Category: Courage - St Stephen's Whangaparaoa

Blessings of Following Jesus

29/1/2023

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.

230129_blessings_of_following_jesus.pdf
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Understanding the Times sermon

13/11/2022

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.

2022-11-13_understanding_the_times.pdf
File Size:	251 kb
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"Hesed: Love which will not let me go"

7/11/2021

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Ruth 1; Judges 2:6-19]
This is the start of a series of three sermons on the Book of Ruth. It is a delightful story of love and loyalty, commitment and loving kindness in the face of need and loss. A theme which stands out is Hezed the loving-kindness of God. In the first chapter we meet the women in need and are shown an example of selfless commitment.

Download a PDF of the sermon here: >>>

211107_ruth_1_-_hezed.pdf
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Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me - Psalm 23 Part 3

29/8/2021

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Psalm 23]
Today our theme is the care of the Good Shepherd. In my last two sermons, I explored Psalm 23, on 18/7/21 & 1/8/21. Since then we have gone back into Level 4 lockdown. The remaining portions of the psalm are relevant to this situation offering encouragement, strength and comfort when we may be feeling challenged, afraid or depressed.

210829_goodness_and_mercy_shall_follow_me.pdf
File Size:	929 kb
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Paul's Motivations

13/6/2021

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: 2 Corinthians 5:1-17]
When Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians he had been through serious traumas. He lists the many floggings, dangers and perils later in this letter and specifically in the first chapter he wrote of a time when it was so bad he despaired of life itself, but God delivered him. In Chapter five, he shares some ideas about suffering and dying. In the midst of it we find nuggets of hope and indicators of the motivations which kept him going. Which of these impacts you? Take some time to explore it more and build it into your life as a strong motivator for Godly living and service.

210613_pauls_motivation.pdf
File Size:	670 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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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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St Stephen: Challenging Culture

4/8/2019

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Acts 7:51-60; Matthew 23:34-39]
Our patron saint is Stephen. What can we learn from his example? One thing we see is that he stood his ground for the gospel. How well do we do on that front?

190804_stephen_-_challenging_culture.pdf
File Size:	478 kb
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Do Not Fear

9/9/2018

Preacher: Helen Hardcastle [Isaiah 35:3-7a]
Do not fear! God commands his people over and again not to fear, yet we are very quick to become fearful of all sorts of things and people. Helen leads us into some strategies to counter fear.

180909_do_not_fear.pdf
File Size:	437 kb
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Stephen - full of the Spirit

5/8/2018

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Acts 6; Acts 7:55-60; Matthew 23:34-39]
Our church is named after Stephen. What has he to teach us today? What can we learn from his life and death?

180805_stephen_full_of_the_spirit.pdf
File Size:	475 kb
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Advent 4 - Annunciation

24/12/2017

Luke 1:26-38Preacher: Peter Lloyd []
Mary's example of courage in the face of a great calling with a huge cost is a challenge to us in our discipleship.

Partners in Mission

12/11/2017

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle
Next week we expect to have our Partners in Mission with us from Tanzania. Tito and John will be with us for nearly three weeks. They have much to pass onto us - so let us make good use of this opportunity.

171112_partners_in_mission.pdf
File Size:	258 kb
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True Apostles

29/10/2017

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [1 Thessalonians ]
As we look at this passage we see marks of a true apostle and consider too comparisons to Martin Luther as he ignited the Reformation 500 years ago.

171029_true_apostles.pdf
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The Gospel of the Kingdom

25/6/2017

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Matthew 10:24-39; Jeremiah 20:7-13]
In today's gospel reading, Jesus teaches on the Kingdom of God. It is not all peaches and cream. He is a realist who deals with real issues of conflict and division.

170625_the_gospel_of_the_kingdom.pdf
File Size:	389 kb
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Pentecost - Our Church's Birthday

4/6/2017

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21; John 7:37-39]
We often say Pentecost is the Birthday of the church. Today, we look at this and a local significance!

170604_pentecost.pdf
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Our God is a Consuming Fire

21/8/2016

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Jer 1:4-10; Heb 13:12:18-29; Lk 13:10-17]
A great hope is set before us - but it is connected with faith and obedience. It is only through God's Word that we can know about it and we are warned not to ignore God's Word.

160821_consuming_fire.pdf
File Size:	517 kb
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Quit Ye Like Men

14/8/2016

Preacher: Helen Hardcastle [Texts: Isaiah 5:1-7; Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:48-56]
These are times when we need to be courageous. Helen challenges us to stand for what is worthwhile.

quit_ye_like_men.pdf
File Size:	460 kb
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