PODCAST · religion
Commons Church Podcast
by Commons Church
Sermons from Commons Church. Intellectually honest. Spiritually passionate. Jesus at the centre. Since 2014.
Episodes
-
How to Read the Bible as a Conversation, Not a Weapon - Jeremy Duncan
What if the Bible was never meant to win arguments? When we're confused, afraid or disillusioned, it's tempting to treat scripture like ammunition, tossing verses back and forth until someone runs out. But that isn't how the scriptures work, and it isn't how they came to us. In this message…
more -
Why You Need Spiritual Ancestors - Bobbi Salkeld
In this sermon on Hebrews 11–12:2, Bobbi explores "learning to listen to ancestors." The message reclaims Christian tradition not as a restrictive relic to escape, but as an inherited wisdom that anchors people against isolation and everyday pressures. By examining how the writer of Hebrews...
-
What Nature Has To Say - Scott Wall
Scott draws on the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 to examine how nature speaks to our greatest fears, and how it can also move us into moments of divine encounter. He argues that Elijah’s experience of stillness in the natural world is a model for us to follow in a world full of so much noise.…
more -
God Speaks Through the Unexpected - Jeremy Duncan
What might we hear from God if we made more room to listen to people we don’t yet know? In Genesis 18, Abraham welcomes three unexpected visitors. This sermon explores the mystery of that encounter and asks how curiosity and hospitality might open us to conversations we never saw coming. What…
more -
Why Loving Your Neighbour Starts with Listening - Jeremy Duncan
What if loving your neighbour begins with listening—before deciding who they are or what they deserve? In this message, we revisit the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 and explore how Jesus shifts the question from identifying our neighbours to becoming a neighbour. Along the way, we consider the...
-
Agnostic plus Jesus - Jeremy Duncan
What if your doubts don’t disqualify you from faith? In Mark 9, a father brings Jesus an honest prayer: “I believe; help my unbelief.” His story invites us to let go of perfection, make room for uncertainty, and take the next step toward the future we hope for. From the mountaintop…
more -
We are all mystics - Scott Wall
In this return to the familiar conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, Scott explores how we regularly face experiences we can't explain. He considers how curiosity can be a form of faith when we're swept beyond our intellectual limits, how our hunger to start over is divine, how Jesus uses the...
-
When You Can’t Control What Happens Next - Jeremy Duncan
What do we do when life unfolds beyond our control? In the closing chapters of Acts, Paul learns to release the communities he helped build—and eventually loses control over his own journey. Yet even amid imprisonment, uncertainty, and shipwreck, he retains something vital: the freedom to choose...
-
The Idea of Home - Yelena Pakhomova
In this sermon from our Soapbox Sundays series, Yelena explores the layered and universal idea of "home". Grounded in Ephesians 2:19–22, this message looks at how Christ breaks down dividing walls, invites outsiders into full belonging, and joins us together into a living sanctuary where God…
more -
What Minds Are For - Scott Wall
In the first message of the Soapbox Sundays series, Scott makes the case for how an intellectual, reflective life is a spiritual life. Looking at the wisdom literature of Proverbs 4, this teaching explores how engaging our minds across generations, embracing curiosity, and asking hard questions...
-
When Being Right Turns Into Revenge - Jeremy Duncan
Psalm 7 is a song for anyone who has ever felt falsely accused, misunderstood, or desperate to be vindicated. But underneath David’s very reasonable words is something more volatile: anger, frustration, and the desire for God to feel exactly what he feels. In this sermon, Jeremy Duncan explores…
more -
A Prayer for Disorientation - Yelena Pakhomova
What can ancient prayers teach us about our own experience of chaos, confusion, or distress? In this week’s installment of our Summer Songs series, Yelena walks us through Psalm 86—a powerful "psalm of disorientation." Whether life feels stable or everything is falling apart, the Psalms provide a...
-
Hope in Lament - Ben Hsu-Chan
What do you do when God feels far away? Psalm 13 is a song for those moments. In this message, we explore how naming our pain and shifting our perspective can help us move from lament to praise. Key topics covered: • The relationship between lament and praise: Why the "Book of Praises" is full of...
