City United Church Podcast

In the sermon, Pastor Gary addresses the theme of regrets as part of the "Goodbye" series. He emphasizes the pervasive nature of regret, particularly experienced during moments of loss, like funerals, where people often reflect on what they wish they had done differently. Using the story of Peter from John chapter 21, who denied Jesus three times, the pastor illustrates the weight of regret and the possibility for healing and restoration. He highlights that regret often pulls us back to familiar patterns and robs our efforts of power, causing us to retreat to what feels safe. However, he reassures the congregation that Jesus meets us in our failures and offers a path to restoration. Pastor Gary cites several steps to help navigate regret: identifying where we retreat to old habits, receiving Jesus’s restoration, accepting our past mistakes as part of God's purpose, and moving forward despite the cost that following Jesus may entail. He concludes by reinforcing that we are not defined by our failures but by the love and purpose God has for us. The takeaway message is clear: it's time to say goodbye to regrets, embrace God’s grace, and step into the new life ahead.

In Pastor Gary's Easter sermon, he focuses on the theme of new beginnings and the transformative power of the resurrection of Jesus. He emphasizes that Easter signifies not just a fresh start but a complete reboot of our lives through Christ. Referencing 2 Corinthians 5:17, he explains that those who are in Christ become new creations, shedding their old selves and embracing a new purpose filled with hope and courage. The central message revolves around overcoming fear, which often prevents individuals from experiencing their true potential. Pastor Gary notes that while fear isolates and paralyzes us, the resurrection of Jesus breaks through those barriers, offering us peace and a mission.Throughout the sermon, Pastor Gary provides insights on how fear can hinder our relationships and actions, and highlights the importance of inviting Jesus into our fears. He illustrates how, after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples, calming their fears with His presence and offering them peace. He discusses the empowerment that comes from the Holy Spirit, equipping believers to live boldly and spread the message of forgiveness and reconciliation. Ultimately, Pastor Gary encourages the congregation to confront their fears and to embrace the peace, purpose, and power that Jesus provides, reminding them that fear cannot control the peace of Jesus. The sermon concludes with a call to faith, inviting those who may not yet know Jesus to seek Him for strength and salvation.

In Pastor Pencil's sermon for Palm Sunday, he addresses the question, "Who is this man?" Referring to Jesus, the speaker emphasizes that this question has been asked for over two millennia and is still relevant today. He uses the biblical passage from John 12:12-19, which recounts Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The crowd hails Him as king while the Pharisees express their fears about losing their influence, showcasing the stark contrast between the people's cany belief and the leaders' skepticism. Pastor Pencil underscores that Jesus is not just a prophet or a teacher but is indeed Emmanuel, Messiah, and our eternal King.Throughout the sermon, Pastor Pencil elaborates on various aspects of Jesus' identity, from being a prophet and a teacher to the suffering servant and the risen Savior. He highlights significant moments in Jesus' life, including the miracles He performed and the prophecies that foretold His coming. The sermon culminates in a personal challenge for the congregation: to explore their own understanding of who Jesus is, urging them to move from head knowledge to heart knowledge and to recognize Him as their Savior. In closing, he invites those who wish to accept Jesus into their lives to pray, offering a pathway to deeper faith and understanding.

Pastor Gary concludes the sermon series on "Live Out Loud" by emphasizing the importance of persevering in faith, especially during life's challenging moments. He reviews key lessons from the book of James, stressing the need for generosity, patience, strong relationships, and a vibrant prayer life to navigate trials effectively. He also encourages the congregation to trust God through tensions and transitions, reminding them that faith in action is vital. Ultimately, he challenges everyone to live out their faith boldly and rely on God's faithfulness in every situation.

In his sermon, Pastor Pencil continues the "Live Out Loud" series by exploring how to resist worldliness, using James Chapter 4 as the primary text. He emphasizes that total submission to God is crucial in combating worldliness, which often leads to conflicts and desires that distract from faith. The pastor warns against the pride and criticism that stem from worldly behaviors, reminding the congregation that judgment belongs to God alone. He concludes by urging everyone to actively submit to God and surrender their lives, encouraging a deeper relationship with Him through humility and prayer.

