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Usually we think of the Christmas story from an earthly point of view—shepherds, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. But Scripture also gives us a view of the nativity story from God’s perspective—a story of cosmic battles, angels and demons, and a salvation that stretches across space and time.

Mary’s song describes God’s heart for the humble and oppressed. As followers of Jesus we are called to share God’s heart by being mindful of those in need and moving toward them in love, encouragement and service.

Psalm 2 points toward Jesus as the coming Messiah, the king who sits on David's throne and rules over the nations.

This conversation between Jesus and Peter shows how Jesus meets us in our personal failure and brokenness with his healing love and grace.

This miracle shows how, because of the resurrection, Jesus is Lord over all of life, including our work. Our work matters to God and God is glorified when we work well. 

Thomas the disciple has long been considered a negative example for us to avoid because of his doubt. But he has much to teach us about having an honest faith that is big enough to contain our doubt.

John Kirkby, founded of Christians Against Poverty, shares his own personal testimony, and how he came to faith at the lowest point in his life. Highlighting his journey, he shares from scripture around stewardship, and God’s heart for the poor, and how the local church is God’s vehicle to bring eternal hope and a practical solution to their community.

This message places the resurrection of Jesus in the context of four gardens in the biblical story—the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Garden Tomb and the Garden City. These gardens trace the story of God’s redeeming work on behalf of humanity and creation, with the resurrection of Christ at its centre. 

The cross reveals Jesus as the crucified king, a king who suffers with us to share in our pain, and suffers for us to reconcile us to God. 

The story of Jesus’ trial before Pilate showcases humanity at its worst and reminds us of the reality of evil in the world. But through this we see most clearly the heart and character of God on display.

Peter's denial of Jesus with the words "I am not" contrasts sharply with Jesus disclosure of his own identity with the words, "I am". These two statements represent two ways of living, either out of a false self, or out of our true self in Christ.

In the second part of this prayer, Jesus prays that his followers might be brought to complete unity. Christian unity is to mirror the unity between Father, Son and Spirit, and is ultimately for the sake of the world, that they might see God in us.

In this prayer, Jesus prays that his disciples would be protected from the evil one. Christians tend to either overplay or underplay the significance of the devil in the world, but Jesus calls us to have a healthy awareness of how the evil one works and how God protects us from him.

Jesus gives us the picture of a vine to describe our life and growth in him. He calls us to abide in him, which involves time spent cultivate and nurturing our relationship with Christ and others

Celebrating 200 years of the gospel in New Zealand, its early impact and implications for mission today.

When Jesus says 'My Fathers house has lots of rooms,' we assume he's talking about our heavenly mansion...isn't he? Maybe Jesus has something else in mind here that is less about heaven and more about earth, less about the future and more about the present. 

Hamish Taylor explores the raising of Lazarus in view of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd, which opens up a world of meaning in understanding his role in our lives, vis a vis others who may claim to be spiritual shepherds and other voices which may call us to follow them. 

Like the people who interact with the blind man Jesus heals, we all suffer from spiritual blindness, which prevents us from seeing what Jesus is doing in us and around us. 

This series in Ephesians, exploring the nature and scope of Christ’s church, ends with the question ‘where on earth is the church?’

Our culture defines our freedom as freedom from relationships. We often hear the cry, ?I need more space? as we block, hide or unfriend any space invaders who spoil our visions of freedom. In contrast, the gospel offers us freedom in relationship to God, and to one another. The biblical vision of freedom is to be set free in and for relationship, not from it.

Jesus describes himself as living water and the Holy Spirit as the river of life. These images form a powerful picture of the way the Spirit of Jesus rehydrates our soul and overflows into the lives of those around us.