Bethel Baptist Church, Macclesfield

4 May 2025: "I didn't get much out of church today"

Date: 4 May 2025.
Speaker: Harry Pritchard.
Scripture: Mark 10:35-45.
It is easy to criticise. It is easy to ask, "What do I get out of it?". Christ set us an example of servanthood: let's ask, what can I do for the church? What can I do for others?

27 April 2025: All-age service, jealousy

Date: 27 April 2025.
Speaker: Harry Pritchard, Katherine Peters.
Scripture: Genesis 37:1-9, 18-29.
Jealousy is a sin with which we are all familiar, but how do we handle it, how can we avoid it?

20 April 2025: Raised with Christ

Date: 20 April 2025.
Speaker: Harry Pritchard.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10.
The resurrection impacts everybody. As Christians we are raised with Christ, we must count ourselves dead to sin and the old life, and we live our new life for Christ. There are a few challenges here.

13 April 2025: Jesus comes to Jerusalem as King

Date: 13 April 2025.
Speaker: Harry Pritchard.
Scripture: Luke 19:28-44.
We may note the Triumphal Entry as a joyous occasion, but we see a range of emotions in the account. When we live by faith, we may encounter various difficulties, but we can know that God is working His purposes out.

6 April 2025: Force yourself to pray

Date: 6 April 2025.
Speaker: Harry Pritchard.
Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46.
Prayer should not be an ordeal. Prayer makes a tremendous difference, and we put ourselves in danger when we neglect it. Jesus asked His disciples, "Could you not pray for one hour?" - for how long do we pray?

30 March 2025: Forgiveness

Date: 30 March 2025.
Speaker: Roland Taylor.
Scripture: Numbers 14:1-23.
Like repentance, forgiveness is not a simple topic, forgiving somebody involves taking a new path, which is examined in today's message.

23 March 2025: All age service - the parable of the unmerciful servant

Date: 23 March 2025.
Speaker: Harry Pritchard.
Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35.
We can listen to the parable and have little sympathy for the unmerciful servant, but the point is that we need to forgive those who offend or upset us, with the stark warning that God will not forgive us our sins if we do not do so.

12 January 2025: Are we ready for Christ's return? Part 2.

Date: 12 January 2025.
Speaker: Harry Pritchard.
Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13.
If we are not familiar with the parable, the response of the bridegroom to the foolish virgins comes as a shock. That is deliberate - we need shaking up. Are we ready for Christ's return? What does it mean to be ready?

5 January 2025: Are we ready for Christ's Return?

Date: 5 January 2025.
Speaker: Harry Pritchard.
Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13.
Are you expecting Christ to return soon? Are you ready for Him to return soon? How do we reconcile a coming "very soon" when there has been a 2000 year delay since His promise?