http://www.willowparkchurch.com Weekly Messages recorded at Willow Park Church in Kelowna, BC, Canada. We hope that these messages will encourage you to love people and follow Jesus! en Weekly Messages recorded at Willow Park Church in Kelowna, BC, Canada. We hope that these messages will encourage you to love people and follow Jesus! Willow Park Church no This Week's Message @ WPC vdobson@willowparkchurch.com ℗ & © 2008 Willow Park Church 720 This new series "Picture Perfect?" will focus on family matters - with topics that affect us all. Every individual has a family album of memories, experiences, expectations, and dreams...good, bad, and everything in between. When it’s good it can be REALLY good! And when it’s bad ... well, you know! The most important relationship we’ll ever have is with Christ at the centre of our lives. Personal wholeness is the key to all relationships. We need to find healing in Christ in order for us to have healthy relationships with others. http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/shattered-glass http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/051108.mp3 Sun, 11 May 2008 15:39:39 CDT Mark Burch Picture Perfect family,matters,picture,perfect,relationships,god,others,family,freinds,marriage,divorce,kids,children,parenting,single,sanctity_of_life 38:21 This new series "Picture Perfect?" will focus on family matters - with topics that affect us all. Every individual has a family album of memories, experiences, expectations, and dreams...good, bad, and everything in between. When it’s good it can be REALLY good! And when it’s bad ... well, you know! The most important relationship we’ll ever have is with Christ at the centre of our lives. Personal wholeness is the key to all relationships. We need to find healing in Christ in order for us to have healthy relationships with others. http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/shattered-glass http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/051108.mp4 Sun, 11 May 2008 15:39:36 CDT Mark Burch Picture Perfect family,matters,picture,perfect,relationships,god,others,family,freinds,marriage,divorce,kids,children,parenting,single,sanctity_of_life 38:21 It is so easy to be content with the pleasures and treasures we enjoy here in North American culture. The team that went to Mongolia serves as a reminder to each one of us to reach out missionally to those right here in Kelowna, in our country, and around the world. Are you willing to pray, give and go to spread the message of Jesus? http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/reaching-the-least-reached http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/050408.mp3 Sun, 04 May 2008 21:50:52 CDT Randy Friesen MissionsNow 2008 missions,church,kelowna,canada,world,mongolia,pray,give,go,life,sacrifice,cost 55:13 It is so easy to be content with the pleasures and treasures we enjoy here in North American culture. The team that went to Mongolia serves as a reminder to each one of us to reach out missionally to those right here in Kelowna, in our country, and around the world. Are you willing to pray, give and go to spread the message of Jesus? http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/reaching-the-least-reached http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/050408.mp4 Sun, 04 May 2008 21:50:49 CDT Randy Friesen MissionsNow 2008 missions,church,kelowna,canada,world,mongolia,pray,give,go,life,sacrifice,cost 55:13 We've all been in conversations when we realize half way into a paragraph that we don't know what the other person is talking about, because our mind has drifted... OR ... we wonder if the person we're talking to is actually listening, because there is a "far-off" look in their eye and they don't seem to be tracking with us! Jesus wraps up this long message with a very basic challenge: It is not the "hearer only" who will benefit from these principles, but the one who actually "builds upon" these words! He has offered a sure foundation that will carry us through the storms of life ‒ the only question is whether or not we will build on it? "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground it sinking sand." Key Passage: Matthew 7:24-29 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/sandcastle-lives http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/042008.mp3 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:47:04 CDT Mark Burch Reboot hear,do,word,jesus,sermon,mount,life,obedience,foundation,storms,rock,sand 40:49 We've all been in conversations when we realize half way into a paragraph that we don't know what the other person is talking about, because our mind has drifted... OR ... we wonder if the person we're talking to is actually listening, because there is a "far-off" look in their eye and they don't seem to be tracking with us! Jesus wraps up this long message with a very basic challenge: It is not the "hearer only" who will benefit from these principles, but the one who actually "builds upon" these words! He has offered a sure foundation that will carry us through the storms of life ‒ the only question is whether or not we will build on it? "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground it sinking sand." Key Passage: Matthew 7:24-29 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/sandcastle-lives http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/042008.mp4 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:47:01 CDT Mark Burch Reboot hear,do,word,jesus,sermon,mount,life,obedience,foundation,storms,rock,sand 40:49 We witness it nearly every day…the sacrifices that good parents make for their children. The financial and time commitments that go into raising healthy kids are HUGE but you seldom hear a parent complain! Jesus points out the best of our traits as earthly parents and then draws a comparison…if this is how good moms and dads look after their children... how much more will your heavenly Father...? How much have we understood about the Father’s generous heart toward His children? Will we trust? Do we believe? Will we be bold enough to ask? Key Passage: Matthew 7:7-12 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/just-ask-- http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/041308.mp3 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:15:27 CDT Mark Burch Reboot god,will,jesus,mount,sermon,prayer,pray,ask,just,want,need,generosity,gift 46:04 We witness it nearly every day…the sacrifices that good parents make for their children. The financial and time commitments that go into raising healthy kids are HUGE but you seldom hear a parent complain! Jesus points out the best of our traits as earthly parents and then draws a comparison…if this is how good moms and dads look after their children... how much more will your heavenly Father...? How much have we understood about the Father’s generous heart toward His children? Will we trust? Do we believe? Will we be bold enough to ask? Key Passage: Matthew 7:7-12 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/just-ask-- http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/041308.mp4 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:15:24 CDT Mark Burch Reboot god,will,jesus,mount,sermon,prayer,pray,ask,just,want,need,generosity,gift 46:04 Knowing God. Key Passage: Matthew 7:21-23 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/knowing-god http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/040608.mp3 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:20:01 CDT Joel Feddersen Reboot god,knowing 35:44 Knowing God. Key Passage: Matthew 7:21-23 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/knowing-god http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/040608.mp4 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:19:58 CDT Joel Feddersen Reboot god,knowing 35:44 Key Passage: Matthew 7:1-5 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/judge-not http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/033008.mp3 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:01:01 CDT Mick Bartlett Reboot beauty,measure,sin,judgement,judge,jesus,mount,sermon 30:35 Key Passage: Matthew 7:1-5 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/judge-not http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/033008.mp4 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:00:58 CDT Mick Bartlett Reboot beauty,measure,sin,judgement,judge,jesus,mount,sermon 30:35 Easter Sunday message, March 23, 2008. http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/celebrating-friday-living-sunday http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/032308.mp3 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:45:27 CDT Mark Burch Easter Sunday message, March 23, 2008. friday,celebrating,sunday,easter,victorious,sunday,living,victory 35:30 Easter Sunday message, March 23, 2008. http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/celebrating-friday-living-sunday http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/032308.mp4 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:45:24 CDT Mark Burch Easter Sunday message, March 23, 2008. friday,celebrating,sunday,easter,victorious,sunday,living,victory 35:30 Will I trust my heavenly Father to take care of me? OR will I take matters into my own hands? Balancing my responsibility to work hard, give generously, save regularly, and spend wisely with an absolute confidence that God is my provider is a difficult balance for all of us to maintain. It is so easy to begin to believe that we have to look after ourselves, and to become consumed with "having enough." Jesus challenges us to put our trust in Him alone and to give up the useless habit of worry…easy to say ... hard to live out! Key Passage: Matthew 6:19-34 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/why-worry http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/031608.mp3 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:34:29 CDT Mark Burch Reboot sermon,mount,worry,money,culture,coveting,provision,god,work,generosity,worry,anxiety,care,responsibility 41:17 Will I trust my heavenly Father to take care of me? OR will I take matters into my own hands? Balancing my responsibility to work hard, give generously, save regularly, and spend wisely with an absolute confidence that God is my provider is a difficult balance for all of us to maintain. It is so easy to begin to believe that we have to look after ourselves, and to become consumed with "having enough." Jesus challenges us to put our trust in Him alone and to give up the useless habit of worry…easy to say ... hard to live out! Key Passage: Matthew 6:19-34 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/why-worry http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/031608.mp4 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:34:26 CDT Mark Burch Reboot sermon,mount,worry,money,culture,coveting,provision,god,work,generosity,worry,anxiety,care,responsibility 41:17 The discipline of fasting is not one that has been widely practiced in evangelical circles but is having a bit of a “renewal” in our generation. More and more we hear people and ministries calling us to times of prayer and fasting. What is this practice all about? Why was it so important to the Jewish community and what can we learn from this discipline? In our text this weekend, Jesus simply assumes that we are a people who fast, and challenges us once again to fast for the right reasons and in the right way. Key Passages: Matthew 6:16-18 and Isaiah 58:6 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/making-room http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/030908.mp3 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:28:45 CDT Mark Burch Reboot