Mission City Church w/ Pastor Josh Hershey

A large portion of Jesus’ teaching came in the form of parables. These were stories, at times even riddles. These parables were a powerful form of confrontation. They also communicated powerful truths that stick in people’s minds because of their imagery. Join us as we begin by looking at Jesus’ parable of “THE SOILS.” People’s hearts can be hard, rocky, thorny, or good. Depending on the state of our heart, God’s Word will react in various ways. Jesus wants us to have good and noble hearts who treasure His word with patience. Ultimately, He is the One who creates that heart in us. He is the Seed scattered over all the word. He is the One we receive and cultivate in our lives with humility and patience.

Nahum lived during the time of the very wicked and oppressive empire of Assyria. He was given a divine word about their destruction. A word which was “good news” and “peace” for God’s people, and the whole world (Nah. 1:15, 3:19). Part of the good news of Jesus is that the enemy of humanity has been defeated! Christ has defeated the deadly powers of sin and satan! In Christ there is joy and peace. He is our Deliverer! ”The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble. He knows those who trust in Him.” (Nah. 1:7). Join us as we finish our series by delving into the little book of Nahum!

Habakkuk lived during a time of great moral decay. Jerusalem’s streets were filled with violence, oppression, and idolatry. His cry was, “How long?” How long would the wicked prosper? How long would God be silent? God answered Habakkuk that judgment would come but that in the midst of the judgment a remnant would be saved. How would that salvation come? By FAITH. “The just shall live by faith” (Hab. 2:4). A powerful gem that is unpacked at length in the New Testament. Join us as we dig into this powerful little book!

Join us as Bob Fryer, Mark Gersheck and Anna Herrera share at our Testimony Service.

This morning we will be looking at the book of Haggai! Haggai was called as a prophet to encourage Israel as they were rebuilding their lives after being exiled in Babylon. He emphasized that way Israel’s lives would begin to prosper, would not be through focusing on self (like they were currently doing), but rather on the Lord. Haggai stresses that it is *always* the right time to center our lives around the Lord. The glorious house that Haggai prophesied about, and stirred the lethargic people to begin to build, is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ and His church. We can be assured that Christ’s presence is with us and that His glorious Spirit is in us. Even if our lives don’t look spectacular, Haggai, along with his buddy Zechariah, teach us to not despise the day of small beginnings! Join us!

The Jews had a scroll of the twelve shortest prophets called “The book of the twelve.” Sometimes these prophets are referred to as the “minor prophets.” But these “minor” prophets had a “major” message. In this series we will be looking at the four shortest books in the Old Testament (Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Haggai). Each has something powerful to teach us, for “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable” (1 Tim. 3:16). Especially when read in light of Christ! Join us as we begin by looking at the shortest book in the Old Testament—Obadiah! God will humble the proud and cause us to look to Jesus!

Keith Hershey speaks on the subject; COMPEL! Allowing The Love of Christ to Motivate & Transform You. Learn to rest in the finished work of Jesus & see HOW MUCH MORE you are compelled to love God & do the work of the ministry.

This morning we will be finishing our series on praise by looking at the book of Psalms. The Psalms give us language for how to praise God. They remind us of how great God is through their imagery and exalted way of speaking about God. They also show us how we can praise God in every good and difficult season of life. Ultimately they remind us that our praise is done from inside the life of God and that Jesus is the centerpiece of our praise. Join us!

Praise is an important aspect of spiritual warfare. It is one way we battle “against the spiritual forces of of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12). For the battle is not ours, its the Lord’s (1 Chr. 20:15)! When David played his lyre for King Saul the tormenting evil spirits would leave (2 Sam. 16:23). When God ordered his people to begin to possess the promises in the Promised Land he said, “Let Judah (Praise) go first” (Judg. 1:2). When King Jehosophat faced a seemingly insurmountable enemy he sent the praise and worship team to the front of the battle line (1 Chr. 20:21). Children and infants praised Jesus in the temple (Matt. 21:15). A model for us all who are to have the word of Christ dwell in us richly and sing to one another with song (Col. 3:16). When the Pharisees were upset over the children singing, Jesus quoted the Psalms, “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies” (Ps. 8:2). Praise is powerful. Join us!

Music and song are gifts from God. They can either be used to glorify Him or perverted to bad ends. It is God alone to whom all honor, glory, and praise belong (1 Tim. 1:17; Is. 42:8). He inhabits our praises and is enthroned upon them (Ps. 22:3). Join us as we begin this new series and learn of the importance of praising the Lord!