City Central Church Podcast

This week, guest preacher Adam Narciso continued in our study of 1 Peter. Adam and his family were members of City Central’s church body until the Lord called them to ministry in Tennessee. Adam conveyed how Peter is speaking to Christians who are experiencing religious persecution. He focused on verses 19-21, emphasizing what Jesus did on the Saturday in between his burial and resurrection, and what baptism means for the believer.

This week Pastor Chris continued in 1 Peter, sharing with his wife Jena about how to stand firm in marriage. The Hippes shared the reality that every marriage can have a 100% success rate if each spouse will choose to live out what the Bible says. We must choose to honor one another and adorn ourselves with faith, fear of the Lord, Godly thoughts, and humility. The measure we live in fear of the Lord will directly affect the health of our marriage relationships.

This week Pastor Chris continued in our study through 1 Peter, urging us to know and understand what God’s word says about submission to authority. As God’s children, it is not our opinion or the world’s perspective that dictates our reality. We stand on the word of God and we live in fear of the Lord. We are in an hour of lawlessness, and it is more important than ever to know what our Biblical response ought to be. Pastor Chris answers how Christians should submit to leadership we don’t agree with and what role civil disobedience should play in our lives. We cannot follow blindly or respond in rebellion. There is a third option that mirrors Jesus and stands firmly on the Word of God.

This week, Pastor Chris brought a powerful word continuing in our 1 Peter study. We learned that in order to stand firm in the faith, we cannot stand alone. It is vital to our spiritual life to be in the word and in Christian community as we represent Christ amongst an unhealthy, broken world. Our relationship with God’s word matters just as much as our relationships with other people. Pastor Chris called on all those listening to come into community because God is not an individual God and we are not created to do life alone.

This week, Pastor Chris continued in our sermon series drawing from 1 Peter on what it means for Christians to stand firm in our faith. He shared how it is the inheritance of every believer in Jesus Christ to have clarity in the midst of chaos. The battle begins in our minds, and our choices matter greatly. Whether you are in a chaotic season now or can recall a season of chaos from your past, you can find refuge and clarity in Jesus and the truth of His Word.

This week, Pastor Chris began a new series drawing from 1 Peter on what it means for a Christian to stand firm. In many ways, the life of Peter is highly relatable for the average Christian. His life can be described as a parable of extremes, be it of great fear or great faith. Though he denied Jesus three times, Peter knew grace, stood firm, and endured to the end in close relationship with the Lord. He writes his first letter to encourage Christians who are experiencing great persecution in Rome. Peter shares the importance of being rooted and grounded while living in a world that is hostile to the gospel. There is triumph and trial in every season with the Lord, and Peter’s key to making it through difficulty is joy.

This week, Pastor Chris preached about God’s immeasurable generosity toward us. Once we recognize that all we’ve been given is a generous gift, we will learn the joy of generously giving away. Through Christ, we have been given everything we need in order to be generous. The world is looking for Christians to be a light amongst a dark, withholding, needy world. Choosing to hold loose to the financial gifts God has given us and extend them into the God’s Kingdom is our calling as Christ-followers.

This week, Pastor Chris shared a practical, Biblical word on financial stewardship. He expressed the reality that our bank accounts will reflect our hearts, priorities and motives. Jesus spoke about money and there are real, spiritual implications for how we steward what we have been given. If we’re lacking victory in the area of stewardship, we will walk around in bondage wondering where our freedom is. Where you spend your money will show you who is on the throne of your life. 

In our third service, Pastor Larry Jones from New Salem Baptist brought a word about taking up the shield of faith in our personal walk with Jesus. To begin, Pastor Larry shared how a spoon placed into a glass of water will appear bent and distorted, although we know it is not. Oftentimes, things in our world that are crooked appear to be straight. We want to be a people who know truth and, like a soldier or a baseball player with a weapon or a glove, intentionally pick up the shield of faith daily.

In our first two services, Pastor Chris shared how meeting for fellowship in homes is both Biblical and vital for the life a believer. When discussing Life Groups with group leaders, we learned that their focus is asking and answering questions about Sunday’s sermon, sharing a meal, building intentional friendships, and praying together. A Sunday morning does not always provide enough time to develop relationships, and Life Groups offer a space to authentically go deeper, share our lives, and build community. Some leaders shared how their fellow group members are the ones they’ve reached out to in times of crisis. Pastor Chris expressed the importance of having your tribe before trouble comes.

This week, Jena Hippe brought a word on what it means to make prayer a lifestyle. She expressed how through her own walk, God has shown the reality of Romans 8:28: “and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Jena shared a testimony from this week where she received an answer to something she’s prayed for 11 years. For those who call themselves lovers of Jesus, prayer is vital for remaining connected to the vine.

This week, Pastor Chris shared about the power of prayer. He expressed the reality that prayer shifts and changes things in cities, in nations, and in culture. It is one of God’s primary means God uses to release His power on Earth. When we learn to have a lifestyle of prayer, we will be strengthened. Prayer demonstrates that we are dependent on God and humbles our hearts. Are you in need of some strengthening this week? If we choose to call out to Him in confidence from within the secret place, we will find strength.

This week, Pastor Chris shared his heart for our 2021 Renewal Fast and expressed what God’s word says about fasting. Fasting is a choice to lay something aside in order to seek God’s face and His will. It is an invitation to walk with God and fully rely on Him. Fasting helps us tune into God’s will for our lives and find sharpening and clarity for areas of breakthrough. Pastor Chris shared how the rewards of fasting far outweigh the momentary, trivial discomfort of it.

This week, City Central’s youth pastor Stephanie shared her heart for the next generation as we transition into a new year. Reaching the generation is one of City Central’s shared values, and our Legacy Youth ministry has seen immense growth in reaching students from across the Seattle/Tacoma area. Stephanie shared the reality that we as believers are called to give our lives away. Each of us are qualified and called by God to serve and give our lives away. By paying it forward with our God-given gifts, money, and talents, we are blessed to see the Kingdom expanded on Earth.

This week, Pastor Chris expressed ten points that he appreciates about Jesus and His nature this Christmas season. The birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus all speak to the nature of God the Father. Since Jesus is fully God and fully man, we need to look at His character in order to know who our God is. Luke 1:26-38 shows the angel Gabriel appearing before Mary, explaining just who her child would be. 2020 has been a difficult year for many, but the joyous news of Christ’s birth reminds us that God is with us – He came as a baby because He longed to be that close. As we wrap this year up, we all could use reminding of who Immanuel is.

Chris Hippe

Pastor Chris struck a nerve this week as we all saw ourselves in the comfy King more than the sacrificial Servant. In this fourth message on the Unshakeable Kingdom, from the book of Daniel, Chris helps us see the discipline of the Lord that was working in Nebuchadnezzar. God had to take this man, mighty in his own eyes, surrounded by excess, and teach him to learn what is of true value. 

In this third message from the Book of Daniel, Pastor Chris unpacks the elements of loyalty practiced daily by the four devout young men from Judah. Daniel’s faithful companions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced a fiery test of loyalty, when challenged to choose King over God. Yet, their daily devotion and spiritual discipline helped them stand firm. Instead of a ‘crisis of faith’ these godly men demonstrated a ‘conviction of faith’ in their moment of trial. Through them, God changed the King’s heart toward God and His people.

"Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God]." Proverbs 29:18 (AMP)

Pastor Chris began this message on vision with a plant in a pot. He said this type (Daphne) needs room to grow, to be planted in a place where its roots grow deep, its branches spread wide and it grows healthy and strong. If left in the pot, it will be stunted and die.

Dennis Gibson

Pastor Chris starts this 2-part message with a question for us in an exploring our attitudes about people different from us: “Where are your eyes?” Where our eyes go will set the trajectory of our life. Peter, the disciple, did something no other human has ever done, he walked on water – then he took his eyes off of Jesus and began sinking.

What are the three options? Society usually presses us to choose one of two sides. “Are you for or against  ?” But, God offers another option: Look to Jesus.

Pastor Chris delivers a commanding conclusion to this series Knowing Jesus in Trying Times: a Walkthrough the Book of 1 John. He explains that this was the Apostle John’s goodbye message to the believers reading this letter. He shares that often a person’s final words stress what is most important. Addressing the biblical concept of idols, Chris deepens our perspective on modern idolatry. 