spirit,holy,power,growth,spiritual,opportunity,devotion,room,make,aside,set,prayer,pray,fast,fasting,discipline,renewal 36:00 The discipline of fasting is not one that has been widely practiced in evangelical circles but is having a bit of a “renewal” in our generation. More and more we hear people and ministries calling us to times of prayer and fasting. What is this practice all about? Why was it so important to the Jewish community and what can we learn from this discipline? In our text this weekend, Jesus simply assumes that we are a people who fast, and challenges us once again to fast for the right reasons and in the right way. Key Passages: Matthew 6:16-18 and Isaiah 58:6 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/making-room http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/030908.mp4 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:28:42 CDT Mark Burch Reboot spirit,holy,power,growth,spiritual,opportunity,devotion,room,make,aside,set,prayer,pray,fast,fasting,discipline,renewal 36:00 It almost sounds like a silly question ‒ how do you determine if a prayer is “good” or not? Is it by the number of words (longer prayers are better) or by the particular words we choose (spiritual sounding prayers must be better), or is it the time or day or place that I choose to pray that makes my prayer “good”? Silly, huh!? Yet how many of us have not asked those questions ourselves, or been asked them by others, or wondered about what it was in particular that made prayer powerful, eff ective, and meaningful. We are a people who pray….there is no getting around the fact that in the good times and in the bad…there is something within us that calls us to “talk to God…” But prayer can be a discouraging and confusing venture…. knows what we need before we ask? Key Passage: Matthew 6:5-15 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/how-do-we-pray http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/030208.mp3 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:57:32 CST Mark Burch Reboot lord's_prayer,mount,sermon,god,talk,powerful,mount,sermon,prayer,pray 35:38 It almost sounds like a silly question ‒ how do you determine if a prayer is “good” or not? Is it by the number of words (longer prayers are better) or by the particular words we choose (spiritual sounding prayers must be better), or is it the time or day or place that I choose to pray that makes my prayer “good”? Silly, huh!? Yet how many of us have not asked those questions ourselves, or been asked them by others, or wondered about what it was in particular that made prayer powerful, eff ective, and meaningful. We are a people who pray….there is no getting around the fact that in the good times and in the bad…there is something within us that calls us to “talk to God…” But prayer can be a discouraging and confusing venture…. knows what we need before we ask? Key Passage: Matthew 6:5-15 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/how-do-we-pray http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/030208.mp4 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:57:29 CST Mark Burch Reboot lord's_prayer,mount,sermon,god,talk,powerful,mount,sermon,prayer,pray 35:38 One of the greatest preachers of the 20th century was a man by the name of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. He has written volumes on the Sermon on the Mount and he said that the 6th chapter of Matthew is both a very searching and painful section of Scripture. “I think,” said Jones, “that this chapter is one of the most uncomfortable chapters to read in the entire Scriptures.” Why is this so? What is it about these few verses that are so challenging for us today? The answer to this lies in the fact that these verses have the potential to open up our heart and reveal to us our true inner motivations. It holds a mirror up before us and it will not allow us to escape. Key Passage: Matthew 6:1-18 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/swelled-egos-and-shriveled-souls http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/022408.mp3 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:36:22 CST Jeff McNairn Reboot sermon,mount,jesus,pride,ego,giving,praying,fasting,audience,one,god 32:46 One of the greatest preachers of the 20th century was a man by the name of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. He has written volumes on the Sermon on the Mount and he said that the 6th chapter of Matthew is both a very searching and painful section of Scripture. “I think,” said Jones, “that this chapter is one of the most uncomfortable chapters to read in the entire Scriptures.” Why is this so? What is it about these few verses that are so challenging for us today? The answer to this lies in the fact that these verses have the potential to open up our heart and reveal to us our true inner motivations. It holds a mirror up before us and it will not allow us to escape. Key Passage: Matthew 6:1-18 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/swelled-egos-and-shriveled-souls http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/022408.mp4 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:36:19 CST Jeff McNairn Reboot sermon,mount,jesus,pride,ego,giving,praying,fasting,audience,one,god 32:46 The text we come to this weekend may well be the most controversial portion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. It is a section that has intrigued people for centuries, has drawn some to the teachings of Christ, and has pushed others away. Great leaders, both Christian and “non”, have built their philosophies of peaceful non-resistance on this text. Our Anabaptist heritage is firmly rooted in the concepts Jesus teaches here. How do you respond when you have been injured by another? There may be no more powerful expression of the “family heritage” that runs in the DNA of the child of God, than in looking at our willingness to forgive others when we have been personally wronged. It is also one of the most difficult principles to live out! Key Passages: Matthew 5:16 & Matthew 5:38-48 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/can-you-see-the-father-in-me http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/021708.mp3 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:35:30 CST Mark Burch Reboot grace,mercy,love,forgiveness,persecution,enemy,jesus,mount,sermon 50:13 The text we come to this weekend may well be the most controversial portion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. It is a section that has intrigued people for centuries, has drawn some to the teachings of Christ, and has pushed others away. Great leaders, both Christian and “non”, have built their philosophies of peaceful non-resistance on this text. Our Anabaptist heritage is firmly rooted in the concepts Jesus teaches here. How do you respond when you have been injured by another? There may be no more powerful expression of the “family heritage” that runs in the DNA of the child of God, than in looking at our willingness to forgive others when we have been personally wronged. It is also one of the most difficult principles to live out! Key Passages: Matthew 5:16 & Matthew 5:38-48 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/can-you-see-the-father-in-me http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/021708.mp4 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:35:27 CST Mark Burch Reboot grace,mercy,love,forgiveness,persecution,enemy,jesus,mount,sermon 50:13 A.W. Tozer, in his book, The Pursuit of God shared this prayer: "Lord, I would trust You completely; I would be altogether Yours; I would exalt You above all. I desire that I may feel no sense of possessing anything outside of You. I want constantly to be aware of Your overshadowing Presence and to hear Your speaking Voice. I long to live in restful sincerity of heart. I want to live so fully in the Spirit that all my thought may be as sweet incense ascending to You and every act of my life may be an act of worship. Therefore I pray in the words of Your great servant of old, ‘I beseech You so for to cleanse the intent of mine heart with the unspeakable gift of Your grace, that I may perfectly love You and worthily praise You.’ And all this I confi dently believe You will grant me through the merits of Jesus Christ Your Son. Amen." Key Passage: Matthew 5:33-37 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/facade http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/021008.mp3 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:35:45 CST Scott Lanigan Reboot morals,values,no,yes,culture,heart,integrity,facade,truth,lie 38:36 A.W. Tozer, in his book, The Pursuit of God shared this prayer: "Lord, I would trust You completely; I would be altogether Yours; I would exalt You above all. I desire that I may feel no sense of possessing anything outside of You. I want constantly to be aware of Your overshadowing Presence and to hear Your speaking Voice. I long to live in restful sincerity of heart. I want to live so fully in the Spirit that all my thought may be as sweet incense ascending to You and every act of my life may be an act of worship. Therefore I pray in the words of Your great servant of old, ‘I beseech You so for to cleanse the intent of mine heart with the unspeakable gift of Your grace, that I may perfectly love You and worthily praise You.’ And all this I confi dently believe You will grant me through the merits of Jesus Christ Your Son. Amen." Key Passage: Matthew 5:33-37 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/facade http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/021008.mp4 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:35:42 CST Scott Lanigan Reboot morals,values,no,yes,culture,heart,integrity,facade,truth,lie 38:36 Proverbs 18:22 reminds us that he who finds a wife, finds a good thing, and gains favour from the Lord. Marriage was intended to be the most intimate of all human relationships, a friendship that endures for a life-time, and a secure shelter when everything around us seems to crumble. But for far too many, marriage has become a difficult path to walk. Because it is such an "up-close-and-personal" relationship, it is impossible to avoid the knowledge that your spouse is not perfect. Imperfection is fine! UNTIL it begins to impact MY LIFE! And so the hard work begins; the work of making the union of TWO IMPERFECT people become a beautiful dance of romance, respect, and mutual submission. http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/yours-for-life http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/020308.mp3 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:02:05 CST Mark Burch Reboot life,marriage,divorce,adultery,submission,respect,loyalty,romance,perfect,relationship 41:36 Proverbs 18:22 reminds us that he who finds a wife, finds a good thing, and gains favour from the Lord. Marriage was intended to be the most intimate of all human relationships, a friendship that endures for a life-time, and a secure shelter when everything around us seems to crumble. But for far too many, marriage has become a difficult path to walk. Because it is such an "up-close-and-personal" relationship, it is impossible to avoid the knowledge that your spouse is not perfect. Imperfection is fine! UNTIL it begins to impact MY LIFE! And so the hard work begins; the work of making the union of TWO IMPERFECT people become a beautiful dance of romance, respect, and mutual submission. http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/yours-for-life http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/020308.mp4 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:02:02 CST Mark Burch Reboot life,marriage,divorce,adultery,submission,respect,loyalty,romance,perfect,relationship 41:36 In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus