The Word at Westminster

Let’s be honest. We live in an age which tends to dis-honour older people and ideas. We worship youth culture and idolize teenage singers and actors. That’s why it’s increasingly important to honour those who have gone before us. They have give us life, made sacrifices, and gained hard fought wisdom and experience through their own blood, sweat and tears. This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) is a part of our series on the 10 Commandments and unpacks commandment number five in Exodus 20:12: “Honour your father and your mother…” The word “honour” can be vague. So we look at context to better understand what was (and is) meant, and provide three specific applications to help us honour our parents today. Abraham Lincoln said: “I remember my mother’s prayers. They have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” May our prayers also cling to our parents.

There can be tension in the teen years. More independence is wanted, but not always given. How can teens (and parents of teens) navigate this time with a desire to honour parents, and also take seriously the growing maturity of teenagers? This episode accompanies Part 5 in the teaching series on the 10 Commandments called “The Royal Family Code.” Pastor Ruttan received permission from Dr Joel Beeke, general editor of the Reformation Heritage King James Version Study Bible, to reproduce a short article about this very topic. It may provide some practical help — for both teens and parents trying to be faithful in a tricky time.

On May 25, 2025 Allison Jacobson shared some important information about the work and ministry of Camp Promise. Allison is the Executive Director. Not only did she tell us about this important and faith-based work with youth, but she explained some of the different ways we can help. This episode is a recording of Allison’s talk.

Rest is an act of war against the powers of chaos. Okay, that’s a pretty strong statement. Is it? Or given the reality of our lives and the world at large, maybe it’s just right. It’s good for us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. So why is it so hard to practice Sabbath rest one day a week? Of the 10 Commandments, God gives it the most space. Perhaps he knew we needed lots of instruction and encouragement! This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) is Part 4 in our series on the 10 Commandments called “The Royal Family Code.” We explore command number four: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” We also highlight two practical applications in our modern, fact-paced digital lives. What if the soul-restoration many of us long for is closer than we think?

Attitudes have changed. There was a time when it was against the law. Today, God’s name is often used in swearing. We should certainly respect it. But this verse is about so much more. This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) is a part of our series on the 10 Commandments called The Royal Family Code. It explores Commandment number 3, to not take God’s name in vain. What is that name? Why is it special? And what does it mean to take it “in vain”? We explore a much-neglected dimension of Exodus 20:7. It has to do with bearing God’s name as an ambassador of the King of kings who has a plan for the entire earth.

Blaise Pascal said: “There is a God-shaped hole in the heart of every person.” We yearn for a connection with the Almighty. But if we try to fill that hole with anything else bad things start to happen. This sermon is a part of our series on the 10 Commandments called “The Royal Family Code.” It unpacks the first two commandments—to have no other gods and to not make idols. There is a popular way to apply this today: Put God first. That’s good and valid. But there’s another not-so-common application. It’s not-so-common because we misunderstand the use of the word “gods” in the Bible and miss the warfare component (and danger) behind what we are being told. We unpack Exodus 20:1-6, provide key background information, and encourage us to apply these commands to our lives today—not only by putting God first in a general way, but in a way that takes seriously the harm of false religion, and uncovers our functional idols.

It cannot be overstated: The 10 Commandments are among the most influential teachings on earth. Not only have they shaped individuals, but entire societies. A church did some street interviews. People thought the commandments were very important, but no one could name all ten. The majority could only name two. Have we lost a sense of their importance? How do modern Christians integrate them into our lives? This sermon begins a series on the 10 Commandments called “The Royal Family Code.” We unpack the lead up to their delivery to Moses (Exodus 19), and start to think through what it means to go from slavery to royalty.

We recently studied Mark’s Gospel. But it seems to end abruptly at verse 8. Verses 9-20 are footnoted or bracketed. What’s going on? Was the original ending lost, changed, or something else? In this episode Pastor Ruttan shares some thoughts.

We just had a federal election. There are a lot of thoughts about it! Here are some things to consider from Pastor Ruttan — not just as citizens, but as disciples.

The apocalypse is a hot topic. Hollywood can’t stop making movies about it (sort of). People puzzle and obsess about it. It’s been that way since the days of Christ. But what does Jesus tell us about the end of the world? What will happen? And what should we do to prepare? This sermon unpacks the “little apocalypse” of Mark 13 and invites us to consider how we might respond when things seem increasingly dangerous and crazy all around us. It picks up on the popular (and long-lost) World War Two slogan “Keep Calm and Carry On,” while working in a very critical twist.