New announcement. Learn more

End of all thingsComing of Jesus1 Peter 4:7Church Street Bible ChapelGod's timingGod is with usWinter experiencesPsalm 22:1Feilding Bible ChapelPreaching trainingConfidenceLamentations 4:17Stand FirmHeretaunga Community ChurchRowley Bible ChurchGod's graceClimateWeatherLamentations 4:13Youth CampChurch communityRevelation 7Jesus' righteousnessGod's judgementLamentations 4:21Father's DayTuvalu Brethren AssemblyMatthew 26FriendPathways Bible CollegeDeveloping leadersDig & DiscoverEvery peopleEvery languageEvery tribeEvery nationRevelation 7:9Women's retreatPastroLinkNew selfNew creationColossians 3:10Matthew 5:14LightParenting CourseDeveloping preachersColossians 1:4-5Māori Postal AotearoaTākaka Christian AssemblyKaikōura Gospel AssemblyMarlboroughNelson-TasmanServe like JesusAuckland SummitSchool holiday programmeBible conferenceChristian Korean ChurchAbrahamSustainerRevealerHeirHebrews 1:1-2HolidaysKids' programmeGiftEphesians 2:8-9Karakariki Christian CampAgora ChurchCommunicationWordTim CourseLongviewAshleigh TrebilcoGospel & CultureHebrews 10:19-22Nehemiah 9:6UnverseCreatorTorrey HiltonNelson SchonfeldtGreg BurgessWinter Bible SchoolWairakei Road Bible ChurchBryndwr Chapel1 Peter 4:9Leadership TeamDr Darrell BockChurch @ 109PastorLink RetreatSermon sharingChurches coming togetherOtago SummitCCCNZ TeamDr Murray HarrisNorthland2 Corinthians 7:5–6Matthew 26:39Halswell Community ChurchPaul WindsorTraining preachersLanghamGod's goodnessPsalm 103:1PraiseInvercargill Bible SchoolRomans 3:10-12RighteousnessSinMark van Wijk1 John 4:10SubstituteHawke's BayRegional GatheringThe Orchard ChurchGreerton Bible ChurchKylie BrownLifezone ChurchStaff DayDave BradleyTrustPsalm 146:3Luke 9:1Community outreachBethel Christian FellowshipWillow Park Christian CentreKakariki Christian CampWeaknessPowerBay of PlentyMen's breakfast1 Corinthians 2:2ConflictsChurches and campsColemanGrace ChurchLower North Island1 Peter 1:1PeterCitizens of heavenJobRedeemerGraham AshbyPrime Time ConferenceJH Baldwin ScholarshipForest LakesThe Anchor ChurchAlan ThompsonSydney Missionary & Bible CollegeManurewa Bible ChurchChurch campGrant BirksTroubleSydneyStewards AustraliaKatoombaMMMHoward RobinsonRoosevelt Road Bible ChurchRotoruaSisters HuiHuiAlan AitkenTe MaruThank youDan TylerBrian RopitiniNew Plymouth Community ChurchManawatūComfortHoly SpiritConsolationUnited with ChristRomans 6:5PreachingTheological studiesLincoln Road Bible ChapelNorth BeachThe EmbassyDeathOBH Camp ProjectStewards TrustStaff ConferenceEAUKSTestimonyWaitangiJoyTom McIvorPaul SamuelsGraduationIan PaynePapatoetoe Bible ChapelSalvationMatthew 1:21UnitedTītahi Bay Community ChurchEphesians 2:14KidsChristmas outreachMission Without BordersTōtara Springs Christian CentreManawarū Bible ChapelBearing fruitColossians 1:6Sefton MarshallFarewellStuart BayOnekawa Bible ChurchGod's willCalendarGlentunnel ChapelNick GoodwinKoinoniaGratitudeFellowship1 Corinthians 10:16 DunedinNew buildingCornerstone International Bible ChurchDoctrinePastoral Theologians FellowshipExamine ourselves1 Corinthians 11:28Children and FamiliesKaitaia Bible ChapelNextGen Summit1 Corinthians 11:27CommunionBethany TrustDoug BennFamily FiestaFinlay ParkNarrows ParkTotara SpringsRaleigh Street Christian CentreLight PartyRedemption ChurchMark DramaFenton Park Bible ChurchOctober 7IsraelHeretaunga Christian CentreLazarusLifeJohn 11:43Peter AllenGovernanceIan Elliott ScholarshipWhite SundayBaptismsWeepingJohn 11:33Holiday