City Light Church Sermons

Sermon Notes Matthew 12: 34 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Question: is cursing or using curse words wrong? And what about substitutes? Answer: When we use our words carelessly and flippantly, they lose their value and power. Words matter deeply in our faith, and go much further than just “cursing.” It’s more complicated - the Bible doesn’t define communication by vocabulary, but rather our intention. . We misuse words when we use them to weaponize our anger. There are 4 and 5 letter words that dehumanize others, or turn our anger to hurt someone else. “Whoever says ‘you fool’ you are liable to the fires of hell.” This text begins with a caution against murder, but there are three parallels that Christ makes - “anger with brother leaves you liable to your brother. Insults leave you liable to the Sanhedrin/council. Words leave you liable to Hell.” The anger involved in all these things shows a weaponized word. We cannot take ‘you fool’ here, as a direct phrase that will send you to hell, because the word is used throughout the Bible. But rather this progression is highlighted here, showing us how a pattern of life, of tearing down fellow brothers and image bearers of Christ, shows a distance from God. What words are you using in your anger? What are your words laced with? Do the intentions behind those words, reflect the grace of Jesus? God could have looked at us as said “worthless,” or "fools" but instead he loves us and gave us His Son. Instead of giving us words of contempt, he gives us ‘THE’ Word. Himself. . We also misuse words when we use them without their proper weight. On the day of judgement we will give an account of every careless word spoken. We don’t profane Gods name flippantly, but rather to ask of Him, or praise Him. His name is holy. The Jewish people even did not speak his Name, but rather called Him “Adonai” - Lord, in an effort to protect it from common speech. . What about "Hell"? We are making light of an incredibly weighty place. Just like the boy who called wolf, the more we use a word flippantly, the lighter the reality of thAT word becomes to us. And when we use heavy words against a fellow image bearers, we are casting condemnation in a way that does not match up with the word's meanings. When we chuckle and make a joke about hell, it reveals that I put too small of a weight on such a heavy matter. . Christ, the holiness of God, paid a heavy price for eternity. The eternity he offers us requires a heavy sacrifice. So my words must reflect the price that was paid for me by a holy God. . We also misuse words when we use them to color our crudeness. There are some words that paint a picture of us and our bodies incorrectly before God. In light of the calling Jesus gives us, we should not objectify the body and nor even allow the pictures to be painted with our words. Using language in a way that can paint unhealthy sexual pictures in our mind must be rejected. Instead “let there be Thanksgiving” instead of crude talk. The use of our negative words is a reflection of our lack of positive words. If we are continually flowing with contempt, what are we filled with? What are we filling our own heart-tank with? Thoughts of God’s mercy and goodness? Or are we filled with anger, dirtiness or filth. . That brings us back to our central text today. How we use language shows what is growing inside of us! Am I using my words in a way to give grace to the hearers.

Sermon Notes Matthew 12: 34 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Question: is cursing or using curse words wrong? And what about substitutes? Answer: When we use our words carelessly and flippantly, they lose their value and power. Words matter deeply in our faith, and go much further than just “cursing.” It’s more complicated - the Bible doesn’t define communication by vocabulary, but rather our intention. . We misuse words when we use them to weaponize our anger. There are 4 and 5 letter words that dehumanize others, or turn our anger to hurt someone else. “Whoever says ‘you fool’ you are liable to the fires of hell.” This text begins with a caution against murder, but there are three parallels that Christ makes - “anger with brother leaves you liable to your brother. Insults leave you liable to the Sanhedrin/council. Words leave you liable to Hell.” The anger involved in all these things shows a weaponized word. We cannot take ‘you fool’ here, as a direct phrase that will send you to hell, because the word is used throughout the Bible. But rather this progression is highlighted here, showing us how a pattern of life, of tearing down fellow brothers and image bearers of Christ, shows a distance from God. What words are you using in your anger? What are your words laced with? Do the intentions behind those words, reflect the grace of Jesus? God could have looked at us as said “worthless,” or "fools" but instead he loves us and gave us His Son. Instead of giving us words of contempt, he gives us ‘THE’ Word. Himself. . We also misuse words when we use them without their proper weight. On the day of judgement we will give an account of every careless word spoken. We don’t profane Gods name flippantly, but rather to ask of Him, or praise Him. His name is holy. The Jewish people even did not speak his Name, but rather called Him “Adonai” - Lord, in an effort to protect it from common speech. . What about "Hell"? We are making light of an incredibly weighty place. Just like the boy who called wolf, the more we use a word flippantly, the lighter the reality of thAT word becomes to us. And when we use heavy words against a fellow image bearers, we are casting condemnation in a way that does not match up with the word's meanings. When we chuckle and make a joke about hell, it reveals that I put too small of a weight on such a heavy matter. . Christ, the holiness of God, paid a heavy price for eternity. The eternity he offers us requires a heavy sacrifice. So my words must reflect the price that was paid for me by a holy God. . We also misuse words when we use them to color our crudeness. There are some words that paint a picture of us and our bodies incorrectly before God. In light of the calling Jesus gives us, we should not objectify the body and nor even allow the pictures to be painted with our words. Using language in a way that can paint unhealthy sexual pictures in our mind must be rejected. Instead “let there be Thanksgiving” instead of crude talk. The use of our negative words is a reflection of our lack of positive words. If we are continually flowing with contempt, what are we filled with? What are we filling our own heart-tank with? Thoughts of God’s mercy and goodness? Or are we filled with anger, dirtiness or filth. . That brings us back to our central text today. How we use language shows what is growing inside of us! Am I using my words in a way to give grace to the hearers.

This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org

This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org

Sermon Notes: August 17 Psalm 103: 8-10 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Two questions - do babies go to heaven when they die? And Does a child who rejects the faith, disqualify a Christian leader? God is gracious; and his grace is enough. We must never stop being amazed at that grace-filled work in the giving of the gift of children, and the grace-filled work of parenting. . Do babies go to heaven when they die? There is no one scripture that you can get a definitive answer to the question. There are some hardline beliefs out there - “all babies who don’t profess Christ, go to hell.” Or “babies are sinless and don’t need Christ.” But a close read of the bible shows something else - Any and all babies lost in this life is found through a special grace found in Jesus. . Christ points to babies as having the type of faith - they have a direct lines of communion with the father. Jesus carries high regard and grace for children. Even in the Old Testament, God places the Holy Spirit into at least some babies. Babies behold Christ and the Father. Additionally, David speaks with certainty in 2 Samuel, that he will see his baby again in heaven. David carries an eternal perspective that he will see his child again. And lastly, in Romans, the work of salvation is connected to the work of the conscious. When we see the full existence of creation - our smallness within the vastness of the Lord. Being unable to seek humility in the face of the vastness and goodness of the lord, seems to give us excuse, despite not knowing Christ. . But what about a child rejecting the faith disqualifying a pastor. An overseer must be above reproach. And “must keep his children submissive.” Titus 1, verse 6 says - his children must be believers. Are these scriptures indicating that children keep a pastor from being a pastor. The text - as a whole - indicates that this passage is more about family management (managing personalities, keeping order, and exuding love). If children fear their father, rather than respect and love him, then a church should expect the same thing if he was a leader. But Titus is very specific - the Greek word used here could mean either “believing” or “faithful.” And every action highlighted in this text is an action that is within the leader’s control. Yet, he cannot do anything about his child’s salvation. But, he can order his house in such a way to give his son every opportunity to come to Christ. That is the order we must be observing. . We cannot do anything about our own salvation - being saved by grace. And would be treading on dangerous territory if a person would try to force that salvation on their child, or else they cannot serve the church - woe to that person. . Parenting is a journey of grace and these texts are about creating the environment to best to support our children. Not necessarily about the outcome of salvation.

