Opawa Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
Opawa Baptist Church
The sermon podcast of Opawa Baptist Church, a community of Jesus followers located in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Listen to a Mary'esk tail of a Christmas birth. What was it like? What is it really all about?
"Don't you know there's a war on?" Listen to Stephen from Ephesians 6 talk on spiritual warfare.
From the Baptist College comes a message from John Tucker on John 11: 17-26, 28-36. How has Jesus shaped your life? Despite your mistakes, how can Jesus use them to continue to do good things in your life?
From Rod hear how the book of Ruth is part of a much larger picture that shows the larger perspective of Gods plan for us in our flawed world. (Starts 1 minute in).
From Lamentation 1:1-12 and 2:11-20 hear the message from Stephen about the lamentations of Jerusalem.
From the book of Acts 11:1-26. Hear how we first came to be called Christians out of the tragedy of Stephen the Apostle how we continue to be transformed today.
Hear how Doug has been putting discipling principles into practice from the bible Matt 28:18-20, Heb 13:7-8, 1Cor 11:1, 4:15-17, 1Thes 1:4-8.
From Acts 9:31-43 hear how Saul became Paul and those who supported and mentored him through the grace of God despite his reputation to become one of the church founders.
From the Acts of the Apostles Ch 4-5 comes the story of Ananias. What does this say to you and your relationship with God.
From Acts 4:1-31. The nature of my service and your service are not random, they were planned by God for us.
Be challenged by The Pentecost Challenge that Rod lays out for us. What irks you most? Could you be challenged to try it?
From Matt 18:15-35 Jesus has a lesson on forgiveness from the servant who failed to when he was forgiven his debt. What does this mean for us today?
From Luke 16 listen to Jesus's teaching of the dishonest manager and how he praised him for his shrewdness. How does this make sense? *BONUS Song and benediction to end with from the silky smooth sounds of the Opawa worship team*
Hear the life (so far) story of new Opawa member Doug and how he has been lead God through his life.
Hear how our savior came from humble origins to serve the absolute least of us and be a savior for all.
Listen to Andrew deliver the Joy of advent through the book of Zephaniah 3:14-20. In these times how do you experience joyfulness.
Based on Romans 12:1-2, how are you being faithful and transformed by the Trinity in your Christian walk?
Listen to the Opawa Baptist Board outline the development proposal and vision for the possible future of the church. Come along next Sunday to be involved.
From Romans 3:21-27 listen to how redemption is a matter of faith. What does your faith look like?
From the time in exile when the Israelites were asked to sing Gods song. How and why did they find themselves in this position?
Listen to what Gods expectations were for the kings of Israel and how they were to relate to other nations and people. How do we relate to the world today and those in it? Does it reflect Gods heart?
From the old testament we have the law of God. Who and what was it for? Where did Jesus fit in?
From the books of Joshua, Judges and Samuel, explore the meaning of the question "who is our God?" Who are your brothers and sisters in faith?
From our community gathering with Oxford Tce. Baptist and Papanui Baptist, listen to the Pastors mix it up with a discussion about engagement and fellowship.
Listen to Phil outline the invitation we have all received from God. No matter where you are placed in your life God has an invitation to the banquet for you.
From Acts 2:1-24 hear how the word from Joel 2:28-32 was fulfilled. Hear how the Holy Spirit shapes us and our role in the priesthood of all believers. What sought of priest has God made you?
From Gen 4:1-24. Hear how humans were corrupted by sin and the consequences of it not just for us but our world as well. Also hear how God continues to provide even in our corrupted state.
Listen to Gen 3:8-15 about the consequences Adam & Eve suffered from the fall and what they mean for us. What little things do you do, or could you do, to make a difference in this world?
From Cor 12:4-11 listen to Karen explore the way God uses us in his kingdom. What "good" is coming from the things you do?
From Gen 3:1-7 listen to how humanity came to be in the fallen world we live in. Despite being his creation, how have we judged God and the plans he has for our lives?
From Genesis 5:1-3 & 9:6, listen to how we were made in the image of God and the implication regarding how we see our lives. Like Gods instructions, how do you see yourself and others?
Listen to the first in a series about salvation. What was the role creation had with regards to our relationship to the trinity and Gods plan for us.
Listen to how the Resurrection of Jesus was revealed to the world. How do you feel about talking to others regarding the true meaning of Easter?
From Mark 15:1-15 listen to Rods take on Pilate and how complicit he was in Jesus's death. Does your life match your convictions?
From Mark 14. Listen to the story of Peters confession after denying Jesus and the great works he went on to do through his transformation.
