Refuge Church Ojai Valley

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

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

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

Every life is telling a story. The question is—what story is yours pointing to? This week, as we continue our journey through Thessalonians, we’re talking about what it means to live as people shaped by God’s mission, formed by His truth, and marked by a hope that’s bigger than our circumstances. Not perfect people. Not people with all the answers. But people whose lives and words point to what God is doing in the world. Join us as we explore what it looks like to live—and tell—God’s story together. #christians #christianfaith #sermons

What if the Christian life was never meant to be lived in our own strength? This week, we’re talking about the Holy Spirit — not as a distant idea, but as God’s active presence teaching us, guiding us, filling us with joy, and leading us into real freedom. As we learn to listen in prayer and surrender daily, we discover a life shaped not by pressure, but by power. Join us as we open God’s Word and explore what it means to live rooted in the Spirit.

What does it really mean to live as a Christian in today’s world? In this message we launch our series into the book of Thessalonians and explore what it looks like to stand firm in our identity without losing humility, to submit our lives to God’s living Word, and to be people who don’t just read Scripture—but listen, obey, and proclaim it. God’s Word isn’t static or outdated; it’s alive, active, and still speaking today. Join us as we open the Bible together and learn how God’s Word shapes who we are and how we live.
#sermon #sermons #christians #faith

As we step into this year with a renewed mission to share our story with those around us, we’re reminded that God is still moving — and every story matters.
This week, Felicia shares a powerful testimony of how God met her in moments of heartbreak and vulnerability, walked with her through years of searching, and faithfully revealed His again and again. When the world’s answers leave us performing on the outside but hurting on the inside, her story reminds us that God is the only one capable of restoring our hearts and giving us true hope.
Join us as we celebrate what God has done and look ahead with vulnerability and joy.
 
#ojai #ojaivalley #testimony

We all say we want rest… but do we really know what we’re asking for? This week, we slow down and listen to Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28–30 — not to escape life, but to find a different way to live within it. In a world shaped by hurry and pressure, we’re exploring what true rest actually is, why it feels so hard to receive, and what it reveals about our hearts. If you’re tired, worn down, or longing for something deeper, this message is for you.#sermons #rest #sabbath #faith

What does it really mean to repent? Repentance is often misunderstood as feeling bad, making promises, or trying harder—but the Bible paints a much deeper and more hopeful picture. In this sermon, we explore what repentance truly is, what it is not, and why taking sin seriously is not about shame, fear, or earning God’s favor. Instead, we’ll see how repentance flows from God’s mercy, leads to real freedom, and reshapes our daily walk with Christ. If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles of guilt or wondered how Christians are meant to fight sin without despair, this message is for you.#sermons #church #sermon #repentance

Three Guys… and THE Guy. In this message, we look at three reasons Scripture gives us for fasting — and why it still matters today. Mordecai teaches us to fast in the middle of real, physical need. Daniel shows us how fasting sharpens us for spiritual battles. David reminds us that fasting can be an act of repentance when sin is real and present. This isn’t about earning God’s attention or proving our devotion. It’s about being all-in with Him. And Jesus — THE Guy — fasted too. If fasting mattered to them, and to Him, it matters for us. #fasting #newyearsresolution #2026 #ojaivalley #sermons