Message date: September 5, 2021

In this conclusion to our Holy Ghost Stories, we focused on the meanings of Jesus' baptism. In addition to the many other biblical metaphors for baptism we include this one: Baptism as Jesus' commissioning into His Kingdom vocation. What if we looked at our own baptism this way? What if we looked at our work not as a 'job' we must endure, but a way that we participate in the work God is doing around us? 

This message concluded with a Labour Day blessing over us and our work.

Message Date: August 29, 2021

Simon the Sorcerer was dangerous: he’s the original celebrity pastor and religious narcissist, who built a huge brand for himself and tried to buy the power to impart the Holy Spirit. In our own day, there may be no greater threat to the Church and our witness than the problem of unchallenged narcissists leading our churches and ministries. And, there might be no greater apologetic for the validity of the Christian faith than the contentment of faith communities with ordinary, unimpressive shepherds. The Spirit wants this for us; will we let Him?

Message Date August 1, 2021

In this study of the Jerusalem Council it became clear why the Holy Spirit never asks us to repent of culture; He asks us to repent of sin. The difference is important because while some aspects of a culture might be wonderful, others might be wicked, and others, with a bit of creativity, are redeemable. This is an important lesson showing that Christianizing people is not the Church’s job; it’s the Spirit’s job, and He’s good at it; consequently we won't make harder for people to come to Jesus.

Message Date July 18, 2021

Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus is a well known before / after story. But when we consider it through the eyes of the others involved, we realized that it was a turning point not just for Saul, but for everyone else. In fact, it seems that the conversion of anyone involves a conversion for everyone because no one comes to Jesus on their own. This is just one of the many lessons we learned from studying the conversion of Saul in this message.

 (Message date: July 11, 2021)

The early Church felt "great fear" because of what the Spirit was doing; the death of Ananias and Sapphira after lying to the Apostles provides a perfect example: Did the Spirit kill them? Did they deserve what happened to them? In this message, the third in our "Holy Ghost Stories" series, David Howson-Jan guides us through the key questions related to this strange story, so that we learn reverence for God, and grace for each other. 

(Message date: July 4, 2021)

What changed after Peter's visit with Cornelius the Roman Centurion? 

Each of us learned to fear, hate, or generally avoid certain people for one reason or another. And some folks learned to fear, hate, and avoid you too. The simplistic stories we tell ourselves about one another have the power to kill and divide, and in this Holy Ghost Story, the Spirit forces Peter to rethink the "biblical" way to look at those whose story is different from ours.

(Preached June 27, 2021 by Mike Mileski)

This is the first of several messages in a series called "Holy Ghost Stories: Thrilling Encounters with the Third Person". Each week we'll learn what it looked like when the Spirit of God was at work in the stories of Scripture, so that we can also discern when it's Him in our day. 

We launch the series with the story of Pentecost: the day the Spirit transformed the Church. In our day, when the Spirit shows up and does a powerful thing, there will be those on the inside of it, and those who mock and criticize from the outside. Who will we wish to be?

(Recorded May 30, 2021)

As we've studied 1Corinthians, we've heard Paul say some important, memorable things: some are memorable for how they sting; others because of their beauty. In this final message on 1Corinthians, Paul shows why any one of us can do what he did, and why (Lord willing) it could be in Hamilton as it was in Corinth. 

(Recorded 05/23/2021)

This message is an honest effort to define “biblical manhood and womanhood” in light of Jesus, instead of unhelpful, unbiblical stereotypes.  How do interpret a passage in which Paul calls it "disgraceful" for women to speak in church? When we look at it through Complementarian, Egalitarian, Patriarchal, and Feminist lenses can we clearly see what Paul really saying, “no” to? Is there a better way? And, what if we're wrong? 

(This  is the second in a pair of messages about Gender in the Church. Part 1 was preached April 25th, 2021.)

(Recorded 05/16/2021)

Paul's “love chapter” is simple yet beautiful theology. It's a love song that exposes a serious problem: many of us have a notion of God that doesn't even pass His own definition of love. If so, why should we surprised if we don't feel loved by God, or our love for others is distorted? This message is an invitation to receive God's love, to put down all our bad ideas about it, and learn the lengths God went to make us feel His love.