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1. Knowing Where to Walk 2. Knowing Where to Plant 3. Knowing What’s Ahead Today's sermon explored the universal human pursuit of happiness and what God's Word reveals about where true happiness is actually found. Drawing from Psalm 1, we examined how the world searches for happiness in relationships, wealth, status, and circumstances, only to come up empty. God's Word makes clear that lasting happiness, described in the original language as a deep and multiplied blessing, is not found in our surroundings but in our relationship with God and our daily walk with His Word. The sermon challenged us to examine where we are walking, where we are planted, and what lies ahead for those who follow God's path versus those who reject it. Takeaways: - Knowing where to Walk: The happy, blessed life begins with avoiding the influence of the wicked, the path of sinners, and the company of those who mock God. As believers, we are called to be transformed rather than conformed, pursuing integrity and Christlikeness in a world that often pulls us in the opposite direction. - Knowing where to Plant: Like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, the believer who meditates on God's Word day and night and puts it into practice will bear fruit, find strength in seasons of hardship, and experience a joy that is not dependent on circumstances. Our contentment is rooted not in what we have or do not have, but in our high calling as children of God. - Knowing what is Ahead: Psalm 1 ends with a sobering contrast. The righteous are known by God and sustained by Him, while those who reject His plan face judgment. This reminder calls us to share the hope we have with others and to live with eternity in view, grateful that God has made a way for every one of us to be the happy, happy man or woman He describes. Be encouraged to open Psalm 1 again this week and read it slowly. Let it serve as a personal checklist for your walk with the Lord. Ask yourself where you are walking, who you are spending your time with, and how consistently you are feeding on God's Word. The road map to happiness is right there on the page, and it has been there for thousands of years.

1. A Blessed Nation 2. He Sees Us All 3. Fearing the Lord Today's sermon explored Psalm 33 in light of America's founding and our current cultural moment. While America has never been a "Christian nation" in the strictest sense, our country was undeniably founded on Biblical principles by leaders who acknowledged God's providence and authority. From "In God We Trust" on our currency to the Declaration of Independence's recognition that we are "endowed by our Creator," God's influence on our foundation is undeniable. However, as we've drifted from these moorings—embracing moral relativism, political corruption, and rejecting God's standards—we face the same fate as empires before us. The sermon challenged us to remember that "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 33:12) and that our only hope, both individually and collectively, is found in fearing the Lord and trusting in Jesus Christ. Takeaways: - God sees everything and knows our hearts completely. We cannot hide our thoughts, motives, or actions from Him. He has given us both a conscience and His Word to guide us toward righteousness, and we will all stand before Him to give account. - Fearing the Lord is the foundation of blessing. True fear of God means both reverence and a healthy dread of standing before Him in our sin. When we genuinely fear God, we don't need to fear anything else because we are secure in His love and forgiveness through Christ. America's hope—and ours—rests solely in Jesus Christ. No nation can survive when it rejects God's truth and embraces sin. Our only path forward, individually and as a country, is repentance and returning to the Lord who offers forgiveness as a free gift through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. As we reflect on our nation's history and future, let us commit to being people who honor God in every area of our lives, who fear Him appropriately, and who share the hope of the Gospel with those around us.

Watch and listen as Pastor Steve Wilburn gives a special message to encourage the body of Christ to hear and answer the call that God has placed on each our lives: to share the Gospel message! Be encouraged as we prepare for the upcoming Harvest Crusade at Anaheim Stadium on Saturday, July 11, at 7pm.

