La Jolla Presbyterian Church Sermons

Pastor Paul Cunningham brings a message this Sunday titled “Get Me Out of Here,” focusing on Luke 15:1-2, 11-20. These opening verses introduce us to a familiar tension: Jesus is spending time with tax collectors and sinners, and the religious leaders don’t like it. But rather than distancing Himself from the broken and overlooked, Jesus draws near and welcomes the outsider. This passage invites u...

This week in our Summer Combined Worship Services, Abraham Musto, our Middle School Director, brings a message titled "Christian or Walking Corpse," looking at James 2:14–26. In this powerful passage, James challenges believers to examine whether their faith is more than just words. Faith, he says, without action, is dead, like a body without breath. Through this message, we are invited...

This Sunday, we’re kicking off our Summer Combined Worship Services! Pastor Chad Fransen leads with a sermon titled “The Benefits of Sacrifice,” based on Mark 10:45. In this powerful verse, Jesus tells His disciples that He came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. As we begin this season together, we’ll reflect on what it means to follow in the footsteps of Je...

What does a Spirit-filled church look like? Join us as we conclude our journey through Acts Chapter 2 with Pastor Paul Cunningham in a message titled “A Blueprint for the Church,” focusing on Acts 2:42–47. This scripture paints a picture of the early Christian community right after the Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost. It shows us a church rooted in teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and p...

What happens when the truth about Jesus cuts straight to the heart? This Sunday, Pastor Paul Cunningham continues our journey through Acts with a sermon titled “What Shall We Do,” looking at Acts 2:29–41. In this passage, Peter boldly proclaims the resurrection of Christ, and the crowd is moved to ask the life-changing question: “What shall we do?” We’ll explore how the Holy Spirit stirred convict...

Father's Day invites us to honor the men who lead with love, strength, and faith. As we celebrate fathers and father figures this weekend, we're reminded of the powerful legacy that comes from living a Spirit-led life. Pastor Paul Cunningham will bring a message titled "Let Me Explain" from Acts 2:14–28. After the arrival of the Holy Spirit, Peter stands and speaks, bringing cl...

This Sunday, we start our new series, Eyewitness: Part 2 – The Spirit Comes. The Church Begins., and Pastor Paul Cunningham will bring a message titled "Amazed and Perplexed." In Acts 2:1–13, we witness the Holy Spirit poured out on the disciples, fulfilling Jesus' promise and marking the birth of the Church. It's a powerful moment: people from every nation hear the wonders of...

This Sunday, we’re honored to welcome Pastors Noel Musicha and Jeremiah Lester from Ebenezer Church in Linda Vista as they bring a powerful message titled “Time to Focus.” In Acts 1:1–11, we find Jesus spending His final moments with the disciples before His ascension. Instead of offering answers to all their questions, He gives them direction, reminding them of their mission, calling them to wait...

Join us this Sunday as we continue our series, Eyewitness: Seeing Jesus Changes Everything, with a powerful message titled "Jesus Keeps Showing Up." In 1 Corinthians 15:1–11, the Apostle Paul recounts the many times the risen Jesus appeared to His followers, again and again, to individuals and groups, even to someone like Paul who once opposed Him. This passage reminds us that Jesus does...

What does it really mean to make disciples, and how do we begin? This Sunday, we explore the next message in our series, Eyewitness: Seeing Jesus Changes Everything , titled "How Do We Make Disciples?". In Matthew 28:16-20, we witness Jesus' final words to His followers, what we now call the Great Commission. He calls His disciples, and us today, to go and make disciples of all nati...

As we continue our series, Eyewitness: Seeing Jesus Changes Everything, this week's message is titled "Restoration." In John 21:15–23, we witness a powerful exchange between the risen Jesus and Peter. After Peter's denial, Jesus meets him not with shame but grace, asking three times, "Do you love me?" Jesus restores Peter and reaffirms his calling in this personal mom...

Join us this Sunday for a special combined service as we continue our series, Eyewitness: Seeing Jesus Changes Everything, with the sermon title "Breakfast on the Shore." We'll explore John 21:1–14, in which the risen Jesus appears to His disciples after a long, fruitless night of fishing. At first, they don't recognize Him, but after following His instruction to cast the net o...