Sermon Notes: August 17 Psalm 103: 8-10 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Two questions - do babies go to heaven when they die? And Does a child who rejects the faith, disqualify a Christian leader? God is gracious; and his grace is enough. We must never stop being amazed at that grace-filled work in the giving of the gift of children, and the grace-filled work of parenting. . Do babies go to heaven when they die? There is no one scripture that you can get a definitive answer to the question. There are some hardline beliefs out there - “all babies who don’t profess Christ, go to hell.” Or “babies are sinless and don’t need Christ.” But a close read of the bible shows something else - Any and all babies lost in this life is found through a special grace found in Jesus. . Christ points to babies as having the type of faith - they have a direct lines of communion with the father. Jesus carries high regard and grace for children. Even in the Old Testament, God places the Holy Spirit into at least some babies. Babies behold Christ and the Father. Additionally, David speaks with certainty in 2 Samuel, that he will see his baby again in heaven. David carries an eternal perspective that he will see his child again. And lastly, in Romans, the work of salvation is connected to the work of the conscious. When we see the full existence of creation - our smallness within the vastness of the Lord. Being unable to seek humility in the face of the vastness and goodness of the lord, seems to give us excuse, despite not knowing Christ. . But what about a child rejecting the faith disqualifying a pastor. An overseer must be above reproach. And “must keep his children submissive.” Titus 1, verse 6 says - his children must be believers. Are these scriptures indicating that children keep a pastor from being a pastor. The text - as a whole - indicates that this passage is more about family management (managing personalities, keeping order, and exuding love). If children fear their father, rather than respect and love him, then a church should expect the same thing if he was a leader. But Titus is very specific - the Greek word used here could mean either “believing” or “faithful.” And every action highlighted in this text is an action that is within the leader’s control. Yet, he cannot do anything about his child’s salvation. But, he can order his house in such a way to give his son every opportunity to come to Christ. That is the order we must be observing. . We cannot do anything about our own salvation - being saved by grace. And would be treading on dangerous territory if a person would try to force that salvation on their child, or else they cannot serve the church - woe to that person. . Parenting is a journey of grace and these texts are about creating the environment to best to support our children. Not necessarily about the outcome of salvation.

Sermon Notes: August 3rd Luke - Chapter 18 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Questions - should I pray for little selfish things? And, is asking for something once in prayer enough? . Prayer is something that we should all want to become better at. God not only encourages us to pray often, but to pray boldly. Jesus tells us to be “persistent” and not to lose heart. . The parable Jesus gives us is of a corrupt judge and a persistent widow. All she has is her plea for justice. In this story, the corrupt judge finally grants her request to just get rid of her. Let’s be clear, Jesus is saying that if an unrighteous judge gives this widow an answer, how much more swiftly and fully will God give an answer to His chosen, beloved children. . Pray persistently, and do not quit. God will answer in His perfect will and His perfect timing. . Can we bring little or selfish things to God? We might feel guilty asking God for a parking spot. Or success in a hobby. We often think that God is so big that we should only bring the big things to him. But we should not censor ourselves. Bring your heart to God when you pray! . In the prayer Jesus gives us, we’re to ask God for a cosmic big thing - “Your kingdom come.” But also a small thing - “Our daily bread.” . So always let your prayers be known to God. . But our prayers also allow us to analyze our heart. If our prayers are driven by sinful intent, then it’s not something we should pray for, but something that we should be praying ‘about.’ God’s children have permission to bring everything before the Lord in prayer. Persistent prayer is about faith in action, not dominating God. You won’t jeopardize His will for your life, by asking many times for what you want. . Jesus puts a high value on persistence. Got does not need to be convinced. It’s not for God’s sake. It’s for our sake. By maintaining persistence in prayer demonstrates faith in our God. How many blessings have we left on the table because we didn’t pray in persistence? . Sometimes… despite our prayers, it seems like the answer is “no.” These are moments that may test our faith. But you should take your anger, take your fear, take your despair to God. Your disappointments is a time to run to God, in prayer. That - in itself - is prayer. Even when we wait in silence for the words to come.

Sermon Notes: August 3rd Luke - Chapter 18 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Questions - should I pray for little selfish things? And, is asking for something once in prayer enough? . Prayer is something that we should all want to become better at. God not only encourages us to pray often, but to pray boldly. Jesus tells us to be “persistent” and not to lose heart. . The parable Jesus gives us is of a corrupt judge and a persistent widow. All she has is her plea for justice. In this story, the corrupt judge finally grants her request to just get rid of her. Let’s be clear, Jesus is saying that if an unrighteous judge gives this widow an answer, how much more swiftly and fully will God give an answer to His chosen, beloved children. . Pray persistently, and do not quit. God will answer in His perfect will and His perfect timing. . Can we bring little or selfish things to God? We might feel guilty asking God for a parking spot. Or success in a hobby. We often think that God is so big that we should only bring the big things to him. But we should not censor ourselves. Bring your heart to God when you pray! . In the prayer Jesus gives us, we’re to ask God for a cosmic big thing - “Your kingdom come.” But also a small thing - “Our daily bread.” . So always let your prayers be known to God. . But our prayers also allow us to analyze our heart. If our prayers are driven by sinful intent, then it’s not something we should pray for, but something that we should be praying ‘about.’ God’s children have permission to bring everything before the Lord in prayer. Persistent prayer is about faith in action, not dominating God. You won’t jeopardize His will for your life, by asking many times for what you want. . Jesus puts a high value on persistence. Got does not need to be convinced. It’s not for God’s sake. It’s for our sake. By maintaining persistence in prayer demonstrates faith in our God. How many blessings have we left on the table because we didn’t pray in persistence? . Sometimes… despite our prayers, it seems like the answer is “no.” These are moments that may test our faith. But you should take your anger, take your fear, take your despair to God. Your disappointments is a time to run to God, in prayer. That - in itself - is prayer. Even when we wait in silence for the words to come.

