VOX Community Podcast

Vox Community Podcast May 12 2019 by VOX Community

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Vox Community Announcement by VOX Community

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Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Will explains the subversive narrative of Jesus's birth and encourages us to pause, reflect, and revel in its significance. He sets the scene by describing the Roman Empire that Jesus is born into and draws parallels between Caesar August, the self-proclaimed son of god, and Jesus of Nazareth, the divine incarnate. The Christmas story isn't just about the long-awaited savior of Israel born in a remote eastern corner of the Roman Empire: it's about God's intervention to save humanity. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Josh Sofaer of Jews for Jesus brings us an historical teaching on the tradition of Hannakauh. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Vision teaching on our approach to Jesus' ministry of Table Fellowship. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This Sunday we shared about where we are heading into 2019 with a brief review of 2018. We need your feedback to inform us of how you'd like to participate in the next year. If you could please fill out our survey, should only take 5 minutes. Survery: http://www.voxoc.com/survey Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live

Teaching by Ronny Roa. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week, Karrie uses the apostle Paul’s story to address the role of storms in the lives of Jesus followers. In Acts 27, Paul finds himself in the midst of a serious storm as he travels as a prisoner to Rome to plead his case for release. Despite his circumstances, Paul was faithful to God, who had assured Paul that all those on board the ship would survive. Sure enough, everyone reached land safely. Paul’s attitude exemplifies how we too are to handle the storms that disrupt our lives. While we may be tempted to “jump ship” when things are bad, we are to stay “on board” with God’s plan. It is only in the storms that we can be transformed and really experience Jesus. Of course, this requires surrender on our part, but this surrender leads to a greater freedom in the end. God’s promise to us was not that we’d be storm free, but rather that He will be there with us and for us during the storm. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Bonnie Lewis teaches through Acts 21-23. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Will Anderson teaches about whether or not Jesus is the only way to heaven. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Bonnie Lewis teaches through Acts 15. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Will Anderson teaches from Acts 12 this weekend. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Ronny Roa teaches from Acts 10 this Sunday. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Karrie Garcia teaches from Acts 9 this Sunday. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Jack West teaches from Acts 6-7 this Sunday. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Karrie Garcia teaches from Acts 3-4 this morning. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Will Anderson starts our teaching on Acts 1-2, sharing why the Holy Spirit plays a critical role in the lives of those who seek and believe in It's participation in everyday life. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Introduction to Acts - September 9 2018 by VOX Community

This week, Ronnie Roa hosts Matt shares his story with the community. The two of them have an open and candid dialogue about the role of sex in Matt's life and how the church has affected him spiritually and emotionally, for better or for worse. Matt's honesty is both insightful and challenging, given the traditional lack of conversation in the church about this important topic. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Will Anderson teaches on Jesus' first public sermon, where upon teaching the mob attempted to take his life. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Bonnie Lewis teaches on the story of Barneaus' healing and takes through an exercise to experience the scripture, not just hear it read. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Karrie Garcia shares a teaching about the reminder that God desires a heart of humility and posture of meekness as we contrast our common perspective that bigger is better. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Ronny & Natalya Roa Story - July 22 2018 by VOX Community

Abraham and Isaac - July 29 2018 by VOX Community

Jack West joins the show today to share about his perspective as a "Pastor in Recovery". Jack's story is compelling, unusual, and challenging amidst responding to his call into ministry. We discuss how to embody a person of peace when you've faced betrayal in your life. We discuss issues around suicide, mental health, and having a posture on how to provide helpful care around those that may be struggling with these trials. Watch the LIVE show here: https://www.facebook.com/voxcommunity/videos/vl.2094871814066761/2035887176740023/?type=1 Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Ronny Roa and Andy Lara discuss core values at VOX Community and offer a posture for how to sit in the tension of opposing political views within the church. We believe that following Jesus is a political gesture, but not bipartisan. When we cast a false identity upon our brothers and sisters, pinning them to a party instead of a Person, we will lose our unity and orientation toward our participation in the kingdom of God. We'd love your thoughts and considerations. If you follow us on Facebook you can watch the original LIVE Show here: https://www.facebook.com/voxcommunity/videos/vl.2094871814066761/2013303422331732/?type=1 Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

In the gospel of John, we see God illustrated through the work of Jesus. In John Chapter 2 we follow Jesus as he attends a wedding celebration. During the celebration, the wine begins to run low and Mary comes to Jesus in faith that he will provide. As one of the most well-known stories in the bible, Jesus takes water and turns it into wine. In biblical history, we know it’s the bridegroom who is responsible for providing for guests at the wedding. Here, Jesus steps in as the bridegroom to provide for his people. There’s a provision that comes through faith, and we see this in the story of the wine. This is what it looks like to have faith and be reminded of God’s grace. If your water is running low, God wants to fill you up in abundance. The water, once used for purification, is no longer needed. God’s grace has replaced it – he has made us whole and complete, and we can have faith that he provides.

This week, Jack West invites us to take a closer look at the table by studying John’s account of the eucharist in John 13. Instead of focusing on the meal, John focuses on the significance behind Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. It wasn’t just that Jesus performed the act of a servant—it’s that He did it knowing Judas would betray Him. He still washed his feet. He still invited Judas to partake of the bread and wine. He still forgave him. Jesus modeled how we should treat each other even when we’ve been hurt and betrayed. When we share the eucharist, we have the opportunity to extend the same grace Jesus showed us to those who have hurt and betrayed us, but are we? Jack closed by asking us to reflect on this: Are there stories of loss, betrayal, or harm that we’ve been part of that need to be retold in the context of grace and forgiveness?

Karrie shares about her recent experience in Thailand. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

The story of Zacchaeus is often shared with our youngsters in Sunday School classes. Will Anderson, however, shares a deeper perspective from Luke chapter 19, viewed in the context of the Roman culture. Will identified how Jesus was often misunderstood when he contradicted people’s expectations and stereotypes (i.e., Pharisees are righteous, and tax-collectors are not). He shattered the status quo when He invited himself to dine at Zacchaeus’s house. Why would He give such an honor to a despised tax-collector? After sharing multiple perspectives on the event, Will suggests that the Zacchaeus story is a vivid picture of the gospel message -- Christ redeems the most unlikely people who are often hated by others. We are challenged to exercise this grace that Christ showed to Zacchaeus, as we deal with those whom we dislike, and those not meeting our expectations. God wants to use us as instruments of reconciliation. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Karrie Garcia teaches through the topic on Soul Care. How can we care for others when we don’t care for ourselves? How can we see God as loving if we don’t see that he asks us to care for our souls? What's the difference between self care, spiritual care, and soul care? These are some of the tangible ideas that Karrie is asking us to consider. If you would like to connect with a community pastor, you can contact us through our webpage at http://www.voxoc.com/care Learn more about VOX Community at: http://www.voxoc.com

Ronny Roa observes the life of David in his relationship with God and how we become more aware of our own process and journey. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Karrie Garcia teaches on the vastness and power of a very big God. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Karrie shares about the sacrificial love of Jesus and how we are all called to mother in a way that reflects His love. In the midst of Jesus dying on the cross, He looks down and sees His mother there. There is power in this moment with Mary standing at the cross with her son, when others stand back in fear. This is the sacrificial love of Mary. We also see this reflected in Jesus. In His last painful moments, He pauses to commit His mother to John and John to His mother. By committing them to one another, Jesus is fulfilling his responsibility as a Jewish man to set his mother up well. In this case, he sets up both Mary and John for their own well-being, and does so in the midst of his tremendous pain. He gives his mom a place and purpose, and gives John protection, despite Jesus’ own suffering. This is the heart of the God we serve, and we are called to reflect His love.

Karrie shares about the sacrificial love of Jesus and how we are all called to mother in a way that reflects His love. In the midst of Jesus dying on the cross, He looks down and sees His mother there. There is power in this moment with Mary standing at the cross with her son, when others stand back in fear. This is the sacrificial love of Mary. We also see this reflected in Jesus. In His last painful moments, He pauses to commit His mother to John and John to His mother. By committing them to one another, Jesus is fulfilling his responsibility as a Jewish man to set his mother up well. In this case, he sets up both Mary and John for their own well-being, and does so in the midst of his tremendous pain. He gives his mom a place and purpose, and gives John protection, despite Jesus’ own suffering. This is the heart of the God we serve, and we are called to reflect His love.

Ronny Roa brings a thought-provoking message entitled “Pearl Pushers,” centered around one verse, Matthew 6:7. The verse is often misused and taken out of the context in the Sermon on the Mount. We learn that casting pearls to dogs or pigs does not provide them any nutritional benefit. It is a complete waste with negative results. This scenario brings up many questions. When we share scripture without the response we hoped for, is it possible we are sharing scripture in a way that does not benefit the hearer? Is our approach to scripture sharing correct? Is our advice channeled through condemnation and judgement? Do we think those that don’t heed our advice are just like pigs and dogs? Are we truly directing people towards the Kingdom of God, which is about human equality, compassion, and God’s unconditional love and grace? When we “push our pearls” (our incorrect approach, opinions, and judgment) on people, we are misappropriating God’s message.

