Connexus Church Audio Podcast

Every year Muskoka Woods leads over 400 Gen Z staff in hosting 25,000 guests. As they looked to lead these staff well, they conducted a study on the overall perspective their Gen Z staff has on life, employment, and what kind of lives they want to live. The insights are helpful to anyone who is mentoring, leading, or employing Gen Z.

We get it—kids today are carrying around a lot of anxiety, and let's be honest, parenting isn't exactly a breeze either. In fact, sometimes the adults aren't okay. What if a reason many of us aren't okay is an ancient and timeless one? What would it mean to look at the experience of the kids around us through a Biblical lens? In this message, we'll dive into one of the biggest traps people fall into when they care deeply about a kid. More importantly, we'll unpack how breaking free from this trap can completely shift the atmosphere in your home and transform the way you love and support the kids in your life.

Discipleship is a word you hear thrown around a lot in churches, but what does it mean? In this message we're going to look at how this word is often misunderstood and how making disciples might be very different than most people think it is. In fact, if you've ever been interested in Jesus, you might realize that he's more accessible than you think.

Followers of Jesus are at their best‬‭ when they live a show and tell life.‬ When Jesus shares the great commission with all of his followers, he puts baptizing people right in the middle of it. Why? We're going to be looking at often missed spiritual power of baptism, how it becomes a gift that keeps encouraging you throughout your life, and why it's an incredible opportunity to show and tell others about how Jesus has changed you.

We can be tempted by a lot of things we shouldn't give in to. But when we give into the temptation of humility, the world changes for the better.

The cross is a reminder for us to stop chasing what can't be caught. In the first century, the cross was a symbol of suffering and shame. In this series, Andy Stanley will talk about how it now represents an empowering invitation to a completely different way of life.

It's not intuitive to choose to lose, but Jesus introduced an upside-down way of living. In the first century, the cross was a symbol of suffering and shame. In this series, Andy Stanley will talk about how it now represents an empowering invitation to a completely different way of life.

You gave your life to Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, leader and friend. But now what? It seems like after we choose to follow Jesus, you're on a different kind of journey. You still wrestle with sin and you still struggle, so how is life supposed to be different? How come God doesn't just make us perfect right after we give our lives to him? Why do Christians sometimes struggle? The answer is in our weird church word - Sanctification.

What do you do with your guilt? Guilt and shame are something that we all carry at times. These things are a result of our brokenness. How do you handle the guilt that builds itself like plaque on your soul? In this message, Jeff looks at the power of atonement. Not only is it an incredible description for God's desire for humanity, but it's also a picture of why and how God wants to meet us in our guilt and shame and show us a way forward.

Every day you face situations that you aren't sure how to handle, and the relational challenges are the hardest. What filter could you use to live your life the right way? What if you could know what Jesus was thinking when he lived his life on earth? In this message, Jeff looks at the term "incarnation," and specifically at incarnational living and how it gives us a framework for living our lives in every circumstance.

If you've googled Christianity or were in a church as a kid, you likely heard people use words that you didn't completely understand. Words you don't hear in everyday life. Terms like Trinity, incarnation, atonement, and holiness. However, underneath these words are deep truths that unlock real insight into God and into your own life. In this series, we're going to help you break down these weird church words and discover meaning for the deepest desires in your soul.

Build your life on the rock of Jesus, not the shifting sand of anything else. The golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." You've probably quoted it and may even try to live by it. Jesus taught it as a small part of his most famous sermon, but there's so much more to it than you might expect. This scriptural account has more meaning, challenge, and depth for your life. What if you're missing the whole point? Join us as Mark Clark unpacks this important message.

Acknowledging that the cause of our anxiety often stems from emotional responses rather than factual evidence, Pastor Mark discusses how three powerful beliefs: the existence of God, God's providence, and God's love, can alleviate these worries. Join Mark Clark as he continues unpacking Jesus greatest sermon in part 3 of Beyond The Golden Rule.

The golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." You've probably quoted it and may even try to live by it. Jesus taught it as a small part of his most famous sermon, but there's so much more to it than you might expect. This scriptural account has more meaning, challenge, and depth for your life. What if you're missing the whole point? Our purpose as Christians is to bring true meaning and flavour to the world by treasuring Christ above everything.

The golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." You've probably quoted it and may even try to live by it. Jesus taught it as a small part of his most famous sermon, but there's so much more to it than you might expect. This scriptural account has more meaning, challenge, and depth for your life. What if you're missing the whole point? Join us for these four weeks as we look at Jesus' greatest sermon.

