6/1/2025 How Do I know If I'm Following The Way

Branches OC

33:58

On June 25th 2025, in collaboration with Open Folk, we presented our first ever live interview event in Los Angeles. As Open Folk put it: "In These Lines is a live event where three artists each bring one song — not just to perform, but to explore. They sit down with Sofia Loporcaro, host of Before The Chorus, to talk about where the song came from, what it meant to write it, and what it still holds. Then they play it. Just the song, and the truth behind it." Find Open Folk on Instagram: @openfolkla Find Gaby on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0K9pSmFx0kWESA9jqx8aCW?si=Wz4RUP88Qlm_RKs7QTLvWQ On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gaby-moreno/472697737 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaby_moreno/ Find Lily on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p0ksmwMDQlAM24TWKu4Ua?si=Bmdg-uIUTHu-zRUc_dqL3g On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lily-kershaw/526884610 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilykershaw/ Find James on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3u50TPoLvMBXNT1KrLa3iT?si=OoLoq7ZTRZyUiytQcz0FsQ On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/james-spaite/905076868 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesspaite/ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.beforethechorus.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beforethechoruspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@soundslikesofia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the podcast: Welcome to Before the Chorus , where we go beyond the sounds of our favourite songs to hear the stories of the artists who wrote them. Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus explores the genuine human experiences behind the music. Sofia’s deep knowledge of music and personal journey with mental health help her connect with artists on a meaningful level. This is a space where fans connect with artists, and listeners from all walks of life feel seen through the stories that shape the music we love. About the host: Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning interviewer and radio host who’s spent over 8 years helping musicians share their stories. She’s hosted shows for Amazing Radio, and Transmission Roundhouse. Now on Before the Chorus, she’s had the chance to host guests like Glass Animals, Feist, Madison Cunningham, Mick Jenkins, & Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

about a year ago 37:09

MP3•Episode home

What does it mean to follow Jesus in a world shaped by empire, power, and fear? In this sermon, we explore how the earliest Christians walked "The Way" a countercultural path of love, humility, and resurrection hope. Drawing from Acts 24, this message invites us to see the Ascension not as Christ's absence, but His universal reign. It's not just about believing in Jesus, It's about becoming like Him as we follow "The Way".

408 episodes

#Religion #Branches OC

6/1/2025 How Do I know If I'm Following The Way

Branches OC

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

408 episodes

#Religion #Branches OC

All episodes

1
7/6/2025 Kneading the Dough 32:55

18 days ago32:55

32:55

Accessing kingdom life through dependency upon God and interdependence with one another.

1
6/29/2025 The Guest List You Didn't Expect 38:17

27 days ago38:17

38:17

Jesus didn't just tell stories... He disrupted social norms, flipped status games, and exposed our illusions of importance. In this sermon, we explore one of His most subversive parables in Luke 14. Why do the invited guests bail? Who ends up at the banquet? And what does it say about the upside-down kingdom Jesus came to bring? This one might mess with your seating chart.…

1
6/22/2025 Let the Weeds Grow 41:08

5 weeks ago41:08

41:08

What do we do about evil in the world, in the church, and in ourselves? In this message, we explore Jesus' unsettling parable of the wheat and weeds. Instead of judgment and control, Jesus calls for radical patience and trust. Drawing from Robert Farrar Capon, the early church's theology of patience, and real-life stories of justice and grace, this sermon challenges our impulse to uproot what we don't understand. Could it be that forgiveness not force is the way the kingdom grows?…

1
6/15/2025 The Parable of the Sower 39:47

6 weeks ago39:47

39:47

Why did Jesus-God in the flesh- choose to speak in riddles, stories, and metaphors? In this sermon, we explore the artistic and subversive nature of Jesus's parables through the lens of Matthew 13. With insights from Robert Farrar Capon, Amy-Jill Levine, and the BibleProject, we discover how parables are not meant to simplify truth but to stir the soul, provoke the heart, and invite us into deeper mystery. Featuring the Parable of the Sower as a central example, this message invites us to ask: What kind of soil am I? Jesus' stories aren't cozy bedtime tales. They explode assumptions about who belongs and how God Works.…

1
6/1/2025 How Do I know If I'm Following The Way 37:09

6 weeks ago37:09

37:09

1
5/25/25 Rising from Fear: 2 Timothy 1:6-11 30:44

9 weeks ago30:44

30:44

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to[a] a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher" - 2 Timothy 1:6-11…

