The Darrell Johnson Podcast

Following Jesus Into His Sermon On The Mount | Week 1 | This message is the start of a new series on the Sermon on the Mount, with the message Darrell fittingly named “The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached.” The Greatest Preacher who ever lived amazed the first hearers. He spoke with an authority never before demonstrated by even the most educated or articulate religious elite of that time. Before diving into the series, we are reminded that the Sermon on the Mount is powerless, unattainable, and merely a frustrating set of ideals if we separate it from The Preacher on the Mount - Jesus Christ. Who is He? Let us lean in and listen as Matthew paints a picture of our Lord and Saviour, leaving us forever changed as He draws us closer to Himself.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | January 8, 2012 | Matthew 5-7

This week, through looking at Jesus’ responses to those who wished to follow Him in Luke 9:57-62, Darrell shows us the true cost of making Jesus our Lord. He becomes the utmost authority over our lives, and His will precedes both our own desires and the demands our society and even our families place on us. We will be called to live by the standards of a heavenly kingdom and hold loose what we have on this earth, ready to follow Jesus no matter what. He becomes our true home, our ultimate source of security. How will we respond?

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | March 11, 2018 | Luke 9:57- 62

It was on a mountain, a high mountain, Jesus helps three disciples Peter, James and John discover the reason for living way down in the valley. In this sermon on the Transfiguration event in Matthew 17, Darrell works through three aspects of this mountain-top event, so that we too can discover the reasons for living down in the valley. As Jesus, the Son of Man, chooses the cross, takes the path of a Suffering Servant, we are called to take this paradoxical way of life and follow him. Knowing that Jesus alone is the healer, the redeemer, the revealer and the bringer of the kingdom, we must remain intimately attached to and deeply rooted in Jesus.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | February 11, 2018 | Matthew 17:1-8

Darrell’s opening question underlies this entire exposition of John 6:22-42 - why did Jesus come? Layer by layer the message reveals the transformative answer - Jesus came to invite us into eternal life. Eternal life that is more than a dimension beyond the grave, it is creative life, inexhaustible life, abundant life, radiant life, pure and purifying, love and joy that we enter into in Jesus right now - and for all eternity. This is why Jesus came.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | January 14, 2018 | John 6:22-42

Making Maturing Disciples of Christ | Week 9 | Darrell finishes this series in John 10, using the imagery of the shepherd and his intimate relationship with his sheep. He then invites us to see that although Jesus is not physically present, He is still with us and continues to speak to us and encourages his audience that it is possible to hear Jesus’ voice. Darrell concludes his message by identifying the means Jesus uses to communicate to His people and providing guidance on how to confidently discern Jesus’ voice amid all the lies, noise, and misleading voices vying for our attention and affection.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | June 30, 2013 | John 10: 1-30

Making Maturing Disciples of Christ | Week 8 | This week, Darrell dives deep into Apostle Paul’s exhortation in Galatians 5:16-18 to walk by the Spirit and how doing so means you won’t carry out the desires of the flesh. Walking by the Spirit means putting Jesus at the center of our lives and living our lives for Him and with Him. It is only through walking by the Spirit that we develop the fruits of Spirit and become more like Jesus. This act does not come naturally to us, so we must learn to be ruthless towards our sinful desires and work together with the Holy Spirit to put it to death. This is done through developing a rhythm of abstinence from the things of this world and taking time to engage with the Holy Spirit through spiritual practices.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | June 23, 2013 | Galatians 5:13-25

Making Maturing Disciples of Christ | Week 7 | This week, Darrell dives deep into Apostle Paul’s exhortation in Galatians 5:16-18 to walk by the Spirit and how doing so means you won’t carry out the desires of the flesh. Walking by the Spirit means putting Jesus at the center of our lives and living our lives for Him and with Him. It is only through walking by the Spirit that we develop the fruits of Spirit and become more like Jesus. This act does not come naturally to us, so we must learn to be ruthless towards our sinful desires and work together with the Holy Spirit to put it to death. This is done through developing a rhythm of abstinence from the things of this world and taking time to engage with the Holy Spirit through spiritual practices.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | June 16, 2013 | Galatians 3:1-3, 5:16-25; 6:7-8

Making Maturing Disciples of Christ | Week 6 | “Walk by the Spirit,” writes the apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians, urging followers of Jesus to surrender to the new way of Christ so that the old way– the way of the flesh– is put to death. In this message, Darrell explores this text that gets at the heart of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Our flesh, with all its warped desires, self-centredness, and earthly drives, resists the Spirit, but the Spirit has power to overcome the flesh and to form in us the very character traits of Christ. As we continue to walk by the Spirit, the Spirit bears fruit in our lives, displaying the life of Jesus in us, showing us to be His disciples. 

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | June 9, 2013 | Galatians 5:16

This message is from the Christmas Eve of 2016, and here Darrell preaches from Luke 2:10-12. The big idea Darrell drives home is the Christmas story is about more than a baby being born, but a new leader being born. Jesus Christ, the one who would form a new government that will truly administer justice, make peace and heal the hearts of people. And the big question we all have to answer in response to this great birth is “Where is this baby, this new leader, wanting to lead me?”

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | December 24, 2016 | Luke 2:10-12

Making Maturing Disciples of Christ | Week 5 | This week, Darrell speaks on Paul's letter to the Romans and how we are meant to be a living sacrifice to God. Jesus’ disciples didn't choose him, he was the one who chose the disciples, it was him who initiated and anointed them. Because Jesus chooses us, we must be a living sacrifice to the living God since the only thing we have to offer is our life to God. When we encounter this calling, it often comes with six factors that inform us on God's calling for us and how to best serve the Lord as a living sacrifice. Darrell breaks down these factors and what they might look like so that when they happen, we are encouraged to respond in obedience.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | May 26, 2013 | Romans 12:1-8

Making Maturing Disciples of Christ | Week 4 | It is a privilege to be a follower of Jesus, but the real question is, what does it take to grow up as a follower of Jesus? In Acts 2:37-47 Luke shows us the fellowship that developed amongst the crowd after the day of Pentecost and what they devoted themselves to. In this message, Darrell takes it a step further by breaking down the importance of their devotion and how it correlates to a fellowship with the triune God. A spirit-animated community that spends time in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | May 12, 2013 | Acts 2:37-47

Making Maturing Disciples of Christ | Week 3 | Darrell invites us to do an exercise of renewing the mind by putting on three different lenses — western, eastern, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. We see different realities through these three sets of lenses. As Jesus called us to come, and follow him, we are invited to put on the gospel glasses every day, in every situation. Through this set of glasses, we see a Person in the center of reality. A living Person — Crucified and Risen, offering us Himself, making all things new. Through the gospel glasses, the rest of reality also comes into focus. We see that our lives have meaning - that each one of us has been uniquely gifted to participate in the life of God and His mission in the world.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | May 5, 2013 | Romans 12:1-8

