Walnut Creek Downtown

One would think that after witnessing Jesus raise someone from the dead, they would choose to believe Him. However, some people's response to this miracle was unbelief and total rejection of Jesus. Pastor Dan Rude explains the nature of unbelief, one of its roots, and how it can affect our lives in practical ways.

Questions / Topics Discussed:
How is fear connected to unbelief
Examining implications vs truth
Who is Jesus
What fear does to our lives

The shadow of death looms over the second half of John 11, where we see Jesus’ response to Mary and Martha’s grief. Yet death does not have the final word. Pastor Dan Rude explains what Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead means for us today.

Message Notes:

What to do with your guilt and doubts

What grief can look like

Why was Jesus troubled?

Develop the habit of pouring out your heart

How to defeat death

What happens when you die?

The nature of ministry

John 11 begins with a confusing situation: Jesus receives news of a friend, Lazarus, who is dying, but He does not immediately leave to go to him. In this message, Pastor Caleb Thompson looks at three interactions: the family's request, the disciples, and Martha's response. Showing us how this situation is perfectly timed for us to see more clearly the awesome glory of God.

Topics / Questions Discussed:
Pain and Suffering is not Pointless
Is Jesus God?
Why did Jesus wait to go to Lazarus?
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life

Because Jesus is a good shepherd, He leans into the opportunity to clarify who He is to the Jews. Making sure they have every opportunity to understand who He is.

Topics / Questions Discussed in this Sermon:
Jesus' Claim to be God
Jesus and the Jews' relationship
What is blasphemy?
"You are gods" quote - Psalm 82 reference

A hostile question: if you are God, tell us plainly! After Jesus declares Himself a good shepherd (https://youtu.be/iFBh2e49KKs), the religious leaders approach Him with a question. In this message, we explore why this question is asked with hostility, why the Jews reject Jesus (both the human reason and the divine reason), Jesus’ solution to this problem, and what our response to this solution is!

Some questions/topics discussed in this sermon:
Why don’t the Jews believe?
What does it mean to believe?
Being an eyewitness to Jesus does not give an advantage
Religion is not the way to life - don’t trust religion
Can you sin your way or get tricked out of salvation?

In a world full of competing voices promising comfort but delivering despair, Jesus stands alone as the perfect Good Shepherd. He doesn't run when danger approaches; instead, He willingly sacrifices His life to bring us true reconciliation, deep peace, and lasting contentment. By listening to His voice, we find safety and community where we are truly known. Pastor Luke Hukee helps us understand what it means for us to be sheep and why it is profound that Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd.

We all want a good life. In John 10, we learn how Jesus is like a gate, but where does Jesus' way lead? To a life of abundance. In this message, Cody Smith unpacks Jesus’ ‘I AM’ statement and what an abundant life truly means.

The aftermath of Jesus healing a man born blind reveals the reality that even though some could physically see, they were blind to who Jesus is. Pastor Luke Hukee explains the different interrogations in John 9, how fear affects us, what true conversion looks like, and the importance of humbly coming to Jesus to allow Him to open the eyes of our souls.

In John 9, we encounter another of Jesus' miracles: healing a man born blind. Dan Rude helps us understand what this miracle says about who Jesus is and what this teaches us about suffering.

To be a true Christian, you must believe that Jesus is God. As Jesus continues to state who He is, the Pharisees continue to reject Jesus by rejecting the nature of their sinful condition, relying on their religious heritage, offering insults, and finally deciding to silence Jesus at all costs. Pastor Dan Rude explains how Jesus proclaims He is God through his points against their claims, demonstrating righteousness and love, and how Christians should place their entire hope for forgiveness and freedom in Jesus Christ alone.