We are called to remove the sin within us because our sin affects our relationship with God, our devotion belongs to God, and God's holiness demands us to do so.

Resources:

Joshua 7

Joshua (Word Biblical Commentary) by Trent C. Butler

Joshua: People of God’s Purpose (Preaching the Word) by David Jackman

The Lost World of Israelite Conquest by John H. Walton and J. Harvey Walton

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In 1 Timothy, we see the Scriptures calling us to be thankful for the power of God's Grace! We can be thankful for God's Grace because it transforms undeserving people and highlights the indescribable God that loves them.

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1 Timothy 1:12-17

Christ-Centered Exposition: 1&2 Timothy, David Platt

NIV Application Commentary: 1&2 Timothy, Walter Liefeld

The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Timothy & Titus, Thomas Griffin

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Galatians 5 as the roadmap for freedom from besetting sins.

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As we continue to look at the thing of first importance to Christianity, we move to the second part of the good news: Christ was raised. Since this is news, the question isn't whether it works for you or not, but rather: Is it true?

Resources:

1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?

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The thing of first importance to Christianity is good news, not good advice. We must be reminded of it over and over again, lest it slip from its place of first importance. This Good Friday we focus on Part I of the good news: Christ died for our sins.

Resources:

1 Corinthians 15:1-3

The Centrality of the Gospel, essay by Timothy Keller

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In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, we focus on racial justice, and God's vision for it in Micah 4:1-5, where God promises to gather people from all nations to worship him and dwell in justice and peace.

Resources:

Micah 4:1-5

9marks E-journal: Multi-Ethnic Churches

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We'll all plant ourselves in something in 2018. We'll build our lives around something. Will it make you truly happy in the long run? Psalm 1 directs us to what will.

Resources:

Psalm 1

Making Sense of God, Chapter 4: A Satisfaction Not Based on Circumstances – Timothy Keller

Psalms 1-72 (Kidner Classic Commentaries) – Derek Kidner

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Jael Chambers

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Jesus has some inspiring words, but also some hard ones, ones he even tells us will require us to die to ourselves and be persecuted. Why listen to Him? In this sermon we'll see God's answer to that question.

Resources:

Luke 9:28-36

Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary), Darrell Bock

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We can't trust out future to our heavenly Father unless we know what he's like. In this passage, we see that our Father controls everything for our good, and therefore we need not fear anything in the way of obeying him.

Resources:

Matthew 10:26-33

The Sovereignty of God, A.W. Pink

Trusting God, Jerry Bridges

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Wayne Grudem (Chapter 16)

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We make thousands of decisions every day without even thinking about it, but there are other decisions that feel more pressing, where we know to choose poorly could have bad consequences, and to choose wisely could have really good consequences. Instead of telling us what to choice to make in every situation, Jesus gives us something ultimate to seek with every decision: God's kingdom and righteousness.

Resources:

Matthew 6:25-33

Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will, Kevin DeYoung

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As we celebrate 5 years of Citylight Church and 2 years at Citylight Center City, this psalm directs us to come and praise God for all He's done, not with a directionless feeling of thanksgiving nor with a cynical spirit, but with an honest rejoicing in what God's done.

Resources:

Psalm 66

The Treasury of David, Charles Spurgeon on the Psalms

Psalms 1-72, Derek Kidner

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When we lack control of our tempers we act foolishly. However we can act wisely and control our anger by humbling ourselves before Christ; the one that took on the wrath that we deserved.

Resources:

Proverbs

The Book of Proverbs (ch. 1-15), (ch. 16-31), Bruce Waltke

Civility in the Public Square, Timothy Keller

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If we are blessed to be a blessing to all the families of the earth, what does that mean for those of us who stay put in one area rather than "going" somewhere else? Does God have purpose for us? He does; as a local church we promote the gospel through prayer, the way we walk, and the way we speak.

Resources:

Colossians 4:2-6

One Verse Evangelism

Ordinary People on Mission

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, J.I. Packer

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It's hard to see past ourselves often, let alone to our entire world, and when we do we often only see bad news. Is God's vision bigger? Where do we fit in? In this sermon we'll see God's plan to bless the world despite the curse, and how we are blessed to be a blessing.

Resources:

Genesis 12:1-3

Joshua Project: A resource on unreached people groups

Let the Nations Be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Missions, John Piper

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As the New Year approaches, we have a fresh opportunity to put to death one of the great enemies of our joy: Grumbling. The problem is, we aren't capable of killing it in ourselves. So in this passage, we see what God does to put an end to our grumbling.

Resources:

Numbers 17

Numbers (Tyndale Commentary), Gordon J. Wenham

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All of us have been gifted by God. Yet, we often miss use these gifts when we choose not to serve others because of the cost to us or because we do not think we have much to offer. In this sermon we explore the joy God's purpose for our Spiritual Gifts offers us.

Resources:

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Discerning and Exercising Spiritual Gifts, Timothy Keller

1 Corinthians, David E. Garland

The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Gordon Fee

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It is becoming increasingly hard for anyone to deny that racial division is still an issue in America, and it has a long history. How can there be genuine reconciliation? The gospel is the answer, because racial reconciliation is one of the key goals of the gospel. Here we'll explore why.

Resources:

Ephesians 2:11-22

The Gospel & Racial Reconciliation, Russell Moore and Andrew Walker

Letters to a Birmingham Jail, Bryan Loritts

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Across the world there is a trend of people moving into the city. We are seeing the effects of this growth in racial issues, educational problems, violence, the rise in housing prices, and so much more. In the midst of all of this, we see in Acts chapter 8, that the central message of Christianity, the Gospel, speaks life into a changing city. In this message I want to answer two questions: Why the city? How does the Gospel speak life into a changing city?

Resources:

Acts 8:1-8

The Book of the Acts (New International Commentary on the New Testament), F.F. Bruce

Why Cities Matter: To God, the Culture, and the Church, Stephen Um & Justin Buzzard

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Home is the place where we feel we belong, but following God requires we leave home and desire a better home, a better country. But it is those who desire a better country that will truly belong to God, because he has prepared a city for them.

Resources:

Hebrews 11:13-16

An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews, John Owen

The Weight of Glory, C.S. Lewis

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