Connexus Church Audio Podcast

Every generation of Jesus followers is responsible to ensure the news of the Christian faith stays true to the original. So are you good news? What if you're the only news someone gets?

The original message of Jesus was so compelling that everyone who heard it wanted it to be true. Maybe the version you've heard isn't as captivating. If Jesus truly offered an invitation that left no one out, would you consider it really good news?

People close to Jesus were convinced they had met good personified. So they documented the story. They were convinced it wasn't just for a nation or for a generation, but for all nations and every generation. This was good news, great joy, for all people—perhaps especially for those of us who aren't all that good.

Like many people, you might find the Holy Spirit to be a bit of a mystery, however, scripture teaches that the Spirit can be the source of power in your life; an opportunity to experience God and even live supernaturally. But many of us don't live that way. So where do you start?

Like many people, you might find the Holy Spirit to be a bit of a mystery, however, scripture teaches that the Spirit can be the source of power in your life; an opportunity to experience God and even live supernaturally. But many of us don't live that way. So where do you start?

Like many people, you might find the Holy Spirit to be a bit of a mystery, however, scripture teaches that the Spirit can be the source of power in your life; an opportunity to experience God and even live supernaturally. But many of us don't live that way. So where do you start?

"In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit". You've probably heard this phrase to describe God as some part of a ceremony or service. You know what a father and a son are, but what is a 'Holy Spirit'? How do you even relate to God as a 'Spirit? Is it a transcendent encounter, an emotion you feel, or a weird ghost or aura? Like many people, you might find the Holy Spirit to be a bit of a mystery, however, scripture teaches that the Spirit can be the source of power in your life; an opportunity to experience God and even live supernaturally. But many of us don't live that way. So where do you start?

The deadly sin of sloth will affect your life physically, intellectually, and spiritually. It can find expression in laziness and idleness. Be intentional with your time and energy on the mission of loving and serving God and others to enjoy Jesus now, in daily sacrifice.

Lust is a strong passion of longing, especially for sexual desire, when we objectify another person for our own personal pleasure. It is not a private sin but also destroys the lives of others. Fight this sin actively and help one another pursue the ultimate pleasure/fulfillment found only in Jesus.

Anger is a desire for vengeance, an emotion of resentment toward others or circumstances that arise out of self-preservation and one's life or ego being challenged or threatened. Anger is not inherently evil. Recognize when it is sinful, placing one's life or ego above all else, and learn how to fight it. Be challenged to take on a righteous, holy anger that helps correct injustices and expresses God's righteousness.

Envy is an emotion that occurs when another person's success or excellence overshadows your personal well-being based on our comparisons. The sin is rooted in believing that God is not good enough in your own life. Counter this vice with kindness, and taking on the posture of Jesus - desiring the happiness of others instead of their harm. How do we fight it? Envy is countered with kindness. Kindness desires the happiness of another person, not their harm. Kindness is composed not of heroic acts of virtue, but small, daily, regular acts of goodness towards another.

The conversations you have most often are the ones you have in your own mind. And if you are honest, they are likely more negative than positive. Sometimes what you hear comes from your past, while other messages are lies you've picked up over time, and others show up as anxiety and self-doubt. Here's what's critical: How you think tends to become how you live your life. What if it were possible to move towards internal freedom and win the war in your mind?

The conversations you have most often are the ones you have in your own mind. And if you are honest, they are likely more negative than positive. Sometimes what you hear comes from your past, while other messages are lies you've picked up over time, and others show up as anxiety and self-doubt. Here's what's critical: How you think tends to become how you live your life. What if it were possible to move towards internal freedom and win the war in your mind?

Do you wonder if you're the only one with a messy, complicated, or even anxious headspace You're not alone. We all need tools to help us conquer the inner critic in our heads and this message Pastor Jeff Brodie shares some super practical tools with us!

How to Deal With Your Inner Critic - the conversations you have most often are the ones you have in your own mind. And if you are honest, they are likely more negative than positive. Sometimes what you hear comes from your past, other messages are lies you've picked up over time, others show up as anxiety and self-doubt. Here's what's critical - how you think tends to become how you live your life. What if it was possible to move towards internal freedom and win the war in your mind?

What makes you happy? Don't think too hard about your answer ... what comes to mind first? Good food, cheering for your favourite team, an afternoon of shopping, or sitting on the beach. But what about God? Have you ever thought about his happiness? In this message, Ben unpacks how God's happiness is tied to ours and what that means for our lives.

So you're on the journey of rebuilding something that matters--your relationship with your daughter, your marriage, your personal finances. But as you're making progress, the distractions start to creep in. A few extra hours at the office, some extra time on Netflix, the opinions of your friends when you say no to their invitation. So what do you do? How do you stop getting distracted from rebuilding what matters most?

Whatever road you take in life, you're going to meet resistance and obstacles. How do you handle that? Do you push through it? Avoid it? Meet it? When you are trying to rebuild but things are standing in your way, is there a path through? In this message, we'll discover how to rebuild the broken parts of your life, even when you meet resistance head on.

