A Closer Look

Ep 21 | Habakkuk's Lament and Christ's Triumph Over Temptation

Welcome to 'A Closer Look' series from Valley Center Community Church, hosted by Jason Smith and David Wojnicki.
In this episode, our hosts are joined by special guest, Paul Behnemen, to delve into the intriguingly personal conversation between the prophet Habakkuk and God, set amidst warning of an impending Babylonian invasion and revolving around a profound process of lament.
Also, we look at Jesus' wilderness temptations as chronicled in the Gospel of Luke, underscoring the value of distraught thoughts as subjects of neither sin nor temptation. Thought-provoking questions arise: Where is the line crossed from thought to sin? How do we navigate temptations? and what are the implications of Christ's external temptations for our personal internal struggles?
 

Ep 20 | Genealogies, Christ the King, and Eternal Hope

Welcome to another insightful episode of our podcast, 'A Closer Look.' This episode features an engaging conversation between Pastor Jason and David Wojnicki. They dive into examining the genealogy of Jesus, as seen in Luke and Matthew. They examine the differences between Luke and Matthew's genealogies and explore the implications of these differences for the legitimacy of Jesus' lineage. They further underline the importance of these genealogies in asserting Jesus' rightful claim to the Davidic kingship.
The conversation then delves into the application of these insights in our daily lives. It underscores the reminder that believers have been made righteous through Christ and that their hope is not a mere wish but a confident assurance rooted in the promises of the Bible.

Ep 19 | Our Righteousness and Identity in Christ

In this episode of "A Closer Look Podcast," Pastor David and Jason thoughtfully delve into the themes and messages from the previous Sunday's sermon. The conversation revolves around the biblical narrative from the book of Luke, focusing specifically on an essential topic - the understanding of righteousness within a believer's life.
The episode digs into a common struggle among Christians - their identity in Christ with respect to the perception of righteousness. The conversation encourages a reexamination of this identity, emphasizing every believer's standing as righteous today and the empowered positioning as saints.
Also discussed in the balance of fearing the Lord while maintaining a personal relationship with Him; did the Holy Spirit really descend as a dove, and why Jesus prayed to the Father is he is God.

Ep 18 - Reflecting Christ's Generosity & Sacrifice in Our Giving

Join Pastors David and Jason in our latest podcast episode, discussing the biblical truths on the transformative concept of giving as part of the 'Gather, Grow, Give, and Go' series. 
This episode delves into how giving goes beyond just the materialistic exchange of money. Time, skills, duties, and the abounding richness of life itself come under the umbrella of giving. Understand the incredible truth that all our blessings and resources originate from God, cementing our role as caretakers of His divine gifts. Discover how recognizing God's omnipresent providence alleviates fears associated with financial matters and enriches the joy derived from giving.
We also talk about the grace-motivated act of giving, an act which is not about the size of the gift, but the heart behind it. As we think on the true essence of Christ's sacrifice, we hope to inspire a generous giving culture in you and beyond, reflecting Him in each act of generosity.

Ep 17 | As We Grow

Ep 16 | Is it Wrong to Pray the Sinner's Prayer?

Ep 15 | As We Gather...

Ep 14 | How Do We Practically Glorify God in our Everyday Lives?

Ep 13 | John the Baptist, Disciples, and Baptizing with Spirit and Fire

In this episode, Pastors David and Jason take a look at what more we can learn about John the Baptists from the other Gospels. Also, they look at what John said about being unworthy to untie Jesus' sandals and what being a disciple meant during that time period. Finally, the discuss what does it mean when John says Jesus will baptize with the Spirit and Fire.

Ep 12 | A New Name, Jesus as the Son, and Ongoing Repentance

In this episode, we take a closer look at renaming the podcast, why Jesus is called "the Son of God," and how repentance is an ongoing part of a believer's life.