This week, Pastor Chris shared how Christians living in this world are to have an expectation of difficulty and tribulation. John exhorts us to take heart in the midst of it, since we are designed as God’s children to thrive during trials and tribulations. Jesus has made a way for you and I to have peace. He has made a way for us to have peace that dissolves fear and secures us in times of trouble. John 16:33 tells us to take heart. Other translations say to “be of good cheer” and “act of courage in the face of danger”. We are called to live from a position of victory, not for victory. We don’t have to fight for victory, it is already ours In Jesus.

One of our own members, Damion Walker, brings a message from 1 John chapter 4 on what is true love as expressed by God in His character and word. He brings clarity to the need for believers to be salt and light in this world.

Pastor Chris offers a pastoral message for those who are feeling weary and heavy in this hour. He emphasized the importance of reminding ourselves that we are not condemned. Sometimes Christians can live as if they are failures, condemned by their own negative thoughts. Pastor Chris offers three thoughts to remind us of our identity in Christ in order to combat self-condemnation and weariness. The reality is that what we set our hearts on will control us. We must set our hearts on who God is and allow Him to tell us who we are.

Pastor Chris expressed the importance of relationships in our daily walk as Christians. They can be complicated, confusing and difficult to navigate at times. Relationships imprint your life for good or evil, and how we treat each other affects our lives. In reality, you will know what a person believes by how they treat people. Pastor Chris described the difference between natural and supernatural love, and the importance of abiding in Christ in order to supernaturally love others as Christ loves us.

DeQuin Evans & Chris Hippe

Pastor Chris gives us insight into how racial reconciliation will always be fully accomplished in Christ alone. It will always be opposed by the enemy of our souls who sows division as a tactic to build walls of hostility. He reminds us that scripture addresses this human conflict with one remedy: to become and act as children of God. In the power of Jesus we are made new. We are reconciled to Him and to each other. 

Pastor Chris addresses our present societal division and dismay with a message on compassion and action. The Apostle John was eager to remind us all of the kind of love that comes from God. He uses this faith fact as a springboard to challenge us to practice righteousness – not for ourselves, but for others. Loving our brother is essential to knowing God’s love. 

Chris orients us to this life theme: what is Jesus’ kind of love? In Luke 10, His response to a lawyer seeking to know how to inherit eternal life includes the command to “love your neighbor as yourself.” We can only truly know the love of God by following the way of God, loving our neighbor. In another teaching, Jesus share the parable of the Good Samaritan. Chris explains that we must act in love, not only in our hearts, but with our hands, money, and time. 

Pastor Chris guides us this week in understanding what is fake Christianity and what is real. The Apostle John, who was a New Testament prophet, like the prophets of old, warns us that we are in the ‘last hour’ of the Kingdom of God – the time between Jesus’ ascension and his coming return. During this ‘hour’, many proclaim to be Christians, but they intend to deceive. These are the ‘antichrists’ he writes about (different from ‘The Antichrist’ or ‘false prophet’ in the book of Revelation). They are influencers who follow a ‘counterfeit christ.’

Chris starts with a story about a famous boxer called Kid McCoy from the 1890s who had to differentiate himself from impostors and impersonators. Norman Selby (though not a role-model) became known as ‘The Real McCoy.’ He was different from the imitations.

We continue our journey through 1 John, a love letter to the church from the elderly apostle John who addresses us as ‘Beloved’ just as he heard Jesus address him. In this love, he firmly writes of a new emphasis on an old commandment: to love one another. 

Pastor Chris helps us discover how our lifestyle reflects either our love for the Lord or for the world. He unpacks the metaphors John uses to demonstrate how a believer grows in spiritual maturity. When we choose to live the authentic Christian Lifestyle, we think, speak, and act in ways that show others how to make each day count now and for eternity. 

In this third message on our walk through 1 John, Pastor Chris shared how God’s justice system works for our benefit. Here in chapter two, the beloved disciple of Jesus writes of how Christ is our Advocate.

Jena & Chris Hippe

Pastor Chris shares this second in a new series of messages from the book of 1 John. It centers on the fact that the darkness of sin is in us, but we can be cleansed from it when we walk in the Light of God. Finding Light in Dark Times helps us understand the darkness waging war within us, and the power God gives us through His Son to dispel the night with His glorious light.

Pastor Chris leads in the first of a new series of messages from the book of 1 John. It’s a message that centers on how we can grow in meaningful relationship with Jesus. Knowing Jesus in Trying Times moves us from knowing about Jesus, or knowing of Him, to knowing Him – as we might know a friend, or brother, or sister, or parent, or even our spouse.

Chris Hippe

Chris Hippe

Contagious Joy – Joy in Humility

A Walk through the Book of Philippians (week 5)

Sermon Summary

Philippians 2:1–4 (ESV)

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

As we move into chapter two of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippian Church, Pastor Chris highlights an essential message for Jesus’ disciples to live-out: a lifestyle of Humility. The paradox is that greatness comes through genuine humility. Our culture makes “tooting your own horn” an acceptable activity. Acommon practice of secular society is to promote pride, to engage in self-promotion, the fruit of selfish-ambition. Pride was the first sin, committed by God’s first created being – Lucifer,the ‘Day Star. Son of the Morning.’

“13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high….14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.15But, you are brought down to Sheol (place of the dead)…’”Isaiah 14:13-15 (ESV)

In contrast, humble people who follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus inherently find joy in serving others. Humility bears the fruit of assurance, dependence (on God), authenticity, and thankfulness.

“2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2 (ESV)

“6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God…gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (ESV)

Humility vs. Pride:

Four Actions of Humility

To the Apostle Paul, humility was the essence of unity in the church. He worked hard to demonstrate by his own example that a life of humility was challenging but rewarding.

“5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5–7 (ESV)

Paul knew the disciples had witnessed Jesus in the flesh showing them what a humble lifestyle looks like. His effort was to be as much like Christ as he’d heard about.

“12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.’” John 13:12–15 (ESV)

Ultimately, Pastor Chris encouraged us, humility transformed Jesus so that God might exalt Him. His name became powerful and brought glory to God the Father. Jesus exaltation was fourfold: resurrection, coronation, intercession, ascension.

“9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-10

3 Thoughts on Pride

Proverbs 6:16–17 (ESV)

16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Proverbs 8:13 (ESV)

13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 16:5 (ESV)

5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

James 4:6 (ESV)

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5 (ESV)

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

3 Key Actions to Cultivate Humility

Discussion Questions

How do Christians today struggle with the same issues; how are they evident in the church?

Application Questions

Contagious Joy – Finding Life in Death

A Walk through the Book of Philippians (week 4)

Sermon Summary

Philippians 1:18–21 (ESV)

Yes, and I will rejoice,¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, ²⁰ as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 

This week, Pastor Chris challenged us to adopt an eternal perspective on life. He unpacked how the Apostle Paul lived with joy by understanding how to live in Christ for now and eternity. First, we must believe that Jesus brought us life through His death (Hebrews 12:2). Then, we can know that death was defeated and holds nothing over us. Released from the fear of death, allows us to live a life of abundance! 

1 Corinthians 15:26 (ESV)

²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

It was never God’s design for us to physically die. But, because sin entered into the Garden of Eden, we all succumb to death. However, God has given us a way to live life fully, by conquering death (granting his children eternal life) and learning to die to ourselves daily so that His power is working through us.

Genesis 2:16–17 (ESV)

¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, ¹⁷ but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Four Thoughts about Life

1. Life is _____________________ (fil-in the blank)
2. Life comes through death
3. Gain through an eternal perspective

To the Apostle Paul, Life is      Christ    .  This life is exceeding, abundant, exciting, glorious, adventurous, and so much more (John 10:10). We are not to be spectators in life. Paul’s personal disciple Timothy heard his tutor say, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12 (ESV)

In the end, death comes. Yet, the promise to us as Christ’s disciples is that life is found in death. We are encouraged to live a lifestyle of dying daily to ourselves. A pastor in a struggling church placed a coffin at the altar for Sunday services. He announced to the congregation, “Today we have suffered a loss in this church, come forward and pay your respects.” As the congregants filed past, each looked into the coffin and saw their own image reflected in a mirror facing them. At the end, the Pastor announced, “Church we must die afresh, to serve Christ with our whole heart. Today, our body is declaring that we will die to our self – self-interest, selfish ambition, and selfish wants.”

