Kingsview Community Church Podcast

This year, Easter looked very different for everyone, but thankfully we know and serve a God who doesn't change. And what better way to celebrate this fact than by joining Guest Pastor Joe Amaral as he shows the context, significance, and unchanging power of the resurrect of Jesus Christ. No matter where we find ourselves, this truth is what sets us free and gives us hope beyond all hopes.

Being stuck in isolation so easily leads to frustration. And if you thought the Bible had nothing to offer you, just turn to the Psalms. In many, David is writing these from a cave. After being on the run from someone who wants to kill him. And the best estimates we have are he was stuck there for months. Sound familiar? So listen to how David pours his heart out to God. He vents his full frustration and anguish, but by the end it turns to worship. That's a pattern we can definitely be following right now...

The Bible says, in Romans 5, that Christians are called to "rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Which means, contrary to how it's been presented by some, Christianity is NOT easy street. In fact, following Christ is the hardest path you can walk. But those who do, discover a hope they couldn't find any other way...

We've all heard the story of Jesus calling Peter out of the boat and walking on water. And when Peter doubted, he started to sink. The question is, what was he doubting and, more importantly, who? Was he doubting Jesus... or himself? One thing we really need to understand as Christians is that, if Jesus calls us to do something He will equip us to do it. And in these trying times, that's a truth we need to cling to.

As we enter a very unusual season of being forced apart and left wondering what the future holds, Pastor Josh addresses the fears we are likely facing. But he also reminds and encourages us that, by faith in Christ, we don't have to live under fear or be controlled by it. Rather, by surrendering that fear to Jesus and allowing Him to renew our minds by the truth of His Word to place our trust in Him, we can start operating as the church body that our communities need right now.

In Romans 6, Paul writes that we should "count ourselves as dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." That "sin shall no longer be our master" because we have been "brought from death to life." This is strong language and unequivocal in its meaning. But are we each living this way? How often do we find ourselves still stuck as slaves to lifestyles, thought patterns and behaviours that are far less than (or the total opposite of) what Jesus paid for? Pastor Josh examines this and exhorts us to live out those amazing words that Paul wrote...

What does it mean to "work out your salvation in fear and trembling"? Does it mean we're to be terrified all the time? It doesn't make much sense, especially given how many times we're commanded to not be afraid. But both commands are in scripture, so how do we reconcile them? Pastor Josh examines this and shows that the distinction is on what we are to be afraid of and how that should motivate us to act... especially when no one is looking.

We have a very special guest this week as our youth retreat breaks from the norm and concludes as part of our Sunday service. Guest Pastor Scott Murray shares a powerful message that we all know to be true, but need reminding of often: God has given all of us a great commission. He's mapped out specific plans and tasks for each of us. And He's allotted us a window of time to do it. Each of us doesn't have the exact same window, but each one is equally vital.

The incarnation of Christ is perhaps the greatest mystery of all time. God the Son became human. Perfect, undying, inexhaustible deity became flesh and blood. Vulnerable to death. And yes... even tired. In Matthew, Mark and Luke, there is the story of Jesus asleep in the boat as a great storm arose and threatened to sink them all. This story shows the humanity of Jesus - he was exhausted and needed to sleep – and the deity of Jesus – he spoke to nature and commanded it. Something that had never been done before...

Even people who've never read a word of the Bible have likely heard the verse "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." But if you read just two verses later, Paul says "For if, when we were enemies of God..." We get that we were sinners, but did you ever think about yourself as an enemy of God? Pastor Josh looks deeper into this and shows that when in Matthew, Jesus commanded us to "love our enemies", he was using the exact same word.

We all want to hear from God. Somewhere within - even in those who don't believe in God - our souls cry out to be heard, known and loved by God. But are we willing to quiet ourselves and the world around us in order to hear Him? As guest pastor, David Burke, shares this week: If we expect that He only speaks in loud, mountain top experiences, then we'll become very disappointed at how little we hear from Him. Because while God does speak to us like that, most often he comes to us in the whisper...

