First City Church Bellevue, Nebraska: Recent Episodes
First City Church Bellevue, Nebraska
First City Church exists to glorify God by making disciples, planting churches, and working for the good of our city.
The close relationships we develop with others tend to be connected to things we share in common, a similar background or what we like or dislike. The relationships we form in a Christian Community should be different. Rather than commonalities, our relationships are rooted in Christ. This means when Christians encounter differences, when they let one another down, when they experience conflict, rather than withdraw than love. Join us this Sunday at 10 AM as we continue our One Another's series and reflect on 1 John 4:7-11 to consider: One Anothers.
Our world is deeply divided. Social media and the 24-hour news cycle feed us endless stories of conflict and division. Cultural divisions and political battles are fought with extreme zealousness. Today, not fighting against those that disagree with you is seen as the same as supporting them. We are deeply, painfully divided, with calls for patience, humility, gentleness and any sort of unity falling on deaf ears and even seen as dangerous.In contrast to this, Ephesians 4:2-3 calls the church to walk “with all humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” The church is called to live in unity with one another. Be don’t pursue unity for unity’s sake! Our unity is about something much bigger! Join us this Sunday at 10am as we continue our One Another’s series and consider: Unity’s Purpose.
The Christian faith is not meant to be lived alone. It cannot be lived alone. Nearly forty times, the New Testament calls us to live out our faith with “one another.” We are to love one another, forgive one another, encourage one another, bear with one another, be patient with one another, be kind to one another, instruct one another…and on and on. To be a faithful disciple of Jesus, we must be committed to community and one another.
A new diagnosis of a disease or dealing with a chronic condition can be disorienting for many. We live at a time medical advances have resulted in miracle cures and the ability to combat a variety of illnesses. Christians in particular are instructed to ask God for healing, and are promised a redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23). Yet, this side of the new heavens and new earth, we all become frail and feeble at some point.
We consistently encounter stories of war, abuse, manipulation, and corruption, reminding us of the ongoing existence of evil in the world. While some reject the idea a good God would allow evil to be present on this earth, Christians do not. We know we live in a period of waiting as we long for Jesus to return to initiate us into a renewed earth.
Advent is a time of year many reflect on the first appearing of Christ, while looking forward to His second appearing (Titus 2:11-15). As we wait for Jesus to come back, we know sin was defeated at the cross, yet we still struggle with things like guilt, shame, and feelings of defeat when we encounter sin in the present.
Waiting well is hard. Waiting pushes on our pain, our fear, our pride, and our need for control. Waiting reminds us that we and our world are broken beyond our ability to fix. But waiting is also an incredible teacher.
Which is why Advent is such a beautiful and powerful time of year. During Advent, we look back to see God’s faithfulness to send Christ the first time, and that gives us great hope as we wait for Christ’s return. Celebrating Advent is a way to re-orient our hearts to the reality we are waiting, and let waiting teach us and shape us in gospel truths. Join us this Sunday at 10AM as we begin the season of Advent by reflecting on The School of Waiting.
Ever felt stuck in an impossible situation? Ever felt surrounded by hardship, suffering, and opposition? When stuck and surrounded, it is easy for us to lose heart and doubt the power of God in our lives. But here is our hope…the God who fought for his people by splitting the Red Sea and defeating Egypt is the same God who fights for his people today! Join us this Sunday at 10AM as we conclude our Fall series in Exodus and celebrate the God who defeats all enemies and delivers his people.
Many consider preparing for an exam, or a test, to be a difficult task. Having someone to help prepare us for such an exam is a gift. As we continue studying the book of Exodus, this Sunday we will consider how the Lord leads His people prior to a season of testing. What do we learn about the leadership of the Lord? Join us this Sunday at 10 AM, as we reflect on Exodus 13:17-22.
Some events are so significant, so life-changing, so meaningful, they need to be remembered and celebrated. And through the act of remembrance and celebration our identity, beliefs, values, and what we live for are shaped. In other words…we imitate what we celebrate. Listen as we continue our series in Exodus and see that just as Israel was shaped by their remembrance and celebration of the Passover, we are now shaped by our remembrance and celebration of the gospel.
