In this podcast episode, I talk with Paul Carter about the prospect of Christian persecution in Canada. Is it coming? What is it? How is it different from losing influence? What advice might the apostle Peter have for us today?
Author: MatthewRuttan
"A pulse doesn't mean you're alive." I'm a dad, pastor & "expert" pancake maker. Homebase is www.MatthewRuttan.co, and I write the "Up!" daily devo at www.TheUpDevo.com. One day I hope to own a rowboat. Just because it seems awesome.
Despite Our Circumstances [Sermon]
What does it look like to obey God no matter what, and to trust God’s control no matter what? And what kinds of things should we pray for in threatening circumstances? This is what I explore in this sermon on Acts 4:1-31.
Courage and holy boldness no matter what (Growing Deeper with Acts 4:1-31)
In this episode of The Pulse Podcast I give an in-depth look at Acts 4:1-31, a story about the disciples faith in the face of threat as a part of the young church; I stress 3 takeaways for our situation today.
Load-bearing walls—for your life [Sermon]
What if we were like houses, and what if we needed to safeguard certain load-bearing walls to avoid collapse? In this sermon on Acts 2:42-47 I explore 4 critical and sustaining practices for disciples (then and now).
Four indispensable priorities, radical generosity, and singular sincerity (Growing Deeper with Acts 2:42-47)
In this episode of The Pulse Podcast I give an in-depth look at Acts 2:42-47, an inspiring text about the on-fire life of those first disciples devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer… practices that continue to sustain us today.
Carriers of the Holy Spirit [Sermon]
The Holy Spirit can be neglected. That’s a mistake. This Pentecost sermon on Acts 2:1-41 explains who the Holy Spirit is, the significance for believers then (and now), our basis for church unity and how low-drama spirituality can have a highly dramatic impact.
Pentecost, godly contagion, and carriers of the Holy Spirit (Growing deeper with Acts 2:1-41)
In this episode of The Pulse Podcast I give an in-depth look at Acts 2:1-41, the powerful outpouring of God’s Spirit at Pentecost, and share 3 insights for our lives (and the church) today.
Christ is in the Control Room [Sermon]
The one who needs to be in control is. (And it’s not you.) In this sermon on Luke 24:50-03 about the ascension of Jesus, I discuss how his cosmic coronation is very good news for his people today whether in Tokyo, Rio or Oro.
What Jesus’ ascension, coronation and control room can mean for you (Growing deeper with Luke 24:50-53)
In this episode of The Pulse Podcast I give an in-depth look at Luke 24:50-53 and how Jesus’ ascension, coronation and control room can offer you more peace and confidence for the living of stumblesome days.
Fasting: Powerful, passed-over, and counter-cultural
In this episode of The Pulse Podcast, I discuss the much-neglected (but powerful) practice of fasting. Our society is more into self-indulgence than self-control. But Jesus assumed his disciples would do it. So here is some background and help.
Open lips open doors. Sometimes. [Sermon]
Truth is silenced when witnesses are silent. In this sermon on Luke 24:36-49 I explore what it means to be a witness of Jesus today even when that puts us at odds with majority culture.
Martyrs and witnesses—then and now (Growing Deeper with Luke 24:36-49)
In this episode I offer an in-depth look at Jesus’ resurrection appearance in Luke 24:36-49 and focus on the idea of being a witness (which is sometimes dangerous). Truth is silenced when witnesses are silent.
God’s dirt, word and work [Sermon]
How does God work in and through our lives (even when we’re imperfect)? That’s what Jesus answers in the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-15) and is the theme of this message.
Kingdom secrets and the unstoppable word in the soil of your soul (Growing deeper with Luke 8:4-15)
In this episode I offer an in-depth look at Jesus’ parable of the sower in Luke 8:4-15, and how we can be ‘good soil’ producing a crop of God’s work through our (imperfect) lives.
Keeping composure under strain – a talk with Christine O’Reilly
In this podcast episode, I talk with Christine O’Reilly about keeping our composure under strain. She defines composure, discusses the fraying nature of our times, and offers suggestions to grow our capacity to maintain composure under strain.
The rope at the end of your rope [Sermon]
You don’t tend to know where “the end of your rope is” until you get there. In this sermon on Luke 18:35-43, I highlight how God can work in and through the desperate situations in our own lives.
Desperation, soul surgery, and gaining true vision (Growing Deeper with Luke 18:35-43)
In this episode I offer an in-depth look at Jesus’ healing of the blind man in Luke 18:35-43, desperation, neediness, and the vision God can give when we feel we’re at the end of our rope.
Paradise is a Person [Sermon]
A lot of people are searching, they are dis-content. In this sermon about the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) I reflect on the implications of the risen Jesus and our longing for contentment.
Eden restored, paradise in a person, and finding contentment on the road to Emmaus (Growing Deeper with Luke 24:13-35)
In this episode I offer an in-depth look at the risen Jesus meeting two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) and connect it to our own quests for contentment.
An Army Chaplain reflects on the pandemic, resiliency, and becoming stronger as a country—a talk with Rev. the Capt. Andrew Cameron
In this podcast episode, I talk with Army Chaplain Andrew Cameron about resilience, the pandemic, and if it’s a fair comparison to say that living through pandemic times is like living through war times.
