Lakeside Church Sermon Podcast: Recent Episodes
Lakeside Church
As Jesus takes His last Passover meal with the disciples He loves, He explains why he has "earnestly desired" to take this meal with them. Not only because it is a tender final moment with the friends He loves, but because of everything the Passover meal means for the New Covenant He has established for us on the cross.
The cross fulfills all the demands of God, is effective at absorbing the justice due our sin… and the resurrection is the seal that the news and the promise of the cross is true. God is faithful.
As we first consider the event of the crucifixion, we must take the next step more deeply understand the accomplishment. Because it is in the crucifixion of Jesus that God has answered the question at the center at the center of the entire Bible, and solved the problem at the center of the whole human race.
“How can a righteous God be loving towards rebellious sinners who are justly due His wrath?”
This week we consider the events of the garden of Gethsemane. In the Passover we learned how to rightly apprehend our identity with the lamb; In the garden we have the opportunity to rightly understand how the lamb identifies with us.
With a piece of bread, a cup of wine, and two sentences Jesus explains 4000 years of history and the purposes of God He will accomplish on the cross.
When Jesus judges the nations, how will He identify his people? We may be surprised that Jesus does not recognize Christians the way we recognize each other.
In this chapter Jesus is making it very clear: It is possible, just like the Pharisees he is rebuking, to believe genuinely in a false gospel. To be firmly convinced you are under the favour of God when you are in fact still His enemy. To believe you are doing God’s work when you are actually serving His enemy. To think you are a Christian when you are not.
The law and commands of God are not onerous. What does He demand of us? To love one another.
As Jesus enters the final week of His ministry He begins to take on all challenges to his authority with boldness, declaring his identity as Messiah, and rebuking those who would resist Him or lead others astray.
He is a promised king, a healing king, a saving king, a righteous king, and not a king only for the Jews but a global king for all people.
What is greatness? What is social significance, what is power in the new kingdom. And we will not be surprised that Jesus takes their old kingdom thinking and turns it upside down in the new kingdom. If we are going to be a God honouring church in our community, if we are going to be a God honouring Christian person who reflects the glory of the new kingdom, we will demonstrate greatness very differently than we might expect. Just as we will not demand our rights under civil authority, just as we will not make people pay-up who owe us a debt, neither will we seek significance and power in our personal relationships.
After giving the disciples a process of forgiveness Jesus adds a parable about forgiveness to emphasize that Christian forgiveness does not minimize the cost of what is forgiven, it actually counts up the cost in full. Knowing what we are forgiving is important to setting ourselves free from the bondage of a relationship debt that can never be fully repaid, but must be forgiven.
I don't think Jesus needed to use any of his abundant spiritual gifts in order to know ahead of time that Christians would struggle to have healthy relationships. So he takes a fair amount of time to outline what forgiveness is going to look like in the church, and the process he gives his disciples, although simple, reveals some surprising obligations and preparations we have to embrace in order to get forgiveness right, and the pitfalls of getting it wrong.
Chapter 17 verses 1-9 describe an incredibly unique night of prayer that results in an encounter with an unveiled Jesus shining like the sun, that Peter James and John will never forget. What do we make of this event? What is happening? Why are the disciples present? What does it offer us?
What is the place of anger in the Christian life? How does the bible teach us to approach our anger as Christians and what to do with it when it appears?
Looking into the miraculous circumstances and nature of Jesus' birth and purpose in coming to us.
Mary’s song is not about herself, but about God. It comes from a heart that is bursting with humble joy in the knowledge of God’s promises, and that God is faithful to keep them. This is how Mary, and her song can become our model of how to rightly anticipate the arrival of Christmas and the advent of Jesus.
As we wrap up our series on finding true hope in our lives, we consider the hope we must be able to find in healing broken relationships. The conflict and damage in our relationships spans from siblings, to the school-yards, to friendships, to marriages, to ethnic relations, historical reparations, political and ideological differences, oppression, and eventually, even wars and genocide. There is no question that humans have real problems in maintaining relationships at all levels. So if there is going to be any hope in recovering those relationships we have broken, and hope in building healthy relationships in our future, where do we find it?
