Tyndale Chapel Podcast

Marjory Kerr
Amen. Well, good morning everyone. It is a real delight to welcome you back to Tyndale for the winter semester, and to this our first chapel for 2026. For many of you, this is a familiar and known experience just the start of just another semester. But for others, it is brand new, and you are still in the process of navigating courses, finding classrooms, figuring out university life. Wherever we are in that mix for each and every one of us, it's a new year with a host of opportunities to serve the Lord, our community, and each other in expectation of all that God will accomplish in and through us. Just three weeks ago, we celebrated the coming of Christ into our world as our Savior, Redeemer and promised Messiah. Epiphany was one week ago, on January 6, and Epiphany primarily commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ child. And in many ways, it signifies the physical, concrete connection of Jesus Christ to those of us who are outside the inner circle of Judaism. And in just seven weeks from now, we will begin the season of Lent as we journey to Easter once again. These are the cycles and rhythms of our faith. And so here we are in between our Christmas hope, of the coming Messiah, the present hope, of Epiphany and the coming Easter hope, of Christ's coming death and resurrection. Hope is through all of it. Hope, as the light of Christ, is the core of what we believe. And so for our core scripture text this morning, we're going to be focusing on John, chapter one, verses nine to 14. It's a passage that tells us that Jesus, the light of the world is come. Listen to what these verses say. "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet, to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent nor human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." And then if we jump ahead a little in the New Testament, that those verses kind of play forward into the message we read in Hebrews chapter 10, verses 19 to 23, and I'll read those as well. "Therefore, brothers and sisters. Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." So let's talk briefly about the light that has come and the hope it brings. Because God is faithful. It's important to remember that God has always wanted to include everyone in His light, and He demonstrates that over and over throughout Scripture. In His covenant with Abraham, God promised that all peoples would be blessed through him. When the people of Nineveh responded to Jonah's message, God turned away from His intention to destroy the city because of their sin and violence, including terrible actions against His own chosen people. When the woman begged for mercy from Jesus, what she described as receiving crumbs from the table, Jesus responded. When the Samaritan woman at the well and her neighbors came to understand Jesus as the water of life, he gave to them freely. When Peter was called to the Roman centurions home to preach the gospel, the Gentile people gathered there were saved and filled with the Spirit. And that was followed by Paul's mission, and we read the stories where he took the Gospel across nations to Jews and non Jews alike. So we know that Christmas happened for all of us. Jesus, the light came. The Magi worshiped Him, the apostles and disciples proclaimed Him, and through their letters and writings, we see that same light. Our lives are changed. We experience God's active presence in our lives, and so we know He is faithful, and we have hope. It's good to remind ourselves of what God has done, and each of us probably has different ways of doing that. Long time ago now, it's probably 15 years or so, I was reading the book of Malachi, and I was really struck by these words in Malachi, chapter three, verse 16, "Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name." Now, notably, this happened during a time of great oppression and suffering for God's people, and reading that verse that day inspired me. As that year, calendar year ended, I decided to create my own scroll of remembrance, but in a word document you understand. I reflected back on the year, on all that God had provided plans fulfilled unexpected opportunities and kindnesses, grace and forgiveness when needed, and His faithfulness during the challenges. It was good, it was encouraging and humbling and awesome to remember how deep and great God's compassion had been, as it was written down in my little scroll. So I decided to do that at the end of every year, and then being the person I am, I thought, "Well, why not take that same principle and create a scroll of hope for the year that's coming?" And so I've done that every year since then as well. My scroll of hope is not new year's resolutions, it's not wishes, it's not an action plan. It's a brief overview of what I hope for in the coming year, in my journey with Christ, in my work, in my relationships with family and friends, in my health and well being. So a couple of weeks ago, as the year was ending, I pulled out my scroll of hope for 2025 and I transitioned it into a scroll of remembrance for last year, noting how God had worked through those hopes I'd laid out 12 months earlier, and then I created my scroll of hope for 2026. Tyndale is one