Spruce Grove Alliance Church Podcast

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6) As we head into the New Year, we will look at what trusting God and seeking His will looks like.

Pastor Brent wraps up our mini Christmas series title The Name with a Christmas Eve message. There's a lot of bad news causing great sadness in the world, but don't forget that there is Good News causing Great Joy this Christmas.

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace are the names prophesied for Jesus in Isaiah 9. May these names of Jesus truly come alive in our lives this Christmas season.

As we study the names prophesied for Jesus in Isaiah we will start with Immanuel. Isaiah 7: 1-14

How will the world be made right again? We will consider Jesus first miracle and reflect on the coming glory of heaven. John 2:1-11

What is my role in making things right with the world? Today we will look at The Good Samaritan, one of Jesus' most famous parables. (Luke 10:25-37)

The Canaanite Woman's Encounter with Jesus - Matthew 15:21-28 Jesus's interaction with the Canaanite woman is really odd. It seems out of character. This passage will provide an excellent learning opportunity in reading the Bible. First, identify the problem. What seems strange about this passage? What are some things that matter in that culture? What really matters to God? How does the story following the Canaanite woman's encounter with Jesus (the feeding of the 4,000) reveal about God's plan for humanity?

We will consider two different encounters that Jesus had with Peter. Through these encounters, Peter learns where life is truly found. Matthew 16:21-27

This week we look at Jesus' encounter with two grieving sisters - Martha & Mary. Over the past few weeks we have considered the question "What is wrong with the world?" and today we ask the questions "Who can make it all right?".

This week we look at the encounter that Jesus had with the woman caught in sin. John 8:1-11

This week we will consider the question "What is wrong with the world?" as we look at two encounters from John 3 & 4 - an Insider and an Outcast.

We are starting a new 7 week Sermon Series called Encounters With Jesus. Journey with us as we study the people who encountered Him face to face. John 1:43-51>

Installation Service for Pastor Brent - Guest Speaker: Graham English (Western Canadian District) Christ-centered leadership marked by sacrificial love (John 13:12-17 & John 15:12&13). Spirit-empowered leadership marked by humble dependence (John 14: 16,17,26 & John 15:26 & John 16: 7-8). Mission focused leadership marked by courageous obedience (John 17:8 & Matthew 28:19-20).>

This Sunday wraps up the First Things First series with a Collaborative Caring Community. We are going to bring this series to crescendo at the Communion table. What a great way to unite our hearts as one as we remember oneness that God accomplished for us through the cross of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:4-27>

Over the last few months we have been going through a series called First Things First. We have covered The Gospel of Grace, The Power of Prayer, and The Importance of the Word. This Sunday we will discuss Spirit Empowered Living. What would our church look like if we all increasingly embraced the deep mystery that Paul talked about in Colossians 1:27, this mystery, which is Christ in you the hope of glory? Exodus 3:10-4:12>

Psalm 119 This Sunday we will continue with our series First Things First. We will discuss The Importance of the Word of God.>

As Pastor Brent begins his time with us, he is starting with a series called First Things First. For the first 5 Sundays he is going to share 5 things that he is passionate about as a pastor and a follower of Jesus. You are going to hear him reiterate these things over and over in the years ahead. - The Gospel of Grace - The Power of Prayer - The Importance of the Word - The Spirit Empowered Life - A Collaborate Caring Community Today we are on week 2 of this series as we discuss The Power of Prayer We are going to study Daniel 10 as we learn what it means to be a people of prayer consumed with the pursuit of God.>

As Pastor Brent begins his time with us, he is going to start with a series called First Things First For the next 5 Sundays he is going to share 5 things that he is passionate about as follower of Jesus. You are going to hear him reiterate these things over and over in the years ahead. - The Gospel of Grace - The Power of Prayer - The Importance of the Word - The Spirit Empowered Life - A Collaborate Caring Community Today we discuss The Gospel of Grace and we are going to dig into the often overlooked book of Philemon. Lets learn today what it means to not only be recipients of His grace but also conduits of His grace. Grace in - Grace out. Go to https://www.sgac.net/ContactUs to let us know you're listening! Need prayer? Send an email to prayer@sgac.net.>