In light of recent changes at Vox, Bonnie asks us to reflect on an important question: What’s our next move? In response, she examines a similar scenario the disciples faced (John 12:20-26), and Jesus’s telling response. When Greeks asked Philip and Andrew to meet Jesus, they hesitated because they were wary of the type of influence they might have on their community, which had survived some traumatic experiences. When they consulted Jesus, He responded by telling them He wasn’t going to be around forever—it was their turn to make a decision as a community. Change is hard, but the way we walk forward matters. There are some things that have to die in order for new life to be birthed. There are some things that need to stay in order for community to get stronger. Bonnie concludes by reminding us of what the disciples were: a small, grassroots movement started by 12 guys who—after experiencing trauma—stuck it out and stuck together. The way they responded changed the world. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live

Tim Muelhoff, in this lesson, shares a personal conviction he feels should be addressed in the modern church. He acknowledges how Jesus had a reputation for attracting those who were poor, different, and marginalized; yet, today, many churches have developed a different reputation, often linked to a political agenda and the marginalization of those who are different. Tim cites Acts 11:19-23 where Barnabas noticed that the Christians in Antioch demonstrated the grace of God and stayed true to the Lord. They followed Christ’s greatest commandment of Loving the Lord with heart, soul, and mind. They also followed the 2nd greatest commandment of loving your neighbor as yourself. Tim uses Leviticus, chapter 19, to explain details on fulfilling these commandments and handling our differences. He then discusses practical ways to start productive conversations, combat stereotypes, prophetically use your voice, and properly use social media. Our challenge, like those Christians in Antioch, is to show God’s grace and stay true to the Lord. Screen reader support enabled. Tim Muelhoff, in this lesson, shares a personal conviction he feels should be addressed in the modern church. He acknowledges how Jesus had a reputation for attracting those who were poor, different, and marginalized; yet, today, many churches have developed a different reputation, often linked to a political agenda and the marginalization of those who are different. Tim cites Acts 11:19-23 where Barnabas noticed that the Christians in Antioch demonstrated the grace of God and stayed true to the Lord. They followed Christ’s greatest commandment of Loving the Lord with heart, soul, and mind. They also followed the 2nd greatest commandment of loving your neighbor as yourself. Tim uses Leviticus, chapter 19, to explain details on fulfilling these commandments and handling our differences. He then discusses practical ways to start productive conversations, combat stereotypes, prophetically use your voice, and properly use social media. Our challenge, like those Christians in Antioch, is to show God’s grace and stay true to the Lord. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live

This Easter, Ronny Roa teaches about the incredible moments surrounding Jesus' resurrection, namely how he approaches those who doubted what they were seeing before their very eyes. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Karrie Garcia teaches the tory about the Woman at the Well where Jesus first reveals his Kingship. The question for us is, do we make ourselves available enough to hear and see Him when we least expect it. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Bonnie Lewis, our guest speaker from Austin, TX, addresses the topic of peacemaking amid conflicts. She provides a unique perspective on the parable of the talents in Mathew 25:14-30. Dictionaries define peace as the absence of conflict, yet we learn from these verses that there is more --- the reward of entering the joy of the Lord. Bonnie, when struggling to find peace in the birth of her stillborn child, eventually realized that one’s perception of God affects the ability to gain reconciliation, peace, and joy. If we don’t trust that God is good and can bring joy and peace during conflict, we become like the servant, in verse 24, who distrusted his master. His fear and misunderstanding of his master’s goodness and grace caused him to be judged thereby with a loss of the rewards, joy and peace. What you believe about God affects your ability to find peace and reconciliation in a difficult situation. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Ronny Roa joins us to teach from the Book of Nehemiah Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community began from the discussions on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Dear VOX Community, As of February 13th, 2018 our President and Team Leader, Mike Erre, has submitted his resignation from Vox Community. We have graciously accepted that resignation for a number of reasons. This past week, we have been in constant prayer and discussion with our Teaching Team, as the decision did not come in the form of an executable plan, but an inevitable result of escalating tension within the leadership team. This past Sunday, we brought this new to the community. Please listen to the recording as it help to explain the future of VOX and our commitment to it's flourishing in the community. Read the full statement on our website here: https://www.voxoc.com/vox-leadership-announcement Andy, David, Christina, and Izzi.

Mike offers his thoughts and direction regarding David Robles' news and transition from vocational ministry work. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Welcome to our first VOX Community LIVE Podcast, where we enter into the spaces in our public sphere to discuss issues rather dismissed by the church. As Valentine's Day approaches, Tim offers some techniques on communicating better in the context of relationship. Also joining us on this episode is Eddie Park, Pastor of HUG Church, a new church in Fullerton, CA that shares many of the same values as us, namely, the Church should be the safest place to talk about anything. Special thanks to FLDWRK in Fullerton for using their venue and HUG Church for their team and resources support. This is the first of what we hope is many in providing content beyond Sunday's liturgy, we hope you'll join us in person next time! FLDWRK Website: http://www.fldwrk.io HUG Website: https://www.hugchurch.com Tim Muehlhoff Website: http://www.timmuehlhoff.com Andy Lara on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/andy_lara Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Karrie Garcia teaches about the significance of holding to what is hurtful in our lives vs building alters on God's moments of goodness in our lives. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week, Mike laid the foundation for his next few teachings by outlining what it means to be a peacemaker. To begin, God created this world to be in a state of perfect peace, or Shalom. Cornelius Plantinga defines Shalom as the "webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight." God also created humans as His image bearers, which means that we are called to reflect His love and purpose. During this time, there was perfect order and all things existed together in perfect harmony. As we all know, however, that Shalom was fractured early on, and chaos was introduced into the world. The Old Testament refers to this brokenness many times; Isaiah in particular yearned for a time when peace would return to creation. Fortunately, Jesus represented the beginning of Earth’s return to Shalom, and called us to follow his example by being peacemakers. In short, peacemaking is taking something broken and restoring it to wholeness—specifically, to take the broken world and restore order and harmony. Jesus has called us to be agents and ministers of this restoration process and the return to Shalom. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Enjoy this update from Mike Erre regarding ongoing leadership and exploring an Ohio VOX Community. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Today Karrie shared a fresh perspective on the story of Abraham by teaching about the value of journeys instead of focusing on destinations. She shared how she learned that the destination is not all it is cracked up to be, and that the real transformation is what happens on the journey itself. God called Abraham to leave everything behind to go to a foreign land. Abraham made plenty of mistakes, and even made a pit stop along the way, but is known for being a man of faith. God was with Abraham on his journey, and He is with us, too. Karrie observed that we are all so fixated on getting to a destination that we miss the transformative power of the journey. It isn’t about arriving, it is about becoming. God is asking us to give up whatever is weighing us down, so we can trust Him and learn about our Father who dearly loves us. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Merry Christmas Everyone! Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Karrie looks at Matthew, Chapter 2, and teaches about the magi - the wise men - some of the most well-known and misunderstood biblical figures. Each of the gospels tells the story of Jesus’ birth, but Matthew paints a different picture: he takes us to the underbelly of the Far East and the political and cultural undercurrents of the time. The magi weren’t wise men as we see them today. The audience for whom the text was written understood the magi were modern-day idolaters, astrologers, fortune tellers, pagans. How incredible that from the moment Jesus drew his first breath, he was already revealing himself to lowlifes, misfits and outcasts – those who are hungry to be saved. These men had searched their whole lives for the truth, looking at stars and dreams and ancient texts, but something happened when Jesus was born that transformed their hearts. When they finally found Jesus, they fell to their knees in worship. That’s when their search ended and their journey began. From the moment Jesus was sent, God was pursuing those who are hungry to be saved. It’s the lowly that are called, the outskirts that are reached, and the searchers that will be found. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

In light of all the pain and suffering in the world, it’s easy to wonder why God doesn’t stop it or intervene. What’s the point? Why is it happening? Does He know, and—if so—does He care? Tim responds to these questions by exploring the problem of evil, God’s attitude toward it, why He doesn’t “fix” it, and how we should respond in the midst of it. He starts by answering this question: Why did God create human beings (and not robots)? He wanted us to choose: to love Him, to have a relationship, to do good over evil. This choice is what makes us fully human. He could eradicate evil, but to do this, He’d have to revoke our free will. Without free will, we couldn’t love Him. (We could obey and comply, but we couldn’t love.) Having free will means there will always be the potential for evil in this world. As Christians, we should cling to hope—God promises to rectify the world—and take comfort knowing God weeps with us as He waits. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

With Christmas around the corner, Mike explains to us the reason that Jesus came to earth and the role of the church today. In Genesis 3:8, when Adam and Even fell to Satan’s temptation, God’s first response was to look for the two. Since then, God has always pursued his people to dwell among them. In Exodus 25, he told Israel to build a sanctuary for him to dwell. Israel’s job was to live differently as a nation with which God dwelled. In the New Testament, God sends Jesus as a perfect representation of himself to live amongst his people (John 1:4). In John 14, as Jesus told disciples of his imminent death, He comforts them that the Spirit will always live in them to continue His work. The Apostle Paul picks up this thread as he describes the church as a body of Christ, in which Christ dwells (Eph. 1:22-23, 1 Cor. 12:12 and 27). Today, the church should represent the presence of Jesus on earth. We should show the fullness of God in us. In the end, the church is not about what it does, but how it is transforming: more into Christ’s likeness. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week, Tim Muehlhoff shared his views of the importance of self-talk. Self-talk is a key factor in our mental health, and by connection, our relationship with God. From a purely worldly perspective, three factors help shape our self talk/esteem: (1) our appearance, (2) our success, and (3) our perceived importance. The Bible recognizes that all humans have a delicate self-perception; Psalm 73 is a raw expression of the writer Asaph's self-esteem. In that Psalm, Asaph expresses his disappointment with God's failure to meet his expectations.. Tim reminded us that this disappointment is natural - we all may be disappointed with God at certain times. The way to prevent negative self-talk is to think about the impact that our speech may have on others, to go into God's sanctuary and experience His holiness, and to remember the benefits of following Jesus. That said, we need to recognize that our expectations may not necessarily be in line with what God wants for us - the "American dream" may have given us unreasonable expectations. With all of that in mind, we need to process our disappointment or frustration with the ultimate goal of becoming closer to Jesus in mind. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week, Karrie talks about resistance, desperation, and the freedom God offers when we finally surrender by asking us to ask ourselves two questions: What is God asking me to do? What am I holding onto? She studies the responses of three Biblical characters who responded to God’s invitation in different ways: Pharaoh, the rich young ruler, and the paralyzed man whose friends ripped through a roof so he could meet Jesus. When each man was invited to step into something more—to partner with God to free the Israelites, abandon everything to follow Jesus, and be in Jesus’s presence—only one was desperate enough to accept. Only the paralyzed man was freed and walked out a changed man. God invites us to be part of the kingdom every day, and yet many of us don’t accept because of the risk or the cost or the things we hold onto—our personal kingdoms. We put off surrendering to what God is asking of us till tomorrow because we can. We aren’t desperate enough yet. Karrie reminds us that God offers us freedom every day and urges us not to miss the invitation because we’re focused on the kingdoms we’ve created. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Karrie Garcia preaches on the apostle Paul’s strength in the midst of his hardship as illustrated in Philippians Chapter 4. Paul wrote this letter to the church of Philippi while imprisoned in Rome. We all know what incredible pain Paul had to endure for the sake of Jesus Christ. Having lived through labors, beatings, sleeplessness, and hunger, Paul writes that he has “learned” to be content in whatever situation (v. 11). Then in verse 13, he writes the frequently-quoted verse, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” The verse is often taken out of context and used in situations when we need the strength to do something we may not be entirely confident about. However, Paul is saying that he is strong to face all things because of Christ who empowers him. He is confessing that nothing fills his heart like Jesus, and contentment will be found in Christ alone. Whenever we face hardship, it is easy for us to get frustrated or angry with God. But we should be reminded that our hope lies in the future we have in Christ, not in living a perfect life on earth. Understanding this truth, or secret, will help us not be anxious but give thanks to God even in the midst of suffering. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week, Tim Muehlhoff shares from his expertise in communication theory, which he teaches at Biola University. Tim encourages us to practice what he coins as the core of effective communication: to value cognitive complexity and model perspective taking. Perspective taking involves assuming and maintaining another's point of view (POV). This doesn't necessarily require us to agree with or condone the other's POV, but rather just to see issues through the other's eyes. Cognitive complexity involves perceiving and describing others' views and actions through distinct interpretations. This is accomplished through differentiation between possible interpretations, abstraction of context, and organizing contradictory interpretations. While this all may sound like mere academics, Tim connects these ideas to the gospel by stressing that these qualities, when expressed successfully, will increase our empathy and sympathy for others and our relational level of communication. After all, Jesus himself was the perfect model of a perspective taker. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Ronny Roa continues his teaching from last week on Luke 14. Jesus explains to the Pharisees what God’s kingdom is truly like through a parable. The Pharisees were the religious elites who thought they knew everything about God’s kingdom and they were already part of it based on their social status and their own righteousness. In verse 1, one man delights in this, exclaiming, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!” Then Jesus tells a parable about a man who sent out invitations to a feast. All the invitees made excuses and refused to come. Jesus uses the parable to point out to the Pharisees that they are in fact not engaging in God’s kingdom by refusing to love and serve the marginalized as Jesus does. In the parable, the master tells his servant to “go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame,” (v. 21) illustrating that Jesus’ invitation into God’s kingdom is extended to everyone including the marginalized, if they are willing to humbly accept His love and forgiveness. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week we hear from Ronny Roa and Luke 14. We observe the bigger themes Jesus was teaching about the posture Jewish culture took at the time when eating with neighbors and locals. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Today Karrie talks about the transformational power of God over sin. Sin tells us three lies: This won't hurt me. I need it to be fulfilled. I can control this behavior. But these lies play themselves out every time. It begs the question: Is God really good if he allows us to be tempted? Is transformation possible today or do we have to wait for Jesus to return? If we are called and consumed by the Holy Spirit, we can be transformed today. We serve a God who loves us so much, if we invite him, he will dig deep to find the root of our pain and to heal and redeem us today. We remember that God has chosen us. We invite him into this place of pain and sin to heal our hearts. This gives us the power to resist the temptations that call us over and over again. We can be empowered by the Holy Spirit. It's is our gift and our inheritance and we don't have to wait to experience redemption. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

