Talks from Marlow Meetings 2020-21

This page provides access to audio files of talks recorded at Marlow Sunday meetings this year. Click on the title to Listen Now, or to Download for later.

Previous years' talks are also available: 2004-06 2007-08 2008-09 2009-11 2011-13 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

	Christmas Message Colin Barnes 19th December Jesus - the God who healed the sick and delivered the oppressed, who keeps His promises, who cares for everyone on the planet (especially those who often get overlooked) - brought and still brings light to the world. Jesus came to dispel darkness and to show us the way to wholeness and freedom from fear. Let's turn to Him again this Christmas. Bonus content in the video - Jonny's superb animation enhancing Sheila's song 'Oh What Love'.
	Reflections Phil Stewart 12th December Phil reflects on the themes that have emerged from some of our recent talks, and how our faith needs to be outworked in 3 areas - between God and each of us privately, between us all as members of River Marlow, and finally the aspect that faces outwards into the wider community.
	Light In The Darkness - Arise and Shine Andy Read 5th December What implications does it have for us that Jesus stated to His disciples "YOU are the Light of the World"? Light attracts, guides and it overcomes the darkness, and Andy challenges us to seek to do the same with God's help.
	LLJ 10: Laying Down Our Lives Nigel Rivers 28th November "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Nigel considers four key themes of Serving, Martyrdom, Lordship and Glory.
	LLJ 9: Living Gracefully Colin Barnes 21st November Colin considers what it means to live gracefully, and asserts that God's grace is like a river rather than a pond - there's got to be both an in and an out. The more we are gracious to (ourselves and) others the more room there is for God to extend further grace to us!
	LLJ 8: Living In Holy Communion Nigel Stock 14th November Nigel urges us to allow the fire to keep burning in our hearts by spending regular time with God, not (just) in bible study but through being in His presence and engaging in conversation, just like Jesus did.
	LLJ 7: Healing The Sick Jonny Ruffell 7th November We can’t earn it, we can’t learn it, we need to burn for it! Let's continue to ask for healing and practise this wonderful gift we've been given.
	LLJ 6: Driving Out The Darkness Colin Barnes 31st October Colin encourages us to embrace the power of Jesus to drive out the darkness from ourselves, our families and friends, our workplaces and our neighbourhoods.
	Our Response To Climate Change Pete Greig & Karen Feakin 24th October Pete Greig addresses the upcoming COP 26 gathering of global leaders in Glasgow, and why the church in particular should act on climate change. Then Alison Hopkinson interviews our own Karen Feakin about how and why she got so involved, and how as individuals we can increase for good our own impact on the planet.
	LLJ 5: Motivated By Compassion Andy Read 17th October Andy considers the essence of compassion, why should we be motivated by it anyway, and what difference will it make? Dare we pray "Lord, show me Your heart of compassion"?
	LLJ 4: Choosing Relationship Over Religion Jill Stonehill 10th October We sometimes like to criticise rule breakers, but Jesus showed us the importance of love and relationship over doing things by the book, even in matters of faith.
	LLJ 3: Preaching Good News Al Bullen 3rd October Al explains the power of our story in communicating God's love to others, and how living the good news is better than "preaching" it.
	LLJ 2: Living In The Bible Story Paul Wratten 26th September Speaking from Mark 12 Paul outlines the challenge that is just as real for us today as it was in Jesus' time: do we truly follow the path of communion or are we unduly influenced by religious consumerism?
	LLJ 1: Living In The Father's Love Colin Barnes 19th September Colin kicks off our new teaching series "Living like Jesus" (LLJ for short) noting how Jesus did all He did through living in his Father’s love by the Spirit. Hearing Him declare, “You are my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
	Being Loved Patrick Regan 12th September Another short talk from the founder of Kintsugi Hope based on the story of the Prodigal Son.
	Journeying With Others Through Crisis - Kintsugi Hope Patrick Regan 5th September 'Kintsugi' is a Japanese technique for repairing pottery with seams of gold. The word means 'golden joinery' in Japanese. This repairs the brokenness in a way that makes the object more beautiful, and even more unique than it was prior to being broken. Instead of hiding the scars it makes a feature of them. Kintsugi Hope was founded by Diane and Patrick Regan OBE after a series of operations and events that took them to the brink; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. They faced illness and loss in their family and community. They wrote a book and produced a DVD about their experiences. Through opening up about their struggles they realized how many people have felt alone in theirs, and the great need for each of us to be vulnerable, open and honest when life is hard. Only when this happens, healing can start to truly take place.
	Pioneer Values videos (for a text summary click here)
	Bringing Light To The World Paul Wratten 1st August Paul talks about how we bring the light we carry to the world.
