Sanctus Church Podcasts
The Sanctus Church podcast features weekly messages aimed at helping listeners follow Jesus in daily life. The teaching is rooted in Scripture, led by the Holy Spirit, and focused on real-life transformation through encountering God. It is intended for anyone on a spiritual journey, regardless of where they are. Each episode encourages listening, learning, and growing in faith.
Episodes
Firm Faith - Week 3 - Many Voices
This week, Pastor Jon hosts a special panel of voices from around Sanctus who have experienced transitions through different life stages. Each member speaks about how it has impacted their walk with Jesus and where they found joy and hope in the transition.
Firm Faith - Week 2 - Marriage & Singleness
What do we think we know about the "rules" of marriage, divorce, and singleness for a Christian? What is Biblical and what is cultural? Pastor Angela gets to the heart of the matter, clearly describing God's plan for marriage and singleness, and discusses how we as Christians can hold fast to our faith in any circumstance.
Firm Faith - Week 1 - Passing on the Faith
What does it mean that God has no grandchildren? How do we pass on the faith to the next generation? Pastor Jon looks at biblical representations of multi-generational faithfulness and how we can live it out practically.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 13 - The Mustard Seed
Have you ever looked back over your life to pinpoint the one small change in the flow of your experiences that was the beginning of your current circumstances? This week, Pastor Sam uses the parable of the mustard seed to expose how small acts of obedience to Christ can multiply the kingdom beyond any measure you could possibly anticipate.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 12 - The Sower
We listen to others all the time but how often do we realize later that we never really heard? Pastor Ange takes us through the parable of The Sower and uses it to guide us in examining if we are listening intently to God and learning to hear His voice.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 11 - The Sheep and the Goats
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus paints a picture of a final judgment where the Son of Man separates people into two groups — like a shepherd separates sheep from goats.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 10 - The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
How easily do we see the problems in the behaviour of others, as opposed to the behaviours of our own that are sinful. Pastor Robin looks at the parable of the arrogant pharisee and the humble tax collector to examine how we should approach the most high and holy God with humility in prayer.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 9 - The Unmerciful Servant
How many points of cruelty or merciless do you witness or commit in a single day? Pastor Angela walks us through the parable of the unmerciful servant to expose how Jesus wants us to treat others with forgiveness and mercy because Jesus has blessed us with His abundant mercy when we least deserved it.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 8 - The Grumpy Neighbour
What expectations do you have when you pray? Guest Pastor Laurie Hartshorn uses the parable of the grumpy neighbour to explore how un-grumpy God is when we come to Him with all our needs, and how He wants to give us what we need most.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 7 - The Servants & The Talents
You were created a certain way with gifts and limitations. Guest Speaker G Andrew Beresford from ServeCity Church in Pickering uses the parable of the servants and the talents to help us reflect on our stewardship responsibilities based on that with which God has entrusted us.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 6 - The Two Builders
How are you building your life today in a way that it makes a better life tomorrow? Pastor Sam examines Jesus's parable of the two builders and how it encourages us to continue to build our lives on the firm foundation of Christ, rather than the shifting stands and storms of the world.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 5 - The Shrewd Servant
How would you feel if your credit card statement was made public? How about your online purchase history? Guest Pastor Dwayne Cline uses the parable of the shrewd servant to explore how our use of money is an expression of our relationship to God.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 4 - The Persistent Woman
How we respond to others who ask for need over and over again says a lot about our love for others. Pastor Lucas looks at the parable of the persistent woman to explore Jesus's compassion for us when we express on our complete dependence upon Him through prayer.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 3 - The Rich Man and Lazarus
Money can be a delicate subject in some circles, but for Christians it should be easy to talk about. Pastor Sam looks at the parable of the rich man and Lazarus and explores how we are simply steward's of God's generous gifts and need to use them to help others.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 2 - The Good Samaritan
It's easy to find ourselves in the heroes of a story. This week, Pastor Ange challenges us to find ourselves in all the characters in the story of the good Samaritan -- even the victim -- and to examine what we can learn afresh about Jesus and His love for us through the compassion of the Samaritan.
It's Like This: The Parables - Week 1 - The Prodigal Son
The parable of the prodigal son is well known, but Pastor Jon shows how it can refresh our understanding of God's love as one of culture-shattering strength. It supersedes human expectations and limitations, and will not be withheld when we repent and and return to our Father's kingdom.
The Book of Acts - Week 20 - Saying Yes
We all like to be comfortable. We limit our expectations to what we assume we can handle on our own. But Pastor Jon uses the end of Paul's journey in Acts to show how God's power cannot be limited and very often wants to challenge those assumptions that we use to pad our too comfortable lives.
