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Author: thad

“Track 37: Two Ways to Live (Psalm 37)”, Will DuVal | 7/19/26

2026-07-19

“I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord… then you shall live… But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear… you shall surely perish… Therefore choose life, that you may live” (Dt 30:15-19). Obey the Lord and live; disobey and perish. Those were Moses’s final words of welcome and warning to the Israelites to conclude the book of Deuteronomy (which we just finished together last month!). In this sermon, King David takes up this same theme in Psalm 37, reminding us that “evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land” (v9). Join us for this sermon for encouragement in your daily walk with the Lord!

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“Track 36: With You is the Fountain of Life (Psalm 36)”, Will DuVal | 7/12/26

2026-07-13

“How do I live life to the fullest?” It’s a question rooted in the heart of every human being. Companies rake in billions of dollars each year – in fields ranging from health & wellness to financial investing, travel & leisure to technology & innovation – promising to deliver us an answer – the answer – to our heart’s deep longing for joy and fulfillment. Jesus himself spoke to this yearning when he claimed, “I have come that [you] may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). But a whole millennium before Jesus, King David illuminated the path to true meaning and happiness for us in Psalm 36: “With you [, O Lord,] is the fountain of life” (v9). Come discover life to the fullest in this sermon, and worship the “Fountain of Life” together with us!

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“Track 35: My Soul Will Rejoice in the Lord’s Salvation (Psalm 35)”, Will DuVal | 7/5/26

2026-07-05

Live long enough, and you’ll find yourself in real danger at some point in life. Under threat from a serious physical ailment or a life-altering relational rift, a circumstantial crisis or facing the severe consequences of your own sin; this world is full of peril. But where do we turn in our time of need? As we return to the book of Psalms and chapter 35 specifically, David reminds us exactly where we ought to bring all our troubles: straight to the Lord. As the apostle Peter puts it in the New Testament, we can “cast all our cares on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7). And, David adds, because the Lord is faithful to deliver us from evil. Join us for this sermon as we cry out in petition and praise to the Rock of our salvation.

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“Finishing Well (Deuteronomy 32:48-34:12)”, Will DuVal | 6/28/26

2026-06-28

For four books of the Bible now (Exodus-Deuteronomy), we have journeyed from a bushel basket in Goshen to the royal palace in Egypt, from the desert of Midian to the wilderness of the Arabah, from the top of Mt. Sinai to the top of Mt. Nebo, following every step of the way one central figure: Moses. But this Sunday as we conclude the book of Deuteronomy, Moses’s story comes to a close. As we have learned from his words and example these past 134 chapters now, so too in these final two chapters do we learn from Moses how to “finish well” the race of faith that God has set before each of us. Join us for this sermon for the grand finale of Deuteronomy (and the Torah!)!

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“Passing the Baton (Deuteronomy 31:1-32:47)”, Austin Gooch | 6/21/26

2026-06-21

Under changing leadership and transforming cultures, how can God’s people pass the faith from one generation to the next? As we near the conclusion of Deuteronomy, we see God’s people facing the uncertainty of leadership change from Moses to Joshua and confrontation with enemies in Canaan. More importantly, we see Yahweh, the God of Israel, provide for every need so that the people of God may pass the faith from generation to generation.

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After the Sermon: Deuteronomy 29

2026-06-15

This podcast episode features Pastor Will discussing follow-up questions and applications from a sermon on Deuteronomy 29 titled “Covenant Renewal.”

The discussion contrasts the old covenant with the new covenant in Christ, emphasizing that believers’ relationship with God is now built on Christ’s obedience rather than their own. The episode addresses listener questions about early warning signs of apostasy, including diminished spiritual hunger, increased worldly appetite, and unhealthy friendships.

It explores how adoption serves as an analogy for spiritual adoption into God’s family and the complete severance from sin that should accompany it. The conversation also examines how doubts and questions, when brought humbly to Christ like John the Baptist’s inquiry, can strengthen rather than weaken faith.

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“Covenant Renewal (Deuteronomy 29)”, Will DuVal | 6/14/26

2026-06-14

In today’s world, we’re very familiar with contracts. From our cell phone plan to our gym membership, our mortgage to our employment agreement, we’re no stranger to signing on the dotted line. But we are increasingly unfamiliar with the idea of a covenant. What makes a covenant different? Why were they so significant in the biblical world? And most importantly, how do humans enter into (and remain in) covenant relationship with the Lord? Join us for this sermon as we consider all these questions and more, and continue our study of the book of Deuteronomy in chapter 29.

