APRIL + MAY 2017
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APRIL + MAY 2017
Celebrating Resurrection! DR. JOHN NEUFELD The Hope Factor Quiz PHIL CALLAWAY Redemption + Hope JASON ROBERTS The Death + Resurrection of Christ ISAAC DAGNEAU He is Not Here, He Is Risen RAY DUECK
FEATURES BIBLE READING Dr. John Neufeld JUDE: FOR THE FAITH A 5-week Study
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BEST OF 2016! One-week series from Dr. John Neufeld CARRIBEAN CRUISE DETAILS Coming in 2018
CELEBRATING RESURRECTION!
DR. JOHN NEUFELD is the Canadian Bible Teacher of Back to the Bible Canada, and is well known both nationally and internationally for his excellence in expositional Bible teaching. Dr. Neufeld is passionate about bringing the truth of God’s Word to life across Canada and beyond.
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1 Corinthians 15 makes a fascinating study at Easter. The drama that gives rise to the teaching in this chapter is captured in verse 12: “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” Apparently, some believers in the church in ancient Corinth, while convinced that Christ had been raised from the dead, were equally unconvinced that believers would be raised from the dead. Most likely, these believers did believe in life after death, and even in heaven. But because they had been influenced by Greek thinking, they would have denied the bodily resurrection. Many ancient Greeks believed pure spirit to be good, and the physical world to be evil. For them, the idea of a bodily resurrection from the dead was repugnant. They believed that the body was the prison house for the soul. And so death was to be welcomed if it released a person into pure spiritual existence. This philosophy must have affected some of the believers in the Corinthian church as well. They never connected the resurrection of Jesus with their own resurrection. The results of this confusion could be seen in three very important areas of their lives. First, the Corinthian believers never really fully appreciated what Christ had accomplished by rising from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:16, Paul writes, “For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.” He means to say that if bodily resurrection really is as negative a thing as the Greeks claim it to be, then how can one argue for the resurrection of Christ?
By putting matters this way, Paul seeks to make plain that the life to come is indeed physical with sights, sounds, smells, touch, taste and everything that “physical” entails. The second result of the confusion for the Corinthian believers is that they had failed to appreciate how important righteous living actually is. Some of the Greeks believed that because the body was evil, one should avoid all bodily delights. But others argued exactly the opposite. If the body was to decay and only pure spirit survive, then whatever was done in the body was unimportant. And so, they counseled that one should be free to enjoy all bodily pleasures. To that, Paul responds, “Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning.” The third result of the confusion over the resurrection was the despair that many believers felt over death. If death forever ends our bodily existence, death is surely to be feared. For with death comes loss. I personally once sat beside the bedside of a dying saint, who told me of some of the things he would have loved to have done one more time. One included a hike in the mountains, breathing the cold, clean air. I had to remind him that in Christ, the dying never lose a thing. Paul says, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55) And this is the glory of the hope of the bodily resurrection. It gives us the courage to live a godly life today, as well as the assurance that death simply cannot take anything from believers. Happy Easter! BACKTOTHEBIBLE.CA | 5
EFFORTS
in Partnership with Back to the Bible India The Back to the Bible India pastors conference was a great success and we were so privileged to be a part of it. Hundreds of pastors sat under the teaching of Dr. John Neufeld as he guided them through the discipline of Expositional Bible teaching. Thank you for all that you did to partner in making these conferences a success, and now, with such wonderful feedback, and with the invitation of BTTBI, plans for two more conferences in June of 2018 are under way. Please pray for our continued support of BTTB India, and please continue to support our international efforts with your generous financial support.
International.BacktotheBible.ca or call 1.800.663.2425.
