City Lights Church

As City Lights steps into  2026 , this message is a call to live  “the Jesus way” —not just admiring Jesus, but following Him as disciples and apprentices who become like Him and do what He did. Tracing Jesus’ invitation to ordinary fishermen and the early church’s identity as  “people of the Way,”  the sermon challenges listeners to see discipleship as a whole-life pattern marked by obedience, su...

In this message, Pastor Amos continues our  On Earth As In Heaven  series by talking about  the invitation of heaven —and why Christmas isn’t just something we celebrate, it’s something we’re meant to  respond  to. This sermon centers on  “Heaven’s Invitation: Come and See.”  Walking through Mary and Joseph’s encounters with the angel, and then the shepherds and the Magi, Pastor Amos reminds us th...

In this message,  Pastor Amos  continues our series built around the prayer,  “on earth as it is in heaven,”  reminding listeners that  heaven came down  when Jesus took on flesh and dwelled among us. Pastor Amos encourages the church not to rush through the holidays, but to slow down, be present, and reflect on the deeper meaning of Christmas and how it truly changes everything. This sermon focus...

In this Christmas message, we explore the simple but life-changing truth behind the prayer “on earth as it is in heaven.” Walking through John 1 and Luke 2, the sermon unpacks how heaven came down when Jesus—God in the flesh—stepped into our world with humility, light, and salvation. We look at why the incarnation matters, why Jesus’ lowly birth reveals the heart of God, and how his arrival breaks...

In this Advent message, we trace the promise of “heaven on earth” from the garden of Eden to the manger in Bethlehem. Looking at Genesis 3 and Isaiah 9, we see that Christmas didn’t begin with twinkle lights and sentiment, but with God stepping into humanity’s darkest moments with a promise of restoration. The episode unpacks how every prophecy and promise in Scripture points to Jesus as the light...

In this episode, we explore what it really means to “learn gratitude God’s way.” Even with a fading voice, the message is clear and strong: gratitude is more than a feeling. It is a spiritual practice that reshapes our hearts and minds, moves our focus from what is wrong to the God who is always faithful, and rewires our thoughts away from negativity and anxiety. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:16–...

Is Jesus really the only way to God? In this message from the  Big Questions  series, we look at John 14 and the claim that all religions “coexist” and ultimately lead to the same place. Amos explains why every worldview makes exclusive truth claims, what makes Jesus’ claim different, and how the gospel is both exclusive in truth and radically inclusive in invitation. You’ll hear: Why the popular...

Suffering is real. It’s not a sign that God has abandoned us, but a reminder that we live in a world fractured by sin. This message walks through why suffering exists at all, how a good God can step into it without being cruel, and why for those in Christ suffering will not last forever. You’ll hear: • Why suffering entered the world in Genesis 3 and how sin broke creation • The difference between...

The resurrection is not a nice add-on to Christianity. It is the event everything stands on. This message from Dr. Ron Davis shows that the New Testament invites investigation, that your questions are welcome, and that the historical data around Jesus’ resurrection actually strengthens faith rather than weakens it. You’ll hear: • Why John 20 is such a strong eyewitness-style account of the empty t...

Doubt is normal. It isn’t the opposite of faith, but often the starting point for deeper trust. Amos unpacks how belief and uncertainty can coexist, why emotions can amplify our questions, and how Jesus meets honest doubters with both truth and grace. You’ll hear: • The three types of doubt: factual, emotional, and volitional • Biblical portraits of doubt: Peter, Thomas, John the Baptist, and King...

Doubt is normal. It isn’t skepticism or unbelief. Amos unpacks how faith and doubt can coexist, why our emotions often amplify questions, and how Jesus meets honest doubters with truth and grace. You’ll hear: The three types of doubt: factual, emotional, volitional Biblical portraits of doubt: Peter, Thomas, John the Baptist, King Agrippa A simple plan to process doubt: return to the resurrection,...

In this episode, the story of a 1934 tent revival in Charlotte, North Carolina, sets the stage. A local businessman’s home Bible studies led to a revival led by evangelist Mordecai Ham. A hesitant teenage Billy Graham was ushered into the crowded tent, a moment that sparked his salvation and eventually led him to share the gospel with millions around the world. This story illustrates how ordinary...

