In Week Two of our series “Do It Again,” Pastor Dustin delivers a compelling message on revival, rebuilding, and the unshakable truth that God is not done with us. Throughout history, God has moved in extraordinary ways—from the Great Awakening to the Azusa Street Revival—and this sermon reminds us that what God has done before, He can do again.

Today, we look at the reality of the world around us, including the brokenness in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico. With high crime rates, addiction, poverty, and generational cycles of hopelessness, our city reflects the same kind of devastation Nehemiah faced in Jerusalem. But just like Nehemiah, we believe God is calling His people to rebuild, restore, and renew what has been broken.

This message explores three powerful truths from the life of Nehemiah:

1. A true move of God begins with a burden.

2. God uses what you already have in your hands.

3. Revival starts when people say yes and begin to build.

Pastor Dustin unpacks the vision of Citizen Church as a Christ-centered, Spirit-led, Kingdom-building movement committed to the renewal of cities and nations. We believe God is raising up a people who will carry hope, restore purpose, and transform communities from the inside out.

Through Scripture, history, and real-world context, this sermon challenges us to pray bigger, act bolder, and believe that God can bring breakthrough again—right here in our city, our families, and our generation.

Key themes: revival, Nehemiah, rebuilding, spiritual renewal, faith, restoration, God’s promises, church vision, Kingdom movement, New Mexico, breakthrough, prayer, hope, transformation.

Scriptures referenced: Nehemiah 1:3–4, Nehemiah 2:3–5, Nehemiah 2:17–18, Isaiah 54:2–3.

“I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it.” — Matthew 16:18

This week, Pastor Dustin opens the series with a powerful message reminding us that when God has moved before, we can trust Him to move again. Across every campus, we’ve witnessed salvation, growth, life-change, and a level of impact only God can produce. As we prepare for Heart for the House 2025, we continue believing for greater things still to come.

If you are waiting on breakthrough, believing for restoration, or asking God to show up in a fresh way, this message will encourage your faith.

A Year Marked by Growth and Life Change

Across Citizen Church, we’ve seen God move in unmistakable ways:

When we say “Do It Again,” we’re not speaking from wishful thinking — we’re speaking from evidence. God has done the impossible again and again.

In the closing message of our series on the life of David, Pastor Brandon Woodward—lead pastor of Union City Church in Washington, D.C. and brother to Pastor Dustin Woodward—brings a powerful and heartfelt word about what it truly means to be a person after God’s own heart.

From David’s humble beginnings to his final days as king, this message traces the journey of a man who wasn’t defined by perfection but by pursuit. Even through failure, grief, and success, David never stopped chasing after the presence of God.

In this sermon, Pastor Brandon unpacks four defining qualities of a heart that gets God’s attention:

• A heart that seeks His presence more than position or power

• A heart that studies His precepts and builds life on His Word

• A heart that sings His praises in every season

• A heart that serves His purposes above personal ambition

You’ll be reminded that God isn’t looking for perfection—He’s looking for devotion. He’s searching for men and women who will love what He loves, care about what He cares about, and live fully surrendered to His will.

As Pastor Brandon shares, “Legacy isn’t about what you leave behind, but what you set in motion.” Let this message inspire you to seek God wholeheartedly and live a life that moves His heart.

Scripture References: 1 Samuel 13:14, Psalm 51, Psalm 27, Psalm 63, Psalm 119, Acts 13:22, Acts 13:36, 2 Chronicles 16:9

In Week 7 of our Life of David series, Pastor Dustin Woodward brings a timely and challenging message titled “The Making of a Leader.”

The call to follow Jesus is also the call to lead others toward Him.

As Rick Warren said, “Every believer is a leader because every believer carries light in a dark world.”

Through the story of David, we’re reminded that leadership is not defined by position or power—it’s shaped in the valleys, refined through surrender, and strengthened by trust in God.

The Making of Great Leaders:

Great leaders are formed in valleys.

What you learn in the valley becomes what you lead with on the mountain.

Pain doesn’t always change your situation, but it should change your priorities.

Great leaders value surrender over control.

Humility is the strength of a secure leader.

You can’t hold onto control and claim to trust God at the same time.

Great leaders come back stronger and wiser.

Great leaders don’t just recover—they rebuild.

When you’ve been through the valley and trusted God, you come out with authority that can’t be manufactured.

David’s journey reminds us that even when life falls apart, God is still forming something in us. Leadership in the kingdom begins not with status, but with surrender.

Scripture References:

2 Samuel 13:36 | 2 Samuel 15:30 | 2 Samuel 19:14–15

Questions to Reflect On:

What have I stopped pursuing because of fear, failure, or loss?

Who do I need to forgive so I can move forward again?

What would it look like to lead, serve, and dream again—but this time with humility, grace, and wisdom?

