Teaching
We gather around the scriptures to learn the unfolding story of God.
Practicing Righteousness – Matthew 6:1-4
There is a distorted vision of righteousness that puts performative action over sincere motivation. In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus addresses our righteousness prompting us to ask the question, “what’s is my motivation?”
Gospel Participation – Becoming a People of Participation
We struggle with the idea of sharing the Gospel because even that phrase has been co-opted by the misguided, the manipulative, or just tone-deaf to the moment. They mostly feel like a bait-and-switch or a multi-level marketing scheme, then a Jesus’ invitation into a new kingdom. What if sharing the Gospel could look like inviting a neighbor over for dinner? Or taking a Saturday to serve our city in a meaningful way? Or just simply living in such a way that it begs the question? What if sharing the Gospel is more like Jesus and moving towards pain and loving people into the Kingdom?
Courageous Hospitality – Becoming a Hospitable People
As city dwellers, we've learned to remain anonymous; from our neighbors to our barista, we can navigate life without knowing the name or story of people we interact with on a daily basis. We believe that the vision of community that Christ has in mind is far more costly, far more intimate, far messier, and far more beautiful than what we’ve settled for. We believe that we start to become hospitable people simply by committing to a meal.
Holistic Justice – Becoming an Interruptible People
We exist in this moment were using a term like justice is just good branding; which of our favorite brands hasn't made a statement condemning something or advocating for something? For the people of God to embody holistic justice, we must recognize that justice is not an auxiliary topic to the Gospel– justice is how the Gospel is lived out amongst the community. It is our conviction that justice in the scripture is about becoming a particular kind of community.
Intentional Formation – Becoming a People of Prayer
Intentional formation is to be deliberate and purposeful with the people we are becoming. As followers of Christ, we’ve been given specific direction for our change by the Incarnate One, Jesus. His life and ministry provide a clear pattern for the Kingdom of God. We believe that the first step in our formation is becoming people of prayer.
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.