Santa Maria Foursquare Church

The Circle of God’s Will - Part 2

How do you view God's will? Like a target, with his "perfect" will as the bullseye? Or like a wide-open field where you can run and be free? How you think about God's will has vast implications for how we live as followers of Jesus. Dive with us into this critical conversation.

The Circle of God’s Will - Part 1

Many people think God's will is a mystery or even unknowable. But that's not what the Bible shows us. We can absolutely know we are living in his will, doing just what we were created to do — and today we're discovering how that's possible.

Gray Areas: Following Jesus When Things Aren’t Black & White

So many things in life are "gray areas" — things about which good people (even Jesus-following people) have different opinions. How can we follow Jesus when the right answer isn't immediately clear? In Romans 14, Paul gives us four important lessons about navigating life through these gray areas while pleasing God and those around us at the same time.

Up & to the Right Part 5

As we have been talking about this unique name of this series, we’ve been using a graph in the process of identifying where we are — both as individuals and as a church. And whenever you’re tracking something good it goes UP & TO THE RIGHT. Maybe you find yourself somewhere in the middle of the graph. You may be asking, “I guess I’m pretty good, right? At least I’m not all the way down and to the left! What’s the big deal about moving up and to the right?” Well, today we learn that in Revelations we read Jesus' words that remind us that he wants us to be either hot or cold — never hanging out in the middle — what Jesus calls being LUKEWARM.

Natural Conversations about God

Have you ever thought: "I can't share my love of Jesus with a friend. I just wouldn't know what to say. I haven't learned enough Scripture." Those are pretty normal thoughts. But what we're learning is that we can always share what we've experienced — and we don't need to know all the answers. Just keep it natural, and keep it salty!

Men’s Summit — Session 3

Pastor Jon Tyson from the 2022 Central Coast Men's Summit — an incredible gathering of men from 20 churches throughout the Central Coast of California. Session 3 — the Intentional Faither (plus Q&A with Pastor Jon). 

Men’s Summit — Session 2

Pastor Jon Tyson from the 2022 Central Coast Men's Summit — an incredible gathering of men from 20 churches throughout the Central Coast of California. Session 2 — Josiah. 

Men’s Summit — Session 1

Pastor Jon Tyson from the 2022 Central Coast Men's Summit — an incredible gathering of men from 20 churches throughout the Central Coast of California. Session 1 — Soldier, Athlete, Farmer. 

Up & to the Right - Part 4

Up and to the right doesn't just describe our personal journeys to get to that place where we thrive, it's for our church as well. Today we talk about what it means to be a "Foursquare" church, and some of the unique parts of our church's DNA and mission. NOTE: follow this link for a handout to go along with today's message: https://bit.ly/upandright4

Up & to the Right - Part 3

The Bible tells us that it's not enough to simply believe the right things (sorry!). If we're to have lives that are thriving and fruitful, we also have to go through a renewal process of both our thinking and our acting. How do we do this? One step at a time. Today Pastor Tim talks about four faith practices that will help us keep moving up and to the right while staying anchored to Jesus.

Up & to the Right - Part 2

Even as Jesus calls us to fruitful, full living, life has a way to drag us downward. There seems to be a gravitational pull that's both natural (the normal bumps and bruises we experience in life) and supernatural (hell's strategic work against us). Today we're looking at how we can break free from this pull downward so we can move up and to the right. NOTE: For a handout to accompany today's message, click here: https://bit.ly/upandright2

Up & to the Right

Whenever we're tracking something good in our lives, whether it's our bank accounts or our productivity at work, we want it to go "up and to the right." But for many reasons, life doesn't always go that direction! In fact after the past two years of global trauma, many would say their lives have settled into a "down and to the left" slide. But we're not stuck. And Jesus is inviting us to chart a new life-giving course. Today we're looking at a model to help us identify where we are now so we can point ourselves in a new direction — up and to the right. NOTE: Get the handout for today — bit.ly/upandright

The Greatness of our God

The Psalms are an amazing portion of Scripture, helping us understand the wonder of God. And Psalm 145 is an incredibly rich passage that reflects God in his: greatness, grace, goodness, glory, and generosity!

Easter – Celebrating the Author of Life!

Jesus was called the "author of life." What exactly does that mean, and how might it offer the key to understanding the Easter story? We're taking a look at the resurrection of Jesus through the window of an event that took place shortly after the first Easter, and discover why you can't eliminate the author from their own story!

A Heart for God: A (Gritty) Loving Heart

When our hearts are right, our lives are right. But what a journey to ensure our hearts are right (and stay right) with God! And at the center of this issue is our love. What does it look like to have a heart that's being transformed by Jesus' love — then activating that love in our world? To love in the way of Jesus isn't just a warm embrace; it's a gritty, tenacious love that requires heavy lifting — strong enough to confront, and strong enough to forgive.

A Heart for God: A Heart at Rest

Our lives matter to God — but not because of what he can get from us. He doesn't value us because of what we produce. In fact, he invites us to come to him and find rest. How is this possible in our busy lives that are often marked by striving and weariness? While there are no shortcuts, there are ways we can cultivate a greater trust in Jesus so that ultimately we can truly find rest in him.

A Heart for God Part 3

"I am looking for the fellowship of the burning heart — for men and women of all generations everywhere who love the Savior until adoration becomes the music of their soul." Those words were penned years ago by pastor and author, A.W. Tozer. They poetically describe people whose hearts are passionately pursuing Jesus. But what does that passion look like, and how can we keep those fires stoked in our lives? Let's sit by the fire together and have that conversation.

A Heart for God Part 2

What is the downside of living with a polluted heart? What's so bad with letting in a little greed, hate, gossip, lust, pride, etc? We're looking at three negative results of heart pollution — and gaining insight into why Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart."

A Heart for God Pt 1

Our hearts have always symbolized the center of life. Not only do they keep our bodies running, but they represent the center of our passions, our will, and our most deeply held beliefs. It's our hearts that drive our decisions. So it's critical to ask: do I have a heart for God, or has some other lesser thing occupied the very center of who I am?

What Ministry Looks Like

From the life of Paul the Apostle, Pastor Israel shares three characteristics of ministry life that are important for ALL of us: expect criticism, walk in courage, care for others.