Making Maturing Disciples of Christ | Week 2 | As we listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-8, we hear about the unspeakable privilege that Jesus is giving us, to come, participate in serving the world through his Body. Darrell Johnson uses the term “hard-wired” to express and live-out a participation in the life of the Triune God. Each of us has been graced to participate in a unique way. We in the Body of Christ cannot operate alone, we must work together. Darrell unpacks the seven gifts or “wirings” in a practical, helpful way, encouraging us to exercise our gifts as an expression of one of the key functions of a maturing  disciple of Jesus Christ.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | April 28, 2013 | Romans 12:1-8

Making Maturing Disciples of Christ | Week 1 | In this introductory message to a series on discipleship, Darrell cracks open the question of how a follower of Jesus Christ is meant to function in the real world. At the heart of this ‘real world’ is the audacious truth that “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to [Jesus].” To truly live in this Real World as His disciple is an ongoing, intentional formation process by which we learn to know as Jesus knows, believe as Jesus believes, and trust as Jesus trusts. As we stay connected to Jesus through His Word, through prayer, community, service, and other practices that help us spiritually grow, we mature as His disciples and become more and more like the One we follow.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | April 14, 2013 | Matthew 28:16; Ephesians 4:11; Colossians 1:28

The Bible Course by the Canadian Bible Society | www.biblesociety.ca/thebiblecourse/ 

Before we begin a new series next week, here's a few updates from our team at the Canadian Church Leaders Network. 

Ephesians | Week 27 | In this sermon, Darrell wraps up the 3 part message on standing firm against the powers and principalities, and finishes his time preaching from the book of Ephesians. Here Darrell describes how standing firm is not simply a defensive posture. He shares how disciples can move off of our heels and into front-foot offence by wielding both the sword of the Spirit and prayer in the Spirit.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | November 20, 2011 | Ephesians 6:10-20

Ephesians | Week 26 | In part 2 of exploring how disciples can stand firm against principalities and powers, Darrell delves deeper into defining the five pieces that make up the whole armour of God. While we await the day where evil is done away with for good, referencing Ephesians 6, Darrell also outlines four compelling principles to help us live out Paul’s instructions. The prevailing thread throughout all of this being that Jesus has won, and we need only hold the ground.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | November 13, 2011 | Ephesians 6:10-20

Ephesians | Week 25 | Closing this series in Ephesians, Darrell preaches a 3 part message on standing firm against principalities and powers. In part 1, Darrell explains how we can step into the enemy-defeating-reality of the cross, showing us the importance of wearing the armour of God - our only true defense against an enemy who is hell-bent on turning us away from the Lord.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | October 30, 2011 | Ephesians 6:10-20

Ephesians | Week 24 | In the 3rd and final part of Darrell’s preaching on Ephesians 5:15-6:9, he continues to explore how the Spirit impacts all types of relationships. Here Darrell shows how the Apostle Paul first of all dignifies women, children and slaves, addressing them as peers and fellow citizens in God’s Kingdom. He then references the everyday relationships at the time, like that between a servant and a master or a child and a parent. We see how mutual submission is a key component of these spirit filled relationships, and how Jesus empowers us to live into that kind of posture.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | October 23, 2011 | Ephesians 5:15 - 6:9

Ephesians | Week 23 | In part 2 of Darrell’s preaching on a revolutionary text, Ephesians 5:15-6:9, Darrell seeks to explore a theme that no culture in history has ever got right. Darrell explains how the command to “be filled with the Spirit” works itself out in all of our human relationships. Referencing different relational models - husbands and wives, Christ and the Church - Darrell shows how the text invites us into the high calling of standing under and serving all people with whom we have relationship.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | October 16, 2011 | Ephesians 5:15-6:9

Ephesians | Week 22 | Darrell expands on the commands laid out in Ephesians 5:15-6:9. These verses give us a more rounded understanding of how God entering our lives changes not only us, but also our relationship dynamics. Darrell explains what it means for us to become subject to one another out of a deep reverence for Christ - moving from an un-kingdomized, un-spirit-filled humanity, to one that is filled with God and His presence.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | October 2, 2011 | Ephesians 5:15 - 6:9

Ephesians | Week 21 | At the heart of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus is a bold directive to “be filled”-- not with what the world can offer with its pleasures and temptations, but to “be filled with the Spirit.” In this sermon, Darrell illuminates that life-giving command and explores how its lived-out obedience is essential for anyone who desires to follow Christ. Though God is the only One who can fill us with His Spirit, we play an active role in asking to be filled and in opening ourselves up this dynamic, ongoing reality by which we are marked by Jesus and empowered to live lives worthy of our Divine calling.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | September 25, 2011 | Ephesians 5:15-21

Ephesians | Week 20 | Despite what seem to be challenging verses to accept, Darrell shows us in this message that this text is in fact very liberating. In this section of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he is showing us what happens when Jesus Christ, the light of the world, shines on us. If we are to be “children of the light”, that means we will walk in dark places where Jesus wants to expose deeds, attitudes, and schemes that are not of His kingdom. We won’t participate, but we will be present in the darkness as followers of Jesus.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | September 18, 2011 | Ephesians 5:3-14

Ephesians | Week 19 | Darrell picks up again from Ephesians 5:1-2, on Paul’s command to imitate God; a command that seems impossible! Through this sermon, Darrell asks not just “What Would Jesus Do?” but, “What Is Jesus Doing?” From there we are invited to see all the ways Jesus is at work today, and to participate with him as his beloved children.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | September 11, 2011 | Ephesians 5:1-2

Ephesians | Week 18 | In this section, Paul is shifting gears and brings “the airplane out of the clouds and lands it where we live 24/7”. In Ephesians chapters 1-3, Paul is calling us to this live we have been called. He explains that this new life comes because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. However in chapters 4-6, he challenges us to walk in a matter WORTHY of this new life. He gives us a list of things we shouldn’t do, to help us know how best to live this new life. Through it all, he instructs us to not grieve the Holy Spirit. And do not give the devil a foothold. Get in step with the spirit.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | June 26, 2011 | Ephesians 4:25-32

Ephesians | Week 17 | Darrell takes us deeper into Paul's instructions for Christian living in chapter 4. Paul instructs believers to renew their minds and put on their new selves, something that has happen from outside ourselves. That is why Jesus came in to the world to be the renewer of our brains, rewiring them so we can think clearly as redeemed people. 

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | June 19, 2011 | Ephesians 4:17-24

Ephesians | Week 15 | After the first three chapters of Ephesians outline the good news of the gospel, we now move into the next section of the letter where Paul exhorts us how we should therefore live. A central calling for all Christians, is to unity within the body, but how can we create that? Well, in fact, we can’t. Rather, the Spirit has already created it, we all simply called to be diligent in maintaining it! The new reality the gospel brings we are now called to walk in with maturity and a manner worthy of our calling.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | June 5, 2011 | Ephesians 4:1-16

Ephesians | Week 14 | What are you facing today? In today’s message, we hear Darrell preach from Ephesians 3, learning that Paul, who is in prison, is down on his knees praying what some have called the boldest prayer ever prayed. As you listen, pray God gives you a receptive heart to hear and understand the breadth, and length, and height and depth of the love of Christ, and may you be filled today with the fullness of God.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | May 22, 2011 | Ephesians 3:14-22

Ephesians | Week 13 | In this message, Darrell invites us to Paul’s prison cell, where Paul has gone from preaching the gospel in Ephesians 2, to praying the gospel in this letter to the Ephesians. On his knees, a posture of reverence to God, Paul is praying that the Christians would allow the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who hovered over the earth to create the world and the same Spirit who hovered over the Virgin to bring the Messiah, to indwell us. The Holy Spirit is the same One who in this moment in history hovers over our lives bringing resurrection life to our inner person even as our outer person decays. Will you invite the Holy Spirit to take residence as Master of your heart?

