Wellington Street » Messages

As Much As They Wanted (John 6:1-15)

Kitty — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:59:32 +0000

The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. As Jesus continues his teaching and healing, he has attracted a huge following who are so eager to hear from him, they have neglected to think about food. When Philip and Andrew are told to feed them, they miss the opportunity to see the hand of God at work by focusing on the reality of the situation.

This week’s message reminds us to keep our spiritual eyes open. Like the boy with his lunch, Jesus can use us in practical ways if we are open to the possibilities.

Special guest, Wendy Cameron, who is the president of the Manna Food Bank, shared some valuable information on how we can help the hungry in our own area.

Download audio file (012912.mp3)

The scripture we read:

Titus 2:14
Jeremiah 31:14

Who Me? A Pharisee? (John 5:31-47)

Kitty — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:53:22 +0000

Pastor Wendy Payne picks up the story in John 5, as Jesus continues to explain to the Pharisees who he is. Even though there is proof through the testimony of others, the miracles that have happened, and evidence in the Scriptures, they stubbornly refuse to believe that Jesus is their Messiah.

Perhaps we can learn a lesson from the Pharisees. Do we believe wholeheartedly, without reservation, that Jesus is our Healer, Provider, Friend and Savior? This week’s message prompts us to ask ourselves if we are any different than those who doubted.

Download audio file (012212WP.mp3)

Scripture we read:

John 5:31

Life in Himself (John 5:15-29)

Kitty — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:52:40 +0000

This week’s message deals with the second half of the story at the Pool called Bethesda and explains that Jesus had another motive for healing the crippled man. When he was accused by the Jewish leaders of working on the Sabbath, Jesus made it clear that he was conducting business as his Heavenly Father would. It was a deliberate and controversial move to get the attention of the religious leaders. Rabbis reasoned that God is not idle on any day of the week, including the Sabbath. When Jesus called God “My Father” (not “our”) , he claimed equality with God which was blasphemous – unless it was true.

Devout Jews prayed morning and evening to “our God”, so introducing the idea of equality with God, infuriated the leaders. Jesus taught three elements of his relationship with his Father. They work together, they give life together and God trusts Jesus to judge. Jesus was ready for a fight and used the opportunity to show that he worked in perfect unity with God, even though he knew it would anger his accusers.

Following Jesus isn’t about avoiding confrontation. Jesus wasn’t afraid to pick a fight. We can be just as bold when standing up for the truth because we have the Spirit of Christ in us.

Due to technical difficulties, an audio of this week’s message is not available.

The scriptures we read were:

John 5:15-29
Deuteronomy 6:4
Philippians 2:5-11
Romans 8:11

The video we watched which illustrates the Jewish prayer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AaJj8py0ok

A Pool Called Bethesda

Kitty — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:44:12 +0000

John 5:1-15 tells the story of a crippled man at the pool of Bethesda. In those days, people with disabilities carried a stigma that caused far more despair than their physical limitations … they were social outcasts. After 38 years of placing his trust in the healing waters of the pool, the man has lost all hope, until Jesus arrives on the scene.

Crippled by burdens that are too heavy to bear, causes us to make poor choices. Jesus makes it clear that when we focus on Him, hope can be restored. Are we listening to despair or the Voice of Hope?

Download audio file (010812.mp3)

The scriptures we read are:

John 5:1-15
Leviticus 21:16-24
Romans 5:1-5
John 4:13-14
Jeremiah 17:21

Two Love Stories

Kitty — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:39:45 +0000

The Bible compares our relationship with God to a marriage relationship. A husband and wife begin their courtship with intense feelings of love and the deep desire to be together as much as possible, then love develops into something stronger as they face life’s struggles .

Love can’t be forced or manufactured, it needs to be nurtured and allowed to grow. Many of us have a love story we can share, but this week’s message asks the question, “How much do you love God?”

Download audio file (010112.mp3)

The scripture we read was:

John 21:15

Silent Night! Holy Night!

