The City Gates Church: Recent Episodes
Jeff Schlenz, Pastor
Weekly sermons from The City Gates Church in Fairfax, VA. We emphasize verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter studies through the Bible and how the ancient text applies to our modern lives living in the shadow of Washington DC. For more information, find us online at TheCityGatesChurch.org
The promise of God is that you can find joy, freedom, and fulfillment by telling yourself no and telling Him yes.
Abraham had reasons not to believe God, but he trusted Him anyway and was saved by faith.
The Christian life is filled with relationships, some are delightful, others discouraging, but one is constant.
Make Scripture central to your life because it’s God’s message to your wandering heart.
It’s not easy to keep your life focused on Jesus, so Christians need to be reminded of Truth by leaders who intentionally pursue it themselves.
When difficult times come the truth of the gospel, the power of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of friends carry us through.
God gives us redemption, relationships, and roles along with the gifts necessary for them all.
Jesus rose from the dead, appeared to people, then commissioned them to spread the news--and, why we can trust Scripture.
At the crucifixion of Jesus we see three men, one compromises, one stands alone, and another steps forward.
Jesus reached out to His friends and up to Father when faced with the biggest challenge in His life.
Why do Christians celebrate communion? Because it reminds us of God’s promise to Passover our sins if we’re under the blood of the Lamb.
God wants your heart, soul, mind, and strength because He offers a comprehensive gospel.
Jesus encounters a tree and a temple that look like they’re full of life but are empty, then encourages His disciples in faith and prayer – real practices that bear real fruit.
Jesus is recognized by a blind man and celebrated by crowds, but rejected by the leaders of the Temple and the nation.
Christians are able to serve people on the margins because they’re not competing for recognition but trusting in the resurrection.
Sometimes my faith feels weak so I need to listen to Jesus, ask God for what I need, and make prayer a priority.
If Jesus is truly the Christ, what does that mean for Him and what does it mean for me?
Our words are powerful and as Christians we posses the responsibility of stewarding our speech as well.
Jesus is so committed to announcing the Kingdom that after being rejected by His hometown He commissions His disciples to spread the news.
Jesus heals disease and overcomes death even for those whose faith needs a little fixing.
The Kingdom of God is meant to be public, productive and prolific, transforming us and our lives.
Our ideas about Jesus have eternal consequences: acceptance leads to adoption, while resistance leads to rejection.
People are drawn to Jesus’ message and miracles, but both point to His ultimate purpose: forgiveness of sin.
Confrontation between Christians is motivated by love, received in humility, and guided by God who comforts and confronts each of us.
Christians sabotage themselves spiritually by choosing to be involved with things and people that pull them away from God.
Paul reminds Timothy that despite his own sinful past, God still is able to use him for His future glory.
Christ both fulfills the expectation of all the Old Testament sacrifices as well as models how we are to follow in His example.
God invites you to leave that which is fake and false, and turn to Him today so that you may receive forgiveness and life.
Your whole life can be made new in Christ, and the change will transform everything you desire and value.
We know we face the judgment of a holy God; therefore, we aim to live well and persuade others while trusting Christ.
Paul did not lose heart in difficult times because he was absolutely convinced that the internal and eternal aspects of life are better than the external and immediate.
Christians accept personal weakness because it brings glory to God by bringing grace and life to others.
The purpose of Christian ministry is to emphasize Christ yet it is often resisted by the spiritually blind.
When there is conflict in our relationships there is often confusion as well, our motives and actions may seem like the fragrance of life or death to people depending on their perspectives.
When Paul is accused of being unreliable, he points to his life of integrity anchored in the character of God, and motivated by love for others.
When we suffer, God comforts us directly and indirectly, then uses us to comfort others.
The Resurrection is proof of the power and love of God who can bring good things out of bad situations.
In Christ we have a better priest, covenant, form of worship and access to God, therefore, we must let faith transform and strengthen us.
In Christ we have a better priest, covenant, form of worship and access to God, therefore, we must let faith transform and strengthen us.
There is a constant pull toward weariness and discouragement for those who call on God as Father, we fight it with steadfast faith.
God calls us to follow Him by faith, trusting His commands, calling, and character more than our circumstances and feelings.
God calls us to a life of faith that requires us to trust in Him, even when life is hard.
There’s nowhere else to go if you walk away from Jesus, so remember your previous confidence, patiently endure the present, and look forward to the eternal promise.
In light of all that God has done for us, Christians are encouraged to draw near through Jesus, hold on during difficult times, and pursue community in the church.
The entire system of worship represented by the Jewish tabernacle pointed toward the ultimate sacrifice of Christ making a way to restore our relationship with God.
Jesus opens the door to God’s presence wider and longer by offering a better sacrifice while we are called and cleansed.
God established a new covenant with His people writing His law on their hearts and minds, demonstrating mercy, and remembering their lawless deeds no more.
Jesus establishes a new and better way to God based on the precedent of an ancient priest.
We have examples we can look to and hope we can cling to as we work out the collision of grace and grit in our daily lives.
We show our love for God by serving others but that’s not easy, so beware the obstacles, learn from examples, and press on – God notices and greater things lie ahead.
Jesus was sent by God to be our compassionate High Priest but we’re in danger of becoming dull to the miracle.
Hold on to your faith, hold on to Jesus, and come boldly to the throne of grace, even when life is hard.
God cuts through our defenses, sees through our disguises, and judges what He finds while calling us to rest in Him.
As we finish up our study on Elijah & Elisha we have the chance to reflect on God's faithfulness to His Word, and our need to walk in godly zeal, not half hearted obedience.
God is calling us into His rest, but we must be diligent to enter it by faith and fear the kind of disobedience that would keep us from it.
Sin is gross, unbelief is dangerous, God is merciful. These are a few of the themes we explore in the stories of a besieged Samaria, a blessed Shunammite, and a bedridden Syrian.
How do you make an ax head float, blind eyes to see, and seeing eyes to be blind? Today we explore two more stories in our study on Elijah & Elisha.
In a world full of distractions, Christians are called to consider Jesus – who He is and what He has done for us.
Today is all about 'death to life': From the Shunammite's son, to a pot of stew, to a deadly disease.
The world is not the way it was meant to be, but Jesus came to fix it and heal us in the process.
