New Life Pismo Sermons

When we take the example of Paul in Athens, we get an idea of how the Holy Spirit wants to use us to engage our world. When Paul observes the idol worship in Athens he is moved to share the gospel in a way the culture would understand and respond to. He doesn't insult them but learns their culture and speaks boldly about the risen Christ. What are the idols we see in our culture? How might Go...

Why do we sometimes live as if we are still under the power of the curse? Through Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit we are invited to participate in the Divine nature of God as free people, out from under the weight of sin.  As we continue to plumb the depths of our relationship with God, he will continue to shape us and grow us further and further in sanctification. 

As we talk about sanctification and being formed into the image of Christ, the temptation can rise up to drift into legalism; the idea that somehow my works sanctify me. Our own sanctification is too heavy a burden to bear. There's a reason why Jesus says, "My yoke is easy and my burden in light."

There is more to the Christian faith than being saved and waiting for heaven. God wants you to experience holiness right now. When we decide to follow him we start the process of becoming holy as he is holy.  Message from Pastor Gina Nicola

The ending of Mark is unique and gives us an opportunity to learn how the Bible was formed and made it to us today. One thing is clear, Jesus is alive and he's given is a calling and mission in this world!

We don't always like to think of Jesus in his humanity. We like to focus on his divine nature...however, without the burial of Jesus, we can't experience his resurrection. Without the burial, there's no hope for new life. Jesus' burial shows us that it's possible for dead things to come alive! When we lay those things at the altar we can see God breathe life into them...an...

Jesus is crucified. Darkness fills the land. Is hope lost? Just the opposite. Just as darkness and chaos was there at creation...we hold our breath in anticipation for NEW CREATION. Jesus' death ensures that we won't be separated from our God. The veil is torn. Our place in new creation is secure!

Before Jesus is crucified, he's mocked relentlessly by 3 different groups of people. Through their example, we learn that we become mockers when we don't understand, when Jesus doesn't fit into our mold, or when he threatens our comfort and stability. 

What does it mean to be saved? The story of Barabbas gives such a clear picture of the exchange that takes place between us and Jesus that leads to salvation. 

Pastor David shares on the importance of baptism and our beliefs on the sacrament. You'll also get to hear testimonies of those who were baptized at our 9am service. 

When we decide to follow Jesus we become NEW creations. However, we often drift from this good path and our lives become misaligned. Lent is a season of realignment as we come to God to adjust our hearts and minds back into alignment with his heart and his work of making all things new. 

Through an unjust trial happening under the cloak of darkness, Jesus' fate hangs in the balance. Will he be willing to die? Will Peter remain faithful, as he adamantly promised? Through this portion of Scripture we see Jesus' heart and understand that following Jesus will cost us something. 

When Jesus is betrayed and arrested, he remains calm because he has spent time in prayer in the garden. However, many of the disciples react differently...perhaps because they were asleep instead of praying. When the hour of darkness reigns, they turn to violence, fear, and fleeing. The truth is that Jesus doesn't need to be defended. May we also follow his example of trust in our hours of da...

When Jesus wanted us to understand the Gospel he didn’t give a sermon or a podcast or a treatise...He provided a meal.  The already previous God has gone before and made the preparations. He wants to show you the depth of his love through the gift of his sacrifice. We do this in remembrance of him. 

Anna was ready to see what God was doing because she had spent a lifetime in His presence. Her life reminds us, We are what we do consistently.

Receiving from the world often leaves us full of unfulfilled expectations. However, the gift of joy we receive at Advent exceeds what we imagine or deserve. This is revealed through the announcement given to the shepherds. God comes near. We are chosen. God wants to be found. This is Good News that will be a great joy to all people!

Nothing robs us of our peace more than having to wait...in both big and small things. The testimony of Zechariah and Elizabeth in the book of Luke shows us, if we learn to embrace silence and stay the course, we'll begin to see God's goodness, even in seasons of waiting...and perhaps even see this as a gift. 

Pastor Philip Causey In a world obsessed with status and spectacle, Jesus reveals a kingdom where motives matter more than money, and humility outweighs hype. Like the scribes, we may be enticed to chase prestige and power. We may even be able to enhance our own image to fool people, but we can’t fool God. For those entrusted with leadership, God holds a high standard. They must be a humble servan...

In another attempt at a "gotcha" moment, the Sadducees pose a theological question of Jesus. They want to discuss the details of the afterlife, even though they, themselves, don't believe in the resurrection of the dead. Jesus, of course, takes their question deeper and gets to the heart of the matter. 

When the religious leaders had made it up in their mind that they wanted to get rid of Jesus, they began laying traps for Him to be caught up in. One polarizing subject of the day was taxes; they wanted Jesus to take a side. Jesus, rather, took the conversation to the heart of the matter. Who is Lord? Who does EVERYTHING belong to? Today's message is given through Pastor Gina Nicola

Jesus doesn’t gain authority, rather He reveals His Authority.  Jesus' authority is tied to his identity as Messiah, the anointed, the son of God (Mark 2). His authority is his essence, and He is demonstrating God's sovereign rule over all things. This has both spiritual (against darkness) and political (against the powers and kingdoms of this world) implications. Jesus doesn’t have to p...

When Jesus curses the fig tree he's not being petty, he's trying to warn people of the dangers of appearing fruitful without actually bearing the fruit of the kingdom. He teaches the same message when he clears the temple; warning people not to appear religious, while allowing corruption to keep others out of the kingdom. 

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the people cried out, "Hosanna" (God save us). Salvation had indeed come in the one riding that donkey, however, many of them had very different expectations for what salvation would look like. What expectations of Jesus are you carrying? How will you see Jesus? The promise of Jesus is still available today. He still saves and sanctifies! 

When Jesus' disciples start arguing over who will be the greatest and have the highest honor among them, Jesus answers in a way that surprises them. The world cares about power and lords their authority over one another...but among you, IT WILL BE DIFFERENT. We aren't going to operate like the kings and kingdoms of this world. The way of THE Kingdom is the Cross and sacrifice, not power...

When Jesus encounters a man who seemingly has everything, it leads to a great conversation about surrender. Sometimes we are called to surrender good things in order to embrace God's best things. There is a grief in letting go, but Jesus is inviting us to ask the question: What is more sustainable for my life...my resources or God's resources?