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Canaan Fellowship episodes

October 25Intimacy with God
Ibrahim opens with prayer and a joke about his wife Grace being the “favorite kid” in the family, using it to introduce the theme of intimacy with God. He defines intimacy as deep closeness, connection, and mutual vulnerability, then explores two biblical characters—Abraham and John—as models of intimate relationship with God, before applying this to the church as the bride of Christ and explaining how to cultivate such love.
[00:02:10] Intimacy is defined as a state of deep closeness, connection, and familiarity where people feel safe to share their inner selves emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually; it is more than knowing someone—it is allowing yourself to be deeply known and knowing them in return.
[00:03:13] Abraham hosted the angels in Genesis 18 and walked with them; God said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” demonstrating closeness.
[00:04:40] Abraham interceded six times (50, 45, 40, 30, 20, 10) and God patiently allowed every request, showing the space intimacy creates.
[00:05:52] Abraham was called the friend of God; their relationship was built on trust even when God’s commands did not make sense.
[00:07:23] The second character is John the apostle; at the Last Supper he leaned on Jesus’ bosom and was the one Peter motioned to ask who would betray Jesus.
[00:09:45] John was the only disciple who stayed with Jesus at the crucifixion to the end.
[00:10:14] From the cross Jesus entrusted His mother Mary to John, counting him as family and giving him something precious.
[00:11:53] John consistently identified himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” because he had genuinely experienced that special love.
[00:12:37] The question for believers: are we confident enough to call ourselves the one whom Jesus loved, having experienced His powerful love?
[00:13:14] In 1 John 4:8 John summarized God in one word—”God is love”—and said anyone who does not love does not know God; to know God deeply we must love.
[00:14:25] In John 15:15 Jesus said He no longer calls us servants but friends, both inviting us and giving us the title of beloved.
[00:15:42] In 1 John 4:7 and 4:19, John says love is from God, whoever loves knows God, and we love because He first loved us.
[00:16:48] God loved us “to death”—Jesus actually did it, and Song of Songs 8:6 says love is stronger than death.
[00:18:03] Jesus describes the church as His bride and Himself as the groom; the relationship is built on love, and God is jealous for it, calling idolatry adultery.
[00:19:51] Ibrahim paraphrases Romans 8:35-39 as a groom’s vow: nothing in all creation—death, life, angels, demons, present, future, height, depth—can separate us from His love.
[00:22:00] Song of Songs 8:7 says many waters cannot quench love nor floods drown it; all the wealth of a house cannot buy it—His love is grace we cannot repay.
[00:23:15] Song of Songs 2:6 pictures His left hand under our head and right arm embracing us—a place of safety and security we all need.
[00:24:05] The bride considers herself dark and unattractive, yet the groom still loves her; we do not need to clean ourselves up before coming to Jesus.
[00:25:12] Many in the church are seeking to draw nearer to God—this is the point of relationship we can see.
[00:26:10] John 1:18 says the Son is in the bosom of the Father (same Greek word as John at the supper); only from that place of closeness can we speak powerfully about God.
[00:27:18] In John 21:7, after the resurrection miracle of the fish, John was the first to recognize “It is the Lord”—intimacy helps us discern God’s work in our lives.
[00:29:13] Matthew 22:37-40 gives the great commandment: love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.
[00:30:03] 1 John 4:11-12 confirms that since God so loved us, we ought to love one another; though no one has seen God, His love is perfected in us when we love, forming a circle—God loves us, we love others, and we experience God.
[00:32:23] Proverbs 23:26 says “My son, give me your heart,” and Matthew 6:21 says where your treasure is, there your heart will be also; God asks for our heart and love.
[00:33:46] Like Andrew who saw everything beautiful after falling in love with Zuska, being in love with God changes how we see life, people, and challenges, and makes us speak about Him everywhere.
[00:35:47] Moses left the camp to meet God, and Jesus withdrew from the disciples to be with the Father; seeking this relationship requires a specific time and place, being quiet and letting God speak.
[00:37:32] David in Psalm 27 asked one thing—to dwell in the house of the Lord all his days, to gaze on His beauty; he experienced God’s beauty though no one has seen God.
[00:38:36] Moses spent 40 days twice on the mountain without food or drink in God’s presence and was bold enough to ask to see God’s face.
[00:39:34] Worship is an act of love like Phil singing to Becky every year; it is not about notes but about words coming from the heart to God.
[00:40:33] David wrote around 150 psalms and made worshippers sing to God day and night as the first priority when the tent of meeting was moved.
[00:41:31] When we tell someone “Jesus loves you,” we should remember its full weight—He died for us—because this love changes lives and is the most powerful thing we can say.
Scripture References
Genesis 18
Genesis 18:16-17
James 2:23
John 13:21-26
John 19:26-27
1 John 4:8
John 15:15
1 John 4:7
1 John 4:19
Song of Songs 8:6
Romans 8:35-39
Song of Songs 8:7
Song of Songs 2:6
John 1:18
John 21:7
Matthew 22:37-40
1 John 4:11-12
Proverbs 23:26
Matthew 6:21
Psalm 27
Exodus 33
Generated by AI model deepseek-chat
The post Intimacy with God first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.
47 min
October 18The House God Builds and Blesses: The Tabernacle and the Household
Bill introduces his message on Proverbs 24:3-4, framing the sermon around the theme of “the house God builds and blesses” by drawing parallels between the tabernacle furnishings and the Christian household.
[00:00:07] Reads Proverbs 24:3-4, noting the close scriptural association between the temple (God’s dwelling) and the household (where we live).
[00:01:07] Explains his goal: to show how the tabernacle’s furnishings inform what our homes should be like spiritually.
[00:01:56] Raises the long-held question of the difference between wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in the Proverbs verse.
[00:02:38] Observes that in Hebrew, “wisdom” is always associated with “build”—wisdom is applied and affects how we think, speak, and use our hands; God gives wisdom to lay out our household for His use and our blessing.