	JSG10: The Death-destroying God Andy Read 4th July Andy brings the final talk in the 'Jesus-shaped God' teaching series: Jesus' resurrection means that we need not fear death.
	Facades & Foundations Anthea Wratten 27th June Anthea explains that God is inviting us to drop our facades and use this time to build deep foundations to prepare for what He has for us next.
	JSG 9: The Intimate God Colin Barnes 20th June Colin invites us to look again at the Lord's Prayer, reminding us that God isn't disapproving and distant, but always wants to be close, living in intimacy with us.
	JSG 8: The Volunteer God Nigel Rivers 13th June "We need to do what only we can do". Do you know what actions God is asking / has asked you to take? NB He will only ever ask us to do things which He's ready to help us with..
	JSG 7: The Healing God Jonny Ruffell 6th June Along with a very personal testimony Jonny uses the example of Jesus healing the woman with long-term bleeding to show that God is interested not just in healing physically, but just as importantly He also wants to build relationship with us and to address our emotional needs.
	JSG 6: The Searching God Jill Stonehill 30th May Based on the Gospel account of Zacchaeus, and Parables including that of the Lost Sheep, Jill describes how Jesus revealed a God who wants everyone to find their way home.
	JSG 5: The Storytelling God Colin Barnes 23rd May Colin considers the fact that God could have given us His Word in the form of an instruction manual, but He didn’t. Instead, He gave us a book full of stories and songs. Why was that?
	JSG 4: The Forgiving God Andy Read 16th May Andy reminds us of the COMPLETE freedom that we can find in God, through the TOTAL forgiveness that He offers to everyone. Jesus keeps ABSOLUTELY NO RECORD of our wrongs!
	JSG 3: The Childlike God Ceri Davies 9th May Ceri brings part 3 in our teaching series, focusing on Jesus being tempted in the wilderness after his baptism. Let's be dependent on God, choosing daily to live in childlike trust and to stay close to Him through prayer and immersing ourselves in His word.
	JSG 2: The Human God Tina Oldham 2nd May Tina describes how Jesus, the God who became human to lead us home, continues to stoop down to reach out to us where we're at.
	JSG 1: The Jesus-Shaped God Colin Barnes 25th April Colin introduces this new teaching series whose aim is to help us better understand who God is, not through what we have absorbed from our upbringing, through philosophical ideas, or even through some well-worn church traditions, but solely through Jesus Himself.
	Link to River Together talk Ness Wilson 18th April It's Time to Shine!
	Trusting Through Pain - Let Hope Arise Paul & Sarah Deriaz 11th April On the 20th anniversary of their 8 year old son Joshua's death from a brain tumour, Paul & Sarah reflect on and share about what God has done with them, in them and through them since that devastating event.
	Jesus The Light Of The World Andy Read 4th April (Easter Sunday ) Andy's Easter message focuses on the Light which can never be extinguished, one of the key themes of the Gospel of John.
	The Raising of Lazarus Colin Barnes 28th March Can we see hopeless situations turned around for good? Colin explains how the raising of Lazarus can help us become resurrection people, who walk through pain into glory.
	The Healing Of The Man Born Blind Anthea Wratten 21st March This miracle is an unprecedented act of redemptive restoration, with Jesus demonstrating once again that He is God. Anthea explores the story and how Jesus challenges our assumptions and prejudices and asks: what have you seen that you can’t un-see?
	Freedom From Fear Ceri Davies 14th March Miracle 5: Jesus walking on water. Ceri takes a look at the problem of fear, the root of fear, and the solution to fear! Although we were born as spiritual orphans, now we are dearly-loved children, and can trust in the goodness and kindness of our Father God.
	Future: Now Ness Wilson 7th March Ness delivers the concluding talk of this year's Pioneer Annual Leaders Conference with an inspiring word to all Pioneer churches about being ready for the next 12 months (if the "start mid-way through" setting doesn't work then manually skip to -1:14:45).
	The Feeding of the 5000 Colin Barnes 28th February Colin considers this miracle in a talk subtitled 'In Partnership With God'. He concludes by asking three questions: Are you an orphan or a child of God? When was the last time you brought your sandwiches to Jesus? And how might you live inspirationally each day?
	Living by Law or Love Andy Read 21st February The healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda is amazing as a miracle. But in the story of this healing, in looking at how Jesus approached the man, cared for him and dealt with criticism we can see some important principles for life in God’s Kingdom.
	Healing The Official's Son Tabby Crawforth 14th February Tabby examines the second miracle of Jesus in John's gospel - Healing the official’s son (John 4:43-54) - and asks three key questions: Do I still trust God? Do I believe God can do big things? Where / for whom is He asking me to pray?
