60 http://okotoksef.ca en-us Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Sermon Podcast Sermon Messages from Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Real Life. Real Struggles. Real Answers. Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Sermon Messages from Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Okotoks Evangelical Free Church website@okotoksefc.ca no Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Our Unique Savior When we struggle to understand God or his plans, we are not allone in that. The Transfiguration of Jesus happened to wake the disciples up to Jesus’ message concerning his death and resurrection. It establishes his uniqueness and the Father makes sure they know who he is and that what he says is a message from God. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/our-unique-savior/ Sun, 19 Feb 2012 10:55:55 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church The Cost of Compassion In the feeding of the 5000, we’re often so enthralled by the miracle we forget to look for the lesson. The disciples were being taught something here about God’s mission and the compassion needed to carry it out. Compassion will come before our convenience when it comes to God’s mission. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/the-cost-of-compassion/ Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:17:11 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church No other Way! No other Person! Both Mary and the Scribes had views of Jesus that were off the mark. Jesus addresses both their mistakes in this passage. Mary had expectations and a picture in her mind of how her son, the Messiah, would fulfill his destiny. The Scribes relegated Jesus and his power to the realm of the demonic and sorcery. Jesus addresses them both. God’s plan was the only one he would follow and he was the only one who could bring it into being. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/no-other-way-no-other-person/ Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:33:46 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Barriers to experiencing the joy of God’s redemptive work The story of the Woman and the Well intertwines three stories in one - the Woman, the Disciples, and the Townspeople. Each of them came face to face with the redemptive work that God is doing in our world. Their responses are instructive for us. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/barriers-to-experiencing-the-joy-of-gods-redemptive-work/ Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:37:25 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church When life doesn’t make sense? In this passage, two groups of people believe in Jesus. His disciples are contrasted with ‘the many’ who he does not entrust himself to. What was the difference in belief between these two groups? That’s what this study is about. The disciples trusted Jesus even when they didn’t understand what he meant by many of his statements and why he did the things he did. They trusted him regardless and the understanding came later. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/when-life-doesnt-make-sense/ Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:35:01 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church The Sign Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine was not really about the need at the wedding banquet. It was a ‘sign’ - as John always refers to Jesus’ miraculous works. This sign declares an end to a religion of rituals and the introduction of something new - a personal relationship with God. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/the-sign/ Sun, 15 Jan 2012 10:01:08 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Temptation attacks at our core Jesus’ temptation attacked him at the core of his being. Would he trust what he had been told and experienced? Would he embrace who he was? We face the same temptation to doubt who we are as God’s children and heirs with Christ. We learn from Jesus what we must do to have any chance at a faithful repsonse to doubt. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/temptation-attacks-at-our-core/ Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:41:27 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Happy Birthday Jesus http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/happy-birthday-jesus/ Sun, 25 Dec 2011 11:00:19 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Savior Their are two words in the angel’s declaration to Joseph that pretty much sum up the reason for Jesus birth. Sin and a Savior. We are in need of rescue today as much as the day of his birth some 2000 years ago. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/savior/ Sun, 18 Dec 2011 09:15:56 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church King Jesus http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/king-jesus/ Sun, 11 Dec 2011 09:15:00 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Man http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/man/ Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:15:39 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church God http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/god/ Sun, 27 Nov 2011 09:00:44 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Testing: An opportunity for growth Abraham cultivated his faith by how he thought and acted. This was very evident in this story of God’s testing of his faith. Isaac was the fulfillment of the promise. God’s bizarre request to sacrifice Isaac would push Abraham to a place of trust he had never experienced before. And, there is a direct relationship between the growth of our faith and our willingness to abandon for God everything we hold dear or rely on. