Pastor Phil’s sermon this time is on one of Jesus’s most known interactions in the gospels. Today we revisit the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus in John 3, in which we see just a glimpse into the divine and the importance of being born again. It is the context behind Jesus’s statement in verse 16: For God so loved the …
Pacific Garden Mission Ep 280 Who Do Men Say That I Am? (John 9)
Jesus famously asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” He’s never shied away from his divine identity, but often rhetorically guides those around him to the undeniable conclusion that he is the Son of God. Though the Pharisees were reluctant to accept it, pastor Phil homes in on the blind man’s reaction once he comes to the …
Pacific Garden Mission Ep 279 The Power of a Testimony (John 9)
As we move through the story of the blind man of John 9, we focus now on why his story is so powerful. When he presents himself to the Pharisees for interrogation, he faces their opposition, gaslighting, and discrediting. Our testimonies are powerful because to stand up to that opposition, we don’t have to be legal experts or master logicians …
Pacific Garden Mission Ep 278 How Jesus Deals with Blind Spots (John 9)
We turn our attention to John 9, immediately after Jesus claims to be divine. Remember, this is a blasphemous statement… unless it’s true. Pastor Phil drives home this context before diving into the Pharisees’ reaction. It becomes clear that those who are the spiritual guides and leaders of the land were the most blind to the truth of all! Jeff’s …
Pacific Garden Mission Ep 277 It’s Hard To Do Right (Galatians 6)
An all-too-common experience for us all is to see so many people, often wicked or cruel, flourishing and thriving while we are endlessly caught in despair as we do our best to live in obedience to God. The reality is it’s hard to do what’s right, especially when we do not see the good fruit that we are sowing. It’s …
Pacific Garden Mission Ep 276 Be Filled with the Spirit
Last week pastor Phil exhorted us to “walk in the Spirit.” This time, he follows up by explaining what it means to be FILLED with the Spirit. Believe God can change you, renew your mind, exercise self-control. These are three important factors in being filled with the Spirit. Kalia’s story is one of heartache, trauma, and loneliness. Rebellion set in …
Pacific Garden Mission Ep 275 Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5)
As we move through the book of Galatians, we are faced with the issue of living as believers who still experience temptation and even sin. Now that we have put off our old selves, we must not sit in that void, but rather put on the new self. Sanctification is not a snap of the fingers, but a process we …
Pacific Garden Mission Ep 274 Christian Liberty (Galatians 5)
The idea of Christian liberty does not immediately mesh with the world around us, and it didn’t for the Galatians either. It is not the freedom to go on scot-free with nothing and no one to hold us accountable and with no obligations to God and each other, but rather freedom to a new life in which our desires are …
Pacific Garden Mission Ep 273 Believing God’s Promises
Before there was Christ, there was the Law, but what was there before the Law? In Galatians 4, Paul refers back to Abraham, who simply believed God’s promise and it was credited to him as righteousness. Once again, there were no works involved; in fact, Abraham’s works were counterproductive! The righteousness of Abraham, like ours, was credited by faith alone. …
Pacific Garden Mission EP 272 Heirs of God’s Grace
“Some of us walk around like spiritual paupers,” as pastor Phil puts it—we don’t know who we are. At PGM one of the greatest messages we remind people of is their identity; we want you to know who you are. You are no longer a slave but a son, a child of God, and if a child, then an heir …