In this powerful MLK Sunday guest sermon, we welcome Dr. Lisa Tunstall from McCarty Memorial Christian Church in Los Angeles. Preaching from Luke 4:16–21, Dr. Tunstall connects the prophetic mission of Jesus—to bring good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed—with the urgent need for social justice and resistance in our current political climate.

Drawing from her own childhood experiences in the segregated South and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she challenges us to reject apathetic amnesia and embrace our assignment of holistic liberation. She reminds us that the "Spirit of the Lord" empowers us not just for spiritual salvation, but to confront systemic injustice, heal the brokenhearted, and build a beloved community that stands together against fear and hatred.

Key Takeaways

• Holistic Liberation: Jesus’s ministry manifesto in Luke 4 was a direct challenge to the systems of his day, addressing both spiritual needs and physical realities.

• The God Response: In times of political turmoil, our response must be grounded in the Spirit—bringing hope, healing, and Jubilee.

• The Power of Community: We cannot do this work alone; we must pray, hope, and work together.

• Faith in Action: True belief requires speaking out against injustice, lying, and the sowing of discord.

Memorable Quotes

• "The Spirit of the Lord is upon you to be witnesses... God is resting not only upon you, but He's moving in you."

• "In a world bent on division, the Spirit of the Lord is calling us to unity."

Resources Mentioned

• Scripture: Luke 4:16-21, Isaiah 58

• Guest Speaker: Dr. Lisa Tunstall, McCarty Memorial Christian Church, and president of the non-profit Broken, Mended, and Restored

• (00:00:00) - Social Justice Church Podcast
• (00:02:55) - The Spirit of the Lord is On Me
• (00:09:57) - God's Response to the Violence
• (00:13:34) - Jesus' Mission Statement
• (00:20:07) - Why Aren't More People Outraged About Pedophiles?
• (00:24:48) - The Spirit of the Lord Is Upon Us

In this episode, Jason introduces Mission 2030, a new vision for The Oceanside Sanctuary shaped by a year-long process of appreciative inquiry. We begin a new teaching series on our five refined core values, starting with the first and most clear result: Authentic Belonging. Exploring the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19, we look at how Jesus prioritized people over rules and how true belonging creates a feedback loop of safety, wholeness, and healing.

Key Takeaways

• The 5 Core Values of Mission 2030: Authentic Belonging, Integrated Spirituality, Sacred Stories, Liberating Love, and Faith in Action.

• Eating as a Political Act: Jesus didn’t just eat with Zacchaeus to be nice; he did it to dismantle the social hierarchy that excluded "sinners" and collaborators.

• People Over Rules: Just as the Sabbath was made for man (and not man for the Sabbath), our religious rules should serve human flourishing, not weaponize differences.

• The Feedback Loop of Faith: Like taking medicine for high blood pressure, we practice belonging because we believe it works—and the result is a community where we no longer have to be afraid of each other.

Memorable Quotes

• "We create an affirming community where everyone can bring their whole selves and know they belong."

• "I am made whole by your difference... I don't have to be afraid of who you are. I can delight in your differences because they create safety for me."

• "Man was not made for the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for man."

Resources Mentioned

• Scripture: Luke 19:1–10 (NRSV)

• Book: Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang

• (00:00:00) - Welcome to The Collective Table
• (00:00:41) - Our Core Values as a Church
• (00:07:21) - Realizing Authentic Belonging
• (00:15:27) - Jesus' Eating With a Tax Collector
• (00:24:58) - The Right to Speak Out About Religious Hate
• (00:26:58) - Paul on the Right to Love Gay People
• (00:35:26) - Nonjudgment at Sanctuary

December 28, 2025 | Speaker: Jason Coker | Scripture: Isaiah 63:7–9

Episode Summary In this final sermon of the Christmas season, Jason explores the profound difference between seeking God's power and resting in God's presence. Drawing from a lament in Isaiah 63, he challenges us to look beyond the "fantastical" and "miraculous" to find salvation in the quiet, empathetic nearness of God. By examining the subtle but powerful differences in ancient Hebrew translations, we discover a God who doesn't just watch our suffering but is afflicted with us—offering a model of justice rooted in deep empathy. As we close out a difficult year, we are invited to cultivate a "practice of the presence" that sustains us for the future.

Key Takeaways

• The Twelve Days of Christmas: Christmas isn't just a single day of overwhelming consumption; it is a season ("Christmastide") that stretches out the experience of grace, teaching us that God's goodness often fills the space rather than arriving in a single flash.

• Presence Over Power: While we often desire God to show up with miraculous power to fix our problems, Isaiah reminds us that it is God's presence—not merely angels or messengers—that truly saves us.

• The God Who Suffers With Us: A closer look at the Masoretic text of Isaiah 63:9 reveals a God who is "afflicted in our affliction." This empathy transforms our understanding of justice: God acts on our behalf because God feels our pain.

• Practicing the Presence: In a world filled with struggle (and looking back on a "rough" 2025), cultivating a daily awareness of God's presence is a vital survival mechanism that connects us to the ultimate source of compassion and resilience.

Memorable Quotes

"The goodness of God, the grace of God, the majesty of God doesn't come in a flash... Instead, it stretches out. It fills the space."

"It was no messenger or angel, but his presence that saved them."

"If God's presence is made possible by God's empathy... That changes everything."

"We cultivate an awareness of God's presence... to connect us with the source of empathy and compassion and justice."

Resources

• Oceanside Sanctuary Website

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• (00:00:00) - Common Table
• (00:01:53) - Reading of Isaiah, Chapter 63
• (00:03:54) - Why Should We Put Up the Christmas Tree Until Christmas Eve?
• (00:09:39) - God's Presence in the Christian Church
• (00:16:46) - Do We Really Want God's Presence?
• (00:28:18) - I Want to Know God More
• (00:29:08) - Crucified Word