What do you do when you can clearly see God at work and at the same time find yourself facing pain, disappointment or unanswered prayer? One does not necessarily cancel out the other. In fact, the New Testament shows us that learning to walk faithfully in both weakness and the power of God can be part of mature Spirit-filled Christianity. Continuing our journey through 2 Corinthians, Jason Humphreys explores Paul's extraordinary description of his own ministry in 2 Corinthians 11. Paul had seen God work powerfully through his life, yet his story also included opposition, beatings, imprisonment, shipwreck, pressure, weakness and suffering. Rather than seeing those hardships as proof that God had abandoned him, Paul understood his life through the pattern of Jesus. Jesus told his disciples to expect the work and power of the Holy Spirit and also opposition and difficulty. The two realities could exist together. That gives us a strong framework for understanding our own lives. We don't have to allow an unanswered prayer in one area to stop us trusting God in another. We don't have to disqualify ourselves from serving others because there are still places in our own lives where we are waiting for breakthrough. And we don't have to choose between honestly acknowledging weakness and boldly expecting God to move. The invitation is to remain deeply connected to Jesus, listen to the Holy Spirit, and faithfully take the next step God puts in front of us. If you are currently in a season where God seems powerfully present in some places and painfully difficult to understand in others, we hope this message encourages you to keep trusting, keep listening and keep moving forward with Him. Bible passages: John 14–15 2 Corinthians 11:16–33 2 Corinthians 4:7 Romans 15 Hebrews 12:2 This message was shared at Chiltern Church, Sutton, UK. Find out more: https://www.chilternchurch.org.uk/ CHAPTERS 0:00 When following Jesus feels confusing 2:04 Holding together God's power and life's hardships 3:28 Permission to keep believing for breakthrough 4:24 The next shot – a lesson from golf 5:40 Prayer 6:42 Jesus prepares us for both realities 8:39 “If the world hates you…” – John 15 10:26 Expect God's power and expect opposition 11:17 We see both realities in Jesus 12:26 You don't graduate beyond weakness 13:20 2 Corinthians 11 – Paul's troubled relationship with Corinth 14:46 Were Paul's hardships evidence against him? 15:52 Paul's surprising “boast” 18:16 Beatings, shipwrecks and weakness 19:48 Treasure in jars of clay 21:49 The spiritual whiplash of Christian life 22:57 The pattern of mature Spirit-filled life 24:26 Don't let disappointment lower your expectation of God 25:28 Celebrating someone else's breakthrough while you wait 26:18 Don't disqualify yourself 27:49 Don't disqualify others either 29:03 What Christian integrity really looks like 30:50 Prayer: freedom to hear God and obey 32:03 Faith while we are waiting #SpiritFilledLife #2Corinthians #ChristianLiving #FaithInHardTimes #HolySpirit #TrustGod #UnansweredPrayer #SpiritualGrowth #FollowingJesus #BibleTeaching #ChristianSermon #ChilternChurch

God wants to build something new in our lives but sometimes, before something new can be built, something old needs to come down. Continuing our Hope: How to Live with Hope in Chaotic Times series, Jason Humphreys explores Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 10 and what they teach us about moving forward with God. Paul describes spiritual weapons that are “powerful through God for the demolishing of strongholds” and calls us to take every thought captive to obey Christ. God sometimes needs to challenge established patterns of thinking, attitudes and responses in us so that He can build something new. We can all become stuck at times. There may be areas where we instinctively become defensive, resist what God is saying, or hold tightly to ways of thinking that no longer align with Him. But Paul’s words offer hope. Through the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, our thinking can be renewed. Strongholds can come down. Our hearts can become increasingly aligned with God, creating space for Him to build what He desires in us. The battle Paul describes is not a call to fight against other people. It is an invitation to allow God to transform our own hearts and minds. Where might God be inviting you to move forward? What does He want to renew in your thinking? And what might He want to build next in your life? Bible passages: Jeremiah 1:9–10 2 Corinthians 10:1–11 This message was shared at Chiltern Church, Sutton, UK. Find out more about Chiltern Church: https://www.chilternchurch.org.uk/ CHAPTERS 0:00 When we get stuck in our Christian walk 1:17 The picture of a stronghold 2:44 How strongholds can create chaos 3:20 Making space to build something new 4:50 Jeremiah 1 – Tear down, build and plant 6:36 2 Corinthians 10 8:09 The weapons God gives us 9:07 Demolishing strongholds and taking thoughts captive 10:46 What was happening in the Corinthian church? 12:41 When something becomes entrenched in our hearts 13:25 Going to battle in our own lives 14:28 Making space for God to build 14:50 How to identify an area God wants to change 15:16 Using Scripture to renew our thinking 16:14 Helping the church move forward 17:05 Prayer – Lord, show me where I need to grow #GodIsBuilding #2Corinthians10 #RenewYourMind #TakeEveryThoughtCaptive #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLiving #BibleTeaching #FollowingJesus #WordOfGod #HolySpirit #Faith #ChristianSermon #ChilternChurch

