God calls to the world through the sound, the cry of a new born baby. He says: 'This is who I am. This is my way of being. This is my language - it is the language of love.' This language transforms us. It is a love that transforms our lives. Major Richard Mingay

Regent Hall Sermons: Espresso Yourself

The Sounds of Bethlehem

The good news of Christmas remains unchanged – God is coming in Christ for the world God loves! And it’s the task of the church to joyfully announce Christ’s coming to our tired old world in need of hope. May we hear a fresh word of ‘Comfort and Joy’ in the story of the shepherds and angels outside Bethlehem when Christ was born. Major Caroline Mingay

The coming of the shepherds

The Christmas story is so much about light bursting into darkness. Yes – it is about ‘Comfort and Joy’ in the direst of situations and this speaks to us more than ever in 2020. The Story is about the fulfilment of Scripture. It is about God working His Purposes out through the generous giving of His Son Jesus for everyone. Our Scripture this morning considers the response of the Wise men, the light they followed and the difference it made to their journey. All this within the context of remembrance of loved ones – loved ones who now live in the eternal light and life of Christ. Major Richard Mingay

Second Sunday of Advent - Light Service

As we come to this season of Advent our theme for our worship over these next weeks is ‘Comfort and Joy’ – both things we might need reminding about if we’re finding things tough. What things has God done for you, what things has he given you, that you’ve forgotten about? This year in many ways has been a difficult year, but through it all God has given us what we’ve needed to get through each day. We can look around us and see things which bring us comfort and joy every day. Captain Alison Stone

First Sunday in Advent - Comfort and Joy, 1 Corinthians 1: 3 – 9

Today we focus our worship on Christ the King. This prepares us for the Advent Season. What a significant title for Jesus as we look toward His coming to earth and ultimately to His gift of salvation and new life. Henri Nouwen in his Sabbatical Journey said "on the last Sunday of the liturgical year, Christ is presented to us as the mocked King on the Cross as well of the King of the universe. The greatest humiliation and the greatest victory are both shown to us today. It is important to look at this humiliated and victorious Christ before we start the celebration of Advent. All through the year we have to stay close to the humiliation as well as to the victory of Christ, because we are called to live both in our own daily lives." We consider these words from 2 Peter 1:3, ‘By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvellous glory and excellence.’ And so we join in worship to consider who Christ is both in our world and most important for us today, who He is in our lives. How do we declare with our living that Christ is King to a world who needs to hear that message of the King of Glory, bringing hope and life? Colonel Evie Diaz

Christ the King Sunday

Today, we conclude our Exodus series in following the Israelites from Egyptian slavery on their long road to freedom and their new home in the promised land. But, as we’re already learning, it’s not plain sailing! And on the way, riddled at times with fear and doubt, the people lurch from crisis to crisis. And today in Chapter 17 we meet the Israelites complaining deeply and calling God to account for who he says he is. In our current circumstances, we may not find it too difficult to identify with this! Interestingly, for the Israelites, genuine complaint is always part and parcel of a robust faith in God. So I pray that we too, through Israel’s story, might find capacity to be real and authentic in our relationship with God who is big enough to shoulder the worst of us! Major Caroline Mingay

Exodus - is the Lord with us or not?

It is a privilege to share the message today in our continuing study of Exodus. Today’s lesson is about the miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea. A continuation of the Israelites’ escape from slavery and movement toward freedom and a new life. There are many perspectives to consider in this Bible reading in Exodus 14. I urge you to think about your place in the story and how God wants you to respond. Colonel Evie Diaz

Through Fear to faith

As a Salvation Army church, we are part of a global movement fighting against the injustice and evil of slavery and human trafficking. Our International Headquarters is rallying the worldwide Army to action through its Fight for Freedom strategy and our own territory is raising awareness through its #WeAreNotForSale campaign. We all have a role to play and there are plenty of resources out there to equip and empower us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. But even as we seek to support those who are tricked and trapped by slavery, we realise that we too are in need of saving. We don’t have to look far to find greed and suffering. As we move through Exodus in the current teaching series, it’s appropriate that we explore Passover today – the liberation of the Israelites from the oppression of the Egyptians. This dramatic rescue, and its ultimate fulfilment in the death and resurrection of Jesus, confirm our identity as children of God: forgiven people, free from the judgement of sin and commissioned with a divine purpose to help others find welcome in God’s family. Bethany Gibson, Youth Leader

Passover - Anti-slavery day

We continue our new series on the Exodus Story by looking at Moses’s encounter with Yahweh on Mount Sinai. This is well known Scripture. The Lord appears to Moses in a burning bush. Moses obeys and is told to remove his sandals as the place where he stood was holy ground. Well this was not exclusive to Moses! I wonder how many of us realise that the ground on which we stand each day can be holy? For millions around the world, 2020 has so far been like a wilderness experience. We have been exposed to restrictive practices that have curtailed and in many instances completely changed our usual way of life. We have felt under threat. Many have felt fear, others have known a mental and physical isolation as anxiety has taken its toll. Others have sadly suffered and died. An air of deep gloom has pervaded the year. But – Let’s remember that when Moses responded to God here in Exodus chapter 3:1-15, he too was standing on ground in the wilderness. The isolation of the People of Israel lasted 40 years! What a privilege and blessing it was that God met Moses and made Himself clearly known in such dark days. God promised and still promises a way out! This nightmare will end! You will be free! For us, because of Christ’s sacrifice, our freedom can start at any time. We just have to have the courage to remove our sandals and to remove anything that hinders our devotion to God and then become aware of his eternal presence with us now, wherever we are. When this happens we stand on Holy Ground. Major Richard Mingay

