Santa Maria Foursquare Church: Recent Episodes
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Sunday messages from the Santa Maria Foursquare Church, on the beautiful central coast of California!
Feeling like change is impossible? Whether it’s addiction, anxiety, a broken heart, or lingering doubts — this Easter message reveals how God makes the impossible possible. 🌟
In this message we ask: What if the resurrection of Jesus isn’t just a story, but the turning point that makes real transformation possible in our lives? Through Scripture, real-life stories, and one powerful moment from the Gospels, discover how God meets us right in the middle of doubt and does what we thought could never happen.
This message is for you if you:
• Feel stuck in a situation that seems beyond repair
• Want to strengthen your faith when doubt creeps in
• Long to see God transform what feels hopeless
Watch now and discover what becomes possible when you believe in the God who emptied the tomb. 🙏
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Storms raging around you? 🕊️ Discover how Jesus found perfect peace in the middle of one — and how you can too by pursuing God’s presence through prayer.
In this bilingual message from our Pursuing the Presence of God series, Veronica Leach helps us explore how Jesus cultivated unshakable peace, and demonstrated great power, by staying connected to the Father in prayer. Drawing from Jeremiah 29:11-14, learn to call on Him, seek Him with all your heart, and discover that He will be found by you.
We learn that prayer enables us to:
• Cultivate the deep peace that lets you rest confidently in any storm
• Rest in God as your refuge, fortress, and true home
• Align with heavenly realms through prayer and experience His power that crushes fear
Watch now to pursue God’s presence and transform your prayer life! 🙏
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⏰ New messages every week
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Thank you for your generosity and for advancing the Kingdom of God! For more information on giving: vcsm.org/giving
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Feeling stuck in spiritual routines or wondering where God is leading next? 🐑
In this message, discover the powerful call from Jesus, the Good Shepherd: "Follow me." Drawing from the remarkable story in Exodus, explore how God's people learned to pursue His presence as he called them to fresh obedience and deeper intimacy, just as he does with us.
Key takeaways include:
• Why yesterday’s obedience won’t carry you into tomorrow
• The "remain behind" heart of Joshua that positioned him for greater purpose
• Practical ways to pursue Him daily through faith and action
This teaching from Pastor Tim shows how a lifestyle of following the Good Shepherd leads to transformation and fulfillment in His promised plans.
Watch now to pursue God's presence with renewed commitment!
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🙏 Share with someone ready to follow where God is leading
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Feeling spiritually dry or discouraged? You're not alone. Are you thirsty for more of God… or just going through the motions? Discover why pursuing God’s presence changes everything.
In this message from Psalm 42, we explore what it means to persist in the pursuit of God—even when life is painful, discouraging, or confusing. Faith isn’t just about believing God exists. It’s about actively seeking Him and discovering the life, hope, and strength found in His presence.
You’ll discover:
- Why spiritual thirst is essential for a vibrant relationship with God
- How to keep pursuing God when discouragement and doubt attack
- Two powerful practices that restore courage to a discouraged soul
- How to respond to spiritual gaslighting
When we pursue God, we gain intimacy with Him, influence in the world around us, and a faith that can impact the next generation. Even in the middle of life’s storms, God is pouring out His unfailing love.
Watch now to regain your thirst for the living God and experience His life-giving embrace! 🙏
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⏰ New teachings every week
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Feeling the pull to get closer to God? 😌 When Jesus calls, how should we respond? And what does truly pursuing His presence look like in everyday life?
In this message, we explore Psalm 84 and discover the deep burning in our soul that drives us to follow Jesus so closely we’re “covered in the dust of our Rabbi.” Learn why a life of faith is a sacred pilgrimage — not a vacation or forced march — where challenges shape us, tears turn into springs, and we learn to rely on His power.
You’ll discover:
- Why pursuing God is more like a sacred journey than a spiritual vacation
- How God transforms seasons of pain into strength and renewal
- What it means to set your heart on a lifelong pilgrimage with Jesus
Whether you feel distant from God or hungry for more of His presence, this message will help you engage your faith in a deeper, more personal way. Watch now to ignite your pursuit of God’s presence and step boldly onto the path He’s calling you to!
🙏 Share with someone longing for more of Jesus today
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Has your relationship with God grown cold? 😔 Maybe the fire and passion you once felt has faded into something stale, leaving you longing for more.
In this message on Pursuing the Presence of God, discover how to turn back and run after God's presence with fresh passion. Drawing from Psalm 27 and David's heartfelt cry, explore what it means to make Jesus your one thing — the center of everything — and to behold His beauty and seek Him deeply.
Here are a few things we're learning:
- How to find confidence and fearlessness even when surrounded by life's attacks.
- To slow down, meditate on God's amazing attributes and the ways He cares for us.
- The importance of resting in the assurance that God is always willing, never rejects you, and holds you close no matter your past.
This is for anyone who wants authentic intimacy with God again — no frantic rush, but patient, courageous pursuit. Watch now to rediscover the joy of pursuing God's presence and experience His nearness today.
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🙏 Share this with someone today who is wanting to rekindle their relationship with God
Thank you for your generosity and for advancing the Kingdom of God! For more information on giving: vcsm.org/giving
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Looking for real community in a disconnected world? Discover what the early church knew about belonging, healing, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
In this teaching from the book of Acts 2:42–47, we explore how 3,000 new believers formed a thriving church community rooted in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, generosity, and daily worship. What does true biblical community offer today?
Through the framework H.E.L.P.S., you’ll discover how God’s design for the church brings:
• Healing for spirit, soul, and body
• Encouragement that knits hearts together in love
• Leadership and purpose that equips you to live on mission
• Patience and unity through the active work of the Holy Spirit
If you’ve ever felt alone, lost, or unsure where you belong, this message will help you engage in the kind of Christ-centered community that transforms lives.
Watch now to discover how God uses community to restore hope, build faith, and add to His church daily. 🙏
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⏰ New messages every week
🙏 Share this with someone who needs encouragement today
Thank you for your generosity and for advancing the Kingdom of God! For more information on giving: vcsm.org/giving
Follow us on social media to stay informed and updated:
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What do you do when God feels silent in the middle of your crisis?
In this message from John 4:43–54, discover how a faith that asks, walks, and receives can transform your story. Through the account of a desperate father who came to Jesus, we see that your crisis may be the very place Christ shows up (Psalm 23:4).
This teaching explores:
• A Faith that Asks — bringing bold, honest requests to Jesus
• A Faith that Walks — choosing to walk by faith before you see (2 Corinthians 5:7)
• A Faith that Receives — trusting God’s heart, purpose, and timing (Hebrews 11:1)
If you’re searching for answers, longing for breakthrough, or learning to trust God’s Word in uncertainty, this message will help you engage deeper faith in Jesus and experience His saving power.
Watch now to discover how trusting Christ can transform your crisis into testimony.
🔔 Subscribe for more messages that will encourage and equip you in your faith journey!
⏰ New messages every week
🙏 Share this with someone who needs encouragement today
Thank you for your generosity and for advancing the Kingdom of God! For more information on giving: vcsm.org/giving
Follow us on social media to stay informed and updated: Instagram & Facebook - @vidachurchsm
Website: vcsm.org
Is your phone quietly stealing your real connections? 😔 In a world where algorithms push endless scrolls and AI companions promise "perfect" relationships, discover how these digital forces are harming community—and what God’s Word says about fighting back.
This message from Pastor Tim Mossholder explores the shift from shared TVs to isolating smartphones and AI companions, revealing how what you focus on truly forms you. Drawing from Colossians 3, learn to set your sights on the real life Jesus offers, trading the world’s algorithm of lust, greed, and rage for one filled with kindness, humility, forgiveness, peace, and love.
Key takeaways:
- Understand why algorithms prioritize engagement over your well-being—and how they erode real human bonds
- See the transformative power of redirecting your attention to Christ for renewed life and stronger community
- Discover six practical steps you can take today to fight the algorithm and form healthier digital practices
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🤝 Share with someone whose phone feels like their biggest distraction
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Ever wondered what makes a healthy church truly thrive? Discover the profound revelation in Matthew 16 where Jesus declares, "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." In this message, Pastor Mark Slomka uncovers how we're called to be an intentional community movement Jesus is building to overcome darkness.
Key takeaways:
• Engage with your true identity in Christ to live on purpose.
• Transform struggles through the keys of the kingdom and the Holy Spirit's power.
• Discover how serving neighbors and fulfilling God's mission animates your faith.
🔔 Subscribe for more messages that will encourage and equip you in your faith journey!
⏰ New messages every week
🙏 Share this with someone who needs encouragement today
Thank you for your generosity and for advancing the Kingdom of God! For more information on giving: vcsm.org/giving
Follow us on social media to stay informed and updated: Instagram & Facebook - @vidachurchsm
Website: vcsm.org
Feeling stuck in isolation after you've been hurt? You're not alone — and healing is possible.
Pastor Tim Mossholder explores how trauma — including church hurt — can deplete us, drive desperation, and lead to painful isolation. Ultimately, trauma kills community. But drawing from Jesus' story about the Prodigal Son, we'll discover the battle lines trauma creates and the steps to fight back.
Key takeaways:
- Understand how trauma isolates us — even in the church — and why unity defeats the enemy's plans
- Learn to reclaim your God-given agency through spiritual awareness and "I will" choices
- Experience the Father's compassionate embrace and full restoration to loving, authentic community
Watch now to discover how Jesus can transform your story from trauma to celebration — no matter the hurt you've experienced.
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Website: vcsm.org
Feeling stuck in surface-level connections? Discover how true community begins with one powerful practice: welcome.
In this message from our "Together in Christ" series, explore the four kinds of groups we form — from disconnected crowds to life-giving community — and see why God calls His people to the sweet spot of high commitment to one another along with shared purpose. Drawing from Luke 9, learn from three key stories that reveal where Kingdom community truly starts: welcoming others with humility, shaking off rejection without judgment, and opening our hearts and homes to receive people as Jesus does.
Here are a few takeaways:
- Understand why welcome is essential for God's Kingdom to advance in our lives and church
- See how humility overcomes pride to build genuine relationships
- Learn to respond with grace when others don't immediately welcome you — and keep on inviting
Watch now to discover how welcoming others — and ultimately Jesus — can transform your connections and help you step into the community God designed for you.
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⏰ New teachings every week
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Thank you for your generosity in advancing God's Kingdom! For giving info: vcsm.org/giving
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Feeling isolated or hurt by broken relationships? You're not alone — and God feels the pain too. In this powerful message, discover how Jesus calls us to authentic, loving community that heals what was broken in Eden.
Explore Jesus' new command to love one another, why our unity becomes the world's clearest testimony to God's love, and how His glory enables complete unity among believers.
Key takeaways:
- Learn why loving community is essential — not optional — for every follower of Jesus
- Understand how our love for one another is what authenticates our discipleship
- See how unity in the church reveals Jesus is real and that He loves the world
Watch now to discover the transformative power of walking together in Christ and how it redeems relational brokenness with His love!
DOWNLOAD HANDOUT FOR THIS MESSAGE: go.vcsm.org/together
🙏 Share with someone who needs hope and relationship today
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Ready to let God's Word breathe new life into your new year? 🌟
As we step into 2026, discover why diving into the New Testament daily can transform you into an attentive, humble, and faithful servant of God — equipped for every good work He has for you.
In this message launching our "260" Bible reading plan (one chapter a day, Monday-Friday through all 260 chapters of the New Testament), you'll explore:
• How Scripture, God-breathed and alive, teaches, corrects, and empowers you afresh each time
• The power of meeting Jesus in the Gospels and letters — the source of true life
• Practical ways to stay focused on God's Word even with daily distractions
Watch now to engage with the transformative truth of the New Testament and start your journey as a servant of the word!
** For more info on 260, find resources here: vcsm.org/260 ---
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Ever felt the weight of life's challenges lift when you pause to remember God's faithfulness? Discover how five diverse people had God show up in their stories in 2025 as they share their powerful testimonies of grace, breakthroughs, and other miracles.
Watch to:
• Gain encouragement from real stories of transformation and hope
• Reflect on God's work to empower your own faith journey
• Find inspiration to share your own God-stories with the world
Dive in now to engage with these testimonies and let them animate your pursuit of God's mission! 🙌
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What miracle do you need this Christmas? What if God brings it in the most unexpected way?
In this Christmas message, discover how the first Christmas miracle began with Mary’s humble “Yes” to God’s unexpected plan — bringing the light of Jesus into a dark world. Explore the connection between creation, miracles, and light, from the dawn of the universe to the “zinc spark” at conception, revealing God’s creative power shining in the darkest.
This message offers:
- Hope that God can create new life in any situation
- Encouragement to trust Him with your deepest needs
- A reminder that the light of Jesus will never be diminished
Watch now to discover how Jesus can be your miracle this Christmas — and say “Yes” to His light today!
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Ever felt like you don't quite belong? This Christmas, discover how Jesus' birth transformed everything — opening God's family to everyone, no matter your background.
In this heartfelt, bilingual message from Pastor Tim, explore the profound shift Jesus brought: from being God's People, limited to just one nation, to the possibility of being a part of the wide-open Family of God, where ALL are invited. Drawing from the first Christmas story and truths about Jesus' own earthly family, see how Jesus' supernatural, non-traditional, and inclusive family welcomes the marginalized and shatters barriers.
You'll discover:
- How to become a new creation, free from inherited brokenness
- The joy of belonging to a diverse, tight-knit community of faith
- God's promise fulfilled — blessing all peoples through the Messiah
Watch now to engage with this transformative truth and find your place in God's family this Christmas! 🎄
NOTE: Every year, our tradition at Vida Church to host a "Christmas Culture Sunday" (Domingo de Cultura Navideña). It's where we gather our Spanish and English speakers together for one service, then end with a shared meal, where everyone brings a special dish that represents their home culture at Christmas. It's WONDERFUL (and SO much good food)! So this message was our bilingual Christmas Culture message. Enjoy!
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Is healing still for today? Many believe miracles stopped with the apostles — but what does Scripture actually say?
In this message by Dr. Mike Foell, discover why healing — spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational — has always been part of God’s heart, from the prophets of the Old Testament, through the ministry of Jesus and His disciples, into the book of Acts, and continuing in the Church today through the power of the Holy Spirit.
You’ll walk away understanding:
• How Jesus commissioned every believer to heal the sick
• Why gifts of healing are still active in the Body of Christ
• The biblical pattern: healing flows when the Kingdom is proclaimed
If you’ve ever wondered whether God still heals, or you long to see His power at work in your life and the lives of others, this teaching will strengthen your faith and equip you to step into His ongoing ministry of healing.
Watch now and discover the biblical foundation for healing throughout history — and today! 🙏
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Christmas is meant to be wonder-full — but for many of us, the wonder has faded. Today we explore how God steps into the ordinary and transforms it into something extraordinary. Through the story of Jesus’ birth, and the incredible power of traditions, we learn how to recapture the beauty, joy, and awe of the Christmas season.
Whether Christmas feels routine, overwhelming, or even painful, this message will help you see how God meets us in everyday moments. Discover practical ways to restore your sense of wonder, embrace traditions that anchor your faith, and notice the small surprises that reflect God’s goodness.
▶️ In this message, you’ll learn:
• Why the birth of Jesus transformed an ordinary day into the most extraordinary moment in history
• How God uses traditions to shape our lives with meaning and anticipation
• How to find God’s presence in the ordinary rhythms of your life
• Practical steps to make this Christmas wonder-full again
🎄 Perfect for:
• Anyone feeling disconnected from the Christmas season
• Families looking to build meaningful traditions
• Those needing encouragement, hope, and a fresh perspective
• Small groups, home groups, and personal study
If this message encourages you, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a reminder of God’s wonder this Christmas.
👉 Comment below: What helps you experience the wonder of Christmas?
