Bethany Church of Canby

John the Baptist’s purpose was to point to the validity of Jesus as the coming Messiah King! He would pave the way for the king. So, if Jesus has come as the true king, what should our response to him be? What does the road look like In today’s story, from John’s message, to Jesus’ baptism, we will see four road signs to check your own response to Jesus as King.

This Christmas morning, we finish the birth accounts in the Gospel of Luke by hearing more about the purpose of Jesus’ birth from two old saints to the mouth of Jesus himself. In the accounts are contained the core truths of the Gospel – Jesus is salvation and change and growth are possible in him. Let’s look at these two core truths together.

This morning Luke sets up for us a story of contrasts in the birth of Christ. No human being alone would have ever written a story where such a magnificent person, the incarnated Son of God, was born in such average circumstances. Especially in the ancient world. But the meaning of this birth, and result it can have in our lives, is extraordinary, if we will listen. Let’s listen together to three...

This morning we look at the meeting of two soul sisters, each with their own joyful prophetic word about the meaning of Christmas and the state of those who receive Jesus as the Son of God. Let’s look this morning at the story of Christmas so we too can be changed and rejoice in “soul” and “spirit” like Mary and Elizabeth.

The progressive unfolding of God’s plan of salvation, in the coming of Jesus, is curious and marvelous. In this encounter between the Angel Gabriel, and Mary, we get to see the tender grace of God and the real time process of Mary wrestling with God’s plan for her life. Can we leave today knowing that God’s plan is always better than our own? Let’s see.

How can we have certainty of the story of Jesus and the things he taught and did? Luke wrote as one familiar with the eyewitnesses who had followed things closely for some time past. He has compiled a story for us of the "the things that have been accomplished among us."

Big Idea : May God sanctify us completely while we live in unity together longing for Christ’s return. Description : As Paul closes this letter he prays for the people of Thessalonica, that their whole selves would be transformed by God himself, and that they might be blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. As they wait he commands them to live in complete unity with each other. This mor...

As Paul nears the end of his first letter to the Thessalonians, he gives them a rapid succession of instructions. Almost like parents giving instructions to their children as they prepare to leave them with the babysitter. Paul, in a staccato-like manner, advises the church at Thessalonica how they are to behave. There are more than 15 commands given in these 11 verses! In this season of Thanksgiv...

The day of the Lord is known throughout the Bible as the day of God’s judgement. However, the experience for those who are children of the day will be entirely different from those who are of the night. Let’s look at the two different experiences and how to live in light of them. Let’s look at some warnings and encouragements.

How often do you think of Jesus’ second coming? Does it impact the way you live your day-to-day life? In this section of 1 Thessalonians, Paul wants to remind us of that the coming of Jesus is to be an event that causes us great hope and encouragement, not one that breeds either speculation or disengagement. Let’s look this morning as 7 words of hope and encouragement.

This morning we continue to examine Paul’s call, from the first letter to the Thessalonians, to love others more and more. Did you know that your work is an expression of love for others? In 4:9-12, Paul explains that one of the ways we love others is to value our work and to do it well. By working well, we are imaging God to the world and valuing the creation as he does. Let’s look at three value...

On this baptism Sunday, we look at Jesus’ standing orders for the church. These orders are a call for the disciples to take the baton of Jesus and run forward with it by making disciples of Jesus. Like a master with his apprentice, we are called to baptize, teach and help new disciples obey. Jesus has not called us to provoke hasty decisions for Christ, but to a depth and intensity of making disci...

In chapter 4 of his letter, Paul takes a turn to apply the gospel in practical ways to a few common areas of life. The first area Paul gives a reminder to the Thessalonians about is sexual holiness. We live in a culture that has deified and is obsessed with sex. I think we need this reminder too! Let’s look at the goodness of sex, the brokenness of sex, and how the gospel can make sex holy.

The Apostle Paul bares his heart in vulnerability again as he describes the mutual love, he, and the Thessalonian church share. This sharing is more like a walk together as the Thessalonians live their lives and common story together as the church. This morning let’s look at three ways we walk together.

When we welcome God’s Word into our lives, surprising and transformational things happen. This morning we look at Paul’s thankful heart as he encourages the Thessalonians to continue welcoming the Word into their collective life together. The Word unified and fortified them against hostile persecution because there was a common story they were living in. Let’s get into that story together by answe...

What does a genuine leader in the church look like? For that matter, how are all of us to interact with one another for the promotion and sake of the gospel? In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Paul describes what an authentic, real, leader should look like, in turn highlighting for all of us what a man or woman of integrity looks like. We will look at the perseverance, the personal motives, and the pastora...

What does a genuine church look like, what does it love? In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul describes a church that has not only been changed by the gospel but is serious and joyful about passing it on. This morning let’s look at a church that was living today while longing for tomorrow.

Ever since the fall of mankind, God’s compassion has restricted His judgment and extended His mercy giving fallen mankind the opportunity to repent and be saved from the penalty of rebellion against and rejection of God.

Message brought by Tony Freitas. He is a Bethany Church Elder and missionary with EFCA Reach Global.

Is gentleness an attribute you aspire to? Is it something that is culturally promoted, and what is gentleness? Hebrews tells us the priests of the Old Testament were to be gentle in heart towards the sinner as they made sacrifices for sins. This morning we will look to see that Jesus’ priestly role is one of a heart of gentleness and sympathy for the sinner who comes to him. In turn we will see th...

When you sin, what do you think God’s posture is towards you? Do you think of Jesus responding in tenderness to your sin? This Sunday we look at Hosea 11 to find the tender heart of God, therefore, the heart of Jesus.

This morning we continue our series on The Heart of Jesus by looking at his Joy. Did you know that we can cause Jesus joy? And it is not just by our obedience, our good works, or evangelizing. Hebrews 12 tells us something profound, that Jesus’ joy is increased in our failures when we find fresh forgiveness. That is astounding!

Bethany Elder Bob Yoder preaching sermon in "The Heart of Jesus" series.

We often think about what Jesus has done for us and what he has taught. But we don’t often think about who he is in his person. What is he like? And do you know him only for what he has done or for who he is in his heart? This summer we are going to take a look at “The Heart of Jesus.” This morning we look at the one place where Jesus describes his own heart.

It has been 17 years since Joseph and his brothers were reconciled, and yet they still don’t trust him. In the conclusion of our Genesis series, Joseph completes the restoration, by showing us the pinnacle of a person of obedient faith from a heart that grasps grace. Let’s look at three marks of the changed heart.