-
Cultivating Wisdom - Bobbi Salkeld
What do you do when the world feels unfair and you find yourself “fret-burning” with anger? In this message, we explore the wisdom of Psalm 37—not as a transactional set of rules, but as a roadmap for finding composure, delight, and hope in the midst of life's messiness. While many read the…
more -
Be Still and Know - Alexandra Chubachi
What does it mean to trust God when there are still very real reasons to be afraid? Psalm 46 doesn’t promise a life without chaos. Instead, it points to the presence of God—our refuge and strength—within our complicated histories, uncertain futures, and present moments. In this message, Alexandra...
-
The Idols We Don't Recognize - Jeremy Duncan
What if the greatest idols in our lives aren't statues—but fear, security, money, and the stories we tell to protect them? In Acts 19, Paul arrives in Ephesus and unintentionally sparks a city-wide riot. On the surface, it's a conflict over religion. But beneath the shouting lies something far…
more -
Far Off Places - Scott Wall
In this episode of our spring series, The Way Forward, we walk through Acts 17:16-34 to explore Paul’s encounter in Athens. As Paul engages with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers at the Areopagus, he provides a model for how we can navigate unfamiliar cultures and carry on thoughtful, faith-filled...
-
What to Keep, What to Leave - Bobbi Salkeld
In this message, we explore the story of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, examining how early believers navigated deep conflict and cultural shifts within the church.1 Key topics include: The Nature of Conflict: Why "certain people problems" are a normal, albeit challenging, part of community...
-
Church That Refuses to Stand Still - Jeremy Duncan
In Acts 13, the spotlight shifts from Jerusalem to Antioch—a diverse, unexpected community where the Holy Spirit is doing something entirely new. From former outsiders and unlikely leaders to the commissioning of Paul and Barnabas, this chapter reveals a church that chooses mission over comfort,...
-
A Surprising Way Forward - Scott Wall
How does faith change us over time? In Acts 10, Peter encounters a vision that challenges everything he thought he knew about who belongs, who is welcome, and how God works in the world. As he meets Cornelius—a Roman centurion and outsider to Israel's covenant story—the early church discovers…
more -
Courageous Witness - Yelena Pakhomova
What gives ordinary people the courage to speak truth, resist fear, and remain hopeful in a fractured world? In Acts 4 and 5, the early church faces its first wave of persecution after Peter and John heal a man at the temple gates and boldly proclaim the resurrection of Jesus. Confronted by...
-
Peter’s First Sermon Changed Everything - Jeremy Duncan
What if the judgement of God looks nothing like we imagined? In Acts 2 we step into Peter’s first sermon after Pentecost—the moment the church begins to find its voice. But instead of fear, vengeance, or religious certainty, Peter announces something radically different: resurrection changes...
-
Moving Forward When God Feels Silent - Bobbi Salkeld
What do you do when the future feels uncertain, God feels quiet, and the old season is clearly over? In Acts 1–2, the early church finds itself in that exact moment — caught between resurrection and Pentecost, between promise and fulfillment, between what was and what will be. And somehow, in the...
-
Love That Actually Lasts - Jeremy Duncan
What if the real miracle of love isn’t finding the right person—but becoming the kind of person who can stay? In this final message of The Miraculous series, we explore the ancient story of Ruth and uncover a vision of love that goes far beyond romance. This is a story about commitment…
more -
Can Coincidences Be Miracles? - Jeremy Duncan
What if the most meaningful moments in your life aren’t random at all? In this talk, we explore a surprising story from Acts 8—the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian traveler—and ask a simple but unsettling question: Can coincidence be a miracle? Rather than focusing on miracles as...
-
Storm, The Silence, and the Question of God - Scott Wall
What do you do when it feels like God is asleep in the middle of your storm? In this reflection on Mark 4:35–41, we explore one of Jesus’ most well-known miracles—the calming of the sea—and wrestle with what it reveals about fear, faith, and the nature of God. Is the miracle about power…or...