touches upon a number of issues which speak to all of society today. Whether the issue be murder, adultery, divorce, taking oaths, revenge, or loving your enemies Jesus is wanting us to learn one truth: that it is the spirit of the law and not the law itself that matters most. Key Passage: Matthew 5.21-30 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/show-me-the-love http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/012708.mp3 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:17:24 CST Jeff McNairn Reboot murder,anger,heart,lust,pornography,adultery,jesus,sermon,mount,beatitudes,society,spirit,law 43:42 In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus touches upon a number of issues which speak to all of society today. Whether the issue be murder, adultery, divorce, taking oaths, revenge, or loving your enemies Jesus is wanting us to learn one truth: that it is the spirit of the law and not the law itself that matters most. Key Passage: Matthew 5.21-30 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/show-me-the-love http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/012708.mp4 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:17:21 CST Jeff McNairn Reboot murder,anger,heart,lust,pornography,adultery,jesus,sermon,mount,beatitudes,society,spirit,law 43:42 "Just give me the list - and I'll do it!" That phrase may be the exasperated cry of a person desperately trying to please another, and in far too many cases, it is how we have approached our relationship to God. We have reduced our "friendship with God" down to a sterile formula of "do's and don'ts" and as long as we have checked off all the items on the list, we feel fairly secure. But Jesus blows this kind of "list" Christianity out of the water, when He shreds the Pharisees for their attention to minute details of the law, yet have hearts that are cold and distant. What if Jesus was more concerned with your heart attitude than with your adherance to a list of rules? Novel thought? Key Passage: Matthew 5:20 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/lists-loopholes-legalities-love http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/012008.mp3 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:26:58 CST Mark Burch Reboot list,rules,religion,relationship,jesus,pharisees,sermon,mount,christianity,heart,love 41:39 "Just give me the list - and I'll do it!" That phrase may be the exasperated cry of a person desperately trying to please another, and in far too many cases, it is how we have approached our relationship to God. We have reduced our "friendship with God" down to a sterile formula of "do's and don'ts" and as long as we have checked off all the items on the list, we feel fairly secure. But Jesus blows this kind of "list" Christianity out of the water, when He shreds the Pharisees for their attention to minute details of the law, yet have hearts that are cold and distant. What if Jesus was more concerned with your heart attitude than with your adherance to a list of rules? Novel thought? Key Passage: Matthew 5:20 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/lists-loopholes-legalities-love http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/012008.mp4 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:26:55 CST Mark Burch Reboot list,rules,religion,relationship,jesus,pharisees,sermon,mount,christianity,heart,love 41:39 In the eyes of the world, Jesus was a fool. He did not abide by the rules of the day; the people he associated with were shunned by society; his Sermon on the Mount reads like a primer on being left behind, stepped on and ignored. Being a ‘Christian’ is not some magical process by which we are automatically transformed into better people. We must train to become who God wants us to be. We are sinful, faulted beings. Our system fi les are corrupted and we need to reset our systems to the defaults that Christ has demonstrated for us. It begins with the reshaping of our minds ‒ how we think ‒ what we believe ‒ what we know to be true, and then beginning to live out that truth in practical ways in our daily lives. Key Passage: Matthew 5: 1-16 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/salt-and-light http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/011308.mp3 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:16:00 CST Laurence East Reboot missional,transformation,mind,serving,life,change,culture,light,salt,evangelism,message,jesus 41:43 In the eyes of the world, Jesus was a fool. He did not abide by the rules of the day; the people he associated with were shunned by society; his Sermon on the Mount reads like a primer on being left behind, stepped on and ignored. Being a ‘Christian’ is not some magical process by which we are automatically transformed into better people. We must train to become who God wants us to be. We are sinful, faulted beings. Our system fi les are corrupted and we need to reset our systems to the defaults that Christ has demonstrated for us. It begins with the reshaping of our minds ‒ how we think ‒ what we believe ‒ what we know to be true, and then beginning to live out that truth in practical ways in our daily lives. Key Passage: Matthew 5: 1-16 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/salt-and-light http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/011308.mp4 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:15:57 CST Laurence East Reboot missional,transformation,mind,serving,life,change,culture,light,salt,evangelism,message,jesus 41:43 God has always had a voice! Even in the darkest days of human history, there has been a “faithful remnant” of His people who continued to hope, continued to trust, continued to pray and continued to walk in the steps of the Master. There may be days that we are tempted to give up the fight, to pack in our efforts to see the world become a better place…but today is not that day! As we head into a new calendar year, God is calling us, perhaps like never before to champion and leverage all the resources He has placed in our hands, to be used for the transformation of our world! Are you up for the challenge? Key Passage: Luke 3:4-6 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/change-the-world-one-life-at-a-time http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/010608.mp3 Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:05:16 CST Mark Burch God has always had a voice! Even in the darkest days of human history, there has been a “faithful remnant” of His people who continued to hope, continued to trust, continued to pray and continued to walk in the steps of the Master. There may be ... god,voice,history,faith,hope,trust,pray,transformation,world,effort 46:58 God has always had a voice! Even in the darkest days of human history, there has been a “faithful remnant” of His people who continued to hope, continued to trust, continued to pray and continued to walk in the steps of the Master. There may be days that we are tempted to give up the fight, to pack in our efforts to see the world become a better place…but today is not that day! As we head into a new calendar year, God is calling us, perhaps like never before to champion and leverage all the resources He has placed in our hands, to be used for the transformation of our world! Are you up for the challenge? Key Passage: Luke 3:4-6 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/change-the-world-one-life-at-a-time http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/010608.mp4 Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:05:13 CST Mark Burch God has always had a voice! Even in the darkest days of human history, there has been a “faithful remnant” of His people who continued to hope, continued to trust, continued to pray and continued to walk in the steps of the Master. There may be ... god,voice,history,faith,hope,trust,pray,transformation,world,effort 46:58 He came to earth as an infant, but He came to reign! To acknowledge Him intellectually as King of kings is one thing; but to actually let Him reign is quite another. There is a bit of King Herod in all of us; a paranoid fear of letting go the controls of our life. But there can only be one king... Key Passage: Matthew 16:24 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/the-dark-king http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/123007.mp3 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 21:56:43 CST Mark Burch Unwrapping Christmas earth,king,jesus,christmas,paranoia,control,herod,reign,control,fear,life 42:41 He came to earth as an infant, but He came to reign! To acknowledge Him intellectually as King of kings is one thing; but to actually let Him reign is quite another. There is a bit of King Herod in all of us; a paranoid fear of letting go the controls of our life. But there can only be one king... Key Passage: Matthew 16:24 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/the-dark-king http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/123007.mp4 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 21:56:40 CST Mark Burch Unwrapping Christmas earth,king,jesus,christmas,paranoia,control,herod,reign,control,fear,life 42:41 Key Passage: Colossians 1:13 & 14: "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/freedom http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/122307.mp3 Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:51:53 CST Mark Burch Unwrapping Christmas redemption,freedom,jesus,nativity,birth,story 39:31 Key Passage: Colossians 1:13 & 14: "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/freedom http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/122307.mp4 Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:51:50 CST Mark Burch Unwrapping Christmas redemption,freedom,jesus,nativity,birth,story 39:31 How do you respond when your enemies fall in worship before the Lord? That question might sound like a hypothetical debate for us today, but for the original readers of Matthew’s gospel account they had to face it head on. The very first people to engage in formal worship of the newborn king were from “the east.” We might call them the “Babylonian worship team.” The enemies and oppressors of the Jews were on their face in worship. Wow! What a paradigm shift! Key Passages: Matthew 2:1 & Isaiah 49:6 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/first-to-worship http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/121607.mp3 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 11:09:33 CST Mark Burch Unwrapping Christmas jesus,baby,bethlehem,herod,wise,men,magi,christmas,story,gentile,worship,culture,evangelism 37:10 How do you respond when your enemies fall in worship before the Lord? That question might sound like a hypothetical debate for us today, but for the original readers of Matthew’s gospel account they had to face it head on. The very first people to engage in formal worship of the newborn king were from “the east.” We might call them the “Babylonian worship team.” The enemies and oppressors of the Jews were on their face in worship. Wow! What a paradigm shift! Key Passages: Matthew 2:1 & Isaiah 49:6 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/first-to-worship http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/121607.mp4 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 11:09:30 CST Mark Burch Unwrapping Christmas jesus,baby,bethlehem,herod,wise,men,magi,christmas,story,gentile,worship,culture,evangelism 37:10 As familiar as we have become with the basic elements of the Christmas story, there are also a number of "stories behind the story" that have never made the big screen ... radically inclusive and/or exclusive stories taking place in the shadows. Each one carries major implications for how we