St Andrews Church Geraldine‘s Podcast

When Calling and Joy Collide Romans 12:2

What drives your life—your past, or God’s mercy? Romans 12:1 & Romans 8:28

The Christian faith has always faced two great distortions of the gospel: legalism and lawlessness. Legalism insists that you must earn God's love through strict obedience, turning faith into performance and God into a distant taskmaster. Lawlessness, on the other hand, twists grace into permission to sin, offering cheap affirmation without transformation. Both errors sound convincing, even biblical, but miss the heart of the gospel. Through the story of John Newton and the contrasting voices he might have heard—one of judgment, one of excuse, and one of grace—we’re reminded that neither rigid moralism nor permissive compromise can set us free. Only the gospel can. Titus 2 tells us that grace not only saves but also trains us to say no to sin and yes to godliness as we await Christ’s return. Grace gives us a new identity, a new power, and a new purpose. It doesn’t demand change to earn love, nor does it eliminate the call to holiness—it changes us because we are already loved. Whether you’re weary from striving or numb from compromise, the good news is this: Jesus meets you with grace that transforms. And it’s my prayer that here at St Andrews, this grace—not the lie of legalism or the lure of lawlessness—will shape lives across the Canterbury Plains. Galatians 3:1-3, 10-11, Jude 4, 18-21 & Titus 2:11-14

In Matthew 7:24–28, Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount with a clear and urgent warning: storms will come—whether through suffering, loss, or final judgment—and only those who build their lives on obedience to his words will stand. He likens the obedient to a wise builder who anchors his house on rock, unshaken by floods or winds. This call to action is not passive admiration but radical trust and daily practice. History echoes Jesus’ words—whether in Hans Heberle’s war-torn Germany, Augustine’s sack of Rome, or the witness of persecuted Christians today, it is only those rooted in Christ who remain firm when all else falls. Jesus’ teaching forms a storm-resistant soul by shaping our character through suffering (Matthew 5:3–12), shifting our hope from temporary treasures to eternal reward (Matthew 6:1–24), and freeing us from anxiety by anchoring us in the Father’s care (Matthew 6:25–34). As C.S. Lewis said, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither.” Ultimately, Jesus presents two builders, two foundations, and two destinies—not to alarm, but to invite: build your life on the Rock, and when the storm comes, you will stand. Matthew 7:24-29

Not everyone who claims the name of Jesus truly belongs to Him. In this striking passage, Jesus warns that outward signs—words, spiritual gifts, even miracles—are not the ultimate test of genuine discipleship. What matters is whether our lives reflect a growing obedience to the will of the Father, shaped by grace and empowered by the Spirit. As Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount, He draws a sharp line between true and false disciples. This message explores six key truths from the text, showing that mere profession is not the same as possession, and that Christ desires relationship, not performance. The final judgment will reveal the state of every heart—not just what was said or done, but who we truly were. This is not a call to strive in fear, but an invitation to examine our hearts and cling to Christ. The grace that saves does not leave us unchanged—it reshapes our desires, our character, and our lives. Matthew 7:21-23

Jesus proclaimed: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). God had said that there is only one way for us to gain salvation – hence the description of the narrow gate. The philosophies and culture of society continue to broaden the wider gate by suggesting new ways that humanity can accept as alternatives to God’s one way of salvation. Jesus said only a few would find the right way. Our task in the Missio Dei (God’s mission plan) is to help a few more find Jesus as their way. Matthew 7:13-14 and John 14:1-6

Wolves Among Sheep: Recognizing False Prophets. Matthew: 7:15-20

The greatest historical event of all time is recorded in the gospel of John, chapter 20. This chapter records eye witness accounts of Jesus rising from the dead as the first fruits of God's saving grace to us. In this resurrection story the four actions: 'seeing, moving, believing, and belonging' are central to that day in history, as well as today. Today we see God's power working in our lives; we go and tell others the good news; we believe what the first witnesses proclaimed; and through this faith we belong to God's family. John 20:1-18

This message explores the world-changing power of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:12 — “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” Far from being a generic moral slogan, the Golden Rule revolutionised the ancient world by introducing empathy, mercy, and the equal worth of every human being. In a society where dignity belonged only to the powerful, Jesus taught that even the poor, sick, and abandoned mattered — not because of status, but because they bear the image of God. This radical idea helped shape human rights, justice, and compassion in Western civilisation, influencing everything from abolition movements to public healthcare. But this isn’t just history — it’s a calling. For Christians, the Golden Rule is not lived out by human effort but by the power of the Holy Spirit, in response to God’s grace, and with the goal of pleasing God. When we live this out — especially in hard situations — we offer the world a window into the heart of God. This message looks at three ways the Spirit can unleash the Golden Rule in our lives to bring real transformation this week. Matthew 7:12

