Tune in and listen to Pastor Josh teach from Ruth this morning, extolling us that God is gracious even in his dispensation of his discipline to us, his people:

“So what should we learn from the first act in Ruth?   Your hardship — even your tragedy — may not be a judgment for your sin. But we dare not quickly come to that conclusion.  Like Naomi and Elimelech, none of us is receiving worse from God than we deserve.  This is a lie I have told myself many times: ‘I don’t deserve this. I’ve been good…We dare not come to the conclusion that we are receiving worse from God than we deserve…A good, holy, loving God is not in the business of glibly using the death of family members as pawns in a game to get us to know him better. He is in the business of judging people, for that is his prerogative.”

Tune in to hear Andrew Kuefler preach from Philippians 1:12-30 this morning, teaching us what it means to live for Christ and his Gospel:

“Our work is not done on earth until the day that God has appointed for us to die. So does this align with your own view? Do you see you continuing life as an opportunity for fruitful labour as necessary for the benefit of others? As soon as Christ bought us our purpose in life has become serving Christ. The effect of that: pleasing Christ should be so exalted above other things in our lives that we count all other things as rubbish or trash…(Phil 3:8)”

Pastor Josh introduces the book of Ruth in this mornings service by having an interactive reading of the entire book, and then discussing the historical setting in redemptive history where the story takes place — during the time of the Judges. Delving into an overview of the book of Judges in order to help make sense of the story of Ruth:

“In some parts of Scripture we are going carefully through, line by line, especially teaching sections. But here, in the histories, we are repeatedly reminded that this is all to emphasize one main point: Everyone is doing what they think is right, following their hearts, following their own inclinations; and this leads to utter disaster…We are inundated today with messages like ‘follow your heart,’ ‘do what is right for you,’ ‘Follow your truth’…The message of Judges is: don’t do what you think is right. You are a bad judge of what is right.  You need a King!”

Pastor Leighton teaches from the story of the Rich Young Ruler this morning:

“Today we are looking at our passage from Mark for a second time...(T)he story of Jesus blessing the little children is tied to the story of the Rich Young Ruler…this is very purposeful, because children come in need, with nothing to offer, while the rich young ruler comes to Jesus in independence, able to meet his own needs, yet wondering if there’s more he can do? Why are children the best symbol for how we are to approach the kingdom of God? Because they are utterly dependent. God’s kingdom is received, it can not be earned or taken. Then, why is the Rich Young Ruler so well contrasted with children? Because he will not give up what he has, in order to gain the same level of dependence that they naturally have.  He lacks nothing except Jesus, which means, even though he lacks nothing, he in fact, lacks everything.”

Pastor Josh closes out the letter to the Romans in this mornings service:

“As with any true benediction, Paul gives God all the glory for causing believers to persevere in faith to the end.  This perseverance has its roots in the power of the gospel, which centres on Jesus Christ.  This ability of God is one deserving of worship, which makes it a common theme in doxology:  ‘Now to him who is able…’”

Pastor Josh continues teaching us from Romans 15 this morning:

“Many today are uncomfortable with the idea of obligation to God…or at least find it difficult to square with their idea of grace. But the biblical view of grace and reciprocation is much closer to the Greco-Roman norm of Paul’s day in which, it is well documented, there are certain obligations placed on the recipients of grace. The greater the gift, the more the recipient was obligated to respond in honour, thanksgiving, faithfulness, public rejoicing and reciprocal gifts…

God’s grace is unconditioned - that is, given without prior conditions being met - but it is not unconditional - in that it does expect a response in the form of faith, obedience and moral transformation.  Faith apart from works is useless, it is dead (James 2:26).”

Pastor Leighton continues to teach Rose City from the Gospel of Mark this morning:

“This week Josh pointed out to me that the phrase ‘faith like a child’ isn’t in the bible. ‘A childlike faith’ is actually bad theology given Hallmark-like ubiquity. So what is the common thread? What do all kids have? It’s need. Children are completely dependent on others. They are not self-sufficient. In a culture of doers, a society of adults, because a child can not do anything for themselves, they are the least important, have the least status, smallest value. And, according to Jesus’ social handlers, the least right to approach him. And more than saying let them come, Jesus says to his very grown up disciples; ‘one thing you lack: be like them’.”

Tune in to hear Andrew Kuefler introduce a series on Philippians:

“Paul had an unyielding disposition of joy that was rooted in God’s faithfulness to mature His churches…Whenever Paul thought of the Philippian believers, his heart was immediately and consistently moved to an attitude of thanksgiving and praise to God, for what God was doing in the church in Philippi…Paul’s prayer is that we will embody what we learn from the Bible. True knowledge of the Bible is thus not something detached from our love of God and others, but is as a container that God increasingly fills for our love to abound more and more…So be diligent, learn the scriptures; trust, and seek to have God’s love poured into your knowledge. And use it for what is excellent and praiseworthy, so that God may be glorified in us, and cause us to grow in His ways.”

Pastor Josh teaches us from Romans 15 this morning:

“All of this takes place in the church, among genuine believers who have serious disagreements and cause harm to one another, willfully or unintentionally.  Each is in a process of maturing and sanctification. Rather than to despise each other’s weakness, rather than to judge and slander one another, we must bless.  Rather than to repay evil in vengeance, we should love those who have been our enemies. Christ did not please himself.  He bore reproach when he had the power not to have been reproached.  He suffered when he had the power not to have suffered what he suffered, had he been minded to look to his own pleasure.  He suffered for the sake of those who caused his suffering. This is the love genuine…”

Pastor Josh continues teaching us through Romans 14 this morning:

“Paul’s main point here is not to try to overturn the convictions of the weak, but to call for unity despite these matters which should not divide the church…here he gives instructions on how to love one another despite our differences.  The genuine love of living sacrificially will be concerned for the unity of the church, the spiritual health of our brothers and sisters, and the glory of Christ will be our ultimate goal…”