WestGate Church Teaching

Sermon Description:

You might have heard some folks say recently that the United States is “more divided than it’s ever been in its 247-year-long history.” Objectively, this is not true (see War, Civil) but it can *feel* like it’s true. But beyond the national landscape, conflict and division are part of our daily lives, too. How do we move forward? Enter here, the person of Jesus, who showed, through His life and more precisely His death, a new definition of what it means to be human (and what it means to be great). A definition that centers on the virtue of humility. We’ll examine how humility is the way forward through conflict and division.

SPEAKERS:

Steve Clifford (Saratoga), David Tieche (South Hills)

The word “resilence” is one that’s gotten a lot of traction lately. What makes a person “resilient” in life? Why do some people make it, and some collapse or give up? And is there something specific or particular about Christian resilience? As we walk into the new year, Jay and David talk about this. Plus, we dissect cultural stories that center on incredible human resistance - movies like Cast Away, The Martian and I Am Legend. What do they show us about what humans need to survive and how do Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4 add more depth and color to those very human needs.

Jay Kim

The AfterWord - 2022 Year in Review

As this year comes to a close, David Tieche and Jay Kim sit down to review what their favorite moments were this past year - both in the Bay Area and in our church. We look back at all the things we taught on this past year and outline a few that really impacted us and left an indelible imprint on us.

One of the names given to Jesus is “Wonderful Counselor.” Jesus the Messiah is not “a counselor, among many options” but “THE” capital “C” counselor. Steve Clifford and Andy Gridley stop by to talk about what it means to have Jesus as your “Wonderful Counselor.” Is there a diagnostic? What are the signs that you are treating Jesus like just any ordinary counselor? How do you know if you’re doing it right? Andy Gridley shares the parallels he sees between following Jesus and getting his pilot’s license. Also, Steve talks about his broken Nativity Scene on his front yard that might be more Biblically accurate than you’d think.

Speakers: David Tieche + Andy Gridley + Steve Clifford

One of the titles given to Jesus is the phrase “Wonderful Counselor.” In the ancient world, a counselor was a pivotal position for Kings, Queens and rulers, helping them not only make wise decisions, but live and rule well. And although the term “counselor” is used many times in the Bible, this is the only place it’s capitalized and the only place it refers to God Himself. This title is a proclamation AND an invitation. Jesus has come as a powerful God, performing signs and wonders, here to advise broken humanity, not just so that we can live more comfortable lives, but so that we can find God Himself, live well in His Kingdom and discover Life to the full and Life Everlasting. Will we listen to Him?

SPEAKERS:

Steve Clifford (Saratoga)

It seems that lately, whenever I ask people how things are going, the answer is the exact same: I’m good…just busy. And the holidays - and the list of things that have to get done - doesn’t help us to slow down. And yet, hurry is a dangerous spiritual enemy to the very things the Advent Season is supposed to usher in: love, peace, joy. So how do we stop? David Kim, WestGate Church’s Discipleship and Formation pastor, stops by to share his story about how a horrific car accident was the key to learning how to stop hurrying. We share what we’re learning about slowing down, because if our God is an “everlasting Father,” outside of time, then we should try to take steps to live unhurried lives….lest we miss God Himself.

Speakers: David Tieche + David Kim

Often the Christmas Season is filled with hurrying, as we rush to do more and more in less and less time. But hurry is counterproductive, indeed it’s hostile soil for things like love and peace and joy. And sometimes, we hurry so much that even Jesus gets crowded out. The prophet Isaiah, writing about the Messiah, says that He will be “everlasting.” God is outside of time and invites us into lives that aren’t marked by frantic achievement, but stillness and peace. And one key way for to help “every heart prepare Him room” is to ruthlessly eliminate hurry.

Jesus is called the “Prince of Peace” by the prophet Isaiah, but if you actually look at the Christmas story in the Bible, it doesn’t seem all that peaceful. Mary is disgraced with a scandalous pregnancy. She’s told a “sword will pierce her soul.” Rome is the conquering power over the Jewish people. A genocidal tyrant kills a bunch of toddlers trying to kill baby Jesus. Joseph and Mary have to flee their land to Egypt. How is this “peace” exactly? Jay Kim stops by to talk about the Biblical definition of the word “peace” and how it doesn’t mean what we often think it means - in fact, it’s far better and more difficult simultaneously. ALSO: Dave introduces Jay to the “Little Drummer Boy” game and Jay shares his favorite Christmas songs.

One of the more famous titles for Jesus is from the famous words of Isaiah where He is called “the Prince of Peace.” Peace is what we often need, but often in our own lives, we attempt to make peace by either avoiding the conflict or dominating. We try to avoid to get peace or “win” to get peace. Neither work and what results certainly isn’t peace. Fortunately, later in the book, Isaiah outlines what the peace from the Messiah is actually going to look like, so we have a way forward, understanding that true peace takes work and humility to accomplish.