Willingdon Church Podcast

Living the Future - 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Willingdon Church — Sun, 03 May 2026 16:17:04 -0700

How do you think about your time on earth?

In his book, The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek talks about finite games and infinite games. Finite games have a definite beginning and a definite end. Infinite games have no time horizon. If life a finite game or an infinite game?

Sometimes we play the game of life as if it were a finite game. We try to get everything out of this life, accomplish as much as possible, experience as much as possible, right into our retirement. We live as if 60, 70, 80, 90 years on earth is all there is.

When we’re young students, we try to make all the right decisions and tick off all the right boxes, get into the best schools, get the best job, so that we can live the most perfect life possible, at least better than those around us.

As we grow older, we try to ensure that in the last chapter of the red tape, we are as healthy, wealthy, and free as possible. We live to get the most out of this very finite stretch of life.

Is this how we should live life? What would motivate us to live differently?

At least three things:

The Fabulous Mystery
The Final Funeral
The Future Now and Forever

We're Back In Botswana | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 29

Willingdon Church — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:31:57 -0700

Today, Silas is joined by Pastor Bryan and Pastor Brody, the Biblical Education Department! They cover if there will be pets in heaven, more stories from Botswana, the new body and even ZOMBIES!

00:00 Intro

02:08 Is there no hope for those who died before Christ came?

05:14 Sermon Discussion

10:35 ZOMBIES

17:47 Will there be pets in heaven?

19:45 Bodies in heaven

29:18 Cremation

34:40 Romanticizing death and the new body

43:26 Outro

This Podcast is a companion podcast to our Sunday sermon. 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.

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Embodied Eternity - 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

Willingdon Church — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:50:10 -0700

Death is the one unifying reality of humanity. Everybody dies. But God didn’t make us to die – He made us to live forever. And He made us for an embodied, physical, eternal life. How does Jesus’ resurrection assure us that we too will be given new bodies like His one day? And how does that change the way we live in these bodies we have today?

Resurrection is continuity from creation.
Resurrection is renewal through recreation.

Live Resurrection Ready! - 1 Corinthians 15:20-34

Willingdon Church — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:05:48 -0700

We are in the climax of Paul’s letter to his beloved Church in Corinth. Up to this point he’s addressed spiritual and moral issues like sexual immorality, marriage and divorce, food sacrificed to idols, proper worship and spiritual gifts. There have been many compromises within the Corinthian church – influenced by the hedonistic culture around them. They’ve even begun to question the very finished work of the Lord they proclaim to serve. So, Paul writes to remind them about what it means to live as followers of the resurrected Christ, because nothing is more consequential for the Christian walk.

Live Because of the Resurrection’s Reality (v.20-23)
Live Under Christ’s Resurrection Reign (v.24-28)
Live Resurrection Ready! (v.29-34)

N.T. is Right | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 28

Willingdon Church — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:34:58 -0700

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor John and Nat recap this past weekend's sermons on 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. We touch on topics such as denominational differences, wrestling with the truth of the resurrection, and more! Continue to write in as we finish off 1 Corinthians over the next few weeks!

00:00 Intro

00:58 Sermon Discussion

14:46 Have you ever wrestled with the truth of the resurrection?

20:11 Resources for learning more about the evidence of Jesus' resurrection

23:45 Navigating the conversation of truth

29:59 Does our spirit go straight to heaven

33:18 Do people's ashes get resurrected?

35:14 The new earth

39:58 Are denominational differences ok if we all believe in the resurrection?

48:45 Outro

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

The Stakes Could Not Be Higher - 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Willingdon Church — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:10:55 -0700

A "high stakes" situation involves significant risk. The potential for either a large gain or a severe, substantial loss is high. It’s often a scenario with irreversible consequences. What might be some high stakes situations for you? Critical business decisions, major academic exams, legal decisions, financial gambles, marriage proposals??

For followers of Jesus, when it comes to the resurrection of Christ, the stakes could not be higher. Our faith rises and falls on the truth of this historical event.

Today we will seek to answer three critical questions:

What is the core message? (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Why are the stakes so high?
What are the facts?

The Sweaty Panicked Man and a Textured White Sweater | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 27

Willingdon Church — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:55:56 -0700

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Silas recap Easter Weekend and answer your Easter-related questions. Continue to write in as we finish off 1 Corinthians over the next few weeks!

00:00 Intro

03:14 Austin Heights Weekend Recap

05:55 Willingdon Weekend Recap

09:27 Sermon Summaries

21:48 How do you prepare sermons for Easter Weekend?

28:00 Timeline of these verses

32:31 Why did Jesus have to suffer such a gruesome death

41:02 The wrath of God

44:40 How is Jesus' death just if he was wrongfully condemned?

47:11 How do we understand the idea that God used humanity’s greatest sin for His greatest act of love?

48:58 Is it biblical to say that God uses sinful and evil acts (though not causing them) to fulfill His purposes?

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Anchored Hope - 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Willingdon Church — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:37:52 -0700

Is there something more than this – this time, this life - what I see today?

If you’ve been attending Willingdon over the last year, you’ll know that we have been walking through Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, those followers of Jesus in the ancient city of Corinth. We’ve talked about self-righteousness, idols, human rights, love, and sex. At times, it’s been spicy. Church can be interesting!!

As Paul nears the end of his letter to Corinth, he writes, “I am going to remind of what really matters.” Here’s the core of the good news. Without this core doctrine, all our conversation about preferences, freedoms, rights, spirituality, feelings – is kind of a waste of time.

So, what’s most important?

Buddy The Bear Joins The Pod | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 26

Willingdon Church — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:32:49 -0700

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Nat chat about the Corinthian Church, who wrote the SOS to Paul and Christian Influencers. We continue in 1st Corinthians next week for Easter, but will be starting a new sermon series, Anchored Hope.

00:00 Intro

00:50 Sermon Discussion

14:53 Corinthian and Western Church Similarities

24:06 Christian Influencers

27:36 Women as Pastors and Elders

30:54 Next Steps for Using Your Gifts

35:48 Revelations During the Sermon Series

41:10 Anchored Hope Primer

45:33 Outro

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Do It for the Family - 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Willingdon Church — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 14:17:47 -0700

What’s the outcome of this whole discussion about spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12-14?

What should we conclude based on the theological foundation provided for spiritual gifts, the diversity of gifting within the body of Christ, the understanding that love is the more excellent way (and must inform and motivate everything), and the orientation given around the proper exercise of the gifts of prophecy and tongues?

Our passage provides us with a fascinating glimpse into the worship service of the early house churches and offers some practical instruction.

Share with the church family
Silence for the church family
Shalom in the church family

Paul and The Really Bad Mosquito | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 25

Willingdon Church — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:56:35 -0700

Today, Pastor Ray Pastor Brett and Silas answer questions about the relationship between trusting God and planning well, spiritual abuse and comparing our healing journey to others we may hear.

