From the Pulpit

To be a world-class runner takes more than going for the occasional jog. In reality, these athletes leave no stone of their lives unturned as they seek opportunities to improve and succeed. According to Hebrews, the Christian life is similar. When one places their faith in Jesus Christ and becomes a partaker of the New Covenant in his blood, they also become participants in a life-long race that w...

The New Covenant in Christ’s blood—with all of its sin-atoning blessings and guilt-washing benefits—is entered by faith in a moment and enjoyed by faith over a lifetime. God’s people are saved through faith and then commanded to walk by faith (Heb. 10:38), living lives as though God has told the truth about who they are in Christ, what they’ve been given by Christ, and what lays ahead for them bec...

Students do homework to avoid failing fuelled by the hope of future employment. Athletes endure training to avoid losing inspired by the goal of winning. Militaries recruit soldiers to avoid invasion motivated by the ideals of freedom. People eat well to avoid illness because they want to live healthily. We all do certain things to avoid certain things fuelled by certain things. And what we’re wil...

To shrink back from Christianity (2:1–4; 3:12–13; 6:1–20) is to shrink back from Christ, the Son of God who, though greater than the angels (1:5–14), was made “for a little while lower than the angels” (2:9). He condescended himself to identify with humanity, be tortured by humanity, and die for humanity (2:10–18). And, because the Son was willing to suffer in this way, the Father designated him a...

Why did Jesus have to die? Why did Christ’s blood have to be spilled? Why did our Lord have to give his life? Was there no other way to save sinners? If you have ever asked this question, you are not the first. The twelve men who were called by Jesus, followed Jesus, and learned from Jesus also struggled with the idea that his demise was unavoidable (Matt. 16:21–22). Similarly, Israel’s leaders, t...

If I try really hard to be as good as I can possibly be, surely God will receive me into the kingdom of heaven? Jesus says it’s IMPOSSIBLE for us to enter. But with God all things are possible! He tells an amazing story to illustrate the way through the narrow gate.

All honest and uncalloused people know what it is to feel guilt for past wrongs, mistakes, and missteps. We’re familiar with the haunting questions that often accompany our transgressions: Can I make this right? Is it possible to fix what I’ve now broken? What does my error say about me? Am I beyond redemption? Will I ever feel bad enough to make up for the damage I’ve done? While many try to buff...

Hebrews 8 begins a three-chapter-long discussion on the New Covenant, that efficacious oath sworn by God the Father, ratified by God the Son, and applied by God the Spirit. It’s the cumulative covenant in which all believers are united, forgiven, and kept. It’s the covenant Christ’s church remembers when they take the bread and drink the cup, commemorating and anticipating he who is both its sacri...

God reminds us throughout the scriptures, both in word and through example that His thoughts are not our thoughts, and that our ways are not His ways (Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬). Furthermore, He reminds us that His ways and purposes are accomplished, not by human might or power, but by His Spirit (Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭6). Paul made it clear to the believers in Corinth that God uses ordinary vessels to accomplis...

I don’t really understand how the engine of our family vehicle works. I’m glad someone does and I know it’d be good if I did but, for now, I just enjoy the magic and the mystery. I’m dependent upon and benefit from the reality of auto mechanics without comprehending auto mechanics. For most Christians, the same could be said about the Melchizedekian priesthood of Christ. We’re thankful someone und...

“All children, except one, grow up.” With these words J. M. Barrie begins his classic work, Peter Pan , the title character of which has endeared himself to many for his ability to fly, his wild imagination, his friendship with Tinker Bell, his adventures with the Lost Boys, and his battles with Captain Hook. But behind the carefree facade of the story lays a cautionary tale, one hinted at by the...

Many Christians take for granted the fact that we have access to God—that we can sing about him, talk to him, hear from him, be changed by him, and offer service through him. But these are incredible and privileged realities made possible only by God’s grace. In reality, sinful humanity has no business receiving anything from he who is holy, holy, holy other than judgement (Ex 33:20; Isa 6:5; Luke...

