Midtown Church: Recent Episodes
Midtown Church
In last week's passage, it was revealed to Jacob by his sons that Joseph was alive and in Egypt. Jacob decided to go to Egypt but he was fearful. This week's message looks at why Jacob was fearful, what God promised to him to alleviate his fear and how the same promises are ours today.
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Genesis 45 is all about the reveal. Up to this point, Joseph had concealed his identity by playing the part of an Egyptian ruler. But now, overcome with emotion, he makes himself known to his brothers. But that's not the only reveal this chapter contains which culminates with the reviving of Jacob's heart when he learns that his son is not dead.
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This is a series on the life of Joseph and yet, it's so much more than that. In this message Judah is again prominent and serves as an example of what a heart change looks like. And it's beautiful. In contrast to what it looked like in his past, Judah's heart now is full of humility, compassion and a tender concern for others. All coming because of God's mercy.
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In this passage the sons of Israel, all eleven this time, return to Egypt. But this time they return with fear and ongoing guilt but will surprisingly be met with grace, kindness and peace. This message considers what kind of grace and peace the Bible speaks of and how this passage reminds us of the beauty of the gospel.
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The Word of God is full of the message of His grace. Christ died in our place to purchase our salvation. It is a free gift which costs us nothing. Our sins are forgiven and we are made right with God by grace which we appropriate by faith. But to be a disciple is a commitment which costs us everything. If we will share in Christ's glory we must be willing to share in his suffering. Are you willing to pay the price?
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In the Great Commission, Jesus commands his disciples to make disciples. That began a process of multiplication that would take the Gospel to " the ends of the earth." In this message, we will look at the call of Jesus to discipleship as the first disciples experienced it. We will look at the process by which the Greatest Disciple Maker "made" ordinary people into those He could use to join him in the greatest mission on earth.
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Last week the calamity of the family took the brothers to Egypt. After being released from prison and in their conviction, they confess their guilt and are set free - paid in full, with provisions for the journey.
Fantastic, but what if God calls us to more? What if God wants more for us than simply our freedom? What if God doesn’t want salvation for us on our terms but His? What if God is as interested in our journeys as He is in setting us free? What if God is more dedicated to His call on our life than we are? What if God didn’t only save us from something but for something?
Here’s the overarching question this message will seek to answer: what can we expect after being set free, paid in full, and given provisions for the journey?
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To what extent is God willing to go so as to produce repentance and holiness in His people? In this message, we look at the movement of the sons of Israel from living in two decades of sin and deceit to a place of declaring their guilt towards Joseph. What brought them to that place? What moved them there? And what in them is true for us today?
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After an Easter break, we are back to our study of Joseph's life. In this week's passage, Pharaoh has two dreams that none of his higher-ups can interpret. Pharaoh's cupbearer, however, finally remembers Joseph from his time in prison and tells Pharaoh that he's a man who can interpret dreams. Thus begins the resurrection story of Joseph and the fulfillment of his dreams from chapter 37. But his rags to riches story also comes with a question: what if all our dreams came true and if they did, would they come with any danger attached?
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With so much going on today, so much cultural noise, and our pressured lives, it’s all too easy to lose focus. This message seeks to reorient us as to what really matters - Jesus, the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.
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In this Easter Sunday message we begin by looking at what Paul says is of first importance - that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day. We then finish off our three-part Easter series in Revelation by looking at what Jesus' death and resurrection secures for His people in the new heaven and earth.
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In this second of a three part Easter series, we see with John into heaven where we hear about a Lion who looks like a Lamb that was slain. As we look we discover four things about the Lamb: The Lamb's worthiness, the Lamb's weakness, the Lamb's way and finally, the worship of the Lamb.
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On this Palm Sunday we begin a three-part Easter series called, The Lion and the Lamb. In it we will look at three passages from the book of Revelation that not only remind us of what Jesus did for the world two millennia ago, but what it means for our present and our future. In this first message we see what John saw as he wrote of his experience of seeing the glorified Jesus and why he, and we, no longer have to fear.
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Genesis 41 is the most pivotal chapter in Joseph’s story. Some say that it’s one of the most pivotal chapters in the entire Bible. It’s also one of the most misinterpreted. We will address that more when we look at the second half of the chapter after Easter. But to give you a taste, many see chapter 41 as a rags to riches story; a, good things happen to good people, story; a, hang in there long enough and everything will turn out great, story. And who doesn’t like a story like that?
But what if luck had nothing to do with it? And although we will see the exaltation of Joseph in this chapter, he is still in Egypt, separated from his family, given an Egyptian name, an Egyptian wife whose father is a priest of On - On was the centre of sun worship - and has a couple of sons with her. And so, I wonder about the rags to riches idea.
In this message we focus most on the things revealed about God in this season of Joseph's life.
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In Genesis 40 Joseph remains in prison, wrongly accused for sexual assault and sent there by Potiphar. In this message we see several things: 1, how Joseph responded to his trials. 2, how Joseph trusted in God. 3, how he boldly speaks the word God gives him. 4, the failure of man. And 5, how Jesus shows up in the passage.
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Forgiveness matters. Join in listening to this sermon as John delves into the crucial theme of forgiveness. In this message, he explores common misguided approaches to forgiveness and provides a practical approach rooted in Jesus' teachings and example. This sermon explores how to forgive when we don't want to and helps us grapple with God's unending forgiveness in our daily lives.
