As we continue our series in Titus, we see one of the primary foundations of a healthy church: godly leadership. In every town, Titus was to appoint elders to shepherd the church. In Titus 1, Paul explains the mindset, qualifications, and goal of a godly leader. Although only a few hold the office of elder, all of us should aspire to the activity and character of an elder. What God commands of elders he expects of every believer.
Read MoreAs we continue our series in Titus, we see one of the primary foundations of a healthy church: godly leadership. In every town, Titus was to appoint elders to shepherd the church. In Titus 1, Paul explains the mindset, qualifications, and goal of a godly leader. Although only a few hold the office of elder, all of us should aspire to the activity and character of an elder. What God commands of elders he expects of every believer.
Read MoreOn November 15th, 2020, we celebrate the presenting of our Elder team to the CityBridge body as we set the vision for what Eldership is and how the Elders steward this high call.
Read MoreThroughout the Psalms, a word continues to repeat itself: Selah. Selah means to both "to pause and reflect" as well as "to sing and celebrate". On the eve of a national election, our Shepherds led us through a Selah reflection and celebration. Join us through this message as we pray for our government, church, and families. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Let us live that truth out in this season and throughout the rest of our lives.
Read MoreThroughout the Psalms, a word continues to repeat itself: Selah. Selah means to both "to pause and reflect" as well as "to sing and celebrate". On the eve of a national election, our Shepherds led us through a Selah reflection and celebration. Join us through this message as we pray for our government, church, and families. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Let us live that truth out in this season and throughout the rest of our lives.
Read MoreAs we continue our series Pillars, we look at the first institution ordained by God: the Family. Created in perfection, the family is designed to be the smallest and most influential pillar to stabilize society. Looking at Deuteronomy 6, we see the primary purpose of the family is to be and make disciples. When families follow God's word and way, society is strengthened.
Read MoreAs we continue our series Pillars, we look at the second institution God has given humanity to stabilize society: the Church. The Church is not a building full of bored adults on Sunday. The Church is the people of God on the mission of God. When the Church truly lives out God’s mission, society is strengthened and people flourish.
Read MoreGod has given humanity 3 pillars to stabilize and sustain society: government, family, and the Church. The government has been given the authority by God to promote good and restrain evil. We, as believers in Jesus Christ, live in two kingdoms with one King. As citizens of heaven and earth, our King has called us to seek first His kingdom, serve the city we live in, submit to governing authorities, and speak to God and to man when the kingdoms collide.
Read MoreAs we close out our Launch 121 series, we share our city engagement strategy: share your story. As believers in Christ, we all have a story. Parts are beautiful, but parts are broken. When you trust in Christ, He takes your brokenness and uses it for His glory. Your brokenness doesn’t make you less useful to Christ. Your brokenness is what makes you useful to Him. It speaks of His grace, His glory, and His ability to renew and restore. So let’s share our stories.
Read MoreWho we are is based on who God is. God is community: Father, Son, and Spirit. God invites us into Community with Himself and calls us to live life in community with one another. As we launch as an independent church, “Community” will remain our middle name: CityBridge Community Church.
Read MoreIt is not unusual for God to give new names to his people. Abram became Abraham. Simon became Peter. Saul became Paul. Each new name is given for a unique opportunity. As we launch to independence, our Church gets a new name for our unique opportunity, CityBridge.
Read MoreThe Bible is not a series of disconnected stories. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is one unified story leading to the person and work of Jesus. You are not the center of the story. Jesus is. When you see Jesus rightly, the most important questions of your life become answered in Him. His Story is The Story you are living in.
Read MoreWe live in a world today that is struggling to forgive each other. It is even hard for us believers to sometimes extend forgiveness to certain people for certain moments of their lives. Today, we look at the foundation of Stephen’s life and what brought him to a place of being able to forgive his perpetrators even as they stoned him to death.
Read MoreWhen Jesus rose, He lit a spark that set the whole world on fire. In Acts 1 & 2, a small group of followers became the movement of God as they relied on God’s Spirit, God’s Word, and God’s people. From the first gathering to today, God is inviting humanity into this movement. When His Church relies on His means to carry out His mission, the world is set on fire.
Read MoreAs we continue our series, Retold, we look at Mark 6 and Jesus feeding the 5,000. In this story, Jesus is making a declaration: He alone can satisfy your soul. Jesus is the true shepherd, servant, and savior our hearts long for. He does this by giving us what we ultimately need, Himself. When we find our satisfaction in Him, we are able to go out into a hurting and hungry world to serve and bless the masses.
Read MoreWhat if "Daniel and the Lion's Den" is less about the lions and more about the difference between Daniel and King Darius? In Daniel 6 we see that King Darius isn't just a background character, but a relatable image of our own desire to elevate ourselves to "god" status. When we compare Darius's struggle to Daniel's calm submission to the one true God, we discover an important lesson for our everyday lives.
Read MoreAs Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the fiery furnace, they were confident that the Lord would deliver them out of the fire but EVEN IF God chose not to, they would still follow His ways only. That type of faith doesn’t just occur in the moment. It is built up with obedience over time. In this message, we look at 8 characteristics that prepared Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be faithful even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Read MoreThis story of David and Goliath is one of the most used and misused stories in the Bible. We see ourselves as David who must fight our own battles and figure out our own problems. We want to be the heroes of our own story, but we are not. We need a hero. The story of David points to a greater hero: Jesus. He is the true and better David who accomplishes our victory for us and shares His victory with us. When we focus on Jesus and fight from His victory, we can go from faithless to fearless.
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