City Light Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
Brian Crawford
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
Main Point: In a world flooded with disinformation, the church must reclaim the discernment only Christ can give.Pastor Brian Crawford opened with a striking quote from Denzel Washington on the 2016 red carpet: "If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you do read it, you're misinformed." That quote, delivered to journalists who had just spread a false story, captured the problem Pastor Brian Crawford set out to address in this message from Genesis 3:1-6. We are living in an age of disinformation unlike anything history has seen before, and the church, rather than standing as a bulwark against it, is too often one of its most eager distributors.The Origins of Disinformation: The enemy has always spoken in lies.The first word Scripture ever uses to describe Satan is not "evil" or "powerful." It is "crafty." Pastor Brian Crawford unpacked that Hebrew word as meaning shrewd, cunning, and, in plain terms, slick. The serpent did not approach Eve with absurd, obviously false claims. He approached her with truish ones, statements slightly off center, close enough to make her question what God had actually said. That strategy has not changed. It fills our news feeds, our social media timelines, and our radio airwaves every hour of every day. Significantly, the Bible ends the same way it begins: Revelation 22:15 casts out those who love and practice falsehood. Jesus will have the final word over our slick enemy.The Heart of Disinformation: The problem is not your phone, it is your heart.Pastor Brian Crawford identified two desires that make us vulnerable: pride and payoff. Drawing on a landmark 2020 study in the journal Science, he described a condition researchers called "political sectarianism," in which people no longer simply disagree with the other side but moralize against them, quietly appointing themselves judges of good and evil. That is Genesis 3:5 in real time. When someone from our own camp shares a lie and someone corrects it, accepting the correction no longer feels like a neutral update. It feels like betrayal of the group, so we go silent rather than say we were wrong.The payoff works alongside pride. False and outrage-provoking content goes viral because the algorithm rewards engagement, not truth. Sharing novel information gives the sharer a status feeling, and in a growing number of cases, a financial one as well. Research has found that 30% of disinformation on social media comes from just 0.0003% of users who are financially incentivized to keep people inflamed. Ancient wisdom calls this the desire of the eyes. Our generation has simply figured out how to monetize it.The Escape from Disinformation: Be tethered to Christ, not to the digital.The answer Pastor Brian Crawford offered was not a better media diet, though he did call the church to find credible news sources and resist clickbait. The deeper answer was John 8:31-32: "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." When our greatest desire is to be like Jesus, when we sit at His feet rather than the feet of cable news, we are protected from the truish lies that target our pride and our passions.The two practical applications were direct: keep watch on your desire, filtering information through truth rather than through what you already want to believe, and keep watch on your ego, refusing to let in-group pride blind you to truth that comes from outside your camp. Guard your heart, and before you share anything, ask not "do I like it?" but "is it true?"
Main Point: In a world flooded with disinformation, the church must reclaim the discernment only Christ can give.Pastor Brian Crawford opened with a striking quote from Denzel Washington on the 2016 red carpet: "If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you do read it, you're misinformed." That quote, delivered to journalists who had just spread a false story, captured the problem Pastor Brian Crawford set out to address in this message from Genesis 3:1-6. We are living in an age of disinformation unlike anything history has seen before, and the church, rather than standing as a bulwark against it, is too often one of its most eager distributors.The Origins of Disinformation: The enemy has always spoken in lies.The first word Scripture ever uses to describe Satan is not "evil" or "powerful." It is "crafty." Pastor Brian Crawford unpacked that Hebrew word as meaning shrewd, cunning, and, in plain terms, slick. The serpent did not approach Eve with absurd, obviously false claims. He approached her with truish ones, statements slightly off center, close enough to make her question what God had actually said. That strategy has not changed. It fills our news feeds, our social media timelines, and our radio airwaves every hour of every day. Significantly, the Bible ends the same way it begins: Revelation 22:15 casts out those who love and practice falsehood. Jesus will have the final word over our slick enemy.The Heart of Disinformation: The problem is not your phone, it is your heart.Pastor Brian Crawford identified two desires that make us vulnerable: pride and payoff. Drawing on a landmark 2020 study in the journal Science, he described a condition researchers called "political sectarianism," in which people no longer simply disagree with the other side but moralize against them, quietly appointing themselves judges of good and evil. That is Genesis 3:5 in real time. When someone from our own camp shares a lie and someone corrects it, accepting the correction no longer feels like a neutral update. It feels like betrayal of the group, so we go silent rather than say we were wrong.The payoff works alongside pride. False and outrage-provoking content goes viral because the algorithm rewards engagement, not truth. Sharing novel information gives the sharer a status feeling, and in a growing number of cases, a financial one as well. Research has found that 30% of disinformation on social media comes from just 0.0003% of users who are financially incentivized to keep people inflamed. Ancient wisdom calls this the desire of the eyes. Our generation has simply figured out how to monetize it.The Escape from Disinformation: Be tethered to Christ, not to the digital.The answer Pastor Brian Crawford offered was not a better media diet, though he did call the church to find credible news sources and resist clickbait. The deeper answer was John 8:31-32: "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." When our greatest desire is to be like Jesus, when we sit at His feet rather than the feet of cable news, we are protected from the truish lies that target our pride and our passions.The two practical applications were direct: keep watch on your desire, filtering information through truth rather than through what you already want to believe, and keep watch on your ego, refusing to let in-group pride blind you to truth that comes from outside your camp. Guard your heart, and before you share anything, ask not "do I like it?" but "is it true?"
"I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete." 2 John v. 12This verse is an easy on to skim over, but its implications are important. The Apostle John emphasizes the importance of having an in person interaction as opposed to just writing his audience a letter. This verse cuts to the theme of today's sermon: We are being deeply changed by our digital age, as is the church. We have the consider how our life of constant connection to devices is changing us. A major emphasis about Jesus in scripture was his bodily presence--John emphasizes this when calls Jesus the Word made flesh. After Jesus's ascension, some naysayers were claiming that Jesus was never really on earth in bodily form, but all the gospels put enormous emphasis on Jesus's physical, human presence. One major way this is done is by how often the text mentions Jesus having a meal with others. This was such a major part of Jesus's ministry that the religious elite speculated that he was a glutton and a drunkard. Obviously this wasn't the case--there is also the story of his forty day fast in the wilderness--but it reveals just how often physical presence and fellowship over a meal meant to Jesus. In today's little passage, John ends his letter saying he'd rather not spend his time writing, but that he would rather speak in person and be present with the church to whom he was writing. John realized he shouldn't let the technology of his day--letter writing--replace physical presence. For many of us, screens and tech have taken over and our relationship with worship in community has been replaced by voyuerism. When we are so changed and conditioned that we are unable to be present or connect, it affects our relationships with others as well as our relationship with God. OUr attention to God has been reduced and has shifted. We often focus on supernatural signs and wonders in the early church, which we see at the beginning of the book of Acts, but the end of the book of Acts puts emphasis on what the early church looked like--believers attending temple and services TOGETHER, connected, and in community. A product of the Holy Spirit being with us is connectedness. God moves amongst us as a body, so we have to embrace the means by which he has given us to receive him and each other. Here are five applications of today's message for your day-to-day life:Application 1: Be more suspicious of our digital connectedness. What is it doing to us? To our connection with others?Application 2: Treat the absence of screen time like a discipline to be practiced, rather than an inconvenience to get through. Schedule time away from our screens.Application 3: Practice running to Christ instead of running to our phones.Application 4: Leave room in our lives for presence with others. Christ spent so much time eating with others, the elite insulted Him about it!Application 5: Resist the urge to trade physical connection for digital connection. Jesus showed up in a body, and He left with a body!
"I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete." 2 John v. 12This verse is an easy on to skim over, but its implications are important. The Apostle John emphasizes the importance of having an in person interaction as opposed to just writing his audience a letter. This verse cuts to the theme of today's sermon: We are being deeply changed by our digital age, as is the church. We have the consider how our life of constant connection to devices is changing us. A major emphasis about Jesus in scripture was his bodily presence--John emphasizes this when calls Jesus the Word made flesh. After Jesus's ascension, some naysayers were claiming that Jesus was never really on earth in bodily form, but all the gospels put enormous emphasis on Jesus's physical, human presence. One major way this is done is by how often the text mentions Jesus having a meal with others. This was such a major part of Jesus's ministry that the religious elite speculated that he was a glutton and a drunkard. Obviously this wasn't the case--there is also the story of his forty day fast in the wilderness--but it reveals just how often physical presence and fellowship over a meal meant to Jesus. In today's little passage, John ends his letter saying he'd rather not spend his time writing, but that he would rather speak in person and be present with the church to whom he was writing. John realized he shouldn't let the technology of his day--letter writing--replace physical presence. For many of us, screens and tech have taken over and our relationship with worship in community has been replaced by voyuerism. When we are so changed and conditioned that we are unable to be present or connect, it affects our relationships with others as well as our relationship with God. OUr attention to God has been reduced and has shifted. We often focus on supernatural signs and wonders in the early church, which we see at the beginning of the book of Acts, but the end of the book of Acts puts emphasis on what the early church looked like--believers attending temple and services TOGETHER, connected, and in community. A product of the Holy Spirit being with us is connectedness. God moves amongst us as a body, so we have to embrace the means by which he has given us to receive him and each other. Here are five applications of today's message for your day-to-day life:Application 1: Be more suspicious of our digital connectedness. What is it doing to us? To our connection with others?Application 2: Treat the absence of screen time like a discipline to be practiced, rather than an inconvenience to get through. Schedule time away from our screens.Application 3: Practice running to Christ instead of running to our phones.Application 4: Leave room in our lives for presence with others. Christ spent so much time eating with others, the elite insulted Him about it!Application 5: Resist the urge to trade physical connection for digital connection. Jesus showed up in a body, and He left with a body!
s possession and a kingdom of priests.The crowds ask Jesus when the foretold destruction will happen and he reveals that it won't happen all at once, but it will happen slowly, after rumors and wars and tumults. He reminds his people they are not alone and calls them to faithfulness.
s possession and a kingdom of priests.The crowds ask Jesus when the foretold destruction will happen and he reveals that it won't happen all at once, but it will happen slowly, after rumors and wars and tumults. He reminds his people they are not alone and calls them to faithfulness.
Luke 20: 41-47Throughout this section of the Book of Luke there are repeated attempts to trip Jesus up: to debate him and get him in trouble with the elite. Jesus repeatedly turns the tables on these attempts. This exchange is an example of that. In Jesus's Day, as in ours, the purpose of great power was often misunderstood, which led to a multitude of opportunities to abuse that power. In this passage, Jesus challenges the crowd with questions about understanding and abuse of power. In the verse that Jesus quotes, there are two individuals mentioned: "The Lord" (which translates Yahweh) and "My Lord" (which translates Adonai). The crowd would have agreed that the passage was referring to the messiah and the Son of David. Jesus here urges the crowd to follow the passage to a higher understanding of these concepts: David's referring to his Son, the Messiah, as "Lord" doesn't make sense unless he is more than simply the Messiah. This points toward Jesus's divine identity. It is Jesus whose enemies will be made his footstool. The crowd's constant debates with Jesus show their complete misunderstanding of who he is. After He makes this point, Jesus turns to a discussion of misunderstood power, issuing a warning about the scribes to His disciples. Note that, in Jesus's day, where most people were illiterate, the Scribes wielded enormous power--as the resident legal experts, they functioned as both lawyers and judges, with the general populace having essentially no ability to question what they decreed. Jesus's warning to his disciples, coupled with his earlier question about scripture, reveals that the scribes themselves are misunderstanding the proper use of their power. They do not even understand the text they've spent their whole lives copying and studying, but they are filled with so much pride that they lord over people and exploit the poor and vulnerable. When power is misunderstood, it becomes corrupted by pride and misused. Jesus's warning begs the question: What does true power, properly used, look like? It looks like Jesus's example: Sacrifice for the sake of others. We don't often thing of extending grace, mercy, and love as acts of power, but this is where God is magnified: by having one's worship terminate on God, rather than one's self. We, as followers of Jesus, must be aware of what we communicate with the ways in which we use our own power.
Luke 20: 41-47Throughout this section of the Book of Luke there are repeated attempts to trip Jesus up: to debate him and get him in trouble with the elite. Jesus repeatedly turns the tables on these attempts. This exchange is an example of that. In Jesus's Day, as in ours, the purpose of great power was often misunderstood, which led to a multitude of opportunities to abuse that power. In this passage, Jesus challenges the crowd with questions about understanding and abuse of power. In the verse that Jesus quotes, there are two individuals mentioned: "The Lord" (which translates Yahweh) and "My Lord" (which translates Adonai). The crowd would have agreed that the passage was referring to the messiah and the Son of David. Jesus here urges the crowd to follow the passage to a higher understanding of these concepts: David's referring to his Son, the Messiah, as "Lord" doesn't make sense unless he is more than simply the Messiah. This points toward Jesus's divine identity. It is Jesus whose enemies will be made his footstool. The crowd's constant debates with Jesus show their complete misunderstanding of who he is. After He makes this point, Jesus turns to a discussion of misunderstood power, issuing a warning about the scribes to His disciples. Note that, in Jesus's day, where most people were illiterate, the Scribes wielded enormous power--as the resident legal experts, they functioned as both lawyers and judges, with the general populace having essentially no ability to question what they decreed. Jesus's warning to his disciples, coupled with his earlier question about scripture, reveals that the scribes themselves are misunderstanding the proper use of their power. They do not even understand the text they've spent their whole lives copying and studying, but they are filled with so much pride that they lord over people and exploit the poor and vulnerable. When power is misunderstood, it becomes corrupted by pride and misused. Jesus's warning begs the question: What does true power, properly used, look like? It looks like Jesus's example: Sacrifice for the sake of others. We don't often thing of extending grace, mercy, and love as acts of power, but this is where God is magnified: by having one's worship terminate on God, rather than one's self. We, as followers of Jesus, must be aware of what we communicate with the ways in which we use our own power.
In heaven, families don't have the kind of name that needs preserving - because they are of the Name above every Name. We shall all be given the family name of Jesus! Thus, we can cease worrying about our possessions too! God owns everything! The need for securing the family will be no more. We will be given a totally new nature, and no longer need to marry to secure our family land.And we will be transformed! We no longer will be able to die, being like the angels! So we will no longer have a need to worry about our lives or death! Our relationships will be completely and totally transformed because everyone will be completely different! So whatever relationship you enjoy the most, that is only a small foretaste of what all our relationships will be like when we reach the resurrection! We will be so deeply known!The Sadducees thought they had Jesus trapped. But Jesus shows them that they are selling themselves short, because Jesus shows us that our understanding of the covenant we are a part of will be completely transformed. The Sadducees come quoting Moses to Jesus to trip them up, and Jesus shows them what Moses says about resurrection - God introduces Himself to Moses as the (present tense) God of those who died!Jesus has not come just to adjust messy relationships. The resurrection transforms them!
In heaven, families don't have the kind of name that needs preserving - because they are of the Name above every Name. We shall all be given the family name of Jesus! Thus, we can cease worrying about our possessions too! God owns everything! The need for securing the family will be no more. We will be given a totally new nature, and no longer need to marry to secure our family land.And we will be transformed! We no longer will be able to die, being like the angels! So we will no longer have a need to worry about our lives or death! Our relationships will be completely and totally transformed because everyone will be completely different! So whatever relationship you enjoy the most, that is only a small foretaste of what all our relationships will be like when we reach the resurrection! We will be so deeply known!The Sadducees thought they had Jesus trapped. But Jesus shows them that they are selling themselves short, because Jesus shows us that our understanding of the covenant we are a part of will be completely transformed. The Sadducees come quoting Moses to Jesus to trip them up, and Jesus shows them what Moses says about resurrection - God introduces Himself to Moses as the (present tense) God of those who died!Jesus has not come just to adjust messy relationships. The resurrection transforms them!
Main Point: Every believer carries two citizenships, and how you order them reveals whose image you truly bear.On July 5th, 2026, Pastor Brian Crawford preached from Luke 20:20-26, where a group of religious elites sent flattering spies to trap Jesus with a question about paying Roman taxes. The passage fell one day after Independence Day, and Pastor Brian Crawford noted that God had a way of aligning texts to moments without any planning required. The sermon walked through four movements in the passage: the setup, the question, the answer, and the response of the crowd.Flattery is a spiritual trap, not just a social one.The spies approached Jesus with excessive praise, calling him a teacher who speaks truthfully and shows no partiality. Pastor Brian Crawford used this to warn that some of the most dangerous threats to our purpose in God arrive not as opposition but as affirmation, ease, and flattery. Because we naturally love to hear "yes," we lower our discernment when someone scratches that itch, making us vulnerable to being led away from God's will by those who only appear to be on our side.The question about the tributum capitis was a trap with no safe human exit.The Roman poll tax was deeply painful to Jewish people. Paying it felt like endorsing Caesar's worship. Refusing it could brand someone a revolutionary. Pastor Brian Crawford showed that the question was designed to force Jesus into one of two politically explosive positions. This mirrors the civic traps believers still face today, where passion-driven issues are used to force people to one political side or the other, demanding absolute loyalty where none should be given.Rendering to Caesar means actively blessing the systems God placed you in.Jesus asked to see the coin, noted whose image it bore, and answered simply: give Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Pastor Brian Crawford showed that Paul in Romans 13, Peter in 1 Peter 2, and Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29 all echo this same call. Believers are to pay taxes, honor authorities, pray for leaders, and seek the welfare of their city because God has placed them there. Even the exiles in Babylon were told to build houses, plant gardens, and pray for the city's welfare because in its flourishing they would find their own.You bear God's image, and that image belongs entirely to him.The Greek word for "image" on Caesar's coin is the same word used in Genesis 1:27. Pastor Brian Crawford drew this parallel to show that just as the coin belongs to Caesar because it bears his image, every believer belongs completely to God because they bear his image. Caesar can have the coin, the tax, and the honor owed to him. But he cannot have your worship, your heart, or your allegiance.Misplaced political worship silently replaces God's image with Caesar's.Drawing on C.S. Lewis's "Meditations on the Third Commandment," Pastor Brian Crawford warned that Christians who align themselves completely to any political philosophy will not change that philosophy. It will change them. Every political system ultimately wants the worship and collective allegiance of God's people. The calling of the believer is to render honor, respect, and civic responsibility to governing authorities while ensuring that fear, love, and ultimate allegiance remain with God alone, so that the world sees clearly whose image they bear.
Main Point: Every believer carries two citizenships, and how you order them reveals whose image you truly bear.On July 5th, 2026, Pastor Brian Crawford preached from Luke 20:20-26, where a group of religious elites sent flattering spies to trap Jesus with a question about paying Roman taxes. The passage fell one day after Independence Day, and Pastor Brian Crawford noted that God had a way of aligning texts to moments without any planning required. The sermon walked through four movements in the passage: the setup, the question, the answer, and the response of the crowd.Flattery is a spiritual trap, not just a social one.The spies approached Jesus with excessive praise, calling him a teacher who speaks truthfully and shows no partiality. Pastor Brian Crawford used this to warn that some of the most dangerous threats to our purpose in God arrive not as opposition but as affirmation, ease, and flattery. Because we naturally love to hear "yes," we lower our discernment when someone scratches that itch, making us vulnerable to being led away from God's will by those who only appear to be on our side.The question about the tributum capitis was a trap with no safe human exit.The Roman poll tax was deeply painful to Jewish people. Paying it felt like endorsing Caesar's worship. Refusing it could brand someone a revolutionary. Pastor Brian Crawford showed that the question was designed to force Jesus into one of two politically explosive positions. This mirrors the civic traps believers still face today, where passion-driven issues are used to force people to one political side or the other, demanding absolute loyalty where none should be given.Rendering to Caesar means actively blessing the systems God placed you in.Jesus asked to see the coin, noted whose image it bore, and answered simply: give Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Pastor Brian Crawford showed that Paul in Romans 13, Peter in 1 Peter 2, and Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29 all echo this same call. Believers are to pay taxes, honor authorities, pray for leaders, and seek the welfare of their city because God has placed them there. Even the exiles in Babylon were told to build houses, plant gardens, and pray for the city's welfare because in its flourishing they would find their own.You bear God's image, and that image belongs entirely to him.The Greek word for "image" on Caesar's coin is the same word used in Genesis 1:27. Pastor Brian Crawford drew this parallel to show that just as the coin belongs to Caesar because it bears his image, every believer belongs completely to God because they bear his image. Caesar can have the coin, the tax, and the honor owed to him. But he cannot have your worship, your heart, or your allegiance.Misplaced political worship silently replaces God's image with Caesar's.Drawing on C.S. Lewis's "Meditations on the Third Commandment," Pastor Brian Crawford warned that Christians who align themselves completely to any political philosophy will not change that philosophy. It will change them. Every political system ultimately wants the worship and collective allegiance of God's people. The calling of the believer is to render honor, respect, and civic responsibility to governing authorities while ensuring that fear, love, and ultimate allegiance remain with God alone, so that the world sees clearly whose image they bear.
t reject Him. His promise here is that this destruction is promised to all who do not make Jesus the cornerstone. But His invitation is for everyone. The vineyard has been offered to you! All that takes to grasp it, is to accept and align your life with the Cornerstone!
t reject Him. His promise here is that this destruction is promised to all who do not make Jesus the cornerstone. But His invitation is for everyone. The vineyard has been offered to you! All that takes to grasp it, is to accept and align your life with the Cornerstone!
And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words. Luke 19:41-48Notice how in this passage Jesus, the anointed king and the most perfect example there has ever been of masculinity, experiences the full range of emotions: He experiences sorrow as Jerusalem, the city of peace, was being prepared for destruction. He experienced anger as the temple, the house of peace, was being desecrated. He experiences passion as He, the Prince of Peace, is preparing for His death.This is immediately after his triumphal entry, when worshippers cried out his name. One verse later, he gets a beautiful view of the temple, and he proceeds to weep deeply over Jerusalem's coming destruction. He knows that in 40 years God will permit Rome to destroy the temple because God's people missed the peace that was among them and killed the King of Peace. He weeps over humanity's desperate search for peace in something other than himself. Jesus then enters the house of peace and displays great anger at the sight of those desecrating the temple. Historical context shows that the money-changers and those who sold pigeons (which, in other gospels, we are told were particular targets of Jesus's righteous anger) were exploiting the vulnerable: the poor and the outsider. But note that immediately after His anger drives Him to cleanse the temple, it also drives Him to commit to preach every day until he is betrayed--a betrayal he knows is coming. Anger, when leveraged correctly, drives us toward a righteous passion. What are we passionate about? While there is breath in our lungs, we should be directing our passion for God's glory and the carrying out of his mission. This is where our emotions should be driven.
And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words. Luke 19:41-48Notice how in this passage Jesus, the anointed king and the most perfect example there has ever been of masculinity, experiences the full range of emotions: He experiences sorrow as Jerusalem, the city of peace, was being prepared for destruction. He experienced anger as the temple, the house of peace, was being desecrated. He experiences passion as He, the Prince of Peace, is preparing for His death.This is immediately after his triumphal entry, when worshippers cried out his name. One verse later, he gets a beautiful view of the temple, and he proceeds to weep deeply over Jerusalem's coming destruction. He knows that in 40 years God will permit Rome to destroy the temple because God's people missed the peace that was among them and killed the King of Peace. He weeps over humanity's desperate search for peace in something other than himself. Jesus then enters the house of peace and displays great anger at the sight of those desecrating the temple. Historical context shows that the money-changers and those who sold pigeons (which, in other gospels, we are told were particular targets of Jesus's righteous anger) were exploiting the vulnerable: the poor and the outsider. But note that immediately after His anger drives Him to cleanse the temple, it also drives Him to commit to preach every day until he is betrayed--a betrayal he knows is coming. Anger, when leveraged correctly, drives us toward a righteous passion. What are we passionate about? While there is breath in our lungs, we should be directing our passion for God's glory and the carrying out of his mission. This is where our emotions should be driven.
