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This sermon was originally called âClosing doors to demonsâ and was delivered on November 17, 2024 at Westminster in Barrie. But Pastor Ruttan has changed the title to this: âIs this the sermon demons donât want you to hear?â He explains why in a short introduction at the start of the message. Some strange things happened on and around it’s delivery. Okay, to the sermon itself. Jon Thompson says: “The demonic hates anything that reminds them of hope.” If you belong to Jesus, that’s you. But be at peace and do not be afraid. This sermon unpacks one of the most intriguing (and confusing) parts of the Bible: Mark 5:1-20. It’s when Jesus casts out a legion of demons from a man. They go into a herd of pigs who quickly drown. People are both afraid and amazed. The sermon presents some big picture ideas about spiritual warfare, takes us through the text, warns against major “doorways” which give the demonic permission to function in our lives, and encourages practices to help us live freely and victoriously in Christ. There is a companion podcast to this sermon which Pastor Ruttan references. It is an interview he has with Steve Dabbs, author of “When Demons Surface.” You can access that here, or by searching on our podcast, The Word at Westminster. In Romans 16:19-21 Paul said: “I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” It was a good word then, and it’s a wise word now. Let’s open our eyes, and be not afraid. Is this the sermon demons don’t want you to hear?
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Demons are disembodied spirits who have rebelled against God. Yes, demons are real, and their work is alive and well. If you’re human, and especially if you’re a follower of Christ, they hate you. We sometimes hear about about demon “possession,” but mostly in movies or horror stories. A more accurate word is “demonization,” and it can happen to varying degrees. But how do they gain access to people? And how can we demon-proof our lives? This episode is a talk with Steve Dabbs, author of “When Demons Surface: True Stories of Spiritual Warfare and what the Bible Says about Confronting the Darkness.” It is hosted by Pastor Ruttan. They talk about demons and spiritual warfare, the “doorways” people open which give permission for the demonic to function in their lives, and how to live free and victoriously with Christ. Steve is a retired senior military chaplain with over 35 years of expertise in pastoral care and leadership. He talks about his own supernatural experiences, including personal attacks. He also has years of experiencing helping people be delivered from demonization. “We’re all experiencing spiritual warfare whether we realize it or not,” he says. You can listen to the conversation below. You can also watch our talk on Pastor Ruttan’s YouTube channel here. Underneath you can find links to Steve’s book and website. Here are the main questions that guide their talk:-Dealing with demons doesnât seem to be something people eagerly sign up for. Can you explain how you got involved in this?-Some/many of our listeners havenât been taught much about the demonic realm. Many will be quite skeptical. As Christians today, why should we be more open to this?-How do demons gain access to people? Can you explain some of the “doorways”?-If something is going on in your life, how...
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World peace. We all want it. But how do we get there? Is there even any hope when we have had so many wars, when nations (and peoples) continue to fight, and when individuals continue to experience so much anger, anxiety and pain? This sermon examines Philippians 4:2-9 and is about Step 1. We explore three practical takeaways. Oh, and they all begin with you. Plus, your soul will thank you.
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Let’s pretend that we all get together and decide to imitate someone named Ischyros. Great! Let’s do it! But hold on, there’s a problem. We first need to know what Ischyros is like before we can we imitate him. Christians agree that we want to be “like Jesus.” But if we want to actually be like Jesus, we have to know what Jesus is actually like. Many of us have blind spots. We emphasis certain parts of him, downplay others, or have a limited understanding. This sermon explores Mark 4:35-41 and the stilling of the storm. It’s an opportunity to answer the question posed by the baffled disciples in the boat: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” It’s a story which is meant to make us ponder who Jesus is on a deeper level. Four specific questions are suggested to help you be honest about where you’re at. Who you think Jesus is influences you are becoming.
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What do we do when so much seems broken, uncertain or wrong? When things are not turning out like we want, frazzlement and frustration can take over. They make us doubt our decisions. This was something people faced in Jesus’ day too. In this sermon on Mark 4:21-34, we explore three short parables, and how Jesus clarified the nature of God’s kingdom, and how he encouraged his followers forward in a world where so much seems broken, uncertain or wrong. What he said to them then continues to be instructive for us today as we seek to worship and serve God the unchanging.
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Are we here by chance, or is there a greater purpose? Many people have tried to answer this question. Some people aren’t sure, despair, or throw their hands up in resignation. Fortunately, Jesus isn’t one of them. The light of the world has things to say about who we are and why we’re here. This sermon explores the parable of the sower in Mark 4:1-20, what it means to be “good soil,” and how this influences your life. Jesus’ instruction is eternally relevant (whether the apocalypse is near or not). You and I carry forward the goodness of God to a hurting world. We were born to bless.
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When I was in elementary school a kid kept pestering me—that is, until my big brother came to my defense. I felt… protected. There are a lot of titles for Jesus — like Son of God, Saviour, and Good Shepherd. Each one tells us something about him and the nature of our relationship. Another (frequently neglected) title is brother. What does it tell us about him and about the nature of our relationship? This sermon unpacks Mark 3:22-35, how you become Jesus’ sibling, and six words that teach us about the kind of big brother he is: Loyalty, love, intercession, guidance, correction, protection. Do you want less fear and more confidence? Listen in.
