The Vine Church OC

At this year's annual Vision Sunday service, Pastor Michael shared some of what he believes is in God's heart for our community in this season. He talked about how what we need is not more "getting busy for Jesus", but time spent WITH Jesus - and how it is this being-with Jesus in relationship that produces fruit in our lives and the world. Our beloved Marsha Grim also shared her story of discovering God's heart for her, and what that has meant for her ministry.

Dr. Greg Ganssle wrapped up our mini-series on how Jesus is the revelation of what it is to live a truly human life. He looked at the Matthew 11 passage and talked about Jesus' promise of rest for those who come to him - and explored some of the reasons we have a hard time coming to Jesus for that promised rest.

Continuing our series about how the life of Jesus shows us what REAL life looks like, Michael Swanson spoke about how even the miraculous parts of Jesus' life and ministry are meant to be a model for us. In his earthly life, Jesus relied not on his own divine power, but on the power of the Holy Spirit in him, as he healed people and cast out demons. And he says we will do the same things as he did (John 14:12)! Michael shared examples from church history, as well as personal stories showing this kind of supernatural power at work in Christians' lives. He encouraged us to Ask, Seek, and Knock - knowing that the "normal" Christian life is meant to include the miraculous.

The second in our series on Jesus as the Revelation of Life, this week's sermon was about WHERE we find life. Pastor Michael looked at the life of Jesus, and where HE found life (spoiler alert: it was in a life of prayer connecting him with his father) - and how that speaks directly into how we, as humans, are meant to live our lives as well.

Michael Swanson started a new sermon series about Jesus as the Revelation of Life, planning to examine a different facet of the life Jesus invites us into each week. This week, he started with 'Purity of Heart' as essential to what a flourishing human life looks like. Kierkegaard says, "Purity of heart is to will one thing," and we looked at what a life of integrity - versus a fragmented one - looks like, and how that brings us to a place where we "see God" (Matt. 5:8).

Dr. Greg Ganssle looks at Jesus' statement, "The truth will set you free", and connects it with the work of two other, more recent, philosophers. Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Jesus all articulate a vision for what it is to be human - what is good, beautiful, and true. And Jesus, more than just a philosopher, is actually the embodiment of the Truth that sets us free.

When Jesus was on earth, his ministry consisted of teaching, preaching, and healing. This week, Nigel Morris looked mainly at the third of these, examining how the disciples, too, were sent out to heal. He shared stories from his own experience of miraculous healings, and our own Dr. David Horner shared his experience of recently being healed after 12 years of major health struggles. Nigel then encouraged us to take the next "baby step" of bringing this type of healing prayer to our world (for example: cultivating awareness of those around us, small acts of kindness, giving people the gift of our attention).

Nigel Morris continued our summer series on Freedom by talking about some of the times we tend to get "stuck" in our stories, our hearts rusted shut; but God has invited us into his epic Story, and we have the privilege of living that out in our worlds. He talked about how God intervened in the lives of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and in Elisha and his servant's lives, letting them in on the behind-the-scenes story of a God who is always moving toward us in love.

Dr. Tony Baron, dean of Azusa Pacific Seminary's San Diego campus, and longtime friend of The Vine, kicked off our summer sermon series on Liberty and Freedom this week. He looked at some of the things that stop us from experiencing the freedom we were meant to live in, by looking at the life of Elijah the prophet and how he went from miracle-worker to running scared from a queen - because he underestimated God and didn't understand that God works in ways other than miracles.

Founding director of Biola's School of Apologetics, Dr. Craig Hazen, speaks about Fearless Prayer - the topic of his recent book - and how Jesus really means for us to "ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you". He looks at objections to this assertion, and revels in this glorious (true) promise. He defines prayer as asking, and encourages us to "ask wildly", as this puts us in a relationship of dependence on God - which puts us in just the right place for his work in us.