Goshen Baptist Church - Ontario: Recent Episodes
Carl Walters
Have you ever felt lost, like you are in the wilderness, wondering if there is any hope for you? Be reassured, God is in the wilderness.
The Day of Pentecost brought the Holy Spirit in a new way to the early church - is He still at work today?
Jesus came from God and the Bible came from God. How can we know that for sure and what does that mean for our lives?
Palm Sunday is a day of celebration, but Good Friday can overshadow it. What do we do with Palm Sunday and times when the good is mixed with the difficult?
Does reading the word of God, knowing Jesus and following Him make a difference in your words and deeds?
Does Jesus make a difference in your identity? Who should define you - others, yourself, or God?
Knowing Jesus and his gift of salvation, should make a difference in us of an inexpressible and glorious joy!
Although there is darkness all around, Jesus is still the light of the world - and he calls us to be too!
We can connect with God through using our minds to learn - it can lead us to knowing, growing, and showing others what we have learned.
We can connect with God through personal acts of devotion, and secret acts of devotion.
Serving others blesses them, honours God, reflects Jesus, and surprisingly, can be a place where we connect with God.
We can connect with God through activism by righteous confrontation, intercession and supplication.
Our rituals must bring us closer to our Redeemer to experience the intimacy with God of a vibrant faith.
The world's view of peace is limited and fails us, but the peace that Jesus brings transforms us and the world!
God has given his armour to us, to help us stand firm against the Enemy and to rescue others from the dominion of darkness. (sorry about the sound issues!)
Are you ready to go? It's a question either we have asked or had asked of us. Jesus wants us to always be ready to go.
We have all lost people close to us and felt the sting of their loss, but if we and they believe, we can have hope, joy, and peace, and look forward to seeing one another again.
Today, Beth Walters leads us through a day in the life of a camper at Heatwave, Camp Oneida.
There are many times when people were sure that this was the end of time. When will Jesus return and what are the signs that we should watch out for?
What does it mean that the Messiah is the Son of David and yet his Lord? What does it mean that Jesus is the Messiah?
Jesus said that the entire Old Testament hangs on 2 commandments. These are also foundational for living like Jesus.
People talk about loving each other for eternity. How does that fit with Jesus’ teaching about love and eternity?
When Jesus was tested about giving what was due, he said to check the image and the inscription. Our images and inscriptions tell others about us.
Jesus returns us to thinking about the kingdom of heaven with a parable that answers questions about God’s invitation and calling.
The resurrection will fill us with hope and joy when we walk with Jesus, worship Jesus and witness to others about Jesus!
What do we do with Palm Sunday? Is it okay for us to celebrate when we know that Jesus would soon be crucified? What is the proper response to Palm Sunday?
The religious leaders challenged Jesus’ authority, and in response he shared 2 parables that revealed their hearts. What does this mean for us today?
Jesus showed some unexpected behaviour, and made some remarkable claims. How should this shape how we follow Jesus?
What does it actually mean to be blessed by God? Do we seek to be blessed by Him, or do we set up our own false gods to pursue?
Love can be tough, but when we put love for God first by seeking first His kingdom and righteousness, we find everything we need in Him!
People often accept, avoid or attack when it comes to conflict, but Jesus calls us to address it. Our Christmas play and carols that we couldn't do Christmas Eve, are here too!
Who are the children of God and what does God call us to do for them? Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and we should do the same.
Peter and Jesus both said some things that might make us wonder: “What are you saying?” When people hear us speak and see how we live as people who claim to follow Jesus, what are you saying?
The religious leaders could interpret the sky, but in their flesh – their humanity – they could not read the signs that showed that Jesus was the Messiah. Can we read the signs today?
How well do you listen? Are you listening to the voices that really matter? The voice of Jesus calls out from all of the busyness to invite him to the table and listen to him.
Jesus was invited to a table for a wedding feast - and that day turned out to be full of surprises. Joyful surprises are gifts of love: who will you surprise this Advent season?