In this message from Genesis 37–50, Pastor Amos closes out the Genesis series by exploring Joseph’s story. Joseph is Jacob’s favored son, which stirs jealousy and resentment among his brothers. When Joseph shares dreams that seem to place him in authority over them, their anger boils over, leading them to sell him into slavery and deceive their father into thinking he’s dead. In Egypt, Joseph’s fa...

This episode dives into one of the most pivotal sections of Genesis, following Jacob’s journey through conflict, deception, and transformation. From family betrayal and reconciliation to his wrestling match with God, we explore how these chapters reveal God’s faithfulness even when we’re broken and flawed. Jacob’s story challenges us to confront our own struggles, surrender control, and trust God’...

Jehovah Jireh: The Lord Will Provide This week on the City Lights podcast, Pastor Amos walks us through a powerful message on faith and provision. Have you ever felt that your faith was being stretched to its limits? Using the story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22, Pastor Amos explores what it means to truly trust in God, even when the path He asks us to walk doesn’t make sense. In this episo...

From the flood to Babel, the story narrows to a promise—God calls Abram and pledges a family, a future, and blessing for the world. Genesis 15–21 shows Abraham and Sarah wrestling with doubt, delay, and the slow work of faith. Under a star-filled sky, God reaffirms His word, and decades later Isaac is born. The point is clear: God’s timing rarely matches ours, but His promises hold. We trace the p...

Have you ever tried to build security, identity, or community on your own—only to realize it doesn’t satisfy? In this message, we look at the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 and see how God stepped in to stop people from chasing those things apart from Him. What they were trying to create for themselves, God later promised to Abram in Genesis 12: a true community, real security, and a lasting name—gi...

In this message from the  In the Beginning  series, we walk through Genesis 6–9 and the account of Noah. Scripture paints a picture of a world consumed by wickedness, yet one man found favor in God’s eyes. We explore how sin has no limits, how it breaks God’s heart, and how His justice is always paired with grace. From the warning of the flood to the promise of the rainbow, this passage reminds us...

Genesis 3 introduces the moment everything changed—the beginning of separation between God and humanity. In this message, we trace how Eve’s subtle disassociation from God’s personal, intimate presence (Yahweh Elohim) opened the door to temptation, doubt, and ultimately sin. We explore how the enemy still uses the same tactics today, causing us to question God’s Word, His goodness, and His nearnes...

Where did it all begin? In this message from our  In the Beginning  series, we tackle life’s most fundamental question: how did everything start? Exploring Genesis 1–2, Pastor Amos unpacks the law of cause and effect, the logic of intelligent design, and the truth that God is the uncaused cause who created the heavens and the earth. You’ll discover what it means to be made in the image of God, why...

Pastor Sam Gonzalez shares a heartfelt message on the power of spiritual brotherhood and the importance of Christian community. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 4 and his own journey through ministry, hardship, and healing, he unpacks four blessings we receive when we walk through life together: strength in difficult times, spiritual protection through accountability, wisdom through counsel, and joy in s...

In this powerful and personal message, Logan Mave—Deputy Executive Director of Restoration 225—shares his journey into foster care and how the book of Nehemiah offers timeless lessons on stepping into brokenness with purpose. Drawing from his family’s decision to foster and adopt, Logan challenges the church to look upstream, intervene early, and love sacrificially. Through Scripture, stories, and...

In this message on Ephesians 3, Pastor Derek unpacks the “mystery” Paul refers to—that the gospel is for both Jews and Gentiles, uniting all people into one family through Christ. Using a surprise birthday story to illustrate, he highlights how God’s plan, once unclear, is now revealed through Jesus. Pastor Derek challenges listeners to embrace God’s love personally and extend it to those they fin...

What does it truly cost to follow Jesus? In this powerful Independence Day message, we explore the stories of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence and the sacrifices they made for freedom—and how their courage mirrors the call Jesus gives in Luke 14. With clarity and conviction, we examine Christ’s words to the crowd: to follow Him means to love Him above all—above family, ambitio...

In this powerful sermon, Pastor Shelton explores what it means to be made new in Christ. Preaching from 2 Corinthians 5, he challenges the cultural idea of “living your authentic self” and contrasts it with the gospel’s call to die to self and be raised as a new creation. Through personal stories, biblical truth, and pastoral encouragement, he unpacks the identity, power, family, and purpose that...