Willingdon Church Podcast

It’s always great to share a meal with friends, and even better when you’re invited to a special dinner by an honorable host. Jesus invites us to share in his Table – but in order to do that, we need to sit next to other believers, some of whom we might not be so warm toward. What does Jesus have to say about how our unity with one another reflects the unity we have with him? And what can be done to reconcile us to one another?

Today, Pastor Brett, Silas and Nat answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show. Topics include headship roles in the family, discerning scripture and performative spirituality. 00:00 Intro1:09 Sermon Summary07:28 Performative Spirituality15:18 Usage of "nature" in the passage and cultural understanding18:53 How are we supposed to read a passage like this and understand it?23:21 Do we need a commentary to do our devotions?24:22 Suggestions on finding a good commentary25:36 How to distinguish what are cultural vs universal issues when reading the bible? 30:00 Singleness33:33 Difference between headship roles in the family42:29 Advice for families where roles look a little different44:22 Can I tease my husband for "being a man"49:22 Outro This Podcast is a companion podcast to our Sunday sermon. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way.  This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6ed50f3b Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

Do you ever feel like skipping something (a tense meeting, an exam, a chore)? If I could skip doing the dishes, I would do it every time. Whoever came up with the name “Skip the Dishes” for online food delivery was brilliant!In our Life Group, when we have a meal together, we have a Life Group member who loves to serve the group by doing the dishes. Near the end of the meal, he quietly slips away and starts washing dishes. I am so thankful for him. Every Life Group needs someone like him!But, you know, sometimes, it’s precisely when you do what you would rather not do, when you wash dishes, that you have an opportunity to grow, have crucial conversations, and gain new insights. Sometimes, facing what we would rather avoid, leads to a whole new understanding.If we weren’t going through Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians passage by passage, we might be tempted to skip today’s passage. It is one of the most controversial biblical texts in our day, yet it contains eternal truths we avoid to our own peril. It’s quite possible that some of us will go home unhappy today, but we may also be gifted with some interesting conversations.

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1. Topics include buying and eating meat that is labelled halal, having gospel conversations with family members and Ray's trip to Ottawa! If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.00:00 Intro00:43 Sermon Summary05:30 Halal Meat16:42 The Unknown or Dining with Demons23:38 Uncomfortable conversations about an offensive Gospel without displeasing family members31:42 How do I alleviate the shame of not meeting the standard of God40:47 Ray's trip to parliament 😀46:41 Engaging in politics as Christians53:49 Dealing with the anger57:58 Outro This Podcast is a companion podcast to our Sunday sermon. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way.  This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f6125431 Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

What is your general life posture? Are you suspicious of people’s true intentions – your family, neighbours, political leaders, and church leaders?  Are you dominated by fear of those who oppose you? Is your life marked by anxiety in relation to what might happen – climate catastrophe, financial ruin, illness?And, is there another way to posture yourself?What overriding purpose guides your everyday decision making? Is your overriding purpose guided by personal desires (I want to be the best student, best athlete, be as influential as possible, make as much money as possible)? Or, do you prioritize the good of others?And, again, is there something more?  Our Bible passage today answers these questions.  Life Posture: Gratitude in All Things (vs. 25-27, 29b-30)Life Problem: Guided by Love (vs. 28-29a)Life Purpose: For God’s Glory (vs. 23-24; 31-11:1)

Today, we have a special episode featuring Pastor John Best and Ahmad. Ahmad serves with an organization called House of Ohmeed and is a partner in ministry. This is a discussion on the persecuted Church that you won't want to miss. We'll be back on our regularly scheduled Q&A Pod next week. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show. 00:00 Intro1:28 Get to know Ahmad6:35 Stories of Persecution14:32 Standing strong through persecution in Canada21:43 How can we respond to persecution in other places?26:29 House of Omeed36:13 Hope Partners39:50 What can youth do to grow in their faith publicly?42:25 How can we pray?48:00 Prayer This Podcast is a companion podcast to our Sunday sermon. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way.  Willingdon Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/a118ebbb  Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

