South Abbotsford Church Podcast

Passage: Luke 1:57-80 . Why is fire-and-brimstone John the Baptist part of the Christmas story? Does he have good news? Is this a love message? And what's all this about mercy? Mercy, mercy God came to show mercy. A baby, a song and a message about a God rich in mercy.  Sermon Series: Unexpected People

Passage: Luke 1:37-57 . We're up to our third story of unexpected people in the advent story. We're in a dramatic recap of all three stories as we hear it all in a fresh way. And of course, the shock is that it's ladies, babies and the humble who experience joy in the coming of this saviour Jesus.  Advent Series: Unexpected People

Passage: Luke 1:26-38 . Another angel with another message. This time equally surprising. A young girl. But less surprising if you read Matthew's geneology where he redeems the shame of several young women's stories. How is God healing our stories? How is He calling faithful followers? And will you respond?  Advent Series: Unexpected People

Passage: Luke 1:5-25 . Does God see me? Does He care? Can He change my situation? Zechariah's story is such a great one. Unexpected maybe as the start of the nativity story, but amazing nonetheless. We can hope because of who God is. He is always at work bringing new life from impossible situations.  Advent Series: Unexpected People

Passage: Luke 5:33-39 . It's really part two of the conversation Jesus is having about parties and people. He's thrown everyone off by being too fun and eating too much. His response is that this is a celebration! Jubilee has come! And the new Kingdom way is going to disrupt your old expectations. Get ready for it! The new wine and new garments come as good news for everyone.  Sermon Ser...

Passage: Luke 5:27-32 . Nothing makes the message clear like inviting a tax collector to be your disciple. A weird move if you're trying to make an all-star team. But for us watching, we hear loud and clear that this is good news for everyone. And of course, when Levi throws a party for his degenerate friends, Jesus is there in the middle of it all, declaring the missional call for all His fo...

Passage: Luke 5:17-26 . Jesus is healing more people, but then things go weird. People break a roof to lower the guy and instead of, "Be healed" Jesus says " Your sins are forgiven ". Enough chaos ensues for a movie scene. And our big question: Who is in charge? What's really going on? And what does it have to do with me?  Sermon Series: Good News for Everyone

Passage: Luke 5:12-16 . In one case study, we see a guy experience the reality that Jesus arrival is good news for everyone! Even lepers. Jesus is bringing healing, redemption and love to those who need it most. And this guy is supposed to keep all this a secret? But like most of us with secret good news, he just can't hold it in.  Sermon Series: Good News for Everyone

Passage: Luke 5:1-12 . Jesus shows up in Peter's work. An everyday place. And Jesus is calling him to a new way. Peter responds and nets brim with fish. People weep. And a new calling given: Fish for people. What about you? What is God inviting you try again in a new way, in His power?  Sermon Series: Good News for Everyone 

Passage: Luke 4:31-44 . Jesus moves on from Nazareth and starts demonstrating what this Kingdom Jubilee looks like. And people get set free. Others get healed. And no one wants to let Jesus go, it's so good. Clearly, ever so clearly, Jesus shows that He has authority over strongholds, sickness and sin. And this is good news! Such good news!  Sermon Series: Luke - Good News For Everyone

Passage: Luke 4:14-30 . We've begun the refrain: this is good news for everyone! Jesus comes to proclaim Jubilee is here - freedom and redemption. But not everyone will receive it. It isn't good news to everyone. The hometown crowd decide they'll join the stats on towns that try to kill their homegrown prophet.  Sermon Series: Good News For Everyone Please note this was our joint se...

Passage: Luke 4:1-13 . We all know the feeling of being tempted and crossing the line. It's what draws us either to give up or go hard after systems and methods to beat temptation. When Jesus tells the story of His temptation to His disciples, and they record it in their accounts, we should be asking why? What difference does it make to every human alive that Jesus overcame the enemy? It&apos...

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:3 .Do you experience the reality of a hope-filled life? Do people ask you about your hope? Are you able to endure the difficulty that comes? The challenge to become people of endurance in hope could be daunting, if we weren't so focused on Jesus. He is our Living Hope!  Sermon Series: Church Life 

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:3 . So much of church life can feel like a labour. Actually so do a lot of other people's expectations. How do we navigate this? How do we serve one another (and God) out of love and not duty? With her gentle way, Lori leads us to Jesus and the Kingdom call of love.  Sermon Series: Church Life

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:3. What does God want from us? What is the "work of faith" that our lives would demonstrate? Surprise! It isn't what you think.  Sermon Series: Church Life

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 . We all need the refresher on exactly what we're doing in this whole "being church" together. Paul's encouragement to a church he planted feels like just the thing. Faith, love and hope to mark us and become the banner we use to cheer one another on as we pursue life with Jesus.  Sermon Series: Church Life

Passage: Proverbs 31:10-31 . Don't do it! Not another sermon on a Proverbs 31 woman! Or maybe a different take, with layers, to bring us to a deeper understanding of why the book ends here. Pursuing and praising the God-fearing woman. And what if the application is really, always, to pursue Jesus with all our hearts... could it be?  Sermon Series: Proverbs

Passage: Proverbs 27:5-6 . I love rebuke... said no one ever. How do we grow in the ability to give and receive trusted feedback? Because Proverbs counsels us that we would be wise to learn this. Even if it's hard. Even if we struggle. This is Christian. This is wisdom.  Sermon Series: Proverbs

Passage: Proverbs 6:1-19 . Why does work matter (beyond the paycheck)? In broad strokes, we undertake to follow the wisdom of a father to impart a value and meaning for work in the everyday. Should we care for others? How much? And why do you keep calling me "sluggard"?  Sermon Series: Proverbs 

Passage: Proverbs 4:1-9 . What's important? What should we spend our lives achieving or earning? What's worth giving everything for? The teacher says wisdom. And of course, how. This is the question. In characteristic style, Ron challenges us that wisdom can be found in those around us, through whom God chooses to speak.  Sermon Series: Proverbs

Passage: Proverbs 16:1-9. What's my part and what's God's part? This is a huge human question. Is God a puppet-master holding the strings or can we just do whatever we want and God is helpless? Maybe it's a bit more in tension than we'd like, but God is in control and we are part of this!  Please Note: This message includes an interview testimony Sermon Series: Proverbs

Passage: Proverbs 18:10-11 . There are so many things we rely on... trust in. The wisdom of proverbs counsels us that the most reliable and trustworthy one is God. His promise is that He won't let us down even when things seem grim.  Sermon Series: Proverbs

Passage: Proverbs 2:1-8 . If you... then... sigh. Conditionals. It's hard not to feel like all of Christianity is somehow conditional. But Proverbs leads us into a powerful why. Why would we pursue wisdom? To know God. To live in awe. To be shaped into a people resembling Him. And of course, all this is also gift... just like grace.   Sermon Series: Proverbs

Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6 . Once we get to the heart of what proverbs are doing in the Bible, we can see a vision for the Kingdom life of character. And specifically, we hear the echo of all Scripture challenging us to trust and submit ourselves to the good Saviour.  Sermon Series: Proverbs

Passage: Genesis 1:27 . So we are made in the image of God, and God has beautiful plans and purposes for us. But we all know, this world isn't the way it started. Things are a mess. Our lives are a mess. How do we live into the image of God today? Is God still about the work of creation?  This is part four of our Sermon Series: Imago Dei.