SERMON SUMMARYMain Point: Make the best use of what you have, because a great and generous King will return requesting an account of how you used what he gave you.Pastor Brian Crawford opened the June 14 message at City Light Church in Vicksburg with a vivid picture of Jalen Brunson winning the NBA Finals, a six-foot player dominating a sport built for giants, simply because he used every ounce of what he was given. That image set the foundation for the parable of the minas in Luke 19, a story Jesus told on the road to Jerusalem to correct a widespread and dangerous misunderstanding among those who followed him.The kingdom is here now, but not yet fully arrived.The crowd in Jericho had just heard Jesus speak salvation over Zacchaeus, and they were convinced that the kingdom of God was about to break fully into history right there in Jerusalem. Pastor Brian Crawford walked through why their excitement made sense and why it was still off. The crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension were not the end of the story. They were the beginning of a long and purposeful wait. Getting that timeline wrong, he said, disrupts everything about how a believer lives and shows up in the world.Kingdom living means actively attending to the King's business in his absence.Jesus gives each servant one mina and a simple command: engage in business until I come. Pastor Brian Crawford made clear that waiting for the King is never meant to be passive. The absence of Jesus is not permission to sit idle. It is a call to invest what has been entrusted to you for the purposes of the one who gave it.Faithful use of what you have produces fruitfulness, regardless of the amount.Two servants returned with more than they started with, one making ten minas and one making five. Both were rewarded generously, not because of the size of their return, but because they were faithful. Pointing to 1 Corinthians 15, Pastor Brian Crawford held up the Apostle Paul as someone who used every ounce of grace he was given, while still insisting it was not him but God working through him. He also lifted up Harriet Tubman and Fanny Crosby as women who refused to waste their minas, no matter the cost or the limitation.Fear frustrates fruitfulness and is rooted in a false view of God.The third servant buried his mina in a cloth and blamed his inaction on fear of a harsh master. Pastor Brian Crawford called this a false fear, built on bad information and exposed by bad motives. The master in the story is generous, not cruel. When we distort who God is, we create excuses that feel valid but are ultimately empty. He warned that the Lord may one day replay our own words back to us.Grace is free but priceless, and unused grace will be redirected.The mina taken from the fearful servant and given to the one with ten is not punishment without reason. It reflects the preciousness of grace. What God freely gives is not meant to be buried. Pastor Brian Crawford closed with a simple, urgent prayer: whatever measure of grace you have been given, use it fully, faithfully, and for his glory, because the King is coming back.
SERMON SUMMARYMain Point: Make the best use of what you have, because a great and generous King will return requesting an account of how you used what he gave you.Pastor Brian Crawford opened the June 14 message at City Light Church in Vicksburg with a vivid picture of Jalen Brunson winning the NBA Finals, a six-foot player dominating a sport built for giants, simply because he used every ounce of what he was given. That image set the foundation for the parable of the minas in Luke 19, a story Jesus told on the road to Jerusalem to correct a widespread and dangerous misunderstanding among those who followed him.The kingdom is here now, but not yet fully arrived.The crowd in Jericho had just heard Jesus speak salvation over Zacchaeus, and they were convinced that the kingdom of God was about to break fully into history right there in Jerusalem. Pastor Brian Crawford walked through why their excitement made sense and why it was still off. The crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension were not the end of the story. They were the beginning of a long and purposeful wait. Getting that timeline wrong, he said, disrupts everything about how a believer lives and shows up in the world.Kingdom living means actively attending to the King's business in his absence.Jesus gives each servant one mina and a simple command: engage in business until I come. Pastor Brian Crawford made clear that waiting for the King is never meant to be passive. The absence of Jesus is not permission to sit idle. It is a call to invest what has been entrusted to you for the purposes of the one who gave it.Faithful use of what you have produces fruitfulness, regardless of the amount.Two servants returned with more than they started with, one making ten minas and one making five. Both were rewarded generously, not because of the size of their return, but because they were faithful. Pointing to 1 Corinthians 15, Pastor Brian Crawford held up the Apostle Paul as someone who used every ounce of grace he was given, while still insisting it was not him but God working through him. He also lifted up Harriet Tubman and Fanny Crosby as women who refused to waste their minas, no matter the cost or the limitation.Fear frustrates fruitfulness and is rooted in a false view of God.The third servant buried his mina in a cloth and blamed his inaction on fear of a harsh master. Pastor Brian Crawford called this a false fear, built on bad information and exposed by bad motives. The master in the story is generous, not cruel. When we distort who God is, we create excuses that feel valid but are ultimately empty. He warned that the Lord may one day replay our own words back to us.Grace is free but priceless, and unused grace will be redirected.The mina taken from the fearful servant and given to the one with ten is not punishment without reason. It reflects the preciousness of grace. What God freely gives is not meant to be buried. Pastor Brian Crawford closed with a simple, urgent prayer: whatever measure of grace you have been given, use it fully, faithfully, and for his glory, because the King is coming back.
SERMON SUMMARY: Main Point: Zacchaeus came seeking to see Jesus, but what he didn't know was that Jesus was already seeking him.On June 7, 2026, Pastor Corey Deyamport opened Luke 19:1-10 and walked City Light Church through the story of Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector who climbed a sycamore tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus passing through Jericho. The sermon's central claim is that this story is not primarily about a man who searched hard enough to find Jesus. It is about a Savior who was already moving toward a man before that man ever left the ground.A Desire Greater Than DignityPastor Corey Deyamport opened by painting a picture of who Zacchaeus was: wealthy, powerful, and deeply despised. As a chief tax collector, he managed a system designed to exploit his own people, and he was good at it. Yet something inside him that his money and position could never satisfy was stirring. When he arrived at the crowd and found no one making room for him, he did something undignified for a man of his standing. He ran. He climbed a tree. Pastor Corey Deyamport paused here to challenge the congregation, noting that sometimes the people closest to religious activity become the very ones who block broken people from seeing Jesus, not always with bad intentions, but by forgetting what it felt like to need mercy. The first evidence of grace, he noted, is when the hunger of your soul grows louder than the opinions of the crowd.A Savior Greater Than His SeekingEverything turns on verse five. Jesus arrives at the tree, looks up, and calls Zacchaeus by name, telling him to come down quickly because he must stay at his house that day. Pastor Corey Deyamport zeroed in on the word "must," drawn from the Greek word meaning divine necessity, a purpose established by the counsel and will of God for the salvation of people through Christ. Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus. Jesus stopped under the tree to save Zacchaeus. That distinction, Pastor Corey Deyamport argued, is the difference between a self-help message and the gospel. Our seeking is always a response to a grace already moving toward us. He reinforced this with John 15:16, Romans 5:8, and the imagery of Luke 15's seeking shepherd, woman, and father.A Salvation Greater Than SinWhen Zacchaeus came down from the tree, something had already changed. He stood before Jesus, called him Lord, and announced that he would give half his goods to the poor and restore fourfold anything he had taken dishonestly. The law required only a fifth above what was taken. Grace moved him far beyond the law's floor. Pastor Corey Deyamport connected this to the rich young ruler in Luke 18, noting the contrast: one man walked away sad, unable to release his wealth. Zacchaeus gave it away joyfully, because what had found him was worth infinitely more. Jesus then declared salvation over his house and named him a son of Abraham, restoring what the crowd had tried to permanently revoke.Pastor Corey Deyamport closed by pointing from the sycamore tree to the cross, reminding the congregation that the same Jesus who stopped for Zacchaeus in Jericho would soon hang on a tree outside Jerusalem, bearing shame to purchase the salvation he freely gave. The invitation was simple: come down from whatever tree you are in, not polished, not put together, but as you are, to the Savior who is still seeking and still saving the lost.
SERMON SUMMARY: Main Point: Zacchaeus came seeking to see Jesus, but what he didn't know was that Jesus was already seeking him.On June 7, 2026, Pastor Corey Deyamport opened Luke 19:1-10 and walked City Light Church through the story of Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector who climbed a sycamore tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus passing through Jericho. The sermon's central claim is that this story is not primarily about a man who searched hard enough to find Jesus. It is about a Savior who was already moving toward a man before that man ever left the ground.A Desire Greater Than DignityPastor Corey Deyamport opened by painting a picture of who Zacchaeus was: wealthy, powerful, and deeply despised. As a chief tax collector, he managed a system designed to exploit his own people, and he was good at it. Yet something inside him that his money and position could never satisfy was stirring. When he arrived at the crowd and found no one making room for him, he did something undignified for a man of his standing. He ran. He climbed a tree. Pastor Corey Deyamport paused here to challenge the congregation, noting that sometimes the people closest to religious activity become the very ones who block broken people from seeing Jesus, not always with bad intentions, but by forgetting what it felt like to need mercy. The first evidence of grace, he noted, is when the hunger of your soul grows louder than the opinions of the crowd.A Savior Greater Than His SeekingEverything turns on verse five. Jesus arrives at the tree, looks up, and calls Zacchaeus by name, telling him to come down quickly because he must stay at his house that day. Pastor Corey Deyamport zeroed in on the word "must," drawn from the Greek word meaning divine necessity, a purpose established by the counsel and will of God for the salvation of people through Christ. Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus. Jesus stopped under the tree to save Zacchaeus. That distinction, Pastor Corey Deyamport argued, is the difference between a self-help message and the gospel. Our seeking is always a response to a grace already moving toward us. He reinforced this with John 15:16, Romans 5:8, and the imagery of Luke 15's seeking shepherd, woman, and father.A Salvation Greater Than SinWhen Zacchaeus came down from the tree, something had already changed. He stood before Jesus, called him Lord, and announced that he would give half his goods to the poor and restore fourfold anything he had taken dishonestly. The law required only a fifth above what was taken. Grace moved him far beyond the law's floor. Pastor Corey Deyamport connected this to the rich young ruler in Luke 18, noting the contrast: one man walked away sad, unable to release his wealth. Zacchaeus gave it away joyfully, because what had found him was worth infinitely more. Jesus then declared salvation over his house and named him a son of Abraham, restoring what the crowd had tried to permanently revoke.Pastor Corey Deyamport closed by pointing from the sycamore tree to the cross, reminding the congregation that the same Jesus who stopped for Zacchaeus in Jericho would soon hang on a tree outside Jerusalem, bearing shame to purchase the salvation he freely gave. The invitation was simple: come down from whatever tree you are in, not polished, not put together, but as you are, to the Savior who is still seeking and still saving the lost.
SERMON SUMMARYMain Point: Seeing Jesus is an act of grace that only comes from Jesus himself.On May 31, 2026, Pastor Brian Crawford preached from Luke 18:31-43, a passage Luke intentionally placed two stories side by side: disciples who can see but cannot see, and a blind man who cannot see but sees everything that matters. The central question running through the whole sermon is simple and searching: what does it actually mean to have eyes for Jesus?The disciples were physically present but spiritually veiled.Jesus tells the Twelve exactly what is about to happen in Jerusalem, with remarkable detail. He describes betrayal, mockery, flogging, death, and resurrection. And yet Luke records three separate phrases to describe their response: they understood nothing, the saying was hidden, and they did not grasp it. Pastor Brian Crawford argues this is not casual confusion. It is a complete veiling of the eyes, one that only God can lift. The disciples had every advantage and still could not see. Seeing Jesus is never the reward for proximity or religious effort.The cross was God's deliberate plan, not a tragedy he allowed.Pastor Brian Crawford draws on Peter's sermon in Acts 2:23 to show that every person involved in the crucifixion, from the Jewish leaders to Judas to the Gentiles to the crowds, bore real guilt. And yet all of it unfolded according to God's foreknowledge and predetermined plan. Human responsibility and divine sovereignty both stand. The suffering was unbearable and real, but the resurrection on the third day makes this moment one of unspeakable joy held inside unbearable pain.Bartimaeus saw Jesus because grace was given to the humble, not the privileged.The blind beggar had no theological training, no eyewitness experience of miracles, and no social standing. Blindness in the first century meant economic ruin, social rejection, and religious shame. And yet when the crowd told him Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he called out "Son of David," a title packed with messianic weight drawn from 2 Samuel 7. Pastor Brian Crawford points out the stunning irony: the man with no eyes sees what the disciples with every advantage could not. Grace, he argues, lives in humility. God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble, and that includes the grace to see.Jesus stopping for Bartimaeus is a picture of how grace restores dignity.The crowd tried to silence the beggar. Jesus stopped. In stopping, he publicly honored a man everyone else dismissed. Pastor Brian Crawford makes the point directly: it does not matter how many people look past you. If Jesus sees you, you are seen.Faith is grace given to see Jesus rightly and ourselves honestly.Pastor Brian Crawford closes by defining faith not as willpower or religious striving but as a grace-given ability to see Jesus as the Son of David and Savior, and to see ourselves as people who have nothing to bring and everything to receive. Bartimaeus did not hide his need when Jesus asked what he wanted. He said it plainly. That kind of honest, humble confession is exactly what Jesus invites every person into, believer and seeker alike, every single day.
SERMON SUMMARYMain Point: Seeing Jesus is an act of grace that only comes from Jesus himself.On May 31, 2026, Pastor Brian Crawford preached from Luke 18:31-43, a passage Luke intentionally placed two stories side by side: disciples who can see but cannot see, and a blind man who cannot see but sees everything that matters. The central question running through the whole sermon is simple and searching: what does it actually mean to have eyes for Jesus?The disciples were physically present but spiritually veiled.Jesus tells the Twelve exactly what is about to happen in Jerusalem, with remarkable detail. He describes betrayal, mockery, flogging, death, and resurrection. And yet Luke records three separate phrases to describe their response: they understood nothing, the saying was hidden, and they did not grasp it. Pastor Brian Crawford argues this is not casual confusion. It is a complete veiling of the eyes, one that only God can lift. The disciples had every advantage and still could not see. Seeing Jesus is never the reward for proximity or religious effort.The cross was God's deliberate plan, not a tragedy he allowed.Pastor Brian Crawford draws on Peter's sermon in Acts 2:23 to show that every person involved in the crucifixion, from the Jewish leaders to Judas to the Gentiles to the crowds, bore real guilt. And yet all of it unfolded according to God's foreknowledge and predetermined plan. Human responsibility and divine sovereignty both stand. The suffering was unbearable and real, but the resurrection on the third day makes this moment one of unspeakable joy held inside unbearable pain.Bartimaeus saw Jesus because grace was given to the humble, not the privileged.The blind beggar had no theological training, no eyewitness experience of miracles, and no social standing. Blindness in the first century meant economic ruin, social rejection, and religious shame. And yet when the crowd told him Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he called out "Son of David," a title packed with messianic weight drawn from 2 Samuel 7. Pastor Brian Crawford points out the stunning irony: the man with no eyes sees what the disciples with every advantage could not. Grace, he argues, lives in humility. God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble, and that includes the grace to see.Jesus stopping for Bartimaeus is a picture of how grace restores dignity.The crowd tried to silence the beggar. Jesus stopped. In stopping, he publicly honored a man everyone else dismissed. Pastor Brian Crawford makes the point directly: it does not matter how many people look past you. If Jesus sees you, you are seen.Faith is grace given to see Jesus rightly and ourselves honestly.Pastor Brian Crawford closes by defining faith not as willpower or religious striving but as a grace-given ability to see Jesus as the Son of David and Savior, and to see ourselves as people who have nothing to bring and everything to receive. Bartimaeus did not hide his need when Jesus asked what he wanted. He said it plainly. That kind of honest, humble confession is exactly what Jesus invites every person into, believer and seeker alike, every single day.
When we loosen the grip on our lives, and give up our own strength, we allow God to dictate our lives.What is holding you from being held? What do we hold onto to find worth before God?
When we loosen the grip on our lives, and give up our own strength, we allow God to dictate our lives.What is holding you from being held? What do we hold onto to find worth before God?
s heart allows him to go home justified. But the Pharisee is not justified.There is no room in the kingdom of Heaven for those who think they are there because of themselves.
s heart allows him to go home justified. But the Pharisee is not justified.There is no room in the kingdom of Heaven for those who think they are there because of themselves.
s coming back for those who are still praying, still loving our neighbors, still blessing our enemies, and not losing heart.
s coming back for those who are still praying, still loving our neighbors, still blessing our enemies, and not losing heart.
t. In order to say hello to the kingdom of God, we must say goodbye to the kingdom of men. And not be surprised when we must cut ties with people who love us and things we love.The king you were made to long for is not any person who exists in your time. You were made to long for Christ. Keep your eyes fixed on Him through the distractions.
t. In order to say hello to the kingdom of God, we must say goodbye to the kingdom of men. And not be surprised when we must cut ties with people who love us and things we love.The king you were made to long for is not any person who exists in your time. You were made to long for Christ. Keep your eyes fixed on Him through the distractions.
re on the outside looking in. That's what these lepers are experiencing prior to this story. Leprosy meant complete exclusion in Jewish culture. This is a picture of all of us: because of sin, we are all on the outside, and all have a need we can't fulfill ourselves. The lepers in this story understood that. They refer to Jesus as "Master"--using a word that meant "one who has authority over all else." Even what they ask for specifically--not just "healing," but "mercy," shows their understanding of their complete and utter dependency on Jesus. Jesus doesn't touch them or heal them as an immediate response--instead he commands them to go to the priests, and they respond to that by submitting to his command, understanding that because of his authority the command superseded all other circumstances. The miracle met them along the way--"as they went." By having obedience and faith, they moved before understanding. This is true of our lives--Jesus often asks us to do something before it makes sense. And we must go, and we meet God along the way. Once they were healed, only the Samaritan--the one most on the outside of Jewish culture--who came back. Oftentimes, it is those who are most on the "outside" who are most receptive to mercy. And this Samaritan fully gives himself over to the praise he offered God--"praising with a loud voice" and "falling on his face." This is the posture we should adopt in our own heart when we express thanks to God for his mercy and blessings. Like this Samaritan leper, we should not separate the gifts we receive from the ones who gives it. We should not be like the nine who never returned to offer thanks. It is easy, when we ask something of God and receive it, to get caught up in living our own lives and forget the one who gave it to us. Don't forget God's mercy and be lulled into a life of forgetful comfort without taking a moment to say thank you to the Master for his Mercy. Jesus tells the thankful Samaritan his faith has made him "well," using the same word the Bible uses for salvation--all ten of the men received healing in their body, but the Samaritan received healing and deliverance for something deeper than his skin. His soul was touched.
re on the outside looking in. That's what these lepers are experiencing prior to this story. Leprosy meant complete exclusion in Jewish culture. This is a picture of all of us: because of sin, we are all on the outside, and all have a need we can't fulfill ourselves. The lepers in this story understood that. They refer to Jesus as "Master"--using a word that meant "one who has authority over all else." Even what they ask for specifically--not just "healing," but "mercy," shows their understanding of their complete and utter dependency on Jesus. Jesus doesn't touch them or heal them as an immediate response--instead he commands them to go to the priests, and they respond to that by submitting to his command, understanding that because of his authority the command superseded all other circumstances. The miracle met them along the way--"as they went." By having obedience and faith, they moved before understanding. This is true of our lives--Jesus often asks us to do something before it makes sense. And we must go, and we meet God along the way. Once they were healed, only the Samaritan--the one most on the outside of Jewish culture--who came back. Oftentimes, it is those who are most on the "outside" who are most receptive to mercy. And this Samaritan fully gives himself over to the praise he offered God--"praising with a loud voice" and "falling on his face." This is the posture we should adopt in our own heart when we express thanks to God for his mercy and blessings. Like this Samaritan leper, we should not separate the gifts we receive from the ones who gives it. We should not be like the nine who never returned to offer thanks. It is easy, when we ask something of God and receive it, to get caught up in living our own lives and forget the one who gave it to us. Don't forget God's mercy and be lulled into a life of forgetful comfort without taking a moment to say thank you to the Master for his Mercy. Jesus tells the thankful Samaritan his faith has made him "well," using the same word the Bible uses for salvation--all ten of the men received healing in their body, but the Samaritan received healing and deliverance for something deeper than his skin. His soul was touched.
Luke 17:1-10In this text, Jesus is no longer speaking to the Pharisees, but is speaking to the disciples, such that they might conduct themselves in a way that would not allow sin the air to breathe. Sin is a trap: when we indulge in it, it hurts us. Jesus notes that this life will have plenty of these traps, but he also pronounces "Woe" on the one who sets the trap. He pronounces "woe" on those who would twist scripture to imply it gives the freedom to sin: to indulge in hate, lust, greed, etc. Those with power and influence who twist scripture in this way can shatter the faith of their victim, and Jesus says that it would be better if their physical body were destroyed than if they face the consequences of hurting people in this way. Jesus also notes that the family of God corrects one another AND restores one another, via forgiveness. We are called to correct our brothers and sisters, but not in a way that defeats or humiliates. We must perpetually correct and forgive. It is an indictment of the family of God when we serve a God who forgives but don't extend that forgiveness to others ourselves. When the apostles are told they must perpetually forgive they understand the implications and realize they can only do so via God's direct help. There's no way a person can live this way without God's help. Jesus says that it's only possible through faith... even faith the size of a tiny mustard seed.The passage ends with a parable of a servant given responsibilities. You do not celebrate a servant who does only what he is commanded. We are commanded to forgive and to have faith. We get no special gift or celebration for fulfilling our duty. God has done so much for us already. He owes us nothing more.
Luke 17:1-10In this text, Jesus is no longer speaking to the Pharisees, but is speaking to the disciples, such that they might conduct themselves in a way that would not allow sin the air to breathe. Sin is a trap: when we indulge in it, it hurts us. Jesus notes that this life will have plenty of these traps, but he also pronounces "Woe" on the one who sets the trap. He pronounces "woe" on those who would twist scripture to imply it gives the freedom to sin: to indulge in hate, lust, greed, etc. Those with power and influence who twist scripture in this way can shatter the faith of their victim, and Jesus says that it would be better if their physical body were destroyed than if they face the consequences of hurting people in this way. Jesus also notes that the family of God corrects one another AND restores one another, via forgiveness. We are called to correct our brothers and sisters, but not in a way that defeats or humiliates. We must perpetually correct and forgive. It is an indictment of the family of God when we serve a God who forgives but don't extend that forgiveness to others ourselves. When the apostles are told they must perpetually forgive they understand the implications and realize they can only do so via God's direct help. There's no way a person can live this way without God's help. Jesus says that it's only possible through faith... even faith the size of a tiny mustard seed.The passage ends with a parable of a servant given responsibilities. You do not celebrate a servant who does only what he is commanded. We are commanded to forgive and to have faith. We get no special gift or celebration for fulfilling our duty. God has done so much for us already. He owes us nothing more.
Like any good documentary, John pulls together several points of view, so we get a full picture of the story!
Like any good documentary, John pulls together several points of view, so we get a full picture of the story!
Sermon Notes: 3/15/2026This is one of Jesus's more complicated parables, but it is ultimately about stewardship. In Jesus's time, it was normal for a slave to act as a household manager for his master. In this parable, the manager is removed from office, but on his way out the door he becomes very productive. We can tell from the large amounts that the debtors in this story are businessmen operating at a large scale. The manager makes deals with these businessmen and thus gains favor in the community even as his favor with his mater deteriorates. So even as he is kicked out, he is making arrangements to be welcomed into a new home. So regardless of his reasons, we must note that the manager is crafty and shrewd. In the end even the master tells the manager he is done well. So what are we to take from the parable? The manager, a sinner, has his eyes set on his destiny. He is operating with more shrewdness regarding temporal circumstances than Christians often operate regarding eternal circumstances. We must be more committed to making investments in the next life than the world is in making investments in this life. If we believe eternity is real, it should change our urgency and change how we operate with our resources--time, talent, and treasure! This is a diagnostic of our character.After the parable, Jesus moves from a story about stewardship to a diagnostic about how we handle money. Jesus's point is that money just unmasks who we really are. What we do with what we have reveals the state of our heart. Jesus explains that what we have in our possession is not even really ours. Even we ourselves belong to God. Jesus paid a heavy price for us. If we truly understand what we have received in Christ, it frees us to give of what we have. We realize that we are already infinitely wealthy, and thus can give generously of our time, talent, and treasure.
