Central Heights Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
Central Heights Church
This is the land of the True North strong and free. What more could we learn about freedom? According to Paul: a lot. While he experiences freedom even while in prison, he knows there are far more serious chains that currently trap the people of God.
In a divisive culture experiencing increasing unrest, the community of Jesus called the church has a chance to stand out and show the world something different: a joyful way of life that transcends the circumstances we face, yet doesn't diminish their difficulty.Through the pen of Paul, an early follower of Jesus who was no stranger to suffering and difficulty, the letter to the Philippians invites us to see, and live, differently as the people of God living in the world, especially when it comes to hardship and being the church.
As a church we believe our part to play in Gods mission to make all things new is defined and given focus by Isaiah 61: we are here to display the splendor and glory of God in the power of the Spirit to a lost and hurting world.As we wrap up our vision series, we ask the question: Gods given us a vision, now what?
Our world thirsts for purpose, meaning, and a sense of calling in the world. Theoretically, we are thus positioned to be the most missional generation in history. So why do we find it so difficult? How can we live into the grand calling that God has given us?
The people of God are a people with a grand purpose. This purpose is born in the heart of God, spans the ages, encompasses the entire cosmos, is fueled by the power of God, and involves the transformation of all things.Incredibly, God wants to partner with us to see this happen. But what does that look like? How can we play our part as individuals and as the community of Jesus called Central Heights to see this come to life in our day? For us, it begins with delighting in Jesus and continues with becoming like him.
The people of God are a people with a grand purpose. This purpose is born in the heart of God, spans the ages, encompasses the entire cosmos, is fueled by the power of God, and involves the transformation of all things.Incredibly, God wants to partner with us to see this happen. But what does that look like? How can we play our part as individuals and as the community of Jesus called Central Heights to see this come to life in our day? For us, it begins with delighting in Jesus.
The people of God are a people with a grand purpose. This purpose is born in the heart of God, spans the ages, encompasses the entire cosmos, is fueled by the power of God, and involves the transformation of all things.Incredibly, God wants to partner with us to see this happen. But what does that look like? How can we play our part as individuals and as the community of Jesus called Central Heights to see this come to life in our day? As we return to Isaiah 61, we findout it looks like the people of God living for the display of Gods splendor.
The people of God are a people with a grand purpose. This purpose is born in the heart of God, spans the ages, encompasses the entire cosmos, and involves the transformation of all things. This Fall, we are going to immerse ourselves in God's vision for the world and unpack the part we believe he's inviting us to play as a church in seeing this vision come to life. Over the next 5 weeks, we will unveil our new vision and values by looking at what it means for Central Heights to live for the display of God's splendor in our city and the world.
Philip was intentional and walked closely with God, listening and responding to the call of the Holy Spirit on his life. He preached the word of God and scattered seeds of the gospel wherever he went. In Acts he is referred to as the evangelist.
Have you ever had a debt canceled? How did it affect you? How did you respond? But what if you didn't know you had a debt?
Anna is a little known person in the story of God, yet the impact and importance of her life extends far beyond the three verses dedicated to her in the Bible. Her story helps us answer the question: how do you wait on God when youre desperate for him to act and you live in a culture of immediacy?
The life of Simon Peter is a story of flaws, repentance and restoration. His life shows us that Jesus is a God who restores our deepest darkest nights so that his grace in our story can be a bright light to the world around us.
We live in a time and place focused on getting views and likes, focused on the external rather than the internal. So what can we learn from Mordecai, a man without immense fame or status? Mordecais compassion, humility, and faith transcend that, reminding us how to love God and others from behind-the-scenes no matter the cost.
Identity and happiness are two of our culture's greatest obsessions. 2,000 years ago, the same was true for the Apostle Paul. His insight reverberates across the centuries in ways that are astonishingly applicable today.
Life in exile can be incredibly difficult. It is costly and it can easily shake one's faith in God. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were somehow able to hold firmly to their convictions and dedicate themselves to the "God who is Able", even in the face of almost certain death. How did they do it?
Following Jesus isnt always convenient and easy. More often than not, Jesus will invite you into inconvenient situations that stretch and challenge you. Yet, as we find out in this stand-alone message, on the other side of inconvenience is the life you are looking for.
To live a life of power and purpose is about more than agreeing with God and his teaching. Its about investing your life in what ultimately matters, without hesitation.
Elijah's journey of faith and obedience to God is full of miracles and even personal struggle. His encounter with God reminds us the power of God is shown in many forms.
When Elijah hits rock bottom and has had enough, its easy to think Gods presence andpower will be absent. We couldnt be more wrong. In fact, it is Elijahs humanity andweakness that invites Gods power to come once again.
On Pentecost Sunday, we often ask for the fire of God to fall down. More realistically, we want the rain of God to fall down; we often don't want the fire. As Elijah's time on Mount Carmel comes to a close, we'll see that we need both. In fact, the fire of God leads to the rain of God; the destructive, cleansing power of God leads to the blessing of God.
Everybody worships. The question is: who or what has our worship? As we return to the contest on Mount Carmel, well see that the fire of worship is lit when we pay attention to the altars in our lives.
Jesus said he came to give us life to the full.' Yet so many people feel a gap between this and what they experience in their everyday lives. In this story from the life of Elijah we see one way to close the gap and experience the power of God in our lives.
Between the wilderness and the mountaintop experiences of life is often a long and ordinaryroad. Not much seems to be happening but in this part of Elijahs story, we see somethingdifferent: with every yes we give to God, we are led closer to what he has in mind for us.
How do ordinary people experience Gods extraordinary power? This question will guide our new teaching series on the life of the ancient prophet Elijah, with the goal of embracing our humanity and becoming the kind of people who experience the power of God.
Elijah, though a human just like us, was a vessel of extraordinary power. As we begin this new series, we consider a consistent pattern that emerges when God does great works: He takes people into the wilderness.
The parable of the narrow and wide gate is a familiar one to many who call themselves believers. There is an invitation to step through one gate or the other and the result has eternal consequences. What could it, would it, should it look like in our lives if we bent our hearts more towards heaven and surrendered all for Jesus. The bottom line is you matter to God, and He will pursue you relentlessly.
The story of Jesus is about the human need for a homecoming. In one of Jesus most well-known parables about a father and two lost sons, we get a window into the homecoming weneed and get to enjoy because of the death and resurrection of Jesus.In this, we get a picture of the life changing hope of Easter: no matter how far we are fromhim, God the Father will always welcome us home.
