Grace City Church Ottawa: Recent Episodes
Grace City Church
Grace City Church exists to help people follow Jesus, raise leaders, and start churches. Listen to our weekly Sunday morning teaching to hear more about who Jesus is, what he has done for us, and how this good news changes absolutely everything.
Angels are a predictable feature of Christmas traditions, whether on a card or a tree. But when Jesus was born, the appearance of angels to shepherds in the field was both surprising and terrifying. Perhaps more surprising was that it was to shepherds, who would have been thought of as lowly and insignificant by society, whom God chose to have angels announce the birth of his son first. The good news of Jesus is for all, and the lowly and forgotten are often among the first to receive blessing from God.
Support the show
There isn't a lot that we know about Joseph, the earthly adoptive father of Jesus, but we do know he was 'a just man.' What does Matthew, the gospel writer, mean by that, and what do the other brief details of Joseph's decisions show us about a biblical view of masculinity? In this sermon, Rich Crosby looks at how Joseph's determination to show mercy to Mary points ahead to the mercy shown to us by Jesus.
Support the show
As beautiful as the Christmas story is, we sometimes struggle to see the connection between a story set hundreds of years ago and our realities today. However, the facts surrounding the birth of Jesus, as found in the Biblical gospels, are anything but typical, and some of the details are simply shocking. Matthew's gospel starts with Jesus's family genealogy, which includes flawed men and women including adulterers and prostitutes. The Son of God comes from a broken earthly family; He understands our brokenness.
Support the show
Maintaining a deep connection with God is crucial for navigating life's challenges. In this sermon, guest preacher Andy Arnold from Oceanside Church in Nanaimo helps us understand God's instructions when we face significant life obstacles. For the followers of Jesus, it all starts with remembering who we are because of him.
Support the show
In Matthew 9, we read about Jesus healing two blind men who, despite their blindness, could 'see' who Jesus was much more clearly than the crowds and the religious leaders of the day. Do we see Jesus for who he is, as declared by all scripture, or do we see Jesus as a 'cosmic butler' who we ask to do the things we want?
Support the show
Learning to make wise decisions is better than just being told what to do. In Acts 1, we can see how prayer, submission to God's word and remembering God's more excellent story can help us make wise decisions about our own. We also read that 'Peter stood up' among the early church, an incredible statement of grace considering that he had tragically denied Jesus only days earlier.
Support the show
There is a lot in our culture that tries to sell us empowerment. Did you know the Bible speaks about you being empowered by God? However, this is a very different type of empowerment with a different intention; it is not built around you. Being empowered by God often requires us to wait on God, and it is good for us to learn to wait well in all things.
Support the show
Sometimes, Jesus doesn't answer the way we want when we ask, 'When?' This is precisely what the disciples experienced towards the beginning of Acts 1, but that doesn't mean that Jesus withholds good from them. Jesus sometimes may not answer our questions the way we want, but he still offers us infinitely more than we originally asked.
Support the show
Of all the words used to describe church today, 'exciting' would not be at the top of most people's minds. Yet the book of Acts, with tongues of fire, healings, angels breaking people out of prison, and even shipwrecks, shows a very different type of church life. It's exciting and even terrifying at times. But it also shows us a church on the move, empowered by the Holy Spirit of God. More than the acts of the apostles, the book of Acts is about the work of the Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit who is with the church today that we desire to be moving among our church as well.
Support the show
Read the following statement - "The church is holy." What goes through your mind? Many would immediately think of wrongs committed by the church or pains or disappointments they've experienced as part of a church. There's no doubt the church, like the world, is home to many unholy actions. Still, in a remarkable act of grace, God speaks of his people as a holy people, and his people today are the church.
Support the show
The church, including Grace City Church in Ottawa, isn't a building or a social club. In this sermon, David Samuel teaches the centrality of the church as God's dwelling among his people today and the transformation that occurs through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Support the show
In this sermon, Rich Crosby addresses misconceptions about grace, such as it being an excuse for sin or cheap. He emphasizes that grace is active and ongoing, not just a past event. Most of all, if we want to know what grace looks like, look at Jesus.
Support the show
Your name matters, and so does ours. The name of our church is a statement in itself, and grace is at the forefront. We are saved by grace through faith; there is no other way.
