Cobourg Alliance Messages: Recent Episodes
Cobourg Alliance Church Messages
Speaker: Vijay Krishnan
Ever had someone try to sell you something you weren’t sure you wanted? Awkward, right? Even worse when it has to do with faith. When it comes to God we don’t want to feel like we’re selling or being sold to. The good news is that God isn’t selling anything. Listen in as we wrap up our series with Pastor Vijay from The Well in Toronto.
theoneeighty.ca
Speaker: Domenic Ruso
For the past few weeks we have been getting honest about a difficult challenge. Our old ways of sharing about God are no longer connecting with those we love and care about. This week The 180's Pastor Dom revisits the words of Jesus that reframes things with a focus on how our presence, rooted in Jesus, can lead others to embrace God's ways.
theoneeighty.ca
Speaker: Domenic Ruso
While we all want to share good news, it's not that easy when we are talking about faith. For many reasons, people now associate the story of Jesus with shameful stories that have left them with negative emotions. In week 2 of our series, Pastor Dom from The 180 helps us to learn about how the Holy Spirit helps us to remain sensitive and aware of the challenges of our secular culture.
theoneeighty.ca
Speaker: Domenic Ruso
With bad news all around us it’s hard to hear or believe that God’s message is good news. This confusion requires us to revisit the way we talk and share about Jesus and His love for us. Listen in as Pastor Dom from 180 Church in Montreal starts our new teaching series that helps us get honest about certain approaches to evangelism.
theoneeighty.ca
Speaker: Marshall Davis
Sometimes we look at the legends of the Old Testament as if they were nearly perfect moral examples. So when we read about their failures, we either gloss over them, excuse them, or are perplexed. But the stories of the Old Testament legends are preserved for us not because they were perfect but because they believed God. God extended grace to them when they sinned like he does to all sinners who ask.
Speaker: Marshall Davis
We've been told that we have to fight our own battles, and there is truth to it. But we tend to universalize what is not a universal truth. The truth is, we often need a champion to fight battles for us that we simply can't fight on our own. Life is full of examples, and one such example is the legal profession. We have lawyers because we lack the expertise to handle what needs to be done, whether it's buying a house, seeking justice, or defending ourselves against injustice. The good news is that God gives us champions, and they come in various forms.
Speaker: Tony Posthumus
Legendary heroes are strong, confident, and courageous. But what if heroes aren't all that? What if heroes wonder, question and doubt? What if heroes have hard emotions just like the rest of us? Are they still heroes?
Speaker: Heather Haley
Think of a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone. How did you feel? Scared? Nervous? Excited? Perhaps God is calling you into something new. While the unknown can feel scary, the story of Ruth reminds us of the abundance we receive on our journey. Join us as we walk with Ruth into the unknown, and see how God is with us in our dark times, and light.
Speaker: Kevin Price
You’ve tried and tried and tried to do it all on your own. That seems to be the way of the world anyway, right? The self-made man or woman pushing through difficulty to create the inevitable success story that's just one tough moment away. But it’s not quite working. What’s next? Join us today as we begin our summer series, Legendary, with a look into the life of Samson — and as we see together, a God-centred vision for reliance.
cobourgalliance.ca
Speaker: Kathy Klassen
This week, we welcome Tyler Tavares as our new lead pastor with a special message from Kathy Klassen.
Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares
As soon as I have enough, I'll be generous! Maybe you've been there. Me too. But how much is enough, and how does God see generosity? Join us as we explore what it means to simplify generosity.
Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares
Life can be complicated, especially when we're trying to sort out the right next step. Join us this long weekend as we continue our Simplicity series and explore the wisdom and encouragement the Bible offers for people struggling to take that crucial next step.
Discover practical strategies to simplify your daily actions and choices, aligning them with God's plan for your life.