[00:04:22] Defines “understanding” as discernment—not just structuring a household but using what’s in it effectively; understanding establishes the function of the household.
[00:05:25] Connects “knowledge” filling rooms with precious riches to 1 Timothy 6 (being rich in good deeds) and Luke 6 (the parable of the sower, where riches and cares of the world choke the word).
[00:06:31] Argues against the idea that poverty is automatically more spiritual—simplicity is a calling, not a default—and that a household can hold riches that are pleasant and precious.
[00:07:14] Transitions to the tabernacle as a model, clarifying he speaks spiritually, not literally (no bronze altars in living rooms).
[00:08:35] Describes the tabernacle’s three parts: the outer court (bronze altar and wash basin), the holy place (table of bread, altar of incense, lampstand), and the most holy place (Ark of the Covenant).
[00:09:29] Notes the Ark contained the Ten Commandments and Aaron’s rod, with a congregation member adding the pot of manna.
[00:10:15] Begins with the bronze altar: it points to Christ and the ultimate sacrifice; Hebrews teaches Jesus died once for all.
[00:11:48] Says our homes need a reminder that Jesus died for us—this, not our maturity or habits, is the basis of our acceptance before God.
[00:13:08] Warns that this basic doctrine is easily forgotten in household routines; when we sin, the first thing to recognize is that we are forgiven because of what Jesus did—which is why confession and repentance make sense.
[00:15:14] Asks what in our homes reminds us of this truth daily; because we’re reconciled by Christ’s work, we cease laboring to be acceptable to God and can enter rest (Psalm 4:8—dwelling in safety).
[00:17:28] Moves to the wash basin: connects it to Jesus washing the disciples’ feet in John 13:10—those bathed are completely clean but need their feet washed.
[00:19:05] Explains foot-washing as laying aside the grime gathered from living in a world under the evil one—recognizing troubling things and giving them to the Lord so they don’t cling to us at home.
[00:21:30] Covers the table of bread (nourishment from God’s Word) and the lampstand (anointing—flame kept by oil, a picture of the Spirit; also light, per 1 John 1:7).
[00:22:13] Notes living in the light is tied to washing one another’s feet—hidden things can’t be helped, and hidden sin festers into conflict.
[00:22:44] Urges attention to truth: find where in the home you read or listen to Scripture, ask the Father for the Spirit’s anointing, and ask the Lord to teach you to live in the light.
[00:24:03] Discusses the altar of incense: unlike the bronze altar (sacrifice), this altar is prayer and worship, pictured in Revelation where the prayers of the saints rise with incense.
[00:25:23] Encourages conscious, worshipful prayer; shares that he and Claudia sing and read at meals during the busy wedding season.
[00:26:10] Challenges listeners: find a place or thing in the house that reminds you to pray daily.
[00:26:36] Addresses the Ark in the most holy place: people through history wrongly assumed they couldn’t enter and needed a priest, but the veil was torn when Jesus made His sacrifice—we can now enter; Jesus alone intercedes for us.
[00:28:22] Identifies the Ark with intimacy with God—we can pray, read, and worship and not feel close, but there are times we should draw near; God says “draw near to Me and I will draw near to you.”
[00:29:47] Asks whether there is a place in your home where you’ve experienced drawing near to God; wisdom teaches you to build a house with such a place, for everyone who believes has access.
[00:30:32] Acknowledges homes feel messy and don’t match this picture, but urges against discouragement—it’s a learning process of moving from outer court to holy place to most holy place; testifies he finds himself in the most holy place far more often now than 10-30 years ago.
[00:32:08] Responds to a comment on Eusebia: it means true worship/piety, and the whole message is that life—thinking, speaking, building, and treating one’s household—is an act of worship (pointing to Romans 12:1-2).
Scripture References
Proverbs 24:3-4
1 Timothy 6
Luke 6
Hebrews
Psalm 4:8
John 13:10
1 John 1:7
Revelation
Romans 12:1-2
Generated by AI model deepseek-chat
The post The House God Builds and Blesses: The Tabernacle and the Household first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.
34 min
October 11God Doing Miraculous Things
Bruce opens by surveying the miraculous throughout redemptive history, noting that God has always acted miraculously but also allowed long stretches where His works were less visible, and that skepticism about the miraculous is not new.
[00:00:00] The first miracle in the Bible is creation, and after the flood God’s preservation of Noah’s family involved both human effort and divine revelation.
[00:02:30] Abraham’s life was mostly ordinary travel and altar-building, but included miracles like hearing God and having Isaac in old age.
[00:03:48] Through Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, God preserved His people, though the descent into Egypt looked tragic rather than miraculous.
[00:04:33] After 400 years of slavery came Moses, the burning bush, the ten plagues, the exodus, and the Red Sea — all miraculous.
[00:05:25] Miracles continued through Joshua’s conquest, the judges, and the kings, but with long natural periods in between.
[00:06:07] After the exile and the prophets, there were 400 silent years, expressed in the Psalms’ cry, “How long, O Lord?”
[00:07:03] Then came John the Baptist and Jesus with a wave of miracles, yet many today reject the record because they don’t see such things now.
[00:08:56] Skepticism is not new: the Sadducees denied angels and the afterlife; deists said God withdrew from human affairs; today materialist atheism rises and is itself facing backlash.
[00:10:25] In the early church, Jesus’ disciples were sent out (the twelve, then the seventy-two) to do miracles as signs to help people believe.
[00:11:11] In Acts, healings and signs continued, beginning with the Day of Pentecost miracle of tongues understood by foreign-language speakers.
[00:12:01] Miracles continued through the first and second centuries but gradually diminished; by the fourth century Augustine claimed the gifts had ceased, a view later pushed hard by John MacArthur (cessationism).
[00:12:30] The body of Christ divides into continuationists (gifts continue) and cessationists (gifts ceased); both accept the biblical record but differ on whether such things happen today.
