Connexus Church Audio Podcast: Recent Episodes
Connexus Church
Welcome to the Connexus Church audio podcast. Whether church has been part of your life or not, these 40 minute messages can help you grow in your relationship with God. Our vision at Connexus is to create a church that unchurched people love to attend. See www.connexuschurch.com for more.
Why do you still feel empty?
Most people have a list of things they've gone back to hoping they'd finally deliver. The relationship. The achievement. The habit. Different wells, same emptiness at the bottom.
In this final episode of the Never Settle series, Mark Clark unpacks the story of a woman who had been doing exactly that — going back to the wrong things her whole life. Jesus meets her at a well in Samaria. He didn't stumble across her by accident. He deliberately took the longer route through enemy territory because he knew she was coming.
He didn't go around her shame. He walked straight into it and offered her something nobody else ever had. Living water. Soul satisfaction that actually lasts.
This is a conversation for anyone who is tired of the cycle and suspects there might be something better available.
Never Settle is a four-week series from Connexus Church.
Born again. Two words most people have heard and very few have had explained in a way that actually makes sense.
Jesus said it to Nicodemus — one of the most respected religious leaders of his time, a man who had God completely figured out by every external measure. And yet he showed up to find Jesus at night, alone, asking questions he wasn't supposed to need answered.
Jesus told him: you need to be born again. Not reformed. Not improved. Born again — a complete transformation from the inside out that changes what you want, not just what you do.
In this third episode of the Never Settle series, Mark Clark unpacks what that actually means and why it matters for anyone asking whether real faith is available to them.
Never Settle is a four-week series from Connexus Church. New episodes every Sunday.
Most people asking "is this all there is?" aren't in crisis. They're just going through the motions. Doing the right things. Living a life that looks fine from the outside but feels hollow on the inside.
In this second episode of the Never Settle series, Mark Clark unpacks the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. Six stone jars used for religious ceremony. Replaced entirely — not topped up — with nine hundred bottles of wine.
That's not a miracle about a party. It's a picture of what grace actually looks like. The old system of performing your way to God, replaced entirely by something abundant, unearned, and transforming.
This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered why faith feels like going through the motions — and whether there's something more available.
Never Settle is a four-week series from Connexus Church. New episodes every Sunday.
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
Most people have quietly decided their life doesn't really mean anything. Not out loud. Not as a formal belief. Just as a background assumption they've never quite shaken.
In this first episode of the Never Settle series, Mark Clark challenges that assumption directly. Drawing from John chapter 1, he makes the case that your life has a beginning, a middle, and an end — and that the God behind the universe is the same God who knows your name, your worst moments, and your story. Not from a distance. From inside it.
This is a conversation for anyone who's ever wondered whether their life means anything — whether they grew up in church or have never set foot in one.
Never Settle is a four-week series from Connexus Church. New episodes drop every Sunday.
Want More?
Download 5 Signs You Are Doing Religion Instead of Relationship at https://www.connexuschurch.com/neversettle
You're making plans to feel okay. But what if your plans can't actually get you there?
Jeff Brodie closes out the Undivided series with James 4 and 5 — looking at why the pursuit of self-sufficiency quietly erodes your relationship with God, what wealth actually does to your sense of need, and what it looks like to plan wisely while trusting deeply.
Final episode of Undivided, a five-week series through the book of James.
Showing up and belonging aren't the same thing.
Sydney Jackson and Jeff Brodie work through the final chapters of James in this bonus episode — covering prayer in suffering, the healing power of confession, and why community isn't optional when life gets hard. Plus: does prayer actually work when healing doesn't come the way you expected?
Part 4 bonus conversation in Undivided, a series through the book of James.
Same fight, different day. The topic changes but the argument stays the same.
Jeff Brodie unpacks James 4 and makes the case that your external conflicts are almost always driven by internal desires — things you're trusting in that were never designed to carry that weight. This isn't about conflict resolution tips. It's about getting to what's actually driving the fight.
Part 4 of 5 in Undivided, a series through the book of James.
Is it gossip if you're "just venting"? Is forgiving someone the same as trusting them again?
Sydney Jackson and Jeff Brodie dig deeper into James 3 in this bonus episode, working through the harder, more practical questions: how to tell the difference between gossip and seeking advice, what boundaries look like after someone keeps hurting you, and what to actually do when you can't seem to stop saying things you regret.
A follow-up conversation to Part 3 of Undivided.
Your words aren't the problem. They're the symptom.
In this episode Jeff Brodie works through James 3 and unpacks why the things that come out of your mouth are actually telling you something about what's going on underneath — the division, the jealousy, the stuff you haven't dealt with yet.
This isn't a talk about cleaning up your language. It's about what needs to change at the root.
Part 3 of Undivided — a four-week series through the book of James.
Faith vs works — it's one of the most debated questions in Christianity. Paul says we're saved by faith alone. James says show me your faith without any evidence and he'll wait.
In this bonus episode Jeff Brodie and Sydney Jackson unpack James chapter 2 and work through the tension: it's not faith plus works, and it's not works instead of faith. It's a faith that works — one that shows up in your life in ways others can actually see. Using Abraham, Rahab, and even demons to make his point, James asks the hardest question of all: if nobody around you would be surprised to find out you're a follower of Jesus, what does that say about your faith?
How you treat people reveals what you really believe. We all have a seating chart for our lives — people we honour, people we overlook, often based on status, appearance, or what they can offer us. James calls this discrimination and says it reveals the division in our soul.
This week Jeff Brodie unpacks James chapter 2, the difference between evaluating people by culture's values versus kingdom values, and why faith without action toward others isn't really faith at all.
James Reading Card: https://connexuschurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/James-Reading-Plan-Card.pdf
Bonus Episode: Releases Tuesday 23rd June
Sunday covered trials, divided trust, and what it means to be double-minded. But James 1 has more to say.
In this first bonus episode, Jeff Brodie and Sydney Jackson dig into what didn't make the Sunday message — the rich and poor illustration, the difference between trials and temptation, and why your desires matter more than you think when life gets hard. James isn't just talking about what you're going through. He's talking about what's driving you underneath it all.
We all know how to survive a hard season — white-knuckle through it, get to the other side, go back to who we were. But James, the brother of Jesus, opens his letter with a strange instruction: when trials come, consider it an opportunity. Not for happiness, but for something that actually lasts.
This week Jeff Brodie talks through why hard times reveal exactly who — or what — you're trusting, and what it looks like to build real resilience instead of running from discomfort.
Bonus Episode: https://youtu.be/gqmYbONGm8Y
Most people think you need to clean up your life before God will accept you. Carey Nieuwhof closes out the Counterfeit Faith series by unpacking why that's exactly backwards. Two men, same temple, completely different prayers. One had everything to offer. One had nothing. Jesus said only one went home right with God. If you've ever felt like you're not good enough to come to God, this is the message you've been waiting for.
Most of us have learned to show our best and hide our worst. But what happens when the gap between your image and your reality gets too wide to manage? In this message from the Counterfeit Faith series, Luke Crawford unpacks what Jesus said about people who had perfected the appearance of having it all together — and why that kind of life leads nowhere good.
If you've ever felt like you're performing a version of yourself rather than actually living, this one's for you.
Most people think there's one way to be lost. Carey Nieuwhof shows there are actually two — and the more surprising one has nothing to do with wrecking your life. In week 2 of Counterfeit Faith, Carey unpacks the parable of the prodigal son in a way you've probably never heard before. If you've ever felt like God owes you something for being good, this one's for you.
Ever been burned by someone who claimed to follow Jesus? In this first episode of Counterfeit Faith, Luke Crawford gets honest about the gap between religion and real faith — and why Jesus saved his sharpest words for the most religious people in the room.
If you've ever walked away from a Christian interaction shaking your head, this one's for you.
What is baptism, and does it actually mean anything?
In this episode, Jeff Brodie unpacks one of the most misunderstood moments in the Christian faith. Using three lenses — repentance, allegiance, and identity — Jeff explains why baptism isn't a condition of following Jesus, but evidence of it.
If you've ever been curious about baptism or wondered whether it's for you, this conversation is a great place to start.
What if AI could keep your loved one alive after they die? Their voice. Their personality. Answering your calls. Responding the way they always did.
It sounds like it should help with grief. But does it?
In this episode, Dom Ruso, Jeff Brodie, and Vijay Krishnan have one of the most wide-ranging conversations of the series — covering the billion dollar anti-aging industry, why we're losing the art of grieving well, what grief bots and digital afterlife technology mean for our humanity, and why Jesus entering a moment of grief he could have avoided still matters more than any technology we could build.
This isn't a conversation with easy answers. But it's one worth having.
🎬 Watch the full sermon: "Why Are You So Afraid of Death?" at YouTube @connexuschurch https://youtube.com/live/LWXtHlfx3is
Nobody wants to talk about death. But the fear of it shapes more of our lives than we realise.
In this message, Dom Ruso looks honestly at why the fear of death is one question we were never meant to shake — and why avoiding it might be costing us more than we think. He explores what the ancient prayer to "number our days" actually means, what Herod the Great's paranoia about being forgotten reveals about us, and what Jesus weeping at the tomb of Lazarus — even knowing what was about to happen — has to say about grief, death, and the life available to us right now.
This is the final message of Questions You Can't Shake — a series tackling the questions people carry around but rarely ask out loud.
🎬 Watch the full message on YouTube @connexuschurch
If this episode helped you share it with someone who's carrying this question.
What do you do when the person you need to forgive is no longer around? When they're gone, or they're never going to say sorry, or the conversation has already gone nowhere?
In this episode, Vijay Krishnan, Jeff Brodie, and Dom Ruso get into the questions forgiveness sermons rarely have time to answer. The difference between forgiveness, reconciliation, and trust. Why forgiving someone doesn't mean going back to them. What to do when the debt can never actually be repaid. And why wounds that have healed still leave scars — and why that's okay.
If you're carrying something you can't seem to put down, this conversation is worth your time. Share it with someone who might need it too.
🎬 Watch the full sermon: "Why Forgiveness Feels Impossible (And What Actually Makes It Work)" at YouTube @connexuschurch
New episodes every week alongside the Questions You Can't Shake series. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
You thought you'd dealt with it. You thought you'd moved on. And then something brought it all back — and you realised you haven't moved as far as you thought.
Why is forgiveness so hard? And why does it keep coming undone even when you've tried?
In this message, Vijay Krishnan introduces two words that reframe the entire conversation — debt and blood. He unpacks why forgiveness isn't just a choice you make once, why the instinct to hold out for payment is more human than we want to admit, and why something that happened 2,000 years ago outside Jerusalem is still the most powerful answer to the question we can't shake.
This is Week 3 of Questions You Can't Shake — a series tackling the questions people carry around but rarely ask out loud.
🎬 Watch the full message on YouTube @connexuschurch
Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you, share it with someone who's carrying something they can't seem to put down.
Most people have tried the strategies. The therapy. The self-help books. The mindset shifts. And for a lot of people — it helps. To a point.
But what happens when you've done all of that and something still feels broken underneath?
In this episode, Jeff Brodie, Vijay Krishnan, and Dom Ruso have an honest conversation about why simple answers don't fix complex brokenness, why the comparison trap runs deeper than just social media, and what it actually looks like to accept reality without giving up on healing.
This is the kind of conversation that's easy to share with a friend who might not be ready for a sermon — but is ready for something real.
🎬 Watch the full sermon: "Why Your Inner Critic Is Lying to You" at YouTube @connexuschurch
The sermon by Jeff, being referenced in this discussion, was shared in multiple churches. If you heard the version of the sermon Jeff shared at Connexus, he didn't reference the bestseller Mark Manson book "The Subtle Art Of Not Giving And F" and the Feedback Loop From Hell. However, it is referenced in this discussion because Jeff referenced it in the version of the message that Vijay and Dom heard before this discussion New episodes every week alongside the Questions You Can't Shake series. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
That voice in your head — the one that says you'll never be enough, you always mess things up, nobody really stays — where does it actually come from?
In Week 2 of Questions You Can't Shake, Jeff Brodie goes deeper on the inner critic. Why self-esteem and self-compassion can only take you so far. What brokenness has to do with the lies you believe. And why the gospel offers something neither psychology nor self-help can.
This isn't about positive thinking. It's about what actually sets you free.
🎬 Watch the full sermon: "Why Your Inner Critic Is Lying to You" at YouTube @connexuschurch
You work hard. You want things. You push for more.
But at some point, most people hit a wall and ask: is this it? Is ambition the problem — or is something else going on underneath?
In this companion episode to Week 1 of Questions You Can't Shake, Jeff Brodie, Dom Ruso and Vijay Krishnan pick up where the sermon left off. They dig into the hedonic treadmill, permafomo, and the real tension between healthy ambition and the kind of striving that leaves you hollow — no matter how much you achieve.
This isn't a self-help conversation. It's an honest one.
🎬 Haven't watched the sermon yet? Start with "Why Is Nothing Ever Enough?" — then come back here to go deeper.
🔔 Subscribe for a new episode every week alongside the Questions You Can't Shake series.
You've hit goals. You've bought things. You've built a life worth living.
So why does it still feel like something's missing?
The problem isn't that you can't find satisfaction. It's that you can't keep it. You get there for a moment — and then it slips. And the cycle starts again.
In this message, Jeff Brodie explores one of the most universal human experiences: the feeling that nothing is ever quite enough. What if your dissatisfaction isn't a failure? What if it's actually a clue?
This is Week 1 of Questions You Can't Shake — a series tackling the questions people carry around but rarely ask out loud.
🎙️ Want to go deeper? Check out the companion podcast episode — "Is Ambition the Problem — Or Is It Something Deeper?" — where Jeff, Dom Ruso and Vijay Krishnan keep the conversation going.
🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss the rest of this series.
What do you do with a door you thought was permanently closed?
In this Easter Sunday message, Jeff Brodie walks through John chapter 20 and three locked doors — a sealed tomb, a room full of frightened friends, and a man who refused to believe until he saw it for himself.
It's one of the most human accounts of the resurrection ever recorded. No heroes. No certainty. Just real people trying to make sense of something that shouldn't be possible.
Along the way, Jeff explores what the resurrection means for the pain you're carrying, the fear you can't shake, and the doubt you haven't been able to resolve.
Key verse: "I am the living one. I died, but look — I am alive forever and ever. And I hold the keys to death and the grave." — Revelation 1:18 NLT
Someone who has the power to open doors for you calls for a response. This message asks: what will yours be?
Connexus Church is located in Barrie and Orillia, Ontario. We believe God is for you — and your church should be too. New here? Visit connexus.com.
Most of us know what it feels like to carry something we can't seem to put down. A regret. A mistake. A version of ourselves we're not proud of.
This Good Friday, Jeff Brodie looks at what the cross actually means for the weight you've been hauling around — and why the message of Good Friday might be better news than you've ever let yourself receive.
Worth your time. Share it with someone who needs it.
Visit us at connexuschurch.com
What does it look like when ordinary people get filled with something extraordinary?
In the final episode of Closer Than You Think, Jeff Brodie lands the series with the Holy Spirit's most provocative metaphor — fire. Not as spectacle, but as the thing that burns away fear and makes ordinary people bold enough to change the world around them.
He tells the story of Peter and John — fishermen who, after Pentecost, stood before the most powerful religious leaders of their day and didn't ask for protection. They asked for more boldness.
Then he makes it personal: most of us are settling for embers when God wants a fire. And the thing keeping us cold isn't a lack of belief — it's a love of comfort.
The episode closes with a simple but genuinely confronting question: in which area do you need the Holy Spirit to fill you — life, power, satisfaction, or boldness?
A strong standalone episode, and an even better series finale.
Closer Than You Think — 4 weeks on the Holy Spirit. All episodes available now.
Tom Brady won three Super Bowls in four seasons. Then told a journalist: "I think there's got to be more than this."
That moment opens one of the most honest and relatable messages in this series.
In Week 3 of Closer Than You Think, Luke Crawford speaks from a refreshingly vulnerable place — someone who's experienced the Holy Spirit's presence and also lived through seasons of real disappointment and confusion about where God is.
He explores the ancient vision of Ezekiel 47, where water flows from God's presence into the Dead Sea and brings it to life — and connects it to Jesus' invitation in John 7: "Anyone who is thirsty, come to me."
The message lands on a quietly confronting question: Are you living like a reservoir — collecting everything God pours into you and keeping it for yourself — or like a river, letting it flow out into the lives of people around you?
Practical, honest, and genuinely good for anyone who's ever chased satisfaction and come up empty.
Closer Than You Think is a 4-week series on the Holy Spirit. New episodes weekly.
In Week 2 of Closer Than You Think, Jeff Brodie explores what "spiritual power" really is—and what it isn't. Through Acts 6–8, we see the contrast between Philip's faithful obedience and Simon's desire to control power for himself.
This message helps clarify how the Holy Spirit works, why motives matter, and how God forms people in hidden places before empowering them for His purposes. If you've ever been confused by "power" language or wondered what it means to be filled with the Spirit, this conversation brings clarity and direction.
Have you ever believed in God but struggled to actually experience Him? In this message, Jeff Brodie explores the Holy Spirit as breath—invisible, essential, and life-giving.
From John 3 and Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, we discover that the Holy Spirit isn't a force to find, but a relationship to foster—one that brings new life, restores hope, and makes God personal in everyday moments.
This is Week 1 of the Closer Than You Think series: How to Experience God (The Holy Spirit as Breath).
Praying on your own can feel difficult. Praying with someone else can feel even more awkward.
In Week 3 of The Prayer Lab, Vijay Krishnan explores how to pray with someone — not just for them — in a way that feels natural, relational, and real. If you've ever wondered what to say when praying out loud, felt uncomfortable initiating prayer, or avoided it altogether, this message is for you.
You'll learn a simple, practical approach to praying with others that removes pressure and builds connection. Because prayer was never meant to be private or perfect — it was meant to be shared.
If you've ever felt distant from God or struggled to feel His presence in prayer, this message is for you.
In Week 2 of The Prayer Lab, Vijay Krishnan explores how to pray when God feels far away. Looking at Psalm 139 and introducing the Prayer of Examen, this message offers a practical way to reconnect spiritually and become more aware of God's presence in everyday life. Many people ask:
- Why don't I feel close to God?
- Is God really with me?
- How do I reconnect through prayer?
This teaching shows how reflective prayer can help you see where God has already been at work in your life — and how He may be closer than you think.
Introduction and The Prayer Lab Series 00:00:02 - 00:00:16
The Prayer Lab: Week Two - Visualizing Prayer Relationships 00:00:20 - 00:04:38
Personal Reflection and the Game-Changing Practice 00:04:40 - 00:05:35
Introducing Psalm 139: A Prayer of Closeness 00:05:36 - 00:09:00
Analyzing Psalm 139: God's Presence Across Time Zones 00:09:02 - 00:13:21
The Nature of Prayer and the Prayer of Examine 00:13:23 - 00:16:48
The Daily Examen: A Pilgrimage to God 00:16:49 - 00:20:00
Guided Prayer of Examen 00:20:02 - 00:28:47
The Reimagining the Examen App and Conclusion 00:28:52 - 00:31:15
Closing and Call to Action 00:31:27 - 00:31:44
Have you ever tried to pray… and run out of words?
Maybe you feel awkward, distracted, guilty for not praying more, or unsure if God is even listening. You're not alone. In this first message of The Prayer Lab, Vijay Krishnan explores why prayer feels so instinctive — and yet so difficult.
If you've ever wondered:
- Why pray if God already knows everything?
- What do I say when I run out of words?
- Does prayer actually make a difference?
This message reframes prayer as relationship, not performance — and shows how Jesus' words in the Lord's Prayer can help us pray in everyday language.
Prayer isn't about getting it right. It's about starting.
We've never been more connected — and yet many of us feel deeply lonely. Likes, comments, group chats, and constant online interaction promise connection, but often leave us unseen and unknown. The algorithm keeps us engaged, but it can quietly pull us away from the kind of relationships our souls actually need.
In this message from the Starve the Algorithm, Feed the Soul series, Jeff Brodie explores why being connected isn't the same as being known — and how real, meaningful relationships are formed. Because the answer to loneliness isn't more connections. It's being deeply known by a few.
👉 Connection doesn't heal loneliness. Being known does.
Comparison is exhausting — and it's quietly killing your calling.
In a world shaped by algorithms and highlight reels, it's easy to measure your life against someone else's success and feel like you're falling behind. But comparison doesn't motivate us to live better — it distracts us from the life God uniquely created us to live.
In this message from the Starve the Algorithm, Feed Your Soul series, Luke Crawford how comparison distorts our desires, fuels dissatisfaction, and pulls us away from our calling — and how Jesus invites us to lay it down for something far greater.
👉 Don't sacrifice your calling on the altar of comparison.
How do you know what's actually true anymore? In a world shaped by algorithms, the loudest voices often feel like the truest ones. Repetition creates belief, confidence gets amplified, and scrolling slowly rewires what we trust.
In this message Jeff Brodie explores how our feeds are shaping our beliefs — and how Jesus offers a grounded way to find clarity in the noise. Because truth isn't discovered by scrolling more. It's formed by who you trust.
Why does scrolling leave you feeling more angry, reactive, or frustrated — even when you didn't plan to feel that way?
Algorithms are designed to amplify outrage. They learn what triggers you, polarize your thinking, and keep feeding you content that escalates emotion. But anger that feels like clarity often leads to blind spots, broken relationships, and spiritual exhaustion.
In part two of this series, Jeff Brodie explores why the algorithm feeds your anger — and how Jesus offers a radically different way forward. Not escalation, but formation. Not reaction, but response. Not winning arguments, but finding freedom. Jesus invites us to live unprogrammable lives — shaped by compassion, humility, and thoughtful response instead of constant outrage.
If you're tired of feeling angry after you scroll, this message is for you.
👉 The algorithm wants escalation. Jesus wants formation.
What you focus on is forming you — and your phone knows it.. Every time you scroll, click, or pause, algorithms are learning what you love, what you fear, and what keeps you hooked. But distraction isn't just stealing your time — it's shaping your soul.
In part one of this series, Jeff Brodie explores why you're not failing spiritually because you're rebellious, but because you're distracted — and how Jesus offers something radically different. Not more information, but real transformation. Not behaviour change, but heart change. If you feel tired, scattered, anxious, or stuck in endless doomscrolling, this message will help you rethink what's forming your habits, your desires, and your life — and how to refocus on what actually leads to peace.
What you focus on forms you. The question is: who — or what — has your attention?
When life doesn't turn out the way you hoped, it can leave you feeling stuck — disappointed, bitter, or unsure how to move forward.
A new year is supposed to feel fresh, but for a lot of us, the weight of what we didn't choose still comes with us. The loss. The hurt. The things that never went as planned.