ProgrammeChurch-centric campingAuckland Leaders DinnerThe Street ChurchPathway Christian CentreBroderick Road ChapelVivian Street Gospel HallInternational ServiceChurch on IngestreGriefJohn 11:35Joel BirkinHolidays ProgrammeSouth IslandComfortedConfrontedJohn 12:5Growing leadersServing the communityInvercargillCelebrationThanksgivingFranklin Bible ChurchKing JesusHosanna!John 12:13Prayer breakfastWorking beeCrossGod's powerColossians 2:15North Beach Christian FellowshipTe Awamutu Bible ChapelCity to CityMoirs Point Christian CentreMangonui Bible ChapelCoopers Beach Christian Youth CampKaitaia Bible ChapeTōtara North Bible ChapelRaumati Crescent ChapelFar NorthJesus is LordCaptivated by ChristColossians 2:6Tim HodgeCCCNZ Board75th AnniversaryMissionaryMovement of the WordKaipaki Bible ChurchAlpha CourseDave FirthLast WordsHopeDavidPsalm 139:23Jesus knows usPathways CollegeLichfield LandsScholarshipsLiz HodgeSuffering ChristiansElisabeth ElliotRevelation 6:10CampsitesEl RanchoRoss BayMiCamp TaupōExodus 29:42Church-Camp PartnershipHousing ProjectOrwell Street ChurchEden Community ChurchPakuranga Christian FellowshipAnniversaryRukumoana MaraeKids programmeKelston Community ChurchPapakuraLive the gospelEmergency housingKarakarikiWhitioraNew ZealandActs 17:24FearIdolsActs 17:16Gospel MinistryChurch Camp PartnershipMararikiJob 9:9Ruth 1:20God's purposesMaraNaomiRuthHorsemenLambRevelation 6:1Rally NZTauwhare MaraeAGMRevelation 1:12-13HM RageJesus' salvationJohn 18:10Community connectionsYouth groupServing SundaysInvercargill Combined Bible SchoolFurnaceMatthew 26:46Matthew 26:42Police chaplainsHumilityPhilippians 2:7Known unto GodJohn 15:13Willow Park Christian CampKids CampLifeSwitchChurch @ CedarwoodKingston Community ChurchRomans 1:14-15Ambassador's WrapRomans 1:18God's wrathLakeland Park CampNorm and Liz SilcockRegional summitNorthgate Community Church1 Corinthians 1:18Sarah ChalmersStewardsDoors openColossians 4:4Genesis 1:12-13Ian RoweThird-Day GardensMatthew 5:16Natural disastersFamily campLighthouse ChurchChurches working togetherOrdinary peopleJohn 1:43John 1:29The LionThe LambWho are you?Who is He?John 1:21-221 Peter 1:13Psalm 13:11 Peter 1:1-2God's realitySober-mindedFrustrationPastorCampsCycloneCampsiteHowick Community ChurchHaggai 1:3-4Psalm 46:1God is our refuge and strengthLuke 2:10Good NewsIn the beginningJohn 1:1-5Luke 1:27Titus 1:9MarkLuke 1:28Psalm 31:1-5Romans 12:15Matthew 1:1Road to EmmausLuke 24:29John 20:16Mark 10:45Queen Elizabeth IIHorizon of HopeThe Mark DramaLamentationsGraceSecond windSwedish Method1-2-1 Bible ReadingPreach the WordRiccarton Community ChurchInternshipsPsalmsCreativityHoliday CampRiverbend Bible ChurchPaengaroa Bible ChapelPalmerston NorthChurch on VogelThe House Next DoorSchoolLaunchpadLifewalkAmos 5:8MatarikiBad GuysTitus 3:1-2Auckland Bible ChurchDarrell BockLeanne BrownCrossroads ChurchKaipara Bible ChapelDargaville Gospel ChurchMarsden Bay Christian Camp2 Timothy 2:21 Corinthians 1:18-31James 1:2-42 Timothy 2The Orchard Church Te PukeEvangelismChurchesSupport MinistriesEasterThe cross-shaped life2 Corinthians 1:8-9IsolationLast SupperWestChurchGeoff StarkUkraineRobert MitchellTasman ChurchChurch LeadersRevelation 2-4Psalm 31Ezra 31 Timothy 6:11-21Galatians 2:10The gospelThessaloniansAotearoa, NZEphesians 2Waitangi Day 2022Working TogetherCCCNZ AucklandAmatakiloa Bible ChurchTongan TsunamiLeslie ScottRebekah ReeveConnectionsSummitTop of the SouthEaster CampRegional ConnectionsCCCNZ Children and