Forward City Church Messages

This week, Spencer takes us through the Romans 14 and how Paul helps the Roman church work out their differences in conscience. We are not pass judgment on one another for differing opinions, but to seek unity by pursuing the interests of others.

The beginning of the recording is a prayer from Ben Martin where we meditate on the goodness of Jesus as God who came to us and showed us mercy. This moment of worship reflected Paul's discussion in Romans 11:35-36 that leads us into our living sacrifice:"who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."Afterward, Marc led us in a discussion of Romans 12 where spiritual gifts are discussed. Marc shares about our need to recognize and engage our spiritual gifts, trusting that God has made us with purpose to build others up in the faith. In this way, we live out our living sacrifices in partnership with God's will for us. We pray that your week is filled with serving God and seeing his favour and kindness over you and those you love.

Marc discussed Romans 12:1 with us and the nature of being a living sacrifice in our world today. Marc ended the message with a self-examination of the priorities we have in our life, including a reflection of how these priorities can become idols. God is not simply interested in our words or attendance. God is interested in us. . . all of us. We ask, "Lord, what are the things in my life that keep me from being fully devoted to you?"

This week, Spencer shared with us about the nuances of God's mercy to both Israel and the Church. Spencer walks us through Romans 9 and 11 to discuss the riches of God's mercy toward us and all of humanity.

He is risen indeed!This week, we celebrate Jesus' rising from the dead and his promise of eternal life! Marc discusses the resurrection and how it ought to shape our hearts to rejoice.

Spencer walks us through the end of Romans 8, where we get the famous "We are more than conquerors" phrase from the Apostle Paul. Spencer discusses that God has overcome the world and that God's love, care, and concern for his church will outlast any evil this world can throw at us. Even though we experience the suffering of this world, we know that our God and Father outlasts it all.

This week Marc discusses the second half of Romans 8, explaining how verse 28 works and does not work. Marc discussed how God overcomes our sin and the sin of others to bring us deeper into relationship with him. We may see the fruit of God working all things together for us who love him in this life, but we are assured that God works all things together for our good when this life ends and eternity with him is known in fullness.

We led this week by introducing our first week in the 21-day fast. This first week is focused on media fasting, by taking time away from news, podcasts, music, televisions, among other forms of digital media. Afterward, Marc discussed Romans 8 with us, detailing how we set our minds on the spirit by first recognizing and embracing that we have been adopted and made God's children. This discussion led to us explaining how we are inheritors of God's promises and eternal life with Jesus.

This sermon was given on March 9th.Marc discussed Romans 6 and how we are meant to choose righteousness over sin. Marc explained to us that being a Christian means we give up our old ways and choose a new way of living by following Jesus.

This week, Marc introduces our three weeks of fasting that will start on March 30th. Marc teaches how fasting helps us to quiet our hearts and lives in order for us to hear God more clearly. We fast in order to grow closer to God and receive guidance for significant decisions and seasons in life.

This week Marc discussed Romans 6 and how the Gospel frees us from sin to live in righteousness and resurrection life. Our unity with Jesus grants us freedom from sin and we do not re-dig up our old lives.

This week, we celebrated the baptism of 3 people! Praise God!Before the baptisms, Marc spoke on the nature of baptism. Marc explained why we do baptisms along with an encouragement to be baptized if we trust Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.Finally, we listen to the testimonies of those who were baptized, along with an extra testimony of a previous baptism. What a joyous day celebrating the work of God in our community!

This week, Spencer walks us through the beginning of Romans 5. We learn about having peace with God through our faith which has brought us justification. In our peace with God, we are able to boast in our suffering and trials, knowing that God's love is continually being poured out toward us.

This week, Marc discusses Romans 4 with us, discussing God's eternal faithfulness toward us. God is never letting us go and never stops forgiving. Jesus' work on the cross is sufficient to cover all our sin for all of time, while also providing us all our righteousness for all of time.

This week, Marc unpacks the uncomfortable truth revealed from Romans 1:8 through 3:20. We all need the Gospel. Those of us who do what is "right" and those of us who struggle more visibly. Jesus came to save and all are in need of his salvation.

We begin a new series on the Apostle Paul's Letter to the church in Rome. Marc discusses the background and social dynamics of the Roman church that is comprised of both Jews and Gentiles. This introduction to Romans focuses the key verse of the message, that Paul is unashamed of the Gospel. Marc encourages us to memorize Romans 1:16 as a congregation and meditate on the ways we can become unashamed in our love for Jesus.

