The Word at Westminster: Recent Episodes
Westminster
Learning and living God's Word. Talks, studies, interviews, sermons and more from Westminster Church in Barrie, Canada
Demons are disembodied spirits who have rebelled against God. Yes, demons are real, and their work is alive and well. If you’re human, and especially if you’re a follower of Christ, they hate you. We sometimes hear about about demon “possession,” but mostly in movies or horror stories. A more accurate word is “demonization,” and it can happen to varying degrees. But how do they gain access to people? And how can we demon-proof our lives? This episode is a talk with Steve Dabbs, author of “When Demons Surface: True Stories of Spiritual Warfare and what the Bible Says about Confronting the Darkness.” It is hosted by Pastor Ruttan. They talk about demons and spiritual warfare, the “doorways” people open which give permission for the demonic to function in their lives, and how to live free and victoriously with Christ. Steve is a retired senior military chaplain with over 35 years of expertise in pastoral care and leadership. He talks about his own supernatural experiences, including personal attacks. He also has years of experiencing helping people be delivered from demonization. “We’re all experiencing spiritual warfare whether we realize it or not,” he says. You can listen to the conversation below. You can also watch our talk on Pastor Ruttan’s YouTube channel here. Underneath you can find links to Steve’s book and website. Here are the main questions that guide their talk:-Dealing with demons doesn’t seem to be something people eagerly sign up for. Can you explain how you got involved in this?-Some/many of our listeners haven’t been taught much about the demonic realm. Many will be quite skeptical. As Christians today, why should we be more open to this?-How do demons gain access to people? Can you explain some of the “doorways”?-If something is going on in your life, how...
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World peace. We all want it. But how do we get there? Is there even any hope when we have had so many wars, when nations (and peoples) continue to fight, and when individuals continue to experience so much anger, anxiety and pain? This sermon examines Philippians 4:2-9 and is about Step 1. We explore three practical takeaways. Oh, and they all begin with you. Plus, your soul will thank you.
Let’s pretend that we all get together and decide to imitate someone named Ischyros. Great! Let’s do it! But hold on, there’s a problem. We first need to know what Ischyros is like before we can we imitate him. Christians agree that we want to be “like Jesus.” But if we want to actually be like Jesus, we have to know what Jesus is actually like. Many of us have blind spots. We emphasis certain parts of him, downplay others, or have a limited understanding. This sermon explores Mark 4:35-41 and the stilling of the storm. It’s an opportunity to answer the question posed by the baffled disciples in the boat: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” It’s a story which is meant to make us ponder who Jesus is on a deeper level. Four specific questions are suggested to help you be honest about where you’re at. Who you think Jesus is influences you are becoming.
What do we do when so much seems broken, uncertain or wrong? When things are not turning out like we want, frazzlement and frustration can take over. They make us doubt our decisions. This was something people faced in Jesus’ day too. In this sermon on Mark 4:21-34, we explore three short parables, and how Jesus clarified the nature of God’s kingdom, and how he encouraged his followers forward in a world where so much seems broken, uncertain or wrong. What he said to them then continues to be instructive for us today as we seek to worship and serve God the unchanging.
Are we here by chance, or is there a greater purpose? Many people have tried to answer this question. Some people aren’t sure, despair, or throw their hands up in resignation. Fortunately, Jesus isn’t one of them. The light of the world has things to say about who we are and why we’re here. This sermon explores the parable of the sower in Mark 4:1-20, what it means to be “good soil,” and how this influences your life. Jesus’ instruction is eternally relevant (whether the apocalypse is near or not). You and I carry forward the goodness of God to a hurting world. We were born to bless.
When I was in elementary school a kid kept pestering me—that is, until my big brother came to my defense. I felt… protected. There are a lot of titles for Jesus — like Son of God, Saviour, and Good Shepherd. Each one tells us something about him and the nature of our relationship. Another (frequently neglected) title is brother. What does it tell us about him and about the nature of our relationship? This sermon unpacks Mark 3:22-35, how you become Jesus’ sibling, and six words that teach us about the kind of big brother he is: Loyalty, love, intercession, guidance, correction, protection. Do you want less fear and more confidence? Listen in.
This short episode is the youth time from the service on October 6, 2024. Pastor Ruttan tells a story from Philip Yancey’s book ‘What’s so amazing about grace?’ It was used to help us appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice that we remember when we celebrate Communion.
Jesus’ own family called him crazy. “He’s out of his mind.” But why? He had gathered and led crowds, assembled twelve apostles, healed suffering people, expelled demons from the oppressed, preached about the kingdom of God, and challenged religious authorities. Even though some of those things sound pretty nice, when compared to expectations of ‘normal’ behaviour, he was deviating from norms, possibly bringing shame and embarrassment to the family. Jesus, however, had his eyes set on higher things which were for the good of others. This sermon takes us through Mark 3:1-21 and encourages us to be different for Jesus, putting kingdom priorities before a self-centred infatuation with our own reputation. As Michael Mangis says: “Faith means stepping onto the path that looks so much like it goes in the wrong direction.”
We live in a time when in North America fewer people identify as Christians. We have the stats to prove it. But people aren’t simply becoming apathetic, many are becoming increasingly hostile and antagonistic towards faith. Do you know what to say when someone challenges you? Jesus experienced challenges and confrontations on multiple occasions. This sermon explores two such challenges in Mark 2:18-28. We look not only at what he said, but his pattern of response. This continues to be instructive for us today. In Ephesians 6 the Scriptures are referred to as the “sword of the Spirit.” With that in mind, William Gurnall wrote: “The sword of the Spirit in another person’s hand will not defend you.”
Most people tend to think of miracles as some sort of break in the natural order. Jurgen Moltmann has a helpful corrective: “Miracles are not an interruption of the natural order but the restoration of the natural order.” In other words, when Jesus performs miracles he is showing us how things are truly meant to be. His power, healings, exorcisms, and jaw-dropping feats point forward to that day when Eden is restored and God wipes every tear from our eyes making all things new. This sermon takes us through Mark 1:40-2:17 and is a part of a series on Mark. We explore the text, consider how Jesus’ actions fit into the larger story of God’s work in the world, and ponder our own role as imitators of the great King of restoration.
When Jesus came to proclaim the Kingdom of God he was not doing so in neutral territory. In Satan’s view, Jesus was an intruder trying to encroach on his turf. A clash was inevitable. Some people think there’s a devil under every bush (not true). Others think the devil doesn’t exist (also not true). As Christians we need to see things as they really are. The devil and his demons are not God. Even still, we live in a world where they are actively working against the Lord, his kingdom, and his people. And yet, many of us have not taken the demonic realm seriously. Are we victorious in Christ? Yes. But at the same time, we are often trying to navigate the battlefield of life with one eye shut. This sermon continues a series on Mark and takes us through chapter 1, verses 16 to 39, exorcisms, and offers some suggestions to those for whom all of this is quite unsettling.
We’ve seen it happen in movies and books over and over again. When all seems lost, a hero arrives, hope is rekindled, victory becomes possible, and everything changes for those who belong to the hero. This is a part of the reason why these movies or books are so interesting. We wonder, ‘If only we lived in a world as exciting as that.’ We do. But ours is real and consequential. This sermon is Part 1 in a teaching series through the Gospel of Mark, often considered the earliest full account of Jesus’ life. When all seems lost, a hero arrives, hope is rekindled, victory becomes possible, and everything changes for those who belong to the hero. That hero is King Jesus. Unfortunately, however, we have been trained (or seduced) to think small, whether that be about Jesus, salvation, evil, faith, the purpose of life, or the Kingdom of God. Our exploration of the Gospel of Mark will be an invitation to think bigger and see more.
What do you want to be successful at? It is something to do with your career, family, relationships or a personal goal? There are different understandings of “success.” Make no mistake about it: our society’s definition is certainly different from God’s. But which are you driving toward? This sermon looks at the direct and down-to-earth wisdom of James 4:1-10. It encourages us to consider the cardinal virtue of humility, and how God exalts those who live by humble faithfulness. It includes five practical applications that we find within the text. Mark Batterson writes: “We’re so busy climbing the ladder of success that we fail to realize it’s leaning against the wrong wall.”
In Pastor Ruttan’s absence (he is away on vacation), Claude Cox led us in a message titled ‘Enjoy your streams’. The scripture focus was Psalm 1.
In Pastor Ruttan’s absence (he is away on vacation), Cathy Clark will led us in a message titled ‘R.O.L.A.I.D.S. – Timeless relief from anxiety for our contemporary age’. The scripture focus was Isaiah 43:1-4 & Mark 14:32-36.
In Pastor Ruttan’s absence (for his annual summer vacation), Jeff Walther led us in a message titled ‘The Narrow Path – ‘, with a focus on Matthew 7: 13-14.
In Pastor Ruttan’s absence (for his annual summer vacation), Paul Sakasov led us in a message titled ‘The Gateway to the Kingdom of God’, with a focus on the Beatitudes from Matthew’s Gospel.
Following Jesus means making sacrifices — and that can be difficult, and sometimes painful. That is bound to happen when we make God’s kingdom our number one priority. But to truly understand sacrifice, we need to count not only the costs, but the benefits. When we think through not only what we’re giving up, but what we’re getting (for ourselves but also for others) it can give us a new perspective. This sermon is on Luke 9:57-62. It encourages you to count the cost, the benefit, and to find new refreshing motivation.
This is Part 2 of 2. Part 1 was 10 popular things Jesus said. In Part 2 I look at 10 un-popular things he said. His words are full of inspiration and hope! — and also challenge and warning. All of them are true. Let’s do some thinking: Do we like following a certain version of Jesus—a photoshopped Jesus who highlights what you like and crops out what you don’t? Or the real Jesus of Scripture who is often so much more than we realize. You can also read the full blog post here.
In an era before viral videos and mass communication, Ezekiel did some wild and jaw-dropping things. He laid on his side for over 14 months prophesying against Jerusalem while only eating food rations cooked over dung. He later shared a vision of a valley of bones coming back to life, growing skin, and re-constituting a great army. Um, what? His words and actions served a purpose 2600 years ago. Among other things, Ezekiel continues to teach us today. How do we play the long game successfully, even when we face hardship and are tempted to give up? This sermon explores Ezekiel 4 and 37:1-14. It’s easier to play the long game when you know you are going to win.
