Downtown Church: Memphis, TN

Main Idea: God is kind enough to meet us in our doubt and lead us into faith. 1. The Reality of Doubt: Doubt is normal and offensive. v.24-26 2. The Resolver of Doubt: Peace and Touch 26-27 John 14:1, Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. verse 27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your h...

Main Idea: Our encouragement is to be found in Christ’s peace, promises, and purpose for our lives. #1 Our encouragement is to be found in the peace that Christ offers (vv.19-21) On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he...

Today's Scripture: John 20:1-18 The resurrection tells us: God has NOT left you, nor FORSAKEN you! You can give your life to Him for He IS true life! I. The resurrected Jesus overwhelms and dispels our unbelief. “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?.” (Psalm 13:1) “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you re...

Main Idea: God uses painful moments to help us die to our temporary kingdoms so we may LIVE fully for His Kingdom. Today's Scripture (John 19:38-42) 1. The darkness of this world cannot & will not overcome the Light of God. In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was...

Today's Scripture John 19:31-37 Main Idea: God accomplished His promise of our redemption in Christ so that we can anchor our lives in Him. Point #1 Christ accomplished our redemption in spite of our rebellious hearts towards Him. (v.31) 31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked...

Today, the DTC staff continue to discuss how Christians can engage with the world regarding sex and sexuality.

Big Idea: As a community of believers transformed by Jesus’ accomplishment on the cross, we must be a Believing and Christ-loving community. 1. Not succumb to pretentiousness 2. Love on purpose 3. Confess our vulnerabilities

Main idea: Jesus suffering on the cross is evidence that he is a present, loving, and sovereign King.  Main Application: So, in our times of suffering, look up at the cross of Jesus to find the strength and comfort needed to endure. I. Jesus carried a cross, and commands His followers to carry one too. (Present) “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and c...

Today, the DTC staff recap the recently concluded "Sexual Wholeness" series, and discuss how Christians can engage with the world regarding sex and sexuality.

Today's Scripture: John 19:1-16 Jesus has been arrested “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the...

Main Idea: Christ died for us in love so that we could love Him with our lives. #1 What makes Christ’s love so compelling?  For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died (2 Corinthians 5:14a) “because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died” (2 Corinthians 5:14b) #2 How does Christ's lo...

In this episode, Hilary Denny, Kelsie Ellison, Artez Henderson, Richard Rieves, and Adrianna Steele continue their discussion of why BHM is still relevant today. They also discuss their exposure to BHM, or lack thereof, growing up, tensions they feel celebrating in a multicultural church, and give resources on how to celebrate black history and culture year-round.

Make Room for What's Best (Isaiah 58:1-11) "If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord (Jesus) finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on makin...

A Much-Needed Sexual Revolution Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12 - 7:5 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”  (Jeremiah 17:9) “ 'All things are lawful for me,” and “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food’ .”  (1 Corinthians 6:12,13) “But not all things are helpful/profitable.”  (1 Corinthians 6:12b) “What then, a...

In this episode, Hilary Denny, Kelsie Ellison, Artez Henderson, Richard Rieves, and Adrianna Steele tackle the question, "Is BHM still relevant in 2023?" They also discuss CRT and the impact of learning about black history on their lives.

Today's Scripture: Psalm 119:97-104 I. There is a Good God, who made me Good and has Good for me. II. Scripture calls us to sexual obedience through Chastity in Community

Hear from the Director of Community Care for Revoice, Art Pereira, who will share his own story, as well as provide the biblical/theological view of sexuality as it pertains to people who are LGBTQ.

Today's Scripture: Genesis 2:19-25 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast (cleave) to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:24-25) I. Achieving Sexual Wholeness demands we restore sex, and sexuality to its rightful place.  “Ask a man how he defines success in life, and chances are his...

In the midst of New Year's Resolutions, goals, and intentions, we want to invite you to make space for God. This week's episode is a throwback conversation we had with DC member and YoungLives Area Director, Danita Calhoun. In the final installment of the series, we talked about rhythms of rest and solitude and how our time with God informs our service to others. If you ar...

Today's Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14 Main idea: God has redeemed a people to serve their place/city by seeking it’s shalom that He might redeem the world.  “This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem.” ( Jeremiah 29:2) I. God has placed you in this city at this time....

In the midst of New Year's Resolutions, goals, and intentions, we want to invite you to make space for God. This week's episode is part 2 of a throwback conversation we had with DC member, Alison Bradsher. At the time of the recording, she had recently completed the Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction program at Moody Bible Institute. We delved deeper into spiritual disciplines and how we...

Restored by Family Today's Scripture Genesis 1:26-27, John 17:20-26 Main idea: God is creating a family that is radically diverse to showcase His glory and love to the world! “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm bra...

In the midst of New Year's Resolutions, goals, and intentions, we want to invite you to make space for God. This week's episode is a throwback conversation we had with DC member, Alison Bradsher. At the time of the recording, she had recently completed the Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction program at Moody Bible Institute. We delved into what spiritual disciplines are, and she even led u...

Main Idea: Downtown Church must be formed by the gospel of Jesus! Today's Scripture (Romans 1:16-17) I. Righteousness is our biggest need!  “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed.” (Romans 1:17a) “It is for freedom that Christ set us free!” (Galatians 5:1) II. The Gospel secures certain and immediate righteousness!  “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that...

Big Idea: God is at work, we must believe in His promises Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45) 39  In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40  and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41  And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42&nb...