EastLake Church Chula Vista

What if the Christian life was never meant to be lived in your own strength?In week 7 of our Brand New series, Pastor James Grogan walks through the powerful truths of Romans 8—one of the most hope-filled and life-changing chapters in all of Scripture. Often called “The Everest of the New Testament,” Romans 8 reminds us what is now true because of Jesus and what it means to live with the power of the Holy Spirit.Pastor James revisits the journey through Romans and shows how Paul has been building toward this incredible reality:Because of Jesus, we are no longer condemned, controlled by sin, or separated from God—we are brand new.This message unpacks four life-changing truths for every follower of Jesus:• I have a new verdict because I’m in Christ.“There is now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Through Jesus, our guilty verdict has been removed and replaced with grace, freedom, and forgiveness.• I have a new mindset because the Spirit is changing me.Paul contrasts the mindset of the flesh—self-will, self-glory, self-gratification—with the mindset of the Spirit, which leads to life, peace, humility, and transformation.• I have a new power because the Spirit is in me.The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in every believer. We are no longer powerless against sin or temptation because God’s Spirit empowers us to live differently.• I have a new identity because I’m adopted into God’s family.God didn’t reluctantly accept us—He chose us, adopted us, and made us His children. Our identity is now rooted in His love, grace, and presence.Pastor James reminds us that the Christian life is not about trying harder—it’s about surrendering more fully to the Holy Spirit.If you’ve ever struggled with shame, insecurity, temptation, or feeling spiritually stuck, this message is a reminder:You are not condemned.You are not alone.And you are not powerless.––––– If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope and freedom today. –––––

What if following Jesus was never meant to feel like an exhausting checklist?In week 5 of our Brand New series, Pastors James Grogan and Chris Muller-Tabanera walk through Romans 7 and unpack the freedom we have because of Jesus. Through powerful stories, practical illustrations, and Paul’s teaching, this message reminds us that we are no longer bound to a system of rules—we are invited into a relationship of grace.Pastor James opens with the incredible true story of two East German families who risked everything to escape to freedom in a homemade hot air balloon. In the same way, Paul explains that through Jesus we’ve been transferred into a completely new reality: no longer living under the weight of the law, but under grace.Together, James and Chris explore what it means to live with a brand new freedom:• I’m no longer bound to a system; I am joined to a Savior.Jesus didn’t come to create another religious checklist. He came to invite us into a relationship.• I’m no longer bound to sin; I have a new Spirit that produces better fruit.Real transformation doesn’t happen by trying harder—it happens by surrendering more and allowing the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out.• I’m no longer bound to the measuring stick of the law; Jesus fulfilled it.The law was never meant to prove we were good enough. It was meant to show us how much we need Jesus.This message is a reminder for anyone tired of striving, performing, or feeling like they never measure up. Because of Jesus, you don’t have to earn God’s love, prove your worth, or carry the pressure of perfection anymore.You can stop trying harder.You can surrender more.And you can live truly free.––––– If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to hear about the freedom and grace of Jesus. –––––

Why do we still struggle with sin even after putting our faith in Jesus?In week 6 of our Brand New series, Pastor Hosanna Wong walks through Romans 7 and 8 and reminds us that the struggle within us is not proof that we are failing—it’s often proof that God’s Spirit is actively working in us.Using honest stories, practical encouragement, and powerful truth from Scripture, Hosanna unpacks the reality of the Christian life: following Jesus does not remove every battle overnight, but it does mean we no longer fight alone.Romans 7 captures the tension so many of us feel:“I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”If you’ve ever wrestled with shame, temptation, discouragement, or the fear that you’ll never change, this message is for you.In this message, we discover:• The struggle is not a sign of failure.The struggle is often a sign of spiritual growth. Before Jesus, many of us didn’t even battle sin—we simply lived in it. Now the Holy Spirit is transforming us from the inside out.• The journey is not a sprint.The Christian life is a Spirit-led walk. God invites us to continuously walk with Him, confess honestly, receive grace, and keep growing step by step.• Loving you is not God’s great burden.Loving you is God’s great joy. God is not exhausted by your weakness or frustrated by your process. He delights in walking with you and helping you become who He created you to be.Hosanna also contrasts two powerful realities:A cycle of shame, hiding, performance, and self-reliance… versus a Spirit-led life marked by honesty, forgiveness, healing, and grace.This message is a reminder that because of Jesus:• You are not condemned.• You are not stuck forever.• You are not fighting alone.• You belong to Jesus.––––– If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope and freedom today. –––––