This week, Spencer walks us through Hebrews 12:1-2 discussing how we run the race of faith with endurance. He leads us through what it means to cast off the things that burden our faith, abandon sin, and fix our eyes of Jesus. Spencer reminds us that Jesus is capable of sustaining us through the trials and obstacles of faith.We pray that your holidays have been exceptional, restful, and brought you great joy!

This week we enjoyed worship with the Journeys Men's Choir, hearing their testimonies of freedom in Christ. Marc shared from John 15:1-6 where Jesus states, "I am the true vine. . ." We discussed how just like Jesus is the exclusive way to be with the Father, it is also true that we do not have the strength to bear God's fruit in our lives. Jesus alone can bear God's fruit and it is only by being attached to Jesus and his transforming work that we can showcase God's goodness in the world.

John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"After a wonderful time in the snow at Sloan's last week, we return to our message series on Jesus' "I am" statements with John 14:6. Marc leads us in wrestling with the exclusivity of Jesus as Lord and way to the Father. We also examine how despite Jesus being the only way, his way is open to everyone who will believe and trust him.

Our journey through Jesus' "I Am" statements brings us to John 10:11-18. In our study this week, Marc discusses how those who knew Jesus, know Jesus, and will know Jesus all hear his voice. In hearing his voice, we follow him into the safety of his leadership. We also learn that hearing Jesus' voice also means acknowledging him as Lord and following him.

Marc takes us through John 10:1-10 where Jesus calls himself "The Gate." Marc explains to us how Jesus protects us and creates for us a safe space to live our spiritual lives. We learn that we are not just secured for eternity, but have an abundant life to live today.

John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."The world in which we live is full of hardship, tragedy, and suffering. It is dark, but there is hope in Jesus. In knowing Jesus, we also become the embodiment of this living hope. Our message this weeks outlines how Jesus is the light of the world, and how through knowing him, we are called to also be the light of the world and shine bright (Matt 14-16).

In a world with prosperity abounding, the question of significance and fulfillment remains. We instinctually pursue good things and yet, those things do not fill our hearts and leave us longing for more.This Sunday, Marc walks us through Jesus' statement, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)" We discuss how our ultimate need is to know Jesus and find our fulfillment in his saving grace.

This week we wrap up our series on Joshua by looking back at the things Joshua learned and encouraged the Israelites in Joshua 23-24.We began our study by praying and asking God how he was working and moving in our personal lives and community. We end our series discussing the need to continue in trusting God in what he will continue to do. Having witnessed God move in our lives and hearing him direct our future, we ask ourselves, “Who will we serve?”

July 21 Forward City's Guest SpeakerSpencer Osmond

Some of you have been asked by God to go somewhere or do something without a clear reason. Today we are going to learn two principles that will help us when God called us to something that doesn't make sense or when you don't know the why. You don't have to fully understand God's plan to obey it.You don't have to understand the plan of God to trust that God has a purpose.

God all over the Bible and in our lives reveals Himself in the critical moments when we obey when it will cost us something.  Through Joshua's obedience we learn how not to be passive observes of God's work like some people tapping on the glass or sitting in the stands.  And we learn how we can instead step out in bold faith to join Him on the field. 

When our Saviour Jesus ascended back to Heaven, He  commissioned His followers to GO in to the world ... into the brokenness ... into the hurt ... with the love and forgiveness of our Heavenly Father and walk with them as the begin to follow Jesus. Ephesians 5:8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of lightWe are created and gifted to shine on those who live in darkness to guide them to the path of reconciliation and healing and forgiveness Through Jesus Christ!The only way darkness will overcome light is when light refuses to shine 

Ephesians 522 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for herToday, we tackle a passage the culture has misunderstood and through it we learn a different way of thinking about our needs. Instead of making your spouse responsible for your happiness, we to learn how to leverage our lives to make their priorities a priority over ours.

James4:1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? For most of us, our default position  is to think that the reason we are having challenges in our marriage is because our spouse isn't meeting our needs.But in this message James reveals to us that the problem between you and your spouse isn't because of what's going on around you.  The real problem is what is going on within you.

If following Jesus has to do with all of our lives and with a huge majority of our lives is going to work, then surely there should be a connection.The Way you work matters to God. No matter what your profession or occupation – whether you're a parent, a bus driver, an artist or an engineer – God cares about your work.

