PODCAST · religion
A Closer Look
by Valley Center Community Church
Join us for a discussion where we will look at Sunday’s sermon, as well as explore theological and doctrinal issues. We aim to uncover profound insights and engage in meaningful conversations, delving deeper into the core of our beliefs. You can expect bite-sized episodes that offer an enlightening exploration of faith.
Episodes
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Ep 100 | Acts 9:32-43 | The Expanding Reign of Jesus
In their 100th episode, David and Jason look back on three years of A Closer Look before turning to Acts 9 and what it means to be called a saint. They discuss how all Christians are set apart by Christ, why holiness is a reality to live out rather than something to earn, and how the…
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Ep 99 | Acts 9:20-31 | A Life-Altering Experience (Pt. 2)
God’s grace can change the direction of a person’s entire life. David and Jason discuss Saul’s story and what it teaches about life-altering and lasting change, extending grace to those who have wronged us, and why lasting heart change comes through the gospel rather than guilt, shame, or outward...
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Ep 98 | Acts 9:1-19 | A Life-Altering Experience
In Acts 9, David and Jason explore Saul’s dramatic conversion and the transforming power of God’s grace. They discuss Saul’s religious zeal, Ananias’s hesitation and obedience, and how God’s grace not only saves but changes lives.
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Ep 97 | Acts 8:26-40 | Proclaiming the Gospel In Unexpected Places
In this episode of A Closer Look, Jason and David discuss Acts 8:26 and following, focusing on Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. They explore obedience, proclaiming the gospel in unexpected places, and the reason believers have to rejoice because of the finished work of Jesus Christ.
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Ep 96 | Acts 8:4-25 | The Unshakeable Gospel
In this episode of A Closer Look, the pastors discuss Acts 8 and the spread of the gospel through Philip’s ministry in Samaria. They explore the challenges of sharing Christ despite fear of rejection, the importance of proclaiming the gospel without relying on gimmicks, and the responsibility...
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Ep 95 | Acts 6:8-8:3 | The Ministry and Martyrdom of Stephen
In this episode of A Closer Look, Jason and Dave revisit Stephen’s ministry and death in Acts 6–8, discussing his boldness in proclaiming Christ, his vision of Jesus, and the hope believers have in the face of death. They also examine Saul’s role in Stephen’s death and the persecution that followed.
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Ep 94 | Colossians 3:1-17 | Living Out Our Lives In Jesus Christ
This episode of A Closer Look revisits the church’s fall kickoff and the message from Colossians 3 on living out the new life in Christ. The discussion explores setting our minds on Christ, seeking to know Him more, loving others even when that love isn’t returned, and putting off the old life.…
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Ep 93 | Acts 6:1-7 | The Needs of a Growing Church
Is a growing church always a healthy church? In this episode, the discussion examines what Scripture says about church growth, why numbers alone aren’t necessarily evidence of God’s work, and the danger of measuring a church’s health by its size or success. The conversation also looks at the...
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Ep 92 | Acts 5:12-41 | When the Going Gets Tough
What does it mean to truly obey God when obedience comes at a cost? In this episode, the discussion continues through Acts 5, examining the apostles’ command to “obey God rather than men,” the cost of standing faithfully on God’s Word, and how believers should respond when following Christ brings...
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Ep 91 | Acts 5:1-11 | When Sin is in Our Midst
This week on A Closer Look, David Wojnicki and John Wojnicki discuss Acts 5:1–11 and the account of Ananias and Sapphira. They examine how the passage contrasts with Barnabas' generosity, what it reveals about sin against a holy God, and why believers are called to take sin seriously, be alert to...
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Ep 90 | Acts 4:32-37 | The Impact of Persecution (Pt. 1)
This week on A Closer Look, the discussion centers on Acts 4 and how the early church responded to persecution with prayer, boldness, generosity, and care for one another. The conversation also examines Barnabas' example of sacrificial giving, why Luke introduces him at this point in Acts, and…
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Ep 89 | Acts 4:1-31 | No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastor David and Paul continue through Acts 4, unpacking Peter and John's bold response to persecution after healing the lame man. They discuss the religious leaders' opposition to the gospel, what biblical persecution looks like for Christians today, and how...
