Counterculture Church
Messages from Counterculture Church in Portland, Oregon. Experience thriving faith in a sometimes skeptical world.
Episodes
138 episodes
High Voltage | Acts 9:1-18 | Jesse Lusko
On his way to persecute Christians, Saul is interrupted by a shocking encounter with the risen Christ, and his life is never the same. Why would God choose a Pharisee like him to become one of the most influential voices in Christianity, and wh...
When Religion Poisons Everything | Acts 7:54-8:3 | Jesse Lusko
He hunted Christians, then became one of them. But before his story changed, someone else showed what Jesus really looks like. In the first message of the new series, Unchained, Pastor Jesse unpacks the stark difference between religio...
Main Character | The Book of Esther | Alex Maksimov
We all have a story but when someone is too consumed with their own, they can become a monster. The book of Esther invites to step into a bigger story and see that God is always working behind the scenes and has a part for us to play that is be...
Tracking Number | Ephesians 1: 7,10, 18-21 | Jesse Lusko
God is on a mission to renew His creation, and the Cross, Resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit are our confirmation that it’s already in motion. The resurrection is our receipt — proof that redemption has been paid for and is on the wa...
Wolves in the Pen | John 10:10-12 | Jesse Lusko
In a world full of wolves, thieves, and counterfeit shepherds, Jesus stands alone as the Good Shepherd who doesn’t take — He gives, even laying down His life for the sheep. What if God isn’t trying to restrict you, but to protect you and lead y...
Here for the Harvest | Matthew 9: 34-37 | Jesse Lusko
In a world obsessed with quick results and constant novelty, Jesus calls us to go deeper, stay faithful and step into the harvest.
How to Have a Relationship with God | Proverbs | Jesse Lusko
Relationships give life meaning—both modern psychology and the Bible tell us that. But why do so many of them end up hurt, broken, or shipwrecked? Scripture teaches that God is the source of every healthy relationship and until that central con...
Family is Complicated | Book of Proverbs | Jesse Lusko
The word "family" can bring up complicated feelings. What is your relationship with your parents like? What about your kids? As we continue in our Shipwrecked series, Pastor Jesse shares wisdom for being a child, being a parent, and being part ...
How to Forgive When it's Hard | Proverbs | Jesse Lusko
Forgiveness is a command by God, yet bitterness can creep in our hearts so easily and so often. In this message we see how grace breaks the cycle of revenge, and why you can’t live in the kingdom of grace while clinging to resentment. To be a f...
Build Better Boundaries | Book of Proverbs | Jesse Lusko
BOUNDARIES -- Our culture loves to use this term, often as an excuse to avoid responsibilities or prioritize comfort. Biblical boundaries are different. They call us to take responsibility for ourselves, confront others in love for the...
Sex & Romance | Song of Songs 8:3-7
For many, the teaching on sex is the worst thing about Christianity. Churches have sometimes been cold, controlling, and harsh. Yet when we look around the secular world, things don't feel quite right either, whether it’s abuse and horrors in t...
Fight Less, Connect More | Proverbs 12:14-19 | Jesse Lusko
Communication and conflict resolution affect every relationship and they make or break them. Our words can either build connection or do damage. Today we look at wisdom from the book of Proverbs, and discover practical wisdom for speaking life,...
You Must Be Important | 2 Samuel 9: 1-5 | Josh Butler
Pastor Josh takes us through 2 Samuel where we learn about the heart of a king who doesn’t seek revenge, but instead restores the broken and invites the undeserving to feast at his table. We see same extravagant kindness in King Jesus, which ma...
How to Be a Better Friend | Proverbs | Jesse Lusko
As we continue our Shipwrecked series, we dive into several verses from the book of Proverbs to understand how to build and maintain better friendships with intention, empathy and ultimately with Christ as our security. <...
Prioritizing Relationships | Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 | Jesse Lusko
Some of the best and the worst parts of our lives flow from relationships. When your relationships get better your whole life gets better. In this series we will look at biblical wisdom to improve all of our human connections. The first s...
Living From a Better Story | Hebrews 13:1-6 | Ben Emmarson
If you don't change your beliefs and break free from lies, behavior changes will never last. The book of Hebrews say the word of God doesn't just affect what we do, it goes to our thoughts and the motives of our hearts.
The Paradise of Prayer | John 15:5-8 | Jesse Lusko
What kind of garden could God plant in our hearts if we learn to abide through prayer? In this message, we are reminded that prayer isn't about getting more from God, but about letting God shape our lives to look more like Him. ...
Born In A Barn | Luke 2:1-20
We can become numb to the Christmas story, we know it so well that we don't know it at all. The birth of Christ is radical, it isn't meant to do more than warm us, it mean to transform us. It can shock us, shake us and change us but...
Final Boss | 1 Peter 5 | Jesse Lusko
In the final message of the series Liquid Gold, Peter reveals that the true final boss isn't just Rome or Babylon, but the pride within us; and how Jesus defeats it with grace, not power, giving us peace at last.
What's Waiting At Your Door | 1 Peter 4:12-17 | Jesse Lusko
Peter reminds us that we shouldn't be shocked by suffering, but that we have a gospel that is strong enough to sustain us through the fire. He is not going to let you dissolve in the fire -- will you let him purify you into something beautiful?...
Ordinary Love for Extraordinary Times | 1 Peter 4:7-11 | Sammiera Emmarson
When the world feels chaotic, Peter reminds us that God works through ordinary faithfulness. Clear minds, deep love, open doors, and willing hands reveal His strength in the midst of chaos.
Stranger Things | 1 Peter 3:19-4:6 | Jesse Lusko
The Bible can seem strange, even bizarre at times, and this passage is no exception. However, the more you know the historical backstory you see that themes of floods, dark spiritual forces, and Jesus' victory aren't random at all, they are pro...
Rage Bait | 1 Peter 3:8-18 | Jesse Lusko
Conflict is a part of life and some interactions leave us fuming, it is so easy to fire back and return the rage. But Peter shows us a better way. His message calls us to resist that instinct, listen deeply, speak with wisdom, and let Jes...