“²⁴ Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ²⁵ Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12:24–25 (ESV)

• Dying to self is both a one-time event and a lifelong process (1 Corinthians 15:31, Mark 8:34–35, Galatians 5:24) 
• Being “lukewarm” is a symptom of unwillingness to die to self and live for Christ (Revelation 3:15–16)
• Paul lived in the powerful reality of the eternal (Galatians 2:20)
• If we live as the world lives by seeking to find fulfillment now, then how are we different than those who do not know Christ (Hebrews 11:10)?
• We are being prepared for eternity now (John 7:37–39, Romans 8:11). 

“¹⁶ So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸ as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (ESV)

Discussion Questions

1. Do we need more of God? Or, does He want more of us?
2. Imagine you are in-charge of creating a bumper sticker with the phrase, “Life is _________” What word(s) would you use to fill-in the blank?
3. How do you suppose most people think about the certainty of death?
4. What do you think it takes to change our thinking from living for investments, or retirement, or vacation, or better lifestyle to living daily for Christ?

Application Questions

1. Read Philippians chapter 1 again and ask God to show you how you can live life with joy.
2. Challenge yourself to identify one or two ways that you can ‘daily die to self’ and try it this week. Share with a friend or your life group any revelations you experience!

Contagious Joy – Having Joy in Suffering

A Walk through the Book of Philippians (week 3)

Sermon Summary

Philippians 1:12–14 (ESV)

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

In our third week exploring biblical joy, Pastor Chrisdelves into suffering. He explains that the key to enduring it is understanding how we find godly purpose in suffering.

“What is the purpose of suffering?” Chris points to the Apostle Paul’s admission that he has endured great suffering:

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel…” Philippians 1:12 (ESV)

So, what happened to Paul?

“24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; ….in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” 2 Corinthians 11:23–28 (ESV)

This passage describes what Paul suffered. Pastor Chris showed us that the bible teaches about Four Sources of Suffering: 1) Self-inflicted, 2) Others’ sin, 3) Spiritual oppression, 4) Common brokenness. Knowing the source of suffering is important as far as it allows us to discover the purpose of our suffering and how we react.

What was Paul’s reaction to the suffering he experienced?

“7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (ESV)

Paul passed the test. He found contentment in the midst of suffering. It's been often said, “There’s no testimony, without a ‘test.’” Here’s a truth about God testing His children: God tests—to prove and increase our faith.  Conversely, Satan tempts—trying to undermine our faith.

Four Truths of God’s Tests in Suffering

God is not grumpy when allowing trials. He is full of Love, demonstrating His care by giving us a positive test that proves the authenticity of our faith. With this in mind, the Apostle Peter exhorts us to grow strong in our faith:

Four Keys to Live in Suffering – 1 Peter 5:6-14

Joseph’s life, from Genesis 39-47, is an eye-opening example of great suffering that displayed God’s grand purpose.

Why Did God Allow Bad Things to Happen to Joseph?

In the end, God’s overall purpose in the suffering of His saints is the advancement of the Gospel. Being an example of the Good News of Jesus’ saving power reveals the sincerity of our faith.

Discussion Questions

What does that joy look like when properly lived out?

Application Questions

Contagious Joy – A Walk through the Book of Philippians(week 2)

Sermon Summary

Philippians 1:2–6 (ESV)

”2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Chris shares the true, and lasting, antidote to loneliness. First, he shared some statistics which demonstrate that loneliness is as destructive as the spread of an epidemic. Suicide is the ultimate expression of loneliness and is the second leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year olds. Those who don’t take their life suddenly may destroy it slowly through drugs, drinking,crime, etc. Loneliness entered the world through sin and leaves a wake of devastation.

Today, we try to find fulfillment through digital connections. Chris called out the mirage of social media. Technology is seductive when what it offers meets our human vulnerabilities. We want friends but are fearful of intimacy. These virtualconnections (“likes” and “views”) offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship. No matter how many friends I have by affinity (we like the same stuff) or proximity (we frequent the same places) they don’t have the enduring quality of true friendship.

Thankfully, the Apostle Paul writes the answer to loneliness here in Philippians. In verse five he thanks God for our Gospel partnership. Expressed simply, gospel partnership is: Grace +Peace = Joy

Grace (unmerited favor freely given to us) + Peace (the result of grace received in fullness) = Joy (pure gratefulness that no matter what we have grace and peace). This is also known as The Great Exchange.

“That is the mystery which is rich in divine grace to sinners: wherein by a wonderful exchange, our sins are no longer ours but Christ’s and the righteousness of Christ, not Christ’s but ours. He has emptied Himself of His righteousness that He might clothe us with it, and fill us with it. And He has taken our evils upon Himself that He might deliver us from them… in the same manner as He grieved and suffered in our sins, and was confounded, in the same manner, we rejoice and glory in His righteousness.”

–Martin Luther, Werke (Weimar, 1883), 5: 608. The Great Exchange.

Jesus becomes the center of the relationship because we have received His grace to be saved. With this assurance, we are confident that we have been granted grace and provided peace.What follows is joy, which brings contentment. Make Jesus the Lord of your relationships – parents, children, spouses, bosses, etc. and strife will cease, joy will follow.

Joyful people are sincere people. Joy is a lifestyle that includes all of the ups-and-downs of life – loss, grief, joy, difficulty, goodness, disappointment, celebration. Christians are designed to persevere in this lifestyle. A Christian who makes Jesus the center of their life is like a tree that produces fruit, the fruit of the Spirit.

“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.”Galatians 5:22-23

Three Ways to Understand Joy

Four Realities of Loneliness

Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV)

1 …let us also lay aside…sin and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking to Jesus, the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, 3…who endured from sinners such hostility,… that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Discussion Questions

Contagious Joy – A Walk through the Book of Philippians

Sermon Summary

Philippians 1:1–2 (ESV)

¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Chris opened this new series on the book of Philippians with the theme of Contagious Joy. Central to the message is understanding what pure joy is, where it comes from, and how we can live in it daily. By way of contrast, Chris alerted us to the constant tug of our society, which seeks to replace joy with happiness. He shared a revealing quote from an investment banker:

“We must shift America from a needs to a desires culture…People must be trained to desire, to want new things, even before the old have been entirely consumed. We must shape a new mentality. Men’s desires must overshadow their needs.” – Paul Mazur of Lehman Brothers 

This mentality of materialism has been part of the human condition since the fall, as revealed in scripture:

⁶ Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. Psalm 39:6 (NIV)

Chris shows us that the antidote to this ‘pull to consume’ is understanding which master we serve. In the book of Philippians, we are reading a letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in that city. He and Silas have been on a missionary journey, the full story of this is found in Acts 16. They are preaching the gospel and doing miracles – one of those lands them in prison. Here’s where it gets interesting! While they are locked up, both men sing songs to God, rejoicing in their suffering for Christ. Despite their circumstances, they exhibit true joy. As a result, God uses and earthquake to open all of the cell doors and on their way out they prayed with the jailer, who invited them to his home where the men of God baptized his whole household and they were saved. They found true joy in serving, humility, and blessing others!

Three Elements of Attaining True Joy 

1. True joy is found “in Christ Jesus” – serve as Jesus served (Matthew 20:28)
2. If you are in Christ, you are a Saint – made holy by His death and resurrection, devoted to God, serving Him only (Romans 1:7, 1 Cor. 1:2, 1 John 5:4-5)
3. If you are in Christ, you are called to Serve – Bondservant: a willing slave who is happily and loyally linked to his master whom he loves and respects (Romans 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Jude 1)

The absolute truth is that everyone is a slave to something! To be a Christian is to be a slave to Jesus Christ. For those not surrendered to Jesus, they are a slave to sin and the world.