In his sermon, Ralph Batykefer continues the series "Live Out Loud," emphasizing the importance of taking action in faith and highlighting a devotional titled "Road to Joy" that serves as preparation for Easter. He stresses that God is already at work, and believers are called to participate in that divine activity, thus bringing blessings to themselves and others. Ralph takes inspiration from the book of James, particularly James 1:22, which urges believers to be "doers of the word," showing that faith is more than mere belief—it's about how we live and interact with others. Ralph discusses the concept of wisdom, distinguishing between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. He cites James 3:13-18 to illustrate that true wisdom is seen through good conduct, gentleness, and mercy, while worldly wisdom is characterized by selfish ambition and disorder. He encourages the congregation to seek God's wisdom actively, showing that it leads to righteousness and peace. Ralph concludes with a call to action, urging attendees to seek a deeper relationship with God, embrace his wisdom, and share their faith authentically in every aspect of life. The message culminates in a prayer, inviting anyone who has not accepted Jesus as their Savior to begin that journey.

Pastor Pencil welcomed everyone to City United, expressing excitement about the warm weather and the sermon series titled "Live Out Loud," which focuses on the book of James. This week's message centers on the importance of taming our tongues, emphasizing that the heart is the key to right speech, as our words reflect our true selves. Through illustrations and scripture, Pastor Pencil highlighted the destructive power of words and the necessity for self-control, urging the congregation to surrender their speech to God for transformation. In closing, he encouraged everyone to examine their hearts and consider surrendering their lives to Jesus to bring their tongues under His control.

In this week's message, Pastor Gary focuses on the theme of "Is Our Faith Alive?" through a deep dive into the Book of James, specifically the second half of chapter 2. He emphasizes that true faith is not merely about belief but must translate into action. Using James 1:22 as a foundational verse—"be doers of the word and not hearers only"—Pastor Gary challenges the congregation to reflect on their faith and asks whether it is active or stagnant. He urges believers to move beyond empty words and to acknowledge their faith through actions that help others in need, showcasing how genuine faith always responds with compassion. Pastor Gary outlines four key points regarding active faith: it requires acknowledgment, demands action, involves sacrifice, and ultimately reveals true salvation. He illustrates these concepts with examples from Scripture, such as the faith of Abraham and Rahab, highlighting that real faith often comes at a cost and sometimes means stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Pastor Gary encourages his audience to actively engage in service within their community, thereby displaying God's character to the world around them. He wraps up with a call to prayer, urging attendees to reflect on their walk with Jesus and consider how they can put their faith into action, ultimately ensuring their faith is alive and impactful.

In this week's sermon by Pastor Gary, titled "Real Faith Doesn't Have Favorites," he emphasizes the call from the Book of James to actively live out one’s faith without favoritism. Drawing from James 1:22, Pastor Gary stresses that faith should be expressive and not merely internalized, highlighting the dangerous trend of showing favoritism, particularly in contexts like the church where equality among members should prevail. He describes how favoritism permeates various aspects of society, influencing interactions and judgments based on external factors such as wealth or appearance. He then urges the congregation to recognize this tendency in their lives and to confront their prejudices, asserting that everyone holds intrinsic value in God's eyes, regardless of their social standing. Pastor Gary further emphasizes the need for Christians to reflect God's values of love and acceptance, advocating for a church environment that welcomes all and prioritizes grace over judgment. He highlights that real faith calls for equal treatment and compassion, reinforcing that favoritism is sin. To combat this, he encourages self-examination and active efforts to treat others inclusively. The sermon culminates in a challenge for the congregation to release any biases they hold and to embrace God's unconditional love, reminding believers that faith without favoritism mirrors the true essence of following Christ. Ultimately, the message is a powerful call to embody love, grace, and unity in a divided world.

Pastor Gary kicked off a new collection of talks called "Live Out Loud," focusing on the Book of James and emphasizing the call for believers to actively live out their faith. He highlights that trials are not merely setbacks but opportunities for growth, encouraging the congregation to view struggles as a means to strengthen their faith and develop endurance. Pastor Gary underscores the importance of seeking wisdom through prayer during challenging times, reminding us that God tests us to bring out the best in us, while temptation comes from our own desires. Ultimately, he encourages everyone to embrace trials as part of God's transformation process, leading to a deeper understanding and practice of their faith.

It’s Super Vision Weekend! A time when we pause and celebrate what God has done during the past year and focus on what’s ahead. As we look to multiply our church in 2025, it will be important to maintain a proper focus as we ask God to use our church to make a more significant Kingdom impact. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 As we focus on multiplying our church for the future, we must remain faithful to our God-given vision and mission.

