Unionville Alliance Church: Recent Episodes
Unionville Alliance Church
Weekly sermons from Unionville Alliance Church, based in Markham, Ontario. Our mission to lead people to know Jesus Christ and to follow him passionately.
What happens when we forget who’s really in charge? King Nebuchadnezzar’s story in Daniel 4 is a cautionary tale of pride and the humbling power of God. After a dream warning him of his impending downfall, Nebuchadnezzar continues in his arrogance, boasting about his greatness. God humbles him dramatically, reducing him to live like a beast for seven years. Yet his story doesn’t end in despair; it ends in restoration as Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God’s sovereignty and praises Him as the true King. This chapter teaches us that pride blinds us to God’s authority and that humility is the key to experiencing His grace. How often do we build kingdoms of our own making, forgetting the One who rules over all? This message will challenge you to identify areas of pride in your life and invite God to lead you in humility. It’s a call to trust God’s authority over your plans, successes, and failures, knowing that He works all things together for His glory and our good.
What would it take for you to stand firm in your faith, even if the cost is your life? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego face this very question when commanded to bow before Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue. Their response in Daniel 3:16-18—acknowledging God’s ability to save them but resolving to remain faithful even if He does not—is one of the most profound declarations of faith in Scripture. As they are thrown into the fiery furnace, we see the miraculous presence of God walking with them in the fire. This story is a powerful reminder that faithfulness to God often means standing firm against cultural pressures, even when it’s costly. It also reassures us that God is with us in our trials, working for His glory and our good. Practically, this challenges us to examine the idols we might be tempted to bow to in our own lives—whether its success, approval, fame, riches, or comfort. How do we maintain our allegiance to God when the world demands compromise? How do we speak powerfully into the culture around us? This message will embolden you to stand firm in your convictions, trusting in the God who is able to deliver and who is always present, even in the fire.
"Who among your circle of contacts could you be prayerfully and intentionally spending time with?"Doug and Carol Woon share with us their experiences as International Workers in Japan and how they have been able to lead people to Christ through their unceasing efforts to build communities and relationships.
When life’s uncertainties loom, where do we turn for answers? In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream so troubling that none of his advisors can interpret it. Enter Daniel, who turns to God in prayer and receives the revelation of both the dream and its meaning. The dream—a towering statue representing successive earthly kingdoms—reveals God’s sovereignty over history and His ultimate plan to establish an eternal kingdom. Daniel’s reliance on prayer and his bold proclamation of truth remind us that wisdom and understanding come from God alone. This story challenges us to seek God’s wisdom in a world filled with conflicting voices. What does it mean to trust God’s plan when the future seems uncertain? How can we be sources of clarity and hope for others in the darkness? How can we engage the culture around us with the light of Jesus? This message will encourage you to develop a life of prayer and dependence on God, trusting His ability to guide you through life’s uncertainties while shining as a testimony of God’s love, grace, and faithfulness.
How often do we overlook the small choices that shape our character? In Daniel 1, we find young Daniel and his friends faced with a decision that seemed minor on the surface but carried profound implications. Refusing to eat the king’s food, which violated Jewish dietary laws, was their first test of faithfulness in Babylon. Their courageous decision reminds us that integrity begins in the little things. This chapter teaches that the daily, seemingly insignificant choices we make build the foundation for standing firm in larger trials. We’ll see how God honoured their faithfulness by granting them wisdom, strength, and favor. The theology of Daniel 1 shows us that God works through our obedience to shape our character and prepare us for greater things. Practically, this challenges us to consider how our everyday decisions reflect our faith. Are we honouring God in the small moments when no one is watching? This message will inspire you to embrace faithfulness as a way of life, trusting that God uses even the smallest acts of obedience for His glory and purpose.
How do we live faithfully and courageously when everything around us challenges our beliefs? Daniel and his friends faced this exact question as exiles in Babylon, navigating a culture radically opposed to their faith. Yet their lives offer us a roadmap for thriving in the midst of opposition, showing how faithfulness to God transforms every circumstance. The book of Daniel is divided into two sections: chapters 1–6 recount inspiring narratives of unwavering devotion amidst trials, while chapters 7–12 unveil prophetic visions of God’s ultimate plan for history. Together, these sections emphasize God’s sovereignty, the call to live counter-culturally, and the hope of His eternal kingdom. This opening message will introduce the larger themes of the series, including how small acts of faithfulness prepare us for greater challenges and how trust in God’s purposes sustains us through the trials of life. From fiery furnaces to apocalyptic visions, Daniel reveals the power of steadfast faith in a world that opposes God. How do we, like Daniel, stand firm in our convictions while pointing others to God’s glory? What does it mean to thrive spiritually in a culture that tempts us to compromise? This message will inspire you to live with courage and conviction, trusting in the God who reigns over all kingdoms and holds the future in His hands. Let's engage culture, reshape it, and impact the world around us!
Jesus came not only to bring salvation but to bring healing—spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. In His ministry, Jesus demonstrated the healing power of God's kingdom, a power that began to break into the world the moment He was born. This message will explore the holistic healing that Jesus offers, inviting us to come to Him with all our brokenness. Just as He healed the sick and restored the broken-hearted during His time on earth, He continues to bring healing into our lives today. Ultimately, the complete healing we long for will be realized at His second advent, but even now, we can experience His touch in our lives. As we end this Christmas season and prepare for 2025, come ready to receive the healing power of Jesus, who was born to make us whole.
What could motivate a perfect and holy God to enter a broken world, to face rejection, suffering, and death? The answer is love. The Christmas story is the ultimate love story—God sending His Son to be born in a manger, knowing that this child would one day lay down His life for humanity. This message will delve into the deep and sacrificial love of God that led Jesus from the glory of heaven to the humility of the manger and, eventually, to the cross. This love is not only to be received, but to be reflected in how we love others. This Christmas Eve, we will be reminded that Jesus is the embodiment of love, and His coming is a call for us to experience that love and extend it to the world. Prepare to encounter the overwhelming love of God that changes everything and calls us into a life of love and service.
Rejected at the inn and born in a stable, Jesus' humble birth speaks to the rejection and displacement many feel today. Yet, in the face of rejection, Jesus offers an open invitation to all. The manger scene is not just a symbol of poverty, but a symbol of God's radical welcome. From the lowly shepherds to the foreign wise men, Jesus' birth story shows that God welcomes everyone—outcasts, strangers, and those who have been marginalized. This message will challenge us to adopt the same posture of welcome in our own lives. Just as Jesus invites us to come to Him as we are, so too are we called to welcome others into His presence with open arms. Join us as we explore how the way of Jesus is one of hospitality and radical inclusion, calling us to extend the same welcome that we have received from God.
Have you ever waited for something for so long that you began to doubt it would ever happen? The people of Israel waited centuries for the coming of their promised Messiah. In the birth of Jesus, that long-awaited hope was realized, showing that God is always faithful to His promises. The hope that sustained Israel during dark times is the same hope that can sustain us today. Just as they hoped for His first coming, we now wait for His second coming with the assurance that God's promises never fail. We are invited to trust in God's timing and to live in the confident hope that the future is secure in His hands. As we reflect on the hope fulfilled in the manger, we will be encouraged to cling to the promises of God, knowing that just as He was faithful then, He will be faithful now.
Imagine the eternal, all-powerful Creator of the universe choosing to enter His creation as a vulnerable, needy infant. The very act of Jesus being born in a manger is a profound display of humility. In a world obsessed with power and status, Jesus flips the script, showing that greatness in God's kingdom is rooted in humility. Jesus' birth in such humble circumstances reveals God's upside-down kingdom, where the least is the greatest, and the meek inherit the earth. As followers of Christ, we are called to adopt this same posture of humility in our own lives. Humility is not weakness but a beautiful characteristic of servant leadership. Let’s follow the example of Jesus, who humbled Himself for the sake of love. Come ready to see how the humility of Jesus in the manger challenges us to live differently, embodying a counter-cultural way of life that reflects His kingdom.
Have you ever felt distant from God, as if He’s too far off or unreachable? The beauty of Christmas is that the transcendent God—who is infinite and beyond our understanding—became imminent, tangible, and close to us by coming in the flesh as a baby in the manger. The incarnation of Jesus, the divine becoming human, was an act of love revealing the only way for us to be reconciled with God. Jesus bridged the gap between humanity and the divine. Through His coming, we are no longer separated from God by our sin and brokenness, but invited into close relationship with Him. Jesus is the way back to the Father, the fulfillment of God's plan to redeem us and bring us into His family. This Christmas season, we are invited to walk in the way Jesus opened, the way to God. As we unpack the miracle of the incarnation, you will leave with a deeper understanding of how this act of love changes everything, pointing us back to God.
Imagine if Jesus crossed a stormy sea, not to preach to crowds or perform grand miracles, but for one broken man—an outcast so bound by darkness that he lived among the dead. What does this tell us about His heart for the one? This message focuses on home missions and the profound impact of reaching those nearby with the love of Christ. In Mark 5, Jesus crosses the lake to meet a man consumed by unimaginable bondage: isolated from society, tormented by darkness, and living among the tombs. Despite the man’s brokenness, Jesus was not deterred. He delivered him from his oppression, restoring his life and giving him a mission: “Go home to your friends and tell them what the Lord has done for you.” This story highlights the call for believers to step into the lives of those around them, offering hope and freedom through the name of Jesus. This is not just a story of freedom; it’s a call to action for all of us. What if your mission field is as close as the home across the street? What if the miracle God wants to do in someone’s life starts with you? Let’s explore together how we can carry this message of freedom to those near us. You’ll leave inspired, equipped, and ready to embrace the mission God has placed right where you are.
Imagine a life where every action, choice, and pursuit is driven by a profound, unshakeable love. As we apprecntice with Jesus, we’ll uncover the heart of what it means to follow Jesus: a love so deep and transformative that it changes everything. The foundation of our spiritual journey is not merely obedience or discipline, but love—love that responds to the divine love God has shown us first. We’ll explore how every aspect of our spiritual formation, from practicing the disciplines to making disciples, must be rooted in this love. It’s not about mere compliance or duty; it’s about being so captivated by Jesus’ love that we desire to be with Him, become like Him, and do what He did. This love compels us to grow in our apprenticeship with Jesus and to invite others into the same life-changing relationship. We’ll discover that when love is the driving force, our spiritual practices become more than rituals—they become a vibrant expression of our devotion. Join us as we dive into the radical, all-encompassing love that is the true essence of discipleship.
What if the key to the abundant life isn’t doing more, but doing less? In a world that glorifies busyness and demands our constant attention, we are invited to rediscover the ancient, yet revolutionary practice of Sabbath rest. We’ll explore how the hurried pace of modern life is eroding our souls, leaving us weary and disconnected from God and others. Jesus, who accomplished so much, never rushed—He lived intentionally, embracing the rhythms of rest that allowed Him to move through life with peace and purpose. This message will challenge you to slow down, create space, and integrate rest into your daily life, not as a luxury, but as a vital spiritual discipline. We’ll delve into practical ways to unplug, pause, and breathe in the midst of our hectic schedules, and discover how true rest brings us back to the heart of God. Are you ready to break free from the tyranny of hurry and find the peace your soul longs for? Join us as we learn to live in the unhurried way of Jesus.
What if the secret to a transformed life lies in simple, daily practices? As we grow in spiritual formation, we’ll uncover the spiritual disciplines that serve as the catalyst for growth in the way of Jesus. We’ll explore how practices like prayer, Scripture reading, generosity, service, fasting, and solitude are not mere religious rituals but essential tools for spiritual formation. These disciplines are the pathways through which God shapes our hearts, minds, and souls, aligning us more closely with His will and character. But practicing these disciplines isn’t about adding more to our already busy lives; it’s about integrating them in a way that naturally flows from our desire to know and love Jesus more deeply. We’ll discuss how these practices create space for God to work in us, bringing about lasting transformation that goes beyond surface-level change. Are you ready to embark on a journey that will revolutionize your walk with Christ? Join us as we dive into the principles that will help you practice the way of Jesus every day.
Imagine a choir where each voice sings alone—disjointed, incomplete, lacking harmony. But when those voices unite, they create a beautiful chorus that stirs the soul. As we listen to a beautiful choir, we’ll dive into the powerful truth that God never intended for us to live this life alone. From the beginning, He designed us to thrive in community, where we support, sharpen, and spur one another on toward spiritual growth. Just as Jesus lived in community, journeying with His disciples, we too are called to walk alongside others in our pursuit of the way of Jesus. We’ll explore how every spiritual discipline has a communal aspect, and how experiencing Jesus’ life and teachings becomes richer and more profound when done together. The Toronto Mass Choir in our service is a living illustration of this truth: when we, the body of Christ, operate in unity, we create something beautiful, rich, and harmonous reflecting the deep love of Jesus. Are you ready to join the chorus and find your place in the community of faith? Come and discover how life is meant to be lived together.
What if the most significant spiritual impact you could ever make isn't in the church but in your own home? We’ll explore the crucial role families play in shaping the faith of the next generation. The journey of spiritual formation starts young, and the early years are foundational in determining a child's lifelong relationship with Jesus. Parents and grandparents have a unique and powerful opportunity to disciple their children, teaching them not just with words but through the way they live out the gospel daily. We'll discuss practical steps to creating an environment where faith is more than just a Sunday ritual but a vibrant, everyday experience. The responsibility of passing down faith starts in our homes, where the seeds of faith are planted and nurtured. This message will challenge you to take an active and intentional role in your children's faith journey, guiding them to make a relationship with Jesus their own. Are you ready to make your home a place where faith thrives? Join us to learn how you can leave a lasting spiritual legacy for generations to come.
What if the very wounds you carry are the seeds of your greatest transformation? In this journey from brokenness to blessing, we will explore the profound truth that God doesn't waste our pain—instead, He weaves it into His beautiful plan for our lives. We'll discover that true spiritual maturity is impossible without emotional health. To move forward, we must first look back, digging deep into our past to uncover and process the broken experiences that still hold us captive. This journey of healing isn't easy, but it's essential for breaking free from the bondages, addictions, and strongholds that have kept us from living fully in the way of Jesus. We'll learn that by facing our brokenness, we allow God to transform it into a blessing, leading us into greater spiritual maturity and formation. This is more than just self-improvement—it's about becoming who God created you to be. Are you ready to turn your pain into purpose? Join us as we take the first steps on this transformative journey.
Imagine a life where peace, purpose and fellowship with God are not fleeting ideals but daily realities. What if the abundant life that Jesus spoke of is not only possible but promised—if we are willing to walk in the footsteps of Jesus? In this introductory message to our new series, "Practicing the Way," we'll explore the essence of spiritual formation, a journey that transforms us from the inside out. John Mark Comer reminds us, "If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus." But what does that mean for us today? Spiritual formation is more than just a religious practice; it’s a process of becoming like Jesus in our thoughts, habits, and character. It’s essential because it shapes who we are and how we live in the world. We will reveal why spiritual formation in the way of Jesus is critical to true life change and how it's not a passive process but an intentional pursuit. We’ll uncover practical steps you can take to be formed by Jesus, guiding you toward a life marked by love, joy, and deep, abiding peace. Join us as we lay the foundation for a journey that will not just change your life—but transform it from the inside out.
What if your everyday life could make a global impact? In A Missional Vision, we’ll explore what it means to live with purpose, where every action, conversation, and decision is part of a bigger story—God’s mission to reach the world. This isn’t just about far-off lands; it’s about your neighbourhood, your workplace, and the people you meet every day. We are called to be disciple-making disciples, reaching those who have never experienced the love and grace of Jesus. Imagine being part of a movement that transforms lives, both locally and globally, by sharing hope and compassion. Living missionally means seeing the world through God’s eyes, where every interaction is an opportunity to reflect His love. As we join in this mission, we find our true purpose and the joy of making an eternal difference. Whether it’s your next-door neighbour or an unreached people group across the globe, you can be part of God’s plan to touch lives with His love. Join us to discover how you can live missionally in everything you do, making an impact that echoes throughout the world.
