Dunedin Church of Christ

Dunedin Church of Christ A place where Christians meet.
3 Prince Albert Rd, South Dunedin 9012
PO Box 2061, Dunedin 9044
NEW Z

03/05/2026

Sermon: The Persistent Invitation: Beyond the Dust of Rejection

Scripture Focus: Matthew 10:14, Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 9:51-56, Luke 14:23

Introduction: The Perverted Gospel of "Giving Up"Friends, we live in a time where a "perverted gospel" is creeping into the church—a gospel that tells us if people don’t listen immediately, we should shake them off, mark them as unsafe, and move on to easier ground.
We see a false sense of righteousness that says, "I have done my part," and we wash our hands of the lost. But is this the heart of the Master? Today, we must look at the context of Scripture to understand that we are not called to condemn, but to plead.

I. Understanding "Shake the Dust": The Limited CommissionWe often hear “Shake the dust of your feet” (Matt 10:14) used to justify abandoning those who reject the gospel. But we must understand that phrase in its original context.The Limited Commission (Matt 10:5-6, 14; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5; 10:11): This was a specific, temporary, and limited part of Jesus’ earthly ministry. He commanded them: "Do not go among the Gentiles... Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel."The Context: The apostles were to go to the Israelites, offering them the Kingdom. If a Jewish house or city refused them, they were to shake off the dust as a testimony against them.

The Meaning: It meant that those who rejected the Messiah were rejecting their own heritage—acting like Gentiles or pagans, willfully turning away from God. It was a formal apostolic act of judgment, not a license for us to be bitter or impatient today.Israelites Alone: The limited commission was strictly for the House of Israel during that specific season of Jesus' ministry.

II. Contrast: The Great CommissionThe "Limited Commission" leads to the "Great Commission." The rejection of the message by many in Israel paved the way for the Gospel to go to the whole world, as Paul explains in Romans 11.Contrast in Scope: In Matthew 28, Mark, and Luke, the scope is no longer limited.

It is now for all nations.Contrast in Action: The Great Commission commands us to make disciples, baptize, and teach. It does not command us to shake the dust off our feet.Contrast in Purpose: The first was a preliminary test; the second is a worldwide invitation to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

III. The Lesson of Luke 9: Rebuking the Spirit of RetaliationWhen the Samaritans rejected Jesus because He was heading to Jerusalem, James and John (the "sons of thunder") wanted to call down fire to destroy them, similar to what a "dust-shaking" mentality might imply—retaliation and condemnation (Luke 9:51-56).Jesus’ Rebuke: Jesus turned and rebuked them, saying, "The Son of Man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:55-56).

Our Task: Is it our task to mark people being "unsafe" or lost? I don’t think so. Our job is to preach to them, not to destroy them with our judgments.

IV. The Persistent Call: Try Again and Don't Shake the DustThe parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14) shows that when the first guests refused, the master did not stop. He said, "Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find" (Matt 22:9).

Compel Them to Come: We are commanded to keep going, keep inviting, and keep pleading (Luke 14:23).Averting the Perverted Gospel: We avert the false gospel of convenience by keeping our hearts compassionate, not dusty with bitterness.

Try Again: In the era of the Great Commission, we are not instructed to shake the dust off. We are instructed to try again, pray again, and love again. God is still waiting for all to come to the wedding feast.

Conclusion, You may say, "I have done my part. I told them." But did you love them like Jesus? Did you look upon them with compassion, or did you shake them off? Let us move forward, not with judgmental dust on our feet, but with the dust of the road clinging to us because we have been walking the extra mile. Keep pleading, keep loving, and keep sharing.

Try again.

12/04/2026

Sermon Title: OUR LORD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL
BY MESSI

Scripture Focus: 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5
I. The Humble Request: The Power of Prayer (v. 1-2)
Paul, despite being a great teacher and an apostle, begins this chapter with a humble request: "Finally, brothers, pray for us."

Even the strongest among us depend on God. Paul knew that his mission to spread the good news to the world was not done by his own strength, but through the intercession of the saints and the power of the Spirit. He asks for prayer so that the Word of God may "speed ahead and be honoured."