The Book of Acts - Week 19 - Radical Submission
It is very uncommon for anyone to joyfully submit to any one or any thing. These days, fierce independence and self-dependence are touted as virtues. Pastor Jon looks at Paul's commitment and submission to the direction of the Holy Spirit even when it meant his persecution and even death.
The Book of Acts - Week 18 - Legacy
What do you imagine your legacy will be? For how many generations do you think you will be remembered? Pastor Jon looks at the end of Paul's ministry to explore how legacy for Christians is not found in the here and now, but in eternity as remembered by God.
The Book of Acts - Week 17 - Crossing Bridges
Sanctus Church is located in one of the most multi-cultural centres of the world, the Greater Toronto Area. What does that mean for a Christian looking to share the Gospel? Pastor Jon looks to Acts and uses Paul's behaviour in Athens as a model for us in the modern era.
The Book of Acts - Week 16 - Freedom
The pathway to freedom from our sins can sometimes feel so far away from where we are. Pastor Jon speaks about the ways Jesus uses prayer, worship, and the scriptures to reach us and draw us towards His gift of life-giving freedom.
The Book of Acts - Week 15 - Unity in Christ
There is nothing so obvious in the rest of the world than the polarization and disunity that runs rampant through our politics, our workplaces, and even our families. Pastor Sam looks closely at the real plan for Christian unity in Christ, rooted in our identity in Jesus.
The Book of Acts - Week 14 - Turf Wars
Miracles happen all the time and people from all walks expect the spiritual real to affect them in one way or the other. Pastor Jon acknowledges this and explores how deeply we need prayer and discernment to identify the source of the powers we interact with so we are not deceived.
The Book of Acts - Week 13 - God Always Wins
The troubles and tensions of everyday life can be overwhelming, and it can hard to have hope. Pastor Jon looks at the different stories of the lives of James and Peter and uncomfortable truth that when God moves, there will be resistance and insecurity in the now. But also that we are assured that God will always win.
The Book of Acts - Week 12 - Looking Back, Looking Forward
It's common for us to look back over our pasts as we turn the page on a new year. Pastor Jon's first message for Sanctus in 2024 looks far back into the early years of the Christian church at how we can use the early model of the church at Antioch in our work to build Sanctus church.
The Book of Acts - Week 11 - Unexpected and Uncomfortable
Most of the time, we'd probably say we look forward to new things, and new experiences. But Pastor Jon takes us to Peter's experience of God's new movement, that of including all nations of the earth in His salvation plan, and explores how sometimes what God asks us to do is both unexpected and uncomfortable.
The Book of Acts - Week 10 - Radical Gospel Love
We all know people that, if we're being honest, we don't think are worth any effort. But Pastor Jon reminds us that Jesus can redeem anyone, even the worst sinner, and that we are all sinners in need of the radical forgiving redemption of Jesus.
The Book of Acts - Week 9 - Baptism Sunday
Baptism is an outward sign of the inward commitment we have made to follow Jesus. Pastor Jon looks at Philip's baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch, and how it had rippling effects even into the present day.
The Book of Acts - Week 8 - Persecution, Progression, Poison, and Proclamation
Everyone experiences difficult periods in their lives, times when the struggle increases and we feel the pressure of this broken world. Pastor Sam offers a perspective that encourages us to see the joy of God's mercy even then while proclaiming God's faithfulness and spreading the news of His kingdom.
The Book of Acts - Week 7 - Stephen's Faithfulness and Freedom
Where are our Biblical role models of today? It can feel impossible to find people who demonstrate the patterns of a faithful Christian life. Pastor Jon turns to the life and death of Stephen who modelled the common faithfulness and fearless walk of a Christian who truly knows Jesus as their saviour.
The Book of Acts - Week 6 - Gift-Based Ministry
All churches go through repeated times of change, but it doesn't need to cause traumatic upheaval. Pastor Jon looks at the implementation of Biblical gift-based ministry -- grounding one's work in the gifts given by the Holy Spirit -- and how it can provide strength and continuity throughout the life of the church.
The Book of Acts - Week 5 - Trouble Inside
Appearances can be deceiving. Even when something appears to be working well, it might be hiding some nasty surprises inside. Pastor Jon uses the example of Ananias and Sapphira to illustrate how even Christians are capable of harbouring darkness, even while we are owned by Christ.
The Book of Acts - Week 4 - Boldness
What controls you? Are you truly empowered to talk about your Saviour, Jesus Christ? Pastor Angela looks at the prayers of early Christians who asked for boldness in their sharing of the truth of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection and asks if we have the same desire to share the Gospel.
