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Marriage reflects Christ’s unity with the church. But marriage is not everyone’s outcome. Do singles get to live in the beauty of God’s love in Jesus, or do they just get a consolation life? Paul addresses singles and marrieds, helping us understand that regardless if we say I do or I don’t, our relational state does not dictate our discipleship mandate. Our devotion is to God first – and our relationships are transformed through our love for and from Him.

Our relational state does not dictate our discipleship mandate.

1. Live with the end in mind
   
   
2. It’s about calling, not constraint
   
   
3. Be confident in your decision

Reflection:

1. What is the call God has placed on your life – to be single, or to be married? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to direct you toward that calling?
2. How can you support in community other singles and marrieds? What would it look like for you to bless them in their calling?
3. What does devotion in your present state look like? How can you take a step of devotion to God this week, or allow an area of your life to be redeemed through devoting it to God?

Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Silas recap and answer your questions on this week's sermon on 1st Corinthians 7:17-24. Join them as they have a great conversation about their status as Pastors in the Vancouver area, and share testimonies from their own lives of working through their status, as well as the worldly way of growing an influencer-like platform.

00:00 Intro
00:37 Sermon Recap
11:22 Reality of status in Christ
20:00 Is it wrong for people who feel called to preach to seek a higher platform? 
30:46 Outro

The In-House Conversations Podcast is a companion podcast to our spring sermon series in 1st Corinthians. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way. 

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/ab0f33fe

Website: https://willingdon.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

How important is status to you and I? Status is one’s rank, standing, or position in relation to others. We look horizontally and determine our value and worth based on the comparisons we make with others.

How do we tend to rank our status in Metro Vancouver? We rank each other according to professional career, wealth accumulation, social networking, educational degrees, physical appearance, athletic ability, artistic talent, language proficiency, religious affiliation, ethnicity, volunteerism, and philanthropy, etc.

As a disciple of Jesus, should I devote significant energy to improving my educational, financial, social, professional, or relational status? Is it OK to embellish my status, in order to improve other’s perception of my worth and significance (e.g., for a job or more social capital)? 

What if I can’t change my status? For many people, this has been true throughout history. If I can’t change my status, am I doomed to a miserable, meaningless existence?

Is there any way to break free of this never-ending pursuit of status?

1. Remain as you are
2. Ethno-religious Status Means Nothing
3. Social-legal Status Means Nothing
4. Status in Christ Means Everything

Reflection Time:

1. When we give more importance to status in life, based on worldly criteria, we enslave ourselves to those status markers, and we effectively deny the work of Jesus.
2. Jesus gave his life so that we might be gifted with a status before God incomparable to any status on earth. As disciples of Jesus, we have no need to scramble for status on earth.
3. This week, meditate on what it means to belong to Jesus. Allow the truth of your new status in Christ to form you. Then serve Jesus with joy, whatever your situation in life.

If you have any questions, you can email us at ask@willingdon.org and they could be included in our companion podcast recorded later this week. 

Pastor Vinh, Pastor Brett and Nathaniel recap and answer your questions on this week's sermon on 1st Corinthians 7:1-16, addressing the topics of Divorce, Desire, and Vinh answers his question on restoration from Sunday. 

00:00 Intro
01:14 Sermon Recaps
02:33 The Unbelieving Spouse
03:39 Is Divorce a Sin?
08:44 Divorce and Remarriage 
11:04 The Restoration Answer
15:15 How Important is Sexual Attraction?
20:20 Keeping Desires Pure
25:00 How can the view of the Husband's authority be justified?
28:35 Outro

The In-House Conversations Podcast is a companion podcast to our spring sermon series in 1st Corinthians. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way. 

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/ca1f7c7e

Website: https://willingdon.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

Two Sundays ago, Pastor Ray preached from the second half of 1 Corinthians 6 and reminded us through God’s Word that we should not separate the body from the soul. Both are gifts from God, and both belong to God. With that in mind, we glorify God with all that we are. 

As we continue into Chapter 7, we will see that Paul may as well have written to us. As we’ve said all series, we share culture with the Corinthians, and the remedy remains the gospel. 

1. Faithful in Intimacy
2. Faithful in Commitment
3. Faithful in Witness

If you have any questions, you can email us at ask@willingdon.org and they could be included in our companion podcast recorded later this week. 

This week, Pastor Ray and Pastor Brett have a special conversation revolving around the Holy Spirit. Sit back with Silas and enjoy as we recap our Pentecost Sunday sermons with conversations around the filling of the Holy Spirit, why people are afraid of the Holy Spirit and more. 