What if your life could be a part of something far greater than you ever imagined? In A Jesus Vision, we’ll explore how following Jesus is not just a belief system, but a transformative way of life that touches the world, one person at a time. Imagine the impact when we fully embrace the call to be disciples, grow as disciples, and make disciples who reflect the love and grace of Jesus. This vision invites you to step into a journey where every moment, every relationship, and every decision is an opportunity to reveal Jesus to those around you. Following Jesus is not about perfection but about progress—moving closer to Him, becoming more like Him, and sharing His message with a world in need. As we align our lives with Jesus, we find purpose, direction, and the power to influence others. Our vision at Unionville Alliance Church is to touch our world through Jesus, one life at a time, and that journey begins with you. Join us to discover how a Jesus-centred vision can transform your life and the lives of those around you, as we walk together in His footsteps.
What if the true richness of life is found not in what we keep, but in what we give away? In A Sacrificial Vision, we’ll dive into the profound truth that serving others is not just a duty, but a pathway to a deeper, more meaningful life. We are called to serve, not out of obligation, but out of a love so compelling that it mirrors the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us. This message will challenge you to see sacrifice not as a loss, but as a gain—an opportunity to experience the fullness of God’s love as you pour it into others. As we serve, we are not just giving; we are receiving a greater understanding of God’s heart and His purpose for our lives. The act of serving enriches our souls, deepens our faith, and connects us to the very essence of what it means to follow Jesus. Imagine the impact we can make when we choose to live with a sacrificial vision, putting others before ourselves just as Jesus did for us. How can you use your gifts and talents for the Kingdom of God? Come ready to be inspired and to discover how your life can be transformed through the power of serving with love and purpose.
What if there was a relationship so powerful that it could completely change your life? In A Gospel Vision, we’ll explore the heart of Christianity—a connection with Jesus that offers hope, renewal, and purpose in ways you may have never imagined. This isn’t about religion or rules; it’s about discovering a love so profound that it meets you exactly where you are, no matter your past or present. We’ll discover that knowing Jesus provides a fresh start, helps you break free from the things that hold you back, and guides you toward real, lasting peace. Whether you’re facing struggles, searching for meaning, or simply curious about what life is all about, this message will show you how a relationship with Jesus speaks directly to your deepest needs. You’ll see that this isn’t just ancient history—it’s a living, breathing reality that has the power to change everything. Come and explore with us, and see how this relationship could be the turning point in your life. This could be the moment where everything starts to make sense, where you find the hope and purpose you’ve been searching for.
Imagine a church where prayer permeates every aspect of our lives and ministry leading to Christlike transformation—this is the vision we’re pursuing. In A Prayerful Vision, we’ll explore how prayer isn’t just something we do, but the very heartbeat of our relationship with God. It’s through prayer that we connect with Jesus, hear His voice, and align our lives with His purposes. Our church is called to be more than a gathering place; we’re called to be a house of prayer, where every person is part of a community that seeks God earnestly and a place where everyone can approach the living God. Together, we’ll discover how prayer can move mountains, heal hearts, and change the course of our lives. As we go deeper in prayer, we’ll find that it doesn’t just change circumstances—it changes us, drawing us closer to God and making us more like Him. This message will challenge and inspire you to embrace a life of prayer, where God’s power and presence become real in ways you’ve never imagined. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a movement that could transform our church, our community, and your life. Join us as we commit to being a people of prayer, and watch how God begins to work in extraordinary ways.
The love of God is everlasting and unconditional, it knows no bounds. In Romans 8:31-39, Paul reminds us that nothing can separate us from this love of God. We are reminded that we can be secure and confident in this truth as our God is for us and has justified us through the death of His Son, Jesus. Can death or life separate us from the love of Christ? Can our fears or worries separate us from the love of Christ? We need not doubt the love of God and we can be assured that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Our helper, the Holy Spirit empowers us to share this everlasting and unconditional love that we have experienced ourselves.
How’s your prayer life? Have you ever wondered if God is listening to you when you pray? Are you sometimes stuck in not knowing exactly what to pray for? Join us as we explore Romans 8:26-30, as the Apostle Paul reminds us of the beauty of the Holy Spirit’s intercession in our lives. When we are weak and do not know how or what to pray for, the Spirit intercedes. When we fall out of alignment with God’s perfect will for our lives, the Spirit intercedes. When we worry that we will not reach God’s ultimate purpose for us, to be conformed to the image of Christ, the Spirit intercedes. In His goodness, love, and grace, God has gifted us with the Holy Spirit, who lives within us, and constantly intercedes on our behalf with God the Father, keeping our communication with the Lord perfect in every way.
Are you weary from life's unrelenting challenges? Do you find yourself groaning inwardly, longing for relief and redemption? Join us as we delve into Romans 8:18-25 and uncover the profound hope that anchors us in the midst of suffering. Discover how the promise of future glory far outweighs our present pain and how even creation itself longs for this liberation. We will explore the powerful role of the Holy Spirit as our comforter and guide, helping us navigate our trials with patience and expectation. Be inspired by seeing your struggles through the lens of God's grand redemption plan and leave with a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Let your faith be deepened and your spirit uplifted through the promises of God, the empowerment of the Spirit, and the hope that goes beyond this life.
Have you ever doubted your salvation? Or are you living in fear of having God being angry at you? How does one live in the Spirit? What practical practices can I engage in to allow the Spirit to speak to my deepest self, into my Spirit? In Romans 8:15-17, Paul tells us what the Spirit does with the people of God. What is our relationship with God? Who are we in God's sight? There is an assurance of our identities, and there is power when we face life challenges as we live in the Spirit.
In Romans 8, Paul draws a powerful contrast between two mindsets: one controlled by the flesh and one led by the Spirit. A Spirit-filled mindset transforms how we live and think. It's a life infused with love, where we let God's love fill and consume us, enabling us to share that love with others. This mindset also leads us to holiness, guiding us toward a life of peace and purpose rather than one of chaos and emptiness. Moreover, it encourages obedience to God, helping us resist the pull of our sinful nature. Finally, a Spirit-filled life is grounded in faith, essential for pleasing God and walking with Him. By embracing a Spirit-filled mindset, we can experience the fullness of life and the profound peace that God offers. Join us as we explore these life-changing truths and learn how to walk in the Spirit every day.
Living in the Spirit encapsulates the essence of Romans 8, which is a profound exposition on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The chapter begins with the assurance that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, setting the tone for a discourse on the freedom and victory found in Him. It highlights the contrast between living according to the flesh, which leads to death, and living according to the Spirit, which brings life and peace. Paul emphasizes the indwelling presence of the Spirit in believers, affirming their identity as children of God and heirs with Christ. The chapter underscores the Spirit's role in enabling believers to overcome sin, interceding for them in their weakness and conforming them to the image of Christ. It speaks of the hope and future glory that believers possess, despite present sufferings, and declares the unshakable love of God that ensures their security and victory. Ultimately, Romans 8 paints a vivid picture of the Christian life empowered, guided, and transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Why is our middle name “Missionary”? What does it truly mean to be a “Missionary” movement or denomination? Why do we do what we do both in Canada and overseas and why do we continue to choose to go to the “hard and dark” places and people groups? What sets us apart from the other denominations and mission agencies? Today we will look at what are the genuine marks of a missional church and what does it mean for us, The Alliance Canada, to continue to obey God and live-out our missionary mandate.
When we experience Jesus for the first time, it is radical, overwhelming, and pure love. The direction of our life changes, but it doesn’t mean that all our habits and practices totally change. Some actions and attitudes change right away, but our character being transformed into the image and likeness of Christ takes years and even decades of formation. This can be a discouraging and daunting task, but it can also be a lifestyle that brings joy, peace, and love in its fullness as we yield to the transforming work of the Spirit through the lifestyle of Jesus. Whether we’ve been walking with Jesus for one month, one year, or one decade, spiritual formation is a long road that requires discipline, perseverance, and humility. We are all being formed by the stories we are taught, the relationships we have, the habits we build, and the culture around us. Are you willing and ready to be formed by Jesus?
Jesus commands us to go and make disciples. If we desire to be apprentices and disciples of Jesus, we need to follow in Jesus' footsteps and make disciples as Jesus did. We do not do this through our own power or strength, but with dependence and reliance on the Holy Spirit who is already working in hearts.
God, as a forgiving Father, exemplifies boundless compassion and unconditional love, offering forgiveness regardless of our transgressions. His divine mercy assures us that redemption is always possible, instilling hope and guiding us toward spiritual renewal. As fathers and mothers, we should emulate this divine example by embracing forgiveness in our lives. By forgiving our children and others, we create a nurturing environment that fosters growth, trust, and open communication. Practicing forgiveness teaches humility and empathy, strengthening familial bonds and guiding our children in developing these crucial virtues. Living with forgiveness reflects God's love and grace, enriching our families and communities.
Examining various spiritual disciplines that Jesus himself practiced in exploring the ways Jesus has called us to live
Jesus extended an invitation for ordinary people, like you and me, to follow him. No one is exempt. Jesus' invitation to follow him is an invitation to come and be with Him. To walk through life together, hand in hand. What does it mean to be with Jesus and how do we do that in 2024 when he is not physically present?
(Online only until June 3, 2024)Originally the Jews were meant to be a light to the Gentiles to share God's love and grace to others. Sadly, they failed, but Jesus reignited that missional vision in us who became inheritors of his promises through salvation. Now it is incumbent on us to share God's love and grace with our friends, family, neighbours, and ultimately the nations of the world. Will you respond to this missional call and be a light to the Gentiles?
Pentecost, occurring fifty days after Easter, marks the pivotal moment when the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon the disciples, igniting the birth of the church's mission. This mission, as outlined in Matthew 28:19-20, is to make disciples of all nations. Jesus, through his incarnation, death, and resurrection, had already bestowed upon humanity the gift of salvation from our sinful nature. Now, he entrusts the church with the task of spreading this transformative message to the world.With gift of the Holy Spirit, Emmanuel resides within us—the church entrusting us with the mission to spread Jesus' good news to the world, a task made possible through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to spend time with Jesus, become like Jesus, do what Jesus did. How will we cooperate with the Spirit’s enabling?
On this day, we honour mothers…many of us have loving supportive mothers and we honour them, reflecting on their nurturing qualities and the significant ways they have influenced our lives. Regardless of our upbringing, our current stage of life, our family status, whether we are adults or youth, married or single, parents or not, as followers of Christ and members of God’s family, we are given the Holy Spirit. He plays a significant role of influence in our lives, and we will look specifically at the Holy Spirit’s role of Comforter. We will also consider how we can take the comfort and encouragement we receive from the Holy Spirit and pass it on to others.
As we consider Emmanuel in us, we will delve into 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, exploring the profound theme of unity in the body of Christ. In a world marked by division, we'll uncover the beauty of our diversity and celebrate the unique roles each of us plays. Through the Holy Spirit, who baptizes us together in one body, we'll discover God's intention for us to live in close harmony by caring deeply for one another. The Holy Spirit is not just a passive observer in our unity but an active participant, empowering us to live in harmony. As we navigate a polarized world, we'll consider how we can shine as a beacon of unity, following the example of Jesus who crossed barriers to bring all people into God's family. As one body, we can reflect the unity and love of Christ to the world, knowing that it is the Holy Spirit who unites us and gives us strength.
For the past seventy-five years, God has established Unionville Alliance Church as a place of growth for many.Spiritual Growth does not happen accidently.For growth there must be eating.For eating there must be appetite.For appetite there must be a supply.This supply is found in the word of God.
"In this New Testament time period, we enjoy the wonderful experience of Emmanuel being in us. We become the temple of God with the indwelling presence and power of the Spirit. This reality transforms how we view ourselves, live our lives, and engage our world. Our lives are likened to the temple's various elements: a place of sacrifice, cleansing, illumination, prayer, meditation of God's Word, and much more! This symbolism reflects the intimate relationship we now have with God because of the finished work of Jesus on Calvary. We have free and full access to God, eliminating any sacred/secular divide that was typical in the Old Testament temples. We are to be ambassadors of Christ carrying his presence, character, and mission with us wherever we go. We are called to a priesthood of all believers where each person has a powerful, significant, and important role in God's kingdom."
God desires intimate fellowship with His people and sent Jesus to live among us so that we can experience Him as Emmanuel. In contrast to the Tabernacle of Moses that had strict rules and regulations, the Tabernacle of David reveals open access and communion with God for all people. David's simple devotion and love for God allowed him to transcend the limitations of the law, illustrating that the greatest commandment is to love God. His deep desire to live in the house of God and experience the beauty of the presence of God led him to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem so that the Lord would be close to him. Through Christ's sacrifice, the way to the presence of God is open to all, echoing the original intent of God to fellowship with humanity. As James affirmed Amos’ prophecy that in the last days the Lord will rebuild the Tabernacle of David, let’s seek to rebuild David’s tabernacle in our lives by building a deep, intimate, and personal relationship with Emmanuel.
In a world full of billions of people, multiple social media apps, hundreds of online “friends” and a global village of commerce and interaction, we are lonelier than ever before. Loneliness takes a toll on our emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. But we were never meant to journey through life alone. From the dawn of creation, God desired to dwell with us, but sin separated us from Him. In due time, Jesus came as Emmanuel, to restore us into a deep, intimate, and meaningful relationship with Him. His resurrection to life speaks powerfully of the life He desires us to have today, every day, and throughout eternity. He came to give us abundant life by cleansing us from sin, liberating us from addictions, and filling us with unconditional love.
“The cross represents the universes’ greatest reversal. What seemed to be the greatest defeat was actually the greatest victory. This great gift, originated from the heart of a loving God and offered to all humanity, not only deserves a response—it demands one. Witnesses of the crucifixion found themselves divided into different categories by their reactions. 2000 years later, the same categories still exist. Where do you see yourself? How will you respond to the invitation of the cross?”
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the subsequent temple cleansing was a deliberate act to fulfill the true purpose of the temple: to provide a dwelling place for God among His people. His upcoming sacrificial death would serve as the ultimate cleansing of all people there by paving a way for God to dwell among His people. Jesus has, through his death, opened the way for all people to share in the joy of God’s house of prayer. However, our sin creates barriers to experiencing God’s presence fully. Although the path has been made clear for us to approach God, to experience the fullness of His presence, we need to do our part by confronting and dealing with our own sin. We must also help others do the same so all can enjoy His presence.
The Ark of the Covenant is the central and most significant item in the Tabernacle as a powerful symbol of God's presence with his people. The annual Day of Atonement foreshadows Christ's ultimate sacrifice, highlighting Jesus as the High Priest who entered the Most Holy Place with His own blood, establishing a New Covenant for everyone once and for all. The items within the Ark—manna, Aaron's rod, and the Ten Commandments—signify God's provision, presence, and covenant with His people. Moreover, the atonement cover or mercy seat covering the Ark enables us to see these items through a different lens by revealing how God’s mercy covers our disobedience, rebellion, and idolatry. Ultimately, the Ark represents Christ's presence among us, inviting us to continually experience Him deeply, profoundly, and intimately.
The Altar of Incense is a symbol of prayer, located just before the veil before you enter the Most Holy Place. The burning of incense represents the prayers of the people, with the variety of spices symbolizing the different ways we can approach God in prayer. Jesus, our High Priest, models prayer in a beautiful way and continues to intercede for us so that we can deepen our relationship with God. Just as incense fills the Tabernacle with a sweet aroma, our prayers delight the Lord and are a vital part of our spiritual journey from death to abundant life in Christ, leading to a personal and intimate relationship with God.