00:00 Intro

01:04 Sermon Recaps

10:53 Why Ray focused on faith, healing and miracles

12:06 Understanding the story of Paul in Acts

17:00 Relation between Trust In God and Poor Planning

29:07 Leaders who say I'm sick because of a lack of faith or sin

39:46 Comparing our stories to those of others we hear

51:32 I'm nervous to use my gifts!

58:47 Outro

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Knowing God’s Presence, Compassion and Power - 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Willingdon Church — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 14:53:41 -0700

Imagine you go back in time 100 years and you are asked to explain to your grandparents or great-grandparents what a smartphone can do. The problem is that you don’t have a smartphone in your hand and the internet does not exist. You can only use words to describe the smartphone to them. How would you do it?

Your grandparents or great-grandparents would have no frame of reference for what you would describe - a calculator, a camera (you can take selfies), a global information search engine, a video camera, a written messenger, an online store, a movie theatre … Because they love you, they might nod along and say, “Child, you have the best imagination”

But what if you had the phone with you and could show them all the functions? They might not understand what they see, but they would most certainly know that smartphones are real and amazingly powerful. There is power in actual experience.

When it comes to relationship with God, we ask some very fundamental heart questions: does He exist? If He does, can we know Him? Does he care?

We can know God through reasoning based on evidence. And we have many reasons to believe in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. But we also long to experience the reality of the Resurrected Jesus. Can we experience his presence, compassion, and power now?

The gift of faith is the Spirit-empowered ability to discern with extraordinary confidence God’s purposes and sustain unwavering confidence in God despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
The gift of healing is the Spirit-empowered ability to serve as the instrument God uses to restore people to wholeness (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) through prayer, touch or spoken words, apart from natural means.
The gift of miracles is the Spirit-empowered ability to pray for and see supernatural acts, where God receives the glory for the miraculous intervention.

10pm to Dawn in Botswana | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 24

Willingdon Church — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:14:01 -0700

Strap in! Today, Pastor Brett, Pastor Bryan Born and Silas share stories, answer questions, and just have a great time on this week's podcast. Hear some of Pastor Bryan's stories from ministry in Botswana, Bryan and Brett's stories about discovering their spiritual gifts, and whether we are born with spiritual gifts.

00:00 Intro

02:22 Who is Pastor Bryan?

03:21 Sermon Summary

08:20 Botswana Stories & Biblical Worldviews

20:10 Expanding on the 1st Century Church

35:42 The Standard of Faith

45:11 Are We Born With Spiritual Gifts?

50:37 How Bryan and Brett Discovered Their Giftings

01:01:06 Personal Benefits While Using Your Gifts

01:06:36 Outro

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

The Gospel and Our Gifts - Romans 12:3-8

Willingdon Church — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 13:25:53 -0700

We all want our lives to matter. We long for identity, belonging, and purpose. In Romans 12:3–8, the apostle Paul shows us that the gospel reshapes how we see ourselves, how we see the church, and how we use our spiritual gifts. Instead of measuring our worth by performance or comparison, we are called to measure our lives by Christ himself.

The Gospel Reshapes how we see Ourselves
The Gospel Reshapes how we see the Church
The Gospel Reshapes how we use our Gifts

Vision Sunday: Apart from Him...Nothing - Acts 11:19-26

Willingdon Church — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 14:29:48 -0700

The year 2033 will mark the 2000-year anniversary of Jesus’ resurrection, which we will celebrate four weeks from now. 2033 is only seven years away!

Today, March 8, 2026, Metro Vancouver is among the most non-religious urban areas of North America. In 2021, according to Statistics Canada, 47% of the Metro Vancouver area self-identified as non-religious, 48% of Burnaby, 55% of Vancouver, and 52% of BC. About 3% of the Metro Vancouver population is in an evangelical church on any given Sunday.

Who will reach Metro Vancouver? If not me, who? If not you, who? If not us, who?

A Family on Mission with Jesus: Everyone, Everyday, Everywhere!

Discipleship: Follow Jesus
Family: Grow Together
Mission: Multiply Disciples

FEED

FAITH – “God can do it here. God can do it through me.”
EXPAND – “Don’t ask for a tricycle when you could ask for a bullet train.”
ENOUGH – “I don’t need more stuff. I already have enough.”
DISCOVER – “Don’t bring God to the lost. Discover God at work among the lost."

A Collection of Wild Animals | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 23

Willingdon Church — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:30:21 -0800

Join Pastor Brody, Pastor Brett, and Silas this week as they answer questions on leadership gifts, discernment, and being active members of the church.

00:00 Intro

00:47 Sermon summary

04:08 Gifts for doing vs gifts for equipping

07:51 Shepherd-teacher or shepherds and teachers?

12:22 Who should have these leadership gifts?

17:20 Who are the saints?

22:01 How to test prophecy and walk in the spirit

34:45 How to unlearn harmful teaching

45:02 Ways to become more active members of the church

53:11 Outro

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Gifted To Grow - Ephesians 4:7-16

Willingdon Church — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 14:41:44 -0800

We've all been gifted by God as we follow Jesus. But how do we know the right way to discover and practice our gifts? Jesus, the giver of the gifts, has given certain leadership gifts to help organize and empower his church. As we learn to practice our gifts together, we mature to be like Christ and find stability and assurance in our faith.

The source of the gifts
The shape of the gifts
The strength of the gifts

Thus Saith the Lord | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 22

Willingdon Church — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:56:32 -0800

Join Pastor Brett and Silas this week as they answer your questions on this week's sermon! Today's topics include; Prophecy and speaking in tongues.

00:00 Intro

00:48 Gold Medal Game

03:57 Are tongues and prophecy a sign of maturity?

06:25 Baptism in the Holy Spirit

10:43 How and why pray in tongues?

12:37 Brett's experience with tongues

14:19 Overcoming fear of speaking in tongues

17:22 Are live translations a gift of tongues?

21:08 Prophecy that's not future prediction

24:31 Can prophecy still predict the future?

27:54 How do we know if we have a prophetic message?

33:20 Why don't we have capital 'P' prophets?

38:16 How do we understand prophecies of warning or rebuke?

40:25 How to start practicing prophecy and tongues

44:56 Outro

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Are All Gifts Worth Pursuing? - 1 Cortinthians 14:1-25

Willingdon Church — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:17:02 -0800

Our mission is “to know Jesus Christ personally and to carry on his ministry.” To live out the mission Jesus has called us to we must be anointed, gifted, and empowered by the Spirit. All who follow Jesus would agree.

I believe we would also all agree with Paul’s words, 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts. In chapter 13, the chapter prior to today’s text, Paul highlights love as the essential virtue in the life of the church family. Without love for God and others, we are nothing. The sign of the fullness of the Spirit is love.