There are moments in our lives that will define us. This is that type of moment for us as individuals and as a church. We've seen the heart of God by looking at what he searches for and what he celebrates - but how will we respond? Let's join him on the mission of being FOR those around us and welcoming them home. Like the early church, in the power of the Holy Spirit, let's show people that they matter to us, and most of all, they matter to God.

Taking the step to care for someone who doesn't know Jesus can feel daunting. What does it mean to be the kind of person, and the kind of church, that cares for people who are far from God? There's something powerful about one human being intentionally serving another. It's at the heart of our faith and modeled by Jesus.

It's easy for us to dismiss or forget that God is working all around us. Not only do we miss what he's doing, but we also miss out on being a part of it. What if the key to a faith that's meaningful and engaging is looking to see who God is calling us to reach out to, and looking to see where he's already at work? What would happen if you made more room in your life to see the people around you who don't know Jesus the way God sees them? What if people saw you as a person of hope? What if they saw you as "home"? And what if they saw our church that way?

At Connexus Church, our heart beats for those yet to be reached with the hope of Jesus. Did you know that there are nearly 450,000 people in Simcoe County who don't attend church Sunday morning? The mission is urgent and clear. The FOR Them campaign is our bold response to God's call, a transformative journey to extend his love and grace to every corner of our community and beyond so that more people would know Jesus. The journey launches today.

We all need help—help from friends and help from Jesus to address the deepest need of the human heart. When you experience something that changes everything, you can't help but share it. As Jesus journeyed toward the cross and the tomb, different people along the way were invited to come and see. As his journey progressed, it became less clear what God was doing in the moment, but more clear to us today–clear that the invitation to come and see isn't just a physical one, it's a spiritual one. It's an invitation of forgiveness, hope, and freedom. It wasn't just news for a moment, but good news for all humanity. Good news for you, and it's definitely worth sharing.

When you experience something that changes everything, you can't help but share it. As Jesus journeyed toward the cross and the tomb, different people along the way were invited to come and see. As his journey progressed, it became less clear what God was doing in the moment, but more clear to us today–clear that the invitation to come and see isn't just a physical one, it's a spiritual one. It's an invitation of forgiveness, hope, and freedom. It wasn't just news for a moment, but good news for all humanity. Good news for you, and it's definitely worth sharing.

If you come to the cross as you are, you can't leave the same.

When you experience something that changes everything, you can't help but share it. As Jesus journeyed toward the cross and the tomb, different people along the way were invited to come and see. As his journey progressed, it became less clear what God was doing in the moment, but more clear to us today–clear that the invitation to come and see isn't just a physical one, it's a spiritual one. It's an invitation of forgiveness, hope, and freedom. It wasn't just news for a moment, but good news for all humanity. Good news for you, and it's definitely worth sharing.

When you experience something that changes everything, you can't help but share it. As Jesus journeyed toward the cross and the tomb, different people along the way were invited to come and see. As his journey progressed, it became less clear what God was doing in the moment, but more clear to us today–clear that the invitation to come and see isn't just a physical one, it's a spiritual one. It's an invitation of forgiveness, hope, and freedom. It wasn't just news for a moment, but good news for all humanity. Good news for you, and it's definitely worth sharing - and it all began with a donkey. Come on the journey as Joseph Swan unpacks the story behind Palm Sunday and listen as he shares part of his own story. Joseph's full story can be found in his recently published book, 'You Are Never Alone" - www.josephswan.co

Inevitably, life presents us with pain and suffering. Yet, the hope found in Jesus serves as a steadfast reminder that goodness persists even in the midst of our trials. By directing our focus toward the profound significance of Jesus' death and resurrection, we can mold our perspective amidst adversity. His resurrection embodies transformative power, showcasing triumph over evil and the transformation of shame into glory. It is crucial to anchor our thoughts on the enduring nature of God's love and the assurance that death does not have the final say.

None of us are immune to trials, suffering, and pain, but the real question is whether we will allow these things to shape us and reveal something more valuable that lies below. When we learn how to better face hardships, it can make our relationships stronger. The story of Job highlights the importance of empathetic friends and encourages us to find a supportive community to go through tough times together. Reflecting on Jesus' sacrifice should inspire in us a desire to be a selfless friend providing love, grace, forgiveness, and freedom.

Pain is an undeniable aspect of the human experience. Regardless of how carefully we navigate our lives, we are all bound to encounter moments of pain and suffering. As individuals of faith grappling with faith poses unique challenges. When confronted with the harsh realities of pain and suffering our faith can waiver. Looking at the story of Jesus we can find hope that we aren't going through this alone.

