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In this powerful Sunday message, “The Covenant Meal,” Pastor Josiah Elias takes us to the table with Jesus and His disciples on the night before the cross. Through the Passover meal, we see that Jesus was not caught off guard by His suffering—He was the Lamb chosen before the foundation of the world, willingly giving His body and shedding His blood to establish a new covenant between God and His people. As the disciples wrestled with the reality of betrayal, Jesus revealed the depth of His grace, the seriousness of examining our hearts, and the radical difference between worldly greatness and Kingdom greatness. The same meal that exposed Judas’s betrayal became the setting where Jesus declared His body and blood as the once-for-all sacrifice for sin. This message invites us to examine our hearts, remember the price of our redemption, and recognize the profound invitation we have received: not merely to sit at a table, but to belong to the covenant family of God. Through Christ, the Lamb of God, our redemption has been secured forever, and one day we will share the covenant meal with Him in His Kingdom.

Have a Love Encounter with God is a powerful message centered on Jesus’ invitation to experience a relationship with Him that goes far beyond religious routine. In John 14, Jesus reveals that genuine love for Him is demonstrated through obedience, surrender, and a desire to keep His Word. He promises that those who love Him will not be left alone, but will receive the Holy Spirit—the Helper and Spirit of Truth who dwells within them. This message explores the incredible reality that God doesn’t simply want to be acknowledged from a distance; He desires to make His home with us. When we truly encounter the love of God, our obedience is no longer driven by obligation but becomes a response to knowing Him. Come hungry for a deeper encounter with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and discover what it means to love Jesus, walk in His Word, and experience His presence in a personal and transformative way.

The sermon "Red Letters: Washing" by Pastor Josiah Elias (0:54:03-1:59:13) centers on the profound act of Jesus washing his disciples' feet as a model of servant leadership. Drawing from Luke 22, the message highlights the context of the Passover and the divine orchestration of the Upper Room, where Jesus demonstrated that true authority in the kingdom is defined by serving others. Pastor Josiah emphasizes that this act was a "living parable," illustrating the need for spiritual cleansing and setting a standard for Christlike service among believers. Ultimately, the sermon connects this humble act to the far greater cleansing power of the Cross and invites the congregation to embrace a lifestyle of humility, service, and total surrender to the Gospel.

In this powerful message from Matthew 25, “What’s in Your Hands?”, we are challenged to examine what we are doing with everything God has entrusted to us. Jesus’ parable of the talents reveals that God doesn’t need us, but He chooses to entrust us with gifts, opportunities, resources, influence, and responsibilities for His Kingdom. The question isn’t simply what we have been given, but what are we doing with what God has given us? Pastor Josiah Elias unpacks the difference between faithful stewardship and fearful inactivity, showing how our view of God directly influences the way we live, serve, and respond to His calling. The servant who buried what was entrusted to him wasn’t merely inactive—his distorted perception of his master produced fear, paralysis, and ultimately disobedience. In the Kingdom of God, movement in the wrong direction is not progress, and true increase is ultimately an increase of Jesus in our lives. This message invites us to stop comparing what we have been given, stop burying what God has placed in our hands, and faithfully steward what belongs to Him. The question is simple but searching: What am I doing with what God has entrusted to me right now?

In this powerful Midweek Encounter message from Luke 5, we journey with Peter into one of his defining encounters with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee. After working all night and catching nothing, Peter is tired, frustrated, and ready to return to what he knows—but Jesus steps into his boat and asks him to go deeper. What follows is a powerful picture of what happens when we trust the Word of Jesus even when our experience tells us otherwise. Peter’s simple response, “But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again,” becomes the doorway to an overwhelming miracle and a revelation of who Jesus truly is. Yet the greatest miracle wasn’t the overflowing nets—it was what happened in Peter’s heart when he encountered the holiness and power of Christ. Jesus transformed Peter’s perspective, fear, and purpose, calling him from catching fish to fishing for people. This message challenges us to sharpen our spiritual lives, move beyond what seems reasonable, trust God with the deep things we cannot yet see, and recognize that sometimes Jesus asks us to go deeper precisely when we feel like we have nothing left. When we encounter Jesus, everything changes—and like Peter, we are invited to leave everything behind and follow Him.

