Many of you will use this website primarily to access messages that you may listen to during the week. It is both humbling and gratifying to know that at some point this week you will take a jog or a drive or a break in the office chair and listen to the words here. We hope you are blessed and nourished.
SERIES: 12 personalities, 24 footprints, 36 months, 1 road
Message: the Andrew Effect
Reading: John 1: 35 - 42, John 6: 1 - 14
SERIES: 12 personalities, 24 footprints, 36 months, 1 road
Message: without the stuffing
Reading: Luke 17: 11 - 19
SERIES: 12 personalities, 24 footprints, 36 months, 1 road
Message: AKA
Reading: John 1: 29 - 42
SERIES: 12 personalities, 24 footprints, 36 months, 1 road
In technical terms, discipleship involves a three-year immersive internship under the wings of a Teacher who may as well have the entire Bible memorized, so overwhelming is his knowledge and wisdom. You and I would say, "I can't drop what I'm doing to follow this Teacher; that's too great a commitment." Except that this Teacher knows us, gets inside of us, and moves us with motivations that are not burdensome but winsome.
Message: Crossing Over
Reading: Mark 1: 9 - 20
SERIES: 12 personalities, 24 footprints, 36 months, 1 road
Message: On Foot
Reading: Genesis 1: 26 – 31
Labour Day Weekend
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3: 11 - 15
Message: Live. Laugh. Labour.
Series: Holy Hyperbole
The snake is an odd choice for a role model. It is such an obvious symbol in the Bible that we would expect Jesus to curse the snake, not commend it. That is true, except with regard to its shrewdness; the snake demonstrates cunning, craft and deliberateness. And those same things put to use for the Kingdom will gain a net yield and a commendation from the King.
Message: Shrewd as Snakes
Reading: Matthew 10: 1 - 16
Series: Holy Hyperbole
Jesus locked gaze with a woman who was clearly in need and when he finally opened his mouth to speak to her, he said the word, 'dog.' To be very clear, Jesus' interaction with this particular individual today would have sparked a #hashtag movement. The interesting thing is: she wasn't offended. Nor was it Jesus' intention to offend her, but to offend those who would either overhear this conversation or read about it later.
Message: Dog Under the Table
Reading: Matthew 15: 21 - 39
Series: Profession of Faith
"Every church has two rites of passage - a baptism and a dedication. In our tradition, often the baptism happens at infancy and the dedication (or profession of faith) as a rite of adulthood so that by the time the full responsibility of life, with its work and worries arrives, we have long forgot about the meaning of baptism. Jesus puts it into perspective by introducing us to a gardener who goes about his work with the steady trust and reliance of a child."
Scripture: Psalm 127; Mark 4: 26 - 29
Message: The Gardener and the Worrier
Series: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller
Both literalists and non-literalists can agree that a talking snake is an example of 'anthropomorphism' - the attribution of human characteristics to an animal or thing. The thing we are referring to, of course, is the invisible spiritual realm. What does the Bible say about evil in our midst and what kind of response should this elicit in us?
Scripture: Matthew 16: 13 - 28
Message: [Pt.7] Spiritual Realm?
Series: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller
It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God - such a narrow gate for people who carry with them so much stuff - that is, until they get good at letting go. Money is just one thing - perhaps the scariest thing - to imagine letting go of. But we know from experience that hangups about money often go much deeper, revealing hidden hurts and areas of vulnerability in our lives. How do we let go of those?
Scripture: Mark 10: 17 - 31
Message: [Pt.5] Sell Everything?
Pentecost is one of those things, we may imagine, that resulted from being in the right place at the right time. Before he ascended, Jesus left specific instructions: 'be in the holy city in a few days or you will miss out.' However, we know that missing out on Pentecost is not simply about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Spiritual revival is at one in the same time a gift, a miracle, a mystery, and not for the faint of heart.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14: 18 - 33 (The Message)
Message: No Pentecost without a Cost
Series: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller
Standing on this side of Easter, the question would seem to apply to Jesus: "where were you Easter weekend? As someone who has come back from the dead, tell us, what is it like?" That is, after all, the question we would ask of anyone who has peeked over the line between life and death and returned to talk about it. What does the Bible say about the destination beyond?
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - 18
Message: [Pt. 4] Intermediate State?
Series: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller
"Promises have fallen on hard times; they are both meaningless in the context of our political disillusionment, and so intensely meaningful that we fear forever-commitments made through promises. God does not suffer from either our disillusionment or fear of commitment. He makes promises to us as old as time and as relevant as ever. The Bible refers to God's vows as covenants."
Scripture: Genesis 15
Message: [Pt. 3] Covenant?
Series: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller
"Fortune cookies and horoscopes offer wisdom in such generalities that it applies to all people, everywhere, all the time. For Christians, that message is: 'today you will need to forgive someone.' In a world where retribution is the first law of human nature, forgiveness is a challenge for all believers, everywhere, in all times. Why is it so hard and what will help us re-engage the process of forgiveness?"
