2013 was a great year for Redeem the Commute, we explored the Sermon on the Mount, a series on Easter, another on Work & Rest, Becoming like Family, and finally our Christmas series, The Night that Changed Everything.
Before we start our next series, we wanted to share some of our favourites from the last year. We picked them either for their creative setting, or because they had great interviews, or content we thought was worth hearing again.
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CloseRyan Sim - February 4, 2014
Tuesday - Study It - Reset: Money
We’re looking this week at how our views of money change as followers of Jesus. Here are the words of Paul, one of the first Christian leaders, to his protégé, Timothy. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV) A Christian author, NT Wright note that we give lip service to the maxim that “money can’t buy happiness” and then give life-service to the opposite. We don’t need to prove it, we’ve all seen this kind of thing. One example, when someone is quite wealthy, they might buy more homes. But since they can’t be everywhere at once, they need to get security systems or guards, repair people, landscapers and more. With more wealth comes the need for lawyers, accountants, investment advisors, and all the work and stress of coordinating them properly. A friend owns a home by the lake, which is beautiful. But the amazing view comes at a cost, as they are constantly replacing shingles after every windstorm. Another example: Justin Bieber’s incredible success and wealth may also be his downfall. He is able to try and buy happiness in cars, drugs, and surround himself with friends so dazzled by it all that they won’t try to stop him. But we’ve seen recently, that it’s not working. His wealth has turned into a trap, a snare. Is Paul saying money is bad? Or houses by the lake, or pop music? No, but money is also not good, or happiness, in and of itself. This is why Paul says carefully, the love of money is the root of many evils. Money isn’t the good to be loved. It represents the good, it’s just a piece of paper, metal or computer data used to exchange for actual goods and services. The further our modern currency gets from the actual goods it was meant to represent, the closer it gets to an idol for worship in and of itself. Money is a stand-in for actual goods, and becoming less and less grounded in reality since treasuries no longer actually have to have gold on hand for every dollar they print. What are idols? They were things like statues worshipped for rain, sun, fertitility, whatever people wanted to control. They stand in for a real relationship with God who can’t be controlled. They allow us to become ungrounded from reality, since we elevate ourselves to the status of controlling nature through our gods. If we pursue money alone, we are pursuing something at the whim of the markets that is ultimately meaningless. We can see this as the Canadian dollar recently plugned below 90 cents US. Manufacturers who signed contracts at $1.00, bought supplies at $0.95 and got paid at $0.90 have all seen just how subjective money can be when it’s unhinged from the actual goods it is meant to represent. The risk is that we’ll pursue this kind of thing in life, and worship things in our lives whose value is constantly in flux, hardly eternal. They may not be little statues anymore, but idols are very much objects of worship today. That’s why Paul states the obvious truth: we brought nothing into this world, we cannot take anything out. Despite that, we regularly treat money, possessions in life as if they are permanent and of eternal value. Question: When have you seen someone’s love for money lead to evil?
Related Topics: Happiness, Money, Reset | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio
From Series: "Reset"
When our computers get bogged down and unmanageable, we know to hit a reset button to simply start over. Wouldn't a reset button be great in life? We know it would be complicated, with all our responsibilities and routines to consider, but imagine the freedom and refreshment of a new start in life! What would you do differently? What would you pay more attention to, and what would you ignore? How would you avoid getting bogged down and broken again? The great news is, in coming to earth as Jesus Christ, God has begun to "reset" our universe, our world, and even us. We're invited to start over with him, in what he calls his kingdom. We're invited to start a new life with a clean slate. What gets wiped clean, and lived differently, when God resets our lives? We'll explore how God resets these key areas of our lives: Reset: Goals Reset: Time Reset: Money Reset: Work Reset: Body & Food Reset: Sex & Marriage Reset: Family Reset: Compassion Reset: Nature Reset: Society Reset: Death Join us for the next several weeks, and invite God to reset your life.
More Messages From Ryan Sim...
