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Tyndale University presents a series of recorded chapel services from Tyndale's very own faculty and guest speakers.
Good morning, everyone. During our excuse me, during our commencement Chapel, we neglected to recognize the undergraduate recipients of the Doctor Bradley T Noel, the DOC scholarship, and we'd like to do so now if Aaron Collins could please stand. As many of you know, we lost our friend and colleague, Doctor Brad Noel from the Tyndall community just over two years ago, and to honor his memory and legacy, a special scholarship was established by those who were influenced by and impacted by Doctor Noel’s, Life and ministry. Recipients of this scholarship must exemplify the Christian virtues and qualities that we knew to be true of Doctor Noel. These include a commitment to academic excellence in theological education, a personal compassion, and empathy to those marginalized by religion. Someone who is an encourager and is passionate in advocating for vulnerable persons, and a student who has a keen understanding of culture and can communicate the truth of Scripture. With grace and compassion. So if you would please join me in congratulating Aaron Collins on receiving this significant award, well done.
It's my pleasure to introduce our speaker for today's Chapel. Which is Scott Moore. Scott Moore is the executive director of Youth Unlimited, GTA. He was recently in Uganda with other YU staff as part of Youth Unlimited, GTA's partnering with YU in Uganda, the beginning of a program there. Scott is an alumnus of Tyndale Seminary and also of the University of Western Ontario. A few things you that not everyone who knows Scott even knows is that he rode crew for a Team Canada and as I just found out this morning, I didn't even know this part. He won a silver medal in the World Championships in Barcelona with the lightweight quad team. Scott is a poet. He's a cyclist. And he can make a really serious tobbogan run. Scott and his wife, Kate, and his five daughters, are dear friends to me, Lizzie and our three boys. And as you get to know, Scott Moore, you find out he cares very deeply about equipping the next generation to faithfully follow Jesus. Our scripture reading for today is from the book of Matthew, Chapter 11, Matthew 11 25 through 30. At that time, Jesus said. I praise you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children. Yes, father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my father. No one knows the son except the father, and no one knows the father except the son and those to whom the son chooses to reveal him. Come to me. All you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Please join me in prayer. Heavenly Father, with all of the unrest in the world, we pray for your peace. Not as the world gives, but as you give. We pray for Scott that you would use him to speak to us today. We ask that you would strengthen encourage and support him in your work at Youth Unlimited and with him and his family and his responsibility. In the words of the prayer from the cloud of Unknowing, O God, unto whom all hearts lie open. Unto whom desire is eloquent, and from whom no secret thing is hidden. Purify the thoughts of our hearts by the outpouring of your spirit that we may love you with a perfect love and pray. Pray praise you as you deserve in Jesus name. Amen.
Good morning. It's good to be with you. Thank you, Ben, for that introduction. It's always a gift to be introduced by good friends. Now I must start with a confession this morning, which only seems fitting in a place as reverent as this. I was preparing an entirely different talk for this morning. When I just couldn't shake the feeling that a reflection I'd given to my staff a few weeks ago was actually what I was also supposed to share with you. So I haven't seen any of my YU team here this morning. But if you're out there, my apologies. It is a joy to be with you. Tyndale is a place in a community that I love and hold closely to my heart. I can't believe that January will mark 20 years since I began my M div here at Tyndale. My girls are constantly telling me how unbelievably old I am, and I guess they aren't wrong. I actually had the privilege of graduating with my dad, who received an honorary doctorate the same year that I graduated, which is a very special memory. And when I think of our team at YU, over half of our staff at YU have a degree from Tyndale, either as an undergrad or masters or doctorate. This is a place that shapes and forms people towards meaningful ministry, and Jesus centered life callings. So why are you here at Tyndale? What is God stirring in your heart, mind, body and soul? What are you hoping is next after, Tyndale? Just last year at Youth Unlimited, we launched a new strategy for our work here in Toronto. And I've had the privilege of serving at Youth Unlimited for more than 16 years now. And I just want to show a short video of what is stirring in some of our staff's hearts as they imagine just what God might do in the coming years through YU.
What if every homeless and refugee youth found a safe place to belong?
What if churches in the GTA saw themselves as a solution to youth homelessness?
What if the shop had the resources to respond to 100% of our youths housing needs?
What if you've experienced transformation and belonging in the family of God through the radical hospitality of neighborhood churches?
What if there was a space for youth where cost was not a barrier where no one was turned away? Youth did not write themselves off, all were accepted. Everyone could find belonging. Questions could be asked without judgment. Families could witness youth flourish as they discover their God-given abilities, strengths, and potential.
What if emerging ministry workers were holistically supported to grow deep roots in Christ and become the next YU Church and community leaders?
