Olive Branch Community Church - Weekend Messages: Recent Episodes
Olive Branch Community Church
Olive Branch Community Church is located in Corona, CA -- Greg Harris is the Senior Pastor. For more information and resources, please visit OBCC.Church
God's instructions don't always make sense from our perspective. The victory at Jericho came through obedience before understanding, reminding us that faith often means trusting God even when His plan isn't what we expected. This week explores how lasting victory comes through surrender, not self-reliance.
It's easy to forget God's faithfulness once the crisis has passed. Throughout Scripture, God's people paused to remember what He had done, strengthening their faith for what was ahead. This week encourages us to celebrate God's work in our lives through remembrance, baptism, and communion, allowing yesterday's faithfulness to build today's confidence.
Have you ever wondered if God is already working in a situation before you even arrive? Long before Joshua's spies entered Jericho, God had already begun preparing the way through Rahab. This week reminds us that God is always at work behind the scenes, inviting us to trust His timing and join what He is already doing in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and beyond.
God never intended His mission to be accomplished alone. Taking the promise requires unity, sacrifice, leadership, and a willingness for everyone to do their part. As God's people worked together to enter the Promised Land, we are called to work together to bring the gospel to our neighborhoods, our communities, and the nations. This week concludes the series by reminding us that God's mission moves forward when His people move forward together.
What will it take to fulfill God's promise? It will take faith, and faith is often spelled R-I-S-K. God has given His people the mission of reaching the world, but too often fear keeps us standing still. This week examines the courage Joshua needed and challenges us to move beyond comfort, trust God's promises, and take the next step of faith wherever He is leading.
Who will lead the next generation to take the promise? Joshua succeeded because he trusted God's direction, embraced his calling, and remained faithful to God's Word. In the same way, God is raising up leaders today to make disciples, start groups, plant churches, and carry the gospel farther than ever before. This week explores what it means to step forward and answer God's call to lead.
Has God given our generation something to do? As Joshua was called to lead God's people into the Promised Land, we have been called to take the gospel to the world. God's promise to reach the nations is certain, but it requires His people to get up, move forward, and share the good news. This week challenges us to trust God's promise and take hold of the mission He has placed before us.
Encouragement is more than just being nice. Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is speak truth that challenges and lifts someone forward. This week focuses on how to motivate, support, and guide others with honesty and care, creating relationships where people grow rather than stay stuck.
There are moments when saying nothing does more harm than speaking up. Loving confrontation is not about winning an argument, but about helping someone grow. This message walks through how to have honest conversations with care, setting boundaries and addressing issues in a way that leads to growth rather than damage.
Conflict is unavoidable, but how we handle it makes all the difference. Avoiding it often makes things worse, while reacting harshly can cause lasting damage. This week focuses on how to approach conflict in a healthy way—one that leads to resolution, clarity, and even stronger relationships instead of division.
Most of us think we’re good listeners, but often we’re just waiting for our turn to talk. Real listening takes effort, curiosity, and humility. This message explores how asking better questions and slowing down your responses can lead to deeper understanding, fewer misunderstandings, and stronger relationships in everyday life.
Two people can hear the same words and walk away with completely different interpretations. Why? Because mindset shapes how we listen. This week looks at how assumptions, past experiences, and internal dialogue affect communication, and how shifting your mindset can lead to clearer understanding and healthier responses in everyday interactions.
Most people imagine the future as something distant or unclear, but what if it is more real and more personal than we think? Not just a place, but a restored life where everything broken is made whole. This week, we will look at what it could mean to truly look forward to what is ahead and how that changes the way we live today.
We spend a lot of time chasing what we think will satisfy us. Success, comfort, experiences. Even the best moments do not last. What if there is something more lasting than anything we have experienced here? This week, we will explore the kind of future that does not fade and how it can reshape the way we live right now.
No one plans for the hard places in life, but we all end up there at some point. Pain, regret, loss, or distance from God can feel like a road we never meant to take. If you knew where your current path was leading, would you change direction? This week invites an honest look at where our choices take us and the opportunity to rethink the road ahead.
Life often feels like we are in between. Between where we have been and where we are going. We make plans, set goals, and try to make the most of our time, but there is always a sense that this is not the final destination. What if that feeling is pointing to something bigger? This week, we will talk about the in between and why how we live now matters more than we think.
What looked like the end was actually the beginning. This Easter message celebrates how Jesus’ resurrection changed history and still changes lives today. If you need hope, renewal, or a fresh start, this is the good news your heart has been waiting for.
This is the moment everything seems lost. As Jesus suffers and dies, we’re confronted with the depth of His love and what it cost to bring us life. This message speaks to anyone walking through grief, silence, or doubt — reminding us that God was working even in the darkest hour.
The world defines power one way, but Jesus shows us another. In this message we see how the cross — a symbol of shame — became the throne of love. If you’ve ever wondered what real strength and sacrifice look like, this week will reshape that picture.
Fear, approval, and self-protection still shape decisions today just like they did then. This week explores how people chose safety over truth — and how we often wrestle with the same tension in our own lives. It’s a powerful invitation to trust God rather than our need for control.
Pressure reveals what’s really inside us. As Jesus stands firm and Peter falters, we’re reminded how easy it is to compromise when fear takes over. This message speaks to anyone facing hard decisions, reminding us that we don’t have to face our trials alone.
Sometimes the most important moments begin quietly. In this opening message, we’ll see how the countdown to the cross started in unexpected ways — and how God is often working in our lives even when we don’t recognize it yet. If you’ve ever wondered whether your small acts of faith matter, this message is for you.
Is Christianity built on inspiring myths, or is it grounded in real history?
In this sermon we confront one of the most important questions in religion today. Did these things actually happen, or are they symbolic stories meant to teach moral lessons? Unlike many belief systems that avoid historical claims, Christianity insists that its core events took place in real moments, involving real people, within recorded history.
Using the Apostles’ Creed as our guide, this message shows why Christianity anchors its faith in historical reality rather than mythology. The Creed names specific events and figures, including Pontius Pilate, to make a clear claim. This faith does not rest on ideas or feelings but on what God has done in history.