Sermon Notes: August 3rd Matthew 11:28-30 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The yolk god has for us is actually easy. How can I discern between laziness and a healthy desire for rest? . Our American context places us between 2 states of being - grinding continually in hustle, and seeking escape from reality. Both of these two extremes come from our cultural context, and both of these come from the same place - extreme exhaustion. . Jesus’s call to discipleship is to urgent submission. No if’s, or’s, or but’s. So, we give God our YES! But, when we give God our yes, Jesus in response, gives us rest. . Who needs Jesus’ rest? All of us. In a narrow sense, Jesus gives us rest from trying to fulfill the Old Testament law. It IS exhausting. But you don’t have to be from the Jewish community to be called by Jesus when he says “all who are burdened.” The word “All” is important here. . Why do we need the rest? In 2014 - 44% of those in the work force feel burnt out. 51% feel used up. 81% of teens feel pressure about their plans/social standing/etc. This pressure comes from outside forces, true. But also from theirselves. These are staggering numbers, but they should not be shocking to us. We are taught, in our culture, we must push ourselves to reach our full potential. We’ve bought the lie, that we must place the unfair burden of performance on our children and ourselves. And yet… we are surprised when a rising plane crashes, when it only had fumes in the tank. . All of this is leaving us exhausted. We are trying to be everywhere for everybody, and we weren’t created with the capacity, and never intended to have the capacity to be that way. . The answer - in your exhaustion - is not to turn inward and escape reality. So, what do we do? We turn to Jesus, and follow him into rest. . When we try to become someone else’s rest, we will harm both of us. But Jesus can make that claim, and become the rest we need, because he IS God. . So why does God invite us to come to him? He invites us because He’s God, but also because, we are not. God is with us, in us, for us, but we are not Him. We were created with the weaknesses that we have. Weaknesses that the serpent exploited to cause the fall, actually! . When we refuse rest, when we refuse to accept the limitations, we were designed with, an already tired soul becomes a crushed soul. In an attempt to step out of our place, and become like God, we get out of step of simple obedience with God. Thanks be to God that we have the opportunity to have simple obedience! . He really loves us. God really loves us. And God really ‘likes’ us too. He doesn’t do all this out of requirement. God delights in his creation. And we shouldn’t view our God as one of necessity. We should delight in Him as well! But we should view Jesus’ invitation to get rest in Him, as one of delight. So how do we get that rest? “Take my yolk upon you.” - obeying His word, being discipled by Him, and rejecting everything else. And know that in our failures, we have Grace. . So why does it feel hard? Why does the yolk feel hard? It’s because we haven’t traded in the "other ones." In order to train our heart to say Yes to God, we have to train our heart to say no to the other gods. We cannot rest in Christ, when we are yolked to our performance, or the pace of our life, or finding significance, or just being focused on our phones, or prosperity, or validation. We cannot rest under the yolk of Jesus when we are trying to be perfect in everything else. . If the Yolk of Christ feels burdensome it’s because we’re still yolked to other little -g- gods, too.

Sermon Notes: August 3rd Matthew 11:28-30 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The yolk god has for us is actually easy. How can I discern between laziness and a healthy desire for rest? . Our American context places us between 2 states of being - grinding continually in hustle, and seeking escape from reality. Both of these two extremes come from our cultural context, and both of these come from the same place - extreme exhaustion. . Jesus’s call to discipleship is to urgent submission. No if’s, or’s, or but’s. So, we give God our YES! But, when we give God our yes, Jesus in response, gives us rest. . Who needs Jesus’ rest? All of us. In a narrow sense, Jesus gives us rest from trying to fulfill the Old Testament law. It IS exhausting. But you don’t have to be from the Jewish community to be called by Jesus when he says “all who are burdened.” The word “All” is important here. . Why do we need the rest? In 2014 - 44% of those in the work force feel burnt out. 51% feel used up. 81% of teens feel pressure about their plans/social standing/etc. This pressure comes from outside forces, true. But also from theirselves. These are staggering numbers, but they should not be shocking to us. We are taught, in our culture, we must push ourselves to reach our full potential. We’ve bought the lie, that we must place the unfair burden of performance on our children and ourselves. And yet… we are surprised when a rising plane crashes, when it only had fumes in the tank. . All of this is leaving us exhausted. We are trying to be everywhere for everybody, and we weren’t created with the capacity, and never intended to have the capacity to be that way. . The answer - in your exhaustion - is not to turn inward and escape reality. So, what do we do? We turn to Jesus, and follow him into rest. . When we try to become someone else’s rest, we will harm both of us. But Jesus can make that claim, and become the rest we need, because he IS God. . So why does God invite us to come to him? He invites us because He’s God, but also because, we are not. God is with us, in us, for us, but we are not Him. We were created with the weaknesses that we have. Weaknesses that the serpent exploited to cause the fall, actually! . When we refuse rest, when we refuse to accept the limitations, we were designed with, an already tired soul becomes a crushed soul. In an attempt to step out of our place, and become like God, we get out of step of simple obedience with God. Thanks be to God that we have the opportunity to have simple obedience! . He really loves us. God really loves us. And God really ‘likes’ us too. He doesn’t do all this out of requirement. God delights in his creation. And we shouldn’t view our God as one of necessity. We should delight in Him as well! But we should view Jesus’ invitation to get rest in Him, as one of delight. So how do we get that rest? “Take my yolk upon you.” - obeying His word, being discipled by Him, and rejecting everything else. And know that in our failures, we have Grace. . So why does it feel hard? Why does the yolk feel hard? It’s because we haven’t traded in the "other ones." In order to train our heart to say Yes to God, we have to train our heart to say no to the other gods. We cannot rest in Christ, when we are yolked to our performance, or the pace of our life, or finding significance, or just being focused on our phones, or prosperity, or validation. We cannot rest under the yolk of Jesus when we are trying to be perfect in everything else. . If the Yolk of Christ feels burdensome it’s because we’re still yolked to other little -g- gods, too.

