2 Cities Church Podcast

Big Idea:  Your worldview is free, but it will cost you everything! Genesis 1:1 Your worldview is free, but it will cost you everything! 1. God causes Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning…” 2. God creates Genesis 1:1 … God… 3. God cares Genesis 1:1 …created the heavens and the earth. Next Steps: I will let my creator set my agenda this week. I need Jesus to create a new heart in me today.

Big Idea:  We’re aligning our vision with God’s vision for 2023! We’re aligning our vision with God’s vision for 2023! 1. We will match or work and worship. Jeremiah 7:3-4 “‘This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Correct your ways and your actions, and I will allow you to live in this place. Do not trust deceitful words, chanting, “This is the temple of...

Big Idea:  Jesus doesn’t compare Christians! John 21:20-25 Jesus doesn’t compare Christians! 1. Don’t compare yourself. John 21: 20-23 So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them, the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” “If I wa...

Big Idea:  Jesus favors faith on bloody knees. John 21:1-14 Jesus favors faith on bloody knees. 1. Don’t avoid the “come to Jesus meeting”. John 21: 15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him. 2. Why excuses are deadly. John 21: 16-17 A se...

Big Idea:  Moving back home empty-handed! John 21:1-14 Moving back home empty-handed! 1. Back in black. John 21: 1-6 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples were together. “I’m going fishing,” Simon Pete...

Big Idea:  Follow the Signs. John 20:19-31 Follow the Signs. 1. The Great Commission. John 20: 19-23 When it was evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, "Peace be with you." Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced wh...

Big Idea:  When King Jesus calls you by name. John 20:11-18 When King Jesus calls you by name. 1. Power to face fears. John 20: 11-15 But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “Beca...

Big Idea:  If this is possible, then _____ ! John 20:1-10 If this is possible, then _____ ! 1. You can courageously face your future. John 20: 1-2 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them,...

Big Idea:  Why this tomb became a tourist destination. John 19: 38-42 Why this tomb became a tourist destination. 1. Joseph 2. Nicodemus 3. You John 19: 38-42 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’s body. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and took his body away. Nicodemus (who had...

Big Idea:  Love can only be measured on the scales of sacrifice! John 19: 25-37 Love can only be measured on the scales of sacrifice! 1. Love is serving. John 19: 25-27 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your...

Big Idea:  His pain was far beyond physical. John 19: 1-16 His pain was far beyond physical. John 19: 17-24 Then they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called Place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him and two others with him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. Pilate also had a sign made and put on the cro...

Big Idea:  One bad choice can chase you for life. John 19: 1-16 One bad choice can chase you for life. 1. Don’t forget that choices have consequences. John 19: 1-5 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers also twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and clothed him in a purple robe. And they kept coming up to him and saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” and were s...

Big Idea:  Many loud lies can’t silence simple Truth. John 18: 28-40 Many loud lies can’t silence simple Truth. 1. Don’t sacrifice Truth for convenience. John 18: 28-32 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them...

Big Idea:  Anyone moving forward might stumble. John 18:25-27 Anyone moving forward might stumble. 5 responses after you stumble: Lie to yourself Lighten it Like it didn’t happen Live in it Learn from it John 18: 25-27 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the high priest’s...

Big Idea:  When deeply wounded… apply pressure! John 18:15-24 When deeply wounded… apply pressure! 1. When the damage is self-inflicted. John 18: 15-18 Simon Peter was following Jesus, as was another disciple. That disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest; so he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. But Peter remained standing outside by the door. So the other disciple, the...

Big Idea:  The helpless are hopeless without a hero. John 18: 1-14 The helpless are hopeless without a hero. 1. Superman can’t fly out of his flesh. John 18: 1-5 After Jesus had said these things, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there...

AMA: Skin issues are usually sin issues. 1. How do I accept cultural differences without my group getting dysfunctional? Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Acts 17:26-28; Romans 15:5–6; Galatians 3:26–28 2. How do I prevent my church preferences from becoming an idol? John 13:34 I give you a new...

AMA: Should I be best friends with an unbeliever? 1. Is there room for politics in the church? 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 I wrote to you in a letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. I did not mean the immoral people of this world or the greedy and swindlers or idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world. But actually, I wrote you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a b...

AMA: Don’t let the government overtake the gospel in your group. Philippians 3:20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 1. Is there room for politics in the church? 1 Timothy 2:1-4 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so tha...

AMA: Building awesome bonds requires bearing awkward burdens. John 1:16-17  Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  1. Sanctity of life. Leviticus 18:21 “You are not to sacrifice any of your children in the fire to Molech. Do not profane the name of your God; I am the Lord. Genesis 9...

AMA: 3 boundaries for relationships in the church. 1. Across the block. Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ 2. Across the bridge. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together without agreeing to meet? Come together: The Sabbath- - Mark 2:27: Deuteronomy 5:13-15 Baptism- Matthew 3:13-17 and Mark 1:9-11; Matthew 28:19–20 ; Acts 2:41, 8:12; Romans 6:3-4; C...

Big Idea:  Enough spiders can tie down an elephant. John 17:20-26 Enough spiders can tie down an elephant. 1. One Faith. John 17:20-21 “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. 2. One Family. John 17: 22-23 I have given t...

Big Idea:  Jesus is praying for you today. John 17:6-19 Jesus is praying for you today. 1. Jesus prays for your faithfulness. John 17:6-8 “I have revealed your name to the people you gave me from the world. They were yours, you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, because I have given them the words you gave me. They have...

Big Idea:  Only eternal glory is worth dying for. John 17:1-5 Only eternal glory is worth dying for. 1. God always acts for his own glory. John 17:1 Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2. Only God's glory is eternal. John 17: 2-3 …since you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give...

Big Idea:   Christus Victor is the only Latin you’ll ever need. John 16:16-33 Christus Victor is the only Latin you’ll ever need. 1. Triumph over toils. John 16:16-24 “In a little while, you will no longer see me; again in a little while, you will see me.” Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this he’s telling us: ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again a little whi...