It’s said that the average person can hold their breath for about 30 to 90 seconds. That’s not very long, but try holding your breath for that long, and it can feel like an eternity. Why? Because breathing is essential to life. Without oxygen, we can’t survive.

That’s what prayer is to every believer. It’s as crucial as the air we breathe. And yet, many of us struggle in this area of our walk with Christ, even though we know how essential it is. No wonder we often feel weak or weary. We don’t get on our knees, depending on the God of prayer, as we should.

So, take a moment to reflect: How is your prayer life? How long do you go before coming up for “air”? Do you involve Jesus in every part of your life through prayer? It’s often been said: “Without prayer, nothing matters.”

Join us this Sunday as we explore James 5:13–18 and consider the difference it makes when prayer is your life.

Series: One Anothers

Message: 5 - Pray For One Another

Text: James 5:13-18

Patrice Charade

Harvest Alliston

Aug 10, 2025

When prayer is my life, it will be evidenced by…

…consistency (v. 13-14)

Top 5 excuses why I don't pray:

1) I don't have time.

2) I don't feel anything I pray.

3) I don't know what to say.

4) God already knows my need.

5) It doesn't seem to work.

BONUS: I find prayer can sometimes be intimidating.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

…faith (v. 15)

Colossians 1:15-17

I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me.

~ C.S. Lewis

…humility (v. 16a)

…fervency (v. 16b-18)

After a longer passage and heavy details about church elders last week, we turn our attention to the matter of slavery. Not an issue that we face directly here in Canada, of course, but underlying the specifics of Paul’s counsel to the Ephesian church are principles around how Christians ought to relate to one another, especially in complex relationships like the master-slave ones of that historical period. The reality is that Christians can be hard on each other for no particular reason. There seems to be a correlation between the level of contempt we display and the closeness of the relationship. We reserve our most intense disrespect and disagreement for those we say we love the most. I’d dismiss this as so much nonsense, but I’ve been a pastor too long to do that. I’ve seen it too often. Christians treat other Christians horribly. And weirdly, this week’s passage (1 Timothy 6:1-2b) on the master-slave relationship is going to help us be less like that. I am looking forward to working on it with you this Sunday.

Series: The Good Fight (1 Timothy)

Message: 15 – Serve All The Better

Text: 1 Timothy 6:1-2b

Todd Dugard

Harvest Bible Chapel

August 3, 2025

We tend to treat those closest to us with the greatest contempt.

I must give careful attention to my relationships with fellow believers…

...honouring those who may be hard to honour (v. 1a)

Though the apostle did not argue against slavery, his teaching in 1 Timothy 6:2a was unheard of in his day. In ancient Rome, slaves obviously had a lower social status. Yet Paul says a slave’s work benefits his master, making him equal to him in the good he can do. Passages like this eventually led certain men in the West to fight for the abolition of slavery, and the gospel’s absence in other parts of the world may help explain why some nations still practice slavery today.

— Ligonier

...ensuring I’m not dishonouring the Lord and his Word (v. 1b)

reviled: Βλασφημία (to blaspheme) – to speak against someone in such a way as to harm or injure his or her reputation; to defame

— L&N 33.400.

O Lord, everything good in me is due to you. The rest is my fault.

— Augustine

The calling of all Christians is to magnify the supreme lordship of Christ by the way we serve in subordinate lordships.

— John Piper

Q. How and why did God create us?

A: God created us male and female in his own image to know him, love him, live with him, and glorify him. And it is right that we who were created by God should live to his glory.

— New City Catechism

Romans 15:18-20

…always serving as best I can (v. 2a)

1 Corinthians 10: 31b

…knowing we’re bound together in the love of Christ (v. 2b)

The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.

―Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel

John 13:35

Resources:

Christian Slaves and Masters

https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/christian-slaves-and-masters

Our Master in Heaven

https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-ephesians/our-master-in-heaven/

Slavery and Christ’s Supreme Lordship - How to Live Under Human Authority

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/slavery-and-christs-supreme-lordship

Albert Einstein is widely regarded as one of the most famous scientists in all of history. He was a theoretical physicist who revolutionized our understanding of space, time, energy, and matter. You’ve probably heard of the equation E = mc²; he’s the one who came up with it. His groundbreaking theories paved the way for much of the modern technology we rely on today. Simply put, he was a genius! Yet despite all the knowledge he had, he didn’t know everything, and he recognized this when he said, “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” It would require much humility from any of us to say this, so consider the source.

