Commons Church Podcast

Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God...

Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God...

Obviously there is much work to be done but it starts with the courage to resist evil with the nonviolence of Christ. ★ Support this podcast ★

Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God...

Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God...

Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God...

Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God...

Arrogant, selfish, adulterer, murderer, liar, man of God. David is one of the most fascinating characters in all Hebrew scripture partly because of his incredible life story but also because of the fantastic paradox he seems to represent in all of us. We lie, we cheat, we break each other’s hearts, and yet we are called beloved by our creator. What is it about a heart soft enough to return to God...

We are very excited to be moving toward the launch of a new parish on the east side of the city core. Visit www.commons.church/inglewood for more details. ★ Support this podcast ★

The most common Biblical command is “do not be afraid”. Search your Bible and you will find it repeated dozens of times. It began when God told Abraham, the first man of faith, not to be afraid (Genesis 15:1). And actually, the command could be translated, “stop being afraid!” In other words, Abraham was told to stop fearing as a way of life. And that is the issue, isn’t it. The lingering fears, t...

The most common Biblical command is “do not be afraid”. Search your Bible and you will find it repeated dozens of times. It began when God told Abraham, the first man of faith, not to be afraid (Genesis 15:1). And actually, the command could be translated, “stop being afraid!” In other words, Abraham was told to stop fearing as a way of life. And that is the issue, isn’t it. The lingering fears, t...

The most common Biblical command is “do not be afraid”. Search your Bible and you will find it repeated dozens of times. It began when God told Abraham, the first man of faith, not to be afraid (Genesis 15:1). And actually, the command could be translated, “stop being afraid!” In other words, Abraham was told to stop fearing as a way of life. And that is the issue, isn’t it. The lingering fears, t...

excerpt from the Nicene Creed: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. And I believe in...

“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul’s agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–v...

“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul’s agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–v...

“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul’s agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–v...

“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul’s agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–v...

“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul’s agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–v...

“What is the “good news” of Jesus Christ? Why do people need to hear it? How can they experience it? What will it mean for their future? And what does the good news have to do with everyday life? These large and basic questions form Paul’s agenda in Romans—an agenda dictated by a combination of audiences, circumstances and purposes. Last year we started into the book of Romans and worked our way–v...

Each year at this time we talk about our common vision. Each year we take time to look a little ahead of ourselves, project where our path might lead us, make adjustments if necessary, and re-orient ourselves to our true north. This is the chance to share what is on our minds and hearts, what it is we can do and be for our friends and families, for our communities and work places, for Calgary and...

The Christian faith is an Easter faith. That means it is ultimately a joyous and hopeful view of the world. Christ has triumphed over the enemies of life. Death, sin, and despair have been given an expiry date. Love, hope, and mercy have fully guaranteed futures. But this Easter faith we participate in, does not come cheaply or without challenge. There is a pathway to joy that must be taken seriou...

Everything about the cross event was bent to the task of pressuring Jesus toward self-preservation. The core essence of God’s character was under siege. The pivotal question of the ages hung before men and angels, Who is the Ruler of the universe? What is He really made of at heart? Will His love prove itself a sham under pressure, or will He plunge to the deepest depths of total self-sacrifice fo...

Every year we realize that we need to tell and hear the story once more. Every year we find ourselves surprised by it, overwhelmed, and yet comforted in a way that’s hard to explain. Every year we are drawn back to humble worship, and the pledge of renewed commitment. We invite you to take time to embrace the story: Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday as we celebrate Jesus’ enterance into Jerusalem. ★...

Most of us know the Sermon on the Mount. The foundational sermon Jesus gives as he launches his public career. It’s a masterful invitation into the life of God. Most of us are less familiar with the Sermon by the Sea. An enigmatic sermon Jesus gives later in life as he is preparing to head toward the cross. If the sermon on the mount presents us with the common sense life of God and the practical...

I have been loving our current series in the parables but one of the questions I am often asked is how do you read these stories well? How do you notice the subtleties that Jesus embedded in the story? Well, certainly I get the benefit of spending a lot of my week studying and preparing but there are some simple reading practices like lectio divina that can help us become more aware of what is hap...