From the Ridge: Recent Episodes
Northridge Community Church
A podcast that invites listeners to tune in and see how God is at work both at Northridge Community Church, the Aurora Community, and his broader Kingdom!
This Advent season we invite you to prayerfully join us in preparing our hearts for the season ahead. This is not an invitation to do more, muster up more, or be more, but to simply invite Jesus into your day.This week, we consider the Love of Christ.
This Advent season we invite you to prayerfully join us in preparing our hearts for the season ahead. This is not an invitation to do more, muster up more, or be more, but to simply invite Jesus into your day.This week, we consider the Joy of Christ.
This Advent season we invite you to prayerfully join us in preparing our hearts for the season ahead. This is not an invitation to do more, muster up more, or be more, but to simply invite Jesus into your day.This week, we consider the Hope of Christ.
This Advent season we invite you to prayerfully join us in preparing our hearts for the season ahead. This is not an invitation to do more, muster up more, or be more, but to simply invite Jesus into your day.This week, we consider the peace of Christ.
This Advent season we invite you to prayerfully join us in preparing our hearts for the season ahead. This is not an invitation to do more, muster up more, or be more, but to simply invite Jesus into your day.
Each week of this advent season we will be posting videos on Thursday afternoons to prompt us amidst our busy weeks, to pause, and reflect on the Christ who came into our world 2000 years ago!
A special thanks to @practicingtheway
Listen in as Jacob works us through the final chapter of Jonah's story, where we are confronted with the unmerited love of God and how Jonah responds to his enemies being the beneficiaries of it.
Listen in as Jacob works us through Jonah chapter 3, and we encounter a certainty within all the uncertainty.
Listen in as Jacob works through Jonah 2 to see how God uses death as the vehicle to salvation, and how, in this sense, the story of Jonah mimics the story of Jesus.
This week, we look at Jonah 1:4-17 and discover that the sailors feared the fear that Jonah should have feared. Listen in as Jacob unpacks what sits beneath the surface of this seemingly crazy story and how all of us are prone to falling asleep to what God is doing around us.
This week, we look at Jonah 1:1-3, and discover what Jonah was really doing in fleeing for Tarshish.
Listen in as Pastor Jacob speaks from 2 Timothy 3:14-17 about what scripture is wanting us to experience in reading it, and the heart posture we should have every time we do. This is critical for us, as we spend the next number of weeks reading through the book of Jonah together.
Since the beginning of 2023 our church has been working through a series called "From Garden to City." In it, we have highlighted how the bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus. In this podcast, we discuss Sunday's message, talk about evaluating our spiritual formation, and share our takeaways from the series.
Revelation 21:1-3 : Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.
John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
2 Samuel 7:11-13: “‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever."
Judges 2:16-19 - Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. 17Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the Lord’s commands. 18Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.
Since the beginning of this year, we as a Church are working through a series called "From Garden to City." In it, we discover how all scripture is a unified story that leads to Jesus.
Weekly, we use this podcast to discuss questions, you, the listeners ask! Today we have Pastor Jacob Pearp on the show to discuss the sermons from the past few weeks.
On this episode, we take time to unpack the Old Testament Laws, and better understand the ritual purity system!
Check out the following links for more info about things discussed :
"How do we use the law today? BibleProject Podcast
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/how-do-we-use-law-today/
"Jesus, Marriage & the Law" BibleProject Podcast
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/jesus-marriage-and-law/
"Which laws still apply?" BibleProject Podcast
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/which-laws-still-apply/
Understanding Levitical Laws Document
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PwOTgUeEMPtctruWZ5ItloyB3iUbAMST/view?usp=sharing
Psalm 15:
Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.
Deuteronomy 6:4-6:Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
Deuteronomy 18:15, 18- The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him...I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him."
Since the beginning of this year, we as a Church have been working through a series called "From Garden to City." In it, we discover how all scripture is a unified story that leads to Jesus.
Weekly, we use this podcast to discuss questions, you, the listeners ask! Today we have Pastor Carolyn Reid on the show to discuss her sermon from Sunday. On this episode, we take time to unpack the Old and New Covenant, and look at the question some of us may have asked before "Why is circumcision no longer part of our covenant?" Join us, as we unpack this, and other questions throughout this episode.
Check out the following links for more info about the Old and New Covenant!
"What is circumcision of the heart?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/circumcision-of-the-heart.html
"Epic of Eden - Ch. 3 Covenant"
https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:d0e498d3-62bb-347c-bcd1-9f4a8c76aa16
https://www.amazon.ca/Epic-Eden-Sandra-Richter/dp/0830825770/ref=asc_df_0830825770/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292953826769&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12168692855361161864&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000795&hvtargid=pla-521813704444&psc=1
Genesis 12:1-3: The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.[a]
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”[b]
This January, we as a Church are working through a series called "From Garden to City." In it, we discover how all scripture is a unified story that leads to Jesus. Weekly, we use this podcast to discuss questions, you, the listeners ask!
