Newlife Church, Toronto

Coming of Jesus Part 4 (Luke 1-2) The 4 Gospels all report Jesus’s birth story very differently, yet they fit together perfectly. Seeing this increases our faith that it is real history, not myth. But underneath that there is a deeper challenge waiting for us.

Coming of Jesus Part 3 (John 1:1-18) So why no story of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of John? Actually the story is there, with a message that echos through the whole book, and speaks deeply to us even today!

Coming of Jesus Part 2 We can lose sight of the extraordinay step that God took in the incarnation of Jesus. To truly grasp the truth of what happened in history and why he did this for us is a deep blessing!

Coming of Jesus Part 1 It is good to take some time to explore the huge number of prophecies which were fulfilled in the coming of Jesus. The timing could not have been more perfect historically, and the richness of the “servant songs” in Isaiah are a deep blessing to the soul.

Do you ever say to yourself ‘why am I such a failure as a Christian?’, or ‘I wish I was more filled with the Spirit! Gal 5 tells us how we can ‘Walk in the Spirit’ and have victory (Gal 5:13–6:2)

We usually read this parable as a story of forgiveness, but that is not it’s primary meaning. It is about how someone covered in shame can have it taken away by being honored. The reason that this is so important is that we very often come to God, feeling shame at our constant failure, and this story is to teach us how he wants to take away this shame with a gift of honor, and to receive us with joy. (Luke 15:11-32)

Almost all of us experience inner voices of self-condemnation that can lead to shame or hopelessness. It is vital that we know their source, and live lives of victory in Christ, through the victory he has won. (Romans 8:31-39)

It can be very hard for us to accept that we bring joy to God, but this is clearly taught by Jesus in the two parables—the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. Can you truly believe what Jesus said to be true about yourself? (Luke 15:1–10)

Kingdom of Heaven Part 3 (Matthew 4, 6 & 13) Jesus taught us to pray ‘Your Kingdom Come’. What are we actually praying for? How and when will this happen? and what is our part?

Kingdom of Heaven Part 2 (Luke 4, Matt 5, Mark 4 & John 3) -After centuries of waiting. the King burst on the scene and announced the kingdom. But is wan nothing like people were expecting, and right from the start Jesus was very challenging. If we really listen to Jesus then we will be deeply challenged as well – every one of us!

Kingdom of Heaven Part 1 (Matthew 6, 10 & 13) The Kingdom message of Jesus was deeply challenging. He told the story of a man who saw a priceless pearl and sold every he had to buy it. Does that describe your passion for the Kingdom? and what would life look like if it did?

In Luke 11 & 18, Jesus gives us several strong motivations to pray, including an example, a parable and some very clear teaching that challenges our core beliefs about prayer. Listen to Jesus and be motivated by him today! (Luke 11:1–13; 18:1–8)

Understanding the Old Testament Part 60 (Old Testament) If we can see how it all fits together, not only does it make more sense, but it speaks to us in a new way.

Virtually all of us recognize there are areas where we need to grow and mature. But how does this happen? I was surprised when I first looked at Colossians because to start with the answer didn’t seem to make sense. (Colossians)

All of us sometimes feel stressed, feel alone or vulnerable. Let’s examine the process David went through in Psalm 27 so that we can learn how to go from feeling stressed to peace and confidence. (Psalm 27)

These strange sounding words can be, for you, a deep source of life. (John 6:25-71)

Understanding the Old Testament Part 59 (Exodus 12, Matt 26 & 1 Cor 11) Passover was the central memorial feast of the Old Covenant, and while celebrating it with his disciples, Jesus replaced it with a new feast, saying ‘this is the New covenant in my blood, do this in remembrance of me!’ We explore 7 ways in which it connects with us.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 58 (1 John) While simple on the surface, some interesting and important questions come up, like ‘What about this is actually new?’ and ‘If it is part of our new nature, why should it require effort?’ together with asking what it might look like in our lives.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 57 (i Kings 19) In this extraordinary story, God replaced his old way of speaking with a new way, through Jesus. It is imperative that you learn to hear this voice.

Understanding the Old Testament Part 56 (Jer 31 & Heb 8) 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.