A pulse doesn't mean you're alive
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.
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.
Crowds can be fickle. One day they’re yelling “Hosanna!” to Jesus and a few days later they’re crying “Crucify him!” Where are we in the mix? Are we fickle, or faithful? That’s what this Palm Sunday sermon explores with John 12:12-19, along with four practical helps toward faithfulness.
Power, independence and control are in. Humility is out. But why? It’s endangered. It’s also the recipe for true greatness in God’s eyes. This sermon explores John 3:22-36 and offers three applications for our lives.
John 3:16. It’s a world-famous summary verse of what matters most. Heaven, hell, belief, condemnation, rescue, love, faith, Jesus. This sermon mines this text and provides 6 ideas to go deeper and higher.
It’s a crazy time, like living through an emotional earthquake. What does Jesus means when he says to be ‘born again,’ and how can this radical re-orientation of our lives stabilize and equip us for the living of these days?
A round orange piece of paper may look like a basketball from a distance, but you can’t shoot hoops with it. Following Jesus is a 3D (not a 2D experience); it involves learning but also doing. This sermon on John 1:35-41 explains why and how.
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.
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.
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.
What if we were cheating on God but didn’t know it? What if we DID know it? The opposite of spiritual adultery is single-minded fidelity to Jesus. This is what I explore in this sermon on Hebrews 1:4-14.
Creation, it’s beauty, evidence for a kind God, and building common ground with people. This is what I explore in this sermon on Acts 14:8-20.
Just because you can’t see the fruit of your labour, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. Faithfulness is never wasted. That’s what I explore in this sermon about Stephen’s martyrdom in Acts 6:8 – 7:60.
When you care more about what God thinks than what people think you have reached a tipping point called joy. This is what I explore in this sermon on Acts 5:17-42.
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.
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).
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.
Many people are “barely hanging on.” Is there a word from God to us on Palm Sunday, especially at a time like this? Yes. This sermon from March 29, 2021 provides one from Luke 19:28-44.
What do we know about the end times? What don’t we? This sermon from on Luke 21:5-38 explores these questions and more. One thing is for sure: We should be prepared, not surprised.
After death, the rich man went to Hades and the poor man went to heaven. This sermon explores Luke 16:19-31 and wealth, mercy, and the eternal consequences of certain choices.
Matthew Ruttan 