Awakening Canada Podcast: Recent Episodes
Awakening Church Canada
This podcast captures messages spoken at our Sunday morning gatherings in Warman, SK. Online: www.awakeningcanada.org
In this sermon, Connor introduces our Lenten series on the questions we ask Jesus. In this first week, we examine Nicodemus's question: "can a man be born again?"
In this family service, Connor shares on the second beatitude from the Sermon on the Mount. Why does God bless those who mourn? And how do we create space for healthy grief in our lives?
In this sermon, Kendall shares on the Transfiguration. What does the Transfiguration reveal about the life and nature of every believer?
In this sermon, our special guest Nico Deschner shares on the kenotic nature of God. Did Jesus set aside His divinity in dying on a cross? Or did Jesus reveal the truest nature of who God is - and who we are called to be to the world around us?
In this message, Kendall shares about God's way of thinking. We have the mind of Christ!
In this family service, Connor shares on the first Beatitude - first to the children, and then to the adults. Just what does it mean to be "poor in Spirit"?
In this sermon, Connor shares about the specificity and universality of Christ. What does it mean to follow Jesus - and how do we know who He is when we think we’ve found Him?
In this message, Kendall shares about the simplicity of discipleship. What does it mean to follow Jesus? And who do we follow to get to Him?
In this message, Kendall shares about hearing the voice of God. How do we learn to trust that God is speaking to us? How do we learn to listen?
In this message, Kendall shares about how the baby in the manger gives us a way to experience true peace.
In this message, Connor shares on the Highway of Holiness - and how the incarnation changes the journey of every human life.
In this message, our guest Nadi Deschner focuses our attention on Hope in this Advent season.
In this message, Kendall shares our new theme for the upcoming year. We are going onward!
In this message, Connor discusses the importance of providing a Christ-like influence for our children
In this message, Kendall unpacks what it really means to "wrestle with God". Why does God sometimes resist us? And how can we have the courage to seek God, face-to-face?
In this sermon, Connor shares about how the Kingdom of Heaven is in conflict with the powers and principalities of our world. Jesus is political–but not in the way we expect Him to be. He calls us to be a community of foreigners and exiles in a world of tribalism and hostility.
In this message, Kendall talks about how the Kingdom of God instructs us to train our speech in the middle of conflict. We must learn to discipline our words to reflect our inner reality without being dishonest. But we must speak words of life and honour if we expect to navigate conflict like Jesus did.
In this message, Kendall kicks our new series on conflict. Christians who live in the Kingdom of God will not avoid conflicts - instead, they will learn how to become masters at navigating them. How do we learn to communicate how we're truly feeling without trying to wound other people?
In this Q and A session, Kendall and Connor field questions from the congregation on matters of the soul - specifically related to conflict, creativity, and connection.
In this sequel to last week's message, Connor continues to unpack the work of letting God explore the deep places of our hearts. How does the inner work of the Spirit relate to the revelation of God in Christ? And what is the true nature of faith in God for the journey we're on?
In this message, Connor shares about the nature of the incarnation and how it affects the journey God has all of humanity on. Just where is God leading all eight billion of us? Just what does it have to do with our heart? And how does the perfect Father draw His children toward a homecoming?
In this message, Kendall shares Jesus's instruction for throwing and attending parties. It turns out that where we sit at the table–and who we invite to our house–is important to God's kingdom.
In this sermon, Connor talks about the importance of the Sabbath, and how rest helps us resist principalities and powers. We can draw instruction for our rituals of rest from the life and teaching of Jesus.
In this message, Kendall shares on the biblical concept of "waiting on the Lord". What does it mean to wait faithfully? What does patience produce in us?
In this message, our guest and supported relief-worker John Archer shares testimonies from what God is doing around the world - and he exhorts us to move beyond a life constrained by fear and thirst.
In this message, our guest David Willis mixes prophecy and teaching as he encourages us to endure in the gifts and calling God has for us.
In this message, Kendall shares on the gift of hospitality. What does it take to keep our soul refreshed - and how does that position us to bring rejuvenation to others?
