We're back together in the building, after 10 months of online church! To celebrate, Chris uses the story of Solomon dedicating the Temple to reflect on the idea of sacred spaces and holy ground. What makes a place sacred? What makes the ground holy? And does our humble little church building qualify? It sure is good to be back together!…

The King is returning to his throne! In a reverse of the processional he had taken in chapters 15-17, David will once again encounter several people he had met earlier, in a completely different set of circumstances. How will David respond to these men in this new context? And more importantly for us: how will they respond to the King's return to g…

The battle between David and Absalom will conclude when the rebellious son meets his fateful end. David's emotional response is a devastating reflection of how our King responds to lost rebels as well. Stay tuned for an extra large blooper segment, because you CCBC'ers are hilarious.Clyde Christian Bible Church által

Absalom has to choose between the advice of Ahithophel, or the advice of Hushai. One is wisdom, and the other is foolishness; one would lead to victory, one to a crushing downfall. Wisdom can be tough to discern for us as well. Which piece of wisdom will Absalom choose: human wisdom, or God's will? Which wisdom will we pursue: human wisdom, or the …

Last week we discussed David's long, sad processional out from Jerusalem towards the borders of Israel, showing kindness and humility and trust in God's will along the way. Today we connect David's journey to Jesus, Who took a reverse long, sad procession towards Jerusalem. Jesus' journey is beautiful and powerful enough to change outsiders to insi…

Absalom's rebellion is in full swing, and King David must flee. But his royal procession away from Jerusalem gives him many opportunities to meet various people with varying degrees of loyalty, and to formulate a plan for reinstatement. Along the way, he will learn (and hopefully we will learn) valuable lessons on humility, faith, and submission. A…

Absalom is a greedy, selfish, deceitful taker who seduces God's people away from their King. The same is true of sin. Here, Chris gives an emotional demonstration of how sin works like Absalom, and how God's children can always return to their Father. Features a clip from one of the greatest animated films of all time, "The Emperor's New Groove", b…

Happy Father's Day, from Clyde Christian Bible Church! David hasn't proven himself to be a very good dad. But today's story of David and his estranged son Absalom reminds us of a couple stories about our heavenly Father, Who longs for reconciliation rather than wrath, and Who protects every hair on our head. Try not to get to distracted by the desc…

Our dear friends had a wedding (actually, second wedding), so Chris brings his wedding sermon to Sunday morning. Using CS Lewis' "The Four Loves", Chris examines love of all kinds, before we discuss the greatest of all loves, made visible in marriage, church communities, and (most of all) Jesus Christ. Also included: Andrew Hoetmer's heartfelt comm…

Having a tough conversation about Canada's Residential School system, a recent form of genocide against Indigenous peoples. What does the horrible history mean for the church today? More importantly, how can we help bring about healing?Clyde Christian Bible Church által

WARNING: This message features discussions on sexual assault and rape. In a gross story of rape and murder between royal siblings (and an ineffective father/king who refuses to do anything about it), we are given a strong contrast to our King Jesus. Lust and Vengeance vs. Love and Justice. Which will we choose? On a much lighter note, stay tuned un…

Alright. We've spent a lot of time in the past couple weeks examining the downfall of Dirtbag David, the selfish, greedy, power-hungry, "taking King". How will God respond to the enormity of David's destructive sins? And just as importantly, how will David respond to God's response? Stay tuned for the shocking details! Also shocking: Angie's plan f…

We've heard the voices of the victims. Today, we explore David's downfall according to the words of Scripture, as we prepare for the most shocking part of the sordid tale of David & Bathsheba. Also: Happy Mother's Day! You moms deserve so much better than a Zoom high five! WARNING: Contains discussion of sexual assault and rape.…

WARNING for TRAUMATIZED INDIVIDUALS: This episode deals with sexual assault, sexual abuse, and rape. In this creative retelling of Bathsheba's story, we get a look at the woman in the center of David's sordid affair. She has everything taken from her by her abuser, the taking king: her innocence, her joy, her husband, and even her baby son. But the…

In this, the first of a series of creative retellings of David's tragic downfall in 2 Samuel 11, we see the events of the king's betrayal through the dying memories of Uriah the Hittite. Could it be that the life of a faithful, honourable, and courageous man was snuffed out by the king's selfishness, pride, and covetousness? Listen to the voice of …

"Have those pesky rivals got you down? Are you left half-bearded and bare-bottomed and ashamed by your foes? Are you constantly surrounded by those seeking to harm you? Follow my helpful guide to learn how YOU TOO can master the royal method of dealing with enemies, in just three easy steps! Welcome… to A Kind, Faithful King’s Guide to the Treatmen…

Tying together threads from throughout the life of King David (and filmography of Julia Roberts), Chris looks at the story of King David extending faithful love, kindness, and grace to a crippled potential enemy. It's a story at the very core of the Gospel we believe and proclaim. Stay tuned for a beautiful song from Angie and Tegan, and then hear …

