2025 Advent Hope - and Waiting
LBFC Weekly Sermons
Advent is a time when those who follow the classic church calendar look forward to Jesus returning - an Advent, a coming. Many others look back to remember when he came born as a baby in Bethlehem. In this first Advent message we look at the theme of hope, which implies we are waiting for... what? We are patiently waiting for what we hope for - the reconciliation of all things in Jesus! We also consider the impatience of the "Christian Nationalism" which has confused so many Christians these days. The Bible Projects Advent resources may be found at The Bible Project video on Advent Peace may...
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2025 Advent Peace - Shalom
LBFC Weekly Sermons
Advent is a time when those who follow the classic church calendar look forward to Jesus returning - an Advent, a coming. Many others look back to remember when he came born as a baby in Bethlehem. In this second Advent message we look at the theme of peace, better explained through the Hebrew word "shalom." What is our purpose in this time between Jesus' Advents, or comings? In this message, we consider our purpose of being peacemakers. The Bible Projects Advent resources may be found at The Bible Project video on Advent Peace may be viewed at https://bibleproject.com/videos/shalom-peace/...
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Halloween?
LBFC Weekly Sermons
It's the Halloween season again. These days, Halloween has a bad reputation among many Christians. Is it deserved? Should Christians participate in the events surrounding Halloween? At the very least, we need not be afraid. In this message, recorded live on October 19 (apologies for the echo in the audio), Joe discusses some brief history of Halloween, positioning it in relation to All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day, and then discusses how we might approach this holiday as people who follow Jesus. Visit us on the web: . Give: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3ZJ93YXC6X9AS Music...
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Christians, Politics, and Government - Today's Deception
LBFC Weekly Sermons
Well, we are certainly in a time when hate and violence seem to be gaining momentum and acceptance - even among some who claim to be Christian. The temptation to become a fierce, crusading warrior "for Jesus" is strong in our time, apparently. But no. Just no. This is not a new temptation. It is not Christian and not of Jesus. It is a deception. In this episode of the Christians, Politics, and Government series, we explore how regular people - even among Christians - are deceived into actions that are not of God, or not of Jesus. Visit us on the web: . Give:...
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Wilderness Living - Recorded Live on Sunday morning, September 7, 2025
LBFC Weekly Sermons
We took a two week break from our ongoing series starting Labor Day weekend. Circumstances conspired to make it impractical to release a pre-recording of the message for this past week (September 7, 2025). However, we recorded the message live in our English-language service on Sunday and decided to put it out on our podcast feed. It's about living in the wilderness of a broken world, and uses a rather different perspective on the life of Moses as an example of wilderness living. You will hear sounds of our downtown Long Beach, California wilderness as emergency vehicle sirens punctuate our...
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Christians, Politics, and Government - Are Christians Political?
LBFC Weekly Sermons
As was inevitable, some have wondered if this series has been "political" - wondering if that is improper. Christianity is political, and speaking as a Christian inevitably has political implications. However, we do not speak in a partisan manner to support one party or another. We speak the truth in love with wisdom, as nearly as we can discern it, with humility. We explore this theme in this episode of the Christians, Politics, and Government series. Notes listing resources mentioned in this message are . Visit us on the web: . Give:...
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Christians, Politics, and Government - To Love My Neighbor
LBFC Weekly Sermons
In our series on Christians, Politics, and Government we are moving into considering what it means to love our neighbor. This message only mentions briefly any application of this idea to government and politics, so expect to be personally challenged. Of course, listeners are encouraged to consider how the concept of loving one's neighbor is embodied in our current politics and government policies. Questions for discussion and personal application are reproduced here for your convenience: Questions for Discussion: What does “neighbor” mean when Jesus tells us to love our neighbors? Is...
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Christians, Politics, and Government - Other Gods
LBFC Weekly Sermons
In our series on Christians, Politics, and Government we are moving into considering what "other gods" may be taking priority in our politics, government - and in our own lives. This briefer-than-usual message includes questions for discussion and personal application, reproduced here for your convenience: Questions for Discussion: 1. What are “other gods” are given priority in our society? What other gods do we see in politics, laws, and government policies – or in business practices? 2. What changes would be needed to dethrone these “other gods” in our society? Why would this...
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Christians, Politics, and Government - Immigration
LBFC Weekly Sermons
In our series on Christians, Politics, and Government we are moving into specific topics now that a foundation for a Christian approach is established. Our first topic is... immigration! Can we discuss immigration with others truthfully with less heat and light that shows us as people who love our neighbors - both those who already live in our communities and those who may be immigrating to join them? This link takes you to the list of resources mentioned in the talk. Visit us on the web: . Give: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3ZJ93YXC6X9AS Music "Front Porch" by Adam...
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Christians, Politics, and Government - To Speak or Remain Silent?
LBFC Weekly Sermons
How should Christians respond to evil? How should Christians respond to evil done in Jesus' name? In this episode we work through a bit more of the basic teaching of Jesus for all of his followers and then consider when to speak up, or act, and when to remain silent. Visit us on the web: . Give: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3ZJ93YXC6X9AS Music "Front Porch" by Adam Selzer, see https://openchurch.com/free-download/front-porch-1011834/, (CC-BY-SA-3.0) Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by...
info_outlineAdvent is a time when those who follow the classic church calendar look forward to Jesus returning - an Advent, a coming. Many others look back to remember when he came born as a baby in Bethlehem. In this second Advent message we look at the theme of peace, better explained through the Hebrew word "shalom." What is our purpose in this time between Jesus' Advents, or comings? In this message, we consider our purpose of being peacemakers.
The Bible Projects Advent resources may be found at https://bibleproject.com/advent/
The Bible Project video on Advent Peace may be viewed at https://bibleproject.com/videos/shalom-peace/
Visit us on the web: https://www.lbfc.org.
Give: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3ZJ93YXC6X9AS
Music "Front Porch" by Adam Selzer, see https://openchurch.com/free-download/front-porch-1011834/, (CC-BY-SA-3.0)
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.