Mosaic Boston • Jamaica Plain

It seems like particularly in politics we can see the person on the other side of the aisle as our enemy. Both parties tend to claim that the other is evil, demonizing their opponents. But who is the real enemy? The Apostle Paul is really helpful when he points out that our enemy isn't that person that believes differently than us, but the devil. This week follow along as Pastor Ivey brings us through 2 Timothy 2:22-26 and we learn how to crush our true enemies.

What kind of earthly citizen should a Christian be? This week pastor Ivey gives us a clear picture from the Scriptures about how earthly government fits into the Christian’s life. In the midst of one of the cruelest and most sadistic Romans Emperors of all time, Paul gives the church a surprising command to submit and honor the emperor. How does a Christian live in the tension of following Christ and submitting to the governing authorities? Especially when those governing authorities may be evil.

In week four of Kingdom Citizen, we turn the corner toward societal issues that Christians should be concerned with. This week we look at Genesis 1 to see how God placed innate dignity and worth on every human being because they are made in his image. Then pastor Ivey unpacks the quartet of the vulnerable and how Christians should care for those on the fringes of society.

This week pastor Ivey shows us the cross shape of the gospel. It is both vertical and horizontal. It is both proclamational and sacrificial. We only have to look at the ministry of Jesus to see the two-part nature of the gospel. In the first two weeks, we identified God's kingdom and discovered the assignment of the kingdom citizen. In our third week, join us as discover the Scripture's holistic cross-shaped gospel.

If you're a Christian, the question isn't if you will live out your faith in society, but how you will live it out. Some of us will live our lives well for Christ and others won't. This week Pastor Ivey looks at four different ways ethicists say Christians interact with culture, but in the end, we turn to 1 Peter to see how the apostle tells us to live. Join us for week two of Kingdom Citizen as we see what it means to live as people of a heavenly country.

Right now everything seems political, and just like every election, this is the most important election in our lifetime. At least that is what we're told. Media and politicians can fill us full of anxiety if we're not careful. But are you ready for some good news? Christians don't have to live that way! In this new series, Pastor Ivey jumps into the Scriptures to discover what it means to live as a citizen of Jesus' heavenly kingdom. This week we turn to Matthew 6 and see how Jesus relieves our need to be captured by the whims of society.

What is a spiritual gift? In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul explains why God has given gifts to his people. This week Pastor Ivey unpacks these gifts from Jesus to his people for the good of his church and the glory of the Father through the Holy Spirit. Listen in, learn your shape, and explore your place.

Every year we take time to remind ourselves of who we are, where we're going, and the mission we're on. This year Pastor Ivey turns to Jeremiah 17 and helps us think about where we're placing our trust. The Prophet Jeremiah gives a vivid picture about trust. He describes an arid landscape with a dried up dead shrub and a luscious and thriving tree. What the difference between the two? Where they placed their roots. Trust is like roots. Where we place it will determine if we'll thrive.

As we close out the book of Jonah we see another change in the heart of the prophet. This time not for the better. A few chapters earlier he was promising to follow God, but in chapter four he's back to his old ways. Jonah pitches a tent hoping outside the city hoping that Nineveh will actually be destroyed by God, but God had other plans. Outside the city, God roasted Jonah... literally and figuratively. He shows that he is the same God he has always been. A God of mercy and compassion. Listen in this week as pastor Ivey challenges us to not fall prey to the same mistakes of Jonah Son of Amittai.

Who doesn't love getting a second chance? Sadly, second chances are not given out often in our world. Perhaps this week, you need a second chance in life. If so, I have some good news. This week we look at a chapter in the Scriptures that could be titled "Second chances." In fact, in a lot of ways, the story of Jonah is all about second chances. A second chance for him, a second chance for Nineveh, and all of it is given by a second chance God. Listen this week as we explore this chapter of redemption.