City Light Church Sermons

Sermon Notes: 3/9/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke: 7:1-17 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Pain and hurt and devastation does not discriminate. But verses like this show us that grace does not discriminate either! He heals the Jew and gentile alike. But what does get Jesus’s attention? Lowly needs, and humble faith. Centurions are powerful, and economically secure. But death cannot be resolved with money or influence. It would require a divine touch. And the fact that a Jewish group would plead with Jesus on behalf of a gentile - a centurion, no less - speaks volumes of this man’s conduct and heart. It was normally unlawful for Jewish people to even associate with gentiles. And the Jewish people say “he’s worthy, so you should go see him.” He’s Worthy. But when Jesus gets closer to this man, the centurion sees himself in light of Jesus. People think the Centurion is worthy, and a good guy, but as Jesus is coming to him, he recognizes true goodness in Jesus. The centurion's influence and power means nothing. When you look truly into the eyes of Jesus, we see how unworthy we are. And the centurion tells Jesus, I’m not worthy to have you in my house. Anything you’re willing to give me, I’ll take it. And Jesus marvels saying “Not even in Israel have I seen such faith.” There are many in the crowd following Jesus that probably didn’t believe that faith could be found outside of the Jewish community. And Jesus declares once and for all, that his love, his salvation, his mercy as well as the ability to have faith, is available for all cultures. In the other passage, we see a widow mourning. She didn’t have much to offer anyone. But Jesus looked with compassion for her as well. “Do not weep” He says. This world is filled with tears and pain. Jesus sees our tears and is moved by lowly needs. People with nothing to offer who simply need Jesus. Jesus sees our tears, and He has the power to do something about that. And this widow’s son is only meant to remind us that this is just a foretaste of what is to come. One day Jesus will raise all the dead, and wipe all the tears.

Sermon Notes: 3/9/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke: 7:1-17 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Pain and hurt and devastation does not discriminate. But verses like this show us that grace does not discriminate either! He heals the Jew and gentile alike. But what does get Jesus’s attention? Lowly needs, and humble faith. Centurions are powerful, and economically secure. But death cannot be resolved with money or influence. It would require a divine touch. And the fact that a Jewish group would plead with Jesus on behalf of a gentile - a centurion, no less - speaks volumes of this man’s conduct and heart. It was normally unlawful for Jewish people to even associate with gentiles. And the Jewish people say “he’s worthy, so you should go see him.” He’s Worthy. But when Jesus gets closer to this man, the centurion sees himself in light of Jesus. People think the Centurion is worthy, and a good guy, but as Jesus is coming to him, he recognizes true goodness in Jesus. The centurion's influence and power means nothing. When you look truly into the eyes of Jesus, we see how unworthy we are. And the centurion tells Jesus, I’m not worthy to have you in my house. Anything you’re willing to give me, I’ll take it. And Jesus marvels saying “Not even in Israel have I seen such faith.” There are many in the crowd following Jesus that probably didn’t believe that faith could be found outside of the Jewish community. And Jesus declares once and for all, that his love, his salvation, his mercy as well as the ability to have faith, is available for all cultures. In the other passage, we see a widow mourning. She didn’t have much to offer anyone. But Jesus looked with compassion for her as well. “Do not weep” He says. This world is filled with tears and pain. Jesus sees our tears and is moved by lowly needs. People with nothing to offer who simply need Jesus. Jesus sees our tears, and He has the power to do something about that. And this widow’s son is only meant to remind us that this is just a foretaste of what is to come. One day Jesus will raise all the dead, and wipe all the tears.

Sermon Notes: 3/2/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke 6: 43-45 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . When a tree dies and falls over, we often discover that the inside of that tree has been dead long before it ever fell. Long before we ever noticed the branches falling. Before we inspect our neighbor’s lives for righteousness and call them out on their behavior, we should inspect ourselves. Because when we inspect ourselves and struggle with our own behavior, quite possibly, when we inspect our neighbor, we will judge them much differently. We might even leave them alone entirely. Until you do self-inspection, a true inspection, you have no right to look to your fellow Christian and approach them about their own actions. Now, remember, fruit production is not salvation by works. You are saved for works; you are not saved by works. A life that is transformed by God, produces goodness! A pattern of life comes when you are saved by Jesus Christ. Your pattern should be filled with more mercy, more love, more giving and less selfishness, less self-righteousness, less manipulation. The product of the life, reveals the heart. Fruit production is a reflection of a deeply experienced new life. The ability to extend mercy comes from a deeply experienced inner life. So when I experience new life, and I recognize how much I am loved and forgiven, we judge less. We forgive more. Many times, our fruit production, in the middle of the temptation to produce bad fruit, we identify more with the old tree, than the new tree. Who are you? How easily you revert back to your old self, how easily your draw your identity from who you used to be. Stop resorting back to the old tree, because we produce who we are. Stop telling yourself you are that old person! Christ died for you. Christ called you His representative. He has made you a new creature. He has the power to do this. The changes in ourselves are gradual and progressive - over time, the changes in our hearts grow over years. Changes in attitude create changes in actions creates changes in relationship. For out of the abundance of our heart, the mouth speaks. Your actions are driven by where your identity truly is. And to change that, we need to go and inspect our heart. I can say I’m a kind and loving person… but do I produce it? Do my actions reflect my kindness and love?

Sermon Notes: 3/2/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke 6: 43-45 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . When a tree dies and falls over, we often discover that the inside of that tree has been dead long before it ever fell. Long before we ever noticed the branches falling. Before we inspect our neighbor’s lives for righteousness and call them out on their behavior, we should inspect ourselves. Because when we inspect ourselves and struggle with our own behavior, quite possibly, when we inspect our neighbor, we will judge them much differently. We might even leave them alone entirely. Until you do self-inspection, a true inspection, you have no right to look to your fellow Christian and approach them about their own actions. Now, remember, fruit production is not salvation by works. You are saved for works; you are not saved by works. A life that is transformed by God, produces goodness! A pattern of life comes when you are saved by Jesus Christ. Your pattern should be filled with more mercy, more love, more giving and less selfishness, less self-righteousness, less manipulation. The product of the life, reveals the heart. Fruit production is a reflection of a deeply experienced new life. The ability to extend mercy comes from a deeply experienced inner life. So when I experience new life, and I recognize how much I am loved and forgiven, we judge less. We forgive more. Many times, our fruit production, in the middle of the temptation to produce bad fruit, we identify more with the old tree, than the new tree. Who are you? How easily you revert back to your old self, how easily your draw your identity from who you used to be. Stop resorting back to the old tree, because we produce who we are. Stop telling yourself you are that old person! Christ died for you. Christ called you His representative. He has made you a new creature. He has the power to do this. The changes in ourselves are gradual and progressive - over time, the changes in our hearts grow over years. Changes in attitude create changes in actions creates changes in relationship. For out of the abundance of our heart, the mouth speaks. Your actions are driven by where your identity truly is. And to change that, we need to go and inspect our heart. I can say I’m a kind and loving person… but do I produce it? Do my actions reflect my kindness and love?

Sermon Notes: 2/9/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke 6: 24-26 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . This text is very straightforward, and very piercing. We often believe that power, and dominance will win the game of life. We align ourselves with people who have power. We hold allegiances to people who have the power they do. But the laws that govern the Kingdom of God, are not the laws that govern this world. In this text, the woeful life is the one that seems to be filled with worldly good things - wealth, food, laughter, being hyped up, all while your heart is far from God, and therefore facing destruction. It doesn’t work like we think it works. Without Christ, the good things of this world are setting us up for infinite destruction. That’s what “woe” is - infinite condemnation. So, we have to decide what is more important to us. Are we pursuing worldly happiness outside of Christ. Or are we pursuing a relationship with Christ. And that doesn’t mean that there aren’t wealthy Christians out there. But Paul gives us clear instruction on how to handle riches - to avoid pride, and to keep our hope in Christ, not our money. The specific warning he gives the rich is “You have already received your consolation.” If wealth blinds us to Christ, then we have our reward here on earth, rather than gaining the Kingdom. In terms of food - you can have full bellies but be empty of Christ if we do not depend on Him for sustenance. And if we do not have Christ we will be eternally hungry. In terms of happiness. (What he’s talking about here, are people who are amused by the suffering around them, or apathetic toward suffering around them). When you build your entertainment on the backs on those who are suffering, we are laughing without Christ. Stay alert to the apathy. Don’t laugh at the demise of other’s lives. That’s what Christ is warning us about. In terms of being well liked in the wrong ways - we’re either doing what the world is doing, or saying what the world wants us to say. And when we receive that validation, we are more likely to enjoy and love those who give that praise. Those that follow Christ, the world will press up against you and hate you. So if we’re loved by everyone in the world… we are making a big mistake. To be in Jesus is to invite tension and dissension from among the majority of the world.

Sermon Notes: 2/9/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke 6: 24-26 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . This text is very straightforward, and very piercing. We often believe that power, and dominance will win the game of life. We align ourselves with people who have power. We hold allegiances to people who have the power they do. But the laws that govern the Kingdom of God, are not the laws that govern this world. In this text, the woeful life is the one that seems to be filled with worldly good things - wealth, food, laughter, being hyped up, all while your heart is far from God, and therefore facing destruction. It doesn’t work like we think it works. Without Christ, the good things of this world are setting us up for infinite destruction. That’s what “woe” is - infinite condemnation. So, we have to decide what is more important to us. Are we pursuing worldly happiness outside of Christ. Or are we pursuing a relationship with Christ. And that doesn’t mean that there aren’t wealthy Christians out there. But Paul gives us clear instruction on how to handle riches - to avoid pride, and to keep our hope in Christ, not our money. The specific warning he gives the rich is “You have already received your consolation.” If wealth blinds us to Christ, then we have our reward here on earth, rather than gaining the Kingdom. In terms of food - you can have full bellies but be empty of Christ if we do not depend on Him for sustenance. And if we do not have Christ we will be eternally hungry. In terms of happiness. (What he’s talking about here, are people who are amused by the suffering around them, or apathetic toward suffering around them). When you build your entertainment on the backs on those who are suffering, we are laughing without Christ. Stay alert to the apathy. Don’t laugh at the demise of other’s lives. That’s what Christ is warning us about. In terms of being well liked in the wrong ways - we’re either doing what the world is doing, or saying what the world wants us to say. And when we receive that validation, we are more likely to enjoy and love those who give that praise. Those that follow Christ, the world will press up against you and hate you. So if we’re loved by everyone in the world… we are making a big mistake. To be in Jesus is to invite tension and dissension from among the majority of the world.

