Island ECC Podcast

We can often feel like we're living as hypocrites. We want to live in a righteous way, but something in us keeps pulling us towards sin. In this second sermon of the Romans 8 series, we hone in on verses 5-13 as we look at this hidden battle raging within us. We will also explore what it means for us to be under the full governance of the Spirit.

In arguably the weightiest chapter of the new testament, Paul describes with great enthusiasm the beauty of living in Christ. There is now no condemnation!

It's Christianity's pinnacle day. Resurrection Day. But even if we're convinced that a historical resurrection actually occurred, what difference does it make for us today?

It's Christianity's pinnacle day. Resurrection Day. But even if we're convinced that a historical resurrection actually occurred, what difference does it make for us today?

Palm Sunday commemorates the event of Jesus' triumphant return to Jerusalem. But was it truly a joyous celebration? As the crowds celebrated, Jesus displayed grief and anger. Why this great contrast and what was going on in Jesus' head? This sermon will seek to understand the massive disparity between the crowds and Jesus, and seek to understand the implications for our lives.

Palm Sunday commemorates the event of Jesus' triumphant return to Jerusalem. But was it truly a joyous celebration? As the crowds celebrated, Jesus displayed grief and anger. Why this great contrast and what was going on in Jesus' head? This sermon will seek to understand the massive disparity between the crowds and Jesus, and seek to understand the implications for our lives.

The invitation to follow Jesus involves a complete overhaul of our thinking, our values, and our behaviours. It's counterintuitive and seems risky. But in fact, it is the path to freedom.

The invitation to follow Jesus involves a complete overhaul of our thinking, our values, and our behaviours. It's counterintuitive and seems risky. But in fact, it is the path to freedom.

In every society, there are outcasts – people who are at the fringes, ignored, or despised. While most societies move away from them, Jesus moves towards them. Jesus says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

In every society, there are outcasts – people who are at the fringes, ignored, or despised. While most societies move away from them, Jesus moves towards them. Jesus says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

Our struggles against temptation are far more sophisticated than simply avoiding “big” sins. Jesus was tempted in all ways and was without sin. His “struggle” gives us insight into our own struggles…

Our struggles against temptation are far more sophisticated than simply avoiding “big” sins. Jesus was tempted in all ways and was without sin. His “struggle” gives us insight into our own struggles…

Fishermen and tax collectors. Not exactly the pedigree you'd expect for those who would start a religious movement. No theological training, no exceptional giftedness. But ordinary people who Jesus selected to do extraordinary things. Our greatest contribution to the kingdom may be a long line of ordinary displays of faith.

Fishermen and tax collectors. Not exactly the pedigree you'd expect for those who would start a religious movement. No theological training, no exceptional giftedness. But ordinary people who Jesus selected to do extraordinary things. Our greatest contribution to the kingdom may be a long line of ordinary displays of faith.

Hill Chau: As we live out God's calling to build His Kingdom here on earth, we often face obstacles and challenges. The enemy will try to stop us from living out that calling through internal and external struggles in both physical and spiritual realms. How can we overcome these obstacles and persevere through the opposition to live out the calling from God?Zelda Cheung: Have you ever thought that God is inviting you to partner with Him? Learn what it means to be ready for every good work God calls us to as we delve into the partnership between God and His people in the book of Ezra.

As we live out God's calling to build His Kingdom here on earth, we often face obstacles and challenges. The enemy will try to stop us from living out that calling through internal and external struggles in both physical and spiritual realms. How can we overcome these obstacles and persevere through the opposition to live out the calling from God?Have you ever thought that God is inviting you to partner with Him? Learn what it means to be ready for every good work God calls us to as we delve into the partnership between God and His people in the book of Ezra.

Carrie Lo: The Israelites were able to worship God with passion and excitement as they returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the Temple because of their anticipation of God's presence and their priority of worship (Ezra 1 to 3). We, as one body of Christ, are God's Temple (1 Corinthians 3:16) and these two elements should continue to fuel our worship of God. Daniel Tse: This is the Year of the Horse – an animal that symbolises strength, endurance, and ability to carry burdens. It's a picture many of us can relate to – not the burden of bricks and mortar, but the invisible loads we carry every single day.  As we dive into Ezra 3, and before you step into the new year and continue building your life, what are the weights you need to unload first? 

