Mckernan Baptist Church Podcast

John 13:1-17; 14:1-6 On this second Sunday of Lent, we continue our journey with the book, "40 Days of Decrease." Our current readings in the book of John have us in the Upper Room, where Jesus washed His disciples' feet and began to explain His soon coming departure. In John 14:1-6, Jesus talked of going away to make available the kind of life He came to offer, not just in the future, but for now as well. Jesus is the True Way to Eternal Life with God...which begins NOW!!! (Jn. 14:1-6) The language of the Father's "house" has connotations not only of a place, but also of a household or family. Jesus provides a way to a restored relationship with God, the Father. We are promised a place of meaningful and intimate relationship with God in His family. Thus, Jesus is not only the Way to a destination, He offers a whole new Way of Life. The story of the foot washing reveals key facets of this amazing way of life restored to God. We are Given a Secure Identity (Jn. 13:1-5) Jesus could move forward toward the c

John 12:24-26 Today is the first Sunday of Lent. As we begin a journey with the book, "40 Days of Decrease," the messages during this season will come from the daily readings in John 12-21 that are recommended in the book. We begin today with Christ's words in John 12:24-26, where Jesus provides His certain response to the awareness that His impending crucifixion was near. This response appropriately addresses the question... How can we prepare for the new life and growth made possible by Christ's resurrection? For new life to emerge, some old ways need to die. (v. 25) When Jesus spoke about how a single kernel of wheat needs to die to give birth to much more life, He was alluding to the coming reality of His death and resurrection. This truth, however, implies that our deeper experience of life will come as we, in God's strength, put to death that which stands in the way of His life springing more fully in us. The preceding stories John tells provide very practical examples of what needs to die... Empty

Isaiah 42:1-9 Last week, we began a journey through this passage in which Christ is prophesied as the Coming Servant of the Lord. As those served by Him, we are now sent to serve as He served (Jn. 20:21-22). Today, we'll see what this prophecy has to say about how and who Jesus came to serve. If we are sent to serve as Jesus came to serve... How are we to serve? Rather than draw attention to ourselves, we are to serve God's purposes faithfully as He provides opportunity and let Him determine the scope. (v. 2,8) Rather than impose Christ's reign by force, we are to serve with compassion. (v. 3, 1 Peter 3:15) Rather than try to control results, we are to serve expecting God to do new things in His time and way. (v. 9, Mt. 13:31-32) Who are we to serve? We are to serve those worn down by life's circumstances and injustices. (v. 3, Mt. 12:20) We are to serve those who are ethnically different than us. (v. 4, Mt. 12:21) We are to serve those who are spiritually distant. (v. 6, Acts 1:8)

***WARNING: WE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE MICROPHONE AND THERE IS SOME HIGH-PITCHED RINGING THROUGHOUT THE SERMON. *** Isaiah 42:1-9 We live in a culture that is quick to serve itself. This "self" focus runs quite counter to the challenge of many references we find in Isaiah to "the servant of the Lord." God called His people, Israel to be His servant (41:9), yet they failed to serve His purposes (42:18-19). As such, God said He would raise up another servant (42:1) who would bring His just order to the world. Jesus came as this Perfect Servant and now we who follow Him are sent out as His servants (Jn. 20:21). "Because He (Jesus) is the Perfect Servant, He is also the Model Servant, the true pattern for all who, through Him, are the Lord's servants today." - JA Motyer As those restored by Jesus' service, we are sent to the world as His servants. This implies that... We are Loved by God. God "delights in" His servant. We do not serve from a place of needing or earning love, but from a place of being lov

God is Our Trusted Source of Hope (Psalm 121) We start by lifting up our eyes to God (1-2) God's presence is active (3-4) God's presence offers us protection (5-8) He promises to be with us in difficult times (Isaiah 43:1-4) Moving Forward in Hope Cultivating the hope that we have in God Prayer Scripture Telling stories of God's faithfulness (Joshua 4:21-22) Sabbath Stewarding our selves Maintain healthy habits Steward our attention and thoughts (Philippians 4:8) Avoid escapism Walking in community Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Look outward Maintain connection Resources: McKernan Baptist Church (780) 436-0611 Alberta Mental Health Helpline 1-877-303-2642 Help in Tough Times Website https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/page16759.aspx

As Isaiah continues to address the situation of God's people exiled in Babylon, he addresses the fear that will certainly threaten them, especially when Persia overtakes Babylon (41:10). Not only does Isaiah call the exiles not to fear, He offers them solid truth that speaks to their (and our) fear. When fear threatens to control us, God assures us with these truths...