The Bread of the Presence was twelve freshly made pieces bread that was laid out every Sabbath day on the table in the Holy Place. This bread represented God’s provision for Israel during the forty years in the wilderness and beyond, while pointing forward to Christ who is the true bread that came down from heaven. It reveals to us the importance of the word of God in our lives that takes us from death to life in the richness and revelation of Jesus who in the beginning was the Word. In the New Testament, we are encouraged to break bread with one another as we fellowship and have communion in the family of God. Furthermore, it emphasizes the eternal covenant that God made with Israel which comes to fulfillment in the New Covenant made through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Let’s enjoy some physical, spiritual, and eternal bread as we rejoice in God’s gift of Jesus to us.
The Candlestick gave light to the Holy Place in the Tabernacle. Likewise, Jesus is the light of the world, shining the glory of God into our hearts. Similarly, we are called to be a light in the darkness, making the way of Jesus known to all humanity. The Candlestick symbolizes the church's formation through trials, our need to abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit's role in empowering the church, and our dependence on one another. Just as the Candlestick was beautifully crafted, the church, the Bride of Christ, is beautifully and purposefully formed in the image of Christ to be His dwelling place.
The Washbasin was the second item you would encounter as you entered the Tabernacle. The priests would wash their hands and feet in this basin to cleanse themselves after offering sacrifices at the altar and before entering the Holy Place. This washbasin speaks to us of the work of sanctification because of Christ’s finished work on Calvary and through the power of the Holy Spirit to make us more like Jesus. It points towards the spiritual step of water baptism where we identity with the death and resurrection of Jesus. And it also reminds us of the living water that Jesus promised to give us through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. All of these spiritual experiences bring us closer to Jesus as our sinful nature is transformed into the character of Christ.
As you enter the tabernacle, the first item that you see is the altar of burnt offering. It is there that the various sacrifices were offered, killed, and burned before the Lord. When Israel sinned, they needed to bring an animal to atone for their failure. This altar reminds us of what happened in the Garden of Eden and the experience of Abraham in offering his son Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord. It also foreshadows the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus as the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. As we study the meaning and purpose of the altar, we rejoice in Emmanuel’s heart to reconcile and restore humanity to himself in deep and intimate relationship through the finished work of Calvary.
Throughout the life of Moses we see the fingerprints of the presence of God in the midst of his trials. From his birth during a chaotic time, the lonely wilderness years, his return to Egypt to liberate Israel, his leadership of God’s people to Canaan, the building of the tabernacle, and to his appearance with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. As one of the greatest prophets and leaders in Israel’s history, Moses had numerous supernatural mountain top experiences and also deep dark nights. The constant theme through it all was the presence of Emmanuel to give Moses wisdom, rest, and hope. Like Moses, we can take comfort knowing that Jesus is with us every step of the way!
As we look at the life of Abraham, the common patriarch of the Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—we observe a journey that was far from smooth. Abraham experienced both remarkable encounters with God and significant disappointments. Despite making mistakes and facing moments where he needed rescue, the New Testament portrays him as a man of unwavering faith, fully convinced in God's promises. Let us explore lessons from Abraham’s journey with Emmanuel, drawing insights to strengthen our own faith during times of uncertainty and change.
In the Noah story as the flood progresses God becomes strangely absent. All God’s words to Noah stopped once God shut the door behind those who have entered the ark. Noah in his circumstances has no idea how long he will be in the ark. And in this moment, we’re all in the story. This story intersects with our story. We have all, at some level, been there-asking where was God? We are going to discover that Emmanuel is aware and that He cares and that He is with us in it and that He can see us through it.
From the very first chapter of the Bible, we see the presence of Emmanuel speaking creation into existence and ultimately placing the crown of creation, Adam & Eve, in a beautiful garden with the tree of life so that they could experience the abundant life of God. They had fellowship with God and experienced the beauty of his presence. Then sin entered through their disobedience and they were separated from God and divorced from experiencing abundance of life. Sin does the same thing to us by alienating us from God. Thankfully, Emmanuel came to forgive us, restore us, and bring us abundant life again. Are you experiencing that abundant life in Christ today? Begin 2024 by renewing your relationship with Emmanuel and experience the life that Jesus gives.
Enduring through times of sickness is difficult, but the Lord gives us hope because of the presence of Emmanuel. Jesus was rejected, despised, beaten, and suffered so that we might be accepted, comforted, made whole, and healed. The healing he brings is holistic as he cares not just for our body, but also for our soul and spirit. Healing is part of the atonement and one of the blessings of the incarnation. Waiting on his sovereign plan for our lives might test our patience and faith, but as we trust Him, he blesses us with the greatest gift of all: His presence.
The wonder of Christmas is the incarnation of Emmanuel, God with us. The birth of a baby can radically change a person’s life, but the birth of this child Jesus changed the course of humanity forever. In a broken and dark world, the light of eternity shined through to enlighten our lives to the power of God’s love. Even till today, we can experience and know the grace, beauty, and kindness of Jesus as His presence makes the difference in our lives. Emmanuel desires to be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Will you open your heart to Him?
The incarnation is a seminal moment in history that marks an extraordinary event of God becoming man in order to be with us. With deep desire for relationship with humanity, Jesus came to this earth not as a conquering king, but as a baby in order to experience and feel what we go through so that he can relate to us. The incarnation transforms our view of God, suffering, his kingdom, and relationship with God while setting the stage for the greatest act of love in history. Jesus came as Emmanuel so that by being with us we could learn the transcendence and immanence of God.
It's the season of celebrating the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we quickly approach the end of 2023, it’s also the perfect season for reflecting on all the things that happened throughout the year. Can you recall all the moments that brought a big smile, or an unstoppable laugh? How about all the moments when you felt like the world was coming down around you? In the unconditional love and ceaseless compassion of God, we can find truth and comfort in the fact that He is always with us. God is with us as we celebrate all the wins in our lives. He’s also with us in our despair, guiding us out of moments when we think we are stuck in a bottomless pit. By focusing our thoughts and our hearts on the Lord, let’s walk through this life with the peace and unending joy that only comes being in a relationship with Jesus.
Unseen realities are all around us. Undetected by our physical senses, they exist around us profoundly affecting our lives. The Christmas story points to that reality. The ordinary simple shepherds were gifted with a magnificent vision of heaven. The experience left them trembling in fear. This vision emphasized God’s greatness, our smallness, and his immense love. Possessing the power to obliterate us, God instead incarnates into human form to grant us intimacy with him. This intimate relationship will revolutionize our lives entirely. The invitation to experience God’s glory here and now is open to us. Yet, many miss out on this heavenly glory. Why is that so? Could it be we need to make a paradigm shift in the way we view prayer?
Throughout the Word of God, we see the generosity of God modelled and exemplified from creation to the coming of Jesus. The heart of God to freely give, sacrifice, and bless humanity is indicative of God’s selfless character revealing the power of generosity. He has set an example for us to follow not because he needs our generosity but because in developing the character of generosity we become more like Jesus. Growing in Christlikeness is parallel with growing in generosity. It is not possible to remain stingy and greedy if we are growing in Christlikeness.
We might be willing to give of our time and talents for God’s Kingdom, but sometimes when it comes to our treasures or our finances, giving becomes difficult. Approximately twenty percent of Jesus’ teachings dealt with money and possessions. Why? Because there is a profound connection between our heart and our treasures. Everything we do in our spiritual journey is part of an act of faith and our money and finances are no different. The Word of God exhorts us to trust in Jesus and not in our own wealth. The Lord doesn’t need our money but desires us to partner with him as Gospel Patrons to see his Kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven. Will you use your treasures to partner with Jesus for gospel proclamation?
Generosity starts with heart transformation through the redeeming love of Christ. The overflow of joy results is generous living and a generous posture. Greed and self-centredness are rooted in our sinful nature that robs us of the opportunity of experiencing the grace to give of our time, talents, and treasures. Where our treasure is, there are heart will also be. The ways in which we invest our treasure is a reflection of our heart transformation and our trust in our Saviour. Let’s surrender to Jesus and trust him!
A Gospel Patron is a disciple of Jesus who has developed a posture of generosity for the proclamation of the gospel through their time, talents, and treasures. If we are to be, grow, and make disciples, one of the critical character qualities that define our discipleship is generosity. Throughout the word of God we see Gospel Patrons who have lived sacrificially to see the Kingdom of God come here on earth as it is in heaven. Will you be a Gospel Patron today?
Having courage to do what God is calling/leading us to do, namely to share the story of Jesus with others who have less access or opportunity to hear.
When Jesus called people to follow him and be his disciples, they did so in a close knit community. There they found fellowship, support, teaching, and encouragement to continue in the way of Jesus. We were never meant to be solo disciples or journey on this pathway alone. We are members of the body of Christ who work together to be disciples, grow as disciples, and make disciples. When Jesus called a small group of people to be with him, become like him, and do as he did, he modelled for us how we are to be a discipleship community. Who are you journeying with in transparency, authenticity, and vulnerability so that you can be the disciple-making disciple Jesus is calling you to be?
Jesus led by example by calling and forming disciple-making disciples. In obedience to the Great Commission, we are all called to make disciples in the way of Jesus. As we are transformed through apprenticeship with Jesus, we invite others into a similar relationship and help them to become disciples of Jesus. Through mentorship and one-on-one discipleship, we can help others understand and be transformed by the life, work, and power of Jesus. In the Lord’s prayer, we pray that his kingdom will come here on earth as it is in heaven. Part of that reality is seen through a community of disciple-making disciples seeking to live out God’s Kingdom principles here and now so that everyone might see the beauty of Jesus.
As we apprentice with Jesus in our discipleship journey, we become more like him. It's in our nature to become like the people we surround ourselves with, and so as we spend more time with Jesus and his community of disciples, we grow in Christlikeness. Through spiritual practices, the transforming work of the Spirit, and taking up our cross to follow Jesus, we can grow into disciple-making disciples. If we want to experience the life of Jesus, then we need to adopt his lifestyle by forming spiritual habits that lead us in the way of Jesus. Disciples can grow from immature followers to spiritually mature practitioners of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus called people to follow him and to be with him. As they spent time with Jesus, they learned what it was to be his disciple or apprentice. Jesus is still calling people to be disciples by being with him. We can be with him by spending time in his word, in prayer, in a discipleship community, and by yielding to the Spirit of God. In our fast paced world, it’s difficult to slow down to be with Jesus, but it is the first step to being a disciple. We often fill our day with so many things that it squeezes out our time with Jesus. What can you do today to be with Jesus?
Our vision is to touch our world through Jesus, one life at a time. You can be that one life who is touched, transformed, and blessed in order to touch other lives with the message, love, and power of Jesus. It is a ripple effect that starts with one person: you. It started with Jesus, then his disciples, and throughout the past two thousands years, countless lives have experienced the power of the gospel. As we follow the way of Jesus, we can be his hands and feet that impact our church, community, and world for God’s Kingdom purpose.
At the heart of the gospel is the message of forgiveness. Jesus forgives us, redeems us, and brings us into his family. As we have been forgiven, we also forgive others and display the incomparable love of Christ. Are you hurting today? Feeling lonely and far away from God? Come and receive his love and forgiveness which will transform your life as you find acceptance in Jesus!
At UAC we are a mission-focused church both locally and globally. We are called to fulfill the Great Commission by sharing God’s message of hope. We will look at how we are doing this within our community, but also through partners around the world. We will also be rolling out our new Missions Cohort for you to discover ways you can be engaged with the mission of God! Let’s all be involved in being disciple-making disciples until the whole world knows the good news of Jesus!
Prayer is a critical and important part of our Christian journey. Through it we fellowship with the Lord, hear his voice, make our petitions known, and cast our cares on him. We pray to support our various ministries, but our main ministry is prayer. We are called to be a house of prayer for all nations (our evangelistic mandate) and also a people of prayer (our discipleship mandate). In this service, we will sit together with our families, in our church family, and just pray.
The parable of the Good Samaritan puts the model of Christ's compassion on display. But despite knowing the lengths our Lord wants us to go to love our neighbors, we inevitably fail because of our fallen nature. Without Christ we are incapable, and without the Holy Spirit and His power we are powerless, but when we surrender ourselves to the will of God and lean into the Holy Spirit we are able to break the shackles of sin and conform to the image of Christ, becoming the disciples we were called to be, loving others out of compassion and living out Christ.
Jesus was asked about the timing of his second coming. Rather than predicting precise details, Jesus taught about how to be spiritually vigilant and how to live until He returns. In the parable of the talents, we will consider God’s treasurer and our responsibility of using what God has entrusted to us.
The Shrewd Manager knew what life’s three options are and chose with his future in mind. In telling the parable to his disciples, Jesus taught them Four Rules for Biblical Money Management. Do you know the options and the rules?
Jesus modelled a habit of prayer to the disciples that was attractive, powerful, and meaningful. It resulted in them asking Jesus to teach them how to pray. He taught them about prayer through his life, the Lord’s prayer, and parables illustrating the importance of prayer. Through the parables of the Friend at Midnight, the Persistent Widow, and the Pharisee and Tax Collector, we learn the value of prayer and the critical role in plays in our spiritual journey. If prayer results in greater intimacy with Jesus, will you commit to developing a habit of prayer?
God calls us to go into the world and bring his restorative healing touch. Everything that Jesus and the Holy Spirit touches moves from death to life. International Justice Mission’s work of restoring broken justice systems is proof of this. So join God in his restorative healing work by joining your church and its partners like IJM.
Jesus made extensive use of parables as a teaching strategy. Each parable contained lessons that although separated by 2000 years, still have meaning for us today. The parable of the unfruitful fig tree segues naturally from a conversation surrounding current events. As he converses about some recent tragedies, he directs his audience’s attention away from the natural plain to the eternal. On the eternal plain, all perish without repentance. With this truth as a foundation, Jesus uses the parable to show that the outcome of repentance is a fruitful life. The parable brings out three main points: 1. We are expected to produce fruit. 2. Jesus has given us everything possible to produce fruit. 3. A final deadline is inevitable. As a church, we can support each other to produce fruit by following Jesus’s model of making disciples who make disciples.
The kingdom of heaven will upset our heart expectations and it will do so in ways that we will find unsettling. The Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20) encourages us to stop figuring out if God is doing too much for someone else and start looking at how God has been faithful in our own lives.
The story of the lost son is one of the most familiar and enduring of Jesus’ parables. This Father’s Day Sunday, speaker Wes Roberts will examine the parable from the perspective of the enthusiastic father who celebrates the return of his son. He will highlight a few principles the parable teaches involving the heart and unconditional love of God as our forgiving Heavenly Father.
As we conclude our series on “Resurrection & Beyond”, we wait with hope, expectancy, and rejoicing for the second coming of our Saviour and King, Jesus. The promise of his return brings us comfort, joy, and hope as we await the realization of our faith for the unseen to be seen. In the waiting, we are called to live holy and pure lives as we reveal the character of his kingdom to others. His first appearing was as the suffering servant, but his second coming will be as King and Lord of all. This hope should cause us to share the good news of the gospel with others so that they can also experience the beauty of King Jesus.
Throughout history, “Doubting Thomas” has become a label for people who question things, who are skeptics and unbelievers. It can cast a shadow on the character of the one expressing the doubt which may not be necessary. The actual bible story tells a much fuller picture and once the whole story is revealed, you will view Thomas’ and your own doubts in a new and encouraging light.
After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples were left wondering, “what’s next?” Their leader, who they hoped would have restored Israel to its glory days, had been taken up into heaven. They were told to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit who would help them. Then one day, the Spirit descended upon them, filled them, empowered them, and sent them out to serve. The Day of Pentecost had come and the disciples had experienced an empowerment like never before. The Spirit gave gifts, changed lives, inspired service, and transformed fearful disciples into bold witnesses of Jesus. That same Spirit is still at work today desiring to fill, renew, revive, and empower us to serve Jesus. Will you surrender to him and allow him to fall afresh on you today and every day?