Salty Springs, Mauled Mockers, Digging Ditches, Overflowing Oil, these are a few of the stories that we talk about today!
As we begin a new book in our study (2 Kings) we see the passing of a Mantle from Elijah to Elisha, but before that God has one last hot confrontation to make to Israel's King.
Today we see how the still small voice of the Lord ministers do a depressed Elijah and how a Servant of the Lord (Elisha) takes his calling seriously.
Today we venture into the mighty standoff between Elijah and the prophets of Baal (spoiler alert) God won and Baal forgot to show up.
Discover how God moves through those empty and unexpected "white space" times in your life to reveal His grace and grow your humility.
Today we explore 1 Kings 17 as well as taking a deeper look into how to dig into the Old Testament with an eye for God and a heart for personal application.
Join us as we kick off our new Bible Study and introduce our study on Elijah and Elisha.
The joyful life is found by those who are led by God; they follow him diligently and turn back to him when they fail.
Those who fear the LORD and delight in His commandments experience blessing in their family and finances, develop a good reputation, and find confidence in trying times.
The joyful life involves persistently choosing justice and righteousness which mirror the character of God.
The joyful life involves seeing things from God’s perspective in the days of adversity.
The joyful life is found by people whose hearts are oriented toward God and whose lives are fueled by His strength.
The joyful life involves knowing that God cares for the poor and weak and modeling it yourself.
In order to find the greatest joys in life, delight in God’s view of things, admit your failures, and receive forgiveness.
There is suffering in this life, but there is also a gracious God who calls you to glory.
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble; therefore, Christians should live in humble submission to God and each other.
When trials come your way don’t think it’s strange or be ashamed, commit your soul to God, rejoice and keep doing good.
In times of difficulty and crisis we are tempted to get our eyes fixed on ourselves, Peter encourages us to get them up and out instead.
In one of the most hard-to-understand passages in the Bible one thing is clear: Christ’s suffering produces blessing for us.
By following the prescription of God’s biblical rhythms for His people we can learn how to better draw near to God and establish a pattern of healthy living for ourselves.
When you sanctify Christ as Lord you know what is true, do what is good, and endure without fear.
Knowing it’s your divine duty to be a blessing, choose unity and righteousness over insults and evil.
God gives specific instruction on how wives and husbands should live because our present relationships can have an eternal impact.
Christians are called to righteous submission in difficult circumstances as we follow the example of Christ who suffered and died for us.
Peter calls us to live holy lives, even in difficult times and challenges us to submit to government leaders for God’s glory.
God has set a Stone in place - you either reject Him and stumble or receive Him and discover your status and purpose.
Peter encourages Christians living in difficult times to grow spiritually by emphasizing a community of love driven by the Word of God.
Christians are able to rejoice in trials because they test, focus, and strengthen our faith.
Christians are given a living hope while enduring this hostile world, because God is aggressively at work on their behalf.
God calls us to spend our lives pursing the good of others promising that we will reap what we sow.
There is much more to the Christian life than just forgiveness of sins - God wants to produce qualities like love, joy, and patience in us by leading us to walk in the Spirit.
Jesus has set us free to know Him and love others, keeping extra religious rules just gets in the way but be warned: people will try to persuade otherwise.
You can live by your own plotting and planning or by faith in the promises of God, both require effort and both produce results, but only one is pleasing to God.
In light of their mutual history and affection Paul compels the Galatians to persist in Christ and not go back to dry religion.
In Christ we are given a multidimensional relationship with God and discover our place among His people.
Only a fool would try to live a good life in their own strength when you could receive grace fully, freely, and forever from God in Christ.
Christians who have known the power and presence of the Holy Spirit can still be tempted to drift away by the claim that they must do more to truly please God.
When people look to other people for affirmation and approval instead of Jesus, division and departure and from the gospel follow.
You don't have to add anything to make salvation work, but you can do many good works once you're saved
Other popular gospels compete for your allegiance in life, but they lead to a curse instead of God's grace.
We live in an age characterized by evil, but God rescues us offering grace and peace in Jesus Christ.
When you are facing a crisis look for encouragement in fellowship, seek peace but stand on the truth, and persist with confidence in Christ.
After meeting Jesus Paul became compassionate toward others and shared a message of repentance, turning to God, and doing good works.
God is at work calling individuals to change and be a part of His work changing others.
Christians are able to live with integrity in multiple spheres of life by following King Jesus
Paul receives no justice because the people accusing him and the man judging him both resist Jesus
A look at the Book of Amos and walking out your faith in a land and time that is dry. Guarding your heart for the things of the Kingdom of God.
Paul enters a city full of ideas and tells them the God they haven't discovered yet is Creator, Judge, and Savior.
The message of Jesus is disruptive and some people embrace it, but others resist it violently.
Paul and Silas were not looking for conflict but when it came, their Christ-centered response brought salvation and encouragement to many.
Serving the Lord involves both joy and suffering because the Kingdom of God is opposed as it expands in the world, and in us.
Paul shares the Gospel, the good news that God has been at work launching a rescue mission for us and while some receive the news with joy, others resist.
Paul and Barnabas face spiritual opposition in bringing the good news to Cypress, but they triumph through the power of the Holy Spirit and lead the local ruler, who was
Saul and Barnabas sensed a calling from God that was confirmed by the church and empowered by the Spirit
Christians suffer from spiritual attacks, personal choices, our fallen world, and the sinful choices of others, but Scripture teaches us to work hard, trust God, and rest well.
The church expands on the heels of a crisis displaying four essential elements: worship, relationship, discipleship, and stewardship, the very same things we need today.
God saves people of all ages and stages of life, people of all ranks and roles, they all need the gospel.
God has a long history of doing amazing things with unexpected people and being resisted along the way, but the Kingdom always advances
As the church grows it needs additional leaders with specific qualifications and conduct who can thrive in the face of resistance
Needs occur in any healthy, growing church but the gifts to meet them are often there too, after all, they come from Jesus.
Discrimination can tear a group apart, but so can disorganization, wise leaders involve diverse co-workers because they know they cannot accomplish the mission alone.
The cycle of internal division and external opposition continues in the church as Peter and others remain loyal to God and His calling.
Having passed the test of external opposition, the early church now faces an insider threat as God exposes a couple's hypocrisy and brings judgment.
