Arena Christian Center

We begin our summer series in the letter to the Philippians with a wide angle look at the Apostle Paul's writing. We find themes of friendship, joy and perseverance mixed with deep theological insights meant to bring readers into a mature faith. Philippians is the story of a first century church and now [...] The post Developing Story: The Greater Narrative appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

We tackle the subject of fatherhood for this week’s message. Men are a gifted to raise strong and healthy children. You are needed in every family. You can be a great father - to generations in and out of your immediate family. The post The Makings of a Great Father appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Communication is constantly changing in our world; what once required great effort to share ideas and feelings now can be done from the palm of our hands in almost every location on earth. Even the language we use has become simpler with the use of emojis and gifs. So why does it seem [...] The post Communicating in an Emoji World appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons addresses anxiety and worry by reminding believers of the promised rest that comes from God. When we learn to walkout trust with God we find true rest - the ability to sleep even when there is still much undone. Rest is the result of knowing what is out of our [...] The post One Foot in Heaven: Psalm 127 appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons shares how our framework of asking the "what might happen if..." question matters. So often we rely on asking "what might happen if I..." make a mistake, fail, step beyond my ability; when we really should be asking "what might happen if God..." makes a way, performs a miracle, fulfills [...] The post One Foot in Heaven: Psalm 124 appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Melanie Simmons shares how to frame every area of our lives in worship. Psalm 122 speaks of a man who has been transformed by the place of encounter with God - the church. When our lives are framed by worship, our jobs, families, politics and hobbies all become transformed as well. [...] The post One Foot in Heaven: Psalm 122 appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

We continue our series on how to live in the tension of eternity and today with a look at Psalm 121. This psalm invokes a sense of rest and peace as God reveals Himself to us as our guardian and protector. We can learn to live anxiety free as we trust God through [...] The post One Foot in Heaven: Psalm 121 appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

When you watch the news or open your Facebook feed, do you get the sense that some things are off in the world? Maybe you can't quite put your finger on it, but you know the tension of what should be versus what is not. As followers of Jesus we are living in [...] The post One Foot in Heaven: Psalm 120 appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastors Justin and Melanie Simmons conclude the series on a Rising Church. Every priest is made for the Presence of God and in order to steward His Presence we will need to respond to God. Is your relationship walked out in an active relational connection where God speaks and you respond? Or do [...] The post A Rising Church [pt. 5] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons continues the series of a Rising Church with a foundational message on the role of the priest. Priests carried the weight of representing the people of God to God. They would intercede, make sacrifices and tend the responsibilities of the temple as ministry to God. Whether it was the family [...] The post A Rising Church [pt. 4] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons shares about the responsibility of royalty for every believer. God desires to give followers of Jesus the authority to lead where he's planted us. In order to walk in that authority we must become a servant and through humility we rise as royalty. When we are living in our identity [...] The post A Rising Church [pt.3] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Melanie Simmons teaches on how we walk in the identity of a prophet to bring kingdom strategy into the world. Believers are to align everything in their lives to the word of God for the purpose of transformation. When our lives are aligned to the word and the will of God then [...] The post A Rising Church [pt.2] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons teaches a core theme of Scripture is resurrection or rising up. God is always calling His people to get back up, break out of dysfunction and live as overcomers over the world's broken systems. Humility will give you access to the kingdom of God where we've become royalty with a [...] The post A Rising Church [pt.1] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons shares how to recapture vision for the areas of your life that bring discouragement and disdain. You can stop throwing your hands up in frustration and start prospering now. Allow the Lord to shape the vision for your life and give you strategy on getting there. It all begins with [...] The post Vision for a Prosperous Life appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastors Justin and Melanie Simmons host a conversation with people who have stepped into new God-adventures in 2019. Every story builds a foundation to believe for more of God's goodness for us in 2020 and beyond! The post Recalling the God Stories of 2019 appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons encourages us to pause and focus on the moment of Christ's birth. This moment is more than a cute nativity scene, but is wrought with unexpected plot twists, mysterious developments and awe-inspiring wonder. Jesus' birth reveals the themes of God's heart towards us often passed over in the holiday rush [...] The post The Unexpected Mystery & Wonder of Christmas appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons shares practical ways to overcome the urge to be a grinch this Christmas. Nobody sets out to be a grinch, but as challenges and offenses come our way and they settle in our hearts the opportunity is not far off. As our heart goes, so does our life. We must [...] The post Don’t Get Grinched appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Melanie Simmons shares an encouraging message on Psalm 98. Joy to the World is a song that has been sung for over 300 years and still resonating in hearts during this year's Christmas celebrations. Why? We were created in worship for worship!  In this message, you'll find three practical prescriptions for you [...] The post Joy to the World: A Prescription for Praise appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Do you view the Presence of God as a gift to you? Under the New Covenant, salvation isn't the only gift, but the very Presence of God lives within us. His Presence is our gift to overcome this world. Be encouraged to spend time in the Presence of God and know the joy, [...] The post Presence: God’s Greatest Present appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons shares how God has given us incredible power through a small muscle we call the tongue. Our words shape the reality we live in on this side of eternity. We can build or we can destroy; we can heal or we can wound. Too much is at stake in our [...] The post What’s On Your Face? appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastors Justin and Melanie share the journey during 2019's Heart for the House giving campaign. This November and December, we are investing $10,000 into organizations and missionaries who are making a difference in Natomas and the nations. This message shares the who, the what and the why behind our openhanded giving culture at [...] The post From Seed to Harvest appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons finishes the teaching on the church with a message about gifts. God has given his church many gifts - some functional and others spiritual. It's important for us to understand the differences so we can effectively build up, stir up and lift up the church as God so desires. [...] The post Church: Bigger than a Building [pt.6] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons teaches on the church's responsibilities to build up one another through gifts. This message is the foundation to understanding the differences between offices, duties, functions and gifts. When we understand how God has made us, we step into a greater freedom to serve God and people. The post Church: Bigger than a Building [pt.5] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons shares on the topic of a spiritual church that seeks to build up one another through the Spirit's power. There is an expectation that God's church would be a place of spiritual impact and not just another organization teaching morality and ethics. The church is the place of transformation and [...] The post Church: Bigger than a Building [pt.4] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons continues our topic on the church being so much bigger than a building. If the church is a people gathered than it must be marked by a culture of togetherness. Togetherness is more than being in the same room or close proximity with others; it is a mixing of lives [...] The post Church: Bigger than a Building [pt.3] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Guest speaker, Pastor Bobby Jones share about the church requiring both unity and harmony to function in health. The Scriptures reveal the church operating in different gifts and abilities yet all rallied around one vision and mission -- to extend the Gospel beyond the meeting place. What would the church look like if [...] The post Church: Bigger than a Building [pt.2] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

