St Barnabas, Fendalton

John 3:1-17 - This passage is all about Nicodemus who visits Jesus to explore the relationship between Jesus and God the Father, and learns about the need to be born again, of both water and the Spirit, who brings new life and a fresh perspective.  Nicodemus' image of God expands - he learns that Jesus has come from God not to condemn the world, but to save it.  God loves us, was alongsi...

Trinity Sunday is a time to consider our experience of God. It is a chance to think about how we participate in God’s family and extend our experience of God to others.

We look back over 17 years of Lifestreams. God the Holy Spirit transforms us and sends us out.

Pentecost is the celebration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on those 120 disciples in the upper room in Jerusalem two thousand years ago. Out into the world they went to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. We, too, need to pray "Come Holy Sprit" and be open to all God has for us.

Is the Ascension of Jesus theological disaster territory? Can we who no longer believe in a three-tier lift shaft style universe, with heaven, earth and ‘the other place’ all stacked on top of each other, subscribe to the idea of Jesus ascending at all?

Jesus prayed with his disciples. He prayed for their unity, protection in the world and being set aside as a people who belong to each other. This has relevance for us today.

On this the 6th Sunday of Easter we continue to focus on Jesus' resurrection appearances.  In the lead-up to today's passage Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and his other disciples, including Thomas.  Today's gospel story is all about a miraculous catch, Jesus inviting his disciples to breakfast on the beach, and Peter's reinstatement.  Peter was re-commissioned for a pastor-teachin...

Perhaps it takes not just 50 days but a lifetime to live into the resurrection life and hope of Jesus, following in the footsteps of the risen Christ. We are all called to practise resurrection as we live out our daily lives in the places we live and work as Easter people, resurrection people.

Within Jewish tradition, the vine was/is a picture of Israel. However, this vine failed to produce the sort of fruit that God desired. Therefore, when Jesus came into the world he declared that he was/is the true vine. An intimate relationship between God, Jesus and his followers is crucial for the bearing of much fruit. We are to “abide” in Jesus (Jn. 15:4-5) if we are to display the fruit of the...

The grape vine is used as a metaphor by Jesus to describe his followers’ lives in relationship to himself, and his life in relationship to God the vinedresser. Grape vines need pruning and nurturing if they are to produce much fruit, and so do we. Essentially this passage is all about the vine, the branches, and fruit bearing so that we who are followers of Jesus may bring glory to God.

Tune in to hear Rev. Spanky Moore's wise words from his final sermon in the Christchurch Diocese. We wish him, Sarah and the kids all the best in with their new adventures in Nelson. We'll miss you Spanky - come back and visit us!

Every time the risen Jesus appeared, the disciples seemed terrified. Just what does that say about the resurrection body, and our attitudes to our own bodies?

On that first Easter evening Jesus addressed his disciples with three phrases “Peace be with you”, “As the Father sent me so I send you” and “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Three phrases that shape our mission today. It begins by being reconciled to God and receiving Christ’s peace, we are then sent out to participate in Christ’s mission in the world and finally we receive the resourcing of the Holy Sp...

The New Testament is permeated by the good news that on the first Easter Day Jesus Christ rose from the dead thus defeating sin and death. Jesus has broken open the way to the fullness of life – this is the ‘more’ we all long for. This Easter you are invited to move from the shadowlands into the presence and light of Jesus.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey he was hailed as King and Messiah – and he was although not the kind the people were expecting. Jesus did not bend to suit the adoring crowds but instead set his face to go to the cross to deal with our human rebellion and sin more thoroughly that we ever thought we needed.

Today is called Passion Sunday and it's not so much the "Stir a passion in my heart, Lord" sort of passion, or perhaps in a funny way it is. But Jesus takes us out into the fields of golden wheat first...

At Passover time some Greeks sought a meeting with Jesus, the writer of the Gospel of John's hint about the soon coming universality of the Gospel.  Jesus seemed to be rather obscure when answering these people's request.  However, he was thinking past the immediate and rather focused on his impending death and subsequent resurrection, for our sakes.  After this Jews and Gentil...

The intensity and strength of God’s love is so amazing not because of the bigness of the world but because of the badness of the world. God sent his son to a world in rebellion against him such was his love – a love that reaches out to you and me today.

Snakes don't get a very good press in the Bible. So just what does it mean when Jesus tells Nicodemus "just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up' (John 3:14)?

Like someone throwing a switch that stops a stage show in mid-flight, so Jesus, in driving out the animals and money changers from the temple, stopped the whole operation of the temple momentarily. This was not only an act of judgement on a system that had become a stumbling block for those seeking to find and worship God, but it was also saying that worship of the one true God was, from now on, t...

Jesus turned over the tables to challenge people to look at their faith. There are lessons for us in His behaviour.

Peter correctly affirms Jesus as the Messiah but misunderstands what that means. On no uncertain terms Jesus corrects Peter and explains that to be a disciple we must be prepared to go where he goes and submit ourselves to his lordship.

Jesus touches the man with leprosy and heals him. How do we think about touch in a touch-deprived and touch-averse world? Can the church be a touching place?

In these days of Covid and the royal commission investigating abuse in care, can churches really be a touching place any more? Jesus challenges us as he reaches out to touch a man with leprosy.

Jesus called the fishermen right where they were at their jobs and used their skills and experience for his purposes. Are we ‘stuck’ where we are? Can we offer ourselves afresh to Jesus for his service?