In this message, our guest Cam Parker shares about his journey from performance Christianity into genuine relationship with the Father.
Continuing our "Summer of Soul" series, Kendall shares about how to restore people who are bruised or caught in sin according to Paul's teaching. How do we learn to become a restorative community?
In this sermon, our guest Nico Deschner walks us through a prophetic word over our church and community - sharing his recent journey of God's faithfulness along the way.
In this message, Kendall continues our "Summer of Soul" by talking about emotional distress, depression, and other negative emotional experiences. How do we address the hardships of life - and our perception of stress and discouragement?
In this long message, Connor shares about how the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of new creation. Your story and purpose fall inside Jesus's mission to restore all things to resurrection life!
In this conclusion to our series called "Tales of Wonder", Kendall unpacks the surprising nature of Pentecost. Instead of just being about giving spiritual gifts to individuals, Pentecost is a new kind of homecoming for the whole world.
In this message, Connor shares on the surprising nature of worship and freedom. Paul and Silas are imprisoned for liberating someone else - but they're already internally free. How does worship bring us into true liberation?
In this message, Connor shares on the surprising nature of God's calling. Just how does God speak to us and direct our path? And what do we do with the surprises He brings along the way?
In this sermon, Kendall continues our series on God's surprises, called "Tales of Wonder". The most surprising moment in the book of Acts has to do with a vision of foods the Jewish people weren't permitted to eat. Just why would God call Peter to call the unclean things clean? And what does it mean for our own conception of community?
In this message, Kendall continues our series on the surprises of God by talking about the revival of Dorcas. Just how valuable is a widow, anyway? And what does it mean to imitate Jesus in the middle of our ordinary acts of kindness?
In this message, Connor unpacks how the satanic functions in our life and culture. What happens when two people who are trying to "cast out" each other? What was the surprise that made Saul reconsider the very nature of his faith?
In this message, Kendall continues our series entitled "Tales of Wonder". God surprises the apostles again and again throughout the book of Acts. What if God isn't trying to keep you out of prison - what if God wants to break you out of prison?
In this message, Connor shares on the present nature of the Resurrection. God changes our story when we're honest about the condition of our heart. Hope is resurrected when we break bread with strangers and call them friends.
In this message, Kendall closes our series on "The Songs Jesus Sang" by talking about the worship moment of Palm Sunday. What was Jesus offering Jerusalem? And what do we receive from Him in worship?
In this message, our guest Linda Walker shares about The Bridge Ministry in Saskatoon. She shares stories from her work with the disenfranchised on the streets of our city, and calls us out of comfort to serve the Lord and love others sacrificially.
In this message, our honoured guest Cassandra Lee unpacks the nature of Kingdom justice. She shares stories from her ministry Justice Rising - bringing hope and education to the heart of the Congo.
Continuing on in the series on "The Songs Jesus Sang", Connor examines Psalm 63. What does it look like to be "hungry for God"? Was Jesus hungry? How does worship affect our emotional health? And what does it mean to be "pure in heart"?
In this message, Kendall talks about the significance of developing a secret place with God. How did David understand his relationship with God in Psalm 27? And how did Jesus find security in the Father's presence?
In this sermon, Kendall begins a new worship series on "The Songs Jesus Sang". We're looking at the Psalms for our lenten journey with Jesus toward Jerusalem. Just how did Jesus understand Psalm 91? And what kind of protection did He expect from God the Father?
In this message, Connor shares about the nature of veils and temples and why we often misunderstand the meaning of the transfigured Christ.
Kendall unpacks two truths held in tension for every believer - we are called to thrive, but we live in a wilderness. How we go into the wild determines whether or not we will flourish in the difficulties of life. What does it take to turn the desert into a spring?
In this message, Kendall unpacks the difference between the crowd and the called. Peter discovers his calling in the middle of his ordinary life - so do we. How can we make room for Jesus in our boat?
Connor shares about moving from relationships built upon expectations toward relationships built upon trust. How do we cultivate a culture where people are free to be themselves?
