Oceanside Sanctuary

In the first week of our Lenten series, "Snapshots of Jesus," Co-Lead Pastor Jason Coker dives into the story of Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3:13-17. Rather than viewing baptism merely as a strict act of obedience to an institution, Pastor Jason explores its historical roots in the Jewish practice of mikvah and the radical nature of John the Baptist's wilderness ministry. Ultimately, we learn how Jesus stepping into the Jordan River was a profound act of solidarity with the marginalized, the outcasts, and those pushed to the edges of society. Join us as we rethink what baptism means for us today and how it invites us into deeper alignment with the life, teachings, and solidarity of Jesus.

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In the final week of our core values series, Co-Lead Pastor Jason Coker unpacks what it means to put "Faith in Action." Exploring the familiar parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25, Jason tackles an ancient religious debate: Which is more righteous, spiritual devotion or good deeds?

Through a highly relatable (and slightly exhausting) metaphor about the never-ending reality of home repair, Jason illustrates the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world. He challenges the modern Christian tendency to focus on signaling the "right" religious identity rather than doing the actual work of the Gospel. Ultimately, Jesus makes it clear: God identifies with the hungry, the sick, the stranger, and the imprisoned.

Join us for a grounded, practical message about stepping past performative faith and committing to the everyday acts of loving-kindness and justice that keep our shared "house" from falling apart.

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In this Ash Wednesday homily, Co-Lead Pastor Jason Coker invites us into the solemn and reflective 40-day season of Lent. Contrasting the stark reality of Ash Wednesday with the vibrant "super bloom" of Easter, Jason explores a profound truth: you cannot have a super bloom without a desert, and you cannot have resurrection without death.

Drawing on Genesis 3:19 ("you are dust, and to dust you shall return"), the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, and the spiritual insights of Thomas Merton, this message challenges our modern desire for endless, consumer-driven happiness. Instead, it offers a restorative view of repentance—not as a tool for shame, but as a clear-eyed embrace of our humanity and fallibility.

Join us as we step into our inner deserts, reckoning with our mortality to prepare our hearts for the unpredictable, unearned gifts of grace to come.

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In this episode, Co-Lead Pastor Jason Coker continues our series on The Oceanside Sanctuary’s core values by exploring the fourth value: Liberating Love.

Reflecting on the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, Jason unpacks the tension between the "letter of the law" and the "spirit of love." While religious rules often seek to define who we don't have to help, Jesus teaches that love has no boundaries. Jason discusses five distinct ways this story reveals liberation—freeing not only the victim from suffering but also the outsider from judgment, the community through participation in justice, and even the law itself from rigid constraints. Tune in to discover why the true business of the church is not just "people," but the revolutionary act of love.

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In this Sunday teaching, Co-Lead Minister Jenell Coker continues our series on Oceanside Sanctuary's Core Values, focusing this week on "Sacred Stories."

Drawing from the Gospel of John (20:24-29), Jenell re-examines the narrative of "Doubting Thomas." Rather than seeing Thomas's hesitation as a failure of faith, she presents it as a vital invitation to investigate the Divine for ourselves. Exploring the gritty realism of Caravaggio’s painting The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, Jenell illustrates how personal encounters with the risen Christ—and the sharing of those experiences—are what truly transform us.

We are challenged to move beyond simply consuming the stories of others and instead learn to articulate our own. From the "sacred ordinary" of daily tasks to the pursuit of justice, how do we recognize and record God's presence in our lives? Join us as we explore the power of journaling, testimony, and the healing found in owning our sacred stories.

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In this conversation, Jason Coker discusses the core values of the Oceanside Sanctuary, focusing on the concept of integrated spirituality. He explores the journey of faith, the significance of the Lord's Prayer, and the interplay between personal, social, and political dimensions of spirituality. Coker emphasizes that spirituality should encompass all aspects of life, advocating for a holistic understanding of the gospel that addresses both personal and societal issues.

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In this improvised yet profound sermon, Mark Weathers steps in for ill colleagues to tackle one of the most pivotal questions in the Gospels: "Who do you say that I am?" (Mark 8:27-30). Mark explores this inquiry not as a test with a single correct answer, but as a "Jesus Koan"—a sacred riddle designed to bypass the intellect and transform the spirit. Drawing parallels between the "Messianic Secret" and Zen practice, he invites listeners to encounter the face of Christ in scripture, ritual, art, strangers, and the messy vulnerability of friendship, urging us to live into the mystery rather than seeking easy certainties.

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In this powerful MLK Sunday guest sermon, we welcome Dr. Lisa Tunstall from McCarty Memorial Christian Church in Los Angeles. Preaching from Luke 4:16–21, Dr. Tunstall connects the prophetic mission of Jesus—to bring good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed—with the urgent need for social justice and resistance in our current political climate.

Drawing from her own childhood experiences in the segregated South and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she challenges us to reject apathetic amnesia and embrace our assignment of holistic liberation. She reminds us that the "Spirit of the Lord" empowers us not just for spiritual salvation, but to confront systemic injustice, heal the brokenhearted, and build a beloved community that stands together against fear and hatred.

Key Takeaways

Holistic Liberation: Jesus’s ministry manifesto in Luke 4 was a direct challenge to the systems of his day, addressing both spiritual needs and physical realities.

The God Response: In times of political turmoil, our response must be grounded in the Spirit—bringing hope, healing, and Jubilee.

The Power of Community: We cannot do this work alone; we must pray, hope, and work together.

Faith in Action: True belief requires speaking out against injustice, lying, and the sowing of discord.

Memorable Quotes

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon you to be witnesses... God is resting not only upon you, but He's moving in you."

"In a world bent on division, the Spirit of the Lord is calling us to unity."

Resources Mentioned

Scripture: Luke 4:16-21, Isaiah 58

Guest Speaker: Dr. Lisa Tunstall, McCarty Memorial Christian Church, and president of the non-profit Broken, Mended, and Restored

In this episode, Jason introduces Mission 2030, a new vision for The Oceanside Sanctuary shaped by a year-long process of appreciative inquiry. We begin a new teaching series on our five refined core values, starting with the first and most clear result: Authentic Belonging. Exploring the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19, we look at how Jesus prioritized people over rules and how true belonging creates a feedback loop of safety, wholeness, and healing.

Key Takeaways

The 5 Core Values of Mission 2030: Authentic Belonging, Integrated Spirituality, Sacred Stories, Liberating Love, and Faith in Action.

Eating as a Political Act: Jesus didn’t just eat with Zacchaeus to be nice; he did it to dismantle the social hierarchy that excluded "sinners" and collaborators.

People Over Rules: Just as the Sabbath was made for man (and not man for the Sabbath), our religious rules should serve human flourishing, not weaponize differences.

The Feedback Loop of Faith: Like taking medicine for high blood pressure, we practice belonging because we believe it works—and the result is a community where we no longer have to be afraid of each other.

Memorable Quotes

"We create an affirming community where everyone can bring their whole selves and know they belong."

"I am made whole by your difference... I don't have to be afraid of who you are. I can delight in your differences because they create safety for me."

"Man was not made for the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for man."

Resources Mentioned

Scripture: Luke 19:1–10 (NRSV)

Book: Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang

December 28, 2025 | Speaker: Jason Coker | Scripture: Isaiah 63:7–9

Episode Summary In this final sermon of the Christmas season, Jason explores the profound difference between seeking God's power and resting in God's presence. Drawing from a lament in Isaiah 63, he challenges us to look beyond the "fantastical" and "miraculous" to find salvation in the quiet, empathetic nearness of God. By examining the subtle but powerful differences in ancient Hebrew translations, we discover a God who doesn't just watch our suffering but is afflicted with us—offering a model of justice rooted in deep empathy. As we close out a difficult year, we are invited to cultivate a "practice of the presence" that sustains us for the future.

Key Takeaways

The Twelve Days of Christmas: Christmas isn't just a single day of overwhelming consumption; it is a season ("Christmastide") that stretches out the experience of grace, teaching us that God's goodness often fills the space rather than arriving in a single flash.

Presence Over Power: While we often desire God to show up with miraculous power to fix our problems, Isaiah reminds us that it is God's presence—not merely angels or messengers—that truly saves us.

The God Who Suffers With Us: A closer look at the Masoretic text of Isaiah 63:9 reveals a God who is "afflicted in our affliction." This empathy transforms our understanding of justice: God acts on our behalf because God feels our pain.

Practicing the Presence: In a world filled with struggle (and looking back on a "rough" 2025), cultivating a daily awareness of God's presence is a vital survival mechanism that connects us to the ultimate source of compassion and resilience.

Memorable Quotes

"The goodness of God, the grace of God, the majesty of God doesn't come in a flash... Instead, it stretches out. It fills the space."

"It was no messenger or angel, but his presence that saved them."

"If God's presence is made possible by God's empathy... That changes everything."

"We cultivate an awareness of God's presence... to connect us with the source of empathy and compassion and justice."

Resources

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