Bethel Church Penticton: Recent Episodes
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What do you do when life feels uncertainand you dont know whats coming next?In the middle of evacuation alerts, uncertainty, loss, and fear in our community, Psalm 121 gives us a powerful reminder: we may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds us.God doesnt promise a life without trouble. He promises that we will never face trouble alone.Hes Got You Covered.Not from everythingbut through everything.If youre walking through uncertainty today, this message is for you.
What happens when we stop trying to shape our own lives and place ourselves in the hands of God? In this message, we explore the biblical picture of God as the Potter and us as the clay and what it means to trust His process, surrender control, find our value in Him, and allow Him to shape us into who He created us to be.
Pain, suffering, tragedy, lossevery one of us will eventually wrestle with questions that don't have easy answers. This message explores one of life's biggest questions through the lens of Scripture, pointing us toward a God who doesn't ignore our pain, but meets us in it with hope, grace, and the promise of redemption.
In this weeks message, we are privileged to hear from Pastor Jenni Colwell, our Districts Director of Family Ministries, as she challenges us to consider an aspect of our Christian faith that is often absent or underdeveloped. Not only will it be inspiring, but deeply practical and guaranteed to be transformational!
Can you trust anything anymore? In a world of AI deepfakes, misinformation, and endless opinions, knowing what's true has never been harder. So what about the Bible? Is it just an ancient religious bookor is there good reason to believe it can still be trusted today? Join us as we explore one of Christianity's biggest questions and discover why this conversation matters more than ever.
It's one of the most commonand contentiousquestions people ask about Christianity.In this message from our So Glad You Asked! series, we take an honest look at what Jesus taught about eternity, God's love, human choice, and the hope of the gospel. Through the story of the Rich Young Ruler and the thief on the cross, we'll discover why what we believe about eternity shapes how we live today.No easy answers. No clichs. Just a thoughtful and biblical exploration of one of life's biggest questions.
We are so honoured to have Mark Colwell, our District Director of Emerging Leader Development, share a timely word with us - you have every spiritual blessing available to you, but have you been accessing it? Don't let another day go by without applying this message to your life!
SO GLAD YOU ASKED is a series for the questions people are thinking but often afraid to say out loud. Whether you're skeptical, curious, confident in your faith, or still figuring things out, this is a place where honest questions are welcome. This week we tackle one of Christianity's most challenging and controversial claims: How can Jesus be the only way to God? Bring your questions, your doubts, and your curiosity because a faith worth having is a faith worth examining.
Today we celebrate a century of God's faithfulness at Bethel Church. From a handful of families gathering to pray in 1926 to the vibrant church family we are today, this milestone isn't a finish lineit's a reminder that the mission continues. As we reflect on God's faithfulness over the past 100 years, we're reminded that our lives are not measured merely by time, but by moments of faith, obedience, sacrifice, and surrender. The baton is now in our hands.The mission isn't finished. The future is calling. Let's keep running.
Its Pentecost Sunday AND the final week of The Promise Still Stands series!This week were discovering that the Holy Spirit didnt just come to make us feel inspired He came to empower us with purpose. Too often we settle for seedless fruit: spiritual growth that never reproduces. But the Holy Spirit forms the character of Christ in us so the message of Jesus can spread through us.From Acts 2 to 1 Thessalonians 1, we'll see how ordinary believers became bold witnesses, living proof that the Gospel still changes lives today. You dont have to convince people youre called to imitate Jesus, demonstrate His love, and let the Holy Spirit do the transforming work.
Have you ever felt like youve been assigned an impossible task? Life isnt one of them - God never intended you to do life, ministry, parenting, leadership, or faith on your own! So many Christians feel under-qualified, overwhelmed, and spiritually under-powered but Jesus never called us to an impossible mission without giving us everything we need to succeed.This week in The Promise Still Stands, were diving into the POWERFUL partnership of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. From encouragement to healing, wisdom to prophecy, serving to discernment God still empowers ordinary people in extraordinary ways!
In Week 2 of our series The Promise, we explore the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that believers would receive power through the Holy Spirit power to boldly share Christ, strength in weakness, hope in hard seasons, and the ability to experience God fully.No matter how overwhelmed, unqualified, or powerless we may feel, we were never meant to do life on our own strength. The Holy Spirit is our helper, our guide, and our source of power.
Weve all heard it before:I promiseSometimes it delivers. Sometimes not even close.Promises get broken. Hype fades. Expectations fall flat.But Jesus made a promise that didnt expire, fall apart, or stay stuck in the past.Were kicking off a brand new series The Promise Still Stands and this week sets the tone for everything to come. This isnt just about what Godsaid its about what Hes still doing right now.If your faith has ever felt dry, distant, or like youre doing it on your own this is your reminder: youre not. The promise isnt broken. Its alive!
When life feels deflated, where do you find real hope?In the final message of our UNSTOPPABLE series, we follow the Apostle Paul through trials, waiting, and uncertainty in Acts 2426 and discover a hope that doesnt leak, fade, or run out. While imprisoned for two years without cause, Pauls circumstances didnt improvebut his hope didnt collapse. Why? Because his hope wasnt rooted in changing situations, but in an unchanging reality: the resurrection of Jesus Christ.No matter what youre facing disappointment, delay, or doubt this message will help you anchor your life in a hope that cannot be shaken.
What happens when the early church hits its biggest disagreement yet? In Acts 15, the church is on the edge of division - but instead of splitting, they choose something stronger than preference they choose principles and the result is UNITY.In this message, we explore how unity doesnt mean sameness it means diverse people, united by Jesus, on mission together. Because when the church stands together, it becomes UNSTOPPABLE.
What if joy wasnt based on whats happening around you, but what God is doing inside you? In Acts 16, Paul and Silas are beaten, chained, and thrown into prison yet theyre found praying and praising at midnight. How is that possible? In this message, we uncover the secret of unstoppable joya joy that isnt dependent on circumstances, achievements, or comfort, but is produced by the Holy Spirit and rooted in relationship with Jesus. If youve ever felt stuck, discouraged, or like joy is just out of reachthis message is for you!
He is RISEN and that changes EVERYTHING! What if the resurrection isnt just a moment in history but the key to the BEST DEAL you could ever make? In Acts 13, Paul unpacks the truth of Easter: Jesus didnt just rise from the dead, He offers you a life-changing exchange. Your sin for His forgiveness. Your pain for His peace. Your past for a brand new future. It sounds too good to be true but its not. Its the REAL DEAL
What happens when God changes your perspective? Everything changes! In this message, Unstoppable: Mission, we follow Sauls transformation into the Apostle Paul and discover how a new mindset fuels an unstoppable mission. Opposition didnt stop the early churchand it doesnt have to stop you!
What if everything you thought you knew about Jesus was wrong?In Acts 9, we see Saul, a man fully convinced he was serving God, have his life completely flipped upside down after encountering Jesus. At the same time, we meet Ananias, an ordinary believer asked to take a bold step of obedience despite fear.We will unpack a text that will remind us that no one is too far gone, too undeserving, or too unknown for Jesus to use. Whether you relate to Saul or Ananias, God is inviting you into His story.Will you be open to encounter Him and respond to His call?
You never know how far the ripple will go when ordinary people take a step of obedience and faith. In this message from Acts 8, we look at the incredible story of Philip and the Ethiopian officiala powerful reminder that God uses everyday believers to reach people who feel like spiritual outsiders, inviting them to become Kingdom insiders. Discover how: Persecution couldnt stop the early church God led Philip to a divine appointment One conversation changed a lifeand a nation Your next step of obedience could open the door for someone else to encounter Jesus!
In Acts 67 we encounter Stephen, a man who stood firm in his faith even when it cost him everything. As the early church faced opposition, Stephen courageously spoke the truth, stood firm under pressure, and trusted God no matter the outcome.In this message from our Unstoppable Church series, we explore how Stephens courage came from a life filled with the Holy Spiritand what that means for us today. What does it look like to take the next faithful step, even when fear is present.