We examine why the crucifixion of Jesus is one of the most firmly established events of the ancient world and why the resurrection stands at the center of the Christian faith. If Jesus did not rise, then Christianity collapses. If He did rise, then everything changes.
This sermon also explores how creation, the virgin birth, the resurrection, and the ascension are presented in Scripture as historical realities. These events form the foundation for Christian assurance, forgiveness of sin, and future hope. Salvation is not based on the strength of our belief but on the truth of what happened.
Christian faith is not about blind trust or personal preference. It is about receiving what God has already accomplished. If these events are true, then forgiveness is real, hope is secure, and new life is possible.
The foundational belief is that God exists and everything that is made and can be made is made by him and through him. This means
· This world belongs to God and we are it’s stewards
· Our lives are created by God and we all are accountable to him.
· That all people no matter who they worship are actually made by our God.
· That God then is the ultimate source and reliable one of all creation, time, matter, identity, etc.
The foundational belief is that God exists and everything that is made and can be made is made by him and through him. This means
· This world belongs to God and we are it’s stewards
· Our lives are created by God and we all are accountable to him.
· That all people no matter who they worship are actually made by our God.
· That God then is the ultimate source and reliable one of all creation, time, matter, identity, etc.
At Christmas, we often blame the innkeeper for turning Mary and Joseph away. But what if that story isn’t quite right?
In this message, “Innkeeper,” we take a closer look at Luke 2:7 and uncover what the original language and first-century culture actually reveal. There was no cold-hearted innkeeper. No slammed door. No rejection.
Instead, Scripture points us toward something far more beautiful:
hospitality, family, and someone choosing to make space for Jesus.
Through a deeper look at the Greek words katalyma and topos, along with cultural context surrounding the census, we discover that Jesus was likely born in a family home, welcomed into shared space, warmth, and community.
This isn’t a story about rejection.
It’s a story about invitation.
And it challenges us with one powerful question:
Are we willing to make room for Jesus in our own lives?
Many people assume Jesus was born in the year 0, but the Bible never focuses on a precise date. Instead, it emphasizes something far more significant: timing. In this message, we explore why Jesus arrived when He did and how Scripture points to a very specific moment in history—when the Messiah could be clearly identified, when God’s redemptive plan could unfold, and when the world was uniquely prepared for His coming. From Daniel’s prophetic timeline to the conditions of the ancient world, this week uncovers why the birth of Jesus wasn’t a mistake in the calendar but the perfect moment in the fullness of time.
Jesus finishes His teaching with a challenge to stay awake. Not physically, but spiritually. This isn’t about paranoia or panic—it’s about being faithful when no one’s watching. This week encourages us to live with urgency, to notice what God is doing around us, and to be ready for the moment we see Him face to face.
Following Jesus doesn’t mean we avoid difficulty. In fact, He told us to expect it. Whether it’s rejection, pressure, or pain, the key is not avoiding the storm—it’s staying faithful in it. This week is a reminder that we don’t face hard times alone. God strengthens us to endure, speak up, and keep going.
What do your wedding vows have to do with your relationship to money?
In this message, Pastor Greg closes our Married to Money series with a powerful reminder that contentment must be learned — and it begins with renewing our vows before God.
Just like in marriage, our promises about money often need to be refocused.
When we learn to be content in Christ, we find freedom from greed, joy in giving, and gratitude in what we already have.
What does your relationship with money reveal about your heart? In this message, Pastor Justin reminds us that the choices we make today with money shape our future. Learn biblical principles for saving wisely, trusting God daily, and living generously.
Through practical wisdom from Proverbs, Galatians, and Jesus’ words in Matthew 6, we’ll discover:
Why saving helps us prioritize the long-term over the short-term.
How to trust God daily instead of putting our hope in wealth.
The importance of accountability in financial decisions.
How generosity frees us and builds an eternal foundation.
Every dollar tells a story of what we believe and value. The question is: What story are you writing?
Whether you’re starting small, building healthy financial habits, or looking to grow in generosity, this message will equip you to spend wisely, trust God fully, and live with open hands.
Scriptures: Galatians 6:7, Proverbs 21:20, Proverbs 18:10-11, Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Matthew 6:25-26, 1 Timothy 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Debt can look attractive at first—like a tool to get what we want now—but if we’re not careful, it can become a master that enslaves us. In this week’s message, Pastor Greg unpacks what Scripture says about money, debt, and generosity.
From Matthew 6:24 to Romans 13:8, we’re reminded that we can’t serve both God and money. Debt promises freedom but often leads to discontentment, anxiety, and missed opportunities to be generous. Yet God has a better way—using money as a tool for blessing, stewarding what He’s entrusted to us, and living with contentment.
Most importantly, we’re reminded of the greatest debt ever paid—our sin—completely forgiven through Jesus Christ. Because we’ve been forgiven much, we can love much.
What is the nature of relationship with God and giving? How does money make us more like him?
What does the relationship look like? Our relationship with money is one where we are blessed by God to use it in relationship with him.
HOW IS IT COMPLICATED? It’s all God’s, and he gave it to us to use. It’s enticing and sometimes not clear how he wants us to use it… just that it’s not mine, but it is…? It’s complicated like when you’re in a marriage.
This is a relationship, I don’t deal with money by myself, but with God.
Jesus is asked, “What’s the most important commandment?” and His answer changes everything. Love God with all that you are; and love others as yourself. But it doesn't stop at words. This week, we’re challenged to stop performing, stop pretending, and start offering our whole lives from a place of genuine love. Just like the widow, the most meaningful gifts come from the heart.
The Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection, and their question reveals just how much they misunderstood God’s Word and His power. Jesus not only corrects their thinking—He shows us that what we believe about eternity changes how we live today. This week is a reminder to root our faith in truth and live with confident hope in the God of the living.
The Pharisees set a trap, but Jesus doesn’t play their game. Instead, He calls them—and us—to a higher standard. While we may know what to give Caesar, the deeper question remains: what are we holding back from God? This week challenges us to move beyond appearances and offer our whole selves to the One who made us in His image.
