God has brought us through our first sermon series in a New Testament book. In Colossians, we met a preeminent Christ. We met Paul, who gently warned us of finding our qualifications in Christ and not "being a better person ism". We met the overwhelmingly awesome truth that in Christ, we become dead to sin and alive to Christ. As we finished up the book, however, we met 10 people in whom the rest of the book of Colossians takes on flesh and bones; 10 of Paul's companions, in whom new life is created and being lived out. 10 people whom even the apostle Paul simply couldn't do without. 

Listen To The Final Message Here

The New Man Longs For Renewed Neighbors

In the second-to-last message in the book of Colossians on Sunday, we encountered Paul's instruction regarding conduct and attitudes toward our unbelieving neighbors. Even while in chains in Rome, Paul's priority isn't necessarily that the doors of his prison would be open, but rather that doors to share the Gospel with his captors would be opened. Even in trials, the Apostle Paul was consumed by a desire to see the unbelievers around him saved. And he knew he only had so much time left.

Listen to this past week's sermon and learn how Paul helps his readers to use the precious moments we do have with our friends and neighbors in our city for their eternal good. 

What Does It Mean To Rejoice?

Our small church had the honor of hosting Chris Daukas, pastor of Grace Church in Peoria, Arizona, on Sunday. He preached from Philippians 4:4-7, helping us to understand how we can rejoice in all circumstances - even in the challenges of church planting in the midst of a busy, obstacle-frought life. Speaking from experience, being a recent church planter himself, he reminded us of the basis of the Christian's joy - the nearness of Christ Himself.

Listen to the sermon here. 

It's In Our Closest Relationships Where the Reality of Our Changed Lives Should Be Most Evident

Our homes. It's the context where our most familiar relationships exist; husbands and wives, parents and children. It's in the relationships where the renewing and transforming power of the Gospel should be most evident. There are broken relationships, broken families and hurting people in our neighborhood. Knowing how to help our friends and neighbors will often come first by learning how to apply the Gospel in our own homes. 

Listen to this past Sunday's sermon out of Colossians 3:18-4:1. 

Prayer Is The Cry Of The Weak To The Heart Of The Strong

We had the privilege of hosting Mark Prater, Executive Director of Sovereign Grace Churches at Sovereign Grace Church of Santa Ana this past Sunday. He preached from Ephesians 3:14-21 concerning the priority and gift of prayer. 

Listen To The Sermon Here

The real privilege of having Mark with us wasn't limited to hearing him preach about prayer, but seeing his example of a life dependent on Christ through prayer. We could hardly be more grateful for his leadership and his example to us. 

The Love of Christ, the Peace of Christ and the Word of Christ

Listen to the message here

As we near the end of the book of Colossians, this last Sunday we heard from Colossians 3:12-17 what the local church should look like when Christ is all and in all. 

Don't Just Change Your Behavior. Become Who You Are

Listen To The Message Here

The new self has already been put on spiritually by God to those who have been raised with Christ. Living the Christian life, then, is "becoming" or the act of "putting on" who you already are in Christ. This is the theme of Colossians 3:12-17, which is being taught as a two-part message. Listen to part I from last Sunday and join us next Sunday to hear part II and further learn what it looks like to live together as a church when "Christ is all" (Col. 3:11). 

Listen To The Sermon Here

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most significant events in the history of mankind. Why? Because without a risen Jesus, not one person on earth could have any hope of life beyond the grave. This Easter Sunday, Sovereign Grace Church of Santa Ana celebrated that we have believed and been saved by a living Savior, who not only lives, but reigns, is coming back, stands as our assurance of new and everlasting life and will finally eradicate death from among His Creation. It was a joy to celebrate Easter together. 

Listen to the sermon out of 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 to be reminded of these joy-inspiring truths. 

Also, take a look at some pictures below of our first annual Easter Sunday. 

Be Killing Sin Or It Will Be Killing You

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On Sunday, we continue our series in the book of Colossians with a sermon out of Colossians 3:5-11, where Paul reminds his readers that, having been raised with Christ, Christians must "put off" the sin that remains. However, he doesn't merely tell us to put it off; he tells us to kill it. Through this passage, God reminds us of His disposition toward sin and how magnificent Christ is in comparison to that sin. 

See below for additional resources on the passage and on the subject. 

• Make War on Sin (Article)
• How To Mortify Sin (Article)
• Watch You Language (Article)

Listen To The Sermon Here

We had yet another opportunity to hear God's Word preached from one of our very own. We know him as a man who loves his wife and children and who loves his Savior. He also loves God's Word and his church and both came through on Sunday evening as Christopher Erkelens reminded us from Colossians 3:1-4 what sort of identity, mentality and destiny result from having been raised with Christ. It's worth the listen. We're grateful for men and women who step up and serve for the upbuilding of the Church.