Back to the Bible Canada with Dr. John Neufeld

Many have their DNA tested to determine their heritage. They are interested to discover where they come from and connect the dots of ancestors. When Matthew begins his gospel with Jesus as the "Son of David", it is not just for curiosity's sake. It is a declaration of Kingship. In this message, Dr. John traces Jesus through the lineage of David to the promises of God. Jesus is the King whose reign is an unceasing exercise of righteousness and peace. His rule will bless the whole Earth. And it begins in Bethlehem.Christmas From the Beginning of Time: We can't understand Christmas by beginning with Mary and Joseph and the appearance of an angel. Christmas is a part of the grand program of God working itself out in history. To understand Christmas rightly, we must see it as God's redemption promise beginning in Genesis and woven throughout the Old Testament. Christmas is more than angels, shepherds and Magi. Christmas is a promise kept; a promise meant for you and I today.

Jesus said that the whole Old Testament spoke of Him. Jesus is in the pages and promises from Genesis to Malichi. So Christmas too is in the Old Testament, if even as a whisper. Today Dr. John looks at the Day of Atonement and points to the coming of our Saviour. There is an overlap of truth from Leviticus 16 and the Christmas account from John's gospel. In both, we see the presence of God among us to bring redemption.  Christmas From the Beginning of Time: We can't understand Christmas by beginning with Mary and Joseph and the appearance of an angel. Christmas is a part of the grand program of God working itself out in history. To understand Christmas rightly, we must see it as God's redemption promise beginning in Genesis and woven throughout the Old Testament. Christmas is more than angels, shepherds and Magi. Christmas is a promise kept; a promise meant for you and I today.

The central celebrations of Jews and Christians are similar. Passover and Christmas have much in common. They both are national and family observances. They both require a lot of preparation. They both are about God's deliverance for His people. In this message, Dr. John traces the details of the Passover and the fulfillment of those details in the birth of Jesus. Jesus has come as the ultimate Lamb without spot, who will save His people from their sins. Christmas is more than a sentimental tale of a baby born. It is the declaration of our deliverance.Christmas From the Beginning of Time: We can't understand Christmas by beginning with Mary and Joseph and the appearance of an angel. Christmas is a part of the grand program of God working itself out in history. To understand Christmas rightly, we must see it as God's redemption promise beginning in Genesis and woven throughout the Old Testament. Christmas is more than angels, shepherds and Magi. Christmas is a promise kept; a promise meant for you and I today.

To live with hope means trudging uphill against a strong headwind and over many obstacles. There is much in life that works against hope. In today's message, Dr. John points to the hope of a Saviour found in Genesis 3:15. That promise is challenged again and again in the narrative of Genesis. The events of  Genesis press against the hope of redemption. But with every twist, God repeats His promise. Nothing and no one could frustrate the promise of God. The hope of Christmas survived. The hope survives still. Christmas From the Beginning of Time: We can't understand Christmas by beginning with Mary and Joseph and the appearance of an angel. Christmas is a part of the grand program of God working itself out in history. To understand Christmas rightly, we must see it as God's redemption promise beginning in Genesis and woven throughout the Old Testament. Christmas is more than angels, shepherds and Magi. Christmas is a promise kept; a promise meant for you and I today.

We assume that life breaks simply because that is our known experience. Our machines and devices, our health and relationships, our dreams and ambitions - all of these suffer loss, failure and misuse. But it hasn't always been that way. In today's message, Dr. John takes us to the very beginning, where life was pristine and perfect. But the temptation of the serpent became the entrance of sin for humanity. Our hope is this. At the very start of brokenness, God points us to a Redeemer. The first promise of Christmas comes when sin first enters our living. But brokenness doesn't have the last word. Jesus does. Christmas From the Beginning of Time: We can't understand Christmas by beginning with Mary and Joseph and the appearance of an angel. Christmas is a part of the grand program of God working itself out in history. To understand Christmas rightly, we must see it as God's redemption promise beginning in Genesis and woven throughout the Old Testament. Christmas is more than angels, shepherds and Magi. Christmas is a promise kept; a promise meant for you and I today.

