New City Church: Recent Episodes
New City Church
Jesus on Every Page: The Subversive Power of Christmas
Luke 2:8-20
December 18, 2022
Ryan Pelton
Jesus on Every Page: The Subversive Power of Christmas
Matthew 1:1-17
Scott MacDougall
December 4, 2022
Romans 14:1-23, “Between the Weak and the Strong.” Paul’s teaching from Romans 12 and beyond is summarized and focused on relationships in a variety of contexts. Relationships inside the church, outside the church, and with the state. Now Paul wants to teach us how to love each other when we have different views and points of conscious. The church in Rome is divided over “disputable” issues. Frankly, issues, that shouldn’t divide them. The question Paul addresses is: how do we treat one another when we disagree on issues? When our disagreements aren’t about a license to sin or heresy, and merely cultural differences, what are we to do? Well, in good Pauline fashion, he always brings us back to the gospel, applied to all issues and situations.
Chapters 9-11 are some of the most controversial in all of Scripture. Dividing the church between Arminian and Calvinist theology. Dividing the church between man’s free will and God’s sovereign election and grace. But what did Paul have in mind when he wrote these chapters of Romans? Did he use these constructs, or was he after something else? The chapters of 9-11 appear to come out of nowhere. Paul writes Romans 8 reassuring us that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Then it seems Israel is not part of the family. Do these promises of assurance not apply to Israel? What does this mean? Is Paul contradicting himself or is he trying to teach us another lesson about how the gospel works? Despite the appearance of much of Israel being outside the family of God, God is up to something. And it includes Israel and all people (Gentiles). How will we respond? How will we see God’s unrelenting mercy and electing grace? What is the point of it all? Is God unjust and choosing people at random in human history, or doing something else?
What does it look like to continually cast our troubles and problems and complaints on God?
The imagery of a shepherd is a powerful metaphor for understanding what God is up to in our lives, and how he leads us daily
Even in the worst famines, plagues, and disasters, God continues to lavish us with is grace and bring us into a family and home that will last forever. A home without suffering, persecution, or fear.
Death does not have the last say. We will experience the fullness of God as the old world falls away.
All of creation is being restored through Christ, and we can now claim familial status thanks to his intercession. But what does that mean for us now?
This passage reminds us that we are image bearers, first of God, and then of our fallen father Adam. Yet now, we are have our images restored to imperishable beings, through Christ.
God is for us and not against us. He has come by his spirit to change us and free us from the limitations of the flesh.
If we miss the Gospel, we miss everything. The Christian life is built upon the death and resurrection of Jesus.
We either serve our sin or the one who has conquered all sin… and by submitting to God we gain the greatest freedom of all.
We continue our series in Romans in chapter 6, and look at the implications of Christ’s sacrifice and how our unity to Jesus affect sin in the Christian life.
Even amidst the anxiety surrounding this quarantine and pandemic, we can find hope in looking at the resurrection and our own resurrection promised to come.
We gain a lot of insight into what Jesus is like, and therefore what God is like, in the multiple resurrection accounts.
The cross of Christ represented a horrific death, and unjust punishment. Yet it also stands as the fulfillment and perfect sacrifice completed on our behalf.
Worry and anxiety are big in the Bible, because God knows the human heart. Jesus gives a profound teaching on just this subject, with the Sermon on the Mount.
Scripture is God-breathed and beneficial to all Christians, for learning, encouragement, conviction and more. How do we adequately respond to this gift?
As Christians, how do we fix our eyes on what is pure and noble amidst hardships and suffering?
As Christians, how do we foster our relationship with the Holy Spirit, especially when both frauds and skeptics abound?
Paul now shows how our first parent Adam failed, breaking the commands, but now Jesus comes to keep them all, and share a righteousness with all who believe in Him. Adam brought death, but Jesus brings life. How does knowing Jesus represents us change everything?
We have an eternal security on this side of the cross. What is your one comfort in life and death?
After the last couple of chapters in Romans, all looks lost, all looks grim, but God has a plan in the midst of sin, darkness, and evil. A righteousness from God has come and is free for all who believe and trust in the Savior.
Paul is laying bear all our assumptions and expectations of the problems with humanity and the world, and how God and the Gospel work.
Paul has strong words for those who consider themselves “religious” but know nothing of the inner transformation of the gospel. A good reminder for the church in modern times and the dangers of “dead orthodoxy.” Where do we see a religious spirit in our own lives?
