Vida Church Podcast

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Pastor Ben talk about Knowing God and making Him known.

In this episode, Clint Rodgers discusses discovering and activating your God-given gifts and purpose.

5/17/2026 Vida Church

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Pastor Ben's sermon, grounded in Isaiah 53:1–5 and 1 Peter 2:24, emphasized that Christianity is not merely about avoiding hell but about living in the fullness of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Through His suffering, Jesus bore our sins, sickness, and mental anguish to offer us complete healing and wholeness—spirit, soul, and body. Salvation, then, is not just forgiveness but a holistic restoration available to all who have faith, regardless of status or personality. Pastor Ben challenged the congregation to reflect on areas of life where they are not yet experiencing Christ’s full rewards and encouraged them to let that longing lead to deeper faith, trusting that the benefits of Jesus' sacrifice are already paid for and available now. 2/22/2026 Vida Church

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” — Galatians 6:9 (NLT) Pastor Ben continued unpacking the life of Joseph (Genesis 37), revealing how Joseph serves as a powerful type and shadow of Jesus. Through betrayal, injustice, and long seasons of waiting, Joseph remained faithful to the dreams God gave him, and that faithfulness positioned him for fulfillment. From the pit to the palace, Joseph’s journey was not instant. It was forged through integrity, obedience, and trust in God when no one was watching. Even when falsely accused and imprisoned, he chose the moral high road, feared God, and refused to let go of the promise. Pastor reminded us, “The Word works when you work it.” At the right kairos moment, when God’s timing and favor align, breakthrough comes. But until then, we keep doing good. We stand. We trust. God used Joseph despite what the enemy threw at him, and He will do the same for you! 2/15/2026 Vida Church

One of the most important truths in Scripture is that God never tempts us or brings evil on us to teach us a lesson or accomplish His purpose. Many people mistakenly believe that God causes calamity or suffering, but Scripture is clear—God does not tempt anyone or orchestrate hardships to teach us. Using the story of Joseph, who despite betrayal and injustice held fast to faith, we see that knowing our identity as favored children of God helps us stand against lies and victim mentality. While God allows us to experience trials, these challenges are not from Him; rather, He delivers, protects, and guides us through them, sometimes removing obstacles and other times walking with us. As James 1:2 and John 10:10 affirm, we are called to trust God, learn from challenges, and count it all joy, knowing that God is always with us in trials but never the cause of them. 2/8/2026 Vida Church

PART TWO On Sunday, Rick delivered a three-part message from the book of James, beginning with the backstory of James — the first son born to Mary and Joseph after Jesus’ virgin birth, who despised his “perfect” brother but was transformed after Jesus’ resurrection appeared to him. Rick shared that James was the first to pen the name “Lord Jesus Christ,” unpacking the depth of this divine title — Lord (Jehovah), Jesus (Yahweh who saves), and Christ (the Anointed One) — describing Him as “the healing balm and the answer to every ache and pain.” He then unpacked James 1:2–3, explaining that the “trying” of our faith is better understood as its proving, and “patience” as endurance: the enemy brings evil, not God, and as we resist the devil and stand on God’s promises, God supplies supernatural endurance to outlast the attack. Rick called patience “the queen of all virtues,” warned against being double-minded, and challenged us to “play catch with God” by catching His gifts through faith, reminding us it’s not if we win, but when — if we don’t quit. 2/1/2025 Vida Church

Part one of Rick Renner's message at Vida Church.

Mark 12:30-32 teaches us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Pastor explained that we can only truly love others when we first experience God’s unconditional love for us, operating in the Holy Spirit’s love rather than our own. The opposite of love isn’t hate—it’s fear, which is tied to punishment and a wrong concept of God. Understanding that we live in the New Covenant means recognizing that God’s love is unconditional, not based on performance, just as the Father declared over Jesus, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Once we receive this deep, unconditional love, we can love God fully and love our neighbors without conditions, just as Jesus loved sinners, Judas, and even the Roman soldiers. We cannot love others until we love ourselves, and when you don’t love yourself, you’re holding yourself to a higher standard than God does. You are worthy of love simply because God created you, purchased you at the highest price, and declared you "very good"—so receive the reality that God fully loves you without a single condition. 1/25/2025 Vida Church

