Two Cities Church: Recent Episodes
Two Cities Church
Weekly Messages from Two Cities Church in Winston Salem NC.
Hear from Pastor Kyle Mercer and others as they walk through books of the Bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse. You can find out all about Two Cities Church at TwoCitiesChurch.net
In 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Paul reminds us that every believer has been given spiritual gifts to serve others and build up the Church. In this final message of our Together series, we explore how the gospel transforms our values, calling us to faithfully steward our gifts for God's glory.
What makes up true biblical community? By walking through Acts 2:42-47, we find that biblical community is defined by opening our Bibles, opening our lives, and living in a way that’s sacrificial and missional.
In this message, we learn both what truth is and what it does. Through John 8:31-47, we discover that Jesus sets people free through his truth and that this freedom is found in acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord.
Before Isaiah said, "Here I am, send me!" he got a great vision of God's glory and majesty. It's the same for us. A heart of mission flows out of a vision of God's glory. In this SEND WEEKEND message, Pastor Kyle walks us through these realities found in Isaiah 6:1-8.
Walking through Romans 1:15-17, we learn that the Gospel reveals the righteousness of God while also showing us our desperate need to be born again.
Where you have problems is where you need vision. As Pastor Kyle walks through 2 Kings 4:1-7, he discusses how to get vision for your life by asking these 3 questions: What do you want to see God do? What has God already given you? And what are you willing to go get?
In today's message, we see the power and limitations of words, and what it means that Jesus himself is "The Word."
Looking at the prophecies in Isaiah 8:22, 9:2, and 9:6, we see where darkness leads us and how the light of Christ is more powerful than darkness.
Walking through the Proverbs, we learn that God does not want us to waste our work, but instead, to work wholeheartedly for the Lord.
Walking through the Proverbs, we see the wisdom it takes to build a life and how to avoid the foolishness that can so quickly tear it down.
Walking through the Proverbs we see that money should be a tool and not an idol. In this message, Pastor Kyle walks through 5 principles about money.
Walking through the Proverbs, we find that the antidote for growing loneliness is great friendships. In this message, Pastor Caleb gives us four marks of biblical friendship and four practical steps we can take toward making friends.
We've all experienced decision-fatigue and asked the question, "What is God's will for my life?" Walking through the Proverbs, Pastor Kyle pulls out three major principles for planning and and draws out wisdom for discerning God's will.
What is wisdom and how do we get it? Walking through Proverbs 1:1-7, we find that wisdom is intellectual, practical, relational, and moral.
When many disciples decided to turn back and no longer follow Jesus, he asked those remaining, "Do you want to go away as well?" As Dr. Albert Mohler walks us through John 6, we see that Jesus is still extending this same question to each of us.
When people are unified, there is both the power and potential for multiplication. But what if they're unified around the wrong things? Walking through Genesis 11 verses 1-9, we'll see the differences between godly unity and worldly unity.
In the flood, we see both God's cleansing and his judgment. Throughout Genesis 6:1-8:22, we find that sin must be dealt with or it spreads, and that the reason God delivers is so that we may worship him.
Sin has the potential to multiply generationally... but so does blessing. Looking at Genesis 4:17-6:8, we'll see that while sin can multiply through generations, it's God's heart to intervene.
Dysfunctional families, murder, and half-hearted worship... Pastor Kyle traces all these themes as he walks through Genesis 4.
In Genesis 1-2, humanity was blessed and commissioned to multiply, but in Genesis 3, we experience deception, cursing, and division. In this message, Pastor Kyle walks us through how to live in this Genesis 3 world.
Looking at the first marriage in Genesis 2:21-25 we find that marriage is about a lifetime of commitment, becoming one, and unashamed intimacy.
Walking through Genesis 2:18-23 and 3:20, we find that women are uniquely called to partner, help, and bring life to all the relationships in their lives.
What makes a man a man? Walking through Genesis 2, we see that men are formed by facing God, being fathered, and facing reality.
God's design for humanity is that we'd take what he has given us and make something of it. In this message, Pastor Kyle traces the theme of multiplication through Scripture and gives us a vision for cultivating rather than consuming.
Walking through Jonah 4 we see how our anger damages us and how God responds to us in our anger.
In Jonah 3, God not only restores Jonah, but uses him to bring revival. What God did for Jonah, he wants to do for you.
When we run, hit rock bottom, and are at our lowest, how does God respond? In Jonah 2, we see Jonah do just this and call out to God in his distress.
Have you ever done the exact opposite of what God calls you to? In Jonah 1, Jonah does just that, and we see God pursue him still.
In 2 Corinthians 13, we find that the church in Corinth was full of compromise and conflict, so the Lord calls them to examine themselves and make restoration their goal.
As we walk through 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 we're made to ask, how should we respond to our weakness and suffering, and how does God want to meet us in them?
False teaching not only presents a different message, but has a different hero and a different spirit. In 2 Corinthians 11:1-29, we learn how to respond to false teachers and that the gospel is simple.
We're in a war... and the primary battlefield is the mind. In this message, we walk through 2 Corinthians 10 and learn that we have the responsibility to call out false belief systems and that we can do this by walking in the authority Christ has given us.
Have you ever felt tempted to quit when you know the Lord wants you to keep going? In Acts 18:1-17, the Lord gives Paul courage to continue even in the face of opposition, and we find that he does the same for us today.
In 2 Corinthians 9, we find that our generosity should be planned, willing, and cheerful, and that giving is so foundational it's referred to as the "ministry of the saints."
In 2 Corinthians 8, we see that God has been so generous to us in his goodness and favor that the natural response is to be generous in return.
How are believers continually cleansed and made increasingly holy? In 2 Corinthians 7 we find that the Lord accomplishes this in each of us as we live by faith in the promises of God and walk in continual repentance.
In 2 Corinthians 6:1-18, pastor Kyle explores the call to live distinct lives as believers to affect change in the lives of those around us.
In 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 we find the motivation, perspective, identity, and message we have, and all of it motivates us to share our faith.
In 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, we find encouragement in knowing we'll receive a resurrected body, and we're met with the sobering reality that we'll all stand before God in the final judgment.
Are you willing to give up something you love for something you love even more? In 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, Paul talks about the pain he is willing to go through to bring the gospel to those he loves.
2 Corinthians 4:1-6We do not lose heart because God is working in people's hearts and we get to be a part of it.
In 2 Corinthians 3, we learn that the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant because it brings true freedom through Christ.
Is it worth it to hurt someone's feelings if it's ultimately for their good? In 2 Corinthians 2 we learn that ministry can be painful, but sometimes pain comes before restoration.
In 2 Corinthians 1:12-24 we see that our plans might change, but the promises of God do not.
In 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 we learn that God doesn't comfort us just so we can be comfortable... but so that we can comfort others.
In 1 Corinthians 15:1-9 we find the most important person in history and the most important event in history: Jesus and his resurrection, both of which require a response. So, what's yours?
Over 200 times a second, someone is searching this question online: “Is God real?" Listen as Lee Strobel discusses the evidence for God from cosmology and the historical evidence of the resurrection of Christ.
Most of us find it easy to worship when things are going well, but what about when we're in the wilderness? In Habakkuk 3, we're shown how to trust God even when our circumstances aren't changing.
How do we wait upon the Lord? In Habakkuk 2, we learn that, while we can't control our circumstances, we can control how we wait and who we wait with.
What do you do with unanswered prayers, doubts, and disappointments? In Habakkuk 1:1-17, the prophet Habakkuk shows us what it looks like to bring our problems to God in honest prayer.
In Revelation 3:14-22, we see that lukewarm churches and christians are comfortable, complacent, and compromised, and that the only way we can fight against lukewarmness is to let Jesus in.
In Revelation 3:7-13, we see that Jesus both comforts and commissions the church as they encounter both open doors and opposition.