1
5/18/2025 "All Things" 30:09

9 weeks ago30:09

30:09

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. - Colossians 1:19-20

1
5/4/2025 Resurrection as a present reality - not just future hope, or historical fact 40:41

12 weeks ago40:41

40:41

We step into the heart of the biblical story - a story of exile and return, sin and forgiveness, the way out, the way through, and the way in. Today, we'll see how the forgiveness of sins is not merely a transaction but a liberation - a homecoming and the way out of exile that changes our present reality.…

1
Easter Service 4/20/2025 40:04

14 weeks ago40:04

40:04

Thank you for joining us at Branches Easter Service. Pastor Ryan Maroney speaks on Jesus' Resurrection and God's love for His church. Join us every Sunday at 10AM at Agape 1928 in San Clemente and follow us online for more. www.branchesoc.com

1
4/13/2025 Save Us, Jesus! 25:18

15 weeks ago25:18

25:18

A Palm Sunday sermon about what kind of king Jesus is.

1
4/6/2025 When Spiritual Practices Miss the Point 44:22

16 weeks ago44:22

44:22

Religion, even Christianity, can easily become about the right rituals, the proper practices, and the clean appearances. But Jesus confronts us with a far deeper question: What is being produced by your life? What fruit are you bearing?

1
3/30/2025 Shaped Like the Cross 42:40

17 weeks ago42:40

42:40

The mystery at the center of Christian faith is not a formula, a doctrine, or even a moral code. It is a person-a crucified person. The cross is not only the place where God revealed Himself most fully. It is also the shape He invites our lives to take.

1
3/23/2025 Cruciform Reconciliation 42:02

18 weeks ago42:02

42:02

The cross reconciles us upward unto God (our Being) and calls us outward unto others (our Doing) ...through Godly perspective, empowerment and empathy. "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." -2 Corinthians 5:16-21 NIV…

1
3/16/2025 "You can forget about yourself, because He refuses to forget about you" 24:29

19 weeks ago24:29

24:29

Jesus then said, "I am the resurrection and the life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die. And everyone who lives because of confidence in me will never really die. Do you believe this?" - Jesus (John 11:25, 26)

1
3/2/2025 The Sacrifice of LOVE 32:29

20 weeks ago32:29

32:29

3/2/2025 The Sacrifice of LOVE by Branches OC

Branches OC

1
2/23/2025 The Prodigal Son... and Father 52:52

22 weeks ago52:52

52:52

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is Jesus' profound story of a wayward son who squanders his inheritance but returns to find unexpected grace. Through the father's lavish welcome, Jesus reveals God's radical forgiveness and the shocking invitation for both the lost and the self-righteous to join the redemption feast.…

Branches OC

1
2/16/2025 God is Love 46:54

23 weeks ago46:54

46:54

God is love, all other characteristics of God flow from the infinite spring of love that is God's very nature. 1 John 4:7-21

Branches OC

1
2/9/2025 God's Peace: Reconciling the World (Ephesians 2:13-18) 41:11

24 weeks ago41:11

41:11

When you really think about it, the "Church" is amazing. It's made up of a group of people that would never had gathered together if it weren't for the grace of God. In Ephesians 2, we see how Jesus has torn down the walls that divide us by going to the cross, taking the penalty for our sins, and destroying the hostility that divides humanity, thus making peace. Through Jesus, we are given an invitation to experience true "shalom" with God and others.…

Branches OC

1
2/1/2025 God's Justice: Restorative, Not Retributive 47:26

25 weeks ago47:26

47:26

Jesus and His Spirit led messianic mission ushers in the fulfillment of Jubilee and God's favor where restoration, liberation and mercy triumph over retribution.

Branches OC

1
(1/26/2025) God is not God's Name 43:08

26 weeks ago43:08

43:08

This is the Story of God revealing his name and his character to Moses and how we are invited into a personal relationship with a personal God who has a name... Yahweh.

