Sermons on Simon On Cyrene:

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

John Eats A Scroll Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Oct 29, 2022

God's purposes in Revelation are reaching a climax as the seventh trumpet is about to be sounded. A mighty angel declares, 'There will be no more delay.' And then, he gives John a scroll to eat and tells him he must prophesy. Why?

N.B. This is the fourth of a series of talks on Revelation. The first three talks are titled: In God’s Throne Room The Great Tribulation Environmental Devastation in End Times INTRODUCTION Today we’re continuing in our series on Revelation. I’ve called the series ‘Revelation: The Hard Parts.’ ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Environmental Devastation In End Times

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Oct 29, 2022

The scientists tell us that the world is headed for environmental catastrophe. That's what Revelation says too. What should we think about it?

INTRODUCTION Today we’re returning to Revelation after a month’s break. This is my third talk. I’ve called the series ‘Revelation: The Hard Parts.’ I’m consciously diving into some of the hard parts of Revelation – the parts that preachers generally avoid. But these hard parts are in the Bible ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 8:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

God Of Second Chances

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Nov 5, 2022

Jesus' restoring Peter after he denied him shows that he's in the business of giving second chances. He's also given us an example to follow.

BACK STORY In our children’s story we heard about Peter denying Jesus. Peter failed. But Peter shouldn’t have been the one to fail. He was Peter the rock. He was supposed to be the strong one, the solid one. But Peter had brought it on himself. Jesus told his disciples what would happen to ...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

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

Six Things To Learn About The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jun 7, 2025

This is a talk for a family service on Pentecost Sunday, reminding us of some of the most important things about the Holy Spirit, with lots of visual aids.

THIS IS A FAMILY SERVICE SO THIS ‘TALK’ IS MEANT TO BE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN AND QUITE INTERACTIVE. The scripture quotations are from the International Children’s Bible. Today’s an important day in the Christian calendar. It’s day for celebrating! It isn’t Christmas. It isn’t Easter. So, what ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Learning From Jonah

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Feb 7, 2026

The story of Jonah teaches us that God is a God of second chances and God of the impossible. When we do what God tells us to - as Jonah eventually did - God can bring about an amazing result. The story of Jonah is also a picture, a foreshadowing, of Jesus and God's great plan of salvation.

This was for a family service, meaning that the children stayed in. We had chairs set in the shape of a boat in the centre of the church. Jonah, sailors etc., were dressed for their parts and we had a short participatory reading of some of the key moments in the story of Jonah earlier in the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Philippians' Giving

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Feb 28, 2026

The Christians in Philippi were great givers. In this talk, we look at six things we can learn from them as we consider our own giving.

Introduction Today is my fifth and last talk from Philippians. In the passage we’re looking at, Paul reflects on the Philippians’ support for him. He has some slightly complicated things to say, along the lines of, ‘I didn’t actually need your gifts, but I’m rejoicing that you gave them’! I’m going ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-20

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

The Armour Of God, Part 2

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Sep 27, 2025

We're in a war. God has provided us with armour. We need to think about it carefully if we're going to use it correctly. This second talk looks at the last four pieces of armour.

I’d like to start by reading two short passages from Sir Walter Scott’s novel, Ivanhoe. Ivanhoe is set in the 12th century, a time when soldiers fought with swords and arrows and knights wore chain mail armour. Ivanhoe is a young Saxon knight. He’s fighting alongside Sir Robin Locksley, who turns ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:13-20

Denomination: Baptist