Bay Area Community Church

Ever been in a catch 22? Stuck in a situation where there are no good ways to move forward? It's painful, frustrating and can make most people freeze. In our exploration of the Angelic rollout of the Christmas story, we're going to encounter Joseph in a Catch 22 - anything he chooses, he loses something. But then, a word from God changes the course of his life (and history). 

Why is it that we doubt? When we are confused and troubled, why are we often quick to doubt God’s goodness and ways? Last week we saw how Zechariah doubted the message God sent through the angel Gabriel. This Sunday we will learn from one of the most powerful examples in the Scriptures: Mary. For those who have ever doubted God, Mary’s remarkable response to Gabriel will inspire and encourage.

Have you ever gotten GOOD NEWS in a BAD WAY? At times, HOW we find out about something can be as important as WHAT is said! Well, when it comes to the "Rollout Plan" for the birth of Jesus, God the Father was taking no chances - he sent heavenly messengers to get the job done right. This Sunday, we'll look at the first of those appearances to Zechariah, and find out that even very godly people have struggles with doubts. I hope you'll be encouraged and challenged by this passage.

Everything around us tells us that Christmas is coming. You can’t miss it! The weather outside, festive lights, busy schedules and decorations all around point to the reality that in a few weeks, we will be celebrating Christmas. While all of this might be true, how prepared are you really to celebrate Christmas? This Sunday, we will be reminded of our great need for a great Savior so that we can be ready to celebrate a great Christmas.

This Sunday we wrap up our nine-week series on Becoming More Like Jesus. As a church we are on a journey to grow as disciples of Christ. This week we look at our final essential: Discipleship is Reproducing. The greatest legacy you and I can leave is the investments we’ve made helping others become disciples of Jesus. All of us want to leave a legacy that outlives us. Being used by God to pour into others is the most powerful legacy anyone can leave. Join us this Sunday as we continue our journey of becoming more like Jesus!

A disciple follows Jesus, is being changed by Jesus, and is on mission with Jesus. As we continue our series Becoming More Like Jesus, this Sunday we shift into living on mission with Jesus. Discipleship is not just about our personal growth. It’s about helping others come to know Jesus and become more like Him. Discipleship must always be in movement to the world. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. That was each of us. And now He sends us out to share the greatest news of all time with others. Join us this Sunday as we gain His heart for the lost and see our role in sharing the gospel.

Many of us were drawn to Christ based on the promise of a blessed, abundant life that would far exceed anything that we could ask or imagine - and then we actually found out what following Jesus would require, and it felt like a bait and switch. Too often, we off-road when we think that discipleship is intended to make our life better, or to make us better at life. Join us this Sunday as we discover that the calling of Christ on our life is inevitably costly. 

We’ve been talking about the “essentials” of discipleship. An “essential” is something absolutely necessary, crucial, indispensable. This Sunday we look at the essential of prayer. Let me share with you a concept that few people grasp. There is a difference between “union” and “communion.” The moment you place your faith in Jesus for salvation, you become spiritually united with Christ. In other words, positionally speaking, you and I are placed into the body of Christ and one with Him. That is mind-boggling. But…just because we have “union” with Jesus, that doesn’t mean we are becoming more like Him in our everyday life. And for many of us, we’ve been off-roading in the area of prayer. Without prayer, there is no “communion” with Jesus. Join us this week as we explore what it looks like to commune with God through prayer.

Does anyone else despise the phrase, "You are what you eat"? I know I do - mostly because I don't like what that implies about my eating habits! But the truth is, we'll rarely rise above what we most consume: and I'm not talking about food anymore. The process of becoming morel like Jesus is one that is shaped by God's Word. The more we understand that, the less off roading we'll do. Join us as we overview the next essential of discipleship.