Money is one of the most personal and challenging subjects Jesus and the Bible speak about. In this message from 2 Corinthians 9, Jason explores God's wisdom for generosity—not as a burden or obligation, but as an invitation to honour God, participate in His mission, and experience the freedom that comes from faithful stewardship. Looking across the whole story of Scripture, from Genesis to the early church, we discover that generosity has always been rooted in God's character and His desire for His people to flourish. Whether you're exploring questions about tithing, giving, stewardship, or simply wanting to understand God's heart for money, this message offers a thoughtful biblical foundation. Series: Hope in Chaotic Times Passage: 2 Corinthians 9 If this message encourages you, we'd love for you to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may benefit from it. Find out more about Chiltern Church: https://www.chilternchurch.org.uk/ Follow us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chilternchurch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chilternchurchuk/ 00:00 Introduction 03:39 Questions Welcome 06:46 Three Biblical Purposes of Giving 10:47 2 Corinthians 9 Explained 15:08 Sowing and Reaping 19:39 Everything Belongs to God 27:02 The Story of Giving Across Scripture 31:09 Abraham, Melchizedek & the Tithe 35:27 Giving with a Willing Heart 37:29 Supporting God's Work 39:52 Giving in the New Testament 43:40 The Early Church (Didache) 47:14 Giving and the Local Church 49:13 God's Vision for His Church 51:38 Final Challenge and Prayer #ChristianGiving #Stewardship #2Corinthians #BiblicalWisdom #Generosity #HopeInChaoticTimes #ChilternChurch

What does it mean for Christians not to be “unequally yoked” — and how can we remain holy without withdrawing from the people God has called us to love? In this message from 2 Corinthians 6:11–7:1, Jason Humphreys explores Paul’s call to a life fully aligned with Christ. Through memorable illustrations drawn from everyday life, Jason explores how our identity in Christ shapes our closest relationships while also sending us into the world with love, grace and purpose. This message considers: • Why God’s ways protect, reshape and lead us • What Paul means by partnership, fellowship, agreement and shared allegiance • Why Christians are called not to choose marriage with an unbeliever • Paul’s pastoral guidance for those already married to someone who does not share their faith • How the church can be separate enough to be holy and connected enough to be a blessing We are the temple of the living God. God calls us to holiness not so that we love the world less, but so that we can love others from a place of secure identity and belonging in Christ. Bible passages: Psalm 25:4–10 2 Corinthians 6:11–7:1 Isaiah 52:1–12 1 Corinthians 7:10–16 & 39 Chapters 0:00 Welcome and introduction 1:46 Psalm 25 — “Teach me your paths” 3:19 How God remoulds and reshapes us 4:47 The path through the jungle 7:16 The hammock — identity and purpose 9:46 Prayer 10:55 The Corinthian context 12:42 Reading 2 Corinthians 6:11–7:1 15:46 Removing what is broken 17:32 What does “unequally yoked” mean? 19:37 Five forms of partnership and connection 22:07 Fellowship and our closest relationships 23:53 Agreement, allegiance and compromise 27:41 Following Jesus changes our whole life 28:23 Marriage and unequal yoking 29:40 “Come out from them and be separate” 30:38 Isaiah 52 and carrying God’s presence 34:44 Deliverance begins the pilgrimage 35:22 Already married to an unbeliever? 40:54 Identity in Christ and mission to the world 43:14 Bringing holiness to completion 44:29 Separate enough to be holy, connected enough to be a blessing Find out more about Chiltern Church: Website: https://www.chilternchurch.org.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chilternchurch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chilternchurchuk/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChilternChurch #ChilternChurch #UnequallyYoked #2Corinthians #ChristianLiving #Holiness #FollowingJesus #ChristianRelationships #ChristianMarriage #ChurchFamily #BibleTeaching #Discipleship #Faith

