Sermon 5/11/25 Notes:

Geneis 16: 1-10

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This is a story of 2 women and their journey toward motherhood. And a story of 2 women and 1 God. In this text, we can see some very imperfect people, and you can be encouraged in our own imperfection.

Sarai is dealing with a lot of pain. Not only barrenness, but coupled with a promise of children from God. From the very throne of God there is a promise that seems unfulfilled. Infertility would have potentially resulted in failure of the marriage in that culture. Shame, and misery and pain. That could be one possible reason for Sarai’s decision to take over for God Will. So this isn’t that shocking, that she would make something so wild seeming to us. How often have you told God, “I know you told me not to, but do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this? When I choose my own path, I want you to bless it.”

“Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.” He listened to the voice of his wife, instead of listening to the voice of God. So we know this is a bad choice. This moment is part of the fallen condition. Sarai is carving her own way and Abram is going along with it. A very similar phrasing and situation to the Garden.

The lord shows up on Sarai’s behalf in Egypt. God was faithful. Yet, Sarai is still willing to give into the pain she’s experiencing, and she gives Hagar to Abram. And this creates chaos - as going outside of God’s will.

When Hagar flees, she is no longer just a servant. When she meets the angel, she has a name. Even when we don’t know who each other are, God knows our name. Hagar might have been an Egyptian servant to them, but “Hagar” to God.

But this angel tells Hagar to return to Sarai, and to reconciliation. The Lord is calling you to hard things. You have been called to hard things, because Jesus did hard things for you.

Hagar is told that her child will be called “God Hears.” God hears our interest and prayers. So she actually gives God a name - The God of Seeing (the God who I see, and the God who sees me). This is an act of rejoicing from Hagar.

Jesus sees you where you are. When you call on His name, you will not be ignored. In Christ, we have a God who we see, and who sees us.

Sermon 5/11/25 Notes:

Geneis 16: 1-10

.

Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/

Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg

.

This is a story of 2 women and their journey toward motherhood. And a story of 2 women and 1 God. In this text, we can see some very imperfect people, and you can be encouraged in our own imperfection.

Sarai is dealing with a lot of pain. Not only barrenness, but coupled with a promise of children from God. From the very throne of God there is a promise that seems unfulfilled. Infertility would have potentially resulted in failure of the marriage in that culture. Shame, and misery and pain. That could be one possible reason for Sarai’s decision to take over for God Will. So this isn’t that shocking, that she would make something so wild seeming to us. How often have you told God, “I know you told me not to, but do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this? When I choose my own path, I want you to bless it.”

“Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.” He listened to the voice of his wife, instead of listening to the voice of God. So we know this is a bad choice. This moment is part of the fallen condition. Sarai is carving her own way and Abram is going along with it. A very similar phrasing and situation to the Garden.

The lord shows up on Sarai’s behalf in Egypt. God was faithful. Yet, Sarai is still willing to give into the pain she’s experiencing, and she gives Hagar to Abram. And this creates chaos - as going outside of God’s will.

When Hagar flees, she is no longer just a servant. When she meets the angel, she has a name. Even when we don’t know who each other are, God knows our name. Hagar might have been an Egyptian servant to them, but “Hagar” to God.

But this angel tells Hagar to return to Sarai, and to reconciliation. The Lord is calling you to hard things. You have been called to hard things, because Jesus did hard things for you.

Hagar is told that her child will be called “God Hears.” God hears our interest and prayers. So she actually gives God a name - The God of Seeing (the God who I see, and the God who sees me). This is an act of rejoicing from Hagar.

Jesus sees you where you are. When you call on His name, you will not be ignored. In Christ, we have a God who we see, and who sees us.

Sermon 5/4/25 Notes:

Luke 8: 26-39

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The power of Christ and the Power of His word works miracles. This and the previous chapter are very much connected in how the power of Jesus Word builds families, and brings peace out of chaos, and now we get to see the power of His word delivering captives, and freedom.

Underneath the demon infested man, was a son, a potential father… and for certain, an image bearer of God. It’s often that we don’t see the man, but rather we see the problem someone faces instead the person underneath.