Branches OC

1
1/19/2025 The Face of God in Jesus 43:54

26 weeks ago43:54

43:54

”God is like Jesus. God has always been like Jesus. There has never been a time when God was not like Jesus." - Brian Zahnd

Branches OC

1
12/22/2024 Motherhood 25:41

28 weeks ago25:41

25:41

"John’s account of the crucifixion reads like a birth story. Jesus has his clothes removed (19:23) and asks for pain relief. Surrounded by women, he exclaims, “Woman, here is your son” and “Here is your mother” (vv. 26–27), at which point his mother takes the young man he addressed home. After Jesus’ triumphant cry of “It is finished,” blood and water come gushing from his side (vv. 30, 34), a detail only John records. (Along with Luke, he also records the scars and marks that remain on Jesus’ body even after the Resurrection.) John persists with the theme in his letters, repeatedly describing salvation as being “born of God” and famously insisting on the witness of Spirit, water, and blood (1 John 5:1–8)."…

Branches OC

1
12/15/2024 Transformation Comes from Unlikely Places 42:22

32 weeks ago42:22

42:22

Where are you feeling weak, vulnerable and unlikely today? Could this be the very space where "God wants to meet and transform you? God's method of divine revelation, from the beginning, seems to most often come from unlikely people in unlikely places. The outsider, marginalized, foreigner, second born, poor, oppressed and broken are the ones highlighted in the biblical narrative to be primary agents of God's plan on earth.…

Branches OC

1
12/1/2024 Christ with us, Christ as us, Christ in us 42:44

33 weeks ago42:44

42:44

The unique revelation of Jesus is both radically inclusive, and radically unique. Jesus expands the visible boundaries of God's grace, and brings us to see our heavenly father as Abba.

Branches OC

1
12/8/2024 A King is Born, Isaiah 9:6-7 30:46

33 weeks ago30:46

30:46

When God first called Abraham to start a nation, He was always going to bless, protect, and provide for them as there King in heaven. Soon, his people wanted and earthly king like the other nations so God granted them Saul, then David, and Israel had their earthy kings though not perfect. Isaiah promises (Isaiah 9:6-7) His people that once again the King of heaven will be born on Christmas morning to lead them and all the nations with justice and righteousness. Jesus is our wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace ruling all those who make Him their king.…

Branches OC

1
11/24/2024 "La Roca Ministries" 42:02

35 weeks ago42:02

42:02

By God's Grace and direction, Carlos Montoya began his ministry in 1998 by penetrating, befriending, and meeting the needs of the drug gang members. He would then invite them to his church and present the message of Jesus Christ to them. Slowly, the men saw the need to change their lifestyle and a desire to be free from their addiction (drugs or alcohol). This need grew into the Rehab Ranch in the year 2000. From there, other aspects of the La Roca Ministries grew: the Orphanage, Men's Shelter, and the Dump Ministry. Today, La Roca has over eight ministry areas, all growing from within and meeting the needs of the local people of Tijuana and San Diego.…

Branches OC

1
11/10/2024 "Be Generous to the Poor" 35:29

37 weeks ago35:29

35:29

God's heart is deeply invested in caring for the poor. As followers of Jesus, we embody this priority by standing with those in need and building a new kind of family together.

Branches OC

1
10/27/2024 "Be Salt & Light" 34:37

38 weeks ago34:37

34:37

This Sunday morning, Steph Rose continues our series: "Be Salt & Light".

Branches OC

1
10/3/2024 There is More Joy in Giving Than Receiving 40:29

38 weeks ago40:29

40:29

When Jesus said there is more joy in giving than receiving, he turned our vision of living the good life on its head. The paradox of generosity is that money and happiness are related, but not the way we typically think. Not surprisingly, it seems that history has proven Jesus to be absolutely right!…

Branches OC

1
10/20/2024 "On Mission" Luke 10:1-20 24:44

40 weeks ago24:44

24:44

To be a follower of Jesus Christ means that we are also "sent" out declaring the good news. Luke 10 gives us a comprehensive look at how we fit into God's mission. We see that the very nature of God is on mission and we are invited to join Him.

Branches OC

1
10/13/2024 "What you seek, is seeking you" 34:52

41 weeks ago34:52

34:52

We are called to be salt, light and instruments of peace but "Being Missional" is not what we do... it's who we are in Christ!

Branches OC

1
10/6/2024 "Over the Circumstances" - Philippians Series #11 48:15

42 weeks ago48:15

48:15

What does contentment look like when everything falls apart? What is the promise of God regarding our circumstances? What is the secret of contentment that Paul had to learn?

Branches OC

1
9/29/2024 "Surrender" 22:10

42 weeks ago22:10

22:10

(9-29-2024) Executive pastor at Branches, Kim Duran, shares with us her powerful testimony.

