St Barnabas, Fendalton

We live in a world where there are not a lot of 2nd chances, if we fail, people tend to come down on us like a ton of bricks. But that is not Jesus’ way…

We are all responsible for our own behaviour, and what we do, for good or ill, affects the whole Body of Christ.

It seems like we live in a world of foxes, of cunning and slyness. Jesus shows us another way – that of the mother hen sheltering her chickens under her wings, but it is a way of sacrifice.

When it all seems like chaos, that is the moment we most need faith.

Jesus’ example of resisting the lures of the devil shows us that we, made in God’s image, may also resist temptation; and also demonstrates Jesus’ humanity, as well as his divinity.

What will ground our faith in this very uncertain world we live in, with Russian aggression threatening war in Europe, and closer to home the March of Omicron rapidly increasing its footprint around us?

God sends out his word into the world, in order to accomplish what he wants accomplished.  This gives us great reason to live in hope.  Because God is all-powerful, we know that his will will be accomplished, and there will be peace on earth.

Jesus tells us to love our enemies.  Does that include the really awful people we know?  How can we love them?

Well if there’s any week to be reading this extract from Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain it’s this one – ‘love your enemies’ Jesus says, and here we are on the 13th day of a protest within the Parliamentary precincts now involving around 1000 people with 750 tents and 800 cars, and an increasing number here in Chch in Cranmer Square.

The beatitudes, or beautiful attitudes, are the raw, unvarnished, faith-rattling, rules of God. How do we each measure ourselves on such rules as these?

When Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet he felt unsuitable but God commissioned him to a ministry involving deconstruction as well as construction. Ministry in the last 11 years has involved both sorrows and joys but God has been with us all and will continue to lead St Barnabas into an exciting future.

Special guest preacher Rev. Mike Hawke, currently Church Support Officer at the Anglican Missions Board, joins us across our morning services this Sunday. Do tune in and enjoy his message!

We can naturally be a bit fearful of change but the good thing is that like water into wine, Jesus changes us for good, and for good!

Faith and works are hallmarks of the Christian journey.

Guest speaker Rev. Dr John Fox - Senior Ecumenical Chaplain @ University of Canterbury and Priest Assistant at St Christopher's, Avonhead, speaks to us about the baptism of Jesus. He shares his own story of baptism, and what the Baptism of Jesus may mean for us today.

Guest preacher Bede Cammock-Elliott, from our very own Lifestreams congreation, shares his thoughts about what it might mean to celebrate Christmas in a COVID world.

Guest speaker Dame Sue Bagshaw joins us during our 9.30am service where she talks about the Christchurch Youth Hub.

Do you feel pulled in all sorts of different directions at this time of year?

Plato’s famous analogy of the cave describes a community of people living in a dark cave unaware of a world of beauty and light just beyond their experience. Jesus is like a visitor who comes from the world of light into the cave to lead the people to freedom.

These words in our own Eleanor Horne’s pithy and exquisite hymn sum up the message of Advent and Christmas – God comes into our world as a baby, and fills us with awe and hope.

The title of the iconic neon artwork along the side of our Art Gallery in town is just the message for the Advent season we enter today. This is our hope.

Guest speaker Liz Yeoh from our very own Lifestreams congregation, shares her testimony regarding a recent personal loss and how God strengthened and carried her through it.

On the morning of the crucifixion Pilate met Jesus and asked if he was a king – the one with power met the one with authority. Jesus replied that his kingdom was not from this world. In our age of despots and tyrants, do you serve the true king who rules with mercy and gentleness?

Perhaps we feel we just have to grin and bear this Covid thing. It’s hard to be patient. Jesus tells his disciples there’ll be tough times, there’s a time to wait on God, and then there’s a time to act…

Rev. Pauline's sermon given at our 9.30am service, Sunday 14 November 2021