CityTalk NOVA

What shapes your sense of right and wrong? In this message from Acts 23, Pastor Mark looks at Paul’s statement that he had lived before God “in all good conscience” and explores the conscience as a God-given moral GPS. Like any navigation system, though, it can only guide us well when it is working with the right information. Mark examines what Scripture says about weak, defiled, and seared consci...

How do we know when God is leading us—and how can we distinguish the Spirit’s guidance from our own desires? Continuing our Going Public series in Acts 20, Pastor Mark looks at Paul’s declaration that he was “compelled by the Spirit” to go to Jerusalem, even though he knew hardship awaited him. We discover that following God does not always mean taking the easiest or safest path. Instead, His guid...

Following Jesus is a lifelong journey toward Christian maturity—and every journey begins with a step. In Colossians 1:27–29, Paul reminds us of an extraordinary truth: Christ is in us. We are not left to grow, obey, or face life on our own. God gives us His presence, His grace, and His power. At the same time, spiritual maturity does not happen by accident. We are called to respond—to know Christ...

In Acts 19, Paul brings the good news of Jesus into Ephesus—and the forces of darkness do not take it quietly. Opposition, slander, counterfeit spirituality, economic upheaval, and outright hostility follow as the gospel begins transforming lives. In this message from our Going Public series, Pastor Mark Seager reminds us that sharing the gospel is an act of spiritual warfare. When we proclaim Chr...

In Acts 18 and 19, Apollos and a group of disciples in Ephesus had incomplete understandings of the gospel. They knew important truths, but they had not yet grasped all that God had provided through Jesus Christ. The same can be true for us. The gospel is far more than a promise of heaven someday. In Christ, our sins are fully forgiven, we receive the Holy Spirit, and we have what we need to live...

In Acts 18, Paul arrives in Corinth and finds himself in circumstances he may not have expected—but God is already at work. Through Paul, Priscilla, Aquila, and the growing church in Corinth, we see that God is in control of our unplanned circumstances and has a purpose for wherever he places us. Pastor Mark Seager encourages us to seek Christian fellowship, remember our purpose to point others to...

How can Christians share the gospel in a community where many people are busy, skeptical, or simply uninterested in faith? In Acts 17 , the Apostle Paul offers a compelling model. Finding himself in Athens, Paul entered the life of the city, listened carefully, recognized the idols shaping its people, and used what he observed to point them toward the living God. Pastor Mark Seager calls this the...

Guest speaker and CityView Youth Director Kevin Kost explores the contrast between hard truths and comfortable lies through scriptural exposition, personal stories, humor, and examples from everyday life. Drawing from Matthew 7:13–24, he considers the narrow road that leads to life and the broad path shaped by self-interest, compromise, and beliefs formed more by personal preference than by God’s...

As the United States marks its 250th birthday, Pastor Mark reflects on what it means for Christians to love their country without losing sight of their greater citizenship in heaven. Drawing from Psalm 33, Jeremiah 29, and other passages, he considers the principles that shaped America's founding, the cultural challenges facing the nation today, and the unique calling of believers to seek the...

There is a question that seems to surface in every human heart at some point: Is there more to life than what I can see? In Acts 14, the Apostle Paul intentionally engages people who are searching for answers. After witnessing a miraculous healing, the crowds conclude that Paul and Barnabas must be gods. Their reaction reveals something deeply human: we are wired to worship and drawn toward the tr...

Humility is not weakness—it is seeing ourselves rightly before God and others. As the gospel spread beyond Jerusalem, the early church faced challenges that tested pride, prejudice, and faith. In Acts 11–12, we encounter Barnabas, a man described as “good, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith,” whose character helped strengthen a growing church. We also see unlikely people serving one another, bel...

"Our country is more divided than ever." It's a phrase we hear constantly — and there's real truth to it. But the "us vs. them" mentality isn't new. Throughout history, people have naturally gravitated toward those who look, speak, and think like them. That instinct isn't always sinful — but it becomes sin when it leads us to exclude, mistreat, or look down on o...