Wes preaches on the nature of community - and he unpacks how Paul confronts the lies that come against the body of Christ. We need to see the unique function we have in community, and we need to journey with one another.
Kendall shares on the nature of the Holy Spirit's power. God is not present in our lives to merely be a magic trick that rescues us from pain. Rather, He longs to be present with us because He considers us to be His treasure.
In this sermon, Connor shares about the Wise Men who followed a star to the Christ child. What if our creativity is meant to connect us to the divine? And what if every star leads to the baby?
In this message, Connor talks about the road of life - how the choices we make in relationship affect the outcome of our destiny. What if the people we keep are more important than the things we accomplish?
In this message, Kendall shares the Bible's cosmic perspective on Christmas. Sometimes the struggles we face have eternal significance we do not see on the surface!
In this message, Kendall shares about how Christ wants to be born into our place of greatest dysfunction. What does it take to see the saviour arriving in the middle of the injustices in our lives?
In this message, Connor shares about how the coming of God always includes the necessary end of the way life used to function. As such, it is an apocalyptic event–we see the way the world was, and the way it could be. And we are transformed to receive this salvation properly through repentance.
In this message, Kendall kicks off our series on Advent. Advent is the season of anticipation - why are we focused on the end of the world? Why is Jesus born into such distressing circumstances? And how can we find the baby who gives hope and joy in the midst of our own pain?
On Reign of Christ Sunday, Kendall shares about the year behind us, and the year which lies ahead. Kendall expresses his vision for our future and our theme for the upcoming year.
This is the final message in our series on Kingdom finance. How do we intentionally build structures and habits around a spirit of generosity? What are the patterns and values we see resonant throughout scripture? How can we plan on being good stewards with what we've been given?
In this sermon, Kendall shares about the power of communal giving. Just why do we give together in the first place? And what is the purpose of good stewardship?
John Kpewoan is the director of the Lord's Prayer Ministries in Liberia. Our church has supported John and his ministry through the years, and his community is part of our church's extended family! Hear John tell his own story, as well as many testimonies of what God is doing in his nation.
In this message, Wes unpacks the counterintuitive security that comes with entrusting our wealth to the Way of Jesus. His teaching on generosity flies in the face of our consumeristic culture - but it's the only way we'll ever be secure and free from anxiety.
This message kicks off a brand new series on Kingdom finances. How do we cultivate a heart of generosity? How do we learn to trust God in the face of our anxieties? How do we step out of the fear and lack that drive our culture toward consumerism?
In this message, our honoured guest (and surrogate father to the Shram's) Ken Bombay shares with us. How do we hear and obey the voice of God? What is the power in what God speaks to us, unless we submit to His will and His ways?
In this special message, Rick shares about having a heart of courage. He shares about how the limits in our thinking become the limits in our reality - but the bold will inherit the promises of God!
In this special bonus Q and A, Stephen Backhouse tackles a handful of questions posed by folks in our community. How should a Christian respond to nationalism? What about the nature of hell? Why did Jesus tell His disciples to buy a sword, if He didn't want them to use it? How do we develop a faithful approach to the apocalyptic texts in the Bible? We hope you will find this helpful and inspiring.
In this message, our special guest Stephen Backhouse unpacks the significance hidden within Mark's toughest passages.
In this message, Connor shares about how the nature of prophecy works in edifying the church. Are we able to make something of ourselves, or do we need the help of others to fulfill our calling? How do we learn how to see other people the way God sees them, and call their best reality forward?
Connor shares about worship, and the significance of song. In Luke 7, Jesus compares the Kingdom to a flute player playing in the marketplace. We are invited to dance and sing with the God who began our song in the first place!
In this message, Kendall shares prophetically about where we are as a church - and where we are called to go. God makes an army out of a valley filled with dry bones!
In this sermon, Connor shares from some of the toughest passages in the New Testament. What does it mean to be a community? Why do we gather together? And what does it mean to be a group of people held to a higher standard for the sake of the world around us?