The Book of Acts - Week 3 - Trouble Will Come
Living as a Christian in even relatively peaceful places like Canada is not without its challenges. Pastor Jon continues exploring the book of Acts and discusses how the example of Peter and John's empowerment by the Holy Spirit can help us discern how to live as Christians today.
The Book of Acts - Week 2 - Call on the Name of the Lord
Jesus is more than just a nice story; Jesus, along with His earthly life and resurrection for our deliverance, was real. Pastor Jon continues our study of the book of Acts and explores how the actual historical Jesus is the answer to all our everlasting troubles.
The Book of Acts - Week 1 - Jesus Alone
We start our new major series for this year with Pastor Jon opening up the first chapter of the book of Acts. We begin the journey through the incredible, world-changing age that saw the death and resurrection of Jesus and the growth of His church across all nations.Speaker: Jon Thompson Publication: September 24, 2023
Ezra - Week 5 - Confession and Repentance
The church is made up not only of leaders and the full congregation but of each individual member living in their own walk with Christ. Pastor Joel reminds us that it is our personal humbling through confession and repentance that allows us to realign ourselves with Christ's vision for us both personally and corporately as His church.
Ezra - Week 4 - The Place of Scripture
Our weeks are full of voices pulling us in all sorts of directions and forming us as they do. Today, Pastor Jon reminds us that the most important voice of our lives - the one we need to know most well - is God's. We need to value and listen to His words and guidance as given to us through the Bible.
Ezra - Week 3 - Expecting Opposition
Opposition and barriers to doing the right thing come at unexpected times, but often we meet them just when we feel we can't overcome them. But as Pastor Ange reminds us, not only are these challenges to be expected but we have the everlasting hope of a mighty God who is powerful over all our barriers and can defeat all our oppositions.
Ezra - Week 2 - Faithfully Rebuilding
It's exciting to start a new project with focus and enthusiasm, but after a while, it gets harder to keep the dedication up. Pastor Jon continues our foray into the book of Ezra, drawing our attention to how we as a church need to draw together and give what God has asked of us to truly continue the rebuilding with a spirit of Thanksgiving.
Ezra - Week 1 - First Steps
We never have everything under control. And just when we think we do, we hit that moment when we realize how wrong we are. Pastor Joel starts our journey through the book of Ezra, the first step in a rebuilding moment for Sanctus church, with our eyes focused on the God of everything.
Rooted - Week 19 - Don't Give Up
When we feel overlooked, underappreciated, and even unseen by others, we need to remember that we are always seen by the One that matters, Jesus. Pastor Jon finishes up our time in Romans with assurances that God will carry us to the finish as we remain faithful in our service to Him.
Rooted - Week 18 - Unity Not Uniformity
Generosity should come more easily from those who have experienced it first-hand. Pastor Joel discusses how the gift of Jesus's Grace is one that needs to be passed on from Christian to Christian so that we can find unity as a body even when we don't have uniformity.
Rooted - Week 17 - Joyful Allegiance
Recent years have seen Christians engaging with the political in ways that do not represent their responsibilities well. Pastor Jon tackles the difficult subject of how Christians are to be loyal and enthusiastic citizens of our temporal government and how we are to love our neighbours -- regardless of their political or social opinions -- with acts of horizontal grace.
Rooted - Week 16 - Through Heaven's Eyes
Do you sometimes wonder if people see you the same way you see yourself? Many times we judge others to be less than ourselves while making excuses for all our faults. Pastor Jon steps through the incredible Chapter 12 of the book of Romans and reflects back to us how God sees us, and how we are to humble ourselves in full sacrifice to the only eternal judge, Jesus.
Rooted - Week 14 - Surrendering Into Rest
Daily we hear the wrong messages: you have to do more, you have to do better, you have to find the strength within yourself, by yourself, to do better for yourself. When the truth is, we can't -- not by ourselves. Pastor Jon gets into the details of Romans 9 and points us to the words of God that show us how surrendering our efforts and instead relying on the power of the Holy Spirit can bring the
Rooted - Week 13 - Un-lose-able
Sometimes it feels as if each day is harder than the last, and wonder for how long we will be able to keep going. But for those of us who are children of God, we have been given His absolute and un-lose-able gift of Hope. Pastor Jon works through Romans 8 and its promises that God, as our perfect Father, has never and will never abandon us, and instead has given to His children incredible power an
Rooted - Week 12 - Stronger than Sin
Most Christians are comfortable with the idea that we will receive the gift of freedom from sin in an eternal afterlife. What we struggle with more is the idea that God has given us the Holy Spirit in this life, and that the Spirit lives in us right now, and grants us power that we don't have on our own. Pastor Jon digs into Romans 8 and expounds on the liberation from a dark, desperate life that
Rooted - Week 11 - Love Without Excuses
We all make bad choices, even when we are trying our best to make good ones. Why? Because we can't escape the worst bits of ourselves without outside help. Pastor Jon dives in and explains what role the law plays in exposing our sins, and how our love for Jesus leads us to the place where we find our very desires change so that we can, with His help, do what we are called to do, no matter the stru
Rooted - Week 10 - Who's Your Master
We like to think of ourselves as strong, independent people, in control of our own destinies. We don't like to admit that everything we do either submits to the mastery of sin or in obedience to our loving saviour, Jesus. Pastor Jon wades into the idea of spiritual slavery, and discusses how we are all committed to a master but only one master offers rest and resurrection -- Jesus.