Friday - Reflect - Structured Rest | September 11, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Structured Rest | September 10, 2015 | Interview | Watch | Listen | |
Wednesday - Change It - Structured Rest | September 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Structured Rest | September 8, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Structured Rest | September 7, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Inner Rest | September 4, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Inner Rest | September 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Inner Rest | September 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Inner Rest | September 1, 2015 | Extra | Watch | Listen | |
Monday - A New Idea - Inner Rest | August 31, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Finding Rest | August 28, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Finding Rest | August 27, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Finding Rest | August 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Finding Rest | August 25, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Finding Rest | August 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - We Need Rest | August 21, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - We Need Rest | August 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - We Need Rest | August 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - We Need Rest | August 18, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - We Need Rest | August 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Working Well | August 14, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Working Well | August 13, 2015 | Extra | Watch | Listen | |
Wednesday - Change It - Working Well | August 12, 2015 | Extra | Watch | Listen | |
Tuesday - Study It - Working Well | August 11, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Working Well | August 10, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Working Badly | August 7, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Working Badly | August 6, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Working Badly | August 5, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Working Badly | August 4, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Working Badly | August 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - We Need Work | July 31, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - We Need Work | July 30, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - We Need Work | July 29, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - We Need Work | July 28, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - We Need Work | July 27, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
2015 Status Update - Friday | July 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
2015 Status Update - Thursday | July 23, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
2015 Status Update - Wednesday | July 22, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
2015 Status Update - Tuesday | July 21, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
2015 Status Update - Monday | July 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Nehemiah - Friday | July 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Nehemiah - Thursday | July 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Nehemiah - Wednesday | July 15, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Nehemiah - Tuesday | July 14, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Nehemiah - Monday | July 13, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Esther - Friday | July 10, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Esther - Thursday | July 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Esther - Wednesday | July 8, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Esther - Tuesday | July 7, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Esther - Monday | July 6, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ezekiel - Friday | July 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ezekiel - Thursday | July 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ezekiel - Wednesday | July 1, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ezekiel - Tuesday | June 30, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ezekiel - Monday | June 29, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Son of Man - Friday | June 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Son of Man - Thursday | June 25, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Son of Man - Wednesday | June 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Son of Man - Tuesday | June 23, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Son of Man - Monday | June 22, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: God in the Fiery Furnace - Friday | June 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: God in the Fiery Furnace - Thursday | June 18, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: God in the Fiery Furnace - Wednesday | June 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: God in the Fiery Furnace - Tuesday | June 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: God in the Fiery Furnace - Monday | June 15, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jeremiah - Friday | June 12, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jeremiah - Thursday | June 11, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jeremiah - Wednesday | June 10, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jeremiah - Tuesday | June 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jeremiah - Monday | June 8, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jonah - Friday | June 5, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jonah - Thursday | June 4, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jonah - Wednesday | June 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jonah - Tuesday | June 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jonah - Monday | June 1, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Isaiah - Friday | May 29, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Isaiah - Thursday | May 28, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Isaiah - Wednesday | May 27, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Isaiah - Tuesday | May 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Isaiah - Monday | May 25, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: David & Goliath - Friday | May 22, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: David & Goliath - Thursday | May 21, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: David & Goliath - Wednesday | May 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: David & Goliath - Tuesday | May 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: David & Goliath - Monday | May 18, 2015 | Gladwell | Watch | Listen | |
EPIC: David Anointed King - Friday | May 15, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: David Anointed King - Thursday | May 14, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: David Anointed King - Wednesday | May 13, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: David Anointed King - Tuesday | May 12, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: David Anointed King - Monday | May 11, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ruth and Naomi - Friday | May 8, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ruth and Naomi - Thursday | May 7, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ruth and Naomi - Wednesday | May 6, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ruth and Naomi - Tuesday | May 5, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ruth and Naomi - Monday | May 4, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ten Commandments - Friday | May 1, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ten Commandments - Thursday | April 30, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ten Commandments - Wednesday | April 29, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ten Commandments - Tuesday | April 28, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Ten Commandments - Monday | April 27, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Red Sea - Friday | April 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Red Sea - Thursday | April 23, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Red Sea - Wednesday | April 22, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Red Sea - Tuesday | April 21, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Red Sea - Monday | April 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cloud & Fire - Friday | April 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cloud & Fire - Thursday | April 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cloud & Fire - Wednesday | April 15, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cloud & Fire - Tuesday | April 14, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cloud & Fire - Monday | April 13, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: The Passover - Friday | April 10, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: The Passover - Thursday | April 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: The Passover - Wednesday | April 8, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: The Passover - Tuesday | April 7, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: The Passover - Monday | April 6, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh II - Friday | April 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh II - Thursday | April 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh II - Wednesday | April 1, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh II - Tuesday | March 31, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh II - Monday | March 30, 2015 | Watch | Listen |