Scripture: Matthew 18: 21 - 35
Message: [Pt. 2] Forgive?
Series: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller
"Long time listener, first time caller would probably describe most of you. You have listened to sermons for a long time just as some preachers have preached for a long time. This time the tables are turned and it's you on the air, choosing the music; your voice, shaping the content and conversation. One of you called in this request: what is canon? Who decided which writings should be considered sacred and therefore gain entrance into the Bible? And did that person choose wisely?"
Scripture: Luke 24: 27 - 35; Hebrews 4: 12 - 13
Message: [Pt. 1] Canon?
Series: Easter Sunday
"The disciples spent much of Easter weekend in a locked room. This would be called the “bottle episode” in the unfolding drama of the Easter story. It’s a long scene with little movement as each of the disciples comes to terms with what happened on Good Friday. But when they emerge from the locked room, they are a group transformed with faith and power and boldness. Only one thing explains this transformation: something happened in that locked room – an encounter with the risen Christ."
Scripture: John 20: 19 - 31
Message: 'The Other Resurrection'
Series: Controversy was the Crime
"Every generation wishes to believe that we were the only ones who had to walk to school uphill both ways; we were the ones who worked the hardest, complained the least, and never had anything handed to us. And now you can understand how the generation of his day reacted to Jesus – after everything that they had worked for it seemed Jesus was just handing it out for free. "
Scripture: Matthew 20: 1 - 6, 13: 24 - 30
Message: Pt. 4 'Every Generation'
Series: Controversy was the Crime
"They found themselves on the wrong side of history. Like coal miners in the 21st Century, history passed by the religious people of the 1st Century. But not without a fight; one that reached its climax in the death of Christ. Jesus scandalized their religious rituals and traditions in order to place history on the side of those who embrace relationship instead; relationship with Christ, and one another."
Scripture: Hebrews 10: 1 - 18
Message: Pt. 3 'Kicking at the Obstacles'
Series: Controversy was the Crime
"Zach Morris was a preppie, Ferris Bueller was a troublemaker. Every high school has its distinct cliques and clans but that is not ideal - it is, after all, high school. Jesus united twelve individuals each from very different walks of life and formed something the world had never seen - a discipleship movement capable of far greater drama, beauty and transformation, than if we all remained in one clique or clan."
Scripture: Mark 3: 13 - 19, 31 - 35
Message: Pt. 2 'Kin, Clan, Clique'
Series: Controversy was the Crime
Scripture: John 2: 13 - 25
Message: Pt. 1 'Temple'
Scripture: Nehemiah NIV Introduction; Nehemiah 1
Message: 'not just another brick in the wall'
Series: Emoji
Scripture: Luke 7: 36 - 50
Message: Pt. 4 'Love'
Series: Emoji
Scripture: John 11: 17 - 37
Message: Pt. 3 'Grief'
Series: Emoji
Scripture: Psalm 103
Message: Pt. 2 'Fear'
Series: Emoji
Scripture: Genesis 18: 9 - 15; 21: 1 - 7
Message: Pt. 1 'Laughter'
New Year's Eve
Scripture: Esther 4: 9 - 17
Message: 'time' for Esther
Series: Follow the Star
Scripture: Luke 2: 1 - 7
Message: making space
Series: Follow the Star
Scripture: Matthew 1: NIV Introduction, excerpts
Message: the whole holy family
Series: Follow the Star
Scripture: 2 Peter 3
Message: the other advent
Series: Follow the Star
Scripture: Revelation 12
Message: cosmic Christmas
Scripture: NIV Introduction: The Book of Job; Job 2: 1 - 20
Message: ‘The Book of Job'
SERIES: "500" - top three ideas, 500 years later
Scripture: 1 Peter 1: 22 – 2: 3; 2 Peter 3: 14 – 18
Message: ‘always reforming'
SERIES: "500" - top three ideas, 500 years later
Scripture: Ephesians 1
Message: ‘loved you first'
SERIES: "500" - top three ideas, 500 years later
Scripture: Isaiah 40: 6 - 31
Message: ‘sovereignty'
SERIES: Sibling of the Seven
Scripture: Revelation 3: 14 - 22
Message: ‘three taps'
SERIES: Thanksgiving
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5: 13 - 20
Message: ‘beyond reason'
SERIES: Sibling of the Seven
Scripture: Revelation 3: 1 - 6
Message: ‘asleep in Sardis'
SERIES: Sibling of the Seven
Scripture: Revelation 2: 12 – 29
Message: ‘how did we end up here?'