[00:13:56] In Acts 2, Peter quotes Joel’s prophecy of the Spirit poured out on sons and daughters, servants, and handmaidens.
[00:15:11] Prophecy often has a near fulfillment and a far-off completion — Pentecost fulfilled part of Joel 2-3, but the blood, fire, and darkened moon await the Lord’s return.
[00:16:18] After Peter’s sermon, 3,000 were converted and great fear came upon them; the early believers expected history to end soon, showing we often get the timing wrong though the content of Scripture will be fulfilled.
[00:17:36] The rationalist period (about 400 years ago) built in a skepticism against the miraculous, and fake miracles have also provoked reaction against genuine ones.
[00:19:29] Continuationists are wrongly thought to have begun around 1900 with the Pentecostal revival; in fact miracles have continued in parts of the body throughout church history.
[00:20:00] Gifts died out where the church removed freedom for the Spirit to move; many churches today leave no room for the gifts, insisting everything be “decently and in order.”
[00:21:09] This church has experienced more of the gifts when it expected them more, and Bruce warns that becoming programmed quenches the Spirit; we must leave space for the Spirit to move.
[00:22:16] Scripture says not to despise prophesying — dismissing a word because “that’s just Joe” is despising prophecy; likewise judge interpretations of tongues against Scripture and keep what is good.
[00:24:20] The Christian Missionary Alliance began as an alliance, not a denomination; founder A.B. Simpson reversed his cessationist theology after being healed and became a healing minister.
[00:26:22] A.W. Tozer and the CMA faced the tongues question around 1940 and adopted the compromise “seek not, forbid not,” which functionally produced the same result as cessationism and was unbiblical since the Bible says to seek the gifts.
[00:27:42] The Pentecostal revival came largely from the Methodist/holiness fold; denominational stands against tongues gave rise to the Assemblies of God and Church of God in Christ, split along racial lines though Azusa Street was originally integrated.
[00:30:14] The Charismatic movement of the 1960s brought the gifts into Baptist, Catholic, and Episcopal churches (e.g., Dennis Bennett; First Baptist in Kingston).
[00:31:47] The Third Wave (1980s, Vineyard, John Wimber) tends to be non-denominational churches that accept the gifts while rejecting Pentecostal errors such as requiring tongues for salvation.
[00:33:04] 1 Corinthians 12 lists varieties of gifts — wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing spirits, tongues, interpretation — given by the same Spirit for the common good, not for personal glory.
[00:34:08] Gifts like healing are for others (many who heal have themselves been unhealed), and gifts also serve as a witness to unbelievers, as when a tongue was understood by someone present and led to salvation.
[00:35:33] 1 Corinthians 14:26 describes the gathered church where each brings a hymn, lesson, revelation, tongue, or interpretation, all for edification — we should leave that freedom so the Spirit can move, coming to give as well as receive.
[00:36:56] Bruce closes in prayer that these things would be fulfilled in the body of Christ for blessing, God’s glory, and people coming to know Him.
Scripture References
Acts 2
Joel 2-3
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
1 Corinthians 14:21
1 Corinthians 14:26
Generated by AI model deepseek-chat
The post God Doing Miraculous Things first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.
38 min
September 27A Christian Living in America
Philip Schnackenberg provides a teaching on what it means to live as a Christian in America, arguing that while this should not be the church’s primary focus, it is a relevant and important topic that believers should examine biblically rather than avoid.
[00:00:21] He clarifies that this teaching, titled “A Christian Living in America,” is not meant to be a frequent church topic, but it should not go unexamined since believers live in a specific country and should not get all their worldview from outside the church.
[00:01:24] He notes the topic remains relevant due to issues like the hostile immigration debate and the advance of Islam in certain cultures.
[02:03] He reads Romans 13 to establish that nations and governments are authorized by God and that this is not an accident.
[04:06] He reads Acts 17:24-27, noting God determined the allotted periods and boundaries of where people would live.
[04:51] Governments exist to maintain law and order, and the antichrist is described as the “lawless one” who institutes chaos.
[05:40] He examines two partial but inadequate frameworks, the first being Old Testament Israel, whose law was the founders’ most-cited source.
[06:57] The limitation is context: God was Israel’s political, spiritual, and military leader in a time of conquest, which does not match the church/state separation we have today.
[10:52] The second inadequate framework is the New Testament, where the church was a captive minority under Roman rule with no representation or voice in government.
[08:58] Even so, he reads Jeremiah 29:4-7, where God tells the exiles to build, plant, marry, and seek the welfare of Babylon, showing believers live fully within society.
[11:20] The proper framework for application is the principle of stewardship: we did not create or fight for this country; it was given to us to steward.
[12:28] What is unique about America is that this stewardship demands participation and responsibility, since it is a representative system where we choose our representatives and are not without a voice.
[13:11] Thankfulness belongs under stewardship; we should be overwhelmed with gratitude for what past generations and God have done, and we should not be the generation that loses this.
[13:58] Generosity also belongs under stewardship; he reads 1 Timothy 6:17-19 about the rich being generous and ready to share, storing up treasure as a good foundation.
[16:22] The “truly life” is not found in riches; Americans as a whole are very generous, and the American church is likely the most generous entity in the world.
[17:19] Being “ready to share” implies having the ability to give, so stewardship includes wisdom about where to allocate wealth rather than scattering it in every direction.
[18:03] He then examines why America has blossomed and lasted, noting the average lifespan of a constitution is about 18 years, while ours has lasted 250.
[19:47] The first principle is that all men are created equal, which includes equality before the law and equal opportunity, creating a predictable and level playing field.
[21:37] Equality means no special treatment based on lineage, status, or wealth, unlike systems where the wealthy can pay others to serve their penalties.
[21:37] Our rights come from God, not the state; he notes the Chinese Constitution repeatedly begins with “the state,” but if the state gives rights, the state can take them away.
