Vima Church Audio Podcast

We all go through tough seasons, but in Jesus we have hope. God's word serves as a guide, as a compass that we can follow through the valleys of life. Kicking off our new series, Pastor Ryan brings a powerful word on Psalm 42, a psalm of lament.

God has established and positioned the church to be on the forefront of life change in this world. To do this, He has gifted us in different ways so that we can be an effective, living body. To conclude this series, Pastor Jon shares a powerful word on being a multi-tool church whose members use their gifts to glorify God and encourage others.

Getting your week started is tough, especially when you feel like you are automatically up against it. Mondays bring with them a few mind games that can slow us down, keep us miserable, and ruin our week before it even starts.But how can we fight back? We have some tools given to us in scripture that can free us from these mind games. This week, Pastor Jon shares with us how to push back against the Mondays.

What is the mission of God for this world? How can I play a part in it? Pastor Jon brings us a timely word on how to live on mission, being ready at all times to share the good news of the gospel and the love of Jesus.

Kicking off our new series Made For Mondays, Pastor Jon shares how we can find purpose even in days that seem wasted. Tune in for more!

In Acts, we see the Church in Antioch take off—God's message spreads fast, and tons of people come to faith and get baptized. With Jesus bringing the new covenant and tearing the veil, a brand-new kind of Church was born.This week, Pastor Jon brings an encouraging message: the Church isn't confined to walls—it's the people. It's growing, it's thriving, and it's alive!

We often carry things from our past, whether it be hurt, shame addiction, anger, or worry. But Jesus has more for us than the things of our past. When we place our faith in Jesus, we become a new creation--old things pass away, and everything becomes new. He is inviting you to let go.This week, Pastor Jon shares a passionate message on what it means to follow Jesus, and to fully embrace the freedom He has to offer.

In this powerful message, Pastor Jon dives deep into the significance of the Last Supper and what it means for us today through the lens of the old and new covenants. At the heart of communion lies a powerful invitation—a call to community, to nourishment, to covenant, and to choice.Under the Old Covenant, God instituted animal sacrifices as a temporary covering for sin. But in the New Covenant, Jesus Christ becomes the ultimate and final sacrifice, offering complete forgiveness and reconciling us to God.The communion table represents so much more than a symbolic act—it's a place of community, where we come together as the body of Christ. It's a place of consumption and nourishment, reminding us that Jesus is the bread of life who sustains us. It's a place of covenant, where Jesus doesn't abolish the law but fulfills it, establishing a new and better promise. And ultimately, it's a place of choice—where each of us must decide whether we will sit at the table with Christ or remain outside of His blessing and saving grace.There is room for everyone at Christ's table. The question is: Will you choose to sit with Him?

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 ESVDuring the last supper, Jesus instructed the disciples and gave them a new commandment - "that you love one another." This is not just a suggestion, or a good idea. Jesus tells us the way that we should live in relation to one another. This week, Pastor Ryan brings a passionate word on the implications of Jesus washing his disciples' feet. This powerful act of servanthood reveals the heart of God's upside-down Kingdom. Jesus not only teaches us but also demonstrates how we are to serve others. His call for us to do as He has done is a reminder that we were created to serve, just as He has served us.

What does it really mean to build your house on the rock? We've all heard the story of the two houses—one on rock, the other on sand—but do we truly understand the depth of Jesus' teaching in this parable? In this message, Pastor Jon takes us through Matthew 7:24-27 to reveal that Jesus wasn't just talking about architecture; He was speaking to the condition of our hearts. Are we simply hearing His words, or are we living them out? Do we merely accept Him as Savior, or do we make Him the Lord of our lives? The key to building on a firm foundation is submitting to Jesus' authority and striving to love and live as He did. Only then can we stand strong, no matter the storms that come our way.

"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit" Matthew 7:18 (NIV)Jesus often used imagery to illustrate spiritual truths, and in this passage, He contrasts good fruit with bad fruit to help us understand the condition of our hearts.Good fruit represents the qualities and actions that flow from a life surrendered to God—love, kindness, patience, humility, and integrity. These are the visible signs of a transformed heart. On the other hand, bad fruit signifies the negative behaviors and attitudes that arise when we live apart from God—selfishness, bitterness, anger, and deceit. Pastor Jon challenges us to reflect on the fruit we bear in our lives and invites us to pursue a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. It is only through knowing Him and being fully known by Him that we can experience true transformation—changing from the inside out, and producing the kind of fruit that honors Him.

Anxiety is something we all face—whether it's financial strain, family or work stress, or social anxiety. In this week's sermon, Pastor Jon reminds us that while anxiety may look different for each of us, Jesus promises that we will be cared for. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encourages us three times, "do not be anxious," reminding us that if the Father cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, He will certainly care for us too.Jesus doesn't instruct us to simply manage or suppress our anxiety, but to truly let go of it. Tune in as Pastor Jon explores how we can take every thought captive and submit it to Christ, who is more than capable of carrying our worries, so that we can experience the freedom He offers.