In one of Jesus most well-known parables about a father and two sons, the focus hastended to be on the lost younger brother and his return home. Yet when Jesus tells thisstory, he reveals a shocking truth: older brothers can be just as lost as younger brothers.
In one of Jesus most well-known parables about a father and two sons, we get a window into the homecoming we need and get to enjoy because of Jesus. In this first message, we look at the younger son's return home and the Father's welcome.
Losing the game of comparison today means fear, shame, and insecurity. But winning the game of comparison? That looks like self-righteousness, one of the enemy's most sinister devices. Jesus' parable teaches us how to combat self-righteousness and experience the life of his kingdom.
Jesus wants us to live a life of heaven here on earth. But what does that look like? And how do we see this kind of life come alive in us in greater ways? Jesus answer: it has to do with treasure, light, money, and your heart.
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Jesus taught many things using simple images and everyday objects. What can we learn from a chocolate chip muffin?
Your ability to withstand the storms of life is related to what youve built your life on.
Jesus lived a life of radical service, even to the point of death on a cross. He tells us that we find our life by imitating him and serving others. Today, the question remains: Will we choose to be served or to serve?
The kingdom of heaven has arrived on earth with the arrival of a King named Jesus. With this, a new way of living and being in the world is available to anyone who wants it. But how do you enter into it and start living this life? In this teaching, Jesus reveals that if you want to live a kingdom life, you must choose the right road to walk.
Jesus primary and most powerful teaching had to do with what the Bible calls the Kingdom of God. Yet, to many, the kingdom message of Jesus remains an enigma and underappreciated reality.In order to see this shift in our day, join us for this new collection of teachings as we learn about the kingdom vision of Jesus and what it means to be people of the kingdom.
In John 15, Jesus teaches us that we are to abide in him. But for many of us the question might be how? How are we to remain attached to Jesus no matter what life throws at us? In John 15, Jesus paints a stunning picture of how (and why!) we are to abide in Christ.
Shaky faith happens and thats okay. What matters is what you do when you experience it.
According to the Apostle John, one of the ways we know that we live in God, and he lives in us is that he has given us his Spirit. For those of us that like things to be tangible, this might leave us asking numerous questions, not the least of which is "So What?!". How does the fact that God has given us his Holy Spirit affect my everyday existence as I step into 2024?
As humans, we will look for what we long for; its part of who we are and how we live. But what if this season we stopped looking at the people and places we normally do and started looking at what happened at the first Christmas? Wed find what weve been looking for all along: a love that will last and we can never lose.
John assumes a world where the power and presence of God is tangibly at work. By contrast, much of our world today feels spiritually flat. How might we participate in the work of the Spirit? For John, the answer lies in the gift of discernment.
Both our external and internal worlds can leave us feeling unsettled and like we are on shaky ground. With this going on in us and around us, 1 John gives us a pathway to experience a heart at rest.
https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/s3.centralheightschurch.com/Sermon/2023/2023-12-03_DM.mp3
Our world is infatuated with identity. It dominates our political conversations, our relational dynamics, and our personal wrestling. It's also one of Jesus' highest priorities: giving us a new identity.
We are living in what John calls the last hour, a time marked by what is good and beautiful but also what is opposed to that. How do you live in a time like this? In this next teaching from 1 John, well find that has to do with the person, presence, and activity of the Spirit who gives us what we need to thrive in the last hour.
If we want to both experience and display the love of God, we must renounce the world. How do we do that? Hear the wisdom of 1 John 2:15-17 for our day.
As a first hand witness of the life and teaching of Jesus, John doesn't mince words. Some of what he writes could be a little overwhelming and intimidating for his readers, especially for those who are sincerely seeking to be faithful to Jesus and to John's message. In 1 John 2:12-14 John reassures the faithful..."Before I go any further, let's make sure we get a few things straight!"
Its an inescapable reality right now: there is so much hate and darkness in the worldright now. Its everywhere we look. The question is: how does the community of Jesus called the church live in world like this? In this next teaching from our series in 1 John well see the answer is: love one another.
Obedience is a word that comes with a lot of baggage, especially in a culture thatadheres to the belief that the best life comes when theres no one telling me what to do.In this teaching from 1 John, were going to unpack the tension we feel with this andexplore the idea that maybe, just maybe, doing what Jesus says is a pathway to lovinghim more and a way to find the rest we long for.
"God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." This is John's message. But John also believes that God has interacted personally with humans -- people capable of profound sin and darkness. How can both these things be true? How can perfect light touch the darkness?
Within a world of deep division, increasing isolation, and growing uncertainty about the future lives the church; Gods people, the community of faith, hope, and love who follow Jesus and live by his ways. But what happens when fractures are forming, and faith is getting shaky among Gods people? You go back to the beginning and the one who is the living heartbeat of the church: Jesus.
New seasons come with a sense of anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead.They also invite us to embrace new postures ways of living and being that put us in a position to encounter and enjoy the person of Jesus. In this miniseries were exploring two Old Testament passages and using them as an invitation to adopt two postures as a community for the season ahead.
New seasons come with a sense of anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead.They also invite us to embrace new postures ways of living and being that put us in aposition to encounter and enjoy the person of Jesus. In this miniseries were exploringtwo Old Testament passages and using them as an invitation to adopt two postures as acommunity for the season ahead.
As we conclude our series on Psalm 23, we've heard all summer about the promises of God. What do we do when the promises of God meet the pains of everyday life? For Jesus, he proclaims the gospel of the kingdom.
Have you ever pursued something or someone with your entire being? Have you ever stopped to consider what made you do this? Psalm 23:6 gives us some insight into God's pursuit of us, but out of this small passage comes the simple question, "How should I respond?"
"You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." These two images revealed to David that God is his host and he is a distinguished guest in the house of the Lord. Join us today as we explore what these two images mean for us since the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
In Psalm 23:5a, David makes the audacious claim that God prepares a table before him in the presence of his enemies -- a symbol of ultimate joy in awful circumstances. What might it look like to eat at this table and taste this joy today?
David uses the imagery of a rod and staff to describe how a good shepherd brings comfort to his sheep. David encourages us that our Shepherdcomforts us, through his written Word (the rod) and his living Spirit within us (the staff), in such a way that we need not walk in fear.