You've probably heard many people reference the biblical story of David and Goliath. In many ways, it's the ultimate underdog story—a classic example of the common situation where the small, inexperienced upstart strives to overcome the strong, seasoned champion. What does this story teach us about trusting God in the midst of our own challenges in life?

We've never been more connected, and yet we've never been more lonely. At the same time, when we are alone, we struggle to disconnect in a healthy way. Our phones, our screens, and the demands on our life have changed us—you might argue they've made our souls feel barren. We struggle to be present with ourselves, let alone with God. In this message, we look at how Jesus modelled the power of silence and solitude to feed his soul. Much of the content of this message can be found in John Mark Comer's book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. We highly recommend this book.

In the last decade, online relationships have exploded, and so have loneliness, depression, and suicide. AI is going to take that to a whole new level, making probable what few of us even dreamed possible a year ago. It's understandable why people want to escape the pain of real-life relationships and find someone 'better' online, but that appears to be (literally) killing us. People may be the deepest problem in life we all would love to escape from, but people are God's deepest solution to loneliness.

Something has shifted in our culture. We feel more lonely—some experts even describe it as a silent pandemic. It's not merely about being physically alone but feeling a sense of isolation within. How do you find genuine connection in our lonely world? In this series, we'll help you discover why you're experiencing loneliness and uncover powerful insights from the Bible about forging deeper connections, cultivating meaningful relationships, and discovering a purpose that can help you move from existing to true belonging. Join Jeff Brodie as he starts a five week series called "Not alone, but lonely."

Sometimes we just need to know that God is here and that He's paying attention. If we knew that with certainty, then maybe we would be fine or at least finer. Maybe you're still looking for that sign and you haven't found it yet, so you start to wonder. We all have a concept of what God is like, but until the arrival of Jesus, the world was left guessing. There was so much mystery, only hints and shadows, and then God came to dwell with us to demonstrate for us what he is like. If you look anywhere other than Jesus for what God is like, then you are looking in the wrong place. God is like Jesus. Jesus came to us to demonstrate, illustrate, and communicate what God is like, who He is, and who He loves.

The messiness of the world is what paved the way for God to do something extraordinary. God blessed the world with a different kind of king who came to establish a different kind of Kingdom. We are all familiar with the Christmas story but some of us are not familiar with the Christmas backstory. The story of Christmas begins with a remarkable promise to Abraham. God promised to make Abraham into a great nation and He did which set up the Christmas story we all know. The backstory of Christmas occurred during a 2,000-year saga that is fascinating, amazing, and inspiring. It's also a bit convicting. If the arrival of Jesus was a blessing to the world, shouldn't we as Jesus followers be a blessing to the world as well?

One of the reasons you come to prayer is to find peace in a broken world, including the broken world in and around you. How do you find peace in prayer? We will look at how Jesus models something we don't see in culture very often that allows us to find the peace we are looking for – confession and forgiveness.

We often come to God in prayer because we think we need something. We come in desperation. But is there a right way to ask and a wrong way to ask? If God already knows what we need, why do we bring our requests to him? If he's in control, why do I need to pray?

We often think prayer is something that's about getting God's attention. To change his mind or get him to do something for us. But what if prayer isn't about getting God's attention but giving him our attention? How could it change your life if you started your prayer thinking of who God is, not what you want?

An Angus Reid poll says 42% of Canadians say they pray weekly, and an additional 44% say they pray monthly. You are wired to pray. Prayer may be one of the most human things you can do. However, many of us struggle to see our prayer life flourish. You stumble your way through, pray on and off, and feel little connection. How do you pray, and where do you start? In this message our lead pastor Jeff Brodie will look at where Jesus told us to start.

So, what do you do to live a more generous life? Jesus tells a shocking parable that shows us exactly what God expects when it comes to generosity, and the message is surprisingly liberating. Jesus asks you to be generous with what you have, not what you don't have. In this message, you'll learn exactly how to begin living a more generous life and start giving accordingly.

The culture spins a clear picture of what you should do with your money: spend it, (whether you have it or not). Not only does that lead to stress, debt, and overwhelm, it also leads to unhappiness. Studies show that people who prioritize getting rich are often far less happy than those who make different choices. God wants something FOR you far more than he wants something FROM you. In this message, you'll discover what the path to freedom is.

Maybe you find it hard to talk about money. Most of us do. Maybe your parents never talked about money, or fought over it. Besides, what you do with your personal resources is nobody's business, right? Jesus wasn't so sure. He often spoke about money in a deeply challenging way, as was the case with a wealthy young influencer who had money and power. What he said to that rich young ruler can change your life too. Join us for part one of our series, 'Money Shouldn't Make You Miserable' with Carey Nieuwhof.