1. A Listening Ear 2. A Broken Heart 3. A Giving Spirit Today's sermon explored the life of Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, through three encounters with Jesus found in Luke 10 and John 11-12. Her story reveals what it means to truly serve God—not through frantic activity, but through worship, surrender, and costly devotion. Mary teaches us that the best place to be is always at Jesus' feet, whether we're learning from Him, grieving with Him, or offering Him our most precious gifts. Her example challenges us to examine where we're placing our priorities and what we're willing to sacrifice for the One who gave everything for us. Takeaways: - A Listening Ear: Like Mary, we need to choose the "good part" by sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to His Word, even when life's demands pull us in every direction. Martha was distracted and overwhelmed, but Mary chose presence over productivity. God promises us peace when we remain steadfast in Him (Isaiah 26:3). - A Broken Heart: Jesus doesn't delay because He doesn't care—He delays because He has a greater plan. When Lazarus died, Mary fell at Jesus' feet in her grief, and Jesus wept with her. God's love for us is "Agape"—unconditional and unwavering, even when we don't understand His timing or His ways. - A Giving Spirit: Mary's costly gift of perfume worth a year's wages demonstrated true worship. She gave what was most precious to her because she understood who Jesus was and what He came to do. That which truly counts is always that which costs us something. As we move forward this week, let's ask ourselves: Are we sitting at Jesus' feet regularly? Are we trusting His plan even in our pain? And what are we willing to give Him that actually costs us something? To all the mothers reading this—thank you for your unwavering service, your sacrificial love, and your willingness to never give up. You reflect the heart of Christ in powerful ways.

1. Sitting and Waiting 2. Asking for a Drink 3. Seeing a Change Today's sermon explored how Jesus intentionally planned a meeting with a broken, rejected woman whom society had cast aside. Despite being weary from His journey, Jesus waited at Jacob's well at noon to meet someone who desperately needed His love and grace. This passage reminds us that no one is beyond God's reach, no heart is too broken for Him to mend, and no past is too damaged for Him to redeem. Jesus offers us "living water"—eternal satisfaction that the world cannot provide—and He seeks us out even when we feel unworthy of His attention. Takeaways: - God orchestrates divine appointments in our lives. Just as Jesus "had to pass through Samaria," He intentionally pursues each of us, regardless of our past failures or current circumstances. Your brokenness doesn't disqualify you from His love. - Only Jesus can satisfy the deepest thirst of our souls. We often look for fulfillment in relationships, possessions, success, or popularity, but these leave us empty. Jesus is the fountain of living water who offers lasting satisfaction when we surrender to Him in spirit and truth. - Genuine transformation leads to testimony. The Samaritan woman immediately left her water pot and shared her encounter with Jesus. When we truly meet Christ, we can't help but tell others: "Come and see!" Our changed lives become powerful witnesses to His grace. As you go through this week, let us be encouraged to reflect on our own "divine appointments." Where is Jesus meeting you? What areas of thirst in your life need His living water? And who in your circle needs to hear about the hope you've found in Christ? May you experience afresh the joy of knowing that the God of the universe knows everything about you and loves you completely.

1. Shaken With Fear 2. Nothing to Fear 3. Go With Purpose Today's sermon explored the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the greatest gift of all time, examining Matthew 28 and the events surrounding that first Easter morning. We discovered how God's plan of redemption, spoken from Genesis through the prophets, culminated in Jesus conquering sin and death. The empty tomb stands as the defining moment that separates Christianity from every other religion and fills our lives with purpose, hope, and freedom from fear. This gift has profound implications for our spiritual life—transforming us from fearful, purposeless people into forgiven disciples with a mission to share the Good News with a broken world. Takeaways: - The resurrection is historically verified and undeniable. Jesus was publicly executed, buried in a guarded tomb with a Roman seal, yet His body vanished and He appeared to over 500 witnesses. His disciples, who initially fled in fear, were so transformed by seeing Him alive that they died for their faith in Him. - We no longer need to fear death or hide from our past. Because Jesus rose from the dead, He crushed the power of sin and death. The empty tomb proves that forgiveness is available to all who repent and believe, filling the void in our souls that only our Creator can satisfy. - Every believer is called to "Go with Purpose." Jesus gave us the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. Our purpose is not just to pray, but to know God personally, worship Him, and serve as vessels of honor—sharing His truth with every person whose soul is empty. As we move forward from this Easter celebration, let us remember that we serve a living Savior. The tomb is empty. Death has lost its sting. And we have been given the incredible privilege of sharing this life-changing message with a world desperate for hope. May the reality of the resurrection fill your heart with great joy this week.

Good Friday service at Core Church Los Angeles. Watch and listen as Pastor Steve teaches through the word of God, as we remember the sacrifice of our Lord.