Thank you for your generosity and for advancing the Kingdom of God! For more information on giving: vcsm.org/giving
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Running on empty? God has MÁS for you—more abundance, more mercy, more life—leading to a heart overflowing with more gratitude! 🙌
In this final message from our MÁS series, discover how Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana reveals God’s desire to give you the very best, and why forgetting His goodness quickly leads to entitlement and greed (just like it see on repeat as we read the Bible).
You’ll walk away knowing how to:
• Break the cycle of forgetfulness → entitlement → greed
• Cultivate real gratitude that guards your heart in every season
• Turn inward gratitude into an outward expression of thanks (yes, even through singing!)
Watch now and step into more gratitude, more joy, and more of God’s limitless provision in your life.
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Struggling with money worries in a world of rising costs? Discover God's MORE for your finances — He cares deeply about your needs! 💰🙏
In this message, explore how Jesus offers true provision for everyday life. Drawing from Scripture like Matthew 6 and Luke 12, uncover the gateways of humility and faith to access God's limitless resources. Learn why chasing the wrong "more" leads to hoarding or debt, and how generosity unlocks pressed-down, shaken-together blessings.
Key takeaways to transform your journey:
• Repent of mismanaging God's gifts and embrace mission-focused stewardship.
• Trust God's way: Give, and receive MORE to abound in every good work.
• Three places to start giving to jumpstart your journey of generosity.
Watch now to engage your faith and step into financial freedom!
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Ever felt the ache of weakness holding you back — physical, emotional, or spiritual? You're not alone, and Jesus has wholeness ready for you. 😌 In this message from our MÁS series on "More Health," dive into the powerful story of Jesus touching a man with leprosy in Matthew 8:1-4. Witness how He answers our deepest doubts—"Are you willing?"—with a resounding YES, touching our pain, curing diseases, and guiding us to walk in wholeness. Drawing from Isaiah 53:4-5, explore how Jesus carried our weaknesses and sorrows so we could be healed and whole. Discover these key takeaways to transform your life:
- Embrace the Gateway of Humility: Admit your need and reject labels that define you.
- Step through the Gateway of Faith: Ask, seek, knock — and trust Jesus to bear every area of your weakness.
- Claim MORE wholeness: Physical restoration, freedom from spiritual oppression, and emotional peace.
Watch now to engage with the abundant life Jesus promise. Your healing starts here! 🙏 🔔 Subscribe for messages that equip you to thrive in faith! ⏰ New teachings every week 🙏 Share with someone needing MORE today Thank you for your generosity in advancing God's Kingdom! For giving: vcsm.org/giving Stay connected: Instagram & Facebook - @vidachurchsm Website: vcsm.org
Feeling isolated in a connected world? You're normal — loneliness is an epidemic, amplified by tech and AI companions that promise connection but deliver deeper withdrawal.
In this message from our MÁS series, discover how Jesus offers MORE — overflowing abundance to fill the emptiness of isolation with real, transformative relationship. Explore God's plan to move you from fractured solitude into His vibrant body, the church. No more settling for simulated relationship. Embrace the messy, empowering beauty of belonging.
Key takeaways to transform your life:
• Recognize isolation's hidden dangers and step into biblical community for spiritual strength
• Build deeper connections through humility, faith, and groups like our 260 Bible studies — where lives intersect and grow
• Experience the Holy Spirit's power weaving grace, forgiveness, and purpose into your relationships Watch now to discover MORE relationship and thrive in God's fullness! 🙏
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Ever feel like time slips away, leaving you chasing "more" but never quite thriving? What if God’s plan offers an abundant life — right now in the moments and seasons you're living?
In this teaching, explore how humility and faith unlock MORE time through undivided devotion. Uncover the hidden costs of distractions — like technoference — and discover the superpower of focus. From biblical wisdom in Psalms and Ephesians to current research on reclaiming hours lost to devices, learn to make time stand still, just as God does.
Key takeaways to transform your days:
• Drop distractions to boost performance and deepen relationships
• Prioritize sacred moments (first/last hour, meals) for connection with Jesus and others
• Embrace your current season for purpose-filled growth
Watch now to engage God’s promise: more life in your years, not just more years in your life!
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Discover the MORE Jesus Has for You! 🌟 Are you longing for more happiness, peace, or purpose? In this transformative teaching from Vida Church, explore how Jesus offers abundant life that overflows with everything you need to thrive. Drawing from Genesis 1:28-29, John 10:10, and the story of a widow, this message reveals two gateways — humility and faith — that lead to God’s blessings.
• Uncover how to move from striving to thriving in Jesus.
• Learn to name your needs and trust God to provide more than you can imagine.
• Find hope in God’s plan to restore and bless you abundantly.
Join our mission-focused community as we dive into God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s power to live with purpose! 🙏
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Have you ever had a God-given dream that felt out of reach? 🌟 In this message from Pastor Jon McIntosh, you'll dive into the story of Joseph, a dream chaser whose journey took unexpected detours. Discover how God plants dreams in our hearts, even when setbacks and doubts threaten to derail them. Learn why your character matters, how to share your dreams wisely, and the power of trusting God’s timing.
This message will help you:
- Embrace dreams that serve others and align with God’s purpose
- Navigate challenges without losing hope
- Trust God to bring your dreams to life, no matter the obstacles
Join us as we explore how the Holy Spirit empowers us to chase God’s dreams. 🙏
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Everyone wants to know: Who am I? and Why am I here?
In this message, Pastor Tim unpacks the third part of Vida Church’s purpose series: “Made alive by Jesus to bring life to the world.”
Discover why church is the first place we practice our purpose—a place where we care for each other, display heaven to the world, and give and receive the life of Jesus.
You’ll learn:
• Why bringing life starts with God’s family first 🏡
• How serving each other becomes a powerful witness to the world 🌍
• 3 ways the church helps you live out your God-given purpose 🙌
Be inspired to live out your faith with boldness, love, and action—because Jesus has made us alive to bring His life everywhere!
🙏 Watch now and take your next step in living on purpose!
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Everyone wants to know: Who am I? and Why am I here?
In this message, Pastor Tim unpacks the second part of Vida Church’s purpose statement: “Made alive by Jesus to bring life to the world.”
Being alive in Christ isn’t just about eternity—it changes the way we live today. We no longer live for ourselves, but for Jesus and His mission!
You’ll learn:
• Why your purpose is bigger than self-fulfillment 🙌
• How Jesus calls us to bring His life locally and globally 🌍
• 3 keys to sharing the life of Jesus with others (starting with just ONE!)
🔑 Be encouraged to live out your faith with boldness, compassion, and a “whatever it takes” attitude—because Jesus brings dry bones back to life!
🙏 Watch now and take your next step in living on purpose!
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Discover your purpose with Vida Church! 🌟 In this inspiring message, we explore what it means to be made alive by Jesus, finding true identity and direction. Drawing from 1 John 5:11-12 and John 5:24, learn how Jesus’ life within us becomes our guiding North Star, helping us navigate life’s challenges with purpose. This is for anyone seeking answers and a deeper connection with God’s plan.
You’ll discover:
• How Jesus brings abundant life to every part of your story
• Why purpose starts with trusting in Christ
• Steps to align your life with God’s unique calling
Join our intercultural, vibrant community as we pursue God’s mission to bring life to the world! Watch now to uncover how Jesus transforms your identity and purpose. 🙏
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📱 Follow @vidachurchsm on Instagram/Facebook
Today we share — in English and Español — why a 97-year-old church has become Vida Church, having received a bold new commission from God.
In this gathering, we celebrate the new thing God is doing while reaffirming our mission to be one church, worshiping Jesus in two languages. Drawing from God's Word, we explore our four-part commission: to be people of the Spirit, who speak life, following God where we've never gone before, while pursuing radical unity.
Join in if you'd like to discover more about the Santa Maria Foursquare Church embracing this new, bold chapter in our long and rich story. And we invite you to come and be a part of what God is doing — interculturally — in Northwest Santa Maria.
Share with someone ready for transformation
And check us out at vcsm.org — we hope to see you soon!
God doesn’t just want you to survive — He wants your life to overflow with His presence, His joy, His peace, and His power. In Ephesians 3:20–21, Paul declares that God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” This isn’t a distant promise — it’s a present reality. God’s power is already at work in you.
In this message, Pastor Joel shares three ways to step into that kind of life:
• Knowing the Goal
• Trusting His Promise
• Living by His Power
Stay connected:
Website: sm4.org
Instagram: @santamariafoursquare
Facebook: Santa Maria Foursquare Church
Give: sm4.org/giving
SOON TO BE VIDA CHURCH
Life is heavy sometimes. We carry burdens of pain, loss, guilt, stress, or just the weight of trying to hold everything together. But in Matthew 11:28–30, Jesus gives us an invitation: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He doesn’t just offer us comfort — He offers us an exchange.
In this message, you’ll hear the story of how Jesus met Josh in the middle of deep hurt, grief, and anger, and turned those burdens into blessings. This is the same invitation He extends to each of us: to lay down what we can’t carry and receive His life, His peace, and His love in return.
You’ll learn:
• Three exchanges that Jesus offers
• Why following Jesus isn’t about carrying more — it’s about learning His unforced rhythms of grace
• How the Holy Spirit walks with us daily, helping us in weakness and reminding us we are never alone
• Why God isn’t afraid of our questions, doubts, or pain — He invites us to bring it all to Him
🎧 Watch the full message and discover the exchange Jesus has for you
🔔 Subscribe for messages that will keep you anchored in God’s Word
🙏 Share this with someone who needs to know: they don’t have to carry it all alone
🌐 sm4.org | Instagram: @santamariafoursquare
SOON TO BE VIDA CHURCH!
You don’t have to hold it all together. So many of us live like the weight of the world is on our shoulders—striving, fixing, doing, and running at a pace we were never meant to sustain. But the truth is that stillness isn’t laziness. It’s surrender. It’s trading our endless striving for the deep security of knowing God. It’s choosing to anchor ourselves in His unshakable presence when everything around us feels uncertain.
In this message, we explore what it means to truly know (yada) God—deeply, personally, and fully. Not just knowing about Him, but walking with Him, trusting Him, and letting His Word and Spirit shape us from the inside out.
You’ll learn:
• Why God calls us to stop striving and start trusting
• Four ways to truly know God: receive, rely, read, and remember
• How prayer—spoken or silent—draws us into deeper intimacy with Him
• Why anchoring your life to God’s Word steadies you in every storm
🎧 Watch the full message and breathe deep in His peace
🔔 Subscribe for messages that help you stay anchored to the Word
🙏 Share this with someone who needs to know: they don’t have to strive for what God already offers freely
🌐 sm4.org | Instagram: @santamariafoursquare
SOON TO BE VIDA CHURCH!
You don’t have to earn what God already gave you.
So many of us live like salvation is something we need to work for — like if we do enough, serve enough, or get it all right, then we’ll be accepted by God. But this week’s message from Ephesians 2:8–10 flips that upside down.
The truth? You are saved by grace, through faith — not by works. It’s a gift. Not a paycheck. Not a reward. Just grace.
In this message, we explore how easy it is to stumble over that truth — just like the Israelites did. Instead of trusting in God’s grace, they tried to earn their way into His love. But that kind of striving leads to burnout, not breakthrough. Jesus isn’t a barrier in your way — He’s the rock you can stand on. And when you stand in His grace, everything changes.
You’ll learn:
• Why “being good enough” is a myth that keeps us stuck
• How God’s grace frees us from striving and shame
• What it means to be God’s handiwork — created with intention and purpose
• Why the gospel isn’t just about what you’re saved from — but what you’re saved for
You were made on purpose, for a purpose. God’s not asking you to prove yourself — He’s inviting you to trust Him, walk with Him, and live out the good works He’s already planned for you.
This is a message for the tired, the burned out, the perfectionists, and the overachievers — anyone who needs to remember that grace is the starting line, not the finish.
🎧 Watch the full message and breathe deep in God’s love
🔔 Subscribe for messages that help you grow in grace
🙏 Send this to someone who needs the reminder: they are already enough in Christ
🌐 sm4.org | Instagram: @santamariafoursquare
SOON TO BE VIDA CHURCH!
What if the trials you’re facing are actually growing something deeper in you?
Life is full of challenges—but what if those trials aren’t meant to break you, but to build you? In this week’s message, we look at “The Truth About Trials” through the lens of James 1:2–4, which invites us to “consider it pure joy” when we face difficulties—not because trials are easy, but because they have a purpose.
God uses every storm, setback, and struggle to develop perseverance, proven character, and a faith that stands firm. Trials don’t mean God is absent—in fact, He’s often most at work in our hardest moments, preparing us for what’s ahead and producing in us something eternal.
You’ll discover:
• Why trials are inevitable in the life of every believer
• How to shift your mindset and embrace God’s purpose in pain
• What it means to grow in perseverance and maturity
• How faith is tested, strengthened, and rewarded through trials
This message isn’t about denying the pain—we acknowledge it. But through God’s Word, we find hope, perspective, and purpose in the middle of it.
Your trial has a purpose. Your perseverance has a promise. Your faith is being refined.
🎧 Watch now and let God strengthen your heart through His Word.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages that grow your faith
🙏 Share with someone who’s going through a hard season
🌐 sm4.org | Instagram: @santamariafoursquare
SOON TO BE VIDA CHURCH!
What if the greatest battle you face is in your own mind? Stuck in anxiety, fear, or shame? God can rewrite your story—starting with your thoughts.
In this powerful message, discover how God’s Word can renew your mind and transform your life from the inside out.
Rooted in Romans 12:2 — “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” — we explore how to break free from harmful thoughts, past trauma, and the lies of culture, and instead live with clarity, peace, and purpose through the truth of God’s Word. You’ll hear a powerful testimony of someone who battled deep wounds, shame, anxiety, and destructive thoughts—but who experienced total transformation when she encountered the renewing power of God’s truth.
In this message, you'll learn:
• Why your thought life shapes your destiny
• How God’s Word replaces lies with freedom and peace
• Practical steps to renew your mind daily through Scripture
• The healing and freedom available when we surrender our past to Jesus
This isn’t about quick fixes or self-help trends. It’s about lasting change that comes from allowing God to reshape the way we think—so we can walk in His will, which is good, pleasing, and perfect.
Watch now and let the renewal begin. Your mind matters. Your freedom is possible. Your life can be transformed.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages that grow your faith
🙏 Share this message with someone who feels stuck
🌐 sm4.org | Instagram: @santamariafoursquare
SOON TO BE VIDA CHURCH!
Struggling to hold on through life’s storms? Discover how to anchor your faith in God’s unshakable promises in this powerful teaching!
In this message, we explore Hebrews 10:23, “Let us HOLD FAST to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Learn how to cling tightly to hope, even when you feel crushed, through the inspiring story of Martha’s faith in Jesus during her darkest moment.
You’ll discover:
• How to persevere through doubts and setbacks with unshakable faith
• Why God’s faithfulness fuels your hope, even in the middle of a battle
• Practical ways to live out God’s promises in your daily life
Join us as we dive into this Anchor Scripture, transforming our perspectives and reigniting hope! Watch now to find strength in the promises of our faithful God!
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🙏 Share with someone needing hope today!
🌐 sm4.org
Instagram: @santamariafoursquare
Discover how God’s Word can be your strong and unbreakable anchor in life’s toughest storms. In this first message in a new series, explore Hebrews 6:19 and learn why certain Scriptures are most important for your faith journey.
Uncover:
• How to find certain hope that holds you steady no matter what
• Practical ways to make God’s Word a lifeline through memorizing, repeating, and meditating
• The power of Anchor Scriptures to connect you directly to God’s truth 🌊⚓
Perfect for anyone seeking peace, purpose, or strength in challenging times. Join us as we kick off this 8-week journey to anchor our souls to God’s Word. Watch now to discover how to stay grounded in faith! 🙏
Go here to download all eight images for your phone that will help you connect with the Anchor Scriptures we'll be studying: cutt.ly/Anchored
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages to grow your faith!
