Cities Church Exhortations

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.

In this exhortation, Jordan Hecox gives 5 promises from the word to cling to when we find our lives fitting the reality of risk.

In this exhortation, Pastor David Mathis exhorts us to adore Christ this Advent season. Let us know and enjoy Jesus more in this season of waiting.

In this exhortation, Pastor Josh Foster calls us to worship God with our families. Parents must bring their children up in the Lord. But why? As Deuteronomy says, we were once slaves but the Lord brought us out. True revival in this city, starts with the family.

In this exhortation, Pastor Joe Rigney calls parents to be the smile of God to children. Just as our Father aims for our hearts, parents should aim for the hearts of their children and they may understand what it is to give their heart to their heavenly Father.

In this exhortation, Mike Schumann calls out our proneness, as humans, to look at the outward appearance of others. The book of James warns us to show no partiality as we hold faith in the Lord of glory. Let us not create evil distinctions among one another.

In this exhortation, Marshall Segal draws on 2 Timothy 2:7 to build courage and confidence for the moments when we open God's Word. Understanding is possible because God gives it to us, therefore let's slow down and think harder.

In this exhortation, Pastor Max Kozak encourages us to become who we are as new creations in Christ. In Ephesians 4, Paul teaches that our words should be gracious by building up and giving thanks. We must hate what God hates, including repulsive speech.

In this exhortation, Pastor Jonathan Parnell reminds us of our ultimate purpose. While many things of this life are good things – our spouse, our children, our career – none are to be the center of our lives. Jesus is the center of our lives. We exist for the Glory of God.

In this exhortation, Pastor Mike Polley encourages us to keep an eternal view in mind while we endeavor here on earth. It may seem that our life on earth is reality and heaven is but a mere dream, but it is actually the opposite–our life is but a midst, and the New Jerusalem is our true destination. Jesus paid for our sins when he offered himself on the cross. If we believe in Jesus, whom God is w...

In this exhortation, Josiah Bennett illuminates the fact that our world is overridden with stories and reminds us of the biggest story. We should be telling our gospel stories, because all of our stories fit into the biggest story.

In this exhortation, Mike Schumann challenges us, as Galatians 6:10 instructs, to do good to everyone and especially to serve the Church when opportunity arises.

In this exhortation, Pastor Kenny Ortiz implores us to seek out relationships with other people because we often fail to see ourselves rightly. Sin blinds our self-perception, but a good friend lovingly rebukes us away from our own blindness.

In this exhortation, Pastor Jonathan Parnell answers the question of where we are going. We are going to see Jesus. But until then, we will continue on mission to plant churches in these Twin Cities creating a place in which Jesus will be impossible to ignore.