Today is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. The aim of the sermon today is twofold: 1) to help each of us be more prepared to stand strong in our relationship with Jesus even in the midst of suffering, 2) to stand with our brothers and sisters around the world who are experiencing significant suffering directly because of their faith.Know Jesus! (Who is He and what has He done?)Know Jesus! (Foster an active relationship with our living Savior)Raising awareness of some of the challenging realities in the global church

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show. 00:00 Intro00:40 Answering a Willingdon family question04:35 Sermon Summary09:29 Was there a particular verse that stood out to you while preparing? 17:29 Is partaking in Halloween festivities dining with demons? 26:21 How can we avoid sitting at multiple tables?31:52 Can I have a financial planner? How can we discern what is Godly advice/teaching? 42:06 How can we discern when something good is taking God's place in our hearts?51:46 Cultural Idols in the home56:09 Outro This Podcast is a companion podcast to our Sunday sermon. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way.  This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/18660be1 Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

Have you ever sat at the wrong table?   When you go to a wedding reception in Canada, it is not unusual to have a seating chart or table plan near the entrance to help guests find their assigned table. The seating chart determines who you will fellowship with during the reception dinner.Separate from the guest tables is the head table.  At the head table, you have the bride and groom with their wedding party.  On that wedding day, the bride and groom are the only ones who have made a covenant with each other before God.  If you are a guest, you don’t even think of sitting in the groom’s chair, much less the bride’s chair.  It is just inconceivable.  Bride and groom will sit with the one they love.  They know the one to whom they have made an exclusive commitment for life.In our passage today, Paul talks about the possibility of sitting at the wrong table, having fellowship with the wrong people, and bonding with the wrong spiritual realities.  What he shares with the Corinthian Christians, reflects Jesus’ love for them.What is the table worthy of our love?The Table of Jesus (vs. 16-17).  The Table of Demons (vs. 18-20).  Jesus’ Heart for Us (vs .21-22).

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.00:00 Intro00:07 Start00:48 Sermon Summary07:30 Jewish History10:00 Grumbling vs Questioning16:59 Temptations vs Trials vs Testing25:37 Why pray 'Lead us not into temptation?'29:29 Behaviour modification vs healthy boundaries42:43 What's my out?54:28 OutroThis Podcast is a companion podcast to our Sunday sermon. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way.  This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/4b25915b  Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

Temptation is the act of enticing, alluring, seducing, or attracting a person to do what is wrong or evil.  It is an enticement that appeals to our cravings (desires).Is it possible for a person to not be tempted to do the wrong thing?  Can anyone say that they have never given into temptation and fallen into sin?  What was it about status-seeking, grumbling, sexual immorality, and idolatry that made these sins so irresistible for the Corinthians?  Why do they appear to be irresistible for us?Is it even possible to resist a temptation that overwhelms us?Our Spiritual Experience (1-5)Our Spiritual Struggle (6-10)Our Spiritual Victory (11-13)

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show. 00:00 Intro01:46 Recap04:42 How did you first hear about the gospel?11:46 What is the unchangeable message of the gospel18:40 How do we contextualize the Gospel to a same sex attracted friend?34:40 Real life examples of Gospel contextualization 47:02 Outro This Podcast is a companion podcast to our Sunday sermon. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way.  This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6942594c  Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

Have you ever thought about why you follow Jesus, and how you got here?Paul knew exactly how he did. His life was radically changed by a saving encounter with Christ. That encounter gave him a new kind of freedom; not freedom to live for himself, but freedom to serve others.In this passage, Paul says, “Though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.”We live in a world that prizes personal rights, self-expression, and authenticity above all else. But Paul shows us something far deeper: gospel freedom means gladly laying down our rights for the sake of others meeting Jesus.Servant-Hearted FreedomEvangelistic AccommodationComprehensive Proclamation

We're doing this a little differently this week. Silas, Pastor Ray and our Life Groups Pastor, Pastor Jonathan, sit down and discuss some of the Life Group questions related to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Pastor Ray and Pastor Brett are heading to the other campus this weekend, which is why we had two different passages being preached last weekend. Since Pastor Brett is away, we thought this would be a fun conversation to have, as an example of what Life Group discussions could look like, and it did not disappoint!If you have any questions for us related to the last and this upcoming weekend's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on next week's show.00:00 Intro01:27 Who is Pastor Jonathan?04:35 Can I receive an honorarium08:15 Sermon Recap (1 Cor 9:24-27)12:38  In what ways did you have to discipline yourself for ministry or family?21:50 How does your identity in Christ help you run to win?28:12 How might you motivate someone who isn't running the race?33:38 What are some examples in your life of what it looks like to follow God?39:10 OutroThis Podcast is a companion podcast to our Sunday sermon. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way.  This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/7842989f  Website: https://willingdon.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