🌐 sm4.org
Instagram: @santamariafoursquare
Facebook: Santa Maria Foursquare Church
Discover the power of Paraklesis—a call to walk together—in this heart-stirring message! Dr. Daniel helps us explore how the same Spirit who comforts and counsels us also calls us to be that comfort and strength for one another. Learn what it means to live out Paraklesis—to come alongside others with love, support, and presence.
At SM4—soon to be Vida Church—Paraklesis holds an even deeper meaning. We are ONE church with TWO congregations, united in love, language, and mission. This message reminds us that walking with one another isn’t just for combined services, but for every day. We’re called to be present with and for each other in every season.
Key takeaways:
• Understand the deeper meaning of Paraklesis and its connection to the Holy Spirit
• Discover how to be a comforter, encourager, and spiritual friend to others
• Learn how walking with others strengthens both your faith and theirs
Whether you’re in need of comfort or ready to give it, this message will inspire you to live connected and Spirit-led. 💬 Watch now and grow in your call to walk with others like Jesus walks with you!
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages!
📲 Follow us: @santamariafoursquare (Instagram), Santa Maria Foursquare Church (Facebook) 🌐 Visit: sm4.org
💙 Support our mission: sm4.org/giving
🌟 Discover the transformative power of unity in diversity! 🌟
In this final installment of our Kingdom Culture series, we dive into a core value of God’s Kingdom: unity in diversity. Explore how the early church embraced diverse cultures and how this strength reflects God’s heart. Learn why our church is called to be a bridge-builder, uniting people across cultures and languages.
Why watch?
• Uncover how to foster unity in your life and community.
• See diversity as a gift that glorifies Jesus.
• Discover practical steps to live with the mindset of Christ.
We’re a bilingual church family, passionate about serving our neighbors and the world, trusting God to transform lives. Watch now to experience the beauty of unity in diversity! 🙌
🔔 Subscribe for more faith-building messages!
⏰ New videos weekly
🙏 Share with someone today!
Struggling to live out your faith at home? 🌟 Discover how to build a hypocrite-free family with Kingdom Culture values in this inspiring message!
In this teaching, explore how aligning your values with your behaviors creates a strong, faith-filled home. Learn from Jesus’ wisdom in Matthew 7 to build a family that stands firm against life’s storms.
Key takeaways:
• Discover how to align your actions with God’s values for a consistent, authentic faith.
• Learn practical steps to restore trust when you’ve fallen short.
• Equip your family to live out Kingdom Culture with confidence.
Whether you’re a family of one or many, this message will inspire you to create a home rooted in God’s truth. 🙏 Watch now to transform your family’s faith journey!
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages!
📲 Follow us: @santamariafoursquare (Instagram), Santa Maria Foursquare Church (Facebook) 🌐 Visit: sm4.org
💙 Support our mission: sm4.org/giving
Discover the transformative power of the Holy Spirit! 🌟 This Pentecost Sunday message unveils how God empowers us to live with purpose and impact as His Kingdom people. Drawing from Acts and the vibrant story of Pentecost, learn how the Holy Spirit equips you to live a Spirit-filled life, access divine strength, and impact the world for Jesus. Perfect for anyone seeking hope, purpose, or a deeper faith connection.
Join our bilingual, mission-focused church as we explore the dynamite power of God’s Kingdom! Watch now to ignite your faith journey!
🙏 Subscribe for weekly messages to fuel your spiritual growth! Share with someone needing encouragement.
Learn more about giving: sm4.org/giving
Follow us:
Instagram: @santamariafoursquare
Facebook: Santa Maria Foursquare Church
Website: sm4.org
Do you want to be a true follower of Jesus? Discover why discipleship is both the most COSTLY and most REWARDING decision you’ll ever make!
In this message, we dive into what it really means to live a Kingdom lifestyle—a life fully surrendered to Jesus. Through Scripture, personal stories, and powerful insights, learn why discipleship requires putting Jesus before everything else—even your family and your own desires.
This is for anyone navigating major life decisions, feeling spiritually stretched, or wanting to grow deeper in their walk with Jesus. Don’t miss this honest and hope-filled word about Kingdom culture and the call to follow Jesus first! 🙏
Ready to step out of the chaos and into the stillness of walking with Jesus? Watch now and be encouraged to choose discipleship.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages to grow your faith
🙌 Share this with someone making a big decision
🌐 Learn more at: sm4.org
Follow us:
Instagram: @santamariafoursquare
Facebook: Santa Maria Foursquare Church
Website: sm4.org
What’s the most important thing in life? In this powerful message, we explore The Priority of the Kingdom — and it might surprise you! Jesus said the Kingdom of God isn’t just somewhere out there… it’s within us. That means we are called to live as Kingdom people, right here and now.
You'll learn:
• Why God’s people—you and me—are His Kingdom on earth
• What it really means to seek first the Kingdom of God
• How to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength
• Simple ways to put Him first in your everyday life
This message is a loving challenge to check our hearts and refocus on what truly matters. God is asking for all of us—our time, our thoughts, our love—so He can lead us into a full and powerful life.
💬 Plus, hear a moving testimony from someone who’s learning to live with Jesus as her first priority. Whether you're just starting your faith journey or have been walking with God for years, this message will encourage you to live fully for Him. 🙌
🎧 Watch now and let God speak to your heart!
🙏 Share with someone who needs this word!
🌐 To give: sm4.org/giving
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @santamariafoursquare
💙 Facebook: Santa Maria Foursquare Church
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages to grow your faith!
Website: sm4.org
Do you want to see God’s Kingdom grow? Discover the secret to expanding His work! 🌱 In this message, we explore how generosity fuels the Kingdom of God, sparking more disciples, reaching neighbors, and starting new ministries. Drawing from powerful Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments, learn why the Kingdom grows at the speed of generosity.
You’ll uncover:
• How generous giving reflects faithfulness and is pleasing to God
• Why partnering with ministries reaps eternal rewards
• Practical steps to grow in generosity, no matter where you start
Perfect for anyone seeking to deepen their faith and impact the world! Watch now to discover how your generosity can transform lives and advance God’s Kingdom. 🙌
To take a deeper dive into the theme of generosity, you'll find this resource helpful: sm4.org/multiply
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages to grow your faith!
🙏 Share with someone who needs this word!
🌐 To give: sm4.org/giving
Follow us:
Instagram: @santamariafoursquare
Facebook: Santa Maria Foursquare Church
Website: sm4.org
What if the greatest act of spiritual warfare… was simply to love like Jesus? ❤️
In continuation of our Kingdom Culture series, we explore the foundation of God’s Kingdom: LOVE. In a world filled with rival “kingdoms” — from wealth to self — how do we live undivided lives that reflect the values and behaviors of Jesus?
Here’s what you’ll discover:
• Why love is the core VALUE and BEHAVIOR of an undivided Kingdom life
• How rival “kingdoms” — like wealth, self, and power — pull us away from true Kingdom living
• What it really means to love your neighbor… and your enemies
Whether you're a mom, mentor, or just hungry for more of Jesus, this message will challenge and equip you to live a life shaped by Kingdom Culture — a life where faith expresses itself through love (Gal. 5:6).
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages in English and Spanish!
🌍 Visit us at: sm4.org
📷 Follow us: @santamariafoursquare
What if your everyday life could become the doorway to someone else’s transformation? 🌟💬
In this powerful message from our Kingdom Culture series, Pastor Mike unpacks Colossians 4:5–6 — a call to live with purpose, awareness, and grace in how we walk and how we speak.
Here’s what you’ll uncover:
• Why your conduct can shape your influence — especially with those outside the faith
• How to watch for divine opportunities in the ordinary moments of life
• What it means to speak with winsome grace — with truth, love, and Spirit-led discernment
Ready to walk in wisdom and speak with impact? Hit play and be equipped to live out your faith with courage and compassion! 🙌
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages in English and Spanish!
🌍 Visit us at: sm4.org
📷 Follow us: @santamariafoursquare
What if the connection you're longing for is closer than you think? 🙏✨
In this powerful message from our Kingdom Culture series, Veronica Leach invites us to rediscover the beauty and necessity of prayer — not as a duty, but as a vibrant relationship with God that shapes every part of our lives.
Here’s what you’ll uncover:
• How setting aside time, place, and consistency creates space for God to move
• Why falling in love with Scripture transforms prayer from asking to communion
• The power of praying with others — and how community ignites a deeper fire in your spirit
Ready to cultivate a life anchored in prayer and presence? Hit play now and be stirred to draw closer to His heart! 🔥
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages in English and Spanish!
🌍 Check out: sm4.org
📷 Follow us: @santamariafoursquare
Is everything falling apart? Discover the hope of Easter! 🌅 This message unpacks the power of Jesus’ indestructible life, one that can transform our broken lives into something filled with a new and living hope.
You’ll gain:
• Insight into overcoming life’s chaos with God’s unbreakable promise
• A renewed perspective on finding purpose in a broken world
• Encouragement to embrace an indestructible hope that starts today
Ready to find hope that doesn’t fade?
Join our church family as we celebrate Easter — the Good News of Jesus’ victory over sin and death.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages to grow your faith!
⏰ New content every week
💬 Share with someone needing hope
Learn more: sm4.org
Would you join us on our mission to advance God's work in Santa Maria and beyond? Find ways you can give generously here: sm4.org/giving
Follow us: @santamariafoursquare on Instagram
What if the life you want Is already waiting? ✨ Join us for a message that reveals how God’s Kingdom Culture flips everything you know upside down — in the best ways possible. This isn’t just another talk; it’s a dive into a transformative way of living where Jesus reigns as King, rewiring our purpose, relationships, and future.
Here’s what you’ll uncover:
• How God’s values shatter the chaos of the world’s rival kingdoms
• The surprising mercy that turns brokenness into hope
• Why choosing Jesus as King unlocks a life of meaning
Ready for a shift that changes everything? Hit play now! 🙌
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages in English and Spanish!
🌍 Check out: sm4.org
📷 Follow us: @santamariafoursquare
Struggling with life’s challenges? We all do. But today we're discovering how hardships shouldn't surprise us — even as God's Kingdom people! We're diving into Acts 14, where Paul reveals a surprising truth: “We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” Far from a setback, hardship is the doorway to a vibrant faith and God’s unshakable culture.
You’ll learn:
• Why trials are the path to spiritual maturity
• How Jesus walks with you through every storm
• Practical steps to prepare for life’s battles
Bonus! Here are some movies about historical figures — followers of Jesus — who went through incredible hardship in order to establish God's Kingdom. Hit pause on Netflix and watch these to be encouraged on your own journey:
Corrie ten Boom: The Hiding Place / El refugio or El escondite
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy / Pastor, espía, asesino
Elisabeth Elliot: End of the Spear / El fin de la lanza
Richard Wurmbrand: Tortured for Christ / Torturado por Cristo
William Tyndale: God’s Outlaw / El forajido de Dios
Harriet Tubman: Harriet / Harriet: En busca de la libertad
Martin Luther: Luther / Lutero William Wilberforce: Amazing Grace / Gracia asombrosa
Join our English-Spanish congregation as we worship boldly and serve our city and world.
Watch now to uncover how God’s Kingdom culture can reshape your heart and home!
Curious about God’s Kingdom? Jesus’ parable in Luke 19 reveals how it works! Join us for a bilingual and transformational message, unpacking what Jesus teaches about His Kingdom.
Dive into a story where Jesus shows the Kingdom isn’t just a future hope — it’s active now. Discover how God entrusts you with resources (talents, time, gifts, +), calls you to responsibly invest what He's given, then promises reward for your faithfulness. This is Kingdom Culture—lived out daily!
You’ll walk away with:
• Understanding on why God doesn't fix everything right now
• Insight into the resources God’s given you
• Courage to take responsibility for His mission
• Vision for the reward of a faithful life
Our English-Spanish church family is passionate about living out God's Kingdom Culture! Want to join us in worship and mission? Look below for info on how to dive in with us.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly faith boosts!
🙏 Share with a friend who’s searching.
And thank you for your generosity. Every gift amplifies God's Kingdom work both here in Santa Maria and beyond! For more information on giving: sm4.org/giving
Follow us on social media to stay informed and updated:
Instagram - @santamariafoursquare
Facebook - Santa Maria Foursquare Church
Website: sm4.org
Ready to transform your life? Jump into God's Kingdom! In this teaching we'll explore how Jesus rescues us from a dark and dysfunctional kingdom and brings us into His own. And the culture of God's Kingdom shifts everything from brokenness to wholeness. Discover how living out values like righteousness, peace, and joy, can reshape your heart, home, and city.
You’ll walk away with:
• A fresh understanding of God’s Kingdom and your place in it
• Why turning Kingdom values into everyday actions is essential
• Hope for a life of freedom and purpose
Join us as Pastor Tim unpacks this life-changing word and calls us to mission by joining God on His rescue team. Watch now to discover how you can partner with Jesus to spread His Kingdom Culture wherever you go!
🔔 Subscribe for weekly faith boosts!
🙏 Share with a friend who’s searching.
And thank you for your generosity. Every gift amplifies God's Kingdom work both here in Santa Maria and beyond! For more information on giving: sm4.org/giving
Follow us on social media to stay informed and updated:
Instagram - @santamariafoursquare
Facebook - Santa Maria Foursquare Church
Website: sm4.org
What does it mean to truly live on mission? In this message, we explore the prophetic assignment God has placed on our church and our individual lives. When God calls us to something new, it can stir questions, fears, and even hesitation—but He is always faithful to lead us forward. Let’s surrender our ‘me considerations’ and embrace His mission together!
What’s in a name? More than you might think! In this message, we explore how a name reflects identity, purpose, and even God’s transformative power. Drawing from Scripture and the story of the past two years, learn why we’re considering a new name: VIDA CHURCH. This is a dual-language, Spanish-English name, that speaks to the LIFE we have in Jesus.
Discover how:
• Vida Church reflects our church's unique identity.
• Vida Church builds bridges into our local community.
• Vida Church communicates the heart of the Gospel.
We believe that oneness in Christ transcends everything that could divide us: language and culture, ethnicity and nation of origin, gender and social status. And this potential new name — Vida Church — represents a powerful unity that could amplify the mission of Jesus in northwest Santa Maria and beyond.
Names are important — not just to us but to God! Uncover how God uses name changes to reveal His purpose, and find out why our church might adopt a new name.
In this message you'll see how God used new names (for Abraham, Sarah, Jacob and Peter) to signal new prophetic assignments. This is an important conversation for our historic church as we consider adopting a new name to better connect with our community, letting people know who we are and what we're about.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
- How name changes in Scripture reflect God’s calling
- The "why" behind our church’s potential name shift
- Why a name that's geared for "insiders" may no longer be helpful
Gain fresh perspective on God’s unchanging love in the middle of life’s changes. Hit play and join us in this faith-filled exploration — your next step toward purpose awaits!
Share this with someone who needs encouragement today
Thank you for your generosity and for advancing the Kingdom of God! For more information on giving: sm4.org/giving
Follow us on social media to stay informed and updated:
Instagram - @santamariafoursquare
Facebook - Santa Maria Foursquare Church
Website: sm4.org
What if your faith wasn’t just about attending church—but about stepping into a mission that changes lives? As we explore the journeys of the early church in Acts 11 & 13, we see a radical, intercultural community that embraced diversity, lived on mission, and answered a prophetic call. And guess what? That same call is for us today!
💡 Like & subscribe for more messages from Santa Maria Foursquare Church!
OnMission #ChurchCommunity #FaithInAction #kingdomculturemovement
🔔 Stay connected:
Instagram - @santamariafoursquare
Facebook - Santa Maria Foursquare Church
Website: sm4.org
🙏 Thank you for your generosity in advancing God’s Kingdom! Learn more about giving: sm4.org/giving
This is an important message for the people of the Santa Maria Foursquare church! In it, Pastor Tim brings clarity to our mission and explores two forms of gravity — history and culture — that we must fight in order to faithfully fulfill our unique Kingdom contribution. Then Tim outlines three ALL IN challenges for our church – actions we can take to help us break free into what God has for us next. Each one requires the PRE-DECISION to do whatever it takes to leverage our rich history and BUILD MOMENTUM for the future. We believe God has so much more in store for our church family, our community, and for the next generations! Let’s get after it. Together.