Application: If Paul needed prayer, how much more do we? Prayer is important because it proves we have stopped trusting in ourselves and have put our trust in God.

II. The Anchor in the Storm: Our Lord is Always Faithful (v. 3)

Paul reminds us of a core truth: "But the Lord is faithful."
We live in a world where people let us down and circumstances shift. We are bound to face problems, and Paul mentions "wicked and evil men." But the message is clear: God never changes, even when we do.

He will establish you: He gives you a firm place to stand.
He will guard you: He is always there to rescue us from the evil one.

III. The Call to Obedience: Living the Focused Life (v. 4)
Because God is faithful, we are called to be a people who obey and honour the words of God. Paul expresses confidence—not in the people’s perfection, but in the Lord’s ability to help them "do the things that we command."

To live a "great life" means to stay focused on the gospel. We don't just hear the Word; we live it. When we rely on God, obedience becomes a response to His love rather than a heavy burden.
IV. The Heart’s Destination: God’s Love and Christ’s Endurance (v. 5)

Paul concludes this section with a beautiful prayer: "May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ."

Everything circles back to the heart of the Gospel. As John 3:16 tells us, God loves us so much that He gave His only Son. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. When our hearts are directed by His love, we find the strength to endure any trial.

14/03/2026

Lesson Title: The Question That Defines Your Life
Scripture Focus: Mark 8:27-38
By Mike Hewitt

1. The Essential Question: "Who Do You Say I Am?"
Jesus asks His disciples what the crowds think, but then makes it personal: "But who do you say that I am?" (Mark 8:29).
The Lesson: Christianity is not built on a philosophy or a moral code, but on the identity of Jesus. You cannot truly know your identity in Christ until you first settle who Jesus is to you.

The Reality: He is the Messiah—the Promised One—but He may not be the kind of King we expect.

2. The Peter Trap: Resisting God’s Will
Immediately after declaring Jesus is the Christ, Peter rebukes Jesus for saying He must suffer. Jesus responds, "Get behind me, Satan!" (Mark 8:33).
The Lesson: If we let the "wrong things"—human logic, comfort, or worldly expectations—influence our faith, we can end up rejecting the real Jesus in favour of a comfortable one.

The Guidance: Like Psalm 23, we must let Him lead us. Even if the path goes through the "valley of the shadow of death" or involves suffering like Job, we must trust God’s map over our own.

3. The Great Exchange: Soul vs. World
Jesus poses a chilling question: "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36).

The Lesson: Your soul is your most valuable currency; there is no trade-in value for eternity.
The Challenge: We often find it hard to talk about our faith because we are still trying to keep a foot in the "world." Sacrifice is the prerequisite for eternity. Are you ready to trade temporary comfort for eternal life?

4. Taking Up the Cross Today
Jesus says to follow Him, one must "deny himself." This isn't just about giving up a habit; it’s about reshaping your entire life in accordance with His.
The Barrier: Why do we hesitate to share our faith? Often, it’s because we fear the "suffering" of social rejection or the cost of being different.

The Hope: Just as Job saw light at the end of the tunnel, the "Cross" is not the end of the story—the Resurrection is.

Conclusion & Reflection
The choice is ours. We are called to love God with everything we have and tune our ears to His voice above the noise of the world.

The Final Question for You:
In the middle of your current trials, your successes, and your secret thoughts—who do you say Jesus is to you right now?

08/03/2026

This sermon, titled "The Sovereign in the Storm: Jesus vs. Nature,"

Preaching: Leon O’Flynn

explores Christ’s absolute authority over the chaotic forces of our world as revealed in Mark 4–6. It is designed to inspire you to trade your fear for faith, knowing that the One who created the universe is the same One who carries you through it.

Introduction: The Illusion of Control
We live in a world where we strive for control. We check weather apps, diversify our investments, and follow health regimens—all to manage the unpredictable. But eventually, every person faces a "Mark 4 moment"—a storm that arises suddenly, violently, and completely outside our ability to stop.
In Mark 4, 5, and 6, we see Jesus moving through a series of "uncontrollables": a lethal tempest, a legion of demons, a chronic illness, and even death itself. In every instance, nature and chaos do not just "meet" Jesus; they surrender to Him.