How do we to respond when great Bible promises just don’t seem to work? Tim Meulhoff specifically cites a passage that often falls into this category -- Philippians 4:4-7. These verses suggest the lessening of anxiousness when one prays for ‘everything’ with ‘thanksgiving’. Anxiousness, however, often remains. Tim proposes that we are not fully praying the way prescribed by the apostle Paul in this passage. Perhaps, we too often pray casually and quickly when we should also have times of more serious and highly focused communication with God. He delves into praying with preparative thought and reverence, as well as the engagement of our physical bodies in a more determined manner. Tim also addressed the ‘thanksgiving’ aspect of prayer, guiding us to find thanksgiving beyond material, physical, and relational circumstances. Happiness and joy can be found even in the worst of circumstances when one acknowledges and expresses gratitude for spiritual blessings such as God’s unconditional love, being more than conquerors, our hope eternal, and the nearness of God. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Mike joins us from Ohio and teaches on Peter’s story of his first conversion in Luke 5:1-11. Peter, a professional fisherman, had been out all night fishing with his fellow fishermen and didn’t catch anything. They had cleaned their nets and were finished for the day. Jesus was also at the shore and spoke to a crowd in one of the fishermen’s boats. After he was done, Jesus came to Peter and told him to go out to the sea and put down the net. When he had done so, he caught such a large catch that the nets and the boat began to sink. Then Peter fell to his knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” The key here is Peter’s attitude. He was humble enough to recognize who Jesus is and that he did not deserve to be there. The moment Peter made this humble confession to Jesus marked the beginning of his discipleship. Churches today often tell us that we need to make things right with God first before we can belong to his kingdom, but perfection is not what God is looking for. Rather, he wants us to humbly recognize that there is nothing we have to do to “earn” a place or rights in his kingdom for He had already loved and accepted us when we were still sinners. Summary by Rina Kim Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week, Karrie went through the story in Acts of Cornelius, a ranking Roman soldier of some stature. Through visions, God called both Cornelius and Simon Peter to meet together, which led to Cornelius' conversion to follow Jesus. While this conversion was significant, Karrie pointed out that Peter had perhaps a more meaningful conversion. As context, the Romans had brutally tortured and murdered Peter's best friend and savior—Jesus—not long before. And if anyone could’ve felt justified to hate the Romans, it was Peter. Despite this, Peter responded to God’s calling without hesitation, going to Cornelius’ home and leading many to find Jesus. We too are called to be like Peter. In light of recent events such as the Charlottesville protests, we may find justification to hate those who themselves espouse hate. But Jesus calls us to exhibit “radical, scandalous, sometimes painful love” to even those who clearly hate. And this calling does not apply only in the abstract; it extends to specific people in our everyday lives whom we may be struggling to love. As Karrie beautifully reminds us, “that’s what makes you different” when you follow Jesus. Story Telling from Maria Doliver Maria grew up as a driven young girl who saw hard work translate into success as a gymnast. Her view of Christianity was largely framed by this mindset, but that led her to checking the spiritual boxes, but lacking a personal connection with Jesus. She eventually turned away from the church, experimenting for many years because she could not belong to a movement that was focused on finger-pointing and shaming others for being unlike the herd. After much experimentation in alternative forms of spirituality, she realized her perception of the church had been tainted and saw Jesus as her fulfillment. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Tim Muehlhoff explores the question of what the purpose of the church is. The answer could be found in 2 Corinthians 5:20: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” In this world, tainted by human sin, our job is to engage in the ministry of reconciliation so that God’s rule may be restored. This is an important responsibility that is given to every single Christian, not just the ones in significant positions. The Christian job description can be summarized as follows: 1) Get the message right (2 Cor. 5:19) – We should articulate the Gospel in the language that people can understand and display love toward the whole person. 2) Get the tone right (2 Cor. 5:21) – We should convey the radical nature of God’s love in which all of our sin was put on Jesus so we may become righteous. 3) Do not discredit the message (2 Cor. 6:3) – We should address our fears and be persuasive, even though the conversations we engage in could be controversial and challenging. Storytelling from Kendra Higgins Kendra had a fulfilling childhood growing up as missionaries’ child in South Africa, enjoying the nature and the simplicities of life. When she was in high school, her father was diagnosed with a degenerative disease. The period of pain that followed sparked something she calls the “if-only syndrome.” If only God would heal him… If only God would take care of this… Then in her twenties, her father passed away and the if-only syndrome came back. In the midst of her struggles, God spoke to her to care for those around her who are hurting. To this day, “if onlys” still remain in Kendra’s life, but she tries to find satisfaction in what God has given her and to find beauty in her suffering. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

"Reaping and Sowing" is the title of this message brought by Ronny Roa, member of the newly formed VOX teaching team. Referencing Galatians 6: 6-10, Ronny contrasts and compares living in legalism to living in freedom through the Holy Spirit. The legalistic life tends to be rooted in self, often in hopes of earning blessings and approval, whereas the spirit-filled life is immersed in the unconditional approval and love of Jesus, resulting in freedom, sacrifice, and generosity. Ronny, however, explains how laws and freedom actually work together. He introduces the concept that "our behavior informs our understanding, and our understanding informs our behavior". So, we must, by faith, follow God's commands in order to better understand the purpose of them, and likewise this new understanding helps us to better behave. Ideally, we need to recognize our acceptance and freedom in the Lord, which should carry us towards good deeds. He also intensifies how sowing in the flesh and sowing in the spirit both require a cost (i.e., to not be generous results in a cost. To be generous requires a cost). He challenges us to focus on the fertile soil of our hearts and uproot destructive seeds, such as anger, frustration, and greed, and be renewed/transformed by sowing seeds of love, sacrifice and generosity. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week marks the the Sunday after the Alt-Right/neo-nazi/Nationalists protest in Charlotteville, VA where a car was driven into anti-protesters, killing one woman and injuring many others. Mike joins us on Skype to share his thoughts on the matter and answers some questions submitted. Ronny Roa teaches on Galatians and helps to expand the conversation around what it means to carry each others load contrary to burdens, and what that looks like in the command to love our neighbor. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week we also announced the launch of the VOX Community Teaching Team! Karrie Garcia reminded us of the awesome responsibility we have as Jesus followers. As background, she recalled Matthew 22, where Jesus was portrayed as having a growing anger at the religious “elite” at the time, who were manipulating God’s word to place themselves above others. Jesus detested this misuse of scripture and advocated for a different expression of faith. That context plays directly into Matthew 25:14-28, the parable of the talents, which is about a rich master who entrusted his servants with varying amounts of money (based on their ability). Two servants doubled their allotment, but one was fearful of his master’s demanding nature and buried his money to keep it safe. The first two entered into the joy of the master, while the third earned the master’s wrath. All of this is apt for the Vox Community, as we too see deficiencies in various expressions of church and desire to do it differently. And just like the servants in the parable, we all have been entrusted with varying gifts and we are to work to double them—not bury them—as we work together to follow Jesus. Storytelling by Scott McMichael Scott shared his story of serving God in the midst of despair. As he entered adulthood, he found himself struggling with depression, anxiety, and OCD. This emotional state, however, enabled him to truly lament the plight of many migrants in the Middle East, convicting him to serve those who are fleeing injustice. Scott will be going abroad soon in order to be a missionary to these vulnerable people. His story is inspiring because his hope is not that God just heals him, but rather that God will use the redeemed version of his depressed self to serve others. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

At this critical juncture for the Vox Community, Tim Muehlhoff directs our attention to Romans 8:31-39, in which Paul writes his brothers and sisters in the early church who were struggling with their faith in the face of hardships. In difficult times, we rely on God to provide answers that we want – to cure an illness, to give us a new job, etc. What do we do, however, when God doesn’t give us what we want? According to Paul, we should remember God’s love shown through Jesus Christ trumps anything and everything. God gave His only son to save each one of us when we were still sinners. When things do not go our way, it doesn’t mean that God is not present or God does not care about us. We should rather examine our hearts to see if we are not judging God based on our personal needs. Storytelling by Chris Cox Chris Cox did not grow up in the church. In his teens, he fell into heavy drug use. At 18, he experienced a calling from God in his car. Compelled by God’s voice, Chris began went to study at a Christian college, shared the gospel with others, and then served as a worship leader for years. While serving in church leadership, Chris became skeptical of the American Christian subculture and its perfectly-laid-out set of beliefs. As he deconstructs and reconstructs his faith, he is happy to join other Christ-loving people in their journey. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Ronny Roa teaches through Psalm 100, illuminating how thankfulness to God acts as a sacrifice. And that ultimately that thankfulness leads us closer to relationship with him. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Mike Erre makes a special announcement about the future of VOX Community. Stay tuned for more details to follow in the coming weeks regarding the future of VOX Community.