1. Slavery to Sin – Titus 3:3
2. Slavery to the World – desires of the flesh, the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17, James 4:4)
3. Slavery to Jesus - He’s in charge, we do what He says, we listen to Him, we follow, and we obey 

Consider, and evaluate your own life, and ask God, “What am I a slave to?” and “Is it a better Master than Jesus?” You will discover that the world and sin did/can not save you, care for you, intercede for you, die and rise for you, or love you.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you suppose prompted Paul and Silas to sing and rejoice after being falsely accused, beaten, and wrongly thrown in prison?
2. What did you learn about the “great lie of our time” from the background on consumerism?
3. How do you determine which master you serve? What are the signs?
4. What does the master called Sin say to its slaves?

What does the master called the World say?

What does Jesus say to His bondservants?

Application Questions

1. Who is your master?
2. What might make you a slave to sin? What will you do to replace it with Jesus?
3. What might make you a slave to the world? What will you do to replace it with Jesus?
4. Ask God to help you find true, pure joy – this is His plan for you!

History of City Central – Our Story, God’s Story

Sermon Summary

Psalm 77:11 (ESV)

¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

As we break our Awaken Fast today, Pastor Chris led us in a 20-year anniversary week celebration of the wonders of God’s work in our midst! He recounted with joy the history of our shared foundation from unassuming places like Spanaway and PLU. One fact is certain in this journey and continues: We are the people of God designed to share the good news of God to our neighbors and the nations! 

Our church history and mission can be summed up in a single gospel passage. Luke, one of the twelve disciples, gives the account of Jesus opening the Old Testament scroll on the Sabbath and reading the words of Isaiah, then to the surprise of his hearers declaring that he was the fulfillment of this scripture:

Luke 4:18–19 (ESV)

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, ¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

A Chronological Look at the Story of City Central Church

• 1998…Clover Creek Bible Fellowship in Spanaway, Pastors Mike and Cindy Riches

…Simultaneously a stirring of the Holy Spirit in the student body of Pacific Lutheran University (PLU); Students were coming to the end of themselves surrendering to Jesus; their obedience culminated in the genesis of New Song Church, the young adult Saturday night service started by Brian and Christy Brennt (now on staff at YWAM)

• 1999…Renewal Week in November a time of deep repentance overcame the leadership and the body; people wrote out unconfessed Sins then came forward to nail them to an altar cross. Sins like adultery, murder, etc. The elders were cut to the heart.
• 2000…Super Bowl Sunday became Spiritual Warfare Sunday, following thirty days of prayer and fasting, God opened our eyes to the reality of the battle in the spiritual realm as it manifest in a man who was tormented by demonic forces; we had bible knowledge but no deliverance prayer experience to pray him into freedom

…We started to learn the road of abundant life: our authority in Christ, realities of spiritual warfare, hearing from the Lord in a Biblical way, Gods Original Design for people, the nature of strongholds (like fear, unbelief, control), and healing of injustices (rejection, betrayal, abuse, neglect, curses) 

…We lived in expectation. Expecting to hear God speak and reveal something new. People started to pour in from all around the world. They came to get restored and made whole. 

• 2000…February 16^th a prophetic word (new to us!) was received declaring Tacoma the center of a spiritual blaze that would spread; this became known as the Pacific Rim Movement (PRM), here are some excerpts:

We started preparing for a visitation…and have not stopped. 

• 2001…Summer of Revival with Pastor Gerry Fry
• …October 28^th Bill S. is healed of Lou Gehrig’s disease…he confessed his healing to the church in all three Sunday services….confirmed Tuesday, Oct. 31^st by doctor
• 2002…Flatbed Evangelistic Events (events around the south sound worship and teaching from a large, flatbed trailer)
• 2004…Original City Central Word: The Lord shows a building in the center of Tacoma. He calls it “City Central”…The building is completely on fire. It is raging and burning with fire. Speaking to reaching the next generation, being an equipping center that has a revolving door, reaching the lost. We knew we needed to be in the city. 
• 2005…“New Song-City Central”, Moved Downtown to First Congregational Church in May and City Central became its own church
• 2007…Moved to Urban Grace space in summer
• 2009…“City Central Mission Base,” moved into Tacoma Convention Center in fall
• 2010…Pastors Brian and Christy Brennt transition to Kona, Hawaii
• 2010-2011…Move to a Tacoma middle-school to start the replanting process; asked ourselves, “Are we a church or missions base?” Season of 2-3 years of formation. (Sunday night services)
• 2012…Moved into our current building, began renting in August (one Sunday morning service); vision and mission set: Adore God, Become like Jesus, and Contend for the Kingdom; Reach the lost, Restore the broken, and Equip the People of God
• 2015…Pastors Chris and Jena Hippe now lead “City Central Church;” Beautiful growth, by fall we start a second service at 9 a.m.
• 2015-2018…behind the scenes work formalizing equipping pathways, personnel, structure (foundation, framing)
• 2019… time to grow, take territory, purchase buildings to accommodate Saturday night services, more ministry space, permanent signage, media equipment, limitless outreach to young people

This rich history is marked by major spiritual growth in the lives and relationships of the people of our church:

Our Markers

• Creation of Love and Unity Within Body
• Increased Communion and Fellowship of My People with Me and Me with My People
• Coming Together of the Body; Inter-church Relationships and Ministry
• True Repentance Followed by Righteousness
• A Breaking Down of Denominational Walls

Our Tactics

1. Church Services – solid, scriptural church marked by evangelism and freedom ministry
2. A Church of Hundreds of Strong Leaders – could be sent globally, but called locally to rejuvenate the city
3. Ministry of Personal Restoration – freedom ministry, restoring sight to the blind
4. Discipleship – training others to train in evangelism and freedom
5. Prophetic Ministry/Prayer Teams – hearing God’s voice for others’ edification
6. Power of Worship – healing, deliverance, humility, courage, selfless
7. Restoration of Children – fathers to children, children to fathers
8. Fearless Teaching – fully biblical, tested
9. Issue of Authority – fruitful ministry under spiritual covering only for God’s glory
10. Servants who Hear and Obey – obedience is better than sacrifice
11. Evangelism – an agent of change for the Kingdom
12. Deliverance Ministry – battling the forces of darkness, freeing the oppressed

Can you see it? You are invited to join in ownership of this mighty story! We are 41% of the way to our goal of $1.5 M to fund the purchase of the two buildings. We love all of you who have responded in faith to commit to the vision God has for us. For all of us, it is time to “Own it” – to make City Central your church, knowing that God does the planting and growing. It will take all of us.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you suppose a person brand new to City Central might think after reading, or hearing, the origins and journey of this body of believers?
2. How do you know when you’ve found a church home?

What moves you from spectator to participant in your home church?

3. How does hearing the history of City Central inspire you to make a commitment to the future here?
4. What aspects of the vision for reaching our neighbors and the nations do you connect with most?

Application Questions

1. What is God asking you to do to take ‘ownership’ in the future of City Central?
2. How might you step out in faith to see the vision realized of a place to call our own – a base of operations to reach the city for Christ?

Awaken Fast – Finishing Strong

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

On this annual remembrance day in support of the pro-life movement, a volunteer for CareNet, and member of City Central, Natalie shared with us how God sanctifies every stage of life. This overtly Christian Ministry desires to see women in crisis pregnancy circumstances get completely free help with health testing and one-on-one counseling. Once a woman decides to have her baby, she gets access to parenting classes and practical assistance by way of the Baby Boutique where she can get diapers, high chairs, car seats, formula, etc. Additionally, Healing Tides is a holistic ministry of CareNet providing peer support for women who’ve already had an abortion and are seeking healing. Learn more about this commemorative day and the ministry of CareNet at https://carenetps.org/sohls/

Sermon Summary

Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)

Pastor Chris was away teaching a cadre of doctors about the freedom principles God has revealed and put into practice through City Central. We heard a positive and powerful exhortation from Pastor Dennis Gibson. Dennis shared how we can enter this third week of the Awaken Fast with a plan to finish strong – a principle we can extend to our whole life as Christians.