Sermon Notes: 3/15/2026This is one of Jesus's more complicated parables, but it is ultimately about stewardship. In Jesus's time, it was normal for a slave to act as a household manager for his master. In this parable, the manager is removed from office, but on his way out the door he becomes very productive. We can tell from the large amounts that the debtors in this story are businessmen operating at a large scale. The manager makes deals with these businessmen and thus gains favor in the community even as his favor with his mater deteriorates. So even as he is kicked out, he is making arrangements to be welcomed into a new home. So regardless of his reasons, we must note that the manager is crafty and shrewd. In the end even the master tells the manager he is done well. So what are we to take from the parable? The manager, a sinner, has his eyes set on his destiny. He is operating with more shrewdness regarding temporal circumstances than Christians often operate regarding eternal circumstances. We must be more committed to making investments in the next life than the world is in making investments in this life. If we believe eternity is real, it should change our urgency and change how we operate with our resources--time, talent, and treasure! This is a diagnostic of our character.After the parable, Jesus moves from a story about stewardship to a diagnostic about how we handle money. Jesus's point is that money just unmasks who we really are. What we do with what we have reveals the state of our heart. Jesus explains that what we have in our possession is not even really ours. Even we ourselves belong to God. Jesus paid a heavy price for us. If we truly understand what we have received in Christ, it frees us to give of what we have. We realize that we are already infinitely wealthy, and thus can give generously of our time, talent, and treasure.
s situation is hopeless without the shepherd coming for them. Thank God we serve a God who is a good shepherd! And when He finds us, He is joyful! This parable says that He carries the sheep back to the herd on His shoulders. This is the image of a sheep that is too weak, injured, or empty. Our lord carries the burden that we are too weak to carry ourselves..The Pharisees and Scribes in this verse think that they are strong enough to carry their own burdens. None of us can carry the burdens of our sin. When God brings us home, there is a celebration in heaven over the return of a soul. And thank God that the Lord spends more on the party than the cost of the sheep or coin that is returned..The joy of the Lord carries no price tag. Now look at the other souls the way God looks at us. We are all precious in his sight. Let this joy inform the way we look at those around us!
s situation is hopeless without the shepherd coming for them. Thank God we serve a God who is a good shepherd! And when He finds us, He is joyful! This parable says that He carries the sheep back to the herd on His shoulders. This is the image of a sheep that is too weak, injured, or empty. Our lord carries the burden that we are too weak to carry ourselves..The Pharisees and Scribes in this verse think that they are strong enough to carry their own burdens. None of us can carry the burdens of our sin. When God brings us home, there is a celebration in heaven over the return of a soul. And thank God that the Lord spends more on the party than the cost of the sheep or coin that is returned..The joy of the Lord carries no price tag. Now look at the other souls the way God looks at us. We are all precious in his sight. Let this joy inform the way we look at those around us!
This story has a lot in common with the parable before it. As the parable, the story involves a lot of people who are presumptuous and prideful. Jesus tells them that if they are not careful, and if they remain so presumptuous that they will always be accepted, that they might miss the biggest party ever. The story reveals that, while everyone is invited to Jesus's party, we don't necessarily have the right to do whatever we want there. Crowds form around Jesus for a great number of reasons, but disciples are only formed when we believe what Jesus says and believe he deserves our life which he desires. Why does Jesus tell people to hate our mother and father in this passage? Elsewhere, Jesus tells us to love our friends and family. The hatred he speaks of is not a venomous hatred: it is about priority: family should be put at such a distant second to the things of God that the difference could feel like hatred. A disciple of Jesus will live their life based on the words and ways of Jesus regardless of what friends and family say is best. The crowd may follow Jesus up to the point where people are inconvenienced, but true disciples know that when Jesus asks us to do something we must obey even if it literally strips us of everything. Crowds run from discomfort, but true disciples follow Jesus through discomfort. "Pick up your cross and follow me" is an instruction Christians cannot ignore. To get to the resurrected life, Jesus doesn't avoid suffering: he goes through it. And if we are following him, we should follow him through that suffering all the way to death itself. We are instructed to rejoice in our sufferings, as they create character and strengthen us for the life ahead of us. The Bible never promises prosperity in this life, but in fact promises suffering. We are required to carry a cross. A disciple will pick it up and carry it. But we know that Jesus will never abandon us in suffering. Crowds don't count cost; disciples do. Crowds are more interested in spectacle and energy. They never ask what it means to follow Jesus all their days. They tell themselves if it gets too hard, they can always bail out. Disciples realize that following Christ will cost everything up to and including their lives. And they still follow. Crowd's can't bring the change the world needs. Disciples are empowered by God to do just that. We can only be useful if we follow Jesus's instructions. We may stumble and recover, but those that are only half hearted are not useful. Jesus has given an invitation to his house to everyone, but we aren't able to act however we want to act and be allowed to stay there.
This story has a lot in common with the parable before it. As the parable, the story involves a lot of people who are presumptuous and prideful. Jesus tells them that if they are not careful, and if they remain so presumptuous that they will always be accepted, that they might miss the biggest party ever. The story reveals that, while everyone is invited to Jesus's party, we don't necessarily have the right to do whatever we want there. Crowds form around Jesus for a great number of reasons, but disciples are only formed when we believe what Jesus says and believe he deserves our life which he desires. Why does Jesus tell people to hate our mother and father in this passage? Elsewhere, Jesus tells us to love our friends and family. The hatred he speaks of is not a venomous hatred: it is about priority: family should be put at such a distant second to the things of God that the difference could feel like hatred. A disciple of Jesus will live their life based on the words and ways of Jesus regardless of what friends and family say is best. The crowd may follow Jesus up to the point where people are inconvenienced, but true disciples know that when Jesus asks us to do something we must obey even if it literally strips us of everything. Crowds run from discomfort, but true disciples follow Jesus through discomfort. "Pick up your cross and follow me" is an instruction Christians cannot ignore. To get to the resurrected life, Jesus doesn't avoid suffering: he goes through it. And if we are following him, we should follow him through that suffering all the way to death itself. We are instructed to rejoice in our sufferings, as they create character and strengthen us for the life ahead of us. The Bible never promises prosperity in this life, but in fact promises suffering. We are required to carry a cross. A disciple will pick it up and carry it. But we know that Jesus will never abandon us in suffering. Crowds don't count cost; disciples do. Crowds are more interested in spectacle and energy. They never ask what it means to follow Jesus all their days. They tell themselves if it gets too hard, they can always bail out. Disciples realize that following Christ will cost everything up to and including their lives. And they still follow. Crowd's can't bring the change the world needs. Disciples are empowered by God to do just that. We can only be useful if we follow Jesus's instructions. We may stumble and recover, but those that are only half hearted are not useful. Jesus has given an invitation to his house to everyone, but we aren't able to act however we want to act and be allowed to stay there.
then it is most likely the wide door, rather than the narrow..If you lose everything for Jesus, you will win. But if you win much for self, you will lose. Our way must be denied, and His way, we must strive and struggle and fight for access through the narrow doorway!
then it is most likely the wide door, rather than the narrow..If you lose everything for Jesus, you will win. But if you win much for self, you will lose. Our way must be denied, and His way, we must strive and struggle and fight for access through the narrow doorway!
t shun the woman with the disabling spirit, but called her a daughter of Abraham and freed her.
t shun the woman with the disabling spirit, but called her a daughter of Abraham and freed her.
t reflect that, then one day we shall be removed.But the comfort is that we have the chance to reorient ourselves and point our lives toward Christ. He is still giving us grace through His grace, His time and His nurturing.If you do not know Christ, this is an invitation. He is so merciful and so caring. Come to know Him. Turn from your sin and repent.
t reflect that, then one day we shall be removed.But the comfort is that we have the chance to reorient ourselves and point our lives toward Christ. He is still giving us grace through His grace, His time and His nurturing.If you do not know Christ, this is an invitation. He is so merciful and so caring. Come to know Him. Turn from your sin and repent.
t here to protect you, so give me what you have.But here is what this posture forgets - the master is coming back! And there will be accountability!
t here to protect you, so give me what you have.But here is what this posture forgets - the master is coming back! And there will be accountability!
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
but exclusively through the power of God..A Great King and an Eternal Kingdom. The child born in Bethlehem is "God with us," the fulfillment of ancient prophecy. Isaiah gives Him four titles that define His perfect rule:Wonderful Counselor: He rules with divine wisdom rather than confusion.Mighty God: Though a gentle child, He possesses the power to shatter all bondage.Everlasting Father: Unlike earthly leaders with a shelf life, He rules forever with benevolence and mercy.Prince of Peace: He establishes an eternal shalom, replacing chaos with flourishing and rest..A Reign with No End. Unlike earthly kingdoms that eventually rot or fail, the government of Christ will never be diminished; it will only increase. It is a kingdom built on justice and righteousness that will stand forever. In the midst of life's distractions, we must "press through the fog" to remember that nothing matters more than our worship of this King.
but exclusively through the power of God..A Great King and an Eternal Kingdom. The child born in Bethlehem is "God with us," the fulfillment of ancient prophecy. Isaiah gives Him four titles that define His perfect rule:Wonderful Counselor: He rules with divine wisdom rather than confusion.Mighty God: Though a gentle child, He possesses the power to shatter all bondage.Everlasting Father: Unlike earthly leaders with a shelf life, He rules forever with benevolence and mercy.Prince of Peace: He establishes an eternal shalom, replacing chaos with flourishing and rest..A Reign with No End. Unlike earthly kingdoms that eventually rot or fail, the government of Christ will never be diminished; it will only increase. It is a kingdom built on justice and righteousness that will stand forever. In the midst of life's distractions, we must "press through the fog" to remember that nothing matters more than our worship of this King.
ve been given by an almighty amazing Holy God - To be assigned work in the kingdom, and then complain about it? Anything the Lord assigns us should be taken as Grace!.We are called to belong in Christ. Just as Paul opens the text here describing how he belongs as a servant of Christ.
ve been given by an almighty amazing Holy God - To be assigned work in the kingdom, and then complain about it? Anything the Lord assigns us should be taken as Grace!.We are called to belong in Christ. Just as Paul opens the text here describing how he belongs as a servant of Christ.
Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg"Be patient therefore, Brothers, until the coming for the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives early and late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, Brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold the judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." James 5:7-11In this passage, Biblical patience is illustrated via the picture of a farmer. Note that a farmer is patient, but he is not idle. He is always weeding, repairing tools, building walls, etc. A farmer cares for what has been entrusted to him. Likewise, while we wait on God, and his perfect timing, we also must work. When we reap the benefit, the wait-time will seem short. We wait with hope and joy, anticipating the coming relief. How we wait is important: we must establish and strengthen our heart to have spiritual resolve and not waiver. Discouragement can make you want to give up, but in the passage, James gives us motivation. He tells us to "be patient, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." Our fulfillment isn't far off! Each moment brings us closer to Jesus's return! And how should we shore up our resolve? By preaching the gospel to ourselves! Impatience can tempt us to grumble and complain, and can be a joy killer that spreads to others in the community. When Jesus comes back, would we want him to find us being miserable and causing one another to be miserable? Of course not. A heart filled with negativity will displease our father in heaven. Remember that the end of the story is blessing, and those who are patient will be blessed.
Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg"Be patient therefore, Brothers, until the coming for the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives early and late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, Brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold the judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." James 5:7-11In this passage, Biblical patience is illustrated via the picture of a farmer. Note that a farmer is patient, but he is not idle. He is always weeding, repairing tools, building walls, etc. A farmer cares for what has been entrusted to him. Likewise, while we wait on God, and his perfect timing, we also must work. When we reap the benefit, the wait-time will seem short. We wait with hope and joy, anticipating the coming relief. How we wait is important: we must establish and strengthen our heart to have spiritual resolve and not waiver. Discouragement can make you want to give up, but in the passage, James gives us motivation. He tells us to "be patient, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." Our fulfillment isn't far off! Each moment brings us closer to Jesus's return! And how should we shore up our resolve? By preaching the gospel to ourselves! Impatience can tempt us to grumble and complain, and can be a joy killer that spreads to others in the community. When Jesus comes back, would we want him to find us being miserable and causing one another to be miserable? Of course not. A heart filled with negativity will displease our father in heaven. Remember that the end of the story is blessing, and those who are patient will be blessed.
We must plead for a supernatural ability to stay awake. When we first came to Christ, we came to Him because of His promises. We are now closer to their fulfillment than we have ever been! Christ is close. Christ is coming! And we must stay awake by walking in the love He has given to us. Waiting on advent should be a constant shedding of the garments of darkness. We have a savior who is coming back to right every wrong. With that knowledge, we should walk as in the daytime. .Paul gives us examples of things to take off. At first the focus is on carnal sins like sexual immorality and drunkeness.Then Paul pivots to what seems more acceptable behavior in this world, but the passage reminds us this behavior is still walking in darkness! Discord and jealousy and strife are behaviors we should avoid. We are to cast that off too! We are to put on Jesus Christ and cast of flesh. That's what it is to live in the light.
We must plead for a supernatural ability to stay awake. When we first came to Christ, we came to Him because of His promises. We are now closer to their fulfillment than we have ever been! Christ is close. Christ is coming! And we must stay awake by walking in the love He has given to us. Waiting on advent should be a constant shedding of the garments of darkness. We have a savior who is coming back to right every wrong. With that knowledge, we should walk as in the daytime. .Paul gives us examples of things to take off. At first the focus is on carnal sins like sexual immorality and drunkeness.Then Paul pivots to what seems more acceptable behavior in this world, but the passage reminds us this behavior is still walking in darkness! Discord and jealousy and strife are behaviors we should avoid. We are to cast that off too! We are to put on Jesus Christ and cast of flesh. That's what it is to live in the light.
re quick to call out things like sexual sin, but according to scripture we should be just as quick to condemn covetousness in ourselves. The Apostle Paul names greed as idolatry..It is foolish to work yourself to the bone for stuff that will not mean anything the night your soul is required of you.
re quick to call out things like sexual sin, but according to scripture we should be just as quick to condemn covetousness in ourselves. The Apostle Paul names greed as idolatry..It is foolish to work yourself to the bone for stuff that will not mean anything the night your soul is required of you.
s testimony about Him, and we run out of time in this life to live openly and truthfully before God.Knowing that we are fully loved, we can be willing to fully follow Him.
s testimony about Him, and we run out of time in this life to live openly and truthfully before God.Knowing that we are fully loved, we can be willing to fully follow Him.
t just be a list of wrongs we tell God, but should also consist of us coming into agreement with what God says about us. When we come into complete confession before God, we realize that our successes are not in us, but in Him and the community He has given us..(4) Spiritual communities share and give freely with each other and those outside the community. We should share all things in common. We do this for investing in eternity. Your investment of your life in God, the Word of God, and the souls of men are the only investments that will last into eternity. God places people in our hearts and in our path because He is doing something with eternal significance. People in spiritual communities should point one another towards eternity.
t just be a list of wrongs we tell God, but should also consist of us coming into agreement with what God says about us. When we come into complete confession before God, we realize that our successes are not in us, but in Him and the community He has given us..(4) Spiritual communities share and give freely with each other and those outside the community. We should share all things in common. We do this for investing in eternity. Your investment of your life in God, the Word of God, and the souls of men are the only investments that will last into eternity. God places people in our hearts and in our path because He is doing something with eternal significance. People in spiritual communities should point one another towards eternity.
re failing Him..When you invite God to search your heart, expect some pain. But that pain is mercy. He delights in healing the wounds within you.
re failing Him..When you invite God to search your heart, expect some pain. But that pain is mercy. He delights in healing the wounds within you.
s wisdom, she stopped asking for more proof, and instead she worshiped the Lord.The men of Nineveh. Jonah preached against the men of Nineveh, and when Nineveh heard the preaching of Jonah, and when the king heard the truth, they started worshiping God..Christ is the Wisdom of the Lord. He is greater than Solomon. And Christ is a more powerful prophet and preacher than Jonah.Note that these two examples, the Queen of the South and the men of Nineveh, are both Gentiles, and Jesus uses them figuratively as judges against a group of Jews--God's own people--who are missing God's calling through Jesus.The "sign of Jonah" Jesus mentions speaks of two things- 1) Jonah preached a message of repentance, as Jesus preaches a message of repentance, and 2) Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days, as Jesus would be resurrected after 3 days in the tomb.Today, we have all the evidence we need via the empty tomb--Jesus is alive! A crucified messiah, logically, should be the end of a movement, but Jesus's death (and resurrection) instead emboldened a movement. This only makes sense if his resurrection is real and literal! .We can keep looking for signs, but the only thing that will change our destiny is bowing and worshiping the Lord our God..So, how do we stop asking for signs? Jesus tells us to follow His words and let our light shine to the world. Ask God to give you eyes to see what He has already shown us.
s wisdom, she stopped asking for more proof, and instead she worshiped the Lord.The men of Nineveh. Jonah preached against the men of Nineveh, and when Nineveh heard the preaching of Jonah, and when the king heard the truth, they started worshiping God..Christ is the Wisdom of the Lord. He is greater than Solomon. And Christ is a more powerful prophet and preacher than Jonah.Note that these two examples, the Queen of the South and the men of Nineveh, are both Gentiles, and Jesus uses them figuratively as judges against a group of Jews--God's own people--who are missing God's calling through Jesus.The "sign of Jonah" Jesus mentions speaks of two things- 1) Jonah preached a message of repentance, as Jesus preaches a message of repentance, and 2) Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days, as Jesus would be resurrected after 3 days in the tomb.Today, we have all the evidence we need via the empty tomb--Jesus is alive! A crucified messiah, logically, should be the end of a movement, but Jesus's death (and resurrection) instead emboldened a movement. This only makes sense if his resurrection is real and literal! .We can keep looking for signs, but the only thing that will change our destiny is bowing and worshiping the Lord our God..So, how do we stop asking for signs? Jesus tells us to follow His words and let our light shine to the world. Ask God to give you eyes to see what He has already shown us.
t mean hating Him. It means withholding your devotion. Refusing to follow Him is being against Him.As a warning, Jesus gives the parable of the empty house. After the spirit is cast out, seven spirits return. The empty space must be filled with Jesus and not left empty to prevent the enemies from returning.
t mean hating Him. It means withholding your devotion. Refusing to follow Him is being against Him.As a warning, Jesus gives the parable of the empty house. After the spirit is cast out, seven spirits return. The empty space must be filled with Jesus and not left empty to prevent the enemies from returning.
s Prayer teaches us what to pray, but this parable teaches us how to pray. It is a continuous process..But we should pray with an understanding of God's love. We know that the Heavenly Father loves us. Even the best parents are imperfect. And God rises to a better standard, which He holds Himself to. So, if even evil parents can give good gifts, how much better can God give?
s Prayer teaches us what to pray, but this parable teaches us how to pray. It is a continuous process..But we should pray with an understanding of God's love. We know that the Heavenly Father loves us. Even the best parents are imperfect. And God rises to a better standard, which He holds Himself to. So, if even evil parents can give good gifts, how much better can God give?
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
s keeping you from going? Are you more focused on the danger in front of you? Or are you focused on the God who sent us?.And when you go, do no harm as you go. You bring your whole self and person as we go. When you bring the message, you should engage the world with our lives. Because that is our authentication! People see our lives, and if our lives are incongruous with our message, then no one will accept the message..We are to be emotionally good and not harm emotionally, either! We are to receive what is given with gratitude and graciousness. We are to lighten the burden and elevate the joy of those in the house we visit. The Greek word used in this text is service and therapy. We are to serve the week, and bring physical benefit when we go..For those who reject the news, we have the responsibility to tell them the danger of rejecting the message. There is eternal suffering at stake.
s keeping you from going? Are you more focused on the danger in front of you? Or are you focused on the God who sent us?.And when you go, do no harm as you go. You bring your whole self and person as we go. When you bring the message, you should engage the world with our lives. Because that is our authentication! People see our lives, and if our lives are incongruous with our message, then no one will accept the message..We are to be emotionally good and not harm emotionally, either! We are to receive what is given with gratitude and graciousness. We are to lighten the burden and elevate the joy of those in the house we visit. The Greek word used in this text is service and therapy. We are to serve the week, and bring physical benefit when we go..For those who reject the news, we have the responsibility to tell them the danger of rejecting the message. There is eternal suffering at stake.
s mercy and goodness? Or are we filled with anger, dirtiness or filth..That brings us back to our central text today. How we use language shows what is growing inside of us! Am I using my words in a way to give grace to the hearers.
s mercy and goodness? Or are we filled with anger, dirtiness or filth..That brings us back to our central text today. How we use language shows what is growing inside of us! Am I using my words in a way to give grace to the hearers.
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
s salvation. But, he can order his house in such a way to give his son every opportunity to come to Christ. That is the order we must be observing..We cannot do anything about our own salvation - being saved by grace. And would be treading on dangerous territory if a person would try to force that salvation on their child, or else they cannot serve the church - woe to that person..Parenting is a journey of grace and these texts are about creating the environment to best to support our children. Not necessarily about the outcome of salvation.
s salvation. But, he can order his house in such a way to give his son every opportunity to come to Christ. That is the order we must be observing..We cannot do anything about our own salvation - being saved by grace. And would be treading on dangerous territory if a person would try to force that salvation on their child, or else they cannot serve the church - woe to that person..Parenting is a journey of grace and these texts are about creating the environment to best to support our children. Not necessarily about the outcome of salvation.
These are moments that may test our faith. But you should take your anger, take your fear, take your despair to God. Your disappointments is a time to run to God, in prayer. That - in itself - is prayer. Even when we wait in silence for the words to come.
These are moments that may test our faith. But you should take your anger, take your fear, take your despair to God. Your disappointments is a time to run to God, in prayer. That - in itself - is prayer. Even when we wait in silence for the words to come.
The heart of obedience is trust..Fully embrace the reality that we will experience rejection. But also full embrace that we should not respond the way the world coaches us to, but rather with grace, love and humility.
The heart of obedience is trust..Fully embrace the reality that we will experience rejection. But also full embrace that we should not respond the way the world coaches us to, but rather with grace, love and humility.
s love..Declaration of Deliverance - Jesus tells his disciples that He was going to be killed. This story begins with a father begging Jesus to save His son. But this story ends with a declaration of a Father giving away His only Son. But, Jesus will go toward the darkness, despite the weakness of our faith - in love and in grace - and will bring love and eternal deliverance to us..The forces of darkness cannot have their final say because we serve a Son, the only Son, who went to the cross to one and for all vanquish those forces. So let that be what is rehearsed in your heart, again and again, when the forces of darkness try to drive you to despair.
s love..Declaration of Deliverance - Jesus tells his disciples that He was going to be killed. This story begins with a father begging Jesus to save His son. But this story ends with a declaration of a Father giving away His only Son. But, Jesus will go toward the darkness, despite the weakness of our faith - in love and in grace - and will bring love and eternal deliverance to us..The forces of darkness cannot have their final say because we serve a Son, the only Son, who went to the cross to one and for all vanquish those forces. So let that be what is rehearsed in your heart, again and again, when the forces of darkness try to drive you to despair.
s not enough to acknowledge Him as the greatest. We must listen to Him, and follow Him.
s not enough to acknowledge Him as the greatest. We must listen to Him, and follow Him.
t about you choosing Jesus, but rather about Jesus choosing you before the father. Did you identify with Jesus with bold allegiance, or did you identify with what you wanted. Jesus demands a lot, but Jesus gives infinitely more. He calls you not to a painless life, but a purposeful one.
t about you choosing Jesus, but rather about Jesus choosing you before the father. Did you identify with Jesus with bold allegiance, or did you identify with what you wanted. Jesus demands a lot, but Jesus gives infinitely more. He calls you not to a painless life, but a purposeful one.
is relational - with God, and with others. When our faith is active, it changes those around us. If you remember the one who you follow, you will exhibit self control. To be a doer is to look upon the least of people and to sacrifice time, talent and treasure to others. And to keep oneself unstained from the world.
is relational - with God, and with others. When our faith is active, it changes those around us. If you remember the one who you follow, you will exhibit self control. To be a doer is to look upon the least of people and to sacrifice time, talent and treasure to others. And to keep oneself unstained from the world.
s resurrection is a source of comfort for us during hard times. He is sovereign over all things!.Sanctification: The beauty of our sanctification is done by the Holy Spirit! So, we can take comfort in the Holy testing and trials we experience in this world. We can be certain that the trails are here not to break us, but to refine and purify us. This call to rejoice is because the Holy Spirit is working something within us to sharpen us for the Kingdom to come! When we trust God with our lives despite the pain, God is shaping us into the image of Christ, Jesus. The better we understand that, the easier for us to trust God to remove hardship from us..Beneficiaries of Grace: the prophets made proclamations back in the day to show the grace that will be given to New Testament Christians. The Old Testament prophets prophesied that Christ would allow Himself to be crushed to pay for our sins. We can take heart - God calls us to be peculiar nation among everyone else..Christ has supplied all that you need through His Grace and Mercy.
s resurrection is a source of comfort for us during hard times. He is sovereign over all things!.Sanctification: The beauty of our sanctification is done by the Holy Spirit! So, we can take comfort in the Holy testing and trials we experience in this world. We can be certain that the trails are here not to break us, but to refine and purify us. This call to rejoice is because the Holy Spirit is working something within us to sharpen us for the Kingdom to come! When we trust God with our lives despite the pain, God is shaping us into the image of Christ, Jesus. The better we understand that, the easier for us to trust God to remove hardship from us..Beneficiaries of Grace: the prophets made proclamations back in the day to show the grace that will be given to New Testament Christians. The Old Testament prophets prophesied that Christ would allow Himself to be crushed to pay for our sins. We can take heart - God calls us to be peculiar nation among everyone else..Christ has supplied all that you need through His Grace and Mercy.
t like, we easily ignore it, rather than embracing who He is. We must embrace the messiah on His terms, rather than embracing Him on our terms. But take heart, when you trip and stumble, He will have mercy on you, and help you pick your cross back up again.
t like, we easily ignore it, rather than embracing who He is. We must embrace the messiah on His terms, rather than embracing Him on our terms. But take heart, when you trip and stumble, He will have mercy on you, and help you pick your cross back up again.
odd instructions, to the letter.We are to live as a people who have been sent out. Trust that the lord will multiply our paltry offerings.
odd instructions, to the letter.We are to live as a people who have been sent out. Trust that the lord will multiply our paltry offerings.
daughter was only sleeping, and Jesus woke her. God has a power that is not like our power. He can come upon any situation, and breathe life into it.
daughter was only sleeping, and Jesus woke her. God has a power that is not like our power. He can come upon any situation, and breathe life into it.