Rooted - Week 9 - Grace over Guilt
Our culture is at war with the Biblical truth that people are born sinful. We want so badly to believe that cute babies are perfect and it's the horrible world that corrupts them. But Pastor Jon gives us insight into the reality of original sin and the incredible, Earth-shattering gift of grace through Jesus - the Second Adam - that God has given us.
Rooted: The Book of Romans - Week 8 - Deep Relief and Rest
We are all walking through lives that encounter so much difficulty and suffering. It can be difficult to see the hope of Christ when we're in the midst of so much struggle. But Pastor Jon Thompson takes us on the journey that sees suffering turn into hope, fueled by the persistent love of God in which we can find the rest and relief we need.
Rooted: The Book of Romans - Week 7 - The Everyday Faith
Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that if we just try harder, do better, say the right things or follow the right traditions, that it will make us right. And when time after time we fail ourselves, it can be hard to have hope that things will ever get better. Pastor Joel Penney explores how faith in God's promises - realized through Jesus - is the only thing that will ever give us what w
Rooted - Week 6 - Life-giving, Hope-stirring
We may know perfection is impossible, but we keep trying. We keep seeking solutions in things around us, like our jobs, our social lives, or our families, but none of it works. This week, Pastor Jon Thompson delivers the good news of Jesus's ultimate gift to us: complete atonement, redemption, and true liberation.
Rooted - Week 5 - No Excuses Left
What is it that we truly need to be good? Money? Education? Time? Pastor Jon Thompson discusses the uncomfortable truth of the fundamental brokenness of all humans and the perfect salvation we can only find through Jesus.
Rooted - Week 4 - Throwing Out Spiritual Junk
It's easy to look around and judge others -- and ourselves -- by superficial standards, and think we're doing alright and don't need God. Even for those who call themselves Christians. But when we don't look deeper, we risk pasting a fake veneer of proper living over a whole pile of spiritual junk. We end up self-congratulating and self-satisfied. Pastor Sam Mills illuminates how a genuine love an
Rooted - Week 3 - No Safe Hiding Place
What could "good enough" possibly mean when measured against perfection? Pastor Jon Thompson guides us through Paul's words in Romans on humanity's crisis of sinfulness and how we cannot stand up to God's absolute goodness. Join as he discusses the unbound importance of repentance and the incredible gift of God's grace and mercy.
Romans - Week 2 - God's Loving Justice
The word "Good" is only four letters long and is still an enormous word, far too big for humans. We all fail to be good and break away from the perfection that was designed by our Creator. This week, Pastor Jon Thompson continues through Romans to learn about how we humans fail but also how God had a plan to heal our broken relationship with Him through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.
Romans - Week 1 - A Resurrection Promise
We all need a refreshing season, one that builds back our hopes and renews our energies. For Sanctus, the word that sums up the next season for us is resurrection. Join Pastor Jon Thompson as we begin a study of the Book of Romans, one of the best books to resurrect, to bring back the essence, the beauty, the power, the hope, and the ongoing day-in and day-out life changes promised in Jesus.
A Seat At The Table - Week 9 - A Dangerous Breakfast
Unlike the many other meals we listened to this summer, this last meal is the one where Jesus does not invite someone to get to know him, or invite them to see his true identity but to rebuild and restore someone that already knows him more than most. Again Jesus is going to help this person, midpoint in the journey, keep going. This is where Jesus restores Peter.