Why do churches die, and what can they do to prevent it? In Revelation 3:1-6, we get an example of a dead church who is called to wake up.
Is it possible to be too tolerant? In Revelation 2:18-29, through the example of the church in Thyatira, we learn that God wants us to walk in love without tolerating sin.
In Revelation 2:12-17, we find that the church in Pergamum had good deeds but bad doctrine, so what were they missing? They were listening to the wrong voices for their ultimate authority.
In Revelation 2:8-11, we see that following Christ can result in suffering, but that God has a purpose in the pain and strategy in the suffering.
In Revelation 2:1-7, we get a picture of a church that is all head and no heart, which makes us ask, what do we do if we realize we've left the love we had at first for Christ?
We all want clearer vision for our life. In Revelation 1 verses 1-20, we learn where, how, and from whom we can gain this vision.
In Matthew 19:27-20:16, the parable of the generous landowner makes us ask: What lens will we see life through? The lens of God's grace or one of grumbling?
In Matthew 2:1-16, King Herod, the chief priests and scribes, and the wise men all have a different response to Jesus' birth, and in this we see that everyone responds to Jesus in either anger, apathy, or adoration.
Through the Parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15, Jesus teaches that there are two ways to be lost, rebellion and religion, but only one way home, a relationship with him through repentance.
In Luke 14:1-24, Jesus uses the Parable of the Great Banquet to illustrate for us the importance of inviting in and honoring those who cannot repay us as that's what he did for us.
What does it look like to invest wisely versus foolishly? In the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:13-21, Jesus answers this question as he warns us against storing up riches for ourselves and calls us to lives of gratitude and generosity.
In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus confronts our arrogance, anxiety, hurriedness, and every other excuse we bring with the encouragement to keep on praying in faith.
In Matthew 18:15-35, Jesus uses the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant to teach us how foolish and dangerous unforgiveness is in the light of how greatly we've been forgiven.
In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus answers these two questions through the Parable of the Good Samaritan: Who is my neighbor? And what does it look like to love them as much as I love myself?
In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus gives us the parable of the talents, showing us that God has made an investment in each of us. We learn that God wants a return on his investment which looks like our maturity and his mission carried forward.
Walking through Acts 20, we learn what it looks like to live a missional life as Paul makes 6 declarations that define his life and must define ours if we're going to live on mission long-term.
In Acts 19 as Paul confronts the idols of the Ephesians, we learn how to expose and destroy our own idols and are warned of the resistance we'll come up against as we do.
In Acts 17 as Paul is provoked by the city full of idols, we learn not only how to confront our own idols, but how to identify the false gods of others and see them as opportunities to share Christ.
Jesus is the only way, but there are many ways to Jesus. We see this in Acts 16 as Lydia, a slave girl, and a Philippian jailer all come to Jesus through different means.
In Acts 13 and 14, the church at Antioch shows us what it means to be a missional church that values commissioning people more than collecting people.
In Acts 11 and 12, we see the church's response to being persecuted, showing us that our problems should lead us to deeper partnerships and dependent prayer.
God is always preparing both the believer and the unbeliever for the next gospel conversation. We see this in Acts 10 and 11, as God is getting Cornelius ready to hear the gospel while also working in Peter's life to get him ready to share the gospel.
Saul had nothing going for him when it comes to encountering and being changed by Christ, and that's exactly where God met him. In Acts 9:1-22, we see that God can save anyone, and that everyone needs Jesus.
What does it look like to seek forgiveness even though we have been hurt? In Genesis 45-50, we see Joseph seeking real forgiveness within the family that has hurt him, and we learn what it looks like to forgive as forgiven people.
What does it look like to seek out true reconciliation? In Genesis 42-44, we see Joseph seeking out true reconciliation of relationship with his brothers, and we learn what it looks like to truly deal with our personal wounds.
In Genesis 40-41, Joseph's actions show us what it looks like to follow God and serve others in suffering and success.
In Genesis 39, Joseph's refusal of Potiphar's wife shows us how to avoid temptation and walk in the favor of God.
Following Joseph's story in Genesis 37, we see the dangers of dysfunctional families and are encouraged by the way God still works through them.
We're all in a spiritual battle, but in Christ, victory is possible. In Ephesians 6:10-20, we learn what we're fighting against and how to fight the battle.
Why do we work and what should our dynamic with our boss look like? How does God want us to approach parenting and being parented? We find the answers to both of these questions in Ephesians 6:1-9.
What does it really mean for husbands to love their wives like Christ loved the church? This week, we talk about how husbands can be loving leaders and the 5 types of love that Paul lays out in Ephesians 5:25-33.
Ephesians 5:22-24, 33
What is marriage, and what is the wife's role? In Ephesians 5, we talk about Biblical marriage, submission, and how Jesus redeems and revolutionizes our marriages.
In Acts 19:1-10, we see that the Ephesians church was birthed by the power of the gospel, the power of the Holy Spirit, and by proclamation.
Looking back at how it all began presents specific ways we can be charged up and challenged as a Church.
In Ephesians 5:15-21, we learn that we have access to wisdom and the ability to worship.
Ephesians 5:1-14 makes us ask, what is love? And what's the difference between the culture's definition and God's?
In Ephesians 4:17-32 we see how new life in Christ results in a new lifestyle that makes Christians look different than the world.
In Ephesians 4:1-16, the Church is called to be unified and to use its gifts to serve each other.
In Ephesians 3:14-21, we see God's purposes of power and of love and are encouraged to pray to those ends.
In Ephesians 3:1-13, we see Paul's missionary mindset that sees purpose in where God has placed him, is willing to suffer, and wants to make the mystery of Christ known.
In Ephesians 2:11-22, Paul explains that while sin separates us from God, ourselves, and others, Jesus brings us near and gives us peace.
In Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul gives the world a spiritual diagnosis: We are hopeless apart from Christ, but God gives us the opportunity to be saved by grace to walk in good works.
In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul prays that those in Ephesus would have the eyes of their hearts enlightened, pointing us to the question, what does it mean to see with the eyes of our hearts?
In Ephesians 1:1-14, we see that because we have been adopted into the family of God, we are blessed to be a blessing.
In Ephesians 1, Paul refers to the saints in Ephesus as those "in Christ," showing us that it's primarily about what Christ has done before it's about what we need to do.
Luke 24:1-9"Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" The woman at the tomb were greeted with the same question Jesus asks us today.
In Joshua 24, Joshua sets an example of remembering and sharing stories as a way of keeping and passing on the faith.
Joshua 20Through the cities of refuge appointed by the Israelites, we see how church should be a place of refuge, and Christians should be people of refuge.
Joshua 9How are you deceived? Joshua 9 shows us how the Israelites were deceived, and it gives us as an opportunity to think through how we are deceived and how we can cultivate discernment.
In Joshua 8, we see how God moves toward sinners and failures and helps them to fight again.
Joshua 7What are you hiding? In Joshua 7, the Israelites' defeat at Ai shows us how secret sin and spiritual pride only lead to destruction.
Joshua 6Through the salvation of Rahab and the judgement of Jericho, we see that you cannot separate God’s judgement from God’s mercy.
Joshua 3-4As the Israelites crossed over the Jordan, we see a picture of obedience, remembrance, and God's faithfulness.
Joshua 2Rahab's faith shows us what it looks like to take risks to take Christ to every relationship.
Joshua 1In Joshua 1, we see a picture of courage that comes from the presence of God and helps us move forward even when we are fearful.
Deuteronomy 31-34As Moses passes the baton to Joshua, we see a playbook and blueprint to pass on the faith. We need s plan to execute, a song to sing, a blessing to give, and a funeral to have.
Deuteronomy 30For Vision Weekend, we looked at Deuteronomy 30 and asked the question: Are you choosing life or death every day?
