"I perform, therefore I am accepted." This running narrative is ruining the way we see God, ourselves, and others. Just like with Nicodemus, Jesus wants to unravel this lie and replace it with the truth of the love of God. Jesus flips the equation and shows us that we are fully accepted by God and therefore live a life out of an overflow of that love. The central truth of God is simply this: you are loved.
Read MoreJesus is making all things new. He is taking the old and transforming it into something beautiful and life-giving. He did this in His first sign turning water into wine. He continues to do this in our own lives as He takes that which is old in us and brings newness. Now and throughout eternity, Jesus is in the business of making all things new.
Read MoreWelcome to the Book of John! Throughout this series, we see Jesus encountering people publicly, privately, and through His passion. All of these movements have one message: Believing in Jesus leads to life. In John 1, we encounter Jesus in His incarnation, His identity, and His invitation. The God of the Universe wants you to come to Him and find the abundant, spiritual, and eternal life you were meant to live. This is only found when we believe, behold, and be with Jesus. So come and see Jesus for all that He is and find life in His name.
Read MoreWe are serious about taking the next step into our neighborhoods, the world, and seeing people come to Christ. We want to be so indispensable in our city that if someone tried to shut us down, people around Collin County would say that they can't shut us down because of how we care for them. This is how we are going to fulfill the Great Commission as CityBridge Community Church.
Read MoreHave you ever felt not enough? No pure enough, not successful enough, not mature enough, or not capable enough? At the core of all of these is the simple feeling of not being worthy or accepted fully. Jesus takes us who are not worthy in ourselves and makes us worthy in Himself. He alone is worthy, and trusting in Christ makes you worthy. In Christ, you are totally exposed in your sin yet totally accepted in His grace. When we walk in the total acceptance we have in Christ, it frees us to do the good works He called us to.
Read MoreIf God is our true treasure, the Bible is our treasure map. God's Word is our treasure because it is inspired by God, instructive to us, and impactful in our lives. Reading God's Word is not simply getting information about God but an invitation into an intimate relationship with God. The Word of God is about the God of the Word. This is a treasure that transforms.
Read MoreWorship is not simply songs you sing on Sunday mornings. Worship is standing in awe of who God is, counting the wonders of what God has done, and expecting God to be God. Worship allows you to be present with God and stand in awe of all He is.
Read MoreDiscipline gets a bad rap. It carries a negative connotation, but it is one of the greatest treasures that He gives us. The Lord uses discipline to preserve us on the path, correct us when we veer from the path, and grows us as we walk the path faithfully.
Read MoreWhat do you think about when you think about heaven? Is it a sky palace? Are people in white robes? Is there a large gate at the front with Peter checking people in? We all have different views of heaven. Yet Jesus told us what eternal life truly is: knowing God. God Himself is the true treasure, and when we trust in Him, it leads to a life of transformation.
Read MoreConflict can get messy. From personality differences to overt sin, we all face conflict in our lives. Yet, in the midst of conflict, God has given us a process to follow, a provision to rely on, and a person to run to. Christ can restore even the most divisive of relationships and has called us to step into the mess of conflict to bring hope and healing in Jesus's name.
Read MoreConflict is a constant opportunity to be and make disciples. Running into and resolving conflict glorifies God, solidifies relationships, and grows your faith. God's Word gives us examples and clear guidelines on moving into chaos and being a minister of reconciliation. God's people are able to mimic Jesus who ultimately ran into our conflict and brought peace. Growing in this arena can change your life and the life of those around you.
Read MoreParenting is a blessing and a privilege. It is a high call to raise up the next generation of Christ-followers, yet there are no perfect parents. God's grace covers a multitude of parenting sins. God's word guides and directs how to parent. Let us walk in His grace as we walk out His Word to be the parents God calls us to be.
Read MoreSelah means to reflect and rejoice in the LORD. God has put certain rhythms in our life to remember His goodness, grace, and gospel. As we close our series through Ephesians, let's pause and remember who we were, who we are, and all we were meant to be in Christ alone.
Read MoreWe are in a battle. We have an adversary who desires to kill, steal, and destroy all that we love. But we have an armor that cannot be destroyed and an Ally who cannot be defeated. Jesus has won the ultimate battle for us and continues to fight on our behalf. Now, we don't fight for victory; we fight from the victory Christ has achieved for us. The Stronger One has come. Our strength for life and victory for eternity is in Christ alone.
Read MoreWe have all been made to create and cultivate the world around us. Work was meant to be a fruitful expression, but it has become a frustrating experience. Jesus enters in and transforms our work to be a ministry, a mission field, and a means to make much of God. He has done the work for us on the cross. Now he does a work in us to transform how we work in Christ alone.
Read MoreIn our culture and our church, marriages and families are under attack. The world is redefining marriage away from God's created intent. Jesus came to restore the right view of the family regarding the roles of husband, wives, parents, and kids. As we all submit ourselves to Christ, He will transform ourselves and our families for our good and His glory.
Read MoreThe greatest blessing to our world is the church fully alive in Christ. As a church, God gives us our job description to walk in sacrificial love, lovingly expose sin, make the best use of our time, and strengthen one another in truth. It is time for the sleeping church to awake and the dead church to become alive. This is only possible when we walk faithfully in Christ alone.
Read MoreThere are only three paths in life: progressive corruption, progressive backsliding, or progressive sanctification. Each of these becomes a spiral that either brings you closer to God or further away. A simple thought can lead to an action, which can become a habit, which shapes your character and destiny. Regardless of where you are in your walk with Jesus, let today be the day where you walk more deeply with Him.
Read MoreHow do you walk out the wealth you have in Christ? Within the body of Christ, God desires you to seek unity by serving others. When you use the gifts Christ purchased for you for Christ, we all reach our full potential in Christ. Jesus came to unite us, not by being served, but by serving. This is our King. Let's be His Church.
Read MoreWhat keeps you up at night? A sin you can't overcome? A situation out of your control? These realities are not meant to push us to despair but to desperation, dependence, and devotion to God through prayer. As Paul moves from our wealth in Christ (chapters 1-3) to how to walk in Christ (chapters 4-6), he pauses and prays that we would be strengthened from the inside out. When we come to God in the proper posture of prayer, understanding the purpose of prayer, we begin to see the power of prayer as the love of Christ fills us and transforms every aspect of our lives.
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