Back to the Bible Canada with Dr. John Neufeld

Everyone has moments when their strength fails—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. In this study of Psalm 41, the final psalm of Book One, Dr. John explores how God sustains those who care for the weak and needy. Even as David faces illness and betrayal by close friends, he discovers that blessing comes not from avoiding trouble but from God's faithfulness through it. This psalm points fo...

God rescues David from the pit and sets his feet on solid rock, giving him a new song of praise to share. In this study of Psalm 40, Dr. John explores David's powerful testimony of deliverance, his insights about faith versus religious ritual, and his honest admission that new troubles are already emerging. This Psalm captures the realistic rhythm of Christian living—celebrating God's vict...

Life is fleeting—like a breath or shadow compared to eternity. In this study of Psalm 39, Dr. John explores how David grapples with life's apparent meaninglessness while suffering under God's discipline. Yet this isn't depressing but hopeful. When God strips away what we hold dear, He's redirecting our hope from this temporary world to Him alone. Dr. John shows how David teaches us...

Sometimes our pain comes from our own poor choices, and God uses that suffering to bring us back to Him. In this study of Psalm 38, Dr. John examines how David honestly faces the illness and isolation that followed his sin. Friends have abandoned him, enemies are circling, yet David shows the way forward: turn toward God instead of away, stay quiet under criticism, and simply confess without makin...

When darkness seems overwhelming and evil appears unstoppable, we desperately need reasons to keep going. In this study of Psalm 37:12-40, Dr. John reveals three truths from David's reflections: the certain fate of the wicked, the possibility of remaining steady through faith, and the eternal promises that sustain God's people. Drawing from David's experiences facing overwhelming oppos...

Why do bad people seem to get ahead while good people struggle? Dr. John tackles this frustrating question through Psalm 37, exploring our natural tendency to worry and feel jealous when evil seems to be winning. David reveals six essential commands for believers during tough times: don't worry, trust God, find joy in Him, commit your path to Him, be patient, and don't get angry. Dr. John...

In a world that often denies genuine evil exists, Psalm 36 offers a stark contrast between the truly wicked and God's dependable character. Dr. John explores David's description of those who plot evil, live by lies, and show no fear of God. Rather than despair, David immediately turns to worship, celebrating God's steadfast love that reaches to the heavens. Dr. John emphasizes how God&...

How should Christians handle enemies who seem bent on destruction? Dr. John tackles this challenging question through Psalm 35, where David prays for God to strike down his adversaries. Dr. John distinguishes between personal disputes requiring forgiveness and situations involving genuine wickedness, offering a nuanced approach to praying for justice while longing for God's vindication of the...

When life's troubles seem overwhelming, Psalm 34 offers hope rooted in David's desperate escape from enemy territory. Dr. John explores this beloved psalm, where David credits his deliverance entirely to God's faithfulness rather than his own clever schemes. The commentary reveals three secrets for godly living: finding true life through righteousness, facing trouble by crying out to G...

In a world where we're constantly tempted to place our security in politics, military strength, or economic systems, Psalm 33 offers a timeless reminder about where true trust should rest. Dr. John begins a new series on Psalms 33-41, exploring the psalm's call to "Always Trust in the Lord." He examines the invitation to joyful worship and God's sovereignty over creation and na...

Moving beyond descriptions of hell itself, Dr. John examines what the experience of being in hell is actually like. He identifies three key aspects: complete loss of all earthly pleasures, the total extinguishment of hope since hell is eternal, and suffering under God's everlasting displeasure. He addresses objections that God is a "torturer" by explaining hell as perfect justice with...

What role should the doctrine of hell play in motivating people toward faith? Dr. John addresses modern objections to "hell-fire preaching" by demonstrating that Jesus Himself frequently warned people about hell - citing twelve passages from Matthew alone where Christ threatened eternal punishment. He challenges contemporary self-esteem culture where most people assume they're good and...

