Santa Maria Foursquare Church

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.

Just Like Jesus Pt 1 — Discover

The goal of Jesus’ ministry wasn’t to “convert” people to a new religious system. His goal was to raise up disciples — people who would look just like Him. In our church family when we talk about discipleship, we use three words that describe three phases in this process of becoming like Jesus: Discover, Develop, and Deploy.

Today, we’re looking at the importance of discovery — being Kingdom Adventurers who are consistently making new insights into who God is, what He’s said and done, and (very importantly!) who we are in His story.

Life in Review

We began 2019 by looking at what Jesus said was the greatest commandment. It was an opportunity to:

• REDEEM any area of life that had been broken
• REALIGN any area of life where we had drifted, and
• REIGNITE any area of life that had grown cold

At the end of the year we're revisiting this conversation, and looking ahead to 2020 with a renewed passion to love God with all that we are. 

The Christmas Announcement

Most people don’t like change. But the reality of that first Christmas is that it was incredibly disruptive. In fact, Christmas changed everything — the God who created the universe showed up and intersected human history. And the announcement of this miracle was made by an angel to some shepherds, and at first, it freaked them out! But what the angel said moved them from fear to becoming joy-filled, seekers of Jesus — and it will do the same for us.

Hell's Malware

What is sin? Many would say sin is doing "bad things" that trample over the boundaries God has established. But what if it's more sinister than that? What if sin opens a door for hell to upload "malware" into our soul — malicious code designed to destroy our perception of life? And if that's the case, what can we do to experience freedom and the restoration of our vision?

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 8

In the final message of this series, we roll up our sleeves and get practical about how to be generous. Can we just give however and wherever we want, or is there wisdom we can add to our giving?

CLICK HERE to download the handout that goes along with this message. 

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 7

There are things that have to die so generosity can thrive — and obligation is something that must go. How does obligation show up? Most often through the belief that God's people "have to" tithe. But as long as our giving is viewed as a requirement, it will never lead to a spirit of passionate generosity. 

CLICK HERE for a handout that goes along with this message. And...

CLICK HERE for an article written by Pastor Tim Mosshoder that's a deeper dive into the topics explored in this message. 

SPECIAL NOTE FROM PASTOR TIM: This message may be challenging for some whose faith experience is so deeply attached to tithing that it makes all other ideas seem like they could be a betrayal of God and His Word. I get it, because that was my story. My goal is not to convince anyone they should stop giving (no matter the percentage), but to see even greater generosity released as we come to understand the Apostle Paul who said, "Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly" (2 Corinthians 8:12). Thanks for walking in grace with me as we explore this important topic together!

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 6

From the very beginning of time, God has given humanity the authority to manage the resource He's provided. Simply put, we're called to be good stewards of all He's given. But mismanagement of resource robs our fruitfulness and destroys all hope we have of generosity — so it has to go! 

CLICK HERE to download a handout that goes along with this message. 

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 5

If generosity is going to live, other things have to die — including greed. Greed twists together the ungodly traits of selfishness and a continual lust for more. It's a malignant form of desire that will kill off generosity if we don't push it from our lives. 

CLICK HERE to download a handout that goes along with this message. 

Resurrecting Generosity Pt 4

If generosity is going to live, other things have to die. Fear is the first that has to go. As long as fear is driving our decisions, we’ll never become generous people with our time, talent or treasure. But, as we trust in God and walk in His ways, we can overcome any fear that holds us back from a generous life.

CLICK HERE to download a handout that goes along with this message.