WestGate Church Teaching

The Gospels tell us that Jesus “came to seek and save the lost” - but then later on also tell us that He came “eating and drinking.” Meals play a big role through the story not only of Jesus, but the whole Bible. So why is that? Is God a foodie? Or is there something more going on. Mark Averill stops by to chat with David about the transformative power of meals, why the Last Supper is more than a meal, and how Jesus used the Last Supper both theologically and formationally not only for the Disciples, but for us today.

Speakers: David Tieche + Mark Averill

Nobody likes to hang out with arrogant people. Nobody. And we love stories when “important” people are kind and humble. We even say they’re “down to Earth.” But what does it practically mean to be humble? Jay and David talk through professor Daryl Van Tongeren’s research into the three Universal features of humility (from his book Humble), and talk about how Jesus not only models these, but how living that out might look in our modern world (which seems to produce a lot of self-centeredness and self-aggrandizing). Also, in a display that can only be classified as “showing off” Jay sings.

Speakers: David Tieche + Jay Kim

In the Book of Matthew, the scene of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is a pivotal moment. This moment, traditionally celebrated the week before Easter on Palm Sunday, is sometimes called “the triumphal entry.” This moment is leading to the central moment in human history, Jesus’ death and resurrection. But this opening scene is one of victory and kingship…is not really that “triumphal.” In fact, it’s anything but. The humility that Jesus shows as he enters Jerusalem, (and throughout the Gospel stories) is shocking. And what’s more, Jesus instructs his followers to embody this same shocking humility.

SPEAKERS:

Jay Kim (Saratoga), video (South Hills)

Bible Passage(s):

Matthew 21:1-9

SPEAKERS:

Keivan Tehrani (South Hills), Finny Abraham (Saratoga)

Bible Passage(s):

Matthew 5:14-16

Description:

David sits down with Keivan Tehrani and Finny Abraham to discuss what it means to be a global Christian with an eye on the worldwide movement of God. How do you not get overwhelmed by the global need? Also, Keivan shares stories from this past year from our missionary partners across the globe. We also talk about some of our missionaries who have the most dangerous assignments in Afghanistan, North Korea and Pakistan. We also talk about systemic evil (as opposed to personal evil) and how Christians think about and engage with that - including how some of our missionaries are taking on drug cartels(!). Also Keivan reveals that he’s officially banned from traveling to a number of countries.

Speakers: David Tieche + Finny Abraham + Keivan Tehrani

After a terrible, horrible, no-good very bad week, David invited his three friends from the Compassion Team to help shift his perspective and bring back joy. And it works! Keivan, Finny and Lily stop by to share stories about what God is up to in the world for Week 1 of Compassion Immersion 2024. The team also thoughtfully answers some important clarifying questions, like “Why do we stop and pause for two weeks to focus in on global and local compassion?” How does doing that form us into better followers of Jesus? How does having an international perspective or experience help us understand God better? And how is church “charity” work different than other charity work, like say from a secular company or foundation? Is there any difference? This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation for Compassion Immersion 2024. And yes, David did finally get power back late last week.

Speakers: David Tieche + Finny Abraham + Lily Weirich + Keivan Tehrani

Well, guys, it’s the final week of our Here to Stay Campaign. As we wind up the public-facing aspect of the campaign, Jay talks about the lessons he’s learned during this campaign (including the months and months leading up to this), and what kinds of things he wants to carry forward with him into the future - both personally and us, as a church family. That’s the important stuff, but we also briefly touch on the theology of praying for the 49ers (or any sports team, really).

Speakers: David Tieche + Jay Kim

One of the most famous stories that Jesus ever told is called the story of the Good Samaritan. It’s a story about activated compassion, about helping people who are hurt, even if it’s risky and even if it costs you. This is the way of Jesus. Over the past 16 years, WestGate Church has been haunted by the question “If WestGate Church burned down, would anyone care?” And we’ve tried to answer that with radical generosity, giving to partner organizations and non-profits to build wells, provide families in need right here in the Bay Area with good, and to care for refugees from Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan. In the end, the Here to Stay Campaign is also about the fact that we want to be good neighbors, to act like the Good Samaritan, and to show the world that Jesus is Compassion Embodied.

SPEAKERS:

Steve Clifford (Saratoga), Jay Kim (South Hills)

Bible Passage(s):

Isaiah 53:4, Luke 10:25-35

One of the most famous stories that Jesus ever told is called the story of the Good Samaritan. It’s a story about activated compassion, about helping people who are hurt, even if it’s risky and even if it costs you. This is the way of Jesus. Over the past 16 years, WestGate Church has been haunted by the question “If WestGate Church burned down, would anyone care?” And we’ve tried to answer that with radical generosity, giving to partner organizations and non-profits to build wells, provide families in need right here in the Bay Area with good, and to care for refugees from Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan. In the end, the Here to Stay Campaign is also about the fact that we want to be good neighbors, to act like the Good Samaritan, and to show the world that Jesus is Compassion Embodied.

SPEAKERS:

Steve Clifford (Saratoga), Jay Kim (South Hills)

Bible Passage(s):

Isaiah 53:4, Luke 10:25-35

This past weekend, we talked about how one (hugely important!) element of the Here to Stay Campaign is about generosity - we want to try, as a church, to give away more money outside of our walls than we ever have before. But why? Wouldn’t it be faster just to keep that money and use it for our own projects instead of giving it away? Well, it all comes down to “compassion.” Jay and David trace the concept of God’s compassion all the way back, and discover, shockingly, that when God first describes Himself to Moses, the very first word He uses to talk about His character is “compassionate.” We then talk about the compassion of Jesus, of the early Church, and how our call - today in this world - is the same. Also, Dave gets a little too excited and sings some Four Tops.

Speakers: David Tieche + Jay Kim

Elton Trueblood, a 20th-century author and theologian, once wrote, “A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.” His point is that we find deep meaning in our lives by giving our lives away. And part of the goal of the Here to Stay Campaign is to invite all who call WestGate Church home to give away our lives and church for the benefit of future generations.

SPEAKERS:

Jay Kim (Saratoga), Jay Kim (video South Hills)

Bible Passage(s):

Psalm 145:4-6,

SPEAKERS:

Jay Kim + Steve Clifford(Saratoga), Jay Kim (video South Hills)