St Stephen's Whangaparaoa - Sermons

Prisoners of Hope

5/7/2020

Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Texts: Zechariah 9:9-12; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30]
What does Zechariah mean by "prisoners of hope"? Peter weaves it into the gospel account and shows how we all need to be such prisoners. Read the sermon below or listen to it in the service video from 25:30 to learn more and be encouraged!

200705_prisoners_of_hope.pdf
File Size:	442 kb
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The Cost and the Reward

28/6/2020

Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Texts: Matthew 10:40-42; Genesis 22:1-14; Romans 6:12-23]
We have a high calling as disciples with rare privilege and sometimes a very high cost. Peter helps us consider this by looking at Abraham and two contemporary examples of those who have given much.
The sermon may be watched in the video of the service starting at 27:15.

20-06-28_the_cost_and_the_reward.pdf
File Size:	439 kb
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His Eye is on the Sparrow

21/6/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Matthew 10:16-39]
Discipleship can be tough and demanding, but Jesus assures us that God knows every detail and cares for us. "His eye is on the sparrow and I know he cares for me."

The text may be downloaded below or watched on the service video starting from 25:23.

20-06-21_his_eye_is_on_the_sparrow.pdf
File Size:	444 kb
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From Passive Watchers to Active Learners

14/6/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text Matthew 9:35 - 10:13; Exodus 19:2-8]
Jesus sends the twelve Apostles out on their first missionary journey with instructions - suddenly they are no longer watching him but expected to do the same things he did. How does this apply to us in the shops, work or walking down the street?
The sermon may be downloaded below or viewed here starting from 29:04.

20-06-14_active_learners.pdf
File Size:	662 kb
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Presence, Peace and Power

31/5/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23]
Pentecost - the Holy Spirit comes on the disciples. How does that relate to Jesus breathing on the disciples on the evening of his resurrection and saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit?" What is common is the presence of God resulting in peace and power.
The sermon can be watched in the service video starting at 20:00.

20-05-31_presence_peace_and_power.pdf
File Size:	668 kb
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The Last Request

24/5/2020

Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Text: John 17:1-11]
Peter looks at these words of Jesus on the eve of his death as his last request and leads us to think of their import and fulfillment.

200524_the_last_request.pdf
File Size:	618 kb
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Jesus Keeps His Promises

17/5/2020

Preacher: Helen Hardcastle [Text: John 14:15-21]
Here in seven verses, there are seven promises. Helen explores them with the help of Russian dolls and an icon!
The sermon is recorded and available in the online sermon here, starting at 19:00.

200517_jesus_keeps_his_promises.pdf
File Size:	858 kb
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Jesus the real and living way to God the Father

10/5/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: John 14:1-14; Exodus 33:12-23]
In Jesus we find reality, life itself and we are brought near to the Father. When he was on earth, he was the dwelling place of God on earth; now the Church has that honour.

The sermon is also available in video form here starting at 18:29.

200510_jesus_-_the_real_and__living_way_to_god_the_father.pdf
File Size:	544 kb
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Christ the Good Shepherd

3/5/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: John 10:1-10; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25]
In these trying times, it is strengthening to know that our God cares for us personally as a shepherd does his flock. We see how Jesus dealt with the man born blind and defended him and how he promises superabundant life.

The video of the sermon is in the service video starting at 16:16.

200503_the_good_shepherd.pdf
File Size:	633 kb
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April 26th, 2020

26/4/2020

Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Text: Luke 24:13-35]
Peter reflects on the basis for hope, why we can in the face of tragedy still say this is not the final word.
The Easter story tells us that there is always reason to hope. We can still confidently trust because God is alive and at work in His world even if the world is turned upside down by COVID-19 or any other crisis. The world needs a reason to hope. We can show them that there is.

The printed form of the sermon is available to download below. The video of the service is here and sermon starts at 38:03.

260412_the_indispensible_need.pdf
File Size:	100 kb
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Jesus gives us Hope

19/4/2020

Preacher: Roy Smith [Text: John 20:19-31]
Roy compares our situation under lockdown with the disciples who had locked themselves in the Upper Room for fear of the authorities. Jesus entered their locked room and gave them hope. Jesus gives us hope too.
The printed form of the sermon is available to download below. The video of the service is here and sermon starts at 16:27.

200419_jesus_gives_us_hope.pdf
File Size:	393 kb
File Type:	pdf

Resurrection Hope

12/4/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Matthew 28:1-10; Acts 10:34-43]
In spite of being told repeatedly by Jesus that it would happen, the disciples didn't expect the resurrection. But it changed everything. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is bigger than COVID-19. Here is HOPE!

The download file is available below or the whole service can be viewed here. The sermon starts at 16:45.

200412_resurrection_hope.pdf
File Size:	544 kb
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The Rock that is Higher than I

5/4/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Psalm 91; Zechariah 9:9-12]
I want to dwell further on Psalm 91 this week, that we may grow deeper in our confidence in God for trying times.

2020-04-05_sermon_-_rock_that_is_higher_than_i.pdf
File Size:	724 kb
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God our Refuge

29/3/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Psalm 91; Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:4-7]
Psalm 91 is a great psalm which promises the Lord’s care and protection. By these words, we are encouraged and given hope in trouble. It is written to direct our attention back to God in tough times – and we - suddenly, unexpectedly - are experiencing a global tough time.

2020-03-29_god_our_refuge.pdf
File Size:	809 kb
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Don't be Dominated by Anxiety

22/3/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: John 14:27-28; Psalm 42; Ephesians 5:8-14]
These are trying times! But Jesus said to his disciples in far worse circumstances, "My peace I give to you - be not afraid!"

200322_dont_be_dominated_by_anxiety.pdf
File Size:	616 kb
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Living Water

15/3/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: John 4:45-42; Exodus 17:1-7]
A rejected woman of a despised people met a stranger who engaged her in penetrating conversation. Who could this be? And what is he offer of Living Water?

200315_water_of_life.pdf
File Size:	618 kb
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Changed from Glory to Glory

8/3/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Matthew 17:1-9]
The strength of the Apostles' witness to the Transfiguration challenges us to take seriously this revelation of the nature of Jesus of Nazareth. Do we try to domesticate Jesus to be a good teacher or an amazing prophet? Peter headed in that direction and was corrected by a voice from heaven! Yet even as we accept him for who he says he is, we find that he will change us from glory to glory into his likeness.

200308_from_glory_to_glory.pdf
File Size:	736 kb
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Resisting Temptation

1/3/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Matthew 4:1-11; Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7]
The account of Jesus being tempted gives us some practical lessons in how temptation works and how we may be helped to resist it. Let's see what happened with Jesus...

200301_resisting_temptation.pdf
File Size:	849 kb
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Revenge and Recompense

27/2/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Matthew 5:38-48]
Jesus teaches further on how we may be like our Father in heaven - how we may be fit for task or perfect!

200227_revenge_and_recompense.pdf
File Size:	565 kb
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Sermon on the Mount: Ethics

16/2/2020

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Matthew 5:21-37]
Jesus clarifies and supports the intent of the Law against his contemporaries' interpretations. What is taught here is symptoms, signs, examples, of what it means when the kingdom of God breaks into the world.

200216_sermon_on_the_mount_ethics.pdf
File Size:	625 kb
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