The Hope Toronto Podcast: Recent Episodes
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In an age of constant change, we believe in the unchanging Holy Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Luke 2. What is the best gift you have ever received? The Shepherds Candle emphasizes the joy of Christ and sharing this joy with others.
Galations 5:1-6 - On Reformation Sunday we look at why Paul wrote to the Christians in Galatia.
Romans 12:1-8 After spending the last 11 chapters establishing that God's people are justified through Christ. Paul switches his focus to sanctification. He answers the question, "What does this mean for the Christian in their daily life?" In this text, Paul answers the question in two ways. The Christian is to live as a living sacrifice, which means to live for God and not for self, and the Christian is to live united in service to the Church.
Romans 8:18-25 What does it mean to live in this world with all its pain and sufferings?
Jonah 4 : 1-11 What does it mean to be patient? Today…we’re going to dig into the book of Jonah and hear a story about patience.
Genesis 6 : 17-22 God’s promise brings peace and stills hearts in times of uncertainty.
“It is finished” will sound sweet when social isolation is over. Even that is nothing compared to the power of those same words spoken by Jesus on the cross.
Mark 15:1-20 It's Jesus who says, “I got this.” And all eyes are on him. Eyes on Jesus is what our sermon series has been about. But today he’s not looking like the King of Glory we sing about.
Matthew 14:22-33 The way we live our lives and the way we worship has now changed. Today we offer a prayer and then we let God speak to us. The prayer? "Precious Lord, take my hand". We will see the God of love answers us in unprecedented times.
Mark 14 : 27-31,66-27 - Like Peter, our faith is tested and confronted daily. But do we have "denying eyes" in those time of testing?
Mark 14 : 32-42 We follow Jesus to Gethsemane where He asks his disciples to watch and pray, but returns to find them sleeping. Do we also have sleepy eyes?
Matthew 7:24-29 Jesus concludes his sermon telling us to be wise builders who build our houses - our lives - on the rock. On Christ we stand, and not sinking sand.
Matthew 6 : 19-24 Jesus challenges his disciples to understand their hearts will always pursue a treasure. What treasure will that be?
Matthew 7:7-12 Jesus tells us to ask, seek, and knock when we pray. Why? Because we have our heavenly Father who gives, reveals, and opens wide the door of his goodness and love for us.
Matthew 5:13-16 It had to be surprising to hear Jesus say, "blessed are the poor and meek". But His next words are also surprising spoken as they were to common people, "you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world".
Matthew 5 : 1-12 There is no shame or weakness in calling ourselves Christians. Jesus tells us we are a blessed people who have the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 4:12-23 Jesus begins his great Galilean ministry, preaching a message of repentance and faith. Who will follow?
John 1 : 35-41 What happens when two disciples meet Jesus? They follow Jesus and they share Jesus. This is Jesus' ongoing mission for each of us.
Matthew 2:1-12 God revealed to the magi that the newborn King of the Jews, the Messiah, was born. They wanted to worship him and God led them from afar to him. God brought them great joy!
Luke 1:26-38 The day of the Lord is coming! The angel Gabriel now appears to Mary. What news the angel brings!
Luke 1:8-20 After centuries of waiting, an angel announces to Zechariah that he will have a son who will "make ready a people prepared for the Lord." That son would be John the Baptist.
Luke 23:35-43 When we look upon Christ's cross we see a most glorious and unexpected King, we never deserved. He should have saved himself but Christ our King saved you and I to be with him in paradise.
Isaiah 65:17-25 Isaiah describes the great resurrection of all believers as an endless time when God's people will suffer no more.
Luke 19:11-27 This parable emphasizes the reality of Christ's return on Judgement Day. Christ's call is to be faithful with what he has entrusted to us - his precious gospel!
Luke 17:1-10 Jesus discusses what's involved in our duty as Christians, and it is one that can be difficult. But with the apostles we pray, "Increase our faith!"
