Metro Christian Centre - Bury, 13 Parkhills Road, Bury (2026)

04/06/2026

3/3 Following Jesus in real life.
One of the boldest statements in the New Testament is Paul's invitation to ‘Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 11:1). At first glance it sounds astonishing, yet Paul wasn't claiming to be flawless. He’s the same apostle who admitted his struggles, spoke about his weaknesses, and described the ongoing battle within his own heart. Paul understood something important - that people learn best through example. The Christian life is not simply taught, it’s caught, and that's why dedication services are so significant.

A dedication is not primarily about guaranteeing a child's future faith, but about adults making a commitment to model faith in front of them. In effect, they are saying: ‘We will show you what following Jesus looks like, not perfectly, but honestly.’ Children don't need superheroes. They need examples of people who love Jesus enough to keep following Him through success and failure alike.

The same principle applies far beyond parenting. As Christians we are all influencing someone: children, grandchildren, colleagues, friends, neighbours…People are watching, learning what faith looks like from the way we handle disappointment, conflict, suffering, success, temptation, and uncertainty. The question isn't whether we're being watched, but what people see in us. Do they see people who rely on themselves, or people who rely on Christ? Do they see pride, or humility? Do they see someone who pretends to be strong, or someone who knows where true strength is found?

The wonderful truth is that Jesus never asks us to model perfection, but to follow Him, and as we do, others are invited to come with us. That’s the heart of discipleship, not ‘look how impressive I am’, but ‘look how faithful Jesus is.’ Remember, someone may be learning about Christ from your life. Not from your achievements, and not from your image, but from your willingness to keep returning to Jesus, again, and again, and again. And perhaps that's the most powerful witness of all.

Watch Tristan online at https://youtu.be/Iorlwq0mkg0?si=oZxayvq6FcOjfgxD

04/06/2026

Please publicise this in your churches, and encourage people to come along for the sing-a-long! Words will be provided!

03/06/2026

2/3 The danger of pretending.
When people brought children to Jesus, the disciples thought they were helping by keeping them away. Jesus responded strongly, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not hinder them.’ (Mark 10:14). The disciples had unintentionally placed barriers where Jesus intended welcome.

It's easy to think we would never make the same mistake, yet sometimes we hinder people in subtler ways, not by telling them they're unwelcome, but by presenting faith as if it belongs only to people who’ve got it all together. When we as Christians pretend that we never struggle, doubt, or fail, we create a false picture of discipleship, unintentionally communicating that faith is for polished, successful people who have mastered life.

But the gospel begins with the opposite confession: ‘I need grace.’ Jesus didn't come for people who had everything sorted, but for weary, broken, lost, and struggling sinners. The cross declares that nobody reaches God through perfection. God came to us as Christ entered our weakness, stepped into our suffering, and carried our sin. He removed every obstacle standing between us and God, no bouncers to keep us away.

This is why authenticity matters so much. People need to see that faith isn't the absence of struggle, but knowing where to take your struggle. Faith isn't never falling, but returning to Jesus when you do. Faith isn't having every answer, but trusting the One who does.

Children especially need to see this. If they grow up believing Christianity means never struggling, what happens when they encounter their first serious doubt, failure, or disappointment? They may conclude that faith isn't for people like them. But if they see honest discipleship, they'll learn something far more valuable - that Jesus welcomes imperfect people.

That's good news not only for children, but for every one of us. If you feel unworthy, uncertain, or far from God, Jesus’ invitation isn’t ‘Sort yourself out first’ or ‘Come back when you've improved.’ It’s simply ‘Come.’ Just as you are.

Watch Tristan online at https://youtu.be/Iorlwq0mkg0?si=oZxayvq6FcOjfgxD

02/06/2026

From Pastor Tristan’s sermon ‘Follow Me’ at our Dedication service on 31st May.

1/3 The faith our children see. ‘Let the little children come to me; do not hinder them.’ (Mark 10:14) Becoming a parent is unlike almost anything else in life. Most things come with instructions, but children arrive with no operating instructions whatsoever! And despite the thousands of parenting books available, nobody can fully prepare you for the journey. Perhaps that's because the most important thing children need isn't a perfect parenting strategy, but something much simpler, and much harder: they need to see what it looks like to be human.

We often assume that our children need us to get everything right, yet children learn far more from who we are than from what we say. As writer James Baldwin observed: "Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." That’s especially true when it comes to faith.

