Written by Jeremy Edgar | 08 June 2010

In the recent sermon Changed by Jesus, several testimonies were shared to help demonstrate how God truly does change people from the inside out. The following is one such testimony.

Before Christ was in my life, I was self centered, and without direction. I chose a college program that was not right for me. I enrolled at university and still struggled with decisions. Eventually, I decided to work and leave school. I spent much time and money in my search for fulfillment, buying expensive clothes, travelling, and trying transcendental meditation. I read many motivational and self help books. One day Billy Graham came to the Toronto area where I was living; I attended and gave my life to Christ. The difference was immediate; while on the city transit, some passengers were ridiculing the crusade and I felt peace and was not defensive as when I was involved in transcendental meditation. I returned to SSM and began attending church. The focus of my life was now Jesus and the direction came as I realized that I owed my life to Him and recognized my purpose in living for Him. He has given me the desire of my heart for a husband and family. I am fulfilled by using my gifts for Him and I live by the verse; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6

Written by Jeremy Edgar | 01 June 2010

In the recent sermon Changed by Jesus, several testimonies were shared to help demonstrate how God truly does change people from the inside out. The following is one such testimony.

Sometimes I'm dumbfounded by the things I do...and I love it. I'm a natural penny-pincher and always have been. I could tell you stories of my saving and investing as a child that would make you laugh at my geekiness. But God has implanted in me a spirit of generosity that sometimes even shocks me. As much as I love to have money in the bank and save wherever I can, I find even greater joy in giving my money away. It's something that's hard to explain, especially to non-Christians, because the Spirit of God working inside me is literally in direct opposition to my natural tendencies. When I see a need, or even an unfulfilled desire, in someone else because of a lack of funds, there's something inside of me (the Spirit of God!) that drives me to do whatever I can to satisfy it. Sometimes I don't listen, and I usually regret it. When I do listen though, it brings me more joy than any bank account figure or possession ever could. I know that without the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I'd be very selfish – and probably have a lot more money!  But I'd have no joy - and that joy is definitely worth any price.

Written by Jeremy Edgar | 04 May 2010

Our senior youth group has recently been studying the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan, which has been one of the best-selling Christians books in the recent past. The overall concept of the book is that in response to God's amazing, relentless love for us, we ought to likewise love Him in return with passionate and radical love. The opposite of this kind of crazy love is passive, lukewarm Christianity which is utterly unacceptable and disgusting to God.

I think many of us would agree that far too often we are guilty of this kind of lame devotion to God. We often don't take literally Christ's charge to abandon all for God's kingdom. The North American church as a whole is fast asleep and even worse, we don't seem to care. One of my favourite authors, J.I. Packer, wrote a book sometime back aptly titled Hot Tub Religion. In it, Packer expresses his concern for a Church that is seeking to have bublly, warm, happy, comfortable experiences rather than the radical, self-denying, sacrificial, get-down-n-dirty Christian life that God has actually called us to. Our culture is self-centred and lazy, and this attitude has slipped into the Church.

Bible Fellowship Church, are we lukewarm? Are we falling asleep while we're supposed to be on mission for Christ? Are we more concerned with our own comfort than the salvation of lost souls?

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; Ii have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hearts my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
- Jesus (Revelation 3:15-20)

Written by Jeremy Edgar | 05 January 2010

There has been a trend in recent years in churches (particularly in North America) that raises my concerns for the health of God's people. The movement essentially is downplaying the significance of preaching in church services. This manifests itself in different ways. Some churches have cut sermon times down into mini-sermonettes of 20 minutes maximum. Others have even abolished preaching altogether in favour of "discussions" or "conversations", where there is no primary communicator of God's Word, but rather each individual has equal input into declaring God's truth. This style has become the popular method in "house churches", where there is no appointed leader, no preacher, and no higher authority to appeal to. Championing this approach is popular Christian author George Barna, who in his book Pagan Christianity goes as far as to say the modern-day sermon has it's roots in pagan religion.

I strongly feel that this de-emphasizing of the preached Word is dangerous at best and damnable at worst. There are several huge issues that come to mind when I think upon this trend: (1) The Bible is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). If we truly believe this, then why do some feel that being in God's Word less will be more beneficial? Why do some put restrictions on sermon times if we actually believe that the Bible is powerful and life-changing? It seems to me that if we believe the Bible to be God's Word and that it is powerful, then we ought to highly value its proclamation. (2) Locking down sermon time into tiny, 20 minute chunks is a reflection of what I feel to be a rather disgusting attitude. I've been unfortunate enough to witness Christians walking out of some churches because the pastor went "over time".  While I do agree that having limits is not always bad, cutting the time down too much clearly shows that we don't value the preached Word. The truth is that most of the fastest growing churches in the world today have preachers going for 45 minutes or more. This is because they are preaching God's living and active Word and unleashing the power of the Holy Spirit into people's lives. We are allowing God to transform lives and convict people of sin through His Word. This is how it ought to be. (3) Cutting preaching out altogether in favour of group "discussions", while perhaps a noble idea, is walking on thin ice. The problem with this approach is that it allows input from any person who may not be qualified to do so. It may also create confusion as disagreements arise and opinions differ. Additionally, it allows for a chaotic approach if not properly controlled where among God's people should be order (1 Corinthians 14:40).

The Biblical pattern of preaching appears much different from this new style. The Bible opens with God speaking the world into creation, a sort of creative sermon. God's beautiful creation is then marred by the sin of Adam and Eve, who were tempted by the false preaching of Satan in the Garden. God follows up again by preaching and prophesying the destruction of Satan, the curse of the world, and the coming of a Savior to "crush the head of the serpent". God then, throughout the period of the Old Testament, selects numerous prophets to proclaim His truth with power, authority, and conviction. This pattern of preaching as the primary method of communication continues into the New Testament with John the Baptizer who "came preaching in the wilderness" and gathered large crowds to hear about the coming of Jesus (Matthew 3:1). Similarly, Jesus is baptized to begin his ministry, and then "from that time Jesus began to preach" (Matthew 4:17). The remainder of Jesus' ministry on earth was marked by frequent preaching, even to crowds of perhaps 20,000 people. The pattern of preaching continues with Jesus' disciples and especially Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), which started the Church age and saw 3,000 come to saving faith in Jesus. The book of Acts, which records early Church history, continues with story after story of men preaching God's Word. Lastly, the dying apostles, giving their final words of instruction to the next generation, charge that preaching should continue..."I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus...preach the Word" (2 Timothy 4:1-2). 

I am extremely grateful for Bible Fellowship Church and the attitude of its people toward preaching. We value the proclamation of God's Word and our pastors are given great freedom to preach the Bible. We give away all preaching content and make it accesible online to as many people as possible. We certainly value God's Word and believe that it truly is living and active, and that when its truth goes forth it will not come back void. Thank you Bible Fellowship Church for being a preaching church.