Sermon Series

Sermon series beginning January 2024

(Sermon Audio link)

The Continental Divide is an imaginary geographic line that determines which direction water flows. A raindrop (or usually snowflake in Alberta) that falls on the east side of the Great Divide will eventually flow to the Atlantic Ocean. A raindrop on the west side will make its way to the Pacific. Two raindrops falling only centimeters apart can go in opposite directions. Their destiny is determined by which side of the Great Divide they fall. There is a similar divide when it comes to doctrine. The Bible distinguishes between “good doctrine” (1 Tim 4:6) and “doctrines of demons” (1 Tim 4:1). There are teachers of the truth, and there are false teachers. And although both kinds of teaching may sound religious, one leads to life and the other to death. Doctrine is a serious matter. That is why Paul tells Timothy to charge the false teacher to “teach no other doctrine” (1 Tim 1:3). And Timothy himself must give attention to sound doctrine (1 Tim 4:13, 16). Some have viewed this Great Divide over doctrine as a problem. They say, “Doctrine divides but ministry unites.” They promote a minimalist Christianity that focuses on “deeds not creeds.” They believe that unity is best achieved by laying down our doctrinal differences. But we must not forget that the church is “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15). Unity is certainly a worthwhile goal but not at the expense of truth. It is interesting that the apostle Paul was willing to tolerate right teaching for the wrong motives. He rejoiced whenever the true gospel was preached (Phil 1:15-18). But any doctrine that does not align with God’s truth is deserving of eternal judgment (Gal 1:6-9). That’s a Great Divide! On Sundays this summer (beginning May 28) we will examine some Bible doctrines that are essential to the faith. These doctrinal themes are drawn from the Meadowlands Statement of Faith. They are the beliefs that define us as a church. There is a Great Divide between those who believe what the Bible says about these doctrines and those who do not. But in those who embrace these beliefs, there is strong unity. Our study will include: Scripture, Trinity, Christ, Holy Spirit, Salvation, Church, Ministry Partnerships, and Age to Come. https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/meadowlands/sermons/series/178014/

1 Timothy Sermon Series on Sermon Audio.

Have it your way” was the slogan for Burger King for four decades. They wanted customers to know that they could have what they wanted. Not long ago, the company announced that they were changing their slogan slightly to “Be your way.” This was designed to reach a new generation affirming that “people should live how they want anytime; self-expression is most important.” Whether or not these slogans help sell hamburgers, they are attractive to our sinful hearts. From birth to death, we naturally want things our way.

That attitude is often brought into the church. Worshippers come with a consumer mentality. Church leaders strategize how to attract more customers. Bigger buildings, larger budgets, and more bodies are the goals. And corporate marketing is the means. Everything is evaluated so that people can have church their way.

When we open the Bible, however, we discover something very different. The church belongs to God. We are His family. And the Lord has given instructions for how He wants His children to conduct themselves in His church. The ultimate goal is God’s glory, and the means is obedience to His Word.

On Sunday mornings this fall, we will give our attention to God’s plan for His church revealed in Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. “These things I write to you…that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim 3:14-15). Only by understanding and following God’s way for His church can we bring Him glory.

Sermon Series beginning September 12, 2021 (Sermon Audio Link)

In the early 16^th century, the Reformers emphasized a phrase that awakened the masses who were trusting their merits would earn God’s favour. Sola Fide—We are justified by “faith alone.” Romans 3:28 is clear that “a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” This is an essential truth of the Gospel, but it must not be misunderstood to think that good works are unimportant. In the Epistle of James, we discover a healthy understanding of how the believer’s faith works. Faith without action is “useless religion” (1:26) and a “dead faith” (2:17). James says, “I’ll show you my faith by my works” (2:18). As the Reformers would say, “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.”

What does genuine faith look like? How is it expressed in everyday life? James discusses the practical outworking of faith by addressing trials, temptations, prejudice, conflict, conversation, wealth, planning, and prayer. Join us on Sunday mornings this fall to hear what God has to say about these important issues. And by God’s grace, we will receive His promised blessing by being “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (1:22, 25).

The Book of Ruth: Hope in Chaos: April 25-May 2021 (Sermon Audio Link)

The first sentence of the Book of Ruth identifies the time period: “in the days when the judges ruled” (Ruth 1:1). This was a dark time in Israel’s history when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). “The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals; and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger” (Judges 2:11-12). This was a generation “who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). Instead of being a light shining in darkness, the darkness extinguished the light.

But there was a glimmer of light, however, in some ordinary people from the obscure town of Bethlehem. And although the vast majority of people were faithless, God remained faithful. By His providential hand, the Lord redeemed a barren widow who provided a king to lead His people back to Him. And ultimately, what the Lord did in Ruth’s family prepared the way for the Saviour of the world!

As we observe the chaos of tragedy in Ruth’s family and the moral chaos of that society, we discover hope in the providence of God. This heart-warming story gives encouragement to us as we travel the uncertain road of life with its ups and downs. Your circumstances may feel like chaos right now, and moral confusion certainly describes our society. But in the midst of it all, our gracious Saviour is working out His plan for you and the entire world. With God on the throne, we are never without hope.

The Gospel of John: 2020 Vision: An Accurate View of Jesus and His Message January 2019-April 2021 (Sermon Audio Link)

Most people in our society have heard of Jesus Christ. Some recognize Him as a historical figure, but they know very little about Him. For some, He was a famous leader, a gifted teacher, a sacrificial martyr, or a religious hero. Others don’t even think of Jesus as a person, to them He is more of a symbol; He represents hope and love.  He is an example of the Golden Rule.  He is whatever I need Him to be: a friend, a guide, a helper, a healer.

The Bible, however, presents the person and work of Jesus very clearly. We are not left to ourselves to wonder who He is or to shape Him according to our liking. Jesus lived for 33 years on this earth, and the apostle John has left us an accurate eye-witness account of His words and actions.  The Gospel of John is more than an accurate history of Jesus; it is a message of good news for the whole world!

Behold Our God: September-December 2019 (Sermon Audio Link)

AW Tozer said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” This is true because our view of God shapes how we see everything else. A person that doesn’t know the Creator will have a distorted view of creation. A society without a proper knowledge of God will be incapable of living in the way they were designed to live.  And if a church surrenders a biblical view of God for something more popular, those people will be weak and spiritually ineffective. Your view sets your direction and determines your destiny.

On Sunday mornings this fall, we will be exploring what God’s Word reveals about Himself. There is nothing in all the world that should grab our attention above the God who made us and everything in it. “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord (Jer 9:23-24).