Sermons Faith: Seeing What is Not Yet Stephen Bedard, February 25, 2024February 25, 2024 Romans 4:13-25 Introduction Are you a person of faith? And what does that even mean? For some people, they might take that as someone who is trusting or hopeful. Another person might equate that with belonging to a religious tradition. Faith is one of those words like love that has… Continue Reading
Sermons Agree to Disagree Stephen Bedard, September 17, 2023September 17, 2023 Romans 14:1-12 Introduction Imagine a congregation that has a wide range of beliefs. One person feels strongly that no Christian should drink any alcohol and another person thinks drinking in moderation is acceptable. One person believes that gay people should have full access to all levels of church life including… Continue Reading
Sermons Fluent in the Good News Stephen Bedard, May 28, 2023May 28, 2023 Romans 10:14-17 Introduction One of the scariest experiences from me, at least in a Christian context, was something that happened to me as I was heading to Europe for a short-term mission trip with Operation Mobilization. All of the Canadians that were going were flying from Toronto. That was very… Continue Reading
Sermons Blessed Are Those Who Suffer Stephen Bedard, March 12, 2023March 12, 2023 Romans 5:1-11 Introduction One of the areas that I have been involved in, to one degree or another, since I came back to faith in my 20s is that of Christian apologetics. Apologetics is not about being sorry for being a Christian but rather providing reasons for why we believe… Continue Reading
Sermons Worshiping God in Jesus Christ Stephen Bedard, January 9, 2022January 10, 2022 Romans 12:1-2 Introduction Few issues get Christians as worked up as their personal preferences when it comes to worship. There is a reason why people call it the worship wars. There is your side, there are the people who are worn, and there is a battle to be won. We… Continue Reading
Sermons Sharing God’s Saving Love Stephen Bedard, January 2, 2022January 4, 2022 Romans 10:14-15 Introduction If I asked you to at some point today approach a random stranger and share with them the gospel, how would you react? You might respond by saying that you are shy and don’t talk to strangers. Fine, go and share the gospel with a close friend… Continue Reading
Sermons Where Grace Leads Stephen Bedard, October 31, 2021January 16, 2022 Romans 3:21-31 Introduction While many people celebrate Halloween on October 31, that day is significant for protestant Christians for another reason. It was October 31 in 1517, that a monk named Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five theses on the door of a church in Wittenberg, in modern Germany. Although Luther… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog What the Romans Said About Crucifixion Stephen Bedard, March 25, 2016September 3, 2020 While in some ways it is good that Christians use the cross as our symbol, in other ways it leads to a lack of shock at the horror of the cross. We have become comfortable with the cross. What we forget is that crucifixion was one of the worst ways… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog The Key to Understanding Romans Stephen Bedard, October 16, 2015April 29, 2019 One of the things I try to get across to my Bible students is that the authors did not sit down to intentionally write the Bible. This is especially true when it comes to Paul’s letters. Paul wrote his letters to specific churches going through certain challenges. While the principles apply… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Devotions: Romans Stephen Bedard, December 14, 2014April 26, 2019 A devotion based on Romans 8:15. In this passage, Paul is describing the identity of the Christian. One of the things essential for the Christian is the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit is not an idle entity. According to Paul, one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Was Jesus Adopted as the Son of God? Stephen Bedard, November 25, 2014July 16, 2019 Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God. But what does that mean? Does that mean that Jesus has always been the Son of God or that God really liked Jesus and adopted him as the Son of God? One of the key verses in this discussion is: “[Jesus]… Continue Reading
Sermons A Vision For a Healthy Church Stephen Bedard, November 25, 2012December 28, 2019 This is my final sermon a pastor of First Baptist Church Meaford. Romans 15 Introduction The time has come for my last message to the church. I wanted to share something that would be helpful for the church as you look to the future and at the same time remain… Continue Reading
Sermons How to Disagree Stephen Bedard, November 23, 2012December 31, 2019 Romans 14 Introduction In John 17, Jesus prays a prayer for the future church, a prayer that is aimed at us. In his prayer, Jesus prays for something very specific. It is not for beautiful buildings or healthy budgets. Jesus prays that the church would be one as the Father… Continue Reading
Sermons I Can See Clearly Now Stephen Bedard, November 5, 2012December 31, 2019 Romans 13 Introduction There are a number of moments in my life that were turning points. One of them was when I got my eyes checked for the first time. After being encouraged to get my eyes checked by a high school teacher, I finally went to an optometrist. I… Continue Reading
Sermons The Power of Love Stephen Bedard, October 22, 2012January 1, 2020 Romans 12 Introduction There are many things that people of different religions and philosophies disagree on but there is one thing that almost everyone agrees on: the importance of love. It doesn’t matter of you are a Christian or an atheist or any other belief system, people instinctively know that… Continue Reading
Sermons Knowing Our Place Stephen Bedard, October 14, 2012July 24, 2020 Romans 11 Introduction Know your place! Have you ever heard someone say such a thing? Such a concept could be terribly abused. In more innocent forms, it could be used by parents to try and control their children. In harsher forms, it could be used to promote racism or sexism. … Continue Reading
Sermons Preach the Gospel Stephen Bedard, October 8, 2012September 12, 2019 Romans 10 Introduction Pastors are well aware that there are certain subjects that congregations do not like to hear sermons on. One of those topics is that of hell. The entire concept of hell is extremely unpleasant and few people want to hear about it. That does not mean it… Continue Reading