What if new neighborhoods across the GTA had deeply rooted ministry workers committed to the flourishing of youth and their families?
What if neighborhood churches and Christian organizations partnered with us to develop many multi service spaces to support the needs of our community?
What if every church in the GTA provided stable housing to one vulnerable youth?
It’s through a partnership between Toronto and South Sudan. All of our young people grow closer to the heart of God. Because they built global friendship that profoundly impacted their understanding. Of the world around them. Both Mia.
What if young parents felt that the church was the safest place to be?
These are just some of the hopes and dreams of our YU team dreams of seeing young people transformed by Jesus and in turn, seeing them transform their family, their schools, communities and more. So what are you dreaming for? What dream is on God's heart for your life and where your call to serve? As Ben mentioned, in August, I was able to journey to Juba, South Sudan, where we're developing a partnership with Youth for Christ for Youth Unlimited there. If you don't know anything about South Sudan, it is one of the newest countries in the world, recognized by the UN, becoming independent in 2011 after six decades of civil war. It is one of the two poorest countries in the world, and I had the privilege of meeting with our YFC brothers and sisters there who had dedicated their lives to reaching the young people of this country. On our first morning there, James YFC’s national director was adamant that we had to see the land they had recently purchased on the outskirts of Juba. There's probably only about a 5 kilometer drive, but it took more than an hour as we bumped along what might be called barely a road. We finally arrived at the land and there we gathered an empty plot of land in a sparse rural community on the outskirts of Juba. There, we gathered, dreaming of what might be dreaming of a school providing education for young children, dreaming of an urban city growing around a YFC youth center shining its light for the youth in that city, dreaming of young people knowing Jesus as their loving Lord and compassionate savior. Dreaming of a generation overcoming decades of war, strife, and poverty. Against all odds, here was a group of people, all of whom had been refugees, all of whom that had lost family members at war, all of whom were dreaming because Jesus is Lord of all, even in the most dire circumstances, and painful paths. I was overcome with emotion as I too imagined all that could be not only for young people in South Sudan, but for us here in Toronto.
So what are you dreaming for? What dream is on God's heart for those who serve? Perhaps, though, dreaming feels impossible for you right now. Perhaps it feels like there's nothing left in the tank and this is where Jesus meets us today in today's text. We all hit low points in different seasons and for different reasons. When our five daughters were younger and at any point any one of one to three of them might be having a meltdown, my wife would say the struggle is real. She actually got me a pen that actually says the struggle is real. Just to remind me. But seriously, our low points are real, and they're a struggle. Many of you have dealt with or are dealing with things that I can scarcely imagine. I remember 1 low point for me it was May 9th 2022. I only remember the date because it was the day of our 35th Annual YU Golf Tournament. It had been just one month since I had total hip replacement after two surgeries due to a bike crash in 2020. Ten days after that surgery, my then 76 year old Father had his fourth and most severe heart attack, followed by two small strokes. In the midst of this, my wife and I were dealing with an intense relational breakdown in our extended family. And of course, carrying on with the daily life of raising five young daughters in the not so small matter of serving it, YU as executive director. And I can distinctly remember driving along the 401 approaching Highway 400 and seriously considering turning around, unsure if I could face this day and serve the 150 people that would be golfing with us. The urge to take the exit ramp was real, and it was strong. Some days we all want to take the exit ramp. But on those days, the invitation is always the same.
Come to me, Jesus says. Come to me you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. If you have your Bible, let's dive into this text just for a few brief moments. You know, we see in Matthew 10, Jesus’ mission is beginning to expand as he sends out the 12 disciples and he continues to teach and preach in towns around Galilee. And of course, as Jesus’ mission expands, so does opposition to it. As we move into Chapter 11, Jesus speaks to the crowd and he ends there in verses 18 and 19. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say he has a demon. The son of man came eating and drinking, and they say here's a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.
What is Jesus saying? Well, he's telling them you're denying God on both sides of the coin. John is running away from the parties to fast in the desert, and he's not of God. I'm hanging out with everybody and enjoying food and drink, and neither am I of God, so you say. So which is it? Jesus then goes on to denounce all the places that refuse to change their self seeking direction that remained hard hearted to the message that the Kingdom of heaven had come near, that didn't want to give up their own self-sufficiency and so turned away from Jesus and the 12. But Jesus doesn't go on lambasting those who have rejected him. Instead, he turns to his father and celebrates in verse 25. I praise you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children. Yes, father for this is what you are pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my father. No one knows the son except the father. And no one knows the father except the son and knows to whom the son chooses to reveal him. It is only by the gift of revelation that any one knows Jesus. The wise and learned Jesus has already denounced, and so we attune our hearts and our minds and our bodies and souls to these little children that Jesus speaks of. Who are the little children to whom is the father revealed? To whom is the son known? Who is invited into this great mystery? We read again. No one knows the father. No one knows the son except the father, and no one knows the father except the son and those to whom the son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.
