Reality Santa Barbara (Audio): Recent Episodes
Reality
These are the sermons from the teaching ministry of Reality Santa Barbara, led by pastor Stephen Posey. We exist to create space for people to follow Jesus.For more information on our church, visit www.realitysb.com
Join us Sunday as Stephen starts our new series EPHESIANS | HOW GRACE WORKS. We hope you’ll join us as we worship together!
Pastor Stephen teaches the final installment of our Vision Series - Practicing the Way of Jesus Together in Santa Barbara.
We hope you’ll join us as we worship together!
Hear the new mission of Reality Santa Barbara. It’s not a new mission. It’s the ancient, biblical, historical mission from the earliest followers of Jesus, contextualized to our local community—practicing the way of Jesus together in Santa Barbara.
This is week one of a vision series at Reality Church of Santa Barbara. In this sermon Stephen Posey talks about the power of dreaming God-size dreams with God and partnering with God for their fulfillment—for His glory and our joy!
If you and I were to have audience with God almighty, there are any number of things we’d want from Him. We certainly have a few questions for Him. Why this? What about that? What would you ask of the God of all creation? Now this: what is it you think God would ask of you? In Matthew 9, we see Jesus reveal something about what God wants through a series of stories in which people cry out to in desperate need .
Jesus famously said, “In this world you will have trouble.” This was an affirmation of a truth we already know—trouble is unavoidable for all humankind. Thankfully, Jesus didn’t stop there. He also said “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” That’s good news, but how does it actually work? What are we supposed to do trouble comes? This week, we’ll consider what Psalm 91 tells us about trouble.
For the next three weeks we believe God is calling us into a focused, intentional season of worship. We’re asking God for the one thing we need most — His empowering presence. This week we’ll look at a story from John 4 to see what happens when Jesus shows up in the unlikeliest of places to the unlikeliest of people.
Pastor of Spiritual Formation, Joseph Pfeifer, preaches on what it means to be Gracious, Gritty and Wholehearted over 1 Samuel 14
Guest Speaker Bill Clem continues the series Restore my Soul by preaching over Psalm 23
Psalm 126 is a song of ascents—an epic road trip song—a reminder that God was so good “back them” and God will continue to be good in the future, and that goodness is available to Him right now. Psalm 126 invites us to sing along, to remember dreams God gave us, dreams He’s fulfilled, and dreams yet to come. Reality Church of Santa Barbara, it’s time to dream again.
Guest Speaker Casey Shirley continues the series Restore my Soul by preaching over Psalm 34
CS Lewis once paid Psalm 19 was “the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world...”. In fact, the scope of Psalm 19 could not be more grand nor its implications more personal. In this message, we’ll meditate David’s word and follow the Spirit’s leading turning our hearts to worship.
Ariel Bournes preached over the Rhythm of Restoration through the principles of humility, prayer and praise. Psalm 51
The Psalms are that sacred space in Scripture where honest humanity collides with loving divinity. Thomas Merton once said the Psalms “represent the experience of men and women who have prayed in every conceivable circumstance across thirty centuries.” In Psalm 42 we get an intimate glimpse into a soul’s pursuit of God’s presence, not simply for enhanced spirituality, but for in a heart-wrenching cry for survival. Let’s consider Psalm 42 as less a poetic contemplation and more of a primal scream.
If someone were to ask you the condition of your soul right now, how would you respond? Are you running on fumes or full to overflowing? Are you anxious or at peace? Discontent or satisfied? Distracted or in tune with the Spirit? Afraid or full of faith? As AW Tozer suggests, “what comes to mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.” Psalm 103 points a path to restoring our souls and it all begins when your thoughts about God.
The book of Psalms has been a favorite for followers of Yahweh and of Jesus for centuries, because of its visceral, evocative language and beautiful imagery. Psalm 1 is not only an introduction to the book, but a container for all of its themes, and, as we will see, a kind of shorthand for the key tension in all of Scripture. You may be surprised to find out how much practical this ancient Psalm has on offer to the modern follower of Jesus in deciphering (and living out) truth.
The whole world celebrates holidays surrounding the incarnation (Christmas), death (Good Friday), and resurrection (Easter) of Jesus Christ, but very little attention is given to Jesus’ ascension, even in the Church. But the ascension is kind of a big deal.
Hebrew Scripture prophecies it. The New Testament’s most quoted Old Testament verse is about Jesus’ ascension. Peter’s Pentecost sermon cites the ascension as proof of Jesus as Israel’s exalted messianic king. When we say “Jesus is Lord”, or “Jesus is King” we mean, Jesus has ascended!
But why does the ascension matter to you, right here and right now as a 21st century follower of Jesus? Let’s talk about that.
Throughout history God has used everyday, ordinary people to do extraordinary things in His name. But is there something God looks for in the people He sends on mission? In this message we’ll learn from the details of Paul’s experience immediately after God’s call.
The Great Commission has catalyzed tens of millions of Jesus followers to share their faith over the centuries. Christians have been compelled to share the good news of Jesus to family members, friends, and coworkers, to people in their communities and beyond, to other cities, states, nations, and continents.
Countless vulnerable, exploited and abused children have been rescued, millions of hungry have been fed, desperately poor communities have been given resources, water wells have been dug, and education has been provided all in the name of Jesus and His command to “go”.