We shouldn't be satisfied with only half of a good story. And yet with Christmas, that is what most of us do. We enter the story of Jesus without much consideration of the story God has already spoken. We begin at Bethlehem, but God's story about Jesus begins much earlier. In today's message, Dr. John reminds and instructs us about the Old Testament being all about Jesus. Genesis to Malichi is God's story to us about the Saviour to come. As Christmas approaches, let's consider the whole narrative of Jesus.Christmas From the Beginning of Time: We can't understand Christmas by beginning with Mary and Joseph and the appearance of an angel. Christmas is a part of the grand program of God working itself out in history. To understand Christmas rightly, we must see it as God's redemption promise beginning in Genesis and woven throughout the Old Testament. Christmas is more than angels, shepherds and Magi. Christmas is a promise kept; a promise meant for you and I today.

Schools have report cards. Employees have evaluations. Finances have audits. There are many ways to be held accountable in this life. In today's message, Dr. John speaks of the ultimate accountability before God. Everyone who has taken breath will stand before His gaze. As Dr. John teaches on the separating of sheep and goat, we discover that God has a very particular criteria in mind - the treatment of His people on Earth. The Beginning of Jesus' Passion: "Passion" is defined as a compelling emotion or feeling. The word fits a wide range of experiences, from our favourite sports team, a hobby, a cause that captures us, and of course, our love. "Passion" applies to Jesus in His suffering and death. In this four week series, Dr. John traces through Matthew the experience of Jesus heading to the cross. Listen for the compelling emotion that led Jesus step by step. It wasn't fear, but love and joy that moved Him.

Every one of us is granted by God the opportunities and resources of life. We may not receive these in equal measure, but we have all been graced by God. What we do with these matters. In today's message, Dr. John teaches on our stewardship from God. We are not owners of life's abundance, but managers of the grace God gives. Listen and consider the expectation of our Lord placed upon each of us. The Beginning of Jesus' Passion: "Passion" is defined as a compelling emotion or feeling. The word fits a wide range of experiences, from our favourite sports team, a hobby, a cause that captures us, and of course, our love. "Passion" applies to Jesus in His suffering and death. In this four week series, Dr. John traces through Matthew the experience of Jesus heading to the cross. Listen for the compelling emotion that led Jesus step by step. It wasn't fear, but love and joy that moved Him.

There are situations that come in life for which we do not want to be unprepared. School exams. Invited supper guests. Tax deadlines. These things are not unforseen. We should be ready. Today Dr. John. teaches the parables of Jesus which warn us to be prepared. Jesus is coming again. The time of His return is unknown. The fact that He will return is assured. Now is the time to get ready. The Beginning of Jesus' Passion: "Passion" is defined as a compelling emotion or feeling. The word fits a wide range of experiences, from our favourite sports team, a hobby, a cause that captures us, and of course, our love. "Passion" applies to Jesus in His suffering and death. In this four week series, Dr. John traces through Matthew the experience of Jesus heading to the cross. Listen for the compelling emotion that led Jesus step by step. It wasn't fear, but love and joy that moved Him.

What is expected of believers as we wait for Jesus' return? Jesus offers a singular answer. We are to be found faithful. The answer is simple, but the doing of it is harder. In today's message, Dr. John unpacks what faithfulness looks like. Listen and consider what faithfulness looks like in your own life. Notice especially the pleasure and reward of our Lord extended to all who are found faithful.The Beginning of Jesus' Passion: "Passion" is defined as a compelling emotion or feeling. The word fits a wide range of experiences, from our favourite sports team, a hobby, a cause that captures us, and of course, our love. "Passion" applies to Jesus in His suffering and death. In this four week series, Dr. John traces through Matthew the experience of Jesus heading to the cross. Listen for the compelling emotion that led Jesus step by step. It wasn't fear, but love and joy that moved Him.