Island ECC Podcast

What do you imagine when you think about the afterlife? That’s a huge question that could be answered a plethora of different ways. Even amongst Christians, the idea of what happens after we die is met with confusion. But what we think about our future is very important for our present. Today, we will look into scripture to understand what happens after we die.

It’s been a charge against Christianity for ages – how can Jesus claim to be the only way to God? Is Christianity really that exclusive? And what about those who’ve never had a chance to hear?

Why do bad things happen to good people? What happens when your world goes off balance? What part does believing in God play in your life when nothing seems to make sense? Come and discover what God has to say about this through His own words – The Bible.

Our confidence in our Bible will greatly affect the level of reliance we place upon it.

People die differently, because people live differently. In the last scene of Jesus’ life, He is surrounded by two thieves, both having equal access to see and observe Jesus. But their response is very different. How can we cultivate a tender heart, one that sees and receives all that Jesus has for us?

The unexpected help from Simon of Cyrene on the way to the cross gives vast insight into the message and method of God in ways we might not have considered.

The story of Barabbas is often overlooked because it is such a short story. Despite its brevity, Barabbas’s story holds deeper layers that go beyond being known solely as the one the crowds chose instead of Jesus. In this sermon, we embark on a journey to explore the untold aspects of Barabbas’s life, revealing surprising parallels that mirror our own experiences.

It’s possible to act like a christian, but not actually be one. It's feasible to be close to the things of God, but never actually have a converted heart. Judas serves as a stark warning that true conversion is always lasting.

Mary Magdalene is a very well known figure in scripture with very little known about her. She had the incredible honour of being the first person to see the risen Jesus, but that wasn’t their first encounter. Mary’s larger story is an encouraging one that gives us a perfect picture of what it means to be gratefully faithful.

The way to greatness is backward. When the world tells you to base your life on achievement, income, image, or power, Jesus offers us a life-giving alternative.

Our negative assumptions about our family members prevent us from pursuing reconciliation, resulting in only a “disguised harmony” or even conflicts in our family. Learning from the reconciliation of Esau and Jacob, we should put our trust not in our own assumptions but in God’s power to change hearts, and practice “forgetful forgiveness”, because we too have been forgiven by and reconciled to God through Jesus.

Lotus seeds represent the blessings of bringing forth offspring one after another. This applies to our spiritual community as we think about how to serve the community better. Today, we study how Barnabas multiplies spiritual leaders (Paul and John Mark) and how we, both as individuals and as a church, should do the same thing.

Happy New Year! The desire for happiness is a universal phenomenon. But what gives you real long-lasting happiness? In this sermon, we will explore the surprise source of happiness that God has already shown us.

What is your relationship with money? Is it your master or a servant? A bridge or barrier between you and God? What is God’s design for money and what is his invitation to us on how to live in freedom with it?

We all want to be more Godly. But it’s hard to know exactly what to do in order to be more Godly. We put our effort into trying many things, but are there specific things that we can place greater emphasis upon? We explore Peter’s letter to find out what those things are.

The world says “Get wealth!” to find your purpose. This pursuit enslaves us to greed. In contrast, the Word says “Get Wisdom!” When we apply it, we not only find a new purpose. In practicing generosity, we take hold of life!

Prayer is foundational for our spiritual lives. This message focuses on how important it is to have intentional connections with God, giving scriptural principles and practical help.

Both science and theology tell us that our thoughts are powerful. Our brain synapses create neural pathways that make our thoughts more and more powerful, causing mental problems, or if nurtured by God, liberating joy.

How would you like to have the “eyes of your heart” enlightened this year? It’s a weird phrase, but it describes a prayer that all of us would benefit from—-the ability to increasingly view life in the realm that is unseen.

With the new year quickly approaching, many people take the time to set new goals for themselves. Some set goals to be physically healthier, others set goals to learn something new. But what about our spiritual lives? Are there ways we can grow spiritually as we head into the new year? We kick off this sermon series by looking at different rhythms that will help us grow in our spiritual lives.