How can we finish strong in life? Usually we ask, “Where do I begin?” The best starting point is to ask God what He is expecting you to do. Begin with remembering what Christ has done for you on the cross. With that sober reminder, we can orient our time and prayers to press-in through life’s joys and difficulties. Here is the summary testimony of how God has worked in my life. Saved at 27 yrs. old. Grew up in the church, but hated it, so at age 12 I poured myself into the family business. Married at 20 to my high school sweetheart. Our first 7 years of marriage were turbulent. After we had our first daughter, one day before I went to work I looked over at my 2 year-old daughter and heard a voice ask, “do you want her to grow up like you?” It was nearly audible, so answered, “No, I’m miserable inside.” The voice asked, “What are you going to do about it?” Before I left for work, I asked Deb if she had thrown away the bible her sister gave us (I’d told her to get rid of it); she hadn’t. I read the bible cover to cover over the next year. This was key, getting the revelation from God’s word. I focused on reading Matthew to the end. In that reading God challenged me with Romans 12:1-2, “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice …this is your spiritual service of worship.” Right then, I offered my life to the Lord. But, I said, “I have a concern. What about the hypocrites? How do I avoid being like them?” God replied, “You’ll have to give an account of your life to me. (Romans 14:12)” I asked, “How can I know you’ll keep me?” He turned me to focus on verse 2, “No longer be conformed to the pattern of this world.” I said, “OK. If you can change my life and keep me, I’ll give my life to you completely.” I committed to go to church the next day, by myself, since the family was sick. I waited at the end, but there was no altar call. Undeterred, I talked with the pastor and I discovered that I must be committed to the truth to finish strong. 

¹⁴ May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which^[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Gal. 6:14 (NIV)

Five Ways to Finish Strong 

1. Revelation of God’s Word – revelation leads to transformation (Joshua 1:8 – meditate on the book of the law day and night)
2. Commit to the Truth – live your life by God’s word everyday (Matthew 22:37 - “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”)
3. Don’t give up – understand spiritual warfare, Don’t let the enemy point out your sin (instead, trust the Holy Spirit to convict) – the enemy opposes the work of God (Matthew 11:12
4. Press-in to Jesus every day – desire to know Christ more, (Philippians 10:16), experience the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:14 – “I press on toward the goal…”
5. God has made you for His purposes – when we fail know that He is merciful

"¹³For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made...." Psalms 139:13--14

²³Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. ²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me” Psalms 139:23-24

Search me Lord, see if there be any offensive way in me – pray this every day, God will reveal some to you today and some sin from weeks before. He restores us gently. He needs us to be open to hear the truth and change when he reveals it. His grace is sufficient. Repent and God is faithful to forgive. His lovingkindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4 – “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance…”

Discussion Questions

1. What does it look like to others for a person to be double-minded? 
2. When you see other believers press-in to Jesus, what stands out in their behavior, speech, and attitude?
3. According to Pastor Dennis’ testimony and teaching why is it important to finish strong in in our Christian walk?
4. How is it different in your mind if you “allow the enemy to point out your sin” instead of the gentle conviction of the Holy Spirit?

Application Questions

1. This week, what are some ways that you will ‘press-in’ to Jesus?
2. Will you commit to finish strong in this Awaken Fast?

Awaken Fast (part 2)

Sermon Summary

Matthew 6:1–4 (ESV)

¹ “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. ² “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Pastor Chris acknowledged that we can struggle with following the disciplines of the Lord because we develop a closed heart. It’s natural for us to make fasting, or tithing, or prayer simply an obligation – this is legalism and it comes from an unopened heart – like a flower bud not yet in bloom. Jesus taught us how to live meaningful, thriving lives, open hearted, when he gave the Sermon on the Mount and shared the Beatitudes.

Beatitudes are the expectations of life. Jesus shows us how to live our faith in an open, generous way. As you read, not the word “when” appears before each action. “When” is the expected behavior.  Graciously, God has built in a reward for each activity we are expected to do. These treasures are the way we account for, and add incentive to, our daily living. Follow these keys to an open heart and your life with flourish while the treasure you seek is promised from God:

Four Keys of an Open Heart 

1. Generously Give – it is impossible to out-give God, try it

2. Shut-the-door Prayer Life – God built you for one-on-one relationship with Him, make the space

3. Fast - fasting unlocks your heart to the deeper things of God

Our prayers together, as a church body, for this Awaken Fast are:

• Personal renewal and sensitivity on our hearts to receive more of God
• Revival in the Church of America
• Renewed heart to reach the 253 with the love and truth of Jesus
• Salvation for our family, friends, co-workers, and community to have saving relationship with Jesus

4. Invest – store up treasures for eternity

Illustration of the dot and the line. Our life represents a dot, eternity represents an unending line – live on the line, not just the dot. Treasures that we store (invest) now in eternity are the rewards of an open heart and generous hand.

Having an open heart demonstrates that we want to make our life count. Like the Beatitudes, God expects us to spend the time and money He gives us in the ways He shows us. Here are some keys to living life His way:

The 6 Treasure Principle keys:

1. God owns everything; I’m His money manager.

2. My heart always goes where I put God’s money.

3. Heaven–the New Earth, not the present one–is my home.

4. I should live today not for the dot, but for the line.

5. Giving is the only antidote to Materialism.

6. God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.

(The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn)

Discussion Questions

1. How do you see other Christians living life with expectation? What are some ways that they show their focus on God’s priorities?
2. What do you think is the best way to live with eternity in mind? How does this living change how you might use your time and money?
3. How is fasting going? What have you changed in your lifestyle to meet the meal and prayer expectations of the Awaken Fast? What are some sudden realizations you’ve had?

Application Questions

1. Is God first in my life?
2. Do I love what God loves?
3. How will I live this week with an open heart?

Awaken Fast

Sermon Summary

Luke 5:33–35 (ESV)

³³ And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” ³⁴ And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? ³⁵ The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”

Pastor Chris prepared us for the annual, all-church fast which runs Jan. 6^th through the 26^th. Since fasting and prayer go hand in hand, he invited Delaney McCall, Prayer Coordinator, to help us focus on the ways to pray as we fast.

First, Chris reminded us of the biblical importance of fasting and prayer:

Ten Thoughts on Fasting

1. Fasting is a voluntary absence from food for the purpose of dedicating yourself to prayer.
2. Fasting changes us, not God.
3. Fasting is an invitation and grace. 
   1. When facing impossible circumstances (Nehemiah 1:4).
   2. To change the destiny of a people, a city, a nation (Nehemiah 9:1).
   3. To hear from God fresh and new and to seek His direction (Ezra 8:21).
   4. To receive God’s aid in battle and to defeat the enemy (2 Chronicles 20:3).
   5. To get hold of God to receive specific answer to prayer (Acts 10:30).
   6. To seek the mind of God (Acts 13:2). 
   7. To prepare for ministering in the power and grace of God (Matthew 4:2).
   8. To obtain a greater degree of God’s authority and power (Matthew 17:21).
   9. To afflict the soul, dig down, pull out anything in our mind, will, and emotion that would hinder the life and power of God fully expressed in our lives (Leviticus 16:29, Psalms 35:13, Proverbs 20:27, Hebrews 4:12).
   10. To break the strongholds of the physical appetites.
4. Purposes in Fasting: 
   1. Fasting deepens humility and dependence on God. 
   2. It can deepen the hunger for God to work in our lives and ministries. 
   3. Fasting intensifies prayer concentration. 
   4. Solidifies determination. 
   5. Feeds your faith.
   6. Sensitizes and opens you up more to the Holy Spirit’s working in your life. 
   7. Fires earnestness and zeal - honest sincerity in your walk with God.
   8. What do you need to fast about? 
   9. Heightened awareness of God. Start to hear God more clearly. 
   10. Gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.
5. Benefits of fasting and prayer:
6. Why should you fast?

Need a breakthrough? Restored relationship? Clear direction? 

7. Fasting is a short season that brings long-term results. 

Expectation of God’s direction, answers to prayer.

8. Fasting is a time of spirit-led self-examination.
9. Fasting Expectations: options to choose a liquid only fast, or the Daniel fast (no meats, sweets, treats), or the Benedict fast (give up one meal per day). God meant for us to fast from food. If you elect to also fast from other activities (social media, entertainment, etc.) that’s really abstaining. 
10. If you are not praying, you are not fasting. 

Delaney then shared these thoughts on praying as we fast:

Two-fold process: 1) fasting is laying down, 2) prayer is picking up

Joel 2:12-13 “…return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love….”

If you consider prayer boring, consider what the Lord does through the prayers of his people.

