Sequoia Worship Center: Recent Episodes
Pastor Greg Stoffel
We are glad you joined our podcast today. It is our sincere desire that our Sequoia Worship Center Podcast becomes a place where you connect with God. This should never replace your attending a local fellowship. We hope you find this podcast a place where God is honored through relevant messages centered in God’s Word. We believe Jesus Christ is God’s Son, sent to us so we can have a relationship with God. We also believe that the Holy Spirit is one with the Father and the Son. Our mission is to become more like Jesus every day. We pray you will join us on this journey and we hope to provide you with meaningful opportunities to connect with God's Word through our podcast. If you’re just beginning to explore how God may be relevant in your life, we want to meet you on that path. If you’re a committed Christian who wants to grow deeper in your faith, we want to support and nurture that desire. May your encounters with this podcast serve to draw you nearer to Christ, and may you be blessed by a sense of God’s presence.
This is a call to pursue. This is a call to seek and keep seeking. This is a call to find and to be diligent. This is a NOT a call to the casual, the weak kneed or the lazy. This is an invitation for those who really want a to be present at the marriage supper of the Lamb. This is a call for the hungry, the thirsty and the desperate for an encounter with the Almighty God. And in this seeking, will you or have you divorced the Devil?
This area of teaching stirs many different thoughts and emotions in all walks of life. Whatever you might call it, tithing, offering or giving our attitude in could be affected by what we have experienced in the past. This area is very uncomfortable because of the abuses and what has been deemed a discredit to God. Join us in asking the question of "Where did it all begin...The Offering Plate? What is really the TRUTH about Tithes and Offering?
We always hear, "stop judging me, you know the Bible says, "judge not!"" Usually those who quote that don't even know where the scripture is found nor the context in which it is used. What does the Bible really say about judging?
It is a fallacy that God is all forgiving, and when unrepentant offenders claim that, "God Forgives Me!' they are wrong. God does not forgive until we confess our sins and repent of our sins and change our ways. The Lord will hold us accountable for our behavior and He instructs us to hold each other accountable as well. Listen in as Pastor Greg explains the Three R's of Accountability.
Most of us within the body of Christ have lost the concept of the "altars of God." Unfortunately, we have come to equate the concept of "altars" as that of being some kind of table that is on the platform where priests or members of the clergy perform rituals in a liturgical manner. For many we immediately think "religion" or "ritualism." Why did so many mighty men of God build altars? What was their motive? Listen in to this powerful message by Pastor Greg and lets take a look at what building an altar really means.
We don't need opinion, we need absolutes.....I'm not looking at giving you the doctrine of baptism, but the practical application for you to discover baptism. This message will stress the importance of baptism, it's a big deal! Jesus commanded it!
Will your legacy transcend time? For your children and their children, what will you leave? The great thing about God is that He allows us to change the course of history for our families. What is the spiritual legacy you will leave your family?
We are not going to do church as usual. When we look at His Word, does our church look like what the Bible describes?
What happens when the rocks cry out! What happens when all of heaven praises the Lord of Glory? Our enemy hates praise! He despises it when he hears the praises of heaven crying Holy, Holy, Holy. This kind of praise angers the enemy because it disperses him! Psalm 68.
In this day and age of the "Give Me Gospel" we need the real gospel that will grip us and get a hold of the lost. The Holy Spirit wants to get you ready for when the real trouble strikes. There is a shaking that is aout to take place. There is a womping that the devil is about to serve up. Get your spiritual Firehouse in order. Make room.
What exactly does it mean to "raise and Ebenezer?" This name comes up exactly three times in the Old Testament. Two of those times the name comes up to simply identify a specific place for specific events, but the most important occurrence of this word is right here in 1 Samuel 7:12.
Whether we realize it or not, we always want to operate from a position of advantage. It's not always obvious deceit or manipulation. it may just be that little thing we talk about, or gossip about, in order to influence people to our point of view. It's that inner self that wants to protect us and is always out for our best interest. That inner defense attorney that comes to plead our case. His name is Jacob!
Revivalists of the past preached, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God!" or "Without Holiness, No one Will See God!" A sermon with that title today would shock most of the conscience of the American church. We need preachers that will come out of their prayer closet on fire with a message from heaven. John Burton says, "We should preach in such a way that people either hate you or fall in love with Jesus."
He desires to have you! It's not about what you can get or gain, but your desire should be to have Him. Like a waiting virgin, pure, holy, un-defiled. You would say, "That's Not Me!" But He says, "Yes it's You!" That's what is so spectacular about Him. He is waiting for you and has adorned you and graced you in His Holiness. We must remain pledged to Him alone. He is preparing His Bride the Church for a wedding.