Are invisible forces holding you back from your true potential? Discover how to break free from the "gravity" that's keeping you stuck in this powerful message. Pastor Tim reveals three game-changing strategies to overcome what's holding you back: making pre-decisions, going all in, and building momentum. Learn how these biblical principles can transform your life and help you step into the freedom God has called you to experience.
Key takeaways:
• Understanding how harmful pre-decisions can lock us into negative patterns
• Breaking free from self-imposed limitations through God's power
• Building lasting momentum for sustainable spiritual growth
And dive in even deeper with us by discovering the important history of our church in Santa Maria. We have a strong legacy and believe we're called to be ONE church with TWO congregations. Learn why this is at the core of our mission!
What if the key to breaking free from what holds you back isn’t just willpower — but God’s faithful strength? In this powerful message, discover how to overcome the "gravity" of fear, doubt, sin, and addiction by leveraging three life-changing strategies straight from Scripture:
1. Pre-Decisions: Transform your future by making “I will” statements aligned with God’s promises
2. Going All In: Why half-hearted efforts fail, and how to unleash radical obedience to break chains for good
3. Momentum: Learn the rocket-science principle that keeps you moving forward 🚀 because you don't just want to BREAK free, you want to STAY free
🔥 Dive into insights like:
- How to develop momentum in your life
- Why it's essential to move from the "crowd" to "community" and finally to becoming the "church"
- Why spiritual momentum gets easier over time
📖 Key Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1:8–9, Hebrews 10:23, Galatians 6:9
Watch now to claim your freedom and stay free through Jesus’ strength! Perfect for anyone battling addiction, fear, or stagnation.
What do physics and personal transformation have in common? More than you might think. Just as rockets require precisely calculated thrust to break Earth's gravity, overcoming personal barriers follows similar principles. This third message in the Fighting Gravity series looks at two strategies that bring lasting change: confession and forgiveness. Both are "all in" spiritual practices that provide powerful thrust to help you break free from what's held you back. For those seeking genuine transformation, this message offers clear, actionable steps forward.
What does a huge Starship rocket and YOUR LIFE have in common? They both need massive amounts of energy to break free from what's holding them back!
Feel stuck? Trapped by fear, doubt, or circumstances? This message shows how to BREAK FREE from the invisible forces holding you down. Through the story of Peter walking on water, discover a life-changing principle that can help you overcome ANY obstacle standing between you and all God has for you.
You'll learn:
• Why staying "safe in the boat" might be your biggest risk
• How to overcome the fear that keeps you from taking that first step
• What it really means to go "all in" (and why halfway measures never work)
Whether you're facing impossible odds, or fighting inner battles that make you feel trapped and unable to move forward, this message shows you how to defy gravity and step into the miraculous. Don't let another day pass feeling held back from God's best for your life. Your breakthrough might be just one step away. 🌊
Feeling stuck? You're not alone. Whether it's past mistakes, broken relationships, debt, or anger that won't let go — we all know what it's like to feel held back. In this powerful message, discover how to break free from the "gravity" that's keeping you from moving forward in life.
Drawing from the story of Simon Peter's remarkable encounter with Jesus, learn the first of three life-changing principles that can help you overcome and move on. Find out why gravity doesn't have always win in your story — and more importantly, how you can fight back against it.
This message is for you if you:
• Feel trapped in patterns you can't break
• Are tired of being pulled back into old chapters of your life
• Know you were made for more but can't seem to get there
• Want to discover your true identity and mission
This message reveals the transformative power of pre-decisions and how one choice can change not just your future, but the futures of those around you. Dive in and break free!
Tired of broken New Year's resolutions? Discover why RECALIBRATION beats resolutions every time! In this message, Pastor Tim challenges us that real change doesn't come from making promises we''ll break before the Super Bowl, but about making strategic spiritual recalibration. That's what works!
✨ Key takeaways:
• Why God built "reset points" into our spiritual calendar
• The crucial difference between motion and action
• How to align your life with God's calling, not just your desires
• Two powerful spiritual practices that can transform your 2025
Whether you've already broken your resolutions or you're looking for real, lasting change in 2025, this message will give you practical steps to recalibrate your life around the person of Jesus.
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As followers of Jesus we're not just to thank God — but to tell others why!
When we fail to be thankful for what Jesus does in our lives, it can cause us to be forgetful, ungrateful, and unhelpful! Think about it. God's gracious acts slip from our memory because we just move on to the next thing without pausing to express thanks. We can also slip into entitlement, taking God's grace for granted, becoming ungrateful for all He's done. Plus, we remain unhelpful to others — because when they don't hear our God-stories, their faith doesn't have a chance to grow.
This is why the Prophet Isaiah said: "Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted" (Is. 12:4).
So that's what we're doing today. We're hearing from several people in our church family — from different generations, genders and language groups — about what God has done in their stories during 2024. These stories will not only stir faith in your heart, but cause you to remember how God has worked in your life as well!
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What if you got to hold God as a baby? Scripture mentions only one person in history, besides Jesus' parents, who ever had that chance. His name was Simeon, and his powerful reaction to holding baby Jesus will change how you see Christmas forever. Today we explores the three extraordinary declarations Simeon made about Jesus that still light up our world today. May Jesus bless you this Christmas!
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In today's message, we dive into the very moment when ordinary shepherds first witness the extraordinary glory of God. Imagine being enveloped by the radiant light of His glory, a reflection of God's infinite love and power. This was not just a spiritual vision; it was an invitation to share the greatest news ever told. As the angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus, fear transformed into joy, and these humble shepherds became God's influencers. Join us as we explore how the angel's message moved God's glory from outside to inside their hearts, igniting a passion to spread His light to everyone. And we learn how Jesus will flood our hearts with this same glory, inspiring us to go and tell the world about Him!
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The Christmas story is punctuated by those who proclaimed God is with us, for us, in us, and like us! But this didn't begin when the angels showed up to the shepherds. It started centuries before when the prophets declared the Messiah — the Christ — was coming. Today we're looking at what those prophets actually said, and how what they foretold came to be. And we're reminded that just "knowing" prophetic truths isn't what's important; what's critical is that our lives would be transformed by Jesus!
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Imagine a world where no one ever shared the story of Jesus. No Christmas, no Easter, no teachings of love and forgiveness. Today we'll explore the story of a priest, Zechariah, whose encounter with an angel left him speechless — literally!. We'll discover how uncertainty can silence our voice, but just like Zechariah, our faith can restore it, and our words can build bridges of faith for others. Join us as we uncover the importance of proclaiming the good news of Jesus, especially during this Christmas season. Get ready to be inspired to "Go and Tell" the greatest story ever told!
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Do your prayers ever feel like they're hitting the ceiling? You're not alone. Many believers find their prayer lives on life support or even dead. But what if you could revive your connection with God through time-tested practices? In this teaching, we'll explore how to breathe new life into your prayers by embracing three transformative practices: 1. Praying with thankfulness — which shifts our focus to God's abundance; 2. Praying with repentance — to clear the clutter and realign us with His will; 3. Praying in the Spirit — where we tune into God's voice for prayers that are precisely on target. Join us as we learn to awaken our lives of prayer and connect with Jesus more deeply
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Are you ready to revolutionize your prayer life? Today we're talking practically about building patterns of prayer into our lives — inking them so deeply into the fabric of our days that prayer becomes natural. This will help you move from a sporadic prayer life to a constant conversation with God. We'll explore practical strategies to punctuate your day with prayer and plan intentional prayer interruptions that will change your life. Whether you're a prayer warrior or just starting out, you'll learn how to invite Jesus into every moment and every situation. Get ready to experience the transformative power of constant communication with God!
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Today, we're diving into a powerful truth about prayer that most people miss. We're not just talking about any prayer – we're talking about prayers that literally break chains, and rewrite destinies. From Moses parting the Red Sea to prison doors flying open, history shows us that prayer isn't just a religious ritual. It's a supernatural force that changes lives. But here's the twist: when God moves mountains through prayer, He isn't interested in just rearranging landscapes. He's after something bigger – transforming people. Want to know how your prayers can reshape someone's destiny? Dive in, because this message will revolutionize your prayer life.
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Have you ever thought about what really provokes us to pray? Whether it's personal struggles, God-given passions, or significant, world-shaping events, prayer is our weapon and our direct connection to God’s power. Today, Pastor Lisa brings a powerful perspective on why prayer holds such weight and authority in our lives and why we’re called to ask, seek, and knock without ceasing, just as Jesus modeled. Thank you for your generosity and for advancing the Kingdom of God! For more information on giving: sm4.org/giving Follow us on social media to stay informed and updated: Instagram - @santamariafoursquare Facebook - Santa Maria Foursquare Church Pagina Web: sm4.org
Ever felt the urgency to find an outlet when your phone’s battery is dying? It’s a lot like our lives — we need a constant power source, especially in hard times. Today, we’re exploring the truth that prayer is our direct connection to God’s power. God invites us to knock and promises to open doors of breakthrough, inner peace, and forgiveness. Don’t stay on the outside; let His strength in.
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Have you ever tried to start a fire with just one piece of wood? It's hard to do! But when you build a fire with several pieces, it can be roaring in no time. This is much like our prayer lives. When we're praying together with other people of faith, God shows up in power.
Psalm 133:1–3 "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! ... For there the Lord bestows his blessing...." God's blessing's flow where His family is operating together in unity. And united prayer is one of the ways we act on God's promise!
Today, Veronica Leach, President of Community of Prayer, shares from her recent prayer experiences in Washington DC and locally around Santa Maria. Then she shares a compelling vision for the power of united prayer.
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Have you ever wondered why we need to pray? Especially if God already knows what we need, then what's the point? Today, we’re diving into the truth that prayer isn’t just wishful thinking — it’s an active demonstration of our faith in Jesus. And God is waiting for us to come to Him in prayer. His promise? "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you." Stop standing on the wrong side of a locked door. Grow in faith. Grow in prayer.
Imagine confronting anxiety, participating in miracles, and leading powerful times of prayer. Sounds impossible? That's what the disciples thought. Then they realized all they saw in Jesus was connected to His life of prayer. By watching Him they caught a compelling vision for a life of prayer. That's why they came to Jesus and said, "Teach us to pray!" Today we're diving deep into the what, why, and how of prayer, exploring a three-dimensional approach: SHARE your heart, ASK for God's intervention, and LISTEN for His divine whisper. Ready to set His plan in motion and see real change in your life and the world around you? Let's embark on this transformative journey together!
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What does it mean to live a life of world-changing prayer? In this message, we learn why being alert and focused in prayer is crucial as the end draws near. Jesus demonstrated how prayer changes both hearts and situations, connecting us to God’s power and readying us for what’s to come.
What would our politics look like if Jesus was truly at the center? In today’s message, as we continue in our series, we explore how to find our identity in Jesus rather than in a political party or candidate. Looking at Romans 14, we’ll learn how to love and accept fellow believers, even when we disagree on certain issues—whether it's about politics or other personal choices. God accepts us all, and we’re called to do the same without judgment or division.
In a world divided by politics, how can we, as followers of Jesus, rise above the chaos? In today’s message, "Jesus-Centered Politics," we dive deeper into how to overcome evil by doing good. In Romans 13, Paul gives us two challenging ways to do political good: submitting to authority, and loving our neighbors. Both are heart issues! Join us as we discover how to navigate this season with grace, love, and purpose as we invite Jesus into the center of our lives and politics. Watch now! #JesusCentered #DoGood
One of the most profound promises in Scripture is that nothing can separate us from the love of God. In Romans 8:38-39, we are reminded that no matter our circumstances—whether it's fear, challenges, or even our mistakes—God's love is constant and unwavering. In this message, we dive deeper into understanding this promise, and reflect on how God's faithfulness creates both hope and trust in our lives.
Every one of us wants to live a life that truly matters, a life that makes a difference in the world. But how is it possible? Enter the promise of God, where we learn that every faith-inspired action is part of God’s work, and none of it will ever be useless! In this message, we'll break down how your everyday choices can create a lasting impact, shaping not just your life but the lives of those around you. This isn’t just about doing more — it’s about finding real purpose right where God has already placed you — your home, your job, your church, your community. Join us as we uncover the blessing that comes from putting your whole heart into the work God has set before you. This is the promise of a life that truly counts.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s storms? Struggling to hold on to hope when everything seems uncertain? In this powerful message, "Holding Fast to Hope," we dive deep into Hebrews 10:23, exploring the life-changing promises of our faithful God. Discover how to stand firm, even when your grip is slipping, by holding fast to the hope that never fails. 🔥 Highlights Include: — The true meaning of "holding fast" in the face of adversity — How God’s promises provide a solid foundation for unbreakable faith — Real-life examples of enduring trials through the strength of Christ — Three powerful promises for those who persevere in faith 💬
Prepare to have your faith ignited as we discover how to stomp out hell's work. Discover God's heart to give you authority over the enemy's plans, and learn how to identify and avoid divisive, deceptive influences. Whether you're a student, educator, or any believer, this message will equip you to confidently walk in the authority God has given you to crush Satan's schemes and take back ground for His kingdom. Don't miss this life-changing truth — especially those of you who are headed back to school!
In the midst of life's toughest storms, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and alone. In this message, Pastor Aaron Hunter shares from Psalm 3, where David faces one of the darkest moments of his life, fleeing from his own son. Yet, even in this moment of despair, he clings to the promise of God. In the same way, we discover that we can cling to God's promises as well to carry us through our own storms.
In this message, Pastor Charlie Finocchiaro provides practical steps to living in the light. He explains that walking in God's truth leads to spiritual growth and purification from sin. Through his personal testimony, he highlights the impact of transparency, the importance of having the support of prayer partners, and living in alignment with God's light for true fellowship and freedom.
Are you thirsty? Not for water, but for something deeper — something that can quench the relentless thirst of your soul? In a world plagued by anxiety, depression, and a desperate search for meaning, Jesus offers a profound promise: rivers of living water. This isn't just a trickle! It's a flood of grace that can transform your life from the inside out. Imagine a torrent of love, joy, peace, and purpose rushing through your veins, washing away the pain and emptiness that have held you captive. In this message, we'll explore Jesus' incredible offer of the Holy Spirit — a gift that brings comfort, empowerment, and a life overflowing with purpose. Whether you're struggling with addiction, loneliness, or a sense of purposelessness, this living water is for you. Are you ready to dive in and experience the life-changing power of God's promise? 💦
Trapped in Babylon, exiled and broken, God's people faced their darkest hour. But in that moment, one of the Bible's most electrifying promises was spoken. Jeremiah 29:11, a beacon of hope that's inspired millions. But what if there's even more to this story? Join us today as we explore what God said, and learn how it can bring hope to us even in our most challenging and painful seasons.
God's promises don't just shield us from hell's attacks, they also form the weapon we need in our hands to take back territory from every dark force of the enemy. Jesus' promise is that He will build His church, and the gates of hell won't overcome it. Today we explore what it means to "take up the sword of the Spirit" and join Jesus in His spiritual fight against every stronghold of hell.
Are you hurting? Do you feel like you're under attack? The world is filled with pain — plus we know there's a real enemy out there launching arrows designed to take us out. We need a real defense to make it through — and that's exactly what God's promises are: an unbreakable defense! In this message we're exploring how Abraham leaned in to God's promise so that during decades of challenge he leaned into God's promise to defend against doubt and discouragement. Click the link for a handout to this message: https://bit.ly/The-Promise-Defense
The transformational power of God's promises are beyond compare. They can literally change the direction and outcome of our lives — no matter our background, our brokenness, or our baggage. Today we're starting this conversation by looking at why God's promises are so incredible. Then, using what Pastor Tim calls "the promise pattern," we're taking a closer look into just one promise about eternal life to gain insight that will propel us to greater faith and joy!
