Sermon Listings

Some sermons to ponder
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SERMON NOTES.

Dr. Daniel Bogert-O'Brien views the sermon as a lived rather than a written experience. However, he offers detailed notes on recent sermons for your further study.

Honest to God: A secular theology for Squamish?	Many of the traditional beliefs of the church do not sit well with modern knowledge. Must we engage in fancy footwork to explain these ideas, or can we present an image of God that is honest to our 21st Century?
Richard Dawkins and The God Delusion	Many of Dawkins beliefs about modern Christianity seem naive and dated. But how do we make the link between the big bang and a personal, caring God?
Resident Aliens	If we make a sincere attempt to follow Christ's teachings, we are Aliens in our current world. As such, we need the support of our Christian community
Time to go International?	Luke has Jesus appoint 70 Disciples because he recognizes the universality of a message not bound to one land or culture.
Nationalism and Spirituality	On Canada Day. we look at our Country with pride. But there can also be a dark side to nationalism; how can it be reconciled with spirituality?
The Magic of Easter	The anticipation that we will meet Jesus in our daily lives will make a huge difference to the way that we live!
King for a Day?	The pagan solstice that so many celebrate each Christmas seeks to make each of us a king, but the spirit of the Almighty becomes flesh in the weakness of a humble, growing child.
The Age of Miracles?	In every age, the temptation is to look for miracles, whether as a proof of divine inspiration, or as a solution to our immediate difficulties. But this is not God's way!
Where weakness is Strength	The message of Lent does not promise us a comfortable life or worldly success, but it does offer a path to the true joy of Easter.
New Birth, New Year, New Hope	Isaiah, Simeon, Anna, Paul- all had waited long for the coming of the Messiah. But the coming of the Christ child brought new hope. Even so, the Christ child can bring new hope to our world, our church and our lives.
Eu-angelion- the Good news of Advent!	Mark begins his gospel by talking about "Good News." The ancients thought that good news meant a military or political victory. But Mark is joking with his audience, and will gradually lead us to a new understanding of "Good News."
Resurrection- here, now!	The beginning of Dr. Daniel Bogert-O'Brien's ministry offers us the opportunity to be a part of a spritiual resurrection, here in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor.
When the lamp flickers!	Faith will not shield us against all of life's tragedies, but it will give us tools for dealing with them.
"It's a Way of Life"	Some people insist that Christianity requires belief in certain articles of faith. But Christians are really those who try to follow the way of Christ, irrespective of their intellectual beliefs.
Where else can we go?	Many people began to desert Jesus when he told them of the sufferings they might endure. But the disciples said they would stay with him- "where else can we go?" they asked.
Why is this happening to me?	How can a good and all-powerful God allow bad things to happen to good people. Is this evidence that Satan is at work in the world?
Trying to understand Divine Logic	God takes the gifts we have, even if we do not rate them very highly, and uses them to help others and accomplish the divine purpose.
Goals for any church (1)	Paul summarizes the sermon on the mount for the Romans, and gives some great guidelines for enhancing our personal and church lives.
Goals for any church (2)	Christians are often criticized because they fall short of the high goals set by Christ and Paul. But it is better to be with a group who try and sometimes fail than to set low personal goals that are easy to meet.
Follow Me!	Church leaders sometimes place all sorts of requirements upon potential members. But the requirement of Jesus is simple and direct- "Follow Me!"
Don't be Afraid!	The stories of Joseph and of Peter walking on the water both remind us that God can give us the faith we need in all the demands of our daily life.
Knocking with bloody knuckles	Our Christian life will not always be an unmitigated success- sometimes we must persist in the face of discouragement, like the widow knocking on the door of the unjust judge.
"Seeking and Sweeping"	The church is like the 99 sheep within the fold, or the complete necklace of coins. Like the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus challenges us to go out and seek the one that is lost- and then have a party!
Sowing and Reaping	The parable of the sower reminds us that sometimes the seeds of the gospel may germinate after a long incubation. The call is to a way of life, not a particular theology or liturgy.
Belonging!	The church community offers a space where we can belong, an "easy yoke" where we will find encouragement in living the type of life God would have us follow.
A Father's Worst Nightmare!	A father's worst nightmare is to see his first-born child die. Did God demand this of Abraham? Does an angry God still kill young children, or is human sin responsible?
Help Wanted!	Jesus calls us to help in his ministry, most often right here in Squamish, rather than on some exotic foreign shore. This is something we can do!
The power of a faithful few	The stories of Abraham and of Gideon remind us that God often works His miracles through a few who are faithful to His teaching
Deciding where to build	Both a church and individual lives must be built on strong foundations if they are to endure the storms of our world. The beatitudes provide such a foundation.
Forgiving, Letting go, and moving on	Deep hatreds can sear, twist and warp our personalities. A Christian must learn to forgive, to let go, and to move on.
Seeing the Spirit in action	When we work together as a church, using each individual's gifts with a common enthusiasm, then the wonder of Pentecost will be realized in our community.
A dream for a family	The ideal mother is like the church, always wanting the best for us, but accepting us whatever we do or become.