Suffering is not our favourite topic, or our favourite life situation, but it is one that is inescapable. There is no use pretending we won’t suffer. Or that others do not. Therefore any hope we can safely set our hearts on must address the reality of suffering. Anyone proposing an answer must take an unflinching and unblinking look into the heart of suffering and show us why there is hope, even in the face of suffering. Join us as we consider how we can find hope in our darkest times.
We rarely think of idolatry today, and yet it remains the most dangerous snare of the human heart. We all put our hope in something. To provide us with joy, security, and in various ways - salvation. Some put their hope in beauty, or health, youth, money, connections... something becomes the idol that we place all our hop in, that it will deliver what we seek. But our idols inevitable let us down, and we are left searching. This week in our series on hope we consider how we can find hope in the midst of our idolatry.
More than ever in our culture today we see the importance people are placing on their identity. The hope they are placing on being recognized and accepted by their group, the right group, an affirming group. The need to define themselves in terms of the identity they have made their own. The streets fill with protests over issues of identity, and our children face increasing pressure to lay claim to, and be loyal to a specific identity or else face being overlooked or even ostracized. How can we find hope in the confusing and increasingly pressurized politics of identity today?
As the Apostle Paul is exhorting his church to show unity, he says a remarkable thing. "There must be divisions among you." Why does Paul say that even in churches there will divisions, and there MUST be divisions? Join us as we consider the right reasons and the right places to draw lines in the church, for it's health and our safety.
Communion is one of those Christian practices that set us apart as a "peculiar" people (as Peter calls us). Why do we take communion regularly? How is it meant to function in the life of an individual Christian and in the life of the church? How do we ensure it does not become an empty ritual and miss out on it's blessing? What are those who are not part of the church supposed to make of this peculiar practice? Join us as we consider 1 Corinthians 11, and at least 5 ways communion is taken in a worthy manner.
We are all feeling it. The nostalgia for the past. The desire for the old, the stable. The routines we used to have. It’s easy to forget that God is still doing new things. We may feel stuck, but God isn’t stuck… we must anticipate what God is doing!
All through history and all over the world whenever Christians are gathered together we find them sharing the hope they have found in Jesus. The gospel message is the same, the good news does not change but it comes to everyone in fresh ways, as they need to hear it. How do we share the hope we have with those God brings to us in order that they hear the good news they need?
How is Christian service uniquely Christian? What sets it apart? What motivates it? How do we do it? What are we doing it for? As we continue our Series no the "5 One's" we look today at the centrality of selfless service in the Christian life and how it is shaped by the gospel.
All through the new testament we see small groups at work. Jesus choose 12 disciples, the Apostle Paul had Luke, Timothy, Barnabas, Julia, Phoebe, Titus, Euodia, and of course the other apostles who laboured with him in ministry, and who they also held each other accountable. Today we are looking at the historical Christian practice of gathering together in small groups.
As the saying begun by DL Moody goes “True character is revealed by what you do in the dark.” … or as it is popularly rephrased… “Your true character is what you do when no one is watching.”
And so this second discipline of private, secret, one-on-one time with God in personal prayer is one of the most reflective mirrors we can examine our faith with.
In this series we are considering 5 core activities of the Christian life, beginning with worship. What is worship? Why do we worship the way we do? Why has God designed us for worship; and especially, what is the importance of worshipping together?
Jesus is going to build His church, but in a most unexpected way. The church is not built by brilliant marketing campaigns, or excellent program delivery. The church was built, has been built, is always built by the the power of Christ who laid down His life as a sacrifice for the world. His church is built as His disciples pick up their own cross, and lay down their lives to serve others.
Jesus said that He is building His church. But where is He building it? Jesus doesn't keep it a secret from His disciples. "The gates of Hades will not prevail..." - Jesus intends to build His church on enemy territory, and understanding that puts our understanding of church is and is meant to be in a whole new light.
For the first time the disciples learn that Jesus has come to build a "church" - a people gathered to Himself out of the world. The most important thing about the church, and the most important thing for you and I is knowing the Person who is building the church and on whom the church is built.
