City Church Garland

In this sermon Pastor Keith explains from Psalm 1 that the life of a godly person is a focused life that has it’s direction from God’s word, delight in God’s word and dominating influence from God’s word. Biblical meditation is an important element on the path of the godly. Here are a few ways biblical mediation is defined: Meditation is “deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture for the purposes of understanding, application, and prayer” Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God. It is the activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God. J.I. Packer, Knowing God Those who have deep roots in their relationship with G

In this Advent sermon Pastor Keith explains that Jesus is the True Light of the world who came to bring to give life, conquer darkness and reveal God to us. Many people think they can overcome the darkness themselves by looking to experts, scholars, mystics, to the state, the market & technology. Yet none of these deliver on the light that we truly need or give us the quality of life were designed to experience. And the problem with the darkness is not just that it’s out there in world but it has also crept it’s way into our hearts and lives. So we each need a Savior who can deliver us from darkness, shine the light of his grace and truth in our lives and free us from the domain of darkness. F.F. Bruce wrote that the “light is a synonym for goodness and truth and darkness is a synonym for evil and falsehood.” Charles Wesley wrote about this light and life that Christ came to bring in his famous Christmas hymn Hark The Herald: Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in

In this sermon Pastor Keith explains how Jesus the Eternal Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He displayed glory that was seen and written about by Apostles so that that we might see it as well and believe in Jesus. And Pastor Keith also gives seven implications of the incarnation. 1. The Incarnation tells us of the generosity of God (Grace,2 Corinthians 8:9) 2. The incarnation manifests of the love of God (John 3:16 4:9) 3. The incarnation highlights the faithfulness of God (Matthew 1:21-23) 4. The incarnation shows us the humility of God(Philippians 2:5-9) 5. The incarnation points to the sympathy of God (Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:15-16) “Did the Word become flesh? Then He is One who can be touched with the feeling of His people’s infirmities, because He has suffered Himself, being tempted. He is almighty because He is God, and yet He can sympathize with us, because He is man.” J.C. Ryle 6. The incarnation brought us the presence of God. (John 1:14, Matthew 1:23 ESV) 7. The incarn

In this sermon Pastor Keith highlights how Jesus invites us to find rest for our souls by coming to Him. Jesus offers to teach us how to live according to His rhythms of grace. Jesus praised the Father for revealing Himself to the childlike and He claimed the divine authority to reveal the Father to anyone He chooses. 25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29 E

In this sermon preached on the 1st day of Advent Kevin Diaz explains points us to the return of Christ from 2 Peter chapter 3.

In this sermon Pastor Keith explains how God has given everything Christian what they need to grow and flourish however they must be intentional about growing in godliness by making effort to do so. The Apostle Peter gives us the vision for what it looks like to progress and grow spiritually with a list of seven qualities to pursue.

In this sermon Pastor Keith highlights what it looks like to lead and live by God's grace. God is the source of all grace and He calls His people to constantly look to Him for the grace we need each day by living in humility and faith. Peter gives one last exhortation in chapter 5 at the end of his epistle writing "..this is the true grace of God. stand firm in it." His entire letter teaches the saints how to stand and live in the grace of God looking the "God of all grace" to "restore, confirm, strengthen and establish" us (1 Peter 5:10).

In this sermon Pastor Keith explains that suffering is a normal part of the Christian life that God walks with His people through. And He calls His people to cultivate joy, trust and good conduct through it.

In this sermon Pastor Keith explains what it looks like to live for the will of God from 1 Peter chapter 4. For the Christian, discovering and doing the will of God should be top priority. And those who make His will priority will discover that it is good, pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2).

In this sermon Chad Bradley explains how Christians are to conduct themselves before the outside world by being neighborly, reverencing Christ and anticipating vindication that comes from God.

In this sermon Pastor Keith explains how God instructs Christian husbands and wives to live in such way that is consistent with the gospel of Jesus. The God who created us knows how our relationships work best and He instructed wives are to be submissive to their husbands and for husbands to be considerate and honoring of their wives. These are some simple ways that a marriage relationships are shaped by the gospel of Jesus. For more insight on what gospel-centered marriages look life see Ephesians 5:22-33. The Apostle Paul exhorted husbands to loves their wives as Christ sacrificially loved the church. The marriage relationship is ultimately designed to display the beautiful relationship between Christ and His Church.