Matthew 19:30 20:16 Should you be jealous because I am kind to others? The Vineyard Owner (Matthew 20:15b)>

MONUMENTAL VBS Day 1 Your unfailing love will last forever Psalm 89:2 Day 2 For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 Day 3 How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! Psalm 147:5 Day 4 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from Gods love. Romans 8:38 Day 5 Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! Psalm 66:5>

Have you ever lost something? Have you ever been lost yourself? In Luke 15:1-32, Jesus tells 3 parallel stories about something getting lost, searched for, and eventually found. Through these relatable stories, Jesus shines a light on the grace of the Heavenly Father and the call on His followers to reach the lost in this world, welcoming them home with abundant joy.>

THE FEEDING OF THE 5,000 Aside from the greatest miracle of the Resurrection of Jesus, this miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is the only one that is recorded in all four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It is rich in meaning and profound in its simplicity as one small boy offers one small lunch to Jesus ... and watches a miracle happen. What do we have in our own small lunch bag that Jesus could do a miracle through?>

Matthew 5:14-16 The parables of Jesus make up a crucial part of the Bible. Jesus had the wisdom to simplify the profound spiritual truths he needed to share with humanity in the form of relatable stories that are easy to understand. Again, a parable is a tale about a simple, common subject to illustrate a deeper, valuable moral lesson. Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7 are called the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus, after spending a night in solemn meditation and prayer in the lonely mountain range west of the Lake of Galilee (Luke 6:12) on the following morning, our Lord called to him his disciples, and from among them chose twelve, who were to be trained to be his apostles (Mark 3:14). After this solemn consecration of the twelve, he descended the mountain peak in a more level spot (Luke 6:17). And there Jesus sat down and delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7; Luke 6:20-49). The Sermon on the Mount contains some of the most essential principles for living a genuine Christian life. But John R. W. Stott in his book The Message of the Sermon on the Mount said that the Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known part of the teaching of Jesus, though arguably it is the least understood, and certainly it is the least obeyed. The Sermon on the Mount is by far Jesus' longest explanation of what it looks like to live as His follower. In many ways, Jesus' teachings during the Sermon on the Mount represent the major ideals of the Christian life. Why is it the least understood and least obeyed? How then should we live as salt and light?>

The Parable of the 10 Virgins Matthew 25:1 13 3 Mistakes of the foolish Virgins 1. Procrastination 2. Thought they had more time 3. Thought the door would remain open Are you ready if Jesus comes today? Today is the day of Salvation. (2Cor. 6:2)>

An attitude of overflowing thankfulness is one of the prime indicators of our relationship with God. When gratitude is lacking, grace has either not been received or not been understood. The state of our relationship with God is revealed clearly by our gratitude towards Him. Gary Inrig Further reading: Romans 21 & 22 Gary Inrig: The Parables, Understanding What Jesus Meant>

(Where is your Heart?) Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life Luke 6:45 Out of the overflow of your heart, the mouth speaks (God knows our Hearts) Jeremiah 17:9-10 The Lord searches the heart and tests the mind Genesis 6:5 The Lord saw the wickedness of man and the intention of evil on his heart (Seek God with all your heart) Jeremiah 29:13 You will find me when you seek me with all your heart Psalm 119:2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies and seek him with all their heart>

The Vision Prayer of the C&MA Canada is: O God, with all our hearts, we long for You. Come, transform us to be Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, Mission-focused people, multiplying disciples everywhere. SGAC Vision aligns with the C&MA prayer and expresses the intent to be mature disciples of Jesus. Oswald Chambers talked about being devoted to Jesus. As a Christ-centered church and denomination, what does it mean to be devoted to Jesus? Devoted is defined as loving and loyal. I John 3:16 says, This is how we know what love is: Jesus laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. In John 21:17 Jesus asked ... do you love me? (then) feed my sheep. When we are devoted to Jesus, caring for one another is not optional.>