Still, some Christians feel guilt around the idea of “going” (or not going, as it were). Others question some of the unintentional negative consequences of well-meaning Christians whose efforts caused complications or even harm to people in other parts of the world. What’s did Jesus mean when He told His disciples to “go”? What do these words mean to us in 21st century Santa Barbara, California? Let’s talk about the good news of the Great Commission.
Followers of Jesus have an easy time believing God loves the whole world,
but we sometimes struggle to believe that God really does love us.
In this prophecy from Isaiah, God expresses a love so supreme He invokes the strongest
relational metaphor—that of relationship between a mother and her nursing infant—
a love so supreme it transcends a mother’s love.
In the first century a woman’s testimony was only half as credible as a man’s. A woman with a bad reputation would have been less credible still. Regardless of its inclusion, or lack thereof in the canon, the verses in the last half of Mark 16 present a truth that all the gospels agree—Mary Magdalene, a formerly demon-possessed woman, was among the first witnesses of the resurrection. Why would the authors (and most devoted apprentices of Jesus) want us to know that the first person to proclaim the resurrection testimony upon which the entire substance of saving faith derives its credibility, was a woman? What might we learn about belief itself in an age of easy unbelief?
God’s faithful son is finally enthroned as king, but in the most surprising way. He is exalted through a shameful execution reserved for only for the most unconscionable criminals. Faithful disciples quietly give Jesus a lavish burial in a tomb fit for the affluent. A faithful disciple quietly show up at his tomb. A faithful divine messenger asks, “What are you doing here?”
Jesus stands before the local Roman prefect, accused of being a messianic insurrectionist. When Pilate finds no fault in Jesus he offers to free “the king of the Jews”. Will the people #FreeJesus and receive him as king? Or will they be swayed by the loudest voices to choose a lesser alternative? In this sermon we consider what truth this passage has on offer when we face the Jesus vs. a lesser messiahs choices in our daily lives.
As Jesus is whisked away to the first of his illegal trials, Peter makes good on his promise to prove his devotion, following Jesus deep into enemy territory. Still, despite his best intentions, Peter finds himself falling back into old grooves of bad behavior. What can we learn from the failure of Jesus’ most faithful disciple? Is change actually possible?
Guest Speaker Blake Zimmerman takes a break from Jesus is King series to preach on Acts 28v17-31
Jesus shares his final meal with his disciples, one of whom will betray him, most of whom will abandon him, all of whom He offers the cup of redemption.
As we close in on the last couple of days before Jesus’ death,
there is little neutral ground in the hearts of humankind. In light of Jesus’ love, tender hearts can’t hold back their lavish worship, and hard hearts grow harder still.
This passage contains Jesus’ longest uninterrupted teaching in the gospel of Mark. In response to the disciples marveling at the magnificence of the Jerusalem temple, Jesus predicts its utter destruction, after which the disciples when that will happen and when will be the sign that it’s about to take place.
After fielding a series of deceptive, adversarial questions with wisdom and grace, Jesus now asks a single powerful question, and reveals a prophetic truth, rattling the tenets of the religious core and their systemic manipulation, domination, and exploitation. The audience listens with delight as Jesus reveals Himself as the God who sees.
We all take comfort in being right. “Being right” helps us justify our
wrongs and make sense of wounds. “Being right” protects us from villains and liberates us to pursue the good life, or so we think. But happens when we find out our mind map of “being right” is off? What happens when we realize we don’t see life as clearly as we thought? Jesus eases the burden of our incessant needs of “being
right” and invites us to follow Him along the path to living well—truly liberated to live a life of love. In this sermon we explore what happens when the people most obsessed with being right confront the author of life.
Lead Pastor Stephen Posey talks about three commitments on a short sermon over Mark 3:13–19.
Pastor of Spiritual Formation & Worship , Joseph Pfeifer continues the series Jesus is King with Mark 11:27-33 and Mark 12:1-12
This is Day 21 of our 21 Day Prayer Tour. We're praying for a new season of faithful ministry at Reality Santa Barbara and the other churches in the Reality Family.
We are returning to our Reality roots by praying for our city. Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response.
We are returning to our Reality roots by praying for our city. Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response.
This is Day Eighteen of Reality Santa Barbara's 21 Day Prayer Tour. Today we're praying for all the local churches of Santa Barbara and the surrounding areas.
We are returning to our Reality roots by praying for our city. Today we are praying for those who feel alone and fatigued. Those who are in the midst of brokenness. Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response.
We are returning to our Reality roots by praying for our city. In Today's podcast, Grace Posey, age 13, takes over, to lead us in prayer for the Next Generation of followers. Listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response.
We are returning to our Reality roots by praying for our city. Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response.
The disciples marvel that Jesus’ words had such power; Everyone wants prayer that works, but no one seems to know how prayer works. Jesus makes another astounding promise about prayer and invites them to experience a Jesus kind of faith for themselves.
We are returning to our Reality roots by praying for our city. Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response.
We are returning to our Reality roots by praying for our city. Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response.
We are returning to our Reality roots by praying for our city. Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response. Today we are praying for those that might feel unseen.
Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response. Today we are gathering at Paseo Nuevo from 12 to 1pm. Join us if you can. We will be meeting near the rooftop parking lot. At the top of the colorful mosaic tile stairway. You can enter between the California pizza kitchen and Eureka burger restaurants.