In the Sermon on the Mount series, Mike Erre addresses the heavy topic of forgiveness. Citing parables and biblical examples, he identifies the scriptural approach to forgiveness. We learn forgiveness is not necessarily a one-time act. It is often a process. Reconciliation is the ideal, but not necessarily the outcome. Condoning poor behavior is not required, and boundaries must be set. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you will forget the offense. It is different than getting justice and consequences. It should be unconditional, even if the offender doesn’t get caught or found out; even if no one knows what they did; even if they prosper and are blessed; and even if they are not sorry. Mike also provides indicators which verify the strength of our forgiveness: we keep no record or score of the wrongs; we pray for the best to happen to the person; we refuse to gossip about what they did; we are able to celebrate when they celebrate, and mourn when they mourn; and, of prime importance, we entrust God to handle the justice and vengeance. Storytelling by Johanna Salt Joanna shares her story of dealing with grief and anger after the loss of her husband, which was shortly followed by the unexpected death of her father. She was left as a single mother with adopted children. She angrily questioned why God would allow this to happen, especially since her husband had previously turned to the Lord and gained control of his alcoholism for a period of 8 years before his death. This was all compounded by the mental illness of one of her children, resulting in placement at a residential facility. Panic attacks became common for Joanna. Over time, after wrestling with grief and anger, she witnessed answers to prayers and re-discovered God’s amazing love and grace. She eventually married a wonderful man who adopted her son. They have been blessed together for 18 years now, reconciled to serving the Lord in the VOX Community. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week, Mike continued his series on Jesus’ revolution. Specifically, Mike focused on a misunderstood part of the Beatitudes, when Jesus taught that those who were angry with their brother would be subject to judgment, likening such anger to murder. Superficially, this passage appears to provide an onerous law, setting us up for failure. But Jesus was instead focusing on our heart condition, not making a rule; following a law prohibiting murder is easy for most, but living without anger in our hearts and genuinely loving others is really what Jesus really desires. To be clear, Jesus himself was angry often, so not all anger is bad. Instead, Jesus condemns anger that leads to contempt for others—destructive anger that we nurse and hold on to. Jesus’ anger, on the other hand, was aimed at injustice and religious hypocrisy, and led to healing and blessing. Ultimately, true worship is to overcome anger and reconcile with the people with whom we have strained relationships, even those who are angry with us. While difficult, Jesus exemplified this dramatically by reconciling with us through the cross while we were still enemies to him. Storytelling by Aline Strickler Aline grew up in constant turbulence, without a father figure or a place to call home. Even when she “settled” in at a large church, she did not fit in, and turned to unhealthy means of attaining approval and validation. Despite her difficulties, she felt a sense of safety, knowing that God would provide, but admittedly, Jesus confused her. It wasn’t until she went through an intense period of depression and anxiety that she began to see Jesus for who he really is. While she is still reconstructing her faith, she can view life through the lens of Jesus. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Join us on Facebook Thursday around 1130am where Mike answers questions from your submissions! VOX Questions - Prayer, LGBTQ, suffering, personal change, religious differences. - June 22, 2017 1. Why do you pray to Jesus when He clearly instructs us to pray to God his father? 2. Will LGBT ever receive the same grace & full inclusion in the church as people that have been divorced? It's very confusing & irritating that while divorce is very clearly against God's, Jesus' & other biblical leader's teachings; we allow them grace & fully include them in church,(which is awesome!) leadership & even allow remarriage (also a biblical no no) All the while LGBT people deeply desire to be a part of the church community yet barely are allowed to come inside & if they are, they are told they cannot be full members, share their stories publicly, married or serve in leadership. 3. If we are going to suffer our whole lives, why should we put time and energy into following God? Why not just be kind to others and distract ourselves from the pain? It's disheartening to "follow"'someone who doesn't help with the pain. 4. How do we go about changing our hearts to want for something better, like wanting broccoli over ice cream? Is that change somthing we should strive towards ourselves, is that only done through prayer, or is it a combonation of the two? 5. I was excited to learn more of Christ's fulfillment of the law from Jesus' teachings, especially as it is the final week of Ramadan. This past Fri-Sat, I had the honor of staying with a Muslim family and fasting with them. In becoming closer these past few months, each time I leave their home in awe of how there is no dichotomy with faith & life, yet at the same time a complete brokenness for their life without Jesus Christ. I have received mixed responses from "Christians" saying that i should be more bold with our differences, or not respond so openly. Is that right? Should I be more moved in anger by their misinterpretation of God? Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

In the Beatitudes (Matthew, Chapter 5) Jesus had a discussion with the Pharisees, who had accused Him of being a heretic by trying to abolish (nullify) the law. But in the conversation he confirmed that He was actually committed to all laws, whether they be “light” or “heavy” (minor or serious). In fact, His purpose for coming was to fulfill Torah (show it in fullness). He said that not even the lightest law will disappear; anyone who tries to do away with the least of laws will be the least in heaven. He gave illustrations to demonstrate that light commands were as important as heavy ones. He compared murder to hate and anger in the context of how we treat our brothers and sisters. He tried to communicate that breaking light laws leads to breaking heavy ones. The Pharisees were self-righteous; they tried modifying their behavior in order to keep the law. However, behavioral modification should not be our goal. The true goal is to allow God to transform our heart. If we do this, we won’t have to worry about changing our behavior through self-righteousness. Storytelling by Wesley Tao Wesley Tao had a long battle with feeling like an outsider, leading to suicidal depression. He lived in Taiwan, separated from his brother and parents. TV programs he watched filled him with guilt because he couldn’t identify with those close-knit families. He shut down relationships despite coming to Christ after high school. Subsequently he served as a missionary in Taiwan, but felt isolated because he was “stuck” between cultures. Afterwards, he attended seminary. While in solitude, he confronted the pain from his past. He still struggles with American church culture, but is happy to have found the Vox Community. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Mike addresses a passage that is often misunderstood: 1 Corinthians 11:27-30. Churches today use it to tell us to get “cleaned up” before participating in Communion. However, this interpretation leaves out the cultural context. In the early church, people gathered in houses to share a supper, and Communion was part of it. In the Greek culture of that time, people ate according to their social status, creating a division between the rich and the poor. This division is what Paul calls “unworthy.” In the verses that follow, Paul urges Corinthians to examine themselves and discern “the body of Christ.” This is a call to consider how their actions affect other members of their community, the body of Christ. The body here is often interpreted to be referring to the Communion elements. If we look at 1 Corinthians 12:21-26, it becomes clear that Paul is talking about the body of the church. Each part of the body is equally important, so there should be no division! The passage is not about who takes Communion, but how we should take it, and the reason why we practice open table at Vox Community. Storytellling by Theresa and Sherman Pollard Sherman and Theresa, two podcasters from LA, share their journey of the past years and an exciting adventure they are about to embark on. Disillusioned and frustrated by the church, they began listening to the Vox Podcast and started hosting a gathering of local listeners. While this brought healing and growth, they were also struggling with some health issues, as well as exhaustion with daily life. After much prayer, they have decided to give up their cherished life and live on the road for a year, fully depending on God. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Bonnie targets the appropriate way to apply the Word of God to those who are hurting. She cites how the Pharisees were renowned for their scriptural knowledge, yet they often poorly applied the scripture. With good intentions, Christians can fall into this mode when responding to the hurts of others with Cliché responses such as “All things work together for good,” “Everything happens for a reason”, “God helps those who help themselves”, “God needed another angel”, etcetera. Bonnie stresses how God’s word should always be carefully used in a way that brings peace, refuge, and healing. This requires us to take responsibility and become “People of Text”, who research verses in biblical context and by cross-referencing. Digger deeper into the meaning of select verses allows us the opportunity to powerfully transform lives. Storytelling by Sada Arcade Sada Arcade shares how she dealt with despair in her life. The eating disorder, bulimia, entered her life at age 14. She left a Russian faith-based church that encouraged her family to sever ties with her. She suffered in an abusive marriage. After a period of spiritual wandering, she eventually restored family relationships, remarried, and had a child. Later, Sada had an enlightening moment with God’s Word, and she gained control of her bulimia. After a few years of controlling the problem, she found herself falling back into the bulimia cycle. 13 years later, the struggle continues, but Sada has learned that you don’t have to be completely healed to share the good news of Christ, and God ultimately reigns. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Mike explores Jesus’s teaching about being the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16) and explains what it meant to His Jewish followers, and what it means to us today. To Jesus’s Jewish followers well-versed in Jewish scripture, salt was a picture of covenant. By calling His followers salt and light, He asks them to be a picture of the fulfillment of the covenant to Israel and to the world. He gives them an identity and a vocation that are inseparable. This call to be a living representation of the covenant has been passed on to us today. We believe it, but we don’t live like it’s true. Instead we treat it as an activity we can engage in instead of a whole posture of living. Jesus calls us to be salt and light where we are—to be different from the world yet connected to it—in order to influence it. Are we reflecting the covenant? Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week, Mike kicked off a new series of teachings, which will collectively outline the blueprint for the revolution that Jesus embodied. Because the Beatitudes were both foundational to this revolution and widely misunderstood, Mike clarified their meaning. As background, the Beatitudes are a famous part of the Sermon on the Mount; they can be found in Matthew 5 and proclaim that the poor, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in hear, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted are all blessed. While many see these categories as personal characteristics that need to be developed, that view ignores cultural context. N.T. Wright's translation of the Beatitudes is more accurate; it states simply that there is "wonderful news" for those who were meek, merciful, etc., because God would bless them. This view stands in stark contrast to our American values, which celebrate strength, wealth, and success. God does not value these things, but instead blesses the opposite: those of us who do good without recognition, the humble, the grieving, those who await God's remedy of injustice. In short, Jesus' revolution begins with those on the bottom of the American "ladder." Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Ronny Roa joins us this weekend and offers an emphatic teaching on how the Bible presents the posture of suffering and pain. While the church should be the safest place to talk about anything, often many folks are afraid to express that for whatever reason God is not answering prayer and they feel left high and dry. Ronny shows us how Jesus shared suffering with his apostles and encourages us to offer ourselves to each other to carry the weight of our struggles. Story by Bria Madrid Bria shares about her journey as a young Christian, pushed outside the box of the expectation of a "good" Christian life. She shares her tension with making friends at a Christian college, involvement in drug use as a late teen and her wrestle with relationships and sexual activity. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! : info@voxoc.com Watch from home or on your mobile device LIVE on Sundays at 9am on Facebook: www.voxoc.com/live VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week, Bonnie Lewis walks us through the practice of burnt offering described in Leviticus 1—specifically, the custom of skinning the sacrificial animals. The skinning, unique to the Israelites’ offering, carries significance because it represents being discovered by God while naked. In Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve sinned and found themselves naked, God did not just expel them from the garden; He provided a garment for them and clothed them. In the New Testament, Jesus uses this imagery and language from the offering in the tabernacle when he teaches us to not worry about clothes because he will provide us with what we need. The key is, unlike in the Old Testament, in which the Israelites were commanded to bring offerings to make atonement for sin, Jesus shows us a new covenant where there are no more sacrifices to be made. Jesus saw us beautiful while we were still sinners and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice. Storytelling by Kali Echaves Kali Echaves shares with us how she found God’s grace as she was fighting anxiety, depression and physical health issues. Her anxiety had become so severe that she felt hunted by God; she couldn’t even read the Bible, sing praise songs, or go to church. As she was going through a painful process of therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes, all she could do was to pray to God for His mercy. One day, she realized that God sees her and meets with her exactly where she is.