If youve ever struggled with fear, conflict, discomfort, or sharing your faith, this message is for you. God is still building His Church and it is still unstoppable. In Acts 34, we see Peter and John heal a man at the temple gate and boldly proclaim the name of Jesus only to be arrested and threatened for it. Instead of backing down, they respond with prayer and ask God for one thing: boldness.
What if church wasnt something you attendedbut a community you belonged to? In a world marked by isolation, comparison, and feeling like an outsider, the early church offers a radically different picture: ordinary people, deeply devoted, living life together in a way that changed the world. This message explores why Christian community isnt perfectbut it is powerfuland how being saved by Jesus also means being saved into something bigger than ourselves. If youve ever wondered whether church could really feel like home, this ones for you!
The book of Acts is full of history, but its not a history lesson; its a launchpad. Its the story of what happens when Jesus entrusts His mission to His followers and fills them with power from heaven. Fear turns into boldness. Waiting turns into witness. A small, uncertain group becomes an unstoppable movement. This message launches our UNSTOPPABLE series by taking us back to the moment everything changedwhen the Holy Spirit filled the church and the mission of Jesus exploded beyond anything the disciples expected. Same mission. Same Spirit. Same power. The question is: will we step into it?
What if the Churchs greatest impact didnt happen on a stage - but in the streets, homes, and everyday moments of our city? Were keeping our 100th anniversary celebration going with week Two of our refreshed mission statement reveal, leaning into what it means to live out faith beyond the church walls. This message challenges us to show up, live with purpose, and see our city not through the lens problems but the lens of possibilities. The church has left the building!
Celebrating 100 years of God's faithfulness! What does it mean to live a life that truly matters? In this milestone message, we unveil our church's refreshed mission statement and discover how ordinary people doing extraordinary things can transform a city. Whether you're new to faith or have been following Jesus for years, this message will challenge you to ask: Am I living for something bigger than myself? Happy 100th Birthday, Bethel Church!
Ever lie awake at night replaying what ifs you cant control? Worry steals sleep, and it steals way more than that, it steals peace, joyand far too much of our lives. As we wrap up our MIND SET series with this message from Matthew 6, Jesus asks a simple yet provoking question that exposes who (or what) were really trusting when worry takes over.If stress has been loud, faith has felt fragile, or peace seems out of reachthis message is for you. And if youve never experienced real peace with God, youll hear an invitation that could change everything!
Ever feel stuck between optionsscrolling, stalling, second-guessing? Indecision isnt just annoying its exhausting. In this message from Daniel 1, we explore what it means to live with clarity and conviction in a world that constantly pressures us to conform. This isnt about escaping cultureits about standing firm inside it.If youve ever struggled to know who you are, whose voice to trust, or how to live faithfully without folding under pressure, this message is for you. Because when your mind is made up, everything else starts to fall into place.Watch, lean in, and ask yourself the question that changes everything: Have you made up your mind?*Technical note: our usual audio feed went down today, so apologies for the quality.
As we step into a new year and approach a major milestone as a church, this message challenges us to pause and ask one powerful question: What am I really thinking about? Because lasting change doesnt start with new habits or better circumstancesit starts with a renewed mindset.Retrain Your Brain is an invitation to break free from unhealthy thought patterns and learn how God brings transformation from the inside out!
Christmas Eve is a sacred pausea moment to slow down, gather together, and remember why this night matters.In this Christmas Eve message, we celebrate the unexpected gift of Gods lighta light that shines into darkness, brings perspective where fear has taken hold, and guides us onto a path of peace. After centuries of waiting and wondering, God broke the silence in the most unexpected way: not with power or spectacle, but with a baby, born in the dark, bringing heavens light to earth.Whether youre watching with family in your living room, joining us online from afar, or stepping into church on Christmas Eve for the first time (or the first time in a long time), we are so glad youre here. This is a night to remember that no matter how dark life feels, the light of Jesus shines brighter.Lets celebrate Christmas Eve togetherthe night when the light broke through, and everything changed. Merry Christmas
What do you do when God makes you wait?Waiting can mess with your faith, your expectations, and your confidence in God. At Christmas especially, its easy to wonder: Is God still working? Did I miss something? Is He really coming through?In this message, we explore the unexpected gift hidden in the waitingthrough the story of Simeon, the promise of Jesus first coming, and the hope of His return. Discover why waiting isnt wasted time, how God often moves quietly and unexpectedly, and what it really means to wait ready.
Christmas is a season full of wonder, joy, and celebration but some of Gods greatest gifts show up in the midst of lifes messiness. In this message from our Advent series The Unexpected Gift, we explore the peace Jesus brings, why it often comes when we least expect it, and how it can calm even the busiest, most restless hearts. If youve ever longed for true rest, this message is for you.
Christmas is a season filled with wonder, joy, and unexpected moments but some of the greatest gifts God gives us challenge us, stretch us, and invite us into something deeper. In this message from our Christmas series The Unexpected Gift, we explore what it really means to embrace the gift God offers and why it often costs more than we expect. If youve ever struggled with surrender, control, or trust, this message will speak right to your heart.Dont forget to like, subscribe, and share to spread the Christmas hope!
Have you ever had life completely interrupt your plans? Mary sure did. In Luke 1, God steps into a small town, chooses an overlooked teenage girl, and flips her world upside down not to punish her, but to birth something supernatural in her and through her. In this message, Pastor Jeremy unpacks how God often works in the places and moments we least expect the interruptions, the disruptions, and even the darkness were walking through. This Christmas, dont miss Heavens Unexpected Gift. Be encouraged. Be challenged. Be ready to say Yes, Lord.
Have you ever started something strong but struggled to finish? From fitness goals to financial promises to spiritual commitments desire gets us started, but only commitment keeps us going. In this powerful final message of our Strong Courageous series, Pastor Jeremy takes us to the closing chapter of Joshuas life, where a 110-year-old leader stands before Israel and boldly declares: As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. If you need hope, courage, or a fresh start this message is for you.
What gives someone the courage to face giants at 85 years old? In Joshua 14, Caleb shows us what it looks like to live strong, courageous, and wholehearted. This message will challenge your attitude, ignite your faith, and remind you that Gods promises dont have an expiry date. Get ready to rediscover your why and step boldly into the future God has for you!
This week, we continue our Strong and Courageous series through the book of Joshua where God repeatedly tells Joshua to be strong and courageous in the face of every challenge ahead. Today we will explore Joshua 7 and the story of Achan, whose hidden sin brought trouble not just on himself but on the entire nation of Israel. Its a powerful reminder that sin doesnt just affect us, it impacts others and our relationship with God. Through this passage, well wrestle with what it means to live before a holy God, how sin distorts our alignment with Him, and how His grace realigns our hearts through Jesus. As Timothy Keller said, Christian living is therefore a continual realignment processone of bringing everything in line with the truth of the Gospel. If youve ever felt distant from God, or if grace has become a band-aid instead of a reason to live differently, this message will call you back to the holiness, mercy, and hope found in Christ.
Ever felt stuck -- like youve hit a wall and cant move forward? Whether its fear, exhaustion, discouragement, or circumstances out of our control, we all face moments that test our faith. In this message from Joshua 6, Pastor Jeremy reminds us that Gods promises dont mean we wont face obstacles, they mean the walls wont win!Discover how to keep walking when progress isnt obvious, how to faith what youre facing, and how God uses the walls in front of us to build strength within us.
What would you do if you could eliminate all self-doubt, insecurity and fear of the opinions of others? What would you do if you knew the God of the universe, who created and formed you, BELIEVED IN YOU? He does!! Join us as our guest, Rev. Kevin Shepherd, unpacks this life-changing truth and encourages us that God has a plan and you are a part of it!
Are you asking the right questions? Sometimes the breakthrough were waiting for doesnt come from finding better answersit comes from asking better questions. In this message from our Strong Courageous series, we step into a defining moment in Joshuas leadership journey. On the eve of battle, standing between the miracle of the Jordan and the walls of Jericho, Joshua encounters a mysterious figure with a drawn sword. His question seems obvious: Are you for me or against me? But the answer changes everything. Whether youre facing your own Jerichoan overwhelming obstacle, a tough decision, or a battle that feels too bigthis message will remind you that theres a Commander higher up the chain of command... and His presence is your true source of strength courage.