[22:40] Human worth follows from being created in God’s image; everyone has something to contribute, which has fueled the nation’s creativity and prosperity.
[23:22] The second principle is that all have sinned (Romans 3), and the founders built on the reality of man’s sinful nature.
[24:14] He quotes James Madison in the Federalist Papers on mankind’s propensity toward mutual animosities and the need for government because men are not angels.
[25:48] Madison argued ambition must counteract ambition and that government must first control the governed and then be obliged to control itself, relying on auxiliary precautions.
[26:26] The third principle is freedom, which gives moral and creative agency to individuals; he compares this to the church as living stones rather than a strict top-down structure.
[27:20] A top-down structure is safe and professional until the whole church goes off the rails; the living-stones model is riskier but requires each person to do the right thing personally.
[28:04] America’s structure of freedom allows contributions and gifts from everyone that otherwise would never have been noticed or allowed to rise.
[28:27] The pillars of America reflect creation, fall, and redemption (all men created equal, all have sinned, and freedom), which is the gospel built into the nation’s foundation.
[29:07] The balance of powers across three branches is uncommon; Justice Scalia credited the balance of power, not the Constitution itself, as what makes America unique.
[30:22] He reads Articles 13 and 14 of North Korea’s Constitution, which promise speech, press, and religious freedom but are worthless without accountability or recognition of authority above the state.
[31:15] He quotes Alexis de Tocqueville, who said Americans combine Christianity and liberty so intimately that one cannot be conceived without the other, and that their faith was not barren but living.
[32:41] Tocqueville sought America’s greatness in harbors, rivers, fields, commerce, Congress, and the Constitution and found it nowhere until he heard the pulpits flame with righteousness.
[33:34] These are the things we are to steward if we want to maintain God’s blessing on our country.
[34:23] Voting is our most basic form of participation, and Christian voter turnout is depressingly low, sometimes due to busyness or laziness.
[35:06] Voting is not a sacrament, not voting for a savior (Paul’s government was ungodly yet still valuable), and not a valentine declaring affection for a person.
[35:48] What you ultimately vote for is the accumulated result of many people, and policy usually lasts much longer than the person you vote for.
[37:04] Christians are salt and light; as light we stand out from the darkness as a witness, and as salt we slow the rate of decay rather than create a paradise on earth.
[38:17] The goal is to desire the welfare of the nation and choose the policy that acquires more blessing or at least less judgment from God.
[38:50] He reads Romans 14:22 on keeping faith between yourself and God, applying it to the conscience in voting.
[40:08] If after searching your heart the Holy Spirit convicts you, it is acceptable to abstain or write in a candidate; more valuable than your vote is maintaining the purity of your conscience.
Scripture References
Romans 13:1-7
Acts 17:24-27
Jeremiah 29:4-7
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Romans 3
Romans 14:22
Generated by AI model deepseek-chat
The post A Christian Living in America first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.
41 min
September 20Loving One Another: Lessons from Cain and Abel
Bill Teubl begins by briefly addressing a tongue and interpretation that occurred earlier in the service, acknowledging three possible responses among the congregation and urging unity of spirit despite differing understandings. He then transitions to the story of Cain and Abel, reading from 1 John and Genesis 4 to explore how conflict between brothers and sisters in the church arises and how to avoid it.
Addressing the tongue and interpretation
[00:00:00] Bill notes that a tongue and interpretation occurred and that the congregation may respond in one of three ways: grateful past experience, open but with questions, or skeptical.
[00:01:04] He points to 1 Corinthians 14, urging listeners to wrestle with both the call to earnestly desire prophecy and the command not to forbid speaking in tongues.
[00:01:32] He encourages the congregation not to let differing understandings disturb the unity of the Spirit.
Reading 1 John 3:12 and Genesis 4:1-16
[00:01:51] He reads 1 John 3:12 about not being like Cain, who murdered his brother because his deeds were evil and his brother’s were righteous.
[00:02:24] He reads the account of Cain and Abel from Genesis 4:1-16, including the offerings, Cain’s anger, God’s warning, the murder, and Cain’s curse and mark.
The call to love one another
[00:05:14] Bill explains that 1 John teaches that we learn to love God by walking in the light and loving our brother.
[00:05:37] He emphasizes that while loving our brother is not more important than loving God, we will not learn to love God unless we learn to love our brother.
Conflict as the first fruit of the fall
[00:05:51] He observes that immediately after the fall and the curse, the first recorded event is two brothers in conflict.
[00:06:08] He notes that one of the greatest challenges to the Christian community today is conflicts that arise between believers.
Thankfulness for brothers and sisters
[00:08:34] The first main point: God’s gift of brothers and sisters is a good thing, and we should form the habit of thanking God for them.
[00:09:44] We should maintain thankfulness even amid conflict, and single people should view the body of Christ as God’s gift of brothers and sisters.
[00:10:32] God did not bring Abel into Cain’s life for evil; His purpose was for good, but Cain missed that and it ended in trouble.
Why God accepted Abel’s sacrifice and not Cain’s
[00:11:01] Bill acknowledges this passage is difficult and initially seems unfair, since Cain could only offer what he grew from the ground.
[00:11:51] He explains the passage must be read in context, immediately following the fall and the curse.
The curse as the beginning of redemption
[00:12:06] God chose not to eliminate Adam and Eve but forebore with them because His heart is to redeem mankind.
[00:13:02] The curse is God’s first step in redemption and is meant to be a blessing, placing constraints that drive us to God.
[00:13:17] Examples include trouble in childbirth and the cursed ground not yielding easily, yet Christ became a curse for us to relieve those consequences in part.
[00:15:38] We should turn to the Lord for fruitfulness, as Moses prayed in Psalm 90 for God to establish the work of his hands.
The difference between Cain’s and Abel’s offerings
[00:17:25] Abel brought a lamb from the flock, while Cain brought produce from the ground.
