Sermon Series

Sermon series beginning January 2025

(Sermon Audio Link)

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).