Today we welcome guest speaker Layla Nahavandi as she shares a powerful message titled “Citizens of Heaven.”

In this sermon, Layla challenges us to remember that as followers of Jesus, we belong to a different kingdom—one not of this world. She reminds us that our true identity is not defined by earthly status or circumstance but by our citizenship in heaven.

Through scripture and revelation, we learn that:

1.Citizens of Heaven have a new King and Kingdom.

2.Citizens of Heaven carry a name with authority and access.

3.Citizens of Heaven live by kingdom laws.

4.Citizens of Heaven speak a new language and develop a new accent.

5.Citizens of Heaven walk in new rights, privileges, and freedoms through Christ.

Citizens of Heaven Bill of Rights

I am God’s possession,

His child, His workmanship, His friend, His temple, co-laborer, witness, soldier, ambassador, and building.

I am able to do all things because He strengthens me.

I am a minister and an instrument; His chosen, His beloved, His jewel, and His heritage.

In Christ I have been redeemed by blood—set free from sin, set free from Satan, and set free from the kingdom of darkness.

I have been chosen before the foundation of the world, predestined to be like Jesus, forgiven of all trespasses, washed in His blood, and accepted into God’s family.

I have been justified freely by His grace, given all things pertaining to life, given great and precious promises, a sound mind, and the Holy Spirit.

I have the ministry of reconciliation, authority over the enemy, access to God, and wisdom for free.

In Christ I am complete—sanctified, justified, and fit for the Master’s use.

I am loved eternally, kept by His power, not condemned, one with the Lord, and seated in heavenly places.

I am the head and not the tail, the light in darkness, a candle in a dark place, a city on a hill, and the salt of the earth.

I am His sheep, hidden with Christ in God, and protected from the evil one. I am secure in Christ, set on a rock, more than a conqueror, born again, filled with His power, a victor, healed by His stripes, covered by His blood, sheltered by His wings, and hidden in the secret place.

I have access to the Father, a home in heaven, all things in Christ, a living hope, and an anchor for my soul.

I have authority to tread on serpents, power to witness, the tongue of the learned, the mind of Christ, boldness, access, and peace with God.

I have faith like a mustard seed. In Him I can do all things, find mercy, come boldly to His throne, quench the fiery darts of the enemy, declare liberty to the captives, pray always, and overcome the enemy.

The only things I cannot do in Christ are to be separated from God, to perish or be lost, to be moved, taken out of my Father’s hand, charged, accused, or condemned.

I am a citizen of heaven, and this is my identity in Christ.

Scripture References:

Hebrews 11:13–16 | Philippians 3:20 | Romans 8:15–30 | Mark 16:17–18 | John 14:13 | Acts 2:1–4 | Colossians 2:13–14 | John 10:10

Pastor Dustin walks us through The Progression of Repentance — the journey David took from failure to forgiveness, and how God’s grace still meets us the same way today.

Repentance isn’t about shame — it’s about restoration. It begins when we finally see what’s been hidden, when conviction draws us back, not pushes us away.

The Four Stages of Repentance:

Realization – God opens your eyes. (2 Samuel 12:7, Psalm 32:3–4)

“Conviction isn’t God pushing you away; it’s God pulling you back.”

Remorse – Conviction breaks your heart. (2 Samuel 12:13, Psalm 51:17)

“When God breaks your heart, it’s never to destroy you; it’s to rebuild you.”

Repentance – Honesty before God. (Psalm 51)

“Grace can’t cleanse what pride refuses to confess.”

Redemption – Grace rebuilds what sin has broken. (2 Samuel 12:20–25, Psalm 32:5)

“Grace doesn’t just wipe your slate clean; it writes a new story.”

Repentance isn’t just feeling sorry — it’s a decision that leads to transformation.

When God restores you, He restores your purpose, not just your peace.

Key Passages:

2 Samuel 12, Psalm 32, Psalm 51

Before David fell publicly, he drifted privately. His story reminds us that sin rarely happens in a single moment—it happens through a series of unchecked decisions, quiet compromises, and subtle desires that pull our hearts away from God.

In Week 5 of The Life of David, Pastor Dustin Woodward takes us into one of the most pivotal chapters in David’s life: the moment temptation turned into tragedy. What began as a glance became deception, a decision, and ultimately, destruction. But even in David’s darkest chapter, God’s grace wasn’t finished writing his story.

Temptation isn’t just about weakness—it’s about where we’ve placed our loyalty. Will we trust God’s will, or satisfy self-will? Through Scripture and honest reflection, Pastor Dustin shows us how temptation takes root, why desire can’t be controlled outside of God’s design, and how conviction opens the door to restoration.

