Citizens Weekly

From the series, “Acts”. In Acts 5:12-16, great fear gripped the church after the deaths of Ananias & Sapphira. This fear resulted in the people of Jesus, gathered together, and signs and wonders follow.  

From the series, “Acts”. In Acts 4:32-5:11, we learn to live in the Way of Jesus, and in the new identity that follows, through extreme generosity. The arrogance of accumulation, the conceit of comparison, and the pride of privilege slowly undermine the message of the cross, and ultimately destroy our souls. 

From the series, "Acts". In Acts 4:23-31, the early church prays, and God answers. How do we pray for America? Will our prayers lead to revival, or do they wear God out? Christian Nationalism is idolatry that must be renounced. Before there is reconciliation, there must be repentance. 

From the series, “The Way of Jesus”. God is the consummate promise keeper, but even the most faithful of us reach a point of needing to reach deeper into our faith and into scripture to find hope for better or even more predictable days. Thankfully, from the very beginning, God has carried humanity to places of new beginnings and solid ground after terrible circumstances and catastrophic change. Join us in recalling God’s faithfulness, steadfast presence and purpose as we step into this new year.

From the series, “The Way of Jesus”. We pray to know God, imitate Jesus, and rely on the Holy Spirit. In Luke 18, Jesus highlights a prayer mindset that is persistent and humble. A prayer model that overcomes our philosophical protest, defective doctrine, and our functional frustration. In this message, learn 3 simple ways to practice prayer in your apprenticeship to Jesus. 

From the series, “Advent”. The first advent was motivated by love; to seek and save the lost. Advent living is loving God and neighbor - carrying out Jesus’ first advent mission - emotion plus action. We prepare for the second advent by removing the masks we’ve worn and social distancing we’ve practiced, apart from any pandemic, that insulate us from even knowing the lost. And, as we begin to love the lost, and our enemies, we must face the cold reality of our own incessant struggle to love our own brothers and sisters in Christ.

From the series, “Advent”.  Joy is the unshakable awareness that God is good and He is with us. Joy isn't a simple feeling of optimism or a personality trait, nor is it a slave to circumstance, but it is all about our  relationship with God. Jesus lived this way and He is inviting us  into more and more joy forever.  

From the series, “Advent”. Peacemaking is Advent living because it recognizes that the fullness of God’s peace is not here yet, but it hopes for it, and not passively; we hope for and anticipate the coming of God’s peace by beginning to put into place the landscape for that peace so that people see in us the way and peace of Jesus.

From the series, “Advent”. As God's children, we were not created to crumble before harsh realities, nor were we made to dull ourselves to personal or social adversities. Rather, we were designed to echo King David in proclaiming -- even during great troubles -- faith in God today, hope in God tomorrow, and love for God always.

From the series, “The Way of Jesus”. Every day, we can grumble or we can live with gratitude. Nothing is deserved. Everything is a gift from God. The only adequate response to all life’s gifts is gratitude. Gratitude isn’t spiritual bypassing, yet it is more than pithy platitude. Gratitude flows downstream from suffering, kills cynicism and complaint, and points to a future hope.