In this baptism service message, Jason Humphreys explores what baptism really means and why Jesus commanded His followers to be baptised. Baptism is often described as a “sign of salvation”, but what does a biblical sign actually mean? Looking at the Passover, the bronze serpent, Naaman washing in the Jordan, the healing of the blind man in John 9, and key New Testament passages on baptism, Jason explains that baptism is more than an outward symbol. It is a faith-filled act of obedience in which we encounter the grace and saving work of God. This message was shared at Chiltern Church as part of a special baptism service, celebrating what God is doing in the lives of those choosing to follow Jesus. At Chiltern Church, we believe baptism is a profound spiritual moment: a sign of salvation, a declaration of faith, a participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the beginning of a life of discipleship. If you would like to find out more about Chiltern Church, visit: https://www.chilternchurch.org.uk/ Chiltern Church is a family church in Sutton, seeking to love God, love one another, and share the hope of Jesus with our community. #Baptism #ChristianBaptism #ChilternChurch #JasonHumphreys #Jesus #Faith #Salvation #Discipleship #ChristianTeaching #SuttonChurch

On Father’s Day, our church family gathered for an informal and interactive termly Gathering Service as we shared food, conversation, worship, communion, and God’s Word together. In this message, Jason reflects on Proverbs 3 and the gift of receiving wisdom from our heavenly Father. Proverbs invites us not simply to know God’s commands in our heads, but to treasure them in our hearts. As we learn to trust the Lord rather than lean on our own understanding, His wisdom leads us into peace, generosity, discipline, healing, and life. This message explores how Proverbs 3 points us towards Jesus, the wisdom of God, and reminds us that the Father’s ways are not restrictive, but life giving. Along the way, Jason touches on Solomon’s prayer for wisdom, the influence of Proverbs on the New Testament, the call to trust God’s ways above our own, and the promise of peace that comes from walking closely with Him. The message also briefly references Codex Sinaiticus, one of the earliest surviving complete New Testament manuscripts, dating from the mid 4th century AD (c. AD 325–360). Website: https://www.chilternchurch.org.uk/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 00:32 Father’s Day and the wisdom of our Heavenly Father 02:18 Solomon’s prayer for wisdom 03:51 Sitting at the table with Solomon 04:06 Proverbs and the New Testament 05:05 Codex Sinaiticus and Proverbs 3 06:28 Proverbs 3 begins 06:55 Let your heart keep my commands 08:34 Finding favour with God and people 10:05 Trust in the Lord with all your heart 11:43 Why is trusting God so difficult? 13:27 Surrendering every area of life 15:06 Learning new ways of thinking 16:02 The golf lesson illustration 17:34 Blame, responsibility, and the Garden of Eden 18:28 Wisdom, healing, and flourishing 19:54 Honouring the Lord with our possessions 21:53 Generosity and God’s provision 22:22 The Father’s loving discipline 23:58 Wisdom is more valuable than wealth 24:42 Wisdom as the Tree of Life 26:35 Wisdom, anxiety, peace, and sleep 28:16 A final encouragement to trust God 29:16 Closing prayer HASHTAGS #Proverbs3 #TrustInTheLord #FathersDay #Wisdom #ChristianTeaching #BibleTeaching #Jesus #Faith #ChristianSermon #ChilternChurch #SuttonChurch #TrustGod

