Lakeside Community Church of the Nazarene - Lakeside, CA

06/14/2026

https://youtu.be/GNim7zxxFsI?si=tsU8kB0cuqMPU8l3

Matthew 9:35-10:8Rev. Robert Churchman

06/14/2026

Get your car washed at Lakeside Community Church next Saturday, June 20th, and support El Capitan High School.

06/11/2026

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY
THOUGHTS:
How much are we worth to God?

The Parable of the Lost Sheep powerfully illustrates the value of every person.

The image of a lost sheep represents a lost person, highlighting the shepherd's willingness to leave the majority to pursue the one.

This parable teaches us that every person is inherently precious in God's eyes.

By comparing sinners to lost sheep who wander into danger, Jesus underscores the shepherd's joy upon finding them, symbolizing God's unwavering love for all of us.

The lesson we can learn is threefold:
1- Hope - Finding hope in the face of life's challenges.
2- Redemption - Even when we veer off course or make mistakes, there's always a chance to make things right.
3- Community - The flock symbolizes the interconnectedness and support within the faith community.

These three can inspire us to share the love of Christ with those who need to hear it most.

Ultimately, the parable portrays Jesus as the Good Shepherd who willingly takes on our burdens and guides us back to God.

Jesus uses this parable to emphasize that the Kingdom of God is open to everyone, even those who have strayed from the right path or fallen into sin. It also highlights Jesus' compassion for all people, regardless of their faith or background.

Rather than seeking to honor Himself, God's primary goal is to glorify Himself through His children, those who believe, expressing His deep love and care for each of them.

The parable shows that God actively seeks out the lost and rejoices when they are found.

It emphasizes God's personal and loving pursuit of everyone.

Rejoice with God over those who were once lost but are now found.

VERSES:
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:3-7

06/09/2026

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Holly Irwin Churchman on being ordained as an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene this past Saturday evening at the SoCal District Assembly.

06/07/2026

https://youtu.be/XLQhSvdGeuM?si=bXSu0wlUjPqzhD2I

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

06/04/2026

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY
THOUGHTS:
The Cost of Being a Disciple.

What do people today think it means to be a Christian?

In the Bible, Jesus never used the word ‘Christian’ to describe His followers. He used the word ‘disciple.’ And in Luke 14, He tells us plainly what a disciple really is—and what it will cost us to follow Him.

Jesus emphasized the importance of prioritizing one's commitment to Him above all else, including one's own family and personal desires.

Our love and devotion to Jesus should supersede all other relationships and personal aspirations.

Family determines our identity, our inheritance, and our place in society. In other words, our entire life—our livelihood, our reputation, our security—was tied to our family.

So, when Jesus calls people to follow Him above all else, it’s not a casual request. He’s not simply saying, “Add Me to your life.” He’s asking for a loyalty greater than even the strongest bonds of family.

The importance of loyalty to Jesus above all other loyalties, such as family, self-interest, and possessions.

Following in Jesus's footsteps, we are summoned to understand what truly matters in life.

We must be willing to bear our burdens for the benefit of others, carry our crosses by letting go of our old selves and desires, and surrender entirely to the will of God in all aspects of our lives.

Jesus’ words, “carry their cross and follow me,” stress the readiness to remain faithful no matter our challenges.

Let go of your old life, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus as disciples willing to endure persecution, knowing that His words validate our sacrifice as followers of Jesus above all else.

VERSES:
27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27

05/31/2026

https://youtu.be/ZZyPglwVaLg?si=oN1GI_Vi6N6jTPVK

Matthew 28:16-20

05/28/2026

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY
THOUGHTS:
Invitations and recognition.

Jesus is invited to the home of a leading Pharisee on the Sabbath, where the house is filled with guests.

The question arises: why was Jesus invited?

Have you ever felt like you were being observed or scrutinized at a party or event?

No matter the reason, Jesus’ presence is not accidental—He is being carefully observed.

Just as others observe us, we watch others.

Most of us extend hospitality to people we know, those like us, and those whose approval we seek.

Observing people positioning themselves for recognition, Jesus sees the scramble for the “best seats” and tells them, “Don’t sit in the place of honor—you may be humiliated if asked to move down.”

In other words, choose the lowest seat, and you may be invited up.

Jesus grounds this in wisdom from Proverbs 25:6-7: “Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence … it is better for him to say to you, ‘Come up here,’ than to humiliate you before his nobles.”

Building on this, Jesus concludes: “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” In the kingdom of God, humility—not greed, not pride—marks the way of discipleship.

But Jesus emphasizes that the kingdom of God welcomes the marginalized, the needy, and those who embody humility, generosity, endurance, and responsiveness to God's invitation.

Jesus extends the invitation to Salvation, not so we can be observed like the guests who were seeking the best seats at the party to be recognized as important.

Jesus emphasizes the pivotal role of Salvation in the kingdom of God and the necessity of adhering to the two foundational commandments: love for God and love for one's neighbors.

God sees our hearts and true intentions. Instead of looking out for ourselves, we are to love others the way God loves us, through God’s Son, Jesus.

Salvation is an invitation to God’s heavenly banquet table; all are welcome, encouraged to invite everyone they can find, and honored as guests.

VERSES:
1 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.
Luke 14:1

05/25/2026

Pastor Holly and I pray that you and your families will have a joyful and relaxing day together this "Memorial Day" as our nation celebrates this honored and cherished holiday!

05/21/2026

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY
THOUGHTS:
In the Gospel of Luke, we learn about a woman who lived for eighteen years bent over, unable to lift her head or stand straight. Her body tells the story of what sin, brokenness, and life’s hardships do to us — they bend us low.

This is more than a physical healing. Her bent body mirrors our own bent lives — weighed down by sin, shame, or the heaviness of this world. We, too, are crippled by what we cannot fix on our own.

This story is about more than just one woman. It’s about a Synagogue leader who cared more about rules than people. People like you and me.

Sometimes we get distracted and focused on the wrong things, like the Jewish leaders and their laws that had rules about days and ways of doing things.

Everything changed when Jesus saw her. “He called her forward, laid His hands on her — and immediately she straightened up and praised God.”

Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, reminds us of the importance of compassion over legalism and shows us what true freedom looks like.

Jesus did not come to abolish the laws, but to change the rules.
The good news is Jesus sees us, too. He sees you and me, burdened by shame, and offers us healing.

Jesus heals our posture so we can shift our position from looking down to looking up, giving glory to God.

VERSES:
12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
Luke 13:12-13