The Intel Report is a fairly new initiative. Every so often an interview or talk with be featured that presents a big idea from the world. “Intel” means “intelligence.” The “front” is a reference the “front lines” of a battle. These topics will cover a range of ideas but are meant to equip you as a modern disciple to be more informed, and to help you think through what is going on around you.Edition #2 is an interview with Dr Richard Gallagher, a board-certified psychiatrist and professor of psychiatry. Originally a skeptic, he has become the world’s leading psychiatric authority on demonic possession. On the heels of his new book Demonic Foes, he talks with Sean McDowell about how he originally became a consultant in cases of possible possession and exorcism, what those things are (and how they are different from mental illness), and some basics Christians should know about the reality of the demonic (and God’s power) in our world.Belief in evil spirits and possession is prevalent all around the world; this has been the case since the start of recorded history. But in the modern west, we have been increasingly skeptical. To some, this interview with Dr. Gallagher will be unsettling, but it may also start to re-open some eyes on the front.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfunNURoO2w&t=2sApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/exorcisms-the-worlds-leading-psychiatric-authority/id1707613021?i=1000647172796
How do we protect ourselves from threats? How do we stay safe, not only for ourselves but for those we care about? In answering these questions we often think of things like locks on our doors, safety bunkers, surveillance cameras or first-aid kits. In this sermon on Psalm 25 we explore one of the most important ways to protect ourselves. But instead of being something which happens outside of us, it is something that happens inside of each one of us. What could David have meant when he — as a sinful person who experienced guilt, fear and affliction — said, “May integrity and uprightness preserve me”? That’s what we explore along with four applications to our lives today.
It’s a story of intrigue and mystery. The King of Syria wants to hunt down the powerful prophet Elisha. Physically speaking, Elisha is outnumbered. That’s when we get a glimpse into the unseen spiritual realm and discover the real numbers: there are horses and chariots of fire all around the mountain ready for action. Even though they can only be seen by faith, they are still there and are very much real. This sermon unpacks 2 Kings 6:8-23, invites us to consider how God has structured reality (both visibly and invisibly), and suggests three applications for living by faith, not just by sight.
What gives someone courage? Are people “born with it”? Or do they obtain it somehow? Some people have an exceptional experience that makes them feel invincible. Others build up what we might call “courage muscle” by repeatedly doing the right thing in difficult circumstances. But then there’s a third factor. And it’s open to anyone who trusts God. This sermon unpacks Psalm 27, the one which famously begins with these words: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” In it we learn what it means to “fear God,” how that relates to other fears we might have, and growing in courage.
“Deconstruction.” It’s trending. It’s a word that is used when people radically re-think, re-shape, or sometimes even walk away from their faith. It’s not necessarily the same as having doubts. Having doubts is normal from time to time. This, however, is something different. It is an organized movement to undermine many of the beliefs of the Christian faith without using the Bible as a standard. You probably know someone who has re-shaped their faith in a way that seems “off,” but you’re not exactly sure how or why. Perhaps you want to better understand what is happening, either for a friend or family member, or maybe even for yourself. If so, buckle up. Tim Barnett (along with Alisa Childers) has written a helpful book: The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, And How To Respond. This podcast is an interview with Tim. Tim is an apologist and speaker with Stand to Reason, an apologetics ministry dedicated to training Christians to think more clearly about their faith. He speaks to thousands of people across North America every year (both in person and online), and his YouTube channel (Red Pen Logic) reaches millions of people every month. Tim has worked as a teacher, has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Arts in Philosophy. He’s served on the pastoral staff at a church, is married, has three children, loves hockey, and has some cool hats (more about that toward the end of the interview). You can listen to our talk here or on your favourite podcasting platform. You can also watch on YouTube here. Below you will also find a list of topics and quotes from our discussion, along with the links we discuss. Enjoy!
Let’s say two people want to sing in harmony. Person 1 starts with the melody and then Person 2… sings a totally different song! Obviously, it’s not going to work. But if both people are on the same page, wonderful things happen! To state the obvious, you can only have harmony if you’re singing the same song. Harmony isn’t just about music. It’s about life. Powerful (and beautiful) unity occurs when there is agreement about key priorities and God’s order–which is always good for those involved. This sermon explores Colossians 3:18-4:18. In this text, Paul talks about marriage, parenting, slave/master relationships, and provides encouragement and instruction for a young congregation. From it we learn for our own situations today. Jesus is supreme. When we get that right, other things go right. In which area of your life would you like to experience greater harmony?–in your soul, your household, the church, the nation? Let’s learn together and tune in to the song of Christ our King.
In this special podcast, Pastor Ruttan and Pastor Alton Ruff interview Dr. James Watson about the church as an Invitational Community. Have you ever wondered how people experience a church when visiting for the first time? This interview includes questions that were submitted by individuals after a talk Dr. Watson gave to the Presbytery of Barrie in May 2024. He is a Research Fellow at the Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research at Wycliffe College.
Over the past many centuries, the followers of Jesus have been through a lot of ups and downs. Over time we can lose (a) our sense of connection to those who have gone before, and (b) focus. Standing before the crowds, Jesus taught the now-famous Parable of the Sower. In it he provides a collective focus and unity for his people no matter their century. This sermon explores Luke 8:4-15 and eight specific takeaways for a time that is starting to feel a lot more like the 1st century than the 20th. As we share Jesus’ word and do his work, I can smell the hands of fishermen. Can you?
A sermon from service on May 26, 2024 by William Min, our Coordinator of Youth & Outreach. He focused on drawing from the story of the bronze snake in Numbers (21:4-9) and John 3:7-15 with the key verses being v14-15 “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” Have you ever paused to really think through what that means? It sounds like a very, very good thing. But what specifically is “the peace of Christ”? What about the reference to our “hearts”? (Clearly, Paul wasn’t talking about a blood-pumping muscle). And how can that peace “rule”? When it comes to faith we often use nuanced, metaphorical, or even confusing, language. For example, how is a child or a newcomer supposed to understand what it means to “invite Jesus into your heart” or a reference to being “washed in the blood of the Lamb”? Even for more mature Christians, we can lose focus on important concepts (like the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts) if we don’t deliberately think through what they mean, and then apply those meanings to our daily discipleship. If the peace of Christ is one of the most valuable and amazing things in the world (which it is), and if the peace of Christ has the capacity to make our lives and the lives of the people we love better (which it can and does), shouldn’t we be clear about what it is and how to obtain it? This sermon seeks clarity on these exact questions as it explores Colossians 3:1-17.
Recently William Min hosted an info session after worship on our new Satellite Gatherings initiative. To help spread the word, and to assist people who might be wondering if this is something they want to be a part of, William shares the main thrust of the initiative. Pastor Ruttan also joins him to ask a few of the questions that came up in the Q and A session.
Welcome to a new feature at Westminster, called “The Intel Report – Briefings from the Front to Equip Today’s Disciple.” Podcast link below, or click here to read the full Blog Post. Pastor Ruttan shares the first episode and explains the goal and intent of this new feature.
“Mesus” is a temptation for all of us; it’s self-projection. “McJesus” is consumerism gone bad, even with our faith–picking and choosing beliefs, even drawing from other religions. When these things happen, fear and anxiety can increase. They love a vacuum. They grow bigger and bigger as the Lordship of Jesus gets smaller and smaller. This sermon is on Colossians 2:6-23. We look at the concerning syncretism of this young congregation, and how Paul opens their eyes to the realities of spiritual warfare and to the Lordship of Jesus. Why pander to the chittering minions in the walls of the castle, when you have immediate access to the majestic King of Kings on his glorious throne?
Something still seems “off.” I’ve sensed it. Have you? Maybe not for everyone, but for more people than you realize. I’m talking about life after the pandemic. “It’s over, but I don’t feel the same.”“Life is moving on, but I sometimes don’t feel very well.”“I’m not sure why, but I’m angry.”“I’m worried about my kids.”“I should feel better, but don’t—and I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say anything about it.” In this episode I speak with Sarah Joy Covey, a therapist and the owner and director of the Covey Wellness Centre. She talks about what she is observing, some of the reasons for why many people feel the way they do, and some best practices going forward. You can listen here, or by tuning in to ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ wherever you subscribe. You can also watch the video (below), and see a list of topics, quotes, and the resources she mentions. Enjoy! And be well. Topics and quotes Ministries mentioned: Resources mentioned:
Johnny Cash was down and almost out in Nickajack cave when God came tohim personally. Saul was headed to Damascus to persecute Christians whenGod came to him personally. This tells us something. In the words of anold saying, “God meets you where you’re at, not where you should be at.” It was true for the Man in Black, for Saul, for the Colossians, and it’strue for you as well. That, my friends, is very good news for imperfectpeople. This sermon explores Colossians 1:24 – 2:5. This young church had it’sshare of problems. They were drifting. Even still, Paul shared with thema mystery that had been hidden for generations: “Christ in you, the hopeof glory.” Really? Even with their mixed-up thinking and relativeimmaturity? Yes. He meets us in our sin, shame, mistakes, weaknesses andquestions. This sermon also suggests four points to consider as we seek to applythese insights to our lives today. Brothers and sisters, when it comesto receiving God’s grace, perfection is not a necessary qualification.Christ in you, the hope of glory.
In this podcast and blog I answer a question in a Q & A Forum about whether or not the Old Testament laws are still relevant for Christians. You can read the full blog post here or listen to the podcast below.
The supremacy of Jesus sounds like a lofty idea. It might even sound like playground posturing: ‘My brother is bigger and stronger than your brother…’ But when Paul explains it to the Colossians it’s because (a) it’s true, (b) he cares about them, and (c) their mixed-up thinking is resulting in mixed-up living. When we trust in the supremacy of Jesus we know he is sufficient and experience security. If we don’t, we’ll start to supplement our faith with practices or beliefs from other religions, superstitions, or astrological signs. We’ll even start to look elsewhere for our sense of identity and purpose. But as Jay Strother says, Jesus plus anything equals a false gospel. The world will tell you that Jesus is not enough. They’re wrong. The world will tell you that you’re not enough. They’re wrong about that too. This sermon unpacks Colossians 1:15-23 and focuses our attention on three words: Supremacy, sufficiency, and security.