Matthew chapter 16, Jesus warns his disciples about the "leaven" of the Pharisees. Today we consider the New Testament warning against dangerous philosophies and the uncritical absorption of cultural norms.
Jesus takes another confrontation with the Pharisees as an opportunity to spell out the difference between following religious rules and following Him.
Our missionary partner Russ Martin brings a message from Romans on "how the Kingdom expands" and our role in sharing the hope of Jesus with a despairing world.
The Ancient and Medieval church often recognized the significance of Jesus approaching a storm tossed boat filled with His disciples as a picture of Christ and the church. But we also see in His interaction with Peter the relationship between fear and faith and how Jesus is filled with compassion towards those who struggle with fear and doubt. Let's consider today the significance of this popular account of Jesus walking on the water to rescue His fearful friends.
Jesus tells his disciples a parable about wheat and weeds growing in the same field. They both start as seeds, they grow up side by side enjoying the very similar growth, but their end is shockingly different. Join us for one more parable of Jesus as we learn more about His kingdom breaking into this world and the future in store for those that follow Him, or resists Him.
It is all very well to be told that there is a new kingdom, and a new power that is breaking into the world, and it is able to give us a new nature that sets us free from the bondage of the old. But that information is only helpful if we know HOW the kingdom and the power and the new nature come to us. So Jesus continues to teach His followers in the form of a parable. A story about a sower, and seed and soil... and pictures for us the way in which the kingdom is coming to us, and how we receive it.
Make no mistake, there is a conflict of kingdoms taking place. As Jesus is confronted by hostile Pharisees He once again uses the opportunity to draw clear lines through the human heart. In a series of contrasts Jesus makes plain that there are two kingdoms, two powers, two allegiances, two natures, and two eternal outcomes. But this is not a conflict of equals, one kingdom has already "bound the strong man" and is even now plundering his house. There is no middle ground in this conflict, there are only the two kingdoms and everyone chooses either one or the other.
We are living in a cultural moment where justice has become the issue of the day. Or to be more accurate – injustice is the issue of the day. As a human race we recognize our need for justice. We need a time to come when justice is victorious. We should by now be well aware of the fact that we can’t accomplish this justice on our own (or we would have already); we need a justice bringer that shows us a new way.
After Jesus spoke the words "My yoke is easy, my burden is light" He very shortly had a teaching moment present itself in order to illustrate what He meant. As His disciples pick some grain on their way to the synagogue they are confronted by Pharisees who accuse them of breaking the Law of God; but Jesus sets things right, demonstrating that if your interpretation of the Law negates compassion and love for your neighbour, then your interpretation is wrong. The Law, when yoked with Jesus, does not make our burden heavier, but lighter.
During a crisis it is normal for Christians to experience a testing of their faith. We peek again into the journal of Judah's godliest king Hezekiah and see his describe in his own words the testing of faith he experienced. But we also discover how he passed the test, and how our own faith can strengthened and assured even in the test of a crisis.
Although Christians know that death is defeated in Christ and that we no longer need to fear death itself, there are still normal fears that Christians face about death and when enduring a crisis. Today we look again into the diary of the ancient godly King Hezekiah to see what it is that he feared when facing his death, and where we take our fears.
Is it okay for Christians to feel anxious, fragile, and exhausted in the midst of crisis? Aren't we supposed to always feel confident? Courageous? Victorious, in every circumstance? -- This week we get to literally read the diary of the ancient King Hezekiah as he records his feelings during the middle of a personal and national health crisis. And we can compare his notes to Joseph, David, Paul, Peter, and even Jesus to see how honestly the bible deals with the reality of human emotion, and the normal emotional response of godly people.
How has God equipped and prepared us for crisis? Today we are going to look at the account of King Hezekiah as he is confronted with a health crisis on top of an already serious national security crisis in his kingdom. As Hezekiah faces and end-of-life moment we discover at least 5 ways God had prepared him, and provided means for him to respond in his affliction.
It is remarkable how many times the bible in both the Old and New Testaments speak about the tongue and our use of words, and how strictly Jesus spoke of the judgement of our words. And yet equally remarkable is how thoughtless we can be about something the Bible has underlined as so important to our spiritual health as individuals and a body of Christ. Our friend Bruce Dunning unpacks segments of the book of Proverbs again for us as we consider the power of life and death that is in our speech.