1. Prayer is first ministry to the Lord – Rev. 1:6, we are a kingdom of priests
   1. James 5 – for faith
   2. Romans 10 – grow in faith
   3. Hebrews 11 – cling to faith
   4. Mark 11:23-24 – speak out faith
2. Prayer is an act of faith, not empty words or feelings:
3. Prayer is our primary way to grow and maintain intimacy with Jesus. Our foundation of intimacy is our initial surrender of salvation, the starting point. Prayer is the catalyst to keep building intimacy. 

Were meant to be on mission as a Praying Church. Prayer is a lifestyle. 

Discussion Questions

1. When you think of fasting, what first comes to mind? How does it make you feel preparing to fast?
2. Why do you suppose God instituted the discipline of fasting for His people?
3. What are some benefits of fasting that you’ve personally experienced? Maybe a breakthrough or miracle?

Application Points

1. City Central has provided many resources to help you in this fasting time. Explore the “Awaken Fast” button on the City Central mobile app. You’ll have access to the reasons for our church-wide fast, answers to questions about fasting, and weekly devotionals to guide you for the three weeks.
2. Also, there will be times for personal and corporate prayer during the fast. Our prayer room is open the following hours during the fast:
   Personal Meditation and Prayer
   Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm

Corporate Prayer Times
Monday: 12-1pm
Tuesday: 6:30-8am, 12-1pm
Wednesday: 12-1pm, 6:30-8pm
Thursday: 12-1pm, 6:30-8pm

Crossing Over

Joshua 1:1–9 (ESV)

¹ After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. ³ Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. ⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. ⁵ No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. ⁸ This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

This week, Chris and Jena offered us a picture of the Israelites reaching the Jordan River to cross into the promised land and likened it to how we are crossing over from one year (and decade) to another. The Lord is taking us to a new place, and He has a new day for us. What are 7 things God may be calling us to put down and 7 things He wants us to pick up in this new season? In His mercy, God gives us the power to decide and choose our way. We are as free as we want to be. The Israelites had been wandering because of unbelief and found themselves on the fringe of the promised land. Faith call us to go, to move. Will we agree with the Lord and activate faith?

Wilderness Lessons: 

1. Re-education in the ways of God.
2. Learn again what Godliness is.
3. Relearn obedience to God. 
4. Lesson to learn about faith. 
5. Patience.

Philippians 3:12–14 (ESV)

¹² Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Leave Behind: 

1. Unbelief and Distrust: Unbelief distorts reality. It is a choice (and our daily choice) to trust. We cannot allow our five senses to direct us. The truth of God’s character and promises are what ground and direct us.
2. Offense: To overlook an offense is for OUR glory.
3. Impatience: The Lord is so patient towards us. It’s who God is. May we choose to extend this fruit of the Spirit toward others.
4. Disappointments: This side of Heaven, there will be disappointment. We can come before the throne, honestly tell the Lord about our disappointments, and give them over to Him. Honesty precedes breakthrough. The Holy Spit will fill you with fresh hope. 
5. Survival mentality: The gospel is a gospel of thriving, not surviving! We are not called to daily seek to survive or make it through. 
6. Victimization: We are overcomers in Christ. We need to choose our victim mentality for an overcomer mentality. The word says “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
7. Fear: Fear is the opposite of faith. We fear when we aren’t agreeing with God’s promises.  Fear magnifies the problem and diminishes our authority in Christ.

  Numbers 13:32–33 (ESV)

³² So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. ³³ And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”

Take into this new decade: 

1. Greater Love for God: Ask, and He will fill you that you may overflow to those around you.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2. Faith and Courage 

Numbers 14:6-9 (ESV)
⁶ And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes ⁷ and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. ⁸ If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. ⁹ Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”

3. Season of Harvest 

Psalm 126:5 (ESV)

⁵ Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!

4. Perseverance: Your flesh is the last thing that will persevere. Will you let him strengthen you?

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

⁹ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

5. Healing 

James 5:14–15 (ESV)

¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.) God wants City Central in faith and confidence that He wants to release an atmosphere of healing in this place. 

6. Compassion: This is a heart issue. What is the condition of your heart when you lack compassion?

Matthew 9:36 (ESV)

³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

7. Prosperity and Increased Influence: May this be for His glory! He will elevate us so that we can elevate Him. 

“I would recommend you either believe God up to the hilt, or else not to believe at all. Believe this book of God, every letter of it, or else reject it. There is no logical standing place between the two. Be satisfied with nothing less than a faith that swims in the deeps of divine revelation; a faith that paddles about the edge of the water is poor faith at best. It is little better than a dry-land faith, and is not good for much.”

C.H. Spurgeon.

Discussion Questions:

1. When the Israelites arrived at the Jordan River, they sent 12 spies into the land to report on what they found. Why do you think 10 out of 12 reports were negative?

2. How did Caleb and Joshua’s reports differ from those of the other 10 spies? What does this say about their heart posture?

3. In God’s sovereignty, He allows us to choose Him and His ways. Why do you think He desires for us to choose? What does this say about the kind of God He is?

Reflection Questions:

1. What 3 things will you choose to let go of this year? What 3 will you choose to pick up?

2. What promises of God do you see in Joshua 1:1-9? How are these promises for you today?

3. Reflect on your #1 areas to let go of and pick up. How will you be intentional about walking in newness this year?

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Matthew 2:10–11 (ESV)

¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ¹¹ And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

This Sunday, Pastor Chris encouraged us with the story of the Wise Men and their response to the birth of Jesus. These were men of high standing and great reputation who traveled a thousand miles from Persia. Their intention was to seek the Messiah in order to worship Him. In response, they fell down and worshipped the King. In contrast, the religious were half a day’s travel away and did not come. They were looking for a different kind of Messiah and wanted Jesus on their terms. 

Discussion questions:

1. What do you make of the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus? (They brought gold in reference to His royalty, frankincense for His divinity, and myrrh for His humanity.)
2. What does their response teach us about how we ought to respond to Jesus?
3. In what ways do we mirror the religious leaders and their response to Christ’s birth? How can we actively seek to not respond in this way?

Reflection questions:

1. Who do you worship this Christmas season? 
2. What is on the throne of your heart? (What do you think about, talk about, or ponder the most?)
3. What would surrender look like for you in this Christmas season?

Sermon Summary

²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

³⁴ And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. ³⁶ And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

³⁹ In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, ⁴⁰ and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, ⁴² and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat

⁴⁶ And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹ for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.

In this week’s message, Pastor Chris encouraged us to mirror Mary in this Christmas season. He urged us to learn from Mary as she responded to God’s call on her life. By the world’s standards, Mary had nothing. She was a 12-14 year old girl in small town with no social status. However, God said that she was perfect. At Christmas, we are invited to walk the joy-filled road of Mary. 

5 Thoughts on how to live in light of this good new of great joy – How did Mary respond?

1. Mary received – Luke 1:28-30
2. 1. She received a word, plan, and vision for her life from God. Like us, Mary surely had a plan for her own life, but God showed up in a divine encounter and entrusted her with His very own son.
   2. There is a tension, because often we have a plan for life until God intervenes and invites us to align with His vision. Mary was positioned for such an encounter and for the receiving of grace.
   1. It is okay to audit, to weigh, and to ponder God’s calling on your life. Mary was greatly troubled and tried to discern what kind of greeting this was.
      1. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15
      2. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
   2. Mary would have contemplated the prophecies of the Old Testament:
   3. There is closed-minded doubt and open-minded doubt. Closed-minded doubt responds in unbelief, while open-minded doubt says “help me in my unbelief”.
   4. The Angel says, “do not fear”, not that there is nothing to fear. Mary recognized she didn’t need to fear because she found favor (grace). When we live this way, it breaks anxiety.
   5. In verse 38, Mary responds with “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
3. Mary wondered. – Luke 1:31-38
   1. Genuine Christianity displays humility. It says, “I can’t do this alone” and chooses to partner with God. Pastor Chris called this “grounded obedience”. 
   2. Mary believed in, not just about. 
4. Mary Surrendered and Believed. – Luke 1:39-45
   1. Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat. 
   2. When surrender and belief come together, it produces celebration. 
   3. To magnify is to make big. Whatever we magnify will control us.
5. Mary Celebrated. – Luke 1: 46-49
   1. What do you think about? Whatever it is will control you. Mary pondered the promises of God. When we follow God, He lets us in on what He is doing.
   2. Mary treasured the things of the Lord.
6. Mary Pondered. – Luke 2:19, Luke 2:51

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think God chose Mary for this task?
2. Do you think Jesus learned how to serve and surrender from his mom?

