Westside Sermons - wffpg.ca

Pastor Lucas Chance introduces the congregation to Jason Dreher and his family (wife Leisl and daughter Alexis) and then turns the mic over to the congregation to hear how we are thankful at this time.

Pastor Marlo brings back his father and Pastor Emeritus Arlo johnson, plus his brother Dr. Randy Johnson to talk about "Purpose", "Communion" and the miracle of Marlo's mother's recovery from a stroke and seizure.

In the final sermon of his 4 part series on women in the bible, Tom Birch gives us a "two-fer" to make up for the fact his first sermon was actually about a man. Her Tom brings us the stories of Jael and Deborah.

Tom Birch examines the life of Rahab and that of our modern day "Rahabs" by reminding us that her importance was underlined by her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus.

Tom Birch continues to examine the lives of Old Testament men and women with a look at Tamar and Judah.  

Tom Birch takes us back to Genesis.  He does love the Old Testament.  Here we learn about the family dynamics and dysfunction that resulted in Judah leaving for more than twenty years after the "selling of Joseph" to Egyptian slavery.

Pastor Marlo Johnson brings a strong challenge to us not to be victims.  God called us to be filled with courage.

Pastor Marlo Johnson challenges us to consider unity and divison with Mark chapter 3.

Today Pastor Marlo pays tribute to his father and our founding pastor of Westside Family Fellowship, Arlo Johnson as he approaches his 90th birthday.  Joining Marlo are his brothers Grady and Randy, and Marlo's sons, Mark and Jordan.  

Pastor Marlo continues talking about community and brings along an axe and a sample as object lessons.

Pastor Marlo Johnson challenges us to depend on the Holy Spirit and not ourselves as we try to operate in the Kingdom of God.

Pastor Marlo Johnson challenges us to come together to get all the benefits of the Body of Christ worshiping in person.  

Tom Birch concludes his series of messages from the book of Daniel with an affirmation that throughout our hard times, we have a good God.

Tom Birch continues his look at the Book of Daniel and specifically Daniel's Visions today.

Tom Birch continues his series in the book of Daniel.  Who and what is the Son of Man?  

Tom Birch continues taking us through the book of Daniel. This is Part 3 of the series titled "Living With a Divine Perspective in a Fallen World".  

Tom Birch continues to take us through the lessons of Daniel in Part 2 of his series on "Living With a Divine Perspective in a Fallen World".  

Tom Birch beins a series about the book of Daniel and its connection to our fallen world.

Pastor Lucas Chance.

Pastor Lucas Chance encourages us to write our story ... the humble pencil will never look the same to us.

Pastor Lucas leads us in Communion sunday service.

Our guest speaker today is Chris Spyker.  Born and raised in Prince George, Chris is what we call a "born Westsider" as his parents have been part of the church since before they were married. It's the last Sunday for Chris and Micaela before he takes up a new RCMP posting to Sparwood B.C.

Pastor Lucas asks the question - how much do we need the Holy Spirit?

Pastor Marlo is joined by his father and former Senior Pastor of Westside Family Fellowship, Arlo Johnson.

Pastor Marlo's voice is in rough shape after an allergy attack.  But he made it through. All about how Caleb remembered what God said and held onto that.

Quote from today's message by Pastor Marlo: "It's important that we live our lives with the important things being important."

Pastor Marlo Johnson consinues his travels through the Book of Joshua.

Pastor Marlo continues his examination of lessons learned from the Book of Joshua.

Pastor Marlo continues his examination of the events surrounding the old testament leader of the Hebrews, Joshua.

Pastor Marlo reports on his experiences in Sri Lanka and reminds us that the best faith is one that's been tested and found strong afterwards.

Pastor Lucas calls us to Rise Up and overcome.

How do we deal with shaken faith?  Pastor Lucas Chance addresses all the shaking we've been through these past few years.

This is our Easter Sunday sermon with Pastor Marlo Johnson. The good news we enjoy today came out of the terrible events of "Good Friday" and Easter. John 16:33  

Two questions Communion Sunday with Pastor Marlo Johnson. Scriptures: Genesis 2:4–23, Genesis 1:26–31, Genesis 3:8, Matthew 6:19–21, John 17:4–8, Matthew 28:18–20, John 13:35 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

Pastor Marlo Johnson prepares us for Communion and Easter by remind us of the challenge Jesus gave to his disciples.  "Love Like Jesus Loved" 'So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” ' John 13:34-35  

Pastor Marlo Johnson encourages us to face the challenge of change and the emotions that come with it. Don't let your emotions lead because they most often will lead to destruction.

