Branches Oc

”God is like Jesus. God has always been like Jesus. There has never been a time when God was not like Jesus." - Brian Zahnd

"John’s account of the crucifixion reads like a birth story. Jesus has his clothes removed (19:23) and asks for pain relief. Surrounded by women, he exclaims, “Woman, here is your son” and “Here is your mother” (vv. 26–27), at which point his mother takes the young man he addressed home. After Jesus’ triumphant cry of “It is finished,” blood and water come gushing from his side (vv. 30, 34), a detail only John records. (Along with Luke, he also records the scars and marks that remain on Jesus’ body even after the Resurrection.) John persists with the theme in his letters, repeatedly describing salvation as being “born of God” and famously insisting on the witness of Spirit, water, and blood (1 John 5:1–8)."

Where are you feeling weak, vulnerable and unlikely today? Could this be the very space where "God wants to meet and transform you? God's method of divine revelation, from the beginning, seems to most often come from unlikely people in unlikely places. The outsider, marginalized, foreigner, second born, poor, oppressed and broken are the ones highlighted in the biblical narrative to be primary agents of God's plan on earth.

The unique revelation of Jesus is both radically inclusive, and radically unique. Jesus expands the visible boundaries of God's grace, and brings us to see our heavenly father as Abba.

When God first called Abraham to start a nation, He was always going to bless, protect, and provide for them as there King in heaven. Soon, his people wanted and earthly king like the other nations so God granted them Saul, then David, and Israel had their earthy kings though not perfect. Isaiah promises (Isaiah 9:6-7) His people that once again the King of heaven will be born on Christmas morning to lead them and all the nations with justice and righteousness. Jesus is our wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace ruling all those who make Him their king.

By God's Grace and direction, Carlos Montoya began his ministry in 1998 by penetrating, befriending, and meeting the needs of the drug gang members. He would then invite them to his church and present the message of Jesus Christ to them. Slowly, the men saw the need to change their lifestyle and a desire to be free from their addiction (drugs or alcohol). This need grew into the Rehab Ranch in the year 2000. From there, other aspects of the La Roca Ministries grew: the Orphanage, Men's Shelter, and the Dump Ministry. Today, La Roca has over eight ministry areas, all growing from within and meeting the needs of the local people of Tijuana and San Diego.

God's heart is deeply invested in caring for the poor. As followers of Jesus, we embody this priority by standing with those in need and building a new kind of family together.

This Sunday morning, Steph Rose continues our series: "Be Salt & Light".

When Jesus said there is more joy in giving than receiving, he turned our vision of living the good life on its head. The paradox of generosity is that money and happiness are related, but not the way we typically think. Not surprisingly, it seems that history has proven Jesus to be absolutely right!

To be a follower of Jesus Christ means that we are also "sent" out declaring the good news. Luke 10 gives us a comprehensive look at how we fit into God's mission. We see that the very nature of God is on mission and we are invited to join Him.

We are called to be salt, light and instruments of peace but "Being Missional" is not what we do... it's who we are in Christ!

(9-29-2024) Executive pastor at Branches, Kim Duran, shares with us her powerful testimony.

What does contentment look like when everything falls apart? What is the promise of God regarding our circumstances? What is the secret of contentment that Paul had to learn?

Life can be overwhelming and wreaking all kinds of havoc in a variety of ways. It's helpful to expect these challenges as part of life on earth and learn ways to cope with them through prayer. In Philippians 4:4-7, we see how prayer brings the relief we need along with protection for our hearts and minds. Through prayer, God grants us His peace when we take our focus off our circumstances and on His grand plan that transcends our understanding.

As followers of Jesus and citizens of a nation-state, we're often living a dual allegiance to the kingdom of God and to the United States. But the values of the kingdom of God as were embodied in Jesus (last will be first and first will be last, love & pray for your enemy, money is the root of all evil, etc.) often come in sharp contrast to the values of the United States. There is no doubt we have a responsibility to both, BUT the question has to be, "which has our PRIMARY allegiance and what does that look like?"

Branches Sunday Morning Message: Shaped By The Gospel | Philippians 3:1-11 If anyone could brag about their own righteous living, the Apostle Paul certainty could. Yet, after his life was impacted by the gospel, he counted his sterling record as "rubbish" compared to knowing Jesus and His righteousness. This passage in Philippians 3 points us to consider our personal life story and ambitions in light of the grace of God. Our hearts are shaped by The Gospel when we allow our sufferings to introduce us to the power of the resurrection.

True Relational Community draws us into deeper, committed relationships in which we take genuine interest in the welfare of others and strive towards unity and the full expression of the body of Christ.

God is out source of light and love! We are called to abide in Him so that we can shine His light and love on those living in darkness.

The Christ Hymn in Philippians 2 gives us a unique picture of the nature and character of God displayed through Jesus. What is God Like? He is like Jesus. What is Jesus like? For this we explore Philippians 2 and the cross to guide us.

"Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant" Philippians 2:5-7, 22 ASV "So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;" Philippians 2:12 ASV "That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11 ASV