God hears our interest and prayers. So she actually gives God a name - The God of Seeing (the God who I see, and the God who sees me). This is an act of rejoicing from Hagar.Jesus sees you where you are. When you call on His name, you will not be ignored. In Christ, we have a God who we see, and who sees us.
God hears our interest and prayers. So she actually gives God a name - The God of Seeing (the God who I see, and the God who sees me). This is an act of rejoicing from Hagar.Jesus sees you where you are. When you call on His name, you will not be ignored. In Christ, we have a God who we see, and who sees us.
t even try to fight Him.This is the power of the One who walks with you, fights for you, who stands with you, who sets you free, if only you ask Him.When people saw the man, they were afraid, and seized with great fear. Fear can lead to reverence, but fear can also read to rejection. And we see that within the people of this city. When the pigs run off the cliff - that is a huge commercial disruption. Sometimes when Christ comes to your life, your life turns upside down, sometimes we hate that disruption more than the freedom that comes with Jesus.But the demon possessed man has his dignity restored and his mind is sound. He wants to draw closer to the one who saved Him.
t even try to fight Him.This is the power of the One who walks with you, fights for you, who stands with you, who sets you free, if only you ask Him.When people saw the man, they were afraid, and seized with great fear. Fear can lead to reverence, but fear can also read to rejection. And we see that within the people of this city. When the pigs run off the cliff - that is a huge commercial disruption. Sometimes when Christ comes to your life, your life turns upside down, sometimes we hate that disruption more than the freedom that comes with Jesus.But the demon possessed man has his dignity restored and his mind is sound. He wants to draw closer to the one who saved Him.
and the same God who parted the Red Sea with a word of Salvation, is the same God in this moment who rebukes the storm in this instance.This is the same force at play, when He speaks into your life. The power to change everything about your life. Faith is remembering who is in the boat with you.
and the same God who parted the Red Sea with a word of Salvation, is the same God in this moment who rebukes the storm in this instance.This is the same force at play, when He speaks into your life. The power to change everything about your life. Faith is remembering who is in the boat with you.
All the doubts that Thomas has are destroyed, as he proclaims Jesus as God.Lord means master. My God means Thomas is calling Jesus the Creator. Thomas trusts in the destiny that Jesus has laid out for him.If The Resurrection is real, then Christ is God. And if Christ is God, He has promised you salvation if you trust in Him.
All the doubts that Thomas has are destroyed, as he proclaims Jesus as God.Lord means master. My God means Thomas is calling Jesus the Creator. Thomas trusts in the destiny that Jesus has laid out for him.If The Resurrection is real, then Christ is God. And if Christ is God, He has promised you salvation if you trust in Him.
ve been found by God. But faith also fills us with humility - the humility to unbind our hair, and wash the feet of Jesus with it.Simply put, the strength of our faith is reflected in the depth of our understanding of our need.
ve been found by God. But faith also fills us with humility - the humility to unbind our hair, and wash the feet of Jesus with it.Simply put, the strength of our faith is reflected in the depth of our understanding of our need.
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
t match our expectations. But His ways are higher and better. And He has involved us in His kingdom.
t match our expectations. But His ways are higher and better. And He has involved us in His kingdom.
Sermon Notes: 3/9/25Pastor: Brian CrawfordLuke: 7:1-17.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Pain and hurt and devastation does not discriminate. But verses like this show us that grace does not discriminate either! He heals the Jew and gentile alike. But what does get Jesus’s attention? Lowly needs, and humble faith.Centurions are powerful, and economically secure. But death cannot be resolved with money or influence. It would require a divine touch. And the fact that a Jewish group would plead with Jesus on behalf of a gentile - a centurion, no less - speaks volumes of this man’s conduct and heart. It was normally unlawful for Jewish people to even associate with gentiles. And the Jewish people say “he’s worthy, so you should go see him.” He’s Worthy.But when Jesus gets closer to this man, the centurion sees himself in light of Jesus. People think the Centurion is worthy, and a good guy, but as Jesus is coming to him, he recognizes true goodness in Jesus. The centurion's influence and power means nothing. When you look truly into the eyes of Jesus, we see how unworthy we are. And the centurion tells Jesus, I’m not worthy to have you in my house. Anything you’re willing to give me, I’ll take it. And Jesus marvels saying “Not even in Israel have I seen such faith.”There are many in the crowd following Jesus that probably didn’t believe that faith could be found outside of the Jewish community. And Jesus declares once and for all, that his love, his salvation, his mercy as well as the ability to have faith, is available for all cultures.In the other passage, we see a widow mourning. She didn’t have much to offer anyone. But Jesus looked with compassion for her as well. “Do not weep” He says. This world is filled with tears and pain. Jesus sees our tears and is moved by lowly needs. People with nothing to offer who simply need Jesus.Jesus sees our tears, and He has the power to do something about that. And this widow’s son is only meant to remind us that this is just a foretaste of what is to come. One day Jesus will raise all the dead, and wipe all the tears.
Sermon Notes: 3/9/25Pastor: Brian CrawfordLuke: 7:1-17.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Pain and hurt and devastation does not discriminate. But verses like this show us that grace does not discriminate either! He heals the Jew and gentile alike. But what does get Jesus’s attention? Lowly needs, and humble faith.Centurions are powerful, and economically secure. But death cannot be resolved with money or influence. It would require a divine touch. And the fact that a Jewish group would plead with Jesus on behalf of a gentile - a centurion, no less - speaks volumes of this man’s conduct and heart. It was normally unlawful for Jewish people to even associate with gentiles. And the Jewish people say “he’s worthy, so you should go see him.” He’s Worthy.But when Jesus gets closer to this man, the centurion sees himself in light of Jesus. People think the Centurion is worthy, and a good guy, but as Jesus is coming to him, he recognizes true goodness in Jesus. The centurion's influence and power means nothing. When you look truly into the eyes of Jesus, we see how unworthy we are. And the centurion tells Jesus, I’m not worthy to have you in my house. Anything you’re willing to give me, I’ll take it. And Jesus marvels saying “Not even in Israel have I seen such faith.”There are many in the crowd following Jesus that probably didn’t believe that faith could be found outside of the Jewish community. And Jesus declares once and for all, that his love, his salvation, his mercy as well as the ability to have faith, is available for all cultures.In the other passage, we see a widow mourning. She didn’t have much to offer anyone. But Jesus looked with compassion for her as well. “Do not weep” He says. This world is filled with tears and pain. Jesus sees our tears and is moved by lowly needs. People with nothing to offer who simply need Jesus.Jesus sees our tears, and He has the power to do something about that. And this widow’s son is only meant to remind us that this is just a foretaste of what is to come. One day Jesus will raise all the dead, and wipe all the tears.
Sermon Notes: 3/2/25Pastor: Brian CrawfordLuke 6: 43-45.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.When a tree dies and falls over, we often discover that the inside of that tree has been dead long before it ever fell. Long before we ever noticed the branches falling.Before we inspect our neighbor’s lives for righteousness and call them out on their behavior, we should inspect ourselves. Because when we inspect ourselves and struggle with our own behavior, quite possibly, when we inspect our neighbor, we will judge them much differently. We might even leave them alone entirely.Until you do self-inspection, a true inspection, you have no right to look to your fellow Christian and approach them about their own actions.Now, remember, fruit production is not salvation by works. You are saved for works; you are not saved by works. A life that is transformed by God, produces goodness! A pattern of life comes when you are saved by Jesus Christ. Your pattern should be filled with more mercy, more love, more giving and less selfishness, less self-righteousness, less manipulation.The product of the life, reveals the heart. Fruit production is a reflection of a deeply experienced new life. The ability to extend mercy comes from a deeply experienced inner life. So when I experience new life, and I recognize how much I am loved and forgiven, we judge less. We forgive more.Many times, our fruit production, in the middle of the temptation to produce bad fruit, we identify more with the old tree, than the new tree. Who are you? How easily you revert back to your old self, how easily your draw your identity from who you used to be.Stop resorting back to the old tree, because we produce who we are. Stop telling yourself you are that old person! Christ died for you. Christ called you His representative. He has made you a new creature. He has the power to do this.The changes in ourselves are gradual and progressive - over time, the changes in our hearts grow over years. Changes in attitude create changes in actions creates changes in relationship.For out of the abundance of our heart, the mouth speaks. Your actions are driven by where your identity truly is. And to change that, we need to go and inspect our heart.I can say I’m a kind and loving person… but do I produce it? Do my actions reflect my kindness and love?
Sermon Notes: 3/2/25Pastor: Brian CrawfordLuke 6: 43-45.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.When a tree dies and falls over, we often discover that the inside of that tree has been dead long before it ever fell. Long before we ever noticed the branches falling.Before we inspect our neighbor’s lives for righteousness and call them out on their behavior, we should inspect ourselves. Because when we inspect ourselves and struggle with our own behavior, quite possibly, when we inspect our neighbor, we will judge them much differently. We might even leave them alone entirely.Until you do self-inspection, a true inspection, you have no right to look to your fellow Christian and approach them about their own actions.Now, remember, fruit production is not salvation by works. You are saved for works; you are not saved by works. A life that is transformed by God, produces goodness! A pattern of life comes when you are saved by Jesus Christ. Your pattern should be filled with more mercy, more love, more giving and less selfishness, less self-righteousness, less manipulation.The product of the life, reveals the heart. Fruit production is a reflection of a deeply experienced new life. The ability to extend mercy comes from a deeply experienced inner life. So when I experience new life, and I recognize how much I am loved and forgiven, we judge less. We forgive more.Many times, our fruit production, in the middle of the temptation to produce bad fruit, we identify more with the old tree, than the new tree. Who are you? How easily you revert back to your old self, how easily your draw your identity from who you used to be.Stop resorting back to the old tree, because we produce who we are. Stop telling yourself you are that old person! Christ died for you. Christ called you His representative. He has made you a new creature. He has the power to do this.The changes in ourselves are gradual and progressive - over time, the changes in our hearts grow over years. Changes in attitude create changes in actions creates changes in relationship.For out of the abundance of our heart, the mouth speaks. Your actions are driven by where your identity truly is. And to change that, we need to go and inspect our heart.I can say I’m a kind and loving person… but do I produce it? Do my actions reflect my kindness and love?
Sermon Notes: 2/9/25Pastor: Brian CrawfordLuke 6: 24-26.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.This text is very straightforward, and very piercing. We often believe that power, and dominance will win the game of life. We align ourselves with people who have power. We hold allegiances to people who have the power they do. But the laws that govern the Kingdom of God, are not the laws that govern this world.In this text, the woeful life is the one that seems to be filled with worldly good things - wealth, food, laughter, being hyped up, all while your heart is far from God, and therefore facing destruction.It doesn’t work like we think it works. Without Christ, the good things of this world are setting us up for infinite destruction. That’s what “woe” is - infinite condemnation.So, we have to decide what is more important to us. Are we pursuing worldly happiness outside of Christ. Or are we pursuing a relationship with Christ.And that doesn’t mean that there aren’t wealthy Christians out there. But Paul gives us clear instruction on how to handle riches - to avoid pride, and to keep our hope in Christ, not our money.The specific warning he gives the rich is “You have already received your consolation.” If wealth blinds us to Christ, then we have our reward here on earth, rather than gaining the Kingdom.In terms of food - you can have full bellies but be empty of Christ if we do not depend on Him for sustenance. And if we do not have Christ we will be eternally hungry.In terms of happiness. (What he’s talking about here, are people who are amused by the suffering around them, or apathetic toward suffering around them). When you build your entertainment on the backs on those who are suffering, we are laughing without Christ. Stay alert to the apathy. Don’t laugh at the demise of other’s lives.That’s what Christ is warning us about.In terms of being well liked in the wrong ways - we’re either doing what the world is doing, or saying what the world wants us to say. And when we receive that validation, we are more likely to enjoy and love those who give that praise. Those that follow Christ, the world will press up against you and hate you. So if we’re loved by everyone in the world… we are making a big mistake. To be in Jesus is to invite tension and dissension from among the majority of the world.
Sermon Notes: 2/9/25Pastor: Brian CrawfordLuke 6: 24-26.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.This text is very straightforward, and very piercing. We often believe that power, and dominance will win the game of life. We align ourselves with people who have power. We hold allegiances to people who have the power they do. But the laws that govern the Kingdom of God, are not the laws that govern this world.In this text, the woeful life is the one that seems to be filled with worldly good things - wealth, food, laughter, being hyped up, all while your heart is far from God, and therefore facing destruction.It doesn’t work like we think it works. Without Christ, the good things of this world are setting us up for infinite destruction. That’s what “woe” is - infinite condemnation.So, we have to decide what is more important to us. Are we pursuing worldly happiness outside of Christ. Or are we pursuing a relationship with Christ.And that doesn’t mean that there aren’t wealthy Christians out there. But Paul gives us clear instruction on how to handle riches - to avoid pride, and to keep our hope in Christ, not our money.The specific warning he gives the rich is “You have already received your consolation.” If wealth blinds us to Christ, then we have our reward here on earth, rather than gaining the Kingdom.In terms of food - you can have full bellies but be empty of Christ if we do not depend on Him for sustenance. And if we do not have Christ we will be eternally hungry.In terms of happiness. (What he’s talking about here, are people who are amused by the suffering around them, or apathetic toward suffering around them). When you build your entertainment on the backs on those who are suffering, we are laughing without Christ. Stay alert to the apathy. Don’t laugh at the demise of other’s lives.That’s what Christ is warning us about.In terms of being well liked in the wrong ways - we’re either doing what the world is doing, or saying what the world wants us to say. And when we receive that validation, we are more likely to enjoy and love those who give that praise. Those that follow Christ, the world will press up against you and hate you. So if we’re loved by everyone in the world… we are making a big mistake. To be in Jesus is to invite tension and dissension from among the majority of the world.
Sermon Notes: 2/2/25Pastor: Brian CrawfordLuke 6: 12-19.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.We live in a culture that ascribes ultimate value in the wrong things - both within the church and outside. We desire to be rich, full, entertained and liked. Our society tells us that these 4 things will bring us Joy. The reality is the opposite - these 4 things will bring us emptiness. Ultimate joy is found in Christ.This text today is from the Sermon on the Plain. This sermon has something to teach us about Joy. Kingdom Joy and worldly joy are not the same. Kingdom Joy can and will come through struggle. Worldly joy can avoid struggle but is only temporary.This portion of the sermon, the “Blessed are”'s is not for the lay-people. But rather this sermon is for his disciples. Jesus has care and love for the poor, hungry, etc. but Jesus is telling His disciples that those who are poor and hungry and struggling, but in Him are “Markarori” or a status of "being favored" - AKA-blessed. They may be hungry, or weep, but they are covered and protected by God, when they are in Christ. No matter what they are going through, God will be with you. And everyone who knows they are blessed, will have Joy, no matter what comes!71% of the world lives on less than 10 dollars a day. Poverty is a real problem in the world. And that can create a dependence on the Lord. A holy dependence. A need and a desire for Jesus. God doesn’t despise the poor. Rather, it means He is walking with them in their need.Luke is also explaining how our physical pains and suffering can strengthen our faith in the Lord. When God gives us a heart of flesh, after he saves us, it makes us weep for the suffering in the world. Some people are callus and don’t care, but when you morn for the people around you - take courage, because He will turn sorrow into tears of Joy.The Lord is doing two things - He is building you now, and He is building us for the day to come. When you find yourself in discipline, it’s because you are His. God allows us to experience the low points in life, to teach us the lessons we couldn’t learn any other way. But in revelations 21, the Lord will wipe away our tears, and Joy will rise even higher than we ever could have imagined. He is doing something for the end, too.Lastly, there is a reason we see Joy like the rest of the culture sees it, rather than the way Christ outlines it. 5k Christian’s died in 2023 for being Christian. Most of that was in Nigeria. We have inordinate wealth and prosperity in this country. So, the only suffering we know, is when our material comfort is threatened. We don't know persecution, like those who die in mass just for praying "differently." When we are truly hated for our faith, we should rejoice, for our reward is great in heaven.If we have nothing but Christ in this life, then we truly have everything!
Sermon Notes: 2/2/25Pastor: Brian CrawfordLuke 6: 12-19.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.We live in a culture that ascribes ultimate value in the wrong things - both within the church and outside. We desire to be rich, full, entertained and liked. Our society tells us that these 4 things will bring us Joy. The reality is the opposite - these 4 things will bring us emptiness. Ultimate joy is found in Christ.This text today is from the Sermon on the Plain. This sermon has something to teach us about Joy. Kingdom Joy and worldly joy are not the same. Kingdom Joy can and will come through struggle. Worldly joy can avoid struggle but is only temporary.This portion of the sermon, the “Blessed are”'s is not for the lay-people. But rather this sermon is for his disciples. Jesus has care and love for the poor, hungry, etc. but Jesus is telling His disciples that those who are poor and hungry and struggling, but in Him are “Markarori” or a status of "being favored" - AKA-blessed. They may be hungry, or weep, but they are covered and protected by God, when they are in Christ. No matter what they are going through, God will be with you. And everyone who knows they are blessed, will have Joy, no matter what comes!71% of the world lives on less than 10 dollars a day. Poverty is a real problem in the world. And that can create a dependence on the Lord. A holy dependence. A need and a desire for Jesus. God doesn’t despise the poor. Rather, it means He is walking with them in their need.Luke is also explaining how our physical pains and suffering can strengthen our faith in the Lord. When God gives us a heart of flesh, after he saves us, it makes us weep for the suffering in the world. Some people are callus and don’t care, but when you morn for the people around you - take courage, because He will turn sorrow into tears of Joy.The Lord is doing two things - He is building you now, and He is building us for the day to come. When you find yourself in discipline, it’s because you are His. God allows us to experience the low points in life, to teach us the lessons we couldn’t learn any other way. But in revelations 21, the Lord will wipe away our tears, and Joy will rise even higher than we ever could have imagined. He is doing something for the end, too.Lastly, there is a reason we see Joy like the rest of the culture sees it, rather than the way Christ outlines it. 5k Christian’s died in 2023 for being Christian. Most of that was in Nigeria. We have inordinate wealth and prosperity in this country. So, the only suffering we know, is when our material comfort is threatened. We don't know persecution, like those who die in mass just for praying "differently." When we are truly hated for our faith, we should rejoice, for our reward is great in heaven.If we have nothing but Christ in this life, then we truly have everything!
Sermon Notes 1/27/25Corey DeyamportLuke 6: 12-19.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Prayer should be the default in our lives when making big decisions.When Jesus calls His 12 disciples, He modeled for us what it looks like to live dependently on God.Three things stand out in this passage to us:Intentional prayerPurposeful positioningDivine power.Intentional Prayer - Before Jesus picked His disciples, He spent all night in prayer. Jesus has demonstrated that He is powerful and Lord of the Sabbath. But even still, He went out to pray - away from the crowds and even the disciples. He isolated Himself and then prayed. He spent time intentionally with the Father. We are always so easily drawn away from our time with God, it is so powerful to get away from everything.Purposeful positioning - fisherman and tax collectors (who would have been at odds) the tax collector and the zealot who would have been at odds as well. Jesus called such a different group of people together. Now, it’s easy for us to separate ourself from groups who aren’t like ourselves. But God’s purpose is not about comparing ourself to others. But with the holy burden of being chosen for a task.Divine Power - as Jesus came down from His night of prayer, the multitude was waiting for Him. Jesus’s mission was always for the needy. And he sent out the newly elected disciples to work for Him, with all the power to heal and cure. When we are on mission, we are granted divine power to affect the world around us.It is for the labor we have been called, and among a multitude we are called to our divine appointment.
Sermon Notes 1/27/25Corey DeyamportLuke 6: 12-19.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Prayer should be the default in our lives when making big decisions.When Jesus calls His 12 disciples, He modeled for us what it looks like to live dependently on God.Three things stand out in this passage to us:Intentional prayerPurposeful positioningDivine power.Intentional Prayer - Before Jesus picked His disciples, He spent all night in prayer. Jesus has demonstrated that He is powerful and Lord of the Sabbath. But even still, He went out to pray - away from the crowds and even the disciples. He isolated Himself and then prayed. He spent time intentionally with the Father. We are always so easily drawn away from our time with God, it is so powerful to get away from everything.Purposeful positioning - fisherman and tax collectors (who would have been at odds) the tax collector and the zealot who would have been at odds as well. Jesus called such a different group of people together. Now, it’s easy for us to separate ourself from groups who aren’t like ourselves. But God’s purpose is not about comparing ourself to others. But with the holy burden of being chosen for a task.Divine Power - as Jesus came down from His night of prayer, the multitude was waiting for Him. Jesus’s mission was always for the needy. And he sent out the newly elected disciples to work for Him, with all the power to heal and cure. When we are on mission, we are granted divine power to affect the world around us.It is for the labor we have been called, and among a multitude we are called to our divine appointment.
Sermon Date - 1/19/25Pastor: Brian CrawfordJohn 13:33-36.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Ask yourself 3 questions:What is the American church (The Church) known for today? AndWhat is your own church known for today? And finally, What are you known for today?These are dangerous questions to ask. But in the verses before us this morning, is a challenge and a description. Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure. His disciples should be known for their Christ-like love. So we must pursue and proclaim an unusual, and otherworldly type of love.Now ask yourself, is that what you are known for?Martin Luther King’s letters from the Birmingham jail call the church to seek to be known as disciples of Jesus through love, rather than following the winds of society. If the church doesn’t love deeply across all divides and distinctions, we lose the identity of what makes us followers of Christ.In this passage, Jesus gives us a commandment that is new - love one another as Jesus has loved us. The standard has been raised in this command. Jesus is telling His disciples, “you have walked with Me, and suffered with Me, and you know how I have loved you. Now go, and give that love to others!” Jesus’ love moves beyond attraction and emotion and condition. And that’s what he calls us to do!So: 1)what should we do?2)how will this happen?How to love like Jesus - With Service, Without selectiveness, and With Sacrifice.Through His examples in this chapter, shows us that Love is humbling as Jesus washes His disciples' feet. Is your love only demonstrated from your position of convenience? Even Judas’s feet were washed - love with unconditional service. Even Peter’s feet, when he would soon deny him. Acting like Christ means to pray and love and have compassion and humility even of those who would betray. The kind of love Jesus is disciplining us in, is loving your enemies, even when you mean you harm and hate.So, how does Jesus expect us to do it? Where does the provision come from to do this? 1)Recognizing the source - When Jesus died sacrificially, he fuels us with the capacity to love. Because he first loved us. In our resurrection, having died with Christ, we have received the ability to do so.2)we have clear pictures of who were were before Christ. We were like Judas. How can I withhold love from those who betray me? When I - a perpetual denier and betrayer - have been loved so much by Jesus.3)the Spirit within us, will allow us to boldly, courageously love with sacrifice and without condition. The Spirit which Jesus gives us the provision of, empowers us to be able to do so!
