Back to the Bible Canada with Dr. John Neufeld

What's a house without a family? The structure is there, but the purpose is missing. Today Dr. John begins a study of the book of Haggai. Jews have returned to Jerusalem after the 70-year captivity. The foundation of the temple was rebuilt - but then forgotten. Many tended to their own fields and homes but the presence of God was absent. The account of a people busy about their own concerns but negletful of God sound too current to ignore. God's Presence Among His People: There are people who believe that their well-being does not depend on God at all. They see His blessings but do not acknowledge their dependence. Believers may think they are immune to this forgetfulness, but experience suggests otherwise. In this one-week series, “God’s Presence Among His People”, Dr. John Neufeld looks at the book of Haggai. The prophet spoke to a people who lived as if they could be independent from God. Their professions echoed the truth, but their practice was self-sufficient. Listen to this series and consider how we are to live for God and with God.

Every church has problems, failures, omissions and offences. Every congregation is made up of sinners. Every church leader suffers the vulnerabilities of humanity. None of this denies the truth that the Church is Jesus' Bride. She is not always pretty, but she is always the Bride. Today Dr. John looks at the frailties of church. He reminds us what is commended by Jesus and what needs to change. The good news is that change is possible. Jesus is preparing His Bride for heaven. The Church: The global pandemic had impact in countless ways. One obvious consequence for the Church was the number of believers who got comfortable with privatized faith. They went to church in their living rooms and are content to stay even after the doors of churches are open again! So is going to church optional? Do we need to connect with a local congregation? In this two-week series, Dr. John teaches on the priority and functions of the Church. He will demonstrate why the Church remains God's priortiy for His mission on earth. 

If the grace of God came in a box and was available for purchase on store shelves, the shelves would need to be re-stocked continually. We need grace. We want grace. Today Dr. John reminds us that the church is a place of grace. He highlights the means of grace through multiple expressions of the local church. A local church is a storehouse of God's grace, open and available to all who seek Jesus.  The Church: The global pandemic had impact in countless ways. One obvious consequence for the Church was the number of believers who got comfortable with privatized faith. They went to church in their living rooms and are content to stay even after the doors of churches are open again! So is going to church optional? Do we need to connect with a local congregation? In this two-week series, Dr. John teaches on the priority and functions of the Church. He will demonstrate why the Church remains God's priortiy for His mission on earth. 

The idea of church fellowship has been reduced to potlucks and foyer greetings. But Biblical fellowship is more than friendliness. Today Dr. John speaks of the grace extended in the church through fellowship. He highlights the qualities of fellowship that every congregation needs. While grateful for tea and cookies, Biblical fellowship feeds our souls. The Church: The global pandemic had impact in countless ways. One obvious consequence for the Church was the number of believers who got comfortable with privatized faith. They went to church in their living rooms and are content to stay even after the doors of churches are open again! So is going to church optional? Do we need to connect with a local congregation? In this two-week series, Dr. John teaches on the priority and functions of the Church. He will demonstrate why the Church remains God's priortiy for His mission on earth. 

Worship is an expression of God's worth. It is our echo to God for the grace we've received. Worship not only reflects His grace, but it ushers grace to us as well. Today Dr. John speaks of elements essential to worship. These are fundemental to our worship in spirit and in truth.The Church: The global pandemic had impact in countless ways. One obvious consequence for the Church was the number of believers who got comfortable with privatized faith. They went to church in their living rooms and are content to stay even after the doors of churches are open again! So is going to church optional? Do we need to connect with a local congregation? In this two-week series, Dr. John teaches on the priority and functions of the Church. He will demonstrate why the Church remains God's priortiy for His mission on earth. 

The act of preaching doesn't hold the same prominence it once held. It has been shadowed by abundant sources for our information and interest. But preaching remains unique in our technological age. In today's message, Dr. John will demonstrate that preaching is a means of grace. It does more than inform or stir us. Preaching is a path granted by God for the growth of our souls.The Church: The global pandemic had impact in countless ways. One obvious consequence for the Church was the number of believers who got comfortable with privatized faith. They went to church in their living rooms and are content to stay even after the doors of churches are open again! So is going to church optional? Do we need to connect with a local congregation? In this two-week series, Dr. John teaches on the priority and functions of the Church. He will demonstrate why the Church remains God's priortiy for His mission on earth. 

Oganized religion is better than unorganized religion. That is not to justify all the ways and means of organized faith, but to simply recognize that to do anything requires a level of co-ordination. Today, Dr. John speaks of denominations and the New Testament teaching on church governance. God is not the author of chaos, so consider the means of organized mission we find in the New Testament.The Church: The global pandemic had impact in countless ways. One obvious consequence for the Church was the number of believers who got comfortable with privatized faith. They went to church in their living rooms and are content to stay even after the doors of churches are open again! So is going to church optional? Do we need to connect with a local congregation? In this two-week series, Dr. John teaches on the priority and functions of the Church. He will demonstrate why the Church remains God's priortiy for His mission on earth. 

The importance of the local church is evident in the New Testament. The New Testament books were addressed to churches or leaders of local congregations. Today, Dr. John reminds us that the local church is God's pillar for truth and the Body of Jesus on earth. God does not consider the Church to be optional. The Church: The global pandemic had impact in countless ways. One obvious consequence for the Church was the number of believers who got comfortable with privatized faith. They went to church in their living rooms and are content to stay even after the doors of churches are open again! So is going to church optional? Do we need to connect with a local congregation? In this two-week series, Dr. John teaches on the priority and functions of the Church. He will demonstrate why the Church remains God's priortiy for His mission on earth. 

The local church is a divine institution, that is, God ordained it. But the local church is not a perfect institution. Local churches have many faults and weaknesses; but they remain the Bride of Christ. In this message, Dr. John explores the levels of doctrinal agreement within and between churches. Discover the categories of truth we hold with a clenched fist, a guarded hand or an open hand. The Church: The global pandemic had impact in countless ways. One obvious consequence for the Church was the number of believers who got comfortable with privatized faith. They went to church in their living rooms and are content to stay even after the doors of churches are open again! So is going to church optional? Do we need to connect with a local congregation? In this two-week series, Dr. John teaches on the priority and functions of the Church. He will demonstrate why the Church remains God's priortiy for His mission on earth. 

In today's message, Dr. John teaches that since the Church is the Body of Christ, it is the visible representation of Jesus on earth. Therefore, the Church has a physical presence with a street address and a presence in heaven as well. Dr. John teaches on the invisible, universal Church which is one in Christ, holy through the Spirit, inclusive of all who have faith in Jesus and commissioned with purpose by the Father. The Church: The global pandemic had impact in countless ways. One obvious consequence for the Church was the number of believers who got comfortable with privatized faith. They went to church in their living rooms and are content to stay even after the doors of churches are open again! So is going to church optional? Do we need to connect with a local congregation? In this two-week series, Dr. John teaches on the priority and functions of the Church. He will demonstrate why the Church remains God's priortiy for His mission on earth.