We have all heard the golden rule: "treat others the way you want to be treated." But is that really what the Bible says?In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us exactly how we should treat others. He tells us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute you, and to bless those who curse you. We are called to treat others the way that we want Jesus to treat us. That is different. It's counter-cultural. But it is what we are to do.This week, Pastor Jon dives into how we can better love our neighbors and enemies alike. Tune in to hear more!

Why do so many people hate the church? Hypocrisy is a word that runs synonymous with Christianity in most places. But how did we get here? Hypocrisy means saying one thing, but doing another, and Jesus had very strong words about this in His sermon on the mount. This week, Pastor Jon shares with us how we can remedy this sickness that has taken so much of the church. "The preaching that this world needs most is sermons in shoes that are walking with Jesus Christ." - D.L. Moody

Giving and generosity is talked about very often throughout scripture. Why is this? Because our God is a generous God. Every good gift that we have comes from Him. In this week's installment of our Sermon on the Mount series, Pastor Ryan shares about the giving nature of God. He breaks down what our giving says about our faith, and how we can become a part of something much greater than ourselves through generosity. Matthew 6:19-21 ESV “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Divorce is a widespread challenge that affects many, and while it has become increasingly common, it raises important questions about what Jesus teaches on the subject. Jesus teaches at great lengths on relationships in the Sermon on the Mount.In this week's message, Pastor Jon brought a clear word on divorce, filled with both the truth found in scripture and the grace of Jesus. We can learn how to fight FOR our marriage, and the ways we can extend grace to one another. "It's not your love that sustains your marriage, it's your marriage that sustains your love." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

One of the easiest ways for the enemy to get a foothold in our lives is through a perversion of one of God's gifts to humanity - sex. There is a singular, right way to enjoy sex, which God designed to be reserved for the context of biblical marriage. We have to guard our eyes, minds, and hearts from the things of this world.In the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5), Jesus is very clear about the dangers of harboring lust in your heart. This week, Pastor Jon breaks down how we can focus in on righteous living, and the pursuit of purity while living in a sinful and perverse world.

Anger is an emotion that we all deal with, and some of us better than others. But what does Jesus say about it? Is there such a thing as good anger? How can we control anger in our lives?In this timely message, Pastor Jon shares from Matthew 5:21-26 and breaks down Jesus' teaching on anger in the Sermon on the Mount.

In this sermon on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-11), we uncover the true meaning of blessing in God's Kingdom. The Beatitudes aren't just ideals, but a roadmap for the believer's transformation. Starting with being poor in spirit, we learn that true surrender is a lifestyle, not a one-time event. From there, our spirit and desires are radically transformed. This message challenges us to embrace a life of continual humility, dependence on God, and renewal, leading us from brokenness to blessing in our walk with Christ.

This week, Pastor Jon dives deep into Jesus' transformative message in the Sermon on the Mount.In Matthew 5:1-3; 17-20, Jesus sets the stage for a radical shift in how we live as citizens of the Kingdom of God. Through the powerful image of Jesus as the true and better Moses, we discover how His teachings challenge the very foundation of worldly values. "Blessed are the poor in spirit," Jesus says—an invitation to humility, transformation, and a life marked by God's kingdom, not by earthly measures of success. This sermon isn't just good advice—it's a call to a new way of living. Are you ready to embrace the radical transformation that Jesus offers?

When preparing to study scripture, it is important for us to consider all of the cultural context within the pages. To kick off our series "What Did Jesus Say About _____?" Pastor Jon introduces hermeneutics and what it means to study scripture exegetically. Once we understand how to read the sermon on the mount, we can more fully know what Jesus wants to teach us through it.

How can we experience true joy this Christmas? By inviting Jesus into every part of our celebration. Let Him into your family, your friendships, and all the moments you cherish this season. The ultimate joy comes when we make room for Christ in our hearts and lives.This week, Pastor Jon shares with us a heartfelt message on true joy from our Christmas at Vima services.“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” – Psalm 16:11 ESV

God has created each of us with a unique purpose and calling—to serve others in a way that brings eternal significance. And when we align ourselves with this calling, we experience true joy. This week, Pastor Jon provides practical guidance on how to live out this calling in everyday life and emphasizes the importance of serving one another sacrificially, reflecting God's love and grace in all that we do.

Christmas can be a difficult season for many, whether from loss, grief, or strained relationships. But even in the heartache, we can find joy by turning to Jesus, who understands our pain and offers comfort. This week, Pastor Jon shares how to find joy amid life's struggles.

How can we have joy in the most chaotic seasons of our lives? Often we let our busyness dictate our spiritual health and progress, and we even wear it as a badge of honor. We can find joy in the chaos when we seek God first and make Him our number one priority.Pastor Ryan brought a timely message this week as we all gear up for Christmas, the busiest season of all.

This week Pastor Willie George shares a powerful word on the Law of the Hand. We get an in-depth perspective on Joseph and how this spiritual law applied to his life and how God chose to work through him.

Seeds don't grow unless we bury them and let go. When we do this, we have faith in the process - God's process. And what we see time and time again is His ability to do more with that seed than we could ever do ourselves."Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20 NLT

We know that we can trust God with what He has called us to. Throughout scripture, sacrificial obedience is met with God's blessing. This week, Pastor Jon shares a powerful word on the rewards that God loves to give His children.

