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From the Pulpit

From the Pulpit

By Oakridge Bible Chapel

Weekly sermons from Oakridge Bible Chapel.
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The Power of Jesus' Name

From the PulpitJul 09, 2018

00:00
32:49
The Theology of the Apology

The Theology of the Apology

The Bible exhorts us to strive for peace, so far it depends on us (Romans 12,18). Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation where we offended, hurt or willfully sinned against someone else, where we need to apologize. Both apologies and forgiveness start in the hart, where a change of heart is needed for the offender, and the heart of the offended needs to be moved (that is what compassion is). Yet, how can we be sure that the words spoken as an apology reflect a change of heart and show true repentance? And does forgiveness depend on the depth of our repentance? In the parable of the Prodigal Son the Lord Jesus speaks to these questions in the context of sinners who repent and turn to God, with some practical applications for apologies and forgiveness between people.

Mar 28, 202453:37
A Resolution To Walk in God’s Way (Psalm 119:1–8)

A Resolution To Walk in God’s Way (Psalm 119:1–8)

Psalm 119 is a celebration of God’s word, its nature and purpose, its power and perfection, its necessity, sufficiency, reliability, and veracity. The Hebrew word for law, torah, is used thirty-six times in the Psalms, twenty-five of which are found in this particular Psalm. Add to that the many synonyms the author employs—God’s word, ways, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, and judgements—and God’s word is explicitly mentioned 178 times in its 176 verses.

And while one might expect that a passage about God’s word would include a call to obey God’s word, there isn’t one. Instead, readers are given a model to obey not a command to obey. The psalmist, throughout this lengthy acrostic poem, presents himself, not as one in grim, slavish obligation to God’s law, but as one who loves and delights in God’s law, inviting all of God’s people to join him in his resolution to walk in God’s way.

Mar 19, 202440:46
A Poem Celebrating God's Foreverness (Psalm 111:1–10)

A Poem Celebrating God's Foreverness (Psalm 111:1–10)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a theologian who grew up during WWI. His older brother was killed in battle and his mother was irreparably shocked by the loss. Fear and morbidity filled their home. To cope with those years, Dietrich, along with his twin sister, Sabine, would put themselves to sleep each night thinking about heaven, repeating into the darkness a single word: eternity. They wanted to make it their only thought as they fell asleep. When he turned twelve and was given his own room, Dietrich would lie in his bed and tap the wall that separated the twins. It was his signal to his sister that meant, “Think of God. Lift your mind to heaven. Think of eternity.”

We too face much in our present world that can break our hearts, cause us fear, and steal our sleep. But Psalm 111 knocks on the bedroom wall of our lives and reminds God’s people to think of God, to lift our minds to heaven, and to think of eternity.

Mar 11, 202439:59
A Prophecy About a Coming King-Priest (Psalm 110:1–7)

A Prophecy About a Coming King-Priest (Psalm 110:1–7)

Every good and effective government must provide both laws to govern its citizenry and courts to represent its citizenry. If laws are absent, unarticulated, or unenforced, there is anarchy. If courts are corrupt, powerless, or inaccessible, there is tyranny.

God’s government promises both infallible regulation and unending representation for the good of its people. Foreshadowing this reality in the past, God gave ancient Israel kings from the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:10; Ps 60:7) and priests from the tribe of Levi (Ex 29:9; Deut 18:1–8), the former bringing divine authority to earth and the latter bringing human frailty to heaven.

But in Psalm 110, David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, predicts a coming time when these two necessary offices will reside eternally and perfectly in a single person. (Spoiler: he’s talking about Jesus!) God’s people need to be governed by God and represented before God and this psalm declares that that time is coming.

Mar 06, 202438:00
A Call To Worship Our God the King (Psalm 96:1–13)

A Call To Worship Our God the King (Psalm 96:1–13)

Worship is a central tenet, activity, posture, and goal for all believers. As one author has suggested, “Christian worship is the response of God’s redeemed people to his self-revelation that exalts God’s glory in Christ in our minds, affections, and wills, in the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

However we define and articulate this important concept, one thing must be clear: ultimately, worship is not about us—it’s about our God the King. Worship starts with God and responds to revelation from God. It’s directed at God in ways appropriate for God. Worship is empowered by God, brags about God, and is offered by those who belong to God as they’re drawn toward God to be made more like God. Worship is not about us. It’s about him. It’s our response to his beauty and mercy, his integrity and activity, his transcendence and his nearness. And Psalm 96 calls us to that type of worship, reminding us who we’re to worship, why we’re to worship, and how we’re to worship.

Feb 26, 202440:11
A Corporate Prayer for Corporate Pardon (Psalm 85:1–13)

A Corporate Prayer for Corporate Pardon (Psalm 85:1–13)

It’s hard to grow, improve, or mature without first being honest about the need for growth, the room for improvement, and the areas of immaturity. 

Being realistic is important for those who want to progress and, as a church family, that is exactly what we desire. We want to become a congregation that is used by God to lead more and more people from darkness into light. We want to be a people so being filled with the Holy Spirit that wounded, battered, discouraged, and questioning Christians can come and find healing care and restorative grace. We want to be an assembly that God increasingly uses to build up soldiers for Christ, strong, wise, and equipped for battle and to deploy those troops into the fray with surging effectiveness. Any church family that longs to grow in these tasks needs to be honest about ways they are failing, falling short, or being disobedient, and where they desperately need God to intervene, forgive, and restore.

