City Bible Church, Nz

Have you ever read Micah? Perhaps you have a picture of a rugged, ragged individual with a long beard and a long flowing robe, leaning on a staff and shouting doom and gloom at Israel? Some of that might be right (the beard part anyway) but Micah and the other prophets are included in our Scriptures for at least one very important reason. We will cover the first two chapters

This weekend is Easter. So, we celebrate both the death and resurrection of Jesus, even though I think we only understand a tiny aspect of what truly happened. If you were God, literally the creator and sustainer of all, would you die for humans? And, on rising from the dead, would you be keen to indwell them knowing your indwelling would be marred by the sin and disobedience? Such a huge reality to wrestle with.

Kia ora Agora, Today, we are looking at one of the most well-known parts of the Bible: The Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. Is Jesus literally saying, "this is the only way to pray," or is He giving us a guide? If it is only a guide or template, then why does Jesus not introduce it as such but literally says, "Pray like this" (Matt 6:9)? This is a powerful, humbling prayer that millions of Christians pray daily, yet I wonder how many of us grasp the deep, powerful meaning threaded throughout the prayer.

The first three gospels all have Jesus’ call to his disciples. 12 were called; they lived with him for three years and over that time they were shaped by His words and by his actions. Following Jesus meant leaving their home and their work and, in Peter’s case, his wife. This raises a question. What do we mean when we say that we follow Jesus? If we follow Jesus’ example and seek to disciple other people, should we invite them to come and live with us – as Jesus did? Or…

Kia ora, Today we start a new series called 'Journeying with Jesus' which will lead us into Easter. First, we are thinking about the call of Jesus to people far from God and to people close to God. So, how does Jesus call people? Is it in a dramatic loud way to get their attention amid a crazy planet and wild society? Or is He more gentle and quiet as he speaks into the lives of people who need to hear his voice?

Kia ora Agora, Today we continue our Dependence on the Father series. Change is usually hard. Often it is messy and difficult, and we can want things to go back to the way it was before. God calls us to be at peace in Him, to trust Him, and that He has us in all circumstances. But - when change is swirling around us it can feel anything but peaceful - how do we trust God and find peace in Him in those moments?

Kia ora Agora, Today, we start a new series, 'Dependence on the Father', with a focus based on navigating through change - Isaiah 43:18-19. As a church, we are going through a season of change. As Christians, how do we find the faith we need to face major change? How do we not just get through it, but use change as a springboard to something much better than we have now?

Kia ora Agora, Today, Al will bring a contemplative thought on God's other book, the book of nature, from Psalm 19. We will also hear from Shelley, who will take us to Psalm 34 where we find these phases: - Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him. - The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. - Our Father sees us and hears us always.  

Kia ora Agora, Today, we will be looking at Psalm 40 which reveals the ups and downs of life that David experienced, his desire to obey God and the reality of his sin. It also reminds us of God’s care for us and points us to Jesus.

This Sunday we enjoyed the privilege of worshiping God together and rejoicing in his goodness and faithfulness with the start of our Summer series which focuses on a favourite Psalm each week continues as we look at Psalm 91.

This Sunday we finish our Christmas series by looking at the announcement to the shepherds by the Angels. Why were the shepherds so excited by what the Angels said, and why did everyone they talked to become astonished?

At Christmas, the humble birth is the most beautiful picture: the setting, the people, the Word becoming flesh—the seeming simplicity intertwined with something far from simple. It's humbling for us to think about that night and what it actually represented. God took it all, wrapped it up, and brought to life the most beautiful gift, bringing hope and restoration. He turned what seemed ordinary and unremarkable into something incredible and extraordinary. The lessons we can learn from that night are as relevant to us today as they were then, encouraging us to be open to giving what's in our hands. What can appear ordinary to us, in the hands of Jesus, could in fact bring the start of a miracle.

This week we were thinking about why Jesus needed to be born of a virgin. Would it have mattered if Joseph had been his real father? Couldn't the Holy Spirit 'anoint' him divine or something later on in his life? And also we think briefly about how amazing Mary is in this. So amazing! Ka kite anoo

Kia ora Agora, While God has a plan, He is not just some clock maker who created the earth and let it go. No, He is present, and He wants to have a relationship with us. So much so that this God, the one who created everything and holds it all together, was willing to become a man like us. Today we will explore this wonderful mystery and celebrate the knowledge that we have a high priest who understands our struggles. 

This week we are thinking about the truth that God has a plan for this wild planet. Things seem super chaotic at present, but God is over all the chaos. 

Last week Craig brought out how the creation calls us into worship. That God, in Jesus has not only given life to our world, he preserves our world – He holds all things together and He was still doing so  even when He was a little person in Mary’s womb or dying on the cross.   This week we were reminded about how throughout the Bible God repeats his promise to his people that he is with them through every situation they encounter. And that promise is true for us today! God made us for relationship with him and provides his presence to help, encourage and comfort us. How would your day look different today if you were to truly grasp this truth!?

Kia ora Agora, Today we are looking at God as creator and will think about the diversity and beauty of God's creation. A 'simple' question - why did God create so much that we cannot see or understand?

Kia ora Agora, We are starting our series leading up to Christmas. Woooooooo! We are working through the first eight posters in the windows of the auditorium. Today we're looking at the mind-bending reality of the Trinity. Do the members of the Trinity have independent thought or not, considering they are of one essence?

Kia ora Agora, Today we will finish off the 'Story of the Bible' series. We will look at the development of the church and some of the wild end-times truths we see in the Bible.

Kia ora Agora, The Bible can seem like a book of many stories. We can be like little children playing with jigsaw pieces and not realising they're designed to fit together into one big, over-arching story. Until we see the picture on the lid! Pastor Craig has been showing us the lid. Today we meet Jesus Christ in the unfolding story. Who is He? Why is He the glorious high point of biblical history and the crucial turning point of human history? Most importantly, who is He to you? Whatever your answer, could it ever be enough?