Back to the Bible Canada with Dr. John Neufeld

If I go to the doctor or hospital, there are obvious markers the doctor looks for to evaluate the presence and quality of life. Pulse, blood pressure and respiration are some of the first signs of life. In today's message, Dr. John offers us seven signs to look to for the presence and quality of spiritual life within us. It's time to take our soul's pulse.  Your Salvation Story: What h...

In this first message on recognizing our personal conversion, Dr. John speaks to a simple test. If our spiritual state is the result of our best intentions, efforts and abilities, then all we have is the best we can do. Conversion is a work of God. What He does is genuine and eternal.  Your Salvation Story: What happens when someone is converted? Can a person lose their salvation after conversion?...

The book of Haggai shows Israel, repenting and rebuilidng the temple of God. They have learned that disobedience harvests hardships. Obedience releases the blessings and presence of God. Dr. John points to a greater lesson in Haggai's last sermon. While Israel is building a Temple, God is building a Kingdom - an unending, unshakeable Kingdom.  God's Presence Among His People: There are peo...

Confined by time and space, we are not very good at recognizing the importance of a moment, event, conversation or kindness. Any one of these can have powerful impact, but we fail to recognize it. Dr. John echoes Haggia's encouragement to Israel. While the rebuilidng of the temple seemed small compared to Solomon's temple, the glory of this structure would exceed the first. Jesus Himself w...

We are bombarded with words daily. In print, broadcast or social media, everyone has something to say. Eventually, we tune a deaf ear to the messages. God's Word cannot be ignored. Dr. John reminds us of the power of God's Voice. After the prophetic words of Haggai, revival breaks out and God's people obey. God effects change through His Word. God's Presence Among His People: There...

Anyone taking notes from Haggai's sermons would find a clear outline. Repeatedly the prophet commands that we, "Take a good hard look at ourselves!" Today Dr. John repeats four considerations from Haggai for personal reflection. Even today, the questions demand an honest answer from each of us.  God's Presence Among His People: There are people who believe that their well-being doe...

What's a house without a family? The structure is there, but the purpose is missing. Today Dr. John begins a study of the book of Haggai. Jews have returned to Jerusalem after the 70-year captivity. The foundation of the temple was rebuilt - but then forgotten. Many tended to their own fields and homes but the presence of God was absent. The account of a people busy about their own concerns bu...

Every church has problems, failures, omissions and offences. Every congregation is made up of sinners. Every church leader suffers the vulnerabilities of humanity. None of this denies the truth that the Church is Jesus' Bride. She is not always pretty, but she is always the Bride. Today Dr. John looks at the frailties of church. He reminds us what is commended by Jesus and what needs to change...

If the grace of God came in a box and was available for purchase on store shelves, the shelves would need to be re-stocked continually. We need grace. We want grace. Today Dr. John reminds us that the church is a place of grace. He highlights the means of grace through multiple expressions of the local church. A local church is a storehouse of God's grace, open and available to all who seek Je...

The idea of church fellowship has been reduced to potlucks and foyer greetings. But Biblical fellowship is more than friendliness. Today Dr. John speaks of the grace extended in the church through fellowship. He highlights the qualities of fellowship that every congregation needs. While grateful for tea and cookies, Biblical fellowship feeds our souls.  The Church:  The global pandemic had impact...

Worship is an expression of God's worth. It is our echo to God for the grace we've received. Worship not only reflects His grace, but it ushers grace to us as well. Today Dr. John speaks of elements essential to worship. These are fundemental to our worship in spirit and in truth. The Church:  The global pandemic had impact in countless ways. One obvious consequence for the Church was the...

The act of preaching doesn't hold the same prominence it once held. It has been shadowed by abundant sources for our information and interest. But preaching remains unique in our technological age. In today's message, Dr. John will demonstrate that preaching is a means of grace. It does more than inform or stir us. Preaching is a path granted by God for the growth of our souls. The Church:...