After facing a crisis, the disciples share their situation with others, pray to God, and then receive exactly what they requested and get back to work.
God does extraordinary things through unlikely people, but you must choose to submit or resist.
God sent us a gift of peace and joy in Jesus, but each Christmas we risk missing it because we feel the crunch, the crash, and the crush of the season.
Peter seizes the opportunity to speak to a crowd gathering in response to a miracle; he explains that faith in Jesus' name enabled the miracle, explains who Jesus is, and calls the crowd to respond to this news by turning from their sin and embracing the salvation found in Christ.
The early church was marked by seven key characteristics we should look for in a good church today.
The early church was marked by seven key characteristics we should look for in a good church today.
The early church was marked by seven key characteristics we should look for in a good church today.
The early church was marked by seven key characteristics we should look for in a good church today.
The early church was marked by seven key characteristics we should look for in a good church today.
The early church was marked by seven key characteristics we should look for in a good church today.
The early church was marked by seven key characteristics we should look for in a good church today.
Peter explains Pentecost as God doing what He had promised through the prophets and calls people to be saved, baptized, and filled with the Holy Spirit in response.
At Pentecost God poured out supernatural strength on the disciples, what difference does that make for us today?
Jesus disciples believed He was physically resurrected from the dead and this formed the basis for everything that happened in the early church.
In a world of lonely people Proverbs tells us what makes a good friend and Jesus shows us by example.
Where do wealth and poverty come from? Where do they lead? And what is the best and proper use of wealth?
God wants to provide us with wisdom for life; the foolish reject it because they reject Him.
We must choose between two ways to live: either trusting God or leaning on our own understanding.
Parents and children should be a blessing to one another, but when children rebel against their parents' instruction loving discipline is required.
A Godly woman is rooted in the fear of the Lord and produces righteous fruit, praise her for it!
How do we know what it means to be a man? By turning to God's Word and shutting out other voices.
Am I intertwined with the sinners and scoffers of this world, or meditating on God's Word? These two inputs produce different outputs.
God has a plan to transform the lives of people all over the world, and He intends for you to be a part of it.
Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and we need to know this, share it, and receive the good news personally.
Christ is crucified though obviously innocent, so that we who are obviously guilty might find forgiveness.
As crisis unfolds, we see the outcome of walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit. Jesus is betrayed by Judas, tried by the Jews, and denied by Peter as He works for their salvation.
When God's will seems hard do you resist or submit? As the cross looms ominously on the horizon we separate the separate reactions of Peter and Jesus.
Jesus reveals Himself as the Passover lamb sacrificed for our sin, and institutes communion to remind all Christians of what He has done.
There will be a judgment of eternal blessing or cursing based on our actions in this life: did we minister to others or ignore their needs?
Jesus encourages Christians to be spiritually vigilant and diligent until His unscheduled return.
Interpersonal conflict and international war will characterize life after Jesus' departure, but He also promises a coming judgment and encourages His disciples to pursue holiness in the midst of it all.
God-less religion is critiqued by a patient, persistent, God who will ultimately judge all people and return to reign triumphantly over mankind.
Jesus levels charges of hypocrisy against religious people and warns His followers how to avoid it.
Jesus warns of corrupt religious motives and conduct while encouraging us to listen to God's instruction in Scripture and humbly serve others.
People want to know: does God agree with me? Meanwhile, Jesus patiently explains the truth and calls people to love God and love others
God goes to extraordinary lengths to bless us, and people consistently reject and resist Him.
Jesus tells Jewish leaders the Kingdom of God is going to be stripped from them because they won't accept what God is doing despite His patient, persistent, grace and generosity.
Jesus pronounces judgment on those who are more show than substance, and promises there is incredible power in righteous prayer.
As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, makes the Triumphal Entry, and enters the Temple, one question keeps coming up: will you worship Jesus or reject Him?
Jesus calls us to serve others as He has served us by fulfilling God's unstoppable, pre-determined plan.
Jesus exposes the true motivation of a rich young ruler and warns His own disciples about their reactions to His grace.
Jesus gives three reasons why people might not marry and we consider what singles should do as they wait.
Jesus responds to a question about divorce by pointing out the true nature of marriage.
Christians, who receive incalculable forgiveness from God, should eagerly share the same with others.
For the next several weeks we're going to be looking at what Jesus says about how to live with other people and how to get along, how to value others, how to forgive them, and what God has to say about marriage.
Jesus always understands what is happening at the deepest levels, and is entirely sufficient for the need
God reveals Himself to people, involving them as He establishes and expands His unstoppable, inevitable, unconquerable kingdom.
Jesus experiences conflict with arrogant Pharisees and Sadducees (He refuses to cooperate), expresses concern for the ignorant disciples (He shows concern and patience), and is recognized and adored as the Christ(He gives promises).
The greatest issues of life are things that happen within us, not things we bolt on to the outside of us.
Jesus, seeking time alone, does miracles for countless thousands and involves His disciples
God has given us boundaries for life, staying within them is hard, but step over them and things get messy quickly.
The Kingdom of Heaven is indestructible- the good seeds will grow until harvest time, the tiny seed will grow, the leaven will spread.
We are going to take a look at how different people respond to God as we hear one of Jesus' most famous parables, which is also one of His most difficult.It's the parable of the sower which shows us four possible responses for people who have heard from God.
Jesus is accused of not keeping the religious laws and responds by appealing to the heart behind the law.
Jesus addresses questions about His identity, responds to rejection, and issues a call for the weary and worn-out to come find rest in Him.
Jesus asks for the complete loyalty of His disciples and though they will experience opposition, they will also have His unfailing support.
Jesus asks us to share His burden for the lost through prayer and calls some of us to go do something about it.
Jesus reveals His compassion for people as He proves He can heal things no one else can, including lives broken by personal choices or misfortune.
Jesus demonstrates His authority over the natural and supernatural things in this world because what He really wants to communicate is His authority over sin.
Jesus heals a diverse group of people demonstrating His personal power and the inclusive nature of the gospel.
The Bible tells us the resurrection is the gospel and which was preached, which many of us have received, in which we stand and by which we are saved if we hold fast, unless we have believed in vain.
Make seeking God the greatest priority in your life and everything else that is important will fall into place.