After Jesus’ resurrection and before his ascension, he left the disciples with a mandate which has come to be known as "The Great Commission." During Jesus’ earthly ministry, he told the disciples not to make him or his works known to others. But after his resurrection he wanted everyone to testify, proclaim, preach, and teach the way of Jesus from Jerusalem to the ends of the world. As followers of Jesus, we are also given this mandate to make Jesus known at home and abroad. Are you a disciple-making disciple? It might seem like an impossible task, but he promises his presence to be with us in the journey of making Christ known! Will you answer the call to make disciples of all nations? The Greater Toronto Area is one of the most multi-ethnic regions in the world as the nations have come to us. What role will you fulfill in reaching out to your neighbours with the good news of Jesus Christ?
Mothers are usually the prime care givers to their children especially when the children are young. During this caring time, babies develop emotional attachments with mom. A healthy attachment sets up the child to have stable relationships later in life. Mothers seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of their children. They are constantly on the watch to ensure their children are protected. Moms sacrifice so much of themselves in the raising of their children. They do all this from the deep resources of love they have for their children. But what happens when mother’s love is not available? What happens when mother’s hug is not enough to bring us comfort? God says in Isaiah 49:15-16 “Even if a mother forgets her nursing child, I will not forget you. I have engraved you on the palms of my hand.” This week the sermon will examine this deep love of God for us.
The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven after his resurrection is a neglected topic in our teaching and preaching in church. Why is this the case? One reason may be because we don’t really understand its significance. Why did Jesus have to ascend and return to the Father after his resurrection? What are the implications of Christ’s ascension and what impact does this truth have in our lives? This message will examine the ascension of Christ and some of the reasons why it is important both theologically and practically. What does it mean for us today? How can the truths it conveys speak to us and impact our daily lives?
God continually invites us to be on mission with Him. And only He has the power to transform lives, making beauty from ashes.
Even after Jesus appeared to Peter and proved his Lordship over death, Peter was still feeling discouraged about denying the Lord. He went back to his previous profession of fishing. One day the Lord met him with love, compassion, and grace as he renewed Peter’s calling, revived Peter’s love, and commissioned him with a divine purpose. There may be times in our spiritual journey where we feel like we’ve failed the Lord and are no longer worthy of his love, acceptance, and calling. Yet the Lord affirms us as his precious child, loved eternally, called specifically, and ordained to fulfill his will. Regardless of how far you have fallen, he is ready to renew you as you respond to his call as Peter did.
After Jesus rose from the dead there was a lot of uncertainty and doubt over what really happened. Jesus began appearing to various disciples and followers to affirm what they had heard about his resurrection. Two of those disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus when they met Jesus and he gave them an in depth Bible study about himself. Till today, people still doubt his resurrection and divinity. Can we really be sure that Jesus rose again from the dead? The early disciples were convinced and we can be too because of the authentic experiences that people had with Jesus. Let’s look at the evidence and you can decide for yourself!
With the statement that he was the resurrection and the life, Jesus predicted and affirmed his power and victory over death. His raising of Lazarus from the dead proved his Lordship, but it was also the beginning of the road to the cross where he would ultimately suffer and die. Nevertheless, he overcame the grave to bring us salvation, healing, and wholeness as only he can. He is our hope in life and in death. The story of Jesus comes to a climax on Easter weekend as the cornerstone of the Christian faith is laid which is the truth of the resurrection. We can build our lives upon Jesus because he is alive forevermore!
The significance of Jesus’ claim to Kingship may be missed by modern democratic thinkers. To catch the full significance, we must embrace the claim from the perspective of the ancient near east audience. I am King equated with absolute monarchy. A King would have had complete and thorough authority. He owned the land, the resources, and the people. Living under a monarch meant living at the will of the king. As we consider this claim for our current lives, two questions come to mind; What kind of King is Jesus? How should I respond to his claim? Jesus’s track record showed he had/has the authority to claim Kingship. He was sent by the Father. He has power over nature, illnesses, and spiritual forces. He healed the sick. He cured the lame. He did what no human can do. He also showed he was a humble king. He showed love. He extended forgiveness. He released those who were bound. He gave hope to the hopeless. He showed he is a good king. Yet, his kingship was rejected. Today we too have the same choice. Will we accept or reject Jesus as King?
It is amazing that Jesus marvelled at anything, he made it all, he had seen it all, and yet he marvelled at the faith of a Roman Centurion. This encounter of Jesus with the centurion reveals several characteristics of faith which marvels the saviour, which are worth learning about.
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, he entered and cleansed the temple twice. Once at the beginning of his ministry and once before he died on the cross. His zeal for the purity, sanctity, and holiness of the house of God was clearly seen as he cast out the moneychangers and those who sold animals in a desire to restore the sanctuary to a house of prayer. Today, our bodies are the temple of God. The body of Christ, his church, is also the temple of God. In many ways we have let moneychangers and merchants into our lives which has robbed us of prayerfulness and the beauty of God’s presence. Thankfully, Jesus is still in the temple cleaning business as he seeks to restore true worship to our lives, his church, which is his body.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:21-24. if we are offering our gift to him and there remember that our brother or sister has something against us, we are to leave our gift and be reconciled to them, then come and offer our gift. Reconciliation is important to God. He wants us to be reconciled to Him and to each other. Jesus has paved the way for our reconciliation with God. We have a responsibility to work towards reconciliation at both the individual and collective level. As a nation, reconciliation is in the mainstream of our social fabric because of the atrocities perpetrated against Indigenous peoples.Indigenous people stumble regarding the hope that is in Jesus Christ. They associate Jesus with the physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, racial, and spiritual abuse, and injustice they have endured through people who claimed to be Christians. There is a great need for reconciliation. What might God be asking us to do about this reconciliation?
As Jesus lived and preached the Kingdom of God, he healed people holistically. He saw their emotional, spiritual, and physical needs and was moved with compassion. One day as he was teaching, a man who was paralyzed was brought to Jesus through the roof by some of his friends. Jesus saw his greatest need for spiritual healing and the forgiveness of his sins. But to prove his Lordship, Jesus also healed him physically. Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever. His healing power is available to us today! We can experience Jesus as our Saviour and healer as we put our faith and trust in him.
There was a dinner party happening at Simon the Pharisee's house. Simon extended Jesus an invitation. During the dinner, the unexpected happened: an immoral and sinful woman appeared. Simon had not extended this invitation to her. She not only entered the house, but broke an alabaster jar at Jesus' feet anointing His feet with oil. While Simon and the rest looked on with dismay and disdain, Jesus looked upon this woman with the eyes and heart of compassion. Who was this woman who broke this costly jar and perfume at Jesus' feet? In this story we see Jesus' encounter with a woman who had been transformed and forgiven. We come to know Jesus as the God who sees, transforms and forgives.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, he encountered paranormal activity. The devil, demons, and evil spirits were afraid of him because he was the Son of God who had power and authority over them. People who were tormented, oppressed, and in bondage found liberty, wholeness, and healing through Jesus. We live in a world filled with good things, but also evil experiences. If we acknowledge the divine, heavenly, and supernatural, we must also acknowledge the powers of darkness at work. Thankfully, the light dispels the darkness and Jesus has victory over every work of the enemy. As we experience Jesus, we also can know the freedom, cleansing, and peace that is found in knowing him. Are you troubled, burdened, or feeling oppressed? Let Jesus touch you, the Spirit fill you, and the Father comfort you to bring you health and wholeness.
When Jesus left this world, he left us to continue his work of sharing his good news for a hurting world. Many of us struggle to know how. In John 4, Jesus encounters a woman at a well. Seeing him in action is instructive.
The religious system in Jesus day was built on rules and regulations. Following them determined whether you were accepted into the community. There were some ‘untouchables’ that the church and the world stayed away from. When Jesus came, He was not afraid of them making him unclean, instead He leaned in and made them clean. As we look at the encounter of Jesus with the lepers, what do we learn about Jesus’ heart for those that we consider unacceptable? Are there any places in our own hearts where we feel ‘untouchable’? What can we learn from the lepers about coming to Jesus? Jesus is willing to heal us, are we willing to come to Him?
On this Mission Sunday, we will focus on the critical need of Bible translation in various parts of the world and specifically sign language translation. Bible poverty is a reality for the 1700 people groups still waiting for a Bible in their own language, but it also exists where Bibles are plentiful yet left unopened. How will you engage the Bible in a place of affluence like Canada and how will you help others around the world receive the Scriptures in their own heart language? There is a solution for both. The Lord has given us his precious word that is a light to guide us, food to nourish us, and hope to sustain us! Let's take part in finishing the task to share his word with every people group around the world!
One of Jesus’ miracles that is found in all four gospels is the feeding of the five thousand. It wasn’t just about satisfying the hunger of the people, although it did that. It was experiencing what Jesus could do with so little and a willingness to give. He multiplied what the little boy had and it became a blessing to thousands. As we experience Jesus, he takes what we have even though we might think it is insignificant, negligible, and little, and multiplies it for his glory, purpose, and plan. That produces faith in our hearts to see that he truly is the God of the impossible.
After Jesus’ baptism, he was led into the wilderness for a period of fasting and prayer before his ministry began. At this time he was tempted by the Devil in order to take him away from his purpose on earth. The sinless Jesus overcame these temptations giving us hope to overcome as well. As he battled against the strong desires of the flesh, the allure of his eyes, and the pride of a self-filled life, he used the richness of the word of God and the power of the Spirit to overcome. As we realize and acknowledge the spiritual battle that we are in, God’s Word and Spirit will empower us with victory because of Jesus’ finished work on Calvary!
Happy New Year! A new year, fresh and untouched lying before us. This is a time of resolutions, of new beginnings. It’s a time of reflection and hope for happiness ahead. Much will happen in 2023. Some great things, some exciting things, some sad and difficult. Some will be things out of our control while others will be things we can determine. During this year, we will make thousands of decisions that will impact our lives. Before we know it, December 31, 2023, will be upon us. What will you want to remember this year for? What if followers of Jesus reflected Jesus brighter; showed his love more abundantly? What would happen to our families, our workplaces, our schools our cities? What would that look like? John the Baptist, lived his life preparing the way of the LORD, pointing people to the Messiah. When Jesus’s popularity started to outshine his ministry, His disciples felt threatened and approached John with their concern. His response: “He must increase, and I must decrease.” What if we made that our rule of life for 2023? He must increase and I must decrease. Join us as we unpack what this might look like for our lives, our homes, our spheres of influence. Join us as we spend time in prayer together seeking God for the ability to decrease while He increases in our midst.
It wasn’t in a palace, surrounded by royalty, wealth or fame, but in a lowly stable that the King of kings and Lord of lords was born. Not claiming his own rights or privileges, but clothed in the humility of a baby, the Son of God came to be with us. Mary & Joseph faced an uncertain future and a crisis in their young and new family. How would they explain this child to others since they weren’t married? Yet the Prince of Peace brought the presence of the King to them and humanity so that we might see Emmanuel, God with us, as the expression of God’s heart forevermore.
As we come to the end of the year, we can look back on God’s faithfulness and provision even in trials and difficulties. But as 2023 draws near, there can be a sense of uncertainty at what the year may bring. Joseph, the husband of Mary, faced uncertainty as he prepared to marry Mary and await the birth of a child that wasn’t his. Yet in that season of uncertainty, Joseph displayed confidence in the Word of God, belief in the empowering Spirit to do the impossible, and trust in the faithfulness of God. The unknown of the first Christmas speaks powerfully to us in these uncertain times that although we don’t know what the future holds, we know who holds the future.
"It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” - It’s the time of year to be with family and friends, a time of giving, a time of wishing everyone peace and good will, a time of celebration. It’s a time of wonder. Images of idyllic rural scenes, happy people delicious foods and perfectly wrapped presents are everywhere. However, this wonderful time of the year does not shield us from sorrow, sadness, grief, broken relationships, stress, conflict, or disappointments. Real life suffering continues through this season. What then is the joy of Christmas? Mary’s conversation with Angel Gabriel brings out the humility of Jesus; his grandeur wrapped in great humility. His great humility draws us to himself. Mary responded with surrender and rejoicing. She caught a glimpse of God’s big picture. She rejoiced in his presence. This seems a fitting response for us today; to rejoice and surrender. Rejoice in his willingness to exchange his grandeur for lowliness and surrender to such a loving God.
As we head for another Christmas, it’s an opportunity in the story of the nativity to marvel again at the truth of John 1:14 ‘the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…’ These events only happened once in human history, and they will never happen again. If those thoughts didn’t make you pause for even a second in a sense of wonder, you’re too familiar with the story.
The first Advent of Jesus wasn’t a last minute idea or something that God decided to do when everything else didn’t work. The birth of Jesus was conceived in the heart of God from before the foundation of the world. From the Garden of Eden we see the birth and victory of Jesus predicted as his story is written so beautifully throughout the Scriptures. Through significant events and empowered prophecies, humanity was introduced to the person of Jesus until the fulfilment of his coming climaxed in his birth. It was not a coincidence, a chance, or a common occurrence, but it was the crowning capstone of years of prophecies! It brings us great hope and assurance in his word which will always come to pass in our lives too.
As Israel rebuilt the altar, temple, and walls of Jerusalem, they faced a lot of opposition both from within and without. Ezra and Nehemiah confronted enemies that actively planned against what they were doing. They faced discouragement, orders to stop the work, deception, a lack of support, and even betrayal. Nevertheless the work of renewal and rebuilding continued until the temple and walls were completed in record time! We will also face enemies that come against the work and will of God for our lives. We must be diligent to recognize them and claim the victory won for us by Jesus on Calvary. We are in a spiritual battle where the enemy is out to discourage us and tear us down. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus who has power over all things and helps us to triumph in every situation!
With the temple destroyed and the people taken into captivity, Israel had lost many of the spiritual rhythms that the Lord had instituted in order to keep them spiritually healthy. As they returned to Jerusalem to rebuild, they restored those rhythms of sacrifice, worship, service, rest, and the celebration of the feasts. For our season of rebuilding to have a lasting impact, we also need to develop and put in place various spiritual practices and disciplines that will help us to stay close to Jesus. Let us take this time to revitalize some fallen spiritual rhythms and also create some new ones. These practices help us to grow spiritually, serve faithfully, and share the gospel powerfully.
Israel was engaged in a rebuilding campaign and they started to renew the feasts that they were commanded to celebrate. As Ezra read and taught the word of God, they realized that they had been living in disobedience to the Lord. The leaders and the people responded with a prayer of repentance and confession as the Spirit convicted them of their sin, disobedience, and rebellion. As they had seen in the past, the Lord was gracious, merciful, and full of compassion towards his people. As we seek to rebuild our lives, families, and church, the Lord is calling us to repentance and confession which brings about renewal and revival. Let’s take time to examine our lives, pause to reflect, study God’s word, and review if we are living in alignment to his kingdom principles. As we do, we will see the gracious hand of God upon our lives that brings restoration, redemption, and rejuvenation.
The children of Israel had not only disobeyed God’s word, but they had not been listening to God’s word to know his ways and purposes. The Lord inspired Ezra the Priest and Scribe to read, study, and teach the word of God to the people as they returned to Jerusalem to worship. It was a season of renewal of God’s word that led to repentance, restoration, and revival. The Lord is calling us back to his word in these days. We are living in a time when Biblical literacy is at an all time low. His word is critical for our spiritual journey to lead us into a deeper relationship with Jesus because he is the word of God! Will you answer the call to read, study, and live the word of God?