In this message, we explore an ancient story that feels surprisingly current — and discover how one simple decision can begin to change the direction of your life, even when your circumstances haven't changed yet.
Whether you're full of faith, full of questions, or somewhere in between, this message is for anyone who wants more than just another year surviving.
Most of us don't stop asking because we don't care. We stop because we don't want to be that person. The awkward one. The pushy one. The one who misreads the moment.
So we assume the answer is no — and move on.
In this message, Andy Stanley unpacks why persistence, when it's rooted in genuine care, isn't pressure or manipulation — it's love. Through honest stories and unexpected moments, he explores why we often talk ourselves out of meaningful conversations and what can happen when we choose to ask again instead.
This isn't about winning arguments or forcing beliefs.
It's about relationships, courage, and not deciding someone's answer for them.
If you've ever hesitated to reach out, invite someone, or have a deeper conversation because you didn't want to get it wrong — this one's for you.
When life feels dark, the question isn't if you need light — it's which light you need most right now.
This Christmas Eve message invites you to pause and reflect on what you're carrying and where you're searching for hope. It's a reminder that the Christmas story speaks to real life — not perfect lives, but moments of uncertainty, exhaustion, and longing.
If you're full of faith, full of questions, or somewhere in between, this is a space to consider where light might meet you — and what could change if it does.
Christmas is supposed to feel peaceful… but what if it doesn't? What if your plans got disrupted, your year didn't turn out how you hoped, or peace feels completely out of reach?
In Part 3 of our Christmas series His Name Shall Be Called, Christine Birch looks at the night the angels appeared to the shepherds and announced the birth of Jesus — the Prince of Peace. But the story starts with fear, interruption, and uncertainty, not calm and quiet. This message reframes peace in a powerful way: peace isn't the absence of chaos — it's the presence of God with you.
Whether your Christmas feels messy, heavy, lonely, or overwhelming, this message offers a deeper, more lasting peace than perfect circumstances ever could. If you're craving peace but your life feels anything but peaceful, this one's for you.
What if the joy you're desperate for this Christmas isn't found in trying harder, fixing everything, or keeping life under control — but in letting go?
In Part 2 of His Name Shall Be Called, Luke Crawford unpacks Mary's response to God and shows why surrender isn't weakness… it's the doorway to joy. Through Luke 1:46–55, we see a God who meets us in exhaustion, loneliness, uncertainty, and pressure — and offers something deeper than temporary happiness. He offers a joy strong enough to carry you through a messy year, broken plans, or a Christmas that doesn't look the way you hoped.
If you've been running on empty, gripping tight to expectations, or wondering where God is in the chaos, this message will help you discover the freedom and joy found on the other side of surrender.
What if God's greatest work doesn't start in the spotlight, but in the places we overlook?
In Week 1 of our Christmas series His Name Shall Be Called, Deniel Sewell unpacks the story of Mary and shows how the Mighty God steps into the ordinary, the quiet, and even the forgotten parts of our lives.
From Nazareth to your everyday routine, God's power isn't limited by your weakness — and His presence is closer than you think.
If you've ever wondered whether your life is too small for God to care about, this message will remind you that He sees you, He's with you, and nothing is impossible with Him.
Money stress is real — and most of us feel stuck in the same cycle. Subscriptions we don't track, payments we can't keep up with, lifestyle creep, rising debt, and that constant pressure to have more. But what if the real issue isn't money… but the money traps holding you back?
In Part 3 of Finding Your Sweet Spot, Jeff Brodie unpacks the emotional and spiritual side of money that most people never talk about. You'll learn why we fall into the same financial patterns again and again — and how Jesus offers a better way to live with peace, clarity, and margin.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by debt, frustrated by your spending habits, or unsure how to make a plan that actually works, this message will give you practical steps and fresh hope.
👉 Explore resources: connexuschurch.com/sweetspot
Most people feel the pressure of money — the stress, the debt, the hustle, the constant feeling that it's never enough. But what if there was an ancient practice that could actually free you from all of that?
In Part 2 of Finding Your Sweet Spot, Jeff Brodie unpacks the surprising power of the tithe — not as a rule or obligation, but as a spiritual discipline that pushes back against greed, builds real trust in God, and creates space for peace and freedom in your life.
If you've ever wondered why Jesus talks so much about money, or why generosity seems to change people from the inside out, this message is for you. This teaching is practical, honest, and incredibly hopeful.
👉 Take the 90-Day Tithe Challenge: www.connexuschurch.com/tithechallenge 👉 Explore resources for contentment & generosity: www.connexuschurch.com/sweetspot
Are you constantly chasing more — more money, more stuff, more success — and still feeling like it's never enough? You're not alone.
In Part 1 of the series Finding Your Sweet Spot, Jeff Brodie unpacks why contentment is so hard to find in a world obsessed with comparison. Discover how Jesus' words about money and trust can free you from the cycle of consumption and help you live with peace, purpose, and generosity. Whether you're struggling to make ends meet or doing better than ever, this message will help you find freedom from the grind and experience what "enough" really means.
👉 Take the 15-Day Journey to Contentment & Generosity: connexuschurch.com/sweetspot
📍 Subscribe for more messages from Connexus Church that help you live with intention and faith.
What's next for Connexus Church?
This week, Pastor Jeff Brodie shares an exciting vision of where God is leading our church — and how you can play a part. From new spaces to new stories of life change, this message is all about creating more room for people who are searching for hope. We've seen lives transformed, communities grow, and hundreds experience the love of Jesus through the For Them initiative.
But we're just getting started. In this message, Jeff unpacks the future of Connexus — new facilities, new opportunities, and a renewed passion to reach people across Simcoe County and beyond.
If you've ever wondered how your generosity and faith can make a difference, this message will inspire you to see your part in what God is doing next.
Be part of the story.
📍 Learn more or give at https://connexuschurch.com/forthem
Jeff Brodie, Christine Birch, and Luke Crawford look back on Sacred Homecoming—four nights and three mornings where God showed up in powerful ways. From heartfelt repentance to spontaneous baptisms, it was a week filled with freedom, healing, joy, and a deep hunger for God's presence.
Hear the stories, the moments that surprised us, and what it means to keep that fire burning—choosing posture over playbook and living with shameless persistence every day.
When life feels dark, where do you find hope?
In Psalm 27, David cries out to God in fear and uncertainty — yet finds confidence, courage, and peace. In this message, Pastor and author Mark Clark unpacks how this ancient psalm speaks directly into our modern struggles with anxiety, fear, and doubt.
If you've ever wondered where God is when life feels overwhelming, Psalm 27 reminds you: light always wins.
You can find hope again — even in the dark.
You've probably heard Psalm 23 before — at weddings, funerals, or even in songs. But what if it's not just a comforting poem… what if it's a roadmap for how to actually live with peace and purpose?
In this message, Pastor and author Mark Clark unpacks the deeper meaning behind "The Lord is my shepherd."
He shows why this ancient psalm isn't about trying harder, but about trusting deeper — about resting, letting go of control, and realizing you already have a Shepherd who knows what you need.
If life feels overwhelming, if you're anxious, restless, or burned out… this message is for you.
What happens when people start praying, "God, would You do more?"
In this special episode, Jeff Brodie sits down with Sarah Piercy and Dan Brubacher to share the story behind Sacred Homecoming. They talk honestly about their own longing for more of God, what it means to surrender, and how God is already moving in unexpected ways.
You'll hear about the heart behind the Sacred Homecoming gatherings, the tension between mission and renewal, and what it looks like to posture yourself for God to do something new — in you and through you. This conversation will inspire you to step forward with courage and faith.
👉 Learn more about Sacred Homecoming and join us at: https://connexuschurch.com/sacredhomecoming
We live in a world that tells us everything is about you — your goals, your success, your platform. But what if that's exactly why so many of us feel anxious, restless, and burned out? In this message, Pastor Mark Clark unpacks Psalm 8 and shows how shifting your focus from yourself to God's greatness can bring real peace and purpose. When you realize that life isn't about control, but about awe — it changes everything.
If you've ever felt small, unseen, or overwhelmed, this Psalm reminds you: you were made for something bigger.
In this special episode, Sydney Jackson sits down with Lead Pastor Jeff Brodie to unpack the heart and vision behind Sacred Homecoming—a four-day experience calling our church to return, repent, and renew. Jeff shares the journey that led to this moment, the inspiration from Luke 15 and Nehemiah, and how this time is about seeking God’s presence together as a community.
They talk candidly about what to expect, why this isn’t just another church event, and how Sacred Homecoming is an invitation for every person who calls Connexus Church home to draw near to God in a fresh way.
Whether you’re new to Connexus or have been around for years, this conversation will inspire you to prepare your heart and lean into what God might do in this powerful week.
🗓️ Sacred Homecoming runs October 21–24
📍 Learn more or join the journey: connexuschurch.com/sacredhomecoming
Show Notes
A Church Every Community Needs (Week 3) - https://connexuschurch.com/messages/the-power-that-started-the-church-still-changes-lives/
Prodigal God by Timothy Keller - https://amzn.to/4ha8bpJ
Sacred Homecoming - www.connexuschurch.com/sacredhomecoming
Nehemiah 8-10 NLT - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah%208-10&version=NLT
What kind of life are you actually building?
In a world full of noise, pressure, and endless options, it’s easy to drift—without realizing where your choices are really taking you. Psalm 1 draws a sharp line between two paths: one that leads to flourishing, and one that slowly leads to collapse.
In this message, pastor and author Mark Clark unpacks the ancient wisdom of Psalm 1 and shows how your everyday decisions are shaping the person you’re becoming. If you’ve ever felt stuck, spiritually dry, or unsure of what’s next—this could be a turning point.
This isn’t about religion. It’s about real life. And the path you’re on right now.
What’s the real purpose of the church? Too often, our preferences get in the way of the mission Jesus gave us. This week, we’ll look at how the early church wrestled with putting Jesus’ purpose above their own preferences and what that means for us today. Discover how the church can truly be a search party for the lost and the kind of movement our world desperately needs.
Most people associate power with privilege, attention, or control. But on the night before his death, Jesus flipped the script. Instead of claiming a throne, he picked up a towel. Instead of demanding loyalty, he washed feet — including the feet of the very people who would betray and abandon him.
This message explores what it means for the church — and for you — to take on that kind of posture. One that serves instead of shines. That lifts others up instead of climbing higher. Because when we serve like Jesus on the outside, we actually become more like him on the inside.
And what if that kind of humility — the kind that moves you from sitting to serving — could change not just your faith, but the world around you?
Most people think God gets mad when they wander — but Jesus said the opposite. In Luke 15, He tells the story of two sons: one who ran away and made a mess of his life, and another who stayed but grew cold, bitter, and distant. Both were lost. Both were loved. And the Father ran toward them both.
What if the church looked like that kind of love? At Connexus, we believe the church shouldn’t just be a place for people who get it all right. It should be a place for people who are real — real about their doubts, their struggles, their pride, and their pain. Because the church isn’t a club for the found. It’s a search party for the lost.
In this message, Jeff Brodie unpacks how Jesus’ personality drew in the very people religion pushed out — and how we can become A Church That’s Real. Not Just Right.
Every one of us wants to live a life worth remembering. But are we building our lives on résumé virtues or eulogy virtues? Communion reminds us that what makes life worth remembering isn’t what we achieve, but what Jesus has done for us and what we allow him to do through us. In this message, we’ll explore how communion calls us to look to the past, present, and future—to remember Christ’s sacrifice, live faithfully here and now, and anchor our hope in his return.
Have you ever felt like your past disqualifies you from being close to God? Like your story is too messy, or your shame is too heavy? In this message, Pastor Jeff Brodie shares the powerful encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well—a woman rejected by others, weighed down by shame, and avoiding everyone. But Jesus went out of His way to meet her—and He does the same for you.
Jesus already knows everything about you. And still… He offers you grace, healing, and new life. Whether you feel far from God or like you’ve done too much to be loved, this message is for you.
What if the thing Jesus is asking of you doesn’t make sense?
Have you ever felt like faith is asking too much—or just doesn’t line up with real life? Maybe you’ve been burned out, disappointed, or left wondering, “Why would God ask me to do that?”
Peter was right there. Twice. Once after an exhausting night of failure. Again after deep regret and distance from Jesus. But in both moments, Jesus invited him to trust. And what happened next? It wasn’t just about fish—it was about transformation.
This message is for anyone who’s felt like giving up, questioning what God is doing, or wondering if grace still applies. Jesus meets you where you are—but He also calls you deeper.
Have you ever wondered if your past—what you’ve done or what’s been done to you—disqualifies you from being truly known and loved? Jesus sees you fully and deeply, and still calls you to follow him. Like Matthew, you’re invited to leave behind what’s broken and step into a life filled with love, purpose, and belonging. Jesus is someone worth losing everything for—because in him, you gain what truly matters.
What if being religious isn’t the answer?
Most people think following Jesus is about being good, trying harder, or doing all the right spiritual things. But that’s not what Jesus taught. In a late-night encounter with a religious leader named Nicodemus, Jesus flips everything upside down with one bold truth: you don’t need a better version of yourself—you need a brand new you.
Whether you’ve walked away from religion, feel stuck in guilt, or wonder if God could ever accept you, this message is for you. Jesus’ invitation isn’t about self-improvement—it’s about starting over. Not by trying harder, but by letting God make you new from the inside out.
What if experiencing a miracle isn’t about formulas, prayers, or luck… but about posture?
In Part 4 of Miracles: Then & Now, Andy Stanley challenges a common assumption about miracles: they aren’t random, but they do happen where people position themselves in surrender to God’s purposes. It’s not about manipulating outcomes — it’s about embracing trust even when it costs us something. If you’ve been wrestling with a big decision, wondering where God is, or hoping for something more — this message will help you reframe the conversation. Sometimes the miracle isn’t what God does for you — it’s what God does in you.
What do you do when the miracle doesn’t come?
When the healing doesn’t happen, the relationship doesn’t restore, or the door stays shut? If you’ve ever felt abandoned, overlooked, or stuck asking Why, God?, this message is for you.
In Part 3 of Miracles: Then & Now, Joel Thomas shares from his own heartbreak and from the story of John the Baptist—someone Jesus Himself called the greatest man who ever lived, yet who didn’t receive his miracle.
If you’ve been holding onto hope but struggling with doubt, this message offers an honest reminder: your circumstances don’t define God’s love or His faithfulness. There’s more going on than what you can hear and see.
You’ve probably seen it before—one person gets the miracle, and someone else doesn’t. One story ends in celebration, the other in heartbreak. And if you’re honest, it’s hard not to wonder: Is God playing favourites? Is He even listening?
In Part 2 of Miracles: Then & Now, Andy Stanley walks us through a raw and often overlooked tension in the Bible—why Peter lives, but Stephen dies. Why some people are healed while others are left waiting. And what it actually means to trust God when the outcome isn’t what you hoped for.
If you’ve ever questioned God’s fairness, wrestled with unanswered prayer, or felt like faith was harder than it should be—this message is for you.
We all have moments when we long for a miracle—whether it’s for healing, provision, reconciliation, or just to get through another day. This message reminds us that while many of us have prayed for miracles, and sometimes didn’t receive them the way we hoped, our faith is anchored in two foundational miracles: the creation of the universe and the resurrection of Jesus. These remind us that God is powerful, present, and working—even when we don’t see it.
What if work could be more than survival—or success? What if the job you don’t love was about something holy? Together, we’ll learn how you can bring a spiritual approach to your every day work space. Whether you're a boss or an intern, at home or in the marketplace—God wants you to see your work as sacred.
What happens when your calling leads you out of church ministry and into entrepreneurship? In this Made for Mondays bonus episode, Connexus Church Lead Pastor Jeff Brodie sits down with Justin and Sarah Piercy—former Connexus staff and now the creators behind Daddy Got Coffee.
They share their powerful story of discerning God’s leading in leaving full-time ministry to launch a business rooted in faith, integrity, and kingdom purpose. From faith-filled risk-taking to finding God’s presence in everyday work (even roasting coffee beans!), this honest conversation is for anyone wondering how faith and vocation truly intersect.
If you’re trying to figure out what’s next in your career—or wondering if God cares about your work—this episode will inspire and encourage you.
👉 Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or just feeling stuck in the daily grind, there’s something here for you.
“What do you do?” It’s a question we often ask to try to figure out someone’s identity. But should work and identity be connected? Whether you're chasing success or dreading failure, it’s easy to let your work define your worth. But that kind of pressure will break you. In part two of Made for Monday, we’ll unpack how the Gospel frees you from proving yourself—and gives you a title no promotion ever could.
You weren’t made for a meaningless Monday. In part one of the series, we’re rewinding to the first job description in history. Why was work created, what changed, and how can it be meaningful for you again? You’ll leave with a whole new reason to show up on Monday.
In this powerful message from Carey Nieuwhof, we dive deep into The Risk of Real—the challenge of showing up authentically in community where people are the problem and people are God’s solution. Drawing on Scripture and lived experience, Carey explores why we often struggle with honesty, vulnerability, and real relationships, and how Jesus transforms brokenness into belonging.
Carey references a music clip by Johnny Cash Hurt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHCfZTRGiI
Have you ever trusted the wrong people and ended up hurt? You’re not alone. Join us as Luke Crawford unpacks what happens when community goes sideways—and why it’s still worth the risk. Sharing his own story and insights from Galatians 6, Luke speaks directly to people who feel burned by past relationships, betrayed by friends, or crushed under silent shame. What if the very place you were wounded—community—is the place you could actually be healed?
If you’ve kept people at a distance but quietly crave connection, healing, and purpose. Don’t let shame, pain, or comparison keep you stuck. There’s another way forward—and it starts with being real.
It's easier to scroll than to share, and safer to stay quiet than to open up. In a culture that values independence, many of us end up feeling alone. This three-week series invites you to step beyond the surface and into authentic community the kind that challenges and supports you. Real connection takes courage, but it's where God meets us, and it's always worth the risk.
If you knew your time was short, would you live differently? In this final message of The Problem of Life series, Mark Clark challenges us to rethink how we spend our lives — our time, talents, and treasure — before it’s too late. Mark invites you to discover how your life can actually matter in ways you never imagined. Even if you’re skeptical about God or faith, this message will push you to ask deeper questions about why you’re here — and how your story could be bigger than you think. You were made for more. Don’t waste what you’ve been given.
What if your biggest struggles could become your greatest strengths? In week 3 of the series ‘The Problem Of Life’, pastor and author Mark Clark shares a fresh perspective on how God can take the painful, messy parts of our lives — and use them for good. If you’ve ever felt like life’s setbacks have sidelined you, or wondered how your story could matter, this message is for you. Mark unpacks why life’s interruptions might actually be the moments that shape you most — and how hope, strength, and purpose are closer than you think.
You are not alone. Your struggles don’t have to define you — they can prepare you for something greater.
What if the reason life feels so overwhelming is because we’re trying to carry a weight we were never meant to bear? In this message, author and pastor Mark Clark explores why we struggle when we try to control everything — and how real freedom begins when we realize we’re not meant to be God. Mark invites you to rethink control, success, failure, and what it really means to flourish in life. Even if you’re skeptical about faith or unsure about God, this message will make you stop and think: what if surrendering actually leads to a fuller, freer life?
Whether you’re exploring Christianity for the first time or just curious about deeper meaning, this could be the start of a bigger conversation. Get ready for an honest look at why we flounder — and how you can finally start to flourish.
Why do we feel like there’s something missing — even when life seems full?
In this first message of The Problem of Life series, pastor and author Mark Clark digs deep into what it really means to be human — and why life without God leaves us restless, anxious, and unsatisfied. Mark shares honest stories, big questions, and surprising insights about the ache inside all of us for something more — something eternal.
Even if you’re skeptical about Christianity, you’ll find yourself challenged to rethink what it means to truly flourish — and why our search for meaning is incomplete without God.
Come explore the ache, the hope, and the deeper story you are part of.
Easter isn’t just a celebration of something that happened in the past; it’s a reminder of a present and powerful reality: Jesus didn’t just rise—he reigns. In Matthew 28, we see how the resurrection shocked even Jesus’ closest followers and sparked a movement that changed the world. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or committed, there’s something here for you to explore.
Ready to flip the way most of us think about failure, pain, and hopelessness. At first glance, Jesus’ death looked like the end of the story — brutal, unjust, and tragic. But what if it wasn’t just a tragedy… what if it was actually a turning point?
Think about the moments when life feels most broken — maybe something deeper is happening. What if the events surrounding Good Friday were about trust, hope, and a different kind of King who didn’t come to take power, but to give His life for the sake of others.
If you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, or just wondering if there’s something more, this message is for you. Maybe today could be a step toward a different kind of hope — the kind that doesn’t depend on life going perfectly, but on someone who gave everything for you.
👉 Watch and ask yourself: Who — or what — sits on the throne of my heart?
What a day to celebrate the public declaration of people’s faith in Jesus and how he continues to write new stories of transformation in many lives! Baptism is also an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the death and resurrection of Christ and how, when we enter into a relationship with him, he changes us from the inside out.
In this bonus episode, Jeff Brodie sits down with Dr. Gary Chapman, the bestselling author of The Five Love Languages, to explore how to handle conflict and criticism the Jesus way. As part of our “Triggered” series at Connexus Church, Dr. Chapman shares profound insights into the intersection of love languages, conflict resolution, and meaningful apology.
Jeff & Dr Chapman talk about:
- Why criticism can hurt so deeply
- How your primary love language impacts how you give and receive criticism
- Practical ways to communicate hard truths in relationships—especially in marriage
- The five apology languages and how they transform broken moments into growth opportunities
- When to seek outside help for recurring relational conflict.
Whether you’re navigating tension in your marriage, friendships, or leadership, this conversation is filled with timeless, practical wisdom grounded in grace and love.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs encouragement today. You are never alone.
“I’ll forgive, but I won’t forget.” Sound familiar? We act like forgiveness is some favour we give to someone who deserves it, but Jesus tells a different story. What if holding onto bitterness is actually hurting you more than them? What if forgiveness is less about what they did and more about setting yourself free? Jesus doesn’t just command forgiveness—he shows us how to do it in a way that brings freedom instead of resentment.
Someone’s talking about you. Maybe it’s unfair. Perhaps it’s even true. Either way, the criticism stings. So, what now? Defend yourself? Clap back? Let it ruin your week? Jesus was constantly criticized, but he never let it control him. How do you handle people who are against you? Let’s talk about how Jesus would handle criticism.
You know you should say something. The issue is growing, and silence isn’t fixing it. But the last time you confronted someone, it went south—fast! So what do you do? Stay quiet? Blow up? Avoid them forever? Jesus gives us some clear direction on hard conversations. If you’re tired of conflict ruining relationships, this message is for you.
