South Auckland Church of Christ

06/09/2026

👨‍👧‍👦 Things a father should know

💙 Fathers make a difference!
The Bible gives them a lot of credit by assuming they can bring their children “up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
Christian parents must wake up to the emotional side of rearing children. The parallel passage (Colossians 3:20–21) warns against exasperating children, causing them to “be discouraged.”

❤️ Someone said, “Soft is the heart of a child. Do not harden it.”
In 1 Thessalonians 2:5–11, Paul compares himself to a father with his own children (and to a nursing mother) when he describes his emotional interaction with new Christians.

He speaks of:
🤲 gentleness
❤️ tenderness
🥰 affection
🫂 and comfort.

He tells them they are dear to him.
It is important to express as well as to feel these emotions.

Don’t worry, your dad didn’t know what he was doing, either.

Ultimately, though, a father is the rock of the family and the wise confidant of his adult offspring.

— housetohouse.com

💬 What is one thing a father can do to make sure his children not only know that he loves them, but actually feel that love?

This Father’s Day, take a moment to like and share this article, and perhaps tag or send it to a father who has made a difference in your life. And we’d love to hear from you in the comments: what is something your father taught you—or something you hope your children will remember about you? 👨‍👧‍👦❤️

06/09/2026

✝️ Can I know I’m saved?

Although it may sound arrogant for one to say, “I know that I am saved,” the Bible teaches that the Christian can know that very thing.

John said,
📖 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).
How can we have such confidence? Both trust and obedience play a part.

John wrote,
📖 “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3).

Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be born again of water and of the Spirit in order to enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5). A person is born again by being baptised into Christ. This person is then saved—and can know it.

🌱 Thus begins a life-long journey of the “babe in Christ” growing into the mature Christian.

🙏 We must also trust God to keep His Word. Christians are not perfect, and God does not expect us to be. We still sin, but God forgives those sins as we repent of them and confess them. As God expects a forgiving attitude of Christians, He shows a forgiving attitude as a Father.

❤️ If this message could encourage someone who struggles with assurance or doubt, take a moment to like and share it with them.
Salvation does not depend on how few sins or mistakes we make, but upon whether or not we accept God’s grace and are obedient to Christ. As we continue to serve Christ, the Lord continues to bless and forgive us.

✨ If we walk in the light, following the pathway of Christ, His blood continues to cleanse us of sin (1 John 1:5-7).

Many Christians have doubts because they are not maturing as Christians should, but are moving backward. This often happens when a person does not give his whole heart to Christ.

Jesus said,
📖 “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:24).

The person who tries to live as a Christian while not fully surrendering his life to Christ must have doubts, because he cannot walk in the light if he does not give his whole heart to the Lord.

🎶 As the hymn says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

— Bob Prichard

💬 What gives a Christian confidence that they are saved?

If this article encouraged you, please like it, share it with someone who may benefit from it, and join the conversation in the comments. Your thoughts may help encourage someone else who is wrestling with doubt and seeking the assurance God offers. 🙏❤️

30/08/2026

📖 The most important man in the history of the English Bible

This year marks the 500th anniversary of the first Bible that you and I could read and understand. Since then, every translation has owed a debt to the brave and brilliant work of William Tyndale (1494-1536). He literally died so that people could read the word of God in English.

⏳ Tyndale grew up in turbulent times. He was only two when Christopher Columbus sailed into the New World. He was around when Luther kicked off the Protestant Reformation. And even the language was changing as it moved from the street to the printing press.

One thing had not changed: the English crown still controlled the printing and distribution of the Bible. In this case, it was still the Latin Vulgate. No one had forgotten Wyclif, another scholar-turned-troublemaker, who put a translation into the hands of wandering preachers. The language in Wyclif’s Bible was out-of-date, but the threat continued. If ordinary folks could read the Scriptures for themselves, then the powers-that-be would have to answer some very awkward questions.