Response Questions

1. What happens to Mary is very personal, but it’s also for us today. How do you think this story is for you?
2. Whose plan or vision are you fulfilling over your life? Would you say you are walking on God’s road or your own road?
3. What have you been magnifying in your life? 

Sermon Summary

Luke 2:8–18 (ESV) ⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” ¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

In this week’s message, Pastor Chris helps us focus on the reality of Jesus being the reason for our joy at Christmas and our hope every day for the year to come. Remember, Jesus is no longer in the manger but now is in Glory. This is the fulfillment of prophecy. This is great news for all people! 

Consider the shepherds. A class of people who were a bit rough around the edges and were looked down on by many in Jewish society. Far different from the nativity scenes and figurines which adorn our homes, yards, stores, and churches at Christmas. Shepherds were so despised that God sent his angel with the message first for them, “Fear not!” he began. God’s messenger follows with, “…for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” In the Bible, 150 times the Lord, directly and through his messengers, says, “Fear not!” God knows that any encounter with him and His heavenly hosts is so pure that people’s impurity manifests and they become fearful. He wants us to know that He helps us live our lives filled with faith instead of fear. 

Following this was the pronouncement of Jesus’ birth, the divine coming fully in flesh to live among us:

”²³ “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” Matthew 1:23 (ESV)

Notice that God did not send the angels with their proclamation to the Kings and leaders, or to the wealthy and academics – instead, He sent the announcement to the lowest-of-low, those that needed saving, those who were outcasts from mainstream society. This is a message of hope and transformation! Think of it this way: God formed us. Sin deformed us. The Bible informs us. But Jesus transforms us!

Pastor Chris expanded on this truth with:

Three Reasons Jesus Revealed Himself as a Child

1. Jesus came for them

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger…. “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us. ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12, 16 (ESV)

2. He is Savior, Christ and Lord

¹…I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him stood the seraphim….one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:1–3 (ESV)

3. Revelation deserves response

”⁴ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4–5 (ESV)

Discussion Questions

1. What is the best thing that could happen to you this Christmas season?
2. What sort of thoughts have you ever wondered about the real Christmas story – why a baby, why angels, why shepherds, why a manger in a stable? 
3. Why do you suppose people are drawn to the message of the manger?

Why might people have ease accepting the “baby Jesus,” but difficulty accepting “Jesus as Lord?”

4. What do you think most non-Christians focus-on at Christmas-time? What might be some ways Christians could do better at sharing the message given to the Shepherds with those around them?

Application Questions

1. Ask the Lord to reveal the area of your heart that is missing something at Christmas. What is it? How does the message that Jesus came for the lonely, forgotten, despised, unlovely, sick, and sinful resonate with you? 
2. Now, ask the Lord what will be one way that you can share this wondrous message with others this Christmas season?

Sermon Summary

Matthew 1:21 (ESV)

²¹ She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

In this week’s message, Pastor Chris asked, “Where are you looking for Joy, this Christmas?” He challenged us to discern the difference between the secular and sacred Christmas celebrations around us. He inspired us with the idea of believers discovering deeper meaning in the birth of Christ, and those searching for truth responding to the message of the nativity. Are we simply enamored with the baby Jesus the way we fawn over a newborn? Or, are we astounded and humbled that God came in the flesh as an infant to live a sinless life, embody the good news, die a torturous death, and rise from the dead, so that we might have a restored relationship with our Father in Heaven?! That is the audacity of the message of Bethlehem’s holy child!

The consumerism of Christmas has a strong agenda, pulling people away from its true meaning. Getting wrapped up in the material gifts can bring pleasure, but blind us from seeing pure Joy in God’s gift to the world. God’s design for Christmas is for all to have an encounter with Christ that will fill us with His Spirit and bless us with everlasting life.

At Christmas, worship and praise songs are piped-in all around us – in commercials, elevators, radio stations, department stores, and malls. Consider the theology of this beloved carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, which answers vital life questions with theological aplomb:

1. Who was Jesus? “Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord. Hail! the heaven-born Prince of peace!”
2. Why did he come as an infant? “Offspring of a Virgin's womb, Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel”
3. What did Jesus come to do? "Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth"
4. How can this life be ours? “Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings”

Where we are looking will be the level of our Joy this Christmas. Like the wise men seeking the newborn king by looking intently at the brightest star in the heavens, there is a direct correlation between our focus and our joy.

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)

⁶ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Five Thoughts on How Jesus’ Name Impacts our Lives

1. His name is WONDERFUL. That takes care of the DULLNESS of this life. 

Psalm 8:3–4 (ESV)

³ When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, ⁴ what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

2. His name is COUNSELOR. That takes care of the DECISIONS of life. 

Psalm 73:24 (ESV)

²⁴ You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

James 1:5 (The Message) 

⁵ If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. 

3. His name is MIGHTY GOD. That takes care of the DEMANDS of life. 

Philippians 4:13 (ESV)

¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 2:12–13 (NLT)

Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. ¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

4. His name is EVERLASTING FATHER. That takes care of the FUTURE. 

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

5. His name is PRINCE OF PEACE. That takes care of the DISTURBANCE of life. 

Philippians 4:7 (The Message)

⁷ Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Luke 2:14 (ESV)

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT)

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Discussion Questions

1. What is it that you want to get out of this Christmas season?
2. What would make your Christmas wonderful and satisfying?

Does it have anything to do with the worldly pleasures?

3. How might you be putting your hope in something that will bring fulfillment?

Could you be putting your hope in something that brings disappointment?

4. What series of single-words comes to mind when you ponder the true meaning of Christmas?

Application Questions

1. What will you do to experience Jesus in his fullness this Christmas!

How will He be your Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and Everlasting Father?

2. How will you find and experience true peace (shalom) during this Christmas season?

Sermon Summary

2 Corinthians 5:6–7 (ESV)

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Pastor Chris shared a message that has been in his spirit, and on his heart, for about 8 months – By Faith. We are to live “by faith” according to God’s Word. Our sight is limited to contained reality. When we exert human effort to accomplish works for ourselves, even for the church or the kingdom, we become exhausted with anxiousness, striving, and worry. Our Lord and Father invites us to trust Him to shed stress, worry and fatigue of doing and thinking of all the possible outcomes ourselves. Rather, we are to point our feet in the direction of faith (not feelings) and begin taking a step. Faithfulness will challenge us to give up control, comfort, and self-reliance. These are smokescreens of the enemy. Chris emphatically challenged us to surrender our own ideas, initiatives, and imperatives and anticipate that God will replace them with His. Corrie Ten Boom, a survivor of the Holocaust describes faith as an acrostic:

Fantastic
Adventure
In
Trusting
Him

Consider these two lists which sum up the tension that exists in us when we should trust God, yet rely on ourselves:

Seven Weaknesses of Walking by Sight

1. Human Sufficiency

2. Human Resources

3. Human Wisdom

4. Human Ingenuity

5. Human Calculation

6. Human Strength

7. Human Comfort

Seven Strengths of Walking by Faith

1. Christ's Suffienciency

2. Christ's Resources

3. Christ's Wisdom

4. Christ's Power

5. Christ's Direction

6. Christ's Enablement

7. Christ's Stretch

Three Aspects of Biblical Faith

1.  Faith Pleases God
” 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:16 (ESV)

2.  We are Saved by Faith to Walk in Faith
“8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV)

“The righteous shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4 (ESV)

“The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 (ESV)

God is saying, “Believe me!” Walk without the end in mind, but expect the miracle of God to provide. He loves it when we say, “I don’t know how this will happen, but I’m going to trust you!” It doesn’t seem to make sense, but I know that God is good and gives good gifts to His children.

3.  Faith is to be Exercised Regularly
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6)

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise” (Proverbs 13:20)

“8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. Hebrews 11:8–9 (ESV)
11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.” Hebrews 11:11 (ESV)

“17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.” Hebrews 11:17, 19 (ESV)

God wants us to join Him in the adventure!