1. He Wept 2. He Was Passionate 3. He Gave a Warning Today's sermon explored the events of Palm Sunday through Luke 19, examining how Jesus fulfilled ancient prophecy by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. We witnessed three powerful aspects of Christ's character that day: His compassion as He wept over Jerusalem, His passion as He cleansed the temple, and His warning about the cost of rejecting Him. This memorable event calls us to examine our own response to Jesus—are we truly following Him wholeheartedly, or are we among those who praise Him one moment but turn away the next? The implications for our spiritual life are clear: Jesus went all in for us through His sacrifice, and He calls us to go all in for Him. Takeaways: - Jesus offers love, hope, and liberty in a broken world. Even when circumstances around us are unstable and discouraging, Christ remains our source of peace and restoration, inviting all who feel lost to come to Him for forgiveness and renewal. - We must recognize the time of our visitation. Jerusalem missed their moment when the Messiah came. Today, we must not be blind to God's work in our lives or reject His truth because it conflicts with cultural preferences or personal comfort. - Halfhearted commitment is not an option. Jesus said, "He who is not with Me is against Me." We cannot remain neutral or uncommitted—either we are gathering with Christ and following His Word fully, or we are working against His purpose. As we move toward Good Friday and Easter, let us not be fickle like the crowds who shouted "Hosanna" on Sunday and "Crucify Him" by Friday. Instead, may we respond to Christ's total commitment to us with our own wholehearted devotion to Him. Let's join together this Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM for our Good Friday service, where we will take an in-depth look at Jesus' death on the cross and share communion together.

1. When Life Is Hard 2. Prepare to Be Used 3. Be Ready to Move Today's sermon explored how the ancient struggles Joel faced with locust plagues mirror our modern battles with worldly distractions, personal sin, and spiritual warfare. Just as Joel called God's people to return wholeheartedly to the Lord, we are being called today to wake up, prepare ourselves to be used by God, and be ready to move in obedience. The message emphasized that we live in the most strategic time in history, positioned in a generation where multitudes stand in the valley of decision, and God desires to pour out His Spirit on all who will surrender to His purposes. Takeaways: - When Life is Hard, Remember Your Purpose: The gnawing, creeping, and stripping locusts represent the cares of this world, unchecked personal sin, and the enemy's attempts to destroy us. Yet God promises to restore the years the locusts have eaten when we fully return to Him with our whole hearts. - Prepare to be Used by Rending Your Heart: True preparation for God's work begins with tearing open our hearts before Him, retreating back to our starting point with fasting, weeping, and genuine repentance. We cannot bore the Christian life with our lack of desire to fully serve the Lord—He calls us to be holy men and women proclaiming salvation to a dying world. - Be Ready to Move in the Power of the Holy Spirit: God hasn't called us to serve in the power of our own weakness but promises that His power is made perfect in our weakness. Whether through Palm Sunday, Good Friday, or Easter Sunday outreach, now is the time to invest in eternal souls, pointing others to Jesus who alone can bring hope in the midst of chaos. As we approach this Easter season, let's ask ourselves: Will we pray? Will we be available to share the hope of Jesus with those around us? Our mission field is only 36 inches away. Let's not squander the greatest message of all humanity by keeping silent when multitudes stand in the valley of decision.

1. Change My Speech 2. Change My Wisdom 3. Change My Spirit Today's sermon explored how true change happens not through external makeovers, but through allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our speech, wisdom, and spirit. Using 1 Corinthians 2 as our foundation, we examined the Apostle Paul's radical transformation from a prideful Pharisee named Saul to a humble servant who called himself "the little one." Paul's example shows us that lasting change comes when we surrender our own superiority and embrace God's power working through our weakness. The message called us to examine whether we're willing to let God change us at our core as we move into this new year. Takeaways: - Change My Speech: Paul didn't come with superior words to impress people, but simply preached "Jesus Christ and Him crucified." This year, let's ask God to change how we speak—making our words point to Jesus rather than ourselves, and ensuring our faith rests on God's power, not human wisdom. - Change My Wisdom: The world's wisdom has led us away from God's truth. We must choose to embrace Biblical wisdom over cultural trends, social media influences, or popular opinions. God's Word is our unchanging source of truth in an ever-changing world. - Change My Spirit: As believers, we have received the Spirit of God who reveals spiritual truths we couldn't understand on our own. Let's ask God to awaken our spirits this year so we can truly know Him, hear His voice, and see what He wants us to see. This new year is an invitation to allow God to work deeply in our lives. Whatever happened last year is done—we cannot change it. But we can change what this year looks like by surrendering to the Holy Spirit's transforming work today.