Today we have our Spiritual Formation & Discipleship Pastor Jacob on the show. We were asked a range of questions, from how a God of grace could remove Adam & Eve from the Garden, what role the serpent had, and others!
For more info about the fall, and the Genesis account, check out the following links!
"The Tree of Life" the Bible Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJLan-pJzfQ&ab_channel=BibleProject
"Sin" the Bible Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNOZ7ocLD74&ab_channel=BibleProject
Genesis 3:6- "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."
This January, we as a Church are starting a new sermon series entitled "From Garden to City." In it, we discover how all scripture is a unified story that leads to Jesus.
You're invited to participate in this series by asking questions about those comments made throughout the duration of the series. Today we have our Spiritual Formation & Discipleship Pastor Jacob on the show. We were asked the question "How do cavemen fit into the story of Adam and Eve?" More specifically, we'll answer what it means to be human, and will look at the topic of heaven and earth as brought up in Sunday's message.
For more info about science & faith, and the topic of heaven and earth, check out the following links!
Bible Project: Heaven & Earth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy2AQ...
BioLogos: Youtube & Website
https://www.youtube.com/@biologos
https://biologos.org/
Ray Anderson: On Being Human
https://books.google.ca/books/about/O...
Gen. 2:8- Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.
This January, we as a Church are starting a new sermon series entitled "From Garden to City." In it, we discover how all scripture is a unified story that leads to Jesus. You're invited to participate in this series by asking questions about those comments made throughout the duration of the series. Today we have our Spiritual Formation & Discipleship Pastor Jacob on the show. We'll be looking at this divine-human partnership in our scriptures' creation, we discuss the Biblical Canon, and the authority of scripture (the way in which God has chosen to reveal himself to humanity).
For more info about the canon, and the authority of scripture check out the following links:
https://www.wesleyhuff.com/blog/2017/...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjyuy...
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/es...
In our kick-off to our new series, Jacob unpacks Luke 24. In this chapter, Jesus chooses to reveal his identity to his disciples by explaining the Hebrew scriptures and showing them how they are all working together to communicate one united story. And according to Jesus, this united story has always been leading us to him!
The things we do, do something to us. Every day our lives are being formed by the things that we engage in. Do you know what it is that is forming you?
For a follower of Jesus, a Rule of Life is a way of bringing attention and intention to the way we construct our daily, weekly, and monthly routines, in effort to create space for the spirit of God to transform us into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
Luke 2:1-2: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalemand asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:29-32: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Revelation 19:6-7:
“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”
Isaiah 56:1-3:
“Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
Blessed is the one who does this—
the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”
Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say,
“The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.”
And let no eunuch complain,
“I am only a dry tree.”
Romans 12: 4-6:For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
In part 1 of our Re: Imagine series, Pastor Fred looks at the role of the church and the invitations that are presented to us in Hebrew 10:19-25.
2 Tim 4:3-7: For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Tim 3:16-4:2: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
Psalm 107:1-9: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever...
Joshua 1:7-9: “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Matthew 5:13-16:“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
1 Corinthians 12:12: "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."
Acts 2:42: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
John 15:5:“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Matthew 16:17-18: Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
John 15:26: When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
This week at Wednesday in the Word, Nathan Allen addresses the fifth belief of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism— that good people go to heaven when they die. Listen in as Nathan discusses this belief and how Christianity would answer it.
John 14:16-17: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.
This week at Wednesday in the Word, Bruce Wilson addresses the third belief of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism— that God does not need to be particularly involved in one's life except when He is needed to resolve a problem. Listen in as Bruce talks about who God is and when we should be going to him.
John 14:9-14: This passage reveals the closeness of the relationship that Jesus shared with the disciples, and that he desires from us. As we pray in His name, Jesus meets us and hears our prayers. This prayer, isn't a catch-all magic word to get what whatever we ask for. Instead, as we live out our relationship with Him our desires begin to align with Christ's will.
John 14:1-7: This passage is the beginning of a long discourse with the disciples in advance of his suffering and death. Beginning in John 14, Jesus lays out a plan for the future. He begins with comfort and encouragement. While the disciples may not understand Jesus' words fully here, they receive the promise of Christ saying, "I will come back." Evil doesn't win. What an encouragement we too can receive from this passage of scripture!
John 6:35-37: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away."
This week at Wednesday in the Word, Wesley Huff addresses the second belief of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism— that God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions. Now there are two parts to that statement, and the first part (that God wants us to be good, nice and fair) will be addressed in subsequent weeks. But today, Wesley does a deeper dive into the idea that all religions are essentially the same thing.
Matthew 8:1-4: When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
This week at Wednesday in the Word, Joel Pichora addresses the first belief of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism— that a God exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth. Listen in as Joel outlines how God is not a passive observer of life on earth, but is intimately engaged in it!