Family MinistriesRutland Street ChurchManawaru Bible ChapelYouth Reachout RoadtripWord of LifeConnectionPartnershipRichard DavisLawson ScottRegionalChristchurchEphesians 12 Timothy 2:1-131 Peter 12 Peter 1HarvestActs 8Psalm 24:1-2Acts 27:23–26Resurrection1 Corinthians 15:14Ezra-NehemiahPsalm 231 Corinthians 15:8-111 Corinthians 15:3-81 Corinthians 15:3-5CCCNZ PrayerHillcrest ChapelPeaceConflictWearyEldershipCOVID-19 Protection FrameworkWoven TogetherAnnual Report 2020-21FaithfulnessAPARichard FountainIndianChristian radioJeewan DhaaraPsalm 146Ambassador's BlogHeavy ladenEmily TylerBaptismWhitiora Bible ChurchLifeChurch ManurewaQSMNational CCCNZ Youth TeamRob MortonWhat Comes Next?BoardAbortion Legislation BillPandemicMark GraceResponsePhilippiansChurch response to COVID-19Church response to coronavirusCoronavirusCOVID-19Worship EnablerYvonne HengNorthcross ChurchGC3AppealBushfiresSophia McCrindleCCCAustAustralian BushfiresPacific CommunityAne PonifasioLui PonifasioQueen's Service MedalNew Year's HonoursPasifikaTāmaki Community ChurchThe Riverside ClubIdeasIntergenerational ministryMassey Community ChurchBirkenhead Community ChurchBitternessThe Greatest SaviourPrayer GatheringCCNZChristian Camping NZTeapot Valley Christian CampNancy Jean Forbes Training CentreWoodend Christian CampCanterburyChurch PlantingJackie MillarPrayingDanielle DiproseAdministrationFinance60 yearsCamp ministryChristian CampingLakeland Park Christian CampPreparationChristchurch Mosque AttacksHealingTraumaWhat's Next?Julie McKinnonUnityHospitalityCultural diversityOrosiusImmigrationTeenagersGiftsYoung leadersSummer SchoolChildrenParentsChildren and Family Ministries75 JubileeGirlsBoysNZ RallyRestCCCNZ PastorLinkGrowthOrewa Community Church2019God StoriesChapel Hill Community ChurchEncouragementFriendshipEldersSuccessionGod's faithfulnessGospelFireHope Community ChurchNelsonTogether Works BetterFIRST TrainingYouth SummitCampingCommunity MinistryChildren's MinistryRallyAuthenticityMillenialsMinistryYoung AdultsLeaving HomeStudentsCampusStudent ministry at OtagoUniversity of OtagoO WeekJesus ChristStudent LifeTSCFStudent ministryTreaty of WaitangiPākehāMāoriTreatySpiritChristianityWaitangi Day 2019ColombiaRosedale Bible ChapelSouthlandInternational StudentsTimaruChurch Street ChapelIan ElliottTeensCalledTauwhare Gospel ChapelCompassionWaikatoRefugee MinistryCambell ForlongCity Bible ChurchInternationalLiving GodGlobalisationDr Merv CoatesEngagingRongopaiMulticultural ministryHaggaiPlanningPrayerJeremy SuistedInconvenienceJosephMaryLoveSaviourO Holy Night LyricsLyricsChristmas CarolO Holy NightDiscipleshipClark Road ChapelVolunteerEducationCitizens Advice BureauTe Ao NgākauCommunity CentreJames 1:26-27OutreachMaungarei Christian Community TrustMt Wellington Community ChurchMurray BrownChrist-centredHealthy youth ministryYouth leadershipHukanui Bible ChurchBible readingFreshLearningDevotionsFamilyCommitmentBible in a yearCarolsLightsOnslow Community ChurchMusicTheologyPathwaysWorship leadingWorshipPathways School of Worship LeadingSOWLChristmas messageJesusEventsAucklandGlow in the ParkAdventChristmasSupportRespiteCareRetreatLeadersPastorsPastorLinkKerry RickardSpiritual formationCross-culturalChristianGap YearHeadspaceKiwi24-7 YouthWorkCommunityFaithYouthTrainingCCCNZ YouthYoung peopleChurchChristYouth ministryCCCNZScriptureLeadershipChristian CoachingCoachingBiblePaulFaithfulOrdinary ChristianExtraordinary GodComfort ZoneGodHadfieldMissionNZWellingtonRegional Enablers
TAGS

