Cities Church Exhortations

In this exhortation, Pastor Mike Schumann compares the sentiment of a “Get Well Soon” card to the Bible's depiction of prayer as powerful ministry in order to exhort us to avoid thinking about prayer like we think about a “Get Well Soon” card. God is powerful and good, and he does not get tired of hearing our voice. In fact, he invites us to pray. Prayer is ministry. Prayer is productive. Therefor...

In this exhortation, Pastor Jonathan Parnell exhorts us to stop underselling the possibility of Christlikeness. In Renovation of the Heart, Dallas Willard provides 11 “scriptural high points” that are “descriptions of what the apprentices of Jesus are to be like.” We must stop our hopeless thinking that Christlikeness is something we cannot be. Let's not belittle the power of the Holy Spirit.

In this exhortation, Marshall Segal reminds us that Jesus is a great high priest who is able to sympathize with us. Motherhood can be so hard, but Jesus sees you and he sympathizes with you – even when your husband or friends fail to understand. The exhortation is for us all to re-see the beauty and everlasting glory of motherhood and bring all your weaknesses to Jesus.

In this exhortation, Pastor Joe Rigney speaks on passions, or emotions, that can be godly or ungodly. They are good, but dangerous. Ephesians 4:26-27 says, "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." Let us be people who feel our emotions, but do not sin. Let's not give the devil a foothold.

In this exhortation, Clint Manley echoes the invitation of Isaiah 30 to enjoy strength, rest, and rescue by practicing the habit of silence. Let's lean into quietness and trust so that we might enjoy the "deep sea joys" of life.

In this exhortation, Pastor Mike Schumann exhorts us to ask God to do what he has promised he will do. God can deliver us from temptation. God is faithful. Ask for an escape, expect it to appear, and make use of it when it arrives.

In this exhortation, Pastor Mike Polley exhorts us by reflecting on what it means to really believe in Jesus. Believing in Jesus means really trusting Him. Do you trust Jesus? Do you trust him? As Hebrews says, do you “believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him?”

In this exhortation, on Easter Sunday, Pastor David Mathis exhorts us to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus on Easter – but also beyond this one day. The sting of death is sin, but because of Christ's sacrifice we have victory over death. Let's celebrate this victory, always.

In this exhortation, Marshall Segal reminds us of how quickly we can get distracted with the familiarity of Holy Week. In Mark 9:31-33, the disciples heard from Jesus himself that he was going to die and they responded by talking about themselves as they departed. Let's slow down, and gladly put aside self, put aside all arguments, complaints, and grudges. Let's give our focus to Jesus this Holy W...

In this exhortation, Pastor Joe Rigney reminds us of the important liturgical symbols we see during our Sunday worship services as well as the significant architecture of our church building on Summit Avenue and explains why they have been intentionally chosen to be the way they are.

In this exhortation, Pastor Kenny Ortiz reminds us of our need to confess our sins and exhorts us to pray daily for the unbelievers in our lives. Just like the prophet's sentiment in Isaiah 62, give God no rest until he answers the prayers.

In this exhortation, Dan Helstrom exhorts us that every word we speak is a miracle, and what's even more amazing is that God himself speaks to us. Let's wonder at the power of the Word of God and to surrender to what God tells us.

In this exhortation, Pastor David Easterwood looks at the story of Lazarus to remind us of the frightening condition of the human heart. We, too often, think we know better and demand that God perform for us. We blind our eyes to God's mercy and invent our own realities to justify ourselves. Let's be alarmed, lest we hear of a dead man raised alive and think "Kill him again."

In this exhortation, Deacon Clint Manley encourages us to feast on the words of God. God gives us his Word through the written Scriptures, but he also communicates through nature. God's words are sweeter than honey and on Sunday mornings we come to the grand banquet of the week when we gather in worship together. Let's be a hungry people that daily feast on God's words.

In this exhortation, Pastor Mike Polley draws from Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians to exhort us to be more than a bare minimum Christian. The gospel doesn't just cover our sins, it changes our lives. Rather than just ask if our conduct is permissible, let's ask ourselves if it is beneficial. Does it build people up? Does it cause us and others to know and enjoy God more? Does it cause us and oth...

In this exhortation, Pastor Max Kozak gives three truths in the midst of the loss of miscarriage. We believe that unborn children are people, made in God's image, created for eternity. We do not hide our grief, and we lean into those who are grieving. And we grieve with hope – knowing that our sorrows will one day be turned to joy.

In this exhortation, Pastor Josh Foster exhorts us with a word from Hebrews 12. Look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, so that we may endure the race that is set before us. We must come to Jesus so that our souls may live.

In this exhortation, Pastor Jonathan Parnell addresses the wicked abortion laws just enacted by our state and exhorts us to remember that we are called to be a light in our sinful world. Let's embrace the supremacy of Jesus and hold fast to His word.

In this exhortation, Pastor Kevin Kleiman reflects on the reality that God is impossible to ignore. God invites us to go to him in times of fear. God is our only hope in life and death.

In this exhortation, Marshall Segal shares an experience of heartbreak to exhort us, as Romans 12:12 does, to seek out loving one another in our times of tribulation. Let's move toward the hurting.

In this exhortation, Mike Schumann exhorts that there is nothing mundane about being in the presence of God. Christians are the closest to God out of all people in the world, yet sometimes we act disinterested in the face of our God. Rather than yawn, let's be eager to worship him with reverence and awe.

In this exhortation, Pastor David Easterwood tells the story of Elizabeth Elliot and the Waodani people to exhort us to trust in the word of God. No matter what God has for us in 2023, trust what he tells us to be true.

In this exhortation, on Christmas Sunday, Pastor Joe Rigney draws a parallel between the coming of Jesus at Christmas and the rising of Jesus at Easter. The angles praised God in the highest, but on Christmas the highest became the lowest. Let us sing "Glory to God in the Lowest" this Christmas.

In this exhortation, Pastor Mike Polley guides us in reflection of a phrase from the beginning of Psalm 1. We should remember that Christ came full of grace and truth, and Jesus is the only one who says the right things, at the right time, from the right heart.

In this exhortation, Pastor Jonathan Parnell gives an exhortation directed to our church planter, Jordan Hecox, to desire God above all else. The Hecox family and their team will God-willing plant Gospel Joy Church in the coming year in Mankato, MN.