As groups of Israelites returned to Jerusalem, they realized that the first thing that had to be done was the rebuilding of the altar and temple. They understood the centrality of worship and sacrifice in their daily lives as they sought to put God first in everything. Through diligent work, sacrificial obedience, and faithfulness to the word of God, they were able to restore some of the rhythms of worship for their community of faith. In this season of rebuilding, we are being invited and encouraged to rebuild our personal, family, and community altars in order to come back to the heart of worship and be people who worship the Lord in Spirit and truth. Will you answer the call to rebuild like Zerubbabel did?
Through Jeremiah and other prophets, the Lord promised to visit his people and open a way for them to return to the Promised Land after decades in captivity. After inspiring the hearts of heathen kings to let Israel go, Ezra, Nehemiah, Zerubbabel and other leaders made the journey from Babylon back to Jerusalem with a deep desire to renew, restore, and rebuild the covenant that God made with them. After this global pandemic, seasons of isolation, and spiritual dryness, the Lord is inviting us back into relationship with him. Will we respond like these leaders did with humble submission, sacrificial service, and profound repentance? Jesus is calling us to renew our covenantal commitment to him and his kingdom. Listen to the Spirit and answer his call!
As we conclude our Vision Month, let us renew our vision to touch our world through Jesus, one life at a time. Jesus charged us with a Great Commission because of his heart for lost people and he desires that we share in that mission. He has called us to be his light in this world and to be the salt of the earth. We are to be disciple making disciples. Who will be the one person that you can disciple this year?
Who is Jesus? Did he really exist? Can we believe the Bible? Was Jesus fully human? What did he say about himself? Is there evidence to support his claims? As we examine these important questions through Alpha, join us on a journey into the deep, meaningful, and life changing statements of Christ and how he can radically transform, change and save us. He is the single most important figure in human history and although he lived 2000 years ago, his life still resonates till today as the answer to all our problems, the peace in the midst of our trials, and the hope of a divided world.
Prayer is one of our core values at Unionville Alliance Church and it is one of the means by which we draw closer to Jesus and are transformed into the character of Christ. Praying individually and corporately is part of our growth in prayer as we listen to the voice of the Lord. We can pause, rejoice, ask, and yield in our times of prayer. It’s all about a relationship with Jesus as we approach his throne of grace with humility, confidence, and submission.
Jesus left us with a great commission to go and spread the good news of the gospel. On this Mission Sunday we will look at the role Unionville Alliance fulfills in both local and global missions. As part of the Alliance Canada, we will see our place within a larger mission-focused vision to reach the nations for Jesus. How are we responding to Jesus’ commission both corporately as a body of believers and personally in our individual lives to make Christ known in our community and around the world? We are facing a task unfinished…what will you do?
In life, we have obstacles that can try our patience. Jesus calls us to be different; to be set apart from the worldly way of reacting and be Christ-centred in how we manage unpleasant situations. Do you see yourself as a peacemaker?
Throughout the world today, thousands of Christians are being persecuted, rejected, and killed for their faith in Jesus. This shouldn’t be a strange thing as Jesus forewarned us that this would happen as people oppose and stand against the kingdom of God. In Canada, we live in relative safety with freedom of religion. However, there are times that our faith, morals, and beliefs will be tested, opposed, and questioned. How do we respond to such opposition with a kingdom perspective? Jesus modelled this for us as many people rejected him and even left him to die. As we follow in the pathway of Jesus, we can also learn how to respond with gentleness, boldness, and kingdom compassion!
What is the heart of Jesus for us during times in our lives whenever heartache and brokenness can feel beyond repair? By reflecting upon the Beatitude of Jesus - “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matt. 5:4 NLT) – we will see how through the actions of Jesus toward the brokenhearted reveals the heart of God.
What does pure in heart mean?
Why is seeing God such a hack to happiness?
Exploring these questions by looking at the Israelites, we find they had divided hearts. Their hearts and minds were not singly focused on God. A divided heart obscures one’s ability to see God. The inability to see God adds stress, sorrow, frustration to one's life. Jesus teaches us that purity of heart is a prerequisite to seeing God. This beatitude gives us an opportunity to reflect on our own hearts. Are our hearts divided or singly focused on God?
In this world, to be successful you often have to shout your own praises, fight for your rights, and let others know how skilled and talented you are. But within God's Kingdom, it's the total opposite! It is the meek and humble who are granted places of prestige and authority. Jesus lived out this humility not only in his death on the cross, but in washing is own disciples feet thereby leaving us an example to follow. In the Old Testament, lands were conquered by war, but in God's Kingdom the earth is inherited by the humble. Through this next beatitude, we will discover how humble people are truly happy people that rest in the sovereignty of God.
We have needs and wants to be fulfilled. We invest time and energy seeking fulfillment. God invites us to seek after Him for this is the way to true fulfillment. How will we RSVP to God's invite?
Notice Jesus doesn't say, "Blessed are the poor, but blessed are the poor IN SPIRIT." Jesus is not talking about your money, but about your spirit--those who are 'spiritually bankrupt' and totally dependent on God.
We live in a busy world with little time for ourselves much less others. We are always on the go while thinking about the next thing to do. However, Jesus always created space for others and modelled for us how we should create space for our neighbours. As we seek to fulfill the second great commandment, let’s learn to pause to create space for others, take a risk to create space for others, and live generously to create space for others. As we do, we will follow the footsteps of Jesus who always thought about others before he thought about himself. His selfless and self-giving spirit is the Christlike nature that needs to be formed in us.
Fatherhood is from God, having been created in his image and adopted as Sons and Daughters. We need to be imitators of God’s example as our heavenly father. He calls us to be Protectors, Providers, and Priests for our families, and to abide by the principles and qualities required to live up to the high and holy calling as parents.
Prayer is a vital part in laying a foundation for missions as well as making the most of the opportunities God brings along to share our faith.
The second great commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself. This can be difficult as we seek to reflect Christ in our community. Being neighbourly is not an attitude, but an action that requires us to step out of our comfort zone and respond with compassion just like the Good Samaritan did in the story that Jesus told to answer the question, who is my neighbour? We can live out the second commandment through the power of the first commandment and bring heaven down to earth.
God walked with us in the garden, dwelt with us in the Israelite camp, and lived in our village before ultimately going to the cross. John 1:14. What is God's heart for people who are unreached or underserved? What does His example mean for our own lives, whether we intentionally move into a marginalized community or shine for Him in the neighbourhoods we live in now?
A look at three generations of one family shows God is at work to bring about his redemptive purposes despite are frailty and sin.
Families are important to God. He wants us to be nurtured, cared for, loved and cherished. He wants all people to grow into healthy, mature, well adjusted, God loving adults. The main avenue he chose to accomplish this is the family.
Amid our brokenness, our failures, our messy complex family relationships there is God. And that makes all the difference. He is willing to enter our messy lives, transform us, transform our situations, provide grace and endurance. He is willing to bring healing wholeness to our families and then to use our families to be a blessing to our world.
The Lord has created us to be in relationships with the most intimate one being marriage. Discover how a triple-braided cord is not easily broken as we live a selfless life, practice forgiveness, are united in love, and sacrificially support one another. The blessing of marriage is multi-faceted as we grow together in Christlikeness and help one another prepare for eternity with our heavenly bridegroom Jesus. It is a mystery, but we get a glimpse of the relationship between Christ and the Church through the intimacy of marriage.
Mother’s Day – A celebration of honouring Motherhood through the desires of God our Father.
The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment or happiness. We were created with purpose and for God’s purpose. The family is an institution that God has intentionally formed to provide community and to accomplish his purpose of reflecting his glory and love to the world.
Psalm 128 is a poetic passage that outlines the impact an individual, married couple, child, family and church can have if they choose to take God seriously and live on mission. The passage is a progressive journey through the function of the family and how working together as a family can influence our society and world.
There are many challenges facing marriage and parenting. There are internal pains and external pressures that are affecting how we do life. This Sunday we want to explore how an individual who takes God seriously can impact their family and how their families can impact our world.
We are all single for some portion of our lives. We might go through a season of singleness, a lifetime of singleness, or a return to singleness. Whether we’ve never been married, are divorced, or widowed, there is a way to leverage our singleness for God’s purpose and glory. Jesus has redeemed singleness and given it value and worth within his kingdom. In God’s eyes, being single in a family, and within God’s family, is a gift to be treasured.
The basis of the Christian faith is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus. If Christ didn't rise from the dead then our faith is in vain. The blessings of the cross are clearly seen through the lens of the resurrection. The disciples finally understood the mission and purpose of Jesus as they viewed his ministry post-resurrection. We can also see the clarity of the cross, our blessed hope, and a glimpse of heaven through the power of the resurrected life of Christ.
The Passover was instituted to help the children of Israel remember how God had brought them out of Egypt. It also gives us a glimpse into Calvary and Christ as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. We see the power of the blood of the lamb to save and protect, but also the freedom we enjoy because Jesus paid the price for us. Judgement is "passed over" us and victory is ours because of the blood! Israel had to celebrate the Passover once a year, but we enjoy and celebrate Jesus' forgiveness every day!
Triumph and Defeat: Can they go together? Are they mutually exclusive? Isaiah paints a prophetic picture of hope emerging from despair as the Suffering Servant defeats death and paves the way for us to be rescued from bondage and to prosper in the land of God’s blessing.
Jesus said that just as Moses lifted up a bronze snake in the wilderness, the Son of Man must also be lifted up. He spoke of his impending death on the cross. But what happened in that wilderness hundreds of years before Christ, pointed to the truth of Jesus taking on a curse for us and being the answer of healing in our lives. Not only does Christ's death on Calvary provide a solution for sin, it also provides a solution for the curse and the blessing of holistic healing for those that look to him. Let's look to Jesus, the true manna who came down from heaven, and allow the merits of Calvary to restore us body, soul, and spirit!
Let's learn from International Workers Lorne and Vivian as they share stories from their work and pose the questions: How do you share the Gospel when you don’t share a common language? When you feel the Holy Spirit’s prompting, how do you respond?
We have studied who the Holy Spirit is, his work in the Old Testament and the New Testament. We have seen how he desires us to be planted by streams of living waters so we can live a Spirit empowered life. As we conclude this series, we will focus on the Spirit as the life giver within us. He wants us to experience abundant life through adoption into his family, prayer, fruitful living, and a continual daily anointing. Let’s trust, depend, and lean on the Empowering Spirit in every situation!
How do we discern the difference between trusting in the flesh and trusting in the Spirit? Looking at Jeremiah 17:5-8, we will walk through the ways in which we can plant our trees next to streams of living water, so that regardless to what is around us we stay green and bear fruit.
The outpouring of the Spirit is a promise of the Father and Jesus for the people of God in the New Testament age. We have the privilege and blessing of the indwelling and abiding presence of the Holy Spirit to empower us for life and service. From the Day of Pentecost till today, the Spirit has been empowering people to fulfill and accomplish his will and mission. As we allow the Spirit to fill us on a daily basis, we can be renewed in his power and anointing to share the love and gospel of Jesus in our families, work places, communities, and all over the world! Let our speech be empowered to speak boldly for him!
We see the beauty, power, and work of the Holy Spirit in multiple ways in the Old Testament. He empowered prophets, priests, kings and others to accomplish His will and purpose. In a similar way, the Lord is calling us to be empowered by His Spirit to live out our calling as prophets and priests in this New Testament age. Let’s surrender to the Spirit and allow Him to fill us afresh each day!
Who is the Holy Spirit? Is he God? What is his role? What does he do? How should I relate to the Holy Spirit? These are all excellent questions that we will examine as we launch into our series on the Empowering Spirit. We will discover some of the attributes and functions of the Spirit and his desire to empower us to do his will.
Amazement and Chaos is an overview of the travels of Paul and Barnabas, two early church leaders, who were sent to respond to the growing church in new areas. In these areas, the message of Jesus Christ was received with amazement and followed by chaos.
We will consider how Paul and Barnabas navigated the first century culture to better understand how we need to navigate our current cultural reality.
Jesus calls us to follow Him! That is not an easy task, but it is an important one if we desire to deepen our true identity in Him. Following Him means taking up our cross just as He did on Calvary, abiding in His word just as He obeyed the word from His Father, and revealing His love just like Jesus did among the disenfranchised. As we discover our identity as citizens of heaven, we can live this life with purpose and hope for an eternity with Jesus. Let’s learn to surrender so that as disciples we will grow to be more like Jesus!
Our identity is rooted in who we are in Christ. As we are made new in Christ through repentance and by receiving his gift of forgiveness, he brings us into his family. We can find our identity in doing the will of God as part of his family, by understanding our role in the body of Christ with Jesus as the head, as living stones in the house of God with Jesus as the chief cornerstone, and as his bride eagerly awaiting the return of our groom. These revelations will help us understand who we are in Christ and who God has called us to be!
As we move onto our second part of the series on "Who Am I? Discovering our identity in Christ", we will study 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 and discover five clear marks that identify Christians as Ambassadors of Reconciliation, the challenge is: do you accept?
A new year is also a time of new beginnings. A time to leave the past behind and press into newness of life. One part of our identity that brings newness is the fact that we are forgiven by God. Forgiveness is the first step towards a reconciled relationship with God that helps us receive and walk in the fullness of God’s blessings for us. We need to realize that we are forgiven, redeemed, set free, and cleansed by Jesus. Experiencing his full forgiveness helps us to forgive ourselves and others who have hurt us. Let’s discover this key component of our identity and rejoice in his forgiveness!
What does it mean to be a child of God? We receive every spiritual blessing in Christ and from that comes new life at peace with God! So let us live in this new reality!
We look at the story of the Prodigal Son through the eyes of the Prodigal Father. He was prodigal in his extravagant giving of his possessions and especially his love. He realized that both his sons were lost and both needed to experience the depth of his love like never before. His actions are a beautiful display of the agape love of God which is unconditional, unmerited, and unending. Our heavenly Father pours out this same love on us! We can learn from and experience the Father's love so that we can show the same love to others.
The older brother in the story of the Prodigal Son was very unprodigal. He didn't want to celebrate with the others, didn't want to accept his brother back, and was upset at his father for showing love and forgiveness to his brother. In many ways he reflects a lot of religious people who have missed the core message of the gospel. He was just as lost as his brother...and maybe even more. However, the father still went out to him to show him love, kindness, and grace. We can understand the fullness and depth of the gospel by learning from the reaction of the older brother.
The church of Smyrna was known as the persecuted church because of the suffering they went through for the cause of Christ. They were encouraged to stay faithful in the midst of difficult times knowing that a crown of life was awaiting them. As we remember the National Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, let us pray for and support our brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. Let's listen to the Spirit as he directs us in our times of trials as well.
The church in Sardis had a reputation that they were alive, but they were actually dead and the Lord wanted to awaken them to that reality. He wanted to revive and restore them to a vibrant life with him and the Lord desires to do the same for us. Do you know that you can be his child? Chosen, redeemed, forgiven, righteous, holy, blessed and totally complete in Christ! Let's listen to the Spirit and return to the Lord with our whole heart!
Jesus with eyes like a flame of fire saw and commended the church in Thyatira for their love, faith, service, and patience. Yet there was a spirit at work in the church to draw people away from a holy walk with God and towards false teaching and practices. They are encouraged to repent and stay faithful until Jesus returns. Let's listen in and hear what the Spirit is saying to our church and for our personal lives.
Jesus revealed himself to the church of Pergamum as the one who has the sharp two-edged sword which represents the word of God. He revealed the importance of the word of God and truthful teaching to a church tempted to compromise with the world and societal standards. They were faithful to the name of the Lord in the midst of difficult trials. Let's listen to the Spirit and hear what he has to say from his word for the challenging times we are living in!