When the religious leaders question Jesus, He challenges them with a parable about a vineyard and its tenants. The message is clear. We often resist God's authority while still enjoying His blessings. But everything we have belongs to Him. This week is a call to live under God's authority and be faithful with what He has entrusted to us.
Jesus walks into the temple—and flips the tables. Not just because of what He saw, but because of what was missing: prayer, fruit, and a heart for people. This week reminds us that we are now His temple, called to welcome others and to be rooted in prayer. If we want to bear real fruit, we can’t just look alive—we have to abide.
Jesus enters—but not alone.
God chooses to work through ordinary people to bring His promises to life. When we respond with simple obedience, lives are changed, hearts are stirred, and worship breaks out. Jesus is still calling us to prepare the way, will you say yes?
Sometimes the most powerful prayer we can pray is simply, “Jesus, have mercy on me.” This week, we’re reminded that Jesus sees us, knows where we’ve come from, and invites us to ask boldly. When we truly see who He is—not just a good teacher, but the Savior—our response is clear: trust Him, follow Him, and let His mercy shape our next step.
Jesus welcomes the children and challenges a rich man—and in both moments, He reveals the same truth: God’s Kingdom belongs to the dependent. We can’t earn eternal life, but we can receive it like a child—through trust. This week is a call to bring our kids to Jesus and ourselves back to full dependence on Him—the only One who can truly fill us.
The Pharisees tested Jesus with a question about divorce, but He pointed them back to God’s design for marriage—lifelong, united, and rooted in love. This week, Jesus challenges us to resist hard-heartedness and fight for our marriages with soft, surrendered hearts. His truth doesn’t avoid the hard stuff—it meets us in it.
What makes someone great in God’s Kingdom? Not status—but servanthood. Not competition—but unity. This week, Jesus flips the script on power, pride, and success—and calls us to follow Him in humility, holiness, and peace with one another.
When the disciples can’t cast out a spirit, Jesus reminds them—and us—that power doesn’t come from ourselves, but from trust in Him. This week, we witness a desperate father cry out, “I believe; help my unbelief.” Victory doesn’t come from the strength of our faith, but from the One our faith is in. Prayer connects us to His power. Stay close. Trust deeply. Get covered in His dust.
Who do you say Jesus is? When Peter declares Him the Messiah, Jesus confirms the truth—but redefines what the Messiah came to do. Not a conquering king, but a suffering servant. This week challenges us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow—not leading our own lives, but surrendering to the One who gave His. Get close. Get covered in His dust.
As Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John, a voice from heaven makes it clear: “This is my Son. Listen to Him.” In a world full of noise, distractions, and opinions, we’re reminded that true transformation begins with listening to Jesus—because He is God, He fulfills the Law and the Prophets, and He brings the power of the Kingdom. This week we’ll explore how we can hear Him through His Word and respond in obedience and faith.
As we step into the new year, we’re excited to begin a new series, What’s Your Next? This particular message focuses on Loving Christ. In every season, there’s a next step to grow deeper in faith—whether through the Bible, worship, prayer, or praise. Take a moment to reflect: What’s one intentional step you can take this year to grow closer to Christ?
As we step into the new year, we’re excited to begin a new series, What’s Your Next? This particular message focuses on Loving Christ. In every season, there’s a next step to grow deeper in faith—whether through the Bible, worship, prayer, or praise. Take a moment to reflect: What’s one intentional step you can take this year to grow closer to Christ?
Looking at the experiences of the shepherds and Mary, and their responses to all that was going on, we are reminded of how a sense of wonder can change everything for us, both internally and externally.
Learn how to maintain close friendships by overcoming fear of hurt, growing your social circles, relying on Christ's grace, and investing time and conversation into relationships. Discover practical steps to deepen and sustain meaningful connections despite challenges.
Learn how to end harmful friendships, create boundaries when needed, and mourn necessary losses. This message also highlights how closing certain relationships can lead to personal growth and new connections.
Discover how to build deeper friendships through meaningful conversations, sharing your thoughts, emotions, and spiritual journey, while speaking truth in love and encouraging one another as Christ did.
Learn how to deepen your friendships by committing intentionally, embracing the awkwardness of defining relationships, and understanding the nature of true, godly friendship.
As always, there are important truths in the Bible. This message focuses on how to make friends and practicing vulnerability the right way with the right people
Discover how to break free from the cycle of loneliness as we explore the profound impact of true, life-giving friendships designed by God. Learn why we're not meant to face life alone and how embracing genuine connections can transform your life.
Who really can follow Jesus? Many people think they've got that question figured out! The truth might be obvious, but is your faith obvious?
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the importance of rest, but God has given us a special day for just that—the Sabbath. What does it mean for us as Christians? Are we free to spend it however we choose?
Another way to spend time with God is by fasting. Romans 12:1 says, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. This is powerful! You can turn a basic need into a desire for the Lord! Learn how this Sunday, Pastor Greg continues the series, Follow Who?: Follow in the New Way.
We have been learning who the one we follow really is in the the Gospel of Mark. In this message we see Jesus as a healer, one who does miracles. This is much deeper than what it looks like on the surface.
Elder Jack Jones inspires us to reflect on our faith journey. Are we truly following Jesus by fully placing our confidence in Him, or are there signs that our faith might be wavering?
Jesus is: __insert the blank___
Learn who Jesus is as our Savior, the chosen one, promise keeper, all powerful, perfect, and more. He is omniscient.
The church can face anything when it’s filled with leaders who adopt the attitude of Jesus, followers who accept their authority, and when both exhibit a spirit of humility.
When we think of suffering, often we think of pain and hurt. Let's look at how to expect, prepare, and accept four important truths about suffering that equip us with a different mindset. Hear how suffering produces joy, blessings and more.
Last week we learned that suffering can be a sign of victory for Christ. But how do we keep suffering over and over for Him? Peter gives us a final summary in this section.
What is sin? How are you sinning? Why are some convicted with sin and others aren't? How are we to reflect in God's image?