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | May 15, 2011 | Ephesians 3:14-21

Ephesians | Week 12 | When grace grabs hold of us, as seen in the life of the Apostle Paul, it radically changes our lives. As we surrender to Jesus, we become stewards of the mystery of the gospel, ministers in the kingdom, and we find our true identity and place in the family of God. Drawing from the unique call of Jesus upon the life of Paul, Darrell shows who we can become when grace grabs hold of us. We are instructed and reminded that God’s grace saves us and is meant to be passed on to others. “Oh to grace, how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be.”

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | May 1, 2011 | Ephesians 3:1-13

Ephesians | Week 11 | In this message, Darrel looks at Ephesians 1:15-23, and describes how the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead, is the same power that created the world out of nothing. The amazing news of Easter is that that power is now available to those who believe. And more than just that, this power is now at work IN those who believe.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | April 24, 2011 | Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians | Week 10 | In today’s message, from Ephesians 2:11-22, Darrell explains that because of what Jesus did on the cross, Jesus broke down all walls and now, as followers of Jesus, we are granted direct access to the holy God. Jesus is building a new human race through his followers, a new temple, where the creator of ALL things will dwell with us.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | April 10, 2011 | Ephesians 2:11-22

Ephesians | Week 9 | Paul’s letter to the Ephesians articulates the gospel of Jesus as a gift received by grace through faith. In everyone who receives this gift of salvation, God is at work, transforming each life into a new creation, a holy poem, a masterpiece crafted by the Maker. Focusing on Ephesians 2:8-10, Darrell explores the core tenets of what it means to become a vibrant new creation in Christ, and urges us on to walk out the good works uniquely prepared in advance for us to do, joining with God as He builds His kingdom here on earth.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | March 27, 2011 | Ephesians 2:8-10

Ephesians | Week 8 | In this message, Darrell focuses on three verbs in Ephesians 2:4-7. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension has changed the structure of the universe.  In God’s rich mercy and grace, He made us alive, raised us up, and seated us with Christ. Christ is on the throne, so too are all who belong to Christ! As we are on the throne, we live in His kingdom, a very different kind of dominion. In this dominion, God invites us to be a part of his work of extending the riches of His mercy and grace to the world.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | March 20, 2011 | Ephesians 2:4-7

Ephesians | Week 7 | In this sermon, Darrell takes us into the deep pit of our sin and separation from God as the apostle Paul describes it in Ephesians 2:1-10. This is a very difficult text both to preach and to hear. We want to jump to the really good news of verse 4 -  “but God” - and the gospel takes us there - but it is only really, really good news, once we have spent time acknowledging the really bad news. But God in his mercy rescues us out of the pit.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | March 13, 2011 | Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians | Week 6 | In this message, Darrell continues exploring the depth of the Apostle Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23. This time focusing on the burden of the prayer - “that we would know.” That by God’s grace, we might know the One whom God has installed as Sovereign over the cosmos. Darrell encourages us to live in the good news of this first chapter, so that we might step into deeper clarity in the chapters to come.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | March 6, 2011 | Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians | Week 5 | In this sermon, Darrell explores the heartbeat of the Apostle Paul’s prayer for the church in Ephesus, a prayer that is expansive and full of expectancy for all believers in Jesus. Paul desires for followers of Christ to know God and to know the benefits of knowing God. Paul’s “gospel-shaped prayer” asks the Holy Spirit for wisdom to help us live in right-relationship with God and for revelation, so that the eyes of our hearts are open to perceive Jesus. Through this “double work of grace,” we come to a deeper understanding of our eternal inheritance, of how richly God has invested His glory in us, and of the transformative power at work in our lives as we pursue Jesus in the dynamic strength of the Spirit.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | February 27, 2011 | Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians | Week 4 | In this sermon, Darrell unpacks 7 spiritual blessings we have in Christ - that we are chosen, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, awakened to the mystery of Christ, given an inheritance, and sealed in Christ by the Holy Spirit. Darrell explains that we are richer than we think or feel not just because of Christ, but because we are in Christ.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | January 30, 2011 | Ephesians 1:3-14

Ephesians | Week 3 | What does it mean to be rich or blessed? In part one of this sermon, Darrell refers to one of the longest sentences in the Bible, written by Paul in Ephesians 1:3-14 to answer this question. Here we see that to be rich in God goes beyond what we can see with our eyes or what is tangible through material means. Paul reveals to us in Ephesians that to be rich is partake in the Gospel of grace – that is  to be chosen, adopted, redeemed. Furthermore, once we have tasted God's riches, all we can do is worship. As Darrell will echo throughout this message, in the heavenly places we are richer than we think or feel – much richer!

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | January 30, 2011 | Ephesians 1:3-14

Ephesians | Week 2 | In this text, Paul states his first major declaration: we are seated in heavenly places with Christ. Regardless of our current worldly location, as believers we are “in Christ” and everything we have is “by Christ”. Darrell takes us through Ephesians 1:3-14 to help us understand the alternate universe, location, and reality that Paul is talking about in his letter. When we begin to understand where we ought to be located, we begin to experience new realities of God, new spiritual blessings, and a new, heavenly view.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | January 23, 2011 | Ephesians 1:3-14

Ephesians | Week 1 | In the first sermon of his series on Ephesians, Darrell walks us into what he believes is the core message of the letter: things are not as they seem. Written by Paul while imprisoned in Rome in 62 A.D, the letter to the Ephesians shows how those who have put their faith in Jesus are able to see reality through a new lens, one that changes our understanding of power, authority, unity, victory, relationship, time, and where salvation is really found. There is a new empire breaking in with a new emperor. Darrell says that with these new glasses on, we are in for quite an adventure as we explore the book of Ephesians.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | January 16, 2011 | Ephesians 1:1-14

In this message from Darrell's time candidating at Glendale Presbyterian Church in 1993, two pieces of scripture are explored: Ezekiel 37:1-14 and Romans 8:18-26. Darrell is inviting the church to remember the hope we find in Christ. We see God's promise of resurrection and new life in the story of Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones. The critical idea for us to grasp in this message is that dry bones cannot make themselves live, but the speech and breath of Jesus Christ can. That is the vision of hope. 