What does it mean to be a "man of God" or a "woman of God"? It means your life is a life of action!
Luke 16:19-31 Whether rich or poor, all people come to the same end and either heaven or hell await. But Jesus tells us: heaven awaits those who hear and follow God's Word.
Hebrews 13:1-8 As God's children, we we want to show love by extending it to the people around us and with-holding love from money.
Luke 13:22-30 Jesus knows all those who put faith in Him will join Him at the feast in the kingdom of God. He also tells them to make every effort to enter through the narrow door that leads to such a feast in heaven.
Luke 12:49-53 The truth about Jesus will cause divisions. There will be times of testing in the lives of Jesus' followers.
Luke 12:32-40 Jesus points out that worrying is reflective of "little faith". How do we not worry? Seek His kingdom!
Luke 10:1-9 Christ sends out the 72 to share the message that "the kingdom of God is near." May this always be our focus!
Luke 14:15-24 Following a meal at the home of a Pharisee, Jesus tells the Parable of the Great Banquet. God's table of grace is prepared for all. The invitation is sent out. How do we respond?
Luke 22 : 7-16 Jesus tells his disciples that he eagerly desired to eat the Passover meal with them. But at this meal a new meal is given!
Luke 15:1-2,11-32 This account is known as the Parable of the Prodigal or Lost Son, but really both of the sons are lost. Both are outside the Father's house, but see how the Father wants them both to come home.
Luke 14:1-14 In Christ's kingdom, conventional thinking is turned upside down. He teaches us about true humility and being generous without thought of repayment.
Luke 10:38-42 It's mealtime and Martha is busy doing a good thing, preparing to serve the Lord. But Jesus reminds her, and us, that there is something even better.
Luke 9:10-17 Our Lord Jesus Christ graciously supplies forgiveness for the soul and food for the body.
Luke 5:27-32 Jesus mission was and is to save sinners. In mercy, Jesus even ate with "notorious" ones like Levi to call them into His kingdom.
Ruth 2:1-5,11-12 The book of Ruth is not only the story of a godly woman named Ruth, but also of a godly man named Boaz. We watch as their lives come together.
John 14:23-27 Jesus tells the disciples that he will leave them and return to the Father. He promises to send the Holy Spirit to teach us all things, so we can be at peace.
John 17:20-26 Jesus is praying for the disciples who are with Him. But He is also praying for those who continue to come to faith in Jesus. It is a prayer that is answered as the church on earth continues to grow.
Acts 14:8-18 The obvious miracle was the physical healing of the crippled man. The other miracle was what occurred first. The Holy Spirit worked a profound change in this man's heart.
Ruth 1:16,17 Ruth is a shining example in scripture of commitment. We see her commitment to family flows from a commitment to God.
Luke 20:9-19 The parable if the tenants seems "foolish". Why would an owner send his son to those who didn't deserve him? Why would God send his Son to us? To be the Lamb of God for our sins!
John 20:24-29. When Thomas refused to believe, Jesus, in love, appeared a second time to convince him of the resurrection.
Jesus took on himself the humble nature of a human being although he is the holy, almighty God. But God the Father exalted him again as Jesus returned to honor and glory as God in heaven.
Jesus reveals horrible situations, not as punishments for specific sins, but rather as God's tools to call people to repentance. Jesus wants all people to turn away from sin and to place their trust for forgiveness and salvation in him.
Christ impressed upon his followers that discipleship might mean going without certain comforts in life. He asks his followers to "count the cost".
The world wants to know "what is truth"? Individually, we want our own truth to be highly regarded. In this reading, Jesus speaks about the importance of understanding his truth.
Temptations surround us and all temptations have this in common; they lead our hearts away from God. Joseph saw temptation for what it was, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"
For a few brief moments, Jesus is transformed and lets his divine glory shine through for his disciples and for us to see and believe he is the Lord of glory.
Epiphany means "made known". At his baptism, God the Father makes known in a powerful way the public ministry of his Son Jesus.