Category: Sermon Notes

The goal of this is to get a loose handle on two different responses to war that Christians have chosen.  It’s a complicated subject and carries emotion. Different stances are possible, but none are easy.  We’re doing this to acknowledge Anzac day, our history, but also because it’s worth having this kind of discussion when war is not at our immediate doorstep. It might be worth starting by each person telling any stories of their links to war. Many of us have them. We have however lived at time when war has not threatened NZ.  That means we need to be careful of others, and aware that our discussion is not as earthed as it might be at other times. …

The Bear, the Fox and the Tiger Can you remember a time when you decided to ‘poke the bear’ – Do something that will provoke a powerful figure ? How did it go ? Would you do anything different today? What about the times when you decided not to ? Is there a story you could share with the people present ? In Luke 16:14 -15 The Pharisees are described as loving money, and sneering at Jesus. In Luke 16:16 Luke says the good news of hte kingdom was being preached and “Everyone is forcing their way into it.”.  Why do you think the pharisees were sneering ?  If they were gatekeepers of the synagogue and temple, how would they…

Moving from ‘had enough’ to I have enough What trips/adventures have you had that have gone pear shaped ? How did you get in trouble, how did you get out ? Lament : It’s been 2 years of Covid…What are you tired of ? In the Psalms it’s perfectly acceptable to complain to God about the stuff we hate. Make a list of things that grieve you.  Write them down – turn them into a prayer – acknowledging them to God. Exodus:  In Exodus : 14:11, 15:24, 16:3, 17:3 the people grumble. They don’t yet know who Yahweh is.  Why do you think God allowed them to be in need ? In each case there is a miraculous response. Did…

This weeks discussion questions are : 1. Who do you say Jesus is?  Or What do you think of C. S. Lewis statement in “Mere Christianity”? I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.  That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell.…

Baptism (remember these are prompts for discussion, some will work, and others won’t).  Today Sarah got baptised.  Do you remember when you were baptised (if you have been). Do you remember why you got baptised ? What was it like for you ? If you hadn’t got baptised and wanted to, would your reasons be the same ?  Sarah told some of her testimony. If you found yourself standing in front of some people, and were asked why you follow Jesus or why are you a christian ? What would you say ?  Take turns.  Life Death and resurrection : Baptism links us with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  It says we die with Jesus and we rely…

On Tuesday night our Elders met and we agreed that we’d operate according to the Covid-Protection framework for our Sunday Services in our building. This means to take part in a service held in our church building you’ll need to be double vaccinated.  If you are not, for the next couple of weeks we’ll also run a satellite service (live streamed) in the church hall for any who are not vaccinated, or not fully vaccinated.  Note : The Covid-Protection framework asks us not to mix in the carpark. Simply put this means you have three options this Sunday. 10:30 In-person service in the Church building (Whare karakia) for the vaccinated. 10:30 Streamed satellite service in the church hall for the…