Sermon Notes: 2/2/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke 6: 12-19 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . We live in a culture that ascribes ultimate value in the wrong things - both within the church and outside. We desire to be rich, full, entertained and liked. Our society tells us that these 4 things will bring us Joy. The reality is the opposite - these 4 things will bring us emptiness. Ultimate joy is found in Christ. This text today is from the Sermon on the Plain. This sermon has something to teach us about Joy. Kingdom Joy and worldly joy are not the same. Kingdom Joy can and will come through struggle. Worldly joy can avoid struggle but is only temporary. This portion of the sermon, the “Blessed are”'s is not for the lay-people. But rather this sermon is for his disciples. Jesus has care and love for the poor, hungry, etc. but Jesus is telling His disciples that those who are poor and hungry and struggling, but in Him are “Markarori” or a status of "being favored" - AKA-blessed. They may be hungry, or weep, but they are covered and protected by God, when they are in Christ. No matter what they are going through, God will be with you. And everyone who knows they are blessed, will have Joy, no matter what comes! 71% of the world lives on less than 10 dollars a day. Poverty is a real problem in the world. And that can create a dependence on the Lord. A holy dependence. A need and a desire for Jesus. God doesn’t despise the poor. Rather, it means He is walking with them in their need. Luke is also explaining how our physical pains and suffering can strengthen our faith in the Lord. When God gives us a heart of flesh, after he saves us, it makes us weep for the suffering in the world. Some people are callus and don’t care, but when you morn for the people around you - take courage, because He will turn sorrow into tears of Joy. The Lord is doing two things - He is building you now, and He is building us for the day to come. When you find yourself in discipline, it’s because you are His. God allows us to experience the low points in life, to teach us the lessons we couldn’t learn any other way. But in revelations 21, the Lord will wipe away our tears, and Joy will rise even higher than we ever could have imagined. He is doing something for the end, too. Lastly, there is a reason we see Joy like the rest of the culture sees it, rather than the way Christ outlines it. 5k Christian’s died in 2023 for being Christian. Most of that was in Nigeria. We have inordinate wealth and prosperity in this country. So, the only suffering we know, is when our material comfort is threatened. We don't know persecution, like those who die in mass just for praying "differently." When we are truly hated for our faith, we should rejoice, for our reward is great in heaven. If we have nothing but Christ in this life, then we truly have everything!

Sermon Notes: 2/2/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke 6: 12-19 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . We live in a culture that ascribes ultimate value in the wrong things - both within the church and outside. We desire to be rich, full, entertained and liked. Our society tells us that these 4 things will bring us Joy. The reality is the opposite - these 4 things will bring us emptiness. Ultimate joy is found in Christ. This text today is from the Sermon on the Plain. This sermon has something to teach us about Joy. Kingdom Joy and worldly joy are not the same. Kingdom Joy can and will come through struggle. Worldly joy can avoid struggle but is only temporary. This portion of the sermon, the “Blessed are”'s is not for the lay-people. But rather this sermon is for his disciples. Jesus has care and love for the poor, hungry, etc. but Jesus is telling His disciples that those who are poor and hungry and struggling, but in Him are “Markarori” or a status of "being favored" - AKA-blessed. They may be hungry, or weep, but they are covered and protected by God, when they are in Christ. No matter what they are going through, God will be with you. And everyone who knows they are blessed, will have Joy, no matter what comes! 71% of the world lives on less than 10 dollars a day. Poverty is a real problem in the world. And that can create a dependence on the Lord. A holy dependence. A need and a desire for Jesus. God doesn’t despise the poor. Rather, it means He is walking with them in their need. Luke is also explaining how our physical pains and suffering can strengthen our faith in the Lord. When God gives us a heart of flesh, after he saves us, it makes us weep for the suffering in the world. Some people are callus and don’t care, but when you morn for the people around you - take courage, because He will turn sorrow into tears of Joy. The Lord is doing two things - He is building you now, and He is building us for the day to come. When you find yourself in discipline, it’s because you are His. God allows us to experience the low points in life, to teach us the lessons we couldn’t learn any other way. But in revelations 21, the Lord will wipe away our tears, and Joy will rise even higher than we ever could have imagined. He is doing something for the end, too. Lastly, there is a reason we see Joy like the rest of the culture sees it, rather than the way Christ outlines it. 5k Christian’s died in 2023 for being Christian. Most of that was in Nigeria. We have inordinate wealth and prosperity in this country. So, the only suffering we know, is when our material comfort is threatened. We don't know persecution, like those who die in mass just for praying "differently." When we are truly hated for our faith, we should rejoice, for our reward is great in heaven. If we have nothing but Christ in this life, then we truly have everything!

Sermon Notes 1/27/25 Corey Deyamport Luke 6: 12-19 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Prayer should be the default in our lives when making big decisions. When Jesus calls His 12 disciples, He modeled for us what it looks like to live dependently on God. Three things stand out in this passage to us: Intentional prayer Purposeful positioning Divine power. Intentional Prayer - Before Jesus picked His disciples, He spent all night in prayer. Jesus has demonstrated that He is powerful and Lord of the Sabbath. But even still, He went out to pray - away from the crowds and even the disciples. He isolated Himself and then prayed. He spent time intentionally with the Father. We are always so easily drawn away from our time with God, it is so powerful to get away from everything. Purposeful positioning - fisherman and tax collectors (who would have been at odds) the tax collector and the zealot who would have been at odds as well. Jesus called such a different group of people together. Now, it’s easy for us to separate ourself from groups who aren’t like ourselves. But God’s purpose is not about comparing ourself to others. But with the holy burden of being chosen for a task. Divine Power - as Jesus came down from His night of prayer, the multitude was waiting for Him. Jesus’s mission was always for the needy. And he sent out the newly elected disciples to work for Him, with all the power to heal and cure. When we are on mission, we are granted divine power to affect the world around us. It is for the labor we have been called, and among a multitude we are called to our divine appointment.

Sermon Notes 1/27/25 Corey Deyamport Luke 6: 12-19 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Prayer should be the default in our lives when making big decisions. When Jesus calls His 12 disciples, He modeled for us what it looks like to live dependently on God. Three things stand out in this passage to us: Intentional prayer Purposeful positioning Divine power. Intentional Prayer - Before Jesus picked His disciples, He spent all night in prayer. Jesus has demonstrated that He is powerful and Lord of the Sabbath. But even still, He went out to pray - away from the crowds and even the disciples. He isolated Himself and then prayed. He spent time intentionally with the Father. We are always so easily drawn away from our time with God, it is so powerful to get away from everything. Purposeful positioning - fisherman and tax collectors (who would have been at odds) the tax collector and the zealot who would have been at odds as well. Jesus called such a different group of people together. Now, it’s easy for us to separate ourself from groups who aren’t like ourselves. But God’s purpose is not about comparing ourself to others. But with the holy burden of being chosen for a task. Divine Power - as Jesus came down from His night of prayer, the multitude was waiting for Him. Jesus’s mission was always for the needy. And he sent out the newly elected disciples to work for Him, with all the power to heal and cure. When we are on mission, we are granted divine power to affect the world around us. It is for the labor we have been called, and among a multitude we are called to our divine appointment.

Sermon Date - 1/19/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford John 13:33-36 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Ask yourself 3 questions: What is the American church (The Church) known for today? And What is your own church known for today? And finally, What are you known for today? These are dangerous questions to ask. But in the verses before us this morning, is a challenge and a description. Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure. His disciples should be known for their Christ-like love. So we must pursue and proclaim an unusual, and otherworldly type of love. Now ask yourself, is that what you are known for? Martin Luther King’s letters from the Birmingham jail call the church to seek to be known as disciples of Jesus through love, rather than following the winds of society. If the church doesn’t love deeply across all divides and distinctions, we lose the identity of what makes us followers of Christ. In this passage, Jesus gives us a commandment that is new - love one another as Jesus has loved us. The standard has been raised in this command. Jesus is telling His disciples, “you have walked with Me, and suffered with Me, and you know how I have loved you. Now go, and give that love to others!” Jesus’ love moves beyond attraction and emotion and condition. And that’s what he calls us to do! So: 1)what should we do? 2)how will this happen? How to love like Jesus - With Service, Without selectiveness, and With Sacrifice. Through His examples in this chapter, shows us that Love is humbling as Jesus washes His disciples' feet. Is your love only demonstrated from your position of convenience? Even Judas’s feet were washed - love with unconditional service. Even Peter’s feet, when he would soon deny him. Acting like Christ means to pray and love and have compassion and humility even of those who would betray. The kind of love Jesus is disciplining us in, is loving your enemies, even when you mean you harm and hate. So, how does Jesus expect us to do it? Where does the provision come from to do this? 1)Recognizing the source - When Jesus died sacrificially, he fuels us with the capacity to love. Because he first loved us. In our resurrection, having died with Christ, we have received the ability to do so. 2)we have clear pictures of who were were before Christ. We were like Judas. How can I withhold love from those who betray me? When I - a perpetual denier and betrayer - have been loved so much by Jesus. 3)the Spirit within us, will allow us to boldly, courageously love with sacrifice and without condition. The Spirit which Jesus gives us the provision of, empowers us to be able to do so!

Sermon Date - 1/19/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford John 13:33-36 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Ask yourself 3 questions: What is the American church (The Church) known for today? And What is your own church known for today? And finally, What are you known for today? These are dangerous questions to ask. But in the verses before us this morning, is a challenge and a description. Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure. His disciples should be known for their Christ-like love. So we must pursue and proclaim an unusual, and otherworldly type of love. Now ask yourself, is that what you are known for? Martin Luther King’s letters from the Birmingham jail call the church to seek to be known as disciples of Jesus through love, rather than following the winds of society. If the church doesn’t love deeply across all divides and distinctions, we lose the identity of what makes us followers of Christ. In this passage, Jesus gives us a commandment that is new - love one another as Jesus has loved us. The standard has been raised in this command. Jesus is telling His disciples, “you have walked with Me, and suffered with Me, and you know how I have loved you. Now go, and give that love to others!” Jesus’ love moves beyond attraction and emotion and condition. And that’s what he calls us to do! So: 1)what should we do? 2)how will this happen? How to love like Jesus - With Service, Without selectiveness, and With Sacrifice. Through His examples in this chapter, shows us that Love is humbling as Jesus washes His disciples' feet. Is your love only demonstrated from your position of convenience? Even Judas’s feet were washed - love with unconditional service. Even Peter’s feet, when he would soon deny him. Acting like Christ means to pray and love and have compassion and humility even of those who would betray. The kind of love Jesus is disciplining us in, is loving your enemies, even when you mean you harm and hate. So, how does Jesus expect us to do it? Where does the provision come from to do this? 1)Recognizing the source - When Jesus died sacrificially, he fuels us with the capacity to love. Because he first loved us. In our resurrection, having died with Christ, we have received the ability to do so. 2)we have clear pictures of who were were before Christ. We were like Judas. How can I withhold love from those who betray me? When I - a perpetual denier and betrayer - have been loved so much by Jesus. 3)the Spirit within us, will allow us to boldly, courageously love with sacrifice and without condition. The Spirit which Jesus gives us the provision of, empowers us to be able to do so!

Sermon Date - 1/5/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke 5:33-39 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Why don’t Jesus disciples fast? In this text, we find a people who are struggling with “newness.” These Pharisees are totally not getting or understanding why Jesus is doing things differently from themselves. But they were adding more regulation to God’s instruction. It was solely their opinion that certain acts should have been followed. And Jesus gives them two responses. 1) we are enjoying this party because Joy has arrived. And 2) and we are enjoying this party because New has arrived. Joy - the parable we see is one of marriage and brides and grooms. Jesus’ answer is simply - “what wedding have you ever gone to, where they fast during the feast?” It’s a celebration! Jesus’s presence symbolizes the marriage portion of a wedding - there’s no reason to be sad, or grieve. The Groom is here! For those “married” to Him, now means we are now eternally saved! There’s NO REASON to be sad - even on the occasions when our life crumbles around us. New - he told them a parable about new patches on old garments, and new wine in old wine skins. In the example in the garments - when you patch an old shirt with a new shirt. You wind up just destroying two shirts when you try and do that. Jesus is telling the Pharisees that Salvation is not a patch the Pharisees use to fix up their way of doing things. It has to replace it! With the wine skins - during fermentation, gas is released from the grape juice, so when the container is sealed it has pressure built up, so the new wine skin can stretch. Old wineskins, however, do not have the elasticity left in the container. They will burst under the pressure of new wine. Jesus is saying that the vessel needs to be new to hold the Joy and Gospel. Sometimes we approach our old life, with new wine mentality. We need to change totally and completely. If I take my old life and try to add upgrade it a little bit, I will break. I must be willing to trade the old way of viewing things, for the new way of viewing and doing things. Are you viewing your Christian life like new wine in old wineskins? Or are you sincerely and genuinely asking the Lord to completely and totally recreate your life, so that it centers around Him? Jesus says He didn’t come here to modify your story. I’m here to completely and totally transform it.