Psalm 1 helps us understand the difference between worldly blessing and God’s blessing.
Mark 16:1-8Instead of background noise to our busyness, Jesus' resurrection brings the new creation to our real life and relationships.
Mark 15:1-47In Mark’s account of Jesus’ death, we see that Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf was painful and purposeful.
Mark 14:26-72From the garden of Gethsemane to the cross, Jesus was rejected so we could be accepted.
Mark 13:1-37 Through Jesus' teaching about His return, we see that what we belive about the future affects how we live today.
Mark 12:28-34
Through Jesus' teaching of the Great Commandment, we learn that genuine followers of Jesus love God with all and love all like God.
Mark 11:1-33
In Mark 11, we see Jesus as a servant king who expects His people to be fruitful and faithful.
Mark 10:1-31
Jesus teaches us that we can’t separate following Him from our marriages or our money.
Mark 9:30-50
Jesus teaches the disciples that the greatest life that can be lived is a life in service to others.
Mark 9:1-32 As we look to Jesus' transfiguration to what happens next, we see that whether on the mountain tops or in the mess we need Jesus.
Mark 7:24-37 & 8:11-26
Jesus gives us a purpose and a promise when we are faced with suffering and disabilities.
Mark 6: 1-29
Will you respond to Jesus with belief or unbelief? In Mark 6, we see Jesus and his followers encounter unbelief in His hometown, in the harvest, and in people's hearts.
Mark 5:21-43
As Jesus interacts with Jairus and a woman with bleeding, we see He is interruptible, aware, and responsive to those who reach out in faith.
Mark 4:1-20
As Jesus tells a parable about seeds and soil, we see the conditions necessary for the gospel to be planted and flourish.
Mark 2:18-3:35
In Mark 2, we see that Jesus redefines fasting, sabbath, and even the way we think about family. Jesus transforms everything.
Mark 1:35-45
Miracles are not the point. They're a pointer. In Mark 1, we see how Jesus prioritizes forever needs over felt needs.
Mark 1:1-34
In Mark 1, we see how new beginnings call for necessary endings as Jesus enters the scene, meets people where they are, and calls them to follow Him.
1 Chronicles 28-29
At the end of David's life, we see the importance of passing wisdom, wealth, and worship to the next generation.
2 Samuel 11-12
As we look at the life of David, we see how sin creates a pattern of deception and lies. Sin deceives us, and then we deceive others.
2 Samuel 6:1-23
Through David’s worship, we see that our worship needs to be full of passion and truth.
1 Samuel 18:1-5 + 1 Samuel 20
Through the friendship of David and Jonathan, we see a model and value for our own godly friendships.
1 Samuel 17:26-47
Just like David, we must fight our own giants while remembering what God has already done on our behalf.
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Through David's anointing as the future King, we see that God uses people that no one would expect to move His mission forward.
James 5:13-20
In James 5, we are reminded that we have a supernatural, experiential, and communal faith. Whether suffering, sick, or in need of forgiveness, our first response should be to pray with each other and for one another.
James 4:14-17
In James 4, we see that for our faith to be real, we need humility before the God and obedience to the will of God.
James 4:1-12
Life is war... so you better start fighting. There is an internal and spiritual war in the heart of every Christian that must be fought by turning toward God and away from sin.
James 3:13-18
In James 3, we see a call to stop settling for a subhuman life and a call to live the good life - a life modeled after the way of Christ.
James 3:1-12
Our words are powerful because they reveal something deeper about us. We need to tame more than just our tongues, we need the Lord to help us tame and change our hearts.
In James, we see that Christians are called to have a "faith that works". Our faith should produce good works that benefit others. God doesn't need our good works, but others do.
James 2:8-13
ln James 2, we look at our sin, God's law, and His judgment, and ultimately we are reminded of the mercy of Christ.
James 2:1-7
How do you act toward people who aren't like you? In James, we see that partiality leads to sin. But there's good news, viewing Jesus as Lord leads us to view others rightly.
James 1:26-27
In James, we see that we can't just pay lip service to our faith... we have to live it out by having compassion for those around us and taking action.
James 1:19-25
Where are you lying to yourself about yourself?
In James, we’re called to be hearers and doers of the Word. The Bible was not written to increase our knowledge but to transform our lives.
James 1:12-18
The better we can understand temptation, the better God can help us experience victory over temptation.
James 1:5-11
In James, we see that wisdom come seeing life from God's perspective - it's asking God, what am I avoiding or need to change?
James 1:1-4
If God is good... if God is loving... why is this happening?
Often when we face trials or suffering, we question the goodness of God, but in the book of James we see that God works in our trials to develop, discipline, direct, and deliver us.
Song of Solomon 8:8-11
The goal of parenting isn't to make kids safe; it's to make them strong. As we close our series in the Song of Solomon we see how parenting is an immersive and intense version of discipleship.
Song of Solomon 6:4-7:8
To build a marriage that lasts, your marriage must be built on things that do not change. Forgiveness not your feelings. Friendship not just the physical. Future grace not past grievances. Commitment not circumstances.
Song of Solomon 5-6
In Song of Solomon, we see that healthy couples aren't couples that don't argue, they are couples that argue fairly. Just as God has been gracious to us, we are to be gracious to one another.
Song of Solomon 4:1-5:1 ____
We have to figure out how to integrate our sexuality into our lives according to what Scripture says. In Song of Solomon, we see a beautiful account of sex within the bounds of the marriage relationship.
Song of Solomon 3:1-11
In the Song of Solomon, we see that marriage is moving from me to we as couples develop a love of allegiance, action, and affection.
Song of Solomon Ch. 1
In chapter 1 of Song of Solomon, we see five different elements and dimensions of a woman's life: her words, her friends, her self image, her work, and her soul.
Song of Solomon Ch. 1
God isn't silent about singleness, attraction, and dating. Through Song of Solomon, we see a picture of godly character, pursuit and response in courtship.
Song of Solomon 1-2
Healthy churches flow from healthy marriages and healthy marriages need to have Godly and Gospel-centered men. In Song of Solomon we see what a Godly man should be.
Matthew 16:13-21
Let this new year bring new vision. Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion in the present. The vision for our lives should flow from Christ's vision for the church.
John 1:1-14
The main message of Christmas is that God came to us because we could not go to Him. The Word of God became flesh and walked among us. The Light of the world stepped into the darkness.
Luke 5:15-16
Amid the clamor and chaos of life what Christians need most is the communication and communion with Christ found in silence and solitude. Just as Jesus stepped away from healing and preaching to seek time alone with the Father, we too must make room for God as we seek Him in His Word and prayer.
Psalm 19
The spiritual discipline of Bible intake fuels all of the other disciplines, and it is through this discipline that God makes himself known to us.
Genesis 2:1-3 // Exodus 20:8-10
In a busy world, it's hard to think we can slow down and rest, but the Sabbath was created so that we could worship, reflect, refocus, relate, and refuel.
Deuteronomy 8:1-3
Our lives are so full of distractions, obligations, and stuff that we often lose sight on our dependence on the Lord. The spiritual discipline of fasting allows us to cut through the fullness of life to make room for a relationship with God.
Acts 4:32-5:16
We move forward generously as we leverage our resources for His mission.
Acts 4:1-31
We move forward prayerfully and courageously against opposition and persecution.
Acts 1:1-11
We need spiritual power to move FORWARD in faith. We move FORWARD focused on His mission.
1 Corinthians 16:1-9
The gospel is both our mission and our message. Paul shows us that the gospel moves forward as people go and give, and He reminds us that as door open for the gospel, opposition will also increase.
1 Corinthians 10:1-14
We are both worshippers and sinners, and our main problem is a worship problem. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul calls the church to avoid the temptation to elevate anything above God.
