Newlife Church Toronto Sermons

Hebrews Part 19 (Heb 10:24-25) There's a verse in Hebrews that scholars agree is strangely worded, and a little scary if translated correctly. They don't talk about what it might mean to follow this command in practice. Yet actually it is a key to our deep growth.

Hebrews Part 18 (Heb 13:5-6; Psalm 118) Hebrews pulls in references to two of the richest O.T. passages about the unshakeable security of God's love for us. He will never let us go! The challenge is to truly take in these amazing promises, and also to live out our Kingdom membership in this world.

This book is a beautifully crafted poetic gem in Hebrew, with an opening that precisely matches the closing. Naomi goes from being totally emptied to being filled, and in the middle of the story is an unexpected and surprising hinge-point. (Ruth)

Hebrews Part 17 (Hebrews 12:14-24) The story of Esau gives us a vivid picture which brings clarity to life's choices.

The story of the man of God, Hudson Taylor is that although he was living an extraordinary life of service, he had a deep feeling of his own sin and failure. When the Spirit opened his eyes to the Scriptures about being united with Jesus, in an instant he received a joy which lasted the rest of his life. What was this truth? (Col 1 & 2, Eph 2 & 3)

Hebrews Part 16 (Hebrews 10, 12 & 13) Hebrews is full of little gems of positive direction about growth. Today we collect them together and see a strong and clear theme emerges about how we grow, or not grow as we try to Run the Race.

Psalm 90 starts out as one of the most depressing scriptures: “You live 70 yrs and die. If you live to 80 it will just be pain, and so on…” But by an extraordinary twist, which you need the handout to really see, everything is turned on its head. Make sure you view the handout here: https://bibl.ca/pdf/Psalm90-text.pdf (Psalm 90)

Hebrews Part 15 (Hebrews 10-12) From Abraham and Moses to the ‘Stanford Marshmallow Experiment', the challenge of persisting is a common human experience. The Bible gives us three ways that not only help us endure, but turn it from a negative to a positive experience.

Hebrews Part 14 (Hebrews 11) After huge claims for the value of faith/trust for our lives, and the pleasure it gives our Father, Hebrews goes on to show this with a set of stories. But they contain a surprising twist—which makes them far more relevant to us today!

Hebrews Part 13 (Hebrews 11:1-3) The difference between living with your focus on the visible world, vs. the invisible world of God's promises, and how this will change your life.

Hebrews Part 12 (Hebrews 10:1-23) Since we have authorization for free access to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the fresh and living way that he opened up for us, through the curtain—that is through his flesh, let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings, because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from a burdened conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy.

A third of the book of Psalms is devoted to bringing complaints to God. But the form of these complaints is very specific. By giving us so many psalms in this form, God is telling us that he wants to hear the honest cries of our heart, but also teaching us how he wants us to bring these complaints to him. (Psalms 54 & 142)

Hebrews Part 11 (Hebrews 9) The central teaching of Hebrews is about our prayer lives—drawing near to God with confidence. This chapter is a key building block as it lays out the way to intimacy with such power and clarity.

Hebrews Part 10 (Hebrews) Who wrote Hebrews? Why and to whom? The book is very carefully structured, and understanding this is an excellent doorway into seeing the main focus of the book, and how the author supports such a powerful central claim.

Hebrews Part 9 (Hebrews 8-13, Luke 22:20) There is so much richness to be found in all the imagery that comes together in this celebration meal. In the end we see seven ideas woven together, there for us to turn over in our minds with joy as we break bread together.

Hebrews Part 8 (Hebrews 8:6-13) When you really understand the New Covenant, it will transform your life, bring you into a new freedom, and enrich your relationship with God. Sadly it is rarely explained, and most Christians are not entirely free from the Old.

Hebrews Part 7 (Hebrews 5:11-7:28) Hebrews is symmetrical. Everything hangs on what is at the center. And right in the middle of the center we have "an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast"

Hebrews Part 6 (Hebrews 6:1-12 & 8:9-12) Followup session answering the great questions that came out of part 4, which asked ‘Can a Christian Permanently Fall Away?' The root of the answer is understanding what actually happens to you when you become a Christian, and then we look at some Scriptures which may seem to say the opposite.

Hebrews Part 5 (Hebrews 2, 4, 5 & 12) The stories from when Jesus walked this earth with us, show a man who experienced a full range of emotions, and was deeply empathic with those around him. Hebrews encourages us to experience this deep compassion as we engage with him in prayer.

Hebrews Part 4 (Hebrews 6:1-12 & 10:26-39) What does these passages actually say? And how do they fit in with other Scriptures that speak of the “Unforgivable Sin?”.

Hebrews Part 3 (Hebrews 4:12-5:10) We can gain a deeper appreciation of what Jesus does for us from this description of O.T. priests. Hebrews urges us to come to God in confidence because Jesus truly knows what it is like to be human: weak and tempted.

Hebrews Part 2 (Hebrews 3 & 4) It sounds like a contradiction when we are told: “Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest” (Heb 4:11) But actually it is not, it is one of the keys to a fruitful, productive and stress-free life.

Hebrews Part 1 (Hebrews 1 & 2) Jesus is far better than everything else we could possibly have. Incomparably better! So hold fast to him and don't allow yourself to be pulled away by other attractions.