1. The Storm: Why Are You Afraid? (Mark 4:35–41)
The disciples were seasoned fishermen. They knew the Sea of Galilee. Yet, when a "furious squall" came, they were "nearly swamped". Their professional experience failed them.

The Contrast: Jesus is asleep on a cushion. He isn't indifferent; He is sovereign. His rest is a testament to His absolute confidence in the Father's plan.

The Command: He doesn't struggle with the wind. He speaks to it: "Quiet! Be still!". The Greek implies a muzzle—He silences the creation He spoke into existence.

The Question: "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?". Jesus points out that fear is often the opposite of faith. He isn't rebuking them for being in a storm, but for forgetting who was in the boat with them.

2. The Supernatural & The Physical: Legion and the Reverse Touch (Mark 5)
In Mark 5, Jesus’ authority over nature extends beyond the elements into the brokenness of the human condition.

Legion: Jesus meets a man no human could bind, living among the tombs. When "Legion" meets Jesus, the demons don't fight; they beg. Jesus restores the "uncontrollable" man to a "right mind," proving His authority over spiritual chaos.

The Reverse Touch: On the way to Jairus' house, a woman with a 12-year hemorrhage touches His cloak. In the Old Testament, an "unclean" person made others unclean by touch. But with Jesus, the flow is reversed: His holiness consumes her sickness.

Jairus' Daughter: When news comes that the girl is dead, Jesus tells Jairus: "Don’t be afraid; just believe". He walks into the house of mourning and treats death like a nap, saying, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!".

3. The Water: Walking on the Unstable (Mark 6:45–52)
In Mark 6, the disciples are again in a boat, straining against the wind. Jesus comes to them walking on the water.

The Lesson: Jesus uses the very thing they feared—the raging sea—as a "set of steps" to reach them.

The Revelation: He says, "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid" (v. 50). The phrase "It is I" (Ego Eimi) is the divine name of God. He is revealing Himself as the Lord of the entire universe.

Sermon Application: What Are We Unable to Control?
We cannot control the "squalls" of life—loss, sickness, or sudden crisis. We often fear what we cannot manage. But these chapters in Mark teach us:
A storm doesn't mean you've taken a wrong turn. The disciples were in the boat because Jesus told them to go.

Faith is trusting Jesus' identity, not just His intervention. The goal of the miracle wasn't just a dry boat; it was for the disciples to ask, "Who is this?".
Jesus is always in the boat. Even when He seems "asleep," His presence is your peace and protection.

Closing Encouragement:
You may be in a storm right now where the waves are breaking over the side. You might be crying out, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?". The answer from Mark 4, 5, and 6 is a resounding YES. He cares so much that He entered the ultimate storm of the Cross so you would never have to face the storm of judgment alone.

Fix your eyes on the Pacesetter. He is not threatened by your storm. He is the Master of it.

08/03/2026

Thank you Reymund Clerigo for a great lords supper commentary;

This brief lesson on Hebrews 12:1–2 is designed for a Lord’s Supper devotion. It is "shot" (fast-paced and punchy) and "great" (focused on the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice).
The Pre-Race Inspection: Laying Aside Weights (v. 1)
Before we take the bread and the cup, we are called to a "pre-race inspection". The text tells us to "lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us".
The Weight: These are the "donuts" on a baseball bat—unnecessary burdens like worry, bitterness, or legalism that slow your spiritual pace.
The Sin: The specific habits that "cling closely," trying to trip you mid-stride.
Communion Application: Use this moment of the Supper not for self-condemnation, but for repentance. As you take the elements, consciously "drop the weight" at the foot of the Cross so you can run freely again.
The Pacesetter: Jesus, the Pioneer (v. 2)
We don’t run a random course; we follow a "white tape" laid down by Jesus. He is the "pioneer and perfecter of our faith".
The Pioneer: He cleared the path, enduring the ultimate "uphill" climb of Calvary so we wouldn't have to.
The Perfecter: He doesn't just start the work; He finishes it. He is the "Alpha and Omega" of your endurance.
Communion Application: The bread and cup are "fuel" for the race. They remind us that the one who "finished" the work of salvation is the same one who will help you finish your race.
The Finish Line: Joy Beyond the Cross (v. 2)
The most staggering part of the text is why He did it: "for the joy set before him [he] endured the cross".
The Joy: What was the joy that made the nails and shame worth it? It was you. The joy was the "redemption of humanity" and restored fellowship with His people.
The Shame: He "despised" the shame—meaning He considered the public disgrace of the cross insignificant compared to the glory of saving you.
Communion Application: As you eat and drink, "fix your eyes on Jesus". Stop staring at your struggles and start staring at His victory. He is no longer on the cross; He is "seated at the right hand of the throne of God," reigning and cheering you on.
Conclusion:
When we take the Lord's Supper, we aren't just looking back at a tragedy; we are looking at the Pacesetter who won the race and invites us to keep running.