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Every Christian has a conscience that they need to follow. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul describes the difference between Christians with weak and strong consciences and shares how they can love each other well.
1 Corinthians 7
We will either be influenced by culture or transformed by Christ. We can tend toward two extremes, thinking sex is unimportant or thinking sex is everything. Christ calls us to somewhere in between.
1 Corinthians 9:1-27
Through Paul's example, we see that we're called to lay down our rights to move the gospel forward. He paints a picture of what it looks like to be theologically fixed and culturally flexible for the sake of those who would believe.
1 Corinthians 5-6:1-11
The cross does not make sin safe. It makes it forgivable.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul instructs the church on how to deal with sin within the church by taking sin seriously and loving deeply.
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Not everything that is permissible is beneficial. In the right context, sex is a gift of God to be enjoyed for His glory, but in the wrong environment, it can have significant damaging effects.
1 Corinthians 4:1-21
As leaders, Christ calls us to be servants and stewards of what He has given to us.
1 Corinthians 3:1-23
Paul's message to the Corinthians is simple. You have to grow up... and it takes time to grow up. While culture encourages delayed adolescence and rights over responsibility, Christians are called to grow up into spiritual maturity by building on the foundation of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16
True wisdom comes from emphasizing the cross and depending on the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 4:1-8
In this week's sermon on 2 Timothy 4:1-8 we see the importance of preaching in the local church. Pastor Kyle reminds us that the role of the church is to preach so that those within the church are filled and then can be sent out into the world.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
To truly trust in the Word of God, we must believe that the Bible is not a word about God but the Word of God and that it has the power and the authority to completely transform us.
What do we do in the last days?
Paul instructs Timothy to do the following: avoid selfish, sinful people and pursue righteousness and faithfulness, while following faithful people who will point us back to the Word.
2 Timothy 2:14-26
Paul urges Timothy to remind the Church not to be quarrelsome and to rightly handle the gospel! He challenges them to be kind and act with conviction, faithfully serving the people of God and sharing the Word of God.
2 Timothy 2:8-13
We forget too easily and give up too quickly. So how do we remember that Jesus is real, risen, reigning, and returning?
2 Timothy 2:1-7
What motivates us to multiply? The grace of God. How do we do it? Through relationships.
2 Timothy 1:8-18
When we know what Christ has saved us from, it motivates us to boldly identify with Him no matter the cost.
2 Timothy 1:1-7
As Paul starts his letter to Timothy, he encourages him not to walk in a spirit of fear but in one of power, love, and self-control through the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 16
How do we pray so that we will persevere through the trials and temptations in life?
Psalm 67
God blesses us to transform the world! He delights in blessing us with His fellowship and favor so that His name would be known to the ends of the earth. He blesses us so that every man, woman, and child could see, hear, and respond to the gospel!
Psalm 1
A Scripture-fed prayer life flows from a Scripture-saturated life. As God reveals himself in His Word, we have the opportunity to respond in prayer to Him. We must meditate on His word, focusing our attention on Scripture and seeing its application for our own lives. Like a tree planted by water, we flourish when we are planted in His Word.
Ruth 4
Through the example of Boaz, we see that love takes initiative, prioritizes people, and is willing to sacrifice. Boaz love points to a greater, redemptive love in Jesus.
Ruth 3
In Ruth 3, we see a biblical example of womanhood in Ruth. Ruth shows us that submission is an invitation, allowing someone else to take the lead. She submits to the wisdom of Naomi and the protection of Boaz, and shows us that the desire for marriage and family is good and from God.
Ruth 2
What is a worthy man? In Ruth 2, we see a picture of a godly, responsible, sacrificial leader who humbles himself and serves others beyond what is required of him. In him, we see a picture of Christ - the greater Boaz, who would humble himself to the point of the cross, and lay down His life for those who didn't deserve it.
Ruth 1
What do we do with our pain and our loss? In Ruth 1, we see Ruth and Naomi go back to God's people, place, and presence.
Matthew 7:13-14, 21-29 Easter at Two Cities
Christ rose and we must respond! In this sermon, Jesus is calling us to a decision, that leads to a direction, and a destination. We need more than a profession of faith, we need a possession of faith!
Matthew 7:15-20
In the Sermon on Mount, Jesus teaches that we must not only carefully discern the fruit of others' lives, but we must also diligently cultivate fruit in our own lives. More than that, we must depend on the fruit of Christ's life, not the works of our own.
Matthew 7:7-12
Ask. Seek. Knock. God is a highly relational God. He knows what we need, but He wants us to ask Him. In prayer, we share with God our deepest desires, and He allows us to participate in what He is doing in the world.
Matthew 7:1-6
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus wants us to learn how to judge without being judgmental, and that starts with looking at the plank in our own eyes before looking at the speck in someone else's. He doesn't say, don't judge; instead, He says judge yourself first and judge others wisely next.
Matthew 6:5-13
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us how to pray, emphasizing that God is our Father. God is not a concept. God is not a force. He is Father. When we understand who we're praying to, the rest falls in place, as we seek His kingdom.
Matthew 6:25-34
We have to look back to the cross to have the faith to look forward. When we focus on Jesus and his faithfulness, we can surrender our anxiety today as we trust in His love, sovereignty, and wisdom for our future.
Matthew 6:19-24
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns of the negative effects of wealth on the human heart. He calls believers to have a "forever lens" not just a "financial lens." When we view Jesus as our treasure and Heaven as our home, it changes everything!
Matthew 6:1-8 & 16-18
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls out our hypocrisy and calls us to question our motives. He calls us not to earn our salvation or seek the approval of others, but to live out of and respond to the forgiveness, security, and salvation that Christ has already extended to us.
Matthew 5:38-48
Christianity is not "cancel culture." While the world preaches condemnation, Christ calls us to forgiveness and a ministry of reconciliation. In this famous passage, Jesus calls us to not only love our neighbors but to love our enemies as well, and He gives us the love and forgiveness we need to do it.
Matthew 5:27-37
God wants to be a part of the most intimate, private, and personal areas of our lives. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks to adultery, lust, divorce, confession, oaths, and truth-telling, calling us to not hide in the dark, but confess our sin, ask for help, and allow the Holy Spirit to change our heart as we fight against sin and temptation.
Matthew 5:17-26
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks to the total truthfulness of Scripture, reminding us that the Word of God is inspired down to the smallest words and is not to be changed or distorted.
He also speaks to an internal righteousness that allows God to change our hearts so we can see God and ourselves differently, calling us to look at the sin and anger of our hearts, submit it to Him, and pursue reconciliation with others.
Matthew 5:13-16
You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Don't lose it, and don't hide it.
God wants to use Christians in the lives of other people, to bring light and to draw others toward Him.
Matthew 5:1-12
What is celebrated in the Kingdom of God and what is celebrated in the world are often opposed, but Jesus Christ doesn't ask us to go anywhere He hasn't gone before. The Beatitudes give us a picture of what it looks like to define the good life based on who Jesus is, what He has accomplished, and all a life connected to Him has to offer.
Jeremiah 29
God has sent each of us to a specific time, place, and people. In 2021, let's look to the example of the exiles in Jeremiah 29, to seek the welfare of our city, as a city in a city, set apart for the glory of God, trusting His promises, providence, and provision.
Matthew 2:1-18
Everyone must respond to the birth of Christ. Like Herrod, many are angry at the lordship of Christ. Like the scribes, many are apathetic, having head knowledge of Jesus but no heart affection for HIm. And still others, like the wise men respond in joy, awe, and worship. How will you respond to the birth of Christ this Christmas?
Luke 2:22-38
Simeon and Anna watched and waited for the birth of Christ with anticipation, and after seeing Him they worshipped and told others of Him. Not only do they show us a picture of how to rightly respond to Christ and His coming, but they also show us a picture of growing old well for the glory of God.
