Citizens Church Sermons

The Victory of Faith

Sun, 10 May 2026 22:39:59 +0000

There’s a battle for control in the world, but the victory has already been won by Jesus Christ. And yet sometimes we lose where we are in the story, and we feel discouraged by suffering and sin. But John reminds us in his letter, how the Christian has indeed overcome, because in Christ, victory lies in our faith.

Scripture: 1 John 5:1–12

Perfect Love

Mon, 04 May 2026 15:33:59 +0000

John is reminding us again that it’s not our commandment keeping that justifies us, it’s the saving work of Christ and the transformation that God brings in his children. Because God is holy and righteous, so too is his love. And as children of God, we can only love because He first loved us.

Scripture: 1 John 4:17–19

Good News for Lukewarm Christians

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:40:30 +0000

This passage in Revelation is a warning for the lukewarm Christian—the Christian who can know the gospel, and live for Jesus but does so moderately, and worse, not realize their mediocrity. Because we can get lost with being comfortable in our faith. God doesn’t require his church to be perfect, but the cure to lukewarmness is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Revelation 3:14–22

Guest Preacher: Ajay Thomas

The Cross Shaped People of God

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:19:30 +0000

We can only reflect what we have received, therefore in Christ, we are able to love one another because he first loved us. And so through Christ’s cross shaped love, we become a cross shaped people. Scripture: 1 John 4:7-12

Discernment

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:25:57 +0000

We are being formed by everything we take in. We need discernment to test the ways we might be deceived by false teaching, and the ways we might be distracted from the gospel. Scripture: 1 John 4:1–6

Living Hope

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:28:40 +0000

Living hope isn’t based on a feeling, it’s based on the Living God. For the Christian, death does not get the last word, because in Christ we have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading—a living hope.

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3–4

Confident Christians

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 20:36:53 +0000

This passage highlights the stark difference between our own accusing heart and God’s voice of grace. When the heart convicts, that can be a sign of life, but in Christ, our hearts shouldn’t condemn us anymore. The way to deal with your condemning heart is to humble it in front of the throne of God, with confidence in his character and heart.

Scripture: 1 John 3:19-24

The Family of Love

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 19:27:48 +0000

Being part of God’s family causes us to live differently. We never fully arrive this side of glory, but we are being slowly shaped to look more like Jesus. To be part of the family of God means to be changed by God’s values. God said love one another, so as children of God, we aim to live and love like Jesus.

Scripture: 1 John 3:10–18

Already But Not Yet Children of God

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 19:28:26 +0000

This passage really gets at the heart of our identity as God’s children, and what it means to be transformed by Jesus over time. Between the first coming of Christ and His resurrection, and the second coming that is to come with the resurrection of the Saints, we are in the already not yet, lawless, yet still children of God by God’s grace. Scripture: 1 John 2:28–3:10

Truth & Discernment

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 17:02:24 +0000

We are living in a time where it can be hard to know what is real and true? John writes to Christians to give them confidence in the reality of Christ and help them discern how to hold on to the truth. Scripture: 1 John 2:18–27

Disordered Loves

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 23:46:40 +0000

This passage serves as a warning. John is reminding his listeners of the very nature of our hearts to focus on the things of the world instead of God, because our hearts are deceptive. Instead of looking to the world for identity and meaning, John urges us to look to the age to come when God finally sets the world right. It’s only in God that life eternal is found.

Scripture: 1 John 2:15–17

Guest Preacher: Dr. Jonathan Pennington

Assurance & Obedience

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 20:29:58 +0000

Forgiveness of sin is a once and for all act of grace. We continually need it and God continually gives it. Which means our obedience doesn’t have to be perfect, because Jesus is our advocate and our propitiation, we can rest in that assurance, while still pursuing obedience.

God is Light

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:47:01 +0000

In this passage, John unpacks the message that God is light, meaning his very nature and character is always right and true, and good. Out of this confession, our conduct reflects what we believe, and our confidence is bolstered in the one true Savior. Scripture: 1 John 1:5-2:2

Blessed Assurance

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:46:36 +0000

Today we begin a new series in the letters of John. The world in which John is writing these letters is not so different from our own—a world with many false teachers, looking for answers everywhere but Jesus. John’s reminder to them is still true for us: If you believe in the gospel of Christ, then you believe in what is true, and even with an imperfect faith, you stand with a long line of Christians with weak hands but a strong Savior.

The Cross Shaped Love of God

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:55:51 +0000

God’s love is a transformative love that gives regardless of what He receives. He loves those who don’t love him back. It is a love that sacrifices; a cross shaped love. The world can only offer love that costs nothing and changes nothing. But God’s love costs everything, and changes everything.

Scripture: John 3:16–18

Condemnation & Grace

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 21:22:52 +0000

Our inner voice of condemnation and blame, is a symptom of a heart that’s far from God’s voice of grace. You could lean into performance, or a cultural understanding of happiness, but God’s wisdom is more transformative than that. The better thing is that we bring our condemning hearts into the presence of God, humble our voice towards His, in order to be transformed to look more like image bearers of a holy God.

Scripture: 1 John 3:19–20

Control & Gratitude

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:09:30 +0000

This life is not without its trials and sufferings, but when we try to control what’s out of control, we miss God’s true desire for relationship with him. When we remember that life is a gift and God is the giver, we can respond in gratitude and surrender to the one in control.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11–13

Advent | Heaven

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 01:07:59 +0000

The apostle John was given a vision for what heaven will look like—A world that is real, where we are with God; a world with no pain, where nothing is wrong; and a world full of love, where all is made right.

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8

Advent | Lord

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:34:57 +0000

Jesus is Savior, Immanuel, Christ Messiah, and He is Lord. A Lord who was born in a stable, walked a perfect life, died a sacrificial death to cover our sins, rose again in order to defeat death, and now is seated at the right hand of God awaiting that future day when all of creation will be made new. That kind of Lordship should move us toward humility and worship, because if Christ is Lord, it means that we are not the main character in the story.

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11; Philippians 2:5-11

Advent | Christ

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:42:14 +0000

In ancient Israel, a messiah, a Christ, meant you were anointed, or appointed by God. It was a title given to earthly prophets, priests and kings. But only in God’s chosen Son, in Jesus, can we finally proclaim that the true and better Christ has finally come. He is chosen and he chooses us, which means when we are in Christ, we are also chosen.

Scripture: Luke 2:8-11

Advent | Immanuel

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:48:49 +0000

The incarnation is a central theme of the Christian faith. Remembering the story of the first Advent reminds us of the salvation Jesus Christ has provided, as well remind us of the call of participation in his Kingdom that God’s given us, as we wait in expectant hope for the second coming when all things are made new.

Scripture: Matthew 1:18–25

Advent | Savior

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 02:45:12 +0000

The story of scripture is a story of redemption and a return from the darkness of sin to the light of perfect peace. In God’s story, we don’t have to create our own meaning. We are born with dignity and value simply because of the inherited meaning of being made in God’s image. And in this perfect story, we have a Savior who came and will come again, to bring perfect peace.

Scripture: Luke 2:10–11

Pray Like Jesus

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:33:48 +0000

Our prayer life is both a litmus test of our walk with God, and a way to deepen our affections and align our hearts with Jesus. If we long to become more like Jesus, then we should pray like Jesus. Meaning, it shouldn’t be done to gain more acclaim, but rather to grow us more into Christlikeness. And as we pray, it shapes our desires to look more like God’s desires.

Scripture: Matthew 6:5–13

Hidden Righteousness

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 15:26:35 +0000

The world would say that you need approval of others more than you need God, but Jesus paints a better way. God desires to have relationship with all of you, the seen and unseen parts. When we take off our masks, and the fear of man is replaced with a holy fear of God, the voice of God becomes the voice that matters most, and we become more like Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 6:1–6; 16–18

Behold Jesus

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 20:46:27 +0000

The Preacher of Hebrews wants to assure this suffering church does not abandon the great salvation and hope they have in Jesus, because no one else brings us closer to God than Him.

Scripture: Hebrews 3:1–6

Guest Preacher: Tymarcus Ragland

Identity, Purpose, & Destiny

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:46:48 +0000

When we think about becoming more like Jesus, it’s easy to feel inadequate and lost in our shame, but our confidence lies in the hope we have in Jesus Christ. John 17 reminds us in a prayer that Jesus says about us, his followers. When we listen to the very voice of Jesus Christ, he reminds us of your identity, purpose and destiny.

Scripture: John 17

Feel Like Jesus

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 17:35:47 +0000

In Feeling Like Jesus, we explore the full range of Jesus’ emotions—joy, sorrow, compassion, anger, and awe—and what they reveal about God’s heart. Our emotions are not to be ignored or worshipped but engaged that we might draw closer to the Father. This message invites us to feel deeply, live truthfully, and become like Jesus

Act Like Jesus Part 3

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 13:19:39 +0000

As Christians, we live in between the resurrection and return of Jesus. The kingdom is here already but not yet in full. The sermon on the mount teaches us to live with hope, confidence and resilient faith as already/not yet people. Scripture: Matthew 6:9-10

Act Like Jesus Part 2

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:00:59 +0000

Followers of Jesus are meant to be a light in the darkness of the world, to be mirrors of Jesus to those around them and spread the gospel. We can do that through our prayer, our presence, and partnering with other believers.

Key Text: Matthew 5:13-16

Act Like Jesus Part 1

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:00:08 +0000

The outpouring of knowing and loving of God is a turn to share the way of Jesus. The friends of the paralyzed man in Luke 5 show an example of the zeal we need to turn away from our sins and turn to Jesus. God’s design is to use Christ-seeking people, growing in their Christlikeness, to carry his message for the sake of the world. Scripture: Luke 5:17–32

Love Like Jesus Part 3

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 16:50:06 +0000

Our culture is full of examples of communities—groups of like minded individuals trying to foster camaraderie and shared experience—and yet we are still lonely as a society. God is communal in nature, and since we are created in His image, we mirror His communal nature. However it’s not just shared-interest that we need but deep change through repentance, which happens best in the context of Christ-centered community. Scripture: 1 John 1:5–10

Love Like Jesus Part 2

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 19:42:38 +0000

Better understanding of our source idols should lead us to surrendering the things we lean on more than God to God. Because the only thing that replaces our idolatry of our love of the world is a stronger love: the love for God. Jesus has the power to expel our idols from our hearts, through our confession and repentance.

