Connexus Church Audio Podcast

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?⁠

What brings meaning to your life? Be honest...your 2020 was a bit of a bust. Do you even remember your pre-pandemic life? Who knew the isolation, fear, or frustration you would face? At the same time, you did learn some things about yourself. So where does that leave you? What if your new year was pivotal for all the right reasons? This year, discover deeper meaning in your life. In this series, we're going to look at lessons from 2020 through scripture and apply them in a way that brings genuine meaning to your relationships, your time, and your struggles.

In many ways, we are living in a time of accelerated change. 2020 was a year where we experienced things we've never experienced before, and life will never be the same. But how do you move from seeing change as a threat to seeing it as an opportunity? How do you move from surviving to dreaming again?

We all want to win. After all, winning is better than not winning. In a game a win is defined, but life is not a game. And winning in the most important areas of our lives isn't always clear. So, how do we win?

Christmas 2020 has been a year that no one expected, and you may be asking, can God still move in times like these? We believe God is going to do something amazing this Christmas as you look for hope in the unexpected, and start some new Christmas traditions.

Are you in need of hope in a time of hopelessness? What happens in your waiting, when you've been waiting for what feels like forever? Does worry or depression creep in? Does anxiousness overwhelm? Maybe even darkness appears in your life. In those moments of worry, anxiousness, or darkness, what can you do? Who can you turn to?

How do you wait? 🌿Are you anxious when waiting? Do you get frustrated when you have to wait? Or maybe you're a patient person? ⁠

You've held out for hope this year. The hope of lifted restrictions, perhaps the hope of a vaccine, the hope of a healthy diagnosis, or just hope for some good news in your life. You know what it means to wait for hope. Maybe you are still waiting. The accounts of Christmas are a picture of humanity holding out hope. The hope of something more, something better. ⁠

Our founders, Toni and Carey Nieuwhof, shared lessons on life, leadership, and ministry they have learned over the past 25 years. A conversation on the highlights and insights from the early days of launching Connexus until today, plus a look ahead to the future as we continue to create a church that unchurched people love.

So you're attracted to the drama in other people's lives but resist it in your own. Agreed. It's so much easier to see the drama than it is to be the drama. It's also infinitely more disappointing and perhaps unfaithful. Moses knew that first hand. When God called him, he listed five reasons he wanted to stay out of the story. Five reasons he wanted out. He finally relented, and we're still talking about it thousands of years later. Lesson: God could use someone else, but what if you get to do it?

You probably have a picture of what God should be doing...the way the story should go. Except it never seems to turn out that way. As a result, a lot of people conclude God isn't real, or that God isn't all powerful or all loving. Is it possible to know how to have faith when it feels like God is losing? But what if, in the very moment you thought God was losing, he's winning? And what if that's true in your life too? You think God is losing...but he's winning. FOLLOW Connexus Church: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ConnexusChurch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConnexusChurch/ Website: http://www.ConnexusChurch.com/

From the time you were young, you probably tried to avoid failure. Everyone does. But what if failure is exactly the thing you need to prepare you for what's ahead? So many people think God is absent in failure, but as Joseph learned when he met failure after failure, God is far more present than you think. Which means there's hope for you and for me.

Every great movie, novel and story features twists, turns, disappointments and failures, which is largely what makes the story gripping. You love it when you don't know what will happen next. ⁠ ⁠ Here's the strange part: you're attracted to that kind of drama in other people's lives, but you resist it in your own. ⁠ ⁠ Instead, you long for predictability and stability. You might even wonder if the presence of setbacks and failure in your life is a sign that God has left you. What if nothing could be further from the truth?⁠

What does it look like to live freely? What does spiritual freedom even look like? Why do I know I should live one way, but consistently find myself struggling to make a change? A relationship with God isn't just about getting to an eternal destination, but it's about transformation. As you aspire to leave your old roads, paths, and patterns behind and start new patterns that point to Jesus, where do you find the strength you need to make a change in your life? How do you live in freedom? What if God has a way to strengthen you to choose what's best? This week we are talking about the role of the Holy Spirit in our transformation.

Is there an easy way to master your emotions? When you find yourself in a 'situation' is your first response to respond emotionally or rationally? Think about these for a moment ... What is your response when your boss asks you to work overtime, again, yet they haven't even thanked you for the last time you stayed longer? When you find yourself late for the family photos because your spouse needed to change their outfit one last time to make everything 'perfect', what boils up inside of you? Emotions. The good and the not so great - we all have them. Let's dig into how to control your emotions together.

What does it mean to follow Jesus? Is it just about obeying rules and being a good person? Is it becoming the best version of yourself? Is the Christian life only about heaven and hell or is there more to it than that? What is the whole point of life on earth for those who choose Jesus? We'll be sharing God's ultimate goal for your life and what the road to finding it looks like.

Your desire to blame is an attempt to cover your shame. And there's a lot of shame circulating these days. Most people believe you can't be fully known and fully loved, so they hide and try to make themselves look better so people won't judge them. Jesus comes along with a message of radical acceptance that turned the ancient world—and this world—upside down.