approach this story, and how we approach the Christ. This weekend we're going to pull back the veil with Matthew as he makes some startling revelations about Jesus' family tree. Breaking with tradition, Matthew chooses to include some highly questionable characters in his list of Jesus' ancestors, and in doing so, I believe he opens the door wide for some of us to walk through ... crazy family trees and all! These are some "grandma stories" you'll never see in a Children's Christmas pagent! Key Passages: 2 Corinthians 5:19 & Psalm 103:12 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/my-adams-family-tree http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/120207.mp3 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:55:12 CST Mark Burch Unwrapping Christmas christmas,christ,tamar,uriah,bathsheba,david,rahab,ruth,grace,redemption,history,family,tree,jesus,lineage 41:58 As familiar as we have become with the basic elements of the Christmas story, there are also a number of "stories behind the story" that have never made the big screen ... radically inclusive and/or exclusive stories taking place in the shadows. Each one carries major implications for how we approach this story, and how we approach the Christ. This weekend we're going to pull back the veil with Matthew as he makes some startling revelations about Jesus' family tree. Breaking with tradition, Matthew chooses to include some highly questionable characters in his list of Jesus' ancestors, and in doing so, I believe he opens the door wide for some of us to walk through ... crazy family trees and all! These are some "grandma stories" you'll never see in a Children's Christmas pagent! Key Passages: 2 Corinthians 5:19 & Psalm 103:12 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/my-adams-family-tree http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/120207.mp4 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:55:09 CST Mark Burch Unwrapping Christmas christmas,christ,tamar,uriah,bathsheba,david,rahab,ruth,grace,redemption,history,family,tree,jesus,lineage 41:58 Reading through the Bible we are continually confronted with the supernatural. Beginning with the miracle of creation and culminating with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our rational world view is constantly interrupted. We have come to call these displays "signs and wonders." Moses and Pharoah, Elijah and Ahaz, Jesus and the demon-possessed: the list of "power encounters" could go on and on. If we read these encounters in their context and with the entire Bible as a backdrop, it becomes obvious that these signs are ALWAYS intended to point us back to God. The "signs" themselves are never an "end" but rather a "means to an end" that we might turn our attention and devotion to the Lord of the universe. Even today, God is interrupting the human experience to point us to Jesus. The only question is whether we have eyes to see. Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:7 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/pointing-to-jesus http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/112507.mp3 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:35:43 CST Mark Burch True Identity miracle,universe,god,wonders,signs,supernatural,faith 47:51 Reading through the Bible we are continually confronted with the supernatural. Beginning with the miracle of creation and culminating with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our rational world view is constantly interrupted. We have come to call these displays "signs and wonders." Moses and Pharoah, Elijah and Ahaz, Jesus and the demon-possessed: the list of "power encounters" could go on and on. If we read these encounters in their context and with the entire Bible as a backdrop, it becomes obvious that these signs are ALWAYS intended to point us back to God. The "signs" themselves are never an "end" but rather a "means to an end" that we might turn our attention and devotion to the Lord of the universe. Even today, God is interrupting the human experience to point us to Jesus. The only question is whether we have eyes to see. Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:7 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/pointing-to-jesus http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/112507.mp4 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:35:40 CST Mark Burch True Identity miracle,universe,god,wonders,signs,supernatural,faith 47:51 If spiritual maturity is the goal for every follower of Christ, (and it is!) then spiritual discipline and mentorship must be required. Most of us would not be who we were today without a full complement of people who have poured into our lives. Parents, friends, teachers, coaches, mentors and others have poked and prodded us along the way – encouraged us to be or to become the very best we can be. In the spiritual realm we are told that God gives these gifts of “poking and prodding” as well. He intentionally sends into our lives those people who will help call out the very best in us. The questions we’re left with: Will we respond to the voice of God through these people? Will we allow God to use us like this in someone else’s life? Key Passage: Ephesians 4:11-13 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/calling-out-our-best http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/111807.mp3 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 16:15:04 CST Mark Burch True Identity spiritual,gifts,apostle,prophet,evangelist,pastor,teacher,church,body,maturity 49:13 If spiritual maturity is the goal for every follower of Christ, (and it is!) then spiritual discipline and mentorship must be required. Most of us would not be who we were today without a full complement of people who have poured into our lives. Parents, friends, teachers, coaches, mentors and others have poked and prodded us along the way – encouraged us to be or to become the very best we can be. In the spiritual realm we are told that God gives these gifts of “poking and prodding” as well. He intentionally sends into our lives those people who will help call out the very best in us. The questions we’re left with: Will we respond to the voice of God through these people? Will we allow God to use us like this in someone else’s life? Key Passage: Ephesians 4:11-13 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/calling-out-our-best http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/111807.mp4 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 16:15:01 CST Mark Burch True Identity spiritual,gifts,apostle,prophet,evangelist,pastor,teacher,church,body,maturity 49:13 Often the greatest times of spiritual growth, come as the result of suffering and pain. God's greatest gifts to us, come in the form of "subtractions" instead of "additions". We grow on the valley floor ... suffering drives us deep. The authentic faith - is one that has been tested by fire, and proven powerful and rich. IN our day of "easy-believism" when we expect only good from the hand of God, perhaps the greatest challenge to our faith and to our spiritual maturity is when the storms of life begin to howl. Finding Jesus in the midst of the storm and being able to praise Him despite our pain is one of the critical steps on the journey toward Spiritual Maturity. We might not at first consider these trials as "gifts" but these "severe gifts" may be the catalyst for incredible spiritual growth if we will lean into God's purpose in them. Key Passages: Job 2:10 and Isaiah 48:10 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/tested-by-fire http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/111207.mp3 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:19:09 CST Mark Burch True Identity church,jesus,spiritual,growth,suffering,trials,temptation,gifts,fire,faith,journey,purpose 40:37 Often the greatest times of spiritual growth, come as the result of suffering and pain. God's greatest gifts to us, come in the form of "subtractions" instead of "additions". We grow on the valley floor ... suffering drives us deep. The authentic faith - is one that has been tested by fire, and proven powerful and rich. IN our day of "easy-believism" when we expect only good from the hand of God, perhaps the greatest challenge to our faith and to our spiritual maturity is when the storms of life begin to howl. Finding Jesus in the midst of the storm and being able to praise Him despite our pain is one of the critical steps on the journey toward Spiritual Maturity. We might not at first consider these trials as "gifts" but these "severe gifts" may be the catalyst for incredible spiritual growth if we will lean into God's purpose in them. Key Passages: Job 2:10 and Isaiah 48:10 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/tested-by-fire http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/111207.mp4 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:19:06 CST Mark Burch True Identity church,jesus,spiritual,growth,suffering,trials,temptation,gifts,fire,faith,journey,purpose 40:37 The most powerful engines in the world are useless without the lubricating effect of high-quality oils, grease, or synthetic polymers. They would literally burn themselves up as the internal friction of the engine heated the motor to dangerous temperatures, and the engine seizes -- so too with the engine of ministry. Key Passage: 1 Peter 4:10 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/a-well-oiled-ministry-machine http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/110407.mp3 Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:25:01 CST Mark Burch True Identity church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,serving,ministry,spiritual,gifts,engine,team,involvement,gift 34:20 The most powerful engines in the world are useless without the lubricating effect of high-quality oils, grease, or synthetic polymers. They would literally burn themselves up as the internal friction of the engine heated the motor to dangerous temperatures, and the engine seizes -- so too with the engine of ministry. Key Passage: 1 Peter 4:10 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/a-well-oiled-ministry-machine http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/110407.mp4 Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:24:58 CST Mark Burch True Identity church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,serving,ministry,spiritual,gifts,engine,team,involvement,gift 34:20 Oswald Chambers once said, "Never allow the thought, 'I am no use where I am.' You certainly can be of no use where you are not." In this week's message, Pastor Scott encourages each of us to discover, and step out, in the areas God has gifted us. Key Passage: Galatians 5:25, 26 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/charisma http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/102807.mp3 Sun, 28 Oct 2007 14:20:47 CDT Scott Lanigan True Identity identity,spiritual,gifts,god,talent,ability,experience,calling,serving,charisma 40:49 Oswald Chambers once said, "Never allow the thought, 'I am no use where I am.' You certainly can be of no use where you are not." In this week's message, Pastor Scott encourages each of us to discover, and step out, in the areas God has gifted us. Key Passage: Galatians 5:25, 26 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/charisma http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/102807.mp4 Sun, 28 Oct 2007 14:20:44 CDT Scott Lanigan True Identity identity,spiritual,gifts,god,talent,ability,experience,calling,serving,charisma 40:49 Robert Munger has said, "In our time it may well be that the greatest single bottleneck to the renewal and outreach of the church is the division of roles between clergy and laity that results in a hesitancy of the