Scripture: 1 John 2:15; 5:21

Love Like Jesus Part 1

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:23:53 +0000

The story of the rich young ruler is a story that points to the idolatry we all struggle with. In our human brokenness, idolatry means putting anything other than God at the forefront of our hearts and minds. Becoming more like Jesus means re-directing our loves from the idols of our life—the things where we seek power, approval, comfort and control—to Jesus, who loves us and never fails us.

Scripture Mark 10:17–22

Think Like Jesus Part 2

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 14:32:56 +0000

We are born into a fallen world of competing voices. In the desert, Jesus is tempted in every way yet without sin, fully living in God’s world God’s way. There we learn from Jesus’ example that the voice of the Father never leads us astray. Thinking like Jesus means listening to the voice of the Father.

Scripture Matthew 3:16–4:11

Think Like Jesus Part 1

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:35:22 +0000

Thinking like Jesus requires our whole person. Our doctrine must fuel our devotion, and our devotion, our doctrine. On other words, our love ignites our hunger for more knowledge of the Savior; likewise, knowing Jesus drives our desires and love for Jesus.

Scripture: Mark 12:24-27 & 30

Fully Formed Disciples

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:55:46 +0000

Jesus loves you way more than we think he does and he demands more than we think he does, because he wants more for us. He doesn’t want compartmentalized disciples. He wants disciples who have no secular/sacred divide. Becoming more like Jesus means integrating all parts of us—how we think, love, feel and act.

Scripture Mark 12:29-31

Becoming Like Jesus

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 19:38:08 +0000

From the very beginning, our mission has been one thing: to become more like Jesus, and to go and make more disciples who are more like Jesus. It would be easy to fall into complacency and fall into religious consumerism, but with the Spirit’s help, we must guard against this. The church exists to form Christlike Christians.

Scripture: Romans 8:28-29

Empty Handed Repentance

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 14:38:04 +0000

Our souls wrestle often with the belief that we need to earn God’s love, and it’s an exhausting wrestle. But God wants so much more for all of us. When we consider the life of Jesus, knowing it’s not up to our works but solely dependent on the cross, the hope is we start to become more like him. Scripture: Luke 18:9–14

The Cursed Man

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 19:33:27 +0000

Psalm 88 reminds us that when Jesus entered into our humanity, he took our sin and God’s wrath and our weakness, and also our pain and abandonment and suffering. Jesus became the blessed man and the cursed man. If Jesus didn’t abandon you in his darkest hour, we can be assured in our darkest hour, he will remain.

Blessing in the Trials

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 18:32:03 +0000

As we have learned this month, when we read the Psalms in light of Christ’s finished work on the cross, we see the presence of Jesus throughout these old songs. Psalm 118 especially reminds us of the timeless truth that God is steadfast and our firm foundation when life inevitably gets hard. Even in trials, we rejoice in the one who sustains us.

Blessed are the Forgiven

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 20:02:26 +0000

As we learned last week, reading the psalms through the lens of Christ gives us fresh eyes on an old text. Psalm 32 points to our sins and iniquities, but in light of the forgiveness of God. It reminds the reader that in our humble confession of sin, God’s steadfast love meets us with forgiveness, instruction and gladness.

Key Text: Psalm 32

The Blessed Man

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:15:41 +0000

The Psalms, much like the law, are only understood in light of Christ. In Psalm 1, we see not counsel on how we should live, but confirmation in whom we should trust. Scripture: Psalm 1

Hope in Exile

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:21:44 +0000

In our finale message in this series, we look at the closing remarks of Peter’s letter. Peter speaks of simple wisdom for the Christian to endure faithfully for a whole life: stand firm in grace.

Scripture 1 Peter 5:8–14

The Surrendered Life

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 20:36:07 +0000

How are we to endure in the face of religious, social and political turmoil? By humbly surrendering our lives to Christ despite the cost. When the natural instinct is to close our hands—God invites us to open them to his care and command.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7–16

Humility & Anxiety

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:21:16 +0000

Where do you go when your anxiety hits the limits of your humanity? 1 Peter 5:6-7 asks us to lay down our pride. In doing so, we admit that we are not in control as much as we would like, and God cares about our anxieties more than we ever could. Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6–7

Family of God

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 19:31:12 +0000

Our love of God directly correlates to our love for others. As the family of God, there is a constant call to deepen our relationship ship with God and with our spiritual brothers and sisters. And we are called to steward and disciple the next generation to remember God’s word.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Shepherd Leaders

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000

To be a follower of Jesus means Jesus shepherds us. He leads me, guides me, corrects me. And Peter takes this same metaphor and applies it to the elders of a church. Elders should be shepherd leaders.

1 Peter 5:1-5

Sharing in Christ's Suffering

Mon, 26 May 2025 03:29:51 +0000

Suffering has a way of quenching the generosity out of us. When we suffer, we often resort back to selfish ambitions. God invites us to live charitably while suffering, and trust him to care for our bodies and soul. Even in suffering, we hope in the power of Christ, we live obedient lives, and trust God through the process. Scripture: 1 Peter 4

Vindicated Faith

Mon, 12 May 2025 14:45:29 +0000

There is often a dissonance between what we believe and what we see. There’s a cost to obey Jesus and obeying Jesus does not protect us from suffering. Is it worth it? This passage reminds us that because Christ was vindicated in resurrection, our faith will be vindicated in His return. Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17–22

Reason for Hope

Sun, 04 May 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13–17

Peter encourages us to grow in our hope for the future we have in Jesus. These verses remind us that life in exile brings a variety of experiences, but we can face our fears with confident hope, knowing that Christ is Lord.

A Community of Blessing

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:14:05 +0000

Christian community by nature is a community that blesses. Peter’s instruction in this passage is that while in exile, we cultivate blessing and peace for everyone, even those who mean us harm. Because the extent we go to bless others is not based on what they’ve done for us, but based solely and fully on what we have received in Christ.

Scripture 1 Peter 3:8-12

Resurrected Hope

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 16:55:00 +0000

We live in between the resurrection of Jesus in the past and the return of Jesus in the future. The great hope of the Christian story is that God will redeem his creation. This means we do not live with empty optimism, but with full confidence and hope in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

Scripture John 11:43-44; John 5:25

Honor Your Wife

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:34:13 +0000

The passage for today calls husbands to honor their wives, and lead them to hope in Jesus, while also reminding all believers that we have been saved by Jesus as beloved heirs of the grace of life. Scripture 1 Peter 3:7

Imperishable Beauty

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:28:09 +0000

In this passage, Peter is addressing faithful women with unbelieving husbands. There is a kind of beauty that fades, and a kind of beauty that lasts — the beauty that comes from placing all our trust in a trustworthy God and hoping in the One who saves and delivers. It is the kind of beauty that can draw even an unbelieving husband to seek the Lord. With faith like this, our thoughts shift from focusing on our outward appearance to longing to reflect the likeness of Christ. Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-6

Enduring Injustice

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 14:57:47 +0000

In this passage Peter is addressing how to endure sinful injustice. God doesn’t say don’t suffer, he says there is favor to those who endure injustice without sin, entrusting themselves to God. We are called to stand against injustice, but when we cannot, we must remember we serve a greater master, and have a greater freedom in Christ. Scripture: 1 Peter 2:18–25

Free Servants

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 20:17:03 +0000

Our politics should be oriented around our allegiance to Jesus, not the other way around. This passage offers a picture of who we are in Christ and a picture of how to engage the political world around us. And the way that Peter phrases this interaction is that Christian’s are to live as free servants. Free servants honor everyone, love the church, fear God, and honor the emperor.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Foreigner's Church

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 19:39:35 +0000

Living as citizens of heaven means we live as foreigners on earth, and therefore as representatives of the kingdom of God to a non-believing world. We witness to an outside world through what we worship, in a way that either ascribes our ultimate worth in the things of the world or in Jesus Christ. Peter encourages us in this passage to the latter. Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12

God's Priestly People

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 20:07:03 +0000

Part of being in Christ is that we are as close to God as we can ever be, as we are members of the priesthood of believers with Jesus Christ as our great high priest. Living in our priestly identity means we offer our obedience and worship to God Almighty.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Identity, Belonging and Purpose

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 23:29:46 +0000

Finding our belonging and identity in Christ—our cornerstone—means that we have a godly purpose. And as we live as God’s people, in holy exile, we are called to lean into the church, God’s chosen people, as our family. Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4–10

Love One Another

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 18:27:44 +0000

Loving others is a foundational part of following Christ. Jesus himself gave the command in his teachings. The source of our love comes from the abundant love that God has for us, a never-ending, unshakeable kind of love. Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22–2:3

The Cross and the Crown

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 20:36:43 +0000

This passage shows us where our hope lies—in Christ’s death and resurrection. While we often want to skip suffering and hardship for the reward of life in Christ, we ultimately find the cross comes before the crown. Scripture 1 Peter 1:10–12

Holiness in Exile

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 21:22:46 +0000

This week’s passage begs the question, “How do we live ‘holy’ in exile?” According to this passage, as Christ’s ambassadors living on mission in exile, we are called to a holy standard because we are in Christ. There’s no where we can go in exile where God is not already there. And through Christ we are able to exemplify God’s holiness as we walk through this time in exile. Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Refined

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 20:51:49 +0000

Because Peter knows suffering intimately, and has embraced the risen Christ, he speaks to a suffering people in a shepherding way throughout this letter. To the Christian, Peter’s inspired words encourage rejoicing, grieving and refining, to know that in our trials, Jesus is near.

