Light of the Canyon UMC - Sermons (Video)
By Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church
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Podcast Description
Light of the Canyon is a diverse congregation with people from various spiritual backgrounds. Some of us were raised Catholic, some Methodist, some whatever. Many of us weren’t brought up in any church at all, but found Christ and a spiritual home at Light of the Canyon. Some of us were disillusioned by past church experiences, and we wanted something more spiritual, yet relaxed, for ourselves and our families. Yes, we are a United Methodist Church. Our religious heritage comes from a tradition that combines spiritual renewal with compassionate outreach. We are focused on building a community of loving and caring people, rather than a “church.” The path that we travel at Light of the Canyon is a simple one. Connect, grow, serve. That’s it. That is what we strive to do. Connect people with Christ and the community. Provide opportunities to grow and faith. Encourage and empower people to be in service to others. Above all, we strive to follow the first and greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And secondly to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
| Name | Description | Released | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VideoPraying Our Hearts Out | Luke 7:36-50 • What would our prayer lives be like if we learned to "pray our hearts out?" | 5/13/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 2 | VideoA Praying Relationship | Romans 8:26-31 • Prayer is to our relationship with God as communication is to our earthly relationships. It is essential. It is vital. That is why God desires to have a praying relationship with us. | 5/6/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 3 | VideoStewards of the Earth | Genesis 1:27-31 • Stewardship of the earth is not something that we should do because it is politically correct or expedient. It is something that we should do because "God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good." | 4/22/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 4 | VideoEmbrace Majesty | Psalm 8 • Rev. William (Bill) Lichty is the Director of Congregational Care at Shepherd of the Hills UMC in Mission Viejo. He is a California transplant, having moved from Michigan 5 years ago. He has been an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God Church for 45 years, serving as a local church pastor for 30 years and a part time Bible college professor for 20 years. Bill has an MA in Pastoral Psychology and Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. | 4/15/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 5 | VideoUp From the Grave | Matthew 21:1-10 • On the day of the resurrection, the world was shaken to its foundation, both literally and metaphorically. God did something new. And he invites us to live in the power of the resurrection. | 4/8/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 6 | VideoA Church of Under Achievers | Matthew 21:1-10 • When Jesus entered Jerusalem, everyone was expecting him to be a military and political Savior. I think that they were aiming too low | 4/1/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 7 | VideoA House of Prayer | Matthew 21:12-17 • "Religiosity" mean that we have the outward appearance of faith with no inward experience of Christ's spirit. Let us give up religiosity for Lent, and for all time, and get real with our faith. | 3/25/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 8 | VideoSticks and Stones | Matthew 23:29-39 • The church has, for too long, allowed itself to be defined by voices that are intolerant and judgmental. It is time for the church to take hold of Jesus' commandment to be peacemakers. | 3/18/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 9 | VideoUsing Our Talents Wisely | Matthew 25:14-30 • The third thing that we need to give up for Lent is our fear of failure. Fear keeps us from acting boldly for God. But, God has covered our fear with His grace. | 3/11/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 10 | VideoThe Least of These | Matthew 25:31-46 • Jesus' warning in Matthew 25 is clear and dramatic. We are called to care for the "least of these" among us. | 3/4/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 11 | VideoGod is in Charge | Matthew 26:6-13 • Recognizing the simple truth that God is in charge is often difficult and always frightening. But, is is also the first step to abundant life. | 2/26/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 12 | VideoAsh Wednesday • I Want to be a Christian | Mark 9: 14 – 29 | 2/22/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 13 | VideoPreaching to the Choir is Not the Point | Matthew 9:9-13 • "Preaching to the choir" means that you share something with someone that, in all likelihood, already agrees with you. The purpose of the church is not to insulate ourselves, to preach to the choir. It is to reach out to others in Jesus' name. | 