[00:18:35] The key difference is blood: the life of the lamb is in its blood, and redemption comes by the shedding of blood, not by plant life or self-effort.
[00:19:22] Abel’s sacrifice was redemptive because it spoke of blood; Cain’s was a picture of self-effort.
How self-effort versus grace causes conflict
[00:19:41] A key source of conflict between brothers and sisters is what they learn about their relationship with God.
[00:20:05] As we mature, we realize we cannot meet God’s requirement of perfection and that even a perfect present cannot undo past sins.
[00:21:30] Conflict arises between the person operating in self-effort and the person learning they need grace that only God can give.
Responding with humility and prayer
[00:22:18] When troubled by a brother or sister’s faults, we should recognize we are what we are by God’s grace and not lord it over them.
[00:23:19] We should examine why their faults bother us, since we may be taking personal credit for not being lazy or wasteful ourselves.
[00:25:19] A congregant notes that when we start using “I” more than “I” language about God, we know we are not doing the right thing, which Bill affirms.
God’s appeal to Cain and ruling over sin
[00:25:32] God appeals to Cain, asking why he is angry and why his face has fallen, showing that acting like Cain is not the end of the battle.
[00:25:57] Looking at a brother or sister’s face can reveal what is going on in their heart, and we should bring that to the Lord.
[00:26:20] God warns Cain that sin is crouching at the door and he must rule over it, which is a fundamental dimension of life after the fall.
[00:27:02] Cain could not overcome sin partly because he did not understand the need for a blood sacrifice; we should name sin and bring it to the Lord, knowing we have been redeemed from its power.
Practical step: pray for those who trouble you
[00:27:36] Bill offers a practical thought: when irritated with a brother or sister, bring it to the Lord and pray for them.
[00:28:02] He testifies that praying for someone who troubles him makes it much harder to maintain anger toward them.
[00:28:28] With a large church family, we can be thankful for every person daily and pray for some each day, especially those who irritate us.
Closing exhortation and audience questions
[00:28:54] Learning to live at peace and love one another forms the foundation for understanding who God is and appreciating His love, which then rises up in our hearts to share with others.
[00:29:26] In response to a question, Bill agrees that seeing someone struggle in an area we also struggle with can threaten us, and that is a call to bring our lack to the Lord.
[00:30:20] In response to Mike’s question, Bill clarifies it is wrong to condemn a brother or sister but fine to judge that what they are doing is wrong, while believing God to act and being grieved without condemning, as Jesus was.
Scripture References
1 Corinthians 14
1 John 3:12
Genesis 4:1-16
Genesis 3
Psalm 90
Galatians 3:13
Generated by AI model deepseek-chat
The post Loving One Another: Lessons from Cain and Abel first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.
33 min
September 06Seasons of Life: Tasks, Troubles, Provision, and Blessing
Bill Teubl MD shares a message about the seasons of life and how God provides grace, tasks, troubles, provisions, and blessings in each season.
[00:00:00] Explains he is sharing this framework because he finds it useful for asking God what to do and how God helps in each season of life.
[00:00:30] Frames each season around four questions: the task God calls us to, the troubles associated with it, God’s provision to help, and the blessings that follow.
[00:01:11] Emphasizes that God’s intent in creating us was to bless us and share His life, glory, and love with us.
[00:02:36] Explains that we must receive God’s blessings, and that receiving them requires God’s help—we need His grace to receive His grace.
[00:04:43] Notes this changes things because we must wait on God for His grace rather than simply believing His promises are automatically experienced.
[00:05:47] Reviews the seasons roughly in 20-year intervals: childhood, a season of decision and choices, building and investing, and influence and legacy.
[00:06:04] Describes the main tasks: childhood teaches obeying parents then God; the second season is discerning who to live with, work with, and minister to; the third is having the Spirit inhabit labors in home and church; the last is sitting in the gates.
[00:06:43] Describes the troubles: young children rebel and dishonor parents; older children face the pleasures of the world; the decision season faces cares, riches, and pleasures (Luke); the building season faces pride in natural abilities; the last season faces loss of vision or cold love.
[00:08:14] Addresses God’s provision for a young child learning to obey, noting the parent must take initiative, drawing on Proverbs 29 (the rod and reproof give wisdom).
[00:09:54] Distinguishes correction (child misunderstands) from reproof (child understands but willfully disobeys), noting reproof addresses the rebellious will.
[00:11:22] Uses this to illustrate that God often asks us to obey before explaining why, and demanding an explanation can cause us to miss a blessing.
[00:12:03] For older children, the provision is the work of the Spirit, citing Galatians 5:24 about crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires.
[00:15:02] For the decision season, cites Luke 8:15 (parable of the sower) about holding fast the word in an honest and good heart and bearing fruit with patience.
[00:16:19] Explains “good soil” refers to outward attributes (functionality) while “good heart” refers to inward moral excellence and character, both being important.
[00:19:05] Concludes that walking in the Spirit cultivates the soil of the heart so it can hold God’s word fast for wise decisions.
[00:20:04] For the building season, the provision is grace to the humble, citing James 4:6 that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble; pride must be put to death.
[00:21:50] For the legacy season, cites 1 Corinthians 15:58 on being steadfast and immovable, abounding in the Lord’s work, and 2 Timothy 4:7 on finishing the race.
[00:22:35] Notes later life brings loss—children leaving home, approaching retirement—creating a need for renewed vision and learning to sit in the gates.
[00:24:05] For the childhood blessing, cites Ephesians 6:2-3: honoring father and mother brings the promise that it may go well with you and you may live long in the land.
[00:26:06] For walking in the Spirit, cites Romans 8:14 that all led by the Spirit are sons of God, and reflects on the precious truth of having a Father in Heaven who loves us—unique to the message of Jesus.
[00:28:27] Notes that a young person transitioning out of the home knowing God loves them and holds them safe is a crucial blessing for moving forward.
