Central Speaks

By Hamilton Central Baptist, NZ.

Hear our latest sermons as recorded at Hamilton Central Baptist Church, NZ.

For more information check out our website www.hcbc.nz... more

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FAQs about Central Speaks:

How many episodes does Central Speaks have?

The podcast currently has 287 episodes available.

Central Speaks episodes:

September 11, 2021The Church @ Sardis Street
Discussion Questions:
Share a story about a sports team or group who had a reputation far better than its performance?

In verse 1 what did the Lord mean by, “you have a reputation for being alive?” What are the implications of a church that has a reputation for aliveness, but the Lord has to tell them they are dead?

What was the contrast between reputation and reality in the church at Sardis? What does Paul say about this in 2Tim. 3:5?

Deadness is as unscriptural as doctrinal error. What are some warning signs of deadness in a church? What dangers exist for Christians who rely on an image instead of nurturing a genuine spiritual life (v.2)?

How can a church continue if it is spiritually dead? From verse 3 make a simple outline of the only hope for survival in the church of Sardis.

If Jesus addressed this “wake up call” to you, what would He want you to strengthen?
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25min
September 04, 2021Pergamum: If You Can’t Curse Them, Then Corrupt Them
(Revelation 2:12-17)
Discussion Questions
Can anyone share the illustration of a frog being slowly heated in a pot of water? How is this similar to the temptations we face as believers?

What was the teaching of Balaam (Num. 22-24; 31) that was being introduced to the believers at Pergamum? How do you think it affected the Pergamum church? What issues or sins do you think the Lord Jesus would point out to our church as things He is not pleased with?

What is the significance of the “sharp two-edged” sword (v. 16)? What is the significance of the “hidden manna,” the “white stone,” and the “new name which no one knows?”

What cultural influences distract you from your relationship with Christ? How subtle or direct are those influences in your life?

What weapons has God given to you to do battle with these influences? Are there any verses from Scripture that come to mind as you are being tempted by these influences?
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27min
August 28, 2021Pergamum: the Church of Worldly Compromise Part 1
Revelation 2:12-17
Discussion Questions
What do think “worldly compromise” means? In what ways might a church group compromise with the culture around it?

How does the Lord Jesus introduce Himself to the church at Pergamum (2:12)? How does this differ from His introduction to the churches in Ephesus (2:1) and Smyrna (2:8).

Why does the Lord use the illustration of the “sharp two edged sword” (2:12)? How do you think the Lord Jesus would introduce Himself in a letter to our church at Central Baptist?

What did the Lord mean by, “I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is”? What pressures do you think the church in Pergamum faced?

How did the Lord commend the church in Pergamum (2:13)? What do we know about Antipas (2:13)?

How bold are you at sharing your faith in the face of opposition?
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30min
August 21, 2021 Paul's love letter to the Philippians
The full Virtual Church programme is available on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/0Y_qKQp2Zio

Discussion Questions:
1. Paul’s letter to the Philippians is really quite short. Read it aloud from beginning to the end. If you are in a bubble, or arrange a zoom meeting with others, take turns to read it together. Make a list of the main ideas (words) that stand out to you.
2. Euodia and Syntyche were out of relationship in the Philippian church. If they were 2 people in our church, how would you approach the situation to try and help them be united in Christ? Look carefully at he advice in Matthew 18.
3. Timothy and Epaphroditus were both full time Christian workers who showed what humility and self-sacrifice look like as a disciple. Is it easier or harder to show these characteristics as a disciple of you are a Christian volunteer while holding down a full time job? Why?
4. Paul gives us a number of case studies on humble and self-sacrificial discipleship. His own story in Philippians is also a case study. Read through the letter and discuss the ways his own life, as told in this letter, exemplify the themes of humility and self-scrifice.

Got a prayer need or can offer help? email [email protected]
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Support our ministry: http://www.hcbc.nz/giving
Get involved with our virtual church programme? email [email protected]
Check out our website http://www.hcbc.nz for more information about Hamilton Central Baptist Church
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23min
August 16, 2021Paul’s Love Letter to the Philippians
Discussion Questions:
In your own words say what it is for you to; “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”.

As Paul introduces the idea of being in the same mindset as Christ Jesus in verse 5, he prefaces it with; “In your relationships with one another ….”. What does it mean to have the mindset of Christ in our relationships with each other?

Philippians 2:6-11 is a clear description of Christ Jesus and his actions into the world. Compare this with Colossians 1:15-20. Take time to read both of these aloud and talk about what the differences are and why you think the differences are there? If you have time try to search what was happening in Colossae.

