Episodes
Without looking, how many of the twelve disciples can you name? We may quickly answer with 4 or 5, but struggle as we get further down the list. Dr. John speaks today of Jesus selecting these twelve men to be His apostles. There was nothing outstanding about them, and the potential for internal conflict was great. But when Jesus called, they said, "Yes." Just like you.A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a particular theme and emphasis. In this four-week se...
Jesus was repeatedly accused of breaking the Sabbath. As One who came to fulfill the Law, how could He push against the Sabbath restrictions? Listen as Dr. John explains the laws of the Sabbath and what Jesus meant when He said that He is "Lord of the Sabbath."A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a particular theme and emphasis. In this four-week series, Dr. John Neufeld points us to the Gospel of Luke and traces the intent of the only Gentile writer of a N...
If it is true that we can be known by our friendships, Jesus was accused of hanging out with the wrong people. Tax collectors and those with immoral reputations felt comfortable with Jesus. Dr. John reminds us today that Jesus came for sinners, who by faith become friends with God. A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a particular theme and emphasis. In this four-week series, Dr. John Neufeld points us to the Gospel of Luke and traces the intent of the only...
It's easy to say that your sins are forgiven. When said, there is no external sign; no voice from heaven, angelic song or flashes of glory. Today, Dr. John teaches on the healing of the paralytic. Jesus healed him as demonstration that He has power over body and soul. By the grace of God, this lame man could now walk in forgiveness and was assured of both. You can be assured too.A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a particular theme and emphasis. In this f...
There is conversation and debate about the role of faith and healing. Some suggest that if a miracle doesn't occur, the fault lies with the one who needs to be healed. If that's the case, they are doubly wounded. Not only are they sick, but they are to blame for missing out on their cure. Listen as Dr. John talks of a leper who came to Jesus for healing. It is the intersection of faith and compassion. A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a particular theme ...
What right does a carpenter have to tell a fisherman what to do? But that is exactly what Jesus did to Simon Peter. After a long night of catching nothing, Jesus told Peter to go and throw the nets on the other side of the boat. Peter could have told Jesus to "stay in His lane." He probably thought it, because when he hauled up bulging nets of wiggling fish, he fell at Jesus’ feet and confessed he was a sinner. He thought Jesus should leave him, but Jesus invited this sinner to be His follower. Just like you and me.A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by...
In Capernaum, Jesus found a broad reception. People came to hear His words. Many came to be healed, and Jesus tended to them all night long. Capernaum could have become a major center for Jesus' ministry, except for one thing. Jesus said He had to leave the town. Listen as Dr. John explains the motivation of Jesus' heart. In all things, Jesus fulfilled the wishes of His Father.A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a particular theme and emphasis. In this fou...
A policeman wears a badge and that gives him authority. A scholar is an expert in a certain field and that grants her authority. Parents have authority over their young children. Dr. John teaches from Luke on the authority of Jesus Christ proved by His words and works. Jesus has the authority of the Law, Wisdom, and Love. He has the authority of God Himself.A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a particular theme and emphasis. In this four-week series, Dr. J...
A war hero would like to think that his hometown would welcome him with open arms. Someone who has reached a level of celebrity hopes that those who know him or her would be glad for their notoriety. What if it doesn't happen? Today Dr. John points to the reception Jesus had in the town of Nazareth, His hometown. Listen to Jesus' response and the lesson for us all.A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a particular theme and emphasis. In this four-week series...
Every one of us knows the lure of temptation. It may be pride, greed, lust or self-centeredness that whispers to us; we all have heard it. Jesus was not immune to temptation, but faced this battle even as we do. Today Dr. John teaches on the three named temptations of Christ. Listen, not simply for a pattern for our own resistance to temptation, but to marvel and glory in our deliverance through the righteous life of our Saviour.A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they e...
Various companies make it possible to trace your lineage back to your ancestors via DNA. While the technology is new, the idea is not. Israel excelled at naming and tracing ancestors. Dr. John teaches on the lineage of Jesus given to us from Luke. He explains why it is different from Mathew's recorded lineage and highlights the importance of those differences. There is a message among the names. A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a particular theme and em...
When lost, the first step is to stop going the wrong way. But the next step is even more vital to reaching our destination. We need to start going the right way. As John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Jesus, he preached a message of repentance. Today Dr. John reminds us that John's message was more than, "Stop!" It was also a time to "Start!" Listen to the new way of life that accords with repentance. A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a particul...
Dough must rise before the bread is baked. The ground is plowed before a planting. Fruit must ripen to be enjoyed. The idea of preparation is all around us. So too for the arrival of Jesus. Israel had to be prepared for the arrival of the Messiah. That preparation was the work of John the Baptist. Listen as Dr. John teaches on the timing, nature, and content of John's message. It was time for Israel to get ready. A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a parti...
As a rule, the Scriptures do not satisfy our curiosity. We have more questions than God gives answers. The childhood of Jesus is one area of interest that is met with silence - except for Luke. He is the only gospel writer that speaks of Jesus in His youth. Listen as Dr. John teaches on the single incident of Jesus' boyhood which demonstrates His lifelong commitment. A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a particular theme and emphasis. In this four-week ser...
The rise of social media has given rise to suspicion as well. We read something online and wonder if we can trust it as credible. If that applies to things current, can we trust something written 2000 years ago? Dr. John begins this series on Luke's gospel with reasons why we can stand on what was written. Every believer needs to know the certainty of what they believe.A Firm Grip on the Gospel: Anyone who has read the four Gospels is struck by how different they are. These accounts focus on the life and death of Jesus, yet they each have a particular theme and emphasis. In this four-week s...
