Ivy Church

The most anxiety-producing factor in the world today is uncertainty about the future. What’s going to happen tomorrow, and the next day? There are decisions we must make which bear not only upon our own lives, but everyone with whom we are associated. We’re constantly having to make decisions, then we are frustrated as circumstances change again – so how can we know that we are making the right ones? Psalm 23 says about our Good Shepherd “He guides me along right paths..” The Hebrew word translated "paths" means "a well-defined, well-worn trail,” indicating how silly sheep are, because even when the trail is well laid out, they still need a shepherd! Today we’ll discover how we RECOVER the way forward - wherever we may be.

In Psalm 23 David writes, ‘even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil.’ Each of us will go through times of walking through dark valleys. If we embrace these moments, we will experience God’s comfort and he will do a deep work in us as he leads us through in to new life.

This past year has brought so many difficulties to so many; everyone has faced struggles of some sort. Yet, one of the biggest markers of followers of Jesus is Joy; not that we ignore the hard stuff, but what if we orientate and live our lives in a way that we intentionally choose Joy by rediscovering the art of celebration. Celebration gives birth to Joy, and it is Joy that gives us strength; let us be a church that emerges out of lockdown marked by the joy of the Lord, and let this his Joy be our strength for all that is to come.

The Lord is my Shepherd… he LEADS ME. We are not alone, we are not abandoned. He has a way to REFRESH us on our journey whatever we go through as we stick close to the Good Shepherd and to one another.

Socrates famously said ‘The unexamined life is not worth living” and if ever there was a time to slow down and reflect on our experiences it’s now. 
What we reflect ON, will make all the difference in what we reflect TO others and we want to be a church full of people who look and love like Jesus. 
The old maps we have do not fit the future ahead of us so as we prayerfully begin a new series in sermons and Grow Group studies we’ll take time to reflect, rather than just react, then we can recalibrate, regroup and reimagine the future ways we can worship as individuals, families and as a church family.

As the apostle Paul knew the end of his life was approaching he looked at 3 areas that mattered most to assess what mattered most. Everyone’s giving their life for something, how about you?

When the world is getting worse and worse, the church is infiltrated by false teaching, it’s harder than ever to be a Christian, it’s the last days - so what do we do? Find out as we continue our study in 2 Timothy Chapter 3.

Did you know God has a calling for every single person. Thats right all 7 Billion of us! Now thats a lot of calling!! Now you might think stepping into your calling means... 'Great a life of ease and comfort is coming my way'. Unfortunately thats not what the Bible promises. In fact, its quite the opposite. Today Tim brings a message from 2 Timothy 2, Pauls letter to Timothy. In his letter, Paul explains that when we step into God's calling for our lives, It is going to be much harder than we think it will be. But on the flip side, the rewards will be greater than we could ever imagine.

From the place of ultimate lockdown, fear and death, comes a letter of hope to help a young man struggling with doubts about his call and God’s power.

In 1 Timothy 6, Paul addresses the issue of contentment. We live in a culture that is set on the belief that contentment is found in the pursuit of more; but the truth is often revealed that this is a futile pursuit. Whilst world tells us that to be content you need more, the gospel tells us that Jesus is enough!

Join us as we continue in our series looking at the letter written to Timothy with guest speaker Lynn Swart

Happy Easter!!! Have you ever thought... What’s so 'happy' about Easter? What makes Good Friday, Good? Why do we even celebrate Easter? What is it all about? Today Anthony unpacks what is of most importance! And you may be surprised to find the answer is found in an empty tomb.

Ever felt like giving up? The pressures of this world can sometimes make us think that giving up is the best route out. "Dont Fall Away!" Be encouraged this morning to persevere and stay focused; saving yourself and those around you.

Jesus said ‘Many are called, but few are chosen.’ What filters did Jesus and the early church put in place to move people from the consuming crowd to the committed core, who are commissioned to change the world? We’ll find out as we dive deeper into 1 Timothy 3.

Contrary to what you may think or have heard, 1 Timothy 2 shows how God has a great plan for both women and men to live, learn and lead for Him!

Today we start a new series, The Church of The Living God with Guest Speaker Lucy Peppiatt. Lucy will be looking at 1 Timothy 1. As we seek to learn from Paul on fighting the good fight through turmoil and tiredness.

A time where we can reflect on the past year and celebrate God's goodness in all he enabled us to do. As well as look forward into 2021 and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Today we welcome guest speaker Pastor Paul Lloyd, leader of Victory Outreach Church and author of Leading Broken People. Pastor Paul brings a message of love as we continue in our Year of Mercy series.

God's mercy isn’t something He ‘does’ it is who He is. Today we hear from Hannah as we continue in our Year of Mercy, looking in the book of Ruth at the story of Naomi. I wonder, have you ever felt abandoned? By a friend, family member or maybe even by God himself? As we explore this story together, we'll see that despite the tragedy, heartache and abandonment Naomi felt, God had never left her. A beautiful story of redemption and restoration was being played out. A story that captures the true love God has for His children. A love that is accessible for all A loyal love, because He is mercy.

This Valentine's day as we focus on love, Sarah Small, Head of the Eden Network, encourages us to embrace the fullness of Jesus' command to love God, and to love our neighbour. Being neighbourly isn't an optional extra, and sometimes our neighbours are not those that we would naturally feel drawn to, but God's Kingdom is about crossing over the lines that divide and demonstrating his radical mercy to all.