WestGate Church Teaching

In the Book of Ezekiel, God takes the prophet Ezekiel into a valley filled with dry, dusty bones of things that have been dead for a long time, and then asks Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?” Ezekiel stammers back, “Only you know, Sovereign Lord.” Which is the correct answer. Sure, God *can* do anything He wants, but will He? Will He bring bones back to life? Only God knows. This story rings true, even for us today in our own valley. Everyone knows that the Bay Area is one of the most irreligious and unchurched areas not only in the United States, but the world. And it can seem rather hopeless at times. And in a valley filled with wealth, but in short supply of hope, filled with innovation, but in such short supply of wisdom and righteousness, can God bring even this valley back to life? Only God knows. And although we have no control over what He does or does not do - but we can take small steps to prepare our own hearts for God’s presence in hopes our renewal might spark something - not just in us, but in those around us.

AFTERWORD DESCRIPTION This past weekend, our church had the joy of learning from pastor/author/professor/theologian Dr. A.J. Swoboda, who not only spoke at our 2024 Formation Conference but also over the weekend at all our of campuses.

David invites two of his friends (Ruth + David) by to share their insights and highlights from the weekend. They chat about:

1. Asking for permission before offering spiritual advice

2. Why Doubting Thomas shouldn't be called that

3. The practical implications of tongues of fire descending on people's heads on the Day of Pentecost and

4. Why Jesus's most important question to us might very well be, "What do you want?"

Speakers: David Tieche + David Kim + Ruth Beteivaz

Today's follower of Jesus exists at a moment in history when our desires, longings, and wants are being weaponized against us by cultural, spiritual, and relational forces. "Follow your heart" and "You do you" has become our moment's mantras. The result, for too many, is feeling torn asunder by the raging desires within. What do we do with our desire? What about our unwanted desires? And how do we cultivate desires which bring life and freedom and lead to Christ? Dr. A. J. Swoboda stops by to talk about what to do with our desires, and we find the wisdom of Scripture is not that we shuttle all desire, calling it bad, nor do we follow all our desires (no matter what). In short, what makes a follower of Christ is not whether or not we have desires. Rather, it is what we do with the desires we have.

Most stories are linear. Beginning. Middle. End. The opening pages of the Bible tell us a linear story - humans were meant to live with God, they rebelled and sinned - and then Death entered and humans lost everything. And if it weren’t for God, this is where the human story would end. Humanity’s biggest need is a solution to the problem of sin, destruction, and death, which leads us back to the end of the Apostle’s Creed, which says “I believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.” The end of the Creed goes back to the beginning of the human story, and offers us a new beginning—forgiveness and resurrection life. Which means – in each of our lives – a new beginning is available. Resurrection life is available. And the path to this new beginning, this resurrection life, is repentance and forgiveness, which is available to everyone.

Well. Guys. We’re at the end. No, I’m not talking about the end of our Apostle’s Creed sermon series, but also the end of the 2024 Summer Olympics and summer itself. Jay and I chat about all of it, including Tom Cruise. We also get more serious and talk about the phrase “forgiveness of sins” and how unpopular of an idea it is that we even *need* forgiveness. Even for Christians, as we swim in our cultural waters, our tendency can be to “minimize” sin and “maximize” (or focus almost exclusively on) grace. But sin is dangerously destructive. We also talk frankly about how unconfessed sin blocks God’s work - but repentance brings real life and connection to God and others. And, at the end, Dave shares a final parting gift to help us carry the Apostle’s Creed with us.

Speakers: David Tieche + Jay Kim

AFTERWORD DESCRIPTION 

Miley Cyrus, in her song “Flowers” - the biggest hit of 2023 - told us that she didn’t need *anyone* else in her life to make her happy. Andy Gridley stops by to go back in time to traipse through all the “I am better off without you” empowerment songs from 1978 until today. Also, “I am better off alone!” might make for fun song lyrics, but it’s terrible life advice. We talk about the modern dynamic of individualism, and how it works against Christian formation. Finally, we talk through the “messier” aspects of Christian friendship – and why hard convos about difficult things actually can lead to life.

Speakers: David Tieche + Andy Gridley

In a world where a lot of people have doubts and suspicions (some quite fair and founded) about the Church, the Apostle’s Creed offers up a fascinating invitation “I believe in the holy Church and the Communion of Saints.” The invitation to deep, sacrificial, Jesus-centered friendship might not always be natural, or easy, but it’s central to our spiritual lives. And it brings life in ways we can’t even imagine.

SPEAKERS:

Andy Gridley (Saratoga), David Tieche (South Hills)

After the Apostle’s Creed talks about God the Father and Jesus, it turns to the third member of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. But this can be confusing. Is the Holy Spirit an impersonal “force”? Is it a feeling? In this message, we examine the often-misunderstood Holy Spirit - how this member of the Trinity is talked about in Scripture, the role He plays in our daily lives to empower us – and how we can participate with the Spirit of Go to produce fruit and life, not only in us, but in all around us.

SPEAKERS:

Glenn Packiam (Saratoga), video (South Hills)

Bible Passage(s):

Colossians 3:16

AFTERWORD DESCRIPTION 

Hey kids!  Let’s talk about hell and judgment! Archie Jackson and David Kim stop by to talk about why they each lost sleep trying to tackle the two most confusing clauses in the Apostle’s Creed - that Jesus “descended into hell” and that He will come back to “judge the living and the dead.” What does that mean? We talk about the difference between the words the Bible uses to describe the afterlife, including sheol, gehenna, hades, paradise and Abraham’s bosom - and how the ideas about the afterlife shift and change a bit from the Old Testament to the New.  We also talk about judgment - and Jesus as judge.   We talk about why this concept makes people uneasy (even scared) - probably because of the caricatures that many of us carry about the idea of God’s judgment (and David Kim shares about how his VBS teachers locked him in a closet and dressed up like demons to get him to accept Jesus). Sheesh. Religious trauma much? And finally, we discuss how Jesus returning as judge is actually a very *good* thing, and a strong source of ultimate hope for Christians.  

Speakers: David Tieche + Archie Jackson + David Kim

Two of the most puzzling lines in the otherwise fairly straightforward text of the Apostle’s Creed is that Jesus died and then “descended into Hell” and that He will “judge the living and the dead.” These phrases are not only confusing, but also require some unpacking. What does it mean that Jesus went to hell? And what does it mean that he’ll judge everyone? Is that something to be frightened of? Does Jesus grade on a curve? Thankfully, the Biblical teaching on judgment is more robust than our caricatures, and is actually something that can infuse incredible hope in our lives.

SPEAKERS:

David Kim (Saratoga), David Tieche (South Hills)

SPEAKERS:

Christina Papoulias (Saratoga), David Tieche (South Hills)