2/19/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 14 | VideoJudaism | Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5-6 • Our sermon series on "Christianity and World Religions" continues as we explore Judaism. It is important to remember that Jesus lived and died a faithful Jew. The more we understand Judaism, the more we understand Jesus. | 2/5/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 15 | VideoIslam | Genesis 21:9-20 • Islam is the world's second largest religion. It began in the 7th century when the prophet Muhammad received a revelation from God (Allah in Arabic). The focus on Islam is submission to God as a way of life. | 1/29/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 16 | VideoBuddhism | Philippians 4:1-7 • The central teaching of Buddhism is that we can engage the world after we have learned detachment from it. This detachment is achieved through the practice of the Four Noble Truths. | 1/22/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 17 | VideoDo Justice | Micah 6:1-8 • What does God require of us? Is it beautiful worship? Is it believing all of the correct doctrines? According to the prophet Micah, the answer is much more simple. God requires that we "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God." | 1/15/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 18 | VideoHinduism | Ephesians 2:1-10 • Today, we being our sermon series on "Christianity and the Religions of the World." We will be exploring the world's oldest known religion - Hinduism. | 1/8/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 19 | VideoThe Ghost of Christmas Present | Christmas Eve • Candlelight Service | 12/24/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 20 | VideoChristmas Eve • Family Service | Christmas Eve • Family Service | 12/24/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 21 | VideoHow Long? | Psalm 13 • The question that many of us who are suffering ask is "how long?" What of we asked another question, "what is the meaning of this suffering?" Perhaps asking a different question can transform our experience of suffering. | 12/21/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 22 | VideoWhat Does Love Look Like? | Isaiah 61:1-11 • What does love look like? It is probably not a Christmas tree with thousands of presents underneath. It is probably not revealed on a January credit card bill that is more than we can really afford. Maybe love looks like a small baby lying in a feeding trough for animals,born to insignificant parents in a nowhere town in an occupied nation. | 12/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 23 | VideoShout for Joy | Isaiah 61:1-11 • Joy is contagious. Isaiah expressed his joy of the Lord's promise. We can express our joy that the God kept his promise through Jesus Christ. | 12/11/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 24 | VideoCrazy Faith | Isaiah 40:1-11 • Christianity is a crazy faith. When the world goes mad with over-consumption at Christmas, Christ calls us to celebrate in a way that is more meaningful. | 12/4/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 25 | VideoHope Praying | Isaiah 64:1-7 • If the prophet Isaiah taught us anything, it is if you are going to pray, you need to pray big. Hopeful prayer is effective prayer. | 11/27/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 26 | VideoDo You See What I See? | Revelation 21:1-5 • Often, people think of Revelation as a book of doom. But all of the dramatic imagery in the book leads to one glorious conclusion, "a new heaven and a new earth." That is not meant as a threat. It is meant as a promise. | 11/20/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 27 | VideoMaking Plans | Luke 14:25-33 • Jesus was so popular that he actually tried to talk people out of following him. He wanted them to truly "count the cost" of being disciples. That is our invitation today, to think seriously about our own path of discipleship. | 11/13/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 28 | VideoMemory | Hebrews 12:1-2 • The spirit of God is like a chain that binds us to earth and to heaven. And all of the "great cloud of witnesses" that have gone before have forged a link in that chain. Now, it is up to up to continue that work together. | 11/6/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 29 | VideoTransformed Living in Tough Times | Matthew 6:16-21 • Jesus said a lot of things that turned people's world upside down. One of the biggest was, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." | 10/30/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 30 | VideoHaving a Christ-like Attitude? | Philippians 2:4-11 • Our highest calling in this life is to cultivate and to share a Christ-like attitude. We develop this attitude through the simple practices of committing our prayers, presence, gifts, and service to God. | 10/23/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 31 | VideoSeeing the Possible | 2 Kings 5:2-14 • Sometimes, what is possible is not only a matter of what we can do. Sometimes, the issue is what