Sermon notes - 6/1/25 Luke: 9: 18-23 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . What do people believe it means to follow Jesus? 60% of people of US consider themselves Christian. 47% say actively connected to a local church. 25% say they go to church regularly. There are many reasons for this, but there’s is a distinct disconnect between claiming to be a Christian and walking a life of discipleship with fellow Christians. . To follow Jesus is to face temporary rejection, and To follow Jesus is to embrace urgent submission. . Jerusalem, in this text, is the direction Jesus goes to the cross and to be sacrificed for our sins. But the phrase, “sets His face” means He is not going to allow anything to get in the way of this appointment - For us, and for the Glory of His Father. . When we are told to “take up our cross” we are expected to “set our face” as well, to the end of our life, and not let things distract us from walking the path. . And the first place Jesus goes is to the Samaria. Jews and Samaritan’s were generally hostile to each other. But this group is the group Jesus goes to first, but because His face is focused on Jerusalem, He was rejected. The Samaritans refuse the blessing of Jesus because He was “of” somewhere else. I wonder how many times we miss the blessings of the Lord be we shut out those that are different than us. To follow Jesus, is to prepare oneself to experience rejection. . But more importantly, when James and John saw this rejection, they asked Jesus if He wanted them to call down fire from heaven to kill them. “Jesus, if they don’t accept you, we should just burn this town down.” James and John are relying on an Old Testament tradition for this harsh rebuke and judgement. But, Jesus rebukes them, instead. Why? Because in Christ, Grace has come in Him. And now everyone should have access to that Grace. Instead, we should allow the Lord to wield the weapons of fiery judgement. But we are to engage with the weapons of love and kindness. Even though you experience rejection, you should respond with your eyes toward the Lord. Those who would reject you today, will one day accept Jesus as lord and savior. Your rejection, therefore, is temporary. . To submit urgently. The next people who wanted to follow him, discovered they wouldn’t follow Jesus without stipulation. They required creature comforts be met first. How do you react, when Jesus calls you to a place you don’t want to go? Many times, we tell Jesus - “I’ll follow you IF you make it easier for me.” But Christ’s face is set to Jerusalem. He doesn’t have time to wait. Many times, the timing of obedience to Christ is inconvenient. Do you delay obedience to Jesus by saying things like “once I do X, then I’ll submit?” Obedience to God requires urgency. Discipleship with God starts and ends with one word, “YES.” The heart of obedience is trust. . Fully embrace the reality that we will experience rejection. But also full embrace that we should not respond the way the world coaches us to, but rather with grace, love and humility.

Sermon notes - 6/1/25 Luke: 9: 18-23 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . What do people believe it means to follow Jesus? 60% of people of US consider themselves Christian. 47% say actively connected to a local church. 25% say they go to church regularly. There are many reasons for this, but there’s is a distinct disconnect between claiming to be a Christian and walking a life of discipleship with fellow Christians. . To follow Jesus is to face temporary rejection, and To follow Jesus is to embrace urgent submission. . Jerusalem, in this text, is the direction Jesus goes to the cross and to be sacrificed for our sins. But the phrase, “sets His face” means He is not going to allow anything to get in the way of this appointment - For us, and for the Glory of His Father. . When we are told to “take up our cross” we are expected to “set our face” as well, to the end of our life, and not let things distract us from walking the path. . And the first place Jesus goes is to the Samaria. Jews and Samaritan’s were generally hostile to each other. But this group is the group Jesus goes to first, but because His face is focused on Jerusalem, He was rejected. The Samaritans refuse the blessing of Jesus because He was “of” somewhere else. I wonder how many times we miss the blessings of the Lord be we shut out those that are different than us. To follow Jesus, is to prepare oneself to experience rejection. . But more importantly, when James and John saw this rejection, they asked Jesus if He wanted them to call down fire from heaven to kill them. “Jesus, if they don’t accept you, we should just burn this town down.” James and John are relying on an Old Testament tradition for this harsh rebuke and judgement. But, Jesus rebukes them, instead. Why? Because in Christ, Grace has come in Him. And now everyone should have access to that Grace. Instead, we should allow the Lord to wield the weapons of fiery judgement. But we are to engage with the weapons of love and kindness. Even though you experience rejection, you should respond with your eyes toward the Lord. Those who would reject you today, will one day accept Jesus as lord and savior. Your rejection, therefore, is temporary. . To submit urgently. The next people who wanted to follow him, discovered they wouldn’t follow Jesus without stipulation. They required creature comforts be met first. How do you react, when Jesus calls you to a place you don’t want to go? Many times, we tell Jesus - “I’ll follow you IF you make it easier for me.” But Christ’s face is set to Jerusalem. He doesn’t have time to wait. Many times, the timing of obedience to Christ is inconvenient. Do you delay obedience to Jesus by saying things like “once I do X, then I’ll submit?” Obedience to God requires urgency. Discipleship with God starts and ends with one word, “YES.” The heart of obedience is trust. . Fully embrace the reality that we will experience rejection. But also full embrace that we should not respond the way the world coaches us to, but rather with grace, love and humility.

Sermon Notes: 7/20/25 Luke 15: 11-32 A parable - a story with a redemptive purpose. Because of this, parables have an ability to sneak up into our own heart and make us ask “was that about me?” God reveals the reality of the kingdom of God in His parables. Jesus was a walking parable Himself. . The text today is a parable. And its context is pretty important. Jesus is sitting with tax collectors and sinners at a table. Jesus was communicating that these sinners and tax collectors were His equal. So, the Pharisees didn’t like that. So, Jesus tells a series of parables to show wrong the Pharisees are. . Jesus explains through these parables that repentance is paramount to the life of a Christian. In the story of the prodigal son, we have three points of view. The older brother, the younger brother (the prodigal) and the Father. The older brother’s refusal to join the celebration is a major sign of disrespect to the father and to the community. But the father loves his son - both of them! Jesus shares the gifts of His kingdom with all of His family. Even the bitter brother. . The younger brother has a ton of audacity. Asking for the contents of the father’s will before he died is the same as saying - “you’re no good to me, and I wish you dead.” And the vices that the younger brother could have gotten into - that’s probably what he got up to! And when the famine comes, he winds up living terrible - hitting the rock bottom. And once he gets there, he comes to his senses and goes home. But he feels so unworthy, he doesn’t even want to be treated as a son. But rather be treated as a hired servant. But upon reaching out to the father, he is raised up to his original station. That’s what the father does for us! . The father saw the younger brother - saw him with compassion. It would have been undignified for a man to run, yet he does. It would have been undignified to interrupt, yet he does with compassion. The ring and the sandals given to him are symbols of authority. And that is what the father does for YOU. Apart from Christ, you are naked. But in Christ, you’ve clothed yourself with Christ. . The heart of the father, is prodigal. The father is reckless. But the father says that it’s worth it for my sons to repent. . Won’t you find yourself life and inheritance in the Father? Come home, to Him.