It’s been said that “history repeats itself. It has to—nobody listens the first time around.” That there’s a cyclical sense to history is both observable and biblical. Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Eccl 1:9). He also agrees that many people fail to learn from the past: “Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly” (Prov 26:11). According to God, those...

An anger that is left unchecked, can lead to destructive consequences. However, a righteous anger can lead to godly living. Discover how we can master this emotion through self-control and through a biblical understanding of anger. Self-control is not just a matter of willpower, but a spiritual fruit cultivated by the Holy Spirit. Learn how to resolve anger and channel our emotions in ways that ho...

Discover the transformative power of managing anger in a way that honors God. In the second part of this series, we will explore the fine line between a righteous anger and sin. Learn about the destructive effects of unchecked anger and bitterness, and understand how physical, verbal, and even mental rage can damage our relationships and spiritual well-being.

Anger has often been viewed as a sinful emotion. However, through this sermon, we will explore the transformative power that a righteous anger has, when it is fully aligned with God’s will. Three types of righteous anger will be examined: frustration, indignation, and jealousy. Learn how Jesus' frustrations with His disciples, His righteous indignation against sin, and His zealous jealousy for...

Writing to a group of tried, tempted, and tired believers, the author of Hebrews reminds them of the absolute, immeasurable, and unrivalled supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the climactic and cumulative self-disclosure of Almighty God to humanity, the uniquely exalted one who humbly and sacrificially accomplished God’s perfect plan, identifying with sinners, dying for sinners, pardoning si...

The Lord Jesus Christ is a person of paradox. There are realities about him that don’t immediately and obviously make sense to creatures like you and me. So, perhaps it’s unsurprising that, during his first advent, many of his greatest lessons shared that confounding quality. For example, he instructed his disciples that, “Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the So...

Siblings may look a lot alike until they’re standing side-by-side. A forgery of a painting could fool many until it’s hung next to the original. A runner might consider themselves quite fast until they’re in the starting blocks next to an Olympian. Why? Because proximity can highlight dissimilarity. The original recipients of the letter to the Hebrews seem to have been forgetting the unique beauty...

While there are many ways to get to know another person, the best way is to listen to them when they speak, to hear them describe their sense of right and wrong, their memories of the past, their desires for the present, and their goals for the future. Indeed, it’s near impossible to experience relational intimacy with anyone apart from deliberate attentiveness to what they reveal about themselves...

The Bible teaches us to obey authorities and governments. The Bible also teaches us that God is in control of any earthly government. In the book of Daniel we see Kingdoms rise and fall, on God’s authority. And it’s that same authority that will one day bring in a final and eternal kingdom, when God reigns.

Disunity, complacency, apathy, immorality, immaturity, lethargy, idolatry, insecurity, adversity, and apostasy. There are so many spiritual diseases that can plague God’s people, sin-wrought infections that hinder us from growing and serving and enjoying and worshipping and witnessing as we ought to do. And yet, as various as these sicknesses present, as contagious as these infections can be, and...

While all Scripture is equally inspired and equally authoritative , we can admit that not all Scripture is equally urgent . Not every passage of the Bible uniformly challenges its hearers and readers with a sin-confronting, reality-defining, life-shaping, soul-saving, and response-demanding set of truths. Ephesians 2:1–10, however, certainly does. Sometimes considered a condensation of Paul’s expl...

This message focuses on the fact that human beings have a deep sense that things could be a whole lot better than what they are. They know that because as Solomon says – we have eternity written in our hearts. It is part of our spiritual DNA. And, in a very real sense we are on a journey – an Exodus. Moses was on an Exodus. Jesus too was on an Exodus. We as believer’s are on an Exodus. The first c...

The present conditions of our world lead many Christians to believe that the Lord might come and come very soon. For sure, throughout history there have many predictions of the return of Jesus. But in reality – our focus should not be “when” Christ is coming. The real question is will we be ready when Jesus returns? Jesus himself emphasizes this when he says numerous times “no one knows the day or...