Luke 2:1-21
As we look at how the shepherds responding to the coming of Jesus, we see that the birth of Jesus compels us to tell of Him publicly and treasure Him personally.
Luke 1:26-49
How would you respond if you were told the Light of the world was coming into the world? In the first message of our Christmas series, we see how Mary and Joseph responded to this great news with confusion, doubt, but ultimately joy, believing that God would do what He said He would do.
Luke 9:57-10:2
When called people cling to great comfort, they miss out on the great commission.
Exodus 17:8-19:6
We aren't meant to carry our burdens alone.
We see the perfect example in Moses's father-in-law Jethro. He celebrates with Moses all that God is done, but he also counsels Moses on the importance of sharing the burden with those who are able to help carry the load.
More than that, Moses points us to our need for an even greater Counselor, one would carry the burden in our place, Jesus Christ.
Exodus 15-17
Even as the Israelites grumbled about their circumstances in the wilderness, God in His goodness met their needs by providing water and manna from heaven. Even in our grumbling, God is gracious, making what was once was bitter, sweet, and providing what we need for today -- primarily His presence.
Exodus 15:1-21
The Song of Moses is foundational and fundamental in the theology of song in the local church. Scripture tells us that God is our salvation, strength, and song.
Exodus 13-14
Just as God led the Israelites through the Red Sea, He leads us today. Through hardship and plenty, He makes himself known to us. He calls us to remember what He has done, witness what He is doing, and move forward in faith as He continues to make us more like Him.
Exodus 11-12
A bloody doorpost protected the Israelite for a night. A bloody cross would offer eternal salvation for all those who would believe.
Exodus 7-10
Just as the plagues that God unleashed on Egypt revealed the hardness of Pharaoh's heart and the idols of his people, our own "plagues" can expose the idols we have elevated in God's place.
Exodus 5-6
Moses and Aaron encounter brokenness, just as we will. We see through their experience that when we turn to God and fight brokenness with God's promises, He will sustain us. We then in turn must act on those promises by living obediently even when no one else does, just as Aaron and Moses did.
Exodus 3:10-13; 4:1-33
God wants us to stop making excuses and start looking for grace. Through Moses' excuses, we see our own excuses and God's answer. When we say "I can't," the Lord says, "I can" and "I will help you do it."
Exodus 3:1-22
Moses's encounter with the Angel of God at the burning bush shows us that God is above us and among us. He reveals Himself, reveals His mission, and calls us to help Him accomplish it.
Exodus 2:1-25
God providently uses our families, our mistakes, our backgrounds, and our circumstances for His glory and our good. The life of Moses proves that for every Christian.
Exodus 1
In Exodus 1, we begin to see that God is still working even in the midst of broken, sinful people, as we see God use the midwives to preserve His people.
Hebrews 3:1-13
Three truths for moving forward in your Christian walk... (1) You must be in community. (2) You must take sin seriously. (3) You must fixate on the gospel
Malachi 2:14 - 4:6
In the final message in the series, we see what the Bible has to say about divorce, remarriage, leadership, and parenting, and we see God's heart for us to think generationally.
Malachi 2:10-3:5
As we continue in Malachi, we see not only that God is our Father and Designer, but that He desires for our marriages and families to reflect and glorify Him! Home is our first mission field, and God is calling us up!
Malachi 2:1-9
The Israelites' leaders fell short, allowing their people to stumble, but God calls us up to lead. He is calling us to be spiritual leaders who will walk with Him, listen, and point people to His Word and His ways.
Malachi 1:1-14 //
Everything in our lives must start with the Word of God, be sustained by the love of God, and be set on honoring God.
“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” (v. 2)
As we begin our new series in Malachi, we see a people that have forgotten the love of God and have offered half-hearted sacrifices and worship. A people who needed to be called up by the love of God.
John 13:1-17
As we conclude on series on Identity, we see that we are servants! Just as Jesus first served us, our lives should be marked by serving others in His name!
Matthew 25:14-30
God entrusts His people with the time, talents, treasure, relationships, and resources for them to deepen, develop, and deploy.
Acts 1:1-11
Every Christian is a witness to Jesus. The only question is... are you a good one or a bad one?
Mark 3:20-21,31-45
In week 3 of our Identity series, we look at our identity in Christ as family and the implications that has for every believer.
Romans 1:18-32
Worshipper (n) - seeks to know, love, and obey God above all else in life Check out week 2 of "Identity: Knowing who you are in Christ & what to do in a confused world" as we look at what it means to be a worshipper of God!
Our identity needs to be shaped by the gospel, not by what we achieve but by what we have received through Christ. When you know whose you are and who you are, it changes everything!
1 Corinthians 12
As Paul addresses the church at Corinth, he reminds them that they all have the Holy Spirit and have been given various, diverse Spiritual gifts that can be discerned and used to serve the body of Christ.
Galatians 6:11-18
"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..." (v. 14) As Paul ends his letter to the Galatians, he once again reminds them of the transforming grace of Christ and the power of the gospel, and he reminds them that all we can boast in is the cross of Christ!
Galatians 5:26 - 6:10
We see in this passage that we must carry our own loads, bear one another's burdens, and seek to sow in every season.
Galatians 5:16-26
6 Questions to diagnose your spiritual health: 1) Do you have a relationship with the Holy Spirit? 2) Are you feeling and fighting the internal war? 3) Are you seeing what sin is and where it leads? 4) Is your life fruitful? 5) Are you coddling or crucifying the flesh? 6) Are you taking your next step with the Spirit?
Acts 15:1-30
We take a break from Galatians this week to look at the ministry of Paul in Acts. As Paul deals with disagreement within the early Church, he reminds believers that we must prioritize mission over tradition, and while no one can be saved by keeping the law, we shouldn't make it difficult for people to follow Christ. Ultimately, we must law down our preferences for the sake of unity, as Christ laid down his life so we could know the Father!
Galatians 5:1-15
In Christ, we are set free to live free! In Galatians 5, Paul reminds the Galatians of this reality and warns them against losing and abusing that freedom. Because of the cross, we are free from the penalty, pollution, power, and one day the presence of sin!
Galatians 4:19-31
The gospel sets us free from slavery, gives us a family, makes us aware of the spiritual condition of others and gives us the promise of a fruitful life.
Galatians 4:11-20 ___ As Paul recounts his ministry to the Galatians, we learn some important truths about our own ministry. Though ministry may not always seem fruitful, it does have purpose, and sometimes the best way we can minister to others is to simply be present with them.
Galatians 3:25 - 4:10
Are you living as a son or a slave? When we receive Christ, we receive freedom and family. We have a new Father, a new identity, and a new mission. The things that once enslaved us can no longer hold us. Are you living as a son or a slave?
Galatians 3:15-26
Are you "under the law" or "in Christ?"
Without the law, we can't see ourselves or God rightly, but the law was never meant to be enough.... it was simply a finger pointing us to the gap between us and God and our need for a Savior who would bridge that gap on a cross.
Matthew 28: 1-10, 16-17
This Easter is the first time in the history of our nation that the Church has been unable to gather together physically on Easter, but today we don't focus on empty rooms, we fix our eyes on the empty tomb!
Jesus is risen from the dead, we are witnesses, and this changes everything! How will you respond to the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Galatians 3:1-14
Sometimes the best discipleship happens when you ask hard questions.
This week the apostle Paul asks early Christians questions like who have you been listening to, how did you become a Christian, and how are you living the Christian life. These are the same questions we need to be asking ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Galatians 2:11-21
Paul's confrontation of Peter shows us that no matter how mature we are in our faith, we need to have others around us that can remind us of our gospel blindspots. We also see in this passage massive concepts of grace and justification. What areas are you walking out of step with the gospel?