Day 10 | 21 Day Prayer Tour | Reality Santa Barbara | What To Do With Weariness by Reality Santa Barbara
Today we're praying God would open the eyes of lost friends and loved ones, that they would come to know the goodness of God in Jesus!
Today, in light of Martin Luther King Day and the scriptural prayers and purpose his life represents, we stand in solidarity with those who are hurting and pray for those in need.
Jesus disrupts the way access to God happens forever, making the meritocracy of religious achievement obsolete currency, and disarms the powers of religious exploitation.
We are returning to our Reality roots by praying for our city. Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response.Today we are praying for God's blessing upon unity in our community.
Today we are praying for God to be our help, the the guardian of our community and the keeper of our souls.
We are returning to our Reality roots by praying for our city. Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response
We are returning to our Reality roots by praying for our city. Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response. Today we are gathering at El Presidio from 12 to 1pm. Join us if you can.
Day 3 of Reality Santa Barbara Prayer Tour, January 12, 2022. Today we're praying for healing in our physical bodies and for people we know and love
Join us as we return to our Reality roots by praying for our city. Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response.
Join us as we return to our Reality roots by praying for our city. Each day, listen to the podcast, and then take some time to pray in response.
What does Jesus see when He looks at you? This week we are looking at a mysterious prophetic parable Jesus enacts in front of His disciples and what it means to us today.
Guest Speaker Peter Russell starts off Reality Santa Barbara New year with the sermon titled Born to Bless.
If you are a follower of Jesus, then you have a ministry in the church. But what does it mean to fulfill our ministry?
Whether under the tyranny of poverty and injustice or under the spell of overconsumption and apathy, the whole world is crying out for revolution! We, the followers of non-anxious, humble Jesus, are invited to participate in a Jesus kind of revolution.
On Pastor Lazo's last sermon as official Lead Pastor of Reality SB, he talked about what looks like Jesus favorite question shown in Mark 10:46-52 “What do you want me to do for you?”
The world’s success comes through greed and control. Jesus succeeds by serving and shows us how.
The way we access God is in the same way a child receives a free gift they never expected.
Sometimes our relationships are framed by what we can get out of them. Jesus reframes the question by using the example of marriage.
Be aware of each other’s faith. Be aware of your own faith. Go all in on Jesus together.
Do not reject someone who is doing good just because they don’t belong to your tribe. Nor reject what you are doing because you don’t belong to the right group. God is making all things new and we are invited into that.
Guest preacher Stephen Posey will teach over Mark 9:30-37 to continue the series Jesus is King
Some things are only possible through ongoing communion with and reliance on the Father.
In a world filled with turmoil and urgency, what we need most happens to be right in front of us: Jesus, anointed by the Father to usher in the Kingdom is before us--we are called to listen to him.
Society has a couple problems with Jesus. He looks for those who believe that he is who he says he is, and invites them to follow him together
When you’re running on empty and there’s not enough to keep going, God can multiply what little you have
Where can we find hope when we need healing? In Mark 7:31-37 a blind man desperate for healing encounters Jesus and finds hope in unexpected ways.
What happens when God’s promises don’t seem to line up with our reality? Gritty faith invites us to hear God in a new way in the very places of our disappointment (Core Values, pt 3)
When God seems hidden, some will seek God more desperately and will find their reward. He is gracious and there is always plenty at the table.
There is a shift taking place in the post-pandemic church. What if it’s a blessing in disguise?
RSB Core Values, Pt 2 - Too often we look away instead of truly seeing the people around us. Because of the lavish grace of God through Jesus, we are free to meet each other where we are and call each other to something higher!
The storms of life often challenge our trust. In the famous text of Jesus walking on water in Mark 6:45-52, we discover why our trust gets challenged during trials.
But if Jesus really is the Good Shepherd and the Lord of the Storm, then we have reason to channel our trust in him during life’s storms
In an over-active, high-pressured environment, Jesus calls us to periodically stop and rejuvenate.
Gabrielle Hughes teaches on wholeheartedness, an RSB core value. In a fragmented world, wholeheartedness means showing up with God and others with all our hearts, minds, and strength.
When we grow too familiar with Jesus, we risk creating "boxes" for him to fit in, and a bottleneck of unbelief threatens to stifle his work in our lives
Following Jesus is rarely convenient, but it is always good. He calls us to give up things for our liberation and joy.
A life of meaning rarely runs through calm waters. From Mark 4:35-41, Al Abdulla explores the story of the disciples in the storm, and how we learn to trust Jesus in times of troubled waters of life.
Jesus is the only one who can destroy Satan. Yet even those close to Jesus doubt him sometimes. The best choices are when we continue to trust in Jesus even when it’s hard.
It’s easy to develop categories for God and others since this helps us know what to expect and what to control. But sometimes God wants to do something new, which requires becoming comfortable with the tension and discomfort of change and trusting in the process.
The religious critic feels self-righteous and only loves people who can give back to them, but Jesus goes after people who can give nothing back and that the world has given up on.
The critic loves people who can give back to them, but Jesus is after a specific avatar: people who the world has given up on.
Jesus’ miracles make him popular, which strangely threatens his mission. But he resists celebrity culture to play the long game.