God, the Creator of the Matariki

Job 9:9

"Nana nei i hanga a Aketura, a Tautoru, a Matariki, me nga ruma i te tonga."

"He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south."

"O lē na faia Asa, ma Kisila, ma Kima, atoa ma ana o i le itu i toga."

Matariki points to the Mediator.

Matariki is the Māori name for the constellation of stars known as the Pleiades. In the Bible, Job declares, "God is the maker of the Bear and Orion, Matariki and the constellations of the south."

Job references the Matariki constellation as he ponders a question he asked in verse two.

"But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?”

Job continues to reflect on this question throughout the rest of the chapter. He lifts the veil on God’s character and power. Job proclaims God’s inscrutable wisdom.

In verses four through ten, Job gives us an incredible insight into God’s power. He says that God’s holy anger uproots mountain ranges, shakes the earth, and diminishes the intensity of the sun. God’s anger fills the atmosphere to the extent that the night sky is not seen. God’s anger is displayed powerfully in the environment.

Then, in verse nine of chapter nine, Job affirms that God is the creator of the Matariki, Bear and Orion constellations seen in the night of the northern hemisphere. He is also the creator of the constellations in the southern hemisphere.

Job follows all this with almost unsettling thoughts about this holy, powerful God. In verses 11 to 16, he asks: "Can God be stopped? Is his anger restrained? Who can answer the Lord? Who can summon him?" Job affirms that God is both just and the judge; God is both pure and powerful.

Notice that as he reflects on the character of God, Job is confronted by his own character. As he encounters who God is, he sees accurately who he is. And it doesn’t make for easy reading. He knows his life is fleeting and small in comparison with God.

Even in his blamelessness, Job can't compare to God's holiness. He knows God is good and he, Job, is guilty. In verse 22, Job answers his own question from the beginning of the chapter: “How can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?” They can’t.

Realising this, Job cries out for help. In verses 32 to 34, he writes, “He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, someone to remove God’s rod from me."

Job’s reflection on the creator of the Matariki constellation leads him to a startling realisation. God is so much higher than us, so much holier. We need a mediator. We need a mediator to bring us together with God.

Job senses in verse 32 that this mediator cannot be a mere human. Here in Job 9, Matariki points us to the mediator, the God-man, Jesus Christ.

Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:5-6 : "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people."

John Stott reflects on these verses, saying:

“Here, then, is the double uniqueness of Jesus Christ, which qualifies him to be the only mediator.

"First there is the uniqueness of his divine-human person, and secondly the uniqueness of his substitutionary, redeeming death. The one mediator is the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom. We must keep these three nouns together, the man, the ransom and the mediator.

"Historically, they refer to the three major events in his saving career, his birth by which he became man, his death in which he gave himself as a ransom, and his exaltation (by resurrection and ascension) to the Father’s right hand, where he acts as our mediator or advocate today.

"Theologically, they refer to the three great doctrines of salvation, namely the incarnation, the atonement and the heavenly mediation. And since in no other person but Jesus of Nazareth has God first become man (taking our humanity to himself) and then given himself as a ransom (taking our sin and guilt upon himself), therefore he is the only mediator. There is no other. No one else possesses, or has ever possessed, the necessary qualifications to mediate between God and sinners.”

This weekend's celebration is named after this very constellation, the constellation that Job uses to point out God's power and our need for a mediator. Matariki points us to our only mediator, the God-man, Jesus Christ.

By Mark Grace, CCCNZ Ambassador

Matariki: A biblically balanced approach to our newest public holiday

Earlier in the week I finished reading an outstanding 23-page booklet by Michael Drake called “A Christian looks at Matariki”.

I appreciate Michael very much. He has provided Godly leadership in Christian schools, churches and Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship in Auckland. His book is filled with gospel-hearted reflection and wisdom on our newest public holiday. I highly recommend it to you.

