Westside Gathering - Audio

Is it possible to use Christian words and Christian practices and yet still be building on sand? Nathan Whatley speaks on Jesus' invitation to make our home in the love of Jesus. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240121_NathanW.pdf

Jesus' 2-part recipe for building a foundation for your life is more than in his words, but also in his ways. Are you missing out on the foundation Jesus invites you to? (Matthew 7:24-29) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240114_DavidM.pdf

What grounds you as you anticipate decisions, opportunities, surprises or storms? Jesus ends his most famous sermon on the mount with an invitation to build your life on foundation available to everyone... who is listening. (Matthew 7:24-29) Join us for this new series, FOUNDATION. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240107_DavidM....

Light in Darkness (Christmas 2023) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20231223_DavidM.pdf

If Advent is about waiting for God to finally bring about new creation and the fulfillment of his good news, what do we do while we wait? Isaiah 61:1-9 Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20231217_DavidM.pdf

God commissions comfort for for you and from you. We're reminded of how God would bring this about in us and for the world. (Isaiah 40:1-11) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20231210_DavidM.pdf

What does it feel like to anticipate something we long for? We start ADVENT considering who God is, who we are, what we long for, and how we can practice a kind of waiting that helps us experience and know God deeply this season. (Isaiah 64:1-9) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20231203_NathanW.pdf

From the prophets in the Old Testament through the gospels and into the letters of the New Testament, there’s a declaration that God became king in Jesus, the king Israel longed for and the world needs. We pause for this theme before we start advent next week so we can be reminded of who leads and shapes our journey towards Christmas, and ultimately our lives. (Jeremiah 23:1-6, Luke 1:68-69, Colos...

Our guest, Kenzo, will bring us back to Abraham, a key figure in scripture, and one that reflects a decision and life of faith. (Gen. 11-12) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20231119_KenzoM.pdf

Listen to stories about our church's history and future from our members Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20231112_DavidM.pdf

Is there practices people would describe in your life as normal, common, frequent? What does it look like for fasting to become more normal? We explore a moment in the early church that points to fasting as periodic, regular, and interconnected to other spiritual practices - with outmodes too! (Acts 13:1-3) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podca...

In our hunger for justice, the spiritual practice of fasting helps us stand in solidarity with the suffering of the world, experience a small part of one's suffering, and intercede more specifically alongside those who do. Listen in as we explore a strong but beautiful challenge through Isaiah 58 Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg2...

Fasting has a way of catalyzing transformation in our lives when done in simple surrender to God's work in our lives. We continue learning about this spiritual practice and how it bears fruit in holiness (1 Cor. 6:12-20, 1 These. 5:23, Ps.139:23-24) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20231022_DavidM.pdf

Are you hungry for more of God? We explore why fasting is a helpful spiritual fasting to nurture devotion and deeper relationship with God. (Matthew 6:1-2, 16-18; 9:14-15) (part of our annual teaching on spiritual practices) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20231015_DavidM.pdf

As amazing as good news can be, unless someone receives it, it makes little impact. Jesus sends YOU as part of God's mission in the world, to alert people around us to his good news. (Romans 10:9-15, John 17:15-18, 20:19-22) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20231008_DavidM.pdf

Does you ever feel like a stranger or exile in our secular world? Do we need platforms or power to share good news? An early church leader called them to remember who they were in their own culture so they could then live a life before God, regardless if anyone was watching, and before others, that reflected his kingdom. (1 Peter 2:4-17) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe...

How do we share the good news of God's kngdom when it sounds strange to people in our secular culture. Paul's visit to Athens taught him how to share the gospel in cultures that were unlike his jewish or roman roots. Join us as we learn what this means for us today. (Acts 17:16-34) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20230924_DavidM....

Is it still possible to share the good news of God's kingdom in our secular world? We start a new series listening to the first time 'good news' is highlighted by the gospels and by Jesus himself - as way to consider how we might share it today. (Mark 1:1-20) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20230917_DavidM.pdf

As we press start on a new season we're considering how the early church embraced God's work in and around them by engaging not only in communal practices but ministry. Consider your next step in engaging in ministry as you listen. (Acts 2, 1 Cor. 12) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20230910_DavidM.pdf

We're all searching for courage but often find it from different sources. This famous Bible story points us to a courage that shows the world a new way to live. (1 Samuel 17) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20230827_DavidM.pdf

In the story of Cain and Abel we see a new character introduced, named sin, and discover the devastating implications of its control. Nevertheless, we also see the character of God, ceaselessly pursuing Cain in order protect him and save him from this enemy Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20230820_KersaintSJ.pdf

While exploring this exciting story of God using Deborah to jump into their crisis, we learn what being faithfully present to God and dependent on his presence. (Judges 4-5) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20230813_DavidM.pdf

How does God guide us through fear and doubt? In the OT story of Gideon, we discover a God who delivers despite our doubts and weaknesses Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20230806_NathanW.pdf

The story of King David’s kindness to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9 contains an important challenge about kindness for Christians today. Without a careful reading of the story, however, the meaning of the kindness David demonstrated to Mephibosheth might be lost. Moreover, we might miss an important lesson about humility drawn from Mephibosheth’s response. This message is an attempt to better underst...

As we explore King Jehoshaphat, we will explore what reliance in God means. Does it only happen when we are in times of need? Let's fill in the blank "God is glorified when..." As we go through 2 Chronicles 20:1-29. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20230716_KellyO.pdf