Sermon Date - 1/19/25Pastor: Brian CrawfordJohn 13:33-36.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Ask yourself 3 questions:What is the American church (The Church) known for today? AndWhat is your own church known for today? And finally, What are you known for today?These are dangerous questions to ask. But in the verses before us this morning, is a challenge and a description. Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure. His disciples should be known for their Christ-like love. So we must pursue and proclaim an unusual, and otherworldly type of love.Now ask yourself, is that what you are known for?Martin Luther King’s letters from the Birmingham jail call the church to seek to be known as disciples of Jesus through love, rather than following the winds of society. If the church doesn’t love deeply across all divides and distinctions, we lose the identity of what makes us followers of Christ.In this passage, Jesus gives us a commandment that is new - love one another as Jesus has loved us. The standard has been raised in this command. Jesus is telling His disciples, “you have walked with Me, and suffered with Me, and you know how I have loved you. Now go, and give that love to others!” Jesus’ love moves beyond attraction and emotion and condition. And that’s what he calls us to do!So: 1)what should we do?2)how will this happen?How to love like Jesus - With Service, Without selectiveness, and With Sacrifice.Through His examples in this chapter, shows us that Love is humbling as Jesus washes His disciples' feet. Is your love only demonstrated from your position of convenience? Even Judas’s feet were washed - love with unconditional service. Even Peter’s feet, when he would soon deny him. Acting like Christ means to pray and love and have compassion and humility even of those who would betray. The kind of love Jesus is disciplining us in, is loving your enemies, even when you mean you harm and hate.So, how does Jesus expect us to do it? Where does the provision come from to do this? 1)Recognizing the source - When Jesus died sacrificially, he fuels us with the capacity to love. Because he first loved us. In our resurrection, having died with Christ, we have received the ability to do so.2)we have clear pictures of who were were before Christ. We were like Judas. How can I withhold love from those who betray me? When I - a perpetual denier and betrayer - have been loved so much by Jesus.3)the Spirit within us, will allow us to boldly, courageously love with sacrifice and without condition. The Spirit which Jesus gives us the provision of, empowers us to be able to do so!
Sermon Date - 1/5/25Pastor: Brian CrawfordLuke 5:33-39.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Why don’t Jesus disciples fast? In this text, we find a people who are struggling with “newness.” These Pharisees are totally not getting or understanding why Jesus is doing things differently from themselves. But they were adding more regulation to God’s instruction. It was solely their opinion that certain acts should have been followed.And Jesus gives them two responses. 1) we are enjoying this party because Joy has arrived. And 2) and we are enjoying this party because New has arrived.Joy - the parable we see is one of marriage and brides and grooms. Jesus’ answer is simply - “what wedding have you ever gone to, where they fast during the feast?” It’s a celebration! Jesus’s presence symbolizes the marriage portion of a wedding - there’s no reason to be sad, or grieve. The Groom is here! For those “married” to Him, now means we are now eternally saved! There’s NO REASON to be sad - even on the occasions when our life crumbles around us.New - he told them a parable about new patches on old garments, and new wine in old wine skins.In the example in the garments - when you patch an old shirt with a new shirt. You wind up just destroying two shirts when you try and do that. Jesus is telling the Pharisees that Salvation is not a patch the Pharisees use to fix up their way of doing things. It has to replace it!With the wine skins - during fermentation, gas is released from the grape juice, so when the container is sealed it has pressure built up, so the new wine skin can stretch. Old wineskins, however, do not have the elasticity left in the container. They will burst under the pressure of new wine.Jesus is saying that the vessel needs to be new to hold the Joy and Gospel. Sometimes we approach our old life, with new wine mentality. We need to change totally and completely. If I take my old life and try to add upgrade it a little bit, I will break. I must be willing to trade the old way of viewing things, for the new way of viewing and doing things.Are you viewing your Christian life like new wine in old wineskins? Or are you sincerely and genuinely asking the Lord to completely and totally recreate your life, so that it centers around Him? Jesus says He didn’t come here to modify your story. I’m here to completely and totally transform it.
Sermon Date - 1/5/25Pastor: Brian CrawfordLuke 5:33-39.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Why don’t Jesus disciples fast? In this text, we find a people who are struggling with “newness.” These Pharisees are totally not getting or understanding why Jesus is doing things differently from themselves. But they were adding more regulation to God’s instruction. It was solely their opinion that certain acts should have been followed.And Jesus gives them two responses. 1) we are enjoying this party because Joy has arrived. And 2) and we are enjoying this party because New has arrived.Joy - the parable we see is one of marriage and brides and grooms. Jesus’ answer is simply - “what wedding have you ever gone to, where they fast during the feast?” It’s a celebration! Jesus’s presence symbolizes the marriage portion of a wedding - there’s no reason to be sad, or grieve. The Groom is here! For those “married” to Him, now means we are now eternally saved! There’s NO REASON to be sad - even on the occasions when our life crumbles around us.New - he told them a parable about new patches on old garments, and new wine in old wine skins.In the example in the garments - when you patch an old shirt with a new shirt. You wind up just destroying two shirts when you try and do that. Jesus is telling the Pharisees that Salvation is not a patch the Pharisees use to fix up their way of doing things. It has to replace it!With the wine skins - during fermentation, gas is released from the grape juice, so when the container is sealed it has pressure built up, so the new wine skin can stretch. Old wineskins, however, do not have the elasticity left in the container. They will burst under the pressure of new wine.Jesus is saying that the vessel needs to be new to hold the Joy and Gospel. Sometimes we approach our old life, with new wine mentality. We need to change totally and completely. If I take my old life and try to add upgrade it a little bit, I will break. I must be willing to trade the old way of viewing things, for the new way of viewing and doing things.Are you viewing your Christian life like new wine in old wineskins? Or are you sincerely and genuinely asking the Lord to completely and totally recreate your life, so that it centers around Him? Jesus says He didn’t come here to modify your story. I’m here to completely and totally transform it.
Sermon Date: 12/22/24Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 5:12-26.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.The Leper’s faith in this verse is an active and humble type of faith. Leprosy is painful and debilitating. (Luke makes sure that the leprosy described is actually leprosy!) This man is in very bad condition - being "Full" of leprosy. But lepers in this time were not just impacted physically, but emotionally and socially. He was to live alone and dress/talk/act like a suffering man. They were even referred to as “the living dead” at that time.But despite this, the Leper 1) gets close, breaking all social protocol. 2) fell on his face, believing Jesus to be Lord and being humble in His presence. This man’s faith is scandalous! The leper steps out into uncharted waters with uncertain outcomes on nothing but accepting the will of God. Praise the Lord, not only does Jesus have the ability to clean the body, but clean the sins on a man!Because of the cleansing of Leper, the word gets out, and crowds started gather around Jesus. And the next miracle we see Jesus perform is healing the paralyzed man. The paralyzed man had to be lifted through the roofs to get around the crowds. These men doing this show incredible compassion to one in need. Again, this is a risky, active faith, just like the leper.What do they do? The cut a hole in someone’s roof! They’re willing to take the risk because “all they have to do is reach Jesus.” God hears the pleas of a friend, for sure!But in the moment, we see Jesus forgives the man’s sins instead of healing his legs! And the Pharisees start accusing Jesus of blasphemy in their minds. But Jesus perceives their thoughts, and outwardly says “why do you doubt?” And then takes it all a step further, healing the paralyzed man. He who has the power to heal, has the power to save. He wants others to see and believe!When the Lord provides for us in any way, it is a reminder of the power of God and that he has already cleansed you of your sins!
Sermon Date: 12/22/24Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 5:12-26.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.The Leper’s faith in this verse is an active and humble type of faith. Leprosy is painful and debilitating. (Luke makes sure that the leprosy described is actually leprosy!) This man is in very bad condition - being "Full" of leprosy. But lepers in this time were not just impacted physically, but emotionally and socially. He was to live alone and dress/talk/act like a suffering man. They were even referred to as “the living dead” at that time.But despite this, the Leper 1) gets close, breaking all social protocol. 2) fell on his face, believing Jesus to be Lord and being humble in His presence. This man’s faith is scandalous! The leper steps out into uncharted waters with uncertain outcomes on nothing but accepting the will of God. Praise the Lord, not only does Jesus have the ability to clean the body, but clean the sins on a man!Because of the cleansing of Leper, the word gets out, and crowds started gather around Jesus. And the next miracle we see Jesus perform is healing the paralyzed man. The paralyzed man had to be lifted through the roofs to get around the crowds. These men doing this show incredible compassion to one in need. Again, this is a risky, active faith, just like the leper.What do they do? The cut a hole in someone’s roof! They’re willing to take the risk because “all they have to do is reach Jesus.” God hears the pleas of a friend, for sure!But in the moment, we see Jesus forgives the man’s sins instead of healing his legs! And the Pharisees start accusing Jesus of blasphemy in their minds. But Jesus perceives their thoughts, and outwardly says “why do you doubt?” And then takes it all a step further, healing the paralyzed man. He who has the power to heal, has the power to save. He wants others to see and believe!When the Lord provides for us in any way, it is a reminder of the power of God and that he has already cleansed you of your sins!
Sermon Date: 12/15/24Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 5:1-11.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.In this verse, we have a fishing experience, and great humility shows up that changes those present.Our perception of ourselves, our identity and Our response- can change when you understand who is in the boat with you.When Jesus is in the boat, our perception of ourselves changes. In this boat, he begins teaching lessons about God. Simon addresses Jesus as master - so even though Peter is the professional fisherman this moment, he still obeys despite this expertise. But Peter doesn’t fully understand who is in the boat with him. And we go from one boat with no fish, to two boats filled to the point of sinking.Simon’s at first called Jesus Master… but now he understands who he is in the boat with, and he responds by calling Jesus Lord! And when he does so, he recognizes himself in contrast, and Simon tells the Lord to depart from him, because Simon is a sinner. When we see God for who He is, we see ourselves for who we are - when we see the face of God, we know how unclean we are. You don’t know yourself until you see Him.While humanity snatch fish from the sea, moving us away from Life towards Death, Jesus Snatches people in “the sea” from death to life. Being fishermen of men, is active, not passive. It requires work - hard work. It’s not easy to go out into our community and pull lives from death to life. Our identity is changed - we are called to do the work required to catch humanity with the Gospel.Our response changes too! When Simon Peter fully comes to grips with Who was in the boat with them, he drops everything to follow the Lord. He leaves his burdens behind, takes up his cross, and follows Him. Despite who we are, God is still invites us into His presence.
Sermon Date: 12/15/24Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 5:1-11.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.In this verse, we have a fishing experience, and great humility shows up that changes those present.Our perception of ourselves, our identity and Our response- can change when you understand who is in the boat with you.When Jesus is in the boat, our perception of ourselves changes. In this boat, he begins teaching lessons about God. Simon addresses Jesus as master - so even though Peter is the professional fisherman this moment, he still obeys despite this expertise. But Peter doesn’t fully understand who is in the boat with him. And we go from one boat with no fish, to two boats filled to the point of sinking.Simon’s at first called Jesus Master… but now he understands who he is in the boat with, and he responds by calling Jesus Lord! And when he does so, he recognizes himself in contrast, and Simon tells the Lord to depart from him, because Simon is a sinner. When we see God for who He is, we see ourselves for who we are - when we see the face of God, we know how unclean we are. You don’t know yourself until you see Him.While humanity snatch fish from the sea, moving us away from Life towards Death, Jesus Snatches people in “the sea” from death to life. Being fishermen of men, is active, not passive. It requires work - hard work. It’s not easy to go out into our community and pull lives from death to life. Our identity is changed - we are called to do the work required to catch humanity with the Gospel.Our response changes too! When Simon Peter fully comes to grips with Who was in the boat with them, he drops everything to follow the Lord. He leaves his burdens behind, takes up his cross, and follows Him. Despite who we are, God is still invites us into His presence.
Sermon Date: 12/08/24Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 4:31-44.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.In Jesus, you can bet your life on him. And he claimed that is true! But Jesus’s declarations are often not accepted by the crowds. In Nazareth, he declares what He is there for. But in Capernaum, they get to see what he does!Once in Capernaum, Jesus begins fulfilling what he just said he would do. He teaches in the Synagogue on the sabbath, with the kind of authority that compelled Awe. Then begins setting free demons from the people. Even the demons know His power and authority. And they fear Him. “You are the Son of God,” they say. Jesus rebuked them - be silent, and come out. Jesus has not only the power to cast them out, but silence them from talking about the things He doesn’t want them talking about. But Jesus also protects the bodies of the victims. The power of Christ is over the ENTIRE situation.Even the demons know His name, and know their place.In the situation with Simon’s Mother-in-law, when Jesus rebuked the fever, she immediately rose and served Jesus. When Christ improves our life, it can often lead to us receiving earthly gifts. We have to make a choice, do we stay focused on our gifts, and take our sight off God? Or do we keep our focus on Him, and serve Him, rather than serve ourselves.Jesus is dedicated to His mission. Despite the people around Him wanting Him to stay, Jesus knows He must go and proclaim the news to other places. God didn’t call us to be comfortable in your own journey. But to spread the ministry of the Gospel in both word and deed.We are called to pursue a walk that is modeling the talk!
Sermon Date: 12/08/24Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 4:31-44.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.In Jesus, you can bet your life on him. And he claimed that is true! But Jesus’s declarations are often not accepted by the crowds. In Nazareth, he declares what He is there for. But in Capernaum, they get to see what he does!Once in Capernaum, Jesus begins fulfilling what he just said he would do. He teaches in the Synagogue on the sabbath, with the kind of authority that compelled Awe. Then begins setting free demons from the people. Even the demons know His power and authority. And they fear Him. “You are the Son of God,” they say. Jesus rebuked them - be silent, and come out. Jesus has not only the power to cast them out, but silence them from talking about the things He doesn’t want them talking about. But Jesus also protects the bodies of the victims. The power of Christ is over the ENTIRE situation.Even the demons know His name, and know their place.In the situation with Simon’s Mother-in-law, when Jesus rebuked the fever, she immediately rose and served Jesus. When Christ improves our life, it can often lead to us receiving earthly gifts. We have to make a choice, do we stay focused on our gifts, and take our sight off God? Or do we keep our focus on Him, and serve Him, rather than serve ourselves.Jesus is dedicated to His mission. Despite the people around Him wanting Him to stay, Jesus knows He must go and proclaim the news to other places. God didn’t call us to be comfortable in your own journey. But to spread the ministry of the Gospel in both word and deed.We are called to pursue a walk that is modeling the talk!
Sermon Date: 12/01/24Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 4:14-30.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.In this text, Jesus is making a return home after 40 days in the wilderness tempted by Satan. But His return home, He’s treated as a hometown boy.He returns home with power - fortified - after He faced a physical and spiritual test. When the flesh, world and the devil test us, it can either break us, or strengthen us.When Jesus returned home, He was being recognized (celebrated and popular). But recognition is not reverence. Many people fall in love with the power of Christ, but still cling to our own will and authority. This is what Jesus returns home to. He was popular, but not praised.The word that Jesus preaches is Isaiah 61. This would not have been a usual text in Judaism. We read texts like this, and we immediately think this is about Salvation. But the Jewish community wouldn’t think anything special or particular. But Jesus is making them aware that His ministry is beginning. He is bringing salvation, freedom from oppression, and liberation from suffering.But because He was in His hometown, He receives disbelief and doubt at His proclamation - that He is bringing that peace and salvation through Himself. And He quotes the Old Testament, he shares that the Good news is going out to the Gentiles as well! Not just the Jews.And this infuriated His hometown. Jesus is literally saying - I’ve come to bring all the things you’ve been waiting for, BUT if you don’t receive me, you’ll be on the outside of those good things. And His hometown reacted in fury. And they tried to kill Him.The Jesus we don’t have to submit to, or embrace is the one we feel is easy to Glorify. But the Jesus who tells us that we must give up our way to receive Him, we often push away. But this is the ONLY Jesus that’s available! He is King - and He comes on His terms. If you refuse that, you will be on the outside, even if you grew up in the same home town.
Sermon Date: 12/01/24Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 4:14-30.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.In this text, Jesus is making a return home after 40 days in the wilderness tempted by Satan. But His return home, He’s treated as a hometown boy.He returns home with power - fortified - after He faced a physical and spiritual test. When the flesh, world and the devil test us, it can either break us, or strengthen us.When Jesus returned home, He was being recognized (celebrated and popular). But recognition is not reverence. Many people fall in love with the power of Christ, but still cling to our own will and authority. This is what Jesus returns home to. He was popular, but not praised.The word that Jesus preaches is Isaiah 61. This would not have been a usual text in Judaism. We read texts like this, and we immediately think this is about Salvation. But the Jewish community wouldn’t think anything special or particular. But Jesus is making them aware that His ministry is beginning. He is bringing salvation, freedom from oppression, and liberation from suffering.But because He was in His hometown, He receives disbelief and doubt at His proclamation - that He is bringing that peace and salvation through Himself. And He quotes the Old Testament, he shares that the Good news is going out to the Gentiles as well! Not just the Jews.And this infuriated His hometown. Jesus is literally saying - I’ve come to bring all the things you’ve been waiting for, BUT if you don’t receive me, you’ll be on the outside of those good things. And His hometown reacted in fury. And they tried to kill Him.The Jesus we don’t have to submit to, or embrace is the one we feel is easy to Glorify. But the Jesus who tells us that we must give up our way to receive Him, we often push away. But this is the ONLY Jesus that’s available! He is King - and He comes on His terms. If you refuse that, you will be on the outside, even if you grew up in the same home town.
Sermon Date: 11/24/24Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 4:1-12.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.How do Christs temptations in the wilderness relate to us?Trials teach us what we are and who we are made of. Right after His baptism, we discover what Jesus is made of by His temptations by Satan.Trials reveal our character. (What are the responses to your trials saying about you)?God allows our Trials and testing. (Full of the Holy Spirit and was led by the spirit) Jesus was not in this position due to an error Jesus made. It was deliberate and not random. God was allowing Jesus to be tested to succeed in His covenant, where man has failed in his. Jesus could do what man cannot do.This story brings to mind the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. God was announcing to the world that Jesus was His son in this moment of testing.God does not tempt us with evil. In any situation we are tested, God is not giving us evil, but rather the devil is tempting us. But rather providing the way out, know this, though, God does allow the storm, the testing. So that we can see what type of person we are and what we have to deal with in our own lives. Trials are meant to grow you, and not Grieve you! In the midst of your testing, the Lord is often trying to work something out of us - impurities that might be removed when they rise to the surface.God reveals certain things with certain tests. The only reason for Jesus to be tempted to turn stones to bread is because He can do it. Something about this test reveals Jesus’s character to us. He is in the end of a 40 day fast. It makes complete sense for Satan to tempt Jesus with food. But this attempt is trying to turn Christs trust away from His Father. Which makes Jesus’s response so important - “man shall not live by bread alone” revealing His trust in the Father.The second question Satan asks is "is it worth your obedience? Worship me and I will give you all things!" But Jesus replies “only Him shall you serve.” The truth is that God owns everything in its fullness. The temptation is to believe the lie that God is not actually in control. In these moments of trial and testing, it reveals what we really believe in those moments. What are you saying with your own life? Do you believe that God can reward?The last test - throw yourself from the rooftop and angels will supernaturally take care of you. And Jesus responds “you will not test Him.” Satan is actually saying “if you continue to worship Him, will He protect you. Let’s see!” We all crave safety and protection. But, the life of Christ is NOT SAFE! He was sent to die for us. What does this reveal about our Savior? We have a High Priest who weathered all the temptations we can. And we can look to our savior, and put our faith in someone who has been through what we’ve been through.
Sermon Date: 11/24/24Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 4:1-12.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.How do Christs temptations in the wilderness relate to us?Trials teach us what we are and who we are made of. Right after His baptism, we discover what Jesus is made of by His temptations by Satan.Trials reveal our character. (What are the responses to your trials saying about you)?God allows our Trials and testing. (Full of the Holy Spirit and was led by the spirit) Jesus was not in this position due to an error Jesus made. It was deliberate and not random. God was allowing Jesus to be tested to succeed in His covenant, where man has failed in his. Jesus could do what man cannot do.This story brings to mind the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. God was announcing to the world that Jesus was His son in this moment of testing.God does not tempt us with evil. In any situation we are tested, God is not giving us evil, but rather the devil is tempting us. But rather providing the way out, know this, though, God does allow the storm, the testing. So that we can see what type of person we are and what we have to deal with in our own lives. Trials are meant to grow you, and not Grieve you! In the midst of your testing, the Lord is often trying to work something out of us - impurities that might be removed when they rise to the surface.God reveals certain things with certain tests. The only reason for Jesus to be tempted to turn stones to bread is because He can do it. Something about this test reveals Jesus’s character to us. He is in the end of a 40 day fast. It makes complete sense for Satan to tempt Jesus with food. But this attempt is trying to turn Christs trust away from His Father. Which makes Jesus’s response so important - “man shall not live by bread alone” revealing His trust in the Father.The second question Satan asks is "is it worth your obedience? Worship me and I will give you all things!" But Jesus replies “only Him shall you serve.” The truth is that God owns everything in its fullness. The temptation is to believe the lie that God is not actually in control. In these moments of trial and testing, it reveals what we really believe in those moments. What are you saying with your own life? Do you believe that God can reward?The last test - throw yourself from the rooftop and angels will supernaturally take care of you. And Jesus responds “you will not test Him.” Satan is actually saying “if you continue to worship Him, will He protect you. Let’s see!” We all crave safety and protection. But, the life of Christ is NOT SAFE! He was sent to die for us. What does this reveal about our Savior? We have a High Priest who weathered all the temptations we can. And we can look to our savior, and put our faith in someone who has been through what we’ve been through.
Sermon Date: 11/17/2024Speaker: Corey DeyamportLuke 3:23-38.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.The first time you meet someone, you often get asked: “who are you people” or “what’s your name.” The name you produce says a lot more than just a name. Knowing your name means knowing your family, and a family’s name carries their history.This text today tells us “who Jesus’s people are.” And this tells us that:Jesus is for all peopleHe is the fulfillment of God’s promises.Jesus is fully man and fully God.Jesus is for all people: the angel tells us, announcing Jesus’s birth that His birth is great news for “all people.” The genealogy declares that Jesus and Jesus alone fits the mold to be the promised messiah. He is legally and spiritually the One. His connection to the royal bloodline and David, would show that He is the heir. But Luke traces the history all the way back to Adam and even God. Jesus is not just a Jewish Jesus, but He is a Jesus for all nations. Just as sin came in through one man - Adam, one man - Jesus, brought justification.Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises: this genealogy shows that Jesus is the resolution of all the promises God made to His people. And if God kept His promises to David and Abraham, we can be certain that God can keep his promises to us.Jesus is fully God and Fully man: Jesus is uniquely qualified to fulfill those promises. This genealogy shows us He was fully man and fully God. The word “as supposed,” shows that he was legally Joseph’s child, but he was of divine origin. In this way; He could bridge the gap between heaven and earth. And because of this, we can be adopted as sons and daughters of the Most High. We are heirs.And this adoption is granted to us solely by His grace. This truth transforms (or should transform) how we live. So when doubts creep in because we look at our lives and see how our unworthiness… we can look to Jesus and His act on the cross. We are not accidental citizens of Heaven.
Sermon Date: 11/17/2024Speaker: Corey DeyamportLuke 3:23-38.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.The first time you meet someone, you often get asked: “who are you people” or “what’s your name.” The name you produce says a lot more than just a name. Knowing your name means knowing your family, and a family’s name carries their history.This text today tells us “who Jesus’s people are.” And this tells us that:Jesus is for all peopleHe is the fulfillment of God’s promises.Jesus is fully man and fully God.Jesus is for all people: the angel tells us, announcing Jesus’s birth that His birth is great news for “all people.” The genealogy declares that Jesus and Jesus alone fits the mold to be the promised messiah. He is legally and spiritually the One. His connection to the royal bloodline and David, would show that He is the heir. But Luke traces the history all the way back to Adam and even God. Jesus is not just a Jewish Jesus, but He is a Jesus for all nations. Just as sin came in through one man - Adam, one man - Jesus, brought justification.Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises: this genealogy shows that Jesus is the resolution of all the promises God made to His people. And if God kept His promises to David and Abraham, we can be certain that God can keep his promises to us.Jesus is fully God and Fully man: Jesus is uniquely qualified to fulfill those promises. This genealogy shows us He was fully man and fully God. The word “as supposed,” shows that he was legally Joseph’s child, but he was of divine origin. In this way; He could bridge the gap between heaven and earth. And because of this, we can be adopted as sons and daughters of the Most High. We are heirs.And this adoption is granted to us solely by His grace. This truth transforms (or should transform) how we live. So when doubts creep in because we look at our lives and see how our unworthiness… we can look to Jesus and His act on the cross. We are not accidental citizens of Heaven.
