Mission City Church w/ Pastor Josh Hershey

COMMUNITY OF FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION

Part of Jesus’ kingdom teaching as to do with the necessity of seeking reconciliation and peace. The second part of Matthew 18 is all about Jesus’ teaching in terms of how to “gain” a brother who has sinned against us. Jesus doesn’t want to see his community at odds with one another. He wants there to be forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace. Join us!

BECOMING LITTLE CHILDREN

Jesus taught that the person who is “greatest in the kingdom of heaven” is the one who is converted and becomes like a little child. This morning we will be delving into the fourth of the five kingdom discourses of Jesus gives in the Gospel of Matthew. It is all about unity, humility, and reconciliation. Join us!

THE INESTIMABLE VALUE OF THE KINGDOM

The last three parables of Jesus in Matthew 13 have to do with the exceedingly great worth of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus compares the kingdom to a “hidden treasure”, a “pearl of great price”, and something like a “dragnet” that gathers everything in its path and keeps what is beautiful in His eyes. Do we have the same appreciation for the kingdom as the man who found the treasure or the merchant who found the pearl? Are our hearts filled with thanksgiving for the extraordinary treasure we possess in Christ Jesus? Join us as we worship!

JESUS, JESUS, JESUS

This is what Scripture is all about! This evening we will be completing our survey of the Old Testament by looking at how the Old Testament is foundational to understanding Christ’s final "redemptive hour”—His arrest, suffering, trial, death, and resurrection. From Adam, to Levitical law, to King David and King Solomon, to the era of the prophets, we see OT Resonances throughout Christ’s “final hour” in the Gospel of John! And when we see it, it helps us appreciate Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf even more! Join us!

KINGDOM PARABLES: WHEAT/TARES, MUSTARD SEED, LEAVEN

Join us as we worship the Lord and delve into the wisdom teachings of our Greater Solomon in Matthew 13. The parables we will be unpacking today have to do with the way Christ’s Kingdom has influence in our world. One thing Jesus teaches is that His Kingdom will always be clashing with the kingdom of darkness. That should never surprise his disciples. On top of this, His kingdom will always in hidden and mysterious ways. And we can be confident that His kingdom will always be triumphant, and the nations will be discipled!

JESUS—THE PROPHET GREATER THAN MOSES

In the beginning of John's Gospel we are told, "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). Throughout the first six chapters of John, and in Jesus' farewell discourse of John 13-17, the life of Moses is compared and contrasted with the life of Jesus. Jesus is the Greater Moses! When we understand the OT background of John, the beauty of Jesus becomes even greater. We all need to be continually astonished by who Jesus is and what He has done for us! Join us!

KINGDOM PARABLES — THE SOWER, THE SEED, AND THE SOILS

Matthew 13 is the third of five kingdom discourses of Jesus in Matthew. In this chapter Jesus is the Greater Solomon. He gives seven foundational parables about His Kingdom and how it should be perceived. The first parable is foundational to the rest. It concerns the centrality of the Word of God to growth in the Kingdom. There are many responses to the preached Word in our world, but the seed is always vibrant and will accomplish its purposes. Join us as we worship the King Jesus, dig into the Word, and understand how the Christ’s kingdom prospers.

KINGDOM CONQUEST—WITNESSES FOR CHRIST

In Matthew 10 when Jesus sends out His disciples to witness, He gives them a heads up of what to expect, as well as many witnessing principles. We are to depend on the indwelling Spirit, understand that God’s Family is primary, flee persecution, prepare to be treated like Jesus, and take up our cross and follow Him. Join us as we worship the Lord and digest His Word!

JESUS AS BRINGER OF LIGHT AND JUDGMENT

One of the major themes in the Gospel of John is “light and darkness.” Jesus is the Light of the world who shines in the darkness while the darkness does not overcome it. As the Light of God he declares, “I came into this world for judgment, in order that those who do not see will see and those who do see will become blind” (John 9:39). Part of this judgment on the religious leaders who “see” has to do with the destruction of Jerusalem that Jesus prophesied would happen in 70AD. What is referred to as "The End of the Age.” Join us as we unpack this powerful truth and see how it ties into “end times” teaching!

WISE AS SERPENTS & HARMLESS AS DOVES

Jesus gave a very important image for His twelve disciples to consider before He sent them out to evangelize about the kingdom. He said, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Most translations actually say “be shrewd as serpents.” Most Christians don’t think of that as an important evangelistic quality, but it is! Join us as we learn what it means to follow Jesus’ instruction here as we bear witness to this world, especially in this politically charged season.