St Andrews Church Geraldine‘s Podcast

171: 20-04-2025 Easter Sunday

The greatest historical event of all time is recorded in the gospel of John, chapter 20. This chapter records eye witness accounts of Jesus rising from the dead as the first fruits of God's saving grace to us. In this resurrection story the four actions: 'seeing, moving, believing, and belonging' are central to that day in history, as well as today. Today we see God's power working in our lives; we go and tell others the good news; we believe what the first witnesses proclaimed; and through this faith we belong to God's family. John 20:1-18

170: 13-04-2025 The Jesus Manifesto (Part 33) The Golden Rule That Changed the World

This message explores the world-changing power of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:12 — “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” Far from being a generic moral slogan, the Golden Rule revolutionised the ancient world by introducing empathy, mercy, and the equal worth of every human being. In a society where dignity belonged only to the powerful, Jesus taught that even the poor, sick, and abandoned mattered — not because of status, but because they bear the image of God. This radical idea helped shape human rights, justice, and compassion in Western civilisation, influencing everything from abolition movements to public healthcare. But this isn’t just history — it’s a calling. For Christians, the Golden Rule is not lived out by human effort but by the power of the Holy Spirit, in response to God’s grace, and with the goal of pleasing God. When we live this out — especially in hard situations — we offer the world a window into the heart of God. This message looks at three ways the Spirit can unleash the Golden Rule in our lives to bring real transformation this week.       Matthew 7:12

169: 06-04-2025 The Jesus Manifesto (Part 32) Partnership in Prayer

Prayer is more than just getting what we want from God: it is about partnering with Him in a conversation that looks to the approaching fullness of His kingdom.  Jesus speaks of having the right heart attitude and that we pray persistently.  As we grow in our prayer partnership with God those prayers become conversations that enable us to hear God more clearly.Matthew 7:7-11 and Luke 18:1-8

168: 23-03-2025 Ethnos NZ A New Creation

Trevor Clarke is the director of Ethnos New Zealand and is sharing a message that encapsulates the work God is doing around the world among isolated tribal people groups.2 Corinthians 5:14-21

167: 23-03-2025 The Jesus Manifesto (Part 31) "God's precious gifts to you

Matthew 7 verse 6 which is a pair of parallel proverbs, at first glance seems to stand alone and just tacked in there between all the other passages. Yet, on closer viewing this verse could be viewed as a summary of a number points Jesus makes in his Sermon on the Mount. If you were to reread Chapter 6 you might observe various verses where Jesus talks about valuing the precious treasures that God gives you. Along with this we are warned of false prophets (unholy men) later in Chapter 7.We are to treat the gifts that God gives us as holy and precious. Among these gifts we can include our family, our time and our faith. These are things that God has blessed us with and we must not let society attack them.Matthew 7:6; Proverbs 3:1-6 and Proverbs 3:21-23

166: 16-03-2025 The Jesus Manifesto (Part 30) The Problem with Judging

Only God knows the motives of a person and therefore “the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart'” (1 Samuel 16:7). The problem with our means of judging others is that we so often do this through the lens of our pride and prejudice. This has always been the case throughout history. Jesus saw it even within the disciples he chose, the Pharisees judged wrongly because of their pride and prejudice, and we see it still as the major problem of people's judgements today. Jesus also reminds us that there are times to judge, or demonstrate discernment in matters. One way that enables us to be discerning is through self-reflection. This is a valuable tool, especially when we are guided in our self-reflection through the prompting of the Holy Spirit – we get a clearer picture of the reality of things and the Holy Spirit helps us to “look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.” (John 7:24).Matthew 7:1-5 and John 7:14-24

165: 09-03-2025 The Jesus Manifesto (Part 29) Jesus' Eight Cures For Anxiety

We all wrestle with anxiety—whether it’s big worries that shake us or the small, nagging ones that add up over time. But Jesus gives us eight reasons not to be anxious.
He tells us: Life is more than food and clothing. Look at the birds—they don’t store food, yet God feeds them. Worrying won’t add a single hour to your life. God clothes the lilies in beauty—won’t He care for you even more? The world chases after things, but your Father knows what you need.
So what’s the solution? Seek first God’s kingdom, and He’ll provide for you. Don’t borrow tomorrow’s troubles—grace is given one day at a time.
Jesus calls us to trust, not control. Anxiety often whispers that we must hold everything together, but Jesus reminds us: God already has.Matthew 6:25-34

164: 02-03-2025 The Jesus Manifesto (Part 28) Jesus the Supreme Treasure

We live in a world full of distractions, constantly pulling our hearts in different directions. But Jesus calls us to set our hearts on things that are eternal, filled with light, and worthy of our devotion (Matthew 6:19-24).
Earthly treasures—money, status, achievements—fade away. But the surpassing worth of knowing Christ lasts forever (Philippians 3:7-9). What you treasure will shape your heart, your focus, and ultimately, your life.
So, where is your heart set? On things that will pass away—or on the eternal treasure of Christ?Mathew 6:19-24 & Phillippians 3:7-9