-
The Miraculous Universe - Jeremy Duncan
What if miracles aren’t rare interruptions of reality—but the very fabric of it? In this opening message of our Miraculous series, we explore the deep connection between faith, science, and the nature of existence itself. From Genesis to the Big Bang, from quarks to galaxies, this conversation...
-
You’re Not Who You Think You Are | Easter - Jeremy Duncan
We all know the story of the prodigal son… or at least we think we do. This Easter message explores one of Jesus’ most famous parables—and reveals the surprising twist we often miss. What if the story isn’t just about a rebellious younger son… but also about the older brother standing outside the...
-
The Unjust Judge, Palm Sunday, and the Peace We Miss - Jeremy Duncan
Palm Sunday is full of celebration—but also confusion. In this message, we hold together two powerful moments: • The parable of the unjust judge (Luke 18) • Jesus’ quiet, subversive entry into Jerusalem Together, they reveal something surprising about God: Grace doesn’t always look like justice....
-
The Mustard Seed Isn’t What You Think - Jeremy Duncan
We’ve all heard that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed—small beginnings, big results. But what if that’s not actually the point? In this message, we explore one of Jesus’ most familiar parables and uncover the twist we often miss. The kingdom of God doesn’t just grow—it shows up in...
-
Shameless Audacity - Jeremy Duncan
What if prayer isn’t about convincing God to listen? In Luke 11, Jesus tells a strange story about a neighbour who refuses to help in the middle of the night. At first glance, it sounds like a lesson about persistence—keep knocking until God finally answers. But a closer look reveals something...
-
The Prison of Unforgiveness - Scott Wall
Unpack the profound challenge of limitless forgiveness in Jesus's Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35). When Peter asks how many times he must forgive his brother, Jesus sets the bar: not seven times, but seventy-seven times—a hyperbolic instruction for no cap on forgiveness. This...
-
Lost Sheep & Unreasonable Grace - Jeremy Duncan
What did Jesus really mean when He said the shepherd leaves the 99 to find the one? In this message from Luke 15:1–7, we explore the Parable of the Lost Sheep — one of the most well-known teachings of Jesus — and uncover the scandal, absurdity, and beauty of grace. This isn’t just a comforting...
-
The Good Samaritan (But Not the Way You Think) - Jeremy Duncan
In this first message of our Parables of Grace series, we revisit one of the most familiar stories Jesus ever told—the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). But what if we’ve been asking the wrong question? When a lawyer asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” he’s really asking where the line is—who…
more -
The Armour of God Is Not What You Think - Jeremy Duncan
What if the “battle” you’re facing isn’t against the people you think it is? In this final message of our If/Then series through Ephesians, we unpack Paul’s famous “armour of God” passage — and discover it’s far less about spiritual aggression and far more about communal resilience, subversive...
-
Learning Christ in a Distracted World - Scott Wall
What does it actually look like to follow Jesus in everyday life? In this message from our If/Then series through Ephesians, we turn to the second half of Paul’s letter—where belief turns into practice. Using the image of a “masterclass,” we explore how Paul invites followers of Jesus to learn...
-
The Shape of a New Humanity- Scott Wall
What if a single word could change everything? In Ephesians 2, the apostle Paul pivots from humanity’s brokenness to God’s radical grace with one of the most important conjunctions in Scripture: “But God.” In this teaching, we explore how Paul uses language, metaphor, and imagination to describe...
-
If This Is True… Then What? - Jeremy Duncan
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is built around one powerful structure: if / then. If God is already at work healing the world in Christ—if grace, not violence, is the true power shaping history—then how should we live? In this message, we begin a four-week journey through Ephesians by sitting in...
-
Five Friends and a Roof - Bobbi Salkeld
What does creativity look like in our relationships—not in art or technology, but in the way we show up for one another? In this sermon, we explore Mark 2 and the unforgettable story of five friends who refuse to accept the status quo. When a crowd blocks the way to Jesus, they climb a roof, tear...
