Welcome - October 19, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Welcome again and thank-you for joining us as we conclude our series on women in ministry.

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Galatians 3:28; 1 John 3:6-8; 1 John 1:8; James 2:24; Galatians 2:15-16; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians 14:33-35; Judges 4:4-5; Judges 5:31; Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:14-17; Acts 21:8-9; Romans 16:1-7; 1 Corinthians 11:4-5

October 19, 2014 at Dakota

I hope everyone will be able to join me this Sunday morning as we conclude our look at the always controversial topic of women in ministry. This week the focus is on the doctrinal position known as egalitarianism.

The term Egalitarian is derived from the French word égal, meaning "equal." Thus, it involves affirming, promoting, or believing in equal rights for all people. It is the hermeneutical hypothesis, based on interpretations of scripture, that men and women are designed by their Creator to have no gender-based limitations of what functions or roles each can fulfill in the home, the church, and the society. The egalitarian view is that there are no roles or responsibilities that uniquely fall to the male, no limitations of what functions the female can fulfill in the home, the church, and the society. According to this view, women as well as men can serve as pastors, elders, or deacons.

Please fasten your seat belts (again) and assume the crash position. I’ll see you Sunday :-)

Welcome - October 12, 204

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Welcome again and thank-you for joining us as we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday this morning!

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Jeremiah 9:23-24; Mark 10:17-27; Romans 3:19-20; Proverbs 3:5-8; Genesis 3:22-24; Exodus 33:17-23; Exodus 34:29-33; Matthew 27:51; 2 Corinthians 3:4-18

Thanksgiving Sunday at DCC

The air is cool and crisp, the leaves have turned, the days are becoming noticeably shorter, and shelves everywhere are full of tomatoes, pumpkins, and jars of pickled everything! The summer of 2014 is behind us, and the wonder of fall in Manitoba explodes at every turn in all it’s panoramic glory... our thoughts can’t help but turn once again to the faithfulness of our God.

For believers thanksgiving is an every day occurrence, not merely a once a year holiday; nevertheless the Holiday is a special time of reflection with family and friends in the Body of Christ.

Over the next few days I want to encourage all of you to be reflecting on the many good things that we have to be thankful for and in addition to that please take the time to prepare your heart by reading over these key passages: 
                  Jeremiah 9:23-24, Mark 10:17-27, and 2Corinthians 3:4-18

Our God is so good! Come and give thanks this Sunday morning!

Welcome - October 5, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning as we continue in the Book of Judges looking at the doctrine of Complementarianism in week two of a three part series entitled; "Deborah."

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Judges 4; Hebrews 11:32-34; Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 5:22-25; 1 Timothy 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40; Galatians 3:23-29

October 5, 2014 at Dakota

I hope everyone will be able to join me this Sunday morning as we look at the always controversial topic of women in ministry. This week the focus is on the doctrinal position known as complementarianism and in two weeks we will look at the opposing view called egalitarianism.

Basically complementarianism is the belief that the male and female genders  are ordained by God and created to complement, or complete, each other. Complementarians believe that men and women are equal but that there are different or complementary roles that they are designed to fulfil. Obediently following those divinely ordained roles furthers the ministry of God’s people and allows men and women to reach their God-given potential, furthermore; any modern-day blurring of the genders or distortion of the roles is seen as being a result of the fall.

Please fasten your seat belts and assume the crash position. I’ll see you Sunday :-)

Welcome - September 28, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

This morning the plan is to head back into the Book of Judges for week one of a three part series entitled; "Deborah."

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Judges 4; Hebrews 11:32-34; Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 2:18

Sunday September 28, 2014 at DCC

I want to encourage everyone to take a few minutes between now and Sunday morning to read over and familiarize yourself with the story of Deborah, Barak and Jael in Judges chapters 4&5 (which describe the same events; one from the viewpoint of a historian and the other from a poet).

In the Book of Judges you will recall there is a repeated cycle throughout the entire book; a cycle of sin, bondage, repentance, and devotion, followed by sin and bondage again. 
Israel would follow the Lord when there was a leader who reminded them of the ways in which they should walk, but with his/her death they would again wander off into idolatry.