00:00 Intro
00:39 Sermon Recaps
07:41 Conversation about the Holy Spirit

The In-House Conversations Podcast is a companion podcast to our spring sermon series in 1st Corinthians. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way. 

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/601972e9

Website: https://willingdon.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

What is the most exciting adventure on earth, today?  

This is Pentecost Sunday, exactly 7 weeks after Easter. 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended to the right hand of God the Father. Just before his ascension to heaven, he ordered his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit.  

So, the disciples remained in Jerusalem, together in one place, devoting themselves to prayer.  

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon them. There was no countdown clock! Just wind in their lungs and fire on their tongues. Suddenly, the disciples were speaking in many different languages, unknown to them, but known to their listeners. People were confused.

Peter, the apostle, did not call a meeting to decide what to do.  He was ready. He preached an amazing sermon, explaining to the crowds what was happening amongst them. He called the people to repent and be baptized. In response, 3000 people believed in Jesus.  

If the wind of the Spirit blew today, would we respond in 3 days or 3 seconds?

1. When the wind blows, move like the house is on fire.
2. You can’t predict how the wind will blow, but you can be ready.
3. Pay attention to where the wind is blowing (the fire burning).
4. As you read the Scriptures with people, help them see Jesus.
5. Trust Jesus to keep the wind blowing (the fire burning)!   

If you have any questions, you can email us at ask@willingdon.org and they could be included in our companion podcast recorded later this week. 

Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Silas recap and answer your questions from this week's sermon on 1st Corinthians 6:12-20. They dig into the topics of sexuality, sexual immorality, God's sovereignty and more. 

00:00 Intro
01:21 Sermon Recap
05:05 What is sexual immorality? 
06:00 How do we speak to non-believers about sexual immorality? 
11:50 How do we respond to accusations of shaming communities?
15:49 Why is family life not an equitable right that is accessible to those whose sexual orientation is not heterosexual?
21:32 How do we address instances of polygamy and/or use of concubines in the bible?
23:27 Sovereignty and Sin Discussion
33:30 What are some signs of true repentance?
37:59 What are some practical things we can do to renew our minds and thinking?

The In-House Conversations Podcast is a companion podcast to our spring sermon series in 1st Corinthians. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way. 

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/601972e9

Website: https://willingdon.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

Got questions from today's sermon? Email us at ask@willingdon.org!

In today’s passage, Paul asks the Corinthian Christians, “Do you not know?” (3x). Perhaps you have had the experience of explaining something to someone a few times – maybe your friend, a child, a spouse – and, in response, they keep asking the same question. Finally, you ask, “What is it that you do not understand here?”

British comedian, podcaster Russell Brand, a self-professed hedonist, said that it was this biblical passage, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, that truly convicted him. How did he not know that the human body was beautiful and sacred? How did he not know that people should not be objectified? How could he not have known?

Why did people living in ancient Corinth not know that the human body was beautiful and sacred? Why might we not know this today?

1. Your Physical Body is for Jesus, and Jesus for Your Body.  
2. Do you not know?
   • Your body will be resurrected.
   • You are one with Jesus.
   • You are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
   • You were bought by God the Father.

Pastor Richard, Pastor Brett and Silas recap and answer your questions on this week's sermon on 1st Corinthians 6:1-11, addressing the topics of homosexuality, syncretism, pronouns and more. 

00:00 Intro
01:12 Sermon Summary
03:43 What is syncretism?
05:04 Is there any wisdom to be gained outside of Christianity?
06:47 Does the use of pronouns in the workspace fall under syncretism?
11:23 Homosexuality
27:41 Ongoing Sin

The In-House Conversations Podcast is a companion podcast to our spring sermon series in 1st Corinthians. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way. 

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/8c8078a5

Website: https://willingdon.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

In 1 Corinthians 5, the apostle Paul has addressed the sexual immorality flagrantly tolerated in the church. In chapter 6, he delves deeper into their sin as they misunderstand their identity in Christ.

We’re going to move through our passage together in three points:

1. The Sad State of the Corinthians (v.1-8)
2. The Separated State of the Unrighteous (v.9-10)
3. The Sanctified State of the “Washed” (v.11)

If you have any questions, you can email us at ask@willingdon.org and they could be included in our companion podcast recorded later this week. 

Pastor Brody, Pastor Brett and Silas recap and answer your questions on this week's sermon on 1st Corinthians 1:1-13 and the theme of sin. 

The In-House Conversations Podcast is a companion podcast to our spring sermon series in 1st Corinthians. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way. 

