From the Pulpit

The thirteenth chapter of Matthew’s gospel records an abrupt shift in Jesus’s teaching ministry. Responding to his formal rejection as messianic King by Israel’s leadership (12:24), the Lord pivots from a clear declaration of the nearness of the kingdom of heaven to seemingly simple stories that, as he explains to his disciples, are meant to reveal new kingdom truths to some and, at the very same time, conceal those truths from others (13:11–12).

Today we come to the parable of the tares among wheat, the second parable in total but the first that purposes to uncover a novel kingdom reality. This, like that of the sower before it (13:3–9, 18–23), is a parable that Jesus both tells (13:24–30) and later interprets (13:36–43) for his disciples. From this text we want to grow in our understanding of the parable itself, the mystery it revealed, and the implications for us today.

Key Passage: Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

Series: Matthew: Of King and Kingdom

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

Up to this point in Matthew’s gospel there has been a consistent and clear proclamation of the nearness of the kingdom of heaven (see 3:2; 4:17; 10:7). Jesus’s ministry had been  one characterized by urgency and excitement, rebuke and invitation. However, opposition had been brewing and, in chapters 11 and 12, it came to a head as Israel’s leadership looked Jesus in the eyes and declared on behalf of the nation, “We don’t believe you and we don’t want you” (see 12:24)! This rejection was labelled by the Lord as unforgivable (12:32) and irreversible (12:37).

A thoughtful reader of Matthew’s gospel has to ask at this point, what now? Israel, having waited centuries for their messianic King, shunned him when he finally arrived! What’s this rejected Christ going to do now? Matthew 13 records Jesus’s reaction and the necessary but calculated shift that takes place in his ministry going forward.

Key Passage: Matthew 13:1–23

Series: Matthew: Of King and Kingdom

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

When I was a kid, I used to hate going on road trips. I would get really bored, and even when there were things like books I wanted to read or video games I wanted to play, I used to have fairly significant motion sickness, so those options weren’t usually viable for more than a few minutes. So whenever we were going on a trip, my mom would take some steps and make preparations to try and make it as bea

The result was, after a certain point in time, while I probably wouldn’t say I loved road trips, I at least stopped actively hating them so much. They were more bearable when we prepared for the journey.

But often what is most important is having an idea of what to expect when we get there. Well, like the Psalms of Ascents that we looked at a few weeks ago, today we’re going to look at a psalm that was sung on journeys or pilgrimages.

As we work our way through this psalm, we are going to see the people of God, fueled by their expectations, joyfully anticipating their time of praise in God’s presence, filled with strength for the journey, and confident in the blessings that are sure to be waiting for them.

Key Passage: Psalm 84

Speaker: Andrew Longmire

It’s been said that failures are like a compost heap — they stink but are the most fertile part of the garden! We’ve all experienced failure to varying degrees of severity and publicity, making mistakes in things we’ve thought, said, and done. Sometimes the blunders are containable, rectifiable, and forgettable. Other times, however, they’re not. At those times, failures do, indeed, stink. But they can also be very fertile times in life. When our missteps and mistakes are examined, they can be fodder for growth and recalibration. A thoughtful and intentional person learns from failure, identifying factors that contributed to it, and recognizing how best to avoid its repetition.

Matthew 12 has recorded one of the greatest failures in the history of the world: Israel’s rejection of their messianic King. What were the consequences of such a blunder? What were its causes? Is there a cure that could help us avoid similar foolishness?

Key Passage: Matthew 12:38–50

Series: Matthew: Of King and Kingdom

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

Please note there were technical difficulties with the audio during the recording of this sermon.

Matthew 12 reads like the transcript of the final scenes of a long courtroom drama—The People v. Jesus of Nazareth. It’s a trial that as arrested the attention of the entire nation of Israel.

