VCLA Podcast

Are you tired of trying to change only to fall back into old habits? This sermon is the GAME CHANGER you've been waiting for. Pastor Josh dives into Romans 12:1-2, marking a massive shift in Paul's letter from deep theology to radical, everyday spiritual formation and practice. This isn't self-help or 'white-knuckle' religion; it's a Spirit-powered process to become more like Jesus Christ! Learn t...

You've tried everything. You've worked hard, you've been faithful, and you've followed all the rules, but you still feel like you're just outside the favor of God—close, but so far. Or maybe you're in a season of brokenness, doubt, and rebellion, feeling completely lost and unable to see the way forward. In this powerful sermon, Pastor unpacks the incredible, and sometimes ridiculous, way Jesus di...

This week, Pastor Josh dives into one of the Bible's most challenging and misunderstood chapters: Romans 9. We explore Paul's anguish and the profound distinction Jesus makes in the Parable of the Prodigal Son between the rebellious sinner (the younger brother) and the self-righteous believer (the older brother). Many of us who grew up in the church, who were "faithful," who "never ran away," stru...

Is following Jesus hard right now? You're not alone. In this powerful sermon on Romans 8, Pastor Josh dives deep into the reality of Christian suffering and the mind-blowing, purposeful plan God has for you in the midst of it.  Many people quote Romans 8:28 as a "coffee mug verse," but this message unpacks the profound theological context of Paul’s words, showing that God is not surprised or worri...

Do your good desires keep turning into crippling, ungodly obsessions? You're not alone. This sermon explores the deeply human—and deeply Christian—struggle against the "wretched man" war Paul describes in Romans 7. We all want good things like health, wealth, or a loving marriage, but they quickly become idols that rule our lives and steal our peace. It's not more religious rules or accountability...

Are you tired of feeling stuck in a cycle of sin, shame, and fear, even though you follow Jesus? This powerful message from Romans 6:11-14 is your wakeup call to embrace the freedom that's already yours. Pastor Josh uses the history of Juneteenth to illustrate the spiritual reality: many of us have been declared free, yet we still live as if we're slaves to our past and brokenness. The core messag...

Get ready to tap your feet with the incredible Cheryl Tellis! A beloved member of the Vineyard family, Cheryl opens up about everything from her college disco days in India to the life-changing decision to get baptized as an adult. First, she faces a brutal head-to-head competition to crown the Ultimate Dance Style (spoiler: her favorite is banned). Then, she shares her deeply moving faith journey...

Discover the mind-blowing truth from Romans 5 that changes absolutely everything about your faith and your life! Many of us struggle with anxiety, feel we have to earn God's favor, or question the purpose of our pain. In this powerful sermon, Pastor Brianne walks us through two non-negotiable realities: we have peace with God because of Jesus, and our suffering has purpose. Stop looking for escape...

Join us for a hilarious and insightful chat with Vineyard Church's Executive Pastor, Megan Budd, as she walks (four steps!) from her office to the mic. Megan gives us a peek into the surprisingly non-stop world of an Executive Pastor, from wrangling "Kingdom Cash" in kids' ministry to debating playground quality. Megan opens up about her powerful journey of faith, growing up in Arizona, being a de...

In this life-changing sermon from Romans 3:21-26, Pastor Josh dives deep into the heart of the Gospel: Justification by Faith. If you've ever felt the crushing weight of guilt, sin, or not being "good enough," this message is for you. We all fall short of God's glory—no one is righteous, not one. That's the bad news. But here's the incredible news: Through the amazing grace and finished work of Je...

Ever felt like you're a "good person"? Like you're better than others because you follow the rules? This sermon from Romans 3 will shatter that idea and show you the real problem with our own righteousness. Join Pastor Josh as he unpacks Paul's powerful argument that every single one of us, insiders and outsiders alike, are broken and in desperate need of a righteous God. In this hard-hitting mess...

Join us on the podcast for a fantastic conversation with AJ, a member of our Vineyard Church family. We start with some lighthearted but important questions, like her take on the five-second rule and the best breakfast foods. But the conversation quickly goes deeper as AJ shares her powerful and unique story. From her parents' conversions, to her own childhood growing up in China and navigating a...

