St Michael's talks & sermons

In this sermon, Tim encourages us to explore what it means to truly follow Jesus. Exploring the questions, 'Where is Jesus?' and 'How can we be with Jesus?' we are invited to seek ways to foster intentional, daily closeness with Him as the foundation for spiritual growth and Christian living. Book mentions : Practising the way by John Mark Comer Gospel reading: Mark 3:13-19 Key tex...

Using the lens of St. Francis' life, Steve invites us to reexamine our relationship to power, money and sex, to hold them loosely, rather than central to our identity. As we reflect on the call to obedience and the example of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness (from the Matthew reading), we're prompted to trust that letting go of power and controls leads to spiritual armour and divine...

We welcomed Mo Morgan from the Christian environmental organisation A Rocha , who in this sermon, connects caring for the environment to faith in action. Sharing local stories of hope and transformation, Mo reminds us that each faithful, persistent step, no matter how small, is significant. Gospel reading and key text: Luke 18:1-8

In this message Tim recounts St Francis’ a.k.a Frank’s conversion from wealthy youth to a life of simplicity, service, and devotion to Christ, highlighting that his call to ‘rebuild the church’ meant renewing people’s faith through action and love. We are encouraged as listeners—married or single—to let our whole lives serve God’s kingdom. True freedom comes not from wealth or self‑gratification,...

We welcomed Reverend Keri-Ann Hokianga, a Māori evangelist within NZCMS. In this sermon Keri-Ann touches on the history of the gospel's arrival in Aotearoa and the ongoing journey of Māori Christian community and identity. Gospel reading and key text: Luke 2:8-14, 17:5-10

A week out from St Michael's Day and contemplating the example of our patron saint, Tim encourages us towards deeper engagement with both material and spiritual realities. Gospel reading: Matthew 12:43-45 Key text: Daniel 10:4-6, 10-15

September has been declared St Michael's month! As Kate reminds us in this sermon, remaining faithful often means resisting cultural norms and enduring challenges. Drawing on inspiring examples both biblical (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) and local (Kate Sheppard and Michael Jones), we are assured that discernment in community and trust in God's presence is the equipping we need. Gospel...

Part eight and our final sermon in the series on the book of Philippians. Rosie Fyfe of NZCMS shares a refreshing understanding of 'koinonia' or partnership as it appears in Paul's letter. This message invites us to reflect on the value of global partnerships, building grace-filled communities that support and uplift one another through all circumstances. Gospel reading: John 1:45-51 K...

Part seven of our sermon series on Philippians. With a little inspiration from Wendell Berry but mostly drawing on Paul's letter to the Philippians, Anya shares three keys for living out joy as Christians: prayer, thought and embodiment. Gospel reading: John 16:16-24 Key text: Philippians 4:1-9

Rev. Dr Sam Wells visiting us from St Martins-in-the-Fields, London, explores six moments of inspiration and what they tell us about the theology of the Holy Spirit.

Part six of our sermon series on Philippians. On a rainy day in Wellington, Tim challenged us to live as citizens of heaven right where we are, in work, at home and in community. Book mentions : Practising the way by John Mark Comer The Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks Gospel reading: Luke 12:32-40 Key text: Philippians 3:12-21

Tragically, part 4 of this series failed to record, sorry people. However, here in Part V, Sam Jackson compares the life of Paul with the life of King Saul. Paul, we learn, is compelled to give up his status as one of the religious elite, to serve a crucified master. Readings: 1 Samuel 9.1-2 Philippians 3.1-11 Matthew 11.25-30

Philippians 2.1-11 are among the most discussed verses in the New Testament. They include the stunning poem in verses 6-11, which celebrate Jesus' journey from glory to a cradle in the dirt, and then a cross beside criminals. In this sermon, Chris Marshall walks us through the beauty of this poem, and its extraordinary portrait not just of Jesus, but therefore of God.

In Part 2* of our series on Philippians, Kate Sampson explores Chapter 1, verses 12 to 30. Given that suffering seems to be an inevitable part of the Christian life, how are we to face it? Paul's example can give us hope and confidence to undergo the suffering that is an inevitable part of following in Christ's steps. * Part 1, on verses 1 to 11, was lost to the mists of time.

Death is all around us. We often pretend otherwise, but the fact is, it's coming to us all. Since the dawn of time, people have tried to cheat death, whether through magic, diet, or (increasingly) technology. Would the life gained through these means be eternal life? Or is Jesus promising something different? Not surprisingly, Matthew here outlines that life with Jesus, eternal life, is not th...

At the business end of John 3.16, John tells us that those who put their trust in Jesus will "not perish". What, then, will happen to them? That's what soteriology, the doctrine of salvation, is all about. Looking at Ephesians 1, Tim outlines some of the benefits of salvation as Paul describes them for the Corinthians. But what of those who don't put their trust in Jesus? Tim finishes with some br...

In this sermon, Ginni Shaw continues our series on John 3.16, exploring what it means to "believe in Jesus", by means of 3 vignettes in Acts 16, where three very different people come to live by means of their trust in him. Key reading Acts 16.11-34

Steve Shaw continues our series on John 3.16. What is this world that God loves? How does it sit in relation to God's providence, love and care? Readings:Proverbs 8.22-31 Romans 8.18-28 John 1.1-14

Continuing our series on John 3.16, Tim unpacks how it is possible for God to love, and how the doctrine of the Trinity seems to be a necessary basis for a loving God. Key texts: 1 John 4.7-16 Exodus 34.4-7

This sermon is the first full sermon in a series on John 3.16. It's one of the most famous verses in the bible, but worth unpacking slowly. This week, Tim asks, who is the God who so loved the world? The key text here is Exodus 3.1-15 Tim begins by reading an extract from what's called 'The Memorial' of Blaise Pascal.

The disciples who gather behind locked doors in John 20 are afraid of the authorities; afraid because of their loyalty to Jesus. Are there parallels with us? Are we loyal to Jesus, but afraid because of Christianity's cultured despisers? If so, how might we let Jesus breathe his Holy Spirit on us this Easter. Texts: John 20.19-23 Acts 5.27-32

In this sermon, Rebecca Packer breaks down the story in John 12.1-9, where Mary anoints Jesus' feet. What becomes possible when we sit at Jesus' feet? Reading: John 12.1-11

Reconciliation is a major theme in the New Testament. What does it look like in practice? Jesus' parable of the "prodigal son" helps us work out what we need to do to become reconcilers, rather than clinging to entitlement or resentment. In this sermon, Tim borrows heavily from Henri Nouwen to explore how to live in Gods' love, and how to rejoice when your children beat you at chess. Readings: Luk...

Lent is hard work, because it asks us to stop distracting ourselves from letting God examine us, inside and out. In this sermon, Matthew explores the idea of God's judgement; why we find it so difficult, and why we need to listen to Jesus' call to repentance. Reading: Luke 13.1-8

In Luke 13.31-35, Jesus gets a tip-off that Herod wants to kill him. This triggers his famous lament over Jerusalem. In this sermon, visiting preacher, Alison Swinfen, walks through that gospel passage, drawing clear parallels between the tyranny of Herod, and the tyranny of those rulers today who want to kill innocent citizens. How does Jesus' response to Herod guide our response to the political...