Our words fall short of the wonderful God who made all things and is the Counselor of all things. How do you describe the one who made all things and is sustaining all things and one day will ultimately heal all things? In a day when God is not seen as the ultimate authority in our lives, we’ll wrestle with how God is a trusted, loving, and wise Counselor.
As exiles, we are called to live with humility before God and others, in complete trust in God, and with vigilance. Why do you think God opposes the proud?
The letter ends with a call to gospel shaped leadership and lives of humility. Whether serving as an elder/pastor or a leader in the world our call is to be examples of Jesus to our church and world.
The church is gifted with many abilities, talents, and gifts, to share with each other, and the world. Gifts in the Greek has the idea of “grace” woven into our understanding. If this is true, Peter challenges the church despite their suffering and exile to use their gifts of grace for the glory of God.
Marriage in the first century Roman world would have looked very different compared to Peter’s biblical vision. Men saw women as property, and woman typically didn’t have much voice in their communities. Peter’s vision for biblical marriage is filled with gentleness and humility and respect for one another.
It’s hard to compare suffering of the first century and what we see around the world today. But the same biblical principle is true: Christ suffered, and so will his disciples. We must follow in his steps. The brilliance of these passages is the way Peter uses Christ as an example of how to suffer well.
What does obeying the authorities of the world look like when they’re hostile to Christian faith?
Peter says we are: living stones, a priesthood offering sacrifices to God and the world, a holy nation, and a people who belong to Jesus. How does this shape our callings in the world? How do these identities shape how we live as sojourners and exiles in the world?
Our obedience is always tied to the hope we have in Christ. What does it look like to be a holy and obedient people in a world opposed to the gospel?
How do you encourage hope in an exiled people living in a hostile world? You remind them of their living hope found in Christ.
Jesus died and suffered outside the city so we could come into his New City, a New Heavens and New Earth, where all is made new. Made possible because of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection.
Let us live a life of worship, not turning back, but pressing on together with endurance.
How does the perfect sacrifice of Jesus apply to our sanctification? How do these realities get us off the soul deadening treadmill of religion? How can these texts be a comfort when we do sin? What does this mean for our service to God’s good world?
The writer of Hebrews shows how Jesus’ ministry has shifted the understanding of the covenants made with God’s people in the past. How are we to understand approaching and worshiping God after Jesus’ exaltation?
The Christian life is comprised of constant growth. Grace is opposed to earning, but not to effort.
How does the Better Priest, Jesus, allow for us to approach God boldly in worship and prayer and life? What does Jesus’ perfect obedience mean for our own sanctification? Jesus as a Better Priest has many implications for our lives in the world.
How do we hear God from the Scriptures and in all of life? How do we not close God off from his leadings and promptings?
How do you avoid spiritual drift in your walk with God? Why is encouragement so important to community health and life?
The writer of Hebrews is saying something new for a predominantly Jewish audience. The idea of God becoming a man, and moving into the neighborhood, even saying he’s our brother is about relating. We don’t worship and follow a cold and removed deity. We serve a living God who took on flesh and understands our every need. How can Brother Jesus help us in our temptations? How does knowing Jesus is the Founder/Pioneer of our faith comfort us day to day?
God is not silent and continues to speak through his Son, Jesus Christ, who’s better than the prophets, the Jesus who creates and holds all things together, and is redeeming all things. God is not silent, and never has been.
The personal presence and power of Jesus was the only hope the disciples had for preaching forgiveness and repentance and the grace of the gospel to the nations. What role does the Holy Spirit play in our lives today? How does the Holy Spirit work through the people of God for the mission of God?
Not much attention is given to the ascension of Christ and yet it’s vitally important for how we relate to God and find comfort in a dark world.
What does Peter’s role in the mission of God teach us? What does the transformation of Peter teach us about growth and sanctification in Christ?
Mary is confused abut Jesus’s mission of resurrection and thinks she’s encountered the gardener. But after Jesus speaks her name, everything changes.
With the Resurrection, everything changes. We now have hope beyond this life. What implications does this have?
How do we stay connected to the source of all power and life? What are the consequences if we don’t? How does this give a pattern for spiritual formation?
It’s not popular to claim the exclusivity of Christ… he’s the way, truth, and the life. But the claims of Jesus are unique and nothing like other faith systems and philosophies. Jesus’ claims are of divine origin. He is not just offering a way of salvation, but an entire way of being and living.
