As we continue through the Sermon on the Mount, we find Jesus gives authoritative interpretations of the Law, going to the root issue behind behaviours.
23-02-12_but_i_say_to_you.pdf |
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Matthew 5:21-37]
As we continue through the Sermon on the Mount, we find Jesus gives authoritative interpretations of the Law, going to the root issue behind behaviours.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Matthew 5:13-16]
Jesus said to his disciples and says to us, "You are the salt of the earth. ... You are the light of the world." Salt and light are strong metaphors laden with meaning. On the day before Waitangi Day, Ian looks at the missionaries being salt and light, some features of the signing and a simple way we can be more like salt and light in our daily life.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Matthew 5:1-12]
When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, it was in effect his manifesto. The laying out of the policy of his kingdom. He starts with the Beatitudes. This may seem to us to be all upside down, but in fact it is right side up. In this sermon, Ian looks at these character traits which Jesus calls blessed.
Preacher: Trevor McCracken [Text: Isaiah 9:1-4; Matthew 4:12-23]
Third Sunday after the Epiphany. Revd. Trevor reflected on Matthew 4:12-23, Jesus' first followers and what it cost them to give up to follow him. Have we heard Jesus' call and willing to do something for the Kingdom of God to make this happen?
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Isaiah 49:1-7; John 1:29-42]
As we hear John the Baptist proclaiming Jesus as Christ, Son of God, Eternal One, Lamb of God, we are challenged to consider depth of our commitment to Christ and how ready we are to tell others about him.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Matthew 2:1-12; Ephesians 3:1-12]
Today, we celebrate the Epiphany - the revelation of Christ to the world. The first non-Jews to recognise Jesus were the wise men. The proclaiming of Christ to the nations continues to this day and through us...
Preacher: Anne Aspden [Texts: Luke 2:15-21; Numbers 6:22-27 ; Galatians 4:4-7]
Today, Anne leads us as we continue to rejoice in the Christmas season and consider the naming of Jesus.
Texts: Isaiah 7:10-16; Hebrews 1:1-4; Luke 2:1-14
We have two sermons and a story below: the sermon from the Midnight service, and from the 10am service the sermon and a children's story. Midnight Sermon - Anne Aspden
Anne looked at what the gospel account really tells us about those events and leads us to the important heart of the story.
10am Sermon - Trevor McCracken
Trevor considers the sidelining of Christianity in Christmas in our culture and reasserts the importance of this celebration of the incarnation of God as man.
Children's Story - Helen Hardcastle
Helen tells of Michael Mouse who gave what he could to Christ.
Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Text: Matthew 1:18-25]
Today, Peter gives a different perspective - an angel's view - on the Incarnation! Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Isaiah 35:1-10; Matthew 11:2-11] As we traverse Advent, we hear again of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Each of these is meant in more powerful and stronger ways than we use the terms. After exploring this, we look at John the Baptist and his experiences of joy at the coming of Christ. This sermon was given at the 8am service and not recorded.
The second Sunday of Advent carries a theme of Peace. Isaiah gives us hope in Christ's future reign of peace.
Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Text: Isaiah 2:1-5]
The first Sunday of Advent carries the theme of Hope. In today's Old Testament reading we hear Isaiah's message of Hope to Israel even in the midst of the disaster of defeat and exile. Yet there is the hope of a future reign of peace. We too can have hope in the midst of trials and stress - it is the promise of God.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 23:33-43; Colossians 1:11-20; Jeremiah 23:1-6]
As we end the Church year, our readings climax with Jesus as King: The Righteous King Jeremiah described; the Redeemer King on the cross and the Glorious King as Paul describes him. Is your understanding of Jesus big enough? Do you want to pray, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom"?
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 21:5-19; 1 Timothy 2:1-6]
In the gospel, Jesus gives an overview of history leading up to the Second Coming. He warned his followers of two dangers: (1) false teachers preaching false hope and (2) giving way to fear at the thought of what is to come. In today's service we explore this passage with material supplied by Barnabas Aid.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 20:27-38; Job 19:23-27a; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17]
There is hope for life after death for those who believe in Jesus. We will also one day be resurrected to life. Jesus' resurrection guarantees ours.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Ephesians 1:11-23; Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18]
It will be All Saints Day on Tuesday - what is that about? When the New Testament refers to saints it means Christians. The portion of the Letter to the Ephesians speaks of the HIP we have as God's people: Hope, Inheritance and Power.
Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Text: 2 Timothy 4:9-13]
Peter draws our attention to three followers of Paul and their different responses and the outcomes of those choices. Demas, Luke and Mark illustrate possible courses for a disciple with the consequences and values write large. Here is encouragement to be steady or to come back after failure along with a warning of what to avoid.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: 2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:15]
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy encouraging him in his ministry and in this section speaking of the importance, inspiration and value of scripture. We too must value the Bible as it imparts God's message to the world.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 17:11-19; 2 Kings 5:1-3, 9-19]
In the readings, two men hundreds of years apart are cleansed of leprosy, healed and come into relationship with God. We see the importance of testimony, of giving thanks and glory to God, of encouraging others to believe that God can heal them and use them to heal others.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 17:5-6 ; Habakkuk 2:1-4]
The Bible tells us that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ." In today's service, Ian looks at the nature of faith and a way which may help us to hear God. In summary it is: 1. Quieten yourself; 2. Look for vision; 3. Hear God as a spontaneous flow of thoughts; 4. Record this in a journal.
|
Sermons:
|