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Imperishable Hope

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 19:46:56 +0000

The book of 1 Peter reminds us that Christ’s resurrection gives us assurance in the presence of our future, imperishable inheritance and hope. The invitation from the word of God is to rest in this truth and to fix our eyes on Christ. Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3–5

Loved and Far From Home

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 20:05:34 +0000

This week, we begin a new series in the book of 1 Peter. A book that explores many themes, particularly the good news that the defining reality of our life is not our sin, but our Savior. In Christ, we are unconditionally loved as we live as a people in exile. Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2

Wisdom and Time

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:32:20 +0000

As Christians, we should live in the ongoing pursuit of wisdom as we consider how we spend our time, and align it with the ways of God. Wisdom is living in God’s world, in God’s way. Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21

When The Lord is My Shepherd

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:12:40 +0000

As we finish out the year, we look at Psalm 23 as a reminder of God’s steadfast love and faithful shepherding of his sheep. When we rest in this knowledge, we find we are content, kept and covered. Scripture: Psalm 23

Prince of Peace

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 19:20:00 +0000

Jesus speaks of a peace that is “like a sword.” Peace only comes when darkness is pushed back and our allegiances are in Christ. Following the way of Jesus means we become participants in pushing back darkness to make room for the light of peace. Scripture: Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 10:34-39

Everlasting Father

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 19:30:00 +0000

Jesus reveals God the father as good for us, and good to us. Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 and John 14:6-7

Mighty God

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 17:43:31 +0000

The Son of God emptied Himself in incarnation and death because He loves us. This act of self-giving love humbles us and invites us imitate the mind of Christ. Scripture: Philippians 2:3–11

Hope in the Wonderful Counselor

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 18:23:19 +0000

Advent is about hope, but during this season many struggle with a sense of hopelessness. This message shows how Jesus uniquely helps us navigate misplaced and deferred hopes—as the Wonderful Counselor.

Scripture: Isaiah 8:21-9:6

Friend of Sinners

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 22:26:59 +0000

To close the Friend of Sinners series, we invited some of our own to share their testimonies of how Jesus has been a friend to them.

Jesus with the Hopeless

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 21:14:48 +0000

In this passage, Jesus encounters two of his discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus. He ministers to their discouragement with the promises of God, especially those affirming His sacrifice on their behalf. Through this encounter, we are reminded of the immeasurable hope we have in Christ in the midst of grief and sorrow. Scripture: Luke 24:13–27

Jesus with Our Disordered Loves

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 01:34:44 +0000

Today's message focuses on the story of Jesus and the rich young ruler from Mark 10, urging believers to prioritize eternal life over earthly wealth. It challenges us to evaluate our attachments, emphasizing that following Jesus may require earthly sacrifices but leads to true fulfillment and discipleship in Jesus. Through this passage, the importance of faith, surrender, and commitment to Christ is highlighted.

Jesus with the Fearful

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 19:13:32 +0000

Jesus loves the fearful by revealing Himself as Lord over the storm, Friend within the storm, and Savior beneath the storm. He drowns our fears in His perfect love. Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Jesus with Our Shame

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 14:42:11 +0000

Jesus heals Peter of the shame of his denials by covering his worst moment with love. The healing Jesus offers to Peter, He also offers to us. Scripture: John 21:15-19

Jesus with the Repentant

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 18:04:00 +0000

Jesus’s love for the sinner who repents is unending. His offer of grace is not contingent on obedience. As we see from Jesus' interaction with Peter, there is more mercy in Christ than there is sin in the repentant. Scripture: Luke 5:1–11

Jesus with the Skeptic

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 19:26:20 +0000

Jesus encourages the skeptic, as we see in John 1 when Jesus welcomes and affirms Nathaneal's doubts and his longing for truth. It's encouragement for us to welcome doubt, in a way that turns our cynicism towards faith and hope in God. Jesus doesn’t want perfect theology, but he wants our worship and our trust. Scripture: John 1:43-51

Render to God

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 15:29:58 +0000

In response to a polarizing political question, Jesus teaches his followers to honor and submit to government while reminding us that we owe God way more than we owe our country. Scripture: Mark 12:13-17

Love Your Neighbor

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 17:45:00 +0000

As we look out at our political moment, the story Jesus tells in Luke 10 reminds us that our greatest calling is to love God and love neighbor. In a climate of fear and hate, Christians are to be a people of love.

Jesus is Lord

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:08:53 +0000

Jesus’s answer for his political moment is the same answer he would give for our political moment: the Kingdom of God will prevail. Kings and Kingdoms will all pass away, but our eternal hope is that Jesus is Lord. Scripture: John 18:33-36

Identity in Christ

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 12:54:54 +0000

Only through the indwelling of the Spirit, are we able to bear new fruit. Salvation is given by God and God alone, and identity is given to us by the One who created everything. Scripture: Ephesians 2:8–10

Jesus with the Suffering

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 18:55:00 +0000

Jesus can comfort every kind of sufferer and understands every kind of suffering because He takes every kind of suffering onto Himself. Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Jesus with the Outcast

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 14:09:21 +0000

Jesus wants to be Messiah over every part of our lives—even for “the outcast”. He meets all of us in our pain and shame and offers us living water that we may be made whole. Scripture: John 4:1-30

Jesus with the Anxious

Sun, 18 Aug 2024 18:30:00 +0000

Jesus invites us to leave the distracted life for the devoted life. He meets us in our “anxious and troubled” and welcomes us to return to His feet. Scripture: Luke 10: 38–42

Friend of Sinners

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 17:40:15 +0000

Jesus is a friend of sinners. In Luke 7:33-50, Jesus speaks to the unrighteous and the self righteous. His words to them are the words we need to hear today.

My Soul Longs

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Every human soul longs for God and finds ultimate satisfaction only in God. Sin distorts our longings so that we desire as God things that are not God. Psalm 84 gives us a picture of a life that rightly desires the Lord.

Rhythms of Glory

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 14:48:18 +0000

To close out our mini-series on Rhythms, we look at how God's promised future of Glory shapes the way we live now. Because God’s presence will change everything into what it was always meant to be. Scripture: Isaiah 65:17–25

Rhythms of Work

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 17:30:00 +0000

Work is a part of God’s good design for humanity. When we view it properly, we are free from the weight of earning dignity through it and are able to walk in the good works God has for us from dignity, in Christ Jesus.

Rhythms of Play

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 16:53:15 +0000

The rhythm of play is often neglected in theology. What is play? Is it even biblical? How can we practice it in a healthy way? This sermon explores the meaning of play from various angles, including a unique perspective from “the sacred mountain.”

Rhythms of Rest

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 20:58:01 +0000

It can be hard to slow down in a busy society. What keeps us from experiencing true rest? How is Sabbath different from the slow movement? This message shows us how to cultivate a life of sabbath-shaped rest. Scripture: Exodus 20:8–11

Pursue with Grace

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 18:47:44 +0000

James ends the letter with wisdom on how to relate to those who wander from the truth. We faithfully respond to this passage by examining our own hearts and pursuing those who wander with grace.

A Whole Life

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 04:30:00 +0000

Life can often feel divided. Sickness unravels health, suffering disrupts peace, flesh pulls at spirit. How should we navigate these forces? James shows us how to be not just better people but whole people. Here is practical instruction for living a life of wholeness--in circumstances, sickness, and sin.

Sincere Speech

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 20:39:44 +0000

The book of James has a lot to say about how we speak. In this sermon, we look at how James calls followers of Jesus to speak with integrity as people who keep their word. Scripture: James 5:12

Patience

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 17:15:00 +0000

Living in between the first and second coming of Jesus requires patience. James calls us to grow in patience with life, with people, and with God. Scripture: James 5:7-11

What to Do with Wealth?

Sun, 26 May 2024 17:36:00 +0000

James says some difficult things to the rich. How should we interpret them? How should Christians approach wealth? How much should we save and how much should we give? This message helps us grapple with these important questions from the vantage point of how much Christ has given us. Scripture: James 5:1–6

If the Lord Wills

Sun, 12 May 2024 16:30:00 +0000

As Christians, we can face tomorrow with the humility of our human limitations and the confidence that God cares for us.

Critical Speech

Tue, 07 May 2024 16:54:48 +0000

In this passage, James directs us to choose humility over pride, contrasting the judgmental attitude with Jesus's teachings of love and empathy. James warns us against the harm caused by judgmental thoughts and speech. He emphasizes the importance of loving one's neighbor, warning against judgmental behavior in all aspects of life, echoing Jesus's call to love our neighbors as ourselves akin to Jesus' teachings on humility and contempt.

#biblestudy #citizenschurch #plano #dfw #james #church

A Life of Repentance

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 00:11:45 +0000

Repentance is not a one-time event; it’s a lifestyle for all who follow Jesus. James 4:1-10 helps us repent by turning from blaming to owning and from running to drawing near.

The Devotional Life

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 22:15:49 +0000

Everyone is devoted to something. Engineers to a solution. Parents to well-rounded kids. Students to their classes. Even the lazy person is devoted…to comfort. But what should we be devoted to most? James insists our chief devotion should be to God. Reflecting on James’ words, philosopher Soren Kierkegaard said we should cultivate the purity of heart to will one thing. What’s your one thing? Your summum bonum, chief good? Let’s consider a disordered life, a holy life, a devotional God. Scripture: James 4:5-10

Who Is Wise?

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 22:15:00 +0000

Wisdom is not mostly about what you know but about having a life-giving character to those around you. James describes the life of the proud and the life of the meek and we are invited through the grace of Jesus to become wise like Him.

