When Dan Scott was a boy his home burned to the ground. The next morning his father read James 1:2-3 and led them in prayer. In this talk with the national Moderator of the PCC we talk about hardship and it’s relationship to joy and perseverance.
Author: MatthewRuttan
All for one, one for all. Soul, home & church for King Jesus. I write The Up Daily Devotional (theupdevo.com), host The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan, and pastor Westminster Church. Pancakes, hockey, campfires & song. VDM. Online homebase: MatthewRuttan.com
The Holy Spirit makes your spirit whole [Sermon]
We want to be whole-hearted, balanced and refreshed. And yet, many are feeling half-hearted, off-centred and tired! Good news: The Holy Spirit makes your spirit whole. That’s what I explore in this sermon on John 1:19-34.
John the Baptist introduces the Lamb of God (Growing Deeper with John 1:19-34)
Who and what is the “Lamb of God”? The piercing herald John the Baptist introduces the Lamb who gives us the Holy Spirit. This episode is a biblical study on John 1:19-34.
Your Divine D.N.A. [Sermon]
Do you misunderstand (or undervalue) what it means to be deliberately adopted by God and deprive yourself of that knowledge and assurance? Do you know what it means to grow in both grace and truth? That’s what I explore in this sermon on John 1:6-18.
Adoption, incarnation, and growing in grace and truth (Growing Deeper with John 1:6-18)
When God adopts you, you gain a new special status. This gives great assurance in life as you seek to grow in grace and truth. This episode takes us through John 1:6-18 to fill in the details.
How can I make rest happen when I feel like I’m on a hamster wheel?
How can I make rest happen when I feel like I’m on a hamster wheel? I was asked this at a Q & A forum. Here’s my response.
Am I headed in the right direction? [Sermon]
Is my life headed in the right direction? It is… if you’re following the right person. In this sermon on John 1:1-5, I give an overview of the book and invite us to look to these 5 verses as an evaluative tool for the questions that matter most.
John’s Gospel and the Word made flesh (Growing Deeper with John 1:1-5)
God incarnate. Eternal life. Wisdom for now. Big topics are on the menu in what may be the most famous and influential document on earth. In this episode I introduce it and look closely at verses 1-5.
Guard Your Heart [Sermon]
You’re less likely to get knocked off centre if you’re properly centred. One way to do that is to “guard your heart.” This sermon on Proverbs 4:20-27 is timely for a new year and explains the how and why.
Heart vigilance and staying steadfast on the path (Growing Deeper with Proverbs 4:20-27)
Although much is uncertain, God is certain. That’s why we need to “guard our hearts” in him (with vigilance). In this episode we go to Proverbs 4:20-27 for some wisdom about doing just that.
Do Not Be Afraid [Sermon]
We are living in a time of upheaval, a stampede of fear. In this concise Christmas Eve message I look at Luke 2: 8-14 and explain how fear retreats when Christ advances.
The Christmas Story Re-Examined
What if you’ve never truly heard the story you’ve heard a hundred times? In this episode (and post) I go in-depth with Luke 2:1-20 and explore these ancient towns, the threat of scandal, political contexts, shadowy shepherds, and the meaning of a Saviour, Messiah and Lord.
Hit the Light [Sermon]
What does it mean that Jesus is the “radiance of God’s glory,” and how do we bask in it? The right kind of light makes you see things you didn’t see before. This sermon is a high-level summary of our series on Hebrews.
Anxiety in Children – a talk with Lyndsey Stevenato
We love our children. We don’t like anxiety. So how can we better understand anxiety in children, and how can we help those we love so dearly? That’s what we discuss in this interview with Lyndsey Stevenato.
Nurturing friendships with other Christians—and with Jesus – a talk with John Vissers
Friendship—with other Christians, and even with Jesus. That’s our topic in this talk with the Rev. Dr. John Vissers, principal of Knox College. We talk about the heighted importance of friendship today, the embrace of Jesus, trust, looking out for one another, the means of grace, the “second self,” and more.
Parting heartfelt instructions, and ethics that never die (Growing Deeper with Hebrews 13)
What would be your parting words to a child as they headed off to college? Hebrews 13 feels like important parting words which need to be taken to heart to ensure faithfulness. I explore them with and for you in this episode.
Trials can be trainers and teachers [Sermon]
What if a current trial was God training or teaching you to become more holy? What if God didn’t want lesser things for you, but greater? That’s what I explore in this sermon on Hebrews 12:1-13.
Hardship as discipline and training as we fix our eyes on Jesus in the race of life (Growing Deeper with Hebrews 12:1-13)
What if there was actually a point to your hardships? What if you were being disciplined and trained for something else? In this podcast episode I explore these ideas (and others) as we look closely at Hebrews 12:1-13.
The vitality of Bible Study – a talk with Douglas Rollwage
Douglas Rollwage has over 33 years of experience as a trusted Bible teacher. In this podcast we cover a lot of ground, touching on the vitality of Bible Study, the transformative effect of pilgrimage, common pushbacks, and how knowing God deepens your relationship with him.
Holier with thou [Sermon]
God’s people are “being made holy.” What does that mean, and what role do we play in EACH OTHER’s holiness? That’s what I explore in this sermon on Hebrews 10:1-25.
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