Emmanuel Sunday Talks

In this sermon, Matt Carvel tackles the accusation that the Bible condones slavery by unpacking Exodus 21. He explains that the passage describes a form of voluntary servitude meant to protect the vulnerable, not oppressive slavery as we understand it today. These laws were compassionate provisions in a broken world, pointing to a deeper spiritual truth: through Jesus, we are set free from sin and made children of God. Matt also critiques modern society’s focus on individual rights, warning that without a foundation in God, human value is easily lost. Ultimately, true freedom is found only in Christ.

In this sermon Tobi Ford-Western reflects on the profound holiness of God as revealed in Exodus 20 and contrasts it with His equally astounding mercy. Tobi emphasises that God’s holiness is overwhelming and often causes fear and guilt in humanity, yet God desires closeness, not distance. Instead of expecting perfection, God invites people to approach Him through simple, humble means - symbolised by the altar made of dirt. Tobi warns against idolatry, whether by creating a false version of God or worshipping worldly desires, and urges us to tear down these idols. Ultimately, it proclaims that Jesus met us in our sin and shame, becoming "our dirt" so we might be made holy and know God’s grace.

As part of our Gift Day Sunday, Matt Carvel gives a powerful call to faith and generosity, highlighting how God transforms lives through His Word and invites us to spread the gospel locally and globally through the church and acts of giving.

In this sermon, Stephen unpacks the relevance of the Ten Commandments for us today, presenting them not as outdated rules but as a gift from a loving God. He explains that the commandments act as a mirror to reveal our sin, a window into God's character, a guide for living the good life, and part of a covenant of love between God and His people. Far from being legalistic, the commandments show us our need for grace and point us toward deeper relationship and obedience to God. True love for God is expressed by keeping His commands, not to earn salvation, but in response to His saving grace.

In this sermon, Neville Jones explores Exodus 19, emphasising that God’s law was not given to save the Israelites, but to shape them into His “treasured possession,” a holy nation, and a kingdom of priests. He draws parallels to Christians today, stressing that salvation comes through grace, not rule-keeping, and that obedience to God’s instructions flows from love and relationship, not obligation. The law, reinterpreted as God’s blueprint for living, helps foster intimacy with God, create a distinct Christ-centred community, and reveal Jesus to the world through transformed lives lived in unity.