Branches OC

(9-29-2024) Executive pastor at Branches, Kim Duran, shares with us her powerful testimony.

Life can be overwhelming and wreaking all kinds of havoc in a variety of ways. It's helpful to expect these challenges as part of life on earth and learn ways to cope with them through prayer. In Philippians 4:4-7, we see how prayer brings the relief we need along with protection for our hearts and minds. Through prayer, God grants us His peace when we take our focus off our circumstances and on His grand plan that transcends our understanding.

As followers of Jesus and citizens of a nation-state, we're often living a dual allegiance to the kingdom of God and to the United States. But the values of the kingdom of God as were embodied in Jesus (last will be first and first will be last, love & pray for your enemy, money is the root of all evil, etc.) often come in sharp contrast to the values of the United States. There is no doubt we have a responsibility to both, BUT the question has to be, "which has our PRIMARY allegiance and what does that look like?"

Branches Sunday Morning Message: Shaped By The Gospel | Philippians 3:1-11

If anyone could brag about their own righteous living, the Apostle Paul certainty could. Yet, after his life was impacted by the gospel, he counted his sterling record as "rubbish" compared to knowing Jesus and His righteousness. This passage in Philippians 3 points us to consider our personal life story and ambitions in light of the grace of God. Our hearts are shaped by The Gospel when we allow our sufferings to introduce us to the power of the resurrection.

True Relational Community draws us into deeper, committed relationships in which we take genuine interest in the welfare of others and strive towards unity and the full expression of the body of Christ.

God is out source of light and love! We are called to abide in Him so that we can shine His light and love on those living in darkness.

The Christ Hymn in Philippians 2 gives us a unique picture of the nature and character of God displayed through Jesus. What is God Like? He is like Jesus. What is Jesus like? For this we explore Philippians 2 and the cross to guide us.

"Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant" Philippians 2:5-7, 22 ASV

"So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;" Philippians 2:12 ASV

"That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11 ASV

It's amazing the level of joy the Apostle Paul display's considering he was writing this letter from prison. He saw his chains not as a nuisance, rather an opportunity to serve others with the good news. He knew who he was and where was ultimately going. This identify in Christ serves as a path for us as we face difficult challenges in our life.

As we dive deeper into the Philippians Series, worship Pastor Ryan Maroney teaches us about the Reality of Dissonance. Dissonant notes are musical notes that are played simultaneously and create a combination that sounds unpleasant or harsh. The reality of suffering and tragedy is written all over the Bible and even in our own lives. How can we make beauty and harmony out of such dissonance?

Join us at Agape 1928 in San Clemente at 10AM every Sunday Morning.