Discussion Questions
1.  How do you think we can build churches to endure in an increasing godless world?
2.  In what ways are believers tempted to walk by sight?
3.  Share a time when you were prompted by the Spirit to walk in faith. What was your answer? What was His response?
4.  What are some faith accounts in the Bible that have motivated you to “walk by faith?”

Application Questions
1.  What is a need or godly desire that you have that could only be accomplished by stepping out in faith?
2.  Seek the Lord in prayer for a faith-step you will take this week. Once you have the answer, share with someone what it is and commit to sharing the results!

Orphan Sunday

Sermon Summary

Guest Speaker: Darrin Miller, Youth for Christ

Pastor Chris introduced our guest speaker who shared the challenge and joy of meeting the need for Foster Care in our community. Guest speaker, Darrin Miller shared his family’s journey. Just 9-years ago, the Millers said, “Yes!” to foster care and then adoption. Darrin challenged us to examine our hearts in light of God’s Father Heart as expressed in His Word. He asked us the overarching question, “How should we live out God’s mission in the way of City Central:  “We Adore God, Become like Jesus, and Contend for the Kingdom.”His answer: becoming like Jesus is to know the Father’s love for the fatherless.

2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our[a] hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Cor. 3:2-3 (ESV)

God manifests His love through the example of Jesus, the penultimate “Rescuer.” Scripture is clear, we believers are the ones who’ve been rescued and who are imparted by His Spirit to become rescuers, bringing especially the orphan, widow, and foreigner. Darrin reminded us that we are the vehicle that God uses to extend His kingdom. While the emphasis in this mission is on the orphans, we need to see them as the Father does, as individuals – people, like us, created by God with divine design and purpose.

4 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[b] of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 12:8-17(ESV)

Darrin and Sue have needed to rely on God as Jehovah Jireh, “Provider,” in their answer to His call. Their six children are the living testament to their response to be the extension of God’s love to those who were unloved. God has performed miracles in response to tragic circumstances to make the Millers a family like the family of God, adopted sons and daughters of the King! Darrin’s clear lesson from this experience is that it’s not about us doing something great, but about God doing something great in our hearts.

3 … when we were children, [we] were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:2–5 (ESV)

5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:5 (ESV)

Questions with eternal impact have been asked. The Millers have answered. They are presenting them to us as witnesses that answering God’s call to be the family of God means he’ll provide what we need to spend our lives on behalf of others. Darrin interviewed two of his kids who shared what family means to them. His son knew the answer immediately, “Family means people who love me, both family and church family and friends.” His daughter was reflective, but clear, “Following the Lord means doing the little things, taking kids to soccer, helping with my younger siblings, I don’t regret anything I’ve said, “Yes” to, over the years.”

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27 (ESV)

If we’re not careful, we can leave Church the same way we came in. Darrin insisted that the Bible supports the truth that God has a heart for the orphans and that every generation must rise to the quest of opening our hearts and lives to them as well.

17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)

5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. Psalm 68:5-6 (ESV)

10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. Psalm 27:10 (ESV)

Lastly, Darrin encouraged us, “Don’t disqualify yourself. We are all adopted. Ask the Lord what you should do. He will bless your “Yes!””

19 “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 24:19-22 (ESV)

Discussion Questions

1. What do you suppose it was so important to God that He created a “family of God?” Why not simply disciples, or followers, or adherents of God?
2. Read James 1:27 again. How do you think God wants us to live out “religion that is pure and undefiled?”

In what ways do we as the church, and individual Christians, demonstrate this principle?  

3. What might some people say they are scared of if they answer the call to become a foster or adoptive parent?
4. What opportunities exist for us to say, “Yes!” to God’s call to be the rescuer to the orphans and vulnerable children in our community?

Application Questions

1. After hearing of the need and the challenge, what is God opening your heart to with regard to foster and adoptive care?
2. List some of the ways that you’ve “disqualified” yourself from helping meet this need.

Ask God what might qualify you to be a foster parent?

How might you otherwise support the church and community in providing these orphans a “forever-home?”

City Central has partnered for many years with the foster care agency Olive Crest. Representatives were on-hand to help anyone considering fostering to reach out for their guidance. You can find more information on opportunities like Standard Fostering, Respite Care, Foster-to-Adopt, and Emergency Care by visiting their website at https://www.olivecrest.org/pacific-northwest/fostering/. Staff are glad to answer any questions, even put you in touch with a family at City Central who have been on a foster parenting journey already.

Ephesians: True Identity – Battle for Our Identity

Sermon Summary

Ephesians 6:10–24 (ESV)

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. ²¹ So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. ²³ Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Pastor Chris wraps up this series in Ephesians with a powerful reminder of our identity as spiritual warriors. With similar zeal as the Apostle Paul had in challenging the believers in Ephesus, Pastor Chris emphasizes that we are born-again into a battle, with a real, eternal enemy, a fight which God has strengthened and equipped us to win.

This is a message for both the individual believer and the church. Pastor Chris expressed concern that we may be only hearers of this word and not doers. He exhorted us to take intentional, disciplined steps to recognize the battle, understand the enemy’s tactics, stand firm in His power, and put on the full armor to withstand the accuser’s schemes. We are designed for victory!

Four Revelations of Spiritual Warfare

1. You are in a Battle
2. We Have an Enemy
3. Live in His Strength
4. Understand Your Weapons

1. You are in a battle

”¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:16 (ESV)

• Desires of the Flesh: Gluttony, disordered sexual acts, drug & alcohol abuse, etc. 
• Desire of the Eyes: Disordered desire for material possessions. 
• Pride of Life: Desire to be like God but apart from God.

Take a stand, don’t be passive. Stand = vigorously oppose and resist your enemy

“⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV)

2. We Have an Enemy 

Satan = accuser, deceiver, tempter, destroyer

“…we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Eph. 6:12 (ESV)

Our enemy is a silent operator. He tempts with whispers. When we succumb to his deception and seek what satisfies that is not from God, we relinquish territory in our hearts and minds. Our enemy uses the place we give as a forward operating base to execute an onslaught of attacks. He wears us down until we are physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually weak robbing us of the joy of the Lord which is our strength. In this state, we are vulnerable, passive, and burdened with torment keeping us from the work and will of God.

3. Live in His Strength 

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Eph. 6:10 (ESV)

¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,” Eph. 3:16 (ESV)

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, Eph. 3:20 (ESV)

4. Understand Your Weapons 

¹³ Therefore take-up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Eph. 6:13)

• Belt of Truth – Luke 12:35, 1 Peter 1:13; God’s Word is the only antidote to the lies from the Father of Lies, Satan

• Breastplate of Righteousness – Proverbs 4:23; protecting the heart of the saint, standing in Christ’s cleansing blood

• Boots of the Gospel – Romans 8:37; feet fitted to stand at the ready, able and willing to walk as a witness
• Shield of Faith – Revelation 12:10; when properly lifted, it can help us defuse the attacks on our mind
• Helmet of Salvation – John 6:37, John 10:28; protecting our center of thought with the truth of our eternal position in Christ as redeemed
• Sword of the Spirit – Hebrews 4:12–13; declaring the Word at times of attack will disarm the enemy, walking in its truths will bring victory
• Praying at All Times in the Spirit – prayer is like the oil helping all of the armament to work effectively 

Discussion Questions

1. What does the battle against ‘spiritual forces in heavenly places’ look like in our lives? 
2. Why does the enemy begin with questions? Think about how did he deceived Eve and, in-turn Adam? Or, he attempted to disarm Jesus while he fasted in the desert? 
3. How should we deal with being weary in battle?
4. According to the scriptures, how do we prepare for battle? What is our posture, our preparation, and our plan to defend ourselves? 
5. What are some tactics available to us to go on offense against the devil?
6. What item in the spiritual armory God provides is easiest for you to wield? Which one presents the most difficulty?

Application Questions

1. How will you become trained to use the spiritual weapons God has provided?
2. Having been trained, what is your plan to be victorious in the daily battle against your enemy?
3. Commit this week to pray with battle awareness. 

Commit this week to start each day by “putting on the armor of God.”

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