Woodside Church Elmira: Recent Episodes
Woodside Church
Welcome to Woodside Church weekly sermon podcast. Check-in every week for our most recent Sunday morning teaching from the Word of God. A new teaching is uploaded every Monday.
We are told in God's Word in no uncertain terms that in this life we will suffer. Today, as we begin our series in the Book of Job, we look at our biggest decision that we must make when suffering comes.
Today, on Woodside's Golden Anniversary, we as a church family celebrate God's Faithfulness in the past, we commit to God's Mission in the present, and we look forward with hope to God's Future!
We are looking at the final step in our discipleship process, serving Christ. Colossians 3 prompts us to ask five questions of ourselves to see if we are maturing believers as we serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
As we look at the 2nd phase of our discipleship process, we dig deep into God’s call for each believer to be transformed by the Holy Spirit.
It is one thing for God to forgive sinners. It is entirely another thing to adopt them into his family.
Have you had a season in your life when you felt spiritually dry? What does that do to your praying? David reminds us in Psalm 143 to got to God. The Lord hears us and speaks to us. And through Christ's completed work, His payment in our place, we can call out to the Father with our needs. May He be glorified in us.
The Psalmist calls on everyone to listen to his teaching in light of the brevity of life, the certainty of death, and the reality of life to come.
Jesus Himself knows exactly what we need when we are feeling like God has forsaken us. Psalm 22 is his model for us and provides a framework to guide us as we go through life’s darkest times, allowing us to turn that suffering into praise.
When life gets hard, is God still watching over you?
In this message from Psalm 121, we explore how God's presence is not proven by the absence of pain — but by His faithfulness through it.
The Great Commision of Jesus was and is the core Mission of the Church. To be effective as a Church we need to “Get on Mission and stay on Mission”.
God never designed us to do life alone. From the Garden to the early Church, Scripture shows us that true spiritual growth happens in the context of Christ-centered community—because isolation is a tool of the enemy, but community is a gift from God.
What does it mean to live according to the "new self" that is created when we are spiritually reborn? Here are some everyday applications that God has given us.
Many people believe they have put their faith in Christ, but might be badly mistaken. Here is what Jesus actually said about this?
There's something better than having your name remembered on the pages of human history.
As we continue in our series in the book of Nehemiah, we come to chapter 9 and the topic of confession. The people demonstrated that they understood who God is and what He has done, and then who they are and what they had done. This leads them to confession and commitment. The pattern remains the same for us as followers of Christ today.
In a world where there are people who use people and take advantage of others God calls his people to be others- oriented.
In chapter 4 of Nehemiah the opposition begins. What do we do in the face of opposition? Nehemiah prays and takes action. What do we do in the face of fear? Nehemiah remembers who God is and who God's people are.
You were created for something more than just the here and now. You were born for a purpose.
In this post-resurrection story we learn that the real living Jesus was prophesied in the Old Testament, and celebrated today in our communion services.
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead isn't simply a Bible story. It's the story! And it intersects with your story. It's a story of love, forgiveness and hope.
Why do Christians revel in the cross which was an instrument of execution and a symbol of torture, oppression, judgement, defeat, suffering and shame?
A guilty man is released. An innocent man is condemned. How does this staggering prisoner exchange that took place 2000 years ago still affect us today?
In Luke 22 we see the story of two disciples experience failure in their walk of following Christ. See how they responded differently to their failure and how we can walk forward in relationship to Jesus despite the failures we will experience.
Jesus tells a story about the afterlife: Two men who both lived and died but found themselves in two different places in the afterlife.
Is it possible to live in such a way that the worries of the future don't rob us of the joy and possibilities of today?
You can either keep your life or lose your life. Today, we look at what surrendering your life to Jesus looks like and why it is the best decision you can make.
As we continue in our series in Luke, we'll go through chapter 11. After going through it quickly, we want to zoom in on the identity of Jesus. Who is He? We want to understand who He is and derive our identity from Him.
In Luke 7:36-50, a “Sinful Woman” risks everything to reach Jesus, to reach safety and pure love. She came with a repentant heart and Jesus did the rest. She honoured Jesus with all her actions while the Pharisee host did not. Where do you find yourself in this beautiful story of repentance, forgiveness and love?
Jesus calls us to love our enemies. What does that look like? How is it even possible? Why is following his command goof for others and good for us?
