Agora Church
Religion & Spirituality
About
Welcome to our weekly podcast from City Bible Church, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Episodes
- May 17th 2026 - Lord's Prayer 1: Our Father - Matthew 6:5-13 - Graham Carter
This episode of Agora Church features Graham Carter discussing "Our Father" from Matthew 6:5-13. Carter addresses common sermon approaches to the Lord's Prayer that can increase guilt, and aims to provide a more effective perspective on pr…
- The Sensate Pathway : Encountering God through the senses
- The Sermon on the Mount epilogue: Two ways; two trees; two foundations
The Finale First: A Sneak Peek at the Stakes this week, we did something a little different. We fast-forwarded to the end of the Sermon on the Mount to see where this journey is taking us. We dive deeper into the "how-to" of Jesus’ teachin…
- The Traditionalist Pathway: Following God in Ritual & Symbol
This Sunday’s message explored the traditionalist pathway and how God can meet us through patterns and practices that reorder our days around His presence. We draw on Romans 12, we reflect on tradition not as empty ritual, but as a living…
- Easter: The great Reward
- Extraordinary Prayer
- The Beatitudes -The Invitation to Fasting
This Agora Church episode, "The Beatitudes - The Invitation to Fasting," examines how God initiates change for blessing and use, referencing biblical examples like Matthew 9:16-17 and Gideon's army. It suggests responding to change by draw…
- Salt & Light: Influence and Purpose
This Agora Church episode examines Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, exploring the concepts of being the salt and light of the world. It discusses the meaning for today and reflects on historical examples of Christians influencing the world.
- The Beatitudes -Blessed are the Peacemakers & Persecuted
This episode of Agora Church discusses Jesus's teachings on peacemakers and persecution, referencing Matthew 5:9-12. It addresses the paradox of being blessed for persecution and acknowledges the reality of Christian persecution worldwide,…
- Blessed are the Merciful & the Pure in Heart
This episode of Agora Church, continuing through the Sermon on the Mount, examines the concepts of mercy and purity of heart. It explores how these qualities reflect the Kingdom of God and influence one's relationship with God and others.
- Sacred Pathways - Sacred Pathways: Introduction and Overview
This episode introduces Sacred Pathways, a framework by Gary Thomas. It emphasizes that God designed each person to connect with Him uniquely, encouraging listeners to discover their natural ways of staying connected to Christ.
- The Beatitudes - Blessed are the Meek & the Hungry
This episode of Agora Church continues the series on the Beatitudes, focusing on Jesus's words in Matthew 5:5-6 regarding the meek and the hungry.
- The Beatitudes- Blessed are the Poor & Mourners
This episode examines the Beatitudes, specifically "Blessed are the Poor in Spirit" and "Blessed are those who Mourn." It explores the concept of "Blessed" from the Old Testament to Jesus' teachings on the mountainside.
- The Beatitudes - Before Jesus Began
This episode introduces a new teaching series on the Sermon on the Mount, covering Matthew Chapters 5-7. It also provides a preview of upcoming plans for Agora in 2026.
- Myrrh
This Agora Church episode examines Myrrh, the third gift from the Wisemen. It also explores a fourth, more significant gift that is frequently missed amidst the holiday season.
- Gifts of the Wisemen - frankincense
This episode of Agora Church focuses on the gift of frankincense from the Wisemen. It connects this gift to Jesus's role as a high priest, capable of addressing challenges, including the influence of the evil one.
- Christmas Series - Gold
This episode of the Christmas Series discusses the gift of gold given by the Magi to Jesus. It delves into the profound meaning behind this unusual gift for a child and considers its implications for listeners, prompting reflection on whet…
- Paul's lessons on Discipleship
This episode covers Paul's final words from prison, emphasizing the importance of discipleship and perseverance through the examples of a soldier, athlete, and farmer.
- Equipping Others - Multiplying disciples
This episode discusses the concept of being an example or model in ministry, drawing from 1 Corinthians 11:1. It explores the key components of Jesus and Paul's ministries and clarifies the meaning and expectations of being a disciple and…
- Renewal Of The Mind
As disciples of Christ, Paul calls us in Rom 12, to not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of our minds so we might know what God’s will is. this Sunday, we considered how are our minds are renewed, and what we sh…
- Building up the Body - Growing in unity and maturity
Unity is elusive. It is uncommon in much of the world and, unfortunately, also among Christians. Why do we have so many denominations? Perhaps it is because we all think that we are right. Jesus' prayer for us (John 17:20-21) was: I pray a…
- Imitating Christ - Living with Christ's humility and mindset Oct 26 2025
we explore from Philippians chapter two what it means to live with Christ's humility and mind-set. This chapter has been described as the high mountain top of Paul's explanation of exactly what Christ has done for us and what that therefor…
- Paul’s Vision for Discipleship - Follow me as I follow Christ
we're launching a brand new series: Discipleship According to Paul! We'll start by taking a quick look back at our journey this year, then look at Jesus's discipleship method and how they were adapted by Paul for the early church. This mes…
- Living as a Witnesses- What Do We Do with the Gospel
we had the final part of our two-part series titled 'Living as a Witness - What do we do with the Gospel'. This series aims to clear up a good deal of misunderstanding about what being a 'witness' really means and offers insight into to wh…
- Discipleship according to Paul - Living as Witness1
This Sunday we start a two week mini-series entitled 'Living as a Witness - What do we do with the Gospel'. There is a good deal of misunderstanding and apprehension about what 'witness' means, and it is very important we clear this up bec…
- Galatians - Conclusion
In his concluding words, Paul underscores the significance of boasting solely in the cross of Christ, rather than in human achievements or through practicing the Law. He draws a distinction between his own experiences of suffering for the…
- Sowing and Reaping
This Sunday we are in Galatians 6:6-10 and we're nearing the end of our series. Here Paul writes about one of the great biblical themes of the Bible: How to be blessed by God, both in this life, and in the next. This was taught by Jesus, a…
- Bearing Each Other's Burdens
Who is truly responsible for caring for those who are struggling in our church? In Galatians 6, Paul calls us to live out our freedom in Christ not in isolation, but through gently and humbly helping one another — especially when the weigh…
- Galatians - How Do You Keep Free From Sin
Last week, we began with the question: Are you truly free? This week, we take the next step. If freedom isn't what our culture often portrays (a life without limits), then what does it actually look like in our daily lives? The Apostle Pau…
- Gospel Freedom
Are you free? This is a topic we looked into as we continue delving into Galatians. How did this question apply to Galatians, and how does it still apply to us today?