🔥 Tyndale is headed in that direction. “I defy the Pope and all his laws,” he tells one opponent, “and if God spares my life, ere many years, I will cause the boy that driveth the plow to know more of the Scriptures than thou dost!”

To no one’s surprise, he fails to find an official sponsor at home. Tyndale moves to Europe and finishes the New Testament. The first edition comes off the printing press in 1526. His friends smuggle the books into England, and it becomes an instant bestseller. Ultimately, Tyndale is betrayed, arrested, imprisoned, and burnt at the stake.

Despite the tragic ending, his work lived on through a flurry of Bible translations that culminated in the King James Version of 1611.

👍 If you’re enjoying this glimpse into the history of the English Bible, please like and share it so others can learn about William Tyndale’s remarkable story too.

📚 His legacy remains, even to this day. Tyndale coined new words like Jehovah, Passover, scapegoat, showbread, peacemaker, and mercy seat. And he left us memorable phrases like “the spirit is willing” (Matt 26:41), and “fight the good fight” (1 Tim 6:12).

We would disagree with Tyndale on his Lutheran beliefs, but there is no denying the courage of his convictions. He was right to insist that the Scriptures get their authority from heaven, not man (2 Tim 3:16-17). And he was right to insist that people should read the Bible for themselves (Acts 17:11; Rom 10:17; 2 Tim 2:15).

— Trevor Major

💬 William Tyndale was willing to risk everything so ordinary people could read the Scriptures for themselves. How important do you think it is for Christians today to personally read and study the Bible rather than simply relying on what others tell them it says?

❤️ If this article encouraged you, like the post, share your thoughts in the comments, and share it with someone else who may appreciate the extraordinary story behind the English Bible. And perhaps most importantly, take advantage of the privilege Tyndale fought so hard to give ordinary people: open the Bible and read it for yourself.

16/08/2026

📖 **A Message from the Son**

> **28** Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
> **29** Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
> **30** For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
> — **Matthew 11:28–30**

🕊️ The key word is **“rest.”**

Here it means “relief from crushing burdens, such as crippling anxiety, frustration, futility, and the misery of a sin-laden conscience.”

As Jesus prays to His Father in heaven, He gives three commands that are necessary to receive this wonderful rest:

➡️ **1. Come.**
The weight of sin is a heavy burden. Jesus relieves the heaviness of sin through forgiveness.

➡️ **2. Take.**
It was the custom of students to attach themselves to their teacher. It was called “yoked.”

➡️ **3. Learn.**
We must never cease studying and searching the Bible to learn about Jesus.

✝️ **Come. Take. Learn. And find rest for your soul.**

— **Mark N. Posey**

💬 **What does Jesus’ promise of “rest” in Matthew 11:28–30 mean to you?** Which of these three commands—**Come, Take, or Learn**—do you think people find the most difficult?

👍 If this message encouraged you, **like this post**, share your thoughts in the **comments**, and **share it with someone who may need to be reminded of the rest that Jesus offers.**

15/08/2026

🐉 **HERE BE DRAGONS** 🐉

To most of us, a dragon is a mythical beast. It was the creature slain by St. George in medieval stories. It was the fire-breathing foe in Tolkien’s *The Hobbit*. Dragons were never real.

**Or were they?** 🤔

🎶 We actually sing about dragons on Sunday mornings. They come up in one of our favourite hymns: *Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah*. You may remember these lines from the second verse:

> From the earth, O praise Jehovah,
> All ye floods, ye dragons all,
> Fires and hail and snow and vapours,
> Stormy winds that hear Him call.

The hymn was written in the 1800s, but it was based on Psalm 148. You might not see the ‘d’ word in your Bibles, unless you have the old King James Version:

📖 **Psalm 148:7–8**

> Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
> Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling His word:

Instead of “dragons,” modern translations render the passage with “sea creatures” (NKJV, NIV, ESV) or “sea monsters” (NASB). Some hymnals use “monsters” in the song, as well.

