God's Way 12/6/2015

When God hands out those Ten Commandments we all learn: God does have THE WAY we are intended to live. And the church, the collection of Jesus' disciples, exists to strive for THE WAY. In this message I (Jonathan) speak on CPPC being God's Word bearers.

God's Plans for You 11/29/2015

This message is a wonder-inducing call to live in the fullness of what God plans for me (and you). Pastor Raul shares from his heart out of life of  Moses.

Saving Lives in the Face of Terror (bilingual)

We are being given more than enough reason to brew hatred, bitterness, and revenge in the face of the terror in today's world. Are these reactions driving your life?

This is not Jesus' Way. This is not Christianity. This is not the Way described within the Bible. This is not, as Joseph perfectly articulates, "The saving of many lives."

In this message I (Jonathan) share thoughts on living out Christian faith amidst the terror in our lives.

Laughing at God

How bad does it need to be for us to stop and say "no more" and "What must I do?"

The week before giving this message I thought about what I've been doing recently. I thought about what the community of faith I'm apart of (Canoga Park Pres) is doing. And when I paired that with God's call upon me and us, I laughed!

There is similar laughter recorded in the passages of the Bible we were to have read the past week. Sarah laughs when God says what He wants from her. It seems too hard. It seems impossible. It is miracle-required.

Yes. That is precisely what God has in store for you and us: the miraculous.

Accept and Fall Up 11/8/15

It can be challenging to accept that we can't always help ourselves. Even when the stakes are the highest, even when we are talking about life and death, the Kingdom of God and eternity, even then we are challenged.

Do you think that you can fall up?

Lamb Power (Rebecca Stringer) 11/1/2015

The ending to the story is essential. In this message Rebecca prepares Canoga Park Pres to read through God's story together (for 31 weeks) by giving us the ending first! It's all about "lamb power."

Do You Submit? 10/25/15

Do you expect other people to give you the respect you deserve? In fact, when someone doesn't give you proper respect what does that make you feel? Well if it's me we're talking about, I can get pretty self-righteous.

In this message I (Jonathan) encourage taking submission seriously.

Living Sacrifice (Pastor Kristy) 10/18/15

In this message Pastor Kristy shares from Romans 12 on taking action as a living sacrifice.

The Sickle is Coming 9/20

In this message I (Jonathan) share about the ending to which everything is headed. This is what gives joy at Christmas and baptism; it is what gives hope at Easter and funerals. In this message you will receive the future hope upon which Christianity rest. 

Waiting On God 8/9/2015

Everything I am, everything, for God. That means my hopes, my plans, my family, my future... All of it waits upon God. In this message I (Jonathan) share on this Biblical truth.

Think You're Alright? 7/26/15

Do you need to go to church in order to be right with God? Well, do you? Just think about all the ways you try and justify yourself.

In this message I (Jonathan) share about how God already sees you.

Who You With? 8/2/2015

We each chose the people we are around. Part of Christian living is choosing these people purposefully. Jesus created the church (creates the church) to be a collection of people that share in the journey of faith. These people are "yoked" together to pull in the same direction: For the Kingdom of Heaven. In this message I (Jonathan) paint part of the vision for this church's mission together.

Leaders & Hardship 5/31/2015

Leaders in a church have some hard work! In this message we look at what Paul said about these leaders. Paul reminds us that we have to do some things for them as leaders...

God Saves & Witnesses Through You 5/17/2015

This message focuses upon the story of a jailer being saved from suicide (Acts 16). He asks the most important question we can as humanity: "What must I do to be saved?"

My hope is that you are moved to ask the question, and to hear God voice the answer through the witness of His church. "Believe on the Lord Jesus."

You need saving. You have a job to witness. We all carry both the need and the job. This is essential Christianity.

Come To Me 5/10/2015

Healing. Wholeness. Restoration. These are all promises within Christianity. Yet the world, the people, and the systems around us get in the way. We are easily convinced, seduced even, to not receive these promises.

Are you in need?

In this message I (Jonathan) talk about how to receive these promises.

Dedicated (Part 3 of 3) 4/5/15

We must be willing to do whatever it takes to be dedicated to the ministry of Jesus Christ.Why? What does this look like?

This message addresses these questions.

Dedicated (Part 2 of 3) 3/29/15

Can you say what Christianity is in a non-abstract explanation?

Too often we leave the faith and task of following Jesus Christ up in the clouds. Being a Christian never touches the ground for the rubber to meet the road.

In this message I (Jonathan) bring Christianity back down to earth where you can truly experience faith and discipleship now.

Dedicated (Part 1 of 3) 3/22/15

What are you dedicated to in your life?

This message begins exploring what the church and her people need to be dedicated to as Christians. 

Do you think you know?