And love helps us discern which gifts are most worthy of pursuit. 1 Corinthians 14:12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. Seven times, in chapter 14, Paul talks about the importance of strengthening others through the exercise of spiritual gifts.

What we sometimes struggle with is the last part of 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. To earnestly desire a spiritual gift is “to seek after passionately, to pursue with devotion.” Paul repeats the command in 14:39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

In that complicated Corinthian church, why would Paul encourage the practice of the gifts of prophecy and tongues?

Be zealous for the building up of the body of Christ.
Be zealous for prophecy that builds up, encourages, and consoles others.
Pray for tongues and interpretation to build up the body of Christ.

Three Uncs on a Pod | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 21

Willingdon Church — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 13:51:35 -0800

Join Pastor Ray, Pastor Brian and Silas this week as they answer your questions on this week's sermon! Today's topics include; Cessationism, God's love for us and Brian.

00:00 Intro

00:49 Who is Brian

01:10 Sermon Summary

07:47 God's love "clicked."

13:21 How can we help students understand God's love?

19:57 Childish things in your faith you had to give up

26:29 Balancing loving others and loving/taking care of ourselves?

35:02 Practical Tips for Keeping "love" in the right order

37:43 Cessationism

48:27 Outro

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

In the End, What Matters? - 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Willingdon Church — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 14:07:33 -0800

What is FOR NOW and what is FOREVER?

Candy?
Homework?
Being a baby?
Being a student?
Selfies?

In 2025, more than 2 trillion photos were taken. For some age groups, 1 in 3 photos was a selfie! Come to think of it, I should take a selfie right now. ☺ Tons of self-love!!

What is FOR NOW and what is FOREVER?

God’s love? ❤️
Our love for God? ❤️
Loving others? ❤️

Love Never Ends
Spiritual Gifts Will End
Life Stages End
Love Never Ends

So, in the end, what matters?

What Is Love? | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 20

Willingdon Church — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:22:10 -0800

Join Pastor Brett and Silas this week as they go through all the definitions of Love found in 1 Corinthians 13!

00:00 Intro

02:19 Sermon Summary

9:19 Loves is…

11:15 Patient

14:20 Kind

17:44 Doesn't Envy

20:05 Doesn't Boast/Arrogant

23:05 Isn't Rude

25:01 Doesn't Insist On Its Own Way

28:50 Not Irritable

31:46 Keeps No Record Of Wrongs

38:49 Doesn't Rejoice At Wrong Doing

41:53 Love Bares All Things

43:05 Believes all things

46:00 Hopes all things

47:10 Endures all things

49:15 Outro

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

The More Excellent Way of Love - 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Willingdon Church — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 19:45:41 -0800

We are back in 1 Corinthians after a short break. This year Pastor Ray led us through 1 Corinthians 12 in our series ‘United in the Spirit’.

Pastor Ray showed us how God’s spiritual gifts were at work in the Corinthian church. Some with more visible gifts began to feel superior, while others with less visible gifts inferior.

We were reminded that gifts were never meant to elevate some or diminish others, but to build up the church together and bring glory to the God who gives every gift.

But the Corinthian church could not help themselves because the culture around them taught them otherwise.

Love is Essential
Love is Defined
Love is Displayed in Jesus

The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God

Willingdon Church — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 14:43:35 -0800

With the growth of atheism and widespread secularisation in the West, many have predicted the death of Christianity. But there’s an alternative story to be told. A new conversation on faith is emerging in our culture along with signs of a religious re-awakening among the younger generation. Justin Brierley has been at the forefront of charting 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God’. He’ll explain why 'new atheism’ has grown old and why human existence, human value and human purpose are pointing many people back to faith in Christ.

Three reasons why the conversation on God has changed:

God makes sense of human existence.
God makes sense of human value.
God makes sense of human purpose.

Soyez Les Bienvenus Sur Le Podcast | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 19

Willingdon Church — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 12:13:02 -0800

Join Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett, and Silas this week as they answer questions and ask questions about last week's Sermon! Today, Ray and Brett share how they deal with being in "prominent" roles in the church, encouraging those with "less prominent" gifts and more.

00:00 Intro

01:14 Sermon Reflections

12:33 Are All Not Gifts "Higher Gifts"?

18:11 Honouring those who are "less prominent" in the Body

23:40 Dealing With Spiritual Pride & Superiority

33:20 Functional Gifts and Apostles Today

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Don't Think You're More Than - 1 Corinthians 12:21-31

Willingdon Church — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:59:44 -0800

When I was a child, the repository of human knowledge was placed on a bookshelf. The World Book Encyclopedia, first published in 1917, was the AI search engine of many families across North America for many decades.

What was the most fascinating part of the whole collection? The clear pages of the human body! You could move from the outer skeleton to the inner organs, or go from the inner organs outward to the skeleton.

You could see how the human body was intricately woven together. It was a visual picture of a human body, composed of many interdependent parts and systems, working together for the optimal functioning of the whole body.

In our passage today, the body of Christ in Corinth, runs the risk of becoming very ill. Some parts of the body in Corinth think they are more important than other parts of the body and do not really need those less valued parts. The system is malfunctioning.

What does the Spirit of God say to those who think they are more than others?

We are of equal value (vs. 21)
We are interdependent (vs. 22-26)
We are ordered (vs. 27-30)
We follow a more excellent way (vs. 31)

Can We Trust The Bible?

Willingdon Church — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 14:31:08 -0800

Acts 12 is broken up between three death sentences: James – Peter, and Agrippa. Each teaches us something essential about trusting the Bible:

James’ martyrdom shows the Bible was written early.
Peter’s imprisonment shows the Bible was written accurately
Herod’s death teaches us that we need to trust the Bible with our lives.

Can My Spiritual Gifts Change Over Time? | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 18

Willingdon Church — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:29:30 -0800

Join Pastor Brett, Pastor Jonathan, Pastoral Intern Eunice, and Silas this week as they answer questions and ask questions about last week's Sermon! Today, we discuss belonging, exercising your spiritual gifts and more.

00:00 Intro

01:07 Sermon Summary

05:34 Living out one’s belonging in the local church

11:54 Exercising your gifts

15:20 Can my spiritual gifts change over time?

18:55 How can I discover my spiritual gifts?

26:43 Holding back someone from using their gifts

35:58 How to not overlook others and their gifts

42:35 We belong because of what Jesus has done

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Don't Think You're Less Than

Willingdon Church — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 13:52:00 -0800

How many thoughts do you have every day?

The Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit academic medical center and leader in research, education and health information, did a massive study on human thought. It discovered that the average person has 60,000 thoughts per day.

What percentage of your 60,000 thoughts are negative?

The Cleveland Clinic discovered that 80% of our thoughts are negative. 48,000 negative thoughts a day!! We doubt our potential. We question our personal value. We wonder whether we can accomplish a task. We feel less than others.