We're back in the book of 1 Peter and we will finish it in this series of messages. In 1 Peter 3:13-17 he calls his readers to not give up on their passion for the good, and it's for a very good reason.
Every structure needs a strong foundation. In the vital family a foundation is built when we hear and do the words of Jesus. We look at that in this conclusion of this series.
We don't learn everything on our own. We've all had people in our lives showing us the way—some good, some not so much. So, in the vital family, how do we choose others to guide us well and how do we guide others well?
In our culture it's easy to treat church as something we just consume, like we do an amusement park, a concert, or a movie. Just another thing on our list that we "do." But what is that teaching the next generation?
In this new sermon series, Vital Family, we'll learn what one thing can lead to more satisfaction with your life, increased health, better marriages, and your children being less anxious, depressed, and lonely.
Here's a bonus assumption to add to our last series on assumptions people have about Christianity: that churches are all about money. Let's see what God's word has to say about it.
Some people think Christianity is just another self-improvement movement but Jesus says self-improvement isn't enough. How can we truly be helped?
Not everything has to be political, but a lot of people think Christianity is just about conservative politics. Is Christianity just about being on the right, politically?
In this message we look at the assumption that Christianity hates... (fill in the blank). Yet, God's word clearly tells us we're to love all people. Let's unpack these 2 disparate views and learn what to do about the huge gap between them.
Christianity is all about going to heaven, right? That's what a lot of people think. But if that's true, why are we celebrating a resurrection on Easter?
In this concluding message of this series in 1 Peter, he challenges us to relate to one another in the Church so that the world can't help but see we are different.
It is so easy to end up in a loveless marriage, or divorced and moving on. Is there hope for a marriage that is difficult? Is there hope if you are married to an unbeliever? Let's see what God teaches about living in contrast to the world in our marriages.
Who do you work for? What do you work for? Peter seems to know something about work and suffering and has something to teach us.
How do we live as Christians in a political world? We are looking into 1 Peter for answers on this.
We're back in 1 Peter with this series, and we'll find ourselves facing the same challenge as they did: In an antagonistic world, how do we gain a hearing so we can share the gospel?
Most of us want to share the gospel, and we know Jesus told us to do so. Why is it so hard for us to do it? Because it offends people. Let's tackle this together.
Last week we learned that real reconciliation results from loving confrontation. In this message we deal with
but today we deal with the opposite side of last week: What if you are the one being confronted?
In this series we've been challenged to take responsibility, overlook, and forgive, and you may have had in the back of your mind something like, "But you don't know what so-and-so did to me. Does this mean I just roll over, let them back in my life?" Not necessarily, but...
So far we've learned, an offense is when our core needs defense and with God at our core, the most offensive things are our sins and, my fault or not, an offense is my responsibility. With so many offenses to take responsibility for, how can we manage them all?
Last week the what, when, and why of what offends us AND that the greatest offenses are sins. Today we'll look at what God tells us to do when we're offended.
What should offend us? What should not? It can be very confusing in today's world. But if we understand and deal rightly with offenses, we can be a help to our world.
Why did God send the angels to shepherds? Why not the king, or the Pharisees or scribes? In looking for the answer, we'll learn something about the source of joy.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” That's what Luke tells us the angels proclaimed when Jesus was born. Peace is a term we've often heard, but let's explore what it really means.
Many people have lost hope in God. Maybe they haven't gotten what they wanted, or they don't think He's real. God understands, and he's given us to examples in the Christmas story to help us.
In this series Peter has been teaching us basic truths to help us endure during difficult times. in this concluding message he teaches us one more and it centers on who we are in Christ.
In many countries it's against the law for Christians to share the gospel. In our own country some people risk their jobs if they share Christ at their workplace. Where do we turn for encouragement in a world that seemingly hates what we love?
We are in a gap of salvation, but God has guaranteed us his grace. So, how do we deal with family formation (one of the most powerful forces on all of us) now that we are in this gap?
Constant difficulty can create an expectation of despair. Peter encourages us in our suffering to remember "the gap" - our journey on the way home.
We all face suffering and trouble in this life. In the midst of our difficulties, how can we have joy? Peter points us in the right direction.
We've all faced pushback for our views and opinions, but when we are questioned or mocked for being a Christ follower, it can make us wonder if God is really with us. What if God expected this and gave us a powerful way to think about the rejection and pushback we get? That's what we'll learn about in this series.
We have learned we need to follow Jesus no matter what and love/abide with him in the word, prayer and community, and if we do we'll bear fruit and shape our worlds. This will open the way to make disciples who make disciples IF we see that possibility everywhere.
So far we've learned that 1/if we follow Jesus and it won’t be easy, 2/we will love Christ by spending time with Him, and 3/we bear His fruit when we obey what He teaches us. All of these things will shape our world and make disciples.
Many "follow' people on social media, but how do they know who is worth following? Jesus said, "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?" Let's see what Jesus has to say about being his follower.
Maybe you've learned about Jesus, given your life to Him, and even started to grow more like Him. How do you keep going? How do you stay close to Him?
We’ve come to the end of Exodus. Israel has gone from slaves to a nation, from meeting God to being his people. Now they are beginning their life as a nation with YHWH, and he’s ready to move in.
We've looked at the structure and furnishings of the tabernacle and now move to understanding the role of the priests and how Jesus (and we!) fit into all of this today.
Do you long for heaven? Do you wonder what it will be like? The tabernacle described in Exodus can help us answer these questions.
God is showing Moses the design of a tent in which He will dwell with his people, Israel. God, who lives in heaven, is going to live with them! And He does the same with us.
When you put your faith in Christ you begin to realize you were made for another world. As believers, we have the hope and promise of Heaven, and there are things we can be doing right now to prepare for eternity.
Jealousy – is it negative or positive to you? What if God is jealous? He is, and in this message we'll learn why, and what He is jealous for.
Like Moses, we as mediators long to know God. Last week we left Moses ready for that big day: He is about to meet YHWH. Is he ready? Are we?