Sermons Let God Be God Stephen Bedard, October 2, 2012January 4, 2020 Romans 9 Introduction It is very interesting for me to see the change in perspective from being a son to being a father. This is especially true with regard to ideas of fairness. Now things were a bit different for me growing up as an only child. There never were… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Romans 9 and the Jesus Myth Stephen Bedard, September 24, 2012January 10, 2020 There are a number of different versions of the Jesus myth theory. However, for any of them to work, they need to deal with Paul. Many mythicists claim that Paul never speaks of the earthly historical Jesus but rather always speaks of a glorified Christ. The thought is that Paul… Continue Reading
Sermons Abundance of Blessings Stephen Bedard, September 23, 2012January 10, 2020 Romans 8 Introduction What is Christianity all about? Is Christianity all about bad news or about good news? I have seen descriptions of churches that were completely about what they were against and not at all about what they are for. It is easy to tear things down and much… Continue Reading
Sermons Trapped Stephen Bedard, September 9, 2012January 11, 2020 Romans 7 Introduction Look at your life. Is it the way you want it to be? I do not mean do you have the possessions you want or have you accomplished what you want. I mean, how is your inner self? Are you the kind of person that you want… Continue Reading
Sermons Being a Slave Stephen Bedard, August 26, 2012January 24, 2020 Romans 6:15-23 Introduction How do you understand your relationship with God? Do you see yourself primarily as a worshipper? That would mean that your main role would be to praise God. Do you see yourself as a follower? That would mean that you try to figure out the rules and… Continue Reading
Sermons Living in Grace Land Stephen Bedard, August 20, 2012January 31, 2020 Romans 6:1-14 Introduction I believe that there is one question that is essential for all of us to ask: So what? You say you love your children? So, what does that look like in reality? You say that you care about the poor? So what does that look like in… Continue Reading
Sermons Two Men and a Sin Baby Stephen Bedard, August 12, 2012February 3, 2020 Romans 5:12-21 Introduction Why do things happen to us? Why do we experience some good things and some bad things? In our society, we pride ourselves in personal autonomy. We want to believe that things are within our control. Do you want to get ahead in life? Roll up your… Continue Reading
Sermons Peace and Joy Stephen Bedard, August 6, 2012February 5, 2020 Romans 5:1-11 Introduction I like it when things make sense. I enjoy it when things are logical and reasonable. This is the challenge of being a parent. Amanda and I look at some of the bad things our kids do and instead of getting mad, we look at each other… Continue Reading
Sermons Father Abraham Stephen Bedard, July 29, 2012February 15, 2020 Romans 4 Introduction I find family resemblances to be very fascinating. Physically, I do not look much like my dad. However, I am now at the age that my dad was when I have some of my earliest memories. I find myself looking in the mirror and trying to see… Continue Reading
Sermons Now, the Good News Stephen Bedard, July 24, 2012March 4, 2020 Romans 3:21-31 Introduction What do you want first? The good news or the bad news? Whenever I am asked that question, the answer is very easy. I want the bad news first. There are a number of reasons why. Sometimes the good news is the solution to the problem of… Continue Reading
Sermons Faithfulness of God Stephen Bedard, July 1, 2012May 9, 2020 Romans 3:1-8 Introduction Think about the people you know, your family and friends and acquaintances. What are the virtues that you value and admire most? There would be things like politeness and kindness and intelligence and humour. All of these things are good and should be appreciated. What about faithfulness? … Continue Reading
Sermons Unmasking Religion Stephen Bedard, June 22, 2012May 13, 2020 Romans 2:17-29 Introduction How do people feel about religion? My experience is that people are quick to dismiss “organized religion.” They don’t mind faith in God or even spirituality but they hate organized religion. There are all kinds of problems with this attitude, common as it is. What is the… Continue Reading
Sermons The Problem With Judging Stephen Bedard, June 10, 2012June 10, 2023 Romans 2:1-16 Introduction “Judge not, lest you also be judged.” These are very well known words, even by people who do not know Jesus spoke them or that they are found in the Bible. Well known, but at the same time very much misunderstood. What is it that Jesus is… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog A Bad Exchange Rate Stephen Bedard, June 5, 2012May 18, 2020 Romans 1:18-32 Introduction Paul’s letter to the Romans is very much about being in right relationship with God. No matter what subject he is looking at, he connects it to our relationship with God and how it can be restored. But why? Why is this so important? Why not just… Continue Reading
Sermons A Gospel of Hope and Power Stephen Bedard, April 30, 2012July 16, 2020 Romans 1:8-17 Introduction What is it that you are really passionate about? For many people, it would be family. We love our spouse, our children and grand children. Nothing makes us happier than to be with them and to see them enjoying life. For other people, it is their career. … Continue Reading
Sermons Miracle of the Incarnation Stephen Bedard, April 24, 2012June 9, 2020 Romans 1:1-7 Introduction What is it that is essential for us to get right? Do we need to get the style of our worship music right? Do we need to get the balance of liturgy and spontaneity exact? What about the architecture of our churches or the translation of our… Continue Reading
Apologetics and Theology Blog Romans at Yale Stephen Bedard, December 10, 2011April 25, 2019 I recently listened to a series of talks on the Book of Romans by Harold Attridge and David Bartlett from Yale Divinity School. I did not agree with everything they said, but that is good, that is how we learn. You can listen to these thought provoking talks on iTunes… Continue Reading
Sermons A Prayer For Unity Stephen Bedard, August 29, 2011July 25, 2020 Romans 15:5-7 Introduction Who a person is affects how they pray. The mother of a sick child will pray a certain way. A student nervous about an exam will pray a certain way. An evangelist about to speak before a stadium full of people will pray a certain way. A… Continue Reading