The KJV was basically leaning on the Latin word in Psalm 148:7 (*dracõ*), which was borrowed from the Greek translation (*drakõn*). In the original Hebrew the word is *tannin*, which usually referred to a scary but entirely ordinary sea creature.

🐲 Dragons played an important role in ancient myth and legend. They battled the gods and were symbols of the raging, chaotic ocean. The Bible never endorses these stories, but it will use dragons to symbolise the enemies of God (e.g., Isaiah 27:1; Ezekiel 32:2; Revelation 12:3).

In Psalm 148, the *tannin* is a creature like any other; it is simply a part of God’s creation.

👍 **If you’re enjoying this article, give it a like and share it with someone who might find it interesting.**

That raises one more question. I have actually heard Christians call this is a dumb song. It’s bad enough to sing about dragons, but how can the sun or moon or trees praise anything? 🌞🌙🌳

But as we have seen, the hymn has its roots in Hebrew poetry. Psalm 148 portrays the majesty and sovereignty of God in heaven. Unlike the old pagan stories, the Biblical worldview makes a fundamental distinction between the Maker and the made.

✨ **The point of the psalmist is this: If any created thing could possibly praise God, it would and should.**

As Christians, it is important to understand what we are singing and why (1 Corinthians 14:15).

– Trevor Major

💬 **What do you think?** Does understanding the Biblical imagery and poetry behind a hymn change the way you sing it?

👍 Like this post if you found it helpful.
💬 Share your thoughts in the comments.
🔄 And please share it with others who might enjoy digging a little deeper into the meaning behind the songs we sing.

09/08/2026

🎶 Music in the Book of Revelation 🎶

In his vision, John sees angelic beings and the souls of the faithful holding harps and singing (Revelation 5:8-9; 15:2-4).

If it was okay for them to play and sing, then why can’t we do that in church?

📖 First, this is not a great comparison.

John is describing events in the throne room of God (Revelation 4:1-2). A couple of chapters later, in the same vision, we find souls under an altar (Revelation 6:9-11).

Clearly, this is not a regular Sunday morning church service.

📖 Second, we need to tread carefully in Revelation.

John is using highly symbolic language.

In chapter 15, the souls of the faithful are holding harps and singing, but in the previous chapter John says that their singing sounds like harps (Revelation 14:1-4).

In chapter 5, the rising smoke of incense represents “the prayers of the saints.”

If incense is a symbol for prayer, then what do harps represent?

How about singing?

👍 If you’re finding this discussion helpful, like and share it so others can consider what the Scriptures say about worship.

⚠️ The point is this:

we are on very shaky ground if we think the figurative language of Revelation justifies the literal use of pianos, guitars, and drums.

If we are going to be über-literal about Revelation, then we would have to use harps, and only harps.

That sounds silly, because it is.

🙏 Worshipping God is a joyful but serious business.

To worship in truth and spirit (John 4:23) we need to be careful students of God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15).

– Trevor Major

💬 What do you think? Should the symbolic imagery of worship in Revelation be used to determine how Christians worship in the church today, or should our practice be based upon the instructions and examples given specifically to the church?

👍 Like this post if it encouraged you to think more carefully about biblical worship.

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments — especially the Scriptures you believe should guide our worship.

🔄 And please share this post with others so we can encourage more people to open their Bibles and examine these questions together.

09/08/2026

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Correct your kids because you care

Christians who lived in the first century knew that children needed discipline. The writer of Hebrews assumed that they had experienced this first-hand:

📖 “we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence” (Hebrews 12:9).

A number of references in the Book of Proverbs serve as a background to this New Testament instruction (3:11-12; 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14).

I make no claim to be an expert in child discipline. I am a son, son-inlaw, brother, brother-in-law, father, father-in-law, and a grandfather.

Along life’s way I have learned a number of things about disciplining kids. Many lessons I learned from my own poor choices as a father. Others I observed in the practice of other parents.