Luke's first close up picture of Jesus' Public Ministry is in a synagogue in Nazareth. There Jesus reveals who he is and what he came to do for you.
As we conclude Luke 2, we will be looking at two of the stories of Jesus growing up. We want to be reminded that Jesus is light and glory. He is God and man. Jesus is our salvation and our redemption.
The Christmas story is more than a nice story. It's an invitation to marvel, again and again, at what God did for us and why he did it.
For generations, God’s people longed for the Messiah to come, only to be thrust into oppression by one foreign ruler after another. While not the military victory they expected, Jesus entered this world as the Messiah and became our expectation fulfilled.
From a poor, unknown, powerless woman comes a song of hope and joy. We too, can trust God and live with hope and joy.
What is God doing in the silence of your life? You may feel he is absent, indifferent, or forgotten you but he is at work behind the scenes doing things on your behalf that you may not see or understand.
Our best parenting happens when we parent our own children the way our Heavenly Father parents us.
This week in our Created for Relationships series we get to look at marriage. Marriage is primarily a picture of God. We want to understand God's design for the structure of it and the roles within it so that people will see Him through our marriages.
In Daniel Chapter 7, one of the most important chapters in the Old Testament, Daniel gets a glimpse of the future.
In one of the greatest true stories ever told, we're prompted to see ourselves through Daniel in the lion's den. Like Daniel, we are to remain faultless people and faithful people in Babylon because someday, we are to be rescued people, through the completed work of Jesus Christ.
"But even if he does not"... are some of the greatest words of faith in the scriptures. Today we look at one of scriptures most famous stories we see what real faith looks like.
Looking at the life of Daniel we see a wonderful example of how to live out our Christian faith and values in a culture that doesn't always embrace them and is sometimes hostile to them.
The psalmist celebrates Old Testament Jerusalem as the glorious place that God loves. It is the source of life for all believers past, present, and in the future New Jerusalem.
The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church.
As Christians, God has given each of us Passions, Abilities & Spiritual Gifts. In short, he has gifted us. In this service we have some practical chats with workplace believers, discussing how we are called to use these giftings outside our church walls, focusing on the workplace.
The Christian life is to be lived in community. Why is being part of a church so important, and what does this gathering of God's people look like?
One of the shocking things Jesus told His disciples was that they were better off to have Him return to heaven since He would be sending the Holy Spirit to live within them. This amazing gift of the Holy Spirit has been given to all of who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ!
Is this idea of life after death, as someone has said, a fairy story for people afraid of the dark?
This week, Darcy Dueck continued in our series 'Jesus Said' with a teaching on prayer. We looked at how Jesus framed prayer and how we can turn it from discipline to delight.
Jesus was fully God yet fully man and therefore he too experienced emotions. In this week’s sermon we look at both Jesus’ emotions and our emotions as Christians.
Today we learn What Jesus said about Sabbath Rest and how we can learn to embrace this gift from God so that we are not trapped into living burned out, stressed out lives.
This week we'll be looking at what Jesus said about mission in Matthew 10. What are 4 things a worker sent by God, a disciple of Jesus, should expect as they commit themselves to Christ?
This week we began our sermon series called “Jesus Said”, and it is a 10-week journey through the “teachings of Jesus which bring life”. In this first gathering we focused on what Jesus said about “Discipleship”, and his call for us to die to ourselves, pick up our cross to follow him, and invite others on the same journey of becoming disciples of Christ
We take time this week to honour mothers, and the special role that motherhood plays in God’s plan for families. We also address that Mother’s Day can be complicated and painful for many in our church family. Kirk Durston invites us to reflect on what it takes for the church, and especially husbands, to create the conditions for mothers to thrive.
Anxiety comes with life. How do we address these constant anxious feelings so that they do not overtake our lives?
Our Mental Health struggles are real. God cares about our Mental Health struggles. There is hope for our Mental Health struggles.
What does God say about himself? When we have an accurate view of God we will find ourselves worshipping and filled with hope.
Nothing other than God can ultimately satisfy the cravings of the human soul. We fight idolatry for his glory and our joy.
As we continue in our series in the Book of Exodus, we arrive at the Ten Commandments. We will look at each commandment, how Jesus spoke of them, and how it relates to us in our present context.
By acknowledging God's Grace in our lives, and submitting to God's Sovereign Plan for our lives, we can replace grumbling for gratitude.