Do you feel ashamed of your past or what you believe? You're not alone. In this powerful sermon, Pastor Josh dives into Romans 1:16-17, revealing why the Gospel isn't just good news—it's the most life-changing, world-altering message we could ever share. Discover the three reasons Paul was completely unashamed of his faith and how this same boldness can transform your life, your relationships, and...

Join the staff of Vineyard Church for a hilarious and shockingly candid episode! Executive Pastor Megan sits down with the Vineyard team for a speed round of "Never Have I Ever." From peeing in the shower to winging a sermon, they spill all the beans and give you an unfiltered look at their lives, work, and the wild world of ministry. Get ready to laugh and discover what's really happening behind...

Are you feeling burnt out, exhausted, and overwhelmed? In a culture of constant hustle, we’ve lost the rhythm God designed for us. Join Pastor Joel as he shares his personal, transformative journey on a sabbatical and a pilgrimage across Spain. He uncovers the ancient, yet vital, truth of Sabbath and how it's not a luxury—it's oxygen for our souls. Drawing from his own experiences climbing physica...

Join us on the From the Vine podcast with special guest Mieko Poindexter! A recent high school grad. Mieko shares stories about her life; She dives into her experience growing up in the Catholic Church, finding her way to Vineyard, and her journey of starting a Bible study at her Catholic high school. Mieko also gives us a sneak peek into her incredible plans for the next nine months as she embark...

Ever feel like you have to fight back, lash out, or prove your worth? In a world that glorifies anger and demands justice at every turn, what does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? Pastor Josh dives deep into the biblical concept of meekness and gentleness, revealing that it's not about being weak, but about having power under control. This sermon challenges the modern American definition of meek...

Join us on this episode of "From the Vine" with James Warwick, a Chicago native who shares his incredible journey to faith. We talk about everything from the best French fry shapes and overrated fast food joints to growing up after his parents' divorce and finding his way to Vineyard Church. James opens up about his personal struggles and the powerful transformation he experienced through Jesus, c...

In this powerful sermon on self-control, Brianne dives deep into the meaning of this often-misunderstood fruit of the Spirit. She challenges the common misconception that self-control is about gripping the steering wheel of our lives tighter. Instead, she reveals the biblical truth that true self-control is about surrendering our lives—body, mind, and soul—to the one who is already in perfect cont...

Get ready for a powerful testimony! Join us as we sit down with Tommy, a prayer minister and counselor from our community. He takes us back to his wild days growing up in Venice Beach, hanging out with the beatniks and living in the midst of the '60s counterculture. But a life of heavy drug use and emotional pain led him on a desperate search for meaning. In this episode, Tommy shares the incredib...

Do you ever feel like faithfulness is a one-way street? What if the Bible reveals a two-way street that changes everything? In this sermon, Pastor Josh dives deep into Galatians 5 to uncover the true meaning of faithfulness as a fruit of the spirit. He breaks down what it means to be faithful to God and how that directly impacts our faithfulness to others. This message will challenge you to build...

In this episode, we sit down with Loida Blackley, a mother, wife, and member of our church community, to hear her incredible story. She shares her opinions on Mexican food, the unique flavors of her Guatemalan heritage, and a powerful testimony of how Jesus transformed her life. After years of struggling with depression and PTSD from her time as an active-duty soldier, Loida found healing and free...

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and out of control? In a world filled with chaos, conflict, and constant demands, finding true peace can feel impossible. In this powerful sermon, Pastor Josh dives deep into the often-misunderstood fruit of the Spirit: peace. Drawing from powerful biblical stories and practical examples, we'll discover that peace isn't just the absence of conflict—it...

Join us for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation with Matt, a software engineer at Google, as he shares his journey from his early life to a brand new dad! Matt opens up about the joys of raising his eight-month-old daughter, Grace, and the bittersweet transition back to work. We dive into his unique career path at Google, his faith journey from a teenager seeking stability to finding a lifelong...

What does it truly mean to live a life of authentic faith in a chaotic world? In this powerful and practical sermon, guest preacher, Aaron Keyes, dives deep into Galatians 5, exploring the difference between the counterfeit fruits of the flesh and the real fruit of the Spirit. Using powerful metaphors he unpacks the critical difference between mere "niceness" and genuine kindness, and the danger o...