The Power of Words

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 02:08:00 +0000

What comes out of our mouths is often indicative of what’s already in our hearts. James teaches that no human being can tame the tongue. But when our hearts and words are in the hands of someone good, they can be used for good. Scriptures: James 3:7-10

Death is Defeated

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 19:23:32 +0000

The moment Jesus Christ walks out of the tomb, hell weeps and heaven rejoices. In that moment, our risen Savior tramples death, and gives us a picture of what is to come. Christ has died, Christ is Risen, and Christ will come again. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51–57

Lifeless Faith

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 15:00:31 +0000

James warns us that a faith marked by words without actions, knowledge without love, and belief without cost is no faith at all. This passage is a loving warning that leads us to consider the quality of our faith, and seek grace. Scripture: James 2:14-26

Faith and Works

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 18:32:32 +0000

We are saved by faith alone but not by a faith that remains alone. True faith in Jesus really works. Scripture: James 2:14–26

The Economy of Mercy

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 20:44:25 +0000

Partiality is anti-law and anti-love which means it is anti-God’s character. Chapter 2 of James is a warning and an invitation: Mercy abounds for those who show mercy. Scripture: James 2:1-13

Pure Religion

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 19:48:17 +0000

Pure religion isn't more than caring for the vulnerable, but it’s also not less. James reminds us that people who love God, love the people who God loves. Scripture: James 1:26–27

Listen & Obey

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 18:32:03 +0000

James reminds us that following Jesus is about listening to God’s word and obeying what He says. Scripture: James 1:19–25

Suffering and the Goodness of God

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 18:47:52 +0000

James writes to a persecuted people to help them be refined in their suffering. We can name the wisdom he shared like this: Suffering is not meaningless. God is not evil; He is good. Suffering won’t last forever. Scripture: James 1:12–18

Fading Pursuits

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 21:35:20 +0000

James 1:5-11 challenges the rich and the poor to see their relationship with money as one of the greatest tests of faith.

Ask in Faith

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 16:01:53 +0000

James 1:5-8 tells us we need wisdom, that God gives wisdom and when we ask in faith, He generously gives the wisdom we need.

Tests of Faith

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 20:29:40 +0000

James shows us how to navigate the trials of life, as tests of faith, which produce wholeness.

James

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 17:15:18 +0000

This week we begin a new series in the book of James. The aim of this letter, written by James the brother of Jesus, is to help Christ followers learn wholeness through the wisdom of Jesus.

A Year of Grace

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 18:01:32 +0000

Colossians 1:21-23 tells of the depth of grace we have in Jesus for our past, present and future. As we start a new year, we are reminded that the year will be filled with grace from and with Jesus.

Slowing Down with the Father

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 19:38:40 +0000

The antidote to “busyness” is Jesus. In Christ we learn to prioritize consistent time alone with the Father. Scripture: Mark 1:35–39

Advent: Christ’s Peace

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 15:19:09 +0000

In a fallen world, we can't make it all right; we can't make our own peace but thankfully we can look to Christ for peace. Through the incarnation, we see how God became man, as a wonderful counselor and the Prince of Peace. Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Advent: Simeon and Anna’s Praise

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 20:27:39 +0000

Simeon & Anna’s encounter with Jesus models for us the kind of eager anticipation that should mark the life of all believers awaiting His second advent. Scripture: Luke 2: 25–38

Advent: Zachariah’s Prophecy

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 23:51:42 +0000

Advent is a season where we remember the first coming of Christ and look forward to His second coming. Zachariah's story reminds us of how God sees us and understands our suffering. Ultimately God redeems our longings, as we see through the broken and longing people whom God writes into the first advent of Jesus Christ. Scripture: Luke 1:5–23; 76–79.

Advent: Mary’s Song

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 19:44:51 +0000

Advent, meaning the coming of Christ, is a season where we remember the first advent of Jesus and look forward to His second advent. Mary’s faith is an example of how to faithfully wait in between the two advents.

Communion

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 19:10:26 +0000

In 1 Corinthians 11, we learn that Jesus gave us communion that we would look back in faith, examine our hearts, and look forward in hope. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

At Home in Christ

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:28:14 +0000

In this passage, Jesus invites us to abide in His love. As we end the In Christ series, we consider how our union with Christ satisfies our longing for home with God. Scripture: John 15:9–10

Resurrected in Christ

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 17:38:48 +0000

Because we are in Christ, we have been crucified with Christ and through that we can rest on this truth: To be in Christ is to have Jesus sovereignly rewrite our stories. Scriptures: John 11: 21–26

A Gifted People

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:01:29 +0000

In Ephesians 4, Paul calls believers to a way of living the glorious truth of the gospel they believe. While most Christians are not pastors and ministers, every Christian has a role to play in ministry. God casts a vision for His church by giving people to prepare people, to build people. Scripture: Ephesians 4:11–16

Humility in Christ

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 19:53:39 +0000

To be in Christ is to be humble like Christ. Philippians 2:1-11 tells us the mind of Christ was filled with humble, other-centered love. As a people who are In Christ, we are called to live humbly as He did by taking our eyes off our ourselves and fixing them on Jesus.

Christ in You and You in Christ

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:31:44 +0000

Who is Jesus and what does it mean to be united to him? The book of John helps us answer this question, showing us how Union in Christ is not a concept to embrace, it’s a person to experience. Scripture: John 14:15–21

Peace in Christ

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 19:00:44 +0000

Those in Christ are under the protection of God’s peace in our hearts and minds. That doesn't mean we will experience more ease and less worries in life, but that we have access to the peace of God even in times of anxiety. Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Sexuality in Christ

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:40:28 +0000

In Christ, we are not defined by our sexual desires or our sexual sin. The Bible teaches that our bodies have been united to Jesus and part of being faithful to that union is fleeing from sexual sin. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Ministers in Christ

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 20:23:48 +0000

All who are in Christ are invited into the mission of God. As new creations, we are ministers of reconciliation that can move towards the needs of the world with the hope of the Gospel. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Living in Christ

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 22:33:22 +0000

Our lives are hidden in Christ and we’ve been called to live in light of this reality by faith, which saves and changes us into the person we were always meant to be. Scripture: Colossians 3:1–11

Identity in Christ

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 19:28:29 +0000

Being in Christ means our identity is found and formed in Jesus. What is true about Him is true about us. In a world that tells us “we are who we say we are” God’s word tells us “we are who God says we are” in Christ. Scripture: Galatians 2:20 & 3:26

God is with Us in Christ

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 14:47:34 +0000

Being In Christ means we are reunited with God and enjoy His presence. The lie of the garden is that life is better without God. In Christ, we are made right with God and live in His presence both now and forever. Scripture: Romans 5:17-19

In Christ

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 19:50:23 +0000

This week we begin a new series on union and communion with Jesus. "In Christ" is one of the most repeated phrases in the New Testament. In this series we will learn from God's word what it means to be in Christ and how that shapes who we are as followers of Jesus. Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

The Help of the Spirit

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 18:04:04 +0000

This week, guest preacher Josh Patterson teaches on the Holy Spirit as our helper in John 16:5–15, showing how The Helper convicts in Hope, guides in Truth, and glories in Jesus.

Citizens of Heaven

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 20:35:42 +0000

This week we explore the meaning behind our name and what it means to be "citizens." Philippians 1:27 helps us understand the church is made up of redeemed saints who have been granted citizenship in the heavenly kingdom and enjoy relationship with King Jesus.

The Shepherd Host

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 18:41:47 +0000

Continuing in the Psalms, Psalm 23 invites us to see God as a good shepherd and generous host who leads us in the pastures and valleys of life.

God’s Promises in Times of Uncertainty

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 18:43:24 +0000

This week in our Psalms series, guest Pastor Shea Sumlin teaches through Psalm 33, looking at seven of God's promises that we can hold onto in times of uncertainty.

Who Am I?

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 18:03:09 +0000

This week in our Psalms series, guest Pastor Isaac Adams focuses on Psalm 1. The righteous delight in God’s word and obey God because in their heart they know that God’s favor is a gracious gift, freely given, not in response to actions of obedience. In the Christian life, good fruit is evident of God's work in you.

The Lord is My Strength

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 18:43:01 +0000

Continuing in Psalms, this week, guest teacher Adam Griffin teaches from Psalm 18. This song speaks of a mighty God, a powerful God and a God who loves us enough to sacrifice Himself. Believer, rest in the fact that the God of the Universe delights for his children, and we can trust He is with us through every season.

A Song of Revelation for the Lost Soul

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Over the next few weeks we will be in the book of Psalm. This week, guest teacher Afshin Ziafat teaches from Psalm 19:1–6. The God of the Bible has made Himself known in the world around us and by revealing Himself in Scripture. He is a God who speaks, a God who wants to be known, and a God who pursues us.

The Mission of God

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 20:00:54 +0000

As the family of God we’ve been invited to live on mission with God by the power of God. As we walk in obedience to the call, God works in and through us despite our short comings, fears and weakness.

Every Good Work

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:04:10 +0000

Those who are born again bear fruit in their lives. In Titus 3, Paul outlines how this is all a work of Christ in and through the believer, from start to finish.

The Heart of Mercy

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 20:39:40 +0000

In Titus 3, Paul explains how our own need for God's mercy and grace should give us hearts and hands that are eager to give mercy and grace to those around us.

The Blessed Hope

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:23:35 +0000

What does Grace look like? What does Kindness or Love look like? The book of Titus gives us an answer: Grace has a face and it's Jesus. “The Blessed Hope” is that we will come face to face with Jesus.

Adorning the Doctrine

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:59:10 +0000

All Christians are called to be elder-like in character, whether or not they are elderly in age. The manner in which we live out our daily lives either mar or adorn the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved to be people who are zealous for good works.

Declare and Demonstrate

Mon, 29 May 2023 21:49:31 +0000

Titus serves as a reminder to Christians of how we must Declare the truth of the Gospel and we must Demonstrate the truth that we Declare. And most of all, Declaration without Demonstration is empty without the power of the Gospel.

Christ-Like Leaders

Mon, 15 May 2023 22:15:42 +0000

Paul instructs Titus to appoint Christ-like leaders who are faithful at home, faithful when only God is watching, and faithful to the truth. Scripture: Titus 1:5–16

Beholding and Becoming

Mon, 08 May 2023 10:00:00 +0000

What holds our attention, affection and adoration is inevitably what the fruit of our lives begins to look like. In many ways, we become what we value most. So how do we look more like Christ? In our first week in our Titus series, we will examine the words of Paul as we seek to be a church that looks more like Christ every day.

For more information on Citizens Church or to give to the ministry, visit citizenschurch.com

Wisdom & Wonder (Finale)

Tue, 02 May 2023 16:53:49 +0000

In our final sermon of the Wisdom & Wonder series, we conclude by looking back on what we have learned from the wisdom of God’s word.

Wisdom & Disciplines

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 21:04:24 +0000

For the believer, God’s wisdom is life to those who find them. Disciplines help point us to the fact that wisdom is not just a way of being, but it is a person, Jesus Christ. Our hope is not in what we do but in who He is.