As promised, here is a more in-depth look at the four signs of spiritual maturity mentioned in the sermon from April 21, 2024. Maturity is meant to be shared. What if God had given someone you know—and perhaps even you—a measure of maturity which would help others who are also walking along the narrow path?”
They knew Jesus, but were swerving off course. That’s when a wiser, more mature Christian stepped in to help. This sermon is Part 1 in a new teaching series on the book of Colossians. They were a new community of faith–about 10 years old. They were doing good things, but were also losing focus. And when Jesus calls us to a narrow path (instead of a wide one), focus is very, very important — otherwise wayward and even harmful practices can take over. The sermon provides an introduction to the major theme, and explores the first 14 verses. Our point of application is about what people on the narrow path need. It’s practical, helpful and within reach.
Welcome. This podcast and post is called “Firm Faith in the Resurrection.” It is a summary of a two-part Sunday series called “Did the resurrection really happen? Explaining and defending our foundational belief.” It includes a lot of the content from the two sermons, plus a bit of extra background information. If you prefer to read the full blog post, click here.
Our faith seems to be increasingly under attack by the society around us. It’s gone from gentle skepticism to more aggressive criticism. In this context, are you able to humbly yet confidently explain or defend the resurrection of Christ? This sermon is Part 2 of a 2-part mini-series on the resurrection. In Part 1 we responded to five of the biggest conspiracy theories meant to undermine belief in the resurrection. In Part 2 we look at four more reasons to be confident by looking at the text and the experience of the early church. If you have confidence in the resurrection, it will impact your life in important ways. Courage is fighting alongside a King who has already won.
The resurrection of Christ is paramount. Without it our faith is “futile,” says Paul. It is vindication and victory, triumph over tribulation, the defeat of sin, Satan, death and darkness, and help and hope for the world. But are you confident about it? This sermon is Part 1 of 2, takes us through John 20:19-31 and responds to five of the most common objections (and conspiracy theories) concerning the resurrection. It’s no coincidence that casual and casualty sound so much the same. So let’s be deliberate about our resurrection faith — for yourself and for the those you care about who are under continually attack for their beliefs. Jesus said: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
This is our pastoral prayer from Easter Sunday. Perhaps it could be your prayer as well.
At the end of the Lord of the Rings trilogy Frodo asks, “Is everything sad going to come untrue?” Because of the resurrection of Christ, the answer is Yes! The resurrection was about one person, Jesus. But it was also about more than one person: everyone who follows him. This is hope-saturated good news for us today. John’s Gospel is written in a way to communicate to us that Jesus is the new and second Adam. God is fashioning a renewed world and creation. Jesus’ resurrection is a foretaste of the glory of what’s to come. This Easter morning sermon looks at John 20:1-18, Jesus as the second Adam, and four incredible things believers can expect to experience in God’s new creation. The nails failed, and we are summoned forward toward a new day in the footsteps of the One who is laughing loudly in the face of death.
The imagery is kind of harsh. Blood? In fact, some people try to avoid talking about it. But Good Friday is not a time for closing our eyes to the reality of sin, suffering and sacrifice. Jesus is called the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. It’s an amazing promise. But what does it mean, who is it for, and what does blood have to do with anything? This Good Friday sermon is based on John 1:29, but takes us through parts of Exodus 12 and the 10th plague on the Egyptians (the death of the firstborns). This background helps us understand why Jesus is called the “lamb of God” and clarifies the implications this has for us today. If you ever feel uncertain or as if your faith is “small,” you’re going to want to listen.
Virtue feels a bit out of place these days. Like a ninth grade student who has wandered into a party and isn’t sure if they’re in the right house, Virtue is a bit gangly and awkward, and surrounded by a bunch of people who are just trying to “seize the day.” Their master Impulse would prefer it if Virtue just turned around and left. The word itself means “moral excellence.” That sounds like a good thing. But today, people often use it as a sneer. ‘So-and-so is so virtuous.’ The tone suggests that being virtuous is like being judgmental, or acting as if you are better than someone else. And we certainly don’t want that. It’s also fashionable to talk about how broken we all are. That makes sense. After all, it’s true. As Paul reminds us in Romans 3:23, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” To speak of virtue can come across as self-righteous, or even arrogant—and that certainly doesn’t seem virtuous. Hmm, a conundrum. What’s to be done? Well, the truth helps. We are called to growth and holiness. God says, “Be holy, as I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16). This is why I think discussions about virtue are due for a comeback, at least in Christian circles. Virtue, rightly understood, and when placed in the context of discipleship, is an element of becoming more like Christ. In this post and podcast, I’m going to share a few thoughts about how and why I think that is so. It’s a big topic. I don’t pretend to be comprehensive. But I do hope to share some food for thought for those who think that Christlikeness actually matters.
This Sermon is from our Palm Sunday Service. William Min, our Coordinator of Youth and Outreach led the service while Pastor Ruttan was on his last day of vacation. William looked at the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, some of the cultural context around its timing, and how Jesus seldom works according to our expectations and desires, but counterintuitively does God’s incredibly work through His faithfulness.
On Sunday March 17, 2024, William Min (our Coordinator of Youth and Outreach) led the Sermon while Pastor Ruttan was away on his annual vacation. William looked at the story of how Jesus resurrects Lazarus from the dead and how it is one of 4 Messianic miracles. He focused on how we will soon be wrapping up Lent as we look towards Easter in a couple of weeks… and the resurrection hope we have in Jesus, which leads us to repentance, because He IS the resurrection, the truth, and the life. The key verse was John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?””
Pastor Ruttan recently used the quote “ A coincidence is a small miracle when God chooses to remain anonymous.” That has been true for my life… on more than many occasions! It is good to remind ourselves that God is always watching over us and provides for us in our time of need… even through small tokens. This short piece of audio was taken from our Youth Time segment from March 10, 2024.
Things are turning into a bloody mess. And yet, there is joy. The Jews of ancient Persia stand under an annihilation order. But now they are allowed to defend themselves. All of it occurs under the providence of a wise, love, sovereign and holy God. This sermon is the final installment in our series on the book of Esther. We explore chapters 9-10, ask if this conflict has anything to do with modern tensions in the holy land, and bring it all together by reflecting on God’s saving power even when life has become more wayward than we wished. As church father Ignatius said, “God uses crooked sticks to draw straight lines.” Then, and now.
Life can feel like a war zone. It gets messy. Mistakes pile up. We try to improve a situation only to make it worse. Our shortsightedness results in long-term consequences. People collide, things break — including hearts. When that happens, does God step back and say, “Oh wow, things are too messed up, best let them sort this one out on their own.” Of course not. Ours is the God of Angel Armies. If the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it (Psalm 24:1), God is not put off by the trenches in his own battle zone. This sermon explores Esther 8. Esther’s people are scheduled for annihilation, but Mordechai comes up with a rescue plan. It’s going to get real really fast. But God continues to work with his invisible, providential hand. We explore what happens, and receive encouragement for the battles we all continue to face.
Proverbs 16:18 is a famous warning: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” In this sermon on Esther 5-7, we see this proverb illustrated perfectly in the rise (and fall) of the dreaded Haman. Haman is second only to the king, but his pride, arrogance and anger envelop him, leading to his downfall. In and through it all, the God of providence works — through Esther and other unsuspecting people. Not only do we heed a warning from Haman, but we explore the meaning of pride, and ask how we can avoid it today. Do you want to experience destruction? Me neither. Let’s learn together.
Perhaps Esther had come to her royal position “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). She had risen quickly to become queen, but now her people were faced with annihilation at the hands of the murderous Haman. Should she try to hide, or confront the king and act? It was a risky move; she could lose her life. This sermon explores Esther 3-4, and invites us to think about the nature of courage–not only then, but now. Think of your life specifically and the world generally. Perhaps you too are born “for such a time as this.”
This short podcast is taken from the service on February 11, 2024. Pastor Ruttan recalls an apocryphal story by Peggy Campolo about the gates of heaven and when Peter and Paul’s numbers don’t line up. He then ties it to Romans 3:23-24
Every year Pastor Ruttan includes a report in the church’s annual report. This year he has made an audio version as well. He provides a big picture review of the past year, and a look ahead. He describes the situation as we emerge from the pandemic and a few key priorities moving forward. Enjoy!
The young Esther rises to become Queen, confronts the misguided King, and saves her people in a great act of courage. Yes, that’s a big part of the story. But, as we will find, there is much more going on. The book doesn’t even mention the name of God. Does that mean God is absent? Definitely not. The lack of God’s name is intentional; it challenges us to see when and where God is working even when it’s not obvious, and even as God’s people live in a land far removed from their native Judah. In this sermon, Pastor Ruttan provides an overview of the book, takes us through chapters 1 and 2, and invites us to ponder providence—the invisible hand of God, even when we’re surrounded by danger, deception, people who are unlike us, and when it feels like everything is spinning out of control.
William has recorded this encouraging and informative update on Westminster Youth. There is much to look forward to, but he points out that most importantly, the goal is to raise up disciples of Christ. Thanks for the update William!
Is it possible to experience joy in the midst of affliction? Yes it is. This isn’t a message you hear very often, but it’s true. But how? The answer has to do with hope. Not naive wishful thinking, but actual hope. The early followers of Jesus in Thessalonica found this out first hand. They were tingling with anticipation for the return of Jesus. They were also experiencing affliction. But God gave them joy. They were, as CR Wiley says, “living in the light of tomorrow’s sun.” This sermon is the first in a new series on 1st and 2nd Thessalonians called “The Beginning is Nigh.” Let’s learn about hope, and how it might change us as well.
The battle is waged from a place of stillness. If an army is in chaos, it’s not going to respond very well when the enemy strikes. If a soldier is always fatigued and confused about what to do, he’s not going to face the enemy with power. There are times when we all have a battle to wage. This isn’t about guns or placards. This is a personal struggle, or fighting for a loved one, or facing a dark spiritual enemy. When the time is night, is your soul chaotic, loud, fatigued or confused, or are you still, focused and ready? This sermon explores Psalm 131. David has calmed and quieted his soul. What can he teach us about being still in a time that seems anything but.
