Coastal Church Podcast

<p>Everyone talks about love, but Scripture tells us something deeper: God is love (1 John 4:8). Real love begins with Him, flows into our hearts, and shows up in the way we treat others. The question Jesus still asks each of us is, ‘Do you love Me?’</p>

<p>The enemy attacks us primarily through deception and condemnation, but abiding in Christ gives us victory over both. Even when lies, shame, or fear try to pull us away, we can walk in victory knowing that “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.</p>

<p>From the start, God’s message has been clear: love one another. Not with words alone, but with a love that acts—selfless, sacrificial, and steadfast. This agape love is the very nature of God, shown perfectly in Jesus giving His life for us. To abide in love is to abide in God, and for His love to abide in us, it must overflow to others.</p>

<p>As we abide with God, we recognize who we are; His chosen children. When that sinks in, it changes everything. 1 John 3 reminds us to slow down and remember: you’re not just liked by God, you’re loved and officially adopted into His family. That’s our real identity, so John challenges us to live like it.</p>

<p>In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.</p>

<p>As we navigate the last hour and the pressures of a culture filled with counterfeit truth, our hope remains secure: Christ is coming again. Until then, we abide—anchored in Scripture, led by the Spirit, and walking in confident faith. May we continue in Him daily, unshaken by deception, and ready to stand before Him with boldness, knowing we have remained faithful to the truth.</p>

<p>Authentic Christianity is more than just agreeing with doctrine or avoiding sin; it is a transformed life marked by obedience, radical love, and abiding in Christ. Only through His power in us, can we overcome the pull of the world and live with our eyes fixed on eternity.</p>

<p>In this message from 1 John 1:5–2:2, we explore what it means to walk in the light and live in true fellowship—with God and with one another. John reminds us that fellowship is not automatic; it's built on transparency, truth, and trust in Christ. While the world offers many false solutions for dealing with sin—through education, psychology, or self-improvement—only Jesus can remove guilt and restore joy.</p>

<p>Many of us carry a deep, often hidden sense that we’re not enough, rooted in shame, comparison, and striving for approval. This message explores how shame distorts our identity, leading us to live from a “false self” built on image, achievement, or performance. Drawing from Scripture, especially Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3, we’re reminded that true freedom and identity come not from trying harder or doing more, but from deeply experiencing the unconditional love of Christ.</p>

<p>As we’ve discussed managing various aspects of managing our lives—our hearts, priorities, thoughts, choices, mouths, and relationships—there’s a crucial footnote: putting these into action will present challenges. To overcome, we must actively manage our faith.</p><p><br></p><p>When we hear God’s word and our faith begins to build, and our adversary emerges. Satan seeks to steal this precious gift from us. That’s because faith is the most precious thing we have. Don’t sell it. Protect it.</p>

<p>There is no perfect father except God the Father. Whatever we may have lacked in our earthly father, God will restore. God not only sees the pain of the fatherless—He personally takes it in hand.</p><p><br></p>

<p>Healthy relationships are foundational to a flourishing life, and managing them well begins with understanding their divine design, prioritizing their different types, making wise choices, and actively investing in others with grace.</p><p>In this message, Pastor Dave Koop explores four keys to managing your relationships so you can experience the fullness of life God designed for you.</p>

<p>Your words reveal the true condition of your heart and cannot be separated from your inner character. They carry immense power to either build or destroy, guiding the direction of your life and reflecting your level of faith. When aligned with God’s Word, your mouth becomes a tool to activate His nature in you and live out your new identity in Christ.</p>

<p>One of the greatest gifts a mother can give her children is train them to anchor to the Rock and dare to trust that it will hold them through all the storms in life.</p><p>In 2 Kings 18 we are introduced to Hezekiah. He began to reign as king at the age of 25, and followed God’s ways despite his dad’s life of deception and bad decisions. Not only is his father’ name recorded in the genealogy, but also his mother’s.</p>

<p>What you prioritize reveals the condition of your heart—and ultimately shapes the course of your life. Drawing from the Parable of the Sower and the words of Jesus, this message outlines four key relationships that must be kept in proper order to produce lasting fruit. When Jesus is first, and your foundation is strong, everything else finds its rightful place.</p>

<p>Your heart determines the direction and quality of your life. If you guard what comes in, what comes out, and what surrounds it, your path will be secure and become brighter and brighter.</p>

<p>Across Canada (and the USA), Easter for many is just another long weekend—a time for chocolate eggs, bunnies, and family dinners. But Easter is far more than a just a few days off or a cultural tradition. This weekend is a time to rethink what Easter truly means. It’s not just about what happened—it’s about what is happening and what is yet to come.</p>

<p>We prepare extensively for Christmas—decorations, gifts, music, and gatherings—but what about Easter, the most important day on the Christian calendar? Palm Sunday reminds us of Jesus’ triumphal entry and the week leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. As we prepare for this important day our focus needs to be on Jesus and what He expects from us.</p>

<p>John 17 is Jesus’ longest recorded prayer, often called the ‘High Priestly Prayer.’ It reveals His deepest desires for Himself, His disciples, and all believers. Jesus prays with His eyes lifted toward heaven, calling God ‘Father’ six times, and displays complete unity and obedience.</p>

<p>This message reflects on the sorrow the disciples felt as Jesus prepared to leave them, revealing how their confusion, fear, and grief would soon be transformed into lasting joy through His resurrection. Just as their pain gave way to joy, we too can abide in hope by anchoring our joy in Jesus, who offers direct access to God, the power of prayer in His name, and the assurance of the Father's love. Despite trials in this world, Christ’s victory gives us peace and an unshakable joy that no one can take away.</p>

<p>In this message, we explore Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit—our Advocate and guide into all truth. As Jesus prepares to return to the Father, He assures us that the Spirit will convict, teach, and remind us of His words, helping us stay connected to Him. We’ll also look at what it means to truly abide in Christ through Scripture, spiritual practices, and resisting the lies of the enemy</p>

<p>In a world that often seems to be growing increasingly hostile to faith, how can believers stand firm in their convictions? This question is not just relevant for our times, but has been a challenge for followers of Christ since the very beginning of the church. The words of Jesus in John 15:18-16:4 offer both a sobering warning and a source of hope for Christians facing opposition.</p>

<p>Staying connected to Jesus isn’t just a suggestion—it’s the key to real love, true joy, and a life that makes a lasting impact.</p>

<p>Jesus' words in John 15:1-8 provide a powerful metaphor for the believer's relationship with Him. He calls Himself the True Vine, His Father the Vinedresser, and His followers the branches.</p>