Episodes
Only the naive and deluded deny the presence and power of sin and death. Our world can be a painful place. It does no good to cover our eyes or pretend that evil doesn't exist. It is real and requires a real answer. God provides that answer through Jesus Christ. Jesus defeats sin and death by His life, atonement, and resurrection. He comes to Bethlehem filled with light, grace, and truth. We do not have to pretend; our hope is real. Christmas: Hype or Hope?: In our culture, Christmas has become a celebration disjointed from its original intent. The party of Christmas overshadows the meaning...
An engagement ring is a pledge of a wedded relationship. A down payment is a promise of ownership of a house. These are forecasts in part of what will be in whole. Jesus has come, yet there is still sin and death in our world. Today, Dr. John preaches that the arrival of Jesus in Bethlehem, His gospel teaching, powerful miracles, death and resurrection are unbreakable promises of God's Kingdom, both present and coming. Christmas: Hype or Hope?: In our culture, Christmas has become a celebration disjointed from its original intent. The party of Christmas overshadows the meaning of Christmas....
The story of Bethlehem is the promise of the prophet Micah. He predicted the birthplace of the Messiah. But he did more. Micah also predicts a time of global peace and righteousness. Listen as Dr. John rehearses the words of Micah. We will find that the One who is born is Bethlehem is the instrument and Ruler of peace. For those who long for peace, there is hope. Christmas: Hype or Hope?: In our culture, Christmas has become a celebration disjointed from its original intent. The party of Christmas overshadows the meaning of Christmas. In our society, it has the "too much makeup" appearance ...
Some look to government as a panacea for all things. They act as if good government can bring a utopia on earth. That's hype. It is an expectation that not only exceeds the government’s power, but ignores the fallen nature of everyone in authority. But there is hope. Dr. John points to the only Ruler who is worthy to reign forever. He is promised by God and sung by angelic choirs. Christmas: Hype or Hope?: In our culture, Christmas has become a celebration disjointed from its original intent. The party of Christmas overshadows the meaning of Christmas. In our society, it has the "too much m...
How do we sift the meaning of Christmas from the celebration of the season? Some strive for simplicity by having fewer gifts or a smaller tree. Others make it a time of charity for the needy. But reducing the hype without discerning the hope of Christmas is no improvement. Dr. John reaches back to the Genesis beginning to remind us that in times of despair, God shines with redemptive hope.Christmas: Hype or Hope?: In our culture, Christmas has become a celebration disjointed from its original intent. The party of Christmas overshadows the meaning of Christmas. In our society, it has the "to...
When God sent His Son into the world, it wasn't random—it was purposeful. In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld unpacks four reasons why the Father sent Jesus at Christmas: to redeem us from the curse of the law, to adopt us as His children, to place His Spirit in our hearts, and to free us from slavery forever. This isn't just the story of a baby in a manger—it's the story of a God who planned our rescue with precision and love.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming was absolutely necessary. Through the bo...
Jesus didn't just happen to be born at a convenient moment in history. When Paul writes that Christ came "in the fullness of time," he's revealing something profound: from the fall of Adam to the manger in Bethlehem, God was preparing the way. In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld walks through seven pivotal moments in redemptive history, showing how each was necessary for the Messiah's arrival. Christmas wasn't an accident. It was the culmination of God's perfectly timed plan.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus...
We like to think we're free—masters of our own fate, captains of our souls. But the truth is far different. Before Christ, we were all enslaved to what Paul calls "the elementary principles of the world"—cultural rules, religious regulations, and empty philosophies that promised freedom but delivered bondage. In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld unpacks how Christ's coming transferred us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming was absolutely necessary. ...
Since the Tower of Babel, humanity has been divided by race, economics, and culture—but the coming of Christ changed everything. In this message from Galatians 3:28, Dr. John Neufeld explores how Jesus creates "one new humanity" by breaking down the walls of hostility between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female. Christ becomes bigger than our politics, culture, and divisions, uniting vastly different people as brothers and sisters in one family of faith.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming ...
What does it mean to be "clothed with Christ"? In this message, Dr. John Neufeld explores how our spiritual nakedness—our sin and vulnerability—is covered by the righteousness of Jesus himself. Through baptism, believers publicly identify with Christ's death and resurrection, putting on His life as their own and becoming heirs of the promise God made to Abraham.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming was absolutely necessary. Through the book of Galatians, this series traces God's plan from Abraham's pro...
