Citizens Church SF - Teaching: Recent Episodes
Citizens Church SF
The vision of Citizens Church is to be a family of missionary-servants, striving to follow Jesus with our whole selves, because of who he is and what he's done. For more information, go to www.citizenssf.com.
*We meet Sunday mornings at New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryJesus prayed to God that he would not take believers out of the world but that he would keep them from the evil one. The chief danger to Christians is Satan. Listen as Dave expounds on Jesus’ prayer.
TextJohn 17:15-19
15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. (ESV)
*We meet Sunday mornings at New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryIn the high priestly prayer, Jesus prayers for big things for the future church. He prays for wonderful things that no believers could ever achieve on their own. The church needs God the Father to work to make Jesus’ prayer reality. What confidence can anyone have that Jesus’ prayer will be answered?
TextJohn 17:1-8
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.(ESV)
*We meet Sunday mornings at New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryWhat gets in the way of the disciples understanding of Jesus? What gets in the way of our understanding of Jesus? We need new eyes to see the truth of Jesus and the gospel. Hear Dave unpack Jesus’ words to his disciples about this.
TextJohn 16:16-33
16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
I Have Overcome the World25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”(ESV)
*We meet Sunday mornings at New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryThere is much that God is accomplishing in the world right now. There is much that Jesus asks of those who follow him. Listen as Dave looks at Christ's words in John 16 and brings clarity to what the role of a Christian is in God’s work.
TextJohn 16:5-15
5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.(ESV)
*We meet Sunday mornings at New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryJesus speaks to believers about the hatred that the world will have for them. Across the globe, millions of Christians face intense persecution. Listen as Dave speaks to the realities of the persecuted church.
TextJohn 15:18-16:4
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,2 but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, the will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
16 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.
The Work of the Holy Spirit“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.(ESV)
*We meet Sunday mornings at New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryDo you think of Jesus as friend? Jesus says you are His friend if you do what He commands. Listen as Dave explains what it means for Jesus to call believers friends.
TextJohn 15:12-17
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,1 for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but z\I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (ESV)
*We meet Sunday mornings at New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryFruit is the outcome of obedience to God. Jesus instructs believers to abide in him in order to bear fruit. Listen to guest preacher Courtney Ameli explain Jesus’ words.
TextJohn 15:1-11
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide zin me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (ESV)
*We meet Sunday mornings at New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
Summary Jesus declared to his disciples that whoever believes in him will do greater works than he did. How can this be possible, given that he is savior and Lord and those who believe are merely humans? Listen as Dave unpacks Jesus’ words.
TextJohn 14:12-21
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me swill be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”(ESV)
*We meet Sunday mornings at New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryPaul describes believers as hard pressed on every side but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair. How can believers celebrate faith in the face of suffering. Listen to Dave as he unpacks the hope that Paul points to and the work that God is doing now.
Text2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self his being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
5 1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, ma house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on2 we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. (ESV)
*We meet Sunday mornings at New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryThe Colossians desired to stop sinning, and looked to the traditions of the past to help them further their sanctification. Listen to Dave as he unpacks Paul redirects them to a new understanding of Christ.
TextColossians 3:1-4
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your1 life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (ESV)
*We meet Sunday mornings at New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryTo anyone who believes in Christ, death can no longer kill you. Listen as Dave speaks to Christ’s great victory over death through his crucifixion and resurrection.
TextJohn 20:1-11
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’1 head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. (ESV)
*We meet Sunday mornings at New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryLast week, we heard of Jesus’ capture and trial on his road to the cross. Listen this week as Dave leads us through Jesus’ crucifixion as we continue on to Easter.
TextJohn 19:16b-42
16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.
The CrucifixionSo they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic.1 But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,
“They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”
So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to ahis own home.
The Death of Jesus28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”
Jesus Is Buried38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus2 by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds3 in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb bin which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryAfter entering Jerusalem , Jesus foretold of his own death. Within a week, he stood before Pontius Pilate and a Jewish mob, led by the Pharisees, demanding his crucifixion. In this sermon, Georgia walks us through the trial, highlighting and explaining the weight and meaning of this event.
TextJohn 18:28-19:16a
28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
19 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
12 From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” 13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement and in Aramaic Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryPeter, the rock upon which Jesus built the church, denied Christ three times on the night before the crucifixion. How could such a devoted follower do this? And what does Peter do with his failings? Listen as Dave speaks to Peter’s denials of Jesus.
TextJohn 18:12-27
12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
Peter Denies Jesus15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
The High Priest Questions Jesus19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Peter Denies Jesus Again25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and pat once a rooster crowed. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryIn the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas leads a large group of soldiers to arrest Jesus. Listen to Dave as he unpacks Jesus’ words and actions in this sacred moment as we move closer towards the crucifixion.
TextJohn 18:1-11
1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.”1 Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus2 said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant3 and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryIn the week before Jesus’ crucifixion, he shares with the crowd in Jerusalem that he will die. Listen to CJ as he unpacks this moment, Jesus’ experience and the glory that God has planned.
TextJohn 12:27-36
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryAt the beginning of every year, we take six weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. Listen in as we wrestle through outcome of the Fall and the beginning of God's plan to restore his world.
TextThis week’s stories were adapted from the New Testament.
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryAt the beginning of every year, we take six weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. In Week Three, we finish the Old Testament and finally meet the person of Jesus.
TextThis week’s stories were adapted from Deuteronomy through the Prophets, and the opening chapters of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryAt the beginning of every year, we take six weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. Listen in as we wrestle through outcome of the Fall and the beginning of God's plan to restore his world.
TextThis week’s stories were adapted from Genesis 4, 5-8, 11, 12-22; and Exodus.
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryAt the beginning of every year, we take six weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. Listen in as we wrestle through outcome of the Fall and the beginning of God's plan to restore his world.
TextThis week’s stories were adapted from Genesis 1-3, Psalm 8, and Revelation 12.
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
Summary2024 appears it will be a year marked by conflict culturally and globally. The presidential election, climate change, wars around the globe, and so forth. How can we as Christians remain grounded in our faith amidst all that is going on around us? Listen to Dave as he preaches on what Jesus says about building a foundation.
TextMatthew 7:24-27
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like aa foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (ESV)
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SummaryIf you had not heard of Jesus, would you still want someone to come and fix all of our problems? Who would you be waiting for? Listen to Dave as he speaks to the meaning of Advent.