DR. NEUFELD’S DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN MAY 2017
JUNE 2017
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Proverbs 19-20 / Psalm 101 Proverbs 21-22 / Psalm 53 Proverbs 23-25 Proverbs 26-28 Proverbs 29-31 Ecclesiastes 1-3 Ecclesiastes 4-6 Ecclesiastes 7-9 Ecclesiastes 10-12 2 Chronicles 10-11 / 1 Kings 12 1 Kings 13-14 / 2 Chronicles 12 2 Chronicles 13-14 / 1 Kings 15 2 Chronicles 15-16 / 1 Kings 16 Kings 17-19 1 Kings 20-21 / 2 Chronicles 17 2 Chronicles 18-19 / 1 Kings 22 2 Kings 1-2 / Psalm 82 2 Kings 3-4 / Psalm 83 2 Kings 5 / 2 Chronicles 20 / Psalm 86 2 Kings 6-7 / 2 Chronicles 21 2 Kings 8-10 2 Chronicles 22-24 2 Kings 11-12 / Psalm 92 Joel 1-3 2 Kings 13-14 / 2 Chronicles 25 Jonah 1-4 / Psalm 30 Amos 1-3 Amos 4-6 Amos 7-9 Isaiah 1-3
WHOEVER GIVES THOUGHT TO THE WORD WILL DISCOVER GOOD, AND BLESSED IS HE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD.
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1 Chronicles 15-17 2 Samuel 7-8 / Psalm 45 Samuel 9 / 1 Chronicles 18 /Psalm 108 2 Samuel 10 / 1 Chronicles 19-20 2 Samuel 11-12 / Psalm 51 2 Samuel 13-15 / Psalm 11 & Psalm 13 2 Samuel 16-17 / Psalm 17 2 Samuel 18-19 / Psalm 55 2 Samuel 20-21 / Psalm 26 & 27 2 Samuel 22-24 1 Chronicles 21-22 / Psalm 40 1 Chronicles 23-27 1 Chronicles 28 / 1 Kings 1 / Psalm 37 1 Chronicles 29 / 1 Kings 2 / Psalm 143 2 Chronicles 1 / 1 Kings 3 / Psalm 107 1 Kings 4-5 / Psalm 104 2 Chronicles 2-3 / 1 Kings 6 2 Chronicles 4 / 1 Kings 7 / Psalm 138 2 Chronicles 5-6 / 1 Kings 8 1 Kings 9 / 2 Chronicles 7 / Psalm 65 2 Chronicles 8-9 / Psalm 48 1 Kings 10-11 / Song of Songs 1 Song of Songs 2-5 Song of Songs 6-8 / Proverbs 1 Proverbs 2-4 Proverbs 5-7 Proverbs 8-10 Proverbs 11-12 / Psalm 14 Proverbs 13-14 / Psalm 29 Proverbs 15-16 / Psalm 32 Proverbs 17-18 / Psalm 39
PROVERBS 16:20
THE HOPE FACTOR QUIZ PHIL CALLAWAY is the host of the hit radio show Laugh Again, and an award-winning author and speaker.
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How is your hope meter these days? Our elite panel of experts at Laugh Again Laboratories has formulated a quiz to test your HQ , your Hope Quotient. When reality rattles your cage, will you conquer or cave? Let’s find out. 1: When I think of the next generation, I: a) Give way to despair, worry, and binge eating. b) Rant and rave about the sorry state of today’s youth, then go out for a smoke. c) Remember that I was a mess once, too. That God, by His grace, loved and changed me. Then I pray. If there’s hope for me, there’s hope for anyone. 2: When I think about my health, I focus on: a) The mirror. Where I imagine all sorts of things that may be causing my latest itch. Then, I will give an organ recital to anyone who will listen. b) The next diet. The newest pill. The latest therapy from bright-eyed, TV gurus peddling expensive items I must have to be healthy, happy, and at one with the universe. c) The Book by my bed and the God who wrote it. I love this verse from Psalm 103: “Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name.” 3: When times get tough, I: a) Fill my camper with canned goods and ammunition and hole up in a bomb shelter in the middle of the Mojave dessert.