BEYOND THE DESIRE TO GIVE UP Isaiah 40:28-31 In our journey through Isaiah, we'll continue to look at God's amazing prophetic encouragement to His people (Is. 40) as they would find themselves in the pain and questions of exile, certainly tempted to give up on living faithfully for Him. In the past two weeks, we've seen how God gave to them a picture of His unwavering love (vs. 1-11), sovereign power and infinite wisdom (vs. 12-28). Today we'll see how God offered them (as He continues to offer us) strength to continue moving forward. When we want to give up, God offers to give strength; the kind of strength that comes from waiting on Him. What does it mean to wait on God? We focus on the truth of God's love, power and wisdom as foundational. (vs. 11,28) We surrender our timelines and outcomes to God's timeline and outcome. (Jer. 29:10-11) We continue to follow as God leads, asking and trusting for needed strength. (Is. 33:2; Ps. 37:34) How does God promise to provide strength? The word strength has the

In our journey through Isaiah, we'll continue to look at God's amazing prophetic encouragement to His people as they would find themselves in the pain and questions of exile. Last week, we saw God's posture of love, inviting them (and us) to ultimate restoration. Today, we'll see how verses 12-28 address God's absolute ability to fulfil His promises and His purposes. Where they (and we) could not see a way (v. 27), God would prove Himself absolutely capable of making a way. When we bump into the limits of our understanding, God invites us to... Look at Creation (12-14, 21-22, 26) God's creation reveals unparalleled wisdom and power that brought this world into existence and faithfully sustains it day by day. Creation is thus a constant reminder of God's greatness. Look at History (15-17, 23-24) Nations have continually risen only to fall. Kingdoms in the height of their power make great claims, yet do not last. As we look at the fickleness of human power, we are reminded of God's infinite power. He is

On this first Sunday of the new year, we return to our journey through Isaiah. We'll move ahead to the latter section of the book that speaks to hope, beginning with today's passage that prophetically addresses those who would find themselves in exile, lamenting their failure and wondering if their guilt had placed them beyond the restoration of God. (Lam. 1:2; 5:20-22)

On this last Sunday of 2020, we will take time to look back on the past year and ahead to the new year, considering how God may be asking us to focus our attention as we move forward. A number of our pastoral staff will share a word or concept that God has impressed on their hearts as they enter 2021. The Race Car: https://i.redd.it/skkeozks22e31.jpg

Merry Christmas from McKernan Baptist Church

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we will return to Isaiah's prophecy about Christ's coming and focus on what it means to see Jesus as Prince of Peace. When we look at the state of the world and often the state of our own troubled souls, we can be left thinking that this peace is entirely elusive. The kind of peace Christ's promised coming offers is represented in Hebrew using the word "Shalom," which has been defined as "the webbing together of God, humans and all creation in justice, fulfillment and delight." (C. Plantinga) In Isaiah 9:3-5, we get a picture of what this peace will look like. While ultimate fulfillment will come at Christ's second coming, His first coming means the reality of peace has broken in now.

Isaiah 9:3 On this third Sunday of Advent, we will return to Isaiah's prophecy about Christ's coming and focus on a verse we typically overlook (Is. 9:3), which speaks to the joy that Christ's coming will ultimately make available. This joy is about an inner sense of "buoyancy" or soul satisfaction (Psalm 19:8, Prov. 15:30) that comes from God (Ps. 86:4, Neh. 8:10,12, Gal. 5:22).

On this second Sunday of Advent, we will look at how the prophesied name of Jesus, "Everlasting Father" (Is. 9:6), is a powerful declaration of God's love for us.

On this first Sunday of Advent, we will explore how Isaiah prophesied the coming of hope into a world that was in deep distress and hopelessness. We often look at this familiar prophecy, "For unto us a Child is born..." without seeing the darkness of its context.

Pastor Mike and the worship band lead us through a blue Christmas service. Just a heads-up, the volume will be much louder for the music, and quieter when Pastor Mike is speaking.

BEYOND THE CHAOS, EVEN IN CHAOTIC TIMES

As we continue our journey through Isaiah, we arrive at a point in Jerusalem's history when they faced a significant military challenge. Rather than turn to God and His way forward, King Ahaz opted for what he saw as the more obvious and immediate way out.

Nov. 1, 2020 - BEYOND AN INADEQUATE VIEW OF GOD (pt. 2)

Beyond an Inadequate View of God