Sunwest Fc's Weekly Sermon Podcast

2024-11-10: When someone asks, "How are you?" we often respond with one of two answers: "I'm doing good." or "I've been busy." These responses can reveal something about us—either that we value independence and don’t need others, or that we find our worth in being productive. While strength and productivity are not inherently bad, they can sometimes contribute to a sense of loneliness. This Sunday, we'll explore how we can embrace those feelings of loneliness, seeing them as signposts that point us toward a deeper connection with Christ and with one another. To practice not doing life alone.

2024-11-03: It seems simple, but yet profound: The lives we live today are often a result of decisions we made yesterday (or earlier in our lives). Our relationships, our careers, our health, our successes, and our failures. What is true individually, is also true corporately. The experience of life together is the culmination of our past decisions and actions. So who do we want to be in the future? And what does that mean for us today? Join us this week as we start a 4 week series called "Family Values".

2024-10-27: In one particular study when non-Christian people answered why they rejected Christianity the results showed the primary reason was the behaviour of Christians. The primary reason had nothing to do with what the Bible says, or teaches, or any conflict with other world-views. The perception and experience that people had with those who claim to be Christian was one that made Christianity unbelievable. Even beyond that, many people point to the atrocities throughout history done by the church as another layer of motivation to reject Christianity. So… let’s talk about it. Join us for our last Sunday in the Problem of God series.

2024-10-20: Let’s be honest, many people don’t want to be a Christian because it has so many rules and seemingly exclusive demands. "What about freedom?" "Why do things have to be so rigid and intolerant?" Our world has a very unique idea of what freedom is and unknowingly we have bought into it. Is it true that a lack of restraint is true freedom? How is that working for us? Maybe what Jesus offers us is the pathway to true freedom.

2024-10-13: Join us this weekend for a ‘hot’ topic. We’re looking at the Problem of Hell. This seems to be, for many, a central barrier to trusting the God of the Bible (for both Christians and non-Christians). But just because we don’t like something doesn’t mean it isn’t true. With so many historical, cultural, religious, and biblical concepts of hell, it is important to ask if we’ve really seen and understood what the Bible says about the after life (and what it doesn’t say). The biblical picture may surprise you, make you feel uncomfortable, or make you feel more hopeful. No matter where you’re coming from, you’ll be stretched and challenged this weekend.

2024-10-06: "If God exists, and is all-powerful, all-knowing, and wholly good, why do evil and suffering exist?" More than any other question, this seems to be one that has made Christianity indefensible for many. It has been a major barrier for people to believe in the God revealed in the Bible. From John the Baptist to you and me, humans have been wrestling with it throughout history. The question is theological, yes, but it's also very personal. Let’s dive into the tension together this weekend.

2024-09-29: "The Bible is outdated." "The Bible isn't reliable." "The Bible is full of contradictions." "The Bible is a fabricated and edited document that was manipulated by people with a hidden agenda." "The Bible is just like every other religious scripture, it contains some truth but isn't any any more trustworthy than others." Have you heard statements like that? Said them? However, just because they're common doesn't mean they're true. Join us this week as we look at the reasons you can have confidence in the Bible as a book that is unique and worth building your life on.

2024-09-22: Everyone has faith. The question of "faith" is a metaphysical question. "Meta" means after, or beyond. After physics, logic, reason we have to make a faith decision. And everyone, whether they can articulate it or not, has to put their faith into something or someone. The question is what do you put your faith in? This does not, however, mean that faith is irrational or illogical. While we might not be able to "prove" the existence (or non-existence) of God, every study of science, physics, biology, philosophy, ethics, morality, etc. are clues. And if we follow the clues, where do they lead?

2024-09-15: In the modern world, religion is seen as a crutch for those who need a pacifier to help them get through life. Is God something that only desperate or uneducated people believe in? Is there any rational and scientific evidence that affirms a faith position? Are science and Christianity at odds? We might be surprised when we look at where the evidence actually points us.

2024-09-08: Do you believe in Jesus beyond a shadow of a doubt? You shouldn't. Many of us have come to believe that we can't have faith and doubt. That leaves us with two options: faking it or never choosing to trust Jesus. Jesus began the movement of his kingdom with a bunch of imperfect doubters.

2024-09-01: God was never intended just to be something to "believe in". A relationship with God is something we can experience. Throughout our community God is transforming lives. Join us this week and be encouraged and inspired as we hear impactful stories of life change.

2024-08-25: Waiting for prayers to be answered can feel like waiting for the rain to fall, yet we are called to pray in all circumstances. How can we move beyond being people who pray, and become people of prayer? Like falling rain, prayer begins to produce a crop of forgiveness, healing, and community.

2024-08-18: Across social media and in our own lives we see varying attitudes to wealth, power and suffering. What does James have to say about the attitudes we should have to wealth, power and suffering? We'll explore how godly attitudes give people a different way forward and help us fulfill our mission as a Church.

2024-08-11: What’s your worldview? Did you know that your worldview serves as the lens through which you perceive reality, shaping your understanding of God, humanity, and your purpose in life? IN this message, we examine how our worldview influences our values, decisions, and actions -- often in ways we may not even realize.

2024-08-04 God was never intended just to be something to "believe in". A relationship with God is something we can experience. Throughout our community God is transforming lives. Join us this week and be encouraged and inspired as we hear impactful stories of life change.

2024-07-28: We continue our Paparazzi series by diving into James chapter three, where we’ll learn how to live out our faith when the world is not only watching… but listening. The Apostle James doesn’t pull any punches when he describes the destructive power of our words. Many of our regrets stem from things we’ve said or failed to say. But if you long to trade words that hurt for words that heal, this message is for you.

2024-07-21: Have you ever gone the wrong way on a one-way street? It can be disastrous. What is dangerous in a vehicle is also hazardous in religion. This week we look at a simple little nuance that has an exponential life-changing effect. And if we miss it we may end up going the wrong way! Are you going the right way? Join us this week and find out.

Sticks and stones may break my bones... but words will never hurt me. An age-old saying that carries little truth. Words can break trust, hurt relationships, and lose jobs. They can hurt for a lifetime. The book of James has a lot to say about how we conduct ourselves in the things we say and how we practice our faith. Join us this week as we challenge ourselves to consider if we are merely checking off religious boxes, or authentically allowing God’s Word to impact our lives.

2024-06-30: There are cameras everywhere. iPhones, computers, traffic lights, surveillance cameras... not to mention the reality that the phone you're carrying tracks where you are going and listens to what you are saying. This is not a series about conspiracy theories. This is a series about the truth that it is increasingly difficult to live a double life. Who you are will eventually be revealed. But for the follower of Jesus, your faith was always intended to be reflected in how you live. This is what the book of James is all about. Join us on a journey of authentic self-confrontation. This week we start our new series: PAPARAZZI - Living Out Your Faith In a World Where Everyone is Watching.

2024-06-23: Bruce and his wife Lisa live in Saskatoon, have been married 35 years, and have four adult daughters. Bruce pastored at Forest Grove Community Church for 21 years and has been the General Director of Multiply for the past two years. He loves to help connect the church locally and globally, and this week's message will focus on different aspects of what it means to be 'lost' and how Jesus continually invites us into a bigger kingdom story.