28/02/2026

Sermon Title: The Audacity of Unnoticed Goodness(What are we to do?)
Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 2:13-20; Matthew 7:12; James 4:17
By Geoff

Introduction: The Dilemma of the Heart
Brothers and sisters, we often ask ourselves: "What are we to do in a world that seems to thrive on ingratitude?" We live in a culture of "likes" and "shares," where we expect a return on our emotional investments. But the Gospel calls us to a different standard. Today, we look at the simple, radical mandate of the believer: To do the good that is set before us.

1. The Reality of the "Missing 20 Dollars"
Consider the story of the elderly woman who wrote to God. The post office workers, moved by compassion, pooled their own hard-earned money to help her Christmas. They were the answer to her prayer! Yet, two weeks later, her second letter accused them of theft.

The hurt in that situation is real. When you help a colleague and they take the credit, the hurt is real. When you sacrifice for your family and they complain it wasn't enough, the hurt is real.

Is it easy to keep giving? NO.
Should we do it anyway? YES.

We must realize that service is an act of worship toward God, not a transaction with man. If you do good for appreciation, you are seeking a human reward. But if you do good for God, your reward is secure in Heaven, where "He who sees in secret shall reward you openly."

2. The Command: Submitting Through the Suffering
In 1 Peter 2:13-20, we are reminded that doing good often involves suffering. It tells us to submit ourselves and do good deeds even when the situation is unjust.
Service is of God: Even if the recipient—being human and flawed—does not appreciate it, your service remains holy.

The Golden Rule (Matt 7:12): We do not treat people based on how they treat us. We treat them based on how we wish to be treated. This is the "Golden Rule" that breaks the cycle of bitterness.

3. The Weight of Responsibility
We cannot claim ignorance. James 4:17 tells us: "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them."

Knowing the good is a responsibility. Doing the good is an act of obedience. We are not called to be "successful" in the eyes of the world; we are called to be faithful. In our homes and our workplaces, meeting the needs of others is our primary assignment.

4. Living as a Living Sermon
The greatest form of evangelism is not always a microphone and a stage; it is the choices we make when we are criticized.

Preach with your life: Our job is to teach the world about God’s character through our resilience.
Follow the Master: Our Master, Jesus, was the perfect example. He healed, He fed, and He loved—and for those very acts, He was criticized and eventually crucified.

If they called the Master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they misunderstand us?
Conclusion: Keep Going

Church, do not let a "missing 20 dollars" stop you from being the hands and feet of Jesus. Do not let the world's ingratitude freeze your heart.

The world will judge us, but we must keep going. We do the good before us because we fear God, we love His people, and we know that our labor in the Lord is never in vain.
Amen.

14/02/2026

HOPE

A great sermon from our brother Chris Rich

Lamentations teaches us that amid pain, God’s mercies are new every morning. His faithfulness is our strength, turning our waiting into a,confident expectation that He is with us, working through the darkness to bring a new dawn.

Key Takeaways:
Unending Compassion: No matter the circumstances, God's love for you does not fail or exhaust.

