|
Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Text: Mark 8:31-38] Jesus tells his disciples that his Kingdom has opposite values to the world's. He, the Messiah, must suffer. Power is to be used for others not for selfish reasons. Follow Peter's challenging sermon in this video. Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Mark 1:9-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Genesis 9:8-17] With intertwined metaphors we learn about Lent, about spiritual growth, covenant and baptism. 
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Mark 1:40-45] Is God willing to heal? What does the account of Jesus healing the leper tell us? "I am willing - be clean." Let's explore that for our situations today.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Genesis 23:1-9,16-20; Ephesians 2:11-22 ; Matthew 12:18-21] There is an arc which spans scripture - the concept of being aliens and strangers. We look at its beginnings and its conclusion and find a relevance to the Treaty of Waitangi, to citizenship, to salvation.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Mark 1:21-28; Deuteronomy 18:15-20] As Jesus commences his public ministry his authority in teaching and over an unclean spirit amaze the people. Who is this man? How do we understand what happened here?
Preacher: Roy Smith. [Text: Mark 1:14–20] Roy talks to us about fishing, discipleship and concludes "Family of St Stephen’s, it’s time to Go Fish."
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: 1 Samuel 3:1-10; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51] Epiphany - manifestation - revelation: Each of these texts relates to revelation as God reveals himself and his message to people. There is, too, an odd symmetry between Samuel and Paul - both recipients of revelation and in both cases there is concern about the surrounding immorality.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Mark 1:4-11] Jesus said John the Baptist should baptise him "to fulfill all righteousness," why? Besides the usual answers, we consider two interesting ideas suggested by "The Passion Translation."
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12] Epiphany - the Manifestation or showing of Christ. The Wise men were the first gentiles to come to see him. They received some revelation and followed the light they had to find Christ and give him their best. Should we do less? Paul says the Church is to show the wisdom of God to the heavenly powers. How might we do that?
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 1:26-38; 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16] The Annunciation. There are lessons to be learnt to encourage us in our faith and trust in God. Will join us as we explore this wonderful account?
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28] The theme of the Third Sunday of Advent is joy. It is a joyous thing for a believer to meet Jesus and Paul tells us to rejoice always. We may struggle with joy, the late Margaret Hopkins was full of joy and wrote down for us her understanding of being joyful. Read on ...
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Mark 1:1-11 with Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15] As the Second Sunday of Advent we are looking to the announcement and commencing of Jesus ministry and also into the future to his second coming. Baptism was the activity around the beginning of his ministry as John baptised people for repentance and Jesus was baptised to commence his ministry - more of that in January. Today, we have two baptisms - so it is fitting to look at the significance of Christian baptism. We find it carries meanings of repentance, of incorporation into the Body of Christ, of dying to self and rising in new life.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Mark 13:24-37; Isaiah 64:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9]
With Advent we turn our gaze to the Hope of Glory. We have sure promises of Christ's return and our living with God. It is good to remind ourselves of that hope.
Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Text: Matthew 25:31-46]
Do you think you know about the 'Parable of the Sheep and the Goats"? Peter has learnt a new (in fact old) perspective on it. For a start it is not a parable. Then who are Jesus' brothers?
Preacher: The Revd Glen Popata [Text: Matthew 25:14-30]
Glen explores some of the encouragements and warnings contained in the Parable of the Talents. Preacher: Roy Smith [Text Matthew:25:1-13] We are all called as Christians to be faithful to God and obey him. Being faithful is the meaning of “waiting for the Lord to come”. There will be no second chances when Christ returns.
Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Text Matthew 22: 34 - 46] Today we have the baptism of the child of a family in the congregation. Peter helps us consider again the welcome of God to us all in reaching out to us first, then from the Gospel reading two great truths every family needs to hold onto as we raise our children.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Matthew 22:15-22 with Isaiah 45:1-7] Where do you loyalties lie? When challenged with a trick question by his opponents, Jesus gave a brilliant answer which not only dealt with them, but gives us a guiding principle for life. In some matters we are to obey the government, in others our loyalty must be with God.
Preacher: Bishop Ross Bay [Text: Matthew 22:1-14 (with Isaiah 25:1-9, Philippians 4:1-9)]
Bishop Ross presided and preached at our morning service today. The Gospel and Sermon start from the 24 minute mark. |
Sermons:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RSS Feed