The Renew Church Canada Podcast

In week 6 of the ICYMI series, titled "The One Where a Guy Falls Out a Window," Marek Kowalsky, Communications Director, takes us on a deep dive into the often-overlooked story of Eutychus in Acts 20. With humor and insight, Marek unpacks the narrative of Eutychus's tragic fall and miraculous revival, demonstrating how this seemingly simple tale reveals profound truths about the presence and power of God. By applying hermeneutics, ...

In week 5 of our ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) series, entitled "The One Where God Sees the Unseen," Brandon Ting delves into the often-overlooked story of Hagar from Genesis 16. Drawing parallels between Hagar's life and experiences of feeling invisible or underappreciated, he compels us to reflect on our own moments of being unseen. Through the lens of Hagar's encounter with God, Brandon reveals how God's attentive gaze transform...

In week 4 of the ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) series, Marton Pandy delves into the captivating story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in his sermon titled "The One Where God Sends Philip." This thought-provoking message explores the transformative power of evangelism and God's inclusive love, challenging us to embrace the seemingly insignificant encounters in our lives as potential divine appointments. With a rich biblical narra...

In Week 3 of our series ICYMI (In Case You Missed It), Pastor Darcy MacCallum delves into the intricate biblical connections between the stories of Judah and Tamar, and their significance in understanding God's providence and grace. Through exploring the challenging narratives of Genesis 38 and their linkage to the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew, Darcy illuminates how these complex and often unsettling tales reveal God's ongoing wor...

In the second week of our "In Case You Missed It" series, Pastor/Elder Darcy MacCallum delves into the profound connections between two poignant biblical stories that offer a message of healing and hope. By examining the story of Dinah in Genesis 34 and Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, Pastor Darcy shows how places of deep pain can be transformed into spaces of redemption and blessing. This sermon ch...

Pastor Bartley kicks off our summer series, "In Case You Missed It" (ICYMI), with an inspiring message titled "The One Where God's People Win a Battle by Singing." Dive into the compelling story from 2 Chronicles 20, where King Jehoshaphat leads Judah to victory through faith and song against overwhelming odds. Explore how spiritual battles are not fought alone but with God at the forefront, and learn practical lessons on respondin...

In the concluding message of the series "Challenging Authority," Pastor Bartley Sawatsky emphasizes the journey from skepticism to acceptance of biblical authority, using examples of individuals who transitioned from disbelief to belief in Christianity. He reflects on the Bible's comprehensive worldview, asserting its coherence and superiority in addressing life's fundamental questions. Pastor Bartley encourages listeners to consid...

In week seven of the series "Challenging Authority," Pastor Bartley Sawatsky presents "Built Different: The Bible Compared to Other Holy Books," a compelling examination of the Bible's uniqueness amidst other major religious texts. He challenges common perceptions by highlighting the Bible's extraordinary internal consistency, historical reliability, and prophetic accuracy, comparing it to texts like the Quran and the Book of Mormo...

In this sixth installment of the "Challenging Authority" series, Pastor Bartley Sawatsky delves into the profound significance of the resurrection and its impact on the credibility of the Bible in his message entitled "Dead Man Walking: How the Resurrection Factors into the Bible's Credibility." Pastor Bartley examines whether the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest event or a monumental hoax in human history. Through a se...

In week five of the series, Pastor Bartley Sawatsky addresses the common criticism that the Bible cannot be trusted due to supposed corruption over time. He delves into the meticulous preservation process of the Old and New Testaments, highlighting the dedication of the scribes, particularly the Masoretes, and the abundance of manuscripts that support the credibility of the scriptures. Through a fascinating exploration of translati...

In the fourth message of the "Challenging Authority" series, Nathan Bryant explores the authenticity and reliability of the Bible in a sermon titled "Fake News? Examining the Evidence, Inside and Out." Reflecting on how Christianity is an evidence-based faith, he delves into both internal and external evidences that support the Bible's validity. Internally, he highlights the coherence and interconnectedness of the 66 books written ...

In Week 3 of the "Challenging Authority" series, titled "Gatekeepers of Truth: Who Decided on the 66 Books of the Bible?" Pastor Bartley explores how the Bible's canon was established. He discusses the process and criteria used to recognize the authoritative books of the Old and New Testaments, examining key debates around texts like the Apocrypha and the New Testament gospels. By highlighting the historical and spiritual coherence...

In this message, Pastor Bartley Sawatsky delves into why many dismiss the Bible, focusing on criticisms around its supernatural claims, moral dilemmas, and perceived contradictions with science and history. He argues that many objections are rooted in philosophical naturalism and cultural influences, encouraging a reevaluation of the Bible's credibility. By challenging skeptical perceptions, Pastor Bartley invites listeners to expl...

Pastor Bartley Sawatsky kicks off an intriguing new eight-week series, "Challenging Authority: The Bible in a World that Questions Everything." In this first installment, "Says Who? What the Bible Actually Claims About Itself," Pastor Bartley invites you to explore the bold claims the Bible makes about its divine inspiration and authority. Are these claims credible in a skeptical world? Discover what’s at stake if they're true—or n...

Join Pastor Bartley Sawatsky in a journey that will reignite your understanding and appreciation of Resurrection Sunday. In this insightful message, Pastor Bartley reveals the often overlooked yet profound "evidence of the Easter egg" found throughout scripture. Walk with Jesus on the road to Emmaus and uncover the hidden connections that bring the Old Testament prophecies into sharp focus, validating the resurrection’s role in God...

In The Pursuit: The End of the Matter (Week 15), Pastor Bartley Sawatsky concludes the series with Ecclesiastes 12:1-14, where Solomon calls us to remember our Creator before life slips away. As the Teacher reflects on aging, death, and the ultimate purpose of life, he reminds us that fearing God and keeping His commandments is our true calling. Pastor Bartley challenges us to live with eternal perspective, anchoring our lives not ...

In The Pursuit: Sowing for Eternity (Week 14), Pastor Bartley Sawatsky teaches from Ecclesiastes 11:1-10, encouraging us to live lives of faith, generosity, and purposeful action. Solomon urges us to invest wisely, not just in this life, but with eternity in view, trusting God with outcomes we can’t control. Pastor Bartley challenges us to overcome fear and passivity by living boldly and joyfully, making the most of every opportuni...

In The Pursuit: Words That Build or Break (Week 13), Pastor Bartley Sawatsky explores Ecclesiastes 10:12-20, where Solomon contrasts the words of the wise with the words of fools. This passage reminds us that our speech holds great power—to uplift or to destroy, to reveal wisdom or expose folly. Pastor Bartley challenges us to use our words carefully, speaking with grace, integrity, and reverence for God, knowing that what we say r...

In this powerful exploration of Ecclesiastes 10, Pastor Bartley challenges us to confront the reality of life's randomness and our own potential for folly. The central image of 'dead flies in perfume' serves as a stark reminder that even small acts of foolishness can corrupt a lifetime of wisdom. We're urged to be spiritually prepared at all times, recognizing that Satan is always scheming against us. Pastor Bartley emphasizes the ...