Wellington South Baptist Sermon Podcast

We’re not just here to keep things running — we’re called to dream with God and participate in the building of the upside-down Kingdom. Through a story about drill bits and the wisdom of Ephesians, this message reminds us that God can do immeasurably more  than all we ask or imagine, calling us to live with purpose, unity, and love. Passage: Ephesians 3:14-4:6 Speaker: Steven Goulstone

We were joined by people that we at WSBC have supported in mission for many years. Rick now works with CMS and in this sermon, he shares insights from their decades in mission and his current work with the ATA, a network equipping over 70,000 Christian leaders across Asia and the Middle East. Rick explores how the cross reveals God’s powerful foolishness triumphing over the world’s foolish power....

We were joined by Ben Carswell, director of Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship (TSCF) to share about some of the work that he and the team are doing with students through TSCF. Reflecting on the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Ben invites us to consider our place in the mission of God. Passage: Luke 24:13-35 Speaker: Ben Carswell

In this final week of the series, we turn to the question of God’s priorities, reflecting on the vivid biblical imagery of living water and the prophet Amos’ call to “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” We consider how justice and righteousness cannot be separated, how escapist theologies distort the mission of Christ, and how we are called to activel...

In week three we explore the long and complex history of Palestine, the beginnings of Zionism and the implications of fixating on a narrow view of God's land, as a dispensationalist hermenutic does. Seeking to rather see the whole world as God's land in light of Christ, and the continually expansive story of God's activity in the world. This series seeks to offer an alternative theolog...

In week two we deep dive into how we understand who God's people are, considering some definitions to common descriptors of God's people in the Bible and concluding by reflecting on the people of God being all who believe in and follow Christ. This series seeks to offer an alternative theological framework to dispensationalism which responds to the horrific suffering experienced by Palesti...

In the first of a four week series, we consider the importance of reading scripture through the lens of Christ, and look at how reading it differently can lead to dire consequences. This series seeks to offer an alternative theological framework to dispensationalism which responds to the horrific suffering experienced by Palestinians through the inexcusable aggression of the nation-state of Israel...

The opening verses of Gospel of Mark set the scene for what is to come in Jesus’ ministry. A bold title followed by several short vignettes prepare the reader for Jesus’ ministry which follows. Our familiarity with the text and our unfamiliarity with the ancient world might cause us to miss the significance in these opening lines. But for those who will look again, the Gospel can speak a fresh wor...

We are visited again by Sean Marston, the NZ Director of INF (International Nepal Fellowship). Through the story of the Good Samaritan, we're invited to consider how to live out the gospel in tangible, everyday ways - meeting the needs of those who are vulnerable without expectation or agenda. Passage: Luke 10:25-37 Speaker: Sean Marston (INF NZ Director)

Steven brings some reflections from his time at the BWA Congress in Brisbane in which he heard people speaking 'prophetically' into the current global context, and wonders how we as a or the church can participate in that process. Content warning: includes discussion of terror attacks and intimate partner violence. Passages: Luke 4:16-21; Micah 6:6-8 Speaker: Steven Goulstone

Mānawatia a Matariki In the conclusion to our series reflecting on the place of Te Tiriti and the profound implcations of how it impacts who we are as people of Aotearoa, people how are part of a Baptist church, and people who follow a God whose practice of being in covenant with creation. This week we consider practical steps that we can take as Tangata Tiriti to be a part of restoring the broken...

We continue our series on the place of Te Tiriti and how it impacts who we are as people of Aotearoa, people who are part of a Baptist church, and people who follow a God whose practice of being in covenant with creation has profound implications for us. This week we consider the need for and the importance of repentance for broken covenants, and how relevant that is for Aotearoa and the many brea...

In the lead up to Matariki, we will be reflecting on the place of Te Tiriti and how it impacts who we are as people of Aotearoa, people who are a part of a Baptist church, and people who follow a God whose practice of being in covenant with creation has profound implications for us. In this first week, we look at the importance of covenant to early Baptists, to Abraham and how the concept of coven...

In this latest 'Who Are You?' slot, we hear from Thea Jacobs, at the time of recording not yet elected, but now elected Elder of WSBC. Listen in to find out Who Are You? Thea Jacobs.

In the final week of the Arotahi Renew Together appeal, and in what doubles up as a conclusion to our 18-moth plus journey through the book of Acts, we consider what it will take to 'Step Into God's Call' through considering the way Paul's journey concludes. Passage: Acts 26:1-32 Speaker: Raewyn Taylor

In the second week of the Arotahi Renew Together appeal, we consider the way people's hearts are changed not just through intellectual argument but through encountering the Spirit of Jesus. It is that encounter that enables people to 'Embrace God's Call'. Passage: Acts 19:1-10 Speaker: Steven Goulstone

The annual Arotahi appeal, Renew Together , begins this week and we were grateful to have one of the Arotahi team join us to share. We were invited to consider what it means for us to 'Know God's Call.' Passage: Acts 17:23-34 Speaker: Arotahi

In our final week considering the Easter events through the lens of subversion, we look at how the resurrected Christ encounters people on the journey and is revealed through hospitality. This week was a combined service with two of our other local churches, Island Bay Presbyterian and St Hilda's Anglican. Passage: Luke 24:13-35 Speaker: Steven Goulstone

In the second week of our Easter series, we consider the subversiveness of the resurrection as we flower our cross and remember the new life that is found in Christ's resurrection. Passage: John 20:1-18 Speaker: Steven Goulstone

Our three week Easter series is reflecting on the events from Palm Sunday to the Road to Emmaus through the lens of subversion. This week we consider three stories of subversive actions that brought about significant change before considering the way that Jesus entered Jerusalem subverts the expectations of everyone present. Passage: Matthew 21:1-13 Speaker: Steven Goulstone

Continuing the story of Acts into chapter 25, we consider what must be going on for those who we often consider to be the villains - the people who are accusing Paul of preaching against their traditions and how we might find it easier to relate to them than we would liek to think. Passage: Acts 25:1-12 Speaker: Steven Goulstone

Continuning the story of Acts into chapter 24, we ask the question, 'At what point do we stand against manipulative leadership and indifferent politics?' Passage: Acts 24:1-15; 22-26 Speaker: Steven Goulstone

We return to our journey through the book of Acts and reflect on how we can best point people to Jesus, pondering the story of Paul engaging with the religious power structures of his day. Passage: Acts 23:1-11 Speaker: Steven Goulstone

On 9 March 1975, Berhampore and Island Bay Baptist churches merged to form Wellington South Baptist. On 9 March 2025, we celebrated 50 years of WSBC, featuring a number of significant people from our history sharing memories as we reflected on God's faithfulness. Passage: Psalm 89:1-17a

This week we are joined by Vince Kilpatrick, a local Baptist minister primarily involved in the Lower North Island Baptist Association, who asks the question 'Who the heck are we?' as the people of God. How would you answer that question? Listen in to Vince's answer. Passage: Exodus 19:1-6 Speaker: Vince Kilpatrick