TextLuke 2:1-7
1 In those days la decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,2 who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. ESV
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SummaryThis is part 7 in the series “Verily: Courageous Knowing and Living”. Hope is becoming less and less common these days, if not simply nonexistent. Wars, climate, economic struggle, increasingly mental health issues and so on. Listen to Dave as he speaks to what scripture says to to this hopelessness so common today.
TextMicah 5:1-5
1 1Now muster your troops, O daughter2 of troops;
siege is laid against us;
with a rod they strike the judge of Israel
on the cheek.
2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
5 And he shall be their peace.
When the Assyrian comes into our land
and treads in our palaces,
then we will raise against him seven shepherds
and eight princes of men;
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SummaryThis is part 6 in the series “Verily: Courageous Knowing and Living”. All truth is meant to lead us to love God and love others. Listen to Dave as he expounds on belief in the truth of God.
TextThe Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
*Please join us on Sunday mornings. You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryThe Advent season is upon us. Listen to Georgia as she introduces the time of Advent to us.
TextIsaiah 9:2-7
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as son the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (ESV)
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SummaryThis is part 5 in the series “Verily: Courageous Knowing and Living”. How do we become comfortable with the truth once we know it? In this sermon, Dave unpacks this with respect to the text in 1 John.
Text1 John 1:5-9
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)
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SummaryThis is part 4 in the series “Verily: Courageous Knowing and Living”. God chose to make the gospel foolish in the eyes of worldly wisdom, and worldly wisdom is foolish in the eyes of God. Whichever path we follow, we will be a fool to someone. Who will you choose to be a fool for? Listen to Dave as he speaks to both sides.
Text1 Corinthians 1:18-31
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,3 not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being4 might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him5 you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (ESV)
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SummaryThis is part 3 in the series “Verily: Courageous Knowing and Living”. In seeking to know truth, how do we account for the effects of sin? Sin is confusing because it is the rejection of reality. Listen to Dave as he expounds upon knowing truth while accounting for sin.
TextIsaiah 44:9-20
9 All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. 10 Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? 11 Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together.
12 The ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works it over the coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint. 13 The carpenter stretches a line; he marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes and marks it with a compass. He shapes it into the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house. 14 He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it. 15 Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes a part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it. 16 Half of it he burns in the fire. Over the half he eats meat; he roasts it and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, “Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire!” 17 And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!”
18 They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. 19 No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, “Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?” 20 He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” (ESV)
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SummaryWhen Adam and Eve met, they were naked and unashamed. Adam and Eve could be in relationship with each other with full confidence that the more the other person got to know them, the more they would be loved. In the third sermon in the series “Verily: Courageous Knowing and Living”, listen to Dave as he expounds upon the truth about God, our selves and bodies that come from this scripture.
TextGenesis 2:15-25
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat1 of it you shall surely die.”
18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 19 Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made5 into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman,
because she was taken out of Man.”
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryIn our current culture, we are flooded with information, facts, and data about ourselves and the world we live in. We need an expert or a guide to make meaning of this flood. Listen to our guest speaker, Troy Tisthammer from InterVarsity, speak about Jesus as our guide.
TextJohn 4:7-26
7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”(ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryDave continues with the second sermon in the series “Verily: Courageous Knowing and Living”. Modern society has an abundance of information, ready at our fingertips, on anything and everything anyone could want to know. There is a difference, though, between retaining information and having actual knowledge. Listen as Dave unpacks this scripture on what it means to know.
TextPsalm 19:1-6
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryAt Jesus’ sham trial, Pilate famously asks the Son of God, “What is truth?” Many of us find ourselves asking that question today, but is there an answer? Today we begin a new sermon series on how we know truth, entitled Verily. Listen as Dave invites would-be truth-seekers to look not for a “what,” but a “who.”
TextJohn 18:37-38
37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryFor many of us, the practice of Sabbath is difficult and counter to the work culture we are a part of. Listen to Adam as he speaks to the importance of Sabbath and how essential it is to the Christian faith.
TextMatthew 11:28-30
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryWhat is the cost of glory? The cost of witnessing glory? The cost of advancing glory? Experiencing glory? Listen as Dave examines how John expounds upon this in John 11.
TextJohn 11:1-44
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin,2 said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
I Am the Resurrection and the Life17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.4 Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Jesus Weeps28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved5 in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”
Jesus Raises Lazarus38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and ca stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this ion account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (ESV)
In John 10, Jesus gave his last public defense of his ministry before preparing for the cross. Listen to Dave explain the reasoning Jesus used to those listening at the temple.
Throughout the gospels, Jesus reveals his divinity through signs. Those who witness them either come to faith in him or reveal their unbelief. The Pharisees increasingly oppose Jesus, but what about the crowds that witness the signs. After all that they have seen, why don't the crowds overwhelmingly believe in Jesus? Listen to Dave as he examines this question.
Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Listen to Georgia as she speaks to Jesus' words.
The text for the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8 is not included in the earliest manuscripts of the Gospel of John. Many biblical scholars do not consider it to hold the same scriptural authority that the rest of the text in the gospels do. Listen to Dave as he speaks about how to hold this text in relation to the rest of scripture as well as the story of Jesus.
Jesus said, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink." Do you know of this thirst for God? Listen to Dave as he expounds on Jesus' words.
If God is so good, how come the world is so broken? If God is so powerful, why is there still violence? Does not the existence of suffering prove that God is either not all good or not all powerful? Listen to Dave as he explains Jesus’ response to this issue after the feeding of the five thousand.
How do you know when to believe the claim that a person makes about him or herself? Jesus believes himself to be the Son of God. A bold and incredible claim. Listen as Dave speaks to Jesus’ claim and how to evaluate his claim.
The Pharisees approach Jesus and question his relationship to God, the Father. Jesus responds in a different tone than he normally does. Listen to Dave as he unpacks Jesus’ change in posture and what he says to them in response.
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryIn Jerusalem, there was a pool called Bethesda, where a multitude of blind, lame, and paralyzed laid. Among them was a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. This man expressed his need to Jesus and was met with a miraculous response. Listen to Adam as he talks about this miracle and the importance of neediness in God’s kingdom.
TextJohn 5:1–18
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God chis own Father, making himself equal with God. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryThe Samaritan woman went out to the well in the hot of the day, hoping to be avoid people. Instead, she was met by Jesus. Listen to Dave as he explains their conversation and how the words Jesus spoke changed her life.
TextJohn 4:1–30
Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.
7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.(ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryJohn 3:16 is a verse that many know, Christian and non-Christian alike. But when Jesus first spoke these words, they came as a surprise to his listeners. Listen to Dave as he unpacks six surprises in John 3:16-32.
