City Church Tulsa

Book of James Prayer of Faith Sept. 10th James 4:1-3 1What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. Why is it so hard to ask for things from God? James 5:13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Prayer needs to be planned Adopt practical ways to impede mental drift In different times and in different seasons, seek out people to pray with Get around people who pray Develop a system for your prayer lists Mix praise, confession, and intercession and tie as much of it as you can back to the Scriptures. Pray until you pray James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray fo

THE BOOK OF JAMES Patience in Suffering 9.3.23 We don’t mind waiting as long as we believe we are in control of the timing and the outcomes. Outline for James 5:5-12 Be patient; the Lord is coming. Be patient; God is accomplishing something in you. Be patient with each other. Be patient; God's promises are true. Be patient; the Lord is coming. Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. Be patient; God is accomplishing something in you. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Be patient with each other. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Be patient; God's promises are true. Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering…you have heard of Job’s perseverance. Patience is a hard discipline. It is not just waiting until something

BOOK OF JAMES The Fruit of Wisdom & Humility 8.27.23 Wisdom requires understanding Understanding requires demonstration Demonstration requires humility Two ways to live your life: HUMILITY: serving others for the glory of God PRIDE: elevating yourself for your own self-glory Matthew 11:28-30 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.” How is the fruit of humility grown? A revelation of our sin Understanding what God has accomplished for us through Jesus Through the work of the Spirit in us James 4:1-10 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask

The Power of Words 8-20-23 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many. But fools die for lack of sense. Prov. 10:20–21 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse. Prov. 10:31–32 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21 Words Require Reverence Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. James 3:1-2 2. Words Require Restraint 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of dea

BOOK OF JAMES Evidence of Obedience 8.13.23 Romans 4:1-3 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” James 2:21-24 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. The teachings of Jesus are filled with God’s overwhelming, amazing grace and a radical call to obedience and discipleship. James’ Call to Obedience: The Motivation for Obedience James 1:25

Book of James The Road to Maturity 8.6.23 The book of James is composed of short wisdom speeches designed to teach the church how to be wise by living according to Jesus’ summary of the Torah: to love God and to love your neighbors. TESTING - PERSEVERANCE - MATURITY - LACKING NOTHING Philippians 4:10-13 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but wealso glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. Christians are not exempt fro

Summer Sundays WHO WE ARE NOT Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” John 1:19-23 (NKJV) SOMEBODY ELSE’S EXPECTATION WE ESTEEM TRANQUILITY OVER INTEGRITY WE PUT MONEY OVER MORALITY WHO YOU USED TO BE Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter an

Summer Sunday Schemes and Strategies 7.16.23 Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. There is a tactical shrewdness the enemy uses. The devil seldom attacks openly but transforms himself into an “angel of light” where we are caught unsuspecting. He is a dangerous wolf that enters Christ’s flock as a sheep. Sometimes he roars like a lion, but prefers to be more subtle like a serpent. – John Stott 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 2 Samuel 11:1-3 I

2 Kings 5:1-12 (ESV) 5 Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2 Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” 5 And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. 6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” 7 And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore hi

Our teaching team dives deeper into our current series to answer your questions about Becoming Family.

Summer Sundays 7-2-23 Both sin and busyness have the exact same effect - they cut off your connection to God, to other people, and even to your own soul. -John Mark Comer "Hurry is not just a disordered schedule. Hurry is a disordered heart." -Jon Ortberg Am I becoming who I want to become? Matthew 11:25-28 25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” "In this truth lies the secret of the ea

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:13-18 NIV “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who

Becoming Family Church Hurt 06-04-23 Ephesians 4:17-32 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for

BECOMING FAMILY Pentecost 5.28.23 Acts 2:1-21 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 their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism);

Becoming Family Paralyzed by Options May 21st – Jim Moss "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Romans 12:10 “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? Then he pointed to the disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” Covenant Community says: I’m with you I’m for you I love you no matter what… Bob Sorge – The Secret of the Secret Place What if I told you there was place that anytime you were discouraged you could find hope, anytime you wanted the presence of God you could get it would you be interested? Colossians 3:12-15 12Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds

Our teaching team came together to answer your questions and go deeper into our current series, Becoming Family.

BECOMING FAMILY A Community of Vulnerability 5.14.23 Humans are wired for social connection but we are becoming increasingly isolated. Community deepens when we are honest about our brokenness and willing to practice vulnerability with one another. As the Family of God, we were created to practice vulnerability in the right places with the right people. ISOLATION to FRIENDSHIP to COMMUNITY to DISCIPLESHIP 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I s

Only when the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes our primary identity is both unity and diversity possible. Adiaphora – non-essential matters that are deemed scripturally neutral Romans 14:1-9 1Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. 5One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the

Jesus' Blueprint: Intimacy, Community, & Ministry "Let him who cannot be alone beware of community. He will only do harm to himself and to the community. Alone you stood before God when he called you; alone you had to answer that call; alone you had to struggle and pray; and alone you will die and give an account to God. You cannot escape from yourself, for God has singled you out. If you refuse to be alone you are rejecting Christ's call to you, and you can have no part in the community of those who are called.... Let him who is not in community beware of being alone. Into the community you were called, the call was not meant for you alone; in the community of the called you bear your cross, you struggle, you pray. You are not alone, even in death, and on the Last Day you will be only one member of the great congregation of Jesus Christ. If you scorn the fellowship of the brethren, you reject the call of Jesus Christ, and thus your solitude can only be hurtful to you." - Bonhoeffer Intimacy: connection wi

In an individualistic, preference-based, and consumer-driven world, God calls his people to be a family; a radically different covenant community united to one another through the work of gospel. Becoming the family of God requires a commitment to Christ and a commitment to one another. It requires sacrifice and a laying down of our lives in order to love our brothers and sisters like Christ. In this series, we will identify the major killers of community and the sacrifices necessary to become the family of God.