https://zoecenter.us Welcome to the podcast of Zoe Center of Whittier led by Dr. Joshua Smith. To learn more about Zoe, visit our website at zoecenter.us or download our app Sun, 08 Nov 2026 06:52:33 +0000 en-US Zoe Center hourly 1 no Religion & Spirituality https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/themes/mychurchwebsite/images/feed.jpg https://zoecenter.us Zoe Center SermonsZoe Centerinfo@zoecenter.usZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/grand-reopening-service-unbothered https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37527 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 01 Nov 2026 00:00:00 -0700 As we move into our newly reconstructed sanctuary, Dr. Joshua brings us “Unbothered”, challenging us to move beyond personal comfort and embrace the effort of investing in others. Through stories of music, church heritage, and the mentors who shaped his life, Dr. Joshua explores God’s call to pass faith and wisdom from generation to generation. […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/the-elephant-in-the-room https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37523 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 25 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0700 The Elephant in the Room addresses the grief, uncertainty, and questions of belonging that can accompany a new beginning—even one worth celebrating. Drawing from Ezra 3, where joyful shouts mingled with tears as the temple foundation was laid, this message makes room for both gratitude and loss during seasons of change. As the church prepares […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/part-3-rediscovering-generosity-trusting-god-with https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37514 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 18 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0700 In Part 3 of Rediscovering Generosity, we explore how financial challenges reveal our priorities and become opportunities for God to shape our hearts. Through personal stories and biblical teaching, this message invites us to choose peace over resentment, seek God’s Kingdom first, and respond to hardship with wisdom, trust, and generosity. As we surrender our […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/part-2-rediscovering-generosity-trusting-god-with https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37512 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 11 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0700 In Part 2 of Rediscovering Generosity, we explore Jesus’ invitation to seek God’s Kingdom first and trust Him with our needs, even during financial hardship. Drawing from Matthew 6 and Walt Disney’s persistence in building Disneyland, this message challenges us to move beyond money-driven anxiety and devote our time, talents, energy, and resources to God’s […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/rediscovering-generosity-trusting-god-with-your-treasure-in-difficult-times-part-1 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37508 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0700 In Part 1 of “Rediscovering Generosity: Trusting God with Your Treasure in Difficult Times”, we explore how Jesus’ teachings speak directly to our everyday financial concerns. As rising costs and economic uncertainty place pressure on individuals and families, this message invites us to consider His wisdom about where we place our treasure and how we […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/god-do-you-hear-me-part-4 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37498 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 27 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0700 In Part 4 of God, Do You Hear Me?, we look at the life of Moses to explore why God’s answer to prayer may involve changing us as well as our circumstances. Moses was called to lead Israel, yet his frustration and sense of responsibility for the people sometimes pulled him away from God’s instructions. […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/god-do-you-hear-me-part-3 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37497 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0700 In Part 3 of God, Do You Hear Me?, this message explores how hidden “competing commitments”—including fear, doubt, pride, and the desire for control—can quietly work against our prayers and faith. Through biblical examples from the lives of Peter, Abraham, Sarah, and the woman who reached for Jesus’ garment, we learn how God reveals and […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/god-do-you-hear-me-part-2 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37496 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 13 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0700 Jesus teaches us that powerful prayer is earnest, fervent, and persistent. In His own suffering, Jesus prayed with greater intensity, showing us that earnest prayer is heartfelt, serious, and unwilling to give up. Throughout Scripture, we see this same persistence in Elijah, the persistent widow, the persistent friend, blind Bartimaeus, and the Canaanite woman. Each […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/god-do-you-hear-me-part-1 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37491 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 06 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0700 The mystery of suffering teaches that trials are not meaningless—they can become places of spiritual growth, deeper prayer, and greater dependence on God. James reminds us that when suffering comes, our response should be to pray, remain steadfast, and trust that God is working even when we cannot see the outcome. Like Jesus, who prayed […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/vice-part-5 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37485 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0700 The Christian life is a spiritual race that requires the same focus, discipline, and perseverance seen in a committed athlete. Although our flesh is weak, God has not left us to run alone—the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, and Jesus invites us to depend on Him for strength and rest. Spiritual disciplines such […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/vice-part-4 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37480 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 23 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0700 The struggle with sin is real. Even though we have been made new in Christ—redeemed, forgiven, declared righteous, and set free from condemnation—we still experience a battle between the Spirit and the flesh. Our victory in Christ does not eliminate the seriousness of the struggle, and the struggle does not diminish the reality of our […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/vice-part-3 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37476 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 16 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0700 Saul’s conversion reveals the extraordinary power of God’s mercy. Once a violent persecutor of