God inaugurates Jesus as the One entrusted with His love and authority, by indwelling him with His Spirit and sending him out to be battle tested.
Just like Elizabeth, God invites us to fill our empty spaces with the joy of his presence.
God’s heaven is coming down to recreate earth, and this will be the new temple of His dwelling, illuminated by Jesus.
Jesus returns as King to deal with evil and vindicate his followers. Beast and devil are eternally quarantined.
Some people would rather have freedom from God than anything else. God’s wrath is to allow it.
That cosmic battle manifests itself in military and economic power. Babylon is the beast that shows up in every history. All secular powers eventually become Babylon. Twist: 666 is not a stamp but an allegiance to the power of Babylon. The church resists!
Every injustice and evil act you see here has roots in Satan. We are all called to sacrifice and triumph over evil in the eternal power of Jesus’ death.
John recalls the Exodus plagues and the unrepentance of Egypt as a normative pattern in history, and the church as a prophetic voice with an unassailable (yet unexpected) method of victory.
History seems to get worse as the myth of human progress fails to live up to its name. But God is faithful to preserve a remnant of His people who will remain steadfast.
Ch 4 introduces God who is a big deal (v.3-11) with something to say (v.1).Ch 5: the message is in a scroll that no one can open (v.1-4) except Jesus (v.5) Twist: we see the first glimpse of what victory looks like: sacrificial love (6, 9)
Jesus speaks through John for the Church in every era living under the shadow of Babylon: Jesus is coming!
Like the returning exiles from Babylon that had “not separated themselves from sin”, we are called to repent (change mind/direction) from sin and return to God to experience His abundant mercy & grace.
Sometimes we need to remember who God is and what God has done so that we remember who we are and work with all our heart.
Like the Jews returning to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon to rebuild the temple, we are in for a battle when living out our calling from God! We will be faced with opposition in the building of the temple (the church) but the Good News is that we are provided the presence and power of God to do the work He has called us to.
God is on the move; His movements require corporate renewal, and renewal is not for the faint of heart. APP: Let’s reflect on the cost of following Jesus together, ask God to awaken us corporately, and then hop off the fence of anonymity to join the family in discipleship to Jesus.
We all experience “seasons” of loss. The pandemic has brought many of us into a winter season, when we can surrender the season to God and He can do transforming work in us.
Self-reliance rather than reliance of God is a trap that can lead to a “lukewarm”ness in our relationship with Jesus Christ & fruitless living. This is distasteful to Him but rather than spitting us out, He lovingly calls us to repentance and intimate relationship.
You’re powerless, but Jesus is powerful, that perspective changes things, and opens an opportunity.
Complacency leads to spiritual decline, but there is always a remnant that must wake up!
We are built to Belong, and when we commit to belonging in the body of Christ, God produces fruit.
Following Jesus as a member of his church includes using our gifts to serve each other.
Following Jesus includes being part of a local church. One of the Top 6 practices of church is gathering.
Supernatural Peace is a gift available to those who turn to God in prayer during times of worry/anxiety.
We can be thankful in anything—we have received an unshakeable kingdom and identity in Christ.
Our supernatural union with Christ is the model for an earthly marriage that is fruitful and God glorifying.
Gods plan for all believers is to live in a manner worthy (befitting) of our divine calling (invitation to salvation/eternal life) as a unified, yet diversified and healthy part of the body of Christ.
We’re messed up, but God is lavishly gracious towards us—and that’s the kind of recalibration we need to step forward in faith.
God’s main character in this unfolding drama is Jesus, and our identity deepened in Him.
God’s purpose is to unite everything in Christ, giving us an exciting framework to live from.
Flourishing is often found on the other side of fear; and The Good Shepherd Knows How to Guide To The Other Side
Being raised with Christ is not an abstract theological concept. It is a reality that effects not only individual lives but also relationships and social structures, as we learn to follow Jesus together.
One of the great and foundational forms of spiritual formation is by memorizing Scripture. In this sermon, pastor Chris Lazo shows us the benefit as well as methods for internalizing God’s word.
We have old habits, thoughts, and behaviors that linger even after following Christ. We must learn how to replace these things with a new and better way of life in Christ.
Those who have made a decision to follow Christ (raised with Christ) have been given a new IDENTITY (orientation for life). This true IDENTITY is based on receiving the gift of life in Christ and not a false one that we strive to achieve by what we do, what we have or what we want.
There are all sorts of ways we try to exert control over ourselves, others, even God. But freedom comes when we stop trying to fit our lives neatly into boxes that we can control, and instead, take a look inside the “box.”
There is a path of least resistance that promises us life, but ends up robbing us of life. True fullness, however, is found in Jesus Christ.
In a world that attempts to avoid discomfort at all costs, we are called to participate in Christ’s death, by joyfully enduring struggles for the sake of others. We are able to do this because Christ is in us, and transforms the way we see suffering. He turns our labor into love.
The Gospel is the good news that the kingdom of heaven (faith, hope, and love) has broken into the lives of all who understand it and respond.
Prophesied over 500 years earlier, King Jesus enters Jerusalem on the back of a donkey’s colt. He turns the page in His story from earthly ministry to heavenly calling to save His people from their sins.
We are called to loosen our grip on earthly riches and take hold of God and His promises. This allows His transforming power in our lives overflow in generosity to others.