Obedience is one of our least favourite words. It's been that way since the beginning. See why it's included in Psalm 23's vision of an abundant life.
You're probably exhausted. We all are. Where can we find our deepest rest? Psalm 23 offers a pathway into rest for weary souls.
In Psalm 23 we see God's loving nature captured in David's pictures of a Shepherd and a Host. We begin to see that through trust, rest, guidance, and provision, we are continually invited to embrace the peace found in surrendering ourselves to His wise guidance and loving provision.
In this dramatic conclusion to the book of Exodus we see the fiery cloud of God's presence coming down onto the newly constructed tent of meeting, there to stay permanently with His people and lead through to wilderness for the next 40 years. We examine the events that led up to this dramatic development, and learn what that teaches us about our experience as Jesus followers today.
Prayer is one of the few remaining ways that people know how to connect with God today. Still, we struggle with it. Exodus 34 provides us with a helpful framework for prayer.
The Canadian Dream: everything in the world without God Himself. Israel recognizes this as a disaster. How do we respond? Exodus 33 holds the answer. Take off the ornaments, get face to face, and pray what you know.
We are all faced with the opportunity to make choices in life, and how we respond while making good or bad choices has consequences. In todays message we are going to look at the choices the people of Israel made when their leader, Moses, left them and the consequences of their choices.
In a world driven by the desire for more and more, we find amazing news in a God who doesnt demand more from us. In fact, he often invites us into less. As we conclude the Sinai discourse (Exodus 20-31), we lean into the rest that God offers to those who trust him.
The culmination of the Lords instructions to Moses to build the Tabernacle, reveals the call of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit for the first time in Scripture. On this Pentecost Sunday, we will study the Holy Spirits call of our own lives. Will you answer?
Deep within every human is a longing for a home we had but lost. Whys it there? What does it point us to? And how do we find that home again? In this message from Exodus 25, we see that the answer lies in something called the tabernacle.
One of the non-negotiable truths of Christianity is the inestimable value of human life. We believe that every single human being is made as the image of God. While we believe that to be true, we don't always live in light of that truth in our everyday lives, especially when it comes to how we think about and engage in the area of disabilities. This message helps provide a framework for thinking about the topic of human identity, disability, and why it matters for the life of the local church.
The 10 Commandments are crucial to understanding God and what it means to be his people in the world. Yet, they often get overlooked or dismissed because theyre viewed as nothing more than a list of dos and donts. In this message from Exodus 20, were going to find out thats not what they are, but something so much more.
Following God by obeying his ways is a central part of the Christian life, but we often approach obedience in ways that make it into a burden that it was never intended to be. In Exodus 19 we see God lay out for us what we need to remember as we walk forward in obedience.
Life sometimes feels like a battle; constantly fighting against one thing or another. Trying to fight it on your own will leave you exhausted and discouraged. But what if you tried fighting a different way? In this next teaching in our Exodus series, we find out what that way is.
Part two of our Exodus series begins in the wilderness with Gods people facing newchallenges. In those challenges, God shows his people who he is and why they cantrust him.
What does something that happened outside a city called Jerusalem 2000 years agohave to say to the parts of my life that are buried and on life support? The answer: Wedont possess the power to bring life where there is death, but Jesus does.
Just before Jesus enters Jerusalem as King, we see the failures of the religious leaders and community. Where is Jesus in the midst of such corruption?
The Israelites' song is an encouragement to us. Their expression is a response to God who provides freedom, demonstrates his power and increases their trust in him. Let's declare that Yahweh is our deliverer, warrior, and the one we exalt.
Before the Cross and the Empty Tomb, there was the Exodus. In Exodus 14 we see thecrowning moment of this great event as we join the people of God on the shores of theRed Sea.
With competing schedules, family tension, and relational isolation, meals often feel like warzones. What if that's because they simply are war zones? Hear how the Passover becomes a paradigm for God's people to "go to war."
Despite our reticence, the authors of the Bible frequently portray God's judgment as something that creation needs. How can this be possible? The answer may lie in the story of the plagues, Scripture's foundational text on judgment.
We are all in the race of life together and God's Word gives us some clear instructions on how we can be successful until we reach the finish line. Let's race together with purpose, hope, and endurance. But wait, there's more...
What do you do when discouragement sets in, and hope seems to be lost? In Exodus 5and 6, we see God give Moses a pathway to hope, even in great difficulty.
Worship is the human response to a holy God and the end goal of our rescue. Comeand see this reality as we continue our journey in Exodus with Moses return to Egypt.
When a holy God invites us to join him in what he wants to do in the world, it isntalways easy. In fact, we can often do what Moses did: resist God. In this message, weget a first-hand look at this reality as Moses wrestles with God.
In Exodus 3, the main character of the story comes out from behind the scenes andtakes centre stage. As he does, the question is: who is this God? In this message wellsee God himself answer that for us.
God has a plan to answer the pain of the world and his plan includes people like you and me; and people like Moses.
The Book of Exodus is known for Gods rescue of his people. But before there is rescue, there the reality of life in Egypt. And in Egypt, we sometimes have to look for God a little bit harder to find hope in the midst of hardship.
We often skip over Matthews introduction, but he considered it important enough to begin his biography of Jesus. Discover why it matters so much.
As we wait during the season of Advent, or during in life in general, God doesnt alwayswork in the way we want or at the pace we want. But he always keeps his promises.
How do you find hope and the help you need to trust God to the end? The answer Hebrews 12 gives is: consider Jesus and the difference he makes.
In one of the best endings in the Bible, there is something overwhelmingly helpful for us - especially as we navigate the times when God asks something of us that we dont want to act on.
When Jesus came, he knew who he came for and what he wanted the church to be like. In this message from Matthew 9, Jesus shares his heart and his vision for both.
Through faith, uncertainty and difficulties can become opportunities to please God and inspire others to love and live for him too.
We need the sacrifice of Jesus -- the Hebrew priests felt it. His sacrifice has accomplished more than we dare to imagine.
We must think deeply and thoroughly about scripture and the claims it makes. Hebrews 9 is a chapter that provokes us to ponder several significant realities - which may lead us to see Jesus differently than ever before.
Did you see this coming through Melchizedek? God has privileged us with a better way to know and walk with him.
The Bible often says a lot with a few words. Hebrews 6:1-2 is such a place. Want to go deeper?In this bonus podcast as part of our Hebrews weekend teaching series, we analyze and discuss repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment - 6 things Hebrews considers to be foundational for Christianity.