Towards an Empowering Life 1.	Prayer gives the healing of wholeness to our lives. Dr. Lobb describes some practical steps to effective prayer.
Didn't our hearts burn within us?	The truth of the resurrection comes to us in the "stranger unawares" who accompanies us on our journey through a deep disappointment.
Believing what you cannot see!	Thomas needed the proof of sight and touch. But the big proof of the resurrection comes from changed lives, in the time of Thomas and also today.
Easter: The path of transformation	The joy of Easter lies not in the resurrection of dead bodies, but rather in the transformation of our lives in the hear and now!
Flaunting Justice	Pilate colluded with the Jewish priests to murder Jesus and preserve "law and order." The disciples stood quietly by or fled. How do we react in similar circumstances?
Can You Believe this?	What do you think about the raising of Lazarus? For Dr. Lobb, the story is true, even if it is not factual. Jesus IS the resurrection and the life. Millions can attest to that fact!
Seeing things as they are	Some people claim a monopoly on spiritual vision and insight, but like the blind man, we know just one thing about our faith: Jesus has given us sight!
What Jerks Your Chain?	Many of us have a long list of "needs" as we seek to climb Maslow's pyramid. Jesus offers the much simpler but more satisfying lifestyle of the water of life.
An exam in the wilderness	When Jesus went into the wilderness, he didn't expect any suspension of natural laws. Nor should we look for any special treatment in life because of our discipleship.
Where the world has gone wrong	We all need salvation. This will bring light in our darkness, liberation, healing, nourishment, resurrection and new birth, and being made right with God.
Where is your heart?	Many of us strive after material things. But happiness comes to us if our heart is focussed on the eternal. This should guide our church giving.
Silent Sermons	Have you ever pondered the meaning of the various items of a minister's vestments and church furnishings? Understanding symbolism can enhance our worship experience.
Something New!	What was Jesus doing being baptised with all those sinners? However good a life we may think we live, we have to be willing to dedicate ourselves daily, sometimes with those whose lives have been less successful.
Light in Darkness	Our church, at the heart of the sea-to-sky corridor, faces big challenges with the rapid pace of change in our city. If we will accept Him as Lord, Christ can bring light into the dark places of this change.
Now, about Joseph	What would you do if your fiancée told you she was pregnant by the Holy Ghost? God still calls us to accept and make something wonderful from the mess of our world.
Hail, Mary, Blessed are you among women	Mary's greatness is epitomized in her words “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Can we say as much when God asks us to do something which is hard to understand?
Wild the Man, Wild the Place	The message of Advent is to come out of our comfortable churches to the wild places where people are hurting! This is where our ministry lies.
Jesus' Simple Request	Some religious leaders make all sorts of requirements of those they will accept as Christians. But Jesus makes only one simple but challenging request.
What is the meaning of the stones?	The Israelites were asked to remember the stones commemorating the pioneers who had delivered them from Egypt. Remembrance Day calls us to remember those who have sacrificed for our nation.
Adam and Eve's other son	On All-Saints Sunday, we remember people like Seth, the almost unseen but faithful members who plays such a major role in enriching lives and sustaining the church.
The Art of Spiritual Snake-handling	In one sect, the ability to handle snakes is a test of spirituality. Do we sometimes see our particular spiritual talent as a test of a person's faith?
A More Excellent Way	We can be of greater service to the church if we admit what we do not know than if we feel that we have a special link to the deity!
I am, Mr. Jehovah, Sir!	In the scripture stories, the lepers had to act in order to be healed. Sometimes we need healing, as individuals and as a church, and we must act to obtain this blessing.
Soup for Breakfast	One of the paradoxes of Christianity is that many of the most Christ-like acts are performed by those outside the formal church. Are we just believers, or are we also followers of Jesus?
There's enough evidence here!	There are many as poor as Lazarus in Vancouver, and some even in Squamish. Are we sometimes too busy even to notice them?
Making a Joyful Noise	Praising God is an essential component of our worship, whether with our magnificent new electronic keyboard or with our own sometimes tuneless voices.
What about the Ninety-nine?	If we were the Good Shepherd, we would cut our losses and tend the 99 sheep. But Jesus goes out to seek the one that is lost.
Like a remoulding potter	Most of us have patches of our lives that are a bit mishapen. Jesus can remould us, just as the potter remoulds the clay
Who wants to be last?	From the Olympic athlete to the world of business, everyone wants to be first. What did Jesus have to say on this question?
When "how" is greater than "why"	How things are done is important in many religious traditions. Dr. Lobb explains both the how and the why of our worship services.
A family: More than chromosomes!	Politicians love to talk about "Family Values." But would they agree with what Jesus had to say about the family?
On worshipping a Blind God	We often say that God has no hands but our hands. But what about the realm of the senses? Does God rely on our eyes too?
The Kingdom of God is now!	The Bible tells us that the Kingdom of God is at hand. But how excited are we about this? Do we live as though we believed this?
The torture of prisoners: A U.S. problem?	We often think that the torture of prisoners is a recent problem. But the Bible reminds us the issue is as old as humanity.

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