Our Easter Online celebration was a phenomenal time. Pastor Paul brought an encouraging message on experiencing the hope found in resurrection. Because of the resurrection, we no longer need to fear. When we receive Him, we die to our old selves and are raised to life with Him and in Him! But this hope also gives us a mandate - a commission to share this same living hope with those in need. The gospel is for everyone, and we all must share it with the world!

Death Could Not Hold Him

The next chapter of our study through Revelation brings us to the church of Sardis. This church was spiritually "dead" and a warning was given to them in this regard. No church is exempt from entering this state - however, there is always hope for spiritual renewal! The challenge from Sardis is this - are you spiritually dead? Are you in need of a renewal in your heart? We must ask the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts, and through His power reveal that underneath our outward expression is a genuine faith. God is moving here and now, and we as His people have an opportunity to join in what He is doing! He is calling us to repentance!

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

The Dead Church

In our study through Revelation we now come to the church of Philadelphia, which was a faithful church. This church had held fast to sound doctrine and was faithful to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples. We see that Jesus took notice of this, gave them hope and reminded them of His promise to come again. It is so encouraging to study this church as they are an amazing example of the church we are called to be today. Looking to God's Word can also provide us hope and peace, as we continue on in our mission to help others find and follow Jesus.

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

The Faithful Church

As we continue on in chapter 3 of Revelation, we now see the church of Laodicea. This church was called "lukewarm" and in desperate need of revival and repentance. They had a deep rooted problem, and were in need of a loving correction. The challenge and application for us today is once again, an examination of our own heart. The Holy Spirit is knocking at the door of our own hearts as we must forsake a "lukewarm" approach to our relationship with Jesus. There is an eternal invitation for repentance, and to allow the fire in our hearts burn again in service to Him.

Scripture: Revelation 3:4-22

The Lukewarm Church

For our second instalment in "I AM", we see Jesus declare that He is the Light of the world. From this declarative statement, we are encouraged and challenged. We too must bear this light and let it shine to others. We are in the world, but not of it! Jesus is the Light in the darkness and the only hope for this present world!

Scripture: John 9:4-5

The Light Of The World

The next "I AM" of Jesus is "The Good Shepherd". From John 10, we reveal some very encouraging truths - the Good Shepherd indeed knows His sheep and has given His life for them. We are the sheep and He is the Shepherd. This can fill us with hope, peace, and confidence for the journey ahead as we follow our Shepherd's leading in every season of life. We are also reminded that Jesus died not only for our sins, but to bring ultimate glory to the Father.

Scripture: John 10:11

The Good Shepherd

The next "I AM" in our study declares Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life. In John 11, we see the miraculous story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. From our message, we are reminded that there is no situation in which God's glory cannot be revealed. We are also challenged to not let our emotions shape what is true, but rather the truth of God's Word shape our emotions. Our hope is placed in the Person of Jesus, Who holds the power of resurrection and offers eternal life. 

Scripture: John 11

The Resurrection and the Life

Our next instalment in "I AM" covers Jesus' statement "I AM the True Vine." From our study we are challenged to understand that in order to truly know Jesus, we must apply His truth into our lives. God's commitment to our fruit-bearing, is greater then your commitment to comfort. Are we fruit-bearing Christians, and is there evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives? 

Scripture: John 15

The True Vine

Our message last Sunday was titled "The Future is Friendly", and gave use beautiful and challenging reminder - If I trust God with my future, I can focus on living for Him today. From Abraham's life, we are reminded that we can claim and believe God's Word over our future. By resting in what He says in His Word, we can focus on glorifying and being faithful to Him in the now. All around, we are given Biblical principles for trusting God regardless of what it seems the future holds.

The Future Is Friendly

As we continue our study through 1 Peter, our message last Sunday reminded us of how to respond in seasons of trials. Trials are apart of our journey, and we will all face them as we follow the Lord. God, in His sovereignty, allows us to go through difficult seasons. He has a special purpose and plan for everything we might face. We must look for the beauty within, rejoice in our circumstances, and seek to know how God wants us to draw closer to Him through it.

