City Harbor Church – Hampden, Baltimore, MD
Helping people take next steps in following Jesus.
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Helping people take next steps in following Jesus.
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“good news about your faith and love” – 1 Thessalonians 3:6 CSB “in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith.” – 1 Thessalonians 3:7 CSB Faith – to believe in the Good News about Jesus Christ and to become a follower · “It is by grace that you have been saved because you have faith,” – Ephesians 2:8 · “believers in heart and mind,” – Acts 4:32 · “It is God’s power to save everyone who is a believer,” – Romans 1:16 · “the world is hearing that you have faith” – Romans 1:8 Faith: See, Agree, Act “The key word that brings into focus the feature of their lif
NOTE: Due to technical difficulties with the recording equipment this message is incomplete. “For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us. They displease God and are hostile to everyone,” – 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15 CSB Read Chapter 2. (last verse “You’re our pride and joy!” – The Message) Unpack more of the background information, than Chris did in the opening, including
“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5a CSB God loves you. God chose to save you because He loves you. God chooses you. Intro – Read 1 Thessalonians chapter 1. “Thessalonian Church Origin Story” (from research notes) may also be helpful to read or introduce here. Context: Good News of Jesus brought by Paul, Silas, and Timothy facilitated the birth of their church. Something remarkable happened! This Gospel was also met w
Acts 2:42-47 Genuine repentance and faith will result in positive, observable changes in the life of the believer, including: A desire to learn about God and His ways (Acts 2:42, Psalm 119:162) A desire to be obedient to God’s word (John 14:23, Matthew 7:24-27, 1 John 1:6-7, James 1:22-25) A desire to have fellowship with God through prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Matthew 6:6) A desire to have fellowship with other believers (Acts 2:42, 46) A desire to praise God with thankful and joyful hearts (Acts 2:47, Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18) Growth in godly character (Galatians 5:22-23)
Acts 17:16-34 God commands all people in all places to repent (Acts 17:30) God desires that all would repent and believe. This desire is for both Jew and Gentile. (Acts 17:27-27, 2 Peter 3:9) Ignorance of the gospel does not absolve mankind of the need to repent (Acts 17:30, Romans 1:18-20) Repentance is necessary to avoid God’s judgment (Acts 17:30-31) The direction or focus of our faith – the one, true living God – is essential (Acts 17:22-31, John 14:6) Being religious or spiritual is not saving faith. The direction or focus of our faith – the one, true living God – is essential (Acts 17:22
Acts 10 – 11:18 Salvation is by grace through faith. Cornelius was God-fearing and righteous but still needed to receive forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus. (Acts 10:43, Ephesians 2:8-9) God desires that all would repent, believe and receive eternal life. This desire is for both Jew and Gentile. (Acts 11:18, 2 Peter 3:9) True repentance leads unto life, not to false concepts of repentance (Acts 11:18) Mere conviction (Acts 24:25) Worldly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10) Trying to do better, self-righteousness (Isaiah 64:6) Being religious outwardly (Matthew 3:7-12, Matthew 5:20) Only belief
1. Repentance: The first step in receiving the Gospel (Mark 1:15) Repentance involves an internal change of heart and mind (Acts 2:37) Repentance is a response necessary for salvation (Acts 2:38-41) A fruit of repentance is the confession of sin (Acts 2:37, James 5:16) 2. Faith: The second step in receiving the Gospel (Mark 1:15, Hebrews 6:1) Receiving Jesus (What did it mean to the Jews) as Savior Messiah, fulfilling… Matthew 5:17 “not to abolish, but to fulfill the Law & Prophets,” Abraham’s promised seed to bless all nations Genesis 22:18 David’s descendant predicted as Savior Luke 1:32-33
