Sunwest Fc's Weekly Sermon Podcast

Nehemiah leveraged his time, talents and treasure to respond to God's call to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. But this was only possible when others did the same. Being generous is good, but being a generous community is better. We can do more together than we can do apart.

Jesus talked about money a lot. More than He talked about church, prayer, healing, heaven or hell... Why? Because He needed people's money? No. Because He knew that our money was the truest reflection of our hearts. Nehemiah knew this too. In Nehemiah 10 the people of Israel take an oath about material things in order that their hearts remain connected to God and His purposes. What's your money telling you about your heart?

Nehemiah had a vision to see the ruined walls of Jerusalem, his hometown, be rebuilt, even though he was being held hostage in Persia. Historically, the nation of Israel had proven they were stronger together providing protection, community, and a strong work force. What can we learn about Generosity from Nehemiah and the Israelites, and how does it apply to our church family?

One thing we know to be true about God is that He is generous. We know this because Scripture declares that this is at the very core of who He is, and His desire for us is to know, experience and live out this foundational truth. God's generosity is more than a gift of time, emotions and finances. These externals point to a deeper reality of God's heart, a heart that longs for an authentic relationship with you. This Sunday we embark on a new series that explores God's heart of generosity in our lives and how we can experience it.

"Why do you look for the living among the dead?" That is what was asked of the the women searching for Jesus on Sunday after the crucifixion. When they understood the resurrection it changed everything for them. Have we grasped this same hope? Are we still looking in the wrong places for our hope? Resurrection changes everything.

On Good Friday, Jesus Christ was accused, mocked, beaten, and crucified so that... we don't have to? Sometimes we think that Jesus suffered so we wouldn't need to, or that Jesus became the least so that we could become great. That line of thinking resonates with the message of our culture, but does it resonate with the message of Jesus?

In this series we have been looking at different metaphors that the Bible uses to help us understand what God has done through Jesus on the cross. One of the primary pictures we see is that Jesus is our substitute. This is often described in legal metaphors where God is judge and Jesus is an innocent victim who takes our place, so that we can be free. This model is very helpful in some ways, but it is also problematic in others. Want to learn more?

What happened on the cross? This is a reality and mystery that has transformed and challenged every Jesus follower in history. There are many paradoxes at the cross, that if we over simplify we will miss its significance. We often view Jesus as only a man, but the Bible shows us that Jesus was fully man and fully God. And if Jesus is fully God, what does God hanging on a cross reveal to us?

Jesus died on Good Friday 2000 years ago. He died in place of all mankind to bring us into a place where we could once again have connection and relationship with God the way it was intended to be since creation. But, why did He have to die? There are various reasons and theories as to what Jesus' death was all about. This message will look at the "Christ the Conqueror" theme, as well as the "Ransom Theory" of His death.

We often hear the phrase "Jesus died for us" but what does this mean? For many of us, the event of Good Friday has become so domesticated that it has lost its revolutionary message and power. During this Lent season we are going to dive into the meaning of Good Friday to recover the mystery and scandal of the cross. TGIF-Thank God it's Friday!

Jesus has a heart for intergenerational community in his church. Yet many churches are filled with fence sitters or those who are disengaging completely from their faith community. Through unprecedented research and study, James Penner will paint a picture of why people are fence sitting and the critical changes that we can make to move people from the fence to full engagement.

The heart of this series,the roots of community, will be the focal point of the message this Sunday - a heart of grace. In many ways, the table and the hospitality that surround it are the context where community grows and then extends practically to our world. Meals, hanging out together, and the Calgary spirit of hospitality are all part of how SunWest engages in community.

Meals in community often turn into a time to share stories and old memories. There is nothing like a hot apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream to take you down memory lane. Sharing stories and memories are how we deepen our relationships with the people around us. Jesus understood this well when he sat down to eat with his disciples for the last time. As Jesus prepared the meal he told them that every time they ate together to do so in remembrance of him. What would happen if every time we ate together our stories and memories were focused around the salvation of Jesus?

Community is often most clearly seen around a dinner table. We tend to only eat with those who are like us. Yet Jesus ate with everyone, and it got him in a lot of trouble. Meals provide us with the opportunity to practice radical hospitality and demonstrate the Kingdom of God that transcends boundaries. This week we will follow Jesus' lead and consider meals as mission.

Jesus had a mission. In the Gospel of Luke we read that He came to seek and save the lost. He came not to be served but to serve and give His life so others could live. But HOW did He do it? We could think of many things that Jesus did, but there is a very simple daily activity that Jesus utilized. It's something that we all do, everyday. Meals. Yes, food! Luke puts a table in the centre of Jesus' ministry. We hope that you will rediscover the potential of hospitality for community and mission through this series.

We often talk about having a relationship with Jesus, but do you ever feel like He's distant? Do you wonder where He is? Do you feel like the intimacy you used to have isn't there? Our relationship with God is not static... and He refuses to fit into our neat little boxes. Perhaps this is an indication, not that something is wrong but that God is leading you to a deeper relationship with Him. How does that work?

Would you use this phrase to describe yourself: "A disciple whom Jesus loves"? There is an individual in the Gospel of John who repeatedly refers to himself in this way. It isn't boastful, just simply factual. He demonstrates the type of relationship with Jesus that is available for every person. A relationship that is not religious but relational; not agenda driven but presence driven. Come this week as we look at the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved and consider if that could possibly be our own name too.

Joseph. A good man with a good heart. Willing to endure shame from his community to do what he knew was right. A true God pleaser, not a people pleaser.

God knows how to create a good story and used unusual circumstances and the most unsuspecting people to bring about his Son. This week we will be focusing on the life and calling of a teenaged mom, Mary. God used someone who seemed unqualified, and unprepared to raise the Saviour of the world. Despite her fear and confusion she was willing to align her will with God's and say yes to the seemingly impossible. In this Christmas season, what do we need to say yes to?

For the Advent Season, we will be focusing on the coming of the Christ child... but have you heard the Christmas back story? If you think your family or extended family presents awkwardly at times, wait until you hear the background story of Jesus. Behind the usual Christmas story there are beautiful pictures of grace and redemption. Jesus was born in a stable, a barn... and laid in a manger. That's Bible language for a "feeding trough". His family was just as rustic and rough as the physical environment; as messed up as any story you have ever heard. But if Jesus can turn that family and situation around, He can turn any family or any situation around! That's part of the GOOD NEWS of Christmas.