Coastal Church Podcast

In the uncertain and changing world we live in we find a desperate search for hope. The key is to have a true hope, a hope anchored to the right source. If you place your hope in the present world, your wealth, or the people in your life, you will be disappointed. But there is a hope that God gives, which like the rising sun brightens your path.

As Christian and Faithful continue their journey, they arrive at a town named Vanity, in which there is an ongoing festival called Vanity Fair. At this fair, all types of lusts, desires, and cravings are on display and the two pilgrims face temptation to stop their journey to the Celestial City and partake in Vanity Fair.

God uses relationships with other believers to strengthen our faith. In this Podcast Pastor James talks about 3 Things to Look for in a Godly Companion:

1. A godly companion has a deep love for God.

2. A godly companion is a doer of God’s Word.

3. A godly companion submits to God’s authority.

When we receive Jesus, we are born again and made new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). However, we still have thinking patterns, mindsets and maybe painful memories that have been with us most of our lives. As we begin the process of renewing our minds in the Bible, we discover that the focus of our enemy shifts to this new battlefield. Here in the battlefield of the mind we can find ourselves in dark valleys that God has empowered us to walk through victoriously on our journey to the Celestial City.

The Christian life is filled with challenges, but Jesus has given us everything we need to overcome the hills of difficulty. Regardless of the challenges we face on the outside, we can be renewed and refreshed on the inside every day.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks about the narrow gate, which is a metaphor for the path to eternal life. The narrow gate represents the path to salvation and leads to the Celestial City or eternal life that is referred to in Pilgrim’s Progress. The function of the narrow gate is to separate those who have chosen to follow Jesus from those who have chosen to follow the ways of the world.

We will be going through the book, Pilgrim’s Progress written by John Bunyan. This book really does cover the journey of a lifetime. In the pages of this allegory you will be introduced to a cast of unique and memorable characters, each with their own role and lessons to impart. You’ll be able to relate to the protagonist and find yourself encountering the same challenges and obstacles as he did. But with determination and perseverance, you’ll too find God’s strength and grace to overcome them.

Whether you’re a seasoned believer or a newcomer to the journey, this series is sure to capture your imagination and inspire you to pursue your own path to true greatness. Are you ready to join us? Let’s go!

Have you ever gone on a long trip?

Maybe it was a holiday to an exotic destination. Possibly time spent living in an unfamiliar place. Perhaps an adventure that was unplanned or unexpected. No matter the journey, it likely took planning and coordination. This process may have been met with certain feelings of excitement, curiosity, even hesitation and apprehension.

The truth is, we are all on a journey. This isn’t a surprise. We are sojourners through life. On a quest for purpose, meaning, and identity. Our travels are met with mountain tops and valleys. While it may feel lonely at times, it’s important to remember that we are not alone. At least we don’t have to be.

Every gift reflects the giver. It reflects their personality, resources, commitment, thoughtfulness, sacrifice and ultimately an expression of love. When God gave us the gift of His Son it truly reflected God’s great love for the world. This supreme gift of love compels us to express our deepest appreciation in worship. This is to be our gift back to God.

The only invitation from God to anyone to come and visit Mary and Joseph and the infant Jesus is to a group of shepherds. They were common people on the bottom of the social ladder of the day, perhaps the last people that you’d expect God to send as the first VIP guests to see His Son.

The shepherds represented Jesus’ identity as a descendent of King David, who was also a shepherd. They also remind us that Jesus was the sacrificial lamb. Because of the Messiah’s perfect life and death, we have a restored relationship with God.