We are all invited to be in God’s family and how God wants to be near us all. It is important to God loves His creation and loves to be near people. But sin opens up a gap between Him and them. In this series, we’ll learn how important it is that we step into that Middle Ground so people may find the Lord.
With everything we see around us today, seeing the title of this message may increase your anxiety as a parent. But the goal is to help you find wisdom from God's word and point you to practical resources.
Sex can be a scary topic of conversation with our kids, but it is critical in this culture. If you haven't had the conversation, someone else already has, and more than likely it wasn't the truth or helpful. That's why we need to be first in.
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Everyone wrestles with who they are and how they fit in, but today many parents are afraid of how their children are going to identify, and they are being told they are not to tell their children who they are – this is a lie.
Just like us, our children's faith will be challenged by many things. Let's be first in with them on things that can make us doubt what we've learned about God.
As we learned in the April 16 message (What About Science?), the Bible explains our world as much more than what we can see and touch. Let's look at how that knowledge can help us with our fears, or excitement, about artificial intelligence.
Would the existence of alien life make Christianity untrue? Does the Bible address such an idea? Let's dive into this topic for the answers, and even learn how it can lead us to see God more clearly in this world.
Today's topic may make you feel uncomfortable, probably because people you know think all Christians hate LGBT people. You may even thing that. Isn't that what the Bible says? How can that be true if God is love? Join us as we dive into this hot topic.
Has science disproven the need for God? That battle probably rages most over Genesis 1. So let's look there to learn how a scientist doesn’t need to drop science to follow Christ and a Christian doesn't need to stop pursuing science.
In this series so far we've learned what the Bible is, why it's important, and how to read it. Today we'll learn how to meet with God in it.
Originally, evangelicals were known as people of the Bible; reading it marked us as different from the rest of “Christianity.” But today we struggle with reading it too. So let's learn how to tackle this most important book.
Some see the Bible as s a bigoted book promoting genocide, slavery, and hate. Others find it too confusing to read or too old to matter today. Even Christians are more likely to read devotional material or self-help books. But guess who thought is was the most important book?
In this series we'll learn how to read the Bible and why it's relevant to us today, but we'll start with this basic question: What is this "book" written by 40+ authors over 1,600 years across 3 continents?
Just as God sent Israel on a conquest in the Promised Land, He sends us on a conquest within.
For most of us there is a division that haunts our lives: the secular and sacred divide. It can show up in our homes, at school, and especially at work. Let's see what God has to say about this.
These passages are a snapshot of how the 10 Commandments were to be lived out by the ancient Israelites. They are not meant to be duplicated by us in our time. But even so, they have a lot to teach us about loving God and loving those around us.
In this series we're learning how to apply the 10 commands. God desires his people (Israel and us) to know what is right in our time and circumstances so we can apply justice rightly. We'll be looking at murder, family relationships, personal injury, and even OSHA laws (!), but today we'll look at slavery.
There is something that happens when we face justice that makes us deeply uncomfortable. Fear is the biggest obstacle, but also the first step in drawing near, and closer to God through Jesus. Fear leads us to repent, not run, and that is where we find a love that then transforms our fear too obedience and confidence.
We’ve learned that enough is having our needs met and that happens when we produce more than we consume. We also learned we are to be intentional with our money. Today we'll learn that having more than enough should result in generosity.
We've defined "enough" as having our needs met and learned that happens when we produce more than we consume. But what does God say about when we have MORE than enough?
Last week we saw that God left home/comfort to come to us, and He challenges us to do the same for for the lost around us. Today we'll learn He doesn't just leave us there; Jesus shows us the way so we too can go, face opposition, and trust He'll be there with us.
During the recent pandemic many of us stayed home to be safe. God did the opposite when he saw danger in the world. He left his home to save humanity from the death and destruction of sin. Now we are called to do the same for others.
The Ten Commandments remind some of being disciplined as a kid and cause some to feel shame because they don’t live up to them (which we don’t). This series aims to give us the right perspective of them, and so change all of our relationships.
This series, hopefully, has given you a vision for prayer. In this concluding message we will move beyond just a conversation with God to the greater purpose of prayer: being in His presence.
In the last message we looked at possible answers to our prayer, and one of them was "slow." When you get this answer, don't be discouraged, but prepare to endure.
Does God answer all prayers? How do I know He's answered my prayer? How do I know what His answer is? In this message Pastor Greg helps us answer these and other questions about prayer.
Most of us know prayer is supposed to be 2-way communication, but we probably spend more time telling God things than listening to Him. And how exactly do we listen to God? Pastor Greg will help us understand when and how God can speak to us so we can be ready to listen.
Our Journey with God Through Prayer is designed to challenge us to go deeper in our relationship with God and one way to do that is to ask God to do something only He can do. We can learn how to do that from more than one example in scripture.
The definition of an expedition is a voyage with a particular purpose. Every successful expedition needs careful planning and preparation. Let’s have that same mindset when it comes to our Journey with God Through Prayer.
Governmental control at its highest, riots in the streets, people dividing over money, class, race, religion and politics. So, how did a new group of believers become known for their devotion to one another and their care for others outside of the fellowship? How did the early church stay Devoted to Community?
This two-part sermon series focuses on the life of Elijah in 1 Kings 18 and 19. His journey can give us direction when we walk on the highest of heights, as well as hope when we find ourselves in the lowest of lows.
Stephen and Brent discuss two main points: 1. How success can be a depressogenic, 2. When you do the faithful things and it doesn't turn out like you thought.
This two-part sermon series focuses on the life of Elijah in 1 Kings 18 and 19. His journey can give us direction when we walk on the highest of heights, as well as hope when we find ourselves in the lowest of lows.
This week's Episode of the Rabbit Trail Podcast we Finish up our current series "Journey to Sinai" with a discussion on Exodus 19 with our very our Guest Speaker and Youth Director Nick Hershey!
raveling down this weeks Rabbit trail in Episode 18, we will be exploring the idea of virtue vs values, how it affects our world like in the school shooting, and Greg's upcoming Sabbatical.
Episode 17 is here! We're chasing rabbits everywhere today! We follow it to learn how Jesus emptied himself, then to how humility affects our relationships and even leadership and submission. Enjoy!
In this episode, we answered a question from our listeners, and then dove into whether God is conceited!
What has Mary's perpetual virginity, witnessing to family, Christians and the Jewish law and the evidence of the Resurrection have in common? Episode 15 of the Rabbit Trail Podcast, that's what! We hope you enjoy.
We're back following another rabbit! This week we follow that rabbit into questions on Saul's conversion, Christians involvement in politics and whether we think we are being persecuted today.
Episode 13 deals with why Peter was "stripped for work", how to help people who don't commit to Jesus because they think they will eventually walk away, and finally the big question, can people lose their salvation?
In this episode we will answer a listener's question, talk about Barabbas, demonic possession and more!
You can learn a lot about a people if you listen to the songs they create. Each generation and culture has music that reflects it’s values and experiences. At the center of our music is what we adore or even worship. In this section of Exodus we'll look at a song that expressed the heart of Israel to YHWH, and learn how to express our heart to Jesus.
At last we've come to the "exodus" in the book of Exodus. The slaves are leaving Egypt and think they are headed to the Promised Land, but God has other plans for them, and perhaps for us.
In this episode we talk about remembering our salvation, killing animals, giving and marks your hands and forehead.
What brings back memories for you? A song? A smell? Do you experience the adage "out of sight, out of mind"? God always gave His people touchpoints to help them remember what was important, and He still does that for us.
Just like Israel in Egypt, we can be in bondage, deceived and betrayed. But God's first-born Son, our Passover Lamb, has set us free.
It's easy to want justice for others, but expect grace for ourselves. But should we desire grace and expect justice.
When Moses and Aaron went up against Pharaoh things just worse. So, they tried to quit, but God is teaching them that it's not about them, it's about Him. He wants to reveal Himself through their (and our) obedience. And that's just what we'll see Him do in this message.
Listen as Stephan explores Exodus 6:10–7:7, which includes something we're tempted to skip over or skim quickly: a genealogy. But we'll look at it through the eyes of a Hebrew and take away some valuable lessons for our lives.
In this next series in Exodus, we'll be looking at a fight—a big fight between YHWH, God of Israel, and Egypt.
Questions & Answers: The Extended Series, covers questions that weren't answered within the 4 week series on Sunday. Let us know what you think!
This 4-part series answers YOUR questions. So far Pastor Greg had answered questions about evil, the Bible, and life, death and beyond. This week he'll look at your inquiries about sexuality.
This 4-part series answers YOUR questions and so far Pastor Greg has answered questions about evil and the Bible. This week he'll look at your inquiries about life, death and beyond.
Listen as Pastor Greg looks at a wide variety of your questions about the Bible. There are lots of views on what the Bible is: mythology, instruction manual, storybook, self-help book, ancient history... If we view the Bible correctly, we can better ask (and answer) questions.
This 4-part series is based on the questions you turned in. Pastor Greg will start with all the questions surrounding evil in our world. Listen as he takes us into this complex question.
When you really understand what took place at creation, and the tragedy of the Fall, everything else in the Bible makes sense.
This week's "star" in the Christmas story is the villain: Herod the Great. This powerful, paranoid king of Judea pacified Jews through building projects and had members of his own family murdered. Why would God include him in the Christmas story?
As with the other "stars of Christmas," tradition has affected what we think about angels. Let's look at what the Bible tells us about them, and what that teaches us about God.
Every story has extra characters, and the Christmas story is no exception. Think: angels, shepherds, and wise men. God chose these extras to communicate something to us. Let's peel back what's been added to the story by tradition and legend to get to the heart of his message to us.
Christmas traditions and caricatures may have helped shape our ideas about Mary and Joseph, as well as the angels, shepherds, and wise men. This series will help us look closer at these "stars of Christmas" and why God chose them.
We've seen the universe has a beginning and is finely tuned, both of which uphold the God Hypothesis. So why do some scientists still deny God? That's where Pastor Greg begins this concluding message.
We live in a world of fear and anxiety. People fear sharks and ticks, diseases and death. Christians may think: What if God really isn't in control? Atheists may think: What if He is? And many people avoid thinking about these questions at all. In this message we'll look at the evidence, and we don't have to be afraid of doing that.
Some think science and God are enemies. Actually, God and science are so compatible they are allies. Listen to this first message in this series on the existence of God.
We tend to try to control a situation when we are in the dark, and do not trust God's setting. However, we need to trust that God hears and remembers, so we must pray with hope and obey His direction.
It's difficult to trust the Lord when we can't see what is going on. When our employers, rulers, leaders, or laws force us to choose between honoring them or honoring God, we must navigate with wisdom, grace, and trust in the Lord.
We can walk in the dark if we're familiar with the room. And it's usually people we're familiar with that we trust. How about God? Do you know him enough to trust him? Is he who you turn to when things go dark? Listen to this first message in the first series of our walk through Exodus.
In this series we looked at God, our bodies, our community, our value, and our sin. Now we'll put it all together to hopefully see ourselves truthfully, and see that Jesus Christ, who is the image of God, is transforming our characters, our bodies, and our minds, to be more and more like Him.
We’ve learned how to see ourselves rightly by looking at the image of God. We reflect Him in our very being, our bodies, our communities, and in our value. But there is a problem: we have conformed to this world, and we need transformation.
How do you determine your value? What does that question make you look at in yourself? What do you assess? Are you looking through the right lens? We've been learning that to develop spiritually we need to know ourselves rightly, and an important part of that is knowing our value rightly.
Part of knowing yourself rightly is to know how your community affects you, for the good or the bad. Spiritual growth is not just personal, it's also corporate. We need one another as we strive to be like Christ.
Last week we looked at being made in the image of God, but we left out one thing: our bodies! Our culture is, at best, confused on this topic. We don’t love the human body rightly; we worship it, hate it, or ignore it. But we are to love our bodies as God does—surrendering them to his will, because he loves our bodies.