we can see. Sometimes see the possible is all about our perspective. | 10/9/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 32 | VideoRockin’ the Boat | Matthew 14:22-23 • Sometimes, people in the church are consumed by a "lifeboat mentality." We become afraid because we think that resources are too limited. We must remember that we worship a God of infinite power and resource. All things are possible. | 10/2/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 33 | VideoEstablishing Priorities | 1 Peter 1:1-7 • When times are tough, it is not the job of the church to sit back and pray that the times are transformed. When times are tough, it is the job of the people of the church to live transformed lives, and by doing, transform the times in which we live. | 9/25/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 34 | VideoRighting the Wrongs | Luke 6:27-31 • Youth Takeover | 9/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 35 | VideoState of the Covenant | Mark 12:28-34 • Light of the Canyon is a "welcoming community of faith where spiritual seekers become loving, serving followers of Jesus Christ." In this "State of the Covenant" address, Pastor Jon talks about how we are doing in fulfilling that call. | 9/11/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 36 | VideoRest for the Weary | Matthew 11:28-12:8 • As we celebrate Labor Day weekend, it is good to remember one of Jesus' most cherished promises. "Come to me all that are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest...my yoke is easy and my burden is light." | 9/4/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 37 | VideoRight Religion | Amos 5:21-25 • What if the church’s pursuit of justice were as constant as an ever-flowing stream? What if we stopped being safe and started being brave? | 8/28/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 38 | VideoYou Better Think | John 7:14-24 • We continue to explore ways to "rethink church." What if the church encouraged people to discern truth using both their hearts and their heads? | 8/21/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 39 | VideoThe Miracle of Compassion | Matthew 14:13-21 • What if the church were a community that loved people first and asked questions later? | 8/14/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 40 | VideoTen Thousand Doors | Acts 8:26-40 • What if the church were not a building but was ten thousand doors that open people to the experience of God’s grace? | 8/7/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 41 | VideoLife in the Spirit | Galatians 5:16-23 • Life in the spirit is not an obligation. It is an invitation. We are called - invited - to live lives that are not just outwardly obedient to God, but that are also inwardly transformed by God's love and grace. That is a life worth living. That is life in the spirit. | 7/24/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 42 | VideoChristian Freedom | Galatians 5:1-15 • The Apostle Paul tells us that, as Christians, we have been set free. Does that mean we can do whatever we want? "May it never be," as Paul would say. We are not free to indulge ourselves, we are free to love others. That is the end and purpose of Christian freedom. | 7/17/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 43 | VideoBelonging Together | Ephesians 2: 19-22 | 7/10/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 44 | VideoOne in Christ | Galatians 3:23-29 • Is it possible in the church to have unity without necessarily having uniformity? Can a diverse church bear witness to God's love in the world. The Apostle Paul certainly thought so, and he tried to teach that to the Galatians. | 6/26/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 45 | VideoThe Fatherhood Catch | Mark 10: 13-16 | 6/19/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 46 | VideoJustified | Galatians 2:11-21 • We do not usually inspect a chair every time we sent down. We sit, and trust that the chair will hold us up. What we really have faith in is not the chair, but the creator of the chair. That is what faith in Jesus Christ is like. It is a trust that the creator has made things right through Jesus death on the cross. | 6/12/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 47 | VideoTuring it All Around | Galatians 1:11-24 • No matter where we have been, or what we have done, one of the hallmarks of Christianity is that God gives us the opportunity to turn it all around. In fact, he not only gives us the opportunity, he provides us the way to do it. | 6/5/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 48 | VideoThe Banquet | Luke 5:27-34 • The way that we eat reveals a great deal about us. If we truly want to experience God in our everyday lives, than we won't just eat. We will feast, just like Matthew and his guest did. | 5/15/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 49 | VideoiLife | Acts 11:21-26 • First, there was the Imac. Then there was the Ipod, the Iphone, the Itouch and the Ipad. All of that stuff is really cool, and it adds to the spice