City Church Tulsa

Message from Blaine Bartel on September 19, 2021

Message from Matt Nelson on September 12, 2021

John receives a vision of the ultimate future in order to better understand how to faithfully live in the present. Revelation 21:1-7 21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give w

Judgement that Brings Life 8.29.21 The Revelation Drama: The Prologue: The story of God from Genesis - Revelation Act One: Satan is on the move (chapter 13) Act Two: The Prophet speaks (chapters 1-3) Act Three: God judges (chapters 6-20) Act Four: God renews (chapters 21-22) Picture #1 Picture #2 Setting the record straight about JUDGEMENT: The overarching mission of God is always salvation, never judgement. God’s judgement is always intended to bring repentance, not destruction. Judgement becomes a necessary means of redemption when humanity fails to repent or persists in rebellion to God. The judgements in Revelation chapters 6-20 are aimed at destroying the systems (political, economic, religious) which oppose God and the ways of the Lamb. The God of Revelation is the same God of the Beatitudes. The same Jesus who invites us into His kingdom in Matthew 5 is calling the nations to repentance and the way of the Lamb in Revelation. For us to be freed from sin and death God cannot be indifferent

REVELATION: LAMB VS. BEAST Out of Empire 8.22.21 To a persecuted church, John receives a revelation of the ultimate future in order to encourage the church to live faithfully in the present. In the book of Revelation, God is upending our understanding of power and calling the church out of empire and the way of the beast and into the way of the lamb. Revelation 12:7-12 7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power
    and the kingdom of our God,
    and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
    who accuses them before our God day and night,
    has been hurled down.
11 

Licensed family therapist Leslie Keenan and our Families Director, Mandy Damon, discuss what it looks like to talk with our children about their fears and anxiety and offering practical tools we can employ to help our families hold the unknown.

The Book of Revelation Lamb vs Beast 8.15.21 To a persecuted church, John receives a revelation of the ultimate future in order to encourage the church to live faithfully in the present. The Book of Revelation is resistance literature. It’s God’s way of challenging the idolatry of nationalism It’s God’s way of establishing who is really in power and in control It’s God’s way of calling the church to a new vision for life, the future, and seeing power Revelation 4:1-6 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They

Warnings to the Church 8.8.21 Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. When the church comes into conflict with the culture around them they can respond in two ways: They can endure opposition faithfully They can accommodate to the culture Church in Ephesus Revelation 2:2-5  I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Doctrine, theology, and orthodox beliefs are important, but it’s only important insomuch as it fuels our love for Jesus and love for others.

The Book of Revelation Reimagining Books for further study: Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship & Witness by Michael Gorman The Theology of the Book of Revelation by Richard Bauckham The NIV Application Commentary: Revelation by Craig Keener See the Strange: The Gospel According to Revelation by Brett Davis & Richard Bauckham WHAT THE BOOK OF REVELATION IS NOT? A detailed account of the end of all things A message of doom and gloom A book primarily rooted in our current time or the near future WHAT IS THE BOOK OF REVELATION? It’s apocalyptic language that uses symbols & imagery that are bizarre and other-worldly at times It’s a pastoral-prophecy letter sent to the church It’s resistance literature It’s hopeful and empowering to a weary church Revelation 1:1-3 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesu

SUMMER OF SOUL 7.25.21 PHILIPPIANS 3:3-8 (ESV) 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh – 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7 (ESV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything

Breakthrough is often found on the other side of our discomfort. Mark 5:21-34 21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus

Summer of Soul God’s Grace in Limits 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Limits are a door: 1. Humility 2. Communion with Jesus 3. Revelation of Jesus 4. Direction 5. Mission How do you see limits in your life? What are you going to do? We live in a culture of power and winning, a culture of power, and a culture of knowledge. (The result) We very often leave behind those who are weaker. The cry for help that springs up

1. Know God and Know who we are to Him 2. Choose Love

A God Who Enjoys You 6.27.21 Our idea of God tells us more about ourselves than about Him. –Thomas Merton OUR PRAYER: God, would you rid us of who we imagine you to be and reveal to us the truth of who you are. TRAPS TO DEVELOPING A FAITHFUL UNDERSTANDING OF GOD: • We believe God’s scales of approval are tipped against us • We are bound up by deeply-grained misconceptions and opinions about who God is 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. • We attempt

DISRUPTIVE DISCIPLESHIP 6.15.21 One of the key factors of spiritual growth and formation in your life will be pain and disruption. Each step of growth and formation will require a new level of surrender. 3 Chairs of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation: CHAIR #1: SEEKER Mark 1:16-17 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Peter and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 3 Chairs of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation: 3 Chairs of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation: CHAIR #2: BELOVED Matthew 16:13-16 13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messia

Malachi It is the rhythm of God’s people to cry out in desperation during crisis and then grow complacent and apathetic towards the redeeming power of God as they move into seasons of less conflict. A prophecy: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi. “I have loved you,” says the Lord “But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob, 3 but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.” 4 Edom may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.” But this is what the Lord Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the Lord. 5 You will see it with your own eyes and say, ‘Great is the Lord—even beyond the borders of Israel! ’ Malachi 1:1-5 If there’s no sacrifice in your sacrifice, it’s not a sacrifice. “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then su

HABAKKUK The Questioning Prophet 6.6.21 Misunderstandings about the Bible: • The Bible doesn’t answer all of our questions. • The Bible doesn’t guarantee success or prosperity in every area of life. • The Bible invites us into dialogue, mystery, and faith, not just certitudes. • The Bible doesn’t “record” history objectively but interprets it through real people in real-time and places. Habakkuk 1:2-4 2 How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? 3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. 4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. Habakkuk’s problem with God: 1. Indifference: God, you don’t seem to care. 2. Inactivity: God, you aren’t doing very much even though you could. 3. Unfair: God, what you are doing doesn’t seem fair. Habakkuk 1:5-11 5 “Look a

UNITY FAITH DAY Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial 5.30.21 Destroyed: • 12 churches •5 hotels •31 restaurants • 4 drug stores •8 doctor’s offices • 24 grocery stores •1 public library • Hundreds-Thousands of homes burned • As many as 300 people dead PATHWAY FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION: 1) GOSPEL – Developing a wholistic gospel that is not limited to personal justification but moves into repentance, wholeness, love for our brothers and sisters, and freedom for the oppressed and marginalized. “Race is a gospel issue.” “Aren’t we past this issue?” “What do you mean, gospel issue? Isn’t this a social issue?” “What can the church even do about it?” “Talking about it seems to divide the church so maybe we should just focus on other things.” “Why can’t we just leave politics out of the church?” D. A. Carson Certainly the majority of Christians in America today would happily state that good race relations are a gospel issue. They might point out that God’s saving purpose is to draw to himself, through the c

PENTECOST SUNDAY The Spirit of Disruption 5.23.21 PENTECOST is THE revolutionary moment that transcended ethnic and racial barriers. At Pentecost, the Spirit of God is dismantling the boundary lines that had been created between Jew and Gentile, slave and master, man and women, rich and poor, the have and the have nots. Three places in the book of Acts where the Spirit of God broke down barriers and disrupted the norm: 1) ROOM Acts 2:1-12 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard th

Minor Prophets Micah WHAT WAS WRONG – Idolatry was rampant (1:7; 5:12-14) – Seizure of property (2:2,9) – Failure at every point of civil, religious, and prophetic leadership (3:1-11) – The belief that personal sacrifice satisfies divine justice (6:6-7) – Corruption in business practices (6:10-12) Micah 6:1-8 “Listen to what the Lord says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. “Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel. “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me. I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam. My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.” With what shall I come before th