Walnut Creek Downtown

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.

Unlike his father, Isaac turned to the Lord in his childlessness, and the Lord gave him twins along with a revelation that these two boys would become the beginnings of nations. Pastor Luke Hukee explains how one twin’s attitude toward what he was given can be imitated by us today—and why we should avoid that.

How do you know God is for you? Romans 8. Dr. Donald Whitney explains how we can be sure that God is not against us, neutral towards us, but rather He is FOR US! This message was given by guest speaker Dr Donald Whitney, who hosted an Equip Conference that weekend, Spiritual Disciplines for Real People.

What promises are you building your life on? Every day, we base our lives on promises we believe, but only the promises of God provide a foundation that will never fail. Abraham's story is a powerful reminder that a life built on the promises of God is a life well-lived. Learn how to trust God's Word and run your race of faith with endurance.

Finding a wife isn’t easy—even in Genesis. Pastor Dan Rude walks us through Isaac’s search for a wife and what we can learn today about pursuing marriage.

Abraham and Sarah were married for over 100 years, and in Genesis 23, we witness Abraham dealing with the death of his wife and how the first land owned in the Promised Land was not a city, but a tomb.

Prayer is an important part of the Christian life as shown in the early church. The patterns we see then are meant to be carried into today. 1. Pray together - Praying together deepens our fellowship and relationships with one another Helps you be more consistent 2. Pray in all circumstances Book of Acts examples: In waiting, In decision making, In persecution and suffering, In commissioning, For...

What does being devoted to fellowship look like? It is so much more than just feeling positively towards the body of Christ. Dan Rude explains how fellowship is organic and how fellowship is also deliberate and why it mattered in the early church and today! Outline: What is fellowship? 1. Fellowship is the fruit of walking in the light (organic) 2. Fellowship is actively participating in the life...

When a baby is born, one of the first things it desires is milk. Likewise, when the church came to be, the first characteristic mentioned is a devotion to God's Word. Pastor Dan Rude explains why Christians are devoted to the word and what it practically looks like.

Peter preached a powerful but simple sermon that sparked the transformation of 3,000 lives. Pastor Dan Rude walks us through this powerful message and what it means for us in this day and age.

Jesus' warning in John 8 is one of love and not control. Pastor Dan Rude explains what Jesus means when He said, "I am going to a place you cannot follow."

Light produces growth, reveals the way and makes life on this earth possible. With that in mind, it is not surprising that Jesus compares Himself to the light of the world. Pastor Luke explains what is happening as Jesus is having this conversation and why it matters for us today.

The religious leaders were set on trapping Jesus. One of these traps was recorded in John 8, when the Pharisees brought a woman who had committed adultery before Him. Jesus' response points us to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, affirms the law of God, and reveals Jesus' heart toward the lost.

Often, the strategy of the world is to shame people out of faithfulness to Christ. This is seen in John 7 as the religious leaders of the day turn to insults to try and dissuade people from believing in Jesus. Pastor Dan Rude encourages us to not be ashamed of the Gospel and gives us a practical step on how to do this.