Gospel Chapel GF

Saul, the Failed King (1 Sam 13-15)

Impatience. People-pleasing. Presumption.
That's what Saul struggles with as his leadership is tested and found wanting. These are common human struggles. We all get impatient and want stuff to happen more on our time-line than God's. We all want to be liked by those around us. And when we make a choice that isn't right, we can tend to presume on God's grace.
Jesus dealt had his moments when impatience could have derailed his mission - the disciples were pretty slow on the uptake. But he walked with them, worked with them, and loved them. He's still doing that with us.
Jesus could have bowed to the pressure to lead the people of Israel as they envisioned the Messiah. He even told his disciples at his arrest that he had the authority to fight back. But Jesus lived to please His Father and to glorify His name and purposes.
Jesus took on humanity, lived a fairly normal life for 30 years. He did not presume on His position and power, but entrusted Himself to the Father's purposes. He lived and served in humility.
Patience. Truthfulness. Humility. All the things Saul failed in, Jesus lived fully, and He calls His people to live likewise.

Gospel Conversations: Episode 11 - Matt & Josie Jaggers

Matt & Josie serve with Family Life Canada, a division of Power 2 Change. The vision of FLC is to bring help and hope to every marriage and family, believing that the family is the foundation of every community, that a healthy marriage is the cornerstone of a strong family, and that the ultimate lasting strength of every marriage is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
To find out more about the ministry of Family Life Canada, local events, and online supports check out https://www.familylifecanada.com
The video version of this conversation is also available: https://youtu.be/J9kcBYEci8c

Vision 2022-2027 - John 15:1-17

The last five years have been challenging for us. There has been a lot of change. The last two years have been especially difficult. But now God is calling us to embrace the realities of who we are, where we are. This is our moment in the history of His Kingdom project, and it's happening right where we live. Let's go!

Saul, The People’s King (1 Samuel 7-10)

Following Our Own Corruption (Romans 3, 5, 8)

Sin. Not a word we want to talk about much. Not a concept we readily embrace. Our nature is bent toward fulfilling what we want, when we want it, how we want it.
Sin and death are realities in our lives. But there is God's provision for our sin in the death of Jesus Christ, and there there is life available for our death in His resurrection.

Following Their Own Desires (1 Samuel 2:12-25)

The Bible isn't just a book of instructions on how to live, it's sometimes also telling us what to avoid.
The story of Hophni and Phinehas in 1 Samuel 2 is a warning. Those in leadership and ministry, and we're all in some form of leadership, need to take note of this story. Following our own passions and desires outside of the parameters and provision of God leads to pain and death.

Our Dreams and God’s Story (1 Samuel 1:1-2:10)

The book of 1 Samuel starts with the account of Hannah's journey from pain to praise. Samuel - the final judge of Israel, the prophet who anoints Saul and David - is born and surrendered to the Lord. Here is a story that speaks of painful longing, prayerful commitment, deliberate surrender, and unbounded praise.

Ruth - A Reading and Reflection

The book of Ruth is an amazing story of ordinary people navigating difficult and painful circumstances. Their lives are mundane; no prophets, kings, judges, angelic messengers, miracles, or even a direct word from the Lord. But their lives were intimately connected to God's bigger purposes. They had significant roles to play in the great story God was weaving in history.