Episodes
What does a successful pastor actually look like — and how would you know if you were one? In today's from Living the Truth, Dr. John works through 1 Timothy 4:11–16, where Paul gives Timothy a clear and practical picture of faithful ministry: teach the Word publicly, live in a way that earns trust, and keep a close watch on both your life and your doctrine. Because in the end, your hearers' salvation — and your own — depends on it.Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical instructions to the church — the household of God. Wh...
What does Paul mean when he calls God "the Savior of all people" — and does that mean everyone ultimately makes it to heaven? In this message from Living the Truth, Dr. John Neufeld works through 1 Timothy 4:10, dismantling two common misreadings before arriving at a richer, more biblical picture of God's saving work — one that stretches from David's battlefield to a pagan harvest, and fuels Paul's relentless labour for the gospel.Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical instructions to the church — the household of God. Wha...
What is the most important thing a pastor can do? In today's message, Dr. John opens 1 Timothy 4:6–9 to make the case that job one for every shepherd is protecting the flock through faithful, patient teaching — keeping false doctrine in check while grounding the congregation in truth. But Paul doesn't stop there. The best thing any pastor can offer his people isn't a leadership strategy or a counselling model. It's a life trained in godliness.Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical instructions to the church — the household...
Can a person truly fall away from the faith — and what does that mean for the security of the believer? In this message, Dr. John continues in 1 Timothy 4:1–5, examining the character of false teachers and the subtle dangers of asceticism. When we view life apart from God's intention — denying what He has called good, or abusing what He has given freely — we open the door to deception. The remedy is simple: receive God's gifts with thanksgiving, and let His Word define what is holy.Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Timothy 4–6, Dr. John Neufeld walks us through Paul's practical in...
False teaching isn't simply a matter of human opinion — according to Paul, there are demonic forces actively working to lead the church astray. In this first message from Living the Truth, Dr. John Neufeld opens 1 Timothy 4:1–5 and unpacks the Holy Spirit's explicit warning: that throughout the church age, some will depart from the faith. Dr. Neufeld traces this pattern from the early church to the theological drift of the 20th century, and reminds us why faithful, obedient Bible teaching isn't optional — it's the church's first line of defence.Living the Truth: In this 3-week study of 1 Ti...
Why does suffering feel so personal — and could it actually be? In this message from Romans 6:5, Dr. John unpacks one of the most profound doctrines in the New Testament: union with Christ. Far from being random or meaningless, our suffering is the means by which God unites us to Jesus in His death — so that we might also share in His resurrection.Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does ...
When someone we love suffers, what do we say — and what should we never say? Drawing from the story of Job and Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 1:3–7, Dr. John offers a deeply personal and practical message on how to comfort those who are hurting. Along the way, he shares honestly from his own experience of grief — and points to the one source of comfort that never runs dry.Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they r...
When life gets hard, complaining comes naturally — but gratitude is what God calls us to. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and the repeated failures of Israel in the wilderness, Dr. John Neufeld examines the danger of a grumbling spirit and what it means to give thanks in all circumstances — not just the good ones. Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to...
Suffering is never random — it has a purpose. In this message from 1 Peter 4:1, Dr. John Neufeld explores how God uses suffering to sanctify His people, burning away what is false and producing a faith that is genuine, tested, and eternal. Drawing from 1 Peter and the doctrine of union with Christ, Dr. John shows why trials are not only allowed by God, but appointed by Him — and how, in the hands of a loving Father, even our deepest pain becomes the means of our greatest growth.Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God al...
When we're suffering, it's tempting to question God's wisdom — or tell Him how He should act. In this message from Romans 11:33–36, Dr. John Neufeld examines what it means to truly submit to God's wisdom, exploring why His ways so often confound our expectations, and why trusting Him is always the wisest response.Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ignore, diminish or bypass the problem. Nor do they resolve it. But God does tell us how we are to respond to pa...
People say it all the time — "that was heaven" or "that was hell." But what if they're more right than they realize? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld explores the idea that our most glorious and most devastating experiences on earth are foretastes of what is to come. From the beauty of creation to the brutality of suffering, God has purposes in both — and understanding that changes the way we face whatever season we're in.Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ...
If God is truly sovereign, what do we do with the evil that people inflict on us? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld tackles one of the most challenging tensions in the Christian faith — human free will and the sovereignty of God. Drawing from Lamentations, the story of Joseph, and the crucifixion itself, Dr. John makes the case that nothing happens outside of God's control, and that even our darkest experiences are held in the hands of a God whose mercies never come to an end.Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allo...
Have you ever cried out to God and heard nothing back? You're not alone — and you're in good company. In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld explores one of the most honest and uncomfortable realities of the Christian life: the silence of God. The experience is real, it's biblical, and it doesn't mean God has abandoned you. Dr. John helps us understand why God sometimes seems distant — and what to do when heaven feels quiet.Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not igno...
When suffering hits, everyone has an explanation. But are the most common answers actually helpful — or do they miss the point entirely? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld takes a closer look at John 9 and the question Jesus' disciples brought to him about a man born blind. What Jesus says in response challenges some of our deepest assumptions about pain, and points us toward a definition of good and evil that changes everything.Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do...
Suffering is real — and pretending otherwise doesn't make us stronger. In this opening episode of a new series on trusting God in suffering, Dr. John Neufeld tackles one of the most honest questions a believer can ask: where is God when life falls apart? Drawing from Scripture, literature, and his own personal loss, Dr. John makes the case that authentic faith doesn't shy away from the reality of pain — it faces it head on.Trusting God in Suffering: One of the obstacles to faith is the problem of pain. Why does a powerful loving God allow suffering? The Scriptures are forthright and do not ...