[00:29:38] For the decision season, cites Psalm 32:8 that God instructs, teaches, and counsels with His eye upon us, and that the fruit of wise decisions confirms them.
[00:30:33] For the building season, cites James 1:25 that the doer who acts will be blessed in all his doing; shares his practice of praying Moses’ prayer to establish the work of his hands.
[00:32:35] For the legacy season, reads Ecclesiastes 9:13-16 about the poor wise man who delivered the city by wisdom though no one remembered him, showing wisdom is better than might.
[00:33:24] Encourages older believers to speak and pray with the wisdom God has given, which becomes a bulwark of protection for family, church, and community even if despised.
[00:34:46] Shares Francis Frangipane’s insight that revival will look different in different communities depending on whether faith communities rise up in prayer and receive God’s grace.
[00:35:43] Calls on the older members of the congregation to stand in prayer and speak wise words, setting groundwork for revival and protection for children, grandchildren, church, and community.
Scripture References
Proverbs 29
Galatians 5:24
Luke 8:15
James 4:6
2 Timothy 4:7
1 Corinthians 15:58
Ephesians 6:2-3
Romans 8:14
Psalm 32:8
James 1:25
Ecclesiastes 9:13-16
Generated by AI model deepseek-chat
The post Seasons of Life: Tasks, Troubles, Provision, and Blessing first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.
37 min
August 30What Do You Worship? The Golden Calf and Our Modern Idols
Eric Schnackenberg opens by introducing his sermon on worship, drawing inspiration from a book he read. He establishes that worship is an inevitable part of human nature and asks the central question of what we choose to worship. He bases his message on the story of the golden calf from Exodus 32.
[00:00:00] Everyone worships something, whether they acknowledge it or not, and the word worship comes from the old English worthship, meaning something worthy of honor.
[00:01:20] Every human and culture has instinctively known there is something greater than themselves; this instinct is meant to point us to the one true God.
[00:02:04] The first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me,” is fundamentally about worship. The Israelites, despite witnessing miracles like the parting of the Red Sea, quickly fell into fear and doubt while Moses was on Mount Sinai.
[00:04:06] The people demanded a tangible god from Aaron, who was weak and capitulating, leading to the creation of the golden calf.
[00:04:42] Reads Exodus 32:17-24, where Joshua mistakes the singing around the calf for the noise of war.
[00:06:56] Aaron’s excuse (“I cast it into the fire, and out came this calf”) reflects the fallen man’s reflex to shirk responsibility for his own rebellion.
[00:07:39] Idols are shaped first by imagination then by our hands. We pretend the things we bow to emerge without our choosing, but in reality, they are a deliberate rebellion of the heart.
[00:08:16] We return again and again to worshipping the work of our own hands, craving what we can see, mold, and touch.
[00:09:05] The human soul is not neutral; if it will not worship the living God, it will worship something else. You can tell what you worship by what you sacrifice for it.
1. Worshiping Objects
[00:09:56] This is the most prevalent pitfall in Western culture, especially for those past the midpoint of life, and Eric confesses it is a personal temptation.
[00:10:54] Self-examination questions include: What gets you more excited—unhurried time with your kids or a new Amazon package? Is wealth counted by your bank account or the depth of your intimacy with God?
[00:11:22] Materialism is the quietest and most subtle false worship; it has no creeds or marches, but slowly takes our time, heart, and loyalty.
[00:11:44] Millions have sacrificed their families and spiritual lives on the altar of accumulation. We live in a country of unparalleled abundance where our stuff can begin to own us.
[00:12:31] Jesus warns in Matthew 6:19-20 not to lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy. It is not a sin to have things, but danger comes when our hearts are captivated by them.
[00:13:27] If you wonder what you worship, look at what you are willing to sacrifice for it. It is revealed by what excites your heart and shapes your calendar.
[00:14:07] The solution is not to get rid of everything, but to treasure God above all else and seek first his kingdom. Remember we are stewards, not owners, and should hold possessions with an open hand.
2. The Worship of Self
[00:14:38] This pitfall is more prevalent in the younger generation and is a trap many parents inadvertently fall into with good intentions.
[00:15:38] The self-esteem movement, which began in the late 90s, aimed to boost children’s self-esteem to reduce crime and academic failure, but it was a stunning failure.
[00:16:25] Artificially inflated self-esteem produced a generation more fragile, entitled, and less resilient. This has been amplified in the selfie age.
[00:17:10] Children’s sports, curriculums, and media emphasize feeling good over actual accomplishments, giving participation trophies and teaching “follow your heart” over God’s truth.
[00:18:31] Three results of this teaching are: 1) the rejection of moral authority (if I am perfect, anything that contradicts my feelings is oppressive), 2) the loss of drive to improve (ambition requires admitting I lack something), and 3) the most destructive, an inability to repent.
[00:19:39] Repentance requires admitting we are fallen and desperately in need of a Savior, which is very contrary to the self-esteem movement’s message.
[00:20:50] To avoid this snare, C.S. Lewis advises recovering the lost art of humility—not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
[00:21:08] Gratitude shifts focus from self and makes it difficult to feel entitled. View good things as gifts from God, not as entitlements we are owed.
3. Earth Worship
[00:22:19] This is the oldest form of pagan worship—worshiping the sun, moon, and stars, which has found fresh legs today under the banner of environmental activism, especially among the youngest generation.
[00:23:01] Young people have church attendance at record lows but a deep desire for a worthy cause greater than themselves to bow down to.
[00:23:40] Genesis says God created the heavens and the earth; creation is good, but it is not God. The falsehood preached is that humans, made in God’s image, are always the source of the problem.
[00:24:30] This is not new; the Druids, Aztecs, and ancient Greeks all dehumanized and destroyed humans in their worship of nature.
[00:24:56] Earth worship is seductive because it offers a God you can see and manipulate. It appeals to guilt, fear, and control, but the earth is not merciful and cannot save us.
