Rockharbor Costa Mesa Podcast

Glenn's message emphasizes the crucial distinction between being (fruitfulness) and doing (productivity). As we begin the New Year, Glenn reminds us that intentionally cultivating fruitfulness is our original call as image-bearers, bringing both glory to God and life to a world in need.

Glenn teaches us about The Christmas story revealing God's unwavering pursuit of humanity, culminating in the arrival of Jesus—God with us. It shows us how God’s divine advent offers us renewal, comfort for our fears, courage for the journey of faith, and confidence for a future rooted in the hope of Jesus. In the Christmas story, we’re reminded of our invitation to a profound new beginning with a God who’s never stopped pursuing us.

In the final week of our "Advent" series, Glenn draws inspiration from Anna's story, emphasizing that joy is both a product of patient waiting and a catalyst for exuberant praise. Anna's infectious joy invites us to anticipate the imminent restoration of all things and actively practice worship beyond the church walls, sharing in the abundant love of a God committed to restoring all of His creation.

Glenn teaches on the life of King Herod and his rise to power, contrasting Herod's reign as King of the Jews with Jesus' reign as Messiah and true King. What we find is that Jesus and Herod are opposites. Herod Claws his way to power while Jesus empties Himself of power. Herod kills to protect his power while Jesus dies to save the powerless. Herod's kingship results in weeping and Jesus' reign ends in worship. Glenn reminds us that Herod could have been the fourth King to come and celebrate the birth of the Messiah, but instead he choose to cling to his own power. Herod's story reminds us that we have to choose what King to serve, where Herod leads to weeping and grieving, Jesus leads to life and worship.

Guest teacher, Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, kicked off our Advent series with a message on Mary's life reminding us that Mary's called blessed and highly favored by God. Amy invites us to remember that Mary's anointing fulfilled prophecy, worked in the midst of reality, empowered her witness, and confronted her oppressors. In the midst of Advent, Amy invites us to examine Mary's response to God and craft our own song of worship as we dwell on the birth of Jesus and await His second coming.

On Sunday Night, Ben Simonson helped us zero in on the significance of Mary's song (Luke 1:46-55 - CEB) and from it, highlighted her courage in belief of who God called her to be and her willingness to live in the tension of wrestling with God while remaining obedient to Him. What we're reminded in Mary's song is that as God intervenes in our lives, hope emerges.

What does it look like when God sets a table before us in the presence of our enemies? Kit teaches us about how to "sit well" at the Tables God sets before us, drawing from the story of King Jehosaphat in 2 Corinthians 20. What we find is that we're meant to be people who watch, wait, and worship the Lord when God sets tables before us.

Brooke Hoehne teaches us about the hope rooted in Jesus' resurrection by pointing us to the stories of a grief-stricken Mary Magdalene, a bitterly-doubtful Thomas, and a shame-filled Peter in the gospel of John. What we find is that Jesus comes to meet us in our feebleness with his unwavering love and plants in us a hope that transcends the depths of our brokenness.

In the final message of our "Encounters" series, Glenn teaches on Mary Magdalene, Peter, and Thomas's encounter with The Resurrected Jesus in the aftermath of His crucifixion. John's gospel recounts Mary, Thomas, and Peter being wrought in deep despair, but also reveals a more powerful message, that Jesus comes to meet us in our depths.

Glenn teaches on John 13 and Jesus' interaction with His disciples at the Last Supper. In the face of His impending crucifiction, we find Jesus taking a radical posture of servitude bending down to wash the feet of His disciples. By this radical act of humility, we see the meaning of the cross: Jesus has come to wash even the worst of us, the places of our deepest shame. What's more, changed by this love, we have been sent into the world to display the love of God in ways that are personal, tangible, and visible.