In this Easter worship gathering, which includes sharing in the Lord’s Supper, we hear a message from Acts 11.19-30 about how the resurrection, and our faith in Christ, makes us each a Barnabas – an encourager. The message talks about how we can make that practical in our lives. You can watch the message below, the entire worship gathering below that, or listen to a podcast of the message at the bottom. Happy Easter!
Month: March 2024
Not Criminally Responsible
In this Good Friday worship gathering, we hear a message from Isaiah 52.13-53.12 about Jesus’ role in ensuring we are set free from sin by his work on the cross. You can watch the message below, or the entire worship gathering below that. An audio podcast link is at the bottom.
It’s personal.
It’s Good Friday – “God’s” Friday – the most somber day of the Christian year.
Our congregations will likely see lower attendance for Good Friday worship than we will for Easter, which is unfortunate, because the celebration of the resurrection is made all the more sweet when we have also sorrowfully marked the death of Jesus.
Unfortunately, though, a lot of folks avoid anything that deals with death. I don’t know if it’s because they’re afraid of jinxing something, or they are unwilling (or incapable) of facing the reality of their own impending death. But without Good Friday, there would be no Easter, so if you’re reading this in time to go to worship for Good Friday, please do; it will make your Easter celebration more meaningful.
It is easy to make the death of Jesus very sterile, very transactional. After all, we understand it to have been part of God’s plan all along. But that doesn’t make it any less painful, any less real. And what makes it particularly emotional is that Jesus did this for you, and for me.
It’s personal.
As the second Person of the Godhead, Jesus could envision all time and space, and knew he would die for sins that had not yet even been committed.
But with every sin, it is as if we are driving in one more nail.
As the apostle Paul wrote, “should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” (Romans 6.1b-2, NLT).
Going to worship on Good Friday is a call to growth in holiness, a reminder that sin should not be our master.
If you’re not connected to a church near you that has a Good Friday service, I invite you to join us at St. Paul’s Church, Nobleton, either in person or online.
Jesus died and rose again for us. Let’s worship him not only in the victory, but in the defeat – a defeat that many onlookers thought was the defeat of Jesus, but was, in fact, the defeat of death itself.
See you at the foot of the cross.
Gentile Pentecost
In this worship gathering, we hear a message from Acts 10.34-11.18 about how the Holy Spirit fell on those gathered in the home of Cornelius – a Gentile – showing that faith in Jesus was open to Gentiles as well as Jews. You can watch the message below, or the entire worship gathering below that.
Why God is silent
I recently read an article in which were given four reasons why God is silent in our generation. It was a short but fascinating piece. The reasons given were:
- that people will not take the time or make the effort to meet with God or hear him speak;
- that God is the friend of sinners, but if people continue committing themselves to evil as a way of life they lose the capability to hear God speak;
- that many people, in today’s world of technological achievements, are asking, ‘Who needs God?’; and
- that we always insist on laying down the ground rules under which God will be known, that we try to determine the method by which we will encounter God.
Where do you think that came from? A denominational magazine? Christianity Today? Nope.
The article, as far as I can tell, came from the Ridgetown Independent, a local newspaper serving that small community in southwestern Ontario.
When do you think it was written? Last week? Last year?
Given the comment on “today’s world of technological achievements”, you might be surprised to learn that the article was from the early 1970s.
The article was among a bunch of papers given to my wife last week by her father, who was the Presbyterian minister in Ridgetown during that time. He had invited one of his mentors, Dr. Allan Farris, to address the congregation and community at a special evening service, and the local paper (as local papers used to do) gave coverage by snapping a photo and giving a summary of the sermon.
Plus ça change, as the saying goes.
The reality is that Dr. Farris’ four points at that Sunday evening talk could have been given last Sunday evening, or, frankly, anytime in human history. They transcend time.
Go back and read them again. Still today, we make little time or effort to hear from God. Still today, we continue to live contrary to his will. Still today, our wealth and technological advancement make us question the need for God. Still today, we insist on being in the driver’s seat in that relationship.