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“Rightly Responding to the Lord (Deuteronomy 26-27)”, Will DuVal | 6/7/26

2026-06-07

Growing up, I loved getting presents, but I hated writing “thank you” notes. Yet the importance of recognizing the gift and expressing gratitude was drilled into me from an early age. In this sermon from Deuteronomy chs 26 & 27, Moses similarly calls on Israel to “rightly respond to the Lord” in light of all that He has given them. But as we’ve seen all throughout this book, his charge isn’t just for “them back then”; it’s for us still today as well. How does God want us to respond to all that He’s done for us? Join us to find out…and worship accordingly!

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After the Sermon: Deuteronomy 23-25 (excerpts)

2026-06-01

Topics include reconciling individual versus generational punishment in scripture, understanding the inclusion of Ruth (a Moabite) in God’s people despite prohibitions, applying Old Testament categories to people today, handling hasty vows, showing wise compassion to the poor and vulnerable, and finding hope amidst prolonged suffering.

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“The God of the Law, pt. 4 (Deuteronomy 23-25 (excerpts))”, Thad Yessa | 5/31/26

2026-05-31

Most of our lives are filled with ordinary, mundane moments. We move through the same routines, responsibilities, conversations, and tasks that can often feel disconnected from anything “spiritual.” But does God care about those parts of life? Does following Jesus actually shape the everyday and seemingly boring moments?

This week in Deuteronomy, we will walk through a section of laws that may initially seem random, yet together they reveal how God cares about how His people live in every sphere of life. God doesn’t just care about how His people act in spiritual moments but also in the ordinary rhythms of everyday life, calling His people to reflect His character in everything they do.

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“Sex & Marriage (Deuteronomy 22:13-25:12 (excerpts))”, Will DuVal | 5/24/26

2026-05-24

Christians are often charged with espousing a sexual (and marital) ethic that is “outdated and oppressive”. If that’s how skeptics attack our New Testament convictions, they are even more denigrating of the Old Testament’s commands! To be sure, the Law has some pretty difficult and archaic things to say about sex and marriage, especially in our section of Deuteronomy for this sermon. How do we see God’s wisdom and kindness in such laws (and how does any of it point us to Jesus?)? Join us for answers!

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Ask the Pastors S8 E15: “What is biblical hospitality and how is it practiced?”

2026-05-20

Pastors Thad and Will discussed the definition and practice of biblical hospitality. The conversation was prompted by Pastor Will’s observation of declining newcomer retention at the church, which he attributed to the challenges of being in a temporary, less welcoming location during the building renovation. They defined biblical hospitality as the “love of strangers” (philoxenia), a command to intentionally welcome others into one’s life, home, and church. They contrasted well-meaning but often ineffective practices, like forced meet-and-greet times, with more effective, practical steps. These included congregants intentionally introducing themselves to unfamiliar faces, arriving early and staying late, and prioritizing visitors over existing friends on Sunday mornings. The pastors concluded by framing hospitality as a reflection of the gospel, where God welcomed outsiders into His family, and urged listeners to practice it not just at church but in all areas of life.

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Ask the Pastors S8 E14: “Why is congregational singing important?”

2026-05-14

Brian and Will discussed the importance of congregational singing in a local church. They outlined several key reasons, including glorifying God corporately, preparing hearts to receive the sermon, building unity within the church, encouraging struggling members while also humbling the comfortable, serving as a witness to unbelievers, and acting as a rehearsal for eternity. They supported their points with numerous scriptural references and personal anecdotes from their pastoral ministry.

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“Under God’s Authority (Deuteronomy 17:8–18:22)”, Thad Yessa | 4/26/26

2026-04-26

Who leads the leaders? In a world where authority is often questioned, abused, or built on personality, God gives a very different vision. He shows us what it looks like for leaders to live under His authority, not above it. True leadership among God’s people is not about control or status, but about humble submission to Him. And this shapes more than just leaders; it shapes all of us. It influences how we live, worship, and discern what voices we follow. Ultimately, it points us to the One who leads perfectly, who never misuses authority, never speaks falsely, and is always worthy of our trust.

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Ask the Pastors S8 E11: “What are cryptids and should Christians believe in them?”

2026-04-23

Brian, Thad, and Will, discussed the topic of cryptids in response to a listener’s question. They explored the reasons people believe in such creatures, linking it to a distrust of institutions, a search for community, and psychological needs. They analyzed the topic from a Christian perspective, concluding that believers should remain reasonable, avoid sensationalism and conspiracy theories, and focus on the primary mission of the church. They argued that getting caught up in such topics could damage a Christian’s reputation and be a poor stewardship of time. While remaining open to the possibility of undiscovered species, they ultimately categorized belief in cryptids as a distraction from core faith matters.