Sermon Date: 11/3/2024Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 3: 1-22.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Sermon notesLuke 3: 1-22Here's a snapshot of the politics surrounding John and his proclaiming of the Christ to come: Tiberius is the emperor of Rome. He ruled during the ministry of John and the ministry of Jesus. He was able to get Rome out of its debt over this time. But his time in rulership is filled with incredible scandal and rumor. Pilot was appointed a local ruler over the Jews. Pilot and the Jews had several conflicts. Herod is the ruler of Galile. John confronted Herod over his marriage. He was eventually imprisoned and killed during this time.There are all kinds of politics at play. But during this chaos and power plays, “the world of God came to John the Baptist in the wilderness.” The word of God showed up not to an emperor, but to a man in the woods eating locusts and honey.While all the word was fighting over the land, all of their stories would be overshadowed by a man they didn’t even know existed. All of the politics were happening, but people were going to woods to hear from God. John's message was not about doing work in any physical place - but our hearts. John's message was a call to repentance and his message also contains the context of violent radical change in our hearts. Repentance is an act of faith; we change because we trust the Lord. We submit our will to Jesus.What does repentance look like? You use your resources to help and serve those without. Tax collectors - collect no more than you were authorized to do. Soldiers - don’t extort others or be dishonest. Be content with wages. But both are to view other humans as image bearers and help others, serve others. Repentance is a radical alteration of course.His message was of radical submission to Jesus, and radical service to neighbor.When Jesus comes into your presence he will baptize you in spirit and fire. The spirit is our retainer, it keeps us. And the fire is the burning away of stuff that is not like Jesus. But for some of us; those who will not repent, that fire looks like judgement. So the hope that you and I have; when we repent, we don’t have to say it alone - the Lord gives us the spirit.
Sermon Date: 11/3/2024Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 3: 1-22.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Sermon notesLuke 3: 1-22Here's a snapshot of the politics surrounding John and his proclaiming of the Christ to come: Tiberius is the emperor of Rome. He ruled during the ministry of John and the ministry of Jesus. He was able to get Rome out of its debt over this time. But his time in rulership is filled with incredible scandal and rumor. Pilot was appointed a local ruler over the Jews. Pilot and the Jews had several conflicts. Herod is the ruler of Galile. John confronted Herod over his marriage. He was eventually imprisoned and killed during this time.There are all kinds of politics at play. But during this chaos and power plays, “the world of God came to John the Baptist in the wilderness.” The word of God showed up not to an emperor, but to a man in the woods eating locusts and honey.While all the word was fighting over the land, all of their stories would be overshadowed by a man they didn’t even know existed. All of the politics were happening, but people were going to woods to hear from God. John's message was not about doing work in any physical place - but our hearts. John's message was a call to repentance and his message also contains the context of violent radical change in our hearts. Repentance is an act of faith; we change because we trust the Lord. We submit our will to Jesus.What does repentance look like? You use your resources to help and serve those without. Tax collectors - collect no more than you were authorized to do. Soldiers - don’t extort others or be dishonest. Be content with wages. But both are to view other humans as image bearers and help others, serve others. Repentance is a radical alteration of course.His message was of radical submission to Jesus, and radical service to neighbor.When Jesus comes into your presence he will baptize you in spirit and fire. The spirit is our retainer, it keeps us. And the fire is the burning away of stuff that is not like Jesus. But for some of us; those who will not repent, that fire looks like judgement. So the hope that you and I have; when we repent, we don’t have to say it alone - the Lord gives us the spirit.
Sermon Date: 10/27/2024Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 2: 22-40.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg
Sermon Date: 10/27/2024Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 2: 22-40.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg
Sermon Date: 10/20/2024Speaker: Nate SteversonLuke 2: 22-40.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.If we were there when Jesus is presented to the temple, as in verses 22-40, our eyes would be fastened on the infinite hope displayed in this child. Simeon and Anna are present so we are alerted to this fact. We too are called to fix our eyes on Jesus and embrace Him as the hope and light of the world.The wait for Jesus Christ as redeemer is over. He has come, therefore we can receive him as our Redeemer. These verses show Jesus' Designation, Jesus' Destination, and Jesus' Declaration.Designation: the first male to open the womb shall be called holy - and offered two turtledoves and 2 pigeons as sacrifice. He was ALREADY declared holy before he was born. And under the law. And according to God’s word. Everything about Jesus is presented as being born under the law, for God. God chose this specific time in history to send his son into the world, so that he could redeem us. Jesus’s birth was to release us from the law, and usher in a new relationship with God through his death.Destination- He is concentrated as holy, under the lord. Jesus was to be “set aside for a divine purpose.” From the very beginning on of His birth. He is not only concentrated, but the concentrator - making us all holy, for the Lord. Simeon shows us that God is not slacking in His promises. Just as he waited for years, but we should not give up hope for the days to come. Jesus is for us - he is a consoler, a savior, an all-in-all. He is the fulfiller of both the Law, and the prophets.Declaration- Simeon’s words shows us where Jesus will be directed. He foreshadows the struggles and fight. His death to come, so we can be free from sin. This passage is evangelistic passage. Jesus is the message - we can accept his sacrifice as penance for our sins. Those who receive the message of Christ shall be saved, but those who reject the message of Christ will be destroyed.We also see another prophetic declaration - from Anna. She further proclaims Jesus’s arrival as the messiah. She declares that it was not ONLY for the Jew, but also for the gentiles. Praise God!
Sermon Date: 10/20/2024Speaker: Nate SteversonLuke 2: 22-40.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.If we were there when Jesus is presented to the temple, as in verses 22-40, our eyes would be fastened on the infinite hope displayed in this child. Simeon and Anna are present so we are alerted to this fact. We too are called to fix our eyes on Jesus and embrace Him as the hope and light of the world.The wait for Jesus Christ as redeemer is over. He has come, therefore we can receive him as our Redeemer. These verses show Jesus' Designation, Jesus' Destination, and Jesus' Declaration.Designation: the first male to open the womb shall be called holy - and offered two turtledoves and 2 pigeons as sacrifice. He was ALREADY declared holy before he was born. And under the law. And according to God’s word. Everything about Jesus is presented as being born under the law, for God. God chose this specific time in history to send his son into the world, so that he could redeem us. Jesus’s birth was to release us from the law, and usher in a new relationship with God through his death.Destination- He is concentrated as holy, under the lord. Jesus was to be “set aside for a divine purpose.” From the very beginning on of His birth. He is not only concentrated, but the concentrator - making us all holy, for the Lord. Simeon shows us that God is not slacking in His promises. Just as he waited for years, but we should not give up hope for the days to come. Jesus is for us - he is a consoler, a savior, an all-in-all. He is the fulfiller of both the Law, and the prophets.Declaration- Simeon’s words shows us where Jesus will be directed. He foreshadows the struggles and fight. His death to come, so we can be free from sin. This passage is evangelistic passage. Jesus is the message - we can accept his sacrifice as penance for our sins. Those who receive the message of Christ shall be saved, but those who reject the message of Christ will be destroyed.We also see another prophetic declaration - from Anna. She further proclaims Jesus’s arrival as the messiah. She declares that it was not ONLY for the Jew, but also for the gentiles. Praise God!
Sermon Date: 10/13/2024Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 2:1-7.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.During Jesus’s birth it would be easy to guess that He is without power. But his ordinary presentation is NOT a display of His actual power. We look at these verses to see two things: Jesus' Ordinary Birth, and how it highlights His Extraordinary Proclamation. Ordinary Birth - Jesus’s birth happens where it happens because of a normal mundane circumstance: a census. Even getting there is a 3-4 day (for healthy people) travel for Bethlehem. But Mary is pregnant. But God is moving heaven and earth and government to get Mary and Joseph where they need to be for this prophecy to be fulfilled. And he was born in a manger - a stinking, cramped box for feeding animals. God is drawing our attention to the circumstances of his Birth, it’s ordinary and humble. Jesus didn’t come to earth born in a beautiful comfortable palace; instead, He was born in a manger. God is telling us that He was born for everyone. Ordinary and regular folk.Extraordinary proclamation - the angels visit the Shepards at night, and they show up shining bright! The ordinary men have the type of reaction that ordinary men do. They were filled with great fear. In this moment, they get to see the angels, and they recognize that they are in the presence of Godly power. Our smallness becomes very real to us, because of who we are in the presence of. So, we are afraid. But in every case, they say “Don’t be afraid.” This is because in order to save us, our savior has arrived. And how do they find Him? In an ordinary context. In a manger. In swaddling cloths. Not fine linen or palaces.When you receive this good news, what do you do? What did the Shepards do? They moved - they went to go see. To move closer to this child! They moved closer to Jesus.They come to see, singing praises to God. And when they leave, they go and tell others what they have seen!
Sermon Date: 10/13/2024Speaker: Brian CrawfordLuke 2:1-7.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.During Jesus’s birth it would be easy to guess that He is without power. But his ordinary presentation is NOT a display of His actual power. We look at these verses to see two things: Jesus' Ordinary Birth, and how it highlights His Extraordinary Proclamation. Ordinary Birth - Jesus’s birth happens where it happens because of a normal mundane circumstance: a census. Even getting there is a 3-4 day (for healthy people) travel for Bethlehem. But Mary is pregnant. But God is moving heaven and earth and government to get Mary and Joseph where they need to be for this prophecy to be fulfilled. And he was born in a manger - a stinking, cramped box for feeding animals. God is drawing our attention to the circumstances of his Birth, it’s ordinary and humble. Jesus didn’t come to earth born in a beautiful comfortable palace; instead, He was born in a manger. God is telling us that He was born for everyone. Ordinary and regular folk.Extraordinary proclamation - the angels visit the Shepards at night, and they show up shining bright! The ordinary men have the type of reaction that ordinary men do. They were filled with great fear. In this moment, they get to see the angels, and they recognize that they are in the presence of Godly power. Our smallness becomes very real to us, because of who we are in the presence of. So, we are afraid. But in every case, they say “Don’t be afraid.” This is because in order to save us, our savior has arrived. And how do they find Him? In an ordinary context. In a manger. In swaddling cloths. Not fine linen or palaces.When you receive this good news, what do you do? What did the Shepards do? They moved - they went to go see. To move closer to this child! They moved closer to Jesus.They come to see, singing praises to God. And when they leave, they go and tell others what they have seen!
Sermon Text: Luke 1:57-66Sermon Date: 10/06/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.The birth of John is a story of God’s assurance, mercy, authority, and worth.God’s Assurance - l when the lord speaks, you can be sure. The process of going through a birth in old age, as Elizabeth, would be hard. But John’s birth shows that we can be sure of God making good on his Word. God’s birth is a reminder that when He speaks, we can be sure.God’s Mercy - It's written that He “Magnified His mercy” for her. The Lord is making his own mercy bigger in Elizabeth’s life, by giving her this promised child. God’s mercy in our life helps us to recognize the mercy He has given us. Make room in your life for this mercy. Magnify God in your soul for making you an heir to the Kingdom of God!God’s Authority - in Jewish customs, it was not normal to name a child after random name, but rather someone in the family. But they submit to God’s authority over them, and choose the name John. The family’s response would be “who is John! We don’t have a single John in our family.” Don’t miss the fact that they received a promise for God, and almost immediately there’s the pressure to compromise in this divine commission! But when the Lord calls us, we should be willing to follow. Our own desires on this earth is not as important as our calling from God.God’s Worth - as soon as Zachariah’s mouth was unlocked, he began to adore, praise and speak prophesy. The very first praise offered is not for his son, John, but for Jesus to come. Any blessing we receive for God is to be used in service to God. And Zachariah prophesied that John comes to prepare the way for Jesus, who saves the world through the tender mercy of our God. Even in the midst of hardship or discipline, when we come out and open our mouths, the first thing we say can be praise for his mighty worth.
Sermon Text: Luke 1:57-66Sermon Date: 10/06/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.The birth of John is a story of God’s assurance, mercy, authority, and worth.God’s Assurance - l when the lord speaks, you can be sure. The process of going through a birth in old age, as Elizabeth, would be hard. But John’s birth shows that we can be sure of God making good on his Word. God’s birth is a reminder that when He speaks, we can be sure.God’s Mercy - It's written that He “Magnified His mercy” for her. The Lord is making his own mercy bigger in Elizabeth’s life, by giving her this promised child. God’s mercy in our life helps us to recognize the mercy He has given us. Make room in your life for this mercy. Magnify God in your soul for making you an heir to the Kingdom of God!God’s Authority - in Jewish customs, it was not normal to name a child after random name, but rather someone in the family. But they submit to God’s authority over them, and choose the name John. The family’s response would be “who is John! We don’t have a single John in our family.” Don’t miss the fact that they received a promise for God, and almost immediately there’s the pressure to compromise in this divine commission! But when the Lord calls us, we should be willing to follow. Our own desires on this earth is not as important as our calling from God.God’s Worth - as soon as Zachariah’s mouth was unlocked, he began to adore, praise and speak prophesy. The very first praise offered is not for his son, John, but for Jesus to come. Any blessing we receive for God is to be used in service to God. And Zachariah prophesied that John comes to prepare the way for Jesus, who saves the world through the tender mercy of our God. Even in the midst of hardship or discipline, when we come out and open our mouths, the first thing we say can be praise for his mighty worth.
Sermon Text: Luke 1:46-56Sermon Date: 9/29/2024Speaker: Corey Deyamport.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Mary was chosen for an extraordinary assignment. We look at Mary’s song of praise today, upon receiving her assignment as carrying the savior. it contains: Praise for goods might, mercy and faithfulness.Might - May begins her song with “My soul magnifies the Lord…” Mary is not magnifing the lord to attempt to make him greater - but rather greater in her own heart. Sometimes when we don’t understand what’s happening in our lives, we diminish Him. How can God choose me? How can He have the power to make a barren womb bring forth Life? Even though Mary cannot see the future, she believes. Her praise is for what God is able to do, and to do the impossible.When was the last time you paused to give God praise because of who He is, rather than something He’s done for you? But God doesn’t just deserve praise for what He’s done in the past, or what He’s done for you. But for what He’s done for the future as wellMercy - we see a shift in her song from praise of God’s might in her life, but His mercy for everyone! Mary’s song is a reminder that God’s mercy is free - not earned - to those who fear Him. No matter what you’ve done, those who have reverence for God, His mercy is always available. God’s ability to a give mercy, always rises to our need for mercy, and always surpasses it. Jesus died because He was merciful.Faithful - Mary’s song continued to praise for His Faithfulness. Her actions and life are part of a much larger stories - of promises made and promises kept. The song celebrates His unchanging faithfulness! She saw that God’s promise to Abraham was being fulfilled through the child in her womb. Faithfulness is recognizing that our lives are part of God’s plan. The Joys and the Pains. All parts.Praising God without knowing the end of a thing is trust in His faithfulness. Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise and every hope. And our God has never failed, and never will.How do we joint the chorus alongside Mary? We begin as Mary did - My soul magnifies the Lord. And this is not Mary telling her soul to make God bigger; but rather making God bigger in her life and heart. She’s pushing aside any fear or lack of understanding. So we must as well to magnify Him.
Sermon Text: Luke 1:46-56Sermon Date: 9/29/2024Speaker: Corey Deyamport.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Mary was chosen for an extraordinary assignment. We look at Mary’s song of praise today, upon receiving her assignment as carrying the savior. it contains: Praise for goods might, mercy and faithfulness.Might - May begins her song with “My soul magnifies the Lord…” Mary is not magnifing the lord to attempt to make him greater - but rather greater in her own heart. Sometimes when we don’t understand what’s happening in our lives, we diminish Him. How can God choose me? How can He have the power to make a barren womb bring forth Life? Even though Mary cannot see the future, she believes. Her praise is for what God is able to do, and to do the impossible.When was the last time you paused to give God praise because of who He is, rather than something He’s done for you? But God doesn’t just deserve praise for what He’s done in the past, or what He’s done for you. But for what He’s done for the future as wellMercy - we see a shift in her song from praise of God’s might in her life, but His mercy for everyone! Mary’s song is a reminder that God’s mercy is free - not earned - to those who fear Him. No matter what you’ve done, those who have reverence for God, His mercy is always available. God’s ability to a give mercy, always rises to our need for mercy, and always surpasses it. Jesus died because He was merciful.Faithful - Mary’s song continued to praise for His Faithfulness. Her actions and life are part of a much larger stories - of promises made and promises kept. The song celebrates His unchanging faithfulness! She saw that God’s promise to Abraham was being fulfilled through the child in her womb. Faithfulness is recognizing that our lives are part of God’s plan. The Joys and the Pains. All parts.Praising God without knowing the end of a thing is trust in His faithfulness. Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise and every hope. And our God has never failed, and never will.How do we joint the chorus alongside Mary? We begin as Mary did - My soul magnifies the Lord. And this is not Mary telling her soul to make God bigger; but rather making God bigger in her life and heart. She’s pushing aside any fear or lack of understanding. So we must as well to magnify Him.
Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38Sermon Date: 9/22/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Sermon Notes - Sept 22Mary is one of the most fiercely debated characters in the Bible. So, who is Mary and what is her story? This is the second conception story in Luke. The first is John the Baptist. So, we can see the importance of Mary by comparing both Johns birth, and Jesus' birth. We will analyze them through Comparison, Condition and Calling.Comparison - Elizabeth and Zachariah are old and without children. Mary and Joseph are young. Elizabeth and Zachariah lived in the city, Mary and Joseph live in the middle of nowhere. Yet, both are visited by Gabriel. In the face of the impossible, they will both conceive.One child will prepare the way for the savior, the other is the savior! Our backgrounds are not a prerequisite for our use by God. We often think - Do I have the minimum prerequisite to be used by God? The only requisite is God Himself.Conditions - Mary is a virgin (betrothed to Joseph), Elizabeth is barren. Betrothal in this time is very different than what we expect. It was legally binding, and any sexual conduct would be considered cheating. And for all intents and purposes they are considered husband and wife. The accusations of adultly could bring extreme problems in Mary's life. But God provides the protection for her. We also see the trinity in this work! God the father, and the Holy Spirit bringing about the Son in Mary.“Greetings oh favored one” is a statement of grace from Gabriel to Mary. Mary is the recipient of God’s unexpected and overwhelming grace. Mary’s not the mother of Grace, but the Daughter of Grace. Not because she is perfect, but because God is!When angels show up, they often elicit a response of fear - but take notice of her response. It’s not Gabriel’s presence that troubles Mary. But Gabriel’s words. What’s so special about me? But, she is favored - not because she’s great, but because God is!Calling - the angel gives Elizabeth and Zachariah a name for their son, and Gabriel gives Mary and Joseph a name as well. These names mean things. In Jesus' name, we hear his eternal purpose. “Yahweh saves.” God sent his Son, so that we would have access to adoption by the Father for all eternity. The angel also declares his future - “he will be great… and he will reign forever… and of his kingdom there will be no end!" The mentioning of David is important in this text, because He is fulfilling promises made during David’s time. God raised up David’s line, and birthed a kingdom that lasts forever. And all of that is wrapped up in Gabriel’s promise to Mary.Fear not, in Christ, there is being established a forever kingdom. In Christ, we will know eternal joy, eternal peace, eternal gladness, and eternal presence, with the Lord. A kingdom with no end.And why are these two wombs are sprouting forth life when they ought not to - because nothing is impossible with God. Barren wombs and virgin wombs will give birth, and those who were abandoned and left for dead, will be adopted into our family: because nothing is impossible for God!How should we respond? Like Mary. This is what set her apart and makes her special - “Behold, I am the servant to the Lord.” Her Obedience as a Daughter of Grace.
Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38Sermon Date: 9/22/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Sermon Notes - Sept 22Mary is one of the most fiercely debated characters in the Bible. So, who is Mary and what is her story? This is the second conception story in Luke. The first is John the Baptist. So, we can see the importance of Mary by comparing both Johns birth, and Jesus' birth. We will analyze them through Comparison, Condition and Calling.Comparison - Elizabeth and Zachariah are old and without children. Mary and Joseph are young. Elizabeth and Zachariah lived in the city, Mary and Joseph live in the middle of nowhere. Yet, both are visited by Gabriel. In the face of the impossible, they will both conceive.One child will prepare the way for the savior, the other is the savior! Our backgrounds are not a prerequisite for our use by God. We often think - Do I have the minimum prerequisite to be used by God? The only requisite is God Himself.Conditions - Mary is a virgin (betrothed to Joseph), Elizabeth is barren. Betrothal in this time is very different than what we expect. It was legally binding, and any sexual conduct would be considered cheating. And for all intents and purposes they are considered husband and wife. The accusations of adultly could bring extreme problems in Mary's life. But God provides the protection for her. We also see the trinity in this work! God the father, and the Holy Spirit bringing about the Son in Mary.“Greetings oh favored one” is a statement of grace from Gabriel to Mary. Mary is the recipient of God’s unexpected and overwhelming grace. Mary’s not the mother of Grace, but the Daughter of Grace. Not because she is perfect, but because God is!When angels show up, they often elicit a response of fear - but take notice of her response. It’s not Gabriel’s presence that troubles Mary. But Gabriel’s words. What’s so special about me? But, she is favored - not because she’s great, but because God is!Calling - the angel gives Elizabeth and Zachariah a name for their son, and Gabriel gives Mary and Joseph a name as well. These names mean things. In Jesus' name, we hear his eternal purpose. “Yahweh saves.” God sent his Son, so that we would have access to adoption by the Father for all eternity. The angel also declares his future - “he will be great… and he will reign forever… and of his kingdom there will be no end!" The mentioning of David is important in this text, because He is fulfilling promises made during David’s time. God raised up David’s line, and birthed a kingdom that lasts forever. And all of that is wrapped up in Gabriel’s promise to Mary.Fear not, in Christ, there is being established a forever kingdom. In Christ, we will know eternal joy, eternal peace, eternal gladness, and eternal presence, with the Lord. A kingdom with no end.And why are these two wombs are sprouting forth life when they ought not to - because nothing is impossible with God. Barren wombs and virgin wombs will give birth, and those who were abandoned and left for dead, will be adopted into our family: because nothing is impossible for God!How should we respond? Like Mary. This is what set her apart and makes her special - “Behold, I am the servant to the Lord.” Her Obedience as a Daughter of Grace.
Sermon Text: Luke 1: 5-7Sermon Date: 9/15/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.This passage begins concerning childbirth, but not the birth you would expect. The couple love God, but had trouble conceiving. Luke makes his point early on - even the best of us, aren’t excused from the highest of pains. This couple had high lineage, high standards of righteousness, but also were experiencing the highest of pain. But even in that pain; God is with us, and has not abandoned us. And the plan He has outlined for his children, will still be accomplished by His children.This child was birthed with great pain, great grief, but great purpose. On the week that Zachariah was supposed to be tending the temple with his group, this birth is happening. Also, Zachariah is chosen by lot from 1800 for a super special cleaning of the altar - a once in a lifetime event for Zachariah. So, all of this is happening at once, showing that God is at work filling His redemptive purposes even when Zachariah and his wife thought that God had abandoned them. But, God was working, even when they thought He left them alone.God also uses this moment to show Zachariah that this birth would be powerful. Not only has his prayer been heard, but his son would be the John, the cousin of Christ! And he would make the way ready for Christ’s coming. Zachariah’s answered prayer is not just for them, BUT, for everyone that would be blessed through his child. This child would pave the way for the king of king, the lord of lords, the prince of peace! His assignment will bring joy to many homes!Zachariah and Elizabeth had no idea that this is happening. All they wanted is just a son. A child to bring them joy. See, the delay was not because they have been forgotten, but their prayers were rather answered with the framework of God’s eternal, redemptive work.You may be praying for something, but is your answer along the way to the fulfillment of His grand redemptive purposes?Zachariah responded, “how shall I know this? For I am an old man…” and the angel answers “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent here to give a message to you.” And because he disbelieved, he struck Zachariah mute until his child was born.This is a man who has lived his whole life, asking these questions. And when Gabriel shows up, of course it makes sense that in his grief, being told “no” for so long, after enduring the disappointment and even rumors within their own community about their own lives, that Zachariah has questions within his human nature. “Have you looked at us? We’re old, and have been asking for a LONG time. Are you sure you got the right people?” Sometimes, when God shows up, a little doubt shows up with Him.God answers not just according to purpose, but to promise. Delay is not denial, but to make sure that we stay on the direction of His grand plan.Even in striking Zachariah mute, it is for his sanctification. God is always growing and teaching us along the way. So he goes home, and God gives them a child. He has not forgotten you. He’s just got to get us to our destination first.