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This short episode is the youth time from the service on October 6, 2024. Pastor Ruttan tells a story from Philip Yancey’s book ‘What’s so amazing about grace?’ It was used to help us appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice that we remember when we celebrate Communion.
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Jesus’ own family called him crazy. “He’s out of his mind.” But why? He had gathered and led crowds, assembled twelve apostles, healed suffering people, expelled demons from the oppressed, preached about the kingdom of God, and challenged religious authorities. Even though some of those things sound pretty nice, when compared to expectations of ânormalâ behaviour, he was deviating from norms, possibly bringing shame and embarrassment to the family. Jesus, however, had his eyes set on higher things which were for the good of others. This sermon takes us through Mark 3:1-21 and encourages us to be different for Jesus, putting kingdom priorities before a self-centred infatuation with our own reputation. As Michael Mangis says: “Faith means stepping onto the path that looks so much like it goes in the wrong direction.”
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We live in a time when in North America fewer people identify as Christians. We have the stats to prove it. But people aren’t simply becoming apathetic, many are becoming increasingly hostile and antagonistic towards faith. Do you know what to say when someone challenges you? Jesus experienced challenges and confrontations on multiple occasions. This sermon explores two such challenges in Mark 2:18-28. We look not only at what he said, but his pattern of response. This continues to be instructive for us today. In Ephesians 6 the Scriptures are referred to as the “sword of the Spirit.” With that in mind, William Gurnall wrote: “The sword of the Spirit in another person’s hand will not defend you.”
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Most people tend to think of miracles as some sort of break in the natural order. Jurgen Moltmann has a helpful corrective: “Miracles are not an interruption of the natural order but the restoration of the natural order.” In other words, when Jesus performs miracles he is showing us how things are truly meant to be. His power, healings, exorcisms, and jaw-dropping feats point forward to that day when Eden is restored and God wipes every tear from our eyes making all things new. This sermon takes us through Mark 1:40-2:17 and is a part of a series on Mark. We explore the text, consider how Jesus’ actions fit into the larger story of God’s work in the world, and ponder our own role as imitators of the great King of restoration.
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When Jesus came to proclaim the Kingdom of God he was not doing so in neutral territory. In Satan’s view, Jesus was an intruder trying to encroach on his turf. A clash was inevitable. Some people think there’s a devil under every bush (not true). Others think the devil doesn’t exist (also not true). As Christians we need to see things as they really are. The devil and his demons are not God. Even still, we live in a world where they are actively working against the Lord, his kingdom, and his people. And yet, many of us have not taken the demonic realm seriously. Are we victorious in Christ? Yes. But at the same time, we are often trying to navigate the battlefield of life with one eye shut. This sermon continues a series on Mark and takes us through chapter 1, verses 16 to 39, exorcisms, and offers some suggestions to those for whom all of this is quite unsettling.
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We’ve seen it happen in movies and books over and over again. When all seems lost, a hero arrives, hope is rekindled, victory becomes possible, and everything changes for those who belong to the hero. This is a part of the reason why these movies or books are so interesting. We wonder, ‘If only we lived in a world as exciting as that.’ We do. But ours is real and consequential. This sermon is Part 1 in a teaching series through the Gospel of Mark, often considered the earliest full account of Jesus’ life. When all seems lost, a hero arrives, hope is rekindled, victory becomes possible, and everything changes for those who belong to the hero. That hero is King Jesus. Unfortunately, however, we have been trained (or seduced) to think small, whether that be about Jesus, salvation, evil, faith, the purpose of life, or the Kingdom of God. Our exploration of the Gospel of Mark will be an invitation to think bigger and see more.
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What do you want to be successful at? It is something to do with your career, family, relationships or a personal goal? There are different understandings of “success.” Make no mistake about it: our society’s definition is certainly different from God’s. But which are you driving toward? This sermon looks at the direct and down-to-earth wisdom of James 4:1-10. It encourages us to consider the cardinal virtue of humility, and how God exalts those who live by humble faithfulness. It includes five practical applications that we find within the text. Mark Batterson writes: “We’re so busy climbing the ladder of success that we fail to realize it’s leaning against the wrong wall.”
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In Pastor Ruttan’s absence (he is away on vacation), Claude Cox led us in a message titled ‘Enjoy your streams’. The scripture focus was Psalm 1.
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In Pastor Ruttan’s absence (he is away on vacation), Cathy Clark will led us in a message titled ‘R.O.L.A.I.D.S. â Timeless relief from anxiety for our contemporary age’. The scripture focus was Isaiah 43:1-4 & Mark 14:32-36.
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In Pastor Ruttan’s absence (for his annual summer vacation), Jeff Walther led us in a message titled ‘The Narrow Path â ‘, with a focus on Matthew 7: 13-14.
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In Pastor Ruttan’s absence (for his annual summer vacation), Paul Sakasov led us in a message titled ‘The Gateway to the Kingdom of God’, with a focus on the Beatitudes from Matthew’s Gospel.
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Following Jesus means making sacrifices — and that can be difficult, and sometimes painful. That is bound to happen when we make God’s kingdom our number one priority. But to truly understand sacrifice, we need to count not only the costs, but the benefits. When we think through not only what we’re giving up, but what we’re getting (for ourselves but also for others) it can give us a new perspective. This sermon is on Luke 9:57-62. It encourages you to count the cost, the benefit, and to find new refreshing motivation.
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