Sunwest Fc's Weekly Sermon Podcast

In Part Five of this series we consider a pop tune from 2014, "Geronimo" by Sheppard, an indie pop band based out of Australia. This sibling band is comprised of George, Emma and Amy Sheppard as well as three other members. Their catchy pop tune "Geronimo" is built around the daring sense of RISK it took for the American-Indian "invader" and "raider" to impact his generation. That same sense of risk is a vital attribute that not only typified this legendary warrior, but embodies every follower of Christ as well.

In this series "God Through My iPod", we continue to enjoy some of the Pastors' favourite tunes, from current to classic, and what God might be saying to us through lyrics that reflect ancient Biblical truths disguised in these contemporary trappings. In Part Four of this series we will look at one of the greatest pop guitarists/writers/performers of this millennium, John Mayer. One of his first hits "No Such Thing" is a delightful reflection on his emergence as an adult, looking forward to his high school reunion. What might God be saying to us through His word and guitar driven contemporary rock?

U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" has been capturing people's imaginations and hearts since it was released in 1987. What is it about this song that draws people in? Besides The Edge's captivating guitar lines and driving rhythm from Larry Mullen Jr., there is a hope and longing in the song that is reflected in the human heart and the heart of God. This week we will allow the song to guide us to dream of a place without labels and division... a place that, as Jesus reveals, is more than just a dream.

Music can make us sing, move us to dance, and compels us to reflect. One of the earliest ways to express our love to God was through song. In this sermon series we are drawing out God inspired messages in some of our favourite lyrics. This week we will be looking at "Body in a Box" by City and Colour. We will discuss life, death, and a future hope.

We appreciate how God reveals Himself in many wonderful and unique ways. He does this through creation, through His people, through the poor, and through the arts both secular and sacred. In this series "God Thru my iPod" we will be enjoying some of the Pastors' favourite tunes, from current to classic, and what God might be saying to us through lyrics that reflect ancient Biblical truths disguised in these contemporary trappings. In Part One of this series we will look at one of the all-time feel-good hits from the year 1977, "Mr. Blue Sky" by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). What might God be saying to us through His Word and 70's classic rock?

Part of SunWest's vision is to Equip and Release people to fulfill God's mission. It is a joy to see this happen and to see some of SunWest's up and coming leaders grow in their gifting. The message this week will be given by Nate Wilson, a SunWest Intern who has participated in SunWest Ministry School this past year. Come and embrace our vision to Equip and Release others! We will also be celebrating baptisms and have some Father's Day features.

Part of SunWest's vision is to Equip and Release people to fulfill God's mission...It is a joy to see this happen and the next two Sundays will allow intentional opportunity for some of SunWest's up and coming leaders to grow in their gifting. The messages for the next two weeks will be given by SunWest Interns who have participated in SunWest Ministry School this past year. Come be challenged and encouraged by these young leaders and embrace our vision to Equip and Release others!

That sound. You know that sound... when you get that e-mail, that text, that message. You're talking to someone, sitting at the table, at church, with family, sleeping, and when you hear it you are taken out of that moment into a different one. For all of the promise of efficiency that technology has brought, it seems to simply make us more busy and less present. Although technology is changing there is nothing new about technological advancement. Thousands of years ago God invited people in the midst of change to observe something called Sabbath. It may be old, but it's never been more relevant. Rediscover what your soul needs, and realize that there's NO app for that.

How many followers do you have on Twitter or Instagram? How many friends on Facebook? Is it possible that as our network gets broader our relationships get shallower? As we dictate the information we receive and we give; as we pick and choose who to follow and who we allow to follow us; as we create a network of relationships through virtual means; maybe we have unknowingly missed the life changing gift of messy, selfless, Jesus centred community. What would a social network look like that was face to face, messy, Jesus centred, and that cared more about the interest of others than self? Join us this week as we consider our social network.

