Sermons - Soma Culver City

In our last gathering we had Matt Woo, Shannon Woo, and Maurissa Edwards share their stories about what God has done in their lives and through Soma during their time in the church.

In this gathering Brad talks about how you can evaluate a church beyond "Sundays" before sitting down with Jessica Salzman and David Holtgrewe as they share their stories about Soma.

In this special gathering, Brad Watson shares biblical wisdom on how to prepare your heart to be sent to a new church and how the Spirit and our desires shape what we look for in a new church. Brad starts by articulating what the church is. Read more of his notes here. After that, Sarah Wechsler, Evie Hutton, and Casey Samulski answer questions and share stories from the early days of Soma and how they've seen God work in and through them.

The Resurrection of Something Dead to Life, is the most outlandish, surprising, and honestly courageous beliefs to have. Dead things don't come back to life. It's part of the definition of death--beyond resuscitation. However, the story of Easter is that Jesus was confirmed died Friday at 11am, was buried and then came out of the grave on Sunday around 7 or 8 in the morning. it's not just hanging out on the edge of the Christian faith—it's not a sub point or peripheral claim of Christianity. It is core to the essence of the faith. It's foundational to the belief anyone has in Jesus. It's essential to the nature of Christ. It's not a part of the hope—it's the whole hope. In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through 1 Corinthians 15:1-22 and how we can have confidence in Jesus' Resurrection

In this Palm Sunday, Brad Watson preaches through John 12:12-19, Psalm 118, and Zechariah 9. Through these passages we're brought into Holy Week, our hearts are prepared, and our lives become attentive to the need and work of Jesus.

Chris, Casey, and Brad share about the future of Soma Culver City and Brad preaches from 1 Peter 1 on the hope of God amidst trials.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches about the saints of unbelief who walk with Jesus but also are filled with doubt as they serve Jesus. In this sermon we reflect on Moses' and Elijah's stories of doubt as we find lasting hope in Jesus.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches about doubt and faith and what that truly feels like and how Jesus meets us in our unbelief. Brad preaches through the story of the father with an evil spirit tormented child. Through this story we are able to ask some of our deepest questions and explore the foundations of doubt.

In this sermon, Brad Watson continues our series on hope by examining the core claim and message of Jesus. Jesus preaches good news of the kingdom of God on earth. How do we respond to that? How do we get into it? Jesus says we respond through belief.

On this Sunday, Brad Watson shared important news about him and his family.

A life without hope is untenable. We were made for it and our hearts are driven towards it. The question is: Is Jesus the lasting hope? Can we trust it? How do we get that hope? In this sermon, Brad Watson walks through those questions.

In this sermon, Austin Edwards preaches through John 1:29-37 and how John the Baptist makes the announcement of all announcements about the nature of Jesus. In this sermon, Austin explains the background of the phrase “lamb of God” and what it means to behold and announce Christ.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through John 11:1-44 and the story of Lazarus' death, the ensuing grief, and the miraculous raising of Lazarus to death. Through this sermon we process how Christian hope works in the midst of terrible events. Do we hope that all of this is a character building exercise? Do we hope that at least Jesus will counsel us through the storm? Or, do we we hope Jesus is who he said he is: resurrection and life? Continue to process in DNA groups with this guide. See Brad's list of additional resources on the problem of evil and suffering.

Every year we have a family meeting to reflect back on the past year and look forward, sharing the spiritual direction for the year that the elders have prayed over, and the apostolic team has prepared. During our family meeting we spent a lot of time reflecting on 2023 and sharing our celebrations and regrets before moving into this portion of the evening focused on 2024. We'll share more in the coming weeks, but hope you take time to listen if you missed. You can download the handout here.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through John 2:1-11 and the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine. In this passage we learn and see how Jesus involves himself in the trivial, even when we don't see it, and even when we aren't prepared.

In this sermon, Evie Hutton preaches through Philippians 4:8-9 as Paul calls the church to look around them and notice whatever is good, noble, lovely, pure, and excellent and to think on these things. Evie challenges us to see and acknowledge the good within our city while also holding onto the reality that not everything is good.