When was the last time you asked yourself, “Why do I do this? And what were you thinking about when you asked yourself that question?”This past week, I went running in the rain. And it was really quiet! I ran for about three km before I saw another jogger. Yes, there were some grumpy dog-owners out there, with their dogs on leash, “Come on dog!” As you go through the fall season, running in the rain, and then into winter, running in the snow, you ask yourself, especially on those dark, cold, wet days, “Why do I do this?”In Spring, during the month of May, it’s a completely different experience. It’s sunny. 20C. New runners “come out of the woodwork” with new running shoes, new t-shirts, new shorts. They bounce along proclaiming, “Here I am world, ready to run!”By early summer, the numbers start to dwindle. You have to know why you do it!At the end of chapter 9, Paul focuses on his goal. He draws on the metaphors of running and boxing to spur his readers on toward faithfulness. What is the goal? What is the prize?Run to Win (vs. 24, 26)Run for the Imperishable Crown (vs. 25b)Run with Disciplined Rigour (vs 25a, 27)

Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brody and Nat answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 9:1-18. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.00:00 Intro01:01 Context of Paul's Letter 04:24 Resources06:00 Why did Paul bring up his "lack of support"11:52 Examples in Society Today 23:33 Curious About Your Identity In Christ?28:51 OutroThis Podcast is a companion podcast to our Sunday sermon. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way. This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/02263f52 Website: https://willingdon.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

Have you ever thought about your rights? Have you fought for your rights?We may read 1 Corinthians 9 and think, “Why is Paul giving up all his rights? What’s wrong with him?” We are so accustomed to remembering our rights and defending them. On university campuses, we’re encouraged to be activists, for our own rights and the rights of others.We’re informed by human rights slogans like: "Dignity, freedom, and justice for all","No matter our job, no matter our height, we all deserve to be treated right", and "Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights!"We are informed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Universal human rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms that all people possess by virtue of being human, regardless of their race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. On top of all of this, we live in the age of what is called “Expressive Individualism.” Expressive individualism centers on the idea that your unique inner self and feelings are your true identity, and your fulfillment comes from discovering and expressing this self authentically. Your right to be true to yourself supersedes any commitment to family, community, or religious tradition.Why on earth would Paul lay down his rights?So Many Rights!!Apostolic Rights.Basic Human Rights.Biblical Rights.The Why of Saying No to Our Rights

Today, Pastor Brett and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 8:7-13. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.00:00 Intro01:32 Sermon Summary04:23 Why didn't I get raptured this week?09:18 Who is the weaker brother?17:02 When should the stronger brother encourage? 21:10 When should be "bend"?30:00 Can I play Wii Yoga at home? 34:16 OutroThis Podcast is a companion podcast to our Sunday sermon. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way. This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/82717b09 Website: https://willingdon.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/

Recognize - Consciences DifferRealize - Freedom Can HurtRemember - Love Bends

We're back with our Sunday sermon companion podcast! Today, Pastor Ray, Pastor Brett, and Silas answer your questions on 1 Corinthians 8:1-6. If you have any questions for us related to next week's sermon, you can email them to ask@willingdon.org, and we'll try our best to include them on the show.00:00 Intro01:55 Sermon Summary10:46 Gospel responses to current events26:41 Non-Christian events with other religious connotations32:22 Businesses owned by people of other religions 38:47 Are there any other sneaky idols in our lives?47:02 Is there a way to avoid having idols?49:48 Spiritual abuse/being "puffed up"This Podcast is a companion podcast to our Sunday sermon. Join the Pastors of Willingdon and Austin Heights each week as they dive a little deeper into each topic, answer questions and provide a few laughs along the way. This Weekend's Sermon: https://share.transistor.fm/s/a6fbb39aWebsite: https://willingdon.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willingdon/