Ever feel like youre standing on the edge of something new, but fear or uncertainty is holding you back? In this message from our Strong Courageous series, we look at Joshua 34 and discover how God leads us into the unknown, makes a way where there is no way, and turns our obstacles into opportunities. Learn how to step out in faith, build memorials of Gods faithfulness, and find courage for whats ahead!
100 milliseconds. Thats all it takes for our brains to assess people, categorize them and make a judgment on how they fit in our lives. Its true when they say You never get a second chance to make a first impression! This powerful ability of our brain serves us well a lot of the time, but sometimes theres a glitch - weve all mischaracterized people and weve all been misjudged ourselves! Is this powerful message, well see how God calls and uses even the people many might consider Least likely to be used by God and well be challenged not to be gatekeepers of the Gospel but grace sharers.
Were kicking off a brand-new series called STRONG COURAGEOUS in the book of Joshua! In this message, Pastor Jeremy unpacks Joshua 1 and shows us how Gods call often comes in seasons of uncertaintybut always with His promises and His presence. Discover how you can step boldly into your next season, cultivate courage through Gods Word, and trust the God who never fails to keep His promises.
If you snoozeyou lose! Every day we face calls to action - act now, dont wait", dont hesitate! Hesitation can cost you! In this powerful Kickoff Sunday message, well see how hesitation can hold you back from Gods blessing but quick obedience opens the door to breakthrough. So dont wait. Dont delay. Dont hesitate. This message could lead to the step of faith you need to launch into a brand-new season with God!
Life can feel uncertain, and many of us wrestle with worry about the future. But the Bible reminds us that we dont need to live in fear or doubtwe can live with Blessed Assurance. In this message from James 1:18, Pastor Jeremy unpacks the truth that in Christ we are chosen, loved, and secure. Discover how to shift from anxiety to peace, how to root your identity in Gods love, and how to walk with confidence knowing you are His prized possession.
Life can feel uncertain, and many of us wrestle with worry about the future. But the Bible reminds us that we dont need to live in fear or doubtwe can live with Blessed Assurance.In this message from James 1:18, Pastor Jeremy unpacks the truth that in Christ we are chosen, loved, and secure. Discover how to shift from anxiety to peace, how to root your identity in Gods love, and how to walk with confidence knowing you are His prized possession.
Discipleship is more than being rescued its learning to swim and teaching others to do the same. In this message from our Lifeguard series, Pastor Olivia explores how following Jesus, mentoring others, and passing on faith (Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 2:2) creates ripples that transform lives and the next generation. Well see how modeling faith, guiding others in obedience, and multiplying discipleship can equip ordinary believers to make an extraordinary impact for Gods Kingdom.
This summer weve been diving into our Lifeguard Series learning how to train, scan the waters, spot warning signs, trust our life preserver, and walk in the buddy system.But what happens when we spiritually drown?What do we do when sin, struggles, or lifes weight pulls us under?And how does God call us to respond when someone around us is gasping for spiritual breath?In todays message we will dive into what Spiritual CPR looks like.Just like lifeguards who dont stop at just pulling someone from the water; followers of Jesus are called to breathe life back into those who are hurting, struggling, or wandering.
Life isnt always smooth sailing; it can feel risky, unpredictable, and at times overwhelming. Thats why God designed us for communitynot to walk alone, but to live with faith-filled friends who help us stay strong in Him. In this message from our Lifeguard series, Pastor Jeremy shares why the Buddy System isnt just good adviceits Gods idea. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 4 and the friendship of David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 23, we discover five powerful ways to be a Jonathan-type friend - you may not be able to fix your friends problems, but you can help them find strength in God!
In this message, we explore how the Holy Spirit is not just a theological idea, but a present help -- like a life preserver tossed to someone drowning. Drawing from John 16:33 and Acts 16, we see how the Spirit is an advantage for us as we navigate deep waters. If you've ever felt like you're drowning, this is for you.Let the Holy Spirit hold you up.
It seems that everywhere you go, everything you do, everything you buy today, comes with warning signs and labels! From Slippery When Wet to Not for Human Consumption, were surrounded by warning signs. While some seem more practical than others, they all exist for one reason: because someone, somewhere ignored the obvious. In this weeks message from our Lifeguard summer series, we explore the spiritual warning signs that alert us to hidden dangers beneath the surface of our livesespecially the rip currents of temptation that try to pull us away from Gods presence and purpose. Ignore the warnings at your own risk!If you've ever felt overwhelmed, disoriented, or like you're drifting further from shorethis message is for you. Don't ignore the signs. Watch now and discover how to break the grip of the rip!
Every day were faced with the decision of who to trust and how much to trust them. Often times, its a subconscious process, but when youve believed in the reliability of someone or something and youve given them your trust and had that trust broken, it can create issues with your ability to trust again! In part 2 of our mini-series TRUST ISSUES, well see how we can rebuild trust, both when weve been hurt and when weve been the one to hurt others.
Weve all, at some point, felt like weve been let down or hurt by someone like our trust was broken. When it happens, it can leave us feeling guarded so that we dont get hurt again. We pull back when were not sure if someone has our back. But what about when that person is God? Today were kicking off a 2 week mini series about how to regain our trust after we feel like its been broken.
What grabs your attention? What makes you stop and take a double look? We all have things were passionate about and interested in that arrest us in our steps, but at the same time we are bombarded with sensory overload - it would drive you crazy to be highly aware of everything going on around you, thats where habituation sets in, your brain pushes things unseen into the background. But what about when you get habituated to the wrong things and miss out when God is trying to get your attention?!
Have you ever been told you needed to fix your attitude? Most two year olds have an attitude problem, and then a lot of teenagers have an attitude problem. We all have areas of our lives where our thoughts and actions require adjustment. Today let us be challenged and strengthened by Paul's encouragement to emulate Christ in all we do.
When you have a car you have all the pieces of it. The doors, the engine, the tires, the steering wheel, the seats, etc; you have everything that is needed for the car to work. But without the keys, you cannot use the car effectively, it needs the keys to function properly. The same goes for the Armour of God, we can have all the pieces of it, but we need one more thing in order to effectively use the armour. And Paul teaches us that prayer is the keys. So what should we be doing with prayer to use the armour of God to its fullest potential?
Over the past six weeks weve been talking about the spiritual battle every believer is a part of, and Gods provision to keep us standing firm. The war has already been won, were standing in a place of victory, but our defeated foe still tries to wreak as much havoc as possible. Nowhere is that battle fiercer than the battle for our minds - where your mind goes, you follow!
The Christian life isnt a playground but a battle ground. These words arent meant to spark fear in our hearts, but to make us aware of the reality, however, scripture is resoundingly clear -- the battle has already been won and were fighting a defeated foe. All thats to do is to stand our ground. In this series on the Armour of God, well see that the Armour of God is not mysterious spiritual weapons we need to learn to master but ways we apply the gospel, the truth of God, to our lives.
Shoes are good for helping you stand, but they are mostly to help you walk or run into action. In this weeks message, Pastor Ralph unpacks the armour of Gods Good News shoes.
"The Christian life isnt a playground, but a battle ground. These words arent meant to spark fear in our hearts, but to make us aware of the reality; scripture is resoundingly clear - the battle has already been won and were fighting a defeated foe. All we must do is stand our ground. In this series on the Armour of God, well see that the Armour of God is not a group of mysterious spiritual weapons we need to learn to master, but ways we apply the gospel, the truth of God, to our lives.
Have you ever tried to wear pants that were too big without a belt? Its quite hard to keep them up without something to hold them on. And so why does Paul start with the Belt of Truth? What is so important with truth that it is worth being the first piece of Armour that we should put on? Its one of the smallest pieces, but one of vital importance to the life of a believer. The belt of truth holds everything else together and more.