of life. But, if we really want to learn to live lives rich with meaning, than we have to go a little deeper. We have to learn to live the I-life. | 5/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 50 | VideoNew Life | Luke 24:1-12 • No one anticipated that the Savior of the world would die on a cross like Jesus did. But, after he was crucified, everyone thought that his story was over. No one saw the resurrection coming. Jesus, in death as in life, completely changed the rules about what is possible and about how we should live our lives. | 4/24/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 51 | VideoDying to Sin | Romans 6:5-11 • In this life, we are either dying to sin (can't get enough of it) or we are dying to sin (and living to Christ). Christianity is not about rules. It is about living transformed lives, and dying to sin is how we do that. | 4/10/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 52 | VideoBuilding Character | Romans 5:1-5 • Suffering is not fun. There is no way around it. But, suffering does produce character. And that is a good thing. A friend of mine used to say that "we are pushed by suffering until we are pulled by wisdom." | 4/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 53 | VideoYou Can Take it With You | Luke 16:19-31 • You know the old saying "you can't take it with you?" If the story of the rich man and Lazarus is to be believed not only can you take it with you, but you have to take it with you. That might sound good for the rich man until we realize, God does not honor our currency. | 3/20/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 54 | VideoFlight Training | A Roundtable discussion with Pastor Jon about the previous sermon series. | 3/6/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 55 | VideoPlay | Matthew 18:1-5 • There is one final principle for your "Flight Plan for Living the Good Life." It is simple, but important. "Become like children." Don't take yourself so seriously. Have some fun. Play. | 3/6/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 56 | VideoLemons and Lemonade | Mark 2:1-5 • There comes a time in everyone's life where challenges arise to disrupt our well laid plans. It is inevitable. The only solution to this problem is to recognize that sometimes there are no solutions to our problems. Sometimes, we cannot change the situation. Sometimes, the best we can do is to take the lemons that life gives us, and make lemonade. | 2/27/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 57 | VideoSpiritual Discipline | Mark 9:14-29 • Spiritual discipline sounds to us like something only monks or extremely holy people practice. However, spiritual discipline is for everyone. Learning pray, faithfully attending worship, serving others, are not just things that God calls us to do. They are tools that we can use to sharpen our spirit. | 2/20/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 58 | VideoGlorifying God in Our Body | 1 Corinthians 16:12-20 • We are a nation of excess. We eat too much. We drink too much. While much of the world starves, we become more and more obese. That might be the American way, but it is not the biblical way. Paul instructs us to treat our bodies as "a temple of the Holy Spirit." That means that even our bodies are an instrument of our spirituality. | 2/13/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 59 | VideoDefining Success | 1 Timothy 6:11-19 • How do you define success? Some define it by fame, wealth, or victory over our opponents. You may be surprised to know God defines it much differently. How we define success is important. It helps us to determine the direction our lives will take. | 2/6/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 60 | VideoFlight Training | A Roundtable discussion with Pastor Jon about the previous sermon series. | 1/30/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 61 | VideoGet Going | Matthew 28:16-20 • If you found a good mechanic you would tell a friend. If you had a cause that was near and dear to your heart, you would let people know about it. Why, then, are so many of us so reluctant to share the good news with other people? | 1/30/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 62 | VideoLove Thy Neighbor | Luke 10:25-37 • There is a road sign that reads, "that love thy neighbor thing...I meant that. God." We show our love for our neighbor, like the Good Samaritan did, by serving them with mercy and compassion. That is Jesus' commandment. | 1/23/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 63 | VideoDeepening Our Faith | Romans 12:1-13 • In 2011, we have dedicated ourselves at Light of the Canyon to experiencing transformation in our lives and in our church. That transformation begins with the "renewal of our minds." | 1/16/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 64 | VideoSaved | Luke 19:1-10 • There are moments in our lives that have a lasting impact on us. It was just such a moment when Zaccheus decided to climb a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus. Making