The recording of this service experienced some technical difficulties, causing an interruption. The transcript of anything missed is included below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19xJvcxxlo20rIME97FZDNHPgVK8_l28X82bnjTv4qkc/edit?usp=sharing
Speaker: Pastor Abigail Pascoli
What would your life look like if you knew all of your needs were taken care of? Would you change how you live? So often we hold on to worries that we were never meant to carry and take away from the gift God has given us of meeting all our needs. This week, we look to Matthew 6 and see how God asks us to release our worries so He can meet our needs.
Someone gets healed of a lifelong medical issue. Another group of people can suddenly speak in a language they’ve never studied. A raging storm instantly dies down with a simple word. Have you ever read parts of the Bible and wondered if that same miracle, sign, or wonder can happen today? It’d be amazing to see, that’s for sure. But what’s the purpose of those miracles, signs, and wonders in the first place? Join us as we finish our series on the Holy Spirit by exploring the purpose of the Spirit’s empowerment to witness with miracles, signs, and wonders.
Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares
Have you ever experienced the shock, and maybe humour, of knowing someone for years and hearing them share a brand new story about their past that you’d never heard? You wonder where that gem-of-a-story’s been hiding all this time because hidden stories have less impact than revealed ones. The same is true of your story with God: it’s not meant to stay hidden, because its power emerges in the telling.
Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares, featuring the Alpha Course
God? Was that you? If you've ever found yourself confused about whether what you heard, or thought you heard, was God speaking to you or the churn of last night's enormous burrito sifting its way through your system, you're not alone. Discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit — God's presence in the here and now — can be tricky. Join us as we digest the voice of the Spirit in a world filled with a million messages.
Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle
There are all sorts of areas in our lives where the limits of our living come down to the lack in our lives of things like vision, goals, a strategy to accomplish those goals, and a lifestyle of habits and disciplines to ensure growth. But every one of us experiences seasons in life where the challenges we’re called on to face are so significant that you don't think you have what it takes to make it through… and it's true... you don't.
Speaker: Tyler Tavares
We've all experienced the death of something important to us: relationships, hopes, dreams, expectations, and even faith. Maybe you felt crushed in that moment, unsure how to process the loss and unsure of where, or toward whom, to turn. Join us as we explore the story of two individuals who found life unexpectedly after experiencing death — the kind of life that can arise from the depths of despair and find hope in the midst of loss.
cobourgalliance.ca
Speaker: Dan van Essen
Have you ever experienced a situation where your plans were derailed? How did you respond? In Luke 8:40-56, we see how different people reacted when their plans were derailed, and yet Jesus invites us to keep engaging with him and hold on to expectant hope.
Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares
Maybe you’ve been there: vacation’s right around the corner, a million things to finish before you leave, and the only thing motivating you to hustle is the serenity you’ll find waiting for you after finally sitting comfortably by that crystal clear lake that offers the best picture of peace you could imagine.
Only to discover that even after all the hustle, your mind won’t stop, even as you try to sit peacefully and embrace moments of calm that have been eluding you since this year’s major work project started.
Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle
Did you know that the Greeks had an interesting way of measuring time? The Olympiad, a period of four years, was a way for them to keep track of time. However, in modern times, we measure time differently — some may even measure time by the start of Monday Night Football! This week at Cobourg Alliance, we're exploring a different way of thinking about time. In our message on the book of Philippians, we'll look at how the Apostle Paul uses a sports metaphor to help us grow past our failures and fumbles.
Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle
Have you ever felt absolutely overwhelmed by the pressure to live up to a certain standard or image, whether it's self-imposed or not? Are you tired of falling short and tempted to give up trying? What if God's plan wasn't to measure your strengths or weaknesses, assets and liabilities to see if you make the grade?
Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle
Ever wonder what happens after you find faith?
What to do next?
Do you ever feel like the joy of meeting Jesus drained out somewhere along the way, and you're still struggling with the same stuff in your life? What if faith wasn't something you found but something you become fit for? What if finding Jesus is just the start?