In this message, Kendall shares on the armour of God. Instead of treating the armour of God as merely personal tools to help your private life, Ephesians 6 invites us to participate in a struggle against the powers and principalities affecting our region. How can we be equipped with hope for the hurting people around us?
In this message, Wes shares about the Lord's Prayer, and how it is meant to both guide our prayer lives and shape our prayer language through experience.
In this message, Kendall continues our series in Ephesians by unpacking Paul's instructions to the church in chapter 4. How do we learn to love one another better? How do we receive one another as opportunities to grow in love?
Kendall continues our series on Ephesians by talking about the oneness we find in Christ. How does God bring us together, and what is our responsibility in our relationships with one another?
In this message, Kendall continues our series on Ephesians by looking at Paul's great homage to love in chapter 3. How can we know what surpasses knowledge? And how can we scale the heights of the love of God?
In this message, Wes continues our series on Ephesians by talking about how the work of Christ applies to our embrace of the outsider. Because Jesus has put to death the hostility, we are to welcome the strangers in our midst!
In this message, Kendall begins a new series on the book of Ephesians. Just what kind of destiny does God have in store for you? And what kind of life journey does God have prepared for you?
In this message, Connor shares about some of our painful history as Christians. How can something so good be so bad sometimes? How can we actually love people, instead of mixing control and coercion in with our best intentions?
In this message, Kendall shares about the nature of the Kingdom of God–and how it must transcend national loyalty. Jesus is the King of the nations here and now, and the Kingdom he inaugurated goes beyond the borders and politics that often distract us.
In this message, Kendall talks about creating a culture of hope. A development culture is necessary if we're going to live and experience the fullness Christ has already provided for us. Only in community will we come to experience what we claim to believe.
In this sermon, Connor shares on how the nature of the Father was revealed through the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus revealed what a good father was like on every level, and He brought His disciples into sonship. The Holy Spirit is bringing us into relationships that reveal what the Father is like to us.
In this message, Wes talks about how we are all on a journey. God is bringing us out of fear and toward a deeper of the love we see in Christ.
In this message, Connor uses the story of Jonah as a template for understanding the goodness of God and the narrative journey of scripture. We change the world by being changed ourselves. As we move toward the light of God's mercy, God transforms our brokenness into breakthrough for the world around us.
In this sermon, Connor shares about how the Holy Spirit fosters relationships. Love and connection flow through the pattern established in the vine. The fruit of our relationships is distilled by the Holy Spirit into a testimony of God's goodness!
In this message, Kendall talks about how the Holy Spirit is given so we can be present with people. Love, in all of its forms, requires our presence in order to be expressed. Love leads us toward painful realities that lesser forms of love do not want to face. The Holy Spirit makes us powerful and brave to love difficult people in impossible situations.
This Sunday, Kendall begins a new series on the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the baptism of the Spirit is not to make us more religious, and the power of God was not given so we could be superior. God sends His Spirit to us so we can be powerful in our love!
In this message, John and Laurel Dean Archer of Millenium International share with us about how to live a missional life. God calls us where we are and asks us to give Him the life we have, and not just the potential life we imagine we should have. It is always the right time to say yes.
On Resurrection Sunday, Kendall unpacks even more of Easter's implications for our lives. Because we rose with Christ, we belong! Our acceptance comes before our beliefs are made perfect. The Good News truly begins when the resurrected Christ says our name.
In this message, Connor preaches on worship for Palm Sunday. How can a crowd of people who welcome Jesus on Sunday kill Him by Friday? What if we are inclined to worship not the Jesus who gives Himself to us, but a Jesus of our own imagination?
In this sermon, Kendall shares three personal stories about rejection. In light of Jesus' road to Jerusalem, he explores what it means for Jesus to have been "despised and rejected by men". He shares how the key to overcoming rejection is to live within the love of the Father!
In this message, Wes shares about the significance of the Lenten season. Giving some of its history and its application for our lives today, Wes encourages us to follow Jesus in this season of fasting.