Cities Church Sermons

In this sermon, part five of our ROOTED series, Pastor Jonathan examines 2 Corinthians 9 highlighting the Apostle Paul's exhortation for them to be generous. Pastor Jonathan gives clear biblical principles around giving and generosity, helping us clearly see what "God-centered" generosity looks like. The God who made everything and who needs nothing, this God, our heavenly Father, he loves cheerfu...

In this sermon, part four of our ROOTED series, Pastor Jonathan looks at Matthew 6 and asks the question, "Could it be that anxiety is the real cause of greed?" Pastor Jonathan Parnell examines the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6:25​–34 and its connection to money in the previous passage (vv. 19–24). The reason we don’t give more to God is because we are anxious it will make us miserable. The remed...

In this sermon, part three of our ROOTED series, Pastor David Mathis gives us a clear vision for our calling to serve the Twin Cities. He exhorts our congregation to not fear the Cities, but instead be committed to loving the Cities. He preaches from Jeremiah 29:4–14 and highlights several lessons we can learn from the Jewish people being dragged off to Babylon as exiles more than 2,600 years ago....

In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan preaches from Ephesians 3 as the second part of our ROOTED sermons series. In 2014 Cities Church was commissioned out as a new church plant from Bethlehem Baptist Church. Now, in our seventh year, our pastors believe that this is the time—both consciously and practically—that we transition from having been a church planted to becoming a church rooted. One of the mos...

In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan, opens the "ROOTED" sermon series and explains the importance of this sermon series in the life of our church. In 2014 Cities Church was commissioned out as a new church plant from Bethlehem Baptist Church. Now, in our seventh year, our pastors believe that this is the time—both consciously and practically—that we transition from having been a church planted to beco...

In this sermon, Pastor Kevin examines the final letter from Jesus in the book of Revelation, the letter to the Laodiceans. This letter contains the harshest rebuke of any of the seven letters. Jesus makes clear that the Christians in this region (that see themselves as rich and privileged) are, in actuality, poor and wretch. The symptom is lukewarmness, a variation of Christianity that, quite fran...

In this sermon, Pastor Kenny examines the sixth letter from Jesus in the book of Revelation. In this letter Jesus praises the church of Philadelphia for their faithfulness and Jesus makes several promises to them. He promises to open the door of the family of God, and no one can shut the door. Jesus promises to protect the believers, to vindicate the believers, and strengthen the believers. Jesus...

In this sermon, Pastor Ryan examines the church at Sardis in Revelation 3. The church was once vibrant and faithful and missional, and developed a strong reputation. However, Jesus sends a message to the church to warn them that they are dead, even though they have a reputation of being "alive." The church at Sardis still had some faithful people, but the church largely had lost its faithfulness a...

In this sermon, Pastor David Mathis examines Jesus' message to the church at Thyatira. Jesus praises elements of the church and rebukes their tolerance of sin. In this letter to the church, Christ makes clear that he is patient toward them. But his patience toward them is not indefinitely. He will, in time, exact fitting justice, and Christ's justice is never gratuitous and never overdone. Christ'...

In this sermon, Mike Schumann examines Jesus' message to the church at Pergamum. Jesus rebukes the church, telling them that their trajectory as a church is similar to that of the Israelites in the Old Testament that were enticed by Balak and held to the teaching of Balaam. The Israelites could not be cursed, but they could be enticed to sin by eating foods sacrificed to idols and by committing se...

In this sermon, Pastor Mike Polley examines Jesus' message to the church in Smyrna and gives us application for our modern church context. Jesus message to us: Be faithful, even unto death.

In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan introduces the Book of Revelation and kicks off our series on the seven letters to the seven churches. As we examine these letters, we learn that it matters to Jesus a great deal what happens in the local church. He takes an interest; he leans in; and he watches and tracks and keeps up with what’s going on, and he has thoughts about local churches.

In this standalone sermon, Pastor Nick Aufenkamp expounds upon Hebrews 13:12-16, exhorting us to live in light of the second coming of Christ. Jesus has come, and he will come again—that truth inspires us no matter what we face. It is essential for us, as believers, to remember that eternity future shall be glorious for us, because of what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf. For the Christian, t...