Listen to the account of Jesus' betrayal by Judas, the characters, the motives and emotions that may have been at play. What does Gethsemane mean to you?
Listen to our guest Paul talk about his life's A-typical journey with God and family in particular his bicultural experience and how it has shaped his faith.
From Mark 5:21-43 listen to the narrative of raising Jairus' daughter and how Jesus' actions were a powerful testament.
From 2Corinthians hear how giving money and tithing changed from the Jewish customs, the early church to modern day. Why do you give?
Listen to guest speaker Paul outline from Genesis 1:26 to Revelation 7:9-10 what the bible has to say regarding Race, Ethnicity & Language.
From 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 hear how communion is a dynamic memorial of what Jesus did for us that helps us remember, sustain us now and give future hope.
From 1Corinthians 11:17-34. The idea and purpose of communion is explored to reveal we are one in Christ and communion is open for all.
From Proverbs 18:14 listen to how some have a broken spirit and what hope the good news about Jesus can bring for today.
Listen to sermon 373, Kinsmen Redeemer and what it could show us about our redemption in Jesus.
Listen to a story that illiterates what Christmas is about and where it can fit into our story today.
Breaking news regarding the discovery of new evidence surround the truth regarding Jesus's birth. Tune in to find out more.
From the Hymn "O Come O Come Emmanuel" there is a sense of yearning. Listen to where this comes from in todays message. Do you have yearning in your life?
Warning - Sound quality low due to technical issues.
Listen to Zachariah's song and how he dared to believe God purpose for his son John who dared to be different, discover Gods purpose and die for it.
Communion followed by message @ 6:21min. Listen to the first of Advent where we are waiting and preparing just as Mary the mother of Jesus did. Even then she felt blessed. Who can you bless today? Who has been blessing you? How can we show our appreciation in these times?
Listen to the summation of the bigger picture of the story of Ruth. Why is it in the bible? How is it part of Gods plan?
Listen to the message of where God is in the story of the cultural misfit Ruth (Ruth 1:16). What is your story? What key events or people are there? Where does God sit in it? Where is it leading you?
Listen to the story of Ruth from the perspective of Naomi. How was God blessing Naomi? Who has God placed in your life?
Listen to the final message on the Lords Prayer looking at our trials. How has God reshaped or repaired you in your broken times?
Listen to part 2 of the Lords Prayer and how it displays desolation and consolation. How do you see yourself in the gospel stories?
Listen to guest speaker Steph talk on the Lords Prayer from Matthew 6. What does prayer mean to you? How does it relate it to our God who already knows our every thought?
Listen to John Tucker teach from Matthew 28:16-20 and focus on our calling as churches to make disciples.
Youtube link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp-ZZ2ANKF0&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1iublP_hIgYxWf_4_9g09aipQHnaHLogJ_4346-ycJtm2Zt3crJslRC_s
Some of Jesus' last words were to pray for us. Jesus wanted us to be united. What do you feel we are called to do together as Gods people?
From Exodus 2:23 listen to how Moses had to let go and trust God with his plan for his people.
The Amour of God in Ephesians 6. How does it relate to spiritual warfare and what is our role in it.
From Ephesians 5:21 & 6:1-4 listen to what "honour" your parents may mean. Hear a brief history of parenting, how it has changed and what christian parenting may look like.
Is slavery still a thing? Starting from Ephesians 6:5-9 hear how the bible was used to justify slavery. Hear how the Gospel is about ending oppression instead giving freedom and liberation to all people.
Is work a blessing or a curse from God. From Genesis to Revelation, listen to Phil unwrap the concept of work and how God intended us to perceive it. How do you approach your work as a Christian?
From Eph 5:21-33 listen to how marriage relationships can be and should be as Christ is with us. We submit to each other for the good of each other.
Listen to Rods message based on Ephesians 5:21 about mutual submission to God. What might God be saying to you through this?
From Ephesians 2:10 listen to how God uses his children's gifts to create his masterpiece to the world. What are your gifts? What do you bring?
End Video - https://www.dropbox.com/sh/739vtp78rdg55t1/AADXRsQdynBag_rYad0q7lQRa/Videos/Woven%20Life?dl=0&preview=Walking+with+God+2+lowq.avi&subfolder_nav_tracking=1
Listen to our second self-denial message from Andrew about our messy lives and how God can use us in his team.
Listen to our first Self Denial message about how we are woven together in Christ, then, now and forever. Also communion as part of us being together.
Listen to Phils message from Gen 11 about the tower of Babel and peoples fears. What direction do you think God is pointing you in?
Listen to Rods message from Ephesians 4. What does it mean to live a futile life? What does it mean to "learn" Christ?