Othniel delivered Israel from Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia after 8 years of suffering.
Ehud delivered them from Eglon the king of Moab after 18 years.
This time the oppressor is Jabin king of Canaan who proves to be the harshest to date, his tactics described as “cruel” and lasting for a full 20 years.

I hope to see you all this Sunday morning as we look at the exploits of Deborah and the implications of her leadership.

Sunday September 21, 2014 at Dakota

This Sunday we are excited to welcome Teen Challenge to minister at DCC.

Teen Challenge of Central Canada is a 12-month Christian discipleship program for men & woman struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction.

The first Teen Challenge centre was founded by the late David Wilkerson, author of The Cross and the Switchblade, more than 50 years ago in Brooklyn NY. Today Teen Challenge operates more than 1000 programs in 80 countries around the globe, making it the largest and most successful faith-based drug treatment program in the world.

Teen Challenge of Central Canada began in 1995 with a small 10-bed trailer in Hadashville, Manitoba. Today they run men's homes in Winnipeg, Denare Beach and Thunder Bay as well as a woman's home in Brandon. 

Sunday - September 14, 2014 at DCC

60 percent 
That's the casualty rate of teens and young adults abandoning the church. 
Maybe it’s time to ask some questions about the way the church does youth and young adult-specific ministry. 

Is youth ministry a waste of time or an unbiblical approach? 
Has a well intentioned effort to teach, guide and admonish those who are young simply gone wrong? Perhaps segregating our young people from the rest of the church in an effort to appeal to their unique preferences has been a mistake. 
What, if anything does the Bible have to say about this? 

One thing is for sure it needs to be addressed with thought and care. For the sake of our kids. 

Welcome - September 7, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for the conclusion of our Summer 2014 Series which is entitled, "The Ten Commandments"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Exodus 20:1-20; Matthew 5:43-48; James 2:10; Philippians 4:10-13; 1 Timothy 6:3-11; Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 5:1-5; James 4:1-3

Sunday September 7, 2014 at Dakota

For the summer of 2014 at Dakota we are studying the Ten Commandments, especially in light of the New Covenant. 

Do you ever complain about your lot in life relative to someone else?
Why can sister so-and-so sing like that while you sound like someone is torturing a duck?
Why does that coworker always get the breaks?
How come you can’t have that marriage, or that inheritance, or that giftedness, or those looks?

When I want for myself the things that God has given to someone else - I am coveting.

I think we have come to believe that coveting (though we don’t call it that) is a virtue in our day, almost all advertising is designed to tempt us to covet and I’m pretty sure our economy would collapse if everyone stopped.

Is it even possible to live in this world at this time without committing this sin?
What does the Bible teach about covetousness and how are believers to live in opposition to it? 

I hope you’ll join me this Sunday for the conclusion of “The Ten Commandments"

Welcome - August 31, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for week nine of our Summer 2014 Series which is entitled, “The Ten Commandments”

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

Exodus 20:1-20; John 8:44-45; Proverbs 19:9; Revelation 21:5-8; Exodus 1:16-20; Joshua 2:3-6; Hebrews 11:31; Matthew 21:23-27; Proverbs 20:19; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Ephesians 4:22-25; Revelation 21:8; John 14:6

Sunday Morning Preview - August 31, 2014

For the summer of 2014 at Dakota we are studying the Ten Commandments, especially in light of the New Covenant. 

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. Exodus 20:16

Has anyone else taken note; as we work our way through the Ten Commandments, that God seems to take sin much more seriously as a problem than we do?

In all my research for this message I could find no biblical reference for pretty little liars, for fibbing, or for little white lies! Just the one horrible offence; punishable by “the lake that burns with fire and sulfur…” (Revelation 21:8)

Is it ever the right thing to do to tell a lie?
What is the reason we are prone to lie (the root problem) and what do we typically hope to gain when we deceive? 

I hope you will all join me this Sunday morning as we expose the liar and look to the Truth for healing.

