Community Church of West Garden Grove

Walking on water part for the crossing of the Jordan River. This week we look at the crossing of the Jordan River and the structure of the narrative in Joshua 3/4–and in the structure we look at a particular word for each part of the story. In the first part we talk about the word consecrate, and the second part we talk about the standing in the water, and the third part we talk about the stones o...

Looking at the Macro view: ‘Nation Creation’ and the Micro view: ‘Fear ye not’ of the Red or Reed Sea Crossing. Text: Exodus 14.1–31 Teacher: Eric Williams

Walking on Water part Two- The Noah narrative. This week we look at the various ANE flood narratives, the theme of Creation/De-Creation and the one long year in the Ark.

This week we review some key points from the previous Theology of Tree teachings.  In addition, we have a chance to review all the sermons and spend some time listening to the voice of the Lord speaking to us. Text: Various Teacher: Eric Williams

The final Tree in the Tree of Life Series - The Tree of Life in the New Jerusalem.  It is all resolved here and this week we glimpse into our glorious hope and meditate on the artist formally known as heaven. Text Revelation 22.1--4 Teacher: Eric Wiliams

This week we look at the Cross/Tree word as it is used in the New Testament.  Peter and Paul use it throughout their teachings and letters.  In 1 Peter 2.13--25, we take a brief look at slavery, then study Jesus as our Example, our Redeemer and our Shepherd.   Text: 1 Peter 2.13--25 Teacher: Eric Williams

The Theology of Trees continues... This week we look into Paul's words to the Romans about the 'Grafted Branches' or the Gentile Christians and how motivational methods of Envy and Humility. Text: Romans 11.11--27 Teacher: Eric Williams

This week Elliot Stone walks us through some 'forks in the road' along the journey of Christian history.  Starting in the Garden, we look at the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and how the same choice is offered with Jesus, Constantine and the American Frontier. Text: Genesis 2, 3 Teacher: Elliot Stone

The Theology of Trees Pt. 5!  This week we dive into the confusing and challening passage of the Withered Fig and what Jesus is doing when he curses and kills one of the worlds most delicious fruit trees!!   Passage Mark 11. 12--26 Teacher: Eric Williams

The Theology of Trees Part 4 - This time we revisit one of the great Sunday School stories and see how our childhood interpretations ruins the power of this message--That Jesus loves both the oppressed and oppressor. Text: Luke 19.1--10 Teacher: Eric Williams

The Theology of Trees pt. 3 - This week we encounter Moses and the burning bush. Moses-murder, fugitive, alien- sees a strange sight of a bush-not a tree-burning-not a forest fire.  He stops to see it and YHWH gives him specific instructions.   "Don't come any closer" "Take off your sandals, this is holy ground."   Text: Exodus 2/3 Teacher: Eric Williams

This is week number two in our Theology of Trees Series.  This week we look at the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the choice it leaves us with:  Is freedom found in God's boundaries or is freedom the absence of boundaries? Text: Genesis 2.8,9; 15--17  and Genesis 3.1-7 Teacher: Eric Williams

Hey all - we have been tracing Jesus' steps through Matthew via the mountains he ascends.  This week we recap: Temptation Mountain, Sermon on the Mount, Feeding of the 4000, Transfiguration Mountain, Gethsemane (Mount of Olives), and the Great Commission Mountain.  A huge part of what we do, is to Reflect on what we have learned and Receive God's word through the teachings.   Text: Matthew Teacher...

This week we look at Jesus, Moses, Elijah and the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration. Two main points to discuss are the Exclusivity of Jesus and Listening to Jesus.   Text: Matthew 17.1--13 Teacher: Eric Williams

Jesus climbs a mountain in the region of the Decapolis and feeds a 4000 Gentiles and still has 7 leftover baskets.  What is the larger context of the miracle and the number 7?  Three other take aways-- The Wisdom of Stability, Recording Our Blunders, Asset Based Ministry. Text: Matthew 15.29--39 Teacher: Eric Williams 

We wrap up Jesus' Sermon on the Mount by looking at the ending of his sermon--the three warnings.  Jesus gives us three pictures: Two Gates/Roads, Two Trees, and Two Foundations which warn us what will happen if we dont take his sermon seriously.   Text: Matthew 7.13--29 Teacher: Eric Williams

As we trace Jesus through the mountains in Matthew, the next stop we make is in the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee for Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.  This week we engage the Beatitudes and look at the definition of Blessed, the disposition of the 8 Beatitudes, and the direction or movement Jesus makes with his statements. Text Matthew 5. 1--12 Teacher: Eric Williams

This week we begin a new series, tracing Jesus' steps through the mountains he ascends in Matthew.  Our first mountain is the mountain Satan leads him up during the temptations found in Matthew 4.  We spend some time considering the nature of Satan, what temptations offer, and our K/kingdom choices. Text: Matthew 4.1--11 Teacher: Eric Williams

Our annual State of the Church/Shareholders meeting.  In this sermon, we recap our vision: Love God--Worship, Prayer; Love Others--Service and Community. We also look at what is going on in the church, where are we headed for this upcoming year. Teacher: Eric Williams

 One of the most profound books I read in 2019 was titled "Stages of Faith" by Janet Hagberg and Robert Guelich.  They walk through the 6 stages of faith in the life of a follower of Jesus.  In this sermon, we examine all the stages of faith and what they look like in our lives. Teacher: Eric Williams

Guest teacher Cass Bensberg discusses the current state of evangelism and leads us through some different evangelism models and methods - Romans Road, Gap, and Three Circles. Text: Matthew 28.16--20 Teacher: Cass Bensberg 

The Thrill of Hope?? What does that mean... how is hope thrilling and how might we define Biblical hope?  This is our Christmas Eve family style gathering with all of us together and worshipping Jesus!! Text: Hebrews 6.19 Teacher: Eric Williams

Cultural Ills continues... This week we look at the role of money in our lives. Wealth and Stewardship Dissatisfaction and Contentment Greed and Generoisty Text: Mark 4.19, Luke 12.15 Teacher: Eric Williams   Recommended Resources:  globalrichlist.com  The Paradox of Generosity by Christian Smith and Hillary Davidson, $75,000 Happiness Theory LINK

Social Media is such a massive part of our society and everyday life.  How can we reasonably understand and utilize social media as if not to get swept up by countless hours staring at our phones and screens.  This teaching helps us slow down enough to pay attention to social media's impact and it's influence on our lives as disciples.   Text: 2 John 12 Teacher: Eric Williams

John Rittenhouse of Living Spring Church stops by to teach us about the Ill of Outrage. "Our lenses of outrage can distort the beauty God has for us every day." Text: James 1.19--27 Teacher: John Rittenhouse