In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan, opens the "ROOTED" sermon series and explains the importance of this sermon series in the life of our church.
In 2014 Cities Church was commissioned out as a new church plant from Bethlehem Baptist Church. Now, in our seventh year, our pastors believe that this is the time—both consciously and practically—that we transition from having been a church planted to becoming a church rooted.
The foundation for this, and for all we do as a church, is the reality of Jesus. We believe that Jesus is real and he saves sinners! He is worthy of our worship and our adoration.
In this life we have no certainties other than Jesus is real and he saves sinners, that's it. As much as we want to control the script, we ultimately have no guarantees, which is why it is essential that we be rooted in Christ--personally and corporately. God does not owe us anything, but he promises that he will give himself to us. Being rooted in that reality is essential to the Christian life—and essential for our congregation in this next season. We love Jesus and we root our lives in him because he is worthy.
Because Jesus Is Worthy
ROOTED (Part One)
February 21, 2021 • Jonathan Parnell
Walk in Him
March 28, 2021 • Jonathan Parnell
This sermon is the sixth and final installment of our ROOTED series. Pastor Jonathan examines passages from the book of Colossians, exhorting our church to be rooted in the faith, to embrace the vision of our congregation, and to commit to investing in the future ministry of our church. Christ has rescued us, therefore we commit to sharing the good news with others—the good news that Jesus saves sinners! In addition, Pastor Jonathan reminds us that thanksgiving is our response to any gift that comes from outside of us. We say thank you because we recognize that this is not from me, it’s for me—and I don’t deserve it. Thank you! And if we’re abounding in thanksgiving, it means that at every angle of the Christian life, in every direction we look in Christ, it’s only thanks, and it’s thanks that overflows. This sermons ends with a unique moment where many members of Cities Church made financial pledges toward the ROOTED initiative.
What Is God-Centered Generosity?
March 21, 2021 • Jonathan Parnell
In this sermon, part five of our ROOTED series, Pastor Jonathan examines 2 Corinthians 9 highlighting the Apostle Paul's exhortation for them to be generous. Pastor Jonathan gives clear biblical principles around giving and generosity, helping us clearly see what "God-centered" generosity looks like. The God who made everything and who needs nothing, this God, our heavenly Father, he loves cheerful givers because he himself is the cheerfullest of all givers, and he gives according to his ability. God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. Our giving is only because of his giving, because of his surpassing grace upon us — which produces thanksgiving to him.
Getting to the Heart of (Not) Giving
March 14, 2021 • Jonathan Parnell
In this sermon, part four of our ROOTED series, Pastor Jonathan looks at Matthew 6 and asks the question, "Could it be that anxiety is the real cause of greed?" Pastor Jonathan Parnell examines the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6:25–34 and its connection to money in the previous passage (vv. 19–24). The reason we don’t give more to God is because we are anxious it will make us miserable. The remedy? To remember that God is our heavenly Father and he cares for us.