Sermons

Pastor Santiago continues our series through the book of 1 John. God's transformative love changes us fundamentally by adopting us into His family and giving us a new identity as His children. This adoption grants us full rights and privileges as heirs with Christ, leading to a transformed life marked by holy living and genuine love for others. True children of God demonstrate their identity through their conduct, avoiding unrepentant sin while actively showing love to fellow believers. This divine love empowers believers to live confidently, keep God's commandments, and demonstrate sacrificial love through practical actions.

Pastor Santiago walked through 1 John 2:12-29 as he continued our series on the book of 1 John. Christian maturity manifests through three essential characteristics that distinguish genuine spiritual growth. First, it requires a decisive stance against worldly values that contradict God's truth, choosing eternal principles over temporary pleasures. This means fully committing to God's way rather than trying to maintain divided loyalties between worldly and godly values. Second, mature faith demands a deep understanding of Christ's true nature as both fully divine and human, moving beyond surface-level knowledge to develop an authentic relationship with Him. Third, it involves daily abiding in Christ, making Him central in every life decision and living with genuine integrity rather than hypocrisy. The Holy Spirit serves as our guide in this maturation process, helping us discern truth from error and confirming our identity as God's children. This spiritual journey requires consistent evaluation of our choices, relationships, and priorities to ensure they align with God's truth. The goal isn't perfection but rather steady growth in allowing Christ to transform every aspect of our lives, from our entertainment choices to our relationships and daily priorities.

Pastor Rob looked at the relationship between fellowship and intimacy as we continue to walk through the book of 1 John, going through 1 John 2:1-11. True intimacy with God transcends mere knowledge and manifests through three key markers: obedience, love, and steadfastness. Genuine obedience flows from relationship rather than obligation, while authentic love for God is demonstrated through our treatment of others. Steadfastness involves maintaining faith through trials and trusting God even when circumstances are challenging. This intimate relationship with God transforms daily life, calling believers not to perfection but to genuine connection through trust and love.

Pastor Rob kicked started our new series on 1 John by sharing a message on what it means to walk in the light. Walking in the light means developing true fellowship with God through complete transparency and regular confession. This intimate relationship requires trust, shared purpose, and open communication. When we walk in the light, it transforms not only our relationship with God but also impacts how we interact with others in community. True fellowship calls us to move beyond surface-level interactions, embrace vulnerability, and deal honestly with sin through confession rather than self-deception.

Pastor David Modder from Vibrant Life Church shared a message on courage with us this morning. True courage flows from our faith in God rather than our own strength. Like Paul in Jerusalem, we often face opposition and feelings of failure, yet Jesus stands beside us offering encouragement and strength. Everyday courage manifests in simple acts of faithfulness - from caring for family to showing up at work - when done with eternal purpose. By trusting in Christ's presence and promises, we find the courage to face both daily challenges and significant obstacles.

Jonathan Anderson from Steeple Counseling joined us this morning to share a message of hope. Biblical hope transcends mere optimism, standing as a confident expectation anchored in God's promises. This hope flourishes when we deeply long for God's presence, embrace our helplessness, and seek comfort in Christian community. It remains unshakeable because it's secured by the Holy Spirit's help, God's purposeful work in all circumstances, and His eternal promises. This hope isn't based on changing circumstances but on God's unchanging character and His commitment to work all things for good.

Pastor Santiago continued our series, The Gospel B.C. this morning. God's mercy is demonstrated through the profound symbolism of the Passover story. This ancient narrative reveals three key aspects of divine mercy: acknowledging our sinful nature, accepting the perfect sacrifice, and coming under the blood's protection. These elements mirror our spiritual journey today, where we must recognize our need for salvation, accept Christ's sacrifice, and place our faith in His redemptive work. This timeless story reminds us that God faithfully provides a way of deliverance for His people through sacrificial love.

Our NextGen Pastor, Pastor Rob shared a message from 2 Kings 5:1-19. The account of Naaman reveals profound truths about receiving God's grace through humility. Despite being a successful military commander, Naaman's leprosy forced him to confront his pride when seeking healing. His initial resistance to the simple instruction of washing in the Jordan River nearly cost him his miracle. Only when he humbled himself did he receive both physical healing and spiritual transformation. This story demonstrates how God's grace is freely given but requires our humble acceptance, challenging us to examine where pride might be hindering our own spiritual growth.

Pastor Dell continued our series, The Gospel B.C. Today he looked at the story of Jonah, found in Jonah 1:17-2:10. God's call to Jonah to preach to Nineveh reveals profound lessons about extending grace to others. Despite Jonah's initial resistance and attempt to flee, God used even his time in the great fish to demonstrate His sovereign power and steadfast love. The parallel between Jonah's three days in the fish and Jesus' death and resurrection highlights God's ultimate plan of salvation. Through this narrative, we learn that our role isn't to judge who deserves grace, but rather to freely share the same grace we've received through Christ.

Pastor Dell focused on Genesis 15 as he continued our series, "The Gospel B.C." this morning.  We learned that God's covenant with Abraham reveals fundamental truths about faith and salvation. When Abraham believed God's promise of countless descendants, his faith alone was counted as righteousness. The unique covenant ceremony, where God alone passed between the sacrificed animals, demonstrated His unconditional commitment to fulfill His promises. This ancient covenant foreshadowed the gospel message, showing that salvation depends entirely on God's faithfulness rather than human effort. The story teaches us that true righteousness comes through faith, not works, and that God takes full responsibility for our redemption.