The Israelites were able to worship God with passion and excitement as they returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the Temple because of (1) their anticipation of God's presence and (2) their priority of worship (Ezra 1 to 3). We, as one body of Christ, are God's Temple (1 Corinthians 3:16) and these two elements should continue to fuel our worship of God. This is the Year of the Horse – an animal that symbolises strength, endurance, and ability to carry burdens. It's a picture many of us can relate to – not the burden of bricks and mortar, but the invisible loads we carry every single day.  As we dive into Ezra 3, and before you step into the new year and continue building your life, what are the weights you need to unload first? 

Perseverance is increasingly rare in our day. And yet for those who follow Christ, it will be a key component in maintaining a vibrant faith.

Perseverance is increasingly rare in our day. And yet for those who follow Christ, it will be a key component in maintaining a vibrant faith.

As the saying goes, sometimes less is more. And that is certainly true in our walk with God. Sometimes there are edits to be made in our spiritual life that prove to lighten our load and enhance our experience with God.

As the saying goes, sometimes less is more. And that is certainly true in our walk with God. Sometimes there are edits to be made in our spiritual life that prove to lighten our load and enhance our experience with God.

Is it realistic that we can have a worry-free life? Doesn't that seem a bit irresponsible? And yet we are told to worry about nothing in Philippians 4:6. The effects of worry aren't just a heavy mindset. Jesus tells us that unnecessary worry limits our growth in God. Your worrisome life can make for a wasted life.

Is it realistic that we can have a worry-free life? Doesn't that seem a bit irresponsible? And yet we are told to worry about nothing in Philippians 4:6. The effects of worry aren't just a heavy mindset. Jesus tells us that unnecessary worry limits our growth in God. Your worrisome life can make for a wasted life.

Sometimes it can be hard to notice when God disciplines us. If the purpose of discipline is for us to learn and grow, then it is imperative to know when it is happening. So what are the signs to look for and what is the part that we play in our own discipline? To explore these questions, we will delve into two insightful passages from the books of John and Hebrews, seeking wisdom and guidance on this important topic.

Sometimes it can be hard to notice when God disciplines us. If the purpose of discipline is for us to learn and grow, then it is imperative to know when it is happening. So what are the signs to look for and what is the part that we play in our own discipline? To explore these questions, we will delve into two insightful passages from the books of John and Hebrews, seeking wisdom and guidance on this important topic.

Desire is the engine of our hearts. We are always growing toward something. And while desire itself is not a bad thing, it can slowly become aimed at the wrong things. Today we will explore how our hearts are shaped by what we love and how God invites us to refocus our desires so we keep growing in the right direction.

Desire is the engine of our hearts. We are always growing toward something. And while desire itself is not a bad thing, it can slowly become aimed at the wrong things. Today we will explore how our hearts are shaped by what we love and how God invites us to refocus our desires so we keep growing in the right direction.

The wisest man who ever lived and the Creator of our souls agree on this, that who we are in our heart and how we care for our heart will determine the course of our life. We would be wise to lean in and pay close attention to the thing with which our whole life flows out of.

The wisest man who ever lived and the Creator of our souls agree on this, that who we are in our heart and how we care for our heart will determine the course of our life. We would be wise to lean in and pay close attention to the thing with which our whole life flows out of.

As the excitement of Christmas fades, many experience a sense of withdrawal. Yet, did you know that Advent was originally intended as a season to anticipate Christ's second coming? The Christian life is meant to be a continual Advent, an ongoing longing for His return. Unfortunately, many of us lose that fervor. How can we cultivate a renewed eagerness and hunger for His return in our everyday lives?

As the excitement of Christmas fades, many experience a sense of withdrawal. Yet, did you know that Advent was originally intended as a season to anticipate Christ's second coming? The Christian life is meant to be a continual Advent, an ongoing longing for His return. Unfortunately, many of us lose that fervor. How can we cultivate a renewed eagerness and hunger for His return in our everyday lives?

We often embrace the concept of following a guiding star, but what happens when it leads us into opposition and uncertainty? At times, following God may feel like traversing a path that leads us away from our expectations. In those moments, how can we remain steadfast despite our doubts? In the final sermon of our Advent series, we will explore the responses of the wise men and King Herod as they confronted opposition and navigate divergent paths.

We often embrace the concept of following a guiding star, but what happens when it leads us into opposition and uncertainty? At times, following God may feel like traversing a path that leads us away from our expectations. In those moments, how can we remain steadfast despite our doubts? In the final sermon of our Advent series, we will explore the responses of the wise men and King Herod as they confronted opposition and navigate divergent paths.