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After the Sermon: Deuteronomy 16:1-17:7

2026-04-20

In this podcast episode, Pastor Will began by recapping his recent sermon on Deuteronomy 16-17, which centered on the theme of remembering the Lord through religious festivals, obedience to His laws, and understanding His holy nature. He then answered a series of follow-up questions from listeners. The topics discussed included the meaning of “Catholic” in the Apostles’ Creed, God’s eternal memory of the sins of the unsaved, the theological problems with the Pope establishing a Muslim prayer room in the Vatican, and the distinction between God forgetting believers’ sins and the believers’ need to remember them to appreciate grace. He also addressed the nature of true repentance, the danger of holidays becoming empty rituals, whether non-Christians can enact justice, and the difference between passively forgetting and actively ignoring God when sinning. Pastor Will concluded by posing several of his own unanswered questions from the biblical text.

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“Remembering the Lord (Deuteronomy 16:1-17:7)”, Will DuVal | 4/19/26

2026-04-19

The average person forgets about half of all new information within one hour of learning, has forgotten more than two-thirds of it a day later, and lost more than 90% of learning within the span of a week. There’s a reason why the second-most repeated command in all of the Bible is “Remember” / “Do not forget” (including 23x in the book of Deuteronomy)! This week in chapters 16 & 17, Moses once again exhorts Israel to remember the Lord – His past faithfulness, His present precepts, and His promise of judgment if they do faithlessly forget and disobey. Join us for this sermon as we remember the Lord and worship Him for who He is and what He’s done for us!

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Ask the Pastors S8 E10: “What constitutes ‘porneia’ as biblical grounds for divorce (Mt 5:32)?”

2026-04-16

in this episode, Pastor Will addressed a congregation member’s question regarding West Hills’ interpretation of “pornea” as biblical grounds for divorce. Will explained that the question arose from a recent church meeting concerning a member’s divorce. He analyzed the term “pornea” from the biblical texts of Matthew 5 and 19, rejecting both overly narrow interpretations (defining it only as physical adultery) and overly broad ones (including any lustful thought). He presented the church leadership’s consensus view, defining biblically-permissible grounds for divorce under “pornea” as sexual immorality characterized by persistence, unrepentance, and/or egregiousness. Will stressed that there was no black-and-white rule, and that these situations required case-by-case wisdom, discernment, and the guidance of church elders. He concluded by emphasizing that God’s ultimate desire was for repentance and marital restoration whenever possible.

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After the Sermon: Deuteronomy 14-15

2026-04-13

In this episode, Pastor Will answered follow-up questions about a recent sermon on Deuteronomy chapters 14 and 15, titled “A People Holy Unto the Lord.” After a brief recap of the sermon’s theme—what it means for God’s people to be holy and distinct—the conversation addressed practical applications of this principle. Topics included how to give God one’s best amidst a busy life, whether a specific verse prohibited tattoos, a comparison of the early church to communism, and what being “set apart” looked like in daily habits and acts of mercy. Pastor Will consistently emphasized understanding the underlying principles of Old Testament laws for modern believers and focused on heart posture over legalistic rules.

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“A People Holy Unto the Lord (Deuteronomy 14-15)”, Will DuVal | 4/12/26

2026-04-12

As we continue our study of the book of Deuteronomy this weekend, we’ll hear the Lord echo an exhortation He has already issued to His people (see 7:6). Having reminded Israel of His past faithfulness in chapters 1-11, and having invited them in chapters 12-13 to worship Him in response, God now instructs Israel to be “a people holy to the Lord your God, [for] the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples on the face of the earth” (14:2). As God’s present-day “chosen race”, “holy nation”, and “people for his own possession” (1 Pet 2:9), the Church today is similarly called on to “be holy, as I [the Lord] am holy” (1 Pet 1:16). What does it look like for us as Christians today to be “set apart” unto God? Join us this for this sermon as we look to God’s word for answers, and lean on God’s Spirit for strength.

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“Worship God’s Way (Deuteronomy 12-13)” | 3/29/26

2026-03-29

In the Church we sometimes define “worship” as “assigning worth to”. By this definition, we are all worshipping (something)… all the time! But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: “Who or What am I worshipping?” and “How and Why?” These are the questions Moses brings before God’s people, Israel, in Deuteronomy chs 12-13 this Sunday. Actually, Moses offers them God’s answers to the questions. We hope you’ll join us for this sermon as we worship the Lord together, with His people, in His house, in accordance with His word.