Sermon Date - 1/5/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke 5:33-39 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Why don’t Jesus disciples fast? In this text, we find a people who are struggling with “newness.” These Pharisees are totally not getting or understanding why Jesus is doing things differently from themselves. But they were adding more regulation to God’s instruction. It was solely their opinion that certain acts should have been followed. And Jesus gives them two responses. 1) we are enjoying this party because Joy has arrived. And 2) and we are enjoying this party because New has arrived. Joy - the parable we see is one of marriage and brides and grooms. Jesus’ answer is simply - “what wedding have you ever gone to, where they fast during the feast?” It’s a celebration! Jesus’s presence symbolizes the marriage portion of a wedding - there’s no reason to be sad, or grieve. The Groom is here! For those “married” to Him, now means we are now eternally saved! There’s NO REASON to be sad - even on the occasions when our life crumbles around us. New - he told them a parable about new patches on old garments, and new wine in old wine skins. In the example in the garments - when you patch an old shirt with a new shirt. You wind up just destroying two shirts when you try and do that. Jesus is telling the Pharisees that Salvation is not a patch the Pharisees use to fix up their way of doing things. It has to replace it! With the wine skins - during fermentation, gas is released from the grape juice, so when the container is sealed it has pressure built up, so the new wine skin can stretch. Old wineskins, however, do not have the elasticity left in the container. They will burst under the pressure of new wine. Jesus is saying that the vessel needs to be new to hold the Joy and Gospel. Sometimes we approach our old life, with new wine mentality. We need to change totally and completely. If I take my old life and try to add upgrade it a little bit, I will break. I must be willing to trade the old way of viewing things, for the new way of viewing and doing things. Are you viewing your Christian life like new wine in old wineskins? Or are you sincerely and genuinely asking the Lord to completely and totally recreate your life, so that it centers around Him? Jesus says He didn’t come here to modify your story. I’m here to completely and totally transform it.

Sermon Date: 12/22/24 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 5:12-26 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The Leper’s faith in this verse is an active and humble type of faith. Leprosy is painful and debilitating. (Luke makes sure that the leprosy described is actually leprosy!) This man is in very bad condition - being "Full" of leprosy. But lepers in this time were not just impacted physically, but emotionally and socially. He was to live alone and dress/talk/act like a suffering man. They were even referred to as “the living dead” at that time. But despite this, the Leper 1) gets close, breaking all social protocol. 2) fell on his face, believing Jesus to be Lord and being humble in His presence. This man’s faith is scandalous! The leper steps out into uncharted waters with uncertain outcomes on nothing but accepting the will of God. Praise the Lord, not only does Jesus have the ability to clean the body, but clean the sins on a man! Because of the cleansing of Leper, the word gets out, and crowds started gather around Jesus. And the next miracle we see Jesus perform is healing the paralyzed man. The paralyzed man had to be lifted through the roofs to get around the crowds. These men doing this show incredible compassion to one in need. Again, this is a risky, active faith, just like the leper. What do they do? The cut a hole in someone’s roof! They’re willing to take the risk because “all they have to do is reach Jesus.” God hears the pleas of a friend, for sure! But in the moment, we see Jesus forgives the man’s sins instead of healing his legs! And the Pharisees start accusing Jesus of blasphemy in their minds. But Jesus perceives their thoughts, and outwardly says “why do you doubt?” And then takes it all a step further, healing the paralyzed man. He who has the power to heal, has the power to save. He wants others to see and believe! When the Lord provides for us in any way, it is a reminder of the power of God and that he has already cleansed you of your sins!

Sermon Date: 12/22/24 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 5:12-26 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The Leper’s faith in this verse is an active and humble type of faith. Leprosy is painful and debilitating. (Luke makes sure that the leprosy described is actually leprosy!) This man is in very bad condition - being "Full" of leprosy. But lepers in this time were not just impacted physically, but emotionally and socially. He was to live alone and dress/talk/act like a suffering man. They were even referred to as “the living dead” at that time. But despite this, the Leper 1) gets close, breaking all social protocol. 2) fell on his face, believing Jesus to be Lord and being humble in His presence. This man’s faith is scandalous! The leper steps out into uncharted waters with uncertain outcomes on nothing but accepting the will of God. Praise the Lord, not only does Jesus have the ability to clean the body, but clean the sins on a man! Because of the cleansing of Leper, the word gets out, and crowds started gather around Jesus. And the next miracle we see Jesus perform is healing the paralyzed man. The paralyzed man had to be lifted through the roofs to get around the crowds. These men doing this show incredible compassion to one in need. Again, this is a risky, active faith, just like the leper. What do they do? The cut a hole in someone’s roof! They’re willing to take the risk because “all they have to do is reach Jesus.” God hears the pleas of a friend, for sure! But in the moment, we see Jesus forgives the man’s sins instead of healing his legs! And the Pharisees start accusing Jesus of blasphemy in their minds. But Jesus perceives their thoughts, and outwardly says “why do you doubt?” And then takes it all a step further, healing the paralyzed man. He who has the power to heal, has the power to save. He wants others to see and believe! When the Lord provides for us in any way, it is a reminder of the power of God and that he has already cleansed you of your sins!

Sermon Date: 12/15/24 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 5:1-11 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . In this verse, we have a fishing experience, and great humility shows up that changes those present. Our perception of ourselves, our identity and Our response- can change when you understand who is in the boat with you. When Jesus is in the boat, our perception of ourselves changes. In this boat, he begins teaching lessons about God. Simon addresses Jesus as master - so even though Peter is the professional fisherman this moment, he still obeys despite this expertise. But Peter doesn’t fully understand who is in the boat with him. And we go from one boat with no fish, to two boats filled to the point of sinking. Simon’s at first called Jesus Master… but now he understands who he is in the boat with, and he responds by calling Jesus Lord! And when he does so, he recognizes himself in contrast, and Simon tells the Lord to depart from him, because Simon is a sinner. When we see God for who He is, we see ourselves for who we are - when we see the face of God, we know how unclean we are. You don’t know yourself until you see Him. While humanity snatch fish from the sea, moving us away from Life towards Death, Jesus Snatches people in “the sea” from death to life. Being fishermen of men, is active, not passive. It requires work - hard work. It’s not easy to go out into our community and pull lives from death to life. Our identity is changed - we are called to do the work required to catch humanity with the Gospel. Our response changes too! When Simon Peter fully comes to grips with Who was in the boat with them, he drops everything to follow the Lord. He leaves his burdens behind, takes up his cross, and follows Him. Despite who we are, God is still invites us into His presence.

Sermon Date: 12/15/24 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 5:1-11 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . In this verse, we have a fishing experience, and great humility shows up that changes those present. Our perception of ourselves, our identity and Our response- can change when you understand who is in the boat with you. When Jesus is in the boat, our perception of ourselves changes. In this boat, he begins teaching lessons about God. Simon addresses Jesus as master - so even though Peter is the professional fisherman this moment, he still obeys despite this expertise. But Peter doesn’t fully understand who is in the boat with him. And we go from one boat with no fish, to two boats filled to the point of sinking. Simon’s at first called Jesus Master… but now he understands who he is in the boat with, and he responds by calling Jesus Lord! And when he does so, he recognizes himself in contrast, and Simon tells the Lord to depart from him, because Simon is a sinner. When we see God for who He is, we see ourselves for who we are - when we see the face of God, we know how unclean we are. You don’t know yourself until you see Him. While humanity snatch fish from the sea, moving us away from Life towards Death, Jesus Snatches people in “the sea” from death to life. Being fishermen of men, is active, not passive. It requires work - hard work. It’s not easy to go out into our community and pull lives from death to life. Our identity is changed - we are called to do the work required to catch humanity with the Gospel. Our response changes too! When Simon Peter fully comes to grips with Who was in the boat with them, he drops everything to follow the Lord. He leaves his burdens behind, takes up his cross, and follows Him. Despite who we are, God is still invites us into His presence.

Sermon Date: 12/08/24 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 4:31-44 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . In Jesus, you can bet your life on him. And he claimed that is true! But Jesus’s declarations are often not accepted by the crowds. In Nazareth, he declares what He is there for. But in Capernaum, they get to see what he does! Once in Capernaum, Jesus begins fulfilling what he just said he would do. He teaches in the Synagogue on the sabbath, with the kind of authority that compelled Awe. Then begins setting free demons from the people. Even the demons know His power and authority. And they fear Him. “You are the Son of God,” they say. Jesus rebuked them - be silent, and come out. Jesus has not only the power to cast them out, but silence them from talking about the things He doesn’t want them talking about. But Jesus also protects the bodies of the victims. The power of Christ is over the ENTIRE situation. Even the demons know His name, and know their place. In the situation with Simon’s Mother-in-law, when Jesus rebuked the fever, she immediately rose and served Jesus. When Christ improves our life, it can often lead to us receiving earthly gifts. We have to make a choice, do we stay focused on our gifts, and take our sight off God? Or do we keep our focus on Him, and serve Him, rather than serve ourselves. Jesus is dedicated to His mission. Despite the people around Him wanting Him to stay, Jesus knows He must go and proclaim the news to other places. God didn’t call us to be comfortable in your own journey. But to spread the ministry of the Gospel in both word and deed. We are called to pursue a walk that is modeling the talk!

Sermon Date: 12/08/24 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 4:31-44 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . In Jesus, you can bet your life on him. And he claimed that is true! But Jesus’s declarations are often not accepted by the crowds. In Nazareth, he declares what He is there for. But in Capernaum, they get to see what he does! Once in Capernaum, Jesus begins fulfilling what he just said he would do. He teaches in the Synagogue on the sabbath, with the kind of authority that compelled Awe. Then begins setting free demons from the people. Even the demons know His power and authority. And they fear Him. “You are the Son of God,” they say. Jesus rebuked them - be silent, and come out. Jesus has not only the power to cast them out, but silence them from talking about the things He doesn’t want them talking about. But Jesus also protects the bodies of the victims. The power of Christ is over the ENTIRE situation. Even the demons know His name, and know their place. In the situation with Simon’s Mother-in-law, when Jesus rebuked the fever, she immediately rose and served Jesus. When Christ improves our life, it can often lead to us receiving earthly gifts. We have to make a choice, do we stay focused on our gifts, and take our sight off God? Or do we keep our focus on Him, and serve Him, rather than serve ourselves. Jesus is dedicated to His mission. Despite the people around Him wanting Him to stay, Jesus knows He must go and proclaim the news to other places. God didn’t call us to be comfortable in your own journey. But to spread the ministry of the Gospel in both word and deed. We are called to pursue a walk that is modeling the talk!

