Public Church

In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul makes a statement that can seem very arrogant. He says, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” When we dig in, we see that Paul isn’t being arrogant but authentic because people need to see Jesus with skin. We have the opportunity to model what it means to follow Jesus for those who are already following us, whether we realize it or not. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Racism. This week, our letter, Ephesians, brings us to this problem in the Middle East around 60-62 AD that still wreaks havoc in America in 2019. We see what Jesus has done, which reveals that opting out of this issue is not an option for Jesus followers. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

On this bonus content episode of the Power of a Letter, Nathan Eaton hosts Community Group Leaders Alex Maxwell and Jade Morgan to discuss how the series along with our YouVersion Bible plan is impacting their Community Groups. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

This week we take a break from our series, The Power of a Letter, to ask difficult questions about tragedy. Paul writes about the hope we have beyond death in Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15, and we are challenged to remember that Jesus’ salvation goes beyond the grave. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Paul begins Ephesians 2 with a jarring yet simultaneously enlightening statement that is echoed by the music of our culture. Then he provides an explanation and a solution. If we lean in and grasp what he is saying about us, we can walk away overwhelmed by Jesus. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

So many people struggle with loneliness, and knowing someone is praying for us can be a huge help in the struggle. When Paul prays for the Ephesians, he prays for them to know that God is for them and see Jesus as the source of our hope. His prayer applies to us and models for us a way to pray for others. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

A letter has the power to change our lives by its message, and that’s exactly what Paul intends to happen with a letter he wrote that we call Ephesians. If we open and read it, we can find clarity to two questions that several of us are asking and most of us are interested in: who is God? Who are we to him? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

On this special podcast, Nathan Eaton hosts Todd and Whitney Stevison as they dive into some aspects of Front Door Conversations that didn’t make it into the series. A big question, “What I if cannot have the Front Door Conversation?” is discussed, as is the difference between peacemakers and peacekeepers. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

We end our series with this question: what if we do all the right things and it doesn’t work? At some point, all of us will face unresolved conflict, even though we have done our part. How do we move forward? In Romans 12:18-21, Paul writes to a group of people who will face conflict on a scale that most of us won’t, and his words to them provide a road map for us as well. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

To dive deeper into Front Door Conversations, Todd Stevison hosts a discussion with Cindy Boler on Conflict Resolution. She offers practical, simple, yet game-changing insights that we need to navigate conflict well. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Today, we have the privilege of diving into the details of Front Door Conversations through a discussion with Brad Stanley and Collin Cooke. Brad serves with YWAM (Youth With a Mission) and leads many of their urban efforts from his experience serving immigrants in Chicago and working in other cities across the globe. Collin serves as our phenomenal Families Pastor, and we can’t wait for you to be challenged by their insights. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

When it comes to the conversations that we know we need to have, we can either deal with it or it will deal with us. When “it” deals with us, “it” comes packaged with regret. There is a way to eliminate regret through Front Door Conversations, and the key is the stories we tell. Since regret hangs in the balance, let’s lean Romans 12:16-18 to see what kind of stories we need to tell. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Many of us struggle to have tough conversations, and one of the reasons is we only see two potential outcomes. Either we address the issue and lose the relationship, or we avoid the issue and keep the relationship. Thankfully, research shows and Jesus teaches that there is a third way, an outcome where we tackle the problem and build the relationship. In our new series, we are calling the path to this third way, Front Door Conversations. As Jesus prays in John 17, he defines the win that we should all pursue in our Front Door Conversations. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

In 1 Peter 4:7-11, we are challenged to broaden our perspectives. In view of eternity, what matters? Peter calls us to love earnestly and to serve selflessly. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

In our series finale, Jesus uses the Beyond Project to force us to discuss money. We often try to avoid this conversation, and it can feel awkward. If we read what Jesus says about money, then we realize His intent. Jesus isn't after our money; He is pursuing our heart. In Matthew 6:19-21, He shows us the connection between them and challenges us to give Him more of our hearts. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

In Luke 16:1-13, Jesus tells a strange story that helps us see some common mistakes that we make with money. His challenge is unexpected but a game changer if we will do what he says. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

This question leads to other questions that many of us are asking with the Beyond Project. To find our answer, we explore Nehemiah’s answer to “Why rebuild the wall?” In the process, we clarify our compelling vision and are challenged to rise and build. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Public Church’s phrase for 2019 is Immeasurably More, and the Beyond Project marks our next step into Jesus’ immeasurably more. To take this first step, we dig into Peter’s time walking on the water to learn how we can navigate this season. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

How do we respond when adversity hits? What if Jesus could have prevented the tragedy but chose not to? We drop into a few scenes in Jesus’ life and then explore the darkest moment in history to find reasons to trust him. One word resonates amidst any circumstances we face: rise. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

As we end our series, we focus on Jesus’ words that inspired our series. Jesus gives a new command based on his unprecedented type of love. Through his words, we find a way to prove that we are with Jesus. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message