California Community Church: Recent Episodes
Brad Johnson
Weekly teaching from Pastor Brad Johnson of California Community Church. For more info about California Community Church please visit our Website at CalChurch.com
ACCEPTING YOUR STATUS AS A CHILD OF GOD“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.’ So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the fatted calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” Luke 15:17-24Life with the Father is Better than Life Without the Father.How Do YOU Learn to Truly and Confidently believe that YOU are a child of God?Choose to FULLY Believe God’s Acceptance and My IdentityWe are stuck in faulty thinking about God and we are trapped in self-condemnation.“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. MY purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”Romans 8:1 NLTSee your enemy’s strategy? Try to kill you. If that doesn’t work, try to keep you far from God, in your sin, wallowing in your stuff AND if that doesn’t work, he will AT LEAST try to keep you from believing that you are fully a son, fully a daughter who is forgiven and accepted by God.“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster….oh that you would choose life…You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life…” Deuteronomy 30:11, 19, 20Surrender to God’s ChangesThe prodigal trusted the father to change his clothes…and then he learned to trust His father to change his life.
Believe for MORE!!EASTER 2024If Christ hasn’t been raised, then our preaching is uselessand your faith is useless. 1 Corinthians 14:15The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives inyou. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, Hewill give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit livingwithin you. Romans 6:10-11If all the resurrection of Jesus from the dead provided wasproof that Jesus is the Son of God (as He claimed), providedforgiveness from our sins because He demonstrated powerover sin, death and the grave, AND provided a promise thatwe, too, will raise from the dead to heaven, THAT WOULD BEALL WE NEED TO WORSHIP, LOVE AND SERVE JESUS ALLOF OUR DAYSThe power that raised Jesus from the dead, that actuallyaccompanied the whole life and miracle-working-ministry ofJesus, that culminated in raising Him from the dead, isavailable on a DAILY basis to transform the way we live ourlives, and to EMPOWER us to live at a level beyond what ishumanly possible.Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me willdo the works I have been doing, and they will do even greaterthings than these…” John 14:12“According to your faith be it done to you.” Matthew 9:29What if the very issue standing between you and living withthe dynamic power that actually raised Jesus from the deadcould be unlocked and unleashed simply by BELIEVING GODFOR MORE?You get to choose how much you believe God for.Two small steps to start:1. Ask Him to Increase Your Faith“I believe. Help my unbelief.” Mark 9:242. You can exercise the small faith you have until your faithgrows.…Faith the size of a mustard seed…Greater is He who is IN YOU than he who is in the world. 1John 4:4I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me.Philippians 4:13For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’schildren. And since we are His children, we are His heirs.Romans 8:17Christ IN ME the hope of glory!!! Colossians 1:27When I Believe God for MORE……I will believe in myself more!“Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then thefrightened woman, trembling at the realization of what hadhappened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of Himand told Him what she had done. And He said to her,‘Daughter, your faith made you well…’” Mark 5:32-34When I believe God for MORE……I will attempt more!When you double your dream, you are stepping closer toyour destiny and God always intended that it would be biggerthan you alone!Don’t let your doubts determine your destiny!Allow your belief to take you to a level of life you never evenknew was possible for you.