Pastor Pencil emphasizes the importance of being part of a movement larger than ourselves, built on God's ability to multiply our efforts. He challenges the congregation to lead with open hands, contributing their time, talents, treasures, and voice to God's work in the world. Using the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, he illustrates how even small contributions, coupled with faith and obedience, can lead to abundant outcomes. The sermon concludes with a call to evaluate personal giving and trust in God's faithfulness to multiply efforts for His glory.

Pastor Gary's message emphasizes the importance of recognizing our "sent identity" within our communities, highlighting that we are not merely present in these places but placed there by God to make a difference. He encourages the congregation to embody unity through collaboration, reflecting on Jesus' prayer in John 17 about the impact of our collective mission. To achieve this, Pastor Gary outlines four key actions: embrace our identity, connect with others purposefully, create movements for multiplication, and transform our communities through mission-driven unity. Ultimately, he calls on everyone to live out their faith in everyday interactions, fostering genuine relationships and serving others to spread the gospel.

Pastor Gary emphasizes the importance of starting the new year with a focus on prayer and alignment through a 21-day fast, encouraging the congregation to download the Multiply prayer guide. He introduces the growth collection titled "Multiply Everywhere in Every Place," aimed at exploring God's multiplication principles that extend beyond numerical growth to impact lives and communities. By sharing examples of historical figures who sparked transformation, he inspires the church to see their potential for greatness and engage in discipleship that leads to broader movements of faith. Ultimately, he calls the congregation to shift their perspectives, embrace abundance thinking, and take personal responsibility to multiply their influence for Christ in the world.

In Pastor Pencil's New Year sermon for 2025, he welcomes the congregation to City United with excitement for what God has planned in the coming year. He emphasizes the importance of the upcoming sermon series titled "Multiply" and encourages everyone to engage in the 21 days of prayer and fasting. Central to his message is the theme that prayer is vital for spiritual growth and action. He shares a quote from Pastor Gary, reminding the congregation to "keep our eyes on the mission and not the madness," urging them to love God and their neighbors. Pastor Pencil uses Colossians 4:2-6 as a key scripture, stressing the significance of communication with God through prayer and with others through interpersonal interactions. The pastor articulates that effective prayer life should be devoted, watchful, and filled with gratitude, encouraging members to actively engage in meaningful prayer rather than casual or complacent expressions. He also highlights the importance of horizontal communication—how we engage with outsiders through our actions and words—stressing that both dimensions must align for effective witness and growth in the faith community. He concludes with a call to strengthen communication with God and each other, inviting those who are seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus to take the first step towards faith. Pastor Pencil's message serves as both an encouragement and a challenge to begin the new year with a renewed commitment to prayer and community outreach.

In his sermon, Pastor Gary encourages the congregation to embrace the New Year as an opportunity for spiritual transformation and growth. He emphasizes the importance of releasing past burdens to make way for a renewed self, aligning one's actions with God's kingdom impact, and nurturing spiritual disciplines. Pastor Gary highlights that change often comes from small, consistent steps and the need for a supportive community to foster resilience. He concludes by inviting everyone to consider their next step toward God's vision for their lives, reminding them that a new year has the potential to bring a new you through faith and commitment.

Pastor Gary welcomes the congregation and reflects on the chaotic, often stressful experience of preparing for Christmas, reminding us that the season should center on Jesus and the transformation he brings to our lives. He contrasts the emptiness of Christmas without Jesus—marked by exhaustion and joylessness—with the abundant life found in embracing him. Highlighting the importance of connection and reflection during the holidays, he emphasizes that true meaning comes from recognizing Christ's presence in our lives. Concluding with a call to action, he invites everyone to trust Jesus more deeply this Christmas, emphasizing that Christianity is not about trying harder, but trusting deeper.

Pastor Pencil's sermon focuses on the true meaning of Christmas by emphasizing the importance of surrendering to Jesus as the perfect authority in our lives. He highlights that while traditions can enrich the season, they should not overshadow the celebration of Christ's birth and the joy that comes from a relationship with Him. The sermon points out that true joy and transformation come when we relinquish control, allowing Jesus to guide us, as His authority is rooted in love, humility, and healing. Ultimately, Pastor Pencil encourages everyone to embrace this profound gift of Christmas, offering a path to peace and purpose through surrendering to Jesus.