Turn Around – Part 1: Jesus’ Call – Luke 24:33-49 and Matthew 28:16-20 Jesus followers have been given a mission to make disciples from all nations by preaching a gospel message of repentance and faith, baptizing new believers in the name of Jesus, and teaching others how to follow God’s commands (Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 24:47-48) Repentance: The first step in receiving the Gospel (Mark 1:15) Definition of repentance Old Testament (return) Change of direction A relational word Refers more to external change New Testament (repent) A change of mind (thinking, actions, choices) Refers more to inte
Galatians 6:1-2 – Freedom Shared “Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:1–2 CSB “Restore” equip, train fully, complete by filling in the cracks: 2 Timothy 3:17 – use of Scripture Luke 6:40 – trained to be like the teacher Ephesians 4:12 – ministers equip, build up the believers for the work of service Galatians 6 Topics: 1. Jesus has fulfilled the M
“For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1 CSB How do we stay in freedom (or choose freedom continually)?!? “In Christ we are free to take a stand. A space has been cleared in the thick forest and brambles of necessity from which we can freely respond to God, freely grow in the image of God, freely develop in relationships of forgiveness. Having been provided the space, we are free to take a stand there. Taking a stand fights drifting with the tide. Taking a stand contrasts with being carried and coddled by the culture. Tak
Galatians 4:31 “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.” – Galatians 4:31 CSB Paul’s contrast of Sarah “the free woman” and Hagar “the slave woman”, as figurative examples of old and new covenants and the difference between works of the flesh as inferior to the life of faith. Sarah and Abraham received God’s promise by faith. Abraham and Hagar took action (inspired in part by Sarah) according to the flesh. They tried to accomplish God’s promise outside of God’s will. Paul compares the Judaizers who are drawing Galatians away from allegiance to Jes
(Leaving the Detour Behind) “Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith.” – Galatians 3:11 CSB Read: Galatians Chapter 3 NLT Paul’s “Five” Questions Paul uses five questions to help the Galatians exercise faith and reason to resist the pull of people using false teaching. “The mind is a marvelous gift and has important and essential functions in the life of faith. There are times when it is the only means given to us for discriminating between truth and error, between sense and nonsense, between what is actual and what is illusion,
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20 CSB Galatians 2 Hot Takes: Faith > Circumcision Faith > Favoritism Faith = Essential to Salvation Faith = Essential to New Life Faith > Circumcision What is the controversy? The Gospel Good News of Jesus Christ was received by Jews and Gentiles. They received new birth salvation by faith, not by good works of following the Mosaic law. Certain people were drawing some church me
Galatians 1:3-5 “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” – Galatians 1:3–5 CSB Saul/Paul introduced at the martyrdom of Stephen. He’s ravaging Jesus’ followers, Acts 8:1-3. Jesus appears to Saul/Paul, changing his life direction. Receiving a conversion to faith in Jesus as Savior, Saul/Paul is baptized, commissioned, and begins to preach Jesus’ Good News, Acts 9:1-31, 28:12-18. Saul, now Paul, and team are
1 John 5:11-13 Jesus predicted his death, burial, and resurrection with specifics. Jesus predicts his own death: Matthew 17:22-23, 20:17-19, Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:32-24, Luke 9:22, 44, 18:31-33, 24:6-8 The witness accounts of the prediction of Jesus fulfilled: Matthew 26:44 – 28:10, Mark 14:31 – 16:8, Luke 22:47 – 24:50, John 18:1 – 21:25, Acts 1:1-11 Who is Jesus? John 11:25–27 CSB “the Christ/Messiah” – The expected ultimate anointed One (refer to God’s promise to David of an eternal heir to the throne), set apart for a special task, OT king or high priest occasionally a prophet, deliverer fro
Ephesians 1:7 Jesus predicts his own death: Matthew 17:22-23, 20:17-19, Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:32-24, Luke 9:22, 44, 18:31-33, 24:6-8 The witness accounts of the prediction of Jesus fulfilled: Matthew 26:44 – 28:10, Mark 14:31 – 16:8, Luke 22:47 – 24:50, John 18:1 – 21:25, Acts 1:1-11 Who is Jesus? Luke 9:18-22 “the Christ/Messiah” – The expected ultimate anointed One (refer to God’s promise to David of an eternal heir to the throne), set apart for a special task, OT king or high priest occasionally a prophet, deliverer from their sins, Why did he die? John 3:16-17, Matthew 26:26-29, Matthew 20:2