Becoming BeYOUtiful YouPart 9, Gentleness“…when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” Galatians 5:22, 23 NLT“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 NLT“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”Ephesians 4:2 NLT“He must be gentle, not quarrelsome” 1 Timothy 3:3 NLT“You should clothe yourselves with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” 1 Peter 3:4 NLTTO LIVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE, I NEED GOD’S HELP!GENTLENESS KILLERS:MY PACEA Story of Urgency and InterruptionLuke 8:40-55 NIV MY PAINMY PRIDEHumble People Esteem People and Prideful People Demean People.“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.” Galatians 6:1-3 NLT4 PRAYERS TO BUILD GENTLENESS INTO YOUR LIFE:JESUS, HELP ME VALUE PEOPLE EQUALLYJESUS, HELP ME LISTEN MORE THAN I SPEAK“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” James 1:19 ESV“Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.” James 1:19 JESUS, HELP MY WORDS HELP“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight”Psalm 19:14 NIVJESUS, HELP ME DO GENTLENESSDaily Gentleness Prayer for This Week:Jesus, grow gentleness within me. Like fruit on a branch, let my words be sweet and may my pace be fast enough to accomplish your will for my life, BUT slow enough to be gentle with all who intersect my path. Prevent my pain or pride from becoming weaponized against others. And give me eyes to really see and ears to really hear every person in my life and then, Father, give me a gentle heart to respond to them like Jesus would.Amen
Becoming BeYOUtiful You, Part 8 - Faithfulness“…when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” Galatians 5:22, 23 NLTFAITHFULNES IS…Love that hangs on “It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, and your faithfulness in the evening.” Psalm 92:2 NLT“Love and faithfulness meet together” Psalm 85:10“God is…abounding in love and faithfulness” Psalm 86:15Psalms 89:2, 89:14, 89:24, 89:33, 89:49, 92:2, 98:3“Let love and faithfulness never leave you.” Proverbs 3:3Reliability“Let love and faithfulness never leave you” Proverbs 3:3 NIV“The Lord is faithful to all His promises…” Psalm 145:13 NIV“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the FAITHFUL God, keeping His covenant to a thousand generations…” Deuteronomy 7:9“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Cor. 10:13 NIV“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” John 3:16, 17 NLT“…if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.”1 John 1:9 NLT“O Lord God Almighty! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord? Faithfulness is your very character.” Psalm 89:8 NLT“He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4BECOMING FAITHFUL…Be Faithful in SMALL THINGSMatthew 25: 14-23 NLTGOD WILL TEST ME JUST ABOVE THE LEVEL I’M AT, IN ORDER TO STRETCH METhe master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.Stay Faithful to Jesus Christ
Becoming BeYOUtiful YOU Part 7 - Goodness“…when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” Galatians 5:22,23 NLT“Every GOOD and perfect gift is from above, coming from the Father” James 1:17 NIVTo Live a BeYOUtiful Life, I NEED GOD’S HELP!First, THE PROOF of the Christian life is in the FruitIf (that is the conditional part) we let Him control our lives, HE WILL (that is the promise) produce the life in us that we have been created to live.This is an EXPECTATION for followers of Jesus Christ“A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. “Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:18-21 NLTAnyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” James 4:17 NIVTHERE ARE TWO FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS WHENEVER WE CALL SOMEONE A “GOOD” PERSON-Here’s part of the problem: We Judge Goodness By the Wrong StandardHere’s the Other Part of the Problem: No one is good!“There is no one righteous…” Romans 3:10 NIV“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” Isaiah 64:6 NIV“The Lord is good and does what is right” Psalm 25:8 NLT“Taste and see that the Lord is good” Psalm 34:8 NLT“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation” Psalm 100:5 NLTWe can’t conclude that we just need a “little help”Luke 18:9-14 The Pharisee and the Tax CollectorJesus did not come to earth and die on a cross just to make good people better. “…I no longer count on my own goodness…but I trust God to save me” Philippians 3:9 NLT“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLTWe don’t go to heaven because we are good, but because God is good.God’s Good Fruit In You Matters-BecauseIt Multiplies…“As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 NIVIt Attracts People Toward Christ-“He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord” Acts 11:24 NIVIt Overcomes Evil-“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” Romans 12:21 NIV