God calls us into the silence of the wilderness to clear our hearts from our own noise.
The wilderness, is often the best place to make room in our hearts for God, by fasting and turning to him. We can trust that he will show up, even when we encounter resistance, because he is faithful.
Lent is for training the habits to catch up with the heart through the spiritual disciplines.
Lent is a journey that prepares us for a deep work of God that can only happen in the wilderness
How do you learn to hear God’s voice? Pastor Lazo explains in the last sermon of Rhythms.
When Jesus rose from the dead, it changed everything, including how God’s people meet. Listen as pastor Lazo explains the beauty and power of the Sunday morning gathering, and the story it tells.
Deep spiritual relationships are evasive, but possible. Christ came to bring us alive, then bring us together.
How do we integrate our faith with the rest our life, especially when life is full and chaotic? We need heavenly rhythms.
We are the Body of Christ and God has given us Spiritual Gifts that we are to steward well and serve each other, to build up the Church in faith and glorify God.
Life can be so disappointing that we move into fix-it mode, and lose sight of what’s right in front of us, and is all that we need: God’s presence
The King of Kings is born out of poverty and tragedy, a mere "shoot from a stump” (11:1; see 6:13) whose greatness is immense, but can now be seen through only through the eyes of faith.
We have all suffered loss and pain, some of us still have unanswered questions. But the ugliest circumstances in our life do not have to be the closing chapter to it Jesus Christ came to restore.
The distractions of this life threaten to derail us from the fullness of following Jesus. But fully committing to Jesus is the best thing you can ever do.
In this interaction between Jesus and his disciples, we see a deeply engrained tendency for people to close themselves off to other people, and to find their primary source of identity and power in their tribe
When we head down the typical road to greatness, we have wandered from the way of Jesus. True greatness looks like the way of the cross.
Uncertainty leads to fear which keeps us from approaching God in prayer. But learning how to slow down and listen can lead us to experience love.
As Christ followers we must represent Jesus to the World (Great Commission) by loving each other the way He Love us
In a seemingly impossible situation (feeding the 5,000) the Disciples are stuck and incapable of handling the task, Jesus takes what the disciples supply and multiplies! (feeding the 5,000)
The kingdom of God which breaks into the world through Jesus, is now moving out through his disciples, who are sent on his behalf, with his power, to speak his message.
Learn to look for God when hope seems lost, for your breakthrough might be one breathe away
Following Jesus means a new allegiance, not only to him but a responsibility to His church
We want to experience God, but our preconceived notions of how he will move in our lives gets in the way. Those notions are our way of being in control. But to receive from God, we need to break out of those categories. Jesus broke categories with meals.
God’s agenda is always better than what we expected. But we have to let go to experience it.
Not everything that seems important always is, but some things are so important they surprise Jesus when it happens. What surprises God?
Our Christianity is measured by our character—what our habits, behaviors, and decisions are in the moments when we simply act naturally.
The Sabbath isn’t a suggestion—it’s a pattern of rest that God has given us to enjoy. Here’s how!
When life is out of control, the pathway to freedom is in the surrendering of control to Jesus
Do you ever feel stuck? There are all sorts of viewpoints on how to get unstuck. In this sermon, we examine the way of Jesus, why it is better, and how we can join him in an eternal kind of life.
There’s something wrong with the way things are. At the core of this is the problem of death which faces us like a wall reminding us that things are broken and out of our control. What we need is someone who can beat death at it’s own game and set us all free from it’s tyranny.
Jesus’s words are powerful—they give understanding, set captives free, and call people to follow Him.
Jesus is on a mission to make all things new. And he’s starting w/ people who can give him nothing in return.
The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness to be tested and filled, and He passes! That also means, we can endure when it feels like our life is caving in.
Jesus is unique, the only one who can pull off a special task. He is unique in that he is both God and man, which means he can identify and represent both. That’s why his death is so unique from any of the billions of other people who have died. Jesus' death is vicarious for humanity--he can die for our sins. So also is his resurrection--he can bring us to life! In so doing, Jesus stands in the gap between God and man, offering a bridge to new life, to a new start.
John the Baptist comes preaching about a baptism that is accompanied by real change in the person. But John’s best advice at this point is to “try harder”—something that hasn’t worked. But John doesn't just leave them with good advice, but good news: Someone is coming who will not just give us a better way to live, but the power to live in such a way.
Sometimes we work hard, wait long, and see no change. But for God’s people, don’t give up. You’re breakthrough is coming.
Why do natural disasters and other massive tragedies happen, and where is God in all of it?
Zechariah uses his newly found voice to respond in a word of prophecy, calling to mind some of the same things Mary referred to, but goes even deeper into the theme of salvation and peace.
It seems like everyone wants to label you. That was the case with John the Baptist. But his identity was shaped by God. When Zechariah realizes this, it opens him up to healing, and a buzz of hope and anticipation in the air.
Mary erupts into song. But this is no ordinary song. In it she calls to mind the promises of God to Israel, humbling the proud and powerful, and blessing on the least in the community. This is God’s justice as a source of our praise.
Faith opens your heart to God’s blessed activity by His Spirit; it is is cultivated by investigating what God said and did, and it has Jesus as it’s primary focus.
