Teaching
We gather around the scriptures to learn the unfolding story of God.
Advent – Love
As we move closer to Christmas we consider the love of God demonstrated in the incarnation of Christ. A love that enters into the chaos of our world and invites us to be a part of its healing.
Advent – Joy
On the third Sunday of Advent, we reflect on the joy of Christ. After the last few years, joy has not been easy to find. But in Christ, we find the courage to laugh, to smile, and to hope despite the chaos around us and in us.
Advent – Peace
The Second Sunday of Advent is a reminder of the Peace our God promises. But this peace is achieved only after we give up our commitment to the status quo. We need prophets to upset business-as-usual and push us to pursue flourishing for all. We need messengers that call our sins into account and beckon us towards repentance. We need provocative messengers to prepare the way for our Messiah.
Jesus on Enemy Love – Matthew 5:43-48
In a world in which we are encouraged to hate our enemies, Jesus offers a radically different way. His instructions, and his example, are to love those who hate you and to pray for those that actively plot your demise.
Jesus on Breaking the Cycle of Violence – Matthew 5:38-42
Humanity has long suffered under the perpetuation of violence and revenge. Jesus desires for his followers to take action that breaks this cycle of violence, and create opportunities for those who were once our enemy to be transformed into our neighbor.
Jesus on Truth Telling – Matthew 5:33-37
In the first century, the Jewish community had developed a complex hierarchy of oaths and half-truths to get around the command to manipulate and lie to their neighbor. Jesus confronts these practices by compelling his followers to be committed to simple, straightforward honesty.
Jesus on Divorce – Matthew 5:31-32
Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:31-32 confronts the easy divorce culture of his day, and our own, that oppresses women and weaponizes divorce. The announcement of his coming Kingdom is always good news for those who have been wounded by divorce.
Jesus on Sexual Objectification – Matthew 5:27-30
Some of Jesus’ harshest criticism and difficult instructions center on the topic of sexual immorality. In Matthew 5:27-30, Jesus extends the divine prohibition on adultery and extends it to our hearts and imagination.
Jesus on Anger – Matthew 5:20-26
We live in a moment that can be described as the "Age of Outrage". Harboring anger, retaliation, and contempt for others has become normalized. However, Jesus calls his followers to a different way of embracing reconciliation over outrage.
The Law and The Prophets – Matthew 5:17-20
At the heart of the culture wars, church division, and Christian conflicts lies the Bible. The most well-read book in human history. Jesus shares his understanding of the Bible in Matthew 5:17-20.
Salt and Light – Matthew 5:12-16
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus describes his followers as salt and light in the world. This metaphor articulates a Jesus-vision for his followers to be visible disciples showing up to the places we live, work, and play.
The Beatitudes – Matthew 5:1-11
Jesus' Sermon on the Mount begins with the discourse commonly known as "the Beatitudes"; a list of eight types of people who are blessed by God, and it isn't those we expected.
Repent, for the Kingdom has Arrived – Matthew 4:17-23
The words that begin the ministry of Jesus are “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Repentance has come to mean something like “be more spiritual”, “clean up your act”, or a moral revival. While repentance may include those things – they are an incomplete depiction of repentance. As Jesus used it, “repent” is to change your mind or to rethink–– it is a rethinking that has a profound impact on your life and who you are.
Devoted to Prayer – Matthew 5:5-15
Associate Pastor, Amanda Berger shares what it means for Midtown Church to be a community devoted to Prayer from Matthew 6:5-15.
Devoted to Mission – Luke 10:1-12
Lead pastor, Cassie Ferren shares what it means for Midtown Church to be devoted to the mission of God from Luke 10:1-12.
Practicing the Sabbath
Alex and Cassie continue to discuss the theme of Sabbath in scripture and discuss some practices to incorporate weekly. Maybe you have never practiced Sabbath before or you have set aside a day off but have never been intentional about your rest. This guide is designed to help you and/or your family to learn more about Sabbath, design a plan, and incorporate practices to be intentional with your rest.
God’s Design for Sabbath
As a Church, we believe in the value of Sabbath, a day set apart each week in which we abstain from work and make space for Jesus as we rest. By large, the concept of Sabbath is antithetical to the American culture of hustle and go-go-go. Unfortunately, the Church and Christ-followers, including us, have succumbed to this addiction to business. Cassie and Alex introduce the theme of Sabbath throughout scripture and its importance as we bear witness to the Kingdom of Jesus.
Celebrating Juneteenth
In this episode of the Midtown Church podcast, Benjamin Ford joins to talk about the meaning of Juneteenth for the United States and for the Church of Christ.
Spiritual Warfare like Jesus
Preston Ulmer, the founder of the Doubter's Club and director of network development for the Church Multiplication Network, joins the podcast to talk about engaging in spiritual warfare like Jesus. Oftentimes the phrase “spiritual warfare” is used as a phrase to describe a form of superstitious spirituality that we do not see in the life of Christ. Rather, what if we thought of spiritual warfare as working towards human flourishing?
Pentecost, George Floyd, Neighboring, and Possum Trot, MO
Cassie and Alex take the opportunity to reflect on the first few months of 2021 by sharing thoughts on Pentecost Sunday, the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death, what it looks like to neighbor well, and share a few resources they’ve enjoyed learning from.