TextJohn 3:16–36
16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized(for John had not yet been put in prison).
Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification.And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”[b]
He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his handWhoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryUndercover of the night, Nicodemus met with Jesus, seeking to ascertain more about him. Jesus told him that to see the Kingdom of God, one must be born again. Nicodemus was confused. Listen to Dave as he explains Jesus’ statement and the need to be born again.
TextJohn 3:1–15
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryIt wasn’t until Jesus rose from the dead that Jesus’ life and teaching began to really make sense to his disciples. One scene in particular, the cleansing of the temple in John 2, came alive for them. Listen as Dave explains what it meant when Jesus said, “Tear down this temple and in three days I will raise it again in three days.”
TextJohn 2:13–22
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?”Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple,[a] and will you raise it up in three days?”But he was speaking about the temple of his body.When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.(ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryThe gospels record Jesus' miracles in order to confirm both Jesus' authority and Jesus' mission. He gives sight to the blind to show how the gospel opens our eyes. He raises the dead to show how the gospel defeats death. But why then, for his very first miracle, does he turn water into wine? Listen as Dave explains the message behind the miracle.
TextJohn 2:1–11
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryThe first disciples of Jesus were the Early Adopters of Christianity -- willing to sign on to faith in Jesus before it made sense to them and before it was even particularly helpful. As followers of Jesus in San Francisco, the least Christian city in the country, what can we learn from their bold faith? Listen as Dave recounts five qualities of Jesus' first disciples from these early stories of faith.
TextJohn 1:35–51
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryUpon seeing Jesus, the first thing John the Baptist says (as the Ideal Witness) is “Behold, the Lamb of God!” What would this have meant to his first listeners, and what should it mean to us now. Nick Parsons explains what it meant and why it matters, and why we, too, should drop everything to follow Christ.
TextJohn 1:29–42
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryGod's Kingdom grows through faithful witnesses and John the Baptist is the ideal witness. He knows who he is, who he's not, and who Jesus is. It is vitally important that we, as God's witnesses, know who we are and who we aren't.
TextJohn 1:19–28
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryThe Gospel of John was written not only to emphasize how Jesus was God, but that Jesus was God Made Flesh. This claim is both amazing and unsettling! Listen as Dave explains the fourfold scandal of the incarnation, and why it's still good news.
TextJohn 1:14–18
[14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. [15] (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) [16] For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. [17] For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [18] No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryIf the Bible had elevation, John 1 might be Mount Everest. The Apostle John begins his biography of Jesus before there even was a beginning, when Jesus was simply God. In John 1, we learn that everything that can be said about God can be said about Jesus. He is God, Creator, Life, and Light.
TextJohn 1:1–5
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (ESV)
*We just moved back inside to our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryEvery January, we take six weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays have less liturgy to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. Listen in as we wrestle through the beginning of God's story, including the First Creatures, the First Humans, and Separation.
TextThis week’s stories were adapted from Genesis 1-3, Psalm 8, and Revelation 12.
*We are back inside our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryWhat are spiritual gifts for? The first mention of spiritual gifts is connected to building the Tabernacle. This teaches us that God gives spiritual gifts so that we might make space for God to dwell with people--with us and with others. Just like with the Tabernacle, God has given us a vision for life together as a church while also inviting us to bring anointed skills and ingenuity. At Citizens, how will we build God's church so that God might come and dwell?
TextExodus 35:30–36:2
Then Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft. And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer.
“Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.”
And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. (ESV)
*We are back inside our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryThe promise of Christmas isn't just for one people. For Christians in 2022, the inclusion of the Gentiles is old news, but Isaiah's prediction that God would save people from every tribe, tongue, and nation was mind-blowing to his first hearers. We might be used to the idea, but the reality still feels unreachable. Is our gospel too small? In a divided world, Advent invites us to long for Christ to come again and unite all people under his gracious and good rule.
TextIsaiah 2:1–5
The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the LORD
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,
and many peoples shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.
O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the LORD. (ESV)
*We are back inside our old home, New Traditions Elementary School! You can find more information about our Sunday gatherings on* *this page**.*
SummaryThe Book of Isaiah teaches us what faith looks like in difficult seasons. Whether we are just entering darkness or enduring it, the prophet teaches us how the posture of faith always looks east expecting the dawn. Jesus, the Rising Sun, is coming and he brings healing in his wings.
TextIsaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (ESV)
Key of David comes from Isaiah 22, when the people of God were given a good leader, but then they tore him down--not because they disliked him, but because they liked him too much. Judah hung more hopes on him than he could carry. Isaiah 22 is a warning, but also expresses our deep desire for one person to answer our every need. That need is met in Jesus, the true Key of David.
This week, we continue our Advent series through the O Antiphons with O Adonai, meaning Lord. Lord is a title Christians give to Jesus all the time, in song and prayer. Yet, do we really want Jesus to be lord? Listen as Georgia asks us to wrestle with our conflicted relationship to authority. Advent reminds us that we do need and want a Lord, but only one as good and righteous as Jesus.
This week, we're beginning a new series through the O Antiphons, a collection of seven poems inspired by the Messianic texts of Isaiah. The first week is O Wisdom. Our world's problems are too complicated for us to fix. No matter how hard we try, we can't think ourselves out of this mess. The Old Testament longs for a Savior who's not just wise, but who is Wisdom itself.
As a church, we are focusing on doing what Jesus did through the spiritual practice of hospitality this quarter. Jesus invites us to open our tables and our lives to those who aren’t like us and can’t pay us back. As we do, may it be at our tables as it is in heaven.
We have been granted great freedom in the gospel, including with our money, but it's hard to know what to do with our freedom. Paul reminds us that our freedom is for love, and instructs us how to navigate the complexity of love.
By the time of Jesus, a group of Jewish teachers had developed rules to ensure Israel's faithfulness to God around money. However, these rules were not only oppressively difficult, they only covered our corruption. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a righteousness which is both greater and easier.
During our series on the story of money throughout the Bible, we are pausing every fourth Sunday to discuss what we've heard. This week, Dash Laryea asks us to consider practices which resist the false story of Mammon and maintain our dependence to God.
After God redeemed the people of Israel from slavery to Egypt, he intended for them to become a holy nation. Holy nations practice holy economics. But what does that mean? Listen as Dave describes the "neighborly economics" of the Old Testament law, looking at the radical politics of the Sabbath and what it might teach us about wealth today.