Kitty — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:50:38 +0000

This week’s carol is one of the most popular that we sing during the Christmas season. It came about by accident. The words were written in 1816 by Franz Xaver Gruber . The organ in the Church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf, Austria was broken, so he was asked to put a melody to a poem. History was made and it’s popularity exploded. It never fails to bring a sense of peace to all who hear it, reminding us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

During the Christmas Truce of 1914, “Silent Night” was sung by German, Britain and even some French soldiers as they paused for a moment of peace during the first World War.

Jesus brought us peace with God. Our natural inclination is to run from God, but Jesus came to restore our relationship with him. The entire Bible is the story of God’s attempt to do this. He came as a human baby, identifying with all of our struggles, then suffered the consequences for our disobedience. We can have peace with God, but it starts with salvation and continues with growth by meditating on the Word, praying, and making worship part of our every day lives.

Jesus brought us peace with each other and he asks us in Matthew 5:9 to be Peacemakers. Diffusing arguments, rumors and gossip goes a long way to making that peace. We need to show forgiveness to those who have hurt us, taking the first step to mend broken relationships. Remembering Jesus’ birth and the love he brought, provides moments of rest and tranquility in the midst of even the most turbulent times. As we celebrate Jesus’ arrival, we need to understand that peace is not just a state of mind, but a way of life.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 14:9)

Due to technical difficulties, we were not able to provide an audio of this week’s message.

The scriptures we read were:

Isaiah 9:6
Romans 5:1
Matthew 5:9
Proverbs 20:19 (NIV)
Matthew 6:12
Matthew 18:23-35 (MSG)
Romans 14:19

These are the videos we watched:

Joy to the World (Isaiah 52)

Kitty — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:27:43 +0000

Joy to the World! We sing this carol every Christmas without stopping to consider the words. Christ’s birth is worth celebrating! Realizing this truth gives us reason to rejoice, but the trials of everyday life prevent us from preparing a place for him in our hearts.

This week’s message takes a look at Isaiah 52 and what it means to experience joy! It’s sometimes overlooked, often elusive, but joy is always present if we know where to find it.

Download audio file (121111.mp3)

The scriptures we read were:

Isaiah 52:1-12
Genesis 12:7; 15:7; 28:13
Deuteronomy 1:8
James 1:27
John 13:3-10
Psalm 98:1-9

The book we read from is Secrets in the Dark by Frederick Buechner

The Man Believed the Word (John 4:46-54)

Kitty — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:50:06 +0000

John 4:46:54 takes us back to Cana where Jesus performs his second sign. There is no formula we can use to get the answers to prayers we are seeking. Faith isn’t something we generate, but a gift we receive. There’s no right or wrong way to pray and all Jesus asks is that we come to him with complete trust when we ask for healing.

For some, faith is a journey, as with the royal official in this week’s message. He traveled many miles and sought the Healer out of desperation … Jesus did the rest.

Download audio file (120411.mp3)

Here are the scriptures we read:

John 4:46-54
James 1:16-17
Mark 4:35-41

Here’s the video clip we watched:

My Food is to Do the Will (John 4:27-45)

Pastor Steve — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:11:16 +0000

Pastor Wendy shared the tenth message in our John series last Sunday. (Yes, the tenth, and we’re only in chapter 4!) After Jesus finished his long conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, the disciples return with some food and Jesus began to teach:

Jesus’ mission is to win the lost.
Jesus’ mission is to obey the will of his Father.

Now Jesus’ mission is ours. Our food is to do the will of God the Father, and his will is that we reach the lost with the gospel. That involves sacrifice: we have to give up our will to obey the Father’s, but the reward is rich.

Download audio file (112711WP.mp3)

Here are the scriptures she referred to in the message:

John 4:27-45
Genesis 22:1-12
Matthew 28:19
Genesis 11:6

In Spirit and Truth (John 3:1-26)

Pastor Steve — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:32:40 +0000

We’ve reached one of my favourite passages in John: the story of the woman at the well. Last Sunday we took a careful look at the dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman and learned just what it means to be people who worship the Father in spirit and in truth.

The Father is looking for these sort of worshipers. Let’s become who he’s looking for!

Download audio file (112011.mp3)

Here are the scriptures I referenced (or at least intended to reference) during the message:

Jeremiah 2:12-13
1 Samuel 4:1-10

The memoir I read from is Brennan Manning’s All is Grace.