Show Notes
Guest speaker David Stevenson brings an incredibly liberating and encouraging word from Matthew 16:13–20, unpacking what it truly means to be used by God. Set against the highly superstitious, pagan backdrop of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus presents His disciples with the ultimate question: “Who do you say I am?”. David unpacks Peter’s landmark confession—"You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God"—and clarifies the vital text that follows. In the original Greek, Peter is called Petros (a small stone), while the church is built upon Petra (a massive rock structure)—meaning the church is not anchored on a flawed human being, but constructed on the immovable rock of Christ Jesus Himself.
David uses this framework to directly tackle the lie that we must be flawless or "special" to have a purpose in God's kingdom. He fires off a rapid list of heavily flawed, ordinary Bible characters—from Noah’s drunkenness and Moses’ stutter to Elijah’s deep depression, Rahab's prostitution, and Peter’s own volatile temper—proving that God consistently chooses the unqualified and qualifies them through grace. David powerfully notes the stark difference between the enemy and the Holy Spirit: the devil acts as the accuser who throws past, forgiven sins in our faces, whereas the Holy Spirit convicts us solely to draw us up closer to Christ. Comparing believers to distinct, hand-chosen building stones rather than mass-produced bricks, David concludes with a passionate altar call. He reminds the congregation that Jesus did not just conquer the gates of Hades to save us by the skin of our teeth, but to completely smash the chains of past trauma, addiction, and shame, launching us into a victorious, abundant life.
More from Castlebar Christian Fellowship
In But I Trust, guest speaker Peter Burrows explores Psalm 13, a deeply personal prayer in which David wrestles with doubt, despair and the feeling that God has forgotten him. Fleeing from King Saul and facing an uncertain future, David repeatedly cries out, ‘How long, Lord?’ His words reflect the struggles many of us experience when prayers seem unanswered, difficulties persist and God's presence feels distant.
In Only the Blood of Jesus, guest speaker PJ Sexton explores the familiar story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4, revealing a powerful message about sin, sacrifice and salvation. Although both brothers brought offerings to God, only Abel's was accepted. PJ uses their contrasting approaches to explore the difference between relying on our own efforts and approaching God through faith and sacrifice. Drawing connections between Adam and Eve's attempts to cover their shame, Abel's offering and the sacrifices of the Old Testament, PJ explains the importance of blood atonement. He challenges the belief that religious observance, personal goodness or good works can earn salvation, emphasising that forgiveness and redemption are found through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. The message also examines God's warning to Cain that sin was crouching at his door, highlighting the choices we face when confronted with anger, jealousy and temptation. PJ reminds us that sin seeks to gain control, but through Jesus Christ we can experience forgiveness, freedom and a new life. Finally, PJ connects Abel's death with the sacrifice of Jesus, drawing from Hebrews 12:24, which speaks of the blood of Jesus as greater than the blood of Abel. From Genesis to Revelation, he traces the contrast between human attempts to earn God's acceptance and the salvation offered through Christ. His closing message is clear: we are redeemed not through our own good works, but through the blood of the Lamb.
In In You I Trust, Pastor Cathal Duffy shares from Psalm 25, a prayer of David that speaks into the realities of everyday life - our need for trust, guidance, forgiveness, hope and a close relationship with God. David faces uncertainty and trouble, yet begins with a declaration: ‘In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.’
In Tell Them, guest speaker Stephen Mawhinney shares from Acts 16:1 - 5 and the story of Timothy, whose faith was shaped from childhood by his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois. Despite Timothy's father not sharing their faith, these women faithfully taught him the Scriptures and pointed him towards the Lord.
In The Bread of Life, we were delighted to welcome Mark Horgan from Amazing Grace Church, Westport to Castlebar Christian Fellowship. Preaching from John 6, Mark explores one of Jesus’ great ‘I Am’ declarations: ‘I am the bread of life.’ After feeding the five thousand, Jesus points beyond the physical bread that satisfies temporarily to Himself - the true Bread from Heaven who gives eternal life.