College Avenue Baptist Church - San Diego (Sermons)

The popularity of fictional superheroes has risen to new heights in recent years in our culture. However, the book of Judges records the story of a real-life superhero named Samson. God empowered Samson with incredible superhuman strength to achieve God’s plan despite his many weaknesses and failures. Come learn why Pastor Geoff has chosen Samson as his favorite Bible character and what we can learn about being empowered by God to accomplish great things with our lives. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

We are "Playing Favorites" again this weekend in our online and in-person services. Tony, one of College Ave's missionaries to Asia, is going to share with us why Timothy is his favorite Bible character. We’ll offer you two hints that sound like opposites: surrender AND fight! Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

We will be Playing Favorites for the rest of the summer in our online and in-person services. You will hear six different speakers share some of their favorite people! Pastor Carlton is batting first. If you guessed Jeremiah as his favorite, you are correct, but he is going to preach on another favorite: Hannah. Why? Because she reminds Pastor Carlton that God is ALWAYS working, even in the dark seasons of life! We look forward to your presence online or in person. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

Love and justice are often understood as opposing values. The Bible is clear that love and justice are both part of God’s character. Therefore, as followers of Jesus Christ, both should be part of our character. Have you felt the pain of not being the favorite? Of being overlooked or snubbed? Playing favorites is not something new. Favoritism was an issue in the first century church, as people with more money or higher social standing were treated better than others. Favoritism can still be an issue in the church. We conclude our sermon series on justice with a conversation on favoritism in the church based on James 2. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

Love and justice are often understood as opposing values. The Bible is clear that love and justice are both part of God’s character. Therefore, as followers of Jesus Christ, both should be part of our character. If we influence the government and fight for the just due of people made in the image of God, how might it look? That is the focus of this week’s biblical conversation in our summer justice sermon series. In preparation read Romans 13:1-7. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

Love and justice are often understood as opposing values. The Bible is clear that love and justice are both part of God’s character. Therefore, as followers of Jesus Christ, both should be part of our character. The primary mission of every family is to reflect God’s unconditional love to the world. How can the family unit be an instrument of healing for the hurting, wounded, and marginalized among us? That question guides this week’s sermon as we look at Deuteronomy 6:1-9. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

Who is your neighbor? Is it the person who lives next door? Upstairs? Across the street? Jesus will introduce us to our neighbors in Luke 10:25-37. Come and meet them! Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

What are the markers of a spiritually growing Christian? What would you put at the top of your list of indicators? What do you think Jesus puts at the top of his list? Does your list match his? He will tell us in Matthew 22:34-40. Join us online as we continue in our series Love, Biblical Justice, and Healing. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

Love and justice are often understood as opposing values. The Bible is clear that love and justice are both part of God’s character. Therefore, as followers of Jesus Christ, both should be part of our character. This weekend we start a three-week biblical conversation on the foundations of justice as we explore how love acts. In preparation for our time in God’s Word, read 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

Justice is a popular and important topic, but it’s often ambiguous. Our culture tends to talk about justice in social and political terms. As biblical Christians, we imitate our just God when we pursue justice. Justice is about lovingly giving people their due as human beings made in the image of God. During these conversations over the next few weeks, we will explore three God-ordained institutions – the family, the government, and the church -- and their roles in doing justice. We will also learn from Jesus as He teaches and models for us how to pursue justice as an expression of our love for God and neighbor. In this message we will hear two love stories; one points to the other. (Ephesians 5:31-32) Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

Last week, our pastor wrote: “My personal racial wounds have been ripped wide-open as I wonder, ‘Has anything changed since I was a little boy growing up in St. Louis? Have we made any progress since Rodney King in LA?” Pastor Carlton Harris will be having a conversation with us on Sunday where he shares God’s Truth, some of his personal truth, and answers the question, “How can we bring people together across the divide?” After the message, Pastor Carlton will lead us in communion. Gather some bread or a cracker, and juice or wine so that you can participate. We encourage you to watch this service with your household, in a Zoom group, or on Facebook Live this Sunday at 10:30 AM (PDT) because based on scripture, we believe that communion is meant to be something that Christ-followers do TOGETHER. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Sermon Slides (PDF) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

WEEK 7: Christianity vs. Buddhism TEXTS: John 15:15-17, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Ephesians 2:1-18, John 11:25-26 How is biblical Christianity distinct from other religions? What’s the difference? This seven-week series seeks to answer this question. We will explore JW.ORG, Mormonism, Astrology, Atheism, Islam, and Buddhism and compare them to biblical Christianity. Believe it or not, these religions will teach us some important lessons. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Sermon Slides (PDF) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

Week 7: Christianity vs. Islam | Colossians 1:15-23; Colossians 2:6-15 How is biblical Christianity distinct from other religions? What’s the difference? This series seeks to answer this question. We will explore JW.ORG, Mormonism, Astrology, Atheism, Islam, and Buddhism and compare them to biblical Christianity. Believe it or not, these religions will teach us some important lessons. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Sermon Slides (PDF) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