How do we stay true to God's story that all of life is gift when we live in a world that expects us to be takers? The Bible identifies two competing narratives around wealth. This week, we watch Father Abraham courageously decide to hold to God's story and learn how we too can remain faithful to God with our wealth.
After learning all wealth is a gift from God in Genesis 1 and 2, we are introduced to a alternative story for money in Genesis 3. In the Fall, the Serpent tells Eve that God is not a Giver, but a Taker. These are still the two stories on offer today. Which story will we believe?
It's often hard to translate the Bible's ethics into modern action. Nowhere is this more evident than the Bible's instructions around money. Is money a blessing or a curse? Do I have too much or too little? In order to navigate these questions, we need each other. Every Fourth Sunday during this sermon series, we will pause the story and discuss together what we've heard. Listen in as our church wrestles with the challenge of viewing money as, first and foremost, a gift.
Every dollar has a story -- a past, present, and future. But who gets to tell that story? Today, we began an 11-week series on money that will trace our relationship with wealth through the Bible. For Week 1, Dave asked us to consider how "creation from nothing" means that everything--including money--is gift. All our possessions begin and are sustained by the love and power of God. This impacts everything.
In Rob's last sermon before moving to Kentucky, he encourages Citizens to know God through loving others. It is not enough in San Francisco to know about God. We must know him, and we know him when we obey his commandment to love one another.
Foster children are some of the more underserved people in the city. Listen in as Yvonne Chew describes the biblical vision of radical hospitality from John 12, and how Christ-like living in San Francisco might include local foster kids. There are many ways to support and love foster kids in the city and Citizens wants to be part of this important ministry.
The reason our church lingers for months in a book of the Bible is not so we can master the Scriptures, but so the Scriptures can master us. That's what discipleship means -- being mastered. For our last week in First Peter, we took time to reflect and discuss the impact of this letter on our life together. Listen in as our church shares what this season has meant to them.
Personal suffering and hardship has a way of narrowing our outlook. It's hard to think about anything but the pain. As Peter closes out his letter to a persecuted church, he wants them to zoom out in time--considering the past and future. He also wants the church to zoom out in space and remember they are not alone. Listen as Dave reminds us to remember the presence of Satan and the partnership of the global church.
Today's passage includes both a threat and a promise: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." In a culture and city devoted to equality, the church should stand out in its devotion to humility. Listen as Dave unpacks this single verse, particularly in reference to age. What do younger people owe those who are older?
After decades of leadership abuse and scandal within the church, the most important quality for pastors today is trustworthiness. More than leadership skills and perusal dynamism, a pastor must be trustworthy. As we look to install Adam as an elder at Citizens, how do we know we can trust him? First Peter 5 describes the motivations and behaviors of trustworthy pastors. Listen as Dave teaches what the church should expect from her pastors.
When times change for the worse, how do we know whether we need to change? How do we decide if we should still follow Jesus or follow him in the same way? Peter asks us to base our life's direction on Jesus' imminent return. In light of Christ coming back, he encourages the church to be consistent in four practices.
After Jesus' death and resurrection, it would be foolish for the church to go back to their former way of life. But how do we keep our eyes open to sin's danger? In particular, how do we resist the tide of a sensual culture? Ironically, we are made stronger when we choose suffering and leverage it for purity. Listen as Dave asks us to consider our own struggles in light of the gospel and, rather than let suffering be a source of shame, follow Jesus in shaming the shame and finding freedom.
Our current moment is all about fighting for justice. But how do we fight for what is just without ourselves becoming evil? In 1 Peter 3, the apostle offers sage advice on how to engage conflict faithfully, paying attention to the means and trusting God with the ends.
"Finally, all of you..." After giving specific instruction to citizens, slaves, and spouses, Peter steps back to offer counsel to everyone. A Christian's relationship with those outside the church is certainly important, but that witness stands on the Christian's relationships within the church. The way of Jesus is marked by unity in our personal relationships that leads to unity in our witness to the world
What do you do when your relationships and circumstances have stripped you of your voice? In the first century, hardly anyone had less power than slaves and wives. In today's text, Peter addresses Christians in difficult circumstances, encouraging them to keep doing good in the face of slander and suffering. While few Christians in twentieth-century America are as powerless, all Christians can learn from these courageous men and women in our various relationships.
Christ Died! Christ is Risen! Christ is Coming Again! The apostle's experience of that first Good Friday and Easter Sunday shapes his encouragement to the church in First Peter. The resurrection reversed the curse of death. Instead of everyone's story being "glory then suffering," life in Christ is now marked by suffering then glory. Listen as Dave unpacks the good news of the resurrection for the church today.
Today's text moves us into the heart of First Peter, which teaches Christians how to live in the face of slander. No matter the situation, Peter says the same thing: Do good. Christians are to be people who do good, no matter the circumstance. In a world that is awash with angry talk of justice, the church should be people who are zealous for doing good to their enemies because we were once God's enemies and He was good to us.
What should Christians do in the face of slander? This was a primary question for the early church, and Peter's first word for them is "Beloved." How do we share Christ in a world that looks down on Christians? Though we are tempted to confrontation and privatization, Peter calls the church to a third way. Listen as Adam encourages us toward a visible love of others which points the world to God's love for us.
In a world of competing stories and agendas, whom do we trust? When disagreement brings shame, how do we hold on? Writing to a persecuted church, Peter encourages the church to remember the honor which matters most. They can endure public shame because they have received divine honor. In the same way, we should identify ourselves with Christ because Christ has identified himself with us.
The first imperatives of First Peter are "be holy" and "love others." However, sometimes this feels like too much. We feel conflicted between the demands of holiness and the demands of love. Peter's encouragement for us is, again, to remind us that we are born again. All those in Christ will live forever, which means we have enough time.
The first imperative in First Peter is "Hope." But what does hope look like in the everyday? For the apostle, hope in future grace looks like holiness. Listen as Dave challenges our church to recover the call to be holy, while encouraging us that our holiness toward God follows God's holiness toward us, especially in our redemption through Christ's blood.
The first instruction the apostle gives in First Peter to the church is, "Hope in grace." When we're struggling to follow Christ, especially in the face of persecution, Peter commands the church to hope in grace. Listen as Rob McIlvoy unpacks for us the importance of hope in the Christian life, and how that motivates our obedience.
First Peter was written to Christians suffering religious persecution. They were being ostracized by their communities because of their faith in Christ. Is this relevant to most American Christians? In order to understand Christian suffering, 1 Peter challenges us to both broaden and narrow our definitions of Christian and suffering.