This Weekend's Sermon: https://media.transistor.fm/ef73ac9e/9c856b93.mp3

Website: https://willingdon.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

There is great freedom in Jesus, but if we aren’t careful, we run the risk of falling into dangerous sin. When we do, we need serious intervention to bring us back to the truth of the gospel. Thankfully, God is for us and has made it possible to find hope, healing, and holiness through the life of Jesus and the support of the church. Even when it hurts, repentance and forgiveness brings restoration.

We must deal with sin to:

1.     Save the individual

2.     Save the church

3.     Save the world

Got questions? Email us at ask@willingdon.org to see if your question makes our sermon series companion podcast! You can get that show on this feed once it's available. 

Intro

The mothers and fathers who bring their children for prayers of blessing on Mother’s Day have obeyed the first command given by God to humankind: Genesis 1:29 And God blessed them.  And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”  

When parents dedicate their children to God, both parents and church family commit to discipling their children in the ways of Jesus. Families are to multiply disciples.  

Healthy church families also multiply disciples: spiritual children. They make disciples of Jesus who make disciples. Today’s message is the third in a three-part series on the three themes that encapsulate how we live out our discipleship journey:

1. Discipleship: Follow Jesus
2. Family: Grow Together
3. Mission: Multiply Disciples

 In this third message, we’ll explore how we are to multiply disciples.  

1. Priority: Make Disciples of Jesus.
2. Pedagogy: Jesus’ Commands.
3. Power: Jesus’ Presence.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ ongoing presence with you embolden your witness and encourage you to take steps of obedience in your discipleship journey?
2. Is there a command of Jesus you need to obey today?
3. Jesus said making disciples who make disciples is the main thing.  How have you made this a priority in your life?

Benediction:  Hebrews 13:5b-6, 8

Last week, Pastor Ray preached on Matthew 28:16-20 with a focus on discipleship because that was the task Jesus gave to his disciples, and it is the same task he gives us today. Today, we will remain in the same Bible passage but with a focus on Family. Not just any family, but the family we call the Church.

1. Big God
2. Big Mission
3. Big Family

We just celebrated Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. In light of Jesus’ death and resurrection, what is the vision entrusted to us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? What does it mean to be his disciple? And, in light of this, what kind of church should we be? Over the next three sermons, we will seek to answer these questions.

Over Easter, our Family Ministries Team prepared a creative, tactile experience of Jesus’ walk toward his death and resurrection. It was called Road to Easter. At one station, we were encouraged to draw a picture of worship. Immediately, I drew a person on the top of a mountain, with hands raised, looking out over the expanse of a vast mountain range.

What is it about mountaintops that inspire us to worship? Is it the beauty of creation, the majesty of a mountain range, or the experience of seeing beyond our little world and being overwhelmed by the expanse of God’s world?

At the end of Matthew, the Risen Jesus meets his disciples on a mountain. What does He want them to see?

1. Looking Outward: Jesus’ Compelling Vision
2. Looking Inward: Jesus’ Cautious Disciples
3. Looking Upward: Jesus’ Universal Authority

Reflection Questions:

1. Jesus commissions both worshiping and doubting disciples. Why are you worshiping him today? What may be causing you to hesitate?
2. Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. How should this truth strengthen and embolden you in your calling to make disciples?

Stones.

Have you ever picked up a smooth stone and skipped it across the water?  

Have you struggled to roll a heavy stone out of the way?

When the people of Israel crossed the Jordan River (Joshua 4:1-7), they took twelve stones from the riverbed and placed them in the Promised Land as a memorial.  They placed them there to remind future generations of God’s miraculous power and faithfulness to His word.

When the young shepherd boy, David, faced the Philistine giant, Goliath, he took his sling and five smooth stones from the riverbed (1 Samuel 17:40).  Those stones symbolized David’s faith in God’s powerful intervention and victory, in the face of overwhelming odds.

Our present joy and eternal destiny rest on who had power over one stone, outside the gates of Jerusalem, 2000 years ago.

1. Stone Surrendered
2. Stone Sealed
3. Stone Seat!
4. Stone Silent? 

We choose which stone story we will believe.

We choose which miracle we will believe: the resurrection of Jesus from the dead or a silent stone, rolled by conspiring disciples.

We choose.

Good Friday Service - April 18th, 2025

The word surrender does not seem to have positive connotations. Safe to say it is more associated with weakness. When we think about the word surrender, some of us may have an image of a white flag waving in the air as an army surrenders to another. Or when an athlete concedes defeat, or maybe when a person ‘gives up’ on their dreams. No matter the image, it is not a word that is easy for most because it carries with it the idea of giving up control and yielding to something or someone beyond ourselves.

