Lakeside Church

Barabbas or Jesus? That was the question the Roman Governor asked of the crowd when Jesus was facing the death penalty. We know which one we would have chosen, don’t we? Are we sure? We are faced with that question every day. It’s a question that echoes hauntingly through the centuries. Join Pastor Robyn Elliott as we delve into Luke 22:13-25 and come face to face with our own seduction to power.

Power is slippery. It’s seductive. Who can be trusted with it? Join Pastor Robyn Elliott as we continue to trace the steps of Jesus’ final days, breathing his final breaths. This story is a mirror in which we can, if we are truth-seekers, see ourselves in the people and players involved in his condemnation and crucifixion. These events have so much application for us today if we dare to see.

The crucifixion was the culmination of Jesus’ life and ministry. It was a decisive battle against the powers of darkness. But before the victory of the cross there was a battle that was waged in the darkness of a garden. Today Pastor Robyn will peel back the layers of Luke 22:40-46 and reveal an intense struggle often sanitized and beautified in art, fought in the agony of prayer. In this message we meet Jesus at his most vulnerable and glimpse the power and intensity of prayer.

Rituals have a way of ending up rote. For some, communion may be one of those meals. Same words. Same motions. Same ritual. But if we could be transported back and talk to the early disciples, we might understand how powerful and significant that meal was to their story. Jesus used elements we stumble upon every day. Is it possible we have the potential to have a transcendent experience every day... simply by paying attention to the common food and drink before us?

So often, we do things just because we’ve always done them, but sometimes we need to evaluate those things and ask ourselves if they are creating the results we are looking for. In this message, Pastor Marc Gagnon explores one of the oldest rituals of the church, going back 1700 years, and asks: How can it help us flourish in a time of chaos?

10 Lepers Healed - The Walking Dead by Lakeside Church

Our world has not handled the #metoo movement well. Excusing or belittling the aggressors, while often blaming the victims are just a few of the ways we have missed opportunities to do better. Unfortunately, churches not only haven’t been much better, but at times, we fall into the trap of another pitfall: “over spiritualizing." It’s not a phrase Jesus ever used, but it definitely explains what Jesus goes after today, and he clearly has zero tolerance for it! Imagine how the church (and the world) could be different if we had and would listen to His message to his disciples.

Have you ever wanted to take matters into your own hands? Have you ever seen the incredible pain people have caused (even church people) and think “someone needs to do something” or “someone needs to say something?” Well, today… Jesus doesn’t mince words (Luke 17:1-4). Talking to future church leaders, He gives the clearest warning of the harm we have the potential to inflict.

Jesus tells a story that has been taken out of context more than most. It seems to be warning people about a fiery ending for the rich and powerful who act in a way we can never fathom, but as we pause and break it down, we realize this story is an incredible tool Jesus uses to get us to look inside and ask some good questions.

A Conversation About Sexuality Pt. 3 by Lakeside Church