Campbell River Baptist Church

The future for some of us holds great promise, and for others, great trepidation. Many of us feel a bit of both. We might believe that God is in control, but looking out at the world, or reading the news, we can easily become fearful. What message are our children internalizing about the rapid changes in the world, and how will they face the giants that lurk in the land ahead? Do they know with co...

This Sunday we will be exploring Psalm 96. This psalm challenges us to take a new look at old things, to experience them again for the ‘first’ time. As we continue to walk out our faith, it’s easy to get stuck in comfortable grooves. But there are times when God shakes things up, and calls us to take a fresh look at the familiar and find new excitement in the eternal.  Please pray for the team as...

The world has often been described, inside the Bible and out, like some great battlefield. There are many repetitive wars being waged for different reasons, spiritual, emotional, physical, wars that rob us of peace, and often leave us with heartache. How should we respond when we find ourselves thrust into the battlefield? This week, Psalm 28 has left us wondering: What does worship look like when...

In a world that often leaves us feeling empty and dissatisfied, there’s a yearning within each of us—an innate desire for something more, something that will deeply satisfy our souls. But amidst the noise and distractions, we may lose sight of the true source of fulfillment. What do you long for? Is it success, material possessions, or the approval of others? Or is it an intimate connection with t...

Come and join us this Sunday as we explore Psalm 95. With two clear themes divided right down the middle, this psalm is almost two psalms in one. But could it truly be separated? It begins with a beautiful reminder of many of the qualities of God’s grace and power. The second half leaves us with a stern warning about God’s holiness and judgement. Although we are tempted at times to separate the ho...

The Psalms are poems and prayers that deal with the full breadth of human emotion and experience. As we heard last week, these prayers place us in the midst of the conflict human beings have, to follow God or follow our desires leading to sin. In Psalm 86, we encounter King David in the middle of serious difficulties. Somehow, in the midst of those difficulties and his requests for freedom, he sti...

Have you ever wondered how the Psalms help us understand and worship God today? Join us this Sunday as Brian Down starts off our summer sermon series, The Psalms. We will be doing an overview of how The Psalms were used in the time of ancient Israel and look at how they apply to every season of our lives now.

The Graduating class of 2023 is facing a brand new series of opportunites in their lives. There is hope, trepidation, and excitement in the unknown future. Are we all on the cusp of such opportunity? There is a voice in our culture that says with some hard work, and some determination, each of us can make our lives into anything we can imagine. But is that also what Scripture teaches us about who...

What does your road to redemption look like? What did you have to surrender to give your life to Christ? Who was part of your journey? Who embraced discomfort, demonstrated sacrificial love, and uncertainty to share and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ in your life? Who was the real deal? In Ruth chapter 4, we witness Boaz’s selflessness as he not only redeems Naomi’s property but also takes Ru...

How often do you feel as though you are under the shelter of God's wings? In the third chapter of Ruth we find an odd custom that is easy to miss but once we understand it, we learn a lot about the relationship between Ruth and Boaz as well as our relationship with God. Join us Sunday to find out more of what it means to be “under the shelter of His wings”.

Can you see God’s blessings even when things go wrong? Are there traces of God’s presence and influence even when the bigger picture remains obscured? Ruth chapter 2 emphasizes the importance of trusting God’s providence, even during confusion, doubt, and challenging times. It encourages us to have faith and be attentive to how God blesses us, even when circumstances may seem unfavourable. By rema...

How do we respond when our lives fall apart and face situations we cannot comprehend? What do we do when we are confronted with loss, grief, and uncertainty? These are the questions that arise as we delve into the story of Ruth. In the opening chapter of Ruth, we are immediately confronted with pain and questions. Like all good stories, it begins with a dose of reality, reminding us that life is n...

