The Apostle John gives us evidence of the resurrection of Jesus. But it is the Holy Spirit who makes it sure in our hearts, for He is a witness to the resurrection and ascension within us.
2021-04-11_we_are_witnesses.pdf |
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: John 20:19-31; 1 John 1:1-2:2] The Apostle John gives us evidence of the resurrection of Jesus. But it is the Holy Spirit who makes it sure in our hearts, for He is a witness to the resurrection and ascension within us.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: John 20:1-18; Acts 10:34-43; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11] Here we have the testimonies of three eyewitness followers of Jesus writing of his resurrection from the dead - not legend, not imagination, not hallucination, but solid evidence from those who were there.
Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Text : Mark 11:1-11] Palm Sunday - the crowd cheer for Jesus. Yet there is grief ahead within a few days. We too face times of rejoicing and grief - where does our strength come from?
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Jeremiah 31:31-34] In the midst of a siege with defeat and exile loaming, Jeremiah has given this message that God would make a new covenant with his people. At the Last Supper, Jesus proclaimed that new covenant was made in his blood.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: John 3:14-21; Ephesians 2:1-10] The gospel reading tells us of a conversation between an eminent Jewish leader and Jesus. In this conversation we learn of Jesus' rescue mission for the world and how we can benefit from it. Meanwhile, Paul discusses the same ideas theologically in the Letter to the Ephesians. Here we find life, reality, truth - here we find the way to God and the way to live.
Preacher: Helen Hardcastle [Text: Exodus 20:1-17] When we look at the Ten Commandments we see both God's gracious provision for us to relate well to him and to each other but also we become aware that we cannot make it without him. We need a saviour; we need help. Helen talks us through that and offers the way through to that relationship.
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: Helen Hardcastle [Text: Galatians 4:4-7]
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.
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