Feb 21, 202435:54
A Psalm for Godly Habits (Psalm 34:1–22)

A Psalm for Godly Habits (Psalm 34:1–22)

The psalms are songs about life, sacred songs, but commentaries on life. The ups and downs, the good and the bad, the joys and sorrows. They afford so much wisdom about life as it was meant to be lived. They tug at our hearts, they challenge our ways, and they teach us good and godly things. Many of them were written by David, the king of Israel, as is Psalm 34. In it, he speaks of several godly habits. A habit is a repetitive behaviour, one that by its repetition requires less intention and planning. It thereby streamlines our day. 

For instance, I have a breakfast habit, the same breakfast every day. So I don’t have to get up in the morning and ponder the question, What shall I eat this morning? Without much mental stressing, I make the toast, put peanut butter, honey, and banana slices on it and then eat it along with a cup of coffee to wash it down. If you want the recipe I will gladly share it with you! So, breakfast is done!  Now on to issues which may require more deliberate planning. 

Habits can be good and habits can be bad. Perhaps at the outset of this year, you made a few resolutions, to get rid of some bad habits and to institute some good ones. How are you doing?    

The Christian life goes better when I have several good and godly habits, and repetitive behaviours that form the structure of my day. This is what David learned and this is what he shares in this Psalm.

Feb 21, 202440:55
A Prayer for Pardon from Personal Sin (Psalm 51:1–19)

A Prayer for Pardon from Personal Sin (Psalm 51:1–19)

After the predictably horrible reign of Saul, God hand-picked David to succeed him as king of Israel (1 Samuel 13:14). And David loved God, worshipped God, served God, and represented God. By all earthly measurements, David was a great man. But, as 2 Samuel 11:1–12:12 demonstrates, even the greatest of people still sin, sometimes dramatically. No one—no matter how mature they are in the Lord, how knowledgeable they are about the Lord, or how useful they’ve been to the Lord—is immune to temptation, disobedience, and moral shipwreck. 

We may never steal someone’s spouse or conspire to have someone killed as David did, but we all rebel against the God we claim to love. The question is, what do we do when we do? How should we respond to our own trespasses? How do we process our personal immorality and the accompanying guilt it brings before our God? Psalm 51 gives us a guide.

Feb 07, 202444:33
A Song to Celebrate and Anticipate the King’s Marriage (Psalm 45:1–17)

A Song to Celebrate and Anticipate the King’s Marriage (Psalm 45:1–17)

Weddings can be beautiful and meaningful events. Friends and family are gathered, happiness and love are expressed, promises and prayers are offered. Even on the surface, these events are celebratory and significant. But the beauty and meaning of a wedding runs far deeper than many people understand. From a biblical perspective, a wedding (and the marriage that ultimately follows the wedding) is hugely significant and symbolic as it honours God’s presence, points to God’s character, demonstrates God’s faithfulness, and declares God’s love. On the surface, they’re beautiful. Digging deeper, they’re more wonderful still. 

On the surface, Psalm 45 is a song celebrating a royal wedding and the love between a king and queen of Israel. But the beauty and meaning of this song and the event it commemorates runs much deeper as it also anticipates a royal wedding in the future.

Jan 29, 202436:08
A Psalm To Say "Thank You" to God (Psalm 30:1–12)

A Psalm To Say "Thank You" to God (Psalm 30:1–12)

The Scottish novelist, Robert Louis Stevenson, once said, “The person who has stopped being thankful has fallen asleep in life.” In other words, even in the darkest moments of life there is always something for which people can be grateful and to not recognize that is to be knowingly or ignorantly unconscious. 

Now, if that’s true in general, how much more for God’s people in particular? Are we not totally forgiven? Are we not kept near the Father through the Son by the Spirit? Are we not loved beyond comprehension? Are we not headed toward everlasting paradise? Surely Christians can amend Stevenson’s sentiment and say with confidence, “The people of Godwho have stopped being thankful have fallen asleep in life!” 

But sometimes we need a reminder because the years can bring difficulties and sometimes we need a model because we forget how and why to say “thank you” to God. Psalm 30 provides both.

Jan 22, 202437:05
A Psalm of Confidence in God's Presence (Psalm 27:1–14)

A Psalm of Confidence in God's Presence (Psalm 27:1–14)

“He loves me, he loves me not. She loves me, she loves me not.” It’s a familiar and simple game. By alternating those statements while plucking pedals from a flower one-by-one, an individual seeks to discover whether their affection for someone is, or will be, reciprocated. Ultimately, it’s an exercise in hopefulness and powerlessness. 

Following the Lord through the ups and downs of life can feel similar: “He loves me, he loves me not. He’s with me, he’s with me not. He protects me, he protects me not.” Back-and-forth, over mountaintops and through valleys, sometimes feeling hopeful and sometimes feeling futile. But this isn’t something new for God’s people. Even the great David found himself playing this game, alternating between faith and fear, confidence and cowardice, trust and tears. But David also knew how to win the game—how to, despite the circumstances of his life, always pluck the last pedal and declare, “He loves me! He’s with me! He protects me!” And we want to learn how to do that too.

