2. Identity: I Am Not My Own | Taboo

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

#Religion #Pastor Stephen Apt #Christianity #Jesus Is The Word

1:54

Jerry Seinfeld jokes about the phrase "it is what it is' in his Netflix special, "23 Hours To Kill".

about a year ago 27:17

MP3•Episode home

As we celebrate Baptism Sunday, we rejoice that our true identity as children of God is a divine gift through baptism, not a self-made achievement. Baptism, empowered by God’s Word, welcomes us into God’s family and grants us a new, unshakeable identity beyond our achievements or status. Unlike our culture that insists on earning worth through personal success, we find our true value at the cross of Jesus. Because God has given us such an identity, we are clothed with Jesus and we have the greatest reason to live.

Support the show

440 episodes

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

2. Identity: I Am Not My Own | Taboo

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Support the show

440 episodes

#Religion #Pastor Stephen Apt #Christianity #Jesus Is The Word

All episodes

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
8. The Secret of Contentment | Shine Like Stars 26:13

21 hours ago26:13

26:13

Some days go well and some don’t. Some days we feel like we’re on top of the world, and others like we’re on the bottom. If the value we place on our lives and ourselves is tied to how well things are going in our “everyday,” we’re going to be riding an uncomfortable roller coaster. We need something, someone we can look to for unchanging contentment no matter how our “everyday” is going. Paul had plenty of highs and lows, but learned the secret of contentment in any circumstances. His unchanging reason? Jesus. We can do everything through Him who gives us strength. If we have Jesus, we don’t need anything else. Genuine joy isn’t dictated by your changing circumstances, it is found in the unchangeable Lord. Support the show…

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
7. Live in Joy | Shine Like Stars 27:53

8 days ago27:53

27:53

Life isn’t always easy here. And it isn’t hard for friction to happen between people. If it keeps happening, it can start causing pain, and then start creating bitterness. And when bitterness has built up, a single spark can cause an explosion. There is a joy we are given as a gift through Jesus. This means we can rejoice together no matter how hard things get. This joy can help us live together with other imperfect people like us. And this is so important… because those who will spend an eternity in joyful unity might as well start living in that joy now. Life is just better that way. So let’s focus on the good gifts God has given us, and let that overflow with joy into not only our lives, but the lives of those around us. Support the show…

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
6. Run Hard for Home | Shine Like Stars 21:56

15 days ago21:56

21:56

When you’re on your way home from travelling, and have been gone a while, there’s nothing like getting close to home. You can see the familiar sights, hear familiar sounds, even smell familiar things. It keeps you going, and encourages you to finish the journey and get home! Life on earth is like that. We’re on a journey here, but our real home is with God. He’s put that home in our hearts, and the closer we come, the more we will long for it. Keeping our real home as our focus helps us through life’s journey, with all its highs and lows. It’s easy to be sidetracked along the way. This scripture passage helps us keep our home in view! Support the show…

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
5. Knowing Christ is Unspeakable Joy | Shine Like Stars 19:15

22 days ago19:15

19:15

We love sharing with people the places we’ve been, things we’ve done, stuff we’ve accomplished. There are things in this world that have brought us joy that we want to share with others. But when we focus on sharing with everyone what we have done or accomplished, it can turn into a competition as to who has done or seen the most. And truth be told, all these things can only bring joy for so long. If we think things we have done have brought us joy, there is something that was done for us that brought us a greater joy than anything we’ve done or experienced. Unspeakable joy. And when we know this joy, believe it, celebrate it, it changes everything. Support the show…

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
4. Shine Like Stars | Shine Like Stars 23:56

29 days ago23:56

23:56

Have you ever felt like you really didn’t fit in or belong in the place you are? Cheering for the wrong team in the wrong stadium? All dressed up while everyone else is casual? Excited about something no one else is? We live in a post-Christian world. The viewpoints prevalent in this world are a world apart from the viewpoint God gives us in His Word. That means, in this world, we stick out. Stand out. Shine like stars in a very dark sky. As we hold onto God’s Word and hold it out for other people to see, we will shine like stars in people’s lives. Imagine what a difference it makes in a dark night sky to see a bright light shining forth! We can make a difference in the lives of others, just like Jesus made a difference in ours. Let’s shine like stars! Support the show…

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
3. A High Call to a Lowly Life | Shine Like Stars 28:20

5 weeks ago28:20

28:20

In this world, it seems that it is important to show everyone who you are, what you have accomplished, what you deserve. Someone has to speak up for you, and it might have to be you! If you aren’t watching out for yourself, who is going to? But the greatest possible contradiction to this is the heart and core of the Bible. We must humble ourselves if we are to be exalted. Put the interests of others before ours? But if we do that, then who will take care of us? Who? Jesus will. The very one who showed us what it means to humble Himself for our good. The One who gave us life by doing so. So, let’s imitate Him. Let’s learn what a truly great life is – it begins with making ourselves lowly. Support the show…

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
2. It's a Win-Win | Shine Like Stars 25:08