Support the Show.
While unpopular to acknowledge, God's burning wrath is a real consequence of sin, but his grace and mercy offer a path to peace and forgiveness. In Exodus 32, we see Moses standing in the gap between the sinful Israelites and a holy God. As the greater Moses, Jesus bridges this gap for us and goes well beyond what Moses did all those years before. On the cross, Jesus alone fully absorbs God's wrath for those who have placed their faith in him, offering peace with God for all who believe.
Support the Show.
In this sermon, Rich Crosby emphasizes what sets the church apart from other organizations: the shared communion table, which remembers Jesus's sacrifice on our behalf.
Support the Show.
It's no secret that resurrection is a central theme in Christianity. But while many think of Christian resurrection as only a future event, the Bible speaks about resurrection as a present reality. Jesus embodies resurrection, and through the Holy Spirit, followers of Jesus can experience a kind of resurrection now. This present experience involves a transformation and a new way of living, and it offers the hope of eternal life through Christ.
Support the Show.
The true story of Jesus raising Lazarus from death challenges us in many ways, including when it comes to trusting God's timing. While we often want immediate answers to prayers, God's plan usually involves our waiting. But our waiting is never without great purposes for our good and Jesus's glory.
Support the Show.
Like many Christians, this Palm Sunday, we're celebrating Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem. The crowds celebrate him, but his actions challenge both Roman and Jewish authorities. Like them, we must choose whether to accept Jesus as king and invite him to reign in our lives or reject him. While the choice is ours, the glory belongs to him.
Support the Show.
The Exodus story is our story, including what we see as we continue our series by looking at Exodus 16 - struggles with freedom, the dangers of nostalgia and grumbling, and the unwavering grace and mercy of God.
Support the show
Should Christians view the coronavirus as a sign of the ‘end times?’ In this sermon Neville Jones preaches about the only sign that truly matters.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Matt Simmonds joins us from Amsterdam to talk about the characteristics of a church that turns the world upside down: faith that works, love that labours and a hope that endures.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Guest preacher Stu Gibbs walks us through what it's like following Jesus during the storms of life.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Does God care about our physical needs? When Jesus tells us to pray for "daily bread", what does he mean? What can we expect and anticipate when we pray like Jesus asks us to?
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Week 2 of our new sermon series on the subject of Prayer! What does Jesus mean when he tells us to pray "hallowed be your name"? How does the holiness of God effect how we pray and experience the presence of God?
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
The Lord's Prayer is, no doubt, the most famous prayer in all of history. In this sermon Will Roper begins to open up this famous prayer by looking at the first two words: "Our Father". What does it mean for God to be our father?
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
We can get extremely good at wearing a mask, pretending one thing instead of showing another. At the same time, it can be totally exhausting. What does Jesus say on the topic of authenticity?
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
The damage broken promises does is all around us, and what's worse, we're often also the source of the problem. Jesus speaks to us on this subject in Matthew chapter five.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Does God care who we have sex with? Surely in today's world, any sexual ethic would be seen as hopelessly outdated or old-fashioned, or even controlling or repressive. Will Roper brings us to the words of Jesus, to see what he has to say about sex, God's plan and purpose for it, and where freedom can be found.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
There's plenty to be angry about in this broken world, but as much as we would like to think that our anger is righteous and pure... if we're honest; we know that it isn't. Sometimes, our anger can hurt others! In this sermon, Will Roper tackles this subject and takes us to Jesus's hope-filled words on the matter.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Happy Easter! In this Easter message we look at what Jesus has done in human history that changes how we live and what our hope is in.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
We return to our Sermon on the Mount series, 'No Greater King', to remind ourselves what the blessed life looks like according to Jesus. When everything is up in the air and chaotic, where are blessings to be found? Jesus's answers this in Matthew chapter five, where he describes the Christian life as one of being salt and light.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Matt takes the opportunity to teach on a part of the bible we often miss; Revelation! This week we took a dive into understanding where this is all leading, this life, HEAVEN!! Eternity with God in perfect unity with our father.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Matt Luard continues our series by taking a look at the topic of success, what does it truly mean to be successful? We take a look at the gospel of Luke to see how Jesus talks about earthly success and what it truly means to achieve real, lasting success.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Matt Luard Continues the series "Because Jesus Alone Can Completely Satisfy" By leading us through the topic of romantic love, and how even though it is a gift from God; If placed above him and made our 'god', we are in for a world of hurt when inevitably our relationships don't fully satisfy us. we're taken through the story of Jacob as we see this exact thing happen to him and how ultimately the love of God is the only love that can 'Complete us'.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Sex as God designed it is good, very good. But sex is a horrible god. Whether it's through a large scale #metoo movement, or in the quiet and 'private' aspects of day-to-day life, each of us is surrounded by stories of disappointment and deceit surrounding sex. When we hear these difficult stories or face them ourselves, where can we turn for healing and for hope? And if sex is such an ineffective 'king' in our culture, where can we find a better king?