Galatians 5:1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Imagine what this would be like if we Stopped looking for loopholes and look for ways to love otheImagine what this would be like if we we Stopped looking at our new life in Christ like a membership reward card.  The more I do the more points I get and one day I can cash them in on some pretty cool stuff.Imagine what it would be like if we Stopped asking what is in it for me and instead asked what does love ask me to do for you.

Christ's work on the cross paid the price for our sin in full, which is why Jesus said, “it is finished,” But it is the resurrection that seals the deal. When Jesus rose from the dead, he demonstrated he was Lord over sin, death, and the grave. His resurrection also proved Jesus was who he said he was. Whosoever believes or places their trust in that sacrifice and resurrection will receive forgiveness of their sin. and we can be confident that Because Jesus Christ, risen from the grave we will one day rise with Him

In this Message, Matt Charron teaches from the tragic story of Ananias and Sapphire in Acts 5:1-11.  Through this message we are faced with the question, "Are we seeking worldly gain or are we seeking the heavenly reward?"

Philippians 2:3-53 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ JesusThis message is the beginning of a series that will challenge us to Reflect the Character of Jesus Christ in all areas of your life.

Philippians 48 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. In this message three of our young friends help us understand how to overcome the victim mentality by taking time to "Think about what you think about."

Are you in a struggling? Are you hurting? Are you feeling hopeless?  In 1 Kings 19 we see how God cares for Elijah when he is alone in the wilderness and together we learn principles that will help us when we are in the low moments of life.

Tyler Dam teaches on generosity.2 Corinthians 9:6-86 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.We love because He first loved us.We give because He first gave to us.

This week Ben Martin teaches from Romans 12:3-6 and we learn that God has uniquely made and gifted His children to build up the Body of Christ. 

Hear how God moved in the hearts of a young family to put their lives on the altar and how through that decision, God brought Kingdom blessing.

Do you ever find yourself wrestling with God?  Today we will learn what to do when God puts us where He wants you to be even if you aren't where you want to be.

Romans 12:2Do no conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is; His good, pleasing and perfect will.Christian, there is a battle going on for your mind.satan is lying to us, trying to make us think we have the right to decide what is true, what is wrong and what is right. Renewing our mind helps us recognize the lies of the enemy, by comparing them to God's Word. 

Romans 12:1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

There is a theory called the 100-hour rule that suggests that to master a topic, someone only needs to dedicate 100 hours within a year (approximately 18 hours per day) to that topic. As we lean into abiding in the love of our Heavenly Father, we believe God is challenging the Forward City family to make a regular practice of spending time with Him for at least 18 minutes per day. We trust Him to form us into Christ's likeness more and more as we abide in His love. 

Sunday, October 29th, 2023, we had the privilege of hearing a message from The Bible League's Bob Beasley, and more importantly, father to our very own Colin Beasley.Enjoy this excellent encouragement to our church family. Note: The intro was not recorded due to technical challenges, but the "meat" of entire message is captured in this recording. We pray it blesses you!

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.2 Timothy 6:6-8The Apostle Paul wrote 2 Timothy as a letter during his last days, to prepare Timothy to take over his ministry. The mission of Paul and Timothy is the same mission that unites us believers today. One of the consistent themes throughout this letter, and Paul's life as a Christian is endurance and perseverance, especially in the face of trials. As we dig into this strife-soaked, hope-filled conclusion, let's be honest. Are we living for Christ with the ambition, zealousness, and discipline of an athlete, eager for their prize?Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.Hebrews 12:1For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.2 Timothy 1:7

We're about to take a deep dive into the idea of "abiding", as described in John 15, over the next few months. Our prayer is that our hearts would desire an intimate, maturing relationship with Jesus, and a growing longing for fellowship with the Lord.

We're entering into a long series on maturity; praying that each of us as individuals would let God be our everything, and lead us to maturity as His followers.

"If God is just, shouldn't life be fair?"The Bible tells us about a good God whose mercies for mankind are new everyday; who sent His Son as a Saviour to pay for our sins with His own blood; who gifts us with talents and opportunities for His own wise purposes, according to His plans (not ours). Our God is very gracious, but that also means that if we're comparing situations from our own human perspectives, life is definitely not  "fair". The question for us as His people is whether we will be faithful with what God has given us, and will we be faithful to Him?

Sometimes we find ourselves in dark and difficult situations as a result of the choices we have make. Sometimes, as truly loved as we are, God simply allow us to enter hardship. To believe otherwise means misunderstanding God when things go wrong, and possibly missing out on the peace of His promises and the sufficiency of His comfort.

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.James 3:7-9