You know that moment—the one where things start getting heated. Your heart rate goes up, your mind races, and you’re ready to explode or shut down. Some people fight to win, while others avoid conflict like the plague. But what if neither of those approaches works? Jesus shows us that conflict isn’t something to fear—it’s something to handle wisely. And when done right, it can make relationships stronger, not weaker.
When life doesn’t turn out the way we hope, it can cause us to doubt God’s goodness. But many times, it’s in the midst of our circumstances that we better understand God’s presence. The circle of God’s grace, mercy, and provision is large enough to encompass the circumstances of your life.
Join Andy Stanley as he launches into our new series 'Under The Circumstances: Holding onto God When It Appears He Is No Longer Hanging Onto You.'
10 months ago our church kicked off a 20-month initiative called FOR Them. On this “halftime Sunday, Jeff will be reminding us of our calling in this, updating us on the progress and how God is at work, and inspiring us to jump in for the sake of those who don’t know Jesus yet.
We all want to “win” in multiple areas of our lives, but is that the way we should think about it? And if you are honest, most of the time it feels like you try to change and make progress but you don’t. What does it look like to spiritually win in our lives? What if there was an alternative to simply trying? Let’s talk about it.
What do you do when you find yourself stuck in a pattern you want to stop? Why do we often end up in cycles of destructive behaviour, and how can we break the cycle? How do you position yourself to recognize and avoid circumstances that cue behaviours that move you backward?
God often does big things through small habits. Significant positive changes don’t happen overnight—they start with small, intentional steps. Planting the right habits today can grow into the life you’ve always wanted tomorrow. Discover practical ways to build consistent, God-honouring habits that lead to spiritual transformation.
Trying harder isn’t the answer to real change—it’s exhausting and unsustainable. When it comes to making change in our lives, our mind and our soul are connected. This week, learn why you do what you do and how to change it and defeat the negative voice in your head.
Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of wanting to change but never quite getting there? This week, we’re unpacking why change feels so hard and how understanding your God-given identity can set you free from frustration. Discover how aligning your life with God’s purpose can help you break free and take the first step toward lasting transformation.
Have you ever felt distant, searching for something more but not knowing what it is? This Christmas, discover a story that could change everything. What if the God you’ve never known isn’t far away, angry, or impossible to please—but instead came near, wanting to be with you? Jeff Brodie unpacks the profound truth of Christmas: a God who stepped into our broken world, not to judge, but to love and be with us. If you’ve ever questioned your purpose or felt alone in life’s struggles, this is a message you can’t miss. Explore the possibility that the hope you’ve been searching for might just be closer than you think.
Why does it seem like joy is impossible to maintain through the ups and downs of life? Could there be a difference between fleeting happiness based on circumstances and lasting joy rooted in Jesus? Stop chasing happiness and instead choose the unshakable joy of surrendering to Jesus, who is always with us.
We live in a world that promises peace but rarely delivers. Even in the moments where everything looks fine on the outside, peace can still feel like it’s out of reach on the inside. So what would it look like to have a peace that isn’t elusive but everlasting. A peace that calms our anxious hearts, repairs broken relationships, and strengthens us to face whatever comes our way. How do we get that kind of peace? How do we experience it?
Hope. We need it like we need oxygen. Without it, it’s hard to go on and with it, we can make it through the toughest of times. But what is real hope and where can you find a hope that lasts? Let’s have a conversation about what it means to have real hope.
Have questions about demons and forces of evil? Have questions about the occult and new age spirituality? Jeff sits down with Jon Thompson, seminary professor who teaches on warfare, for a conversation about evil, demonology, satan, and how the forces of evil can be at work in your daily life, and most importantly how to live in freedom.
Jon Thompson is the Senior Pastor of Sanctus Church — a multi-site church in the Greater Toronto Area and online — where he has served for 27 years. He holds a Master of Theological studies from Tyndale Seminary and a Doctorate of Missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Passionate about engaging seekers, skeptics, and believers about the Christian faith, Jon has authored three best-selling books: Convergence, Deliverance, and Perseverance.
So if evil is real, how exactly does it work? Better yet, how does it work in your life today? In this message, Jeff draws from scripture and classic theology to show how subtle and clever Satan can be in his activity. Once you recognize his strategies, you can defeat his strategies—in your life and in the world.
So how do miracles work? Why are some people healed and some not? Does God favour some people and ignore others? Are miracles a sham or something that stopped happening in the 1st century? Or maybe, they’re something else entirely.
So is life only what we can see, touch and experience, or is there more? Is there a supernatural side? Are ghosts real? Are there supernatural beings? Do miracles still happen? We’ll look at what the scripture has to say. When you look for control and power outside of God you risk venturing outside of God’s purpose. The greatest mistake you can make with the supernatural is to overestimate or underestimate its influence. We invite you to join Jeff Brodie as he looks more into the supernatural.
For centuries, religion has been about rules, rituals, and checking the right boxes. But what if it doesn’t have to be that way? What if there’s a way to live that’s not about following a list of dos and don’ts? In Beyond Religion , we’re diving into one of the most powerful moments in history—when Jesus showed up and turned everything upside down. Discover what it means to live in freedom. It’s about grace, not guilt. And it’s about experiencing life in a whole new way. Come see what it means to move beyond religion—and why it might just change the way you think about everything.
God has always wanted to shut down religion, and Jesus came so we could experience true freedom. For centuries, religion has been about rules, rituals, and checking the right boxes. But what if it doesn’t have to be that way? What if there’s a way to live that’s not about following a list of dos and don’ts? In Beyond Religion , we’re diving into one of the most powerful moments in history—when Jesus showed up and turned everything upside down. Discover what it means to live in freedom. It’s about grace, not guilt. And it’s about experiencing life in a whole new way. Come see what it means to move beyond religion—and why it might just change the way you think about everything.
For centuries, religion has been about rules, rituals, and checking the right boxes. But what if it doesn’t have to be that way? What if there’s a way to live that’s not about following a list of dos and don’ts? In Beyond Religion , we’re diving into one of the most powerful moments in history— when Jesus showed up and turned everything upside down. Discover what it means to live in freedom. It’s about grace, not guilt. And it’s about experiencing life in a whole new way. Come see what it means to move beyond religion—and why it might just change the way you think about everything.
Our anxious culture is quick to argue, and it can spill over into our relationships. Every family has its share of fights—some are icy and distant, while others are fiery and intense. Conflict is inevitable in any relationship, and disagreements happen at all ages. It can get heated in the moment. But the real question is, how do we fight with the end in mind? How do we fight for each other instead of with each other? In this message, we’re going to look at a Biblical principle around how rules and relationships work, and how to build spiritual influence in the lives of our kids for the long haul.
In this bonus episode, Rob brings practical answers to tough questions about how to have conversations about mental health with your kids, and what to do when you aren't sure what to do. He tackles topics like anxiety and depression, infant mental health, the role of medication, preventative practices, and how to walk with a child through challenging times.
Rob is the Medical Director for Child and Youth Mental Health at the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care. Rob is also a part of the Elder's Team at Connexus. He and his wife Rose have four children and have been a part of the mission of Connexus since its very first day.
Let’s get practical about parenting. Brett shares about major cultural shifts shaping our kids and how to parent intentionally in our cultural moment. He opens up a treasure chest of thoughts on helping kids with anxiety, screen time, exposure to pornography, stages of parenting, and a host of other topics.
Every year Muskoka Woods leads over 400 Gen Z staff in hosting 25,000 guests. As they looked to lead these staff well, they conducted a study on the overall perspective their Gen Z staff has on life, employment, and what kind of lives they want to live. The insights are helpful to anyone who is mentoring, leading, or employing Gen Z.
We get it—kids today are carrying around a lot of anxiety, and let’s be honest, parenting isn’t exactly a breeze either. In fact, sometimes the adults aren’t okay. What if a reason many of us aren’t okay is an ancient and timeless one? What would it mean to look at the experience of the kids around us through a Biblical lens? In this message, we’ll dive into one of the biggest traps people fall into when they care deeply about a kid. More importantly, we’ll unpack how breaking free from this trap can completely shift the atmosphere in your home and transform the way you love and support the kids in your life.
Discipleship is a word you hear thrown around a lot in churches, but what does it mean? In this message we’re going to look at how this word is often misunderstood and how making disciples might be very different than most people think it is. In fact, if you’ve ever been interested in Jesus, you might realize that he’s more accessible than you think.
The cross is a reminder for us to stop chasing what can’t be caught. In the first century, the cross was a symbol of suffering and shame. In this series, Andy Stanley will talk about how it now represents an empowering invitation to a completely different way of life.
It’s not intuitive to choose to lose, but Jesus introduced an upside-down way of living. In the first century, the cross was a symbol of suffering and shame. In this series, Andy Stanley will talk about how it now represents an empowering invitation to a completely different way of life.
Every day you face situations that you aren’t sure how to handle, and the relational challenges are the hardest. What filter could you use to live your life the right way? What if you could know what Jesus was thinking when he lived his life on earth? In this message, Jeff looks at the term “incarnation,” and specifically at incarnational living and how it gives us a framework for living our lives in every circumstance.
If you’ve googled Christianity or were in a church as a kid, you likely heard people use words that you didn’t completely understand. Words you don’t hear in everyday life. Terms like Trinity, incarnation, atonement, and holiness. However, underneath these words are deep truths that unlock real insight into God and into your own life. In this series, we’re going to help you break down these weird church words and discover meaning for the deepest desires in your soul.
If you’ve googled Christianity or were in a church as a kid, you likely heard people use words that you didn’t completely understand. Words you don’t hear in everyday life. Terms like Trinity, incarnation, atonement, and holiness. However, underneath these words are deep truths that unlock real insight into God and into your own life. In this series, we’re going to help you break down these weird church words and discover meaning for the deepest desires in your soul.
Build your life on the rock of Jesus, not the shifting sand of anything else. The golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” You’ve probably quoted it and may even try to live by it. Jesus taught it as a small part of his most famous sermon, but there’s so much more to it than you might expect. This scriptural account has more meaning, challenge, and depth for your life. What if you’re missing the whole point? Join us as Mark Clark unpacks this important message.
Acknowledging that the cause of our anxiety often stems from emotional responses rather than factual evidence, Pastor Mark discusses how three powerful beliefs: the existence of God, God's providence, and God's love, can alleviate these worries. Join Mark Clark as he continues unpacking Jesus greatest sermon in part 3 of Beyond The Golden Rule.
The golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” You’ve probably quoted it and may even try to live by it. Jesus taught it as a small part of his most famous sermon, but there’s so much more to it than you might expect. This scriptural account has more meaning, challenge, and depth for your life. What if you’re missing the whole point? Join us for these four weeks as we look at Jesus’ greatest sermon.
It’s easy for us to dismiss or forget that God is working all around us. Not only do we miss what he’s doing, but we also miss out on being a part of it. What if the key to a faith that’s meaningful and engaging is looking to see who God is calling us to reach out to, and looking to see where he’s already at work? What would happen if you made more room in your life to see the people around you who don’t know Jesus the way God sees them? What if people saw you as a person of hope? What if they saw you as “home”? And what if they saw our church that way?
At Connexus Church, our heart beats for those yet to be reached with the hope of Jesus. Did you know that there are nearly 450,000 people in Simcoe County who don’t attend church Sunday morning? The mission is urgent and clear. The FOR Them campaign is our bold response to God’s call, a transformative journey to extend his love and grace to every corner of our community and beyond so that more people would know Jesus. The journey launches today.
We all need help—help from friends and help from Jesus to address the deepest need of the human heart. When you experience something that changes everything, you can’t help but share it. As Jesus journeyed toward the cross and the tomb, different people along the way were invited to come and see. As his journey progressed, it became less clear what God was doing in the moment, but more clear to us today–clear that the invitation to come and see isn’t just a physical one, it’s a spiritual one. It’s an invitation of forgiveness, hope, and freedom. It wasn’t just news for a moment, but good news for all humanity. Good news for you, and it’s definitely worth sharing.
When you experience something that changes everything, you can’t help but share it. As Jesus journeyed toward the cross and the tomb, different people along the way were invited to come and see. As his journey progressed, it became less clear what God was doing in the moment, but more clear to us today–clear that the invitation to come and see isn’t just a physical one, it’s a spiritual one. It’s an invitation of forgiveness, hope, and freedom. It wasn’t just news for a moment, but good news for all humanity. Good news for you, and it’s definitely worth sharing.
When you experience something that changes everything, you can’t help but share it. As Jesus journeyed toward the cross and the tomb, different people along the way were invited to come and see. As his journey progressed, it became less clear what God was doing in the moment, but more clear to us today–clear that the invitation to come and see isn’t just a physical one, it’s a spiritual one. It’s an invitation of forgiveness, hope, and freedom. It wasn’t just news for a moment, but good news for all humanity. Good news for you, and it’s definitely worth sharing.
When you experience something that changes everything, you can’t help but share it. As Jesus journeyed toward the cross and the tomb, different people along the way were invited to come and see. As his journey progressed, it became less clear what God was doing in the moment, but more clear to us today–clear that the invitation to come and see isn’t just a physical one, it’s a spiritual one. It’s an invitation of forgiveness, hope, and freedom. It wasn’t just news for a moment, but good news for all humanity. Good news for you, and it’s definitely worth sharing - and it all began with a donkey. Come on the journey as Joseph Swan unpacks the story behind Palm Sunday and listen as he shares part of his own story.
Joseph's full story can be found in his recently published book, 'You Are Never Alone" - www.josephswan.co
Inevitably, life presents us with pain and suffering. Yet, the hope found in Jesus serves as a steadfast reminder that goodness persists even in the midst of our trials. By directing our focus toward the profound significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can mold our perspective amidst adversity. His resurrection embodies transformative power, showcasing triumph over evil and the transformation of shame into glory. It is crucial to anchor our thoughts on the enduring nature of God’s love and the assurance that death does not have the final say.
None of us are immune to trials, suffering, and pain, but the real question is whether we will allow these things to shape us and reveal something more valuable that lies below. When we learn how to better face hardships, it can make our relationships stronger. The story of Job highlights the importance of empathetic friends and encourages us to find a supportive community to go through tough times together. Reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice should inspire in us a desire to be a selfless friend providing love, grace, forgiveness, and freedom.
Pain is an undeniable aspect of the human experience. Regardless of how carefully we navigate our lives, we are all bound to encounter moments of pain and suffering. As individuals of faith grappling with faith poses unique challenges. When confronted with the harsh realities of pain and suffering our faith can waiver. Looking at the story of Jesus we can find hope that we aren’t going through this alone.
You’ve probably heard many people reference the biblical story of David and Goliath. In many ways, it’s the ultimate underdog story—a classic example of the common situation where the small, inexperienced upstart strives to overcome the strong, seasoned champion. What does this story teach us about trusting God in the midst of our own challenges in life?
We’ve never been more connected, and yet we’ve never been more lonely. At the same time, when we are alone, we struggle to disconnect in a healthy way. Our phones, our screens, and the demands on our life have changed us—you might argue they’ve made our souls feel barren. We struggle to be present with ourselves, let alone with God. In this message, we look at how Jesus modelled the power of silence and solitude to feed his soul.
Much of the content of this message can be found in John Mark Comer's book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. We highly recommend this book.
In the last decade, online relationships have exploded, and so have loneliness, depression, and suicide. AI is going to take that to a whole new level, making probable what few of us even dreamed possible a year ago. It’s understandable why people want to escape the pain of real-life relationships and find someone ‘better’ online, but that appears to be (literally) killing us. People may be the deepest problem in life we all would love to escape from, but people are God’s deepest solution to loneliness.
Something has shifted in our culture. We feel more lonely—some experts even describe it as a silent pandemic. It’s not merely about being physically alone but feeling a sense of isolation within. How do you find genuine connection in our lonely world? In this series, we’ll help you discover why you’re experiencing loneliness and uncover powerful insights from the Bible about forging deeper connections, cultivating meaningful relationships, and discovering a purpose that can help you move from existing to true belonging. Join Jeff Brodie as he starts a five week series called "Not alone, but lonely."
Sometimes we just need to know that God is here and that He’s paying attention. If we knew that with certainty, then maybe we would be fine or at least finer. Maybe you’re still looking for that sign and you haven’t found it yet, so you start to wonder. We all have a concept of what God is like, but until the arrival of Jesus, the world was left guessing. There was so much mystery, only hints and shadows, and then God came to dwell with us to demonstrate for us what he is like. If you look anywhere other than Jesus for what God is like, then you are looking in the wrong place. God is like Jesus. Jesus came to us to demonstrate, illustrate, and communicate what God is like, who He is, and who He loves.
The messiness of the world is what paved the way for God to do something extraordinary. God blessed the world with a different kind of king who came to establish a different kind of Kingdom. We are all familiar with the Christmas story but some of us are not familiar with the Christmas backstory. The story of Christmas begins with a remarkable promise to Abraham. God promised to make Abraham into a great nation and He did which set up the Christmas story we all know. The backstory of Christmas occurred during a 2,000-year saga that is fascinating, amazing, and inspiring. It’s also a bit convicting. If the arrival of Jesus was a blessing to the world, shouldn’t we as Jesus followers be a blessing to the world as well?
One of the reasons you come to prayer is to find peace in a broken world, including the broken world in and around you. How do you find peace in prayer? We will look at how Jesus models something we don’t see in culture very often that allows us to find the peace we are looking for – confession and forgiveness.
We often come to God in prayer because we think we need something. We come in desperation. But is there a right way to ask and a wrong way to ask? If God already knows what we need, why do we bring our requests to him? If he’s in control, why do I need to pray?
We often think prayer is something that’s about getting God’s attention. To change his mind or get him to do something for us. But what if prayer isn’t about getting God’s attention but giving him our attention? How could it change your life if you started your prayer thinking of who God is, not what you want?
An Angus Reid poll says 42% of Canadians say they pray weekly, and an additional 44% say they pray monthly. You are wired to pray. Prayer may be one of the most human things you can do. However, many of us struggle to see our prayer life flourish. You stumble your way through, pray on and off, and feel little connection. How do you pray, and where do you start? In this message our lead pastor Jeff Brodie will look at where Jesus told us to start.
So, what do you do to live a more generous life? Jesus tells a shocking parable that shows us exactly what God expects when it comes to generosity, and the message is surprisingly liberating. Jesus asks you to be generous with what you have, not what you don’t have. In this message, you’ll learn exactly how to begin living a more generous life and start giving accordingly.
The culture spins a clear picture of what you should do with your money: spend it, (whether you have it or not). Not only does that lead to stress, debt, and overwhelm, it also leads to unhappiness. Studies show that people who prioritize getting rich are often far less happy than those who make different choices. God wants something FOR you far more than he wants something FROM you. In this message, you’ll discover what the path to freedom is.
Maybe you find it hard to talk about money. Most of us do. Maybe your parents never talked about money, or fought over it. Besides, what you do with your personal resources is nobody’s business, right? Jesus wasn’t so sure. He often spoke about money in a deeply challenging way, as was the case with a wealthy young influencer who had money and power. What he said to that rich young ruler can change your life too. Join us for part one of our series, 'Money Shouldn't Make You Miserable' with Carey Nieuwhof.
Throughout this series, we’ve unpacked the many different ways that lies come at you. But how do you get ahead of the lies? How can you be proactive in guarding yourself against the lies that the world, the devil, and the flesh try to put in your path? This week, we look at a letter from Paul and the instructions he gives for us to be able to do this very thing.
You can't earn God's love. In this series, Jeff Brodie has been looking at how we move from hearing lies to believing lies to living them. In this message, he examines the role the devil has in deforming our lives through lies and how to defeat one of the most common lies that we all wrestle with.
You are set apart from the world and for the world! In this message, Jeff Brodie looks at the role of societal lies; they tempt us to normalize the lies we hear in our lives so that we make the mistake of living them. He’ll be looking at how scripture teaches us to spot the lies in our society and how we don’t need to run from the world but run towards it.
We all have that part of us that wants to do what’s good for us and good for others, but so often we don’t. It’s more than temptation. Our priorities get out of order, and our wants become defined as needs. On top of that, we start to grasp for things that make us happy instead of things that give us fulfillment. What is this battle? It’s fertile territory for lies to derail us; scripture calls it “the flesh,” and Paul wants to show us how to win the fight.
You want to thrive, but the constant chase for the promise of fulfillment leaves you looking for more. What if you’re being lied to? Or worse, what if you’re actually living the lies you’ve been told? Would you even know? What you’re facing isn’t just a mental battle but a spiritual one. In this message, Pastor Jeff Brodie will look at the Bible and investigate where lies come from, why we believe them, and how to fight for the fulfillment you’re looking for.
If Christians believe in an all-powerful God, why don’t they live their lives more expectant that he will move? As a church, we have a well-thought-out strategy to reach people, but what would happen if we expected a move of God daily? How would it change how we behave?
Our culture is offering new theories on what it means to be human faster than ever before. Part of you knows we’re all missing something of depth that works. But where do you find it? Jesus would say you can find the meaning and purpose you are looking for in him, but why don’t more Christians live like Jesus? How can you encounter Jesus, and what would it mean to our community if we were to be a church where we encounter Jesus together?
In Part 3 of Living With Yourself, Open Hands, Andy Stanley discusses why we should fear the consequences of closing our hands more than the consequences of losing what’s in them.
In part 2 of the "Living with Yourself" video series, Andy Stanley stresses the importance of monitoring one's heart to ensure alignment between one's inner self and outer behavior. He emphasizes that man-made rules are not enough to live a life of integrity and that one must focus on the inner condition of their heart to align themselves with God's will. Stanley also discusses the dangers of ignoring what is going on inside oneself and the importance of tending to one's soul to prevent toxic emotions such as guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy from defiling it. Lastly, he addresses the issues of resentment, greed, and jealousy, suggesting that forgiveness, celebrating others' success, and giving generously are the solutions to these problems.
In this podcast, Andy Stanley emphasizes the importance of attending to the health of our souls and surrendering ourselves to God to safeguard ourselves against the capacity for duplicity that can harm ourselves and our loved ones. He explores the concept of surrendering ourselves to Jesus every single day, declaring dependence and independence from oneself. Stanley argues that by following Jesus, people can close the gap between their self-image and how others perceive them, leading to peace with oneself and a life better lived. He also encourages people to practice daily surrender to sensitize their conscience and be less tolerant of going against who they truly want to be.
You likely have an opinion about Jesus. From celebrities to podcasters to gurus, everyone has thoughts on Jesus. In this series, we’re diving deep into some of the most controversial questions surrounding the life of Jesus and uncovering the truth that lies beneath. We’re creating space for you to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and find answers for yourself.
You likely have an opinion about Jesus. From celebrities to podcasters to gurus, everyone has thoughts on Jesus. In this series, we’re diving deep into some of the most controversial questions surrounding the life of Jesus and uncovering the truth that lies beneath. We’re creating space for you to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and find answers for yourself.