Wise Plans

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 22:04:46 +0000

Wisdom teaches us that when making decisions, we need Jesus, limits, patience, counsel and trust.

Easter Wisdom

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:53:33 +0000

We live in a resurrection world and as Christians, find meaning, comfort and hope in our risen Lord.

Wisdom for Work & Money

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:47:26 +0000

Wisdom teaches us that work is good, but work is not God. Wisdom also teaches us money can be good, but money can’t be God.

Wisdom & Rest

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:05:15 +0000

Wisdom invites us into rest by reminding us that we were not made to fix everything, know everything or be everywhere at once.

Wisdom for Correction

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 19:54:04 +0000

What does a wise response look like when faced with correction? The wise see correction as a loving invitation to grow and become like Jesus.

Wisdom for the Unknowns

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 18:21:38 +0000

The way to enjoy life in a brief and uncertain world is to receive the gospel of Christ and give our lives to advancing his kingdom. Ecclesiastes shows us that life will not be void of uncertainty or suffering, but it also won’t be void of meaning and glory.

The Spirit on Mission

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 21:14:52 +0000

Our relationship with the Holy Spirit is a lifelong posture of dependence. The Holy Spirit sends, strengthens, saves and sustains us as we live on mission in God's world.

Wisdom for Envy & Jealousy

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:44:38 +0000

Proverbs warns that envy deteriorates and jealousy destroys. This week we learn what wisdom has to say about how to turn away from envy and jealousy.

Wisdom’s Aim

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 15:35:02 +0000

Wisdom’s aim is that God might be glorified to the ends of the earth. More fully, Wisdom’s aim is that all nations would know, love, trust, and obey Jesus Christ, who alone is the wisdom of God, the glory of God, and the power of God.

The Wise Spirit

Sun, 12 Feb 2023 19:04:59 +0000

Of all the topics the wisdom books address, one of the most convicting pertains to the spirit. The wise in spirit are slow to anger, hard to offend and quick to bring peace.

Growing in Wisdom

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 18:43:10 +0000

As we pause and look back at the slow pace of wisdom and in the person of Jesus Christ, we see a pattern of lowering ourselves in humility. The more we trust in Christ, and God’s wisdom, the more we know how little we know. Proverbs help us see how deeply we need God and it shows us our need to grow in dependence on Christ, not on our own strength.

Wisdom & Justice

Sun, 22 Jan 2023 21:08:29 +0000

Wisdom is living in God's world, God's way. Throughout His word, God talks about the weak and the vulnerable. Justice is at part of God's way. We should care about the weak and vulnerable because God cares about the weak and vulnerable.

Wisdom & Words

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 01:32:58 +0000

Proverbs tells us both life and death are in the power of the tongue. In this sermon, we consider what life-giving words sound like, and the wisdom God offers.

Wisdom & Death

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 02:45:15 +0000

Over and again, Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is short and death is the end that all humanity shares. Ecclesiastes 7 teaches us how the wise can live well in this brief life.

The Second Advent

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 23:02:19 +0000

This week, we close out Advent Season looking at 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, which teaches us how to have hearts that are ready for the return of Jesus.

Advent | Peace

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 18:39:32 +0000

In this series, we are looking at what it looks like to live between the two Advents—first coming of Christ and awaiting his return—and what a Christian posture looks like in the waiting. What does grace, worship and love look like in the waiting? This week we look at the topic of Peace, both the promise Christ makes his followers and what it looks like to live with Christ's peace.

Advent | Love

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 17:26:09 +0000

The Advent season is marked by longing and waiting in the hope of Jesus' return. In this season, the love of Christ is a gift to believers between the advents. To be a waiting people is to be a loved people, and to be a loved people is to be a loving people.

Advent | Worship

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 18:37:22 +0000

Advent reminds us that we as Christians are marked by certain distinct characteristics. Last we looked at what it looks like to be marked by Grace. This week we reflect on the characteristic of Worship—what it looks like to sing to the Lord even in the face of suffering.

Advent | Grace

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 20:26:59 +0000

The season of Advent reminds us that even on this side of the cross, we, like the Israelites, await Jesus' return with hope and longing. This week we reflect on the concept of “Grace.” Just as we can receive Jesus dying for our sins as grace upon grace, we can draw near to God, live with joy, and offer comfort and grace to others.

Wisdom & Friendship

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 17:00:39 +0000

If wisdom is a journey, no one travels alone. In Proverbs, we see how wise friendships are essential to living in God's world, God's way.

A Compassionate Father

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 17:25:26 +0000

This week, guest preacher Josh Patterson is in Luke 15. The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a story of two sons, one near and one far away, with the same compassionate father. As believers, regardless of life's circumstances, God is our compassionate father. This story is an invitation to those near and far from God to come home.

Discipline & Delight

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 17:50:17 +0000

This week we finish looking at what wisdom Proverbs has for parenting. Wise parents fill the life of their children with discipline and delight.

Godly Parenting

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 20:00:38 +0000

Good parenting is built on a godly character. Good parents are first godly people. Godly parents handle faith honestly and handle words carefully.

Wise Parenting

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 17:53:52 +0000

Wisdom is living in God's world, God's way. This week we look at how we apply God's wisdom to the way we disciple our children, and how we cannot parent apart from God's grace.

Wisdom & Marriage Part 3

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 21:41:19 +0000

The book of Proverbs teaches us that marriage is a God-given, covenant-keeping, intimate friendship. This week we learn how intimate friendship in a marriage means that I am with you and for you.

Wisdom & Marriage Part 2

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 17:35:15 +0000

The book of Proverbs teaches us that marriage is a God-given, covenant-keeping, intimate friendship. We learn what it means to extend covenant-keeping love by first receiving and being transformed by God’s covenant-keeping love for us.

Wisdom & Marriage

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 17:16:59 +0000

Proverbs teaches us that marriage is a God-given, covenant-keeping, intimate friendship. This week, we consider what it means that marriage is God-given.

Family & Fear

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 20:01:50 +0000

This week, we continue looking with wisdom at our family of origin. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. The place we should begin to learn wisdom is the home, which is also often where we learned what to fear. This week we ask; what did your family fear?

Wisdom & Family of Origin

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 19:15:03 +0000

Throughout Proverbs, we hear the voice of parents teaching wisdom to their children. God's design is that children would learn to live in God's ways in the home where they were raised. In this sermon, we are invited to reflect on our family of origin and consider whether our home was wise, confused, or foolish.

Life is a Gift Part 3

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 18:20:58 +0000

The book of Ecclesiastes accuses life of being blindingly brief and tragically out of our control. The only way to live wisely is to receive this brief, complicated life as a gift. Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 contributes to that message.

A Return to Wisdom and Wonder

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 17:39:24 +0000

Wisdom is living in God’s world, God’s way. This week we revisit what we covered in the spring by looking at the posture of the wise, the posture of the foolish, and some of the major themes of the Book of Proverbs. This will help establish the foundation for where we will be going for the remainder of the series.

The Engagement at the Well

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 20:29:35 +0000

Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman demonstrates God’s love and grace for his church and expands our vision of the family of God. Scripture: John 4:7-14

How to Talk to God When I Don’t Desire God

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 21:48:18 +0000

The Psalms teach us how to talk to God about the things that are hard to talk to God about. This week, Psalm 27 teaches us how to talk to God when we don't desire God.

We Believe: Citizens of Heaven

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 22:54:36 +0000

Being citizens of heaven means we are part of a better story and possess a beautiful identity. That is the heart and hope of Citizens Church.

We Believe: The Church

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 18:37:00 +0000

God, by His Word and Spirit, creates the Church, calling sinful humanity into the fellowship of Christ’s body. As the church, we live as God's people, in God's presence and we live out God's purpose.

We Believe: The Return of Jesus

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 20:30:39 +0000

One day Jesus will return and make all things right. On that day, Christians are loved, perfected, and comforted by Jesus. This is the Christian hope.

We Believe: Salvation

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 21:49:38 +0000

We believe the Scriptures teach that regeneration, or the new birth, is that act of God by which the Holy Spirit imparts a new nature and a new spiritual life, not before possessed, and the person becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus (Gal. 2:20). The mind is given a holy disposition and a new desire to serve God, the dominion of sin is broken, and the heart is transformed from a love of sin and self to a love of holiness and God.

We Believe: Sin

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 17:08:42 +0000

The doctrine of sin offers the true diagnosis for why things aren’t the way they’re supposed to be. It’s a hard reality yet the only path towards true healing.

We Believe: Humanity

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 01:07:32 +0000

The Christian understanding of humanity comes from the image of God in Genesis and the image of God seen in Jesus. All people are made in the image of God and have God-given values and vocations as humans. As we are loved by and reflect Jesus, we become more fully human.

We Believe: Creation & Providence

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 22:10:59 +0000

Creation and Providence are not just doctrines that teach our head, but also shape our hearts. As David declares in Psalm 8, they shape our worship and cultivate a heart of gratitude for all God has done.

We Believe: Revelation

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 16:51:51 +0000

We believe in the accuracy, truth, authority and power of the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God.

Text: 2 Timothy 3: 14 – 17

Family Worship Weekend | Light

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 20:35:17 +0000

Because of the Light, the punishment of sin is broken, the power of sin is breaking, and the presence of sin will one day be banished. Scripture: John 8:12

We Believe: God

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 21:18:24 +0000

This summer we are walking through our essential beliefs. In this sermon, we consider the doctrine of God. We believe in the one true God, who eternally exists as one essence and three distinct persons, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

The Law And The Gospel

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 16:33:49 +0000

Galatians 3:5–9 helps us to understand that the Gospel is not advice to follow but simply good news to receive and believe. While the law establishes a standard to attempt to measure up to, the Gospel is an invitation to accept and believe that the standard has been met in Christ.

Life is a Gift Part 2

Tue, 17 May 2022 02:18:53 +0000

Ecclesiastes teaches us that life is vapor and offers wisdom for how to live well in life while recognizing it is brief and mostly out of our control. The wisdom it offers is that life is a gift, therefore the wise approach to life is to learn to receive life as a gift. We grow in receiving life as a gift by being present, seeing beauty, doing good, and receiving joy.

