Sanctus Church Audio Sermons

Easter: Good Friday

Speaker: Dave Adams

Scripture: Matthew 26

Sermon Description:

This Easter at C4 we’ve been asking the questions “Whom do you trust and whom do you follow?” Some trust in wealth. Some chase beauty. Some follow power. Some want promotion. Some demand likes. This Easter we’re saying,“GIVE US JESUS!”. On the night that Jesus was betrayed Matthew records the events this way. Matt 26:57 “Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.”So what do we know about Caiaphas? Why is he so important to make it into the Bible. There are a lot of things we know about Caiaphas and understanding each of them is going to help shed light on exactly what is going on in this so-called trial of Jesus that eventually leads to his crucifixion.

Why was Caiaphas so bent on getting rid of Jesus? What was it about Jesus that rubbed Caiaphas the wrong way and drove him to such extremes to seek the death penalty, even through unusual and illegal methods?Remember Caiaphas is the High Priest and a Sadducee. He doesn’t like Jesus brand of spirituality. All this talk about heaven and the Kingdom of God. About love and forgiveness and prayer and fasting and giving - all with the right motives. I’m sure Caiaphas felt the threat to his religion when Jesus would address demons and cast them out of people. As a Sadducee Caiaphas didn’t even believe in the demonic, yet hundreds maybe more were telling of the freedom they’d found when Jesus spoke. There was a power & authority in Jesus that threatened everything Caiaphas believed, trusted in and stood for.

Here’s what Caiaphas helps us see on Good Friday 2019. It was true that night before Jesus went to the cross and it's true in this room right now. Jesus plus anything leaves you with nothing - that’s called religion. But Jesus plus nothing gives you everything - a faith based relationship. 

Caiaphas has made his choice.

So what do we do when Jesus challenges us like he did Caiaphas? Do we want Jesus or Caiaphas?  What will we do if Jesus threatens everything we hold valuable. Is he worth more than our power, our connections, our influence, our position, our good looks, our wealth, etc.

Can you honestly say today “Give me Jesus?”

Series: Easter 2019

Series Description: 

All of us want purpose, all want meaning, all want peace in the end. Which of course is part of being human, part of the human experience. And this leads all of us today seeker and skeptics, believers and unbelievers to ask where can one find these identity giving moments. Can it last more than a moment or is it always fleeting? Some of us trust in wealth, many chase beauty and youth, others follow power. Most want promotion. Some demand likes and status. We clamour around certain  movements, systems of thinking found in books and podcast or other people or ourselves to find purpose to escape it all. Politics, video games, sex, money, jobs, friendship, food, travel, religion, Netflix, spirituality, mindfulness, control, manipulation the list goes on and on.

And it is here  in this ongoing search that 3 people in the story of Jesus just before his death bring so much of this home. One is the best expression of political power and self-reliance, another the best that family connections and religious power hold and the last is what rebellion and brut force can bring,  a Pilate the Roman leader and there is Caiaphas the high priest, and Barabbas the insurrectionist. We enter the Easter moment just before Jesus is confronted by Pilate and the Barabbas.

And as we look at each historical person the question to all of us if we truly allow this to happen will be who do you trust in, who do we do want, who can give us real purpose, peace and meaning, identity?

Easter 2019: Week One

Speaker: Jon Thompson

Scripture: Mark 14:60-64; Matthew 27; Luke 23

Sermon Description:

Barabbas, a life of rebellion, a life of violence, a life of fighting the system, using violence to overcome violence, my life choices are justified because i am not as bad as the one I am fighting. You can become so consumed by a just cause, that you become eat you hate or the cause become where you think you find purpose, meaning, life and identity.

All three them if you got them in a room  would say I am not those others, yet they all trying getting identity and purpose, all trying to deal the ups and downs of life by bringing all that they can. They all are motivated by

Fear, Self Sufficiency, intimidation, control to get purpose,  meaning and peace even more a moment.

Yet Jesus never used any of these. And here is powerful moment in the story Jesus literally takes Barabbas' cross, he choose to take his place and Barabbas goes free, Jesus does not. Barabbas is unbound, Jesus remains bound, one Jesus dies so the other Jesus goes free.

And why would we every want to put our hope in Jesus and not anyone or anything else? Oh because he can give us what we all really want.

Jesus promises rest for the deepest part of us, but He requires us to take on His yoke. He offers to exchange the yoke we are already wearing for His yoke. If we won’t accept His offer, we will remain yoked to sin, lost dreams, broken relationships, dead religion, or lies. The lie that we are independent is just that, a lie. We always serve somebody or something. The choice for us isn’t whether to live unyoked or yoked but to choose the right yoke to wear. As R. T. France noted, “We should remember that the ‘rest’ Jesus offers is not relaxation of the demands of right… It is not the removal of any yoke but a new and ‘kind’ yoke which makes the burden ‘light’. A ‘yoke’ implies obedience, indeed often slavery! What makes the difference is what sort of master one is serving. So the beneficial effect of Jesus’ yoke derives from the character of the one who offers it.”6 Jesus promises purpose,  meaning and peace in an ongoing permanent way.