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Most sermons based on Genesis 39 focus on Joseph fleeing, quite literally, the sexual advances of Potiphar’s wife. And although there are things to learn from Joseph’s resistance to her seduction, chapter 39 is more about God’s providence and presence in Joseph’s life while in Egypt. In this message we define what the providence of God is and how it shows up over and over in Joseph's life in spite of his slavery and imprisonment.
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There are some who skip over Genesis 38 when teaching on the life of Joseph. There are actually some who say Genesis 38 is misplaced and should be put somewhere else. But we shouldn't, for two reasons primarily. One, Genesis 37:2 says that “these are the generations of Jacob.” In other words, the chapters that follow are about Jacob’s sons and not just Joseph. And two, Genesis 38 is one of the greatest depictions of the gospel and God’s grace in the entire Bible. So, why would we skip it!?!? In this message we dive deep into the darkness of Judah and see at the end how God's marvellous light overcomes it.
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We begin a new series this week on the life of Joseph. In this kick off message we are going to look at how Joseph is the favoured son, the hated son, the obedient son, and the betrayed son in spite of his obedience.
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As we come to the end of a long letter like 1 Corinthians, we are sometimes tempted to think that the concluding remarks are sort of ‘filler material.’ Here we find mention of Paul’s travel plans, some personal greetings, and an exhortation or two. Since the travel plans have already taken place, and the people mentioned are unfamiliar to us, we might wonder what practical benefit a passage like this has for the church today. In reality, what Paul writes here has tremendous value in shaping our perspective and our practice.
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Money, and our money personally, is one of those subjects that we would most like kept private. Paul, however, doesn't shy away from it. And in this week's message we consider the subject and learn what we can from Paul's call on the Corinthians to support the saints in Jerusalem.
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We end our series on the Spiritual Gifts by looking at one of the most disagreed and disputed texts in the New Testament. In it, we will look at Paul's call to women, his call to men, the authority of Paul and the warning to all.
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As we near the end of this series on the spiritual gifts we ask what should mark the church when it comes together? Although Paul's main concern isn't to give a hard template to follow he does provide some clear guidelines while reminding us of what's most important, the mutual building up of the church.
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After a Christmas break we come back to the final few weeks of our study of I Corinthians and specifically, the gift of tongues and prophecy. In this message we look at three things: 1, the call to continue growing in spiritual maturity. 2, why tongues, without interpretation, are a sign of judgment for the unbeliever. And 3, why the church should emphasize prophecy when it comes together.
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Resilient Faith: How The Good Shepherd Will Lead You In The Year To Come
Discover how God, who is depicted as a good shepherd and generous host in Psalm 23, intends to lead us into a bright future. Join us as we explore how God consistently guides His people towards a loving life and a resilient faith.
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In this Christmas Eve message we conclude this Advent series by looking at a well-known Christmas text that reveals how God rescues us from darkness and oppression and tumult but doesn't do so by might nor by power but by way of a child.
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This Sunday we will continue our Advent Series, Christ before Christmas, by looking at a prophecy in the book of Jeremiah. The nation of Judah was in a mess because of terrible national and spiritual leadership. The leaders and the people will face judgement because they have turned from God. But in His grace, God will send a new King who will be called “The LORD our Righteousness.” In His coming, there will be hope for the people of God.
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We begin a three Sunday Advent series today with the prophecy of Micah concerning a shepherd king coming to rescue and restore a faithful remnant and usher in an eternal kingdom. In Matthew's gospel he writes that Micah's prophecy is fulfilled by Christ Jesus. In this message we look specifically at what we learn about the Christ in how He came.
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In this podcast we take a few minutes to answer some specific questions that have come in regarding the spiritual gifts.
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The gift of prophecy.
In last week's message we looked at the gift of tongues, this week we look at the gift of prophecy. After giving a definition of prophecy we will focus on how, 1, the NT spiritual gift of prophecy does not hold the same weight and authority as the OT prophets. 2, the role of the first generation/century prophet was unique and does not carry on today. And 3, the church should eagerly desire the gift of prophesy.
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The topic of Prophecy and Tongues excites some and confuses others, and entire denominations have been formed around where people land on this topic. In this message we will examine how Paul describes the gift of tongues and what instruction he provides on their use.
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In last week's passage - I Corinthians 13:1-3 - Paul wrote that nothing we say, nothing we have and nothing we do matters apart from love. Apart from love we are clanging gongs and we gain nothing and are nothing. The obvious question then is, “what is love?” In this week’s passage he answers but he doesn’t answer by defining love but describing it and tells us what love is, what love isn’t and why love is greatest.
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In this week's passage Paul says some of the most dramatic statements in the entire Bible: without love we are nothing and without love we gain nothing - regardless of what we say, give, know or do. In this message we dive deep to the extent this takes and why the way of love is the higher and more excellent way.
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This week's passage is essentially a summary of chapter 12. There is nothing new but it's helpful and important because we've seen a lot so far and reminders are a good thing. In this week's message we use our passage to be reminded of six things related to the gifts of the Spirit setting things up for chapter 13 and the more excellent way.
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In this week's message we respond to the idea that some have that we can do the Christian life separate from the local church. But that can't be the case, Paul writes, because the gifts we've been given in the Spirit have been given for the common good. Additionally, Christians have been baptized by the Spirit into one body, the church - universal and local. What this means practically and how we are to view one another in the church are things this message also considers.
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In this week's message we finally get to I Corinthians 12 and address Paul's main concern of why the gifts of the Spirit were given to the church. But before we go there we lay some foundation by defining certain things connected to the gifts themselves. We end this message by being reminded of the greatest gift of them all.
