We Receive You

On Sunday, December 15, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Giovanni Serrato shared a Christmas message about becoming children of God by receiving the good news of Jesus Christ, believing that God receives us and makes a way for us to receive the Lord, and being brought into Christ’s family, we receive one another.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:12-13 (NIV)

How to Be Massively Used by the Lord

On Sunday, December 8, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a Christmas message about when Mary received the promise from the Angel Gabriel that she would give birth to Jesus, and Mary’s response was, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to live in spiritual preparation, welcoming what God says about us, never fearing what God assigns to our lives, and simply giving ourselves to God’s will.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:26-38 (ESV)

Mastering the Practice of Thanksgiving

On Sunday, November 24, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about giving thanks, and he led us in a practice of gratitude, declaring that gratitude precedes everything spiritual. Below are the notes outlining this practice of gratitude.

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:20 (NLT)

1. Pause

2. Reflect

3. Connect

Practice

1. The Lord: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV)
   - Actions
   - Character

2. People: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 (NIV)
   - Actions
   - Character

3. Complaints: Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalms 55:22 (NIV)
   - Actions
   - Character

Surrendering Your Way to Transformation

On Sunday, November 17, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem, and along the way, he turned and addressed the crowd that was following him. Jesus challenges them to count the cost of being his disciple. From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to return to Jesus, our first love, to restore our focus on Jesus, and to respond to Jesus’ voice calling us to a life of transformation through surrender.

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.

“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Luke 14:25-35 (NIV)

Embracing Our Calling in Christ

On Sunday, November 10, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Brook Fonceca shared a message from Philippians where the Apostle Paul declares that he is embracing God’s calling on his life by pursuing it with all his heart. From this, Brook encouraged us to align our perspective with God’s in regard to our calling, realizing that whatever situation we find ourselves in, we are found in Christ, we are reflections of God’s love in Christ, and we bring a glimpse of heaven to earth as we love God by loving one another.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Keeping Your Faith Vital in a Religious World

On Sunday, November 3, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem and was invited to eat at a Pharisee’s house. During the meal, Jesus instructed the people at the table to be generous when they throw a banquet, inviting those who are unlikely to be invited instead of those in their inner circle. From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to keep an eye out for those who are considered “others,” to stop keeping score, expecting to be repaid, and to keep our focus on Jesus.

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:12-14 (NIV)

Caught in the “Almost”

On Sunday, October 27, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Giovanni Serrato shared a message about when the Apostle Paul was on trial before King Agrippa in Caesarea. Paul shared his testimony of coming to Christ and the difficulties and persecutions he experienced for the gospel of Jesus Christ. King Agrippa replied to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Paul confesses his desire that all would come to Christ, except for his chains.

From this, Pastor Gio encourages us that even though we have a past, full of victories and mistakes, we don’t need to resist the leading of the Holy Spirit drawing us to Christ. As we walk with Christ, some will misunderstand us, but others will see God’s love through our lives. Some will come to Christ through our testimony, and others will not. But our hearts should embrace Paul’s desire for all to come to know the love of God through Christ.

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
Acts 26:28-29 (NKJV)

The Kingdom Key that Brings Us Closer to God

On Sunday, October 20, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem and was invited to eat at a Pharisee’s house. During the meal, Jesus shared a parable about how people chose where to sit at a banquet, reminding them to choose a seat of lesser honor. That way, you could be invited to sit in a place of greater honor. From this, Pastor Stuart explains how humility is necessary for growth and is something that can be cultivated in our lives.

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 14:7-11 (NIV)

The Obstacles that Keep Us from a Vibrant Faith

On Sunday, October 13, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem and was invited to eat at a Pharisee’s house. During the meal, as Jesus was being watched, he healed a man who was with them. Jesus used this situation to express that God values people over rules. From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to examine our lives to see what we are letting into our lives that can become obstacles to our faith. He listed desiring the approval of others, making religion an end in itself, and protecting a calloused or broken heart.

One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” And they had nothing to say.
Luke 14:1-6 (NIV)

How to Live Your Life with Purpose

On Sunday, October 6, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem, and some Pharisees warned him that Herod wanted to kill him. Jesus replied by reiterating his purpose and his necessity to go to Jerusalem. From this, Pastor Stuart exhorted us to get bold about living, focusing our faith on our calling, and reconnecting with the Lord’s longing through us.

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”

He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Luke 13:31-35 (NIV)

A Time to Evaluate Your Kingdom Life

On Sunday, September 29, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem. His disciples asked about who would be saved. Jesus answered, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.” From this, Pastor Stuart shares that our hearts need to be connected to what Jesus cares about, identifying when we are outside of God’s plan, and evaluating if our focus is to know Jesus in the present.

Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”

He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’

“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’

“But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’
Luke 13:22-27 (NIV)

What is the Holy Spirit Up To?

On Sunday, September 22, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching on the Sabbath and asked, “What is the kingdom of God like?” He then shared the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast. From this, Pastor Stuart led us in a discussion on “What is the Holy Spirit Up To?” He reminded us that God’s kingdom is counterintuitive and that small things have a great impact. The Holy Spirit uses what little we have, our prayers, talents, and resources, and makes them great in God’s kingdom, all the while leading us into new ways of transformation.

As a benediction, Pastor Stuart shared a song – Come Jesus Come by Stephen McWhirter

Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”

Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Luke 13:18-21 (NIV)

How Compassion Leads Our Faith

On Sunday, September 15, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching on the Sabbath and healed a woman who had been physically afflicted for eighteen years. He then taught the people about compassion. From this Pastor Stuart encourages us to have compassion for people and see them as God does, understanding that compassion reveals God’s kingdom and sets people free.

On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”

The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”

When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
Luke 13:10-17 (NIV)

How to Navigate When Bad Things Happen

On Sunday, September 8, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching his disciples, with the crowds listening in, about current events and how to make sense of them and walk through them. From this Pastor Stuart encouraged us to not get lost in theology (figuring it out), but rather to adopt an eternal perspective of life and use the bad to cultivate the good.

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.
Luke 13:1-8 (NIV)

Strategic Questions to Discern Your Spiritual Seasons

On Sunday, September 1, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching his disciples, with the crowds listening in, about why he came, what his ministry would produce, and how to interpret the signs of the times. From this teaching, Pastor Stuart shared seven questions that we could use to discern our spiritual seasons.

1. What is the Lord judging or purifying in you?

2. Where do you feel constrained until you commit?

3. Where is there unrest and lack of peace?

4. Where is there division with others?

5. Where are you aware of the Holy Spirit?

6. Where are you holding God back?

7. Where are you withholding from God?

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Interpreting the Times

He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

“Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
Luke 12:49-59 (NIV)

How to Take Responsibility for Your Calling

On Sunday, August 25, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching his disciples with the crowds listening in about how to be faithful in service, understanding the consequences and blessings of obedience. From this passage, Pastor Stuart encourages us to develop a faithful and wise stewardship, living with an urgency to bless, and taking stock of what the Lord has entrusted to us.

Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Luke 12:41-48 (NIV)

How to Prepare for the Future

On Sunday, August 18, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus teaches his disciples about not fearing the future or worrying about provision, but rather receiving God’s kingdom, being prepared to serve, and knowing that God will provide all things. From this, Pastor Stuart encourages us to trust in the Lord for our future, making time for devotion by reducing our interaction with the world and embracing the future that Jesus is revealing for us.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Luke 12:32-40 (NIV)

The Anxiety Cure

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus teaches his disciples about worry, anxiety, faith, and the treasure of the heart. From this, Pastor Stuart shares that worry comes from believing that we don’t have enough security and resources. Instead, we are encouraged to discover the pleasure of God’s heart which is to give us the kingdom. Lastly, we must examine our hearts. What do we hold as treasure there?

At the end of the message, Pastor Stuart shared a song – Daily Bread, by Pat Barrett & Kari Jobe.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:22-34 (NIV)

How to Be Rich Toward God

On Sunday, August 4, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus, after leaving a meal with the Pharisees, begins to be surrounded by thousands of followers. As Jesus interacted with the crowd, he shared the parable of the rich fool where a man’s greed cost him his life. From this, Jesus encouraged his followers not to worry about their daily needs, for God will care for them. Pastor Stuart encouraged us to reflect on what we allow to influence our hearts, to protect our hearts by aligning with God’s will, and to strive to reconnect with Jesus through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
Luke 12:13-22 (NIV)

How to Avoid Being a Hypocrite

Note: Please forgive the auto-focus box moving on the screen around Pastor Stuart’s face. We hope it doesn’t detract from the message. Thank you.

On Sunday, July 28, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus, after leaving a meal with the Pharisees, begins to be surrounded by thousands of followers. In that moment, Jesus teaches his disciples about hypocrisy and the perils of living a double life. From this story, Pastor Stuart encourages us to live our lives in the light, to make honoring God our focus, and to know our value in God’s eyes.

Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Luke 12:1-7 (NIV)