a decision to connect with Christ will transform our lives. This is the invitation that is always available to us. | 1/9/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 65 | VideoWhat Are We Doing Here | Matthew 22: 23-40 • Christians often make the mistake of thinking that our faith is all about getting into heaven. What Christianity is mostly about is getting heaven into us, so that we might share it with others. Today, we begin a new year, a new sermon series, and a new chapter in the life of Light of the Canyon. | 1/2/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 66 | VideoWhat Did You Get? | Matthew 2:1-12 • What did you get for Christmas? Did you get everything that you wanted? There is one more gift to open. It is wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Come and see this gift that is given to all the world. | 12/26/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 67 | VideoChristmas Eve • Candlelight Service | Isaiah 4:1-6 • Micah 5:1-6 • Luke 2:1-20 • Luke 2:22-38 •This is the Christmas story - the real Christmas story. This is not a Hallmark Christmas. This is the beginning of the greatest story ever told. | 12/24/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 68 | VideoChristmas Eve • Family Service | The Christmas Story | 12/24/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 69 | VideoThe Longest Night | John 9:1-7 • The holidays are a time of great celebrating. But, in the midst of all of the joy of the season, there is a growing population of people that suffer in silence. Because of things like the death of a loved one, divorce, financial difficulties, conflict within the family, or a whole host of other reasons, there are people that struggle during the holidays. You might know someone like that. You might be someone like that. For those that are struggling, we have a very special worship service at LOTC called “The Longest Night.” It is held on December 21 at 7:00 p.m. and it is for people that feel more darkness than light. If this sounds like you, join us on December 21. If it sounds like someone you know – don’t invite them – bring them on December 21. Because the light does shine in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. | 12/21/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 70 | VideoConspiracy of Love | Isaiah 43:1-7 • God has given the world a gift. It is not because we deserve it. We don't. It is not because we have earned it. We haven't. But, God has still given this gift, not because of who we are, but because of who God is. God is love. | 12/19/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 71 | VideoConspiracy of Joy | Isaiah 35:1-10 • Joy is an act of conspiracy during the season of Advent because the source of our joy is not found under the Christmas tree, but is found in knowing the love of God. | 12/12/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 72 | VideoConspiracy of Peace | Isaiah 11:1-10 • Making peace is a conspiratorial act because it runs counter to the prevailing ethos of our culture of conquest. But, making peace is the goal of God's reign. | 12/5/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 73 | VideoConspiracy of Hope | Isaiah 2:1-4 • Today, the season of Advent finally begins. This is the time of preparation for Christmas. The true meaning of Christmas is counter-cultural in a society obsessed with a retail based holiday. Anyone involved in celebrating Christmas as a holy day must be a part of some crazy conspiracy. We are happily a part of the Advent Conspiracy and today we are celebrating a conspiracy of hope. | 11/28/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 74 | VideoThe Righteous Remnant | Jeremiah 23:1-4 • As we close our sermon series "People Get Ready" it is important to remember that God will always be faithful. Even if God's people are not faithful to God, God will preserve a "righteous remnant" of folks that will renew the call to faithfulness. What kind of person will you be during the Advent season? | 11/21/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 75 | VideoA New Heaven and a New Earth | Isaiah 65:17-25 • There is a difference between fantasy and hope. Fantasy is just an idle dream that has no grounding in reality. Hope looks to a future based on the promises of God and draws its strength from the actions of God in the past. Isaiah was a great prophet of hope, whose words still ring true to us today. | 11/14/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 76 | VideoIn God’s Hands | Haggai 2:1-9 • In difficult times, fear is a natural response. But, God calls us not to tear down, but to build up. God has given us a building project to work on - his kingdom. | 11/7/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 77 | VideoToday is Enough | Luke 19:1-10 • Reverend Karin Ellis is the Associate Pastor at Aldersgate UMC in Tustin. Prior to that, she was on Family Leave for two years in order to stay at home with her two small children. She has served as Senior Pastor at Community UMC in Pacific Palisades. She was also