As 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.
Read MoreIn Exodus 20 we see God give the Ten Commandments, and Jayson Fisher shows the two purposes of the law. The Law leads us to live life as God intended and to lead us to see our inability to keep the law, and Jesus fulfilling the Law on our behalf.
Read MoreJesus’ example of washing His disciples feet is a story of deep love and humility for His people. And it’s also the expectation He has for His followers in how we are to humbly love others. If Jesus set aside His worthiness to be worshipped in order to serve in the most humblest of fashions, then so too must we set aside our political ideologies, our differences in cultural beliefs, our desire for comfort in order to serve others, especially the hurting.
Read MoreAs we continue in our series, “Retold” we take a look at the story of Ruth. In this story, we see that in midst of uncertainty, we are called to run with God’s people, rely on God’s provision, and remember God’s promises. Our God is working all things for our good and His glory. The Redeemer is always working in and through the redeemed.
Read MoreWe often misunderstand or under-appreciate all the influence that the gospel is designed to have on our life. The gospel desires to save us, yes. But it also desires to sanctify us and make us more like Christ. From there, it calls us to live a life of reconciliation and regeneration in all areas and aspects of our life.
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