Christians should give, pray, and fast for God, but this is only possible when our aspirations, attention, and affections are focused on Him instead of on others or ourselves.
Jesus teaches us to declare dependency on our Heavenly Father for provision, pardon, and protection.Matthew 6:5-15
Every day of our lives there is a competition between autonomy and making our own independent decisions and authority and accepting the need to submit to another, to be regulated by someone other than me.This battle between authority and autonomy is a test of our allegiance: when push comes to shove, will I choose me or bend the knee?Our allegiance is tested every day in significant as well as trivial ways.
Christian prayer is communication with a Holy Father who knows our needs; understanding this affects our expectations of, and approach to, prayer.
It is possible to do religious things like giving, praying, or fasting for the wrong reasons, so Jesus confronts the issue and offers a corrective.
Jesus commends a life full of discrete giving that benefits others, glorifies God, and results in personal reward.
We human beings have this tendency to take the things God says and twist them to suit our own interests, desires, or tendencies.We often make excuses for ourselves, let ourselves off the hook, and generally see ourselves as better than we really are.So, Jesus comes along, pushes our ideas aside and goes after our heart.As we've said so many times, He goes after the source of our disease instead of simply dealing with the symptoms.
This morning we find Jesus talking about the institution of marriage and the habit some people have of swearing oaths. We’ll cover some very interesting stuff this morning, but let me give away the surprise before we even get started, this really isn’t about divorce and marriage and what you can and can’t say, it’s an attempt to expose what’s going on in your heart that would lead to these outcomes. It’s about the disease that produces the symptoms, not just the symptoms themselves.
God is concerned with our desires, not just our deeds, and encourages a radical response to causes of sin.
Jesus wants us to know that murder is actually just one symptom, one expression, of a deeper and wider disease. Murder is just the ugly offspring of anger. No one ever said, I'm so grateful and thankful and appreciative for you, I just can't wait to hurt you. So what you really need to do is go after the anger that produces murder and that anger lives in each of us.
This morning we continue our study in the gospel of Matthew and the sermon on the Mount. Until this point Jesus’ Sermon has been primarily centered on us individually. You are blessed with the blessings. The behaviors are manifested in your life. Now we begin to see how the presence of these behaviors and blessings in your life has an essential impact on the world around you.
This morning we continue our study in the gospel of Matthew. We've been looking at the Sermon on the Mount, the longest sermon by Jesus on record. This morning we finish the introductory section known as the Beatitudes.
We continue our study through the Gospel of Matthew. We're in the Sermon on the Mount, the most famous teaching of Jesus. And specifically, we're in the opening section known as the Beatitudes, from the Latin word beatus for blessed, because it's a list of eight behaviors and attitudes specially blessed by God.
We continue our study in the gospel of Matthew. We've come to the Sermon on the Mount, and we're looking at the opening passage, called the Beatitudes, where Jesus tells us about the behaviors and blessings that characterize those who are devoted to Him.
I want you to consider something rather obvious about this: God takes it for granted that you will mourn. God doesn't promise your life on earth willbe nothing but unicorns and rainbows, puppy dogs and cotton candy, beautiful beaches with a gentle breeze. He expects that you are going to mourn. That's not odd to Him. That's not bizarre. It's normal.
We continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount this morning, Jesus' most famous sermon. If you take what you find here seriously, and you should, it will challenge the way you live your day to day life.
If you have come in here this morning, and you are at the end of your rope, if you are exhausted and spent, tired and frustrated, I want you to know: you're in the right place.We're going to hear Jesus speak in the Sermon on the Mount, His most famous sermon, and we're going to find a message of encouragement and blessing for those who are willing to receive it.
People from the capital and all around Israel went out to hear what John had to say and see what God was doing through him. People were broken by what they heard and saw. God was on the move, convicting people, showing them sin they needed to confess, areas that needed to change in their life, and they responded by saying, “Yes, that’s me. I need to change.
What often happens after you make a declaration that you want to live for God? Things get hard. Your change, your choice, and your commitment is challenged. And that's what we see happen with Jesus this morning.
So far, on our journey through Matthew's gospel we have seen Jesus' family tree and heard the story of His rather unusual birth to a virgin mom and adopted dad. This morning, the story moves ahead almost 30 years and we find Jesus as a grown man about to begin His ministry.
When Jesus is born, different people respond in different ways - which best represents you?
Matthew's life was turned upside down by Jesus, is it any wonder he would show us that Jesus' family tree was full of people you wouldn't expect?
Teaches us that we need to attempt to live peaceably with people both inside and outside the church, avoiding unnecessary conflict wherever possible and to rest in the knowledge of what God has done for us and what lies ahead.
God is calling men, women, young, old, workers and bosses, to live a life of integrity, purpose, and commitment to God and others instead of ourselves.
Every Christian, regardless of title, should desire to be more like Christ and these verses spell out some of what that looks like.
We may be the children of God, but we live on a battleground, not a playground. There is a spiritual reality to the physical world we live in.
The things we're going to see in Scripture today can have an immediate impact on the work you do tomorrow: how you see it, how you approach it.
Christian families and how they should run and how children should respond to their parents, and how parents should treat their kids. It's practical stuff. It's simple to understand, but painful to apply.
Christian husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the church. But what does that mean? You can't show this kind of love unless you know it.
Are Christian wives really called to submit to their husbands? And what does that mean anyway? We find our answers in God's Word.
As Paul continues to encourage us regarding how to live as Christians, we see three specific examples of how Christians should live differently.
As Christians there are things that we should never do, things that should “not even be named among us.” They include sins that reflect corrupt desires in our heart and foul things that come out of our mouths. Is there any evidence of these things in your life? God is calling you to come away from them.
At Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the new birth, but after we're born we still need to grow up spiritually. Paul gives us some very practical areas to work on.
A line is drawn in the sand and Christians are told there MUST be a difference between in their lives as they put off their old identity and put on the identity of Christ.
Pastors are supposed to 'equip the saints for the work of ministry' but what is ministry? What does it produce? And how do you know what ministry you're called to? We find answers to all these questions and more.
God has given specific leadership gifts to the church for the express purpose of building up all Christians. Is it working? Do you know what God has called you to, and are you being equipped for it? Are you being built up in your faith?
