Update No. 427
Good Morning, Redeemer Family
Sermon Recordings
This week, Rex explored the profound mystery of the Kingdom of God, unpacking the "now but not yet" reality we live in as believers. Grounding his message in the parables of Mark 4, he reminded us that God's Kingdom often grows quietly and gradually, not through worldly political force, but through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.
Defining the Kingdom as "God's people in God's place under God's rule and blessing," Rex traced this theme from the Old Testament longing for a king to Christ's ultimate victory on the cross. We were challenged to evaluate our own allegiance, reminded that citizenship requires repentance and childlike dependence. Ultimately, we were left with a deeply hopeful vision of the King's triumphant return, encouraging us to faithfully proclaim the gospel as we eagerly pray, "Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!"
If you weren’t able to make it on Sunday or if you’d like to listen to this sermon or any previous sermons, they’re all available here… or you can just listen below.
Can’t wait until Wednesday to listen to our latest sermon? Good news, you don’t have to! Our sermons are now (generally) uploaded by 8pm every Sunday.
ReMemer Church
Wednesday In The Word - Tonight!
Wednesday in the Word is on tonight from 7:15pm at the Rogers (68 Fernleigh Street)! This is open to anyone and everyone (13+), and if you’ve got younger kids that need to come along, they’re welcome to hang out too!
I have slightly tweaked the questions for our next gathering. They’re essentially the same, just worded slightly differently. Be sure to be reflecting on these questions as you read the passage so that you can come prepared to share!
What did you find interesting about this passage? Why?
What questions come to mind when reading this passage?
What do we learn about people from this passage?
What do we learn about God (or Jesus) from this passage?
In light of this passage and what we’ve discussed, how will you practically apply it this week?
Our discussions will be based around Luke 9:18–27, but feel free to engage with the rest of the context reading as well.
Context Reading: Luke 9
Focus Passage: Luke 9:18–27
Monthly Men’s Breakfast
Our next Monthly Men’s Breakfast will be on Saturday, June 13th, from 8am. Mike is away, so I (Fraser) will be hosting at 107 Alfred Road, Egmont Village. As always, all the men of the church are welcome and encouraged to come along!
Directions to 107 Alfred Road, Egmont Village:
1. Head out of town: Start heading south on Coronation Avenue, which will naturally turn into Junction Road (State Highway 3). Follow the signs towards Inglewood.
2. Watch for landmarks: Keep driving on State Highway 3 until you pass Lake Mangamahoe and the Mangapouri Cemetery.
3. Turn right: Take the very first RIGHT turn immediately after the cemetery onto Thomason Road (the turnoff is about 8km from New Plymouth).
Navigational Warning: If you reach Egmont Village, you have missed the turn and gone too far. Turn around!
4. Continue straight: Stay on Thomason Road. It will naturally lead onto Alfred Road.
5. Cross the bridge: Continue up Alfred Road for about 1km until you cross a river bridge.
6. Arrive at 107 Alfred Road: Take the very first LEFT immediately after crossing the bridge.
Destination & Parking Details:
The House: Look for a large black house with solar panels situated on a hill right beside it.
Parking: You have plenty of room to park, feel free to park by the black shed or directly in front of the house/garage.
Click the image below to see a zoomed-in view.
Or if you prefer Google Maps:
What Are Our Kids Learning?
On Sunday, the children learned about what happened when Moses went back up Mount Sinai to receive instructions for the Tabernacle; a special tent where God would dwell among His people. Because Moses was gone for forty days, the Israelites grew impatient and made a terrible choice. They built a golden calf and worshiped it, completely breaking God's first two commandments! When Moses saw this, he destroyed the idol. God was rightfully angry at their sin, but when Moses pleaded for the people, God showed incredible mercy, gave them a second chance, and renewed His promises to them.
We talked about how the Israelites quickly learned that their biggest enemy wasn't the Egyptians after all; it was their own sin. We all face that same enemy today! While Moses acted as a wonderful mediator by praying for the people, he could only do so much. This points us directly to Jesus, our perfect Mediator and ultimate Rescuer. Jesus didn't just pray for our forgiveness; He paid the penalty for our sin on the cross so that a holy God could show us that same amazing grace and mercy.
Their memory verse is: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” - 1 John 5:21
North Island Biblical Counselling Conference
We would love to encourage our church family to attend the upcoming North Island Biblical Counselling Conference! Hosted by the New Zealand Biblical Counselling Association (NZBCA), this event is a fantastic opportunity to be equipped to faithfully care for one another using the Word of God.
Conference Details
Speaker: Dr. Stuart Scott (Professor of Biblical Counselling at The Master’s University and Director of Member Care with ACBC)
Location: Covenant Presbyterian Church, 77 Rogers Road, Manuwera, Auckland
What to Expect
The weekend is split into two connected themes, focusing on how genuine heart-change naturally leads to better care for our church family.
Pre-Conference: A Christlike Mindset
Friday, 18th September 2026 The pre-conference addresses the central battleground of personal change: pride versus humility. Dr. Scott will expose how pride resists change and how cultivating a humble heart opens the way for genuine transformation.
Main Conference: Christlike Love
Saturday, 19th September 2026 Saturday shifts focus to the "one another" passages of the New Testament. You will learn what it looks like to rely on the sufficiency of Scripture to build up the body of Christ and how biblical counselling is simply a natural extension of normal Christian living.
Want a preview? If you want to get a feel for the teaching before signing up, the NZBCA has recently uploaded the video recordings and session notes from this year's South Island conference to their YouTube Channel.
You can also follow NBCA on Facebook and Instagram
Reflection
“The kingdom of God will not change men’s outward condition, but their hearts and lives. Then it comes when it makes those humble, and serious, and heavenly, that were proud, and vain, and carnal,—when it weans those from the world that were wedded to the world; and therefore look for the kingdom of God in the revolutions of the heart, not of the civil government.”
- Matthew Henry