Saddleback Church Weekend Messages

Gratitude pulls us closer to God in a way nothing else can. We all know how easy it is to move through our days without slowing down to notice the gifts God is placing in front of us, or the ways he is sustaining us even when we don’t see it. But when we choose gratitude, our eyes open to his work in our lives, and our hearts begin to feel nearer to him. As Pastor Buddy wrapped up our Closer series, we remembered how forgiveness clears the obstacles between us and God, how surrender helps us open our hands to what he wants to give, and how gratitude becomes a gentle daily rhythm that helps us trust him more deeply. He also reminded us how entitlement can quietly creep in and make us feel like God owes us something, when every moment of our lives is already a gift of his grace. Scripture teaches that gratitude brings joy, strengthens our faith, draws us into God’s presence, and opens our hearts to the flow of his grace and power. As you step into this week, take a quiet moment to notice God’s goodness and let gratitude rise. What’s one thing you can thank him for today?

This weekend we opened our new series called Closer by looking at one of the biggest barriers that keeps us from feeling close to God. All of us want a real relationship with him, yet Jesus teaches that unforgiveness can quietly block our hearts in ways we may not realize. Through the story of the unforgiving servant, we were reminded that God has already forgiven a debt we could never repay, and that releasing others is part of the freedom he wants for us. Forgiveness is not pretending the hurt never happened. It is choosing to let go, trusting God with the pain, and stepping into the kind of life where nothing stands between us and him. As we move into this Christmas season, we’re invited to receive God’s forgiveness in a fresh way and extend it to others so that we can grow closer to his heart.

This weekend was a powerful reminder that God calls us to dream big, to dream his dreams, and to step out in bold faith. As a church, we celebrated all that God has already done through Dream Now, from lives changed to ministries growing and new campuses taking shape. And we believe he’s only getting started. Together, we’re stepping into what’s next by faithfully responding to his call, trusting that as we give, serve, and pray from now through the end of the year, God will continue to do more than we could ever imagine. Learn more or get involved at saddleback.com/dreamnow

Have you ever wondered if God really has a plan for your life, and how to figure out what it is? This weekend, Pastor Kurt Johnston reminded us that God absolutely has a unique purpose and plan for each of us. God’s will begins with relationship. His will for everyone is that we would know Him, respond to His love, and enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. But beyond that, He also has a specific plan for each of our lives. So how do we discover it? Pastor Kurt taught that understanding God’s will is not about unlocking a secret. It is about growing closer to Him. The more time we spend in prayer, reading Scripture, and walking daily with God, the more clearly we begin to hear His voice and recognize His direction. God’s will is not always revealed all at once. It is something we discover step by step as we follow Him. When we seek God daily, He gives us peace, clarity, and wisdom for each decision along the way.

As Christians, how do we respond to a world full of division and conflict? How can we stay rooted in our faith while living in a constantly changing culture? In the second week of our series Hey God!, Pastor Andy Wood reminded us that if we want to know how to live, we must first know who, or what, we follow. Whether we realize it or not, we’re all being shaped by something. We can choose to follow Jesus and build our lives on the firm foundation of God’s Word, or let the world shape us instead. Who we become starts with what we follow. Pastor Andy challenged us to ask two key questions: Who am I following? and Who am I aiming to please? We can’t live to please both people and God. Living for God’s approval brings peace, purpose, and strength to stand firm in truth. Jesus modeled both grace and truth—loving people deeply while never compromising what was right. To follow him means being willing to stand apart from the world and reflect his love, truth, and compassion in all we do.

Pastor Andy Wood kicks off an exciting new series, Hey God!, with a powerful message teaching us how we can tune in to hear God’s voice. In the busyness of our lives today, it’s hard to believe that the same God who spoke to Moses, Jesus, and Paul still speaks to us. But we often forget that God does want to speak to us and he wants us to listen. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and we can hear his voice and calling in our lives when we learn how to be still and listen. In this message, Pastor Andy shares the story of God speaking to the prophet Samuel, calling him to step into his great purpose as a leader of Israel. Through our study of 1 Samuel, we witnessed how God called Samuel and were reminded that God answers those who seek him with all their heart. We hope this message inspires you to seek God’s voice in your life and leads you to a deeper relationship with him.

