The Bertonians

In this episode, I teach and encourage you to bless people. A blessing is expressing, in faith, the good you desire God to accomplish in another person's life. Four parts of a blessing: Name Invocation (Invite God's action): "May the Lord..." Petition (Ask for God's gift): "...give you success..." Situation (Connect it to their life.): "...as you begin your new...

Presented by pastor Alex Portillo. This is a sermon about the symbolic meaning of water and the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Scripture: John 7:2 Substack: ⁠⁠sanberto.substack.com⁠⁠ Connect: ⁠⁠ ⁠sanberto.com/links

Presented by pastor Alex. This is a sermon about the theological significance of the Holy Spirit and waiting. Scripture: Acts 1:6–11 Substack: ⁠sanberto.substack.com⁠ Connect: ⁠⁠ sanberto.com/links

Presented by pastor Alex Portillo. A sermon about the theological significance of Christ's ascension. Scripture: Acts 1:6–11 Substack: sanberto.substack.com Connect: sanberto.com/links

Part six of an ongoing series titled The Spiritual Rhythms of Jesus . In the time of Jesus, every rabbi had a "yoke." Jesus does not offer freedom from a yoke, but an alternative one. In this message, Pastor Alex explores the urgency of taking on Jesus' yoke. Scripture: Matthew 11:28 Resources: Slides:⁠⁠ View Slides ⁠⁠ Essay:⁠⁠ Read the Accompanying Essay⁠⁠ Connect: ⁠www.sanberto.com...

Part five of an ongoing series titled The Spiritual Rhythms of Jesus . The disciples of John were confused as to why Jesus did not fast. Although Jesus does not model fasting for Christians, his response to them reveals that he expected his disciples to fast after his departure. In this message, Pastor Alex explores the purpose of fasting and practical steps to get started. This episode explores w...

Part three of an ongoing series titled The Spiritual Rhythms of Jesus . The disciples returned from ministry exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure of what came next. In a moment when the pressure only increased, Jesus gave them an unexpected invitation: to step away and rest. This episode explores why rest is part of the way of Jesus. Scripture: Mark 6:30–32 Resources: Slides: View Slides Essay: Read...

I got three things for you on this video: 1. a new merch drop, 2. a book update, and 3. an Easter reflection. This is a video you can watch on Spotify or YouTube. On all other platforms it will be just audio. Get the Hineni short here: https://www.bonfire.com/store/sanberto/ Here are some resources that can help you in creating devotional practice: Logos Bible Software- www.logos.sjv.io/sanberto G...

This is part three of an ongoing series titled The Spiritual Rhythms of Jesus. The disciples had prayed their whole lives, yet when they watched Jesus pray, they knew they still had something to learn. This episode explores why prayer is not something we outgrow, but something we keep learning. Scripture: Luke 11:1 Links : www. sanberto.com/links Slides : https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o006x1zt34t...

A short clip from the March 16, 2026 episode, Solitude: The Secret to a Healthy Spiritual Life . God sends us into the wilderness because there is nothing there for us to exploit. There, we must learn to be satisfied with God alone.

This is part two of an ongoing series titled The Spiritual Rhythms of Jesus. Most people avoid the wilderness because it is empty, quiet, and seemingly useless. Yet in Scripture, the wilderness appears again and again at the most decisive moments. Before Jesus public ministry began, the Spirit of God led him to the wilderness. Why would the Spirit lead someone there? In this episode, we explore Ma...

This is part one of an ongoing series titled The Spiritual Rhythms of Jesus. This episode studies Jesus' pattern in the Gospels of escaping to be with God. This episode seeks to answer the question: why do I feel unsatisfied, and what do I do about it? Scripture: Mark 1:35 Links : www. sanberto.com/links Slides : https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2cvhc2fyzqdmkprqf0ptx/Coming-to-God.pdf?rlkey=rdn90uky...

