Over the next nine weeks, we’re going to be hearing sermons on some sermons.

If that sounds a bit unusual, don’t worry—it will make sense soon.

We’re beginning a journey through the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. It’s the final book of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), set on the plains of Moab just before Israel enters the Promised Land.

The first generation rescued from Egypt has died in the wilderness because of unbelief. Now a new generation stands on the edge of God’s promises. Moses, who will not enter the land himself, addresses them with a series of final sermons—preparing them for life with God in the land.launch

Do you ever feel a bit crazy for what you believe about Jesus? 

We live in a time and place where people are more educated than ever. Over half of school leavers in Wellington pursue further study. During my time in government, I was often in awe of the intellectual firepower of my colleagues. 

And yet so few of our fellow Wellingtonians believe in the God of the Bible.

Why does history centre on Jesus? Have you ever wondered why our calendars centre on the life of Jesus? Why is this the year 2026 - 2,026 years since Jesus walked the earth?

Every time we write the date, we’re marking time in reference to him. His life, death and resurrection stand at the centre of history.

But why?

The Bible gives a striking answer.

What could a man do to deserve such a brutal death?

In October 1536, an Englishman was executed in Belgium. He was tied to a stake, strangled, and then his body was burned.

You might assume he had committed a particularly heinous crime. Murder? Treason? Something worse?

The man was William Tyndale.
His crime was translating the Bible into English.

Today that may sound almost unbelievable. Most of us own several Bibles. We can read them freely, carry them on our phones, and hear a sermon from the Bible in our own language preached every week.

Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Every day Jesus sends us into the harvest fields of our workplaces, streets, and families. God has sovereignly placed us in the lives of the very people he is drawing to himself. Often, as we pray for workers, we are the answer. What a joy and privilege to be Christ’s ambassadors and workers, scattering the seed of his word and watching him transform lives.