Week 5: Christianity vs. Atheism | 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 19:1-4 How is biblical Christianity distinct from other religions? What’s the difference? This series seeks to answer this question. We will explore JW.ORG, Mormonism, Astrology, Atheism, Islam, and Buddhism and compare them to biblical Christianity. Believe it or not, these religions will teach us some important lessons. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Sermon Slides (PDF) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

"Are You Okay?" | Psalm 77 On March 19, our world tilted! Since then, we have all experienced losses of some kind. Join us as Pastor Carlton Harris introduces us to a Grammy Award winning songwriter who teaches us how to process our losses in Psalm 77. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Sermon Slides (PDF) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

Week 4: Christianity vs. Astrology | Isaiah 47:8-15 How is biblical Christianity distinct from other religions? What’s the difference? This series seeks to answer this question. We will explore JW.ORG, Mormonism, Astrology, Atheism, Islam, and Buddhism and compare them to biblical Christianity. Believe it or not, these religions will teach us some important lessons. Questions about this series? Join us for a Facebook Live Q&A with Pastor Carlton on Sunday, May 3 at 5 PM (PDT) >> Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Sermon Slides (PDF) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

WEEK 3: CHRISTIANITY VS. MORMONISM | Romans 5:12-21 How is biblical Christianity distinct from other religions? What’s the difference? This series seeks to answer this question. We will explore JW.ORG, Mormonism, Astrology, Atheism, Islam, and Buddhism and compare them to biblical Christianity. Believe it or not, these religions will teach us some important lessons. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Sermon Slides (PDF) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

WEEK 2: CHRISTIANITY VS. JW.ORG How is biblical Christianity distinct from other religions? What’s the difference? This series seeks to answer this question. We will explore JW.ORG, Mormonism, Astrology, Atheism, Islam, and Buddhism and compare them to biblical Christianity. Believe it or not, these religions will teach us some important lessons. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Sermon Slides (PDF) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

WEEK 1: WHAT MAKES CHRISTIANITY UNIQUE? How is biblical Christianity distinct from other religions? What’s the difference? This series seeks to answer this question. We will explore JW.ORG, Mormonism, Astrology, Atheism, Islam, and Buddhism and compare them to biblical Christianity. Believe it or not, these religions will teach us some important lessons. Watch Live on Facebook: Sunday @ 10:30 AM (PDT) >> Watch online (VIDEO) >> Podcast (AUDIO) >> Sermon Slides (PDF) >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" on app (PDF) >>

Our Good Friday Communion Service is scheduled to be a "live" service on Facebook on Friday, April 10 at 7 PM & 9 PM. Join us as we reflect on the final hours of Jesus – His journey to the cross – and prepare our hearts to celebrate the resurrection. Gather some bread or a cracker, and juice or wine so that you can participate in communion as Pastor Carlton Harris leads us in taking of the Lord's supper. Based on scripture, we believe that communion is meant to be something that Christ-followers do TOGETHER which is why we are offering two service times. If 7 PM doesn't work for you or someone you know, join us at 9 PM (P.S.T.). We hope that you feel connected to others in the body of Christ as you participate in either the 7 PM or 9 PM service on Facebook. Watch Live on Facebook >> Watch Online >> Listen to the Podcast >>

"Trust Test" | Genesis 22 Watch >> Podcast >> Sermon Slides >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" (on app) >>

"When Laughter Turns Sour" - Genesis 21 Faithfulness to God brings reward, despite our past failures. Watch >> Podcast >> Sermon Slides >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" (on app) >>

"Here We Go Again" - Genesis 20 Even if we are faithless, God is faithful, time after time. Watch >> Podcast >> Sermon Slides >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" (on app) >> *Due to CCLI regulations, we are not able to post the song lyrics here. However, feel free to search online for the lyrics.

"What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do" - 2 Chronicles 20 We can have hope during a crisis if we let our great need drive us to prayer and song. Watch >> Podcast >> Sermon Slides >> Re:collect Questions / "View Notes" (on app) >>

The Cost of Control | When we feel that God is not providing what we want, when we want it, the temptation is to take matters into our own hands to accomplish it. But as we will learn from the life of Abram and Sarai, the cost of control is expensive, often paid in the high price of immediate and lasting consequences while learning to trust God leads to a life of blessing and reward. Genesis 16 Re:Collect Questions >>

The Covenant | God’s covenant with Abram foreshadows the work of Jesus Christ of Nazareth on the cross. Our relationship with God is not dependent upon earning or deserving God’s favor, but upon the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Genesis 15 Sermon Slides >> re:collect Questions >>