No Surprises

Our second instalment of "MY SHEPHERD" focuses in on the second phrase of Psalm 23:1 - I shall not want. The key to understanding this next declaration, is in surrendering your will, to the Shepherd's will. In letting Him take the lead and resting in His perfect care. Our agenda doesn't always line up with His, but God makes no mistakes. He cares for us, and because of that, we can find true contentment in Him 

Scripture: Psalm 23:1

I Shall Not Want

For the next instalment of our Christmas series, we see Mary and Elizabeth's response of joy. They responded with joy because of what God was doing through them as they anticipated the arrival and birth of the promised Messiah. The challenge for us is simple - this Holiday season, does the news of His coming, fill you with joy? The same Holy Spirit that caused them to proclaim what God had done is the same One that fills and empowers us today. His coming invites us to partake in His joy and share it with others. We say "King of Heaven, come."

Mary and Elizabeth

Last Sunday we began a brand new sermon series that will go through the life of David. We begin with the Israelites longing for a king. Samuel warned the people of what would become of this, but the people were set in their ways. They wanted what they felt was best for them in the moment. The application is a reminder for us to trust in the Lord no matter where we find ourselves. Our own present desires and agenda may not always align with His, and we should seek to trust what His Word says for us.

Ready For A King

A Church United

Fear Not What God May Ask

Fear Not What Others May Think

Fear Not Where You Stand Before God

We begin a new teaching series though the book of 1 John. In our first instalment, we focus on joy and how it can be experienced through the presence of Jesus in our own lives. True joy is something that can never be taken away, and it is something that is offered to us daily. The presence of Jesus, fullness of joy.

Fullness Of Joy

Walk In The Light

Evidence Of The Believer

Worldliness is defined as anything in a Christian’s life or mind that causes us to lose the enjoyment of the Father’s love, or our desire to do the will of God. Pastor Paul discusses the three worldly traps - lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life, that we need to be wary of. Do we love God more than the world?

Love Not The World

Love Not The World - Part 2

Know The Truth

As believers, we are to remember who we are in Christ. We are children of the King, God is our Father, and there are indicators - God loves us, He died for us, and He gave us a new nature. These truths changes everything for us. We are to pursue a life of holiness and put on our new self.

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-10

Children Of God

Commitment to God and one another is an important aspect in the local church. Not only does it play out in our determination to live for God, but in the way that we view our involvement in what God is doing. In Acts 20, the Apostle Paul gives to the leaders from the church in Ephesus some reminders on God's desire for His people to remain faithful and committed, even in challenging times.  

Acts 20:24-25
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25  And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

We Will Not Be Moved

As Israel continues to struggle with their commitment to the one true God. Through Elijah, God orchestrates a showdown on Mt. Carmel to prove once and for all that He is the one worthy of worship. As the people are confronted with this truth, their hearts are challenged to make a decision, either serve God, or serve the false idols they had been giving themselves too.

1 Kings 18:21
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

Who's It Going To Be

As we pick up from last week, we continue a new series at City Baptist Church about the life of Elijah and Elisha, ordinary people who God used in a remarkable way. In this weeks message, we continue the story of Elijah, and how God prepared him for service, through some trying and difficult circumstances.

1 Kings 17:23-24
And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. 24  And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.

God Above All Else

In last Sunday's message, we continue our study of Joshua with a n amazing event. Rahab the harlot was the most unlikely of individuals to be used by God. Her life is a powerful reminder that the Father can take the most broken situation, and turn it into something beautiful. No one is ever too far away to receive God's forgiveness. His redemptive grace can truly change us, and each day make us more like Him.

Scripture: Joshua 2

A Prostitute and A Promise

Last Sunday's message brings hope in the midst of any uncertainty we face. In Acts 12, we see Peter locked up in prison. He is moments away from his possible death - but rather than breaking out in fear, he sleeps. How could Peter possibly respond this way in such a crisis? From this passage we see the power of assuming God's presence even in the midst of chaos. When we choose to respond this way, God is able to work through us and mightily display His power. No matter what we face, His presence will always give us peace. 