Mike’s teaching today illustrated that there is room for all of us in God’s kingdom…those who fail, those who are full of doubt and even those of us who miss the point God is trying to make in our lives. The basis of his teaching was in the book of John, chapter 20, where it gives an account of Jesus’s resurrection from the dead, especially centering on His follower’s various weaknesses at that time. Mike talked about how these devotees were grieving, doubting and even leaving the city. Even though these eyewitnesses had actually walked and talked with Him, they were still in process regarding their faith. Still, Jesus served them and treated them with love, not rebuking them for their fears, doubts, or wherever they were in their process. The point is that sometimes our own journey with God also gives way to a lack of faith and understanding, but He is there to love and comfort us no matter where we are. Storytelling by Victoria Luong Victoria related her personal story with us today. She suffers from depression, anxiety and PTSD. When she realized she would have to begin a medication regimen, she grew frustrated and angry with God. She felt forsaken by Him and wondered why He hadn’t “fixed” her. This at times led her to turn her back on Him. But Victoria has experienced growth as a result of her suffering; she has come to understand that He has a purpose for her life. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

We spent this Easter season exploring the reality of Jesus, suffering, and the hope we have to grasp. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

While Pilate was arriving on the coast with his army, Jesus rode in to the city on a donkey in the east. This story is filled with subversion, desperation, and expectation. To best consider the symbolism of Palm Sunday we MUST consider the political context of the Jewish and Roman tension. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

In this Vox Community message, Mike Erre provides Bible an external evidence to support the reality of Christ's resurrection. He presents numerous facts upon which many secular scholars and Christian scholars agree. He advances the evidence with additional supportive points. Rebuttal is provided for some alternative perspectives/theories held by some resurrection skeptics. Then, through personal application of this resurrection message, we find that the resurrection provides us immense hope for now, and later. Questions from our Q&A: 1. “How do we follow the command to honor the elderly as we would our parents, when parents may have been highly abusive or estranged?” 2. “What steps are being taken by VOX to equip us to be missional?” 3. “What resources are there to reach friends who are atheist or agnostic?” Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

In a culture obsessed with youthfulness, we've watched the recent era of the church follow suite. When we observe the early jewish culture, to grow old was seen as victory and achievement. Also, the elderly was expected to pass on wisdom. In addition, the youth honored the elderly, and was given permission to fail and seek wisdom. At VOX, our hope is that we would be contrary to our cultures obsession with youth, and turn two generations opposed to each other toward love, grace, and unity for the sake of generations to follow. Story by Nate Carson Nate offers a word piece that shows us his journey though Christian life and questioning it all. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

As we continue hearing about the three pillars of Vox, Mike talks about the posture of the church – to love and serve the world rather than judge it. When Jesus came to save the world, He created a community of followers – disciples – who were tasked with showing mankind the glory of Jesus. In His coming, we were handed the ultimate job description: we exist for nothing more than to witness to the nations the beauty and goodness of Jesus of Nazareth. The destruction of the church lies in believing we serve the church rather than bless those outside it. This is just a means to an end – our staff meeting, so to speak. We are taught so we can teach; we are healed so we can heal; we orient ourselves to his glory, love and mercy so we can reflect those qualities in our daily ministry, whether that’s in our homes, in our neighborhoods or in cubicle country. How does God save the world? With screw-ups and misfits and His mercy and glory. We are to be His peacemakers, His disciples, a reflection of Him, here to bless others and display the freedom that comes with a life in Jesus. Story Sara Siemens Sara shared her story and described how she struggles with extending love and grace. It’s easy to love those who are kind and agreeable, but less so when they are dislikable, contrary or live in opposition to what you believe. After her daughter came out in June, Sara struggled to make her home a place that was safe to belong. After months of pain, tears and prayer, Sara shared the restorative wonders God brings to our relationships. In Jesus, Sara found that love and kindness are at the forefront of her relationship with her daughter, and everything else is peripheral. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Mike explains the first of three core convictions that Vox Community is built on—that the church should be the safest place to talk about anything—by looking at how the Corinthian church treated Paul. The church in Corinth valued power, eloquence, wisdom, and success—everything Paul wasn’t. They adored the polished, eloquent, successful “super apostles” and were embarrassed by Paul. He responded to their criticism with this counter-cultural truth-bomb: his weakness was actually proof that God was working through him. Like the early church, American culture and the church value power, personal strength, and success. The church tends to highlight the success of Christian movie stars, athletes, and musicians while downplaying or avoiding stories of pain, failure, or weakness. We want to be a community that boasts in weakness because God’s power dwells in people who’ve come to the end of their rope. By creating a safe place to talk about anything, we can see how God is working in peoples’ lives. More importantly, it reflects Jesus’ interest in our real selves, not the people we pretend to be. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week Mike offers a teaching to understand the value in a woman who sought Jesus and his healing through a piece of clothing. Story by Tiana Simmons Tiana shares her honest moments where the question "Why, God?" would dominate her life. Moment after moment of trial she continued to face situations that begged answers from a God of mercy. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Finally, we wrap up our journey observing the section "Shall not Perish..." of John 3:16. In this teaching, Mike spends the majority of the time presenting the overwhelming scriptural support for an alternative view on when Hell takes place. Why exactly have we believed all of these years that when someone dies who is not a Christian, that God is keeping them alive, burning, and in anguish for eternity? It seems strange that the person of Jesus doesn't seem to reflect a God that would do such a thing. However, the alternative view presented today isn't roses or rainbows either. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Karrie Garcia shared her journey of learning to exchange fear for love through her story. Karrie was the oldest in a pastor’s family where secrets and hiding were the norm. Her mother, struggling with mental health issues, was unable to provide Karrie with emotional nurturing which resulted in Karrie developing a fear of being invisible. “I was the opposite of fearful,” Karrie explains. “I knew how to be tough. The one thing that has kept me back from who I was supposed to be was that I had a need to be seen.” Struggling with drug addiction, living under a bridge, Karrie reached out to her father who responded, “I love you and I will never let you fall again.” Out of drugs into marriage and Christian service, Karrie realized that she was continuing to walk in fear of punishment which caused her to feel that God could not save her. Karrie spiraled downward into an affair, lost her marriage, ministry and found herself at a place of suicide. Making a decision to live, she sought help and began to look at exchanging her fear for love. Quoting Isiah 41:10, Karrie explained that, “God surely wants to help you, He wants to hold you up in his right hand.” Hear Karrie share her whole story on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre: https://soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast/ep-66-women-in-leadership-guest-karrie-garcia-of-the-freedom-movement Learn more about Freedom Movement: www.thefreedommovement.us Story by Valerie Valerie shares about her journey wrestling through the idea of Christian performance, amidst becoming pregnant before married, experiencing post-pardom depression, and more. Hear her whole story on this week's podcast! Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

We continue with our series on John 3:16, explaining more about Hell, which is both a power and a place. As a power, humans often unleash it with their own tongues. But as a place, is it really a lake of fire with eternal conscious torment? Even in the garden of Eden, he did not send Adam and Eve off to be burned forever; He removed them from His presence. They were exiled out of God’s best. As a matter of fact, Mike shows us many Bible verses that model God’s treatment of sinful people: God banishes them. We learned that there was an actual Gehenna where the Jews who had forsaken their faith went to worship idols. They even burned their own children as sacrifices. The three important facts to know about Gehenna are: it was symbolic of what it meant to be given over to wickedness. God did not use fire to torture the children; human hands did. And it was outside of the main city. These people were sinners who were banished from his presence. This leads us to understand that hell is exile, not torture. Spoken Word by Micah Bournes Micah visited us again today and shared more of his amazing poetry and anecdotes. He spoke about a ministry he was in some time ago—a juvenile facility in Chicago where he noticed that the majority of kids were black. He had us think about whether blacks were more sinful, and told a compelling story about a 14 year old boy who was there because he sold drugs to literally feed his family. The bottom line was that many Christians would label or pronounce judgment on this boy, but we need to see the difference between sinful thieves and poor men stealing bread. Check out tracks from Micah on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/search/sounds?q=micah%20bournes Support and buy Micah's work on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/micah-bournes/id442812599 http://www.micahbournes.com/ Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week we take some time to consider what Bible and Jesus remind us about how we treat foreigners and strangers. While many of us know the story about the good Samaritan, if you were dying on the side of the road, which most unlikely person would stop to help you? Story by Ann Lew Ann shares a bit about her journey, raised in a Christian home, but always skeptical of God's existence. Hear the whole story in this week's podcast. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week, Megan Marshman delved into our culture of neediness and how that culture runs counter to God's goals for us. We all feel needy at times--some more than others--and we need to have direction in those times to find fulfillment. Many of us hope to satisfy our needs through our own initiative. But this view is contrary to God's plan. The bible is clear that God is the main character in the story of this world. We need to look beyond our own insecurities and see that we were created in the image of a perfect and holy God. God He created us to be whole and complete and lacking nothing, despite how much this world will tell us otherwise. Thus the solution to our neediness is to see that we are the supporting cast in God's story. Practically, we need to be willing to open ourselves up and communicate candidly about our needs with others so that true community develops. Everyone is needy, but thankfully Jesus came to satisfy our needs once and for all. Story by Shanel Wilson Shanel shared with us how Vox's "safe to belong" motto resonates with her. Coming from a background in which she often felt like an outsider--not quite fitting in--she emphasized the diversity of experience that makes God's community what it is. Even though we may have differing views on politics, spirituality, and God in general, we all worship the same perfect God. Chanel put it sweetly and succinctly by pointing out that we all hope in the same God, whether or not we "fit in" socially. Hear the whole story on this week's podcast! Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Mike Erre continued his analysis of the "shall not perish" portion of John 3:16. This week, he dissected the nature of God's judgment, which is widely misunderstood. While many see His judgment as God's relishing the opportunity to smite misbehaving humans, judgment is actually the natural outcome of our sins. The bible is replete with language and imagery exemplifying the fact that sin and destruction go hand in hand; sin inevitably leads to death. Just as a long-time smoker cannot be angry at God for a lung cancer diagnosis, we cannot be be angry at God for death when it is the sinful choices we make that lead to that death. Within that framework, when we find ourselves in challenging circumstances, we cannot think that God is punishing us for our sin. Such circumstances demonstrate God's mercy and kindness; without such challenges, we would forget that our human path leads to death. If God were to punish us, he would do so by not intervening and letting us have our selfish way and the death that comes naturally from that selfishness. Thankfully, God does step in occasionally, saving us from ourselves. Story By Casey and Stephanie Olsen Casey and Stephanie reminded us that God works in mysterious ways that may be evident only in hindsight. One day we may say, "why do we deserve this?" but the next day we may look back to the challenges that made us question God and see his beautiful plan. Circumstances that may bring about anger and depression can lead to renewed and strengthened faith in the future, if we can hang in there and recognize that God's plan is perfect, but often feels far from perfect in the moment. Hear the whole story on this week's podcast! Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