Adam takes a step away from 1 Peter to ground our emphasis in Citizens' Communities on spiritual practices. We need spiritual practices because these rhythms of resistance help us to be with Jesus, become like Jesus and do what Jesus did. That's what it means to be a disciples: someone who strives to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. We can't do this without spiritual practices.
When suffering persecution and trial, what is the first thing the church needs to hear? The Apostle Peter begins his letter by reminding Christians that they are born again, giving them a new identity and a future inheritance. Why is that something we need to hear today? And how does our new birth impact our relationship with the world around us?
Today, we begin our series in First Peter, which is about Christian living in non-Christian spaces. Listen as Dave sets out the setting and context of this important book. He unpacks the first lesson from First Peter, which is to name the shame we carry around because we follow Jesus. Only when we name our shame can the gospel transform it into honor.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. This is our fifth and final week of the series, where we will hear about Jesus' death and resurrection and all that Christ's work accomplished.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. In Week Three, we finish the Old Testament and finally meet the person of Jesus.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. Listen in as we wrestle through outcome of the Fall and the beginning of God's plan to restore his world.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays have less liturgy to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. Listen in as we wrestle through the beginning of God's story, including the First Creatures, the First Humans, and Separation.
Sometimes we don't pray because we don't know what to pray for. The world's brokenness is not a clean break, and the path to restoration is rarely clear. In Romans 8, Paul challenges us to keeping praying. God doesn't expect us to know what to pray for. In fact, it's at the precise points of our ignorance that the Spirit intercedes for us. Listen as Dave encourages us to receive God’s mercy in our ignorance.
What does it mean that all creation "groans" for our redemption? By likening our present suffering with the sufferings of a woman in labor, Paul again emphasizes that we suffering with hope. Our labor is not in vain. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, the world is pregnant with hope. Listen as C.J. encourages us to labor alongside creation, looking forward to the future restoration of the whole world.
Biblical hope is a confident expectation based upon a sure foundation for which we wait with full and complete confidence. Our sure foundation in Romans 8 is the faithful ministry of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. Listen as Rob McIlvoy explains to us the dynamics of hope--what it means for our present and our future.
Paul claims that our present suffering isn't worth comparing to our future glory in Christ. He supports this bold claim by looking to the created world. Beneath the frustration and vandalism of sin, we can see creation still straining toward its purpose. What would the world look like if creation no longer strained? If our bodies were perfected? Listen as Dave asks us to imagine a renewed world.
J.I. Packer once wrote that, while forgiveness of sins is central to the gospel, our adoption by God is the greatest gift. Listen as C.J. walks us through this promise in Romans 8. "God created you in His image and longs to be your Father. He wants to take every broken part of your story, every painful event in your life and redeem it. He wants to adopt you into His family, name you as His beloved Son, His beloved Daughter, and slowly, methodically give you the life you always longed for; a life lived close to Him, under His protection and care, a life of meaning and fulfillment.
Romans 8 is all about life in the Spirit and resurrection. But resurrection is not just something to enjoy after death! Because the Spirit dwells in us, the future is breaking into the present. Listen as Adam encourages us from Romans 8, challenging us to remember how the Spirit's indwelling presence makes us temples now, guarantees our future, and changes us today.
Death hangs over humanity in the Book of Romans and Paul is convinced that the gospel is the only way out from under it. The law can't save us. Ignorance can't save us. Our only hope is the gospel--specifically, the gospel of the resurrection. Listen as Dave unpacks the contrast between death and resurrection, flesh and Spirit, gospel and law.
Romans 8 is one of the high-points of the New Testament. Beginning with "no condemnation" and finishing with "no separation," Paul unpacks the tremendous security we have in the gospel of the Spirit of life. C.J. introduces our series by emphasizing the great contrast between the law of the flesh and the law of the Spirit.
The biblical vision for the church is big--we are called to be a royal priesthood and ambassadors for Christ. And yet Jesus also says that, in order to enter the kingdom of God, we must humble ourselves and become like children. How do these visions interact? How can we do great things while still being childlike? Listen as Dave concludes our series on the church by emphasizing the church's rest and play.
The church is a people who witness, sharing the love of Christ with others through their words and deeds. But this will not easy. Jesus tells his disciples they will be hated, but he will send a Helper. Listen as CJ preaches on both the challenge and promise of our call to witness.
Jesus said, "Abide in me and you will be much fruit." The church, if it makes its home with Jesus, is a people who grow. The beauty of the gospel growth is that growth is not primarily about my resolve to be obedience, but about God's resolve to save. Listen as Dave encourages Citizens from 2 Peter with the promise of growth.
Investing in Christ’s eternal kingdom is the only way to secure a satisfying future. From the very beginning, God designed people to be people of faith--people who lived not by sight, but by faith in a future hope. The people of God are a people who give out of faith. Listen as C.J. walks through the biblical principal of tithing, and explains why generosity is the way of wise flourishing.
One of the greatest gifts of the gospel is belonging. If we belong to God in Christ, we are never without a home, an identity, a purpose, a future. Wherever we are, that's where we should be. And our belonging is not only a gift for us, but for our city. Listen as Dave encourages us to remember this gift, and carry it with us wherever we are.
A clear marker of the church is worship, not just on Sunday but everyday. What we believe about God in Christ compels us to whole-life worship. Anything less signals a faith which is out of step with the reality of the gospel. Listen as CJ challenges us from Romans 12 to give our very selves as living sacrifices, being transformed by God and not conformed to the world.
Today begins a new series on church life. What verbs mark the church's identity and presence in the world? The foundation of the church is the gospel of God and so the first verb of church life is "Believe." Listen as Dave encourages Citizens to hold onto the peculiarity of our faith in the face of a doubting world.
We live in a 24/7 world, where nights and weekends are usually spent doing the personal work we can't get done while working our day jobs. What if God actually built the world to work best with a weekly Sabbath? Rob McIlvoy encourages us to take seriously God's call to weekly rest and gives practical advice on how to do it.
Joseph is faced with a choice between revenge and redemption. His brothers travel to Egypt seeking help due to the regional famine. Through a series of tests, Joseph learns that his brothers are truly repentant for what they have done, and they have changed into new men, willing to give their lives to save their youngest brother, Benjamin. Joseph’s response to them shows us that change is possible for even the worst kind of people and that revenge can never taste as sweet as redemption.