Key Scriptures:

2 Samuel 11 | James 1:14–15 | Titus 2:11–14

In this message, you’ll discover:

How small moments of compromise lead to life-changing consequences

The difference between temptation and participation

Why deception grows when we negotiate with sin instead of confronting it

How conviction, not condemnation, leads to freedom and restoration

The transforming power of grace that can redeem any failure

If you’ve ever felt trapped by temptation or weighed down by regret, this message is for you. God’s grace meets us not at the end of our story, but right in the middle of our failure.

Pastor Chris Baldwin continues our series Life of David with a powerful message on the kind of friendships God uses to shape our future. In this fourth week, we move from David’s anointing as king (1 Samuel 16) and his victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17) into one of the most meaningful relationships in Scripture — the covenant friendship between David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18–23).

A biblical covenant friendship is more than casual connection; it’s a God-centered, mutual, and enduring relationship marked by loyalty, sacrificial love, and a shared desire to pursue God’s purpose together — even through hardship. Jonathan laid down his own claim to the throne, choosing to strengthen David’s calling and stand by him when Saul turned against him.

From these passages we learn that true, Godly friendships:

Help us in our time of need (1 Samuel 20:18-23) — they show up when life is hard and offer protection and encouragement.

Correct us when we need it (Proverbs 27:5-6; Ecclesiastes 7:5; Proverbs 27:17) — real friends speak truth and sharpen us toward wisdom.

Push us toward God’s call on our lives (1 Samuel 20:35-42) — they remind us who God says we are and help us walk in obedience.

We also see how to cultivate these kinds of friendships ourselves:

See what God sees, not what man sees — Jonathan recognized David’s future as king and surrendered his own claim (1 Samuel 18:4; 23:16-18).

Be selfless, not selfish — Jonathan risked his own standing and even his safety to protect David (1 Samuel 20:27-34; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Center relationships on Jesus — friendships rooted in Christ endure and strengthen both people (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

Practical next steps: join a small group, serve on a team, or simply invite someone to lunch and begin building intentional, Christ-centered connections.

This message reminds us that none of us step fully into our God-given calling alone. We need covenant friendships that strengthen, challenge, and guide us toward all God has planned.

Sometimes God calls us long before He crowns us. In this message, Pastor Dustin unpacks the moment David spares Saul’s life in the cave of En Gedi (1 Samuel 24) and shows us why waiting on God’s timing is worth it.

From the battlefield where David defeated Goliath to the hidden caves where he learned restraint, David’s story reminds us that promotion without preparation can destroy us, and that God tests the heart in secret before He trusts it in public.

You’ll discover:

Why premature promotion can derail your calling

How waiting tests integrity and shapes character

How patience builds influence and defines legacy

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, delayed, or tempted to take matters into your own hands, this message will help you trust God’s timing and lead with integrity.

Key Scriptures:

1 Samuel 17 | 1 Samuel 18 | 1 Samuel 19 | 1 Samuel 21–22 | 1 Samuel 24

Questions to reflect on:

Am I letting impatience lead me, or is integrity guiding me?

How am I responding to conflict — with restraint or revenge?

Am I building trust through consistency even when unseen?

Do I care more about being seen today, or carrying influence tomorrow?

This week in The Life of David (The Making of a King), Pastor Dustin Woodward unpacks one of the most iconic stories in Scripture: David vs. Goliath. It’s more than history — it’s a picture of how God still calls ordinary people to step into extraordinary moments.

David wasn’t looking for a spotlight. He was simply running an errand, delivering food to his brothers. But in the Valley of Elah, an ordinary assignment turned into an extraordinary opportunity. A shepherd boy, overlooked by many, stepped forward in faith to face the giant that left an entire army paralyzed in fear.

Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17:17–51 | Luke 16:10 | 2 Corinthians 1:21–22

In this message, you’ll discover:

Ordinary assignments lead to extraordinary opportunities – Your faithfulness in the small opens the door to God’s greater plan.

Your past battles prepare you for today’s victories – Every lion and bear you’ve faced was preparing you for something bigger.

You can’t fight giants in someone else’s armor – God’s anointing rests on authenticity, not imitation.

You can’t conquer what you won’t confront – Avoidance never brings freedom; victory requires courage.

The enemy’s weapons become your testimony – What the enemy meant to defeat you can become the very thing God uses to display His power.

“Opportunities often come disguised as giants.”

“The giant you won’t face is the giant you can’t defeat.”

Whether your “giant” looks like fear, addiction, insecurity, financial pressure, or broken relationships — the truth is this: the battle belongs to the Lord. What God has entrusted to you is enough to defeat the giant in front of you.

This message will strengthen your faith, challenge your perspective, and remind you that with God, no giant is too big, no battle is too strong, and no situation is beyond His power.

Our Prayer Today:

That you would rise with courage like David, face the giants standing in your way, and trust that the same God who empowered David is with you right now.