Here are some quick notes from the message "Peace With God" by Tom Birch. “And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.” Ephesians 2:17 ESV Ephesians is all about how Jesus brings everything together to peace in himself  heaven and earth Jew and Gentile men and women slave and free rich and poor husband and wife children and parents sinner and saint Far and Near Who is far from God today? “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”  Ephesians 2:1-3  They are: dead disobedient to God living for their desires under wrath Maybe you remember being Far. God has a path home to peace but it is through truth and usually involves a hard word that can soften a heart. Maybe you care about someone who is Far and it seems hopeless (wrong right and right wrong).  This is nothing new. That is the ground that the word first spread in. Those Who Are Far Can Come Near “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”  Ephesians 2:13 ESV “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”  Ephesians 2:19 ESV “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”  Ephesians 3:6 ESV Who is near to God today? Here's a good biblical example of "the near". “And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”  Mark 10:17-22 ESV Kids raise in church of a Christian school like Westside Academy are near, but that doesn't give them peace with God.  Some may be running as FAR as they can away Others may be like the rich young ruler You're not not saved by being in a Christian home or Christian school or Sunday School or Church Christ came to offer you (the near)peace. If you are only Near, please open the door and come in. And then there is "The Saved: “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!”  Ephesians 4:17-20  This is how we ought to live (Eph. 5:1-21) no sexual immorality or impurity (it came into the early church from the world just as it does today) – peace with men and women includes purity and marriage, also peace with self no covetousness (that is how rich and poor can be at peace) replace crude joking with thanksgiving Reminded that the wrath of God is on the world for these things and that we must not partner with them (to do these things).  Because sometimes we still do

Starting in Psalm 73 Pastor Danny Gives us a look at our need for a "Firm Foundation" and what it consists of.

Pastor Danny continues his look at the book of Romans - where it's all about the gospel.  This message is entitled "Truth Suppression".  

Pastor Danny takes us into the book of Romans - where "It's All About the Gospel".  

Pastor Lucas continues and expands on his message about "Forgiveness".

As a part of his Communion Sunday message, Pastor Lucas talks about forgiveness.

Pastor Marlo continues with Part 6 of his sermon series "Truth Seekers".

Pastor Marlo continues with Part 5 of his sermon series "Truth Seekers".

Pastor Marlo continues with Part 4 of his sermon series "Truth Seekers".

Part 3 of Pastor Marlo's series on "Truth Seekers".

Pastor Marlo Johnson continues with Part 2 of his sermon series entitled "Truth Seekers".

Pastor Marlo begins his series of sermons entitled "Truth Seekers". ----

Today's church service consisted of a series of four messages by each of our pastors - first off, Lucas Chance, followed by Steve Ogden, Marlo Johnson and finally our senior pastor, Danny Legault.  Enjoy!

Joy Luke 2:25-38 I) Christian Joy is born of the spirit In Luke's birth narrative Simeon is the sixth person that is either filled with the Holy Spirit or marked by the Holy Spirit. - Luke 1:14,15 John the Baptist: You will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth … filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb - 1:35  Mary: The Holy Spirit will come upon you - 1:41 Elizabeth: filled with the Holy Spirit - 1:67 Zacharias: filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied  Continuity with the Old Testament - pointing to Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;” Psalm 51:11 “Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” Something completely new in the New Testament -  breaking through of the Kingdom - Acts 2:1-4 Nehemiah 8:9-12  Commanded Joy “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” - stop dwelling on the pain and grief and have a party - rejoice when it is the last thing I feel like doing -  Feel no joy  - keep standing - keep believing - keep welcoming His presence Anna: deep lost and goes to temple -  fast, worship, pray for decades - Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted II) Christian joy aches for fulfillment Simeon waiting and longing for the consolation of Israel - Israel oppressed and brutalized  - he is actively hoping and praying that this will happen  - joy fulfilled when Jesus is revealed Anna waiting - Anna in the temple of worshiping, fasting, praying after 7 years of marriage The already but not yet - Jesus has come but not all things are consummate - healing, victory, death etc - Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” III) Christian Joy heralds - Luke 2:38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. - genuine joy leads to gratitude and gladness that draws people in - this is the day the Lord has made.... - one of the biggest draws of social media is sharing what you enjoy...etc a good meal  Partying Kingdom style - the return of prodigal

Love 1 John 4:7-12 The story of the missionary Adoniram Judson - 1788 - 1850 - Letter that was written to the parents of Ann Hasseltine asking for her hand in marriage: I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can consent to her departure, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of him who left his heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with the crown of righteousness, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Saviour from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair.  Only the supernatural love of God would propel Christians throughout history to give their lives to love others in such profound ways? I) Love emptied of meaning Verse 7 …  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. - love used 12 times in this passage Four of the Eight Types of love 1) Phileo: the love of a friend - best friends - most common word in Greek 2) Starga: the love of a parent 3) Eros: erotic or romantic love  4) Agape: the love of commitment - New Testament infuses it with deep theological meaning  II) Love became visible and defined through the incarnation Verse 9 … the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. - manifestation of love occurred when Christ came in the flesh - love in the trinity - John 17:21  “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” III) Love initiates  10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us... Romans 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Luke 7:36-48 Forgiven much loves much - verse 47  … Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” IV) Love sacrifices Verse 10  … In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins - propitiation: made love visible by appeasing wrath - John 3:16 “so loved … he gave” - 3:17 … not to be condemned but saved God's love is perfect - love is untainted  V) Love in practice 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.  Our imperfect love - The argument of the text is that you cannot fully define love by watching humanity. - with the best of intentions we hurt one another - John 17:18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. - incapable of receiving it you can't give it out Two practical ways to love: 1) committed prayerfulness  - praying for you enemies - have you ever struggled to pray for those who have really hurt you - prayer is a deep heart level communing with God  - Hebrews 10:22 ... let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.