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Each of us is searching for complete and lasting satisfaction. We look in all sorts of places including relationships, careers, qualifications, work and family. While each of these things can provide temporal satisfaction, complete satisfaction that offers fulfilment, peace, and overall contentment is much harder to obtain. Why do we seem to be such a satisfaction starved culture, and where can we turn for help? In this talk, Rich Crosby introduces our new teaching series with a look at our quest for satisfaction.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
As we start 2020 as a church in Ottawa, Rich Crosby looks at the importance of the church, where we're headed over the next year, and what you can do to help. Spoiler: it's all about Jesus.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
The 'Wise Men' we read about in the Christmas story were not devout worshippers of God. Instead, they were professional astrologers who looked to the stars for guidance rather than to the God who created them. In this sermon, Rich Crosby speaks about how Christmas is about far more than repetitive sentimental traditions. Christmas is a true story about a gracious God sending his Son into the world, and drawing unlikely people to worship Jesus through unlikely means.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Christmas can be the 'most wonderful time of the year' for some but that isn't what it's like for all. Life experiences mean we approach Christmas in many different ways ranging from holly and jolly to painfully dark. In this sermon, Matt Luard speaks about four approaches to Christmas that can be found in our city and our wider culture and identifies the approach to Christmas that places the good news of Jesus Christ at the centre.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
In Matthew 5 Jesus told his followers they are blessed when they are persecuted for righteousness sake, but what does 'for righteousness sake' mean? Should Christians in Ottawa expect persecution, or is persecution as Jesus defines it something that only happens in other places around the world? In this sermon, Rich Crosby looks at what is meant by being persecuted for righteousness sake and how a comfort-driven approach to Christianity can mean we miss this promise from Jesus.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Jesus said, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.' Christian or not, we all want peace in our lives. As Canadians, we pride ourselves on our efforts towards peace across the globe. However, making peace can often be both complex and costly. For followers of Jesus, the gospel must come first in the pursuit of peace because the gospel is what empowers us to be peacemakers who are blessed by God.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
In Matthew 5 Jesus says that it is only those with pure hearts who will see God, but in Matthew 15 Jesus also says that anyone who lies or who speaks badly about someone else does so because their heart is unpure. We've all failed this test, so is Jesus setting us up for something impossible? Or, is there hope for people with impure hearts?
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
We live in a very individualized culture where much revolves around the self. This can creep into our relationship with God, where Christians can often end up thinking that all that matters is 'me and Jesus.' However, the Bible tells us a far greater story. In his immeasurable grace, God is calling a people to himself; a family. No, it's not 'me and Jesus.' It's Jesus and us.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
There are certain things God wants for his family, and that means establishing some house rules. But they're not the type of rules we often associate with religion. Rather, there are things God wants in place for the care and protection of his people. His house is meant to be a place where his family know peace, security, and life to the full.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Many followers of Jesus use the words 'grace' and 'mercy' interchangeably and for good reason. Both are necessary to have a relationship with God, but they are not exactly the same. While grace refers to an act of love towards someone who is undeserving, mercy is an act of love towards one who is suffering. When we consider the extent of the mercy God has shown us through Jesus, we can understand why God wants his people to also be generous with mercy.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
On November 10th, Grace City Church will pray in two men as our first elders (think: senior leaders responsible for the care and direction of the local church). This is a big moment in the life of our church, but eldership is a topic that poses lots of questions. What is eldership? Why does it matter in a church? Does having male elders mean women are less valued? Rich Crosby goes through these and other questions on eldership and invites us to be open to what the Bible says about how Jesus wants his church to be cared for, even when it can feel uncomfortable.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Church can be messy because life can be messy. Fortunately for us, messy church is something that is written about in the Bible. In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul starts his letter by thanking God for the church, but then goes on to talk about how messy the church in Corinth was and how they needed to deal with the problems. How can thankfulness and messiness go hand-in-hand? Are there genuine reasons we should be thankful for the church despite the mess?