This Sunday, we begin our new series, "Eyewitness: Part 1: Seeing Jesus Changes Everything," with an encouraging message titled "Jesus Joins the Journey," based on Luke 24:13–32. In this passage, two disciples walk the road to Emmaus - confused, heartbroken, and unsure of what comes next when Jesus draws near and walks alongside them. They don't recognize Him at first, but...

This Easter, Pastor Paul Cunningham takes us into the powerful, mysterious ending of Mark's Gospel. As the women arrive at the tomb expecting to find Jesus' body, they're met instead with an empty tomb and a message that changes everything: "He has risen; He is not here." In this message, "Where Did Jesus Go?", we'll explore how the absence of Jesus' bo...

Join us this Sunday as we continue our Gospel of Mark series with Pastor Paul Cunningham's sermon, "A Different Kind of King," based on Mark 15:9-20. As Jesus stands before Pilate and faces mockery from the soldiers, we see a King unlike any other who reigns not through power or force but through sacrifice and humility. Jesus reveals a kingdom marked by grace and surrender in a worl...

How do you handle your most difficult struggles? This Sunday, we continue our Gospel of Mark series with Pastor Paul Cunningham's sermon, "Praying in the Garden," based on Mark 14:32-42. As Jesus enters Gethsemane, overwhelmed with sorrow, He turns to the Father in prayer, surrendering to His will. In our own trials, do we seek God first or try to bear the weight alone? Jesus shows...

Join us this Sunday as Pastor Paul Cunningham delivers his sermon, "Keep Watch," based on Mark 13:24-37. In this passage, Jesus speaks of the signs of His coming and urges His followers to stay alert, emphasizing, "Keep watch because you do not know when the time will come." In the busyness of life, it's easy to be distracted by daily concerns and lose sight of what matter...

Are we caught up in distractions, or are we focusing on what matters? Join us this Sunday as Pastor Paul explores this question in his sermon, "Focus On These Two Things," based on Mark 12:28-34. In this passage, Jesus is asked which commandment is the greatest, and His answer is both simple and profound: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yo...

Are we caught up in the spectacle or anchored in something deeper? Join us this Sunday as Pastor Paul dives into this question with his sermon, "Hype or Hope," focusing on Mark 11:1-11. This passage captures Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event marked by public adulation and festivity, yet layered with profound spiritual significance. As the crowds spread their cloaks and...

What is the one thing that holds us back from fully following Jesus? This Sunday, we continue our Gospel of Mark series with a sermon titled "What's The One Thing." Rev. Paul Cunningham will focus on the scripture, Mark 10:17-31, where Jesus challenges a rich young ruler to let go of what he values most to inherit eternal life. This passage invites us to examine our own hearts; what...

Join us this Sunday as we continue our Gospel of Mark series with a sermon titled "No Lingering on the Mountain." Rev. Paul Cunningham will lead us through Mark 9:2-13, where Jesus is transfigured before His disciples. This moment on the mountain reveals His divine glory, yet Jesus calls His followers back to the valley, to the reality of faith in action. In a world where we often long f...

"Who Do You Say I Am?", This Sunday, as part of our Gospel of Mark series, Sophie Nicles, our Director of High School Ministry,  will lead us through Mark 8:27-37, where Jesus asks His disciples this important question. In a world filled with opinions about Jesus, His question challenges us to move past cultural assumptions and embrace discipleship. As we explore the tension between huma...

This Sunday, Rev. Paul Cunningham will lead us through Mark 7:1-8, 14-23, where Jesus challenges the religious leaders for valuing human traditions over God's commands. He reminds us that faith isn't about rituals but about the condition of our hearts. As we explore the tension between tradition and truth, we'll reflect on how easily we can prioritize customs over genuine devotion....

Life is full of unexpected storms, struggles, and uncertainty. In Mark 6:45-52, the disciples find themselves caught in a storm, struggling against the wind and waves. In their fear, they fail to recognize Jesus as He walks toward them on the water. Yet, in their distress, Jesus speaks of comfort: "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." This Sunday, Rev. Paul Cunningham will lead us thr...

Faith and Fear often collide in life's most challenging times. In Mark 5:21-34, we see a powerful example of this through the story of a woman who, despite fear and uncertainty, reached out to Jesus in faith and was healed. Rev. Paul Cunningham will lead us through this passage, highlighting how Jesus responds to those who trust Him, even in desperation. As we explore the tension between fear...