You likely have an opinion about Jesus. From celebrities to podcasters to gurus, everyone has thoughts on Jesus. In this series, we’re diving deep into some of the most controversial questions surrounding the life of Jesus and uncovering the truth that lies beneath. We’re creating space for you to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and find answers for yourself.
You likely have an opinion about Jesus. From celebrities to podcasters to gurus, everyone has thoughts on Jesus. In this series, we’re diving deep into some of the most controversial questions surrounding the life of Jesus and uncovering the truth that lies beneath. We’re creating space for you to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and find answers for yourself.
Did Jesus really exist? Did he actually rise from the dead? Isn't this all a fairy tale? In this series featuring multiple guest speakers we're creating space for you to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and find answers for yourself.
Stuck in a cycle of disappointment? Striving to better yourself but not quite making it? Struggling with success and failure?
You’re not alone. Jesus points to something far more meaningful and grounded. The resurrection of Jesus makes way for an expectant life, a hope-filled life, and a life where resurrection can come to dark and dead places.
The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for you and for me points us to a simple need to respond because it meets you right where you are. Join us as we reflect on the significance of the unique love Jesus displayed for each one of us.
Sometimes you think you can’t make a dent in the problems the world is facing. Besides, you feel like you barely have enough to live on yourself. As a result, many times we can become indifferent toward the situations others face, and sadly our response can be one of inaction. Is there another way? Can something make a difference?
It happens to many people. You decide to give the Bible a shot. You sit down with a good translation. But how do you get something out of it? And when you start to understand it, how do you experience God? It might surprise you to discover that the key to experiencing God through the Bible is more than what you can read and understand
One of the biggest challenges with the Bible is how to approach it. With so many genres, where do you begin? How do you interpret it accurately? And how do you go from simply reading the Bible to experiencing it? In this message, we’ll show you the overarching story of scripture and how you can leverage it to experience the Bible for yourself.
There are lots of people over the last two thousand years who tried to engage the Bible and gave up. Others are skeptical about whether they can trust the Bible or if it’s just a bunch of made-up stories. However, there are also billions who would say it’s a book that’s changed their life. Why is that? Why do and how do these Christians read the Bible? The answer might surprise you.
Don't miss this BONUS INTERVIEW on the latest on the Ukraine Refugee crisis and how Connexus has partnered with the team on the ground with Partners International Moldova. Lead Pastor Jeff Brodie interviews Sergei Mihailov and Tim Arkell
Most people believe in heaven, and most people believe they’ll end up there. Can we really know
Most people believe in heaven, and most people believe they’ll end up there. Can we really know?
The belief that “Good people go to heaven” sounds nice on the surface. But it doesn’t make sense. Most people believe in heaven, and most people believe they’ll end up there. Can we really know?
In this bonus interview, Sarah Joy Covey of the Covey Wellness Center explores the nature of trauma and how to navigate it in your own life. Listen in for helpful tools and strategies to become stronger in your mental health!
U.S. statistics say that 70% of people will experience a major traumatic event in their lifetime and that 20% will develop PTSD. Sadly, in our broken world, many people experience trauma and aren’t able to process it—and, in turn, they often hurt the people around them. In addition, every day our screens alone bring us to live feeds of events that can be too much for any human being to bear. What does scripture have to say about all of this? How does Jesus want to meet us in our trauma?
What does the medical profession say about the connection between mental health and spirituality? And how do we handle the rising mental health crisis in the lives of the kids we love? This Sunday, we’ll hear from Dr. Rob Meeder, a pediatrician with a focus on mental health. He’ll look at how we can come alongside our kids to support them in this area, and how we can connect our spiritual life to our mental health.
We all know someone who is dealing with anxiety—or perhaps you yourself are dealing with it. As we survey the world around us, there are many tools and resources to help, but what about the spiritual side of anxiety? In this message, we’ll look at the practice of peace laid out by the apostle Paul.
Burnout seems to be an epidemic these days. Almost everyone seems overwhelmed, overcommitted and overworked. It’s not just killing us, it’s nowhere close to the way God wants us to live. We’ll look at why burnout is running so rampant, and how to ensure you get out of it and stay out of it.
What’s the conversation you have in your head with yourself about yourself? Whether it’s on the golf course, at work, at home, or in the car, you can at times find yourself overwhelmed by this internal conversation—and in particular, your inner critic. In this message, we’ll be looking at why your internal conversation is so important, where your inner critic comes from, and what to do about it.
In this podcast Jeff Brodie will dispel myths about mental health and share some of his own personal story. He’ll also share a framework for how we can handle whatever comes our way by paying attention to our soul.
We all want to get the future right, and we all want to arrive safely at our intended destination. Follow these rules and you will get there on time and on purpose.
What if you could recapture the magic of the Christmas season? Could you rediscover a hope and joy that seem long lost? Could Christmas bring you back to something more meaningful?
In this special Christmas message with Mark Clark, we explore how the birth of Jesus Christ teaches us about the true source of joy and how we can strive to live a life full of joy as believers. We will look at the examples of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds in the Christmas story and how their actions and attitudes demonstrate a joy that transcends circumstances. We will also discuss the role of faith, hope, and love in cultivating joy in our own lives and how we can spread joy to those around us. Join us as we reflect on the beauty and significance of the Christmas season and learn how to live out the joy that it brings.
In this special Christmas message with Mark Clark, we explore how the birth of Jesus Christ teaches us about the true source of joy and how we can strive to live a life full of joy as believers. We will look at the examples of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds in the Christmas story and how their actions and attitudes demonstrate a joy that transcends circumstances. We will also discuss the role of faith, hope, and love in cultivating joy in our own lives and how we can spread joy to those around us. Join us as we reflect on the beauty and significance of the Christmas season and learn how to live out the joy that it brings.
What is the secret magic behind the posture of humility? How can you beat pride in your life, and why does God give glory to the humble? In this message, Mark Clark shares how the magic of humility comes to life in the Christmas story.
In this series called The Magic of Christmas, we’ll be talking about the real magic that fills the world and how Jesus entered history to bring us his presence, his love, his grace, his peace, his joy, and his hope. It’s a supernatural story that we want to reach into and grab hold of.
You know that you need to make change in your life, but you just can’t seem to make any progress. You wish you were more loving, more kind, had more joy, were more patient, but it feels like one step forward, two steps backward. How do you leave behind the things that hinder you and move into the things that are best for you? How do you change? What if the Holy Spirit could help? You might be surprised.
Why can the Holy Spirit be a divisive topic? What Spiritual Gift do YOU have? What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? Join in for this special Q&A as Sydney Jackson interviews Lead Pastor Jeff Brodie
What a morning to celebrate how Jesus has changed people’s lives and their choice to follow Him. It’s amazing to see what God is doing. Baptism is also a time for all of us to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus, and celebrate the freedom He brings us.
In the Christian faith, the Spirit is often best known for acting in a supernatural way. If you’ve been exposed to that, it may have seemed weird, or manipulative, or uncomfortable. When you look at Jesus and the early church you see something different. Something powerful, something impossible made possible, but also something that was a gift for a moment. We’ll be looking at the experiential gifts that can come from the Spirit, how they might look in your world.
You’ve heard the phrase Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but what is the Holy Spirit? When you investigate the Holy Spirit in the early church you realize so much more of who God is. How can you experience the Holy Spirit yourself?
A man had been dealing with his illness for 38 years, sitting by a pool waiting for something miraculous to happen, when Jesus singled him out and asked him the question, “Do you want to be healed?” What initially seems like a ridiculous question provokes a deeper look into areas of brokenness in our lives that we may not even recognize are there.
Have you ever struggled to know how to forgive yourself? How to manage that nagging guilt? About your job, your family or your finances? What if you could be forever released from that?
In a time where generosity was a measured duty, the early Church followed Jesus' example of radical, overflowing generosity.
Under the pressure of power in a cut throat culture, the early church leaders shared their hope through their non-anxious presence. Where you find your identity is where you look for peace.
In a time when truth was used as a weapon, and grace was seen as weak, the early church constantly challenged themselves to hold grace and truth at the same time, especially for those who were new to faith.
In a time when culture was polarized and turned inward, Jesus and the early church ran toward messes, reached out to the untouchable, and made space for those who wanted to follow Jesus.
Just because someone claims to be our enemy doesn't mean we must return the favour. When it comes to Jesus & retaliation, how do you decide what is appropriate and good when you feel wronged?
What is the hidden key to your emotional health? How do you manage your feelings when you start to feel out of control? Our actions rarely tell the whole story, but our reactions most certainly do. And Jesus instructs us to leverage them for good, and doing so is the key to emotional health. Andy Stanley talks you through managing your feelings and the power of complete emotional health!
What if you could release the one thing in your life that is holding you back and preventing you from reaching your true potential? In this message Joseph Swan helps you discover what God has placed in your hands and what you should do with it.
We all have our idea of what a good friend is. What a good friend should and shouldn't do. You would probably say a good friend is loyal, honest, present, and knows you in and out. A bad friend is just someone who takes and takes and never gives, who disappears when things get tough, and who doesn’t treat you the way they want to be treated. We all know what we want in a friend, but are you that person to someone else? Do we choose to be that person for someone else?
Your prayers halt heaven! They are heard, and seen by God. Don't miss this message on the importance of prayer by Pastor Vijay Krishnan!
Ann Voskamp encourages and inspires in this message as a part of the Voices series. Don't miss this incredible talk from New York Times Bestselling Author Ann Voskamp!
What do you do when you need a fresh perspective and times are hard? The book of Philippians brings hope where you might otherwise think there is none. Mark Clark leads us through this series!
What do you do when you need a fresh perspective and times are hard? The book of Philippians brings hope where you might otherwise think there is none. Mark Clark leads us through this series!
What do you do when you need a fresh perspective and times are hard? The book of Philippians brings hope where you might otherwise think there is none. Mark Clark leads us through this series!
What do you do when you need a fresh perspective and times are hard? The book of Philippians brings hope where you might otherwise think there is none. Mark Clark leads us through this series!
Humanity finds itself at a crossroads. If we keep hating each other and not trusting each other, we’ll destroy each other. Seeing this exact problem, Scripture shows God moving in a very dierent direction: to a cross. In the cross, love resolves what humans never could, paving the way back to love and trust.
In a world where spouses, kids, employers, colleagues, and friends break your trust, how can you even begin to trust people again? In this message, we’ll look at some radical teachings in Scripture and answer that question. It’s possible–more than possible.
When you only trust yourself and refuse to trust anyone else, what does that do to you over time? And what regrets does that lead to? In this special bonus episode with Dan Pink, we explore exactly that.
Who can you trust, really? Jesus said that the greatest commandment God has given us is to love him with all our heas and to love our neighbour as we love ourselves. Yet, given the carnage of the last few years, many of us have moved closer to trusting only ourselves. In this message, we’ll explore the staggering implications of trusting almost no one—or no one at all.
Let's look at five steps to punching through the paper walls of excuses and justifications to find freedom in your life.
It’s true that God loves you just the way you are, but he loves you too much to leave you that way.
Whether fueled by fear, insecurity, or a past event, many of us construct a paper wall of excuses that holds us back.
Doubt is inevitable. Whether you are exploring faith or have been a follower of Jesus for a long time, you will face seasons of doubt. We all do. So how do you handle doubt? How do you get doubt right? How did Jesus handle doubt? In this message, we look at how doubt can actually move you forward rather than set you back. In fact, it might surprise you how Jesus changes you on the other side of your doubt.
Our western world loves the pursuit of success. From social media influencers, to brands, to lifestyles - our culture loves a certain image of success. Success is something we all measure in different ways, and it’s something we all pursue. Success and failure also have a way of revealing your heart. How do you handle success well? How did Jesus see and handle success?
…When you experience pain
Pain is inevitable. We will all experience suffering in our lives. So many people’s lives get derailed by pain, by mistakes, or by broken relationships. But what does it look like to be transformed through pain instead of taken out by it? Jesus experienced pain throughout his life on earth and modelled for us a different way of handling it. It’s counterintuitive, but it takes something challenging and turns it into something life-changing.
You want to get life right. To live skillfully and even leave a legacy. But what do you do when the real, hard stuff of life happens? Nobody plans to mess life up, but it happens all the time. We try to avoid hard times and mistakes, but they happen. So what do you do in seasons of pain, conflict, doubt, or even success? How do you get them right? In this series, we’ll be looking at some of the options out there and how Jesus took a different kind of approach–one that might surprise you but also shapes your heart into more of who you were created to be.
It can be tempting to believe that your failures, struggles, and disappointments will forever determine the outcomes of your life. But there is good news. God isn’t finished with you yet, just like he wasn’t finished with Jesus after the tomb. Instead, he wants to bring new hope and resurrection to your life's dark and dead places. He wants to restore hope in you through Jesus.
Experience a meaningful Good Friday service that includes music, scripture, and communion. Join us for Good Friday as we share in communion with our friends and family to reflect on the significance of the unique love Jesus displayed for each one of us.
Life has a way of throwing circumstances our way that we can't understand or make sense of. When this happens, how can you trust God?
Sometimes it feels like you don't know where your life is headed, or how to understand what is happening around you. How do you discover God's will for your life? And what do you do when it feels like reality isn't matching up with your hopes?
Storms of life come whether we are ready or not. How can you persevere and find hope in the midst of them?
Stories. They are the accounts of who we are. It’s the summary of our stories that build our lives. Nothing is more personal than authentically listening to or sharing your story
If you were asked how Jesus lived his life on earth as a blessing, chances are you would say healings, the crucifixion, or preaching, but you probably wouldn’t say eating. However, when you look at the life of Jesus he spent much of his time at parties connecting with people and serving them. What if the key to making an impact and rekindling relationships in our polarized society is as simple as having dinner together? What if at the heart of being human is humility itself?
Over the last two years, your friendship circles have shrunk and your social skills have likely atrophied alongside them. On top of that, you can feel an awkwardness about some of your friends. Things seem more polarized, even divided. But here’s what’s exciting. As we rekindle relationships on the backside of restrictions, the Holy Spirit wants us to invite him into our conversations. It’s not another task to do, but a way of intentionally being yourself. In this series, we’ll be looking at the secret to authentically living out your faith in a way where you see God change your friend’s lives as you live yours. It’s not a program or even a radical change, it’s the possibility that opens up with an intentional shift that anyone can make, and we’re excited to share it with you.
For God so loved the world. What does that mean? Did Jesus really come FOR you? To pursue you? How did he do that and what does it mean? What invitation is extended to us?
So, God gives you a word or a message but then what? Jonah didn’t want to hear the message God gave him at first, so God again spoke to Jonah with the same message for a second time. God gave Jonah a second chance to live out the purpose He had called him to. What about you? Have you ever felt like you’ve needed a second chance with God?
In the final part of this series, Mark challenges us to remove the distractions and refocus on the mission God has called us to; to share the hope of Jesus.
Ever think that God is done with you? That it's too late to start over? You aren't the only one who has thought that. In this message, Mark Clark walks us through a turning point for Jonah in the Book of Jonah.
Jonah was going about his life, just going through the motions. He lived with fears, doubts, insecurities and even ran from God when He called out to him. What about you? If you inserted your name where Jonah’s is - how similar would that description be of your life currently?
The good news is that God wants to use you in spite of who you are or what you’ve done, not because of you.
To realize your calling seven days a week involves something the culture doesn’t understand. Rather than making your life about getting, the Gospel will challenge you to make it about giving.
Our culture is more divided than ever—vaxxed versus unvaxxed, masks versus no masks, conservatives versus progressives, church attenders who gather versus attenders who don’t. Even Christians are at a loss to know how to respond. Enter the radical idea of the church.
Going to church produces a group of people who reflect culture. Being the church produces a group of people who change culture.
One of the challenges of being alive today is that information comes at you from every direction 24/7. You know too much.
And yet you also don’t know enough. Because the most helpful information is being forgotten or lost. All of this takes us back to the Garden of Eden. This week, you’ll discover why having the knowledge of God without the wisdom of God can kill. And you’ll also see how knowing the wisdom of God can change everything for you.
If you’ve ever started watching a movie halfway through, not only is it almost impossible to figure out what’s happening, but it can look like there’s no hope for the end. But then you get to the end of the movie, and things resolve...often beautifully. Life is like that because the gospel is like that. God wins in the end. And as hard as that seems to believe, that means he’s winning now.
God’s plan for our lives is that we would “run and not grow weary, walk and not faint.” Sometimes we struggle to step into all that he has planned for us due to the weight we carry from our past. There is a better way. Because of what Jesus did at the cross, God has made a way for us to live our lives unburdened.
Every generation of Jesus followers is responsible to ensure the news of the Christian faith stays true to the original. So are you good news? What if you’re the only news someone gets?
The original message of Jesus was so compelling that everyone who heard it wanted it to be true. Maybe the version you’ve heard isn’t as captivating. If Jesus truly offered an invitation that left no one out, would you consider it really good news?
People close to Jesus were convinced they had met good personified. So they documented the story. They were convinced it wasn’t just for a nation or for a generation, but for all nations and every generation. This was good news, great joy, for all people—perhaps especially for those of us who aren’t all that good.
Like many people, you might find the Holy Spirit to be a bit of a mystery, however, scripture teaches that the Spirit can be the source of power in your life; an opportunity to experience God and even live supernaturally. But many of us don’t live that way. So where do you start?
Like many people, you might find the Holy Spirit to be a bit of a mystery, however, scripture teaches that the Spirit can be the source of power in your life; an opportunity to experience God and even live supernaturally. But many of us don’t live that way. So where do you start?
Like many people, you might find the Holy Spirit to be a bit of a mystery, however, scripture teaches that the Spirit can be the source of power in your life; an opportunity to experience God and even live supernaturally. But many of us don’t live that way. So where do you start?
“In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”.
You’ve probably heard this phrase to describe God as some part of a ceremony or service. You know what a father and a son are, but what is a ‘Holy Spirit’? How do you even relate to God as a ‘Spirit? Is it a transcendent encounter, an emotion you feel, or a weird ghost or aura?
Like many people, you might find the Holy Spirit to be a bit of a mystery, however, scripture teaches that the Spirit can be the source of power in your life; an opportunity to experience God and even live supernaturally. But many of us don’t live that way. So where do you start?
The deadly sin of sloth will affect your life physically, intellectually, and spiritually. It can find expression in laziness and idleness. Be intentional with your time and energy on the mission of loving and serving God and others to enjoy Jesus now, in daily sacrifice.
Lust is a strong passion of longing, especially for sexual desire, when we objectify another person for our own personal pleasure. It is not a private sin but also destroys the lives of others. Fight this sin actively and help one another pursue the ultimate pleasure/fulfillment found only in Jesus.
Anger is a desire for vengeance, an emotion of resentment toward others or circumstances that arise out of self-preservation and one’s life or ego being challenged or threatened. Anger is not inherently evil. Recognize when it is sinful, placing one’s life or ego above all else, and learn how to fight it. Be challenged to take on a righteous, holy anger that helps correct injustices and expresses God’s righteousness.
Envy is an emotion that occurs when another person’s success or excellence overshadows your personal well-being based on our comparisons. The sin is rooted in believing that God is not good enough in your own life. Counter this vice with kindness, and taking on the posture of Jesus - desiring the happiness of others instead of their harm. How do we fight it? Envy is countered with kindness. Kindness desires the happiness of another person, not their harm. Kindness is composed not of heroic acts of virtue, but small, daily, regular acts of goodness towards another.
The conversations you have most often are the ones you have in your own mind. And if you are honest, they are likely more negative than positive. Sometimes what you hear comes from your past, while other messages are lies you’ve picked up over time, and others show up as anxiety and self-doubt. Here’s what’s critical: How you think tends to become how you live your life. What if it were possible to move towards internal freedom and win the war in your mind?
The conversations you have most often are the ones you have in your own mind. And if you are honest, they are likely more negative than positive. Sometimes what you hear comes from your past, while other messages are lies you’ve picked up over time, and others show up as anxiety and self-doubt. Here’s what’s critical: How you think tends to become how you live your life. What if it were possible to move towards internal freedom and win the war in your mind?
Do you wonder if you're the only one with a messy, complicated, or even anxious headspace You're not alone. We all need tools to help us conquer the inner critic in our heads and this message Pastor Jeff Brodie shares some super practical tools with us!
How to Deal With Your Inner Critic - the conversations you have most often are the ones you have in your own mind. And if you are honest, they are likely more negative than positive. Sometimes what you hear comes from your past, other messages are lies you’ve picked up over time, others show up as anxiety and self-doubt. Here’s what’s critical - how you think tends to become how you live your life. What if it was possible to move towards internal freedom and win the war in your mind?
What makes you happy? Don’t think too hard about your answer ... what comes to mind first? Good food, cheering for your favourite team, an afternoon of shopping, or sitting on the beach. But what about God? Have you ever thought about his happiness? In this message, Ben unpacks how God’s happiness is tied to ours and what that means for our lives.
So you’re on the journey of rebuilding something that matters--your relationship with your daughter, your marriage, your personal finances. But as you’re making progress, the distractions start to creep in. A few extra hours at the office, some extra time on Netflix, the opinions of your friends when you say no to their invitation. So what do you do? How do you stop getting distracted from rebuilding what matters most?
Whatever road you take in life, you’re going to meet resistance and obstacles. How do you handle that? Do you push through it? Avoid it? Meet it? When you are trying to rebuild but things are standing in your way, is there a path through?
In this message, we’ll discover how to rebuild the broken parts of your life, even when you meet resistance head on.
When you look at the brokenness in your life, it can be hard to see a way out. And what are the practical steps to fix what’s broken? How do you rebuild the broken parts of your life? What can you do, today, to heal what’s hurting? In this message, we’ll share 3 practical steps you can take towards 'Rebuilding You'.
What do you do when you feel broken inside? If you’re honest, after the year we’ve had, you don’t have to look very far to see brokenness in the world around you--or in your own life.
You see people you love facing mental health challenges, marriage struggles, sickness, and even financial hardship. On the other hand, you and I are rebuilders! God calls us to be a force for change in the world.
We love a good restoration, makeover, or story of redemption. But where do we start? How do you rebuild your broken world?
Our world, in many ways, is about pursuing what’s next, what’s better, what’s greater. Greatness has really taken on a whole new level in our lives, and people of every age and stage are looking for the next best way to achieve greatness. A better job, a bigger house, a more successful business, a happier family, a higher education--it’s all a constant pursuit that on the other side can sometimes leave us with regrets. We have all been made, even created, with something in us that desires greatness. But how do we have true greatness without regrets?
We want to be open-minded, but we naturally resist things we can't control or don't understand. So how can we learn to be open to changing our ideals and beliefs, especially if we may be wrong about something? It begins with a simple prayer.
Jesus told his followers to pray to avoid temptation. But before we can pray that with a clear conscience, there are some things we need to ask ourselves first.