How we think about ourselves influences our willingness to use our gifts to serve others. Pastor-theologian John Stott said: “The greatest threat to your ministry is you.” The greatest threat to us walking in step with the Spirit, in alignment with the way God has formed and gifted us, is us! We self-sabotage.

What does the Spirit of God say to those who feel less than?

You are drenched in the same Spirit as everyone else (vs. 12-13).
The body really needs you and you really need the body (vs. 14-20).

Can I Trade My Spiritual Gifts For A 1st Round Pick? | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 17

Willingdon Church — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:15:12 -0800

We're back! Join Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Silas each week as they answer your questions relating to last week's Sermon! Today we discuss the topic of Spiritual Gifts, Church denominations and the Holy Spirit. Have questions of your own? Don't hesitate to email us at ask@willingdon.org.

00:00 Intro

00:58 Sermon Series Overview

12:21 The Landry's favourite reality TV show

13:30 Spiritual Gifts and what makes them different

16:40 Can I desire a different gift?

22:25 Quinn Hughes Trade but Spiritual Gifts?

23:53 Are there elevated Spiritual Gifts in the Western Church?

25:10 Understating denominational differences and what unites us

42:28 Why do some Evangelical Christians see the Holy Spirit as a force?

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Gifts Given For Flourishing - 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Willingdon Church — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 19:21:34 -0800

Today we begin our new winter sermon series: “United in the Spirit: One God at Work in One Body.” The series is based on 1 Corinthians 12-14. The fact that Paul devotes three chapters to spiritual gifts indicates that understanding how the Spirit of God works in and through the body of Christ is of great importance!

Sometimes people are afraid or hesitant to have this conversation. Some will say, “I love Jesus, but I’m not so sure about the Holy Spirit.” Others may be familiar with spiritual phenomena in other religions: ecstatic experiences, speaking in tongues, spiritual healings, and communication with the spirits. They may shy away from the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts because they don’t want to be deceived. Others may be familiar with church contexts where some spiritual gifts are elevated above others. Where there is hunger for status and recognition, people will seek to have the most valued gifts. In Corinth, the specific issue was a glamorized elevation of the gift of tongues.

How does Paul approach this issue? He seizes the opportunity. The Corinthians’ unhealthy focus on the gift of tongues provides an excellent opportunity to have a much broader conversation about the work of the Holy Spirit in the church family. He begins the conversation by laying the theological foundation for the exercise of spiritual gifts.

1. Discernment through Confession (vs. 1-3).
2. Diversity within Unity (vs. 4-6).
3. Determination for Flourishing (vs. 7-11).

Night To Light - John 3:1-21

Willingdon Church — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 14:01:37 -0800

The Gospel of John was written by John the Apostle who had a very close relationship with Jesus. Due to his close relationship with Jesus John’s Gospel is also written in a very relational way. John’s states his purpose for writing the Gospel in Jn 20:31 where he says he wrote it “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

The Gospel of John is full of Christ’s miracles proving Jesus was the Messiah, but it is also filled with people having significant encounters with Jesus. One of those encounters was with a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus. His curiosity drew him out at night to meet with Jesus who took time with him, taught him, and pointed him from the darkness into the light.

The Good Shepherd King - Isaiah 9:6

Willingdon Church — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 14:22:30 -0800

Around the world today, there is a significant longing for good leadership.

In our uncertain times, we seek leaders marked by integrity, compassion, and wisdom.
In a world of false narratives, we want leaders who are trustworthy.
In our complex times, we want leaders who lead with vision, understanding, and clarity.
In a world where so many seem to be self-serving, we want leaders who serve with a commitment to the greater good.

We long for good government leaders, but it is not just in the political arena that we long for good leaders. Children long for good parents, wives for good husbands, students for good professors, young men and women for good mentors, and church members for good pastors. Where do we find good, strong, compassionate leadership?

In response to our question, Isaiah 9 rings with hope. The Good Shepherd King is …

Forever Strong
Forever Compassionate
Forever Good

Adventers Assemble: Christmas Special

Willingdon Church — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:46:51 -0800

We have a Christmas Season conversation for you today with the whole Preaching Team! Join Nat and the guys as they chat about ways to read your Bible in the new year, tips on sharing the Gospel over Christmas and more. We'll be back with our regular Q&A Podcast in the new year.

00:00 Intro
1:09 God's Great Big Story Stories
11:19 Being In Community and In The Word
15:30 Engaging with Scripture
30:20 Help, I fell off my Devo Plan
40:27 Sharing the Gospel at Christmas Gatherings
55:41 Outro

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Mighty God as Humble Child - Isaiah 9:6

Willingdon Church — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 14:08:56 -0800

Yet in the dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. Those simple lines from a familiar Christmas carol speak powerfully of what humanity needs, what we long for. Fear requires a Mighty God to defeat it. That’s the promise the prophet Isaiah delivered to the people of Judah so long ago. It’s the promise that the Jews under Roman rule longed for at the time of Jesus’ birth, and it’s what our world so desperately needs today.

The answer to fear is the Mighty God as humble child. Our Scripture text for this Christmas advent season, Isaiah 9:1-7, provides us with an amazing description of the true hope for all people everywhere, and for each of us specifically. Today we will look at how Jesus meets us at our points of fear, confusion, and weakness.

Mighty Healer and Liberator
Mighty Provider
Mighty Saviour and Lord

Wonder Working Wisdom - Isaiah 9:6

Willingdon Church — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 14:03:30 -0800

This morning we continue in our Christmas Advent series, “That’s My King.” As Pr. Vinh reminded us last week, we remember, during Advent, that Jesus has come and we remember that He is coming. We live in the “in between” time, where we still see the darkness, we still experience sorrow, and we still feel compressed by evil forces at work around us.

We ask ourselves questions like: Will God ever intervene in my situation? Is He doing anything right now? We question His wisdom and His timing.

The title ascribed to the Son of God, Wonderful Counselor, speaks to our questions.

Wonder
Working
Wisdom

All About Communion: Q&A S2 E10

Willingdon Church — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 13:30:53 -0800

Today, Pastor Brett, Pastor Brody and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. Topics today include the relationship between baptism and communion, why we take communion once a month and more. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.

00:00 Intro
01:06 Summary
09:17 Relationship between Baptism and Communion
16:17 Frequency of Communion
23:06 Differences and Common Views on Communion
31:20 Reconciliation
45:32 Outro

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/1d7f2a1c

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

The Guest List - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Willingdon Church — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 17:41:19 -0800

It’s always great to share a meal with friends, and even better when you’re invited to a special dinner by an honorable host. Jesus invites us to share in his Table – but in order to do that, we need to sit next to other believers, some of whom we might not be so warm toward. What does Jesus have to say about how our unity with one another reflects the unity we have with him? And what can be done to reconcile us to one another?

