Mount Hamilton Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
Mount Hamilton Baptist Church
This is the sermon podcasts for Mont Hamilton Baptist Church. Visit our website at www.mhbc.ca for more information. We are on Facebook (www.facebook.com/mounthamiltonbaptistchurch/) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/mounthamiltonbaptist/) as well.
Shortly before Jesus died he did something no one would have ever expected him to do: He washed the feet of his followers. Why? What did it mean? How did this show us love?
One of the most famous sections of the Bible is about love. We often read it at weddings, but this passage is about much more than romantic love. Where do we look to see this kind of love? What do we do when we don’t see this love in us? Listen for more!
Acts 15: 1-19 As we finish up the ‘I See’ series, we hear how God speaks to His people through the community that seeks to reflect His character - the Church - and we are all invited to participate.
Jeremiah saw two baskets of figs set before the temple, as offerings of first-fruits. The figs in one basket were very good, those in the other basket very bad. This vision was to raise the spirits of those gone into captivity, by assuring them of a happy return; and to humble and awaken the proud and secure spirits of those yet in Jerusalem, by assuring them of a miserable captivity.
As we continue to look at people in the Bible who had visions of God, Leanne shares about one of the most famous visions in the Bible: The vision of Isaiah. What do we learn about God and God's character from this vision that includes flying creatures, earthquakes, smoke and coals? Listen for more.
You know how sometimes we only want to listen to people who will tell us what we want to hear? It can feel good, but is it what's best for us? The story of King Ahab reminds us that we need to be discussing who we let guide us (even if there are 401 of them, and even if they have cool iron horns...).
The bible tells us about a King named Soloman who had a chance to ask God for whatever he wanted. Of all the things he could have asked for he asked for wisdom. In this sermon, Leanne talks about why wisdom is important, and what it has to do with seeking vision for our lives.
A long time ago, a man named Jacob had a vision of God when he needed it most, but it wasn't a 20/20 vision. Sometimes we wish we could get clarity from God. Does God give us "20/20 vision?"
Why is the story of the Magi coming to Jesus so important? In this sermon, Leanne reminds us that we have all been invited into the story of God.
Sometimes seeing the stars can be hard - big buildings, bright lights, and crowded places can distract us. In life, we can feel the same way: Seeing the light can be hard with many distractions around us. How can we see the light, even in this busy season?
We all have body parts we don't like-sometimes we try to hide those parts with things like SPANX! And sometimes, in the body of Christ, we have body parts we want to hide, too. Is it okay for a church to "Spanx" people?...
One Christmas Eve Leanne gave a gift that was met with the response: "But I wanted something different!" Have you ever felt that way? Sometimes we just wish we had different gifts than the ones we have! In this sermon, Leanne shares what God has to say about the ways we struggle with our gifts.
This week we we welcomed Reverend, Doctor Dallas Friesen of the CBOQ and he dug into Romans 10: 9-13.
The Prophet: The Forefinger The forefinger is often called the pointer finger—the prophet functions in revelation and points the way for believers. The office of the prophet is different than the gift of prophecy—it carries a governmental authority and role with higher responsibility. The gift of prophecy is for edification, exhortation and comfort, whereas the prophet flows in areas of guidance, instruction, rebuke, judgment and revelation—whatever Christ chooses to speak for the purification and perfection of His church.
This week as we carry on with the Fivefold gifting we look at the apostle.
The Apostle: The Thumb
The thumb is not in opposition to or over the fingers, but it is designed to complete the full function and power of the hand. Apostles function in administration and (together with prophets) lay the foundation with proper doctrinal and spiritual structure (Eph. 2:20). Apostles move primarily in the gifts of healing, faith, working of miracles, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, and (sometimes) prophecy.
As we continue to explore the ways God has gifted us and others, we look at "The Teacher."
We have been learning about different ways God has gifted us and others. This week Leanne begins with those who are gifted as pastors...which may be different than we think.
In the book of Ephesians, God tells us that we have all been called and gifted - but why?
What does it mean to be "called?" Is a calling something only certain people get from God? In this sermon, Pastor Leanne pushes back on some of our ideas of calling, and reminds us that none of us are unimportant in the body of Christ.
We're at the end of our series on the book of Matthew, and it's time to address the question of what happens at "the end." In this sermon, Leanne tells the story of writing a sermon about hell, and the moment that her whole sermon changed.
We’ve all heard the predictions- The end of the world is coming! We have watched the dates someone said the world will end come and go- What’s the deal? When did Jesus say all this will happen?
As we get to the end of our time in the book of Matthew, Pastor Leanne asks the question "How will we be at the end of the world?" Even if it is only our own "end of the world" we are facing.
We live in a rat-race culture but are called to something different. As usual, Jesus shows us a better way to live.
What do we have in common with Moses and Jesus disciples? The invisible portion is always filled, but it's not by us.
John Stott once said, "...pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend." How can that be in a culture that tells us pride is something to aspire to? Jesus teachings are not always easy, but they are always good.
This week guest speaker Ian MacLennan digs into one of the most well known passages in the bible.