We need to see things as they really are.At the end of the message a life story was shared. You can watch that here.
https://youtu.be/CBJl0efGldE
As we continue in Exodus, we see Moses' return to Egypt and the Israelites experience the confusion of a delayed deliverance. We too can wrestle in faith when our deliverance is delayed. God graciously comforts us with His promises even in the midst of confusion.
Who is this God who has promised to be with us, as we like Moses, live out his calling in our lives?
God has a plan for each of our lives, but what happens when it doesn't go according to our plans? Taking things into our own hands isn't what is best. Like Moses, we need to learn to trust God and obey him even when it's hard.
Trouble and hardship cause us to feel hopeless. Understand and embracing these 3 truths about God, compel us to hope even in the midst of our hardship.
Hope in the Wilderness series: sermon #1.
As we examine the 'Cast of Christmas', looking at the actual people involved in the birth of Jesus, we want to once again be in awe and wonder of God's plan. The Wise Men remind us that God is in control of all things and that everybody is invited to come and worship Christ. We can give all that we are to Him because He gave Himself for us.
We continue our series, “The Cast of Christmas”, by focusing on the perspective of the Shepherds. God’s choice to proclaim the birth of the Messiah to the common Shepherds, reminds us that God is not influenced by people’s position or power. God chooses to reveal his Son to all – Jesus Christ the Hope of the World.
As we examine the 'Cast of Christmas', looking at the actual people involved in the birth of Jesus, we want to once again be in awe and wonder of God's plan. Mary and Joseph remind us that normal people can be faithful in what God asks of us, regardless of how extraordinary it may be. We can be faithful because we serve a God who is faithful.
God's Word produces a healthy fear of God in you, reminds you of His Presence and brings you His Peace.
Whether we realize it or not, as followers of Jesus, we are called to join his movement and serve him.
The life you long for is found in Jesus. Don't let anyone deceive you or control you by saying that Jesus is not enough.
Hearing God's voice can be a complicated thing to talk about. We want to be confident that God, the Holy Spirit, speaks to His people. He prompts, prevents and gives peace. The Spirit is God's presence with us.
In this psalm we find a scribe extolling the honour of a king at his wedding, and calling on his bride, in all her beauty, to embrace the glory and wonder of being the bride of such a king.
Asaph, the psalmist, leads us through a pilgrimage of an anguished sigh to a song of remembrance and confidence. He starts with an anguished sigh thinking that God has forgotten him, but he comes back to a recording of remembering the mighty things that God had done for him and his people in the past, especially in the great exodus from Egypt.
In an age of anxiety Psalm 27 encourages us to focus our faith on the Lord who is our light and our strength. As we do that we learn to say, “of whom shall I be afraid?”.
Continuing in our series in the Psalms, Psalm 130 reminds us of our need for the Lord. We can cry out to the Lord because He forgives. We can wait for the Lord because He redeems. And now as believers we can see Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of this Psalm.
An understanding of who God is and what he has done for us leads to praise. Daily praise glorifies God and helps us overcome despair, anxiety and apathy.
God’s heart for the nations is seen throughout Scripture from Genesis to Revelation and he desires that everyone will come to know him. In the 21st century many Christians are asking ‘What is role of the church in Global Missions’? To let the world come to us? To go? Or both?
How the failures of Old Testament priests parallels Christian leadership today, and what the church can learn from it (based on 1 Samuel 1-7).
Christians should always bring their doubts and questions to God without fear. Honest prayer with a humble attitude and a large view of God results in joyful, anti-fragile faith.
How did Rebekah go from being a sparkling young woman to saying she "was disgusted with living?" How can we grow through disappointment with God?
As Christians we are called to walk by faith and not by sight. This means spending much of life in that place of tension existing between the way life is going and the way we wish life would be. In Exodus 33,34, we find God confronting Moses in order to show him that these moments of tension are a necessary component of walking by faith. But, they also serve an indispensable purpose in God’s plan to make us his royal priesthood, worshipping servants, and satisfied children.
Jesus says there's a Great Banquet. You need to come. You're invited. You need to invite others to come.
When Simon the Pharisee invites Jesus over for dinner (Luke 7:36-50) he never expected a 'sinful' woman to crash the party! Jesus' parable of 2 debtors, one small and one large, turns everything on its head, showing how we will love little unless we understand the true depth of our sin. When we do, it will give us Jesus' eyes for the true humanity and value in all people and inspire a gratitude as we sit at the feet of our Saviour.