Jan 17, 202436:23
A Prayer for When Life Feels Like War (Psalm 3:1–8)

A Prayer for When Life Feels Like War (Psalm 3:1–8)

Bad things happen to good people, even to God’s people. Belonging to Jesus Christ does not inoculate us from sadness, loneliness, and stress. Following the Lord does not ward off financial insecurity, relational hostility, emotional misery, and physical injury. The gift of eternal life in the ever after does not guarantee a long life in the here and now. Many of us know biblically—and all of us know experientially—that trials and tribulations arise regularly. 

We live in a sin-cursed world full of sin-stained people and, because of that, bad things happen to good people, even to God’s people. The question becomes, is there a way to endure those terrible hardships, lamenting their existence but, at the same time, trusting in God’s deliverance? What can God’s people do when life feels like war? Psalm 3 provides an answer to that question and model to follow.

Jan 08, 202437:05
Christmas According to Isaiah (Selected Scriptures)

Christmas According to Isaiah (Selected Scriptures)

This morning I want to go back in time together, before Christ on the cross and before Messiah in the manger, to a time of desperation, a time when the future for God’s people looked bleak and the hearts of God’s people seemed black. 

Dec 24, 202331:09
The Cost of Christmas and of Following Christ (Selected Scriptures)

The Cost of Christmas and of Following Christ (Selected Scriptures)

Christmas may be “the most wonderful time of the year” but it’s also one of the most expensive times of the year. One report estimates that an average household will spend almost $2500 this season on festive food, decorations, and gifts. But even beyond the financial cost, Christmas also can carry a relational cost with family tensions and social divisions being exacerbated. There can be an emotional expense with the season sparking loneliness, sadness, and grief. Finally, the holiday can take a chronological toll, jamming calendars with events, parties, and other time-filling, energy-stealing happenings. 

There’s no doubt that Christmas can be costly. It always has been, ever since the very first Christmas when “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” But it’s not just the birth of Christ that’s pricey. Following Christ is expensive as well. The question becomes, are these prices worth paying?

Dec 17, 202340:34
Wicked Men and Wise Men (Matthew 2:1–12)

Wicked Men and Wise Men (Matthew 2:1–12)

There are many words we could use to describe Jesus’s birth: miraculous, humble, anticipated, needed, epic, joyful, and merciful. But one word we cannot use is secretive. The coming of Jesus was not classified, hidden, or undisclosed. It was unmistakable, being both predicted before it happened and announced after it happened. And, ultimately, that leaves all people without excuse. The revelation of Jesus Christ puts all people to a decision: will we respond with rejection or adoration?

Dec 10, 202315:10
Restoring Hope (2 Thessalonians 2)

Restoring Hope (2 Thessalonians 2)

Hope is a wonderful thing. Hope is faith directed towards the future. It is confidence in what is to come. For Christians, our future is a glorious thing. This is the key teaching in the book of Revelation and it is the key in Paul’s epistles to the Thessalonians as well. Seven of the eight chapters in these two books highlight the coming of the Lord. All through these two letters, the Holy Spirit is wanting us to embrace this hope. It is what we need to strengthen us for living today.

Nov 27, 202336:41
The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ (Revelation 20:1–15)

The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ (Revelation 20:1–15)

From the beginning, God’s desire was to reign over his creation through a mediator. To that end, the King of the universe placed representative images of himself in his creation to fill his creation and rule his creation (Gen 1:26–28). But, alsofrom the beginning, Satan’s desire was to usurp God and set himself up as sovereign. He deceived God’s first kingdom mediators, prompting them to rebel against the King rather than represent the King (Gen 3:1). 

In spite of the catastrophic effects of this fall, however, the original plan was never abandoned and God promised to one day establish a pristine, curse-free, never-ending global kingdom (e.g., 2 Sam 7:12–13; Ps 2:1–8) within which he would dwell with his creatures and over which he would eternally rule through a perfect Mediator (e.g., Isa 9:6–7). Revelation 20 predicts that time, a future moment when King Jesus will stomp sin, restore what was lost, and sit on his throne.

Nov 19, 202339:24
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:1–21)

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:1–21)

At long last, the Apostle John is shown the culmination of God’s future wrath against and destruction of all sin. To this point it had been revealed that Jesus Christ—the Lamb who was slain and is, thus, worthy (5:6, 12)—will one day initiate, oversee, and enact righteous judgement upon the whole world. Natural disasters and unnatural disturbances, fear and famine, death, darkness, and demonism will be unleashed. While the church will be exempt from this time (3:10), those who come to faith during this time will likely be martyred (6:9–11). As the prophets predicted (Dan 12:1; Joel 2:2) and Jesus affirmed, it will be a season of chaos “such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will” (Matt 24:21). 

But it all comes to an end with two banquets, one of celebration and one of condemnation. And a study of these two future suppers can prepare God’s people today to partake in another supper, the Lord’s Supper, one of commemoration, purification, and anticipation.

Nov 13, 202336:57
Living for God in an Evil World

Living for God in an Evil World

A message shared by Lew Worrad on November 5, 2023 at Oakridge Bible Chapel.