Prayer is more than just getting what we want from God: it is about partnering with Him in a conversation that looks to the approaching fullness of His kingdom. Jesus speaks of having the right heart attitude and that we pray persistently. As we grow in our prayer partnership with God those prayers become conversations that enable us to hear God more clearly. Matthew 7:7-11 and Luke 18:1-8

Trevor Clarke is the director of Ethnos New Zealand and is sharing a message that encapsulates the work God is doing around the world among isolated tribal people groups. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Matthew 7 verse 6 which is a pair of parallel proverbs, at first glance seems to stand alone and just tacked in there between all the other passages. Yet, on closer viewing this verse could be viewed as a summary of a number points Jesus makes in his Sermon on the Mount. If you were to reread Chapter 6 you might observe various verses where Jesus talks about valuing the precious treasures that God gives you. Along with this we are warned of false prophets (unholy men) later in Chapter 7. We are to treat the gifts that God gives us as holy and precious. Among these gifts we can include our family, our time and our faith. These are things that God has blessed us with and we must not let society attack them. Matthew 7:6; Proverbs 3:1-6 and Proverbs 3:21-23

Only God knows the motives of a person and therefore “the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart'” (1 Samuel 16:7). The problem with our means of judging others is that we so often do this through the lens of our pride and prejudice. This has always been the case throughout history. Jesus saw it even within the disciples he chose, the Pharisees judged wrongly because of their pride and prejudice, and we see it still as the major problem of people's judgements today. Jesus also reminds us that there are times to judge, or demonstrate discernment in matters. One way that enables us to be discerning is through self-reflection. This is a valuable tool, especially when we are guided in our self-reflection through the prompting of the Holy Spirit – we get a clearer picture of the reality of things and the Holy Spirit helps us to “look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.” (John 7:24). Matthew 7:1-5 and John 7:14-24

We all wrestle with anxiety—whether it’s big worries that shake us or the small, nagging ones that add up over time. But Jesus gives us eight reasons not to be anxious. He tells us: Life is more than food and clothing. Look at the birds—they don’t store food, yet God feeds them. Worrying won’t add a single hour to your life. God clothes the lilies in beauty—won’t He care for you even more? The world chases after things, but your Father knows what you need. So what’s the solution? Seek first God’s kingdom, and He’ll provide for you. Don’t borrow tomorrow’s troubles—grace is given one day at a time. Jesus calls us to trust, not control. Anxiety often whispers that we must hold everything together, but Jesus reminds us: God already has. Matthew 6:25-34

We live in a world full of distractions, constantly pulling our hearts in different directions. But Jesus calls us to set our hearts on things that are eternal, filled with light, and worthy of our devotion (Matthew 6:19-24). Earthly treasures—money, status, achievements—fade away. But the surpassing worth of knowing Christ lasts forever (Philippians 3:7-9). What you treasure will shape your heart, your focus, and ultimately, your life. So, where is your heart set? On things that will pass away—or on the eternal treasure of Christ? Mathew 6:19-24 & Phillippians 3:7-9

This morning’s message challenges us to examine not only what we do, but the motives behind our actions. In today’s talk, we explore Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 6:16-18—a call to practice our faith quietly and sincerely. Instead of seeking the fleeting applause of others, Jesus invites us to focus on the unseen acts of faith that truly reveal the health of our spiritual lives. We look at the stark contrast between the public displays of the Pharisees and genuine devotion that comes from a heart set on pleasing God. Whether it’s fasting, serving, or any act of faith, the emphasis is on why we do it. Through real-life examples from history and modern life, this message reminds us that true reward comes from God, who sees every act done in secret. Let this message inspire you to realign your focus—choosing God’s eternal reward over human recognition—and discover the deep, lasting joy that comes from living for His approval. Mathew 6: 16-18

Rescue us from the evil one - Mathew 6:9-13 & Acts 16:16-24

This sermon unpacks the parable of the vineyard workers to reveal the radical nature of grace in God’s kingdom. It challenges cultural understandings of fairness, success, and meaning, contrasting them with God’s unearned generosity and ultimate authority. Through Jesus, we are offered a new vision for life: one under God’s reign where purpose, justice, and eternity are defined by His grace, not our efforts. Mathew 20:1-16

Temptation and superior Joy Mathew 6:9-13

From Hard Hearts to Open Hands: Living out the Forgiveness We Receive Luke 15:11-32, Matthew 18:21-35 & Mathew 6:9-13

Grace for the Grind - God meets us in the daily burdens of life. Dependence in the Desert - Daily prayer for daily needs reflects trust in God’s provision in our Journeys through the wilderness of life. Calm in the Chaos - Trusting in God’s care brings freedom from life’s relentless worries. Phil 4:6-7, 2 Cor 4:8-9 & Mat 6:9-13

Blessings and Curses.

