Woodland Hills Church Sermons Audio Podcast

Most Christians are very aware that this world will not last forever. Even though we know this, we still live our lives as though this life is all there is. When you are on a sinking ship, how much money you have is of very little importance. The serious question is, “What will float?” Greg used the analogy of the Titanic to call our attention to the things that will truly endure forever!

Some people reject the Bible and the Christian faith because they say it is “too narrow.” God seems to be interested in only one small nation, Israel, which stems from the one individual, Abraham, and from all this comes the one savior, Jesus. What about all the other countries of the world both today and in the ancient times? Greg discussed the strategy God uses to reach the whole world.

One problem that the book of Hebrews addresses is whether the early Jewish Christians should keep the laws of the Old Covenant or not. Greg addressed the important difference between the priesthood of Jesus Christ and the Levitical priesthood.

We have all heard that we are to forgive as God has forgiven us. But when we’ve been wounded deeply, this is a very difficult thing to do. We feel like our dignity as a human being has been violated and someone needs to account for that. Greg addressed both the difficulty and the necessity of forgiving others as we have been forgiven.

Today’s message was an overview of what Woodland Hills Church is and what it stands for. Greg casted a vision, both for this church in particular and for the Church at large!

Some Christians seem to think that the church must chose between preaching the Gospel and getting involved with issues of social justice. The Bible knows nothing of such false divisions! Instead it commands us to love our neighbor. Our society teaches us not to notice suffering that is close at hand. We understand that to notice this will make us feel guilty and responsible. What is the biblical response to this problem?

The Church seems to have lost the vision for being united as one in Christ. We fight over points of disagreement rather than cooperating for the sake of lost souls. It seems we value our own sense of “correctness” more than the souls that could be won if we worked together. Greg called the church back to a united vision of the Body of Christ for the sake of the lost.

We all know that no one can truly serve two masters. We will be more loyal to one than the other. Repentance is the 180-degree turn we make when we commit to living for God instead of anything else. Repentance is not morbid self-condemnation; rather it is an intentional change of heart and mind, a decision to move in a completely new direction.

In the Bible, the word “freedom” is often a synonym for salvation. It is for freedom that Christ has set you free! Greg talked about the power of the Gospel to release the captives and lift our heavy burdens.

Life does not allow things to stand still. Everything alive is either growing or it is dying. Life is not about simply maintaining or just getting by! Greg encouraged the church to check its pulse.

In the world of the New Testament, there were four different words for “Love.” Greg highlighted the importance of understanding the different forms of love and which types of love you should pursue in your various relationships.

We have all heard that of faith, hope and love, love is the greatest. But perhaps you have wondered why love is greater than faith and hope. Greg discussed how love is the true heartbeat of all reality.

To be fearful of things in this world is to set yourself up for failure. God has not given you a spirit of fear, but neither has God promised that you will not suffer. It is because you WILL suffer that God HAS given you a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. Greg offered some biblical advice on dealing with fear in your life.

The love of God in Christ is to be the foundation for Christian community. We are all supposed to be ONE in Christ. The enemy works directly against this by attempting to divide Christians from each other. The root meaning of the word truth is to “uncover or disclose.” Unity in the Body of Christ will depend upon our willingness participate in this kind of truth. This understanding of truth is the opposite of “shame” which hides and covers things up.

Depression is often both a physical and spiritual problem. overcoming it requires addressing both of those needs as well as the support of a healthy community. Greg continued with some biblical suggestions for those who are wrestling with depression.