The extended "Shall Not Perish..." series looking closer at God’s judgement continues. Today’s focus is on who is judged. Using twelve verses, Mike reveals how God’s judgment involves surprises, reversals, and astonishment. We discover who is to do judging, and what our personal responsibility is. Also included is a helpful explanation of how judgement is quite different than discernment. Mike also answers 4 texted questions from the VOX community: 1.) Do you believe in life on other planets? 2.) If God knows who will accept Him, what is our purpose to be on earth? 3.) How do you discern what God really said, versus what people think He said? 4.) Should I feel guilty for not wanting the Kingdom to come because I love living on earth with my spouse and children? Story by Caleb Clements Caleb Clements was a former worship leader to thousands. He and his wife, Heather, share how 15 years of ministry progressed into a difficult and dark time for Caleb, resulting in a serious burn-out. We learn of their difficult recovery over the past year and a half, and the valuable lessons garnered along the way. It is an inspiring story of God’s grace and redemption. Hear the whole story in this week's episode. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week Mike addresses the commonly negatively held word "Judgement". As we extend our teaching on John 3:16 ...Shall Not Perish, it is important for us to examine how it that we would come to perish. Furthermore, how do we orient our posture toward God, neighbors, and enemies when we understand God's judgement is out of love, not out of anger. Story by Sunil Gaglani Sunil with us his journey through the difficult struggle of his fathers death. While Sunil has been raised as a Christian it wasn't until this trial that he began to examine the depth of his faith. Ultimately, leaving a church he had been so close to over 20 years. Hear the whole story in this this weeks podcast. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Bonnie Lewis joins us again this week to bring a refreshing teaching on Matthew 16:19 that says, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will bed bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will bee loosed in heaven.” Her teaching brings clarity to how we approach this verse and what it means for us as we live our faith. Story by Greg Arcade Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Mike Erre shares a unique perspective on the typical “pre-packaged and predictable” Christmas Story. He focused on the shepherds --- their tainted reputation, their culture, and their role in the birth of the Messiah. With a look at “Shepherd’s Hill” (near Bethlehem), we are provided insight into the selection and care of prime sacrificial lambs for the Passover. Striking similarities existed between the destiny of these lambs and the birth of the Savior. When the Angels appeared to the shepherds declaring the good news for all, we find God using these most unlikely ones to guide people to Jesus. In fact, we learn that throughout the Christmas account, God amazingly used those who were unlikely, scandalous, forgotten, and marginalized. Mike also took time to answer the following pre-texted messages from the community: 1.) If God is for “all nations”, how is the income from VOX Community fulfilling that role? 2.) If we don’t believe in Jesus, why would a loving God have us go to a place called Hell? 3.) Why are children dying in Aleppo, yet my kids seem to have won the birth lottery? 4.) What is the difference between Home Fellowships and Table Fellowships? 5.) If we die before Christ returns, where do we go? - Volunteer writing by Gary Mullen Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Mike explains our hope as Christians and the importance of waiting. He refers to the Bible’s beginning and ending emphasis to two trees: Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and before they could eat from the tree of life, they were cast out of the garden. In Revelation we read of a new earth with running river, and on each side stands the tree of life. Mankind waited for Jesus to come once and now we wait for His return. It’s often difficult to wait when we are experiencing hurt and grief. We’re not yet living in the new creation, so we must wait in our pain to be with Him in that glorious advent. We are, in a sense, living between the trees, but with a hope in His return. We must remember that His message is not about believing in Jesus so we can one day go to heaven. It was never about that. Instead, it’s about repenting now and reorienting our lives toward Jesus now because he has come. The reign of God is amidst the eras of the two trees where we wait with continual hope. Sunday summary written by volunteer writer, Marlene Craig. Story by AJ McKay AJ, 24, is “in process like everyone else.” He looks at the big picture, not little things that cause us to miss the gospel’s point. His dad was a true Hippie and is known for co-founding the Burning Man festival. Bullied in middle and high school, AJ was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. He came to CA from Dallas to study at Biola (but left with more questions than answers) and ended up working in real estate. AJ has expectations for the future but isn’t good at patience. Doubt is his greatest obstacle. Hear the whole story now on the podcast! Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

As we continue to explore "Hell for Christmas", Mike expands on the Biblical story of Heaven and Earth to show how the story is relevant to you and I. The Jewish belief of Heaven and Earth was very linear; the Present Age and the Age to Come separated by the Day of Judgment. This is where the story gets interesting. Jesus interrupts this linear idea as described in 1 Corinthians 15:20-21. Paul compares Jesus to the first fruits of a harvest which were the very beginnings that served as a promise for what the harvest would become. In another example, Mike compares it to the long winters in Ohio when the one day of warmth in the middle of winter gives a taste of the spring to come. Jesus is the first fruits of the New Creation, before the New Creation is fully complete. Jesus offers us a grand invitation to join him now as first fruits. We do not have to wait for Heaven to be reunited with Earth to live in the New Creation. If we live in Jesus, we can begin to live in the light of what is to come; a just, equal, pure, inclusive and honest creation. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

John 3:16 - ‘shall not perish’ The 21st century Christian typically believes, according to Genesis 1:1, God is pairing heaven and hell. In actuality, God has paired heaven and earth. The Biblical story is that is that heaven and earth belong together. Through multiple scriptures we learn heaven and earth are always mentioned together and heaven and hell are never paired. Through scriptures we can ascertain that instead of a commonly believed continuum of: Earth - Judgement - Resulting in heaven or hell, the continuum should be Creation of heaven and earth – The Fall – Separation of heaven and earth – Judgement – Reconciliation of heaven and earth. Separation of heaven and earth occurs due to man’s disobedience. Hell was not a part of God’s story, but when sin emerged, hell came into creation. Judgement occurs so that a cleansing of the earth happens, creating a new heaven and earth. Reconciliation results because of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. Revelation 21-5 explains that heaven comes down to earth and heaven and earth are now united forever. We have made the story about suffering and death, but if we have a view about what God is doing in our lives, it becomes glorious. We can lament, but we should never give up hope. Story by Kelly Regan Kelly’s life included sexual, emotional and physical abuse resulting in anger and confusion. Kelly found God becoming a "hard-core" Christian, but eventually became disillusioned. She began questioning God and soon had one foot in the Christian realm and one foot in the world, resulting in an unexpected pregnancy. Christians judged and turned against her. Kelly was then told that her pregnancy was not compatible with life, receiving a Trisomy 18 diagnosis. She begged God for a miracle but her baby died shortly after birth. Kelly blamed God in anger, transpiring into harsh bitterness. Kelly pleaded with God to take the pain away... Hear the whole story on this week's podcast! Original Song by Madi Cunningham 'O Love (That Will Not Let Me Go) Buy Here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/monuments/id1049386589 Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” is the most memorized verse in the Bible. Today’s lesson focuses on the words “eternal life”. During the Old Testament, people did not live by the same time pressures expected of us today, but through markers of time. Greeks thought eternity was a never-ending cycle in which people were stuck. The goal was to transcend this cycle and the constraints of time. If our view of eternity is a cycle of events that we are unable to get out of, no matter how hard we try, we are missing God. When in reality, we have the privilege of living with a God that is holding things up and moves us forward. When living with him, we are not living a cyclical life, but a part of what he is doing. John 17:3 states, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” With this in mind, the invitation to eternal life is not a moment outside a cyclical life. It is celebrating that God is eternal life now. Everything around us is a gift and we must take time to celebrate the God, who brings meaning to our eternal life. Story by Izzi Ray I struggle with bitterness. I was born into a Christian and very musical family. When I was 11, we helped one of my family’s good friends open a church. By the time I was 14, I helped lead worship in the church. My church was growing and a lot of young people were serving. However, the pressure to do everything right was mounting. By the time I was 17, I was making my own music and was told that the focus on my music was taking away from serving God. After I determined to focus on writing and singing my own songs, I was awakened to the understanding that the leaders of the church were emotionally abusive. So, I moved to California at 18 and tried to fill the hole of letting down the church leaders with success. Now that I am at VOX, I feel safe and will always strive for honest and authentic forms of worship as the worship leader... Hear the whole story in this weeks podcast. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Today’s episode we present a breadth of creativity and passion from two special guests. @MicahBournes provided “Spoken Word Poetry,” which is poetry written to be performed. Micah’s three selections focused on the ambiguity of being “normal,” earthly relationships versus heavenly relationships, and the effects of peer pressure. His artistic presentation was thought-provoking, dramatic, and tinged with humor. Our guest speaker, Megan Fate Marshman, Director of Women’s Ministry at Hume Lake Camps, shared the “Good News” of Christ in an animated and engaging manner. She presented the traditional “Roman’s Road to Salvation” verses (Romans 3-12) in reverse order. She did this via the story of her quirky 94 year-old grandmother, who she chose to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. Megan emphasized how these verses from the book of Romans start with God’s love and His plan for mankind, and they progress to the invitation of mankind into His plan. She clearly explained how anyone, regardless of weaknesses and short-comings, can come to know Christ and discover purpose for living. Mike, answers a few questions from our Q&A number. Questions included: 1.) “How can we keep the church relevant, and keep the main thing the main thing?” 2.) “Is it possible there is not a real hell, and what does it mean to perish?” 3.) “Why do we assign a gender to God?” Learn more about Megan at: http://meganfate.com/ Learn more about Micah Bournes at: http://www.micahbournes.com/ Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

