Walnut Creek Downtown

Joseph encounters his brothers for the first time, and instead of choosing to forget about them. He chooses to try to get to know them, understand them, and create an opportunity to potentially seek reconciliation. Pastor Dan Rude explains how sin haunts, how forgiveness works, and how reconciliation is different than forgiveness.

The experience of pain is different when there is hope. In this sermon, Pastor Dan Rude gives 5 facts from our passage that help us understand that the resurrection really did happen. He then reviews 3 implications Jesus' resurrection has for our lives. Understanding these realities produces in us a Joyful Trembling.

Jesus experienced an extremely painful death because of you and for you. Pastor Luke Hukee explains what is physically happening on the cross and how this excruciating event was necessary for the results: Access to God.

Adam and Eve failed in the garden, and sin entered the world. In Mark, Jesus enters a garden to prepare to pay for the sins of the world. Pastor Dan Rude shares what Jesus faced, why He was distressed, and how He was faithful even under the pressure of what was about to happen to Him.

What does Jesus consider beautiful? In this section of Mark, we see a woman who goes to great lengths to show her love and devotion to Jesus. Her beliefs lead her to action, an action that, while not the most practical, communicates the reality that showing love isn't always practical. Pastor Luke Hukee walks us through this story and Jesus' response to the woman.

Last time we saw Joseph in Genesis 40, he was in prison (see last week's message: https://youtu.be/C1Sf_BDLOOU), but in the blink of an eye, so much changed for Joseph through the sovereign work of God. Pastor Luke Hukee explains Joseph's interaction with Pharaoh and how Joseph ultimately became second in command over the land of Egypt.

Joseph's life was marked by suffering. In Genesis 40, we find Joseph in prison for a crime he did not commit. Yet, he continues to identify with the people of God, leading himself in worshiping God and suffering well, trusting that the God of his fathers had not forgotten him. Pastor Dan Rude reveals how Genesis 40 informs our suffering and the hope we have in Christ.

In Joseph's story, we see a man who has set his heart to choose the Lord over sin. We see that conviction played out when Joseph is confronted with his master's wife. Pastor Dan Rude explains how the story of Joseph helps us understand what it looks like to live with sexual integrity.

The story of Judah and Tamar, when you read it, you may be left with a feeling of "What?!" Pastor Dan Rude explains how this story offers hope to a broken world.

Genesis 37 starts off one of the most popular stories of Genesis - the story of Joseph and his brothers. Pastor Luke Hukee explains how jealousy and bitterness can destroy relationships.

The Bible often teaches us through contrast. In Genesis, we are presented with twin brothers, Jacob and Esau, who each become a nation, but what they choose to worship is drastically different. In Genesis 36, we see a record of all that Esau gained; he was given the world, but he lost his soul. Pastor Dan Rude explains the importance of an eternal mindset.

In Genesis 35, Jacob returns to the place where God first met him: Bethel. This sermon traces Jacob's journey from spiritual compromise to renewed worship, highlighting the importance of exclusive devotion to the Lord.

In this Sermon on Genesis 34, Pastor Dan Rude unpacks one of the Bible's darkest chapters—a story filled with "bad and ugly" examples rather than heroes. When Dinah is defiled by Shechem, Jacob's passivity and failure to lead his family stand in stark contrast to the vengeful, murderous rage of his sons, Simeon and Levi.

Jacob returns to his homeland and meets his brother. Pastor Dan Rude explains this reunion and how the Lord faithfully continued to sanctify Jacob.

Jacob is heading back to his homeland after being gone for over 20 years, but he is returning to a potentially enraged brother, Esau. However, before he meets Esau, Jacob has a much greater encounter with the God who does not leave His people even when they mess up their own lives.

After 21 years, Jacob is convinced it is time to return to the land God promised his family. This means he must flee from his uncle Laban. Pastor Dan Rude explains how this story connects Jacob to Abraham to leave the same land, how it anticipates the exodus from Egypt that follows, and ultimately how it looks ahead to Christ, who offers a better covenant.

Jacob has received a blessing from the Lord, who has also provided wives and 12 sons. He now desires to return home with his wives and children after 14 years working for his Uncle Laban. In this part of the story, we will see how God's blessing continues to follow Jacob even when his Uncle Laban tries to deceive Jacob to build his own wealth. We will see that when God makes promises to people, no...

In Matthew 2, we see 3 different responses to Jesus. These responses were true hundreds of years ago and today. Pastor Dan Rude explores these responses and how the wise men’s gifts point to this baby's, Jesus Christ’s, identity! He asks the question, "What will your response be?"

In the great king's failure, we are shown the need for someone better. Pastor Dan Rude explains how David failed, the consequences, and how one verse in this whole messy situation points to the reason for Christmas.

To understand the hope of Christmas, you have to understand why we need it. For that, you have to go back to the beginning when sin first entered the world through a garden. Pastor Dan Rude explains what happened and the promise that led to a hope carried over centuries.

Jacob has two wives, one wanted and one unwanted (see how this happened here: https://youtu.be/T5afnPFFtUQ). Pastor Luke explains how, despite the dysfunction, chaos, and warring desires, God's promise will be fulfilled.

God disciplines those He loves. After the high of receiving an amazing promise from the Lord (see last week: https://youtu.be/RYE_RpM3O2A), Jacob encounters the woman he desires for a wife. However, in the process of making her his own, he experiences a taste of his own medicine. Pastor Luke explains this complex story, filled with deceit, and delves into the question of how the Lord could allow t...

Jacob was running for his life, and while he was sleeping, God pulled back the curtain, revealing what He was doing and giving Jacob a promise that would impact generations. Pastor Dan Rude shares about the meaning of Jacob's dream and Jacob's reaction to his encounter with God.

In Genesis chapter 27, we find a story without heroes. As Jacob steals Esau's blessing, we see God works through the failure of His people to accomplish His purposes, and we also see that there are grave consequences for our sin. Isaac's rebellion towards God's plan ultimately blows up his family.

What tempted Isaac to call his wife his sister??? God's promise to Abraham continues on to his son Isaac along with many very similar life situations. While Isaac is faithful in some areas, we can still observe fear in his life. Pastor Dan Rude talks about how we face fear in the Christian life and how Isaac ultimately chose God over wealth.