With carefulness and confidence we can grow and persevere in hope knowing God is worthy of our trust in every circumstance.
Jesus is your representative and the Father is disposed to favour. You have been set up for success to draw near to God.
On the other side of our trust in God is an experience with God. But what if we're too exhausted to trust?
The journey may be difficult, but we can be confident and careful that Jesus will lead us to our destination of all that God has promised us.
Jesus, the divine Son has humbled himself to share in our humanity so that we can share in his glory. He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters; a family with a future.
Oh what a Saviour! In times of prosperity or testing, you can't improve upon God's Son.
At its core, Christianity is miraculous, and yet the very idea of miracles can be a barrier to belief. In this final message in our summer series, we turn to John 2:1-11 to address that, and see that miracles are a message pointing us to something greater.
What are some starting points for thinking about the barriers surrounding sexuality, gender, and faith in Jesus? We're joined by the co-founders of The Union Movement for a conversation about the church and the cultural complexities of these topics.
Getting to the best life is not found in unrestricted freedom or legalistic religion but in relationship with God through his Spirit.
Continuing our series on Barriers to Belief, we turn to John 14:1-6 to tackle questions like the following: Is Christianity by nature intolerant? Why should I believe that this "god" is the right one when there are thousands of other options? Aren't all religions pretty much the same?
Christians look to the Bible as the authority on matters of faith and practice, but should they? How trustworthy is this book?
The behaviour of Christians in the past and present have created a distorted picture of Jesus. For those fully outside the church, and for those with one foot out the door, is the dark history of the church a good reason to reject Jesus? And, and for those fully inside Christianity, how can we align ourselves with Jesus bright vision for the church?
Suffering is real. Suffering is hard. And God is good. How can this be true? The answer lies in the story of God and the one that story is about: Jesus
Hell isnt for real, is it? Why does the Old Testament God seem like he needs to calm down? The ideas of judgment and wrath are difficult to embrace for many reasons. But, if we can see the whole story of Scripture from start to finish, we encounter a God who is immeasurably good, and perfectly consistent.
There is a right and a right way for Christians to engage the political realm. Regardless of our differences in opinion, we can and should have conversation that is civil.
God's grace empowers us to overcome our adversary and difficulties as we walk together in humility.
The rich relationships we are made for happen best when we engage in vulnerable, open-hearted relationships centered on Christ.
What does Jesus think of when he thinks of community? What does he envision about the church's life together? In some of his final moments on earth, he tells us through the prayer of John 17.
God has provided what we so desperately need. The Holy Spirit makes the Christian life not only possible but powerful.
How do I hear God's voice? How do I know what I hear is actually God? This is a guide for staying synced with the Spirit.
We've been transplanted and adopted into the family of God and given the Holy Spirit's guidance and power to produce "good fruit".
Do cheerfulness and financial giving belong in the same sentence for you? God's gospel and his promises lead to a better way of thinking about our money.
God's vision for you and I is connected to the church. We have great potential and become our best when we together pray, love and serve one another with our gifts.
Developing daily, weekly and monthly spiritual habits and rhythms will sustain and build our physical, emotional, relational and spiritual health and resilience in challenging times. These rhythms will also cultivate the Presence of the Lord in our lives. Together we'll learn 5 rhythms of a healthy disciple of Christ.
The Gospel on display in John 21. Let's go! God is graciously intentional to restore and recommission us.
If you are open to the possibility of miracle, the resurrection becomes logically compelling and changes everything.
Palm Sunday was a moment from the past that highlights what is really true right now: Jesus is King. To be a Christian is to bring our whole lives under his rule and his reign. So, why is that challenging, and what does that mean?
The gospel is precious glorious and powerful. By the gospel we enter Gods kingdom by the gospel we grow in Gods kingdom.
A Czech author that has been dead for nearly 100 years worshipping Darth Vader Syndrome from the Incredibles and soiled diapers. All this and more in Worship As Storytelling.
Lament helps us put words to the pain we feel in a world where things aren't as they should be.
Our words have great effect. The Christian way to bless and encourage sets us on a course to flourish and move forward in faithfulness to God's mission.
Dr. Mark Wessner President of MB Seminary joins Central Heights' Lead Pastor Tim Klassen for a conversation about Scripture. A bonus resource from the "168 Discipleship" series.
Theres a depth we miss and a danger we enter if we dont handle the Bible carefully. A talk on the why and how of interpretation.
The greatest legacy is to pass on a faith in Jesus that is rooted in the relevant inspired authoritative and transformative Word of God.
In our searching and our struggles the Bible is a trustworthy place we can turn to. But more than that its a place we can go to encounter the God who stands behind it.
Encouragement for endurance. We all experience hindrances to our prayer but Jesus encourages us to pray continually and persistently. Our reasons to pray are far greater than our reasons not to.
Sara Maynard author of "The Prayer of All Prayers Finding Life and Revival in the Lord's Prayer" joins Tim Klassen for a conversation about prayer. A bonus resource from the "168 Discipleship" series.
Praying As Jesus Taught. More than a religious ritual or a relic of Christianity this essential how-to from Jesus is a practical and powerful way to join God in shaping the church and the world.
Understanding Why We Pray. The story of God's activity in response to his people's prayers broadens our perspective and compels us to participate.
An introduction to the teaching series "168 Discipleship" that explains how God's grace rescues us to a life most fully lived when our intentionality meets God's gracious empowerment.
As we embark on the runway of a new year, all of our plans are charted along a specific trajectory to arrive at a purposeful destination. What is it for us as a church and why does it matter?
Jesus wept over Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. Some within Israel embraced Jesus; some rejected him. How could Israel's perspective of Christmas shape and inform our own? How might it counterbalance our impatient, individualized, idealized cultural moment?
He was known as Herod the Great. Such a powerful man, and yet his whole life was turned upside down by a tiny infant? How does his reaction and response inform our lives today?
Righteous living is not always a trendy topic, but at the first Christmas, a man named Joseph gives us an example of how to act in turbulent times.
The Christmas story asks us to embrace the unbelievable and unexpected. But it also invites us to both encounter and trust the God who came to be with us.
The story of God from Genesis to Revelation reveals a God of relentless love towards us. His masterful plan of salvation redeems our story and is the unshakeable foundation for eternal hope.