Nov 05, 202338:04
"Fallen, Fallen Is Babylon the Great" (Revelation 17:1–18:24)

"Fallen, Fallen Is Babylon the Great" (Revelation 17:1–18:24)

Satan had just brought his antichrist and false prophet into the world to deceive and destroy (13:1–18) when John sees the Lamb standing unfazed on the heavenly Mount Zion (14:1–7). Harps are being played, songs are being sung, and gospels are being preached when, seemingly out of nowhere, an angel flies overhead declaring, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great” (14:8). What immediately follows is reverent celebration in heaven and more devastation on earth (15:1–16:18) before a similar refrain is heard: “Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of his fierce wrath” (16:19). 

With so much chaos being poured out on earth and on so many people, why does this ancient city receive a divine call-out? What’s so special about Babylon, how is she uniquely punishable, and what does her eventual fall have to teach the church today?

Oct 30, 202342:39
The Scene in Heaven and the Seven Bowls (Revelation 15:1–16:21)

The Scene in Heaven and the Seven Bowls (Revelation 15:1–16:21)

Throughout human history, God has stayed his hand of retribution, being “patient toward us, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). But God’s patience with rebellion does not mean forgetfulness of rebellion. In fact, Paul teaches that the unrepentant are “storing up wrath for [themselves] in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Rom 2:5). It is as though the sin in this world is building-up pressure like water against a dam until, one day, God will open his holy spillway, unleashing his just anger so as to punish evil, prompt faith, and bring restoration. Ultimate rest comes on the other side of wrath and perfect peace arrives after divine punishment. 

Revelation 15 and 16 mark the near-culmination of this time of great testing, a finish line that prompts celebration in the heavens, sends devastation upon the earth, illustrates the corruption of the human heart, and provides much-needed exhortation for the waiting church today.

Oct 22, 202337:43
The Lord Reigns and Restores (Psalm 146)

The Lord Reigns and Restores (Psalm 146)

A message shared by Nate Vellekoop on October 15, 2023 at Oakridge Bible Chapel

Oct 19, 202343:02
The Dragon's War, the Lamb's Victory (Revelation 12:1–14:20)

The Dragon's War, the Lamb's Victory (Revelation 12:1–14:20)

There’s nothing quite like a good comeback story. You know the type: when a person, group, or team seems so down-and-out, so defeated, and so oppressed and yet finds a way to climb back into contention, grab success, find safety, and even secure victory against all odds. These tales are surprising, satisfying, inspiring, and exciting. 

While it may seem near-blasphemy to call the eventual-and-total victory of Jesus Christ “a comeback story,” there are sections of Scripture that record the Lord snatching a big win from, what seems like, the jaws of defeat. For example, in Revelation 12 and 13, Satan has the upper-hand, the blue-chip players, home-field advantage, and is running up the score before, all of a sudden in chapter 14, Jesus says, “no more games” and dramatically and definitively turns the tables. For those who know the power and character of God, this is not a surprising comeback but it is satisfying, inspiring, and exciting.

Oct 08, 202337:20
Responding to God's Wrath (Revelation 8:1–11:19)

Responding to God's Wrath (Revelation 8:1–11:19)

When the glorified Jesus appeared to the imprisoned John, he told him, “write down what I’m about to show you and pass it on to my people” (ch. 1). In this message, after some pointed words to the churches in the present age (chs. 2–3), Christ turns his attention to the future (chs. 4–22). He takes the apostle into the heavenly throne-room, giving him a glimpse of the Father’s awesomeness, the Son’s faithfulness, and their all-together worthiness to be worshiped and trusted (chs. 4–5). 

The Lamb then starts opening the book containing God’s perfect plan for the resolution and redemption of all things, unleashing a storm of wrath (chs. 6–7), one that continues to grow in intensity. In fact, the seventh seal unleashes seven trumpets of judgement, each more dramatic, demonic, and emphatic than the last (chs. 8–11). And as they sound, John records the reactions of those who witness and experience their chaos. And it’s in their responses to judgement that God’s people today can find encouragement, conviction, and comfort.

Oct 01, 202344:15
Shelter From the Storm (Revelation 6:1–7:17)

Shelter From the Storm (Revelation 6:1–7:17)

In the early 1900s, it was not uncommon for over a million people each year to lose their lives due to natural disasters like floods and droughts, earthquakes and fires, tornadoes and landslides. Fast forward one hundred years and, in this past decade, the average annual death toll was less than 10,000. Why this dramatic improvement? Is it because there are less natural disasters today? No. The positive trend is largely due to the fact that humanity has become better prepared for the storms, more understanding of their power and behaviour, improved in anticipating their arrival, and more efficient at seeking adequate shelter when they hit. 

Revelation 6 and 7 is a storm warning. A big one is coming—a category 5 tempest of divine wrath, unprecedented in scope and power. At the same time, there is also an impenetrable shelter of grace that has been provided, an indestructible and eternal refuge for all who would climb inside.

Sep 24, 202340:08
Before the Throne of God Above (Revelation 4:1–5:14)

Before the Throne of God Above (Revelation 4:1–5:14)

Reading the fourth and fifth chapters of the Revelation of Jesus Christ can feel like stepping into the sun after hours in the dark. It takes time for our senses to process what it is we are being shown as our eyes, ears, and minds are treated to a glimpse heaven’s glory, joining the Apostle John in the witness of pure, untainted worship of the awesome Creator and Sustainer of the universe. At first, the scene can be overwhelming, what with creatures and crowns, thunder and thrones, singing and spirits. There’s a lot to take in! 