Christians, Saul (renamed Paul by God following his conversion) encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and was transformed from an enemy of the faith into a servant sent to lead others from darkness to light. His story reminds us to […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/vice-part-2 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37474 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 09 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0700 Saul’s dramatic conversion demonstrates the extraordinary reach of God’s mercy and His ability to transform even the most unlikely person for His purpose. Once a violent persecutor of Christians, Saul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and was called to become a servant and witness who would lead others from darkness to light. Although […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/vice-part-1 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37469 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0700 Jesus saw the crowds with compassion because they were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:35–38). Like sheep, people are defenseless, dependent, and disempowered, unable to overcome life’s greatest spiritual challenges on their own. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, not only invites us to receive His care but also calls us to join […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/trusting-god-when-it-doesnt-make-sense-part-2 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37466 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 26 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0700 Joseph’s life reminds us that trusting God often means remaining faithful even when life doesn’t make sense. Though he endured rejection by his family, betrayal, false accusations, imprisonment, and years of waiting, God’s presence never left him. Every trial was part of God’s greater purpose, preparing Joseph to save countless lives and fulfill the dreams […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/trusting-god-when-it-doesnt-make-sense-part-1 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37464 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 19 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0700 Joseph’s life reminds us that God’s purpose is often accomplished through seasons that don’t make sense. Growing up in a dysfunctional family marked by favoritism, jealousy, broken relationships, and competition, Joseph experienced betrayal, rejection, slavery, false accusations, and imprisonment. Yet through every setback, God was preparing him for the destiny He had revealed years earlier […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/stay-on-the-journey-pt-2-2 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37458 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 12 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0700 The Christian life is meant to be a continual journey of spiritual growth, not one of stagnation. We continue progressing by placing the needs of others above our own, allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us to share the gospel and make disciples in obedience to Christ’s Great Commission. We also grow by being deeply […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/stay-on-the-journey-pt-2 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37455 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 05 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0700 Before continuing our spiritual journey, we must remember that God is still building us into the people He has called us to be. As living stones under construction (1 Peter 2:5), believers are called to pursue continual growth rather than spiritual stagnation by living with an outward focus, being grounded in God’s Word, and cultivating […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/abraham-pt-3 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37454 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700 This message reminds us that the Christian life is not a journey of perfection but a journey of faith. Abraham was declared righteous because he believed God’s promises, even while he continued to wrestle with doubt, fear, and personal flaws. In the same way, Jesus consistently demonstrated that God’s heart is to pursue and restore […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/father-abraham-pt-2-fathers-day-service https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37452 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 21 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700 God delights in using imperfect people who are willing to trust Him, grow, and remain close to Him. Throughout Scripture, we see that God looks beyond outward appearances and focuses on the heart, extending grace to those who humbly repent and respond in faith. Jesus consistently sought out sinners, the broken, and the overlooked, demonstrating […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/abraham-pt-1 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37442 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700 This message introduces Abraham as the perfect example of a life that was truly “under construction.” Unlike Esther, whose natural gifts positioned her for influence, Abraham was called into a purpose that made little sense from a human perspective. God often calls people into assignments where their background, resources, and abilities seem insufficient, requiring them […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/built-to-last-5 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37440 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700 “Built to Last” with special guest speaker, Ricky Lopez,  emphasizes that although believers live in a world that often opposes God’s ways, they are never outside of God’s sovereign care and protection. Using the stories of Esther and Job, it highlights that God is often working behind the scenes, even when His presence is not […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/esther-pt-3 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37439 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 “Esther” Part 3 focuses on how God’s favor worked in Esther’s life and how He positioned her for a greater purpose. While Queen Vashti lost her position under a system based on performance and law, Esther experienced favor through God’s covenant, obedience, and divine calling. As an orphan living in exile, Esther found favor with […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center https://zoecenter.us/sermon/esther-pt-2 https://zoecenter.us/?post_type=sermon&p=37438 https://zoecenter.us/wp-content/uploads/Unbothered.jpg Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 “Esther”, Pt 2, continues the story of Esther by exploring the unstable world of power, status, and influence within the Persian kingdom. It contrasts Queen Vashti and Esther, showing how even beauty, success, and being “the best” could not guarantee security in a broken and unfair system. Vashti’s refusal to appear before the king led […]]]> info@zoecenter.us (Zoe Center)noZoe Center