Newlife Church, Toronto

(Psalms 54, 142) 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.

Gospel of John Part 28 (John 17:24-26) We are a gift from the Father to Jesus: his beloved ones. He gives our love back to the Father as a gift: to be revealers of God’s self-giving love to the world (and universe). This is the highest expression of the Christian faith you will ever hear. More than that, it is the highest point of human existence

Gospel of John Part 27 (John 17:20-23) Jesus highest teachings, given just to his disciples in John 14-17 come to a climax in his prayer at the end, and now we reach the very pinnacle of the prayer

Gospel of John Part 26 (John 17:14-19) Jesus’ words move from comfort to challenge, from ‘Safe’ to ‘Sent’ as this amazing prayer in John 17 moves towards it’s climax.

Gospel of John Part 25 (John 17:1-13) What it would have been like for the disciples to hear Jesus praying for them in a way that was so loveing and caring, was so challenging in the mission he gave them, and raised their identitiy and destiny so high?

Gospel of John Part 24 (John 16:16-33) Jesus saud, “In a little while… your sorrow will turn to joy.” Do this, he says, and you will receive a joy that no-one can take from you.

Gospel of John Part 23 (15:26–16:15) Do you wish you could have been there with Jesus, heard him teach and seen the miracles? Jesus says you are actually better off with what you have now — the very Spirit of God living inside you and empowering you. How do we experience this?

Gospel of John Part 22 (John 14 15) Our connection with Christ, the vine, grows as we hear his words, believe them, and do them. In these troubled times, chose to believe these words of peace, and walk in them, rather than words of fear.

Gospel of John Part 21 (John 15:1–17) At the very centre of Christ’s last hours of teaching comes an idea that is striking and life transforming. To enhance its vividness, and help it to stick, the thoughts are laid out in semi-poetic form. They are like two beautiful flowers, with leaves around the outside, and vivid blooms in the middle. If Jesus has chosen to express himself in this way, we need to give attention and listen!

Gospel of John Part 20 (John 14:15–31) ‘If you love me, you will obey my commandments’ —Do we have to perform well enough at this love to get rewarded? The answer is both surprising and extremely encouraging!

Gospel of John Part 19 (John 14:1–14) As he faces the most horrific death that any human faced, Jesus feelings are instead for his disciples, deeply caring for them. But what is even more surprising is that in this act of selfless empathy, Jesus is revealing to us the heart of the Father.

Gospel of John Part 18 (John 13) Peter misunderstood foot-washing and so do many Christians, but Jesus tells us how blessed we will be if we understand and receive it. But most of all this chapter is about how Jesus loves his own ‘to the end’, and never abandon us to the end of time.

Gospel of John Part 17 (John 12) Let’s walk with Jesus through his last days of teaching. How come so very few really ‘got’ him? Does his final challenge connect with you?

Gospel of John Part 16 (John 11) Just before Lazarus is raised, Jesus weeps along with Mary. Why not just tell her everything will soon be ok? If this account was just about Jesus’ power to raise the dead it would be told in just 7 verses, but the other 43 tell of a Shepherd who loves each of his sheep in a unique way.

Gospel of John Part 15 (John 10) It is easy to read through John 10 on a surface level and miss what is going on. Here, at the final climax of Jesus’ public ministry he presents an image that will leave you enthralled with it’s beauty, and deeply moved by it’s implications.

Gospel of John Part 14  (John 9) On the surface this is a simple healing story, but John has beautifully put together a series of events and conversations that build up to a startling revelation from Jesus, that his light can actually lead people to become blind, and we ourselves need to pay close attention.

(Psalm 23) 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.

(Hebrews 4:13–16) 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 4 encourages us to experience this deep compassion as we engage with him in prayer.

Gospel of John Part 13  (John 8) There is a voice inside you that is telling you lies! — Experience what it is like to have the truthful words of Jesus bringing freedom from this darkness.

Gospel of John Part 12  (John 7) Are you feeling dry and thirsty? Jesus is offering cool refreshing water—abundant, life-giving and free. Come and drink!