I have also heard a number of true stories about how parents deal with their kids. Some of those accounts are delightful, while others are real horror stories.

For what it is worth, I recently jotted down a list of principles for parents to consider when it becomes necessary to discipline their kids. The order in which I have listed them is irrelevant.

Here goes…

💛 • Give oodles of positive reinforcement for things well done.

Verbal pats on the back can help a child develop positive self-esteem.

Things like: “good for you,” “way to go,” “great job,” “we’re proud of you,” “we love you,” or “you’re such a good ____.”

It seems that the only things that some kids hear from their parents are negative, things like “No,” and “Quit it.” Those words definitely have a place, but kids need to hear positive things, too.

⚖️ Make the punishment equal to (fair for) the misbehaviour.

A teenage boy purposely hitting his little sister in the face with his fist is a more serious offence than his arriving home one minute after curfew, don’t you think?

If so, should not such action receive a more severe punishment?

👍 If you believe parents need both love and discipline in raising their children, take a moment to like and share this with another parent.

🗣️ • Watch your tone of voice.

Excessively raising our voice or using stinging sarcasm can cause our kids to resent us.

❤️ • Express disappointment when a child has misbehaved, but never refer to him or her using such terms as stupid, dumb, moron, or idiot.

🚧 • Set your rules/boundaries of behaviour, and keep ’em!

As soon as you do not enforce a rule that you have set, you immediately have the reputation of being a non-enforcer. Your words no longer carry the weight that they should, and that spells big trouble.

🙏 • Pray with your kids. Pray for them. Pray for them in their presence—

if you are willing to tell God how much you care about them and their lives, then that lets them know that you really do care for them.

That’s important.

– Roger Campbell

💬 What do you think is the most important principle when disciplining children: consistency, fairness, encouragement, controlling our tone, or prayer?

If this article encouraged you or gave you something to think about, please like, comment, and share it with others. ❤️ Parenting is a tremendous responsibility, and these conversations can help Christian parents encourage one another as they seek to raise their children with both love and discipline. 🙏

02/08/2026

📖 5 THINGS THE CHURCH WILL NEVER ASK YOU TO DO

The church of of our Lord wants to be a people who carefully follow God’s Book, for we know that only in that way can we honour the Lord and be pleasing in His sight.

📖 (Revelation 22:14)

With that in mind, there are some things that the church we find in the Bible will never ask you to do.

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1️⃣ The church of the Bible will never tell you that man’s way is as good as God’s way.

God’s way is always best, every time! His wisdom is far greater than man’s.

📖 (1 Corinthians 1:25)

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2️⃣ The church of the Bible will never tell you that God accepts every kind of worship, so it does not matter how one worships.

Jesus said that we must worship the Father in spirit and in truth.

📖 (John 4:23–24)

Several Old Testament examples remind us that some worship does not please Jehovah—for instance, Cain’s worship in Genesis 4. See also Leviticus 10.

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3️⃣ The church of the Bible will never tell you that since God is loving, we all have the right to live any way that we want.

God is love.

📖 (1 John 4:8)

But the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

📖 (1 Corinthians 6:9–11)

God is gracious, but He still expects us to practice self-control.

📖 (Galatians 5:22–23)

👍 If you believe the church must continue to stand upon the truth of God’s Word, please like and share this message so that others may consider these important teachings.

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4️⃣ The church of the Bible will never make light of trying to do exactly what God tells us to do in the Bible.

The Lord wants us to obey Him.

📖 (Luke 6:46)

Jesus said:

«“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”»

📖 (John 14:15)

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5️⃣ The church of the Bible will never tell you that the way to receive the forgiveness of sins is to pray “The Sinner’s Prayer.”

This is true because the Bible does not give this as the way salvation.

The Book of Acts records the history and doctrine of the early church, and contains pattern cases of conversion. It records the conversions of thousands of people, yet no one was ever told to pray to get into the Christ.

Instead, they heard, believed, and obeyed the gospel.

