This sermon represents Week 5 of a 6-month series on the Sermon on the Mount that Darrell preached in 1995. The text discusses the third Beatitude, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Darrell explains that meekness is not very well understood and that it is a rich quality of trusting in God. The meek know that the old order is passing away and the new order of God's kingdom is coming, so they do not need to be worried about those who seem to be succeeding on the world’s terms. The meek will inherit the earth, not just in the end, but also in the present, as they are free to enjoy God's creation without the need to constantly acquire and control.

In this sermon, Darrell’s focus is on this Beatitude: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” This beatitude suggests that mourning is a mark of the gospelized. Meeting Jesus forces us to face our sin, reveals the brokenness of the world, and connects us to the heart of God, who also grieves over the pain and suffering. Darrell emphasizes that though this mourning may be painful, it leads to comfort and strength from the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of God's forgiveness, the ultimate triumph of the kingdom, and the joy that is to come.

In this sermon, Darrell examines the importance of the first sentence of the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." He claims that these words set the tone for the entire sermon and suggests that they actually ought to be read before and after every single section of the Sermon on the Mount. Darrell explains that being "poor in spirit" is so foundational because it describes those who recognize their spiritual poverty and dependence on God. Darrell unpacks how the poor in spirit are those who know their need for God and how it is only those who know this need who will inherit the kingdom.

In this sermon on Matthew 5:3–12, Darrell unpacks the Beatitudes, the words with which Jesus opens his famous Sermon on the Mount. Darrell provides some important contextual notes that help us understand the Book of Matthew as a whole and the significance of what Jesus is doing in talking about the kind of people who are “blessed.” Darrell also gives a greater understanding of the important word “blessed” and comes up with “right side up” - those in the kingdom are “right side up” when it comes to how God sees things. He concludes by inviting us to reflect on which of the Beatitudes we might need to pay attention to in our journey of discipleship.

Today's episode launches us into a 6-month series that Darrell preached back in 1995 but that still has tremendous relevance for us today. Over the next few months, Darrell will take us through Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount. In this first teaching, Darrell reminds us that the Sermon on the Mount isn’t just about principles but about what he terms “gospelized humanity”: real people whose lives have really been transformed by the gospel. Darrell emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel, highlighting the authority and reality of Jesus' words, which he says have the power to "renew our Christianity" and "renew the world."

Living as Citizens of the Land Called Gospel | Week 1 | In this first episode of our new series on Paul’s letter to the church in Phillipi, Darrell takes us into what we need to know in order to hear his word. Really hear - so as to join the group gathered in a living room in downtown Phillipi. As we listen to Paul’s message, we hear his chief reason for writing - to exhort us to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ (2:27). We hear a call to live lives which are self-evidently shaped by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Unpacking this exhortation, we can more clearly see an invitation in the text to deeper friendship with one another. It's a friendship that points us to the relationship that’s at the centre of everything - between Father Son and Spirit. First Baptist Church, Vancouver, B.C. | September 7, 2014 | Philippians 1

Some have called The Gospel According to Mark a passion narrative with a long introduction, acknowledging that Mark gives a disproportionate amount of time to the final week of Jesus’ life. This focus will allow us to emphasize the cross and the fact that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. All in all, Mark acts as a very comprehensive discipleship manual that exalts the servant King, Jesus and invites us to follow him.

Some have called The Gospel According to Mark a passion narrative with a long introduction, acknowledging that Mark gives a disproportionate amount of time to the final week of Jesus’ life. This focus will allow us to emphasize the cross and the fact that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. All in all, Mark acts as a very comprehensive discipleship manual that exalts the servant King, Jesus and invites us to follow him.

Prayer is the foundation of every significant work of God. It is through prayer that we engage with the Spirit of God, partnering with Him in His redemptive work for our city and inviting His healing power into our lives. At The Way Church, we are committed to being a people of prayer—through times of personal prayer, weekly prayer gatherings, and prayer ministry in our services. Once a year, we set aside 21 days to pray in unity; practicing fasting, contemplation, and intercession as a community. We invite you to join us for 21 Days of Prayer during the month of January.