Series: Easter 2019

Series Description: 

All of us want purpose, all want meaning, all want peace in the end. Which of course is part of being human, part of the human experience. And this leads all of us today seeker and skeptics, believers and unbelievers to ask where can one find these identity giving moments. Can it last more than a moment or is it always fleeting? Some of us trust in wealth, many chase beauty and youth, others follow power. Most want promotion. Some demand likes and status. We clamour around certain  movements, systems of thinking found in books and podcast or other people or ourselves to find purpose to escape it all. Politics, video games, sex, money, jobs, friendship, food, travel, religion, Netflix, spirituality, mindfulness, control, manipulation the list goes on and on.

And it is here  in this ongoing search that 3 people in the story of Jesus just before his death bring so much of this home. One is the best expression of political power and self-reliance, another the best that family connections and religious power hold and the last is what rebellion and brut force can bring,  a Pilate the Roman leader and there is Caiaphas the high priest, and Barabbas the insurrectionist. We enter the Easter moment just before Jesus is confronted by Pilate and the Barabbas

And as we look at each historical person the question to all of us if we truly allow this to happen will be who do you trust in, who do we do want, who can give us real purpose, peace and meaning, identity?

Spiritual Gifts: REVIVAL - Week 11

Speaker: Jon Thompson

Scriptures: Matthew 16:13-15, 17:1-5; Exodus 24:15-17; Exodus 40:34; 1 Kings 8:10; Ezekiel 1:4; Luke 2:9; Acts 2

Sermon Description: 

As we conclude our series on the Spiritual Gifts we come to this final discussion on Disciplines, Gifts and Revival.

Is there a distinction between renewal, revival and awakening? Well at C4 here is how we use these 3 words.

RENEWAL: is when God touches the heart of a single individual.  

REVIVAL is when God touches a community of faith on mass.

AWAKENING is when the wider society is impacted thought mass conversion and life change.

Disciplines are open to all Christians, they are normative. Spiritual gifts are also expected, normative but are sovereignly assigned. But what about other experiences that don't fall into either category, what do we do with revival? And how is the different and how does that change our expectations?

Revivals always include mass conversions of people to Jesus, and a true awakening takes place. But a common mistake many make is to pair the outworking or unusual manifestations of the Spirit during revival with the gifts that are always present in the daily Christian life. No, the revival settings I’ve described above are not about gifts or disciplines. As we have learned, spiritual disciplines are for all to exercise at any season of life. Spiritual gifts are sovereignly assigned and are normative, day in and day out. But revival is not normal, is not always, and neither are the results. Much of the time during revival there is greater power and presence of God, which means the disciplines are used more and the power behind the gifts is stronger. But revival is started and ended only by God.

These seasons are given to send us out and to sustain us over a lifetime. Don’t pair one experience with the other. Some revivals last days, some last years.

Should we pray for, ask for, and expectantly wait for God to move in revival? Absolutely. But if He says, “No,” or “Not yet,” that does not affect the gifts He has given or the disciplines He has modelled.

 

Spiritual Gifts: POWER - Week 10

Speaker: Jon Thompson

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 7, Luke 9:23-25, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Revelation 6:9-11, Acts 6:1-7;7:59-60;15:36-41 

So welcome the second last week in our series on Spiritual gifts, Today we end with two last gifts, we tackle gift tension head on, we talk about the grace needed for us to keep going.

Celibacy: The gift of celibacy is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to remain single and enjoy it; to be unmarried and not suffer undue sexual temptation. Though many of us do not have the gift, we are all called to the discipline of chastity and fasting, either by situation of life (we are not married) or if we are married, by an agreed time of mutually seeking God! Others of us have this gift and we can celebrate and find joy in this. Now why would any of us even be willing to do this? To deny what we want, what we are, to not fulfilled as a culture defines it? And the answer is simple, we love Jesus more than our own lives, rights, wants and desires no mater how strong.

Martyrdom: The gift of martyrdom is a special ability to undergo suffering for the faith even to death while constantly displaying a joyous and victorious attitude that brings glory to God! One example is what happened in the story of Stephen. Christians went on the run for their lives but as they did the good news of Jesus spread all the way from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria into the Roman world all by this man death. God takes hate and death and brings life and forgiveness and will reward those that suffer for his name.

Gift Tension & Grace: Our spiritual gifts make us respond almost instinctively (or better, with supernatural, spiritual sensitivity) to a situation that places us in a position to alert or encourage others to take action even though they may not perceive the need in the way we do. Most of us are grace-filled when it comes to the love gifts and word gifts as a rule.But when it comes to the power gifts, the grace drops real quick. For example, if someone speaks in tongues, but don’t do it correctly within the community, the response by others is too often a quick “See? It’s just fake; it’s not real”—rather than asking, “How could we do this better?’” We assume there’s room to grow and learn in the use of the love and word gifts but often don’t extend that assumption to the power gifts. Those are assumed to be delivered “fully functioning,” when in fact, just like the other gifts, people with power gifts have to grow into their gifting.