Matthew 4:18-20: As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 11:28: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
This week, our Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Leader Jacob Pearo teaches on the impact that simplifying our spending habits and schedule can have on our desire and ability to seek first the kingdom of God.
Week 6 of our series on the Lord's Prayer. This week, our focus is on " For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
Week 5 of our series on the Lord's Prayer. This week, our focus is on "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
Week 4 of our series on the Lord's Prayer. This week, our focus is on "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
Week 3 of our series on the Lord's Prayer. This week, our focus is on "Give us this day our daily bread."
Week 2 of our series on the Lord's Prayer. This week, our focus is on " Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
"The whole point of our lives here on earth is to give glory to God, and if we're putting ourselves first in that, or in life, that's never going to happen!"
- Ryan Eberlin
Throughout February and March, we as a Church are digging into the Book of James, discovering what it means to be a Christ-follower, and how our lives must look different! Along the way we are having different congregants on the show to share a bit of their faith journey, and how this series has impacted the faith and thinking. Today we have Ryan Eberlin on the show, who shares the significance of Christian community, and our call to live lives of humility and empathy!
Throughout the month of January, Jacob Pearo is leading us through a series on discipleship. In this newest episode launching today, we have John Tillsley, Northridge's Director of Discipleship, and long-time congregant join the Pod. We unpack the value of community and get to share in some of his experiences/testimonies during his time of Small Group Ministry here at Northridge. Along the way, he shares how his best friend and wife Margaret has been a steadfast encouragement to him and helps identify the ways in which each of us can spur others along in their journey of apprenticeship.
Throughout the month of January, Jacob Pearo is leading us through a series on discipleship. In this newest episode launching today, we have Matt Delaney join the Pod. We unpack some of the challenges the world throws at us in our journey of apprenticeship, including an online world that lets you 'build your own theology.' This ever-present online environment affirms and re-affirms convictions, and skirts the need to actually dig into God's Word.
Throughout the month of January, Jacob Pearo is leading us through a series on discipleship. In this episode, we have Robyn Bishop one of our Small Group leaders to help us unpack what this apprenticeship to Christ has looked like in her faith journey. We also work through some of the questions that believers confront as they navigate this life-long commitment.
In this episode, we introduce Jacob Pearo, Northridge's newest staff member. Jacob is our Spiritual Formations and Discipleship leader, and has been on staff for about a month now! In working through our 'Reset' series, we're at Rejoice! This season of advent invites us to celebrate, and rejoice in our Saviour's birth. Tune in to get to know Jacob, and what's going on at Northridge this month and beyond!
In this episode, we introduce Angela Covert, Northridge's Community Relations Representative to the show! As part of Angela's role, she'll be heading up the 2021 Kettle Campaign. In working through our 'Reset' series, we're at Renew and Resume. We discuss what it looks like to renew our sense of community, resume traditional fundraising measures, and what it looks like as believers to serve our broader community.
In this episode, we introduce Silas Allen, Northridge's new Youth Pastor! We wanted to give Silas the space to introduce himself, and allow him to share some of his thoughts about Northridge's Youth Ministries moving forward.
We want to pause and acknowledge on this, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, that we are on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe Peoples, in the Williams Treaties and Treaty 13 Area. We as a Church are grieved by the history of residential schools in Canada and are committed to reconciliation, and rebuilding relationships with the Indigenous Community. We are committed to learning about the history of residential schools, Canada's historic and ongoing relationship with our Indigenous neighbours, and continuing to pray and act in ways that foster reconciliation within our nation.
To learn more about Residential Schools, and Canada's shameful history, visit:
https://education.afn.ca/afntoolkit/learning-module/residential-schools/
During this episode we invite Pastors Brian and Glenda onto the show to discuss how Northridge is moving forward, seeing how God is at work! We discuss everything from Sunday School, Photo-Ops, New Staff, and more! Check it out!
Stay tuned for more faith-based, Northridge Community Church content which will seek to provide an insight as to how God is at work in Aurora!
Apple Podcasts Link:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/from-the-ridge/id1576143677
Spotify Link:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7qo84jXhVgWWd1eTSqzZI5?si=15MsjRv8Q8es8OrxQFZnAQ&dl_branch=1
Today we invite Pastors Brian and Glenda onto the show to discuss what's new since the last time we were together, how in-person worship is going, and what steps are pivotal for our Church moving forward.
Stay tuned for more faith-based, Northridge Community Church content which will seek to provide an insight as to how God is at work in Aurora!
Welcome to our first-ever Northridge podcast! Today we invite Pastors Brian and Glenda onto the show to discuss what's going on in the coming months, and what to expect from our Northridge reset plan in this "new normal."
Stay tuned for more faith-based, Northridge Community Church content which will seek to provide an insight as to how God is at work in Aurora!