Are you tired of the divisive and angry political climate? What if there was a way to approach politics that transcended the chaos? And what if God is calling you and me to become His agents of positive change (and then gives us a step-by-step operational plan to do it!)? Join us as we explore a Jesus-centered political outlook through the powerful lens of Romans 12. Discover surprising insights that speak directly to our turbulent cultural moment. This teaching challenges us to rethink our political engagement, emphasizing that who we vote for matters little if we aren’t representing Jesus in the process. Click here to download a handout that goes along with this message: https://bit.ly/Jesus-Centered-Politics
Are you tired of the divisive and angry political climate? What if there was a way to approach politics that transcended the chaos? And what if God is calling you and me to become His agents of positive change (and then gives us a step-by-step operational plan to do it!)? …
In one his strongest teachings to families, the Apostle Paul speaks heavy truth to wives, husbands, kids, and fathers. And his three major themes are: submission, love, and obedience. Seriously? Submission? This idea doesn’t seem to fit at all in our cultural moment. But what if instead of a curse, …
Do you want to hear a life transforming story? Lisa shares the most unlikely and miraculous way God showed up in her life when she was a broken, 15-year-old girl. But before she shares this story, Pastor Lisa unpacks the truth that God has so much more for us to …
"Multiply" has been a transformative series of messages, diving deep into God’s instructions to "Be fruitful and multiply." We’ve discovered that these four words are the key to living in God’s blessing! And today, we find that they also answer life’s biggest questions: Who am I, and why am I here — addressing these major issues of our identity and purpose. We also go back to the image of "The Giving Room," learning how we can measure our generosity the same way God does (and it has nothing to do with the amount we give!). Ready for a radical change? Take the 90-day challenge to elevate your generosity and watch how God uses you to transform lives. Join us and experience the power of living generously! 🌟 #MultiplyBlessings #LiveGenerously Click here to download a handout for this message: https://bit.ly/SM4-Multiply-8
“Multiply” has been a transformative series of messages, diving deep into God’s instructions to “Be fruitful and multiply.” We’ve discovered that these four words are the key to living in God’s blessing! And today, we find that they also answer life’s biggest questions: Who am I, and why am I …
Pastor Mike explains how the cycle of God’s blessing brings numerous benefits and emphasizes that our response to the enemy’s attempts to undermine these blessings should be one of joyful resistance. By embracing these practices, we uphold the cycle of blessings and counter the enemy’s efforts to diminish our joy.
God’s Kingdom runs on the fuel of generosity. When we give, we ignite the potential for God's work to reach new places and people. And what if there was a space where we could measure and expand our generosity? Welcome to "The Giving Room." Here, we’re not comparing our giving to others, but aligning it with God’s calling to activate divine transformation in our city, nation, and world. Today, just as in the time of Jesus, we can fuel ministry through our giving. Let's unleash the power of generosity to advance God's Kingdom. #generosity #godsblessing #thegivingroom Click here to download the notes for this message: https://bit.ly/SM4-Multiply-6
Imagine growing in the ways of Jesus in every facet of life — faith, prayer, relationships, and beyond. Now, consider: our journey with Christ also transforms how we perceive and handle money. Today, we dive deep into the Apostle Paul’s helpful teachings on generosity. Why is it crucial and how can we cultivate generosity in our own stories — no matter where our finances stand today? Join us as we explore these vital questions, finding keys to living a truly blessed life in alignment with our faith. Get ready to challenge your perspectives and grow your spiritual walk! Click here for a handout that goes with this message: https://bit.ly/SM4Multiply-5
Did you know that every act of giving is an opportunity to extend the reach of Jesus and deepen His impact in the world? When we choose to multiply in faith, we're not just giving—we're jumpstarting a cycle of divine blessing. But giving is more than just about money! In this video, we explore five dynamic ways to amplify Jesus without spending a single penny. Each method promises to extend His reach and deepen His impact in the world, aligning you with God's amazing abundance. Ready to see how simple acts can lead to extraordinary outcomes? Let’s amplify Jesus and discover why MORE blessing is released through giving than receiving!
Click here to download a handout for this message: https://bit.ly/SM4-Multiply-4
Imagine a world where "riches" are different than you think. We've all been taught to chase after wealth, to get as much as we can and enjoy it to the fullest — because we deserve it, right? But what if there's a deeper, more profound kind of wealth? Enter Jesus' revolutionary concept of "true riches," a treasure that transcends money and materialism. And here’s the twist: Jesus isn’t anti-money. Instead, he challenges us to master it in a way that could change everything we thought we knew about wealth. Ready to flip your financial worldview? Join us as we explore how to leverage our resources and live in God's blessing!
Imagine living a life overflowing with God's blessings. We often hold tightly to what little we already have, thinking that's the full extent of God’s generosity. But what if that's just the beginning? What if what we see as the blessing is really a "starter kit" from God—a seed meant to be sown that will result in a full harvest. The challenge? Trusting Jesus fully. When we cling to these small blessings, we consume them without allowing for the growth that God will bring. We cling to the crumbs, and miss the feast! Trusting Jesus means sowing what's already in our hands, believing him to multiply it again and again. When that happens, not only are we blessed, but everyone around us as well. Click here to download a handout for this message: https://bit.ly/SM4-Multiply-2
We all want a life that’s blessed by God, but too often we cling to the seeds He has given us, mistaking them for the blessing itself. They’re not! They’re simply the initial resource He’s entrusted to us. The true blessing of God isn’t activated until we sow these seeds. That’s when God does His work as the Divine Multiplier — exponentially increasing what we’ve sown. This not only benefits those who receive our gifts but enriches us as well. Remember, there is no reaping without sowing! It is as we courageously multiply what God has placed in our hands that we’ll truly experience the abundance of His blessing. What's the key to living in God's blessing? It's found in Genesis 1:28 — Be fruitful AND multiply! Both are essential. Follow this link to download a handout that goes with today's message: https://bit.ly/SM4-Multiply-1
Vida means life! And today we celebrated the life of Jesus, our bilingual church family, and our pastor, Tim Mossholder, on his big 60th birthday. And it was incredible!
Loneliness is a modern epidemic. The relationships we crave often elude us, leaving an aching void. But Easter interrupts our isolation. Jesus endured the loneliest moment ever on the cross, forsaken by his Father for our sake. Yet his resurrection conquered sin, death, and every destructive force — including loneliness itself. His promise echoes: 'Because I live, you will live also!' We are truly never alone when we put our trust in the risen one.
Have you ever experienced the frustration of pursuing a dream, only to feel like it'll never be accomplished? In this message, Christian Cruz shares how God's dreams for our lives may seem impossible by human standards, yet they are achievable through the power and resources provided by him. Learn how to overcome obstacles and resurrect our dreams, in order to fulfill God's purpose in our lives.
Ever wondered why many heroes of the Bible got baptized immediately after finding faith in Jesus? Take Saul in Acts 9 as a prime example! 💦 It's more than a joyful celebration; it's your all-in moment with Jesus! Discover why baptism is not just a symbolic act, but a bold, full-life declaration of total surrender to Jesus. When you go under the water, you're not just getting wet — you're coming under God's divine leadership, and he's ready to transform your path. Don't wait! Understand why this step is crucial for your spiritual journey. Dive into this exploration of faith, surrender, and the life-changing power of water baptism. #BaptismUrgency #FaithJourney #WaterBaptism
What creates a dynamic faith? From Hebrews 11:6, Tim Russell powerfully communicates how to have a faith that responds to God's truth, even when we need to press through life's challenges.
Have you noticed some people get really bothered when followers of Jesus use his name in public? This isn't a new thing! It's exactly what Peter and John encounter in Acts 3-4. Today we're diving into this story and discovering the power that's found in the name of Jesus.
Have you ever been asked "How are you?" and you are feeling sorrow and in pain but answer with "I'm good, thank you." Well, today, Pastor Kaelyn helps us understand the difference between feeling godly sorrow and feeling worldly sorrow. We look at ways we can develop and be transformed when we have Godly Sorrow that helps lead us to true repentance.
Today, in this message, Pastor Mike Foell shares how we can have faith and discover profound truths ingraining insight into what it truly means to live a life beyond belief.
What we believe about Jesus will directly impact how we live for Jesus. And how we live for Jesus will directly impact what others believe about Jesus. We are carrying others along who are watching our faith to see if it’s real and trustworthy. And this truth is most critical when it comes to our homes and how we're reflecting Jesus to our kids. Today's message inspires us to live in such a way that the next generation is better able to recognize and follow Jesus.
In this series we've been talking about three main attributes of Jesus: He is here, He is good, and today, He is Lord. But is one of these more important than the others? Yes! Everything else about Jesus flows from his Lordship. He has all authority over all things, and nothing is impossible for Him. So this begs the question: If he's all these things, why don't more people surrender to Jesus as their Lord? Because if there is any Lord other than ourselves, that Master will require things of us. And we tend to run from requirements as they can restrict how we want to live our lives. And what's the problem anyway? Can't we just love Jesus as our Savior without fully surrendering to him as Lord? Today we're diving into these issues. What does Jesus require of us, and what are the problems with rejecting his Lordship while still trying to connect with Jesus as the center of our faith? NOTE: For those who were with us on Sunday, February 4, you'll notice that this message contains an "alternate ending" to what you heard that morning! Let it bring new challenge and understanding to this conversation.
When you hear that "Jesus is good," you're actually hearing a code phrase that means much more. It's a statement declaring that EVERYTHING about Jesus is good – his nature, his mission, and his message are completely good all the time. And in today's message we're looking at one story, just a few minutes from Jesus' life, that demonstrates the reality of his goodness in so many ways.
We're going to discover:
He sees us and knows us.
He's compassionate toward us.
He acts on our behalf – not based on religious protocols, but based on His love. | He works miracles to fix what's broken.
He is working to bring restoration – restoring any parts of our story that have been damaged by hell.
Jesus is good. He is for you, not against you. And because he's the same Jesus now that he was when he was on earth, he is completely reliable and worthy of our trust.
God’s mission has always been to be present with us in continual, life-giving relationship. We see that throughout Scripture — from the start to the end. And Jesus' promise is that he would be with us ALWAYS. But though Jesus is here with us, we're not always aware of his presence. Today we look at ways we can develop our awareness, practices that help us experience his presence in powerful ways.
We all have two columns in our minds: one for WINS and another for LOSSES. When you think about this past year you’d be able to put lots of things into one of those two categories: relationships, your health, your finances, emotional and mental health, etc. This kind of list is what we use to determine whether we’re ADVANCING or LOSING GROUND in different areas in our life.
We've reached the end of our journey through the 260 chapters of the New Testament, and are in the final chapters of Revelation. Today we learn about heaven in an incredible description of its size and beauty — plus we discover what's in and what's out; who's in and who's out. And there's an amazing invitation to ANYONE who wants to secure their future and join God in this eternal home!
Rest is always seen as God's blessing. From Genesis through Revelation, including the Christmas story, rest is a deep, complete and lasting peace that brings calm not only to the storms around us, but the storms within us. Today we're looking at God's vision of rest, including how we can receive it this Christmas season!
Sometimes when reading a mystery you need to check the end of the story to make sure it ends well — then you can jump back into the intrigue. That's what we're doing today! In Revelation we find the "mystery of God" being fulfilled — the we flip back to the Christmas story and discover it's a central part to mystery of the gospel.
Can Revelation have anything to do with the Christmas story? Absolutely! It's in Revelation 5 we find that Jesus died to ransom ALL PEOPLE! That's the very same message the angel proclaimed on the night of Jesus' birth: that his coming was good news that will bring great joy to ALL PEOPLE! Hell's plan is always to divide people. God's plan is always to unite them. And our church — in a small but important way — is working God's plan in our community. That's why we are ONE church with TWO congregations, and why today we all together for a beautiful bilingual message of God's love.
As we enter this Christmas Advent season, celebrating the first arrival of Jesus into the world, we are mindful of his promise that there will be a second advent, when he'll return again. Today's message is the first of our Christmas series through the book of Revelation, and we're reintroduced to Jesus — not as the meek and mild baby in a manger, but as the righteous and all powerful king!
In the five chapters of 1 Peter, one thing is talked about 17 times. What is this one defining theme of this short book? Suffering. While human suffering was never God's original intent, when people chose a path of sin, suffering followed, and it now marks all of our lives. But because God will use anything and everything in our stories to work toward his good purpose, Peter tells us how suffering plays a role in our lives. It's the fiery test that proves our faith is genuine. Today we're looking at four things Peter says should mark a genuine faith that's in the middle of the fire.
There's a showdown in Bethany: Mary VS Judas. Mary has anointed Jesus in an extravagantly generous act of worship, and Judas is having none of it. That's when Jesus steps in declares that what Mary has done is a beautiful thing. What we see is that Mary and Judas had very different beliefs; which led to different choices; which led to entirely different outcomes — which is always the same pattern in our own lives. How can we live our lives in such a way that Jesus declares them beautiful? It all starts with what we believe.
Often times, we think we know what is best for our life and we want Jesus to give us what we want when we want it. However, Pastor Gary shares with us how the disciples had a similar experience; they had a question that caused great conflict between them and we learn that Jesus had a lesson to teach the disciples and you and me.
As believers when we are walking through our journey of life, we will constantly find ourselves in the middle of something. It can be something as simple as the middle of a work week or it can be something as difficult as being in the middle of a storm. Today, Pastor Lisa shares how we should battle in the middle of what we are in when it takes longer than we would like.
In Matthew 9, Jesus told his followers that the "harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." Why aren't there enough workers — those engaged with Jesus on his mission of redemption? What's stopping his followers from partnering with him in his work? Those are the topics we explore in today's message.
Based on the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, we learn that everyone has to choose to walk down one of two roads – the wide, broad road that leads to hell or the narrow, difficult road that leads to heaven. We all have the choice to make, but our decision will have consequences.
We're about to enter a year-long election cycle — sure to be filled with angry rhetoric, accusations, and divisions. Unfortunately, many good people get drawn into this "death spiral" of hostility. Could there be another way? Today we're looking at Scripture that speaks directly into our cultural moment. It answers: how can our political engagement reflect the transforming work of Jesus in our lives?
There is something inseparable about God and his word — because the Bible is the primary place where we discover who God is, what he's promised, and how he invites us in to his story. Reflecting on this, Pastor Tim states: "I am not convinced we can grow in relationship Jesus if we’re not growing in his word." But how can we grow in our understanding of God's word? Paul talks with Timothy about this and says two things we're reflecting on today: the power of REMINDERS and REFLECTION. We not only need consistent reminders of what God has said, but we need to also consider these things deeply. These two practices are at the heart of our 260 Bible reading plan which you can learn more about here: sm4.org/260
The world pressures us to create the "perfect" image of ourselves. But the stress we feel often comes from focusing on the wrong things — trying to perfect things that matter very little. In this message we discover what the Bible says actually matters when it comes to how others perceive us. The Apostle Paul gives us five things to focus on as followers of Jesus — areas of life that help share the story of what God is doing in our lives.
What do we do when a Scripture seems to be in conflict with other truth in the Bible? Do we just ignore it? Pick what works best for us personally? Or do the harder work of deep study? Taking this more challenging path is what Jennifer Thigpenn encourages us to do in this message as she unpacks the Apostle Paul's words to Timothy about women staying quiet and not teaching men. Was this a blanket statement providing direction to the church for all time — or was something else going on in Timothy's ministry that Paul was addressing? Let's see what we can discover in this important conversation.
Have you ever wondered the true meaning of pleasing God? Pastor Mike shares with us today, how important it is to have an ambition to accomplish the desire of God’s heart in order to please Him.