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After The Sermon A West Hills Church Podcast

After the Sermon: Deuteronomy Deuteronomy 11:1-32

2026-03-23

This episode of the podcast discusses follow-up questions from a sermon on Deuteronomy 11. Pastor Will explains that while the Bible does say believers get eternal rewards for faithful obedience, the greatest reward is a close relationship with God, and salvation ultimately comes through trusting in Christ’s obedience, not our own.

The conversation emphasizes that people cannot earn God’s blessing through perfection, but must receive it through Jesus, who exchanges His righteousness for our sin. They also discuss how Easter services are intentionally geared more toward non-believers, making the message especially clear and accessible for those unfamiliar with the Bible. Finally, the episode previews upcoming teaching on blessings and curses in Deuteronomy, while encouraging listeners to pray, invite others, and continue applying God’s Word in their lives.

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Deuteronomy Remembering God's Faithfulness and Responding in Obedience Image

“Live Long and Prosper (Deuteronomy 11:1-32)”, Will DuVal | 3/22/26

2026-03-22

In 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon led the first European expedition to what is now Florida. Legend has it (though historians now doubt) he was in search of the mythical “Fountain of Youth”, a supposed magical spring believed to grant immortality to those who drink from it. Perhaps just as legendary are fictional tales like Tuck Everlasting, The Mummy, and of course Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, all of which share this theme of a mortal’s quest for eternal longevity. But God has made such searches superfluous by showing us exactly how to “live long and prosper”: “You shall keep [God’s] whole commandment… that you may live long in the land that the Lord swore to you” (Dt 11:8-9). Obey the Lord, and we will be blessed; disobey, and we’ll be cursed (“you will perish quickly”; 11:17). But where does that leave sinful people like us? Join us for this sermon as we’re reminded of God’s remedy for our sin problem, and worship Him in response!

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After The Sermon A West Hills Church Podcast

After the Sermon: Deuteronomy 10:1-11:7

2026-03-16

In this episode, the topics discussed were the distinction between spiritual discipline and legalism, which Pastor Thad defined by their core motivations of love versus fear, respectively. Thad also explored the importance of believers sharing their personal experiences of God’s correction and discipline with one another to foster an honest, gospel-centered community. The conversation concluded by reiterating the sermon’s central theme of remembering God’s character, works, and mercy.

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Deuteronomy Remembering God's Faithfulness and Responding in Obedience Image

“Remember the Lord (Deuteronomy 10:1-11:7)”, Thad Yessa | 3/15/26

2026-03-15

Deuteronomy is a book about remembering. As Israel stands on the edge of the promised land, Moses calls them to look back before they move forward. They have seen God’s power in Egypt, His provision in the wilderness, and His mercy toward a stubborn and wandering people.

Yet their greatest danger was not the enemies ahead of them, but forgetfulness within them. When God’s people forget who He is and what He has done, their hearts begin to drift. The same struggle is true for us today.

The remedy for wandering hearts is remembering the Lord: His mercy, His greatness, and His faithful work in our lives. Watch/listen to this sermon as we open God’s Word together and remember God’s faithfulness.

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Ask the Pastors West Hills Church Podcast

Ask the Pastors S8 E7: “Theological Triage pt.4: Abortion, Sabbath, Calvinism, Creeds, & more!”

2026-03-12

The most contentious discussions centered around the doctrines of grace (Calvinism), with all three pastors agreeing it was tier two but acknowledging they had “card carrying Armenians” in their church who disagreed [10:54] [14:22]. The virgin birth generated significant debate, with Thad placing it in tier one due to theological implications for Christ’s sinlessness and divine nature [17:06] [18:00] [18:15], while Will placed it between tiers one and two [21:51] [21:58], and Brian suggested tier two [15:22] [16:03].

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After The Sermon A West Hills Church Podcast

After the Sermon: Deuteronomy 8:11 – 9:29

2026-03-09

In this podcast episode, Pastor Will answered two questions submitted by congregants following his recent sermon on Deuteronomy chapters 8 and 9. The first question addressed how to biblically handle trauma and whether true forgiveness is possible while still experiencing mental anguish. Pastor Will affirmed that forgiveness is a choice distinct from the emotional healing process and that one can forgive while still dealing with the effects of trauma.

The second question asked for practical ways to keep God’s power and grace at the forefront of one’s mind daily. He suggested various spiritual disciplines centered on “preaching the gospel to yourself.” Finally, Pastor Will discussed several other complex theological questions from the sermon text that he found interesting, such as the tension between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility, and God’s anger towards Aaron after the golden calf incident.