This otherwise nondescript Rabbi burst onto the scene claiming to be the long-awaited messianic king and boldly offering to establish the divinely-promised, eternal kingdom characterized by unending peace, unfathomable prosperity, unfettered godliness, and unabating rest. For months he taught and healed, travelled and modelled, fulfilled prophecy and challenged orthodoxy, all of which sparked a growing polarization among the people. Many believed, followed, and trusted him. Others, particularly Israel’s religious leaders, were scandalized by his claims.

The trial now, however, is coming to an end. The evidence is about to be summarized so that it is fresh in the minds of the jury who will then, after quick deliberation, hand down a final, irrevocable verdict that will define the entire case as well as the fate of a generation.

Key Passage: Matthew 12:15–37

Series: Matthew: Of King and Kingdom

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

Join Lew Worrad as he dives into the book of Esther on August 29th, 2021

Key Passage: Book of Esther

Speaker: Lew Worrad

It’s amazing how the physical presence of an employer can impact the work of their employees. When the boss shows up frivolity fades, laziness  vanishes, focus sharpens, and productivity increases. The mere presence of one with authority over jobs and power to sign paycheques causes a change in behaviour.

As Christ followers, we believe that God, as Creator and Sustainer of all things, is the boss and that he doesn’t merely show-up on occasion but that he’s ever-present with and among his people. And it makes sense that, just as  employees are affected by the presence and character of their boss, so too God’s people are impacted by the presence and character of our God. As we are alerted more and more to what he’s like and where he is, our apathy fades, laziness dies, focus sharpens, and productivity increases. God’s people become more worshipful because we grow in our  understanding that he’s worthy of all worship. We bless his name because we revel in the blessings he has poured out upon us.

Key Passage: Psalm 134:1–3

Series: Two Views From the Mountaintop

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

On July  23, the Canadian women’s eight rowing crew won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The team is made up of athletes ranging in age from 24 to 35. They’re from different hometowns, represent different sport clubs, have been shaped by different coaches, different families,  different hobbies, and different preferences. How does a group of people that differ so significantly demonstrate such successful athletic unity? The answer is that what they have in common—a passion for sport, desire to win, commitment to train, and willingness to sacrifice—is more powerful than what they don't.

That’s how unity works. It’s the realization of and commitment to shared realities that transcend diversity. And God’s people are to be marked by this type of unity; a togetherness that joins diverse people with the glue of the gospel and that fosters a community of love and belonging, security and sanctification, influence and power.

Key Passage: Psalm 133:1–3

Series: Two Views From the Mountaintop

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

In our study of the seven churches of Revelation we have come to the  last church. Laodicea was a big town, a rich town. People loved their  leisure, living in the lap of luxury. Laodicea reminds us of our own  community, affluent and living the good life, but neglecting the Lord. However, the church is called to resist the influence of the world  around it. But the Laodicean Christians did not listen to this warning. They began to take on the character of the society around them and they  became materialistic in their thinking and behaviour.

As with the other letters, there is a pattern. Jesus reveals  something of himself, his character, taken from the picture of Christ in  chapter 1. Then a commendation, followed by a concern where he points  out the troubles. Next, there is a corrective for the trouble, and  finally, Jesus’ compassion.

Key Passage: Revelation 3:14-22

Series: Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus

Speaker: Dr. Jim Rennie

Christianity asserts a number of seemingly counter intuitive truths. For example, wealth comes through poverty, maturity through childlikeness, exaltation by submission, life via death, glory by suffering, and freedom through enslavement.* Truths like these are difficult for us to grasp because our sinful nature screams rebellion and our ignorant world preaches their opposites.

Another such reality is presented throughout Scripture promising peace, joy, purpose, influence, protection, and blessing, and summarized by the  apostle Paul: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10). Counter intuitively, true power is seen, found, and experienced in total weakness. What Paul was writing to the church in Corinth, the church in Philadelphia was likewise experiencing. It’s not until believers are stripped of earthly influence, competence, and independence that God’s power can be fully understood and demonstrated.

Key Passage: Revelation 3:7–13

Series: Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus

Speaker: Josiah Boyd