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/testing-an-opportunity-for-growth/ Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:49:45 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church How soon we forget Sarah lets her fears steal her joy. Abraham lets his love endanger his faith. Hagar lets busynesss crowd God out. Ishmael lets his loss overshadow God’s promise. We can learn from these four people because we have a tendency to do the same thing. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/how-soon-we-forget/ Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:41:13 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church When it’s personal, It’s real Both Sarah and Abraham laughed when God told them they would have a son at the ages of 90 and 100 respectively. Each expressed their doubts in different ways but one never lost sight of the one who gave the promise while the other tried to cover up her doubts by lying to him. What was missing? It’s the difference between knowing ‘about’ God and ‘knowing’ God. One generates trust, the other fear. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/when-its-personal-its-real/ Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:00:43 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Our work never works! Abram tried to hurry God’s promise along using a culturally acceptable practice that we find abhorrent. We find two issues that God has to deal with here: how culture influences us and our unhelpful ‘help’. Our attempts to help often turn out to be ‘make work projects’ for God. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/our-work-never-works/ Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:15:34 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church What’s God Waiting For? http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/whats-god-waiting-for/ Sun, 23 Oct 2011 09:15:05 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church It Starts with a Defining Moment http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/it-starts-with-a-defining-moment/ Sun, 16 Oct 2011 09:15:11 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Thanksgiving - an appropriate response to rescue http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/thanksgiving-an-appropriate-response-to-rescue/ Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:15:58 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Do this in remembrance of me What are we to remember? Our Sin Bearer and Our Penalty Bearer. The one who died in our place - gave his body for us. And the one who shed his blood to pay the penalty for our sin. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/communion/ Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:15:26 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church A Living Story http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/a-living-story/ Sun, 25 Sep 2011 09:15:02 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Your Story http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/your-story/ Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:15:49 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church God’s Story Jesus uses a parable to tell God’s Story of the restoration of his Kingdom. He makes it obvious that their response to who his is (the King) matters. And he wants us to wonder who we are most like: The Faithful Servant; The Fearful Servant; or the Rebellious Subjects. Our lives depend on our response to the King. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/gods-story/ Sun, 11 Sep 2011 09:15:57 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Making Disciples… in a Busy World http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/making-disciples...-in-a-busy-world/ Sun, 04 Sep 2011 21:15:50 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church What do I DO with Grace? http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/what-do-i-do-with-grace/ Sun, 28 Aug 2011 09:15:03 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Making Sure You Have a Reason to Rejoice http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/making-sure-you-have-a-reason-to-rejoice/ Sun, 21 Aug 2011 09:15:26 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church The Right Team Mates Make a Powerful Team http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/the-right-team-mates-make-a-powerful-team/ Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:15:13 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church What Brings you Joy in Life? Paul’s joy was not found in circumstances or experiences - he was in jail. It wasn’t about success and winning - he was chased out of most cities by persecution. Paul’s joy was found in something much more lasting - the power of the Gospel. When he saw lives changed and relationships empowered by God’s power, he was elated. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/what-brings-you-joy-in-life/ Sun, 07 Aug 2011 09:15:29 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Special Speaker - Ray Wolf http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/special-speaker-ray-wolf/ Sun, 31 Jul 2011 09:15:29 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Life and Death in Perspective http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/life-and-death-in-perspective/ Sun, 24 Jul 2011 09:15:18 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Surprised by Joy in Jail http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/surprised-by-joy-in-jail/ Sun, 17 Jul 2011 09:15:22 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church The Joy of Partnership http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/the-joy-of-partnership/ Sun, 10 Jul 2011 09:15:51 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church God’s Will http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/gods-will/ Sun, 03 Jul 2011 09:15:55 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Do Not be Jealous of the Wicked Rich http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/do-not-be-jealous-of-the-wicked-rich/ Sun, 26 Jun 2011 09:15:55 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Solace in Thanksgiving http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/solace-in-thanksgiving/ Sun, 19 Jun 2011 09:15:23 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Solace in Times of Trouble http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/solace-in-times-of-trouble/ Sun, 12 Jun 2011 09:15:35 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Concert of Prayer http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/concert-of-prayer8/ Sun, 05 Jun 2011 09:15:42 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Solace in the Psalms http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/solace-in-the-psalms/ Sun, 29 May 2011 09:15:39 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Our Spiritual War Do you believe in spiritual warfare in our time today?  The Bible certainly does, Jesus did also and Paul gives us the most definitive instruction on the subject in Ephesians 6:10-20. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/our-spiritual-war/ Sun, 22 May 2011 09:15:42 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Our Theology of Work Being a worker is in our DNA so it should be no surprise that God has something to say about you and your job. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/our-theology-of-work/ Sun, 15 May 2011 09:15:48 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Children’s Musical “Holy Moses” http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/childrens-musical-holy-moses/ Fri, 06 May 2011 13:06:47 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Our New Parental Relationships in Christ In an ever increasing environment of hurry and stress, it is tough to think intentionally about how we raise our children. Paul warns us not to drop the ball on this area of our lives. How we raise our kids matters. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/our-new-parental-relationships-in-christ/ Sun, 01 May 2011 09:15:19 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church God is not dead: He still restores from failure Peter’s restoration is a classic passage of Scripture. It occurs as part of the post resurrection appearances of Jesus and had a very specific purpose. Peter needed to know that our failures are not the end of the story. He needed to know that the power of the resurrection could change his life. The because of the resurrection, he had hope and future. And so do you. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/god-is-not-dead-he-still-restores-from-failure/ Sun, 24 Apr 2011 09:15:33 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church God is not dead: he still reassures the doubter The Apostle Thomas’s doubts are rather infamous. But what if we face the same dangerous doubts as he did but we’re unaware of how close we are to the danger? His problem came when he excluded the possibility God could ‘show up’ in his world. So, let’s see what John said we should do to ensure we don’t find our doubts becoming dangerous to our spiritual lives. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/god-is-not-dead-he-still-reassures-the-doubter/ Sun, 17 Apr 2011 09:15:31 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Our new marriage relationship in Christ Paul now begins to illustrate how our new life experience as Light (as forgiven followers of Jesus) changes every relationship we have. He begins with the marriage relationship. There are implications here for both the married and the single among us. It is possible to get our male / female relationships started off on the right foot ... or the wrong one. We are called to serve one another in submission and sacrifice. Here we’ll talk about what this looks like in the marriage relationship. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/our-new-marriage-relationship-in-christ/ Sun, 10 Apr 2011 15:12:27 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Our new potential in Christ Life in the Light (God’s Grace) is radically different than the Darkness (sin) this world is enshrouded in. The Light ought to dispell the Darkness from our lives - from the topics of our conversation to how we live in relationship to God and one another. Grace does change everything! http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/our-new-potential-in-christ/ Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:21:07 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Trusting God in a Skeptical World Jesus has given us a mission - the Great Commission (Mat 28:19-20) - as citizens of his kingdom. God has given us the role of Ambassadors with a story of reconciliation to tell (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) - our story as it intersects with his story. As a result, a ‘missions focus’ to life is not just for Missionaries. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/trusting-god-in-a-skeptical-world/ Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:17:57 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Concert of Prayer http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/concert-of-prayer7/ Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:16:38 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church A few new habits How we treat others matters to God. In fact, the result of being treated by God with Grace and mercy is that our relationships should be characterized by the same attitude, the same patience, the same Grace and mercy we have received. Paul shows the practical implications of this new creation reality in this passage. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/a-few-new-habits/ Sun, 13 Mar 2011 09:15:13 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church We are not who we used to be Living in the Past can be devastating to our walk with God. Because… in the past we pursued the same things as everyone else in our world. If we fail to change what we focus our lives on (put off the old and put on the new), our mindset will remain focused on our old pursuits. We are the people we used to be. We are a new creation (the ‘one new man’ of chapter two) and we have a whole new potential for focus for our lives - the things of God. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/we-are-not-who-we-used-to-be/ Sun, 06 Mar 2011 09:47:48 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Learning to Live Like a Family God has specifically crafted His Body with the utmost care and detail, each person being a point of contact that is designed to function in and foster unity. God has designed His church as a family, and that’s the reality…but are we really living like one? http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/learning-to-live-like-a-family/ Sun, 27 Feb 2011 09:15:55 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church God’s Holiness Maintained Have you ever regretted a comment or action made in haste?  Probably none quite as disappointing as Moses did.  Moses looked forward to something for 80 years then in a moment of a rash decision had it taken away.  What will we learn from “HIS"TORY? http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/gods-holiness-maintained/ Sun, 20 Feb 2011 09:15:55 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church When We Ignore God’s Correction Well, now Israel has done it. They are at the peak of disobedience. They have tested God to the fullness of testing and God responds. They look to be filled with repentance but God exposes their hearts. God reveals to us that repentance is a heart issue not a behavioural issue. True repentance embraces God and even His correction…but an unrepentant heart ignores it http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/when-we-ignore-gods-correction/ Sun, 13 Feb 2011 13:16:24 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church When obstacles obscure God’s blessing When the 12 spies returned from checking out the promised land, the obstacles became so big they actually obscured the blessing God had promised them. The land WAS exactly as God said ‘but’. The reports and desire for rebellion were the natural consequences of what they did and where they allowed their minds to go. It was a recipe for disaster. We can learn from their experience and disaster. When the obstacles threaten to obscure God’s blessing - his promises - remember God’s wonders. Remember who God is and how he’s acted powerfully for your benefit in the past. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/when-obstacles-obscure-gods-blessing/ Sun, 06 Feb 2011 09:15:09 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church When fear takes over When Israel was caught between the army of Egypt and the Red Sea, both the people and Moses faced fear. It caused them both to respond in ways that revealed the struggle we all face to just trust God. When fear threatens to take over our lives, only faith will allow us to move on. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/when-fear-takes-over/ Sun, 30 Jan 2011 09:15:20 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church When Life Breaks Our Spirit We all travel with our baggage of ‘expectations’. Whether we’re starting a new job, volunteering in some ministry, or just relating to another person … or to God. We have underlying expectations for how that person (or job) will impact our life and what that person (or job) will be like. So, what happens when our experience isn’t what we expected? … When that person lets you down because you were expecting something else to happen? That was the experience of both Israel and Moses in Exodus chapters 5-6. And God speaks into our lives as he spoke into theirs … if we’re willing to hear him. Right Click and Open in New Tab for PowerPoint slides while you listen http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/when-life-breaks-our-spirit/ Sun, 23 Jan 2011 09:15:12 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church When we only see our inability Today we’ll see why Moses made the famous “Send someone else” response when God gave him a specific task to do. Now that’s a response most of us know something about. We are filled with all kinds of fears and that leads to the questions and excuses we come up with. We’re so like Moses ... but… don’t forget, he did go. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/when-we-only-see-our-inability/ Sun, 16 Jan 2011 09:15:14 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church When We Run Ahead of God’s Plans For this series “Momentum Killers: Why We Wander?” we’ll be looking at the Exodus and dessert wanderings of the people of Israel. They make good strides under God’s guidance and then in the next frame, they blow it. What killed their momentum as they journeyed to the promised land? Moses lived between two worlds - the Egyptians and the Hebrews. He knew who he was and he thought he knew what he should do. But, God’s timing was not his timing. We can have all the right motives and still do the wrong thing… just like Moses. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/when-we-run-ahead-of-gods-plans/ Sun, 09 Jan 2011 09:14:02 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Concert of Prayer http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/concert-of-prayer6/ Sun, 02 Jan 2011 09:15:21 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church The Gift of gifts http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/the-gift-of-gifts/ Sun, 26 Dec 2010 08:15:53 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Our Incarnational God http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/our-incarnational-god/ Sun, 19 Dec 2010 08:15:02 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church The Incarnation: The Incarnational Family As Christians God is forming the heart of Christ in us. Therefore, our lives and relationships ought to reflect the work God is doing in us. This is especially true for the most intimate of relationships - that of the husband and wife. The Spirit within us will generate both a radical love and radical grace towards one another ... if we will live incarnationally with one another. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/the-incarnation-the-incarnational-family/ Sun, 12 Dec 2010 08:15:49 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church The Incarnation: The Incarnational Life Our culture is not oriented towards ‘serving’. Service might be important, but only in how it benefits the bottom line by serving the human desire to be treated like a king. We live for ourselves and our benefit. But, in the economy of the Kingdom of God, this orientation of ‘What’s in it for me?’ has not place. Servanthood is the hallmark of a follower of Jesus because that’s how Jesus lived. The incarnational life will reflect the same value and focus as the one we claim to follow. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/the-incarnation-the-incarnational-life/ Sun, 05 Dec 2010 08:15:54 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church The Incarnation: The Incarnational Church The incarnational church is a missional church. It stays on target and operates incarnationally in the same way the Son of God lived incarnationally among us. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/the-incarnation-the-incarnational-church/ Sun, 28 Nov 2010 07:42:51 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church God’s Partners in our Makeover God has a plan to reach the world with the message of the Gospel and you have a part in it. Paul knew his part and what God wanted to accomplish as he fulfilled his assignment. Do you know what your assignment is and how do you view it… as a burden or a blessing? http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/gods-partners-in-our-makeover/ Sun, 21 Nov 2010 09:32:34 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church God’s Remaking of You In v.1-10, Paul makes sure his readers know that we are all inadequate in ourselves to accomplish, discover, or dream up our own salvation - reconciliation with God. Then, in v.11-22, Paul makes sure we understand how inadequate both the near and the far (the insiders and the outsiders) are on their own. Even though some have a deeper understanding of God’s plans and work than others, both find themselves falling short of salvation (reconciliation) without Christ stepping in. Jesus creates something new that encompasses both the far and the near. That new thing is the church of Jesus Christ. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/gods-remaking-of-you/ Sun, 14 Nov 2010 10:00:25 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Reviewing Your Personal Journey Remembering our rescue from sin has a positive impact upon how we live our lives. To fail to remember can have some negative fall out for us. Paul paints a picture of what our extreme heart makeover was all about in this passage. The end result is a new sense of gratitude, empathy for those still trapped in sin, and a growing sense of our mission to tell them how God has rescued us. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/reviewing-your-personal-journey/ Sun, 07 Nov 2010 08:15:53 -0600 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Concert of Prayer http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/concert-of-prayer5/ Sun, 31 Oct 2010 11:52:58 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church God’s Spiritual Wake Up Call http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/gods-spiritual-wake-up-call1/ Sun, 24 Oct 2010 08:33:17 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Family Matters http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/family-matters/ Sun, 17 Oct 2010 10:07:28 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church God’s Design for Our Makeover God’s plan for our salvation and his sovereign ability to carry it out give us every reason to praise him. He choses us with a purpose in mind - our adoption. And he makes known to us everything we need to respond through faith to enjoy the security of an eternal inheritance. We have lots to praise God for. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/gods-design-for-our-makeover/ Sun, 10 Oct 2010 08:21:47 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church God’s Power to Change When God transforms his people through the power of his Gospel, they in turn have a powerful impact upon their communities. Cultural Transformation begins with the Transformation of God’s People. (Unfortunately, the recording for this Sunday did not work out. Sorry for the inconvenience.) http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/gods-power-to-change/ Sun, 03 Oct 2010 09:10:27 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church What Do You Do After You Believe…Reaching the Lost Every person on this earth is seeking to fulfill the cravings of their souls - ‘soul cravings’ as Erwin calls them. These cravings have been placed within us by God. Our life story is one of God fulfilling our longings through Jesus Christ. When we engage our neighbors and coworkers in relationship, do we bother to listen to their soul cravings? Or are we too focused on being the teacher to bother to hear what God has been doing in their lives all along? http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/what-do-you-do-after-you-believe...reaching-the-lost/ Sun, 26 Sep 2010 07:25:49 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church What Do You Do After You Believe…Serving Others Serving Others is not restricted to just those we ‘like’ or to the walls of a building. Serving and loving others ought to be the identifying characteristic of every believers life. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/what-do-you-do-after-you-believe...serving-others/ Sun, 19 Sep 2010 08:15:00 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church What do you do after you believe…Living in Community We were designed by God to function in community, not as groups of individuals functioning in random relationships. Every believer needs to be part of a ‘team’ of people (gathering of fellow followers of Jesus) where they are known, cared for, and ‘provoked’ to live what they believe. Living in community is an essential experience for every believer. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/what-do-you-do-after-you-believe...living-in-community/ Sun, 12 Sep 2010 08:15:53 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church What do you do after you believe?...Worshipping God The church gathers every week for worship…that’s the purpose for our gathering. Fellowship ‘might’ happen but worship ought to be our goal. And worship is about acknowledging our place in this world. We need to humble ourselves and submit our lives anew before God. That’s what worship is about. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/what-do-you-do-after-you-believe...worshipping-god/ Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:54:10 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Knowing: The Experience of Faith http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/knowing-the-experience-of-faith/ Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:15:55 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church The greatest witness to the truth about Jesus http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/the-greatest-witness-to-the-truth-about-jesus/ Sun, 15 Aug 2010 09:23:54 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church What it means to love God Would you associate the idea of love and obedience? Normally, obedience means a loss of freedoms to do what we want. John explains why obedience and love are so closely linked in God’s eyes. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/what-it-means-to-love-god/ Sun, 08 Aug 2010 08:15:18 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church A normal Chritian life: Loving others There is one word that ought to define every follower of Jesus and every church. John explains why ‘loving’ is so important for the church and why that ought to be how the world would describe the church. But I suspect judgmental, narrow minded, archaic would be more accurate. What needs to happen to change that? John gives a pretty clear picture of what might be missing. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/a-normal-chritian-life-loving-others/ Sun, 01 Aug 2010 08:15:54 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church You can’t truly love until you truly live http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/you-cant-truly-love-until-you-truly-live/ Sun, 25 Jul 2010 08:15:29 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Make sure you’re being led by the right spirit http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/make-sure-youre-being-led-by-the-right-spirit/ Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:00:44 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church How’s Your Love Life? http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/hows-your-love-life/ Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:15:43 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Tangible Love http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/tangible-love/ Sun, 04 Jul 2010 08:15:01 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church A Father’s Responsibilities http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/a-fathers-responsibilities/ Sun, 27 Jun 2010 08:15:31 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church A Fathers Way http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/a-fathers-way/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:15:28 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church A Father’s Example Fatherhood and parenting should not be a hobby for us. We need to be ‘in it to win it’. We can learn from Paul what he saw as important enough that he told the church to ‘follow my example’. It’s an example we would be wise to emulate as we seek to raise our kids. And, it’s a life changing commitment… but then… so is fatherhood. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/a-fathers-example/ Sun, 13 Jun 2010 08:15:03 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Concert of Prayer http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/concert-of-prayer3/ Sun, 06 Jun 2010 08:15:51 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Jeremiah: Staying Faithful We are bombarded by a self-serving spirituality ... both in our culture and, unfortunately, often within our church. We must be careful not to defend what we know God has said is wrong even if we believe someone has every right to choose to be wrong. In such a confusing and ‘me’ centered environment, how do we stay faithful in our walk with Jesus? That was Jeremiah’s predicament and we can learn a few things from him. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/jeremiah-staying-faithful/ Sun, 30 May 2010 08:15:21 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Elijah: There’s Power in Prayer We can’t give up on prayer just because we don’t seem to be getting answers. Find out why and what Elijah’s experience teaches about being a Powerful Pray-er. Prayer is an essential practice for every believer. It is as important as the conversation between friends in order to maintain the friendship. How else can we maintain our relationship with God and know what his will is for us? http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/elijah-theres-power-in-prayer/ Sun, 23 May 2010 08:15:49 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church David: Serve a Living God When we read the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, we often forget to ask the most important question - Just how did David ever ‘expect’ to defeat Goliath? He offers to fight him, but why would he? What did he know that we need to know? In this study, we learn what we need to know before we’ll ever expect the impossible as David did. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/david-serve-a-living-god/ Sun, 16 May 2010 08:15:16 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Rahab: Faith in Action http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/rahab-faith-in-action/ Sun, 09 May 2010 08:15:36 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Joshua: Choose a Side Joshua challenges Israel as they move in to farm their land, graze their sheep, build their homes. If they are to live for God they need to know their options and make a choice (choose a side). Joshua points out what their options are and they are very similar to the ones we face today. Then he challenges them to ‘choose this day whom you will serve’. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/joshua-choose-a-side/ Sun, 02 May 2010 08:15:27 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Joseph: God is in Control What was the focus of Joseph’s faith that he could say, ‘What you planned to hurt me, God planned for good’ (Genesis 50:20)? His suffering as a result of their one hateful act went on for years… slave, put in prison, forgotten. It’s a sad story. And yet, Joseph saw it all through eyes of faith. He knew God’s promise would be fulfilled no matter what he experienced. Now that’s a legacy of faith. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/joseph-god-is-in-control/ Sun, 25 Apr 2010 08:15:34 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Where Could I Go? Eight missionaries share “But then God…” moments from their individual fields of ministry. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/where-could-i-go/ Sun, 18 Apr 2010 08:15:26 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Concert of Prayer http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/concert/ Sun, 11 Apr 2010 08:15:24 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Empty Me Our biggest problem as human beings (our basic ‘sin’) is that we have put ‘me’ on a pedestal. As we consider the empty cross and the empty tomb’s significance for us, we find that ‘me’ keeps getting in the way of us truly enjoying the benefits of the resurrection. It’s not enough to just celebrate a religious belief. This is one that needs to change the way we live. That’s the power of the resurrection and getting ‘me’ off the pedestal is essential for this to happen. James 4 helps us see the problem and the fix. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/empty-me/ Sun, 04 Apr 2010 08:15:39 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church The Empty Tomb The disciples didn’t understand the significance of the Resurrection until after Pentecost. Even at the beginning of Acts, they thought Jesus would establish an earthly kingdom for Israel at that time. But, after Pentecost, they realized that the empty tomb provided us with the power to live ... now and into the future. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/the-empty-tomb/ Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:15:52 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Empty Cross The cross has not always been a symbol of forgiveness and hope. For the early disciples, it brought on a severe case of discouragement. The cross was not what they expected for their Messiah. But, they did come to understand what Jesus meant when he cried, ‘It is finished’ from the cross. The cros was the completion of God’s redemption plan for sinful rebellious human beings. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/empty-cross/ Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:15:17 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical Okotoks Evangelical Free Church Prayer Provides the Power to Produce After Paul gives a series of commands (final instructions) for the church at the end of his letter, he prays for them. This prayer (v.23-24) gives us insight into how we can carry out the instructions (expectations) God has for the church. And, as usual, the responsibilities God gives his people are always dependent upon God’s power at work in us to carry them out. http://okotoksefc.ca/index.php/audio-messages/comments/prayer-provides-the-power-to-produce/ Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:15:01 -0500 Okotoks, Evangelical