Are you tired of superficial, shallow relationships that leave you feeling unknown and unheard? Are you looking for a community where you can build solid and lasting relationships that empower you to make a difference? In Philippians 2, Paul shares the secret to finding your tribe and building a community that can change the world — and it all starts with you as you practice the imitation of Christ.
Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares
Have you ever met someone who seems ready for the hard stuff in life, who holds fast to a sense of purpose in the midst of all that difficulty? Someone who can see beyond their own situation to the value their circumstance can hold for others? They seem energized and empowered by something more. The Apostle Paul lived that kind of life. He had the kind of attitude that moved him beyond himself to something deeper. If you want that kind of life, join us as we explore week two in our eight-week series on Philippians.
Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle
Ever felt in over your head? Like you're facing some giant, but you're all alone. It's just you and him.
I think Garth Brooks got at least that part right; we all need friends in low places. And having a few friends when the going gets tough changes everything.
Speaker: Reverend Howard Jolly
As a church, we are for truth and reconciliation, but we know we have a lot to learn. October 2022, we welcomed our friend and special guest, Rev. Howard Jolly. Howard is the executive director of the First Nations Alliance Churches of Canada (FNACC). He leads an online ministry empowering Indigenous leaders through sharing stories, music and testimonies.
We are thankful to be part of a family of churches that is learning to serve the indigenous people of Canada in such a way that the Gospel of Jesus is truly good news. May Jesus bring peace, healing and restoration to all his children!
Carl Frederick Buechner, an American Novelist and a profoundly influential Pastor and Theologian, said, "One life on this earth is all we get, whether it is enough or not enough, and the obvious conclusion would seem to be at the very least we are fools if we do not live it as fully and bravely and beautifully as we can." On Monday Frederich Buechner passed away. At 96 years old, it sure seems like he succeeded at living his life as fully, bravely, and beautifully as he could. This Sunday at Cobourg Alliance Church, we're looking at a story where Jesus skips right to the end and shows what it looks like to have a brave and beautiful life. If you could skip to the end, how would you know you lived it fully?
It can feel defeating when you are starting out and feel like what you have to work with is so small. How can anything grow when what you have feels like nothing at all? In the book of Mark, Jesus shares a parable that tells us that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds, but once planted, it grows into the largest plant in the garden. What would it be like if we had faith that the Kingdom of God would grow to be a massive influence even if all we see if a small mustard seed? This week, we will take a look at how God's promises for big things should enable us to expect big things from God and change how we view church.
Speaker: Pastor Abby Langlois
How well do you know your circle? Do you take time to notice the people in your life and invest in them? What does your circle look like? Is it full of people who make you comfortable or do you have wide variety? In Luke 15, we read of the Parable of the Lost Sheep, where Jesus talks about paying attention to your circle so that if one wanders off, you can go chase them and bring them back. This weekend, we will look at what it means to chase after your circle and celebrate when they return.
Speaker: Marshall Davis
God made us for joy, so it’s not a problem that we seek joy and happiness. As C. S. Lewis said, the problem is we are too easily satisfied! We won’t give up cheap and easy joy for ultimate or apparent joy for real joy. Maybe it’s because we don’t think there is anything better. Maybe we don’t know where to find it or if it is real. Or, perhaps we don’t believe it can come from there.
Speaker: Kevin Price
Often Jesus' parables flip people's expectations on their head. They seem to have the wrong heroes and teach things that made His original audience upset. The parable of "The Good Samaritan" is a great example of this. Jesus confronts the divisions of his time with a controversial story of a hated Samaritan being the "good guy" and helping an injured man. Through this story, we are challenged to consider the question of "who is our neighbour?" and "how do we respond to them?" And what if we dislike our neighbours and disagree with them? Let's explore the answers to these questions this Sunday as we continue our summer series "Long Story Short".
Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares
Perhaps one of the most frustrating experiences in life occurs when we see hypocrisy unveiled. Maybe it's someone who, for the longest time, expressed their commitment to faithfulness and morality but all along were acting another way. In today's parable from Matthew 18 we'll explore the delicate relationship between mercy and hypocrisy, hopefully gaining a vision for what it means to navigate our human relationships with God-infused mercy and wisdom.
