St Pauls and St Barnabas

The Beauty of the Lord – SPB Sermons The Beauty of the Lord In The Way Of The servant – Isaiah 42:1-9 This week at St Paul’s & St Barnabas, Rev Andrew took us on a powerful journey through Isaiah 42:1-9, exploring what it means to behold *“The Beauty of the Lord.”* This remarkable passage introduces the Servant of the Lord, the One in whom God delights and through whom He brings justice and restoration to a broken world. Rev Andrew reminds us that this Servant is Jesus, the ultimate hope of humanity, whose mission is grounded in God’s faithfulness and glory. Isaiah paints a picture of hope that is both deeply personal and gloriously cosmic. Through the Servant, God promises not a mere return to what was, but something entirely new—a redemption that transforms lives, communities, and the world itself. In the sermon, Rev Andrew reflects on how Jesus embodies this mission with humility, compassion, and un...

The Way of Love | 1 John 4:7-21 The Way of Love On Sunday, 5th January 2025, Rev. Andrew Irwin preached a powerful sermon titled "The Way of Love," drawing from 1 John 4:7-21. This passage is a profound reminder of God’s deep, sacrificial love for us and how that love compels us to love one another. Andrew opened the sermon by reflecting on the new year as an opportunity to consider our call as disciples and our purpose as a church family. Love is a word we often hear but seldom grasp fully. In today’s world, love can be shallow, reduced to fleeting feelings or personal gratification. But 1 John 4 reveals the depth and reality of God’s love—a love that is present, committed, transformative, and sacrificial. Rev. Irwin emphasized that God’s love is not merely an internal sentiment but an active, tangible reality displayed most profoundly in the person of...

The Importance of Reading the Bible The Importance of Reading the Bible The Bible is at the very heart of the Christian faith. It’s how God speaks to us, shaping our understanding of Him, deepening our faith, and guiding how we live as His people. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we’re reminded that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” For many, however, reading the Bible can feel overwhelming. Where do we start? How do we stay consistent? And how do we move from simply reading words on a page to seeing God at work through them? The first thing to remember is that the Bible is a story—a great, overarching narrative of God’s work in creation, redemption,...

Christmas Day - Hope Fulfilled - Luke 2:1–16 Christmas Day - Hope Fulfilled - Luke 2:1–16 On Christmas Day, the sermon focused on the heart of the nativity story in Luke 2:1–16. This passage brings us to the stable in Bethlehem, where the hopes of generations were fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. It is a story of God’s faithfulness and love, demonstrating how He enters into our world to bring salvation to all people. The message highlighted how the arrival of Christ is not just an event in history but an invitation to each of us today, offering hope and purpose amidst life’s challenges. The birth of Jesus was the fulfilment of centuries of prophecy, a divine promise made to a broken and longing world. From the line of David to the town of Bethlehem, every detail of the nativity reminds us of God’s faithfulness to His word. This is not simply a message of history but one ...

Hope in the Impossible | Isaiah 7 Hope in the Impossible | Isaiah 7 Series: Discovering Hope in Jesus In the third part of our Advent series, *Discovering Hope*, Andrew Irwin explores the theme of hope in impossible circumstances, drawing from Isaiah 7:10-16. In this powerful passage, we see God offering King Ahaz and the people of Judah a sign of His presence and faithfulness: the promise of Emmanuel, “God with us.” This assurance points forward to Jesus, the ultimate fulfilment of hope for a broken and struggling world. God's Invitation in Uncertainty Life often confronts us with challenges that feel insurmountable. Like King Ahaz, we may face situations that leave us overwhelmed and searching for answers. In Isaiah’s time, Judah was on the brink of destruction, with enemy armies advancing and fear gripping the people. Despite their unfaithfulness, God exten...

Hope in the Waiting | SPB Church Blog Hope in the Waiting Advent is a season of anticipation, a time when we prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of Jesus. This past Sunday, Rev Andrew Irwin unpacked Micah 5:1-5, a passage filled with promises of hope, peace, and restoration. It reminds us of how God works through the humble and unexpected to accomplish His purposes. In the prophecy of a ruler from Bethlehem, we see a picture of Jesus, the Good Shepherd who stands in the strength of the Lord and brings peace that transforms lives. In his sermon, Andrew drew comparisons between the longing of God’s people in Micah’s day and our own lives today. For centuries, they waited for God to send a saviour, enduring times of uncertainty and hardship. Similarly, we often find ourselves in seasons of waiting, longing for peace, justice, and restoration in a world that feels broken. Yet, just as God’s promise was fulfilled in Jesus, we can trust in His...