Sermon Synopsis: During a tumultuous time for Israel, an angel of the Lord reveals himself to Zechariah in the middle of his temple duties, telling him that his barren wife Elizabeth will have a son, to be named John, who will turn many in Israel back to God. In this sermon we see how God reveals himself to people who are oppressed, discouraged, and marginalized to show his redemptive power. The question for us is, will we believe?
Apprenticing Jesus | A Series Through the Gospel of LukeLuke 1:5-25Sermon Synopsis: During a tumultuous time for Israel, an angel of the Lord reveals himself to Zechariah in the middle of his temple duties, telling him that his barren wife Elizabeth will have a son, to be named John, who will turn many in Israel back to God. In this sermon we see how God reveals himself to people who are oppressed, discouraged, and marginalized to show his redemptive power. The question for us is, will we believe?
Apprenticing Jesus | A Series Through the Gospel of LukeLuke 1:1-4Luke wants to give a historical and orderly account based on eyewitness testimonies so that believers, as well as those who may be on the fence with their faith, may have certainty about who Jesus Christ. In this sermon we see the trustworthiness, the uniqueness, and the purpose of Luke’s gospel for us today.
Matthew 4:17-22
The purpose and vision of our church, and what that opens up for each of us over the next five years.
Summer of Love: A Series Through 1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13:13
All the usual things that we chase in life will pass away, but these three qualities will carry over into eternity, and are worth investing into right now.
Summer of Love: A Series Through 1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13:7 shows us that love is constant, love is a sign of our own maturity, and love is accessible when we learn to receive it from God.
Summer of Love: A Series Through 1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13:7 shows us that love is trusting
Summer of Love: A Series Through 1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13:7 shows us that love doesn’t give up on people
Summer of Love: A Series Through 1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13:5 shows us that the person who is full of love does not feel threatened by outside disappointments or offenses, and is therefore free to give love where it is needed the most.
God created all people in his image, with dignity and equality, to worship Him and cultivate His creation. Sin distorted that design, in part, by driving barriers of racial prejudice between people. When Jesus died on the cross, he broke down those dividing walls of hostility, enabling people to come together as part of a new family in Christ. Part of walking in that new family is speaking out and working against racial prejudice in all it’s forms, and weeping with those who are hurt by it.
Summer of Love: A Series Through 1 Corinthians 13
In 1 Corinthians 13:5, we see what rudeness reveals about us, and how we can be free to love other’s and receive God’s love.
Summer of Love: A Series Through 1 Corinthians 13
In 1 Corinthians 13:4, we see how arrogance is rebellion that needs the answer of love
Summer of Love: a series through 1 Corinthians 13
In 1 Corinthians 13:4, we see how boasting is often merely a cover for something deeply wrong
Summer of Love: a series through 1 Corinthians 13
In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:4, we see how envy is poison to the soul and to community, and what we can to do about it.
Summer of Love: a series through 1 Corinthians 13
Love is able to suffer the shortcomings of others and even go beyond into kindness.
Summer of Love: a series through 1 Corinthians 13
In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Paul outlines what really matters in our lives (and what doesn’t).
Messy Church: Where We've Been and Where to Go from Here
This is a recap and summary of our nine week series together on the heart and the emotions.
Messy Church: Slowing Down Through the Daily Office
We can train ourselves to become more aware and conscious of God’s presence. We do this by cultivating small units of time throughout the day where we can slow down to be with Jesus. This sermon introduces an ancient practice that does just that.
Messy Church: Slowing Down Through the Sabbath
The Sabbath is a command, not a suggestion. This sermon outlines why, and it could change your life.
Messy Church: Contemplative Spirituality: Slowing Down to be with Jesus
Your purpose in life is not primarily to be active for God, but to be with God. In Mark 3:13-15, Chris Lazo shows from the life of Jesus how our ministry must flow from intimacy.
Messy Church: Enlarging Your Soul Through Grief and Loss
Many Christians have been taught that the unpleasant emotions, like sadness, anger, and anxiety are “bad,” while the more pleasant emotions, such as happiness, are “good.” In this sermon, we see from Scripture that this is not only wrong, but unhealthy. God made us to feel the full range of human emotions, including unpleasant ones like grief. In fact, God can enlarge our soul in grief in a way that happiness cannot.
Messy Church: The Gift of Limits and Margin
The reason most of us do not cultivate the most important things in our lives, like our relationship with God, family, and friends, is because we are “busy.” It tuns out, busyness is not a characteristic of our Lord. In this sermon, we learn from Jesus how to create some margin in our lives.
Messy Church: Journey Through the Wall
Have you ever felt like the momentum in your spirituality came to a grinding halt? Have you ever wondered why God sometimes feels distant, silent, or inactive? You may have hit a “wall” in your spirituality, the proverbial “dark night of the soul.” It turns out, this season may be the greatest gift you’ve ever received. In this sermon, learn what to do with this mysterious and often painful gift.
Messy Church: Going Back to Go Forward
Part of growing in self-awareness (last week) is learning how deeply our past has shaped us, especially our biological families. The apostle Paul says that “the old is gone,” yet he also tells us to “put off the old self.” Part of putting off the old self, is to identify old patterns, habits, and addictions that we have inherited, and allowing the power of Christ to break us free. IN this way, we must go back in order to go forward.
