VCLA Podcast

Ever feel like you have to fight back, lash out, or prove your worth? In a world that glorifies anger and demands justice at every turn, what does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? Pastor Josh dives deep into the biblical concept of meekness and gentleness, revealing that it's not about being weak, but about having power under control. This sermon challenges the modern American definition of meek...

Join us on this episode of "From the Vine" with James Warwick, a Chicago native who shares his incredible journey to faith. We talk about everything from the best French fry shapes and overrated fast food joints to growing up after his parents' divorce and finding his way to Vineyard Church. James opens up about his personal struggles and the powerful transformation he experienced through Jesus, c...

In this powerful sermon on self-control, Brianne dives deep into the meaning of this often-misunderstood fruit of the Spirit. She challenges the common misconception that self-control is about gripping the steering wheel of our lives tighter. Instead, she reveals the biblical truth that true self-control is about surrendering our lives—body, mind, and soul—to the one who is already in perfect cont...

Get ready for a powerful testimony! Join us as we sit down with Tommy, a prayer minister and counselor from our community. He takes us back to his wild days growing up in Venice Beach, hanging out with the beatniks and living in the midst of the '60s counterculture. But a life of heavy drug use and emotional pain led him on a desperate search for meaning. In this episode, Tommy shares the incredib...

Do you ever feel like faithfulness is a one-way street? What if the Bible reveals a two-way street that changes everything? In this sermon, Pastor Josh dives deep into Galatians 5 to uncover the true meaning of faithfulness as a fruit of the spirit. He breaks down what it means to be faithful to God and how that directly impacts our faithfulness to others. This message will challenge you to build...

In this episode, we sit down with Loida Blackley, a mother, wife, and member of our church community, to hear her incredible story. She shares her opinions on Mexican food, the unique flavors of her Guatemalan heritage, and a powerful testimony of how Jesus transformed her life. After years of struggling with depression and PTSD from her time as an active-duty soldier, Loida found healing and free...

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and out of control? In a world filled with chaos, conflict, and constant demands, finding true peace can feel impossible. In this powerful sermon, Pastor Josh dives deep into the often-misunderstood fruit of the Spirit: peace. Drawing from powerful biblical stories and practical examples, we'll discover that peace isn't just the absence of conflict—it...

Join us for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation with Matt, a software engineer at Google, as he shares his journey from his early life to a brand new dad! Matt opens up about the joys of raising his eight-month-old daughter, Grace, and the bittersweet transition back to work. We dive into his unique career path at Google, his faith journey from a teenager seeking stability to finding a lifelong...

What does it truly mean to live a life of authentic faith in a chaotic world? In this powerful and practical sermon, guest preacher, Aaron Keyes, dives deep into Galatians 5, exploring the difference between the counterfeit fruits of the flesh and the real fruit of the Spirit. Using powerful metaphors he unpacks the critical difference between mere "niceness" and genuine kindness, and the danger o...

Join us for Episode 3 of From the Vine, where we dive deep with Jonathan Schinker. Get ready for a hilariously wild ride from bizarre ice cream flavors to intense hypothetical fistfights with your past self. But don't let the laughs fool you – Jonathan also shares a powerful, raw testimony of finding faith and healing after a challenging past. Discover how a church community can be a place of true...

Feeling lost or tired on your faith journey? This sermon on patience is for you. Pastor Sean dives deep into what true Biblical patience looks like, revealing it's not inaction, but a dynamic, spirit-filled process that transforms relationships, shapes perspective, and draws you closer to God's purpose.

Join us for Episode 2 of From The Vine as Jacob chats with the incredible Malicka Taffa! From navigating Seoul with Google Translate to debating the great "cereal as soup" question (spoiler: she heats hers up!), Malicka shares hilarious insights into her life. But it's not all fun and games – she also opens up about her powerful journey to faith, her experience serving at Vineyard Church, and her...

Is true joy possible in a broken world? In this powerful and insightful sermon, Pastor Josh dives deep into the fruit of the Spirit, contrasting fleeting happiness with the unshakeable joy that comes only from God's presence. Discover why biblical joy isn't a feeling you can manufacture, but an evidence of God's supernatural work in your life, even amidst life's toughest trials. Many of us chase "...