As we celebrated International Day, we paused to look beyond the flags, food, languages, and cultures to ask a deeper question: What is God actually doing among the nations? In this short but powerful message, Jason explores the biblical story that stretches from the Tower of Babel to Jesus Christ and ultimately to God’s vision of one new humanity united under one King. The Bible presents a remarkable picture. Humanity was created to live together under God, but sin brought division, separation, and conflict. Yet through Abraham, Israel, and ultimately Jesus, God began His rescue plan to bring people from every nation, language, and culture into one family. This message explores: • The meaning of Babel and the origin of nations • The difference between diversity and division • Why unity cannot be created by human effort alone • How Jesus creates one new humanity through His death and resurrection • What it means to belong to God’s kingdom above every earthly identity • The church as a prophetic picture of God’s future for the world Whether you are exploring faith or have followed Jesus for many years, this message offers a fresh vision of God’s heart for the nations and His plan to unite all things in Christ. Key Scriptures Ephesians 2 Ephesians 4 Romans 11 Genesis 11 John 3:16 Find out more about Chiltern Church: www.chilternchurch.org.uk ⸻ Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: What are we really celebrating? 01:23 Unity and diversity in God’s plan 02:00 Ephesians 4 and the source of true unity 03:34 Why we do not create unity ourselves 04:28 The bad news: Babel and the origin of nations 05:24 The power and danger of human unity 06:17 Diversity versus separation 07:10 God’s rescue plan through Abraham 08:55 Jesus creates one new humanity 09:28 Romans 11 and the olive tree illustration 10:33 Kingdom identity above national identity 11:47 God’s invitation to every nation 12:50 The church as a prophetic picture of God’s future 13:38 A new family in Christ 14:44 What International Day truly celebrates 15:17 Final encouragement and Bible reading 16:42 Closing prayer ⸻ #InternationalDay #OneNewHumanity #JesusChrist #Ephesians4 #TowerOfBabel #KingdomOfGod #ChristianTeaching #BibleTeaching #ChurchFamily #UnityInChrist #GospelForTheNations #ChilternChurch

In this sermon from 2 Corinthians 4:7–18, Jason Humphreys continues our series, How to Live with Hope in Chaotic Times, exploring Paul’s powerful words about suffering, weakness, perseverance and eternal glory. Paul reminds us that followers of Jesus may be hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down, but we are not crushed, abandoned or destroyed. Our hope is not found in pretending life is easy, but in fixing our eyes on the unseen glory of God and trusting that even our deepest trials can become part of His eternal work in us. This message looks at what it means to carry the treasure of Christ in fragile jars of clay, how God’s power is revealed through weakness, and why faithful suffering for Jesus is never wasted. Whether you are facing pressure, confusion, opposition, grief or discouragement, this passage offers deep encouragement: in Christ, your chaos is not the end of the story. God is able to renew you inwardly, day by day, and produce an eternal glory that far outweighs it all. Chiltern Church Sutton, England https://www.chilternchurch.org.uk/ ⸻ Timestamps 0:00 Welcome and introduction 0:54 Paul’s defence of his ministry in 2 Corinthians 1:12 Why Paul’s suffering became a challenge to his authority 2:20 Faithfulness in hardship as the mark of genuine ministry 3:08 Jesus’ teaching on persecution and reward 4:22 In this world you will have trouble 5:06 The blessing and tension of following God faithfully 6:47 Persecuted Christians around the world 8:26 Paul’s grid for navigating suffering 8:37 We have this treasure in jars of clay 9:46 Fragile vessels carrying the glory of God 10:33 Hard pressed but not crushed 11:15 How we feel is not always how we are 12:44 Perplexed but not in despair 13:52 Persecuted but not abandoned 15:26 Struck down but not destroyed 16:37 Carrying the death of Jesus so His life may be revealed 17:03 Cruciform ministry: death in us, life in others 18:12 The pain of love that brings life 20:00 Psalm 116: I believed, therefore I spoke 20:57 Suffering does not have to remove our testimony 22:15 Therefore, we do not lose heart 22:40 When Paul calls suffering light and momentary 23:18 An eternal glory that far outweighs them all 23:56 What Paul suffered for the kingdom 26:01 Light and momentary in comparison with glory 27:41 In Christ, the chaos we fight can become eternal glory 28:36 God rewards faithfulness in His kindness 29:16 The sufferings of this present time and coming glory 30:23 Revelation, martyrs and the reward of God 32:36 You are not crushed, abandoned or destroyed 33:19 No ultimate loss in the kingdom of God 34:03 Declaration and closing prayer ⸻ Hashtags #ChilternChurch #JasonHumphreys #2Corinthians #2Corinthians4 #ChristianSermon #BibleTeaching #HopeInHardTimes #DoNotLoseHeart #HardPressedNotCrushed #JarsOfClay #ChristianHope #FaithUnderPressure #SufferingAndGlory #FollowingJesus #JesusChrist #ChurchOnline #Sermon #BibleStudy #ChristianEncouragement #HopeInChaoticTimes