Colossians 3:16, 4:2 Life in Christ – Part 4 I. Let Jesus’ Words Live Among You: Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” – Colossians 3:16 CSB II. Devote Yourselves to Prayer: Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 4:2 CSB What do we learn? 1. Jesus Christ is first, above all, our Savior King, the fullness and the image of God. 2. Jesus Christ has redeemed us, making us right
Colossians 3:1-14 Life in Christ – Colossians series part 3 Life in Christ: The call and response of Paul’s letter to the Colossians (more Biblical concept in background info) “Life in Christ” – our new spiritual life is IN Jesus, a close personal relationship, in alignment, in position Objective: Let’s take a closer look at who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. We can all grow spiritually stronger by studying Paul’s letter to the Colossians, learning what it says about how we see Jesus and hearing what it says about how we should respond. We will discuss what it means to live “in Christ” by p
Our Response: Colossians 2:6-8, 12, 16-18 Our Focus: Colossians 3:1-4 Life in Christ – Colossians series 2026 City Harbor Church Life in Christ: The call and response of Paul’s letter to the Colossians (more Biblical concept in background info) “Life in Christ” – our new spiritual life is IN Jesus, a close personal relationship, in alignment, in position Let’s take a closer look at who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. We can all grow spiritually stronger by studying Paul’s letter to the Colossians, learning what it says about how we see Jesus and hearing what it says about how we should respo
Colossians 1:15-20 Life in Christ – Colossians series Part One • Who Jesus is: Colossians 1:15-20, 2:9-10 • What Jesus has done: Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22, 2:13-15 I. Who Jesus is: Colossians 1:15-20, 2:9-10 Image – likeness, formed to resemble a person, the appearance or depiction of, · Jesus is the “image of the invisible God” 2 Corinthians 4:4 Colossians 1:15 John 12:45, 14:9 · God made humans in his image and according to his likeness, Genesis 1:26-27, 5:1. · Jesus is the “radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature”, in Hebrews 1:3. · In the face of Jesus, God’s glory i
1 Samuel 17:32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” NIV 1 Samuel 17:22-24 1 Samuel 22:2 2 Samuel 23:9-12 1 Chronicles 12:22 Ephesians 4:12 2 Samuel 16:17 2 Samuel 7:1-3 Acts 15:16-18
Ephesians 4:10-13 God speaks thru prophets and apostles. Jesus loves you so much that he gave the church gifts. “The One who climbed down is the One who climbed back up, up to highest heaven. He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully devel
1 Timothy 3 “Although I hope I can come to you soon, I am writing these things to you now. Then, even if I am delayed, you will know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth.” – 1 Tmothy 3:14-15 NCV Context: God provides a place. God gives life, gives love, and provides a place for us. From the Garden to the travels of his people with Tabernacles and a Temple, God lives among his people. God’s design always includes his purpose, passion, pleasure, and places for relationship. God showed us love by sending Jesus Chris
Ephesians 4:11-13 “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’” – Matthew 9:35-38 NLT “like sheep without a shepherd” – Mark 6:34 1 Kings 22:17 Ezekiel 34:5 Zec
Healing: who God is, what God does, what God has done through Jesus, what Jesus’ followers do “Divine healing is a miracle. It is the power of Almighty God intervening in human affairs and suspending natural law in order to bring healing to our bodies. This is what God’s Son did when He was on the planet, and God desires His Church, the Body of Christ, to do the same today. He wants to see miracle working power in your body.” – Pastor Wendell Smith PhD in Faith for Healing Wisdom for Health Who God is: “They traveled in this desert for three days without finding any water. When they came to th
