Category: Hope - St Stephen's Whangaparaoa

Hope, Shield & Joy

16/4/2023

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: 1 Peter 1:3-9; Acts 2:14a, 22-32]
In this Easter season, we have a series of readings following the teaching of the Apostle Peter. Have you ever wondered what Jesus explained to the Apostles after the Resurrection? We don't have to wonder because they preached it, they wrote it down for us! In today's readings we hear Peter preaching and read his encouragement to the early church about the impact of the resurrection.

2023-04-16_hope_shield_and_joy.pdf
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Christ's Reign of Peace

4/12/2022

The second Sunday of Advent carries a theme of Peace. Isaiah gives us hope in Christ's future reign of peace.

2022-12-04_christ_our_hope_christ_our_peace.pdf
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Hope in Disaster

27/11/2022

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.

2022-11-27_hope_in_diaster.pdf
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Advent: Joy - The Gospel of Hope in an Age of Anxiety

12/12/2021

Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Mark 13:1-8]
BUT GOD - Do not be afraid - You can have joy. If you remember nothing else, remember this: BUT GOD!

Written copy:

2021-12-12_gospel_of_hope_in_an_age_of_anxiety.pdf
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Laying down our Lives

25/4/2021

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: John 10:11-18; 1 John 3:16-24]
Today is ANZAC day. We remember those who gave their lives in war. Where do we find hope? Jesus supremely gave his life for us and in him we find the hope of eternal life.

210425_laying_down_our_lives.pdf
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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
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Finding Hope and Purpose for 2020

28/12/2019

Preacher: Helen Hardcastle [Text: Isaiah 63:7-9; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23]
Helen draws from the account of the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt some principles to help us in our life and walk with God through all the joys and difficulties of life.

19-12-29_finding_hope_and_purpose.pdf
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Colossians 1:1-14 Faith and love growing from hope

14/7/2019

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Colossians 1:1-14]
The Letter to the Colossians is a lovely epistle. The grand theme is Christ who is supreme and all sufficient. Join us as we explore it together.

190714_colossians_1.1-14.pdf
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Armistice Day: Debt and Hope

11/11/2018

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: John 15:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Isaiah 2:1-5]
WW1 was devastating yet there is hope - hope proclaimed at every ANZAC service and silently at countless memorials. What is that hope?

181111_armistice_debt_and_hope.pdf
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Advent 2: Christ our Hope

4/12/2016

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Romans 15: 4-13; Isaiah 11:1-10; Matthew 3:1-12]
The Word for you today is 'Hope.' Christ is our Hope - Ian explores our Advent Hope in Christ.

161204_christ_our_hope.pdf
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Advent 1: NOW is the time to wake up!

1/12/2016

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44]
Jesus makes it very clear that no one will know the time when he is to return, but Paul makes the point that while we don't know the time of His coming, Now is the time to wake up and be ready!

161127_now_is_the_time.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
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The Heavenly City

1/5/2016

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Rev 21:10,22-22:5]
John tells us seven main facts about the New Jerusalem and its inhabitants ...

160501_the_heavenly_city.pdf
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Our Privilege in Christ

15/11/2015

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Hebrews 10:11-25; Daniel 12:1-4; Mark 13:1-8]
Read what is written about our position in Christ - this is wonderful stuff - we should be delighting and rejoicing in the blessings we receive.

151115_our_privileges_in_christ.pdf
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Prisoners of Hope

29/3/2015

Preacher: Helen Hardcastle [Texts: Zechariah 9:9-12; Mark 11:1-11]
Zechariah uses a strange expression - "Prisoners of Hope." What does he mean?

150329_prisoners_of_hope.pdf
File Size:	300 kb
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