This past Sunday, as Pastor Ruttan continues his vacation, special guest Claude Cox led our service and shared a message inspired by Psalm 85:10. “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
On Sunday Aug.6, Pastor Ruttan led us through service, which included this special talk from Michelle Boston, our Small Groups Coordinator. At Westminster we call our Small Groups, Vine Groups. Michelle detailed the importance of Bible Study in our lives as Christians, and shared the faithful benefits of being a part of our Vine Groups Program. The theme the message was Matthew 7:7, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.’ If you’d like to know more about Vine groups, click here. To sign up and join one of our weekly Vine Groups (in person or online) you can email Michelle at mishkagirl3@gmail.com.
A college student was struggling. She was stressed and homesick. As she walked around the campus some words popped into her head: cast all your cares on him because he cares for you. It was a key moment. She sought out some help and started the journey to getting re-connected with God. Where did those words come from? The Bible. They had been lodged somewhere in her mind from when she had attended Sunday School. Proverbs are short statements to help you live wisely daily. As Andy Stanley says, “memorable is portable.” These statements stay with you through the ups and downs of life and can come into your mind at just the right time to provide help or hope. This sermon is Part 2 in a short series on the most famous proverbs. Pastor Ruttan highlights 16 more verses and encourages us to uncover the principle that is at work in each of them, and also how God can use them for good.
Pastor Ruttan In this podcast and blog, I’m going to highlight some helpful Study Bibles. Perhaps you are wondering what makes a Study Bible different from a regular Bible. A regular Bible includes the text and no more. A Study Bible is meant to help you go deeper with your study. It provides introductions to each book including information about who wrote it, when it occurred in history, and the major themes it addresses. As you read through each book a Study Bible has footnotes and cross-references to clarify terms and concepts that might be confusing. Many also have small articles on themes that are relevant to specific topics raised in the text or that relate to the Christian life in general. Here is why I’ve put this together. As followers of Jesus, it is important that we are reading the Bible every day. As I like to say, the more you get into God’s word, the more God’s word gets into you. The Bible is the primary way we learn about God’s will. At the same time, we acknowledge that it is sometimes hard to understand. To help we should be praying that the Holy Spirit illuminate us, sit under biblical preaching, and speak to others about what we are learning. But we should also seek to study the Bible. Bernard of Clairvaux said there is a difference between reading the Bible and studying it. It’s like the difference between having a casual acquaintance and a close friend, he said. That’s where a Study Bible can help. It gives us a greater and more intimate knowledge of the text—and therefore, about the God to whom it points. As the great Reformer Martin Luther would say: “Let the man who would hear God speak, read Holy Scripture.” Previous generations would...
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We’ve seen it play out a hundred times in movies or books. A village is under attack. The people need to flee. “Only take what is necessary! Leave everything else behind!” Forget furniture, food or extra clothes. The villagers can only take what is accessible and portable. Andy Stanley says that “memorable is portable.” If you can remember something, you can take it with you. Even though it’s not a material thing, it is available for use wherever you go. Enter the proverbs. They are short, to-the-point, practical, memorable and portable. We can carry them with us through life. They help us live wisely daily no matter who or where we are, and no matter if we’re fleeing attack or safe in our homes. This sermon explains what the proverbs are and how they function. It also highlights twelve of the most famous proverbs (with sixteen more coming next week). With each proverb we ask what principle it teaches and then how God might use that principle for good. Note: The handout that goes along with this sermon is available through the church app, in person, or at westminsterpc.ca.
Join in with this pastoral prayer from Sunday which touches on issues of personal and global concern
Pastor Ruttan responds to previously submitted questions about why we have to live through life on earth before heaven, and various theories about the end times.
“Follow your heart!” We hear that a lot. I’m sure it’s well-intentioned. Our instincts and feelings are important. But our hearts can often lead us astray since (a) we are sinful by nature and (b) our hearts are heavily influenced by the non-stop negativity around us. Wouldn’t it be better to “follow your head” when intentionally fixed on the goodness of God? Psalm 103 is a corrective to our skittishness, negative self-talk, and forgetfulness about God. It was crafted to help us remember well and to think clearly. Hymn-writer Isaac Watts asks: “Why should the wonders he hath wrought / Be lost in silence and forgot.” Good question! This sermon explores Psalm 103 line-by-line, invites you follow your head (insofar as it is centred on God’s promises), and asks how you might “bend the knee to the Lord” with all that is within you.
“Life is short.” “Seize the day.” For thousands of years people have known that their lives have an end date. But knowing your priorities and living by them are two different things. When Harry Chapin sang “Cats in the Cradle” about a father who never made time for his son, it hit a chord. But the idea extends beyond family. How many people have looked back on their lives and wishes they had spent more time on the things that mattered most, whether that be friendships, being generous, or serving God? Thousands of years ago Moses said: “teach us to number our days that we might get a heart of wisdom.” Knowing your time on earth is limited should compel us to live wisely. This sermon on Psalm 90 explores the eternity of God, the brevity of life, and what wisdom looks like when time is running out. Wisdom is doing what’s right with the time you have left.
It’s a psalm for approaching danger, fear, pestilence, and battle. Soldiers are known to keep it in their pockets. Others have kept the words in lockets around their necks to ward off evil. Psalm 91 calls on the God who provides shelter, fortress, deliverance, refuge, and rescue. William Gurnall joins in: “castle me in the arms of your everlasting strength…” No wonder it is so special to so many people! But what kind of protection are we talking about? And what are we to make of it when calamity comes into our life and those promises seem hollow? This sermon unpacks Psalm 91 and charts a path forward under the wing of a God who does battle for his people. You may experience difficulty, but never defeat.
On June 4th we gathered to sing, pray, learn and worship together. While Pastor Ruttan was away at the annual meeting of the General Assembly in Halifax, Jeff Walther, a good friend of the congregation, led a teaching on the Great Commission, titled “Good news travels fast. But it needs a little help. Gospel Starts With Go.”
On May 19, 2023 Tim Keller died. In the Salvation Army they would say he was “promoted to glory.” Keller was a best-selling author, pastor, apologist, co-founder of The Gospel Coalition, and fellow Presbyterian. He spoke to millions, met with Presidents, but was ever down-to-earth. On the occasion of his death I wanted to share some of his quotes that I have found particularly insightful and inspiring. I have selected sentences which are succinct, and which give evidence not only of his wisdom but of his deliberate and often poetic use of words. I never met Keller personally. My only direct interaction with him was digital. In 2013 I quoted a line from Darth Vader as it appeared in one of his books. “I find your lack of faith—disturbing.” Keller re-tweeted it. So, you know, that basically makes us pals. More seriously, my first real introduction to his thinking was through his best-selling book, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. People were talking about it. I was compelled. I bought it at the now-closed Crux Books on the University of Toronto campus. His writing gave evidence of a genuine, biblical faith undergirded by a vigorous intelligence. He tackled many of the questions and issues that people were (and are) wrestling with. ‘How could a good God allow suffering? Has science disproved Christianity? Is there really just one true religion?’ The book not only included defenses against popular objections to the faith, but compelling and rational reasons to believe. In that book—and in his life in general—Keller advocated a Christian faith which was theologically robust, gracious, and sensitive to the questions and experiences of modern people. This appealed to my Reformed Protestant heritage which has always taken education and learning seriously. Professor John Leith has said that...
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Afflicted. Alone. Despairing. Disappointed. That’s what Heman felt. He was the author of Psalm 88, sometimes called the darkest of the psalms. Other psalms end on a upswing, but not this one. Not only does he feel alone, but as if the only One who can help is also against him. Do you want to know what the #1 question is that people have for God? Why is there so much pain and suffering? This sermon explores Psalm 88. If you’ve ever felt like God has let you down, maybe this honesty cry will resonate with you. Who was Heman? What did he go through? And where can we look for light in the night?
A methodist pastor was once asked to stop speaking about sin so plainly. He replied: “Would you like me to replace the label on a poison jar to say its peppermint?” In other words, it’s not loving to lie. I’ve preached over 600 sermons in 15 years. Generally speaking, people respond well to sermons about compassion, community, and even commitment. Sin and repentance are tougher subjects. They require honesty. But we also need the reminder that God is merciful and loving, that he guides us forward, and that the change he works in us is actually good for us! This sermon on Psalm 51 explores King David’s many sins and also his sincere repentance. It also provides four practical steps for us to follow as well. True repentance is wanting your heart to follow your tongue.
It’s easy to lose perspective when facing uncertainty, fear or dread. Our brains can zero-in exclusively on our problems. That’s why regaining perspective is so important. Perspective is about seeing the bigger picture and right-sizing our problems. Psalm 46 is about regaining perspective when it feels like your world is coming undone. Perhaps that is why it is often read during times of personal, national or global upheaval. It reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (verse 1). It is also well-known for this instruction from God: “Be still, and know that I am God.” But what does it mean to “be still”? And how does that help anything? Inner stillness flows from a growing knowledge of who God is and what God is doing. This sermon explains Psalm 46 and the importance of perspective, even when facing uncertainty, fear or dread.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want…” These words begin the world’s most famous psalm. It is said at funerals. It is memorized, tattooed on arms, and underlined in Bibles. Drawing from his own experience tending sheep, David penned a song to teach us about God as a perfect shepherd. He provides for our needs and restores our souls. But this is no naive optimism; it occurs as we journey “through the valley of the shadow of death,” and even when surrounded by enemies. This sermon provides background to the psalm and explores how powerful truths can carry us through perilous times — including your own.
Every day we are faced with choices. Lots of choices. I’ve heard that the total number of variations in just the first 10 moves of a chess game are 169,518,829,100,544,000,000,000,000,000. Wow! Life can seem like that. Lots of choices, lots of outcomes. Psalm one foregrounds the importance of a single solitary choice. Will you choose the way of the righteous or the way of the wicked? Well, of course we’re going to choose the way of the righteous. But what does that mean? And is it even possible if we continually sin and mess up? This sermon is the start of a teaching series on the most famous psalms. It looks at Psalm 1. It unpacks the text and provides five applications for our lives today. James Mays explains the importance of these decisions. “Life is at stake.” It sure is. But there’s good news for weary or wobbly pilgrims: the way of the righteous is about a direction, not perfection.
