Willingdon Church Podcast

We don’t talk about money very often. Who taught you how to think about money?When I received my first payment, my mother said to me, “Ray, let’s open an account for you at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.” The teller window was so high I couldn’t see the woman receiving all my hard-earned money, but I went home with a gold-coloured bank book.  My fortune was safe, in the bank vault.  My mother said to me, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”  What’s your story? What did your mother (or father) teach you about money? Does the gospel story shape how you manage money today?  In 1 Corinthians 16, Paul transitions from the conversation about resurrection from the dead to daily life. The way we think about the life to come shapes everything in this earthly life, including how we handle money.The Money of GivingThe Motivation for GivingMechanics of Giving

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 MysteryThe Final FuneralThe Future Now and Forever

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/

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.

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)

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 Intro00:58 Sermon Discussion14:46 Have you ever wrestled with the truth of the resurrection? 20:11 Resources for learning more about the evidence of Jesus' resurrection23:45 Navigating the conversation of truth29:59 Does our spirit go straight to heaven33:18 Do people's ashes get resurrected?35:14 The new earth39:58 Are denominational differences ok if we all believe in the resurrection? 48:45 OutroThis 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/

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?

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 Intro03:14 Austin Heights Weekend Recap05:55 Willingdon Weekend Recap 09:27 Sermon Summaries21:48 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 death41:02 The wrath of God44:40 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?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/

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?

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 Intro00:50 Sermon Discussion14:53 Corinthian and Western Church Similarities24:06 Christian Influencers27:36 Women as Pastors and Elders30:54 Next Steps for Using Your Gifts35:48 Revelations During the Sermon Series41:10 Anchored Hope Primer45:33 OutroThis 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/

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 familySilence for the church familyShalom in the church family

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 Intro01:04 Sermon Recaps10:53 Why Ray focused on faith, healing and miracles 12:06 Understanding the story of Paul in Acts17:00 Relation between Trust In God and Poor Planning29:07 Leaders who say I'm sick  because of a lack of faith or sin39:46 Comparing our stories to those of others we hear51:32 I'm nervous to use my gifts!58:47 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/

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.

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 Intro02:22 Who is Pastor Bryan?03:21 Sermon Summary     08:20 Botswana Stories & Biblical Worldviews20:10 Expanding on the 1st Century Church35:42 The Standard of Faith 45:11 Are We Born With Spiritual Gifts?  50:37 How Bryan and Brett Discovered Their Giftings01:01:06 Personal Benefits While Using Your Gifts01:06:36 OutroThis 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/

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 

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 JesusFamily: Grow TogetherMission: Multiply DisciplesFEEDFAITH – “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."

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 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/

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 giftsThe shape of the giftsThe strength of the gifts

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 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/

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.

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 Intro00:49 Who is Brian01:10 Sermon Summary07:47 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 up26:29 Balancing loving others and loving/taking care of ourselves?35:02 Practical Tips for Keeping "love" in the right order37:43 Cessationism 48:27 OutroThis 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/

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 EndsSpiritual Gifts Will EndLife Stages EndLove Never EndsSo, in the end, what matters?

Join Pastor Brett and Silas this week as they go through all the definitions of Love found in 1 Corinthians 13! 00:00 Intro02:19 Sermon Summary9:19 Loves is…11:15 Patient14:20  Kind17:44 Doesn't Envy20:05 Doesn't Boast/Arrogant23:05 Isn't Rude25:01 Doesn't Insist On Its Own Way28:50 Not Irritable31:46 Keeps No Record Of Wrongs38:49 Doesn't Rejoice At Wrong Doing41:53 Love Bares All Things43:05 Believes all things46:00 Hopes all things47:10 Endures all things49:15 OutroThis 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/

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 EssentialLove is DefinedLove is Displayed in Jesus

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.

