City to City: Maturity and Ministry

Colossians - Live in the Light, from the kingdom of darkness to kingdom of light. It’s not just different, it is dark. Gnostic thinking still pervades our world.  Colossians - Live in the Light, from the kingdom of darkness to kingdom of light. It’s not just different, it is dark. Gnostic thinking still pervades our world. 

Philippians contains some of the most familiar Bible verses of our faith. “He who began a good work is able to finish it.” “I can do all things through Christ…” “Don’t be anxious about anything…” Paul writes to the city of Philippi from a jail cell, showing us how to have joy and contentment in every circumstance.  Philippians contains some of the most familiar Bible verses of our faith. “He who began a good work is able to finish it.” “I can do all things through Christ…” “Don’t be anxious about anything…” Paul writes to the city of Philippi from a jail cell, showing us how to have joy and contentment in every circumstance. 

Paul challenges the church in Ephesus to find their identity in Christ. This phrase, “in Christ,” found fifteen times in the letter of Ephesians, calls us to fully embrace who Christ has made us to be through the Gospel.  Paul challenges the church in Ephesus to find their identity in Christ. This phrase, “in Christ,” found fifteen times in the letter of Ephesians, calls us to fully embrace who Christ has made us to be through the Gospel. 

Paul is shocked to find that the region of Galatia has welcomed a different Gospel than the one he preached. Paul challenges the cities of Galatia to refuse any other Gospel. We must trust only in the finished work of Christ. Paul is shocked to find that the region of Galatia has welcomed a different Gospel than the one he preached. Paul challenges the cities of Galatia to refuse any other Gospel. We must trust only in the finished work of Christ.

In the chaos and idolatry of Corinth, Paul helps the church move from immaturity to maturity, and from maturity to ministry. We can operate as ambassadors with purpose, demonstrating generosity and reconciliation to a culture desperate for truth.   In the chaos and idolatry of Corinth, Paul helps the church move from immaturity to maturity, and from maturity to ministry. We can operate as ambassadors with purpose, demonstrating generosity and reconciliation to a culture desperate for truth.  

To the persecuted church of Rome, Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Paul, appointed to be an Apostle by the will of God, trusts in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And this Gospel does not disappoint. Paul offers the doctrine of salvation to the Romans to build their confidence in the face of death. Because of this confidence, they can “present their bodies as sacrifices as a spiritual act of worship.”  To the persecuted church of Rome, Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Paul, appointed to be an Apostle by the will of God, trusts in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And this Gospel does not disappoint. Paul offers the doctrine of salvation to the Romans to build their confidence in the face of death. Because of this confidence, they can “present their bodies as sacrifices as a spiritual act of worship.” 

When you’ve been transformed by God’s love, you can’t help but want others to experience the same grace and freedom. But how do you share it without scaring them away or offending them? For most Christians, “evangelism” is an intimidating word that suggests handing out tracts to strangers or doing other awkward things. But what if there was a more organic, more authentic way to share your faith with your friends, neighbors, and coworkers? Dave Ferguson shares five simple, straightforward practices that will allow any believer to do just that. And by consistently living them out, you can affect not just individual lives but your entire neighborhood and community—one person at a time. When you’ve been transformed by God’s love, you can’t help but want others to experience the same grace and freedom. But how do you share it without scaring them away or offending them? For most Christians, “evangelism” is an intimidating word that suggests handing out tracts to strangers or doing other awkward things. But what if there was a more organic, more authentic way to share your faith with your friends, neighbors, and coworkers? Dave Ferguson shares five simple, straightforward practices that will allow any believer to do just that. And by consistently living them out, you can affect not just individual lives but your entire neighborhood and community—one person at a time.

The Great Commission recasts God’s original mandate to “be fruitful and multiply.” We see God’s heart to reach and teach from start to finish. In today’s message, Lee shows us that everyone is a teacher, whether they’re intentionally teaching or not. We all have the great privilege to observe the teaching of Christ.  The Great Commission recasts God’s original mandate to “be fruitful and multiply.” We see God’s heart to reach and teach from start to finish. In today’s message, Lee shows us that everyone is a teacher, whether they’re intentionally teaching or not. We all have the great privilege to observe the teaching of Christ. 

Jesus commissioned us to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. While some delay obedience, Jesus’ example of immediate obedience propels us to take this next step seriously. Today, we have the opportunity to immediately follow Jesus in baptism! Jesus commissioned us to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. While some delay obedience, Jesus’ example of immediate obedience propels us to take this next step seriously. Today, we have the opportunity to immediately follow Jesus in baptism!

The Great Commission is great because it commands us to make disciples. God has entrusted us with responsibility of discipleship. Great disciples make disciples! Discipleship is an intentional process of following Jesus. What does it mean to be a disciple? How do we make them? Are you actively in the process of becoming more like Jesus?  The Great Commission is great because it commands us to make disciples. God has entrusted us with responsibility of discipleship. Great disciples make disciples! Discipleship is an intentional process of following Jesus. What does it mean to be a disciple? How do we make them? Are you actively in the process of becoming more like Jesus?