In this message from 2 Corinthians 4:1–6, Jason explores Paul’s encouragement that because of the ministry, mercy, and calling we have received from God, we do not have to give up. Following Jesus does not mean we will avoid challenge, discouragement, opposition, or spiritual battle. In fact, the very place of our calling is often where God forms Christ in us most deeply. This sermon is a call to resist discouragement, reject toxic words, recover the seed of God’s calling, and trust the Holy Spirit to strengthen us to do what God has called us to do. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1–6 Chiltern Church, Sutton https://www.chilternchurch.org.uk/ 0:00 God Himself teaches us through His word 4:33 Recap of 2 Corinthians 6:01 Our adequacy is from God 8:09 Every Christian has a calling 10:31 Your assignment comes with challenge 13:17 Jeremiah and running with horses 16:02 Therefore, we do not give up 17:02 The danger of a toxic heart 18:06 Jesus resists Peter’s toxic word 20:38 Paul’s suffering and hope in God 22:02 God can resurrect the seed of calling 23:08 You were built for the battle 24:12 The gospel is veiled to those who are perishing 27:19 All ministry is spiritual battle 27:41 God has spoken light into your heart 30:17 Glory carried in weakness 32:32 Don’t give up, church 33:07 Treasure what God has spoken 35:43 Prayer for renewed calling and strength #ChilternChurch #2Corinthians #DontGiveUp #ChristianEncouragement #HolySpirit #Calling #Faith #Sermon

Guest speaker Dr Rachel Jordan-Wolf joins us at Chiltern Church, preaching from Acts 16 and the dramatic birth of the church in Philippi. Through the story of Lydia, the slave girl, Paul and Silas in prison, and the Philippian jailer, Rachel reminds us that the mission of God is not finished. We are part of the next chapter. God directs the mission. Jesus opens hearts. Opposition may come. Prayer and worship remain our response. And as we join in God’s mission, lives are changed, including our own. This is an encouraging and challenging message for anyone wanting to follow Jesus more courageously, trust Him more deeply, and play their part in His mission today. Bible Passage: Acts 16 Find out more about Chiltern Church: https://www.chilternchurch.org.uk/ Chapters 0:00 Bible reading: Acts 16 3:45 Introduction: Exciting times in Philippi 4:01 Mission begins with God 5:02 We are the next chapter 5:50 God directs the mission 8:10 Arriving in Philippi 10:21 The Lord opens Lydia’s heart 11:27 Stories from the Bible table 14:54 Lydia, the slave girl and transformation 18:35 Opposition comes 20:20 Pray, worship and trust 21:36 The earthquake and open doors 22:41 Joy as a marker of the Spirit 23:45 Mission changes people 25:38 Paul transformed by mission 27:00 The heart of God is for everyone 28:03 Summary: God directs, we follow 29:20 What God is doing now 30:48 Who is your Lydia? 31:14 Pressing on towards the goal 32:10 Closing prayer Hashtags #ChilternChurch #RachelJordanWolf #Acts16 #MissionOfGod #ChristianMission #JesusChangesLives #HolySpirit #ChurchOnline #Sermon #ChristianTeaching #Philippians #PrayerAndWorship #FaithInAction #HopeInJesus #FollowJesus