	H eartfelt Compassion Alistair Bullen 7th February Al talks about courageous optimism, generous creativity and heartfelt compassion in the context of our all-powerful God who made the cosmos.
	New Creation People Colin Barnes 31st January Colin introduces a new teaching series which will take us up to Easter, called 'Signs of New Life'. Discover how John frames the Gospel in terms of New Creation: God dwelling with us as a light to driving out the darkness and bringing orphans home to their Father.
	The Transforming Power of Sabbath Ceri Davies 24th January Ceri describes how her own understanding of Sabbath has totally changed over the past few years, what it is (and isn't), and its importance and relevance to us all today. It's a gift from God - a chance to reconnect more deeply with Him, to delight in Him and a way to reorder our lives around His rhythm.
	The Light Is Coming Paul Wratten 17th January Paul encourages us to prepare - we don't know what 2021 is going to be like, but we know the world will continue to need to see our light. Be practising, be prophetic and be patient.
	Click here to watch / listen to the River Together meeting 10 January 21
	Our Help In Times Of Trouble Steve Clifford 3rd January Steve outlines four keys which can help us to overcome in difficult times: don’t deny the trouble; do not fear; determine to continue to worship Him; and put your trust in God, our ever-present help.
	Peace On Earth Jonny Ruffell 20th December Jonny reminds us that the key message of Christmas is "Peace On Earth", complete with an inspiring picture she recently created on this theme.
	L iving Joyfully Colin Barnes 13th December Colin shares 3 tips on how we can live joyfully even in these times in which there are so many reasons to despair.
	People of The Spirit 10: Spirit-led Witnessing (to the ends of the earth) Andy Read 6th December Andy rounds off the 'People of the Spirit' series considering what it means to be Spirit-led in our witnessing. He poses questions including who or what is setting our priorities and how we can be (rather than just speak about) Good News.
	People of The Spirit 9: Grace Through Trials Tabby Crawforth 29th November Drawing on personal experience Tabby tells her 2020 story and how she has found blessing and experienced grace through very difficult circumstances.
	We Are His Masterpiece Sami Watts 22nd November Sami encourages us not to be despondent if we're feeling squished or even shattered by circumstances - our Father, the master potter, can lovingly remould us to create something new and beautiful.
	People of The Spirit part 8: The Breakthrough Spirit Colin Barnes 15th November In these lockdown days, many of us are feeling a bit beaten up and constricted by life. Colin shares some keys to help us partner in God’s breakthrough. Listen and step into new freedom!
	Generosity Andy Read 8th November Speaking from Acts, Andy calls us to generosity: at all times, but especially in this period of extra pressure caused by lockdown, let's be generous in forgiveness, with our time, and with our money.
	People of The Spirit part 7: No More 'Them and Us' Nigel Rivers 1st November Speaking from Acts 15, Nigel leaves us with two key questions: who are the ‘Them and Us’ in our lives, and how do we bring Kingdom Inclusiveness to everything we do.
	People of The Spirit part 6: Spirit-led Mission Jonny Ruffell 25th October Jonny urges us to invite the Holy Spirit to make us bold to share our faith at His prompting, because what we carry is way too special to keep to ourselves.
	People of The Spirit part 5: Witnesses To The Gentiles Colin Barnes 11th October Colin celebrates God's outrageous grace demonstrated in using the persecutor Paul to bring the Good News to the non-Jewish world, and in breaking down barriers time and again to reach every people group. Are we showing the same kind of grace to those we meet?
	People of The Spirit part 4: Living In The Unexpected Andy Read 4th October Our readings this week (Acts 8-9) describe the early church encountering difficulties as well as tremendous growth. Andy challenges us to be open to God leading us to places we haven't anticipated and meeting unexpected people.
	People of The Spirit part 3: Witnesses in Judea Alison Hopkinson 27th September Ali speaks on the theme of mission as she considers our readings last week in Acts 3-7. Let's aim to bring unstoppable PASSION for the love of God, be PREPARED through prayer, and be PROACTIVE in stepping out of our comfort zones for God.
	People of The Spirit part 2: God's New Humanity? Simon Tempest 20th September Simon explores Acts 2.
	River Marlow - What Next? Paul & Anthea Wratten 20th September Paul & Anthea explain what the Marlow team sees as the challenges for the next 3-6 months and how we can respond.
	People of The Spirit part 1: The Longing of The Father Colin Barnes 13th September Colin kicks off the new term and 'POTS' teaching series with an encouragement to us all to be filled with the Holy Spirit (whether for the first time or once again), and to allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by Him. It's time to practise His presence again.
