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 ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.
00:00 Intro
00:43 Sermon Summary
05:30 Halal Meat
16:42 The Unknown or Dining with Demons
23:38 Uncomfortable conversations about an offensive Gospel without displeasing family members
31:42 How do I alleviate the shame of not meeting the standard of God
40:47 Ray's trip to parliament 😀
46:41 Engaging in politics as Christians
53:49 Dealing with the anger
57:58 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.
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 ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.
00:00 Intro
1:28 Get to know Ahmad
6:35 Stories of Persecution
14:32 Standing strong through persecution in Canada
21:43 How can we respond to persecution in other places?
26:29 House of Omeed
36:13 Hope Partners
39:50 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.
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 ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.
00:00 Intro
00:40 Answering a Willingdon family question
04:35 Sermon Summary
09:29 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 home
56:09 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?
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 ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.
00:00 Intro
00:07 Start
00:48 Sermon Summary
07:30 Jewish History
10:00 Grumbling vs Questioning
16:59 Temptations vs Trials vs Testing
25:37 Why pray 'Lead us not into temptation?'
29:29 Behaviour modification vs healthy boundaries
42:43 What's my out?
54:28 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/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?
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 ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.
00:00 Intro
01:46 Recap
04:42 How did you first hear about the gospel?
11:46 What is the unchangeable message of the gospel
18:40 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/
Have you ever thought about why you follow Jesus, and how you got here?
Paul knew exactly how he did. His life was radically changed by a saving encounter with Christ. That encounter gave him a new kind of freedom; not freedom to live for himself, but freedom to serve others.
In this passage, Paul says, “Though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.”
We live in a world that prizes personal rights, self-expression, and authenticity above all else. But Paul shows us something far deeper: gospel freedom means gladly laying down our rights for the sake of others meeting Jesus.
We're doing this a little differently this week. Silas, Pastor Ray and our Life Groups Pastor, Pastor Jonathan, sit down and discuss some of the Life Group questions related to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Pastor Ray and Pastor Brett are heading to the other campus this weekend, which is why we had two different passages being preached last weekend. Since Pastor Brett is away, we thought this would be a fun conversation to have, as an example of what Life Group discussions could look like, and it did not disappoint!
If you have any questions for us related to the last and this upcoming weekend's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on next week's show.
00:00 Intro
01:27 Who is Pastor Jonathan?
04:35 Can I receive an honorarium
08:15 Sermon Recap (1 Cor 9:24-27)
12:38 In what ways did you have to discipline yourself for ministry or family?
21:50 How does your identity in Christ help you run to win?
28:12 How might you motivate someone who isn't running the race?
33:38 What are some examples in your life of what it looks like to follow God?
39:10 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/7842989f
Website: https://willingdon.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/
When was the last time you asked yourself, “Why do I do this? And what were you thinking about when you asked yourself that question?”
This past week, I went running in the rain. And it was really quiet! I ran for about three km before I saw another jogger. Yes, there were some grumpy dog-owners out there, with their dogs on leash, “Come on dog!”
As you go through the fall season, running in the rain, and then into winter, running in the snow, you ask yourself, especially on those dark, cold, wet days, “Why do I do this?”
In Spring, during the month of May, it’s a completely different experience. It’s sunny. 20C. New runners “come out of the woodwork” with new running shoes, new t-shirts, new shorts. They bounce along proclaiming, “Here I am world, ready to run!”
By early summer, the numbers start to dwindle. You have to know why you do it!
At the end of chapter 9, Paul focuses on his goal. He draws on the metaphors of running and boxing to spur his readers on toward faithfulness. What is the goal? What is the prize?
Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brody and Nat answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 9:1-18. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.
00:00 Intro
01:01 Context of Paul's Letter
04:24 Resources
06:00 Why did Paul bring up his "lack of support"
11:52 Examples in Society Today
23:33 Curious About Your Identity In Christ?
