Orewa Baptist Sermons

Each year at the end of November, OBC holds a Vision Sunday Service to share about where God is leading us as His people. In this episode, Pastor Mark talks about the vision and mission of OBC for 2024 and beyond. OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz OBC Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@orewabaptistchurch6082

In this episode, guest speaker Derek Christensen, teaches on the parable of the Prodigal Son and looks at what the church can learn about the older brother's response as his father welcomes home the lost son. OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz OBC Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@orewabaptistchurch6082

After the Israelites decided to worship, offer sacrifices and hold a festival before the golden calf, God told Moses that an angel will go before the Israelites to take them into the Promised Land but He personally will not go with them (Ex 33:3). In the same chapter Moses said to God, "If you do not personally go with us, don't make us leave this place." For Moses, the most importa...

Shortly after Israel leaves Egypt, Pharaoh and his officials change their minds and set out to chase the Israelites and bring them back. Through God's leading, the Israelites are hemmed in by Pharoah's army, the wilderness and the Red Sea. God saves his people through an unexpected path as the Red Sea divides. In this message, Pastor Mark brings shares 4 thoughts from Exodus 14: God Sees...

The "heart" is mentioned over 1000 times in the Bible. The "heart" is very important. During the plagues in Exodus we see the hardness of Pharaoh's heart. As Israel wanders in the wilderness, they begin to display hardened hearts. In this episode, Pastor Mark talks about the "heart", what leads to hardness of heart, and how we can maintain a softened heart that i...

In life, there are areas of flexibility and there are areas that are non-negotiable. When Moses requested for Israel to take a 3-day journey into the wilderness to worship Yahweh, Pharaoh denied the request. After multiple plagues, Pharaoh attempted to negotiate the terms of Moses' request for Israel to take a journey to worship the Lord. Moses didn't negotiate or compromise. The instruc...

When God sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh, God worked miraculous signs through them. However, when Arron's staff became a serpent, the Egyptian magicians performed the same sign. The Egyptian sorcerers also replicated the plagues of water to blood and an invasion of frogs. But, during the plague of gnats, the Egyptian sorcerers failed to match God's power. In this week's message, Pas...

Exodus stories are filled with God doing the impossible. As Joshua and the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, God continued to do what seemed impossible. This week, Trevor Clarke encourages us from Joshua 3. OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz OBC Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@orewabaptistchurch6082

The scripture gives instruction for believers to examine their lives to see if their faith is genuine. Are we truly following Christ? Do we acknowledge Jesus as both Saviour and Lord?  In this week's message, Pastor Mark encourages us to examine our lives as we gather around the table. OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz OBC Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@orewabaptistchurc...

In Exodus 5, Moses approaches Pharaoh to request that Israel be allowed to travel into the wilderness and worship Yahweh. Pharaoh denies the request and makes life bitter for God's people. When Moses delivers the word of the Lord to the Israelites that they will be freed, they refused to listen because they had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery. In this episode, Pastor...

After an encounter with God in the wilderness, Moses is sent by God to be the instrument God uses to bring freedom to His people. God shapes Moses and refines his disposition as a rescuer to become the kind of rescuer God wants him to be. Moses is shaped, then he is sent. God is a God who sends. In John 20, Jesus appears to the disciples and says, "Just as I have been sent, I now send you.&qu...

In this episode, Pastor Mark traces the battle of seeds from Adam & Eve, Eve & "the serpent", Cain & Abel and Shem & Ham to give added layers to the Israelites experience recorded in Exodus 1.  The battle of seeds involves the attack on children (seeds) and also the attack on God's people and His work in their lives. Mark also calls for parents to be intentional abou...

The Exodus is the most referenced story in the Bible. The themes in the book of Exodus are numerous and the application found within its pages are relevant today. In Week 1 of this series, Pastor Mark talks about Joseph as the setup for the great Exodus story. During his life, Joseph found himself in different "households" and maintains faithfulness throughout his "household" t...

All of God's people are called to ministry. While some members of the Body of Christ are employed by the church based on their gifts, the work of the Church is performed by every member of the Body of Christ. In this message, Derek Christensen examines Ephesians 4 and encourages God's people to fulfill their ministry. OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz OBC Youtube channel: http...

As Christians, there is much we “know” about God but there is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God . Knowing about God can be exciting. We can learn about the powerful stories of Scripture and dive into the deep mysteries presented in God’s Word. But knowing about God should not replace knowing God.   In this message, Andre encourages us to go beyond knowing about God to knowing...

The biblical narrative is filled with a reality that consists of both a material and a spiritual realm. Often, spiritual forces interfere with the natural world. In the West, we are seeing a rise of interest in spiritual practices that aren't aligned with a biblical worldview. What is the result as people explore and give themselves over to these spiritual practices?  In this episode, Pastor...

The early church understood that one day Jesus would return. As the days (and decades) passed, many wondered why Jesus had not returned. The biblical authors understood the questions of the early church and urged them to live in readiness. Centuries later we are closer to the return of Christ and now more than ever, we must live in readiness. Christians must be familiar with God so that they will...

The Good News is powerful! From the beginning, the spiritual enemies of God have sought to twist and change the gospel to hinder its power. Nearly all NT books address false teaching, and it is critical for Christians to continue growing in the faith in order to discern truth. In this episode, Pastor Mark talks about 3 areas that function as safeguards against deception and offers some practical h...

Sexuality is important to Christians because it's important to God. Our sexuality is woven into our identity. When sin entered the world, the good things God gave humanity eventually become distorted. As God chose Israel as his special possession, he gave them a sexual ethic to live by.  This sexual ethic carries on into the New Testament. In this message, Pastor Mark speaks about the importa...

The Fear of the Lord is a consistent theme throughout the bible but it isn't spoken of very often. What is the fear of the Lord and why is it foundational to how human beings relate to God? This week, Pastor Mark talks about the importance of possessing the fear of the Lord especially in the days ahead. OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz OBC Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/...

Jesus' parable in Matthew 7 highlights two people that built houses: one on a solid foundation and one on a foundation of sand. The homes look similar but when the storm comes, we see the homes are not the same. Their foundations are different. What "foundation-exposing" trials will believers face in the future? What foundations have many believers built their spiritual life upon? ...

This week Pastor Mark opens a new series titled "The Days Ahead". The gospel message planted seeds in the early first century that would change life in the Roman Empire. Centuries later, many nations would build their societies on Christian values and beliefs. In modern times we must ask, "What happens when societies decide to tear down its foundations based on Christian ideology?&q...

An ageing David takes a census that he soon realized was trespassing into God's territory.  The message follows through his repentance, his willingness to fall into God's hands, the punishment the nation suffered and then David's costly sacrifice at the threshing floor of Araunah. Guest Speaker Rev. Derek Christensen OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz OBC Youtube channel:...

In this series finale, Pastor Mark looks at the last 5 verses of Asa's life. After Asa is confronted by the prophet Hanani, he rejects the word of the Lord, throws Asa in prison and begins oppressing some of the people in Judah.  Not accepting divine discipline, can cause our hearts to become hardened and frustration will spill over into other areas of our life.  How should believers understa...

When King Asa relied on God, the Lord fought Judah's battles and the plunder from the Lord's victories flowed into the Temple. Later on, when King Asa was faced with another challenge, he decided not to trust God and relied on his own strength and wisdom. The result? A loss of Temple treasure. What can we learn from Asa's decisions? How do we keep from losing our Temple Treasure? OB...