When you look at the brokenness in your life, it can be hard to see a way out. And what are the practical steps to fix what's broken? How do you rebuild the broken parts of your life? What can you do, today, to heal what's hurting? In this message, we'll share 3 practical steps you can take towards 'Rebuilding You'.

What do you do when you feel broken inside? If you're honest, after the year we've had, you don't have to look very far to see brokenness in the world around you--or in your own life. You see people you love facing mental health challenges, marriage struggles, sickness, and even financial hardship. On the other hand, you and I are rebuilders! God calls us to be a force for change in the world. We love a good restoration, makeover, or story of redemption. But where do we start? How do you rebuild your broken world?

Our world, in many ways, is about pursuing what's next, what's better, what's greater. Greatness has really taken on a whole new level in our lives, and people of every age and stage are looking for the next best way to achieve greatness. A better job, a bigger house, a more successful business, a happier family, a higher education--it's all a constant pursuit that on the other side can sometimes leave us with regrets. We have all been made, even created, with something in us that desires greatness. But how do we have true greatness without regrets?

We want to be open-minded, but we naturally resist things we can't control or don't understand. So how can we learn to be open to changing our ideals and beliefs, especially if we may be wrong about something? It begins with a simple prayer.

Jesus told his followers to pray to avoid temptation. But before we can pray that with a clear conscience, there are some things we need to ask ourselves first.

If God already knows my needs, why pray? Because the purpose of prayer is to surrender your will, not impose it.

At one time or another, we've all been told we should pray. But how should we pray? Jesus's disciples had the exact same question.

When you look at scripture and the world around you, do you see God as a God of abundance or a God of scarcity? How you see the world impacts your generosity. Jesus teaches on money throughout the four Gospels because he knows it is a major competitor for your heart. Money is what we use to obtain what we possess in our lives. What if generosity with your funds is vital to your contentment? What if the ancient practice of tithing could be a key to happiness in your life?

Our stuff and the money we buy it with are a part of our everyday lives. We talk about them often. However, when Jesus begins to challenge us on how we manage our resources, we can feel emotionally reluctant. Why is that? On one hand, we live in one of the wealthiest parts of the world, and yet there's something about our consumer-driven culture that leaves us unsatisfied. What drives that dissatisfaction? And what if we did listen to what Jesus has to say about it?

What does the bible say about managing resources? How do you actually live a kingdom-first life? Like practically ... what does that really mean? ⁠ ⁠ You work hard for your money and contentment ... which grants you the ability to pay for the things you need, buy the stuff you want, and afford the experiences you enjoy.⁠ ⛳🚘🎣⁠ ⁠ But does living a kingdom-first life mean you have to give all that up?⁠

Too much stuff? Let's face it. The ease of hitting "add to cart" is a little too easy Then that package shows up on your front porch and it's exciting. If we're all honest, being home has brought out the shopping bug in all of us to fill the void of missing out. You know deep down that it only gives you a little happiness and then you're looking for the next thing to lift your spirits. What if true contentment came through something else, even something spiritual?

Over the last 15 months, our church has continued to be FOR people, and we've positioned ourselves to reach more people into the future. Lowering case counts and an increase in vaccinated individuals make us optimistic about opportunities to gather safely in the near future. So what does that mean for Connexus Church for the rest of 2021 as we reach people with the hope of Jesus? And how can you be a part of it?

They say that all work and no play makes jack a dull boy - could that be more true than you might think? What if play, and rest, was a crucial key to firing on all cylinders in every area of your life?

The pandemic has changed how we experience our work and see our purpose. One recent study shows that one in four employees is seriously considering a job change. While more people are working from home, others are on the front lines. Then there's the work of home life. You will likely work 90,000 hours in your lifetime, so work is worth thinking about. Work impacts your happiness, your health, and even shapes who you become. What if your understanding of work is distorted? What if it's not about changing your job, but changing the way you see your life? What if work could be different?

You will likely work 90,000 hours in your lifetime, so work is worth thinking about. Work impacts your happiness, your health, and even shapes who you become. What if your understanding of work is distorted? What if it's not about changing your job, but changing the way you see your life? What if work could be different?

Is Jesus God? What makes Christianity different from any other religion is that God actually entered our world and became human. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son [Jesus Christ] from the Father" (John 1:14). If this is true, isn't it worth breaking from the busyness of your life to listen to what he has to say, to learn from what he did? Don't you want to lean into the One who understands what it's like to be human?

What do we do with the millions of stories held by rational, credible people that defy all logic? Belief in miracles is seen by skeptics as something for the ancient mind - the naive and uninformed - and not for modern, scientific, rational people. But what if miracles are actually probable given the universe in which we live? What if the miracles we read about in the accounts of Jesus' life on earth really did happen? What would those miracles mean to us in our world today? Jesus' miracles weren't an end unto themselves. They relayed messages about God, love, humankind, and life.

Jesus was asked to sum up all of the commandments in the Bible with the single greatest command. His response was: Love God with your whole self. So why does it seem so scandalous to live out the command to love God? Contrary to what you might think, the topic of loving God is one of the most neglected ideas in modern Christianity.

