Our Values (Part 2) - Tim Horman
On Sunday our senior minister, Tim Horman, shared part two of a series exploring our church values - 'a priesthood of all believers' and 'a people of the Holy Spirit' (see Linda’s sermon on part one of this series here).
Below you’ll find a video and audio version of his sermon as well as a summary article including questions for small group discussion.
Exploring Our Calling: A People of the Spirit and a Royal Priesthood
Last Sunday, Tim Horman delivered an inspiring sermon as part of a two-week series examining the core values of the church. Building on the previous week’s message about being a renewed humanity and a community of disciple-makers, Tim focused on two additional values: being a people of the Holy Spirit and a priesthood of all believers. These values are not standalone ideals but interwoven principles that guide the church’s vision of becoming a healthy, biblical, and fruitful community.
The Foundation: The Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit
Tim began by emphasising the central role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Drawing from biblical theology, he underscored that it is impossible to live as disciples of Christ without the empowering presence of the Spirit. Every aspect of the Christian life—from prayer and worship to resisting sin, loving others, and serving the world—depends entirely on the Spirit’s enabling power.
Tim challenged the congregation to avoid falling into the trap of moralism or self-reliance, which he described as "religion" in its negative sense. Instead, he called for a deep trust in the Holy Spirit to break down these barriers and enable true freedom in Christ.
A Royal Priesthood: The New Covenant Reality
Tim explained the transformative promise of the New Covenant, contrasting it with the Old Covenant where only a select group of individuals served as priests. Through Christ’s sacrifice, every believer is now called to be part of a "royal priesthood" and a "kingdom of priests," as described in Revelation 5:9-10 and 1 Peter 2:9-10. This identity is not reserved for a special few but is the calling of all followers of Jesus.
Living as Priests in the World
Tim drew attention to the practical outworking of this priestly calling. While priests under the Old Covenant served in the temple, believers in the New Covenant are called to exercise their priesthood in the world. Wherever God has placed them—their workplaces, families, friendships, and communities—is their temple, their primary context for ministry.
Rather than confining priestly duties to the church, Tim encouraged the congregation to embrace their calling to represent Christ in every sphere of life. This involves interceding for others, offering their lives as living sacrifices, and using their spiritual gifts to bring God’s grace, mercy, and love to those around them.
Empowered by the Spirit for Ministry
Highlighting the inseparable link between the Holy Spirit and the priesthood of all believers, Tim reminded the congregation that just as priests in the Old Covenant were anointed for their ministry, so too are believers today anointed by the Spirit. This anointing equips them to continue the work that Jesus began: preaching the good news, healing the broken-hearted, and declaring God’s praises.
Tim likened the role of a priest to that of a bridge builder—someone who connects people to God and intercedes on their behalf. He urged the congregation to recognise their unique influence and responsibilities in the places God has called them to serve.
The Posture of Servant Leadership
Reigning as priests and kings in God’s kingdom is not about wielding power for personal gain. Tim emphasised that biblical leadership, modelled by Jesus, is marked by humility and service. Referencing Luke 22:24-30, he explained that true greatness in God’s kingdom comes from being the least, serving others, and standing with Christ in trials.
Tim cautioned against looking to worldly models of power and leadership, instead encouraging the church to embrace the countercultural way of Jesus. In God’s kingdom, authority is exercised for the benefit of others, not for self-promotion.
Relinquishing Human Power for Divine Power
One of the sermon’s key insights was the relationship between humility and the power of the Holy Spirit. Tim noted that believers often struggle to see God’s miraculous work in their lives because they rely too heavily on human power and self-sufficiency. He pointed out that when believers reach the end of their own resources, they are often more open to experiencing the Spirit’s power.
Tim encouraged the congregation to cultivate a posture of daily dependence on the Holy Spirit. This involves setting aside time for prayer, scripture, and worship, creating space for God’s presence to shape their hearts and minds. He stressed that the degree to which believers are willing to relinquish human power is the degree to which they can access the Spirit’s power.
The Call to Go Deeper
Looking ahead, Tim introduced the church’s upcoming theme for the year: “Deeper.” This focus will guide the church as they explore how to deepen their relationship with Christ, their reliance on the Holy Spirit, and their engagement with God’s mission in the world. Through prayer, teaching, and intentional practice, the church aims to cultivate a community of disciples who are fully equipped to live out their calling as a royal priesthood.
Questions for Small Group Discussion
The Holy Spirit’s Role: How have you experienced the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? What are some areas where you need to rely more on the Spirit?
Priestly Calling: What does it mean to you to be part of a royal priesthood? How can you live out this identity in your workplace, family, and community?
Servant Leadership: How does Jesus’ model of leadership challenge your understanding of power and authority? In what ways can you practice servant leadership in your daily life?
Spheres of Influence: Where has God placed you to be His representative? How can you be a bridge builder in those spaces?
Relinquishing Power: What are some areas where you rely on human power instead of trusting in God’s power? How can you cultivate greater dependence on the Holy Spirit?
Spiritual Practices: What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ and the Holy Spirit in 2025? How can your small group support you in this?
Cultural Engagement: How can we, as Christians, bring the values of God’s kingdom into our culture without conforming to worldly models of power?
Going Deeper: What does the idea of going “deeper” in Christ mean to you? How can you pursue this personally and as a small group?
Overcoming Barriers: What obstacles do you face in cultivating a daily recognition of the Holy Spirit’s presence? How can you address these challenges?
Intercession: Who has God placed in your life to pray for and intercede on behalf of? How can you make intercession a regular part of your spiritual practice?
Tim’s message provided both inspiration and practical guidance for living as a people of the Spirit and a royal priesthood. By embracing these values, the church is poised to grow deeper in their faith and broader in their impact on the world around them.