This I Believe

This I Believe Week 30: Jesus leads us out of spiritual slavery into a new life

November 10, 2024 • Aaron Contreras • Mark 14

In this episode, we learn more about passover and how Jesus is the fulfillment of passover as he leads us out of spiritual slavery into a new life.

This I Believe Week 29: Active partners not passive bystanders

November 3, 2024 • Mark 13

In this episode, we examine a conversation between Jesus and His closest followers as He advises them on what is coming and what will come. He invites them to be active partners with God and not passive bystanders. Many helpful things from that conversation can be applied to our lives today.

This I Believe Week 28: Loving God with all of ourselves

October 27, 2024

In this episode we look at how to love God with all of ourselves which helps us to then love others.

Jesus Challenged

October 20, 2024 • Mark 11:27–33, Mark 12:1–27

In this episode we look at how Jesus responds to different challenges from the highest levels of religious leaders as they continue to look for ways to get rid of Him. From these challenges we learn more things about Him and also get to process some warnings from His interactions with these leaders.

Presence Through Prayer

October 13, 2024

In this episode, we think about Jesus' invitation to be a people who experience the presence of God through prayer and carry that presence out to people that we come across in our families, neighborhoods, and workspaces. At the end of the episode is an invitation to incorporate times in your daily rhythm where you can connect to God's presence through prayer.

Receiving God as He is

October 6, 2024 • Aaron Contreras • Mark 10:13–45

In this teaching Pastor Aaron goes through a few stories in Mark chapter 10 helping people to see if there is something that they are wrapped up in that is keeping them from being the loving presence that God is calling them to be as they serve others. Life is Jesus is always other-oriented and Jesus empowers us to lay down the things that keep us from living into this.

This I Believe Week 24: Radical commitment to family and others

September 29, 2024 • Aaron Contreras • Mark 10:1–12

In this episode we look at how Jesus meets us where we are and empowers us to move to God's intention for our lives and our relationships. This fleshes out in a radical call to commit to serving our families and others.

This I Believe Week 23: Living under the authority of Jesus

September 22, 2024 • Aaron Contreras

In this episode, we catch you up in the conversation by recapping our journey through the gospel of Mark looking at who Jesus was, what Jesus was like, and why that matters for our lives. We ended with an invitation to center our lives intentionally around practicing the way of Jesus through a Rhythm of Life. You can find the worksheet link below. Rhythm of Life Worksheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d8qbvbrgh18lan5qkobhqbsxojbm4y9r/view?usp=sharing

This I Believe Week 22: Heaven and Hell

September 8, 2024 • Aaron Contreras • Mark 9:42–48

In this episode, we talk about heaven and hell and really focus on how Jesus wants us to be mindful of the practices that we allow into our lives as they will not only form us into who we are becoming but have the power to influence others toward the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of hell. Tim Mackie: Compelled: Speaking and Living the Gospel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwnfh_sowka&t=2445shttp://www.youtube.com/watch?t=2445s&v=qwnfh_sowka Preston Sprinkle-3 Christian Views of Hell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-dfzrslfp8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-dfzrslfp8

This I Believe Week 21: The path to greatness

September 1, 2024

In this episode, we explore the path of greatness defined by Jesus and not our culture. We are prompted to reflect on what we are focusing on, who Jesus might be calling us to serve and to include practices that will place incredible value on others.

This I Believe Week 20: Help me in my unbelief

In this episode, we dive into Mark 9 where we see how Jesus responds to someone who is willing to ask for help in the areas that it is a struggle for him to believe that Jesus can and will intervene. There are also some truths that we can apply to our lives as we learn to walk the way of Jesus together.

This I Believe Week 19: What do you see and believe?

August 18, 2024 • Aaron Contreras • Mark 8:22–38

In this episode we will see that in order to see and understand more of Jesus we will at time have to give up our way, pick up our cross, and continue to follow even when it conflicts with our will. We are praying for your journey with Jesus.

This I Believe Week 18: Don't Withhold Belief

August 11, 2024 • Mark 8:1–21

This I Believe Week 17: Keep pressing in!

August 4, 2024 • Mark 7:24–37

In this episode, we wrestle through what we do when we are offended by Jesus or when Jesus asks us to let go of previous ways of doing things. The challenge is to keep pressing in instead of pulling away. Following Jesus is a journey and it takes relationships where you feel safe enough to wrestle through all of your questions. 

This I Believe Week 16: Reflecting God's Heart

July 21, 2024 • Mark 7:1–20

In the sermon "Reflecting God's Heart" by Pastor Aaron, the importance of aligning our hearts with God's and living in a way that reflects His character is emphasized. Pastor Aaron uses examples to illustrate how misplaced devotion and judgmental attitudes can hinder our relationship with God and others. Through the encounter between Jesus and religious leaders, he teaches that true devotion comes from the heart, not outward appearances or traditions. The sermon challenges listeners to examine their hearts, love others despite differences, and seek transformation in order to truly reflect God's heart.