this was a family service in which children stay in the service. We have a ‘main’ children’s item earlier in the service but also a short talk later in the service. This is to give something for the adults but which is hopefully not too difficult for children. Because it was about music ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:2

Denomination: Baptist

The Tears Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Simon Measures on Jul 19, 2025

What does it mean that Jesus wept? This sermon explores the humanity of Christ, the purpose of shared sorrow, and the healing power of empathy within the church community. It offers practical encouragement for ministers and believers alike in how to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).

The Tears of Jesus by Pastor Simon Measures July 6th 2025 Preface This message was preached at Harvest Field Church, Cheltenham on July 6th 2025, in the days immediately following the graveside committal and memorial celebration service for my wife, Ruth, who passed away quite suddenly. It was a ...read more

Scripture: John 11:35, John 19:24-27, Romans 12:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Old Self And New Self

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 17, 2025

God is changing us. But we have work to do too.

CHILDREN’S SLOT EARLY IN THE SERVICE Three visual aids Have you heard the phrase, ‘Out with the old in with the new’? Let me give you some examples. 1. These are some pictures of Meghan Markle. In 2018, she married Prince Harry. She became Duchess of Sussex and a member of the royal family. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Old Self To New Self: Five Key Areas

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 23, 2025

God wants to transform us into his image. It's his work but it's our work too. Paul gives five areas we need to address in putting off the old and putting on the new.

INTRODUCTION In several of Paul's letters to the churches, Paul starts with theological teaching and then moves on to practical instruction. He lays the theological foundations and sets out key theological truths. After that, he talks about how believers should live in the light of these ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Ephesians 5 On Marriage

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 30, 2025

The Biblical view of marriage is very different indeed to the contemporary world's view of marriage. The Bible demands a huge amount from us. But through a Christian marriage, we can model Christ's relationship to the church!

INTRODUCTION After our relationship to God, marriage is the most important relationship we get into. But society’s view of marriage has changed dramatically over the past half century or so. What I would like to do today is give you two pictures. The first picture is what I’m calling the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-33

Denomination: Baptist

Camels And Needles

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Feb 8, 2025

Jesus said that it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. Totally impossible - and yet, not for God. We explore the idea in a children's / family service with the help of some glass ships in glass bottles.

THIS WAS A TALK FOR A FAMILY SERVICE, GIVEN IN THREE PARTS. PART 1: A glass ship in a glass bottle Perhaps you have a jug at home that’s made of Pyrex. [EXAMPLE.] This kind of jug can withstand high temperatures. You can put it in the oven and you can put it in the freezer. That’s because it’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-26

Denomination: Baptist

Running The Race

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Mar 1, 2025

The New Testament likens the Christian life to running a race. We look at how it uses the metaphor. It calls us to strive, to improve, and to stay the course.

INTRODUCTION The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews wrote: ‘Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.’ The writer imagined the Christian life as a race – a race that requires endurance. We’re presently in a series in which we’re looking at items in the news. In some of the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

God's Power

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Mar 8, 2025

God is more powerful than any other power. He gives his people power. We need to grasp how powerful God is and go to him for power.

THIS TALK WAS FOR A FAMILY SERVICE IN WHICH THE CHILDREN STAY IN PART 1, EARLIER IN THE SERVICE: PHYSICAL FORCES There are different kinds of forces. For example, I can put my hands on Priscilla’s [my wife’s] shoulders and … hey presto! … she goes down. The force is coming from my hands on her ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:29

Denomination: Baptist

The Supreme Fact Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Mar 22, 2025

Jesus' resurrection is the supreme fact of history. We need to grasp it firmly as a truth. Everything else builds on it.

Easter talk, No.1 Let’s suppose some components arrive in a factory. They’re inspected. They pass the inspection and they continue into the factory. There was a fact: the components passed the inspection. The fact led to a decision: the components are received. We may not work in business or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-43

Denomination: Baptist

The Necessity Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Mar 29, 2025

Jesus is the key - the only key - which can release us from our imprisonment to sin.

THE NECESSITY OF THE CROSS Charles Wesley was born in 1707. He was the 18th child! His parents had one more child after him. If it was today, the Wesleys would have been in the news! 19 children is exceptional. Charles Wesley’s father, Samuel Wesley, was the rector of the local church. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 1 John 2:1, Genesis 3:24, John 8:34, Genesis 2:16-17, Romans 6:23, Isaiah 53:6, Exodus 26:31, Exodus 26:35, 2 Chronicles 3:14, 1 Peter 2:24, Hebrews 2:10, Philippians 2:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist