Teaching

We gather around the scriptures to learn the unfolding story of God.

The Water and the Wilderness – Mark 1:9-13
Alex Ferren Alex Ferren

The Water and the Wilderness – Mark 1:9-13

In this world, we are bombarded with voices that tell us we are unworthy or undeserving. These voices are energized by shame, fear, and insecurity; making us feel like impostures everywhere we go. Against these voices is the voice of the Spirit, declaring that in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we have become children of God.

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The Spirit and the Incarnation – Matthew 1:18-25
Cassie Ferren Cassie Ferren

The Spirit and the Incarnation – Matthew 1:18-25

In the introduction of his biography of Jesus, the author Matthew,  summarizes the Hebrew scriptures and suggests that the Jewish messiah has come. God is answering the Israelites' desperation, their primal cry for a Savior. A man empowered by the Holy Spirit who would not just save them from physical captivity but would save them from their sins, from this never ending cycle of human failure. This is Jesus’ goal as outlined by Matthew. He will be the giver of God’s definitive salvation.

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In Kansas City – Jeremiah 29:4-14
Alex Ferren Alex Ferren

In Kansas City – Jeremiah 29:4-14

Globalization, economic disparities, and the digital revolution have developed a growing sense of rootlessness, dislocation, and displacement; we are a restless people. Throughout the biblical narrative, the People of God have had many exilic experiences, but as the Prophet Jeremiah advises, our God can be found even when we are far from home.

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Together – Assorted Scripture
Cassie Ferren Cassie Ferren

Together – Assorted Scripture

As evident in the scriptures, Jesus believed in the church. We believe that church is family and so every year we want to revisit how we participate in this family or do this whole Jesus thing together. Participants in the Midtown Community are asked to commit to five things; (1) Reveal the Kingdom of Jesus, (2) Belong to a Microchurch, (3) Gather on Sundays, (4) Serve, and (5) Being Generous.

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Revealing the Kingdom of Jesus – Mark 1:14-15
Alex Ferren Alex Ferren

Revealing the Kingdom of Jesus – Mark 1:14-15

In a world that is vying for our ultimate allegiance, the announcement of Jesus offers an alternative: “The Kingdom of God is at Hand, repent and believe” (Mark 1:15). The Gospel of the Kingdom is an invitation to live in the way of God in the community of God as the Kingdom of God; will we give our allegiance to God?

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The Spirit in the Prophets – Numbers 11:16-30
Alex Ferren Alex Ferren

The Spirit in the Prophets – Numbers 11:16-30

In a world that is confusing, disorienting, and complicated we need luminaries to show us the way. We need those who have explored the reservoirs of human knowledge and found a way to the good life. In the days of Moses, these luminaries were called “Prophets”.

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The Anointing Spirit – 1 Samuel 16
Cassie Ferren Cassie Ferren

The Anointing Spirit – 1 Samuel 16

In the History of Israel, we see God’s liquid Spirit, His anointing rest on the person of David. And David foreshadows the true anointed one, Jesus the Christ. The anointed one is a person who brings God’s Spirit to earth through both suffering and victory. Jesus is that true anointed one, the very embodiment of God’s liquid spirit, God’s presence brought to earth, the bridge, the ultimate priest, the true king.

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Work in the Spirit – Exodus 35:30–36:2
Alex Ferren Alex Ferren

Work in the Spirit – Exodus 35:30–36:2

There is a pseudo-religion that has quietly grown in popularity called “workism”; the belief that our job is not just for economic production or personal provision, but that a job can be the center of our identity. Set against this culture stands the biblical vision of work not as an identity, but as a collaboration with the Spirit of God. And two artisans, Bezalel and Oholiab, show us that we have been invited by God to collaborate with his Spirit to produce good for God’s glory.

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The Spirit in Creation – Genesis 1
Cassie Ferren Cassie Ferren

The Spirit in Creation – Genesis 1

Many of us have come to believe that God’s presence is only available in a church on a Sunday morning. We start to think God only shows up with the environment, music, and setting are just right. We think God only shows up in the extraordinary. But as Genesis 1 reveals, this is untrue for the Spirit of God is in the very breath we breathe. And if he is that close, then the question isn’t “is he there?” but “Why do I not feel him?”

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A Salvation Worth Waiting For – Malachi 4
Corbin White Corbin White

A Salvation Worth Waiting For – Malachi 4

The ugliness of reality is often uncomfortable to look at. It makes us restless. It drives us to distractions. It makes us desperate for a savior. Malachi, the final book of the Old Testament, sums up the experiences of the Israelite people and articulates their hope in God's salvation; reminding them that it is a salvation worth waiting for.

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Spirit Empowered Faith – Zechariah 4:1-7
Amanda Berger Amanda Berger

Spirit Empowered Faith – Zechariah 4:1-7

Against the pain, chaos, and suffering life can inflict we can be left wondering, “Why believe?” Like the Israelites mourning bygone days and the beauty of a city they will never see, we can find ourselves hopeless. But the Prophet Zechariah’s message to the Israelites, and to us, is to renew our trust in God and discover faith again.

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A Restored Presence  – Haggai 1-2
Alycia Keffer Alycia Keffer

A Restored Presence – Haggai 1-2

Procrastination is an experience all humans know well. We can put off eating better, a financial goal, a work deadline, or a house project. But we can also procrastinate our discipleship to Jesus, we can put prayer, study, or community on the back burner, waiting to start when we are “less busy.” The challenge of Haggai to an Israelite people who have put off rebuilding the temple is to get started! Get to work and experience the blessing of God.

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Correction, Love, and Restoration – Zephaniah 2:1-3
Justin Roberts Justin Roberts

Correction, Love, and Restoration – Zephaniah 2:1-3

The Prophet Zephaniah warns his fellow Israelites and neighboring nations of the coming judgment of the Lord. Zephaniah’s poetic work ties God’s justice and hope together promising the people of God correction, love, and restoration.

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Injustice and Honest Prayer – Habakkuk 1:1-4
Bryce Crowell Bryce Crowell

Injustice and Honest Prayer – Habakkuk 1:1-4

When our world is filled with evil, heartbreak, and injustice the natural question is why? The book of Habakkuk is one prophet’s honest dialogue with God around this subject; it is a divine conversation in which God assures his followers and promises his justice.

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God's Response to Brokenness – Nahum 1-3
Christina Gardner Christina Gardner

God's Response to Brokenness – Nahum 1-3

The Prophet Micah’s instructions to ‘act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly’ first function as an indictment against Judah’s rich and powerful. Judah’s political and religious leaders had turned to exploitive practices to line their pockets and accumulate influence all at the detriment to the disenfranchised. Thus, Micah’s prophesy reverberates through the ages as a poignant reminder for the people of God to use whatever power we have at our disposal for the flourishing of others.

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Reclaiming Power – Micah 2:1-11
Amanda Berger Amanda Berger

Reclaiming Power – Micah 2:1-11

The Prophet Micah’s instructions to ‘act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly’ first function as an indictment against Judah’s rich and powerful. Judah’s political and religious leaders had turned to exploitive practices to line their pockets and accumulate influence all at the detriment to the disenfranchised. Thus, Micah’s prophesy reverberates through the ages as a poignant reminder for the people of God to use whatever power we have at our disposal for the flourishing of others.

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Revisiting a Familiar Story – Jonah 1-4
Bradley Coleman Bradley Coleman

Revisiting a Familiar Story – Jonah 1-4

The story of Jonah lives in the imagination of many as the story of a runaway prophet and a big fish. While those are elements of the story they are far from the point. Rather, Jonah is the startling and bizarre story of what happens when our enemy-hate runs into the grace of God.

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A Divine Pride Check – Obadiah 1-4
Sam Weaver Sam Weaver

A Divine Pride Check – Obadiah 1-4

Pride is any internal deliberation, or outward attitude that diminishes others. It is an insidious emotion that disrupts the community and isolates us from others. The Prophet Obadiah’s message is a divine pride check for the nation of Edom centuries ago and for us today who maintain the same sense of unhealthy pride. In order to become a spiritually, and emotionally healthy community, we must reflect on the destruction egotistical pride has the potential to cause in our life, and then we must look to our subversive savior for direction. 

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Justice like a River – Amos 5:4-6, 21-24
Corbin White Corbin White

Justice like a River – Amos 5:4-6, 21-24

Whether it is multi-million-dollar settlements where companies do not have to admit guilt, ministries hiding sexual abuse or covering up theft, or platforming the narcissistic pastor so that they can save face. We have witnessed the fallout from wrongdoing, both on a personal and national level. This is just how the world works, right? The Prophet Amos challenges this status quo and reminds the people of God that we have a role to play in bringing about justice.

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I Will Pour out my Spirit – Joel 2:12-14, 28-29
Cassie Ferren Cassie Ferren

I Will Pour out my Spirit – Joel 2:12-14, 28-29

In a moment that is marked by celebrity, clout, and influencers, we can come to believe that the work of God is reserved for the few, the special, the called. But the prophet Joel outlines that a day is coming in which God’s Spirit will be poured out on all people. Joel says God’s invitation is for everyday ordinary people to join him in the renewal of our world. Miraculous works, the sharing of the gospel, the bringing of justice is not for the few it is for the many. 

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