Last week we commissioned Nena LaMarre, our new music director. Pastor Ruttan asked her two questions during the service – how she became a Christian and what the roll is of music in worship. Her answers were genuine and heart-felt. We praise God for your faithfulness Nena!
You’ve made mistakes. Some small, some big. If so, you’re like the apostle Peter. But Jesus didn’t write him off. He certainly had reason to. Peter denied knowing him three times at his time of need! Instead, Jesus shared a word of redemption. He also gave him an important job to do. We can learn from this. And when I say “learn” I really mean learn. Why? Because failure doesn’t disqualify you, it educates you. What happened to Peter changed him. Well, what happened to you can change you too — and it can contribute to the ways you serve God. This sermon explores John 21.
When we think of a missionary we usually think of someone going to serve in another country to spread the message of Jesus or help with a charitable project. But all of Jesus’ followers are given a commission. It’s a word which means “with a mission.” Yes, there is the “great commission” in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples. But there is also a lesser-known commission in John 20. It’s for all of us. And you don’t even have to go anywhere to do it. In this sermon from April 16, 2023 on John 20:19-31, Pastor Ruttan explores this ‘other’ commission, Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit, and doubting Thomas. What if God was sending you not to a place you’ve never been, but to a place you’re already in?
Two young boys cut their hands before a handshake. It’s a sign of their bond with one another. We could also call it a covenant. They are now “blood brothers.” We too are in a covenant relationship with God. He is faithful to us. We are supposed to be faithful to him. But what happens when we aren’t? What happens when we don’t live up to our end of the relationship? What happens when we are covenant-breakers instead of covenant keepers? Here’s where it is important to remember why Good Friday is “good.” It’s not because of what happened TO Jesus, but because of what happened FOR us. This sermon is based on John 14:15 and highlights what Jesus’ disciples are supposed to do if they love him; more importantly, it highlights two life-changing facets about Jesus’ saving work (in his ministry and on the cross) which are literally the best news ever. There’s a reason the cross is the universal symbol of Christianity. His pain, our gain.
“Without food we can live for weeks. But we cannot live for a minute without hope.” So said the father of Rabbi Hugo Gryn while imprisoned in a concentration camp. Hope is that important! On Easter morning Pastor Ruttan had a talk with the Rev. Winston Newman, a friend, prayer partner, retired pastor, man of joyful wisdom, and native of Jamaica. Among other things, Easter is a story about hope. They talked about what it is, why Easter gives us hope, and how to sustain hope over the long haul in our lives.
All of us have certain traditions which are meaningful to us. When it comes to our faith, there are traditions surrounding Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter, Christmas, our devotional habits, and weekly worship too. Jaroslav Pelikan distinguishes between tradition and traditionalism: “Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.” What is he talking about and why is this difference important in a time when many people feel un-tethered, empty or adrift? This sermon explores Psalm 118, a key background text for the events of Palm Sunday when Jesus parades into Jerusalem as King. How do traditions tether us to the things that matter most in a world which feels increasingly chaotic?
Leadership is desperately needed in our world. When we think of a “leader,” we usually think of someone in an official capacity, like a coach, boss, Prime Minister or President. But Jesus’ people are continually presented with opportunities for unofficial leadership. These are everyday moments when someone needs step forward to provide guidance, make a decision, or intervene in a situation. A lot is happening during Jesus’ trial, torture and crucifixion. Something we often miss are the parallels between the coronation of Caesar and the crucifixion of Christ. The historical events unfold in a way which teaches us about the nature of true leadership. This is demonstrated in Christ, and offered as an example for his people to emulate as they go about doing his work in the world. This sermon is on John 19:1-16a and explores the concept of “bleedership,” loving self-sacrifice, and three things Christians can do as people of influence, trusting that Jesus is Lord and Caesar is not.
Today’s sermon was given by special guest, Jeff Walther. He has spent many years in radio and teaching at Georgian College, until recently retiring. He is a long time member of our church and spends some Sundays giving Sermons at churches in our area as well as at our very own when Pastor Ruttan is away (like today). His Sermon is titled ‘Always winter, never Christmas’, a take on C.S. Lewis quote from The lion, the witch and the wardrobe. The essence of the piece is imagining the world as if Jesus had never been born and highlighting the positive influence he has had through history.
It’s a strange topic for a sermon. In fact, this isn’t really a sermon. It’s a talk about sermons. If you’ve ever wondered what sermons are, why we listen to them, or if you struggle to connect or engage, then this is for you. Let’s say you attend worship services for 20 years. Even if you only attend half the time, that’s 520 sermons and about 13,000 minutes of preaching! Don’t you want to make the most of it? Along with things like Bible-reading and prayer, preaching is a “means of grace.” It can be, with the Spirit’s help, a channel of God’s divine generosity, guidance and help in our lives. And this is true whether the preacher is eloquent or cumbersome, old or young, or long- or short-winded. This talk highlights Nehemiah 8:1-12 as an example of proactive attentiveness, highlights four important mindsets for us to have, and offers eight practical suggestions to get the most out of a sermon. Listening to a sermon is proactive, not passive. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
I was recently asked for some book recommendations that would grow someone’s faith and discipleship. It was asked in the context of Lent by someone who is trying to be proactive in learning about God. But the suggestions are good for any time of the year. In this informal audio clip, I simply introduce these eight books. They are: Enjoy!
Jesus says his kingdom is not of this world. First, we should note that he is the king. Second, that we are his royal subjects. Third, that this kingdom is other-worldly. This sermon on John 18:19-40 explores the nature of this kingdom and how to live like royalty in a land which seems, in many ways, foreign. It also provides three practical suggestions for ambassadors of the King of Kings.
A beautiful and timeless prayer by Pastor Ruttan, spoken during service on February 5, 2023.
What’s the deal with Lent? We know that some people give up stuff (fasting), and it leads up to Easter. But what does the name mean? Why do people say it’s 40 days when it’s actually 47, and what do Ashes on foreheads have to do with anything? This short podcast is a bit of a fun Lent Trivia I shared with the congregation at Westminster on Sunday, February 26, 2023 during our kids’ time segment.
A well-known definition of integrity is “doing the right thing when no one is looking.” When decisions are easy and when there is no pressure, it’s easy to have integrity. It’s harder when you are under stress. This sermon explores John 18:1-18, Jesus’ betrayal in the garden of Gethsemane, and two examples of having (and not having) integrity under pressure. It also provides a one-sentence filter to help us keep our eyes on God when we’re not sure what to do.
Did you realize that right before his betrayal and torture Jesus prayed for you? He did. He prayed for his disciples, and also “for those who will believe in me through their word…” That’s us! Not only does he pray for us, but that prayer teaches us what God wants for our lives. This sermon explores John 17, identifies 8 specific things Jesus prays for us, and encourages us to pray the same. What Jesus prays for you is God’s will for you.
Is your life unfolding according to chance? Or is it a part of a bigger plan? You’re right; it’s a leading question. Jesus teaches us about providence: The invisible hand of God upholding and guiding your specific life. We see the brushstrokes, but God sees the big picture. It’s easy to believe in providence when you have sunny skies. But is God still upholding and guiding when the skies are grey or dark? The answer is a helpful and victorious one. This sermon explores John 16:25-33 (and some of Psalm 22) and ponders chance vs. providence.
You want to follow Jesus and even share him with others. But you’re so busy. Your “margin” is nil. This podcast is a talk between Pastor Ruttan and the Rev. Dr. Sarah Han, a professor at Tyndale who is writing a book on the importance of creating margin in our lives to be faithful disciples of Jesus.
I was recently interviewed by Chris Pullenayegem from the Vancouver School of Theology as a part of their Congregational Vitality Initiative. This podcast is a recording of that conversation. There’s also a YouTube version of our talk (link below). It’s aimed at people training for ministry, but I think our discussion is of interest to a wider audience as well. He asked me about:-spiritual disciplines as a part of our love for God-how to encourage a congregation to engage in spiritual disciplines-using the Bible in a transformative way-living in a context of spiritual warfare-having a biblical worldview-being clear about what our goals are-how to nurture a discipleship ethos in a congregation-what advice I might give to a newer pastor who also wants to create a discipleship ethos in their congregation. You can find the links and resources that were mentioned below. Enjoy!
Jesus said that the world would hate them. It would also persecute them. That’s serious stuff. But who is “the world”? What is the difference between hatred and persecution? When it comes to this topic, we need to caution against over-simplification and a sky-is-falling mentality. But we also need to take our changing situation seriously as Jesus’ people move back into the margins and become (once again) subject to the world’s scorn. This sermon explores John 15:18 – 16:4 and provides five ways to respond to this evolving reality. One thing is for sure: We need to fall out of love with fitting in.
Some topics get all the attention — like the apocalypse, loving our enemies, current social justice issues, or heaven and hell. “Abiding in Christ” isn’t usually on that list. And yet it is something Jesus tells us to do and which profoundly changes our lives for the better. When thinking about experiences from your childhood which had a profound and positive impact on your development, you might not think to mention family dinners or those honest talks with a parent while going for a weekly walk. But those sorts of experiences (or others you may have had) were huge. In a similar way, “abiding in Christ” is huge. It might not make headlines, but it will nurture you over the long haul and even be a source of enduring joy. This sermon explores Jesus as the true vine in John 15:1-17 and what it means to abide in him. A definition is provided as well as a very practical (and doable!) suggestion for living this out in your daily life. Someone once asked, “How do you spell love? T.I.M.E.” “Abide in me, and I in you.”
The Holy Spirit is God. And if you are a genuine disciple of Jesus, he actually lives inside of you. And not just only you. Since God is omnipresent, he lives within other disciples as well. You’re right. It’s mind-blowing. It’s also one of the most misunderstood or neglected aspects of our discipleship. A better understanding provides great help and hope for our lives! This sermon explores Jesus’ teaching in John 14:15-31. The Holy Spirit is within you, helping you for your good and God’s glory.
Jesus is the centre of our faith. He came to give us life; but what was his like? What did he look like? What was it like growing up Nazareth? What was it like living under the oppressive rule of the Romans and even King Herod? Did he have a job before starting his ministry? Did he go to synagogue? The more we know about his life then, the more we appreciate the impact of his life on us now. This sermon explores historical, cultural and archaeological research to give us a behind-the-scenes look at Jesus of Nazareth. It also looks at the big picture by considering both his humanity and his divinity to explore the significance of the incarnation on our faith today. It ends with a practical suggestion to help us appreciate what God has done for each of us in Yeshua of Nazareth, the son of Mary and the Son of God.