Spiritual Gifts: POWER - Week 9

Speaker: Jon Thompson

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7, 15:42; Revelation 21:4; John 5:19, 11:41-49; James 5:13-15

Sermon Description: 

This week we will be continuing in our journey of understanding the Spiritual Gifts in "Power" category, focusing entirely on the gifts of Healing, Words of Knowledge & Words of Wisdom.

Healing: Those who have the gift of Healing experience a deep desire to see God alleviate physical problems in people and the willingness to be used by God to do so, an unusual ability to sense the power of God when it is present for healing, and the ability to trust God and believe that He wants to heal. You have the willingness to take risks for God… The principle of contagion probably applies here. Those who are around people operating in this type of healing ministry are likely to be drawn into it and be open to God releasing this gift in them so that they can release the healing to others. It is not about a show, it’s not about a big, dramatic display; it is about God healing people to either bring the person or others to Jesus in whose name the healing took place, or it is to heal followers of Jesus.

 

Words of Knowledge: The key idea in understanding this gift is that it functions like the gift of prophecy but not in a communal setting; it’s one on one. It is God giving a very direct word. But notice it is situational and prompting based, it’s a Power Gift. The word of knowledge functions when God gives you information about someone you have no direct access to any other way. The right exercise of this gift and the information God gives you always humbles, always helps, and never humiliates. It can bring healing to others, but never hurts them. So words of knowledge are similar to prophecy, but are directed to individuals.

Words of Wisdom: This gift is in action when God gives a situational word or a message acutely applicable in a moment that provides insight for people into the next steps of their spiritual journey. These are practical instructions like “go to this place” or “read this book.” Wisdom is knowledge applied, and in this case, every time the supernatural, situational word is given, you recognize it came from Jesus’ lips to you.

Series: Spiritual Gifts

Series Description:

Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understanding among all that make up C4 in this season.

As we step out together, we all need to discover, rediscover, rededicate and walk in a power that is not our own, to do the impossible in this context we find ourselves. When we start using and growing in our gifts we will experience the joy that comes from honouring God, serving others and knowing part of our purpose in this life, that will ripple into eternity!

Spiritual Gifts: POWER - Week 8

Speaker: Joel Penney

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, 14:3-4; Romans 12:6; Acts 21:8-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Sermon Description: 

This week we will be continuing in our journey of understanding the Spiritual Gifts in "Power" category, focusing entirely on the gift of Prophecy. 

The gift of prophecy can be defined as the ability to deliver truth in a public context in either a predictive nature or as a situational word from God in order to correct believers by exhorting, edifying or consoling them, or to convince non-believer's of God's truth.

A person operating in this gift is deeply impressed that God has by his Spirit given him or her a message to deliver in the situation. The message may result in further insight into God's word, cause conviction of sin, bring reproof, provide comfort or a new sense of direction to the group.

There are, of course, two audiences: those who have (or may have) this gift, and the rest of us. Like all the Spiritual Gifts, we all need to know how each other's work. But especially this one, because it concerns us all when it's used properly. It's so easy to be skeptical, bitter and dismissive with prophecy, but we can't be!

Series: Spiritual Gifts

Series Description:

Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understanding among all that make up C4 in this season.

As we step out together, we all need to discover, rediscover, rededicate and walk in a power that is not our own, to do the impossible in this context we find ourselves. When we start using and growing in our gifts we will experience the joy that comes from honouring God, serving others and knowing part of our purpose in this life, that will ripple into eternity!

Spiritual Gifts: POWER - Week 7

Speaker: Jon Thompson

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12, 

Sermon Description:

Tongues: It can be a known or unknown language, it is given to some but no all Christians, it can be used evangelistically, tongues can used to authenticate the addition of new people into God's church, tongues can be used for edification in small groups or worship, tongues can be used to worship God by singing in tongues, to pray for others, to be thankful, to give inner assurance of communion with God, an affirmation of personal presence of God in your life. This gift can bring joy, allows you to cry out to God over others when words do not come. You can deeply changed and moved by this gift.

Interpretation: Paul's language about tongues is I wish, I would like, it is not you will, you can, you must! His point here is that intelligible prophecy is better and is God’s will for corporate gatherings. And if you do speak in tongues in a small group or a public worship time then it must be interpreted in this example by another so everyone can understand.

Intercession: This is a gift of prayer. It is not in formal list in Scripture but it and other gifts are inferred in scripture and this is a very strong one we need to address for a moment. The gift of intercession is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis and see frequent and specific answers to their prayers, to a degree much greater than that which is expected of the average Christian.

Series: Spiritual Gifts

Series Description: 

Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understanding among all that make up C4 in this season.

As we step out together, we all need to discover, rediscover, rededicate and walk in a power that is not our own, to do the impossible in this context we find ourselves. When we start using and growing in our gifts we will experience the joy that comes from honouring God, serving others and knowing part of our purpose in this life, that will ripple into eternity!

