Here for Good: Podcast of Valencia United Methodist Church

As Christians, the power of the Holy Spirit is present and at work in each of us. Easter promises that we are free from the things that hold us back from a full relationship with God – the Holy Spirit gives us all that we need to live into that relationship. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to do what God asks us to do, and we are able to

live in ways that demonstrates love to God’s people. We are called to love in self-less and sacrificial ways, and to use our freedom to serve others. Loving God also means that we are to love people. Hear Pastor Michelle share a message on Galatians 5:13-23 as we begin a new series:The Holy Spirit – The Power of God Within You.

We read in Matthew 28:1-9 that as the women left the empty tomb on the first Easter, they felt both fear and joy. There are times in our lives when we experience those two different emotions at the same time. We can believe that God meets us right where we are, even when we aren’t sure where that is. Easter provides each of us a new beginning and the opportunity to experience the love and light that God. It calls us to step into the future with faith, trusting that God is indeed with us.

Today our focus is on Christus Victor or Jesus gives us victory. Jesus gives us victory is rooted in the Cross and in today’s focus on Palm Sunday

• Palm Sunday is a day of celebration as Jesus comes into the city. His victory!

• It is a holy moment and begins the holiest week of the year (it beats out Christmas every time).

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross makes it possible for us to be freed from the weight of our sin and shame. There are times when we convince ourselves that we are fine, and that our relationship with God is fine when, in fact, we are struggling under the burden of guilt. Jesus meets us in those places and gives us the strength to acknowledge where we have fallen short. When we confess our sin, we receive God’s forgiveness and are freed from the burden. Rev. Nicole’s message based on 1 John 1:6-8 shares the hope we have because of what God did through Jesus on the cross.

The cross reminds us that Jesus built a bridge between God and us, restoring the relationship that was broken through our sin. The cross also makes it possible to find healing and restoration in our human relationships. Rev. Nicole’s message today, from Romans 5:10​-11, inspires us to allow the power of what Jesus did on the cross help us find connection with people, in ways that bring healing and build God’s kingdom.

Jesus’ life and death show us what truly matters. At the core of who Jesus is and how he lived, is love. Through God’s Spirit, we too are grounded in love, and it has the power to shape how we live. We are each part of God’s good creation and living following Jesus’ life enables us to live into that goodness. In today’s message, Rev. Nicole shares a message from 1 John 3:11​, 16-24 and teaches us how following in the way of Jesus helps us to fully know the love that God showed us through the cross.

A better understanding of the cross helps us to deepen our faith. The focus of today’s message, based on Luke 4:16​-21, is the freedom that we have because of what Jesus did through the cross. Because of the cross, we are set free from the things that hold us captive – addiction, anger, guilt, shame, actions from our past – so that we can fully experience joy.

What is the cross about? What does it mean in your life and for your faith? During Lent we are exploring how Jesus’ death on the cross made a way for each of us to live into the full life that God intends for us. We begin the series with a message based on 1 Peter 2:20​-24. Rev. Nicole will share how Jesus’ death paid for our sin and makes it possible for us to stand in full relationship with God. Jesus’ taking our place is an expression of the great love that God has for all of us.

When we follow God’s example of being generous, we are better able to live in the ways that God created us to live. Our generosity is a way to honor God and a way to bless others. In today’s message, based on 2 Chronicles 31:5-6, Rev. Nicole will teach about how being generous is a way to deepen our discipleship.

The Holy Spirit has given each of us gifts to be used for building up the church, and for helping to grow the Kingdom of God. Our gifts are different, but none is more or less important than another. God asks us to use our gifts to serve others, and Jesus’ life demonstrated what service looks like. Today’s message from 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11 teaches about the importance of serving and how it unites us as the body of Christ.