VCLA Podcast

Beholding A Toddler: The Unexpected Story of the Magi | The Light Has Come EP.2 | Josh Shaw

What do you do when God gives you a sign? In this powerful Christmas message, we dive deep into Matthew 2 and the real story of the Magi. Forget the sentimental nativity scenes—the Magi were intellectual powerhouses, astronomers, and "outsiders" who traveled for two years across a dangerous desert just to worship a toddler.
Whether you are a lifelong follower of Jesus or someone still "working through the God thing," this sermon challenges us to look for our own "star moments." God is already moving in your life—the question is: Are you willing to get up and follow the evidence?
Have you ever had a "Star Moment" where you felt God’s presence?

YOUR LIFE Will Change: The Simple YES That Altered History | The Light Has Come EP.1 | Josh Shaw

Pastor Josh takes us through the Gospel accounts in Luke 1 and Matthew 1, revealing how the willing "Yes" of two teenagers laid the foundation for the entire Christian faith. Learn why the historical and theological necessity of the Immaculate Conception is central to the Gospel, and how their faith—in the face of confusion, social ostracization, and mystery—serves as a powerful invitation for us today.
The world needs our "Yes." Find out what God is asking you to do right now and what it means to truly trust in His plan, even in the "gray in the in between."

How to Change a Broken World | When In Romans EP.13 | Josh Shaw

Are you tired of feeling like you have to argue people into the Kingdom of God? Do you want to see your workplace, your city, and your family transformed, but don't know where to start?
In this final message of our Romans series, we dive into Chapter 15 to uncover the Apostle Paul’s personal "secret sauce" for ministry. Paul didn't just tell the Romans what to do; he showed them how to live. We move from "Do as I say" to "Do as I do."
Join us as we explore the four missional pillars that allowed Paul to shake the foundations of the Roman Empire. We are discussing why humility trumps arrogance, why we must stop building on other people's foundations, and why the Gospel is incomplete without the power of signs and wonders.
If you are ready to stop playing it safe and start living with audacious faith, this message is for you.

Radical Welcome & Unity | When In Romans EP.12 | Joel Moses

Pastor Joel dives into Romans 14 and 15, anchoring the church's call to radical acceptance and unity in the profound reality of Christ's welcome. In a city as diverse and intense as Los Angeles, Paul’s command to "Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you" (Romans 15:7) becomes a prophetic sign pointing to the Kingdom of God.
This sermon challenges us to choose unity over uniformity, peace over being right, and Christ's welcome over our own comfort, especially when dealing with non-essential, disputable matters. Learn the two core truths that can transform your community and how to become a bridge-builder in a world filled with tribes and echo chambers.

Living in a CONTINUING Debt of Love | When In Romans EP.11 | Josh Shaw

In a world filled with anxiety, overwhelm, and conflicting desires, how do followers of Jesus navigate complex dynamics and make wise decisions? Pastor Josh continues our series in the Book of Romans, pivoting from what we learn and feel to how we act in the world. The Apostle Paul gives us two simple yet staggering foundations for life as a Christian: Honor and Love.
This sermon dives deep into Romans 13, challenging us to submit to governing authorities and pay what is due—even when it's repulsive or uncomfortable. More than that, we are called to live in a continuing debt of love to one another, fulfilling all the commandments through a fervent desire to deposit love, not pain or gain, into every human being. Discover how choosing honor and love, even in the midst of broken systems and difficult relationships, is an act of worship and the very definition of a life lived with Jesus.

How To Transform Your Life | When In Romans EP.10 | Josh Shaw

Are you tired of trying to change only to fall back into old habits? This sermon is the GAME CHANGER you've been waiting for.
Pastor Josh dives into Romans 12:1-2, marking a massive shift in Paul's letter from deep theology to radical, everyday spiritual formation and practice. This isn't self-help or 'white-knuckle' religion; it's a Spirit-powered process to become more like Jesus Christ!
Learn the foundational motive for change—God's extravagant mercy—and discover the practical steps: Offering Your Body as a living sacrifice and the Active Renewal of Your Mind. Plus, get a simple, unforgettable acronym (V.I.M.) from Dallas Willard to put transformation into daily practice.
If you are ready to break free from the patterns of this world (arrogance, selfishness, bitterness) and walk into God's good, pleasing, and perfect will, then this message is for you!

The Cure for Spiritual Blindness | When In Romans EP.9 | Josh Shaw

You've tried everything. You've worked hard, you've been faithful, and you've followed all the rules, but you still feel like you're just outside the favor of God—close, but so far. Or maybe you're in a season of brokenness, doubt, and rebellion, feeling completely lost and unable to see the way forward.
In this powerful sermon, Pastor unpacks the incredible, and sometimes ridiculous, way Jesus dispenses His mysterious mercy. Drawing from Romans 10 & 11 and the incredible story of the man born blind in the Gospel of John 9, we explore why God sometimes hardens the religious and runs after the lost, and how all of it is designed to display His unimaginable grace.
If you are feeling the "blindness of religion," the "blindness of your broken past," or the "blindness of your doubts" (00:24), this message is for you. Discover that your healing won't come from your works or your zealousness, but from an undeniable, mysterious, and even "mud-like" encounter with Jesus Christ.

You Can't Earn It: The Truth About God's Mercy | When In Romans EP.8 | Josh Shaw

This week, Pastor Josh dives into one of the Bible's most challenging and misunderstood chapters: Romans 9. We explore Paul's anguish and the profound distinction Jesus makes in the Parable of the Prodigal Son between the rebellious sinner (the younger brother) and the self-righteous believer (the older brother).
Many of us who grew up in the church, who were "faithful," who "never ran away," struggle with the free, unmerited grace that God offers. We pursue righteousness through works, not faith, and in doing so, we stumble over the very Jesus who is offering us life. The good news is that God's mercy and desire for redemption are for both the religious and the rebellious alike.
Stop working to earn what has already been offered! Learn how to drop the self-righteousness, own your true status, and receive the whole, forgiven, and loved status that God offers you—not based on your effort or desire, but solely on His boundless mercy.

Why Does God Allow Suffering? | When In Romans EP.7 | Josh Shaw

Is following Jesus hard right now? You're not alone. In this powerful sermon on Romans 8, Pastor Josh dives deep into the reality of Christian suffering and the mind-blowing, purposeful plan God has for you in the midst of it. 
Many people quote Romans 8:28 as a "coffee mug verse," but this message unpacks the profound theological context of Paul’s words, showing that God is not surprised or worried by your pain—He is sovereignly, intentionally using it.
Discover the "chain of salvation" and how your present weakness is actually a holy space where the Holy Spirit intercedes for you with "wordless groans" (Romans 8:26). Learn how your hardship is a "refiner's fire," conforming you into the very image of Jesus Christ so you can bring redemption to a broken world. This is the hope that makes sense of your hardest days.
Don't be ashamed to cry out—God can handle your deepest grief!

The Antidote To Ungodly Obsessions | When In Romans EP.6 | Josh Shaw

Do your good desires keep turning into crippling, ungodly obsessions? You're not alone. This sermon explores the deeply human—and deeply Christian—struggle against the "wretched man" war Paul describes in Romans 7. We all want good things like health, wealth, or a loving marriage, but they quickly become idols that rule our lives and steal our peace.
It's not more religious rules or accountability structures—it's about reorienting your deepest longings.
Discover how obsessively desiring the Holy Spirit is the only way to keep your desires in check and finally experience the life and peace (shalom) you crave.