Sermon Text: Luke 1: 5-7Sermon Date: 9/15/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.This passage begins concerning childbirth, but not the birth you would expect. The couple love God, but had trouble conceiving. Luke makes his point early on - even the best of us, aren’t excused from the highest of pains. This couple had high lineage, high standards of righteousness, but also were experiencing the highest of pain. But even in that pain; God is with us, and has not abandoned us. And the plan He has outlined for his children, will still be accomplished by His children.This child was birthed with great pain, great grief, but great purpose. On the week that Zachariah was supposed to be tending the temple with his group, this birth is happening. Also, Zachariah is chosen by lot from 1800 for a super special cleaning of the altar - a once in a lifetime event for Zachariah. So, all of this is happening at once, showing that God is at work filling His redemptive purposes even when Zachariah and his wife thought that God had abandoned them. But, God was working, even when they thought He left them alone.God also uses this moment to show Zachariah that this birth would be powerful. Not only has his prayer been heard, but his son would be the John, the cousin of Christ! And he would make the way ready for Christ’s coming. Zachariah’s answered prayer is not just for them, BUT, for everyone that would be blessed through his child. This child would pave the way for the king of king, the lord of lords, the prince of peace! His assignment will bring joy to many homes!Zachariah and Elizabeth had no idea that this is happening. All they wanted is just a son. A child to bring them joy. See, the delay was not because they have been forgotten, but their prayers were rather answered with the framework of God’s eternal, redemptive work.You may be praying for something, but is your answer along the way to the fulfillment of His grand redemptive purposes?Zachariah responded, “how shall I know this? For I am an old man…” and the angel answers “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent here to give a message to you.” And because he disbelieved, he struck Zachariah mute until his child was born.This is a man who has lived his whole life, asking these questions. And when Gabriel shows up, of course it makes sense that in his grief, being told “no” for so long, after enduring the disappointment and even rumors within their own community about their own lives, that Zachariah has questions within his human nature. “Have you looked at us? We’re old, and have been asking for a LONG time. Are you sure you got the right people?” Sometimes, when God shows up, a little doubt shows up with Him.God answers not just according to purpose, but to promise. Delay is not denial, but to make sure that we stay on the direction of His grand plan.Even in striking Zachariah mute, it is for his sanctification. God is always growing and teaching us along the way. So he goes home, and God gives them a child. He has not forgotten you. He’s just got to get us to our destination first.
Sermon Text: Luke 1: 1-4Sermon Date: 9/8/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Sermon Notes - Sept 8, 2024Luke 1:1-4 (the greatest story ever told)What makes the Gospel of Luke different from any other Gospel? Sometimes, there is a sense in which we don’t know which part of the Bible is real, or which part is metaphor/exaggeration. Verses one 1-4 tell us that this whole thing is real, and grounded in reality. The Gospel of Luke is intended to be believed.Who is Luke? He's mentioned several places through the New Testament, and these places tell us about who he is. “Luke, the beloved, physician” (from Colossians) - he’s a beloved friend of of Paul, he’s a Gentile, and a Physician. He would seem to be the only disciple of gentile background. Luke wrote 2 books: Acts, and Luke. Additionally, in 2nd Timothy, it's written that “Luke alone is with me.” At Paul’s end, he was there with his beloved friend. He was the only non-Jew to write some of the major books of the Bible. And he is close friends with one of the most important figures in the Bible. So, he’s SEEN STUFF! Luke is not writing as a man who is writing and hoping he’s right. He’s a Doctor. And physician. His writing is based on facts. Evidence. His writings actually seem to be written in the style of other physicians at the time. His books are literally “Investigative Journalism.”Why is all of this so important? Because the Christian faith is one not void of evidence. The Christian faith is not fantasy or mystical. It’s rooted in evidence and history. The word, “accomplished” that he uses in these verses, is important. Luke is writing to show us, in his writings, that Christ is the fulfillment of prophecy from old - centuries past. Luke also shows us that our faith is grounded in facts by including eyewitnesses. Christianity does not try to place itself outside of the confines of history. Luke takes a lot of effort to ground his writings in history. He uses historical figures and events to ground happenings in our faith. There are eyewitnesses that people could go back and check out. We also find details in Luke’s Gospels that aren’t in other gospels - because he did investigative journalism.Ultimately, we have 12 disciples who once ran scared from Christs Death, and suddenly changed their mind... and now they're willing to die for the story they were telling. What happened? They saw Him. They saw Christ. They ate and spoke with a risen savior. They placed their fingers in the holes of His wounds. And Luke was there to see it all happen. Luke is writing to show us that we can be certain that what he is writing, we can trust. And we can read and trust his writings today.
Sermon Text: Luke 1: 1-4Sermon Date: 9/8/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Sermon Notes - Sept 8, 2024Luke 1:1-4 (the greatest story ever told)What makes the Gospel of Luke different from any other Gospel? Sometimes, there is a sense in which we don’t know which part of the Bible is real, or which part is metaphor/exaggeration. Verses one 1-4 tell us that this whole thing is real, and grounded in reality. The Gospel of Luke is intended to be believed.Who is Luke? He's mentioned several places through the New Testament, and these places tell us about who he is. “Luke, the beloved, physician” (from Colossians) - he’s a beloved friend of of Paul, he’s a Gentile, and a Physician. He would seem to be the only disciple of gentile background. Luke wrote 2 books: Acts, and Luke. Additionally, in 2nd Timothy, it's written that “Luke alone is with me.” At Paul’s end, he was there with his beloved friend. He was the only non-Jew to write some of the major books of the Bible. And he is close friends with one of the most important figures in the Bible. So, he’s SEEN STUFF! Luke is not writing as a man who is writing and hoping he’s right. He’s a Doctor. And physician. His writing is based on facts. Evidence. His writings actually seem to be written in the style of other physicians at the time. His books are literally “Investigative Journalism.”Why is all of this so important? Because the Christian faith is one not void of evidence. The Christian faith is not fantasy or mystical. It’s rooted in evidence and history. The word, “accomplished” that he uses in these verses, is important. Luke is writing to show us, in his writings, that Christ is the fulfillment of prophecy from old - centuries past. Luke also shows us that our faith is grounded in facts by including eyewitnesses. Christianity does not try to place itself outside of the confines of history. Luke takes a lot of effort to ground his writings in history. He uses historical figures and events to ground happenings in our faith. There are eyewitnesses that people could go back and check out. We also find details in Luke’s Gospels that aren’t in other gospels - because he did investigative journalism.Ultimately, we have 12 disciples who once ran scared from Christs Death, and suddenly changed their mind... and now they're willing to die for the story they were telling. What happened? They saw Him. They saw Christ. They ate and spoke with a risen savior. They placed their fingers in the holes of His wounds. And Luke was there to see it all happen. Luke is writing to show us that we can be certain that what he is writing, we can trust. And we can read and trust his writings today.
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:18-20Sermon Date: 9/01/2024Speaker: Corey Deyamport.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Sermon Notes: Sept 1st, 2024Ephesians 6:18-20These last few weeks, we covered the Armor of God, and while many would read this and feel ready for spiritual warfare, Paul asks for prayer… for help. Let that sink in.We go against an enemy who attacks us in numbers, and power to speak against our heart and mind constantly. we need daily and constant reminders of the love our God has or us. We need every piece of this armor.All of these pieces of armor highlight someone not standing with their own power but it paints the picture of one standing in the power of another - God. So, Paul asks for prayer - for us to pray for everyone and everything! And Paul asks for the Church in Ephesus to pray for him. There are three things we can see that Paul is asking for us to pray for: persistence, power and the scope of our prayer.Persistence - Paul says to pray at all timesPower - Paul says to pray in the spirit.Scope - Paul says to pray for each other and the spread of the gospel.Persistence - at all times. As Paul explains the entire parts of the armor, he immediately explains we should be praying at all times. Paul often says that we should pray without ceasing and be steadfast in prayer. We should live with intentional, mindful and regular prayer. We should be quick to bring every kind of joy, concern, and every sorrow before the lord. The enemy is relentless, so we should be relentless as well. If the enemy of our soul is not taking a day off, we shouldn’t either. Even in moments of peace, we should continually remain in prayer, so that we’re staying in communication with our general, so that when the enemy attacks again, we are fully ready to take His commands and obey them in this war.Power - pray in the spirit - not a reference to speaking in tongues, it rather speaking under the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit. To pray in the spirit is to pray that God, by his spirit and by his word would align our hearts and our prayers with his will. It’s not about asking what we want, but asking what God desires. This passage of the armor of God does not highlight readiness, BUT RATHER, our weakness. We are dependent on God. Also, it’s our position in God. He is our Father. We can ask our father for deeply intimate things without fear. We should boldly make big requests. Our ability to make these requests come from us being sons and daughters of the creator of the universe. Whether or not what we ask for is Gods will, we should still ask! We are all too familiar with our weakness, and we are careful to stay in our place, but we should not cast off our confidence in God’s power in an effort to remain in our place.Scope - pray with all prayer and supplication for all the saints. This call to prayer is not a singular event, call to pray for everything. Adoration - Praising God for who He is. Confession of sin. Thanksgiving. Supplication - what we want. Lament - sharing our doubts, and sorrows and fears.Paul also calls for perseverance. Engaging the community around you. Be consistently in contact with your brothers and sisters so you know how to pray for them. Pray as an intercessor. And lastly Paul asks the community in Ephesus to pray for him. As I look at this passage in Ephesians, I don’t see my strengths, I instead see my weaknesses. Perhaps, we should too.#churchservice #armorofgod #spiritualwarfare #christianity #faith #divineprotection #spiritualawareness #ephesians6 #ephesians #righteousness #Justice #culturewar #glorifygod #makingadifference #faithandfreedom
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:17Sermon Date: 8/25/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Aug 25, 2024 Sermon NotesEphesians 6:17If you can’t protect your head, you can’t protect anything.The Roman helm was mostly carried, and not worn at all times. Putting on the helm typically marked the beginning of battle. When the lord saves you, it’s this point in your life which the battle actually begins.The helm of salvation is to protect your mind. Satan often begins his attacks on us (attempting to poison our souls) by attacking our thoughts, and by attempting to diminish what we think about salvation. Salvation is protection from our past - Satan will attempt to deploy our past to get us to doubt. “No way God can save you or someone like you, given everything behind you.” “Your salvation is not real.” “Eventually you’ll go back.” However, in the midst of our lives, when we wear the helm, we are to remind ourselves of the truth of the Gospel - there is therefore now, no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Your union with Christ frees us from our past.Salvation is protection from present - we will be pressed in our life that we cannot be free from sin. But, we now have the mind to say no. Before Christ, we couldn’t say no. The work of salvation has freed us from sins power. Now we have the power to say no. And we should say no. Instead of looking at sin; look at the one who freed us. Remind yourself - in Christs death, I have been freed from sin, and Christ died to free me from it.Salvation is protection for the future - we are bombarded by the weight of what think we will encounter in the future. Why should we care when everything seems so terrible around us? Salvation introduces hope to our lives. We are walking toward an expected end. A joyous end!We wage war in our thoughts by reminding ourselves of what we have received by our Salvation in Christ Jesus!Lastly, we are given a Sword of the Spirit - which is the word of God. The only offensive weapon we have in our toolkit. The word used here is closer akin to a dagger, implying a close combat. Oftentimes God is described as his “word” as a weapon which dispenses justice. But in this verse; the “word” means “the proclaimed word.” Which means the Gospel. The good news. This sword is the weapon we wield to free others from the clutches of Satan. When we peach the truth to others, and use the sword of the spirit, we are fighting against the gates of hell, freeing captives.
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:17Sermon Date: 8/25/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Aug 25, 2024 Sermon NotesEphesians 6:17If you can’t protect your head, you can’t protect anything.The Roman helm was mostly carried, and not worn at all times. Putting on the helm typically marked the beginning of battle. When the lord saves you, it’s this point in your life which the battle actually begins.The helm of salvation is to protect your mind. Satan often begins his attacks on us (attempting to poison our souls) by attacking our thoughts, and by attempting to diminish what we think about salvation. Salvation is protection from our past - Satan will attempt to deploy our past to get us to doubt. “No way God can save you or someone like you, given everything behind you.” “Your salvation is not real.” “Eventually you’ll go back.” However, in the midst of our lives, when we wear the helm, we are to remind ourselves of the truth of the Gospel - there is therefore now, no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Your union with Christ frees us from our past.Salvation is protection from present - we will be pressed in our life that we cannot be free from sin. But, we now have the mind to say no. Before Christ, we couldn’t say no. The work of salvation has freed us from sins power. Now we have the power to say no. And we should say no. Instead of looking at sin; look at the one who freed us. Remind yourself - in Christs death, I have been freed from sin, and Christ died to free me from it.Salvation is protection for the future - we are bombarded by the weight of what think we will encounter in the future. Why should we care when everything seems so terrible around us? Salvation introduces hope to our lives. We are walking toward an expected end. A joyous end!We wage war in our thoughts by reminding ourselves of what we have received by our Salvation in Christ Jesus!Lastly, we are given a Sword of the Spirit - which is the word of God. The only offensive weapon we have in our toolkit. The word used here is closer akin to a dagger, implying a close combat. Oftentimes God is described as his “word” as a weapon which dispenses justice. But in this verse; the “word” means “the proclaimed word.” Which means the Gospel. The good news. This sword is the weapon we wield to free others from the clutches of Satan. When we peach the truth to others, and use the sword of the spirit, we are fighting against the gates of hell, freeing captives.
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:16Sermon Date: 8/18/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Often times, we find ourselves trying to fight spiritual wars with a lack of faith. Paul opens this text by telling us “in ALL circumstances, take up the shield of faith.”The life and walk of a Christian is a faith walk. And Satan's goal is to send a barrage of doubts to a believer. These doubts are an attack on our faith and directly upon what Jesus says for us to say "yes" to, or all the things He tells us to say "no" to as well.Paul talks about the idea of a shield - in Rome, the shield they would use was so big, the root word here actually means “door.” This shield is made of wood, but is covered in leather that metal wrapped around the shield. 4 feet tall, 2.5 feet wide. Additionally, they dip it in water.This is interesting, the soldiers are blocking flaming arrows, these arrows are covered in oil, and the water dipped shield helps extinguish this flaming oil.Faith is the commitment, trust and reliance on Christ, by which we are saved. Interestingly enough, we often say that faith is the ability to “say” a certain set of facts. Faith is not just the facts we believe. But rather what we believe in Jesus. Faith is acting and living like God is telling us the truth.This is the faith we must put on display when Satan sends fiery darts our way to destroy our shields. Holding up the shield of faith is supreme reliance and trust on God. Holding up this shield shapes the actions in our life. When we believe in a leader; we will trust their directions, even when it makes no sense to us. If we trust, we obey. Faith is tied directly to activity.When we move contrary to God’s command, we’re not losing our salvation, but we are putting our shields down while we’re fighting Satan. Unfortunately, Satan is stronger than us. Take caution with these words, however - Faith is not an exemption card from suffering. The faithful suffer too. Instead, faith is the act of relinquishing control to the Lord, come what may. Remember that the disciples walked in faith, and most of them were martyred brutally.Lastly, this shield, is massive and sturdy. But Paul would know that the Ephesians would know, that the Roman centurions would never fight alone. They were in formation, with their shields locked and pushing forward. When used this way, this shield becomes a tool of offense, AND this tool becomes even more powerful when used in community. In every single instance when we take our armor up, we take it up with Christ and with the community around us. So, when one brother is weak, we protect those in community with us. Encouraging, reminding, caring for one another continuously. This faith is not one in which you are to walk alone - but to walk in community.
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:16Sermon Date: 8/18/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Often times, we find ourselves trying to fight spiritual wars with a lack of faith. Paul opens this text by telling us “in ALL circumstances, take up the shield of faith.”The life and walk of a Christian is a faith walk. And Satan's goal is to send a barrage of doubts to a believer. These doubts are an attack on our faith and directly upon what Jesus says for us to say "yes" to, or all the things He tells us to say "no" to as well.Paul talks about the idea of a shield - in Rome, the shield they would use was so big, the root word here actually means “door.” This shield is made of wood, but is covered in leather that metal wrapped around the shield. 4 feet tall, 2.5 feet wide. Additionally, they dip it in water.This is interesting, the soldiers are blocking flaming arrows, these arrows are covered in oil, and the water dipped shield helps extinguish this flaming oil.Faith is the commitment, trust and reliance on Christ, by which we are saved. Interestingly enough, we often say that faith is the ability to “say” a certain set of facts. Faith is not just the facts we believe. But rather what we believe in Jesus. Faith is acting and living like God is telling us the truth.This is the faith we must put on display when Satan sends fiery darts our way to destroy our shields. Holding up the shield of faith is supreme reliance and trust on God. Holding up this shield shapes the actions in our life. When we believe in a leader; we will trust their directions, even when it makes no sense to us. If we trust, we obey. Faith is tied directly to activity.When we move contrary to God’s command, we’re not losing our salvation, but we are putting our shields down while we’re fighting Satan. Unfortunately, Satan is stronger than us. Take caution with these words, however - Faith is not an exemption card from suffering. The faithful suffer too. Instead, faith is the act of relinquishing control to the Lord, come what may. Remember that the disciples walked in faith, and most of them were martyred brutally.Lastly, this shield, is massive and sturdy. But Paul would know that the Ephesians would know, that the Roman centurions would never fight alone. They were in formation, with their shields locked and pushing forward. When used this way, this shield becomes a tool of offense, AND this tool becomes even more powerful when used in community. In every single instance when we take our armor up, we take it up with Christ and with the community around us. So, when one brother is weak, we protect those in community with us. Encouraging, reminding, caring for one another continuously. This faith is not one in which you are to walk alone - but to walk in community.