But, as the Holy Spirit helps our eyesight adjust to the magnificence of this text, its purpose becomes clearer: every magnificent detail of this scene is meant to highlight and spotlight what the King is like, was the Lamb has done, and their shared worthiness to be worshiped and trusted with the future.

Sep 17, 202341:32
The Start of a Look at the End (Selected Scriptures)

The Start of a Look at the End (Selected Scriptures)

People want to know the future and are quite creative in how they attempt to do that, reading tea-leaves and palms, examining stars and crystals, and studying playing cards and weather patterns. And this desire to peek beyond the horizon of tomorrow isn’t unique to our times. God warned about these methods at Mount Sinai (Lev 19:31), Saul dabbled in the practice during his downward spiral from Israel’s throne (1 Sam 28:6–7), and Paul encountered the lucrative practice of fortune-telling in Philippi (Acts 16:16). 

People have always wanted to know the future and, while there are clearly many sources to which many clamour for such information, Christians have the privilege of going to the One who is already there, he “who is and who was and who is to come, the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last” (Rev 1:8; 22:13). But, before starting a journey into such an exploration, some preparations need to be made.

Sep 10, 202343:32
Gifts From the Giver of Gifts (Selected Scriptures)

Gifts From the Giver of Gifts (Selected Scriptures)

How many here like gifts? How many of you enjoy Christmas when you receive those gifts? Most of you celebrate Christmas receiving gift for one day. I celebrate Chanukah where I receive gifts for 8 days,  with having a large family you can imagine how many gifts we get!! Its Wonderful!! 

What is a gift if you don’t open it? A gift is no good still wrapped up. A gift is no good if you don't use it or implement it. God has given us many gifts and so many of us don’t use the gifts we’ve been blessed with. Everyone here has a gift that we need to use for the Kingdom of God and the Body of Christ. 

The Gifts of the Spirit are important and an essential part of the church and our ministry. God does not give us the Gifts for a show of our power but to manifest His great power. We do not worship the “Gifts” or those used in a particular Gift. We worship the giver of Gifts (James 1:17). Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8 desired to purchase the Gift. His Spirit was not correct. He wanted this Gift for his selfish use, glory, and power. This is not the purpose of the Gifts.

Sep 03, 202342:29
The Convincing Work of the Holy Spirit (Selected Scriptures)

The Convincing Work of the Holy Spirit (Selected Scriptures)

God’s people have many needs and vulnerabilities but God’s Spirit has been given to help meet those needs and minister to our weaknesses. As rebels against God, we need saving, so the Holy Spirit regenerates, making believers new creatures who are born again from above. We need security in and assurance of that salvation, so the Spirit indwells us, seals us, and testifies to us that we belong to him. We need truth in a world of deception, so the Spirit teaches us. We need fellowship with our Saviour and with his people, so the Spirit unifies us. We need to be holy, so the Spirit sanctifies us. We need guidance and power, so the Spirit fills us, leads us, and prays for us. 

But there is another great need of humanity for which the Spirit was sent to address: the need for all people to be convinced of the serious nature of sin.

Aug 27, 202338:12
The Spirit Who Leads, The Spirit Who Prays (Selected Scriptures)

The Spirit Who Leads, The Spirit Who Prays (Selected Scriptures)

Living in a fallen world, it’s not uncommon for people—even God’s people—to feel disoriented and isolated, overwhelmed by choices and trials, decisions and disappointments, insecurities and uncertainties, hurts, fears, and loses. Sometimes the cumulative fatigue of such experiences, the emotional taxation of helplessness, and the dramatic intensity of uncertainty rises to such a level that even God, the only one who can ultimately bring guidance and deliverance, seems out of reach. 

It’s in these most dire circumstances that the Holy Spirit graciously ministers to those whom he indwells by showing them the way out of the darkness and by calling for help when they’re unable. It is when God’s children are at their most needy, most vulnerable, and most weak, that the Holy Spirit can lead the way and does help them pray.

Aug 21, 202333:41
The Holy Spirit and Sanctification (Selected Scriptures)

The Holy Spirit and Sanctification (Selected Scriptures)

If you have been with us in the past weeks, you’ll know that we have been doing a series on the Holy Spirit. Today we will continue that series with the topic of sanctification.

Our word sanctification comes from the latin “sanctus”, which means holy. In other words, today we will talk about becoming holy, and the role the Holy Spirit plays in that. Holy can mean blameless or pure, and often we define it by what is not: to be holy means to be separated from sin. If you think it about this way, than sanctification means to become more pure, become more blameless, to become more separated from sin. 

Aug 13, 202347:33
The Filling Ministry of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:1–21)

The Filling Ministry of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:1–21)

The filling of the Holy Spirit could rightly be considered the centre of his work in the world today—the hub to which his other ministries connect and by which his other ministries are rightly experienced. 

The Spirit has regenerated, indwelled, and sealed every believer. But it is the filling of the Spirit that helps us understand and celebrate those realities. The Spirit teaches. But it is his filling that empowers our recognition and reception of that education. The Spirit unifies. But it is when we are filled that we are able to appreciate and preserve that oneness. 