Who’s really in charge of your life?In week four of our Brand New series, Pastor James Grogan walks through Romans 6 and shows that following Jesus isn’t just about forgiveness—it’s about a transfer of allegiance. We all serve something or someone. The question is: who are you giving your life to?Romans 6:14 reminds us of this powerful truth: sin is no longer your master… you are under grace.This message unpacks what it looks like to live under a new allegiance:• From Rules to RelationshipThe law demands obedience through rules, but grace invites allegiance through relationship with Jesus.• Everyone Serves SomethingWhether we realize it or not, we all surrender to something—sin, success, approval, control, or Christ.• What You Obey Gains MomentumThe habits and choices you say “yes” to will shape the direction of your life.• Freedom Isn’t NeutralJesus didn’t just set you free from sin—He set you free for a new life of righteousness.• Your Choices Have OutcomesSin leads to death. Obedience leads to life, growth, and ultimately eternal life in Christ.Pastor James challenges us with a clear picture:You’re not drifting through life—you’re following something.And the good news is this:You don’t have to live under your old master anymore.In Jesus, you’ve been set free to live a brand new life with a brand new allegiance.––––– If this message challenged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. –––––

Do you know what you really have in Christ?In week three of our Brand New series, Pastor James Grogan teaches from Romans 6 and reminds us that many followers of Jesus live unaware of the power, freedom, and identity they already have through Him. Like a family who used a gold nugget as a doorstop without realizing its value, we can know about Jesus—but miss the life-changing reality of being made brand new.Romans 6 answers a big question: If God’s grace is so great, should we just keep sinning? Paul’s answer is clear—By no means. Why? Because grace doesn’t just forgive us. Grace transforms us.This message unpacks what it means to have a new identity in Christ:• We Died to SinSin is no longer your master. It no longer has authority over your life.• We Were Raised with ChristWhen you put your faith in Jesus, your old life was buried and you were raised into something new.• We Are Freed from Sin’s PowerThe struggle may still be real, but sin does not have the final say.• We Have New Life Now and ForeverBecause Jesus defeated death, you can experience spiritual life today and eternal life forever.Pastor James also shares how to live out this new identity:Stop treating grace casuallyStay in the fight against sinDon’t let old patterns take over againDedicate every part of your life to GodRemember who you are in ChristYou are not who you used to be.You are not defined by your old self.You are not powerless.In Jesus, you are dead to sin and alive to God.––––– If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs this reminder today. –––––

In week one of our Brand New series, Pastor James Grogan walks through Romans 5 and shows how the death and resurrection of Jesus didn’t just inspire a movement—they made a whole new way of life possible. Because of Jesus, we are not just improved… we are made brand new. This message unpacks powerful truths like:• Justified Through FaithWe are made right with God not by performance, religion, or trying harder—but by trusting in Jesus.• Peace With GodBecause of Christ, we move from outsiders to family, from enemies to reconciliation, from guilt to peace.• Standing in GraceGod’s love is not something we earn. In Jesus, we now live in His favor, acceptance, and unshakable grace.• Hope for Today and TomorrowBiblical hope is more than wishful thinking. It is confident assurance that God is with us now and has a future for us.• A New Perspective in SufferingPain doesn’t have to harden us. God can use even our hardest seasons to form perseverance, character, and deeper hope.At the center of it all is this life-changing truth:While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.This is the unconditional, proactive love of God. Jesus went first, and He went all the way so we could have new life.If you’ve ever wondered where you stand with God, this message is for you.––––– If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope today. –––––#BrandNew #Romans5 #NewStanding #Grace #Hope #EastLakeChurch

It’s possible to say all the right things about Jesus… and still miss what it actually means to follow Him.In Week 4 of our series Questions Jesus Asked, Hosanna Wong unpacks one of Jesus’ most direct and challenging questions from :“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?” (Luke 6:46)This isn’t a question about what we say we believe. It’s a question about how we live.In this message, we explore:The Gap Between Words and ActionsIt’s easy to claim faith—but Jesus is after something deeper than outward expression.What It Really Means for Jesus to Be LordIf Jesus is truly Lord, it doesn’t just change what we say—it transforms how we live.Why Obedience Is an Expression of LoveJesus makes it clear: loving Him isn’t just about devotion—it’s about following His ways.How to Recognize Real Faith by Its FruitOur lives produce something. The question is—does it reflect the character of Jesus?Building a Life That Withstands StormsA life rooted in hearing and doing Jesus’ words creates a foundation that holds when life gets hard.This message is an invitation to move beyond surface-level faith into a real, lived-out relationship with Jesus—one that is visible, transformative, and rooted deep.Because when Jesus is truly Lord…it changes how you live, what your life produces, and how you stand when storms come.––––– If this message encouraged or challenged you, share it with someone who’s exploring what it really means to follow Jesus. –––––– To support this ministry and help us continue reaching people everywhere, click here: https://eastlake.church/give Subscribe for more messages of faith, growth, and everyday discipleship.