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

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

The next instalment of "Strangers & Pilgrims" focuses in on pursuing holiness. To pursue holiness is to pursue Jesus. We must walk in obedience, and strive to be more like Him in every aspect of life. We are strangers and pilgrims in this world - we are in the world, but not of it. Our message reminds of the call every believer has on their life - to become more like Jesus through obedience to His Word.

The Pursuit Of Holiness

The first message of our Christmas series focuses in on the announcement of the birth of Christ. Christmas is a time to reflect on the hope, joy, and peace that only Jesus can bring, and His birth truly ushered this to mankind. The angel's announcement to Mary was specular and supernatural. Mary's response was one of surrender. We see how these opening events pave the way for the Word being made flesh, and entering our world.

The Annoucement Of The Gift

Our Vision Sunday message was a needed challenge to set the tone for the year ahead. We receive a word from Hebrews on the need for spiritual maturity. Spiritual growth is so essential for us, and this year will be one for us to pursue it together. The pursuit of spiritual maturity is the simplest and best way to live the Christian life.

What's Next

The next instalment of Strangers & Pilgrims revisits the reality that we will all face persecution in our journey of following Jesus. However as we last heard, we can face life boldly. To do so, we must make Jesus the central focus of our lives. When Christ is magnified, our difficulties will become so much smaller. As a result, the Spirit will give us opportunities to share our faith as we magnify Christ.

Answering Persecution

Like our message last Sunday, we established the truth that Jesus is coming again, and how in these last days we must pattern our lives in a way that will point others to Him. Two ways we can do this, is by loving others and showing hospitality. Hospitality is not about entertaining, but by sharing what we have. It is having the mind of Christ, and loving others as He has loved us.

Living In The Last Days

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 message last Sunday was a great continuation from the week before. This time, we focus on the subject of our spiritual attitudes and the spirit of submission we should have towards those in spiritual leadership. We also deeply looked at humility, and how it leads to a spirit of total dependance on the Lord. Humility is how we should come before the Lord, and it is a beautiful and scriptural way to pursue Jesus.

Spiritual Attitudes

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

Jesus has been revealing Himself as the Good Shepherd, and we have been re-discovering the contentment that is found through a personal relationships with Him. The final instalment of our study focuses in on the commitment He has for us. He will always be with us, faithfully by our side through every season of life. As a result, we should be committed to Him. We are His sheep, and He loves us. His plans are always best.

The Commitment Of The Shepherd

Last Sunday's message began a two-part study on the topic of serving, and how this can be such a powerful way to reveal our faith. God has given us liberty, and we should seek to use it to serve Him. Not for the approval of men, but only because of our love for Jesus. When our hearts are surrendered in this way, His Spirit can work through us and glorify the Father.

Heart To Serve - Part 1

Last Sunday's message began a new Christmas series entitled "King of Heaven, come." In this study, we will be revisiting the Christmas story and pressing into the hope, peace, joy and love that this found in the birth of our Saviour. We begin with the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth. In this first instalment, we are reminded that even in the waiting, the Spirit is working. We ought to be busy doing His work, and believe that nothing is impossible with Him. Busy serving the King, with a heart of hope, expectant for what He will do.

Zacharias

We continue "King of Heaven, Come" by looking at Mary's initials response. The angel Gabriel gave Mary news that would change the course of history. His announcement was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy centuries ago - "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Despite this feat seeming impossible, Mary believed that God had a perfect plan. Her response is one realizing God's grace in her life and believing His Word. This is a beautiful example of how our response should be when God speaks to us. We must believe that His plans are better than we could ever imagine. The Christmas story is one of Grace - God pouring our His grace and favour into the human story.

Mary's Response

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

The final message from "King of Heaven, Come" focuses in on Simeon and Anna. Throughout this study we have been focusing in on our response to the arrival of our King. Jesus entering the human story and the Word becoming flesh. His birth ushers in hope, peace and joy - but it is not only available during the Christmas season. Our response to this should be daily, and we should walk in faithfulness and obedience to His voice. We are reminded to surrender to His will and trust His plans. Bringing an offering of worship to Him, with our very lives.

Simeon & Anna

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

The Effects Of Thankfulness

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

In a brand new series at City Baptist Church, we take a look at the core attributes of who we are as a local church. In week one, Pastor Paul encourages us with the idea that every person is an important, and necessary part of a thriving church family.

1 Corinthians 12:27-28
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church…

This is Us

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

In this first sermon of 2019 from City Baptist Church. We take a look at the first mention of the Prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 17, and how that before he became the mighty Prophet that we know and love, God had to take him to a place of total dependance. As we look to 2019, the challenge is that we would be a people who are completely dependent upon God, which will then open the door for Him to use us for His glory.

1 Kings 17:2-4
And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3  Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4  And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.

Used By God

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, we were privileged to have Tobi England, from the faculty of West Coast Baptist College, bring the Word! We received a very helpful message accurately showing how scripture has been historically and archaeologically preserved. God will always preserve His Word, and this builds our faith, equips us as disciples, and gives hope for the future.

The Accuracy Of The New Testament

We are truly in the midst of a different season, but our message today reminds of the victory we already have in Jesus Name. In our times of worry, the Father offers His peace. God wants His people to have faith and to believe His unchanging Word. His peace and promises will always bring worry to it's knees. To have this victory, we must walk by faith, trust the Father, and always put Him first. 

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Victory Over Worry

Human expectation will always create doubt. But heavenly experiences create an unwavering confidence rooted in the Word of God! Our past experiences with God should determine our expectations of what He can and will do. From Luke 7, Pastor Paul brought this encouraging blueprint to find victory over doubt.

Scripture: Luke 7:18-23

Victory Over Doubt

Church on the Move continues on with a Word centred on following the will of God. From Acts 21, we see that God's will for our lives can be known. Being in His will does not always mean life will be easy, but it does mean that we will experience His promises, blessings, and the great things He wants to do through us. Our message gives us powerful truths on how to discover God's will, and pursue it in our lives. 

Scripture: Acts 21

Follow, Not Follow?

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

Our recent message from Church On the Move gives us hope and faith. In Acts 27, we have the familiar story of Paul in the storm with the Roman fleet. Everyone was full of despair and fear in the midst of this chaos, but Paul was of faith. Paul knew Who He belonged to and had God's promises, presence and purpose. We also have a God given purpose over our lives, and His promises are ours to claim. As the church very much on the move today, we should always remember these truths in troubling times. We have His presence, promise and purpose. 

Scripture: Acts 27

Peace In The Storm

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

Last Sunday, Pastor Paul brought a message full of hope and encouragement. This season we all face has definitely been discouraging in many ways, but from the life of Elijah we receive God's answer to this. We must submit to His wisdom and sovereignty, remember His love and grace which is always over our lives, and confront the lies we believe. We must always remember God's promises and know that in every season, He is with us and faithful. We can choose to trust Him and receive His love, grace, and peace.

Hang In There - God's Answer to Discouragement

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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