Why do people fight? These days it seems there are endless reasons! Usually, people fight because they feel they have a point they want to prove, a position of power theyre trying to preserve or a passion for someone or something they want to protect. Most often in our day to day lives, its because they feel provoked. Scripture repeatedly tells us as believers that we walk in the blessing of the Lord, but those blessings come with battles. Gods favour comes with fights! Today were kicking off our new summer sermon series were calling The Good Fight.
Happy Canada Day weekend! As we celebrate and pray for our nation we are also blessed to have Zach & Megan Wylie, our global workers in Thailand share on their work, our call and our why.
Do you ever find yourself craving simplicity? In a world filled with non-stop access to information and voices clamouring for our attention, we long for simplicity - Spare me the details!. As we wrap up our journey through the book of Hebrews today, having looked in detail at the GREATNESS OF JESUS, well see that there is a very simple response required of us. But theres a huge difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it.
Please secure all loose articles. These signs are plastered around every rollercoaster at every theme park across the country, but what about the rollercoaster of life? When life starts moving and shaking with all its twists and turns, ups and downs, the things weve trusted and put our faith in get shaken - what are you supposed to do when the things you thought were secure start to crumble? Thats the question our text addresses as we continue our journey through the book of Hebrews today.
Where do you find the strength, courage and determination to keep going when youre tired, have given your all and want to give up?Where do you find the motivation to keep going when life gets tough and it feels like your faith is wearing thin?These are the questions Hebrews 12 aims to help us answer as we push through when we feel weve hit the wall, and find our second wind.
Gods covenant and his promises are never about one generation, one person, one church, one nation. They are always meant to be passed on and He wants us to be blessed by being part of it. In todays message our guest, Pastor Dave Funk, inspires us to be part of Gods purposes by being carriers of Gods blessing.
Have you ever lost your confidence? We love watching people perform and accomplish great things under pressure. Under pressure, it seems, some peoples confidence increases while for others it craters. Life, with all its challenging situations and seasons, brings us lots of unwanted pressure in various forms; the question isnt will you face pressure? but can you keep your confidence when the pressure is on? We might not handle life perfectly, but as we'll see today, its possible to keep our confidence in every circumstance.
Lord, I need patience, and I need it now! As a culture accustomed to instant gratification, we dont do so well with waiting. Were used to things moving at the "speed of light." When it comes to the Kingdom of God, things seem to move at a much different pace - the speed of a seed planted in the ground. A seed that involves process, discipline and applied principles - all of which require patient endurance, which is what we need now as well see in todays message.
Star Wars episode 4 is by far the best Star Wars movie. You can disagree all you want, but there is something about the introduction of all the characters and the building of hope in the next generation of the Jedi coming. We all hope for things at different points of our lives, but there is a hope that we have as followers of Jesus that is greater than all other things we could hope for.
Ask a kid what the best parts of being an adult are and youll get some great answers, mostly about being free to do whatever you want to do with no one to tell you differently. Ask an adult what its really like and youll get a much different picture. Adulting doesnt bring the freedom we dreamed of as kids, but pressures and responsibilities that might have us wishing we could go back to the carefree days of our youth. But we cant go back, and we cant get stuck in adolescence, we need to rise to the challenges and overcome the pressures with greater purpose. This is spiritually true too, as well see in this message.
We live in a FOMO driven culture. The "fear of missing out" drives so much of what we do: the fear of missing out on opportunities and promotions at work, the fear of missing out on potential earnings to secure out future, the the fear of missing out on the luxuries and experiences of our neighbours, the fear of missing out on the approval of our family and friends - its no wonder were stressed out, overworked, and tired! But theres another way: a way God doesnt want us to miss out on...
How healthy is your heart? We all know someone who was suffered a heart attack, seemingly out of the blue, but there are preventative tests, signs and symptoms that can alert us that maybe things arent as they should be. Keeping your heart healthy and fresh is just as important spiritually as it is physically as well see today in Hebrews 3.
How do you get from where you are to where you want to be? Its a question we ask ourselves every day in one form or another. But what do you do when where you want to be seems like such a big leap from where you are? Every big leap is a series of small steps we take with intention. But you know what doesnt take intention? Drifting - all you gotta do is do nothing and watch that gap grow. Were continuing our series in Hebrews with the warning, "watch out for the drift!"
We love ranking things! From the best place to get a haircut, to the best coffee in town, we give priority and preference to the things we think are greater. Ranking things is one of the ways we bring structure and order to our lives; comparing one thing to another and determining their place in the order. Every once in a while there will be something or someone so uniquely special in their category that they rise to a whole nother level of comparison an exclusive, next level ranking: the G.O.A.T. list. Today were kicking of a new series through the book of Hebrews, looking at the Jesus, the Greatest of All Time!
A picture is worth a thousand words. Marketers know this, and there is no greater technique in their toolbox than the power of before after pictures. These contrasting images are meant to get us dreaming about what could be and create confidence in the promised result. This Easter weekend we are presented again with the worlds greatest and most famous of all before and after pictures, the cross the empty tomb. It will elicit a response from you, that much is certain, what will your response be?
What drives you to push through when things are difficult? Motivates you to get involve when you dont need to? Inspires you to serve others when it isnt self-serving? Keeps you growing? As Jesus was approaching Jerusalem and his impending cross he did so with intentionality despite everything persuading him not to. In todays message well see how Jesus overcame complacency and calls us to do the same.
When was the last time you failed? Weve all experienced failure in our lives; in personal accomplishments, in commitments, in our convictions. When we fail we can keep pushing forward, ignoring it like nothing happened, we can let it sideline us and keep us from moving forward or we can find healing and wholeness. In todays message well see a contrast in two of Jesus followers who failed and see that failure doesnt have to be fatal.
Are you the type of person to fully believe when someone tells you something crazy? Or are you naturally someone who will start to think of all the things in the story that could have been embellished? We all experience doubt. It is a fact of life. So how do we, as followers of Jesus, overcome doubt?
Have you ever felt on "edge"? We use the phrase to describe the feeling of being uneasy, uncertain, even overwhelmed. It's when you feel like you're on the edge of what you feel you can handle, the edge of your emotions, the edge of your courage, even the edge of your faith. When life brings you hardship, what can you do to keep from being overcome? Watch as Pastor Jeremy kicks off our new Easter series by looking at the encouragement Jesus gave his followers in preparation for moments he knew they'd feel overcome by...as we start this week with the Last Supper and work our way toward Resurrection Sunday on Easter weekend, we'll see that Jesus overcame so we can overcome!
How we perceive God affects how we relate to God, and with a name like the Holy Spirit or the "Holy Ghost" for all the old school folks, its easy to understand why theres a lot of confusion about the third person of the trinity. The best way to get to know and understand someone better is to learn about their priorities and how to partner with them, as well see today as we wrap up our mini-series examining the Anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever felt like you were given an impossible mission? A task that seemed like you werent set up for success, but to fail? It can be frustrating because no matter how hard you work to overcome the challenges in front of you, it seems like a no win situation. Jesus has called us to be his witnesses, building the church and advancing the Kingdom of God but he hasnt assigned us an impossible task, he hasnt set us up for failure,, Hes made sure we have everything we need to succeed through the [EMPOWERING] Holy Spirit!!
As Jesus ascended into heaven, he left us with a gift, the greatest gift we could receive on this side of eternity: the very Spirit of God. While many people are aware of the Holy Spirit's presence in the trinity, theres a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about the Spirits role in our everyday lives. Many of us mistakenly think of the Holy Spirit as a supporting character, or an accessory in Gods story, but nothing could be further from the truth, as well see in week 2 of our series as we explore, The [REFRESHING] Holy Spirit".
Were always looking for an advantage, an edge to help us move forward toward our goals. Tips, tricks, insider knowledge, coaching, advice. Sometimes were skeptical and need to be convinced that the advice were getting will actually help. Thats how Jesus followers felt when he said he was giving them an advantage as well see today as we kick off a new series on the Holy Spirit.
Whats the best piece of advice youve been given? Life experiences have a way of teaching you things that, when youve learned their lessons, you want to share with others so that maybe they can avoid having to learn the hard way. As we wrap up our New Years sermon series Soul Detox, well be sitting at the feet of someone the Bible describes as the wisest man to have ever lived, and listen to what he called the thing to learn above all else.