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Ep 88 | Acts 3:1-26 | The Power and Authority of Jesus Exercised
This week on A Closer Look, the pastors begin Acts 3 by examining the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate and how the miracle served to reveal Christ's power and direct people to the gospel. They discuss the purpose of signs and wonders, Peter's call to repentance and forgiveness, and…
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Ep 87 | Acts 2:42-47 | The First Church (Pt. 4)
This episode of A Closer Look continues through Acts 2 as the pastors discuss the church's commitment to Gather, Grow, Give, and Go, with a special focus on the believer's call to proclaim the gospel. They explore what it means to live as citizens of heaven while faithfully engaging the world…
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Ep 86 | Acts 2:42-47 | The First Church (Pt. 3)
This episode of A Closer Look continues through Acts 2 as the pastors discuss church growth, biblical generosity, and what makes a healthy church. They explore giving of our time, resources, and finances, the relationship between generosity and the gospel, and how these priorities shaped the life...
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Ep 85 | Acts 2:42-47 | The First Church (Pt. 2)
This episode of A Closer Look continues through Acts 2 as the pastors discuss the early church’s devotion to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, and gathering together as believers—and what those priorities mean for Christians today. They also discuss the role of the apostles and the importance…
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Ep 84 | Acts 2:14-21 | Preaching on Pentecost (Pt. 2)
This episode of A Closer Look continues the study of Acts 2, exploring Peter’s first sermon, the call to repentance, and the lordship of Jesus Christ. The pastors discuss how God’s sovereign plan works alongside human responsibility, and why believer’s baptism, Christ-centered preaching, and...
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Ep 83 | Acts 2:14-21 | Preaching on Pentecost (Pt. 1)
This episode of A Closer Look unpacks Acts 2, the meaning of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and speaking in tongues. The pastors discuss the church’s understanding of spiritual gifts, Peter’s first sermon, and what it means to live in the "last days."
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Ep 82 | Acts 1:12-26 | The First Followers of Jesus Christ
This episode of A Closer Look explores Acts and the church’s “Go Class,” focusing on obeying Christ by sharing the gospel. The pastors highlight how everyday believers lead others to Jesus, the importance of clear testimony, and the connection between obedience and evangelism. They also discuss...
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Ep 81 | Acts 1:1-11 | The Plan of Jesus for His People
In this episode, Pastors Jason, David, and Paul continue the conversation through Acts, reflecting on God’s sovereignty, the mission of the church, and what it means to live as faithful witnesses where God has placed us. They discuss the kingdom of God reaching all nations, the call for every...
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Ep 80 | Acts 1:1-5 | The Power of Jesus on Display
In this episode of A Closer Look, Jason and Dave talk through the opening of Acts and why taking time to prepare matters before moving forward. They emphasize that Acts shows the ongoing work of Jesus through the Holy Spirit and is best understood in its historical setting. They also highlight…
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Ep 79 | Luke 24:36-53 | Encountering the Risen Lord (Pt. 2)
This episode of A Closer Look reflects on the conclusion of the church’s journey through the Gospel of Luke, highlighting key takeaways from preaching through the entire book in context. Pastor David and Jason focus on the call for believers to be God’s “plan A” in sharing the gospel, the…
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Ep 78 | 1 John | Vital Signs of a True Believer: Am I Alive in Christ?
In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastors Jason and David unpack a message on 1 John, exploring how believers can have real assurance of salvation. They walk through three “vital signs” of genuine faith—right belief about Jesus, a growing pattern of obedience, and a sincere love for others—while...
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Ep 77 | Luke 24:13-35 | Encountering the Risen Lord (Pt. 1)
In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastor Jason and Dave reflect on the road to Emmaus passage and the importance of asking better questions in our relationships, communication, and spiritual growth. They explore how Jesus used questions to reveal the hearts of His followers, why we often see what...
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Ep 76 | Luke 23:50-24:12 | The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastor Jason and Dave reflect on Easter weekend at Valley Center Community Church. They revisit a unique Good Friday service focused on the words of Jesus from the cross and a Resurrection Sunday centered on His victory over death. The conversation highlights why...
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Ep 75 | Luke 23:39-49 | Jesus On the Cross (Pt. 2)
In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastors Jason Smith and David Wojnicki reflect on the sermon surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion in the Gospel of Luke, unpacking powerful themes of forgiveness, innocence, and the promise of God’s presence. They explore the story of the criminal on the cross, the...
