Its a question children can answer, but can be hard to answer as adults. When difficulties arise we can cry to God "Do you really love me?" Romans 8:31-34 gives us a clear answer. John explains.

We are often rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. This was a problem for Judah in the 620s BC, and it is a problem for many today. A focus on other things, while ignoring God. God makes it clear that we cannot ignore or dismiss him forever, because he is coming. John explains.

We often try to live in an imaginary world where our actions have no consequences. As technology helps us escape from physical reality it can reinforce our disconnection from cause and effect. But just like a warning label on a cigarrette package, Zephaniah presents the consequences for sin in stark terms. He uses strong language in an effort to call the people of God to repentance. Pastor John explains.

Are you stuck? Not just a little stuck, but so stuck you're not even sure what to pray? In all situations, even when we don't know how to pray, God gives grace to those who love him - grace within us and grace around us. That's what Paul makes clear in Romans 8. Pastor Peter Boyd explains...

Have you ever noticed that when you go on a long car trip, the trip home feels shorter? Everybody has struggles in life, but Christians struggle on the way home. In Romans 8, Paul describes a future reality that is better than the struggles are hard. Peter explains.

Sometimes it can be a risk to hope. When we hope for good things we open ourselves up to disappointments. It can be hard to hope that Christ's return isn't too good to be true. This morning Azriel Grey from Grace Bible Church, Dunedin preached for us from Isaiah 61 and 62. God has made these good promises to us, and it is worth clinging to them and pestering God in prayer about them. Az explains.

How are Christians actually supposed to grow in righteousness? In the first part of Romans, it is clear that we are declared righteous by grace alone through faith alone. But what does it look like for us to grow and become more Christlike? In Romans 8 we get an answer, as Peter explained today.

Many people think that if we can just control our environment, then people will do what is right. The reality is that the struggles that all humans share come from the inside, not the outside. Jesus makes this clear in Mark 7:14-23, as John explains. (Note that there is a problem with the quality of the recording today)

We are so often tempted to ignore God and take control of our own life. In Genesis 4, Cain and Lamech fail to listen to God, and things go very badly. Nietzsche (late 19th century) described the problem when we reject the authority of God. Where then can we find a sure sense of truth and right and wrong? This problem didn't start in the 19th century, but started back in Genesis 3, and in Genesis 4 we see the terrible consequences of this rejection of God and his words. Peter explains.

We would all agree that something has gone wrong with the world. We don't live in Genesis chapter 1 or 2. The Christian answer is found in Genesis 3: Humans rebelled against a good God, and the effects are still felt today.