Vida Church Santa Maria

Jesus did it and taught us to do it as well: always be praying. One of the keys to contending in revolutionary prayer is to learn to pray continually, inviting God into every life circumstance in real time. In this message, we explore not only why this is important, but how it's possible. 

CLICK HEREfor a handout for this message. 

What happens when my prayers aren't answered? Is it because I don't have enough faith? Enter the story of Acts 12 — one filled with persecution, death, prayer, miraculous breakthrough, and even disbelief. It's the story of people like us who are learning that prayer is where faith and real-life collide. 

For followers of Jesus, prayer isn't just something we do occasionally when we're especially thankful or desperate. Prayer is the primary language of our faith and our love. Do you want to grow in your faith and intimacy with Jesus? Grow in your life of prayer!

CLICK HERE to download a handout from this message.

Why pray? If God is sovereign and above all things, what difference could my prayers make? Over and over again, Scripture tells us that our prayers literally shape the future. That's why Jesus taught us to contend in prayer for God's will to be enacted here on earth, just as it is in heaven. But His will isn't only for our circumstances to be changed through prayer — He wants us changed us as well!

Prayer is never meant to just be "nice," or the repetition of religious words. Prayer is always meant to be revolutionary: a spiritual activity that causes radical change. As we contend in prayer, we are giving voice to our audacious hope: Jesus is Lord — He is above all things and greater than any issue we're facing. That reality changes everything!

CLICK HERE for a handout from this message. 

When Jesus gave His greatest command — to go ALL IN with our love for God and others — he knew we wouldn't be able to do this in our own strength. All humanity has experienced pain and sin that's left us broken. So, "He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:3-6). The Holy Spirit provides the empowerment we need to go ALL IN, as people who are moving from brokenness to wholeness in Jesus! 

In last week's message from "Jesus Week," we looked at Jesus' call to go ALL IN with all we are — heart, soul, mind, strength, and relationships. But as we look at Scripture, we come to understand this is not something we're to do alone. We're called to go ALL IN, together with others. 

Our mission as followers of Jesus is to become more and more like Him. And when Jesus gave us the Greatest Commandment, He provided a blueprint for doing that very thing: by loving God fully with our heart, soul, mind and strength, plus loving others as well. Over these next days we're stepping into Jesus Week, as we're asking God to redeem, realign and reignite each facet of our lives. Find details and additional resources here: sm4.org/jesus-week

Dan Russell is a world renowned wrestler, Olympic coach and author. Along with his wife, Joy, they bring a message of faith, hope and love — and how to avoid the distractions that keep us from finishing strong! 

For many, Christmas has become nothing more than a tiresome ritual. Can the joy be restored? Perhaps a key is to experience the same glory of the Lord that shone around the shepherds that first Christmas night. It terrified them for a moment — but this unexpected, different and supernatural glory, became the source of great joy and inspiration. May it be the same for us! 

Our annual "Christmas Culture Sunday" where we join both our congregations together to worship in English and Spanish. John 17 was a perfect passage for this gathering as we looked at Jesus' prayer for UNITY in His followers. 

In John 16, Jesus tells His followers that it was for their best if He were to go, because then He'd send the Holy Spirit to them. It likely didn't seem like the BEST scenario to them at that moment! But in Chapters 14, 15 and in 16, Jesus was teaching them about the incredible ministry of the Holy Spirit — and in this message we explore what He taught. 

In John 15, Jesus declares that He is the true vine and that we are his branches. We're told to "remain" in Him and expect to be "pruned" for fruitfulness. Kaelyn Mossholder explores this passage and shares from her own life how to abide in Jesus. 

We welcome Bob Kilpatrick for a joyful time of story and song! Bob is an author, global music minister, and writer of dozens of songs, including "In My Life Lord, Be Glorified." 

John 14 begins with these profound words from Jesus: "Don’t let your hearts be troubled!" What an important message for the days in which we live. While Jesus never promises a life without trouble, He empowers us to hang a "NO TRESPASSING" sign on our hearts that declares to trouble: you are not welcome here! 

Caleb Quaye, former lead guitarist for Elton John (and many others!), shares his story of redemption and calling. And he takes us into a deeper understanding of worship. Caleb described worship as, "An act of faith based upon remembrance." We worship as we remember what Jesus has done for us and in us. 

And this might be the only message you've ever heard that heard that's interrupted by an amazing blues riff! 

The evening before Jesus was to go to the cross He demonstrates to His followers that we must be servants — just like Him. Serving, one of the Ways of Jesus, is a beautiful way to confront our overwhelming self-interest. It forces us to put the interest of others in front of our own.

Would you like to serve at SM4? Follow this link to let us know where you'd like to dive in: http://bit.ly/serveatsm4 

In John 12, we find the story of a humble, extravagant, prophetic act of generosity — Mary pouring out costly perfume to anoint the feet of Jesus, just before He goes to the cross. She did this because she cared deeply, one of the traits of those who are learning to walk in the Ways of Jesus.

Dan Stewart continues our series through the Gospel of John, speaking from Chapter 11, where we find the ways of Jesus are filled with resurrection power and life! 

Dan Stewart brings a message from John 10, speaking about having life to the full! And this happens as we learn to listen to the voice of Jesus, our Good Shepherd.