Calvary Chapel: Topical Sermons

Haggai 2:1-9 - Seasons of Change

Mark Walsh — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Haggai 2:1-9 - Seasons of Change

Preacher: Mark Walsh

Sunday Morning

Date: 21st September 2024

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In this powerful message, we dive into Haggai 2:1-9, where the prophet Haggai speaks to the people of Israel during a time of transition and rebuilding. In the midst of change, uncertainty, and rebuilding efforts, God speaks words of encouragement, promise, and hope. Haggai reminds us that though seasons of change can be difficult, God is always present, at work, and has a purpose for every season.

Through this passage, we learn that God's plans are greater than any moment of change, and His presence brings peace and assurance. He promises that the glory of the latter house will be greater than the former, and His Spirit will empower us to face the challenges of transition with hope and confidence.

Join us as we reflect on how God moves in seasons of change, providing strength, purpose, and the confidence that His best is always ahead. No matter the changes we face, we can trust that God is working out His plan for us, and His presence will fill us with greater glory.

Matthew 6:9-15 - How Should We Pray?

Simon Lawrenson — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Matthew 6:9-15 - How Should We Pray?

Preacher: Simon Lawrenson

Sunday Morning

Date: 12th September 2025

Passage: Matthew 6:9-15

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In this sermon on Matthew 6, the pastor explores Jesus’ teaching on prayer, focusing on how Christ diagnoses six heart-level issues that prevent effective prayer while simultaneously providing the gospel cure for each problem.

The first diagnosis is our pursuit of individualism. Jesus counters this by teaching us to pray “our Father,” not “my Father,” emphasising that Christianity is inherently communal, not merely individual. The pastor points to Acts 1:14 where the disciples “with one accord devoted themselves to prayer,” resulting in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The gospel cure is that God has placed us in a family, and our response should be to pray together in life groups, prayer meetings, and with prayer partners.

The second diagnosis is our misunderstanding of God as Father. Many view God primarily as judge, sovereign, or king, but Jesus teaches us to approach Him as Father. The pastor notes that in every recorded prayer except one (when forsaken on the cross), Jesus addressed God as Father. The gospel cure is that through Christ’s sacrifice, we have been given “the right to become children of God” (John 1:12), allowing us to approach God with confidence rather than fear.

The third diagnosis is “self on the throne” instead of God. Jesus teaches us to pray “hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done,” exposing our tendency to make ourselves the centre of our prayers. The pastor uses the analogy of microscopes and telescopes: “Oftentimes we come to God like we use a microscope… our small, insignificant problems, we make them look huge… Instead, we should come to God like a telescope, because telescopes make those things that seem small but are actually massive, look big.” The cure is found in Christ who perfectly submitted to the Father’s will.

The fourth diagnosis is the illusion of control. By teaching us to pray for daily bread and forgiveness, Jesus reminds us that we are dependent creatures, not sovereign rulers. The gospel cure is seen in Jesus’ submission in Gethsemane: “Not my will but yours be done.” Our response should be to surrender control of those areas we’ve been trying to manage without God.

The fifth diagnosis is unconfessed sin. Jesus teaches us to pray “forgive us our debts,” acknowledging that prayer is for the broken, not the perfect. The pastor emphasises, “Sin should not keep us from God. Sin should be the very thing that drives us to God.” The gospel cure is that through the cross, God has made a way for sin to be dealt with, and our response should be to extend that same forgiveness to others who have sinned against us.

The sixth diagnosis is complacency toward spiritual warfare. By teaching us to pray “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” Jesus reminds us that we face a real enemy who “prowls around like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8). The gospel cure is that Christ has equipped us with the Word of God as our sword and the Holy Spirit as our power to face temptation.

The sermon concludes by emphasising that prayer isn’t about perfection but about coming to God in our brokenness: “It’s not bad news to admit that we need help. It’s good news because what Jesus is saying is that sinners can come to the Father and the redeemed can come to the Father. And both can say, ‘Help me.'” Every failure becomes an invitation to return to God and be filled with His Word and Spirit.

2 Samuel 9:1-13 - Identity: Who do you think you are?

Andrew Whitman — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100

2 Samuel 9:1-13 - Identity: Who do you think you are?

Preacher: Andrew Whitman

Sunday Morning

Date: 21st October 2025

Passage: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

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In this week’s powerful sermon, Who Do You Think You Are?, Andrew Whitman explores one of the most moving and often overlooked stories in the Bible — the story of Mephibosheth from 2 Samuel 9. Through Mephibosheth’s journey from shame to restoration, Andrew challenges us to reflect on how we see ourselves and where we find our identity.

Too often, we allow our past mistakes, failures, or brokenness to define who we are. Like Mephibosheth, many of us live with a sense of spiritual exile — feeling forgotten, unworthy, or unloved. But God’s message to us is one of grace, redemption, and new identity. When King David sought out Mephibosheth, he restored his place at the royal table, symbolising how God restores us through His mercy.

Andrew Whitman, a passionate and insightful Bible teacher, unpacks this story with warmth, humour, and biblical truth. He reminds us that our true identity is not determined by our circumstances or our past, but by God’s unchanging love and purpose. This sermon calls us to stop believing the lies of insecurity and start living as sons and daughters of the King.

If you’ve ever questioned your worth, struggled with shame, or wondered how God sees you, this message will speak directly to your heart. Discover how to walk in the freedom of your identity in Christ and embrace the life God has already prepared for you.

Join us as we learn how grace changes everything — especially who we think we are.

Romans 8:18-30 - Hope: The One Thing You Can’t Lose in the Middle of Suffering

Andy Kind — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Romans 8:18-30 - Hope: The One Thing You Can’t Lose in the Middle of Suffering

Preacher: Andy Kind

Sunday Morning

Date: 27th October 2025

Passage: Romans 8:18-30

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In this moving and thought-provoking message, Andy Kind explores the unshakable hope that Paul describes in Romans 8 — a hope that doesn’t depend on circumstances, feelings, or quick fixes, but on the unchanging character of God. Speaking with his trademark blend of humour, honesty, and heart, Andy invites us to rediscover what it really means to live as people of hope in a world that often feels hopeless.

Romans 8 reminds us that creation itself is “groaning” — longing for renewal, restoration, and redemption. We feel that same tension in our lives: the ache of waiting, the weight of uncertainty, and the deep longing for things to be made right. Yet in the middle of that struggle, Paul points us to a hope that holds. It’s not a vague optimism that things might get better someday. It’s the confident expectation that God is working all things together for good — even when we can’t yet see how.

Andy helps us see that hope is not passive; it’s a defiant act of trust. It’s choosing to believe that the story isn’t over, even when the plot takes a painful turn. Through vivid illustrations and heartfelt encouragement, he reminds us that the Holy Spirit is present in our weakness, interceding for us when words run out and faith feels thin.

This sermon is an invitation to lift our eyes beyond the temporary, to fix our hearts on the eternal, and to live with courage, confidence, and compassion in the waiting. Hope isn’t just something we hold — it’s something that holds us.