The life of a healthy Christian should be framed by humility, love, and unity that is based in our position in God. If there is only one faith, one Lord, one God and Father of all, how can we be in conflict with others who are also in Christ?
God is living inside of each Christian, and he's also stacking Christians together in a community called the church. We have both an individual and a corporate relationship with God.
Paul says he is a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the Gentiles. How does he respond to being in prison, and how what can we learn about enduring trials for the sake of the gospel? Is it possible that God might be calling us to suffer?
Do you realize how amazing it is that people from all over planet earth worship the God of the Jews? Paul encourages the Ephesians, and us, to remember how amazing it is that Jesus drew us near to Himself from the ends of the earth.
There is a difference between those who have been saved by Christ and those who have not, do we care about the destiny of the unsaved? And, what are the good works that God has prepared for Christians? What do they look like? The answer and at times, they look like work.
We've already noticed the theme of his prayer: that God would make Himself even more known to the Christians in Ephesus, this morning we're going to wrap up our examination of exactly how Paul prayed that might happen
Paul begins to list three specific prayer requests for the church and the first is that we would know the hope the we have in God's calling. So, what is hope and how does it affect our lives?
We continue to look at Paul's prayer for the Ephesians and consider what it means to know God, the Father of glory.
After praising God in the previous verses, Paul begins describing his prayers to God. We look at what hinders our prayer today, and compare that to the constant nature, content, and catalyst of Paul's prayers. His prayers are guided by three things: theology, experience, and awareness.
How do I become a Christian? Paul says God predestines us, but we also trust Him. And once we do, we become sealed with the Holy Spirit. What does that mean?
On top of all the other gifts He's given us, God has ALSO given us an inheritance in Christ. So, why do we go looking in so many other places for acceptance, belonging, and worth?
The entire Christmas Eve Service from The City Gates Church, lots of great Christmas Worship, a reading of Luke 2 and message about Jesus the Light of the World
God abounds in grace and wisdom and He offers them both to us. And, what do we do when God's choices in our life don't feel so wise?
We all struggle and make compromises we later regret just to be accepted by other people. Meanwhile, God is going to incredible lengths to let us know we're accepted in Christ.
What was the purpose of God saving us? That we would be holy and blameless. Is that how you feel?
Predestination is a hot-button topic for some people. What does it mean? And how does adoption help us understand it better?
God chose to save people in Christ before the foundation of the world and nothing in the world has been able to stop that from happening.
We bless God because He has blessed us. These blessings are available now and they are real, but they are spiritual, not material, and they only found in Christ. So what does that look like? Pastor Jeff gives us some answers.
What does it mean to ‘bless’ God, and what keeps us from doing it? In a nutshell: we’re ignorant, choked out, and/or crowded over.
We've all heard of grace and peace, but what do the words really mean? Why is grace amazing, and what is the significance of it coming to us from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ?
Is written to the saints (who are they?) who are in Ephesus and Christ Jesus, which means we can, and should, be in two places at once
Paul finds and sees his entire purpose and identity in life as directed by God. Can this sovereign God also have His way in our lives today? Yes! He must.
Shows us how David responds to "the day of trouble" and how he is encouraged by the people who are praying for him as he does.
In this short Psalm we find the Heavens declaring God's glory, the Scripture declaring His identity, and David responding with a confession of sin and a desire to be filled with things acceptable to God.
Explores the question: who can live in God's presence? The answer is comprehensively simple.
Joshua 24 - As the book closes, Joshua gathers the people together to review what God has done and how they should respond. We discover that God is capable of using anyone, and we have no excuses.
Joshua 23 - As the book of Joshua comes to a close, Joshua warns the people, don't grow complacent. It's a great admonition for modern Christians as well.
As the Eastern tribes head back across the Jordan, conflict arises over a new altar they've built. What were they thinking???
Pastor Jeff concludes a small group on marriage and relationships by wrapping up a discussion of roles and responsibilities and asking the question, “What do we do about sin?
Joshua 11 - 21 - Israel takes possession of the entire land and defeats the giants people were once afraid of.
Pastor Jeff continues a small group discussion exploring the nature of love and roles and responsibilities in marriage.
When the Gibeonites are surrounded, they call for help. As Christians, do we call for help when we're in need knowing that Jesus and the Church will show up to help?
Pastor Jeff continues a small group discussion asking the questions what are unity and love and how are they expressed in a marriage.
Joshua 9 - Why did God command the destruction of the Canaanites? And how the Gibeonites avoided it.
Joshua 7 and 8 - Achan took things that belonged to God and there were enormous consequences. Is a little disobedience really that bad? Yes.
As the nation of Israel finds itself on the western side of the Jordan River, you would think it's time to move out and take the first city. You would be wrong; God does things differently.
The nation of Israel is ready to cross into the Promised Land, but first they have to cross the Jordan River. They do it by following the ark, a reminder of God's presence, and then they build a memorial to remember what God has done.
As the book of Joshua opens, we discover that God uses old people (and lots of other people too) but He requires courageous obedience to move ahead
We all know and love people who are drifting in sin, what should we do about it, and how should we pray?
First we’ll finish talking about God’s Will and how we can know it, and why it’s so important to know it, especially when it comes to prayer, but then we’ll also look at five reasons why God might not be answering your prayers, even if you’re praying according to His will.
John says our prayers will be answered if we pray according to God's will. But what is His will?
God gives us testimony, witnesses, and evidence to prove that we can KNOW we have eternal life.
God commands us to love one another and He says His commandments are not burdensome - so why do that feel that way sometimes? Here are five reasons.
When Christians love one another, John says they are actually perfecting, or completing God's love - that's sounds pretty overwhelming, but thanks to the work of the Son and the Spirit, it's not.
God gave us a practical demonstration of love on the cross and then tells us to go and share that love with others.
The church is admonished to love one another because love is of God, and so are we. We need to show this love, even to those who are ornery as a mountain lion caught in a trap.
No matter what else happens, Christians, as children of God, can be confident that He who is in them has overcome the world
John says Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit, but he also gives a warning NOT to accept all spirits and provides a method of knowing whether a spirit is worth listening to.
John says one proof that we are saved is that the Holy Spirit abides in us. Unfortunately we can resist, grieve and quench His efforts.