Standing on holy ground - the book of Exodus

Exodus means 'the way out' and this is so apt for us right now in our present circumstances. So let's get right into the epic story of God leading his people out from oppression into his new and loving rule. Today, our theme starts the question of Identity: who you are and whose you are - questions which haunted the Israelites on their 'way out' of oppression, and still challenge us. Major Caroline Mingay

Identity: who you are and whose you are

The imperative for God’s people to be aware of the deeply spiritual responsibility of looking after our planet has never been greater. We must be forever thankful that the Lord of the Harvest provides for our physical well-being and nourishment year upon year. Coronavirus has not been able to stop this. We are, as the Psalmist said, ‘Blessed by God’. Our key emphasis this year will be on the Thanksgiving element of Harvest – what one writer has termed ‘the attitude of gratitude’. Today we look at what Jesus had to say about greed. It is interesting that, in speaking about a rich man’s desire for more land and possession, Jesus turns the whole argument toward nature reminding his listeners, and us, that the only element in this world that anyone can ever be certain about is that of eternal life with our Creator-God. Nothing else is as sure as this, therefore we can do ourselves a favour by living by God’s priorities, and endeavouring not to worry about anything more than that. Creation teaches us the deepest of lessons. We look forward to learning more about this in our worship together this Harvest Sunday. Major Richard Mingay

Harvest Thanksgiving

Jesus was keen to talk to his listeners about greed and if it was relevant for those days, perhaps it is even more relevant for us today. The verses for today are not always an easy read and can stir many emotions within us, some positive and some challenging. When you look at your life just now do you have everything you need? Not necessarily everything you ‘want’ but do you have everything you need? Just as the vineyard owner was generous in today’s Bible reading so God is generous towards us, whether we’re a new Christian or whether we’ve known him for years. ‘And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19 Captain Alison Stone

Matthew 20: 1 – 16, The Worker’s in the Vineyard: enough for our need, not our greed

We continue our ‘Season of Creation’ series by looking at what’s called ‘The Protection of the Commons’. No – not a political centre or amphitheatre, but rather those created elements that we, as the crown of God’s creation, have dominion over; for example the land, the seas and all living beings. The key emphasis when considering ‘The Commons’ is how we communally participate in and protect those common elements that unite all human beings. When we consider this we realise that we have more that unites us with one another and creation, than perhaps we’ve understood before. So in this week’s teaching we will be considering the following: - the Commons of Biblical community; - the Commons of Creation and then - the Commons of Church Life. How do these elements speak into our lives and how do we care for so many created things that we often take for granted? In recent worship meetings together we have remembered the command to Love the Lord your God and to Love your neighbour as yourself. In this teaching we will see how the concept of ‘One Anothering’ ties in with this and with the overarching exhortation to protect the Commons. What actually is ‘One Anothering’? It’s an ‘Oh so simple’ theological idea. It is relevant to us all without exception because we all have a responsibility to protect and treat one another and all creation with the deepest respect and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Major Richard Mingay

Bible message - Protecting the Commons

This week, inspired by the wider Church Lectionary we commence a 4 week series called Season of Creation. This will take us to the last Sunday in September when we will celebrate Harvest Thanksgiving. It is an incredibly relevant theme for these times. We believe that God the Holy Spirit sparked creation into life. This very act was an act of love and so demands a loving response in return. Our spiritual response must therefore encompass how we care for God’s creation; our response to current environmental issues and then a deeper look into how we actively care for one another, our place of worship and our community. Of course, the Creation theme implies so much, and here we will consider re-creation too! Such a relevant theme for the day. What, in these unique times, will God re-create for you, for me, for this Corps, for His Church?! Major Richard Mingay

Love your neighbour

This week is the last in our ‘Jesus Stories’ series and we’re looking at ‘The Rich Farmer.’ A short story of a guy who was prudent and stored away provision for the future. At first glance there seems nothing wrong with what he’s doing – surely putting a bit a side for leaner days is something we all do. We budget and try to save a bit so that we have some disposable income should we need it. So what is the issue and what can we take from this story for ourselves today? Well, the issue with the rich farmer weren’t his actions but his motives. The only people on his mind were he, himself and I. Everything he had saved was for him. As Christians we are called to look beyond ourselves. As the words of a well-known song say: ‘So let us learn how to serve and in our lives enthrone him. Each other’s needs to prefer, for it is Christ we’re serving.’ Look with God’s eyes to be generous this week. It could be generous with your time or in coffee and cake or simply in listening. However it is, may we wake up and live freely and generously sharing our experience of God with everyone we meet. God bless you Captain Alison Stone

The parable of the rich farmer

Regent Hall is a Salvation Army church on London's busiest high street - Oxford Street. We have meetings on Sundays at 11am and 3pm - all are welcome: 275 Oxford Street London W1C 2DJ For more information please contact us at: info@regenthall.co.uk

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Regent Hall Sermons: Espresso Yourself

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