- Galatians - Slaves or Free
"Is my faith enough?" It's a question that can lead to anxiety, tempting us to take matters into our own hands—to add our own efforts to our faith, or even try to manufacture a spiritual outcome. This isn't a new struggle. The early church…
- Galatians - The Law and the Gospel
As we explore Galatians 3:15-25, we will examine the enduring significance of God's promise to Abraham. We will also consider why the Law, introduced later, did not invalidate that promise but instead served a vital, albeit temporary role.…
- By Faith Alone
The Bible can seem overwhelming like a whole lot of information and rules that seem to contradict each other, but it all boils down to understanding that almighty God wants an intimate relationship with the creatures He created and those l…
- Justification By Faith
The scripture passage for this week begins with Paul describing how he opposed Peter to his face. This is the Paul who elsewhere exhorts believers to put on kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. We should be forgiving one another and…
- Galatains - Only one Gospel
We continue our journey through Galatians. We'll be in Galatians 2:1-10, examining how the early apostles, despite their differences, united around the singular message of the Gospel. Come and hear what this means for us today as we seek u…
- What is a Christain
we continue with our series, entitled 'The Good News of Grace.' We will look at the latter part of chapter one where we will see Paul talks about how the essential nature of subjective Grace is integral to objective Truth in a way perhaps…
- Galatians 1:1-10
We start a new series in the letter to the Galatians, entitled 'The Good News of Grace'. This short letter had a major impact on Western Civilisation, and will also have a major impact on us, as we study it together over the next few weeks…
- Reflecting on the Practises of Discipleship
This Sunday we reflected on the Practises of Discipleship that we have learnt about in recent weeks. For part of our time together we will be in small groups discussing some questions relating to these practises.
- Mediating On Scripture
What is mediating on the Scripture, why is it important and how do we go about fitting it into our busy lives?
- Generosity and Service
Today we will look at the one investment that cannot fail us, and how we can grow that investment through being generous with our possessions and our service. Oh and yes, our money (that's a possession too). Unlike other investment seminar…
- True Contentment through trusting God - Psalm 23
What does it really mean to be content? Contentment seems so counter-cultural in a world that is constantly challenging us to not be satisfied. This week we look at Psalm 23 and how David can teach us to find true contentment in God.
- Sabbath Rest
Is the Sabbath still relevant today? Why would God make a law about rest? This Sunday, Al has led us as we explore what the Sabbath is all about and why it might just be more important than we think. Join us as we unpack the purpose and pr…
- Mother's Day Special
On the 11th of May in was Mother's Day, the church go hear people talk about their mother's
- Fasting for Renewal
we take a look at fasting. Is it still for today? Or is it only for those crusty old Pharisees who Jesus wasn't too impressed with? Willy will share through the video about how prayer and fasting has brought break-throughs in his ministry,…
- Willy Florian Shares With Us
Willy Florian from Tonga is back with us. If you remember him from last year you'll remember what a blessing and inspiration he is.
- He Is Risen Indeed
Easter! A time when we reflect on Christ's death on a horrible Cross, to overcome sin and the death we deserve. But what about his resurrection and ascension? In John 14:2-3 Jesus tells us he has gone ahead to prepare a place for us. And i…
- Children's Service
- Learning to love like Jesus
Among all the values we hold as individuals and as a church, Jesus issues one supreme command to His followers: love others as He has loved us. We'll examine this defining mark of discipleship - how Christ-like love identifies us, distingu…
- The Cost of Discipleship
Today we’ll explore one of Jesus’ most challenging invitations: “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” We’ll unpack this offer of discipleship and reflect on its cost. Does it have anything…
- Abiding in Jesus
What does it mean to truly abide in Jesus? What kind of fruit does He desire from His vine, and what does it mean to be pruned? Al leads us as we explore these questions together, diving into what it means to remain in Christ and bear last…