Sermons on Simon On Cyrene:

An Attitude Of Gratitude

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Sep 26, 2020

When we look at how God instructed the Israelites to celebrate TWO harvest festivals we find there is a lot we can apply to how we thank God for his goodness to us. There are some surprises!

Today we’re celebrating Harvest Festival. This year, coronavirus restrictions have resulted in a rather muted celebration. We aren’t meeting at church and we don’t have the usual piles of food to give to the food bank, or a beautiful harvest loaf. I’m going to take a look at some passages and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:9-13, Exodus 23:16, Deuteronomy 16:13, Deuteronomy 16:16

Denomination: Baptist

Be A Good Soldier

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Oct 16, 2021

'Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus', Paul tells Timothy. We look at the story of three men who did just that: Thomas Cranmer, Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer and ask why.

Last week we started a new series on 2 Timothy. We looked at chapter 1 and I suggested that Paul’s central message to Timothy was, ‘Don’t be ashamed of the gospel’. Today we’re moving on to chapter 2. But I’m going to approach the passage by a different route. I’m going to take a look at three ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus On Adultery And Lust

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Feb 10, 2024

Jesus teaches on lust. It isn't something preachers generally like to speak about but it's really important. Jesus shows how God's commandment on adultery needs to be practised and he tells us how we can do it.

Western society is completely comfortable talking about sex. Most people think a lot about sex. Especially men. The Bible talks a lot about sex too. Most preachers, however, do not like to talk about sex. When preachers preach on the Sermon on the Mount, they talk about the Beatitudes. There ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Merciful But Tough: The Story Of The Woman Caught In Adultery Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Mar 25, 2023

Jesus showed mercy to the woman caught in adultery. But he didn't water down his demands.

INTRODUCTION I imagine we really like this story of the woman caught in adultery. We especially like the fact that Jesus didn’t condemn the woman – even though the religious experts said that she should be stoned. But as we reflect on the story, we find that it gives us some quite uncomfortable ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fixing The Problem

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Mar 25, 2023

Why did Jesus have to die on a cross? This is a simple and fairly brief presentation of the gospel.

Last week we looked at the story of Adam and Eve. After God created humankind, Adam and Eve were initially in good relationship with God. But God warned them that if they ate the fruit of a certain tree they would die. It wasn’t that the fruit of this tree was poisonous. The issue was disobeying ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7, Isaiah 53:6, Psalm 22:1, 1 Corinthians 6:20

Denomination: Baptist

Zechariah’s Remarkable Prophecy

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Apr 1, 2023

Zechariah's prophecy about Jesus' riding a donkey into Jerusalem leads us to look at what else Zechariah had to say about Jesus. It's all about him being king.

Today it’s Palm Sunday. We remember the occasion when, just a week before he was crucified, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. In a sense, nothing very remarkable happened. 2,000 years ago – as we all know – there were no cars or buses or lorries. If people were going somewhere they would ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Resurrection: The Supreme Fact

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Apr 8, 2023

Jesus' resurrection means our resurrection. Jesus' resurrection shows us what our resurrection will be like. And our redemption paves the way for the redemption of all creation. It's a wonderful prospect!

What does Easter Sunday mean to you? Does it mean a lot or a little? Does the fact that Jesus rose from the dead change very much for you? THE RESURRECTION IS THE SUPREME FACT OF HISTORY When I was at school, I read a little booklet called ‘The Evidence for the Resurrection’. It’s by someone ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When Problems Come

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 2, 2023

Problems come. It's part of life. What are some general principles we need to follow when they do? We look at one of the greatest problems / difficulties / challenges in the history of God's people - the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians and the exile - for lessons.

Everyone faces problems from time to time. Churches also face problems. For example, a church might unexpectedly lose its pastor and some other key members of its leadership at around the same time. If that happened, how would you view it? Perhaps some of you would say that it’s a CHALLENGE, ...read more

Scripture: Amos 4:7-8, Daniel 9:5, Nehemiah 1:7, Ezra 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

King Charles' Coronation

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 6, 2023

It isn't irrelevant. It isn't just pageantry. It's a model for the commissioning of every leader.

Yesterday, I imagine that most of us were glued to our televisions from about 11 to 1 watching King Charles' and Queen Camilla’s coronation. For most of us, this was the first time in our lifetimes that we’d witnessed such an event. It was an extraordinary spectacle. What did you think of it? ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1, Romans 13:7

Denomination: Baptist

Is It Worth It?

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 13, 2023

This week it's 'Christian Aid Week' (in the UK). Christian Aid calls on Christians to 'give, act and pray.' All good things to do. But we might wonder, is it worth it? Isn't the situation for Planet Earth hopeless?

This week is ‘Christian Aid Week.’ Once a year, Christian Aid especially encourages us as Christians to think about how we respond to a great sea of need in the world. Since this is Christian Aid Week, I thought I should tell you what Christian Aid want to tell us. Christian Aid has prepared ...read more

Scripture: Joel 1:10-12, Joel 2:12-13, Joel 2:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Paul’s Charge To The Ephesian Elders Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Oct 14, 2023

Paul sees the elders of the Ephesian church for the last time. He gives them a charge: 'Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock.' It's a message the church needs to hear today.

Today’s passage has a lot to tell us about the job of a minister or pastor or elder. Maybe you think, ‘I’m not a minister or pastor or elder. This doesn’t apply to me’! But all of us have responsibilities towards other people. This passage has something to say to all of us. Before I get ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:17-38

Denomination: Baptist

Would You Have Gone? Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Oct 29, 2023

God leads Paul to Jerusalem. It doesn't seem to make sense. It will be costly. Friends advise against. Would you have gone? We see God's priority is mission.

INTRODUCTION Have you ever been in a situation where you felt that God was asking you to do… Something that DIDN’T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE to you? Something that was COSTLY? Something that all your friends URGE YOU NOT TO DO? That was the situation the apostle Paul was in. Many years previously ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Survive A Storm Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Nov 25, 2023

Three important strategies for surviving a storm. They're all not-so-common common-sense.

The book of Acts is 28 chapters long. In Chapter 28, Paul finally gets to Rome. But chapter 27 is the chapter where the last major drama of the book of Acts happens. It’s the story of Paul in a storm. Luke, who wrote the book of Acts, gave a lot of space to this story. He must think it’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Mary, David, Paul And Margaret: One Thing Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Sep 10, 2022

Mary, David, Paul and Margaret teach us to value One Thing above everything else. Indeed that One Thing is the only thing that's essential.

How important is Jesus in your life? QUITE important? VERY important? One of several things that are essential? Or, the ONE THING that is truly essential? Over the period to Christmas we’re mainly looking at Revelation. But we’re also having some talks about people in the Bible. In each case, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:4, Luke 10:41-42, Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

In God's Throne Room Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Sep 22, 2022

A time will come when God will convene his court and pass judgement on the world. Justice will be done. God, in acting justly, will be glorified. Satan’s dominion will be destroyed, and the saints will possess the kingdom. It starts in a court room.

INTRODUCTION Revelation is a difficult book. We can’t deny that. The fact that it’s difficult might put us off reading it. But as well as being difficult, many Christians don’t like Revelation’s message. Among other things, it talks about tribulation and wrath and judgment. Other parts of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist