Oceanside Sanctuary

In this week’s Sunday teaching at Oceanside Sanctuary, Co-Lead Pastor Jason Coker explores the familiar story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet in John 13. Continuing the Lenten series "Spotlights on Jesus," Jason unpacks the biblical "reversal motif"—the radical idea that the last shall be first and the first shall be last.

But is "servant leadership" just a clever strategy for getting ahead in a cutthroat world? Drawing on examples from modern geopolitical power dynamics to the classic 1983 sci-fi movie WarGames, Jason challenges us to see that Jesus wasn't offering a new way to win the world's game of power and competition. Instead, he was inviting us to stop playing the game altogether.

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In this week’s episode, Pastor Jenell Coker of Oceanside Sanctuary explores the story of Jesus's temptation in the wilderness from Matthew 4:1-11. As we journey through the third week of Lent, Pastor Jenell unpacks the significance of the "40 days and 40 nights," moving beyond the idea of Jesus as an untouchable superhero to examine his profound, relatable humanity. Join us as we reflect on what it means to willingly enter our own wilderness, face internal struggles, and find spiritual renewal in the midst of life's difficult tests.

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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