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There are a lot of different ways you could answer the question, what is the Holy Spirit doing in the world, the church and in our lives personally today - what is the work of the Holy Spirit? This message answers by looking at the five metaphors used of the Holy Spirit in the Bible where in them we learn what the Holy Spirit does and is doing.
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In this message we jump into a topic that, sadly, causes some controversy in the church - the baptism of the Holy Spirit. John the baptist said that Jesus would baptize us with the Holy Spirit and Jesus said that's what took place on the day of Pentecost. What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, what are the controversies surrounding it and what are the marks of it?
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In this message we look at one of the most significant days in the history of the church. On the day known as Pentecost the promised Holy Spirit comes upon those told to wait in Jerusalem. And with His coming three things take place: power is given, Babel is reversed and numbers are added.
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With this week's message we launch a series within our series on I Corinthians. Over the fall we will be looking at I Corinthians 12-14 and discovering what Paul writes about the gifts of the Spirit and how they are to be worked out in the life of the church. However, before getting to chapter 12 we are spending four weeks on the Holy Spirit specifically and beginning this week by asking, "Who is the Holy Spirit?"
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Ministry is a gift of mercy. This message takes place on the launch Sunday of a new ministry year. This passage is used as a commissioning text for those serving at Midtown this upcoming year. In it we see that all ministry is: one, a gift of mercy, two, calls us to proclaim the whole gospel because of what it brings, and three, must be undergirded with prayer and reliance of the Holy Spirit.
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This message walks through the benediction that ends the letter to the Hebrews. In it we look at the ways God equips believers, the basis for His equipping and the ultimate outcome of His equipping work.
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A benediction is a word of blessing given to encourage God’s people in their spiritual journeys. We bring our summer series on prayer to a close by looking at one of the most beautiful benedictions in the Bible, one as relevant for today as when first given.
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This week's passage contains the prayer of a woman named Hannah. It's a prayer of worship and thanksgiving spoken in response to God giving her a son she named Samuel. She in turn gave Samuel to God for a life of ministry. Samuel would eventually anoint David, the great king of Israel, who pointed ahead to King and Messiah Jesus. This message explores the many things Hannah knew of God as revealed in her prayer and which enabled her to pray faithfully and turn her son over to God.
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Several prayers of Moses are recorded for us in the first books of the OT. This one, however, stands out because it comes in the immediate aftermath of the golden calf event. What we see in it is the intercessory and meditative work of Moses for the people of God. But what we see most importantly is the one Moses pointed to, Jesus, the better mediator, the better intercessor, the better Moses.
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Praying in repentance is not normally the kind of prayer that we gravitate to. Psalm 32 shows us why prayers of repentance are of great benefit to us when we are weighed down by our sin.
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This passage contains what one author writes is "the greatest spirit of submission found in the Bible." That might be a slight overstatement when considering Jesus in the garden but the point is still made. In this passage we are going to see the imminent calamity coming onto Judah and how Habakkuk responds with faith-filled defiance. We consider how this was possible and what we can learn and apply in our own walks with the Lord.
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This passage contains an event where Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, is told of a coming siege by three enemy and allied kingdoms. In response Jehoshaphat calls the nation to assemble, fast and pray. In this message we will look at the prayer of the king, the answer from God, the response of the nation and the outcome of the event.
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In this kickoff message to a new Summer series we address soul tiredness and depletion. Jesus invites us to come to Him and He will give rest for our souls. The questions this sermon answers is what are those things that tire our souls and how can we find rest and replenishment for them?
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In this stand alone message we look at one of the most precious passages in the entire Bible. Romans 8 deals with the great promise of the assurance of our salvation in Jesus Christ. And yet, it's a promise misunderstood and often forgotten. In this message we take the time to be reminded that nothing, including us, can separate those in Christ from the love of Christ.
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In this message we look at the problem taking place in the Corinthian Church: The rich were hoarding their food and getting drunk at their Communion feasts. Paul responds with clarity on the pattern and purpose for Communion and the penalty for carrying on in the same way. He ends with what the plan should be going ahead.
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In this week's passage we look at the call on men and women in the church and home and how God's timeless principles guide ever changing costumes and practices.
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This week's text ends Paul's three chapter teaching on Christian liberty - how should a Christian live, what choices should they make, when the Bible doesn’t speak specifically to a particular activity? Paul's fivefold answer: choose to build up not tear down, choose freedom over legalism, choose others over ourself, choose God's glory over our own, and choose Jesus above all else.
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John Calvin once called the human heart an “idol factory.” But if we’ve put our trust in Jesus to forgive us our sins, what’s the problem with chasing a few earthly pleasures for ourselves? In 1 Corinthians 10:14-22 Paul helps us to see that idolatry simply makes no sense for the Christian given the reality of our salvation and in fact it exposes us to very real and powerful spiritual forces.
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This passage is a warning and calls us to learn from the calamity of the Israelites in their forty-year wilderness journey. God's chosen people then had so many privileges and advantages and yet, Paul writes that God was not pleased with most of them. Christians today have advantages that exceed the people then and yet, we too are in danger of great calamity if we don't learn from their tragic example.
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Paul often usings sporting analogies when talking about the Christian life. In this passage he compares the Christian life to running a race and boxing an opponent. And what he says is that Christians are to run and fight with self-control, with purpose and with perseverance so as to not be disqualified from receiving the prize.
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Paul's passion, Paul's mission entrusted to him by God, was to see as many come to saving faith in Jesus as possible. In this passage we consider what this meant practically in Paul's life, what it means to us now and how Jesus is the ultimate example to imitate.
