It’s wise to learn from others’ errors. A child, seeing their sibling punished, can learn obedience. A student, observing a peer caught cheating, can learn integrity. An athlete, watching a teammate fail, can learn of strategy. Whether in business, dating, gaming, or home renovations, it’s wise to learn from others’ errors (see, for example, 1 Cor 10:1–11; 1 Tim 5:20). That that’s what we re going to do this morning. As we draw nearer to Matthew’s account of Jesus’s death, the abject failures of...
Jun 10, 2022•43 min•Season 7Ep. 23
If you follow the church calendar a bit, you may have noticed that last Thursday was a memorable day. In some countries it is actually a holiday where we commemorate the Ascension of the Lord into Heaven. Now, in between Easter and Pentecost (not to mention Christmas), Ascension day may not make it into your top three Christian holidays. And so I wanted to talk about this event using three questions: 1) What happened? 2) How can we be sure that it happened? And 3) What is the significance for us...
Jun 09, 2022•52 min•Season 7Ep. 22
It is not uncommon to look forward to something for a long time only to be a tad underwhelmed, unfulfilled, or disappointed at its eventual realization. Whether a particular milestone or accomplishment, a unique experience or possession, the goal has been anticipated, daydreamed about, planned for, and worked toward. And yet, when the longing gives way to reality—the milestone reached, the accomplishment grasped, the experience felt, or the possession owned—it’s not all that had been expected. I...
May 26, 2022•41 min•Season 7Ep. 21
The God of the universe calls and invites all people to obey him, to fellowship with him, and to serve him and, like a wise parent, he motivates his children in a variety of ways. Sometimes God motivates with fear (e.g., Rev 2:16). The reality of hell is terrifying and, rightly understood, is hugely incentivizing to trust in the One who can save us from it. Other times, God motivates with love (e.g., John 14:15). As we grow in an understanding of all God has done, is doing, and will do for us we...
May 19, 2022•45 min•Season 7Ep. 20
Today I want to talk about Romans chapter 8. Romans 8 is one of the greatest chapters in the Bible, great because it is full of blessings for the believer, blessings that we are only beginning to appreciate as we walk with the lord. This blessed chapter follows chapter 7, one of the most troubling chapters for Christians because Romans 7 documents the great struggle we have with our sinful ways. Romans 8 is a beautiful description of the victorious Christian life. It is bounded front and back by...
May 13, 2022•49 min•Season 7Ep. 19
The more famous, powerful, and wealthy someone grows to be, the less approachable and available they become. For example, just as most citizens are unable to walk into the office of the Prime Minister to casually discuss public policy so most Roman Catholics can’t schedule a dinner with the Pope to chat theology. Why? Because in our world, one measure of importance is inaccessibility. But that’s not the case with Jesus. Indeed, he who is far more famous, powerful, wealthy, and important than any...
May 05, 2022•36 min•Season 7Ep. 18
As we read the first chapter of the book of Acts, it appears that the disciples were still struggling with this resurrection thing. Over a period of 40 days, Jesus appeared to them and as Luke says “they talked about the Kingdom”, and Jesus gave them many “incontrovertible” “irrefutable”, “undeniable” proofs that he was raised from the dead. He was alive and well. But, they still are not in focus! They are concerned about one thing: the Kingdom. Their question is simple: “will you at this time r...
Apr 29, 2022•37 min•Season 7Ep. 17
The final verse of the fifteenth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth invites and implores believers in Jesus Christ to stand with immovable conviction in their faith and serve their Lord with joyful confidence. Few Christians would deny their need and longing for either of these two realities. The question is, how can they be cultivated? This is where the first fifty-seven verses of the chapter come in! Therein, Paul describes how it’s the resurrection—both Jesus’s resurrecti...
Apr 20, 2022•38 min•Season 7Ep. 16
On December 19, 2013, Ontario was hit with a huge ice storm that in effect shut down the whole province. Driving was impossible and for days many were trapped in their homes. Many had to abandon their homes and go live in warm shelters for days. Tragically, in the GTA, 27 people died because of the storm. Such was the devastating effect of the power shortage. Today we are going to look at Romans 7, a chapter that describes a power shortage, not a physical one due to an ice storm, but a spiritual...