Experiencing the love of God should prompt us to demonstrate the love of God, even when it costs us, because it certainly cost Him.
The Christian is called to abandon sin and walk in love because "he has been born of God."
Will you be ashamed to stand before God? You shouldn't - after all, He's made you His child, but are you also making yourself pure???
Where did things like Christmas Trees, Santa, and Rudolph come from? And do we need them to celebrate Christmas?
Intelligence agencies spend billions of dollars figuring out how the enemy will attack next. John tells us for clearly - in this spiritual war, watch out for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
John offers six encouragements addressed to three groups: baby Christians that he calls little children; growing believers that he calls young men; and those who have matured in the faith who he calls fathers.
Honesty is a essential key to fellowship; honesty with God, with others, and with ourselves.
How can you know if you really know God? Ask yourself: are you obeying His command to love others?
Do you ever wonder what God is really like? Well, good news! God wants to be known, and John tells us something important about Him: He is light.
In a normal, healthy church, individuals are in fellowship with God through Christ and in fellowship with each other as a result.
As he closes his letter Jude urges Christians to reach out to those who are drifting and reminds us of the glory of God.
After telling us so many things to watch out for, Jude reminds us that we beloved by God and gives us four steps to grow in our faith.
There were at least three marks of the kind of people Jude warns us against: grumbling, complaining, and flattery and how should Christians respond to these issues?
Jude continues to warn about people in the church who are facing judgment instead of salvation - are you?
Jude wanted to write about something good, our common salvation, but something more important has come up: creepers have crept into the church
Jude, the younger brother of Jesus, introduces himself as a slave of Christ, but this is a slave who willing submits to a Master who has called us, and offers us love, peace, and mercy.
As a wealthy businessman the question for Philemon is not just what will you give, it's what will you forgive?
God has given us a family in Christ full of brothers and sisters who stand with us in thick and thin.
Paul introduced himself to Philemon as a prisoner of Jesus Christ. How do we see ourselves?
Truth and love mix together seamlessly in the Christian's life and affect the choices they make.
When the end finally comes, it's actually a beginning - the curse is gone, the King is on the throne, and His servants are serving.
According to Revelation, heaven is real, but not everyone is going there. What keeps people out?
Christians have God's promise that no matter how bad things are today, in Heaven He will make ALL things new.
Instead of mourning the city’s collapse, the saints in heaven (and that includes you and me Christian) and the angels will be rejoicing over what has happened, celebrating the destruction and judgment and praising God for it.
As the judgment of God nears its culmination we see the fall of Babylon. Could the fall of that city say anything to us? Yes it could.
As the seven bowls of judgment are poured out on the earth we see yet another worship song in heaven.
In Revelation Chapter 14 we see the final mention of the word 'gospel' in the Bible as an angel proclaims the good news to the world, but no one seems to respond.
We’ve seen some of the judgments that will be poured out on the earth and those who insist on living apart from God. We finally meet the one who, in a sense, is responsible for it all and that’s Satan.
Why did Jesus rise from the grave? Because sin, death, and hell are real. But so are the cross, the tomb, and the resurrection. And because of all this, we receive a real new life.
As the seven trumpets of judgment are blown we discover what God's wrath looks like and learn a little bit about what Jesus has suffered for us.
In his last letter to the churches Jesus confronts lukewarm Laodicea - is there anything in your life that cooling off your soul?
Jesus is holy, true, and has all authority. The church in Philadelphia has simply responded to who Jesus is and what He has done, and now Jesus promises to take care of them forever.
Jesus had nothing good to say about the church in Sardis, they looked good from the outside, but were dying within. Unfortunately, we can be same way.
In the letter to the church at Thyatira we find an admonition not just to do well, but to finish well too.
Ever feel like you're surrounded by darkness and spiritually dead people, the only light in a dark place? Christians in Pergamos know the feeling, they lived "where Satan dwells." In order to survive they needed to remain doctrinally pure.
Could poverty and tribulation really be a part of God's plan for your life? If you live in a place like Smyrna, the answer might be yes.
You might be very busy for God, but are you still in love with Him? That's the issue Jesus addresses in His letter to the church at Ephesus.
Ever feel isolated, alone, banished from the rest of life? John did too, But there, on the island of Patmos, God brought him a revelation while he was in isolation.
In the very first chapter of Revelation we see something about Jesus has changed: the Carpenter is now a King and there are benefits for those who serve Him.
How should Christians respond to people in need? Sometimes it involves giving and sometimes it involve going.
How is the resurrection of individual Christians going to play out, and what do we do until it happens?
What do you think 'the gospel' is? Here in 1 Corinthians 15 the Bible gives us a concise answer.
What should church be like? God gives us some basic instructions but the bottom line is this "decent and orderly."
1 Corinthians 13 helps us understand what love is like by telling eight things love does not do.
Love doesn't think too little of me and envy you, nor does it think too much of me and boast to you.
How would you explain love? The first thing the Bible says: it is willing to suffer long.
When you consider all the gifts that God has given to the church, why go anywhere else looking for help?
In this sermon we consider some Biblical and present examples of the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, gift of faith and gifts of healing.
In this first study of the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts we look at the ministry of the Holy Spirit throughout history.
Did you know there are very specific things that God does not want you to be ignorant of? Here's a list of ten of them.
If you want to sum up 1 Corinthians 1-11 you could do it with just one word: others. The early Christians in Corinth were thinking too much of themselves, and not enough about others.
Put a priority on pleasing others, for all the right reasons, not offending them unnecessarily.
Are you content with what God has done in your life, or do you need "just a little bit more?"
Can Christians________? When looking for the answer, remember the importance of loving others like yourself.
What does God have to say about marriage, and how does that line up with what we believe?
How do we respond to sin in us? Don't go carving your life into sections, yield the whole thing to God, and keep doing so.
How should the Christian respond to sin around us in the world? And, what about sin against us?
How should Christians respond to sin in the church, and what is "church discipline" all about anyway?
Paul sees himself as a servant of Christ and steward of God which has led him to a more difficult life than the critical Corinthians he was writing to.
Just like a physical child, Christians are supposed to grow spiritually after they're "born-again.''
Pastor Jeff shares how the resurrection has changed his own life and invites us to consider what it might mean for us.