To say it another way, the filling work of the Holy Spirit does not cause his other ministries but it does highlight them, uncover them, and empower God’s people to experience them. And Christians need that for maturity. If the goal is growth in godliness, believers must have the Spirit’s power and we must experience the Spirit’s work.

Aug 07, 202342:03
The Unity of the Spirit: The Third Unity (Ephesians 1–6)

The Unity of the Spirit: The Third Unity (Ephesians 1–6)

Speaker: Jim Rennie

Series: God In Us: A Study of the Holy Spirit

Jul 31, 202345:09
Piercing the Darkness (Selected Scriptures)

Piercing the Darkness (Selected Scriptures)

Speaker: Lew Worrad

Text(s): Selected Scriptures

Topic: The teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit

Series: God In Us: A Study of the Holy Spirit

Jul 26, 202337:39
When the Holy Spirit Moves In (Selected Scriptures)

When the Holy Spirit Moves In (Selected Scriptures)

There’s a sense in which home ownership has two corresponding realities. There’s the objective reality. When the funds are confirmed and the mortgage is signed the house is owned. It’s a done deal. But there’s also the subjective reality. This is the process by which the owner grows in their experience of their ownership by moving-in, unpacking and renovating, and sharing their home with others. In these ways, the objective reality becomes increasingly experienced and enjoyed. 

Similarly, when an individual places their faith in Jesus Christ the payment has been made, the deed has been signed, and the Lord is now their owner. It’s objectively a done deal. But there’s also a subjectivity—a process by which believers can grow in the experience, enjoyment, and certainty their salvation by the work of the Holy Spirit as he moves-in to his new home (indwells), unpacks in his new home (seals), and shares his new home (testifies).

Jul 16, 202339:56
A Lost Host and a Saving Ghost (Selected Scriptures)

A Lost Host and a Saving Ghost (Selected Scriptures)

If you’re a Christian, whether you can fully remember it or not, there was a moment when you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for everlasting life. You may have been seven, seventeen, or seventy. It might have arrived suddenly or after much consideration. Maybe you were praying with a parent, chatting with a friend, listening to a sermon, or reading a book. Maybe you were at an evangelistic event or at home alone. 

Whatever the details, for all who belong to Jesus in the present, there was a moment in the past when, by God’s grace, you passed from death to life, from darkness to light, when “you who formerly were far off [were] brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph 2:13)! And today we want to acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s role in that moment and in the moments leading up to it. More specifically, we want to celebrate with gratitude the drawing ministry of the Holy Spirit and the regenerating ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Jul 09, 202334:26
Introducing the Holy Spirit (Selected Scriptures)

Introducing the Holy Spirit (Selected Scriptures)

The Bible teaches that there is one God existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—eternal in being, identical in nature, equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections, and worthy of the same worship, confidence, and obedience. Over the centuries, the Christian church has come to incapsulate this mind-bending, creature-humbling truth in a single word: trinity

Now, most Christians today eagerly worship God the Father and long to know and serve God the Son. But, relatively speaking, many are confused by God the Spirit. When it comes to the Spirit of God there’s often much we don’t know, things we wrongly think we know, and lots we’d still like to know. And, just as in our relationships with one another, the more ignorance that remains between us and our God, the more barriers to intimacy with our God. So, let’s get reacquainted with the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit, God in us.

Jul 02, 202345:25
God's Love Known and Shown (1 John 5:1–21)

God's Love Known and Shown (1 John 5:1–21)

Not long ago one of my sons was given a remote-control drone as a birthday present. While he had fun almost immediately, mastery of the device alluded him as he chose to ignore the instruction manual and, instead, was content to repeatedly crash it into walls, into the ceiling, and into his siblings. As soon as my son unwrapped that toy he became a boy who owned a drone and, while he enjoyed it to a degree, his experience of that gift was limited by ignorance to its capabilities and proper use. 

Christians, likewise, have been given a great gift, that of eternal life. Unfortunately, not all believers read the instruction manual and, thus, fail to learn the extent of this gift and how best to enjoy it. Instead, we can become a people who haveeternal life but who fail to experience and express that life to the extent God desires. The Holy Spirit, speaking through John, wants to help us avoid that tragedy in this closing and cumulative chapter.

Jun 26, 202339:47
Five Good Reasons to Love One Another (1 John 4:7–21)

Five Good Reasons to Love One Another (1 John 4:7–21)

In baking a cake, there are some ingredients that are more essential than others. While sprinkles aid ascetics and nuts add texture, it’s the eggs, flour, and sugar that actually make it a cake. 

The same is true of a healthy church family. There are many potential elements that can be added to the recipe but they’re not all of equal importance. While a building may add stability and significant attendance can bring excitement, it’s commitment to the gospel and submission to the word, prayer and evangelism, baptism and communion, discipleship and discipline, love of God and love of God’s people that make it a church. And it’s this last essential ingredient we’re going to examine at this morning—a love for one another. The hard reality is, if a church family fails to love one another it cannot be and do what God desires it to be and do. Familial love is the eggs, flour, and sugar of church life. It’s an essential, foundational ingredient.