What if the Bible gave us a way to understand ourselves that wouldn’t provoke pride? Guess what—it does! God's word calls us to humility in our spiritual journey, connecting spiritual transformation to seeing ourselves rightly. And to know ourselves rightly, we must first know God.
In this introduction to our new series, we'll see that Jesus saved us into a community because he knew we’d need one another’s encouragement, insights and accountability to really know ourselves.
Olympic athletes train for years and, in 1 Timothy 6:11-21, it sounds like it takes a similar dedication to maintain our spiritual life. As we conclude our last series in 1 Timothy, let's be encouraged to keep going, to "fight the good fight" and "take hold of the eternal life" to which we are called.Notes
It is commonly believed in our culture, and unfortunately commonly true, that POWER + MONEY = CORRUPTION. But in 1 Timothy 6 Paul proposes another equation, one that can transform the wealth of this world into a picture of Jesus—and so gives us another powerful illustration of the gospel!
In 1 Timothy 5:17-6:2 we learn how to relate to authorities in our life through the lens of Church, those who are authorities in the church structure, as well as those who are over us and attend church with us. Sound confusing? Our guest speaker will help make sense of it!
Whether you are on the right or left, you may be offended by this sermon. That's because many of us tend to add the Bible to our political view rather than allow the Bible to form our view. This may prevent a proper understanding of this week's text.
If the church is to be a household where the gospel is illustrated, leaders in the church must act as the heads of this household. In 1 Timothy 4:6-16 leaders illustrate the gospel by being an example to their followers. To do this leaders must train in godliness like an athlete trains to achieve victory.
The church that Paul writes to in 1 Timothy was in a culture like ours, in that there were many gods and worldviews. In such an environment, what does it look like to live out Christianity? How do we illustrate the Gospel to the world around us?
Trust and leadership go together; before we will follow a leader, we need to know they are trustworthy. But how do we determine that? The early church had that same question.
So much about leadership these days focuses on skills, with little emphasis put on character. Not so with God in His word. Last week Greg talked about elders/overseers in the church. In the second message of this series we will look at who they are, or should be, at their core.
When we witness failures in church leaders it's tempting to think we should just go it alone, i.e. all I need is my Bible, I follow Jesus so I don't need a church. But Jesus called the apostles and set up church leadership! So let's look at what He can teach us.
God is not going to leave us hanging; He will deliver on all His promises. Some day we will finally see that He worked all things for good.
We’ve looked at creation, and the intention God had for us. We’ve looked at the ruin, and how it has wrecked everything. We are broken, but in this message we learn that God picks us up to restore us to his works and makes us better.
Humanity is a wreck and news ratings prove that we love to stare at it (if it bleeds, it leads). Last week we looked at the good, God's intention in creation, but this week we'll see the bad. Before you tune out, remember the big picture and the goal of this sermon series: Don’t evaluate your family in the moment, but by all four movements.
Every family has a story; how do you view yours? Is it inferior to another? Are there parts you don't want known? In this message we'll look at the good and the bad of our family stories through the lens of God's story.
We were created to know God and represent Him in the world. God made us for a purpose; we have a responsibility. It is God who enables us to move out of victimhood to victory.
So far we've identified if we live in victimhood and if so, determined what may be keeping us there. Now it's time to pack up so we can move out, and if you've ever moved, you know that packing up can be the most work.
So far we've seen how Jesus' example can show us how to move from victim to victory, and we've learned how to determine if we are, or someone we know is, living in victimhood. Now we'll see why staying in victimhood can be comfortable for us, but very costly.
Are stuck in the pain of what happened to you? Some people are raised with a victim mindset, and our culture can teach us to be offended by everything. Even if you don't currently live in victimhood, you probably know someone who does. And you are not immune from moving in someday.
Let's examine Jesus' own words while on the cross to learn how He went from Victim to Victory.
We humans can mess up any good thing God gives us, and the spiritual gifts are no different. The church in Corinth caused problems using their gifts and we can learn from them.
We've all heard people call something a miracle. But what is a miracle, really? What are the miraculous gifts? And what is God's purpose for them?
Welcome back to class, students. This week we'll study spiritual gifts that fall into these categories: leadership, care, and practical.
Has church become something we "purchase"—we just go there to get something? Let's make sure we know our spiritual gift(s) so we can be the church, not just go to church.
Last week we learned that God gave us gifts for the purpose of promoting Jesus. But what exactly is a spiritual gift and what makes a gift spiritual? Students, grab your Bibles and let's dig in.
In this series we are going to examine the spiritual gifts found in the Bible. Perhaps you have no idea what they are. Maybe you have had an odd experience with them. Have you been taught the time for spiritual gifts, or at least some of them, is over? You may be open to them, but have never experienced them. Well let's learn about them together. Welcome to class!
Have you ever hesitated to share your faith with someone because you don't live it out perfectly yourself? Or maybe you've wondered if telling someone about Jesus is somehow judging them, telling them their thinking is wrong. These are just a couple of the things Pastor Greg explores in this message.
Last week we learned that the greatest changes happen when we constantly center our lives on Christ. This week we will be called to go further, so Christ is not only known by us, but Christ is known in us. This may seem abstract, so let's dig in and see what it means.
2020 made it clear that our mission is more relevant today than it has ever been: To LOVE, LIVE and SHARE Christ, to make him known wherever we go. These three acts center our lives in Christ so he is known. Bit by bit, God is shaping our souls, but we need to stay centered so he can do his work.
Continuing in 1 Timothy 2:8–15, this message turns the focus on women. Men and women are of equal value as God’s image and He designed us to work together. In fact, the church should be an example to the world in this area.
1 Timothy is teaching us that the church needs to be reassembled and so far we've learned that before anything else we must pray, then we must have a global view of the gospel, and now Paul instructs about the role of men and women in 1 Timothy 2:8–14. In this message we'll focus on men.N
1 Timothy 2:5-7 is essentially a creed we all believe: It explains the need for Jesus, explains that He has been our mediator, and implies that He has made us right with God. What does this mean for us? Through Jesus we can approach God in prayer. This is an awesome privilege and a serious responsibility.
