Sunwest Fc's Weekly Sermon Podcast

The challenges that faced the first century church are the same as the challenges that face us today. Last week we addressed how three of the seven churches struggled with cultural assimilation. This week we will look at the challenge that the other churches had with complacency and persecution.

As we learned last week, the book of Revelation was first and foremost written to seven churches. It was written to them, but it is for us. Even though almost two millennia have passed since the letter was penned, we see that the threats and challenges to the church then are the same exact things we still face now.

Apocalypse. What comes to mind when you hear that word? Good news or bad news? The last book of the Bible is an apocalypse, and it's good news. Many have tried to turn this book into something it isn’t, leading to much confusion and misunderstanding. When we read it with the right lens it becomes a powerful book that speaks to us in our present moment today. Join us this week as we start our new series on the book of Revelation, The Good News Apocalypse.

If we want to experience more of God's presence, we need to let him break the boxes of our limiting beliefs. Join us for a very insightful message from our guest speaker Brad Huebert.

Do you ever have moments where you’re reactions and responses surprise you? Do you ever feel stuck on the same issues and are discouraged that you can’t seem to move forward? Over time we all experience challenges, from choices we’ve made and the choices that have been made by others that effect us. Would you like to move beyond those things and continue to grow into the person that God has called you to be? If you’re interested in being a part of this courageous journey of transformation join us this Sunday as we continue our series Break Every Chain.

Do you ever have moments where you’re reactions and responses surprise you? Do you ever feel stuck on the same issues and are discouraged that you can’t seem to move forward? Over time we all experience challenges, from choices we’ve made and the choices that have been made by others that effect us. Would you like to move beyond those things and continue to grow into the person that God has called you to be? Join as we continue this courageous journey of transformation this Sunday as we Break Every Chain.

Do you ever have moments where you’re reactions and responses surprise you? Do you ever feel stuck on the same issues and are discouraged that you can’t seem to move forward? Over time we all experience challenges, from choices we’ve made and the choices that have been made by others that affect us. Would you like to move beyond those things and continue to grow into the person that God has called you to be? If you’re interested in being a part of this courageous journey of transformation join us for our new series - Break Every Chain.

This Christmas Eve we pondered the truth that Jesus is the light of the world, even when it can seem dark. But even though God’s light is seen most clearly in Jesus it doesn’t stop there. Jesus said of us: “you are the light of the world”. Are followers of Jesus known for being lights in a dark world? If not why is that? Join us for a short message as we explore this question and look ahead to being more intentional with this calling in 2023.

"A thrill of hope...a weary world rejoices." The lyrics to this famous Christmas carol are just as relevant today as they were the very first Christmas. In spite of the weariness that we and our world experience, the light of Christmas continues to give us hope today.

We talk about putting our trust in God but don’t often think about God trusting us. In the Christmas story, we see clearly the characteristics of those God trusts and those he doesn’t. Join us this week as we conclude our series and look at Christmas through the eyes of Herod.

When we look at the Christmas story it's fascinating to consider who showed up to worship Jesus and who didn't. It wasn't the religious leaders with all of their information and knowledge. It was those willing to seek and follow their longing and questions all the way to the end. Do you ever have doubts about faith? Questions? Fear not, you're in good company. It was those with honest questions that God entrusted himself to.

The Christmas season is experienced in different ways for different people. It was no different at the first Christmas. It is clear in the Christmas story that God entrusted certain people with himself, and withheld himself from others. What type of people did God trust; and what type of people were left in the dark? Perhaps it's not that different from today. Join us this week as we look at Christmas through the eyes of Joseph.

In the Christmas story, God reveals himself to those who are humble, poor in spirit, and downtrodden. He connects with those who are childlike in faith, and those who are not pretentious. This weekend we will look at how God shares his special news with the shepherds - not royalty, not the religious elite, and certainly not the proud nor powerful. Is our pride, self-sufficiency, or lack of humility keeping us from connecting with God, and all that He has for us?

What is the defining characteristic of Jesus’ relationship with us? What did he do over and over that we can also do? This weekend we’re going to look at how we can live like Jesus lived and be a community whose actions reflect Jesus’ relationship with his father as lived out in the early church.

“Tithing”. What response does that word create in you? This word has been the source of much debate and confusion. Should you, or shouldn’t you tithe? Is it, or isn’t it biblical? Join us this week as we talk about this five-letter word and whether it should hold any weight in your life and budget at all.

Over the first couple of centuries, the early church went from a scattered group of Jesus' followers to a force that changed the cities and cultures around them. What happened? Those early followers of Jesus were so convinced of the generosity of God that it caused them to live radically generous lives which in turn became an unstoppable force. Could it be that (re)discovering the generosity of God could again change us and the world around us?

Wherever you have wandered, your true home is with Jesus. We are excited to have guest speaker Mark Wessner share at SunWest this weekend. Mark is the President of MB Seminary and an Associate Professor of Biblical Studies for Christian Leadership. The common threads in much of Mark’s experience and education are leadership, teaching, and spiritual formation. Mark is passionate about helping others effectively integrate biblical studies and leadership in their daily lives, in the local church, and in the marketplace.

When we look around it can be easy to notice everyone who has more than us. We can even become envious of what others have. We may even begin to blame God, wondering why we have been shortchanged. “Why not me?” If only I had what they had I could be happy, content, or joyful. Discover how viewing God as a gracious provider can help free us from the comparison trap.

Avoiding the comparison trap is good but what if you are stuck in it? Brad Huebert is back with us this Sunday to explore how to escape the comparison trap - by exploring contentment.

You've probably heard the phrase "Keeping up with the Joneses". This phrase is often used when we attempt to try to emulate someone else's appearance, lifestyle, or standard of living. But the Jones' don't just live in the 21st century, they also lived in the 1st century. Have you ever wondered why the church community, which should be the safest place to be authentic and vulnerable, can often be the place people feel the most pressured to be someone they're not? Join us this week as we examine why that happens and what God thinks about it.