God's idea of a church is far greater than we often speak about it or even walk it out. The Bible paints a picture of the church being a movement to introduce humanity to Himself. We don't just go to church... we are the church! Pastor Justin Simmons shares some big picture ideas [...] The post Church: Bigger than a Building [pt.1] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

On September 22, 2019 we sent out teams into the community to worship God by loving people. Nearly 100 sack lunches were handed out to people living under bridges in our community, $55 in quarters paid for laundry in laundry mats, popsicles were handed out to families in parks and trash was picked [...] The post More Than a Song: Interviews appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons teaches on worship as a bigger idea than Sunday morning song sets. We are image carriers of our Creator and how worship in the ordinary parts of life is a window into our worship. 24-7 we have opportunity to give God our attention and adoration. There are three steps to [...] The post More Than a Song [pt.1] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Guest Speaker, Mitch Pier, teaches on the Kingdom of God and the value it possesses. What are you willing to do in order to receive the hidden treasure of God? The post Revealing the Kingdom appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Mark and Sarah Brown share what it means to have all that you need to serve those in your life. We reveal the Father by how we love those around us. The post The Grace to Serve appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Bret Allen shares about the gift of grace offered through Jesus Christ. You cannot earn it and you can never pay the price for it. It is freely given to everyone who will give their lives to Jesus. You have everything you need to please God. It is not about asking for [...] The post The Gift of Grace appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons closes out our series in the book of Colossians with a message about relational connection. Rooted people have rooted relationships. Paul required people to come alongside him to fulfill his purpose and them, theirs. Who are you in the foxhole of life with? Do you have someone to encourage you [...] The post Rooted: Rooted in Relationships [Col. 4:7-18] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons continues the series rooted by sharing Paul's final two challenges to the church in Collosae. Paul tells them - and us - to be devoted in prayer. Biblical prayer is both intentional and purposeful. These moments to speak to God and hear from Him too. Prayer is the greatest weapon [...] The post Rooted: Devoted Prayer Leads to Walking in Wisdom [Col. 4:2-6] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons shares how we can begin to build families that function as God designed. In a world set in chaos where dysfunction is the accepted norm, a Christian's family should stand out as counter-cultural. Rooted in Paul's letter, the true test of Jesus's Lordship is the principles governing our churches also [...] The post Rooted: Developing Functional Families [Col. 3:18-4:1] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons shares from Colossians 3 about planting your mind in eternity to walk out our faith today. We must decide to look above our difficulties and only entertain that which feeds the new person we've become in Christ. We guard our hearts from any thoughts and beliefs that would rob us [...] The post Rooted: Plant Your Mind in Eternity for Today [Col. 3:1-17] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Tom Belt shares an encouraging word from Numbers 13 regarding faith and the ability to live beyond our past experiences. We can see but fail to act because we do not perceive what God is doing. Faith is about turning our history with God into how we step forward into the future [...] The post Seeing Is Not Always Believing appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Melanie Simmons teaches about cultivating daily encounters with God. We are given a promise of God's presence with us for all our days and not just when we have big decisions to make. This is an invitation to seek from Him what we can only receive from Him. It is in the [...] The post The Immanuel Promise appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons concludes chapter two of Colossians with a challenging message about getting back to a simple gospel. Humanity has a way of making simple things complex and our faith has not escaped the trap. It is a simple gospel that saves us, transforms us and unites us. When we add to [...] The post Rooted: Finding Freedom in a Simple Gospel [Col. 2:6-23] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin continues in Colossians with a message about the deep need of spiritual parents. Nobody gets where they are going without the help of others. Why do we choose to live alone among community of the church? We need what others carry in God. We need to glean from the breakthroughs others [...] The post Rooted: We Need Fathers and Mothers [Col. 1:24-2:5] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons continues the series Rooted with a message about Jesus being the God over all things. Anything apart from Jesus is a lesser thing. Our marriages, jobs, finances... all things... find their true meaning and purpose in Christ. The question we must ask ourselves is this: Is Jesus Lord over all [...] The post Rooted: Jesus is Enough [Col. 1:12-23] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons continues the Rooted series with Paul's prayer for the church in Colossae. The Apostle prays for the church to be filled with God's wisdom so they may live pleasing lives worthy of God. This requires the people of God aligning their hearts and minds with the will of God. We [...] The post Rooted: Growing Up Into God’s Wisdom [Col. 1:9-12] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons focuses on the Apostle Paul's thanksgiving for the church in Collosae and highlights the church's reputation. Paul hears about the love that was prevalent among the church and commends them for their maturity. The love Paul writes about is due to the hope the church possesses for the future. They [...] The post Rooted: A Reputation of Love [Col. 1:1-8] appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons begins our summer series of Rooted by reading through Colossians. Over the next couple months we will explore how relevant Paul's letter is to creating maturity in us, nearly 2000 years after it's writing. We don't want to become old Christians, but mature and deeply rooted in the word of [...] The post Rooted: Introduction to Colossians appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Guest Speaker Dr. Sam Huddleston, Assistant Superintendent of the NorCal Nevada Assemblies of God, shares a timely message about being deployed for a mission. You are planted where you are for a purpose. The post Deployed appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons concludes a series on the personhood, presence and power of Holy Spirit. We cannot afford to underestimate the Holy Spirit’s work in and on our lives. He is not a goo or energy, but the very essence of God in the earth today. He is an equal to God the [...] The post Whispered Roar: The Holy Spirit (pt.3) appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Melanie Simmons continues our series on the personhood, presence and power of Holy Spirit. We cannot afford to underestimate the Holy Spirit’s work in and on our lives. He is not a goo or energy, but the very essence of God in the earth today. He is an equal to God the [...] The post Whispered Roar: The Holy Spirit (pt.2) appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons begins a series on the personhood, presence and power of Holy Spirit. We cannot afford to underestimate the Holy Spirit's work in and on our lives. He is not a goo or energy, but the very essence of God in the earth today. He is an equal to God the [...] The post Whispered Roar: The Holy Spirit (pt.1) appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons concludes the series Crossing Over with a message about putting on new life. What happens after we've left the grave and all that defined us in the past? We must dress accordingly by putting on Christ. We put on Christ in our minds by thinking new thoughts to get new [...] The post Crossing Over: Putting On New Life appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

This Easter Sunday message by Pastor Justin Simmons continues the series of Crossing Over, moving from death to life. We take our queue from Jesus's perspective as He regained life in the tomb. We imagine what He thought and how He moved from the place of death that held Him captive and into [...] The post Crossing Over: Stop, Drop and Roll appeared first on Arena Christian Center.

Pastor Justin Simmons begins a new series on moving from death to life in Crossing Over. Sin brings death to everything it touches from relationships and marriages to national unity and politics. While death is a part of our everyday life, we were never made for it. We were made to live in [...] The post Crossing Over: The Sin of Self appeared first on Arena Christian Center.