God's good world has been greatly affected by Adam's choice to disobey. As a result, we should expect the perfect we long for to be met with experiences of both good and bad. In this, it is right to lament but we can do so with trust because God is faithful and for us.
We are all tempted and we all sin.Jesus was tempted and didn't sin, making it possible for our sin to be remedied and our temptations to be overcome.
Regardless of our perspective on climate change and "eco-anxiety," Jesus' followers have good reason to care about the earth. Good stewardship is consistent with authentic discipleship.
God works. We work. And we best make our work as worship by living our lives unto God as good stewards of what he has made us to be.
Parenting is both an incredible privilege and an unbelievably hard task. Yet, as hard as parenting is, we have both a compelling vision for parenting and a great resource in Jesus to live that vision out.
How does the worldview that God considers "good" impact our understanding and experience of gender today? There are many things to learn, and many questions to ask. But amidst them, a God who is worthy of our trust and people who are worthy of our compassion.
Imago Dei touches on the significant issues of value and purpose leading to how we see and treat ourselves and others.
Andy Steiger, Director of "Apologetics Canada" joins Central Heights' Lead Pastor Tim Klassen for a conversation about faith and science. A bonus resource from the "Genesis: Right From The Start" series.
What if faith and science were friends rather than enemies? Observation and analysis can lead us to God and Christian faith can fill in our understanding of what is.
Genesis 1 : Instead of a violent, unreliable, unpredictable world, the creation described in Genesis is the work of a powerful God who is good. He has created a physical world for us to inhabit and enjoy in relationship with him.
We may not like where we are at in life, but no matter where we are at we can do what matters most.
Romans 8:15-16 invites us to know God as Father and to be embraced as his child. When we live and rehearse this truth, we have no reason to fear for everything we long for is found in God, our "Abba Father".
In every moment, no matter the circumstance, if you have Jesus, you have what is most valuable. And that is something you can never lose.
The struggle with sin is real. Yet even in our worst failures, God invites us out of hiding, and into the freedom he has provided.
We are in a constant internal conversation to think differently, and our mind needs to go through a metamorphosis on the way to correct thinking. This is becoming more and more important as we have come through a physical pandemic, but the mental pandemic never stopped. God's word instructs us to renew our mind and ensure we are thinking in the right direction.
We all have a story to share. Our stories will have things to celebrate and moments or even seasons that have been hard. The hard times may be longer than we anticipate, but be patient and take heart. God is Always with you!
An obscure prophetic verse, various medieval monks, repentance, rest, and quietness. In other words, these are some of the words that our Youth Pastor Nathan Archer lives by.
Part 1/10 in a series that looks into the personal stories of 10 different men and women from our pastoral team and elder board that highlights how the Word of God can make an impact in the lives of people.In this first instalment, Central Heights elder chair Mike Woodard shares about the impact of Ephesians 5:15-21 on his life.
The church is central to the plan and purpose of God both in the seen and unseen world. If God loves the church, I've got to love the church. If the church is important to God, the church has to be important to me.
Family is central to the plan and purpose of God. God's BIG picture for parenting will sustain and shape this most important role for the goal of God's glory and a greater good for all.
Being a Christian doesn't mean that your marriage will be easy, but it does mean that you are thoroughly linked to the best possible resource for what is hard. Be a spouse who is synchronized with the Spirit!
Dating can be complicated and confusing. But it can also be good, when I help the person I'm dating encounter what I've encountered in Jesus.
Although challenging, singleness is a viable and commendable option to choose as a way to live your life well before God.
We've all been wounded in the past and we'll all be wronged in the future. But when it comes to forgiveness, what we experience in our relationship with Jesus others should experience in relationship with us.
Conflict is inevitable. Destructive conflict is not. God can use conflict for our good and his glory as we respond rightly, being informed by the gospel with the goal of Christ-like transformation.
Ruth models a friendship that points us to Jesus. As we receive from his loyal, sacrificial love we receive the capacity to be the kind of friend to others that Jesus has been to us.
You need me. I need you. ...to let the word of Christ dwell richly in us, to walk together, to operate in our gifts, speaking the truth in love as we move towards the goal of the fullness of Christ.
When we are healthy, we can bring health to our relationships. With all of the many pathways and tools to contribute to our well-being in a society where it's easy to feel "drained", the perspective of the Bible is that ultimate flourishing is connected to the presence of God. Creating "slow-motion" positions us to receive from God.
Past, present, future ... God's people will encounter difficulty. This does not expose a God who is faithless, but reveals a God who is faithful and worthy of our wholehearted trust and endurance.
Luke Pt 17: The empty tomb is both confusing and amazing. Thankfully, Jesus is willing to journey with us to help us see both it's truth and significance.
Luke Pt 17: In a dramatic sequence of scenes from Luke's gospel, we're confronted about what we really think about when we think about Jesus.
Luke Pt 16: What Jesus does shows us who God is. In one of the most important and foundational chapters in the Bible we are invited to understand and experience a God who lovingly seeks to save people and bring them back to where they belong.
Luke Pt 14: Jesus invites us to look at life differently opening the door to the kind of life that lives free from worry.
Luke Pt 13: Why is prayer important? How do I do it? What even is it? Why should I have to pray more than once? There are so many questions around such a big part of Christianity. What Jesus teaches us is that what we experience in life can change because of who we can pray to.
Luke Pt 12: It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood! But the question is, "Who is my neighbour?"
Luke Pt 12: Nothing will shake and shape you like getting a greater glimpse into the glory of Jesus.
Luke Pt 11: The space between where you are now and the person you want to become, is the space where Jesus does his greatest work.
Luke Pt 10: Today, the 2000-year-old words of Jesus often feel too familiar to elicit any significant response. But if we are able to remove our cultural numbness, perhaps this ancient wisdom will continue to offer transformation, even now.
Luke Pt 9: The intention of Jesus is to multiply his mission in those who believe. This demands a cost on our part but that is both necessary and joy filled in light of who calls us and what we are called into.
Luke Pt 7: Each of us want to be understood and have moments/relationships where people really "get us" and know what we're feeling. Christianity claims that we can put ourselves in position to experience God, because God put himself in a position to be one of us.
Luke Pt 6: If God were building something big, what would it take to experience it? In part 8 of our series in the Gospel of Luke, we look at the potential power and joy of "repentance."
Luke Pt 5: What does it look like to position ourselves to encounter God? These people didn't miss their moment.
