As we kicked off our series on the book of Colossians this week, Pastor Chris outlined seven key words found in Colossians 1:1-5 that describe a successful church: separation, family, thanksgiving, faith, love, hope, and Gospel. Listen to learn more about these traits of a successful, biblical church. 

The Old Testament provides the backstory to the hope we have today in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This week, Elliot walked us through that backstory in Genesis chapters 3-5 as a play in four acts: disobedience, death, descent, and more death. While these acts may not seem hopeful by title alone, the story woven throughout these acts reveal how God fulfilled His promise for a Deliverer to defeat the serpent and it is through that Deliverer that God brings us to Himself. Listen to learn more about our almighty, kind, and faithful God and His plan for redemption and reconciliation.

1 Peter 1:13-16 provides us with three commands to follow: consider your future hope in Jesus’ return, abandon your past life, and imitate your Holy Father. As we begin a new year, Pastor Chris challenged us to take one of these commands and make it our New Year’s resolution. Listen as he discusses how to get this year started on the right foot by living out what it means to be a new creation in Jesus Christ.

As we celebrated Christmas Eve this Sunday, we wrapped up our Christmas series by focusing on Christ’s crucifixion - without Jesus’ death, there would be no reason to celebrate His birth. This baby who was born in a manger was rejected, betrayed, and despised. He was crucified for our sins, not His own, so that He could bear our pain and bring us hope of spending eternity with Him. Listen as Pastor Chris discusses and praises God for the substitutionary work of His Son, Jesus Christ: the true message of joy and hope this Christmas season.

The Christmas season is a wonderful time of rejoicing in the miracle of Jesus’ birth and its significance. Jesus' first coming, marked by wisdom, the fear of God, and righteousness, foreshadows His second coming when He will establish his Kingdom. This week, Pastor Chris discussed how the prophecies found in Isaiah 11 provide us with key descriptions of Jesus’ Kingdom and His eternal reign. Listen to learn more about our King Jesus and the future we have to look forward to.

We had the privilege of hearing from our worship leader, Kyle DeGuzman, to close out our series on corporate worship. In Colossians 3:16, Paul gives us specific criteria for the songs we should sing: songs that proclaim, dwell on, and teach the message of Christ. Singing Gospel-rich songs together will unite us and help us to grow hearts of thankfulness for Jesus’ sacrifice. May this message cause us to reflect on how to more wholly and joyfully sing songs of praise to our Savior!

Corporate singing is a typical part of our Sunday mornings, but why is this such an important aspect of our gatherings? This week Pastor Chris preached part one of a two-part series answering the question of why we sing. Singing is a unifying command that is seen many times in the Bible that allows us to glorify God, remember His truth, and engage our emotions in a God-honoring way. Listen to learn more about the power of song.

As members of the church body we are called to give financially to the church. But, how and why are we supposed to do that? First, we must understand that God owns all of our money already. As stewards, we are to give that money joyfully, sacrificially, and generously, remembering that giving to the church is trading our dollars for things of much greater value. Giving in this way glorifies the Lord, expresses our love for others, exemplifies the Gospel, and increases our joy. Listen as Pastor Chris expands on this discussion of faithful giving.

One of the core values of City Light Bible Church is expository preaching, a style of preaching that clearly explains and extracts meaning from God’s Word and calls people to obey it. As a church member that sits under expository preaching, it is important to be active and attentive listeners. In this sermon, Pastor Chris provides examples of how we can get the most out of expository preaching before, during, and after Sunday mornings so that we can understand the Word clearly and be doers of it.

As followers of Christ we are called to humble service. We see the ultimate example of this in Jesus Christ who, in full knowledge of His deity, stooped down to wash the feet of His disciples as an act of love that foreshadowed an even greater act of love of making them spiritually clean through the sacrifice of His life. Having knowledge of the Gospel and having experienced this love of Christ should motivate us to love and humbly serve others.

The type of joy that God intends for people to experience is found in these humble acts of service. If you apply this sermon, you will be blessed and find joy in a life well-lived. Listen as Pastor Chris outlines why and how we should live our lives in this way.