ANCHORED: Hope That Holds Hebrews 6:9–20 ESV EXTRA CREDIT – Regarding the Melchizedek Priesthood: Mormon vs. Christian theology. The Latter-day Saint Theology of Two Priesthoods The Aaronic (Lesser) Priesthood The LDS Church maintains a hierarchical priesthood structure that begins with what they term the “Aaronic” or “lesser” priesthood. According to official LDS teaching materials,…
Category: E.V.I.C. Study Notes
Joey Sampaga Sermon: The Tragedy of Spiritual Blindness, Luke 11:29–36
On Sunday, March 8, Pastor Joey Sampaga delivered a message from Luke 11:29–36, building on the previous week’s warning about the danger of an outwardly cleaned but spiritually empty heart. Jesus calls the generation “evil” for demanding signs despite witnessing His miracles. He declares the only sign they will receive is the sign of Jonah—His…
Joey Sampaga Sermon: A Lesson from Luke 11:24-28
What happens to a person who turns from sin but never fills that vacancy with something true and living? That is the unsettling question at the heart of Luke 11:24–28 — and it is the question Pastor Joey Sampaga pressed with clarity and conviction in his recent sermon, “The Danger of an Empty Heart.” It is…
Joey Sampaga Sermon: The Answer to Life’s Greatest Question, Luke 10:25-37
This Sunday, Pastor Joey Sampaga led us through Luke 10:25-37, “The Answer to Life’s Greatest Question.” A legal expert comes to Jesus with a question that sounds sincere but is really a trap: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He is a specialist in the Law, confident in argument, watched by a…
Joey Sampaga Sermon: Responding to the Kingdom of God, Luke 10:1-16
This Sunday, Pastor Joey Sampaga led us through Luke 10:1-16, “Sent with Urgency: Responding to the Kingdom of God.” As Luke unfolds the story, we find Jesus moving steadily toward Jerusalem, fully aware of the suffering waiting for Him there. The cross looms in the distance, yet His sense of purpose intensifies. With limited time…
Joey Sampaga Sermon: No Turning Back – The Cost of Following Jesus, Luke 9:46-56
This Sunday, Pastor Joey Sampaga led us through Luke 9:46-56, “No Turning Back: The Cost of Following Jesus.” Jesus confronts three would-be followers, exposing barriers to true discipleship: craving comfort, delaying obedience, and divided loyalty. With His face set toward the cross, He demands undivided, immediate commitment—not partial enthusiasm or nostalgic glances backward—calling us to…
Emmanuel: The Promise That Changed Everything
A Christmas Bible Study on Isaiah 7:14 Introduction: The Tapestry of Prophecy Fulfilled During Pastor Joey’s Christmas sermon today, “Emmanuel, God With Us,” he referenced Isaiah 7:14—that profound prophecy declaring, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” As…
From Pelagius to Your Pastor: The Enduring Mystery of Divine Sovereignty and Human Choice
Sixteen Centuries of Faithful Disagreement: Finding Peace in the Free Will Conversation When you find yourself lying awake at night, troubled by seemingly irreconcilable biblical texts about God’s sovereignty and human responsibility—when sermon podcasts leave you more confused than comforted, when theological discussions on social media escalate into accusations of heresy from both sides—take heart….
Choose This Day Among Three Chairs: A Comprehensive Bible Sermon of Joshua 24:14-16
At East Valley International Church, we view technology like ClaudeAI as a practical extension of faithful stewardship, not a replacement for Spirit-led ministry. Our reasoning is simple: if God can reach someone through any means, why would we artificially restrict the channels through which truth travels? Consider the person searching online at 3 AM, wrestling…
A Glimpse of the King’s Return: A Comprehensive Sermon & Study of Luke 9:28-36
This Sunday, Pastor Joey Sampaga led us through Luke 9:28-36, “A Glimpse of the King’s Return.” Have you ever experienced a moment so profound, so overwhelming, that words failed you? A moment when heaven seemed to break through into your everyday reality? For three disciples on a mountain in first-century Judea, such a moment came…