b) Medicate. I take whatever works. Caffeine. Morphine. Large doses of chocolate. Just hook me up to the IV. c) Pray. I’m thankful that in dark times my light can shine brighter. There have never been more opportunities to make a difference in this world. 4: My hope is found in: a) My retirement savings plan. Should that fail, there’s always the lottery. b) My children. They will achieve everything I failed to accomplish. I shall ride the wave of their success. And now it’s 5:30 am. Time to drive them to soccer, hockey, football, piano, viola, banjo, tuba, ballet, and lawn dart lessons. c) Christ alone. Amid rapid change and decay things can look hopeless. So I’m learning to focus more and more on the unfailing love of an unchanging God. He promises to one day make all things new. Now it’s time to add up that score. For every A you selected, take three ice cubes and put them down your shirt. Bs are worth one polar plunge into a glacial lake. And every C will earn you a cup of hot chocolate in a comfy chair by a warm fire. Where is your hope today? I trust you’ve placed it in something solid. During difficult times, Romans 15:13 has become one of my favourite Bible verses. It’s my prayer for you today: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” BACKTOTHEBIBLE.CA | 9
Enjoy this inspirational talk on HOPE by Phil Callaway, given in Fort McMurray, Alberta, after the devastation caused by the forest fires. There’s laughter, some great stories, and encouragement for each of us to look to Jesus when life throws its worst at us. Our GIFT to you this month.
ORDER NOW Call 1.800.663.2425 or go online at BacktotheBible.ca
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Enjoy Dr. John Neufeld's MOST IMPACTFUL MESSAGES of 2016! Yours for FREE this month Call 1.800.663.2425 or go online at BacktotheBible.ca *Available until April 30
FOR THE FAITH By JUDE: For the Faith is a 5-week, verse-by-verse study of the ancient letter to the 1st century church by Jude. Often skimmed and misunderstood, Jude’s letter asks for attentive minds as he makes a strong appeal to stand firm for the one true faith – the gospel. Upon studying the letter from Jude, one will see how relevant the content is for today. Jude urges Christians to preach the gospel in the midst of a dark world, to mature in their faith by prayer and intentional living, to respond to those in and outside the Church in a Christ-like manner, and to worship their King Jesus.
JUDE: For the Faith includes 5 teaching video sessions, with 5 session cards to go with each. The session cards each include a READING, REFLECTION, AND RESPONSE (questions).
Available at:
jude.backtothebible.ca
REDEMPTION + HOPE
JASON ROBERTS Jason came to know Jesus and leave a life of addiction at Wagner Hills Farm twenty years ago. Jason is on pastoral staff at Christian Life Assembly in Langley and is CEO of Wagner Hills Farm Society.
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Redemption is the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment. It is having the debt cleared. It is a fresh start. The word “redemption” is so often used when the debt that has been paid is for our souls, our lives. We get familiar with words in our subcultures, not always remembering what they represent, but even as I sit and write this, I am amazed again at the depth of what has been done for me, for mankind. I'm struck by the kindness of a Redeemer that would clear my debt and exchange it for newness and eternity. It's enough to make you need to share it. I'm fortunate in that I get to share about Jesus' redemptive love for us with my life and my words, for my work. My audience is most often people whose lives are caught up in addiction. Lives of precious people I get to know both the baggage that leads to addiction as well as the baggage we pick up in the process. That baggage often feels like a debt that no one should look at let alone pay for. Oh, but for God’s grace and the love of Jesus! I know this debt paid first hand, I was broken and got addicted to many substances and ended up on death’s doorstep. I found myself in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in my midtwenties. My debt of sin and all the fallout overwhelmed me. I believed there was a God but I knew nothing of His character. It was then that I said a prayer: "If you can do better with my life, you can have it." I began to
experience what the word “redemption” truly means. What I found is that redemption was not just a process of clearing debt; it was an exchange. I'm not talking about eternal life. Yes, that is part of the great exchange and is a very cool benefit, but to someone who was living in the depths of a day to day, hour to hour emptiness that needed to be filled, I wasn't thinking further than the day I had to live. The part of the exchange that I was surprised by was that my heart started to fill with hope. I didn't even know what that hope was, just that something good and sustaining was going on inside. I didn't deserve this, I had ripped God off! I gave Him a debt of waste for something I've been looking for all my life (though I may not have known it). That is also when I started to see His character, His goodness. God’s act of redeeming us is being accepted by someone right now, and we want to be a part of it. I pray that this reminder inspires you as it inspires me as I sit in a very different destination than the one I was headed to. We are a part of His plan for the redemption of mankind, we carry a hope that is contagious, and we know the equation. Lord, help us realize again the depth of the great exchange You enacted. Breathe life once more into the hope You put in us, and give us eyes again to see opportunity. Thank You for a life worth living.