William Chong, (a young, evangelical Chinese church leader from Auckland, whom I also appreciate) writes in his review: “Michael Drake (Ngai Tahu) has done a great job at explaining the history of how Matariki became our country’s newest public holiday. He challenges us to think biblically and graciously about the festival and what is explicitly taught about it, and how we might use our Christian freedom to celebrate the Māori New Year in a biblical way."

Particularly helpful for me was Michael’s observation that for over 200 years, there have been Christian Māori who have acknowledged Matariki in a genuinely Christian manner. There is not just one Māori view on Matariki, but many.

Drawing from the lessons of 1 Corinthians 8, Romans 14 and other Scriptures, he suggests a balanced, biblical approach:

“While we have the freedom to celebrate any day in ways that make it truly special to the Lord, we are not free to celebrate it in any way that is not Christ-honouring or faithful to the Bible.” —Michael Drake, A Christian looks at Matariki (2023), page 12.

Read the online PDF booklet here

News from our Churches

A Night Around the World at Eden Community Church

Passengers gathered at Eden Community Church's cultural night on Saturday.

This year’s celebration theme was “A Night Around the World”. It was also a fundraiser for the Cooper family, who are heading to the Middle East.

“The idea was to replicate an actual flight and provide guests with a passport and dinner tokens once on board," said Meg Imai.

John Stephenson said, "The smiles gave testimony to a brilliant evening of culture and diversity." One musical performer said he was “blown away by how appreciative and happy the audience was."

Onboard, approximately 150 passengers were treated to Bollywood dancing, performances by Japanese taiko drummers, and Chinese fan dancers—to name just a few acts.

One of the elders, Pauliasi Valili said, "It was an amazing time. A couple of cultures were new to me." Another leader shared: "It was great to see so many people from the wider community, drawn in by the excitement and diversity."

Orewa Community Church farewells Murray Cooper

Ninety people came together at Orewa Community Church for a surprise celebration of Murray Cooper's fourteen-and-a-half years of pastoral service.

He now steps away from the pressure of full-time ministry but will continue to use his pastoral gifts at OCC.

The church gifts Murray Cooper something he has always wanted—a fishing Kayak!

Orwell Street Church Housing Project

It’s very encouraging to see how churches are working to help their communities and show the love of Jesus in practical ways.

This is the case with the housing project that Orwell Street Church in Oamaru has been involved in.

Church-Camp Partnership Bearing Fruit

On Sunday, 2nd July the church family at Mt Wellington Community Church celebrated seven baptisms.

Russell Grainger, pastor at Mt Wellington Community Church, writes:

“MWCC is very strongly camping-orientated in a number of ways. At the baptisms today, every one of the seven that got baptised mentioned involvement with a camp in one or more ways as a critical part of their faith journey. These camps included Willow Park kids camps, HM Rage, Easter Camp at Taupō, and our annual church camp.

"Be encouraged! Church-camp partnerships are alive and well and camping is still having a profound effect.”

We are very encouraged by Russell’s words, and we are also very grateful for the work that CCCNZ Camping Enabler, Richard Davis, does by encouraging camps and churches to work together to point people to Jesus through the gospel from the Scriptures.

Campers Get Royal Treatment at Willow Park

This week, more than a hundred campers and leaders gathered for the Willow Park kids camp.

With the camp theme 'royals’, Jerome Edwards, ministry leader at Willow Park opened the scriptures, exploring the lives and examples of a range of Biblical ‘royals’ like David, Esther and Saul.

Leaders have gathered at Willow Park from a range of Auckland churches, including Mt Wellington Community Church, Auckland Bible Church, Tamaki Community Church, and Manurewa Bible Church.

Prior to campers arriving on Sunday night, leaders attended the morning service at nearby Tamaki Community Church. It was a wonderful time of encouragement, prayer and worship.

In response to a recent update on Willow Park, Fred King shared:

“I finally surrendered to the workings of the Holy Spirit at the first boys camp at Eastern Beach in 1937, led by Skipper Charles Gauntlett. The speaker that Sunday night was James Burt”.

James Burt’s great-granddaughter, Ariana from Mt Wellington Community Church, has been running the LIT (Leaders In Training) programme this week at the Willow Park kids' camp.



 

This product has been added to your cart

CHECKOUT