of the items on my scroll of hope, it always is. Our plans, strategies, joys and challenges, victories and frustrations, and that means you're there as well, because Tyndale is the people who are this community. A day or two after doing that, it was January one. Now for many years, I've had a practice of reading through the Bible on an annual basis, and so on January one, I was reading the first three chapters of Genesis. In Genesis, one and two, we read, "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." I couldn't honestly tell you how many times I've read that verse in those first few chapters of Genesis, but this time, it caught my imagination in a new way. That description of God hovering over the waters, we just expressed that again as we were singing of Psalm 29. But I could imagine that pulsing energy of God waiting, hovering over the waters, waiting and ready to explode into what became the creation story and everything that has followed since. As we begin this new year. I truly believe that God is hovering over it with us. His Spirit, that pulsing energy covering us, hovering over us. He knows what is ahead and He has this because He's provided Jesus, the Light of the world. And He's invited us into relationship with Him, so that we are equipped for everything that lies ahead. Doesn't take much to look around and see that there is a lot of trouble in our world. Uncertainty, challenges, wars, adversity, the list goes on. Some of it is far away. Some of it feels very near. It seems to be everywhere. So how and where is hope seen in these kinds of circumstances? Well, for Christians and those of us who follow Christ, hope goes far beyond just trying to keep a sunny disposition and an optimistic outlook, because hope, in the context of our Christian faith, is an essential pillar of that faith that provides a foundation for navigating the challenges that are part of life. So I want to look briefly at five factors that can help us understand why we can be hopeful and how this hope can enrich our spiritual journey and daily lives. And I'm summarizing this from an article I found online some time ago. It's called The Power of Hope: Why Christians Should Embrace Hopefulness. It was published by the Vancouver School of Theology in 2023 and unfortunately, there was no author's name associated with it. There was five key points made in this brief article, and I'm going to go through them quickly. First, as we've already seen. The core of the Christian faith is deep in a deeply rooted message of hope that's woven through scripture from beginning to end. The Old and New Testaments alike are filled with passages that encourage believers to hold on to hope in every circumstance, showing its fundamental role in our faith journeys. Second, the author notes that Christian hope is anchored in the belief that God's goodness and provision is always present. This understanding of God helps us maintain hope even during the difficult times, and in and of itself, it fosters future hope, allowing us to face difficulties with courage and perseverance. We just read of that in Hebrews chapter 10. Third, Christian hope extends beyond the here and now. Paul writes that if our faith is only good for this life, we're to be pitied. But Jesus also said that He came to give us life abundant, and in Scripture, He teaches us what that means in the now that we are in. So in terms of present or future, Christian hope is both and, not either or. The hope we have in Christ, the Light of the world, can sustain us through the circumstances of life, and as we look forward to eternity. Fourthly, hope flourishes within the context of Christian community. When believers come together, we share each other's joys and burdens, fostering an environment where hope is nurtured and it grows in some ways that reflects very well on one of Tyndale's key characteristics, for example, as we think about and put into action what it means to extend and foster Christian hospitality. Surely, part of that is the giving and receiving of hope amongst our community. And then finally, through Scripture, we also see that Christ is the light of the world, and the hope we have in Him is meant to be shared, both inside and outside of the church. Kevin Kirk, our Senior Vice President for External Relations, often speaks of Tyndale, students, alumni and employees, as representing Christ in winsome ways. It's a word used to describe a Christ-like character that's attractive to others who may or may not follow Christ. It's a pleasing and gracious manner extended in a simple way, reflecting Christ's own character and manner. And that idea is linked to Bible passages about gracious speech, being the salt of the earth, and a light in the darkness. So as we pull those pieces together, we see that rooted in the promises of God, Christian hope allows us to navigate challenges with courage and to grow in our faith and understanding of God. As we nurture our hope through scripture, community and a relationship with God, we, in turn, become beacons of light, inviting others to embrace and participate in this enduring message of hope in Christ, the Light of the world. It's a new year, the light has come, and we're invited into that light and hope.