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 Intro01:14 Sermon Reflections12:33 Are All Not Gifts "Higher Gifts"?18:11 Honouring those who are "less prominent" in the Body23:40 Dealing With Spiritual Pride & Superiority 33:20 Functional Gifts and Apostles TodayThis 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/

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)

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 accuratelyHerod’s death teaches us that we need to trust the Bible with our lives.

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 Intro01:07 Sermon Summary05:34 Living out one’s belonging in the local church11:54 Exercising your gifts15:20 Can my spiritual gifts change over time?18:55 How can I discover my spiritual gifts?26:43 Holding back someone from using their gifts35:58 How to not overlook others and their gifts42:35 We belong because of what Jesus has doneThis 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/

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).

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 [email protected]. 00:00 Intro00:58 Sermon Series Overview12:21 The Landry's favourite reality TV show13:30 Spiritual Gifts and what makes them different16:40  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 us42:28 Why do some Evangelical Christians see the Holy Spirit as a force?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/

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).

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.

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 StrongForever CompassionateForever Good

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 Intro1:09 God's Great Big Story Stories11:19 Being In Community and In The Word15:30 Engaging with Scripture 30:20 Help, I fell off my Devo Plan40:27 Sharing the Gospel at Christmas Gatherings55:41 OutroThis 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/

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 LiberatorMighty ProviderMighty Saviour and Lord

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.WonderWorkingWisdom

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 [email protected], and we'll try our best to include them on the show. 00:00 Intro 01:06 Summary09:17 Relationship between Baptism and Communion16:17 Frequency of Communion23:06 Differences and Common Views on Communion31:20 Reconciliation45:32 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.  This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/1d7f2a1c Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

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?

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 [email protected], 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 Intro1:09 Sermon Summary07:28 Performative Spirituality15:18 Usage of "nature" in the passage and cultural understanding18:53 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 commentary25:36 How to distinguish what are cultural vs universal issues when reading the bible? 30:00 Singleness33:33 Difference between headship roles in the family42:29 Advice for families where roles look a little different44:22 Can I tease my husband for "being a man"49:22 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.  This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6ed50f3b Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

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.

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 [email protected], and we'll try our best to include them on the show.00:00 Intro00:43 Sermon Summary05:30 Halal Meat16:42 The Unknown or Dining with Demons23:38 Uncomfortable conversations about an offensive Gospel without displeasing family members31:42 How do I alleviate the shame of not meeting the standard of God40:47 Ray's trip to parliament 😀46:41 Engaging in politics as Christians53:49 Dealing with the anger57:58 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.  This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f6125431 Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

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)

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 [email protected], and we'll try our best to include them on the show. 00:00 Intro1:28 Get to know Ahmad6:35 Stories of Persecution14:32 Standing strong through persecution in Canada21:43 How can we respond to persecution in other places?26:29 House of Omeed36:13 Hope Partners39:50 What can youth do to grow in their faith publicly?42:25 How can we pray?48:00 Prayer 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.  Willingdon Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/a118ebbb  Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

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

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 [email protected], and we'll try our best to include them on the show. 00:00 Intro00:40 Answering a Willingdon family question04:35 Sermon Summary09:29 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 home56:09 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.  This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/18660be1 Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

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).

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 [email protected], and we'll try our best to include them on the show.00:00 Intro00:07 Start00:48 Sermon Summary07:30 Jewish History10:00 Grumbling vs Questioning16:59 Temptations vs Trials vs Testing25:37 Why pray 'Lead us not into temptation?'29:29 Behaviour modification vs healthy boundaries42:43 What's my out?54:28 OutroThis 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.  This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/4b25915b  Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

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)

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 [email protected], and we'll try our best to include them on the show. 00:00 Intro01:46 Recap04:42 How did you first hear about the gospel?11:46 What is the unchangeable message of the gospel18:40 How do we contextualize the Gospel to a same sex attracted friend?34:40 Real life examples of Gospel contextualization 47:02 Outro This 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.  This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6942594c  Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/