This Sunday, we will be urged to consider and chase after humility as we look through 1 Peter 5:1-11. Now this humility is different than what the world knows. We are called to live in holy humility before God and towards one another. Every verse and principle found in 1 Peter 5 points us to this. But what’s tough for us is knowing that, like every other area where Christ is sanctifying us, humility is never something we can ever fully “achieve” in this life. And if you think you’ve got it figured out…well, that alone stands as proof that you don’t. Humility is something we have to keep coming back to and checking in on. We do this by choosing to be humble, which is really choosing God, in every decision, in every action (or inaction), in every thought, in every word, in every situation, in every move, etc. Granted, pursuing God in this doesn’t seem particularly easy, but he makes it worth it, and promises to bless us as we follow him in his way.

Series: One Anothers

Message: 4 - Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one

another

Text: 1 Peter 5:1-11

Patrice Charade

Harvest Alliston

Aug 3, 2025

The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.

-Albert Einstein

When I choose to walk in humility, I will…

…look to Jesus (v. 1-4)

John 10:18a

Hebrews 12:2

Philippians 2:8

…lay down my pride (v. 5-9)

Proverbs 3:34

…live in expectation (v. 10-11)

Psalm 115:3

Do you like a good challenge? I do. This is why, when I go to the gym, I don’t exercise just for the sake of it; instead, I try to push my body so I can become stronger and generally healthier. I set goals and work hard because I want to see progress. But when it gets hard, or when I’m not hitting my goals, it’s easy for me to feel discouraged and want to give up. That’s why experts say it can be useful to work out with the help of someone who will challenge you and encourage you, while holding you accountable to the goals you’ve set.

This Sunday,  we’ll see how Hebrews 10:19-25 calls us to do life with other believers, not only for support and encouragement but so we can be challenged and pushed to continually love God and love people, while living out our faith through action. But how do we go about doing that? What might even persuade us to motivate others? And what does this “stirring up” look like in real, everyday relationships? Join us this Sunday as we continue our ‘One Anothers’ summer series and consider how we can live out this call, doing so together, as a church, and for Jesus.

Series: One Anothers

Message: 3 - Stir Up One Another to Love and Good Works

Text: Hebrews 10:19-25

Patrice Charade

Harvest Alliston

July 27, 2025

When Christ takes hold of my life, I will…

…exalt him (v. 19-22)

2 Corinthians 5:21

Within Christianity, you have something that’s inherently unique, in that in all other systems of religiosity, it’s some form of survival of the fittest. It’s some form of do “this” and you’re accepted, feel “this” and you’re accepted, or think “this” and you’re accepted. However, Christianity says you can’t feel, do, or think enough. It’s not going to work; you’re not going to live up to the standard of a holy God. And so, it’s not survival of the fittest, it’s not the most intelligent or the most spiritual [that makes it]. Instead, the fittest [that’s Jesus] steps down and sacrifices himself for the survival of the weakest.

- Wes Huff

…cling to him (v. 23)

The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world.

- John Piper

…stir others (v. 24-25a)

…press on (v. 25b)

Romans 13:12

Why would anyone want to be an elder in a local church? It can be a tough job. In good times, it is a joy, but when it gets tough, it weighs heavily on the mind, emotions, spirit, and even takes a toll on the physical body. It can be thankless. It invites criticism. Misunderstanding. By its nature, it involves carrying a burden that never goes away. An elder is charged with confidentialities and difficult decisions which often invite even more criticism and misunderstanding. An elder, together with other elders, pastors, and overseers, is charged with shepherding the sheep. Feeding, leading, protecting, and caring for the people. Even when the people don’t like it, don’t appreciate it, don’t understand it. So, again, why would anyone want to be an elder?

The short answer is calling, gifting, and passion. A man wants to be an elder because God calls him to the office (and this is affirmed by the church), has gifts in keeping with the office, and has a passion to lead. It isn’t so much that anyone would want to be an elder as much as God prepares a man to be one, and so, in humility and submission to God, he becomes one. Sometimes that’s the only thing that keeps an elder in the office through the difficult seasons.

This Sunday, in our study of 1 Timothy, part of “the good fight” is battling to have and keep good elders who oversee the church. The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy because one of the issues being faced in Ephesus was accusations being leveled at elders. Having earlier described the characteristics of those who would hold the office of elder, Paul now lays out, in 1 Timothy 5:17-25, some principles to guide the church with respect to honouring elders. We’ll work our way through the passage on Sunday and see what those principles are. This message is for the entire church to know how to support our elders according to the Scriptures.

Series: The Good Fight (1 Timothy)

Message: 14 – Let the elders

Text: 1 Timothy 5:17-25

Todd Dugard

Harvest Bible Chapel

July 27, 2025

Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.

- Winston Churchill

Elder governance is the worst form of church government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.

