In our church, we have been investigating the life of Jesus. As Christians we believe that he is the most important person who has ever lived because he is God and he chose to come to us and save us from our sin. And we also believe that Jesus has set an example for us to imitate as we join him in his mission.

I have noticed a couple of things particularly as we head into this Christmas season. Jesus is no respecter of persons. He views people equally. He embraces all who trust in him – including synagogue officials, blue-collar fishermen, tax-collectors, outcasts, and those suffering diseases. Even as Jesus spent a great deal of time healing people of illnesses and deformities, he is always seeking a ‘transaction’ at a deeper level. As important as meeting these needs for people in his compassion, it is his desire that they embrace who he is and surrender their lives to him.

During this season, it is appropriate that we expend ourselves in meeting the needs of those who lack. We often give of our time and money providing shelter, food, and clothes to many. And as we do so, it is my hope and my prayer that there are also transactions at a deeper level. I pray that people would not only see their need for physical things but of the spiritual need for Jesus Christ who loves us and came to die for us. Please feel free to come and join us on our pursuit of this Jesus!

Pastor Jonathan Sine
Squamish Baptist Church

Many people go through life disoriented and misguided and are looking for life’s meaning. We approach this pursuit in a couple of different ways. One way is to try to determine an ultimate reality by looking at the details of our life experience – family upbringing, circumstances, social standing, etc. And based on our own individual experience, we may arrive at different conclusions. I refer to this as inductive thinking and can be largely subjective. So someone that may have had an abusive parent or brought up with financial struggles may have a different perspective of God than someone who may have been raised in a healthy family in a better financial position.    

I would like you to consider another avenue. There is another way to make sense of life and that is to understand that there is an ultimate reality, a “big picture.” When we understand that there is an overarching story, we interpret things more objectively. We believe in a God who has revealed himself in many ways – including his written revelation, the Bible. We believe that He has provided us with the plan and purpose of His creation, beginning to end. And as we look to Him to find our identity, we are better able to interpret life’s circumstances. We learn that our life here on earth is not ultimately about us. It is about the God we worship. Please come to hear how Jesus Christ can cause you to worship the Almighty God!

Pastor Jonathan Sine
Squamish Baptist Church