Happy New Year! The Reverend Dr. Claude Cox led our service with a sermon titled ‘Beginnings, beginnings and yes, beginnings’. How appropriate! He has been the chaplain for many years at Grove Park Home for Senior Citizens and adjunct faculty at McMaster Divinity College—Old Testament and Hebrew, for almost as long. His wife Elaine, has been a nurse in the ICU for a bit longer. They have 3 grown children, Michael, Jason and Laura. The text is Mark 1:1–13. Being New Year’s day it seems like an appropriate moment to talk about the place of beginnings in Scripture, beginning at the beginning ( ! ), from the beginning to the beginning of the Gospel, and from that beginning to our own beginnings. Sounds like a lot of beginnings, doesn’t it? Of course, we have the synonym “start,” but it’s not quite the same as “beginning,” is it?
Professor Michael Mangis writes: “The human heart is constantly tempted to live under the illusion that things are fine just the way they are.” But, of course, things are not fine just the way they are. Over the past few years, we’ve experienced a certain kind of trauma. It’s time for healing, and a key component of that healing is realignment with God. There’s no better time to do that than on Christmas Eve. At the candlelit service Pastor Ruttan reflected on Luke 2:1-20 and four correctives it provides to our thinking. These correctives challenge unhelpful or faulty ways of thinking and realign us with the light of Christ and the good which God intends for our lives. Jen Wilkin says: “It is not new truths we need; but old truths recently forgotten.” So true. Realignment begins with God as the healer of souls.
It’s one of the most famous stories ever told: The birth of Jesus. Shepherds, angels, and hostile Inn-keepers have appeared in thousands of Christmas pageants for hundreds of years. But when we hear something so much, we stop hearing it. Instead of paying more attention, we pay less. There was a man who lived right beside an airport. Over time, he stopped hearing the planes take off. They were still zooming around and making tonnes of noise, but his brain had learned to tune them out. In the same way, we too can tune out the familiar, even when it comes to the story of Jesus’ birth. We can miss the bracing elements of the story which so powerfully shook our world in the first place. With that in mind, this podcast is going to take us slowly through Luke 2:1-20. I’ll provide background detail, explanation of special words and concepts that are used, historical and political context, and even some detail about a few illuminating archaeological discoveries. I think this helps us appreciate the meaning and significance of what is going on in seminal verses. And when I say slowly, I mean slowly. It’s going to require some attention. It’s more of a take-your-time-in-the-evening-with-a-warm-drink kind of thing. Or maybe it’s something you’ll listen to while going for a walk or a drive.
In this brief look at John 14:13-14, Pastor Ruttan explains Jesus’s words and encourages us in faithful prayer.
Audio excerpt from Jenn during service on Sunday, Dec. 11th, where Pastor Ruttan and congregation thanked Jenn for 12+ years of service as our Music Director.
For centuries, these words of Jesus have given comfort and clarity. They have also been the source of controversy: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Today, if someone thinks you’re being “exclusive” or “judgmental” you are automatically the bad guy. Don’t these words from Jesus sound like both? This sermon on John 14:1-11 explains his meaning and why these are words of both clarity and compassion in confusing times. Truth without love isn’t really truth; and love without truth isn’t really love.
Is this Jesus’ version of “live your best life now”? Think bigger. Think life that is “abundant.” This podcast and blog distill Jesus’ use of the word “life” in John’s Gospel to two main ideas.
They say that desperate times call for desperate measures. Think of the hail Mary pass toward the end of the football game, or the man in such poor financial shape that he thinks his only options is to rob a bank. Jesus lived in desperate times. It was a brutal world, and he was about to be tortured and crucified (and he knew it). With that in mind he gave his disciples a new commandment. What was it? To run for the hills? To get out their swords? No. It was to love one another as he had loved them. In many ways, we also live in desperate times. Jesus gives his new command to us as well. This sermon on John 13:31-38 seeks to define what Jesus meant by love, unpacks the text, and highlights seven practical steps. Desperate times call for loving measures.
How would you define success? Is it accumulating money, influence, beauty or power? Well, of course not. We wouldn’t admit that — at least not out loud. There’s a phrase that people use: “the ladder of success.” Imaging climbing up that ladder, and then imagine climbing through a window at the top of that ladder. After all, a ladder leans on something, doesn’t it? What if that ladder led you into the wrong window of the wrong house? I wonder how Jesus defines success. Turns out, he never uses the word. So what DOES he say about the things we should strive after? This sermon on John 13:1-30 looks at the surprising and topsy-turvy story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, including Judas. How might we take his example seriously as we navigate life in a world drunk on misplaced ideas of success.
People and families in our church, our community and across the country are about to experience one of the most difficult financial climates in many years. Local organizations such as the Food Bank and Christmas Cheer as well as international charities such as World Vision and The Red Cross are already warning of empty shelves and hungry children.As Christians, what should our response to this situation be? Knowing that “God loves a cheerful giver” but realizing that we are all limited to how much we can do to help the situation, what can we do to help?This Sunday we will look at the “ripple effect” that becomes the tidal wave of love when we all give, serve and encourage in the name of Jesus Christ.
The idea of “light” comes up a lot in the Bible, but not in a flick-the-switch kind of way. “Light” is a metaphor for the wisdom, guidance, goodness and blessing of God. Sounds nice. And it is. But Jesus also gives us a warning: “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.” That’s right. Darkness can overtake you. With that in mind, walking in the light sounds much more urgent. Frederick Buechner writes: “Jesus shares with us the darkness of what it is to be without God as well as showing forth the glory of what it is to be with God.” This sermon on John 12:27-50 explores light and darkness, and highlights how God as our Saviour has graciously provided “light locations” to help us along the path.
People are seeking. They’re seeking serious answers to serious questions. A child wonders if God sees the pain of other children in faraway countries. A wife lays beside her husband as he dies and wonders why love hurts so much. People all over the world wonder if God has a plan for their lives or how they know if they’re on the right track. There is a temptation to shrug and to downplay or trivialize these questions. But Jesus doesn’t. This sermon on John 12:20-26 explores what happens when Greeks approach Philip and say, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” They get more than they bargained for. We unpack Jesus’ words, and zero-in on three points to consider and apply as we — and the people we care about — seek serious answers to serious questions.
If you follow Jesus you are different. In 1961, 96% of people in our country identified as Christian. No longer. “No Religion” is now the second largest ‘religious’ category. And while you can’t read too much into what people tick on a census form, the fact remains that if you follow Jesus today, people will think you’re different. Some respond with a me-against-the-world mentality. Others try to water-down the faith to make it sound more “normal” so they can fit in. In this sermon on John 12:1-11, Mary (the sister of Lazarus) shows us another way: She provides a sincere example of what it means to be devoted to Jesus even when others think you’re different. Jesus wants the best of us, not what’s left of us. This message explains why, and encourages us to practically think about how we can make it a reality.
This was one of the questions in a recent Q & A Forum at Westminster after worship. You can now listen to the answer in the latest episode of our podcast, The Word at Westminster. The full question was: Can we earn heaven? Matthew 7:21 unsettles me, can you explain?
It’s a new time – with challenges and opportunities. So we need to be honest about who we are in the body of Christ: consumers or members? This podcast is a talk with Thom Rainer, president of Church Answers and former CEO of LifeWay, and author of “11 signs you are becoming a church consumer instead of a committed church member.” [Cross posted from The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan]
W.W.J.D. is a popular acronym that originated in the 1990’s. The “what would Jesus do” movement encouraged people to be “like Jesus.” When we think about being “like Jesus” what usually comes to mind? Love, humility, sacrifice? All good things. What about crying? The shortest version the Bible is John 11:35: “Jesus wept.” Before he raised his beloved friend from the dead, he cried. Why did he do that? And what does it teach us about being like him? That’s what this sermon on John 11:28-57 explores. We can’t be like Jesus if we don’t know what he was like. We all have blind spots. Perhaps a wider view is our next best step as we seek to follow the one who will one day return with nail marks in his hands and tear stains on his cheeks.
This podcast explains the meaning of baptism, and also who we baptize at Westminster Church. It also provides the rationale. If you’d like to read the text version (and have access to the full footnotes), click here. Enjoy!
Fear is everywhere. We can be afraid of death, afraid of being alone, afraid of criticism, afraid of suffering, afraid of evil, afraid for our families, afraid of the future, afraid for our future, afraid of hell, and even afraid of despair. A woman was mourning for Lazarus, her newly-deceased brother. She confronts Jesus. If only he was here he could have helped, she says. “I am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus responds. “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Fear may fill the world, but it doesn’t need to fill your mind. Jesus’ response is an invitation to experience a life not governed by fear. Why? Because fear can’t rule you if God already has the job. This sermon on John 11:1-27 explores this enigmatic text, and shares practical ways to push back against the many fears that can so quickly suffocate our hearts and pillage our perspective.
Throughout history, many people have claimed to hear God’s voice. Prophets certainly did. Madmen with Messiah complexes leading people into the desert to die did not. Having just told us that he is the Good Shepherd, Jesus says: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” To those original followers, that made a lot of sense. Their ears could literally receive the sound waves coming out of his mouth. But what about today? How do we hear Jesus’ voice when he’s not physically here? This sermon explores John 10:22-42 and proposes five biblical ways to help you discern the voice of God in your life.
Start your day right. Here is Ben Ruttan reading the Bible reading from the service on September 25, 2022, and Pastor Ruttan leading us in our opening prayer based on that same Bible passage.
“Live your best life now!” That’s a fairly popular modern slogan. In fact, Jesus said something that (some people think) sounds kind of similar: “I came that they have may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). His words suggest that life itself isn’t necessarily abundant. Something else needs to be present for it to take on an abundant character–and THAT is living your best life now. This sermon on John 10:1-21 explores Jesus’ words, what it means that he is our Good Shepherd, and some practical steps to embrace abundant life.