In this parable Jesus teaches us to live with an eternity oriented mindset, where we use money and material possessions for his Kingdom saving purposes.
Jesus teaches three parables in a row about lost things. The reason He does this is to reveal a part of the heart of God: God's heart is to seek and save the lost. Is that your heart too?
The reason Jesus is teaching this parable to keep on praying is because when we pray we don't always get what we want, when we want it. Why should we persist in prayer? How does God respond when we do?
The first few verses of 2 Timothy 3 talks about the hard reality that there are some in this world who teach falsely about Jesus. We'll walk through the text and look at what it means to teach falsely and how we as believers in Jesus should act towards those that do.
Without putting the Word of Truth into our hearts we have no defence against deception.
Will Christianity survive to the next generation? Only if we faithfully pass on the gospel of grace. As we consider Jesus, we serve Him like a soldier undistracted, an athlete playing by the rules, and a farmer with eyes on the glorious harvest as others come to know the grace of Jesus. When we are discouraged by hardship, disappointed by people, or wrestling with doubts, we should remember Jesus, who suffered for us, and is risen from the dead.
This week we began studying the book of 2 Timothy.
We're not ashamed of Jesus. We're willing to suffer for him. We're holding to his Word.
The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead changes everything which includes looking forward to a glorified body.
Jesus dethrones sex. It's not the be all and end all. It's not the key to fulfillment. It's not big enough to be out identity and the lens through which we see life.
Mankind is made up of one race and many ethnicities that are divided because of sin, reunited though the gospel, and represented in heaven.
Who are we? The answer to this question has implications that could not be more far-reaching for understanding ourselves and for navigation through culture's messages.
There are three major influences that can lead us into deception. It is helpful to know how God has spoken to each one.
We live each day immersed in a culture of misinformation and deception all around us from the highest institutions to the lowest. How might this be affecting our own Christian doctrines and views? In this talk we look at three major aspects of deception that can occur within Christianity, how to recognize them, and how to avoid them.
Great marriages are made up of two people growing with each other. Today, we look at three commitments that cause a couple to grow together.
God's will for each married couple is that they pursue each other as they journey through life. This means a commitment to serve each other and a commitment to understand each other.
God's will for each married couple is that they would be one. To experience this inner closeness each couple has to fight for it. Today, we look at how the wife can help her husband keep his heart open to her and strengthen their connection.
God's will for each married couple is that they would be one. To experience this inner closeness each couple has to fight for it. Today, we look at how the husband can help his wife keep her heart open to him and strengthen their connection.
Before God created the church, the government or any other institution he created marriage. In today's message we look at the first marriage which was meant to be a model marriage.
This same Jesus- the compassionate relational Jesus of the gospels, will return so that we can be with Him in perfect relationship in his Father’s house. We will know ourselves as we were created to be and relate to each other in perfection without sin, shame, or fear. The new earth and our new bodies will have some connection to what we know now, but without decay or death. The return of Jesus will be glorious- what if He came this year?
When we understand the magnitude and reality of the Incarnation, we too like Mary, will have a song of joy in our heart.
Christmas is the PLAN OF GOD revealed. With Mary, we trust the God with whom all things are possible. He is our sure hope, for his plan will unfold just as He promised.
At the end of his sermon Solomon shares that the best way to live your life is to prepare to meet your Maker.
We live with many uncertainties in life. When we come to grips with these uncertainties, we can better deal with what is certain: our present circumstances, the reality of death, and of God himself.
Every human being made in the image of God is created equal and has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Yet today, as well as in Solomons day, we see injustice, oppression and evil. Is there an answer to, and a hope for, our messed up world?
What season of life are you in? How are you to live in each of the different seasons you will find yourself in? The teachers shows some wonderful truths about the God who rules over our time and how we can trust him in whatever season we are in.
As we journey through life we search for meaning and happiness. If we just look "under the sun" for these things, we will spend our lives "chasing after the wind" (or using another metaphor "chasing carrots"). The author of Ecclesiastes reminds us we were made for something bigger than anything this world offers.
As rational beings made in the image of God, we want life to make sense to us. As we journey through life searching for answers, and searching for hope, meaning and satisfaction we think the answers are found "under the sun." The author of Ecclesiastes not only captures the drama of our existence buts points us to where the answers to our questions are found.