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." This isn't merely a Proverb in our sacred book. It's a command and a warning from God. This week guest Pastor Dan DiSabatino shines light on what can lead our hearts astray and shows how the Bible offers practical advice on how to effectively guard your heart.

Do you "glory in tribulations"? On the surface it seems like a ridiculous thing to say, but Paul said it in Romans 5:3-4 – "...but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." Pastor Josh digs into this passage and reveals that often tribulations – "intense pressures" – are the only way to produce the fuel that we need to keep reflecting the glory of God: perseverance, character and hope.

As we grieve the passing of Peter Sertic, Pastor Josh reminds us that, though we can't really understand why it happened this way, Peter is home. Because as painful as it is to walk through circumstances like these, we don't walk as people without hope. That hope is secure in Christ alone and His words that, "In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going away to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am...

Salvation belongs to God alone. We know this, not only because of Biblical truth, but from our own experiences – despite all our best efforts we can't stop ourselves from sinning or find the life we're seeking. Only Jesus can offer that to us freely. So why do we feel like we have to "earn" healing? How is it any different from salvation?

As we close out 2019 together, our friend, guest pastor Rich Redman reminds us that Philippians chapter 4 exhorts us to "not be anxious about anything" – to not worry. But in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, we are to present our requests to God so that "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." In other words, we'll have peace and can therefore find happiness. God bless you and see you in 2020!

In our final week of Advent we come to the theme of Love. It's a word and idea that has many different meanings and uses, and while they're all good, they aren't all equal. Listen as Pastor Josh demonstrates the different kinds of love and shows how one kind - the kind God showed us - is the greatest of all of them...

Christmas so often becomes about happiness. And happiness is a very good thing, but it's not the same thing as joy. Because while happiness is about the moment, joy is about the journey. So as we journey through advent, Pastor Josh reminds us that not only should joy be our focus, but that Jesus should be the focus of our joy...

"Do not be afraid." It's not a phrase you would normally think is associated with Christmas, but in fact it's woven throughout the story. Each time someone – Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, the shepherds – encountered the supernatural they were terrified and had to be encouraged to not fear. But chances are, while their fear probably eased a bit, it didn't just go away. What they were each being asked to do was a big leap of faith. And yet, as they obeyed God's command, the peace of the Lord came...

One of the wonderful things about Advent is that it's a journey, because that's truly what Christmas was and is. Jesus didn't just arrive one night with some fanfare. He was hoped for over hundreds of years and in that time expectation built on what both He and his arrival would be like. And it certainly wasn't expected to be a helpless baby, born to lowly, unwed parents, in a town no one cared about. But if you follow the story from the very beginning, you can see the trust God was building in preparation of fulfilling that hope...

"I think I'm basically a good person." You've probably heard it, thought it, said it. And if that were true then why would anyone need a saviour? But in Romans 3, starting with verse 9, Paul makes it abundantly clear: none of us are righteous. This week Pastor Josh explores this passage and shows why the world needs the gospel of Christ...

Light is always brighter when it's contrasted against darkness. The same can be said of God's power and faithfulness – it's so much more clear when contrasted against evil. So, why not say “Let us do evil that good may result”? That's the hypothetical question Paul poses in Romans 3. And for a moment it makes a kind of sense. But as today's message shows, that moment can't hold up in the light of God's truth.

Is there any advantage to being a Christian in Canada? Paul asked a similar question of his fellow Jews in the Book of Romans. After all, if we're part of God's family and have been handed the truth, shouldn't we have a great advantage?

Can you really be saved by God if your heart isn't in it? In Romans Chapter 2, Paul is addressing his fellow Jews of the day and asking a very similar question of them. Many of them believed that because they were God's "chosen people" and had the covenant of circumcision they were above others and automatically saved. And Paul basically flips that on its head by saying that, no, it's all about the heart and that even gentiles who love and obey God are actually true "Jews". So again it begs the question of us: are we saved because we said the right things, or because we truly believe them in our hearts...