In this episode Pastor Ruttan interviews our new Communications Coordinator Kristin Stouffer. This will help you get to know her a bit better, and also learn more about her role. We are so excited to have her on board! The books Kristin referenced are: “If You Will Ask” by Oswald Chambers, and “Christian heroes: Then and Now” (series)
A national poll asked: “If you could ask God only one question and you knew he would give you an answer, what would you ask?” The most popular response was this: “Why is there pain and suffering in the world?” Some people think it’s punishment for sin. They wonder if they’ve done something to deserve their hardship. It’s a big topic. Even the disciples wondered about it. This sermon works through a few aspects of this topic with the lens of John 9 and the healing of the man born blind. No matter what you’re dealing with, what God can do through you is greater than what has happened to you. Enjoy!
Every four months we hold sometimes have something called the Q and A Forum. People submit questions ahead of time, and after a worship service Pastor Ruttan provides an answer. This was originally recorded live on June 12, 2022. The question is: “In the Lord’s Prayer, it says: ‘Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ Would God lead us into temptation, so that we need to ask him not to?” Enjoy.
You’re about to go through a storm. But you can choose which ship to sail in. The captain in boat number one isn’t very experienced. But the captain in boat number two has an incredible track record. In fact, he’s successfully navigated every single storm, ever. Which captain are you going to choose? In John 8 Jesus uses clear and powerful language to tell us that he is divine. That’s why he lived before Abraham who lived 2000 years before him! Jesus is God come to us in human form. Therefore, he is the only captain who can claim our confidence in the storm. This sermon explores John 8:48-59, Jesus’ words “before Abraham was, I am,” the hostile reaction of others, and some practical questions about whether or not he is actually our Captain, and whether or not we take his ship (the church) as seriously as we should. Entrust yourself to the one captain who has successfully carried his people through every single storm ever.
Jesus calls the Devil the “father of lies.” Those are weighty words! How seriously do we take the battle between truth and deception? If you think your life is a playground when it’s really a battleground you’re going to get caught off guard time and time again. Fact is, truth makes your life better. God shares his truth with us because he loves us and wants the best for us. This sermon explores Jesus’ words in John 8:39-47, and invites us to consider some practical (and serious) applications for our lives today.
At Westminster, our small groups are called Vine Groups. In this short episode, Pastor Ruttan introduces Michelle Boston who will be coordinating these groups beginning in September 2022! Michelle talks about how she got involved, what to expect, and provides some background for those who want to learn more. Our autumn session for 2022 begins the week of September 18th.
Do you feel surrounded by uncertainty, darkness and danger? So did the ancient Hebrews. To you Jesus says: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Yes, it’s inspiring. There’s also more in that statement than meets the eye — including some background context to an ancient festival which would have given weight and meaning to his words; the directive to “follow” him (instead of just “watching” him); and the promise that those who do will “have the light of life.” This sermon on John 8:12-30 explores these themes and offers practical encouragement to “follow the light.” The light might not always take you where you want to go; but it will take you where you need to go.
Every four months we have something called the Q and A Forum. People submit questions ahead of time, and after a worship service Pastor Ruttan provides an answer. This instalment was originally recorded on June 12, 2022. Here is the question: “Can you explain the differences between a secular worldview and a biblical world view? I know this is a huge subject, but with churches becoming more ‘progressive’ it is getting more difficult to know how to differentiate truth from subjectivity as we strive to demonstrate the love of Christ.”
People are hungry for grace. But grace is one of those things we can take for granted. So what is it, and what does it do to us and through us? The woman caught in adultery is a famous story from John’s Gospel, as is this famous line: “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” But in this sermon on John 7:53-8:11, Pastor Ruttan explains why this text isn’t in the oldest and most reliable manuscripts of the Bible. He therefore uses it as an illustration which is supported by other inspired biblical passages. He takes us through the text and shares an insights about how Jesus exemplifies both grace AND truth, and how grace opens doors. If we believe that knowing, serving and enjoying God in Christ is the most important thing ever—and if knowing, serving and enjoying God in Christ is the best thing or every single person on the planet—we will want to think, speak and act in a way which opens doors, not close them.
Mark Sayers makes the case that we are at the start of a new era. When you look back on human history you can see how one era gives way to another. The early 1500’s was the start of a new era; so was the industrial revolution. Sayers says that we are in the midst of a transition of the same scope—right now. Granted, we don’t know what this new era will look like. We are in an in-between period—a “gray zone,” as he calls it. In biblical terms, this is like being in the “wilderness.” There is increased uncertainty, increased anxiety, and increased complexity. To whom do we turn at a time like this? Who are we called to be? In this sermon from July 17, 2022 Pastor Ruttan explore John 7:25-52 and Jesus’ dramatic teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles to give us guidance.
Jesus said “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24). We know to not judge by appearances. We might struggle with it sometimes, but we know it makes sense. Never judge a book by it’s cover, right? But the second half of his statement is a bit trickier. What does it mean to “judge with right judgment”? At a time when many people are quickly accused of being “judgmental” for having an opinion about a whole host of things, what is the difference between “being judgmental” and using “right judgment”? This sermon from July 10, 2022 by Pastor Ruttan explores John 7:1-24 and seeks to answer these same questions. The H.A.L.O. Response is a guide to using “right judgment” at a time when we all seem to be walking and talking on slippery slopes.
Max Lucado said: “Most people suffer from small thoughts about God.” In other words, when we underestimate the sovereignty, wisdom, love and power of God, we do ourselves a radical disservice. The world has a lot of problems. Your life has challenges to. But what is puzzling to you is a puzzle piece to God. This sermon by Pastor Ruttan explores Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 and invites us to consider the superabundance of God. It includes four insights to consider which have a direct bearing in our life and faith. It’s called “Suffering from small thoughts about God no more.”
On June 19, 2022 the Father’s Day sermon was shared by Jeff Walther while Pastor Ruttan was away. He shares a series of insights about what good fathers teach us.
In this episode, Pastor Ruttan answers the following three questions after a quarterly feature after worship called the Q and A Forum: 1) “In the Lord’s Prayer, it says: ‘Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ Would God lead us into temptation, so that we need to ask him not to?” 2) “It used to be called Assisted Suicide or Euthanasia. I guess it still is, but now more people are calling it MAID (medical assistance in dying). More people seem to be choosing this. Does the Bible speak about this so we have some guidance about these issues?” 3) “Can you explain the differences between a secular worldview and a biblical world view? I know this is a huge subject, but with churches becoming more ‘progressive’ it is getting more difficult to know how to differentiate truth from subjectivity as we strive to demonstrate the love of Christ.”
Jesus said that “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53). Yikes! That caused many disciples to turn back from following him. But he was speaking metaphorically about the fact that he is the “bread of life” (verse 35). If we truly believe in him, we will feast on his love, truth and very presence; we will be nourished and sustained by him. This satisfies the deepest longings of our souls. Yes, your soul has an appetite; but if you fill it with the wrong thing it will be eternally corroded. Fill it with the right thing, however, and it will be eternally contented. In this sermon on John 6:25-71, Pastor Ruttan takes us through the text, explains Jesus’ controversial and confusing words that he is the bread of life, and also highlights four wrong ways to satisfy our deepest spiritual appetites. The sermon is called “Your soul has an appetite.”
Not only are there uncertainties and fears in life, but we live in a time when they are broadcasted into our ears and brains from around the world 24/7. So what if we thought about uncertainty as an opportunity? This sermon is a part of our journey through the Gospel of John and explores John 6:16-24. The text is read by the Rev. Dr. Dan Scott, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and then Pastor Ruttan takes us through the story of Jesus walking on water line-by-lie. What was true for the disciples then is true for us now: The powerful presence of Jesus is greater than the powerful presence of fear. The sermon is called “Uncertainty is an Opportunity.” Tune in to discover why and how, and to apply this idea to your own life today.
Evangelism is sharing the good news (the “gospel”) about Jesus. Jesus tells us to do it. It’s important. It’s for the clear benefit of others. But at the same time, can be challenging, intimidating, and even scary! In January 2020, Will Han was invited to speak to the Presbytery of Barrie at Westminster Church about this very topic. Someone once described the 14th century friar Henry Suso like this: “he endeavours with great enthusiasm to kindle the name of Jesus in all cold hearts.” The same could be said for Will. At the time of his talk, Will served as the Church Planting Catalyst for the North American Mission Board—mobilizing, developing and deploying church planters in Ontario, Canada, by providing funding and training. His passion is establishing churches for every people group everywhere. Will served as the Executive Vice President of the Lausanne Canada Leadership Team, an organization who had its origins in the friendship of Billy Graham and John Stott, and whose purpose is to be a catalyst between different Christian groups to impact Canada for Christ. Will grew up in the countryside of South Korea and embarked on an adventure as an international student to Canada when he was fifteen years old. Will has had many unique faith experiences from living in a Buddhist monastery to sharing the gospel in unchartered villages in India, and he has a focused passion for sharing the gospel in multi-faith contexts. Will is an avid hobbyist and outdoorsman and his many interests enables him to connect with people from various backgrounds and faiths. He served as a congregational pastor for over 15 years. Will is married with children, and is someone Pastor Ruttan is privileged to call a friend and former classmate during their years of seminary training in Toronto. He is...
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Do you ever wonder if you can make a difference. I mean, a real difference? A lot of us doubt that we can. We certainly won’t make it into a history book or have a TV special made about us. But what if we’re thinking about it all wrong? The truth is, you can make a meaningful difference in your life and in this world. It’s just that you have to have the right perspective and priorities. In this sermon on John 6:1-15 where Jesus miraculously feeds thousands of people, Pastor Ruttan takes us through the text, and zeroes in on an anonymous and poor boy. His act of faith was not put to waste. This practical sermon gives us a lot to consider as we contemplate how to make a difference with our own lives.
Storms happen. And lately, it seems that they keep getting windier. Well, the key to weathering a storm is who you’re weathering it with. In this sermon, Pastor Ruttan explores Jesus’ words in John 5:30-47 and the many different witnesses he cites to give his listeners increasing confidence that Jesus is in fact the Son of God. He also discusses different prophecies which confirm that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, and several historical and cultural events which God brings together at just the right time to maximize Jesus’ impact on the world. He also shares a word about Jesus’ ongoing influence. There are storms aplenty. Each new generation, and each new individual, needs to decide whether or not they trust the one Captain who can see them through.