Luke Pt 4: Is there something from this ancient story that should be taken seriously this Christmas season? The Bible gives us a record of a surprising and dynamic moment in human history that, like an artistic masterpiece, is something to fully know and deeply love here and now.
Luke Pt 4: God's working in history has often required a shift in those who are called to participate in what he is doing.
Luke Pt 3: Luke 1:39-56 is a story of faith, God's favour and faithfulness expressed in Mary's Song. Mary's song is full of adoration and truth of God's character, her understanding of how he sees her and her response. It is an encouragement for all people who know and serve God.
Luke Pt 3: In the waiting, we can trust in the unrivalled ability of our God to come through.
Luke Pt 2: What does it say about God when his followers experience difficulty and disappointment?
Luke Pt 1: Is the story of Jesus true? Does this ancient story matter today? The tone and purpose of Luke's gospel encourages us to embrace the invitation to have the story of Jesus shape our story today.
The perspectives of science, philosophy and scripture converge to speak about the sacred worth of the unborn child; image bearer of God.
How are you really feeling? It is easy to find ourselves emotionally exhausted, psychologically overworked, spiritually malnourished and completely overwhelmed. How can we strengthen ourselves?
THE CALLING Part 7: God has promised to be with us as he commissions us to the most challenging task of making disciples of all nations.
THE CALLING Part 6: For God's sake, love your country. My citizenship in God's holy nation should make me a better citizen in the country in which I live.
The Calling Pt 5: There is a direct connection between God's calling and the location you are placed in. God wants you to live well where you are.
The Calling, Pt 4: Work is more than a place you go or something you get paid for. From God's perspective, it's something you do with God and for God to see his grand purposes come to life here on earth.
The Calling, Pt 3: What we experience in our relationship with Jesus is what should be experienced in and through the family we belong to.
The Calling, Pt 2: If we want to walk deeper in our calling we have to prioritize personal ownership of our faith in the context of being anchored to a local church community.
The Calling, Pt 1: God has called you to a relationship with him which leads to a life filled with purpose.
Pursuing Wisdom, Pt 10: The friends you choose and how you choose to live with them has a huge impact on the person you become and the life that you experience.
Pursuing Wisdom, Pt 9: Our words are not just words. They have the potential and power to change someone's world.
Pursuing Wisdom, Pt 8: The richest people are not those with the most money but those who are the most generous with what they have.
Pursuing Wisdom, Pt 7: Work as God intended is work given by God, work connected to God, work for God.
Pursuing Wisdom, Pt 6: In the pursuit of Wisdom, our understanding of sex plays a crucial but perhaps unfamiliar role. We must learn how to be fully immersed in the story of God in every aspect of our lives, including sex. God's Wisdom includes restoration from shame, tasteful conversations, and the ability to flourish regardless of sexual activity.
Pursuing Wisdom, Pt 5: Rightly connected, every opportunity of learning is an opportunity to encounter God, the Maker of all things.
Pursuing Wisdom, Pt 4: If God exists, the most foolish thing we could do is to live as if he doesn't. The wisest thing we could do, is to learn everything we can about him so we can respond rightly.
Pursuing Wisdom, Pt 3: How do we recognize the foolishness and limitation of pride in our lives? And what happens if we are humble?
Pursuing Wisdom, Pt 2: If you want to be wise you have to fear God. But what does that mean?
Pursuing Wisdom, Pt 1: What Jesus has done for you is not just to save you from something but to something ... an unimaginable quality of life that starts now and grows into eternity rooted in God's wisdom.
I Peter, Pt 11: To walk in step with Jesus is to lead well, follow well in the church as we walk together with humility and watchfulness in the grace of God.
I Peter, Pt 10: The path through suffering is determined by your perspective of suffering
I Peter, Pt 9: How often do you think about the return of Jesus and the end of this age?
I Peter, Pt 8: Every minute we have the priority to do good and the opportunity to proclaim good news.
I Peter, Pt 6: To follow Jesus is to follow him into submission, suffering, significance and glory.
1 Peter, Pt 4: Christians take away what is harmful to others and take in what's helpful from God.
1 Peter, Pt 3: Obedience to God is not a bondage, it is a bridge to the life that God the Father has for us.
You can dream again. Jesus' resurrection transforms our past and sets us right to live out God's call in our lives.
Why Part 6: Prayer connects us to God's goodness, develops a right relationship with him and paves the way for renewal and revival.
Why Pt 5: Integrity. Depending on who you talk to, a commodity that seems to be in short supply these days. What is it, and why does it matter to those who call themselves followers of Jesus, especially in these crazy, unsettling times?
Why Pt 1: Every person will face difficulty and discouragement. Every Christian can and should patiently fight with enduring faithfulness.
All In Pt 4. Does prayer seem frustrating, intimating, or even unnecessary at times? This message explores the lives of the first generation of Christians and helps us discover how meaningful prayer can be!
All In Pt 2. Why should the church be invested in teaching and learning the word of God?
Home for the Holidays Pt 5. Being a Christian in Canada feels more and more like a position on the fringes. How do we imitate Jesus and seek the world's transformation in our present cultural moment?
Home for the Holidays Pt 4. God's gift-giving purposes and packaging are unparalleled. What God gives can impact how each of us lives.
Home for the Holidays Pt 2. Christmas would be dull without lights. The world would be dark without Jesus.
Home for the Holidays Pt 1. Have you ever wanted to feel like you truly belong? This message explores two timeless stories of life-changing encounters with Jesus that invite us to be truly "home for the holidays" this Christmas season.
God has graciously invited us to be partakers of and ambassadors for His glorious Kingdom.
When you come face to face with an awesome God, worship is the only response that makes any sense.
A full revelation of God includes the reality that God's judgment is an expression of his goodness.
The best news ever is that "God loves you." God's commitment keeping, abounding love flows from who he is. When understood and received this love transforms you and your relationships.
What if God was quick to anger? We are repeatedly shown the patience of God throughout the Bible, and this could have a surprising effect on the type of lifestyle we live.
In one of the most vivid scenes of the Old Testament, we are given a powerful picture of the intense glory and radical grace of God. What do we do with this?
The means and the goal of Christian faith is God's amazing presence. To know God and be in a right relationship with him is the point.
You have heard the saying 'All who wander are not lost'. Explore what 'wandering' and 'home' might look like on our spiritual journeys today.
