Followers of Jesus are encouraged to embody compassion, kindness, humility, and patience in a polarized world, especially amid political and social tensions. By focusing on our identity as chosen, holy, and beloved by God, we can foster unity and dismantle a culture of contempt through Christ-like qualities, love, and forgiveness.…

Paul starts to get practical in Chapter 3, reminding the Colossian church that their new life in Christ should result in a new lifestyle. But, these imperatives must be grounded in the gospel! These indicators are more like a "uniform" (worn in order to represent something) as opposed to a "dress code" (worn in order to secure access).…

After losing his four daughters in a tragic shipwreck, Horatio Spafford penned "It Is Well With My Soul," demonstrating deep trust in Jesus despite immense sorrow. His faith, along with Habakkuk’s call to trust in God’s eternal sovereignty, urges believers to anchor their hope in God’s unchanging promises through life’s greatest trials.…

In Colossians 2:15-17, Paul reminds believers that the rituals and laws related to food, festivals, and the Sabbath were simply a shadow of the things to come, with Christ as the true fulfillment. He emphasizes that focusing on these external rules can distract from the greater reality found in Jesus. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has …

This week Nick looks at how believer's baptism has replaced circumcision, and the depth of what that physical act represents in terms of the spiritual significance of having been buried with Jesus. Our debt of sin has been paid. Our enemies have been disarmed and triumphed over in the cross. We've been set free from the power and penalty of sin, an…

Colossians 2:1-10 emphasizes Christ’s supremacy over deceptive philosophies and human traditions that oppose His truth. Paul urges believers to stay rooted in Christ, growing in faith and unity, so they are not led astray by plausible but misleading arguments. In Christ, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found, offering believers true f…

God's purpose extends beyond simply saving and guiding His people; He desires to dwell with them, as symbolized by the fire cloud that led Israel. The tabernacle in Exodus and Jesus' role as the ultimate dwelling of God's presence among us, encourages believers to not merely stand at a distance but to actively welcome and experience God's indwellin…

The greatness of Christ's sacrifice illustrates how the value of a gift is magnified by the recipient's unworthiness. It connects this idea to the church, emphasizing that because Jesus is supremely worthy, the church is worth serving and sacrificing for. Paul’s teachings in Colossians emphasize: joyful suffering, the mystery of Christ in us, and t…

This week we kick off a new series out of Paul's letter to the Colossian church. Paul's opening prayer for them is underpinned by the supremacy of Jesus!

The parables of the fig tree and the watchful servants emphasize the importance of being prepared for Jesus' return, even though the exact time remains unknown. As Christians, we are called to long for justice and be active in sharing the gospel, knowing that while the exact timing of His return is a mystery, our readiness should not be. The return…

This parable is used to illustrate the disparity between the mercy God shows us and the mercy we often withhold from others. True forgiveness comes from the heart and is a reflection of the grace we have received from God. Withholding forgiveness traps us in a prison of bitterness while forgiving others releases us from this emotional and spiritual…

In this parable, God is the owner of the vineyard and like the tenants, there is a danger of taking God's kindness for granted and not acknowledging His sovereignty. Life is difficult and we can't easily forget how good God has been to us. We don't embrace His lordship when we overemphasize Jesus' saving and loving characteristics and forget or ign…

Many of us know that the kingdom of God grows in ways we often don't understand. God's power, patience, and the smallest acts of faithfulness lead to the massive growth of His kingdom.

As believers, we all know the importance of letting our light shine. In this Parable, we'll explore Mark 4:21-25, discussing how openly sharing our faith can profoundly impact lives and communities while allowing Jesus' truth to illuminate our own lives.

We’re all familiar with the Parable of the Sower, but perhaps there is more that lies beneath the surface. Dig into Mark’s masterful telling of the story within the greater story of Jesus, the Son of God.

Just as the pharisees mistakingly misattributed the work of God to the work of Satan, we too can sometimes get our lines crossed. Our error could spring from a total lack of faith in who God is, or just a subtle misconception and misunderstanding of His heart for us. Jesus confronts the pharisees about their particular lack of faith using a story a…

Jesus used parables to reveal and conceal truth. The stories remained hidden from the proud and self-righteous but were revealed to faithful disciples with childlike faith. In this parable, Jesus highlights the incompatibility of old religious rituals with new faith in Christ. We should not get stuck in religious exercises but keep Jesus central in…

Personal suffering in God's kingdom tests and refines our faith. Suffering can result from others' choices or one's own, both good and bad. What is important is maintaining a proper perspective, enduring trials with faith, and drawing closer to God. Our ultimate example of suffering is Jesus who endured hardship with grace and purpose.…

As Christians, we need to be sober-minded, aware, and resistant to the devil's deceptions. We can learn from Peter's story of denial and restoration. We need to maintain a worldview open to spiritual realities and be critical of modern secular culture's rejection of absolute truth and embrace of neo-paganism. We know the truth. Jesus is the Truth.…

The dual roles of elders and fathers in the church overlap significantly. There is an inseparable nature of earthly fatherhood and spiritual fathering, they share similar responsibilities and qualities. In this passage, Peter reflects on the traits of a good shepherd and the deep connection between knowing God and being a father. As spiritual mento…

Peter's letters focus on how we are called to live as exiles in the world, distinct yet engaged. We are called to live as obedient children, distinct from the culture around us, while still engaging with it to spread the light of Christ. We embrace our identity as chosen and holy, living out our faith through actions and words, and seeking God's gr…

Despite initially embracing Gentile inclusion, Peter withdrew from them under pressure, creating a two-tier church. Paul confronted Peter, emphasizing that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus alone, not by adhering to Jewish customs. This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of maintaining gospel truth and authenticity, as we often fall…