Jun 18, 202333:18
Cutting Through the Cloud of Deception (1 John 3:24–4:6)

Cutting Through the Cloud of Deception (1 John 3:24–4:6)

God wants those who belong to him to experience intimacy with him. That’s why he calls believers to pursue holiness (1:5–2:2), obedience (2:3–6), and familial love (2:7–11; 3:10–23), not because that’s how we’re saved but because that’s how we draw near to him once we’re saved. God so desires that his children abide in him that he tells us to avoid worldliness (2:15–17) and sin (3:1–9), not because if we don’t we prove we don’t belong to him but because such rebellion kills intimacy. God so longs for his people walk in his light and love that he warns us to avoid false teaching (3:24–4:6), not because it can steal our salvation but because few things cause more damage to a relationship than deception. And, as John reveals in our passage today, there are lots of lies out there, falsehoods and half-truths about Jesus that can, if entertained and believed, destroy trust, breed anger and apathy, and prevent us from enjoying the Lord.

Jun 11, 202336:19
Retribution and Restoration (Joel 3:1–21)

Retribution and Restoration (Joel 3:1–21)

Imagine I told you we were going to have a conversation about classic story structure, and invited you to finish the following sentence: “and they all lived…” Exactly. We all know it. In most cases, we probably expect it. And while it’s obviously not true of every story, the opposites are infrequent or undesirable enough that “and they all lived terribly ever after” just isn’t a thing we say. 

Think of the last fictional book you read or movie you watched (ones that actually resolved the story, not the ones with the cliffhanger setting up for the sequel) and I can almost guarantee there was a scene involving the punishment of the “bad guys” before seeing the happy future for the “good guys”. Because in many ways, part of that happy ending involves this acknowledgement that the evil ones are getting what they had coming, fair retribution for what they have done to the world and to the protagonists themselves. We know in our hearts, even in our fictional stories, that bad things deserve punishment, and a “happily ever after” with evil still on the loose just isn’t “happy” or “ever after”.

As I mentioned a few moments ago, today we’re going to get to the resolution of the prophetic story in the book of Joel. And in that resolution, we’re going to see everything required for that proper “happily ever after”.

Jun 06, 202334:50
Delivered (Joel 2:18–32)

Delivered (Joel 2:18–32)

We’re into the final two sections of the book of Joel and we’re now in part of the book where it finally starts to take a turn for the positive, where God’s people have been challenged to repent, and we now get to see God’s response for when they do so. The last two weeks described judgement on God’s people in the southern kingdom of Judah, and called them to repentance for their disobedience, and it was fairly simple to make the connection to see how those texts could still be relevant and applicable for us today. A passage that calls for turning from sin and turning to God, all for the sake of his glory can obviously draw our mind to our own struggles, temptations, and disobedience and what we should do about them.

Today’s passage is a little less obvious, at least in my opinion, because the majority of the verses are focused on God turning from his punishment, showing mercy, and even blessing the very people he had just been disciplining. While God has shown us all mercy, particularly through the person and work of Jesus Christ, he is not necessarily going to bless us or relent of discipline in the exact same ways he did for his people in Joel. This is a specific story of God’s mercy and blessing, not a template, not a “if you do this, God will do that” scenario, necessarily.

Specifically, in today’s passage we’re going to see God offering deliverance to his people, relenting of his discipline and blessing them through meeting their physical needs after the army and the locust invasions. He then promises a future deliverance available to all people, where he will offer to meet their spiritual needs through the outpouring of his Spirit.

May 28, 202335:53
Tear Your Heart (Joel 2:1–17)

Tear Your Heart (Joel 2:1–17)

Sometimes in times of struggle, difficulty, or suffering, we act as though all we need to do is apologize and everything will be okay. Sometimes we look at the suffering God allows in our life or the discipline he’s putting us through as a combination lock just waiting to be opened, a code to be cracked. “If I just ask forgiveness for this sin” or “if I just read my Bible this much” or “if I just go to church this many times” or “if I just donate this amount of money” God will have no choice but to bless me and take me out of this pain and put me into better life circumstances. It may sound a little ridiculous, and many of us probably wouldn’t say those things out loud, but I know I’m not the only one who has had times where we’ve thought it, or acted as though that’s the way it is.

The reality is we are told in the Bible that God will sometimes use or allow to help us grow, mature, learn, and become more like Christ. So while it’s okay to ask God to help us with or even remove us from situations of suffering or discipline, to apologize, or to be brought to confession, repentance, or positive life-change by those circumstances, that doesn’t mean God immediately owes us a supernatural rescue for doing as we’re told. Saying sorry doesn’t mean we won’t face discipline or consequences.

May 21, 202339:46
Cry Out to the Lord (Joel 1:1–20)

Cry Out to the Lord (Joel 1:1–20)

It’s Mother’s Day, and a sermon about divine judgement and locust plagues and starving animals probably isn’t what most of you came expecting today. But interestingly enough, the overall tone of the first chapter is not so different from some very common maternal phrases, like “sit here and think about what you’ve done”, “You can come back out when you’re ready to apologize and behave”, or “I hope you’ve learned your lesson”.

Today, we’re going to start with the first chapter, and as we read we’re going to see three specific types of calls to action: a directive to listen and tell, a directive to grieve, and a directive to repent; and each of these is followed by a description of the admittedly brutal circumstances that makes these actions necessary.

