South Bay Church

Gospel Community: A Sunday Sermon Series from the Book of First Corinthians

This is the podcast of the South Bay Church, Los Angeles. We’re a vibrant, growing church community of families, single adults, and teens from all over the South Bay area --all ages, races, and backgrounds. We love to hear the Bible communicated in a way that is relevant, easy to understand, and applies to every-day life. This podcast features lessons and sermons from our Sunday worship services as well as other midweek meetings and special events.

This is the podcast of the South Bay Church, Los Angeles. We’re a vibrant, growing church community of families, single adults, and teens from all over the South Bay area --all ages, races, and backgrounds. We love to hear the Bible communicated in a way that is relevant, easy to understand, and applies to every-day life. This podcast features lessons and sermons from our Sunday worship services as well as other midweek meetings and special events.

The “gospel" (which comes from the Greek word for “good news”) is the news that God has entered his creation, shown us the way to have a relationship with him, and is bringing about restoration, freedom, and a new way to live within a new kind of community. Looking back at Paul’s letter to the early gospel community in the ancient city of Corinth helps us to see how the gospel impacts real life. A wide variety of topics are covered in this letter: party divisions, immorality, lawsuits, marriage, idolatry, pagan customs, the Lord’s Supper, Paul’s ministry, gifts of the Spirit, the resurrection, church finance, and numerous other subjects. Seeing the world with “gospel glasses” changes everything--how we relate to each other, our every-day life situations, even our past, present, and future.

This is the podcast of the South Bay Church, Los Angeles. We’re a vibrant, growing church community of families, single adults, and teens from all over the South Bay area --all ages, races, and backgrounds. We love to hear the Bible communicated in a way that is relevant, easy to understand, and applies to every-day life. This podcast features lessons and sermons from our Sunday worship services as well as other midweek meetings and special events.

Christ has risen! Join us as we explore the ramifications of Jesus' resurrection for humanity.

The “gospel" (which comes from the Greek word for “good news”) is the news that God has entered his creation, shown us the way to have a relationship with him, and is bringing about restoration, freedom, and a new way to live within a new kind of community. Looking back at Paul’s letter to the early gospel community in the ancient city of Corinth helps us to see how the gospel impacts real life. A wide variety of topics are covered in this letter: party divisions, immorality, lawsuits, marriage, idolatry, pagan customs, the Lord’s Supper, Paul’s ministry, gifts of the Spirit, the resurrection, church finance, and numerous other subjects. Seeing the world with “gospel glasses” changes everything--how we relate to each other, our every-day life situations, even our past, present, and future.

The “gospel" (which comes from the Greek word for “good news”) is the news that God has entered his creation, shown us the way to have a relationship with him, and is bringing about restoration, freedom, and a new way to live within a new kind of community. Looking back at Paul’s letter to the early gospel community in the ancient city of Corinth helps us to see how the gospel impacts real life. A wide variety of topics are covered in this letter: party divisions, immorality, lawsuits, marriage, idolatry, pagan customs, the Lord’s Supper, Paul’s ministry, gifts of the Spirit, the resurrection, church finance, and numerous other subjects. Seeing the world with “gospel glasses” changes everything--how we relate to each other, our every-day life situations, even our past, present, and future.

We are coming before our God with singing, scripture, and prayer, sharing Communion, and lifting our praise. STREAMING ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL both live Saturday night and for Sunday morning worship.

There is an ancient spiritual formation practice called ‘a Rule of Life’ within the Christian faith that is not meant to constrain but liberate us. A Rule of Life is not a rule in the same sense that word is commonly used today...It is a support structure that helps us to grow in Christ. It is an intentional plan centered around spiritual practices that enable us to pay attention to God and remain in Jesus—regardless of the powerful forces that seek to pull us away from him. (EHS Day by Day, 156)

To become an emotionally mature Christian adult is to recognize that loving well is the essence of true spirituality... learning, practicing, and integrating such skills as speaking respectfully, listening with empathy, negotiating conflict fairly, and uncovering the hidden expectations we have of others. (EHS Day by Day, 136)

God is offering us a way to deeply root our lives in him. This can be found in two ancient principles going back thousands of years—the Daily Office and Sabbath. When placed inside present-day Christianity, these are groundbreaking, countercultural acts that go against the grain of our fast-paced Western culture. They offer a rhythm to be with God in our chaotic world, enabling us to stay attuned to God’s presence throughout our days and weeks. (EHS Day by Day, p. 118)

Loss is a place where self-knowledge and powerful transformation can happen. Paying attention to our losses enlarges our souls…We all face many “deaths” within our lives…The choice is whether these deaths will be terminal (crushing our spirit and life) or will open us up to new possibilities and depths of transformation in Christ. Staying with Jesus during these challenging times—remaining, abiding, communing with him—makes all the difference.

All the ministries of Coastal LA come together today for a worship celebration praising God and hearing about news from around the globe from the foreign missions work we support with our donations.

This week we continue our survey of "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" talking about the spiritual journey, how to move beyond our past and what to do when we hit a wall that leaves us in a crisis of faith. Our origin stories are a part of our past but don't have to define us. And sometimes on the darkest night is when we end up seeing God the most clearly. Referenced in the sermon: Bema podcast about Pharisees https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/80 D'Today Article, "Crisis fo Faith" https://www.disciplestoday.org/crisis-of-faith God or Satan? Article, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/god-satan-2-samuel-25-1-chronicles-21/

God's word teaches us to be God-focused, not self focused. Yet self-awareness is intricately related to our relationship with God. In fact, the challenge of Scripture to shed our ‘false self’ in order to live authentically in our ‘new true self’ strikes at the very core of true spirituality…The vast majority of us go to our graves without knowing who we are.

We are going to talking today about plans for South Bay Church in this new year, and specifically an 8-week program we are going through in our small groups, and on Sundays, “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.” The goal is that each of us thrive… that we grow on to maturity as Christians rather than being hindered by the kinds of things that can stunt our spiritual growth. And as God transforms us, he brings his light to the dark world around us as well.

There is so much noise and clutter in our lives, we need to take time to "listen!" What events or people in your life has God used to better enhance your ability to hear God’s Voice? We'll be talking about regular disciplines that allow space for God's presence in our lives.

What does it mean to worship in spirit and in truth? Am I supposed to have a certain feeling or emotion, or does it mean something entirely different? How do I know if I am worshipping in truth or not? Join us as we explore what Jesus meant when he said, "God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)

We’ll be talking today about being a lifelong learner when it comes to God, no matter where you are on your journey—many years as a Christian or just starting out. Along the way we have the blessing of endlessly discovering new treasures in a satisfying and fulfilling connection with our Creator.