We've been talking a lot about the kingdom of God-but is it really a big deal? Jesus said it was like a great treasure worth giving everything for...in the last sermon of the series Leanne asks: "Was Jesus right?"
We all have been given gifts by God but sometimes we feel hesitant to use them - we may feel uncertain, overwhelmed or even afraid. In this story of Jesus we are invited to use our gifts as well, and not leave them in the boxes.
All are invited, fewer choose to attend and fewer still allow Gods love to transform their life.
The kingdom of God is like a landowner who went out to hire workers. Stan Porter may surprise you as he preaches on this challenging parable!
Jesus told a story about a king who forgave an astronomical debt - and said the kingdom is like that! In this sermon, Leanne talks about a kingdom with radical forgiveness even when it's hard.
Jesus told a scary sounding story about the Kingdom being like a net that catches fish that are later separated as good or bad fish. Is this good or bad news?
What is "The Kingdom"? Why do we pray for it to come? And why does Jesus use seeds and baking supplies to describe it?
Like Judas, we can't believe that we will never be forgiven. In the final message of our "Woe To Us" series, Leanne names the woe we feel when we can't see grace.
Like Peter, there are ways we do not live as followers of Christ. This can lead to a cycle of shame and regret. In this sermon guest Dallas Friesen shares a message of hope for when we feel this woe.
When Jesus was arrested, his friend Peter tried to defend him. But when Peter lashed out at a soldier, Jesus said: "Put away your sword." Why? Did he mean it? Does he mean it for us today.
Sometimes we are full of good intentions that just don't work out. We mean to do SO MANY GOOD THINGS, but often we feel like the disciples who fell asleep when Jesus asked them to stay awake and be there for him. In this sermon, we say "woe to us," for sometimes we let God and others down....but we also receive God's grace that God never gives up on using us with all our failed good intentions.
One of the greatest stories of betrayal in history is the story of Judas betraying Jesus. What does story have to do with us? We are also people who feel the 'woe" of people who leave the faith.
This week was Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec Sunday and Reverend Paul Lam joined us from the CBOQ to talk about authentically living out the gospel and being part of the larger family of God.
Why would people ask Jesus about his disciples hand washing habits? Why does Jesus call them hypocrites for doing so? In this sermon, Leanne invites us to hear the challenge from Jesus to listen to our hearts - not our fences
In Jesus, the kingdom of heaven came to the world - a world where both good and evil live side by side doing good and evil things. While we wait for the ultimate judge - God - to do God's job, how do we respond to evil and the suffering it causes?
Jesus often said that people would need "ears to hear" his message. There were lots of people who seemed to miss out on who Jesus was because they had lots of "religious ear wax." Sometimes we can have ear wax too! Take a listen
Have you ever asked God to give you a sign? It might shock us to read this story when Jesus says asking for a sign is "wicked!" What did he mean?
Is there really a sin God won't forgive? Is there really a Satan? Pastor Leanne jumps, into these big questions in this week's sermon.
Did you ever know one of those kids who would lick every doughnut in the the box after he was told not to eat any? In today's story it can kind of seem like a sneaky kid licking doughnuts out of spite! But there's more going on here- there is a call to give love and mercy more weight than our sometimes "mixed up measures"
When John the Baptist was in prison, he sent messages to ask Jesus: "Are you really the Messiah?" like John, in our dark days we can also doubt who Jesus is. Jesus' message to John reminds us that we can still trust Jesus even in hard times.
Sometimes, joy is the last thing you feel during the Christmas season. There are all kinds of reasons Christmas can be hard, and we can often feel "left out" during Christmas when we are struggling. In this sermon, Leanne reminds us that there is also pain in the Christmas story and that even those of us who struggle with joy at Christmas belong in the story of God.
What do Hanukkah, super hero movies and the visions of Revelation have to do with Jesus being the Prince of Peace? More than you might think! This sermon reminds us that our Messiah came not just to bring peace but to be peace.
One of the biggest themes in the book of Matthew is the message: Jesus is the Messiah! In the story of the birth of Jesus, Matthew shows again and again how Jesus fulfills the prophecies from the Old Testament. The great news is that Jesus is our Messiah, too!
Of all of Jesus' teachings, this is one of the hardest! Did Jesus REALLY mean that we should love people that have hurt us? That are out to get us? That we don't like? (Spoiler: He did).
There are many times that we feel like things would be better if those who wronged us just "got what they deserved." But do disciples of Jesus really need an "eye for an eye?"
We've all made those BIG vows..."I swear on a stack of Bibles'", "I swear I'll never...", "Mark my words..." Why does Jesus tell us not to?
Jesus’ teaching about divorce can sound pretty harsh, and they are sometimes used in ways that have hurt a lot of people. If we re-marry after divorce, are we really committing adultery? What does Jesus really say???
Jesus said: “ You have heard that it was said do not commit adultery, but I tell you: anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her…”
What the…?
That can’t be right, can it?
In this sermon Leanne explores what Jesus means when he says this, and why it’s good and challenging news in our post #MeToo world