Sometimes we don't notice a problem with the way something's constructed until it's tried and tested. Then we may choose to work around it, but there's nothing better than just doing it right the first time. This is similar to what Timothy faced with the church.
So far we've seen that at Christmas Jesus brought a new humanity that overcomes death, a new morality where sin is done, and a new leadership that brings us a world of peace. Now we'll see that Jesus promises even more: a new world.
Humans have been looking for great leaders since the beginning of time. But because of sin, all great leaders end up being a mix of good and bad – except the one prophesied in Isaiah 9:1–7.
No matter how hard we try to improve ourselves (or others) we cannot escape the fact that we all have a sinful nature. But we are not without hope because of what Jesus has brought to us.
Our culture pushes anything new and improved. Do you want the latest phone? How about a new car? Does your kitchen "need" to be updated? In this series of messages leading to Christmas, we'll examine how the birth of Jesus truly started to improve humanity.
In this new 3-week series we will explore the negative effects of distractions and how to avoid them.
Just like Jonah, has God been trying to change a "No, Lord" attitude in you? Have you tried to do it yourself? Changing our hearts is not an easy task.
Jonah, in the belly of a fish, cried out to God with a poem. What do you do when you hit rock bottom?
Everything seems to obey God, except Jonah. God uses the wind, the sea, and even the boat, to pursue His runaway prophet. When we followers of Christ act like Jonah it brings God’s discipline on our lives. Why? Because He loves us and wants His mission to go forward.
God loves to rescue rebels at their worst, and that is an apt description of the prophet Jonah. But before we point a finger at him, perhaps we should take a look at ourselves. Sit down and read through the book of Jonah (it's very short!) to prepare for this new series.
We may not be able to control the outcome of the situation we're in, but 1 Samuel 26 has some wisdom for us about how to get through it.
Temptations look so good, right? We wouldn't be tempted if they didn't. In this message we will learn 4 strategies to deal with them.
A lot has happened recently in our country and the world to test us. And you've probably faced some personal tests too. In this message we will learn what our response to a test reveals about us.
When you're backed into a corner, needing to make a decision, how do you react? Can we be prepared ahead of time for the the traps that are around the corner?
There may be evil around the corner, but this is true also: God is in control and He will be victorious and we can count on Him.
Life is unpredictable. We've all been surprised by something. Perhaps it was bad like an illness, a job loss or destruction to property. Good things can come to us unexpectedly also. Let's look at a time in David's life when he never knew what was next.
This series, based on 1 Samuel 21-26, will help us look to God, His Word, and one another, as we face whatever is around the corner. In this message Pastor Greg explores why we need community and what happens to us spiritually when we're isolated.
We've come to the end of our book, The Acts of the Apostles, which we started in Sep 2018! Through 8 series, or themes, we have, hopefully, grown in our knowledge, wonder and sharing of the gospel.
How can we share Christ when we're stuck at home, our churches are "closed", and even our missionaries can't travel to their countries? It seems the gospel adventure has stopped, but this section of Acts will teach us otherwise.
Do you need some encouragement? Do you know someone who does? Let's listen to Paul who says in the face of adversity, "Yet now I urge you to take heart..."
When you’re afraid for your safety, your rights or your freedoms, who do you appeal too? What do you do when the court of public opinion turns on you? That is what are going to explore through the life of Paul.
In Acts 24:1-27 Paul faces someone who is good with his thoughts and words, but his intent is to destroy. As we share the gospel we must be ready to face such foes also.
Many of us love watching trials, but would hate to be on trial ourselves. (Some of us even go to great lengths to avoid being on a jury.) Jesus tells us we will be put on trial and that we need to be shrewd, but at the same time innocent.
When facing enemies, there is a great contrast between those on the adventure with the gospel and those who are not.
If God calls you to go on a dangerous adventure for the sake of the Gospel, how will you respond? With fear or faith?
We're entering our final series in the book of Acts. The gospel calls us to an adventure, but we must be willing to take it!
We are called to keep doing our best to pass on a godly legacy to the children we influence, but then we must leave it in the hands of our Lord.
Last week we learned to break from the broken and build on the blessings through Christ. Now learn how to pass this to the next generation.
A legacy is a path our families will walk after we are gone from this earth; it's our Family Name. And we will all make our family names better if we follow a map.
We are all leaving a legacy. Is that money and property? Is it how you will be remembered? Listen as Pastor Greg shows us how the Bible tells us to think much deeper than that.
Does how we live today affect the rest of our lives? Pastor Greg looks at 3 stories on Matthew 25 to answer this question.
Do you long for heaven? Our thirst for eternal life grows when we feel what we’re missing!
In video games there is always a final level and you need to be ready for it. In life there is a final destination too, and we need to be ready for it.
In the middle of this crisis, would you say you are truly living? In this series we'll explore that question. In this message we will look at how the resurrection of Jesus locks in a life that can never be taken, and can only get better.
When the gospel begins to make true impact, people respond, but perhaps not in the way we would like. Listen as Pastor Greg explains how to have true impact and how to respond rightly to people.
When God is sending us an alarm, a wake up call, we can sleep through it, snooze it, dread it, or respond.
Chandler Richardson, who leads our Jr High Ministry, takes us back into Acts for the start of this 3-week series.
At funerals we are reminded our lives actually speak. What does your life tell others? We can ask the same question about our church: What does "Olive Branch" say to those around us?
Today we see less people marrying and less people experiencing true friendship and an increase in loneliness and despair. Is the answer more education? A different government? What if people are just missing the key relationship?
Do we give up on the gospel long before the gospel is finished working? We need to trust that God can and will bring what we need to keep going with the gospel.
What do we do when the gospel isn’t clear? In this section of Acts, Paul teaches us that sometimes the gospel needs and "adapter."
Paul was uniquely equipped to bring the Gospel because of his Roman citizenship. We too are uniquely equipped and Paul has a lot to teach us about that.
How can the gospel survive a multi-cultural, hyper-political environment? To answer that question we must first ask: Who or what powers the message of Jesus?