Glendale Presbyterian Church, CA | July 11, 1993 | Ezekiel 37:1-14 and Romans 8:18-26

In this sermon Darrell lets us hear the cry of his heart to God from Psalm 119:94: “I am Yours, save me!” This desperate prayer is Darrell’s favourite verse from his favourite Psalm. Even though this prayer is only five words long, it is an all-encompassing prayer. We are God’s because He is our creator, redeemer, adoptive parent, and much more. God saves us from sin, doubt, fear, futility, and every other possible evil in this world. Darrell invites us to join with him in this prayer, welcoming us into the personal and life-changing relationship God offers to us.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | January 5, 2014 | Psalm 119:94

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 13 | Darrell begins this sermon on evil and the gospel with the declaration: “Thank God for the gospel.” Jesus of Nazareth has changed the way the universe goes together. Darrell tells the crucial story of two mountains - the mountain of temptation in Matthew 4, and the mountain of victorious authority of Matthew 28. Be encouraged by the good news that because Jesus had fulfilled the role of servant, dying on the cross, being raised from the dead he now has all authority to assume the role of King of the nations. The King with nail-scarred hands.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | July 18, 2010 | Matthew 4:1-18

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 12 | In this sermon, Darrell reminds us that sin is not something we have to live in bondage to because Jesus Christ has dealt with sin. Not that we can not still sin, but that it is illogical because Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension have fundamentally altered the reality of sin. Sin has no claim on Jesus. His death was the death of the power of sin. His resurrection is resurrection to newness of life. We are united with Him, and therefore sin has no claim on us.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | July 11, 2010 | Romans 6:1-11

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 11 | In John 14:1-12, Darrell helps us acknowledge that Jesus makes one of His most startling promises in His ministry: Jesus claims that we will do more works in our life when we have our faith in Him. Darrell shows how the double “truly truly” in this text is a promise that all Christ followers can build their life on because Jesus dealt with the power of sin and death before going back to the royal throne of the Father.

Jesus came to set a new reality of how our world comes together and He ultimately ushers in a new reality through His death, resurrection and ascension. When this happened, Jesus promised that He would send an advocate, the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to lean in, welcome, and throw our weight onto Jesus and His promise.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | June 27, 2010 | John 14v1-12

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 10 | Though Jesus is physically absent from our lives here on earth, we live with the ongoing presence of His Spirit. The Holy Spirit– the “Paraclete,” our Helper– has one main job:  to bear witness to the reality of Jesus for those who believe and for those who don’t yet believe. In this message, Darrell reminds us that the same Spirit who revealed the good news on the day of Pentecost is still convicting and convincing the individual human heart that Jesus is who He says He is. Not only that, the Holy Spirit leads us from the sin of unbelief into the truth that Jesus is victorious over sin, evil, and death, and is translating that victory into our own hearts and minds, transforming our lives so that we, too, may bear witness to Jesus.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | June 20, 2010 | John 15:26-16:11

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 9 | In this sermon, Darrell draws our attention to Jesus’ words about how to live once he is physically absent from earth. In every place we go, with every person we meet, even when sin, evil, and death are present and appear dominant, the good news is that the Paraclete is present and active! The Paraclete, also known as the Holy Spirit, is the presence of Jesus with us and with all people. Jesus revealed this good news to his disciples just before he was crucified, died, was buried, resurrected, and ascended. And this good news is crucial for disciples to understand, because Jesus does not ask us to carry on his work alone. Jesus knows we are not strong enough to do so on our own. Rather, Jesus asks us to join the work that the Paraclete is already and always carrying on.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | June 13, 2010 | John 15:26-16:11

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 8 | What a friend we have in the paraclete, who discloses to us what is to come, brings to remembrance all that Jesus has said, teaches us all things, and helps us to love Jesus. In this message Darrell breaks down the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the believer.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | June 6, 2010 | John 14: 22-31 and 16:13-16

Christmas 2013 | Week 3 | The forgotten man of Christmas is the main character in the book of Matthew, who demonstrates how to preach christ without speaking a word and shows us what it means to be a disciple. In Matthew 1:18-25, the Holy Spirit reveals to Joseph the mystery that will unfold before him, that is life-altering. A turning point in Josephs's life, where the future is unsteady but by his faithfulness to God in uncertain times, God meets him in that place of mystery. Resulting, in Joseph embracing the uncertainty and walking into the future behind God. 

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | December 22, 2013 | Matthew 1:18-25

Christmas 2013 | Week 2 | Christmas is a time of year with great expectations, but those can also lead to great disappointments. John the Baptist had great expectations of Jesus. That he would be the messiah and bring a baptism of both Spirit and Fire to the world as the prophets foretold. Jesus however, had a different timeline. He came with a baptism of Spirit, yes, but the baptism of fire he has reserved for the day of judgement in the future. So John, imprisoned for speaking out against the adulterous Herod, is left to ask Jesus, are you the “coming one”? Behind his theological struggle to know if Jesus is the messiah, is also his personal struggle to reconcile why he is in prison and Herod is still reigning if Jesus is in fact “the One”. Like John, we too can put our own expectations onto Jesus, which ultimately leaves us disappointed when they aren’t met. Instead, he must let Jesus be Jesus and for Him to fulfill His promises in His timing.   

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | December 15, 2013 | Matthew 11:2-11  

Christmas 2013 | Week 1 | What are you expecting this Christmas? In this message, Darrell looks at the expectations John the Baptist had as he prepared the way for the Lord. Jesus, he came to believe, was the messiah, and so his expectations were that in meeting Jesus, he would meet God. He expected to see signs and wonders of the new kingdom breaking into this world. He expected to be overwhelmed, engulfed, flooded, and filled with the Holy Spirit and fire as the saviour of the world entered in. When you hear the story of Christmas, a baby coming in a manger, what do you expect?

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | December 8, 2013 | Matthew 3:1-12

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 7 | “Come Holy Spirit, come”, a simple yet effective prayer. In this message, Darrell breaks down the importance of Pentecost, the power of the Holy Spirit, and what it means to wait on God. The day of Pentecost is the fulfillment of a promise, the promise of the holy spirit, where God takes up permanent residence in us to be God with us.

At Pentecost, the spirit presented himself with wind and fire. The wind removes what is no longer pleasing to the Lord and refreshes our souls, causing an aroma of fresh life. The fire helps illuminate, refine, and ignite new passions and desires for the Lord. Wind and fire mark the presence of the living God.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | May 23, 2010 | Acts 2:1-42

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 6 | The inspired words of the prophet Malachi, speak of the good news which reveals the mystery about money. “Return to me and I will return to you, bring in the whole tithe.” says the Lord. Giving our tithes is a way of remembering what the Lord has done for us, and is what Paul calls an obedience of faith. We are called to not hold back in our giving and to not rob God any longer.  God’s two-fold promise is that when we trust in him and bring in the whole tithe, he will throw open the floodgates of heaven and protect us from the devourer.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | May 16, 2010 | Malachi 3:7-12

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 5 | In this sermon, Darrell brings us into the life-giving conversation Jesus had one night with a religious leader named Nicodemus. Even though Nicodemus is a respected, good, and religious man, he is powerless to attain the spiritual and eternal life of the Kingdom of God on his own power. Jesus is clear that in order to have the full life Nicodemus longs for, he must be born from above. This is crucial to realize - people are not naturally able to attain spiritual life. God must do it. And God is doing it through the work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. All Nicodemus and we have to do is look to Jesus in faith, and we will grow to experience the same spiritual life that God Himself experiences. Amazingly, God really wants us to share in the life He has. All we need to do is to look to Jesus.  