Speaker: Jay Calder
This Sunday, we are highlighting the ministry of Compassion Canada. We will be joined by Jay Calder, who will be speaking, performing, and sharing a bit about Compassion’s ministry. Compassion Canada’s ministry really resonates with Cobourg Alliance Church because it is focused on releasing children from poverty through the local church. Over the coming weeks, prayerfully consider whether God is leading you and your family to sponsor a child. Find out more about Compassion Canada at www.compassion.ca/event/cobourgalliance/.
Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle
If you've ever tried to lead a horse to water, you know it can be hard to help people who need it sometimes. But everywhere Jesus went, he would redraw the boundaries of what people thought was possible or what people thought was appropriate. In Week 2 of our series: A Long Story Short, we're looking at the Parable of the Old Wineskins to see if maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle
Jesus was a master at talking Life-changing lessons, packaging them in Short stories, and making them memorable, often in a single phrase. This morning we’re kicking off a brand new series called Long Story Short, where we look at look a long story short that Jesus told to cast a vision for how you can make the absolute most of this summer, while you future-proof the rest of your life.
Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares
Father’s Day 2022 has arrived, and it’s time for a Father’s Day Top 10 — 10 of the best dad moments from scripture — from rescue to protection to comfort and everything in between, join us Sunday as we explore why we call God our good Father. See you then!
Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares
The story of Jonah’s a classic, and for good reason: he runs from God, gets swallowed by a huge fish, survives in its stomach for three days, gets spit onto the beach, and finishes his original mission to preach to the Ninevites who heed the message, repent, and avoid destruction. Feels like the story should end there, right? It doesn’t, and there’s way more than meets the eye. This is a story all about human contempt and the impossibility of divine compassion. Join us Sunday as we’re invited by God to explore the reality of our own relationships.
Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares
What if... healing is sometimes more than just that thing we want to be healed? And what if the difference between God’s vision for what life can be and how life actually is… is expectation? Join us as we conclude our series all about prayer with a focus on healing.
Speaker: Pastor Abby Langlois
What if... the difference between God's vision for what life can be and how life actually is… is the size of our prayers. Praying big prayers can make us feel vulnerable, uneasy and uncomfortable. This weekend we'll see how big prayers not only change the trajectory of our lives but also help us process what is happening around us when we explore 1 Samuel in part two of our new "IF" series.
Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares
Some aspects of the Christian faith can be confusing at first, maybe none more than prayer. What is prayer, how does it work, and does knowing what kind of prayers we pray help us hear God’s response? Join us as we start to explore a life of prayer.
Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle
In the final week of our series, we're talking about God's greatest gift to us as humans and the single most valuable currency we have to share as we build a Generous Life.
Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle
Proverbs 11:11 says that through the blessing of the upright, it is possible to change the trajectory of the city, a nation, or even the world around us. In Week three of our series called "A Generous Life," we're talking about the Biblical Basis for Generous Giving and how to transform our good intentions into a truly remarkable life.
Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle
Archimedes is famous for saying, "give me a lever long enough - and I will move the world!" In part two we're going to talk about how to leverage everything we have to move the world around us. Join us and get ready to work your advantage.
Speaker: Pastor Darryl Buckle
Over the next four weeks, we’re taking a look at the beauty and the blessing of generosity. Beauty, as we imitate the creative generosity of God himself, and Blessing as we watch God grow our faith, the church, and the community around us as we develop a Generous Life. This series might change the way you think about money and generosity.
This series might just change the way you think about life!
Speaker: Pastor Tyler Tavares
Spring is here! Birds chirp, flowers bloom, motorcyclists and baseball fans jump for joy. It’s a good season for many reasons, and on Easter Sunday, we celebrate an event that makes this particular Spring day the most meaningful of all — the resurrection of Jesus. Join us as we explore how this one event impacts our lives today.
