Episodes
Saturday May 09, 2020
What Jesus Says About Anger Management: Pastor Reid Matthias
Saturday May 09, 2020
Saturday May 09, 2020
“You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,’ but I say…
Don’t get revenge, destroy them!
Okay, that’s not the direct translation of the Bible, and many of you will probably figure out where our Sermon on the Mount discussion is going, but we’ll set out on an adventure this week to answer at least two questions, beginning with these:
Who are my enemies?
What can I do about them?
Our scripture verses this week are from Matthew 5:38-48. Read ahead and formulate some of your responses to Jesus if you were actually present for the Sermon.
Pr. Reid Matthias
Friday May 01, 2020
Pushing the Boundaries: Pastor Reid Matthias
Friday May 01, 2020
Friday May 01, 2020
As the Sermon the Mount veers from “Blessed are…” to, “You have heard it said… but I tell you…” we begin to see the core of the cultural transformation taking place. When Jesus says, “You have heard it said,” it’s a quick and slight stab at those who are always quick to point to the minute details of the Law rather than the perspective of the Gospel that they bring. Law drives us to a need for God, a need for a Saviour and a desperate desire to know that there is something bigger than our mistakes.
Matt. 5:27-32
Saturday Apr 25, 2020
What Jesus Says About Reconciliation: Pastor Rolly Stahl
Saturday Apr 25, 2020
Saturday Apr 25, 2020
Given that we will share eternity together in heaven, doesn’t it make sense that our Father wants his children to get on with each other here on earth?
In a world where the evil one seeks to divide and conquer, our Father wants his family to demonstrate the difference Jesus makes in our relationships.
Since we are called to be peacemakers, we seek to resolve conflict through reconciliation. So what does this look like?
Pastor Rolly explores the implications: what keeps people divided, and how we can work to restore unity in our lives, and the lives of others.
Matthew 5:21-26; Matthew 18:15-18
Saturday Apr 18, 2020
What Jesus Says About Being Different: Pastor Rolly Stahl
Saturday Apr 18, 2020
Saturday Apr 18, 2020
In what way are followers of Jesus different from others? Some might suggest: attending worship, reading the Bible, prayer, doing good to others, avoiding the seven deadly sins, and so on. But the real difference is what’s inside us: Jesus lives in our hearts by faith. By the gift of the Holy Spirit, we trust Jesus for our forgiveness and our future. By the Holy Spirit, we now know God as Abba Father, and follow Jesus as Lord. Jesus uses two images – salt and light - to describe how his followers are different.
Matthew 5:13-16; Philippians 2:12-16
Friday Apr 10, 2020
Easter Sunday sermon: Pastor Rolly Stahl
Friday Apr 10, 2020
Friday Apr 10, 2020
Whenever we experience trials, disasters, wars, and pandemics, we wonder why this “new world in the morning takes so long”. Recent events remind us that we’re not yet in heaven, but still share in the brokenness of creation. Whenever disaster or death visits us personally, we wonder what on earth God is doing, and how long we will be stuck in the shadowlands of grief…
Friday Apr 03, 2020
If Only You Had Known - Palm Sunday: Pastor Reid Matthias
Friday Apr 03, 2020
Friday Apr 03, 2020
Palm Sunday was supposed to be a joyful celebration day for Jesus and the disciples – for the entire city of Jerusalem. Since the fall of the kingdom of Israel, they had expectantly been awaiting the Messiah, the newly anointed king, who would bless them with at least a millennium of peace. What they missed is that this was no simple king…
Luke 19:37-42
Friday Mar 27, 2020
Blessed are the Persecuted: Pastor Reid Matthias
Friday Mar 27, 2020
Friday Mar 27, 2020
Where does our help come from? Not necessarily the building or the worship service, but Who we worship there. Our help comes from the Lord who reminds us that He is also outside the building. And maybe this is the thing; the information that the Church has lacked for so long. Jesus stands with us even more so outside the walls of the church building. Jesus whispers to us, calls us to something greater, and in this time of isolation and confusion, His voice leads His Church, the Body of Christ to an incredible and amazing sight.
Friday Mar 20, 2020
Blessed are the Peacemakers: Pastor Reid Matthias
Friday Mar 20, 2020
Friday Mar 20, 2020
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
Of all the things created in the world, from the Coliseum in Rome to the Pyramids in Egypt, from the Great Wall of China to the ABC building in Collinswood – each of their architects perhaps would have said that their task was infinitely easier than creating a sense of lasting peace in the world.
The creation of things unseen: making friends, making judgements, making amends and making peace, are far more difficult than laying brick on top of mortar. In the case of peacemaking, the construction is difficult because the building materials are so scarce.
Thus, we understand that Jesus was changing the entirety of the world’s perspective by stating: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
In the chaos of the world around us, humanity seems to have lost its sense of peace. For many, the Coronavirus scare has allowed the age old enemy – fear - to raise its head and we battle against each other, fight for life, clawing and scrabbling to the top of the heap so that somehow we aren’t crushed at the bottom.
In the midst of the confusion and chaos, there is a segment of people, the children of God; peacemakers all, who stand calling out to the mountain of fear: “Look, children, come buy bread for free! We have enough to share! Our enemy is not of flesh and blood, but of Satan and the principalities of darkness!”
Come, follow us into the light. Come and find peace that passes all understanding.
This week, as our Beatitudes series continues, we look at one of the great biblical peacemakers, Abigail. Read her story with me and help me apply it to our world today.
Remember, you are children of God.
Pastor Reid
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 25
Tuesday Mar 17, 2020
Blessed are the Pure in Heart: Pastor Reid Matthias
Tuesday Mar 17, 2020
Tuesday Mar 17, 2020
As we peer through the lenses of children, whom we almost always understand to be pure of heart, we can reconnect with Jesus’ words when he said, “If you want to see the Kingdom of God, you must turn and become like these children.”
Matthew 5:8, Matthew 18:1-5, Matthew 19:13-15.
Tuesday Mar 10, 2020
Pastor Rolly Stahl: The Merciful
Tuesday Mar 10, 2020
Tuesday Mar 10, 2020
We explore the much loved story of Joseph: the teenager with the special coat who drew contempt from his brothers after sharing his dreams with them. The favourite son of Jacob who was sold as a slave by his brothers, spent several years in an Egyptian jail, and who, at the age of 30, became Prince of Egypt. Yet in spite of his hardships, we do not see Joseph sitting around feeling sorry for himself. He gets on with life in the knowledge that God is with him. The Lord gives him wisdom and favour, and his work is a blessing to all he serves. Joseph ends up saving his extended family, along with the people of Egypt and the surrounding Middle East. By seeing the hand of God turning messing into blessing in his life, Joseph finds the grace to let go of past hurts, forgive his brothers, and consistently treat them with kindness. Who are you still angry with? What hurts are you still carrying that enrage you every time you recall what “that person” did to you? Bitterness...it keeps poisoning your soul, polluting your life, stunting your spiritual growth, and blinding you to the unfailing love and good purposes God has for your life! If you don’t want to remain stuck there for the rest of your life, take a leaf out of Joseph and Jesus’ book: forgive them!
Matthew 5:7, Genesis 50:15-21 (for the back story start at Gen 37:1)