clergy to trust the laity with significant responsibility, and in turn a reluctance on the part of the laity to trust themselves as authentic ministers of Christ, either in the church or outside the church." Key Passage: 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/a-peculiar-people http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/102107.mp3 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 17:31:11 CDT Jeff McNairn True Identity identity,true,service,laity,leadership,outreach,people,peculiar,canada,bc,kelowna,park,willow,jesus,bible,message,church 36:51 Robert Munger has said, "In our time it may well be that the greatest single bottleneck to the renewal and outreach of the church is the division of roles between clergy and laity that results in a hesitancy of the clergy to trust the laity with significant responsibility, and in turn a reluctance on the part of the laity to trust themselves as authentic ministers of Christ, either in the church or outside the church." Key Passage: 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/a-peculiar-people http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/102107.mp4 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 17:31:08 CDT Jeff McNairn True Identity identity,true,service,laity,leadership,outreach,people,peculiar,canada,bc,kelowna,park,willow,jesus,bible,message,church 36:51 Writing about climate change, Al Gore says: “The climate crisis also offers us the chance to experience what very few generations in history have had the privilege of knowing: a generational mission; the exhilarations of a compelling moral purpose; a shared and unifying cause; the thrill of being forced by circumstances to put aside the pettiness and conflict that so often stifle the restless human need for transcendence; the opportunity to rise...When we rise, we will experience and epiphany as we discover that this crisis is not really about politics at all. It is a moral and spiritual challenge.” Lofty words....inspirational....visionary... Question: Should we not be even MORE passionate about matters that will impact eternity? Do we have a compelling moral purpose, cause, or generational mission that we will give our all to fulfill? Key Passage: 2 Timothy 2:3-4 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/a-cause-worth-living-for http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/101407.mp3 Sun, 14 Oct 2007 11:46:12 CDT Mark Burch Our Amazing Race church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,mission,evangelism,trasnformissional,cause,goal,unite,purpose,eternity,evangelism,al_gore,environment,global_warming 44:36 Writing about climate change, Al Gore says: “The climate crisis also offers us the chance to experience what very few generations in history have had the privilege of knowing: a generational mission; the exhilarations of a compelling moral purpose; a shared and unifying cause; the thrill of being forced by circumstances to put aside the pettiness and conflict that so often stifle the restless human need for transcendence; the opportunity to rise...When we rise, we will experience and epiphany as we discover that this crisis is not really about politics at all. It is a moral and spiritual challenge.” Lofty words....inspirational....visionary... Question: Should we not be even MORE passionate about matters that will impact eternity? Do we have a compelling moral purpose, cause, or generational mission that we will give our all to fulfill? Key Passage: 2 Timothy 2:3-4 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/a-cause-worth-living-for http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/101407.mp4 Sun, 14 Oct 2007 11:46:09 CDT Mark Burch Our Amazing Race church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,mission,evangelism,trasnformissional,cause,goal,unite,purpose,eternity,evangelism,al_gore,environment,global_warming 44:36 When was the last time you took a risk for Jesus? I mean something that you could’ve totally failed at and made a fool out of yourself? To be honest, it’s probably been a long time when I did something that fit that category. So what is keeping us from taking more risks for Jesus? How can we address our fears and lack of faith in such a way that we become the kind of risk-taking, faith-stretching followers He’s looking for? Today, we will look at a woman in scripture who set aside her fears and embraced her faith in such a way that her life was dramatically changed. And you will be challenged to step out of your comfort zone to experience what risky faith is all about! Key Passage: 2 Kings 4:1-7 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/risky-faith http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/100707.mp3 Sun, 07 Oct 2007 17:31:42 CDT Mike Penninga Our Amazing Race church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,risky,faih,opportunity,evangelism,share,faith,trust,follow,change,challenge,comfort,step,experience,fear 38:24 When was the last time you took a risk for Jesus? I mean something that you could’ve totally failed at and made a fool out of yourself? To be honest, it’s probably been a long time when I did something that fit that category. So what is keeping us from taking more risks for Jesus? How can we address our fears and lack of faith in such a way that we become the kind of risk-taking, faith-stretching followers He’s looking for? Today, we will look at a woman in scripture who set aside her fears and embraced her faith in such a way that her life was dramatically changed. And you will be challenged to step out of your comfort zone to experience what risky faith is all about! Key Passage: 2 Kings 4:1-7 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/risky-faith http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/100707.mp4 Sun, 07 Oct 2007 17:31:39 CDT Mike Penninga Our Amazing Race church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,risky,faih,opportunity,evangelism,share,faith,trust,follow,change,challenge,comfort,step,experience,fear 38:24 Perhaps one of the key reasons that so many churches close their doors each year across North America, is because of the inability to adapt or change for the times. One generation founds the church with a passion and mission to impact their community...but without an intentional and regular "re-tuning" of the missional instrument (the church) it can easily fall out of step with the times and places and people it has been called to reach. From the birth of "the church" in Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago, the journey of Jesus' family has been one long journey of change and adaptation. The MESSAGE has remained the same (the offer of life through Jesus Christ) but the methods and approaches to ministry have changed again and again. So...what will it take for Willow Park to adapt to the time, place, and culture we live in today? How can we with relevance and authenticity bring the message of Jesus to our generation? Bottom line...Can we Change? http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/can-we-change http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/093007.mp3 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 17:07:04 CDT Mark Burch Our Amazing Race church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,change,outreach,mission,evangelism 49:22 Perhaps one of the key reasons that so many churches close their doors each year across North America, is because of the inability to adapt or change for the times. One generation founds the church with a passion and mission to impact their community...but without an intentional and regular "re-tuning" of the missional instrument (the church) it can easily fall out of step with the times and places and people it has been called to reach. From the birth of "the church" in Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago, the journey of Jesus' family has been one long journey of change and adaptation. The MESSAGE has remained the same (the offer of life through Jesus Christ) but the methods and approaches to ministry have changed again and again. So...what will it take for Willow Park to adapt to the time, place, and culture we live in today? How can we with relevance and authenticity bring the message of Jesus to our generation? Bottom line...Can we Change? http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/can-we-change http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/093007.mp4 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 17:07:01 CDT Mark Burch Our Amazing Race church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,change,outreach,mission,evangelism 49:22 "Home…" At it's very best, "home" is a place we all long for…a place that is safe…a place we are unconditionally loved…a place we can let our hair down and know that we will not offend….a state of being…secure…safe…at ease…."home". So many in our day have not experienced this kind of "home" in growing up, nor have they understood the offer of "home" that our heavenly Father extends to us. Instead of seeing a loving Father waiting at the door, they have feared an angry God. But the New Testament paints a much different picture of God – and maybe its an image you need to embrace. The image of the porch light being left on at night…the picture of a daddy worried sick as He waits for His runaway child to come home. The truth is, we are ALL runaways in our own way. Some of us have begun the journey home, others still need to turn around…but ultimately we walk the same path. Maybe it's time you headed for home. The porch light is on…the door is unlocked…the family is waiting! Key Passage: Luke 15:11-31 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/the-porch-lights-on http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/092307.mp3 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 15:56:57 CDT Mark Burch Our Amazing Race church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,home,safe,unconditional,love,belong,secure,security,fear,prodigal,son,father,brother,family,runaway,journey,parable,luke 37:15 "Home…" At it's very best, "home" is a place we all long for…a place that is safe…a place we are unconditionally loved…a place we can let our hair down and know that we will not offend….a state of being…secure…safe…at ease…."home". So many in our day have not experienced this kind of "home" in growing up, nor have they understood the offer of "home" that our heavenly Father extends to us. Instead of seeing a loving Father waiting at the door, they have feared an angry God. But the New Testament paints a much different picture of God – and maybe its an image you need to embrace. The image of the porch light being left on at night…the picture of a daddy worried sick as He waits for His runaway child to come home. The truth is, we are ALL runaways in our own way. Some of us have begun the journey home, others still need to turn around…but ultimately we walk the same path. Maybe it's time you headed for home. The porch light is on…the door is unlocked…the family is waiting! Key Passage: Luke 15:11-31 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/the-porch-lights-on http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/092307.mp4 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 15:56:54 CDT Mark Burch Our Amazing Race church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,home,safe,unconditional,love,belong,secure,security,fear,prodigal,son,father,brother,family,runaway,journey,parable,luke 37:15 As we look back in history, we should be challenged AND encouraged by the godly example of so many who have gone before us! As we seek to build the kingdom of God in our day – we do so – "on the shoulders of giants!" Hebrews 11 tells us that the "world was not worthy of them!" Will history say the