What does it mean to wander away from God? Why do people wander? What do we do if our friends or family member drift away from the faith? What should we say? Should we pretend that nothing is wrong? Should we talk to a pastor or friend? Should we wait it out? In James 5:19-20, we read about the responsibility of believers when they encounter Christians who have started to fall away from their rela...

As we approach the conclusion of the book of James, we receive important instructions for the community of believers. We find a challenge to understand the difference between a religious community and a spiritual community. What does it mean to have God as an active member of our community? This Sunday is also Mother's Day, and we’ll take time to consider the special role that women play in th...

What are you waiting for? What is the thing in your life that you want to see change or come to pass? Maybe you are waiting to finish schooling, or get married, or wanting to become a parent? Or maybe you are waiting for a job opportunity, an advancement in your career or retirement? Or maybe you are waiting for better health? What are you waiting for? James 5:7-11 urges patience and perseverance...

When it comes to money, how much is enough? What number in your bank account would satisfy you? What would you do to acquire more? How far would you go? James 5:1-6 speaks about the dangers of greed and the love of money. In this passage, James warns wealthy individuals, who have amassed their wealth through unjust means, that they will not find satisfaction but instead will find only emptiness an...

What does God say about our affections when we have eyes and desires for other things over Him? Does the Bible say that God is jealous for our affections? If so, what does that mean? James encourages us in Chapter 4 to resist the temptation of worldly desires and instead draw near to God. God desires our complete devotion and affection, not because He needs it but because it’s best for us. When we...

This Sunday we explored James 4:13-17, which centres around the consequences of making plans for tomorrow, apart from God's leading. We all spend a lot of time planning for, or worrying about the future. Though Scripture does teach us to plan and be prepared for our physical needs, we often forget to plan for our spiritual needs. This week we look at one simple phrase that could change your li...

On this long road of life, we have all experienced disappointment and confusion. You might be wondering why your life feels stuck. Why does my husband or wife treat me that way? Why is my kid always in the principal’s office? Why did I lose my job? Why can’t I find someone to love me? Or you may be discouraged by your health, from fighting depression, fixing a broken marriage, or wrestling with yo...

As we prepare for Easter, we’ll take look at how Jesus prepared for Easter. Prophecies and promises all came together as he approached Jerusalem for the last time. A King was returning to his capital but many people missed it because they were looking for the wrong thing. The challenge for us, as we prepare to celebrate, is to make sure we are willing to meet God on His terms rather than expecting...

Do our actions reflect the wisdom of God? Do they display love, mercy, and a commitment to peace, or are they driven by selfish ambition, jealousy, and confusion? James encourages us to pursue Godly wisdom and warns against the dangers of what he would call earthly wisdom. He is saying that Godly wisdom is tied to knowing Jesus in a way that demonstrates good works in action. Wisdom from above pro...

Have you ever heard something that you know you will never forget? Or perhaps a conversation that you can still recall, even after years have passed? Our words carry weight. They can pack a blessing or a punch. It is a grave mistake to assume that our words are insignificant in the lives of those around us. The book of James calls us to evaluate how we communicate with others. He says that our wor...

In a world where our actions speak louder than our words, how do we know if we are truly living a life of faith? How do we distinguish between those who are spiritually alive and those who are spiritually dead? In James 2:14-26, he calls us to examine our hearts and our actions to ensure that they are in alignment with our faith. James asks us, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone...

As a follower of Christ we are called to see everyone the way Christ sees them. Can we do this on our own? No way! We need to live our life in and through Jesus. We need the eyes of Christ, we need his strength and humility. This theme of how we treat other people doesn’t start with the gospels but instead it’s a theme that runs all through scripture. This Sunday, we will take some time to conside...

Why do we find it so hard to listen before we speak? What is the reason? Are we impatient? Are we trying to impress others with our eloquent words? Are we trying to elevate our opinion over the noise of others? Are we trying to be right? Are we trying to be noticed or prove ourselves?  As you are going to see, the book of James is prescriptive. He gives us the life skills and medicine to prep...