City Church OTR Messages

This week, Chris and Rob took turns discussing four topics they refer to as "Relationship Killers": gossip, conflict, pornography/sexual sin, and unforgiveness. To be healthy people and to be a healthy church, we need healthy relationships. These issues impact all of our relationships, both personal and with others in our lives. One of the greatest risks to human flourishing is the epide...

This week, we brought together a panel of trusted, wise, and experienced individuals to guide us on raising children in the way they should go. They addressed crucial questions, such as: How can we nurture children to choose to follow God into adulthood? What role can single people play in showing love and support to the kids in our community? One of the greatest risks to human flourishing is the...

Bringing our series on John 3:16, "God so loved," to a close, Chris taught on the last two words of the famous verse: "Everlasting Life." Chris asks the question, based on the scriptures, "Are you dead or alive?" There are two ages: the present age and the age to come. As Jesus' followers, we are called to operate out of the age to come in the present age. “The bi...

This week, Chris taught on the section of John 3:16, “Shall Not Perish.” The mystery of what happens after death raises many questions. Is Hell real? If so, is it eternal? These questions spark a wide range of beliefs and opinions, even within the Church. “The biggest enemy of learning is knowing” John 3:16 is a verse we may all know, but what if there’s way more here for us to learn and obey? Joi...

This week, Dwight Young taught on the word "Believes" in our theme verse, John 3:16. There is a difference between knowing about God and believing in God. The Holy Spirit guides and convicts us to not only understand who Jesus is but to trust in Him completely. “The biggest enemy of learning is knowing” John 3:16 is a verse we may all know, but what if there’s way more here for us to lea...

This week, Dave Workman visited us at City Church OTR and spoke on the word "Whoever." Does whoever really mean whoever? The message of reconciliation is the key. How can we, as the church, utilize the message of reconciliation to minister to the "whoevers" of the world. “The biggest enemy of learning is knowing” John 3:16 is a verse we may all know, but what if there’s way mor...

This week, Brandon McCauley shared with us on the words "His One and Only Son" from John 3:16. The old testament law was only meant to cover our sin, not atone for them. That is why we needed the Messiah, Jesus Christ! “The biggest enemy of learning is knowing” John 3:16 is a verse we may all know, but what if there’s way more here for us to learn and obey? Join us for God So Loved, a se...

As we continue through John 3:16, Chris taught on the phrase "That He Gave" and how God giving to us paved the way for us to receive his grace and mercy, all because He is a just God who holds up His end of every promise. “The biggest enemy of learning is knowing” John 3:16 is a verse we may all know, but what if there’s way more here for us to learn and obey? Join us for God So Loved, a...

This week Rob focused on the words "The World" from the most famous verse in the Bible. What exactly does "the world" refer to? How can we be in the world without conforming to it? The way we understand "the world" impacts how we live within it, and the way we love reflects God's love to those around us. “The biggest enemy of learning is knowing” John 3:16 is a ve...

This week Chris focused on the significance of the words "so loved." Love is an action, feeling, and identity for God. The past tense of this passage doesn't contradict the rest of Scripture about God's love; instead, it provides a deeper context and understanding of His love for us. “The biggest enemy of learning is knowing” John 3:16 is a verse we may all know, but what if ther...

This week, Chris taught on the first two words of the most renowned verse in the Bible. God reveals His name to us through scripture and instructs us on how we are to address Him. While we may gain knowledge of His name through those passages, there is a big difference between studying theology and knowing God. “The biggest enemy of learning is knowing” John 3:16 is a verse we may all know, but wh...

This week, City Church OTR celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Chris shared how this redemption story changed the world on a cosmic level. Yet this story, that none of us are the main characters of, also changes us on a personal level. Six verses, one event; it changed everything!

