Grace in Community

4-18-25 Good Friday: You Are His Joy

Text: Luke 22:39-23:56
Accompanying Jesus to the cross. Hebrews 12:2 says it was for the joy set before Jesus that he endured the cross. You are that joy. 

4-13-25 Palm Sunday: Kingdom or Kin-dom?

Texts: Luke 19:29-40, Zechariah 9:9-10
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the people hailed him as king. In recent years some theologians have begun referring to the "kin-dom" of God rather than the kingdom. Is this a good move? What are we losing with this language? 

4-6-25 Do you act with the mind or the heart?

Text: John 12:1-8
This week we have a guest preacher, Pastor Karin Boye. Pastor Boye is originally from Germany, and has served congregations in Southern California for the past couple decades. She contrasts Mary's provocative act of anointing Jesus' feet with Judas' reaction, pointing out that Jesus' rebuke of Judas is a warning not to judge others, no matter where they are on the spectrum of acting from the heart or with the mind. 
Series: One Life. Follow Jesus. 

3-30-25 The Prodigal

Text: Luke 1-3, 11b-32
The prodigal...who? Of all the parables Jesus tells, this may be the one that best encapsulates the gospel. Like the one called the "prodigal son" in Luke 15, we wander, go our own way, and chase false dreams. But we have a prodigal God, a Father who always pursues us, and rejoices when we come back home. Will we join in rejoicing when he also welcomes others—even those we don’t think deserve it?
Series: One Life. Follow Jesus. 

3-23-25 Discipleship Happens

Text: Luke 4:1-13
Have you ever heard yourself saying this? I just have to get through this time, and then I'll get serious about working on myself. But life never seems to settle down. Discipleship happens amid the crisis. Our true priorities reveal themselves in the hard times. And here's the good news: Jesus comes to meet us right there - not just when we get it together. 
Series: One Life. Follow Jesus. 

3-16-25 Submitting to Jesus' Way

Text: Luke 13:1-9
Tragedy, fig trees, and...condemnation? Jesus' message in this text appears quite cryptic, but it's much more straightforward than it seems. Following him requires submission - to his way, and to his grace.
Series: One Life. Follow Jesus. 

3-9-25 God's Dream

Text: Luke 13:31-35
What is the beginning of discipleship? Perhaps it starts with a dream - Jesus' Kingdom dream. In Jesus' dream for the world, our dreams and hopes find their place. 
Series: One Life. Follow Jesus. 

Bonus Episode: 3-5-25 Ash Wednesday

Text: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (read at the beginning)
On Ash Wednesday, Pastor Matt introduces our Lenten series on discipleship. What does it really mean to follow Jesus? That's what we'll be exploring together this season. It begins with recognizing...that we can't. 

3-2-25 Jesus Takes A Hike

Text: Luke 9:28-36
Is Truth always dependent on fact? On Transfiguration Sunday, Pastor Matt invites us to open our minds to seeing the Better Story not just in literal history or propositional truth, but art, poetry, music, and myth.
The last 5 minutes includes a meditation with visuals. We strongly suggest you view the video here: https://youtu.be/KqyaF8MCUkA
Series: A Better Story
 

2-23-25 Love Your Enemies

Text: Luke 6:27-36
It was radical then. It is still radical today. “Love your enemies” is one of the simplest teachings of Jesus, yet the most difficult to follow. Believe it or not, it is also one of the most practical. Yet it is only possible to sustain through experiencing God’s unconditional love ourselves, and through the Spirit of the risen Christ.
Series: Telling A Better Story