Spiritual Gifts: POWER - Week 6

Speaker: Jon Thompson

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12, Hebrews 11:6, Ephesians 2:8, Hebrews 5:14; 2:3, Acts 17:11, 1 John 4:1, James 4:7

Sermon Description:

This week we begin to learn together about the POWER gifts starting with the gifts of Faith, Discernment of Spirits & Workings of Power through Miracles.

Faith: The spiritual gift of faith is not saving faith, or walking out our Christian faith in every day life. It a Spiritual gift. The gift of faith refers to the unusual capacity of a person to recognize in a given situation that God intends to do something and to trust God for it until He brings it to pass. The gift of faith is a Spirit-given ability to see something that God wants done and to sustain unwavering confidence that God will do it regardless of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Discernment of Spirits: The gift of discerning of spirits is the special ability God gives to some members of the Body of Christ which enables them to know with assurance whether certain behaviour purported to be of God is in reality divine, human or-satanic. You will get a glimpse of the behind the scenes supernatural reality in a situation, either a mental picture or in reality, you see physical symptoms that lead you to know something is wrong. You will see or sense demons in people, areas, places or situations, you will know when something that looks Godly but is human and about pride.

Working of Power through Miracles: The gift of miracles is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to perform powerful acts that are perceived by observers to have altered the ordinary course of nature. Again this is casting out demons, raising people from the dead, changing the course of nature but notice it is not physical healing, that is a different gift.

Series: Spiritual Gifts

Series Description: 

Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understanding among all that make up C4 in this season.

As we step out together, we all need to discover, rediscover, rededicate and walk in a power that is not our own, to do the impossible in this context we find ourselves. When we start using and growing in our gifts we will experience the joy that comes from honouring God, serving others and knowing part of our purpose in this life, that will ripple into eternity!

Spiritual Gifts: WORD - Week 5

Speaker: Jon Thompson

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11, 2 Timothy 4:5, Romans 12:8

Sermon Description:

This week we follow up last weeks introduction to the Word Gifts by addressing those with the gift of Leadership/Ruling, Pastoring and Evangelism.

Leadership: A person operating with a ruling gift demonstrates the capacity to exercise influence over a group so as to lead it towards a goal or purpose with a particular emphasis on the capacity to make decisions and keep the group operating together. The gift of Leadership focuses more on the what and who and less on the how.

Pastoring: The pastoral gift is the capacity to exercise concern and care for members of a group so as to encourage them in their growth in Christ, which involves modelling maturity, protecting them from error and disseminating truth. The gift of pastor is the special ability that God give to certain members of the body of Christ to assume a long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers.

Evangelism: this is the special ability in communication the Gospel message in relevant ways to unbelievers The gift of evangelism in general refers to the capacity to challenge people through various communicative methods (persuasion) to receive the Gospel of salvation m Christ so as to see them respond by taking initial steps in Christian discipleship.

Series: Spiritual Gifts

Series Description: 

Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understanding among all that make up C4 in this season.

As we step out together, we all need to discover, rediscover, rededicate and walk in a power that is not our own, to do the impossible in this context we find ourselves. When we start using and growing in our gifts we will experience the joy that comes from honouring God, serving others and knowing part of our purpose in this life, that will ripple into eternity!

Spiritual Gifts: WORD - Week 4

Speaker: Jon Thompson

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 4:16, Romans 12:8, 1 John 2:1, Acts 1:12-14

Sermon Description:

Teaching, exhortation, and apostleship are three of the word-oriented gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Teaching as a role that informs, trains, prepares, disciples, and equips.

Exhortation as a coming alongside with encouragement as well as confrontation if necessary, a gift that touches on the internal life of other followers of Jesus.

Apostleship which is a pure leadership and expansion gift, pushing boundaries and overcoming obstacles as the Church continues its God-given work under the Great Commission.

Series: Spiritual Gifts

Series Description: 

Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understanding among all that make up C4 in this season.

As we step out together, we all need to discover, rediscover, rededicate and walk in a power that is not our own, to do the impossible in this context we find ourselves. When we start using and growing in our gifts we will experience the joy that comes from honouring God, serving others and knowing part of our purpose in this life, that will ripple into eternity!

Spiritual Gifts: LOVE - Week 3

Speaker: Jon Thompson

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12

Sermon Description: When it is a gift there is a greater ease, there is a frequency and power, there are great results, there is more joy, and worship and Jesus feels closer, it’s a supernatural sweet spot!

The Love gifts (Administration, Helps, Mercy & Giving) are key to the church working right and Love gifts are secondary in the sense that they are all about supporting, building up what God has and is establishing through the leadership of a local church. This again is not about value at all but role.

 

Series: Spiritual Gifts

Series Description: 

Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understanding among all that make up C4 in this season.

As we step out together, we all need to discover, rediscover, rededicate and walk in a power that is not our own, to do the impossible in this context we find ourselves. When we start using and growing in our gifts we will experience the joy that comes from honouring God, serving others and knowing part of our purpose in this life, that will ripple into eternity!