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This week, Pastor Ben continued his series on the difference between religion and true relationship with God, highlighting that the Christian life should not be a cycle of striving for approval. He emphasized that while obedience shouldn't be about earning God's love, it should reflect it instead. Using 1 Peter 1:13-14, he warned against slipping back into old patterns, reminding us that holiness is not based on our efforts but on the grace found in Jesus. Unlike the Old Testament's fear-driven practices surrounding the High Priest, Jesus empowered us to carry God's holiness into the world, making us living stones in His spiritual temple. As a chosen people and royal priests, we are called to serve with a king's heart and rule with a servant's heart, embodying both authority and humility. 11/30/2025 Vida Church

11/23/2025 Vida Church

Pastor Ben, in his sermon on the "Religion vs. Relationship" series, emphasized the importance of examining our motives behind spiritual practices. He likened the Old Testament command to drive out inhabitants to the need to address internal heart issues today, encouraging us to live wisely among unbelievers and to share God's goodness through acts of love. While spiritual disciplines like prayer, worship, and giving are valuable, he pointed out that the heart's motivation matters greatly; practices done out of obligation lead to bondage, whereas those stemming from love and relationship with God produce life. He urged us to reflect on whether our actions are driven by fear and duty or by gratitude and faith. 11/16/2025 Vida Church

Dr. Nick shared a powerful message during Sunday’s service about his three-year journey through a kidney transplant, which involved unexpected complications and a long recovery. He emphasized that while comfort comes from the outside, true peace arises from within, reminding us to trust in God rather than our own strength. He taught that joy fuels peace and encouraged us to choose joy over worry, as we are empowered through Christ. Dr. Nick also highlighted the importance of being mindful of our self-talk and invited us to find peace in the present moment by seeking God's presence, as everything else falls into place when we prioritize the Kingdom. 11/9/2025 Vida Church

This week at Vida Church, Pastor Ben continued our series on the differences between relationships and religion, emphasizing the importance of understanding the practices of faith. He encouraged us to reflect on why we say "hallelujah" or "amen" and the significance behind our worship and prayers. We are called to live out our new life in Christ, empowered to forgive others freely because we have been forgiven. Pastor Ben highlighted that we don't earn our salvation through our actions; rather, our actions stem from wanting to emulate our heavenly Father. 11/2/2025 Vida Church

This week, Pastor Ben continued his sermon series on the distinction between Religion and Relationship, emphasizing how the Christian life can often become a series of tasks rather than a heartfelt connection with God. He urged attendees to reflect on their motivations for attending church, highlighting that when participation turns into a mere checklist—rather than a desire for closeness with the Lord—they risk falling into a trap of man-made religion. True devotion arises from the heart, and if one's actions for God stem from obligation rather than love, burnout is inevitable. Pastor Ben reinforced that genuine love for God should drive our behaviors and transformation, not a mere adherence to rules. 10/26/2025 Vida Church

Pastor Chad's message from Judges 6 highlighted Gideon's story, emphasizing how he was hiding and feeling weak while God saw him as a "mighty hero." Despite Gideon's fears and self-doubt, God recognized his potential and called him to lead. The turning point for Gideon was obeying God's command to tear down idols that represented self-limitation. Pastor Chad challenged us to do the same by removing negative thoughts and embracing our true identity as empowered by God. When we discard these lies and believe in our potential, we ignite purpose and strength within us, declaring that we are mighty heroes of the faith. 10/19/2025 Vida Church

Pastor Ben continued his series on Religion vs. Relationship by emphasizing how God's grace and truth work together, as illustrated in Colossians 1. He highlighted that the transformative Good News leads to changed lives and encourages us to live in a way that honors God. Grace empowers us to break free from sin, while truth reminds us of our holy status before God. Pastor Ben warned against drifting from this assurance through neglect and small compromises, urging us to stay grounded in Scripture and connected to the church. He illustrated that our past, purchased by Jesus' blood, no longer belongs to us, as affirmed in Colossians 2:14–15. Ultimately, we are called to not only embrace grace but also share it with others, contributing to their growth in Christ. 10/12/2025 Vida Church