Joseph has had everything stripped from him. His status, dignity, and freedom. But there is one treasure no one can take from him, the presence of God. We learn this week that God gives Joseph His abiding presence, causing all that he does to succeed. Joseph’s righteousness is tested by temptation and further abuse. But God remains faithful to him even in that. We are invited to ask ourselves whether God’s abiding presence is the greatest treasure in our own lives.
Betrayal at the hands of those closest to us is one of the most painful of human experiences. It effects our relationship with God and with ourself. Joseph is envied a hated by his brothers. They betray him, plotting to murder him, and ultimately sell him into slavery. This week we looked at how Jesus is the only one who can step into our stories of betrayal and bring restoration and healing because He willfully subjected Himself to betrayal from both humanity and His Father to bring redemption to our relationship with others, God, and self.
This week pastor C.J. opened our series on the life of Joseph in The Old Testament. Favoritism is a generational sin that runs rampant in Joseph's family tree. It is all too common in our own families. These week we explore the implications of this sin and recognize that Jesus bears the burden of being God's favorite so that none of us have to. He also leverages His status to serve, rather than oppress us.
The word "compassion" means to suffer with. The word "remarkable" means worth speaking of. Phillip Pattison, founder and head of Foster the Bay, asks us to consider how the church is responding to the great need for families to open their homes to the orphan. Do we recognize the reality of our adoption into God's family and are we moved to extend that to others?
All of Abraham's life climaxes in Genesis 22 when God asks him to sacrifice Isaac. What are we supposed to do with such a terrible test? Dave wrestles with three problems with God's request, and suggests the one reasonable explanation for Abraham's faith.
In Genesis 15, we learned that God was putting everything on the line for Abraham--including God's own life. Does this mean that God's love is unconditional? Genesis 17 and the sign of circumcision reminds us that humanity does have a part to play in God's redemptive plan, and this is good news.
After years of mostly faithful living, Abram is beginning to doubt whether God will do what he promised. In Genesis 15, God assures Abram by making a covenant with him -- a covenant which sets in motion Jesus' future death.
The New Testament calls Abraham the "father of all who believe." All Christians are indebted to him, not only as the source of faith. Abraham is also a model for how to believe and follow God. Listen as Dave opens the series, considering the surprising and encouraging backstory of Father Abraham.
When we engage in good, godly work--like the Israelites rebuilding the temple--we're tempted to believe that such work either proves we're holy or makes us holy. But Haggai 2 reminds us that our works don't make us holy. Only God's grace can do that. Listen as C.J. encourages us with the promise of grace.
In Haggai 1, the prophet pointed out how the people of Israel had no good reason to hold off building the temple. In Haggai 2, the prophet probes deeper. What was their reasoning? Listen as C.J. explains how we, like Israel, delay faithfulness for fear of comparison and to avoid grief.
On Sunday, we began a two-month series through the Book of Haggai. When Haggai begins, it had been twenty years since God's people had returned from exile. Why, then, was the temple still in ruins? Maybe that's why the people were so dissatisfied their lives. Haggai challenges us to look at our own priorities. Are we putting off what God has sent us to do? Are we putting off that which would make us truly satisfied? Is not life with God what God rescued us for?
Every Easter, Christians celebrate the reality and significance of Jesus' death and resurrection. Paul tells us these twin truths are "of first importance," but what does that mean and how do we know when they've fallen behind? Dave looks to two descriptions of the disciples in Luke to help us understand: when they “doubted for joy” and “slept for sorrow.”
Holy Week is the most important time of the year for Christians and it begins with Palm Sunday. This is Jesus’ coronation day. Pastor James Westbrook of Realm Church Oakland reminds us that Jesus is a king like no other. What the culture expects and what he offers is not the same, but faith teaches us to accept his kingship as best.
One of Jesus’ most famous parables is the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and it’s famous for good reason. In an unforgiving world, listening to Jesus’ story about an abundantly forgiving Father is water for the soul. With the help of Henri Nouwen and Tim Keller, C.J. slowly walks us through this story and asks us to identify ourselves with each character.
As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he becomes more and more distressed. He knows what’s coming. As a result, his teaching becomes more distressed and he talks a great deal about death and divine judgment. In this sermon, Dave encourages us to hear Jesus’ love for us in his distressing words.
As we look forward to a year as uncertain as 2020, what should we be our vision? What is available to us? What do we need? On Sunday, Dave encouraged us with Jesus' hope for us in John 4, that we would "know the gift of God and who Jesus is" leading us to ask him for living water and turn us into the "true worshippers" that God is seeking.
As we begin our 2021 Vision series, C.J. reminds us why our church is called Citizens. In John 17, Jesus prays for his disciples very specifically -- "I ask not that they be removed from the world." And here we are, in the world, but not of the world. What does this mean for us?
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. This is our fifth and final week of the series, where we will hear about Jesus' death and resurrection and all that Christ's work accomplished.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. In Week Four, we look closely at the message and miracles of Jesus, and also his enemies.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. In Week Three, we finish the Old Testament and finally meet the person of Jesus.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. Listen in as we wrestle through outcome of the Fall and the beginning of God's plan to restore his world.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. Listen in as we wrestle through the beginning of God's story, including the Beginning, First Humans, and Separation.
The last Sunday of Advent focuses on love. Love is what the world needs. Love is what every single person needs. This is both what Christmas and the gospel offers us.
How do we think about joy in hard times? On the third Sunday of Advent, purple candles turn pink as the church looks for signs of Christ shining through today's darkness. From Philippians 4, Dave encourages us toward the goodness and justice of joy at Christmas.
In Isaiah 2, the Bible predicts a future where all the nations of the earth will melt down their weapons into gardening tools because there will be no more war. For the second week of Advent, Dave invites us to imagine such a future, and long for the peace that's only possible with the Advent of Christ.
It's the first Sunday of Advent, a season when we remember that we are waiting for Jesus to come again. This waiting requires faith. When we struggle to believe, we remember that Jesus gives faith to both the faithless and unfaithful because He is faithful.
This Sunday C.J. taught from Luke 11:1-4 on The Lord’s Prayer. He walked through 5 petitions we are instructed to use when we pray (God’s glory, rule, provision, forgiveness, and protection). This prayer from Jesus, like so many of His teachings, shattered the categories and expectations of the disciples as to how they (and we) are being invited to converse with God, as a loving Father who welcomes His beloved kids.
In the story of Mary and Martha, Luke contrasts the discipleship of two sisters. Mary follows Jesus by being a humble learner; Martha follows Jesus by being an anxious servant. Listen as C.J. teaches how the humble learner receives more of Jesus than an anxious servant.
