Mission City Church w/ Pastor Josh Hershey

THE POWER OF PRAISE (Part 3)

This morning we will be finishing our series on praise by looking at the book of Psalms. The Psalms give us language for how to praise God. They remind us of how great God is through their imagery and exalted way of speaking about God. They also show us how we can praise God in every good and difficult season of life. Ultimately they remind us that our praise is done from inside the life of God and that Jesus is the centerpiece of our praise. Join us!

THE POWER OF PRAISE (Part 2)

Praise is an important aspect of spiritual warfare. It is one way we battle “against the spiritual forces of of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12). For the battle is not ours, its the Lord’s (1 Chr. 20:15)! When David played his lyre for King Saul the tormenting evil spirits would leave (2 Sam. 16:23). When God ordered his people to begin to possess the promises in the Promised Land he said, “Let Judah (Praise) go first” (Judg. 1:2). When King Jehosophat faced a seemingly insurmountable enemy he sent the praise and worship team to the front of the battle line (1 Chr. 20:21). Children and infants praised Jesus in the temple (Matt. 21:15). A model for us all who are to have the word of Christ dwell in us richly and sing to one another with song (Col. 3:16). When the Pharisees were upset over the children singing, Jesus quoted the Psalms, “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies” (Ps. 8:2). Praise is powerful. Join us!

THE POWER OF PRAISE (Part 1)

Music and song are gifts from God. They can either be used to glorify Him or perverted to bad ends. It is God alone to whom all honor, glory, and praise belong (1 Tim. 1:17; Is. 42:8). He inhabits our praises and is enthroned upon them (Ps. 22:3). Join us as we begin this new series and learn of the importance of praising the Lord!

1 JOHN (Part 11)

The Christian worldview is one of cosmic warfare. There is light and there is darkness. There is the power of the evil one and the power of God (1 John 5:19). Jesus said that the Christian is  “in the world” but “not of it” (John 17). The Christian is “the light of the world” and the “salt of the earth” (Matt. 5). John ends his letter by once again pulling back this cosmic curtain and reminding us of this important truth. On top of that, John reminds us that the fullness of revelation concerning who God is resides in the Son (1 John 5:20). The One who has rescued us from the power of the evil one and brought us into the kingdom of His love. By constantly having our eyes fixed on Jesus we are able to guard ourselves from all idols (1 John 5:21). Join us for the last message of this series on 1 John!

1 JOHN (Part 10)

Salvation is not meant to be a “shaky” subject. John says that we can KNOW that we have eternal life. (1 John 5:13) And the glory of eternal life is not so much about its *length* of time, as much as it is about the joy and relationship that if found in *being with* the Father and the Son (John 17:3). Something that begins in this life! From this position we have “confidence” our prayers. When we ask things according to our Father’s will, we have what we ask! (1 John 5:14-15) Not only that, but our prayers have real power and efficacy when we pray for our straying brothers and sisters. (1 John 5:16-18) Our relationship with OUR FATHER, through the Son, changes everything! Join us!

1 JOHN (Part 9)

Jesus Christ did not just come by water, He came by water and BLOOD (1 Jn. 5:6). This morning we will unpack what this somewhat elusive statement in John means, and what it means to possess eternal life in the Son of God. If one denies the role of the crucifixion of Christ (“the blood”) in our redemption, they are essentially denying the testimony of God, as well as denying His wisdom and power. The cross and “the blood” stands as one of the central pieces of John’s letter, and it is on this point that the “antichrists” in the community fight John most vigorously. We must resist that spirit of antichrist an revel in the power of the cross! Join us!

1 JOHN (Part 8)

God’s love is far beyond what we can imagine. The Father and the Son come and make their home in the believer! Perfect love casts out all fear. There is no fear in judgment for we have passed from death to life. Those who have passed into life live by the easy and light yoke of Jesus which is love for one another. The one who loves the Father must love His children. Join us as we continue to have our minds renewed to the absolute necessity of believing in God’s love for us and allowing God’s love to have its way through us.

1 JOHN (Part 7)

This morning we are in the fourth chapter of 1 John. John writes that the apostolic testimony concerning Jesus as “God in flesh” and “the Lamb who takes away our sins” is foundational to our faith. Any “prophet” or “teacher” who declares something other than that is not a vessel of God’s Spirit. On top of that, the true prophet will proclaim that GOD IS LOVE and that it is essential for Christians to love one another. God’s love is the fountainhead of our love for one another. We are brought into the love of God through because of the Son and by the Spirit. The Eternal God—Father, Son, Spirit—is the Eternal mystery of Trinitarian Love through whom we live our lives. Join us!

 

Guest Speaker Keith Hershey

Enjoy the Word today! The truth is that God does GOOD WORK in you and through you. In this teaching by Keith Hershey you will be encouraged and refreshed that the Finished Work of Jesus, keeps on working on your behalf. Do not let your heart be troubled. Enjoy!

 

1 JOHN (Part 6)

The only Old Testament story that John refers to in 1 John is the story of Cain and Abel. The story of the first family disfunction. The story of hatred that climaxes in murder. Family life can be difficult. John knew that first hand in the relationships between the early Jews and Christians. But John teaches us that the only way forward for the Christian is the way of LOVE. If Cainites are known for their hate, Christians are known for their love. And love can triumph over hate and bring the family back in order. Join us!