Acts 9:1-22
As we look to the dramatic conversion of Paul, we see so many implications for our own lives. No one is so far that God cannot reach them, and each believer's conversion is a dramatic act of death to life!
Galatians 2:1-10
In Galatians 2, we see the gospel go to the Jews and the Gentiles. The gospel is for every person in every place. As we lay down our rights and our preferences, we make a way for the gospel to go forward to all people.
Galatians 1:11-24
Paul's testimony shows us that the gospel needs to work in us and through us.
Galatians 1:6-10
Counterfeit gospels will always fall short. In Galatians 1, Paul shares the danger of turning to false gospels and forsaking the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:1-5
In the first five verses, Paul establishes his authority and why that's important for us. We learn that the gospel is about a person and a price paid. Because of Jesus Christ, we now are offered forgiveness, grace, peace, and a new identity in the family of God.
Daniel 6
You have to spend time with the Lord before you can spend time with the lions. Daniel was faithful and obedient even in the midst of adversity because He knew that God was with him.
Daniel 5
We all are measured against a standard in which we won't be enough. That's why Jesus came.
Romans 12:1-2
The mercies of God allow us to be transformed rather than conformed. When we accept the gift of salvation, we are motivated to surrender our lives and empowered to change by the Holy Spirit.
Daniel 4
You'll either be humbled or humiliated...
Through the example of Nebuchadnezzar, we see what happens when God humbles and transforms us!
Daniel 3
In the midst of cultural pressure and persecution, we need to live with courage and conviction, knowing that Jesus is with us and giving Him all the glory.
Daniel 2:1-49
Man doesn't have all the answers, but God does. We have to be willing for God to use us and ready to bring His Word to others.
Daniel 1:1-21
Three decisions for the new year... 1) I will see the world through the lens of God’s Word. 2) I will live with biblical convictions in my culture. 3) I will trust God to bless me as I obey him.
Genesis 22:1-14
As we look at the story of Abraham's sacrifice and God's provision, we see God pointing us to a greater sacrifice, a spotless lamb, that would be born in a manger and one day lay down His life on a cross.
What do you do when you are living between promise and provision? Will you obey the commands of God even when you don't like it? Will you receive what the Lord has for you even if you don't understand it?
Genesis 18
What does it mean to be God's friend? In Genesis 18, we see how Abraham walks closely with God, welcoming Him into his home, serving Him eagerly, and talking to Him on behalf of others.
Hebrews 11:8-12
Like Abraham and Sarah, as we live by faith, God will produce patience if we trust that God will do what we are powerless to accomplish on our own.
Our sacrifice should be internal, not external. Through the symbol of circumcision, we see that God wants to be involved in the most personal, intimate, and vulnerable areas of our lives.
Genesis 15-16
God does His best work while we wait. As we continue in Abraham and Sarah's journey, we see that part of living a life of faith is dealing with our doubts. God proves that He is a covenant keeper even when we are not.
Abraham's journey raises three questions for the believer. How will I deal with suffering and failure? How will I deal with conflict? How will I deal with success?
Genesis 12:1-20
Faith is taking God at his Word and taking our next steps. This week we began our journey with Abraham, learning from his mistakes, his failure, and his trust in God.
Matthew 13:44-46
In the parable of the treasure and the pearl, Jesus explains the immeasurable worth and cost of the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 25:31-46
In one of Jesus' clearest parables, Jesus tells us that we should be concerned about the lost and the least and that everyone will spend eternity somewhere.
Matthew 25:1-13
How we live today reveals what we really believe about tomorrow. In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus reminds us that we need to live in light of Christ's return.
Matthew 20:1-16
Life's not fair, and you don't want it to be. In a parable about a gracious landowner, Jesus explains the mystery of grace.
Luke 16:1-13
In the parable of the shrewd steward, Jesus teaches us not to waste what we receive from the Lord but to be good stewards who leverage what we have for the kingdom of God.
Matthew 21:28-32
In this story of two sons, Jesus describes two different responses to the gospel, the rebellious person who repents and the religious person who says yes but doesn't follow through.
The kingdom of Heaven starts small but doesn't stay small. In this parable, Jesus talks about the process and progress of the kingdom of God.
Matthew 18:15-35
Jesus teaches His disciples about forgiveness by telling the story of an unforgiving servant. When we don’t forgive, we become a prisoner but in forgiveness we find freedom. Jesus’ forgiveness at the cross should motivate us to forgive others.
John 17:20-26
What a divided world needs the most is a united Church. Before He goes to the cross, Jesus prays for the Church's unity around the message of the gospel, unity with each other, and union with God.
John 17:6-19
In John 17, Jesus models what we should pray for as he prays for our obedience, endurance, joy, mission, and holiness.
John 17:1-5
If we want to experience a vibrant prayer life, we must first align our motives with those of Christ.
1 Peter 5:5-11
This world is not our home… but a place to trust God. In the midst of chaos, confusion, and the unknown, our anxieties can take hold of us, but when we humble ourselves, trusting in the hand and the heart of God, we can resist the enemy and find peace through God’s grace.
Mark 14:26-31; 66-72; 1 Peter 3:13-15
Peter denied Jesus three times before Christ restored him to building the Church! We need to be gentle aggressors in a post Christian culture...We need to share our hope in Jesus, instead of hiding it.
1 Peter 5:1-5
The Church has the greatest mission and the greatest message; therefore, it needs good and godly leadership. In this passage, Peter calls the Church to be humble leaders and humble followers.
1 Peter 4:12-19
Suffering is inevitable. We either experience it personally or see other people walk through it. We can’t control it, but the Bible tells us we can prepare for it and choose our response. In a world that is not our home, we don’t need to suffer alone.
1 Peter 4:1-11
Peter writes with urgency, encouraging believers to redeem the time they have left. By numbering our days and redeeming the time God gives us, we can live out our day-to-day lives for God's glory.
John 21:1-19
In John 21, Jesus restores Peter to his ministry as he calls him to "feed His sheep." In the same way, Jesus desires to restore us and set us on a mission to bring the Good News to people who have settled for bad news.
1 Peter 3:18-22
This world is NOT OUR HOME... but a place to celebrate what Jesus has done for us.
As Christians, we celebrate Jesus' victory over sin, Satan, and the spiritual world, and we celebrate His victory through the symbol of baptism.
1 Peter 3:8-17
Not our home… but a place to be committed. In Christ, we can say no to some things to say yes to the best things! In the midst of division, evil, and suffering, we can say yes to unity, good, and hope while pointing people to Jesus.
1 Peter 3:1-7
Peter continues the theme of submission as he explains how we can model the gospel in marriage. A wife's submission is beautiful, practical, missional, and should be honored through the sacrificial leadership of her husband.
Acts 4:1-31
A fresh filling of the Spirit results in bold living for the Savior. Only through the power of Jesus can we preach the gospel faithfully in controversy and stand firmly in adversity.
1 Peter 2:11-25
This world is not our home, but it is a place to live under authority. Submitting to God means submitting to the systems, authorities, and scripture that He's given us.
1 Peter 1:24-2:10
This world is not our home... but a place to grow up. Peter teaches us that because of God's great love and mercy, we can be born again! Not only that, but we can grow up in Christ through hearing and reading the Word, being transformed by God, and then proclaiming His Word to others!
Matthew 16: 13-20, 24-25
Ever wonder what kind of church Jesus had in mind? Thankfully, He told us!
In Matthew 16, Jesus mentions the word "church" for the very first time and lays out his vision for Peter and the other believers that would follow him. A church on mission knows Christ, makes Christ known, and follows Jesus to sacrifice.
1 Peter 1:13-25
This world is not our home.. but a place to live holy lives. 1 Peter challenges us to pursue habits of holiness, thinking clearly and biblically, valuing the right things, obeying and fearing the Lord, and meditating on the gospel. Peter shows us that holiness is given by God and pursued by us.