Youre gonna wanna know this Have you ever had someone tell you that? They know something you dont, that they know youre going to need to know in the future. They also know that youre probably not going to pay attention to or remember something you dont think applies to you. As we continue our series Soul Detox, were coming to a subject many of us will be tempted to disregard as irrelevant to us - but scripture continuously tells us youre gonna wanna know this!"
What gets you down? Studies have found that many people today report living with a constant low-grade depression; a sense, not that anything is wrong specifically, but that somethings not quite right. It might surprise how often the Bible addresses these feelings, as well see today as Pastor Jeremy continues in week 2 of our series, Soul Detox."
Are you someone who can't sit still? Whose mind and soul is wound up with worry and stress? There is a solution to this constant stress, and that is found in our Lord. How do we find and stay within this rest? This morning, Pastor Riley shows us how to start 2024 the right way.
As we come to the end of 2023, we reflect on all the blessings, challenges and regrets that have made up our year and look to the future with fresh hope, anticipation and resolve. In this message, Pastor Jeremy challenges us to rethink some perspectives and embrace a paradigm shift that will shape 2024 to be one of our best years ever!
Merry Christmas! Were so glad to have you join us for one of our favourite services of the year as we turn our attention from whats in the oven, under the tree and on our to-do lists to the mangerand Gods incredible gift to us.
You think you know somebody! Ever said those words?! Whether in dismay or in joyful surprise, even the most consistent and predictable people have a way of letting us in on facts or actions that leave us wondering how well we know them sometimes. When it comes to God, Hes always revealing Himself to us in new and surprising ways, consistent with his character, but deeper and deeper in the depths of His love as well see today when we continue our Christmas series, Unto Us.
Were counting down the days til Christmas! From Christmas in July events, decor in stores starting in October, Black Friday deals in November, and Boxing day sales now incredibly starting on the first of December, it seems like the wait is soooo long! Waiting has always been a part of the Advent season - for those who first received its promise, for those who received the long awaited Child, and for us who await our Saviour King. Today we continue our series "Unto Us and see how our promised Saviour is a Mighty God.
Have you ever gotten bad advice? You need to be careful who you listen to even well-meaning people you trust can lead you astray! This Christmas season were looking at Gods perfect gift to the world, foretold 700 years before the Christmas scene unfolded in a manger, and how that gift is for us today, and one attribute of our Saviour is that he is a Wonderful Counsellor.
You made your bed, now you have to lie in it, or so the saying goes. It is supposed to mean that the decisions we make, the paths we choose to take, and the outcomes they produce, are our responsibility. Some beds are incredibly comfortable, but this saying only pops up when the results are unfavourable. In todays message, well see how God shows up even in the most difficult and uncomfortable situations, and how it is never too late to make the decision to head in a new direction.
When was the last time your were thrown for a loop? You know, flabbergasted, befuddled, perplexed by the unpredictable? You just never know what someone is going to DO and you never know what someone is going to SAY, and every once in a while it can leave you asking What is happening right now?But what are you supposed to do when its God who seems to be throwing you for a loop?
Have you ever had someone speak on your behalf? How did it go? Have you ever found yourself unable to speak for yourself? Sometimes we find ourselves in a place in life where we need others to stand in the gap and pray on our behalf.
Have you ever found yourself stuck, waffling between two options? Making choices can be hard, even paralyzing at times! We dont want to make the wrong choice. Occasionally, there is no wrong decision. What are we supposed to do?! It sometimes seems like it would be easier if someone else would choose for us! But some choices are ones only we can make, as well see today as we look at The Altar of Worship.
Ever wished you could have a fresh start, a do over? Youve probably had some fresh starts and do-overs that you wished you didnt have to have, but whether your new beginning has you excited or unsettled, you can be sure of one thing - God is the God of Fresh Starts and New Beginnings as well see in this message as we continue our ALTARS series.
Celebration - some of us are great at it, while others are admittedly bad at celebrating. Whether its because we tend to minimize accomplishments, or are too busy moving on to the next thing, celebration isnt always a value to everyone. Celebration is, however, important to God - its both healthy, and spiritual, as we will see today as we continue in our series Altars.
It seems everywhere you go these days, theres a gift shop ready to sell you souvenirs. The value of a souvenir isnt in their material value but in their sentimental value, the meaningful moments and memories they symbolize. It can be fun to remember reflect on where youve been and what youve experienced. Ironically, our memories that can be so vivid about some things can also be so vague about others. When it comes to the work of God in our lives, He doesnt want us to be vague but to have significant souvenirs of where weve been and what weve experienced as well see as Pastor Jeremy kicks off this new series, Altars".
Have you ever found yourself pausing on the brink of a challenge, asking yourself whether you wanted to muster up the courage to go forward or retreat and go back to the safety of your comfort zone? We all have! Sometimes we watch other people take on daunting tasks and wonder how they can be so courageous in those moments. As we wrap up our Life Shared series, well look at how we can overcome our fear of taking on Jesus great commission to share his good news with everyone, everywhere!
Reality TV, Social Media, Fantasy Sports - its become really easy to be a spectator, watching from the sidelines as other people live their lives and pursue their dreams. Sure, we might be mentally and even emotionally invested, but were still physically detached from personal involvement or investment. When it comes to the Kingdom of God, no one was more personally invested than Jesus and he called his followers to be the same. As we continue our Life Shared series, well explore a couple of ways Jesus challenges us to get personally involved in the greatest cause ever.
Sometimes the way we look at what is can keep us from seeing what could be. The way things have always been is the way theyll always be. Its not that we cant see the problems, its that we cant always see the possibilities within the problem, or worse, lack the desire to make the changes. What we need is someone who sees things differently, thinks outside the box, brings a fresh perspective, to initiate change. As we continue our Life Shared series well examine how the Holy Spirit empowers Jesus followers to be this catalyst of change in the lives of everyone everywhere!
When was the last time you checked your height? As kids we were so excited to see how much weve grown, if youre like many people you probably had somewhere you marked off the inches over the years. Eventually though, we all stopped growing. Whether you were happy with where you ended up or not, there wasnt anything you could do to make yourself grow any taller, youre stuck with what youve got. When it comes to your mindset though, the growth potential is limitless! As we kick off our new series, LIFE SHARED, well see how growth mindsets are crucial to fulfilling our God given purpose and calling.
"Dont get your hopes up! Have you ever been told that? You probably have! When people say it, what theyre really trying to say is: I want to help you avoid the sting and hurt of unmet expectations. Not getting your hopes up means you wont be easily disappointed later on, right? Whether it's cynicism of past experiences and let-down, or the apparent hopelessness of the future, it can be easy to live with lowered expectations. In todays message, well see scripture's take on where our hopes should be.
"Pineapple on pizza or not? We judge those who dont agree with us on that topic. But we also judge people every day of our lives. Jesus teaches us to, Do not judge other, and you will not be judged, but what does that actually mean? Are we supposed to judge people or not? These are the questions that we will be diving into today.
There seem to be more reasons for fear and uncertainty every day. Political, economic, and general social instability seem to be the rule rather than the exception. This week as we continue our series on the Sermon on the Mount, we tackle Jesus's challenging and encouraging teaching about worry.
What would you do if you won the lottery? Weve all probably dreamed of what we would do if a large sum came our way - the debts wed pay, the toys wed buy and of course the acts of generosity wed do. Its fun to imagine what financial independence would gain for us. Wed be set in life, free to live out our dreams! Ironically, statistics show that isnt always true - as the great philosopher Biggie Smalls reminds us, Mo Money, Mo Problems!. Jesus never shied away from talking about money, in fact it was one of his most talked about subjects as well see again today as he encourages us to keep an eye on your money!"
Today we are continuing our sermon series Summer on the Mount where we unpack Jesus Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7. We dont want to look back on our lives and realize that the things we were consumed with werent the things that mattered. One of the most crucial questions we should ask in the culture that we are currently living in is: "God would you show me what's important to you?"
