2 Cities Church Podcast

Big Idea: Some relationships you choose.  Others, God chooses for you.  #5- Exodus 20:12 Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery… Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.   I.  The foundation for all relationships II.  This is fundamental...

Big Idea: Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.   #4-Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: You are to labor six days and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. You must not do any work- you, your son or daughter, your male or female servant, your livestock, or the resident alien who is within your city gates. For the LORD made the heavens and...

Big Idea: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.   Exodus 20:7 Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.   1. Respect the name.   2. Don’t use the name in vain.   3. Hallowed be Your name.   Next Steps:  Believe: I surrender my soul to the name Jesus today. Become: I will not use the name of God in vain t...

Big Idea: Worship is supreme- don’t get it wrong. #2- Exodus 20:4-6 Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery… Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I,...

#1- Exodus 20:1-3 Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. Do not have other gods besides me. Big Idea: Loving God and loving others starts with _______.   I. It’s #1 for a reason. Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, wi...

Big Idea: God’s RULEs don’t bind you — they guide you. Exodus 20:1-2 Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. I. Born out of  R elationship II. Unchangeable and  U niversal III. Come from  L ove IV. E xist for your Good Next Steps:  Believe: I need Jesus to change my heart today. Become: I will follow God’s RULEs...

Big Idea: We’re working on where God is working.   I. God is bringing people to himself through Christ. John 5:19 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things. II. Christ is bringing people together. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit...

Big Idea: Have you multiplied yourself?   I. Go and do likewise.  Luke 10:37 “The one who showed mercy to him,” he said. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.” Matthew 28:19 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, 2 Timothy 2:2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faith...

Big Idea: The way we do Sunday morning doesn’t make disciples. I. Sending is God’s mission; not seating! John 20:19 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” II. Discipleship is far messier than Sunday Morning. Acts 15:36-41 After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we ha...

Big Idea: We are other-focused in everything.   I. Are we hiding our salt in the salt shaker? Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and put...

Big Idea: We’re different by design—God has one mission for every one of His children.    I. Jesus sent ALL- not some. Luke 10:1-3 After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others, and he sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out w...

Big Idea: 3 deep roots hold stronger than 300 branches.   I. Go deeper than virtual. Acts 2:44-46 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful an...

Big Idea: Some trauma can only be healed by nail-scarred hands.       I. Jesus is close. Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit. II. Jesus comforts. Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. III. Jesus gives courage. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Next Steps: Believe: I n...

Big Idea: Sin makes all relationships unhealthy. Romans 12:18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.   I. Show grace to people who are far from Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” II. Seek help when people hurt you. Ephesians 4:31-32 Let al...

Big Idea: I don’t need more competence or confidence- God’s presence is enough. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. I. Let sound judgment guide your decisions Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. II. Let Jesus’...

Big Idea: Through Christ, you can live under pressure and above fear.  Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. I. Struggle with self-reliance Isaiah 26:3 You will keep the mind that is depend...

Big Idea: Don’t let AirPods tune out God’s megaphone! Numbers 11:15 “If you are going to treat me like this, please kill me right now if I have found favor with you, and don’t let me see my misery anymore.”   I. It might be God’s preparation…  2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affl...

Big Idea: The pool looks perfect to a restless frog.   I. Temptation is vicious, yet God’s grace is always victorious. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it. II. The struggle s...

Big Idea: Your smart watch can’t make time.   I.  Don’t abuse it.  James 4:13-16 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, “If the Lord w...

Big Idea: GOD is always in control   Esther 10:1-3 King Ahasuerus imposed a tax throughout the land even to the farthest shores. All of his powerful and magnificent accomplishments and the detailed account of Mordecai’s great rank with which the king had honored him, have they not been written in the Book of the Historical Events of the Kings of Media and Persia? Mordecai the Jew was second only t...

Big Idea: Gratitude is the seed, attitude is the fruit. Esther 9:18-32   I. Take time to celebrate your faith.  Esther 9:18-22 But the Jews in Susa had assembled on the thirteenth and the fourteenth days of the month. They rested on the fifteenth day of the month, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing. This explains why the rural Jews who live in villages observe the fourteenth day of the...

Big Idea: God doesn’t change problems; he changes people. Esther 9:1-17   I. God moves at the perfect moment Esther 9:1-5 The king’s command and law went into effect on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar. On the day when the Jews’ enemies had hoped to overpower them, just the opposite happened. The Jews overpowered those who hated them. In each of King Ahasuerus’s provinces th...

Big Idea: There’s no going back, but God can make a better way forward. Esther 8:1-17 I. Don’t forget your past.  Esther 8:1-2 That same day King Ahasuerus awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Mordecai entered the king’s presence because Esther had revealed her relationship to Mordecai. The king removed his signet ring he had recovered from Haman and gave it to Mordecai...

Big Idea: God’s plan happens through human hands!   Esther 7:1-10 I. You might need to get your hands dirty. Esther 7:1-4 The king and Haman came to feast with Esther the queen. Once again, on the second day while drinking wine, the king asked Esther, “Queen Esther, whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you seek, even to half the kingdom, will be done.” Queen Esther answered, “If I have...

Big Idea- The Father shows his heart through a mother’s love. Proverbs 31:25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. I.  A mother’s strength isn’t measured at the gym. II. A mother’s honor isn’t measured in likes or shares. III. A mother’s hope isn’t measured on the easy days. Next Steps: Believe: I need to experience God’s love for the first time today. Become:...