Offense is wrought in the heart. But to be removed, there must be a cleansing in the flesh and soul. When you have taken up an offense you are giving the enemy a stronghold. Offense is Satan's trap, once we have the bait, he has us...
The Bible says that... "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft!" Is witchcraft the open door to the demonic in a persons life? The Bible strictly warns us against rebellion and its consequences are not to be taken lightly.
Many of us have been hurt, maybe even by a church or your pastor. Maybe you have been offended, violated or even abused. This seems to be a natural experience because of sin in the world. What does it mean to really forgive those that have hurt us? Audio clip: Francis Chan.
Gideon, like many of us, doubted his own abilities. He had suffered so many defeats and failures that he even put God to the test--not once but three times. In the Bible story, Gideon is introduced threshing grain in a winepress, a pit in the ground, so the marauding Midianites did not see him. God appeared to Gideon as an angel and said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." Gideon is an Old Testament Bible character everyone can identify with. This powerful sermon will show us how trusting God can lead even the most unsure person to greatest of victories.
Spurgeon said, "The Lord does not permit His children to sin successfully." Unless our suffering leads to repentance, it accomplishes no lasting good; and unless our repentance is evidence of a holy desire to turn from sin, not just escape from pain, repentance is only remorse. Audio clip: Francis Chan
You will not walk in power and authority as long as you settle! Your gifts and talents mean nothing if you have settled. When we settle we open ourselves to the world and its easier to adopt the worlds philosophy. All of hell wants you to settle. Stagnant water has an inlet but no outlet. Sitting on the bench, watching from the stands is exactly what Satan wants and he would love for you to become stagnant water instead of a river flowing with living water. Don't settle...There's more!
Saying your a Christian today is the in thing. They talk the talk, but the walk doesn't look anything like Christ. They may even go to church, may even serve. Some like the idea of salvation as a "get out of hell" free card. Stalin and Hitler both confessed to be Christians at one time in their lives and both attended Bible College. Where they contenders or pretenders?
“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” ― Charles Haddon Spurgeon
If loving God was a crime, could you be convicted? What does this love really look like? We are constantly overwhelmed by emotional traffic in our lives. Can we ever experience real love for Christ or His love for us? Listen in to this powerful service and see if you would be convicted! Excerpt by: Francis Chan
If it was dependent on the measure of your witness today, could you be saved? Would the demonstration of Christ in your life be enough to save you? Would the reflection of Christ in your life be bright enough to illuminate the path of salvation for others? Would the salt in your life change the flavor of what is served to others? These are some serious questions we need to ask ourselves.
Let's be honest, the God of the Bible and His Word can be disturbing, offensive and challenging to even the brightest mind. At times, we may even feel that this God of the Bible is embarrassing. The truth is, our God is who He claims to be and He doesn't apologize or make any excuses for His behavior. His ways are higher than our ways! The test of our faith is fully trusting in this God that we are barely able to comprehended.
When Faith is birthed in the heart of a believer and many of us have envisioned this place. But some are never been able to get there. Many have heard about it, but never experienced it. Many have been promised this faith, but it has not been fulfilled. Glimpsed it, but not grabbed it! Spotted it, but never sampled it. Pictured it, but never possessed it. Visible Faith. Alive Faith. This isn't some secret thing. True faith will not be stifled, stilled, or staled. It looks for a way through, over, or around. It is alive, active and awake.
What's the truth about revival for our churches? If it's based upon an emotional experience, it won't last! If it's to radical, it won't last! If you are on a spiritual high you will have to come back to earth! There seems to be only two solutions... The first is to ignore feelings and turn our faith into a matter of intellectual pursuit or the second is to give in to our emotions and pursue the latest, greatest and best experience out there while jumping on the charismatic treadmill and running after the most exciting, most dramatic outpourings we can possibly find. Unfortunately, both these options are wrong......
Fasting is a physical act of humility, displaying our complete dependence and need for His power, His resources in our lives and the circumstances around us. Fasting expands you spiritually. It will renew your spirit making you ready for more of God. Fasting changes our outer garment, changes the elasticity of our Spirit. Fasting will always change us physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Unity is about gathering around Christ and what He has accomplished. Unity is about the mission, the purpose, the commission He has given us as a body of believers. It is NOT about building church! In seeking unity, it shouldn't be about demanding unity but about desiring unity. It's about rallying around Christ, not a preacher, not a church, not a building, not a program or cause, but rallying around Him and His mission.