Listen to Rod outline the glue that hold Christianity together from Ephesians 4:1-16. Where do we draw the line with other Christian faiths? What unites us as opposed to divides us?
Listen as Rod talks from Ephesians 2 about how the early church bought all humanity under Christ. What does this mean for us? How do we practice this in today's society?
Listen as Andrew explains the purpose of circumcision in faith and its role for the Christian believers today. What is it that God wants from us now?
Listen as Karen explores Ephesians 2 which takes us from our gloomy condition to glorious change and what that means for our lives.
Rod Spot-3.03min; Pastoral Prayer-3.03-5.28min; Message-5.28min-
Listen to Rod outline the prayer Paul has for us from Ephesians 1: 15-23. That we may know God better and have our heart and mind see the hope.
Listen to how Jesus used interruptions to become interactions. How do you handle interruptions? Do you provide God time and space in your life to interrupt you?
Listen to a short message from Opawas Rod & Colin from Parklands Baptist as they contemplate the meaning of life & death in the garden from Adam & Eve to Revelations.
Pastoral Prayer - 4min
Message 4min-
Listen as Rod explores what Justice or Judgement from God looks like. How do we view Gods judgement today with our lived experience? Who is your God?
Rod Spot -3.30min
Pastoral Prayer 3.30-8.00
Message 8.00min -
Listen to the message about how we can deal with the current situation. Either have no hope in these times or trust in the Lord to be your keeper and the mystery that goes with it.
Pastoral Prayer 2.55min
Rod Spot 2.55-6.19min
Message from 6.19min
Listen as we are unable to meet due to COVID-19 to the Rod spot, pastoral prayer and how God is the perfect model of a father to us. Best audio is through speakers due to recording issues.
Listen to how Jesus talks about how to be Stewards of what he provides us from John 16: 5-15.
Listen from John 15 how Jesus loves us with a passion and pursues us with a passion. Jesus says we will be hated for our belief. What does this look like?
Listen from John 15:16-31 about how we are a people under construction by the Holy Spirit which works in us all in different ways. Can you see the fingerprints of God in your life? Who can you get behind to support and encourage as they grow in their faith and life as a Christian believer?
Listen to Karen explain how our Fruits develop due to our relationship with Jesus and he takes great joy in it. How are you staying connected to Jesus to allow your fruits to flourish?
From John 14, listen to how Jesus is one and the same with God, he has a place for us in his house and the only way to it is through him. He is waiting.
Showing Christian love is love that is other centered as demonstrated in John 13. We receive grace from God so in turn we should show our Christian love through grace to others.
Listen to the narrative of Polycarp from Smyrna based on Revelations 2:8-11 and how he lived out his faith without compromise.
In his last days, Johns gospel demonstrated Jesus' leadership and servant-hood by washing the disciples feet. How do you lead? How do you serve others?
Listen to Phil as he explains how Christianity is about the the Good news of Jesus as He proclaimed in Luke 9:3. How are you living out the Good news in your life?
Listen to the advice of King Solomon's mother from Proverbs 6:16-19 about how we can reduce discord among one another to help build Gods kingdom. What are you resolved to do better at this new year?
Listen to this short Christmas message. How does the love of the son by our God enable us to receive all the treasures of heaven?
Listen to this short message about how Love came into this world and is looking for our response. How are you responding to the good news of Jesus this Christmas?
Listen to this short message from Luke 1:26-56. Mary's story shows us that God acts, turns things upside down and frees us to serve. What are you doing as part of Gods community this Christmas?
Listen to a contemporary New Zealand version of Zachariah and Elizabeth with the prediction and birth of John the Baptist from Luke 1:57-79. How is God breaking into your life? Do you see him as the primary actor in your life?
Listen to how an ordinary couple, Zachariah and Elizabeth, from Luke 1:5-25 continued to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God despite the heartache of being childless. How are you trying to hear Gods voice as Christmas approaches?
Listen to Karen as she likens us to something that can be broken if neglected and in need of repair and restoration, so that we may be ready to serve God.
Hear about our season of Self Denial and the work being done by NZ Baptist Missionary Society in Asia followed by a message from the new head of the Baptist Union from Luke 11:5-13 with a call to pray with "Shameless Audacity" to our God.
Self Denial up to 12.47 minutes.
Based on the passages of Colossians 1:24-2:5 and 1Peter 2:9, listen to the testimonies of Al, Andrew, Katrine & Sandy about how they have been part of Transforming Opawa based on the principles of our Transformation document and the principles of; "Walking together through life"; "Building bridges into our world"; and "Be a worshiping people".