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St Jude's Southsea

St Jude's Southsea

By: St Jude's Southsea
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St Jude's has a vision to make Jesus the heart of Southsea. We will do this through growing faith, offering hope and sharing God's love.All rights reserved Spirituality
Episodes
  • Moving Towards Outsiders: Mission and Relationships – Acts 16:1–15 (Lorna Sandland)

    Moving Towards Outsiders: Mission and Relationships – Acts 16:1–15 (Lorna Sandland)
    Jun 28 2026
    This talk was given by Lorna at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 6th July 2025. The reading was Acts 16:1–15. The talk explores a searching question: do we as Christians move towards those outside the church, or do we simply hope they will come to us? Using Acts 16 and Paul's journey with Timothy to Philippi, Lorna examines how mission and relationships are inseparable — and why the quality of our relationships within the church directly shapes how others perceive the Christian faith. Drawing on the TV show Race Across the World as an analogy, Lorna traces Paul's recruitment of Timothy, the surprising decision to circumcise him to remove barriers, and the Spirit's redirection of their travel plans. She highlights how Paul's willingness to be flexible and obedient to the Holy Spirit led to the encounter with Lydia by the river — a meeting that would never have happened had Paul insisted on his own plans. Lydia's conversion and baptism, along with her entire household, stands as a powerful example of what happens when mission is relational, spirit-led, and willing to meet people where they are. Lorna challenges us to consider the barriers we might unknowingly place in front of others — including church language — and to ask not "God, bless what I'm doing" but "God, help me to notice where you are already moving."
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    27 mins
  • Grace Has No Postcode – Acts 15:1-12, 22-31 (Emmanuel Murangira, Tearfund)

    Grace Has No Postcode – Acts 15:1-12, 22-31 (Emmanuel Murangira, Tearfund)
    Jun 21 2026
    This talk was given by Emmanuel at St Jude's Church, Southsea. The reading was Acts 15:1–12 and 22–31. Emmanuel, who works for Tearfund and is based in Kigali, Rwanda, explores the question at the heart of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15: who qualifies for God's grace? The early church debated whether Gentile believers needed to meet certain preconditions before they could truly belong. Emmanuel draws a striking parallel with our own tendency to set conditions on who is welcome — whether based on background, appearance, or circumstance — and argues that grace, by its very nature, has no boundaries. He captures this idea in the memorable phrase "grace has no postcode." Drawing on his experience of church life in Rwanda, Emmanuel shares a moving story of believers walking over 40 kilometres each way to worship together, because as one woman put it, "I find grace among other people." He reflects on how communities are transformed not by outside intervention alone, but because God is already at work in their midst. He connects the letter sent by the Jerusalem Council — which brought gladness and encouragement — with the practical acts of generosity and solidarity that cross borders today. The talk is a warm and compelling reminder that God's grace is not confined to any place, culture, or condition, but moves freely and reaches everyone who seeks it.
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    20 mins
  • The Church Militant: Sharing the Gospel Across Cultures - Acts 14:8–23 (Nigel Bennett)

    The Church Militant: Sharing the Gospel Across Cultures - Acts 14:8–23 (Nigel Bennett)
    Jun 14 2026
    This talk was given by Nigel Bennett. The reading was Acts 14:8–23, which follows Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey through the city of Lystra and beyond. The talk explores what it means for the church to be "militant" — not in the aggressive sense the word often carries today, but in its original meaning of being active, determined, and faithful in spiritual service. It examines how Paul and Barnabas navigated a dramatic clash of cultures in Lystra, where a miraculous healing led the local people to mistake them for Greek gods, and how the apostles responded with humility, flexibility, and courage — even in the face of a violent stoning. Drawing lessons from Paul's approach of starting with common ground rather than unfamiliar scripture, the talk encourages Christians today to listen carefully to those around them, to understand the worldview of the people they speak with, and to communicate the good news of Jesus authentically. It reflects honestly on the challenges of living in a society that has largely moved away from Christian understanding, while affirming that God's grace continues to work through his people in partnership. The talk closes with a call to perseverance, resilience, and joy in sharing the gospel — not retreating from the world, but engaging it with faithfulness and hope.
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    26 mins
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