same of us? During these next few weeks, we are going to be looking together at the mission we believe God has called us to live out in our city and region. As we talk of the impact He would have us to have on the world around us, I pray that you will be personally challenged to step into His call on your life. There are two basics that anchor everything we do: Loving People... And Following Jesus! Key Passage: Hebrews 11:13 & 38 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/on-the-shoulders-of-giants http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/091607.mp3 Sun, 16 Sep 2007 13:14:12 CDT Mark Burch Our Amazing Race church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,history,legacy,challenge,example,build,kingdom,misson,impact,city,world,loving,people,following 43:09 Invest yourself in any venture, and you want to see a good return...it's simply human nature. No one wants to spend time, money or energy on a project or enterprise that seems to be headed no where...or as the saying goes..."no one wants to be the last rat on a sinking ship..." Not only is this principle of investment true in our own lives – in the pursuits we choose to take up – but it is equally true when we entrust our valuable goods to others; leave your children with a sitter – you expect all to be well when you come home! Leave your house for the neighbors to watch while on vacation – you anticipate they will look after things! Leave your money with a financial planner – you expect it to grow! In the kingdom of God, God is the investor. He has placed His possessions in our hands to steward...our time, our talents, our money, and He looks for a good return... Key Passage: Matthew 25:14-30 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/a-good-return http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/090207.mp3 Sun, 02 Sep 2007 22:48:08 CDT Mark Burch Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,good,return,invest,use,value,pursuit,effort,gain,talent,growth,stewardship,responsiblity 40:39 Invest yourself in any venture, and you want to see a good return...it's simply human nature. No one wants to spend time, money or energy on a project or enterprise that seems to be headed no where...or as the saying goes..."no one wants to be the last rat on a sinking ship..." Not only is this principle of investment true in our own lives – in the pursuits we choose to take up – but it is equally true when we entrust our valuable goods to others; leave your children with a sitter – you expect all to be well when you come home! Leave your house for the neighbors to watch while on vacation – you anticipate they will look after things! Leave your money with a financial planner – you expect it to grow! In the kingdom of God, God is the investor. He has placed His possessions in our hands to steward...our time, our talents, our money, and He looks for a good return... Key Passage: Matthew 25:14-30 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/a-good-return http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/090207.mp4 Sun, 02 Sep 2007 22:48:05 CDT Mark Burch Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,good,return,invest,use,value,pursuit,effort,gain,talent,growth,stewardship,responsiblity 40:39 In His final hours with His disciples, Jesus promised that even though He was going away, that He would return again. He said He was going to prepare a place for us in His Father's house, that He would come to take us to His Father's home. It was a well-known wedding custom of the day.... A groom would announce his intentions to marry, and then return to his father's home to build on a room where he and his new bride would live. When the room was finished, he would come to the bride's home and escort her back for their wedding celebration. As in many of the stories we've looked at this summer, this weekend's parable comes in response to a question. The disciples asked: "...what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3). The text, and the surrounding context leaves us with the challenge: Will I be watching and waiting when the King returns? Key Passage: Matthew 25:1-12 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/the-return-of-the-king http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/082607.mp3 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 15:55:38 CDT Mark Burch Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,return,king,marriage,bride,end,age,times,eschatology,celebration,watch,wait,promise,heaven,house,sign,hope,ready 45:19 In His final hours with His disciples, Jesus promised that even though He was going away, that He would return again. He said He was going to prepare a place for us in His Father's house, that He would come to take us to His Father's home. It was a well-known wedding custom of the day.... A groom would announce his intentions to marry, and then return to his father's home to build on a room where he and his new bride would live. When the room was finished, he would come to the bride's home and escort her back for their wedding celebration. As in many of the stories we've looked at this summer, this weekend's parable comes in response to a question. The disciples asked: "...what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3). The text, and the surrounding context leaves us with the challenge: Will I be watching and waiting when the King returns? Key Passage: Matthew 25:1-12 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/the-return-of-the-king http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/082607.mp4 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 15:55:35 CDT Mark Burch Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,return,king,marriage,bride,end,age,times,eschatology,celebration,watch,wait,promise,heaven,house,sign,hope,ready 45:19 The parable we're looking at this weekend is one of the last few Jesus told in the days just before His crucifixion. The atmosphere around Jerusalem is charged with tension as the confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders of the day grow more heated. Matthew 22:45 tells us that they KNEW Jesus was talking about them! And so they were determined to destroy Him. Jesus gives them one more story ... one more invitation. In a long series of invitations that has begun with the prophets, we are invited to the king's house! The preparations have been made, the table is spread, the celebration is about to begin - and we're all invited - just one item remains - my "RSVP" - your "RSVP". The King waits for a response! Key Passage: Matthew 22:1-14 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/youre-invited http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/081907.mp3 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 11:34:34 CDT Mark Burch Tales of the Kingdom share,meal,house,king,rsvp,guest,food,hospitality,table,invitation,clothes,wedding,parable,canada,bc,kelowna,park,willow,jesus,bible,message,church 39:51 The parable we're looking at this weekend is one of the last few Jesus told in the days just before His crucifixion. The atmosphere around Jerusalem is charged with tension as the confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders of the day grow more heated. Matthew 22:45 tells us that they KNEW Jesus was talking about them! And so they were determined to destroy Him. Jesus gives them one more story ... one more invitation. In a long series of invitations that has begun with the prophets, we are invited to the king's house! The preparations have been made, the table is spread, the celebration is about to begin - and we're all invited - just one item remains - my "RSVP" - your "RSVP". The King waits for a response! Key Passage: Matthew 22:1-14 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/youre-invited http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/081907.mp4 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 11:34:31 CDT Mark Burch Tales of the Kingdom share,meal,house,king,rsvp,guest,food,hospitality,table,invitation,clothes,wedding,parable,canada,bc,kelowna,park,willow,jesus,bible,message,church 39:51 When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven, what is it that you think He was talking about? Maybe it's not what you've thought... maybe the "good news" of the gospel is actually that... good news for the whole world! How do you respond to God's generosity? Do you receive it with gracious thanksgiving, or is it so offensive to your way of life that it is possible that you might not have ever really experienced or understood it? Key Passage: Matthew 20:16 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/the-vineyard-owner http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/081207.mp3 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 22:23:02 CDT Mick Bartlett Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,vineyard,grace,favour,entitlement,payment,fairness 44:20 When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven, what is it that you think He was talking about? Maybe it's not what you've thought... maybe the "good news" of the gospel is actually that... good news for the whole world! How do you respond to God's generosity? Do you receive it with gracious thanksgiving, or is it so offensive to your way of life that it is possible that you might not have ever really experienced or understood it? Key Passage: Matthew 20:16 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/the-vineyard-owner http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/081207.mp4 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 22:22:59 CDT Mick Bartlett Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,vineyard,grace,favour,entitlement,payment,fairness 44:20 Don't miss the lines from this song: "Oh the Glory of it all, is He came near. For the rescue of us all, that we may live, for the glory of it all, oh He is here. Redemption from the fall, that we may live..." That's big. Massive. Almost incomprehensible. The weight of understanding what Jesus did coming down here for us - you and me and the guy across the the row from you too. All of us. In your day to day, in your coming and going it sometimes is hard to remember, isn't it? In your problems, in your hurts, in your debts, in your debtors in can be hard to remember as well. But that doesn't mean it is any smaller. It is still glorious. You are forgiven. You are accepted. You need to frogive. You need to accept. You need to remember. Key Passage: Matthew 18:23-35 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/unmerciful-servant http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/080507.mp3 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 22:58:48 CDT Laurence East Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,kingdom,tale,servant,master,king,forgive,forgiveness,mercy,acceptance,grace,redemption 43:23 Don't miss the lines from this song: "Oh the Glory of it all, is He came near. For the rescue of us all, that we may live, for the glory of it all, oh He is here. Redemption from the fall, that we may live..." That's big. Massive. Almost incomprehensible. The weight of understanding what Jesus did coming down here for us - you and me and the guy across the the row from you too. All of us. In your day to day, in your coming and going it sometimes is hard to remember, isn't it? In your problems, in your hurts, in your debts, in your debtors in can be hard to remember as well. But that doesn't mean it is any smaller. It is still glorious. You are forgiven. You are accepted. You need to frogive. You need to accept. You need to remember. Key Passage: Matthew 18:23-35 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/unmerciful-servant http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/080507.mp4 