Spiritual Gifts: Character - Week 2

Speaker: Jon Thompson

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12

Sermon Description: The spiritual gifts must access a place of every growing character, a deep deep reservoir of love. The gifts of the Spirit must be undergirded by the Fruit of the Holy Spirit which is first and foremost love. We all as Christians get at least one gift and the gifts are given for one thing and one thing alone the common good. To build up, to rebuke, to encourage, to challenge to bring life to the community! They are not given for rivalry or jealousy and they are given to be used, not to be hidden in fear or be suppressed for any reason.

Series Title: Spiritual Gifts

Series Description: Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understanding among all that make up C4 in this season.

As we step out together, we all need to discover, rediscover, rededicate and walk in a power that is not our own, to do the impossible in this context we find ourselves. When we start using and growing in our gifts we will experience the joy that comes from honouring God, serving others and knowing part of our purpose in this life, that will ripple into eternity!

Spiritual Gifts: An Introduction Pt 1 - Week 1

Speaker: Jon Thompson

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12

Sermon Description:We at C4 believe every Christ follower is called to impact those around them through loving, joyful, gift-based service. We know that when we give God glory there is joy, we know that when we work in the areas God has gifted us we experience such powerful joy and we know purpose is given when we serve in our God given assignments.

But what if you don't know your Spiritual gifts? Or what if you have never been able to identify them and learn from others that have the same gifts? And what about the ongoing problem we have as the greater church body with so many different understandings of the gifts and our experiences with them. In this ten-week series we are going to address all of these questions head on.

Series Title: Spiritual Gifts

Series Description: 

Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understanding among all that make up C4 in this season.

As we step out together, we all need to discover, rediscover, rededicate and walk in a power that is not our own, to do the impossible in this context we find ourselves. When we start using and growing in our gifts we will experience the joy that comes from honouring God, serving others and knowing part of our purpose in this life, that will ripple into eternity!

Fully Devoted: Engage in Mission - Vision

Speaker: Jon Thompson

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14

Sermon Description: Always in January we take a small pause, a Sunday to stop and be reminded about what we are as a church, what we are becoming, what we are about to do and what the Holy Spirit might be saying to us in this very moment as we prepare to step out in this next major leg of our journey as a church.

We need to be reminded of what we are and where we are going. Vision lacks in the best of times and the busyness of life causes all of us to forget so we need this picture vividly painted before because of where we are about to go.

Series Title: Fully Devoted: Engage in Mission

Series Description: One of our discipleship dimensions here at C4 is Engage in Mission. Finding out what God is up to and getting involved. We join forces together when we use our time, talents and treasure to further the Kingdom of God. In order to do that, we need to look at what it means to submit them to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Fully Devoted: Engage in Mission - Giving & Generosity

Speaker: Dave Adams

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:5

 

We must never lose sight of the fact that God is a giver. God has shown us the example of how to give (John 3:16). When I give, I'm becoming more like God, I'm acting more like God. This means that I'm growing in Godly character. You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving!

Series Title: Fully Devoted: Engage in Mission

Series Description: One of our discipleship dimensions here at C4 is Engage in Mission. Finding out what God is up to and getting involved. We join forces together when we use our time, talents and treasure to further the Kingdom of God. In order to do that, we need to look at what it means to submit them to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

 

Story Sunday

The Naughty List: Woven Into God's Family Week 3

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture:Matthew 1

Description: Matthew is saying yes Jesus family tree was mixed, the people around the Christmas moment are mixed and now the after effects are the same. God is stitching us as a human family back together through Jesus. Jesus is the only that can make this patchwork beautiful!

Series Title: The Genealogy of Jesus - Woven into God's family

Series Description: Jesus Christ, God with Us, was born into a family and woven into the fabric of humanity. His family tree is full of colourful characters - just like our own family trees. Some are beautiful, and some broken, yet all these branches were used to bring us to the moment when Heaven touched Earth and began to stitch us into the story. The Genealogy of Jesus - Woven into God's family.

Welcoming Jesus into the World: Woven into God's Family Week 2

Speaker: Joel Penney
Scripture:Matthew 1

Description: One of the last people mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus is Joseph—an average person who did an incredible thing: he welcomed Jesus into the world. With immediate obedience, Joseph shows us how we too can welcome Jesus into the world, and live knowing God is always with us.

 Series Title: The Genealogy of Jesus - Woven into God's family

Series Description: Jesus Christ, God with Us, was born into a family and woven into the fabric of humanity. His family tree is full of colourful characters - just like our own family trees. Some are beautiful, and some broken, yet all these branches were used to bring us to the moment when Heaven touched Earth and began to stitch us into the story. The Genealogy of Jesus - Woven into God's family.

The Unexpected Family Tree: Woven into God's Family Week 1

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture:Matthew 1

Description: 

 

Series Title: The Genealogy of Jesus - Woven into God's family

Series Description: Jesus Christ, God with Us, was born into a family and woven into the fabric of humanity. His family tree is full of colourful characters - just like our own family trees. Some are beautiful, and some broken, yet all these branches were used to bring us to the moment when Heaven touched Earth and began to stitch us into the story. The Genealogy of Jesus - Woven into God's family.