	Spread Out, Think Big, Don’t Hold Back Linda Ward 6th September Guest speaker Linda (Leader of Bless Community Church in Brentford and of the London Region of Pioneer) exhorts us to love our towns and communities back to life by exploring different ways of connecting with them; and at every opportunity to create places where His presence is welcome.
	Re-imagining God Pete Enns 30th August Pete is an American biblical scholar and theologian (see www.peteenns.com). In this TheoEd talk he questions how we can or should re-imagine God. To consider what is He like here and now is THE question of faith (and indeed of theology).
	Ecochurch and Climate Change Update Karen Feakin 23rd August Karen and friends give an update on Ecochurch and the River Marlow 'Down to Earth' group, and talk more generally about climate change and what we can do in response both individually and as a community.
	Peace, Hope, Creativity & Wisdom Alistair H, Sally L, Paul D 16th August Nigel & Jean led a time of sharing: Sally L and Paul D take part, with a theme of prayer emerging.
	Cruise Control Is Not An Option Rich Wilson 9th August Al Bullen interviews his long-time friend Rich (Open Heaven, Loughborough and Leader of www.fusionmovement.org) to explore some of the themes of his book A Call Less Ordinary - Why your purpose matters. "We are his creative masterpiece, we are his work of art, we are his epic poem, crafted to be read by the world so that others too will learn to walk with God"
	TheoEd Talk: The Death and Resurrection of Sacred Speech Jonathan Merritt 2nd August Acclaimed journalist Jonathan Merritt explores what it takes to talk about faith in ways that are honest, authentic, and understandable in an increasingly pluralistic society.
	Peace Through Trust Brian Heasley 26th July Guest speaker Brian - International Prayer Director for 24-7 - asserts that we can know deep peace because God's word is true, His presence is assured and His peace is powerful. The challenge for us is in what extent this peace affects those around us.
	What Now? Paul Wratten 19th July Paul considers the challenges we face as we emerge from lock-down. Whatever our experience over the last 4 months, how do we move forward now both to bring and to be good news to our friends, neighbours and community? "I believe this can be a time of growth, if we can learn to be real with God and let go of our illusion of control, to learn again that our dependency needs to be on the Holy Spirit, to be open to Him surprising us and pushing our boundaries, and to keep living in the expectation that our greatest surprises are ahead of us". YouTube-clip1 YouTube-clip2 YouTube-clip3
	Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted Because Of Righteousness Colin Barnes 5th July Colin unpacks the last Beatitude, revealing how Jesus calls us to be culture changers through doing good. Those currently in power may feel threatened and persecute us, but many will see and turn to God.
	Blessed Are The Peacemakers Jonny Ruffell 28th June Jonny considers how we can find an inner peace that overflows to the people around us, exploring our aims, limits and possibilities to see God’s will.
	Blessed Are The Pure In Heart Al Bullen 21st June "What bliss you experience when your heart is pure! For then your eyes will open to see more and more of God". Al reminds us that our mandate is to bring life wherever we go.
	Press Reset, Not Play Anthea Wratten 14th June Anthea encourages us to take forward positive change from lock-down by extending the time we spend with Jesus each day.
	Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness Colin Barnes 7th June Colin explains how Jesus unpacks this timeless beatitude in his Sermon on the Mount. It's a timely message that speaks directly to our response to the Black Lives Matter movement, providing hope that the dividing wall of racism may be torn down after hundreds of years of injustice, just as the Berlin Wall and Iron Curtain suddenly fell after decades.
	Get Ready to Catch the Wave Nigel Stock 31st May Nigel encourages us to watch for signs of a new wave of the Spirit and to open ourselves to be saturated by Him. Let's be ready to catch the wave rather than being caught out unprepared by its arrival.
	The Indestructible Church Dave Bull 24th May Guest speaker Dave (All Saints Marlow) talks about the Indestructible Church. We have an inheritance that can never spoil or fade, and we are shielded by God through the gift of resurrection life and a living hope which brings freedom from fear. Let's be bold to reach out and invite others to come to know His love too.
	Kingdom Values for God's People: Blessed Are The Meek Colin Barnes 17th May Meekness is a very misunderstood virtue that has nothing to do weakness. Colin encourages us not to be cowardly or controlling, but to be meek, like God, who is patient, long-suffering, courageous and continually working for good in all things.
	Kingdom Values for God's People: Blessed Are Those Who Mourn Anthea Wratten 10th May Anthea encourages us in these times of collective grief to Weep, Wait and look for Christ’s comfort.
