Sanctus Church Audio Sermons

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scriptures: Matthew 16:13-15, 17:1-5; Exodus 24:15-17; Exodus 40:34; 1 Kings 8:10; Ezekiel 1:4; Luke 2:9; Acts 2 Sermon Description:  As we conclude our series on the Spiritual Gifts we come to this final discussion on Disciplines, Gifts and Revival. Is there a distinction between renewal, revival and awakening? Well at C4 here is how we use these 3 words. RENEWAL: is when God touches the heart of a single individual.   REVIVAL is when God touches a community of faith on mass. AWAKENING is when the wider society is impacted thought mass conversion and life change. Disciplines are open to all Christians, they are normative. Spiritual gifts are also expected, normative but are sovereignly assigned. But what about other experiences that don't fall into either category, what do we do with revival? And how is the different and how does that change our expectations? Revivals always include mass conversions of people to Jesus, and a true awakening takes place. But a common mistake many make is

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 7, Luke 9:23-25, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Revelation 6:9-11, Acts 6:1-7;7:59-60;15:36-41  So welcome the second last week in our series on Spiritual gifts, Today we end with two last gifts, we tackle gift tension head on, we talk about the grace needed for us to keep going. Celibacy: The gift of celibacy is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to remain single and enjoy it; to be unmarried and not suffer undue sexual temptation. Though many of us do not have the gift, we are all called to the discipline of chastity and fasting, either by situation of life (we are not married) or if we are married, by an agreed time of mutually seeking God! Others of us have this gift and we can celebrate and find joy in this. Now why would any of us even be willing to do this? To deny what we want, what we are, to not fulfilled as a culture defines it? And the answer is simple, we love Jesus more than our own lives, rights, wants and desires n

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7, 15:42; Revelation 21:4; John 5:19, 11:41-49; James 5:13-15 Sermon Description:  This week we will be continuing in our journey of understanding the Spiritual Gifts in "Power" category, focusing entirely on the gifts of Healing, Words of Knowledge & Words of Wisdom. Healing: Those who have the gift of Healing experience a deep desire to see God alleviate physical problems in people and the willingness to be used by God to do so, an unusual ability to sense the power of God when it is present for healing, and the ability to trust God and believe that He wants to heal. You have the willingness to take risks for God… The principle of contagion probably applies here. Those who are around people operating in this type of healing ministry are likely to be drawn into it and be open to God releasing this gift in them so that they can release the healing to others. It is not about a show, it’s not about a big, dramatic display; it is about God healing people to e

Speaker: Joel Penney Scripture: Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, 14:3-4; Romans 12:6; Acts 21:8-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Sermon Description:  This week we will be continuing in our journey of understanding the Spiritual Gifts in "Power" category, focusing entirely on the gift of Prophecy.  The gift of prophecy can be defined as the ability to deliver truth in a public context in either a predictive nature or as a situational word from God in order to correct believers by exhorting, edifying or consoling them, or to convince non-believer's of God's truth. A person operating in this gift is deeply impressed that God has by his Spirit given him or her a message to deliver in the situation. The message may result in further insight into God's word, cause conviction of sin, bring reproof, provide comfort or a new sense of direction to the group. There are, of course, two audiences: those who have (or may have) this gift, and the rest of us. Like all the Spiritual Gifts, we all need to know how each other's work

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12,  Sermon Description: Tongues: It can be a known or unknown language, it is given to some but no all Christians, it can be used evangelistically, tongues can used to authenticate the addition of new people into God's church, tongues can be used for edification in small groups or worship, tongues can be used to worship God by singing in tongues, to pray for others, to be thankful, to give inner assurance of communion with God, an affirmation of personal presence of God in your life. This gift can bring joy, allows you to cry out to God over others when words do not come. You can deeply changed and moved by this gift. Interpretation: Paul's language about tongues is I wish, I would like, it is not you will, you can, you must! His point here is that intelligible prophecy is better and is God’s will for corporate gatherings. And if you do speak in tongues in a small group or a public worship time then it must be interpreted in this example by another so everyone c

