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Long Story Short

Jun 09 2019 • Dan Kent, David Morrow, Grace McJohnson, Greg Boyd, Osheta Moore

Once upon a time…
It was a dark and stormy night…
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

These words say: settle in, it’s time for a story! Well settle in, Woodland Hills, because our summer sermon series will explore the grand narrative of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. You may think you know what happens, but there’s so much more to this story than most of us realize! We’ll get new insights on some of the characters and the parts they play, and learn how each of us fits into the bigger story that God has been telling since the beginning of time.

Sermons in this series:


Where Is This Story Headed?

• Greg Boyd

The grand story of the Bible is moving toward an end, one where God will reveal himself as he is. But what does that actually mean? When we take into account the entire biblical narrative, one that is centered around the cross, this means that God will fully unveil his love and we will not only see him as love, but also we will see ourselves as God’s beloved bride.

Topics: Covenant, End Times, Heaven, Love


On Earth as It Is in Heaven

• Osheta Moore

In this week’s message, Osheta continues our look at the biblical narrative themes of covenant and kingdom by using the Lord’s Prayer as a guide. Jesus’ own creative and kingdom focused practice that he gave us so that we can grow in our Kingdom literacy. By praying the Lord’s Prayer regularly, we reinforce the values of the Kingdom in our hearts so that we can live faithfully into our Covenant.

Topics: Covenant, Discipleship, Kingdom of God, Prayer


All Things New In Christ

• Dan Kent

In this week’s message, Dan continues our look at the biblical narrative themes of covenant and kingdom in the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. After his baptism and before the start of his ministry, Jesus was tempted in three very important ways by Satan. In this message we learn how Jesus inserts himself in to the biblical narrative and seeks to fulfill the promises and potential of old testament characters like Israel, Adam & Eve, and King David.

Topics: Covenant, Kingdom of God, Satan, Temptation


The New Passover

• Greg Boyd

The New Covenant, which was inaugurated by Jesus and we celebrate with the sign of the communion meal, is a reframing of the Passover Meal from Exodus. In that Old Testament story we see how God defeated evil by allowing evil to act upon itself. In the same way, the cross brings victory over sin and defeats Satan through the hidden wisdom of love.

Topics: Communion, Love, Salvation


Covenant Redemption

• Grace McJohnson

As we continue our Long Story Short series through the lens of covenant and kingdom, in this message we explore the connection between relationship and responsibility in the story of the Isarelites making a golden calf for worship while Moses is on Mt. Sinai. It’s all too easy for us to get impatient and lose trust in what we can’t see. Grace explores the struggles of the Israelites by reflecting on her own experience in building idols in her personal life.

Topics: Covenant, Faith, Kingdom of God


The Father of All Who Believe

• Greg Boyd

In the fourth part of our Long Story Short series, Greg zooms in on the calling of Abraham in order to discover the ways in which God’s Kingdom is like a mustard seed.

The Flood

• Greg Boyd

In this third installment of our Long Story Short series we explore what the overall narrative of the Bible is as it relates to our Covenant with God, and the Kingdom ways we’re called to live here on earth. Today, we look at the story of the Flood through the lens of the cross finding that there’s a new lesson about God’s character and God’s posture to us when we sin. Greg ends with one practical way we can live out our covenant to God inspired by this passage: by caring for the earth and all it's inhabitants.

Topics: Creation Care, Judgment, Sin


Trouble In Paradise

• Greg Boyd

In the second part of our Long Story Short series Greg takes a look at what happens when Adam and Eve disobey God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and what universal lessons we can learn from them about who we were originally designed to be. Life in the Kingdom revolves around trusting God for provision and honoring his prohibition. It’s this focus that keeps us secure in our identity and not looking for life elsewhere through judging eyes. We are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and him crucified, and this will keep us from judgment of others as well as keep a clear picture of who God is.

Topics: Creation, Identity in Christ, Kingdom of God


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