This man is naked and unclothed, uncontrollable, living in tombs and screaming and cutting himself. No matter how much he breaks physical chains placed on him, he is unable to break Satan’s chains upon him. He also socially ostracized - living among the dead and near pigs means he would be “ritually unclean” and thus ostracized from any and all community from people who could help him.

But there IS hope for this man. When he saw Jesus, everything about him changes in an instant. The demons recognize Jesus and the power dynamic changes. The demons immediately send the man to the ground on his face, acknowledge his authority in desperation. They know Jesus has the power to torment them. The forces that torment you and your family… they know Jesus’s name and His title and His power.

Make no mistake - Jesus already knows the demons name. He gets the demons to acknowledge “you can have demons with the force of Rome’s armies, but all Jesus’ needs is a word to destroy them.” Jesus’ power is insurmountable. The demons don’t even try to fight Him.

This is the power of the One who walks with you, fights for you, who stands with you, who sets you free, if only you ask Him.

When people saw the man, they were afraid, and seized with great fear. Fear can lead to reverence, but fear can also read to rejection. And we see that within the people of this city. When the pigs run off the cliff - that is a huge commercial disruption. Sometimes when Christ comes to your life, your life turns upside down, sometimes we hate that disruption more than the freedom that comes with Jesus.

But the demon possessed man has his dignity restored and his mind is sound. He wants to draw closer to the one who saved Him.

Sermon 5/4/25 Notes:

Luke 8: 26-39

.

Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/

Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg

.

The power of Christ and the Power of His word works miracles. This and the previous chapter are very much connected in how the power of Jesus Word builds families, and brings peace out of chaos, and now we get to see the power of His word delivering captives, and freedom.

Underneath the demon infested man, was a son, a potential father… and for certain, an image bearer of God. It’s often that we don’t see the man, but rather we see the problem someone faces instead the person underneath.

This man is naked and unclothed, uncontrollable, living in tombs and screaming and cutting himself. No matter how much he breaks physical chains placed on him, he is unable to break Satan’s chains upon him. He also socially ostracized - living among the dead and near pigs means he would be “ritually unclean” and thus ostracized from any and all community from people who could help him.

But there IS hope for this man. When he saw Jesus, everything about him changes in an instant. The demons recognize Jesus and the power dynamic changes. The demons immediately send the man to the ground on his face, acknowledge his authority in desperation. They know Jesus has the power to torment them. The forces that torment you and your family… they know Jesus’s name and His title and His power.

Make no mistake - Jesus already knows the demons name. He gets the demons to acknowledge “you can have demons with the force of Rome’s armies, but all Jesus’ needs is a word to destroy them.” Jesus’ power is insurmountable. The demons don’t even try to fight Him.

This is the power of the One who walks with you, fights for you, who stands with you, who sets you free, if only you ask Him.

When people saw the man, they were afraid, and seized with great fear. Fear can lead to reverence, but fear can also read to rejection. And we see that within the people of this city. When the pigs run off the cliff - that is a huge commercial disruption. Sometimes when Christ comes to your life, your life turns upside down, sometimes we hate that disruption more than the freedom that comes with Jesus.

But the demon possessed man has his dignity restored and his mind is sound. He wants to draw closer to the one who saved Him.

Sermon Notes: 4/27/25

Pastor: Brian Crawford

Luke 8:19-25

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Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/

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Jesus carries power in His words. When we receive it, we be changed. When nature hears this word, it listens.

Our sanctification, salvation, and our joy in life, depends on how we hear the word of God.

The word of God carries power to build a new family.

The word of God carries power to build peace from chaos.

Even when His earthly family comes to greet Him, he points out that those hearing His words and following them, are made into new family members. And simultaneously, Jesus’ response is not a devaluing of His earthly family, but an elevation of His heavenly family. This is an incredible invitation! The power to make everyone, all the way from enemies, into family. When we receive Jesus by faith, we receive adoption into an eternal family - adopted as sons and daughters with a brotherhood in Jesus Christ. Hearing, and doing what He tells us to.