In the mixture of the good and bad that we experience, what a difference it makes to know that all of it can be directed to God in prayer.
James admonishes us to live well to the end - UNTIL and IN LIGHT OF the second coming of Jesus, the Saviour and Judge of the world.
The pace of our world requires organization and planning, but how can we schedule our lives without compromising our commitment to Jesus? James teaches us that God is the foundation, He is all-encompassing, and everything else comes after.
Conflict is part of all our lives. Getting to the root and fruit of conflict in the authority and grace of Jesus can transform us and our relationships.
"Who is wise and understanding among you?" Ever stop and ask that question? Ever secretly hope someone will say "You are!!"? Have a look at how James contrasts the sources behind two types of wisdom, and how the roots and results of each one will affect the way we live.
Our obedience and service to God demonstrate a genuine faith that leads us to flourishing.
Words and actions informed by God's gospel of mercy dispel the subtle sin of favoritism.
Honouring our heavenly Father and encouraging dads with practical wisdom from Proverbs.
God's word works powerfully in our lives for good when we go beyond hearing it to doing it.
Temptation. Whether it's comfort food, coveting your neighbour's stuff or the challenge of keeping your mind pure, it always boils down to two questions: If I give in, will it be worth it? and Who can I trust to help me determine that?
We can rejoice in our difficulties because God is working with great purpose through them
Everything we have is manna from heaven. When, with grateful hearts, we take only what we need and make the rest available to God, everyone will have enough. Everyone will taste and see that God is good and can be trusted.
We normally don't like the unexpected. But sometimes it's the unexpected that holds the most beautiful things life has to offer.
The Lord's Supper is a life giving tradition. It is a complete meal initiated by Jesus and repeated by his followers. It is rich in history and meaning. It resets our affections and nourishes our souls. It is a place where by faith we can expect to meet with Jesus.
In today's world, the path to glory is defined by building our "brand", having a multifaceted social media presence and carefully shaping and controlling our public image. Jesus' path to glory was very different. He showed us that the path to glory is not what we think it should be. We will examine Jesus' plan for "glory" for everyone who follows him.
Have you ever experienced something so incredible that you just can't stop talking about it? Jesus' disciples did, and it took them from fear and denial to 'we cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.' What did they experience, and how can their experience help us become a movement of more and growing followers of Jesus Christ?
Loving God doesn't require leaving reason. We can investigate history, science, and scripture to see that these things motivate us to love God with all of our capacity.
The truth Christianity offers is the best news: what we can have now in Jesus is greater than anything we could gain or lose in life.
Adoption is a powerful image. Paul tells us to be adopted is actually part of what grants us the Best Life. So what does it actually mean to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ?
When we make room for him we make room for the rest he intends and the rest we long for.
There is no time, place, or situation unfavourable for an unstoppable God to keep his promises.
With God there is always the possibility for a restart because God is a God of second chances.
What direction are you going? It's not just what we profess but how we live that matters to God.
Prayer is a game changer in the battle against the forces that leave us empty and destroyed.
It's in us to pray, we just need to see how much we need God and how ready God is to meet us in our need every day.
Breaking into the barrier of the unseen world in the most privileged relationship with the one who rules it all.
Our choice is demonstrated by our actions; our faith is demonstrated by what we do... and when we choose Jesus it leads to life.
Jesus wants us to be alert to the danger of being misled by others and being misled by ourselves.
Bad things happen, and people get hurt whenever we act with impaired judgement. As followers of Jesus, as recipients of his lavish mercy and immeasurable grace, how should we evaluate our lives and the lives of those around us? Is there a place for sober judgement?
Has greed become a virtue in our society? Has it become a virtue in our churches? What we treasure gives us the answer. Jesus is straightforward on this: to invest in earthly treasure is a terrible idea, to invest in heavenly treasure is a glorious one.
Paul's love for Christ gave him the strength to endure prison and ultimately death for the sake of the Gospel. Ricky shares updates from lives transformed by the love of Jesus from Thailand and call us as his church to go out from here and love each other, looking for the 'mission field' God has given us right here in Abbotsford.
You know your understanding of God is right when your thoughts of him are filled with grace AND truth... and that is how you respond to others.
Have you ever watched the news or thought about your own life and wondered, "God, if you are real, where are you?". How might we live in a world with evil but follow a God who is good? Join us this Sunday to explore the tension between the reality of evil and the power of God.
Christians should not be "science deniers." We can BOTH value science AND have faith in God because science gives us confidence for belief and cause for worship.
The saying goes "Preach the Gospel at all times...Use words when necessary". Accurate statement or convenient excuse?
How God holds his sovereignty in connection to our free choice will continue to be debated. It is not for us to live without the tension but to act and live as if both are true.
We don't just read the Bible. We read the Bible to know the God who stands behind it as is revealed in it.
The magnificent and necessary dual nature of Christ. Get this and you will worship and live fueled up for Jesus.
The church is meant to be unlike any other place because the God it worships is unlike anything or anyone else.
We can hardly imagine what God has in store for us as this chapter of the Kingdom Story ends and a new one begins.
The Kingdom of God is here! ... but not yet, not fully. In the meantime we have a story to live and a story to tell.
Historical, scriptural, personal. The resurrection of Jesus is all these and when believed He transforms our lives.
The King has come to give us life, where his kingdom is manifested on earth as it is in heaven.
The prophets are preparing us to long for Jesus and everyone who has this hope lives differently.
In Israel's history we are given partial snapshots of God's coming perfect rule and complete rescue.
As the King Creator, God shows that he is good and that we have incredible value and purpose.
Even in a place of God's favour, significant sacrifice may be called for in the face of opposition.
Our world says your activity creates your identity. Nehemiah shows us how your identity needs to drive your activity.
Not all collisions are beautiful but in Jesus something beautiful has already broken into this world with the potential to make a difference right now as we wait for it to break in, finally and fully.
The Christmas story doesn't begin with Mary and Joseph. It begins with Jesus, and his decision to use his divine privileges for our advantage.
Sometimes our circumstances are perplexing because of what God is doing or what he is asking of us.
We see the beautiful collision of many inconvenient, uncommon, unexpected and even seemingly impossible realities at Christmas. The plan for our rescue from God's wrath involved sending a Saviour to suffer. This collision can lead to some amazing results in our lives.
Jesus' physical absence is more than compensated for by his sending of the Spirit. Through the Spirit we have a decided advantage in God's mission.