Do the Gospels accurately preserve what Jesus said and did? Haven’t they become distorted? How can we know with any confidence? In this podcast, Pastor Ruttan gives us 5 important points to consider. You can listen to the audio version here. You can also click here to see the text version with references.
People balk at having a Judge. But that doesn’t change the fact that we do. But let me ask you this: Would you rather have one Judge who is for you, or a hundred judges who are against you? Yeah, me too. This sermon has two parts. Part 1 explores why we can have confidence that Jesus said and did what the Bible says he said and did. This is an especially important question given Jesus’ long speeches in John’s Gospel. Part 2 takes us through John 5:19-29 and explores the unity between God the Father and Christ his Son, how Jesus is our Judge, and some practical and positive applications about how to avoid living in fear and uncertainty under the misguided standards, expectations and values of the wrong people.
It’s a disorienting and tiring time. What if a confidence that a merciful and almighty God continues to work in and through it all helps you to centre and take the pressure off? It does and it can. In this sermon on John 5:1-18, Pastor Ruttan teaches about Jesus’ healing of an invalid of 38-years, a controversy about healing on the Sabbath, and how that might refresh us today.
On Easter morning at Westminster Church, Pastor Ruttan had a live conversation with Jennifer Harris (the Music Director) and Julie Cunha (the Youth Coordinator and Communications Coordinator). They reflected on the past two years and discussed hope through hardship. More specifically, they talked about unexpected difficulties and how God grows us or sustains us through it; how they have seen other people show or share hope; and the good which God can (and does) work through difficult times and experiences At the end, they spend a few minutes praying together. Their prayer is that the talk will also help you reflect on God’s hope in your own life, even when it’s hard. You can watch our talk on YouTube here. There is also an audio-only download on ‘The Word at Westminster’ or ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan.’ Enjoy!
You’ve got a list of mistakes longer than your arm. You’ve missed the mark (in both the past and present), engaged in secret sins, foibles you wish you could forget, and failures or misplaced priorities that have hurt both yourself and others. If you’re being honest you know that there have been times when you’ve resisted God, cherrypicked the teachings of Jesus, and been apathetic towards the needs of others. But guess what? Jesus died for you knowing you. You are still lovable. Brothers and sisters, good Friday is “good” not because of what happened to Jesus, but because of what happened for you. Yes, that’s right, specifically for you. If that’s the case, what specifically did he do? That’s what this Good Friday sermon explores through the lens of John 19. It explains the historical context of the crucifixion, the meaning of Jesus as the Passover Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, and some modern metaphors to help us better appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Speaking about the precious and costly gift of salvation which Christ won for us, Richard Baxter wrote: “It was dear to Christ, but free to us.” The sermon is called “Still lovable.”
Crowds can be fickle. One day they’re yelling “Hosanna!” to Jesus and a few days later they’re crying “Crucify him!” If they weren’t yelling, they had already left him. Where are we in the mix? The people around us—and the society around us (“the crowds”)—tend to exert a big influence on how we think and what we do. Are we fickle… or faithful? It’s an appropriate time in history to ask the question. In 1961, 96% of Canadians identified as Christian. But things have changed—rapidly. Research shows that normal faith-based behaviour (including evangelism, reading the Bible silently in public, or even going to church) is now considered ‘extreme’ by a lot of people. In Canada, more and more people are ‘most uncomfortable’ being around evangelical Christians. Yikes. Here’s the key question: Will we be fickle or faithful as the world turns on Jesus? That’s what this Palm Sunday sermon explores on John 12:12-19. It takes us through the text and then suggests four attitudes and actions that will help us to be faithful instead of fickle. It is called “Fickle or Faithful.”
Do you want to know how to explain (or defend) your faith with greater confidence and clarity? Join the club. This is an area called “apologetics.” Greg Koukl has written a helpful and insight book on the topic. In fact, it has sold more than 300,000 copies! It is called ‘Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions.’ This episode of The Word at Westminster (cross-posted from ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’) is a talk with Greg Koukl. A range of topics are discussed (see full list below), but there is a focus on some of the critical issues in apologetics such as knowing the reason for your hope, thinking clearly, and getting confident. But first let us tell you a bit more about our guest. Greg holds MA degrees in both apologetics and philosophy. He’s spoken on over 80 university campuses and has hosted his own radio talk show for 33 years defending “Christianity worth thinking about.” He is the founder and president of Stand to Reason and serves as adjunct professor of Christian apologetics at Biola University. William Craig Lane says about his book: “tactics will make you a more effective ambassador for Christ.” In the forward to this book, Lee Strobel (author of the best selling ‘The Case for Christ,’ says: “We live in a day when militant atheism is on the march… Let Greg be your mentor as you master new approaches to talking with others about Jesus. As Greg likes to say, “You don’t need to hit home runs. You don’t even need to get on base. Just getting up to bat—engaging others in friendly conversation—will do.” You can listen to the audio version of our talk here or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher). You can also...
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Our world is parched for hope. Here’s some context. Psychologist Daniel Goleman says we live in the ‘Age of Melancholy.’ Another psychologist, Martin Seligman, says we have heaped too much on the ‘self.’ Frank Furedi reports that for the first time since World War Two, parents expect that life for their kids will be worse than it was for them. Oh, and too much smart phone use results in greater stress, sleep disturbances and depression. Suicide rates are concerning, and so is the isolation felt by many students. And we haven’t even mentioned the pandemic or global security threats. Should we go on? Since our world is parched for hope, (a) do you know what yours is, and (b) do you know how you can be a cause for hope in someone else’s life? That’s what this sermon on John 4:43-54 explores. When Jesus heals an official’s son (from about 27 kilometres away), it is the second of seven “signs” in John’s Gospel. We explore the meaning of the “signs” and how they are a reason for hope, and how they provide guidance about how we might be a person of healing and hope in the life of someone else. The sermon is called “Hope is knowing and showing that better is coming.”
Jesus is a Saviour. But what does he save us from? Well, a lot, actually. More than you might think. Plus, not only does he save us FROM something, but FOR something. When our understanding of “Saviour” is limited, we can fail (or neglect) to welcome him into our specific troubles. As a result, we can miss out on his renovating help and power in certain areas of our lives. Jesus saves us FROM calamity and FOR abundance. That’s what this sermon on John 4:27-42 explores.
They call it the information age. But to me, it often feels like we have too much data and too little wisdom. This episode is a talk with Claude Cox who has spent years with the elderly. Here, he shares some wisdom that has been passed on.
What do you seek? The weekend, a raise, new friends, losing 10 pounds? God actually seeks “true worshipers.” Are you among them? He seeks those who worship him “in the Spirit and in truth.” We worship God because God deserves it. But a less-discussed element of worship is one of it’s benefits: Sunday’s worship propels us into Monday in the right way — or, at least, it can. And no, we’re not talking about our style of worship, but our inner attitude and posture before God. How you worship impacts how you live. This sermon from March 20, 2022 takes us through John 4:1-26 and Jesus’ talk with the Samaritan woman. They discuss what it means to have “living water” and also what it means to worship “in the Spirit and in truth.” It is called “The kind of worshiper God wants.”
Spiritual warfare. William Gurnall says that all Christians are in the battle whether they realize it or not, and that the war is so serious that it makes the cruelest battle between human armies seem like child’s play. -But what is spiritual warfare, anyway? -Why has it been neglected by some branches of Christianity in more recent times? -Who is our enemy? -Isn’t the New Testament just “out of date” on some of this stuff? -Does “possession” still happen? -How should we think about the “armour of God” in Ephesians 6? -How do we win the battle? This episode of The Word at Westminster is a talk Pastor Ruttan had with Jon Thompson. And yes, we talk about all those questions. Jon’s work and experience in this area isn’t just academic. He has been in hundreds of situations where the demonic has been present. Let us tell you a bit more about our guest. Jon is the author of Deliverance and the Senior Pastor of Sanctus Church, a multi-site church in the Greater Toronto Area where he has been on staff for more than 20 years. He has a Masters of Theological Studies degree from Tyndale Seminary, Toronto and a Doctorate of Missiology from Fuller Seminary, California. He speaks and teaches globally on the convergence of spiritual gifts, spiritual practices, and spiritual experiences in the life of the believer and the local church. You can listen to the audio version of our talk here or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Stitcher). You can link to a video of the talk on YouTube here. Beneath, you will also find links to Jon’s books and the resources he mentioned, as well as a list of more specific topics and quotes from the interview itself. We hope...
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The world around us blasts us with messages about the importance of power, independence and control. But, ironically, humility is the recipe for greatness in the eyes of God. In the ever-relevant and counter-cultural words of John the Baptist, “[Jesus] must become greater; I must become less.” This sermon on John 3:22-26 takes us through the text, defines the endangered virtue — humility — and outlines how we might yield to Jesus in our thoughts, in our dealings with annoying people, and when we come up against anxiety or uncertainty about the future. The message is called “The Endangered Recipe for Greatness.”
It’s the most famous verse — ever. It’s held up at football games and engraved under names on tombstones. Matthew Henry says it is a one-verse summary of the Gospel message. Max Lucado says, “If you know nothing about the Bible, start here. If you know everything in the Bible, return here.” This sermon dives into John 3:16-21. It discusses what it means that the world is “condemned already,” God’s divine rescue mission of love, the horror of what it means to perish, what it means to truly believe, what eternal life will be like, and how John 3:16 compels us forward as a people of love. The sermon also offers six practical suggestions for going deeper with this ever-important verse. Some people are alive but spiritually asleep. Imagine dying before getting the chance to respond to the greatest promise and invitation the world has ever known. And imagine dying before getting the chance to live a renovated and abundant life because of it? If you are watching or listening to this, there is still time.
The world seems very unstable right now. A pandemic, culture wars, rising political division, the Emergency Act, and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. In John 3:1-15, Jesus speaks with Nicodemus about being “born again.” What does that mean, and how might being “born again” have a stabilizing impact on our lives and help us respond to what is going on around us? That’s what is explored in this sermon called “What does it mean to be born again?” We explore the text and make some practical applications. In Christ, we have a new identity and ultimate loyalty. We are always well-grounded when grounded in God.