If shame can be so damaging, how can it be removed? We examine two accounts in the Bible, so that we can learn to help ourselves and others have the weight of shame lifted. (John 4 & Luke 15)

The church grows by every part doing their share. But how do I know what my part is? This talk works through 12 areas of gifting, explaining how they function within Newlife church, and how to identify where you fit in. (Eph 4 & Rom 12)

Why does the Bible have such an emphasis on being thankful? Remarkable studies have shown that gratitude makes us happier, less likely to be depressed and even live longer. But much more than any of that, God loves us to be thankful and takes great pleasure in our expression of it. (Col 2 & 3, Phil 4:6)

Healing Shame Part 1 (Phil 2 + other texts) Shame is an emotion given by God, but greatly misunderstood, and capable of causing extreme pain. It is vitally important that we understand where it comes from, what it signals, and what a church can do to heal the shame of the broken.

Why is this story even in the Bible? It certainly does not show Abraham as an example of faith. It is one of the oddest stories in Genesis, but it has a powerful and encouraging message for us. (Genesis 20)

Evangelism Part 8 (1 Cor 15; Rom 6:5-14) Living in the New, not the Old: Here is a challenge to grasp the implications of what the Bible says about our radical new status and see two huge ways in which being in the New Creation changes everything.

Evangelism Part 7 (Luke 14, Mark 8, John 10) The preaching of Jesus came down to one thing, “Follow me!” Understanding what this means is key to both becoming a Christian and growing as a Christian

Evangelism Part 6 (John 1 & Matt 10,11) The purpose of this talk is to equip believers to explain the message, and to guide those who are seeking along a clear Biblical pathway that is concise, yet complete.

Evangelism Part 5 (Colossians 2:8-19) Union with Christ in both his death and resurrection is the single most important truth in the whole of Christianity. If you truly understand what it means for you, and live out of this new reality, then it will affect you profoundly.

Evangelism Part 4 (Col 1:1-11) In this remarkable passage we see a vivid image of the New Creation that links back to the old, but also points forward to how we can spread the Gospel, and the source of growth and fruit in our lives.

Evangelism Part 3 (Acts 17) Today's culture completely misunderstands what ‘Faith' means. Let's be very clear about what it really means and be challenged for the coming year.

Evangelism Part 2 (John 4:43-54) Even if you are a Christian, there are some deep challenges in this story. Jesus wants to keep moving you along the journey until you really know who he is, and act accordingly.

Why do most Christians find it so hard to share the Gospel? —fearful of being looked down on? —don't know what to say? —afraid of creating an awkward moment? —This message aims provide some practical help and encouragement for sharing our faith. (John 3 & 4)

Three Steps to Receiving the Father's Love (John 16 & 17; Rom 5 & 8)

Listening to stories of extraordinary answers to prayer is a great way to build our faith and be encouraged to give prayer our constant attention. (Col 4:2-4)

Because our parents were imperfect, we can have problems with God as a parent figure. It is so important to correct this so that we can experience the intimacy and security that the Father offers us. (Luke 12 & 15)

The greatest joy in the Christian life is to feel and know the intensity of the love of Jesus, that surpasses knowledge. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

This is David's best loved Psalm, but how did he come to write it? We piece together stories from throughout his life that could have provided inspiration for each part of the song. (Psalm 23)

Was tithing actually 10% ?, what does the New Testament say about it, and what are the principles for how much we should give? (2 Cor 8 & 9)

The goal for this talk is: Clarity in understanding what the Bible teaches about being filled with the Spirit, and how to be filled ourselves. (Acts 1:8; Eph 5:18)

God sometimes uses the language of a mother to describe how he relates to us. There are beautiful scriptures where he tells us how he sees us, hears our cry and deeply cares for us, using mother imagery. (Is 49 & 66; Matt 23)

This psalm is beautifully constructed, and designed to stir our hearts to praise God by painting a picture of how he cares for us so deeply. What encouragement! (Psalm 103)

We already knew that God is a God of power yet compassion, purity yet forgiveness, high above all but utterly faithful as a friend. But Jesus revealed something new, something shocking, something almost unbelievable, at the very core of the supreme being. (1 John 4:7-11)

What does it mean to bless someone? Does it actually do anything? How can a human bless God? We need a firm Biblical foundation for answering these questions. (Genesis to Revelation)

The truth behind baptism is deeply empowering and encouraging, and can explain some of the tensions we experience as we try to live the Christian life. (Romans 6:3–11)

Through stories of how God relates to humans we learn of a different kind of love that is at the core of who God is. Chesed is utterly faithful, loyal to the very end, a love that will never let you go. When you understand it, there is no word that is more beautiful. (Is 54:10; Ps 136 & other verses)

The resurrection of Jesus was not simply coming back to life, but the start of a new kind of humanity. It gives us access to a new kind of life within us—empowered for victory. (John 20, 1 Cor 15, Col 3)

Old Testament Devotions Part 1 (Num 21; Ps 1,3; Isa 42; Gen 14) All the Bible is God's Word, and is beneficial, but different parts have different purposes. Some parts are more suitable for study than devotional reading and we can get discouraged if we make this mistake. Here is a way of deciding where to read.