appointed to Toluca Lake UMC as the Senior Pastor and to Northridge UMC as an Associate Pastor. Karin grew up in Mission Viejo, CA and attended Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church. She went to Nebraska Wesleyan University where she received a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Hearing a call to ministry, Karin then attended Boston University School of Theology and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1997. She returned to Southern California to be close to family and begin her ministry career. Karin is married to Steven and they have two children: Abigail and Paul. In her spare time Karin enjoys reading, traveling, walking, crocheting, playing with her children, and occasionally scuba diving with Steven. | 10/31/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 78 | VideoGiving When it Hurts | Luke 12:35-48 • Jesus did not call us to be consumers of Christianity. He called us to be disciples. Sometimes, being a disciples means giving our resources. Sometimes, it even means giving when it hurts. | 10/24/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 79 | VideoThe Ripple Effect | Matthew 25:31-46 • Jesus took serving others very seriously. In Matthew 25:36-41, we encounter some frightening words. Jesus calls us to care for the least of these. We are called to make ripples in the world with our service to others. And through that ripple, God can do wonders. | 10/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 80 | VideoMore Than Enough | Philippians 4:10-14 • True contentment does not come from an austere rejection of connection to other people. Nor does it come from over-indulging ourselves in consumerism. True contentment, according to Paul, is achieved when we understand that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." | 10/10/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 81 | VideoYouth Takeover • The Wonder of God | Psalm 19:1-4 • Eric Ey talks about how the death of his grandparents led him to question and strengthen his faith in God. | 10/3/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 82 | VideoBeing a Peacemaker | Luke 15:25-32 • The final principle in managing stress is being a peacemaker. This involves learning to live in right relationships with other people. | 9/26/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 83 | VideoLearning to Let Go | Luke 15:11-24 • The second important step to managing stress in our lives is learning to let go. This sounds easy, but it is very difficult for many people. In recovery, they say to "let go and let God." | 9/19/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 84 | VideoPriorities | Luke 10:38-42 • We are talking about reducing stress in our lives. This is a very serious issue. The first step in reducing stress is to be clear about our priorities. The story of sisters Mary and Martha is a perfect example. | 9/12/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 85 | VideoThe Speed of Information | 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 • Living in a media age means that we must deal with volumes of information. And because of new technologies, we are forced to deal with information at "ludicrous" speed. It is tricky in our culture to distinguish what it true from what is false. The Apostle Paul contrasts the wisdom "of this age" with the wisdom of God. The wisdom of God is spiritual wisdom. We cultivate this wisdom through spiritual discipline. | 8/29/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 86 | VideoBad Love | 1 Kings 16:29-33 • Have you ever listened to a love song? Some of the lyrics are downright crazy. They celebrate a love that is at best unhealthy and at worst, just bad. Bad love has been around for a long time. It is older than the bible itself. Bad love is any kind of love that draws us away from who God is calling us to be. Ahad loved Jezebel badly, and the consequences were disastrous. We move from bad love to good love when we make choices that are consistent with the life that called has called us to live. | 8/15/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 87 | VideoKeeping Up With the Philistines | 1 Samuel 8:4-22 • When the people of Israel decided that they did not want to be ruled by God's judges anymore and wanted to have a king like "all the nations," the relinquished a degree of the religious authority in the world that God had called them to have. God pointed out that when you have a king, much of your energy is directed towards serving the king, instead of serving God. In the church today, it seems that we, too, want to be in charge of the course of our faith, rather than allow God to be our God and king. What would happen to the church if it gave up its obsession with being "like all the nations" and simply served God? Surely, we would see great transformation in the church and in our world. | 8/8/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 88 | VideoOne Disciple’s Journey | Luke 7:36-50 • Erin Christmas, LOTC Youth Director • Join Erin Christmas as she shares her life