Emmanuel Sunday Talks

Where do you find hope when life feels difficult, the future feels uncertain, and your circumstances don't seem to change? This morning George preached to us from Ephesians 1 and explores the incredible inheritance we have in Jesus: a relationship with the God of hope, who has chosen us and promises never to let us go. Our hope isn't dependent on how strong our faith feels or how well life is going, but on God's faithfulness and the sacrifice of Jesus. George also reminds us that every one of us, whatever our circumstances or limitations, has a purpose: to display the glory and grace of God. Whatever you're facing, there is always hope in Christ.

Have you ever looked at the world around you and wondered how God could possibly make things right? Matt Carvel reminds us that God has a plan far bigger than we can see: to unite all things in Jesus. Our lives are part of this incredible story, and while we can often become focused on our own happiness and circumstances, we’re invited to lift our eyes to something greater. Even when life feels messy or difficult, we can trust that God is still at work, restoring all things and shaping us to become more like Jesus. Whatever season we find ourselves in, we can live with hope and purpose, knowing that the story ultimately belongs to Him and that everything will one day be made right.

Is it possible to not feel guilty? In this sermon from our Sunday service going through Ephesians 1, George explores what it means to be set free from guilt through Jesus. We all carry the weight of things we’ve done wrong, things we wish we could change, and ways we’ve fallen short, but guilt isn’t something we can simply explain away or overcome by trying harder to be better. This message reminds us of the crux of our faith: As Christians we believe our deepest debt is before God, and is one we could never pay ourselves. Through Jesus’ death, we have redemption and forgiveness according to the riches of God’s grace, inviting us to stop striving to prove ourselves and discover the freedom of being forgiven and set free from the chains of guilt.If you are listening and you're not a Christian, maybe you're just exploring what it all means, then all this might be new to you. If you're local, we'd love to get to know you and chat more at one of our in-person services in Brighton, Hove, Shoreham, or Hangleton. You can find one of our church sites near you at www.weareemmanuel.com/servicesOr follow us on instagram @weareemmanuel to get a feel of what that in-person visit would be like.

This morning, Tobi explores what it means to truly receive the love of God in Ephesians 1. We can know about God’s love intellectually while still struggling to experience it personally, but Ephesians reminds us that we have been chosen, adopted and loved by God before the foundation of the world. Through Jesus, we are invited to move from striving and behaving into belonging, discovering that our identity is not defined by what we do, but by being deeply loved by God.

This morning Tim Jones preached to us from Ephesians 1, where he explores what it means to be “in Christ” and to receive every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Rather than measuring our lives by material success, circumstances or what the world calls “blessed,” he reminds us that our true identity, security and hope are found in Jesus. Because we are united with Christ, we are made new, held secure by God, given a heavenly inheritance and called to live with the confidence that our future is secure in Him.

Matt Simmonds kicks off our new preaching series through Ephesians 1, exploring the question, “Who are we?” In a world where identity is often shaped by our achievements, suffering, relationships, or how others see us, Paul points us to a deeper truth: we are in Christ. As believers, we are saints - people who have been made holy, set apart and brought into belonging through Jesus. Our identity is not ultimately defined by our past, our failures or our accomplishments, but by who we are in Christ. Matt encourages us to allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of our hearts so that we can understand the hope, inheritance and immeasurable power we have in Jesus.

Paul Dawson preached to us from Numbers 10 this Sunday and explores what it means to say “yes” to God and step into the promises He has placed before us. Through the story of Moses and Hobab, Paul challenges us to move beyond a heart of “no” and trust that God has given each person unique value, gifts, and purpose. We are reminded that God sees our worth, has something for each of us to contribute, and invites us to walk with Him into what He has prepared. Paul encourages us to revisit the promises and dreams God has spoken over our lives, respond with faith, and say “yes” to His leading. 

This sermon from Hebrews 11 explores the life of Moses and what it means to live by faith rather than by sight. Moses chose God’s people over the temporary pleasures, identity, wealth, and power of Egypt because he was captivated by something eternal. The message encourages us to ground our identity in what God’s Word says, resist the fleeting things of this world, and trust God even when we cannot see what He is doing. Faith may lead to breakthrough, but it can also mean enduring difficult circumstances with confidence that God is at work. As we begin a new season, we are challenged to step out in faith, remain faithful to Jesus, and look to Him as the source and perfecter of our faith.--------------------------------------------------------------------If this struck a chord with you, come to church. We meet every Sunday across different sites in Brighton and Hove so head to our website to find out more:weareemmanuel.com

This sermon from Acts 28 brings the World Turned Upside Down series to a powerful conclusion, showing that the Kingdom of God cannot be stopped. Through Paul’s journey from Malta to Rome, we see how God can use unexpected delays, difficult circumstances, and even opposition to advance the gospel. The message reminds us that we are not responsible for the fruit, but we are responsible for our faithfulness, and that each of us has a part to play in God’s mission. As Acts comes to an open-ended close, we are reminded that the story continues through Spirit-filled believers today, as Jesus continues to build His Church and advance His Kingdom.

This sermon from Acts 27 explores how God remains faithful and present with us in the middle of life’s storms. Through Paul’s journey at sea, we see how storms can leave us overwhelmed, hopeless, and questioning whether God cares, yet God is never absent. The message encourages us to cast off what weighs us down, listen for God’s voice, and hold onto the hope He gives - even when we cannot see the way forward. Ultimately, the sermon points to Jesus, who faced the greatest storm of all on the cross so that we can trust Him through every storm, knowing that He cares deeply for us and will bring His people safely home.