This weekend, Pastor Stacie Wood concluded our Fight For Your Family series with a message on how God designed every person and role within the family to reflect his goodness and order. Through Scripture, she showed that whether single, married, a parent, or a child, each of us has been given a distinct role and calling to follow God with faith and obedience. Singles are called to live with focus and undivided devotion to the Lord. Husbands are called to lead with love and take responsibility for their homes. Wives are called to build up with respect and strength. Parents are called to love God deeply, lead their families intentionally, and reclaim their God given authority. Children are called to obey and honor their parents with humility. When each of us lives according to God’s design, he brings blessing, unity, and promise to our homes.

From the very beginning, God created men and women with equal value, distinct roles, and a shared purpose to reflect his image and bring blessing to the world. This weekend, Pastor Andy continued our Fight For Your Family series with a powerful reminder that God is the designer of marriage, family, and relationships. Walking through Scripture, he helped us replace common lies about identity, gender, and marriage with the truth of God’s Word, showing that his design brings order, unity, and blessing to our homes. When we live by God’s truth instead of the world’s lies, our families flourish as he intended. God’s way is always best, and when we align our lives with his design, we experience the beauty, peace, and purpose he planned from the very beginning.

Pastor Andy Wood continues the Fight for Your Family series with a powerful teaching on perseverance when family life feels hard. Using Galatians 6, he reminds us that what we sow today shapes tomorrow—and that with God’s help, we can rewrite our family story. With practical tools like the Family Vision Guide, Andy also encourages couples, parents, singles, and grandparents to write a fresh family vision, build lasting spiritual rhythms, and set goals that align with God’s dream for their homes. 

Every life is centered on something, whether it is work, family, success, or comfort. These things shape our choices and priorities, often without us realizing it. Pastor Andy reminded us that God designed us to put Him at the center of our lives, and when He is first, everything else like our family, work, money, and calling finds its right place. This weekend we were challenged to identify the one thing keeping us from putting God first. As a church family, we wrote those things down and nailed them to the Cross as a powerful declaration that we want God at the center of our lives and our families. What is the one thing keeping you from putting God at the center of your life, and at the center of your family?

What if your home became the center of spiritual growth, hope, and transformation for your family? This weekend, Pastor Andy Wood kicks off Fight For Your Family with a bold challenge to wake up and take charge against the battles facing our families. God has a powerful design for the family, and when we follow his lead, our lives flourish. Through Nehemiah 4, Pastor Andy calls us to pick up our tools, build strong foundations, and fight for the future of our families. This message will fire you up to protect what matters most and bring God's Word and power into your everyday life.

This weekend marks a historic moment as Saddleback launches a new Small Groups system designed to make finding connection simple and life-giving. Pastor Stacie Wood teaches us that God created us to live in community, not in isolation. Looking at the example of the early church in Acts, Pastor Stacie shows how both large worship gatherings and smaller, house-to-house communities are essential for spiritual growth. Small groups are where we are truly known, supported, and strengthened in faith.

Guest speaker Randy Frazee concludes our Art of Neighboring series, showing us how to move from crowded loneliness into meaningful relationships with the people around us. We discover God’s design for community and how loving our neighbors as ourselves transforms both their lives and ours. Through small, intentional actions in your own neighborhood, you can build real connection and reflect God’s love. Take the first step today and see why God has placed you exactly where you are.

Pastor Andy Wood teaches us that God gives extraordinary power to ordinary people to accomplish his will. Looking at the story of Peter and John in Acts 4, we learn how God equips and empowers us to step out in faith. When we rely on his power, incredible change can happen. In this message, learn what God can do through the power of your testimony, his Word, his Spirit, and the Resurrection of Jesus. 

Pastor Andy Wood shows us how to practice good neighboring by being present with others, sharing life, and extending hospitality.

Pastor Andy Wood returns to launch our new series, The Art of Neighboring, inviting us to love our neighbors through the abundant love God pours  into our lives.

Guest speaker Wayne Cordeiro shares how God often does his greatest work during the quiet, in-between moments of life.

Guest speaker Darren Whitehead invites us to go on a 28 Digital Fast after discussing the impact of smartphones and technology over our lives.

Guest speaker Lee Strobel talks about where we see the supernatural in our world today and how that can strengthen our faith.