1. The Believer's Delight 2. The Believer's Steps 3. The Believer's Heart Today's sermon explored the tension we all feel when we see the wicked prosper while we strive to live righteously. Through Psalm 37, written by David in his old age, we discovered that true satisfaction doesn't come from our hobbies, careers, or possessions, but from delighting ourselves in the Lord. When we find our joy in serving Him and put His will above our own desires, God promises to give us the desires of our hearts. This isn't about getting everything we want, but about our hearts becoming aligned with His will. The implications for our spiritual life are profound: as we mature in Christ and serve with pure hearts, our desires transform to match God's desires, and He faithfully provides for and sustains us through every season. Takeaways: - Do not fret over evildoers who seem to prosper. God sees everything, keeps perfect accounts, and will judge righteously in His timing. Our focus should be on trusting Him rather than becoming angry or envious of those who live wickedly. - Delight yourself in the Lord by finding your satisfaction in serving Him and others. When we commit our ways to Him and trust fully in His plans, He establishes our steps and promises to never let go of our hand, even when we stumble. - Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of the wicked. The Lord sustains, supports, and holds up those who follow Him. His inheritance for us is eternal, and He has never forsaken the righteous or left their children begging for bread. Let us all be encouraged to reflect this week on where we truly find our delight. Are we serving the Lord with joy, or are we consumed by what others have? Remember, God's Word in our hearts keeps our steps from slipping, and His faithfulness endures forever.

1. A Savior Was Born 2. A Message of Good News 3. A Treasured Moment May this message finds you blessed and filled with the joy of Christmas. Let us take a moment to reflect on the powerful truths we explored together on Christmas Eve. Today's sermon explored the true meaning of Christmas in a world that Charles Dickens aptly described as "the best of times and the worst of times." While we live in an age of technological advancement and convenience, we also face increasing challenges—crime, fraud, and a culture consumed by busyness. Yet Christmas remains the greatest holiday in human history, not because of lights, decorations, or gifts from stores, but because of one Person: Jesus Christ. We cannot have Christmas without Christ. He is the reason for the season, the source of true peace, hope, and joy. Through examining Luke 2, we discovered that 2,000 years ago, a Savior was born—not just a baby, but Immanuel, God with us—who came to deliver humanity from sin and separation from God. Takeaways: - A Savior Was Born for All People: Jesus wasn't just another baby born in Bethlehem. He was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy—the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace wrapped in human flesh. The infinite, eternal God entered our world through natural birth to look at us with human eyes, touch us with human hands, and fully understand our pain. - Good News of Great Joy: The angels proclaimed a message that still echoes today—there is hope for ruined humanity. We cannot save ourselves through good works or personal effort. Jesus came as the only Savior, the Deliverer who is God, offering forgiveness and freedom from everything that weighs us down. True peace comes not from what we buy or achieve, but from glorifying God and receiving His gift. - Treasure This Moment: Like Mary, who pondered and treasured these things in her heart, we must not lose sight of the real Christmas. The manger and the cross are inseparable—Jesus was born to die for us. His birth at Bethlehem points directly to His sacrifice at Golgotha. This Christmas, let us embrace God's greatest gift and make room in our busy lives for Jesus. As we celebrate this season, may we rediscover that Christmas truly means "a little bit more" than what comes from a store. The Creator became a baby in a stable so that thirty years later He could hang on a cross for you and me. That is the greatest gift ever given. Merry Christmas and may God's peace fill your heart!