The teaching today consisted of responses to audience-generated questions. Mike's responses were as follows: 1. While some of the rules in the Old Testament may seem excessive, harsh, and just plain weird, God was embedding his principles into the cultural norms of the day to effectively reach his people. 2. There's no clear answer as to whether Adam and Eve were really the first people on earth, but Mike's view is that they were simultaneously real people and archetypes (e.g., Adam represented humanity). 3. While the Christian view is to long for Christ's return generally, a desire to delay that return so that loved ones may know Him embodies the heart of God as well. 4. When God does not answer prayers, the only solution is to continue asking; God is not offended by chutzpah. An unanswered prayer is not a sign of a lack of faith. 5. A lot of Christians may have begun their journeys with a self-interested desire for healing, but just as children (hopefully) grow to love and respect their parents, so too should Christians as they know God more deeply. 6. Practical, active faith is demonstrated in the proper view of the relationship between God and humankind. While many incorrectly see this relationship as contract-based, it is rather covenant-based. Contracts are based on mistrust of the other party, and are formalistic and legalistic in nature. Covenants are based on trust of the other party, not rules, and often involve uncertainty. Story by Ruben Morales Ruben was a self-professed persecutor of Christians whose antagonistic view of God conflicted with that of his wife, who loved and followed God. Ruben viewed Christians as weak and the bible as a series of outlandish stories. But one day, Ruben felt compelled to challenge God: if God made himself real to him, Ruben would follow. God did indeed answer that challenge in a several ways, leaving Ruben with no alternative but to accept God's sovereignty. While he still faces struggles, Ruben can now turn to God in hard times and thank him in good times. Check out the whole story on the podcast! Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week we take a close look at what it means to believe in regards to the passage in John 3:16. While many of us get bogged down by the rules that are seemingly placed in our modern culture about what it means to be a Christian, we learn that covenant love paints a much different picture about what it means to follow Jesus, who's love goes beyond many of the boundaries we face in our church cultures. Story by Alex Crisostomo Alex shares a riveting and compelling story about his journey through child abuse, drug abuse, gang life, and becoming a follower of Jesus. He reminds us of the purpose and pursuit that God has in mind for us, and that often our story to find him is often messy and unexpected. Check out the whole story on the podacst! Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/voxpodcast

In John 3:16 God says “that whoever believes in Him has everlasting life.” Who is included in that? Jesus’s entire ministry can be summed up by the word “whoever.” He made himself available to everyone, including the outcasts. To begin, Matthew 8:1-10 describes a leper who asked Jesus to make him clean. Back then, the only class of people lower than the lepers were Gentiles or tax collectors! Lepers were ostracized and those who associated with them were automatically deemed unclean. Yet Jesus reached out and touched the leper…regardless of the fact that He would be considered unclean for doing so. Later on we read about the centurian—a Gentile instrument of social terrorism—who comes to Jesus to request healing for his servant. Once again Jesus displays love and compassion. Another good example is in Luke 19:1-10. Zacchaeus was a complete pariah…the worst lowlife of all. He betrayed his own Jewish people by collecting their taxes on behalf of the Romans. Jesus was passing through his town, already planning to visit this outcast. Story by Wade Terry “Life is like those graphs when the earthquake hits”, Wade shared. Even after being “born into a church family”, attending Christian college and even going on mission trips, he declares that he isn’t on very good terms with Jesus. He spent many years working hard and putting in effort, but that didn’t accomplish much. Not even church itself proved to be a respite, due to gossipers, fighters and manipulators. His anger and hurt only increased. He also wondered why God had said, “Ask and ye shall receive”; he certainly didn’t seem to get answers from God. Then he realized, Jesus my savior has been Jesus my scapegoat. He became aware: the reward for following Jesus IS Jesus! Now he is recalibrating his relationship with Jesus and desires to forgive the church. Here the full story on this week's episode! Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son.” God did not give his only son out of being vengeful for a fallen world. He gave his only son because He loved us so much. The story of Abraham and Isaac, in Genesis 18-22, demonstrates the kind of love God has for us. God told Abraham that He would be the father of many nations. However, Abraham and his wife, Sarah, only had a son because of God’s miraculous intervention when Abraham was 100 years old. Years after their son, Isaac, was born God asked Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt sacrifice to test Abraham. God’s testing is not pass/fail it is about arranging circumstances to show what is already in a person’s heart. God knew Abraham would honor His request. With this, Abraham took Isaac, along with two servants, and a donkey, to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham bound Isaac (Scholars consider that Isaac was likely in his 30's, not a child as we often assume.), laid him on the newly built alter, ready to honor God’s request, and a ram was provided for the sacrifice. This story is about Abraham’s heartbroken willingness to sacrifice his only son, and his son’s heartbroken willingness to submit to his father. Our God and His son Jesus demonstrate this same love for us. Story by Heather I questioned my faith and counted on dating and material things to define me. I looked at relationships to validate that I was love-able. Many of my dating experiences were with Christian men, who let me down and one even me abused me in front of other Christian friends who failed to protect me. I saw how church leadership manipulated others by using scripture and I did not want to be a part of this kind of church. I desired a place to heal and be safe. Sometimes being a white American can be difficult when you are questioning and finding a safe place seems impossible. I have discovered that Jesus determined that I am already loveable and not a man. I have learned to pursue the Kingdom of God first, while I still desire to be married one day. It is important to realize that we have a real enemy and it is not each other. Listen to the whole story on this weeks episode. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

Genesis 12 explains the historical backdrop to the phrase from John 3:16, “that he gave”, with the story of Abraham and Sarah. God promised Abraham ‘a great reward of land and descendants’. Abraham, in turn, was to promise that he and his descendants would remain blameless before God. God then called Abraham to perform a blood covenant, an Old Testament custom of slaughtering five animals lengthwise and laying the halves across from each other in a ditch where the blood pooled. The greater and lesser of the covenant parties walked the blood path, demonstrating that if either broke the covenant, this was their outcome. Abraham was terrified to be part of this covenant, knowing that being blameless before God would be impossible. At dark God walked the blood path as smoke and then again as a blazing firepot, signaling that Jesus will die a bloody death in fulfillment of the covenant. Over many years the Jews recreated this ceremony in the temple until the time of Jesus’s death. When Jesus called out that it was finished from the cross, the covenant was fulfilled from Abraham’s time. We have nothing to add to our salvation, God has fulfilled his part of the promise. We are simply to keep pursuing him. Story by Justin Ibrahim - Listen for the whole story. For years, Justin struggled with the negative self-image, due to a harsh, critical, angry father. Justin thought that if he tried hard enough, he would show his father he was wrong. He developed a sense perfectionism, unless things were perfect, he was worthless. Justin likened this to many churches that do not address the needs of the vulnerable, struggling members. Justin thought that if he did the right things, God would love and forgive him, which negated the message of holy love. Justin reminded us love needs to be genuine and that God’s grace is sufficient in all things. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

We all know John 3:16: “For God so loved the world…” But what is our definition of the world ? It may be the order of this universe, or the people who dwell here, or the organized system of human civilization. Christians often assign a negative connotation. We often hear “I am IN this world, but not OF it.” 1 John 2:15 admonishes us NOT to love the world. But how can this be when Jesus loves it so much? World values are not God’s values. The former seeks power and fame, while the latter rewards weakness and forgiveness. Of course we don’t want to align with world values, but must we label everything as godly or ungodly? Although some things are clearly good or bad, some are neutral. Romans 12:2 can shed light on the issue. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This would suggest that we should hate the pattern of this world—not the labels or things it contains. We might want to dismiss our labels and figure out what is godly or ungodly by questioning and having discernment. Story by Josh Spitz “Not all those who wander are lost” – J.R. Tolkien. We heard Josh’s story, despite the fact that he was a bit nervous and started out by announcing “I want to throw up.” He is a self-declared nerd who has a history of serving in children’s ministry, although, after graduating high school, he walked a path that excluded God. As a matter of fact, he then preferred drinking and porn, all in an effort to run away from God, and even suffered a broken engagement to the woman he loved. His favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11, “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ We are happy to hear that he is now enjoying church and has even begun to repair the relationship with his fiancée. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” is the most memorized verse in the Bible. Do the people who quote this verse really know what it means when they say, “For God SO LOVED...?” The English language often limits us from truly understanding the word, “love.” Some say they love football, music or a spouse. However, these do not represent God’s love. He has the highest form and most sacrificial kind of love. The “D” in the word “loved” speaks about a love outside of the time it’s trying to capture, but still reverberates true today. With this in mind, it is important to understand that God loved us before we existed. In fact, Ephesians 1:3-4 makes clear that God loved us before the creation of the world. We did nothing to deserve this love. Furthermore, in Jeremiah 31:3, it tells us that God loved us with an everlasting love. He does not stop loving us no matter what we do. God is like the shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to find the one lost or like the father waiting on a rebellious son and extends forgiveness before the son even asks for it. We can do nothing to earn God’s love. Isaiah 64:6 emphasizes that our righteous acts are like filthy rags. Our attempts to win God’s love mean as much to God as filthy rags that are thrown out. Churches often misrepresent God’s love as something that can be earned. However, all of the work has been done and resting in God’s love will help the church represent the “so loved” in the most memorized verse of the Bible. Story by Chad Seibel I was born in Canada, raised in a Christian family, and never expected pornography to be a part of my story. I am really a normal Joe, with a house, three kids, and a loving wife. One Thanksgiving, while pumping gas, I saw an adult establishment, went in, and took pictures with my cell phone. The phone was confiscated by security, who contacted my wife, and asked her what she would like to do. I found a pay phone, called my wife, and told her that I was simply running late. However, I did not know that she had already been contacted by the security who confiscated my phone. She knew that I was at an adult establishment and lied, but she stood by me. It is important to know that pornography is not an innocent sin, will come out of the darkness, and shine. Now kids have access to pornography at anytime and it is important to talk to them about it before it becomes an addiction. Listen to the full story above! Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com Join us Live on Sundays at 10am via LiveStream.com and App: https://livestream.com/accounts/19123468 VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