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | May 9, 2010 | John 3:1-16  

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 4 | In this message, Darrell focuses on the tension many feel in light of the absence of the physical presence of Jesus Christ until his Second Coming. In order for us to live with the longing of His return we must first learn to accept the betrothal from Jesus Christ. We see this betrothal of covenant best exemplified in the holy communion at the last supper. Darrell goes on to further explain that God is using the difficulties in this tension to help us prepare for the wedding ceremony with Jesus, the bridegroom. He's actively working out the wrinkles, purifying us so that we may present ourselves to himself as a holy spotless bride. As we are preparing our lives to be received by Him, Jesus is preparing a place for us in His Father’s house.   

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | May 2, 2010 | John 14:1‐3  

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 3 | In this sermon, Darrell discusses how the disciples in the upper room were assured that after his death and resurrection Jesus would send another “of the same kind as him.” The Holy Spirit, called the Paraclete in Greek, is that person. He has come to universalize the presence of Jesus, dwelling in and alongside us to purify, cleanse and free us from all that displeases the Father. The Paraclete is described as Holy and true, and He guides us into an intimate friendship with Himself.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | April 25, 2010 | John 16:6-7 & John 14:16-25

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 2 | A common question many people ask is: how can God be everywhere at the same time? In this sermon, Darrell takes us through Matthew 28 to help answer that question. In this scripture there are three statements; the great claim, the great commission, and the great comfort. The first statement shows us who God is, the second is a command for those who are following and the third is a promise we can find rest in. The promise is also an invitation for us to go deeper into Christ, to unpack his word and discover the greatness of his omnipresence. Darrell ends by sharing 5 ways in which we can see or sense that God is with us through the body, at the table, in ministry, the bible, and most importantly, through the Holy Spirit.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | April 18, 2010 | Matthew 28:16-20 & Acts 1:11

The Space In Which He Calls Us To Follow | Week 1 | In this sermon, Darrell walks us through Jesus’ great claim and great commission found in Matthew 28:16-20. Here, Jesus tells the disciples that all power and authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him, by the Father. The implications of this claim are far greater than the church could ever try to grasp. Following this great claim, comes Jesus’ command to make disciples of all people and bring entire nations into this great claim. Once we have been gripped with who Jesus is, and the place He has in the universe, discipling others is the natural response.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC | April 11, 2010 | Matthew 28:16

Grace That Grows | Week 3 | How can we give thanks in all things like Paul instructs? Is it even realistic? In this message, Darrell assures us that it is possible to have gratitude in all things, but only if we have a fully realistic view of reality, centred on an awareness of who God is. Darrell shares three affirmations we can hold on to from the text, which ultimately reveal how our gratitude comes from an awareness of the grace God has given us.

Glendale Presbyterian Church, Glendale, CA | November 21, 1993 | 1 Thessalonians 5:15-25

Grace That Grows | Week 2 | In this message, Darrell looks at eight verses from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans and explores what it means to present one’s body as a living sacrifice, both in spiritual and practical ways. He explores seven dynamics of body life, challenging believers with the truth of our God-ordained interconnectedness, and exhorting the Church to greater unity with the Spirit and with each other. Darrell also unpacks the motivational gifts of prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, leading, giving, and mercy. He emphasizes the reality that every Christian has been gifted by the Holy Spirit, and that believers must exercise those gifts in order to grow as the Church and to be the body of Christ doing His work on earth.

Glendale Presbyterian Church, Glendale, CA | November 14, 1993 | Romans 12:1-8

Grace That Grows | Week 1 | How do we steward what God has given us? In the first message of this series, Darrell unpacks three principles for generosity that we see Paul express in the letter to the Corinthians. The reality of life with God is that He prospers his people, not so they can have more, but so they can be and give more to the world Christ died for. The only way we experience this promise of God though, is to first experience His grace and then to respond in obedience with generosity. As Darrell summarizes: grace makes grace filled people, and grace grows into generosity.

Glendale Presbyterian Church, Glendale, CA | November 7, 1993 | 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 9:6-15

Revelation | Week 12 | Darrell outlines the power that songs play in the story of the Revelation of Jesus. The sixteen songs in the letter provide both a summary of what we are learning and a reminder of the key question; whom do we worship? One song in particular, the doubly named Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb (Rev. 15:3-4) tell the story of God’s redemption of His people. This song is a call to worship the God who is King of all kings. It is a reminder of God’s victory over all that stands in his way, overall that keeps his people from entering the fullness of life. These songs summarize the message of Revelation, so Darrell encourages us to live in the songs, to try to memorize them even so that they might penetrate our souls.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2013 | Revelation 20:1-15

Revelation | Week 11 | In this chapter, the Apostle John once again sees heaven open and a great revelation of who Jesus is. This time, Jesus is a warrior, coming down on a white horse. Eyes of blazing fire, a sword in his mouth, an unknown name on his body, a robe covered in blood, and multitudes of crowns. What does this all mean? Darrell walks us through the text to reveal what Jesus is revealing about himself: He is the Divine Warrior who has already won.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2013 | Revelation 19:1-21

Revelation | Week 10 | In this sermon Darrell points our attention to a single verse in the last book of the Bible: "Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." This verse highlights a profound theme in the Bible, that followers of God are collectively the Bride of Jesus Christ! Living into this marriage reality means we have great dignity - no lowly humanity here, we are the Bride of Christ! We also experience God’s delight in us, the intimacy of God knowing us and us knowing God, and the security in this life that God has chosen us to be with him and that he will go to great lengths to keep his marriage covenant with us. God’s invitation to be the Bride of Jesus Christ is sent out to all people, and right now is the time to say yes and be blessed.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2013 | Revelation 19:1-10

Revelation | Week 9 | In this message, Darrell shares his heart on how crucial it is to make sure you read the whole entirety of the Bible. We can be tempted to only read the comfortable texts, but instead we should seek to dive into the challenging ones as well as all scripture is divinely inspired. Revelation 17-19 is a terrifying text in many ways, but also inspiring because we’re getting a first-hand look at the future work of Jesus. John is revealing a drama on how when you build a city on weak, human foundations it will always fall to the ground. Babylon fell and now Jesus is revealing to John the unthinkable fall of Rome. Ultimately, we are left with the question, will we trust in human powers or will we worship Jesus?

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2013 | Revelation 17:1-6, 18:1-19:6

Revelation | Week 8 | Darrell outlines the power that songs play in the story of the Revelation of Jesus. The sixteen songs in the letter provide both a summary of what we are learning and a reminder of the key question; whom do we worship? One song in particular, the doubly named Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb (Rev. 15:3-4) tell the story of God’s redemption of His people. This song is a call to worship the God who is King of all kings. It is a reminder of God’s victory over all that stands in his way, overall that keeps his people from entering the fullness of life. These songs summarize the message of Revelation, so Darrell encourages us to live in the songs, to try to memorize them even so that they might penetrate our souls.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2012 | Revelation 14:1-5 15:1-4

Revelation | Week 7 | Darrell unpacks the symbolism of the dragon, the sea beast, and the earth beast, a counterfeit trinity that seeks to inflict harm and calls us to put our trust in that which will never measure up. Darrell explains how the first readers of the text would have easily understood these “beasts” as the political and religious powers of their day that had moved out from under God’s authority. We hear how the early Church’s pressure to compromise loyalty to Jesus, the true Emperor and true God, still exists in our time. We were created to worship, but the question remains: who will we worship? Through the act of the Lord’s Table, which delivers us from religion and the false hope of politics, we see that Jesus is our only hope. 