SERIES: Sibling of the Seven
Scripture: Revelation 2: 8 - 11, 3: 7 - 13
Message: ‘the that'
SERIES: Sibling of the Seven
Scripture: Revelation 2: 1 - 7
Message: ‘your first love'
SERIES: Confined, but not solitary. Fastened, but free. From jail, with joy, love Paul.
Scripture: Philippians 4
Message: ‘the missing word and the secret'
SERIES: Confined, but not solitary. Fastened, but free. From jail, with joy, love Paul.
Scripture: Philippians 3: 1 - 14
Message: ‘Listicles and Other Rubbish'
SERIES: Confined, but not solitary. Fastened, but free. From jail, with joy, love Paul.
Scripture: Philippians 2: 19 - 30
Message: ‘Elder Epaphroditus'
SERIES: Canada Day 150
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7: 11 - 22
Message: the invisible Canada
SERIES: Confined, but not solitary. Fastened, but free. From jail, with joy, love Paul.
Scripture: Philippians 2: 1 - 18
Message: ‘running (better) on empty'
SERIES: Confined, but not solitary. Fastened, but free. From jail, with joy, love Paul.
Scripture: Philippians 1: 12 - 30
Message: ‘Paul's Cell Group’
SERIES: Confined, but not solitary. Fastened, but free. From jail, with joy, love Paul.
Scripture: Philippians 1: 1 – 11
Message: ‘Ragtag in Philippi’
SERIES: ‘What do we really mean when we say _______?’
Scripture: Acts 2: 14 - 41
Message: repent
SERIES: ‘What do we really mean when we say _______?’
Scripture: Luke 17: 20 - 25
Message: kingdom
SERIES: ‘What do we really mean when we say _______?’
Scripture: Genesis 3
Message: sin
SERIES: ‘What do we really mean when we say _______?’
Scripture: Luke 4: 14 - 30
Message: good news
SERIES: ‘What do we really mean when we say _______?’
Scripture: Ephesians 2: 4 – 10; Luke 15: 25 – 32
Message: grace
SERIES: Easter
Scripture: John 20: 1 - 16
Message: the only remaining theory
SERIES: Parable and Passion
Scripture: Matthew 22: 1 - 14
Message: not looking like that, you won't
SERIES: Parable and Passion
Scripture: Matthew 13: 31 – 35
Message: it’s gotta start somewhere
SERIES: From Parable to Passion
Scripture: Luke 13: 1 – 9
Message: give it time
SERIES: From Parable to Passion
Scripture: Matthew 21: 28 – 46
Message: beyond the road paved with good intentions
SERIES: From Parable to Passion
Scripture: Matthew 21: 33 – 46
Message: where’s the fruit?
SERIES: The Doomsday Clock
Reading: Revelation 12
Message: the view from Meggido
SERIES: The Doomsday Clock
Reading: NIV Intro: Revelation; Revelation 1: 1 – 3; 22: 16 – 21
Message: life in the last days
SERIES: The Inner Cynic
Reading: Ecclesiastes 12: 1 – 8
Message:Pt.6: before I sign-off
SERIES: The Inner Cynic
Reading: Ecclesiastes 9: 1 – 12
Message: Pt. 5: who could have predicted?
SERIES: The Inner Cynic
Reading: Ecclesiastes 4: 4 – 12
Message: Pt. 4: your hands
SERIES: The Inner Cynic
Reading: Ecclesiastes 3
Message: Pt.3: for all a time and a time for all
SERIES: The Inner Cynic
Reading: Ecclesiastes 1: 12 – 2: 11
Message: Pt. 2: the grand undertaking
SERIES: The Inner Cynic
Reading: Ecclesiastes 1: 1 – 11
Message: when there’s nothing new under the sun
SERIES: “From Fullness to Emptiness (and Back Again)”
Reading: Ruth 4: 1 – 13
Message: the first Christmas in Bethlehem
SERIES: “From Fullness to Emptiness (and Back Again)”
Reading: Ruth 3: 1 – 13
Message: cross the threshing floor
SERIES: “From Fullness to Emptiness (and Back Again)”
Reading: Ruth 2: 1 – 10
Message: the door
SERIES: “From Fullness to Emptiness (and Back Again)”
Reading: Ruth 1: 1 – 18
Message: in anticipation of the last word
SERIES: Year of the Yubel
Scripture: Luke 15: 11 – 24
Message: [Pt. 2] The New Yubel
SERIES: Year of the Yubel
Scripture: Luke 4: 14 – 30
Message: [Pt. 1] Time to Sound the Yubel
SERIES: BIG
Reading: Romans 12: 1 – 8 (The Message)
Message: Pt. 4: Big Reform
Series: BIG
Message: Pt. 3: Big Book
Scripture: Luke 10: 25 – 29
SERIES: BIG
Message: Pt. 2: Big Gifts
Scripture: Ephesians 2: 1 – 10
SERIES: BIG
Reading: Isaiah 45
Message: Pt. 1: Big God