Cities Church Exhortations

In this exhortation, Clint Manley exhorts us to read and enjoy reading good stories because God has given us the characters of these stories so that we might compare ourselves to them and learn how we might be a good character in God’s story of glory. And most importantly, when we read stories about Jesus, we should ask ourselves – do we look like him?

In this exhortation, Pastor Jonathan Parnell explains that we are called in Ephesians 4:32 to have open, receptive hearts. However, we are often marked by closed, reactive hearts – bitterness and defensiveness. We should be humbled by sin, mainly thankful, and we should not see mercy as a threat but as the reason for existence and something to be shared. The exhortation is this: give God your hear...

In this exhortation, upon our commissioning of the Rigney family, Marshall Segal recalls the encouragement of a wise friend – be the smile of God to your children. Let every gift of God be an excuse and an opportunity to see and enjoy God – don’t miss the raccoons! Let our joy teach the people in our lives that Jesus is real and he is the happiest man who’s ever lived.

In this exhortation, Pastor Max Kozak exhorts us that a God-honoring friend is committed to your eternal good more deeply than to your comfort or approval. His aim is that you love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Do not redefine ‘love’ to mean ‘supporting and celebrating your neighbor’s rebellion against God.’ Be a friend that loves...

In this exhortation, Pastor Mike Schumann illustrates the present-tense shame we may feel when we allow any unconfessed sin to remain. Our Father does not disown us when we confess our sins to him, for he knows our weakness and failings. Therefore, we should go near to God by confession. For when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us. He listens, and hears, and forgives us.

In this exhortation, Josiah Bennett encourages us to delight in reading God's words spoken to us. We often have many excuses or feelings toward this habit that are not fruitful. Let's be more like the Bereans in Acts 17, approaching “the Word with all eagerness” for God's words are to be precious to us, sweeter than honey.

In this exhortation, Dan Helstrom examines the reality of Jesus as our ultimate treasure although we live in a society that worships money. Matthew 6:24 says we cannot serve two masters. What is it that stops us from making radical changes when our lives have become misaligned with our deepest values?

In this exhortation, Pastor David Mathis recalls the stories of Phillip, Paul, and Peter – scattered preachers – in Acts to shed some gospel hope in this season of both joy and sadness as our church now sends out several members of our Pastoral team to be on mission, preaching Jesus's name. And every Sunday when we are commissioned out we practice this dispersing in Jesus's name. So whether we are...

In this exhortation, Pastor Jonathan Parnell exhorts us to respond with reorientation in the aftermath of our sin. Amidst our disorientation, God calls us to lay down our failures and surrender to his love. So when someone asks, how are you doing? or from another angle, do you know that God loves you? we should respond as one who recognizes our failures, but has humbly sought the mercy of God in C...

In this exhortation, Pastor Mike Polley looks at Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 6:7 and asks the question: How do we respond when wronged, when sinned against? The radical grace of Jesus changes our whole lives, including our response to offenses against us. So, why not just suffer the wrong?

In this exhortation, Pastor Kevin Kleiman retells a parable of Jesus that Jesus himself told during his teaching ministry. Even though the beloved son is rejected by men who think we are the owners of what God has given and are constantly greedy for more...this was the mysterious plan of redemption. The murderous rejection of his very own Son was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous.

In this exhortation, Pastor David Easterwood relates the experience of a colorblind person putting on the colorblind corrective glasses to see color to the person who puts their faith in Jesus. The color pops when we see the world through a lens of faith. However, the glasses were never the permanent fix. As 1 Corinthians says: for now, we see through a mirror dimly, but the perfect is coming.

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."