Join us as we take a short break from Matthew to hear from the book of Proverbs on the meaning and purpose of wisdom. How do you find it? How do you apply it? What does "fear" have to do with it? Our friend Bruce Dunning unpacks these questions with answers from the book of Proverbs and introduces us to the ways by which God has provided guidance for us in His Word.
Jesus pronounces over the cities of Korazin and Bethsaida "Woe unto you..." and at the same time then proclaims to the people gathered "Come unto me." The same Messiah, at the same moment, speaking two very different messages. How are these reconciled in the good news that He preached? How are they reconciled in the very nature of God? How does the same Jesus preach both woe and welcome, both judgement and salvation, at the same time? Which is Jesus speaking to you and me?
In Matthew 11 we learn that John the Baptist, the herald of the Messiah who Jesus said was the greatest man ever born, began to doubt if Jesus really was who He claimed to be. If even John's faith in Jesus could falter then who is immune to doubt? No one is. Every believer wrestles with doubt, usually many times; so there is an important question we all need answered. If our salvation is by faith alone, how does Jesus respond to doubters?
As Matthew records the second "discourse" or teaching of Jesus we are given insight into the purpose of the church. Jesus gives specific instructions to His followers. This is the mission you are on, take this message and these acts of mercy out into the world, this is how I will supply you, and this is how you are to go. Urgently!
Since Genesis chapter 2 mankind has faced an inevitable, seeming irreversible problem "you will surely die." And from that moment on the story of God and His creation is one of solving that problem we have created. God foreshadows, pre-figures, and prepares us to grasp the resurrection reality of Jesus when it arrives. In a book full of miracles, this particular miracle on the first Easter stands out, singular in all of history. Let's celebrate today the reality that our God is a resurrecting God. He is faithful in His purpose to bring mankind from the kingdom of death into the kingdom of life.
A smitten rock, a bronze serpent, sustaining bread... as Jesus hung on the cross and crowds of onlookers lifted their eyes to see him, very few could comprehend what was taking place. The looked, but they could not see. Jesus was not struck for His rebellion but for ours. It was not Jesus that needed rescuing, but we who need saving. It is not Jesus in danger of perishing, but those who look on the cross who need the bread of life.
On Palm Sunday we celebrate the first arrival of our triumphant King. Humble, riding on a donkey, speaking peace yet full of all authority and righteousness. The King has come this way, the first time, to make a way for all nations to be reconciled to God. But we must remember that there is a second return of this King, and when He returns the second time it will not be on a donkey, speaking peace. It will be in the full and final glory of His righteousness and justice. Don't wait for that coming, know the King now while His way of peace is open to you.
There is a point when even the rich recognize their poverty. Jesus is approached by a Roman centurion in need of healing for his servant. Military doctors, household remedies, wealth, influence, Roman deities, nothing this man had access to could meet his need. Finally he reaches a point where he acknowledges the power and authority of Jesus to accomplish what he was powerless to do. And Jesus commends his faith. What quality of the centurions faith is also important for us to understand as we come to Jesus?
Life Group Handout
"Do not judge, lest you be judged." It's unfortunate in our English translation that there is a period between these first 7 words Jesus speaks and the 22 that follow. I we allow ourselves to read just a tiny bit farther, we discover Jesus isn't really declaring every Christian must turn their brains off and never draw any conclusions or ever weigh any actions. What Jesus, and the rest of scripture, affirm is that we must only judge with the correct measures of God, steeped in compassion, and mindful of our own weakness. Today we discover what it means to be a confident, compassionate and competent judge.
The language of lament used in the bible is bold to the point of being shocking. “I loathe my life… leave me alone [God]!” “Has God forgotten to be gracious?” “I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” “How long, Lord, will you utterly forget me?” — these are not isolated prayers, but form fully 1/3 of the Psalms and can be found in almost every book. As we follow Job in his season of grief, there is much for us to learn about the gift of lament and the grace that God intends for us to find in it. Our confusion and hurt are no surprise to God; He invites us into a process of prayerful pain in order to lead us out again into trust and hope.