In this sermon, Watson preaches on the beginning of Advent and the challenge to see our hopes recalibrated back to Jesus through Isaiah 8:19-9:7. First, looking at the reality of darkness, despair, and distress before shifting to see reality of light, peace, and hope found in the Child Born to us.

In this sermon, Sarah Wechsler preaches through Philippians 4:2-7 and how the gospel gives us the power to pursue restoration in relational conflict. She speaks to Paul's example in this passage and his exhortation to rejoice in the midst of conflict.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Philippians 3:17-41 as Paul calls the church to live as citizens of the kingdom of heaven. I this sermon Brad compares the kingdoms of this earth with the kingdom of heaven and what it means to take up residency with Christ.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Philippians 3:12-16 and how Paul reveals he's like all of us: a work in progress. Through this sermon we see how Jesus isn't simply the answer on paper, but in our lives as we come to experience his grip on us.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Philippians 3:1-11 and Paul's explicit warning against legalism as he shares his own story of achieving and abandoning a life of legalism in exchange for knowing Christ.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Philippians 3:1-11 and this warning passage. In this passage we see how Paul's repetitive plea to watch out for fundamentalism is a life or death warning. Paul has successfully lived out a life finding identity in what you do, where you're from, and how well you do everything. Paul has left that life and he pleads with us to leave it to. Engage in this series with guides for the individual, DNA groups, and more: www.somaculvercity.com/philippians

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Philippians 2:12-18 as we answer the common question of life in Jesus: is it all God's work or my work? Which is it? And once we figure that out, what attitude do we live with? St. Paul says, a life without grumbling but with rejoicing. Engage in this series with guides for the individual, DNA groups, and more: www.somaculvercity.com/philippians

In this sermon, Casey Samulski preaches through Philippians 2:1-11 and how the rat race of proving our significance and worth is reshaped by the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Engage in this series with guides for the individual, DNA groups, and more: www.somaculvercity.com/philippians

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Philippians 1:27-30 and what it means to conduct yourself worthy of the gospel—not matter what happens. Brad focuses on why we might find this task difficult and misunderstandings we carry into these encouragements to “behave ourselves”. Ultimately, we see lots of beauty in the gospel.

In this sermon, Chris Scruton preaches through this famed passage by St. Paul on the desire to live a life glorifying Christ.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Philippians 1:12-18a and how the gospel advances through our lives—even in our suffering—and how nothing keeps the gospel from thriving. Brad teaches on how the message of Jesus advances and what our motives have to do with it.

At our Sunday gathering we affirmed, challenged, and prayed over Casey as he officially became an elder within our body. Please listen in to be encouraged and participate in this moment. If you're curious, all things eldership can be found here.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Philippians 1:3-11 and what makes Christian community from common friendship and how the gospel is the cure for our epidemic of loneliness. Christian community is marked by thankfulness to God, the affection of Christ, and prayer.

In this sermon, Brad Watson starts our study in Philippians by taking us into the dynamics of joy, sorrow, and saints in an ancient city that had plenty of both. In this teaching we're oriented to the biblical journey we will be on as we read St. Paul's letter and answer the question: “How do you get joy?”. Engage in this series with guides for the individual, DNA groups, and more: www.somaculvercity.com/

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Psalm 139:13-15:175, Romans 12:1, and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 as we continue our series on holistic formation Brad gave a “kids sermon” story before getting into the heart of the message (09:32). This time, we're looking at the the biblical concept of loving God with all our strength.

This is our last episode on preaching! In this episode all three elders, Jeff, Chris, and Brad sit down with Casey and talk about their personal histories, perspectives, and views on preaching. They also share transparently about their desires and longings for our body and what our church can expect from preaching in the coming season.

In this episode, Casey Samulski asks Brad Watson to walk through the historical background of the Church with preaching and how, after two thousand years, we ended up here and more about what preaching means to our church today. https://www.somaculvercity.com/teaching-audio/sr8vf0s49j0jh1ejv66jrnn4f42lgx-8k49s

In this episode, Casey Samulski asks Brad Watson questions about how preaching is experienced in the gathering of our church, and what is happening within our lives as we experience preaching during our gatherings. Please see show notes below on all the passages of scripture references and additional resources, articles, and podcast. You can also read an overview and summary of our view here. Here's the Definitions of Preaching slideshow from Dr. Watson (Brad's dad) that was referenced.