Do you see that? Jesus chooses the weary and the burdened. The mystery of the Kingdom come near as revealed to those who are weary and burdened. Jesus chooses them. It's not the exception, but rather the rule. And isn't that just like Jesus? We try to shush away the little children, Jesus welcomes them and embraces. We try to recruit the best and the brightest. Jesus chooses unschooled, ordinary fishermen. We've tried to rub shoulders with the important and the notable, and Jesus hangs out with the left behind and the left out. Jesus chooses those who are weary and burdened. Those who know the mirage of self-sufficiency and the emptiness of self seeking. It seems today more than ever in this anxious age, we need to hear these words. Our weaknesses and worries, our fretfulness and frailties are just the material Jesus is waiting to work on. Amidst all that weighs us down is the exact place where Jesus wants to meet us. So if you're struggling to see God at work and your schooling or uncertain about what God is unfolding in your life, or feeling the weight of unresolved parts of your story, Jesus chooses you. Jesus chooses you. In him, we will find rest. We will find the joy of serving and the freedom of the spirit, unencumbered by the weight of expectation or the pressure to please. We will learn the secret of being content in every situation and circumstance, no matter what the world tells us should make us happy. So you ask, what are we to do? And to that question, I say what direction are you going in? Jesus says simply come to me. Head in my direction. Friends let us turn our whole beings towards Jesus. Face him. Walk towards him in his open arms and find rest in his merciful embrace. But of course you know by now that Jesus does not invite us to rest for rest sake. He says take my yoke upon you and learn from me. He’s saying make me the master of your life. I don't know about you, but in our context here today, it feels like there's more masters out there than ever before. We're bombarded with messages from people with supposed authority telling us how we should live every facet of our lives. To all this, Jesus says make me the master of your life. Let us together make Jesus the foremost formational influence in our lives. Rid ourselves of disordered attachments, unhealthy yokes that bind our spirits, distractions that parade in our hearts and consume our thoughts. Make Jesus the foremost formational influence in your life. If he is Lord of all, it's crazy to do anything else. For me, it's easy to listen to the people pleasing voice inside of me, or to resort to the distractedness of my phone when I'm tired or unfocused. But I turn to unhealthy eating habits to deal with stress or to get frustrated with my kids when I'm really holding on to something from work. What turns you in the opposite direction from Jesus? Let Jesus be the formational influence on which everything in your life hinges, not your social media feed or your friendship circle or the latest book you're reading, or even your favorite professor. All of these things can be part of Jesus’ Formation, but start which Jesus himself dwell in the gospel stories. Sit in silence with him, meditate on his words. And I'm convinced that as you and as I turn and walk towards Jesus and make him the master of our lives, we will find that sparse, empty land on which we stand will blossom with the possibilities of God's dream for us all. In our work at Youth Unlimited, it might be vulnerable youth finding stable housing, churches becoming the go to place for pregnant and parenting teens or youth who are once desperately alone, finding belonging, community and friendship through YU workers. What might it be for you? May Jesus use your journey here at Tyndale to shape you in your weariness and your burdens to find rest and walk in his ways daily. Well, I don't think I've given you three points. I would like to close with a poem. This is a poem called Lost and found. It weaves both the imagery of Psalm 23 and me on a bike. And so as we consider the rest Jesus offers us as we make him the master of our lives, may you hear his invitation in these words as our benediction this morning.
Lost and found. Hear my voice, child. I am not a hired hand who comes and goes as the money flows. I will find you in the alleys of despair. The corners of this content, the boulevards of disillusion, the freeways of disintegration, the high rises of deconstruction. Ruling at the precipice of a boundaryless world allure of freedom elusive by potholed asphalt returning from my two wheeled escape. As the grade drops, the condoed cityscape rises, arched power lines etch a sketched across the emerging horizon. My aimless ears at half capacity still filled with litanies of urban life lunging towards me. Harsh honks halts my heart, awakening the fear of not measuring up a people pleasing failure. Speeding sedan squeezes me into a square inch like the demands of 100 pressing voices. Can't find mine. Flashing red rear lights race paths, forcing me to face it. Can't keep up. Home is near, but my root obscure. I've lost my sense of direction. Kleptomaniac crooks abound, anxious to feed their destructive vices. But the crook of a shepherd's staff saves me, reaching out in gentle pursuit cradles my soul. I will go to the ends of the earth. For you, I already did. And still am. I am found. I lack nothing. Oh my good shepherd, lead me to still places that I might love as you have loved. Friends go in peace and be blessed today. Thank you so much.