Rockharbor Costa Mesa Podcast

Guest teacher, Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, kicked off our Advent series with a message on Mary's life reminding us that Mary's called blessed and highly favored by God. Amy invites us to remember that Mary's anointing fulfilled prophecy, worked in the midst of reality, empowered her witness, and confronted her oppressors. In the midst of Advent, Amy invites us to examine Mary's response to God and craft our own song of worship as we dwell on the birth of Jesus and await His second coming.

On Sunday Night, Ben Simonson helped us zero in on the significance of Mary's song (Luke 1:46-55 - CEB) and from it, highlighted her courage in belief of who God called her to be and her willingness to live in the tension of wrestling with God while remaining obedient to Him. What we're reminded in Mary's song is that as God intervenes in our lives, hope emerges.

What does it look like when God sets a table before us in the presence of our enemies? Kit teaches us about how to "sit well" at the Tables God sets before us, drawing from the story of King Jehosaphat in 2 Corinthians 20. What we find is that we're meant to be people who watch, wait, and worship the Lord when God sets tables before us.

Brooke Hoehne teaches us about the hope rooted in Jesus' resurrection by pointing us to the stories of a grief-stricken Mary Magdalene, a bitterly-doubtful Thomas, and a shame-filled Peter in the gospel of John. What we find is that Jesus comes to meet us in our feebleness with his unwavering love and plants in us a hope that transcends the depths of our brokenness.

In the final message of our "Encounters" series, Glenn teaches on Mary Magdalene, Peter, and Thomas's encounter with The Resurrected Jesus in the aftermath of His crucifixion. John's gospel recounts Mary, Thomas, and Peter being wrought in deep despair, but also reveals a more powerful message, that Jesus comes to meet us in our depths.

Glenn teaches on John 13 and Jesus' interaction with His disciples at the Last Supper. In the face of His impending crucifiction, we find Jesus taking a radical posture of servitude bending down to wash the feet of His disciples. By this radical act of humility, we see the meaning of the cross: Jesus has come to wash even the worst of us, the places of our deepest shame. What's more, changed by this love, we have been sent into the world to display the love of God in ways that are personal, tangible, and visible.

Glenn Packiam preaches from John 12 paying particular attention to the worshipful interaction between Mary of Bethany and Jesus. We find that Mary's sacrificial offering at Jesus's feet reveal to us three distinct characteristics about worship. It is a grateful response, an extravagant outpouring, and prophetically revelatory.

Gavin teaches from John 11 about Jesus's miraculous encounter with Lazarus, emphasizing that our grief and our waiting are not wasted in Jesus, but are tethered to a resurrection hope in Him.

Ben talks about five shifts Jesus invites us into that we find in John 9 in an interaction between Jesus and a Man Born Blind.

Glenn Packiam dives into week 6 of our "Encounters" series teaching on John 9 - Jesus' encounter with a man born blind. Through this story of encounter we find that the journey of discipleship begins as an act of faith, matures through testing and opposition, and ultimately culminates in adoration and worship to Jesus.