We don’t hear a lot in Revelation 3:7-13 to describe Philadelphia because we will notice most of the letter is taken over not with a description of the church but rather the verses are given over to comfort and encouragement. Little Philadelphia gets the most sustained discourse of promise and of hope—the smaller you are; the weaker you feel—the more it seems Jesus wants to come alongside and give you promise after promise…I count 6 promises.
Our vision is to touch our world through Jesus, one life at a time. How can we do this? Who should we reach? What kind of life transformation does this inspire? Why is Jesus significant in this process? As we discover the answers to these questions we will see how we can effectively make a difference in our world for Christ as we pray for his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Fear to serve Jesus Christ can grip our hearts. But Jesus says that we should take courage and not be afraid. If you enter into this conversation with him you'll see what amazing things He does. Hear the inspiring stories of those who took courage and the wonderful things that happened!
Barnabas was a man of vision and purpose. When others didn't want to have anything to do with Paul, Barnabas saw the potential of a great leader and kingdom builder. When Paul lost faith in Mark, Barnabas was willing to give him a second chance because he saw something great in Mark. Barnabas also saw the beauty of the gospel and the role of the church in bringing hope to this world. He was willing to sacrifice his money, time, and energy to help others see that hope. Let's be like Barnabas and be people of vision.
Barnabas was a unique figure in the early church whose character was marked by distinct Christlike qualities which were revolutionary for the early church. He stands as an exemplary example of what it means to follow Christ and be empowered by the Spirit. Given the nickname Barnabas which means "son of encouragement," his support, prayers, and leadership encouraged others to be all they could be in Christ.
In this time of uncertainty and unrest both locally and globally, we will look at Psalm 23 as we pray to our Good Shepherd to lead and guide us!
When things get turned upside down in our lives, we often are desperate for them to return to normal as soon as possible, but often that isn’t what happens. What should we expect? What does the Bible teach? We will be exploring the story of Nehemiah and the role of prayer in moving us through the challenges into the new that God has for us.
Moses, the leader of Israel, speaks to God face to face, entering into God's presence and glory. What might God offer us today?
The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus is one of the most powerful, revealing, heartfelt, emotional prayers that Jesus ever prayed. On the eve of the crucifixion, as Jesus prepared himself to face death and be reunited with his Heavenly Father, we get a glimpse into what he felt was truly important and meaningful for the disciples to know. His prayer teaches us about the character of God and how we also should pray for others.
As we focus on Prayer and Missions, we turn to the book of Ephesians where the Apostle Paul concludes his letter in 6:10-20 with Four Calls and Four Alls. Yes, included in this section is the Armour of God. No worries, we will look at that too.
The disciples didn't know how to pray. Can you relate to that? Sometimes we are at a loss for words or we don't know how to approach God. The disciples asked Jesus how to pray and he taught them what we call the Lord's Prayer. Through this simple prayer we learn how to approach God, understand his character and will, and relate to him as our Heavenly Father who cares for us.
David and Daniel both prayed prayers of repentance and confession to God. David repented and confessed his personal sin and failure while Daniel repented about the corporate sin and failure of the children of Israel. In these days, the Lord is calling us to both a personal and corporate repentance as we seek his presence and will in our lives, our families, our church, our community, and our nation. Let's join together in a solemn assembly to turn our hearts, minds, and lives to Jesus our Saviour.
Jesus Christ is our Sanctifier and Coming King. As we continue to grow in our faith and walk with the Lord, there is a work of sanctification that the Lord does as he transforms us into his image and likeness through the work of the Spirit. He also fills us with joy and anticipation as we eagerly await the Blessed Hope: the coming of the Lord. As we maintain this hope, we will seek to live a pure life.
Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Healer. The angel announced that his name would be Jesus because he would save his people from their sins. However, part of salvation is also holistic healing. There is power in the name of Jesus to bring physical healing to our bodies but he also wants to heal us spiritually and emotionally. Because of his stripes we can experience healing today!
The President of the Christian & Missionary Alliance in Canada, Dr. David Hearn shares his heart on how we can sustain a mission-focused passion in a global pandemic and continue to embrace the awe-inspiring Jesus.
As we focus on who we are as a church within the Christian & Missionary Alliance, our District Superintendent Curtis Peters shares with us as we launch a new season at UAC.
As our Senior Pastor, Kevin Rutledge, retires after 7 years of leadership at UAC, here is his parting message.
The early church in Acts made a huge impact on its world. To have this kind of impact we have to have a big view of God. Join us as we discover to make an impact in our world.
All of us can probably think of people who we see as long shots for coming to faith in Jesus. As bad as those odds are they are not as bad as Saul of Tarsus. God did something that should encourage us with our impossible people.
The church started with spectacular success, but that exuberance was short lived as the church was subject to much opposition. However, God is not thwarted by those attacks and we don’t have to be either.
As we continue on our studies into the book of Acts, we learn the music and lyrics of the gospel.
The church can be a powerful force for good in the world, but not all churches are accomplishing that. Luke shows us a picture of a church that was turning its world upside down in Acts.
Jesus’ ministry was able to touch only so many lives personally. His exodus from this earth would not be the end of his influence. Rather, Jesus’ ministry was multiplied thousands and millions of times.
While Jesus conquered death the disciples wondered where things would go from there. They had hoped that Jesus would establish a physical kingdom. Instead he gave them a mission and left them. This would be a crucial step in fulfilling the mission.
Palm Sunday was the ushering in of a new King. The Jews wanted a King who would reign over Israel and bring them back to their glory days, but Jesus said that his Kingdom was not of this world. This new King was unlike any King the world had ever seen. And he calls us to be part of that new kingdom!
What is heaven like? You might be surprised by what the Scriptures say. Some consider it to be boring and uninviting. In fact, most of us have some unbiblical notions about heaven. Track with us as we allow God to inform us of a glorious future.
Hell is a terrifying thought for those who have comprehended its awfulness. Some people find hell to be too terrible and have made it into something much more domesticated and palatable. In this message, we want to understand from Scripture what hell is really like.
How does a person qualify to go to heaven when they die? That question elicits a number of answers. If there is any question we need to have the right answer to, it is this one. We want to examine the Scripture in probing this important issue.
Death comes to all of us, but what lies behind that shadowy curtain. In our message we probe what God reveals what happens after we take our last breath.
As we begin our new series on heaven and hell we want to understand who has the authority to judge and what justice looks like. Join us as we discover the breadth of the of the judgments of the Lord.
Who is the historical Jesus? Did he claim to be God? Did he rise again from the dead? These are important questions as we evaluate Jesus and his teachings. The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and without it everything crumbles. If Jesus really rose again from the dead then what he taught should radically challenge and change our lives!
The claim that Jesus is the only way to God is exclusive and offensive in our modern culture. Yet it is logically consistent and powerful in highlighting the claims of Christ. Christianity is not the only exclusive religion, but it does provide a grace-filled and humble way of dealing with exclusivity.
Christian ethics regarding sex is often regarded as restrictive and a reason to reject the Christian faith based on modern culture. However, God is actually pro-sex and wants us to enjoy this blessing to the fullest. In fact, if we understand the role of sex holistically, it should draw us closer to God instead of away from him.
The question of evil and suffering is often used to disprove the existence of a good God, but in fact it points us towards a good and loving Creator. Moreover, it helps us to comprehend the sacrifice and suffering of Jesus. In fact, the Christian worldview is the only one that provides meaning in the midst of deep pain.
Proving scientifically that God exists is an impossibility. But if we rationally look at the scientific evidence, there is more proof that God exists instead of that he doesn't exist. It takes faith to believe in God, but the evidence that surrounds us can point us in the right direction.
New Year is a good time for an evaluative survey of where we have been and where we want to go. Jesus wants to be a participant in our endeavor. In fact he wants us to put an emphasis on what will stand the test of time and eternity. As we approach this New Year let’s shape the course of our life.
Love is the epitome of what Christmas is about. In this last of Advent themes we will discover what impact God’s love can have on us and on the world. This is truly the spirit of Christmas.
Joy is more than a feeling, but the fruit of our relationship with Christ. It is not dependent on our situation or circumstances, but on what Christ has done for us. During his first Advent, Jesus brought joy to so many people around him. As we reflect back on that first Christmas, we are reminded about the joy that Jesus still brings.
Peace. We all want peace. Especially in a time of upheaval, fear and change. But peace is more than an absence of fear, peace starts with God, then infects the rest of our lives.
Without hope, life can be intolerable. The COVID-19 pandemic has infected many people with a sense of hopelessness. Discover how God can bring hope to the hopeless.
Our goal as followers of Christ is to become like our Saviour. Growing believers will more and more resemble Jesus in his character. In this message, we will discover what that looks like and how we achieve it.
Generosity is not an act but a lifestyle. The Lord is calling us to radically live out our faith through radical generosity. As we do, we will grow in our walk with the Lord and our relationships with other people. Generous living is a holistic part of our faith that touches every part of our life from giving to forgiving. How will we respond?
In western society we are conditioned to be strong, independent, not reliant on others. God says we are to interdependent, needing each other in our faith journeys. Those who will grow spiritually will do so in part because they are meaningfully connected to other believers.
The gospel of Jesus Christ brings us into a relationship with God and we start to grow spiritually. But it is not just that initial growth that changes us, but there is a continual growth as we declare the gospel to others and are shaped by it on a daily basis. We can do the ordinary by reading God's word, fellowshipping with others, and deepening our prayer life, but we are also challenged to do the extraordinary and be led by God's Spirit into the unknown!
If we are to grow spiritually, we need God’s enablement to do so. What we may not have realized is that to achieve growth God may have to subject us to difficult circumstances. We will discover from Paul’s life that that can include thorns.
One area in our lives that promotes and stimulates growth is personal ministry and service. As we grow we serve and as we serve we also grow. We will trace through the life of Peter and see how he went from doing what he knew, to doing what he didn't know, to finally using his spiritual gifts to serve the Lord and build the kingdom of God!
We can tend to view prayer as our talking to God in a one-sided way. In fact prayer is a dialogue, a two way conversation with God in which we respond to his speaking to us. In this message we will help you discover how you can engage with God in such a way that he transforms your life.
Spiritual growth requires feeding on the Word of God. But truth of Scripture not applied is of no use.
Most of us understand that diet is an important factor in the growth and health of an individual. But what about your spiritual growth. Scripture demonstrates a key to spiritual vitality.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live. We need to be aware of the particular season we are living in, what God's will is for us during this season, and most importantly, how we can be fruitful in this season. The Lord makes all things beautiful in our lives according to his time and season. The Lord has a plan for our lives, we are not alone, and we need his word to give us purpose and meaning in the season we are in.
While living a faithful Christian life can have trials, God has provided all we need to be victorious. Peter offers his final counsel for struggling believers.
Peter is seeking to help churches who are experiencing troubles, persecution and suffering. One of his means of helping believers stay committed is through the church leaders God had given them. But what kind of leaders should they be?
We often think of sufferings as a problem in life, an impediment to our journey, and something we wish would go away. However, Peter encourages us to endure sufferings because of the fruit that can be produced in difficult times. The Christian worldview gives meaning to suffering as it drives us into a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
You may be surprised that faithful Christians can sometimes suffer on account of their faith. Peter wants to help followers of Jesus to maintain their stand for Christ in spite of the challenges.
As Christians we are being transformed into the image of Christ. We reflect this in our interactions within church and outside of the body of Christ.
Living in a hostile environment for Christians can be challenging. Peter wants believers who are foreigners in their society to realize that they are representatives of Christ and live out their faith so that people can be drawn to Jesus.
During this pandemic, church hasn't been the same. However, in this season, we are given opportunities to be the church that the Lord has called us to be by sharing, proclaiming, and declaring the goodness of God. We are living stones in the spiritual temple that he is building and we are holy priests offering up spiritual sacrifices that are pleasing to God. Let's be that organic, living, an dynamic church!
The Lord calls us to holy living which might seem hard and difficult. However, this call is rooted in God's character, Christ's sacrifice for us, and the hope of his second coming. The Lord doesn't leave us alone in this endeavour but he makes provision for us to be holy as he is holy. The fruit of this holy living can be seen through our love and a transformed life. Let's journey with the Lord as he makes us his holy people!
The Christian life is not without struggles. Some of these are generated because of hostility to our faith. Peter wants to help us thrive in that environment. His starting point is praise.
We have seen the ugly side of racism over the last month. As Christ followers how do we understand and respond to this social scourge?
Tests are a part of life. God tests his children. Abraham will face the biggest challenge of his life and we can learn something about God’s testing.
Most of us have the best of intentions for our spiritual life. The trouble is that many of us fall short of where we want to be. Even the greatest champions of the faith fail sometimes. The good news is that failure doesn’t have to be final.
Faith, for Abraham, was expressed through his deep concern for the plight of the wicked people of Sodom. The expression of our faith will need to be expanded when God captures our heart with his compassion.
Pentecost is a forgotten element in the Christ story and our salvation. In this message, we highlight why we should revel in and celebrate this incredible event.
Faith is more than just some passive belief in God. Faith is active and demands that we live out our faith in a practical expression of obedience to the will of God. Biblical faith is faith in action.
Have you ever failed in your faith? Well, the father of faith, Abraham and his wife Sarah who is considered a hero of faith, both failed…and failed miserably. Their servant Hagar, although mistreated, encountered the Lord is a beautiful, personal, and intimate way. They were fraught with discouragement, failure, unbelief, and sin, yet the Lord choose to forgive, heal, restore, and fulfill his good word to them. It gives us hope that in the midst of our failures, the Lord is still with us to accomplish his purpose and plan in our lives.
Sometimes we can wonder if God will really be good for his promises. Abraham had some questions about that. God demonstrates in a really surprising way that he more than good for his promises.
It’s easy to see why we need faith in difficult times. It is less obvious to see the need for faith in the good and prosperous circumstances. In this message we will find out why it is important to walk by faith.
Sometimes faith is challenged when life throws you a curve. Abraham must learn how to be faithful and trust when confronted with crisis.
What is faith? How do we begin a journey of faith? We will be introduced to Abraham, the father of the Jewish people and a father to all who put their faith in God. Join us as we experience the joys and challenges of living by faith.
Death is no respecter of persons. In this passage, we see the deep pain that it exacted on some friends of Jesus. Jesus demonstrates his mastery over humankind's most feared enemy.
The cross emerges as the predominant symbol of the Christian faith. On closer examination, it might seem to be a poor choice when the significance is grasped. Join us to discover what was so special about this instrument of torture.
Jesus said that he is the true vine, we are the branches, and the Father is the gardener. From this metaphor we learn the secret of abiding in Jesus. Abiding in Christ and Christ in us results in fruitfulness and the greatest fruit is love which brings great glory to God. We can do nothing apart from Christ so let us learn to continually abide with Him!
This season we are in can be troublesome. Jesus and his disciples were in a difficult time. Jesus shares a message of hope for dark times. He gives hope and strength that is found only in him.
Jesus as our Good Shepherd is seen in two significant ways: he sacrifices for us and he knows us. These two beautiful truths sets Christianity apart from every major world religion and impacts us deeply and intimately. The God of all the universe has sacrificed his life for us and he wants to know us personally! Is there anything more wonderful than that?
In the aftermath of Jesus curing the blind man in John 9 and his expulsion from the synagogue, delineates between good and bad leaders. Jesus himself is a model leader and shepherd and he presents himself as door to salvation. He alone has access to God.
Jesus made an outlandish claim that he was the light of the world. The implications of this statement reveals who he is and the challenge we have as his followers.
God created us with needs and then meets those needs. We are prone to look elsewhere to have our needs met. In this message, Jesus directs us to look to him for bread that will satisfy the longing soul.