Life is a Gift

Tue, 10 May 2022 16:56:48 +0000

Ecclesiastes teaches us that life is vapor and offers wisdom on how to live life well while recognizing life is brief and mostly out of our control. The wisdom this book offers is that life is a gift, from God, and our best approach is to receive life as a gift.

Wisdom’s Disruptive Voice

Tue, 03 May 2022 15:55:54 +0000

As we continue in our Wisdom and Wonder series, we consider the wisdom that comes from the book of Ecclesiastes. This book is wisdom's disruptive voice and it invites us to consider in honest terms where we find meaning in life. Scripture: Ecclisiastes 1:12-18

Living on Mission in the Waiting

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 15:46:15 +0000

Christ commissions The Church to be a waiting people until his return and has given us his spirit, which grants us divine power and divine purpose.

Scripture: Acts 1:1-8

Christ has Risen

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 16:01:05 +0000

Easter Sunday Service

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Wisdom for the Wounded

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 18:32:28 +0000

Last week we talked about the wounded and crushed in spirit. This week we look at how unattended wounds release into our lives in unfortunate and sometimes very harmful ways. However, the gospel offers hope for the wounded through good friends, good words, and good news.

The Wounded

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 14:11:12 +0000

There is a condition of the human that is marked by a crushed spirit. Proverbs refers to this type of person as The Wounded. This is not another type of fool, but rather one who has suffered under the hand of a fool or circumstances. Scripture: Proverbs 15:13, Proverbs 18:14 & Proverbs 17:22.

Wisdom Under the Sun

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 15:03:12 +0000

This Sunday, guest preacher Dr. Jonathan Pennington joins us in our series on wisdom, by looking at Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14. Life is difficult and it doesn’t always make sense on this side of eternity, but as Dr. Pennington shows us in this passage, what is clear is our call to fear God and obey His commands.

Jesus and the Fools

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:08:51 +0000

What would Jesus say to the stubborn, the sluggard, the simple, the scoffer? In the gospel, we get to see real examples of what Jesus would say to all of those people. Scripture: Proverbs 1:22; Proverbs 6:9; John 1:14

Wisdom Personified Part 2

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 22:09:57 +0000

The way of the Lord looks like foolishness to the world, but God uses the foolish things of the world to humble the proud and draw us nearer to Him. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Wisdom Personified

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 19:39:20 +0000

We all want to grow in wisdom, but wisdom isn’t derived from us. Proverbs 31 teaches us that wisdom comes from an abiding relationship with a person. The personification of Lady Wisdom points to the true wisdom of God in the person of Jesus Christ.

The Simple, the Sluggard and the Scoffer

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 19:20:35 +0000

There are four forms of foolishness in the book of Proverbs: The Stubborn, The Simple, The Scoffer and The Sluggard. Each caricature rejects the way of wisdom and instead chooses folly. Last week we discussed The Stubborn. This week, we look at the remaining types of foolishness — The Simple, The Sluggard and The Scoffer. Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-22 and Proverbs 6:9-11

The Stubborn Fool

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 15:00:08 +0000

There are four forms of foolishness in the book of Proverbs: The Stubborn, The Simple, The Scoffer and The Sluggard. Each caricature rejects the way of wisdom and chooses folly. In this sermon, we look at the first of those, The Stubborn, in the hope of seeing ourselves rightly and recognizing where we need to fall on the grace of Jesus in the pursuit of wisdom. Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-22 and Proverbs 6:6-11

Fear of the Lord Part 2

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 18:50:22 +0000

This sermon continues from last week. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. The Bible teaches us there is a fear that makes you foolish and a fear that makes you wise. This week we talked about how to tell the difference and what is the fear of the Lord. Scripture: Proverbs 1:7 & 9:10.

Fear of the Lord

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 20:20:42 +0000

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. The Bible teaches us there is a fear that makes you foolish and a fear that makes you wise. This week we talked about how to tell the difference and what is the fear of the Lord. Scripture: Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10

Posture of Wisdom

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 20:16:12 +0000

Wisdom’s posture isn’t just a position, it’s a path. The Christian life is long enduring and requires an ongoing dependence on God. Scripture: Proverbs 9:6-10

Wisdom & Wonder

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 18:37:25 +0000

As we start a new series on wisdom, we took the first Sunday to answer three questions: Why wisdom? What is wisdom? How do we become wise?

Imago Dei

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 03:37:39 +0000

This Sunday we consider the Kingdom of God, the Imago Dei, racial unity, and God’s heart for the vulnerable. In that, Christians are invited to offer the present world a picture of the future.

Habits of Change

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 19:38:19 +0000

The gospel of Jesus meets us where we are to make us who we were meant to be. That change happens in our lives by committing to righteous actions. In this sermon, we are encouraged to spend time in God’s word, with God’s people and on God’s mission.

One Another

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 17:42:50 +0000

How do we shape our community to better glorify God, with the gifts and talents He has given us? Look up and look around, to stir one another towards the good promises of a good God. Scripture: Hebrews 10: 19-25

Holy Discontentment

Sun, 26 Dec 2021 18:36:23 +0000

In a world that lives season to season, how do we, as followers of Jesus, live steady, faithful lives? In Luke 2, we consider the lives of Anna and Simeon as examples of lives well lived.

Advent: The Promise of Joy

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 18:54:12 +0000

Advent is a season of waiting for the coming of Christ. Living in this day and age, we have the joy of being able to look back on Christ's first coming. Therefore, as we wait for the second coming of Christ, we need to hope in and hold onto the promises of God. Leaning into God's promises gives us access to the hope we long for. This week we look at the promise of joy and jubilee. Scripture: Luke 4:16-22

Advent: The Promise of Peace

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 22:38:05 +0000

Advent: The Promise that God Sees

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:52:27 +0000

Advent: The Promise of Presence

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 16:18:03 +0000

Advent is a season of waiting for the coming of Christ. Living in this day and age, we have the joy of being able to look back on Christ's first coming. Therefore, as we wait for the second coming of Christ, we need to hope in and hold onto the promises of God. Leaning into God's promises gives us access to the hope we long for. This week we look at God's promise to be present with his children. Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7

Psalms: A Missional People

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 17:55:50 +0000

Psalm 67 is a prayer that God’s glory may be seen among His people and that God’s grace may be seen among those far from Him. Our prayer is that the people of Citizens Church would embody this prayer in their communities and beyond.

Psalms: Prayers of Gratitude

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 20:11:18 +0000

Psalm 33 is a reminder that God is not only deserving of our gratitude, but that expressing thanks and gratitude to God is good for the human heart and soul.

Delighting in God Through Difficulty

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 17:24:13 +0000

When faced with difficult circumstances, how do we honor God through our response? Psalm 33 gives us an outline for our posture towards God and towards our circumstances.

Psalms: How to Talk to God About My Fears

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 19:03:37 +0000

The Psalms teach us how to talk to God about the things that are hard to talk to God about. This week, Psalm 27 teaches us how to talk to God about our fears.

Psalm: How to Talk to God About My Emptiness

Sun, 17 Oct 2021 18:31:29 +0000

In Psalm 16, David is calling out to God from a place of lack — of emptiness. When we are in a season of longing, God meets us. He comforts us with His presence. Psalm 16 is a prayer to abid in God who will sustain us in the hard seasons.

Belonging: Living on Mission

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:07:04 +0000

We conclude our Belonging series with the last value — Living on Mission: Joining God in restoring all creation. At Citizens Church, we want to proclaim the gospel as we share our faith, love our neighbors help the vulnerable, and contend for justice in the world around us. Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Belonging: Whole Person Discipleship

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 19:15:17 +0000

In Week 4 in the Belonging series, we examine our value Whole Person Discipleship: All of life fully formed by love for Jesus. Scripture: Colossians 1:28 and Romans 8:28-29.

Belonging: People of Presence

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:07:20 +0000

In the Belonging series, we are walking through our church values. This week, we look at our third value, People of Presence: The active pursuit of God and others. Scripture: Matthew 5:6 and Jeremiah 17:7-8

Belonging: Word of God

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 14:28:25 +0000

We continue this week in our series called Belonging, in which we are asking our members to renew their membership and walking through our church values. This week, we talk about our second value, Word of God: the true story of who God is and who we are.

Belonging: Life in Christ

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:31:38 +0000

On our two-year anniversary of becoming a church, we launched a new series called Belonging. In this series, we are asking our members to renew their membership and walking through our church values. In this first week in the series, you will hear our heart behind the renewal and our first value, Life in Christ.

A Generous People

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 18:12:14 +0000

Paul’s charge to the early church was to live lives marked by generosity, tangibly supporting the needs of the body. That same charge applies to the church today; the response and motivation being gratitude and thanksgiving. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15.

How to Talk to God When He Feels Far Away

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 18:28:05 +0000

God wants to talk to us about the deeper things going on in our life. Through the book of Psalms, He has given us a guide for how to talk to him about the things that are hard to talk about. This week in Psalm 42 & 43, we learn how to talk to God when He seems far from us.

How to Talk to God About Our Sin

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 21:00:19 +0000

God wants to talk to us about the deeper things going on in our life. Through the book of Psalms, He has given us a guide for how to talk to Him about the things that are difficult to pray about. This week in Psalm 51, we learn how to talk to God about our sin.

How to Talk to God about Our Doubt

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 21:10:03 +0000

God wants to talk to us about the deeper things going on in our life. Through the book of Psalms, He has given us a guide for how to talk to Him about the things that are hard to talk about. This week in Psalm 73, we learn how to talk to God about our doubt.

Unity in Christ

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:34:50 +0000

God is reconciling all things in Christ including the ethnic and cultural tensions that attempt to divide us today, and God has a redemptive plan which He call us, as followers of Christ, to participate in.

The Preeminance of Christ

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 18:53:23 +0000

When we spend more time with Jesus, we come to know and love Him more, ultimately finding our meaning, mission and message as we go out into the world and live as people of God under His grace and for His glory. Featuring guest Preacher Dave Bruskas; scripture Colossians 1:15-20.

