The ECC Podcast

Ken continues our Hope for the Hypocrite series in Matthew 23:13-34a.  We all know that none of us ever act or speak 100% consistently with what’s actually in our hearts. There’s a bit of hypocrisy in everyone, everywhere. But Jesus wants those who follow Him to take this seriously.  The kingdom of God “on Earth as it is in Heaven” is at stake. And Jesus holds back no punches in this passage. Has he given up on us? Is he done with us? Is there any hope for us?

Elaine begins our 3 part series Hope for the Hypocrite in Matthew 23:1-12, where Jesus speaks some of the harshest words of condemnation for the scribes and the Pharisees. His main charge against them is that they are hypocrites who do not practice what they preach and are instead preoccupied with outward appearances and craving the adoration of the people. Jesus' disciples, in contrast, are called to choose to humble themselves and in so doing be exalted by the One who calls those who follow him, to love and service. In what ways are we also hypocrites? How can we be more of the disciples Jesus seeks?

God has built change into His creation. Look around, change is everywhere. Easter celebrates the power of God to change the dead into the living. Everyday declares the power of God to bring life from death. When Jesus performed his first miracle at the wedding in Cana he accelerated the process that occurs every year in vineyards around the world. It is no less a miracle that grape-vines take water, soil and sun and turn them into grapes (C.S. Lewis). 

lastair speaks on change: how the mission of Jesus was to impart life in all its fullness and His mission is fulfilled in each of us first through the new birth and then by constantly leading us into change, a process scripture calls sanctification. In the end everything will be changed so we might as well start now!

We began our series in 2 Timothy asking the question: What would you say in a letter, if you knew it would be the last thing you ever wrote?  In our concluding message, we come back to that same question.  As we review the entire book and pull out some gold nuggets, we also will hear from some of you.  What are the things you are learning…have learned…hope to apply?

We can learn much from Paul about how to face the silent pandemic of loneliness in our modern world which has only worsened during the pandemic. Much has been written over the last 6-7 years about economic and health impacts of loneliness, not only in the world generally but also in the church. Over the last weeks, we have been looking at 2 Timothy in which Paul not only gives guidance to Timothy but also shares his own life experience as he sits in prison awaiting his execution. Gray speaks from 2 Timothy 4:9-18, where Paul shares his personal struggles with feeling loneliness, and we can see how he moves from feelings of abandonment to praising God that he is not alone. 

*We apologize - this message begins several minutes after the sermon has already started.

In a world in which many things clamour for our attention, an interesting question to ask is What Do We Love?  There are many things that can distract us from Loving God well, and take on too much importance in our lives.  Do we love our comforts of the Western World too much?  Do we even love ourselves too much?  Dan Russell continues our series on 2 Timothy as we consider Paul’s warnings in 2 Tim 3 about putting our priorities and love where they truly belong.

Elaine Dee continues our series in 2 Timothy. After telling Timothy to share in suffering for Jesus, Paul now tells Timothy to endure everything for the sake of the elect. It is only when we endure will we reign with Jesus in eternity. We need to be aware of the real possibility of denying Christ yet take hope that even during moments when we become faithless, God is always ever faithful to His promises and to those He has called because that is His very nature. And that is good news indeed.

Ken speaks from 2 Timothy 2:1-7.  In our continuing story, Paul charges Timothy to stay with the mission and to empower others to join him.  But, it can be easy to get off course and NOT keep the main thing the main thing. So, you’ll need the discipline of a soldier, an athlete or a farmer. And in the midst of all of this…is the grace of Christ Jesus.

In the letter of 2 Timothy, Paul pens what likely are his final words to Timothy, his dear son in the faith.  Paul's mentoring relationship of Timothy made a significant and lasting impact on the church.  What can Paul's example teach us as we seek to come alongside the younger members of ECC to encourage them in their faith in Jesus?  We'll seek to answer this question as Dwight leads us through a look at 2 Timothy 1.

Ken begins our series on 2 Timothy with a whole book overview.  2 Timothy is fascinating…It’s the kind of material that could be made into a mini-series. Every one of us, no matter where we are on our journey with Jesus, can sink our teeth into this and learn. This last writing of the apostle Paul encourages his young disciple, Timothy, to be strong in the faith that was passed along to him from not only Paul, but also his own family. To not get involved in useless arguments. To stand up to those who are spreading lies, rumors and false teachings. And, above all else, to trust in God and His grace as things get hard and intense. Fascinating!