Refuge Church Ojai Valley

Standing Room Only

There are several times in the New Testament where Jesus gathers such a crowd that it is literally "Standing Room Only". Today, our guest speaker, Conor Le Blanc from Real Life Church, explores an epic story from Luke 5 and talks about what it looks like when we step out in faith to pursue Jesus at all costs. 

Will Anyone Hear This? (Greed vs. Generosity)

Jesus wants to talk to us about our greed but we never want to listen. It's almost certain that you don’t think you are greedy. Most people don’t. We compare our lives to those who have more than we do and we convince ourselves that its ok if we want more. We also compare our level of generosity to those who are less generous than us and are convinced that we are generous people. Thankfully Jesus doesn’t let us just stay in our blindness. He shows us the emptiness that is found in greed and the truth that we were both created and saved out of God’s generosity. 

Envy Steals, Kills and Destroys; But Jesus Has a Plan

When sin is normal, no one thinks it's sin. When everyone does it, it's the people who abstain who look strange; but that doesn’t mean sin is still not wrecking lives. Our world loves to envy and we don’t think much about it. But envy is destroying lives and crippling our ablity to relate to one another. So where is the hope? How can Jesus and a few of his peculiar people bring life?

Peculiar People: "Salt and Wrath"

Christians are supposed to look different than any culture they find themselves in. Jesus said they are supposed to be the salt of the earth. They are supposed to bring a flavor and a value that changes everything. So, how does that happen? We live in a angry, wrathful, rage filled world; is it even possible to be salt in the midst of wrath? 
 
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What Did Your Name Used to Be?

We go through our life with a few names. Names that were given to us a birth, nicknames that friends or family offered, and names we may not tell others but that we give ourselves. Some names we embrace and others we despise. But for every follower of Jesus there is a new name. That new name holds a reality and a future that looks nothing like our old names. The question is will we leave our old names behind and let him usher into the people he has created us to be. #identity #faith #giftsoffaith #Jesus #followingjesus

Hometown: The 5 Essentials

When God brought the first Christians together in the book of Acts there were five specific ways they “lived” out their new faith. But what about today? Is it different now? How do we actually live out our faith through our everyday lives?
 
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Hometown: Sent to our Hometown

What if God really means what he says? Jesus says some crazy things that sound good, but do we really believe him? If we do it means we have a huge part to play in his plan to redeem, restore, and make all things new. So how do we do it? How do we live as people who are his and ready to follow him anywhere? This week we dive headfirst into that question and see where Jesus sends us! #sermon #ojai #mission #greatcommission

"Time to Meet the New You" | Hometown

It’s time to talk theology again and this week we dive into the theology of adoption. Do you know that is how the early Christians explained how we become God’s sons and daughters? Do you know what it means to be adopted by God? Is it just an illustration or metaphor for you or do you really believe it? This week we dig deep and see how embracing our adoption changes everything! #familyofGod #faith #sermons

"God, What Should I do?" | Shawn Dilbeck

So often, when we find ourselves stuck in an impossible situation we ask God "What should I DO?". In looking at the life of Moses, we see that it isn't so much about what we should DO, but something else entirely. Join us as we hear the word from our guest pastor, Shawn Dilbeck. #faith #rest #sermons #inspiration #church # onlinechurch

How Long Will You Hesitate?

In your story who is the hero and who is the villain? Are you someone who speaks positively to yourself or are you harsh? These questions might seem strange but how we answer them reveals a lot about what we think about God and his interaction with our daily life. These are questions that men and women have wrestled with for thousands of years and thankfully our God has a message for us. Join us as we jump into a a powerful story of the prophet Elijah in our "Jesus is Better" series. #sermons #hope #God