As we continue our Strengthening the Stakes series, we turn to Storytelling and the powerful way stories shape how we understand our lives, our past, and our future. The Bible tells the story of God unfolding through the stories of men and women, ultimately centered around the redemption of Christ. Through 1 Peter 1, we’re reminded that the gospel gives us a new birth and a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus. Our old story doesn’t have to define us—because in Christ, we are given a new beginning, a new identity, and a new story. As we find our story in Him, we discover a hope that is anchored in what Jesus has done, present in the life He gives us, and secure in what is still to come.

📖 Scripture: Psalm 95:1–7, 1 Peter 1:3, Romans 7:24–25, 1 John 3:1

✨ Themes: Storytelling, the story of God, finding our story in Christ, new birth, living hope, redemption, identity, grace, human narrative, the resurrection of Jesus, God's mercy, worship, gratitude, freedom from our old story, hope for the future

We are a Jesus-centered community on mission, shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world.

Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com/

This week at Genesis, Kai and David tag-teamed a message on what it means to live a life on mission. Kai began by laying the foundation for our calling as followers of Jesus—reminding us that we have been called to follow Him, equipped with everything we need for a godly life, and sent to make disciples of all nations. Our mission isn't something separate from our everyday lives; it is the invitation to live faithfully as people who have been blessed to be a blessing.

David then took the message from theology to practice, sharing practical ways we can live out that mission both locally and globally. As we strengthen our stakes, we are anchoring ourselves in the call to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, plant new Jesus-communities, and live as the church wherever God has placed us.

📖 Scripture: Matthew 28:18–20, Matthew 4:19, Matthew 11:28–30, 2 Peter 1:3–11, Genesis 12:1–3, Romans 10:13–15, Revelation 7:9–12

✨ Themes: A life on mission, following Jesus, the Great Commission, being equipped for a godly life, blessing the nations, making disciples, living sent, local and global mission, planting Jesus-communities

We are a Jesus-centered community on mission, shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world. Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com/

This week in our Strengthening the Stakes series, we turned our attention to Prayer—exploring what it looks like to become a people who keep showing up before God and refuse to lose heart. Through Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18, we were reminded that persistence in prayer is an expression of enduring trust in the character of God, especially when we face delay, opposition, or disappointment. Chris was joined by Mattie for an honest conversation about prayer, personal dissatisfaction, and the ways God has shaped her through seasons of contemplative prayer, fasting, and breakthrough. We were challenged to embrace a deeper, even costly kind of prayer—travailing prayer that longs to see renewal in the church, revival among the lost, and ultimately the restoration of all things. Because when the Son of Man returns, will He find faith on the earth?

📖 Scripture: Luke 18:1–8, Hebrews 4:14–16

✨ Themes: Prayer, persistence, faith, travailing prayer, renewal, revival, restoration, the Kingdom of God, perseverance, God's character, waiting on God, spiritual breakthrough, Jesus our High Priest, mercy, grace, hope, intercession, not losing heart.

We are a Jesus-centered community on mission, shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world.

Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com/

This week we continued our Strengthen the Stakes series by looking at The Table—a picture of the kind of community God is forming through His Church. Beginning in Isaiah 54 and Acts 2, we reflected on the convictions that shaped Genesis from the very beginning: Jesus at the center, devotion to His Word, and a people formed around shared life. The early church wasn't built around programs or performances, but around tables where people experienced belonging, hospitality, generosity, and the gospel together. As followers of Jesus, we're invited to practice the same kind of ordinary, intentional hospitality that welcomes strangers, forms disciples, and reflects the Kingdom of God.

📖 Scripture: Isaiah 54:1–10, Acts 2:36–47

✨ Themes: The table, hospitality, community, belonging, devotion, breaking bread, generosity, welcoming strangers, discipleship, the early church, the Kingdom of God, mission, ordinary hospitality, family, biblical conviction, Jesus-centered community.

We are a Jesus-centered community on mission, shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God's work of renewal in the world.

Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com/

As Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians, he leaves the church with a final call: stay alert, pray continually, and stand firm in Christ. This message reminds us that spiritual vigilance isn't a one-time act but a lifelong posture. We are called to persevere in prayer, intercede for one another, pray boldly for the gospel to be proclaimed, and encourage one another in the faith. Even in the closing verses, Paul points us back to the mission of the church—living with courage, strengthening one another, and remaining faithful until the end.

📖 Scripture: Ephesians 6:18–24

✨ Themes: Prayer, perseverance, spiritual vigilance, praying in the Spirit, intercession, the proclamation of the gospel, boldness, courage, encouragement, faithful ministry, Christian community, perseverance in faith, grace, peace, love.

We are a Jesus-centered community on mission, shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world.

Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com/

As Paul brings his letter to a close, he reminds the church that our greatest battle is not against people, but against the spiritual forces at work in the world. This message explores what it means to be strengthened by the Lord, stand firm in the gospel, and put on the full armor of God. Because Christ has already won the decisive victory, we are invited to live with confidence, standing in His truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and Word.

📖 Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–17

✨ Themes: Spiritual warfare, the armor of God, standing firm in Christ, God's strength, the schemes of the enemy, truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, victory through Christ, identity in the gospel.

We are a Jesus-centered community on mission, shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world.

Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com/

Isaiah 11:1–4

This week we begin a new journey through the book of Isaiah by looking at one of Scripture's clearest pictures of the promised Messiah. Isaiah points us to the coming Branch from the line of Jesse—the One upon whom the Spirit of the Lord rests in fullness. In this message, we explore the character of Jesus, the work of the Holy Spirit, and what it means to live with wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord.

Rather than judging by appearances, Jesus reveals God's perfect justice and righteousness, inviting us to delight in the Lord and become people who are shaped by His Spirit.

📖 Scripture: Isaiah 11:1–4

✨ Themes: the promised Messiah, the Spirit of the Lord, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, the fear of the Lord, righteousness, justice, the kingdom of God, the Branch of Jesse, delighting in the Lord, the person of Jesus, the work of the Holy Spirit.

We are a Jesus-centered community on mission, shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world.

Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com/

Ephesians 6:1–9

As Paul concludes his household instructions in Ephesians, he turns to children, parents, slaves, and masters. In this message, we explore God's design for the parent-child relationship through the lens of the gospel. We are reminded that before we are parents, spouses, leaders, or workers, we are first children of our Heavenly Father. His love, discipline, grace, and instruction become the model for how we relate to others and how we raise the next generation.

Together we consider what it means to obey and honor, how godly discipline reflects God's heart for His children, and why spiritual formation often happens through instruction, boundaries, training, and even struggle. Whether you are a parent, a child, both, or neither, this passage invites us to see ourselves as deeply loved sons and daughters learning to imitate our perfect Father.

📖 Scripture: Ephesians 6:1–9, Galatians 5:16–17, Ephesians 4:22–24, Hebrews 12:5–11, Deuteronomy 7:6, 1 John 3:1, Exodus 20:12, Genesis 1–3

✨ Themes: Children of God, parenting in imitation of the Father, obedience and honor, spiritual formation, discipline and instruction, grace and boundaries, the image of God, the battle between flesh and Spirit, training through struggle, affordable mistakes and wisdom, God's loving correction, identity as sons and daughters, serving others out of reverence for Christ.

We are a Jesus-centered community on mission, shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world.

Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com/