What changed when Jesus entered the world? From Galatians 3:25-26, Dr. John explores two massive shifts now that Christ has come. First, we're no longer under the guardian—no cultural barriers stand between us and God. Second, believers are made sons and daughters of God—adopted into His family as heirs who will one day rule the new creation. Christmas didn't just offer forgiveness, but restored humanity's original calling.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming was absolutely necessary. Through the book...
Why does Paul say we were "imprisoned" under the law before Christ came? From Galatians 3:23-24, Dr. John explains the law's dual role: it was both our jailor and our guardian. The law provoked rebellion, exposing our sinfulness and trapping us in it. Yet it also prepared us for the gospel through the bloody sacrifices that pointed to Christ. This message reveals why the law was necessary preparation before Christmas—why God's timing was perfect in sending His Son.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming ...
Is God's law contrary to His promises in Christ? Many think Jesus came to abolish the law, but Paul emphatically says "absolutely not!" Drawing from Galatians 3:21-22, Dr. John explains that the law never gave life—only Christ does. Yet the moral law still stands. Jesus didn't come to make us lawless; He came to fulfill what the law demanded and empower us by His Spirit to live righteously. This message reveals the crucial continuity between law and grace.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming was absol...
If God promised blessing through Jesus, why give the Law 430 years later? Drawing from Galatians 3:19-20, Dr. John explains that the Law wasn't given to save us—it was given to diagnose our condition. Like a physician's diagnostic tool, the Law reveals our transgressions and strips away our illusions of self-righteousness, ultimately driving us from Mount Sinai to Mount Calvary where we find our Saviour.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming was absolutely necessary. Through the book of Galatians, this ...
In this Christmas series opener, Dr. John explores a foundational question: If people walked with God before Jesus came, why do we need Him? Drawing from Galatians 3:15-18, he examines God's covenant with Abraham and the promise that all nations would be blessed through Abraham's "seed." Through Israel's turbulent history, Dr. John reveals that the promised blessing didn't come through a nation, but through one person: Jesus Christ.Christmas From Galatians: This Christmas, Dr. John takes an unprecedented approach to the season by exploring why Jesus' coming was absolutely necessary. Through...
What am I made for—in this life and for eternity? In this final episode, Dr. John Neufeld addresses two foundational questions about our design and destiny. He explores what Scripture teaches about gender and sexuality, outlining six biblical principles that celebrate God's creative design. Then he paints a vivid picture of the new heaven and new earth—a transformed physical world where heaven and earth unite forever in Christ.I've Got Questions: In this thought-provoking series, Dr. John Neufeld tackles the real questions people are asking today—from the exclusivity of Christ to the proble...
How can a loving God allow so much suffering, and how can we know our salvation is secure? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld addresses two questions that strike at the heart of God's love for His people. He explains why suffering exists in a fallen world and reveals five ways God uses it for our good. Dr. Neufeld then tackles assurance of salvation, pointing us away from confidence in ourselves and toward the finished work of Christ.I've Got Questions: In this thought-provoking series, Dr. John Neufeld tackles the real questions people are asking today—from the exclusivity of Christ to the ...
Is the Bible really the only holy book, and how can a loving God send people to hell? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld explores two foundational questions about God's ways: that He speaks through Scripture, and that He holds humanity accountable. He examines what makes the Bible utterly unique among all books in human history, then tackles the difficult doctrine of hell, explaining that the severity of sin is determined by the infinite worth of the One we sin against.I've Got Questions: In this thought-provoking series, Dr. John Neufeld tackles the real questions people are asking today—fr...
In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld tackles a common question: Why can't God just be satisfied when people are happy and fulfilled, regardless of what they believe? Drawing from Isaiah 43, he explores the foundational truth that we were created for God's glory, not our own satisfaction. Dr. Neufeld challenges the modern tendency toward experience-only faith and reminds us that we weren't made for ourselves—we were made for Him.I've Got Questions: In this thought-provoking series, Dr. John Neufeld tackles the real questions people are asking today—from the exclusivity of Christ to the problem ...
In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld tackles a common question: Why can't God just be satisfied when people are happy and fulfilled, regardless of what they believe? Drawing from Isaiah 43, he explores the foundational truth that we were created for God's glory, not our own satisfaction. Dr. Neufeld challenges the modern tendency toward experience-only faith and reminds us that we weren't made for ourselves—we were made for Him.I've Got Questions: In this thought-provoking series, Dr. John Neufeld tackles the real questions people are asking today—from the exclusivity of Christ to the problem ...
Even the greatest heroes of faith are still subject to human weakness. In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld examines King Hezekiah—one of Judah's most godly kings—who after being miraculously healed and witnessing incredible deliverance from Assyria, stumbles into pride when Babylonian envoys visit Jerusalem. Dr. Neufeld reminds us that sin's consequences can't always be undone, and that even faithful leaders must guard against complacency until their mission is complete.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isaiah: Isaiah is the second-most quoted book in the New Testament, yet many Christian...
