Community Church of West Garden Grove

Parable of the Sower - Part 3When you read this parable, you ask: Who is the farmer and what seed is he sowing? Depending on how you answer that question, the parable takes on three different meanings.  We look at God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit as the farmer and the respective seeds they sow. Teacher: Eric Williams

Part 2 of the Parable of the Sower.  Seed is sown in hostile soil... Trampled, eaten, withers and is choked by worry, money and pleasure.  Worry, money and pleasure - three road blocks to a full life with Jesus Teacher: Eric Williams

The Parable of the Sower Part 1 Lets set the table for the foundational parable.  Tablecloth, menu, utensils, main dish and family style!!  Exploring the parable through the metaphor of a table. Luke 8.1--15 Teacher: Eric Williams

2016 State of the Church - This week we remember and recast our vision and the values associated under our vision.  We take a look at our finances and where we are going as a church. Teacher: Eric Williams

Guest teacher Cass Bensberg leads us through the Lords prayer while informing us about My Refuge House, a safe house for girls in the Philippines who have been rescued from sex trade. Check out myrefugehouse.org for more info.

The Big Review - All 11 Sermons from the "Say What?!?" Series... Text - The Book of Matthew Teacher: Eric Williams

Who is this god Mammon, and why does Jesus claim he is the sole, serious competitor to the Trinity?  And how do we purge this god of Mammon from our souls, church and society?  This week we trace the footprints of Mammon and see where it leads us. Teacher: Eric Williams *note - the Steve Jobs quote at the beginning it looks like has been deemed a internet falsity.  Sorry about that.

Matthew 24 is Jesus' discourse on the end of the world, or is it?  This week we explore the questions the disciples pose to Jesus regarding the destruction of the temple, Jesus' coming and the end of the age. Teacher: Eric Williams

In Matthew 23 Jesus begins his sharp criticisms of the religious rulers/elite of the day.  In their search for celebrity, status, and recognition... they miss the crucial issues of integrity, keeping a quiet presence, humility and service.   Teacher: Eric Williams

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant is best understood in the context of the entirety of Matthew 18.  And the theme of forgiveness runs all the way through...or if you want unforgivingness.   Teacher: Eric Williams

Jesus, what do you mean 'change and become like a child?'  'Humble yourself and become like a child?'  'Welcome the children?'  Why do you always bring up children as one of your object lessons? This Sunday we explored theme of children in the Gospel of Matthew.  Specifically Matthew 18.1--4 Teacher: Eric Williams

There is significant evidence in the NT about 'rewards.'  Huh?  How does that work?  Why talk about rewards when grace is the main player?  Like me, you probably have more questions than answers Teacher: Eric Williams

Global warfare?  Family Division?  Martyrdom? Total Disregard for human life? ISIS or Jesus? Matthew 10.32--39 Teacher - Eric Williams

Say What Part 4:  Matthew 8.18--22Jesus encounters two people who want to "Follow Him."  His responses are cryptic and confusing... yet underneath that cloudy response, is a deep challenge about comfort, money and convenience.   Teacher: Eric Williams

Abundant simplicity...not an oxymoron, rather the Jesus way of living.  A life of Treasuring God and determining, "What do want, what do I really want?"   For more info:  janjohnson.org

The Intentional, Unhurried Life is the life we all desire to live.  Jan walks us through three steps to help us - clarity, space and choices. For more info - janjohnson.org

We all worry, carry anxiety, unease in our souls... and yet Jesus says... "Dont do that!"  How can we live a life free of worry?  Jimmy Flanagan teaches through some of Jesus' most difficult words about worry and offers practical insights about how to live a life free of anxiety.   Teacher:  Jimmy Flanagan

Love enemies?  Pray for them?  Huh?  Where does Jesus get off telling us to do that?  And what about redemptive violence towards our enemies?  Might that be an option? Text: Mattew 5.43--48 Teacher: Eric Williams

Adultery, Lust, Amputations, Ashley Madison, and Tomato Plants.  This was week one of Jesus' 'Say-what-statements,' in which we looked at Jesus' difficult sayings about lust and sexual temptation. Text: Matthew 5.27--30 Teacher: Eric Williams

Those difficult, tricky, frustrating of Jesus.  What did Jesus say?  Did he mean it?  But didn't he say something different earlier?  Seriously? An intro to the series. Teacher: Eric Williams

Teacher Leonardo Arancibia

This week Elliot Stone continues in our Song of Songs series.  

His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.  Song of Songs 2.6 What does it look like to be held by God?  To experience his embrace, protection and love?  This week we explore what the hand of God is like in and on our lives. Teacher: Eric Williams

Finishing up our series on the sensory metaphors through the wisdom books.  This week we pair the the hands/touch/hold with the Song of Songs.  The text is found in Song of Songs 3.4 and will serve as a backdrop for our discussion this teaching. Teacher: Eric Williams

What is beyond or underneath the words is even more important than the words themselves.  Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.  This week we look at Luke 6:43--45 and examine Jesus' challenging and even offensive statements about our words. Teacher: Eric Williams