Category: Trust - St Stephen's Whangaparaoa

Entrust your Heart to Him

13/5/2024

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Acts 1:15-17,21-26; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19]
In two of our readings we hear about Judas betraying Jesus. How can we be confident of being true followers? What is the root of our motivation? The apostle Peter called God, the Heart-Knower. God knows our hearts and he loves us. It is in that confidence that we can entrust our hearts to him.

2024-05-12_entrust_your_heart_to_him.pdf
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Trust in Times of Trouble and Disappointment

22/5/2022

Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Texts: Acts 16:9-15; Revelation 21:10, 21:22 – 22:5; John 5:1-9]
Today Peter Lloyd preaches on the basis for trust in tough times: the testimony of Scripture and our personal experience of God's faithfulness.

220522_trust_in_times_of_trouble_and_disappointment.pdf
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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
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The Trustworthiness of Paul: Presenting the Gentile Christ

11/8/2019

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Colossians 1:24 - 2:5]
Paul here argues for his trustworthiness - that the Colossian Church should listen to him. Will we too give Paul credence? Much hangs on believing his words - this is the man who made the Jewish Messiah available to the Gentiles as the Christ.

190811_jewish_messiah_-_gentile_christ.pdf
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Lamenting - with Confidence

17/3/2019

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Psalm 27; Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 with Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 13:31-35]
Two days ago our nation was rocked by the news of a terrorist massacre in Christchurch. We are shocked, frightened and appalled. We feel violated. Yet as we turn to the readings for today we find all of them concern lament: Lament when under attack; Lament for barrenness; Lament over worldly Christians and Jesus lamenting over the People of God's unwillingness to come to him. We find that God does not object to lament and indeed responds positively. We find the Psalmist embraces lament with confidence and seeking God.

190317_lamenting_with_confidence.pdf
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Do not worry

26/2/2017

Preacher: Tim Johnston [Matthew 6:24-34]
Jesus tells us not to worry. He knows about food, clothing, all the details of your life and he says: Do not worry!

170226_do_not_worry.pdf
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His Grace is Sufficient

4/7/2015

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10]
Second Corinthians is largely a defence of Paul's ministry. He suffered terribly for the faith but through it all was sustained by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

150705_his_grace_is_sufficient.pdf
File Size:	351 kb
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Trust God through the Storm

21/6/2015

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Ps 107:23-32; Job 38:1-11; 2 Cor 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41]
When Jesus said, "Let's go across the lake," he meant it. He slept through the storm and expected more of his men than that they ask him to do something. What did he expect of them?

150621_trusting_god_through_the_storm.pdf
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You can view Andrew giving his account here.

The Annunciation

22/12/2014

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 1:26-38; 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16; Romans 16:25-27]
The Annunciation: angel, miracle - what should we make of it? What might we learn from it?

141221_the_annunciation_web.pdf
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A Year of God's Favour

15/12/2014

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Isaiah 61:1-2]
Looking at today's text, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me ...," I have to tell you of my thoughts about God's favour poured on us ...

141214_a_year_of_gods_favour.pdf
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Follow the Way

7/12/2014

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Mark 1:1-8; Isaiah 40:1-11; 2 Peter 3:8-15a]
Prepare the way of the Lord! As we prepare a way for him into our lives, he becomes the Way for us into God.

141207_follow_the_way.pdf
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Be Prepared

9/11/2014

Preacher: Helen Hardcastle [Texts: Amos 5: ; Matthew 25:1-13]
Are you prepared for Jesus' return? Helen looks at what He has to say about it and how we might be ready.

141109_be_prepared.pdf
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Knowing when to Paddle

17/8/2014

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: 1 Samuel 14:1-17, 20-23; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Luke 10:1-2]
When do we act? Jonathan in the account in 1 Samuel presses forward asking the Lord to stop him if it is the wrong time. Paul says, "Now is the acceptable time." Are we ready to press forward into the opportunity God is opening before us?

140817_knowing_when_to_paddle.pdf
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Don't Worry

2/3/2014

Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Isaiah 49:8-16; Matthew 6:24-34]
In his manifesto sermon, Jesus calls us to a singleness of purpose and devotion. As we seek his rule first, he tells us not to worry but trust in our Father's provision.

140302_dont_worry.pdf
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Questioning Jesus

15/12/2013

[Preacher: Helen Hardcastlle]
John the Baptist wonders whether Jesus really is the Messiah. What about us - do we have a firm trust in Jesus?

131215_questioning_jesus.pdf
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Open Heart and Open Hands

23/9/2012

1 Samuel 31:1-6; 2 Samuel 1:17-2:4; Matthew 14:6-14
Saul and Jonathan are killed - David and Israel lament and still David does not take the crown until the elders come to him and ask him to accept it. David grieved with an open heart; David held the promise of God with open hands.

120923_open_heart_and_open_hands.pdf
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Strengthen Yourself in the Lord

9/9/2012

1 Samuel 29:1-30:6
David faces disaster - his base has been raided and all his party's families and possessions have been taken; his men are ready to kill him, but "David strengthened himself in the Lord!" What was his secret?

120909_strengthen_yourself_in_the_lord.pdf
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The Obedience of Faith

19/8/2012

2 Samuel 23:13-17
David pours out water meant as a gift for him. Jesus poses a riddle to the Pharisees. What response do we make when times are hard or when we don't understand?

120819_obedience_of_faith.pdf
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Where will you run to?

29/7/2012

We see David fleeing from Saul to Samuel, to the enemy, to a cave... We hear the cry of his heart in his song written at that time. When tough times come, to whom do you turn? ... where do you run?

120729_where_do_you_run.pdf
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Go, Pay Attention and Obey

6/5/2012

How ready are we to obey God - especially when we don't understand why we should do it?

120506_acts_8.pdf
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