Victory is a time to celebrate. A sport team raises their trophy. Balloons descend while energetic music blares at a politician's triumph. Some will even "trash talk" their failed opponent. Today we watch David in a time of victory. His enemy Saul is dead. His pathway to the throne was cleared. Yet, David forbids celebration and laments. Victory is a time to be humble. Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unconditional love for His people. By joining Dr...
Everyone suffers. No one is immune to physical, emotional, or mental pain. Pain is not proportional. There are people who have experienced what seems to be more than their share. Dr. John walks us through the most painful time of David's life. In place of anger or bitterness, David strengthened himself in the Lord. We can do the same.Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unconditional love for His people. By joining Dr. John Neufeld in this 15-message se...
You can't live a "double life" with only one life. But we try to. We may be one thing at work and another at home. Our Sundays may be different from our Tuesdays. Our external life may be distinct from our inner life. In today's message we see David try to live a double life and God rescues him from his fault. God will reveal duplicity and lead us to a single heart.Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unconditional love for His people. By joining Dr. Jo...
What is of supreme importance in your life? What issue is always underneath everything you say or do? Today Dr. John points to the misplaced priority of King Saul who thought victory over the Philistines took precedence over hearing from God. Drifting from what matters ended in his death. Nothing should replace the primacy of our relationship with God.Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unconditional love for His people. By joining Dr. John Neufeld in ...
Have you ever laid awake at night imagining the worst that could happen to you? Most of us have dealt with the pessimistic outcomes conjured in our fearful minds. Today, Dr. John deals with David's actions and plans to fix the negative outcomes he developed in his own mind. Regardless of the measures intended, nothing ever replaces faith in the care, presence, and promise of God. Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unconditional love for His people. By...
Integrity is the harmony between what we believe and what we do. Life may press us to articulate our convictions, but then to act contrary to them. Dr. John looks at David as an example of one with integrity, who not only refused to do what was wrong, but chose to do what was right. A harmony of life needed within our days. Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unconditional love for His people. By joining Dr. John Neufeld in this 15-message series title...
Has God ever prevented you from doing something you would regret later? Perhaps in a surge of anger or a hasty decision, God intervenes for good in our lives. God does what is right, even if we are prone not to. Today Dr. John teaches on about David's interaction with Nabal and Abigail. David had been wronged and was ready to avenge it. God stepped in with wisdom for the greater picture. Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unconditional love for His pe...
The confidence of a warrior is not enough to enable a king. David knew how to fight; he will need to learn how to reign. Dr. John points to God's care and schooling for David as he ran from Saul. A key lesson was learned in a cave in En Gedi. We learn to wait on God. Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unconditional love for His people. By joining Dr. John Neufeld in this 15-message series titled, Life Lessons From David, you will be blessed and encour...
Only the naive think that David was prepared to be king at the defeat of Goliath. David demonstrated great courage and faith, but there was much in him that needed to be addressed by the grace of God. Dr. John teaches that the path towards glory is marked by suffering. God's intent is not pain, but purification. He shaped David for His purposes, even as he shapes us too. Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unconditional love for His people. By joining ...
Faithfulness is not a single step. It is a journey of many steps, one after the other in the same direction. Before David would be king of Israel, there were countless faithful steps he had to take. His path would face opposition, treachery and temptation. Listen as Dr. John points to the faithfulness of David despite great struggle. We can take courage in our own journey and trust the power of God for each step. Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unc...
David went from being an obscure shepherd boy to Israel's hero. He was elevated, applauded and sung about. How did a young boy navigate the rapids of fame? Today Dr. John points to a gift that God provided for David; a friend. Jonathan and David were bound by heart. This friendship did more than help David understand the royal court. It helped stabilize David in the crush of popularity. Everyone needs a friend.Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and uncon...
It was over in an instant. The battle between David and Goliath lasted as long as the flight of a stone. David faced Goliath with the tools of a shepherd and had the experience of defending his flock from a bear and lion. Dr. John reminds us that we answer the calling of God with the shaping and resources of God. God had prepared David for this moment. God is preparing you for His purpose as well. Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unconditional love ...
The fact that we all have a calling from God doesn't suggest that everyone responds well to it. Rising to the call of God requires courage - but a specific kind of courage. Listen as Dr. John speaks of David and Goliath. You will note that while David had personal courage, it did not rest upon his ability, experience or equipment. David’s confidence was in God. Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unconditional love for His people. By joining Dr. John N...
We are not self-made, but shaped. We are not self-directed, but guided. Believers do not craft their own calling, but respond to the Voice and Hand of God. We see in David's life, not only that God had a calling for him, but the way David discerned and answered that call. David's pattern becomes a template for us all.Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an amazing example of God's patience and unconditional love for His people. By joining Dr. John Neufeld in this 15-message series titled, Life...
The place and purpose of David within the Scriptures cannot be overstated. He is the epitome of Monarchs in the Old Testament and the foreshadow of Messianic reign in the New Testament. Mores so, David's life is evidence that God has purpose for us all. Listen as Dr. John begins to trace the intent of God through David's life. It gives hope and meaning for us as well. We may not rise to the heights of David, but our lives in God's Hands have purpose. Life Lessons From David: The life of David is full of lessons that we can still learn from today. David's faith and journey with God is an ama...