If God already knows my needs, why pray? Because the purpose of prayer is to surrender your will, not impose it.
At one time or another, we’ve all been told we should pray. But how should we pray? Jesus’s disciples had the exact same question.
When you look at scripture and the world around you, do you see God as a God of abundance or a God of scarcity? How you see the world impacts your generosity.
Jesus teaches on money throughout the four Gospels because he knows it is a major competitor for your heart. Money is what we use to obtain what we possess in our lives. What if generosity with your funds is vital to your contentment? What if the ancient practice of tithing could be a key to happiness in your life?
Our stuff and the money we buy it with are a part of our everyday lives. We talk about them often. However, when Jesus begins to challenge us on how we manage our resources, we can feel emotionally reluctant. Why is that?
On one hand, we live in one of the wealthiest parts of the world, and yet there’s something about our consumer-driven culture that leaves us unsatisfied. What drives that dissatisfaction? And what if we did listen to what Jesus has to say about it?
What does the bible say about managing resources? How do you actually live a kingdom-first life? Like practically ... what does that really mean? You work hard for your money and contentment ... which grants you the ability to pay for the things you need, buy the stuff you want, and afford the experiences you enjoy. ⛳🚘🎣 But does living a kingdom-first life mean you have to give all that up?
Too much stuff? Let's face it. The ease of hitting "add to cart" is a little too easy Then that package shows up on your front porch and it's exciting. If we're all honest, being home has brought out the shopping bug in all of us to fill the void of missing out. You know deep down that it only gives you a little happiness and then you're looking for the next thing to lift your spirits. What if true contentment came through something else, even something spiritual?
Over the last 15 months, our church has continued to be FOR people, and we’ve positioned ourselves to reach more people into the future. Lowering case counts and an increase in vaccinated individuals make us optimistic about opportunities to gather safely in the near future. So what does that mean for Connexus Church for the rest of 2021 as we reach people with the hope of Jesus? And how can you be a part of it?
They say that all work and no play makes jack a dull boy - could that be more true than you might think? What if play, and rest, was a crucial key to firing on all cylinders in every area of your life?
The pandemic has changed how we experience our work and see our purpose. One recent study shows that one in four employees is seriously considering a job change. While more people are working from home, others are on the front lines. Then there’s the work of home life. You will likely work 90,000 hours in your lifetime, so work is worth thinking about. Work impacts your happiness, your health, and even shapes who you become.
What if your understanding of work is distorted? What if it's not about changing your job, but changing the way you see your life? What if work could be different?
You will likely work 90,000 hours in your lifetime, so work is worth thinking about. Work impacts your happiness, your health, and even shapes who you become. What if your understanding of work is distorted? What if it's not about changing your job, but changing the way you see your life? What if work could be different?
Is Jesus God? What makes Christianity different from any other religion is that God actually entered our world and became human. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son [Jesus Christ] from the Father” (John 1:14). If this is true, isn’t it worth breaking from the busyness of your life to listen to what he has to say, to learn from what he did? Don’t you want to lean into the One who understands what it’s like to be human?
What do we do with the millions of stories held by rational, credible people that defy all logic? Belief in miracles is seen by skeptics as something for the ancient mind - the naive and uninformed - and not for modern, scientific, rational people. But what if miracles are actually probable given the universe in which we live? What if the miracles we read about in the accounts of Jesus’ life on earth really did happen? What would those miracles mean to us in our world today? Jesus’ miracles weren’t an end unto themselves. They relayed messages about God, love, humankind, and life.
Jesus was asked to sum up all of the commandments in the Bible with the single greatest command. His response was: Love God with your whole self. So why does it seem so scandalous to live out the command to love God? Contrary to what you might think, the topic of loving God is one of the most neglected ideas in modern Christianity.
Jesus has never been more popular. Some love him, applauding him as a good teacher, a political revolutionary, or a prophetic voice speaking out against the rich and powerful. Others find him bigoted, old-fashioned, and narrow minded, even as they are forced to admit that his words and teachings are utterly unique. His presence infuses our political discussions and our dinner table debates, making him impossible to ignore.
The resurrection of Jesus after the cross stirred up different responses for those at the tomb - wonder, doubt, sadness, even jubilation. What will your response be this Easter 2021? Jesus’ existence isn’t something you can simply ignore.
The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for you and for me points us to a simple need to respond because it meets you right where you are.
In our culture, our access to power, influence, and judgment is faster than our access to knowledge and relationship. It’s easy for us to jump on the bandwagon and cancel someone without truly knowing all the facts. As we look to influence people with the platform of our lives, how do we navigate our polarized world? What does it look like to engage a culture that cancels individuals so quickly? How did Jesus respond to someone being cancelled right in front of him?
In our culture, our access to power, influence, and judgment is faster than our access to knowledge and relationship. It’s easy for us to jump on the bandwagon and cancel someone without truly knowing all the facts. As we look to influence people with the platform of our lives, how do we navigate our polarized world? What does it look like to engage a culture that cancels individuals so quickly? How did Jesus respond to someone being cancelled right in front of him?
It seems like our culture is growing increasingly frustrated, contentious, and hostile. Social media is always ready to pounce on its next victim. If you are honest, under the pressure of our world, you’ve privately torn down, gossiped about, ghosted, or blamed someone this year. Culture can tell you it’s okay to hurt someone--even cancel them-- in the name of truth.
Jesus has a radically different view of how you can approach your life. A way of living so freely that it’s worth cancelling your membership in today’s polarized culture.
It’s common for couples who aren’t getting along to start treating one another as opponents. But as Jesus reminds us, a house divided against itself cannot stand. Instead, we can choose to fight for ‘we’ instead of ‘me.’ When we agree to share power and operate as a team, we will be able to live out our marriage from a spirit of unity. Toni talked about three ways people can move past their conflict and bring more peace into their marriage.
It’s common for couples who aren’t getting along to start treating one another as opponents. But as Jesus reminds us, a house divided against itself cannot stand. Instead, we can choose to fight for ‘we’ instead of ‘me.’ When we agree to share power and operate as a team, we will be able to live out our marriage from a spirit of unity. Toni talked about three ways people can move past their conflict and bring more peace into their marriage.
Many relationships experience a slow slide into prolonged conflict. The person you once loved becomes the person you now loathe. When you’re in that situation, many people begin to imagine they’d better off with someone else...or anybody else. Surely they’d treat you better. Care about you. Respect you. Be kind to you. True? Not so fast… There is a way to turn the person you now loathe into the person you once again love.
Have you ever fought in your relationships? 😠 Maybe you're in the spot right now in your relationship where you can't help but think "this is not what I signed up for when I said yes." Or if things are great right now, you're probably thinking, "it can't get that bad, can it?" 🥰
Toni Nieuwhof and Carey Nieuwhof share some practical skills and dig into what the Bible has to say as they unpack how to find what you really want for the future of your relationship.
I respectfully disagree. How do you talk to someone you disagree with? Tough question, right? Meaningful conversation has become something that's so hard to grasp in our current culture of social change, where there are so many differing opinions, varied perspectives, and opposing views.
So when it comes down to it, how can you have meaningful conversations with the people you care about - even when you might dare to disagree with them? The Bible actually has a lot to say on this topic and this weekend we're jumping right in as The Hangover series continues with Jeff Brodie.
2020 was a year of extremes. You experienced more ups and downs, adversity and prosperity, suffering and success than usual. We’ve all experienced it differently, but we’ve seen a common theme: there’s something about the ups and downs of life that reveals our hearts and what’s important to us.
Even after the pandemic is over, suffering and success will be a part of life. As we look ahead, how do we find meaning in those moments? They might have more in common than you think.
Are you looking for less distraction in your life? Seriously. Anyone else get stuck in the mindless scroll? 🙋♀️🙋♂️Or maybe a couple of extra episodes on Netflix? Or just a few more emails from work?
We get it. These days are LONG. You're stuck at home. Your kids are asking for the 38th snack of the day. You barely get one meal cleaned up before the next happens. Work is difficult ... it feels like everyone wants everything, now.
So a few minutes to yourself is a good thing, right?
But what if there was something more? A way you could turn the time you have on its head. Instead of making it to the next episode, you were looking forward to the next meaningful moment.
In this message we're unpacking what it would look like to add more meaning to the way you use your time management. Not just for today, but for the long term.
Are you looking to build meaning relationships? Just when you think you've got a handle on things ... everything changes again 🤯 Work friends, best friends, neighbours, family ... they're all relationships we may strive to keep. But just because something has always been, doesn't mean it's something that always will be. So, what do you do?
How do you determine the relationships you should begin to invest in, the relationships to continue to hold on to, and even the relationships you need to move on from?
How do you start building deeper more meaningful relationships in an ever-changing world?
What brings meaning to your life? Be honest...your 2020 was a bit of a bust. Do you even remember your pre-pandemic life? Who knew the isolation, fear, or frustration you would face? At the same time, you did learn some things about yourself. So where does that leave you? What if your new year was pivotal for all the right reasons? This year, discover deeper meaning in your life.
In this series, we’re going to look at lessons from 2020 through scripture and apply them in a way that brings genuine meaning to your relationships, your time, and your struggles.
In many ways, we are living in a time of accelerated change. 2020 was a year where we experienced things we’ve never experienced before, and life will never be the same. But how do you move from seeing change as a threat to seeing it as an opportunity? How do you move from surviving to dreaming again?
We all want to win. After all, winning is better than not winning. In a game a win is defined, but life is not a game. And winning in the most important areas of our lives isn’t always clear. So, how do we win?
Christmas 2020 has been a year that no one expected, and you may be asking, can God still move in times like these? We believe God is going to do something amazing this Christmas as you look for hope in the unexpected, and start some new Christmas traditions.
Are you in need of hope in a time of hopelessness? What happens in your waiting, when you've been waiting for what feels like forever? Does worry or depression creep in? Does anxiousness overwhelm? Maybe even darkness appears in your life. In those moments of worry, anxiousness, or darkness, what can you do? Who can you turn to?
How do you wait? 🌿Are you anxious when waiting? Do you get frustrated when you have to wait? Or maybe you're a patient person?
You’ve held out for hope this year. The hope of lifted restrictions, perhaps the hope of a vaccine, the hope of a healthy diagnosis, or just hope for some good news in your life. You know what it means to wait for hope. Maybe you are still waiting. The accounts of Christmas are a picture of humanity holding out hope. The hope of something more, something better.
Our founders, Toni and Carey Nieuwhof, shared lessons on life, leadership, and ministry they have learned over the past 25 years. A conversation on the highlights and insights from the early days of launching Connexus until today, plus a look ahead to the future as we continue to create a church that unchurched people love.
So you’re attracted to the drama in other people’s lives but resist it in your own. Agreed. It’s so much easier to see the drama than it is to be the drama.
It’s also infinitely more disappointing and perhaps unfaithful. Moses knew that first hand. When God called him, he listed five reasons he wanted to stay out of the story. Five reasons he wanted out. He finally relented, and we’re still talking about it thousands of years later. Lesson: God could use someone else, but what if you get to do it?
You probably have a picture of what God should be doing...the way the story should go. Except it never seems to turn out that way. As a result, a lot of people conclude God isn’t real, or that God isn’t all powerful or all loving. Is it possible to know how to have faith when it feels like God is losing?
But what if, in the very moment you thought God was losing, he’s winning? And what if that’s true in your life too? You think God is losing...but he’s winning.
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From the time you were young, you probably tried to avoid failure. Everyone does. But what if failure is exactly the thing you need to prepare you for what’s ahead? So many people think God is absent in failure, but as Joseph learned when he met failure after failure, God is far more present than you think. Which means there’s hope for you and for me.
Every great movie, novel and story features twists, turns, disappointments and failures, which is largely what makes the story gripping. You love it when you don’t know what will happen next. Here’s the strange part: you’re attracted to that kind of drama in other people’s lives, but you resist it in your own.
Instead, you long for predictability and stability. You might even wonder if the presence of setbacks and failure in your life is a sign that God has left you. What if nothing could be further from the truth?
What does it look like to live freely? What does spiritual freedom even look like? Why do I know I should live one way, but consistently find myself struggling to make a change? A relationship with God isn’t just about getting to an eternal destination, but it’s about transformation. As you aspire to leave your old roads, paths, and patterns behind and start new patterns that point to Jesus, where do you find the strength you need to make a change in your life? How do you live in freedom? What if God has a way to strengthen you to choose what’s best? This week we are talking about the role of the Holy Spirit in our transformation.
Is there an easy way to master your emotions? When you find yourself in a 'situation' is your first response to respond emotionally or rationally? Think about these for a moment ... What is your response when your boss asks you to work overtime, again, yet they haven't even thanked you for the last time you stayed longer? When you find yourself late for the family photos because your spouse needed to change their outfit one last time to make everything 'perfect', what boils up inside of you? Emotions. The good and the not so great - we all have them. Let's dig into how to control your emotions together.
What does it mean to follow Jesus? Is it just about obeying rules and being a good person? Is it becoming the best version of yourself? Is the Christian life only about heaven and hell or is there more to it than that? What is the whole point of life on earth for those who choose Jesus? We’ll be sharing God’s ultimate goal for your life and what the road to finding it looks like.
Your desire to blame is an attempt to cover your shame. And there’s a lot of shame circulating these days. Most people believe you can’t be fully known and fully loved, so they hide and try to make themselves look better so people won’t judge them. Jesus comes along with a message of radical acceptance that turned the ancient world—and this world—upside down.
When Adam and Eve sinned, the accusations flew, and no one took responsibility. Not only did the blame start, so did the shame. For the first time, Adam and Eve realized they were naked. And they were ashamed. That sounds like a lot of relationships. Mercifully, God clothed them, and later, Jesus clothed all of us with his grace and a call into a new way of life.
Why is life so hard? That’s a great question, and while the answer doesn’t take the pain away, it’s much easier to understand when you realize that your story, like every story, has a beginning, middle and end. Knowing where you are in your story makes it much easier to understand, accept, trust and even thrive.
Do you ever feel like who you really are was stolen? Like something’s missing? You know your life isn’t exactly the way it’s supposed to be. And neither are you. You have amazing intentions, but you struggle to fulfill them. You fall in love, but mess up the relationship. You get your dream job and it turns into a nightmare. You've met your goal, but there's still a gnawing emptiness. You keep trying, but it never quite works out. What’s going on? A journey into the Garden of Eden explains more than you think.
What would it take for you to be FOR your friends, family and neighbours in this weird season? So much of what we do and how we do it has changed, including the people we interact with. But what if there were ways we could be FOR the people in our lives and cities like never before? What if, we stepped into the corner of those around us in tangible, helpful, and potentially life-changing ways?
Do you ever have those moments where you say something and immediately want to take it back? Or you hear your little one repeat something you've said and wish they hadn't? We've all been there.
You struggle with control and expectations in certain relationships. We all do. Have you felt that in your marriage or with your significant other? Do you often want to micro-manage the choices your kids are making? Does it seem like things are spinning out of control at home with everything that’s going on? Should you “let go” of something you care so deeply about? Family relationships can be hard, but what God has to say about your relationships can make all the difference. This week we explored how the teachings of scripture point us to a greater purpose in our families than we might see in the moment.
Want to know how to stop worrying and start living? We all face moments when we feel powerless. How should we respond when hardships, calamities, and insults come our way? Our world often tells us that these types of situations are to be avoided or eased at all costs. That we should try to control or escape. But is that the best option?
We will be looking at what scripture has to say about the moments when we feel like things are out of our control.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS https://wp.me/a7n2nP-8ew
How do the people around you experience your need for control? Control is really about having power, and how we use that power is important. Who do you have power over? How do you use that power to make a difference in the lives of those around you? Control doesn’t inspire people the way influence does. Control makes temporary progress, but it rarely makes a lasting difference.
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Was Jesus really all that Christians believe him to be? What if Jesus was just a "good guy" doing good things? Was he a prophet or the saviour of the world? What is Jesus really all about? In this message with pastor Mark Clark, we will explore how understanding who Jesus is changes everything.
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Where is God when we suffer? Perhaps one of the greatest questions of our modern human existence. If God really exists, then why do bad things still happen? If God is so good and loving, then why does He let evil take place? Isn't He supposed to be a "good" God? Let’s dive in as we discuss the role that evil and suffering have in our understanding of what is “good”.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS https://wp.me/a7n2nP-86J
A long-standing difference can be seen in the number of debates, papers, essays, and discussions had on the opposing ideas of evolution and creation. How can we know what is true? What do these ideas teach us about God in the midst of their differences? Maybe these two ideas can both lead us to uncover more about who God is and what He desires for us.
Is God real? As we process different thoughts, concepts, and ideas to inform our own worldview and beliefs, reason is often considered independently from faith and faith in opposition to reason. Could it be that faith and reason aren’t actually in opposition to each other, but rather complement each other? Can we find out what the Bible says about these two ideas, or will we find many Bible contradictions?
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Healing is something we all look for in our lives at certain moments. Maybe it’s physical healing, or divine healing in a relationship, or healing from hurts of the past. What if Jesus wants to bring a greater purpose to your pain? Need a miracle prayer or a prayer for healing?What if Jesus wants to put His power on display through your circumstances? God often works in unexpected ways, but ultimately His goal is to put His power on display by seeing your life changed.
We all have a story, which Jesus wants to be a part of. He has a purpose for each of our lives. We can sometimes view our mistakes and failures as obstacles to living out this purpose and experiencing His love and forgiveness. When Jesus sees us, He doesn’t see the sin, but because of what He accomplished on the cross, He sees us as righteous, pure, clean and innocent.
When we look at our lives, sometimes we can focus on the things that didn’t work out how we’d hoped. Then we can look ahead and worry about the outcomes in our future. But what if we’re missing the fact that Jesus is working in our lives right where we are, today? What if we could hope in His faithfulness throughout our life and see Him on the journey today? What if He has a bigger story in mind?
In this conversation with Deniel and Jeff, we explore how you process what you are seeing and respond to racism today. As you watch heartbreaking footage all around you, what do you do with your emotions? What does scripture say about the sin of racism? How can we change our hearts to align ourselves with the teachings of Jesus?
As you build your new normal, what should it look like? It’s far too easy to substitute new things that ultimately collapse for old things that collapsed and fail to satisfy you. Ultimately, Jesus, and all that he brings, is the only thing that doesn’t collapse when your life does.
So far in this series, we’ve seen that not everything you lost was worth keeping, and that trying to build a life around a kingdom without a King can crush you. This week we’ll look at what might really have been driving some of what you accumulated in your life prior to COVID, and how to allow God to reset your life around your real identity. Your real identity is one that’s received, not achieved.
There’s a story widely circulating in the culture. You were born good. Something happened, and your inner self was wounded. To find your true self is your life’s purpose and the ultimate pathway to true happiness, satisfaction and pleasure. Any form of difficulty, commitment, push back or restriction is a threat to finding who you're meant to be and your ultimate fulfillment. Throw off all limits and rise against any oppression, and you’ll find yourself.
Mark Sayers is one of the most profound thinkers and cultural commentators today. In this interview, Mark explains how the current pandemic almost instantly deconstructed and threatened both consumer Christianity and secular salvation, he shares principles on how to lead through the COVID crisis, and offers some insight into what the new post-pandemic church and world might look like.
The last 60 days have changed the world and your world like never before. Some of the things you used to put your hope and trust in crumbled overnight. So...what are you left with? Like a garage sale, you might discover in this pandemic that there are some things that used to have great value to you that you just don’t want (or need) anymore.
Does God speak to us through people? Can we know how to hear the voice of God clearly? This week, lead pastor Jeff Brodie talks about hearing God's voice by giving godly people permission to speak into your life. This is the final part to our series on how to hear God's voice.
When people say they hear from God, it can often feel like something foreign or even a bit odd. Do regular people hear from God? Who is the Holy Spirit and what does He have to do with hearing God speak? In this week’s message, we looked at the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives - specifically how the Holy Spirit can help us to hear God’s voice in our lives. Let’s continue the journey of using this time to hear God’s voice more clearly than ever before.
You get a gut feeling, you hear a whisper, you feel a desire come up in your soul...is that God speaking to you? How do you know it’s not just your own voice? Or maybe you pray and pray and never hear anything. Does that mean God doesn’t have anything to say about your life? We looked at how to start a practical approach to discerning whether God is really speaking to you and how you can know that God is speaking into your life. This week we looked specifically at how to engage scripture. Will you get ready for the next step in hearing from God and discerning whether He is speaking to you?
Need help parenting in quarantine? Well, COVID-19 has certainly brought some unique challenges for families. If you’re a parent, you’re now finding yourself trying to educate, navigate extra screen time, find space for conversations, and make sure your kids stay healthy mentally. How can you balance it all?
The world is full of noise vying for your attention every day, but you rarely think about it. Who are the voices you listen to most? What about the voice of God? Do you hear His voice at all? If He spoke, would you know it’s Him? Or maybe it’s just something you ate. We’ll be looking at what the voice of God sounds like and how you can use solitude to begin to hear it.
Do you ever wonder if it's possible to hear God's voice? We hear about it in the Bible, but does He still speak to people in a personal way today? Join Jeff Brodie as he hosts 3 other staff members from Connexus Church, as they share their real life experiences hearing from God in their day to day lives.
So if Jesus already died on Friday, why would he return on Sunday? If the resurrection even happened, why does it matter? Join us for an Easter Celebration as we discover why Easter matters so much to each and every one of us. We will be celebrating the incredible hope of the resurrection of Jesus at our Easter services and it’s going to be a powerful morning!
Do you ever wonder why Easter still matters? Or does it? Did Jesus live? If he did, did he really die on a cross and come back to life? Where’s the proof and what does it all mean? Join us for a Live Q&A and bring your questions! Jeff Brodie, is hosting Carey Nieuwhof (Connexus Founder) & Vijay Krishnan (Lead Pastor of The Well) as they tackle your toughest questions about Easter and the Christian faith. Plus, they’ll be joined by Andy Walker, worship leader at Connexus Church, as he shares the significance of Easter to him through music.
We live in uncertain times, and what happens if you find yourself in the midst of a faith crisis as a result? Walk away? Dig in? Maybe there's a way that you can lean into God even in the midst of uncertain circumstances.
Covid-19 has radically changed our world over the last few weeks. As you adjust to your new normal, maybe you're finding yourself in the midst of doubt and disappointment. In the midst of that, how can you find hope?
Hope is what you have. Faith is what you build. How do we build faith in the face of isolation? There is a difference between solitude and isolation, but there is something counterintuitive about solitude that allows us to hear from God.
Fear is contagious, but so is hope. Hope is more powerful than fear. Let’s be people who share hope. In a culture of fear, let’s choose to be FOR people.
We live in a culture that tells us "You are worthy, look inside yourself." But where does that end? What if your version of what's right and true doesn't mesh with someone else's? What do you do when we start hitting the roadblocks of defining your own morality?