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
True identity is found in Jesus, and so is our true calling. Guest preacher Mike Seaman from Trinity Life Church Toronto preaches from Ephesians about how Christians should see their identity and calling as grounded in God's eternal perspective and who a Christian is in Christ.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
We all deeply desire satisfaction. There is no shortage of opportunities to 'buy' satisfaction in our culture, but when so much satisfaction tends to be temporary at best and damaging at worst, we're can be left feeling disillusioned, confused, and even hurt. This all stands in contrast to a promise from Jesus that there are some people who will be eternally satisfied by God. What is the source of that satisfaction, and how do we get it?
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Meekness is often associated with being fearfully quiet or cowardly, but is that the truth? Jesus said the meek will inherit the earth, but how do we understand that in a world where the arrogant and proud seem to so often get ahead?
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Isn't having a reason to mourn the very opposite of being blessed? Mourning can be excruciating, but there's one thing we can mourn that Jesus promises will lead us to the fullness of life with God.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
We all want a 'blessed' life. However, the things we convince ourselves will bring us blessings often end up robbing us of joy and can even leave us feeling trapped. What is required for a truly blessed life, and why is this first beatitude Jesus teaches so important?
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
The language may be sound spiritual, but we all want a "blessed" life. There's no shortage of spiritual leaders who offer that very thing. The blessed life that Jesus speaks about in Matthew 5 may not sound very blessed, at least not at first. Our new series on Jesus's Sermon on the Mount look at how Jesus describes what it is to be truly blessed, and how the Kingdom of God is infinitely greater than of our own kingdoms.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Life can be busy, as in really busy. Tragically, busyness is one of the greatest threats to closeness. This applies not only to closeness with family and friends, but also closeness to God. The Bible speaks often about the importance of slowing down and being silent before God. In this sermon from Grace City Church in Ottawa, Rich Crosby looks at why slowing down and being silent are spiritual disciplines that we neglect at our peril, and how the gospel of Jesus Christ frees Christians from being busy doing things for God and for others and invites them into enjoying a relationship with God.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
It is hard to find someone who would say that prayer is wrong. However, many would question whether prayer is truly effective. When it comes to Christianity, many Christians themselves would admit to having a prayer life that is either non-existent or is very tough. What is the essence of prayer and why does prayer matter? Is time with God in prayer something that should be pursued? In this sermon from Grace City Church, Josh Mechler looks at the topic of prayer and why praying is a core value in the life of our church.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Jesus prayed that his church would be united, but we don't need to look hard to see where disunity can be rampant among Christians and in churches. Why is unity among Christians something Jesus himself prayed for? What is it that Christians should unite around, and are there appropriate times to not be united? In this sermon from Grace City Church Ottawa, Rich Crosby concludes our series on the Holy Spirit by looking at the topic of unity, and how the unity of the Spirit is a work that God is committed to doing among his people.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Every one of us is a worshipper. Money, sex, career, travel, image, our bodies, our families or friends, a charity or a cause... the list could go on and on. Above all of these things, we were made to worship God. Is God insecure in desiring worship from us? For many Christians, why does worshipping God feel like such a chore? Listen to this sermon from Grace City Church in Ottawa about how we were made to worship God, and how worship is part of God's plan to join us to him and to his people.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)
Is being filled with the Holy Spirit something we should actually desire, something that is automatic in the life of every Christian, or just a historical event in the Bible that holds no real meaning or purpose for life today? But, if it is for today, is it only for really spiritual Christians? And what about speaking in tongues, where does that fit in? Listen to this sermon from our series on the Holy Spirit to find out more.
Support the show (https://www.gracecity.ca/giving)