Journey of Faith Messages Podcast

Understandable. Jesus-centered. Invitational. Those are some of the ways that people in our community describe Journey of Faith. But what, exactly, are we inviting people into at Journey? During this first 5-week series of the Fall, we’ll explore the unique blend of values, mission, and programs that define us as a church. Along the way we’ll find new ways to grow closer to God together and share his love with the South Bay.

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We live in a world that is broken by death and pain and evil. Sometimes we can catch ourselves longing for the next life, expecting that God will finally be rid of this earth. But we read in the Bible that God has a much different plan – rather than moving on from Earth, his ultimate plan is to redeem and recreate all that is currently lost and corrupt. In this final week of The Story Project, we’ll read the very last verses of ...

There are many perspectives on the prophetic nature of the book of Revelation. From tackling the strange and vivid imagery to parsing out the curious timelines presented, Christians have worked to unpack John’s vision for the past 2000 years. But does this type of debate about Revelation obscure what Jesus is trying to teach us through the last book of the Bible? Or is it possible to still learn important lessons that can impact...

The book of Revelation is often considered to be a confusing and complicated book of future prophecy. But the truth is that the opening chapters of Revelation feature the risen Jesus himself giving practical insight to his followers. And his direction in those early chapters is clear: we need to stay alert and focused on following him, despite the increasing challenges we face. In this first week of our three-week walk through R...

What kind of faith endures—and how do we pass it on? In two personal letters from the Apostle Paul to a young church leader named Timothy, we discover the key to leaving a legacy of faith: a life anchored in truth, shaped by character, and strengthened through perseverance. Real faith doesn’t just last—it multiplies. It changes us from the inside out and impacts the people we care about most. When we live with purpose and stay root...

What does it look like to be the Church in a world that’s constantly pulling us in opposite directions? This week, we’ll look at two letters in the New Testament written to churches in an ancient city called Corinth - a city with a lot of similarities to Los Angeles! We’ll see how we can move from being to divided and distracted Christians, to a people known for their unity, holiness, and purpose. Let’s not just go to church—let’s ...

What good is faith if no one can see it in action? This week we’ll look at a letter written to first century Christians from Jesus’ half-brother James. We’ll be reminded that faith isn’t just a belief we carry, but a life we live. Real faith shows up in real ways—through how we handle hardship, love others, and walk humbly with God. Like a fast Amazon order, faith is meant to move quickly from conviction to action. When we put our...

What if the solution to the world’s brokenness isn’t found in us, but in someone greater? This week, we begin series looking letters from the New Testament, starting with the Apostle Paul’s letter to the ancient Roman Christians. In it, we discover God’s global mission—a plan not just to save individuals, but to unite a fractured world through faith in Jesus. Beneath all our differences, we share a common need and a common hope. W...

How can we share our faith in a way that truly connects with others? In this final message of our Pioneers series, we’ll explore how Paul, Christianity’s first missionary, engaged with philosophers in Athens. He met people where they were, using their own culture and beliefs as a bridge to introduce them to Jesus. We’ll reflect on how God can help us shift our focus from ourselves to communicating the Good News of Jesus in a way th...

How can we stay strong in our faith when life gets tough? This week, we’ll explore the New Testament story of Paul and Silas, two Christians imprisoned for their devotion to Jesus. We’ll see how they kept their faith alive during suffering and used it as an opportunity to share God’s love. Their example will encourage us to worship God even when we don’t feel like it and remain a resilient witness to those around us.

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How can we help others grow spiritually without trying to force change? This week, we’ll explore the transformation of Lydia, a key leader in early Christianity. Her decision to follow Jesus came through people who recognized God’s work in her life and trusted Him to open her heart. We’ll learn how to recognize spiritual longing in others and rely on the Holy Spirit for transformation.

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How can we stay united in our mission while navigating deep cultural and theological differences? This week, we’ll look at how the first followers of Jesus worked to overcome division so they could continue to share the message of Jesus. We’ll learn how we can be grateful for God’s love for us and take practical steps toward cooperation with people who believe differently than us, without compromising our faith. 

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Where do you turn when life feels uncertain or overwhelming? For our first week in this series, we’ll explore what shaped the minds and hearts of Christianity’s first missionaries. We’ll learn about the importance of Christian community, how to face hardships, and celebrating what God is doing in people’s lives. And we’ll be reminded to look for the “doors of faith” God opens all around us.

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The earliest followers of Jesus were made up of people who believed the message of Jesus and chose to follow him. But there was one man named Saul, who began his journey as an ardent opponent of Jesus – even arresting and wanting to kill Christians. But God had a different plan for Saul to become one of the most influential and dynamic followers in history – the first Christian missionary. This week we’ll read the story of Saul’...

Some of the first followers of Jesus found that their finest moments were defined by how willing they were to cross cultural boundaries to share God’s love. This week we’ll read the story of a man named Phillip who faced the same challenging limitations and prejudices we still face today, but chose to follow God’s loving plan past his hesitations, with incredible results.

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What does it take to stand strong when everything is against you? The growth of the first family of Jesus-followers was full of joy and excitement – but that first family also faced extreme challenges and heartache. This week we’ll read the story of the very first Christian martyr – the first Christian to lose his life because of his faith. From the story of Stephen, we’ll learn to be humble and truthful, even in the face of adve...

As the earliest followers of Jesus were trying to decide how to keep his movement of love going, they landed on a surprising theme: sharing. They shared meals. They shared their time. They shared their possessions. They shared the journey with one another in order to reach new height of connection and strength. This week we’ll take inspiration from the first family of Jesus in order to become more open and generous ourselves.

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The first and most important thing the early followers of Jesus decided to do was WAIT; wait for the Holy Spirit to inspire and motivate and guide them. Though it may have first seemed like inaction, waiting on God resulted in a explosion of growth and miracles. This week we’ll explore the arrival of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the first followers of Jesus, and learn how we can be transformed by that same experience.

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