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Deuteronomy Remembering God's Faithfulness and Responding in Obedience Image

“Don’t Forget Where You Came From (Deuteronomy 8:11 – 9:29)”, Will DuVal | 3/8/26

2026-03-08

Proverbs 30:8-9 invites us to pray, “O God… give me neither poverty nor riches… lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” Unfortunately, God’s Old Testament people Israel fell prey to both temptations. In Deuteronomy chapters 8-10, Moses both reminds Israel that they “profane[d] the name of God” in their poverty during their wilderness years (not by stealing so much as by doubting and grumbling) while also warning them against “denying” God in their affluence once they enter the promised land. Sadly, we are still susceptible to these same struggles – profaning God’s name in our poverty, and forgetting Him when we flourish. How do we remain “thankful in all circumstances” (1 Ths 5:18)? Moses’s advice: “Don’t forget where you came from”, and especially the One who has brought you thus far.

Check out this sermon and remember God’s faithfulness!

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Ask the Pastors West Hills Church Podcast

Ask the Pastors S8 E6: “Theological Triage pt.3: Corporate worship, church membership, diversity, historical Adam, and more”

2026-03-05

In the third installment of their “Theological Triage” series, Brian, Will and Thad engaged in a discussion to categorize various Christian beliefs and practices into three tiers of theological importance. The tiers were defined as: Tier 1 (essential to the gospel), Tier 2 (important enough to separate churches over), and Tier 3 (areas where Christians could disagree within the same church).

The pastors analyzed a range of topics including church attendance and membership, diversity, social justice, the role of politics from the pulpit, the historical Adam, women’s roles in teaching, worship styles, sermon length, Bible translations, and alcohol consumption. Throughout the conversation, they often distinguished between the purely theological importance of an issue and its practical, functional impact on the unity and culture of a specific church community.

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After The Sermon A West Hills Church Podcast

After the Sermon: Deuteronomy 7:1-8:10

2026-03-03

Pastor Will responded to a listener’s question about how to handle idols in a modern workplace, advising against literal destruction and instead using them as a reminder to pray for the coworker. He emphasized that the Old Testament commands in Deuteronomy were specific to a particular time and people, and the applicable principle today was to protect one’s own heart and space from idolatrous influences. After a brief discussion on the importance of thanking God after a blessing, Pastor Will spent the remainder of the conversation outlining and exploring a series of theological questions he wished his congregation had asked following his recent sermon. These questions covered difficult topics such as the biblical command to destroy the Canaanites, the dangers of over-spiritualizing scripture, the tension between grace and conditional promises, the prosperity gospel, and how affluent Christians can discern if their wealth has become a spiritual hindrance.

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Deuteronomy Remembering God's Faithfulness and Responding in Obedience Image

A People Chosen, Holy & Blessed (Deuteronomy 7:1-8:10)”, Will DuVal | 3/1/26

2026-03-01

Why did God choose Israel to be His people?” This question has long troubled students of the Bible. After all, there were plenty of other nations around at the time God could have adopted instead. But He came only to Abram. In Deuteronomy 7, God answers the question by first explaining “It was not because you were more in number than any other people” (v7). Rather, God graciously chose Israel “because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers” (v8). Moreover, He chose them to be “a people holy to the Lord your God… a people for his treasured possession” (v6), that He might “bless [them] above all peoples” (v14). As the “true Israel of God” (Rom 9:6; Gal 6:16), the Church today is similarly called to be a people holy and blessed, “a chosen race… a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Pet 2:9). What might we learn about God’s calling to holiness and His promise of blessing from Israel’s example? Join us for this sermon to find out!

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Deuteronomy Remembering God's Faithfulness and Responding in Obedience Image

“Fearing the Lord Always (Deuteronomy 5:22-6:25)”, Will DuVal | 2/22/26

2026-02-23

When we reflect upon the way in which we relate to God as His people, many different verbs come to mind for the Christian. We worship the Lord. We love the Lord. We trust the Lord. But arguably the most biblically-emphasized (by God) yet under-appreciated (by us) of all our responses is to fear the Lord. The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps 111:10), “a fountain of life” (Pr 14:27), and “the whole duty of man” (Ecc 12:13). It tells us God’s “mercy” (Lk 1:50) and “friendship” (Ps 25:14) are only for those who fear him. Even Jesus warned us, “do not fear those who kill the body… Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell”, that is, God (Mt 10:28). In this sermon from Sunday in Deuteronomy, the Lord Himself exclaims of His people Israel, “Oh, that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me” (5:29), and He desires the same of us today. Read/listen/watch now as we grow in our fear (and our worship, love and trust!) of the Lord.

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