The 180 Church Podcast with Dr. Sammy and Friends

Lent: Spiritual Entitlement

In todays podcast, we are continuing our discussions on the season of Lent by observing the second temptation that Jesus overcame during his 40 day fast: spiritual entitlement. It’s not always easy to come to terms with the fact that we may feel entitled to certain rewards and favorable reciprocation from God for our good deeds and behaviors, but its certainly the case that many of us carry these assumptions in our walk with Christ. Spiritual entitlement could very well be holding us back from seeing what God is truly doing in our lives, so in order for us to remember who God is, his good character, and mitigate our own forgetfulness (or stupidity), we revisit and remember the altars and times in our lives that God has pulled through.

Lent: The Hold Of Materialism

In this weeks episode of the podcast, Joe and Pastor Lydia talk about how materialism, in very subtle ways, takes hold of our hearts and how Lent, fasting and prayer, makes us available to Gods presence and dreams. Materialism tends to be coupled with luxury, extravagance and lavishness, but materialism can also look like the things we take comfort in knowing it helps us get through our days, and even survive the tumult of our lives. Lent offers us a season of reflection that invites the Holy Spirit to re-examine what we think we “need” to make space for the eternal things that God has in mind for us and his kingdom. 

Vision: The Season Of Lent

Fasting, or at least the intermittent variety nowadays, is commonly known as a time-restrictive diet that is often paired with self-improvement and healthy lifestyles. While there is an aspect of restriction, this is very different from fasting in the biblical sense. Each time fasting is mentioned in the Bible, it is always paired with prayer. At its deepest level, fasting and prayer are seen in Jesus's life, to serve as an invitation for us during Lent to confront our vulnerabilities that we avoid, and to remove the distractions in our lives so that we can feast on the life-giving voice of God.

Vision: Rescue

In today's podcast, Pastor Lydia and Joe reflect on the necessity and impact of remembering others and the Father's heart for those who are marginalized and feel forgotten. We forget and therefore inevitably omit people and even ourselves, though that may not be our intentions, for a multitude of different reasons. However, to model Jesus is to recall, see, and act on those that we remember on the fringes of our societies and communities. The harvest is ripe and plentiful, and as believers we are called to the pursuit of God and his heart for the forgotten.

Vision: Integrity

This weeks episode features a candid conversation about integrity. Time and time again, integrity is highlighted as a component of mission statements, values, and a foundation for character development, but it seems that it is more often talked about than actually practiced. What does it take to live in integrity and forgo self-interested expediency? How does integrity ultimately benefit not just ourselves but the collective? Join us in this weeks podcast with Joe and Pastor Lydia as we discuss a life lead in integrity and it’s impact for the kingdom.

Vision: Refocus

In this weeks episode, Joe and Pastor Lydia recount times when they stayed faithful to their talents and the layers by which we are called to stewardship. At times, taking responsibility of the small yet important things can be difficult and we tend to put them to the side. However, those very talents, stations, and positions in life are critical to adhere to if we are to live to be the best we can be, with much and more. It’s not uncommon that the vision we have for our lives come out of focus, but the grace of this parable and the gospel is that we can decide to make that change, address those difficult responsibilities, and make the most of this gift of life.

Vision: Crown of Beauty

The Father's call for the church is to protect and restore beauty, but we often miss the beauty in ourselves and others. Despite this, the gospel and the community of God reminds us of our worth and original design. We are certainly not perfect, but the church has been called to preserve and cultivate the best of who God created us to be.

Vision: The Hills and Valleys

In this weeks episode, join Joe and Pastor Lydia as we traverse the hills and valleys of relationship together. It’s not a matter of if, but when we are at some of our highest and lowest moments that we see with pristine clarity the ones who love us and represent the love of the father. It’s the vision that Jesus had for the local church and the ecclesia: that we could join together to be a community that displays the glory of God through our commitment to one another as friends in the hour of our greatest suffering and moments of lavish celebrations.

Vision: Clarity

As we continue our Vision series, Pastor Lydia chats with guest Ahnmin Lee about Clarity. What is the purpose of the church and who are we, as her members, called to do? Is it to become holier? To become trendy and hip? To become more successful? Dr. Sammy reminds us that the mission of God is clear and simple: to go after lost sons and daughters and bring them back home. In fact, the ethos of the church is the antithesis of success—leaving the ninety nine to go after the one lost sheep does not yield maximum results and benefits. But it does require sacrifice, empathy, and deep compassion. And it is the heart of Christ that we are called to imitate.

Vision: The Father's Heart

The podcast team is kicking off 2020 with the Return of the Prodigal Son. It’s in the cross section of vulnerable resolutions and previous mishaps and the tension of being lost and found that the heart of the father speaks the loudest. This year, we are invited to join God in a new-old vision, but the same mission that we’ve always been engaged in: to be a community that remains hopeful and loving for when our brothers and sisters return home.