Mark 8:30-36

All too often we approach church services with this attitude, so this Sunday we’ll consider being church in the light of the Great Commandment to love God and others, and in the light of St Andrew's mission statement to Glorify God, Grow, and Go. Jn 17:20-26, 1 Cor 12:12-28, Col 3:12-17

When we pray "your kingdom come, your will be done" do we understand the fullness of those words? It is more than just a hope that we see the world become a better place. It is a prayer that Jesus would come soon and that his reign on earth (the Millennium of peace) would begin God's complete reign on earth as it should be, and as it is in heaven. Through the ages we see God's Kingdom coming. At the birth of His son, Jesus Christ, we see that this is a kingdom that has come and yet is still to come. Therefore the Lord's prayer is one that all citizens of the Kingdom of God want to pray. Matthew 2:1-12 and Matthew 6:9-10

The Lord's Prayer is the centrepiece of the Sermon of the Mount. There are endless tangents of approach and we will always learn more about prayer and God everytime we study these verses. It begins with a focus on God, who he is in relation to us and our praise that he retains the honour that he deserves. The four living creatures around the throne praise him day and night - it is our role to ensure that His name is praised continuously here on earth. Matthew 6:9-13 and Revelation 4:6-11

God's story shows a range of individuals who pray with sincerity to God: Moses, Hannah, Elijah, Hezekiah, the Disciples and also recorded, is Jesus' prayer for you and me (John 17). In his sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns about hypocritical prayers - prayers for show rather than spoken with sincerity to God. Prayer had become a cultural thing to many. In Matthew 6:5-8, Jesus teaches us how to pray with sincerity and the right heart attitude as individuals. He also follows this up with a pattern of how to pray together (The Lord's Prayer). In World War II, the British nation prayed with sincerity to God in 7 national days of prayer. God answered with their prayers in miraculous ways. How might sincere prayers be a starting point for us to see God work miracles in our community today? Matthew 6:5-8 and 1 Kings 18:22-38

Chapter 5 of Matthew deals with Jesus explaining God's deeper meaning to the Law. Now as we begin Chapter 6 we hear Jesus explaining how we should practice the Law - and that it requires the right heart attitude. When giving to those in need, in the name of Jesus, it is better to have God's eyes on us, and turn our eyes, not just inwardly to our own heart attitudes, but to turn our eyes to God and offer any time, effort, finances or possessions as an offering for Him to use for His Missio Dei - his mission plan for this world in which he asks us to be part of so that when others do see what we do, they glorify God. Matthew 6:1-4 and Matthew 25:31-40.

What Does It Mean to Be Spirit-Filled? The Holy Spirit is central to the Christian faith, not only as God's presence but as a transforming force in believers' lives. While every Christian receives the Spirit upon repentance and faith, being Spirit-filled is about actively yielding to God. It happens through living a Bible-based, Christ-focused life—seeking His guidance, meditating on His Word, and letting His love shape us. Like the Israelites’ wilderness struggles and Jesus' victory over temptation, the Spirit-filled life equips us to overcome challenges and reflect God’s love to the world. This filling empowers us for change and holiness, turning us into temples of the Holy Spirit. Joel 2:28-29

This sermon explores what it means to live a Christ-focused life, grounded in Colossians 3:1-17. A Christ-centered focus transforms our lives by helping us recognize what to let go of and what to take on as part of our new nature in Christ. Living a Christ-focused life isn’t about duty or performance but a response to God’s overwhelming love. As we set our hearts on Him, we shed anger, greed, and impurity and put on mercy, patience, and forgiveness. This transformation, inspired by a higher love, allows us to reflect Christ in all we do and say. Colossians 3:1-17

Today, we're exploring the first of our church’s guiding values: being Bible-based. At Bible Based Church, we believe wholeheartedly that the entire Bible is God's inspired Word, guiding us in what is true and showing us when we’re off track. Scripture isn’t just a historical text; it's reliable, divinely authoritative, and as alive today as when it was first written. The Bible’s reliability is evidenced through accounts that would have been unlikely to be fabricated in the first century. Key moments, like the testimony of women as the first witnesses to Jesus' resurrection, reveal the Bible's authenticity—challenging cultural norms of the time and showing that its authors recorded events as they happened. The Bible’s authority comes from its divine inspiration. Early church leaders, even those who lived only decades after Christ, revered the New Testament writings as inspired, alongside the Old Testament. This wasn’t an invention of later church councils or emperors; early Christians saw these texts as God-breathed and equal in authority. While some writings like The Shepherd of Hermas were valuable for devotion, only the apostolic works that aligned with core truths were accepted. With this foundation, the Bible became a reliable guide, rooted not in human authority but in divine direction. Finally, the Bible is living and active, powerful to transform our lives when we approach it with humility. It’s not merely a rule book but a pathway to know God deeply. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we can experience heart-burning moments as we encounter God’s Word. As we submit to its truth, the Bible can reshape our hearts, redirect our paths, and anchor us in faith, giving us a dependable compass in a world of shifting values. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God is in control so we ought to be humble because he is the only thing worth glorifying Romans 11:33-36

