South West Sermons

Duane Major begins Lent by introducing our series on "From Death to Life" with the episode of Jesus's baptism by John the Baptist. Starting with his baptism, we see how Jesus's life is a model - a life-long model - for our discipleship transformation from Death to Life.

Sam Young concludes our series on Redemptive Community with a look at a biblical theology of redemption: what is redemption and what does it look like?

Antony Nihoniho, lecturer at Laidlaw college, investigates the nature of redemptive community in Aotearoa/New Zealand, and how the diversity of who we are as a nation and people, and God's guiding hand, contribute to how we live as God's redemptive community today.

In the next of our summer series, Amelia looks at the parable of the wise and foolish builders; encouraging us, whether for the first time or once again, to look towards Jesus, the ultimate Cornerstone so that we may continue to build our lives upon His firm foundation.

"Look to Him and get to work". In the third of our summer series, guest speaker Michael Rhodes looks at a passage from the book of Isaiah; encouraging us to draw towards God, towards repentance, and ask: what does it look like to take the next step in producing just and righteous fruit?

In the second of our summer series, Colin Burt poses some key questions that arise from the parable of the Sower. Are we ready? Are we listening? What can I do to make sure I am ready soil?

In the first of our summer series, Bruce looks at the parable of the friend knocking at midnight and how we are called to pray boldly and unceasingly.

For our All-In service Amelia Smith brings us the message of the good news of the coming of Jesus - of Emmanuel, God with us.

Our Advent series continues with Steve Withington explaining how Jesus came to show us what true humanity looks like and how, through his Spirit, we can be transformed into the new humanity that was always meant to be like him.

Who is the true king? And what does it mean to worship and follow the true king? Our Advent series continues with Amelia Smith examining the differences between how the magi and Herod responded to the birth of Jesus and what it means for us.

Jo Robertson kicks off our Advent series with a segue between the Exodus story we have recently been through - God hearing the cries of his people and setting them free - and the coming of Jesus as the ultimate fulfilment of God hearing the cries of his people and coming to set them free.

Sam Young concludes our Exodus series as the Israelites approach Mount Sinai, where God calls them to be a holy people, a kingdom of priests. How does this affect us today? What does this mean for followers of Jesus?

Sam Young takes us through the passage where Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, gives him some very good advice about sharing the load together with others, and how the call to Israel to be God's people is a call to invite all others to join the community of God's people - together.

Our Exodus series continues with Duane Major taking us through the episode when the Israelites battled the Amalekites - a key event that showed the (until recently grumbling) people and (the always faithful) God working successfully together.

The people grumble against Moses because of a lack of water, and question why he has brought them into this desert wilderness. Moses asks God for help and God miraculously comes through yet again. Amelia Smith takes us through the passage.

Newly freed from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites must now become God's people, moved and shaped by him. God miraculously provides for them in the desert but admonishes them not to hoard the manna and quail he has provided. Jo Robertson shows how this passage informs the call of Jesus to trust in God's provision and not remain trapped in the lifestyle of greed that our society pushes on us.

Our Exodus series continues with Sam Young taking us through the tenth plague visited upon the Egyptians - the death of the firstborn - and asks what does this confronting passage reveal to us about God?

Erin White brings the message for our "All-in" service, about Moses confronting Pharaoh and demanding the Israelites' release - and the plagues that hit the Egyptians when Pharoah refuses to heed God's message.

We continue through the book of Exodus, moving onto the second part of our series looking at "Following God into Freedom." Moses goes before Pharaoh demanding that he set the Israelites free. Claire Russell looks at the importance - and implications - of speaking truth to power.

God heard the cries of his people and called Moses to go and rescue them. Moses said no....several times, giving several excuses. God sent him anyway. Amelia Smith examines Moses's responses and explains how Moses was looking at things the wrong way. It's not about what Moses can't do but about what God can do.

Concluding our Global Week, Duane Major returns to the passage in Exodus where God appeared to Moses and uses it to look back over the previous week's message to challenge us and question us about how we are going to respond to what God is saying to us.

Jo Robertson begins our series on Exodus with a look at the way God hears the cries of his people and uses ordinary people to transform the world.

Amelia Smith concludes our Te Paipera Tapu series by leading us through the importance of the Prophetic books and how best to read them.

Our series continues as Amelia Smith shares her wisdom on the nature of the bible's wisdom literature and its importance for us.