Like we prepare to receive the guests from our Christmas invitations, Jesus is preparing a place for us. Are you preparing a place for him?
What does it mean to welcome someone or to feel welcome? Simon and the "sinful woman" showed welcome in very different ways. Jesus offers true welcome to all and came to bring healing, forgiveness and hope.
Hunger reveals a need: sometimes it's food, but sometimes people are hungry for other things. No matter the need, Jesus can fill our hunger.
Who is your ultimate authority? There are many voices wanting our attention and following in this world, but only God is truly worthy.
It takes faith to trust someone leading you out into something new, unknown or scary. When Jesus invites us, we can trust Him to step out in faith.
Jesus faced distrust and disbelief from people who knew him growing up. We can face similiar challenges - espcially when it comes to our beliefs. Instead of letting this cause us dismay, we should remind ourselves of what we know about Jesus and our experiences of him.
Jesus used parables to help us reflect on three issues we still face today: things that keep people from Jesus; small beginnings, and; how we value his kingdom.
Rev. Dr. Kenneth Foo - "A Unity That Changes the World" and special music guests Eduard and Christine Klassen
Jesus spoke in parables because the kingdom of God is for those who had a heart prepared for him - just like a harvest that only comes from the right growing conditions.
In the face of massive challenges, it can be daunting wondering if we will survive and if so, for how long. It depends on the atmosphere, attitude and activity whether that's ourselves, or our church. To survive takes commitment, creativity and courage.
Jesus faced condemnation and false accusation: as believers, we do too - often for believing in him. What should our response be?
Doing the right thing is not always easy, but it's one way that we help bring the kingdom of heaven to earth.
We all make mistakes, but we should avoid making the mistake that can cause us regret for eternity; instead we can have the peace of Christ.
Jesus and John did not come with the power of palace privilege, but with the salvation of the Spirit: they were not what people expected. We may not seem like much, or seem to have much, but that same Spirit empowers those who surrender their lives to Jesus.
Jesus called out 12 specific people – and he has called out to us to also be his disciples – what does it mean that we are commissioned by Jesus?
To actually "have faith" must be more than just sentimental hopefulness, or wishful thinking - for it to mean anything it must be grounded in the one who can bring about any needed change.
Religious leaders tried to call out Jesus, but he called them out instead. Jesus also called out Matthew to come and follow him. Jesus always addressed the heart of the problem, and the hearts of the people.
Revelation ends with the Holy City descending from God as the glorious bride of Christ. After all of the diffcult things are done, God will live amongst us once more in the new Jerusalem, and paradise is restored!
The news is sometimes hard to take - especially when so much of it is bad news and depressing. It can cause us to ask if there will be an end to evil, but Revelation reminds us that Jesus will bring victory and judgment.
Who - or what - do the beasts and Babylon represent? How can we recognize them and what is (or is not) the mark of the beast? Should we be scared, angry, or is there a better response?
Revelation 12 has symbolic characters - who are they and what do they mean for the church?
True justice is difficult to find in this life, but Revelation shows us that God's justice and wrath will be satisfied in the end.
What will happen to us? Today we will reflect on what Revelation and the rest of the Scriptures tell us about the Tribulation, the Rapture and the Judgment.
There are many reasons to think that this might be the end of history - but is it really? What does the book of Revelation - and the overall Bible - reveal to us today?
Deborah was the only female judge mentioned in the Bible. Like all judges she was chosen by God to listen with discernment, lead others in her sphere of influence, and to leverage her authority to motivate others for the sake of God's kingdom: he calls us to do the same.
Being "dead in the water" is a boating term that means going nowhere or being stuck. Just like in boating, smooth sailing in faith requires wind in our sails, an experienced captain, and responsive trust.
The Bible tells us that the cross is foolishness to the world. A week late, here is Goshen Easter service as we look together at how the cross is not only foolishness to the world, but the power of salvation for all who trust in Jesus!
In the early morning, women went to the tomb looking for Jesus, but did not find him. Ever since that day, people have looked for Jesus among the dead, the disciples or the divine. Where is Jesus?