In the past 2+ years has there been any anxiousness build up in your heart? Do you find yourself functioning with this low agitation behind everything you do? Today we look at Psalm 139 and see how God wants to affectionally care for you. In this deeply personal Psalm, the Psalmist reflects on the gentle hand of God on his life and sees that He is the only one who can calm him, guide him and hold him fast in the midst of turbulent times. Lets be open to the hand of God today as we allow His Spirit and Word to come alive in our life.

The Transition Journey that we have been on for the past sixteen months has been preparing you for your next transition, the embracing of a new lead pastor. Today we are going on a transitional tour, reminding us of all that we have accomplished in this time and how we are now ready to move into the next chapter in the life and ministry of SGAC. You have a great heritage to build on and God has plans to come alongside of you to lead you to be mature disciples of Jesus Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, engaged and equipped, advancing the kingdom of God in Spruce Grove and the World.

Pentecost Sunday - Approximately one hundred twenty believers gathered together, waiting for the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit. And God showed up in a significant way - a loud noise that drew the attention of many and evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit through visible tongues of fire and speaking other languages. This was the church equipped to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ. And it is promised to you - Spruce Grove Alliance Church. (Joel 2:28 - 29; Luke 11:13)

This Sunday we will continue our series as we look at the Sanctifying Work of the Holy Spirit in our lives which includes His work to set us free from the bondages that keep us from serving our Lord Jesus Christ. But more than that, the freedom that the Spirit provides is a freedom to join our Lord Jesus Christ in the Mission of God. Galatians 5:23, 24 reveals to us the goal of sanctification, to exhibit the character of Jesus.

This Sunday we will be looking at 1 Corinthians 12 and the role of the manifestation gifts in the ministry of the church. Although chapter 12 will be the focus, 1 Corinthians 12 through 14 gives us a holistic perspective on these gifts. So, what is the source of these gifts, purpose of these gifts, the context for these gifts and the outcome of using these gifts?

by Oliver Magnus Luke 18: 9-14 James 2: 14-26 Luke 6: 32-35

At the end of Ephesians chapter 2, Paul, writing to Gentiles, tells them how in Christ their status has changed from being outsiders to becoming insiders. We become citizens, family and ultimately a temple where God, by his Spirit, lives. In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul goes on to talk about the specific gifts Jesus gave to the church to make this transition from outsider to insider a reality in each of our lives. Read and reflect on Ephesians 2:14 - 4:16

Last Sunday we started a new series focused on the Work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus instructed his disciples to wait for the promise of the Father. The promise of the Father is found in Joel 2 where the Lord said, I will pour out my Spirit on all people (vs. 28) Through the work of the Holy Spirit we are enabled to represent God the Father and God the Son. This Sunday we will be considering one aspect of the image of God found in all of humanity and how this guides us in our ministries. We will be considering Romans 12, particularly looking at verses 6 - 8.

The Time of Transition: Resurrection to Ascension This past Sunday we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ and considered its significance in our lives. This Sunday we will be looking at Acts 1:1-8 and reflecting on the forty days between Jesus resurrection and his ascension. What happened during those days and are they significant and what can we learn from them that might apply to today.

We have reached the High Point of the Christian Calendar - HE IS RISEN!! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!! We gather this Sunday to celebrate His - RESURRECTION!!! In preparation please read I Corinthians 15.

