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The story of Jesus’ family escaping to Egypt reveals Jesus as the fulfilment of Israel’s story. He is the new Moses, leading us through a new Exodus; he is the true return from exile, and he is true, spiritual Israel, inviting us into the People of God.

A lot of popular mythology has grown up around the story of the three wise men, but the original story is a fascinating insight into Jesus’ place in God’s redemptive story. It reveals a God who invites all people everywhere to come and worship Jesus, the king of kings.

One of the most profound titles given to Jesus is Immanuel, God with Us. God has always desired to be with us, and Jesus represents the fullest expression of his presence among humanity.

Matthew’s gospel starts with a genealogy which reveals Jesus to be the world’s true king and heir to the throne of Israel.

The final stage in Israel’s spiritual decline in their failure to care for the weak and vulnerable members of their community. This stands as a challenge to us to show the compassion of Jesus to those around us, lest we become like Israel in the time of the Judges.

Idolatry was the major problem for Israel in the Old Testament, and is a huge problem for us today. God calls us to shatter our idols, those things our hearts love more than him, and turn toward him with our full worship and devotion. 

Micah's story shows us the danger of self-deception in the Christian life. We can make ourselves less vulnerable to this trap by participating in spiritual community, Scriptural community and sacramental community.

Communion is a reflection of and participation in the unifying work of Christ. Imagine what that means for a diverse city like Auckland? 

Samson’s story shows us that Human history is two-storied. There is the lower level of events that happen to us and around us. And there is the upper level where God works through these events to move his great redemptive plan forward.

This chapter introduces us to Samson's parents and, eventually, Samson himself. But these parents are an unlikely choice for God's plan. What does God's faithfulness look like to them? And how does it look to us?

Remarkably, the apostle Peter's ministry to Caesarea mirrored Jonah's to Nineveh: both were Galileans, both were sent to the gentiles, both commenced their missions in Joppa, and both were commanded to 'arise and go.' Importantly God showed both men that their own nationalistic fervour was an impediment to God showering his love on the gentiles. We need to avoid the sa...

This message charts Jonah's attempt to flee from God and his temple. Jonah heads directly to Tarshish with a shipload of Phoenicians and in doing so he endangers not only himself but others. When we disobey God there are always unintended consequences.

One of the keys to understanding Jonah is realising that his decision to disobey God was not altogether unreasonable in light of the viciousness of the Assyrians and that this wayward prophet is just the sort of person God loves to use (1 Cor 1:28)

What sort of book is this? Some say parable, others allegory, others history. If the latter, is it possible that a big fish could swallow Jonah and house him for three days and nights? While addressing these questions the sermon picks up on the timeless themes of sacrifice (Lev 5:7) and miracles in God's dealing with his people.

How can we live faithfully and wisely in both good and hard times? The writer of the OT book of Ecclesiastes has advice that is relevant for “all times”. We will consider that advice with a focus on the words of Eccesiates3:1-13

When Jesus returns, the Holy Spirit will renew the whole creation and bring God's redemptive story to its glorious conclusion. Until then the Spirit is working to bring about glimpses of God's new creation in the present, and he invites us to participate in his work of renewal.

The range of gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to people is as diverse as the nature of God himself. He gives these gifts in order that we might use them to glorify God, both in the church and in other spheres of life.

We each face the daily battle between the flesh and the Spirit in our lives. The fruit of the Spirit cannot be produced by willpower, self-effort or trying harder. These qualities are the result of keeping in step with the Spirit in our lives through practices that help us become good gardeners of our character. 

The Day of Pentecost was the first time that anybody, other than Jesus, received the Holy Spirit in a permanent, abiding way. Since that day, the gift of the Spirit is given to all those who place their faith in Jesus, and the Spirit also dwells in the midst of the church community. 

The Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to cry out Abba Father, an expression of his intimacy with God. The Spirit also enables us cry out Abba Father, to share in the intimacy between Jesus the Son and God the Father. 

The Holy Spirit creates all that exists and sustains every living thing in creation. By naming the ways in which we see the Holy Spirit at work in the world around us we can gain a broader appreciation for the work of the Spirit not only in redemption, but also in creation.

Like Jesus we are to seek the lost and celebrate the found.