Sermon Notes: 7/20/25 Luke 15: 11-32 A parable - a story with a redemptive purpose. Because of this, parables have an ability to sneak up into our own heart and make us ask “was that about me?” God reveals the reality of the kingdom of God in His parables. Jesus was a walking parable Himself. . The text today is a parable. And its context is pretty important. Jesus is sitting with tax collectors and sinners at a table. Jesus was communicating that these sinners and tax collectors were His equal. So, the Pharisees didn’t like that. So, Jesus tells a series of parables to show wrong the Pharisees are. . Jesus explains through these parables that repentance is paramount to the life of a Christian. In the story of the prodigal son, we have three points of view. The older brother, the younger brother (the prodigal) and the Father. The older brother’s refusal to join the celebration is a major sign of disrespect to the father and to the community. But the father loves his son - both of them! Jesus shares the gifts of His kingdom with all of His family. Even the bitter brother. . The younger brother has a ton of audacity. Asking for the contents of the father’s will before he died is the same as saying - “you’re no good to me, and I wish you dead.” And the vices that the younger brother could have gotten into - that’s probably what he got up to! And when the famine comes, he winds up living terrible - hitting the rock bottom. And once he gets there, he comes to his senses and goes home. But he feels so unworthy, he doesn’t even want to be treated as a son. But rather be treated as a hired servant. But upon reaching out to the father, he is raised up to his original station. That’s what the father does for us! . The father saw the younger brother - saw him with compassion. It would have been undignified for a man to run, yet he does. It would have been undignified to interrupt, yet he does with compassion. The ring and the sandals given to him are symbols of authority. And that is what the father does for YOU. Apart from Christ, you are naked. But in Christ, you’ve clothed yourself with Christ. . The heart of the father, is prodigal. The father is reckless. But the father says that it’s worth it for my sons to repent. . Won’t you find yourself life and inheritance in the Father? Come home, to Him.

Sermon Notes 7/13/25 Luke 9: 46-50 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Asking a man to share his favorite thing in a category, is a way to get a man to open up and reveal deep feelings inside of him. Guys love “who’s the greatest” debates. Apparently, Jesus’ disciples do too. . We don’t know exactly what they were using to compare themselves to, but we do know they have NO BUSINESS doing so. Just a few verses ago, Jesus was miraculously transfigured - beautiful and shining like the sun - so you’d think they’d be humbled a little bit. Yet here they are, comparing their own greatness against each other. . The pressure to be great is all around us, especially today. But why? Why do we chase making our own name great? We believe that is where significance, security and our comfort/rest is. But the truth is that all of those things are found in Christ. But we must have the faith to see them there. . The same faith that is required to cast out demons, is the faith required to know that our worth and greatness comes from Christ. It requires a new lens to see the path of greatness he calls you to. When my faith is my opinion of myself, my faith cannot be in Christ. . Back in this time, children were to be disregarded. You could ignore children because they were not valued in the society. And yet, Jesus grabs a child, and tells His disciples “your love and engagement with this child, is your love and engagement with me.” When the culture points at someone and says “they are not important to greatness” that is a Christian’s signal to say “I must spend my time talent and treasure with them because they are not important to greatness in this world.” And that is where our greatness comes from. Our greatness does not come from positions of power; our greatness comes from spending our energy with the least. Because the least are loved and cared for by God. Don’t let the call to be known and be great make you miss out on the ability to be great within the kingdom. . Searching for greatness in the world creates competition and struggle. The ones who are not against us, should be considered for us. Sometimes the folks that we are willing to criticize are walking in more faith than we are. The yearning for greatness creates the desire for competition, but God is looking for those who are willing to serve for Him. When we stop seeking our own greatness, it makes us more willing to just see what others are doing and just say “God be glorified!” . A couple questions to wrestle with: . “Do I tend to overlook, disregard, or dismiss people who don’t seem like they can help me meet my worldly goals?” In the answer of that question determines what we think about ‘greatness.’ “When others around you receive promotions or things that you feel like you deserve, what happens to your soul? Is it delight, or is it grief?” . Ask God to search your heart and be renewed in our understanding of Greatness.

Sermon Notes 7/13/25 Luke 9: 46-50 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Asking a man to share his favorite thing in a category, is a way to get a man to open up and reveal deep feelings inside of him. Guys love “who’s the greatest” debates. Apparently, Jesus’ disciples do too. . We don’t know exactly what they were using to compare themselves to, but we do know they have NO BUSINESS doing so. Just a few verses ago, Jesus was miraculously transfigured - beautiful and shining like the sun - so you’d think they’d be humbled a little bit. Yet here they are, comparing their own greatness against each other. . The pressure to be great is all around us, especially today. But why? Why do we chase making our own name great? We believe that is where significance, security and our comfort/rest is. But the truth is that all of those things are found in Christ. But we must have the faith to see them there. . The same faith that is required to cast out demons, is the faith required to know that our worth and greatness comes from Christ. It requires a new lens to see the path of greatness he calls you to. When my faith is my opinion of myself, my faith cannot be in Christ. . Back in this time, children were to be disregarded. You could ignore children because they were not valued in the society. And yet, Jesus grabs a child, and tells His disciples “your love and engagement with this child, is your love and engagement with me.” When the culture points at someone and says “they are not important to greatness” that is a Christian’s signal to say “I must spend my time talent and treasure with them because they are not important to greatness in this world.” And that is where our greatness comes from. Our greatness does not come from positions of power; our greatness comes from spending our energy with the least. Because the least are loved and cared for by God. Don’t let the call to be known and be great make you miss out on the ability to be great within the kingdom. . Searching for greatness in the world creates competition and struggle. The ones who are not against us, should be considered for us. Sometimes the folks that we are willing to criticize are walking in more faith than we are. The yearning for greatness creates the desire for competition, but God is looking for those who are willing to serve for Him. When we stop seeking our own greatness, it makes us more willing to just see what others are doing and just say “God be glorified!” . A couple questions to wrestle with: . “Do I tend to overlook, disregard, or dismiss people who don’t seem like they can help me meet my worldly goals?” In the answer of that question determines what we think about ‘greatness.’ “When others around you receive promotions or things that you feel like you deserve, what happens to your soul? Is it delight, or is it grief?” . Ask God to search your heart and be renewed in our understanding of Greatness.