A Seat At The Table - Week 8 - The Best Party Invitation
Have you ever had an awkward moment? Having an awkward moment can feel like one of the most uncomfortable human experiences here on earth. But, did you know Jesus had them too? Lorie Hartshorn unpacks for us several awkward moments in the bible, as well as one particularly awkward party guest. She unveils that when God calls us out when we do wrong, our response shouldn’t be to walk away in shame
A Seat At The Table - Week 7 - Trading Wages for Grace
Are you a "pretty good person"? What if "pretty good" isn't good enough? Or what if you're not a "good person"? Then there's some news you need to hear: you're a sinner just like everyone else. And sinners are exactly to whom Jesus extends His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love. We all -- every last one of us -- needs Him than anything else in this life. We just need to recognize it and run to Je
A Seat At The Table - Week 6 - Choose the Better Portion
There's nothing so radical, so counter-cultural, or so important as love. How do we shut down the worldly distractions that drag us away from focussing on Jesus's love for us? Joel Penney looks at the incredible upside-down lessons of Christ's visit with Mary and Martha. Jesus's wisdom in pointing to the eternal matters and away from the worldly ones challenges our daily assumptions about what our
A Seat At The Table - Week 5 - 5 Loaves, 2 Fish, 1 Basket
An anonymous boy gave his lunch: 5 loaves, 2 fish, and Jesus multiplied it to feed 5000. Can Jesus do the same with whatever is in your basket? Pastor Sam Mills takes us through the multiplicative miracle of Jesus feeding 5000 men with the anonymous donation of two loaves and five fishes from a boy in the crowd. It's a reminder that God has a purpose to be accomplished and created each of us with
A Seat At The Table - Week 4 - The Last Supper
Join guest speaker Pastor Anne Miranda as she takes us through the transformation that happens when people are sitting at the table with Jesus.
A Seat At The Table - Week 3 - Love for the Unloveable
Today, Lucas Prado talks about a time when Jesus shared not only a meal with the lost sinners of his time but also parables about lostness and discovery. Through them, Jesus tells us that even though we are surrounded by loss and immersed in lostness, His love offers a path of repentance and a joyous homecoming.
A Seat At The Table - Week 2 - Late Night Lattes
In a quiet nighttime conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus shares some Earth-shattering truths. Hear what He has to say about the difference between traditional religion and the real regeneration and relationship possible with and through the Son of Man.
A Seat At The Table - Week 1 - Dinner with a Collaborator
This week we start a new series reflecting on how we can be encouraged to gather each week as a Jesus people. As we do so, we seek a fresh vision around the need for and power of hospitality by examining meals that Jesus shared with others.
Rocks Don't Move. (Until They Do) - Week 9 - Reconstruction
How does Jesus respond when we doubt Him, walk away, or completely abandon Him? Walk with us through John 21, where we see Jesus "reconstruct" Peter for commission and ministry.
Rocks Don't Move. (Until They Do) - Week 8
Rocks Don't Move. (Until They Do) - Week 7 - Conspiracy Theories
Conspiracy theories abound about Jesus' death and resurrection. Was the idea of physical resurrection borrowed from other myths? Maybe Jesus was only in a coma? Maybe someone stole the body, or it was the wrong tomb, or the authors just made the whole thing up. Join us as Pastor Jon analyzes and debunks each theory.
Rocks Don't Move. (Until They Do) - Week 6 - Is All of This Just Smoke and Mirrors?
Can a rational, intellectual, and logical person really believe the fundamental claims of the Christian faith? Did Jesus exist, did Jesus really die, and did He really rise from the dead? Does anyone else beyond the Bible talk about this? Can it be proven? And even if it's true ...is it helpful?
Rocks Don't Move. (Until They Do) - Week 5
Rocks Don’t Move. (Until They Do) - Week 4
Rock Don't Move. (Until They Do) - Easter Sunday - Fear, Loss, and Hope.
Loss and fear are real experiences that can either sidetrack or move us closer in faith. How did Jesus' followers move from this to hope on the first Easter?
Rocks Don't Move. (Until They Do) - Week 3 - The Rejected Stone
Rocks Don't Move (Until They Do) - Week 2 - Wrong Turns & Right Focus
Using the story of the crowd calling to stone the adulterous woman in John 7, Pastor Jon outlines 4 wrong turns that — if taken — will land you in the wrong place.
Revelation - Week 12 - What (and where) is Babylon?
Date: March 6 2022Speaker: Jon Thompson
Revelation - Week 10 - The Mark of the Beast
Theories abound as to what the mark of the beast could be. Is it connected to microchips? The UN? Vaccines? Something else? In studying Revelation 13 within the context of what we’ve learned about the rest of the book, we learn that it’s something quite different.
Revelation - Week 9 - Christ Overcoming the Devil and His Allies
Pastor Jon discusses spiritual conflict in Revelation 12: as things are hard and complicated, the real questions being worked out are: Who owns you? Who is your god? Whose focus will you continue to have? Why is the world the way it is? Why is it so hard to be a Christian?
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