"Christians are a bunch of hypocrits." Sadly it's a statement we've heard too many times. And since for years we have stood in judgment of the sins of the world all while becoming blind to our own, is it really any surprise? Pastor Josh challenges us this week to look deep in our hearts, confess our sins to God and commit to ending this culture of hypocrisy...

This Thanksgiving we were very blessed to hear testimony of what God is doing in Liberia, Africa – the sixth poorest country in the world. Pastor, Missionary and close friend of Kingsview, Joe Amaral joined us to share a new ministry that God has charged him with and how, in a moment, his heart was broken for a country that virtually everyone else had forgotten. 

If it wasn't already obvious, the Book of Romans is not an easy book to study. Take Romans 1:18, "18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness". The thing is, while there is context to understand this verse within the point Paul is making, there is also a larger context to understanding the nature of God. While culture tends to view Him as either "a God of love" or "a God of wrath", Pastor Josh shows us that without a clear picture of both you won't understand who God really is.

This service marks a very significant moment in the history of Kingsview Church. By becoming mortgage-free, this liberates us to move forward in a practical sense. But more than that, this marks the end of one season of growth and faith and the beginning of another. Join us as we celebrate the greatness, goodness and faithfulness of God and what He has done.

As we continue to dig into Romans 1:16-17 – the "thesis" of the entire book – Paul says that the Gospel reveals the righteousness of God "from faith to faith". So what exactly does he mean by that? Pastor Josh walks us through that statement and shines some light on the nature of faith itself and how it needs to grow and mature.

This week in our Book of Romans series Pastor Josh starts examining Chapter 1:16-17 – what might well be considered the "thesis" of the entire letter Paul is writing. And to begin a thesis with "For I am not ashamed of the gospel" is a bit... weird. It's like, "Yeah we know that Paul." But as Pastor Josh shows, there is a big difference between 'embarrassment' and 'shame' and in this context that is key.

Completing our Parables of Jesus Series, we come to one of most famous parables of all: The Good Samaritan. It's so famous in fact, that most of us probably have it memorized and feel we understand the point Jesus was trying to make. But as guest pastor David Burke points out, this story was (and is) so scandalous, it should leave us deeply challenged: are we willing to also show mercy on those we hate.

As we begin our new series on the Book of Romans, the hard questions start in Chapter 1, Verse 1. Many translations have Paul introducing himself as a "servant of Christ". Some have it as "bondservant". A few dare to translate it more closely to the original Greek word: slave. And that's a word with a ton of baggage behind it, both in Biblical and modern contexts. As Pastor Josh demonstrates though, context is important... but choice is everything.

In the Parable of the Talents, a master leaves for a long journey, entrusting valuable resources in the hands of his servants with the expectation that they'll invest in his kingdom with them wisely. Sound familiar? God has given us so many gifts, abilities and talents for the express purpose of demonstrating His love and growing His kingdom. But if we bury them, what good are they and what does it say about how we feel about the one who gave them to us?

Continuing the theme of our last message, this week we examine the Parable of the Talents – a picture Jesus uses to explain what He expects us to do while we wait for His return. Guest Pastor Dan DiSabatino walks us through five things we have each been entrusted with by God to steward. The only real question is, are we doing it?

Jesus is coming back. The Bible assures us of this and in the Parable of the Virgins in Matthew 25, He gave us and illustration of preparing ourselves for that day because it could be at any time. But as Jesus states, there will be many of His people on that day who profess to know Him but were never ready.

"A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home." There are many reasons Jesus said this statement and this week Pastor Josh unpacks a few of them and relates how, like Jesus, we too will face rejection from the very people we came to help...