Understand this: God is not silent. God longs to be in fellowship with us. But as long as, by our actions if by no other means, we continue to pursue our own agendas and desires instead of submitting to God’s agenda and desires for us, we will have a hard time hearing him, whether as we read his Word or in times of silence and solitude.
Let me encourage you to structure your life in such a way that you make time and space for the Lord on a daily basis. Position yourself to hear from him, and you will.
“For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Remember what it says:
‘Today when you hear his voice,
don’t harden your hearts
as Israel did when they rebelled.’”
(Hebrews 3.14-15, quoting Psalm 95.7-8, NLT)
Setting Aside Prejudice
“WHAT HAPPENS NEXT MAY SHOCK YOU!” Clickbait has been around as long as internet advertising has existed. In this worship gathering, we hear a message from Acts 10.1-33 about how the apostle Peter was forced to reconsider his prejudices, and, indeed, what happens next may shock you! We learn about the importance of evangelistic hospitality, listening for God to speak, living with the uncomfortable, and the fact that there is no such thing as a hyphenated Christian. You can watch the message below, the entire worship gathering below that, or you can listen to an audio podcast of the message at the bottom.
Have the difficult conversation
Recently, I’ve had conversations with a number of colleagues about the challenges they are facing in ministry. Most of them stem from what I would call unbiblical behaviour on the part of complainants.
What do I mean by that?
There is a tendency, in our sinful human nature, to talk about things with people of like mind. Now, that’s not always a bad thing; talking with people of like mind is often how friendships develop. What I’m getting at, though, is the idea that when a person has a beef against another person, instead of dealing with the other person, many people tend to share that beef with people who will agree with them.
It happens in any organization, not just the church.
This causes the problem to fester, when it could have been solved by a simple (if difficult) conversation between the complainant and the person against whom one has a complaint.
In the church, we call that a “Matthew 18” conversation.
Take a look at what Jesus says about this:
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector” (Matthew 18.15-17, NLT).
When you have an issue with another follower of Jesus (or, quite honestly, anyone), take Jesus’ approach. Have the hard conversation. Assume the best of intentions on the part of the person who has offended you. It could save a lot of headache and heartache.
In our day, as in no other, the world needs to see the church unified. Satan’s plan is to divide the church so that its ability to proclaim the gospel is weakened. A unified church has the ability to trumpet God’s truth to the world, which it needs more than ever before.
Have the difficult conversation. It could save the gospel witness.
Being Orange
In this worship gathering, we hear a message from Deuteronomy 6 about the importance of the church and the family partnering together so that kids can become spiritually mature. The church’s role is to equip parents so that they have the tools to be the primary spiritual role models in their kids’ lives. We celebrate a baptism in this service, too! You can watch the message below, the entire worship gathering below that, and you can find an audio-only podcast of the message at the bottom.
Sin is still sin
On Monday, after our usual Sabbath lunch date, my wife and I stopped in the local plaza to pick up the mail. Another ordinary day, it would seem.
But as I rifled through the mail on my way out of the post office, I saw that envelope that no one wants to see: plain brown, no return address, very officially addressed in the window of the envelope.
I’ve been called for jury duty, I think to myself. Nuts.
Nope.
Upon opening the envelope – which I felt compelled to do upon returning to the car, my heart sank a little further.
There, on the very official insert that, ironically, looked like anyone could have printed it at home, was a photo of the rear of my vehicle, with a close-up shot of my licence plate. It was taken just a hundred or so metres north of where I was sitting at that moment.
It was a speeding ticket.
The date of the infraction was Valentine’s Day, but I was feeling no love at that moment. I looked in my calendar to see why on earth I would have been going that way first thing in the morning, and behold: my wife and I were on our way to get gas before driving to see my spiritual director for our monthly conversation.
Our region has recently installed what officials are intentionally not calling ‘photo radar’ (even though that’s precisely what it is) in particular community safety zones, and we had driven through one of them that morning…in excess of the posted speed limit, apparently.
Preferring to keep short accounts, when we got home, I attempted to pay the infraction online, only to find that it had not even been registered in the system yet, three weeks later. I suspect they are picking off so many drivers that they can’t keep up; I hope all that money goes to a good cause, but I’m doubtful about that.
