Serving Popcorn with Sermons

Since announcing to the community, my friends and my family that God had called us to start a new church inside the at the Promenade Mall, I have heard on more than one occasion, “Will you serve popcorn with the sermons?”

I have even heard a handful of popcorn jokes, but would rather not repeat any of them, as they were all very corny.

I know that starting a church at the Promenade Mall may not seem like the most normal direction God would typically lead a new church, and yet here we are. We just held our second official Sunday as Temecula’s newest church body. 

To read an article about the opening of the church, .

For some people, The Church at Promenade may just appear to be another church that has sprung up in the Temecula area, but to the 40 individuals who took this step of faith together to begin this new church movement, we see it as much more than just “another church in the valley”.

We see it as a calling from God that brings a greater purpose to our lives, and not only to our lives, but also to the lives of a community that is filled with many people who are hurting, and need to know that there is hope for them in life.

Isn’t this what life is all about? Finding our purpose? Having hope for tomorrow? Living for something bigger than ourselves in life, something that is truly worth waking up for each morning? We believe that this purpose and this hope are found in Jesus Christ. 

This was one of the motivating factors for me choosing to begin our new journey of faith at our church earlier this month by looking at the Gospel of Mark and a sermon titled “Starting Over with Jesus.”

No matter where anyone is on their journey of faith, we can all use a new start from time to time, and this is exactly what Jesus offers each of us in life.

He is the God of new starts! In fact, the very first words from the Gospel of Mark inform us that when Jesus arrived on the scene, something new and exciting came with Him. Mark’s introduction begins by saying, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1).

In this verse, we read about one of the most important moments in the history of the world, the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. From the beginning of his gospel (good news), Mark wants everyone to know and believe that Jesus is not some ordinary person. He is the Christ, the Son of God! And all that Mark will be writing about in his gospel must be read and understood and interpreted under that undeniable, unchangeable truth regarding the person of Jesus Christ.

This is the one event in all of world history that would ultimately change the course of the human race forever. Before Jesus, it’s all history. After Jesus, it’s all about his-story. 

It is this event, and the outcome of Jesus’ life that enables everyone to have the opportunity for a brand new start in life. The Son of God had entered into creation to bring us good news. The good news is that through faith in Him, we cannot only learn how to have a meaningful and life-changing relationship with God, but we can also receive eternal life.

That is exactly why Jesus came. He came to teach us how to have a relationship with God, and at the same time to reconcile us back to God, so that we can have eternal life. Whoever takes Jesus up on this offer gets a new start in life!

Doesn’t that sound great? Having a new start in life? Everyone needs the opportunity to have a new start in life. You need the opportunity. I need the opportunity. Our next-door neighbors need the opportunity.

Today is the day you can have a new start in life with Jesus. You can do this in faith by letting Jesus take control of you, right here, right now, just as you are, all messed up, with your life completely out of whack. If you come to God on His terms and not your own, He will radically show up and take you on the most amazing adventure in life.

The Word of God tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope... When you pray, I will listen. If you look for me with your whole heart, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

It is my prayer that you will take God up on His challenge in this verse, and truly pray and seek after Him with your “whole heart”, because when you do, you will find Him waiting for you, and whether you know it or not, that will be the very best news you will ever experience! 

As I continue this new journey as The Church at Promenade’s lead pastor, and my new role as the Temecula Patch religion blogger, it will be my greatest desire to help you know and understand that there is a God who deeply loves you and has created you for a purpose in life.

I want to be a voice that will help encourage you to grow in your love for God and for other people, and to hopefully inspire you to begin living for something bigger than yourself in life, the kingdom of God!

May God abundantly bless you, and I hope to see you on Sunday!