Daily Renewals: His mercies are "new every morning," providing a fresh start, regardless of yesterday's failures or pain.

Hope in Trials: Even when life feels broken (as described in Lamentations), you can trust that God’s faithful character is a solid foundation.

“The LORD's unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Welcome to a brand new week; Faith moves mountains.
14/02/2026

Welcome to a brand new week; Faith moves mountains.

What an uplifting service and fellowship time we shared this past Sunday! We were blessed to have visitors from Oklahoma...
10/02/2026

What an uplifting service and fellowship time we shared this past Sunday! We were blessed to have visitors from Oklahoma, Houston, Wellington, and Colorado, in addition to our local members. Thank you to those who led, taught, and shared yummy food. We can’t wait to see you all again!

27/09/2024

New Book Today!
Joel 1
New King James Version
The Locust Plague in Judah
1 The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.

The Land Laid Waste
2 Hear this, you elders,
And give ear, all you inhabitants of the land!
Has anything like this happened in your days,
Or even in the days of your fathers?
3 Tell your children about it,
Let your children tell their children,
And their children another generation.

4 What the chewing [a]locust left, the swarming locust has eaten;
What the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten;
And what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten.

5 Awake, you drunkards, and weep;
And wail, all you drinkers of wine,
Because of the new wine,
For it has been cut off from your mouth.
6 For a nation has come up against My land,
Strong, and without number;
His teeth are the teeth of a lion,
And he has the fangs of a [b]fierce lion.
7 He has laid waste My vine,
And [c]ruined My fig tree;
He has stripped it bare and thrown it away;
Its branches are made white.

8 Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth
For the husband of her youth.
9 The grain offering and the drink offering
Have been cut off from the house of the Lord;
The priests mourn, who minister to the Lord.
10 The field is wasted,
The land mourns;
For the grain is ruined,
The new wine is dried up,
The oil fails.

11 Be ashamed, you farmers,
Wail, you vinedressers,
For the wheat and the barley;
Because the harvest of the field has perished.
12 The vine has dried up,
And the fig tree has withered;
The pomegranate tree,
The palm tree also,
And the apple tree—
All the trees of the field are withered;
Surely joy has withered away from the sons of men.

Mourning for the Land
13 Gird yourselves and lament, you priests;
Wail, you who minister before the altar;
Come, lie all night in sackcloth,
You who minister to my God;
For the grain offering and the drink offering
Are withheld from the house of your God.
14 Consecrate a fast,
Call a sacred assembly;
Gather the elders
And all the inhabitants of the land
Into the house of the Lord your God,
And cry out to the Lord.

15 Alas for the day!
For the day of the Lord is at hand;
It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.
16 Is not the food cut off before our eyes,
Joy and gladness from the house of our God?
17 The seed shrivels under the clods,
Storehouses are in shambles;
Barns are broken down,
For the grain has withered.
18 How the animals groan!
The herds of cattle are restless,
Because they have no pasture;
Even the flocks of sheep [d]suffer punishment.

19 O Lord, to You I cry out;
For fire has devoured the [e]open pastures,
And a flame has burned all the trees of the field.
20 The beasts of the field also cry out to You,
For the water brooks are dried up,
And fire has devoured the [f]open pastures.

26/09/2024

Hosea 14
New King James Version
Israel Restored at Last
14 O Israel, return to the Lord your God,
For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
2 Take words with you,
And return to the Lord.
Say to Him,
“Take away all iniquity;
Receive us graciously,
For we will offer the sacrifices[a] of our lips.
3 Assyria shall not save us,
We will not ride on horses,
Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’
For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”

4 “I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
He shall [b]grow like the lily,
And [c]lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
6 His branches shall [d]spread;
His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
And his fragrance like Lebanon.
7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
They shall be revived like grain,
And [e]grow like a vine.
Their [f]scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’
I have heard and observed him.
I am like a green cypress tree;
Your fruit is found in Me.”

9 Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them.

Address

3 Prince Albert Road, South Dunedin
Dunedin
9012

Opening Hours

Wednesday 7pm - 8pm
Sunday 10am - 12pm

Telephone

+64 3 4555 312

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