1. A Promise Fulfilled 2. A Promise With No End 3. A Promise With Power Today's sermon explored God's faithfulness through the Christmas story, focusing on the promises surrounding Jesus' birth as recorded in Luke 1. We examined how God fulfilled His ancient promise of a Savior through Mary, a young virgin from Nazareth. The message reminded us that unlike human promises that are easily broken, God's Word is completely trustworthy. When God speaks a promise, it will surely come to pass. The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary wasn't just about one miraculous birth—it was the fulfillment of a promise dating back to Genesis 3, and it points forward to an eternal kingdom that will never end. Takeaways: - God keeps His promises: From the Garden of Eden to the manger in Bethlehem, God fulfilled His word to send a Savior. We can trust that His promises to us are equally certain. - Nothing is impossible with God: When Mary asked how the virgin birth could happen, the angel declared that nothing is impossible with God. Whatever overwhelming circumstances we face, God's power is sufficient. - Faith moves God's heart: Mary's response—"be it done to me according to Your word"—demonstrated the kind of faith that pleases God. We're called to believe God's promises even when we don't understand how they'll be fulfilled. This Christmas, may we allow God's promises to shine on our problems and remember that Jesus is the ultimate gift—the reason for true peace, hope, and joy.

1. Pointing at Others 2. Looking Within 3. Looking Ahead Today's sermon explored how America has largely become "the Grinch who stole Christmas" by reducing this sacred season to mere "happy holidays" or retail opportunities. While many struggle during this time—due to division, loss, broken relationships, or loneliness—the root cause of their emptiness is often the absence of Christ Himself. Through the prophet Isaiah's journey from pointing fingers at others to falling prostrate before God's holiness, we discovered that true Christmas joy comes only when we humble ourselves and recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah—Immanuel, God with us. Isaiah's prophecies, written 750 years before Christ's birth, remind us that this baby born in obscurity is actually the Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, and Prince of Peace who came to heal our fractured hearts and give us lasting peace. Takeaways: - Stop pointing, start looking within: Like Isaiah, we may be quick to judge the world's brokenness, but true transformation begins when we say "Woe is me" and acknowledge our own need for God's grace and forgiveness. - Jesus is the reason and the answer: No gift under a tree, no amount of spending, and no political solution can provide the sustained joy, lasting peace, and true meaning that only a relationship with Jesus Christ can offer. - Share the greatest gift: The best present anyone can receive this Christmas is the gift of salvation through Jesus—born in a manger, died on a cross, risen in victory—so that all who believe can have peace with God. As you navigate these final days before Christmas, I encourage you to extend kindness to those you encounter, remember that a little compassion goes a long way, and most importantly, share the hope of Christ with someone who needs to hear that God is with us. May you experience the true peace of Immanuel this season.

1. His Rebellion 2. His Affliction 3. His Mission Today's sermon explored the life of Jonah and the consequences of running from God's calling. Through Jonah's journey—from his rebellion and flight to Tarshish, through his affliction in the belly of the fish, to his eventual mission in Nineveh—we saw how sin always costs us more than we want to pay and takes us farther than we want to go. Yet we also witnessed God's incredible mercy, not only toward the wicked people of Nineveh, but also toward His rebellious servant. This message challenges us to examine our own lives: Are we sleeping while storms rage around us? Are we running from God's clear calling? And do we care more about our own comfort than the eternal destiny of lost souls? Takeaways: - God's call is clear and direct, but obedience is our choice. Just as God told Jonah to "Arise, go to Nineveh," He has called each of us with a higher purpose. We must ask ourselves: Who has chartered our course? Are we sailing toward God's priorities or our own? - Running from God always leads downward, and sin will cost us. Jonah paid the fare, went down into the ship, and descended into the belly of the fish. When we rebel against God's calling, we always go down—spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. The good news is that God's mercies are new every morning, and He is the God of second chances. - Our concern for souls should outweigh our concern for comfort. Jonah cared more about a plant that gave him shade than 120,000 people who escaped eternal judgment. We must examine our hearts: Do we have urgency to reach the lost and lonely with the message of hope, or are we more focused on our own convenience and comfort? As we move forward this week, let's commit to listening to God's voice, responding to His calling with urgency, and extending His love and mercy to those around us who desperately need to hear the Gospel.