God knows what's going on in your relationships. When you trust his Sovereignty and hist Justice, it frees you from mistreating people. It frees you from saying and doing evil thing if you are mistreated.
James instructs us on how to move from relational conflict to relational harmony. If we embrace His teaching and strive to honour God in all of our relationships, we position ourselves for God to work.
Our speech has great potential for good as well as for harm. As followers of Jesus we are called to learn to use our tongues to build up and bless others rather than curse and tear them down.
The Gospel opposes racism, sexism, classism, or any feelings of superiority over other people. Today we learn how to see other people like God does by being captivated by his glory.
A saving faith is shown to be a living faith, as it works itself out in love. This happens in the context of relationships, especially our interaction with the marginalized. We might need a heart check to be sure our faith is expressing itself in true acts of love.
Our relationship with Jesus makes all the difference in our relationships with others. In this six week series we will be looking at James' practical letter by focusing on what a living faith looks like in our relationships. Today we begin by looking at 3 practical steps God wants us to take. "Good relationships require good communication."
Why should we as Christians stay close to Jesus. How can we stay close to Jesus? God's Word helps us to see who Jesus is, the one who is the only one worth following.
What does life look like as we live life on mission with a God-driven purpose? How does seeing our work through a Godly perspective change our daily lives? God's Word encourages and challenges us in both of these areas!
Why should we as Christians celebrate big and connect small? Why do we need each other? Why do we need the Church? God's Word encourages us to gather weekly with His people and to be deeply connected to other Christians.
Praise the Lord: it's not cliche, it's our calling. Psalm 113 walks us as Christians through Praising God because He is so high and yet has come so low. Our response to this glorious God is to praise Him.
As we continue in our series where we are looking at God's Songbook for his people, we find songs that we can sing in our pain and suffering. God wants us to sing out pain and suffering to him- that's verse one- but there is also a second verse and when we learn to sing it, it will draw us closer to him and His love.
This song is about the intersection of God and man. When we truly behold this God, the King of Glory, we will journey through life singing His Greatness, His Goodness, and our joyful surrender to Him.
This week we began a new series entitled Psalm- A Soundtrack for our lives. Darcy Dueck takes us to Psalm 8.
"I'm the only one left" Elijah complained. God brought Elisha into his life, not to replace him but to give him purpose and community. The last ten years of Elisha's life were arguable his best: establishing multiple schools of prophets whose lives were deeply impacted by him, and mentoring Elisha would carry on his ministry with even grater power.
James tells us that Elijah was a person "just like us". Elijah hid in a cave when he was overcome with despair, but God came to him in gentleness and compassion, bringing practical help and manageable tasks to restore tis person he cared so deeply about. God cares for us when we go through dark times as well, and we can learn a lot from how He encourage Elijah.
The story of Jonah is not just about a whale…although that part of the story is hard to forget! Instead Jonah is primarily the story of a flawed, disobedient prophet who was given a second chance. A story of God’s great mercy to violent enemies, but also his mercy to reluctant prophets.
To be left-handed in the Old Testament was to be “weak in the right hand.” It was seen to be unusual, even a defect, since the right hand was the hand of strength. God loves to use unusual and marginalized people to accomplish his purposes for his people and for the world.
In our new series of Timeless Old Testament Stories of Flaws and Faith, this week we will consider Rahab the prostitute whose life had wide-reaching consequences and is a shining example to all of us today.
Continuing in chapter 4 of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul instructs us about what will happen to Christians who die before Christ returns. He wants us to be informed about death and the second coming of Jesus, reminding us that the destiny for the believer is to be with the Lord forever! woodsidechurch.ca
As followers of Jesus we live to please God, not to earn his love and be accepted, but in response to the reality that we are loved and accepted. This week we look at, in particular, the teaching that pleasing God means fighting for sexual purity.
Between your immediate destiny (you can expect suffering as a follower of Jesus) and your ultimate destiny (you will experience glory in the presence of Jesus forever), you need and are needed, by other Christians.
We believe the Bible is God's Word because Jesus did. When we accept it for what it actually is, it goes to work in us. Today, we look at seven heart postures for opening God's Word that allow the Holy Spirit to make us more like Jesus and the people God created us to be.
Paul defends his ministry of the gospel by distancing himself from the popular street philosophers of the day. Then, Paul uses moms as a model of his leadership. Today we learn how moms (and dads) can help their child grow to be all Jesus created them to be. It takes lots of love, hard work and Jesus.