In this episode, Casey Samulski asks Brad Watson questions about where we see preaching throughout the Bible as we begin to ask the question: What is preaching, biblically? Where do we see it? What do we learn from it and how does that inform our view and practice of preaching today. They also talk through important passages in the New Testament about who can preach, namely 1 Timothy 2:8-15 and the office of elders. Please see show notes below on all the passages of scripture references and additional resources, articles, and podcast. https://www.somaculvercity.com/teaching-audio/sr8vf0s49j0jh1ejv66jrnn4f42lgx

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Psalm 119:175, Psalm 42:1-2, Song of Songs 3:1, and Ecclesiastes 9 as we continue our series on holistic formation. This time, we're looking at the the biblical concept of soul and practices we can engage in that will help us love God with all our soul in everyday life. There's an accompanying DNA guide you can use here.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Proverbs 1:7, Psalm 111:10, Psalm 19:1-2 and others on how we love God with all our minds. In this teaching we saw three ways we love God with our heads: love God through learning about His world, Love God by having our minds made new, and Love God by knowing Jesus.

Brad Watson preaches through Deuteronomy 6:1-9 while helping us understand how we love God with our heart.

This month we've asked everyone to “host” someone in your life in an intentional way. Think of someone you want to get to know better. Invite them over and enjoy welcoming them into your home. -How do you invite people over and create intentional space and relationship with them? Sarah Wechsler and Brad Watson talk through all of those questions in this short conversation.

Are you going on vacation? How can you apply some of the principles from this teaching to your vacation this month? Sarah Wechsler and Brad Watson have some real talk about vacations/trips with kids and about temptations to indulge and not seek God. They also talk through the five questions of intentional vacationing shared during the recent sermon on feast of tabernacles. Five Questions of Intentional Vacations 1. Where can we be at rest? Sabbath 2. Where can we we unplug? Simplicity 3. How can we get out of town? Retreat 4. How will we connect? Relating 5. When will We remember God? Worship

Sarah and Brad talk through the challenges, habits, and desires of a simple sabbath.

Brad Watson preaches from Matthew 11:28-30 as we enter an intentional season of rest and application of all we've learned through our series on Desert Feasts. In this sermon, he encourages five practices for everyone to try: 1. Sabbath 2. Vacation/Retreat 3. Hospitality 4. Listen&Give 5. Revisit Personal Formation Plans. Learn more about our July Sabbath.

Sarah Wechsler gives an encouragement to the men within our body and some important announcements. Then in the sermon (5:40), Brad Watson preaches through Leviticus 23:39-44 and excerpts from Psalm 116 and Psalm 113. Through this final festival, we see God inviting us into practices that resist the temptation of a hurried life through remembering God's story, feasting, and retreating.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Leviticus 23:23-29, Leviticus 16:28-34, and Hebrews 10:9-25 as we learn about how the festival of Trumpets and Day of Atonement point us to the lasting joy and satisfaction that comes from Jesus.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Leviticus 23:9-22 and teaches on the the two festivals on the first fruits of barley and wheat harvests. Seemingly obscure, this passage challenges our notions of worship, generosity, and work.

In this sermon, Brad Watson introduces our series on the feasts God commands the Israelites to celebrate in Leviticus 23 and preaches on the first to feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread through Exodus 12.. While incredibly nerdy (sorry/not sorry), we see the evidence of God's grace, power, and character as the Redeemer.

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Psalm 145 as the Scriptures increase our imaginations for who God is while inviting us into the prayer practice of praise .

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through Psalm 34 as we wrestle with why we struggle to believe that prayer matters or works and how this Psalm instructs us to seek the presence of God as the ultimate end of prayer. Get more resources at somaculvercity.com/pray

In this sermon, Chris Scruton begins our season of prayer, Soma Prays, by walking us through Psalm 1 and how the beginning of a prayer-filled life begins with delight. Get more resources at somaculvercity.com/pray

In this sermon, Brad Watson preaches through John 20 on Easter morning. Through the first witnesses of the resurrection we're brought into contact with our own doubts, longings, and gaps in belief. However, we see Jesus' resurrection as the hope for the world—providing a personal transformation to our souls.