"Today we are continuing our sermon series The Summer on the Mount where we unpack Jesus Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5:38-48. Lets discover how Jesus says that we should respond to the world around us and how He challenges us to love those who are our enemies."
When was the last time you experienced a craving? We're talking about a gotta have it, do anything to get it kind of craving. A craving, by definition, is simply a powerful desire. There are a lot of desires that we feel strongly, that we crave many of them very positive, many God given. But sometimes those desires can become misdirected, even out of control and lead us to make decisions we know we shouldn't, decisions we might even regret later. In todays message well be looking at one craving that Jesus warns us against so strongly even though the majority of the world thinks its no big deal.
Its easy in the routine of life to become accustomed to the things we see everyday. Things designed intentionally for a purpose can fade into the background until theyre no longer seen and their purpose is forgotten. As we continue in our study of Jesus greatest but sometimes counter-cultural teaching, we are reminded that as citizens of the Kingdom of God and followers of Jesus, our lives have a purpose, a design - and it might just be simpler than were tempted to think!
Have you ever purchased something that didnt end up being quite like you envisioned it being? The product wasnt at all like the picture that was shown on the box? Its frustrating when whats shown on outside doesnt reflect whats inside! This week were kicking off our new summer series, Summer on the Mount by looking at the counter-cultural teachings of Jesus, starting with whats inside us that motivates the changes he desires in every aspect of our lives.
Have you ever had someone make you food that just hit a little different? Your palate just connected with the flavours, your saliva engaged with the spice in a way that made you say, WOW! Youve got to tell me your secret! We want to know the secret sauce, the secret ingredient that takes the dish to the next level. As were wrapping up our series in Philippians, the Apostle Paul shares his secret sauce on maintaining joy, in every circumstance, even when life is a struggle, and its something we can all learn!
Locks, helmets, insurance policies, extended warranties - everyday we take precautions to safeguard the things that are meaningful and have value to us, the things we want to keep, and cant afford to lose. In this message, as we continue in week 3 of our "Joyful: When Life is a Struggle series, well unpack the Apostle Pauls recommendations on how to safeguard our faith, and ensure we finish strong.
SPOILER ALERT! Ever had that one friend who went into too much detail about that blockbuster movie you were waiting to see, or who wanted to know if youd gotten to the point yet in your novel or tv series where key plot development happens? No one likes a spoiler! When it comes to the end of the world though, people have been speculating since the beginning how it might end - spoiler alert, the scriptures have a lot to say about it, especially how it shouldnt be a source for worry and fear but something to eagerly anticipate and be joyful in. That was the apostle Pauls approach, as well see today!
Have you ever noticed that the majority of the conflicts and problems you find yourself dealing with involve other people? Take inventory of the things that disrupt your joy and most frequently, its PEOPLE PROBLEMS! Left alone, we hardly have any arguments, disagreements, frustrations or fights - but throw in a: Spouse, kid, parent, sibling, boss, neighbour, its another story! Every relationship brings with it the inherent potential for people problems!! This week were checking Pauls prescription for how to deal with them and maintain our joy as we live as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven
New places, new experiences, friends recommendations - its always great when the experience lives up to the hype. Whats not so great is when the experience doesnt meet your expectation, thats when disappointment sets in. In a culture whose motto has become Good Vibes Only!, what are we supposed to do when the experience seems to come with equal parts disappointment and discouragement? The struggle is real! And yet, there is a way to be JOYFUL through it all. Over the next 5 weeks well be unpacking the Apostle Pauls masterclass on being joyful when life is a struggle, written in his letter to the Philippians.
Waiting. It seems like were always waiting for something. Traffic lights, coffee shops, lines at the store - we even have rooms devoted for waiting. Youd think by now wed be experts at passing the time, but research has shown were actually pretty bad at waiting, and that our ability to cope has less to do with our experience and more to do with our expectations. Looking at scripture, it seems like God knows just how fickle we can be when were made to wait. Join us in today's message as we see that while we are waiting Hes still working!
Knowing someone is following your lead makes a huge difference in how aware and intentional you are about leading, doesnt it?! Theres so much more accountability in having someone following you. This week, as we wrap up our series Follow Me, well see that accepting Jesus invitation to follow him come with a follow me invitation of our own - follow me as I follow Christ!
Have you ever been in the middle of something when you realized someone was stuck and needed your help? Maybe it was driving in the snow, or with your kids homework, or even an awkward conversation they were desperate to get out of. At some point, weve all found ourselves in situations we needed help getting unstuck from and weve all likely had the opportunity to help someone else get unstuck. As we continue our FOLLOW ME series, well see how God has uniquely positioned each of us to help people who are stuck in the riptide of culture that is pulling them away from God.
We are honored to have our District Superintendent, Ken Russell, with us today to preach Gods word and perform the ordination ceremony for our very own pastors Riley Kiersten.
Scrolling the photos on your phone can be so fun, reminiscing and reliving all the great moments and memories. Life on the camera roll looks so great, because we can crop out, edit and delete all the unwanted and forgettable moments. Weve all experienced regrettable moments failure we wish we could just delete like an unwanted photo, but on this Resurrection Easter Sunday well see that Jesus never crops us out of his photos - no matter who you are, what youve done, Jesus offers you the invitation today: Follow Me.
People are amazing! Theres never a shortage of "Shaking My Head (SMH!) moments in our world with social media, you can get lost for hours watching people do things that make you shake your head in both wonderment disbelief. Wonder at how creative humanity can be, and disbelief at how dumb we can be, all at the same time. In todays message, well see how what many thought at the time could be Jesus greatest moment was actually a series of SMH moments as he shook his head in amazement at the people around him and ask ourselves, how can we keep Jesus from shaking his head at us!
Have you ever been lost? Its okay to admit it you dont always have to be claiming to be taking the scenic route! Theres basically two types of lost: blissfully lost lost, but you don't realize it yet, and anxiously lost - fully aware that nothing is looking familiar and you might even be headed in the opposite direction of your destination. Either way, youre still lost. In todays message, Pastor Jeremy unpacks the invitation Jesus extended to both types of people, with varying results.
Every day it seems were bombarded with so many voices competing for our attention and for us to follow them: social media has even developed with a whole subculture based on the concept of Followers Influencers! It can be overwhelming at times trying to figure out which voices to listen to, whos voices to believe, which ones are only trying to sell us something and which ones sincerely have our best in mind. In a world of conflicting voices, how can we train our ears to filter out the noise and at the same time fine tune our hearing to the voices we should be following?
"Follow Me! Thats the call were confronted with every day. Follow Me for lifestyle tips, purchase recommendations, brand discovery or just to live your best life vicariously though me! Sure, we might scoff at the thought of it, but millions of followers choosing to follow social media influencers and make lifestyle decisions based on the recommendations of people theyve never met cant be denied! But what do you do when the competence of these influencers doesnt always live up to their swaggy confidence? Nobody wants to be taken for a ride, duped or deceived. In a sea of voices calling us to follow, theres one that stands above them all. In this series, well be examining Jesus frequent Follow Me calls and see how it still applies to us today!
Stress & anxiety are the leading contributors to mental health challenges, and experts tell us they stem in large part from two things: not doing what we should with the things we can control, and trying to control the things we were never meant to control. This week, as we continue in Part 2 of our look at Emotional & Mental Health, well see what scripture has prescribed for this challenge - while we cant always determine the direction of our lives, we can influence tomorrows trajectory through todays habits!
What do you do when youre not feeling quite like yourself? Its safe to say that whether its us, a family member, someone in our class, at work or at church, we all know and love people who are struggling with emotional mental health. Scripture has a lot to say on this subject, but before we can really address what we can do and how we can respond when were not feeling quite like ourselves, weve got to start with understand who we are. This week Pastor Jeremy unpacks our true identity.
MONEY. We are bombarded every day by marketing and messaging about our money:How to make it,save it,invest itand definitelyspend it. Everyone it seems, has a plan for our money - but whats ours? And whats Gods? As much as we talk about money every day, many of usget uncomfortable when its connected to our spiritual lives, but Jesus didnt. In fact, he made some direct connections between our money and our overall spiritual health. Today were continuing our Health Check series with this message on getting a pulse on our financial health.