Speaker: Darryl Buckle
Good Friday is the day Christians around the world celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It must seem profoundly strange for anyone looking from the outside. How can the crucifixion of anyone be called good? And how can a cross accomplish anything good in my life? Join us and discover the power of the message of the cross.
Speaker - Abby Langlois
Control is something many of us long for. But what if our need for control doesn't line up with what God has planned? What if God is calling you to a place where faith and trust must replace the need for control?
The story of Lazarus is one where we see Jesus call up the faith of those around Him and ask that in their waiting, they continue to believe that there is a plan. As we prepare for Easter next week, let this message be one to inspire, challenge and “call up” faith to a deeper place.
Speaker - Tyler Tavares
Physical blindness is a spectrum — from near-sightedness to cataracts to glaucoma, different people can experience different degrees of physical blindness. The same is true of spiritual blindness, and in John 9 we discover Jesus the Ophthalmologist, the one who can diagnose and heal both physical and spiritual blindness. Join us this week as we explore the sixth of seven significant signs in the gospel of John.
Speaker - Darryl Buckle
If you’ve ever felt lost, adrift, or alone with no sign of hope and no ship coming in, you might be surprised to find out that God is closer than you think. Join us as we continue our S7GNS series in search of peace in the midst of our fear.
Speaker - Tyler Tavares
You just woke up and it hits you: hunger. You know you can’t focus on anything else until you grab a bite to eat. What do you reach for? We can satisfy hunger a million different ways: from bread to Big Macs to blue cheese.. But what about spiritual hunger? What do you reach for? Join us this Sunday at CAC as we discover the only way to satisfy spiritual hunger in the fourth of seven significant signs in the gospel of John.
Speaker - Tyler Tavares
You’ve probably been there. Someone in the room tells a joke and it goes right over your head. Punch line missed. Jesus encountered people who missed the point pretty often, but in his case the stakes were higher. Join us this Sunday at CAC as we go on a few of our own adventures in missing the point.
Speaker - Tyler Tavares
A good magic show leaves us wanting more. The mystique, amazement and big reveal all come together to create something incredible and, most of the time, inexplicable. But when the show is over, we go about our lives, only drawn back to the magician if we can see another eye-popping trick. Some people approached Jesus like an intriguing magician, but Jesus wanted them to experience something more. Join us in week two of our series “S7GNS” to find out how Jesus changes our vision of him from magician to Messiah.
Speaker - Tyler Tavares
The gospel of John is all about the journey of faith — exploring and deepening faith in Jesus as he reveals himself through stories, signs, teaching, miracles, and more. Join us in week one of our series, S7NGS, as we uncover who Jesus is through his first significant sign: water to wine.
Speaker - Darryl Buckle
Eugene Peterson wrote, “we live in a society in which crowded schedules and harassed conditions are evidence of importance.” In week 4 of Beating Burnout Pastor Darryl is talking about how to tame the lion of ambition, so that “Hustle and Grind “doesn’t become “Burnout and Brokenness”.
Speaker - Abby Langlois
When we are in the midst of crazy schedules and busy seasons, it can feel that we don’t have time to rest. However, from the beginning of time, rest is something that God has gifted us as a way to restore our souls. This week at Cobourg Alliance Church, we will look at how God intended rest as part of a regular rhythm and why it is important, regardless of our situation.
Speaker - Tyler Tavares
A good cry can work wonders, right? Maybe you're not known for tears, or perhaps you are — whatever the case, a good cry helps us process grief and sorrow. Even if tears don't flow, there's a word for passionately expressing that feeling — it's lament. And the Bible is full of these moments. Join us as we explore how lament can help us beat burnout.
Speaker - Marshall Davis
Recent years have been full of challenges, and many people have been left feeling burned-out. The prolonged stress of the pandemic, uncertainty, change, and loss has taken a toll on all of us. This four-week series helps us understand burnout and invites us to trust the Bible’s promises, wisdom, and practical insight to help us beat it.