Welcome - August 24, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for week eight of our Summer 2014 Series which is entitled, "The Ten Commandments"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Exodus 20:1-20; Exodus 22:1-9; Romans 2:21; Jonah 4:11; Exodus 23:4-5,12; Deuteronomy 25:4; Proverbs 12:10; Isaiah 58:6-10; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Colossians 3:23-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

Sunday August 24, 2014 at Dakota

For the summer of 2014 at Dakota we are studying the Ten Commandments, especially in light of the New Covenant. 

You shall not steal. Exodus 20:15

As we work our way through the second table of the law a clear picture is beginning to emerge. Because all human beings are created in the image of God, the principle of giving to God His due is carried over to them. The Ten Commandments are stressing what each of us owes his neighbour, rather than what we have the right to expect from them; and what we owe them is righteousness and justice in all of our dealings. The focus is clearly on our responsibility; not our rights.

The command to honour parents is a protection of authority and order, the prohibition against murder defends the value of all human life, the decree against adultery secures the sanctity and safety of the family; and the forbidding of theft guarantees the right of private property.
I hope you will join me this Sunday as we explore the connection between respecting our neighbours property and trusting in the faithful provision of God.

Welcome - August 17, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for week seven of our Summer 2014 Series which is entitled, "The Ten Commandments"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Exodus 20:1-20; Matthew 5:27-30; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Genesis 2:24; 1 Corinthians 7:1-2; 2 Samuel 11:2-11; 2 Samuel 11:26-27; 2 Samuel 12:1-15; 2 Samuel 16:22; 2 Samuel 18:31-33

Sunday Morning Preview - August 17, 2014

For the summer of 2014 at Dakota we are working our way through the Ten Commandments, studying them in light of the New Covenant. 

You shall not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14

Commandment number seven makes it clear that God calls husbands and wives to faithfulness and exclusivity in the marriage union (nothing too shocking there). 
What many people are shocked to discover, however, is that God does not relax the law or any of it’s demands in the New Covenant. In fact we find quite the opposite, Jesus ratchets up the pressure when he says, “…everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart…” and the Apostle Paul offers no relief when he adds, “…this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.” The phrase "sexual immorality” here means fornication; that is, two people behaving sexually as if they are married when they are not.

I hope you will join me this Sunday as we face the reality that God has not altered his position on human sexuality in light of modern thinking or cultural trends. How can we be motivated to sexual purity and what, if any, part does the gospel play in this controversial arena?

Welcome - August 10, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for week six of our Summer 2014 Series which is entitled, "The Ten Commandments"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Exodus 20:1-20; Job 10:11-12; Psalm 24:1; Psalm 82:3-4; James 1:27; Exodus 21:22-25; 1 Corinthians 4:5;Matthew 5:21-22; Matthew 25:41-46; James 2:8-13; Romans 8:1-2

August 10, 2014 at Dakota

For the summer of 2014 at Dakota we are working our way through the Ten Commandments, studying them in light of the New Covenant. 

There aren’t many people who would argue that murder is in any way an acceptable sin to commit, most of us value our own lives and logically understand that that value must inherently be extended to others as well. In fact all human life has value simply because we are made in the image of God. The fact that our topic for Sunday morning is murder reveals that being God’s image bearers does not mean that all human activity is approved by God or that it must therefore be accepted by man.

In the church murder is recognized as a violation of a cardinal doctrine of the Christian faith. It is a denial that God is the Sovereign author of life who alone has the power and right to give or to take away human breath, an idea that is under considerable attack on more than one front. 

I hope to see you all this weekend for what may prove to be a more controversial sermon on this topic than you might expect at first glance.  

Welcome August 3, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for week five of our Summer 2014 Series which is entitled, "The Ten Commandments"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Exodus 20:1-20; Mark 7:8-13; Deuteronomy 21:18-21; Ephesians 6:1-3; Luke 2:41-50; 1 Kings 12:13-14; Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 26:39; John 19:24-27

Sunday Morning Preview: August 3, 2014

For the summer of 2014 at Dakota we are working our way through the Ten Commandments, studying them in light of the New Covenant.

