Jesus Culture Sacramento Message of the Week

The human heart longs for restoration. Pastor Becky Johnson reminds us that the promises of God do not change, and he is never satisfied with brokenness in our lives. True repentance brings restoration, and we cannot settle for less than what God paid for through salvation.

Church is a family on mission, and we each have a unique role to play in fulfilling God’s plans and purposes in the earth. Pastor Banning finishes his series by emphasizing that Christianity is only boring if we are not living a life that is fully engaged in the call of God on our lives- to be someone, and to do something.

What does it mean to be the church, and what conditions preceded revival in the New Testament churches? Pastor Darren Rouanzoin, lead pastor of Garden Church in Long Beach, California, shows us the conditions of the church found in Acts 19, that lead to revival among believers, and transformation in a city. The Gospel of Jesus Christ always goes forth effectively through believers that have been filled and activated in obedience by the Holy Spirit.

It is not the church’s responsibility to do our Christian life for us, it’s ours. Pastor Banning continues his teaching, Church is a Family, by reminding us that we the Holy Spirit is alive in us to lead us into maturity and a greater knowledge of God. We are not called to be a people dragged along by external circumstances, but rather a people motivated by an internal, Kingdom reality.

Church is not a business that we show up to, it’s a family, and we are members of God’s household. Pastor Banning teaches us how Jesus’ goal for our lives is that we would mature and look more like Him. We do this by enduring trials, and staying committed to family.

The Great Commission is a call for all of us. Micah Mathues, one of our Jesus Culture Sacramento missionaries, shares a powerful message on how we as believers have been sent just as Jesus was sent, in meekness. Walking out the Great Commission in our lives looks like being the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we are- the cities we live, our place of employment, and the people we interact with. Each of us have been uniquely sent by God.

God deeply values intimacy with us, which requires us to be intentional with our time, and cultivate a lifestyle that models Jesus’. Pastor Becky Johnson confronts our priorities, focuses, and the things we give our time to by reminding us that the enemy of intimacy is performance. Performance will keep us busy, insecure, judgmental, and full of worry. A life of intimacy with Jesus is rooted in a right perspective of ourselves as sons and daughters that know how to be with God.

What is the foundation that your life is built on? Pastor Banning Liebscher teaches us the practicals of building a life that is founded on the love of Jesus. Greater faith requires greater intimacy, and greater intimacy demands that we know how to abide in the love of God. If we aren’t motivated by the love of God, then distractions, stress, and worry will lead us to operate out of our shame, fear, guilt, and obligation. Jesus has to be our motivation.

God is calling us into a season of greater faith, and greater faith requires greater intimacy. Pastor Banning teaches us how as we draw near to God, we understand His nature and character more, which in turn causes our faith and belief in Him to grow. Intimacy with God builds trust, and causes us to remember and know His faithfulness.

A lot of believers have a hunger to hear God, but they lack confidence. Pastor Banning teaches us that God designed us to hear His voice in community. The greatest dangers threats that we face in hearing the word of God in our lives, is choosing independence and approaching the word of God in arrogance. Everything God speaks will never contradict His word, or add to it.