This week we began a new series in the book of 1 Thessalonians. Our faith, hope, and love are connected to a person. When you better understand your ultimate future with him you will endure in your faith despite, at times, deep disappointment in your immediate future.
This week Kirk Durston joined us to speak on twelve major milestones in experiencing God.
Kirk and his wife Patti live close to Glen Allen and attend Woodside. They work with Digital Strategies, an online ministry of Power to Change. Their motto is, “The world is online; we help them know Jesus”.
What is your story? Is it connected to Jesus and his story: the true story, the bigger story, the better story? This Easter (and every day) may you rehearse and celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus and what it means for you!
In the midst of darkness, betrayal, and arrest John wants us to see how Jesus handled the pressures. When you understand and embrace the one truth that we see in the life of Jesus you will better handle the pressures of life.
With the cross just ahead, Jesus prays for you. What concern is so heavy on his heart that it compels him to lift you up in prayer to the Father in this moment? This is his vision for you, for us, as his followers.
Following Jesus starts with connection not production. Jesus says, when we stay close to him like branches to a vine, our lives will bear fruit of love.
Jesus is leaving his disciples but he promises to send another just like himself to be with them, saying it will be even better if He goes. The Holy Spirit is Jesus perfect presence within us and we should welcome Him to completely fill us.
We live in a world with so much trouble and uncertainty. Jesus calls us to love others and be concerned about things of this life, but not to live with a troubled heart. Jesus shares with us how this is possible!
Who do you listen to? Whose voice is the most important voice in you life? Pastor Dan unpacks three truths about The Good Shepard and how when you follow Him you can experience an abundant life!
Jesus has a vision for you life. To experience this, you must fill your mind with his truth. You must be engaged daily in winning the battle of truth over lies.
Don't miss the point of Scripture. Don't miss the point of life. It's all about Jesus. Today, as we resume our study in the Gospel of John we will begin to look at some of the claims that Jesus makes.
Jesus' conversation (John 4) with the woman He met at a well in Samaria should never have happened… Jews and Samaritans hated each other, men and women didn’t talk often in public, and this woman had deliberately come at noon to avoid people. Yet Jesus strikes up a beautiful conversation avoiding every argument and hot button issue of the day, refusing to get sidetracked down controversial rabbit trails so that He could stay on the one message that mattered: that He is Messiah, the Saviour of the World.
Jesus modelled how to honour each other by seeing the high value each person holds in God’s eyes and treating them accordingly. We can build a culture of honour in our relationships, with our spouses, and in our families and so pass on the treasure of honour. There is one secret ingredient to fostering healthy honouring relationships without which we will not be successful: the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
Paul writing to Christians in Rome (Romans 8) call them more than conquerors through Christ who loved them. Today, we discover 3 thought processes that are found in this chapter, that enable us to persevere even we we feel like giving up. May we give our children this precious gift of perseverance.
The one word which best describes how God parents us is grace. Today, we look at the greatness of God's grace and how we can daily receive it and then pass it along to our children and others.
Having a loving, connected family is a treasure. As Christians, we reflect God's love for us by responding in love to Him and each other. In 1 John 3 and 4 we find why we should seek after love and how it can be cultivated in our relationships. We want to give some hopeful ideas for imperfect families because all of our families can grow in love.
Putting God at the center of your family is easier said than done. It takes work, but it is so worth it. When you seek to intentionally pass along your faith and values to your children you are giving them the most precious gift. We will look at how we can do this and also give some hopeful ideas for imperfect families.
It is important that we not decide ahead of time what people cannot do. Instead, Barnabas models encouragement, seeing potential and gifting in others and coming along side them to speak life and hope into their lives. Barnabas’ encouragement, though he seems like a less significant character on the biblical narrative, actually had a major impact in the early church and even in the forming of the New Testament. We will never know how much our words can impact each other for the kingdom.
As Christians, we live in a season of anticipation for the coming of Jesus Christ. During Advent, we think specifically of His birth but we should be preparing for His return all year round. 1 John 2 addresses how a believer can be faithful in this period of waiting.
Remaining what he was he became what he was not. The Incarnation is the Grand Miracle. It is the most profound, mind-boggling subject in our universe. God became man, how can this be?