Giving is never just about money — it's a declaration of trust. In this episode, Dr. John works through Deuteronomy 26, the closing chapter of Moses' second sermon, exploring two ancient acts of worship tied to giving: the firstfruits offering and the third-year tithe for the poor. With characteristic honesty about why money sermons make people uncomfortable, Dr. John unpacks what faithful generosity looks like — and why it flows not from obligation, but from remembering all that God has given.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern read...
The family isn't just a social unit — it's the foundation God built society upon. In this episode, Dr. John works through Deuteronomy 25:5–19, examining four laws designed to protect family life in ancient Israel: caring for widows through levirate marriage, safeguarding future generations, ensuring honest dealings in business, and remembering the ruthless attack of Amalek on Israel's most vulnerable. Ancient laws with a timeless message about why family still matters.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and...
God had a lot to say about how a society treats its most vulnerable. In this episode, Dr. John works through Deuteronomy 24:5–25:4, unpacking a sweeping set of ancient laws that speak directly to the issues of our day: protecting marriage and family, defending the poor from exploitation, safeguarding public health, extending justice to foreigners, and ensuring punishment never crosses into cruelty. A challenging and timely word for the church today.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they re...
Marriage was never meant to be disposable. In this episode, Dr. John works through Deuteronomy 24:1–5, tackling one of Scripture's most debated passages on divorce — and letting Jesus have the final word. With pastoral honesty and personal reflection, Dr. John explores what God's law truly permits, what it never intended, and why the sanctity of marriage remains one of the most important battles the church must fight today.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless ab...
Rituals are easy — it's the heart that's hard to clean. In this episode, Dr. John walks through Deuteronomy 23, exploring how ancient Israel's laws of ritual purity speak to four timeless areas of Christian integrity: worship, personal hygiene, money, and care for others. Drawing on Jesus' warning about cleaning "the outside of the cup," Dr. John challenges listeners to move beyond outward religious observance and pursue genuine inward holiness — where what we appear to be on the outside matches who we truly are on the inside.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel dist...
The 7th commandment — you shall not commit adultery — is one of the most countercultural truths in all of Scripture. In this message from Deuteronomy 22:13–30, Dr. John works through six civil laws in ancient Israel that flow from this command, addressing everything from virginity at marriage to sexual violence, and makes a compelling case for why God's standard of sexual faithfulness is not primitive or outdated — but a reflection of just how seriously he takes the gift he created.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but lo...
What do lost livestock, building codes, and bird nests have in common? In this message from Deuteronomy 22:1–12, Dr. John works through six seemingly incidental laws given to Israel and uncovers the thread running through all of them — a call to live not for yourself, but for the good of others. A surprisingly practical and convicting episode rooted in one simple question: if everyone lived the way you live, would the world be better or worse?The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal s...
What does God's law have to say about family? In this message from Deuteronomy 21:15–23, Dr. John works through three of the harder family laws in Scripture, covering polygamy and inheritance rights, the rebellious son, and the burial of the executed — and shows how each one points us toward a God who cares deeply about justice, order, and ultimately, grace. This episode ends in a place you might not expect: at the foot of the cross.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something t...
Ministry gets messy — and so does life. In this message from Deuteronomy 21:1–14, Dr. John works through two of the messier laws in Israel's legal code: what to do when a murder goes unsolved, and how to treat a woman captured in war. Far from brushing past the difficulty of these passages, he unpacks what they reveal about a God who takes sin seriously, values every human life, and meets us not in our righteousness — but in the complicated mess our sin has created.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and yo...
What are the limits of a just war? In this message from Deuteronomy 20:10–20, Dr. John tackles some of the most difficult passages in all of Scripture, addressing the laws governing Israel's warfare with surrounding nations, the command to completely destroy the inhabitants of Canaan, and what all of it reveals about the character of a righteous God who will not be trifled with.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something timeless about the character of God. In this series on De...
Is there such a thing as a just war? In this message from Deuteronomy 20:1–9, Dr. John explores what the laws of Israel reveal about warfare — not from the perspective of military strategy, but from the perspective of justice for the soldiers themselves. From the priest's blessing before battle to the surprising list of exemptions that allowed men to go home before the fight, this episode uncovers a God who is deeply compassionate, even in the midst of an evil and broken world.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look cl...
What stands between a civilized society and the law of the jungle? In this message from Deuteronomy 19:1–21, Dr. John walks through three distinct laws given to Israel — covering homicide, property rights, and the integrity of the courts — and makes a compelling case for why God's perfect standard of justice is as relevant today as it ever was. From cities of refuge to the danger of false witnesses, this episode reveals a God who cares deeply about truth, fairness, and the protection of the innocent.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to moder...
Who speaks for God? It's a question that created conflict in Moses' day and continues to cause chaos in churches around the world today. In this message from Deuteronomy 18:15–22, Dr. John examines the biblical marks of a true prophet, traces the line from Moses to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to send a prophet like no other, and offers a timely warning against the vague impressions and false voices that so easily lead God's people astray.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll ...
God loves diversity — but not everywhere. In this message from Deuteronomy 18:1–14, Dr. John explores why the one true God demands exclusivity in worship, not plurality. From the role of the Levitical priests and how they were to be treated, to the strict prohibition of occult practices among God's people, this episode makes a compelling case for why Israel's religion was never a product of human development — and what that means for how we worship today.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find t...
What do the ancient laws of Israel have to do with us today? In this introduction to a new series on Deuteronomy 18–26, Dr. John unpacks the relationship between Israel and the church, addresses the hotly debated topic of Christian nationalism, and lays out four principles for applying these ancient laws to our lives today. If you've ever been tempted to skip over the Old Testament law, this episode will change the way you see it.The Law and Holy Living: The laws of ancient Israel can feel distant and irrelevant to modern readers — but look closer, and you'll find they reveal something time...