What's in a name? And what does it cost to leave behind everything you know for something better? In this teaching, we meet a man whose name told the world God had abandoned him. When Jesus passes by, the beggar faces a question that sounds simple but cuts to the heart of faith itself: "What do you want me to do for you?" Passages explored: Luke 18:35–43, Mark 10:46-52 Links : www. s...

Ancient maps warned travelers at the edges of the known world with a simple phrase: here be dragons. It was a way of naming fear, uncertainty, and everything no one could control. This New Year’s message invites you to stand at the edge of your own map and consider what lies beyond what feels safe. Drawing from Acts 20–28, this episode traces the final movements of Paul’s life and the unfinished e...

In this teaching, Pastor Alex explores the role of memory in the life of faith. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to remember—but just as often, it invites us to forget, to release, and to let go. Why does God care so much about what we hold onto in our minds and hearts? And how does memory shape the way we see the present moment? This episode reflects on how memory can either ground us in t...

Waiting is easy when it’s inconvenient. It’s much harder when it hurts. In this Advent reflection, Alex sits with one of Scripture’s most uncomfortable questions: How long? Drawing from the opening lament over Jerusalem, this episode explores the kind of waiting that doesn’t come with quick resolutions. The kind marked by silence, loss, and longing. Rather than rushing to hope, this conversation l...

In this conversation, Alex Portillo discusses the relationship between Christianity and religion, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Christianity as a religion rather than merely a relationship with God. He critiques the common phrase that Christianity is not a religion, arguing that it undermines the complexity of faith and the role of religion in shaping beliefs and practices. Portillo en...

In this Advent message, Alex Portillo explores the profound question of why Jesus became human, emphasizing the themes of fragility, vulnerability, and the necessity of suffering for mercy. Through personal anecdotes and reflections on the immigrant experience, he illustrates how Christ's incarnation connects deeply with human suffering and weakness, ultimately presenting Jesus as the perfect...

In this conversation, Alex Portillo responds to a video claiming AI is in the Book of Daniel and Revelation. He discusses the implications of knowledge increase in the end times, the misinterpretations surrounding AI, and the mark of the beast. He emphasizes the importance of understanding biblical texts to avoid deception. Here are some resources that can help you in creating a devotional practic...

Text: Luke 17:11–19 In this teaching, Alex Portillo explores the story of the ten lepers from Luke 17, emphasizing the themes of healing, faith, and gratitude. He discusses the significance of the lepers' cry for mercy, their obedience to Jesus' command, and the importance of returning to express gratitude. The conversation delves into the psychological phenomenon of forgetting and how gra...

We say we love God. We say we love others. But what if the real test isn’t in what we say at all? In this teaching from 1 John 4:20 , Alex explores a truth that can’t be faked—one that quietly exposes what’s real in our hearts. Links : www. sanberto.com/links Donate : www.buymeacoffee.com/sanberto Slides : https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/y165xern6dornpw68j83n/Before-God-and-Men.pdf?rlkey=iyht1pen7b...

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This message was delivered at a memorial service. In this homily, Alex Portillo explores the themes of faith, perspective, and healing through the story of the blind man in John 9. He emphasizes how Jesus' actions reveal a deeper understanding of suffering and redemption, encouraging listeners to see their struggles through the light of faith. C.S. Lewis's insights on faith as a means of u...

After the main interview ended, Alex Portillo and Kevin Grasso continued the conversation with some practical discussion about Bible translation. This bonus segment delves into how the phrase   “perfect love casts out fear”  is misunderstood. We also look at the story of Jacob's ladder in the Masoretic text, Septuagint, and Targum. It’s an unscripted, behind-the-scenes look at the kind of translat...

In this conversation, Alex Portillo and Dr. Kevin Grasso explore the complexities of Bible translations, the importance of understanding biblical languages, and the distinctions between translation and interpretation. They discuss the importance of idioms, the role of context, and how modern technology has made learning Hebrew and Greek more accessible. The dialogue emphasizes that while translati...