Today, Pastor Gary shares on how God gives us visions, dreams and revelations to enable us to follow His will and plan with our lives. But, there may come attacks on us to both keep us humble, but more importantly to help us put into practice the insights God has given to us; so that we know how to apply what we are learning.
God always includes people in his plan — ordinary, broken people like you and me! We're actually called "ambassadors of Christ," and speak on God's behalf. The question isn't whether or not we're representing God — but how well we're representing him! Today we discover how we can become stronger ambassadors for Jesus to the world around us.
What is the gospel? Why is it so important? And how are we to respond to it? All of these questions are answered by the Apostle Paul as he's writing to his friends in Corinth. Whether you're exploring what it means to be a Christian, or you want to understand the gospel better so you can share it with others, today we're all growing in understanding the "good news" Jesus brought to our world.
The Bible promises that the Holy Spirit is not only in us, but we're called to share his grace, love, and power with the world around us. We do this not in our own smarts or strength, but through his gifting. But because of ignorance or immaturity, some followers of Jesus hurt others in their attempts at "ministry." How can we become spiritually mature so that our ministry is a blessing and healing force in the lives of others? That's what we discover in 1 Corinthians 12-14.
Today, Pastor Mike teaches us how temptation occurs a lot in our lives, but it isn't necessarily a bad thing. We are not tempted by God, but temptation can turn into a bad thing when it leads us to committing a sin.
In the book of Jude we read that we are to defend the faith that God has entrusted us with. Today, Pastor Kaelyn shares with us how we can be ready to defend our faith and how we can live out that faith that we have been entrusted with.
Often times we hear voices speaking to us, in our minds and sometimes through other people. Now, what do you do with the words of those voices, because those thoughts can either be for good or evil. Today, Pastor Gary explains how we can overcome those lies that we hear.
So, what's up with "the world?" Why does the Bible tell us not to fall in love with it and all it offers? It actually has to do with God's love for us, and the mission he has for his people.
In John 15, Jesus not only gives us our mission (being wildly fruitful) but tells us how to accomplish it (staying connected to him). In this message, we explore what it means to be fruitful, and how this mission is the same for us individually and as a church. Pastor Tim also shares the new way we're describing our shared mission at SM4: Gather, Grow, Go!
What we repeat matters. It not only sticks in our minds, but it can change the direction of our lives. And the ideas we repeat about Jesus are of the greatest importance. Today we look at three truths that are at the core of our faith and are worth affirming again and again: Jesus is here, Jesus is good, Jesus is Lord.
Our world is filled with lies that cause havoc in our lives: "You are not enough." "You'll never succeed." "You're too far gone — God would never forgive you." We can't turn to Snopes.com to debunk these lies, so where do we turn? Jesus gives us insight into how to break free from lies and live in the truth.
John 3:16 is likely the most widely known verse in the entire Bible. But do you know what comes right before it? Jesus references one of the least-known stories — about Moses and snakes! Why did Jesus choose this obscure story, and what can we learn from it to help us level up our understanding of the gospel?
When we hear the idea about being a "slave of God," it's difficult to comprehend. For most of us it's such a counterintuitive, and even negative, concept. But in Scripture, James and others talk about it in a very positive way. Today, Pastor Mike unpacks this idea and shares the importance behind Jame's words.
God has given you gifts — and he expects you to use them! That's the message from Romans 12, and today Pastor Ken helps us discover why God's gifts are so important for us to understand and use in our day-to-day lives.
In one of the most iconic passages from the book of Romans, we're hit with several non-rhetorical questions. It starts off with, "If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" And the answer is simple: lots of people! The reality is we face all kinds of opposition from different directions. But while it's good to understand our opposition, it's even more important to know where Jesus is in all of this — and with each question, the Apostle Paul gives us solid truth about Jesus for us to consider in times of opposition.
Today, Pastor Joel Arreola, our missionary to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, speaks from Romans chapter one about being unashamed of the gospel of Jesus. It is a powerful word, combined with stories of what God is doing in Mexico today.
What you think matters! It has a profound impact on your faith and just about every area of life. The Apostle Paul talks about our thinking in several of his letters — but it's in Philippians 3 that he makes 14 specific references to our minds — what we think, what we know, and what we believe.
One of the most memorable promises in the New Testament is found in the first chapter Philippians. We're told that God will carry on to completion the good work he began in us. That's great news — but what exactly does that look like? In the following verses, Paul actually answers that question and then illustrates it from his own life. God is growing love-informed wisdom within us that enables us to see the world from his perspective.
In a powerful prayer captured in Ephesians 3, the Apostle Paul asks God to send his power to do three specific things in his friends' lives: transform them from the inside out, allow them to experience all of God's love, and enable them to walk in the fullness of life God intended. Each of these things is available for us through the power of the Holy Spirit!
Deep insights from a blind man who cried out to Jesus! In Mark 10 we read about Bartimaeus, who would not be silent or allow the crowd to hold him back from receiving his healing and freedom.
Jesus talks about shame, but not in a way we typically think about it. In Mark 8, Jesus makes the hard statement that if we're ashamed of him, then he'll be ashamed of us. These are hard words, but Jesus isn't being harsh. He's being real. His words call us to consider if we're giving in to a world that's increasingly "faith shaming" those who are aligned with the gospel. And it causes us to ask: if we're not to be ashamed, then how should we live out our faith in our generation?
Taking inspiration from Jesus' promise to make his followers "fishers of people," Pastor Mike helps us grapple with the amazing diversity of ways to share the good news of Jesus with others.
Our POV: "I'd do anything to find real life!" – God's POV: "I did everything to give you real life!" What Jesus did through the cross and that first Easter was to create a NEW and LIVING WAY. He did it for all of humanity, even the most broken and vulnerable. And it's not just a temporary fix. The promise of Easter is that new life available to us permanently. Even after death, we live!
Living in relationship with Jesus isn't just about receiving God’s blessing. And it isn't just about giving and giving. It’s about living in such a way that both giving and receiving are happening in a powerful rhythm of spiritual life. That's the kind of life God will bless. But you can't give what you haven't received — so today we're focusing our attention on what stops us from receiving all God has for us. How can we live in a way that invites his blessing?
In Galatians, Paul tells us that the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Today, Pastor Kaelyn shares how as Christians and those who have faith in Jesus, we need to be able to express our faith in love to those around us. When we have the fruit of the Spirit evident in our lives, we can love others well and it can change the world.
The Apostle Paul was alarmed and angry when he was writing to his friends in the region of Galatia. People had been coming into the churches there, trying to get them to follow a different gospel — which Paul said was no gospel at all. So, what is the gospel? And why is this conversation so important for us today?
Do you ever feel like something is missing from your faith? In Acts 18-19 we find back-to-back stories where this was the case. These followers of God had received John's baptism, but not the baptism of Jesus. In fact, they'd never even heard the good news about the Holy Spirit. But they were open to receiving ALL God had for them and soon were walking in the fullness of the Spirit. That can be our story as well! Dive into this message about the mission of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Are we open to change, or will we say something like, Are You Kidding God? How do we respond when God speaks to us about doing something in His name? Today, Pastor Gary shares from Acts chapter 11 and how we should make changes to our life so that when God says GO, we can go.
Jesus' primary mission was to bless humanity. And the primary obstacle in the way of receiving that blessing is sin. That's why Jesus went to the cross, in order to destroy sin's power over us. Today we're looking at three of the massive blessings that flow into a life that's turned from sin to Jesus. Get ready to be blessed!
God doesn’t need a thing — right? If he is who he says he is, he’s completely lacking nothing. So then why does Jesus say he has need of something? Join us for this conversation in Luke 19 and discover why God may “need” us to be involved in his mission of redemption.
When Jesus' disciples asked him a question about the destruction of the Temple, he had much to say in response. Luke captured Jesus' words in Luke 21, where he describes a future that is dark, war-torn, and scary. Yet in his words we find hope for his followers and several points of instruction. Let's learn from Jesus about how we can live without fear even in the darkest of days.
When everything is going wrong, how is it possible to see things change? Jesus tells us when he speaks these subversive words: Love your enemy. This is so counterintuitive to our natural way of living. How is it even possible? Join us as we dive into Luke 6 and find out.
John the Baptist drops the hammer in Luke 3, calling people not only to repentance — but to live like it! And what he says echoes what God had said all the back in Genesis 1: "Be fruitful and multiply." Discover how these four words lead to living in God's blessing.
There is power in focus. It's why people make New Year's resolutions — to FOCUS their energies on things that need attention. Today Pastor Tim shares three areas of focus for SM4 in 2023: Prayer, God's Word (including our new 260 Journals), and the development and release of Leadership. Dive in and don't miss out on the new things God is doing this New Year!
We bring many expectations into our relationship with Jesus. Today, Pastor Gary shares from the Christmas story how to deal with these different expectations. As we do, God will show up and prove his promises true.
Much of life is spent in the "waiting room," living in anticipation of receiving what God has promised — but it's not here yet. We're still waiting. Why would God make us linger and not immediately provide us what's been promised? That's what we're discovering today through the Christmas story of Simeon.
Hebrews 10:23 offers us a unique model of faith — five powerful ideas wrapped up in this single verse. Today we wrap up this three-part series and discuss the importance of getting our hope out into the world around us.
How do we come to faith? Today we continue our look into Hebrews 10:23 and the essential role that God's promises play in this process. We'll find that without his promise, hope (and faith itself!) would be impossible. But when his promise comes alive within us, everything changes!
You only have to read just a bit of the Bible before you’ll recognize that FAITH is extremely important — to God and to our stories. This reality of God’s faithfulness is always the starting point for faith. Pastor Tim shares with us how once you come to know that God is faithful, it makes sense that you’d choose to believe what He says is true. Then it makes sense why you’d HOLD FAST to His promise.
Would it surprise you that Jesus will send you into the middle of trouble? But take courage – He will meet you there as well. That's what we discover in the story of Jesus walking on the water. It's where He joins His friends who were in deep trouble.
Would it surprise you that Jesus will send you into the middle of trouble? But take courage – He will meet you there as well. That's what we discover in the story of Jesus walking on the water. It's where He joins His friends who were in deep trouble.
We know that God reveals Himself to us, so it’s our responsibility to keep our eyes open and watch for what God would reveal to us. We have to take responsibility to be reading the Bible and to quiet ourselves to listen to the Holy Spirit. And after we receive His revelation, it’s our responsibility to respond with action. We can’t just receive the revelation and leave it at that. We must respond with action. Our active response to God’s revelation can look different depending on what God is revealing to you. So, you might be wondering if we can respond to God in so many different ways, why would worshipping in song ever be necessary? Why would God ever want you to respond that way? Pastor Kaelyn shares with us several reasons why responding to God by worshiping in song is very important for us to be able to upgrade our faith.
We know that God reveals Himself to us, so it’s our responsibility to keep our eyes open and watch for what God would reveal to us. We have to take responsibility to be reading the Bible and to quiet ourselves to listen to the Holy Spirit. And after we receive His revelation, it’s our responsibility to respond with action. We can’t just receive the revelation and leave it at that. We must respond with action. Our active response to God’s revelation can look different depending on what God is revealing to you. So, you might be wondering if we can respond to God in so many different ways, why would worshipping in song ever be necessary? Why would God ever want you to respond that way? Pastor Kaelyn shares with us several reasons why responding to God by worshiping in song is very important for us to be able to upgrade our faith.
Today, Pastor Lisa shares about the HOW – How do we take what we hear from scripture about goodness, godliness, perseverance and love and add to our faith so that we can be people who are effective and productive? We will be learning together over the next few weeks on How to upgrade our faith so that we will be people who posses these qualities in great measure, increasing every day!
Today, Pastor Lisa shares about the HOW – How do we take what we hear from scripture about goodness, godliness, perseverance and love and add to our faith so that we can be people who are effective and productive? We will be learning together over the next few weeks on How to upgrade our faith so that we will be people who posses these qualities in great measure, increasing every day!
If faith is the operating system of Christian belief, and God's promises are the code, then love is absolutely the language in which it's written. Love is central to how our faith in Jesus is to be lived out. Without it, no matter how smart or spiritually powerful we are, we are useless! But when love is added to our faith, we become God's transforming agents of grace.
If faith is the operating system of Christian belief, and God's promises are the code, then love is absolutely the language in which it's written. Love is central to how our faith in Jesus is to be lived out. Without it, no matter how smart or spiritually powerful we are, we are useless! But when love is added to our faith, we become God's transforming agents of grace.
Forgiveness is one of the most challenging upgrades to our faith — but it's essential if we want to live free from the brokenness others have splashed onto our lives. And it's essential if we're to have a faith that's useful and effective. But it's hard! So what actually is forgiveness and how do we do it? Hint: it's NOT forgetting what's happened OR giving someone a pass to continue causing pain!
Forgiveness is one of the most challenging upgrades to our faith — but it's essential if we want to live free from the brokenness others have splashed onto our lives. And it's essential if we're to have a faith that's useful and effective. But it's hard! So what actually is forgiveness and how do we do it? Hint: it's NOT forgetting what's happened OR giving someone a pass to continue causing pain!
Faith that doesn't grow will just stop working. It becomes useless. So God's word tells us to add to our faith — or upgrade it. And the first upgrade that's needed is goodness, because faith alone doesn't make us good. And to upgrade to a faith that's good requires us to walk in repentance.
Did you know your faith needs upgrading? Just like your smartphone will stop working if you never update it — or worse yet it'll be hacked — Peter says your faith will become ineffective and unproductive. Dive into this new series about faith upgrades, and discover how they can cause us to thrive. Click this link for message notes: https://bit.ly/upgradedfaith-1
The book of Jude is just one chapter long but is packed with powerful truths about how we're to live as God's people. In Jude we learn to defend the faith and walk in God's mercy.
Psalm One presents a vivid picture of two types of people, the choices that they make, and the destinations they reach. Our key thought for this week will be the delight the righteous man has in reading, meditating, and applying the truths of Scripture, and the blessing that brings into his life.
There are many times when we get caught up or stuck in a place that we do not understand as we learn and explore more about God and His word. And often times when we get stuck, we choose to stay stuck because we do not want to ask questions. But, without questions there will not be a gaining of new knowledge or enhanced knowledge.
Have you ever had a "critical error" pop up on your computer? No fun. It can totally shut you down. As frustrating as they are, what's even worse are critical errors in our lives. And they can happen all too often in the areas of our faith. Today we're looking at three errors we can make that shut our faith down.
Do you need a breakthrough? A defining insight or event that puts you on track for the seasons ahead? What if you didn't have to wait for one of these breakthrough moments to strike from out of the blue, but could cultivate a life that grows them? Let's look at several practices of those who seem to have more breakthroughs than others.
One of the most frustrating things in our lives — especially when we're committed to following Jesus — is continuing to run into roadblocks. Who likes running into brick walls? What purpose could they serve? Why would God allow them? Today we're diving deeper into the conversation about God's will, and exploring what He may be up to in our lives.
How do you view God's will? Like a target, with his "perfect" will as the bullseye? Or like a wide-open field where you can run and be free? How you think about God's will has vast implications for how we live as followers of Jesus. Dive with us into this critical conversation.
Many people think God's will is a mystery or even unknowable. But that's not what the Bible shows us. We can absolutely know we are living in his will, doing just what we were created to do — and today we're discovering how that's possible.
So many things in life are "gray areas" — things about which good people (even Jesus-following people) have different opinions. How can we follow Jesus when the right answer isn't immediately clear? In Romans 14, Paul gives us four important lessons about navigating life through these gray areas while pleasing God and those around us at the same time.
As we have been talking about this unique name of this series, we’ve been using a graph in the process of identifying where we are — both as individuals and as a church. And whenever you’re tracking something good it goes UP & TO THE RIGHT. Maybe you find yourself somewhere in the middle of the graph. You may be asking, “I guess I’m pretty good, right? At least I’m not all the way down and to the left! What’s the big deal about moving up and to the right?” Well, today we learn that in Revelations we read Jesus' words that remind us that he wants us to be either hot or cold — never hanging out in the middle — what Jesus calls being LUKEWARM.
