The biblical narrative is filled with a reality that consists of both a material and a spiritual realm. Often, spiritual forces interfere with the natural world. In the West, we are seeing a rise of interest in spiritual practices that aren't aligned with a biblical worldview. What is the result as people explore and give themselves over to these spiritual practices?  In this episode, Pastor Mark discusses a few outcomes of welcoming these spiritual practices in society and calls upon the church to have a greater revelation of God, His Church and Prayer.

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The early church understood that one day Jesus would return. As the days (and decades) passed, many wondered why Jesus had not returned. The biblical authors understood the questions of the early church and urged them to live in readiness. Centuries later we are closer to the return of Christ and now more than ever, we must live in readiness. Christians must be familiar with God so that they will know how to be prepared for the days ahead.

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The Good News is powerful! From the beginning, the spiritual enemies of God have sought to twist and change the gospel to hinder its power. Nearly all NT books address false teaching, and it is critical for Christians to continue growing in the faith in order to discern truth. In this episode, Pastor Mark talks about 3 areas that function as safeguards against deception and offers some practical help to grow in our relationship with Jesus and discern truth.

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OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz

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Sexuality is important to Christians because it's important to God. Our sexuality is woven into our identity. When sin entered the world, the good things God gave humanity eventually become distorted. As God chose Israel as his special possession, he gave them a sexual ethic to live by.  This sexual ethic carries on into the New Testament. In this message, Pastor Mark speaks about the importance of walking in grace and truth as we live and interact in a world that has a sexual ethic that opposes the sexual ethic found in scripture.

OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz

OBC Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@orewabaptistchurch6082

The Fear of the Lord is a consistent theme throughout the bible but it isn't spoken of very often. What is the fear of the Lord and why is it foundational to how human beings relate to God? This week, Pastor Mark talks about the importance of possessing the fear of the Lord especially in the days ahead.

OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz

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Jesus' parable in Matthew 7 highlights two people that built houses: one on a solid foundation and one on a foundation of sand. The homes look similar but when the storm comes, we see the homes are not the same. Their foundations are different.
What "foundation-exposing" trials will believers face in the future? What foundations have many believers built their spiritual life upon? 
In this message, Pastor Mark talks about moving beyond conversion to building our Christian walk upon the Cornerstone, Jesus Christ. Only what is built upon Him will last. 

OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz

OBC Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@orewabaptistchurch6082

This week Pastor Mark opens a new series titled "The Days Ahead". The gospel message planted seeds in the early first century that would change life in the Roman Empire. Centuries later, many nations would build their societies on Christian values and beliefs. In modern times we must ask, "What happens when societies decide to tear down its foundations based on Christian ideology?" How should Christians prepare themselves in this environment? To answer this question, we must first examine our corporate and individual lives.

OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz

OBC Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@orewabaptistchurch6082

An ageing David takes a census that he soon realized was trespassing into God's territory.  The message follows through his repentance, his willingness to fall into God's hands, the punishment the nation suffered and then David's costly sacrifice at the threshing floor of Araunah. Guest Speaker Rev. Derek Christensen

OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz

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In this series finale, Pastor Mark looks at the last 5 verses of Asa's life. After Asa is confronted by the prophet Hanani, he rejects the word of the Lord, throws Asa in prison and begins oppressing some of the people in Judah.  Not accepting divine discipline, can cause our hearts to become hardened and frustration will spill over into other areas of our life.  How should believers understand divine discipline? Does God use discipline to grow us in our relationship with Him?

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OBC Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@orewabaptistchurch6082

When King Asa relied on God, the Lord fought Judah's battles and the plunder from the Lord's victories flowed into the Temple. Later on, when King Asa was faced with another challenge, he decided not to trust God and relied on his own strength and wisdom. The result? A loss of Temple treasure. What can we learn from Asa's decisions? How do we keep from losing our Temple Treasure?

OBC website: https://www.orewabaptist.org.nz

OBC Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@orewabaptistchurch6082