Public Church

As we continue reading through Psalm 37 we look at the difficult truth that sometimes evil people prosper while good people suffer. In these moments and seasons of difficulty we often hope to hurry through and get beyond to a time that would be easier or better. As we see in Psalm 37:34-40 we must instead learn to wait in the Lord and allow Him to be our refuge. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

For the next 4 weeks, we are reading through Psalm 37 and asking this question, “What does Psalm 37 reveal about the Father’s Heart?” As we discussed verses 1-7, we saw that the Father invites us to linger to start our journey. We would love for you to join us as we let God’s Word refine our view of the Father. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Sam Landrith challenges us in this talk to consider the mission that Jesus has given the church: to tell the world about Him. God has a heart for all those who are far from Him, and we should too. This is clearly seen in Jesus’ parable about the lost coin in Luke 15:8-10. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Jesus tells a captivating story in Luke 15:11-32 that leads us to reflect on how we approach people. There are three characters in the story, and as we consider which one we are, Jesus wants to refine our approach. How will we respond to this paradigm-shifting story? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Jesus is a brilliant storyteller, and he tells a story in Luke 15:1-7 that captivates a tension-filled audience. Jesus leads them to agree that if they lose something that they consider valuable, they work hard to find it. Then Jesus drops a huge challenge: will they assign value to the people God values? For us, here is our invitation: will we join Jesus’ audience and let him extend this challenge to us? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Why would we serve in a culture that tells us to get ours? Jesus did not come to fight to get his, but to give his life away. (Philippians 2:5-8) If we choose to follow him, we must follow his pattern and give our lives away, too. In Philippians 2:19-26 we see how to practically serve like Jesus in our everyday lives. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

We all worship something, it is a part of our nature. We were created to worship God, so we should be engaging in worship to him daily, and in every season of our life. Worship through music is an integral part of worshipping God but we must also worship him the through his word. We learn that we must take what is told of us in John 4:23, and be true worshippers who worship in both sprint and truth. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Following Jesus is not an individual endeavor, it’s a communal project and the community Jesus gave us is the church. Listen to hear what Jesus says about our need for community and what Paul says community provides. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Before we discuss the specifics of our mission, there is one thing that is essential for us to be successful in our mission: unity. If we are divided, there’s really no point in talking about the specifics of our mission. Robert Green brings a powerful challenge from Ephesians 4:13 and 4:2-6 about ingredients to the kind of lasting unity that Jesus offers us. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

One of the hardest habits to break when it comes to speaking words of death is to stop grumbling or arguing, but that’s exactly what Paul tells us to do in Philippians 2:14-16. As we discuss why and how to make this change, we do so against the backdrop of communion, knowing that we need the power of the cross to make this seemingly impossible shift. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

We all have room to grow in navigating conflict and tough conversations. Therefore, we need to define the win in conflict and begin moving towards that win. We discuss Romans 12:16-21 and the type of mindset that we need to cultivate if we are going to successfully navigate tough conversations. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

How do we make the change from speaking words of death to words of life? James, the brother of Jesus writes in James 3:13-16 and 4:1-12 about how to make that change. As we discuss what he wrote, we learn that change begins in the heart, and Jesus wants to adjust our posture to produce words of life. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

We often underestimate the impact of our words, but in James 3:1-12, we discover that everything we say matters. In addition, our words of death destroy life. Will we recognize the that warning signs that accompany our destructive words and take a step towards change? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Most of us the power of words, and when we read that Proverbs 18:21 tells us that Death and Life are in the tongue, that resonates with us. Since our words carry such weight, who are the most significant voices in your life? Does God make the list? We discuss Romans 8:1-4, 14-17, and 31-39 to see that God speaks life over us. Will we prioritize his voice and listen? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Miscommunication occurs when what we mean is not what is heard, and it is a common and frustrating experience for all of us. When Jesus spoke his last 3 words on the cross, his followers misinterpreted him. Only after the resurrection did they grasp what he said. Todd Stevison discusses Romans 6:5-11 and what Jesus meant when he said, “It is finished.” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

One of the most frustrating aspects of life is when our plans are ripped up. How do we respond when God rips up our plans? What do we do when God says our plans are finished? That is the disciples’ situation find themselves in Matthew 21 and Matthew 26. Todd Stevison discusses these scenes in Jesus’ life and challenge us to decide if we will defer or defect. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Surrounded by distractions and multi-tasking how can you hear from God and know what He is saying? Taking time to pause and sit with Jesus puts us in a place to be able to better hear from Him. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Most of us love the feeling of being finished with a project, but we run into problems when we try to approach Jesus like a project. In Mark 10:17-27, Jesus refuses to be reduced to a project that can be finished and instead invites us into a never-ending relationship. The offer sounds enticing but is very difficult to accept. Todd Stevison leads us to discuss a project approach versus a relational approach. Which will you choose? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

Collin Cooke shares his vision for the children and families of Public Church and goes in depth about upcoming events and plans for Public Students. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message

We all struggle to remember important things. Christ gives Communion to the Church so that we will remember who we are and how we even got here. Communion brings us back to our purpose and reminds us to love the world that Jesus came to save. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apublicchurch/message