Apr 13, 2022•43 min•Season 7Ep. 15
Our culture is hugely confused about marriage, its importance and significance, exclusivity and accountability, permanence and purpose. The institution of marriage is often treated today as something with which to play , like a board game that can be briefly enjoyed and then discarded if broken or replaced if old. It’s treated like something to ignore , like a war monument commemorating something important but treated as archaic and impractical. Or, it’s treated like a pest, an oppressive invent...
Apr 05, 2022•39 min•Season 7Ep. 14
The eighteenth chapter of Matthew’s gospel account records yet another significant teaching session from the Lord Jesus Christ. Whereas he has already described the ethical standard of the kingdom (chs. 5–7), sent his disciples out to declare the nearness of the kingdom (ch. 10), and parabolically introduced novel details about the kingdom (ch. 13), Jesus here explains a defining characteristic of greatness in the kingdom—that of childlike humility. While the world clamours for status and signif...
Mar 28, 2022•48 min•Season 7Ep. 13
When preparing for a marathon, there is a goal that is set in the runner’s mind months prior to the actual race. Much preparation, exercise, and sacrifice has been paid for by the athlete. The several hours of the race will be the pay off for all the training that was put in. The marathon runner has to note the proper diet, running shoes to wear, type of training, and the proper coaching to be a successful runner. The main goal for the marathon runner is crossing the finish line. As we read in t...
Mar 26, 2022•49 min•Season 7Ep. 12
It seems there’s a lot of bad news lately. A sample of recent news headlines report and warn of disconcerting realities that range from escalating humanitarian crises to fatal school shootings, from potential radiation leaks to continued civil unrest, from soaring gas prices to spreading wildfires. Add to the mix a combination of health concerns, growing fatigue, financial strain, relational tensions, feelings of purposelessness, and spiritual apathy and it’s difficult to avoid being overwhelmed...
Mar 14, 2022•39 min•Season 7Ep. 11
One of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring things is to have a water’s-edge view as a storm builds and works its way in across a lake. There is something about watching the clouds billow and darken, the waves picking up in size and intensity, and the raw power of the lightning as it almost seems to crackle across the surface of the water, that reminds you of just how puny and powerless you really are. Well, it would seem that King David may have had similar thoughts, because in the psalm we are...
Mar 07, 2022•34 min•Season 7Ep. 10
Life is always going to be difficult, but we can avoid a lot of hardship and needless struggle when we are prepared and practice the essentials. In the spiritual realm there are essentials to practice, and one area is in our prayer life.
Mar 02, 2022•42 min•Season 7Ep. 9
Scripture is clear that, for those who follow the Lord Jesus and proclaim the riches of his saving grace, causing some offence is unavoidable. “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life” (2 Cor 2:15–16). In other words, Christians stink and only the perfume of Spirit-wrought regeneration can transform that stench into a sweet-smelling fragrance. Indeed...
Feb 23, 2022•36 min•Season 7Ep. 8
“You are more powerful, capable, and resilient than you realize!” Supposedly motivational statements like this one are common in a humanistic culture that’s obsessed with self-esteem and that preaches purpose, joy, contentment, and success are all available with the right mindset, a positive attitude, and unwavering self-belief. However, the Bible is clear that none of that is true and, in fact, thinking in those terms and believing those lies actually robs people of the power that is actually a...
Feb 15, 2022•32 min•Season 7Ep. 7
There are certain sections of Scripture that seem especially holy, accounts like Moses at the burning bush, the Hebrews at the foot of Mount Sinai, the Christ-welcoming night in Bethlehem, and the women at the empty tomb. These are sacred scenes that invite God’s people nearer God’s glory, power, and grace. The transfiguration of Jesus likewise falls into that magnificent category. In his book , The Training of the Twelve , A. B. Bruce suggests that “the transfiguration is one of those passages ...
Feb 09, 2022•37 min•Season 7Ep. 6
In the middle of the book of 2 Samuel there is a fascinating story where David, the King of Israel, is forced to flee for his life from his son Absalom. But today, rather than look at 2 Samuel, we are going to be reading from Psalm 3. When we read the intro text before the first verse, we see that this short psalm has been noted as “A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom”. Now, I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume that the majority of us have not found ourselves in a situat...
