John Hebenton's Podcast

John uses the Exodus version of the 10 words or 10 Commandments, and John’s story of Jesus clearing the temple to explore what it means to be disciples of the living God. The notes for this sermon can be found at http://colourfuldreamer.blogspot.co.nz/2018/03/being-disciples-of-living-god.html

John explores changes in our sense of who we are using the story of Abram and Sarai, and Marks Gospel and Peter. So who are we invited to be if we stand where Peter stood? You can read the text of this at

John explores Lent – it’s origins and what it is about, and then looks at whey we might get into Lent – to what end do we pray, fast and give – using the three questions - whose are we, who are we, what is ours to do? He finishes using part of Pope Francis’ Lenten Epistle.

John explores what words we might use to describe what Jesus does when he heals the leper, and what those words teach us about the nature and character of God. (using David Lose’s posting on Working Preacher from 2012)He then invites people to explore what this story says to their understanding of God

John looks at how we might miss the point with some of these readings when we think it is about quick fixes for individuals. He then offers some bigger pictures of what these passages might mean when we put them back. He finishes by asking "How are we a restored community of justice, generosity and aroha?"

John explores what Mark and Candlemass offer as we begin a new year. The first half is the sermon and the second half is a conversation after they had some time to talk to each other about these questions:- Why did you come to church today?- What do we hope for was we gather each Sunday? - What assumptions might we let go of and what new ways of seeing our life of faith are we being revealed?

John explores Advent 4 as an opportunity to reflect on how Mary helps us into the mystery of the incarnation and our place in that mystery

John uses the alternative psalm (Mary's song) and the gospel reading from John 1 to explore how John and Mary answer the question – Who are you? He then asks - In light of all that who are we? Finally he talks about how St. Francis of Assisi answered that question, and uses Francis' understanding of "perfect joy" (as told by Murray Bodo OFM in "Tales of Saint Francis"...

Advent is a time to take stock of:- what is we hope for-what ways is God seeking to offer us joy-where do we see peace breaking out in our lives and in our world-how are we invited into lovethen in hope live that outuse the story of the ordination of women in communion and this land as an example of living it out

John explores some of the history of Christ the King, and reflects on what it might mean using Matthews last block of teaching on sheep and goats. He finishes by showing hwat he means by using his submission to the City Council regarding Easter Sunday Trading

Bonnie Hebenton is our guest preacher this week. She explores what anglican liturgy is and where it comes from. Liturgy is life! It is where we live out who we are meant to be. Listen as Bonnie explores the scripture our liturgy is based on and if we are willing, what it might do for us.

Cliff and Clark, the two Wardens, offer some thoughts about our need for more people to be involved in our ministry and how our finances are going. John finishes by offering a reflection based on the gospel reading Matthew 25:1-13, offering a reflection on why I am Franciscan, and the importance of the annual report – reflecting on how I respond to God’s infinite love -> including community com...

This is part of a larger sermon offered for people to thing about how they are stewards of all God has given them and their response in terms of time and money. In this reflection I explore why I am Franciscan, and the importance of the annual report in light of that – reflecting on how I respond to God’s infinite love -> including community commitment, ministry, and money

Graham Cameron talks about what All Hallows Eve, All Saints and All Souls are about. He goes on to talk about the invasion of Parihaka Village on November 5th 1881 and what this might offer us this and future all saints commemorations

On this Reformation Sunday I want to explore some of the elements that have helped re-form me over the last 30 years. I also want to suggest that our gospel today gives us hints as to how we might as a church be re-formed as we move into our own time of ReformationI finish by invite people to prayerfully consider who or what has helped them re-form ?

John explores how the three stories Jesus tells in answer to the question “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” are not separate unrelated stories, but build on each other. When we read them in this way they offer us another way of hearing today's story as a critique of a common way of understanding the kingdom of heaven. It all goes back to how we e...

How comfortable are we with the ending the Chief Priests and leading Pharisees offer to finish Jesus story about the vineyard? What does this reveal about how they and we see God? How might we finish the same story?

Today we celebrate two things- First is crazy saint of Assisi – Francis; and how when he embraced lady Poverty allowed him to see the goodness of God in all things and all people and all creation.- Second is the amazing work of SPCA -> today give freely to support this work

John wrestles with Romans 1:26-27 which on the face of it condemns homosexuality. By putting that verse back – into the social context and the letter it comes from, John explores what Paul might really have been saying as an example of how to keep working with Paul. In doing so he hopes people will be more informed and imaginative in how they approach scripture. This is our book. It shapes who we...

John summarizes Romans and Paul so far and explores the “How to live this out” – which involves expanding into next weeks reading, which includes our passage/whakataukiJohn invites people to reflect on how they live out Paul's framework of living in the fulfilled covenant

To explore the gift of Pauls thinking to us in Romans 11 – to keep us humble; to help us know that it is not about us and the rewards we get; and to help keep us open, generous and compassionate to all people, all people – even those on our “least favourite” list, just as God the mysterious is open and generous and compassionate to all people – because does not have a least favourite list. Trumps...

John explores the importance of Romans 9 – 11 for our trust in God’s faithfulness and asks “do we really trust God’s faithfulness? What stops us really trusting?

To ask •What is the Kingdom of Heaven?•How would you describe the Reign of Heaven from your experience of it? •What images or stories would you tell?and explore the response in light of Pauls image of God’s faithfulness and Matthews image of subversion

Use Matthew and Paul to explore how our roots are buried in the faithfulness of God to the covenant - the promise to restore humanity and renew creation through God’s people. When we are faithful to this (righteous) we find life