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3 QUOTES ON THE DEATH + RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
ISAAC DAGNEAU is the leader of indoubt, the young adult ministry of Back to the Bible Canada. indoubt hosts a weekly podcast with special guests that discuss relevant issues of life and faith with a biblical perspective.
As you probably know, 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. This year, Christians around the world are celebrating the key themes and figures that helped the church see and savour Christ and His Word more clearly. 14 | APRIL + MAY 2017
At the same time, we’ve also approached the time of year that we remember and rejoice in the death and resurrection of Christ – that being Easter. The implications of this event obviously impact us all through the year, but a structured time when the universal
church looks to the cross is of great benefit. To remember both of these incredible events, I thought it would be interesting to hear what a few reformers had to say about Christ’s death and resurrection – providing us with a taste of both Easter and the Reformation. The idea here is for you, the reader, to slowly read these quotes to grasp the authors’ meanings.
PAUL If how the key figures of the Reformation interpreted Paul’s words on the gospel and salvation were true, then Paul should be considered the first reformer. Here’s a famous passage from his first letter to the Corinthians on the death and resurrection of Christ, and how this event is crucial to the gospel: Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you – unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. – 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
MARTIN LUTHER Martin Luther (1483-1546) is probably the most well known figure of the Reformation. Not only did he help the church understand some key areas of doctrine (i.e. justification by faith
alone), but he also wrote many hymns. Here’s the third stanza from his hymn Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands: Christ Jesus, God’s own Son, came down, His people to deliver; Destroying sin, he took the crown From death’s pale brow forever. Stripped of pow’r, no more it reigns; An empty form alone remains; Its sting is lost forever. Alleluia! Alleluia!
JOHN CALVIN John Calvin (1509-1564) was another very important figure of the Reformation. One of his most recognized contributions to the church at large was his written work Institutes of the Christian Religion. Here’s a snippet where Calvin briefly explains how Jesus’ death and resurrection both play a part in our salvation: Our salvation may be thus divided between the death and the resurrection of Christ: by the former, sin was abolished and death annihilated; by the latter, righteousness was restored and life revived, the power and efficacy of the former being still bestowed upon us by means of the latter. – Institutes 2.16.13 Much has been said and written about the death and resurrection of Christ. Do yourself a favour and read! Start with the New Testament and then move on to other key Christian leaders in history. Your soul will be refreshed as your love for Christ increases. BACKTOTHEBIBLE.CA | 15
Discipleship. Sexuality. Faith. LIFE. indoubt helps young adults tackle the tough issues with biblical truth. Check out our new podcast episode every Monday. indoubt.ca
Do you have burning questions about life, faith and want to know what the Bible has to say? That’s the objective of our new weekly video program featuring Dr. John Neufeld called TRUTH + LIFE Today.
