Refuge Church Ojai Valley

The Holy Spirit is our Comforter

Where do you go for comfort? Is it control? Success? Proving yourself? Or something deeper? Jesus didn’t leave us to figure life out on our own. He gave us the Holy Spirit—our Comforter. Not comfort through autonomy… but through surrender. Not comfort through ego… but through mercy and peace. He meets us with truth when we need direction, with perspective when life feels overwhelming, with a reminder of who we are, and with the nearness of God Himself. The question isn’t if you need comfort. It’s where you’re looking for it. This week, we’re talking about the Holy Spirit as our Comforter—and the kind of peace you can’t create on your own.

The Holy Spirit is our Counselor

As we step into this message with our Associate Pastor, Derry Brooks, we’re reminded that the Holy Spirit is not distant or abstract—He is God with us.
He is the Counselor Jesus promised. He dwells within His people and is actively at work in their lives. The Holy Spirit is personal. He is someone you can know and respond to. He guides you into truth when life feels confusing. He convicts, not to shame you, but to lead you into freedom. And He transforms hearts in ways no one can manufacture on their own.
In a world full of noise and competing voices, everyone is being led by something. But the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, always pointing back to Jesus. He empowers ordinary people to live boldly and faithfully—not just for personal growth, but for the spread of the gospel. So the question isn’t whether the Spirit helps. It’s whether you’re willing to humble yourself, trust Him, and follow where He leads. 

Introducing the Holy Spirit

Do you believe the Holy Spirit is real… or just an idea?
Not a force. Not energy. Not something to control.
A Person.
One who speaks, guides, convicts, comforts—and lives in you.
So what does that actually mean for your everyday life?Who are you really relying on?And what might need to be surrendered so you can actually grow?
This week, we’re diving into the person of the Holy Spirit—and why your relationship with Him changes everything.

Christians are Consumed by Hope (Easter Sunday)

Hope has a name. Today we gather to celebrate a hope that does not end at the grave — a hope that meets us in our wounds, speaks into our questions, and holds us when we feel like we are running out of strength. A hope that reaches into yesterday, steadies us in today, and stretches far beyond what we can see. A hope not built on what we can earn, but on what has already been finished. Come and behold the hope of Jesus.

Christians are Sold Out to Jesus

In a world full of competing loyalties — religion, culture, comfort, success — Jesus doesn’t ask for part of us. He invites all of us.
This Palm Sunday, we’re stepping into the tension of a crowd that shouted “Hosanna” one day and “Crucify Him” just days later. As we open Scripture, we’ll wrestle with an honest question: what are we really sold out to? Is it Jesus… or something we’ve built around Him? A version of faith that feels safe, successful, or in control?
This week, we’ll see that following Jesus isn’t about religion, cultural approval, personal comfort, or even our own plans — it’s about surrendering to the One who is better than all of it. Because Jesus isn’t just part of life — He is our only hope for real life. No matter where you’re coming from, this is an invitation into deeper honesty, deeper surrender, and a faith that doesn’t shift with the crowd.
 
 #ChristiansAre #TransformedByGod #RefugeChurch #1Thessalonians #holiness #LiveStream #palmsunday

Christians are Pursuing Holiness

In a culture full of mixed messages about identity, love, and sexuality, God offers something different — something better.
This week, we’re talking about holiness — not as restriction, but as invitation. An invitation into a life marked by honor, freedom, and wholeness. As we open Scripture, we’ll explore how God’s design for our lives is rooted in His love, His wisdom, and His desire to protect and restore us.
No matter your story, you’re invited into a life of faithfulness — where your body, your desires, and your relationships are shaped by something deeper than culture: the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.
#ChristiansAre #TransformedByGod #RefugeChurch #1Thessalonians #sexuality #holiness #LiveStream

Christians are Being Transformed

Transformation isn’t just about changing habits — it’s about becoming more like Jesus in every part of our lives.
This week in our “Christians Are…” series, we explore how God works in us to shape our hearts, minds, and communities with our associate pastor Zack Totten. From receiving the Word with joy, to turning away from the patterns of the world, God’s Spirit is at work making us new, reflecting His glory, and building a reputation that honors Him. When God transforms us, it doesn’t just change us — it changes the way we live, the way we love, and the way the world sees Him. 

Christians are Radical, Life-Changing Encouragers

Encouragement might sound simple — maybe even a little soft. But in the kingdom of God, encouragement is anything but small. Scripture calls believers to build one another up in ways that are bold, intentional, and deeply transformative. The kind of encouragement Christians are called to isn’t about surface-level positivity — it’s about strengthening faith, reminding each other of truth, and pointing one another back to the goodness of God. Join us as we continue our “Christians Are…” series in Thessalonians and explore how encouragement can become one of the most powerful ways we live out our faith together.
 
#sermons #christians #christiansterotypes #church

Christians are Leaders with Integrity

What does godly leadership actually look like?
In a world that often elevates platform over character, Scripture calls Christian leaders to something deeper — lives marked by integrity, devotion, holiness, and humility. Leadership in God’s kingdom starts at home, flows from a surrendered life, and is shaped by a commitment to guard the Gospel and care for people well.
This message in our “Christians Are…” series walks through the kind of leadership that reflects the heart of a good Father — protecting, nurturing, and releasing others into maturity.
Whether you lead in your family, your workplace, your ministry, or simply influence those around you, this teaching will challenge and encourage you to pursue leadership that is formed by Jesus.
#ChristiansAre #LeadershipWithIntegrity #1Thessalonians #RefugeChurch #SermonReplay #SpiritualLeadership

Christians are Everyday Soldiers

Following Jesus doesn’t mean we ignore the reality of the battle around us — it means we learn to see it clearly. This week we talk about spiritual warfare: the unseen struggle, the very real resistance to our faith, and the power God has given us to stand firm. Not with fear, not fighting the wrong enemies, and never on our own — but strengthened by His Spirit and anchored in His victory. Join us as we discover what it means to live alert, equipped, and confident in the middle of the fight. #christians #christianfaith #sermons #spiritualwarfare