6 weeks ago25:08

25:08

What does it look like to live a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ? It means living in such a way that shows Jesus is worth something to you. It looks like walking with, loving with, and doing life with those who are different than you, because Christ binds you together. It looks like striving together to make Christ known because Christ motivates you. It looks like standing with courage against all oppressors, because Christ secures you. To live is Christ. To Die is gain. Have you found Christ worth living for, dying for, worth casting all away for? That is what it means to live a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To live is Christ. To die is gain. It’s a win-win! Support the show…

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
1. Have a Thick Skin and a Tender Heart | Shine Like Stars 29:59

7 weeks ago29:59

29:59

Letting God’s light shine as we live in this dark world can be pretty difficult. As we follow Jesus in a world that doesn’t, we will face opposition. So we need a thick skin if we are going to do what God calls us to do. But we also need a loving heart toward people. Love moved Jesus to do what He did for us, and it is love for people that will move us to live out our purpose. This rare combination of a thick skin and tender heart was seen in the life of the Apostle Paul. As we look at this letter he wrote, from prison, to the people of Philippi, we can see his loving heart as he prays with joy because of these people who came to know and love Jesus. May God also make our skin thick and our hearts tender! Support the show…

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
Easter Sunday 23:29

8 weeks ago23:29

23:29

Pastor Stephen Apt shares a message for Easter Sunday based on 1 Corinthians 15. Support the show

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
Palm Sunday 2025 21:26

9 weeks ago21:26

21:26

Pastor Apt shares a message for Palm Sunday. Support the show

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
5. Witness | Ransom 27:49

10 weeks ago27:49

27:49

Life often calls us to take a stand. Whether it's standing up for what we believe in or making a statement about who we are, these moments shape and define us. As followers of Christ, we’re sometimes called to take a stand that speaks to our relationship with our Savior. It’s not always easy, is it? Take Peter, for example. He was one of Jesus' closest disciples, someone who boldly declared his allegiance to Christ. But when the moment came for Peter to take a stand and witness to his faith, he famously failed. Why? Because Peter’s focus wasn’t where it should have been. He had his eyes on his circumstances instead of his Savior, and his faith was resting on shaky ground—his own strength—rather than on the unshakable foundation of Christ. It’s a sobering reminder for all of us. How often do we feel the pressure to stand firm in our faith, only to falter because we’re relying on ourselves? Yet here’s the good news: our faith doesn’t have to be perfect, because Jesus is. He is the foundation that will never fail us, even when we stumble. Support the show…

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
4. Judgement Hall | Ransom 27:25

11 weeks ago27:25

27:25

Two things in life are certain—death and taxes. Taxes are due in just a few weeks, and most of us are already preparing for that. But what about the other certainty? Death is something no one can predict. Who knows when it will overtake us? One thing is for sure: at that moment, we’ll stand before the ultimate Judge of all. That might sound sobering or even intimidating, but there’s incredible hope in what comes next. You see, for you, Jesus willingly stood before human judges and even God Himself. He, the ultimate Judge—the One who had every right to pass judgment—chose to be judged in your place. Think about that for a moment: the Judge of all the earth became the judged. He took on what we deserved so that we could stand justified before God. Because of what Jesus did, there’s now a new certainty for those who trust in Him: “Death, taxes, and justification.” Justification means you’re declared right with God—not because of what you’ve done, but because of what Jesus has already done for you. So today, as you think about the things in life that are certain, consider this: Jesus made a way for you to face life’s uncertainties with confidence and peace. He stood in your place so you could stand before God without fear. And that’s the best certainty of all. Support the show…

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
3. Kiss of Death | Ransom 28:26

12 weeks ago28:26

28:26

Everyone has their price. We’re all chasing something—whether it's success, love, purpose, or peace—and we’ll often pay almost any price to get it and keep it. But have you ever stopped to think about what price someone else might pay for you? Jesus had something incredible on His mind—you. When everyone else fled from the fight, when the cost was far too high for anyone else to pay, Jesus didn’t back down. He stepped forward, rose up, and embraced the fight. Why? Because embracing the fight meant He could embrace you. He didn’t run from the cost of love; He paid it in full so that you could be welcomed into His arms, forgiven and free. So, wherever you are in life, whatever you’re chasing, take a moment to consider this: Someone already paid the highest price to give you something far greater than you could ever imagine. And today, you’re invited to embrace Him, just as He has already embraced you. Support the show…

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
2. Blood Brother | Ransom 25:02

13 weeks ago25:02

25:02

Family ties are some of the closest and most powerful bonds we experience. We know the deep joys they bring—and the heartbreak when trust is broken. Few things are harder to mend than a shattered relationship, especially when one has been unfaithful. Yet, in a love greater than anything we’ve known, Jesus chose to bind Himself to us—not with a fragile promise, but with His own blood. Though we’ve often been unfaithful to God, He calls us family and becomes our brother. He remains faithful even when we falter. This is a bond unbroken, a love unshaken. A bond solidified by Jesus' blood. Support the show…

Divine Savior Church-Santa Rita Ranch Sermons

1
1. One for All | Ransom 24:19

14 weeks ago24:19