The Christmas season is a time when we pause and reflect on the year. A time of peace, and celebration. But for many of us, we're just tired. We're weary because this year was hard, and right now, there's a chance we're not ready to rejoice. But what if God wants us to choose hope in the chaos? To sing through the struggle? How do we do this when we don't feel like it? What if joy isn't the absence of struggle, but the presence of God in the struggle?

The Christmas season is a time when we pause and reflect on the year. A time of peace, and celebration. But for many of us, we're just tired. We're weary because this year was hard, and right now, there's a chance we're not ready to rejoice. But what if God wants us to choose hope in the chaos? To sing through the struggle? How do we do this when we don't feel like it? What if joy isn't the absence of struggle, but the presence of God in the struggle?

If understood fully, disruptions in our lives are actually gifts to us. They remind us that we are actually not in control after all. But how can we actually learn to rejoice in the midst of life's unexpected turns?

If understood fully, disruptions in our lives are actually gifts to us. They remind us that we are actually not in control after all. But how can we actually learn to rejoice in the midst of life's unexpected turns?

Advent, which begins on this Sunday, is the season to prepare and wait for Christmas.  This is the first of four messages to dive into the words of O Holy Night – “the weary world rejoices”.  The message offers a perspective on how you can genuinely rejoice during times when you are waiting for what is longed for… as well as an interesting take on Mary and Joseph's preparation for the first Christmas.

Advent, which begins on this Sunday, is the season to prepare and wait for Christmas.  This is the first of four messages to dive into the words of O Holy Night – “the weary world rejoices”.  The message offers a perspective on how you can genuinely rejoice during times when you are waiting for what is longed for… as well as an interesting take on Mary and Joseph's preparation for the first Christmas.

We often experience righteous anger when we face injustice in the world. However, sometimes this righteous anger can get the better of us and leave us bitter and resentful like Jonah. In this sermon, we look at the final chapter of Jonah's story to uncover the warning signs of when our anger strays from its righteous roots. 

We often experience righteous anger when we face injustice in the world. However, sometimes this righteous anger can get the better of us and leave us bitter and resentful like Jonah. In this sermon, we look at the final chapter of Jonah's story to uncover the warning signs of when our anger strays from its righteous roots. 

How does failure impact you? For most, personal failure has a devastating effect. It brings shame, regret, self-loathing, and a desire to distance ourselves from others. But God comes to us in our failures, and allows us to experience mercy in a way that heals our deepest wounds.

How does failure impact you? For most, personal failure has a devastating effect. It brings shame, regret, self-loathing, and a desire to distance ourselves from others. But God comes to us in our failures, and allows us to experience mercy in a way that heals our deepest wounds.

Jonah was desperate. He was drowning. He hit rock bottom in the most literal way possible. But then in a miraculous act of grace, God sent a fish to swallow him. A strange salvation, but one began to change Jonah. In desperation while inside of the fish, he prays. He remembered God, and that simple act opened the door for grace to begin to change him. When we are overwhelmed, we can do the same, because God listens to desperate prayers.

Jonah was desperate. He was drowning. He hit rock bottom in the most literal way possible. But then in a miraculous act of grace, God sent a fish to swallow him. A strange salvation, but one began to change Jonah. In desperation while inside of the fish, he prays. He remembered God, and that simple act opened the door for grace to begin to change him. When we are overwhelmed, we can do the same, because God listens to desperate prayers.

We all have a little bit of Jonah in us, desiring at times to live independent from God. At our core, we prefer telling God what we'd like, rather than allowing him to tell us what to do. So what can we learn from the hard-hearted prophet?

We all have a little bit of Jonah in us, desiring at times to live independent from God. At our core, we prefer telling God what we'd like, rather than allowing him to tell us what to do. So what can we learn from the hard-hearted prophet?

Just as a caterpillar is not meant to remain a caterpillar, we are not meant to stay where we are today. When we are willing to die to ourselves, we will be transformed into the kind of being who truly understands God and delights in His ways.

Just as a caterpillar is not meant to remain a caterpillar, we are not meant to stay where we are today. When we are willing to die to ourselves, we will be transformed into the kind of being who truly understands God and delights in His ways.

Being generous is often associated with greater overall health and life satisfaction. People who share their wealth tend to be happier, more fulfilled, and enjoy better relationships. In contrast, those who hold back may experience increased stress, anxiety, and a sense of isolation from genuine community. So, why is being generous so challenging? In this sermon, we explore Jesus' teachings on money to better understand the barriers that make it difficult for us to give.