But here in the story of Jesus, surrender is not about weakness but about strength. We will see that Jesus models for us what it means to surrender fully to the will of the Father, despite a denial from a friend, a prayer without friends, and finally a betrayal from a friend.

1. The Isolation of Surrender
2. The Prayer of Surrender
3. The Victory of Surrender

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ foreknowledge of Peter’s failure give us hope in our weaknesses?
2. What does Jesus’ prayer, “not as I will, but as You will,” teach us about surrender and trust?
3. Where in your life are you being invited to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done”?

In every culture, and with each generation, food brings people together. Birthdays, wedding ceremonies, festivals … gathering around a meal unites us to one another.  

Our language groups share meals to remember their countries of origin, and your life group might share a meal to remember an important moment in your spiritual journey together. In our passage today, people share meals for different reasons.

As we enter chapter 26, it is Tuesday evening of Passion Week. Jesus has just completed his discourse on the Mt. of Olives, saying his brothers and sisters are those who identify with Him and his disciples when they are vulnerable (hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned).  

Who will honour Jesus when he is vulnerable? Who will be Jesus’ brother in his darkest hour, when he is “the least of these”?

1. Gathering to Remove Jesus (vs. 3-5, 14-16).
2. Gathering to Revere Jesus (vs. 6-13).
3. Gathering to Remember Deliverance (vs. 17-25).
4. Gathering to Remember our Saviour (vs. 26-29).

Sermon from March 30th, 2025

Separating things is part of daily life. We separate apples and oranges, cows and horses, boys and girls, Canadians and Americans, Liberals and Conservatives, and on and on. We are familiar with separation.  What we find unsettling in today’s passage is not the separation of sheep and goats, but the finality of the verdict for the goats.

As Jesus sits on the Mt. of Olives and overlooks Jerusalem, he concludes his message to his disciples. This Olivet Discourse began in response to a question of Jesus’ disciples: “What will be the signs of your coming and the end of the age?”  

In the first part of his message, Jesus addressed events around the fall of Jerusalem and his future return. In the second part, he provided lessons on how to live prepared for his return.  Now, in the third part, 25:31-46, he vividly portrays the final judgement.

Our passage addresses what is of utmost importance:  the eternal destiny of humanity. It is a word that Jesus speaks, not with a spirit of anger and retribution, but with wisdom, integrity, and compassion. 

1. The Sovereignty of the Judge (vs. 31-33)
2. The Summons of the Sheep (vs. 34-40)
3. The Sentencing of the Goats (vs. 41-45)
4. The Separation at the End (vs. 46)

Reflection Questions:

1. If you are a follower of Jesus, are you identifying fully with Jesus and his disciples?

2. If you are not yet a disciple of Jesus, do you want to belong to Jesus or do you want to remain separated from Him and go your own way?

Sermon from March 23rd, 2025

1. Watch for the Signs.
2. Wait with Readiness.
3. Work with Faithfulness.

Reflection Questions:

1. Jesus says no one knows the day or hour of His return. How does this truth impact the way I live my daily life?
2. If I knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow, what changes would I make today?
3. How can you share the Good News of Jesus with yourself and others?

We live in uncertain times. The sands of US-Canada relations shift daily. Tariffs are on at 25%, now at 50%, maybe 250% on dairy. Now they’re off, maybe. Oh no! Now they’re delayed, maybe. Who knows? People in business are paralyzed by the instability.

Even before the tariff wars, things were changing very quickly on multiple fronts. We see global realignment on the political and economic fronts. In the world of technology, we adjust to artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing, data security, and cryptocurrency. Some are still recovering from COVID.

In our uncertain times, we naturally ask, “What is going to happen? Does anyone have a window into the future?” This is why biblical prophecy is so vital. It supplies a framework for understanding our historical moment, provides insight into the future, and offers guidance to know how to live in the midst of all the changes.

In our passage today, we’ll examine … 

1. Singular Devastation (vs. 15-22)
2. Spiritual Deception (vs. 23-28)
3. Spectacular Deliverance (vs. 29-31)

Reflection Questions:

1. During our uncertain times, Jesus sovereignly accomplishes His purposes, limits suffering for the sake of his disciples, forewarns his disciples, and promises to gather and save his disciples at His Second Coming.  If you are a disciple of Jesus, how does His action on your behalf encourage you today?
2. During our uncertain times, Jesus encourages his disciples to rest in his sovereign plan, study the Word of God, discern spiritual deception, pray for protection, and prepare to worship with all peoples at his return.  What is the Holy Spirit prompting you to do today?