Messy Church: Self Awareness and the Christian
Emotional and spiritual health starts with an ongoing journey of self-awareness. Knowing God is intricately tied to our knowledge of self. It was the Psalmist who asked the Lord to examine his heart and reveal anything wayward within (Psalm 139). In this sermon we look at Jacob to see why we should pray and pursue the same.
Messy Church: Emotional and Spiritual Health
God created us to feel the full spectrum of human emotions, which can often tell us true things about ourselves when we open up before God--even if they are sometimes unpleasant. Unfortunately, many of us have neglected our emotions, and hide behind pretend versions of ourselves, instead of being vulnerable and transparent with the mess that is sometimes our hearts. But emotions and spirituality are inseparable. This series is called "Messy Church" as a way of affirming that we are in fact "messy," it's ok to be real about it, and God actually wants to enter into the mess with His healing presence if we let Him. This series is meant to help Christians live more fully out of their hearts with God and each other.
Easter Sunday: The Resurrection
Today’s sermon, from Luke 24:1-12, is about how the ways we try to cover the stench of death, and why “He is Risen” are the three most powerful words ever spoken.
Palm Sunday: The Triumphal Entry
All of us have a version of liberation we are chasing. But only Jesus knows what we truly need, and only Jesus can provide it.
What Lies Ahead: Blessed to be a Blessing
In Philippians 4:14-23, we see how much God has given to us in Christ, and how that might compel us to give to others.
What Lies Ahead: The Secret of Contentment
In Philippians 4:10-13, we see why contentment is so valuable in the Christian life, and what the secret to having it is.
What Lies Ahead: The Pathway to Peace - Pt.2
Philippians 4:8-9 is a passage about how deeply our thoughts shape us, and how we can find a lasting peace of mind.
What Lies Ahead: The Pathway to Peace - Pt.1
In Philippians 4:4-7, the apostle Paul tells us how to cultivate our prayer life with God, and live without chronic anxiety.
What Lies Ahead: Handling Differences
In Philippians 4:1-3, we learn how our relationship to Christ allows us to get past our differences.
Philippians 3:10-21 What Lies Ahead: a Series Through Paul's Letter to the Philippians Reality Santa Barbara
Philippians 3:1-11 What Lies Ahead: a Series Through Paul's Letter to the Philippians Reality Santa Barbara
Philippians 2:14-18 What Lies Ahead: a Series Through Paul's Letter to the Philippians Reality Santa Barbara
Philippians 2:12-13 What Lies Ahead: a Series Through Paul's Letter to the Philippians Reality Santa Barbara
Philippians 2:1-11 What Lies Ahead: a Series Through Paul's Letter to the Philippians Reality Santa Barbara
Philippians 1:27-30 What Lies Ahead: a Series Through Paul's Letter to the Philippians Reality Santa Barbara
Philippians 1:18-26 What Lies Ahead: a Series Through Paul's Letter to the Philippians Reality Santa Barbara
Philippians 1:12-15 What Lies Ahead: a Series Through Paul's Letter to the Philippians Reality Santa Barbara
Philippians 1:1-11 What Lies Ahead: a Series Through Paul's Letter to the Philippians Reality Santa Barbara
Joshua 9-10:14 Stepping into God's Promises: a series through Joshua 1-10 Reality Santa Barbara
Joshua 8:1-35 Stepping into God's Promises: a series through Joshua 1-10 Reality Santa Barbara
Joshua 7:1-26 Stepping into God's Promises: a series through Joshua 1-10 Reality Santa Barbara
Joshua 7:1-5 Stepping into God's Promises: a series through Joshua 1-10 Reality Santa Barbara
There are two kingdoms vying for our attention and affection: the kingdom of self and the kingdom of God. Jesus rescues us from the self and empowers us to live on mission for the kingdom of God. What does that look like in daily practice?
Underneath every problem in life is a wrong view or application of the character and nature of God (Theology), so in this storm tossed life, sandcastle thoughts about God will not do. We need a solid foundation an anchor, an accurate weighty view of God, about all that He is, all that He has done and all that He continues to do. But if right thinking about God is so essential to all aspects of life, and with so many opinions out there, how do I know I am thinking rightly about Him?
Given the disenchantment and discouragement that many have experienced from the church, why should we remain so committed to the church? Isn’t it enough just to say that we love and follow Jesus? In this sermon, Pastor Al Abdulla examines Ephesians 1:22-23, and discusses how we should view Jesus’ Church.
Through Christ, God is able and willing to resurrect every part of our broken and dead world and lives. Pastor Britt speaks about that here in his sermon from Easter 2012.
The Holy Spirit provides power for God’s people. One of the keys to experiencing the power of the person of the Holy Spirit is to acknowledge our general weakness and need when it comes to right living. Some of the areas where we quickly realize we are in need are in facing the power and temptation of sin, and in doubt and despair. God has made great provision to address these in the life of the believer through the Holy Spirit. But, do we really want it? Pastor Britt explains here.
God has made tremendous power available for the Christian’s life. The Word of God is one of the ultimate ways in which we appropriate and experience this. In fact, it is impossible to live the Christian life without the regular experience of the transformative, saving, delivering, sustaining power of God’s Word. Listen and discover the resurrection power available for you in and through Scripture for every facet of living.
