A Closer Look

In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastors Jason Smith and David Wojnicki discuss Luke 13:1–9, where Jesus addresses tragedy, suffering, and the urgent call to repentance. They reflect on how ancient and modern cultures view suffering, why good happens to sinners, and how Christians should respond to those who are hurting. Along the way, they explore the heart of daily repentance for believers and...

In this episode of A Closer Look, Jason Smith and David Wojnicki unpack the deeper meaning of Easter—not as a one-time event, but as the ongoing celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death. They explore why humanity needs rescue, how the resurrection confirms our freedom in Christ, and why every Sunday is Resurrection Sunday. 

In this episode of A Closer Look Podcast, hosts Jason Smith and David Wojnicki explore Christ’s second coming through the lens of Luke’s Gospel. They connect Palm Sunday to His return, emphasizing the urgency of spiritual readiness and the reality of judgment. Through parables and Jesus’ teachings on possessions, worry, and accountability, they highlight the coming separation between believers and...

Pastor David and Pastor Paul witnessed the powerful ministry of Ukrainian churches serving refugees. Amid hardship, they share encouraging stories of deepening faith and express gratitude for the prayers and support from their church family. The conversation then moves to Luke 12 and the challenge of overcoming worry. Pastor David explains how anxiety can become a form of misplaced trust when it d...

Pastors Jason and David share how, through the sovereign hand of God, the Scopych family moved from pastoring in Ukraine to planting Ukrainian churches in Germany. They also dive into deep theological discussions on the unpardonable sin, the reality of hell, and how Scripture shapes our understanding. Plus, get a preview of upcoming sermons in the Gospel of Luke, exploring what it means to follow...

What does it mean to live as children of the light? In this episode of Closer Look, Pastors David and Jason unpack Sunday’s sermon from Luke 11, exploring Jesus’s interaction with the Pharisees and lawyers. They discuss how his words challenge us to examine our hearts, address common questions about scripture, and highlight the importance of understanding biblical context. Listen in for a practica...

Engaging thoughtfully with the scripture, David and Jason explore the hope found in Jesus' message, emphasizing the sufficiency of what has been revealed through Christ. They also tackle the human tendency to seek more signs or evidences of faith, encouraging listeners to place trust in the foundational truths of Christianity. They share insights on how believers can better live out their faith da...

Welcome to another engaging episode of the A Closer Look podcast where hosts David Wojnicki and Jason Smith dive into the latest sermon and broader topics of faith. This week, they reflect on some unforeseen changes in their church's schedule due to illness, highlighting the resilience and kindness within their community. The episode further delves into the final part of a sermon series on the Lor...

Welcome back to A Closer Look! After a brief hiatus, Pastors Dave and Jason are thrilled to reconnect and dive deeper into reflections from the recent sermon series on Luke 11. This episode focuses on Jesus’ teachings on prayer, particularly the Lord's Prayer, unpacking its profound impact on both personal faith and communal worship. Over the past three weeks, the series has shed light on the esse...

Welcome to 'A Closer Look' series from Valley Center Community Church, hosted by Jason Smith and David Wojnicki. In this episode, our hosts are joined by special guest, Paul Behnemen, to delve into the intriguingly personal conversation between the prophet Habakkuk and God, set amidst warning of an impending Babylonian invasion and revolving around a profound process of lament. Also, we look at Je...

Welcome to another insightful episode of our podcast, 'A Closer Look.' This episode features an engaging conversation between Pastor Jason and David Wojnicki. They dive into examining the genealogy of Jesus, as seen in Luke and Matthew. They examine the differences between Luke and Matthew's genealogies and explore the implications of these differences for the legitimacy of Jesus' lineage. They fu...

In this episode of "A Closer Look Podcast," Pastor David and Jason thoughtfully delve into the themes and messages from the previous Sunday's sermon. The conversation revolves around the biblical narrative from the book of Luke, focusing specifically on an essential topic - the understanding of righteousness within a believer's life. The episode digs into a common struggle among Christians - their...

Join Pastors David and Jason in our latest podcast episode, discussing the biblical truths on the transformative concept of giving as part of the 'Gather, Grow, Give, and Go' series.  This episode delves into how giving goes beyond just the materialistic exchange of money. Time, skills, duties, and the abounding richness of life itself come under the umbrella of giving. Understand the incredible t...