Branches OC

1
9/22/2024 Living Above the Fray, Philippians 4:4-7 - Philippians Series #10 32:52

44 weeks ago32:52

32:52

Life can be overwhelming and wreaking all kinds of havoc in a variety of ways. It's helpful to expect these challenges as part of life on earth and learn ways to cope with them through prayer. In Philippians 4:4-7, we see how prayer brings the relief we need along with protection for our hearts and minds. Through prayer, God grants us His peace when we take our focus off our circumstances and on His grand plan that transcends our understanding.…

Branches OC

1
9/15/2024 "Citizens of Heaven" - Philippians Series #9 51:57

45 weeks ago51:57

51:57

As followers of Jesus and citizens of a nation-state, we're often living a dual allegiance to the kingdom of God and to the United States. But the values of the kingdom of God as were embodied in Jesus (last will be first and first will be last, love & pray for your enemy, money is the root of all evil, etc.) often come in sharp contrast to the values of the United States. There is no doubt we have a responsibility to both, BUT the question has to be, "which has our PRIMARY allegiance and what does that look like?"…

Branches OC

1
9/8/2024 Shaped By The Gospel - Philippians Series #8 35:23

46 weeks ago35:23

35:23

Branches Sunday Morning Message: Shaped By The Gospel | Philippians 3:1-11 If anyone could brag about their own righteous living, the Apostle Paul certainty could. Yet, after his life was impacted by the gospel, he counted his sterling record as "rubbish" compared to knowing Jesus and His righteousness. This passage in Philippians 3 points us to consider our personal life story and ambitions in light of the grace of God. Our hearts are shaped by The Gospel when we allow our sufferings to introduce us to the power of the resurrection.…

Branches OC

1
9/1/2024 "I Have No One Else Like Him" - Philippians Series #7 26:59

47 weeks ago26:59

26:59

True Relational Community draws us into deeper, committed relationships in which we take genuine interest in the welfare of others and strive towards unity and the full expression of the body of Christ.

Branches OC

1
8/25/2024 "Be a Shining Star" - Philippians Series #6 34:42

48 weeks ago34:42

34:42

God is out source of light and love! We are called to abide in Him so that we can shine His light and love on those living in darkness.

Branches OC

1
8/18/2024 "Behold the Lion... I Saw a Lamb" - Philippians Series #5 39:36

49 weeks ago39:36

39:36

The Christ Hymn in Philippians 2 gives us a unique picture of the nature and character of God displayed through Jesus. What is God Like? He is like Jesus. What is Jesus like? For this we explore Philippians 2 and the cross to guide us.

Branches OC

1
8/11/2024 Have the same mindset as Jesus - Philippians Series #4 23:54

50 weeks ago23:54

23:54

"Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant" Philippians 2:5-7, 22 ASV "So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;" Philippians 2:12 ASV "That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11 ASV…

Branches OC

1
8/4/2024 The Joy of Imprisoned Paul the Apostle - Philippians Series #3 34:15

51 weeks ago34:15

34:15

It's amazing the level of joy the Apostle Paul display's considering he was writing this letter from prison. He saw his chains not as a nuisance, rather an opportunity to serve others with the good news. He knew who he was and where was ultimately going. This identify in Christ serves as a path for us as we face difficult challenges in our life.…

Branches OC

1
7/28/2024 The Reality of Dissonance - Philippians Series 36:34

52 weeks ago36:34

36:34

As we dive deeper into the Philippians Series, worship Pastor Ryan Maroney teaches us about the Reality of Dissonance. Dissonant notes are musical notes that are played simultaneously and create a combination that sounds unpleasant or harsh. The reality of suffering and tragedy is written all over the Bible and even in our own lives. How can we make beauty and harmony out of such dissonance? Join us at Agape 1928 in San Clemente at 10AM every Sunday Morning.…

Branches OC

1
7/21/2024 The New Way Of Seeing - Introducing The Book Of Philippians 34:41

52 weeks ago34:41

34:41

Ryan introduces a new series titled: The New Way of Seeing - Introducing the Book of Philippians, Paul's letter written from prison. Acts 16:16

Branches OC

1
7/7/2024 The Lord Our Shepherd. Psalm 23 23:30

52 weeks ago23:30

23:30

Throughout scripture, God's people are described as sheep under His care. Psalm 23 reminds us that Jesus, as our shepherd; cares, comforts, and calls us into an intimate relationship with Him and one another.

Branches OC

1
6/30/2024 Faith And Sensibility Grieving Through Believing 27:39

52 weeks ago27:39