A Closer Look

In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastors Jason and David dive into Luke 18:15–17, where parents bring even infants to Jesus. They explore the cultural view of children in Jesus’ day versus the biblical truth that every child is a blessing, created for God’s glory. Together, they discuss what it means for parents to prepare their children not just for careers or success, but to become disciples of...

This week on A Closer Look, Pastors Jason and David explore Luke 17:20–37 and Jesus’ teaching on the coming of the kingdom of God. What kind of kingdom were the people expecting — and what kind of kingdom did Jesus actually bring? They also discuss the meaning of being "taken" in this passage, whether it's a reference to the rapture, and what Scripture really teaches about that final day. It's a c...

In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastors Jason and David dive into Luke 17:11–19 and the story of the ten lepers. Why does Luke emphasize Jesus' journey to Jerusalem? What distinguishes the one healed leper who returns from the nine who don’t? And does Jesus’ statement, “Your faith has made you well,” mean physical healing always comes through faith? Join us as we explore the themes of common gra...

In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastors Jason and David explore Luke 17 and tackle a challenging question: Are Christians called to forgive even when someone hasn’t repented? Drawing from Scripture and real-life examples, they discuss the difference between transactional and attitudinal forgiveness, the heart posture Christ calls us to, and how to walk in grace while pursuing truth and justice.

In this special episode of A Closer Look, Jason and Pastor David step away from the usual sermon deep-dive to reflect on two important topics. First, what’s it like for a pastor to sit under the preaching of others—and how can leaders and church members alike prepare their hearts to receive God's Word each Sunday? Then, in light of recent global tensions, they explore the church's response to the...

In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastor Jason Smith sits down with Pastor Paul Behneman to unpack the sermon from Luke 16 on justification. Together, they explore what it really means to be justified before God, how self-justification shows up in our daily lives, and why true justification must be found in Christ alone. They also dive into how the law, once a burden, becomes a delight for the bel...

In this episode of A Closer Look Podcast, Pastors Jason Smith and David Wojnicki dive into Luke 16 and explore one of Jesus’ more confusing parables—the dishonest manager. They unpack the meaning of “shrewdness” and explain why Jesus commends it, even in a flawed character. The heart of the conversation focuses on how disciples of Jesus are called to use their money—not for selfish gain, but for e...

Join hosts Jason Smith and David Wojnicki in this insightful episode of "A Closer Look," where they dive into Sunday's teachings from the Gospel of Luke. They address common misconceptions about the famous Prodigal Son parable, exploring the true meaning of 'prodigal' and its characters. With anecdotes like the transformation of the word 'Nimrod,' they highlight the evolution of language and its i...

In this episode of A Closer Look Podcast, hosted by Valley Center Community Church, Pastors Jason Smith and David Wojnicki dive deep into the teachings of Jesus recorded in Luke chapters 14 and 15. Discussing the true cost of discipleship, Jason and David explore how Jesus challenges His followers to prioritize their relationship with Him above all others, stressing that being mesmerized by miracl...

Join Pastors Jason and David in another episode of A Closer Look Podcast, where they dissect the latest sermon, focusing on Luke chapter 14. This conversation dives into the characteristics that define the people of God's kingdom: compassion, humility, and grace.

In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastors David and Jason reflect on the recent sermon from Luke 13, exploring the exclusivity of Christianity and its profound global influence. They discuss Jesus' teachings on the kingdom of God, the narrow path to salvation, and the remarkable impact of Christian principles throughout history.

In this episode of A Closer Look Podcast, Pastors David Wojnicki and Jason Smith dive into Luke 13:10–17, where Jesus heals a woman with a disabling spirit on the Sabbath. They discuss the significance of Jesus teaching in the synagogue, the cultural status of women in first-century Judaism, and what it means that this woman is called a “daughter of Abraham.” They also explore the difference betwe...

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...