Oganized religion is better than unorganized religion. That is not to justify all the ways and means of organized faith, but to simply recognize that to do anything requires a level of co-ordination. Today, Dr. John speaks of denominations and the New Testament teaching on church governance. God is not the author of chaos, so consider the means of organized mission we find in the New Testament. Th...

The importance of the local church is evident in the New Testament. The New Testament books were addressed to churches or leaders of local congregations. Today, Dr. John reminds us that the local church is God's pillar for truth and the Body of Jesus on earth. God does not consider the Church to be optional.  The Church:  The global pandemic had impact in countless ways. One obvious consequenc...

The local church is a divine institution, that is, God ordained it. But the local church is not a perfect institution. Local churches have many faults and weaknesses; but they remain the Bride of Christ. In this message, Dr. John explores the levels of doctrinal agreement within and between churches. Discover the categories of truth we hold with a clenched fist, a guarded hand or an open hand.  Th...

In today's message, Dr. John teaches that since the Church is the Body of Christ, it is the visible representation of Jesus on earth. Therefore, the Church has a physical presence with a street address and a presence in heaven as well. Dr. John teaches on the invisible, universal Church which is one in Christ, holy through the Spirit, inclusive of all who have faith in Jesus and commissioned w...

Is going to church optional? Some suggest that they can grow in Jesus  apart from a connection with the local church. In this mesaage, Dr. John teaches that God has always been gathering a people. In the Old and New Testament, God is gathering a family of faith. Dr. John points out that church is not an activity, but part of our identity as the Body of Christ. The Church: The global pandemic had i...

In the English language, we can say "I love ice cream," and "I love my family."  But obviously the word love doesn't mean the same thing in both situations. What does love mean? In today's message, Dr. John unpacks and adjusts our concept of what Biblical love is - especially as it relates to our motive for missions.  The Missionary God : Have you ever wondered how men and...

"What of those who have never heard?" It is a common question when discussing missions. In today's message, Dr. John addresses the question by outlining what Paul believed in Romans. We will find that the question is not a cause for debate but a motive for evangelism. We will also note that God has infinite mercy through Jesus Christ. The Missionary God : Have you ever wondered how men...

Christians should not be surprised about where they live. We live in a world that is broken, fallen and dark. Christians should not be confused about our mission. We are not to simply survive but to storm the gates of hell in the Name of Jesus. In this message, Dr. John traces the missionary enterprise of the early church. They were not deceived nor defeated by the world. They knew Jesus is both t...

There are certain words that are jammed with a lot of meaning. The word "gospel" is like that. It carries the content of almost everything we are and do in Christianity. But as Dr. John makes clear in this message, there is a single simplicity about the gospel. There is a fundamental truth about why Jesus died. This is the gospel. Everything else is additive. Gospel people believe this tru...

We hear much these days that we live in a polarized world. Identities shaped by culture, race, preference or gender become defining barriers. We see it daily, but it is not new. In this message, Dr. John speaks from Ephesians that God is uniting all of us together in one new identity. We are one in Christ! Whatever we are by gender, race, age or status, is no wall between us. Jesus is our Peace. T...

Sometimes we play, "What if?" What if Winston Churchill wasn't England's Prime Minister in WW2? What if there was no COVID-19 pandemic? Obviously we recognize that God is in control, but we wonder what might have been. In today's sermon Dr. John asks, "What if the Jerusalem Council turned out differently?" What would the spread of Christianity look like, if Gentiles wer...

To say that Jesus was Jewish is more than a statement of ethnicity. He was Jewish by birth, language, culture and faith. Jesus believed and practiced the Torah. In today's message, Dr. John demonstrates that Jesus did not abolish the Old Testament, but rather, He fulfilled it. He fulfilled it by extending grace to Gentiles. God has always had a heart for people to come to faith, regardless of...

A lighthouse can't illuminate an entire coastline at once, but that doesn't mean it serves no purpose. It provides both caution and direction to all who pass by. In today's message, Dr. John speaks of God's agenda for Israel as a beacon to the world. Throughout the Old Testament, Israel was a light to the Gentiles. God was reaching to the nations through His people. He still does....