Romans 11: 28-32 & Matthew 20:1-16

In Romans 11:25-27 Paul introduces the concept that "all Israel will be saved," emphasizing God's continued plan for the Jewish people. This passage has been the subject of much debate within Christian circles, particularly about whether it refers to a future turning of ethnic Israel to Christ or if it has already been fulfilled spiritually through the church. Today, we'll explore why this interpretation points to a future event for ethnic Israel, prophetic insights into how this might occur, and the comfort we can find in knowing that God orchestrates human history. Romans 11:25-27 & Zechariah 12:9-11

As we draw towards the end of Romans 11, we build up to the climatic doxology, praising God for all his wonder and awe. We get a taste of His greater plans by how he has set us apart to be holy for him, how he overturns human logic (and the logic of an arborist) by grafting the gentiles (a wild olive tree) into the covenant he made to Abraham. We also see that part of God's greater plan in drawing the gentiles into his salvation plans, is also to call back his chosen people of Israel. How might we see God's greater plans in the call he has given us today? Romans 11:16-24 and Romans 11:33-36

Jealousy, often seen as a negative emotion, is something most of us don’t want to embody. Yet in today’s passage, we see God’s intent for making the Jewish people "jealous" through the salvation of the Gentiles. It’s a strange idea, but one with a divine purpose. Romans 11:11-15 & Matthew 21:33-46

What Race 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Chris Gore is a New Zealander, married to Liz and has three daughters – Charlotte, Emma and Sophie. Chris teaches clearly and simply on our identity as believers and living in that. Hebrews 1:3

In our ongoing series on Romans we are looking at God hardening hearts, we will look at three things. What is divine hardening? How does God harden a heart? And what should our response be to this text? Romans 11:7-10

In our ongoing series of messages in Romans we will look at the question has God rejected the Jewish nation? Romans 11:1-6 and 1 Kings 19 selected verses

Even though the Jewish nation had heard the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ, and they understood what it meant, they refused to have faith in Jesus. Yet, God has not forgotten his promise to Israel and we look forward to a time when the nation of Israel does proclaim Jesus as their Saviour. The parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9) reminds us that there are people around us who hear the word of God and yet don't grasp the enormity of it all or put it above everything else in their lives. We are called to keep praying for them - don't give up in your hope to see your family, friends, neighbours or community turn to Jesus and call him their Saviour too. Romans 10:16-21 and Matthew 13:1-9

Treasures from Josephs story Genesis 37: 1-11, Genesis 39:2-6, Genesis 40: 1-4, Genesis 41: 16 & Genesis 41: 32

Today in our ongoing series on Romans, Alistair is looking at the joyful necessity of sharing the hope of Christ with others. Romans 10:14-15 & Matthew 10:5-20

Romans 10:5-13 Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Today we are looking at how Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic law and provided the way of being made right with God. Romans 10:1-4 & Hebrews 10:1-18

Paul continues to the end of Chapter 9 of Romans, explaining how we are saved by faith alone. This is how the Gentiles were receiving salvation: realising that they could not earn it by anything that we might do, and only through Christ's righteousness could they be saved. Israel was still relying on gaining righteousness by obeying the Law - something that could not be achieved. With this focus, they rejected righteousness through Jesus as the only way to salvation. The Christian Jews in the Galatian church faced a similar issue: they had teachers coming in and stating that Christians needed to follow the Jewish Law of circumcision to become true children of Abraham. Today we must take care that we don't try to substitute or replace the salvation that we have in Jesus Christ through our faith, with any teachings, works or deeds of our own efforts. Romans 9:30-33 and Galatians 5:1-6

Paul continues to explain how God's masterplan of salvation is for all nations. We see that God planned to draw even the Gentiles right from the beginnings of Israel through the story of Ruth Romans 9:24-29, Romans 10:9-10

The Raising and lowering of Kings Romans 9:17-23

Today as part of our commissioning of Jason Shaw as Locally Ordained Minister, we are going to have a look at leadership in the church through the lens of selected texts in first Timothy. 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 4:1-2, 4:14-16