This sermon explores Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees in Luke 16, challenging their obsession with wealth, status, and outward approval while neglecting justice, mercy, and the true heart of God’s kingdom. Through the story of the rich man and Lazarus, it calls listeners to interpret Scripture through the lens of God’s compassion and to live as people who reflect Christ’s character in a world marked by inequality and injustice.

This sermon wrestles with Jesus’ strange parable of the dishonest manager in Luke 16, arguing that Jesus is not praising dishonesty but calling his followers to be just as wise and intentional in using their resources, abilities, and treasures for God’s kingdom as the world is in pursuing its own goals. Ultimately, the sermon challenges us to examine what we truly serve—wealth, security, control, or God—and to use everything we have in faithful service to Christ.

This sermon reflects on the parable of the lost sons to reveal the deep, compassionate love of God the Father—a love that both the rebellious and the obedient can fail to truly know—and invites listeners to move from merely understanding this love intellectually to experiencing it personally. Through story and personal testimony, it emphasizes that God lovingly seeks, restores, and welcomes all his children, calling them into a close, transformative relationship with him.

God passionately seeks out every person who is lost, not because of their worthiness but because they are deeply loved and treasured by Him. No matter how far we wander or how well we think we’re doing, God never stops pursuing us and rejoices when we are found.

This sermon, presented by Jennifer Lau, the Executive Director of Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM), invites us to consider what it means to walk in unity with the global Church. We are encouraged to consider the cost of being a "proclaimer of freedom and good news, as Jesus was," with a particular emphasis on the cost of our willingness to be present, to be personally transformed, and to love deeply and without restraint.

This sermon reminds us that being a disciple of Jesus is not an easy thing - it requires us to be willing to give up everything. Listeners are challenged to consider what they may be called to give up in order to follow Jesus, and encouraged that following Jesus makes any cost worth it.

This podcast includes 3 reflections on the meaning of Jesus' resurrection, not just as a promise of life after death, but as a promise of life before death.

1. Light in the Tomb, by David McCleary (00:00 - 17:25)
2. Hope that Outshines Death, by Michael Bulkaam (17:37 - 35:27)
3. Resurrection Power, by Heather Weir (35:30 - 40:39)

This sermon explores Jesus' metaphor of a great banquet to which everyone is invited. Will we accept the invitation?