Hearers and Doers

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 22:47:58 +0000

In His sermon, Jesus invites His followers to become whole people who hold onto him. He concludes the sermon with weighty words, spoken from a heart heavy with love, so that we don’t miss the life he invites us to live.

The Narrow Gate

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:10:53 +0000

The gate you choose to pass through determines the path you are on. Scripture: Matthew 7:12-20

Ask, Seek, Knock

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 22:31:13 +0000

God wants to hear from his followers. As a good father gives gifts to his children, so does a good God want to care for those who proclaim his glory. Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12

Seeing Rightly

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 20:41:57 +0000

In this passage, Jesus teaches his followers about how to be open to receiving loving correction from our Christian brothers and sisters. There is a distinction between moral discernment and not being judgmental. Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Family Worship Weekend | Knowing God

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 14:07:58 +0000

To know God is to love Him. To love Him is to trust Him. And to know, love and trust God leads to an overflow of obedience.

Anxiety: Part 2

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 22:02:27 +0000

"Seek first the kingdom of God." Jesus teaches us that seeking the kingdom and believing God is working in the present, combats our anxiety.

Anxiety

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 21:48:02 +0000

Jesus wants our worries. In His sermon, He teaches us what anxiety is and what truths about God help combat and uproot the worry in our lives.

Treasuring Jesus

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 14:37:05 +0000

In Matthew 6:19–24, Jesus outlines there is a way to live rightly and a way to live wrongly. One way is to align yourself with the values of the kingdom of heaven and the other is to live in opposition to it. Jesus concludes this section in Matthew 6:24 by highlighting that you cannot love and serve two masters. You cannot love both God and money.

Treasure

Mon, 24 May 2021 22:50:52 +0000

In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus ’s teachings beg a question that every disciple should consider: “Do you put your treasure where your heart should be?”

The Fatherhood of God

Mon, 17 May 2021 20:42:29 +0000

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus reveals we have a Father in Heaven who is good for us and good to us. Scripture: Matthew 5-7

The Lord's Prayer

Mon, 10 May 2021 17:06:48 +0000

What does it sound like to pray to a God who we know, and who knows us?

Scripture: Matthew 6: 7-14

"When You Fast..."

Mon, 03 May 2021 21:43:53 +0000

In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus teaches us how to fast rightly; it is giving up something we need, to relish the one we need most — before an audience of one.

The Hidden Life

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 20:31:46 +0000

Jesus describes two kinds of lives, the hypocritical life and the hidden life. The former leads to ruin and the latter leads to wholeness. Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18

A Righteous Trellis

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 21:25:58 +0000

We will not become like Jesus without spending time with God. We will not spend time with God unless we have made time for God. Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Love Your Enemies

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 19:51:28 +0000

Love for others is the mark of disciples who are becoming deeply righteous. In these verses Jesus commands us to love even those who are not like us and those who have wronged us.

The Risen Christ

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 19:35:37 +0000

Easter Sermon

Marriage and Divorce

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 19:02:54 +0000

In Matthew 5:31-32, Jesus continues teaching us how to become whole people, by reminding us that marriage is God-centered and Covenant-driven.

Oaths and Integrity

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 21:16:58 +0000

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus's call to his followers to "keep your word" is ultimately a call to more align your heart to his, by pursuing a righteous integrity.

Sexuality and Lust

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 22:53:38 +0000

Righteousness is a whole person behavior that accords with God's nature, will and coming Kingdom. What does that mean for how we view sex and how we respond to sexual sin?

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

Anger and Emotions

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 23:33:18 +0000

Righteousness is a whole person behavior that accords with God's nature, will and coming Kingdom. What does that mean for the issues of our heart, such as anger and other emotions?

A Greater Righteousness

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 16:39:19 +0000

Matthew 5:17-20 is one of the most important passages in all the Bible for understanding what Jesus came to do and what is expected of his followers. In these verses, Jesus defines His relationship with the Old Testament and what righteousness looks like in the life of His followers.

Living on Mission

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 18:41:58 +0000

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Faith and Work

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 21:30:06 +0000

How does what we believe about God inform what we do for work? What does it mean to be salt and light in the various jobs and careers in which God has placed us?

Racial Harmony

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 19:12:02 +0000

In a world divided along ethnic and cultural differences, what does it look like to be the light of the world, pointing to our future hope of a world free of ethnic and racial hostility? Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Sanctity of Life

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 19:42:15 +0000

Being salt of the earth and light of the world means treating every human with dignity and defending God's image in the face of injustices like slavery and abortion. In this sermon we consider how the church responds in love and truth where image bearers are discarded. Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Salt & Light

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 19:50:47 +0000

Jesus tells His disciples their impact on the world will be like salt on food and like light shining in the darkness. What do these metaphors mean for how we as Christians live in and love the world around us? We'll explore these questions in Matthew 5:13-16.

Approaching the Master

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 20:18:47 +0000

In Luke 7:36-50 a Pharisee and a woman find themselves in the same room as Jesus. However, their approach is distinct and it makes all the difference.

Advent: Patiently Waiting

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 16:56:02 +0000

The people of God can patiently persevere as we establish our hearts on Jesus.

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Advent: God With the Weak

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 19:30:34 +0000

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Advent: God With the Discouraged

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 17:44:52 +0000

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Advent: God With the Idle

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 19:52:21 +0000

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Advent: God With Us

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 19:18:43 +0000

Week of Advent. Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

The Beatitudes

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 22:27:32 +0000

We wrapped up the beatitudes this Sunday as part of our series "As It Is," walking through Jesus's Sermon on the Mount. These blessings that Jesus gives are a gentle reminder of God's love for his people, and the life that awaits each believer.

First Love

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 23:22:39 +0000

Guest Preacher: Shea Sumlin, Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Mercy and Peace

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 20:59:15 +0000

Summary: Jesus sends his followers into places of conflict and chaos to offer mercy and create peace.

Key Text: Matthew 5:7 & 9

The Flourishing in Persecution

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 20:53:00 +0000

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Hunger & Thirst

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 21:05:42 +0000

These verses in the Sermon on the Mount address the ideas of righteousness and motivations of the heart. In this passage, Jesus is explaining that those with a pure heart desire God, and not the things of God, by relying only on Him.

Key Text: Matthew 5:6 & 8

Blessed Are The Meek

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 14:41:17 +0000

Meekness is the way of the Kingdom and the heart of the King.

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Mourning and Comfort

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 01:26:18 +0000

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Poor in Spirit

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 22:09:49 +0000

Key Text: Matthew 5:1-3

Summary: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

As It Is

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 16:45:09 +0000

The sermon on the mount is the perfect picture of the nature of the kingdom of God and the flourishing life all who follow Jesus are invited into. Jesus' words show us how to live on earth as it is in heaven.

Citizens of Heaven

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 21:28:20 +0000

Our Mission: Citizens of heaven enjoy God, love people and make disciples.

Psalm 23

Sun, 06 Sep 2020 18:54:39 +0000

Even though Psalm 23 is often read at funerals, its message applies to your life today. Jesus Christ will provide, lead, renew and pursue you all the days of your life. If you wander, He goes out to find and restore you, just as He did with David who wrote this psalm.

Elders

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 16:08:13 +0000

What does the Bible have to say about the position of Elder? This Sunday, we'll spend some time examining our convictions as a Church and then present our two newest Elders to the congregation. Key Text: 1 Peter 5:1-5

Colossians: Life in Christ

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 19:29:57 +0000

In this sermon, we wrap our series in the book of Colossians. Paul concludes this letter with a list of names. John MacArthur calls this section of Colossians “a verbal group photograph.” Who would be in your group photograph? If your church or small group wrote a letter, what would you want it to say about you in the personal closing (similar to Col. 4:7–17)? In 10 or 20 years, what do you want your involvement, relationships and ministry in the local church to be?

A Beautiful Disruption

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 17:34:25 +0000

Summary: Christians are to be a beautiful disruption to the chaos of the world. According to Colossians 4:5 – 6, that beautiful disruption is marked by followers of Jesus walking in wisdom in the way they act and speak.

A Surrendered Life

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 15:06:50 +0000

Summary: In our passage this week, Paul continues to give instructions regarding various relationships, this time focusing on masters. Masters are to treat their servants justly and fairly. To be clear, slavery in any form perverts God’s created, desired intention for human beings. According to the first page of the Bible, human beings are created in the image of God. Therefore, every person is equal in the sight of God (Galatians 3:28), and no person is to use his/her authority or position to mistreat others. God is our ultimate Master, and anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:8)

A Gentle Presence

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 22:47:10 +0000

Husbands are to love their wives and not be harsh with them. Children are to obey their parents. Fathers are not to provoke their children. Both of the “do not” commands in this week’s passage are given to men, and in doing so, Paul stresses the importance of a man’s influence on his family. He is to love his family in a way that reflects the heart of God. God expects husbands and fathers to lead with gentleness.

The Church on Mission

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:40:39 +0000

Our passage this week, Matthew 9:35 – 38, begins Jesus’ second discourse in which He instructs the disciples to pray for His harvest because the workers are few. Jesus’ expectation of His disciples in this passage is prayer. He commands them to pray before He sends them out to proclaim, “the kingdom of heaven has come near”

Discipline and Delight

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:29:08 +0000

Summary: Paul has turned our attention from the spiritual family (3:1–17) to the physical, household family (3:18–4:1). Paul described how we change—we are to put off the old self and put on the new self—and now he addresses specific relationships and roles within a home. First, he addresses husbands and wives, and next, parents and children. Children are to obey their parents in everything. Why? For it pleases the Lord.

Marriage and Flourishing

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 23:02:06 +0000

Summary: In our passage this week, Paul turns our attention from the spiritual family (3:1–17) to the physical, household family (3:18–4:1). Paul has described how we change — put off the old self and put on the new self — and now addresses specific relationships and roles within a home. Wives are to submit to their husbands. Husbands are to love their wives. Children are to obey their parents. Ephesians 5:22–6:9 is the longer exposition of these same household roles and their countercultural commands. But as we examine the whole of Scripture, we discover the Lordship of Christ is what governs both the universe and our homes.