What is forgiveness worth? What is love worth? What would you do in response to love? A woman, who was known as a sinner, encountered Jesus and revealed her love by washing Jesus' feet with her tears and anointing them with some costly perfume. Others looking on condemned the woman, but Jesus saw through the surface reactions and into the heart of the woman which reflected her faith and love and forgave her for her sins. That encounter changed her profoundly! Likewise, Jesus looks into our heart...how will we respond?
The divinity and power of Jesus is clearly seen through his encounter with the demoniac from Gerasenes. Sadly, he was an outcast without hope, living in obscurity and pain, and controlled by the power of darkness. Jesus brought healing, hope, and light to that man who became an evangelist to the Gentiles. This encounter brought fear to the people of that region, but it caused that man to love, follow, and obey Jesus.
There was an encounter with Jesus that didn't result in a transformed life, but with someone sadly walking away. The rich young ruler was trapped by his own treasure and unable to completely surrender to Jesus. Let's learn from his mistakes and place Jesus on the podium of our life!
Sometimes you can realize that the course you have taken in life was wrong and leaves you empty. Is it possible to change and have a new start? The man in our passage demonstrates that Jesus is able to radically transform a life.
An unsuspecting woman has an encounter with Jesus that profoundly touches not only her, but a whole community.
Few people were more qualified to speak authoritatively on how a person can make it to heaven. In this encounter, Nicodemus finds himself totally out of his depth.
The encounter that Peter had with Jesus radically transformed his life. It caused him to dedicate his life completely to Christ, helped him through his failures, and affirmed his calling and purpose! Jesus can and will do the same for us as we encounter him and continue to abide with him.
Prayer is a cornerstone in the Christian journey. As we start 2020, we want to build up our prayer life by seeing how prayer is intimate, sacrificial, and powerful. We will begin a 20 day prayer challenge for 2020 as we make prayer a priority for this new year and this new decade!
Christmas is over for another year. We may have come to Christmas with certain expectations. The question remains, how will you leave the experience from Christmas?
While there is great joy and celebration in the birth of Christ, there is an ominous shadow over the festivities.
What happened at Christmas was not an oops that caught God off guard. Rather he had everything perfectly planned out for Christmas and what he wanted to happen.
Christmas can come as an unwelcome intruder for some people. What is the meaning of this celebration anyway and what’s so important about it. In this message we will explore that question.
Christmas is known as a time for giving. The epitome of giving is the gift of Jesus. The generosity of Jesus should find resonance in the lives of his followers.
As Jesus began his famous Sermon on the Mount, so he will conclude it. The critical point of ending the sermon is the take-away. Jesus wants to make sure that the sermon achieves its desired goal. This goes for all good sermons.
We are privileged in prayer to ask, seek, and knock, because the Lord delights to give us good things that further his kingdom values and the fulfillment of his kingdom ethic to do unto others what we would desire to be done to us.
Jesus told us that we were not to judge others. That message resonates with many in our society. But that can be confusing because he also instructed us to be judicious and critical. In this message we will unpack what Jesus’ message is for us.
Our lives can be weighed down with worry at times and the effects can be hard. Kingdom citizens are not to be encumbered by worry, but that’s easier said than done. Jesus not only calls his followers to not to worry, he shows them how they can have a worry-free life.
In this message, we aim to build our understanding of God’s global mission and how He aligns our hearts to participate with Him. We’ll look at some maps, stories of God at work, and examine our hearts in light of a Task Unfinished.
Part of kingdom living is to intentionally leverage our resources with a vision of generosity and grace in order to fulfill God's will on earth because Jesus is our Lord.
God is very concerned about how we live our lives, but he is concerned with more than just what we do. He is concerned about why we do it. In this message Jesus looks beyond the externals to see what is driving that behaviour. Prepare to be challenged as Jesus strips away the façade and gets to the heart of our living.
Sometimes we feel as though we have it all together spiritually. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day sure felt that way. Jesus rocked their world and self-righteous attitude when he explained the real intent of the law and how far short they were falling.
Jesus’ life had a great impact on many people. Submitting to his rule would make us more loving, caring, fair, humble and accommodating which can help to transform our environment.
We tend to think of the church in very personal ways. Jesus wanted us to be mindful that we are in community of faith and that we have a greater ability to serve, grow and reach out to others when we do it together.
You may not realize it, but when you became a follower of Jesus, you also became his spokesperson to share his good news. As daunting as this may seem, Jesus promises to help you in this critical role.
When we come to find Jesus, we discover that it was he who was searching for us. He then makes us a part of his rescue team.
The last fruit of the Spirit is self-control. It is unique in that it is not a characteristic of God like the other fruit of the Spirit. Many times we lack self-control and need the help of the Holy Spirit to control our sinful desires and passions. As we admit our failures and put on Christ, we can grow in this vital area of self-control.
Gentleness is not a fruit of the Spirit that is attractive to many people. It may seem like a very passive and wimpy kind of character trait. Be prepared to be surprised!
The word goodness is a very unique Greek word that is found only in the Bible and not in the classical Greek language. It is used to describe God’s character of being blameless, upright, pure, righteous and generous. Contextually for us, it is a Spirit-created moral excellence. It not only encompasses kindness as acts of love, but reflects the complete character of God who does good things for us even if we don’t think it is good.
If patience is the passive response of love then kindness is the active response of love. We see the kindness of God lived out through Jesus in his tangible expressions of love. Through the help of the Holy Spirit we can also produce this fruit and be watchful, compassionate, and ready to show kindness to others.
Patience is an extraordinary characteristic of God displayed in his forgiveness of our sins. We are also called to be patient with others and in the midst of our trials. We can learn from godly examples before us to develop patience by seeing things from God's perspective, loving others, praying for others, and trusting in God.
What is peace? We often define it in terms of what it isn’t—as in, it’s the absence of conflict. Our study will examine the Biblical truth of peace from our series in the Fruit of the Spirit.
One of the resources that God has given to help us to live the Christian life successfully is a friend. David had a great challenge with opposition in his life and God provided a wonderful gift in the person of Jonathan. This friendship of the ages stands as a model of how friendship can work.
What kind of person does God chose and use? God’s choice may defy conventional wisdom. God chooses an unlikely person in David to become a great leader.
Probably all of us have felt the tug of wanting something now rather than waiting for something better in the future. Jesus called his followers to live a faithful life of sacrifice, promising something better in the future. Jesus himself will be called to model what he calls his followers to do.
Why is it that people’s experience with the Bible can differ so greatly? Why do some people really get it and to others it is quite meaningless? This message will outline why there is such divergence and what the key is to really understanding the Bible in a way that changes our lives.
The Bible is critical to followers of Jesus, but how did you get that book in your hands? We will examine the journey of the making of this supernatural book God wrote.
We can only know about God what he is willing to share. In this message we will examine the various means God uses to reveal himself to us and how we can respond.
Throughout the story of Joseph we see him embracing the change that the Lord allows in his life. His father Jacob does the same as he travels to Egypt to see his son. Both Jacob and Joseph are visionaries who prophecy about their future and teach us to live by faith through hope. Ultimately, we learn the story of redemption which is told numerous times throughout the Scriptures that God protects, delivers and saves his people.
Joseph is now reigning over Egypt and the famine is in full force. His brothers come to buy food from Joseph not knowing that their brother is the governor. Joseph puts his brothers through a series of tests to see if their attitude has changed and they are given a chance to repent. Forgiveness is difficult, but with God’s help, Joseph unbelievably offers complete and total forgiveness to his brothers. We should follow Joseph’s example and allow love to conquer vengeance.
Joseph is now toiling in obscurity as he abides his time in prison. Yet the Lord is proving him and shaping his character for something greater. Nevertheless, Joseph continues to use his gifts and talents to serve others. He is fruitful in the land of grief and pain! Finally, the Lord’s time for Joseph’s promotion arrives and he moves from the prison to the palace in order to save many lives.
We all go through some form of rejection in our lives. It could be from family members, friends or at our work place. However, most have not endured what Joseph went through by being sold into slavery. Yet the Lord’s presence was always with Joseph working for Joseph’s good. In a similar way, the Lord is always with us, working all things together for good in the hardest and most painful situations of life.
As we reflect back on 2018, we may discover many unfulfilled dreams, unmet expectations, incomplete ambitions, and unsatisfied promises. We may wonder, when Lord, why Lord, what happened Lord, how come Lord, where are you Lord? It may seem that he is late but he is actually working behind the scenes and he is right on time so we should seize the wait! In the process we will realize that our faith will be tried, he knows our pain, and he is working out all things for his glory!
Joy is a theme that runs through the Christmas story. But what is joy? And how do we capture it for more than a couple of weeks in a year? The Christ child can make joy a reality even in difficult circumstances. Join us to discover how.
Jesus came into this world to bring us hope! We can see this hope displayed in the life of Simeon who met Jesus when Joseph & Mary brought Jesus to be dedicated. From Simeon’s experience with hope, we can discover that hope takes time, hope takes commitment, hope takes action, and hope takes faith.
Advent means “coming” and this is personified in the incarnation of love in the person of Jesus Christ. In John 1:14, we can see the five love languages demonstrated in Christ: the Word (words of affirmation) became flesh (physical touch) and made his dwelling among us (quality time). We have seen his glory (acts of service), the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father (gift giving), full of grace and truth.
We have been examining the reality of the opposition that we have to living the Christian life faithfully. We discovered that we are assaulted by Satan and demons, there is the whole societal environment that is rigged against us, and of course the sinful nature in us. The apostle Paul wants us to know that we can be victorious over these enemies but we have to be dressed for success.
We have been examining the reasons that we might struggle to live the kind of life that God would have us to live. While we discovered that Satan and his demons war against our faith, we need to understand that they shape a Godless environment that continually works to influence us against God. Don’t despair, God has provided what we need to be victorious.
Have you ever wondered why living the Christian life can be difficult? Why is doing right harder than doing wrong at times? Following Christ does not go uncontested. We are in a battle and we face three formidable enemies all intent on our spiritual defeat. But, good news! God has provided everything we need to be victorious.
In the next two messages we will unmask the cover the first of our enemies, Satan and his demonic forces. We will discover who they are, how they operate and how we can have victory.
Jesus left this earth with a mission for his church to get the news out about his love for people who are separated from God and in need of his salvation. Over the years that has looked different. This message traces the changing face of the church's mission over the centuries of history. While some things have changed, the life-giving message stays the same.
We have been unpacking what it can mean to touch our world through Jesus. We conclude this series of talks with the most profound impact one might have—introducing someone into a life changing relationship with Jesus.
The spirit of generosity is beautifully portrayed in the redemptive act of Christ laying down his life for us. As we experience his generosity in our lives, we are privileged to express that same redemptive generosity to others. It is the expression of our overflowing joy in Christ. Let our generosity be grace-filled, restorative, and abundant through Christ.
We have been talking about the things that we can do to touch our world through Jesus. Many of us want to do something. However, there’s a way we can do something that seems rather passive or inactive—it’s prayer. We want to explore how prayer can make a difference in our world.
The world is filled with injustice. It is a global problem. The God who created us abhors injustice and is filled with indignation against abusers. As the church we are called to represent the heart of God for those who are oppressed, exploited, discriminated against and violated. We are called to touch our world through Jesus.
No one has impacted our world like Jesus, yet he didn’t wield power or political influence. You can touch your world the same way Jesus did.
All of us who have started something with enthusiasm recognize that beginning is easier than finishing. This applies to our spiritual life also. Some believers start with a bang but don’t finish well. There is a surprised case study in the Bible that underscores the danger of finishing poorly. There is a secret to sustaining wise living and finishing well.
A huge factor in the success of your life is wrapped up in the people with whom you surround yourself. So how do you pick the right friends?
We all want God's blessing, but God's blessing is contingent upon living according to the truth and the wisdom he shares with us. Let's discover the missing piece of appropriating God's blessing. Our guest speaker is Dr. Stan Fowler.
Woman Wisdom, whose worth is far more than rubies, teaches all of us that hard work, virtues of integrity and truth, and care for the poor, our families, and others in general, is how to live wisely and to know good. The person that embodies all of this is the One known as the "Wisdom of God", Jesus Christ himself. On the other hand, people like Ben Johnson and Lance Armstrong followed the way of Woman Foolishness.
We live in a sex-saturated society. Promiscuity is brazenly promoted and sex is divorced from God's purpose. In this passage the sage challenges us to embrace moral purity and enjoy the gift of sex within the boundaries of God's purpose.
The Lord is a God of justice and righteousness and the book of Proverbs enlighten us to his ways and methods. Let righteousness reign in our lives as we seek to fulfill his will in this world.
We all struggle with laziness, slothfulness, and procrastination. Yet the book of Proverbs gives us clear guidance and wisdom to help us live diligent, productive and hard working lives.
Our words our powerful. We can use them to build people up or tear people down. The book of Proverbs gives us wise counsel about our words, the use of our tongue, and the type of speech we should and shouldn't employ. Let's use our tongue to bless the Lord and others while avoiding the pitfalls of negative speech.
We receive continuous solicitation to buy things, do things, be something or somebody. The choices we make define us and have huge significance in our lives. With all the competing voices pressuring us to chose, how do we make good decisions that impact our lives positively? The wise teacher will guide those who desire to make good decisions.
Do you wish your life was more than it is? You look back at decisions you have made with some regrets. What if you could make good decisions that would change your future. We are beginning a series of messages from the Book of Proverbs that can help you live life successfully.
Sometimes it seems as though God is unreasonable in his demands. For instance, he commands that we rejoice. That’s fine in the good times, but what about when our world is collapsing? Rejoice? That may seem too much to ask. But God never asks us to do something that he doesn’t enable us to do. There are “joy busters” in our lives that prevent experiencing joy. Join us in discovering how we can rejoice even when it seems impossible.
Entrance exams can be unnerving. Your future is hanging in the balance. Have you ever thought about God’s entrance exam? How do you get into his family? How do you gain entrance into heaven. That’s one exam you want to pass. The apostle Paul will shed light on this critical issue.
The Gospel calls us to Christlikeness in all that we do. We have an excellent example in the life of Christ of what selflessness, humility, obedience and sacrifice is all about. True joy will be the result of us putting on the nature of Christ.
Paul went through sufferings and imprisonment for the sake of the gospel. Yet he rejoiced knowing that it brought boldness to the believers and the gospel was advanced. He concluded that by life or death Christ would be magnified in his body and that was a reason to rejoice! Maybe we have lost the joy in the gospel because we have lost the victory in suffering. Let us follow the example that Paul left for us to rejoice in all circumstances!
Finding happiness can be so elusive. The apostle Paul found joy in a prison with the prospects of losing his life. One of the things that lifted his spirits and brightened his day was the thought of special relationships. Let’s look into the heart of a truly joyful person to discover what makes him tick.
When we think of worship we may conjure up gatherings of God’s people, music, Scripture, sermons and offerings. But there is a very important yet often overlooked component to worship that may slip our minds—it is obedience. Join us as we explore this critical aspect to what it means to worship.
Money and stuff can be pretty important in our lives. In fact it is easy to make those gifts of God idols that mean more to us than he does. This message probes how material things can detract us from true worship and the solution to that problem.
Music has become synonymous with worship in much of today’s parlance in the church. While music is an important element in our corporate gatherings it can be misunderstood and the source of much controversy and division. We want to examine what true musical worship might look like from Scripture.
Part of worshipping God is serving him and serving others. True and proper worship is to present our lives to God to do his will whatever that may entail. The Christian life is not just about receiving good things from God but living sacrificially for the Lord and for others. What areas of service are you engaged in that in turn produces true worship?
We can learn about worship from what people did in both the New and Old Testaments. In the Lord’s prayer we were instructed to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. God gives us a peek into worship in heaven that can inform our practice here on earth.
We speak about going to worship, being in the sanctuary or the worship centre. While we understand what this means you may be surprised to discover that worship has changed vastly from the Old Testament times. We worship a whole new way.
