A message from the series “Stand Alone Talks.” Christ Central Church Portsmouth began 25 years ago! 2001: Richard and Naomi Shaw arrived in Portsmouth and planted a Newfrontiers Church out of Kings Church Hastings, beginning under the name ‘Solent Community Church’. 2006: After seeing God work through this church to transform lives and communities, we moved into the John Pounds Centre shortly after it opened. 2012: Tim and Liz Blaber relocated to Portsmouth from Sidcup to transition the church to new leadership on behalf of the Commission network (part of the global Newfrontiers family). 2018: We planted a new congregation into the densely populated town of Fareham, led by Duncan Sills, called Christ Church Fareham. 2020: Adam North took on the role of Lead Elder as Tim moved on to Winchester to be a part of the Commission church there and invest in Commission’s training programmes. 2022: We formally adopted Langstone Church as members of our church, a church that has blessed our city for many years before our church even arrived. We have been so blessed by them coming on board with us as people who have been sent from our central site to establish a gospel centred witness in Milton and Baffins.

For more about Christ Central Church Portsmouth visit: https://christcentral.church​​​​

Or via socials:
www.facebook.com/christcentral.ch
www.instagram.com/christcentralchurchportsmouth

To connect with us email: hello@christcentral.church or give us your details at https://www.christcentral.church

A message from the series “Kingdom Clarity.” Matthew 14: 13-33

Jesus said that some people will go through suffering that will dry up his message because it couldn’t grow deep roots in them. We see his disciples tested for their faith like this. The disciples are in a boat in a storm. Suddenly, Jesus walks on the water towards them (v22-25). ‘Is it a ghost?’ they fear. By the end they recognise Jesus is the Son of God (v33). In their mind might be Job 9:8 and how God ‘treads on the waves’. Or as Jesus says ‘Don’t be afraid’ (v27) they might remember Isaiah 43:1-2: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” This miracle isn’t random, but a revelation of Jesus as God with us (Matthew 1:23). Peter’s adventure on the waves tells us the current state of the disciples’ faith, wavering between faith and unbelief (v31). The waves reveal Peter’s distrust in Jesus. But when his faith fails him, Jesus remains faithful. He always lifts us back up again.

For more about Christ Central Church Portsmouth visit: https://christcentral.church​​​​

Or via socials:
www.facebook.com/christcentral.ch
www.instagram.com/christcentralchurchportsmouth

To connect with us email: hello@christcentral.church or give us your details at https://www.christcentral.church

A message from the series “Kingdom Clarity.” Matthew 14:1-21

Jesus said that his message will land on some people like seed falling among weeds. The temptations of power and pleasure are like weeds that choke Jesus’ message and prevent it growing. Herod is like that. He thinks Jesus is John the Baptist coming back to haunt him. In this flashback to John’s death, it’s clear that Herod is too tempted
by power and pleasure to be open to God’s message. Jesus models a different aim in life. Herod kills (v3-5), Jesus heals (v14). Herod looks with lust (v6), Jesus looks with compassion (v14). Herod feasts with elites (v6), Jesus feeds the hungry (v16-20). Herod is swayed by public opinion (v5-9), Jesus holds authority (v15-19). Herod’s reign leads to death (v10-12), Jesus’ reign leads to satisfaction (v20). This is what God’s power has always looked like; providing bread in the wilderness just like Exodus 16 and shepherding his people by green pastures (Matthew 14:19, Psalm 23:1-2).

For more about Christ Central Church Portsmouth visit: https://christcentral.church​​​​

Or via socials:
www.facebook.com/christcentral.ch
www.instagram.com/christcentralchurchportsmouth

To connect with us email: hello@christcentral.church or give us your details at https://www.christcentral.church

A message from the series “Kingdom Clarity.” Matthew 13:51-58

Jesus famously told a parable of a man sowing seeds on four kinds of soil (found in Matthew 13:1-23). The first is along a path where the seed is eaten by birds just like how his message will be rejected by many. In this story in Jesus’ hometown, that’s what we see. Initially there’s amazement at his teaching. But as they rationalise what they’re hearing, they can’t match his teaching with the hometown Jesus they saw grow up as a child. In the end, they don’t believe. Jesus sees that there is no benefit to doing his miraculous signs to point them to himself if they’re so set on disbelieving his message. How often do our preconceived ideas get in the way of us being truly open minded? Jesus was shown the ultimate dishonour amongst his own people at the cross but has been honoured with the name above every name by God the Father.
For more about Christ Central Church Portsmouth visit: https://christcentral.church​​​​

Or via socials:
www.facebook.com/christcentral.ch
www.instagram.com/christcentralchurchportsmouth

To connect with us email: hello@christcentral.church or give us your details at https://www.christcentral.church

A message from the series “Stand Alone Talks.” Vision Sunday 2026. Our vision is to see lives and communities in, around and beyond Portsmouth, enjoying God and glorifying Him in all things. In this sermon Adam outlines how this is rooted in a vision of the Kingdom of Heaven and worth giving everything for. Romans 14:17 says the Kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. We want to see God’s Kingdom advance and every member can get involved as we Connect, Care, Coach and Commission one another, building Capacity to multiply.