He Is! God is absolute! He has no beginning and no end. He was not created. He answers to no one and He created this world out of nothing. When we pray, "Our Father who art in heaven..." we are addressing Him in His infinite glory, power, majesty, beauty and splendor. Beholding Him in all....HE IS!
Are you truly a Christian a Christ Follower? Are you sure? In crisis, in bad times, when things aren't going as planned the intimacy and history that we have with God could be the sustaining and defining factor. You've either dug your life giving watering holes or you haven't! We all are created with a large capacity for God. Unfortunately, some just want a thimble full and is that going to be enough to get you into the Kingdom of God. Our authority in the Kingdom of God is based upon our proximity and capacity of God. We have churches on every corner, but not authority. We have religiosity, but not authority. The problem is we lack intimacy with God.
There is a place in the Spirit, where we can walk in harmony, in rhythm, in cadence with God. It is the rhythm of heaven. The Holy Spirit is always in step with the will of God. The things that move God's heart should move our heart's. This is walking and living under the influence of the Holy Spirit. He becomes our source, our motivation and even our obsession. Only out of intimacy with the Holy Spirit and a relationship with the author of the Bible can true ministry flow.
How do you know you are spiritually healthy? Sometimes a spiritual exam is in order. Your Fruit should be spiritually examined because your Fruit is the evidence of the Holy Spirit in you and we will be judged by our Fruit. Healthy Fruit is the mark of true Christianity.
It's not about changing your mind or emotions, the Joy of the Lord is tied to something much deeper. The true origin of Joy is not of this world. It springs from God and has God as it's objective. This joy is not momentary as much of the world experiences but is capable of being continuous. A life lived that has no dependence on externals. Are you a Christian that carries the origin of true joy?
Are all sins the same before God? Yes and No - Yes, in the sense that all sins are black, putrid and repulsive to a Holy and Righteous God. No, in the sense of the damage they cause. There are seven sins that are especially destructive. Today we will only address the one that packs a huge blow and is the most destructive.
God did not give Ezekiel the scroll cafeteria style, He said "Son of man, eat it!" What I have put before you, eat. As Ezekiel, we can't choose which scripture we will obey. The Bible is not finger food! We are to devour it, consume it, fill our stomach's with it. His Word needs to be digested and consumed. Don't just nibble and pick at it, scarf it up and meditate on it.
It is obvious that, because of the times in which we live, self-examination is necessary so that we correct ourselves on a regular basis to make certain we continue to bring honor to God and Christ. The apostle Paul suggests that problems and trials, leading unto death among the members may have their sources in our un-examined conduct. As we go through this process of testing, proving, and examination it then becomes our responsibility to be prepared to repent fully of what God makes plain to us.
The American Christian today is blind to the lukewarmness and the sinful mixture that has crept in little by little. The spirit of lukewarmness is one of the least recognizable things in the life of believers today. Pastor Greg challenges believers to leave their passivity and during this service, quotes one of God's modern day prophets, David Wilkerson, "You have lost your fight. That's all the devil wants to do is get the fight out of you and kill it. So you won't labor in prayer anymore, you won't weep before God anymore. You can sit and watch television and your family goes to hell. If you are expecting somebody else to win your family or to do this work you are mistaken." This message is deep, it's challenging and it's anointed! God is calling every believer in America to a, "Baptism of Anguish" so we can pray with fervency for the recovery of our nation.
Lip service Christianity is becoming an epidemic in America. Some worship and honor with their lips, they look as if they are drawing near, they seem to be saying and praying the right stuff, but their hearts are far from Him. Their religious exercises are pointless, meaningless and annoying to the heart of heaven. Jesus even talked about this in Matthew 15:7-9. True worship, heart worship is everything to God. He admonishes us to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. True worship takes the attention off self and places our focus on Him. Either way, it affects everyone around us. Christians who sit bored in church during praise, what are you speaking to those around you? Colossians 3:16 states that when we worship from the heart, whether loud or soft, standing or sitting, kneeling or face down, it speaks, it teaches, it admonishes and then those around us get blessed and we honor the King of Kings. When we truly sing from the heart all of heaven worships with us!
The True Church - A force to be reckoned with! Jesus promised that he would build His church and even the powers of hell could not take it down. With a guarantee this powerful, the church of Jesus Christ in America should be shaking the gates of hell. Is she? Is that what's happening? What did the Jesus say His church should look like? Does the church in America look as He described in Acts Chapter 2?