Sermon notes 7/6/25 Luke 9:37-45 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . A man does not ever want to see his child harmed. And in this passage, it’s easy to see why this man has turned to Jesus - to help his son. We’re going to look at 5 things: . Dad Danger of the Demonic Disappointment of Doubt Demand for the Divine Declaration of deliverance. . The dad - Jesus is now back to his normal routine after the amazing transfiguration. This man describes his son to Jesus in dire terms. This demon is torturing his son, “shattering him.” In 3 different gospels, we have descriptions of this torment. But they all describe an affliction that is trying to kill him. Do you think this father’s desperation is justified? The same God who meets the son in his desperation, meets you as well. So bring your desperate and weary heart to Him! . The danger - Demons are real. Luke is a doctor - a physician. Yet, he is willing to look beyond the physical. Now, we should not make the mistake of viewing every illness as demonic, but do not make the mistake of not believing in spiritual warfare at all! In this story, there is a real demonic force tormenting this child. The aim of demons is to torment - to create as much chaos as they can. The targets of the demonic are our peace with God, and our faith in God. . Disappointment of doubt - Jesus answers this man. Upon hearing his begging, we hear Jesus’ incredulous response. We spent all last week, highlighting Jesus’ transfiguration - shining light, the dead alive, thundering voice of God. They saw that the day before, yet this day, their faithlessness is highlighted. But, it’s easy to look at our own lives as see just how much we have to ask God “God… do you have me?” It’s a regular pattern in our lives to see God show up, and then immediately wonder if He’s ever going to show up again. But Jesus uses the word “twisted.” We are flooded with disorder and chaos in dealing with the world. But here we see the disciples struggling with the same thing. The devil is busy trying to chill your faith and living for God. The heart must hear that God loves us to the end in order for us to have our peace in God. So make no mistake, God loves YOU! . Demand for the Divine - Spiritual forces are real. And they do jab and poke in a way that disrupts your faith. But God is so merciful, He will meet you where you are. Jesus will answer us with love and grace in the midst of our faithlessness. Prayer and communion with God reminds us. Prayer deepens our faith, and reminds us of God’s love. . Declaration of Deliverance - Jesus tells his disciples that He was going to be killed. This story begins with a father begging Jesus to save His son. But this story ends with a declaration of a Father giving away His only Son. But, Jesus will go toward the darkness, despite the weakness of our faith - in love and in grace - and will bring love and eternal deliverance to us. . The forces of darkness cannot have their final say because we serve a Son, the only Son, who went to the cross to one and for all vanquish those forces. So let that be what is rehearsed in your heart, again and again, when the forces of darkness try to drive you to despair.

Sermon notes 7/6/25 Luke 9:37-45 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . A man does not ever want to see his child harmed. And in this passage, it’s easy to see why this man has turned to Jesus - to help his son. We’re going to look at 5 things: . Dad Danger of the Demonic Disappointment of Doubt Demand for the Divine Declaration of deliverance. . The dad - Jesus is now back to his normal routine after the amazing transfiguration. This man describes his son to Jesus in dire terms. This demon is torturing his son, “shattering him.” In 3 different gospels, we have descriptions of this torment. But they all describe an affliction that is trying to kill him. Do you think this father’s desperation is justified? The same God who meets the son in his desperation, meets you as well. So bring your desperate and weary heart to Him! . The danger - Demons are real. Luke is a doctor - a physician. Yet, he is willing to look beyond the physical. Now, we should not make the mistake of viewing every illness as demonic, but do not make the mistake of not believing in spiritual warfare at all! In this story, there is a real demonic force tormenting this child. The aim of demons is to torment - to create as much chaos as they can. The targets of the demonic are our peace with God, and our faith in God. . Disappointment of doubt - Jesus answers this man. Upon hearing his begging, we hear Jesus’ incredulous response. We spent all last week, highlighting Jesus’ transfiguration - shining light, the dead alive, thundering voice of God. They saw that the day before, yet this day, their faithlessness is highlighted. But, it’s easy to look at our own lives as see just how much we have to ask God “God… do you have me?” It’s a regular pattern in our lives to see God show up, and then immediately wonder if He’s ever going to show up again. But Jesus uses the word “twisted.” We are flooded with disorder and chaos in dealing with the world. But here we see the disciples struggling with the same thing. The devil is busy trying to chill your faith and living for God. The heart must hear that God loves us to the end in order for us to have our peace in God. So make no mistake, God loves YOU! . Demand for the Divine - Spiritual forces are real. And they do jab and poke in a way that disrupts your faith. But God is so merciful, He will meet you where you are. Jesus will answer us with love and grace in the midst of our faithlessness. Prayer and communion with God reminds us. Prayer deepens our faith, and reminds us of God’s love. . Declaration of Deliverance - Jesus tells his disciples that He was going to be killed. This story begins with a father begging Jesus to save His son. But this story ends with a declaration of a Father giving away His only Son. But, Jesus will go toward the darkness, despite the weakness of our faith - in love and in grace - and will bring love and eternal deliverance to us. . The forces of darkness cannot have their final say because we serve a Son, the only Son, who went to the cross to one and for all vanquish those forces. So let that be what is rehearsed in your heart, again and again, when the forces of darkness try to drive you to despair.

Sermon Notes June 29th, 2025 Luke 9: 28-36 . Jesus’s greatness is often something that is way beyond our initial understanding. In this moment in scripture, Jesus took his inner circle up to a mountain to pray. (Prayer is such a huge part of the son of God’s, life, how much more should ours be?) In this moment, the disciples don't just hear that Jesus is the Christ, but now the disciples see it too! Jesus IS greater! We see Jesus in this glorious light, and He is speaking with great men of God as well. This transfiguration points to the past, but also to the present greatness. Elisha and Moses appear - not as equals, but as subordinates. Jesus is greater than the prophets! The prophets represent “those that spoke on behalf of God.” But Jesus is God! . In both moments in the past - Moses and Elisha had a divine encounter. Both had to be covered and hidden to protect them. But here, we encounter Jesus without a covering. So, when we want to understand God’s direction, we should fix our attention on Jesus. . Jesus’s departure written here, is written using the word for “Exodus.” Moses's exodus brought physical deliverance from Pharo. But Jesus’s exodus will bring spiritual deliverance. The deliverance of Jesus on the cross, to die for our sins is the most important deliverance we could ever receive. . Jesus is the greater deliverer, but he is also the greater tabernacle. . Peter requests that he should make 3 tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elisha. Two men from the dead are alive - this is a holy moment. And holy moments need a tent (the word used is “Tabernacle”). But Peter doesn’t seem to recognize what he’s saying. When a cloud shows up to cover them. Again, the word used is used several times in the Bible - overshadowing represents the filling of the Holy Spirit or the Glory of the Lord. So, now… there’s no tabernacles because they don’t need one. God, Jesus, is the tabernacle. They don’t need another tent, because Jesus IS the place you go to meet with the father! Christ is the greater deliverer, the greater everything! . And the voice of God comes out of the cloud, declaring Jesus’s authority. “This IS my son. Listen to Him.” . So when Jesus is revealed to be the messiah, we know when he says “if anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me,” that He's telling the truth. . So, when Jesus shows up in our life, we must submit. Because Jesus is greater than all other relationships in my life. When he shows up, he comes with proof of His greatness. The revelation which is present means that we should obey. . Jesus is greater. Yes. But is Jesus greater in your life? In your coming and your goings? In your time, talent, and treasure? In our obedience? . It’s not enough to acknowledge Him as the greatest. We must listen to Him, and follow Him.