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 22:58:45 CDT Laurence East Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,kingdom,tale,servant,master,king,forgive,forgiveness,mercy,acceptance,grace,redemption 43:23 In our world we often associate greatness with such things as fame, fortune and influence. The icons and heros of our culture - those whom we esteem and look up to are often athletes, actors and artists. The kingdom of God is radically different for in Matthew chapter 18, Jesus turns our understanding of greatness on its head. In Jesus' mind we are greatest when we humble ourselves like that of a helpless little child. How countercultural! How subversive! Yet, how true for us today! Key Passage: Matthew 18:1-9 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/living-upside-right-in-a-upside-down-world http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/072907.mp3 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 15:09:37 CDT Jeff McNairn Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,counter,culture,upside,down,right,icon,hero,greatness,success,humility,humble,child,children,kingdom,matthew 36:18 In our world we often associate greatness with such things as fame, fortune and influence. The icons and heros of our culture - those whom we esteem and look up to are often athletes, actors and artists. The kingdom of God is radically different for in Matthew chapter 18, Jesus turns our understanding of greatness on its head. In Jesus' mind we are greatest when we humble ourselves like that of a helpless little child. How countercultural! How subversive! Yet, how true for us today! Key Passage: Matthew 18:1-9 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/living-upside-right-in-a-upside-down-world http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/072907.mp4 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 15:09:34 CDT Jeff McNairn Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,counter,culture,upside,down,right,icon,hero,greatness,success,humility,humble,child,children,kingdom,matthew 36:18 Summer is a great time to go on an adventure, and today we're talking about hunting for hidden treasures. Treasure hunting is popular these days, thanks to movies and books which advance the theme of treasures waiting to be uncovered. But are people after the right kind of treasure? What does Jesus have to say about the whole concept of treasure hunting? And what are we willing to spend to uncover what He describes as the most valuable treasure? Key Passage: Matthew 13:44-46 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/going-on-a-treasure-hunt http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/072207.mp3 Sun, 22 Jul 2007 17:40:05 CDT Mike Penninga Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,treasure,hunting,adventure,value,priorities,effort 38:17 Summer is a great time to go on an adventure, and today we're talking about hunting for hidden treasures. Treasure hunting is popular these days, thanks to movies and books which advance the theme of treasures waiting to be uncovered. But are people after the right kind of treasure? What does Jesus have to say about the whole concept of treasure hunting? And what are we willing to spend to uncover what He describes as the most valuable treasure? Key Passage: Matthew 13:44-46 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/going-on-a-treasure-hunt http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/072207.mp4 Sun, 22 Jul 2007 17:40:02 CDT Mike Penninga Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,treasure,hunting,adventure,value,priorities,effort 38:17 Over the years, I've had opportunity to share about Jesus with lots of people, and it never ceases to amaze me their varied responses. Some flatly refuse. Others quickly respond, but then wilt away. Still others seem to get side-tracked mid-way along the journey. And another group goes on to accomplish much for the kingdom of God. There are lots of times I am frustrated that not everyone responds to the Gospel message with the same vigor and excitement. I want everyone to bear much fruit. But it doesn't seem to be the way. That's what Jesus is talking about today. I hope you're okay playing the role as "dirt", because that's what you are in this parable! Our receptiveness to the Gospel is represented by four types of soil. The key distinguishing factor of good soil, as we will discover today, is that it produces a harvest. What type of spiritual fruit is being produced in your life? Key Passage: Matthew 13:1-23 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/life-as-dirt http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/071507.mp3 Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:38:30 CDT Mike Penninga Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,parable,soil,receptiveness,message,sow,good,rocky,weed,distractions,spiritual,fruit,harvest 39:32 Over the years, I've had opportunity to share about Jesus with lots of people, and it never ceases to amaze me their varied responses. Some flatly refuse. Others quickly respond, but then wilt away. Still others seem to get side-tracked mid-way along the journey. And another group goes on to accomplish much for the kingdom of God. There are lots of times I am frustrated that not everyone responds to the Gospel message with the same vigor and excitement. I want everyone to bear much fruit. But it doesn't seem to be the way. That's what Jesus is talking about today. I hope you're okay playing the role as "dirt", because that's what you are in this parable! Our receptiveness to the Gospel is represented by four types of soil. The key distinguishing factor of good soil, as we will discover today, is that it produces a harvest. What type of spiritual fruit is being produced in your life? Key Passage: Matthew 13:1-23 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/life-as-dirt http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/071507.mp4 Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:38:27 CDT Mike Penninga Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,parable,soil,receptiveness,message,sow,good,rocky,weed,distractions,spiritual,fruit,harvest 39:32 How critical is it that we weed out all the evil in the world around us? So much of the political agenda of the evangelical church seems to be the opposition of evil. This is not all bad, but should it be our main agenda? Jesus seems to calm his disciples' fears about all the evil in the world by simply acknowledging that the weeds grow alongside the wheat. The prudent farmer doesn't worry about ripping out the weeds - but about growing healthy wheat. On the harvest day, the good and bad will be separated. In the meanwhile, our focus is to be on growing the good! Key Passage: Matthew 13:24-30, 47-50 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/how-does-your-garden-grow http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/070807.mp3 Sun, 08 Jul 2007 17:34:29 CDT Mark Burch Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,politics,agenda,evil,good,weeds,harvest,wheat,matthew,focus,preoccupation,agenda,healthy,growth,maturity,distraction 40:40 How critical is it that we weed out all the evil in the world around us? So much of the political agenda of the evangelical church seems to be the opposition of evil. This is not all bad, but should it be our main agenda? Jesus seems to calm his disciples' fears about all the evil in the world by simply acknowledging that the weeds grow alongside the wheat. The prudent farmer doesn't worry about ripping out the weeds - but about growing healthy wheat. On the harvest day, the good and bad will be separated. In the meanwhile, our focus is to be on growing the good! Key Passage: Matthew 13:24-30, 47-50 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/how-does-your-garden-grow http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/070807.mp4 Sun, 08 Jul 2007 17:34:26 CDT Mark Burch Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,politics,agenda,evil,good,weeds,harvest,wheat,matthew,focus,preoccupation,agenda,healthy,growth,maturity,distraction 40:40 This week we start our summer series of messages based on the stories Jesus told about the kingdom of heaven. About a dozen of his stories began with the words "the kingdom of heaven is like." In trying to understand what our world would look like if the values of God's kingdom really took root - these stories are a good starting point. Today, we pick up the concept that the kingdom will not come in a radical, military or political takeover, but rather, through the small but powerful and pervasive infl uence of kingdom agents spread liberally throughout the existing structures of society. The revolutionary influence of the kingdom has been called by some "the quiet revolution" but it's power is incredible! "True evangelical faith cannot lie dormant. It clothes the naked, it feeds the hungry, it comforts the sorrowful, it shelters the destitute, it serves those that harm it, it binds up that which is wounded, it has become all things to all people." (quote from Menno Simons, 1496-1561) http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/little-is-much http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/070107.mp3 Sun, 01 Jul 2007 17:32:47 CDT Mark Burch Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,kingdom,heaven,tale,parable,heaven,rule,reign,life,story,influence,society,culture,quiet,revolution,mercy,help,comfort,action 44:09 This week we start our summer series of messages based on the stories Jesus told about the kingdom of heaven. About a dozen of his stories began with the words "the kingdom of heaven is like." In trying to understand what our world would look like if the values of God's kingdom really took root - these stories are a good starting point. Today, we pick up the concept that the kingdom will not come in a radical, military or political takeover, but rather, through the small but powerful and pervasive infl uence of kingdom agents spread liberally throughout the existing structures of society. The revolutionary influence of the kingdom has been called by some "the quiet revolution" but it's power is incredible! "True evangelical faith cannot lie dormant. It clothes the naked, it feeds the hungry, it comforts the sorrowful, it shelters the destitute, it serves those that harm it, it binds up that which is wounded, it has become all things to all people." (quote from Menno Simons, 1496-1561) http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/little-is-much http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/070107.mp4 Sun, 01 Jul 2007 17:32:44 CDT Mark Burch Tales of the Kingdom church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,kingdom,heaven,tale,parable,heaven,rule,reign,life,story,influence,society,culture,quiet,revolution,mercy,help,comfort,action 44:09 This weekend we celebrate the accomplishments God has made in the past ministry year. As we respond to the missional call of God on our lives, we need to look into the future and ask ourselves: What would Kelowna look like if the rule and reign of God were made real among us? How would our lives have to change? How would the ministry focus of WPC need to change? Today, will talk about some of the dreams God is placing on our hearts for the coming months and years. Together we need to cry out - "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Key Passage: Numbers 13 & 14 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/into-the-water http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/062407.mp3 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:29:47 CDT Mark Burch Transformissional Living church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,missional,mission,transform,transformissional,call,journey,responsibility,inheritance 