Bright City

By Bright CityReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Bright City episodes

January 26, 2020 Seeing Jesus in 2020 -- Temptation
Luke 4: 1-13
49 min
January 26, 2020 Seeing Jesus in 2020 -- Where to Look!
Luke 3: 21-22
50 min
January 19, 2020 Immanuel -- God with US -- Jess Connolly and Stacie Gensic
Please welcome Stacie Gensic as Jess Connolly talks with her about the times God has been with her through motherhood,
48 min
December 19, 2019 Immanuel God with US -- Shame vs GRACE with Tyler Ezsol and Seth Stone
Seth Stone has an amazing story about the battle with mental health. Join us in this episode as Tyler Ezsol interviews him on Shame vs GRACE.
We really learn some new language in this conversation.
You're not going to want to miss this!
49 min
December 19, 2019 Immanuel God with US -- Perseverance with Jess Connolly and Kristen B.
We had a little technical difficulties and some of the audio was not salvageable. We will continue to work to make it better in the future!

Join us in this episode where Jess Connolly interviews Kristen B. about Perseverance
35 min
December 16, 2019 The Way of the Bright -- CREATIVITY
CREATIVITY MANIFESTO
I believe God uses creativity to leave the world more in awe of Himself and I am made in His image, therefore I will partner with Him to mirror the majesty of heaven, cultivate a better humanity, and increase expectation for eternity.
WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING?
DOUBT
DEFEAT
CONSUMERISM
GENESIS 2:15
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
REVELATION 22:1-5
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
JAMES 4:14
14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:12
12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
REVELATION 21:15-21
15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.
JEREMIAH 29:4-5
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
Walk in Obedience when it comes to CREATIVITY
Identify areas you’re consuming + repent.
Identify your version of creativity and use it daily.
Call out the gifts of creativity in other and speak life to them.
Walk in Abundance when it comes to CREATIVITY
Find an organization that is cultivating our city, and plug in there.
Help us flex our creative muscles as a church.
55 min
November 18, 2019 The Way of the Bright -- HOSPITALITY & COMMUNITY
WHAT IS THE WAY OF THE BRIGHT?
A sacred commitment we make together, to order our lives in a way that allows us to encounter God and shine in our culture.
Why is this important? What happens without Godly Hospitality and Community?
1 -- Disconnection + Isolation
2 -- Chaos
3 -- Disunity
What is Hospitality?
“Purposeful, intentional, and inviting preparation that points to God.”
What is Community?
“Purposeful, intentional, and inviting connection rooted in God”
Genesis 2:8
8 “Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.”
Genesis 2:20-22
“20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.”
Matthew 25:41-45
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’” 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
Hebrews 13:2
2 “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
“Hospitality + Community” MANIFESTO
“I believe God cares deeply about hospitality and community, therefore my life will reflect his invitation and intentional connection.”
How do we walk in Obedience when it comes to Hospitality + Community?
1 -- Prepare a space so people can experience God.
2 -- Make meaningful connections with people inside the church.
3 -- Open your table to people outside of the church.
How do we walk in Abundance when it comes to Hospitality and Community?
1 -- Help Bright City
55 min
November 17, 2019 The Way of the Bright -- AUTHORITY
WHAT IS THE WAY OF THE BRIGHT? A sacred commitment we make together, to order our lives in a way that allows us to encounter God and shine in our culture.
Mark 10:42-45 “42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Philippians 2:5-11 “5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 ...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
What happens if we don’t live this way?
1 -- Unholy Ambition
2 -- Pride
3 -- Injustice
“Power + Vulnerability” MANIFESTO “I believe God modeled power, authority, vulnerability and weakness in Jesus, therefore I will use my God given power and authority for His glory, and I’ll let His power, be made perfect in my acknowledged weaknesses..”
How do we walk in Obedience when it comes to Power and Vulnerability? 01 | Identify and Steward your Power + Authority for Good. 02 | Embrace your God-given Limitations. 03 | Join a People of Vulnerability + Weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
How do we walk in Abundance when it comes to Power and Vulnerability?
1 -- Practice the Principle of Gleaning.
51 min
November 17, 2019 The Way of the Bright - GENEROSITY
WHAT IS THE WAY OF THE BRIGHT?
A sacred commitment we make together, to order our lives in a way that allows us to encounter God and shine in our culture.
Matthew 19:16-22
“16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’and ‘love your neighbor as yourself’.” “20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
“GENEROSITY” MANIFESTO
“I believe God is a generous provider, therefore I will give back to Him faithfully and share generously so His heart can shine through my giving.”
2 Corinthians 8:11
“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.”
2 Corinthians 8:7
“7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
Malachi 3:7-12
“7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.' “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you? “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. “11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.”
55 min
November 17, 2019 The Way of the Bright - REST
WHAT IS THE WAY OF THE BRIGHT?
A sacred commitment we make together, to order our lives in a way that allows us to encounter God and shine in our culture.
“REST” MANIFESTO
“I BELIEVE IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD, THEREFORE I WILL PRACTICE BEING RECREATED IN MY BODY, MIND, + SOUL.”
ENEMIES OF REST - STRIVING
“I CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN, NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES.”
1 CHRONICLES 29:12 [NIV]
“Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In YOUR hands are strength and power to exact and give strength to all.”
ENEMIES OF REST - ANXIETY
HOW I FEEL WHEN IT DOESN’T HAPPEN.
EXODUS 14:14 [NIV]
“The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
PHILIPPIANS 4:6 [NIV]
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
ENEMIES OF REST - PRIDE
“LOOK AT WHAT I MADE HAPPEN!”
JAMES 4:6
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
REVIEW - THE 3 ENEMIES OF REST
STRIVING: I can make it happen no matter what it takes.
ANXIETY: What I feel when it doesn’t happen.
PRIDE: Look at what I made happen.
STEP OF OBEDIENCE
1 - Take 24 hours off and rest in His power
2 - Determine how you’ll enjoy God and feast - feast on the Creator and created things.
3 - Capture thoughts of striving and worry - to speak truth to them.
IDEAS FOR ABUNDANCE
1 - Consider ways you can take your sabbath rest to a new level.
2 - Sleep like a child of God at rest.
3 - Consider the pendulum of work and rest.
“REST” MANIFESTO
“I BELIEVE IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD, THEREFORE I WILL PRACTICE BEING RECREATED IN MY BODY, MIND, + SOUL.”
30 min