St Giles Sarnia Sermons: Recent Episodes
St Giles Sarnia
Regular podcast of Sunday sermons from St. Giles Church. St Giles is a community in which all are invited to encounter and experience God. Our message is Biblically based and focused on Christ.
Do you ever stop and pay attention to what you're paying attention to? An inventory of what draws our attention can be eye opening! Today we hear two stories from God's Word, where attention affected the outcome quite dramatically.
In the midst of a season of growth, near bursting with production we will reflect together on undiscovered potential as we listen to some parables Jesus shared.
As we gather today, we reflect on what it means to be a disciple and offer our praise to God.
Today we contemplate what it means to shake the dust off of our feet and reflect on what Jesus was asking of his disciples as he sent them out to ministry.
Today we reflect together on what faith looks like and how we might live faithfully in this world.
How curious are you? Today we reflect on the beginning, with Genesis 1 and untangle some curious concepts together.
Today we remember the moment things got exciting for all those gathered in that one place Holy Spirit descended and set them on fire.
Today, we read from Paul’s first letter to those gathered at the church in Corinth. Paul’s thoughts on gifts and the Spirit leave us with things to think about as we work together in this world
Today we will hear of the time when Paul explores Athens on his own while waiting for friends to arrive. What happened in Athens? What was it Paul happened to discover about this new city and its people? We'll talk about this today and more!
As we come to the end of the Church year, we find ourselves immersed in teachings from Jesus that may not be as familiar to everyone. Today we read the Parable of the Tenants and pause in gratitude for the work that has been done to afford us the chance to know peace
Zacchaeus was many things. He was a tax collector, curious and childlike. He was wealthy and he was willing to change. Zacchaeus was many things but the one thing he's remembered for is his stature. Join us today as we dive into his story and reflect on how we perceive people and what that might mean as we seek to build great neighbourhoods together.
Comparison. It's something we know we shouldn't do but so many of us do it. Anything and everything can be something that sparks the comparison trap and tomorrow we will hear of a time when Jesus shared a story urging those listening to consider their desire to contrast their position with that of another
There are many things to be grateful for in life and today we hear of a time when only one in a group of people who had been healed returned to give thanks. Gratitude is important in life and in our walk of faith as we will see in this story today.
Have you ever missed something and wondered if it was too late? Is there ever a time when you can truly say there is no going back? Tomorrow we'll wrestle with this question and embrace a challenging story told by Jesus.
Today we hear about the parable of the shrewd manager and how he was able to use his "gifts" to help the wider community.
We've all been lost in life at one point or another. Whether we've lost our way or find ourselves physically lost, that feeling can be unsettling and unwelcome. Most of us want to know where we are and where we are going. Today we hear from Jesus how God feels about those who are lost and hear about a time when the Israelites had lost their way.
While it isn't technically fall and we're still expecting warm weather for quite some time, the flip of the calendar and beginning of a new school year brings with it fresh starts, new plans and possibilities. Today, we contemplate those possibilities and reflect on some of Jesus' challenging words to his followers as they walked with him.
Today, we reflect on a letter to the Hebrews and how we can find our stability in the climb of life.
Today, we ask ourselves what it means to live by faith and reflect on the need to be prepared for that life.
An Astronaut spends on average 3-4 years training before heading off on a mission. Professional concert pianists require upwards of 10-15 years before they are ready to perform at a high level. How much time do you spend training for your life in faith? Tomorrow we will reflect on Paul's letter to the Colossians and his recommendations to the faithful there as they seek to live their faith fully.
Do you find yourself setting limits on what you think God can do? When was the last time you prayed boldly? We will reflect on these questions together tomorrow during worship as we hear Jesus' teaching on prayer from the Gospel of Luke.
Today, we encounter a challenge and a call to an inconvenient life. This call is challenging in a world built for convenience but no more challenging perhaps than it was for those who first heard it.
Today we reflect on Gideon's story and hear how he lacked courage, had doubts and still was able to do great things thanks to God's patience and help. It's good for us to remember that God didn't give up on Gideon and God won't give up on us.
