New City Summer Series
Get Your Hopes Up | July 2023 | Pastor Joaquin Pardo
July 23, 2023 • Pastor Joaquin Pardo • 2 Kings 4:16, 2 Kings 4:26, 2 Kings 4:34–35
Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. God wants us to GET OUR HOPES UP! This week, Pastor Joaquin spoke about The Shunamite woman; a woman who experienced a great miracle that changed the way she handled the tragedy in her life. 2 Kings 4:16 "At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son." And she said "No, my Lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant." 1) With Hope you can ask again. The scriptures indicate that having a child seemed like an impossible occurrence for the Shunamite woman. She is the perfect example of someone who does not want to get her hopes up. But she conceives and bears a son just as Elisha said. Many of us have tucked requests away in our prayer closets when things seem impossible. But God reminds us here in this text, that we can ask again. 2 Kings 4:26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’ ” And she answered, “All is well.” 2) With Hope all is well. When the child had grown, he died in his mother's lap. What would we do if the miracles we prayed for begin to show no signs of life? Instead of doubting, when asked how her child is she replies, "All is well." It's not disillusionment - you can know that everything is not ok but when you understand who is in control, you know all is well! 2 Kings 4:34-35 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 3) With Hope you have the strength to hold on. The Shunamite woman's approach is different this time. She would not let go of the prophet until she got what she desired: her son to live again. Elisha does not stop praying when he feels the boy's body get warm. He stretches his body over the child until he comes back to life. A lot of us stop at warm, God wants us to see it through!
It's Time to Make Good Decisions | July 2023 | Pastor Devin Gough
July 16, 2023 • Pastor Devin Gough • Romans 12:10, Matthew 6:33, Genesis 13
This Sunday Pastor Devin Gough encouraged us that NOW is the time to make better decisions. We can do so by learning how to overcome instant gratification. Here are some other ways to help us make good decisions: 1) Live for others, not for self. Once we begin putting God first, we also become familiar with honoring one another. We need to open our eyes and our hearts to not look at our own interests, but rather the interests of others. Romans 12:10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. 2) Live by faith, not by sight. Everything is in the hands of the Lord! We can begin making good decisions by meeting God at the altar. How often do you trust God's plan over your own? Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 3) Let God choose for you. We read in Genesis 13 that Abraham let God choose for him! God then allowed Abraham's descendants to be spread throughout the earth. Abraham gave thanks to God and lifted his heart to God. We should never leave our house without the presence of God!
Do Not Withhold | July 2023 | Pastor Miro Toth
July 9, 2023 • Hebrews 10:24, Ephesians 4:32
With God's help and your work, you can keep from withholding in the following areas: 1) Do not withhold an apology. We are broken people who have eternal security, but we live in the body and unfortunately, we hurt one another. Apologizing can lead to healing! 2) Do not withhold forgiveness. In every act of forgiveness and reconciliation, there requires humility. The Lord has taught us to ask for forgiveness and offer it to others. Forgiveness can bring you and others to freedom! Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God has forgiven you. 3) Do not withhold encouragement. We need to create a culture of encouragement because we live in a world where encouragement doesn't often exist. With kids, do not withhold encouragement. With your spouse, do not withhold encouragement. In every relationship, do not withhold encouragement. Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. God does not withhold his love from us and we have total access to it! Is there someone in your life that you need to apologize to, forgive, or encourage? With God's help, take that step today!