Our children watch how we react when life disappoints and stresses us, whether we apologise when we're wrong, and whether we forgive others. They observe whether our faith is real on a weekday, and not just on a Sunday morning.

The greatest gift we can offer them is not perfection, but authenticity. This is why Paul could say: ‘Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul never claimed perfection. His invitation wasn’t, ‘Watch me because I have it all together’, but ‘Watch me follow Jesus.’ That's the call for every Christian parent, grandparent, godparent, mentor, and church member.

We won't always get it right, but our children need to see our reactions. They need to see repentance, grace, forgiveness, and dependence on Jesus. Our goal isn't to raise children who think Christians are perfect, but children who know where imperfect people can run when they need mercy.

If someone followed my example, what would they learn about Jesus from the way I live? Because often the most powerful sermon a child hears is not one preached from a pulpit, but one lived out in the ordinary moments of everyday life.

Watch Tristan online at https://youtu.be/Iorlwq0mkg0?si=oZxayvq6FcOjfgxD

29/05/2026

On the evening of Friday 19th June, we're gathering simply to draw near to God — and to discover, again, that he draws near to us.

No programme. No performance. Just worship and prayer, open to everyone, free of charge.

Whether you're a seasoned believer or someone who's not sure what they believe but is quietly curious — you're welcome here. Come as you are.

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." — James 4:8

📅 Friday 19th June 2026 | 7:00–9:30pm
📍 Metro Christian Centre, Parkhills Rd, Bury BL9 9AU

24/05/2026

Pentecost Sunday

Hallelujah Father in heaven, you love to give the Holy Spirit to your children when we ask! (Luke 11:13)

Hallelujah, Lord Jesus Christ, you have sent us the Helper who will never leave! (John 14:16)

Hallelujah Holy Spirit, we welcome you here with us now! (1 Thess. 1:4–6)

(adapted Lectio365)

22/05/2026

4/4 Know God’s power
Paul ends his prayer in Ephesians 1 with a breathtaking reminder: the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in believers (Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬-‭20‬). Read that again, slowly.

The resurrection was not merely an historical event, but one which revealed the boundless, unlimited power of God. That power, says Paul, is available to ALL who are in Christ - not just pastors, leaders, or ‘super Christians’ - but ALL believers. The power of the risen Christ is at work in you. You are not powerless, your future is not hopeless, and your faith is not sustained by your own strength. Paul then piles phrase upon phrase to describe Jesus: ‘far above all rule and authority, power and dominion…’ (1:21-22).
�Jesus is Lord over EVERYTHING: over governments and rulers, fears and circumstances, over every power in this age and the age to come. This doesn’t mean that life is going to be easy, but it does mean that nothing is outside His authority. This changes our perspective completely. We often live as though Jesus is simply part of ‘our’ plans as we pray, ‘Lord bless what I’m doing.’ But Paul reminds us that we are part of CHRIST’S great plan. The church is His body on earth. He leads it, empowers it, directs it, and fills it with His presence.

That gives enormous meaning to our ordinary faithfulness. Our every act of obedience matters because Jesus is alive and reigning. And because Christ was raised, we also have hope beyond death itself. Resurrection is not only Christ’s story, but it becomes ours because we are IN HIM.

Whatever we may face that feels overwhelming: fear, uncertainty, weakness, or disappointment, we can remember that Jesus reigns above it all, and His resurrection power is still at work. He is Lord over every power, every fear, and every circumstance - and I belong to Him.

Watch Helen online at https://youtu.be/5pVcGmUDw4g?si=Q5WBPnCR_oE8ElQK

21/05/2026

3/4 God delights in His people
One of the most astonishing truths in Ephesians 1 is this: we are God’s inheritance. Paul prays that believers would know ‘the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people’ (1:18). Usually, when we think about inheritance, we think about what WE receive from God, but here Paul flips the perspective:�God looks at His people as HIS treasured possession. Let that sink in: you bring joy to God, not because you’re perfect, or because you’ve earned it, but because you are His through Christ.

So many people secretly live believing that God merely tolerates them, but Scripture paints a different picture: God chose us, redeemed us, adopted us, and sealed us with His Spirit. God delights in His people like a Father eagerly waiting for His children to come home. Think of the father in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). He watches the road, longing for reunion and celebration. That’s God’s heart towards us.