The topic of God’s judgment raises many questions and struggles. It creates a particular tension: How do we reconcile God’s judgment with his love, mercy, and grace? Aren’t those things contradictory? The Passover shows us that God’s judgment and mercy are not at odds with one another but stand together as a powerful display of his glory. For it is through judgment that God brings redemption.
As you consider significant decisions, or even more so, deep questions of meaning and purpose, like how to view yourself, and how to view God, what voices do you tend to listen to? The book of Exodus reminds us that we can reject and dismiss God's voice. This sermon engages the story of the Plagues, a series of events challenging Pharaoh and His people after they have rejected the voice of God.
The book of Exodus is a powerful story of redemption…with a number of curious, confusing, and seemingly random events. In this sermon we look at three of those passages: a rescue at a well that means more than we realize; an intense confrontation that leads to a circumcision; and a seemingly out-of-nowhere genealogy.
From religion, to history, to civil law and morality, to the fight for freedom, to art and entertainment, the book of Exodus has exercised profound influence on our world. Believer and skeptic alike have taken great interest in it. But how should we understand the book of Exodus? What is its central meaning, and why does it matter?
From religion, to history, to civil law and morality, to the fight for freedom, to art and entertainment, the book of Exodus has exercised profound influence on our world. Believer and skeptic alike have taken great interest in it. But how should we understand the book of Exodus? What is its central meaning, and why does it matter?
The church at Corinth was messy, dysfunctional, and sinful. And yet...the Apostle Paul deeply loved them. He had great hope for them. How was that possible?
A church shaped by the wisdom of the cross is a church that values sacrifice and service over power and position. Join us this Sunday as we continue our series in 1 Corinthians: Faithfulness over Flash.
Resurrection isn't just a hope but a necessity. To enter the kingdom of God we must be clothed with the resurrection of Christ.
Whether we realize it or not, we all long for resurrection…a new and better “us.” But what kind of resurrection life do we hope for? What expectations do we have? Are our expectations high enough?
While there are many secondary issues on which Christians are free to disagree...the death and resurrection of Christ are non-negotiable. On these truths we all stand.
Is Spirit-led worship unpredictable, unstructured…perhaps a bit chaotic? Or does it require structure?
What makes a spiritual gift “great”? Its supernatural WOW factor? The emotional experience we have while exercising the gift? Or its power to build up the body of Christ?
Should women cover their heads in church? A debated question. But what if 1 Corinthians 11 is less about head gear and more about Christians showing honor to each other and God-given order? Join us this Sunday as we continue our series in 1 Corinthians: Watch Your Head.
In 1 Corinthians 7:25-40, the Apostle Paul challenges messages communicating value and worth is found in marriage or romantic relationships. Listen as we consider how the Bible provides advantages and perspective to living life as a single.
No matter how dark, devious, and destructive your sin, the grace of Jesus meets you in the darkest pit of your sin to rescue, redeem, forgive, and set free. Humble yourself before the grace of Christ, turn from your sin, and then him minister grace, strength, hope, healing, and transformation through his people, the church.
In an increasingly hostile culture, what will our relationships with non-Christians look like?
Let's be honest, one of the biggest critiques of the church we hear is "the church is just after your money." From greedy televangelists to greedy pastors, far too many leaders have exploited the generosity of the church to pad their pockets and build extravagant lifestyles. The result can be skepticism, even hostility, whenever the topic of giving and money comes up.
Walking by the Spirit produces beautiful fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It produces a church community that is humble, that forgives one another, and that cares for and takes responsibility for one another. At the same time, this fruit isn't produced instantaneously. This community isn't built overnight. It takes time. It can be slow. It requires steady, faithful sowing to the Spirit.
I wonder...does the slowness ever discourage you? Are you ever tempted to believe that sowing to the Spirit isn't worth it or isn't working? Join us this Sunday as we consider some of the struggles and discouragements we face as we seek to walk by the Spirit. But more than that...come this Sunday to celebrate and be renewed by the incredible promise we have in the power of the Spirit at work within us.