“Practice what you preach.” It’s frustrating when we encounter someone who doesn’t keep their word. Hypocrisy breeds distrust and breaks down relationships. But what happens when we’re the one caught in hypocrisy? And what do we do when we sense that we’re falling short in our relationship with God? Jesus has a hard word for hypocrites – and extends his healing hand to the hurting.

1. Hypocrisy Unmasked
2. Judgement Undiluted
3. Compassion Unveiled 

Reflection Questions:

1. In what was are you prioritizing outward appearances over genuine obedience to Christ?
2. Where do you need to go deeper with God this week, and not just spiritually “go through the motions”?
3. How does Jesus’ compassion for Jerusalem reflect his heart for you? How can you respond today?

Full Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETb-Nv4IAc4&t=3s
Pastor: Ray Harms-Wiebe

A few years ago, I watched a very good debater, Mehdi Hasan, a British-American broadcaster/author. Then I read his book, Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking. If you are going for marriage counselling, you will probably not be asked to read this book!

One of the things Hasan recommends is the following: if you are going to engage in debate with someone, you need to study your opponent. You need to know their way of thinking and their arguments better than they do.  

In Matthew 21-22, as we observe the debate between the religious leaders and Jesus, we realize that the religious leaders are seriously outmatched. Jesus knows their religious affiliations, their way of the thinking, their arguments, and their games. It also becomes very apparent that the religious leaders do not know who they are talking to. They do not know Jesus’ true identity, but … Jesus wants them to know.

As we walk through today’s text, we will notice …

1. A Honing Question (which leads to …)
2. The Hinge Commandment (which leads to …)
3. A Helpful Question (which is meant to reveal …)
4. The Hinge Person

We live in a complex world. Our times present us with cutting edge and controversial developments in artificial intelligence, transhumanism, robotics, and data security. We try to process mountains of information and navigate many different relationships.

In order to live well, we must carry a vision of what can be. We must have some positive picture of the future in the midst of fast-moving technological development in order to study, work, invest in friendships, marry, have children, connect with a church family, and on and on.  

Today, I would argue, that in order to flourish, we need God’s vision. Prov. 29:18 Where there is no prophetic vision, the people are discouraged. Where God has not shared his vision with people, they become discouraged. They lack a foundation to build their lives on. They’re confused. They lack hope. They lose heart.

Thankfully, the Bible provides us with God’s vision for human life. God answers our deepest questions. The Word of God also provides us with Jesus’ vision in relation to our complex times. He reveals what he sees so that we will be strengthened to navigate these times and remain faithful to him. The question we must ask is, “What does Jesus see?”

1. Common Vision
2. Comprehensive Vision
   • Spiritual Deception (vs. 4-5)
   • Scores of Disasters (vs. 6-8)
   • Specific Discrimination (vs. 9-13)
   • Sweeping Dissemination (vs. 14)
3. Compelling Vision
   • Encouraging one another toward holiness and perseverance.
   • Knowing that God is sovereignly accomplishing his purposes.
   • Aware of hardship for followers of Jesus (caring for one another).
   • With the sure hope of Jesus’ Second Coming.
   • With the knowledge that we will be saved!
   • Boldly proclaiming the gospel to all people groups! 

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ comprehensive vision of our times equip you to live today?

2. Do you fully embrace Jesus’ compelling vision (the proclamation of the gospel, in word and deed, to all peoples)?

3. How is Jesus inviting you to join him in His mission today?

This Sermon was recorded on February 16th, 2025.

2000 years separate us from Jesus’ earthly life, but his brilliance transcends all these centuries.  In today’s passage, he gifts us with his way of seeing marriage, singleness, and children. Jesus provides guidance for all ages, all times, and all cultures.  

In today’s passage, Matthew 19:1-15, Jesus makes his final withdrawal from Galilee and embarks on his final journey toward Jerusalem. In the previous chapter, Jesus has just talked about being like humble children, guarantees his presence when we are one, and gives strong encouragement to forgive and be restored.

In light of these sayings, the Pharisees’ question for Jesus in verse 1 is stunning. They want to know if they can divorce for any and every reason. The direction of their question is diametrically opposed to the heart of Jesus for married couples and their children.  

In our passage, Jesus blesses …

1. Couples to Be One in Him
2. Children to Belong in Him
3. Celibates to Be One with Him