John 1:14-18
As John begins his gospel- the good news of Jesus Christ- there is no mention of a manger, shepherds, or even Mary and Joseph. Rather in his prologue (the overview) John begins with the person of Christ. John wants us to see that Jesus is not a mere add-on to life, or a nice way to enhance life, he is life.
In Jesus' conversation with a very religious man who was searching, the gospel comes to a focus. Like Nicodemus, we too, have to decide how we are going to respond to Jesus. If you committed your life to Jesus today or have more questions we would love for you to reach out to us at connect@woodsidechurch.ca
What are you passionate about? As John shares the story of Jesus clearing the Temple Courts we get a glimpse of what the One we are following was and is passionate about. May His passion be our passion.
Jesus came to give joy not to take it. John shares the first sign (miracle) of Jesus to help us see that there is more going on than Jesus changing water into wine at a wedding. This sign points to another wedding. In Christ, the best days of your life are ahead of you.
Jesus invites us to know him, to follow him and to share him. Today we look at what that meant for the first followers of Jesus and we consider what that should look like for believers today.
Who are you? What makes you, you? What is your story? Today we look at how John the Baptist, 2000 years ago responded to this identity question. We also consider what a life looks like when we find our true identity in Christ instead of trying to create our own identity.
In our last week of our series, Emotions and Relationships, we will look at fear. From the foundation of Psalm 46, we'll ask ourselves three questions: Should we fear or not fear? How should fear move us? How can we overcome fear?
How did David process his feelings of sadness (Psalm 142)? How can we respond to our sadness in a way that allows us to experience real joy as well?
How did David process his feelings of anger (Psalm 109, 1 Samuel 25)? How can we respond to our anger in a way that honours God, reflects Christ and leads to better relationships?
In our 3rd week looking at emotions and relationships, we will look at how gratitude and bitterness can move us. From the Psalms and letters to the churches, we'll see God's call on us to give thanks in all things. By growing our perspective and out connection, we can choose gratitude over bitterness.
How did David process his feelings of stress and anxiety (Psalm 55)? How can we minimize stress and anxiety in our lives?
How did David process his feelings of guilt and shame (Psalm 32)? How can we overcome guilt and shame in our lives?
Why does the unity of his people matter so much to Jesus and what does that look like in real life?
This week we begin a two week series entitled Reset. Why are weekly worship gatherings so important? Sure studies show that people who attend church are happier, healthier and live longer, but there is so much more.
David Barker speaks about, what are the ultimate values that God expects from his people? Power, wealth, intelligence? Or love, justice, and righteousness? God’s ultimate good (summum bonum) are the latter three.
David is Professor of Biblical Studies at Heritage College & Seminary in Cambridge, Ontario. He has taught at Heritage since 1978. He has served as Academic Dean, Vice-President of Academics, and Interim President over the years. His specialty is in Old Testament, particularly the Psalms and Wisdom Books. He has pastored several churches over the years.
How big is God; when there is political, economic, and social chaos? The hard questions of Bible heroes are our questions. The answer of Isaiah to the question; how big is God? (chapter 40) God has deliberately chosen things the world considers weak and nonsensical; to confound the worldly wise and powerful. He does it so that none can boast or brag in His sight. Global and personal evidence of this truth from my “peep-hole.”
Gord has a passion for evangelism, equipping and church-planting. His experiences include: Missions in Ecuador and Colombia, evangelism pastoring and planting in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, the formation of an inter-denominational mission to reach the disadvantaged of the K-W community and he is the founder of Vision Ministries Canada which began in 1992.
We can celebrate what God is doing because of the power of Jesus. In Romans 15:14-21 we are reminded that this celebration of God’s work comes from and leads to clarity of ambition to preach the gospel everywhere.
In this moment that we find ourselves we need to be reminded of the things that bring us together as we work through the challenges that try and divide us. What brings us together is so much stronger than what tries to divide us.
God calls us to be strong and courageous by fighting discouragement, fear and insecurity. As we look at God’s command to Joshua (Joshua 1) we’ll learn why we fight and how we’re to fight.
The book of Jude is an encouragement letter to Christian to contend for the faith. Jude writes to remind believers that false teachers will try to twist and corrupt the Word of God. To guard against false belief, we are to build up our holy faith, pray, stay in God’s love and wait for Jesus.
Guest speaker Harold Paisley takes us through Hebrews 11:4-40 and highlights a few hero’s of the faith.