Marjory Kerr
Try and give your imagination a little bit of a exercise today, and consider this, when you think of God hovering over the start of this year in the same way he hovered over the unformed Earth before He created the world what is the hope you have? What is the hope that Jesus, the Light of the world, brings to you? Let's pray together, Father God, thank You for Your presence among us. Thank You for the writings of Your people through the centuries that encourage and inspire us in our walk with You. Thank You for Your goodness in the blessings during the difficult times we face and in the daily dailies that we all experience as we begin a new year, a new semester, and look ahead with both hope and perhaps some concern, help us to remember to invite You into our circumstances, recognizing that You have come as the light of our world and that You are always present, faithful and unchanging, so that we can hold fast to our hope in You, and hold that hope out for others in Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

George Sweetman
New Day, a new semester, a new year. We know that these new markers are but arbitrary numbers devised by humans to signify a new year, month and semester. It doesn't take much imagination to state that 2026, has come in like a devouring lion. Our feeds are saturated with news of droning divisions of politicos and their adherents, or of ICEy protests, we are bombarded with talk of the uncertainty of trading rights, of exchanging material wealth that relentlessly clouds human rights of dignity. There is upheaval in nations as some powers are usurped while others relentlessly destroy with bombs and bullets, and others with words of deceit. There are crowded streets and squares where the people speak to powers, "Things must change!", all the while face staring the possibility that this day may be their last. And misery crawls unabated in the cities and towns across Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza. God, our world is an upheaval. And if we can be honest, we wonder aloud, is peace even possible? Because everything feels like it's spiralling not of control. We're confused God. And there are days that we, like the psalmist, wonder, "Where are you?" Even here within these sanctuary walls, in this magnificent chapel, there is deep hurt: a mother's advent time passing, a friend's unexpected death, a persistent illness that won't relent, depression that paralyzes, upcoming difficult family decisions, disappointments with last term C's, C minuses, and B pluses. God, for some of us, we're frail from the death of a dream. For all of these and more, God, we pray for Your peace, Your mercy, Your presence. God, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. Before us days, whether January 1 or the 12th, these days hold promise or fresh start, that of new beginnings a chance for change. We know, though, that it's more than resolutions made and broken. It's more than resolve to be a better disciple or friend or student. It's more than a commitment to use the HFC or studio frequently. It's more than perfect attendance in classes or books read. What today and then tomorrow and then the next day holds is hope, not in ourselves, not in a calendar turn, not in new habits, but hope in Your Son. It's Your Son, the One whose birth we commemorated only days ago. The One whose promise, whose life itself, prompted travel wearied foreign kings to kneel in adoration with gifts of incense, myrrh and gold. It's this Jesus who holds this new year and semester in His scarred hands. As we coil in the starting block of this new year, a new semester before us, a track of choice, will we sprint into the cave of darkening despair of a chaotic culture? Drinking in its divisive politics, or trusting in the certainties with security mediated by a 15 centimeter glowing screen? Or will we, with measured steps, fall on our knees in king-like humility and choose by the spirits empowering to abide in Jesus, to behold the One who was born, who lived, who died and then overcame death and darkness itself. Will we love and follow our Savior and our Lord? God in Your mercy hear our prayer. January is cold. Temperatures are still to plummet, and we'll be we'll need to brace ourselves against the chill of wind; it's part of living in Canada as a new year begins. Our current season is winter but, as another has sung, "We will sing a new song because death is dead and gone with the winter. We will sing a new song; let hallelujahs flow like a river. We're coming back to life, reaching toward the light. Your love is like springtime." May 2026, in this semester, be the ones where healing spills and peace releases, where justice resounds, where love breaks through. May this be the year when our will is transformed by Your love. O God, may this be one of breakthroughs, discoveries in grace, grace upon grace upon grace, the spring time of grace. So God, on our feet and on our knees and on our very faces, we behold You. Thank You for meeting us, for chasing after us, for gathering us up in Your arms of love, for restoring us, for Your peace, for this time, for this place, for Your Son's hope. God, it's now 2026 yes just another year but God, by You and through You may we see these days through Your eyes and rejoice. Now friends, hear these good words as we enter this new time. Now to Him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in His bright presence, fresh and celebrating to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master. Be glory, majesty, strength and rule before all time and now and to the end of all time. Yes. Amen. Go in peace. Go in hope.