-
Faith, Confusion, and Creativity - Jeremy Duncan
What if faith isn’t about getting it right—but about staying curious? In this message, we explore Paul’s surprising approach to spirituality at Mars Hill in Acts 17. Instead of debate, domination, or precision, Paul begins with common ground—quoting poets, honoring spiritual curiosity, and…
more -
Bricks, Babel & Your Smartphone - Jeremy Duncan
At the start of a new year, we’re launching a new series on creativity—not as something reserved for artists or content creators, but as a core part of being human. In this message, we explore how **technology shapes our creativity**, our relationships, and even our spirituality. From smartphones...
-
Finding Hope. And Letting It Go - Jeremy Duncan
Simeon waited his whole life for one moment—to hold the Messiah. When it finally happens, he doesn’t cling to hope. He releases it. In this Advent reflection on Luke 2, we explore Simeon’s song (Nunc Dimittis) and what it teaches us about peace, waiting, generosity, and faith in an unfinished...
-
Ordinary Life and a Joyful Song - Bobbi Salkeld
In this sermon for the Third Sunday in Advent, "Joy," we explore the story of the shepherds and the angels' announcement—the "Gloria." What does it mean that God's great, extraordinary glory first breaks in upon the most ordinary, mud-caked, and weather-worn people? We look at: The Ordinary...
-
A Song for the Forgotten - Jeremy Duncan
In this Advent sermon, we explore the second canticle of Luke’s gospel—the Benedictus, the prophetic song of Zechariah. Before he could sing, Zechariah had to face something deeper than disbelief: the fear that God had forgotten him. And maybe that’s a fear many of us hold quietly during the...
-
Song of Divine Reversal - Bobbi Salkeld
"My soul magnifies the Lord." Kicking off our Advent series, Advent: The Musical, we dive into the first song: the radical and revolutionary Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). In this message, we explore: Model Disciples: The powerful, non-competitive relationship between Mary and Elizabeth. An Oldie…
more -
Rethinking the Binding of Isaac - Jeremy Duncan
Genesis 22 is one of the most troubling stories in all of Scripture. In this sermon, Jeremy walks through the binding of Isaac with honesty, curiosity, and deep pastoral care. Rather than rushing to easy answers, he explores the generational trauma behind Abraham’s family, the God who sees Hagar,...
-
Why Sodom Still Matters - Jeremy Duncan
What really happened in Sodom and Gomorrah—and why has this story been so badly misunderstood? In this sermon, Jeremy Duncan takes us past the clichés and weaponized readings to explore one of the most difficult and infamous passages in the Bible. Beginning with Abraham’s bold negotiation with…
more -
Unilateral Promise - Scott Wall
Join us as Scott delves into Genesis 15, exploring Abraham's journey of faith and doubt. This sermon unpacks the "base of fear" we often experience, the "hard-fought" space "where faith forms" through honest questions, and the "sacramental discernment" that guides our "ways forward." Discover how...
-
Enough Good to Go Around - Jeremy Duncan
In this week’s teaching, Jeremy explores Genesis 13 and the moment Abraham begins to trust God after failure. Coming out of his mistakes in Egypt, Abraham is faced with a new test — will fear guide him again, or will faith take root this time? This story of Abraham and Lot isn’t just ancient...
-
Matriarch in Danger - Bobbi Salkeld
This sermon, "Big Promises Small Steps," explores the story of Abraham and Sarah from Genesis, focusing on themes of discernment, the challenges of beauty, and God's unwavering devotion. It delves into how individuals navigate big and small changes in life, drawing parallels between ancient...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Sermons from Commons Church. Intellectually honest. Spiritually passionate. Jesus at the centre. Since 2014.
HOSTED BY
Commons Church
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Commons Church Podcast have?
Commons Church Podcast currently has 609 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Commons Church Podcast about?
Sermons from Commons Church. Intellectually honest. Spiritually passionate. Jesus at the centre. Since 2014.
How often does Commons Church Podcast release new episodes?
Commons Church Podcast releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 609 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Commons Church Podcast?
You can listen to Commons Church Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Commons Church Podcast?
Commons Church Podcast is created and hosted by Commons Church.
URL copied to clipboard!