Becoming BeYOUtiful YouPart 6 - KindnessKindness is the foundation of a good heart and with a good heart, a good life will follow.“…when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”Galatians 5:22,23 NLT“…love is kind…” 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIVKINDNESS IS LOVE IN ACTION“A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a Jewish priest came along; but when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity. Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told him to take care of the man. ‘If his bill runs higher than that,’ he said, ‘I’ll pay the difference the next time I am here.’” Luke 10: 30-35 NLTIt starts with the nature of God. “He is filled with kindness” Psalm 145:7 NLT“Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you?”Romans 2:4 NLT“He is so rich in kindness…”Ephesians 1:7 NLT“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 NLT“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”Romans 2:4 NLTTHEN IT INVADES, INHABITS AND TRANSFORMS OUR LIFETo Live A BeYOUtiful Life, I NEED GOD’S HELP!Tap Into the Power of Kindness:Kindness has the power to disarm.“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Proverbs 12:25 NIV“Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” “Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.” Proverbs 15:4 MSGKindness puts you in the zone.Kindness comes back.“A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.” Proverbs 11:17 NIVKindness sets you apart.“If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.” Matthew 5:47 NLTEmploy the Strategy for KindnessBe Open to the Moments- because they are everywhere!Make the Move- don’t wait to be asked.People who move against othersPeople who move away from others People who move towards others“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted…”Ephesians 4:32 NASBe Extraordinarily Kind“The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all.” Acts 28:2 NAS“The one who treated him kindly.” Luke 10:37 The Message
Becoming BeYOUtiful YouPart 5 - Patience“When the Holy Spirit controls your life, He will produce in you: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.”Galatians 5:22“Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow.” James 1:2, 3 NLTJames 5:7-12 NLTI NEED PATIENCE WHEN……I Have Lost Control"Be patient then brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is ..." James 5:7I NEED PATIENCE WHEN……I’m Waiting for People to Change"As an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord." James 5:10“But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life.”1 Timothy 1:16 NLT“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this not mean anything to you?” Romans 2:4 NLTI NEED PATIENCE WHEN……Life Doesn’t Make Sense"You have heard of Job's perseverance ..." James 5:11YOUR ABILITY TO BE PATIENT, IS BASED ON YOUR ABILITY TO BELIEVE CORRECTLY…WHILE YOU WAIT, YOU CAN BE SURE THAT……God is at Work"Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." James 5:8 "You have heard of Job's perseverance, and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:11"And we know that in all things, God is working…" Romans 8:28 “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, for He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” Romans 5:3-5 NLTWHILE YOU WAIT, YOU CAN BE SURE THAT……God Rewards Patience"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered." James 5:11 WHILE YOU WAIT, YOU CAN……Wait Expectantly"... I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for He has promised." Psalm 130:5 Living BibleWHILE YOU WAIT, YOU CAN……Wait HopefullyHope is: Holding On Praying Expectantly "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act." Psalm 37:7 WHILE YOU WAIT, YOU CAN……Wait ObedientlySometimes God makes Us Wait For the NEXT Step Until We Have Taken the LAST Step He Asked us to Take. Finally, while you wait…keep doing the next right thing. “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. THEN you will receive ALL that He has promised.”Hebrews 10:36
Becoming BeYOUtiful YouPart 4 - Peace“…when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”Galatians 5:22, 23 NLT1.Storms hit everyone- even the Followers of Jesus“Don’t worry about anything” Philippians 4:6 NLT“…Do not be anxious for tomorrow…each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NAS“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not! And if worry can’t do little things like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?”Luke 12: 25, 26 NLT“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV2. Followers of Jesus can’t Stop Storms3.Only Jesus Christ is Powerful Enough to Stop StormsAs evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?" When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "PEACE! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:35-394. Jesus is not Shaken by Storms PERSONAL STEPS TO PEACE IN THE STORMS-PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING“Pray about everything” Philippians 4:6 NLTPrayer Reminds Us of God’s BIGNESS“Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool…My hand made all these things”Isaiah 66:1, 2 NASPrayer Reminds us of God’s NEARNESS“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NASTHANK HIM FOR ALL HE HAS DONE“Thank Him for all He has done” Philippians 4:6 NLTPeace is a Quality of Soul, not a Quality of Circumstances!Peace is not the absence of storms. It’s calm within the storm. Peace is not found in a place; it’s found in a person- His Name is Jesus!
First Sunday in our new home. Sound is a little distorted, but we are working out our new bugs. Thank you for your patience.
Part 2 of the Dream crushers series. Pastor Brad speaks on distrust and discouragement.
Pastor Brad answers questions from the church. Both 1st and 2nd service questions are featured on this podcast.
Christians are not perfect. Having Jesus in our life doesn’t make us immune from temptation or failure. What are Christians supposed to do when they sin? Pastor Brad uses scripture to explain this reality.
It's Too Late For Me to Start Over.For those who have ever believed that you have gone too far, stayed too long, or are stuck right where you are and you can't start over...Pastor Brad delivers and message of hope and reassurance.
It makes sense to us that good things might happen to good people. It doesn't make sense to us that good things happen to bad people. Join us, as we talk about one of the oldest questions in the world:Why do the wicked prosper?