Oceanside Sanctuary

In this episode, Co-Lead Pastor Jason Coker continues our Lenten series, Snapshots of Jesus, by exploring the familiar yet challenging story of Jesus cleansing the temple in Matthew 21:12-13.

Pastor Jason dives into the historical and cultural context of the ancient temple, explaining how a place meant for healing and prayer had been corrupted into a system of profit and exploitation. By...

In this week’s Sunday teaching at Oceanside Sanctuary, Co-Lead Pastor Jason Coker explores the familiar story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet in John 13. Continuing the Lenten series "Spotlights on Jesus," Jason unpacks the biblical "reversal motif"—the radical idea that the last shall be first and the first shall be last.

But is "servant leadership" just a clever strategy for getti...

In this week’s episode, Pastor Jenell Coker of Oceanside Sanctuary explores the story of Jesus's temptation in the wilderness from Matthew 4:1-11. As we journey through the third week of Lent, Pastor Jenell unpacks the significance of the "40 days and 40 nights," moving beyond the idea of Jesus as an untouchable superhero to examine his profound, relatable humanity. Join us as we reflect...

In the first week of our Lenten series, "Snapshots of Jesus," Co-Lead Pastor Jason Coker dives into the story of Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3:13-17. Rather than viewing baptism merely as a strict act of obedience to an institution, Pastor Jason explores its historical roots in the Jewish practice of mikvah and the radical nature of John the Baptist's wilderness ministry. Ultimately, we le...

In this Ash Wednesday homily, Co-Lead Pastor Jason Coker invites us into the solemn and reflective 40-day season of Lent. Contrasting the stark reality of Ash Wednesday with the vibrant "super bloom" of Easter, Jason explores a profound truth: you cannot have a super bloom without a desert, and you cannot have resurrection without death.

Drawing on Genesis 3:19 ("you are dust, and to dus...

In the final week of our core values series, Co-Lead Pastor Jason Coker unpacks what it means to put "Faith in Action." Exploring the familiar parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25, Jason tackles an ancient religious debate: Which is more righteous, spiritual devotion or good deeds?

Through a highly relatable (and slightly exhausting) metaphor about the never-ending reality of...

In this episode, Co-Lead Pastor Jason Coker continues our series on The Oceanside Sanctuary’s core values by exploring the fourth value: Liberating Love.

Reflecting on the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, Jason unpacks the tension between the "letter of the law" and the "spirit of love." While religious rules often seek to define who we don't have to help, Jesus teaches that lov...

In this Sunday teaching, Co-Lead Minister Jenell Coker continues our series on Oceanside Sanctuary's Core Values, focusing this week on "Sacred Stories."

Drawing from the Gospel of John (20:24-29), Jenell re-examines the narrative of "Doubting Thomas." Rather than seeing Thomas's hesitation as a failure of faith, she presents it as a vital invitation to investigate the Divine for ourselv...

In this conversation, Jason Coker discusses the core values of the Oceanside Sanctuary, focusing on the concept of integrated spirituality. He explores the journey of faith, the significance of the Lord's Prayer, and the interplay between personal, social, and political dimensions of spirituality. Coker emphasizes that spirituality should encompass all aspects of life, advocating for a h...

In this improvised yet profound sermon, Mark Weathers steps in for ill colleagues to tackle one of the most pivotal questions in the Gospels: "Who do you say that I am?" (Mark 8:27-30). Mark explores this inquiry not as a test with a single correct answer, but as a "Jesus Koan"—a sacred riddle designed to bypass the intellect and transform the spirit. Drawing parallels between the "Messi...

In this powerful MLK Sunday guest sermon, we welcome Dr. Lisa Tunstall from McCarty Memorial Christian Church in Los Angeles. Preaching from Luke 4:16–21, Dr. Tunstall connects the prophetic mission of Jesus—to bring good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed—with the urgent need for social justice and resistance in our current political climate.

Drawing from her own childhood ex...

In this episode, Jason introduces Mission 2030, a new vision for The Oceanside Sanctuary shaped by a year-long process of appreciative inquiry. We begin a new teaching series on our five refined core values, starting with the first and most clear result: Authentic Belonging. Exploring the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19, we look at how Jesus prioritized people over rules and how true belon...

December 28, 2025 | Speaker: Jason Coker | Scripture: Isaiah 63:7–9

Episode Summary In this final sermon of the Christmas season, Jason explores the profound difference between seeking God's power and resting in God's presence. Drawing from a lament in Isaiah 63, he challenges us to look beyond the "fantastical" and "miraculous" to find salvation in the quiet, empathetic nearness of God....

December 21, 2025 | Speaker: Jason Coker | Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16

Episode Summary In this final week before Christmas, Jason Coker continues our Advent series by exploring the tension between our desire for control and the "slow work" of God. Drawing from the story of King Ahaz in Isaiah 7, Jason illustrates how we often cloak our lack of faith in religious language when we are afraid...

December 14, 2025 | Speaker: Jason Coker | Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Episode Summary In this week's sermon, Jason Coker leads us through the third week of Advent, focusing on the theme of Joy. Drawing from the poetic imagery of Isaiah 35, where the desert blossoms like a crocus, Jason explores how joy often emerges as an organic byproduct rather than something we can force. He shares a p...

Date: December 7, 2025

Speaker: Rev. Jenell Coker

Scripture: Psalm 72

Welcome to the second week of Advent at The Collective Table. In this episode, Co-Lead Minister Jenell Coker explores the season's second theme: Peace.

We often imagine peace arriving through a powerful, top-down ruler—a "King David" figure who will fix everything from a throne. But drawing parallels between Dr. Martin...

Date: November 30, 2025

Speaker: Rev. Jason Coker

Scripture: Isaiah 2:1–5

Welcome to the first week of Advent at The Collective Table. In this episode, Co-Lead Minister Jason Coker explores the season's first theme: Hope.

We often think of hope as a childish wish for magic—like the anticipation of Santa Claus on Christmas morning. But what happens when we grow up and face the inevitable ...

In this special Sunday Sermon, we celebrate a monumental milestone: the 150th anniversary of Oceanside Sanctuary Church. Joining us to mark this occasion is guest speaker Yvonne Gilmore, who brings a powerful message on the legacy of "spiritual audacity" and the enduring power of community.

Drawing from Psalm 46, Yvonne explores the concept of God not just as a static refuge, but as an a...

Unseen Witnesses: Stories of Hope, Compassion, and Justice from the Margins of Scripture

Welcome to The Collective Table, the podcast of The Oceanside Sanctuary Church, where we celebrate the intersections of Jesus, justice, and joy. Ea...