In this video, Pastor Jonathan expounds upon Titus 3:8-15, examining the value of good works. If, when you hear the words “good works” the first thing you think is: I’m not saved by them! You’re exactly right. You are not saved by them. You are saved by Jesus alone, on the basis of his grace alone, through faith alone — it is the gift of God, not a results of works. And, your salvation, which is n...

In this video, Pastor Josh Foster expounds upon Titus 3:1-7, examining the exhortations the Apostle Paul gives Titus in light of the grace we, as Christians, have experienced. Paul charges Titus to behave righteously as a response to the grace we have been shown.

In this video, Pastor Joe expounds upon Titus 2:11-15 and the Apostle Paul's charge for Titus to exhort the churches to behave and live in light of Biblical grace. Our conduct is based on what God has done, in history in the past—his gracious acts toward us. Jesus gave himself for us. And it is anticipating what God will do in the future when the glory of Jesus appeared. So that now, in the presen...

In this video, Pastor Jonathan expounds upon Titus 1:5–16 and the Apostle Paul's charge for Titus to plant churches in his region. We learn that there are many great reasons to plant churches. It glorifies God and it is the best evangelism strategy. Church planting is biblical — and the clearest biblical reason to plant churches is for the sake of gospel purity.

In this video, Pastor Jonathan expounds upon Titus 1:5–16 and the Apostle Paul's charge for Titus to plant churches in his region. We learn that there are many great reasons to plant churches. It glorifies God and it is the best evangelism strategy. Church planting is biblical — and the clearest biblical reason to plant churches is for the sake of gospel purity.

In this video, Pastor David expounds upon Titus 1:1–4 and gives us insights into the catalytic hope we have in Christ. God himself in human flesh, the founder and perfecter of our faith, did the single greatest good of all time? What propelled him, against the greatest possible obstacles, to go to the cross? It was hope. Faith looking to the future and seeing the reward. Not wishful thinking about...

In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan expounds upon 2 Timothy 4:9–22 and reminds us of the "realness" of Jesus. We see that the Apostle Paul often relied on people, because we as humans need other people, but ultimately Paul knew that Jesus was enough for his. The Lord stood by him and strengthen him. We need people. And Jesus is enough. We make every effort to surround ourselves with people who will he...

In this video, Pastor David Mathis expounds upon 2 Timothy 4:1–8. He points to the urgent reality that what people need most from preachers are the simple truths we see in the Scriptures. People don't need pithy statements, jokes, stories, or social commentary; what they really need to know is what God has to say. Christ's opinion is supreme because he is the judge. This is good news for Paul and...

In this sermon, Kenneth Ortiz expounds upon 2 Timothy 3:10–17 showing how the Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy to rely on the sacred writings as the means of grace and strength in the face of persecution and suffering. God gives us the Bible, so that we can know him, so that we can be equipped in this life, and so that we can have intimacy with him. The very existence of the Bible shouts to us the kin...

In this sermon, Pastor Joe Rigney expounds upon 2 Timothy 3:1–9 showing how the "servant of the Lord" points to the ultimate servant–Christ Jesus himself! Christ was not quarrelsome, but he did fight. He was kind to all, even his opponents. He exposed the hearts of men, he taught well, he stood for righteousness, all while patient with all, even those who opposed him. He was the man of sorrows, ac...

In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan Parnell expounds upon 2 Timothy 2:14–19 and reminds us of the simple, yet profound truth, that Jesus Christ is the son of God, took all of our sins and guilt and shame, and the punishment we deserved, and he raised from the dead for us. And because of him and his work, the church is going to make it through, no matter what we face. Christians will make it through an...

In this sermon, Pastor Joshua Foster examines 2 Timothy 2:8-13, pointing us to the most important questions any person could ever ask: 1) Who is Jesus?; 2) What has he done? Jesus is more than just a good teacher, he is the Son of God, who was incarnated and lived among us, descended from King David, the one who had been prophesied for centuries. He also died and rose from the dead, and because th...