1 Peter 1:3-12 Life is hard, trials are coming, but God is good. Peter continues to share how Christians can face trials with purpose and a living hope - Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:1-2
We are chosen by God but rejected by the world. We are known by God but misunderstood by the world... but there is hope, God has given us what we need to live in the world - grace and peace.
2 Corinthians 5:11 - 6:2 Paul's letter to the church of Corinth demonstrates the new uncontainable life we now have in Christ. Being reconciled to Him, the Christian can live in relationship with God and be empowered to represent God to the world. Jesus and His gospel changes everything.
Judges 17-21
The book of Judges shows us how the downfall of the individual leads to the downfall of the family, the Church, and society. Yet, it also shows us our need for a greater king, Jesus Christ, who would come to restore broken and sinful people to Himself.
Judges 16:1-31
The story of Samson tells us a lot about the effects of sin on our lives. Samson shows us that if we don't learn from our sin it will grow, how sin is strengthened through unhealthy relationships, and how when we make peace with sin we lose the power and presence of God. Yet, Samson's story also shows us how God in His great mercy can restore us to Himself and His ministry when we call on Him.
Judges 14:15-15:8
The Story of Samson tells us a lot about anger. Is it ok for a person to be angry? How does anger turn to resentment followed and even at times revenge? What do the three types of anger in scripture look like? We see that anger always says "That's Wrong."
Luke 7:1-10
It's in this story we encounter a man that scripture tells us that Jesus marvels at. What does this mean? Why did Jesus respond to this man in this way? What are its implications on every Christian's life?
Judges 13-14
This week starts a 3-week journey into Samson's, family, life, and downfall. He, like us, have a tendency to believe these things: I know it’s best for me, I deserve this, I can handle this, no one needs to know this about my sin.
Judges 10:6-11:40
This passage is one of the lowest points for the people of Israel under the leadership of Jephthah. We are just like the people of God in this story. We reject God himself, the people that God sends, and the very grace of God for a transactional religious idea. There is hope though. His name is Jesus.
Judges Week 7: The Fall of Gideon
Judges 8:1-10:5
God tells us how every man and women can ultimately fall from leadership through the life and compromise of Gideon. It’s in this passage we examine the temptation to be, have and feel. How do both Gideon and Jesus handle these three things?
Judges 6:36-7:25
The story of Gideon tells us a lot about faith. We come to understand that Faith is based on scripture, not signs. How can we know the will of God, the character of God, and the promises of God?
Judges 6:1-35
The Call of Gideon. Where was he when The Angel of the Lord found him? Why is this important? What does this mean for us? How does God’s instruction to Gideon change the way we see our own call?
Matt 9:35-10:1
Here we see a clear call from Jesus to all disciples. How do you see people who are far from God? Do you see the harvest?
Judges 4-5
In this passage, we meet Deborah, Barak, Lappidoth, Sisera, and Jael. Men and women are equal in value, different in role and designed to work together.
Judges 3:1-31
What is repentance? How does God respond to people that repent? Who were Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar? How do they point us to Jesus? God uses all types of people to accomplish his plan in the earth.
Judges 2:6-3:6
How do we pass on our faith to others and the next generation? How did Israel fail at this? Our culture is full of idols much like in the time of the Judges. As Christians, we much have knowledge of what the Bible clearly says and be able to talk about how it is drastically different from what the culture says. There are 4 source idols in Western Culture. Power, Control, Comfort, and Approval. All of Judges was a test for Israel and where they failed miserably, Jesus succeeded.
Judges 1:1-2:3
This week we kick off a brand new series on Judges. What is this book all about? How should we look at the events of this book? What do the sin patterns of the Israelites and their lack of long-term obedience have to do with our own? How does the Book of Judges connect with Gen 1? What are generational sins and how are they passed on to our children? The lies we believe, the sin we manage, and the Gospel.
Matthew 2:1-16
In this passage, we see three very different responses to the birth of Jesus. Anger, indifference, and Worship? Where are you on that spectrum this Christmas? Why is it so easy for people to be angry or indifferent when it comes to Jesus? What does it mean to be a Christian? How should Christians respond to Jesus?
John 15:1-17
Here Jesus tells us that He is the True Vine? What does this mean? God is the Vinedresser and He prunes the branches. What does it mean for a Christian to bear the fruit of character, ministry, and mission? Jesus is so clear about the difference here between those who bear fruit and those who don't. What does Jesus mean when He says to abide in Me?
John 14:1-31
Jesus introduces one of his most controversial statements. He tells us the He is the "Way, the Truth and the Life." What does this mean? A lot of times we talk a lot about Jesus but not about the rest of the Trinity. What did it mean when Jesus told us he was going to prepare a place for us? How do our earthy fathers sometimes change the view of our Heavenly Father? How does this work itself out in our society today?
Rupert Leary shares from his years of experience sharing Jesus in everyday regular culture. Application, not information leads to transformation. What does scripture have to say about "Only God Moments". What are practical ways for us to share our faith? When should we step out? What do Christians mean when they say "The Gospel."
John 11:1-44 In this passage, Jesus tells His community that He is the Ressurection and the Life. Jesus responds to the death of Lazarus in a much different way than you might expect. How Jesus responds to Mary, Martha, their community, and Lazarus has a profound impact on our lives as we come up against our own suffering and tragedy. How does this story show us that Christianity is far different than other world religions? What does
John 10:11-18
Lots of people have many different views on Jesus. This message gives us a chance to look at the words of Jesus about Himself. Its here in John 10 that Jesus tells us that He is the Good Shepherd. Why does this matter? What does it mean for us to lead, feed, know and protect one another in the church? Pathways and patterns tell us something about our direction. What does it mean when Jesus tells us that he has other sheep? Jesus sheep know His voice.
John 10:1-10
Jesus tells us that He is "The Door". What does this mean? How can Christianity be the both most exclusive and inclusive religion in the world? Jesus tells us that there are no restrictions on who can come to him. If Jesus is the door, what is our response and what does that make us? What is biblical abundant life?
John 8:12-30
In this passage, Jesus makes a huge statement about himself. He tells us that He is the Light of the World. What did it mean for them and what does it specifically mean for us? How should Christians confess sin and bring it into the light? What does it mean to walk in the light? The importance of experiencing the adventure of Truth.
John 6:22-69
Jesus, right after he feeds the 5000, begins His first 'I AM' statement by telling us that He is the Bread of Life. He tells us what the difference is between a crowd member and a Christian, physical food vs. spiritual food, and that our greatest problem is a spiritual one. Can you trust what Jesus has said even though you may not fully understand? What does it mean to eat the bread of life? Jesus has an answer for all of this.
John 5:30-47
Jesus, having a conversation with the Pharisees, talks about the 4 different witnesses that speak to His divinity. What are these four witnesses and what do they mean for the church today? Why must we be clear about Jesus in a world where everything is not. How can you use the objective truth about Jesus life and resurrection to have great conversations with others?
Acts 20:17-37
Paul tells us that Christians often have to say goodbye because of the good news. Sometimes this means physically moving, sometimes this means obeying scripture and putting sin to death in our lives, or it could simply mean letting go of comfortable cultural Christianity. As Paul leaves the church he warns against several major things and challenges the church to live sent. How does this look at Two Cities as we make a major transition to our new facility on NW BLVD?
4:1-42 Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at a well in the middle of the day. He models for us a clear and compelling way to enter into a spiritual conversation that goes deep quickly. How does he talk about the grace of God in a compelling yet clear way? How does Jesus model tenderness when talking about her sin, and at the same time calling out her disobedience. Jesus tells us that all sin is ultimately a worship issue.
John 3:1-16 Nicodemus has an encounter with Jesus. With all of his knowledge, prestige, and status, Nicodemus still was missing the most important thing in his life; he could not see the kingdom of God. How do we see the kingdom of God? How do you know if you are a Christian? What does Jesus mean when he uses the words "born again?" We honor others the most when we tell them the truth about the implications of the cross.
