Since a pulse doesn’t mean you’re alive, this podcast is about the vitality of firm faith, pursuing personal integrity, and consistently keeping the main thing the main thing in practical ways day-by-day.
Matthew Ruttan is a disciple of King Jesus, husband to Laura, dad-of-three, pastor at Westminster, author of Turbulence and The Up Daily Devotional, lover of simplicity, sincerity, clarity and campfires. Servant of the Word. John 10:10.
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Since a pulse doesn’t mean you’re alive, this podcast is about the vitality of firm faith, pursuing personal integrity, and consistently keeping the main thing the main thing in practical ways day-by-day.
Matthew Ruttan is a disciple of King Jesus, husband to Laura, dad-of-three, pastor at Westminster, author of Turbulence and The Up Daily Devotional, lover of simplicity, sincerity, clarity and campfires. Servant of the Word. John 10:10.
It's the most famous story ever told. But what do all the details mean? What was Nazareth like? What is a Messiah, anyway? How long was the journey? And what does it all mean? This episode is a replay of a popular episode from a few years back. Enjoy this serious historical deep dive into the nativity story from Luke 2. "Long-looked for is come at last."
Jesus is coming back. This is called the "second advent" or "second coming." There is no shortage of speculation; but what does Jesus himself tell us about what we should be doing while we wait? This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) explains his instruction in Matthew 25:1-13. What should we be doing when the King arrives at our front door?
You sometimes hear it said that Jesus was "born to die that we might live." An important prophecy told us how over 700 years before Christ was born. God's providential hand was working powerfully, both then and now. This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) unpacks Isaiah 53 and God's loving plan in the incarnation for his people.
This ancient (yet often neglected) way to pray may be just what you need to grow, get unstuck, or simply go deeper with God in prayer. This is released as both a podcast episode and written blog.
Neutrality. We tend to like that. It's, well, non-controversial. But you can't follow Jesus if you're sitting on the fence. His is a radical grace and a radical truth. This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) is a summary of my teaching series on 1-3 John called "For the love of God."
We modern people like to think we’re “independent thinkers,” but in reality we’re very impressionable. If we're not careful that can lead to disaster - and evil. This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) unpacks 3 John and the role imitation plays in our discipleship.
Isn't prayer simply talking to God? Yes, but the Bible also provides us with guidelines for prayer that is decidedly effective. This episode provides 8 (actually 9) of them. As Martin Luther King Jr said: "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."
The word ‘encouragement’ has ‘courage’ in it. It comes from an old French word ‘corage,’ meaning heart. Encouragement is about enlarging or fortifying someone’s heart—who they are within—so that they can face the battles of life. Not only is this something we need to receive, but it’s something we need to give for the living […]
God tells us to pray. We know it's important. But are our prayers effective? Are we missing something? Maybe. This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) unpacks 1 John 5:14 and leaves us with several biblical guidelines for effective prayer. Alignment matters.
God's commands can feel difficult -- like something we have to do, not something we want to do. But when we better understand the reasons behind them, it can shift our perspective (and relationship). This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) unpacks 1 John 5:1-12.
Distracted driving is a public safety concern. But distracted living is a much bigger threat. The apostle John has some critical words to keep us focused. This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) explores 1 John 4:7-21. It also discusses judgment day, how "perfect loves casts out fear," and how love has a "rival" in our lives.
Have you seen those pictures where there's an angel over someone's shoulder and a demon over the other? Is that accurate, mythology, or something else? This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) unpacks 1 John 4:1-6, what the apostle means by "testing the spirits," and shares six helps by Jonathan Edwards.
Christie Thomas is the author of "Little Habits, Big Faith." She's also a family discipleship coach and mom. She believes that every Christian parent, including those who feel unsure at first, can nurture deep faith in their kids through little habits that add up over time. This episode is a conversation with Christie that is down-to-earth, fun, and informative.
"Christian" is a noun, yes. Early followers of Jesus were called "disciples" or people of "the Way." Have we lost something of the action-oriented dimension of our faith? In this sermon on 1 John 3:11-24 (also released as a podcast episode) I explain the text, and also John's instruction to love one another, even in the face of pain, problems, and even death.
Self-indulgence is in, self-denial is out. But God gave us fasting for our own good. Athletes go to the gym. Saints fast. This episode is an audio version of an article I wrote for LivingInTruth.ca. Originally geared toward leaders, it's helpful for anyone who wants to know more and build spiritual muscle.
The apostle says we should "purify" ourselves. It will prepare us to meet Jesus, make our lives more pleasing to God, and improve our quality of life. This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) explores 1 John 2:28-3:10, leverages a simple-but-helpful Canadian illustration, and offers practical help.
Hitler, Stalin, Nero, and even the Pope have been accused of being the Antichrist? But who (or what) is it? Is there more than one? When will he come, and what does any of it have to do with you? In this sermon (also released as a podcast episode) we look at 1 John 2:18-27 and John's teaching on the antichrist(s). We should be warned (in more ways than we think).
Our culture seems to be of two minds. On one hand it celebrates being different and unique. “You do you!” On the other hand, we want desperately to fit in, to be affirmed, and to be like everybody else. This tension is felt by Christians too. But we need to wrestle with something: Why do […]
Since a pulse doesn’t mean you’re alive, this podcast is about the vitality of firm faith, pursuing personal integrity, and consistently keeping the main thing the main thing in practical ways day-by-day.
Matthew Ruttan is a disciple of King Jesus, husband to Laura, dad-of-three, pastor at Westminster, author of Turbulence and The Up Daily Devotional, lover of simplicity, sincerity, clarity and campfires. Servant of the Word. John 10:10.