Feb 02, 2022•35 min•Season 7Ep. 5
It’s one thing to hold a membership at a fitness centre, it’s another thing to use it. It’s wonderful to belong to a gym but its potential benefits are more fully experienced if time, sacrifice, sweat, and a bit of pain are exerted. Similarly, there are many people who have become saved members of God’s household who, for countless reasons, are not experiencing all of its familial blessings. They are redeemed by Christ but not abiding in Christ. They are converted to new life but not committed i...
Jan 25, 2022•38 min•Season 7Ep. 4
There are many significant questions one may ask and seek to answer in life. Why am I here? What should I do now that I am here? How shall I spend my time? Am I lovable? What is truth? Will you marry me? Where should I focus my abilities and attention? Questions like these are of great consequence and, thus, worthy of great consideration. But of all the weighty questions we can and should ask ourselves, there is onethat eclipses all others in import. How one answers this single question—and all ...
Jan 17, 2022•31 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Have you ever been confronted by an individual who is displeased about something you have done, something you have said, or some way you have behaved? It can be a jarring and upsetting encounter, regardless of the purity of the intentions, the veracity of the claims, and the closeness of the relationship. Having to face the reality that there are those who are upset with us, disapproving of us, or even disliking of us is an unpleasant experience. As we come to Matthew 16, we find this is exactly...
Jan 10, 2022•34 min•Season 7Ep. 2
The humanitarian organization, Doctors Without Borders , is on a mission to mobilize doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide medical aid to people in parts of the world where it is most dramatically lacking. If there’s a need, this group attempts to cross all borders to meet it. God, similarly and more perfectly, is a God without borders, constantly condescending to help, provide, sustain, and save a creation in desperate need. It is important for the people of God to be r...
Jan 06, 2022•38 min•Season 7Ep. 1
The many Christmas traditions we enjoy can spark in us a renewed appreciation of many beautiful realities. However, few are more important than the two we’re reminded of tonight: First, God keeps his promises and, second, God means what he says. This season, as you take in the lights in your neighbourhood, the decorated tree in your home, the nativity scene on your mantle, and the gifts on your floor remember also that God keeps his promises and God means what he says. Key Passage: Selected Scri...
Jan 02, 2022•42 min•Season 6Ep. 50
We all know that life doesn’t always (or often) go the way we plan or desire it, from small disappointments and frustrations, to major loss and suffering. Yet for those of us who are Bible-believing Christians, we would say that God knows what we need, even when things aren’t going the way we want them to. We know that in the midst of the chaos when Mary and Joseph journeyed to and arrived in Bethlehem, God provided a place for Jesus to be born; and it’s a story that is known and remembered by m...
Dec 24, 2021•24 min•Season 6Ep. 49
Join Dr. Jim Rennie as he shares a message on the third Sunday of Advent: Hope. Speaker: Dr. Jim Rennie
Dec 13, 2021•48 min•Season 6Ep. 48
According to the 2020 Global Peace Index, Canada is currently the sixth-most peaceful nation in the world as it enjoys both positive peace, “the attitudes, institutions, and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies,” and negative peace, “the absence of violence or fear of violence.” In other words, Canada has peace because it has cultural building blocks in place that discourage and prevent significant conflict. And that’s wonderful! However, when Scripture talks about peace—or shal...
Dec 09, 2021•43 min•Season 6Ep. 47
Everybody wants to be happy, a desire that’s understandable and expected when we remember what Scripture teaches about human origins. In the beginning we were made good creatures by a good God to enjoy his goodness unendingly. Certainly a joy-filled start! But when Adam and Eve believed the lie that something greater existed outside of what had been provided, they turned their backs on the source joy, God himself, moving immediately from shameless to shameful. Graciously, even before these first...
Nov 29, 2021•34 min•Season 6Ep. 46
In the book of Job, we read how God removes his hand of protection from Job, opens him up to attacks of Satan, and then seemingly leaves Job hanging in the dark, without an explanation for why God does this. And from chapters 3 until 32, Job and his three friends wrestle, argue, and debate. Job’s friends are convinced that Job must have done something terrible that deserves God’s judgment. Job doubles down and holds on to his integrity. The book of Job has often been cast as a discussion about t...
Nov 24, 2021•46 min•Season 6Ep. 45
Join Lew as he walks through the Book of Deuteronomy to study and observe Moses. Key Passage: Selected passages from Deuteronomy Speaker: Lew Worrad
Nov 16, 2021•43 min•Season 6Ep. 44