Anyway, it got me thinking about sin.
Of course it did, Jeff. You’re a preacher.
No, seriously: I don’t think about sin all the time, but when I’m implicated in sin, it’s hard to avoid wondering how it might illustrate an important spiritual truth. So consider this: sin is still sin, even when we don’t think anyone else is watching.
If the driver of my vehicle (who was not me…infer from that what you will!) had seen a police officer, she would have slowed down immediately; it’s a natural instinct. But because the coast was clear, she focused on her goal of getting to the gas station so we could make it to my appointment on time, not really noticing what the speedometer read. We weren’t racing; the ticket noted that we were travelling at 56 km/h in a 40 km/h zone, and school was in.
It was a mistake, and we were caught, even though we didn’t think anyone noticed. But the camera did notice.
How often do we engage in sin, thinking no one is watching? But the Lord sees.
If, as the Westminster Shorter Catechism reminds us, our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever, our aim should be to avoid sin even when we think no one is watching, because the Lord sees all and knows all.
A minor speeding infraction is not exactly the unforgivable sin, but it’s a good reminder that our spiritual growth, becoming more like Jesus every day, is something toward which we should aim whether anyone is watching or not. Let’s pray that the Lord will fill us with his Holy Spirit, so that we can be intentional about avoiding sin, growing in holiness even when (we think) no one is watching.
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5.16, NLT).
Prison ministry in Malawi
In this worship gathering, we celebrate the baptisms of Greg Sant and his son, Sterling, and we welcome Greg and Jackie into professing membership in St. Paul’s. We hear a message from guest preacher Pastor Joel Sherbino of Paris (ON) Community Church, who oversees a ministry to the incarcerated in Malawi, Africa. You can watch the entire worship gathering below, or just the message below that.
An investment in eternity
Last week brought an annual Canadian tradition to the airwaves: the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. It culminated with last weekend’s playoffs, resulting in a win, and a trip to the Women’s World Curling Championship for Rachel Homan’s team. It will be held this year in Sydney, Cape Breton. Amid much work to be done, I tried to keep up with some of the evening games, and many of the playoff games on the weekend.
This time of year is a great time to be alive for a curling fan. (The Brier starts today!) In my social media feeds, I saw more curling posts than ever before, including one from former Canadian champion, Chelsea Carey, in which she wrote “A Love Letter to Curling”. It’s a passionate ode to the roaring game, written from the perspective of a young but experienced curler who grew up in the sport, where many of her relatives played at high levels when she was barely out of diapers.
In that piece, she wrote, “I want to say that curling has changed my life, but in reality, it’s molded my life. It’s been my job, my focus and my passion.”
She goes on to write, “I’ve met some of my best friends through the game…it’s also the best community around. From players to fans to media, it’s just a wonderful group of humans and I feel very lucky to be part of it.”
I read that article and was genuinely happy for Carey, who has made some great contributions to the sport. At the same time, I found myself asking, What if the word “curling” were changed to “church”?
I mean, when you die, you hang up your broom and your two-different-shoes for good. But eternity is a long time. Where are we making our investment of time, our investment in relationships?
What if that article had said, “I want to say that Jesus has changed my life, but in reality, he’s molded my life”? What if the article had said, “I’ve met some of my best friends through the church”?
That would certainly be my prayer for Chelsea Carey, as for anyone.
Let me ask you a couple of questions to ponder for the day.
First, has Jesus molded your life? Is he truly your Lord, your Master?
Second, is the church a group of people in which you could find your best friends?
Let’s face it: sports, especially winter sports, are part of the fabric of Canadian society. But you could be the best curler, the best hockey player, the best soccer player in the world, and when you breathe your last, it’s not going to make a lick of difference in eternity.
Sports are fun. I enjoy curling myself, though my schedule didn’t allow me to find a league to play in this year. But you can enjoy sports while letting Jesus mold your life, while finding your best friends among your sisters and brothers in Christ.
That’s an investment in eternity.
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” (Philippians 3.8, NLT).
Passionately His 