Sermon Date: 12/01/24 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 4:14-30 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . In this text, Jesus is making a return home after 40 days in the wilderness tempted by Satan. But His return home, He’s treated as a hometown boy. He returns home with power - fortified - after He faced a physical and spiritual test. When the flesh, world and the devil test us, it can either break us, or strengthen us. When Jesus returned home, He was being recognized (celebrated and popular). But recognition is not reverence. Many people fall in love with the power of Christ, but still cling to our own will and authority. This is what Jesus returns home to. He was popular, but not praised. The word that Jesus preaches is Isaiah 61. This would not have been a usual text in Judaism. We read texts like this, and we immediately think this is about Salvation. But the Jewish community wouldn’t think anything special or particular. But Jesus is making them aware that His ministry is beginning. He is bringing salvation, freedom from oppression, and liberation from suffering. But because He was in His hometown, He receives disbelief and doubt at His proclamation - that He is bringing that peace and salvation through Himself. And He quotes the Old Testament, he shares that the Good news is going out to the Gentiles as well! Not just the Jews. And this infuriated His hometown. Jesus is literally saying - I’ve come to bring all the things you’ve been waiting for, BUT if you don’t receive me, you’ll be on the outside of those good things. And His hometown reacted in fury. And they tried to kill Him. The Jesus we don’t have to submit to, or embrace is the one we feel is easy to Glorify. But the Jesus who tells us that we must give up our way to receive Him, we often push away. But this is the ONLY Jesus that’s available! He is King - and He comes on His terms. If you refuse that, you will be on the outside, even if you grew up in the same home town.

Sermon Date: 12/01/24 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 4:14-30 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . In this text, Jesus is making a return home after 40 days in the wilderness tempted by Satan. But His return home, He’s treated as a hometown boy. He returns home with power - fortified - after He faced a physical and spiritual test. When the flesh, world and the devil test us, it can either break us, or strengthen us. When Jesus returned home, He was being recognized (celebrated and popular). But recognition is not reverence. Many people fall in love with the power of Christ, but still cling to our own will and authority. This is what Jesus returns home to. He was popular, but not praised. The word that Jesus preaches is Isaiah 61. This would not have been a usual text in Judaism. We read texts like this, and we immediately think this is about Salvation. But the Jewish community wouldn’t think anything special or particular. But Jesus is making them aware that His ministry is beginning. He is bringing salvation, freedom from oppression, and liberation from suffering. But because He was in His hometown, He receives disbelief and doubt at His proclamation - that He is bringing that peace and salvation through Himself. And He quotes the Old Testament, he shares that the Good news is going out to the Gentiles as well! Not just the Jews. And this infuriated His hometown. Jesus is literally saying - I’ve come to bring all the things you’ve been waiting for, BUT if you don’t receive me, you’ll be on the outside of those good things. And His hometown reacted in fury. And they tried to kill Him. The Jesus we don’t have to submit to, or embrace is the one we feel is easy to Glorify. But the Jesus who tells us that we must give up our way to receive Him, we often push away. But this is the ONLY Jesus that’s available! He is King - and He comes on His terms. If you refuse that, you will be on the outside, even if you grew up in the same home town.

Sermon Date: 11/24/24 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 4:1-12 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . How do Christs temptations in the wilderness relate to us? Trials teach us what we are and who we are made of. Right after His baptism, we discover what Jesus is made of by His temptations by Satan. Trials reveal our character. (What are the responses to your trials saying about you)? God allows our Trials and testing. (Full of the Holy Spirit and was led by the spirit) Jesus was not in this position due to an error Jesus made. It was deliberate and not random. God was allowing Jesus to be tested to succeed in His covenant, where man has failed in his. Jesus could do what man cannot do. This story brings to mind the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. God was announcing to the world that Jesus was His son in this moment of testing. God does not tempt us with evil. In any situation we are tested, God is not giving us evil, but rather the devil is tempting us. But rather providing the way out, know this, though, God does allow the storm, the testing. So that we can see what type of person we are and what we have to deal with in our own lives. Trials are meant to grow you, and not Grieve you! In the midst of your testing, the Lord is often trying to work something out of us - impurities that might be removed when they rise to the surface. God reveals certain things with certain tests. The only reason for Jesus to be tempted to turn stones to bread is because He *can* do it. Something about this test reveals Jesus’s character to us. He is in the end of a 40 day fast. It makes complete sense for Satan to tempt Jesus with food. But this attempt is trying to turn Christs trust away from His Father. Which makes Jesus’s response so important - “man shall not live by bread alone” revealing His trust in the Father. The second question Satan asks is "is it worth your obedience? Worship me and I will give you all things!" But Jesus replies “only Him shall you serve.” The truth is that God owns everything in its fullness. The temptation is to believe the lie that God is not actually in control. In these moments of trial and testing, it reveals what we really believe in those moments. What are you saying with your own life? Do you believe that God can reward? The last test - throw yourself from the rooftop and angels will supernaturally take care of you. And Jesus responds “you will not test Him.” Satan is actually saying “if you continue to worship Him, will He protect you. Let’s see!” We all crave safety and protection. But, the life of Christ is NOT SAFE! He was sent to die for us. What does this reveal about our Savior? We have a High Priest who weathered all the temptations we can. And we can look to our savior, and put our faith in someone who has been through what we’ve been through.

Sermon Date: 11/24/24 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 4:1-12 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . How do Christs temptations in the wilderness relate to us? Trials teach us what we are and who we are made of. Right after His baptism, we discover what Jesus is made of by His temptations by Satan. Trials reveal our character. (What are the responses to your trials saying about you)? God allows our Trials and testing. (Full of the Holy Spirit and was led by the spirit) Jesus was not in this position due to an error Jesus made. It was deliberate and not random. God was allowing Jesus to be tested to succeed in His covenant, where man has failed in his. Jesus could do what man cannot do. This story brings to mind the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. God was announcing to the world that Jesus was His son in this moment of testing. God does not tempt us with evil. In any situation we are tested, God is not giving us evil, but rather the devil is tempting us. But rather providing the way out, know this, though, God does allow the storm, the testing. So that we can see what type of person we are and what we have to deal with in our own lives. Trials are meant to grow you, and not Grieve you! In the midst of your testing, the Lord is often trying to work something out of us - impurities that might be removed when they rise to the surface. God reveals certain things with certain tests. The only reason for Jesus to be tempted to turn stones to bread is because He *can* do it. Something about this test reveals Jesus’s character to us. He is in the end of a 40 day fast. It makes complete sense for Satan to tempt Jesus with food. But this attempt is trying to turn Christs trust away from His Father. Which makes Jesus’s response so important - “man shall not live by bread alone” revealing His trust in the Father. The second question Satan asks is "is it worth your obedience? Worship me and I will give you all things!" But Jesus replies “only Him shall you serve.” The truth is that God owns everything in its fullness. The temptation is to believe the lie that God is not actually in control. In these moments of trial and testing, it reveals what we really believe in those moments. What are you saying with your own life? Do you believe that God can reward? The last test - throw yourself from the rooftop and angels will supernaturally take care of you. And Jesus responds “you will not test Him.” Satan is actually saying “if you continue to worship Him, will He protect you. Let’s see!” We all crave safety and protection. But, the life of Christ is NOT SAFE! He was sent to die for us. What does this reveal about our Savior? We have a High Priest who weathered all the temptations we can. And we can look to our savior, and put our faith in someone who has been through what we’ve been through.

Sermon Date: 11/17/2024 Speaker: Corey Deyamport Luke 3:23-38 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The first time you meet someone, you often get asked: “who are you people” or “what’s your name.” The name you produce says a lot more than just a name. Knowing your name means knowing your family, and a family’s name carries their history. This text today tells us “who Jesus’s people are.” And this tells us that: Jesus is for all people He is the fulfillment of God’s promises. Jesus is fully man and fully God. Jesus is for all people: the angel tells us, announcing Jesus’s birth that His birth is great news for “all people.” The genealogy declares that Jesus and Jesus alone fits the mold to be the promised messiah. He is legally and spiritually the One. His connection to the royal bloodline and David, would show that He is the heir. But Luke traces the history all the way back to Adam and even God. Jesus is not just a Jewish Jesus, but He is a Jesus for all nations. Just as sin came in through one man - Adam, one man - Jesus, brought justification. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises: this genealogy shows that Jesus is the resolution of all the promises God made to His people. And if God kept His promises to David and Abraham, we can be certain that God can keep his promises to us. Jesus is fully God and Fully man: Jesus is uniquely qualified to fulfill those promises. This genealogy shows us He was fully man and fully God. The word “as supposed,” shows that he was legally Joseph’s child, but he was of divine origin. In this way; He could bridge the gap between heaven and earth. And because of this, we can be adopted as sons and daughters of the Most High. We are heirs. And this adoption is granted to us solely by His grace. This truth transforms (or should transform) how we live. So when doubts creep in because we look at our lives and see how our unworthiness… we can look to Jesus and His act on the cross. We are not accidental citizens of Heaven.

Sermon Date: 11/17/2024 Speaker: Corey Deyamport Luke 3:23-38 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The first time you meet someone, you often get asked: “who are you people” or “what’s your name.” The name you produce says a lot more than just a name. Knowing your name means knowing your family, and a family’s name carries their history. This text today tells us “who Jesus’s people are.” And this tells us that: Jesus is for all people He is the fulfillment of God’s promises. Jesus is fully man and fully God. Jesus is for all people: the angel tells us, announcing Jesus’s birth that His birth is great news for “all people.” The genealogy declares that Jesus and Jesus alone fits the mold to be the promised messiah. He is legally and spiritually the One. His connection to the royal bloodline and David, would show that He is the heir. But Luke traces the history all the way back to Adam and even God. Jesus is not just a Jewish Jesus, but He is a Jesus for all nations. Just as sin came in through one man - Adam, one man - Jesus, brought justification. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises: this genealogy shows that Jesus is the resolution of all the promises God made to His people. And if God kept His promises to David and Abraham, we can be certain that God can keep his promises to us. Jesus is fully God and Fully man: Jesus is uniquely qualified to fulfill those promises. This genealogy shows us He was fully man and fully God. The word “as supposed,” shows that he was legally Joseph’s child, but he was of divine origin. In this way; He could bridge the gap between heaven and earth. And because of this, we can be adopted as sons and daughters of the Most High. We are heirs. And this adoption is granted to us solely by His grace. This truth transforms (or should transform) how we live. So when doubts creep in because we look at our lives and see how our unworthiness… we can look to Jesus and His act on the cross. We are not accidental citizens of Heaven.

Sermon Date: 11/3/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 3: 1-22 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sermon notes Luke 3: 1-22 Here's a snapshot of the politics surrounding John and his proclaiming of the Christ to come: Tiberius is the emperor of Rome. He ruled during the ministry of John and the ministry of Jesus. He was able to get Rome out of its debt over this time. But his time in rulership is filled with incredible scandal and rumor. Pilot was appointed a local ruler over the Jews. Pilot and the Jews had several conflicts. Herod is the ruler of Galile. John confronted Herod over his marriage. He was eventually imprisoned and killed during this time. There are all kinds of politics at play. But during this chaos and power plays, “the world of God came to John the Baptist in the wilderness.” The word of God showed up not to an emperor, but to a man in the woods eating locusts and honey. While all the word was fighting over the land, all of their stories would be overshadowed by a man they didn’t even know existed. All of the politics were happening, but people were going to woods to hear from God. John's message was not about doing work in any physical place - but our hearts. John's message was a call to repentance and his message also contains the context of violent radical change in our hearts. Repentance is an act of faith; we change because we trust the Lord. We submit our will to Jesus. What does repentance look like? You use your resources to help and serve those without. Tax collectors - collect no more than you were authorized to do. Soldiers - don’t extort others or be dishonest. Be content with wages. But both are to view other humans as image bearers and help others, serve others. Repentance is a radical alteration of course. His message was of radical submission to Jesus, and radical service to neighbor. When Jesus comes into your presence he will baptize you in spirit and fire. The spirit is our retainer, it keeps us. And the fire is the burning away of stuff that is not like Jesus. But for some of us; those who will not repent, that fire looks like judgement. So the hope that you and I have; when we repent, we don’t have to say it alone - the Lord gives us the spirit.

Sermon Date: 11/3/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 3: 1-22 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sermon notes Luke 3: 1-22 Here's a snapshot of the politics surrounding John and his proclaiming of the Christ to come: Tiberius is the emperor of Rome. He ruled during the ministry of John and the ministry of Jesus. He was able to get Rome out of its debt over this time. But his time in rulership is filled with incredible scandal and rumor. Pilot was appointed a local ruler over the Jews. Pilot and the Jews had several conflicts. Herod is the ruler of Galile. John confronted Herod over his marriage. He was eventually imprisoned and killed during this time. There are all kinds of politics at play. But during this chaos and power plays, “the world of God came to John the Baptist in the wilderness.” The word of God showed up not to an emperor, but to a man in the woods eating locusts and honey. While all the word was fighting over the land, all of their stories would be overshadowed by a man they didn’t even know existed. All of the politics were happening, but people were going to woods to hear from God. John's message was not about doing work in any physical place - but our hearts. John's message was a call to repentance and his message also contains the context of violent radical change in our hearts. Repentance is an act of faith; we change because we trust the Lord. We submit our will to Jesus. What does repentance look like? You use your resources to help and serve those without. Tax collectors - collect no more than you were authorized to do. Soldiers - don’t extort others or be dishonest. Be content with wages. But both are to view other humans as image bearers and help others, serve others. Repentance is a radical alteration of course. His message was of radical submission to Jesus, and radical service to neighbor. When Jesus comes into your presence he will baptize you in spirit and fire. The spirit is our retainer, it keeps us. And the fire is the burning away of stuff that is not like Jesus. But for some of us; those who will not repent, that fire looks like judgement. So the hope that you and I have; when we repent, we don’t have to say it alone - the Lord gives us the spirit.

Sermon Date: 10/27/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 2: 22-40 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg

Sermon Date: 10/27/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 2: 22-40 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg

Sermon Date: 10/20/2024 Speaker: Nate Steverson Luke 2: 22-40 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . If we were there when Jesus is presented to the temple, as in verses 22-40, our eyes would be fastened on the infinite hope displayed in this child. Simeon and Anna are present so we are alerted to this fact. We too are called to fix our eyes on Jesus and embrace Him as the hope and light of the world. The wait for Jesus Christ as redeemer is over. He has come, therefore we can receive him as our Redeemer. These verses show Jesus' Designation, Jesus' Destination, and Jesus' Declaration. Designation: the first male to open the womb shall be called holy - and offered two turtledoves and 2 pigeons as sacrifice. He was ALREADY declared holy before he was born. And under the law. And according to God’s word. Everything about Jesus is presented as being born under the law, for God. God chose this specific time in history to send his son into the world, so that he could redeem us. Jesus’s birth was to release us from the law, and usher in a new relationship with God through his death. Destination- He is concentrated as holy, under the lord. Jesus was to be “set aside for a divine purpose.” From the very beginning on of His birth. He is not only concentrated, but the concentrator - making us all holy, for the Lord. Simeon shows us that God is not slacking in His promises. Just as he waited for years, but we should not give up hope for the days to come. Jesus is for us - he is a consoler, a savior, an all-in-all. He is the fulfiller of both the Law, and the prophets. Declaration- Simeon’s words shows us where Jesus will be directed. He foreshadows the struggles and fight. His death to come, so we can be free from sin. This passage is evangelistic passage. Jesus is the message - we can accept his sacrifice as penance for our sins. Those who receive the message of Christ shall be saved, but those who reject the message of Christ will be destroyed. We also see another prophetic declaration - from Anna. She further proclaims Jesus’s arrival as the messiah. She declares that it was not ONLY for the Jew, but also for the gentiles. Praise God!

Sermon Date: 10/20/2024 Speaker: Nate Steverson Luke 2: 22-40 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . If we were there when Jesus is presented to the temple, as in verses 22-40, our eyes would be fastened on the infinite hope displayed in this child. Simeon and Anna are present so we are alerted to this fact. We too are called to fix our eyes on Jesus and embrace Him as the hope and light of the world. The wait for Jesus Christ as redeemer is over. He has come, therefore we can receive him as our Redeemer. These verses show Jesus' Designation, Jesus' Destination, and Jesus' Declaration. Designation: the first male to open the womb shall be called holy - and offered two turtledoves and 2 pigeons as sacrifice. He was ALREADY declared holy before he was born. And under the law. And according to God’s word. Everything about Jesus is presented as being born under the law, for God. God chose this specific time in history to send his son into the world, so that he could redeem us. Jesus’s birth was to release us from the law, and usher in a new relationship with God through his death. Destination- He is concentrated as holy, under the lord. Jesus was to be “set aside for a divine purpose.” From the very beginning on of His birth. He is not only concentrated, but the concentrator - making us all holy, for the Lord. Simeon shows us that God is not slacking in His promises. Just as he waited for years, but we should not give up hope for the days to come. Jesus is for us - he is a consoler, a savior, an all-in-all. He is the fulfiller of both the Law, and the prophets. Declaration- Simeon’s words shows us where Jesus will be directed. He foreshadows the struggles and fight. His death to come, so we can be free from sin. This passage is evangelistic passage. Jesus is the message - we can accept his sacrifice as penance for our sins. Those who receive the message of Christ shall be saved, but those who reject the message of Christ will be destroyed. We also see another prophetic declaration - from Anna. She further proclaims Jesus’s arrival as the messiah. She declares that it was not ONLY for the Jew, but also for the gentiles. Praise God!

Sermon Date: 10/13/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 2:1-7 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . During Jesus’s birth it would be easy to guess that He is without power. But his ordinary presentation is NOT a display of His actual power. We look at these verses to see two things: Jesus' Ordinary Birth, and how it highlights His Extraordinary Proclamation. Ordinary Birth - Jesus’s birth happens where it happens because of a normal mundane circumstance: a census. Even getting there is a 3-4 day (for healthy people) travel for Bethlehem. But Mary is pregnant. But God is moving heaven and earth and government to get Mary and Joseph where they need to be for this prophecy to be fulfilled. And he was born in a manger - a stinking, cramped box for feeding animals. God is drawing our attention to the circumstances of his Birth, it’s ordinary and humble. Jesus didn’t come to earth born in a beautiful comfortable palace; instead, He was born in a manger. God is telling us that He was born for everyone. Ordinary and regular folk. Extraordinary proclamation - the angels visit the Shepards at night, and they show up shining bright! The ordinary men have the type of reaction that ordinary men do. They were filled with great fear. In this moment, they get to see the angels, and they recognize that they are in the presence of Godly power. Our smallness becomes very real to us, because of who we are in the presence of. So, we are afraid. But in every case, they say “Don’t be afraid.” This is because in order to save us, our savior has arrived. And how do they find Him? In an ordinary context. In a manger. In swaddling cloths. Not fine linen or palaces. When you receive this good news, what do you do? What did the Shepards do? They moved - they went to go see. To move closer to this child! They moved closer to Jesus. They come to see, singing praises to God. And when they leave, they go and tell others what they have seen!

Sermon Date: 10/13/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford Luke 2:1-7 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . During Jesus’s birth it would be easy to guess that He is without power. But his ordinary presentation is NOT a display of His actual power. We look at these verses to see two things: Jesus' Ordinary Birth, and how it highlights His Extraordinary Proclamation. Ordinary Birth - Jesus’s birth happens where it happens because of a normal mundane circumstance: a census. Even getting there is a 3-4 day (for healthy people) travel for Bethlehem. But Mary is pregnant. But God is moving heaven and earth and government to get Mary and Joseph where they need to be for this prophecy to be fulfilled. And he was born in a manger - a stinking, cramped box for feeding animals. God is drawing our attention to the circumstances of his Birth, it’s ordinary and humble. Jesus didn’t come to earth born in a beautiful comfortable palace; instead, He was born in a manger. God is telling us that He was born for everyone. Ordinary and regular folk. Extraordinary proclamation - the angels visit the Shepards at night, and they show up shining bright! The ordinary men have the type of reaction that ordinary men do. They were filled with great fear. In this moment, they get to see the angels, and they recognize that they are in the presence of Godly power. Our smallness becomes very real to us, because of who we are in the presence of. So, we are afraid. But in every case, they say “Don’t be afraid.” This is because in order to save us, our savior has arrived. And how do they find Him? In an ordinary context. In a manger. In swaddling cloths. Not fine linen or palaces. When you receive this good news, what do you do? What did the Shepards do? They moved - they went to go see. To move closer to this child! They moved closer to Jesus. They come to see, singing praises to God. And when they leave, they go and tell others what they have seen!

Sermon Text: Luke 1:57-66 Sermon Date: 10/06/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The birth of John is a story of God’s assurance, mercy, authority, and worth. God’s Assurance - l when the lord speaks, you can be sure. The process of going through a birth in old age, as Elizabeth, would be hard. But John’s birth shows that we can be sure of God making good on his Word. God’s birth is a reminder that when He speaks, we can be sure. God’s Mercy - It's written that He “Magnified His mercy” for her. The Lord is making his own mercy bigger in Elizabeth’s life, by giving her this promised child. God’s mercy in our life helps us to recognize the mercy He has given us. Make room in your life for this mercy. Magnify God in your soul for making you an heir to the Kingdom of God! God’s Authority - in Jewish customs, it was not normal to name a child after random name, but rather someone in the family. But they submit to God’s authority over them, and choose the name John. The family’s response would be “who is John! We don’t have a single John in our family.” Don’t miss the fact that they received a promise for God, and almost immediately there’s the pressure to compromise in this divine commission! But when the Lord calls us, we should be willing to follow. Our own desires on this earth is not as important as our calling from God. God’s Worth - as soon as Zachariah’s mouth was unlocked, he began to adore, praise and speak prophesy. The very first praise offered is not for his son, John, but for Jesus to come. Any blessing we receive for God is to be used in service to God. And Zachariah prophesied that John comes to prepare the way for Jesus, who saves the world through the tender mercy of our God. Even in the midst of hardship or discipline, when we come out and open our mouths, the first thing we say can be praise for his mighty worth.

Sermon Text: Luke 1:57-66 Sermon Date: 10/06/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The birth of John is a story of God’s assurance, mercy, authority, and worth. God’s Assurance - l when the lord speaks, you can be sure. The process of going through a birth in old age, as Elizabeth, would be hard. But John’s birth shows that we can be sure of God making good on his Word. God’s birth is a reminder that when He speaks, we can be sure. God’s Mercy - It's written that He “Magnified His mercy” for her. The Lord is making his own mercy bigger in Elizabeth’s life, by giving her this promised child. God’s mercy in our life helps us to recognize the mercy He has given us. Make room in your life for this mercy. Magnify God in your soul for making you an heir to the Kingdom of God! God’s Authority - in Jewish customs, it was not normal to name a child after random name, but rather someone in the family. But they submit to God’s authority over them, and choose the name John. The family’s response would be “who is John! We don’t have a single John in our family.” Don’t miss the fact that they received a promise for God, and almost immediately there’s the pressure to compromise in this divine commission! But when the Lord calls us, we should be willing to follow. Our own desires on this earth is not as important as our calling from God. God’s Worth - as soon as Zachariah’s mouth was unlocked, he began to adore, praise and speak prophesy. The very first praise offered is not for his son, John, but for Jesus to come. Any blessing we receive for God is to be used in service to God. And Zachariah prophesied that John comes to prepare the way for Jesus, who saves the world through the tender mercy of our God. Even in the midst of hardship or discipline, when we come out and open our mouths, the first thing we say can be praise for his mighty worth.

Sermon Text: Luke 1:46-56 Sermon Date: 9/29/2024 Speaker: Corey Deyamport . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Mary was chosen for an extraordinary assignment. We look at Mary’s song of praise today, upon receiving her assignment as carrying the savior. it contains: Praise for goods might, mercy and faithfulness. Might - May begins her song with “My soul magnifies the Lord…” Mary is not magnifing the lord to attempt to make him greater - but rather greater in her own heart. Sometimes when we don’t understand what’s happening in our lives, we diminish Him. How can God choose me? How can He have the power to make a barren womb bring forth Life? Even though Mary cannot see the future, she believes. Her praise is for what God is able to do, and to do the impossible. When was the last time you paused to give God praise because of who He is, rather than something He’s done for you? But God doesn’t just deserve praise for what He’s done in the past, or what He’s done for you. But for what He’s done for the future as well Mercy - we see a shift in her song from praise of God’s might in her life, but His mercy for everyone! Mary’s song is a reminder that God’s mercy is free - not earned - to those who fear Him. No matter what you’ve done, those who have reverence for God, His mercy is always available. God’s ability to a give mercy, always rises to our need for mercy, and always surpasses it. Jesus died because He was merciful. Faithful - Mary’s song continued to praise for His Faithfulness. Her actions and life are part of a much larger stories - of promises made and promises kept. The song celebrates His unchanging faithfulness! She saw that God’s promise to Abraham was being fulfilled through the child in her womb. Faithfulness is recognizing that our lives are part of God’s plan. The Joys and the Pains. All parts. Praising God without knowing the end of a thing is trust in His faithfulness. Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise and every hope. And our God has never failed, and never will. How do we joint the chorus alongside Mary? We begin as Mary did - My soul magnifies the Lord. And this is not Mary telling her soul to make God bigger; but rather making God bigger in her life and heart. She’s pushing aside any fear or lack of understanding. So we must as well to magnify Him.

Sermon Text: Luke 1:46-56 Sermon Date: 9/29/2024 Speaker: Corey Deyamport . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Mary was chosen for an extraordinary assignment. We look at Mary’s song of praise today, upon receiving her assignment as carrying the savior. it contains: Praise for goods might, mercy and faithfulness. Might - May begins her song with “My soul magnifies the Lord…” Mary is not magnifing the lord to attempt to make him greater - but rather greater in her own heart. Sometimes when we don’t understand what’s happening in our lives, we diminish Him. How can God choose me? How can He have the power to make a barren womb bring forth Life? Even though Mary cannot see the future, she believes. Her praise is for what God is able to do, and to do the impossible. When was the last time you paused to give God praise because of who He is, rather than something He’s done for you? But God doesn’t just deserve praise for what He’s done in the past, or what He’s done for you. But for what He’s done for the future as well Mercy - we see a shift in her song from praise of God’s might in her life, but His mercy for everyone! Mary’s song is a reminder that God’s mercy is free - not earned - to those who fear Him. No matter what you’ve done, those who have reverence for God, His mercy is always available. God’s ability to a give mercy, always rises to our need for mercy, and always surpasses it. Jesus died because He was merciful. Faithful - Mary’s song continued to praise for His Faithfulness. Her actions and life are part of a much larger stories - of promises made and promises kept. The song celebrates His unchanging faithfulness! She saw that God’s promise to Abraham was being fulfilled through the child in her womb. Faithfulness is recognizing that our lives are part of God’s plan. The Joys and the Pains. All parts. Praising God without knowing the end of a thing is trust in His faithfulness. Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise and every hope. And our God has never failed, and never will. How do we joint the chorus alongside Mary? We begin as Mary did - My soul magnifies the Lord. And this is not Mary telling her soul to make God bigger; but rather making God bigger in her life and heart. She’s pushing aside any fear or lack of understanding. So we must as well to magnify Him.

Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38 Sermon Date: 9/22/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sermon Notes - Sept 22 Mary is one of the most fiercely debated characters in the Bible. So, who is Mary and what is her story? This is the second conception story in Luke. The first is John the Baptist. So, we can see the importance of Mary by comparing both Johns birth, and Jesus' birth. We will analyze them through Comparison, Condition and Calling. Comparison - Elizabeth and Zachariah are old and without children. Mary and Joseph are young. Elizabeth and Zachariah lived in the city, Mary and Joseph live in the middle of nowhere. Yet, both are visited by Gabriel. In the face of the impossible, they will both conceive. One child will prepare the way for the savior, the other is the savior! Our backgrounds are not a prerequisite for our use by God. We often think - Do I have the minimum prerequisite to be used by God? The only requisite is God Himself. Conditions - Mary is a virgin (betrothed to Joseph), Elizabeth is barren. Betrothal in this time is very different than what we expect. It was legally binding, and any sexual conduct would be considered cheating. And for all intents and purposes they are considered husband and wife. The accusations of adultly could bring extreme problems in Mary's life. But God provides the protection for her. We also see the trinity in this work! God the father, and the Holy Spirit bringing about the Son in Mary. “Greetings oh favored one” is a statement of grace from Gabriel to Mary. Mary is the recipient of God’s unexpected and overwhelming grace. Mary’s not the mother of Grace, but the Daughter of Grace. Not because she is perfect, but because God is! When angels show up, they often elicit a response of fear - but take notice of her response. It’s not Gabriel’s presence that troubles Mary. But Gabriel’s words. What’s so special about me? But, she is favored - not because she’s great, but because God is! Calling - the angel gives Elizabeth and Zachariah a name for their son, and Gabriel gives Mary and Joseph a name as well. These names mean things. In Jesus' name, we hear his eternal purpose. “Yahweh saves.” God sent his Son, so that we would have access to adoption by the Father for all eternity. The angel also declares his future - “he will be great… and he will reign forever… and of his kingdom there will be no end!" The mentioning of David is important in this text, because He is fulfilling promises made during David’s time. God raised up David’s line, and birthed a kingdom that lasts forever. And all of that is wrapped up in Gabriel’s promise to Mary. Fear not, in Christ, there is being established a forever kingdom. In Christ, we will know eternal joy, eternal peace, eternal gladness, and eternal presence, with the Lord. A kingdom with no end. And why are these two wombs are sprouting forth life when they ought not to - because nothing is impossible with God. Barren wombs and virgin wombs will give birth, and those who were abandoned and left for dead, will be adopted into our family: because nothing is impossible for God! How should we respond? Like Mary. This is what set her apart and makes her special - “Behold, I am the servant to the Lord.” Her Obedience as a Daughter of Grace.

Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38 Sermon Date: 9/22/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sermon Notes - Sept 22 Mary is one of the most fiercely debated characters in the Bible. So, who is Mary and what is her story? This is the second conception story in Luke. The first is John the Baptist. So, we can see the importance of Mary by comparing both Johns birth, and Jesus' birth. We will analyze them through Comparison, Condition and Calling. Comparison - Elizabeth and Zachariah are old and without children. Mary and Joseph are young. Elizabeth and Zachariah lived in the city, Mary and Joseph live in the middle of nowhere. Yet, both are visited by Gabriel. In the face of the impossible, they will both conceive. One child will prepare the way for the savior, the other is the savior! Our backgrounds are not a prerequisite for our use by God. We often think - Do I have the minimum prerequisite to be used by God? The only requisite is God Himself. Conditions - Mary is a virgin (betrothed to Joseph), Elizabeth is barren. Betrothal in this time is very different than what we expect. It was legally binding, and any sexual conduct would be considered cheating. And for all intents and purposes they are considered husband and wife. The accusations of adultly could bring extreme problems in Mary's life. But God provides the protection for her. We also see the trinity in this work! God the father, and the Holy Spirit bringing about the Son in Mary. “Greetings oh favored one” is a statement of grace from Gabriel to Mary. Mary is the recipient of God’s unexpected and overwhelming grace. Mary’s not the mother of Grace, but the Daughter of Grace. Not because she is perfect, but because God is! When angels show up, they often elicit a response of fear - but take notice of her response. It’s not Gabriel’s presence that troubles Mary. But Gabriel’s words. What’s so special about me? But, she is favored - not because she’s great, but because God is! Calling - the angel gives Elizabeth and Zachariah a name for their son, and Gabriel gives Mary and Joseph a name as well. These names mean things. In Jesus' name, we hear his eternal purpose. “Yahweh saves.” God sent his Son, so that we would have access to adoption by the Father for all eternity. The angel also declares his future - “he will be great… and he will reign forever… and of his kingdom there will be no end!" The mentioning of David is important in this text, because He is fulfilling promises made during David’s time. God raised up David’s line, and birthed a kingdom that lasts forever. And all of that is wrapped up in Gabriel’s promise to Mary. Fear not, in Christ, there is being established a forever kingdom. In Christ, we will know eternal joy, eternal peace, eternal gladness, and eternal presence, with the Lord. A kingdom with no end. And why are these two wombs are sprouting forth life when they ought not to - because nothing is impossible with God. Barren wombs and virgin wombs will give birth, and those who were abandoned and left for dead, will be adopted into our family: because nothing is impossible for God! How should we respond? Like Mary. This is what set her apart and makes her special - “Behold, I am the servant to the Lord.” Her Obedience as a Daughter of Grace.

Sermon Text: Luke 1: 5-7 Sermon Date: 9/15/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . This passage begins concerning childbirth, but not the birth you would expect. The couple love God, but had trouble conceiving. Luke makes his point early on - even the best of us, aren’t excused from the highest of pains. This couple had high lineage, high standards of righteousness, but also were experiencing the highest of pain. But even in that pain; God is with us, and has not abandoned us. And the plan He has outlined for his children, will still be accomplished by His children. This child was birthed with great pain, great grief, but great purpose. On the week that Zachariah was supposed to be tending the temple with his group, this birth is happening. Also, Zachariah is chosen by lot from 1800 for a super special cleaning of the altar - a once in a lifetime event for Zachariah. So, all of this is happening at once, showing that God is at work filling His redemptive purposes even when Zachariah and his wife thought that God had abandoned them. But, God was working, even when they thought He left them alone. God also uses this moment to show Zachariah that this birth would be powerful. Not only has his prayer been heard, but his son would be the John, the cousin of Christ! And he would make the way ready for Christ’s coming. Zachariah’s answered prayer is not just for them, BUT, for everyone that would be blessed through his child. This child would pave the way for the king of king, the lord of lords, the prince of peace! His assignment will bring joy to many homes! Zachariah and Elizabeth had no idea that this is happening. All they wanted is just a son. A child to bring them joy. See, the delay was not because they have been forgotten, but their prayers were rather answered with the framework of God’s eternal, redemptive work. You may be praying for something, but is your answer along the way to the fulfillment of His grand redemptive purposes? Zachariah responded, “how shall I know this? For I am an old man…” and the angel answers “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent here to give a message to you.” And because he disbelieved, he struck Zachariah mute until his child was born. This is a man who has lived his whole life, asking these questions. And when Gabriel shows up, of course it makes sense that in his grief, being told “no” for so long, after enduring the disappointment and even rumors within their own community about their own lives, that Zachariah has questions within his human nature. “Have you looked at us? We’re old, and have been asking for a LONG time. Are you sure you got the right people?” Sometimes, when God shows up, a little doubt shows up with Him. God answers not just according to purpose, but to promise. Delay is not denial, but to make sure that we stay on the direction of His grand plan. Even in striking Zachariah mute, it is for his sanctification. God is always growing and teaching us along the way. So he goes home, and God gives them a child. He has not forgotten you. He’s just got to get us to our destination first.