[00:26:28] The earth is fallen and groaning under the weight of sin. When man worships the earth, he inevitably turns against himself.
[00:26:54] The biblical antidote is radically different: God created the earth as good, and gave humanity dominion to steward it, not abuse it. The earth is not our mother; it is our garden to be tended with gratitude.
Scripture References
Exodus 32:17-24
Matthew 6:19-20
Genesis 1:1
Genesis 1:28
Genesis 1:31
Psalm 24:1
Generated by AI model deepseek-chat
The post What Do You Worship? The Golden Calf and Our Modern Idols first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.
29 min
August 23Hosea: God’s Heart for an Unfaithful Nation
Bruce Hempel delivers a sermon on the book of Hosea, using the prophet’s story as a backdrop to discuss the themes of repentance, national unfaithfulness, and the hope for revival.
Introduction to Hosea & The Call to Repentance
Bruce introduces the book of Hosea, a prophet to the prosperous northern kingdom of Israel, and sets the theme of the sermon: repentance and revival. He encourages the congregation to read all 14 chapters as homework.
[00:00] Introduces the book of Hosea and the theme of repentance, defining revival as a people responding to God’s call to repentance.
[00:41] Provides historical background: Hosea prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah in Judah, and during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel, a time of great prosperity and entrenched idolatry.
[00:05] Notes that Israel’s prosperity led them to forget God and make idols, drawing a parallel to the modern condition of wealthy nations.
Hosea’s Unfaithful Wife as a Symbol of Israel’s Unfaithfulness
Bruce reads and explains the opening chapters, interpreting the story of Hosea and Gomer as a living metaphor for God’s pain over Israel’s spiritual adultery.
[07:18] Reads Hosea 1:1-11, explaining that God’s command for Hosea to marry a prostitute was a message of God’s own pain over Israel’s unfaithfulness. The names of the children (Jezreel, No Mercy, Not My People) symbolized coming judgment and divorce.
[09:45] Points out that the second and third children were not Hosea’s, highlighting the painful reality of Gomer’s ongoing infidelity.
[11:16] Explains that “you are not my people” was a divorce statement, yet God immediately offers hope of future restoration and reunion for Israel and Judah.
[12:00] Highlights that after pronouncing judgment, God quickly offers hope. Bruce shares a personal vision of heaven with a door named “repentance,” emphasizing the need for humility over pride.
[14:55] Reads and explains Hosea 2, describing God’s plan to block Israel’s path with thorns so they would return to their “first husband,” drawing a comparison to the story of the Prodigal Son. God promises to betroth Israel to himself in righteousness, justice, steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness.
[21:59] Bridges the text to modern times, posing the question of whether we have faith for God to redeem nations like America or Pakistan. He encourages a heart of hope and prayer for restoration rather than condemnation.
God’s Redemption and Prophecy of Future Hope
Bruce continues the narrative to chapter three, where the theme shifts decisively to redemption, offering a powerful message of hope for the restoration of nations.
[23:43] Reads Hosea 3:1-5, explaining that God commanded Hosea to “go again” and redeem Gomer, a picture of God’s faithful, redeeming love for Israel and for all nations.
[24:00] Encourages the congregation to have a heart of love and hope for nations like America, not just judgment, and to pray for their redemption.
[26:50] Reads the prophecy of Israel’s return to God in the latter days, stating it is a future prophecy that may be being fulfilled today.
[27:36] Points out several worship songs based on Hosea, including “Come Back to Me with All Your Heart” and “Break Up Your Fallow Ground.”
Historical Examples of Revival
Bruce shifts from the text of Hosea to give a historical overview of revivals, demonstrating that God has answered the call for national and regional repentance in the past.
[29:10] Recommends resources for learning more about revival history, such as the teachings of J. Edwin Orr on YouTube, and asks the question of whether a nation has ever repented and been revived.
[29:20] Cites Nineveh as a biblical example of a nation turning from wickedness, and mentions the revival in Israel under King Hezekiah.
[31:42] Discusses revivals in American history:, highlighting:
The First Great Awakening (colonial times).
The Second Great Awakening (1797-1820), which spread from the western frontier eastward.
The Businessmen’s Revival (1859), which began with a small prayer group in New York City.
[33:03] Describes the Second Great Awakening, noting the influence of “holy fairs” from Scottish immigrants and the famous Cane Ridge revival in Kentucky.
[34:08] Details the 1859 Businessmen’s Revival which started with a few men praying at lunchtime and led to an estimated one million conversions.
[35:27] Mentions other revivals including the Welsh Revival (which produced the hymn “Here is Love”), the ministry of Charles Finney, Dwight Moody, Billy Graham, and the Jesus People movement of the 1960s and 70s.
[38:20] Mentions the Azusa Street revival of 1902, and more recent revivals in Uganda in the 1990s and the Fiji Islands, citing Uganda as a modern example of national repentance and blessing.
Prayer for Revival
Bruce closes his sermon with a prayer for God to “do it again,” lifting up specific nations in need of a spiritual renewal.
[40:48] Encourages the congregation to have faith that God will do it again and mentions a Tim Keller sermon titled “Do It Again, Lord.”
[41:08] Notes that revivals are also happening on college campuses, such as the Asbury revival.
[41:44] Leads a prayer for mercy and revival for America, Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, and South America, concluding in Jesus’ name.
Scripture References
Hosea 1:1-11
Hosea 2:1-23
Hosea 3:1-5
Hosea 6:3
Hosea 10:12
Matthew 5:3
Generated by AI model deepseek-chat
The post Hosea: God’s Heart for an Unfaithful Nation first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.
44 min
August 16The Seasons of Life
Bill Teubl opens by discussing how people often avoid self-assessment, but as Christians, we must embrace God’s guidance about how we’re doing since He corrects and directs us as a loving Father. He introduces a chart outlining life seasons, acknowledging that while some enjoy tests and others avoid them, spiritual growth requires honest reflection without overthinking. Bill aims to walk through the chart’s columns to show how God speaks to us in each stage of life.