Sermon Notes June 29th, 2025 Luke 9: 28-36 . Jesus’s greatness is often something that is way beyond our initial understanding. In this moment in scripture, Jesus took his inner circle up to a mountain to pray. (Prayer is such a huge part of the son of God’s, life, how much more should ours be?) In this moment, the disciples don't just hear that Jesus is the Christ, but now the disciples see it too! Jesus IS greater! We see Jesus in this glorious light, and He is speaking with great men of God as well. This transfiguration points to the past, but also to the present greatness. Elisha and Moses appear - not as equals, but as subordinates. Jesus is greater than the prophets! The prophets represent “those that spoke on behalf of God.” But Jesus is God! . In both moments in the past - Moses and Elisha had a divine encounter. Both had to be covered and hidden to protect them. But here, we encounter Jesus without a covering. So, when we want to understand God’s direction, we should fix our attention on Jesus. . Jesus’s departure written here, is written using the word for “Exodus.” Moses's exodus brought physical deliverance from Pharo. But Jesus’s exodus will bring spiritual deliverance. The deliverance of Jesus on the cross, to die for our sins is the most important deliverance we could ever receive. . Jesus is the greater deliverer, but he is also the greater tabernacle. . Peter requests that he should make 3 tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elisha. Two men from the dead are alive - this is a holy moment. And holy moments need a tent (the word used is “Tabernacle”). But Peter doesn’t seem to recognize what he’s saying. When a cloud shows up to cover them. Again, the word used is used several times in the Bible - overshadowing represents the filling of the Holy Spirit or the Glory of the Lord. So, now… there’s no tabernacles because they don’t need one. God, Jesus, is the tabernacle. They don’t need another tent, because Jesus IS the place you go to meet with the father! Christ is the greater deliverer, the greater everything! . And the voice of God comes out of the cloud, declaring Jesus’s authority. “This IS my son. Listen to Him.” . So when Jesus is revealed to be the messiah, we know when he says “if anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me,” that He's telling the truth. . So, when Jesus shows up in our life, we must submit. Because Jesus is greater than all other relationships in my life. When he shows up, he comes with proof of His greatness. The revelation which is present means that we should obey. . Jesus is greater. Yes. But is Jesus greater in your life? In your coming and your goings? In your time, talent, and treasure? In our obedience? . It’s not enough to acknowledge Him as the greatest. We must listen to Him, and follow Him.

Sermon Notes: 6/22/25 Luke 9:23-27 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . To follow Jesus means you don’t get to lead anymore. It’s not a negotiation, but a summons - a calling to live under his Lordship. It requires 3 things Death of autonomy Embracing the cross daily Eternal gain . Discipleship is a complete surrender to self rule. It sounds wrong to our own modern ears. The Greek phrase means to “utterly reject” - the same word used when Peter denied Christ. It’s not just a turning from, but a turning TO. You cannot say “Jesus take the wheel” and you continue to steer. Autonomy needs to die at the foot of the cross. Christ must be on the throne of your life. Or are you stuck in self rule? . The cross was Rome’s most painful death. To carry your cross meant one thing in Jesus’s day - it meant you were on your way to die horrifically. But, your cross is not the cross of Christ. Only Christ could fulfill the cross God gave to Him. Your cross is not that one. Your cross does not give you the power to redeem yourself before God. But, yet, our cross must be carried still. We are to deny ourselves. So what does it mean, to take up your cross daily? It could mean to die, sure… but suffering could look like many things. Mental, physical, and denial of our wants or desires. To take up your cross means commitment and identification. To be a physical and verbal follower of Jesus Christ. There should be NO QUESTION that you are a follower. Whoever does the will of God abides forever with Him. The reality for many of us is that we don’t mind carrying the cross, as long as we can decorate it. Many of us have yet to take seriously the threat and seriousness of what carrying our cross means. . Jesus doesn’t just ask us to blindly following him. He gives us several reasons: whoever would save his life, would lose it. But whoever would lose his life would save it. Jesus is saying plainly, if you continue to stay in control, you will forfeit the very thing you are attempting to achieve. This life is going to end. You cannot keep it. You cannot extend it. Why fight to hold onto something you cannot keep? That’s not a problem we can solve. Instead, by following Jesus, we gain our reward in the next life. What would all that wealth and control be worth. . Eternal identity: This isn’t about you choosing Jesus, but rather about Jesus choosing you before the father. Did you identify with Jesus with bold allegiance, or did you identify with what you wanted. Jesus demands a lot, but Jesus gives infinitely more. He calls you not to a painless life, but a purposeful one.

Sermon Notes: 6/22/25 Luke 9:23-27 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . To follow Jesus means you don’t get to lead anymore. It’s not a negotiation, but a summons - a calling to live under his Lordship. It requires 3 things Death of autonomy Embracing the cross daily Eternal gain . Discipleship is a complete surrender to self rule. It sounds wrong to our own modern ears. The Greek phrase means to “utterly reject” - the same word used when Peter denied Christ. It’s not just a turning from, but a turning TO. You cannot say “Jesus take the wheel” and you continue to steer. Autonomy needs to die at the foot of the cross. Christ must be on the throne of your life. Or are you stuck in self rule? . The cross was Rome’s most painful death. To carry your cross meant one thing in Jesus’s day - it meant you were on your way to die horrifically. But, your cross is not the cross of Christ. Only Christ could fulfill the cross God gave to Him. Your cross is not that one. Your cross does not give you the power to redeem yourself before God. But, yet, our cross must be carried still. We are to deny ourselves. So what does it mean, to take up your cross daily? It could mean to die, sure… but suffering could look like many things. Mental, physical, and denial of our wants or desires. To take up your cross means commitment and identification. To be a physical and verbal follower of Jesus Christ. There should be NO QUESTION that you are a follower. Whoever does the will of God abides forever with Him. The reality for many of us is that we don’t mind carrying the cross, as long as we can decorate it. Many of us have yet to take seriously the threat and seriousness of what carrying our cross means. . Jesus doesn’t just ask us to blindly following him. He gives us several reasons: whoever would save his life, would lose it. But whoever would lose his life would save it. Jesus is saying plainly, if you continue to stay in control, you will forfeit the very thing you are attempting to achieve. This life is going to end. You cannot keep it. You cannot extend it. Why fight to hold onto something you cannot keep? That’s not a problem we can solve. Instead, by following Jesus, we gain our reward in the next life. What would all that wealth and control be worth. . Eternal identity: This isn’t about you choosing Jesus, but rather about Jesus choosing you before the father. Did you identify with Jesus with bold allegiance, or did you identify with what you wanted. Jesus demands a lot, but Jesus gives infinitely more. He calls you not to a painless life, but a purposeful one.

