Vista Community Church

Having abundant life comes from living in relationship with God and making that relationship evident as we become more like Jesus. We are called to step out of our comfort zones and into life with him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Using the biblical concept of the tithe as a starting point, we explore what Scripture says about giving, and why modern people have a hard time giving to the Church. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter's message to these persecuted believers is the same message that all of scripture speaks to all believers: the key to living well in the waiting is humility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1 Peter 4:9-19, we discuss hospitality, spiritual gifts, and suffering. What are spiritual gifts for? How can we live lives filled with suffering but also with happiness and hospitality? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A life well and faithfully lived is about having proper expectations. 1 Peter 4:1-8 challenges us to live with the expectation of suffering; there is something about faithfulness to Christ that creates additional suffering in our lives that helps us become more like Him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In chapter 3, Peter gives some instruction to married couples, then turns his attention to the whole church to remind us of qualities we should possess in the midst of a hostile culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1 Peter 2:11-25, we're challenged to walk the way of goodness in a fallen world, for the sake of the world. This means suffering injustice with humility, gentleness, and respect, which is hard. So why would we do it? Because Jesus did it for us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter is a pastor who wants Christians to grow up into spiritual maturity. That is the hope of all pastors for their church. The question is, what does it take to grow into spiritual maturity? What does spiritual maturity even look like? Peter is going to give the church some specific things to focus on in order to "grow up into salvation." These things are just as importa...

As we discuss 1 Peter 1:13-25, we see that all of the demanding actions we're implored to take are predicated upon the action God has already taken in Christ. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All Christians live with a bit of a dual identity. First, we are children of God. Secondly, we are strangers in the world. Because of these identities, scripture is clear that we will face trials... it's a part of our life in this broken world. In this letter to the church, Peter writes to Christians who are going through various trials based on that duel identity. He writ...

First Peter is a letter written to scattered Christians, who found themselves socially excluded, out of control, and struggling to live faithfully in an unfaithful world. In many ways we're in a similar place, and are invited to see our scattering as a divine sending and not a demonic disaster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does a healthy biblical sexual ethic look like? We end the series exploring how not being our own helps us better navigate the confusing terrain that is modern sexuality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The current culture tells us to live one way, but God's word clearly tells us something different. For those who have surrendered their life to Christ, God gives us direction on how we should live. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rather than being denied, our humanity is fully affirmed when we accept that we are not our own. Christ-like self-denial is the ultimate form of self-care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As followers of Jesus, we should be less concerned with what culture says about family, and more about what God says. So, what does God say about marriage and family? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scripture nudges us toward understanding that true freedom is not writing your own story but joyfully accepting your role in God's story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this beautiful Psalm we see David mention many of God's truths, which are both convicting and comforting. It really is an astonishing truth that God is both infinite and intimate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Psalm 8 reflects that the God of creation chooses to reveal His glory through humanity, caring for them and crowning them "with glory and honor." What is the purpose of humanity? To rule and reign with God and to bless the world in His name. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible and is all about learning to love scripture. So, how do we become like the psalmist and learn to love the word of God? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Psalm 51 is one of the most clear and concise picture of repentance – mirroring the repentance in King David's life. This is something we all should learn how to do often, because we're all sinners and repentance is our way back to God. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Psalm 24 sets practical implications for us; as the psalmist prepares for the Ark of the Covenant, we can prepare our lives for Christ to return. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If we're honest, we've all had seasons where we feel unheard by God and suffer alone. David felt the same way while writing Psalm 22—reminding us that God is not silent in our suffering but that He's already spoken. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If the Lord is my shepherd, that makes us the sheep. Why exactly do sheep need a shepherd? The Good Shepherd invites us in to relationship and a different rhythm of life with Him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why be good if being good isn't good for you? Why be faithful to God when God isn't faithful in return? Psalm 73 asks these questions and reminds us that God's faithfulness does not always come in the form of worldly prosperity but divine nearness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.