Sermons on Organising:

2 More Than Perfect Plans Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Dec 5, 2025

What do you do when life doesn’t go to plan? In this week’s Christmas message, we look at Joseph’s story in Matthew 1:18–25 and reminds us that even when our plans fall apart, God’s purpose still stands.

1. Introduction – When Plans Go Wrong Have you ever had one of those perfect plans — only for it to completely fall apart? Maybe a family dinner that turned into chaos, or a Christmas trip that went sideways. I found a saying the other day, and it’s, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Together

Contributed by Michael Allen on Sep 6, 2003

how we can learn our corporate responsibility as a body of God’s people

The people met ‘When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.’ The people met ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pardon Me, Your Bias Is Showing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 22, 2008

God tests those who claim to follow Him, and the tests He applies are revealed through how we treat others.

JAMES 2:1-13 PARDON ME, YOUR BIAS IS SHOWING! “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Diversity In The Church

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 11, 2012

Leadership in the congregation is to reflect the Lord’s choice rather than seeking diversity as defined in the world.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

John The Baptist - A Sermon On Luke 3 That's Full Of Christmas Cheer

Contributed by David Smith on Apr 21, 2005

John the Baptist, and why repentence comes before cheer in Christmas.

The season of Christmas is upon us! At what point did this realisation hit you? When you saw decorations going up in shopping centres - something which always seems to happen way to early (ie. October)? When your family first rang you to organise a Christmas luncheon or dinner, which never ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:3-18

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Elijah: The Education Of A Prophet

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 20, 2004

In the small fragments of Elijah’s career given in the Scriptures, we can find the outline for the education of this prophet. In five simple lessons: the lesson of provision the lesson of patience. the lesson of power the lesson of preservation the

Elijah: The Education of a Prophet Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-18 Text: "After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Unjust Steward Series

Contributed by Ian Lyall on Sep 28, 2005

Many people struggle with this well-known parable. Jesus seems to condone rather selfish, shady money-dealing. Actually the Gospel of forgiveness lies at its heart: are we ready to forgive?

I don’t know about you, but I do have certainly difficulties with this parable. I’ve always tended to skirt around them, I must admit. But with this text in front of me for this morning I was forced to think about it more seriously. And I find that many of the problems are actually only on the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Radical And Countercultural

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 15, 2006

John the Baptist led a radical and countercultural lifestyle

Sermon: John the Baptist – Radical and Countercultural par excellence Story: A young police officer was taking his final exam for the police academy and he was set the following problem to solve. “You are on patrol in the outer city when an explosion occurs in a gas main in a nearby street. On ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Anglican

An Exclusive By Inclusive Gospel

Contributed by Bramwell Hayes on Aug 13, 2005

An investigation of how the exclusive claims of Christ mean that the gospel in for all

Exclusive and Inclusive Intro Originally I had intended to preach on the subject of Christian love, what it is, how we do it, and why we must do it. A nice simple topic. One that would not really upset the apple-cart or offend anybody. However during the later part of last week I have felt ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:20-25

Denomination: Salvation Army

Extreme Widows! (Mark 12:41-44)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 4, 2007

My focus here is on three widows - Ruth, her mother-in-law Naomi, and a nameless pensioner who puts all her livelihood into the offertory plate!

A priest by the name of Wes Seeliger was shopping for a motorcycle. The Harley-Davidson salesperson bragged ‘this machine will go from 0 to 150 in 20 seconds. It will hug the road at 150 km/h. It will outrun anything on wheels. What do you do for a living, sir.’ ‘I’m a priest’ Seeliger said. ‘It’s ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

John The Baptist (Luke 3:1-18)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 12, 2007

My favourite sermon. JB is always the herald of Christmas for me - a guy with an attitude that is a long way from the fat elf in his red plush suit! ...

The season of Christmas is upon us! At what point did this realisation hit you? * When you saw decorations going up in shopping centres - something which always seems to happen way to early (ie. October)? * When your family first rang you to organise a Christmas luncheon or dinner, which never ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-18

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Parable Of The Wheat And The Tares

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 17, 2011

Looking to the American Declaration of Independence, the Christian has three unalienable rights . 1. The Right to Eternal Life 2. The Right to Liberty from sin and 3. The Right to Happiness that can only be found in a personal relationship with

WSM 17-07-2011 Mt 13:24-43 The Parable of the Weeds 24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Anglican

John The Baptist

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 9, 2009

John the Baptist - radical and countercultural par excellence

Sermon: John the Baptist – Radical and Countercultural par excellence Story: A young police officer was taking his final exam for the police academy and he was set the following problem to solve. “You are on patrol in the outer city when an explosion occurs in a gas main in a nearby street. On ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Anglican

When Christmas Isn’t Happy

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Mar 26, 2017

A sermon about when Christmas isn't happy

Just over two years ago, my Christmas preparations were following a familiar pattern. I had presents to organise, functions to attend, and travel to book. And a sermon to finish. Then, everything was thrown into disarray, when I found out my friend Steve had died in hospital, following an ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Beggars On Lambton Quay

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Mar 26, 2017

A sermon about how we should respond to begging

I have lived in the Wellington Region for well over 30 years, and during this time, I have seen many changes in the urban landscape. Buildings have come and gone. Whole streets have disappeared, and new ones have emerged. But one change I find particularly disturbing is that it is now an everyday ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: Anglican