This weekend we opened our new series called Closer by looking at one of the biggest barriers that keeps us from feeling close to God. All of us want a real relationship with him, yet Jesus teaches that unforgiveness can quietly block our hearts in ways we may not realize. Through the story of the unforgiving servant, we were reminded that God has already forgiven a debt we could never repay, and that releasing others is part of the freedom he wants for us. Forgiveness is not pretending the hurt never happened. It is choosing to let go, trusting God with the pain, and stepping into the kind of life where nothing stands between us and him. As we move into this Christmas season, we’re invited to receive God’s forgiveness in a fresh way and extend it to others so that we can grow closer to his heart.
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44:25
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44:25
Dream Now Celebration Weekend
This weekend was a powerful reminder that God calls us to dream big, to dream his dreams, and to step out in bold faith. As a church, we celebrated all that God has already done through Dream Now, from lives changed to ministries growing and new campuses taking shape. And we believe he’s only getting started. Together, we’re stepping into what’s next by faithfully responding to his call, trusting that as we give, serve, and pray from now through the end of the year, God will continue to do more than we could ever imagine. Learn more or get involved at saddleback.com/dreamnow
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48:21
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48:21
How Do I Know I’m Following God’s Will?
Have you ever wondered if God really has a plan for your life, and how to figure out what it is? This weekend, Pastor Kurt Johnston reminded us that God absolutely has a unique purpose and plan for each of us. God’s will begins with relationship. His will for everyone is that we would know Him, respond to His love, and enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. But beyond that, He also has a specific plan for each of our lives. So how do we discover it? Pastor Kurt taught that understanding God’s will is not about unlocking a secret. It is about growing closer to Him. The more time we spend in prayer, reading Scripture, and walking daily with God, the more clearly we begin to hear His voice and recognize His direction. God’s will is not always revealed all at once. It is something we discover step by step as we follow Him. When we seek God daily, He gives us peace, clarity, and wisdom for each decision along the way.
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36:53
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36:53
Responding to a Divided World
As Christians, how do we respond to a world full of division and conflict? How can we stay rooted in our faith while living in a constantly changing culture? In the second week of our series Hey God!, Pastor Andy Wood reminded us that if we want to know how to live, we must first know who, or what, we follow. Whether we realize it or not, we’re all being shaped by something. We can choose to follow Jesus and build our lives on the firm foundation of God’s Word, or let the world shape us instead. Who we become starts with what we follow. Pastor Andy challenged us to ask two key questions: Who am I following? and Who am I aiming to please? We can’t live to please both people and God. Living for God’s approval brings peace, purpose, and strength to stand firm in truth. Jesus modeled both grace and truth—loving people deeply while never compromising what was right. To follow him means being willing to stand apart from the world and reflect his love, truth, and compassion in all we do.
Österreich