A message from the series “Everyday Wisdom.”

A message from the series “Everyday Wisdom.” This August we’re reading through Proverbs together as a church — one chapter each day. 📖 Summer routines often change, and it can be easy for Bible reading to drift. By reading together, we hope to encourage one another to keep seeking God daily for wisdom in everyday life. Starting on 2 August: 🎥 Monday–Saturday: short reflection videos from people in our church ⛪ Sundays: sermons connected to the next chapter in Proverbs Three easy steps: Read the chapter. Reflect and watch the video. Pray for God to give you wisdom. Whether you’re at home, away on holiday, or back home from university for the summer, we’d love you to join in. You’ll find the daily videos and reading plan through our weekly emails and on the church website at https://christcentral.church/proverbs/ For more about Christ Central Church Portsmouth visit: https://christcentral.church​​​​ Or via socials: www.facebook.com/christcentral.ch www.instagram.com/christcentralchurchportsmouth

To connect with us email: hello@christcentral.church or give us your details at https://www.christcentral.church

A message from the series “Everyday Wisdom.” This August we’re reading through Proverbs together as a church — one chapter each day. 📖 Summer routines often change, and it can be easy for Bible reading to drift. By reading together, we hope to encourage one another to keep seeking God daily for wisdom in everyday life. Starting on 2 August: 🎥 Monday–Saturday: short reflection videos from people in our church ⛪ Sundays: sermons connected to the next chapter in Proverbs Three easy steps: Read the chapter. Reflect and watch the video. Pray for God to give you wisdom. Whether you’re at home, away on holiday, or back home from university for the summer, we’d love you to join in. You’ll find the daily videos and reading plan through our weekly emails and on the church website at https://christcentral.church/proverbs/ For more about Christ Central Church Portsmouth visit: https://christcentral.church​​​​ Or via socials: www.facebook.com/christcentral.ch www.instagram.com/christcentralchurchportsmouth

To connect with us email: hello@christcentral.church or give us your details at https://www.christcentral.church

A message from the series “Everyday Wisdom.” This August we’re reading through Proverbs together as a church — one chapter each day. 📖 Summer routines often change, and it can be easy for Bible reading to drift. By reading together, we hope to encourage one another to keep seeking God daily for wisdom in everyday life. Starting on 2 August: 🎥 Monday–Saturday: short reflection videos from people in our church ⛪ Sundays: sermons connected to the next chapter in Proverbs Three easy steps: Read the chapter. Reflect and watch the video. Pray for God to give you wisdom. Whether you’re at home, away on holiday, or back home from university for the summer, we’d love you to join in. You’ll find the daily videos and reading plan through our weekly emails and on the church website at https://christcentral.church/proverbs/ For more about Christ Central Church Portsmouth visit: https://christcentral.church​​​​ Or via socials: www.facebook.com/christcentral.ch www.instagram.com/christcentralchurchportsmouth

To connect with us email: hello@christcentral.church or give us your details at https://www.christcentral.church

A message from the series “Everyday Wisdom.” This August we’re reading through Proverbs together as a church — one chapter each day. 📖

Summer routines often change, and it can be easy for Bible reading to drift. By reading together, we hope to encourage one another to keep seeking God daily for wisdom in everyday life.

Starting on 2 August:
🎥 Monday–Saturday: short reflection videos from people in our church
⛪ Sundays: sermons connected to the next chapter in Proverbs

Three easy steps:
Read the chapter.
Reflect and watch the video.
Pray for God to give you wisdom.

Whether you’re at home, away on holiday, or back home from university for the summer, we’d love you to join in.

You’ll find the daily videos and reading plan through our weekly emails and on the church website at https://christcentral.church/proverbs/

For more about Christ Central Church Portsmouth visit: https://christcentral.church​​​​

Or via socials:
www.facebook.com/christcentral.ch
www.instagram.com/christcentralchurchportsmouth

To connect with us email: hello@christcentral.church or give us your details at https://www.christcentral.church