He is risen! He is risen indeed! For Easter 2021, we examine the events of the first Easter weekend using one of Chris' patented cheesy wordplays, focusing on the resurrection scenes surrounding the Tomb, the Room, and beyond. On this, the most important of days, we ask... how do these scenes impact our faith today? Contains portions of "Low in the…

As we examine the last couple days of Jesus' life (Preparation, Condemnation, Crucifixion) we find that Good Friday reveals Jesus to be a very different kind of King, a King of footwashing, faithfulness, and fallenness that leads to fruitfulness. A King that looks like the cross. And as we put ourselves in the place of Pilate, we ask crucial questi…

With God at His side, all David does is win win win, no matter what. These victories are confirmation of the covenant promises God had just made to the king one chapter earlier. But the victories are also problematic in their own way. Is victory in the Kingdom of God just about crushing enemies and collecting riches and building empires? Or is ther…

David wants to build God a house, but God builds one for David instead. Thankfully, this covenantal house is open for each of us as well! Today we examine how the covenant with David further expands this house of covenants. But more beautifully, through the prophets and the New Testament, we'll ultimately see how Jesus represents a totally new blue…

Chris takes a deeper look at the lives of the first three men God covenanted with: Noah, Abraham, and Moses. Along with being heroes, an interesting pattern develops in each of their stories. After God gives His promises, the receiver proves himself lacking in faith. Will this affect the covenants God makes with His people? Or will He prove Himself…

David wants to build God a house, but God builds one for David instead. God has built a house for all of His children, and each covenant He makes is the addition of a new room to that glorious House. After taking a brief tour through the layout of his own home (complete with threadbare 70's carpets and Taylor Swift singalongs), Chris takes us on a …

David wanted to build God a house, but God flipped the script and promised to build David a house instead. In this sermon, we take a look at David's excellent and instructive response. David behaves like a Kindergartener demanding a fulfilled promise, which is actually a good thing! Find out how David's response of deference, doxology, and demand c…

Sometimes, a small thing that brings you joy turns out to be an item of extreme worth, like a ten-dollar ring selling for $850,000. A similar thing happens to David in 2 Samuel 7; he wants to build a house for God, for reasons both noble and self-serving. But what YHWH gives Him instead exceeds David's wildest expectations. That's typical of our Go…

As David dances rapturously for the arrival of God's presence, he looks foolish and undignified in the eyes of those concerned with properness and reputation. Jesus took this a step further. His entire ministry was bringing God's presence to lost people, making Jesus look even more foolish, reckless, and undignified in the eyes of powerful people. …

In 2 Samuel 6, God's Presence is brought into the center of Israelite life once again, as King David brings the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. It's a great day of celebration and praise... and tragedy. The God enthroned upon the Ark is a consuming fire, Who burns away those who presume to enter His presence in an unworthy manner. If this is Wh…

King David's battles against the Philistines teach us something essential about the Gospel. There are some detours: Chris examines his email address, and why he hates it so much. He leads a song that may cause your ears to bleed. He discusses the evolution of hockey in video games. But it all leads to what Chris believes is the fundamental core of …

There is no more significant city in human history than Jerusalem. In today's passage, David claims the Holy City of Peace for Israel (finally). It gives us an opportunity to examine the positive and negative history of Jerusalem and its connection to both Israelite identity in Scripture, and our own faith journey today. Buckle up for LOTS of word …

David will finally be inaugurated as King of all Israel, which is a major turning point in Israel's history (as evidenced by the presence of the number 40). Today's passage examines why this moment is so crucial: it illuminates the purpose of David's Kingship. Along with Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34, and John 10, we see how important it is for leaders in G…

Chapters 2 to 4 of 2 Samuel are chock full of gruesome details underlining the human tendency towards violence in the pursuit of political power. It is fitting that this passage follows a week that saw supporters of President Trump engage in similar means of securing and retaining power, through the insurrection at the American Capitol. But in the …

Well, we've come to the end of a few things: the end of 1 Samuel, the end of Saul's life, and the end of a very challenging year in 2020. In this sermon, some surprising responses to Saul's death prompts us to follow David's example and lament the struggles facing the LORD's anointed ones. Thankfully Bill's upbeat communion message adds to Chris' l…

Faith and Grace. Two elements crucial for any anointed person in God's Kingdom, whether it's ancient Israel or modern North America. After summarizing the previous three chapters (plus a communion thought on the God of Life), Chris then explores the contrast between Saul in his lowest point, and David in his. David finds his strength in His God, ex…

Buckle up, because things are about to get weird in 1 Samuel. We've got desperate kings, terrified witches, and dead people who talk. But as Saul uses unlawful means to try to get in touch with YHWH, it only shows how much he has refused to see or hear from his God. Don't make Saul's mistake. Don't talk to dead or illegitimate things; inquire of th…