May 16, 202334:15
Love Like Christ to Show Christ and Know Christ (1 John 3:10–23)

Love Like Christ to Show Christ and Know Christ (1 John 3:10–23)

One of the greatest honours and aspirations for any athlete is to compete for their country on an international stage like the Olympic Games. They dream of wearing the flag and hearing their national anthem played as they stand on the podium. And many athletes make their country proud in those moments, competing and carrying themselves in an admirable and applaudable manner. But some bring shame to the nation they represent by cheating, lying, mistreating teammates and opponents, and even breaking the law. When this happens, the athlete is still a citizen of their county but they’ve failed to represent the values of their country. They’ve squandered the opportunity to showcase to the world the best that their nation has to offer. 

Christians are on Team Jesus. We wave a common flag and represent a heavenly nation. Our job is to represent well, not bringing shame but showcasing to the world the best our Lord has to offer. And according to 1 John 3, that means we love one another like Christ.

May 07, 202335:14
The Christian and Sin (1 John 3:1–9)

The Christian and Sin (1 John 3:1–9)

Most people today—and, unfortunately, many Christians and churches—treat sin more like empty calories than like cancer, something that can be enjoyed in moderation but not something to necessarily fear and fight. But even a cursory reading of the Bible reveals sin to be more the latter than the former. It’s pervasive and powerful, corrupting and consuming, and deceptive and damning. 

Sin is not something with which God’s people should approach casually. Indeed, every Christian can echo the puritan prayer that says, “Eternal Father, thou art good beyond all thought, but I am vile, wretched, miserable, blind … I bring my soul to thee; break it, wound it, bend it, mould it. Unmask to me sin’s deformity, that I may hate it, abhor it, flee from it.” Summarily, sin is a big deal to God and should be to God’s people also. Why? Well, for starters, because sin prevents the enjoyment of Christ, the modelling of Christ, and the honouring Christ.

May 01, 202337:34
The Cleansing of the Temple (John 2:13–22; Matthew 21:12–13)

The Cleansing of the Temple (John 2:13–22; Matthew 21:12–13)

Speaker: Nate Vellekoop

Apr 23, 202342:26
Obstacles to Living in God’s Light (1 John 2:15–29)

Obstacles to Living in God’s Light (1 John 2:15–29)

Research shows that the sunniest places in Canada are southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, a swath of land that runs from Calgary to Estevan boasting over 2375 hours of bright sunshine annually. (For reference, that’s about an hour more per day than Toronto.) Often the big skies are blue, the clouds are sparse, and the sun is bold. However, some find it difficult to fully enjoy that prairie perk because of the cold. With winter temperatures regularly dipping below -40°, many choose to “appreciate” the sunshine from indoors. The potential for frostbite can serve as a significant obstacle to the enjoyment of regularly clear skies. 

The book of 1 John makes it clear that God wants his children to enjoy the life-giving warmth of his light and love. He wants us to walk in close fellowship with himself (1:3). Unfortunately, many believers simply “appreciate” its cloudless clarity from afar. Why? Because there are obstacles that distract and discourage, realities that can, if we’re not careful, keep us from fully enjoying the divine gift of intimacy with God.

Apr 16, 202339:60
Let’s Talk About Resurrection

Let’s Talk About Resurrection

Many people work hard to live forever. For example, the Coalition for Radical Life Extension, an Arizona-based nonprofit, is on a mission to “cure aging.” Its founder, James Strole, labours to make “mortality optional” and to “put an end to The End.” Likeminded individuals are willing to do almost anything to cheat death— from supplements to exercise, from medical procedures to cryogenic freezing. And, if they can’t physically live forever, many at least desire that their work ensures, their reputation remains, or their legacy perseveres. Whatever path taken, many people work hard to live forever. 

On Easter, God’s people celebrate that we can live forever, that death—our great enemy—has been defeated, that the tomb was empty, that Christ has been raised. Today we are reminded that immortality doesn’t require a self-care regimen, a medical discovery, or a scientific breakthrough. It requires resurrection.

Apr 09, 202336:14
The Greatest Easter Prophecy (Isaiah 52:13–53:12)

The Greatest Easter Prophecy (Isaiah 52:13–53:12)

Sometimes in history certain people distinguish themselves by accurately predicting an historical event and they gain notoriety from it. One such person is investor Michael Burry who accurately predicted the collapse of the US housing bubble before the 2008 financial crisis. When many others kept investing freely, Burry was right in acting conservatively and he managed to net 100 million dollars for himself and 700 million for his investors, while others lost their fortunes. How did he do it? It wasn’t miraculous. He saw the signs that were there beforehand that others chose to ignore.

One of the great proofs of the truth of Scripture is prophecy. God knows the future and at various points chooses to reveal it to us so that we might be encouraged to believe in him. God says, “I make known the end from the very beginning.” All through the Bible, He used certain people to do this work for him. They were the prophets. One of the great prophets of the Old Testament was Isaiah. In this beautifully written book are some of the most amazing prophecies concerning the coming of the Saviour and his life and death and resurrection. Michael Burry had the vision to see a few years in advance of the stock market trends, but Isaiah predicted events concerning Jesus that would not happen for another 700 years. This is truly miraculous! God was revealing the future.

Apr 02, 202338:07