In this sermon Pastor Keith explains how God calls His people to live humbly in submission to earthy authorities, following the example of Jesus, so that His name would be honored. The Apostle Peter exhorted the Christians living under the ungodly Emperor Nero to "be subject to every human institution". Peter not only gave Christians the instructions of how they show live and what they should do but he also gave them the why behind their actions. He gave them theological basis for living a life of humble submission and here are some of the reasons why: A. For the Lord’s Sake (V13). that is so that God’s name would be commended to the outsiders and his name would be glorified by those who observe the good deeds of Christians (V12). B. To Silence the Ignorance of Foolish People- V15 C. To Follow the Example of Christ- V21-23 D. Because God will judge justly -V23 E. Because God is Sovereign, He is ultimately in charge (1 Peter 2:14, Romans 13:1-7)

In this sermon Dr. Mario Ducic calls the people of God to seek God in repentance and faith from the powerful words of Hosea. "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord that he may come and rain righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12 ESV We must prepare ourselves by turning back to God in repentance if we are going to see God pour out His blessing on us once again. God rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

In this sermon Pastor Keith explains how God has called His people to not only be set apart from sinful behaviors but also to be set apart for His Kingdom purposes of proclaiming His excellencies, offering spiritual sacrifices and doing good deeds.

In the is sermon Pastor Keith explains how; God has redeemed His people and given them a bright future full of hope. So He calls them to live in such a way that reflects that redemption and hope. The Apostle Peter calls suffering Christians to new way of life. He exhorted them to live in hope, live in holiness, live in the fear of the Lord and live in love because they have been born again and have a new identity. * This sermon was recorded at the chapel service at Dallas Life Foundation.

In this sermon on 1 Peter chapter 1 Pastor Keith explains how God deserves all the praise for giving Christians such a great salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ. What they have now and look forward to in eternity fuels their joy, hope and love even in the face of fiery trials. God has given His people a new identity and inheritance and He is guarding them along with their inheritance. Though the Christian life involves a great salvation it also involves suffering. And the Apostle Peter wrote to Christians who were suffering greatly going through "fiery trials". The words in his epistle were written to encourage and strengthen the faith and hope of those Christians and they can do that for us who are believers today as we read them.

In this sermon Pastor Mike Ward shared about one of our values here at City Church, Biblical Integrity. Biblical Integrity requires that we set aside our own agendas and diligently study God's word to faithfully obey it and faithfully communicate it to others.

In this sermon Pastor Keith gives 10 reasons to live joyfully generous lives and aims to convince the saints that it truly is "more blessed to give than to receive". Joyful Generosity is a value we have at City Church. God has been abundantly generous towards us and the effect of His generosity on us leads us to be joyfully generous towards others. Here are two great quotes shared in this sermon: "Giving is the only antidote to materialism. Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and greater agenda. It dethrones me and exalts Him." Randy Alcorn "The ministry of giving has many goals: spreading the gospel, sustaining the church, providing care for distressed individuals… The ministry of giving in all its forms aims to advance the kingdom of God, which becomes reality in human life whenever the values and priorities of Christ’s teaching are observed. It goes without saying that in this ministry, all God’s people are meant to be involved." J.I. Packer

In this sermon Pasto Mike Ward explains that the essential quality of Christian discipleship is nothing less than a radical, thoughtful and calculated commitment to faithfully following Jesus, even at the cost of our most significant relationships and personal safety.

In this sermon Kevin Diaz gives the basis for participation in the loving community of the local church. One of our values at City Church Loving Community – Our love for one another is the mark of following Jesus genuinely. We make it our aim to do life together, weeping with one another, rejoicing with one another, praying for one another, encouraging one another & living out all the “one anothers” of Scripture. One of the places this is walked out in our community groups that meet in homes on a regular basis.