Sermons by Tim Stephens (Page 25)
Tim Stephens is the senior pastor of Fairview Baptist Church, Calgary, Alberta. Tim grew up on a farm in Eastern Ontario, graduated with a Computer Engineering degree from Queen’s University, a Masters of Divinity degree from Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching from The Masters Seminary. He is happily married to Raquel and they have been blessed with nine children.
The Independence of God
In this chapter we consider the reality that God doesn’t need us. Rather than a discouragement, we are left astounded at how this magnifies his love, his grace, and his glory! This is when our knowledge of God becomes soul-satisfying and altogether lovely! Consider these questions in reflection:1. Where did Eliphaz go wrong in his understanding of God’s independence?2. Have you had seasons of prayerlessness and “practical atheism” because you misunderstood God? How?3. How does God’s independence make his love…
The Certainty of Jesus’ Resurrection
In this sermon we consider the reality of the resurrection of Jesus. What we see is that the reality of the resurrection is not only a vindication of Jesus’ life and ministry, it is a guarantee of coming judgment to all people everywhere. The resurrection is not just an event in the past, its consequence affects your future. The resurrection is certain, future judgment is certain. In light of this, consider these question:1. What was helpful to you as you…
What’s So Good About Good Friday?
Pastor Tim speaks to the reason why “Good Friday” is good! Whether you know little or much about Jesus and Christianity, this is an excellent look at the biggest event in history. There is no event that has changed our world more than the death of Christ. We start at John’s declaration that Jesus is the lamb of God. Then we follow the historical narrative to understand God’s past actions in helping us see Jesus as the long awaiting Savior…
The World Is Not the Way It Should Be
Job laments about injustice. He argues that the world is not the way it should be. If Job is right, and in the main he is, what does this mean for God who rules this world? Is God unjust? Is his lordship somehow corrupt or broken? We consider three important truths: (1) sin has entered the world; (2) justice is delayed as a kindness of God; and (3) this is not the end of the story. We must remember these…
God? Disease, Suffering, and Death
When calamity strikes, it is common to consider God’s plan and power. Is God responsible? Is this judgment? How can he allow this? How can he be glorified in this? Won’t this turn people away from him? Why doesn’t he do something? In this sermon, we consider the scriptural witness that God is in absolute control over all things, including suffering. But rather than be a detriment to faith, this undergirds and raises our faith! We consider six ways God’s…
Hope While Longing to be Together
Pastor Tim addresses the church with an exhortation from 2 Timothy 1. Paul wrote to Timothy as they were apart and hindered from gathering together as a church. Paul writes words of encouragement and hope centered in our unity in the Holy Spirit and in the gospel. May this message bring you hope as we wait together for our reunion as a local body of Christ.
Before God’s Throne
In this sermon, Zophar speaks for the last time. He warns Job of the fate of the wicked. Their prosperity will be shorted lived. Their appetite for sin’s promises destroys themselves and others. Their actions will invoke the wrath of God. Zophar is wrong in understanding Job’s suffering is the consequence of his sin but he doesn’t completely miss the mark in his warning against wickedness. We are all deserving of God’s wrath. But the good news is that God…
I Know My Redeemer Lives
We consider one of the most famous expressions of trust in God that Job utters. I know my Redeemer lives. How can Job have such hope in God when all the evidence seems contrary to this kind of hope? How does Job’s understanding of God’s sovereignty bring him to this point of faith? What we see is that a sovereign God makes grace and mercy possible. He can bind up, but he call also set free. Most amazing for us…
What It Means to Know God
Bildad accuses Job of not knowing God. But what does it really meant to know God? It is prosperity or blessing? What does it look like to know God? What we see in Scripture is that the root of knowing God is loving God. It is entering the love of Father and Son. It is entering the love on display in the gospel where Christ came to rescue a people to reconcile them to God. From this love flows a…
Equipped for Suffering and Sacrifice
Job looks for hope in his suffering and is stripped of all false hopes. He’s left clinging for hope in a heavenly witness who will speak for him and begs for a pledge or guarantee to be given as he waits. Job longs for what we have in Christ. We have a heavenly witness who will speak for us at that great day. And we also have a guarantee in the Spirit of God given to us. May we see…
The Two Witnesses
There are many who testify against Christians. We can listen to their voice and be discouraged and defeated. But there is a witness in heaven that testifies to who we really are. May you be encouraged by what heaven, rather than the world, thinks of you.
The Blessing of Those Who Fear God
The Bible promises blessing for those who fear God. So what happened to Job and so many of the faithful who suffer rather than experience blessing? We examine this important subject and reflect on 5 principles that bring these ideas together.