How Am I Supposed to Understand This Passage: Q&A S2 E9

Willingdon Church — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:27:01 -0800

Today, Pastor Brett, Silas and Nat answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show. Topics include headship roles in the family, discerning scripture and performative spirituality.

00:00 Intro
1:09 Sermon Summary
07:28 Performative Spirituality
15:18 Usage of "nature" in the passage and cultural understanding
18:53 How are we supposed to read a passage like this and understand it?
23:21 Do we need a commentary to do our devotions?
24:22 Suggestions on finding a good commentary
25:36 How to distinguish what are cultural vs universal issues when reading the bible?
30:00 Singleness
33:33 Difference between headship roles in the family
42:29 Advice for families where roles look a little different
44:22 Can I tease my husband for "being a man"
49:22 Outro

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6ed50f3b

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

A Worshipper’s Heart - 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Willingdon Church — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 14:21:40 -0800

Do you ever feel like skipping something (a tense meeting, an exam, a chore)? If I could skip doing the dishes, I would do it every time. Whoever came up with the name “Skip the Dishes” for online food delivery was brilliant!

In our Life Group, when we have a meal together, we have a Life Group member who loves to serve the group by doing the dishes. Near the end of the meal, he quietly slips away and starts washing dishes. I am so thankful for him. Every Life Group needs someone like him!

But, you know, sometimes, it’s precisely when you do what you would rather not do, when you wash dishes, that you have an opportunity to grow, have crucial conversations, and gain new insights. Sometimes, facing what we would rather avoid, leads to a whole new understanding.

If we weren’t going through Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians passage by passage, we might be tempted to skip today’s passage. It is one of the most controversial biblical texts in our day, yet it contains eternal truths we avoid to our own peril. It’s quite possible that some of us will go home unhappy today, but we may also be gifted with some interesting conversations.

The Last Episode on Meat: Q&A S2 E8

Willingdon Church — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:30:34 -0800

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1. Topics include buying and eating meat that is labelled halal, having gospel conversations with family members and Ray's trip to Ottawa! If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.

00:00 Intro

00:43 Sermon Summary

05:30 Halal Meat

16:42 The Unknown or Dining with Demons

23:38 Uncomfortable conversations about an offensive Gospel without displeasing family members

31:42 How do I alleviate the shame of not meeting the standard of God

40:47 Ray's trip to parliament 😀

46:41 Engaging in politics as Christians

53:49 Dealing with the anger

57:58 Outro

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f6125431

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Gratitude, Guidance, and Glory - 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

Willingdon Church — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 14:39:49 -0800

What is your general life posture? Are you suspicious of people’s true intentions – your family, neighbours, political leaders, and church leaders? Are you dominated by fear of those who oppose you? Is your life marked by anxiety in relation to what might happen – climate catastrophe, financial ruin, illness?

And, is there another way to posture yourself?

What overriding purpose guides your everyday decision making? Is your overriding purpose guided by personal desires (I want to be the best student, best athlete, be as influential as possible, make as much money as possible)? Or, do you prioritize the good of others?

And, again, is there something more?

Our Bible passage today answers these questions.

Life Posture: Gratitude in All Things (vs. 25-27, 29b-30)
Life Problem: Guided by Love (vs. 28-29a)
Life Purpose: For God’s Glory (vs. 23-24; 31-11:1)

The Willingdon's Got Questions But We're Talking About The Persecuted Church Not 1st Corinthians Podcast

Willingdon Church — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:08:46 -0800

Today, we have a special episode featuring Pastor John Best and Ahmad. Ahmad serves with an organization called House of Ohmeed and is a partner in ministry. This is a discussion on the persecuted Church that you won't want to miss. We'll be back on our regularly scheduled Q&A Pod next week. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.

00:00 Intro

1:28 Get to know Ahmad

6:35 Stories of Persecution

14:32 Standing strong through persecution in Canada

21:43 How can we respond to persecution in other places?

26:29 House of Omeed

36:13 Hope Partners

39:50 What can youth do to grow in their faith publicly?

42:25 How can we pray?

48:00 Prayer

Willingdon Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/a118ebbb

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Know Jesus! Know Jesus!

Willingdon Church — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 14:19:56 -0800

Today is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. The aim of the sermon today is twofold: 1) to help each of us be more prepared to stand strong in our relationship with Jesus even in the midst of suffering, 2) to stand with our brothers and sisters around the world who are experiencing significant suffering directly because of their faith.

Know Jesus! (Who is He and what has He done?)
Know Jesus! (Foster an active relationship with our living Savior)
Raising awareness of some of the challenging realities in the global church

Should We Halloween: Q&A S2 Ep7

Willingdon Church — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:07:38 -0700

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.

00:00 Intro

00:40 Answering a Willingdon family question

04:35 Sermon Summary

09:29 Was there a particular verse that stood out to you while preparing?

17:29 Is partaking in Halloween festivities dining with demons?

26:21 How can we avoid sitting at multiple tables?

31:52 Can I have a financial planner? How can we discern what is Godly advice/teaching?

42:06 How can we discern when something good is taking God's place in our hearts?

51:46 Cultural Idols in the home

56:09 Outro

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/18660be1

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

The Table Worthy of Our Love - 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Willingdon Church — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 13:37:23 -0700

Have you ever sat at the wrong table?

When you go to a wedding reception in Canada, it is not unusual to have a seating chart or table plan near the entrance to help guests find their assigned table. The seating chart determines who you will fellowship with during the reception dinner.

Separate from the guest tables is the head table. At the head table, you have the bride and groom with their wedding party. On that wedding day, the bride and groom are the only ones who have made a covenant with each other before God.

If you are a guest, you don’t even think of sitting in the groom’s chair, much less the bride’s chair. It is just inconceivable. Bride and groom will sit with the one they love. They know the one to whom they have made an exclusive commitment for life.

In our passage today, Paul talks about the possibility of sitting at the wrong table, having fellowship with the wrong people, and bonding with the wrong spiritual realities. What he shares with the Corinthian Christians, reflects Jesus’ love for them.

What is the table worthy of our love?

The Table of Jesus (vs. 16-17).
The Table of Demons (vs. 18-20).
Jesus’ Heart for Us (vs .21-22).

We've Got Questions: Q&A S2 E6

Willingdon Church — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:26:07 -0700

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.

00:00 Intro

00:07 Start

00:48 Sermon Summary

07:30 Jewish History

10:00 Grumbling vs Questioning

16:59 Temptations vs Trials vs Testing

25:37 Why pray 'Lead us not into temptation?'

29:29 Behaviour modification vs healthy boundaries

42:43 What's my out?

54:28 Outro

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/4b25915b

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

The Path To Spiritual Victory - 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Willingdon Church — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 13:40:50 -0700

Temptation is the act of enticing, alluring, seducing, or attracting a person to do what is wrong or evil. It is an enticement that appeals to our cravings (desires).