Us, Daniel and the Lion's Den - Daniel: Thriving in Exile Week 10

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture:Daniel 6

Description: In the lions’ den, Daniel shows us the power of prayer and necessity of Spiritual disciplines, He prayed knowing God is in control, God is with him, God can change the situation or help him though it. Daniel is a model for us as we encounter the lions’ den in all aspects of our lives.

Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile
Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.

The Writing on the Wall - Daniel: Thriving in Exile Week 9

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture:Daniel 5

Description:We are truly living between two kings and the church is Daniel. Our families, friends, neighbours, our nation has not fully yet decided which we they will go, but we are to be Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar and Belsharazzar. We are not at the time of final judgement, the writing is not not yet on the wall, we do not yet know if the days are numbered. And so we personally and we as a church get to be Daniel to all our neighbours, friends, family, neighbourhoods, to Durham, to the GTA and Canada.

Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile
Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.

Salt, Light and The Great Humbling - Daniel: Thriving in Exile Week 8

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture:Daniel 4:19-37

Description: Should we be hanging out with all sorts of people and not worry about what people think and say? This story in Daniel says yes - be salt and light. Association does not mean agreement, it means you are there to show them light. The only rule is if you cannot handle a person and situation because you might go back into sin then don’t. See how Daniel's presence over time humbled a King.

Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile
Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.

When Enemy Becomes Neighbour - Daniel: Thriving in Exile Week 7

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture:Daniel 4:1-18

Description: Our culture loves hear when the other sides loses, we love when famous people mess up, we love the suffering, misfortune of others and the online world is full bragging, gloating, lying and killing. But Daniel shows us that he cares for his chief enemy, he loves God and loves his neighbour.

Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile
Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.

When Bridges Burn - Daniel: Thriving in Exile Week 6

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture: Daniel 3:19-30
Description: 

 

Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile
Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: A Legacy of Faith - Daniel: Thriving in Exile Week 5

Speaker: Sunder Krishnan
Scripture: Daniel 3:1-18
Description: Examining the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who even in the midst of insurmountable odds. Their response “Our God is able….but if not…”defines what worship really is: a conviction that shapes all of life’s choices so as to declare to everyone who
might be aware that God is our ultimate good.

Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile
Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.

A Master Class in Bridge Building - Daniel: Thriving in Exile Week 4

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture: Daniel 2:24-49; Psalm 18:2; Luke 20:17-19; 1 Peter 2:6-8; Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 20:11-12; Acts 17:22-32
Description: In a post christian culture it feels like there's no bridges left to our culture, but Daniel shows us that they are everywhere. Daniel uses the dream as a bridge to witness about God, and there may be opportunities for us to do the same.

Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile
Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.

The Power, Priority, and Place of Prayer in Culture - Daniel: Thriving in Exile Week 3

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture: Daniel 2:1-16
Description: How do we thrive in exile? How do we be salt and light? It is when prayer is at the centre of our personal life and church life. The world changes because they called out to the Lord in Prayer! Daniel 2:1-16 shows the power, the priority and place of prayer.

Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile
Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.

Wisdom in a Time of Folly - Daniel: Thriving in Exile Week 2

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture: Daniel 1:8-21; Psalm 137:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Matthew 5:13-16
Description: How do you continue to love a country and city when it's going in one direction, and you're going in another. Can you love and disagree?

Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile
Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.

Holy Living in a Hostile Place - Daniel: Thriving in Exile Week 1

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture: Daniel 1:1-8
Description: In this sermon, we learn from the faith of our fathers who lived in babylon exile where their culture and their faith did not match up.

Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile
Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.

Share the Work - Fully Devoted Week 3

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-3,8-10; 1 Peter 2:16; Matthew 11:28-30; Ephesians 6:7-8; Deuteronomy 26:1-10
Description: In this sermon we look at the biblical understanding of "volunteering" and what it means in light of The Gospel.
Fully Devoted Booklet: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rl0HMlemQHc52Tf-j52mmcyc7fot0nyH
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Series Title: Fully Devoted
Series Description: Everyone at C4 is on a spiritual journey, whether it’s your first Sunday or you’ve followed Jesus for years. There can be great highs, and challenging lows in our life of faith. But what does a fully devoted follower of Jesus really look like? How can we make decisions this year to grow? Together we Celebrate Big. Connect Small. Walk with Jesus. Share the Work. Engage in Mission. We’re ALL in this together. All for the glory of God