journey, and how she found Christ. | 8/1/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 89 | VideoChrist is Counting on You | Matthew 28:16-20 • Pastor Tom Rothhaar | 7/25/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 90 | VideoSibling Rivalry | Genesis 4:1-10 • We are all familiar with sibling rivalry. It has been depicted throughout history in a variety of ways, from Shakespeare's Richard III to Steinbeck's East of Eden to the Brady Bunch episode where Jan uttered famous words, "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia." Sibling rivalry is not a new phenomenon. We see it played out dramatically in the biblical story of the brothers Cain and Abel. What is most important to remember about sibling rivalry, however, is that it speaks to a deeper longing in all of us - the longing to be the one in charge, the one on top, the one that gets all the stuff. What made Cain kill his brother Abel was not some aberrant psychological defect. It was the all too human response to the "sin that is lurking at the door." | 7/18/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 91 | VideoAfflicting the Comfortable | Mark 11:15-19 • When Jesus cleansed the temple, no one saw it coming. No one thought that he would so dramatically defend the idea that God's house is a holy place. His actions took everyone completely by surprise. But, sometimes, that is how faith works. Christianity is not always about comforting the afflicted. Sometimes, it is about afflicting the comfortable. | 7/11/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 92 | VideoThe Power of an Idea | Galatians 5:2-13 • On the Fourth of July, we spend a lot of time celebrating our freedom. That is a good thing to do. Freedom is something that we should cherish. In the Apostle Paul's day, there was a debate about freedom. If people are free in Christ, does that mean they are free from the law. Absolutely! But, before we rush out and do anything that we want, we do well to remember that Paul affirms our freedom, as well as our responsibility. To Paul, it is "faith working itself out in love." This means that we are not free for the purpose of doing whatever we want. We are free to serve God by loving others. That is real independence. | 7/4/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 93 | VideoGod Bless the Child | Matthew 18:1-5 • Jesus said a lot of crazy things in his life. But one of the craziest was when he told the disciples, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." To us, this sounds nice, even a little sweet. But, in Jesus day, children were without any status at all. Jesus was telling people that, if you want to be great in his kingdom, you will need to be humble in yours. That's serious. | 6/27/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 94 | VideoOne Disciple's Journey | Hebrews 11:1-2 • John 20:24-29; 21-25 • Listen as Mike Mitchell recounts his journey of christian discipleship | 6/20/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 95 | VideoWe’re on a Mission From God | Acts 8:1-25 • In the book of Acts, the early church in Jerusalem suffers from persecution relatively early in its life. But, instead of slowing the growth of the church, the persecution spurred it on. When people scattered to many different places, they took the good news with them and shared it wherever they went. And so the church began to grow. We have been talking for the last few weeks about "making disciples for the transformation of the world." Making disciples does not depend on our circumstance; it depends on our faithfulness. | 6/13/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 96 | VideoWe’ve a Story to Tell | Acts 7:1-4; 54-60 • We are continuing our sermon series "Making Disciples for the Transformation of the World." Last week, we talked about the importance of our actions and how our actions bear witness to God's love. Today, we are talking about the importance of our words. We are the people of God. And we have a story to tell. Our actions are important. But, our actions are not our only witness.In fact, our words give context and meaning to our actions. Consider the example of Stephen (Acts 6-7). Because of his actions, he was brought before the Council. But, it was his words that made his life a living testimony. | 6/6/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 97 | VideoWe Are the Church | Acts 4:32-37 • When I worked at a gas station in college, I had a tendency to talk when I should have been working. My boss would frequently address this situation with poetic, succinct eloquence. "Hey Waterson, less talk, more work." There are times in this life where talk is necessary. And then there is the rest of the time where we need to shut up and do something. The church talks too much these days. We need less talk and more work. | 5/30/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 98 | VideoA Mighty Wind | Acts 2:1-13 • The day of Pentecost is considered to be the birthday of the church. It is the day when God's spirit descended on the people like "the rush of a