45:49 This weekend we celebrate the accomplishments God has made in the past ministry year. As we respond to the missional call of God on our lives, we need to look into the future and ask ourselves: What would Kelowna look like if the rule and reign of God were made real among us? How would our lives have to change? How would the ministry focus of WPC need to change? Today, will talk about some of the dreams God is placing on our hearts for the coming months and years. Together we need to cry out - "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Key Passage: Numbers 13 & 14 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/into-the-water http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/062407.mp4 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:29:44 CDT Mark Burch Transformissional Living church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,missional,mission,transform,transformissional,call,journey,responsibility,inheritance 45:49 350 degrees, 4 turns, 16 minutes = medium well steak hot off the barbeque. Give me a nice hunk of beef or chiicken, a good barbeque, the right spices and I am laughing. I know how to barbeque. I know what to expect when the conditions are right and I know the quality of food that is produced - delicious. For fear that I am setting myself up for failure the next time you are over for a bite to eat, work with me on this illustration. Rick Warren in his book "Purpose Driven Life" says "God is not just the starting point of your life; He is the source of it. To discover your purpose in life you must turn to God's word, not the world's wisdom. You must build your life on eternal truths, not pop psychology, success-motivation or inspirational stories." To me, that statement describes perfectly, Transformissional Living. Being established on a foundation that gives you the confidence to live the life God has called you to. Authentic, passionate and fun. It should be a life that comes as naturally as what you know you can do well, like cooking steaks. Key Passage: Colossians 1:9b-10 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/roots http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/061707.mp3 Sun, 17 Jun 2007 17:27:53 CDT Scott Lanigan Transformissional Living church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,transform,transformation,mission,missional,transformissional,roots,foundation,growth,home,purpose,foundation,life,authentic,natural 36:39 350 degrees, 4 turns, 16 minutes = medium well steak hot off the barbeque. Give me a nice hunk of beef or chiicken, a good barbeque, the right spices and I am laughing. I know how to barbeque. I know what to expect when the conditions are right and I know the quality of food that is produced - delicious. For fear that I am setting myself up for failure the next time you are over for a bite to eat, work with me on this illustration. Rick Warren in his book "Purpose Driven Life" says "God is not just the starting point of your life; He is the source of it. To discover your purpose in life you must turn to God's word, not the world's wisdom. You must build your life on eternal truths, not pop psychology, success-motivation or inspirational stories." To me, that statement describes perfectly, Transformissional Living. Being established on a foundation that gives you the confidence to live the life God has called you to. Authentic, passionate and fun. It should be a life that comes as naturally as what you know you can do well, like cooking steaks. Key Passage: Colossians 1:9b-10 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/roots http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/061707.mp4 Sun, 17 Jun 2007 17:27:50 CDT Scott Lanigan Transformissional Living church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,transform,transformation,mission,missional,transformissional,roots,foundation,growth,home,purpose,foundation,life,authentic,natural 36:39 Facing the Battle. Key Passage: Ephesians 6:10-17 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/facing-the-battle http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/061007.mp3 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 17:26:09 CDT Mark Burch Transformissional Living church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,spiritual,battle,satan,evil,opportunity,calling,action,apathy,effectiveness 44:26 Facing the Battle. Key Passage: Ephesians 6:10-17 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/facing-the-battle http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/061007.mp4 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 17:26:06 CDT Mark Burch Transformissional Living church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,spiritual,battle,satan,evil,opportunity,calling,action,apathy,effectiveness 44:26 Over the next 4 weeks we are going to talk about the call to transform our culture through missional living. "Missional" seems to be the latest "buzz-word" in the evangelical world; it describes a life that is lived "on mission". It is a concept that fits well with Jesus teaching that we are to be agents of change in our world. Jesus used metaphors of salt and light and yeast. Paul called us to be ambassadors. How should Kelowna be different because we were here? To begin this series, we begin by looking at the incredible power God has entrusted to His people, and the expression of that power through our prayers. We have been given authority to bind and loose on earth in the name of Jesus. Do we have any idea of the power given to us? Key Passage: Ezekial 22:30 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/standing-in-the-gap http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/060307.mp3 Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:12:46 CDT Mark Burch Transformissional Living church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,transformissional,transform,change,affect,mission,missional,agent,change,authority,leadership,kingdom,role,reign,difference,call,responsiblity,prayer 49:51 Over the next 4 weeks we are going to talk about the call to transform our culture through missional living. "Missional" seems to be the latest "buzz-word" in the evangelical world; it describes a life that is lived "on mission". It is a concept that fits well with Jesus teaching that we are to be agents of change in our world. Jesus used metaphors of salt and light and yeast. Paul called us to be ambassadors. How should Kelowna be different because we were here? To begin this series, we begin by looking at the incredible power God has entrusted to His people, and the expression of that power through our prayers. We have been given authority to bind and loose on earth in the name of Jesus. Do we have any idea of the power given to us? Key Passage: Ezekial 22:30 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/standing-in-the-gap http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/060307.mp4 Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:12:43 CDT Mark Burch Transformissional Living church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,transformissional,transform,change,affect,mission,missional,agent,change,authority,leadership,kingdom,role,reign,difference,call,responsiblity,prayer 49:51 The most politically incorrect passages in the New Testament may well be those exclusive passages that present Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation. To a world that revels in do-it-yourself religion and multiple-choice spirituality, Jesus' words, and those of the early apostles seem almost abrasive. To stand with courage and say that the "only way to the Father" was through Jesus Christ, brought early Christians under harsh persecution. The same is happening increasingly today. If Jesus' words are true - there are vast implications for our lives. Love would compel us to share this message of hope, this message of reconciliation, this message of restoration with as many as we possibly could. So the questions remains... do we REALLY believe that Jesus is the only way? Key Passage: Acts 4:1-22 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/through-jesus-only-one-way http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/052707.mp3 Sun, 27 May 2007 17:21:25 CDT Mark Burch Tough Questions church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,christ,only,way,salvation,truth,exclusive,inclusive,hope,restoration,reconciliation,spirituality,pluralist,courage,persecution,acts 41:56 The most politically incorrect passages in the New Testament may well be those exclusive passages that present Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation. To a world that revels in do-it-yourself religion and multiple-choice spirituality, Jesus' words, and those of the early apostles seem almost abrasive. To stand with courage and say that the "only way to the Father" was through Jesus Christ, brought early Christians under harsh persecution. The same is happening increasingly today. If Jesus' words are true - there are vast implications for our lives. Love would compel us to share this message of hope, this message of reconciliation, this message of restoration with as many as we possibly could. So the questions remains... do we REALLY believe that Jesus is the only way? Key Passage: Acts 4:1-22 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/through-jesus-only-one-way http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/052707.mp4 Sun, 27 May 2007 17:21:22 CDT Mark Burch Tough Questions church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,christ,only,way,salvation,truth,exclusive,inclusive,hope,restoration,reconciliation,spirituality,pluralist,courage,persecution,acts 41:56 Have you ever wondered whether belief in God makes you unscientific? Let's be honest... does belief in God mean you're naive and stupid, not up with the times? A lot of people think so. Maybe you've been told science is for smart people and faith is for blind people. Is that true? We're going to go on a journey today, a journey of discovery, to see whether we have reason to hold unswervingly to belief in God in an age of science. The good news is that as you dig, you'll find God is deeper still. Science and faith do not have to be adversaries, but can and should be allies. In fact, good science can bring you closer to God. Let's jump in! Key Passage: Hebrews 11:1-3 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/science--faith-allies-or-adversaries http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/052007.mp3 Sun, 20 May 2007 17:19:21 CDT Mike Penninga Tough Questions church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,creation,evolution,science,faith,intelligent,design,designer,architect,dna,complex,origins,creator,belief 37:28 Have you ever wondered whether belief in God makes you unscientific? Let's be honest... does belief in God mean you're naive and stupid, not up with the times? A lot of people think so. Maybe you've been told science is for smart people and faith is for blind people. Is that true? We're going to go on a journey today, a journey of discovery, to see whether we have reason to hold unswervingly to belief in God in an age of science. The good news is that as you dig, you'll find God is deeper still. Science and faith do not have to be adversaries, but can and should be allies. In fact, good science can bring you closer to God. Let's jump in! Key Passage: Hebrews 11:1-3 http://www.willowparkchurch.com/sermon/science--faith-allies-or-adversaries http://www.willowparkchurch.com/mediafiles/052007.mp4 Sun, 20 May 2007 17:19:18 CDT Mike Penninga Tough Questions church,message,bible,jesus,willow,park,kelowna,bc,canada,creation,evolution,science,faith,intelligent,design,designer,architect,dna,complex,origins,creator,belief 37:28