Neither/Nor

The book of Jonah provides one of Scripture's clearest illustrations of what it means to follow God's will versus pursuing our own desires. When God gave Jonah crystal clear instructions to go to Nineveh and announce judgment against the city, there was no ambiguity in the command. Yet Jonah chose to run in the exact opposite direction, boarding a ship to Tarshish - essentially fleeing to the edge...

In this episode, Pastor Manny and Pastor Kenji discuss biblical interpretation, focusing primarily on the Book of Jonah. They explore whether Jonah should be understood as a literal historical account or as a fable with theological truth, emphasizing that "everything in the Bible is true and some of it actually happened." The conversation examines different literary genres within Scripture—poetry,...

Death remains humanity's greatest unsolved problem, one that no technological advancement can overcome. Despite our incredible progress in science and medicine, the death rate continues at 100%, leaving us feeling helpless when we lose those we love. This overwhelming sense of permanence and loss confronts us with life's greatest mystery. The Bible reveals why death feels so wrong - because it tru...

The story of Jonah reveals a challenging truth about God's character that goes far beyond a children's tale about a whale. Jonah didn't flee from God's command because he was afraid of the Assyrians - he ran because he knew God would show mercy to his enemies if they repented. When Nineveh did repent and God relented from judgment, Jonah became angry, revealing our human tendency to want grace for...

In our instant-gratification culture, finding genuine peace seems impossible. James teaches us that biblical patience means waiting without agitationt. The key difference between peace and anxiety lies in prayer versus grumbling - taking our concerns to God rather than complaining to others. James emphasizes living authentically without manipulation or false personas, trusting God's grace enough t...

James 5:1-6 warns against trusting wealth as our ultimate security. Like Howard Hughes, who died isolated despite his billions, we often build protective armor around ourselves through money, relationships, or success. But these false securities become prisons, cutting us off from authentic life and genuine relationships. When we organize our lives around anything other than God, we end up using p...

Church conflicts often stem from selfish desires disguised as spiritual convictions. James 4:1 reveals that quarrels among believers typically arise from personal preferences wrapped in theological language rather than genuine biblical disagreements. The same selfishness that divides churches also damages marriages when we approach relationships as 50/50 partnerships focused on personal fulfillmen...

Many Christians picture Jesus primarily as a gentle teacher walking peacefully through Galilee, but the book of Revelation unveils a dramatically different and updated picture of Christ. John received a stunning vision of the risen Christ that left him falling at Jesus' feet. This glorified Jesus appeared with eyes like flames of fire, feet like polished bronze, hair white as wool, and a voice thu...

The Bible suggests we should ask 'What kind of person am I becoming?' more than we ask "What should I do?". James chapter 3 reveals that our speech is a powerful indicator of our heart's condition. Though small, the tongue has enormous impact, like a bit controlling a horse or a spark igniting a forest. Our words often reveal internal struggles rather than external reality. When we speak destructi...

This sermon was preached at Timberview Church on 3/15/26. Many people claim to be Christians but show no real transformation, leading others to question whether faith actually makes a difference. James 1:21-2:13 provides clear markers of authentic Christianity that actually works. Real faith requires humbling ourselves before Scripture and obeying what we learn, not just listening. Practical tests...