When Adam and Eve sinned, the accusations flew, and no one took responsibility. Not only did the blame start, so did the shame. For the first time, Adam and Eve realized they were naked. And they were ashamed. That sounds like a lot of relationships. Mercifully, God clothed them, and later, Jesus clothed all of us with his grace and a call into a new way of life.

Why is life so hard? That's a great question, and while the answer doesn't take the pain away, it's much easier to understand when you realize that your story, like every story, has a beginning, middle and end. Knowing where you are in your story makes it much easier to understand, accept, trust and even thrive.

Do you ever feel like who you really are was stolen? Like something's missing? You know your life isn't exactly the way it's supposed to be. And neither are you. You have amazing intentions, but you struggle to fulfill them. You fall in love, but mess up the relationship. You get your dream job and it turns into a nightmare. You've met your goal, but there's still a gnawing emptiness. You keep trying, but it never quite works out. What's going on? A journey into the Garden of Eden explains more than you think.

What would it take for you to be FOR your friends, family and neighbours in this weird season? So much of what we do and how we do it has changed, including the people we interact with. But what if there were ways we could be FOR the people in our lives and cities like never before? What if, we stepped into the corner of those around us in tangible, helpful, and potentially life-changing ways?

Do you ever have those moments where you say something and immediately want to take it back? Or you hear your little one repeat something you've said and wish they hadn't? We've all been there. ⁠

You struggle with control and expectations in certain relationships. We all do. Have you felt that in your marriage or with your significant other? Do you often want to micro-manage the choices your kids are making? Does it seem like things are spinning out of control at home with everything that's going on? Should you "let go" of something you care so deeply about? Family relationships can be hard, but what God has to say about your relationships can make all the difference. This week we explored how the teachings of scripture point us to a greater purpose in our families than we might see in the moment.

Want to know how to stop worrying and start living? We all face moments when we feel powerless. How should we respond when hardships, calamities, and insults come our way? Our world often tells us that these types of situations are to be avoided or eased at all costs. That we should try to control or escape. But is that the best option? We will be looking at what scripture has to say about the moments when we feel like things are out of our control. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS https://wp.me/a7n2nP-8ew

How do the people around you experience your need for control? Control is really about having power, and how we use that power is important. Who do you have power over? How do you use that power to make a difference in the lives of those around you? Control doesn't inspire people the way influence does. Control makes temporary progress, but it rarely makes a lasting difference. Help us reach more people by subscribing today on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SJvyfL

Was Jesus really all that Christians believe him to be? What if Jesus was just a "good guy" doing good things? Was he a prophet or the saviour of the world? What is Jesus really all about? In this message with pastor Mark Clark, we will explore how understanding who Jesus is changes everything. Help us reach more people by subscribing today on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SJvyfL

Where is God when we suffer? Perhaps one of the greatest questions of our modern human existence. If God really exists, then why do bad things still happen? If God is so good and loving, then why does He let evil take place? Isn't He supposed to be a "good" God? Let's dive in as we discuss the role that evil and suffering have in our understanding of what is "good". Help Connexus Church online reach more people by subscribing today on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SJvyfL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS https://wp.me/a7n2nP-86J

A long-standing difference can be seen in the number of debates, papers, essays, and discussions had on the opposing ideas of evolution and creation. How can we know what is true? What do these ideas teach us about God in the midst of their differences? Maybe these two ideas can both lead us to uncover more about who God is and what He desires for us.

Is God real? As we process different thoughts, concepts, and ideas to inform our own worldview and beliefs, reason​ is often considered independently from faith and faith in opposition to reason. Could it be that faith and reason aren't actually in opposition to each other, but rather complement each other? Can we find out what the Bible says about these two ideas, or will we find many Bible contradictions? Help Connexus Church reach more people by subscribing today on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SJvyfL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS https://wp.me/a7n2nP-814 #ConnexusChurch #MarkClark #FaithVSReason

Healing is something we all look for in our lives at certain moments. Maybe it's physical healing, or divine healing in a relationship, or healing from hurts of the past. What if Jesus wants to bring a greater purpose to your pain? Need a miracle prayer or a prayer for healing?What if Jesus wants to put His power on display through your circumstances? God often works in unexpected ways, but ultimately His goal is to put His power on display by seeing your life changed.

We all have a story, which Jesus wants to be a part of. He has a purpose for each of our lives. We can sometimes view our mistakes and failures as obstacles to living out this purpose and experiencing His love and forgiveness. When Jesus sees us, He doesn't see the sin, but because of what He accomplished on the cross, He sees us as righteous, pure, clean and innocent.

When we look at our lives, sometimes we can focus on the things that didn't work out how we'd hoped. Then we can look ahead and worry about the outcomes in our future. But what if we're missing the fact that Jesus is working in our lives right where we are, today? What if we could hope in His faithfulness throughout our life and see Him on the journey today? What if He has a bigger story in mind?

In this conversation with Deniel and Jeff, we explore how you process what you are seeing and respond to racism today. As you watch heartbreaking footage all around you, what do you do with your emotions? What does scripture say about the sin of racism? How can we change our hearts to align ourselves with the teachings of Jesus? ⁠