Is it possible for a person to not be tempted to do the wrong thing? Can anyone say that they have never given into temptation and fallen into sin?

What was it about status-seeking, grumbling, sexual immorality, and idolatry that made these sins so irresistible for the Corinthians? Why do they appear to be irresistible for us?

Is it even possible to resist a temptation that overwhelms us?

Our Spiritual Experience (1-5)
Our Spiritual Struggle (6-10)
Our Spiritual Victory (11-13)

Brett Got Stuck In An Elevator: Q&A S2 E5

Willingdon Church — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:02:24 -0700

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.

00:00 Intro

01:46 Recap

04:42 How did you first hear about the gospel?

11:46 What is the unchangeable message of the gospel

18:40 How do we contextualize the Gospel to a same sex attracted friend?

34:40 Real life examples of Gospel contextualization

47:02 Outro

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6942594c

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Willingdon Church — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 14:34:08 -0700

Have you ever thought about why you follow Jesus, and how you got here?

Paul knew exactly how he did. His life was radically changed by a saving encounter with Christ. That encounter gave him a new kind of freedom; not freedom to live for himself, but freedom to serve others.

In this passage, Paul says, “Though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.”

We live in a world that prizes personal rights, self-expression, and authenticity above all else. But Paul shows us something far deeper: gospel freedom means gladly laying down our rights for the sake of others meeting Jesus.

Servant-Hearted Freedom
Evangelistic Accommodation
Comprehensive Proclamation

Hsieh Hsieh For Listening: Q&A S2 E4

Willingdon Church — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 14:52:45 -0700

We're doing this a little differently this week. Silas, Pastor Ray and our Life Groups Pastor, Pastor Jonathan, sit down and discuss some of the Life Group questions related to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Pastor Ray and Pastor Brett are heading to the other campus this weekend, which is why we had two different passages being preached last weekend. Since Pastor Brett is away, we thought this would be a fun conversation to have, as an example of what Life Group discussions could look like, and it did not disappoint!

If you have any questions for us related to the last and this upcoming weekend's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on next week's show.

00:00 Intro
01:27 Who is Pastor Jonathan?
04:35 Can I receive an honorarium
08:15 Sermon Recap (1 Cor 9:24-27)
12:38 In what ways did you have to discipline yourself for ministry or family?
21:50 How does your identity in Christ help you run to win?
28:12 How might you motivate someone who isn't running the race?
33:38 What are some examples in your life of what it looks like to follow God?
39:10 Outro

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/7842989f

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Run To Win! - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Willingdon Church — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 14:18:21 -0700

When was the last time you asked yourself, “Why do I do this? And what were you thinking about when you asked yourself that question?”

This past week, I went running in the rain. And it was really quiet! I ran for about three km before I saw another jogger. Yes, there were some grumpy dog-owners out there, with their dogs on leash, “Come on dog!”

As you go through the fall season, running in the rain, and then into winter, running in the snow, you ask yourself, especially on those dark, cold, wet days, “Why do I do this?”

In Spring, during the month of May, it’s a completely different experience. It’s sunny. 20C. New runners “come out of the woodwork” with new running shoes, new t-shirts, new shorts. They bounce along proclaiming, “Here I am world, ready to run!”

By early summer, the numbers start to dwindle. You have to know why you do it!

At the end of chapter 9, Paul focuses on his goal. He draws on the metaphors of running and boxing to spur his readers on toward faithfulness. What is the goal? What is the prize?

Run to Win (vs. 24, 26)
Run for the Imperishable Crown (vs. 25b)
Run with Disciplined Rigour (vs 25a, 27)

Just A Regular Conversation: Q&A S2 E3

Willingdon Church — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 14:44:53 -0700

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brody and Nat answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 9:1-18. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.

00:00 Intro
01:01 Context of Paul's Letter
04:24 Resources
06:00 Why did Paul bring up his "lack of support"
11:52 Examples in Society Today
23:33 Curious About Your Identity In Christ?
28:51 Outro

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/02263f52

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

I'm Entitled To My Rights! - 1 Corinthians 9:1-18

Willingdon Church — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 14:57:08 -0700

Have you ever thought about your rights? Have you fought for your rights?

We may read 1 Corinthians 9 and think, “Why is Paul giving up all his rights? What’s wrong with him?” We are so accustomed to remembering our rights and defending them. On university campuses, we’re encouraged to be activists, for our own rights and the rights of others.

We’re informed by human rights slogans like: "Dignity, freedom, and justice for all",
"No matter our job, no matter our height, we all deserve to be treated right", and "Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights!"

We are informed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Universal human rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms that all people possess by virtue of being human, regardless of their race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.

On top of all of this, we live in the age of what is called “Expressive Individualism.” Expressive individualism centers on the idea that your unique inner self and feelings are your true identity, and your fulfillment comes from discovering and expressing this self authentically. Your right to be true to yourself supersedes any commitment to family, community, or religious tradition.

Why on earth would Paul lay down his rights?

So Many Rights!!

Apostolic Rights.
Basic Human Rights.
Biblical Rights.

The Why of Saying No to Our Rights

Can I Do Yoga On My Wii: Q&A S2 E2

Willingdon Church — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:10:22 -0700

Today, Pastor Brett and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 8:7-13. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.

00:00 Intro
01:32 Sermon Summary
04:23 Why didn't I get raptured this week?
09:18 Who is the weaker brother?
17:02 When should the stronger brother encourage?
21:10 When should be "bend"?
30:00 Can I play Wii Yoga at home?
34:16 Outro

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/82717b09

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Love Limits Liberty - 1 Corinthians 8:7-13

Willingdon Church — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 13:52:59 -0700

Recognize - Consciences Differ
Realize - Freedom Can Hurt
Remember - Love Bends

Paul's Corinthian Boogaloo: Q&A S2 E1

Willingdon Church — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:23:07 -0700

We're back with our Sunday sermon companion podcast! Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett, and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 8:1-6. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.

00:00 Intro
01:55 Sermon Summary
10:46 Gospel responses to current events
26:41 Non-Christian events with other religious connotations
32:22 Businesses owned by people of other religions
38:47 Are there any other sneaky idols in our lives?
47:02 Is there a way to avoid having idols?
49:48 Spiritual abuse/being "puffed up"

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/a6fbb39a

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

What’s At Stake With My Steak? - 1 Corinthians 8:1-6

Willingdon Church — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 14:28:10 -0700

Imagine someone coming to our intercultural church for the first time, from a place in the world where there is one ethnic group speaking one language. That person would probably ask the question, “How did this happen?”

To help the person understand, we would provide the context, the history and circumstances that created a multi-cultural city with an intercultural church family: the history of exploration, the first settlements of foreigners, starting in about 1860, and the patterns of immigration over the past century.