The Roman cursus honorum, or way of laying up one public honour upon another to raise in social status was a powerful actor in the culture of the time. Do we have any similar features in our own society or culture? Then what about the church? As Baptists we believe that we are a priesthood of all believers. Does the church have aspects of this cursus honorum, and if so how does it work? Should it be there?
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24min
August 09, 2021 The Trials and Triumphs of Smyrna
1.Smyrna, modern Izmir, was an ancient city possibly dating back 3000 years, and located 56kms north of Ephesus. What do we know about the birth of the church in Smyrna? Where does the city and church in Smyrna feature in the book of Acts? How might the church possibly have been planted (Acts 19:10)? All we know about the city and church are written in Rev. 2:8-11.
2.What do you think the Lord Jesus meant by calling Himself “the First and the Last?” What do you think is implied in this title (cf. 1:17)?
3.What problems were the church at Smyrna facing? How could they be both poor and rich at the same time? What is noticeably missing in the Lord’s letter to the church at Smyrna? What does the fact that there is no criticism from the Lord tell us about the church?
4.Has it been harder for you to live out your faith when you have been poor, or when you have had surplus money? Why do you think that is? In what ways do you feel spiritually rich (cf. Eph. 1:18)?
5.What does this passage teach us about suffering? How does this encourage us in the suffering or persecution that we may have to face?
6.What is promised to the “overcomers” (2:11)? How should we be encouraged by this?
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27min
August 02, 2021 When Love Grows Cold Part 2
Discussion Questions:
1. In verse 4 the Lord Jesus tells the Ephesian church, “I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” What happens when that first-love fades?
2. What do you think the Lord meant by, “Remember the height from which you have fallen?”
3. In verse 6 the Ephesian believers were commended for hating the practices of the Nicolaitans. What are the implications of leaving your first love for Christ, but hating a false religious cult? What are some examples of this today?
4. In verse 4 is the Lord addressing the corporate church or the individual? What about verses 5 and 6?
5. Who is the Lord addressing in verse 7? Why the change?
6. From verse 7 we see that individual believers within the church can be true to the Lord, regardless of what others do. What connection is there between the ‘Tree of Life’ in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:9; 3:22), and the Paradise of God (Rev. 22:2, 14, 19)?
7. Who are the “overcomers” (1John 5:4-5)? How can we be sure we are “overcomers?” What promise does the Lord Jesus give the “overcomer?”
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28min
July 26, 2021When Love Grows Cold
Discussion Questions
(Week commencing Sunday 25th July 2021)
Revelation 2:1-7
Introduction: In chapters 2-3 the seven churches of Asia Minor were actual historical churches. They represent the types of churches that have existed right down through the church age.
1.Who wrote the letter to the Ephesians (v.1)? The seven stars is the same Greek word as messengers. What was the message they were carrying? What are the implications of these messengers being held in His hand?

2.List the strengths of this church (vvs.2-3). How do these strengths compare with our own church? How do we as individuals compare?

3.What did the Lord have against this church (v.4)? How is leaving/forsaking different from losing? What are the implications of leaving their first love for Christ when there were a number of commendable attributes in the church?

4.Can you remember your first-love for Christ? How does that compare with your relationship with Christ now?

5.What did the Lord tell the Ephesian believers to do (v.5)? What would happen if they didn’t repent and return (v.5)?

6.What do you think the Lord is saying to our church today? What do you think the Lord is saying to us as individuals?
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32min
July 18, 2021 A Call to Mission with Jono and Michele Pound
Why would anyone want to take their family to live in a dangerous country on the other side of the world? Hear from Jono and Michele Pound as they share how God is calling them to serve and how you can support them in this awesome adventure. If you wish to partner with the Pound family please email Mandy at the MAF office [email protected] For more information contact Jonathan directly at [email protected]
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40min
July 11, 2021The Majestic Vision and the Extraordinary Assignment - Read this first: Part 2, Continued…
Discussion Questions
(Week commencing Sunday 11th July 2021)
Revelation 1:9-20
1.Share what you imagine it might be like to be separated from family, friends, and Believers, and to be imprisoned on a rocky island with other prisoners? How did John view his imprisonment in verse 9?

2.What did John’s isolation give him time to do (v.10)? How did God use John’s terrible situation for His divine purposes? Can you think of a time in your life when God used a horrible situation for His glory?

3.Why do you think John reacted to the vision the way he did in verse 17? How was this vision of Christ different from what John had experience as a disciple of Christ?

4.How would the words of the Lord Jesus in verses 17-18 be a comfort to John? What was the Lord Jesus implying?

5.What “extraordinary assignment” did the Lord Jesus give to John (v.19)? Explain the possible outline of Revelation in verse 19.

6.What assignment might the Lord Jesus be giving us this week in light of what we are learning?
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37min

FAQs about Central Speaks:

How many episodes does Central Speaks have?

The podcast currently has 287 episodes available.