Mission City Church w/ Pastor Josh Hershey

MAUNDY THURSDAY — LOVING LIKE JESUS

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). What is “new” about Jesus’ new commandment? How does our love rise to the level of the love of Jesus Christ? What is so significant about Jesus washing our feet and feeding us a Meal? Join us as we dig into some of the powerful truths Jesus taught right before He was betrayed into the hands of sinners in Gethsemane! Truths we can rely on completely and begin to put into practice! 

FROM GETHSEMANE TO GOLGOTHA — THE VIA DOLOROSA TRIAL (PART 5)

This morning we will be looking at the scourging of Jesus, the crowning with thorns, what it means to Behold the God-Man, as well as Jesus’ walk of suffering to Golgotha where He bore His cross. What the Lord willingly endured for our salvation is powerful! His blood was poured out for us! By His wounds we are healed! Let us pick up our own crosses, and follow after Him, just like Simon of Cyrene. Let us not weep for Him like the onlooking women of Jerusalem, but weep over those who do not come to Him to receive life. Join us!

FROM GETHSEMANE TO GOLGOTHA — THE CIVIL TRIAL (PART 4)

This morning we will be diving deep into Christ’s trial before Pontius Pilate and Herod Antipas. After being held in custody all night by the chief priests, Jesus was delivered to Pilate in the early morning. He was bruised, bloodied, and covered in the spit of the accusers of that Supreme Court of Judaism. He would now stand before the highest civil authorities in the land. Though the chief priests did everything they could to accuse Jesus as a seditious traitor, Pilate did not buy it. Three times he proclaims that Jesus is innocent. After an attempt to get Jesus to perform some miracles for him, Herod Antipas also proclaims that Jesus is innocent. Yet, because the chief priests stirred a great crowd into a frenzy, Pilate succumbed to pressure and would not release Jesus. During these trials Jesus gave His “good confession” that He was “King of the Jews.” He explained to Pilate that His kingdom was “not of this world” and that He came to “bear witness to the truth.” Attempting to see Jesus released, Pilate offered the crowed Jesus or Barabbas (an insurrectionist and murderer). They chose Barabbas. The innocent one would receive the death sentence while the condemned criminal would go free! A beautiful picture of salvation. Though we deserved death, Jesus took our place! Those who receive Him by faith, and join us His “good confess”, become children of God! Join us!

FROM GETHSEMANE TO GOLGOTHA — THE RELIGIOUS TRIAL (PART 3)

This morning we will be exploring Christ’s trial before the most important religious leaders in all of Judaism after He was arrested in the garden. Christ first goes before Annas for a brief interrogation, and then is led to be tried before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. The Supreme Court of Israel sits in judgment over the Supreme Judge! During the trial Jesus reveals His identity as the Divine Son of Man who will rule at the right hand of the Power in heaven. A reign that would begin from that moment forward. A reign that we can ‘see’ and ‘perceive’ even today! He was the Ultimate Judge in that trial room! In response, the Supreme Court demanded His death and began to pummel Him, spit on Him, and tear out His beard in a symbolic stoning. A suffering for sin endured for you and me! Also, during this trial and torture, Jesus’ lead apostle, Peter, undergoes a trial of his own. He ends up denying Christ three times and even curses Him. Yet, with a compassionate look of hope and grace from Jesus, Peter’s heart is broken and he begins to be restored! Join us!

JUDAS COMMITS SUICIDE

Join us for our Midweek Bible Study. We will be unpacking the tragic story of Judas in Matthew 27:3-10. We will be looking at how the Gospels speak of Judas up to the point of his suicide, why Judas returned the money he betrayed Jesus for, what genuine repentance looks like, and ultimately why he committed suicide. A sobering subject! We also we spend time looking at the prophet fulfillment of the chief priests buying a field with the third shekels and see how prophetic fulfillment in general works. Ultimately, all of this should get us to run to Jesus and place our faith in Him! 

FROM GETHSEMANE TO GOLGOTHA — THE ARREST (PART 2)

Christ’s journey from the garden to the tomb was the greatest display of love the world has ever seen! This morning we will be exploring Christ’s arrest in the garden. After an intense struggle in prayer, Jesus rose from the ground with great fortitude to face His captors. Though a multitude came out in the dark night with lanterns, torches, swords, and clubs, they fell prostrate before ‘the Light of the World’. They fell prostrate before the Great ‘I AM’. Jesus was in full control that night. Join us as we worship and learn and marvel at our Lord’s reactions to Judas, Peter, Malchus, and the entire arresting mob!

JESUS’ PRAYERS IN THE GARDEN

Join us we worship, dig a little deeper into Jesus’ prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and spend some time praying. From the garden narratives we learn that prayer must be humble, relational, persevering, fervent, yielding, and prevailing!  The predominant request being, “THY WILL BE DONE.” We want to see the perfect will of God accomplished in your life! Will you watch and pray for us for an hour? 

FROM GETHSEMANE TO GOLGOTHA — THE GARDEN (PART 1)

Join us as we journey begin a journey to Easter by entering deeply into Christ’s redemptive sufferings from Gethsemane to Golgotha. Christ’s journey from the garden to the tomb was the greatest display of LOVE the world has ever seen! This morning we will be exploring Christ’s suffering in a garden called “olive press.” It is here that Jesus began to be “crushed” for our sin and “pour out” His redemptive blood. It is here that His ‘birth pangs’ of suffering He had been experiencing turned into full on ‘bloody labor’. It is here that He fully embraced the will of the Father in Heaven to drink the cup of wrath and pay the price for every sin. It is here that surrounded by darkness, and the hordes of hell, Jesus fell prostrate in prayer and was strengthened by an heavenly angel. Nothing could stop Him! Though weighted with the sin of the world, and in the deepest agony man has ever known, Jesus rose resolved to conquer sin, death, hell, and the grave! 

ACTS (PART 30) — DELIVERANCE FROM DEMONS AND DUNGEONS

As Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke are ministering in Philippi they come into contact with a young slave girl who was possessed by a 'Python spirit'. After bringing deliverance to her 'in the name of Jesus Christ', the slave owners are deeply upset because the evil spirit was a source of profit for them. So, they have Paul and Silas beaten and thrown in the inner cell of a dark dungeon! Torturously locked in stocks. But, at midnight, during a time of prayer and praise, God ’suddenly’ delivers Paul and Silas, and even brings salvation to the jailor! Join us as we worship, fellowship, and also celebrate a water baptism together. 

ACTS (PART 29) — THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES DIRECTION

Toward the beginning of his second journey, Paul and Silas pick up two more members for their trip—Timothy and Luke—two very important characters in the New Testament. This second journey is one especially directed and led by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit ‘forbids’, ‘does not permit’, and also gives a ‘vision’ concerning where Paul and his missionary team is meant to go. This is the same Spirit we have in our lives. He still desires to lead and guide believers today! You and me! Join us as we worship, fellowship, and open up to the Spirit’s direction for each one of us.