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In chapter 9 Paul carries on with the topic he introduced in the previous chapter: Christian liberty. In this week's text Paul uses himself as an example of a proper use of Christian liberty. Paul highlights that he had every right to be paid by the Corinthians but gave that right up for the sake of the gospel and the sake of the lost.
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Christians are free to engage in activity that the bible does not clearly forbid. The Lord our God is Lord of heaven and earth, Creator of all that is, and all that exists… “For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof” (1 Corinthians 10:26). In his/her eating and drinking… or whatever the Christian chooses to do, he/she ought to do it to the glory of God - 1 Corinthians 10:31. But what if the activity in question causes another Christian to fall into temptation… by luring him/her back into their former lifestyle with its beliefs and practices? Should a Christian curb his/her freedoms for the sake of those who may stumble? As the Apostle Paul tackles a question regarding “eating food offered to idols” in 1 Corinthians 8, he gives his audience guiding principles on how they are to handle their Christian liberties and freedoms. There is a lot we can learn from what Paul says to the Corinthian believers.
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This message ends a series on I Corinthians 15 with an Easter Sunday message that wraps up Paul's teaching on the resurrected bodies that those in Christ can expect at the return of Jesus. Why are they necessary, when will they be received and what should we be about in the time in between?
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In this Good Friday message we look at the resurrection bodies received by those in Christ at the return of Jesus. Paul addresses two questions in this text: how are the dead raised and what will our resurrection bodies be like. The message ends with a reminder of what our new bodies cost and what, in turn, makes Friday so good.
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In this passage Paul continues his defense of the resurrection of Jesus and does so by asking three questions: if the dead aren't raised then, 1, why are you getting baptized on behalf of the dead, 2, why are willing to be in danger every hour, and, 3, why are you believing the ideas of those who have no knowledge of God?
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Last week's passage was all about the negatives attached to the belief that those in Christ aren't physically resurrected. This week we move onto the positives and look at how the resurrection of Jesus serves as a firstfruit and how our resurrection serves to usher in the end.
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What if there is no such thing as a resurrection? There are always cultural pressures that challenge the truth claims of Christianity. As Paul addresses the pushback around the resurrection he demonstrates how foundational the resurrection is to Christian faith. If its absence makes such a difference in our lives, how much more should its reality.
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The good news story of the gospel is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. But what if you only had 30 seconds with someone? What would you tell them about the gospel and what evidence would you point to that bore witness to the gospel. Those are the questions this message addresses.
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We're moving ahead in our series on I Corinthians and in the lead up to Easter teaching a series on chapter 15, what is commonly referred to as "The resurrection chapter." In today's message we are only looking at 2 verses where Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel he preached, they received, they stand in, and are being saved by. We end with a warning and encouragement that also comes with the gospel.
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Marriage is to be held in honor by all, Hebrews 13:4 says, Marriage is the first institution God designed and chose to build the nations on. However, marriage is not for all. In this passage Paul lays out the reasons why single people should consider remaining single. However, it's a passage with huge implications for everyone regardless of their relationship status.
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We might assume that a group of verses written in the First Century about circumcision and slavery have almost no relevance to our lives in the 21st Century, but, on closer examination, that assumption proves wrong. These verses get to the heart of several issues facing us today: identity, purpose, and contentment. When we begin to understand that the most important thing about us is not our cultural identity (circumcised or uncircumcised), nor our status (bondservant or free), but our identity as those called by God and purchased by Christ, we will begin to live differently.
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In last week's message we spent the time talking about celibacy and singleness, in this week we talk about marriage. In this week's passage Paul addresses three groups: married Christians, Christians married to non Christians who want to stay married and Christians married to non Christians who want to leave the marriage. This message looks at Paul's counsel to each.
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The very first command in the Bible is to be fruitful and multiply. The very first union in the Bible is a marriage. But does the kingdom of God have any room for singleness and celibacy? Paul addresses the topic in our passage and says that singleness and celibacy is a good choice for the right reasons but that celibacy has no role in a marriage.
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One of the debates of the early church and continues through the centuries has been the debate over law and freedom. "All things are lawful," Paul writes. But what does that mean and how are we to see the freedom that is ours in Christ? Are we free to do whatever we want with our bodies sexually and otherwise? This message addresses those all-important questions.
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This passage deals with legal cases between Christians in the church. What should we do, what is OK and most importantly, how is Jesus most glorified in the messiness of legal-wrangling? Lots of questions that this passage seeks to answer.
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Part 2. In this message we get down in the weeds on the topic of church discipline. What is it? Why is it? And what is the end game of it? Those questions and others are addressed in this message.
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New Year's Day leads to resolutions for many people - lose weight, pay off debt, eat healthier, spend more time with friends and family and so on. In this message we look at a passage that calls us to something far more important than any of those. It's a call of first importance, the call to abide in Christ.
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In this final message in our Eyes of Advent series, we consider who Jesus is and the purpose of His coming by looking at one of the earliest recorded hymns of the church.
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In this message we discover what we can of God through the eyes of Mary at the coming of Jesus. And what we discover is that God sees, God favours and God does the impossible and not only for Mary but for all who come to Him.
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Continuing in our Christmas series "The Eyes of Advent" we'll be looking at the coming of Jesus through the eyes of Joseph. In this message we consider the costliness of making room in our lives for Jesus and explore the question of whether making room for Him is worth it, regardless of the cost.