Please watch on our YouTube channel or visit TruthandLifeToday.com
What will happen to those RRSP's? David and June had paid attention to preparing for retirement over many decades and with advice, had carefully tended to their registered investments. Now well into retirement, they realized that it was possible that much of that money would remain behind. They thought that it could simply be rolled over to the children but a friend said much would go the government in taxes. While meeting with an estate specialist from ADVISORS with Purpose, David and June learned that indeed registered assets can only be passed to a surviving spouse or disabled child and in the absence of either, the assets will be added into income, generating a tax liability against the estate. However, they further learned that the Canadian government will allow a charity to be named the beneficiary of registered accounts, meaning they could leave some or all of their RRSP/RRIF to charity and through the resulting donation receipt, effectively wipe out the entire tax liability. David and June decided to instruct their RRSP provider to include a charity as a secondary beneficiary. Through our partnership with ADVISORS with Purpose, we are pleased to offer you a confidential review of your Will and estate. Call today and speak to one of their qualified specialists. 89 Auriga Dr. | Ottawa | ON | K2E 7Z2 1.866.336.3315 WWW.ADVISORSWITHPURPOSE.CA
HELPING GOD’S PEOPLE MANAGE GOD’S ASSETS
HE IS NOT HERE, HE IS RISEN BY RAY DUECK
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“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ When He had said this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:46 With a loud cry, Jesus released a final breath into the dark sky. His head fell forward. His body slumped. Jesus died. The followers of Jesus had scattered. Others cried at the foot of the cross. They all were stunned. The week had started with such a triumphant march into Jerusalem. There had been a huge parade with palm branches and cloaks being laid down in front of Jesus, riding on a donkey. “Hosanna! God save us!” was shouted and sung during the Passover week in Jerusalem, which was crowded with the faithful. Jesus had cleared the temple of sellers. He had done a few miracles and taught the crowd. It was an exciting time and the future looked bright, full of hope and peace. Finally, peace. But now those days were a dim memory. After the Passover meal, they had witnessed the agonizing prayer in the garden, a kiss of betrayal on Christ’s cheek, the hurried arrest, the horrific crucifixion, and the scattering of “the followers.” The believers were overcome in disbelief and grief. Such high hopes, now dead with Jesus. Those looking at Jesus as He was dying on the cross had no idea that they were looking at the greatest act of salvation in history. They did not see the ways of God, nor the wonder of grace, only darkness and pain. Human reason said, “God cannot be working in and through that.” They did not see the
glimmer of light as God’s provision for their salvation hung on the cross. They forgot the promises given by Jesus. Can you imagine the astonishment of the women arriving at the tomb early on that Sunday morning? Seeing the stone removed, they entered the tomb. Seeing the body of Jesus gone, they became grief-stricken. Then they were face to face with angels who announced: “He is not here, He has risen, just as He said.” (Luke 24:6). Shock and fear and joy and hope must have gripped their hearts all at the same time. The angels instructed the women to go quickly and tell His disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead. He would meet them in Galilee. What hope, what redemption! To the question “What must I do to be saved?” the answer is found in Jesus’ words at the cross: “It is finished.” There is nothing left to do, it is done. The price has been paid. Jesus substituted His life for us. He bore our sins on the cross and provided the only way for us to be delivered from the bondage of sin. 1 Peter 1:3 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” The promise of redemption has been accomplished. It is the gift of eternal life for you and for me. It is what Easter is all about! Thank God for what He as done, and then, celebrate! RAY DUECK has been in pastoral ministries for over 35 years. As a graduate of Talbot, School of Theology, Pastor Ray is passionate about teaching the Word of God and caring for His people.
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Come aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas. Discover the beautiful Caribbean while enjoying a week of relaxation and being restored in God’s Word. WHAT TO EXPECT • Bible teaching and devotions with Dr. John Neufeld of Back to the Bible Canada • Humorous and encouraging sessions with Laugh Again’s Phil Callaway • Worship and music with The Wiebes • Great food • Amazing weather and sandy beaches TO REGISTER: 1-877-229-6155 FOR MORE INFORMATION: BACKTOTHEBIBLE.CA/CRUISE
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