You were created to worship God. This goes beyond attending a worship service to a life of worship. Join us as we discover Gods design for our lives.
"In the name of “personal freedom” many in our culture want to eliminate the fixed categories of male or female in favour of making gender and one’s gender identity entirely a matter of personal choice. But is this even possible, and can it bring true freedom? In this message Scott Stein explores the biblical foundation for human nature as gendered beings, and how only Jesus brings us true freedom, not by letting us choose what we want to be, but by showing us and helping us to live out what God has made us to be.”
Having examined the tests John presents to us can be both heartening and disturbing. We are told that we are to live lives that are not marked by sin and overflowing with love. The trouble is that many of us examine our lives and see inconsistencies and failure. We hoped to be more than we are and working harder at living the life can be frustrating. Has God just set the bar so high that we just want to give up? This message will provide hope as we see the resource that God has provided to enable us to both live the life he desires and enjoy assurance.
We have been talking about how a person can have security in their relationship with God. We have talked about different tests to examine the genuineness of our faith. John presents the “love test” as a means of evaluating where we are at spiritually. Let’s take this test to see where we are at.
John says one of the ways we can determine whether we are genuine Christians or not is by how we live our lives. He identifies sin in our life as a determining factor. This can be unsettling because all of are prone to sinning. So how can we be assured of our faith while we are still battling with sin? Let’s discover how this test is appropriately applied in our lives.
Does it really matter what you believe when it comes to your faith? or is it just important that you believe something, but believe with sincerity? That is the predominant theme regarding religion in today’s culture. But when it comes to being sure of your faith, will that hold up with God? This message probes this critical question as we consider the possibility of security with God.
In a world of uncertainty what can you be sure of? How about your relationship with God? How sure are you that God would accept you? Or can you really know for sure? In this series we want to try to answer these questions from the book 1 John in the Bible.
As we conclude this series, the Jewish people are protected, Esther & Mordecai are safe, and there is joy, feasting, and celebration throughout the kingdom. The feast of Purim is instituted so Israel can remember how God defended His people. We should also celebrate God's kindness, blessing and provision for us as we see the fingerprints of God in our lives!
In chapters five to seven of Esther we see the effect of pride in the downfall of Haman. He was the second most powerful man in the kingdom but pride got the best of him. Pride is blinding, deceptive, deadly and can never be satisfied. Let's not follow the example of Haman but emulate the Lord Jesus in His humility.
In chapter four, Esther is met with a crisis. Mordecai tells her to plead with the King for the lives of the Jewish people, but she hasn't been called by the King to see him. If she goes uninvited she may be killed. This is Esther's moment and a time of great risk. She is courageous in this time of calamity. The Lord also calls us to take a risk, to be courageous, and stand for what is right.
In chapter three, we see the conflict between Mordecai and Haman. As true Israelites, it is symbolic of the spiritual battle we are in against the enemy who comes against us. We can have courage and hope knowing that Christ has already won the victory for us!
The book of Esther starts off with great pomp and celebration as the King flaunts his wealth, prestige and power. Esther is chosen to be the next Queen but at what cost? She compromises her values and conforms to the ways of the world. She fails to be a true Israelite who is set apart for God. See how Esther's experience foreshadows our experience and learn what values are truly important.
The year ahead presents us with some wonderful possibilities. It will require making good and wise decisions. To do this we need a North Star to guide us in the way we should go. Jesus gives us such a star to guide us through 2018.
We are on the threshold of a New Year. There are new possibilities and possible challenges. How do we face the uncertainties in a new year? This message will help you to handle whatever may come.
Pastor Kevin spoke on how our God, sent Jesus to take on human form... completely. Jesus had our human emotions, and there are several instances in the Bible where Jesus wept.
Christmas is about the coming of Jesus, God Son, to earth. But why did he have to become a human? We want to tackle this question as we continue to explore this undercover boss.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
An important way that growth occurs in our life is through spiritual disciplines. As we practice various disciplines that are both personal and interpersonal, we draw closer to God and grow in Christlikeness by the grace of God. It is vital to maintain various disciplines in our life and to begin some new ones!
When we consider how God grows our faith, we may focus on the things God builds into our lives to mature us. If this were the only direction we were looking we would miss a crucial component—what we give out in service. In this message we will look at how God uses our serving others to develop and strengthen our faith.
One catalyst that God uses to grow our faith is the people he puts in our lives. Almost everyone who tells their faith story will relate the impact that someone or a group of people have had in shaping their spiritual life. We want to discover how God uses others in our lives and how he may want to use us.
Strengthening your faith begins with God’s Word. The problem for so many of us is not just that we don’t know enough of the Bible, it’s that we need to know how it affects my life and learning to live it out in daily life.
From the beginning of creation, God has been pursing a relationship with us. From the garden of Eden, to the calling of Abraham, to the building of the tabernacle, and to the coming Jesus, we see the hands of God extended towards mankind. He has accomplished everything to bring us back into a right relationship with Him. Now we must run after God with our whole heart. Join us in the pursuit of God!
Prayer is such a critical component of the Christian life and what we do at Unionville Alliance Church. In this message we will review our prayer ministries and see the beautiful nature and character of God who delights to answer our prayers. Pastor Daniel Mills speaking.
Pastor Derek Burnett speaks about his mission journey and the importance of our answer to the question.
The world is in a state of constant flux. Change has invaded every area of life. How do Christians respond to these changes and how does the church deal with the whirlwind of continuous movement? What is God’s disposition when it comes to change? This message will seek to provide some answers to these issues.
Fulfilling the mission of Jesus presents us as believers with a daunting challenge. Often we conceive of helping people to become followers of Jesus and to help them grow in their spiritual life as beyond our ability. One problem we face is that too often we conceive of this task as being our exclusive responsibility. In this message we will discover that we were never meant to do it alone and how we can contribute to the overall success of the mission.
While every church has the same mission, to make disciples, no two churches are alike. Each has its own style, passions, gifts and audience. Churches shouldn’t mimic others, but discover how God has uniquely situated them to serve their community. In this message we will discover what makes Unionville Alliance distinctive.
We are called periodically to review where we are going as a church. We need to be clearly committed to fulfilling the mission Christ has entrusted to us. But each generation needs to effectively reach its own. In this message we will reaffirm our mission and begin to unfold a new vision for our church.
We come to the conclusion of our series in the book of Psalms. Whatever happens in our life of ups and downs God has us on a journey with a destination.
Throughout life we will go through amazing experiences and also low times. Depression is a battle that many face at varying degrees. The Psalmist went through a depressing time but sought to encourage himself in God. If we never went through depressing times then we would never know God as the one who encourages and lifts us up. Therefore, we can use our experiences of depression to draw closer to God.
We can be pretty casual and imprecise with the superlatives we throw around. "Awesome" can be applied to the most mundane things. In this Psalm we step back to reorient ourselves to recapture the wonder of God and what is truly superlative.
One of the most important emotions that we can express to God is gratitude which is a response to the grace that God pours out on us. Gratitude then should cause us to respond by telling others of God’s love, doing the will of God for our lives, and praising God even in the midst of difficult situations. We can learn all of these things from Psalm 40 as the psalmist expresses his gratitude to God.
Find out how a man after God’s own heart reacts when faced with his own guilt and shame. Repentance, forgiveness and renewal. Learn how to go to God with your guilt and receive forgiveness and joy in your salvation.
The Bible is eminently a book of hope. It holds out the promise of a better tomorrow when life is challenging. The Psalms have plenty of heartbreak prayers that invite the reader to look ahead with hopefulness. That’s what is so confusing about Psalm 88. It leaves the reader cold and seemingly without hope. So how does this dark song find its way into the Bible and what help could it possibly be? Let’s find out.
Psalm 3 is written by King David at a very critical juncture of his life. He has been reigning as the King over Israel and bringing them into a time of prosperity. Everything seems to be going well until his son Absalom rebels against him to take over the kingdom. David flees from Jerusalem and pens this inspirational psalm about having confidence in God in such a bleak situation. Many of David’s experiences also point to the rejection and hardship faced by Christ as he died for us. Follow along as we trace through the truths expressed in this beautiful psalm.
What do you do when you are doing the right and good things and people who don’t have any regard for that are winning? What do you do when God seems to unfairly bless the people who don’t honour or follow him? That is the dilemma the Psalmist faces. His journey will help give us clarity when we face these seeming inequities.
Emotions are important. God wants us to express our whole heart to him in prayer. We are given excellent models of this in the Psalms in the very heart of the Bible. In this introductory message we will discover how to enter into the sometimes daunting world of the Psalms. We will unlock a key to beginning this journey of faith.
Many times we live like the Pharisees in a religious box confined by what we think and how we should act. In this message we will compare and contrast the reaction of Jesus and the reaction of the Pharisees to various situations which will allow us to examine our lives and see how we react: like Jesus or like the Pharisees.
Most of us have ideas about what it takes to be acceptable to God. Jesus once again shocks us as he corrects some faulty thinking.
Most of us abhor the hypocrisy that we see in others. The problem can be that we are blind to hypocrisy in ourselves. The Pharisees were meticulous in keeping their own rules but Jesus called them out for the inconsistencies in their lives. They talked a good talk but their lives fell far short of what they claimed for themselves. As we examine the hypocrisy of the Pharisees we may see ourselves in them.
The culture of today teaches us to push ourselves forward, get noticed, fight for our rights and to speak well of ourselves. However, the principle of the Kingdom of God is to humble ourselves and the Lord will exalt us in due time. This attitude is starkly different from the way of the world. As we study the Pharisees, we will learn how they preach but do not practice, do their deeds to be seen of others, and desire the greatest place. In light of this, we can examine our intentions and motives to see how they line up with what Scripture teaches.
As Christians we faithfully celebrate Christmas and Easter, but what about Pentecost? Many of us don’t know what it is, let alone why it deserves a prominent place in the worship of the church. In this message we will discover what this special event is and what it means to us.
We all need to live by priorities—putting most important things first. The Pharisees certainly had values and priorities they lived by. Sadly they often got their priorities mixed up. If we are ever going be all God want we will need to learn that we can’t major on the minor.
When looking at the Pharisees and their effort to find acceptance with God we confronted with the truth about what it takes to be in a right relationship with God. Some of the people who seem the most religious may alarmingly not make it with God. The Pharisees demonstrate the wrong way to God.
We all engage in different rituals in our lives. Rituals help to provide meaning for us. God has established sacred rituals to nurture us in our spiritual lives. This week we will examine baptism. Why would a Christian ritual involve someone getting dunked under water in front of a crowd? We will seek to uncover the significance of this special act required by Jesus’ followers.
We all engage in different rituals in our lives. Rituals help to provide meaning for us. God has established sacred rituals to nurture us in our spiritual lives. This week we focus on communion. We will discover the significance of communion and how it can be faithfully be practiced.
We can all blow it sometime. We can let God down and disappoint ourselves. Sometimes our failures can be so devastating that we wonder if there is a way back for us, whether there is a place to serve any more. The Apostle Peter dealt with those feelings and it was going one on one with the resurrected Jesus that helped him sort out his future. Peter’s experience can help us to be restored after a blow out.
Prayer was an essential part of Jesus' life. However, for all the accounts we have of Jesus praying we have very few of his actual prayers in Scripture. In our final message of this series we are granted an inside look at Jesus in his longest recorded prayer in the Bible. It will not only give us insight into Jesus, but is instructive for our own praying.
The thought of Jesus leaving the disciples was devastating. How could they carry on without their Lord and leaders? Jesus shocks them when he asserts that it is good for them that he goes away. Jesus has something in mind that will make all the difference even if he is not physically present with them.
Being a follower of Christ comes with the most incredible benefits. However, the Christian faith should come with a warning: Followers may experience opposition and persecution; join at your own risk. Jesus wanted his disciples to know that they would be subject to the possibility of hostility because they were connected with him. That hasn’t changed in 2000 years. Discover what Jesus has to say about this topic.
As Jesus is preparing the disciples for his departure, he realizes that this is troubling to them and he desires to comfort their hearts. He does so by reminding them of their belief in God, encouraging them to believe in him, letting them know he is preparing a place for them, assuring them that he will return for them, and promising them that they will be with him for all eternity. Similarly, we can also find comfort in the Lord during our times of trails and difficulties by reminding ourselves of these assurances from the Lord.
Love—that grand topic has been the source of inspiration from time immemorial. In Jesus’ farewell speech, he focuses in on that topic as critical to the disciples’ work and the health of the church. He presents it as a new commandment that is really not new. In this message we want to probe the meaning and significance of this call to love for us today.
There is an exodus of young adults leaving the church. There was a tragic abdication of faith in Israel’s history not long after the great events of the exodus and conquering Canaan. In this message we want to learn some lessons to help us avoid the departure from the faith by younger people.
Most of us desire to have some status, recognition, significance and acknowledgement of our worthiness. Our means of achieving this can result in self-centredness, self-promotion and arrogance. Jesus turns this on its head, calling us to follow him on a surprisingly and vastly different path.
In the first chapter of Ruth we see calamity come to the life of Naomi which discourages her. In Ruth chapter two, light springs up as we see the favour of God to Ruth and Naomi through Boaz. He goes out of his way to care for and provide for Ruth. This is a beautiful picture of how the Lord in His lovingkindness shows us favour, provides our needs, and comforts us with His promises. Through the eyes of Ruth we see how God cares for us. Through the eyes of Boaz we realize how God wants us to care for others.
As we begin this series on the book of Ruth, we will examine the hardships and calamities that filled Naomi’s life as she traveled from Bethlehem to Moab. In the midst of failure, we see glimpses of God’s favour and signs of hope. This gives us hope, that even when things are not going our way, our sovereign and gracious God is working behind the scenes on our behalf to fulfill His plan in our lives.
Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Some of us may live our lives with little thought about where we are going. Some of us may come to the end of our lives with a sense of regret. As we begin a new year it is a good time to stop, take stock and live our lives without regret.
Love, our final Advent theme, explores the greatest gift we can receive from God. We will probe the depth of God's love at Christmas.
About two thousand years ago, the angels declared “good news of great joy” because of the birth of the Saviour Jesus Christ. That great joy was imparted to mankind because a Saviour was born who would redeem mankind from their sin and make a way to have fellowship with God now and for eternity. That joy in Jesus is incomparable, irrefutable, indestructible, invincible and indescribable!
In a world filled with turmoil, uncertainty and pain, peace is hard to find. About two thousand years ago, the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ, came into this world to bring mankind peace. Maybe you are facing a crisis situation, a financial difficulty, a sickness, a family problem or the uncertainty of tomorrow. Jesus can make the difference in your life because he gives peace and he is the Lord of peace!
Hope is something we all need. Without it life doesn't seem worth living. For the follower of Christ hope is life transforming.
Today’s message examines the life of a person in the Bible who experienced an incredible betrayal by his own brothers. Getting over this one would not be easy. However, God granted him the ability to rise above the desire for revenge and melted his heart. We will journey with Joseph through to a life changing forgiveness.
It is one thing to know we are supposed to forgive people who have hurt us and quite another thing to do it. In this message we want to discover what true forgiveness really is and how we can begin to see this become a reality in our lives.
All of us are prone to hurt others whether intentionally or unintentionally. Relational difficulties are the experience of everyone. We learned how we find the forgiveness of God for our offenses against him, but we still have issues with other people that can brood and fester. In this message we want to begin to explore the sometimes arduous task of forgiving each other for the hurts we inflict.
It has been said, “To err is human to forgive divine.” All of us will hurt someone or be hurt by someone at some time. How do we handle these infractions and intrusions into our relationships? And what do we do when we offend our Maker? How do we deal with God? This series of messages will explore what it means to find forgiveness and to extend forgiveness in a world of broken relationships.