	Kingdom Values for God's People: Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit Andy Read 3rd May In the Kingdom of Heaven, true wealth is recognising our need of God. Let's look out (around us), look in (to ourselves) and look up (to Jesus). Link to The Blessing UK video in which 65 churches participated.
	Kingdom Values for God's People: Ascend the Hill Simon Tempest 26th April Simon introduces season 5 of 'The People of God' teaching series. From now until early July we will be looking at various Kingdom values, this week, Simon introduces The Beatitudes. Now is not the time to shrink back: the world needs the Kingdom of God more than ever. Will we choose to ascend the hill of the Lord, to sit at His feet and to apprentice ourselves to Him again?
	Resurrection 2020 Colin Barnes 12th April Colin brings an Easter message about the God who through Jesus' resurrection has rescued us and reunited us with Him. No one need be excluded from this good news! Therefore let's live fearlessly.
	Here is the Churches Together in Marlow 'socially distant' Good Friday act of worship (no walk of witness this year!) Cat Sweet, Newfield Community Church / Paul Wratten, River Church / Sarah Fitzgerald, All Saints Bisham & St John the Baptist Little Marlow / Nick Thompson, Marlow Methodist / David Downing, Marlow URC / Roland Slade, All Saints Marlow / Graham Watts, The Lantern, Marlow Bottom / Dave Bull, All Saints Marlow / Anthea Wratten, River Church
	God and Me Phil Stewart 5th April Our God is amazing - we will get through this time with Him by our side, but we do need to give time to building our relationship with Him. If we do, we'll be in a much better place to love those around us.
	People of God 4.8: Isaiah part 2 - What do you See / Hear / Believe Nigel Rivers 29th March Nigel picks up where Nigel S finished last week, looking at more aspects of Isaiah's various messages to his nation.
	People of God 4.7: Isaiah - The Man Who Spoke To Kings Nigel Stock 22nd March As well as listening to the audio file linked above, you can also watch not just the talk but the entire meeting...... (the talk starts at 30:43)
	Hope Carriers Colin Barnes 15th March In a last minute departure from his planned talk, Colin addresses the developing COVID-19 situation and encourages us to seek to become contagious with love and hope rather than allowing fear to affect our behaviour.
	People of God 4.6: The Widow of Zarephath - The Woman Who Invited Miracles Gary Jones 8th March Using this story from the life of Elijah Gary reminds us that the greatest miracle of all is salvation and that God will meet us in our greatest times of need. We need to be courageous and trust in Him, because when we do so He releases miracles.
	People Of God 4.5: Elijah - The Man Who Stood Up Ceri Davies 1st March Ceri examines three key lessons we can apply from Elijah's time of conflict with Ahab, Jezebel and the prophets of Baal: we too need to Say (speak God's word with boldness), Pray (with persistence and boldness) and Obey God when He asks us to act.
	When One Hurts We All Hurt Sandra Bullen 23rd February Sandra explores some of the themes of Paul's "Marlow Vision 2020" talk of 5 January, in particular considering the stark difference between Secularism and Christianity and how this impacts our attitudes to one another.
	People of God 4.4: Samuel - The Man Who Heard God Colin Barnes 16th February Colin considers how Samuel learned to hear God’s voice, and how using his example we can learn to hear Jesus more clearly today.
	Passion for Jesus Sue Singh 9th February Having passion means that you can barely contain your feelings. Sue reminds us that Jesus has our backs at all times, so no matter what we go through He is with us, and encourages us all (particularly those over 55) to stir our passion and continue to exercise and develop our spirituality.
	People of God 4.3: Jabez - The Man Who Was Blessed Andy Read 2nd February Andy uses the example of Jabez to speak about PREMISE of Prayer - God is a loving Father; the PROMISE of Prayer - God loves to give us the very best; and the PROCESS of Prayer - God cares about what is going on inside of us as we pray.
	People of God 4.2: Sarah -The Woman Who Laughed Anthea Wratten 26th January Anthea draws three key lessons from the life of Sarah: God’s timing might not be our timing; we can’t engineer God’s ways to help him along; and what God has promised often looks nothing like we think it will!
	People of God Season 4 Episode 1 - Noah Colin Barnes 19th January Colin explains the key lessons of the story of Noah: that God is good; that we shouldn't ever declare judgement; and that we live in God’s favour. He invites us individually to consider what's holding us back, and what is He calling us to?
	Marlow Vision 2020 Paul Wratten 5th January The Marlow vision for 2020 is for us all to go deeper with God together. We are called to be Jesus-Looking mirrors; to love God and others; and to transform ‘one by one’. What is your 'show and tell', and are you ready to share it?