28:51 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/02263f52
Website: https://willingdon.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/
Have you ever thought about your rights? Have you fought for your rights?
We may read 1 Corinthians 9 and think, “Why is Paul giving up all his rights? What’s wrong with him?” We are so accustomed to remembering our rights and defending them. On university campuses, we’re encouraged to be activists, for our own rights and the rights of others.
We’re informed by human rights slogans like: "Dignity, freedom, and justice for all",
"No matter our job, no matter our height, we all deserve to be treated right", and "Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights!"
We are informed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Universal human rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms that all people possess by virtue of being human, regardless of their race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.
On top of all of this, we live in the age of what is called “Expressive Individualism.” Expressive individualism centers on the idea that your unique inner self and feelings are your true identity, and your fulfillment comes from discovering and expressing this self authentically. Your right to be true to yourself supersedes any commitment to family, community, or religious tradition.
Why on earth would Paul lay down his rights?
So Many Rights!!
The Why of Saying No to Our Rights
Today, Pastor Brett and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 8:7-13. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.
00:00 Intro
01:32 Sermon Summary
04:23 Why didn't I get raptured this week?
09:18 Who is the weaker brother?
17:02 When should the stronger brother encourage?
21:10 When should be "bend"?
30:00 Can I play Wii Yoga at home?
34:16 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/82717b09
Website: https://willingdon.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/
We're back with our Sunday sermon companion podcast! Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett, and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 8:1-6. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.
00:00 Intro
01:55 Sermon Summary
10:46 Gospel responses to current events
26:41 Non-Christian events with other religious connotations
32:22 Businesses owned by people of other religions
38:47 Are there any other sneaky idols in our lives?
47:02 Is there a way to avoid having idols?
49:48 Spiritual abuse/being "puffed up"
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/a6fbb39a
Website: https://willingdon.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/
Imagine someone coming to our intercultural church for the first time, from a place in the world where there is one ethnic group speaking one language. That person would probably ask the question, “How did this happen?”
To help the person understand, we would provide the context, the history and circumstances that created a multi-cultural city with an intercultural church family: the history of exploration, the first settlements of foreigners, starting in about 1860, and the patterns of immigration over the past century.
When we read 1 Corinthians 8, we ask, “What context would lead a church in Corinth to write to Paul about food offered to idols?” And, what does it mean for us today? If we understand the context, we’ll find that Paul’s answers are more relevant for us than we might assume at first glance.
What do we consider to be the core spiritual practices that will enable us to thrive?
Every one of us was born into a family culture that gifted us with a way of believing, a way of thinking, a set of values, and ways of behaving. I was born into a family culture, established by my parents, who drew on the wisdom of their parents, Scripture, and their church family.
What is the family culture of Willingdon? Today we will talk about five ongoing spiritual practices, grounded in gospel truths, gospel patterns of thinking, gospel values, and gospel ways of behaving.
These five spiritual practices should be woven into the life of every disciple at Willingdon. Every one of us can do them and none of us will ever grow out of them.
God-thirst drives all of us. Eugene Peterson writes: “We’re never more alive than when we’re dealing with God.” (Eugene Peterson, Leap Over a Wall, p. 5). In fact, we aren’t alive at all until we are dealing with God.
Oh, we may try to complete ourselves by getting more education or more money, travelling to another place or buying different clothes, playing with new ideas and having new experiences. But no matter what we add or experience, a longing remains. It’s far stronger than our desires for comfort, security, fame, power, or sex, all put together! God-hunger!
The story of David engages us with this thirst for God when young or old, loved or betrayed, winning wars or repenting for sin. King David was a valiant warrior, nation builder, and gifted songwriter, but he was also an absent father, an adulterer, and a murderer. David longed for God – just take an afternoon to wind your way through his psalms.
The story of David leaves us longing for the King who will reign forever!
1. Shepherd-King
2. Servant-King