Ottawa Valley Vineyard Sermons

Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Casting out demons and using authority against spiritual darkness was a regular part of Jesus life on earth, and He's commanded us to do the same! How does this look in our lives today as followers of Jesus ? John 20:21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

Learning from the story of Jesus leading His disciples, we read from Matthew 16 & 17 and ask: Where is the next step Jesus is leading us, personally?

Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. February 18th, 2018

The Kingdom of God balances what Jesus has done, what is to come, and the current spiritual and physical needs of our world. It is wholistic. And we are daring to ask for it all! Even if it means it challenges our natural emphasis.

Photo of the painting online: http://bit.ly/2DNYga5 Jake spoke about the Parable of the Prodigal Son, inspired by Henri Nouwen's book. We may by and large identify with the Elder Brother or Prodigal Son, as Christians, but our journey is destined towards becoming the Father in this parable. The free expression of love, with "treasures stored in heaven," "imitating God as beloved children". Read the Parable of the Prodigal Son: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A11-32&version=NLT Other scripture references: Luke 13:20-21 He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” Matthew 6:19-21 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever you

Jesus spoke often of "The Kingdom of God". Looking a bit deeper at the language used in the prayers and stories in the bible, shows us clearly that they understood "heaven" or "the Kingdom of God" to be in the atmosphere around them. Near to them. Even inside of us! This Sunday was a great message and interaction seeking to familiarize ourselves with this presence of God around us.

It can be easy to put so much emphasis on the gospel outside of us (God using us to reach the world) and the kingdom to come (the afterlife/heaven) that we miss the Kingdom of God as it's manifested in our lives now. These extremes can leave us without a transformed life or tangible relationship with God. What did Jesus teach about this? About the day to day? Does the gospel really affect that? Does it change who we are to our family and friends? Ahren tells us more.

Ahren continues our series about moments of worship in the Christmas story. This week we looked at the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth Read Luke chapter 1 online: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1

How do we as a community embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit while being safe? What does the Bible Say about this?

Concluding our series on the purpose of the Church, Ahren talks about facilitating an encounter with Jesus for others. We have been made a necessary part of the equation for God to reconcile others! In being reconciled ourselves, God makes his appeal in/through us to others He calls home. Let him reconcile!

Jake continues teaching through Hebrews 12:1-2 and talks specifically about "laying aside every weight and the sin which clings so closely" as we run our race of faith with endurance. Passages: Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 3:7-13 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shal

The scriptures speak of salvation in the past, present, and future tense. How does that work? What part does Christian Community play in all of this?

Jake spoke from Hebrews 12:1-2 about the empowerment and hope we have because God's love for us. You are loved by God. You are valuable. You are an eternal being, called to a greater life and hope than you ever thought possible. How this comes, is through receiving the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, and allowing Him to be your Dad, Lord and Friend. Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12&version=ESV

Ahren walks us through part of OVV's Vision Statement, teaching from Philippians chapter 2:1-8. The transforming power of God in gathered community. Seeing one another as God sees us, and meeting with Jesus in others, not just "another person". Philippians 2:1-8 (NLT) Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.

Doug shares a conversation he had with God from his journal, as God spoke to him about Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Ahren leads the congregation in the liturgy (sayings) from Psalm 136, and we give thanks to God together for all that He has done in our lives, with a time of open-sharing.

Why do we gather as a church every week? What's the point?

Doug explains the message of communion, the taking of bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus.

David Ruis shared with us this Sunday about what is going on in Vineyard Canada from the national perspective, and spoke from Mark chapter 8.

Why do we gather together weekly as a church? Why do people lay down their lives to serve the gathered body of Christ? Ahren starts off a series on The Church by unpacking these questions.