Sometimes we imagine heaven as somewhere God reluctantly allows us in, but Paul tells us that God is preparing a glorious future celebration for His people as the bride of Christ welcomed into eternal joy. What incredible grace! This truth should reshape our identity: we no longer live for temporary approval, whether by social media validation, career recognition, or other people’s opinions. Our deepest identity is that we belong to God, and if we truly believe that we are treasured by Him, it changes how we live: with confidence instead of insecurity, gratitude instead of striving, and with an eternal perspective instead of a temporary obsession.

You are not forgotten by God.�You are not a burden to Him.�You are not merely ‘accepted.’
You are loved, chosen, and treasured in Christ.

When insecurity whispers otherwise, remember this: God delights in His people. We can live from the security of being loved by Him instead of chasing the approval of others.

Watch Helen online at https://youtu.be/5pVcGmUDw4g?si=Q5WBPnCR_oE8ElQK

20/05/2026

2/4 Know God’s hope
One of the questions we may ask ourselves is this: ‘Do I matter?’ Paul answers that beautifully in Ephesians 1:18, where he prays that believers would know: ‘the hope to which He has called you.’ Biblical hope is not wishful thinking, not: ‘I hope things work out.’ The word used in the New Testament for hope means ‘confident expectation’, a certainty rooted in the character of God.

Paul reminds the Ephesians that they have been CALLED by God Himself. Just think about that - the Creator of the universe has invited ordinary people like you and me into His great eternal plan. That means your life is not random, you are not an accident, you are not overlooked, but have been called into God’s unfolding story of redemption through Christ. When we really grasp that, it changes how we view the future.

In the Old Testament, twelve spies explored the Promised Land. Ten returned overwhelmed by fear because the enemies looked too strong. But Joshua and Caleb saw those same enemies through a different lens: God had promised them the land. Their confidence wasn’t in themselves, but in God’s character.
That’s our Christian hope. Not confidence in our own strength, but confidence that God always keeps His promises.

This hope reshapes our priorities when so much of modern life encourages us to focus only on temporary things: career success, financial security, comfort, reputation. But Paul reminds us that it’s eternal things that matter most: God’s kingdom is everlasting, His promises are certain, and His purposes will stand. Amazingly, He calls us to participate in them, which means that your daily life matters eternally: your kindness, prayers, faithfulness, witness, and your obedience. You may feel ‘ordinary’, but God delights in using ordinary people for His eternal purposes.
�What shapes my perspective, my outlook on the world more - fear or hope? When we know God, hope becomes stronger than anxiety, so that I can declare with confidence that my future is secure because God has called me, and He always keeps His promises.

Watch Helen online at https://youtu.be/5pVcGmUDw4g?si=Q5WBPnCR_oE8ElQK

19/05/2026

In her sermon ONE | Ephesians 1:15-23 Helen Jenkinson preached on Paul’s prayer asking God to deepen the Ephesians’ relationship with Him.

1/4 Know God better. One of the deepest challenges in prayer is this: What do we pray for most? In Ephesians 1:15–17, Paul is praying for Christians he deeply loves. Yet what’s striking is what he DOESN’T prioritise in prayer - their safety, comfort, success, or easier circumstances. Instead, Paul prays: ‘that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ… may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.’

Not just know ABOUT Him, but know HIM. There’s a huge difference.

You can know facts about someone without knowing them personally. You can read a biography, follow social media updates, or skim a Wikipedia page, but that’s different from friendship, intimacy, and relationship. Paul longs for believers to know God personally and experientially, to recognise His voice, understand His character, trust His heart, and walk with Him daily.

The challenge for many of us is that our prayers can become almost entirely practical: ‘Lord help me… bless this… fix that… provide this…’ None of those prayers are ‘wrong’, but Paul reminds us that the greatest blessing is not simply having our prayers answered, but knowing God Himself, so that we learn to trust Him more deeply, see life differently, and see our priorities begin to change.

Paul says that this kind of understanding comes through ‘the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.’ In other words, this isn’t merely intellectual knowledge, but spiritual insight given by the Holy Spirit. We begin to see life through God’s perspective.

Tomorrow’s pressures became opportunities to know God better: the difficult meeting at work, the health concern, the parenting exhaustion, the uncertainty about the future. What if instead of only asking, ‘Lord get me through this,’ we also asked, ‘Lord, what are You teaching me about Yourself here?’ That changes everything.

Do I merely know things about God… or do I truly know Him? Because eternal life is not ultimately about information, but about relationship.

Watch Helen online at https://youtu.be/5pVcGmUDw4g?si=Q5WBPnCR_oE8ElQK

Metro Christian Centre - Bury

04/06/2026

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