Change before you have to. No one likes change, especially when it's about curbing our attitudes and habits. It's far easier to stay in the same patterns than to find motivation to change. Why is it that we often coast in familiarity until crisis arises before we look deeper and take action in our lives? This week we're checking the health gauges on marriage and relationships!
Were kicking off a new series today -- Health Check -- about some of the gauges in our lives that need monitoring for health. Dont settle for band aid solutions when God wants you to walk in wholeness and health!Today Dr. Marj Pettinger talks with us about Spiritual Health.
We all know the frustration of trying to get hold of someone who isnt picking up their calls or answering their texts. The customer you are trying to reach is currently unavailable, please hang up and try again later." Currently unavailable. Does that describe us? Are we available to Gods call? As we wrap up our series, Living on a Prayer, well see that weve been building from the place of introspection to a life of action. This last prayer of availability might seem daunting at first, but in the end well see thats where all the fun and adventure of Christian living is!
As Jesus was preparing his disciples for the reality that he would soon be gone from them physically, he wanted them to be assured of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit who would not only be with them but would indwell them, supernaturally bringing the closeness and power theyd need to live the life hed called them to. In part 3 of this series, Living on a Prayer, were inspired to desire all that God has for us, praying Lord. Fill Me.
It seems like everything you do these days comes with pages and pages of waivers & liability forms, terms of service and end-user licensing agreements. Does anyone even read those long paragraphs of disclaimers and legal mumbo-jumbo besides a few keeners? Most of us just initial the box or click I agree without really knowing what weve agreed to. In this message, Pastor Jeremy digs into one of the most difficult daunting prayers to pray that we might not even realize is intrinsically embedded into many of the other prayers we happily pray: Lord, Break Me."
Its a new year and you know what that means! An onslaught of New Years marketing messaging revolving all around the subject of TRANSFORMATION! If youre paying any attention, theres a whole lot of people trying to convince you its time to transform your figure, transform your health, transform your finances -- and best of all it can all be done by signing up now, enrolling today or purchasing their product for only a few easy payments of $19.95! Only half kidding. It is a time many of us consider adjusting our priorities and adopting healthy habits. I cant guarantee the effectiveness of anyone elses life hacks, but there is one habit and practice that I know for sure will change and transform your life -- its been proven for generations Stick around, well be talking more about it over the next 4 weeks!
What is the GOSPEL? Technically speaking it is simply "good news. Theologically speaking, it is the "good news of Jesus Christ. But what is this good news? Do we understand it fully and completely or do we only understand it in part? Over the past 3 weeks we have been unwrapping the layers of Gods gift to us, wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in the manger - Jesus, Son of God, Immanuel, Saviour of the world - today as we wrap up our Unwrapped series, we examine the most important layer of them all - Jesus Christ our King.
Have you had that person in your life who took the time to invest in you? Encourage you? Saw more in you than you saw in yourself? Who humbled themselves to deepen the relationship? This week as were continuing our Christmas Unwrapped series, well see how Christmas is a celebration of how God doesnt love us from a distance, but took the first step towards us. Now its our turn to decide how well take the next step.
What do you buy the person who seems to have everything? The question is on your mind constantly and then, when you finally think of something, its a mad scramble to find it, because theyre sold out everywhere! At least thats the way it seems to always go. Research shows that gift giving stress is a real thing - the biggest stressor of the holiday season actually. But when it comes to Gods gift to us, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger, God knew exactly what we needed. Presence. Join us as Pastor Jeremy helps us unwrap Christmas from all its nostalgia and festivities, so that we can discover and experience the only gift we really need this Christmas.
Some people are really great gift givers; they just have a way of thinking about you and knowing exactly what youd like or need. Have you ever unwrapped the perfect gift and said, you know me!? Thats the kind of gift giver God is he knows us and what we need better than we know ourselves. Heres the thing though, to fully receive a gift, you gotta unwrap it. You need to take it out of its gift wrap and see it fully for what it is - theres no ripping the paper only partially to see whats inside and leaving the rest unwrapped - you peel the gift wrap all the way back and display the gift proudly for all to see! On this, the first day of Advent, were kicking off our Christmas series Christmas Unwrapped where well be peeling back the layers of the season to reveal the fullness of Gods gift to us in Jesus.
This morning we are continuing off of last week looking at the story of thewoman at the well and looking at the idea of Invitation.
You know that saying, 'It's Easier To ask Forgiveness Than Permission? It seems to make sense. It certainly makes things easier for you - why get permission, when you can always get forgiveness afterward? It's a common saying, but is It true? Today Pastor Ralph walks us through Jesus evangelism strategy, and explores our need to ask permission.
When was the last time you came up short? We can all relate to coming up short at some point in our lives; whether it was baking ingredients, building supplies or a precious few points to win a game. Maybe youve felt it in more significant areas of your life like your job, your relationships, your parenting. In this message, Pastor Jeremy unpacks Jesus response to his disciples urgent plea for help in an area they felt they were coming up desperately short -- their faith. His response wasnt at all what they anticipated!
Time flies and change is inevitable - the older you get, the more youre aware of those two truths! But why is it that some things seem to change so quickly and effortlessly and others seem to take so long? It seems like we can hardly keep up with the latest tech trends and changes because they come so fast, but try to make changes to your waistline or your bank balance and it seems to take forever! Then, once you make the changes, maintaining them can be a grind! For Nehemiah, seeing the walls go up in record time wasnt mission accomplished, it was only the start to deeper changes God wanted to work in the heart and soul of his people.
Why do people fight? Usually, its because they have a passion for something or they want to protect someone. As the walls of Jerusalem got higher, so did the opposition Nehemiah and his people faced - but for every insult, distraction and threat of violence thrown their way, they faced it together, as family. In this message Pastor Jeremy shows us theres nothing like the united force of a family fighting together, filling the gaps in the wall where they live.
Nehemiah is so much more than an inspiring story from history full of leadership lessons and insight. It presents the real world account of the battle against our spiritual enemy. Every time Nehemiah took steps toward fulfilling his calling, every time he created momentum towards his God given vision, he was met with increasing resistance. The more the walls went up, so did the opposition. Last week we saw the opposition in the form of criticism and discouragement. In this weeks message, part 2 of "Opposition to the Vision well the resistance ratchet up in the form of lies distraction.
Halfway there is the hardest place to be. Youre not where you used to be, but youve still got just as far to go. Throw in some nay-sayers critics and the whole thing can feel downright discouraging. You might have started out the project with energy enthusiasm, but right about now it seems like quitting would be a huge relief. Thats the setting for Nehemiah 4 as we continue our series, Brick by Brick, where Pastor Jeremy encourages us that fulfilling a vision requires both building a battle.
It can be easy to have vision for our lives, but difficult to wait for it to come to pass. To many of us, a season of waiting seems more like a waste instead of a time of growth. In week 2 of our series Brick by Brick, Pastor Jeremy teaches that theres purpose in the process by continuing to unpack the story of Nehemiah and his example of prayer planning. Dont waste the wait!
Have you ever had that moment where youve thought, Someone should do something about this, something needs to be done. but then felt that whatever it was, it was too big a task for you to get involved in? After all, if were honest, it can seem daunting thinking about making a difference in other peoples lives when we often feel overwhelmed just thinking about managing our own. But we are called to something bigger than ourselves, were called to build lives of faith and a city of hope - daunting for sure, but you know how big things are built? Brick by brick. This is the story of Nehemiah, a great leader and a man of faith.
Have you ever been in the middle of having fun when suddenly you thought to yourself, This isnt fun anymore!, where your realization switched from, This is great! to HELP! Im outta control!? Life has a way of sneaking up on us, changing quickly from fun to out of control if we lack the discipline and self-control it takes to maintain our stability and health. This week were wrapping up our series, Juicy Fruit with the 9th expression of Gods work in us, self-control!