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12, Hebrews 11:6, Ephesians 2:8, Hebrews 5:14; 2:3, Acts 17:11, 1 John 4:1, James 4:7 Sermon Description: This week we begin to learn together about the POWER gifts starting with the gifts of Faith, Discernment of Spirits & Workings of Power through Miracles. Faith: The spiritual gift of faith is not saving faith, or walking out our Christian faith in every day life. It a Spiritual gift. The gift of faith refers to the unusual capacity of a person to recognize in a given situation that God intends to do something and to trust God for it until He brings it to pass. The gift of faith is a Spirit-given ability to see something that God wants done and to sustain unwavering confidence that God will do it regardless of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Discernment of Spirits: The gift of discerning of spirits is the special ability God gives to some members of the Body of Christ which enables them to know with assurance whether certain behaviour purported to be o

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11, 2 Timothy 4:5, Romans 12:8 Sermon Description: This week we follow up last weeks introduction to the Word Gifts by addressing those with the gift of Leadership/Ruling, Pastoring and Evangelism. Leadership: A person operating with a ruling gift demonstrates the capacity to exercise influence over a group so as to lead it towards a goal or purpose with a particular emphasis on the capacity to make decisions and keep the group operating together. The gift of Leadership focuses more on the what and who and less on the how. Pastoring: The pastoral gift is the capacity to exercise concern and care for members of a group so as to encourage them in their growth in Christ, which involves modelling maturity, protecting them from error and disseminating truth. The gift of pastor is the special ability that God give to certain members of the body of Christ to assume a long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers. Eva

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 4:16, Romans 12:8, 1 John 2:1, Acts 1:12-14 Sermon Description: Teaching, exhortation, and apostleship are three of the word-oriented gifts of the Holy Spirit. Teaching as a role that informs, trains, prepares, disciples, and equips. Exhortation as a coming alongside with encouragement as well as confrontation if necessary, a gift that touches on the internal life of other followers of Jesus. Apostleship which is a pure leadership and expansion gift, pushing boundaries and overcoming obstacles as the Church continues its God-given work under the Great Commission. Series: Spiritual Gifts Series Description:  Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understanding among all that make up C4 in this season. As we step out together, we all need to discover, rediscover, rededicate and walk in a power that is not o

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12 Sermon Description: When it is a gift there is a greater ease, there is a frequency and power, there are great results, there is more joy, and worship and Jesus feels closer, it’s a supernatural sweet spot! The Love gifts (Administration, Helps, Mercy & Giving) are key to the church working right and Love gifts are secondary in the sense that they are all about supporting, building up what God has and is establishing through the leadership of a local church. This again is not about value at all but role.   Series: Spiritual Gifts Series Description:  Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understanding among all that make up C4 in this season. As we step out together, we all need to discover, rediscover, rededicate and walk in a power that is not our own, to do the impossible in this context we find ourselves. When we start u

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12 Sermon Description: The spiritual gifts must access a place of every growing character, a deep deep reservoir of love. The gifts of the Spirit must be undergirded by the Fruit of the Holy Spirit which is first and foremost love. We all as Christians get at least one gift and the gifts are given for one thing and one thing alone the common good. To build up, to rebuke, to encourage, to challenge to bring life to the community! They are not given for rivalry or jealousy and they are given to be used, not to be hidden in fear or be suppressed for any reason. Series Title: Spiritual Gifts Series Description: Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understanding among all that make up C4 in this season. As we step out together, we all need to discover, rediscover, rededicate and walk in a power that is not our own, to do the impossible i

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12 Sermon Description:We at C4 believe every Christ follower is called to impact those around them through loving, joyful, gift-based service. We know that when we give God glory there is joy, we know that when we work in the areas God has gifted us we experience such powerful joy and we know purpose is given when we serve in our God given assignments. But what if you don't know your Spiritual gifts? Or what if you have never been able to identify them and learn from others that have the same gifts? And what about the ongoing problem we have as the greater church body with so many different understandings of the gifts and our experiences with them. In this ten-week series we are going to address all of these questions head on. Series Title: Spiritual Gifts Series Description:  Since we believe with all our hearts that Spiritual gifts are the only ongoing guaranteed place of power to serve from, we need to once again build the common script and understa