Yes, there really is more going on in this world than what you see with your natural eyes. How much more? Find out.
No mater how high you rise in the world, some one will always think you are foolish as a Christian, not because of you, but because of Him.
When you recommend someone to come to church with you, what reason do you give? Is it because it is fun? Because it will give them a better life? Because it will make them a better person? Do you ever mention the cross? It was kind of important to Paul.
What should church be like? There's a lot of wiggle room actually, as long as Jesus is at the center.
After celebrating what God had done for them, the Jews decided to do a few things for God. Unfortunately, their efforts to change didn't last long once they drifted away from worship.
God has always been willing to give us one more chance, but at some point, if we resist, we will suffer.
How can I know what God wants me to do? We find two answers in this section of Scripture.
Nehemiah's enemies tried telling lies to him and telling lies about him; how do you respond when your reputation is attacked?
Conflict arises when two people can't both have what they want - so, how do we get over it? By following Jesus who gave up His rights to "stuff" in order to save us from sin.
We look at who was involved in serving God by building the wall, and see that Nehemiah responded to opposition the same way, over and over: through prayer and continued effort.
God used Nehemiah's position and his prayers to open doors for ministry. How does He want to use yours?
For those who want to know and serve God, everything begins with Repentance - but what does it look like, and how do we do it?
Nehemiah was a government employee serving in a foreign land who still had a heart for God's people.
God gives us good gifts, packaged as a set; He tells us where to find them, and makes the available to us all.
Jesus meets the disciples in their daily lives and then restores and calls Peter to a life of service.
The Jews wanted Jesus off the cross quickly so they could enjoy their Passover...turns out, He was their real Passover.
John gives us a play by play of the events of Jesus' trial and execution, but WHY was it all necessary?
Everyone in Jesus' life turned their back on Him. Feel let down by people in your life? He can understand.
Jesus prays for Himself and the disciples just hours before going to the cross - what does He say?
Jesus prays for Himself and the disciples just hours before going to the cross - what does He say?
Even though Christians are called to love others, Jesus warns them that the world with respond with hatred.
As a Christian, the Holy Spirit resides INSIDE you and that means, you are never truly alone.
Jesus doesn't promote you, He trades places with you, and that subtle distinction makes an enormous difference.
What role do miracles play in our lives? Answer: they force us to make a decision about God.
Jesus says there's only one way to Heaven - through Him. Why does it have to be so exclusive?
What does Jesus have to say about Heaven, and how does that affect us when we feel anxious?
Have you ever been betrayed? Jesus knows the pain, but also commands us to love like we've never loved before.
In the final hours of His life, Jesus shows His love for us by humbling washing our feet and showing us the need of regular cleansing in our relationship with Him.
Jesus' big moment has finally come and the hour has arrived for Him to be glorified. What will that look like?
Does your life look more like a vacuum, taking things in, or a fountain, giving things out?
Yes, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but did you know that Jesus LOVED Lazarus, and his family knew it?
We take a second look at Jesus' claim to be the Good Shepherd, this time focusing on what we can learn about shepherds.
In one the most familiar passages of the New Testament Jesus claims to be the Good Shepherd. What does that mean for us as sheep?
Why are we sometimes born with defects, deformities, or difficulties? Is it because of sin in our lives?
If Jesus is light of the world, why do so many stay in the dark? Because we love our sin more than we love God.
How can Jesus affirm the Law and grant mercy at the same time? How can Justice and Mercy coexist?
Are torrents of living water gushing from your life? Jesus said they would if you're filled with the Holy Spirit.
You can't say, "I don't have an opinion" about Jesus, you have to decide, was He right or was He wrong? And your answer has eternal consequences.
Sometimes Jesus says hard things, not because He's mean, but because He wants to receive something better.
When the crowds came to Jesus, they came for the wrong reasons but He tried to help them. Why do you come?
Sometimes impossible circumstances come our way, what do we do then? Learn a lesson from the feeding of the 5000.
Jesus says God gives us four witnesses to tell us what He's really like, so how do you respond when God doesn't fit your expectations?
Jesus ministers to a man who has it all and another who seems to have nothing, but He requires both of them to act on their faith.
In this final part of our series we look at the place of music in worship and why some people raise their hands.
What keeps us from worship? Three things: sin, circumstances, and feelings. Can you overcome them? Yes.
In this second part of our series, we discover what it means to worship in spirit and truth.
Worship must be an attitude of the heart long before it becomes it an action in our lives
The woman at the well went to town and told everyone about Jesus - where are you willing to go?
Did you ever notice that "I" is at the center or sin? There's a good reason why "I" must decrease.
We've all been infected by the toxins of sin, but we also have access to the holy antivenom we need.
Jesus told Nicodemus he had to be born-again. Why does He say stuff like that which is so hard to understand?
Nicodemus, the man who seemed to have it all together, was still told that He needed Jesus.
When Jesus showed up in the Temple on Passover, instead of worship He found chaos. How had God been misplaced in His own house? And what needs to be driven out of our lives so worship can begin again?
As John opens his gospel he introduces us to Jesus' eternal, triune, and creative nature so we understand who the God is who saved us.
In light of the upcoming judgment which we all face, how should we live? Peter's instruction - be holy, be diligent, and beware.
Why don't bad things happen to bad people? Why aren't we instantly judged for our sins?
God's Word tells us exactly how you will be tempted - by covetousness. What affect does it have on you?
Ever wonder how we got the Bible? Peter gives us some insight: God moved men to write things down.
Ever feel like your faith is a little dry? A little dull? Peter says we need to be stirred up by remembering some key points.
The Bible is full of warnings to those who already know God, not to drift away from Him. Peter continues the admonition.
Why do we give? Where should we give? And what should our giving look like? Paul has answers.
According to the Bible, we can be content no matter how much or how little we have, not in the future, but today, by magnifying Christ instead of our circumstances
Having problems in your relationships? Strugging with anxiety or your thought life? Jesus is the answer.
Forget about your past, ignore earthly distractions, and set your mind on Jesus, the One who has taken hold of you.
Before you set off to do something for God, remember first things first: rejoice in Christ Jesus
We're called to do all things without grumbling or complaining BECAUSE it is God who is at work in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure.
In Part Three we look at the need to pray for others - for their healing and for their souls.