As the gospel advances and continues to spread, we see the need for bridges to be built to carry the good news. The farther the distance the bridge must span, the more complicated and sturdier the bridge.Av Nick Saltas

Pentecost transformed Peter. The infilling of the Holy Spirit gave power and clarity to the person & work of Jesus. Jesus declares the truth that requires a response. What is our response?Av Nick Saltas

If Jesus had not been raised, Peter would have never known forgiveness … and neither would, neither could, we.Av Vic Stander

Raman Kapur is a pastor in India and is part of the Advance Network of churches along with Mercy Commons. Raman also ministers to and disciples other church pastors all around India & Nepal. Raman reminds us of the power of the gospel and what it is meant to achieve in the church around the world.Av Raman Kapur

Jesus’s transfiguration was an act of confirmation and continuity. God is affirming Jesus’s identity as the Son of God. He is not another prophet, but the Messiah who must follow the way of the cross. It is also a moment of continuity. This is what God had planned from the beginning. The law and the prophets were fulfilled in Jesus (Moses received …

Confessing Jesus as the Messiah will materially shape who we become, how we live, and what our reward will be.Av Nick Saltas

We shouldn't be surprised when we face difficulty and doubt. Jesus told us to expect storms. To overcome doubt, we are called to take a step of faith and keep our eyes on the Lord.Av Jason Newell

Peter is a historical figure that the churched and unchurched can connect with. We don’t even really know when he settled his faith in Jesus. Peter was one of the slowest to grasp the gospel of the kingdom because of his inconsistency and humanity but once he did, laid out a powerful vision for what a church, built by Jesus, empowered by the Spirit…

Access to God through the resurrection gives us peace and purpose.Av Nick Saltas

On Good Friday, not only did Jesus take our place on the cross and bear our sins on Himself, but now we have access to His place – the most holy place with direct access to an intimate relationship with Almighty God who is now our Father. This truth is symbolized by the veil that tore the moment Jesus died.…

Jesus' kingship is characterized by humility and compassion rather than conventional grandeur and authority. His humble entry into Jerusalem and His meaningful encounters with people such as Zacchaeus contrast His approach to kingship with the worldly expectations of a king. As believers, our life should embody Jesus' example of servitude, humility…

Hebrews 13:7-25 // There are three final invitations from the book of Hebrews to the church: to remember, respond to, and pray for leaders; to embrace their identity as outsiders in the world; and to focus primarily on Jesus as the ultimate example and leader. There are complexities of church leadership, including the potential for hurt, the import…

Hebrews 12:18-29 // Jesus Christ surpasses all - from angels to the old covenant - and presents a new, unshakable kingdom that invites us into a living, joyous, and eternal relationship with God. Our charge as believers is to examine our worship and relationship with God. Our lives should be marked by gratitude, acceptable worship, and a deep aware…

Hebrews 12:28-13:3 // The beauty of a life transformed by God. We display our transformed lives by staying on good terms with each other, showing hospitality to strangers, and empathizing with those who suffer.Av Ryan MacDonald

Hebrews 12:3-17 // The author of Hebrews encourages followers of Jesus to not grow weary by showing that discipline is a result of God’s love. We have a responsibility to ourselves and others while remaining watchful against an unhallowed life.Av Jimmy Liu

Hebrews 11:17-12:2 // How do we exercise and grow our faith? It is Christ's work in us that we respond to. It is His work within us that enables us to have faith and run with endurance the race that is set before us.Av Nick Saltas

Hebrews 11:1-16 // Faith unites the soul with God and draws strength from Him. Thus faith is altogether a supernatural thing. That is why faith is so important for us. We are saved by faith. We endure by faith and enter into His rest by faith. It is by faith that the convicted and repentant sinner is saved. It is by faith that Christ dwells in our …

Hebrews 10:26-39 // We have been given a clear path of salvation – one way through Jesus Christ. This is an intentional and not accidental plan from God. However, many will refuse this exclusive path. What does refusal look like? What can happen when we allow doubt to take root in our hearts? Judgement day is coming. Choosing to be a part of God's …

Hebrews 10:19-25 // We are called to be confident. Our confidence should be increased that not only are we welcomed sons and daughters but the finished work of Christ has made us competent ministers and ambassadors of the new covenant. We are called to be personally intentional. Our spiritual growth is not a passive path. We are called to be commun…

Alan Frow (from our Advance Network and pastor at Southlands Brea) gives a message on the gift of shepherds given by Jesus Christ to the church - His flock. Church leaders have the call to lead with Jesus for the feeding and leading of His sheep.Av Alan Frow

Hebrews 10:1-18 // The finished work of Jesus is powerful, prophetic, and perfect.Av Nick Saltas

God has been so faithful. We thank Him for 10 years and look forward to many more reveling, proclaiming, demonstrating, and participating in acts of mercy for the joy of Fullerton and the renewal of the world.Av Nick Saltas

COVID showed us what was technologically possible in video conferencing and remote work, and a cultural shift followed. How do I decide now when to show up in person versus checking in online? Why should we care about church now? Right before His death, Jesus offers a prayer on behalf of his disciples—soon to be the first Church—that offers clues t…

At Christmas time there is a tension between what we want and what we truly need. We desire a gift that fulfills our deepest needs.Av Nick Saltas

God also bound Himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that He would never change His mind. So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the …

Persistent joy expects difficulty & persistent joy is purposeful. We don’t ignore or suppress difficulties, we acknowledge them with faith and hope. Persistent joy has a singular Source. Let’s fix our eyes on the Source of our joy – Jesus Christ.Av Nick Saltas

Advent is about preparing mentally, spiritually, and even physically to create a greater sense of connection and occasion as we celebrate the incarnation of Jesus and also long for and anticipate His second coming.Av Nick Saltas