God Provides

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 18:45:30 +0000

Summary: The backstory to help our understanding of Genesis 22 is that God promised descendants to Abraham 25 years earlier (Genesis 12:7). For 25 years, Abraham waited. And in the waiting, Abraham turned his back on the land, lied to a king and devised his own plan; he slept with Hagar, his wife’s servant and had a son. Abraham made bad decisions, but he reversed his steps, repented and returned to God by building several altars. Perhaps the most important one is in our passage this week.

Dwell

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 20:28:46 +0000

Summary: The peace of Christ rules. The word of Christ dwells. Both are to make their home in us and be at the center of our relationships and corporate worship. Why? So that we do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. Scripture: Colossians 3:16-17

Christ's Peace

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 18:41:03 +0000

Summary: After exhorting us to put on love, Paul addresses peaceful relationships in the one body of Christ, which is an objective peace that Jesus secured at the cross. The context of verse 15 is both individual and corporate: peace with God is the basis for peaceful relationships with others.

Blessings in Christ

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 14:54:17 +0000

This passage marks a pivotal point in redemptive history as God begins to establish a covenant people for Himself. The advancing of God's kingdom is evident in His setting Abraham apart and promising descendants as numerous as the stars. Thousands of years after this covenant is made, Jesus Christ, the true Seed of Abraham, will bring salvation to the world. Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4

Count it All Joy

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 01:32:42 +0000

In our passage this week (James 1:2-4), James reminds us that we can respond to conflict and trials differently. The World — and indeed our own flesh — has convinced us that trials are something to avoid or escape as quickly as possible, but James says that trials are to be embraced because God is doing His most profound work in our lives during our darkest days. He is transforming us into the image of Christ through our suffering. We can respond to trials with a kingdom mindset and experience joy.

Forgiveness

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 16:56:54 +0000

This week, we will see that forgiveness is a response to sin, requires repentance and reveals the heart of God — to the one who sinned and to the one who was sinned against.

Put On Love

Sun, 24 May 2020 21:05:30 +0000

Summary: In Colossians 3:12-14 we are instructed to “put off” sin and “put on” the character of Jesus. We are to live out the practices of the new self, putting on love, above all. Christians are to have a distinct love for one another, which is a call for relational endurance as we bear with one another.

A True Hope

Mon, 18 May 2020 16:26:26 +0000

In 1 Corinthians 15:12–20, Paul argues that without the Resurrection there would be no hope. The gospel would be a futile and empty message, and Christians should be pitied. But because Christ has been raised, all that we proclaim of the gospel is true!

Put on Christ

Mon, 11 May 2020 14:59:15 +0000

Because you have been raised with Christ, put sin to death. Because you are God’s chosen, holy, dearly loved ones, put on His character. Christ has set you free from sin and your old self! Therefore, set your mind on Him, and put off sin and get rid of vices. We are now to “put on” virtues that match our new self which God is conforming to the image of His Son.

Problem Of The Heart

Mon, 04 May 2020 22:46:27 +0000

As followers of Jesus we are loved by Him and become like Him through relationship with Him. Colossians 3:5-11 tells us that becoming like Jesus means putting to death the things in our hearts that keep us from loving God and loving others.

Seek Jesus

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 21:15:08 +0000

Key Text: Colossians 3:1-2

Summary: The love of God in Christ meets us where we are without condition and saves us in our sin and rebellion. That love changes us by forming us into the likeness of Jesus. Colossians 3:1-2 tells us how that change happens by directing our hearts and minds towards relationship with Jesus.

Transformed by Christ

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 21:15:31 +0000

Key Text: Colossians 3:1-4

Summary: The good news of the gospel is not just that we are saved by Jesus, but also we are empowered to become like him. Colossians chapter 3 highlights how all believers change, living under the reign of the risen Jesus. Verses 1-4 answer the question of why this change matters.

Raised With Christ

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 15:57:42 +0000

Summary: Colossians 3:1-4 tells us that Jesus' resurrection is not simply a historical event, but personally changes the life of every believer. As Christians our lives are now oriented around the risen Jesus which forever changes our past, present and future.

Loved In Christ

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 20:33:11 +0000

Colossians 2:16-23 tells us that because of Jesus we are loved by God. Every Christian is confronted with lies that lead us to doubt what God says, but because we are in Christ we do not have to earn or prove God’s love for us.

Wisdom and Peace

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 17:31:14 +0000

Philippians 4:4-9 names two promises of peace that mark the life of the Christian especially in times of crisis. This week we see that it’s through wisdom that we experience the presence of the God of peace. When we think God’s thoughts we learn to see Him at work in every circumstance.

The Transforming Love of God

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 21:55:36 +0000

Guest Speaker: WC Garrett

Scripture: Romans 5:6-10

Rooted in Christ

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 21:19:56 +0000

Scripture: Colossians 2:11-15

Identity and Image

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 17:30:44 +0000

Following Jesus will pull us out of the exhausting life of image management and into the freedom of meaningful identity found only in Him.

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-7

The Story of Suffering

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 22:31:25 +0000

Scripture: Colossians 1:24

Worship

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 17:49:13 +0000

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-8a

Justice

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 16:17:31 +0000

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8

Peace and Partiality

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 22:17:18 +0000

God does not show love based on color or class. Through Jesus He loves and saves people of every tribe and tongue. He shows no partiality.

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Dignity and Life

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 18:55:33 +0000

A Sermon from Citizens Church.

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7

Citizens

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 15:57:56 +0000

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Living a Life of Grace

Sun, 29 Dec 2019 20:53:35 +0000

A Sermon of Citizens Church

Speaker: John Hall

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-21

Advent: Humble Faith

Mon, 23 Dec 2019 18:34:42 +0000

Upon hearing she is pregnant with Jesus, Mary sings a song of praise that reveals a heart of humble faith. She knows she is not God, yet is seen by God, which manifests in her life as a humble trust in Him. Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Advent: Holy Discontentment

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 16:33:27 +0000

Guest speaker Adam Griffin, from Eastside Community Church, reminds us that God, and God alone, is always the what we need most.

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-20

Advent: Patient Hope

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 23:00:24 +0000

A Sermon of Citizens Church.

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Advent: The Coming of the Christ

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 18:14:28 +0000

A Sermon of Citizens Church.

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

Love. Abide. Remember. Worship

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:19:16 +0000

A sermon of Citizens Church.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-15

A Call to Follow

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 22:39:46 +0000

A sermon of Citizens Church.

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

The call to follow Jesus comes before anything changes, but following Jesus changes everything.

Grace in the Present

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 18:27:18 +0000

A sermon of Citizens Church.

In these verses, we see that because of Jesus we are not who we were, but through his continued grace in our lives, who we will one day become.

Scripture: Colossians 1:21-23

Peace and Power

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 19:17:17 +0000

A sermon of Citizens Church.

Scripture: Colossians 1:19-20

Who Do You Say He Is

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 02:14:18 +0000

A stand alone sermon from Citizens Church.

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-26

The Beginning

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 04:12:20 +0000

In his resurrection, Jesus is the beginning of the age to come. Hope is cultivated and anxiety combatted when we look to the resurrection with confidence, and resist the lies of the present age that we are responsible for our own justice and security.

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20

The Head of the Church

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 21:10:15 +0000

Scripture: Colossians 1:18-20

The Savior's Song

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 15:32:47 +0000

When we come to the table, to the gathering, truths are presented in songs which are meant to shape not just how we think, but how we love, and what we crave. Paul in these verses, wraps the truth of Jesus in a song that says “Worship Him".

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-17

The Will Of God

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 22:01:08 +0000

This week we see Paul describe what we know God wants the life of a believer to look like. A life of meaning, knowing God and becoming who He wants you to be will require endurance and patience.

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Life In Christ

Mon, 16 Sep 2019 18:28:04 +0000

The first week in our new series in the book of Colossians, we take a look at the history of the book and what it means to live a life in Christ wherever God has you. Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8

Commissioning Service

Mon, 09 Sep 2019 14:53:57 +0000

A Sermon of Citizens Church. Located in Plano, Texas.

Scripture: Psalm 126

A Holy God, A Transformed People

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 16:53:13 +0000

A Sermon of Citizens Church. Located in Plano Texas.

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Remembering Together

Sun, 25 Aug 2019 18:48:54 +0000

A Sermon from Citizens Church

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Life with Jesus

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 23:18:54 +0000

A Sermon from Citizens Church.

Scripture: John 21:9-19

The Turn

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 15:11:19 +0000

A Sermon from Citizens Church.

Scripture: John 20:1-29

The Wounded King and a Limping People

Sun, 04 Aug 2019 19:13:14 +0000

A Sermon from Citizens Church.

Text: John 19:17-30

The King and the Crowd

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 16:58:00 +0000

A Sermon from Citizens Church.

Scripture: John 18:28-19:16

The Parable of the Talents

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 14:02:59 +0000

A Sermon of Citizens Church.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

The Garden

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 13:55:00 +0000

A Sermon from Citizens Church.

Scripture: John 18:1-11

What's Important to Jesus

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:52:17 +0000

A sermon from Citizens Church.

Scripture: John 17

Union With Christ Pt. 2

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 16:29:44 +0000

A Sermon from Citizens Church.

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Union with Christ

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 16:21:05 +0000

A sermon from Citizens Church.

Scripture: John 15: 1-17

Our Confidence

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 16:08:07 +0000

A sermon of Citizens Church.

Scripture: John 14:15-31

Three Promises for Troubled Hearts

Tue, 28 May 2019 13:17:53 +0000

A Sermon from Citizens Church.

Descending and Cleansing

Mon, 20 May 2019 14:32:27 +0000

A sermon from Citizens Church.

Faithfulness in Motherhood

Mon, 13 May 2019 16:34:31 +0000

A sermon from Citizens Church.

The Cross and Glory

Mon, 06 May 2019 14:41:26 +0000

A sermon from Citizens Church.

Belief and Glory

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 13:53:01 +0000

A Sermon from Citizens Church.

Present Life, Future Hope

Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:52:34 +0000

Easter Sermon from Jamin Roller