Welcome back, for a taste of online church at CCBC! This Sunday we hear an excellent communion message from Andrew Hoetmer, discussing the background to the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", and his own past and present prayer life. We then dig into the story of David among the Philistines, in chapters 27 and 29. There, David acts like a bit o…

Step into the wonderful world of online ZOOM church with your friends at CCBC! Hear some of Chris' thoughts on All Saints Day and reflect on David's communion message about laying down our lives for Christ. Finally, listen as the story of 1 Samuel 26 teaches us how David is like Jesus (yet again) because He refuses to grasp His deserved glory, but …

IT'S BAPTISM SUNDAY for our dear friend Madison St. Louis!!! Listen in on most of the service as we celebrate an excellent woman submitting her life to the merciful King Who offers us grace, peace, and belonging. Warning: watch out for anointed kings covering their feet in desert caves! --------------------------------------------------------------…

Much of David's story serves as foreshadowing for what the Kingship of his royal heir, Jesus, would eventually look like. It's there in everything as small as five loaves of bread, to as large as his willingness to shoulder other people's guilt. Today, we examine ten details from the story we examined last week (David flees Saul, who murders the pr…

A madman bent on extinguishing an innocent hero. A majestic sword and sacred bread offered in a time of distress. A murderous shepherd who betrays God's anointed leader. Deception. Destruction. Desperation. A lone survivor who lives to tell the entire tale. And in the center of it all: a God who remembers His promises. Please enjoy this dramatic re…

David and Jonathan give us a portrait of excellent Biblical friendship, rooted in a forward-looking focus on God's will, and promises of shared kindness. But friendship is too small a word for the bond we share in Christ. What kind of relationship do we have with each other? What is the basis of this friendship-that-is-more-than-friendship? And wha…

Today, we begin with an ethical question regarding lying, a question that is featured prominently in our passage regarding Saul's children protecting David from their father Saul's murderous jealousy. But this leads to a broader examination of Truth. Where do we find authoritative Truth? What is the deeper ethic we are called to follow? Listen as A…

Okay, so we talk about rap music again. But in the story of Chris' favourite hip hop artist, we see dramatic reversals from wickedness (sex, money, murder) to "weakness" (humility, selflessness, forgiveness). This is similar to the story of 1 Samuel 18, where King Saul is the wickedness to David's holy weakness. As David rises in the hearts of all …

Together, our good friends Lisa & Jelle share their painful stories of pasts that prominently feature the Goliaths of anger and rage (Jelle), abuse and neglect (Lisa), and unhealthy coping mechanisms (both). But through Church, Scripture, reflection, each other, and (most significantly) the work of the Holy Spirit, they are able to stand before us …

Consuming Scripture slowly and meditatively allows us to be nourished by truth and wisdom more thoroughly. But it also highlights problems and complications in Scripture. It sometimes feels like God Himself must be overcome, like Goliath, in order for faith to grow. In this sermon, we examine two such major questions, focusing on the Book of 1 Samu…

A midnight stubbed toe. An alcohol-infused game of baseball. A dedication to curiosity. These are the things God used to transform our good friend, Marnie Hoetmer, from a cynic to a faithful believer. In her story, Marnie speaks of the Goliaths of doubt, disbelief, and disillusionment: of how they are not enemies to faith, but partners in it; of ho…

In this powerful message, our dear friends Abe & Eva share their journey from a legalistic understanding of God, parenting, and salvation, to an active faith in a Father Who gives grace, freedom, and life. It is powerful, vulnerable, and beautiful, and a message that we can all learn from. It also happens to tie in wonderfully with our Scripture re…

A tweet from President Trump causes Chris to examine the Goliath of the Suburban Lifestyle Dream. Is that really the dream we should be pursuing? Let's examine a new dream; a Kingdom dream. A dream where wealth and social status and race don't determine someone's worth. A dream not marked by privilege, selfishness, individualism, and consumption, b…

This January, our church was dealt a heavy blow with the sudden and unexpected loss of our dear friend and sister-in-Christ, Terra Harris. In this deeply personal (but also practical and Scriptural) message, her husband David discusses his ongoing battle with a massive giant: Grief. The inconvenient truth is that all of us face this giant at one ti…

Our "David" this week has lived a full life of service to God, and has faced many Goliaths. Bob Williams, former pastor of Clyde Christian Bible Church, discusses a pivotal turning point in his faith journey: facing the giant of creation vs. evolution. But there is an even bigger Goliath behind that one: the Goliath of Faith, Focus, and Purpose. Co…

David faced a massive ugly giant with only two tools: a sling and a stone. Our first guest speaker in the "Davids vs Goliaths" miniseries is Angeline Bowman, an excellent servant of God who has devoted her life to facing down the massive ugly giant of Injustice. In her message, she reveals the twin tools we can use to conquer such an enormous enemy…