What a morning to celebrate how Jesus has changed people’s lives and their choice to follow Him. It’s amazing to see what God is doing. Baptism is also a time for all of us to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus, and celebrate the freedom He brings us.
Maybe your marriage is.... ok.... but that's as far as it goes? What if you could move past that, like way past that? What if you could move your mairrage from just surviving to totally thriving? Don't miss this special interview with Toni Nieuwhof as she pulls the lid off of some of the top marriage tips and troubles.
Looking for relationship advice for breakups? We all have hopes and dreams, but what are we supposed to do when our hearts are broken and our dreams can’t come true? It’s tempting to take matters into our own hands, but is there a better way?
If you don’t want a relationship like the majority of relationships, don’t date like the majority of daters. It can be easy to blend, bend, and pretend in order to get in or stay in a relationship. But we need to ask ourselves: Am I losing myself in order to do so?
Many times, we learn from our mistakes in the areas that matter least, but we repeat our mistakes in the areas that matter most. So how can we ensure that the next time won’t be like the last time? Instead of being a conformer, it’s time to be a transformer.
From elementary school through high school, many of us had ideas of what the perfect relationship would look like in the future. While those dreams may not represent our current reality, a step in the right direction could be to follow the apostle Paul’s advice—move from our childish ways and start being grownups.
If becoming the right kind of person is key to a great relationship, how do you do that? Is there something you can do to prepare? Does it just happen? Sure, we’re supposed to love others, but what does that really mean? Let’s lean in and read the fine print.
In relationships, we often believe if we find the right person it will make everything right. So we ask ourselves, “Is this the right person for me?” Maybe we need to be asking a different question—a question that shifts our focus from seeking the right kind of person to becoming the right kind of person.
If you were designed by God and sin marred that design, how do you push past those limits to reach your potential? The answer is, surprisingly, through the redemptive work of Jesus. Following Jesus doesn’t just change eternity, it changes your present. The path to spiritual and emotional health is the key to redeeming the image of God in you.
So you were created by God to be a certain way, but somehow sin got in the way. You have great intentions, but they’re difficult to realize. You try your best, but you fail. What gives? Were your personality flaws part of God’s design? Is this just how He made you? When sin entered the picture, so did un-health. And as we’ll see this week, lurking beneath your wiring is a wound.
So...why isn’t everyone a little more like you? The world would be a better place, would it not? Apparently, not. When God designed humankind, he pronounced his work to be very good. However, as the Enneagram reveals, He didn’t make us all the same. Maybe the differences aren’t deficiencies, they’re design.
The Enneagram is an ancient personality type profile, and over the last two years Ian Morgan Cron’s book, The Road Back To You, has helped several hundred thousands of people discover what their number means.
Ian talks to Carey about how the Enneagram can help grow your self-awareness and how to reduce conflict at work and at home by understanding how different personality types work. They also discuss the Enneagram as a spiritual growth tool.
Resolutions are a decision to put in some extra effort to achieve a goal. But when it comes to our faith, often growth comes faster when we step out into what God calls us to - taking a risk more so than making a resolution. Why is that? Where does reading scripture and prayer fit into this? What would 2020 look like if you chose to “step out of the boat”?
The Church is remarkable. And against all odds, it changed the world. There is still a great deal that needs changing. By God’s grace and with your help, perhaps we can be a small part of bringing about that change.
You might sometimes feel like life, fate, and even God are against you. What if this Christmas you discovered a God who is FOR you?
God’s grace to us is an invitation to be amazing. It’s our chance to extend to others what God has freely extended to us. But while most of us are full of something . . . it’s usually not grace. So what are you full of? And what would it take for you to give someone what they don’t expect? Or deserve?
The kingdom of God is characterized by unsettling generosity —the kind of generosity that gives the undeserving what they don’t deserve and regardless of how unright we’ve been, makes us right with God. So what do we do when we’re faced with this math that doesn’t add up? And how do we respond to this unfair, unsettling system that Jesus came to invite us into?
There is an unsettling solution for just about everything, and we can sum it up in one word. Grace. It’s the undeserved, unearned, unearnable favor that Jesus came to offer us. So why wouldn’t we want Christianity to be true? And where should you start if it’s a word that was never part of the equation for you?
Don't miss the incredible full stories of God moving in the lives of these 5 women. Today, we share the FULL stories of what God is doing in their lives. On Sunday, we saw them publicly share their faith in Jesus, tell about how God is moving in their lives, and take the step of baptism together. Listen in on the stories of Jennifer, Megan, Nicole, Nicole, and Carol-Anne.
How can you be FOR your community during this Christmas season? The Christmas Season marks the beginning of the final month of the year, which often means people are more generous, more compassionate and more giving of their time. But what if we not only ended the year this way but began the next year this way? What if we not only finished strong but started strong, too?
Is hell real? If so, what is it like? Very few people take hell seriously anymore. These days, hell has been reduced to a joke, a swear word, a cartoon, or a reality only mean-spirited people believe in. If that’s the case, why did Jesus appear to take hell so seriously? Hell isn’t actually an Old Testament concept. While the Old Testament barely mentions hell, the New Testament, Jesus and others talk about it a lot. What’s going on? IWe’ll work through your top questions about hell this weekend.
So if you’re going to live forever, what’s it like? This week, we’ll look at the biblical descriptions of heaven, what role Jesus plays, what role your deeds play (they do play a role, just not the one most people think), and we’ll answer your top questions on heaven as submitted through Instagram.
A lot of people struggle to believe what they read in Scripture. Instead, they argue that they’d be more likely to believe if someone came back from the dead and told them about what happens when you die. In Part 2 of What Happens When You Die, we look at the stories of three people who did just that.
Almost everyone has an opinion about the afterlife, but so many things people believe about eternity may or may not be true. How do you know whether what you think is true...is true? To kick off the series, we’ll cover five commonly held myths about eternity (like everything works out just fine) that it’s time to bust.
In your life, when the gap between the real and the ideal is growing, you can end up filling that gap with worry, anxiety, and fear. If you are honest, sometimes your worry about all the possible outcomes is worse than the situation itself. The truth: Worry erodes resilience. How do you maintain your resilience in the face of worry and anxiety. What if you could face hard things while winning the war against worry at the same time?
One of the things that rattles us most are difficult relationships. Sometimes we need resilience when people are difficult, and sometimes we need to keep fighting for a relationship with someone we love. Often we need resilience to navigate a relationship we didn’t choose (like a co-worker or a neighbour). How do we bounce back when the gap grows between the reality of a relationship and the ideal that we would hope for? With conflict being a big part of relational challenges, how do we keep our composure? As we look at Paul’s life the answer may not be what we think.
When it comes to most circumstances and relationships in your life you have an ideal in mind or your own idea of how it should go (even subconsciously). The problem comes when the gap between the real and the ideal begins to grow, especially when it’s something or someone you care about. That’s when you are shaken. How do you grow in resilience to handle those gaps?
John Townsend is one of today’s top business consultants, leadership coaches, psychologists and best selling author of 35 books. John shares why most leaders have the wrong kind of relationships in their lives, and how to find the best ones. And as a bonus, John explains how to clearly say no and establish boundaries in a way that doesn’t hurt people.
As much as there are some things we should delete in our lives, there are some things that should never be blocked. In fact, they need to be saved, added and followed. Pursued. We’ll look at the kinds of things--and the kinds of people--you want to always have close to you.
Dr. Henry Cloud coaches Fortune 100 company CEOs and top church leaders, and shares what they all have in common.
He also offers strategies on how to overcome common dysfunctional behaviours we all struggle with like broken thinking, dealing with problem people and more.
Can you follow Jesus and delete toxic people from your life? Surprisingly, yes. In fact, sometimes it's the most loving thing you can do. Join us to find out why, when, how to delete toxic people from your life. You might even discover who needs to go.
One of the reasons many shy away from the Christian faith or avoid going deeper is because they fear giving up things they like, even though they suspect they may not be good for them. Can you be a Christian without being a prude?
Ever asked God to help you? Sure you have. What might surprise you is the response you find in scripture to that prayer. Practical help for your life might be closer than you think, and a little more uncomfortable than you think.
What goes around often comes around. The powerless often find themselves in a position of power and the people who hurt us may someday need us. In the moments when we’ve got those people right where we want ‘em, what we say will say as much about us as anything else. If our words are stones, will we choose to throw them, or use them to pave the way forward?
Our big mouths can be destructive, but they also have the power to build others up. What we say can impact the quality, and even the direction, of the lives of the people around us. How can we use this power for good?
Like a small spark that has the potential to scorch an entire green forest, our tongues are untamable, with the power to control our whole bodies. We have a tool that can be used to build up those around us or tear them down in just a few words. What do we do with that kind of power? We can’t lock it away. But we can, by God’s grace, learn to control it.
We all know what it’s like to be hurt by someone who just couldn’t listen long enough to understand us. Maybe in their attempt to be right, they damaged a relationship that could have been saved with a little patience and curiosity. You’ve probably been on the other side of that coin too. Taking the verbal offense may have won the argument but you lost relationally. What if we didn’t settle for being right, but tried to make things right instead? The longer we listen the more we learn, and the better chance we have of protecting ourselves from our own big mouths.
In this bonus episode for our series on character called "To-Be List", Carey interviews Joel Manby, former CEO of SeaWorld. Joel took over SeaWorld just after the airing of the infamous "Blackfish" documentary and talks candidly and humbly about character and the cost of high capacity leadership.
You have a million things on the go, and because you don’t want to be selfish, chances are you put everything and everyone ahead of yourself. That’s potentially a fatal mistake. Maybe the key to being a better follower of Jesus, a better spouse, a better parent and a better human is actually putting yourself first when it comes to personal growth.
Whatever your sense of morality is, the frightening truth is that we all fail to live up to it? Why...and how do you keep coming up short? Surprisingly, compromise never starts with the big stuff. It’s way more subtle than that. When you see how compromise starts, you can change it.
Carey Nieuwhof
To Be List - Part 1 - Meanwhile, At Your Funeral...
As much as no one likes to talk about it, one day we’re all going to not be here anymore. So here’s the socially awkward question: what will people be saying about you at your funeral? After doing hundreds of funerals, pastors have a pretty good idea of what people say at funerals. And that’s the question we’ll look at this weekend is what will people say about you? It’s not that hard to predict.
Don't miss this touching bonus episode where Carey has a heartfelt conversation with Levi and Jenni Lusko on the loss of their daughter.
Levi Lusko When we face pain and loss, they change the story we had planned for our lives. They can end our dreams. But what do pain and loss look like when we try to see the world as God sees the world, and to do as God says?
Andy Stanley We tend to view our time the same way we view our money—we spend, invest, and waste it. The question is: how does God view time? If we saw it as he sees it, it might affect the way we use our own.
Andy Stanley Seeing your money and possessions as God sees them will make you more inclined to do with them as God says. That can revolutionize your life.
Clay Scroggins How you see the world affects everything you do. It even affects how you see God. What would it take for you to broaden your view so you can see God more accurately and connect with him more deeply?
Jeff Henderson What do you do when you feel stuck at work? You’re grateful you have a job, but you feel like there’s something else you need to be doing. How do you pay the bills and still pursue a dream job? Many people give up. You don't have to be one of those people. In the conclusion of Dream Job, we talk about what to do in the middle of the Monday-morning blues and the search for your dream job.
Jeff Henderson
Once we understand the purpose of work, we have to understand the answer to another important question: "What does God specifically want me to do with my career?" This question sounds similar to a question we all were asked as kids: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" For many of us, these questions seem mysterious. The good news is that in Part 2 of Dream Job, we will look at a tangible biblical principle that puts us on the path toward discovering the answer.
Jeff Henderson
Many of us spend over 30% of our lives at a job and, according to Gallup, almost 80% of us are dissatisfied while we’re there. That’s rather depressing, isn’t it? We’ll spend almost a third of our lives on something that creates dissatisfaction. Are we okay with this?
Perhaps we need to hit the reset button and rediscover what “work” is all about and where it came from. When we do, we discover something remarkable: the idea that work came from our heavenly Father. It’s his idea. And when we understand work from God’s perspective, we discover the real meaning and purpose behind it.
When we discover the purpose of work, we discover that there is no such thing as a job without purpose. This means that all of us can experience something remarkable: a job with purpose, meaning, and satisfaction. In other words, a dream job.
What a morning to celebrate how Jesus has changed people’s lives and their choice to follow Him. It’s amazing to see what God is doing. Baptism is also a time for all of us to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus, and celebrate the freedom He brings us.
How can you tell what’s right and what’s wrong? Fortunately, many would say, we live in an age where objective truth has disappeared. What’s true for you isn’t true for others, and what’s wrong for you isn’t wrong for others. But is it truly good for us when morals change from generation to generation and you can write your own? Or, are we missing something?
So what exactly is the purpose of your life? Well, you’ve heard it. Live your best life. Become the best version of yourself. You do you. But is self-fulfillment really all it’s cracked up to be? You might be surprised.
Why would anyone living today trust the Bible? After all, it’s so full of terrible instances of violence and oppression that it has to be both barbaric and outdated. Besides, you can’t really rely on a document that’s over 2000 years old. It’s been translated so often there’s very little likelihood that what we’re reading is what was written. Right?
Religion is basically how ancients understood the world, but science has taken us so far beyond that. Between what we know about evolution, astronomy, genetics, biology and so many other sciences, we’ve explained what we used to attribute to God. If science explains or will explain everything, why do we really need God?
We celebrated the incredible hope of the resurrection of Jesus at our Easter services and it was a powerful morning! Tune in for to catch our online experience of this service.
We’ve hosted a meaningful Good Friday services across all locations that included a reflection on the death of Christ and an opportunity to mark the moment with communion. These services are a little different and are always a special time.
Most of people either feel not very good about themselves or too good about themselves. Both are problems. And both are rooted in something sinister that Jesus would love to root out of your life. Once it’s gone, a much better understanding of what true success is can emerge.
So how do you know you’re good with God? How deeply do you have to obey? How often can you mess up? If you blow it, will God give up on you? Will he be mad at you? Will he punish you? These are good questions...but only religious people ask them. Christians ask a whole other set of questions, and Jesus shows us why.
It’s so easy to worry, and if you’re honest, it probably seems a little annoying when Jesus tells you to simply stop worrying (which he does). The real questions is how? We’ll look at what Jesus says the chief causes of worry are, and what to do about them.
In this interview, Carey talks with author and pastor John Ortberg about what’s wrong with how we define salvation, how a better understanding can change lives (including yours), and why you may not need to wait for heaven to experience more of God or the life you long for.
Family life comes with decisions and challenges every day. How we see and approach our families is important, but there’s also some everyday practical stuff. How do you tackle screen time, bedtime, dating, when do they get a phone, how do you manage their behaviour - this list could go on! On this week we had a panel of parents at different phases to answer the tough questions and have a conversation about the everyday challenges, opportunities, and rhythms of family.
Statistics say that the three biggest factors in building a faith that lasts in the life of a child are the spiritual investment of a parent, the outside voices of other adults, and the opportunity for that child to find a personal mission. That’s why having a family rhythm of faith and having outside voices speaking into your family are so important. That’s why a partnership with a church is so important for every family. This week, we’re looking at exactly what that could look like for you.
The honest truth is that every family fights. Some fight hot and others fight cold. Conflict is a part of family life. Is it possible to fight in a way that honours our family and our God? What if we started to think about fighting for our family instead of with our family? What if we started to fight for the heart of our family by inspiring them by living out a faith of adventure? What would that look like?
No matter what phase your family is in, you’ve discovered one thing...though the days can feel long, the years really are short. From sleepless nights to managing screen time to an empty nest, figuring out family life isn’t easy and the truth is that every phase seems to be different. How do you thrive in the phase you are in today and be sure that you are headed in the right direction in the long-term? In this series, we’ll be talking about strategies to navigate the pressures of family, timeless principles that apply to parenting, and discover the hope that, no matter your phase of life, God may be writing a bigger story in your family than you think.
It’s easy to love your friends, but it’s almost impossible to love your enemies. Which is exactly why Jesus tells you to do just that. One of the defining characteristics of people who follow Jesus should be love for their enemies. If you think it’s impossible to do that, think again.
If you really want to get countercultural, just look at Jesus’ teachings on sex, marriage and adultery. Almost nobody believes that stuff anymore. Except for Jesus. When it comes to Jesus’ alternative teachings on sex and relationships, maybe it’s not just a question of what he’s longing to save you from. Maybe it’s a question of what Jesus is trying to save you for.
Well known. Poorly applied. That’s an accurate way of describing so many of Jesus’ teachings, including his teachings on anger. Some people think Jesus was just spouting hyperbole. Actually, he was ushering in His Alt Kingdom. We’ll start this journey with Jesus’ teachings on anger. If you think you have a right to be angry, think again.
It’s one thing to know how everything turns out and to decide for the side of good and the side of God, but it’s another thing to make it until then. In the meantime, suffering remains—cancer, addictions, broken relationships, conflict, tragedy. Is personal anxiety, stress and fear always bound to be on the rise? In this final week of the series, we’ll share a critical key to navigating the personal suffering that seems inevitable in this world.
In this interview, Carey talks with author John Burke and asks, "What can we learn from the thousands of near death experiences people have reported? Are they consistent with biblical depictions of heaven? John Burke shares years of research he's done comparing NDEs and Scripture to bring us a vivid and fascinating account of what happens after people die.
In this interview, Carey and Jeff discuss some of the more complex sections from biblical passages about the end of the world. Join Jeff and Carey as they do a deeper dive into the Antichrist, the rapture, and so much more of what Scripture says (and doesn't say) about the final days.
It’s great to know how things end, but in the meantime, what’s with evil? So often evil seems to be winning, and so many people are angry at God for letting that happens. It’s a good point. If God is so loving, why does he allow so much evil and suffering? While that question is difficult to answer convincingly, God does something more spectacular and powerful with evil. Eventually, evil self-destructs. And when evil throws itself at God, he does something unbelievable with it.
So what exactly will happen next? Will we blow ourselves up? Will AI take over and turn us into a sub-species? Will climate change wipe us out? Will God allow any of this, or will he protect the people he loves and we’ll magically work it all out? Jesus has a lot to say about what’s coming, and with it, extends a powerful invitation.
Most of us hold the idea that the future will always get better...that somehow we will figure this out. But the question is, can we? Is this even true? We’ll look at two ancient stories that tell us more about ourselves than most of us want to admit, and realize why the struggle apart from God is more futile than we think. Are people inherently good, or a mixed bag? Is there a limit to human progress? And if we’re so enlightened, why do we keep almost destroying ourselves again and again?
The New Year is full of possibilities that fuel the potential for a better future. That’s why we make resolutions . . . even though those resolutions often fall by the wayside. But there’s something simple you can do to make the most of this year. It begins by looking past what you think is possible in your life to what God thinks is possible.
You never know what hangs in the balance of your willingness to extend an invitation.You never know what hangs in the balance of your willingness to extend an invitation.
At Christmas, you can expect to see God, just not the God you expected. Maybe you’ve written off Jesus, Christianity or even Christmas, thinking it can’t possibly help you. Think again. Join us as Connexus Church hosts Christmas Eve In The City 2018, an evening of music, cheer and a message the whole family will love.
We all wonder. When we fix our eyes somewhere other than on God, wonder leads to wander. If you’ve wandered from the faith or are looking for the door, it’s not because of Jesus. It’s probably because you’ve fixed your eyes on people, institutions, or a religion based on following rules. You may think Christianity requires mind-numbing, experience-denying faith, but what if that’s not true?
We wonder because our frame of reference doesn’t provide us with all of the answers. Every version of religion works for children. But then life happens. We experience challenging circumstances that sow doubt in our childhood faith. Tragedy causes us to question if God is good and loving. Sin leads to guilt and shame. We wonder if God can really love us. Is there such a thing as a frame of reference that can accommodate a grown-up faith?
We all have a framework that helps us make sense out of life. It helps us make decisions that make sense. But we wonder about some things because our frame of reference doesn’t provide all the answers.
And then there’s parenting. You’re a parent forever, but believe it or not, no matter how young your kids are now, there’s a day when your kids WILL leave home. The question is, what do you focus on to make sure your kids have what they need to launch into life? There are so many things competing for your attention and their attention, but there’s one thing that matters most.
Dating is more complicated than it’s ever been, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Whether you’re single by choice or wishing you weren’t, what does God have to say to about navigating life without a partner? Surprisingly, the scripture has a very positive view of being single.
Your life was going just fine...until you saw someone else’s. Funny how that happens. A little more than a decade into smartphones and social media feels more like social misery. You look at someone else’s life/marriage/relationships/kids/job and it makes you...miserable. This week we’ll look at why comparison is the thief of joy, and the path Jesus shows you to find much more contentment.
You may not have it all together, but at least pastors have it all together, right? In this message, Carey and Toni Nieuwhof talk openly about the struggles and tough seasons they’ve come through in their marriage. Things haven’t been nearly as easy as they thought they would be, but they’ve been worth it. Carey and Toni will talk about how they got through the hard times to find the love they worried had been lost.
Generosity requires a plan. But how do you make a plan? These two simple gauges will help you decide where and how much to give.
Loving the Crazy Like Us Series and looking to get practical? In this bonus episode Carey Nieuwhof interviews Rachel Cruze, daughter of Dave Ramsey, about financial hacks like why going on commission is a much better system for your kids than allowance, how to help your kids through college without going into debt, and the top financial issues people struggle with.
We all worry about money. What if we don't have enough? What if we lose what we have? This simple shift in perspective can free you from financial worries.
Everyone gives something somewhere. But there’s a difference between random acts of giving and true generosity. The good news is, it’s possible to learn how to be generous.
In a candid, personal and powerful conversation, Brian Houston talks about how Hillsong attracts and keeps great leaders, how he stays healthy as a leader, how he battled back from burnout a few years ago.
Burnout seems to almost be an epidemic these days. And a surprising number of people who perhaps haven’t fully burned out still test positive for the signs of burnout. We’ll look at what causes burnout, how to know you’re in it and how to get back. Plus we’ll touch on suicide and why the voices you may be hearing are lying.
So many people get surprised by something that generation after generation of successful people encounter: success is emptier than they ever dreamed. Even when all your dreams come true, you may feel grateful. But feeling grateful doesn’t leave you full? Why does success feel so empty? We’ll look at why that is, and what to do about it.
Most people think pride is a problem narcissists struggle with. What if they’re wrong? What if pride is bigger than that? What if most pride springs not from narcissism, but from insecurity. As strange as it might sound, your insecurity may be driving your pride and causing you all kind of problems that you can easily solve if you overcome your insecurity. We’ll show you how.