Join us for the launch of From the Vine, our brand new podcast exploring the incredible stories within our church community! In this hilarious and heartwarming premiere episode, we sit down with the amazing Shannon Moses. Get ready for some wild hypothetical questions, a deep dive into Shannon's lifelong journey of faith, from her Baptist roots to her pivotal encounter with the Vineyard movement a...

Pastor Josh delves into the biblical meaning of Agape love, moving beyond cultural definitions to reveal its profound power. Discover how God's radical generosity empowers us to live a life overflowing with genuine love. This sermon outlines three core expressions of transformative love: radical generosity, unconditional acceptance, and courageous confrontation. Learn practical ways to cultivate t...

This week, Pastor Ed Stetzer brings a powerful message from John 20 that speaks directly into our cultural moment. In a world marked by fear, division, and uncertainty, this sermon masterfully connects the ancient story of Jesus appearing to His disciples with the realities we face today. Pastor Ed challenges us to rise above fear with faith, to embody the peace of Christ in the midst of chaos, to...

Have you ever found yourself chasing desires that ultimately leave you feeling empty? In this powerful sermon, Pastor Josh dives deep into the raw confession of Psalm 51 to reveal the surprising truth about where our love can lead us – and why it matters more than you think. Using the infamous story of King David and Bathsheba, we uncover the critical difference between self-love that leads to des...

This isn't just a comforting passage for tough times; it's a powerful, anthemic declaration of who God truly is and how He actively works in your life. Join Pastor Josh as he unpacks David's profound insights, revealing that God's provision, presence, and protection often defy our expectations and conventional wisdom.

Feeling like God has abandoned you? This sermon dives deep into Psalm 13, offering raw, honest language for those moments when life is hard and God feels far away. Discover how to pray with vulnerability, wrestle with your doubts, and ultimately find unwavering trust in God's unfailing love, even when your circumstances haven't changed. This sermon is for anyone who has ever asked, "Where are you,...

Are you tired of trying to live life on empty? Jesus never called us to follow Him without the power that comes from Him. This Pentecost Sunday, Pastor Joel shares how the Holy Spirit still moves today — and how His presence and power can fill your life in real, transformative ways. Whether you’ve followed Jesus for years, are feeling stuck, or are simply spiritually curious — this message is for...

Get ready for our last episode of "Between Sundays" (thank goodness!). We're done with rambling announcements and diving into real, engaging content. This week, we're putting you on to the best tortillas in LA, giving you an exclusive look at our HUGE new church playground (think McDonald's on steroids!), and exploring the supernatural power of Pentecost. Discover why a German bakery serves amazin...

Ever wondered if heaven is just a distant, unappealing cloud? Pastor Josh dives deep into biblical truths often misunderstood, revealing that heaven isn't just a remote escape, but a restored home and invading kingdom actively at work in our world today. Discover how your daily life—your work, your relationships, your health—is a vital part of God's unfolding plan. Learn why living with a "heaven...

Dive deep into the challenging, yet essential, topic of hell as Pastor Josh unpacks "Four Uncomfortable Truths of Hell" from a Christocentric perspective. In this sermon, you'll hear what Jesus explicitly taught about the afterlife, moving beyond popular misconceptions and exploring the profound implications for our lives today. This isn't about fear-mongering, but about understanding God's heart...

Ever wondered about the perfect Chipotle order and how it connects to the mysteries of the afterlife? Join Joel and Josh for a hilarious and thought-provoking discussion as they dive into their favorite fast-casual indulgences, meticulously crafting their ideal bowls. But it's not all food-focused! They also share powerful and moving stories of baptism, reflecting on their significance and the emo...

Pastor Josh dives deep into what the Bible truly teaches about wealth, poverty, and the concept of "daily bread" (Proverbs 30:7-9). Uncover eye-opening statistics on Christian giving and the staggering potential for global impact if we align our finances with God's intentions. This message will challenge your views on generosity and provide practical steps you can take today to invite Jesus into y...