A continued look at prayer - what keeps us from it, why we don't see answers, and how to do it.
Part one of a two part study on Paul's exhortation to pray - what does that mean and how do we do it?
Jesus radically changed Paul's life - He redeemed him, PUT him in the ministry, and empowered him.
Paul begins his instruction to Timothy by building barriers around the Christian message, what is and isn't orthodox faith?
In this fourth part of our study we examine the heart - what it is, what's wrong with it, and how God offers to fix it.
Now that we understand love a little bit, let's look at what it means to do it with our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
In the second part of our study we continue to define Biblical love and examine what threatens and strengthens it.
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. OK. What does that mean?
As we close the book of Genesis we look at the final actions of dying men and reexamine what it means to forgive and be forgiven.
As he prepares to die, Jacob adopts his grandsons and tells them about the God he has served.
Jacob's life is turned around radically as he learns Joseph is still alive; our lives are turned around when Jesus comes into them.
Judah steps up to the plate and takes responsiblity for a wrong he committed over twenty years ago as the brothers are reunited with Joseph
By focusing on God's goodness Joseph was able to forget his pain and suffering and become fruitful - what does that mean for you?
God provided Pharaoh with a warning about the famine that would come and all that was necessary to endure it, and He wants to do the same for you.
How do you respond to disappointment? By bucking up or reaching out? Maybe God has allowed this because He wants to use you in it.
The roots of sin in our heart eventually produce the fruit of sin in our lives; what can be done to stop it?
The story of how the passionate pursuit of good things in the wrong way can end in disaster.
Jacob's prayer reminds us to offer Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication (asking for stuff).
What is God's responsibility and what is my responsibility? The answer isn't quite cut and dry - we have things to do, but always under His supervision.
Sin destroys our relationships because if we want something badly enough we spare no expense or relationship to get it.
Jacob is tricked into marrying the wrong woman - where do you go when you've been hurt like that?
Abraham's death and the conflict between his grandsons help us ask, what is life really about?
In the story of how Isaac married Rebekah we see parallels of how Christ has taken the church for His own bride.
You can only leave God out of the picture for so long, sooner or later, in life or in death, you are going to meet Him and have to give an account for all the choices you made.
We are all worshippers, and we all make sacrifices - the question you must ask yourself is - what god am I worshipping and what sacrifices am I making?
When painful things happen in life that we don't understand, we need to remember God's timing and plan is perfect.
Homosexuality, and all others forms of sexual sin, is not primarily an issue of attraction, it is a question of authority. Whose are you under?
God never intended for us to have a private religion, He intended for us to have a personal relationship and the two are very different.
God does things in our lives that we can't, and expects us to respond in ways that we can.
God doesn't 'help those who help themselves,' He 'heals those that have tried to help themselves.'
In a matter of days, hours, or even moments we can make choices which, though they seemed reasonable at the moment, turn out to be something we regret for the rest of our lives. What do we do then?
Is it OK to ask for a sign, to ask God to 'prove Himself' or to give you something to go by?
Last week we saw that God gave us a Savior for Christmas, this week we discover He has given us a few other gifts as well.
Do you ever hear all the promises of God and want to ask, "Well then, what about this issue in my life?" Abram did, and God responded.
Abraham goes out in battle to rescue Lot and is blessed by a mysterious figure as a result. Does that mean it's OK for Christians to serve in the military?
God calls Abraham - and it's not because Abraham really had it all together spiritually.
One thing we learn from the Tower of Babel is it's possible to spend your time, your money, your life building something that looks impressive on the outside, but has no eternal value at all.
We finish up the life of Noah by taking a look at three vignettes - we'll see the commands God gave and the covenant He made with the world after Noah's worship; then we'll end with a really sad event that happened with Noah and his family.
Noah believed God in something he had never seen or experienced before, but was it all real, or is the story of his ark just a myth?
Where did Cain get his wife? Did people really live that long? Who were the Nephilim? We deal with lots of controversy in this section of Scripture.
What do you really worship? Cain proves that it is possible to go through the motions of worshipping God while really worshipping our self.
Our silly little attempts to cover up the consequences of our sins are not effective. We need the solution offered by God.
What does temptation look like? The techniques Satan used with Eve are the same ones he uses on us today.
Your relationship with your spouse (or your spouse to be) is the second most important thing in your life - don't wreck it by making your own decisions about what is right and wrong sexually.
Who gets to determine what marriage is, why it is, and how it should be conducted? Is there a pattern to follow, or do you just do whatever you want?
Sure, the Bible says God created woman to be a "helpmate" for man, but what does that mean? And, why does God call Himself by the same title?
With so many passages in the Bible talking about marriage - what is the single Christian supposed to do?
When He created the world, God gave man a place to live that was perfect and beautiful, it was food that was good, it was work that was meaningful, He gave boundaries that enabled us to enjoy life, and protected us from harm, and finally, he promised to provide a helpmate that was 'comparable' - exactly what we needed.
By keeping the Sabbath in some form, we recognize that God is most important in our life, and we are taking an actual step to show that believe we will be alright by trusting in Him instead of taking care of ourselves; we recognize that life is more than just work and running errands.
In this sermon we take a look at competing theories on how the earth was created and recommend a charitable approach to the positions held by other Christians.
Why doesn't the Bible answers the questions modern Christians have about creation? Because it never intended to, but it does have a lot of other things to help us understand why we're here and what is going on.
God opens the Bible with an challenging statement, "In the beginning I created the Heavens and the earth," how you respond to that statement will affect the way you view the rest of life.
Jesus is introduced to the world as the Messiah, the last Adam, who overturns all the problems the first Adam started.
John the Baptist confronts people who were living for themselves and challenges them, and us, to live for others.
From the only story we have about Jesus' youth we consider why it's so scary to be lost and how Jesus conquers our fears.
The birth of Jesus led people to worship in at least seven ways that we can worship as well.
This week we are taking a break from rolling through Luke to consider the importance of the cross and why it was that Jesus died on the cross. Next week is Easter when we will focus on the Resurrection.
What family ought to look like, and a look at Elizabeth who was both righteous and blameless and yet barren. How can such things be?
Here are the message, notes, and some of the slides from our introductory look at the Gospel of Luke and how his message fits into the overall scheme of the New Testament.