In this sobering and powerful message from Matthew 25, we are reminded that one day the King will return, and every life will be brought before Him. Jesus describes the moment when He will separate the sheep from the goats, revealing that what we value ultimately shapes how we live. Pastor Josiah Elias challenges us to look beyond religious appearance and examine the reality of our faith through the way we love, serve, and respond to the people God places directly in front of us. When the righteous ask, “When did we see You?” Jesus reveals that every act of compassion toward the hungry, thirsty, stranger, sick, or imprisoned was an act of love toward Him. This message reminds us that Jesus is often hidden in the person standing right in front of you, and the question we must ultimately answer is, “What did I do with the person standing in front of me?” As we look toward the return of Christ and the eternal reality of His Kingdom, this sermon calls us to live with compassion, generosity, humility, and genuine faith—not merely a religious appearance, but a transformed Kingdom reality. When the King returns, all will be revealed.

In this powerful message, missionary Brian Jourden shares firsthand encounters from taking the Gospel into nations where Christians face severe persecution and, in some places, the threat of death. Through moments of desperation and danger, Brian testifies that the same God whom Daniel trusted in the lions’ den and Moses called upon in impossible circumstances showed up for him, protected him, and preserved his life. This is a testimony of courage, faith, and the faithfulness of a God who is still moving powerfully among His people—even in the most dangerous places.

In this sobering message, we are confronted with the warning Jesus gave His disciples before His crucifixion and the tragic example of Judas Iscariot. Through Luke 22 and Matthew 26, this sermon explores how spiritual compromise can begin subtly, how persecution, division, and deception can test our faith, and why simply being close to Jesus does not guarantee a surrendered heart. Judas walked with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, heard His teaching, and was numbered among the twelve—yet his heart slowly drifted toward betrayal. This message challenges us to examine whether we are truly following Christ or merely close enough to look like disciples. We are reminded to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, remain spiritually discerning, guard against compromise, and never allow proximity to replace genuine surrender. For many, betraying Jesus doesn't happen in public—it happens in private.

What happens when God gets your attention? In the first message of our new Midweek Encounter series, “Moses: The Burning Bush,” Pastor Josiah Elias takes us into Exodus 3 and the powerful moment when Moses encounters God in the wilderness. Moses was simply tending sheep when he saw something that demanded his attention—a bush engulfed in flames that was not being consumed. He stopped. He looked closer. And when he drew near, God called his name. The burning bush reminds us that an encounter with God will always demand a response. God told Moses, “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.” Before Moses could be sent, he had to encounter the holiness of God. Before the assignment came the encounter. Before the calling came the presence. And Moses' encounter didn't end at the bush. After spending time with God on Mount Sinai, Scripture tells us that Moses came down with a radiant face because he had been in the presence of the Lord. You cannot spend time in the presence of God and remain the same. What happens in His presence eventually becomes visible in your life. Hebrews 4 reminds us that we have a Great High Priest who understands our weaknesses—Jesus, the Son of God. We don't serve a distant God who cannot understand us. We have been invited into the presence of a God who knows us, calls us, and meets us right where we are. The question is not simply, “Will God speak?” The question is, “Will you stop long enough to listen?” Maybe your burning bush is the moment God is using to get your attention. Maybe He's calling you to take off your sandals, recognize the holiness of where you are, and draw closer. Encounter His presence. Hear His voice. Let His presence change you. Join us for Midweek Encounter as we begin the journey through the life of Moses and discover what happens when an ordinary life encounters an extraordinary God.

What would it look like to see revival take place in the next generation? In this episode, Jordan Lunderville joins Pastor Josiah Elias for a powerful conversation about reaching young people with the Gospel, believing for revival, and creating space for the next generation to encounter Jesus. They also discuss the importance of getting Bibles into schools and equipping students with access to the Word of God. This conversation will challenge you to believe that God is moving in the next generation and inspire you to play a part in what He’s doing. Tune in — revival isn’t just coming; it can start with us.

In this urgent and prophetic message, “The Ready Discerning Church,” Pastor Josiah Elias takes us through Matthew 24 and Scripture’s warnings concerning deception, the return of Christ, and the responsibility of the Church to remain spiritually awake and discerning. Jesus warned that false messiahs and false prophets would arise with convincing signs and wonders, making discernment essential for the people of God. Pastor Josiah traces the biblical story of God’s dwelling place—from the Tabernacle and the Temple to Jesus Christ, the Church, and ultimately eternity—revealing that under the New Covenant, we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit and living stones being built together as God’s house. Through the finished work of Jesus, one sacrifice was made once and for all, and now the Church is called to live holy, alert, and ready. Jesus is coming again—not secretly, not ambiguously, but with power and great glory, and every eye will see Him. The question is not if He is coming, but are we ready? This message is a call to wake up, reject deception, cultivate biblical discernment, and examine our hearts with one sobering question: “Am I ready?”