From persecutor to preacher. From enemy to ambassador. Acts 9 records one of the most dramatic turnarounds in history as Saul — a man determined to destroy the church — encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. In this message, Pastor Mark walks through Saul’s conversion and the surprising ways God works through both Saul and Ananias to display the power of the gospel. This passage remin...

This week at CityView Church, we celebrated four years in our church building with a special service of thanksgiving, testimony, and celebration. Preaching from Psalm 105 , Pastor Mark shared how gratitude shapes the life of a believer and the identity of a church family: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples.” As CityView reflects on God’s faithfulne...

What happens when God calls us somewhere we never planned to go? In Acts 8 , the early church is suddenly scattered by persecution after the death of Stephen. What looked like tragedy and disruption became the very thing God used to spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem. Through Philip’s obedience, we see how God often works most powerfully when we are stretched beyond our comfort zones. This message...

In Acts 7 , Stephen stands before his accusers and tells the sweeping story of God—from Abraham to Moses to Jesus. It’s a story of God’s faithfulness, humanity’s resistance, and ultimately, Christ as the fulfillment of it all. Stephen’s courage reminds us that following Jesus has never been about comfort or cultural approval. It’s about faithfulness to a story that is bigger than our lives. As we...

What do you actually trust when life gets complicated? Guest preacher Blake Dumais walks through Proverbs 3:5–6 and challenges us to rethink how we make decisions. While many of us say we trust God, our instincts often lead us to rely on our own understanding first—and only turn to God when things fall apart. This message explores four key questions: Who do we trust? Why can we trust God? How much...

Just weeks after Jesus’ resurrection, the early church was growing rapidly—but it wasn’t without challenges. In Acts 6, a complaint begins to divide the community, revealing how easily even a thriving church can “score an own goal” from within. In this message, we explore how dissension, comparison, and a “spectator mindset” can quietly undermine the mission God has given His people. But more impo...

In Acts 5, the early church is growing—but it’s not without challenges. From hidden sin within the community to rising pressure from the outside, opposition comes from every direction. In this message, we explore what it looks like to follow Jesus when faith is costly. Where does opposition come from? How should we respond? And how can we stay faithful without losing heart? The early believers did...

Easter celebrates the most stunning victory in history—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But before we rush to celebration, we pause to remember the Cross. Jesus’ declaration, “It is finished,” reminds us that everything needed for our forgiveness has already been accomplished. And on Easter morning, the question becomes: Could the resurrection really have happened—and if so, what does it mean for...

On Palm Sunday, we remember the moment Jesus entered Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowd—a king welcomed with celebration and expectation. But within days, everything changed. Why? Because Jesus wasn’t the kind of king people expected . In this message, we look at how the same crowd that praised Jesus quickly turned against Him—and what that reveals about our own expectations of God. While people...

In Acts 3 , a miraculous healing draws a crowd—but the spotlight doesn’t stay on the miracle. It points to Jesus. In this message, we explore what miracles are really for and why the early church didn’t treat them as the main event. When Peter heals a man who couldn’t walk, he makes it clear: this wasn’t by human power, but through Christ . The miracle became an opportunity to boldly proclaim who...

Pentecost is one of the most dramatic moments in the Bible—but its significance goes far beyond the spectacle. In Acts 2 , the Holy Spirit comes with power, fulfilling God’s promise and launching a new era. But the greatest miracle isn’t the rushing wind or tongues of fire—it’s that the Spirit is now available to all who believe in Jesus. Through Peter’s transformation—from denial to bold proclama...

In Micah 7:7–9 , the prophet openly acknowledges his sin while confidently trusting God’s mercy. Instead of hiding from God like Adam and Eve, Micah runs toward Him. His response shows us what it looks like to live “broken but bold.” Guest speaker Pastor Blake Dumais walks through three directives from this passage: look to the Lord, wait for the God of your salvation, and trust that God hears you...

In Acts 2, everything changes. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the disciples were told to wait for the promised Helper. What happened next at Pentecost wasn’t random emotion or religious hype—it was the launch of a new era in God’s plan. In this message, Pastor Mark walks through: Who the Holy Spirit is (not a force, but God Himself) Why Pentecost was the “grand opening” of a new covenant...