Contests often bring about clear winners and today we see Elijah enter a contest coming through victorious. His victory though is not his own and there is much to consider as we move through this story of Elijah together.
Today, we pick up where we left off with Solomon putting his gift of wisdom into practice. This story, while straightforward, prompts a lot of thought and we'll be contemplating 'what next' for God's people.
What is it you want most? That's a tough question and even tougher when asked by the creator of all things. Solomon answers that question in our Scripture lesson for the day and we will reflect on what it is we want as children of God.
Today, we will continue to explore David's story further and encounter a friend of his, Nathan who plays a unique role in David's life.
Today we return to David's story and encounter a time where David really struggled with the concept of enough. It's a familiar struggle for many of us and there is much to be learned from his encounter with temptation.
Today we continue to learn about David's early years and the challenges he overcame. While the story tomorrow might center on David there is another who stands out as someone with a lesson to share.
Today we will hear the story of David and Goliath and contemplate how it applies to the goliaths in our lives.
We continue our journey through 1 Samuel and meet David for the first time. God chooses a shepherd to rule his people. What does that say for us and about how we should care for one another? We'll explore these and other questions today.
Today, we continue exploring Samuel's life and see some of the challenges he faces when it comes to the direction of the people.
Today we will hear the story of Samuel's call in the night. While the story may be about Samuel, there is another, Eli, who plays an important part in this encounter.
It is Pentecost! A day we worship and remember together that wonderful day when the spirit descends upon those gathered in wait.
Today, we hear an important teaching from Jesus about how we should live and offer our praise together.
We will read from the Gospel of John and reflect on what Jesus meant when he said "I am the true vine."
Today we are reminded of the need to care for others as we hear the last story in John's Gospel where Peter and Jesus have a conversation and much is revealed.
Today we encounter wonder on the road to Emmaus. Two disciples were kept from recognizing Jesus as they journeyed. When they broke bread together, all was revealed. We will contemplate the breaking of bread, if we've ever missed Jesus as we've journeyed and what we should be doing to help prevent that.
Today Jesus meets the disciples in unexpected ways and we see how a questioning heart and willingness to meet Jesus can change the world.
It is Easter Sunday and we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus says "Follow me," to some fishermen and they leave everything behind to follow him. Where we are in the journey is a different place, a place with final teachings and a trial, confusion and a need for us to trust. Join us as we seek to follow Jesus through it all and begin our walk through Holy Week together.
Do you look for God? Really look? Today, we will encounter two passages, one from the Old Testament and one from the New which challenge us to think about what it really means to look to God.
On the surface, our world seems so different from the world in which Jesus lived. We have same day shipping, food delivery and fast moving cars. Journeys that take us hours took the people of Jesus' time days to complete! When we really dig into the message we often find there's a lot more in common than we realized. Join us today as we dig into the story of Jesus cleansing the temple and talk about convenience, the temple and what it means to walk in the Way of Jesus
Today we will read from the Gospel of Mark and hear of a time when Peter was challenged by what Jesus said and hear that message ourselves.
Today, we encounter Jesus in two very different circumstances but one in particular, an encounter with a man who needs healing desperately will be the focus of our reflection. We'll see that Jesus isn't a band aid, he doesn't cover wounds and wait for them to heal. Jesus transforms us inside and out, lifting our burdens if we trust him, if we allow him to do so.
Today we explore more of Mark's version of Jesus' ministry and hear how he impacted the people around him as he began his ministry.
Today we reflect on the power of words and see what scripture has to offer us in terms of guidance as we live.
We conclude our journey through Acts with a shipwreck. Paul's courage and faithfulness in the midst of dark times is something we all can learn from.
Today we meet the Apostles and see the Spirit at work as they free captives and change lives.
We continue our journey through the book of Acts. Today we encounter Paul and James, Peter and many others in a moment of deep contemplation and conversation that was incredibly important and still is for us today.
Paul and Barnabas are on the road. Some incredible things happen, both good and bad. Their perseverance through hardship is remarkable.