Have you ever thought: "I can't share my love of Jesus with a friend. I just wouldn't know what to say. I haven't learned enough Scripture." Those are pretty normal thoughts. But what we're learning is that we can always share what we've experienced — and we don't need to know all the answers. Just keep it natural, and keep it salty!
Pastor Jon Tyson from the 2022 Central Coast Men's Summit — an incredible gathering of men from 20 churches throughout the Central Coast of California. Session 3 — the Intentional Faither (plus Q&A with Pastor Jon).
Pastor Jon Tyson from the 2022 Central Coast Men's Summit — an incredible gathering of men from 20 churches throughout the Central Coast of California. Session 2 — Josiah.
Pastor Jon Tyson from the 2022 Central Coast Men's Summit — an incredible gathering of men from 20 churches throughout the Central Coast of California. Session 1 — Soldier, Athlete, Farmer.
Up and to the right doesn't just describe our personal journeys to get to that place where we thrive, it's for our church as well. Today we talk about what it means to be a "Foursquare" church, and some of the unique parts of our church's DNA and mission. NOTE: follow this link for a handout to go along with today's message: https://bit.ly/upandright4
The Bible tells us that it's not enough to simply believe the right things (sorry!). If we're to have lives that are thriving and fruitful, we also have to go through a renewal process of both our thinking and our acting. How do we do this? One step at a time. Today Pastor Tim talks about four faith practices that will help us keep moving up and to the right while staying anchored to Jesus.
Even as Jesus calls us to fruitful, full living, life has a way to drag us downward. There seems to be a gravitational pull that's both natural (the normal bumps and bruises we experience in life) and supernatural (hell's strategic work against us). Today we're looking at how we can break free from this pull downward so we can move up and to the right. NOTE: For a handout to accompany today's message, click here: https://bit.ly/upandright2
Whenever we're tracking something good in our lives, whether it's our bank accounts or our productivity at work, we want it to go "up and to the right." But for many reasons, life doesn't always go that direction! In fact after the past two years of global trauma, many would say their lives have settled into a "down and to the left" slide. But we're not stuck. And Jesus is inviting us to chart a new life-giving course. Today we're looking at a model to help us identify where we are now so we can point ourselves in a new direction — up and to the right. NOTE: Get the handout for today — bit.ly/upandright
The Psalms are an amazing portion of Scripture, helping us understand the wonder of God. And Psalm 145 is an incredibly rich passage that reflects God in his: greatness, grace, goodness, glory, and generosity!
Jesus was called the "author of life." What exactly does that mean, and how might it offer the key to understanding the Easter story? We're taking a look at the resurrection of Jesus through the window of an event that took place shortly after the first Easter, and discover why you can't eliminate the author from their own story!
When our hearts are right, our lives are right. But what a journey to ensure our hearts are right (and stay right) with God! And at the center of this issue is our love. What does it look like to have a heart that's being transformed by Jesus' love — then activating that love in our world? To love in the way of Jesus isn't just a warm embrace; it's a gritty, tenacious love that requires heavy lifting — strong enough to confront, and strong enough to forgive.
Our lives matter to God — but not because of what he can get from us. He doesn't value us because of what we produce. In fact, he invites us to come to him and find rest. How is this possible in our busy lives that are often marked by striving and weariness? While there are no shortcuts, there are ways we can cultivate a greater trust in Jesus so that ultimately we can truly find rest in him.
"I am looking for the fellowship of the burning heart — for men and women of all generations everywhere who love the Savior until adoration becomes the music of their soul." Those words were penned years ago by pastor and author, A.W. Tozer. They poetically describe people whose hearts are passionately pursuing Jesus. But what does that passion look like, and how can we keep those fires stoked in our lives? Let's sit by the fire together and have that conversation.
What is the downside of living with a polluted heart? What's so bad with letting in a little greed, hate, gossip, lust, pride, etc? We're looking at three negative results of heart pollution — and gaining insight into why Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart."
Our hearts have always symbolized the center of life. Not only do they keep our bodies running, but they represent the center of our passions, our will, and our most deeply held beliefs. It's our hearts that drive our decisions. So it's critical to ask: do I have a heart for God, or has some other lesser thing occupied the very center of who I am?
From the life of Paul the Apostle, Pastor Israel shares three characteristics of ministry life that are important for ALL of us: expect criticism, walk in courage, care for others.
When we experience loss in our lives, many things are restored by God — even things we thought were hopelessly gone. But there’s other kinds of loss that is permanent and painful. Where is God in that? Today we look for answers in Scriptures and in the hope-filled story of Dennis and Debbie Jordan who lost their young son to leukemia.
When Jesus told stories about things that were lost and found, he was talking to two groups of people: those who knew they were lost (the "sinners"), and others who didn't think they were lost at all (the "religious" folk). And what both groups learned through his stories was revolutionary. God isn't angry — he's filled with love and absolute readiness to bring restoration to lives! Which group do you think was happier with that message? 😎
In the stories Jesus tells, we find that God never gives up on us and that he celebrates when we are found! Yes: we have a God who parties (really good parties...with music and dancing!). Why? Because he delights in us. He's not angry with us, even when we're lost because of our own foolishness. He longs to rescue us and fully restore whatever has been lost. And when that happens, he celebrates!
All of us experience loss. Sometimes it’s self-inflicted and other times it’s just life taking a hard left turn. But God cares about it all! In Luke 15 Jesus tells three stories about loss and restoration — and in them we can all find hope for our stories, no matter how painful the loss.
Being Anchored in Community really means to be Anchored in Relationship. Pastor Mike shares with us how important community was in the bible and how important it is to be in relationship with others now. Fellowship allows us to share out of our abundance when there is need and being Anchored in Community is exactly this – it is being able to share what you and others have in common otherwise known as Salvation.
As we grow connected to God, it’s never meant to just be about us. God isn’t interested in our “project self!” But he consistently and passionately invites us to join him on a mission of redemption in the world. This week we’re taking a closer look at God’s mission, and discovering how serving others anchors us to Jesus like never before.
Prayer is an incredible way to commune with God — and every time we pray, we're dropping a faith-anchor. Today we're looking at a story Jesus told that's all about prayer, and why we should always pray and never give up!
The storms we've faced over the past years — they're not going away any time soon. But good news! Jesus promised we can build solid lives, even in storms, as we're anchored in him! Today we're discovering how we can be anchored to God through his word, the Bible. Plus, we're launching a new Bible reading initiative — SM4 260 — that will take us through the entire New Testament in one year. Cool fact: there are 260 chapters in the New Testament, AND 260 weekdays in a year. So, we're reading one chapter a day, Monday - Friday. More info and our reading plan here: https://sm4.org/260
Christmas is over — all that remains is to drag the dead Christmas tree out to the trash and pay the bills that stacked up in December. Was it worth it? Absolutely! In fact, the JOY of Christmas isn’t meant to be experienced just once a year. Christmas is over — but Christ remains! And the joy we have in him can stick with us through every season, even the hard ones.
The first Christmas came at a time of incredible upheaval in Israel. There had been 400 years of conflict and silence from God. Nearly all hope was gone when God broke his silence by speaking to Mary. And faith arose as she believed what God said about her life. This Christmas we can join with Mary and declare to God: we want EVERYTHING you have for us!
What if there had been no Christmas? What if Jesus had never come? We can barely imagine the catastrophic loss that would have been to humanity — whether people believe in him or not! His powerful influence has shaped all of our stories and has held back darkness from completely overtaking the earth. Much of that has to do with his unrelenting love. He came to the world because of love, and he embodied love, even to his death on the cross.
At the end of Hebrews 11, we find both stories of victory and of suffering. It's easy to have faith when we feel like we're conquering and victorious — but it's much more challenging when we're going through the pain of suffering. Today we gain insight into our faith as we learn to SEE what God is up to in our stories, especially when they are hard.
What changes in someone's life when they see the invisible? Everything. And it causes people to go all-in with their faith — giving it all in exchange for the treasure they've found. Today we see this played out in Moses' life, as seen in Hebrews 11. He went all-in, exchanging life in the palace to go after the promise. Why? Because he saw the invisible God.
What we speak over others and over ourselves will be life giving or death delivering. Today, Pastor Gary shared with us how important it is to build up and speak encouragement and comfort over others and how what comes out of our mouth can effect and impact our lives.
In the series, “Seeing the Invisible,” we’ve been going through Hebrews 11, the faith chapter. Today we looked at how Abraham’s faith was tested and how he persevered in faith even in the midst of doubts. While he didn’t receive the fulfillment of the entire promise of God in his lifetime, he remained secure in God’s plan and promise. We can learn to do the same!
Throughout Hebrews chapter 11 we find a number of very short stories about men and women who are the HEROES of our faith — people who persevered despite all odds, because of their confident assurance in what God had revealed to them. Today we will hear about how their stories illustrate how God speaks PROMISES to help people begin to SEE the INVISIBLE and come to FAITH.
Jesus is really clear — it's impossible to love God fully without loving our neighbors fully. To make his point, Jesus tells a story about a man beaten and robbed. The one who came to his rescue shows us what being a loving neighbor is all about. Today we also share a number of ways our church family is actively caring for our neighbors!
In Hebrews 11 we're reminded of men and women of old whose very lives teach us about faith — what it looks like, how it works in our lives, what it requires of us, and how God rewards it. In this first message in this series, Pastor Tim breaks down verse one, an important introduction to our understanding of faith.
Any of us can get trapped by tunnel vision — only seeing a tiny bit of life and missing so much of the world around us. Today, pastor and missionary Joel Arreola, talks about tunnel vision and what we can do to break out of it.
SM4 is committed to our partnership with the Arreolas and their work in southern Mexico. To learn more their ministry, and to join Team Arreola, check out: https://sm4.org/arreolas
It's easy for any of us to get stuck in the past. Whether it's from the loss of good things, or the distress of painful life experiences, we can be held hostage by our histories. But Jesus made a way for us to become unstuck, able to live life fully free.
When we spend a good amount of time letting our minds run wild, we lose the ability to concentrate; and a lack of concentration can become a problem. When we are undisciplined in our thoughts, we can easily be sidetracked from what we are trying to accomplish. Today, Pastor Lisa shares how God knew the importance of our thought life because our thought life is detrimental to our spiritual walk and our well-being. We are to be purposeful we are to set our minds on Jesus!
It's so easy to misorder our life — putting all the little things in front of what's most important. But have you noticed that a misordered life leads to a disordered life? When all the pieces are no longer fitting together we experience the pain, frustration, and anxiety that comes from feeling disorder. But it doesn't have to be this way! We can reorder our lives and experience the rest that comes from God himself.
Psalm 101 seems to have been written specifically with men in mind. Its eight verses are packed with a dozen "I WILL" declarations, as David was stepping into his leadership role as king, and stating exactly what his LIFE and LEADERSHIP would be all about. As men, we can learn from him about stepping into our role as spiritual leaders, and discover how we can "impose our will on life" rather than the other way around.
Have you ever been caught in the "shiny object syndrome" — where what glitters brightest steals your attention? It happens to all of us, and advertisers spend BILLIONS to distract us even more. But what God says what we look at matters, because our vision sets our direction. Our heart follows our eyes. Today we're discovering how we can break free from distractions and live our lives to the fullest in Jesus.
If your life can be measured in seasons, what season do you think you are currently in? Although we don't get to choose our seasons; it is critical that we know the season God has us in! It is our hearts, not our ages or circumstances that shape the seasons of our lives. If our hearts are tender to God, we are more receptive to what He wants to teach us in this season. Today, Pastors Dennis and Debbie help us look at two things that we need to know about seasons.
The decisions we make — both big and small — are incredibly important, because what we DECIDE is what we DO. And what we do shapes both the direction and quality of our lives. Today we examine three "lenses" we look through that tend to block out God's perspective on the decisions we're making: instinct, experience, and religion. Plus, we discover what Jesus says is the only way we'll be able to see him clearly!
Christians aren't immune from making bad decisions. Our old "sin nature" continues urging us to do dumb things — but we can fight back. And part of fighting back has to do with asking smart questions when we're processing decisions. Today we'll discover three helpful questions we can use when making decisions about any matter.
Often times we look for a variety of things to say "I Can't" but in order to follow God, we need to be able to give God everything we have and everything we are. It's an all in offer from God to us and from us to God.
When our enemies are present, we can assume it’s because God is absent. When we’re in the middle of troubles, pain, sickness, and mental anguish, we might conclude it’s because God has left us; he’s abandoned us; he no longer cares. But we'd be wrong. That's exactly where God meets us, sustains us, and pours out his grace on us. It's here we find that God doesn’t wait until we’re free from our troubles to minister to our deepest needs.
Have you ever felt judged? Yep. And it's always painful. Harder question: have we ever judged others? Yep, again! And it's dumb — because it always chases people from our lives and never moves people in the direction we were hoping for! Today we discover what the Bible says about being "judgy," and how it's completely different from having the kind of "spiritual judgment" that God will develop in our lives.
There’s something within our human nature that tells us to hide when we're facing trouble. Like Adam and Eve hiding from God and each other, we mistakenly think we can self-protect by running away from community. But God's desire is to move us out of isolation and into community — and today we discover how to begin walking in that direction.
Followers of Jesus are to obey the authorities in their lives. We're told this repeatedly and consistently in the New Testament. But is "obedience" an iron-clad rule without exception? The Bible shows us there are times when, like the Apostles, “we must obey God rather than any human authority.” Today we discover when and why would this be the case — and how we can do this while still walking in a spirit of humility.
The conduct of those who follow Jesus should be different than how it used to be when we were following our own path. And the Bible is clear that part of that difference is learning to live "under" the authority of others — actually becoming obedient in ways that reflect God's grace in our lives. This is challenging, especially for those of us who were raised to fight for our rights and liberties. But as we see in God's Word, our citizenship changed when we said "yes" to Jesus — and that changes everything about how we're now to live in the world!
"Be ready to do whatever is good." Before we start thinking that statement is a generic Christian throw-away line, we're going to take a deeper look. And what we find is that this idea — of doing good — is woven throughout Scripture and is at the very core of what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. Get ready to do good!
On this Fourth of July, Pastor Lisa shares on how we should consider freedom in a spiritual aspect so that we would not be held captive by anything. Jesus came to this world and paid a high price for us to walk in the truth of God’s word. Pastor Lisa discusses important points concerning true freedom - how Jesus was sent by the Father to offer freedom to us and how we are to maintain our freedom by recognizing and resisting the lie of the enemy.
So much of life changes when we discover who we truly are and that we belong. It's the story of God's love for us — that we are not rejected, but accepted as his own. Because of Jesus, there is a seat at the table for you!
How does God expect us to live toward each other — especially during challenging times when we have strongly held positions about everything from politics to vaccinations? We find we're called to a new way of living, radically different from the way we used to be.
When we're about to rekindle something of God's purposes in our lives, voices can come to discourage us and tell us why we CAN'T do it! How can we cancel out those negative voices? Pastor Sergio explores the three voices David heard before going to battle with Goliath, and how to come out on top.
Over the last weeks, we've been asking God to "rekindle" an expectation for God's power to be shown in our lives and through our lives. But we need to do more than demonstrate God's power. We need to demonstrate His love. When His love and power are working together in our lives, we become awe-inspiring to those around us!
Before Jesus left for heaven, he told his followers that he'd be sending the Holy Spirit to baptize them with power. These disciples already had the Spirit IN them, but now the Spirit would be coming UPON them for empowerment. This gift wasn't just for them — it's for US — for all who believe. And of all the power-gifts the Holy Spirit brings, it's the gift of "tongues" that may best be used to rekindle faith in our lives. Today we learn about this interesting gift of a spiritual language.
