If you think you’re caring for yourself when you’re really just comforting yourself, you may be creating more grief than gain. This episode is the audio version of an article I wrote with therapist Sarah Joy Covey for The Toronto Star.
Suffering from small thoughts about God no more [Sermon]
What is puzzling to you is a puzzle piece to God. When things seem just too much, maybe you need to ponder the hugeness of God. That’s what this sermon on Ephesians 3:14-21 explores.
Superabundant prayers to a superabundant God (Growing Deeper with Ephesians 3:14-21)
If we don’t comprehend the bigness of God, we’ll underestimate what he can do (and what he can do through us as well). This episode is a Bible Study of Ephesians 3:14-21.
Assisted Suicide (MAiD) in Canada—some biblical considerations
In this episode I answer a question in a Q & A Forum about assisted suicide and the quickly changing landscape in Canada.
Your soul has an appetite [Sermon]
Your soul has an appetite — fill it with the wrong thing and be eternally corroded; fill it with the right thing and be eternally contented. This sermon on John 6:25-71 explores this idea as Jesus speaks controversial words about being “the bread of life.”
The bread of life, charges of cannibalism, and competing soul appetites (Growing Deeper with John 6:25-71)
Jesus’ statement that “I am the bread of life” was divisive. He then talked about the necessity of eating his flesh and drinking his blood. People argued. Some left. Why? What did he mean? This episode is a Bible study on John 6:25-71 and explores the deepest appetites of our souls.
Uncertainty is an Opportunity [Sermon]
He actually walked on water. And there was a purpose to it. The powerful presence of Jesus is greater than the powerful presence of fear. That’s what I explore (for them then and for you now) in this sermon on John 6:16-24.
Walking on water and eclipsing fear (Growing Deeper with John 6:16-24)
It’s one of Jesus’ most well-known miracles. But walking on water wasn’t a party trick. We can learn from both the disciples’ uncertainty and Jesus’ sovereignty. The powerful presence of Jesus is greater than the powerful presence of fear. This episode is an in-depth look at John 6:16-24.
Serious, self-sacrificial evangelism—a talk with Will Han
Evangelism is sharing the good news about Jesus. But it can be challenging (and intimidating). Will Han is a Buddhist monk-turned Christian, church-planter and missionary. He has a serious and self-sacrificial approach which flows from his own experience of Christ’s love. This podcast is a talk (and interview) with Rev. Han.
Your input, God’s output [Sermon]
Do you ever wonder if you can make a real difference? You can; but you may be thinking about it all wrong. That’s what this practical sermon on John 6:1-15 explores. It’s the story of Jesus feeding the thousands… and of an anonymous boy.
Feeding the 5000 and a poor boy’s gift to Jesus (Growing Deeper with John 6:1-15)
While Jesus feeds thousands of people, a small boy stands nearby. He trusted him, and watched to see what would happen. This episode is a Bible study on John 6:1-15, the feeding of the 5000. You can make a difference in more ways than you know.
The key to weathering a storm [Sermon]
Storms happen. And lately, it seems that they keep getting windier. Well, the key to weathering a storm is who you’re weathering it with. That’s what I explore in this sermon on John 5:30-47.
Calling all witnesses: prophecies, history and time bow to Jesus (Growing Deeper with John 5:30-47)
Life can be difficult. Wait, hold on. Life IS difficult! We’d better have the right captain in the storm. This podcast is a Bible study on John 5:30-47. We uncover a world-changing and life-changing Messiah who will see us through.
Can we really trust that Jesus said and did all that, or have the Gospels been distorted?
Do the Gospels accurately preserve what Jesus said and did? Haven’t they become distorted? How can we know with any confidence? This podcast (audio and text) gives you 5 important points to consider.
Which Judge would you rather have? [Sermon]
People balk at having a Judge. But we do. Would you rather have one Judge who is for you, or a hundred judges who are against you? That’s what this sermon on John 5:19-29 explores, along with the question about whether we can trust that the Gospels accurately preserve Jesus’ words.
‘How do we know he said that?’, and the liberating good news of Judge Jesus (Growing Deeper with John 5:19-29)
Can we have confidence that Jesus said what the Bible says he said? In this podcast I explore that question and also dive into John 5:19-29 and Jesus’ role as Judge (and why that is good, liberating news).
Exhale [Sermon]
It’s a disorienting and tiring time. What if a confidence that God continues to work helps you to take the pressure off? That’s what I explore in this sermon on John 5:1-18.
The invalid, the Sabbath, and what it means that God is always working (Growing Deeper with John 5:1-18)
This podcast is a Bible study on John 5:1-18. An invalid is healed, Sabbath-police get angry, Jesus’ words invite both fury and joy. The fact that he does God’s work no matter what might be a soul-refreshing word you need to hear in this weary chapter.
Hope Through Hardship – an Easter conversation with Jennifer Harris and Julie Cunha
The episode is a conversation with Jennifer Harris and Julie Cunha at Westminster Church in Barrie on Easter. We talk about hope through hardship, and encourage you to also see the ways God works – even when life is hard.
Still Lovable [Sermon]
Mistakes pile up. So do sins, failures and misplaced priorities that have hurt you and others, and have gone against God. But guess what? You are still lovable. Jesus died for you knowing you. That’s what this Good Friday sermon explores on John 19.
Matthew Ruttan 