City Church Tulsa

AWAKEN Awakening to Love 4.28.24 For Paul, a primary indicator of the church being awake was their love for one another. 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. In order to overflow with love for others we must be increasing in the love of God. Our inner life always shapes our outer attitudes and actions. JOY - Be joyful always. PRAYER - Pray continually. It is not possible for us to spend all our time with the words of prayer on our lips, but it is possible for us to be all our days in the spirit of prayer, realizing our dependence on God for all we have and are, being conscious of his presence with us wherever we may be, and yielding ourselves continually to him to do his will. Such an inward state will of course find expression from time to time in verbal prayer – Leon Morris GRATITUDE - Give thanks in all circumstances.

AWAKEN Awakening to Authentic Ministry 4.21.24 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. Paul reminds us that the essence of healthy Christian leadership is not about power or position or influence, but relationships. When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck Degroat The church can wound and the church can heal. So, how do we bring about this reform needed in the church today? 1. We fight against the temptation to sit on the sideline and become a critic 2. We choose to embody healthy, genuine leadership with pure motives 3. We choose not to feed into the narcissistic culture of church and leadership 4. We embody an Ephesians 4 vision of the church with shared gifts and leadership 5. We continually center our lives on Jesus, the Word of God, and a commitment to discipleship and spiritual formation. Henri Nouwen The long painful history of the Church is the history of people ever and again tempted to choose power over love, control over the cross, being a leader over being led. Those who resisted this temptation to the end and thereby give us hope are the true saints. One thing is clear to me: the temptation of power is greatest when intimacy is a threat. Much Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead. Many Christian empire-builders have been people unable to give and receive love.

Awakened to the Gospel 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 April 14, 2024 Acts 17:1-3 1When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” Whenever the gospel is preached 1. Some people will get angry 2. Some people will elevate that anger to the level of persecution 3. Some people will embrace the message and give their lives to Jesus Acts 17:5-9 5But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. The Gospel Cycle: · Good News Brought to You · We modeled it · Good News Received By You · You Modeled It · Good News Went Out From You Genuine conversion changes our direction Genuine conversion changes our affection Bonhoeffer – Discipleship God honors some with great suffering and grants them the grace of martyrdom, while others are not tempted beyond their strength. But in every case it is one cross. It is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering that everyone has to experience is the call which summons us away from our attachments to this world. It is the death of the old self in the encounter with Jesus Christ. Those who enter into discipleship enter into Jesus’ death. They turn their living into dying… Whenever Christ calls us, his call leads us to death. · Transforms idols (Repentance) · Turn to God (Faith) · Turn our lives over to God (Service) Genuine conversion changes our reflection Is the Good News ringing out from my life? Have I turned from my idols? Am I speaking about and looking forward to Jesus’s return?

Anchored in a Drifting Culture 4.7.24 Colossians 2:1-8 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. I can’t help but recognize how many believers are adrift in our current culture because they are not anchored in the gospel, the word of God, or the body of Christ. WHY WE DRIFT: 1. We’re not anchored to the gospel above all other things. 2. We’re not anchored to consistent community We cannot live anchored in the gospel with superficial relationships. 3. We’re not anchored to any spiritual authority 4. We’re not anchored to the daily practices of transformation

THE CROWDS Resurrection Tour 3.31.24 John 20:19-20 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Jesus comes for those who love Him and desire to follow Him but struggle with fear and lack of courage. John 20:24-28 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus comes for those whose faith will fail, who have doubts, and who need to see before they believe. John 21:15-19 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Jesus comes for those who have failed in every possible way and think they’ve missed their opportunity and their calling. Jesus meets us where we are. Jesus never stops pursuing us. Jesus resurrects the dead things in us.

A daily devotional for the Lent journey on scripture, a liturgy, a poem, or the life of a saint to ground you in God and His peace.

A daily devotional for the Lent journey on scripture, a liturgy, a poem, or the life of a saint to ground you in God and His peace.

A daily devotional for the Lent journey on scripture, a liturgy, a poem, or the life of a saint to ground you in God and His peace.

Message from City Daily on March 26, 2024

A daily devotional for the Lent journey on scripture, a liturgy, a poem, or the life of a saint to ground you in God and His peace.

The Crowds Palm Sunday 3-24-24 “And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem… Luke 9:51 ESV And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.” Luke 9:52-53 ESV What they knew • The messiah will come • He will be triumphant • His rule, reign and dominion will be over all the earth Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. (Zechariah 9:9, 10) What they thought • Rome would be defeated in battle • Power structures would shift and they would become the conquering people of God • It’s happening now What this led to • disillusionment • disappointment • The crowds walking away What Jesus knew • Their deepest need • Their lack of sight • This Triumphal entry leads to death And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-44 ESV And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.” And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.” Luke 19:47-48 ESV "He knows that the same people who are so impressed with him...

A daily devotional for the Lent journey on scripture, a liturgy, a poem, or the life of a saint to ground you in God and His peace.

A daily devotional for the Lent journey on scripture, a liturgy, a poem, or the life of a saint to ground you in God and His peace.

A daily devotional for the Lent journey on scripture, a liturgy, a poem, or the life of a saint to ground you in God and His peace.

A daily devotional for the Lent journey on scripture, a liturgy, a poem, or the life of a saint to ground you in God and His peace.

A daily devotional for the Lent journey on scripture, a liturgy, a poem, or the life of a saint to ground you in God and His peace.

The Crowds The Crowds Arrest Jesus & Scatter March 17th What is the response or reaction of the crowd? How are we often like the crowds? How does Jesus call the crowds to a radical level of discipleship? Will we take up our cross or reject it? Will we stay with Jesus or desert him? C.J. Mahaney – Living the Cross Centered Life I identify most with the angry mob screaming, “Crucify Him!” That’s who we should all identify with. Because apart from God’s grace, this is where we would all be standing, and we’re only flattering ourselves to think otherwise. Unless you see yourself standing there with the shrieking crowd, full of hostility and hatred for the holy and innocent Lamb of God, you don’t really understand the nature and depth of your sin. Jesus Arrested - Matthew 26 47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Lessons from the life of Judas and the Crowds: 1. Proximity to Jesus doesn’t equal transformation 2. Willing to give Jesus something, but not everything 3. Looked at worship as a waste 4. They knew about Jesus, but they didn’t know him Matthew 26 55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. God values the process as much as the outcome. In some ways, the journey is as important as the destination. God is not merely interested in taking you somewhere, He intends to make you someone in the process. The twists, and turns, the tempests and trials… In our bottom-line oriented society, it’s vitally important to remember: How we get to the end is every bit as important as that we get there, because how we get there-the choices we make and the way we live between now and then – will determine who we are when we arrive. Kenneth Boa & John Alan Turner Do I have a rebellious spirit? Am I Judas?

A daily devotional for the Lent journey on scripture, a liturgy, a poem, or the life of a saint to ground you in God and His peace.

A daily devotional for the Lent journey on scripture, a liturgy, a poem, or the life of a saint to ground you in God and His peace.

A daily devotional for the Lent journey on scripture, a liturgy, a poem, or the life of a saint to ground you in God and His peace.