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2012 | Revelation 13

Revelation | Week 6 | Darrell walks through what he calls the central discipleship text of the whole book of Revelation: Chapter 12. He highlights the two pastoral purposes of apocalyptic literature which are to see the unseen realities of the future and the present, which gives us great hope in the moment that is and the one that is to come. Darrell reminds us of how we overcome the powers of this world through the blood of the Lamb, our testimony, and being free of the love of this life even unto death.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2012 | Revelation 12

Revelation | Week 5 | Darrell unpacks a text full of imagery and symbolism that ultimately leads us to one truth: repentance is the way to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. The lampstands, earthquake and violent imagery is showing us how the Church is called to stand as a prophetic witness against the idols of this world, but first we must repent in order to walk clothed in grace and truth. The new kingdom is breaking in, but only to those ready to accept turn from sinful ways and declare Jesus as Lord.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2012 | Revelation 11

Revelation | Week 4 | Darrell walks through the opening scene of the second act in the Book of Revelation. While John was worshipping God on the island of Patmos, God showed John a series of dramatic images of a worship that is already in progress. These images are a door to heaven, a lamb sitting on the throne, and a scroll that is to be opened. From these images, what observations can we make regarding the unseen realities of the present and the future? What are the deeper implications of these images and how we should live our lives today?

First, through Christ, it is safe to go through heaven’s door and approach the throne.

Second, the secret of history is that God wins through sacrificial love through Jesus. 

Third, we reign with the ruler who is sitting on the throne when we participate and join in worshipping him.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2012 | Revelation 4 & 5

Revelation | Week 3 | In Revelations 2 & 3 Jesus blows the circuit on who we think he is and what the church is. In the form with which these chapters or ‘messages’ were written, there are prophetic and imperial statements being made about who Jesus Christ is and about what he understands His church to be in and for the world.  For the first time the church gathering is described as ecclesia, a word that was reserved for when people were summoned by the King or Emperor to gather about the business of the city. This week Darryl unpacks the summons from Jesus the Everlasting King for His people to gather, share in His life and be about the business of the Kingdom of God in the city.   

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2012 | Revelation 2 & 3

Revelation | Week 2 | This week, Darrell pulls back the curtain on the pastoral letter written by Apostle John to the seven churches scattered throughout Asia Minor. The book of Revelation unveils the dramatic description of what John witnessed in a vision given by God while exiled on the island of Patmos. John exhorts the Church to see and hear the Voice at the centre of everything, the Voice that is a Person - Jesus Christ. This Voice gives the Church two great commands: to not be afraid, and to look at Him. To listen to this Voice above all the world’s many voices is to hear and see Jesus and to become oriented to the great unseen reality of His rule and reign. In looking at the Living One, we experience a true apocalypse - the revelation that we do not need to fear the future or the turmoil of our present circumstances, because Jesus is on the throne.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2012 | Revelation 1:9-20

Revelation | Week 1 | In this message, Darrell begins his series on Revelation. He opens by describing the book of Revelation as the greatest guide, able to explain why the world is how it is. Throughout this sermon, we are given key steps on how to read the book of Revelation, which Darrell calls "the apocalypse of Jesus Christ". 

"If we read this book rightly, we will unfold the greatest comprehensive portrait of Jesus. If we read this book rightly, we will end up at the feet of Jesus every time." 

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2012 | Revelation 1:1-12

Parables of Jesus | Week 11 | Darrell shares Jesus’ teaching from Luke 14:23-35 on the cost of discipleship. These weighty, but liberating words are an invitation for us to step into life with Christ. The intense language that Jesus uses in the scripture is to bring conviction, remind us to check our hearts, and to help us understand the cost of following Him. In today's world, many things claim lordship over our lives, including ourselves. They impose unnecessary burden and stress because we are not created to bear their weight. To receive the freedom that God calls us to, we are to renounce the claims of our lives and let God take the place of lordship, taking up his yoke and burden that are light and easy. 

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2014 | Luke 14:25-35

Parables of Jesus | Week 10 | In this sermon, Darrell unpacks the parable of the great banquet. Like many parables, it’s about more than meets the eye. Unlike other parables, it is one of the most autobiographical parables Jesus ever spoke. Here in Luke 14, we learn the depth and breadth of Jesus’ invitation to “come”. We walk through Jesus’ joy, disappointment, and passion in His role as Host. Then Darrell unwraps the scripture further and we realize that, like the guests in the parable, we are a people full of excuses. Not only that, but our excuses reveal to us our TRUE beliefs in and of Jesus, His kingdom, and His character.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2014 | Luke 14:15-24

Parables of Jesus | Week 9 | Darrell unpacks two complimentary parables in the gospel of Luke through which Jesus shares His mission in the world. The kingdom of God is first likened to “a mustard seed which a man took and planted” and also “leaven, which a woman took and mixed”. The context of these parables is Jesus announcing the in-breaking of heaven as he begins healing people and freeing them from the demonic. However, Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God does not come in the way other kingdoms come. The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, apparently insignificant alongside all other seeds, yet it grows to a plant larger than any other in the garden. And it is like leaven, which though hidden in the bread mixture, yet causes the mixture to expand and rise. The kingdom of God ordinarily comes in little, hidden ways. Often unseen, yet its effects are visible everywhere. The mystery of the kingdom is that the little is powerful, and the hidden is transformative. The gospel does not need the headlines to have its way in the world.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2014 | Luke 13:18-21

Parables of Jesus | Week 8 | In this sermon, Darrell visits the first parable that Jesus taught about new wine, and new wineskins. Similar to the first miracle Jesus performed, this parable sets the stage for the ministry and mission of Jesus’ life. With the wineskins representing the religious forms and patterns, and the wine representing the gospel, Darrell rhetorically challenges the listener to think about which is more important. The main point being that the Church must not lose the ever shaping, potent love of God in order to preserve a form that is at best secondary. All religious activities are a means to an end, and the end being a relationship with the Living God, and enjoying the love of God in Jesus Christ. If it doesn’t lead there, it must be done away with - for we cannot bear to lose the wine.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2014 | Luke 5:17-39

Parables of Jesus | Week 7 | Darrell paints the parable of the rich man and Lazarus with illustrative detail as he describes each cultural aspect of the story. Wealth can blind us from seeing the needs of those around us, and in this passage, Darrell shows us the subversive values of the kingdom of heaven at work. Instead of the wealthy man, it was the sick, the outcast, Lazarus, who is at Abraham’s side after death. With great regret, the wealthy man in Hades calls out for help from Abraham and Lazarus, but they are unable to do anything. In desperation, he pleads for them to at least warn his family, but is met with the haunting reply “If they won’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, they won’t even listen if a man raises from the dead.” Darrell shows us that God’s word should illuminate the needs of others around us and that by listening to Jesus’ instructions, we will begin to truly see.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2013 | Luke 16:19-31

