Santa Maria Foursquare Church

Taking New Ground Pt 9

In this final message in our series, we take a closer look at the life of Joshua. He wasn't just a warrior-leader for the people of Israel — he was a passionate seeker of God. What can we learn from his life (especially his one singular, defining declaration) about taking new ground? 

Taking New Ground Pt 8

When taking new ground, we'll be faced with temptations to take things God never intended for us. That's the cautionary story found in Joshua Chapter 7, where Achan is exposed for having taken the very things God said not to touch. It's a painful lesson — but one we can learn from as we discover what in our heart pulls us toward the shiny lures that end up causing so much ruin.

Taking New Ground Pt 7

In Joshua Chapter Six, God's people finally engage their enemy at Jericho. What we discover here will inform our own struggles as well, because we all face challenges and conflict. 

Taking New Ground Pt 6

We're in Joshua Chapter 5 and God's people were finally in their Promised Land. But before they could launch out and take new ground, God tells them that they have to take care of two important things: they had to renew their covenant with Him, and they had to take on new responsibility. We find that these are two things we also need if we're going to mature and take new spiritual territory. 

Taking New Ground Pt 5

When God's people finally stepped into the Promised Land, the very first thing God had them do was not rest, pray, or worship. Their first assignment was a construction project — to build a memorial. We tend to be incredibly forgetful when it comes to the work of God in our lives, and memorials are God's antidote to spiritual amnesia! As part of our gathering today, join us as we "remember" the work of Jesus on the cross by celebrating communion. 

Taking New Ground Pt 4

"You've never traveled this way before..." That's what God tells His people in Joshua Chapter 3, as they're about to cross the formidable Jordan River. And that's what many of us are feeling in our lives right now! We've never experienced anything like this before — and it can leave us perplexed and fearful. But Pastor Gary Howse takes us into these waters, and we discover that God will be with us all the way to the other side. 

Easter 2020 - The Power of Truth

Just before being sent to the cross, Jesus had a conversation with the Roman Governor, Pilate. They were talking about truth. In the middle of their discussion, Jesus stated that He'd come into the world to demonstrate the power of truth. And while He did that throughout His life on earth, it was His death and resurrection that proved to be the greatest demonstration of truth in all of history. 

Taking New Ground Pt 3

In Joshua Chapter Two, before God's people crossed the Jordan River, Joshua sent two spies ahead. In Jericho they encountered a prostitute named Rahab — and her message of faith and act of courage has echoed through the generations. She taught those spies, and us as well, an invaluable lesson: what we focus on changes everything. 

Taking New Ground Pt 2

In the second half of Joshua Chapter One, we learn that three of Israel's twelve tribes were already living in their "Promise Land." While their brothers were getting ready to cross the Jordan River and engage in the battles ahead, why did they need to leave their homes and risk everything to help them? Because that's God's plan! If we stay barricaded within the safe borders of our own Promise Land, there will be others who will never make it to theirs. We can not take new ground and leave others behind.  

Taking New Ground Pt 1

In this season of huge challenges, when it feels like everything we've relied on has been ripped away, is it really the time to take new ground? Shouldn't we just be trying to hold on to what we've got? That's exactly what God's people must have been asking in Joshua Chapter One, right after Moses, had died. But God challenged them in that moment to rise and take new ground. It's time to be strong and courageous. 

God's Armor - Responding to the Coronavirus

Today's message is in two parts. First, Pastor Tim shares about steps we're taking as a church family to stay healthy during this season — including not meeting in person over the coming weeks. Second, he continues with encouraging words about the armor God has provided so we won't be knocked over by fear. 

When God Hits Pause Pt 6

It's hard to wait. We get bothered so easily when we feel we're not getting what we want when we want it. So God will hit pause to teach us patience. Jacob learned this lesson over a 20-year pause — but he persevered and kept going. He didn't stop half-way to his promise! 

When God Hits Pause Pt 5

Sometimes when it seems like God is absent from our lives, it's part of a pause of correction. God so longs for us to be free and whole, that He will hit the pause button to get our attention and call us back into alignment with His will. That's what Israel was experiencing in the days of Gideon. His story reminds us of what we can do when we're encountering God's correction. 

SM4 Stories

It's important for families to tell and retell their stories. It helps them to remember who they are and what sets them apart. And the Santa Maria Foursquare Church is a family with some great stories! Today we retell some of what God has done to form and shape us over 92 years. And helping us share those stories is Rhonda Nelson. As we prepare to say farewell to this dear friend — the longest continuous member of SM4 — she reminds us of who God has called us to be. 

When God Hits Pause Pt 4

The Apostle Paul wrote to followers of Jesus, telling them to be aware of the enemy's schemes. And since the beginning, his most often-used scheme is to lie. In fact, Jesus called the devil the "father of lies." Through the story of King Hezekiah, we'll identify five of the enemy's most common lies — that he often uses during difficult pauses — all designed to steal our confidence and faith. 

When God Hits Pause Pt 3

Pauses in our story are not barriers to God's deep work in our lives — they are actually the way He carries it out. Pastor Dennis Easter talks about three kinds of wordless expressions that appear in these pause times. They are sighs, unspoken prayers that are cries for God's presence. And He is listening!

Psalms 5:1-2 “Listen to my words, Lord; consider my sighing. Pay attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for I pray to you."

When God Hits Pause Pt 2

Pastor Gary Howse picks up the theme of God's pauses, by reminding us that they are purposeful. God's intent is that these pauses — when it seems like God isn't involved or even aware of our situation — will deepen our walk with Him. Gary looks at a time when Jesus paused, taking a nap on a boat when all hell was breaking loose. What His disciples learned in that scary moment would transform them forever. 

When God Hits Pause Pt 1

In Philippians 1:6 we're promised that God will finish what He starts in our lives. So why does God take SO LONG to move things across the finish line? What we discover is that God is not in a rush. He uses the "pause button" to do a deep work, not only in our lives but in the lives of others around us. 

Just Like Jesus Pt 3 - Deploy

We finish our three-part series on discipleship by looking at deployment — joining God on His mission to the world. As we take a look at how Jesus sent out His disciples, we come to better understand the who, the where, and the how of deployment. 

Just Like Jesus Pt 2 - Develop

Why do I go through difficulties in life? Since I'm a follower of Jesus, shouldn't He just remove all pain from my story? Actually, God's Word shows us again and again that God uses the difficulties in our lives to bring about maturity so we can stand strong. This is how God develops our faith so we can become like Him.