City Beautiful Church | New York City

By now in our Daniel series, we have our eye on certain things...like how God thinks.  And how our ways can be in harmony with Him or not.  Or in harmony with the world around us or not.   And what that can cost us.  In this familiar "Sunday School" story, we notice some familiar things...all while recognizing that reading the Bible is something anyone can do.  After all: God has a train...

Different king, same Daniel.  This new king learns the same lesson his forefathers did-- about just who is ultimately sovereign, holy, merciful and good.  Failure to acknowledge God in all our ways leads to pride...and God will stop at nothing to get our attention. Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

Would you ever believe that the Bible has a whole chapter dedicated to the prideful heart of a pagan king...who conquered and exiled God's people? It does . Why? The answer lies in the fact that no one is disqualified from the love, pursuit, justice and mercy of God-- because only He has full sovereignty over everything.  Don't believe us? Take Nebuchadnezzar's word for it... Connec...

By now, it's clear: more often than not, we humans set our ways against the ways of God.  But for followers of God, what does it mean to have so much assurance of His goodness, love and eternal salvation that we would give our lives for it.  Meet 3 men who were willing to do exactly that...and watch God show His glory. Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

We, like ancient people, can experience what it's like when our worldview fails...and all our tables seem to get turned on us.  How does the Bible teach us to respond? And what is the answer it gives to the deep human question, "Can God come near?" Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

Our series through the book of Daniel begins, and there's plenty of things to be excited for...and nervous about!  Can a 2500-year-old ancient narrative of exile, cunning, human brokenness and God's mercy and glory be relevant for us today? No doubt. The table is set... Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

Does it feel strange or self-seeking to ask God for increase? Not if we know how increase works in His character and Kingdom. We can full-heartedly ask God to add to us...and He will do it in His ways.  What do we do when God brings increase? We go right back to intimacy with Him. Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

We know that God  wants us to ask Him for certain things.  How do we know?  Jesus teaches us.  Next up: God, give us impact! As we ask Him to use us for His glory, we'll soon see that God's idea of impact is different ("higher"!) than ours... Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of God gives us what we should be asking God for. First up... intimacy with Him.   But that doesn't happen without God renewing certain things about us.  No one comes to Jesus and stays unchanged... Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

New year, new you? Maybe so...But as followers of Jesus, what can we be sure we can ask God for? There's one place to find it: Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of God. Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

The final episode in our Vision & Values series.  Jesus said we would be recognizable as "his" by one thing...and it's something the Gospel directly produces in us. Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

Long before it touches our possessions, the Gospel touches our personhood.  Generosity is an "identity position" because of what Jesus has done for us... Sacrifice flows easily and anxiety turns to freedom after we understand His love. Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

The Gospel changes who we listen to, and Jesus gives us a compelling invitation: "Abide with me." Accepting His invitation changes everything about how we have a relationship God. Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

The Gospel of Jesus fundamentally changes our relationship to power: what it means to run out of it...and what we do when we have it.  We serve the God of the impossible, and we fall at His feet. Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

There's only one response when we believe God's radical love found in the Gospel of Jesus...overflowing in inviting others to experience that radical love as well! (To view the clip referenced in this sermon, click here ). Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

God's radical love for us (the Gospel), given to us in Jesus, doesn't just spark our love for Him...it begets a radical unity amongst us as a church.  But unity doesn't just happen...what causes (and keeps) our unity? Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

The Gospel is the message--the reality--of God's radical love for us.  His radical love for us births our radical love for Him.  And this Gospel dynamic changes everything. Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most impactful and important message in history.  As a church, we need a vision statement -- a concept of who we are and how we will live -- that reflects the Gospel. Connect with City Beautiful Church! citybeautiful.nyc