This week, Kristen taught about the role God played in Ruth's story. God often partners with His creation in amazing and unexpected ways. Ruth and Boaz's story leads to the restoration of Israel through the genealogy of Jesus. How could God be wanting to partner with us? The book of Ruth is often known as the Cinderella story of the Bible. It's a love story, but not in the way we'v...

This week, Chris shared the story of Boaz. The relationship between Ruth and Boaz acts as a great reminder of the importance of initiation in leadership and honor in response. There is so much we can learn from his story. It's a beautiful example of how we can operate more like Jesus as humans. The book of Ruth is often known as the Cinderella story of the Bible. It's a love story, but not...

This week, Chris taught on the namesake of our series, Ruth. Ruth's story is one that teaches us to do the right thing, even when no one is watching! The book of Ruth is often known as the Cinderella story of the Bible. It's a love story, but not in the way we've typically read it. Instead of being an unrelatable fairytale, Ruth is a story that we can all connect to and learn from.

The book of Ruth is often known as the Cinderella story of the Bible. It's a love story, but not in the way we've typically read it. Instead of being an unrelatable fairytale, Ruth is a story that we can all connect to and learn from. This week, Rob Groves taught on Naomi's story. Naomi was a victim of her circumstances. We can be both inspired by her faithfulness and cautioned by her...

We live in a culture that trains us to "work hard for the money", and then do whatever we want with it because we earned it. God has a different view of what it means to live abundantly, and it starts with living generously...like He does to us. When we shift our view of what's ours versus His, we find the way to more trust, peace, and joy. This week, Rob Groves teaches on the Spirit...

We live in a culture that trains us to "work hard for the money", and then do whatever we want with it because we earned it. God has a different view of what it means to live abundantly, and it starts with living generously...like He does to us. When we shift our view of what's ours versus His, we find the way to more trust, peace, and joy. This Sunday, Michelle Santora teaches that...

We live in a culture that trains us to "work hard for the money", and then do whatever we want with it because we earned it. God has a different view of what it means to live abundantly, and it starts with living generously...like He does to us. When we shift our view of what's ours versus His, we find the way to more trust, peace, and joy. This week, Pastor Chris Marlin addresses so...

We live in a culture that trains us to "work hard for the money", and then do whatever we want with it because we earned it. God has a different view of what it means to live abundantly, and it starts with living generously...like He does to us. When we shift our view of what's ours versus His, we find the way to more trust, peace, and joy. This week, Pastor Chris Marlin teaches on t...

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Every January, we set ambitious resolutions and lofty goals but only 10% of them have a lasting impact. Join us as we uncover the key to lasting Change in Ourselves, Our City, and Our Church. In situations where we have been praying and not receiving answers from the Lord, it's easy to give up on the power of prayer. This week Pas...

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Every January, we set ambitious resolutions and lofty goals but only 10% of them have a lasting impact. Join us as we uncover the key to lasting Change in Ourselves, Our City, and Our Church. This week, Pastor Paul Taylor of Rivers Crossing Church teaches on the profound impact of obedience and prayer. Through unity in prayer, we have...

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Every January, we set ambitious resolutions and lofty goals but only 10% of them have a lasting impact. Join us as we uncover the key to lasting Change in Ourselves, Our City, and Our Church. This week, Pastor Andy Ziegenfuss from All Church shared with us about how prayer, fellowship, and keeping Jesus at the center is critical to th...

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Every January, we set ambitious resolutions and lofty goals but only 10% of them have a lasting impact. Join us as we uncover the key to lasting Change in Ourselves, Our City, and Our Church. This week, Chris Marlin teaches that prayer is formative in our relationship with God and that's spending time in His presence could be the...

Gold. Frankincense. Myrrh. Unusual gifts for a baby born in unusual circumstances. But there's more to these gifts than meets the eye, each one a unique telling of this child's true identity. A baby himself born to be a gift to a world in need. This week, Chris Marlin teaches on the gift of myrrh and poses the question: When did Mary know that her baby's story would be powerful and tra...