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We begin a Christmas series today we are calling, The Eyes of Advent. In this message we look at the coming of Jesus through the eyes of Herod and the Wise Men and discover four reasons for His coming - He came for the nations, He came to bring division, He came to be worshipped and He came to die.
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Part 1. In this message we consider two questions: what is sexual immorality and how should we, the church, respond to it in a way that models Jesus?
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Is there a sin that God hates more than others? We consider that question in this message by looking at the pride of the Corinthians. We also look at the response of Paul to their pride and how it all points to Jesus.
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People will often say that the church isn't a building, it's a people. Yes and no. In this passage Paul writes that the church, metaphorically and spiritually speaking, is a building. And what he says is that what we build the building on matters. And the type of building we build matters. And how we treat the building matters too.
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John 4:1-29
We are taking a one week break from our series on I Corinthians and dropping on John 4 where Jesus encounters a woman with a past. In this encounter Jesus reminds us of who He came for and what He came to do.
In this text Paul returns to the topic of jealousy and strife taking place in the Corinthian church. The cause for these issues was people in the church walking according to the flesh and thinking like mere humans. The cure? A greater understanding of the gospel, which brings unity and peace and places us all on the same footing.
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In this week's text Paul continues addressing the wisdom and power of God which is Jesus crucified but he focuses most of his attention on the role of the Holy Spirit in relation to the wisdom and power of God. In this message we consider the origin, the means, the recipients and finally the outcome of the wisdom and power of God in the life of the believer.
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Descriptors like “Gospel-Centered” and “Christ-Centered” became buzzwords in the early 2000’s as a way to describe churches and ministries and movements. A proliferation of books filled the market expounding everything from “Gospel-Centered living,” to the “Gospel-Centered family,” to “Gospel-Centered” ministry. But, what does it actually mean to say that a church is “Gospel-Centered” or Shaped by the Gospel? Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 help us answer that question.
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As North American Christians we live lives of relative safety, ease, and even some cultural approval from non-Christians. Therefore, we often think that the greatest threats to the Church will be either physical persecution—that is being arrested for our faith or killed—or cultural persecution—that is us losing our jobs and social standing because our Christian views are incompatible with our culture’s. But a look at the Bible and church history would suggest that there is a far greater threat. Do you know what group of people has destroyed more churches than any other throughout history? It’s not the Roman Empire, ISIS, or even the Communist regimes of the 20th century. The correct answer—is professing Christians. Professing Christians have done more to damage to the spread of the true Gospel than anyone else. Whether this is the medieval Church that launched the Crusades, or entire denominations that have gone liberal and don’t believe in the authority of the Scriptures, or even church pastors who have abused their congregants—false teachers and false followers of Christ. Therefore, one of the greatest threats to the church today is the danger that lies within. The apostle Paul understood this and addresses here in 1 Cor 1:10-17, 1) the deadly danger of division, 2) what division looks like, and 3) how we can defeat it.
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In this message we start a new series on I Corinthians. In spite of what you may have heard, and many think, the church in Corinth may have been the healthiest church in the New Testament. It was also an extremely messy church but in this message we'll notice what Paul saw in the Corinthians greater than their messiness.
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In this kick off message to the new ministry year we answer the question, with the skeptic in mind, of why Midtown exists to make Jesus known.
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We finish off this series by looking at the command that goes after the motives behind what we do. The command to not covet isn't about our conduct but our hearts, which God is most interested in and has been from the very beginning.
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This message looks at the many ways we lie, the core reason for why we lie and ends by looking at what we should do instead. It wraps up by remembering Jesus, the faithful witness, Truth embodied, who was silent before false witnesses so that all liars could become children of God.
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Studies show that a high majority of people feel they have completely satisfied God's command against stealing. This sermon looks at the many ways people steal in the Bible and why none of us stand innocent. It closes with the reminder that we all need something from God that only He can provide - it can't be earned, it can't even be stolen, it must be given.
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In this message we arrive at a command that is law in all nations of the world. We consider why the taking of another life is so wrong and ask if there are any exceptions to the command. We end by addressing how the New Testament takes this command to another level.
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The fifth commandment is simply to honour ones parents, which provides a foundation for understanding God’s design for family & human flourishing. In an age where respect for authority is devalued and family’s are often marked by brokenness, this is a particularly challenging command for us to receive. In this sermon we’ll consider what this command asks, what it promises, how to practice it, and who it points to.
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In our society we value busyness and productivity and struggle to Sabbath because it seems downright wrong and countercultural. When I use the word, “Sabbath” I’m not talking about taking a day for yourself. I’m talking about taking a day to be with God, in His presence, to remember who He is and what He has done for you, to enter His rest.
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Taking the name of the Lord our God in vain is so much more than using his name as a swearword. We take his name in vain when we take up his name but don't take up the reality of it. When we take up his name but don’t live in a manner worthy of that name.
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The First Commandment forbids us from worshipping false gods; the Second Commandment forbids us from worshipping the true God falsely. The Second Commandment raises lots of questions: What’s wrong with making images of God - especially if it seems like they might aid our worship? Why does God give this command? What does it mean to keep this commandment in a visual culture like ours?
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In this kick off message to a summer series on the Ten Commandments we begin by asking whether we should study the Ten Commandments at all. Are Christians obligated to follow commands from the Old Testament? We then look specifically at the first command to have no other gods before God Himself and what that means for us today.
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We end this series on I Peter by looking at what the church needs in light of the reality that suffering and judgment has already begun. Peter ends his letter by addressing the church's need for godly leadership and spiritual humility while also calling the church to be aware of our enemy and to remain hopeful in the firm faith that is ours.
