Okotoks Alliance Podcast

Philippians 1:12-26 There is more going on than meets the eye! And we are being invited to look beneath the surface, and even it we don’t see it, we’re called to trust that God is doing a great work! Am I willing to believe that, however difficult 2020 was, that God is doing a good work in, through and around me? Preacher: Elder Kevin McCubbin

Philippians 1:1-11 God begins great things and He completes them (1:6)! A church plant (like Philippi), a renovation (like OAC)… most profoundly, the work of grace that He’s doing in you & in us. This proceeds as we abound in love, knowledge and insight, and is lived out in a joyful, Spirit-filled life (1:9-11). Am I willing to trust that whatever good work God has begun in 2020, He is continuing in 2021?

The legend of Santa Clause may be based on the wealthy Saint Nicholas, who gifted portions of his wealth to needy families in his kingdom, in celebration of Christmas. The folklore has evolved into fantasy, and many would say distraction. One of the knotty problems is that this legend suggests that we receive gifts based on merit …”if you are good you will get, if you are naughty you will not”. This is one of several knotty problems. And, I’m convinced that if Saint Nicholas were able to speak for himself, his plea would be rather simple, “Believe in Jesus, and become like Him in loving generosity.”

Luke 1:11-13, 28-30 God’s intent and design is that family should be an extraordinary blessing to each of us. However, in a sin-fallen world, that is not necessarily the case. Some vilify family, because of their pain. Others idolize family, and turn it into something it is not. We’re called to embrace family as a safe place where God will begin to shape and nurture us towards Godly living and Christlike character. Let’s look at the two primary families in the Christmas story, Zechariah & Elizabeth and Joseph & Mary.

The Book of Revelations Many look to this final book, penned by the Apostle John, for answers pertaining to final things. But, it firstly speaks to God’s presence “with us” during these present things. The bible is very honest and real about pain and suffering. And this book brings comfort to those heavily persecuted, as well as we, who live in relative ease. AND it invites us to look ahead in anticipation of what is to come …even so, "Lord Jesus come!” (Rev. 20:22)

The Apostle Paul, at first an opponent of Jesus and His church, became one of its greatest advocates and one of several people through whom Jesus built the early church. In the style of the Apostle Paul, Pastor Craig has written and delivers a letter to the church family at Okotoks Alliance Church.

The Book of Acts In his Gospel, Dr. Luke promised “an orderly account …so you may be certain” (Luke 1:1-3), and in Volume 2, The Acts of the Apostles, Dr. Luke brings us 'everything Jesus continues to do' (Acts 1:1) through His church. We’re going to look at the work of the Apostle Peter, and review how the church began. Then we will look at how it continues, as the final chapter of this book is the one we are writing, as the story of what Jesus is doing continues through us!

Why are there four retellings of Jesus in Galilee? Why 3 similar and 1 different? We’re going to learn from the commonalities and learn from the differences. This climax to the OT expectation deserves a telling AND three standing ovations! And the next chapter in the story of God among us begins!

The Major & Minor Prophets Prophets Isaiah & Jeremiah speaking to earlier audiences, who were about to be judged by God, and prophets like Daniel speaking to those who survived God’s judgment, all want to speak to us today. They speak warning, concerning the necessity of pursuing God. And they speak comfort, as Jesus became the perfect Son, who has made our salvation and obedience possible.

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes King David, writer of many of the Psalms, and his son King Solomon, writer of many of the Proverbs, and historically considered to be the author of Song of Songs & Ecclesiastes, offer us great wisdom, and a sombre warning that knowledge is not enough, in itself, to keep our hearts true to God.

1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles King David came to be the celebrated King of Israel. He was the model to which those who followed were to aspire, and he became a ’type” of Christ, giving us indication of what was to come in Jesus.

1 Samuel 3 Beginning with the leader Joshua and ending with the prophet & judge Samuel, we are invited to explore the extraordinary, patient grace of God. His disposition towards us is love, as ultimately seen in Jesus! Joshua’s famous words, “choose this day who you will serve” open this segment, and young Samuel’s obedience response, “Speak Lord, Your servant is listening” continues to call for us to orient our lives towards God.

Galatians 3:24-25 Let me introduce you to Levi, and his prodigy, who would be charged to teach the Law to the people of Israel, serving as priests before God and humanity. And lets us consider the continued priestly function we are called to serve, as those who are in Christ.

Hebrews 8:5 Moses became priest, prophet and executive leader to the Hebrew people. God used him as a catalyst to engage the other leaders of the people such that they would respond when God opened the door for them to leave Egypt. And the New Testament portrays Moses as a “type” of Christ, and Jesus as the "Greater Moses”, who will lead US out of bondage to sin and into the new land of God’s blessing and provision. (Hebrews. 8:5)

We’re in the second Sunday of 12. We’re pursuing the threads that tie the entire bible together, Genesis through Revelation. This week we’re “out of the garden, into the fire!” It would be great if you read Genesis 4 through the end of the book. We will mostly draw from chapters 4-25.

Genesis 1-3 We’re going to begin to trace the theme of Creation and Fall from Genesis through Revelation, with the intent to reckon with the desperate state of humanity, and amazing love and grace of God. What was lost was worship. In losing worship we lost relationship. What remained was love ...God’s care & concern. The invitation to “one flesh union” with one person we are designed to complete.

I Samuel 1:1 - 2:11 OAC Member, Colleen McCubbin, opens up God's Word from 1 Samuel 11 - 2:11.

Exodus 12:1-30 OAC Elder, Bill Black, opens up God's Word from the book of Exodus.

Judges 13-16 Pastor Terry Lee open God's Word from the book of Judges.

Exodus 7:14 - 11:10 OAC Member and YWAM Bible Teacher, Helen Packard, opens God's Word from the book of Exodus.