Pastor Deanza teaches how we are the Church and looks at how the early church established community, prayer life, breaking of bread and the spreading of the gospel. 40:52 minutes (7.02 MB)
Acts 27:27-44
Pastor Deanza Spaulding continues last week's message about weathering the storms of life. Among other things, she talks about the role that the church community plays in helping us through troubles and trials.
Pastor DeAnza speaks of the Communion table as a place of acceptance and restoration. She goes on to talk about the responsibility that we have to spread that acceptance and restoration to those around us.
In this Christmas Homily, Pastor DeAnza talks about the birth story as a story of hope - a hope that seems to be swallowed up by current crises (war and the economy) - but nevertheless, a hope that continues to speak to us today.
Pastor DeAnza continues the marriage section of Quest's Relationship Series. In this message, she talks about foundational pillars upon which a marriage can be built, she warns of danger zones that can erode this foundation, and she gives us tools that can help us maintain a God-glorifying marriage.
Pastor DeAnza explores the topic of unity within the context of love-- essentially bringing an awareness to the reality that unity can only be ushered in through a posture of sacrificial love, as expressed by the Apostle Paul.
Pastor DeAnza covers Nehemiah chapters 4 and 5 while discussing the convictions that God places on our hearts. As the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem catches the attention of others, Nehemiah faces trials and obstacles. We must remember that God gives us the strength to face oppression.
pDeAnza also discusses the members in the community who are marginalized, oppressed and exploited.
As we venture into the second section of chapter 8, Pastor DeAnza explores God's renewal which is focused on relationship and community life. How is that hunger and desperation can lead us to reverence and gratitude for the mighty work of God in our lives?
Pastor DeAnza resumes the Lord's Prayer Series with the line, "Hallowed Be Thy Name". She challenges us to ponder "What's in a name". In Exodus 3, Moses asks God's name, to which He replies, "I AM WHO I AM"--He is Yahweh. Pastor DeAnza also references the hundreds of different names of God referenced in the Bible. Each of these names are different aspects of God, but if we follow Jesus' example and pray "Hallowed Be Thy Name", we are acknowledging, revering and sanctifying the Holiness and Wholeness of God.
Pastor DeAnza continues The Lord's Prayer Series with the line, "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread". She addresses how this line can be analyzed in two different ways--how God provides us with physical nourishment and how we rely on God for spiritual sustenance. Beginning with this line, Jesus begins a transition in the prayer, shifting the focus from "Thy" to "Us". Previously, the focus is entirely on God--His Name, His Kingdom, His will--but now there is a shift in pronouns to address our relationship with God. And through the use of the word "Us", it is a communal calling. Pastor DeAnza also analyzes the phrase "This Day". She admits she attempts to plan every single moment in her day. Although it is good to have a plan for the future, it is imperative to ultimately surrender to God's greater plan with complete trust.