Jesus has never been more popular. Some love him, applauding him as a good teacher, a political revolutionary, or a prophetic voice speaking out against the rich and powerful. Others find him bigoted, old-fashioned, and narrow minded, even as they are forced to admit that his words and teachings are utterly unique. His presence infuses our political discussions and our dinner table debates, making him impossible to ignore.

The resurrection of Jesus after the cross stirred up different responses for those at the tomb - wonder, doubt, sadness, even jubilation. What will your response be this Easter 2021? Jesus' existence isn't something you can simply ignore.

The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for you and for me points us to a simple need to respond because it meets you right where you are.

In our culture, our access to power, influence, and judgment is faster than our access to knowledge and relationship. It's easy for us to jump on the bandwagon and cancel someone without truly knowing all the facts. As we look to influence people with the platform of our lives, how do we navigate our polarized world? What does it look like to engage a culture that cancels individuals so quickly? How did Jesus respond to someone being cancelled right in front of him?

In our culture, our access to power, influence, and judgment is faster than our access to knowledge and relationship. It's easy for us to jump on the bandwagon and cancel someone without truly knowing all the facts. As we look to influence people with the platform of our lives, how do we navigate our polarized world? What does it look like to engage a culture that cancels individuals so quickly? How did Jesus respond to someone being cancelled right in front of him?

It seems like our culture is growing increasingly frustrated, contentious, and hostile. Social media is always ready to pounce on its next victim. If you are honest, under the pressure of our world, you've privately torn down, gossiped about, ghosted, or blamed someone this year. Culture can tell you it's okay to hurt someone--even cancel them-- in the name of truth. Jesus has a radically different view of how you can approach your life. A way of living so freely that it's worth cancelling your membership in today's polarized culture.

It's common for couples who aren't getting along to start treating one another as opponents. But as Jesus reminds us, a house divided against itself cannot stand. Instead, we can choose to fight for 'we' instead of 'me.' When we agree to share power and operate as a team, we will be able to live out our marriage from a spirit of unity. Toni talked about three ways people can move past their conflict and bring more peace into their marriage.

It's common for couples who aren't getting along to start treating one another as opponents. But as Jesus reminds us, a house divided against itself cannot stand. Instead, we can choose to fight for 'we' instead of 'me.' When we agree to share power and operate as a team, we will be able to live out our marriage from a spirit of unity. Toni talked about three ways people can move past their conflict and bring more peace into their marriage.

Many relationships experience a slow slide into prolonged conflict. The person you once loved becomes the person you now loathe. When you're in that situation, many people begin to imagine they'd better off with someone else...or anybody else. Surely they'd treat you better. Care about you. Respect you. Be kind to you. True? Not so fast… There is a way to turn the person you now loathe into the person you once again love.

Have you ever fought in your relationships? 😠 Maybe you're in the spot right now in your relationship where you can't help but think "this is not what I signed up for when I said yes." Or if things are great right now, you're probably thinking, "it can't get that bad, can it?" 🥰 Toni Nieuwhof and Carey Nieuwhof share some practical skills and dig into what the Bible has to say as they unpack how to find what you really want for the future of your relationship.

I respectfully disagree. How do you talk to someone you disagree with? Tough question, right? Meaningful conversation has become something that's so hard to grasp in our current culture of social change, where there are so many differing opinions, varied perspectives, and opposing views. So when it comes down to it, how can you have meaningful conversations with the people you care about - even when you might dare to disagree with them? The Bible actually has a lot to say on this topic and this weekend we're jumping right in as The Hangover series continues with Jeff Brodie.

2020 was a year of extremes. You experienced more ups and downs, adversity and prosperity, suffering and success than usual. We've all experienced it differently, but we've seen a common theme: there's something about the ups and downs of life that reveals our hearts and what's important to us. Even after the pandemic is over, suffering and success will be a part of life. As we look ahead, how do we find meaning in those moments? They might have more in common than you think.

Are you looking for less distraction in your life? Seriously. Anyone else get stuck in the mindless scroll? 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️Or maybe a couple of extra episodes on Netflix? Or just a few more emails from work? We get it. These days are LONG. You're stuck at home. Your kids are asking for the 38th snack of the day. You barely get one meal cleaned up before the next happens. Work is difficult ... it feels like everyone wants everything, now. So a few minutes to yourself is a good thing, right? But what if there was something more? A way you could turn the time you have on its head. Instead of making it to the next episode, you were looking forward to the next meaningful moment. In this message we're unpacking what it would look like to add more meaning to the way you use your time management. Not just for today, but for the long term.

Are you looking to build meaning relationships? Just when you think you've got a handle on things ... everything changes again 🤯⁠ ⁠ Work friends, best friends, neighbours, family ... they're all relationships we may strive to keep. But just because something has always been, doesn't mean it's something that always will be. So, what do you do? ⁠ ⁠ How do you determine the relationships you should begin to invest in, the relationships to continue to hold on to, and even the relationships you need to move on from?⁠ ⁠ How do you start building deeper more meaningful relationships in an ever-changing world?⁠