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This text begins with the statement "the end of all things is at hand." This message first addresses how that can be true even though written 2000 years ago. And considers how we are to live a life in readiness at the coming of Jesus.
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In this message we ask the question: how do you respond in Christ-likeness when you are suffering because of Christ-likeness?
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We use this week's text to springboard into the topics of sexuality, gender and marriage. We look specifically at what makes these topics so difficult to talk about today and what we need to know and repent of moving forward if we hope to remain faithful to God's Word and build bridges with the LGBTQ+ community.
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All that God calls us to do in 1 Peter 2:11-25 flows out of our identity as his children and our hope of eternal salvation. Knowing who we are in Christ is foundation to knowing what He has called us to.
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In this message we dig deep into the high command to love one another. We consider some reasons why and how we are to love another and finish by answering why Jesus calls it a “new” command.
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The Christian life is not living to earn God's mercy, it's living in response to God's mercy. This week's message looks at the call of God on us in response to what He has done in us and for us. The beauty of this week's text is that it reveals that God's call on us is as full of grace as what He has done for us.
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This week's text begins with a call: blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. What follows are six reasons why and solidify why we can have a firm hope in Jesus even while undergoing trials of various kinds.
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With this message we start a series on I Peter and look primarily at the author of the letter and his recipients. Peter is a letter written to Christians who have been grieved by various trials and offers a firm hope built upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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In this final message of our three-part Easter series we conclude by looking at those things that God makes new in Christ in the fullness of time: things are made new physically, volitionally, cosmically and relationally. All because the tomb is empty and this is love.
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This is the second of a three part Easter series called, This is Love. In this message we look at how the love of God revealed in the Easter story conquers all in its display, its achievement and its power.
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While Jesus was hanging on the cross his first words out of his mouth were, “Father forgive them.” Jesus was saying in essence, “I’ll stand in their place and receive the full fury of God’s Holy righteous wrath against sin so that they never will have to face it.” This is the Gospel, the good news that we need to be reminded of daily.
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We end our study of Nehemiah today and things couldn't end worse. And yet, in this message we learn how the bad ending of Nehemiah is actually good news for us.
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A lot has happened over the previous 11 and a half chapters - the Word of God has been read, the wall has been rebuilt, the homes have been rebuilt, the gates have been hung and the city has been repopulated. Today’s text records the dedication of the wall and it’s a day that celebrates what God has done in and for His people.
In this message we highlight four elements that mark this dedication/celebration ceremony and consider what needs to be applied in us, the church, today.
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The call to repopulate the Holy city in Nehemiah 11-12:26 will require a willingness to uproot, to leave behind what’s familiar for the unknown, what’s desirable for the undesirable, what’s secure for insecurity. What makes one do such a thing? Only a revied heart.
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In Nehemiah 9 the people spend the chapter confessing and repenting. As we move into chapter 10 they now focus on the fruit of their repentance. Christians today are called to bear fruit in keeping with our repentance. What kind of fruit are we to bear? That's what this message seeks to answer.
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In chapter 8 the revival of God’s people begins when God’s Word is read, revered, retold and responded to - one of those responses is repentance. However, chapter 8 wasn’t the time to grieve and mourn but a time to celebrate. Chapter 9 is now the time to confess and repent. What do we learn about repentance in Nehemiah 9? That’s the question this week’s message seeks to answer.
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The book of Nehemiah is a revival story and in chapter 8 the revival of God's people continues as they hear the Word of God read and respond to it with reverence and obedience.
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In Nehemiah 6 the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt but the city remains essentially empty. Nehemiah 7 shows what needed to be set up for the people to fill the city and again paints a picture of the makeup and call of the church.
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In Nehemiah 6 his opposition’s intentions are bad when they say, “come down from the wall.” Nehemiah’s reply is, “I cannot come down for I am doing important work.” All Kingdom work is important work. How do we respond to our opposition, the world, our flesh, and the devil when they ask us to walk away from Kingdom work?
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Nehemiah feared God above anyone else. It was this fear of God that enabled him to confront the broken-down ways of God’s people, call for repentance, and see change.
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In chapter 3 the work of rebuilding the walls and homes of Jerusalem began. But in chapter 4 opposition against the work rises up against Nehemiah and the people. This message focuses on how they respond to the battle and what the church today is to learn from it.
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In this week's text the rebuilding of Jerusalem begins, finally! In itself it's a beautiful story of a people coming together and committed to a common goal. But more than that, and in the fullness of time, Nehemiah 3 paints a picture of the church coming together in unity, diversity and humility for the sake of Christ.
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In chapter 1 Nehemiah heard the sad news of the state of the city and people of Jerusalem. After four months of prayer and preparation Nehemiah is allowed the opportunity to return to the city and in doing so reminds the church of its call today and the better Nehemiah to come.
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We launch a new series this week in the book of Nehemiah by understanding the context and the lead up to the events of the book. We end by looking specifically at the prayer of Nehemiah in chapter 1 and seeing what we can learn from it and about Nehemiah himself.
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In this week's passage Elijah, in a crisis of faith, is on the run and hiding out in a cave. God comes to him and asks, "What you doing in a cave, Elijah?" With that question the spiritual restoration of Elijah begins, a restoration that many of us need as well.
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So much has taken place over the past year, both hard and good. But what stands out among so many things is the lack of peace in our world today - emotional peace, societal peace, spiritual peace. This Christmas Eve message looks at the kind of peace Jesus, the Prince of Peace, brings and how it can be ours through faith in Him.