2020 will be remembered for many things, one of which will be protests over injustice. What we see in these riots is how there is no justice without judgment. This helps us understand Jesus' woes to the cities that rejected him. But, unlike the protests of 2020, Jesus did not come to condemn cities but to extend grace. Dave explains how this difference should shape our protest.
As Jesus heads toward Jerusalem, he sends his disciples out in pairs to tell people about the kingdom of God. To follow Jesus is to simultaneously be his heralds. Luke 10 is Jesus' advice on how to go about our mission. C.J. breaks down that advice for us, and also encourages us to find the "mission within the mission."
Have you ever made a decision that you later regretted? It required more of you than you expected. In Luke 9, Jesus warns three wannabe disciples about the cost of discipleship. But Jesus isn't wanting to discourage us. He's wanting to free us. Freedom is found in the cost of discipleship.
In today's hyper-connected, post-truth, fake-news, politically-divided world, we can't be wise unless we know how to discern our sources. There are so many voices vying for influence. Who do we trust? From James 3, Dave asks us to consider both the quantity and quality of voices in our days and weeks.
It's the apocalypse. Not really, but it definitely feels like it. What does the word apocalypse actually mean? And for what purpose did John write the book of Revelation? In Sunday’s sermon, C.J. reminds us that Jesus' political strategy involves winning by losing. The question is, will we join the slain Lamb in His campaign?
As the church, we are living in a dual reality of the already, but not yet experience of Christ's Kingdom. This week, we continue our series "One Kingdom", reflecting how we as Christians are called to faithfully engage the political landscape of our culture. Dave invites us to wrestle with either an over-realized or an under-realized eschatalogy and what that means for how we engage in our culture.
Navigating politics and power with love and faith is like walking a tightrope. It feels impossible to do it well. But then, in the gospels, Jesus speaks and acts flawlessly. If we want to learn how to love God and others in our politics, Jesus is our premier example, but how do we begin? In Sunday’s sermon, Dave identifies the necessary first step on the tightrope.
The New Testament teaches that the church has much in common with Israel in exile. God sent the people of Zion into exile in Babylon so that they might be voices of wisdom in the midst of confusion and chaos. Israel had a choice: become like Babylon, or make Babylon more like Zion.
In the book of Exodus, God takes possession of His people and establishes them as a nation called to devotion, mediation, and servanthood. It is through them that the politics of His kingdom are to spread to the whole world. The narrative of the exodus has been commandeered by many political agendas, including in America. What are we to make of that? How does God's calling on Israel apply to us today?
How does humanity's fall into sin affect politics? We could go on and on about how every government is deeply broken. No one needs help being disappointed in politics. So instead, Dave asks if there's any room for legitimate authority in a fallen world? Teaching from Genesis 9, he explains what we can expect from the world's rulers and, more importantly, what God expects.
Christians are story-formed people who find their identity and purpose in the narrative of Scripture. This is not just true about our private devotion, but our public life. To that end, we are beginning a new series on politics and faith. Starting off with creation, CJ shows that politics is not a result of the Fall but was built into the world from the start.
What happens when God doesn't answer our prayer? Is it because we are praying for the wrong things, with the wrong motives, in the wrong way? Dave finishes our series on prayer by considering one of Paul's unanswered prayers, and finds that even unanswered prayer is good news.
Paul spends most of his time praying for us. This week he asks us to return the favor. How much time do we spent praying for those who are specifically called by God to give their entire lives to the work of gospel proclamation. This week C.J. encourages us to identify people in our lives who fit this description and labor in anguish in prayer for them.
In this prayer from Paul, he equates the gospel to perfume. What does the gospel smell like? Subsequently, what do we smell like? This week C.J. invites us to consider the ingredients of gospel perfume, the nature of its messengers, as well as the recipients of the message.
How diverse are your prayers? As the white American church reckons with its failure to pursue racial justice and reconciliation, Dave invites us to take a deeper look at our prayer life. Do we pray only for those nearest us? Paul instructs us to pray for all people because God desires that all people be saved and because Jesus died for all people. Belief in the gospel should lead to prayers which cross differences, borders, and even hemispheres.
In this current moment, how can we be comforted by the gospel? How can we comfort others? Is the gospel big enough to account for and reconcile all of the systemic brokenness we see around us? This week, C.J. invites us to remember the sufferings of the Apostle Paul, and to let them encourage us. He also invites us to re-think our understanding of the gospel as is pertains to those in our world who are disproportionately experiencing oppression.
On Pentecost Sunday, we remember how the gift of the Holy Spirit transformed God's people into living temples. Reflecting on the anti-Pentecost events of the past week, Dave asks what it means for us to be temples of God in a broken world.
C.J. continues our series on the prayers of Paul, teaching from Ephesians 1. Harold Hoehner calls this "the prayer for someone who has everything." In Christ, we have been given all that we need. That means all we really need is for God to open our eyes to what we have in Him and how we can enjoy it.
In seasons of trial, what should we ask God for? For the next six weeks, we will consider what Paul asks. Today, from Philippians 1, Dave considers prayer in light of God's unchanging faithfulness. If God has always been good, prayer is not asking him to change himself. Prayer is mostly about asking God to change us.
One of the most challenging parts of sheltering-in-place has been finding rest. Whether you're overworked or without work, rest time often leaves us dissatisfied. But as Christians, it is our joyful duty to pursue rest. In Isaiah 55, we find three biblical principles to help us get there.
In crisis, God is looking to test our faith and give us greater life in Christ. But Satan has his own aims, wanting to turn testing into temptation. How do we understand the difference? What do we do? C.J. contrasts our impulse to hide, fight, and blame in the face of sin with gospel's invitation to expose, flee and own our sin.
Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is confidence in the unseen. That means that faith depends on a robust imagination, which sees God at work and hears his voice and feels his presence in our life. Dave unpacks the importance of imagination, especially in crisis, and then calls us to exercise imagination with gratitude.
There is a street-level mythology around Jesus and his Resurrection in San Francisco: that it was a late creation of Constantine, that Jesus never really died, that his disciples just wanted it to be true. C.J. tells us why Jesus bodily resurrection is the most reasonable explanation for the historical facts.
Experts are telling us that many thousands of people are about to die all at once. What does the Bible say about death? How will we offer hope in the face of such tragedy? The Bible teaches us that death is inevitable, tragic, scary, and the result of sin. This is hard news, but it’s also the only explanation for death that we can be saved from. Every other explanation for death leaves us hopeless. Listen how Jesus not only identifies with our experience of death but how he saves us by dying for us!
