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Celebrate Church Bradford Sunday Sermon
Free teaching from Celebrate Church, in Bradford, W Yorks, UK.
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12. A Culture of Encouragement: Becoming a Hero Incubator
45:57||Season 2026, Ep. 12What kind of culture produces healthy, confident, Spirit-filled believers?In this inspiring message, Steve Backlund shares a vision for the church as a hero incubator—a place where people are encouraged, empowered, and called into their God-given identity.Drawing from Hebrews 10:23–25, Steve explores three practical dimensions of encouragement: learning to encourage yourself in the Lord, becoming someone who sees and celebrates the gold in others, and growing in prophetic encouragement that calls people into their destiny.Along the way, he unpacks lessons from David at Ziklag, Gideon’s encounter with the angel of the Lord, Barnabas’ ministry in the early church, and the power of focusing on God's faithfulness rather than life's disappointments.Whether you're a church leader, team member, or simply hungry to build healthier relationships, this message will equip you to create an atmosphere where hope grows, identity is strengthened, and people flourish.Key Topics:• The church as a "hero incubator"• Encouraging yourself in God• Breaking cycles of negativity and cynicism• Developing a father-hearted perspective• Prophetic encouragement and identity• Building a culture where people thrive• Lessons from David, Gideon, and BarnabasA powerful teaching on creating environments where people discover who they truly are and become all God has called them to be.
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11. Ephesians: The Mystery Revealed
52:40||Season 2026, Ep. 11What if one of the most influential letters in the New Testament was written to a city shaped by empire, wealth, competing spiritualities, and one of the wonders of the ancient world?In this episode, we begin a journey through Paul's letter to the Ephesians, lead by Stuart Gregg leader of Celebrate Church. Before exploring the text itself, we uncover the fascinating story of Ephesus—a thriving Roman city dominated by the Temple of Artemis, where culture, religion, and power collided.Discover how the church in Ephesus was born through signs, wonders, bold preaching, and lives transformed by the power of Jesus. Along the way, we explore how the New Testament was preserved, why we can trust the biblical text, and how Paul's message challenged both the culture of his day and ours.At the heart of it all is a profound truth: God has a plan, and that plan is revealed in Jesus Christ. The mystery is no longer hidden. The King has been revealed.Join us as we begin this verse-by-verse journey through one of Paul's richest and most powerful letters.10. Psalm 23 Through Connection: Leaving Separation Mindset Behind
52:53||Season 2026, Ep. 10Sorry ! There are some audio drop outs on the recording. Still well worth listening to.John Hulse opens with jokes, then recaps a church theme about building with an “empire mindset” and explains two lenses for life: separation (scarcity, certainty, perfection, self-centeredness) versus connection (enough, mystery, fallibility, others-focused). Using Psalm 23 (amplified), John argues it is often read through a Western, separation mindset that treats God like a controller, instead of a shepherd who feeds, guides, and shields. He links “I shall not want” to freedom from scarcity and describe green pastures and still waters as restoring spaces that foster creativity and prepare people for growth. John redefines the “valley of the shadow of death” as the fears that stop someone taking the next step of obedience, illustrating with Paul writing in prison and a personal story of becoming a union rep guided by Micah 6:8. He interprets “a table in the presence of my enemies” as inviting and honoring opponents, referencing a Russell Brand interview with Jamie Winship that challenged the speaker’s judgment.9. The Uncompromising Disciple: Stand Firm, Speak Boldly, Love Fiercely
46:36||Season 2026, Ep. 9Andrew Cannon of Gospel Grenades warmly greets Celebrate Church. He shares about his book and “Freedom in Christ” merchandise, and highlights Project Saved, inviting supporters to sign up for the newsletter and give monthly to help rescue children in Nepal, noting rapid growth in staff and rescues. He then teaches on “The Uncompromising Disciple,” outlining four themes: stand firm in faith, speak boldly, love fiercely, and don’t back down. Using scriptures from Ephesians, Joshua, Acts, 1 Peter, Galatians, Hebrews, and examples like Peter and John, Daniel, Jonah, and Paul and Silas, he urges believers to go public with faith, resist fear through God’s love, use praise as a powerful spiritual weapon, and live faithfully with courage and unity, even under pressure and potential persecution.8. Five Smooth Stones: How God Prepares Us for Battle (David & Goliath)
28:28||Season 2026, Ep. 8In this follow-up message, Claire reflects on how watching House of David drew fresh attention to the preparation behind David’s victory in First Book of Samuel. Instead of centering on the moment David faces the giant, the teaching highlights the hidden years that shaped him.David—King David—was overlooked and unseen, yet his life as a shepherd became the training ground where intimacy with God was formed. Fighting the lion and the bear built courage and faith long before he met Goliath. When the moment came, David refused Saul’s armor and trusted the God who had already proven faithful. Claire connects this story to modern battles—health struggles, work pressures, family burdens, mental health, and trauma—offering five “spiritual stones” for believers today:Prayer – cultivating closeness with God in the hidden placesGod’s Word – anchoring life in truth and promisesFaith – trusting God’s past faithfulness for present challengesTestimony & Community – drawing strength from shared stories and supportJesus the Cornerstone – building everything on Jesus ChristThe talk concludes by inviting listeners to name their own “battle cry,” praying for boldness, courage, and deeper trust in God as they face the giants before them.7. Easter: Pierced for Our Rebellion, Whole and Healed (Isaiah 53:5)
18:43||Season 2026, Ep. 7Easter: Pierced for Our Rebellion, Whole and Healed (Isaiah 53:5)Liz Gregg shares their love of spring and Easter and reflects on how Jesus changed history, then explains they rewrote their message overnight to focus on Isaiah 53:5. She unpacks the prophecy—written hundreds of years before Jesus—saying Jesus was pierced for rebellion, crushed for sins, beaten so we could be whole, and whipped so we could be healed. Liz describes sin as the wrong and selfish harm people do, share how she gave her life to Jesus at nearly eight after a vivid sense Jesus said “it’s for you,” and explain biblical “shalom” as wholeness and inner peace despite circumstances, including a story of a traumatised woman feeling free. She recounts healings from Brazil and personal healing stories, then invite listeners to respond through forgiveness, wholeness, or physical healing and seek prayer.6. The Dos and Donts of disappointment
46:24||Season 2026, Ep. 6Dealing With Disappointment: From John the Baptist to a Shield of FaithAfter opening with jokes, Stuart Gregg reflects on church life being measured by whether God “turns up” and whether the church does what He says, then shifts to two linked Bible passages about John the Baptist: first, John confidently prepares the way for the Messiah and points to Jesus; later, from prison, John sends disciples to ask if Jesus is truly the one, showing how expectancy can turn into disappointment. The talk explores disappointment in personal, cultural, and church contexts, warning against coping by distraction or displacement, and urging listeners to take disappointment to God and trusted people rather than isolating. Practical responses include honesty in prayer, worship, keeping testimonies to build a “shield of faith” against the devil’s “fiery darts,” seeking inner healing (sozo), and practicing 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18—joy, continual prayer, and thankfulness in all circumstances.