Whoa! Whered that come from?! Weve all had moments when our reactions have not only been shocking to others, but shocking to ourselves - both negatively positively. Things we wish we could take back and things we didnt expect. When were squeezed by life, what comes out of us? Whats in us, of course! In this, the second last installment of our Juicy Fruit series, Pastor Jeremy unpacks what it looks like to have the fruit of gentleness at work in our lives.
Its Ironman race weekend in Penticton this week, and with it comes two drastically opposed mindsets: For some people, the only way to play is to PLAY TO WIN - for other people, the prize to keep your eye on is something entirely differentBe your best, give it your all, and most of all, HAVE FUN! Two very different barometers of success, winning vs trying ultimately, we celebrate what we value. Pastor Jeremy continues our summer Juicy Fruit series asking this question today, If we celebrate what we value, what does Jesus celebrate?"
What makes something "good? Youve likely tried something new on somebody elses glowing recommendation: a new restaurant, a recipe, a new show to binge on Netflix. They said it was good and so you believed them and either discovered it was good for yourself, or discovered you had a difference of opinion. Maybe youve even been the one raving how good something was only to be shocked that they didnt see things the same way you did. What makes something good? Is goodness subjective? Is it dependent on our perspective? What about when it comes to being a good person? Who determines that?! Pastor Jeremy continues our Juicy Fruit series by unpacking how the Bible describes goodness in this message, For Goodness Sake.
As we continue our Juicy Fruit series, we look at how the Holy Spirit produces peace in our lives.
Joy, it has been said, is the feeling of grinning on the inside. As a civilization, weve got a lot to be joyful about!Weve made advancements beyond anything before. Were more connected to each other that weve ever been through technology. We have the most information available weve ever had at our fingertips and a constant stream of entertainmentis available on-demand 24/7.And yet, we still have the greatest number ofanti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications prescribedin history while suicidestill remains one of the leading causes of death in our society, especially amongst young people. We all want to experience joy, but how can we keep grinning on the inside even when things are spinning on the outside? Our Juicy Fruit series continues as we look at how the Holy Spirit produces Joy in our lives.
Were kicking off a new summer sermon series today on the JUICY FRUIT the Holy Spirit wants to produce in our lives, and it all starts with LOVE!
Have you ever walked into something knowing you were unprepared for it? Whether a work meeting, presentation, exam or conversation, theres no feeling quite like the one of feeling unprepared! Its worse when you realize you've walked into a fight you werent expecting. As we wrap up our 9 week journey through Ephesians, the Apostle Paul wants us to know this new life in Jesus comes with battles - but not ones we need to be afraid of, just prepared for! Stay alert and prepared and you can confidently be assured youll be able to weather them and say Im Still Standing!"
Relationships. The single greatest blessing as well as source of frustration and angst! Whether marriage, parenting, co-workers or friendships, relationships done well are a source of strength and done poorly, sap the strength from us. As we continue our series "Made New, well see how this new life weve been given leads to new ways of living with the people around us, especially those closest - in our homes.
What were you thinking? Ever been asked that?Is it just me or is it true that just about every time youre asked that question, it seems like the only honest answer is I dont know! As we dig deeper into the Apostle Pauls letter to the Ephesians with its theme of how God has made us new, we discover that there are some really practical areas where our new life leads to new ways of living out our daily lives, especially the way we pattern our thoughts. Today well see that a changed life begins with a changed mind.
In Ephesians 4:1-16 Paul calls believers back to the basics of their calling to follow Jesus. Be humble, gentle, and patient and live in unity with other believers. In this message Pastor Adrian continues our series on Ephesians with this message on Walking in Unity.
When was the last time you felt like an outsider? When you felt excluded or like you didnt belong? Feeling like were on the outside can have us thinking some crazy thoughts! So can being on the inside when we have been on the outside. Were continuing our journey through Ephesians today as Pastor Jeremy unpacks what it takes to bring reconciliation in divisive times.
In the third week of our series on Ephesians Pastor Adrian preaches on our identity as those who are made new in Jesus. In Ephesians 2 we see how, before Jesus, we were dead, but through Jesus we are brought to life and given a new identity and a new purpose.
Have you ever been searching for something youd misplaced and youve searched high and low, lifted every couch cushion, searched every pocket, gone through every draweronly to have someone with a fresh set of eyes come in and find it right off the bat? Sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes or a fresh perspective to see clearly what has been right in front of you the whole time. Are we seeing what God sees? Thats the question well tackle as Pastor Jeremy leads us through week 2 of our MADE NEW series.
"Im a different person than I used to be. Have you ever said those words? Weve all had moments to reflect on our lives and wish wed done things differently. As we gain knowledge and experience, as we add to our wisdom and insight, we mature and with that our desires and decision making changes too. And because we're a different person we do things differently than we used to do them. This week Pastor Jeremy kicks off our new series MADE NEW looking at how our new life in Jesus leads us to live life differently.
When was the last time you had to stop and ask someone for directions? Who you ask determines the type of directions youll get. We all hope for the straightforward, easy-to-remember directions and not the ones with East, West, 8 Kms, and turn at the house with the chicken coop type directions! These days, weve become so accustomed to relying on our phones for everything including NAVIGATION but even Siri can take you on the scenic route if youre not careful! For many people, the belief that peace of mind heart is a destination arrived at by carefully charting a course that leads through success, establishing security for the future, and making fond memories all while minimizing pain, avoiding difficulty, and dodging disaster. Most of us realize pretty quickly that such an accommodating route is more wishful thinking than reality! In this, the last of our I AM series Pastor Jeremy unpacks Jesus teaching on how to have peace of heart and mind in spite of any situation you find yourself in.
Is there anything impossible for God? No! As Christians, that's our quick answer, but does it always stand up to our experiences? It's one thing to say we believe nothing is impossible for God, but how do you reconcile that belief when there seems to be a gap between your expectations and your experience? Were continuing our I AM Series this Easter weekend as we look at how Jesus fills the space when theres a gap between our unmet expectations and our lived experiences.
Pastor Adrian continues our series on the I AM statements of Jesus with this message on Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
Pastor Jeremy continues our series on the I AM statements of Jesus with Jesus as "The Gate."
Pastor Kiersten continues our I Am series with this message on Jesus as the light of the world.
If youre hungry enough youll eat just about anything, healthy or not. When youre hungry all your healthy eating resolutions and diet plans go right out the window to satisfy that gnawing craving. We live in a culture starving for attention, meaning, identity, truth and love and as a result were willing to binge on just about anything to alleviate those hunger pangs, but rarely are we satisfied. In this, the first of our new series I AM, Pastor Jeremy unpacks a powerful teaching Jesus gave on how to be truly fulfilled in satisfied in recognizing He is The Bread of Life.
In this message, Pastor Jeremy talks about living with purpose in how we use how money. He talks about the importance of generosity and addresses the principle of tithing.
Pastor Holly continues our series On Purpose, with this great encouragement on doing Community On Purpose
Pastor Jeremy Bates preaches his first sermon as Lead Pastor here at Bethel Church. His message is about taking a leap of faith.
*Please note there are approximately two minutes missing from the recording, denoted by a brief fade-in/fade-out
Pastor Riley continues our series on Mark with this great message about our need to be healed from our spiritual blindness.
We experience a power outage and celebrate Missions this week at Bethel, we hear from a special guest speaker, Keristan Bonin as well as Pastor Ralph!
Pastor Adrian concluded our series on Community with this message about the importance of being a community that honours based on Romans 12:10.
Pastor Adrian started our new series: Ascend: Psalms of Ascent with Psalm 121 where we looked at the help that comes from the Lord.
The context of this sermon presented by Darcy & Leanne McAllister, encourages us to take a stone.
This is the second of a three part series of Pastor Dave's final sermon series as the Lead Pastor of Bethel Church.
Join us as we resume our series on the Gospel of Mark. Live from our parking lot! As mentioned in the sermon, the following content is rated PG-13, and isn't suitable for younger children. Parental discretion is advised.
Pastor Dave begins a continuation of Asking For A Friend series on the common questions a friend would ask.