Discipleship and Guaranteed Places of Encounter - Fully Devoted Week 2

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 12:11, Psalm 22:3, Matthew 18:20
Description:Are there places where we can always encounter Jesus? In this sermon we theologically examine Communion, Baptism, The Gospel, Worship, Scripture, and Suffering
Fully Devoted Booklet: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rl0HMlemQHc52Tf-j52mmcyc7fot0nyH
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Series Title: Fully Devoted
Series Description: Everyone at C4 is on a spiritual journey, whether it’s your first Sunday or you’ve followed Jesus for years. There can be great highs, and challenging lows in our life of faith. But what does a fully devoted follower of Jesus really look like? How can we make decisions this year to grow? Together we Celebrate Big. Connect Small. Walk with Jesus. Share the Work. Engage in Mission. We’re ALL in this together. All for the glory of God

Promises to Us and Our Church - Fully Devoted Week 1

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Key passage: 2 Chronicles 5, 2 Corinthians 5, Zechariah 8
Description: Looking at the unique promises given by God to our church that help define us, shape us, plan, and move forward.  
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Series Title: Fully Devoted
Series Description: Everyone at C4 is on a spiritual journey, whether it’s your first Sunday or you’ve followed Jesus for years. There can be great highs, and challenging lows in our life of faith. But what does a fully devoted follower of Jesus really look like? How can we make decisions this year to grow? Together we Celebrate Big. Connect Small. Walk with Jesus. Share the Work. Engage in Mission. We’re ALL in this together. All for the glory of God

The Call of Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel - Heart and Soul Week 11

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Key passage: Luke 5:1-11; John 1:43-51
Description: In this sermon we hear about the importance of calling in the calling of Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel by Jesus. 
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Series Title: Heart and Soul
Series Description: Stories of conversions focusing on a person in the bible and how they truly encountered God for the first time. Our preachers and teachers will also share their own story of crossing the line of faith and how they met Christ.

The Practice of YES - Saying YES Jesus’ invitation when fear makes you want to say No - Heart and Soul Week 10

Speaker: Joanna la Fleur
Key passage: Luke 5:1-11
Description: In this sermon we hear Joanna's story of coming to faith and how she had to Practice saying "Yes" to Jesus. 
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Series Title: Heart and Soul
Series Description: Stories of conversions focusing on a person in the bible and how they truly encountered God for the first time. Our preachers and teachers will also share their own story of crossing the line of faith and how they met Christ.

A Sinful Women Forgiven - Heart and Soul Week 9

Speaker: Lorie Hartshorn
Key passage: Luke 7:36-50
Description: In this sermon we hear Lorie's story of coming to faith and about the woman anointing Jesus and being forgiven.  
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Series Title: Heart and Soul
Series Description: Stories of conversions focusing on a person in the bible and how they truly encountered God for the first time. Our preachers and teachers will also share their own story of crossing the line of faith and how they met Christ.

The Call of Peter - Heart and Soul Week 8

Speaker: Sunder Krishnan
Key passage: Luke 5:1-11
Description: In this sermon we hear Sundar's story of coming to faith and about The Call of Peter by Jesus.  
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Series Title: Heart and Soul
Series Description: Stories of conversions focusing on a person in the bible and how they truly encountered God for the first time. Our preachers and teachers will also share their own story of crossing the line of faith and how they met Christ.

The Parable of the Lost Son - Heart and Soul Week 7

Speaker: Dave Adams
Key passage: Luke 15:11-32
Description: In this sermon we heave Pastor Dave's conversion story through the lens of The Parable of the Lost Son. 
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Series Title: Heart and Soul
Series Description: Stories of conversions focusing on a person in the bible and how they truly encountered God for the first time. Our preachers and teachers will also share their own story of crossing the line of faith and how they met Christ.

Spiritual Alignment - Heart and Soul Week 6

Speaker: Danielle Strickland
Key passage: Mark 1:9-10; Matt 10:8; Matthew 24:14
Description: In this sermon we look at the spiritual alignment of surrender, generosity, and mission.
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Series Title: Heart and Soul
Series Description: Stories of conversions focusing on a person in the bible and how they truly encountered God for the first time. Our preachers and teachers will also share their own story of crossing the line of faith and how they met Christ.

The Criminal and The Cross - Heart and Soul Week 5

Speaker: Dwayne Cline
Key passage: Luke 23:32-43
Description: In this sermon we look at the the story of the criminal on the cross and the misrepresentation of who Jesus was then, and the misrepresentation of who Jesus is now. 
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Series Title: Heart and Soul
Series Description: Stories of conversions focusing on a person in the bible and how they truly encountered God for the first time. Our preachers and teachers will also share their own story of crossing the line of faith and how they met Christ.

Samaritan Woman - Heart and Soul Week 4

Speaker: Vijay Krishnan
Key passage: John 4
Description: In this sermon we hear the conversion story of the Samaritan woman. 
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Series Title: Heart and Soul
Series Description: Stories of conversions focusing on a person in the bible and how they truly encountered God for the first time. Our preachers and teachers will also share their own story of crossing the line of faith and how they met Christ.

The Early Church - When a Community Reflects Jesus - Heart and Soul Week 3

Speaker: Graham Singh
Key passage: Acts 2:42-47
Description: In this sermon we hear the large scale conversion story that happened in the early church.
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Series Title: Heart and Soul
Series Description: Stories of conversions focusing on a person in the bible and how they truly encountered God for the first time. Our preachers and teachers will also share their own story of crossing the line of faith and how they met Christ.