After examining why hell exists and God's righteousness in sending people there, Dr. John turns to the terrifying question of what hell is actually like. Using Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus and other Scripture, he describes hell through five biblical images: a prison with chains, a bottomless pit, a place of eternal fire, complete darkness, and most frighteningly, where God is...

In this message, Dr. John addresses how a loving God can send people to hell. Using Scripture, he explains that God rightfully acts for His own glory since His infinite worth surpasses all creation. Sin against an infinitely glorious God constitutes an infinite crime deserving infinite punishment. The real question isn't "How can God allow hell?" but "How can God allow heaven?"...

Dr. John opens a challenging series on the doctrine of hell, explaining why this difficult biblical topic has largely disappeared from modern churches. He outlines five reasons why Christians today need to hear what Scripture teaches about eternal punishment, including the reality that an entire generation has never been taught this doctrine. This introductory message prepares listeners for a sobe...

What's the difference between teaching and discipling? Dr. John Neufeld explores life-changing relationships through 1 Corinthians 4:14-21, showing how disciplers give wisdom and skill, not just knowledge. He outlines five marks of transformational leadership: warning without shaming, loving unconditionally, reproducing spiritual children, modeling Christ's life, and empowering others to l...

Are you spiritually rich or spiritually poor without realizing it? Dr. John exposes the Corinthian church's dangerous self-deception through 1 Corinthians 4:8-13, where Paul reveals their spiritual poverty disguised as wealth. He outlines four keys to true spiritual wealth: depending on Christ, embracing suffering for His sake, working hard in discipleship, and responding to criticism like Jes...

What is the most toxic thing that can destroy spiritual growth and divide the church? Dr. John tackles the dangerous issue of spiritual pride through 1 Corinthians 4:6-7, revealing how pride believes it knows God's mind apart from Scripture and forgets our need for His grace. He warns that everything we have—our abilities, intelligence, and accomplishments—are gifts from God, not reasons for b...

How should we evaluate our pastors and church leaders in a godly way? Dr. John addresses the critical issue of unfair criticism toward Christian leaders through 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, where Paul faces harsh judgment from the Corinthian church. He explains that we should view leaders as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries, evaluating them solely on their faithfulness to proclaim Sc...

In a culture that calls God's wisdom foolishness, how do believers stand firm in biblical truth? Dr. John explores 1 Corinthians 3:18-23, examining Paul's call to the divided Corinthian church to embrace divine wisdom over worldly thinking. He challenges Christians to accept being labeled "fools" by the world while encouraging believers with Paul's reminder that they possess al...

What kind of builder are you in God's eternal church? Dr. John Neufeld explores the sobering reality that while the church will stand forever, our individual work will face divine inspection. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3:12–17, he contrasts lasting materials—gold, silver, and precious stones—with wood, hay, and straw that will burn in the fire. Some will receive eternal rewards, while others w...

Every building you see will one day crumble and disappear—except one. Dr. John Neufeld reveals the eternal significance of the church as God's imperishable temple made of living stones. Using 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, he explains how Paul laid the foundation of Jesus Christ and His cross once and for all, and now every believer has the sacred assignment to build upon it. The Power of Christ in a...

Why do churches fight over their favourite pastors and teachers? Dr. John Neufeld shares a powerful story about friendship and honesty to address how the Corinthians created unhealthy divisions around their leaders. Using 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, he shows that spiritual immaturity often appears in how we treat church leadership. Mature believers understand that pastors are simply God's servants do...

Are you stuck in spiritual infancy? Dr. John Neufeld confronts the uncomfortable reality that some Christians never grow up, creating division and dysfunction in the church through their immaturity. Using 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, he identifies three marks of spiritual immaturity: being ruled by fleshly patterns, failing to master basic Christian truths, and inability to apply God's Word to daily l...

In our culture's pursuit of spirituality, we often confuse profound human experiences with biblical spirituality. Dr. John Neufeld uses 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 to reveal the crucial difference between "natural" and "spiritual" people. While natural people reject God's wisdom as foolishness due to their earthly perspective, spiritual people discern eternal value in all things,...