Last week Helen and I had the privilege of speaking at a weekend away for Wheatley Community Church. It was such a fun weekend getting to know them better, and serving them. We were certainly grateful for the way they welcomed and embraced us as a family, and I also loved the opportunity for me…
Tag: romans 12
The Provocation of Hope
‘Hope is never mere, even when it is meagre. When all other senses sleep, the eye of hope is first to awaken, last to shut.’ (Gil-Galad, The Rings of Power, Season 1, Episode 5) I’ve been thinking recently about the theme of hope, prompted by a few verses from the Epistles (and that quote from…
Living Sacrifice: Leave Room for God (Romans 12:17-21)
When we are wronged, we can easily feel tempted to retaliate, defend ourselves and seek revenge. But Paul says there is a better way. In the penultimate talk of our series, I consider how and why we should resist vengeance, and what it means to trust in the justice of God. For more on this…
Parting reflections on preaching, from me and Paul.
This coming Sunday I am preaching my final sermon at Christ Church London. It’s already pre-recorded for our online service, and I’ll get to preach it live at two of our services. Having worked for this church for twelve years, it’s a strange experience full of mixed emotions. Helen and I feel full of excitement…
Living Sacrifice: Fire and Fuel (Romans 12:11-12)
Following Jesus was never meant to be dull. But often challenging seasons can rob us of our spiritual vibrancy. In this talk, Liam considers how we can cultivate a vibrant spiritual life rejoicing in hope, being patient in trials, and constant in prayer. Audio: Listen or download Here is a small-group practice to help you reflect…
A Library of Liturgies
The Apostle Paul wrote that we should, ‘Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests’ (Ephesians 6:18) Sometimes it’s hard to know how to do that. I can find myself facing a particular situation and realising that I don’t know where to start. I don’t know how I feel…
Disciples or Devices?
I was in a meeting the other day, discussing how to rebuild community post-COVID. We were talking about how to encourage people – whether new visitors, or old-faithfuls returning to in-person services – to be an active part of the church, get involved in midweek groups, find a team to serve on, and so on….
Living Sacrifice
If you run a google image search for the word ‘worship’ you will have to scroll a good few pages to find anything other than photos of raised hands, guitars, and crowds singing in moodily-lit auditoriums. This seems strange to me. And it would have seemed very strange to the writers of the New Testament. God’s people…
Prince of Peace: Renewing Your Mind (Romans 12)
So much of our fear is fuelled by the voices we listen to. In this talk, Liam Thatcher considers how we can learn to resist lies, and have our mind renewed by God. Listen or download (Right click the link to save)
“The Right to Bear the Sword the State Has”
John Howard Yoder offers a pacifist reading of Romans 13
Liam Thatcher 