We’ve never been more connected as a culture, and we’ve never felt more alone. Many experts are beginning to call loneliness a cultural epidemic. Why is it that we can have 500 friends on social media and feel so utterly alone? A devious disconnect is underway in our culture, and it’s not just a tech problem...it’s a human problem.
What happens when you surrender to cynicism? We had an incredible start to the series "Didn't See It Coming", and are thrilled to release this bonus episode for Part 1 - Cynicism. In this especial episode, Tony Morgan, CEO of the Unstuck Group, interviews Carey on leadership setbacks, ministry burnout, and a wonderful aspect of our lives we give up when we let ourselves become cynical.
You never thought you’d be a cynic, did you? Nobody wants to be cynical, but so many people end up there. Why? Cynicism starts not because you don’t care, but because you do. Surprisingly, most cynics are former optimists. We’ll look at how cynicism starts, how to recognize it and how to stop it.
This week we flip the mic, as multiple New York Times best-selling author Ann Voskamp does an in depth and personal interview with Carey Nieuwhof. Ann talks to Carey about what led him to write the series and book, "Didn't See It Coming", and together they talk about the seven things Carey believes everyone needs to overcome to thrive.
Jesus had double vision. He has the ability to see God’s image in us and our brokenness at the same time. Seeing people this way is what moved his heart to reach out to people every day and he was ridiculed for it. But what about other people through scripture? How did they see people with double vision and how did they respond?
Jesus had double vision. He has the ability to see God’s image in us and our brokenness at the same time. Seeing people this way is what moved Jesus’ heart to reach out to people every day and he was consequently ridiculed for it. But he saw us and loved us to the point that his rescue mission took Him to the cross. What would happen in our hearts and lives if we had that same double vision?
So is fear always bad? Actually there’s one kind of fear you should have. We’ll look at a powerful scriptural teaching that shows you how flipping your fear can increase your confidence and reduce your worry.
What do you do when you start worrying? Is there anyway to quell the anxiety and find peace? Surprisingly there is. Thousands of years ago, the ancients adopted a practice that still works today. This Sunday, Carey will share how to talk to your soul...and settle it down.
Don't miss this special bonus interview with Jon Gordon and Carey Nieuwhof. In it, Jon shares an incredible example of how to "talk to your soul".
So often our fears take us into a worst case scenario. What if I lose my job? What if she leaves me? What if everything falls apart? What if I get an incurable disease and die? Joshua and the nation of Israel discovered that God loves to do what everyone thought was impossible, and in the process they discovered that too often we stress over a battle that’s already been won.
It’s vital to erect guardrails around our hearts because an unguarded heart can overpower our most guarded behaviour.
When it comes to our finances, it’s easy to cross the line into the danger zone. That’s why it’s essential to establish guardrails against greed.
Guardrails keep vehicles from straying into dangerous or off limit areas. We need personal guardrails so we don’t stray into areas of life that can harm us or the people we love. If there’s one area in which personal guardrails are most needed but also most resisted, it’s in our relationships.
Have you ever met someone that later you wish you’d never met? Is there a person you wish your husband, wife, son, or daughter had never met? Sometimes people are our greatest regrets because they influence us to ignore our guardrails and step into the danger zone.
Guardrails are designed to keep vehicles from straying into dangerous or off-limit areas. They minimize damage by keeping us in the safety zone. But the highway isn’t the only place we need guardrails.
Blame. It damages marriages, destroys partnerships, harms teams and twists relationships. None of us like to get blamed, but somehow most of us still find ways to blame others. Why do we do that? What would life be like if we stopped blaming others? What would it do to your faith, your friendships, your family? How would you get there?
In a world of outrage, it’s easy to be angry. Whether your anger shows up in private, public or whether it’s just something you feel but rarely show, what’s underneath that? We’ll look at where your anger comes from, how to deal with it, and how to replace it with a profound gratitude.
Remember when you were a kid and trusted at a level that seemed, well, childlike? But our trust gets broken. Over time, we become suspicious of people, organizations and even God. What happens to us when suspicion becomes our dominant view? Everything changes when you stop assuming the worst, and start believing the best.
It’s so easy to judge others, to think you’re better than others or to think they’re less than you. It’s so easy to look down on other people while giving yourself a break. Why do so many people rush to judgment? This week, we'll look at how people who want to change actually find transformation.
What a morning to celebrate how Jesus has changed people’s lives and their choice to follow Him. It’s amazing to see what God is doing. Baptism is also a time for all of us to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus, and celebrate the freedom He brings us.
I know that true freedom is found in Jesus, and I know the Holy Spirit wants to remodel my heart so I can live freely, but here’s the problem … people. It seems like relationships can rob us of our freedom when they aren’t going well. Whether it’s our kids or spouse on a bad day, the boss who stresses us out, the person who takes advantage of us, or the person who cuts us off on the road, people have the power to rob us of living in freedom. How do we pursue relationships in a way where we can experience freedom?
I know that true freedom is found in Jesus. It’s amazing that He has made a way for us to experience a loving relationship with God. At the same time, I don’t always feel like I’m living in freely in my day to day life - I give into temptation, lose my temper, fall into bad habits, get overwhelmed, etc. How do I experience this freedom as I live my life each day?
We live in a culture where we've never had more options to choose from, but in many ways, we also feel chained down by those same choices. We can feel the pressure that comes from being tied to our job, to a broken relationship, to our past, to our financial situation, to inner battles, etc. No matter how hard we try, why is it so hard to feel free in our daily lives? We'll be talking about what it means to experience real freedom in our souls and lives. What if it really is possible to live free?
To wrap up this series, we’ll look at how you can talk with God. From ancient times, people have called this practice prayer. We’ll look at how prayer is different from meditation, what prayer changes, and how prayer can become part of your daily life.
This week Carey gives a BONUS interview with author John Ortberg on spritual formation and hearing from God and his book on connecting with God called "Soul Keeping".
So how do you exactly hear from this invisible God? Do you hear voices, or is that just for crazy people? Do you listen to your emotions? Is God...silent? We’ll look at 7 ways God speaks to people today. They might surprise you.
When learning how to have a relationship with God, one of the top questions is "How can I know I’ve heard from God” closely followed by “How can I know God’s will for my life?“ Author Mark Batterson has studied the subject in-depth and shares 7 key ways people hear from God, and how hearing his voice can help you find his purpose for your life.
So many people are getting into spirituality, self-discovery, meditation, mindfulness and finding themselves. But is that all there is? Jesus gave us a powerful illustration of what happens when a person moves beyond themselves and connects with Him. It might be exactly what you’re missing.
Love sees who you really are and sticks around anyway. And that’s exactly what Jesus did. In the days after his resurrection from the dead, Jesus surprised his disciples by making them breakfast on the beach. To their utter shock, it was the beginning of a whole new relationship. Jesus wasn’t finished with them (or with you). He was just getting started.
On the night before He died, Jesus sat down for dinner around a table with his closest friends and followers. All of them would desert him. He refused to desert them. Jesus showed us an extraordinarily rare love that sees you for who you really are, and sticks around anyway.
Sometimes you think you can’t make a dent in the problems the world is facing. And besides, you feel like you barely have enough to live on yourself. As a result, many of us often feel indifferent toward the situation others face, and our response is usually a response of inaction. Is there another way? Can something make a difference?
Happy couples decide they owe each other everything but are owed nothing in return. But that requires effort. Every married person makes a choice every day. That choice feels more like a reaction, so most people don’t think they have a choice at all. But they do. Happy couples make the happy choice.
As long as you think your spouse owes you, your marriage will be all about keeping score. That destroys intimacy. It destroys love. But what are we supposed to do about our hopes, dreams, and desires?
We all enter into marriage with hopes, dreams, and desires. They create expectations. But when you put those expectations onto your spouse, it turns your marriage into a debt/debtor relationship. Your relationship becomes marked by the belief that your spouse owes you something. So, how do you keep your hopes, dreams, and desires from becoming expectations?
A great marriage doesn’t happen by accident. It requires care and regular maintenance. But sometimes we don’t want to make the effort. As long as it’s not broken, do we really need to talk about it?
The culture says there are many paths to truth and to God. Christianity claims that Jesus alone is the way to God. Aren’t Christians just narrow-minded bigots when it comes to other religions? How can Jesus be the only way? Problem of God author Mark Clark joins us this week to conclude the Problem of God series, and addresses this issue head on.
Maybe you think the Bible is unreliable or that, even as a historical book, it’s riddled with errors and mistakes. This week, Carey will be joined by world-renowned New Testament scholar Dr. Craig Evans, who has been interviewed on Dateline NBC, by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and lectured at Yale, Princeton, Harvard and Oxford Universities. Together, they’ll discuss why many of the world’s brightest thinkers have come to trust the scriptures.
"Jesus is just a made-up person. A myth modeled on a number of other mythological ancient gods whose stories predate Jesus by thousands of years." The popular belief of the Christ-Myth has gained ground in recent years, with manybelieving that Jesus never existed and is a work of fiction. In this bonus episode, we look at what the evidence has to say about that claim.
Almost everyone is comfortable with the idea of heaven. But few people—including Christians—are comfortable with the idea of hell. Why, after all, would a loving God send people to hell? We’ll explore that subject and what it says about the character and heart of God...and what it says about you.
Many near death experiences seems to be positive experiences, but what about judgment and hell? Are both simply outdated concepts? Surprisingly, not all near death experiences are positive experiences. In fact, 23% are hellish. What both the scripture and near death experiences reveal about judgment may shock you but ultimately save you.
From the Christian down the road who never practices what he preaches, to witch hunts, to the crusades, what is the deal with Christians who look nothing like Jesus? You told us that the hypocrisy of Christians is one of the top problems you have with God. So let’s go there.
Here’s the question millions of people have asked: God is good and if God is all-powerful, why is there suffering? Every world religion and worldview (including atheism and agnosticism) has to answer that question. Christianity has an unbelievably different kind of answer that almost everyone misses.
So many people believe there’s an irreconcilable tension between science and Christianity. If you become a Christian, you can’t embrace science. If you embrace science, you can’t have faith. What if faith and reason aren’t enemies, but friends?
So maybe you think that to believe in God requires a giant leap of faith. And maybe you think that essentially, there’s zero evidence for God’s existence apart from the Bible. Is that true? Is there any evidence for God outside of scripture or blind belief? We’ll explore those questions in part one of The Problem of God.
Why is it some people go through extraordinarily tough times and are broken, while others are not? Check out this secret to weathering the storms of life.
Starting Sunday January 14th we begin a new series - "The Problem of God - Facing the Top Questions Skeptics Ask". In this bonus episode, Carey interviews Problem of God author, Mark Clark, about his book.
We can't wait to see you and your friends for this incredible series this January.
The Christmas story is a strange one, and for Mary, it really didn’t make sense at all. Which is exactly what can give you hope when your story doesn’t make sense.
It’s overwhelming to think about how God uses His Church to bring the hope of Jesus to people in communities around the world. As we reflect on what God has done through Connexus we see His faithfulness time and time again. God is building the Church around the world by changing lives, and He is allowing all of us to be a part of it. We’re excited about seeing more people’s lives changed by the hope of Jesus in Orillia, Barrie and beyond!
Surprisingly, selfishness isn’t always a product of narcissism or pure ego. Often it’s the product of insecurity. The me-monster inside of you won’t die because you’re so worried you don’t measure up, that you’re not enough, and as a result, you really don’t like yourself. Which is why you can’t stop thinking about yourself. And it’s damaging your relationships, your parenting and even your performance at work.
We all dream of being rich enough to give money away, but what if that day never comes? After all, right now you have bills to pay, mouths to feed and debts to pay off. What if generous living had nothing to do with how much you make, but with what you do with what you make?
He’s supposed to complete you, and she’s everything you’ve been looking for. The power in a relationship comes from what you get from someone, right? Maybe that’s exactly why you can’t find the satisfaction you’re looking for.
There’s a monster inside most of us—a me-monster, and it’s rarely satisfied. It always wants a little more, makes demands of others, wants to take, not give and thinks about what it can get out of anything. The monster screams ‘feed me’, so you do, but it’s never satisfied. What do you do with it?
At some point in our attempts to get the most out of life, we lose control of our lives. We try to force one more thing in to our already busy lives and we reach a breaking point. Too much pressure causes an emotional breakdown. Too much debt causes a financial breakdown. Or maybe you're on the verge of a breakdown in your relationships.
What do you do when your worklife is so full you don't have time for the people who matter most?
We live in a culture that continually tells us to pursue a higher standard of living in order to improve our quality of life. But "standard of living" and "quality of life" aren't the same thing. One has to do with the stuff we accumulate. The other is about the peace we experience regardless of our circumstances.
What if your pursuit of a standard of living is undermining your quality of life?
We're all busy. Our schedules are packed with career, family, friends, church, and other responsibilities. Sometimes our days are so full that we don't enjoy anything because we're trying to do everything. Our relationship with God and with others benefits when we create breathing room in our schedules. But where do we start?
Our lives are busy and fast-paced. The lack of margin increases our stress and shortens our tempers. It can distract us from the most important things in our lives . . . and our relationships suffer. It can even affect our relationship with God because there's a connection between our willingness to create margin and our faith.
Life is better with breathing room.
Sometimes your running is over, but if you’re really honest, you’re still mad. We meet Jonah at the end of the story, and he’s angry. Angry at God, angry at life. You can run away from God, but as we’ll see, for some strange reason, God doesn’t run away from runaways.
So what does God do with runaways? Especially stubborn ones who have adopted a lifestyle that completely dishonours him? He loves them. So many people who run from God think God is mad at them. God may be angry at the running, but he loves runners.
You can try to escape God, but your escapism actually provides no escape. We meet Jonah as Jonah meets a sovereign God who traps him. Trying to escape God is futile, but we try anyway, don’t we?
At some level, all of us are running from something. Your past. The future. Your job. Your family. God. There are 1000 reasons to want to escape. Any idea what you’re running from? And why?
Once upon a time, Jesus stood against the injustice of the Roman empire and the hypocrisy of religious leaders. He changed the course of human history. What will our Once upon a time… story be?
What if our faith was characterized by fearlessness, humility, confidence in Jesus, and love of others? Imagine how that would change the world around us.
We see daily news reports about violence and terrorism. The world can feel like a dangerous place. Surrounded by uncertainty, it's difficult not to be afraid. But Jesus offers us another option.
Our culture celebrates autonomy. Not needing to go to any more meetings. Not needing to answer the phone. Having enough money and enough health that you can do exactly what you want to do, when you want to do it. But what if your fulfillment is not found in isolation, but actually playing a part in something greater than yourself? What if there were a multitude of people waiting, hoping that you would play your part?
70% of people admit to being disengaged at work. That includes people who got their dream job, only to discover it was hardly a dream. Why is work so frustrating? And how can you spend your time and energy in ways that are far more fulfilling? God has something fairly radical to say about work that could completely change your attitude and your satisfaction.
Sometimes it’s hard to know what you should really be doing with your life. Other times the trajectory of your life can be clear but it doesn’t have the meaning you hoped for. What were you put on this earth to do? What if discovering more of who God made you to be, can help you discover more of His purposes for you?
So you probably think the angst you feel in life some days will get better if you were more gifted, or you had money or fame. Most people find just the opposite—the more you have, the less fulfilled you feel. Why is that? Why is it that some of the most gifted people are the most miserable. And where does your dis-satisfaction come from?
When you have a mess to address, first options aren’t usually the best options. First options often make messes messier. In this message, Andy explores an approach that can take the -er out of your messy situations.
Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. But that’s easier said than done. What are the limits of our responsibility to others? The answer may surprise you.
A common misperception is that the Christian life is all about avoiding messes and staying out of trouble. But following Jesus isn’t about avoiding something; it’s about becoming something.
I know a mess when I see one because I am a mess. When we acknowledge our messes, we're a baby step away from acknowledging God. Your mess has the potential to bring God near you.
Whether we’re religious or not, we’ve all been in, are in, or are only one decision away from a mess. But there’s a powerful connection between your messes and your relationship with God.
Every week you spend time with people who don’t know Jesus, and opportunities to have a conversation come up. How exactly do you have a good conversation with someone about your faith? How do you start and what do you even say? Jesus gives us a few examples of conversations he had with people on the journey to faith. Let’s look at his example of how to have a truth and grace filled conversation about faith.
How do you have meaningful conversations - even friendships - with people who are radically different that yiou and who don't share the same values as you do? Few are better at doing this that Rose Zacharias Meeder. A married woman with four kids, Rose has built many friendships with people from the divorced, to the Buddhist, to the atheist. In this podcast - Rose walks us through how not to be weird while having meaningful conversations with those around us.
In a culture where people are spiritually curious, they are looking for people who are willing to have open and honest conversations. At the same time, it can be difficult to understand someone’s journey to Jesus. When does God show up in someone’s life? How do we play a role in that? How do we trust God to show up? How do they trust us as a safe person to help them on their journey?
If you’ve ever met a Christian, you know that we aren’t always good at talking about what we believe. If you are a Christian, you may have experienced how talking about your relationship with Jesus can feel weird, scary, or just make you feel incompetent. What if you could change that? We’ll see how Jesus and early Christians had spiritual conversations in a culture where it was taboo, and how sharing your faith is easier than you think.
Maybe it started when we were kids, but most often find ourselves wanting just a little more. For most of us, that’s also true of money. The problem is more is it has no end point. If you don’t make your money serve God, you’ll make money god.
People who were not like Jesus liked Jesus, and he liked them back. Since the church is the body of Christ, people should be drawn to Jesus followers. Even if they don’t agree with the message of the church, they should like the church. So, why isn’t that true?
What do you do when people hurt you? Sometimes it seems impossible to forgive. Revenge is about what you want from someone. Forgiveness is about what you want for them-and ultimately for you. Few people show us how to practice forgiveness better than King David.
Family stirs up such mixed emotions. It’s often the source of our deepest joy and our deepest wounds. And the people closest to you seem to drive you the most crazy. Why is that? And what can you do about it?
How do you know you really love someone? Believe it or not, much of what masquerades as love in our culture is actually lust. How do you know the difference?
What do you do when work just feels like, well, work? The grind of putting in your time just doesn’t seem worth it anymore, but is there any other way? Do you remember when the idea of work was exciting, life-giving, and came with great rewards? Why does it feel like it’s boring, draining, and meaningless?
When your stress leads you to the end of your rope, what should you do? Simple. Change what’s at the end of your rope. Swap out your big fear for a big God. Today, we’ll show you how to do that.
You can practice everything we’ve talked about so far to help you lessen your worry, anxiety and stress. But sometimes that’s not enough. What if a large part of the problem with your stress is the source and frequency of the information pouring into your life. Has the rise of social media and 24/7 communication made it easier to be at peace, or more difficult? And what can you do about it?
Dealing with stress as an adult is one thing. But what about your kids? More and more teens seem to struggle with stress, worry, anxiety and depression than ever before. In this message, Carey not only looks at scripture, he interviews Dr. Rob Meeder, a pediatrician who specializes in treating teens and children for depression and anxiety. Together, they’ll share practical ways to help destress your kids and help them deal with anxiety.
Understanding the source of your stress is one thing. But what can you do about it? After all, so much of life feels out of control: work, how people respond to you, your family, the political situation. The question is...if God is in control, is there anything you can or even should do about these things. What’s your role? And what’s God’s role?
So you’re stressed, worried or even anxious. What’s going on? Well, if you dig a little deeper, it’s like your stress and anxiety are tied to a rope that has something at the end….often, something that’s hidden from you. What’s at the end of your rope can tell you a lot about why you worry and how to reduce your anxiety.
We all want to be friended, followed, linked, and mentioned. We all want to be recognized, admired, sought after, and envied. We hunger for approval. We want applause. We want to be known. But what do you do when there is no amount of “known” that will satisfy your appetite?
Maybe you’re a “Three P” person—you have power, prestige, and possessions. You have influence. You are envied. People take you seriously because of what you’ve accomplished, what you look like, or who you’re married to. There’s nothing wrong with being a “Three P” person. But when it comes to pride, “Three P” people face a unique challenge.
There is a sin that is so common to the human experience, it is the gateway to all other sins. It promises to make us bigger, better, and more important, but only makes us smaller and meaner. It strips us of our capacity to connect with others. It stands between us and our heavenly Father.
If you’re going to live your life with great purpose, one of the most important skills you can develop is learning how to say no. That’s a tough discipline to foster, especially if you want people to like you. We’ll look at biblical story that clearly explains the problems with saying yes to everything, and we’ll look at how you can learn to say no to the things that matter less...nicely.
What’s your life really all about? If you don’t know how to answer that question, it will be hard to figure out how to spend your time. Jesus knew precisely what his life was about, and knew there would be 1000 distractions that would try to keep from accomplishing it. We’ll look at why you don’t get the most important things in your life done and a very practical way to change that.
Why is it that hanging out with some people totally energizes you, while hanging out with other people actually drains you? Sure...it’s a chemistry thing. But it’s deeper than that. You would think Jesus spent equal time with all people, but he didn’t. In fact, he was completely unfair. He followed a principle that literally changed the world. We’ll study it and how it applies to your life.
While everyone might get 24 hours a day, not all hours are created equal. Your energy ebbs and flows throughout the day. Sometimes you’re on top of the world, other times you struggle to stay awake. What’s with that? Surprisingly, even Jesus dealt with the limitations of human existence in his time on earth. This week, we’ll show you how to make the most of your limits.
Ever wish you had more time? And yet you’ve probably noticed that when you get more responsibility at work or you decide to have another child, nobody gives you any additional time. No matter how complicated your life gets, all you get is 24 hours a day. In this message, we review three gifts God has given everyone and explore why simply managing time is never the solution to your time management issues.
You wish others loved the things that you love. So you talk up that great new restaurant. Or maybe you try to convince them to join in that hobby. Or perhaps it’s all about cheering on that team. We’re great at sharing the little things in life--the superficial things. But what about the most important? Why is it so hard to have a natural conversation about faith? How can you share the significant with those around you?
So many people think the key to beating overwhelm is to find balance. What if it isn’t? When you look at history, meaningful lives are rarely characterized by balance. Jesus and other biblical figures that changed history could hardly be described as balanced people. Instead they’re lives were characterized by something far greater. It could transform your life too.
Of all the things you could do this year, what could make the biggest difference? What if the answer is prayer? Yet many people struggle with prayer. So what if Jesus taught you how to pray? To kick off 2017, we’ll look at exactly what Jesus said when people asked him to teach them how to pray.
Is stress looking like it might have the final word for your family this Christmas? Don't let it, there is hope.
God knows what you need. He sent Jesus into the world for you, to meet your greatest need. The Christmas story is personal. Here's how to make it your story.
There's a light that can cut through your doubt, anger, sin, shame, and disappointment with God. Here's what you need to do to find it.