Introduction and approach
[00:00] Some people avoid asking “how am I doing?” but believers must embrace God’s correction and direction for abundant life
[02:16] Warns against overthinking or obsessing over self-assessment; finding the right balance is key
Life seasons overview
[00:35] Bill introduces a chart with life seasons: childhood (foundations, ages 0-20), decisions (20-35), building (35-60), and influence/legacy (60+)
[01:00] Notes age 12 has biblical precedent (Jesus in the temple) and marks transition to abstract reasoning
[01:20] Age 20 also has biblical significance for maturity and military service
Childhood tasks (ages 0-12)
[00:30] Main task: obedience to parents, based on Ephesians 6:1 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord”
[01:00] Learning to bend one’s will to godly authority prepares children for future relationships
[01:30] Difficulty arises when parents are not godly or ask children to do wrong
Late childhood tasks (ages 12-20)
[01:20] Main task shifts from obeying parents to learning to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16)
[01:40] This is the most important task in the entire chart – harder than obeying visible parents
[02:00] The rebellious 1960s culture discouraged submission to authority, making this harder
Season of decisions (ages 20-35)
[00:10] Three major decisions: with whom I will live, what my work will be, and what my ministry will be
[00:45] Work decisions include discovering skills and applying oneself; avoiding aimlessness
[01:00] Marriage decisions – discerning whether called to singleness or marriage and who to marry
[01:30] Ministry decisions – how to serve in church, household, and among believers
[02:00] Ephesians 5:17 encourages understanding the Lord’s will in these areas
Season of building (ages 35-60)
[00:15] Emphasis shifts from making decisions to having the Spirit inhabit daily labors in home, work, and church
[01:00] Decisions made well bring peace, such as no longer needing to decide whom to marry
[01:30] This is the great transformative season – demands of marriage, parenting, and work push us to the cross
[02:00] When facing difficulties, we learn to receive the work of the cross and walk in the Spirit
[02:30] Society’s avoidance of commitment (delaying marriage, children) leads to immaturity
[03:00] 1 Corinthians 14:3 – prophecy means God making Himself real in daily moments, building us up
Season of influence (age 60+)
[00:15] Task: learning to sit in the gates, speaking to enemies and helping others with decisions
[00:30] Psalm 127:3-5 – children are like arrows; the blessed man speaks with enemies in the gates
[01:00] Older believers should help younger ones with major life decisions
[01:30] Proverbs 31:23 – the husband is known in the gates among elders
[02:00] This is a season of influence and legacy, though not necessarily quiet sitting
Conclusion
[01:00] Bill will continue next time with “trouble,” “provision,” and “blessing” rows on the chart
Scripture References
Ephesians 6:1
Galatians 5:16
Ephesians 5:17
1 Corinthians 14:3
Psalm 127:3-5
Proverbs 31:23
Generated by AI model deepseek-chat
The post The Seasons of Life first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.
37 min
August 09The God of All Comfort, the God of Abundance
Bruce Hempel speaks on the theme of comfort and faith, drawing primarily from 2 Corinthians. He emphasizes that God is a God of abundance who provides increased comfort and grace proportionate to our trials, using both Paul’s experiences and the Old Testament story of Elijah as examples.
Introduction:
Bruce opens by explaining his decision to revisit 2 Corinthians after previously covering it quickly. He notes that Chris Sickler prompted this message by highlighting comfort as a key theme in the book, which Bruce connects directly to faith.
Key Points:
[01:01] God’s comfort is tied to our trials; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 teaches that as we share in Christ’s sufferings, we also share abundantly in His comfort.
[02:59] We don’t need to fear trials because God’s grace and comfort increase in proportion to the suffering we face.
[03:44] It is crucial to view God as a God of abundance, not of “just enough.” Just as the sun continuously gives its energy, God is the source of all spiritual life and provision.
[06:28] Paul’s personal example in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 shows that even he despaired of life, but that trial was designed to make him rely not on himself but on God who raises the dead.
[08:38] 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 acknowledges that afflictions are real—we are afflicted, perplexed, and persecuted—but we are not crushed, driven to despair, or forsaken because God supplies what we need to endure.
[10:18] Trials cause a dying to ourselves, which allows the life of Jesus to shine forth more strongly in our character.
[11:10] Bruce encourages strong faith in prayer, urging the congregation to pray for miracles and deliverance rather than settling for “just enough grace to suffer,” since God does answer prayer.
[12:37] Our trials are temporary, but the glory they work in us (our inner nature being renewed) is eternal. We should focus on the unseen, eternal things rather than the seen, temporary things.
[12:58] Turning to 1 Kings 17, Bruce recounts Elijah’s story: first, he was fed by ravens at the brook Cherith, and when the brook dried up (things went from bad to worse), God guided him to Zarephath.
[16:27] When in perplexity, we must have faith that God will guide us and provide for us, even when we don’t know the how or when.
[17:19] The widow at Zarephath, who was preparing her last meal, chose to act in faith by giving Elijah food first. This mirrors the faith of Rahab and the woman at Samaria, and is a turning point that leads to God’s miraculous provision.
[19:21] The jar of meal and the cruise of oil never ran out, demonstrating abundance in the midst of dearth. God’s promise provided more than enough every single day.
[21:32] Bruce concludes with 1 Corinthians 13, noting that love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things,” and that love never fails. He compares love to the flour and oil that never run out.
[22:48] God is not limited and His love never ends. We are encouraged to believe that God will give us what we need in abundance, be comforted in troubles, and trust that we will come through them.
Scripture References
2 Corinthians 1
2 Corinthians 4
1 Kings 17
1 Corinthians 13
Generated by AI model deepseek-chat
The post The God of All Comfort, the God of Abundance first appeared on Canaan Fellowship.
24 min

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