John 1:35-51 What is the difference between proclamation and conversation? Why are both so important? Jesus doesn't follow us but invites us to something far greater. Jesus talks extensively about the ideas of "come and see" and "follow Me." What does he mean by that? What is your first step and what is your next step? Jesus is the only way to heaven but there are many ways to Jesus.
What is Vision? What was Jesus' vision for His church? What's next for Two Cities Church? We see in this passage that the Church is built on the Jesus of the Bible. What does that mean? As inefficient as it may seem, Jesus builds and sustains his church using sinful people who publically profess their faith in Christ and ultimately exists to cultivate disciple-making disciples.
What does your prayer life say about the way you view God? Our lack of prayer must only be combatted with more prayer, confession, repentance through awe-inspired worship of the beauty of Jesus. Chris shares his journey through Psalm 95 and gives us insight into how Christians can enter into patterns of healthy prayer.
In this passage, we see one of Pauls most famous scripture encouragement to the church. It, however, is one of the most infamously misinterpreted passages of the NT. How does he describe true contentment? Why are we so miserable when it comes to the gain and loss of our possessions? What does God say about contentment in the scriptures? What was Jesus reward on the cross? He ultimately leads the church to know that Contentment ultimately has nothing to do with having plenty or poverty. It's something much greater.
What is your response to people who don't know Jesus? Is it to get angry? Is it to apologize or be apathetic? Paul shows us by his words and language the importance of opening up our lives and our Bibles to others. Everyone has a past, present, and future eternity. Christians aren't perfect but they do need to make progress as they walk with Christ daily. Paul shares that he learned from his past but how he is pressing on towards the massive goal of knowing Chris as he urges the church to do the same.
In very strong language, Paul urges the Church to watch out for the "Religious" amongst them. What does "Religious" mean in this context? How does an understanding of the Gospel contrast with this idea? Paul goes on to share about his resume and how it stacks up against the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
In this chapter, Paul gives clear instruction on how the Christian is to grow spiritually mature. He iterates that knowledge has to ultimately lead to obedience and that God does a miracle work in us be we are to work out our salvation. He tells the Christian how to understand the value systems of the world and kingdom, as well as gives us the ultimate picture of how the Gospel becomes most visible to those around us.
Paul tells the church that unity and humility are not only linked, but unity flows out of humility within the Church. He continues to explain how the Gospel must be experienced personally, that we must see people differently, and to have the mind of Christ. All of which leads to humility. Jesus is our ultimate example. In our place, Christ humbled himself, gave up his rights, but then was highly exalted by God. It was both His humiliation and exaltation that sets us free.
Paul is in jail writing to the Philippians about the Joy he has in Christ. He urges the church to realize the message of the Gospel is not subject to a man or motive. By the Spirit of God, the prayers of people, and the message of Jesus, Paul sees every circumstance filled with the very presence of Christ. His call to every Christian is to see their past, present and future filled the grace of God. How do you see yours?
Christ doesn't just make a way for our sin to be forgiven, he fundamentally changes us. Being a Christian alters the way we view ourselves, relationships, how we pray, and our suffering. What if we viewed ourselves and everyone else in light of the Gospel? What implications would it have on our lives, mission, and the world?
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Clint Darst, Pastor of Kings Cross Church in Greensboro, shares that the cultural values found in the city of Corinth are surprisingly similar to modern-day America. Paul, in these five verses, gives a clear explanation of how Christians can engage culture, speak the Gospel, and remain dependant on the Spirit of God while knowing that God is strong in our weaknesses.
Genesis 11:27-12:5 The Call of Abram- God's call on Abram brings to light several questions that every believer must ask themselves daily. In this message, we unpack three strategic questions that arise from the text. We ultimately see that God calls all to leave sin and live sent.
Genesis 11:1-9 What happened at the tower of Babel? Why are unity, language, and innovation so important for the Church? What do all of these look like at Two Cities through our mission, vision, and values? The sin of self-promotion and self-preservation and God's response to both. In this story we see men trying to reach to the heavens, but instead, Jesus comes down to meet them.
Genesis Chapter 9
The Floods have subsided and Noah receives a blessing from God. What is a blessing in biblical terms? What does God have to say about the value of human life? God's words tell us a lot about his character and his desire for a relationship with man. Noah gets a second chance but it becomes very clear quickly that he needs something else- A substitute.
Genesis Chapter 6-8 Noah, The Flood, and God's Deliverance The Story of Noah and the flood has so much to teach the Church today. What is this narrative really telling us about the condition of humanity then and today? God gives us a clear picture of what continuous habitual sin does to a person. What was the Ark in Noah's time and what does it mean for us today? What is the ultimate purpose of missions and evangelism?
Matt 14:22-33
Trust In Jesus. In this passage we see a clear call for the disciples to see, hear, and respond to Jesus. At some point, we will all be met with circumstances, like the disciples, we must trust what God says while keeping our eyes on him. What did it look like for Jesus to intercede and intervene for the disciples? What does the invitation of Jesus look like in our lives? How must we respond to His call?
Genesis 4:17-6:8
For 1700 years sin reigns in the hearts of men leading up to Noah and the ark. In this passage we see 3 very different personal responses to sin. What effect will your relationship with God have on the future generations of your family? Why must a just God judge men and women? What does the unmerited grace of God through the work of Christ in light of all of this.
Genesis 4:1-16
Cain and Able: The First brothers, worship service and Murder. The story of Cain and Able tells us a lot about the first family as well as ourselves. We don't just have a sin problem, we have a worship problem. How do you know if you are jealous of someone? What is the connection between these two brothers and Christ? In this chapter, we get one of the clearest pictures and descriptors of sin in the entire Old Testament as well as a continued picture of God's unmerited grace.
Genesis 3:1-21
The Fall- Sin, Temptation and Separation Everyone has to answer the question, what is wrong with this world and how did it go wrong?The truth is we all long for Genesis 2 world but we live in a Genesis 3 world. These verses represent just what happened but what happens still everyday. Genesis 3 explains all of this and gives the Church the very first Gospel picture in scripture.
Gen 2:21-25
Biblical Marriage- One Man, and One Woman for a lifetime. The first marriage is a picture of what every marriage could be and should be. How do we move from singleness to a solid marriage? What are the keys to a healthy marriage? Why are marriage vows so important and how do we stay steadfast in keeping them. We see all of this at the end of Genesis 2.
Genesis 2:18-23
God's plan for humanity was far too great for Adam to accomplish alone, so he formed Eve. Why does the term" helper" seem to not be helpful or hopeful in society. What do both scripture and culture say about the unique and beautiful differences between men and women?
Genesis 2:1-15
Men, Masculinity and Biblical Manhood- Handcrafted by God, called to his purposes. The forming of Adam, extended adolescence, passivity and God's call to every man to work and protect.
Genesis 1:26-31
The Imago Dei and why is absolutely crucial that the Christian understands what that means. Humans are the only beings on earth that have the capacity to have a relationship with God. The Imago Dei gives every person on earth dignity, drives the mission to see the Gospel reach to the corners of the earth, and gives us the ability to have dominion.
Genesis 1:1-6
In the beginning was someone, not something. God created everything but is separate from his creation. Christianity begins with God created us. God speaks light into all of creation and into the human heart.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 No matter your background, history or belief system, everyone must deal with Jesus Christ and the events of the Resurrection. He is by far the most important person who ever lived and was at the center of the most important events in human history. What is repentance? *Note: We apologize for the quality of the audio. It was pulled from a source that glitched out during recording.
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
The more clearly we see Christ, the more we are changed. We become what we behold. Paul calls all christians to be something, do something, and know something.