Parables of Jesus | Week 6 | Darrell explains the parable of the unrighteous steward. This parable is followed by some of Jesus’ many teachings on the practical issue of money. It tells the story of a land manager who squanders his landowner’s possessions, but receives unexpected mercy from the landowner. As a response to experiencing this mercy, the manager extends mercy to the renters of the land, significantly reducing the cost of rent. Jesus is telling us to do the same. Since we have received immense mercy from God, we must respond to this reality by extending mercy to others. A way we extend this mercy is how we use our money. The parable is not saying that we can buy our way into heaven, but it is saying that what we do with money reveals whether or not the Kingdom of God has broken into our lives. One of the clearest signs that mercy has gotten hold of us is that we use money to extend mercy to others.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2013 | Luke 16:1-16

Parables of Jesus | Week 5 | Darrell paints us a powerful picture of who God is and what He is like through the story of the “Prodigal Son”, or “Prodigal Father” as Darrell argues should be the rightful title. In Luke 15, we see a father, who represents God, respond to his two different rebellious sons. The older son shames the father by refusing to celebrate when his brother returns, thinking that only he had rightly earned his father’s love. The father responds again in scandalous love, by going against what culture demands, taking the humiliation the son deserves, upon himself instead, inviting the older son closer to his heart. The father’s response to his two sons is the same response to us all, no matter what we have done. Come home, and come on in!” Whether we are law-breaking, or law-keeping, we all are in deep need of His grace, and all of us are welcomed into the scandalous and radical embrace of our loving Father.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2013 | Luke 15: 1-2, 11-32

Parables of Jesus | Week 4 | Jesus was criticized for eating with sinners and tax collectors so he told a parable to the Pharisees and Scribes: the parable of the prodigal son. Darrell unpacks the scandal of what Jesus shared because it revealed the heart of the Father in a way that challenged the religiosity of the Jewish leaders. The story of the son is one of shame and disgrace, for him to squander the wealth of his family was an embarrassment to him, his family, and the community. But the greater shame was for the Father to run out and embrace the son upon him returning home and confessing. In doing so, the father brought the shame of the community onto himself. He then clothes the son, gives him his signet ring, and kills the fattened calf for a feast that defies all cultural norms. As Jesus tells this story, he is painting a picture of the father’s heart for those the Pharisees deemed unworthy and his willingness to love them shamelessly. Darrell encourages us that we can never earn back God’s love, but we can come home. 

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2013 | Luke 15:1-3 & 11-24

Parables of Jesus | Week 3 | How do we stand faithfully before God in the midst of injustice? The parable of the persistent widow has brought Darrell under a deep conviction about the quality of his own faith. In light of God being the perfectly just judge, will He find the faith of the widow--who would not go away or lose heart as she waited for justice to be done--in me? In this message on Luke 18:1-8, Darrell shows us how this widow is the hero of living faith, a faith that stands before the face of God and keeps on asking.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2013 | Luke 18:1-8

Parables of Jesus | Week 2 | In response to the disciples asking Jesus to teach them how to pray, he first shares the Lord’s Prayer, but then moves into an often misunderstood parable that further highlights how we should pray. In the parable, a man in need goes to a neighbour to ask for bread to help feed a visitor. Jesus asks his disciples, would not the man get up and help his neighbour? Filled with cultural dynamics, western readers can often understand the text to be about the persistence of the man asking his neighbour and therefore believe Jesus is teaching us to pray with such persistence. Instead, the parable is actually about the shamelessness of the neighbour and how he will help the man asking because we won’t let his name be shamed for not being hospitable. Therefore, Jesus is saying that when we go to God and ask, we can have assurance that He will not shame His name and will respond. As we pray, we are expanding our capacity to receive. And what does the Father give? The Holy Spirit. We are the friend in need in this parable and Jesus’ promise is that God will give us His Spirit if we ask.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2013 | Luke 11:1-15

Parables of Jesus | Week 1 | This week, Darrell discusses the parable of the sower, the seed and the soil found in Luke 8:1-15. The parable involves three main subjects: Jesus, represented by the sower, the word of God, represented by the seed, and the hearts of the people, represented by the soil. All three subjects are in dynamic interplay with one another. Jesus rightfully expects that fruit will be a result of the planted seed. There are, however, obstacles in the growth of fruit in human hearts. These obstacles according to Jesus, are the various heart conditions that choke out kingdom life. They are the hardened heart, the shallow heart, and the cluttered heart. However, Jesus, in His grace and by His power, can win in all of the soils. He has proven to win despite our obstructed heart conditions. Jesus calls us to stand under the Word of God with honest and good hearts, and it will bring forth the extravagant fruit of His very spirit.

First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2013 | Luke 8:1-15

This episode is sponsored by Compassion. Visit www.compassion.ca/good to learn more about the incredible work Compassion does.

Jonah Series | Week 4 | This is the final week in this sermon series moving through the book of Jonah with Darrell. At the top of this message, Darrell sharply summarizes the four chapters of Jonah. He describes chapter 1 as Jonah running from God. Chapter 2: Jonah running into God. Chapter 3: Jonah running with God, and Chapter 4: the chapter that Darrell covers in this message, is Jonah trying to run God. In this message, Darrell leans into the main thread of chapter 4 which is Jonah’s deep frustration with the merciful and compassionate dimension of God, and the reality that God isn’t acting how he would. Darrell does just a brilliant job unpacking and clarifying the odd events in this chapter, and applying the good news of Jesus to its abrupt ending.

Jonah Series | First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2012 | Jonah 3:10-4:10

Jonah Series | Week 3 | We’re moving through all of chapter 3, which covers Jonah’s message to Nineveh and their repentant response. Darrell seeks to answer three questions in this message: First, "Why did the Ninevites repent?", second "What would have happened if they didn’t?" and third, "What is the message for our cities and us today?" 

All throughout, Darrell provides such an accurate window into God’s great love and grace for the city of Nineveh. And with the repentance of Nineveh on full display in this chapter, Darrell voices the question that we the listeners might be wondering as he’s sharing, which is “Could we ever see something like that in our cities today?” Finally, Darrell concludes this sermon in such a beautifully unique fashion - He simply shares what he would say if he had the attention of his city for just 10 minutes.

Jonah Series | First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2012 | Jonah 3:1-4:1

Jonah Series | Week 2 | Darrell begins by reminding us of the overarching theme of this book - which is God’s deep love for the city of Nineveh, and Jonah’s struggle to accept that dimension of the God he is called to serve. Jonah flees in chapter one and is quickly reminded in chapter two, in the belly of a saving fish, that He cannot outrun God. For the bulk of this message, Darrell zooms in on the moments in the whale. He focuses on Jonah’s prayer - both what it reveals to us about the nature of God and what it shows us about how we can pray to Him.