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Ep 74 | Luke 23:26-38 | Jesus On the Cross (Pt. 1)
In this episode of A Closer Look, Jason Smith and David Wojnicki go deeper into Luke 23, reflecting on the sobering reality of Jesus’ journey to the cross and the significance of His suffering. They discuss why slowing down to examine the details of the crucifixion matters, how Jesus’ words…
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Ep 73 | Consider the Lilies: God's Solution to Worry
In this episode, the team dives deeper into Sunday’s message on “Consider the Lilies” and God’s solution to worry. They explore the difference between healthy concern and sinful anxiety, how fear reveals our desire for control, and what it means to trust God’s sovereignty in real-life struggles....
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Ep 72 | The Rooster, the Trial, and the Quiet Hours of Jesus’ Suffering
In this episode of A Closer Look, Jason and David reflect on Luke 22—Jesus’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and the suffering surrounding His arrest and trial. They discuss the powerful image of the rooster’s crow as a reminder of both failure and forgiveness, and challenge the common idea that the...
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Ep 71 | Jesus in Agony: Prayer, Temptation, and the Garden
In this episode of Closer Look from Valley Center Community Church, Pastors Jason Smith and David Wojnicki discuss Luke 22, focusing on Jesus praying in the garden, prayer as a weapon against temptation, and how to cultivate a disciplined prayer life. They also explore Jesus' emotional anguish…
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Ep 70 | New Pastor on Staff + How Christians Fight Temptation + The Lord's Prayer
This week on A Closer Look, we welcome David Baker—newly installed elder and now part of the pastoral staff at VCCC. Dave shares his story (corporate finance to ministry), his heart for serving the church, and what he hopes people will remember most. Then we dig into Sunday’s sermon follow-up…
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Ep 69 | Who’s the Greatest? Humility, Service, and Heaven’s Rewards
On A Closer Look, Pastors Jason Smith and David Wojnicki unpack the disciples’ dispute over “who is the greatest” in Luke 22. They discuss how self-exaltation shows up in everyday life, what it means to serve without needing recognition, and how God graciously rewards the good works He empowers…
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Ep 68 | The Bread and the Cup: Jesus Redefines the Passover (Luke 21)
Jason and David unpack Sunday’s sermon on the Passover: the meaning of unleavened bread, why Jesus chose bread for communion, and how the Lord’s Supper points forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb. The episode also includes a personal moment of vulnerability—sharing a family diagnosis and…
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Ep 67 | No Temple Needed: Jesus Is Enough (Luke 21:25-38)
In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastors Jason and David talk through Luke 21 and the destruction of the temple—why it was both judgment for rejecting Christ and mercy to end the sacrificial system and point clearly to Jesus. They discuss how God dismantles idols, how to identify what you’re...
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Ep 66 | The Temple, the End, and Faithful Living (Luke 21:5-24)
In this episode, Pastors Jason and David talk through Jesus’ words in Luke 21 and why they matter for the church today. The conversation focuses on how to read passages about judgment, suffering, and the future without speculation or fear. Along the way, they reflect on how Jesus calls His people...
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Ep 65 | Two Paths: Living and Thriving in Psalm 1
In the first episode of 2026, Jason Smith sits down with Pastor David to reflect on Sunday’s sermon from Psalm 1—a timely “reset” after the holidays and a season of sickness. David explains why Psalm 1 presents two ways to live: to live and thrive or to wither and die, a theme that runs…
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Ep 64 | Why Jesus Came: To Reveal the Truth (John 18) — Christ the King
Pastor David Wojnicki returns from sabbatical and joins Jason Smith for a conversation around his Advent message in the “Why Jesus Came” series: Jesus came to reveal the truth (John 18). They unpack what Jesus means by “My kingdom is not of this world,” why Christ’s kingship is not geopolitical…
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Ep 63 | Why Jesus Came: Delivered from Darkness
In this episode of A Closer Look, Jason Smith is joined by elder and Pastor of Congregational Care, John Walters, to reflect on Sunday’s Advent sermon in the series Why Jesus Came. John shares his journey into ministry, his heart for pastoral care, and the central theme of his message: Jesus came...
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Ep 62 | Why Jesus Came: Obedience, Adoption, and the Hope of Advent
In this Advent kickoff episode, Jason Smith sits down with John Wojnicki to unpack the first message in our series, Why Jesus Came. John preached on Christ’s purpose “to do the Father’s will,” leading to a rich discussion about obedience, adoption, and what it means to live faithfully between...