We are never alone, never without help, and never without hope because God is with us by being in us through the Spirit.
Our thirst is satisfied by the Holy Spirit when we believe Jesus. The Holy Spirit then becomes life in us and for others.
We are worshippers and fundamental to our relationship with God is that our worship be directed to Him in Spirit and Truth.
God's potent word leads to flourishing when we prioritize it and persevere to live it out.
Sometimes we need to override our feelings and make the choices that lead us to flourish. Rejoice. Pray. Thank.
You were created for good works that have eternal impact and you will flourish if you do.
When Jesus saves people He makes them God's children. This transformation gives us a new standing of life in God and a new standard of living from God. The promise and command to reach maturity brings about God's best in every area of life - especially in loving others.
The law restrained people from going beyond in retaliation. Jesus goes beyond in giving grace.
In relationships and marriage in particular, God's good intentions are experienced when we are the kind of people who keep their commitments.
Jesus gets to the heart of the matter as he reinforces God's intention on the subject of sex.
"Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees," sets a pretty high bar for anyone who wants to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In an effort to flesh that out, Jesus starts by tackling the topic of "Murder".
Jesus uses two household items known as "salt" and "light" to describe the influence his followers exhibit. It's an intentional way of living with the potential to change the entire world.
Peace-making sounds like a great ideal to strive toward. However, stepping into conflict can be a dangerous proposal. After all, Jesus, our great "Prince of Peace" was put to death in order to bring us peace!
Getting beyond the hurts of life and the mixed motivations of our hearts in order to release the mercy of God in our lives and open our vision to see God clearly.
Living a "blessed life" involves seeking God's presence, engaging people his way and striving after what he values.
If the Holy Spirit is for all who believe than all who believe have a Spirit empowered mission.
Jesus had a way of getting under the skin of the religious establishment. How could a "great teacher" welcome "sinners" and eat with them? And what does that say about how God the Father views people?
Relationships are what unite us as a church and connect us to Jesus Christ. Authentic relationships are demonstrated in being connected as one, held together by love, and give us hope in community.
God has a potential for you that will only be realized in His church. As we give and receive in a loving environment with gifted leadership we can grow into the potential of nothing less than the fullness of Jesus Christ.
In the encounter of Jesus and the woman in Samaria we see how we are all invited to worship, we discover how God satisfies our thirst and how the Spirit empowers us to become true worshippers that bring his life into the world!
Prayer is both a relationship with God and a partnership with him. When we are intentional in that relationship and partnership in Prayer - God works in powerfully!
Sound doctrine is the unashamed declaration of the full counsel of God's word, both his nurture and his admonition, spoken and taught by those who have, as their primary goal, his approval - over that of men.
God wants you to know Him and to be with Him. This ultimate life-giving pursuit is worth everything.
God's invitation and promise are magnified and secured through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Getting a glimpse of God's holiness would be the ruin of us if not for the grace of God.
God's new community is a family. Not perfect, but destined to grow and develop into Christlike maturity.
As Paul answers four criticisms of his ministry among the Corinthians, he shows us the difference between being a true leader and a false, or fake, leader. We can learn not only how to choose true leaders to follow, but also how to be good leaders.
We all want to be a part of something important. We want to see God's power released. Paul challenges us to look in unexpected places and live in unexpected ways.
The ripple effect of God's grace in our lives is the amazing experience of investing in God's mission. When we entrust God with the resources he has given us, He multiplies our giving for the benefit of the world and for His glory. Our generosity shows the world our generous God.
When Jesus becomes priority one, His Lordship influences every area of our lives including our financial giving. We can seek to excel in this act of grace too.
In 1 Samuel 17, we find a familiar story that should encourage all of us to go deeper in worship as we face the giants of this life. For it is in presence and character of our Lord that we will ultimately find our victory.
God has given us a sacred privilege. He so wants to be with us that for those who believe in him he has made us his place of residence. Holy.
God is compassionate and cares for His people, especially those that are disadvantaged. With correction and promise, God brings to light His desire for us to exercise justice and hospitality. As we let our light shine in caring for others and especially those who are vulnerable, God promises a bright future.
First births can be a bit challenging and Mary's was no different. What was born that first Christmas Day might surprise you and change how you celebrate this Christmas!
How can we lead and be led well? Paul's example paved the way for an open and rich relationship with the people of God. This model should inspire us to grow into a Christlikeness making it possible for us to have transformational relationships with "wide open" hearts towards one another.
How can we lead and be led well? Paul's example paved the way for an open and rich relationship with the people of God. This model should inspire us to grow into a Christlikeness making it possible for us to have transformational relationships with "wide open" hearts towards one another.
God knew man's relationship with himself needed fixing. He made the first and necessary move so that we could be reconciled to Him not just as forgiven sinners but as the righteousness of God. This grace is worthy of our whole-hearted response.
Have you drifted away from God, or lost your sense of mission? Discover how to come home to God and live with a renewed purpose!
Culture is intrigued with the meaning of life and death. Production studios and publishing houses make a lot of money on artificial intelligence and zombie themes. How should Christians look at death and how should that perspective impact our living?
Your difficulties and your whole life for that matter look so much different from this perspective. What if everything about us was for God and His Glory? When that treasure dominates our thinking we will never lose heart.
Believers are all to be participants in the ministry of God. When we see the glory of God in Jesus and how He became a servant we will carry out our ministry wholeheartedly in the same way.
As new covenant people Christians are privileged to live in a new way. God's Spirit has been given to give life, empower right living and transform us into the very image of Christ.
Paul encourages us that God leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and through us spreads the knowledge of him everywhere. That aroma is pleasing to those who have received, or are open, to the Gospel of Jesus, and repugnant to those who have rejected, or are not open to, it. It is Christ living in and through us that enables us to speak the word of God in Christ.
The line between discipline and punishment can be summed up in one word - restoration. Paul urges the Corinthian church to forgive and restore one of their disciplined members. As a church, how we restore others reflects how well we understand the Gospel message and it's implications for our lives.
When Paul's leadership is called into question his defense points us to the absolute trustworthiness of God. This becomes the basis for how Paul lived and how we should model our lives.
God works so that the afflictions and difficulty we experience for the sake of his gospel are not without purpose. When our desire is to know God, become like him, advance his kingdom and strengthen others any suffering that we experience takes on a whole new light.