Until now we have been focused on the first table of the law which deals with our duty to God directly, now we move to the second table of the law which deals with our duty to God indirectly, through our responsibility to neighbour.

The plan is to first take a look at exactly what the law requires of us in the honouring of mother and father and then to examine several ways that this commandment is being undermined in our society and even in the church in our time. I hope you will all join me for what is sure to be an encouraging and [for some no doubt] a challenging time in God’s word.

Welcome: July 27, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for week four of our Summer 2014 Series which is entitled, "The Ten Commandments"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Exodus 20:1-20; Colossians 2:16-19;Leviticus 23:32; Exodus 31:12-17; Exodus 35:2-3; Exodus 16:23; Exodus 16:29;Numbers 28:9-10; Matthew 28:1-2; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 20:6-7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2;Colossians 2:6-19

Sent from my iPhone

Sunday Morning Preview - July 27, 2014

For the summer of 2014 at Dakota we are working our way through the Ten Commandments, studying them in light of the New Covenant. 
I wonder how many of you have encountered this phenomenon in your Christian journey?

A great conspiracy, so it seems, has taken place.
It happened so long ago that everyone has by now accepted the lie and forgotten God’s original intent for Christianity.
All the churches have been duped or are corrupted by the teaching of the conspirators.
Now, thankfully and at long last, the Lord has spoken to some special leader with fresh revelation of the original truth; finally there is a new and improved understanding of what the scriptures are really saying.

Almost always there is some sort of a nod to the idea of salvation by faith alone, HOWEVER, there’s so much more to it than that. Sure, the gospel gets us in; but now what does the Lord require to stay in? It’s JESUS plus… something.

Enter the Sabbatarians, the Seventh Day Adventists, the new Hebrew Roots Movement, or as the bible clearly refers to all of them; the Judaizers.

I hope you will join me this Sunday as we unmask this deception and expose its terrible consequences.  

Welcome July 20, 201;

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for week three of our Summer 2014 Series which is entitled, "The Ten Commandments"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Exodus 20:1-20; Philippians 4:8; Jeremiah 16:6-12; Psalm 8:1; Psalm 111:9; Matthew 6:9-10; Hebrews 1:1-4; Leviticus 24:10-16 

Sent from my iPhone

Sunday Morning Preview - July 20, 2014

For the summer of 2014 at Dakota we are working our way through the Ten Commandments seeking to more fully understand the requirements of God’s Law; especially as to how it is to be applied in the lives of New Testament believers. 

This week we will be focusing our attention on the third commandment which deals with the use and misuse of God’s name.

If we think of the modern business world with its trademarks and copyrights it is not hard to grasp the importance of protecting a good name. If you have ever been slandered or had someone misrepresent your words or actions to others then you know how hurtful and frustrating that can be, and yet the Name that is above every name is routinely used as a common curse word in our time. 

When Jesus taught the disciples how to pray His first instruction was that the Name of the Father is to be “hallowed”; so where is the breakdown? Is it possible that God’s Name is abused in our world because it is not properly respected within the Church? 

I hope to see you Sunday for more along these lines.

Welcome: July 13, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for week two of our Summer 2014 Series which is entitled, "The Ten Commandments"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Exodus 20:1-20; John 5:39-40; Psalm 19:7-13; Habakkuk 2:18-20; Matthew 26:19-21,24; Matthew 15:1-9; Isaiah 46:1-7; Deuteronomy 4:15-19; John 4:23-24

Sunday July 13, 2014 at Dakota

For the summer of 2014 at Dakota we are working our way through the Ten Commandments seeking to more fully understand the requirements of God’s Law; especially as to how it is to be applied in the lives of New Testament believers. 

This week we will be focusing our attention on the second commandment which deals with the making of idols and the worship of anything or anyone other than the One True God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture.

There seems to exist a kind of spiritual snobbery around this topic in our day. How many believe we have evolved beyond the problem of idol worship in this modern age? I hope to put that notion to rest and then to turn our attention to two very sobering questions: “Am I worshiping the right God?” and then, “Am I worshiping Him the right way?” 

I hope to see you all Sunday morning.