Browser. History. What comes to mind when you think of those two words? Our virtual trail is revealing. Where our treasure is (read time & money) is where we will find our heart's desires. What does your treasure tell you? What encourages you about that and what discourages you? Before you clear your browser history let's take an honest look in the mirror and consider what it tells us about ourselves and how it shapes who we are becoming.

Have you ever been misunderstood in a text conversation? Have you ever observed a Facebook argument go south really fast? How would Jesus handle conflict in a digital age? If he had a soap box would he leverage all the tools at our disposal to make his opinions known? Next time we are about to comment on someone's post, or we are about to post something ourselves, we should consider WWJT (what would Jesus type?). Please join us face to face this Sunday as we look at the advantages and disadvantages that technology brings regarding how we handle conflict and soap boxes.

2,000 years ago the internet wasn't invented. This phenomenon shapes and forms the way we do life, relationships, conflict, community, communication, and more. Jesus invites each of us to follow him (and he wasn't referring to Twitter). If Jesus had a Facebook account how would he manage it? What would he post or pin? How would he manage conflict?... Friend groups? What would his browser history reveal? Even in light of the lack of phones, computers, and social networks 2000 years ago, we believe that Jesus has much to teach us in our technology saturated world. Join us as we explore what it means to follow Jesus online.

Over the last two weeks we've been encouraged to grow the Kingdom, God's way, to bring His Kingdom here to earth. What should that look like? As we share God with others and as we help others look to Him, how do we best go about that? Should we yell at people, hit them over the head with a Bible, tell them off for being "sinners", set up an outdoor circus tent and have meetings, or sing a lot of country music so folks will come and hear about Jesus? These are all good questions. But what does the Bible say about the look of God's message and His Kingdom taking root in others? Come this Sunday and learn about "The Context for Kingdom Expansion".

Multiplication is a buzz word. The big question is : Why should a disciple or a congregation multiply? Today we will discuss "Why Multiply?".

From the outset of Jesus' ministry through the first century and into today, God's plan is for the church to be the visible representation of God's Kingdom. The church gives voice to God's truth, observable evidence of God's grace, practical examples of God's love and transformative experiences of God's community. The church is the agent through which God's Spirit does His transforming work in the world - when the church is aligned with God's plan and purpose. Jesus never told us to build great churches; He said He would build world-changing churches through us.

We are concerned about our planet these days. There has been a lot of debate about global warming and climate change, but either way there is far too much pollution, there are copious emissions floating around our atmosphere; there is a lot to be concerned about. Unfortunately it's not just a problem that's floating around in the air. It's everywhere. But this Sunday particularly THIS Sunday there is good news. Very good news. The best news. Transformation is all around us. Things are improving dramatically.

Jesus said that He was the good shepherd, in contrast to bad shepherds that were talked about in Ezekiel 34. A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep while a bad shepherd functions like a hired hand who leaves when there is trouble. What is the significance for us that Jesus is the good shepherd? What would it look like if He was our model? What if we started shepherding others like He does instead of simply being a hired hand? Come and consider how Jesus guides us and the implications that has on the places we have influence.

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." John 11:25. This week we look at a fifth "I Am" statement that Jesus makes: "I Am the resurrection and the life." At some point in life we all face dead ends. Whether it's jobs, finances, family, relationships or whatever the situation is, disappointment and discouragement is something everyone encounters. Jesus' incredible claim that He is "the resurrection and the life" is not just a story that happened two thousand years ago but is something that we can experience right now. The Resurrection is not just an event... it is a person. This morning, we look at how this claim altered the lives of Jesus' closest friends; Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

Jesus claimed that before Abraham was on the scene, he already existed. As if that wasn't controversial enough, Jesus, using the language of a conversation between God and Moses, used God's language claiming to be the great "I AM". This Sunday, we will review what is perhaps the prickliest of statements when he declares "I AM the true vine". The implications of this particular claim are the strongest and the heaviest of the seven.

In week four of the "I AM" series, we will look at Jesus' statement that He is the gate. In John 10:9, Jesus says "I am the gate. Those who come through me will be saved." On Sunday, we will look at what it means to be disciples of Jesus and belong to God and how we live that out.