Sermons on Simon On Cyrene:

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

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

Witness And Prayer

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jul 10, 2023

Prayer is essential to witnessing. Only God can change other people's hearts. Only God can give us the strength and courage we need.

This was a fairly short talk in the context of a family service Back in March I got an email through our church website. It was from an American called Tagg Wolverton. He works for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Tagg Wolverton explained that Billy Graham’s son Franklin would be ...read more

Scripture: John 1:41, Acts 1:14, Ezekiel 37:1-10, Matthew 9:37-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Fruit Of The Spirit: Patience, Kindness

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jul 15, 2023

We look at two fruit of the spirit: patience and kindness. We need patience! People are difficult. Other Christians can be difficult. Ministry takes time to bear fruit. And we need to show kindness. We may not realise what a fundamental quality it is for a Christian.

RUCKSACK ILLUSTRATION, EARLIER IN THE SERVICE. Narrator: ‘Today, Sam, Gifty, Vanessa and Cyril are going camping. Vanessa and Cyril are very excited about it. Vanessa gets to work packing two rucksacks. She is very thoughtful; she doesn’t want Cyril’s rucksack to be too heavy for him. She ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22, 1 Timothy 1:16, Romans 8:29, Galatians 6:9, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 3:12-17, Ephesians 4:32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Fruit Of The Spirit: Goodness

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jul 22, 2023

The Holy Spirit wants us to grow in the quality of goodness. But what is goodness? How can we find the path of goodness?

For the past three weeks we’ve been focusing on two verses in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Paul wrote, ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law’ [Galatians 5:22-23] In these famous ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Last Three 'fruit Of The Spirit': Faithfulness, Gentleness And Self-Control

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 5, 2023

How can we be more like God? By demonstrating God's character. We look at three more wonderful qualities of God that the Holy Spirit wants to produce in us.

INTRODUCTION Today, we’re having the last in our series on the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. We’re going to look at the last three fruit in Paul’s list: faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I thought I’d do something a bit different to usual today. I’m going to look at three true ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Saul's Conversion Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 27, 2023

Saul's conversion shows us that God can reach anyone and change anyone. Ananias' acceptance of Saul is a wonderful example. And Paul's reflection on the event reminds us of just how important it is to be baptized.

I don’t often think about Nottingham. I can’t remember ever visiting it. It’s 200 miles away and we haven’t had reason to go there. But Nottingham is an up-and-coming city. A few years ago, The Times newspaper named it as the most improved city in its survey of the best places to live. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The First People The Church Sent Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Sep 2, 2023

Jesus sent his disciples out on mission. But Acts 13 is the first time THE CHURCH sent people out on mission. They were Barnabas and Saul. It wasn't all plain sailing. But it was still totally worthwhile.

INTRODUCTION / LEAD IN I wonder if you’ve read The Lord of the Rings. In the first volume, The Fellowship of the Ring, Bilbo Baggins throws a party. Then, he suddenly vanishes! Gandalf the wizard knows how he’s done it: Bilbo has a ring with very special power, a ring that is gradually gaining ...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

Talk 2. The Great Tribulation Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Sep 22, 2022

In the days before his crucifixion Jesus warned his disciples of what lay ahead. Here in Revelation, Jesus warns us of what lies ahead. The Great Tribulation will be painful. But it is a step on the way to a glorious future. Our task will be to remain faithful.

In Revelation 7, John sees ‘a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Harvest Is Bigger. God Does More.

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Oct 1, 2022

At our harvest festival we usually think of food, crops. But we need to expand our concept of harvest. We also need to recognize just how much God is involved in providing for us.

Today is our Harvest Thanksgiving service. It’s a time to thank God for the harvest. But what exactly are we thanking God for? I want to do two things today. The first thing is to encourage us to see harvest as something bigger than what the combine harvester picks up. The second thing is to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 104:10-14, Exodus 23:16, Genesis 1:29, Deuteronomy 28:1-12

Denomination: Baptist