When Jesus rode into town as a humble King there were people that would respect, rejoice, and reject him. Jesus will one day return and every knee will bow as voices declare the praise of the King!
Jesus healed a leper, the servant of a Centurion and his friend Peter's mother-in-law. What can we learn from this when we think about healing for others and ourselves today?
Jesus calls us to enter through the narrow gate, but many choose the wide road. Why do they choose it and do we choose life or destruction for our self, others and our eternity?
We are not to judge others in condemnation, but Jesus reminds us that we must use wise judgment when it comes to those who seek to create havoc and harm.
It is human nature to want to be in the spotlight and showcase what we do. Instead of seeking applause from people, we should enjoy the spotlight of our Heavenly Father.
Jesus said that he had come to fulfill the Law, that his disciples had to be even more righteous than the Pharisees and that we are to be perfect like God is. What did he mean?
In Matthew 5, Jesus said some curious things. Today we are reflecting on what he meant when he called certain people "blessed" and what it means to be salt and light.
Jesus' ministry was focused on teaching the religious, preaching good news to the lost, and healing the hurting. This is still what the world needs today, and we are called to be agents of help, hope and healing.
Jesus calls people to do to things: to repent and to follow - but what does that mean for us? All of us follow somebody, but Jesus calls us to follow Him.
Christianity is not easy and Satan will face us with temptations of Provision, Preference and Preeminence, but when we can overcome them when we are filled by, fully surrendered to and following the will of the Holy Spirit.
What is your calling? It's a question that many of us ask of ourselves. While God has a unique calling for each of us, John the Baptist modeled the calling that we all share.
*power flickered and ended stream prematurely - sorry!
Why are there family lists in the Bible? They have difficult names to pronounce and they can make for very "dry" reading. Are they important? Do we have to read them? Today we look at why Jesus' family list is relevant and important - even to us today!
The Magi followed a star to find Jesus. What kind of a star could behave like that and what does it mean for us today?
People walking in darkness wrestle with anxiety, but Jesus is the light who brings us the gift of peace.
Fear fractures love, but perfect love casts out fear. God showed his perfect love to us by sending His Son, Jesus.
Walking in darkness can take keep us from finding real hope. Real hope is found in Jesus - the one who is the light!
When we follow Jesus, we become children of God. What does it mean for us that God is our Father?
It can be easy to have a surface-deep relationship with Jesus, but he wants us to go all in!
As we draw close to Remembrance Day, we need to remember that we are in a daily battle for hearts and souls: the Enemy is real, we are called to fight, and we can join the winning side!
Some think that death is the end, but the Bible tells us otherwise. Jesus has power over death and one day death will be no more. Until then, if we put our trust in Jesus, we can rest in Him.
It's easy to focus on ourselves, or others, but Jesus wants us to focus on - and to follow - him!
Photos from over the years, Peter Black providing wonderful "ministry in music" and Dallas Friesen encouraging us towards hope in "Finding New Strength" for Goshen's 180th Anniversary celebration service.
Heaven is like a harvest party wedding that involves an invite, an outfit and a gift. We are invited to attend and we are also called to invite others to the feast!
It can be easy to live off the faith of others, but that will never be real faith - at best it will be going through the motions of rituals and routines. Real faith is not found in rituals or routines, but instead in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The church is a family - and meant to be a healthy one - which means we need to Consider, Concern and Connect.
Just because something makes us uncomfortable doesn't mean we should try to pretend that it's not real. Hell is real because God is just and sin must be punished. The good news is that Salvation is available because God is also merciful.
If we love Jesus, we can rest in knowing that God loves us. God's love is not based on external things like talents, looks or brilliance, but on our hearts. That gives us the freedom to love God, follow Him and share Him enthusiastically, even if we do it imperfectly,
We all need wisdom. We especially need it for choosing what choices we make and not to follow the hot-headed, the cold-hearted or the smooth talkers. We need to follow (and be) leaders that are peaceful, faithful and gentle.