Throughout scripture, we often see God inviting individuals to participate in His work on Earth. This week, Pastor Jon explores the miraculous story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. In this miracle, a young boy's selfless gift is transformed by God into something extraordinary, making it one of the few miracles recorded in all four gospels. What is God inviting you to be a part of?

Sometimes the next step we need to take is simple, but other times it requires a lot of faith. We may think we are hearing Him, but how do we know if the voice we hear is God's? We need to let God's peace and His word guide us. This week, Pastor Jon shares some very practical tips on hearing God's voice.

God owns everything. When we look at what He placed in our hands with God's perspective, we can learn to understand true stewardship. So how will you use what He has entrusted to you?

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20 NLTGod has more - more for you, for your family, for your community, and for His church. This message kicks off a new series all about the more that God has for you. Pastor Jon also shares an exciting new announcement for Vima Church.

Have you ever considered that maybe there is more to life than this? That there is more to be done? Or maybe you feel like you are wandering through life aimlessly, with no real direction? There is more. God wants more for your life than to just be happy, He wants you walking in your purpose! Pastor Jon shares how we can discover our purpose and take our next step to see what God has in store for each of us.

Have you ever felt alone? Have you ever felt like the journey ahead is just too daunting? Often when God wants us to move forward in our lives, He doesn't take us straight to the destination, he leads us to people. People are part of the process. In this sermon, Pastor Jon explains how we can find freedom in real community and breaks down the five main types of friends that we all need in our lives.

What's the difference between knowing God and knowing about God? Having knowledge of Him is great, but it is no substitute for a close relationship with God. Pastor Jon gives us some valuable insight into what it means to truly know God, and some practical tips for knowing God better.

Making friends is hard. Maintaining friendships is even harder. What is the biblical model for friendship? Pastor Jon brings us a great message with practical tips on being a great friend, and having the best friend you could ever have in Jesus.

Have you ever wondered what the Bible says about dating? Pastor Jon breaks down the Biblical perspective of what dating should look like according to how God designed it. Whether you are single, dating, married, or not this message offers another insight into one of the most important relationships we can have.

Pastor Jon shares an encouraging word on one of the most important relationships we can have - marriage. Marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God, reflecting the intimate relationship between Christ and the Church.

This week, Pastor Jon interviews Dr. Larry Mitnaul about parenting children from age zero all the way through adolescence. Listen in to this rich conversation on parenting through both a psychological and biblical perspective.

What does the Bible say about the relationship between parents and their adult children? To kick off our relationship series, Pastor Jon brings us a word on honor and godliness.

How do we handle all of the information the world throws at us? How much is too much? What should we let in and where should we set boundaries? Pastor Jacob Howell brings a powerful word on living a holy life in a world with too much information.

Even when we feel lost, rejected, alone, or forgotten, we still have a purpose. Pastor Ryan shares a story of four unlikely heroes found in 2 Kings.

What does the voice of God sound like? How do we know it's Him? Pastor Gabe George shares a powerful word on the role of the Holy Spirit.

Today we hear from four young communicators who each brought a word out of an encounter we see with Jesus in the Gospels. Lean in, take notes, and cheer them on as they grow in their giftings!

Many of us know what it's like to have estranged relationships. Through the story of Philemon, we see that God has reconciled us and we are called to reconcile with others.

God has a heart for your city and all He needs is your obedience to send revival. Through the story of Jonah we get to see how God can even use our reluctant obedience to do powerful things in the world. God is looking for some Jonah's who will carry the torch to their Nineveh. Can He count on you?

There should be a distinction between the sacred and the secular. The church is called to be set apart, to be holy, to pursue righteousness. But how do we love the world and not give into it? How do stand firm in our faith? And what happens when the woke hits the church? How should we respond?Jude's letter to a ancient local church serves as a great guide for our churches today. 

What if God doesn't do what I want Him to do, when I want Him to do it, how I want him to do it? How do I respond to God when everything in my life sucks? The prophet Habakkuk gives us an incredible look at an honest conversation between a man and God. His faith journey starts with complaining and ends with praise.  

John gives us an elevated view of Christ. He came down to earth as the Son of God, to redeem humanity. The other three gospels give us a horizontal view of Jesus in the fulness of His humanity but John gives us a vertical view of Jesus in the fulness of His deity.

Each week this summer, we are going to teach through a book of the Bible. Our desire is to look for themes and lessons from these stories that can help us in our lives. The Book of Hosea is a love letter, a story of a man who pursues a woman to the fullest extent. Even though she doesn't always reciprocate the affection that is shown her, he continues to chase after her. This is a image of the love God had for Israel in the Old Testament stories and that Jesus had for all humanity when He went to the cross.

In the Gospel of Luke, we see that Jesus came as the Son of God and the Son of Man. Jesus, completely sovereign and yet arrived in this world wrapped in flesh. We have a Savior who came to seek and safe the lost, to show us a better way.