Scripture: Acts 12

How to Respond to a Crisis

Last Sunday, we heard a powerful message on grace. We are saved by grace, and the abundant christian life is experienced through growing in that grace. Because of God's amazing grace, we shouldn't place our non-biblical preferences on others, nor should we allow our liberty in Christ to cause others to stumble or create division. Embracing God's grace will always unify and cause others to grow in their knowledge of Christ. From Acts 15, we learn that God's grace must be defended, demonstrated and declared in our lives. Jesus plus nothing, equals everything! 

Scripture: Acts 15

Grace Alone

Church on the Move continued last Sunday with a powerful truth for us all! From Acts 16, we are reminded that things do not always go exactly as we plan. If we stay surrendered to Him, God will always guide us. This could be through closed doors, circumstances we face, and many times though His Word! But wherever He may lead, He promises to be with us. We can firmly trust that the Father's way is best. Confidently following the will of God will open doors and opportunity we never could’ve imagined. This is the life God has designed for us to experience in pursuing Him!

Scripture: Acts 16

Not As Planned

From Acts 17, we see Paul in the city of Athens. However, his heart was strongly stirred by the culture that had fully embraced idolatry. It is clear that our world today holds many values and ideals strongly opposed to the Word of God. It is so important that we look at our own hearts and evaluate how we view the world around us. We are to be in the world, but not of it! As followers of Jesus, God has placed us where we are for a reason. We must fulfil our God given purpose, and allow our hearts to be stirred by what we see. The Gospel is what will change those around us, and our mission is to share that with those in need. This is our identity and who we are in Jesus.

Scripture: Acts 17

Stirred In Our Spirit

God truly had an amazing plan for the Apostle Paul's life, and used Him in an unexplainable way. Our message last Sunday reminds us of the special purpose and plan He also has for us. Until the work of God is done in our lives, we have no reason to fear. God is always in control of our world, and our times are in his hands. He has a special purpose and will for our lives, and as His church, we can confidently know every trial and test is part of the story He is writing in our lives. The Father has work for us to do, and we can know He will finish what He has began. As we faithfully follow Jesus, we will see God miraculously work on our behalf - because He loves us, cares for us, and is with us. We just need to trust, and follow Him.

Scripture:  Acts 21

Standing By You

As we near the end of "Church on the Move", we are reminded of the power found in togetherness. As the church, there are so many blessings found in friendship with other believers. Community and encouraging one another has been a common theme in our journey, and in Acts 28 we are reminded of this yet again in a new light. We are the church, and we are not meant to do this life alone. Encouragement and friendship is essential to live out our God given purpose, and essential for a child of the King.

Scripture: Acts 28

Are We There Yet?

As we continue our Renew series, we are reminded of the spiritual gifts God gives us and challenged to use them in our service to Him. If we are part of the body of Christ, we have purpose, destiny and a part to play in advancing the Gospel. Our gifts are given to us to glorify God and shine His light into others. We must have a humble heart, strive for unity in the body of Christ, and exercise our spiritual gifts in service to Him. This is how we can live a fulfilled and abundant life in Jesus. 

Scripture: Romans 12

Renewed In Service

Our message last week focused in on finding renewal through serving others. As we continue to look at Roman's 12, we're reminded that we are called to love one another. As we saw last week, we all play a special part in the body of Christ, and so we must be attentive to know the needs of other! This is how we can live out the grace of God and be a light even in this difficult season. You may have a special way to encourage and strengthen someone that no one else could! The world will know we are Jesus' disciples by our love, and this love is for everyone.

Scripture: Romans 12

Renewed In Christian Behaviour

Welcome to the weekly podcast of City Baptist Church in Vancouver, led by Pastor Paul Conner. To learn more, visit our website at https://citybaptist.ca.

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