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…
Category: E.V.I.C. Study Notes
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…
The Biblical Legitimacy of Contemporary Worship Design: A Critical Theological Analysis
The relationship between form and substance in Christian worship has occupied theologians throughout church history. In recent decades, the rise of contemporary worship movements has introduced increasingly sophisticated approaches to worship planning, often drawing from entertainment, psychology, and emotional design principles. “The Ultimate Setlist Building Guide” (download at this link) from Worship Artistry represents a…
The Cost & Confession of Following Christ: A Bible Study and Pastor Joey’s Sermon on Luke 9:18-27.
The digital landscape isn’t a boundary—it’s a frontier that God already inhabits. At East Valley International Church, we embrace screens and servers not as obstacles, but as new waters where the Spirit stirs. From WiFi signals to instant messages, there’s room for grace to travel further and deeper than ever before. AI and digital platforms…
E.V.I.C. Sunday School Notes: A Biblical Study of Romans 6:22: The Freedom of Slavery to God.
Welcome to Sunday School at East Valley International Church! Each week, we gather to explore the essential truths that form the foundation of our Christian faith. Through our “Fundamentals of the Faith” study, we’re discovering together what it means to follow Jesus, understand God’s Word, and live out our beliefs in everyday life. Today, we’re…
E.V.I.C. Sunday School Notes: “Fundamentals of the Faith” – Free Will, Predestination, and Salvation
Welcome to Sunday School at East Valley International Church! Each week, we gather to explore the essential truths that form the foundation of our Christian faith. Through our “Fundamentals of the Faith” study, we’re discovering together what it means to follow Jesus, understand God’s Word, and live out our beliefs in everyday life. Today, we’re…
E.V.I.C. Sunday School Notes: “Fundamentals of the Faith” – A Biblical Examination of Mary’s Perpetual Virginity: Scripture, Context, and the Brothers of Jesus
Welcome to Sunday School at East Valley International Church! Each week, we gather to explore the essential truths that form the foundation of our Christian faith. Through our “Fundamentals of the Faith” study, we’re discovering together what it means to follow Jesus, understand God’s Word, and live out our beliefs in everyday life. These sessions…