Sunday's Sermon

A radio show/podcast from Crosspoint Church produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.

In Acts 8, the Spirit sends Philip from a thriving Samaritan ministry to meet an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah 53 on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. Their encounter shows that the good news of Jesus is for every seeker—including the foreigner and excluded outsider—and that Scripture points to Christ’s suffering, saving work, and welcoming kingdom.

A radio show/podcast from Crosspoint Church produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.

Acts 8 follows the persecuted church as believers carry the gospel from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria, where Philip proclaims Christ and confirms the message with signs of deliverance and healing. The episode emphasizes that persecution cannot stop God’s mission: the gospel advances by the Spirit, brings the blessings of the new covenant, and gathers even the Samaritans into one people of God.

A radio show/podcast from Crosspoint Church produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.

Pastor Dafydd Hughes turns to Stephen’s defence before the Sanhedrin in Acts 7. The sermon explores who resists God’s Spirit, why people do so, and the consequences of pride, jealousy, ignorance, rebellion, and self-righteousness. Through Stephen’s courageous witness, martyrdom, and prayer for his persecutors, we see a powerful reflection of Christ’s compassion—and how persecution ultimately helps spread the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. A direct and challenging message calling listeners to respond to Jesus Christ with repentance, faith, and obedience.

A radio show/podcast from Crosspoint Church produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.

What does real church growth look like? In Acts 6:7, Luke pauses his account of the early church to give a remarkable report: “The word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem.” Despite internal challenges, the reality of sin, and growing opposition from religious authorities, God was blessing His church.

In this episode, we explore the priority of the Word of God in the life and mission of the church. As the apostles devoted themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word, the gospel spread with increasing power, reaching more people, producing more disciples, and transforming lives. The growth of the church was not merely numerical; it was the fruit of the Word faithfully preached and the Holy Spirit powerfully at work.

We also consider the surprising note that “a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” Even among those closely associated with the religious establishment, the gospel was breaking through hardened hearts and bringing people to Christ.

This message reminds us that while we may long for days of extraordinary growth, our calling remains the same: to faithfully proclaim the gospel, trust God's sovereign work, and rejoice whenever even one sinner is brought to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

A radio show/podcast from Crosspoint Church produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.

As the church in Jerusalem flourished, it faced a challenge familiar to every growing community: maintaining unity amid diversity. In this episode, we explore Acts 6:1-7, where a dispute between Hellenist and Hebrew believers threatened the peace of the fledgling church.

Discover how the apostles responded with wisdom and godly priorities, refusing to neglect either the ministry of the Word or the practical care of those in need. Through the appointment of seven servant-leaders, the early church demonstrated that gospel growth requires both faithful proclamation and compassionate action.

Join us as we examine how Christ's gospel not only reconciles sinners to God but also brings people of different backgrounds, cultures, and languages together in unity. This passage offers timeless lessons on church leadership, servant-hearted ministry, and preserving unity in the midst of growth.

A radio show/podcast from Crosspoint Church produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.

Pastor Dafydd Hughes continues his series on Acts with a message from Acts 5:17-42, “Counted Worthy to Suffer.” Reflecting on the apostles’ imprisonment, miraculous release, renewed preaching, and joyful endurance after being beaten, the sermon explores the church’s calling to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ even in the face of opposition. Pastor Hughes highlights the apostles’ confidence in Christ’s authority, their obedience to God rather than people, and the costly joy of being identified with Jesus through suffering.

Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

Dafydd continues the series in Acts with a message from Acts 5:12-16, "Signs and wonders".

Reflecting on the early church in Jerusalem, Pastor Dafydd explores the signs and wonders performed through the apostles, their purpose in authenticating the apostolic message, and the different responses of those who witnessed God at work. The sermon invites listeners to consider the sufficiency of Scripture, the call to trust the gospel, and what it means to move beyond admiration of the church into wholehearted faith and fellowship with Christ and his people.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

Dafydd continues the series in Acts with a message from Acts 4:32-5:11, "Great grace was upon them".

Reflecting on the early church in Jerusalem, Pastor David explores how God's grace shaped a community marked by salvation, fellowship, generosity, and reverent honesty before a holy God. The sermon considers both the encouragement of Barnabas' example and the sobering account of Ananias and Sapphira, inviting listeners to consider what it means to live as the body of Christ with transformed priorities and wholehearted trust in God.

Produced by Manawatu People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

Pastor Dafydd Hughes explores Acts 4, where the early church responds to opposition with united prayer and trust in God's sovereignty. Reflecting on Psalm 2, this sermon highlights God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ and challenges believers to seek Spirit-given boldness to faithfully proclaim the gospel in a world resistant to God.

A radio show/podcast from Crosspoint Church produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.