When we read 1 Corinthians 8, we ask, “What context would lead a church in Corinth to write to Paul about food offered to idols?” And, what does it mean for us today? If we understand the context, we’ll find that Paul’s answers are more relevant for us than we might assume at first glance.

Spiritual naivete can really hurt us.
Our “spiritual knowledge” can hurt others.
Solution: Being known by God and truly knowing Him.

Five Spiritual Practices for Life - Acts 2:29-39; 42-47

Willingdon Church — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 14:12:47 -0700

What do we consider to be the core spiritual practices that will enable us to thrive?

Every one of us was born into a family culture that gifted us with a way of believing, a way of thinking, a set of values, and ways of behaving. I was born into a family culture, established by my parents, who drew on the wisdom of their parents, Scripture, and their church family.

What is the family culture of Willingdon? Today we will talk about five ongoing spiritual practices, grounded in gospel truths, gospel patterns of thinking, gospel values, and gospel ways of behaving.

These five spiritual practices should be woven into the life of every disciple at Willingdon. Every one of us can do them and none of us will ever grow out of them.

Personal Spiritual Rhythms
Worship Service
Life Group
Service
Gospel Sharing

David and Jesus: Absolutely No Comparison - 1 Samuel 16 & 1 Kings 2

Willingdon Church — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 14:38:57 -0700

God-thirst drives all of us. Eugene Peterson writes: “We’re never more alive than when we’re dealing with God.” (Eugene Peterson, Leap Over a Wall, p. 5). In fact, we aren’t alive at all until we are dealing with God.

Oh, we may try to complete ourselves by getting more education or more money, travelling to another place or buying different clothes, playing with new ideas and having new experiences. But no matter what we add or experience, a longing remains. It’s far stronger than our desires for comfort, security, fame, power, or sex, all put together! God-hunger!

The story of David engages us with this thirst for God when young or old, loved or betrayed, winning wars or repenting for sin. King David was a valiant warrior, nation builder, and gifted songwriter, but he was also an absent father, an adulterer, and a murderer. David longed for God – just take an afternoon to wind your way through his psalms.

The story of David leaves us longing for the King who will reign forever!

1. Shepherd-King

2. Servant-King

When The King Weeps - 2 Samuel 13-19

Willingdon Church — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 14:09:59 -0700

Belonging to the Lord brings blessings beyond anything we can imagine – but we don’t always see it. We navigate the highs and lows of life. Regardless of our circumstances, God ushers us into his presence and urges us to share with him the deep longings of our heart. Today, we’re going to consider the relationship King David has with his son Absalom, and spend time learning about and expressing lament.

Awakening A Sin-Seared Soul - 2 Samuel 12

Willingdon Church — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 14:24:49 -0700

A few weeks ago, a friend invited me to enjoy a beautifully seared, slow-cooked lamb roast. It was so tender and flavourful - a moment of intense pleasure. I confess that I ate too much. Our story today includes friendship, a lamb roast, and pleasure.

In 2 Samuel 11, King David breaks at least seven of the ten commandments. He believes his sins are hidden. He lives within a web of lies, not for a day, but for at least nine months:

Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, just happened to be killed in battle.
He has legitimately taken a widow to be his wife. He has not committed adultery.
Bathsheba now happens to be pregnant with their child.

King David is living like a fool. Psalm 10:11 He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”

How does God awaken a soul seared by sin? A sin is an attitude, thought, intention, or action contrary to the heart of God. We all sin. How does God awaken our sin-seared souls?

The Lord’s Word: Listen, Trust, and Obey
The Lord’s Expectation: Repent and be Restored
The Lord’s Justice: Submit and Worship
The Lord’s Grace: Receive and Rejoice

From Scandal to Surrender - 2 Samuel 11

Willingdon Church — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 14:08:15 -0700

Today, as we continue on the ‘Life of David’, we get to the part of his life, where Christians and non-Christians have associated him with when you mention the name Bathsheba. But long before 2025, the Bible shares openly with painful detail the most famous affair recorded in all of history, and it does not hold back but shows every heartbreaking ripple effect.

I have three points from today’s message, and they are:

The Scandal
The Suffering
The Surrender

A Zeal for God's Presence - 2 Samuel 6-7

Willingdon Church — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 14:32:37 -0700

David longed for more than a throne; he longed for the presence of God. In this message from 2 Samuel 6–7, we look at David’s passion for God’s presence and God’s promise to dwell with his people forever. Ultimately, this points us to Jesus, the true King who brings us into God’s presence, now and for eternity.

The Presence of God
The Promise of God

A Friend Closer Than A Brother - 1 Samuel 18-19

Willingdon Church — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 14:08:10 -0700

Has God ever provided you with an unexpected friendship at a critical moment in your life?

When we consider David’s life, we discover that Jonathan, son of King Saul, played a critical role. Facing death threats and confusion, God provided David with a true friend. When David needed him most, Jonathan discerned God’s will and sacrificially loved David with a fierce loyalty. In many ways, Jonathan is the ‘hero’ in their friendship.

Their relationship teaches us much about the nature and character of true, God-centered, friendship. It illustrates Proverbs 18:24 – “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” God created a bond between David and Jonathan that couldn’t be destroyed by parental hatred, jealousy, or conflicting destinies.

Covenantal Trust (18:1-4)
Resolute Loyalty (19:1-7; 20:28-34)
Genuine Authenticity (20:41-42)
Steady Encouragement (23:15-18)
Sacrificial Giving (18:1-4)

Reflection Questions:

What kind of friend are you? By God’s grace, how do you hope to become a better friend?
Jonathan (like John the Baptist with Jesus) humbly submitted to God’s will in his friendship with David. What lessons can you apply in your friendships from these examples?
Where do things stand in your friendship with Jesus? What needs to change?

A King In Waiting - 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Willingdon Church — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 15:01:41 -0700

The promises that God makes with Abraham are not only about a home and the future generations of children, but about leaders, rulers, and a king.

Will the people receive the king that they want, or will they receive the king that they need?

Today, we look at:

1. The Fall of King Saul

2. The Rise of King David

3. The True and Better King

Who Do You Represent On Earth? - 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Willingdon Church — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 23:09:58 -0700

The story of David and Goliath is one of the most beloved stories in all of Scripture. We sing songs about battling our giants. Michelangelo painted this battle scene on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book called, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Mis ts, and the Art of Battling Giants (2015).

We teach our children this story, praying they will trust God in life, while at the same time hoping they will not take too many crazy risks. It has become, in Western culture, a metaphor for anyone overcoming insurmountable odds to defeat an enemy.

What is the story actually about? Is it about God coming to help us slay our giants, or is it about something else, much more foundational and life-changing? How would you answer the question of our sermon title? Who do you represent on earth?

Do we compare our giant to ourselves or to God?
Are we zealous for God’s glory or our own personal victories?
Is our perspective today shaped by God’s faithfulness in the past?
To whom does our battle belong?
Do we have Jesus as our Champion?