The power of God’s word also brings peace to chaos. While crossing the water, they forgot who was in the boat with them. They forgot exactly who can stop the storm that they are in. And Jesus is completely unbothered by the storm. But the same God who said ”let there be light,” and the same God who parted the Red Sea with a word of Salvation, is the same God in this moment who rebukes the storm in this instance.

This is the same force at play, when He speaks into your life. The power to change everything about your life. Faith is remembering who is in the boat with you.

Sermon Notes: 4/27/25

Pastor: Brian Crawford

Luke 8:19-25

.

Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/

Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg

.

Jesus carries power in His words. When we receive it, we be changed. When nature hears this word, it listens.

Our sanctification, salvation, and our joy in life, depends on how we hear the word of God.

The word of God carries power to build a new family.

The word of God carries power to build peace from chaos.

Even when His earthly family comes to greet Him, he points out that those hearing His words and following them, are made into new family members. And simultaneously, Jesus’ response is not a devaluing of His earthly family, but an elevation of His heavenly family. This is an incredible invitation! The power to make everyone, all the way from enemies, into family. When we receive Jesus by faith, we receive adoption into an eternal family - adopted as sons and daughters with a brotherhood in Jesus Christ. Hearing, and doing what He tells us to.

The power of God’s word also brings peace to chaos. While crossing the water, they forgot who was in the boat with them. They forgot exactly who can stop the storm that they are in. And Jesus is completely unbothered by the storm. But the same God who said ”let there be light,” and the same God who parted the Red Sea with a word of Salvation, is the same God in this moment who rebukes the storm in this instance.

This is the same force at play, when He speaks into your life. The power to change everything about your life. Faith is remembering who is in the boat with you.

Sermon Notes: 4/20/25

Pastor: Brian Crawford

John 20:24-30

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Sometimes, the thing we are waiting for only happens after we leave.

In this verse, Thomas misses something - he was not with the other disciples when Jesus came back. Thomas missed the appearance of Christ to the other disciples.

So when they tell Thomas that, all he knew was the horrific death of Jesus. He saw it all. So when the disciples show back up, proclaiming Jesus to be alive, Thomas is incredulous. He was disappointed. Thomas thought the movement was over, now that its leader was killed.

Thomas is not alone. We are all with him. Thomas is wrestling with profound and deep disappointment. Thomas left everything when he saw Jesus preaching on a boat, silencing the winds and waves, and healings. He had no doubt that Jesus was the One… But Jesus died. He was disappointed because of the saw the Lord die, and Thomas’ future died with Him. And we suffer that grief all the time when we lose anything in this life.

So, it’s not surprising that Thomas doubts in this moment. His hope has died.

But in this moment, Thomas is restored. The doubter has doubts, but doubts have no chance against a resurrected savior. In His grace, Jesus shows up again and gives Thomas the chance to prove for himself that Christ had resurrected. Jesus meets Thomas where he is - in his doubt and despair - and shows him the truth.

Jesus knows the source of your doubt, and comes to meet you right there. And Thomas calls Jesus “my Lord, and my God.” All the doubts that Thomas has are destroyed, as he proclaims Jesus as God.

Lord means master. My God means Thomas is calling Jesus the Creator. Thomas trusts in the destiny that Jesus has laid out for him.

If The Resurrection is real, then Christ is God. And if Christ is God, He has promised you salvation if you trust in Him.

Sermon Notes: 4/20/25

Pastor: Brian Crawford

John 20:24-30

.

Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/

Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg

.

Sometimes, the thing we are waiting for only happens after we leave.

In this verse, Thomas misses something - he was not with the other disciples when Jesus came back. Thomas missed the appearance of Christ to the other disciples.

So when they tell Thomas that, all he knew was the horrific death of Jesus. He saw it all. So when the disciples show back up, proclaiming Jesus to be alive, Thomas is incredulous. He was disappointed. Thomas thought the movement was over, now that its leader was killed.

Thomas is not alone. We are all with him. Thomas is wrestling with profound and deep disappointment. Thomas left everything when he saw Jesus preaching on a boat, silencing the winds and waves, and healings. He had no doubt that Jesus was the One… But Jesus died. He was disappointed because of the saw the Lord die, and Thomas’ future died with Him. And we suffer that grief all the time when we lose anything in this life.

