Agora Church

Have you ever read Micah? Perhaps you have a picture of a rugged, ragged individual with a long beard and a long flowing robe, leaning on a staff and shouting doom and gloom at Israel? Some of that might be right (the beard part anyway) but Micah and the other prophets are included in our Scriptures for at least one very important reason. We will cover the first two chapters

This weekend is Easter. So, we celebrate both the death and resurrection of Jesus, even though I think we only understand a tiny aspect of what truly happened. If you were God, literally the creator and sustainer of all, would you die for humans? And, on rising from the dead, would you be keen to indwell them knowing your indwelling would be marred by the sin and disobedience? Such a huge reality...

Kia ora Agora, Today, we are looking at one of the most well-known parts of the Bible: The Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. Is Jesus literally saying, "this is the only way to pray," or is He giving us a guide? If it is only a guide or template, then why does Jesus not introduce it as such but literally says, "Pray like this" (Matt 6:9)? This is a powerful, humbling prayer that millions of Christians p...

The first three gospels all have Jesus’ call to his disciples. 12 were called; they lived with him for three years and over that time they were shaped by His words and by his actions. Following Jesus meant leaving their home and their work and, in Peter’s case, his wife. This raises a question. What do we mean when we say that we follow Jesus? If we follow Jesus’ example and seek to disciple other...

Kia ora, Today we start a new series called 'Journeying with Jesus' which will lead us into Easter. First, we are thinking about the call of Jesus to people far from God and to people close to God. So, how does Jesus call people? Is it in a dramatic loud way to get their attention amid a crazy planet and wild society? Or is He more gentle and quiet as he speaks into the lives of people who need to...

Kia ora Agora, Today we continue our Dependence on the Father series. Change is usually hard. Often it is messy and difficult, and we can want things to go back to the way it was before. God calls us to be at peace in Him, to trust Him, and that He has us in all circumstances. But - when change is swirling around us it can feel anything but peaceful - how do we trust God and find peace in Him in t...

Kia ora Agora, Today, we start a new series, 'Dependence on the Father', with a focus based on navigating through change - Isaiah 43:18-19. As a church, we are going through a season of change. As Christians, how do we find the faith we need to face major change? How do we not just get through it, but use change as a springboard to something much better than we have now?

Kia ora Agora, Today, Al will bring a contemplative thought on God's other book, the book of nature, from Psalm 19. We will also hear from Shelley, who will take us to Psalm 34 where we find these phases: - Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him. - The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. - Our Father sees us and hears us...

Kia ora Agora, Today, we will be looking at Psalm 40 which reveals the ups and downs of life that David experienced, his desire to obey God and the reality of his sin. It also reminds us of God’s care for us and points us to Jesus.

This Sunday we enjoyed the privilege of worshiping God together and rejoicing in his goodness and faithfulness with the start of our Summer series which focuses on a favourite Psalm each week continues as we look at Psalm 91.

This Sunday we finish our Christmas series by looking at the announcement to the shepherds by the Angels. Why were the shepherds so excited by what the Angels said, and why did everyone they talked to become astonished?