Jonah Series | First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2012 | Jonah 2

Jonah Series | Week 1 | Darrell begins the series by covering all of Jonah chapter 1. He starts this episode message by casting vision for the church to be a community that’s following Jesus with God’s heart for the city. That is the framing Darrell provides for the book of Jonah as a whole - "the book is all about Jonah (and therefore us) being confronted with God’s feeling towards the city - His mercy, His grace and His patience extended to those far from Him." Darrell, moving through chapter 1 section by section, shows that there was a dimension of God’s heart that Jonah wishes did not exist, and how ultimately in chapter 1 on stormy waters, he had to reckon with it. And the truth is, we have to reckon it as well. He ends by leading the congregation in a prayer that is more than a closing prayer, it’s really a prayer that gives space for the Spirit to confront and transform the parts of Jonah that live in all of us.

Jonah Series | First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2012 | Jonah 1

Pastor Chris Price of The Way Church - Vancouver sits down with Darrell for a conversation on Lord’s Prayer and what implications it has for us in our lives. Darrell shares about his book, 57 Words that Change the World, and what he might expand on what he originally wrote. Chris asks Darrell about his own journey of prayer and what seasons of unanswered prayers have felt like. They end with some encouragement on how to grow your prayer life and with a reminder of the power of learning intimacy with Jesus. We hope you enjoy this conversation!

Revelation Series | In this two-part seminar, Darrell unpacks how to approach the book. He talks us through its context and origin, and also its literary characteristics like: genre, imagery, and symbols. And through all of this, Darrell shows us how the book of Revelation invites us into a greater story of what Jesus has done and will do. We encourage you to grab a Bible and follow along.

CCLN Teaching Stream | Canadian Church Leaders Network, Vancouver, BC, February 12, 2021 | Revelation 1

Revelation Series | Darrell preaches from Revelation 1:9-20, where John sees the seven lampstands, and this figure who John says was amongst them “like a son of man.” After spending some time providing insight on this category of literature and context for why John was writing from an island, Darrell sets out to share three key features of Revelation 1. He then closes by sharing the hopeful implications of this voice speaking from the middle, and why you and I do not have to be afraid - not now, and not ever.

CCLN Teaching Stream | Canadian Church Leaders Network, Vancouver, BC, February 5, 2021 | Revelation 1:9-20

Genesis Series | In this last message of our Genesis series, Darrell unpacks Genesis 11:1-9 where we read about the people of Babel who set out to build a city and a tower that they hope will reach to the heavens.  Darrell argues that the narrative describes a people who are ultimately on a quest for transcendence; a creative culture which seeks to live independently and without a true centre.  Reflecting on the pattern we have seen through the earlier chapters in Genesis – Grace, Rebellion, Judgement, then new Grace – Darrell shows us that, even after God comes down and frustrates this building of a human-centred society, there is still hope to come.  Indeed, we find a story of new grace emerging, a story that every broken city in the world is longing for.

Genesis Series | First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2010 | Genesis 11:1-9

This episode is brought to you by the Canadian Church Leaders Network.

Genesis Series | In this sermon Darrell dives into the story of Noah & the Great Flood. Now this story is one of profound obedience and tragedy, but a tale about a great flood isn’t unique to the Bible. Darrell begins by pitting the Genesis story of the flood against other versions of it, explaining the uniqueness of Yahweh’s heart and ultimately how these stories signify that this isn’t a myth - that something must have happened. Darrell spends the bulk of the message answering three questions in the narrative - Why? What? And now what?

Genesis Series | First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2010 | Genesis 6-9

This episode is brought to you by the Canadian Church Leaders Network.

Genesis Series | In this sermon, Darrell leans into the genealogy from Adam to Noah written in Genesis 5. Now genealogies aren’t always the most entertaining read in the Biblical text, but Darrell in this sermon shows the profound meaning embedded in them. In this teaching, Darrell highlights two important things genealogies teach us and highlights 4 keywords in the text that show us how the Lord is always keeping His word.

Genesis Series | First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2010 | Genesis 5
This episode was brought to you by the Canadian Church Leaders Network.

Genesis Series | This sermon walks out of Genesis 3, into the exodus out of the garden and the heartbreaking story of Cain & Abel. In this sermon, Darrell continues to show how the sometimes dark and sad story of Genesis is also full of light and hope. If the last message showcased God’s grace in the garden, this one certainly shows the unexplainable grace outside of the garden. Darrell does brilliant work to help us understand the heart of Cain, and just how kind the Lord was to Him and His people in the fallout.

Genesis Series | First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2010 | Genesis 4
This episode was brought to you by the Canadian Church Leaders Network.

Genesis Series | In this sermon, Darrell continues an exploration of Genesis 3. If you’re familiar with this chapter of Scripture, you know how devastating and heartbreaking it is. Adam and Eve have chosen independence from God, and it’s created profound consequences. In today’s message, you’ll hear Darrell talk about those consequences but also the incredible hope and promise embedded in the story; the serpent’s head will be crushed, death will not have the final say - Jesus will come and restore the four-fold relationship broken in the garden.

Genesis Series | First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2010 | Genesis 3:8-24
This episode was brought to you by the Canadian Church Leaders Network.

Genesis Series | In this sermon, Darrell explores the greatest question we have to ask as humans: Will we trust God? Darrell highlights how this temptation was first faced by Eve in Genesis 3 when the serpent came to her and questioned what God had said. His goal was to make her question the goodness of God, and it worked. Instead of trusting God, Eve and Adam chose to trust in themselves. Darrell warns us that we can too easily fall prey to the same temptations, to think we can live independently from God, but that this ultimately leads to hurt, brokenness, sin, and death. God, however, sent Jesus as the ultimate display of His goodness and through His life, death, and resurrection, our trust in God brings us back into right relationship with Him.

Genesis Series | First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2010 | Genesis 3:1-7
This episode was brought to you by the Canadian Church Leaders Network.

Genesis Series | Darrell leans into Genesis 2:16-17 where God prohibits man from eating from the tree of knowledge of good & evil. Darrell shares a number of clarifications on this passage that I found so helpful. He sets out to say in this sermon that there really is only one command in Scripture and that all other commands are a variation on the theme. The theme being this: "God will be God, you and I are the creature. Live in dependence on Him – and we will have life."

Genesis Series | First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC, 2010 | Genesis 2:16-17
This episode was brought to you by the Canadian Church Leaders Network.

This special episode is from The Way Church’s Christmas Eve Service that was shared on Christmas Eve. It’s five clips of Darrell preaching from Luke 2:1-20 broken up by Christmas songs and worship performed by the Way Church worship team. The exhortation of this message is “Do Not Be Afraid” - as Darrell shares, it’s the one command that exists in the Christmas Story. In these sermon clips, littered with references to Charlie Brown, the Titanic, and the pandemic, Darrell shares why certain figures in the Christmas story didn’t need to be afraid, and why we too don’t need to be afraid in this unique pandemic Christmas we’re experiencing.

First Baptist Church, 2010 | Matthew 5:3-12

Worship Central Conference, 2018 | John 4:1-26

Glendale Presbyterian Church, 1995 | 2 Corinthians 5:11-21