My part in supporting our elders is to...

...go beyond in honouring them (v. 17-18)

How to honour the elders and pastors:

1. Encourage them

2. Pray for them

3. Show up

4. Be growing

5. Obey and submit to them

Hebrews 13:17

...be cautious in accusing them (v. 19-20)

…exercise diligence in choosing them (v. 21-22a, 24-25)

Titus 1:5

…take care of myself (v. 22b-23)

Julian Freeman will be bringing the Word this Sunday, as we continue our One Anothers summer series. Pray for Julian as he prepares to preach on Honouring One Another from Romans 12:10. As believers, we are called to show deep affection for one another. According to Scripture, this kind of love should lead us to honour and respect those around us, while esteeming them above ourselves, even when it is difficult and though it is totally countercultural. Join us this Sunday as we see what it means to honour others in a way that ultimately honours and pleases God.

Series: One Anothers

Julian Freeman

Message 2: Honour One Another

Harvest Alliston

Text: Romans 12:10

July 20, 2025

1. How do I find the motivation to honour others?

• Psalm 3:3

• Psalm 3:1-4

• 1 Peter 1:6-7

• 1 Peter 5:6

• 1 Peter 5:10

2. Why do others need my honour?

• Genesis 1:26-27

3. What does it look like when I honour others?

• Welcome

• Look

• Listen

• Serve

• Protect

• Assure

• Cover

• Correct

Here’s a couple of serious questions: Do you want what’s best for the church? And do you realize you have a part to play in the church, not just everyone else? I imagine you know this, but in reality, there can be a disconnect when it comes to actually living it out. Because of our sin and selfishness, doing our part, just as Christ calls us to, can sometimes be anything but easy. We need Christ's strength and guidance through it, as we grasp what doing our part demands from us: intentionality, effort, responsibility, and sacrifice. Are we really willing to make that kind of a commitment for the good of the church?

It can get tricky here, because we often prefer being served over doing the serving, even though we’re all part of the same family of God and the church Christ gave his life for. We can slip into a mindset that expects others to step up instead of doing so ourselves.

For example, maybe you find yourself hoping someone else will volunteer in Harvest Kids, in Production, or on the Welcome Team, so you don’t have to. Maybe you’re counting on others to give financially to support the church’s mission and needs. Hosting your Life Group sounds like work, especially because the thought of cleaning the house for weekly gatherings sounds like a real chore (literally). Or how about when someone else is going through a hard time, we sometimes tend to keep our distance, yet we all know how much it hurts when others don't show up for us when we’re struggling.

Again, stepping up may not always be easy, but when we do our part, it’s in service to God and for the good of HIS church. So, why wouldn’t we do it?

This Sunday, as we walk through 1 Timothy 5:1–16, we’ll see Paul present clear and practical instructions for us as the church as we aim to continue moving forward for God and on mission. And we’ll also see that when we truly care for the church, willing to do our part, it is pleasing in the sight of God.

Series: The Good Fight (1 Timothy)

Patrice Charade

Message 13: Pleasing in the sight of God

Harvest Barrie

Text: 1 Timothy 5:1-16

July 20, 2025

1 Corinthians 12:27

As I seek the good of the church, I will…

…build up (v. 1-2)

…lift up (v. 3-5, 9-10)

…stir up (v. 6-8, 11-15)

Idleness is a great evil. It is the mother of every sin and leads the soul to ruin.

- Basil the Great

Hebrews 10:24b

…own up (v. 16)

No one likes a quitter. It is better to follow through, persist, and get to the end, even if you lose or it doesn’t work out. Endurance is a pretty major theme in the Bible and a distinguishing characteristic of believers. So, it follows that Paul, after laying out what the gospel is, would implore Timothy to persist in knowing, living out, and teaching the gospel. As Christians, you and I will have the biggest and best impact for Jesus if we embody all that the gospel is. That’s what we’ll see as we look at 1 Timothy 4:11-16 together on Sunday.

This week is a Family Service, coming off of an incredible week of High Five, so we’ll be joined in the worship centre by the kiddos. Harvest Kids will remain open for ages 0-4. The worship will lean on the setlist from day camp, and we’ll have a highlight video to celebrate all that the Lord did this past week in the lives of the 306 campers and 190 volunteers! My message will be a wee bit shorter too! It’s going to be a great Sunday together!

Series: The Good Fight (1 Timothy)

Message: 12 – Persist in This

Text: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Todd Dugard

Harvest Bible Chapel

July 13, 2025

I will have the biggest and best impact for Jesus when I...

...ignore the naysayers. (v. 11-12a)

Pillar: Proclaiming the authority of God’s Word without apology.