It's easy to speak of faith when the threat is still distant—but what happens when it's at your door? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld examines one of Scripture's most dramatic moments: the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem under King Hezekiah. With all fortified cities fallen and a mocking enemy proclaiming their God is powerless, Hezekiah faces the ultimate test. Through Isaiah's prophetic word and Hezekiah's prayer for God's glory, we witness how the Holy One of Israel defends His people in their darkest hour.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isaiah: Isaiah is the second-most quoted book ...
What would the world look like under perfect leadership? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld examines Isaiah's vision of the coming Messiah's reign, contrasting foolish human leadership with the righteous rule of Christ. Through the final woes against Judah and Assyria, Isaiah reveals that the greatest crisis any nation faces is not military threats or economic troubles, but encountering their Creator in judgment. Yet beyond judgment lies hope—a future where the Messiah reigns from Jerusalem, bringing justice, peace, and restoration to a broken world.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isai...
When crisis comes, where do we turn? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld explores Isaiah's fourth and fifth woes against Judah for forming a military alliance with Egypt instead of trusting God. Using the biblical theme of "going back to Egypt" as a symbol of turning away from God, he examines how Judah's leaders sought security in Egyptian military power and rejected the prophets who called them to repentance. Dr. Neufeld challenges listeners to consider where they place their trust when facing life's storms.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isaiah: Isaiah is the second-most quoted book ...
In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld examines Isaiah's prophetic laments over Israel and Jerusalem, revealing that God is not a tribal deity but the sovereign Lord who directs all nations and history. Through the woes pronounced against both kingdoms, he explores how God uses empires as instruments of judgment while remaining faithful to His covenant promises. This message reminds us that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human rebellion—He will accomplish His wonderful work of redemption.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isaiah: Isaiah is the second-most quoted book in the New Testamen...
Isaiah wasn't just concerned with Israel—God had something to say to all the nations. Dr. John walks through Isaiah 13-27, where the prophet delivers oracles against Babylon, Assyria, Moab, Egypt, and other surrounding nations, accurately predicting the rise and fall of empires centuries before they happened. These chapters culminate in God's message to the whole earth: the Lord will judge the world for its transgressions, but for those who trust in Him, there's hope beyond the darkness.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isaiah: Isaiah is the second-most quoted book in the New Testament,...
When Assyria threatened to destroy both Israel and Judah, Isaiah saw beyond the darkness to a coming light. Dr. John walks through Isaiah 6-12, from the prophet's temple vision to his confrontation with King Ahaz during the Syrian-Israeli invasion. When Ahaz refuses God's offer of a sign, Isaiah turns to all Israel with a greater sign: a virgin will conceive and bear a son. The very region first destroyed by Assyria—Galilee—would become ground zero for Jesus' ministry, bringing light to those who walked in darkness.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isaiah: Isaiah is the second-most quot...
Isaiah's main theme isn't just judgment or hope—it's God himself. Dr. John walks through Isaiah chapters 1-5, showing how the prophet contrasts a sinful nation with the Holy One of Israel. These opening chapters set Isaiah's pattern: confronting present sin while pointing to future glory, from the Assyrian threat to the coming Messiah. Through the song of God's vineyard and a series of woes against injustice, Isaiah shows that there is no true good apart from God's glory.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isaiah: Isaiah is the second-most quoted book in the New Testament, yet many Christ...
Understanding ancient texts requires knowing the times in which they were written. Dr. John explores Isaiah's dramatic 50-year ministry (740-686 BC), spanning the reigns of four kings and the existential threat of Assyrian invasion. When Israel and Syria threatened to wipe out Judah's royal family, the messianic line itself hung in the balance—leading to Isaiah's famous virgin birth prophecy. Through wars, wicked kings, and divine deliverance, Isaiah never lost sight of God's promise that a shoot would arise from the stump of Jesse.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isaiah: Isaiah is the...
Why is Isaiah the second-most quoted book in the New Testament? Dr. John introduces this essential prophetic book, showing why it's indispensable for every Christian. Isaiah prophesied for over 50 years, foretelling not only the coming Messiah but even naming Cyrus the Great 150 years before he would rebuild Jerusalem. This episode lays the foundation for seeing Jesus through the lens of Isaiah's remarkable vision.The Grand Vision: God's Story Through Isaiah: Isaiah is the second-most quoted book in the New Testament, yet many Christians have never studied it deeply. In this 10-message seri...