Mission City Church w/ Pastor Josh Hershey

After establishing a thriving church in Philippi, Paul and his missionary team travelled to Thessalonica. The church community they established there ended up being very significant, as Paul would write two letters to them a year later. Many who received the Gospel message "in faith" saw it “work effectively” in them! Later, after being driven out by persecution, Paul settled down in Berea. It is there that many Jews came to faith because they “searched the Scriptures daily” to find out if what Paul taught about Jesus being the Messiah was true. These Christians are great examples for you and me! We should be people who “search the Scriptures” and “mix our faith” with them when we see the truths about Jesus! Join us as we worship!

What Jesus showed us after His resurrection is that He has not changed! In the words of Hebrews, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). He shows His disciples the Same Wounds. He charges His disciples with the Same Mission. He imparts to His disciples the Same Power. And He assures His disciples of the Same Presence. Let us remember that the Risen One who Reigns Forever does not change! The Same Jesus is with you and me today! Let us worship!

Join us as we worship the Crucified King and hear the final words that He declared over the world. Each word portrays an important truth about the character of Christ and why He laid down He life for our eternal redemption. When we truly grasp the significance of these words, and see why our Savior had to hang on that cursed tree 2,000 years ago, we can begin to understand why Christians call this day 'Good Friday’ rather than 'Bad Friday'. “The message of the cross", the Good News, the Gospel of God, is what the world needs to hear!

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). What is “new” about Jesus’ new commandment? How does our love rise to the level of the love of Jesus Christ? What is so significant about Jesus washing our feet and feeding us a Meal? Join us as we dig into some of the powerful truths Jesus taught right before He was betrayed into the hands of sinners in Gethsemane! Truths we can rely on completely and begin to put into practice!

This morning we will be looking at the scourging of Jesus, the crowning with thorns, what it means to Behold the God-Man, as well as Jesus’ walk of suffering to Golgotha where He bore His cross. What the Lord willingly endured for our salvation is powerful! His blood was poured out for us! By His wounds we are healed! Let us pick up our own crosses, and follow after Him, just like Simon of Cyrene. Let us not weep for Him like the onlooking women of Jerusalem, but weep over those who do not come to Him to receive life. Join us!

This morning we will be diving deep into Christ’s trial before Pontius Pilate and Herod Antipas. After being held in custody all night by the chief priests, Jesus was delivered to Pilate in the early morning. He was bruised, bloodied, and covered in the spit of the accusers of that Supreme Court of Judaism. He would now stand before the highest civil authorities in the land. Though the chief priests did everything they could to accuse Jesus as a seditious traitor, Pilate did not buy it. Three times he proclaims that Jesus is innocent. After an attempt to get Jesus to perform some miracles for him, Herod Antipas also proclaims that Jesus is innocent. Yet, because the chief priests stirred a great crowd into a frenzy, Pilate succumbed to pressure and would not release Jesus. During these trials Jesus gave His “good confession” that He was “King of the Jews.” He explained to Pilate that His kingdom was “not of this world” and that He came to “bear witness to the truth.” Attempting to see Jesus released, Pilate offered the crowed Jesus or Barabbas (an insurrectionist and murderer). They chose Barabbas. The innocent one would receive the death sentence while the condemned criminal would go free! A beautiful picture of salvation. Though we deserved death, Jesus took our place! Those who receive Him by faith, and join us His “good confess”, become children of God! Join us!

This morning we will be exploring Christ’s trial before the most important religious leaders in all of Judaism after He was arrested in the garden. Christ first goes before Annas for a brief interrogation, and then is led to be tried before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. The Supreme Court of Israel sits in judgment over the Supreme Judge! During the trial Jesus reveals His identity as the Divine Son of Man who will rule at the right hand of the Power in heaven. A reign that would begin from that moment forward. A reign that we can ‘see’ and ‘perceive’ even today! He was the Ultimate Judge in that trial room! In response, the Supreme Court demanded His death and began to pummel Him, spit on Him, and tear out His beard in a symbolic stoning. A suffering for sin endured for you and me! Also, during this trial and torture, Jesus’ lead apostle, Peter, undergoes a trial of his own. He ends up denying Christ three times and even curses Him. Yet, with a compassionate look of hope and grace from Jesus, Peter’s heart is broken and he begins to be restored! Join us!

Join us for our Midweek Bible Study. We will be unpacking the tragic story of Judas in Matthew 27:3-10. We will be looking at how the Gospels speak of Judas up to the point of his suicide, why Judas returned the money he betrayed Jesus for, what genuine repentance looks like, and ultimately why he committed suicide. A sobering subject! We also we spend time looking at the prophet fulfillment of the chief priests buying a field with the third shekels and see how prophetic fulfillment in general works. Ultimately, all of this should get us to run to Jesus and place our faith in Him!

Christ’s journey from the garden to the tomb was the greatest display of love the world has ever seen! This morning we will be exploring Christ’s arrest in the garden. After an intense struggle in prayer, Jesus rose from the ground with great fortitude to face His captors. Though a multitude came out in the dark night with lanterns, torches, swords, and clubs, they fell prostrate before ‘the Light of the World’. They fell prostrate before the Great ‘I AM’. Jesus was in full control that night. Join us as we worship and learn and marvel at our Lord’s reactions to Judas, Peter, Malchus, and the entire arresting mob!

Join us we worship, dig a little deeper into Jesus’ prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and spend some time praying. From the garden narratives we learn that prayer must be humble, relational, persevering, fervent, yielding, and prevailing!  The predominant request being, “THY WILL BE DONE.” We want to see the perfect will of God accomplished in your life! Will you watch and pray for us for an hour?