Hearts After God - 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Willingdon Church — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:26:24 -0700

Today we begin the “Life of David” series. David’s story is the longest and most detailed biography of the Old Testament. He is the archetype for every other Israelite king. When he dies, he leaves Israel with the longing for another king like him. King Jesus will be that perfect king. Jesus will perfect David’s every virtue and correct his every wrong.

David is the only one in all of Scripture to be called “a man after God’s own heart.” What does it mean to have a heart after God? This is our question today.

We pick up David’s story when Israel’s first king, Saul, is still reigning. The prophet Samuel is grieving over Saul’s disqualification as king. Why has God rejected Saul? For that matter, why would God reject anyone?

1 Samuel 16:1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” God has found someone. What was he looking for?

The Lord chooses (not us).
The Lord sees (so much more than us).
The Lord anoints (we listen, trust, and obey).

In-House Conversations: Episode 7

Willingdon Church — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:05:27 -0700

Pastor Brody, Pastor Brett and Silas recap and answer your questions on this week's sermon on 1st Corinthians 7:25-40. They touch on topics such as singleness, divorce, identity, and more! This will be the last episode as we take a break for the summer!

00:00 Intro
00:48 Sermon Recap
03:51 Encouragement for those in a season of singleness
10:31 Is it not a command to have kids based on the passage in Genesis?
20:40 The pressure in singleness
25:25 Non-Ethical ways of conceiving
27:22 Should Christians divorce if they married a non-believer
31:56 Discussion around abuse
39:41 Why do you think it's hard to accept our identity/calling?
49:55 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/

I Do, I Don't - 1st Corinthians 7:25-40

Willingdon Church — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 17:38:13 -0700

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.

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

Reflection:

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?
How can you support in community other singles and marrieds? What would it look like for you to bless them in their calling?
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?

In-House Conversations: Episode 6

Willingdon Church — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 12:09:06 -0700

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

This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/84c49b65

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

The Status Worth Dying For - 1st Corinthians 7:17-24

Willingdon Church — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:31:52 -0700

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?

Remain as you are
Ethno-religious Status Means Nothing
Social-legal Status Means Nothing
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.

In-House Conversations: Episode 5

Willingdon Church — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:34:10 -0700

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

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

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Remain Faithful - 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

Willingdon Church — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 16:20:53 -0700

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.

Faithful in Intimacy
Faithful in Commitment
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.

In-House Conversations: Episode 4

Willingdon Church — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:31:30 -0700

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

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

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Living the Adventure: Acts 8:26-40

Willingdon Church — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 15:25:36 -0700

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?

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

In-House Conversations: Episode 3

Willingdon Church — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:21:38 -0700

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?

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

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

My Body, My Choice?: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Willingdon Church — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 16:22:25 -0700

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?

Your Physical Body is for Jesus, and Jesus for Your Body.
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.

In-House Conversations: Episode 2

Willingdon Church — Thu, 29 May 2025 12:48:34 -0700

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

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

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Live Like You're Washed: 1st Corinthians 6:1-11

Willingdon Church — Sun, 25 May 2025 14:40:51 -0700

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:

The Sad State of the Corinthians (v.1-8)
The Separated State of the Unrighteous (v.9-10)
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.

In-House Conversations: Episode 1

Willingdon Church — Thu, 22 May 2025 13:04:21 -0700

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.

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

Website: https://willingdon.org/

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

Danger Close: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Willingdon Church — Sun, 18 May 2025 14:44:47 -0700

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.

Mission: Multiply Disciples - Matthew 28:16-20

Willingdon Church — Sun, 11 May 2025 14:12:26 -0700

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:

Discipleship: Follow Jesus
Family: Grow Together
Mission: Multiply Disciples

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

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

Reflection Questions:

How does Jesus’ ongoing presence with you embolden your witness and encourage you to take steps of obedience in your discipleship journey?
Is there a command of Jesus you need to obey today?
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

Family: Baptized Into His Family - Matthew 28:16-20

Willingdon Church — Sun, 04 May 2025 22:51:34 -0700

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.

Big God
Big Mission
Big Family

Discipleship: Follow Jesus - Matthew 28:16-20

Willingdon Church — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 23:08:02 -0700

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?

Looking Outward: Jesus’ Compelling Vision
Looking Inward: Jesus’ Cautious Disciples
Looking Upward: Jesus’ Universal Authority

Reflection Questions:

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

Lord of The Stone (Easter) - Matthew 26:30-56

Willingdon Church — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 17:47:37 -0700

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.

Stone Surrendered
Stone Sealed
Stone Seat!
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.

Choices (Good Friday) - Matthew 26:57-27:56

Willingdon Church — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 17:46:06 -0700

Good Friday Service - April 18th, 2025

The Surrender of Jesus - Matthew 26:30-56

Willingdon Church — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:25:15 -0700

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.

The Isolation of Surrender
The Prayer of Surrender
The Victory of Surrender

Reflection Questions:

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

Why Do We Gather? - Matthew 26:1-29

Willingdon Church — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 19:26:26 -0700

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”?

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

What's Wrong with those Goats? - Matthew 25:31-46

Willingdon Church — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 20:47:54 -0700

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.

The Sovereignty of the Judge (vs. 31-33)
The Summons of the Sheep (vs. 34-40)
The Sentencing of the Goats (vs. 41-45)
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?

While We Wait - Matthew 24:32-51, 25:1-13

Willingdon Church — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 23:19:24 -0700

Sermon from March 23rd, 2025

Watch for the Signs.
Wait with Readiness.
Work with Faithfulness.

Reflection Questions:

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

Jesus Comes For You - Matthew 24:15-31

Willingdon Church — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 13:33:06 -0700

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 …

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

Reflection Questions:

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?
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?

Hope for Hypocrites - Matthew 23:1-39

Willingdon Church — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 17:59:33 -0700

“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.

Hypocrisy Unmasked
Judgement Undiluted
Compassion Unveiled

Reflection Questions:

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

The Hinge Commandment - Matthew 22:34-46

Willingdon Church — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:45:20 -0800

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 …

A Honing Question (which leads to …)
The Hinge Commandment (which leads to …)
A Helpful Question (which is meant to reveal …)
The Hinge Person

Jesus’ Compelling Vision - Matthew 24:1-14

Willingdon Church — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:45:00 -0800

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?”

Common Vision
Comprehensive Vision
- Spiritual Deception (vs. 4-5)
- Scores of Disasters (vs. 6-8)
- Specific Discrimination (vs. 9-13)
- Sweeping Dissemination (vs. 14)
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?

Seeing Family with Jesus’ Eyes - Matthew 19: 1-15

Willingdon Church — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:25:22 -0800

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 …

Couples to Be One in Him
Children to Belong in Him
Celibates to Be One with Him