This week, from Exodus 15, C.J. reflects on the Biblical reality of the wilderness and how it applies to this current moment. How might Jesus be inviting you into this wilderness to offer you a freedom far beyond what you can imagine. Are you tempted, as the Israelites were, to return to a yoke of slavery in Egypt because you are not content with these present circumstances?
In light of this unprecedented season, we are beginning a series entitled “As We Wait: Faithfulness in Uncertainty.” What would God have us do in this season of waiting? This week, from 1 Peter 1:3-9, Dave reminded us that we do have purpose; our purpose in trial is found in God’s purpose; and this purpose is the refining of our faith in Him.
Across history and even today, Christians have disagreed a lot about what it means to be a Christian. One slogan that helps us navigate these differences is: "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, freedom; in all things, love." But what is essential and non-essential? These two stories from Luke 9 help us with the answer.
When Jesus finds the disciples arguing about who among them is the greatest, he reminds them that his kingdom is not like anything they're used to. To be great, you must be the least, and you can't get more "least" than receiving a child.
When the disciples return from preaching the gospel and performing miracles throughout Judea, they want to spend some time resting with Jesus. Jesus' idea of rest, however, was different from theirs.
After watching Jesus perform miracles and announce the arrival of God's Kingdom, he sends the twelve disciples out to do the same. Isn't this a little risky, though? Luke 9 reminds us that following Jesus always involves risk. Indeed, we can't follow Jesus without speaking out.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. This is our fifth and final week of the series, where we will hear about Jesus' death and resurrection and all that Christ's work accomplished.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. In Week Four, we look closely at the message and miracles of Jesus, and also his enemies.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. Listen in as we continue God's story, including The Exodus, The Law and Prophets, and The Coming of Jesus.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. Listen in as we continue God's story, including Cain and Abel, The Flood, and The Covenant.
Every January, we take five weeks to walk through the Story of God from beginning to end. Our Sundays are shifted to accommodate more dialogue and reflection from everyone. Listen in as we wrestle through the beginning of God's story, including the Beginning, First Humans, and Separation.
In Luke 9, the disciples finally connect that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah! But do they know what that means for Jesus? Do they know what that means for them?
When people learned Jesus was a healer, they flocked to him in droves. In today's story, we not only learn that Jesus has the power to heal and raise the dead. We also learn that Jesus is after more than just healing. What else does Jesus want for us?
SummaryWhat is behind the world's brokenness? The gospels not only show Jesus performing miracles to restore people's life and health. That alone is not enough, because behind these physical needs is a spiritual enemy ready to hurt and kill again. In this passage, Jesus casts out demons -- proving that demons are real but that Jesus is stronger.
Text“Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time, he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.
When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:26–39 ESV)
SummarySo far in Luke, we've read a lot of miracle accounts. That's because Luke believes they prove Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Do we believe in miracles, though? What are they and what do they mean for us?
Text“One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”” (Luke 8:22–25 ESV)
SummaryJesus knew that not everyone heard him the same. The gospel lands differently in different hearts. To help us understand ourselves, he told the Parable of the Soils. Listen as C.J. walks through the difference between hard hearts, shallow hearts, infested hearts, and good hearts.
Text“Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”” (Luke 8:1–21 ESV)
SummaryChristians believe that our sins are forgiven when we have faith in Christ. But how do I know that I have faith? Is forgiveness what I really need from Jesus? In Luke 7:36-50, Jesus confirms that forgiveness is what we most need and identifies superior love as the best evidence for the experience of forgiveness.
Text“One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he canceled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in, she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”” (Luke 7:36–50 ESV)
SummaryWhat do we do with doubt? Is doubt ever productive? In Luke 7, one of Jesus' most devoted believers doubted Jesus. Listen as Dave finds five healthy qualities in the example of John the Baptist.
Text“The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.””
(Luke 7:18–23 ESV)
SummaryOur world is haunted by death. We don't always see it, but it's always there. In Luke 7, we read two stories of how Jesus haunts death. He can stop it. He can reverse it. And one day he will destroy it altogether.
Text“After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesusgave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.” (Luke 7:1–17 ESV)
SummaryIt's easy to agree with Jesus that loving one's enemies is good. It's hard to practice, though, which is why hypocrisy is tempting for every Christian. Jesus concludes his sermon on love by teaching us how to identify and root out hypocrisy.
Text“He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit,for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.””
(Luke 6:39–49 ESV)
Summary"Judge not lest you be judged." It's one of Jesus' most famous sayings, and one of the hardest to practice. We judge without thinking. How can we stop? Listen as C.J. finds himself and our church in this passage, and calls us to remember the gospel of grace.
Text““Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”
(Luke 6:37–42 ESV)
SummaryWhat does it mean when Jesus asks us to love our enemies? The idea sounds true and good and beautiful, but the reality is so hard. Is Jesus being good to us when he asks us to endure hostility from others? Listen as Dave walks through the who, what, why, and how of loving our enemies.
Text““But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
(Luke 6:27–36 ESV)
SummaryJesus begins his first big block of teaching in Luke with, "Blessed are you who are poor, hungry, sad, and hated... Woe to you who are rich, full, glad, and liked." Jesus' Beatitudes are both famous and baffling. This is not normally how we would describe blessing. What do they mean and why do we need them?
Text“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
“Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.”
(Luke 6:20–26 ESV)
SummaryBoth the Pharisees and Jesus agreed that the Sabbath was important, but the Pharisees forgot why. In Luke 6, Jesus shows how legalism confuses the signs of faith with its substance, and replaces a relationship to God with rules.
Text“On a Sabbath, while he was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands.But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” And Jesus answered them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?” And he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him.But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there.And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?”And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored.But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.”
(Luke 6:1–11 ESV)
Summary“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” What is it about peacemaking that identifies us as God’s children? Guest Pastor Toby Kurth from Christ Church (San Francisco) teaches us how the Bible calls us to see all people as God’s image bearers and fellow Christians in particular as brothers and sisters.
Text““Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9 ESV)
SummaryJesus is doing a new thing, and he invites us to reframe the way we think about him by using three illustrations: you wouldn't fast at a wedding, patch an old garment with a brand new piece of cloth, or pour new wine into old wine skins. Pastor James Westbrook from Realm Church in Oakland reminds us that, Jesus always surprises us, and this story is no exception.
TextLuke 5: 33-39
A Question About Fasting
[33] And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” [34]And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? [35]The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” [36]He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. [37]And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. [38]But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. [39]And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”