This special episode is unlike a typical sermon—it’s an intimate, unscripted Q&A with Pastor Josiah Elias, where no topic was off limits. Members of the congregation had the opportunity to ask anything about ministry, leadership, spiritual growth, hearing God's voice, navigating life's challenges, and walking faithfully with Jesus. With no prepared notes or rehearsed responses, Pastor Josiah answered each question from the heart, offering honest, biblical, and Spirit-led wisdom in the moment. This genuine conversation provides a rare glimpse into the heart of a pastor who desires to see people know Christ more deeply and live with unwavering faith. Whether you're seeking practical guidance, spiritual encouragement, or simply want to grow in your relationship with God, this candid discussion is filled with authentic insight, personal experiences, and timeless biblical truth that will challenge and strengthen your walk with the Lord.

What did Jesus mean when He said, "Don't be alarmed"?In this powerful message from Matthew 24, Pastor Josiah Elias walks through Jesus' teaching about the destruction of the Temple, the signs of the end of the age, and how believers are called to respond when the world seems to be falling apart.From Solomon's Temple to Herod's Temple, and ultimately to Jesus Himself and the Church as God's dwelling place, Scripture reveals God's unfolding plan throughout history. Jesus warned that wars, deception, persecution, famines, earthquakes, and false prophets would come—but He also gave His followers a clear command: **Don't freak out. Trust Me.**In this message you'll discover:* The fascinating history of the First and Second Temples* Why Jesus accurately predicted the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70* What the "birth pains" of Matthew 24 really mean* How to recognize deception and remain grounded in truth* Why following Jesus includes both privilege and persecution* The biblical picture of salvation: we **have been saved**, **are being saved**, and **will be saved*** The hope believers have as we await Christ's return* Why the Gospel must be preached to every nationKey Takeaway:True followers of Jesus trust Him even when the world seems to be falling apart. Instead of spreading fear, we are called to bring hope, peace, and confidence in God's promises.No matter what headlines you read or what challenges you face, Jesus is still on the throne, His Word is still true, and His Kingdom is still advancing.

Is deliverance still for today? In this episode, Maria Sainz joins Pastor Josiah Elias for a powerful conversation about deliverance, spiritual freedom, and the life-changing power of God. Together, they unpack what the Bible says about spiritual warfare, breaking strongholds, and the authority believers have in Christ. Through biblical truth and personal experience, this episode offers hope for anyone longing to experience greater freedom and a deeper understanding of God's power at work today. Tune in—you'll be reminded that the same God who delivered then is still delivering today.

Who is Jehovah Shaphat? Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as Jehovah Shaphat—The LORD, our Judge. His judgments are never corrupt, biased, or unjust. He judges with perfect righteousness, truth, mercy, and holiness. In a world where opinions constantly change and people are quick to condemn, God's judgment remains eternal and perfectly just. In this powerful message, we journey from the Old Testament to the New Testament to discover that Jesus Christ has been given all authority to judge the living and the dead. More importantly, we learn how believers are called to respond—not by living in fear, but in humility, repentance, and obedience. This sermon explores what it means to stand before the judgment seat of Christ, why every person will give an account of their life, and how the gospel transforms us from people who judge others harshly into people who restore others with grace. As followers of Jesus, we are called to remove the log from our own eye before addressing the speck in another's, remembering that the same mercy we have received should flow through our lives. If you've ever wrestled with questions about God's justice, eternal judgment, accountability, or what it means to live a life that honors Christ, this message will encourage, challenge, and strengthen your faith. Key Scriptures: • Judges 10:16 • Judges 11:27 • Genesis 18:25 • Psalm 96:13 • John 5:22-30 • Romans 14:10 • 2 Corinthians 5:10 • Revelation 20:11-15 • Matthew 7:1-5 • Psalm 25:9 • Galatians 6:1-3 If this message encouraged you, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Share so more people can encounter the truth of God's Word. Join us every week at Faith Chapel San Diego as we pursue Jesus, cultivate a culture like Christ, and experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

In one of His strongest and most sobering teachings, Jesus confronts the religious leaders of His day—not because they lacked knowledge, but because their outward appearance hid hearts that were far from God. In Matthew 23, Jesus exposes the danger of religion without relationship, performance without purity, and outward obedience without inward transformation. This message, "Hypocrites!", unpacks the seven characteristics of hypocrisy revealed by Christ. From shutting the door of the Kingdom to others, to valuing appearance over character, to living by loopholes instead of integrity, this sermon calls every believer to examine their own heart. God isn't looking for perfect people—He's looking for surrendered people. The invitation of Jesus is to remove the mask, embrace humility, and become authentic disciples who reflect His heart. Whether you've struggled with legalism, church hurt, self-righteousness, or simply desire to grow in spiritual maturity, this message will challenge you to pursue genuine faith that transforms you from the inside out.