This week we revisit and extend the teaching on John 3:16 with For God...part 2. We take the time to pay close attention to the significance of God giving himself a name to know Him by. Furthermore, as those who follow Jesus, we become those you carry the name of Jesus at the forefront of our identity. When this is taken seriously, our lives should look much different than we suspect and witness in our modern day version of Christianity. While it may be seen as simple to change our attitudes when we drive around with the "Jesus Fish" Sticker on our car, many of us would agree it manifests deeper than changing our behavior. Rather, it would point us to becoming a people of reconciliation, forgiveness, peace, and justice in our day and age. Would love to see your comments and thoughts below! Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Like VOX Community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/voxcommunity Follow VOX Community on Instagram: www.instagram.com/voxcommunity Say Something! info@voxoc.com VOX Community is a church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre that began in the late spring of 2016. You can participate beyond the VOX Community by listening, commenting, and sharing the conversation happening on the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre at www.soundcloud.com/thevoxpodcast. Learn more about the VOX Podcasts at www.voxpodcast.com

John 3:16, one of the most famous verses in the Christian church, is often one of the first verses memorized. Many Christians think that they understand the verse, but often is held and quoted lacking it's depth and radical meaning. Beginning with the first two words of John 3:16, For God, we seek understanding of the word God. In Greek this word translates to Theos, a generic title. God has many titles, but John chooses to use the word Theos. However, a name in the Scriptures designates character and deity. In Exodus 3:13-16, God dialogs with Moses. He questions God, “What is his name?” Moses is wondering how to identify God to the Israelites. God answers, “I am who I am.” God then gives him a name, Yahweh (YHVH), meaning breathing. Moving to Matthew, the origin of the name Jesus is discussed. The name Jesus (Yeshua [Hebrew]) means Yahweh Saves, identifying Jesus as the one who will save the people from the world. Jesus wants us to call him LORD and forge a personal relationship with him by name. "How Great Thou Art" Performed by @izzyray. *How Great Thou Art is available in the Public Domain of songs as it was written before 1924. Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com

Does anger have a place in Christianity? Although the answer to the question is yes, many Christians have displaced anger or it looks militarized. The real question is, “What is righteous anger?” Mark 3:1-6 tells a story about Jesus healing a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath, which was culturally considered a sin, unless it was a life-threatening situation. The religious leaders were silenced when Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil?” This story is an example of Jesus' anger when the religious people did not show mercy and created rules that were more important than the people they served. Another story about Jesus’ anger is found in Mark 10:13-16. People were bringing children to Jesus and the disciples rebuked them. The disciples were judging who was worthy of seeing Jesus. Jesus was indignant because even His own disciples did not understand that everyone is welcome to be at God’s gate. Another example is found in Luke 19:45-48, which tells about a time Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out religious leaders who were selling for their personal financial gain. He was angry and informed them that His house was to be a house of prayer for all nations. These three stories make it clear about what should make us angry: (1) Heartless religion, (2) Being gatekeepers, (3) Religion that looks out for its own interest instead of the people they serve. Our anger is to immolate Jesus’ and lead to healing, selfless acts, and welcoming the people who feel do not feel valued. Story by Juliana I accepted Jesus in high school during ski camp and was on a Spiritual high. However, when I returned from camp, it was a quick downer and salvation certainly did not fix everything. In fact, I really did not hang out with Christian people and that made me feel guilty for everything I did. As an adult, I attended Bible study, tried to get involved, but my answers always seemed wrong. Many in the Bible study would help me find the right answers. However, it was difficult for me to reconcile their “right answers” and their true actions. I got a divorce after an 11-year marriage, which alienated me from the church even more. Finally, at 48, I stumbled across the VOX podcast and feel safe to belong. I do things because I fiercely love people as a Christian. I feel okay to doubt and ask questions. I am a Christian and nobody can steal that. As part of the launch team, I feel blessed to be part of this journey. Original song "Skeleton" performed by Madison Cunningham Hear more from her on her YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi4u2bJdg8RpT7QZYX_K0BA Learn more about Madison at: http://www.madisoncunningham.com Learn more about VOX Community: www.voxoc.com

If you had better things to do, Jesus wouldn't coerce you into following him during his time. No one is ever nagged into Jesus' movement, but simply invited. Learn more about VOX Community: http://www.voxoc.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/VOXCommunity Instagram: www.instagram.com/VOXCommunity

As we wrap up the Insulted Series where we've spent the last few months examining how the many insults thrown at Jesus by his peers became the very things that made His mission beautiful, we take a final look at his final steps to the cross where he faced his final insult; King of the Jews. The book of Mark paints an unexpected picture of the procession to the cross as it looks incredibly familiar to the Roman's version of crowning a Caesar. "Strange, I don't anyone at the time thought, we should name a salad after this guy." - Mike Erre Original song "Still Hope" performed and written by @IzziRay

In the passage where Jesus appeared to the disciples in Matthew 14, where they had been crossing the Sea of Galilee, it's observed that they had been rowing for many hours in the storm. Often, in similar moments in our own life we find ourselves just rowing, and rowing, and rowing trying to get where we are going and all the while having doubt, skepticism, and fear about if what we are doing is actually working. And even then, where is Jesus in all of this? In the passage Jesus does eventually arrive in an unexpected way. And for some of us even now, we are still rowing waiting for his relief. Learn more about the VOX Community: www.voxoc.com Learn more about our teacher this Sunday, Joanne Jung: https://www.biola.edu/directory/people/joanne_jung Dr. Jung's interests lie in hermeneutics and spiritual formation. Her research of the English Puritans, specifically their spiritual practices and community, continues to fuel Dr. Jung's passion to nurture her students' growth in their knowledge of the Bible and seeing that knowledge impact their spiritual transformation. This passion to see others grow in Christ extends beyond her students, serving those within her local church and community.

In an incredibly unexpected move, Jesus tells Zacchaeus, a condemned tax collector, that he would be coming to his house to eat a meal with him; upon seeing him in a tree, desperately trying to see Jesus' teaching. That day, Jesus proclaimed that salvation was upon his house. Among many others, this story would support Jesus' scandalous grace for making friends with sinners. Accused by the religious elite of his day, this very act alone was also tied with being a glutton and drunkard which in there eyes, corrupted the community. Jesus was not afraid of the condemnation of sin thrown his way by the Pharisees, because his love would prove to be much greater than a set of rules to justify their holiness. This week musical artist, Joy Oladokun, joins us for worship. Her song "Cathedrals" is featured int he podcast as i available for purchase via iTunes in the Buy Link. Learn more about Joy at: http://www.joyoladokun.com Follow her and listen to her music on Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/joyoladokun Participate in the VOX Community at: http://www.voxoc.com

Many people ask the question, "Why didn't Jesus just claim he was God?" We would argue that he did, you just have to be Jewish to understand it. This Sunday we look back at a few verses where this claim was made, and how the Pharisees recognized it and considered it blasphemy. Learn more about our community at: http://www.voxoc.com

Under no circumstance did a Jewish person of Jesus' time HAVE to travel through Samaria. There was a longer, more comfortable and worn road that was considered the best way of travel in order to avoid such a despicable nation, according to Jewish law. Jesus however, chose the short road through Samaria for a scandalous purpose. And as a result, displayed himself as Messiah and the great I AM for the first time in recorded history to one of the most disenfranchised people of his time, a Samaritan Woman. Participate with us at VOX Community at http://www.voxoc.com

Either things have gotten worse or we just know more now because of social media and expanded communication platforms. How God presents justice in not how America presents justice. God calls upon his people to be a whole existence of forgiveness, reconciliation, and voice for the marginalized of our days. This week we take a deep look at Jesus' justice, and consider what must become second in order for us to be a people of reconciliation. Learn more about VOX Community at www.voxoc.com

Join us this week as we hear from Bonnie Lewis as she presents Jesus as the great equalizer and dismantler of hierachical struggles built to separate us from the ones He loves most. Bonnie has a podcast and blogs at www.findtheblue.com and call also be heard on VOX The Mike Erre Podcast below: http://subversivekingdom.com/?s=bonnie+lewis

This week we observed Jesus' encounter with the woman caught in adultery. While the law suggested she should die for the sin she had caused, Jesus had other plans in mind. In this account, the old law which the religious elite upheld was quickly turned on it's head as Jesus wrote in the sand. We'd love your thoughts and comments below. Enjoy the teaching.

This week we revisit lament with the question; Does God Cause Suffering? We look at Jesus' encounters to understand the reality of this common question in our world about God. Original song written and performed by Izzi Ray "Still Hope" used with permission granted by artist. Check out Izzi Ray on the internet: Soundcloud @izzi-ray iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/artist/izzi-ray/id386256769 YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC4fYOCSmeh87ky_l0PhTHrg

This week we observe the incredible notion of public lament. We discuss why when Jesus wept, it had reason and meaning even in his knowledge of all things. We take some time to consider the horrific events over the past couple weeks in Orlando, Kenya, and Chicago as we step into a week to embrace lament and look to God for answers and comfort. Original song written and performed by Izzi Ray "Still Hope" used with permission granted by artist. Check out Izzi Ray on the internet: Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/izzi-ray iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/izzi-ray/id386256769 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4fYOCSmeh87ky_l0PhTHrg

This week we observe again another insult to Jesus. There was no question of his ruthless effort to flip the religious understanding of the leaders of his time. Numerous times he challenges the fences and rules upheld by the Pharisees and shows a more loving, graceful, and redemptive entrance to his kingdom. This made him a lawbreaker. And his healing and blessing in the face of such outrageous law, made him beautiful.

This week we begin to explore the many insults casted at Jesus, which ultimately point us to his unique characteristics that make him beautiful.

Religion is the best way to hide from God. While Jesus saw the beauty and compassion of the woman who cleaned and wiped his feet with her tears and hair. Simon was lost in his judgement and religiousness as he threw critique at Jesus and the woman. (Luke7:36-50) There is no stain, no blemish, no sin, no screw up, that keeps us away from Jesus. Listen to the gathering, and hear the good news that The Table is for you.

We invite you to listen to week 2 of our Friends and Family preview gathering titled, Who is Invited to the Table. Learn more about VOX community at www.voxoc.com

We invite you to enjoy this raw audio experience of our first preview gathering at VOX Community, a local church expression of the VOX Podcast with Mike Erre in Orange County, CA.