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Ep 61 | Holy in Christ: Growing in Our Set-Apart Identity (Romans 12:1-2)
In this third week of our In Christ series, Pastor Paul and Pastor Jason talk through what it really means to be holy in Christ. They unpack sanctification, our “set-apart” identity, and how we grow in holiness even though we’re already fully united to Christ. They also clarify a key statement…
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Ep 60 | Saints or Sinners: Your New Identity in Christ (Romans 6:1–4)
In this episode, Pastors Jason Smith and Paul Behneman dive deeper into what it truly means to be new in Christ. Building on Paul’s sermon from Romans 6:1–4, they discuss the believer’s identity as a saint rather than a sinner, the daily struggle against sin, and how God’s Word renews our minds....
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Ep 59 | Blessed in Christ: Identity and Assurance (Ephesians 1:3-14)
In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastor Jason Smith sits down with Pastor Paul Behneman to reflect on Paul’s message from Ephesians 1:3–14, “Blessed in Christ.” Together they discuss what it means to be “in Christ”—that what is true of Christ is true of believers spiritually—and how that reality...
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Ep 58 | Treasuring Christ Above All Things (Luke 20:27-47)
In this episode of A Closer Look, Pastor Jason Smith and Pastor Paul Behnamen reflect on Jason’s recent series through Luke 20 and how God has worked through both the text and Jason’s ongoing physical suffering. They discuss what it means to be “worthy” of the resurrection, the danger of seeking...
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Ep 57 | Building on the Cornerstone + Living as God’s Image-Bearers (Luke 20:9-26)
In this episode of A Closer Look, Jason Smith and Paul Behnamen discuss Luke 20:9–26 — exploring what it means to build your life on Jesus as the cornerstone, how to worship God daily beyond Sunday mornings, and how believers can faithfully engage the world while reflecting God’s image. They also...
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Ep 56 | Authority, Freedom, and Everyday Evangelism (Luke 20:1–8)
Pastors Jason Smith and Paul Behneman explore Luke 20:1-8, examining Jesus' response to questions about authority, the role of John the Baptist, and what it means to live under Christ's authority. They discuss freedom in Christ versus self-centered living, practical ways to share the gospel, and...
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Ep 55 | Christ the True King
Pastor Jason sits down with Pastor David to reflect on baptisms, sabbatical rest, and the sermon from Luke 19:28–48. Together they discuss the triumphal entry, the disciples’ growing recognition of Jesus as King, and what it truly means to receive Christ as the King we need—not the one we might...
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Ep 54 | Expectations vs. Reality: The Parable of the Ten Minas
Pastors Jason and David unpack Luke 19:11–27—how Jesus resets messianic expectations, what faithful “business” looks like, how to think about heavenly rewards, and how his promised return shapes our hope today. Plus: a quick word on why church membership matters.
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Ep 53 | Grace That Changes: Zacchaeus and the Fruit of Salvation
In this episode, we take a closer look at Luke 19:1–10 and Zacchaeus’s encounter with Jesus. Pastor David unpacks why Zacchaeus’s restitution is fruit of salvation—not a way to earn it—showing how grace, not law, truly changes people from the inside out. We also clarify two common questions from...
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Ep 52 | From Blindness to Worship
This week on A Closer Look, Pastors Jason and David reflect on Luke 18 and the healing of the blind man. They discuss how the gospel writers emphasize different details without contradiction, why the blind man’s cry of “Son of David” is so significant, and how physical healing points to the…
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Ep 51 | Celebrating God’s Work & Living as His Witnesses
In this episode of the Valley Center Community Church podcast, Jason Smith and Pastor David reflect on the Fall Kickoff Sunday under the tent—a time of worship, fellowship, and celebration of God’s faithfulness. They discuss why the church pauses to “celebrate what God has done,” how numbers...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Join us for a discussion where we will look at Sunday’s sermon, as well as explore theological and doctrinal issues. We aim to uncover profound insights and engage in meaningful conversations, delving deeper into the core of our beliefs. You can expect bite-sized episodes that offer an enlightening exploration of faith.
HOSTED BY
Valley Center Community Church
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does A Closer Look have?
A Closer Look currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is A Closer Look about?
Join us for a discussion where we will look at Sunday’s sermon, as well as explore theological and doctrinal issues. We aim to uncover profound insights and engage in meaningful conversations, delving deeper into the core of our beliefs. You can expect bite-sized episodes that offer an enlightening...
How often does A Closer Look release new episodes?
A Closer Look has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to A Closer Look?
You can listen to A Closer Look on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts A Closer Look?
A Closer Look is created and hosted by Valley Center Community Church.
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