Weekly sermons from Open Gate Church in Victoria, BC featuring Rev. Jonathan Ellis and guest speakers.
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3, NIV)
This week is the third Sunday of Advent focussing on the promise of Joy. This sermon explores John the Baptist’s question from prison to Jesus: “Are you the One?” and how Jesus answers our doubts with the transforming evidence of his kingdom already breaking into the world. We will reflect on how joy and sorrow mingle in the Christian ...
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord
(Isaiah 11:2, NIV)
This week is the second Sunday of Advent focussing on the promise that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. The sermon will focus on the passage from Isaiah, which proclaims Jesus as the promised shoot from Jesse’s stump—the Spirit-filled King who brings j...
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:20, NIV)
This week’s message continues our look at the letter to Laodicea and concludes our journey through the Jesus’ letters to the church in Revelation. Again, the passage reminds us that Jesus lovingly confronts our comfort and self-reliance through discipline (...
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:20, NIV)
This week’s message reminds us that Jesus lovingly confronts our comfort and self-reliance through discipline (the refiner’s fire) so that He can restore our zeal, dependence, and intimacy with Him. Laodicea teaches us that true wealth, righteousness, and s...
See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8, NIV)
This week’s message focuses on Jesus’ words to the faithful but fragile church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7–13). Though they had little strength, they held fast — and Jesus promises them an open door, an enduring crown, and a place in God’s et...
Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. (Revelation 3:2, NIV)
This sermon invites the congregation to move from reputation to reality—from the appearance of life to genuine vitality in Christ. We want to emphasize awakening, repentance, renewal, and the breath of the Spirit and Christ’s victorious life.
Connect with Us!
www.opengatechurch.ca
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. (Matthew 5:13, NIV)
This sermon calls us to steadfast loyalty to Jesus in a world of compromise. The Christians in Pergamum lived where “Satan’s throne” was—yet they were urged to cling to Christ’s name and reject idolatry and immorality. The tone is bo...
“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” (Revelation 2:10, NIV)
As we continue on from last week, we are again reminded that that Jesus is sovereign even in suffering. The letter to Smyrna calls believers to endure persecution, knowing the battle is temporary but the victory is eternal. Worship can highlight giving thanks for Christ’s sovereignty, his victory over death, a...
“I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! (Revelation 2:9, NIV)
This sermon reminds us that Jesus is sovereign even in suffering. The letter to Smyrna calls believers to endure persecution, knowing the battle is temporary but the victory is eternal. Worship can highlight Christ’s sovereignty, his victory over death, and the hope of eternal life, while also offering songs of trust and courage for today’s ...
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first…” (Revelation 2:4, NIV)
This sermon is a continuation from last week and continues to emphasize Jesus’ words to the church in Ephesus: though they were energetic in service, patient in suffering, and orthodox in belief, they had abandoned their first love of Jesus and one another. We’ll explore how love for Christ must be the foundation of all service, e...
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first…” (Revelation 2:4, NIV)
This sermon emphasizes Jesus’ words to the church in Ephesus: though they were energetic in service, patient in suffering, and orthodox in belief, they had abandoned their first love of Jesus and one another. We’ll explore how love for Christ must be the foundation of all service, endurance, and doctrine. Worship should ...
This sermon introduces our sermon series for the next 8 weeks on Revelation Chapters 2-3, letters to seven churches from Jesus. The introduction frames Revelation not as a codebook for predicting the future but as the unveiling of Jesus Christ. Rather than focusing on fear or speculation, John’s vision reminds us that Jesus is Lord, even in the midst of persecution and chaos. The message points us to hope, worship, and faithful di...
Philemon explores Paul’s heartfelt appeal to Philemon, asking him to receive Onesimus no longer as a runaway slave but as a brother in Christ. It challenges us to see reconciliation as costly, transformative, and rooted in the gospel’s power to make the “useless” useful again.
Connect with Us!
www.opengatechurch.ca
Facebook: @theopengatechurch
Instagram: @theopengatechurch
In Luke 14:7–14, Jesus challenges our natural desire for recognition and repayment. True greatness in the Kingdom is not about status, but humility—choosing the low seat and opening our lives to those who cannot repay us. This passage calls us to live in a way that reflects God’s radical hospitality, where blessing is not measured by earthly honour but by the reward of heaven.
Connect with Us!
www.opengatechurch.ca
Facebook:...
This week’s message is a reminder that the gospel spreads not just by pulpits, but by people—ordinary believers sent out with extraordinary news. From Romans 10:14’s call to preach, and Luke 10’s picture of Jesus sending out the seventy-two, we are reminded that every follower of Jesus is called to share the good news. The Spirit sends, the message saves, and we’re invited to be part of the mission. We will end by re-emphasizing o...
This episode celebrates God’s quiet but powerful work of redemption through ordinary people. Ruth and Boaz’s union doesn’t just restore Naomi — it becomes part of God’s plan for King David and ultimately Jesus. We will be continue to explore in what ways we might be a part of God’s redemptive purposes.
Connect with Us!
www.opengatechurch.ca
Facebook: @theopengatechurch
Instagram: @theopengatechurch
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Betrayal Weekly is back for a brand new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-4 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.