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture: Hebrews 12:14 Sermon Description: Always in January we take a small pause, a Sunday to stop and be reminded about what we are as a church, what we are becoming, what we are about to do and what the Holy Spirit might be saying to us in this very moment as we prepare to step out in this next major leg of our journey as a church. We need to be reminded of what we are and where we are going. Vision lacks in the best of times and the busyness of life causes all of us to forget so we need this picture vividly painted before because of where we are about to go. Series Title: Fully Devoted: Engage in Mission Series Description: One of our discipleship dimensions here at C4 is Engage in Mission. Finding out what God is up to and getting involved. We join forces together when we use our time, talents and treasure to further the Kingdom of God. In order to do that, we need to look at what it means to submit them to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Speaker: Dave Adams Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:5   We must never lose sight of the fact that God is a giver. God has shown us the example of how to give (John 3:16). When I give, I'm becoming more like God, I'm acting more like God. This means that I'm growing in Godly character. You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving! Series Title: Fully Devoted: Engage in Mission Series Description: One of our discipleship dimensions here at C4 is Engage in Mission. Finding out what God is up to and getting involved. We join forces together when we use our time, talents and treasure to further the Kingdom of God. In order to do that, we need to look at what it means to submit them to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture:Matthew 1 Description: Matthew is saying yes Jesus family tree was mixed, the people around the Christmas moment are mixed and now the after effects are the same. God is stitching us as a human family back together through Jesus. Jesus is the only that can make this patchwork beautiful! Series Title: The Genealogy of Jesus - Woven into God's family Series Description: Jesus Christ, God with Us, was born into a family and woven into the fabric of humanity. His family tree is full of colourful characters - just like our own family trees. Some are beautiful, and some broken, yet all these branches were used to bring us to the moment when Heaven touched Earth and began to stitch us into the story. The Genealogy of Jesus - Woven into God's family.

Speaker: Joel Penney Scripture:Matthew 1 Description: One of the last people mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus is Joseph—an average person who did an incredible thing: he welcomed Jesus into the world. With immediate obedience, Joseph shows us how we too can welcome Jesus into the world, and live knowing God is always with us.  Series Title: The Genealogy of Jesus - Woven into God's family Series Description: Jesus Christ, God with Us, was born into a family and woven into the fabric of humanity. His family tree is full of colourful characters - just like our own family trees. Some are beautiful, and some broken, yet all these branches were used to bring us to the moment when Heaven touched Earth and began to stitch us into the story. The Genealogy of Jesus - Woven into God's family.

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture:Matthew 1 Description:    Series Title: The Genealogy of Jesus - Woven into God's family Series Description: Jesus Christ, God with Us, was born into a family and woven into the fabric of humanity. His family tree is full of colourful characters - just like our own family trees. Some are beautiful, and some broken, yet all these branches were used to bring us to the moment when Heaven touched Earth and began to stitch us into the story. The Genealogy of Jesus - Woven into God's family.

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture:Daniel 6 Description: In the lions’ den, Daniel shows us the power of prayer and necessity of Spiritual disciplines, He prayed knowing God is in control, God is with him, God can change the situation or help him though it. Daniel is a model for us as we encounter the lions’ den in all aspects of our lives. Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture:Daniel 5 Description:We are truly living between two kings and the church is Daniel. Our families, friends, neighbours, our nation has not fully yet decided which we they will go, but we are to be Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar and Belsharazzar. We are not at the time of final judgement, the writing is not not yet on the wall, we do not yet know if the days are numbered. And so we personally and we as a church get to be Daniel to all our neighbours, friends, family, neighbourhoods, to Durham, to the GTA and Canada. Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.

Speaker: Jon Thompson Scripture:Daniel 4:19-37 Description: Should we be hanging out with all sorts of people and not worry about what people think and say? This story in Daniel says yes - be salt and light. Association does not mean agreement, it means you are there to show them light. The only rule is if you cannot handle a person and situation because you might go back into sin then don’t. See how Daniel's presence over time humbled a King. Series Title: Daniel: Thriving in Exile Series Description: Free though locked in chains, wise in the age of folly, unflinching in the face of a lion, influencer of kings and kingdoms, steadfast through fiery trials, empowered by the spirit of God.