Nicodemus - When Encountering Jesus Threatens your Religiosity, Spirituality, and Morality - Heart and Soul Week 2

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Key passage: John 3:1-21
Description: In this sermon we hear Nicodemus' conversion story and when encountering Jesus sometimes threatens your religiosity, spirituality and morality. 
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Series Title: Heart and Soul
Series Description: Stories of conversions focusing on a person in the bible and how they truly encountered God for the first time. Our preachers and teachers will also share their own story of crossing the line of faith and how they met Christ.

Timothy - When Faith is Passed to You by Your Family - Heart and Soul Week 1

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Key passage: 2 Tim 1:1-6
Description: In this sermon we hear Pastor Jon's conversion story and a story similar to it in 2 Timothy 1:1-6, how faith is demonstrated in a family situation affecting generations to come. 
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Series Title: Heart and Soul
Series Description: Stories of conversions focusing on a person in the bible and how they truly encountered God for the first time. Our preachers and teachers will also share their own story of crossing the line of faith and how they met Christ.

Walking with Jesus - Pilgrims & Pioneers

Speaker: Dave Adams
Key passage: John 13
Description: How Walking with Jesus helps us be and become Pilgrims & Pioneers where ever we find ourselves.
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Series Title: Pilgrims & Pioneers
Series Description: How do we follow God in our new found freedom in Christ? How do we take the ground that he has promised to us and given us?

Mission and Discipleship - Pilgrims & Pioneers

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Key passage: Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 12:11, Psalm 22:3, Matthew 18:20
Description: How Guarenteed Places of Encounter help us be and become Pilgrims & Pioneers where ever we find ourselves.
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Series Title: Pilgrims & Pioneers
Series Description: How do we follow God in our new found freedom in Christ? How do we take the ground that he has promised to us and given us?

Vision and Baptism Sunday

Speaker: Jon Thompson & Dave Adams
Key passage: Acts 12 & 13
Description: Acts 12 & 13: The kind of community we are becoming.
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Series Title: Vision and Baptism Sunday
Series Description: This Sunday we pause to take a look at the faithfulness of God in our community this year as we get into the summer months— and celebrate this with baptisms.

Sabbath and Work - Jesus and the Workplace Week 3

Speaker: Sunder Krishnan
Key passage: Exodus 20:8–11, Ephesians 2:8–10, Rom 13:11, Deuteronomy 5:12–15 
Description: A “biblical view of work” is incomplete without an understanding of Sabbath. We look at Grace, Freedom, and Time as it relates to work. 
Connect Group Discussion Guide: https://cdn.subsplash.com/documents/C7NVH6/_source/6303580f-3969-401a-ab67-480440cac343/document.pdf
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Series Title: Jesus and the Workplace
Series Description: That 9 to 5. That commuter life. The daily grind. Our passion projects. Does God care about our work? How does our profession intersect with our faith?

Putting Work in its Proper Place - Jesus and the Workplace Week 2

Speaker: Sunder Krishnan
Key passage: Eph 5.18- 21; Isaiah 14:12–14; Genesis 11:4; Philippians 2:3–11; Psalm 19:12
Description: Where does work belong in our priority list? How does work interact with our walk with Jesus? As Christians, we should not let our identity rest in our work or our ability to build, rather in who God says we are.
Connect Group Discussion Guide: https://cdn.subsplash.com/documents/C7NVH6/_source/28f1ebdf-e5b5-44ae-83ed-b9c83a03de59/document.pdf
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Series Title: Jesus and the Workplace
Series Description: That 9 to 5. That commuter life. The daily grind. Our passion projects. Does God care about our work? How does our profession intersect with our faith?

Does Work Matter to God? - Jesus and the Workplace Week 1

Speaker: Lorie Hartshorn
Scripture: Gen. 1:1; Gen 1:4,10,12,18,21,25,31; Gen. 2:15; Eccl. 5: 18,19; Key passage:  Col. 3:17, 23, 24; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Eph. 6:6-8.
Description: Your work matters to God – its central to your identity and your purpose, enabling you to participate with God in His work.
Connect Group Discussion Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pIO7hXwNK--01j0fPKxq9Vw_hHAAIEr5/view?usp=sharing
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Series Title: Jesus and the Workplace
Series Description: That 9 to 5. That commuter life. The daily grind. Our passion projects. Does God care about our work? How does our profession intersect with our faith?

Worshiping God in His Fullness (Identity, Submission, Discipleship) - The Trinity Week 3

Speaker: Jon Thompson
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:14
Description: Helping us understand the Trinity so we can grow closer to God.
Connect Group Discussion Guide: https://cdn.subsplash.com/documents/C7NVH6/_source/862d8dfd-cadc-4957-b9a7-c7f80bd514b8/document.pdf

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Series Title: The Trinity
Series Description: Understanding the Trinity