This week in our Parables of Jesus series we examine the Parable of the Net, which Jesus uses to explain what the end of the age will be like... and it's an uncomfortable picture. As Pastor Josh talks about the painful reality of hell (as much as we can understand it), he also reminds us that the fear of hell isn't a good motivator. Love is a far better choice.

Today in our Parables of Jesus series, we come to two very short, very connected parables: The Treasure in a Field and The Pearl of Great Price. While not long stories, their imagery is vivid and the questions they stir up are incredibly deep. You will gladly sacrifice anything to have the thing you value most. The question is do we value the gospel as much as the picture Jesus is painting for us?

It doesn't make a lot of sense that God would use such small things – mustard seeds and yeast – to describe how his kingdom works. This is the God of the universe after all, the most powerful being in existence. But then it doesn't make typical sense that God would use such seemingly insignificant people simply operating in whatever community they're in to make such huge impacts on the world. As Pastor Josh shares this week, we clearly underestimate how God can use us...

Today in our Parables of Jesus series, we examine The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares. What is a tare? Great question! As Pastor Josh explains, once you understand what a tare is you'll see why it's so important to today's lesson. Because it teaches us that what we think has been planted, isn't always the case...

As we start our summer series, The Parables of Jesus, we look at the Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13. In it Jesus describes four types of soil that seeds can fall upon. And as Pastor Josh explains it's good to use wisdom about what kind of soil you're throwing seeds on. But equally so, it's important to understand that it's not your responsibility for where they fall either. So get throwing.

The Psalmist said, "Without delay, I hurry to obey your commands" (119:60). But as we all know that is often the goal, not the reality. There are things that God is asking us to do and we know it, but we put it off again and again. As Pastor Josh challenges us this week, it's time to start obeying now.

There will be storms in your life, both literal and figurative. It's inevitable. But so often we try to get away from our circumstances by our own means and strength – to get in the life boat, so to speak, to escape the storm. But as Pastor Josh shares this week, God often uses the storms of life to cause us to cling to Him for life. And that means sometimes having the faith to cut away the life boat and trust in His goodness...

It's interesting that if we tend to think of water baptism as an exclusively Christian tradition (it's not), we also tend to think of baptism by fire as a generic or secular term. Obviously it's not, because the Bible talks very clearly about both. And this week Pastor Josh shows that Paul's journey to Rome was a very clear example of this kind of baptism and what it can produce in us...

We tend of think of baptism as a uniquely Christian thing. But it isn't. Baptism has deep roots in Jewish tradition and symbolizes dying to your old self and becoming a new person. Pastor Josh explains this history and shares exactly what baptism is and is not for us today.

As Pastor Josh continues from the last sermon, the attitude today is often to see how close to the line we can get with sin, without going over. But if we truly saw and understood just how destructive sin is we wouldn't flirt with it – we'd run from it. And not just run aimlessly, but run to the only one who can save us from it.

The problem with sin is not simply that it's destructive, it's that it is alluring to us: we want what's harmful. And because of that we make allowances for sin in our lives. But if we could see our sin the way God does, we'd know just how deadly it truly is. And how far away we should keep ourselves from it.

On this Mothers Day, Pastor Josh shares an encouraging word to mothers of every description: the expectations that you set for yourself and your family will determine the level of your persistence.

A lot of people think Christianity is all about "don't do this, don't do that." But that's a really distorted view of what Christ calls us to do. It's not enough for us to just 'not do bad stuff', but to pursue doing good – not because we HAVE to, but because we GET to.

The Bible is very clear: you will experience suffering in this life, no matter what you believe in. And while dealing with the 'why' is no easy task, especially if you believe in God, how we respond to our suffering is actually the most important part. And on that, the Bible is also clear: if we respond contrary to our nature and worship God, in spite of our circumstances, something miraculous happens...

He is risen! Join us for our annual resurrection Sunday service as Pastor Josh shows how important the resurrection is, because while His death paid the price, His resurrection shows His power and that death is but a transition for Jesus into glory. And that's just as true for us who are in Christ.