Trusting in Plenty | Which is more difficult for you—trusting God during a season of shortage or trusting God during a season of abundance? In this week’s conversation, Abram shows us two specific ways to trust God in a season of plenty. Genesis 13 & 14 There was an error in the recording resulting in a few seconds of dropped audio in first few minutes of sermon. Apologies. Sermon Slides >> re:collect Questions >>

When the Journey Gets Tough | Abram obeys God’s call to leave the security of his homeland and lands in a famine. Abram may never have experienced lack before, so he returns to his default setting of self-reliance and deceit to meet his needs instead of trusting God. When we find ourselves in a season of famine, how will we respond? Will we trust God, or will we rely on ourselves? Genesis 12:10-20 Sermon Slides >> re:collect Questions >>

When God Says 'Move' Genesis 11:27-12:9 Sermon Slides >> re:collect Questions >>

The Beginning: The Persistence of Sin | Every good story has a beginning that compels you to ask - “What happens next?” The Bible has that kind of beginning! Genesis 1:1-11:26 Sermon Slides >> re:collect Questions >>

ANNUAL CELEBRATION Our Annual Physical - Acts 1:1-11 Our Annual Celebration is an intentional time for us to celebrate all that God is doing at College Ave, look ahead to where we see God leading our church, and gather as a church family. From 10:30 AM to Noon, we’ll have our worship service and yearly review in the Sanctuary. At the conclusion of the service, College Ave members will have an opportunity to affirm candidates for our Board of Overseers, Business Committee, and Nominating Committee, as well as the proposed constitutional amendments and 2020 budgets. After the service, we invite everyone to stay for FOOD, FUN, and a time to CONNECT as part of our Annual Celebration! Sermon Slides [pdf] >> re:collect Questions [pdf] >> Edeama's Story [video] >> Bill & Frankie's Story [video] >> Benevolence Fund [video] >>

Pray Big for Unbelievers John 17:20-26 Let’s pray for unbelievers. Sermon Slides >> In lieu of our normal re:collect, we encourage you to participate in 21 Days of Prayer for the duration of this series, utilizing Praying the King’s Agenda. 21 Days of Prayer >>

Pray Big for Believers John 17:6-19 Let’s pray for believers. "Teach Us to Pray" Video >> Sermon Slides >> In lieu of our normal re:collect, we encourage you to participate in 21 Days of Prayer for the duration of this series, utilizing Praying the King’s Agenda. 21 Days of Prayer >>

Pray Big for Yourself John 17:1-5 Let’s pray for ourselves. Sermon Slides >> In lieu of our normal re:collect, we encourage you to participate in 21 Days of Prayer for the duration of this series, utilizing Praying the King’s Agenda. 21 Days of Prayer >>

His Mercy Is More Hosea 11:1-11 Richard Moomjian grew up at College Ave before leaving San Diego for Chicago to study at Wheaton College and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he has only one semester of seminary training remaining. Let's celebrate God's mercy, and support one of our own as Richard preaches "His Mercy Is More" based on Hosea 11:1-11. Stefanie Kelly will be our worship leader. Join us for our final service of the year and the decade. Remember that Sunday morning begins Saturday night! *Children's ministry available for babies-age 5 during the worship service. re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

The Gift of Time Ephesians 5:15-16 God has given all of us the same amount of time - 60 minutes every hour, 24 hours each day, 7 days a week. This generous gift from God is a very valuable asset. How can we buy up every opportunity with our time yet not live a crazy busy life? re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

Long-term Investment Strategy 1 Timothy 6:17-19 This life is our window of opportunity to lay up valuable treasures for ourselves in God's kingdom. re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

What Do You Want? 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Contentment is not getting what you want; it is wanting what you have. re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

The Generosity of God John 3:16-18 Generosity is anchored in the character of God. We’re generous because He’s generous. re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

Portrait of a Mature Christian, Part 3 1 Timothy 3:1-7 re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

Portrait of a Mature Christian, Part 2 1 Timothy 3:1-7 re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

Portrait of a Mature Christian, Part 1 1 Timothy 3:1-7 re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

Dinner for Three Luke 24:13-35 re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

The Best Thing I Ever Ate Luke 22:7-20 This table is a place where human needs meets divine grace. re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

Luke 10:38-42 Choose What Is Better re:collect Questions

Say "Grace" for Dinner Luke 19:1-10 Live curiously and include the curious. re:collect Questions & Recipe Sermon Slides

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner Luke 14:1-24 Let your table reflect God’s table. re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

Jesus Has Heartburn Luke 11:37-54 Pay attention to the core of your life. re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

Grubhub Picnic Luke 9:10-17 Offer your inadequate resources to Jesus and watch Him use them! re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

The Dinner Party Crasher Luke 7:36-50 The more forgiveness you receive from Jesus the more costly the love you offer to Jesus. re:collect Questions Sermon Slides

Keeping Bad Company Luke 5:27-32 Make dinner about relationship building, not about the meal itself. re:collect Questions Sermon Slides