...model Christ. (v. 12b)

Five characteristics of a young believer who makes an impact:

1) Speech – anything and everything said is godly

2) Conduct – anything and everything done is godly

3) Love – putting God and others first

4) Faith – faithful, trustworthy, reliable

5) Purity – holy living; integrity of heart

…stoke my gifts. (v. 13-14)

2 Timothy 1:6

…keep growing. (v. 15-16a)

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.

G.K. Chesterton, What's Wrong with the World

It’s not that people have tried to live the Christian life and found it not as advertised. It’s that people have found it to be too hard and haven’t even tried.

...expect results. (v. 16b)

Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.

William Carey

Acts 4:12

Being part of a family means belonging to a group of people who are deeply connected, and it goes far beyond just biological or legal ties. Over the years, my kids have had several people in their lives that they have referred to as their “aunt” or “uncle,” even though they were not relatives. We use these terms because of the meaningful role they play in both our lives and our kids’ lives. It’s a truly special bond.

Similarly, as a church, we are a community and a family because of our shared identity and common bond found in Jesus. Like any other family, and as with any other relationship, this comes with the beauty and privilege of helping, supporting, and walking alongside one another in this life. On Sunday we’re going to dive further into this as we look through Galatians 6:1-5 and consider what it really means to Bear One Another’s Burdens.

Series: One Anothers

Message: 1 - Bear One Another’s Burdens

Text: Galatians 6:1-5

Patrice Charade

Harvest Alliston

July 13, 2025

As a member of the family of God, I must…

…be there (v. 1a)

Joshua 1:5b

…be careful (v. 1b)

…be loving (v. 2)

John 13:34

…be real (v. 3)

We will not grow, not deeply anyway, except by going through the painful death of being honest about our own spiritual bankruptcy. We must see and feel our utter emptiness and innate rebellion and resistance in the presence of a God whose infinitude of beauty and perfection exposes such sinfulness.

Dane C. Ortlund, Deeper

…be responsible (v. 4-5)

BEAR THE BURDENS OF OTHERS

1) Mourn with those who have lost a loved one

2) Empathize with those who are suffering or hurting

3) Come alongside someone who is struggling with recurring sin

4) Do work/chores for the elderly, weak, or sick

5) Provide for someone who is financially struggling

6) Spend time with those who are lonely

BEAR YOUR OWN LOAD

1) Pursue God – be in church, get in the Word, pray

2) Build good relationships with those around you

3) Work hard, don’t be lazy

4) Manage your time well

5) Make Jesus-centered decisions

6) Fix your attitude

7) Use your words wisely

Pastor Nathan will be bringing the Word to us this week. Let's be praying for him! He will be preaching from John, Chapter 3, which, I am certain, is a familiar passage for many of you, with the focus centering around the theme of soul care.

I encourage you to take some time in advance to read through John 3 and prayerfully consider how God might speak to you this Sunday as we gather for worship. Let’s come ready with hearts open and prepared, to receive and respond to what God is doing in and among us.

Series: Single

Nathan Hooper

Message: Learning to Care Like Christ!

Harvest Alliston

Text: John 3:1-17

July 6, 2025

When you look at your own history of having been helped, it’s likely you’ll notice very few experts among those who helped you…Most often they were friends—the regular, everyday people in your life. Friends are the best helpers. They come prepackaged with compassion and love. All they need is Wisdom and that is available to everyone.

Ed Welch, Side By Side

Beneath what our culture calls psychological disorder is a soul crying out for what only community can provide…Damaged psyches aren’t the problem. The problem beneath our struggles is a disconnected soul.

Larry Crabb

Caring for others like Christ does, means I will…

…focus on their heart condition (v. 1-3)

1 Corinthians 2: 12-13,16

2 Peter 1:3

2 Timothy 3:16-17

…recognize that all change comes from the Holy Spirit (v. 4-8)

Ezekiel 36:25-26

I used to impress a lot of people and helped very few. People would leave my office at times saying, “Man, you can really think things through and what you come up with, boy, it’s terrific,” but they weren’t helped. And they weren’t drawn close to the Lord and that struck me as a rather significant observation. That made me think a little bit…I’ve come to a very much stronger conviction that a counselor’s job is not to help a person find themselves, but a counselor’s job is to direct a person to find the Lord.

John Piper, Desiring God 1992 Conference for Pastors

…understand that all people need help (v. 9-15)

The great illusion of leadership is to think that man can be led out of the desert by someone who has never been there.

Henri Nouwen, The Wounded Healer

…base my counsel in the Gospel (v. 16-17)

God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in him.”

John Piper