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:15Sermon Date: 8/11/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Aug 11th. sermon notesEphesians 6:15With the right shoes, they will support your whole body! Paul has the same idea in this passage. This particular piece of armor he highlights are the shoes which are the readiness given by the gospel of peace. We Christians in warfare cannot stand upright without the right footwear. The shoes that we wear, actually matter! We can break down this passage to see what he means by this: Readiness - to stand in preparation to deliver the gospel. The shoes imply a journey and movement. Part of your warfare is ongoing readiness to take something somewhere. And that something is the gospel - the good news - of Christ. Having the shoes on, means we are always ready for when the battle comes. We’re always ready to point people to the gospel of peace.Readiness “given by the gospel (aka - the good news)” - these shoes refer to not just readiness, BUT readiness to bring good news of happiness and peace. The gospel is not the gospel if you’re only talking about the bad. The gospel does not overemphasize the bad news, but it also does not focus on only the good news either! So, you must be ready to spread the good news of happiness and joy and peace, so that others experience it when they walk with you! Readiness given by the gospel of "peace" - what does Paul have in mind when he highlights the “good news of peace”? In Ephesians 2:11, he mentions the gentiles were alienated and separated from relationship from God before Christ. We were at odds with God - enemies. But Christ came and preached peace, and through Him, He established peace between each, one another, and God. When He went to the cross on our behalf, He made peace with God on our behalf!Throughout this text, Paul is calling us to wage war against principalities and forces of evil? And HOW is he calling us? With peace. And what kind of peace? A reconciling peace. A peace between us and others and peace between men and God. We too easily engage in cultural war in our day and age. And we should be careful to not confuse spiritual warfare with the cultural war. If we’re not careful to fight with God’s armor, we will wind up fighting FOR SATAN! We cannot wear our own armor, and fight for God. If we’re not a people of peace and reconciliation, then we’re waging war for satan, not for God. And the sad part is we will make this mistake and call it spiritual warfare, when it’s absolutely not.If you’re going to fight this fight - you have to put on the right shoes. The wrong shoes can impact your spiritual walk.#churchservice #armorofgod #spiritualwarfare #christianity #faith #divineprotection #spiritualawareness #ephesians6 #ephesians #righteousness #Justice #righteousness #culturewar #glorifygod #makingadifference #faithandfreedom
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:15Sermon Date: 8/11/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.Aug 11th. sermon notesEphesians 6:15With the right shoes, they will support your whole body! Paul has the same idea in this passage. This particular piece of armor he highlights are the shoes which are the readiness given by the gospel of peace. We Christians in warfare cannot stand upright without the right footwear. The shoes that we wear, actually matter! We can break down this passage to see what he means by this: Readiness - to stand in preparation to deliver the gospel. The shoes imply a journey and movement. Part of your warfare is ongoing readiness to take something somewhere. And that something is the gospel - the good news - of Christ. Having the shoes on, means we are always ready for when the battle comes. We’re always ready to point people to the gospel of peace.Readiness “given by the gospel (aka - the good news)” - these shoes refer to not just readiness, BUT readiness to bring good news of happiness and peace. The gospel is not the gospel if you’re only talking about the bad. The gospel does not overemphasize the bad news, but it also does not focus on only the good news either! So, you must be ready to spread the good news of happiness and joy and peace, so that others experience it when they walk with you! Readiness given by the gospel of "peace" - what does Paul have in mind when he highlights the “good news of peace”? In Ephesians 2:11, he mentions the gentiles were alienated and separated from relationship from God before Christ. We were at odds with God - enemies. But Christ came and preached peace, and through Him, He established peace between each, one another, and God. When He went to the cross on our behalf, He made peace with God on our behalf!Throughout this text, Paul is calling us to wage war against principalities and forces of evil? And HOW is he calling us? With peace. And what kind of peace? A reconciling peace. A peace between us and others and peace between men and God. We too easily engage in cultural war in our day and age. And we should be careful to not confuse spiritual warfare with the cultural war. If we’re not careful to fight with God’s armor, we will wind up fighting FOR SATAN! We cannot wear our own armor, and fight for God. If we’re not a people of peace and reconciliation, then we’re waging war for satan, not for God. And the sad part is we will make this mistake and call it spiritual warfare, when it’s absolutely not.If you’re going to fight this fight - you have to put on the right shoes. The wrong shoes can impact your spiritual walk.#churchservice #armorofgod #spiritualwarfare #christianity #faith #divineprotection #spiritualawareness #ephesians6 #ephesians #righteousness #Justice #righteousness #culturewar #glorifygod #makingadifference #faithandfreedom
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:14Sermon Date: 8/04/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.In our text, Paul uses words in the past tense. He's urging us to have already put on the tools to make warfare against the devil when he attacks. One should stay ready so one doesn’t have to get ready.We should live lives of truth - not when our backs are against the wall, but when we’re living in the easy time. We put on the breastplate of righteousness during time of ease. Righteousness is not something you put on when it’s time to fight: but it’s armor to wear during our daily life.What does righteousness mean when we speak of the "Breastplate of Righteousness? It is “The quality of state of being righteous.” And righteousness is the act of being "just.” So, righteousness is “living justly honestly and faithfully with others, God, and God’s creation.”There are actually two kinds of righteousness - practical righteousness, and positional righteousness.In positional righteousness, one man’s disobedience, Adam, took us away from our home, Eden. One man’s righteousness, Christ, paid the price for us to get access back home. (And through Him, Christ has satisfied Gods righteousness for you.) We gain this righteousness through our faith. It’s not about what we have done, but what was done for us.So, what kind of righteousness is Paul talking about in this verse?: practical. Our ability to live rightly with God and mankind - to walk in the light according to God’s instruction.When we talk about righteousness as a tool of war, what do the trenches look like? When God calls you to operate in the world, He’s asking you to run counter to everything we’ve been taught about warfare. Pursue right, good and justice when we wage war in the heart of conflict.Why is this? Because this kind of warfare is not typical… but it honors God, and can turn our enemy's hearts. This kind of warfare preserves the soul. Remember that Satan’s main goal is to disrupt our faith and poison our soul. So, by operating in righteousness in warfare, we preserve our heart and soul.When you are in a moment when you can choose to forgive or not to forgive - you are in a battle with Satan. When you harden up, you leave yourself open for more attacks from Satan. Anytime we say “I know God calls me to forgive, BUT…” Satan has won a battle against us.What about freedom? Our culture usually defines the absence of boundaries as freedom. But righteousness moves us to say “no” to what we want, but to honor God with our choices. During the context of freedom, we will face battles and the lies of Satan are on full display.You are also at war with selfishness. Our call is to do good by others and creation. It’s easy for us to turn off when others need help or harm us. It’s easy for us to let go of our concern for others and continue watching the next episode on whatever show we’re watching. But that is our warfare. When Satan lies to us to become complacent, he takes us out of the trenches where we should be - where God calls us to be!To stop doing good leaves a gaping hole in the armor God has given us to protect us and our soul.So how do we stay ready? Be strong in His righteousness! Look back to your savior when we are tired and exhausted of doing good and being just. And His love toward us is inexhaustible, even when we fail to follow Him.Christ has given us tools to wage war - let us use our armor not just when our backs are against the wall, but every day!#churchservice #armorofgod #spiritualwarfare #christianity #spiritualbattles #faith #divineprotection #spiritualawareness #ephesians6 #ephesians #righteousness #Justice #righteous
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:14Sermon Date: 8/04/2024Speaker: Brian Crawford.Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg.In our text, Paul uses words in the past tense. He's urging us to have already put on the tools to make warfare against the devil when he attacks. One should stay ready so one doesn’t have to get ready.We should live lives of truth - not when our backs are against the wall, but when we’re living in the easy time. We put on the breastplate of righteousness during time of ease. Righteousness is not something you put on when it’s time to fight: but it’s armor to wear during our daily life.What does righteousness mean when we speak of the "Breastplate of Righteousness? It is “The quality of state of being righteous.” And righteousness is the act of being "just.” So, righteousness is “living justly honestly and faithfully with others, God, and God’s creation.”There are actually two kinds of righteousness - practical righteousness, and positional righteousness.In positional righteousness, one man’s disobedience, Adam, took us away from our home, Eden. One man’s righteousness, Christ, paid the price for us to get access back home. (And through Him, Christ has satisfied Gods righteousness for you.) We gain this righteousness through our faith. It’s not about what we have done, but what was done for us.So, what kind of righteousness is Paul talking about in this verse?: practical. Our ability to live rightly with God and mankind - to walk in the light according to God’s instruction.When we talk about righteousness as a tool of war, what do the trenches look like? When God calls you to operate in the world, He’s asking you to run counter to everything we’ve been taught about warfare. Pursue right, good and justice when we wage war in the heart of conflict.Why is this? Because this kind of warfare is not typical… but it honors God, and can turn our enemy's hearts. This kind of warfare preserves the soul. Remember that Satan’s main goal is to disrupt our faith and poison our soul. So, by operating in righteousness in warfare, we preserve our heart and soul.When you are in a moment when you can choose to forgive or not to forgive - you are in a battle with Satan. When you harden up, you leave yourself open for more attacks from Satan. Anytime we say “I know God calls me to forgive, BUT…” Satan has won a battle against us.What about freedom? Our culture usually defines the absence of boundaries as freedom. But righteousness moves us to say “no” to what we want, but to honor God with our choices. During the context of freedom, we will face battles and the lies of Satan are on full display.You are also at war with selfishness. Our call is to do good by others and creation. It’s easy for us to turn off when others need help or harm us. It’s easy for us to let go of our concern for others and continue watching the next episode on whatever show we’re watching. But that is our warfare. When Satan lies to us to become complacent, he takes us out of the trenches where we should be - where God calls us to be!To stop doing good leaves a gaping hole in the armor God has given us to protect us and our soul.So how do we stay ready? Be strong in His righteousness! Look back to your savior when we are tired and exhausted of doing good and being just. And His love toward us is inexhaustible, even when we fail to follow Him.Christ has given us tools to wage war - let us use our armor not just when our backs are against the wall, but every day!#churchservice #armorofgod #spiritualwarfare #christianity #spiritualbattles #faith #divineprotection #spiritualawareness #ephesians6 #ephesians #righteousness #Justice #righteous
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:10-14Sermon Date: 7/28/2024Speaker: Brian CrawfordThe last few weeks, we’ve been talking about how to live wisely as a Christian, as the days are evil. In a nutshell - do not be controlled by the created, but be controlled by the creator. Prefer others over yourselves.Living wisely is to also engage with spiritual warfare. Our greatest battles are not in the physical, but the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers. Your adversaries are not the people around you, but these spiritual authorities. The moment when you are unified with Christ, you instantly become an enemy of Satan.Spiritual warfare is bigger than physical harm. But it’s difficult to understand. Because we’re human, we see threats to our physical comfort and wellbeing as the biggest threat. Satan attacks all of those things as an attempt to poison our souls.Satan attacks your health to get you to start doubting Jesus “if I trust Him, and this is what I get… why should I continue?” He also attacks your relationships. “I have no idea why I keep forgiving people, even though I do not receive that consideration in return when I need it.Job is a wonderful example of this. Job lost just about everything in his life. But we’re told what satan was really after in the very beginning. Satan’s aim was to get Job to curse God. The poisoning of his soul.Satan desires us to say no to Jesus’s way. I will not follow His ways.At time, Satan will grant us prosperity in an attempt to poison our soul. We have an example of Jesus being led into the wilderness, and tempted with all things prosperous. But Satan’s end game is the SAME.Our greatest battles are spiritual - the poisoning of our soul.Paul’s appeal if for us to be strong in this world, yes, BUT to be strong in spirit, in God as well! Your survival depends on not just your health, but being committed to the Way and will of Jesus, no matter how much that Way runs up against the way the world and satan works. Your daily fight is to stay connected to Jesus. That is spiritual warfare.Paul tells us how to stand - take up the whole armor of God. The reason to do so, is to STAND. You are standing next to the King, wearing His armor, standing against Satan’s attempts on drawing you in. A resilient stand with God is what Paul has in mind here.The first piece of armor - “fastened on the belt of truth.” There’s 2 types of imagery possible here. the Roman soldier. The belt for the Roman soldier is an article that held things together. They do not speak to glamor, but to preparedness. And Truth, is the means by which we are prepared. (Because the purpose of the armor - is to stand against the Schemes of the Devil). And the best way to stand against the lies of the devil - to be prepared with Truth.When Satan’s lies tells us “you tried it God’s way, and look how horrible you feel?” You will be prepared with the truth - “The suffering of the present times is not worth the Glory to be revealed to us.”We combat the lies of Satan by living in a state of preparedness with the Truth. Paul tells us to stand next to Jesus, wearing the armor, and to stand on Truth.Without Truth, believes can be attacked and be weakened, because a piece of the armor is missing.The other image that Paul has for the belt of Truth - the belt of Faithfulness the messiah wears in Isaiah is the same word that’s translated Truth in Ephesians. Thus, the belt of truth the believer wears is a part of the same armor Christ wears and is an example of our union with God and being “one with the Lord.”#churchservice #armorofgod #spiritualwarfare #christianity #spiritualbattles #faith #divineprotection #spiritualawareness
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:10-14Sermon Date: 7/28/2024Speaker: Brian CrawfordThe last few weeks, we’ve been talking about how to live wisely as a Christian, as the days are evil. In a nutshell - do not be controlled by the created, but be controlled by the creator. Prefer others over yourselves.Living wisely is to also engage with spiritual warfare. Our greatest battles are not in the physical, but the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers. Your adversaries are not the people around you, but these spiritual authorities. The moment when you are unified with Christ, you instantly become an enemy of Satan.Spiritual warfare is bigger than physical harm. But it’s difficult to understand. Because we’re human, we see threats to our physical comfort and wellbeing as the biggest threat. Satan attacks all of those things as an attempt to poison our souls.Satan attacks your health to get you to start doubting Jesus “if I trust Him, and this is what I get… why should I continue?” He also attacks your relationships. “I have no idea why I keep forgiving people, even though I do not receive that consideration in return when I need it.Job is a wonderful example of this. Job lost just about everything in his life. But we’re told what satan was really after in the very beginning. Satan’s aim was to get Job to curse God. The poisoning of his soul.Satan desires us to say no to Jesus’s way. I will not follow His ways.At time, Satan will grant us prosperity in an attempt to poison our soul. We have an example of Jesus being led into the wilderness, and tempted with all things prosperous. But Satan’s end game is the SAME.Our greatest battles are spiritual - the poisoning of our soul.Paul’s appeal if for us to be strong in this world, yes, BUT to be strong in spirit, in God as well! Your survival depends on not just your health, but being committed to the Way and will of Jesus, no matter how much that Way runs up against the way the world and satan works. Your daily fight is to stay connected to Jesus. That is spiritual warfare.Paul tells us how to stand - take up the whole armor of God. The reason to do so, is to STAND. You are standing next to the King, wearing His armor, standing against Satan’s attempts on drawing you in. A resilient stand with God is what Paul has in mind here.The first piece of armor - “fastened on the belt of truth.” There’s 2 types of imagery possible here. the Roman soldier. The belt for the Roman soldier is an article that held things together. They do not speak to glamor, but to preparedness. And Truth, is the means by which we are prepared. (Because the purpose of the armor - is to stand against the Schemes of the Devil). And the best way to stand against the lies of the devil - to be prepared with Truth.When Satan’s lies tells us “you tried it God’s way, and look how horrible you feel?” You will be prepared with the truth - “The suffering of the present times is not worth the Glory to be revealed to us.”We combat the lies of Satan by living in a state of preparedness with the Truth. Paul tells us to stand next to Jesus, wearing the armor, and to stand on Truth.Without Truth, believes can be attacked and be weakened, because a piece of the armor is missing.The other image that Paul has for the belt of Truth - the belt of Faithfulness the messiah wears in Isaiah is the same word that’s translated Truth in Ephesians. Thus, the belt of truth the believer wears is a part of the same armor Christ wears and is an example of our union with God and being “one with the Lord.”#churchservice #armorofgod #spiritualwarfare #christianity #spiritualbattles #faith #divineprotection #spiritualawareness
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:10-20Sermon Date: 7/14/2024Speaker: Corey DeyamportFights in the Christian faith are not just physical, but emotional, and spiritual warfare. Just after talking about family, Paul talks about how to fight, by making sure to not commit to actions that would cause us to be rash, or drunk. But rather, be filled with the spirit in our fight. Paul urges us to be strong in the Lord, and in His might.“Armor” in this passage, contains not just armor, but weapons as well. We’re not just talking about being a good Christian, but an ongoing battle against principalities and forces of darkness. The armor of God has six pieces:Belt of truth - honesty. Believers can point out the lies of Satan.Breastplate of Righteousness- protects the heart and organs. When the devil tries to bring up our past sins, we can be certain of our forgiveness.Shoes of the gospel of peace - when faced with fear, we remain steady and confident.Shield of faith - faith acts as a protective barrier against attacks of the enemy. Helmet of salvation - assurance of salvation provides confidence and assurance. Sword of spirit - the only offensive piece in the "Armor." By weirding scripture, we can counter the devils and evil’s attacks. The Lord has equipped us with divine armor, no matter what happens. We have the Lord fighting for us even as we making our stand. But, why do we receive such covering? Because we have an adversary who comes only to steal, kill and destroy; and God’s heart is for us to be with Him. #churchservice #armorofgod #spiritualwarfare
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:10-20Sermon Date: 7/14/2024Speaker: Corey DeyamportFights in the Christian faith are not just physical, but emotional, and spiritual warfare. Just after talking about family, Paul talks about how to fight, by making sure to not commit to actions that would cause us to be rash, or drunk. But rather, be filled with the spirit in our fight. Paul urges us to be strong in the Lord, and in His might.“Armor” in this passage, contains not just armor, but weapons as well. We’re not just talking about being a good Christian, but an ongoing battle against principalities and forces of darkness. The armor of God has six pieces:Belt of truth - honesty. Believers can point out the lies of Satan.Breastplate of Righteousness- protects the heart and organs. When the devil tries to bring up our past sins, we can be certain of our forgiveness.Shoes of the gospel of peace - when faced with fear, we remain steady and confident.Shield of faith - faith acts as a protective barrier against attacks of the enemy. Helmet of salvation - assurance of salvation provides confidence and assurance. Sword of spirit - the only offensive piece in the "Armor." By weirding scripture, we can counter the devils and evil’s attacks. The Lord has equipped us with divine armor, no matter what happens. We have the Lord fighting for us even as we making our stand. But, why do we receive such covering? Because we have an adversary who comes only to steal, kill and destroy; and God’s heart is for us to be with Him. #churchservice #armorofgod #spiritualwarfare
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
Sermon Text: Matthew 12:46-50; Romans 12:9-21Sermon Date: 2/5/2023Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Matthew 12:46-50; Romans 12:9-21Sermon Date: 2/5/2023Speaker: Brian Crawford
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 Sermon Date: May 22nd, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 Sermon Date: May 22nd, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 Sermon Date: April 24th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 Sermon Date: April 24th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 Sermon Date: March 27th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 Sermon Date: March 27th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Sermon Date: March 13th, 2022 Speaker: Corey Deyamport
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Sermon Date: March 13th, 2022 Speaker: Corey Deyamport
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Sermon Date: March 6th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Sermon Date: March 6th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Sermon Date: February 20th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Sermon Date: February 20th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 Sermon Date: February 20th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 Sermon Date: February 20th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 10:14-33 Sermon Date: February 6th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 10:14-33 Sermon Date: February 6th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Sermon Date: January 30th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Sermon Date: January 30th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27 Sermon Date: January 23rd, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27 Sermon Date: January 23rd, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Sermon Date: January 16th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Sermon Date: January 16th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Sermon Date: January 9th, 2022 Speaker: Corey Deyamport
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Sermon Date: January 9th, 2022 Speaker: Corey Deyamport
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Sermon Date: January 2nd, 2022 Speaker: Pastor Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Sermon Date: January 2nd, 2022 Speaker: Pastor Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Ephesians 5:15-17 Sermon Date: December 26th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Ephesians 5:15-17 Sermon Date: December 26th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Luke 2:14; Philippians 4:6-9 Sermon Date: December 12th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Luke 2:14; Philippians 4:6-9 Sermon Date: December 12th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 Sermon Date: November 28th, 2021 Speaker: Pastor Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 Sermon Date: November 28th, 2021 Speaker: Pastor Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Sermon Date: November 14th, 2021 Speaker: Pastor Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 Sermon Date: November 21st, 2021 Speaker: Pastor Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Sermon Date: November 14th, 2021 Speaker: Pastor Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 Sermon Date: November 21st, 2021 Speaker: Pastor Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 Sermon Date: November 7th, 2021 Speaker: Pastor Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 Sermon Date: November 7th, 2021 Speaker: Pastor Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 5 Sermon Date: October 31st, 2021 Speaker: Pastor Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 5 Sermon Date: October 31st, 2021 Speaker: Pastor Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 Sermon Date: October 17th, 2021 Speaker: Corey Deyamport
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 Sermon Date: October 17th, 2021 Speaker: Corey Deyamport
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 Sermon Date: October 10th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 Sermon Date: October 10th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 2:1-6 Sermon Date: October 3rd, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 2:1-6 Sermon Date: October 3rd, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Sermon Date: September 26th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Sermon Date: September 26th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17 Sermon Date: September 19th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17 Sermon Date: September 19th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Revelation 21-22 Sermon Date: September 12th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Revelation 21-22 Sermon Date: September 12th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Colossians 1:19-20 Sermon Date: September 5th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Colossians 1:19-20 Sermon Date: September 5th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Matthew 13:1-8; 18-23 Sermon Date: August 15th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Matthew 13:1-8; 18-23 Sermon Date: August 15th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Genesis 12; Romans 3 Sermon Date: August 8th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Genesis 12; Romans 3 Sermon Date: August 8th, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Exodus 20 Sermon Series: Exodus: The Ten Sermon Date: January 3rd, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Exodus 20 Sermon Series: Exodus: The Ten Sermon Date: January 3rd, 2021 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Matthew 28:16-20 Sermon Series: Advent 2020 Sermon Date: December 27th, 2020 Speaker: Corey Deyamport
Sermon Text: Matthew 28:16-20 Sermon Series: Advent 2020 Sermon Date: December 27th, 2020 Speaker: Corey Deyamport
Sermon Text: Luke 2:1-21 Sermon Series: Advent 2020 Sermon Date: December 20th, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Matthew 11:1-15 Sermon Series: The King Is Here (Advent 2020) Sermon Date: December 13th, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Matthew 11:1-15 Sermon Series: The King Is Here (Advent 2020) Sermon Date: December 13th, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Luke 2:1-21 Sermon Series: Advent 2020 Sermon Date: December 20th, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Matthew 3:1-12 Sermon Series: The King Is Here (Advent 2020) Sermon Date: December 6th, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Matthew 3:1-12 Sermon Series: The King Is Here (Advent 2020) Sermon Date: December 6th, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Matthew 25:1-13 Sermon Series: The King Is Here (Advent 2020) Sermon Date: November 29th, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Matthew 25:1-13 Sermon Series: The King Is Here (Advent 2020) Sermon Date: November 29th, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Exodus 19 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers Sermon Date: November 22nd, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Exodus 19 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers Sermon Date: November 22nd, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Exodus 18 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers Sermon Date: November 15th, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Exodus 18 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers Sermon Date: November 15th, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Exodus 15-17 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers Sermon Date: November 8th, 2020 Speaker: Corey Deyamport
Sermon Text: Exodus 15-17 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers Sermon Date: November 8th, 2020 Speaker: Corey Deyamport
Sermon Text: Exodus 13-14 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers Sermon Date: November 1st, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Exodus 13-14 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers Sermon Date: November 1st, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Exodus 11-12 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers Sermon Date: October 25th, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Text: Exodus 11-12 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers Sermon Date: October 25th, 2020 Speaker: Brian Crawford
Sermon Title: Plagues and Purpose Sermon Text: Exodus 7-10 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers
Sermon Title: Plagues and Purpose Sermon Text: Exodus 7-10 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers
Sermon Title: God Sends Sermon Text: Exodus 5-6 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers
Sermon Title: God Sends Sermon Text: Exodus 5-6 Sermon Series: Exodus: The God Who Delivers
Sermon Title: A Parting Word on Prayer Sermon Text: James 5:13-20 Date: September 20th, 2020
Sermon Title: A Parting Word on Prayer Sermon Text: James 5:13-20 Date: September 20th, 2020
Sermon Title: Comfort for the Suffering Sermon Text: James 5:7-11 Date: September 13th, 2020
Sermon Title: Comfort for the Suffering Sermon Text: James 5:7-11 Date: September 13th, 2020
Sermon Title: Slander and Boasting: The Destructive Wisdom Sermon Text: James 4:11-17 Date: August 30th, 2020
Sermon Title: Slander and Boasting: The Destructive Wisdom Sermon Text: James 4:11-17 Date: August 30th, 2020
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
Sermon Text: Luke 7:18-35 Date: December 22nd, 2019
For video, visit our youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSL24v2HNP8
Sermon Text: Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 Date: December 15th, 2019
For video, visit our youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLM7Kx15AEU
Sermon Text: Isaiah 11:1-16 Date: December 8th, 2019
For video, visit our youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c-8yYjkAGk
Text: Hebrews 1 Date: December 1st, 2019
For video, visit our youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjYQhlNSPoo
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
PRIMARY SOURCES 1. Luke 10 2. John 5 3, Pillar New Testament Commentary 4. Christian Standard Bible Study Bible 5. College Press NIV Commentary 6. Theological Dictionary of New Testament Words 7. Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words
PRIMARY SOURCES 1. Luke 10 2. John 5 3, Pillar New Testament Commentary 4. Christian Standard Bible Study Bible 5. College Press NIV Commentary 6. Theological Dictionary of New Testament Words 7. Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words
PRIMARY SOURCES 1. John 3 2. John 4 3. John 7 4. John 8 5. John 9 6. Psalm 51 7. Psalm 115 8. Psalm 118 9. Ephesians 1 10. Hebrews 7 11.John 17 12.Psalm 82 13.Gotquestions.org “What is the Feast of Dedication” 14.Grace To You Article “The Perserverance of the Saints “https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A218/perseverance-of-the-saints” 15.Pillar NT Commentary of John 16.College Press NIV Commentary 17.Theological Dictionary of the New Testament
PRIMARY SOURCES 1. John 3 2. John 4 3. John 7 4. John 8 5. John 9 6. Psalm 51 7. Psalm 115 8. Psalm 118 9. Ephesians 1 10. Hebrews 7 11.John 17 12.Psalm 82 13.Gotquestions.org “What is the Feast of Dedication” 14.Grace To You Article “The Perserverance of the Saints “https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A218/perseverance-of-the-saints” 15.Pillar NT Commentary of John 16.College Press NIV Commentary 17.Theological Dictionary of the New Testament
PRIMARY SOURCES 1) John 10 2) Acts 4 3) John 14 4) 1 Samuel 17 5) How Google May Help You Identify Your Functional Saviors, The Gospel Coalition - Erik Raymond 6) The Bookends of the Christian Life - Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington 7) “Hitler Comes To Power”, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum https://www.ushmm.org 8) CSB Study Bible 9) Pillar New Testament Commentary of John 10) College Press NIV Commentary
PRIMARY SOURCES 1) John 10 2) Acts 4 3) John 14 4) 1 Samuel 17 5) How Google May Help You Identify Your Functional Saviors, The Gospel Coalition - Erik Raymond 6) The Bookends of the Christian Life - Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington 7) “Hitler Comes To Power”, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum https://www.ushmm.org 8) CSB Study Bible 9) Pillar New Testament Commentary of John 10) College Press NIV Commentary
PRIMARY SOURCES 1) John 10 2) Ezekiel 34 3) John 9 4) 1 Peter 5 5) 1 Peter 1 6) CSB Study Bible 7) Pillar New Testament Commentary of John 8) College Press NIV Commentary
PRIMARY SOURCES 1) John 9 2) Joshua 7 3) Ephesians 2 4) John 5 5) John 7 6) 1 Peter 1 7) CSB Study Bible 8) Relevant Magazine, "‘Black Panther’ Breakout Star Letitia Wright Shares How Christianity Changed Her Life" 9) Megyn Kelly TODAY, Kathie Lee Gifford Interview 10) Pillar New Testament Commentary of John 11) College Press NIV Commentary
PRIMARY SOURCES John 5 Exodus 3 Matthew 27 John 20 Acts 9 Scott Sauls, Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast (Episode 178) Tim Keller, The Reason For God C. John Sommerville, The Decline of the Secular University Ignatius, Epistle to Ephesians Ignatius, Epistle to Romans Tertullian, Treatise On The Soul Origen, De Principiis
PRIMARY SOURCES 1 John 5 Galatians 3 Revelations 2 John Calvin, The Institutes of the Christian Religion Ravi Zacharias, The Gospel Coalition - Why Oxford Dictionary’s 2016 Word of the Year Matters D.A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary – The Gospel According to John. College Press NIV Commentaries Ezekiel Azonwu, The Letter (Spoken Word)
PRIMARY SOURCES Acts 2:42-47 Genesis 2:18 1 John 1:1-4 1 Corinthians 7:6-9 Matthew 22:29-33 Hebrews 3:12-14 2 John 1:12 Christ-Centered Exposition College Press NIV Commentary Bill Mounce Greek Dictionary Marshall Segal, The Big God In Your Small Group (Article - desiringgod.org), Tony Reinke, 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You (Book), John E. Brody, Surprising Effects of Loneliness (Article - New York Times 2017), John Piper, We Need Each Other (Sermon), Nick Bilton, This Is Serious (Article - Vanity Fair 2017), Sherry Turkle, Connected But Alone? (TED Talk 2012), Allison Graham, How Social Media Makes Us Unsocial (TED Talk 2014)
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
Apologies for the audio quality this week! We've rectified the issue and will be back with better sound next week!
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org
This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org