John 12: 12-16 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel! Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkeys colt. At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

Luke 191-10 Story of Zacchaeus - His Longing to belong. John 1718-23 - Jesus Prayer Passion of the Christ Colossians 312-17 - Pauls exhortation 12 Therefore as Gods chosen people holy and dearly loved clothe yourselves with compassion kindness humility gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms hymns and songs from the Spirit singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him. Other scripture to note Ephesians 41-4 519-21 1Corinthians 1212-27 Galatians 525-26 Philippians 21-11

Jesus was passionate about restoring us to Gods original created purpose and intention. The fall in Genesis 3 brought separation from God a broken and marred creation and death. We see Jesus restorative passion in the following ways His declared missionLuke 4 18-21 Luke 1831-34 What He wept over --the lostness of a cityLuke 1941-42 --the heart-rending experience of deathJohn 1133-35 What He got angry aboutLuke 1945-46 --God not being honoured as He should --the nations not having access to God His compassionate meeting of a personal needLuke 1835-43 Today Jesus is asking you What do you want me to do for you? How will YOU respond?

John 316 concisely expresses three truths the universal character of Gods love. The immense LOVE OF GOD to that perishing world measurably only and conceivable only by the gift which it drew forth from Him. Next is the GIFT itself and the sacrificial nature of that GIFT. For GOD so loved the world that He gave us the greatest gift of all. And lastly its eternal purpose. THE WORLD in its wildest sense really to perish as a result of mans sin. But if they believe in Jesus they will not perish but will have eternal or everlasting life. It is no wonder that John 316 has been described as the gospel in a nutshell. This gospel is the reason why we are all here. John 316 is one of the most well-known verses in all the Bible doubtless because it states the gospel so clearly and simply. Gods love means that God eternally gives himself to others. This definition understands love as self-giving for the benefit of others. This attribute of God shows that it is part of his nature to give of himself in order to bring about blessing or good for others.

Over the past three weeks we have considered the following spiritual disciplines Studying Scripture Meditation centering prayer and Lectio Divina and Listening Together. This Sunday we turn our attention to the spiritual discipline of Solitude. Jesus practised solitude. He practised solitude during his forty days in the wilderness Matthew 4 during busy times of ministry he withdrew to pray Mark 135 and the night he was betrayed he withdrew from his disciples to pray Luke 2241. Solitude is not about being alone but rather it is about drawing closer to God. In some ways it is a physical act of centering prayer. Often associated with solitude is silence. This Sunday we will consider the value of solitude and silence and how to make them a part of your daily life.

Why is praying together something that we should practice? Ephesians 3 talks about understanding the love of God together with all the saints. The truth is that God is much greater than any one person and all our experiences with God are so diverse. It is only when we come together and share how God has touched our lives that we start to get a glimpse of how great our God is. Praying together is one of those times when we get a glimpse of others' relationship with God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Secondly prayer is not just about the request. Prayer is also about listening. When we share what we have heard the community of faith is present to discern what it is that God is saying and listening together builds unity of purpose and intent.

Last Sunday we were reminded that the written word of God is our primary source in our pursuit to know God. But we are not in this pursuit alone. When Jesus returned to the presence of the Father he sent an advocate the Holy Spirit who when he is present will lead us into all truth. John 1613 This Sunday we will give attention to the biblical practice of meditation. Joshua 18 instructs us to meditate on the word of God day and night. We will consider what meditation is its role in the Christians life and some basic practices of meditation. Meditation like all of the spiritual disciplines puts us in the place to hear from God and to grow in our understanding of His calling in our lives for the sake of His Kingdom here in Spruce Grove.

At the core of our faith is our personal relationship with God himself. But how do we nurture that relationship? The spiritual disciplines are practices that have been used throughout church history to maintain and even enhance believers relationship with God. They are the channels of Gods grace in our lives. The spiritual disciplines help us to wait patiently for the Lord or to put it another way the spiritual disciplines enable us to weave our lives together with God and put us in a place to act with obedience when He reveals himself to us. 2 Timothy 316 17 will be key to our message this Sunday.