📖 (Acts 2:38; 18:8, etc.)

That is what we intend to tell the people of our generation as well.

✍️ – Roger Campbell

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💬 What do you believe churches today should do when popular religious teachings conflict with the pattern found in Scripture?

Please share your thoughts in the comments. If this article has encouraged you to examine the Scriptures more carefully, give it a like and share it with someone who may benefit from reading it. Let us help one another return to the Bible and faithfully follow the way of the Lord. 🙏📖

01/08/2026

❓ What’s in a name?

Shame. Teasing. Embarrassment.

That’s what Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii experienced as a child.

You may remember this story from 2008. That was the name given to a little girl in New Zealand. She was so embarrassed that she kept it secret, even from her closest friends.

A family court judge, Rob Murfitt, made the girl a temporary ward of the court so that her name could be changed.

In his ruling the judge stated:

«“The court is profoundly concerned about the very poor judgement which this child’s parents have shown in choosing this name. It makes a fool of the child and sets her up with a social disability and handicap, unnecessarily.”»

Basically, according to the Department of Internal Affairs, you can call your kid anything you want to, as long as the name won’t cause offence to a “reasonable person,” is unreasonably long, or resembles an official title or rank.

And it can’t include numbers or symbols.

So, yes, Kiwi parents have inflicted some strange names on their children, including a kid officially called Superman, but nicknamed 4Real.

💬 If this message has caught your attention, take a moment to like and share it with someone else.

Sadly, we grow up and get a name that can be blamed on no one else but ourselves.

It gives us a spiritual disability and handicap.

As a result of our own bad choices we are called:

🔹 Lost
🔹 Enemies of God
🔹 Slaves to Sin
🔹 Children of Wrath

Yes, sin ruins our reputations, disgraces us, and separates us from God.

📖 (Proverbs 14:34; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23)

But God wants to give us a new name.

✝️ This name, Christian, means “Christ follower.”

We are not sinless, but we are forgiven.

Our sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross so that we might have forgiveness of sins.

📖 (Ephesians 1:7)

We are given this new name when we:

🙏 Believe in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31)
↩️ Turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31)
🗣️ Confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10)
🌊 Are immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38)

The name Christian is a name which is to be worn honourably (1 Peter 4:16), for wearing that name brings the responsibility of living a life that reflects Christ.

Instead of Sinner, we can be called Saved because of Christ.

He will change your name if you will submit your life to Him.

Won’t you?

— David A. Sargent, adapted

❤️ Like this post if you are thankful for the new name Christ offers.

💬 What does wearing the name Christian mean to you in your daily life?

📲 Share this message so that others may learn how Christ can replace the name “Lost” with the name “Saved.”

20/06/2026

🎬 Universe Designed – Auckland Premiere

We've secured 20 tickets (they are free, but I wanted to grab some in case they all went) for our church family to attend the Auckland premiere of Universe Designed.

This documentary explores the evidence for God's existence through science, philosophy, and faith, and features a number of well-known Christian speakers and apologists. It should be an encouraging and thought-provoking evening for anyone interested in strengthening their faith or exploring some of the big questions about God and the universe.

We need numbers!

If you would like one of the church tickets, please comment below or send me a message so I can keep track of who is coming.

📅 Friday 17 July 2026
🕖 7:00pm – 9:00pm
📍 The Journey Church, Greenlane
🎟️ 20 church tickets available

If our allocation fills up, or if you'd rather book your own ticket, free tickets are available here:

https://shop.thinkingmatters.org.nz/products/auckland-film-premiere-universe-designed

Feel free to invite family and friends. It would be great to have a good group from church attend together!

Blessings,
Wade

FREE EVENT 7-9 PM | 17 JULY 2026The Journey Church, 1 Marewa Road, Greenlane, Auckland Universe Designed is a Christian apologetics documentary that explores how faith and reason come together to reveal the truth about God’s existence. Through in-depth interviews with some of the world’s leading...