Our journey through Acts continues and we will encounter Peter in a place he would never have imagined himself to be.
While we have been following Peter's story closely lately, this week we move to another apostle, Philip. Philip's bravery and confidence that he will be led where he needs to be allows him to be positioned perfectly for an encounter that will change a life
Today we gather to hear what happened after the miraculous healing Peter and John were part of outside of the Temple. The healing caused quite a stir and people gathered to see what had happened and contemplate why. Peter and John used this opportunity to share what they had seen and heard in their lives with Jesus and their words helped the Jesus movement grow! While many believed there were others who struggled and it is this struggle into which we walk tomorrow. Join us as we continue on our journey through the Acts of the Apostles as we encounter Peter and John in discussion with religious leaders.
After the day of Pentecost came, they were still together. It was different and wondrous. God was on the move and God's people were moving too. Tomorrow as we worship we will meet Peter and John as they are on the move in their lives and see how an unexpected encounter leads to a moment of connection and healing.
We will hear the story of that first Pentecost day from Acts 2 and contemplate how we might be ready to receive the Spirit ourselves before feasting together at the table of our Lord.
This week we move into the book of Acts and find ourselves in the first chapter. In these moments before the Spirit descends we find the faithful gathered and waiting together. While it might look like not much is happening we soon see there there is work being done! The Apostles are preparing, they are willing and they will be ready when the Spirit arrives.
Some restaurants are five star dining experiences. Others employ a family style experience. Neither is better or worse, just different. Each brings with it a different set of expectations. Expectations can be good and they can also lead us to disappointment. Today, we will hear two different stories involving two different women who knew Jesus well and were like family to him. They had expectations of him and those expectations were not necessarily in line with his for them. You are invited to join us as we contemplate our expectations of Jesus and ask ourselves what it really is that we expect when we follow in faith.
Today we meet the Apostles in a difficult moment. They have been doing what Jesus said, taking care of people and it seemed to be going well or so they thought. As they encounter a challenge and work through it we see how great things often happen with God's help when we work together and allow for the gifts found within the community to shine.
How we live is an important part of living. Being alive is far more than just breathing! Tomorrow, we encounter the disciples in the early days after the resurrection. How they will live in the hope they have found is important and they are struggling to figure that out. Join us and hear how Jesus prompts Peter to live a little differently and how that prompting holds true for us today.
The Easter season continues and we encounter the disciples in a locked room after having heard the good news of Jesus' resurrection. It certainly isn't where we might have expected them to be. Jesus finds them though and through this encounter we begin to see how Jesus wants his followers to be in the world.
We will hear how two women were very surprised to find themselves in the presence of an unexpected guest.
When Jesus arrives in Jerusalem salvation is near for the people and they know it. The streets are filled with cries of "Hosanna!" and there is a desire for salvation. Their cries for help will be answered, just not in the way they expect.
Today we journey through death into life! It's not Easter yet but our story from the Gospel of John is a great preview for what is to come.
In our Scripture lesson tomorrow we find Jesus at a well, engaged in conversation that is life changing for the person he encounters. Together we will contemplate the power of everyday exchanges and ponder how we might live more like Jesus.
This week we will witness a late night conversation between a curious observer and Jesus himself. Our Gospel lesson from John contains one of the most beloved passages in Scripture and as we hear the text in its entirety we will contemplate together John 3:16 and all it has to offer us today.
We begin our journey through Lent with two readings from the Gospel of Matthew. We encounter Jesus in the desert and on a hillside. Two contrasting scenes with one important thread that ties them, God's way is always the best way.
We've reached the part in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus talks about priorities and walking with God as we live. What are your priorities? Together we'll consider what Jesus is saying and think about what this might look like in our lives.
Our journey through Jesus' sermon on the mount continues and we will encounter a message about the need to choose life.
We will meet Jesus as he invites others into the work, as he encourages them to follow him.
As we hear the story of Jesus' own baptism today, we reflect on what Jesus being baptized meant and the effects his actions had on others.