Every week we want to bring to your attention expository, Gospel-centred sermons from pastors across Canada. We hope that you become familiar with some of the faithful ministers of the word in our nation. We also hope that you will be edified on your daily commute or whenever you listen to these messages. We lastly hope that you learn about the churches where these pastors minister, so that you can easily find Gospel-centered, expository churches in your region.
Dan Thomson on “Toil” from Ecclesiastes 2:18–26 (Charlottetown, PE)
The 3 main aspects of toil from this passage deal with:
1. The Legacy of Toil—The fruit of your labour may go to undeserving or reckless descendants.
2. The Weariness of Toil—Will there be any real remembrance for what you accomplished in your short life on earth? Time has a way of making us feel small. It never stops and we are a tiny portion of it’s reality. Death is the great equalizer; it devours the wise and the foolish, rich and poor. We can be weary or frustrated if we feel that our toil is based on effort alone.
3. The Blessing of Toil—So what is the posture we’re called to have in our work? Humility: Submission to God in our work circumstances, even when they can be difficult or seemingly unrewarding. Thankfulness: realizing that God is the author of success, happiness and fulfillment. Servanthood: We need to realize Jesus’s challenge to the disciples about who the greatest really is in Matthew 20:26-28.
Fulfillment for our toil is not based on what we achieve or attain, but on whom we serve and trust.
George Sinclair on “True to Yourself?” from Judges 13 (Ottawa)
It is a commonplace in Canada that people need to be true to themselves; that only you know what you need to do in order for you to be the best you you can be. What does the Bible say to this? Let’s look at this ancient story of the birth of Samson to see how the Bible describes a wiser way.
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John Tambakis on “Prioritize God’s House!” from Haggai 1:1–11 (Toronto)
We ought to prioritize God’s “house” for our satisfaction and God’s glory!
1. Prioritize God’s House
2. Prioritize Your House and Be Dissatisfied
3. Prioritize God’s House for Your Satisfaction and His Pleasure
George Sinclair on Judges 14–15 (Ottawa)
Samson was a despicable man, how can anyone draw moral lessons from him? How could God even use such a messed up and sinful man? Don’t the Daniel stories really preach cheap grace? Why does God not work through good people more? Why does he seem to throw a monkey wrench into people’s plans? Let’s look at these questions and more as we study Judges 14–15.
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Paul Martin on “Him Exalting, Self Abasing” from Job 38:1–42:6 (Toronto)
Have you ever eagerly awaited meeting someone only to have the whole experience go remarkably different from what you expected? Job had spent a lot of time expressing his desire to meet with God and, in some measure, set Him straight. When that meeting actually came, the Voice from out of the hurricane left no doubt that Job had asked for more than he expected. In this last great scene of the story, God shows up. But far more than just pointing at His biceps and threatening Job, God shows how His power is being used to accomplish just the right things with Job. Just as it would when His Son suffered in the hour of darkness in order to save us from our sins.
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*** Descriptions are provided by churches in which the sermons were preached.