The Christian life is meant to be one of power—God’s power for us, the same power that resurrected Christ from the grave! Therefore, the Christian’s life should be radical and radically different. How do we appropriate and experience this power and how does it affect our lives? The answer is in the blood of Christ, the Word of God, the Holy Spirit and prayer. Pastor Britt explains as he teaches through Ephesians 1:19-20.
Despair and brokenness are everywhere and humanity needs hope to survive. But what is hope? Surely it can’t be the limp, uncertain optimism portrayed when people say, “I hope things get better someday.” No, there is more—so much more. Those who have faith in Christ have a confident hope because they are God’s special possession.
Light and darkness are universally understood metaphors for good and evil and the concepts are very much in play in Scripture and our lives. Jesus has rescued us from darkness and brought us into God’s marvelous light. And yet, we still struggle with the power and lure of darkness everyday. What can we do to walk in the light and daily overcome the darkness?
We spend so much of our lives doing things that don’t actually matter. What does matter? More than anything else, what really matters? And what the heck is epignosis anyway?
It doesn’t take any special skills or enabling by the Holy Spirit to see where others are not doing well spiritually. Commendation, rejoicing over, loving and praying for people though is deeply spiritual. Unfortunately, it is all too rare among Christians. Here Pastor Britt urges the whole Body of Christ to practice love and unity for the glory of God and the furtherance of His mission.
The gathering of the church is important. Through Christ it fulfills God’s ancient desire to meet with His people. Therefore, it requires our careful, prayerful, worshipful, active engagement and not mere passive attendance. In this sermon Pastor Britt shares a vision God recently gave him about Reality and what it means for our gathering and scattering as Christ’s church.
So what? After giving attention to the Bible, what difference should it make in my life personally? How can scripture change me? Taken from James (1:21-25), this lesson takes a practical look at scripture reading and meditation.
How am I supposed to read the Bible? Similar to following a road map to reach the end of your journey, this lesson seeks to give you practical tools & guidelines for reading scripture through a proper hermeneutic.
What’s the story about anyway? Although sincere, many people, religious or not, read the bible from an inaccurate vantage point, leaving them disappointed with life & God. Using Luke 24, this lesson focuses on the central theme of scripture and explores how you can read the Bible through a Christocentric lens.
Culture tries to make Christmas about everything other than Jesus, but it is all about Him! Christ is the Child about whom Isaiah prophesied and called called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Jesus is the One who defeats the enemy and saves the world that we might have great joy instead of deep despair and darkness. This is the hope and joy of Christmas.
The Holy Spirit is the Father’s gift to us who helps, convinces and assures us of the Son’s work for us.
We spend so much time pursing things we believe will make us happy when, in fact, God has already secured our happiness in Christ. Being united with through faith and repentance Christ we have a glorious inheritance. What is it? God also has a glorious inheritance? What is it?
It is often heard to make sense of the wickedness we see in the world and throughout history. Is there a plan? Is it all heading somewhere? Will all the wrongs ever be made right? Scripture declares that all things are going to be summed in and submitted to Christ. What will that look like? And, in light of that future hope, how do we live now?
God does all things for His glory and His good pleasure. We are merely created, contingent, dependent, subordinate beings. So, how do we live for God’s glory and pleasure? What about our joy and enjoyment? Does it even matter?
God has not only loved us, chosen us, adopted us, redeemed us and lavished His kindness on us, but He has also given us wisdom and understanding. Scripture makes great promises to those who live with wisdom and understanding. How do these change the way we view sin and approach life and how do we experience them?
What does it mean that we have been redeemed? Why did we need to be redeemed? What have we been redeemed from and on what basis? In what ways can we sin less and live better in light of redemption?
One of the most basic human needs is the need to belong. One of the greatest results of sin is that it destroys right places and senses of belonging and creates abandonment. God’s answer to humanity’s broken experience of ultimate belonging is predestination and adoption.
For many of us, experiences of rejection are what mostly shape our sense of identity. Those moments we’ve all had of being skipped over, left out, unwanted and not chosen. These negative episodes not only inform the way we feel about ourselves, but the way we think about God and how we act with and toward others. In this sermon we learn that what is actually most true about us is that we are loved and chosen by God in Christ, and that these glorious truths create for us a new identity and a better way to live toward God and in the world.
Why is it that we seem to have the most difficult time being content? Is everyone like this? Is this the way we are supposed to be? What is the remedy? Ephesians 1:3 helps us learn about our source of contentment and how to think and feel rightly about our identity in Christ.
In this passage Paul wishes us grace and peace. What does it mean for the Christian to have grace and peace when we seem so unworthy and unsettled? Is it right to feel unworthy? What is meant here by peace since conflict is common to life? In this sermon we learn what grace frees us from and enables us to do and how peace is actually wholeness.
Scripture says that every Christian is holy, or a saint. If we were to be honest, most would agree that we usually see ourselves as anything but holy. In actuality, we feel more dirty than holy. More like scums than saints! And yet, we are called holy saints. What does this mean? How can we be holy if we feel so dirty? And if it is true that we are holy, how does this affect the way we think and feel about God and ourselves? And how do we go about living holy lives?
This message was given on the first Sunday at the Santa Barbara Campus. What does it mean to be a Gospel formed community (the Church) that gathers together for worship and scatters into the world for mission? The Church should be Christocentric, celebrative, repentant, accepting, forgiving, generous, prayerful and on mission.