Sermon Text: Luke 1: 5-7 Sermon Date: 9/15/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . This passage begins concerning childbirth, but not the birth you would expect. The couple love God, but had trouble conceiving. Luke makes his point early on - even the best of us, aren’t excused from the highest of pains. This couple had high lineage, high standards of righteousness, but also were experiencing the highest of pain. But even in that pain; God is with us, and has not abandoned us. And the plan He has outlined for his children, will still be accomplished by His children. This child was birthed with great pain, great grief, but great purpose. On the week that Zachariah was supposed to be tending the temple with his group, this birth is happening. Also, Zachariah is chosen by lot from 1800 for a super special cleaning of the altar - a once in a lifetime event for Zachariah. So, all of this is happening at once, showing that God is at work filling His redemptive purposes even when Zachariah and his wife thought that God had abandoned them. But, God was working, even when they thought He left them alone. God also uses this moment to show Zachariah that this birth would be powerful. Not only has his prayer been heard, but his son would be the John, the cousin of Christ! And he would make the way ready for Christ’s coming. Zachariah’s answered prayer is not just for them, BUT, for everyone that would be blessed through his child. This child would pave the way for the king of king, the lord of lords, the prince of peace! His assignment will bring joy to many homes! Zachariah and Elizabeth had no idea that this is happening. All they wanted is just a son. A child to bring them joy. See, the delay was not because they have been forgotten, but their prayers were rather answered with the framework of God’s eternal, redemptive work. You may be praying for something, but is your answer along the way to the fulfillment of His grand redemptive purposes? Zachariah responded, “how shall I know this? For I am an old man…” and the angel answers “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent here to give a message to you.” And because he disbelieved, he struck Zachariah mute until his child was born. This is a man who has lived his whole life, asking these questions. And when Gabriel shows up, of course it makes sense that in his grief, being told “no” for so long, after enduring the disappointment and even rumors within their own community about their own lives, that Zachariah has questions within his human nature. “Have you looked at us? We’re old, and have been asking for a LONG time. Are you sure you got the right people?” Sometimes, when God shows up, a little doubt shows up with Him. God answers not just according to purpose, but to promise. Delay is not denial, but to make sure that we stay on the direction of His grand plan. Even in striking Zachariah mute, it is for his sanctification. God is always growing and teaching us along the way. So he goes home, and God gives them a child. He has not forgotten you. He’s just got to get us to our destination first.

Sermon Text: Luke 1: 1-4 Sermon Date: 9/8/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sermon Notes - Sept 8, 2024 Luke 1:1-4 (the greatest story ever told) What makes the Gospel of Luke different from any other Gospel? Sometimes, there is a sense in which we don’t know which part of the Bible is real, or which part is metaphor/exaggeration. Verses one 1-4 tell us that this whole thing is real, and grounded in reality. The Gospel of Luke is intended to be believed. Who is Luke? He's mentioned several places through the New Testament, and these places tell us about who he is. “Luke, the beloved, physician” (from Colossians) - he’s a beloved friend of of Paul, he’s a Gentile, and a Physician. He would seem to be the only disciple of gentile background. Luke wrote 2 books: Acts, and Luke. Additionally, in 2nd Timothy, it's written that “Luke alone is with me.” At Paul’s end, he was there with his beloved friend. He was the only non-Jew to write some of the major books of the Bible. And he is close friends with one of the most important figures in the Bible. So, he’s SEEN STUFF! Luke is not writing as a man who is writing and hoping he’s right. He’s a Doctor. And physician. His writing is based on facts. Evidence. His writings actually seem to be written in the style of other physicians at the time. His books are literally “Investigative Journalism.” Why is all of this so important? Because the Christian faith is one not void of evidence. The Christian faith is not fantasy or mystical. It’s rooted in evidence and history. The word, “accomplished” that he uses in these verses, is important. Luke is writing to show us, in his writings, that Christ is the fulfillment of prophecy from old - centuries past. Luke also shows us that our faith is grounded in facts by including eyewitnesses. Christianity does not try to place itself outside of the confines of history. Luke takes a lot of effort to ground his writings in history. He uses historical figures and events to ground happenings in our faith. There are eyewitnesses that people could go back and check out. We also find details in Luke’s Gospels that aren’t in other gospels - because he did investigative journalism. Ultimately, we have 12 disciples who once ran scared from Christs Death, and suddenly changed their mind... and now they're willing to die for the story they were telling. What happened? They saw Him. They saw Christ. They ate and spoke with a risen savior. They placed their fingers in the holes of His wounds. And Luke was there to see it all happen. Luke is writing to show us that we can be certain that what he is writing, we can trust. And we can read and trust his writings today.

Sermon Text: Luke 1: 1-4 Sermon Date: 9/8/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sermon Notes - Sept 8, 2024 Luke 1:1-4 (the greatest story ever told) What makes the Gospel of Luke different from any other Gospel? Sometimes, there is a sense in which we don’t know which part of the Bible is real, or which part is metaphor/exaggeration. Verses one 1-4 tell us that this whole thing is real, and grounded in reality. The Gospel of Luke is intended to be believed. Who is Luke? He's mentioned several places through the New Testament, and these places tell us about who he is. “Luke, the beloved, physician” (from Colossians) - he’s a beloved friend of of Paul, he’s a Gentile, and a Physician. He would seem to be the only disciple of gentile background. Luke wrote 2 books: Acts, and Luke. Additionally, in 2nd Timothy, it's written that “Luke alone is with me.” At Paul’s end, he was there with his beloved friend. He was the only non-Jew to write some of the major books of the Bible. And he is close friends with one of the most important figures in the Bible. So, he’s SEEN STUFF! Luke is not writing as a man who is writing and hoping he’s right. He’s a Doctor. And physician. His writing is based on facts. Evidence. His writings actually seem to be written in the style of other physicians at the time. His books are literally “Investigative Journalism.” Why is all of this so important? Because the Christian faith is one not void of evidence. The Christian faith is not fantasy or mystical. It’s rooted in evidence and history. The word, “accomplished” that he uses in these verses, is important. Luke is writing to show us, in his writings, that Christ is the fulfillment of prophecy from old - centuries past. Luke also shows us that our faith is grounded in facts by including eyewitnesses. Christianity does not try to place itself outside of the confines of history. Luke takes a lot of effort to ground his writings in history. He uses historical figures and events to ground happenings in our faith. There are eyewitnesses that people could go back and check out. We also find details in Luke’s Gospels that aren’t in other gospels - because he did investigative journalism. Ultimately, we have 12 disciples who once ran scared from Christs Death, and suddenly changed their mind... and now they're willing to die for the story they were telling. What happened? They saw Him. They saw Christ. They ate and spoke with a risen savior. They placed their fingers in the holes of His wounds. And Luke was there to see it all happen. Luke is writing to show us that we can be certain that what he is writing, we can trust. And we can read and trust his writings today.

Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:18-20 Sermon Date: 9/01/2024 Speaker: Corey Deyamport . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sermon Notes: Sept 1st, 2024 Ephesians 6:18-20 These last few weeks, we covered the Armor of God, and while many would read this and feel ready for spiritual warfare, Paul asks for prayer… for help. Let that sink in. We go against an enemy who attacks us in numbers, and power to speak against our heart and mind constantly. we need daily and constant reminders of the love our God has or us. We need every piece of this armor. All of these pieces of armor highlight someone not standing with their own power but it paints the picture of one standing in the power of another - God. So, Paul asks for prayer - for us to pray for everyone and everything! And Paul asks for the Church in Ephesus to pray for him. There are three things we can see that Paul is asking for us to pray for: persistence, power and the scope of our prayer. Persistence - Paul says to pray at all times Power - Paul says to pray in the spirit. Scope - Paul says to pray for each other and the spread of the gospel. Persistence - at all times. As Paul explains the entire parts of the armor, he immediately explains we should be praying at all times. Paul often says that we should pray without ceasing and be steadfast in prayer. We should live with intentional, mindful and regular prayer. We should be quick to bring every kind of joy, concern, and every sorrow before the lord. The enemy is relentless, so we should be relentless as well. If the enemy of our soul is not taking a day off, we shouldn’t either. Even in moments of peace, we should continually remain in prayer, so that we’re staying in communication with our general, so that when the enemy attacks again, we are fully ready to take His commands and obey them in this war. Power - pray in the spirit - not a reference to speaking in tongues, it rather speaking under the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit. To pray in the spirit is to pray that God, by his spirit and by his word would align our hearts and our prayers with his will. It’s not about asking what we want, but asking what God desires. This passage of the armor of God does not highlight readiness, BUT RATHER, our weakness. We are dependent on God. Also, it’s our position in God. He is our Father. We can ask our father for deeply intimate things without fear. We should boldly make big requests. Our ability to make these requests come from us being sons and daughters of the creator of the universe. Whether or not what we ask for is Gods will, we should still ask! We are all too familiar with our weakness, and we are careful to stay in our place, but we should not cast off our confidence in God’s power in an effort to remain in our place. Scope - pray with all prayer and supplication for all the saints. This call to prayer is not a singular event, call to pray for everything. Adoration - Praising God for who He is. Confession of sin. Thanksgiving. Supplication - what we want. Lament - sharing our doubts, and sorrows and fears. Paul also calls for perseverance. Engaging the community around you. Be consistently in contact with your brothers and sisters so you know how to pray for them. Pray as an intercessor. And lastly Paul asks the community in Ephesus to pray for him. As I look at this passage in Ephesians, I don’t see my strengths, I instead see my weaknesses. Perhaps, we should too. #churchservice #armorofgod #spiritualwarfare #christianity #faith #divineprotection #spiritualawareness #ephesians6 #ephesians #righteousness #Justice #culturewar #glorifygod #makingadifference #faithandfreedom

Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:18-20 Sermon Date: 9/01/2024 Speaker: Corey Deyamport . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sermon Notes: Sept 1st, 2024 Ephesians 6:18-20 These last few weeks, we covered the Armor of God, and while many would read this and feel ready for spiritual warfare, Paul asks for prayer… for help. Let that sink in. We go against an enemy who attacks us in numbers, and power to speak against our heart and mind constantly. we need daily and constant reminders of the love our God has or us. We need every piece of this armor. All of these pieces of armor highlight someone not standing with their own power but it paints the picture of one standing in the power of another - God. So, Paul asks for prayer - for us to pray for everyone and everything! And Paul asks for the Church in Ephesus to pray for him. There are three things we can see that Paul is asking for us to pray for: persistence, power and the scope of our prayer. Persistence - Paul says to pray at all times Power - Paul says to pray in the spirit. Scope - Paul says to pray for each other and the spread of the gospel. Persistence - at all times. As Paul explains the entire parts of the armor, he immediately explains we should be praying at all times. Paul often says that we should pray without ceasing and be steadfast in prayer. We should live with intentional, mindful and regular prayer. We should be quick to bring every kind of joy, concern, and every sorrow before the lord. The enemy is relentless, so we should be relentless as well. If the enemy of our soul is not taking a day off, we shouldn’t either. Even in moments of peace, we should continually remain in prayer, so that we’re staying in communication with our general, so that when the enemy attacks again, we are fully ready to take His commands and obey them in this war. Power - pray in the spirit - not a reference to speaking in tongues, it rather speaking under the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit. To pray in the spirit is to pray that God, by his spirit and by his word would align our hearts and our prayers with his will. It’s not about asking what we want, but asking what God desires. This passage of the armor of God does not highlight readiness, BUT RATHER, our weakness. We are dependent on God. Also, it’s our position in God. He is our Father. We can ask our father for deeply intimate things without fear. We should boldly make big requests. Our ability to make these requests come from us being sons and daughters of the creator of the universe. Whether or not what we ask for is Gods will, we should still ask! We are all too familiar with our weakness, and we are careful to stay in our place, but we should not cast off our confidence in God’s power in an effort to remain in our place. Scope - pray with all prayer and supplication for all the saints. This call to prayer is not a singular event, call to pray for everything. Adoration - Praising God for who He is. Confession of sin. Thanksgiving. Supplication - what we want. Lament - sharing our doubts, and sorrows and fears. Paul also calls for perseverance. Engaging the community around you. Be consistently in contact with your brothers and sisters so you know how to pray for them. Pray as an intercessor. And lastly Paul asks the community in Ephesus to pray for him. As I look at this passage in Ephesians, I don’t see my strengths, I instead see my weaknesses. Perhaps, we should too. #churchservice #armorofgod #spiritualwarfare #christianity #faith #divineprotection #spiritualawareness #ephesians6 #ephesians #righteousness #Justice #culturewar #glorifygod #makingadifference #faithandfreedom

Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:17 Sermon Date: 8/25/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Aug 25, 2024 Sermon Notes Ephesians 6:17 If you can’t protect your head, you can’t protect anything. The Roman helm was mostly carried, and not worn at all times. Putting on the helm typically marked the beginning of battle. When the lord saves you, it’s this point in your life which the battle actually begins. The helm of salvation is to protect your mind. Satan often begins his attacks on us (attempting to poison our souls) by attacking our thoughts, and by attempting to diminish what we think about salvation. Salvation is protection from our past - Satan will attempt to deploy our past to get us to doubt. “No way God can save you or someone like you, given everything behind you.” “Your salvation is not real.” “Eventually you’ll go back.” However, in the midst of our lives, when we wear the helm, we are to remind ourselves of the truth of the Gospel - there is therefore now, no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Your union with Christ frees us from our past. Salvation is protection from present - we will be pressed in our life that we cannot be free from sin. But, we now have the mind to say no. Before Christ, we couldn’t say no. The work of salvation has freed us from sins power. Now we have the power to say no. And we should say no. Instead of looking at sin; look at the one who freed us. Remind yourself - in Christs death, I have been freed from sin, and Christ died to free me from it. Salvation is protection for the future - we are bombarded by the weight of what think we will encounter in the future. Why should we care when everything seems so terrible around us? Salvation introduces hope to our lives. We are walking toward an expected end. A joyous end! We wage war in our thoughts by reminding ourselves of what we have received by our Salvation in Christ Jesus! Lastly, we are given a Sword of the Spirit - which is the word of God. The only offensive weapon we have in our toolkit. The word used here is closer akin to a dagger, implying a close combat. Oftentimes God is described as his “word” as a weapon which dispenses justice. But in this verse; the “word” means “the proclaimed word.” Which means the Gospel. The good news. This sword is the weapon we wield to free others from the clutches of Satan. When we peach the truth to others, and use the sword of the spirit, we are fighting against the gates of hell, freeing captives.

Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:17 Sermon Date: 8/25/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Aug 25, 2024 Sermon Notes Ephesians 6:17 If you can’t protect your head, you can’t protect anything. The Roman helm was mostly carried, and not worn at all times. Putting on the helm typically marked the beginning of battle. When the lord saves you, it’s this point in your life which the battle actually begins. The helm of salvation is to protect your mind. Satan often begins his attacks on us (attempting to poison our souls) by attacking our thoughts, and by attempting to diminish what we think about salvation. Salvation is protection from our past - Satan will attempt to deploy our past to get us to doubt. “No way God can save you or someone like you, given everything behind you.” “Your salvation is not real.” “Eventually you’ll go back.” However, in the midst of our lives, when we wear the helm, we are to remind ourselves of the truth of the Gospel - there is therefore now, no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Your union with Christ frees us from our past. Salvation is protection from present - we will be pressed in our life that we cannot be free from sin. But, we now have the mind to say no. Before Christ, we couldn’t say no. The work of salvation has freed us from sins power. Now we have the power to say no. And we should say no. Instead of looking at sin; look at the one who freed us. Remind yourself - in Christs death, I have been freed from sin, and Christ died to free me from it. Salvation is protection for the future - we are bombarded by the weight of what think we will encounter in the future. Why should we care when everything seems so terrible around us? Salvation introduces hope to our lives. We are walking toward an expected end. A joyous end! We wage war in our thoughts by reminding ourselves of what we have received by our Salvation in Christ Jesus! Lastly, we are given a Sword of the Spirit - which is the word of God. The only offensive weapon we have in our toolkit. The word used here is closer akin to a dagger, implying a close combat. Oftentimes God is described as his “word” as a weapon which dispenses justice. But in this verse; the “word” means “the proclaimed word.” Which means the Gospel. The good news. This sword is the weapon we wield to free others from the clutches of Satan. When we peach the truth to others, and use the sword of the spirit, we are fighting against the gates of hell, freeing captives.

Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:16 Sermon Date: 8/18/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Often times, we find ourselves trying to fight spiritual wars with a lack of faith. Paul opens this text by telling us “in ALL circumstances, take up the shield of faith.” The life and walk of a Christian is a faith walk. And Satan's goal is to send a barrage of doubts to a believer. These doubts are an attack on our faith and directly upon what Jesus says for us to say "yes" to, or all the things He tells us to say "no" to as well. Paul talks about the idea of a shield - in Rome, the shield they would use was so big, the root word here actually means “door.” This shield is made of wood, but is covered in leather that metal wrapped around the shield. 4 feet tall, 2.5 feet wide. Additionally, they dip it in water. This is interesting, the soldiers are blocking flaming arrows, these arrows are covered in oil, and the water dipped shield helps extinguish this flaming oil. Faith is the commitment, trust and reliance on Christ, by which we are saved. Interestingly enough, we often say that faith is the ability to “say” a certain set of facts. Faith is not just the facts we believe. But rather what we believe in Jesus. Faith is acting and living like God is telling us the truth. This is the faith we must put on display when Satan sends fiery darts our way to destroy our shields. Holding up the shield of faith is supreme reliance and trust on God. Holding up this shield shapes the actions in our life. When we believe in a leader; we will trust their directions, even when it makes no sense to us. If we trust, we obey. Faith is tied directly to activity. When we move contrary to God’s command, we’re not losing our salvation, but we are putting our shields down while we’re fighting Satan. Unfortunately, Satan is stronger than us. Take caution with these words, however - Faith is not an exemption card from suffering. The faithful suffer too. Instead, faith is the act of relinquishing control to the Lord, come what may. Remember that the disciples walked in faith, and most of them were martyred brutally. Lastly, this shield, is massive and sturdy. But Paul would know that the Ephesians would know, that the Roman centurions would never fight alone. They were in formation, with their shields locked and pushing forward. When used this way, this shield becomes a tool of offense, AND this tool becomes even more powerful when used in community. In every single instance when we take our armor up, we take it up with Christ and with the community around us. So, when one brother is weak, we protect those in community with us. Encouraging, reminding, caring for one another continuously. This faith is not one in which you are to walk alone - but to walk in community.

Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:16 Sermon Date: 8/18/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Often times, we find ourselves trying to fight spiritual wars with a lack of faith. Paul opens this text by telling us “in ALL circumstances, take up the shield of faith.” The life and walk of a Christian is a faith walk. And Satan's goal is to send a barrage of doubts to a believer. These doubts are an attack on our faith and directly upon what Jesus says for us to say "yes" to, or all the things He tells us to say "no" to as well. Paul talks about the idea of a shield - in Rome, the shield they would use was so big, the root word here actually means “door.” This shield is made of wood, but is covered in leather that metal wrapped around the shield. 4 feet tall, 2.5 feet wide. Additionally, they dip it in water. This is interesting, the soldiers are blocking flaming arrows, these arrows are covered in oil, and the water dipped shield helps extinguish this flaming oil. Faith is the commitment, trust and reliance on Christ, by which we are saved. Interestingly enough, we often say that faith is the ability to “say” a certain set of facts. Faith is not just the facts we believe. But rather what we believe in Jesus. Faith is acting and living like God is telling us the truth. This is the faith we must put on display when Satan sends fiery darts our way to destroy our shields. Holding up the shield of faith is supreme reliance and trust on God. Holding up this shield shapes the actions in our life. When we believe in a leader; we will trust their directions, even when it makes no sense to us. If we trust, we obey. Faith is tied directly to activity. When we move contrary to God’s command, we’re not losing our salvation, but we are putting our shields down while we’re fighting Satan. Unfortunately, Satan is stronger than us. Take caution with these words, however - Faith is not an exemption card from suffering. The faithful suffer too. Instead, faith is the act of relinquishing control to the Lord, come what may. Remember that the disciples walked in faith, and most of them were martyred brutally. Lastly, this shield, is massive and sturdy. But Paul would know that the Ephesians would know, that the Roman centurions would never fight alone. They were in formation, with their shields locked and pushing forward. When used this way, this shield becomes a tool of offense, AND this tool becomes even more powerful when used in community. In every single instance when we take our armor up, we take it up with Christ and with the community around us. So, when one brother is weak, we protect those in community with us. Encouraging, reminding, caring for one another continuously. This faith is not one in which you are to walk alone - but to walk in community.

Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:15 Sermon Date: 8/11/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Aug 11th. sermon notes Ephesians 6:15 With the right shoes, they will support your whole body! Paul has the same idea in this passage. This particular piece of armor he highlights are the shoes which are the readiness given by the gospel of peace. We Christians in warfare cannot stand upright without the right footwear. The shoes that we wear, actually matter! We can break down this passage to see what he means by this: Readiness - to stand in preparation to deliver the gospel. The shoes imply a journey and movement. Part of your warfare is ongoing readiness to take something somewhere. And that something is the gospel - the good news - of Christ. Having the shoes on, means we are always ready for when the battle comes. We’re always ready to point people to the gospel of peace. Readiness “given by the gospel (aka - the good news)” - these shoes refer to not just readiness, BUT readiness to bring good news of happiness and peace. The gospel is not the gospel if you’re only talking about the bad. The gospel does not overemphasize the bad news, but it also does not focus on only the good news either! So, you must be ready to spread the good news of happiness and joy and peace, so that others experience it when they walk with you! Readiness given by the gospel of "peace" - what does Paul have in mind when he highlights the “good news of peace”? In Ephesians 2:11, he mentions the gentiles were alienated and separated from relationship from God before Christ. We were at odds with God - enemies. But Christ came and preached peace, and through Him, He established peace between each, one another, and God. When He went to the cross on our behalf, He made peace with God on our behalf! Throughout this text, Paul is calling us to wage war against principalities and forces of evil? And HOW is he calling us? With peace. And what kind of peace? A reconciling peace. A peace between us and others and peace between men and God. We too easily engage in cultural war in our day and age. And we should be careful to not confuse spiritual warfare with the cultural war. If we’re not careful to fight with God’s armor, we will wind up fighting FOR SATAN! We cannot wear our own armor, and fight for God. If we’re not a people of peace and reconciliation, then we’re waging war for satan, not for God. And the sad part is we will make this mistake and call it spiritual warfare, when it’s absolutely not. If you’re going to fight this fight - you have to put on the right shoes. The wrong shoes can impact your spiritual walk. #churchservice #armorofgod #spiritualwarfare #christianity #faith #divineprotection #spiritualawareness #ephesians6 #ephesians #righteousness #Justice #righteousness #culturewar #glorifygod #makingadifference #faithandfreedom