During His ministry, Jesus faced opposition primarily from religious leaders who expected the Messiah to fit their preconceived notions. While they believed adherence to the law was essential for reaching God, Jesus came to fulfill the law and introduce grace and truth, emphasizing a personal relationship with the Father (John 1:1, 1:17). This grace puts everyone on equal footing, reliant on Him rather than their own efforts, while truth without grace leads to judgment. Pride often blinds believers, hindering transformation and keeping them stuck in their ways. In light of this, we should reflect on areas where pride might be obstructing our growth and be willing to surrender our beliefs to allow for change. 10/05/2025 Vida Church

We are experiencing a wave of revival characterized by boldness and truth, as many new believers publicly declared their faith through baptism, showing their commitment to glorify Jesus. The Holy Spirit is moving powerfully in our church, and Pastor emphasized that revival is intertwined with evangelism, marked by deliverance, salvation, and a deep hunger for God. As we ride this wave of spiritual awakening, we are encouraged to share the gospel boldly and stay connected to the Word, understanding that true Christianity is about what Jesus did for us. Pastor reminded us to be courageous like those who stood for the truth in the face of opposition, challenging us to say “Yes” to God and actively participate in bringing in the harvest as we share Jesus with others.

09/21/25 | Vida Church

This Sunday, we had the privilege of hosting Brad Holliman, who delivered an impactful message on the importance of reaching others with the Gospel. He emphasized that Jesus was often "moved with compassion" when He saw people, highlighting the significance of getting close to them to truly understand and love them. God desires to entrust us with the people around us, encouraging us to practice true hospitality by loving strangers. The call to share the Gospel is not just for evangelists; it's crucial for all Christians to actively reach out to those in their lives, as our influence may lead others to discover the love of God. Let's embrace this opportunity to be witnesses in our communities and beyond! 09/14/2025 Vida Church

There is a significant difference between religion and a relationship with God; while religion emphasizes sacrifice and self-denial to reach God, faith in Jesus Christ teaches us that salvation is a gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) that cannot be earned. As followers of Christ, we are called to lay down our own agendas and walk in His footsteps, which includes embracing sacrifice (Matthew 16:24) and serving others freely (Matthew 10:8). Although we are delivered from the curse of sin and death, we may still face persecution for our faith. True sacrifice is not about loss, but about recognizing that everything we offer to God is what He first entrusted to us, as we present ourselves as living sacrifices and express gratitude for His abundant grace (Romans 12:1).

Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to grow weary in doing good, reminding us that each person has a unique calling and purpose to pursue. As Paul advised in Philippians 3:13, we should forget the past and focus on our own race without comparing ourselves to others. If you've been discouraged or lost hope, now is the time to re-engage. In closing, Pastor invited us to seek the Holy Spirit for guidance, renewal, and to break any ties with apathy, committing to finish strong and with passion for our calling.

Pastor Ben reminded us that we are called to "fight the good fight for the true faith" (1 Timothy 6:12), with the assurance from Jesus that the victory is ours. While some may view "the fight" as simply the daily grind, idleness leads to decline, as seen in the example of King David. We're created for purpose, and even in rest, we must remain engaged in our spiritual battles—winning the lost, standing for families, and restoring God’s values. Just as laborers in Nehemiah carried tools and weapons, we too must balance our daily responsibilities while staying armed with God's Word. The call is to remain hot and passionate in our faith, as lukewarm complacency risks our vulnerability to the enemy. Stay engaged and remember, true retirement is found in heaven.

James highlighted the biblical story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 as a powerful reminder of how to face our battles by trusting God. When outnumbered by five armies, Jehoshaphat chose not to panic but instead fasted and prayed, acknowledging God's greatness and faithfulness. God assured them that the battle belonged to Him and instructed them to stand firm and worship in anticipation of victory. James emphasized three key steps for us today: seek God first, stand firm in faith, and lead with worship. By letting go of control and trusting God to fight for us, we can experience His victory in our battles. 08/17/2025 | Vida Church

The ability to show mercy stems from our deep security in God's love, as highlighted in Ephesians 3:17, which reminds us that our roots grow strong in His love. Mercy becomes our default response when we release resentment and create a culture of peace, acknowledging each person's unique journey without judgment. Bob illustrated this through the parable of the prodigal son, where the father welcomed his son back without shame, demonstrating that mercy fosters connection rather than control. Ultimately, choosing mercy, love, and trust over judgment and fear allows us to experience new beginnings and transformation in ourselves and our relationships. 08/10/2025 | Vida Church