How do you know that Jesus is the Lord of your life? As followers of Jesus His lordship is key to us living peacefully in this world of chaos. Matthew 11 talks about taking on the yoke of Jesus which he says will fit us well and the weight of it will be light. If we take on His yoke we will find rest for our souls. So how do you know that Jesus is Lord of your life? Starting with James 413 - 17 we will try to respond to this question and give it some context in our lives.

This Sunday we are returning to our series that has been taking us through the book of James entitled Being a Christian in a Post Christian Society. We started this series back in September but with Advent Christmas and a brief series regarding prayer and the Godhead in preparation for our Semi Annual Congregational Meeting we did not finish James. So this morning we return to where we left off James 411 12. What is the difference between speaking the truth in love and being judgemental?

Today we will conclude our series on Prayer with the topic The Holy Spirits Partnership. John 167 in the Amplified version says But I tell you the truth it is to your advantage that I go away for if I do not go away the Helper Comforter Advocate IntercessorCounsellor Strengthener Standby will not come to you but if I go I will send Him the Holy Spirit to you to be in close fellowship with you. Note the diverse terms used to describe the Holy Spirits actions in our lives. As a denomination the Alliance is Christ centred Spirit empowered and Mission Focused. How is the Godhead represented in this mission statement?

John 825-30 Where did he derive the strength for His perfect example? Was it from some source beyond our reach? Was it through His own nature? Or was it through sources that are as available to us as they were for him? The last would seem soAnd it makes it certain that our Lord derived His daily strength from communion with God from a life of faith and prayer and constantly receiving the Holy Spirit and the gracious help of His Father just as we must. A.B. Simpson founder of the C&MA The point isnt so much that we get to do what Jesus did the point is that we get to walk intimately with Jesus and then out of that closeness see the Kingdom of God advance. Doug Balzer

Matthew 65-15 Prayer is a spiritual communication between man and God a two-way relationship in which man should not only talk to God but also listen to Him. Prayer to God is like a childs conversation with his father. It is natural for a child to ask his father for the things he needs. In verses 9-13 we have what is generally called The Lords Prayer. The Lords Prayer is Jesus model prayer given to the disciples in Matthew 69-13 and Luke 112-4. A succinct and powerful expression of how to pray in light of the gospel and the kingdom of God. In Matthew the teaching occurs during the Sermon on the Mount with the disciples and the crowds around Jesus. Following a six counter cultural commands in Matthew 521-48 Jesus offers three examples of what it is to do righteousness and offers practical steps for those tempted to give in religious performance to win the applause of others Matthew 61. The section on prayer in Matthew 65-15 forms the second of three instructions on godliness. You will notice that each of the instructions in Matthew 61-16 begins with the same phrase --- when you --- followed by an action give to the needy. And when you pray or when you fast Jesus instructs the disciples not to carry that action out like the hypocrites and then provides an alternative method. Believers Bible Commentary said that Matthew 5-7 is the constitution of the Kingdom of God. In it Jesus our King summarizes the character and conduct expected of His subjects. This sermon is not a presentation of the plan of salvation nor is its teaching intended for unsaved people. It was addressed to the disciples according to 51-2 and was intended to be the constitution or the system of laws and principles which was to govern the Kings subjects during His reign. It was meant for all---past---present or future --- who acknowledge Christ as King. The Fathers Plan is for his beloved children to spend eternity with Him in heaven. God the Father sent His son Jesus who paid the penalties of our sin and restored that broken relationship between God and man. And God is calling all of us and giving all of us this wonderful privilege to represent Him. To be the hands and feet of Jesus.

(1) Do you recognize Jesus as King & Saviour of the world? Jesus our Saviour - Luke 2:11 Jesus our Redeemer - Titus 2:14 Jesus our Healer - Isaiah 53: 4-5 & Matthew 8:17 Jesus our Sanctifier - 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Jesus our Coming King - Isaiah 9:6 (2) Is Jesus the reveled King of Kings and the authority in which you put your trust and hope? (3) What should our response be to the revelation of this Jesus in our midst and in our lives?