Jesus says he’s the good shepherd who isn’t like the others. Jesus says he loves and cares for his sheep like no one can. And the beauty of Jesus is that by grace he’s still going after his sheep and bringing them into the fold.
Jesus suggests in his day there were many false Messiah’s and liars pretending to be the way, truth, and the life. But only Jesus can invite us into his family, Kingdom, and blessings now and forevermore. What are the false doors we constantly run through?
How does the person and work of Jesus make him the light of the world? How are we to live as lights in a dark world?
Jesus makes a bold claim that he’s the bread of life. A resource in ancient culture that wouldn’t be taken for granted. The source of life and satisfaction. Jesus is saying the same: I am your source of life and satisfaction
Jonah wanted God’s justice to come to Nineveh and the people of Assyria, but not his love and grace. We need both. But God shows again his unrelenting compassion and deals with Jonah’s anger. What can we learn from this exchange between God and Jonah?
We all have to come to end of ourselves to see our need for God. Jonah is trying to run away from God and going deeper into himself and away from God’s grace. His prayer reveals an encounter with God and his grace. The end of himself.
Jonah runs and God will not let him go. A great storm comes upon the ship and the pagan sailors need Jonah’s help. The response of the sailors contrasted with Jonah’s sleepiness is an eye opening revelation of who Jonah really is. Where Jonah finds his true identity and hope.
Why would God send Jonah to an enemy of God’s people? Another thing that makes this book interesting is the fact Jonah resists the call. He’s a prophet of God given the words of God for Assyria, and Jonah runs. What does the flight of Jonah reveal about him, us, and God?
Everyone is a worshipper. The question is what and whom do we worship? Our identity and calling as worshippers and disciples do not happen in isolation. They happen in a family we call the Church.
As couples submit to Christ and one another, we get a glimpse into our union with Christ. And we also get a practical way to love our wives: as Christ laid his life down for the church, we are to lay down our live for our spouse. How can marriages be driven and centered on Christ?
Will power and mere effort will not allow us to live God honoring lives. We needed greater power (Holy Spirit), and greater motivations.
We can’t talk about the gospel and Christ and not talk about his bride. Through the church the manifold wisdom of God will be revealed to our society.
In a world riddled with disunity, racism, class divide, and demonization… the gospel speaks with power. God is in pursuit of one new humanity where our common ground is Christ, not race, gender, background, political, or economic standing.
The Christian life isn’t static. Paul gives an example of how we are to pray for more of God’s wisdom, love, knowledge, revelation, and power.
Malachi ends with a great summary of two kinds of people: those who are righteous and follow God, and those who do not. It becomes a question for Israel and for us today, how shall we live? For God, or not?
We give because God is generous to us, we give because he gave his only son to be poor, so we could be rich in him. God’s people should be a generous people.
We are called to love Lord as one loves a father. This familial love can only pour out in praise as we stand in awe (fear) of his immense power and perfection, especially when seeing his perfect love on the cross.
People often try and clean themselves from the outside in. But only in the new world God is making in Christ, can we have hope for our sins. Only in the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus can we find true hope where religion and self-will can’t solve our deepest wounds.
Zephaniah 3:1-20God makes a promise that the nations will turn to the Living God, and trust him for salvation. Despite our propensity to not see God’s work among us, if we take a closer look, our God is always wanting to bring people into his family.
Knowing our judgment is justifiable before a holy and just God, only leads to the sweet path of seeing the mercies and grace and love of Jesus poured out on sinners like us.
Paul gives practical teaching on the role of prayer in evangelism and the conduct of our speech toward nonbelievers.
Biblical servitude resembles today's workforce more than the slavery of colonial times. And what the Bible has to say is important for both Christian employees as well as their Christian employers.
Paul begins this section with clear teaching for living with Christ and fighting sin, as well as living as resurrected people.
Paul engages the implications of Jesus being Lord of all things. The material: food, drink, festivals, are all shadows of things to come. The substance is Christ.
What causes disunity? People who don’t share a common faith in Christ. Paul wants the church to seek unity and have the wisdom to spot heretics when they come.
How did Paul’s work benefit the church then, and how does it establish a framework for now?
Paul provides a brief picture of what biblical faith looks like, and how we can remain stable, steadfast, and rooted in a gospel-filled-hope.
Paul wants us to see the Lordship of Christ in all things, and what it means for the church, and how we interact with culture.
In this section, Paul prays a specific prayer for the people of God to walk in power and knowledge and joy. Why is this prayer significant? And how can we follow Paul’s model of praying here?