For many, the Christmas season is complicated. It's a reminder of broken relationships, unmet expectations, and missed loved ones. But no matter your circumstances, Christmas can also be a reminder of the light that overcomes the darkness.
Getting married is one thing. Being married is another. The journey actually just starts when you become a Christian. There’s a life together that can be deeply challenging but also tremendously rewarding. The ancients called it ‘sanctification,’ and this week we’ll explore what it actually means to be a Christian and how that looks over a lifetime.
So what exactly happens when a couple gets married? Why is it that one minute, they can simply break up, but the next minute they have to get an annulment or even a divorce? Well, at a wedding, something permanent happens. It’s exactly the same when you become a Christian. We’ll look at what happens, why it happens and how to make it happen so something changes forever in your life.
So it’s going well enough to make it permanent, sort of. You like her enough to stick around, but you’re afraid of commitment. So you move in together. Frankly, that’s what a lot of people do with Jesus. They don’t want to commit, but they don’t want to leave. The question is: where does that leave you?
Every relationship starts out with two people who like each other. Your emotions take over. You feel things you haven’t felt before. But then you ask yourself: is this just a phase? Will it go as quickly as it came? Can it be this fun for long? The same thing happens spiritually. What begins as a curiosity about Jesus always lands somewhere else. But what do you do with that?
Don't like the church? Is that your fault or the church's? In this episode of Brand:New, Andy exposes how the church veered off course.
Want to know the one thing Jesus said you can’t avoid with loopholes, shortcuts, or workarounds? Watch this episode of Brand:New.
Religion is powerful—so powerful it can shape the way we view ourselves and treat others. For more, watch this episode of Brand:New entitled 'Recycled.'
Jesus stepped into a world where religion was characterized by the Temple Model and initiated something entirely new. For more, watch this episode of Brand:New entitled "Apoplectic."
The arrival of Jesus signaled the end of the Temple Model and the beginning of something entirely new! For more, watch this first episode of Brand:New entitled Letting Go.
Starting October 2nd, we're starting a new series called "Brand: New - How Jesus Redefined Church". We're excited and you should be too - listen in to find out why!
Every day our friends and neighbours feel like life is against them, and in some cases God is against them. Imagine if people in the cities of Barrie and Orillia knew that Connexus was a community of people who was FOR the city? Even more importantly, what if our church and our lives became a megaphone to let them know that Jesus is FOR them?
Even if you have a clearer understanding of eternity than ever, knowledge can still leave you with the question “So what?” Maybe the ultimate question isn’t “So what if it’s true?” Perhaps the ultimate question is “So what are you going to do?” The decision you make about Jesus today echoes forever.
Many NDEs seems to be positive experiences, but what about judgment and hell? Are both simply outdated concepts? Surprisingly, not all NDEs are positive experiences. In fact, 23% are hellish. What both the scripture and NDEs reveal about judgment may shock you but ultimately save you.
A common, beautiful thread weaving many stories of near death experiences together is that of the overwhelming love they felt in the presence of Jesus, the being of light. This was in spite of the fact that He knew everything about them, good and bad. That kind of all-seeing, unconditional love is what we all crave deep within our hearts. But is this being actually Jesus...or who is he?
So...will you recognize the people you love in heaven? Will the relationships that mattered most to you in life matter in heaven? Many NDEs reveal a lot about relationship and so does scripture. We’ll look at what our relationships will be like in heaven, and how that changes things on earth.
Perhaps the most common theme from NDEs is experiencing a beauty that fills the soul and is hard to put into words. People who get a glimpse of the world to come encounter a majesty that is beyond their ability to fully comprehend. It turns out that this heavenly world is the one that the Bible has been pointing to all along.
So is heaven real? Like real, real? And if it is, what’s it like? We’ll share 5 misconceptions about heaven in this message, and look at what scripture points us toward. We’ll also look at some near death experience accounts, both ancient and current. Maybe if someone came back from the dead and told us what heaven is like, we’d believe.
When we’re in the midst of pain and suffering, it can feel like we’ll never be happy again, nothing good can come from our circumstances, and there’s no reason to continue living. But those are lies. God can redeem, use, and work through our pain. And when he does, we eventually have the opportunity to comfort others. There is a “Fellowship of Suffering.” People who’ve suffered are uniquely equipped and qualified to comfort people who are suffering.
Jesus told his followers that unavoidable trials aren’t aberrations; they are expectations. They can actually serve a beneficial purpose. Why? Because God can redeem, use, or work through the undeserved, unavoidable, circumstantial trials in our lives. But in order for that to happen, we have to believe and persevere.
Our new series, Imagine Heaven, launches August 14th. In this interview, Carey interviews author John Burke and asks What can we learn from the thousands of near death experiences people have reported?
Are they consistent with biblical depictions of heaven?
John Burke shares years of research he’s done comparing NDE’s and scripture to bring us a vivid and fascinating account of what happens after people die.
What do you do when life hasn’t gone in the direction you hoped or wanted it to go and there’s nothing you can do to change your circumstances? What do you do when you’re living in “the meantime”? If you’ve ever been In the meantime or if you’re currently in the meantime, you can’t help but conclude you’ll never be happy again, nothing good can come from your circumstances, and there’s no point in continuing. Can it really be true that God will make things right?
What do you do when there’s nothing you can do? Relationally, financially, professionally, physically, or academically, It just is what it is. There’s nothing you can do to change your situation. Challenging circumstances can make you jealous or resentful. They can make you angry with God. They can breed discontentment. But the problem with discontentment is that it can drive you in self-destructive directions that will eventually leave you with regret. So, what is the secret of finding contentment even when times are tough?
Every once in a while, we run into people stuck in unchangeable, unalterable, in-the-meantime circumstances who get to the place where they’re able and willing to receive their circumstances, their afflictions, their illnesses, their losses, and their disabilities as coming from the hand of their heavenly Father. How do these people maintain extraordinary faith despite extraordinarily difficult circumstances? Where do they find the peace that characterizes their lives?
What do we do when our circumstances are so challenging there’s no way forward and no way out? We have problems for which there seem to be no solutions. We have questions without answers. During times like these, we’re tempted to run or give up. We’re tempted to give in to jealousy, resentment, and anger . . . especially anger toward God. That’s because when life gets hard, it feels like God is absent, apathetic, or angry. But what if he isn’t? Is it possible to hang on to joy, hope, and patience in the meantime?
Of all the things that can confuse the human heart, money is among the most vexing. We all need it. Most of us want more. But even when we gain more, our appetite isn’t satisfied. Why? Jesus identifies the heart of the problem, and this week, we’ll show you an option that will help curb your longing for more.
Nothing touches us more deeply than the relationships we have with those closest to us. No human bond is stronger than the love for a family member or close friend. They are also the ones who can hurt and disappoint us the most. Why is it that these loving relationships fall apart? How can we love someone so much, only to have that love fade? How come families move from a place of love to disappointment so quickly?
Ever notice that what you think will satisfy doesn’t? Money, success, homes, relationships and even family often promise more than the seem to deliver. You always want more. Why? This week, we’ll introduce you to how idols–even sophisticated idols—work, and why elevating the gift God gives you above the Giver always disappoints.
In this special bonus podcast episode, Carey interviews Clay Scroggins about being a young leader. Clay will be teaching our upcoming series "Bad Blood" and is the lead pastor of the Alpharetta location of North Point Community Church.
If God is love, why do people often feel so hopeless? Perhaps it’s because we tie our hope to circumstances and emotions. God invites us to tie our circumstances to something profoundly different. Even something unshakable.
Maybe you think the Bible is unreliable or that, even as a historical book, it’s riddled with errors and mistakes. This week, Carey will be joined by world-renowned New Testament scholar Dr. Craig Evans, who has been interviewed on Dateline NBC, by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and lectured at Yale, Princeton, Harvard and Oxford Universities. Together, they’ll discuss why many of the world’s brightest thinkers have come to trust the scriptures.
So maybe you can accept that God is real and Jesus is who he said he is, but you’re reluctant to get involved in Christian community or a church. After all, Christians and Christian leaders are pretty much all hypocrites. True? Absolutely. And here’s why you should get involved anyway.
Many people read the Old Testament (the first part of the Bible) only to be shocked by the violence they see, even some, apparently, sanctioned by God. Why did God order the slaughter of children? Why would God support war? There are answers….
So if there is a God, and he has a plan for our lives, why does it seem to be so difficult to figure out? The answer to that question might be simpler than you think. And, for those moments when it seems confusing, there’s actually a shortcut to finding God’s will that we’ll share with you.
One of the greatest objections to the existence of God is this: If God is loving, why does he allow good people to suffer? Many world religions tackle this question with different answers. Christianity’s is unique, as God responds not with information, but with something far more profound.
You probably have questions. You wish God would answer now. If anyone had questions that deserved to be answered, it was Job, who lost everything. He finally gets a chance to ask his questions directly to God and learned something that completely changed his questions.
We’ve all been part of a disorganized workplace or group and had our motivation sapped. Add to that an impulse within all of us that prefers independence, and you have a world in which few individuals and organizations ever realize their full potential. What if everyone’s life could be better by aligning their gifts around a common mission, vision and strategy?
Selfishness is not an attractive quality in others, but it’s a quality that comes naturally to all of us. Why battle it? And if you don’t look out for yourself, who will? Jesus provides a radically different perspective and a completely different way to find what you’re really looking for.
When something goes wrong, do you believe the best or assume the worst about the situation? Or about the people involved in the situation? Believing the best can seem so naive, until you realize it can trigger something SO much better than you imagined.
Long hours. Fast food. Difficult people. Lots of expenses. Too little money. Too little exercise. Not enough time off. It’s so difficult to stay emotionally, physically, financially and even spiritually healthy today. Or so you think. But what if you could?
Somebody should do something about that. We’ve all thought it. And most of us have said it. Maybe that’s why things never change. So what are you waiting for? Who are you waiting for? What if you discovered God has uniquely positioned you to make it happen?
Why is work and even family life so uninspiring at times? Sometimes we expect our boss or our spouse to make work and life awesome. But the scripture has a very different approach. One that challenges everyone to bring something significant to their work, to the family and to life.
What’s the truth about angels? Are they here to help us? Can you pray to them? Are they everywhere? Does everyone have a guardian angel? It’s actually surprisingly difficult to get an intelligent answer these days, except from the bible, which has a surprising amount to say about angels. We’ll explore that—and why angels even matters—this weekend.
So if evil is real, how do you oppose it, and how do you protect yourself from it? Fortunately, the scripture actually shows us how to prepare yourself for the little battles and the big battles you face in your life.
Be Rich is our annual fall serving and giving campaign. During this campaign, we ask people to “do more” and “give more” by being rich toward others. Our motivation comes from 1 Timothy 6:18: “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
In this bonus interview, Carey interviews John Thompson, pastor of C4 Church in Durham Ontario, and dives deeper into how we can handle the supernatural.
So if evil is real, how exactly does it work? Better yet, how does it work in your life—today? In this message, Carey draws from scripture and classic theology to show how subtle and clever Satan can be in his activity. Once you see his strategies, you can defeat his strategies, in your life and in the world.
So is evil real? Is there a personal power of evil at work in the world? Is it a power that you as a human being can tap into, intentionally or unintentionally? And what happens when you do? We’ll explore those questions and more this weekend.
So how do miracles work...why are some people healed and some not? Does God favour some people and ignore others? Or are miracles a sham or something that stopped happening in the 1st century? Or maybe, they’re something else entirely.
So is life only what we can see, touch and experience, or is there more? Is there a supernatural side? Are ghost reals? Are there supernatural beings? Do miracles still happen? We’ll look at what the scripture has to say.
If you don’t give in or give up, what do you do? You give over whatever you’re struggling with to God. And we all struggle. Strangely, freedom from Christ (and his ways) isn’t freedom. Freedom in Christ is freedom. So if you want freedom, start surrendering.
Giving in is one thing. But give in enough, and eventually you might decide that you no longer believe what you used to believe about a subject. So instead of giving in, you give up. Been there? Are God’s standards just too harsh? Too demanding? But people who have given up eventually must face one thing: the God they gave up on hasn’t given up on them.
Sometimes it can feel impossible to stay true to your convictions. So you give in. Just once. Which often becomes twice, or three times. Often people give in because it seems like there’s no other way out. And if there is a God why does he allow you to be tempted? Is it even possible to stay true to your convictions?
So...is morality relative? Ask most people, and they’ll tell you it is: what’s true for me isn’t automatically true for you. But at the heart of moral relativity is an interesting assumption—that moral compromise compromises no one. What if there is a cost to moral relativity? A cost that you’re paying?
So if you’ve identified your excuses and negative thinking and taken every thought captive, what do you do next? You replace the negative with something far better. And far bigger. The Apostle Paul shows you exactly what to do to change your future.
If you really audit your thoughts, you’ll realize that you probably make a lot of excuses as to why you can’t be healthier, more positive, more faithful, more hopeful, more kind, more determined, more effective...more whatever. This week, we’ll look at why it’s time to stop making excuses, and how to do it.
Ever wonder where your thoughts come from? Sure, some spring from your childhood or past experiences. But could there be a supernatural force behind your destructive thinking? Jesus called Satan a liar, and today we’ll expose the lies that get planted in our heads.
Ask any professional athlete. The biggest battle is never on the field, the fairway, the diamond or rink: it’s in your mind. In part one of this series, we’ll look at what you think, and why what you think matters more than you think. Changing your mind can change your life.
When we pray, we mostly want God to change our circumstances: change this, change that, change them, change me. But real prayer will help you discover that God is not only bigger than your circumstances, he’s better than your circumstances.
When Christians pray, they pray to a personal God through a personal Saviour. Sometimes when you pray, you think you’re looking for answers. In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus shows us that what we’re really looking for is not an answer, but something very different.
Often when we go to God in prayer, we show up with a list of all the things we’d like God to do. Not only does Jesus show us how to handle that list, he shows us another couple of other lists we often neglect.
Prayer is often a battle between two kingdoms—yours and God’s. And let’s be honest, it’s hard to focus on God’s Kingdom when your life is filled with problems. Jesus shows us a practical way to put God’s kingdom ahead of ours every time we pray.
So what’s the purpose of prayer? Is it to get God to do what we want him to do? Or is it something else? Many people see prayer as a button to be pushed...but what if it’s so much more than that?
Eventually, life gets to most of us. The optimism of your childhood gives way to the realism of your twenties, which too often gives way to a growing cynicism. How do you restart? How do you believe again, hope again, trust again? This is the kind of thing God specializes in.
Every once in a while, the community sees God’s faithfulness in a visible way. When God led the Israelites across the Jordan River, they set up 12 stones as a memorial marker so they could one day tell their children about God’s faithfulness. At Connexus, we’ve also seen God’s faithfulness, and tonight, we mark it together. Marking it helps us remember it.
What makes a hero? Better yet...what would make you a hero? We look at what makes a person heroic, and why so many people think about it but so few do it.
Sometimes what seems like the end is actually the beginning. The first Easter found the disciples of Jesus discouraged, defeated and convinced it was over. If you’ve ever found yourself in that place, you need the message of Easter. When it feels like things are over—even dead—they might be just beginning. That’s the power of resurrection.
No one saw Jesus’ crucifixion coming. In a world filled with sadness, terror and heartbreak, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that God is losing. But at the very moment in which it looked like God had finally lost, God was actually securing his finest victory.
A hero’s life is always dramatic. Truthfully, most of us have a love hate relationship with drama. We are attracted to drama in other people’s lives, but we resist it in our own. Could it be possible that when we resist drama, we resist God?
If everyone’s included, then everyone’s also invited. Our church is specifically designed to include people who don’t feel welcome and you play a pivotal role in that. In this message, Carey will explain why many people are afraid to invite their friends to church and how to overcome those fears.
So is attending church the goal? Surprisingly, attending church was a completely foreign concept to the early church. You don’t attend church, you are the church. As we move into a whole new season as Connexus church, we’ll share why it’s mission critical that everybody’s involved in our critical mission—even you.
So is Christianity for everybody? What if you weren’t born Christian, or were born into another culture or faith, or have done things that you think disqualify you? Unlike most religions, the offer behind Christianity extends to everybody, regardless of who they are, where they were born, or what they’ve done. Everybody’s included...including you.
So you’re constantly on social media and enjoy binge watching your favourite series. But is all this connectedness good for you? Can anyone really have 1000 friends? Is shooting for 10,000 followers or thousands of likes even healthy? This week, we’ll explore technology’s impact family life, your life and your soul.
Money is one of the greatest stressors in life, whether you have money or whether you don’t. Financial stress is something people talk about all the time (even fight over), yet rarely talk to God about, other than to complain. Why is that? We’ll look at how inviting God into your finances can deepen your trust and finally give you the peace you’ve been lacking.
Relationships are supposed be life giving. So why are so many people frustrated and worried about their marriages, kids, friendships and relationships? Maybe you’re worried and angry because you’re expecting something of the people around you that they can’t possibly provide.
Why does the pace of life always seem to be getting...faster? How do you find the time to slow down in a world that never stops? Pace is one of the keys to winning the war against worry. We’ll look at one of the best ways to reduce stress from an ancient tradition God established thousands of years ago.
Sometimes the struggle goes well beyond worry. Many people—even Christians—end up anxious, depressed, even suicidal. What does God have to say about depression and suicide? We’ll look at one biblical figure who wanted to take his own life as we discuss a terribly difficult subject.
Do you know anyone who isn’t stressed these days or worried about something or someone? Sometimes life can be overwhelming. And the question is, where is God in the middle of it when everything looks like it’s too much? We’ll look at where to start when you feel...overwhelmed.
Jesus paints a picture of the life he would love every follower to have: a heart that’s like good soil, where God’s work grows and takes root. Will you ever get there? And if you do, what will your life look like? You might be surprised by the answers. It’s more than possible.
Consider yourself a worrier? Know someone who is? What if worry stunts your spiritual growth? Jesus said that worry, anxiety and life can choke out whatever spiritual progress you make. We’ll look at why that is and how to overcome it this weekend.
Know anyone who’s hard hearted? Given how hard life can be, most of us struggle with keeping your heart open at some point. Believe it or not, that’s a spiritual issue. We’ll look at what causes a hard heart and how to recover from it. An open heart changes all of your relationships, especially your relationship with God.
Sometimes Jesus teachings just don’t seem to make any sense. And yes, preachers can say that. We’ll look at one that is perplexing and frustrating but ultimately can give you hope. In the process, we’ll look at why where you are doesn’t need to be where you end up.
So what if someone knew everything? Everything. Would they hate you? Reject you? The truth is Someone does know everything. And He loves you. The question is, how do you respond?
Because of our sin, so many of us spend our time isolated from God and from others. We run. We run because we believe the lie that we can’t be fully known and fully loved. And yet as we run from God, we discover something utterly astonishing. That while we were running from God, he was running to us.
Is there a pattern you follow every time you mess up? There actually is. But what if that pattern actually makes things worse, even when you think it’s making things better? Genesis 3 reveals a 5-fold pattern that mirrors the exact pattern almost everyone follows… a pattern that ultimately leads to self-destruction, unless you do this one thing.
What do you do when you make a mistake? You want to do what almost every politician and leader does when they make a mistake—you try to cover it up. In the process of covering up our mistakes, we cover up something else. Something far more significant, and something far more tragic.
It’s one thing to battle the monster, but how do you defeat him? A lot of the battle goes on in your mind. And it goes on in your bank account. So is defeat possible? Yes, although the answer may surprise you and even discourage you before it liberates you.
So you’re battling entitlement in you, but you’re also trying to fight it in your kids. Nobody likes an entitled, ungrateful child. But practically, in a culture that has so much, how do you raise kids who are truly grateful? This week, we’ll uncover an important principle from scripture and practically apply it to raising kids today.
What do you value? And more importantly, why do you value it? Often, the belief that what you’re pursuing has greater value than what you have drives the sense of entitlement most of us feel. But what if the monster has caused you to overvalue what you’re chasing?
When is enough...enough? You take a little more each time, but you still don’t feel satisfied. Enough always seems to be changing, doesn’t it? Why is that? Maybe it’s because you’re friends with the monster. Understanding how the monster works is the first step toward containing it.
How can you have a perfectly good God and still have evil? This question has bothered people for thousands of years. It probably also really bothers you. Why do bad things happen to good people? And where’s God amidst the mess that far too often is life?
Between the Crusades, the Inquisition, abuse, scandals and so much more, why would anyone choose to be part of the church? It’s a great question. Maybe God was trying to do something different in the church...something that could touch your life personally
For some strange reason, many Christians today are known for their judgment more than for their love. This is almost criminal, as Jesus said that the defining hallmark of his followers should be love. Why is that? And what’s stopping Christians and the church from changing?
Almost everyone is comfortable with the idea of heaven. But few people—including Christians—are comfortable with the idea of hell. Why, after all, would a loving God send people to hell? We’ll explore that subject and what it says about the character and heart of God...and what it says about you.
Did everything start 6000 years ago, or 13 billion years ago? With so much debate swirling around creation and evolution, how do you know what to believe? We’ll look at who’s right, who’s wrong and the limits of the debate.
Most people would agree that Jesus is a good moral teacher. But do we seriously have to believe that he rose from the dead? That’s he’s God? Is there any convincing evidence that Jesus rose from the dead? Actually, there’s more than you think.
It sounds so strange. God loved us so he sent his son to die for us. Really? Why did Jesus have to die. And why did anyone have to die for us? Are things really that bad? What does Jesus’ death say about God’s character?
It’s pretty widely believed in our culture that there are many equally valid paths to God. To each his own. But Christianity makes a radical claim: that Jesus is the only way to God. Isn’t that far too exclusive? What about different cultures and different beliefs?
Can you really trust a book that was written thousands of years ago by multiple authors? And even if it was helpful then, does the bible still have relevance now? The answers to this age old question may surprise you.
Do you have a unique contribution to make? You likely do. But what is it? Part of that is finding out what you’re best at. We’ll show you three questions that can help you identify what you’re uniquely equipped and maybe even called by God to do.
Is work life-balance possible? Maybe. But what if that’s not the best way to live? We’ll see how the most effective people rarely shoot for balance. They shoot for something radically different. And if you do it could change so much in your work, your family and your life.
Accomplishment itself isn’t always enough. In fact, most people experience some kind of let down after they accomplish a even an astounding goal. Even astounding accomplishment can leave us with an unsettling feeling that there’s something more. What is it? When you discover it, it changes everything cover it, it reprograms your life.
So many people are frustrated with the lack of progress they make in life. It’s especially confusing since so many of us feel like we’re so busy. How can you have that much activity and yet have so little productivity? We’ll look at some practical, biblical strategies for getting more accomplished.
It’s New Year’s. You’ve got goals. Resolutions. Some will be easy. But there are probably one or two issues that seem too big for you to tackle. What do you do with those? We’ll ask a question that can lead you to an answer that just might change everything for you.