“The truth will set you free.” So said Jesus. Aren’t we already free? Not necessarily. Good things are both now and in the future. This sermon on John 8:31-38 explores just these things.
Author: MatthewRuttan
"A pulse doesn't mean you're alive." I'm a disciple-in-progress, dad, husband & pastor. Homebase: www.MatthewRuttan.com. I write The Up Daily Devotional and host The Pulse Podcast. One day I hope to own a rowboat. Just because it seems awesome.
The truth will set you free (from what?), and why standing on the shoulders of giants isn’t enough (Growing Deeper with John 8:31-38)
Free from what? For what? Why was this famous statement so controversial and why can we miss it’s meaning? This episode is a Bible study on John 8:31-38.
Follow the Light [Sermon]
“I am the light of the world. Whoever WATCHES me…” Oops, nix that. “Whoever FOLLOWS me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Let’s talk about why and how in this sermon on John 8:12-30. The light might not always take you where you want to go; but it takes you where you need to go.
Following the light of the world and pillar of fire into a dark uncertainty (Growing Deeper with John 8:12-30)
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” So said Jesus. What did he mean? What does uncertainty, darkness and danger have to do with it? That’s what I explore in this episode which is an in-depth look at John 8:12-30.
Can you explain the difference between a secular worldview and a biblical worldview?
In this episode I answer a question in a Q & A Forum about secular vs. biblical worldviews.
Grace opens doors [Sermon]
“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Did Jesus act with all grace and no truth, or all truth and no grace? — or both? This sermon explores John 5:53-8:11 (a text not in the oldest biblical manuscripts) and considers what we can learn from it about opening doors to others.
The woman caught in adultery; leaders caught in hypocrisy; and Jesus King of mercy (Growing Deeper with John 7:53-8:11)
“Let he who is without sin be the first to cast a stone…” So said Jesus to those wanting to stone the woman caught in adultery. Why did he say it? Did he condone sin? How are grace and truth balanced? That’s what I explore in this episode which is a Bible study on John 7:53-8:11 (a story not in our oldest manuscripts).
In a new and uncertain era, what is our stronghold and purpose? [Sermon]
Is it the dawn of a new, uncertain era? Are we in the ‘gray zone’? This sermon explores Jesus’ words at the Feast of Tabernacles in John 7:25-52 and some guidance for the road ahead.
Jesus as the source of living water at the Feast of Tabernacles, and into an uncertain era (Growing Deeper with John 7:25-52)
Jesus said: “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” What did he mean, and how does that shape who we are in the coming era? That’s what I explore in this podcast episode which looks in-depth at John 7:25-52.
The H.A.L.O. Response [Sermon]
“Don’t judge me!” That phrase is thrown around a lot these days. But what is the difference between being judgmental and using “right judgment” (which Jesus says we should do)? That’s what I explore in this sermon on John 7:1-24. “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
The difference between self-comfort and self-care and why it matters
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.
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