God's presence is his power. And he's available at all times — no matter what we're facing — through the Holy Spirit. On this Pentecost Sunday, we discover a simple way of engaging the work of the Spirit by calling on him, acknowledging his presence, then asking him what he wants to do. Get ready for the Holy Spirit to work in you and through you.
Who is the "kindler" in our lives? It's God, the Holy Spirit! In this message we take a look at who Jesus said he'd be sending to be both WITH us and IN us. The Holy Spirit is an ever-present help, available to us at all times, no matter what we're going through.
Whenever we face discouragement or despair, we run the risk of losing confidence in the true Jesus. We may still believe he loves and forgives us — but become less certain that he is still the all-powerful, miracle-working God. But he IS the Lord of all, and even today, nothing is too hard for him! His goodness and his power are inseparable! Dive in with us as we allow God to REKINDLE our expectation for God's miracle-working power in our stories.
Jesus is described as one who won't break off a bruised reed or put out a flickering flame. In other words, he mends and rekindles. It's what he does. None are too damaged or too far gone for him! Today we look at a miracle rekindling story that reminds us what's happens when we put our trust in the Lord — even when we're at the end of our rope.
When you're stuck — feeling paralyzed and unable to move forward — how can you get free? We've been looking at a story about Paul and his friends who were in just such a place. In today's concluding message, we're looking at a twist in the story. Just when you'd have thought it was over, they went to prayer. And how they prayed for breakthrough informs how we can also pray for God to make a way.
When we feel stuck in difficult and stressful situations in life it can be difficult to creatively find ways to get unstuck. In the Bible, Paul goes through something similar, but he is able to find creative workarounds in order to accomplish the goal. These steps to finding creative workarounds can also help us to get unstuck from the difficult situations in our life.
The Apostle Paul and his friends found themselves in what felt like an unwinnable situation. And they came to the end of their rope! What they did next can truly help us when we feel stuck. They used three spiritual strategies that moved them out of their despair and allowed them to accomplish their mission.
Have you ever felt like your faith was small? If so, you're in good company — including all those who were followers of Jesus on that very first Easter. They were stuck in their pain and hopelessness. But...something changed that made all the difference in their stories. And it can make all the difference in your story as well. Easter changes everything!
Have you ever met someone who calls themselves a "Christian," but they act nothing like Jesus? Way too common! It's what happens when people become "converts," but never step into a life of discipleship. Today we're double-clicking on the three words we use at SM4 to describe what discipleship is all about: Discover, Develop and Deploy.
At the end of the book of Nehemiah, everything fell apart! All the strong things he'd put in place were forgotten during a season when he'd traveled away. The people lacked self-leadership. They lacked the maturity to take responsibility for their own lives. Nehemiah put things back in order — and the steps he took give us a master class in self-leadership.
All the areas of our lives are interconnected — but their not all equal! It's only our faith in Jesus that will bring order to our lives today AND bring us eternal life. Our faith is vitally important for strong lives, and Nehemiah 8 gives an incredible picture of what it looks like to grow as spiritually strong people.
We tend to put God in a box -- a "spiritual" box. But Jesus showed that he wants to be the Lord of our whole lives, including all that's natural and physical. Today, with the help of "Coach Moss," Brennon Mossholder, we take a practical look at rebuilding our physical health after a year that's been hard on our bodies.
Gary and Kathy Howse continue in the series titled STRONG@home, learning from the Book of Nehemiah. We will take a quick look at chapters 5 and 6 this morning regarding Relationships Inside Our Homes and share ways to overcome the challenges we all currently face.
When their enemies were planning an attack, Nehemiah gathered the people and encouraged them with this: "Remember the Lord...and fight" (Neh. 4:14)! And who did he say to fight for? Their families. Today we continue tracking the story of Nehemiah as we look specifically at how to fight for our kids — and we're joined by Ralph and Kathleen Hernandez, founders of BStrongLife student ministries.
God cares about your emotional wellbeing! Today we continue tracking the story of Nehemiah and learn how his enemies worked to bring confusion and fear to God's people (using the exact same tactics our enemy uses against us today!). We're also joined by therapist and university president, Angie Richey, to gain insight on how to rebuild emotional strength.
God has given us incredible minds to help protect us from becoming overwhelmed with the arguments swirling around us. But for some, the number of things they've had to process over the past year has been like rising floodwaters — just too much. How can we rebuild strong minds after they've begun to crumble?
The walls of our home (and our life!) are critically important. When they are cracked or lie in ruins, our strength is gone, our enemies can rush in, and even the good things we do have will leak out. But before we can rebuild, we have to do some home inspection to find out what needs rebuilding. Download your "inspection worksheet" here: https://bit.ly/sm4-home-inspection
We've all found that home is the new hub for our lives! But if home-life isn't strong, it negatively impacts everything. In this new "Strong at Home" series, we're tracing the story of Nehemiah, who was used by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Along the way, we'll be discovering how to inventory our homes, then restore and rebuild anything that's started to crumble around us.
Life is full of distractions — especially over this past year! But God doesn't call us to live distracted lives. And he's given us his word to provide us with the direction we need to live on purpose. Pastor Gary unpacks five questions to help us see if we're directing our lives around God's word.
When faced with painful hardship — like a gut-punch to the soul — the temptation is to give up or give in. But the way of Jesus is to get after it in faith. And one of the most consistent ways believers over the centuries have chosen to "get after it" is with prayer and fasting. Fasting is a season of unplugging from other power sources to more fully plug in to Jesus.
This message is a call to join the Santa Maria Foursquare Church family in fasting and prayer for the next 21 days, from Monday, January 11 through Sunday, January 31. More resources are available on our church website: sm4.org.
At the start of a new year it's always good to ask: What should I be focused on now? Today we're asking that question through the lens of the Lord's Prayer — looking at what Jesus calls us to, and what he richly provides.
Beto and Amelia were headed for divorce. They were stuck in addiction and habits that had them bound up and miserable — until they invited Jesus into their story!
There's a longing in all our hearts for a place called home — where we know we truly belong. The strange thing about this crazy year is that we're stuck at home. And we're not happy about it! But what if we could make new discoveries from someone else who was stuck at home — new insights that could change our perspective and ignite a new appreciation for Christmas in 2020? Let's dive in!
In a year like 2020, where is there room for JOY? We could ask Paul the same thing when he wrote the book of Philippians. He was in prison and being persecuted — yet over and over he wrote about joy! Let's take a look at what he said and see if we can change our focus this Christmas.
In a year that's been filled with division, God's Word speaks of a different possibility, one where we're called to walk together in unity. And it's not that we're to all be the same or think the same — but when it comes to Jesus and his redemptive work, we're to be united.
In todays message Positively Content, Pastor Gary Howse speaks to us about how we can be content as we run to the Father in every situation that we come across.
Today Pastor Kathy Howse spoke on Positively Thinking. Positively thinking will bring change to our minds by aligning our thoughts with God’s thoughts.
Today Pastor Tim shares from one of the most powerful Scriptures about the peace of God. In Philippians 4, Paul wrote, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." In that passage, Paul gives us four clues about how we can become people who experience God's peace.
We're in a year that can be described as absolutely UN-civil. People are cynical, angry, and even hostile. So why would God want his people to be civil? In Philippians 2, Paul answers that question and points to how we can be positively civil, even in times of real challenge and difficulty.
What does it mean to be Positively Humble? It sounds so counter-cultural — because it is! It's the way of Jesus; the way God's people are called to live for others. Discover how to be humble by following the example of Jesus from Philippians 2:5-11. He chose to serve, to take on a new identity, and to be obedient to God's call. And we can too!
Pastor Gary Howse finishes our series in the book of Acts by journeying with the Apostle Paul into his final season of ministry. Paul had been called by the Lord to head to Jerusalem even though he was told time after time that hardship awaited him there. Paul's life teaches us that faithful obedience will bring about a fearlessness that can't be stopped!
What does it mean to be Positively Selfless? It sounds so counter-cultural — because it is! It's the way of Jesus; the way God's people are called to live for others. Discover why selflessness is the greatest characteristic of strength, and how we can begin a more selfless lifestyle today.
We're continuing our series in the book of Philippians, today in Chapter 3, where Paul talks about winning through losing. Everything he'd based his identity upon before he met Jesus had to be thrown out in order to gain something incredibly better!
We started a new series today called, "Positively," that's through the letter of Philippians. In this letter, the Apostle Paul is writing to his friends about many things that the world views as negative, but God says are positive. Today we're taking a new look at what it means to win — and it may surprise you — because as God's people, we can win no matter what happens!
The decisions we make shape the outcome of our lives. So how can we know if we are making choices that are following where Jesus is leading? Often He leads us through a process of discernment — and in Acts 15 we find the church doing four things to discern the right answer to a difficult question — things we can do as well as individuals and as a church.
If the church is nothing else, it must be a community that follows after God! But how does Jesus lead us? How do we know it’s God who is calling us to take a certain path? In this first of a two-part message, we're looking at two distinct ways God led the Apostle Paul: supernaturally (through God's voice) and naturally (through the voices of other people). We have much to learn through Paul's stories of following after God!
The story in Acts 12 is about a church coming together in prayer during a time of crisis. It’s about persecution and death — faith and breakthrough — and has some hilarious, very human moments sprinkled in. It shows both the natural and supernatural ways that prayer works together in our lives.
Acts 12 also speaks to us in our moment of cultural history when many believe the church is in a season of persecution. Is that indeed what's happening, or is something else going on we can respond to in faith?
The church is a community that both receives and gives ministry. And in Acts 10:36, Peter — in one powerful statement — gives us a deep understanding of what we're giving when we minister. He stated, "This is the message of Good News … that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." Let's dive in together and discover how this three-part statement shows us how to effectively minister to others.
When Peter and Cornelius meet up in Acts 10, they engage in an amazing conversation — one that helps us learn how to both receive ministry and give it away to others. Today we're focusing on three ways to prepare our lives to receive ministry (clue: they have to do with "presence and presents!").
What do flying carpets and exploding dams have to do with becoming a ministering community? That's what Peter finds out in Acts 10. This is where he is confronted with the reality that life in Jesus would be radically different from the life in which he grew up — one where customs and traditions, mixed with some ethnic prejudice, had held him back from people who were different than him. But all that changed in Acts 10 — and we pray it changes for us as well. It's time to blow up some dams.
You have been chosen by God — uniquely called out to be part of His family! In Acts 9 we find the story of two men (one bad, one good) who were called out by God. Find out how their responses changed history forever and teach us about how we can respond to Jesus as well.
By Acts 6, as the church began to grow, problems emerged — not just from outside, but from inside as well. But they didn't sweep the issues under the rug. They dealt with them head-on, providing us with a model of faith-filled problem-solving!
We all go through hardship. Jesus said it would be that way, and our life experience has proved it over and over. So resiliency is critical! While we do get knocked around, getting knocked out doesn't have to be our story. Let's discover what roles hardship plays in our lives and how we can rely on Jesus to see us through.
At the end of Acts 4 and the start of Chapter 5, we find three important truths about generosity and how it marked the early church — as well as two things that went terribly wrong! But through all this, we discover why the church was known as a community where, "No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, so they shared everything they had."
For a deeper dive into the topic of generosity, follow this link to find the series, "Resurrecting Generosity" — https://sm4.org/series/res-gen
Jesus is a miracle-working God. His miracles display God's breakthrough grace, and point to His limitless and unrivaled power. And the church is to carry the expectation that God will pour out His miraculous power on them, so they can share it with the world. From Acts 3, we learn how to press into God's grace — not only by believing in God's power, but by living into our faith. If you need a miracle, this is for you!
If the church is to be a community, what kind would it be? The story of Acts points toward something more than a group of people committed to God. They were also known by their love for each other. The church has always been called to be a covenant community, devoted both to God and to the other. When this breaks down, there is no mission — but when it flourishes, redemption flows.
The church discovered on day one it was a proclaiming community — dedicated to declaring the good news of Jesus! We get to echo the words of Peter in Acts 2: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!"
In Acts 2 God sends the promised Holy Spirit to empower His newly formed church! There's the sound of wind, the sight of heaven's fire, and the believers spoke in unknown tongues — all ways God was showing His mighty power. And the results were immediate: an incredibly diverse group of people, representing languages and ethnicities from around the world were united in Jesus. That's the same legacy we can experience when we rely on the Holy Spirit to empower our church and our lives.
Near the end of this message, Pastor Tim also shares some thoughts on the amazing gift of speaking in tongues.
Today we begin a new series, diving into the Book of Acts to discover — along with the first followers of Jesus — what it means to be "the church." In Acts One, the disciples find that Jesus had no intention of backing their political, nationalistic agenda. Jesus tells them that instead of providing political freedom for ONE nation, He would be empowering them to provide spiritual freedom to ALL nations! The first lesson for the church: you must be a missionary community.
As we continue to pray and seek God on behalf of our nation and world, this week it is very appropriate that the second part of our two-week series, Finding Faith In Jesus, is all about the restoration and hope that's only possible because of Jesus: our healer, and soon coming King!
In this two-week series, we're looking at four powerful spiritual realities of those who put their trust in Jesus. Today, Pastors Tim & Kaelyn Mossholder look at the first two: new life and spiritual empowerment.
In this final message in our series, we take a closer look at the life of Joshua. He wasn't just a warrior-leader for the people of Israel — he was a passionate seeker of God. What can we learn from his life (especially his one singular, defining declaration) about taking new ground?
When taking new ground, we'll be faced with temptations to take things God never intended for us. That's the cautionary story found in Joshua Chapter 7, where Achan is exposed for having taken the very things God said not to touch. It's a painful lesson — but one we can learn from as we discover what in our heart pulls us toward the shiny lures that end up causing so much ruin.
In Joshua Chapter Six, God's people finally engage their enemy at Jericho. What we discover here will inform our own struggles as well, because we all face challenges and conflict.
We're in Joshua Chapter 5 and God's people were finally in their Promised Land. But before they could launch out and take new ground, God tells them that they have to take care of two important things: they had to renew their covenant with Him, and they had to take on new responsibility. We find that these are two things we also need if we're going to mature and take new spiritual territory.
When God's people finally stepped into the Promised Land, the very first thing God had them do was not rest, pray, or worship. Their first assignment was a construction project — to build a memorial. We tend to be incredibly forgetful when it comes to the work of God in our lives, and memorials are God's antidote to spiritual amnesia! As part of our gathering today, join us as we "remember" the work of Jesus on the cross by celebrating communion.
"You've never traveled this way before..." That's what God tells His people in Joshua Chapter 3, as they're about to cross the formidable Jordan River. And that's what many of us are feeling in our lives right now! We've never experienced anything like this before — and it can leave us perplexed and fearful. But Pastor Gary Howse takes us into these waters, and we discover that God will be with us all the way to the other side.
Just before being sent to the cross, Jesus had a conversation with the Roman Governor, Pilate. They were talking about truth. In the middle of their discussion, Jesus stated that He'd come into the world to demonstrate the power of truth. And while He did that throughout His life on earth, it was His death and resurrection that proved to be the greatest demonstration of truth in all of history.
In Joshua Chapter Two, before God's people crossed the Jordan River, Joshua sent two spies ahead. In Jericho they encountered a prostitute named Rahab — and her message of faith and act of courage has echoed through the generations. She taught those spies, and us as well, an invaluable lesson: what we focus on changes everything.
In the second half of Joshua Chapter One, we learn that three of Israel's twelve tribes were already living in their "Promise Land." While their brothers were getting ready to cross the Jordan River and engage in the battles ahead, why did they need to leave their homes and risk everything to help them? Because that's God's plan! If we stay barricaded within the safe borders of our own Promise Land, there will be others who will never make it to theirs. We can not take new ground and leave others behind.
In this season of huge challenges, when it feels like everything we've relied on has been ripped away, is it really the time to take new ground? Shouldn't we just be trying to hold on to what we've got? That's exactly what God's people must have been asking in Joshua Chapter One, right after Moses, had died. But God challenged them in that moment to rise and take new ground. It's time to be strong and courageous.