Newlife Church Toronto Sermons

Understanding the Old Testament Part 58 (1 John) While simple on the surface, some interesting and important questions come up, like ‘What about this is actually new?’ and ‘If it is part of our new nature, why should it require effort?’ together with asking what it might look like in our lives.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 57 (1 Kings 19) In this extraordinary story, God replaced his old way of speaking with a new way, through Jesus. It is imperative that you learn to hear this voice.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 56 (Jer 31 & Heb 8) When you really understand the New Covenant, it will transform your life, bring you into a new freedom, and enrich your relationship with God. Sadly it is rarely explained, and most Christians are not entirely free from the Old.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 55 (Gen 15 & Jer 31) When you really understand the New Covenant, it will transform your life, bring you into a new freedom, and enrich your relationship with God. Sadly it is rarely explained, and most Christians are not entirely free from the Old.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 54 (Various O.T. Prophets) The goal is to help us notice themes when we are reading the O.T. prophets, and capture the hope and excitement of their vision of the future.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 53 (Isaiah 15-16; 19-20 & Jonah) On the surface these prophecies against other nations can seem like unrelenting destruction, but on closer inspection there is a surprising revelation of the true heart of God in love and mercy, which culminated in the sending of his own son to die for the sins of his enemies.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 52 (Isaiah 5) Learning a few basic ideas about how to read the Prophets can make a huge difference in how well we can understand and connect with the message. Many people today think the Old Testament God is harsh and angry, but a correct reading of Isaiah 5 paints an entirely different picture.

The Resurrection Part 2 (1 Cor 15-16 +others) We will do some digging and strengthen the roots of our faith in resurrection, then we can enjoy the fruits and feel the richness of the blessing. Here are three roots and three fruits.

The Resurrection Part 1 (1 Cor 15 +others) The truth of the resurrection is at the foundation of everything we believe. When we see how strongly supported this evidence is, it can be a great encouragement to our faith, our joy and our hope.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 49 (Isaiah 46) God says, “Even when you have grey hair, I will carry you. I made you and I will support you;” (Is 46:4) Do you believe this, or are you investing everything in the idols of this age which will not be there for you in the end?

In two beautifully compact verses, Paul gives us a new “rule of life” for living under the New Covenant and lays a foundation to everything that follows about the gifts of the Spirit. —a perfect summary of what it means to be part of the new people of God. (Romans 12:1–2)

Understanding the Old Testament Part 48 (Daniel 3) Let’s take this distant story in a distant land at a distant time under a hot sun, and connect it to us right here and now in Toronto so that it means something very directly and specifically to us.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 47 (Jacob, David & Israel) A core teaching of the Bible that is often missed, and that is deeply encouraging.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 46 (2 Kings 5) As we dive deeper into this account, we see more and more of the challenges, conceptual reversals and artistry in the narrative composition, with an exciting conclusion.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 45 (Gen, Josh, Chron etc.) Seven suggestions about the kinds of prayers that God responds to, based on stories found in the Bible.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 43 (Joshua 4 & 5) This story of a new beginning for Israel has a compelling message for our own lives as we move forward into a new season, with precise New Covenant parallels to the Old Covenant symbols.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 42 (Gen 17, Jer 6,9,31 & Paul’s letters) Circumcision: Meaning, Significance and Practical Insights. When we see how neatly the Old and New Testaments connect together on this issue, it brings such clarity, not only to understanding the Bible, but also our own identity.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 41 (Joshua 1:1-9) This is an incredible promise, but can we take it personally? If we understand the context, the meaning, and our part in it, the answer is yes! What an encouragement!

Understanding the Old Testament Part 39 (Ezra) Life can bring discouragements, and Satan loves to pull us away from God. In this extraordinary story from the book of Ezra that is exactly what happened. But what is so encouraging for us is the surprising way that God turned defeat into victory.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 38 (Gen 3; Luke 24 & Rev 12:4-5) There is a golden thread that runs through the Bible from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation. It is the story of the battle between the Serpent and the line of the promised Saviour, full of drama and climaxes in total victory.

With all the sentimental caricatures of the birth of Jesus, it’s good to focus on what really happened and why. Even most Christians don’t truly understand why he had to be a human. (Luke 2)

Understanding the Old Testament Part 37 (Luke 18:18–30) When you see what Jesus is really claiming here, it is both shocking and motiviating. An incredible parable that is often misunderstood.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 36 (Isaiah 1 & 2 and Joel) This message aims to help us get more out of reading the Prophetic books in the O.T. by understanding what they are about and how they can speak to us.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 34 When we see how Hebrew Poetry works, we are better able to take in its beauty and power, so as to be filled with joy in our amazing God.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 33 Sometimes we think of God as being too serious to be interested in beauty. But creating beauty is core to his very nature, and when we do the same, we are being God-like. Yet there in an extra dimension of beauty that comes by the Spirit.