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The incarnation of Christ is staggering to the natural mind. His coming as a babe in a manger is the greatest news, and the greatest event in all of history. If this is so, why tell this news to Shepherds first?
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The Christmas story is more than a story; it's a revealing of who God is and what He's about in and through Jesus. This week's message builds on last week's and focuses on the things God reveals in the first Christmas that can be true for us today.
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We double back in this week's sermon and look at the Christmas Encounters in Luke. This week's text is actually a pre encounter between Jesus and Mary where Mary magnifies God for the great things He has done and what He.offers to all in the coming of Jesus.
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In this passage Jesus encounters two disciples who have left Jerusalem for Emmaus. They left hopeless and despondent because Jesus had been killed and their dreams had been shattered. And yet, along the way Jesus rescues them from their spiritual blindness and reveals Himself in the Scriptures and the breaking of the bread, showing them that it was necessary for Jesus to suffer and then enter His glory.
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This message addresses one of the things theologians, academics and historians have wrestled with over the centuries: who was responsible for the death of Jesus? Did religion kill Jesus, or did politics kill Jesus, or did the people kill Jesus?
And why did they kill Jesus? Was it because He was a blasphemer? Or was it because of the threat of insurrection? Or did it come because He was such a disappointment to the masses.
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It is Jesus alone that seeks and saves the lost, the least likely, and makes them trophies of his amazing grace. To God be the Glory!
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In our text a woman stands upright for the first time in eighteen years. Miraculously healed, in her joy she praises God! But an indignant voice cuts through the joy.”There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” The Sabbath was never intended as a burden. Its original God given purpose was to remind us of his grace, and to point us to Jesus Christ, the ultimate reality, the ultimate expression of God's grace and rest.
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This passage records the encounter of two very different people but both equally desperate. One whose 12-year-old daughter is dying and the other who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years.That was their common ground, the threat of death. And both risked alienation and ridicule from the crowds and in faith came to Jesus. Along the way Jesus reveals what His salvific healing brings and His relationship and power over death. He also gives us a glimpse of our resurrection to come.
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Guest speaker, Bill Hogg
This short encounter is a tale of two sisters and a study in contrasts. It raises unsettling questions: Are you devoted or are you distracted? Are you living a called life or a driven life? In this ancient yet timely Jesus encounter, the LORD Jesus extends an invitation to be set free from striving and to enjoy communion and intimate friendship with Him. We are reminded that Jesus calls us to be with him, enjoy union and communion with Him, rest in His grace and be transformed by him.
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In this week's message we look at two entirely different people who have an encounter with Jesus. Two classes, two backgrounds, two genders but both needing the grace and forgiveness of Jesus. One receives that grace and the other doesn't. This message answers why.
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‘Are you the One who is to come, or should we look for another?’ This was John's question to Jesus in Luke 7:20. Jesus doesn't seem to be living up to John's expectations of what the Messiah should look and act like. We often have questions that cause us to doubt that Jesus is who he says he is.
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In this passage Jesus has an encounter with a Roman centurion (although they never meet face to face), where we discover the unusual faith of the centurion and the equally bewildering unbelief of those who should have known better. In the process we also learn from the centurion's humility as well as the similarities and differences of worldly authority and the authority of Jesus.
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In this passage from Luke Jesus encounters a paralytic where we are taught much about faith and who Jesus is. Jesus is not a mere miracle worker but God alone who has the power to not only heal us physically but spiritually too.
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In this message Jesus encounters Peter and moves him from observer of Jesus to leaving everything behind and following Him. It's a move Jesus calls all of His followers to.
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In a new fall series we're calling, "The Jesus Encounters," we're going to look at various encounters Jesus has in the gospel of Luke and see what we can learn from him and about him. In this kick off message we actually look at three encounters Jesus has in Luke 4 where he reveals himself as deliverer, healer and proclaimer.
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Thankfulness was David's response to God's rescue in Psalm 34. What can we learn from him? How should we respond to God's rescue of us?
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In this message we take a break from our prayer series and address the topic of "community." What are the biblical reasons for community, why do we need it and why should the local church pursue it are some of the questions this message addresses?
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As important as knowing how to pray is knowing who we’re praying to. In this message we look at the story of Hagar, a woman ostracized but met by a God who saw her and came to her in her hurt.
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In this message we look at the sweet and anguishing prayer of Hannah, a prayer that stands out for its honesty and earnestness. We finish by seeing how God heard and “remembers” Hannah and how her prayer, humanly speaking, changed the course of history for God’s people.
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In this message in our series, Honest to God, we look at Moses' prayer of intercession for an idolatrous Israel. In it we will see the danger of impatience, how gifts become idols, the test of an angry God and the intercession of a mediator. An intercession that is to point us to Jesus and serve as an example in how to pray.
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What are you praying for right now, asking the Lord to take from you? I don't know if He will answer your specific prayer but He will answer; His answer may be unexpected but His grace will be sufficient. We all want revelations and visions, and they are gifts from God when they come, but so are thorns. Thorns reveal the sufficient grace of God.
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Acts 12 begins with the death of James and ends with the death of Herod and the word of God increasing. In between is the rescue of Peter from prison as the church prayed for him. In this message we look specifically at the ways the church prayed and what their prayer resulted in.
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In this message we address the frequently asked question, "how do we keep on praying when God seems to be so uninterested and answers "no" so often?" Jesus addresses this very real issue head on in the parable of the persistent widow.