violent wind." It reminds us that God's spirit is not something that we can tame or control. It is only something that we can seek to have in our lives. The Greek word for Holy Spirit "pneuma" which also meant wind. It can be likened to the wind at sea. We do not direct the wind . | 5/23/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 99 | VideoThe Great Commission | Matthew 18:16-20 • The cultural sensation that is Youtube started out in rented office space above a pizzeria and Japanese restaurant in San Mateo, California. The first video was a very bland personal piece by one of the founders entitled "me at the zoo." It is from these humble beginnings, the Youtube phenomenon began. In a lot of ways, the church is very similar. We began with a simple commandment. Jesus said, "Go and make disciples." From that commission, a movement was born - a movement that has changed the world and that, with God's help, will continue to be a source of transformation and hope. | 5/16/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 100 | VideoThe Holy Family - Part 2 | Matthew 5:13-15 • Today, we are concluding our sermon series on "Family Ties." There is one aspect of our family lives that we do not often consider - that is our families as being is mission to the world. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told his followers that they are to be the "salt of the earth...the light to the world." That means that our lives are to bear witness to God's love -not just our "church" lives, but our family lives, as well. | 5/9/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 101 | VideoThe Holy Family - Part 1 | Deuteronomy 6:1-9 • We all want to have "good" families. Many of us are not even sure what that means. And if we do, we are not sure how to achieve it. In this incredibly complex world, the answer to that question begins with a simple formula. Moses wrote, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise." Know the story. Tell the story. Live the story. That is how holy families begin. | 5/2/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 102 | VideoHoly Friendship | 1 Corinthians 16:15-20 • Families are too busy today. It is that simple. We have allowed our lives to become defined by the demands of culture. However, Paul commends simple people as exemplars of the life of faith. They are people like Prisca and Aquila, fellow tent-makers who serve with Paul in the mission field. Imagine what our homes would look like if our highest priority was not chasing more stuff, but was instead living as Christ called us. Then, our homes would truly be havens of love and hope. | 4/25/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 103 | VideoLove and Grace | Romans 5:6-11 • Forgiveness is a very difficult thing to share with people. It is difficult because many of us think that forgiveness is a sign of weakness. But, do we think that Christ was weak on the cross. Some feel that forgiveness is an act of cowardice, of those who will not fight. But, did Christ behave as a coward on the cross. Still others of us feel that forgiveness can only be extended to people that ask for it. But, on the cross, Christ died for us "while we were yet sinners." Forgiving others is radical. It is difficult. But, it is the path that God has chosen to forgive us, and it is the path that God calls us to choose in forgiving others. | 4/18/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 104 | VideoWe Offer Ourselves to God in Worship | Romans 12:1-3 • Rev. Darren Cowdrey • Rev. Darren Cowdrey received his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Irvine and his Masters of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. He has served churches in California and Texas. He is currently Associate Pastor at Shepherd of the Hills UMC in Mission Viejo. He enjoys sports and movies and will talk about either at length. He's been married to his wife Brenda since 1993 and they have two great kids, Joseph and Miranda.Darren and Pastor Jon have known each other for more than 20 years and have even been mistaken for brothers. | 4/11/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 105 | VideoI Did Not See That Coming | Luke 24:1-12 • It is difficult to be surprised on Easter morning simply because we know the story. We know that the women went to the tomb. We know that Jesus was not there. We know that he indeed had risen. Hindsight is 20/20, but it does tend to take away all of the mystery of the resurrection. How will we allow ourselves to be surprised by the resurrection this Easter? What do we need to know to see Jesus alive again in our lives, in our homes, and in our communities? | 4/4/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 106 | VideoGood Friday | Service of Tenebrae • The Service of Tenebrae, or “Darkness,” is based on a twelfth century late night/early morning service and is an extended meditation of the passion (suffering) of Jesus Christ. | 4/2/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 106 Episodes |
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