So, it’s not surprising that Thomas doubts in this moment. His hope has died.

But in this moment, Thomas is restored. The doubter has doubts, but doubts have no chance against a resurrected savior. In His grace, Jesus shows up again and gives Thomas the chance to prove for himself that Christ had resurrected. Jesus meets Thomas where he is - in his doubt and despair - and shows him the truth.

Jesus knows the source of your doubt, and comes to meet you right there. And Thomas calls Jesus “my Lord, and my God.” All the doubts that Thomas has are destroyed, as he proclaims Jesus as God.

Lord means master. My God means Thomas is calling Jesus the Creator. Thomas trusts in the destiny that Jesus has laid out for him.

If The Resurrection is real, then Christ is God. And if Christ is God, He has promised you salvation if you trust in Him.

Sermon Notes: 4/13/25

Pastor: Corey Deyamport

Luke 8:4-15

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.

Jesus is asking each of us, can you hear me? Because not all hearts can hear clearly. Christ calls us to examine how we receive God’s word. This passage shows us three different things we're going to examine:

Seed and Soil of the Heart.

The ear that hears.

The heart that obeys.

In this parable, we have seed falling along different types of soil. Jesus reveals to the disciples that the seed is the word of God.

The word of God can land on different types of hearts. The “path” is the hardened heart. A persons heart can be hardened by pride or indifference, and in that situation, the devil takes seed so it cannot sprout.

The rocky ground is those who make a quick confession of faith, but when hardship comes, they fall away. The relationship with Christ isn’t there.

Thorny ground is a distracted heart. The seed sprouts, but they mix self-interest and God. They are distracted by what the flesh demands.

The Good Soil is a heart who not just hears the word, but retains the word. Not just an emotional response, BUT genuine commitment to the Lord.

But ALL of us have a heart problem. None of us is righteous. All of us have all 4 soils within us. Left to ourselves, we would all distort God’s word.

Is your passion for God being suffocated by business? Or Hardness? Regardless, Jesus extends an offer for you to lay your burdens upon Him. We can cling to Jesus and he will clear those thorns, and soften that soil.

We may not be demon possessed like some, but we face the same enemy and need the same act of salvation from Christ. What happens after He saves you? We follow. Worship, to devotion, to practical service.

When we respond to Jesus’s message, it is shined outwardly. And points those who see it back to Him.

Sermon Notes: 4/13/25

Pastor: Corey Deyamport

Luke 8:4-15

.

Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/

Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg

.

Jesus is asking each of us, can you hear me? Because not all hearts can hear clearly. Christ calls us to examine how we receive God’s word. This passage shows us three different things we're going to examine:

Seed and Soil of the Heart.

The ear that hears.

The heart that obeys.

In this parable, we have seed falling along different types of soil. Jesus reveals to the disciples that the seed is the word of God.

The word of God can land on different types of hearts. The “path” is the hardened heart. A persons heart can be hardened by pride or indifference, and in that situation, the devil takes seed so it cannot sprout.

The rocky ground is those who make a quick confession of faith, but when hardship comes, they fall away. The relationship with Christ isn’t there.

Thorny ground is a distracted heart. The seed sprouts, but they mix self-interest and God. They are distracted by what the flesh demands.

The Good Soil is a heart who not just hears the word, but retains the word. Not just an emotional response, BUT genuine commitment to the Lord.

But ALL of us have a heart problem. None of us is righteous. All of us have all 4 soils within us. Left to ourselves, we would all distort God’s word.

Is your passion for God being suffocated by business? Or Hardness? Regardless, Jesus extends an offer for you to lay your burdens upon Him. We can cling to Jesus and he will clear those thorns, and soften that soil.

We may not be demon possessed like some, but we face the same enemy and need the same act of salvation from Christ. What happens after He saves you? We follow. Worship, to devotion, to practical service.

When we respond to Jesus’s message, it is shined outwardly. And points those who see it back to Him.