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How we approach God is just as important as what we ask for. Do you approach God as your friend or? Also, in our text, Jesus is making a contrast to show us that God who is our Father is noting like the man in the text, and if the guy would get up and five his friend bread, how much more will your heavenly Father hear and give us what we plead for, no matter what time of the day or night you call. As Jesus taught us the way to pray, we should pray for these things as if He could not refuse us ... Although He might and He has that prerogative.
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In this message we kick off a summer series on prayer and consider some causes for prayerlessness. We end by looking at what Jesus said is of greatest importance when we pray.
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In this message we finish off our series in Ephesians by looking at the call to pray in the midst of the battle we fight. We learn that prayer isn't an additional piece of armour but what undergirds, supports and connects all the amour together. https://mtownchurch.ca/
As we begin to wrap up our series in Ephesians we continue to dig deep into the topic of spiritual warfare. In this message we look specifically at how we not only protect ourselves from the enemy but in doing so, advance the cause of Christ. https://mtownchurch.ca/
In his book, How Then Should we Work?, Hugh Whelchel writes, "until Christians embrace the biblical doctrine of work, they will remain ineffective." In this message we look at work and how work in and of itself is inherently good and something God has given to us to flourish and become who we were created to be. https://mtownchurch.ca/
The reason we do all that we do in parenting is because we are compelled by a vision and that vision is the glory of God. https://mtownchurch.ca/
It's difficult to speak on marriage today from a Biblical standpoint but it's never been more important. Marriage is not only being redefined, it's being degraded more and more. In this message we take a look at the importance of marriage, how it points to Jesus and the husband's and wife's God-given roles in it. https://mtownchurch.ca/
This passage hangs on two calls: be wise and be filled. In this message we consider three questions: what does wisdom look like, what does the filling of the Spirit look like and how is one filled by the Spirit?
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Everyone is great with love - all we need is love, life is love. love is love. But in this week's message we address the question of "what is love?" and discover that the Biblical definition of love differs with much popular thought today.
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Last week's message spoke in general terms of what we are to put off and put on as followers of Jesus. This week we get specific and look at five things we are to put off and five things we are to put on in their place and why. https://mtownchurch.ca/
The wonderful mystery of the Christian faith is that Christians don't only believe in something, they've been changed in something. There's been a rebirth. This message looks at the call of Jesus to be on the outside what we now are on the inside. What should mark us and what marks those who have no relationship with Jesus? https://mtownchurch.ca/
According to Paul in Ephesians 4:7-16, the goal of the church is corporate maturity - to grow together into Christ-likeness. But how? In this message we look at the three ways a local church matures: by the gifts Jesus gives, by the leaders Jesus raises and by each member doing their part. We then end by asking what maturity looks like. https://mtownchurch.ca/
What is this call that we have received? How do we walk worthy of it? We walk in a manner worthy of the call when we are making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace by putting on humility, gentleness, patience, when we bear with one another, when we love one another. We also walk in a manner worthy of this call when we as a church make this bold statement to a watching world that there is only one God, one faith, one baptism, one body. https://mtownchurch.ca/
The resurrection of Jesus is the central event of the Christian faith. Without it there is no Christianity. In this message we drop in on the interaction between the risen Jesus and His disciples and see what the resurrection looks like, what it means to us, and how it changes everything. https://mtownchurch.ca/
Jesus died on a cross on Good Friday but He didn't die alone, two thieves were crucified on either side of Him. What's the significance of their role and interaction with Jesus and call us all to consider? Those are the questions this message seeks to answer. https://mtownchurch.ca/
In this, the first of a three-part Easter series, we look at Jesus' Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem. In this message we discover what Jesus reveals about His messiahship and kingship and consider why it's dangerous to have an image of Jesus not accurate with who He truly is. https://mtownchurch.ca/
In this week's message we look at another prayer of Paul where he prays that the Ephesians would experience the power to be changed from the inside out, the power to experience the love of God, and the power to do more than we can ask or think. https://mtownchurch.ca/
In this message we look at what Paul was given, why it was given and to what end it was given. What's ultimately worth suffering for and why? That's what this message answers. https://mtownchurch.ca/
In this message we look at what the gospel is, what the gospel does and what the gospel produces as it tears down all dividing walls between all people.
If Grace, Salvation, and Faith are all gifts from God, then there is no room for boasting. We owe our every breath to Him. Love so amazing, so divine, demands our life, our soul, our all.
This message is all good and all bad. And the bad's really bad and the good's immeasurably good. In this text, Paul lays out in detail who we are outside of Christ and ends by describing what God, in His mercy, love and grace, has done for us in Christ.
In this message we look at the first prayer of Paul in Ephesians. Not only will we take time to look at what Paul prays for but see what we can learn from his prayer that can help deepen our prayer lives.
In today's message we look at three additional blessings that Paul tells us are our "in Christ". We have redemption, we have an inheritance, we have been sealed.
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In this passage only one instruction is given, we are called to praise God. But why? This message answers by looking at the four things God has done for those who are in Christ.
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On this very special launch Sunday of Midtown we begin a series on Paul's letter to the Ephesians. In today's message we introduce the letter by looking at its author, who he's writing to and get a taste of the wonderful message it contains.
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In this Christmas Eve message we look at Mary's song in Luke 1: 46-55. In it we discover how the coming of Jesus reveals God's exhalation of the humble, extension of mercy to all people and exclusion of the proud.
We are a church in Vancouver, British Columbia that exists to make Jesus known. We will be launching in January 2021.
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