Sermon Notes James 1: 21-27 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The faith of the Christian is not intended to be passive. True faith is active and gives life to those around it. A Christian’s faith is intended to be fruitful and it produces something in and produces something around us. And verses 21-27 highlight that. . Men are important. But that importance is magnified when we show up. . Men have 4 times the suicide rate of women. They have been deceived by the flesh, world and the devil, that their lives are worthless and that they are better gone, than to show up in this world. 1 out of 2 men that you know are more depressed than they feel they are able to express to anyone. . With this absence of fathers and the need of fatherly influence, it creates opportunities for men to step up - serving our community, serving our lord, or families, and serving each other. An active godly man “is” before he “does.” God has written his covenant on the Hearts of man. This is the Holy Spirit given to us on Pentecost. We are a people in covenant with the living God. The “action” is not an attempt to achieve what we have already been given. Our actions should come “from” this gift. . Every believer has the ability to hear and act out our faith. We daily make a decision to obey and walk in the Word in meekness. We are to obey, even when we are convinced to go our own way. Even when obeying God is hard. . And we should obey God, not to earn approval. We do it because we’ve been approved. . Additionally, Active Godly men, “do” by reframing. The wickedness and filthiness are gone, but the filthiness of the world can get on us sometimes. We daily have to take that off, because that’s not who we are anymore. Living in the world is a lot like that. The dust of the world just gets on us just by being out there in the world. Every day is a chance to recognize that the dust of the world is out there and we need to come back to the Word of God in our hearts. To obey and take off that dusty garment. . Be doers of the word, not hearers only. We can hide the truth about ourselves, from ourselves. Without spiritfilled action on the part of ourselves, we do not have faith. If we have faith, we will act in alignment with that faith. With no action to align with our declarations of Godliness, then we probably aren’t Godly. So, walk in “who” the Lord has called you to be. . Actively Godly men’s “doing” is relational - with God, and with others. When our faith is active, it changes those around us. If you remember the one who you follow, you will exhibit self control. To be a doer is to look upon the least of people and to sacrifice time, talent and treasure to others. And to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Sermon Notes James 1: 21-27 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The faith of the Christian is not intended to be passive. True faith is active and gives life to those around it. A Christian’s faith is intended to be fruitful and it produces something in and produces something around us. And verses 21-27 highlight that. . Men are important. But that importance is magnified when we show up. . Men have 4 times the suicide rate of women. They have been deceived by the flesh, world and the devil, that their lives are worthless and that they are better gone, than to show up in this world. 1 out of 2 men that you know are more depressed than they feel they are able to express to anyone. . With this absence of fathers and the need of fatherly influence, it creates opportunities for men to step up - serving our community, serving our lord, or families, and serving each other. An active godly man “is” before he “does.” God has written his covenant on the Hearts of man. This is the Holy Spirit given to us on Pentecost. We are a people in covenant with the living God. The “action” is not an attempt to achieve what we have already been given. Our actions should come “from” this gift. . Every believer has the ability to hear and act out our faith. We daily make a decision to obey and walk in the Word in meekness. We are to obey, even when we are convinced to go our own way. Even when obeying God is hard. . And we should obey God, not to earn approval. We do it because we’ve been approved. . Additionally, Active Godly men, “do” by reframing. The wickedness and filthiness are gone, but the filthiness of the world can get on us sometimes. We daily have to take that off, because that’s not who we are anymore. Living in the world is a lot like that. The dust of the world just gets on us just by being out there in the world. Every day is a chance to recognize that the dust of the world is out there and we need to come back to the Word of God in our hearts. To obey and take off that dusty garment. . Be doers of the word, not hearers only. We can hide the truth about ourselves, from ourselves. Without spiritfilled action on the part of ourselves, we do not have faith. If we have faith, we will act in alignment with that faith. With no action to align with our declarations of Godliness, then we probably aren’t Godly. So, walk in “who” the Lord has called you to be. . Actively Godly men’s “doing” is relational - with God, and with others. When our faith is active, it changes those around us. If you remember the one who you follow, you will exhibit self control. To be a doer is to look upon the least of people and to sacrifice time, talent and treasure to others. And to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Sermon Notes . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . God is faithful in all circumstances. He will bring peace amid all kinds of confusion, suffering and trials. The Christian can find comfort in the calling of God. The Christian can find comfort in Christs resurrection. the Christian can find comfort in the beauty of the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. the Christian can find comfort because all believers are beneficiaries of His Grace The calling of God: Peter is addressing this letter to the “elect” exiles of the persecution throughout modern day Turkey. These are not Israelites. They are gentiles suffering for their faith. Being called “elect” we receive the inheritance through the sacrifice of Christ. Our citizenship is not in this world, it is in heaven. It is not easy, but joy comes in the morning! We are called to live holy lives in an unholy world to show the glory of Christ to the world. We are to live, in a way, as exiles, so when we experience the chaos of this world, and hardship, we are prepared to face it with faith and trust in Him. . Christs resurrection: Christ’s death burial and resurrection is a source of comfort. No one can rob our inheritance - because God is guarding it. Our future salvation and inheritance is kept by God. So we can be sure that Christ’s resurrection is a source of comfort for us during hard times. He is sovereign over all things! . Sanctification: The beauty of our sanctification is done by the Holy Spirit! So, we can take comfort in the Holy testing and trials we experience in this world. We can be certain that the trails are here not to break us, but to refine and purify us. This call to rejoice is because the Holy Spirit is working something within us to sharpen us for the Kingdom to come! When we trust God with our lives despite the pain, God is shaping us into the image of Christ, Jesus. The better we understand that, the easier for us to trust God to remove hardship from us. . Beneficiaries of Grace: the prophets made proclamations back in the day to show the grace that will be given to New Testament Christians. The Old Testament prophets prophesied that Christ would allow Himself to be crushed to pay for our sins. We can take heart - God calls us to be peculiar nation among everyone else. . Christ has supplied all that you need through His Grace and Mercy.

Sermon Notes . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . God is faithful in all circumstances. He will bring peace amid all kinds of confusion, suffering and trials. The Christian can find comfort in the calling of God. The Christian can find comfort in Christs resurrection. the Christian can find comfort in the beauty of the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. the Christian can find comfort because all believers are beneficiaries of His Grace The calling of God: Peter is addressing this letter to the “elect” exiles of the persecution throughout modern day Turkey. These are not Israelites. They are gentiles suffering for their faith. Being called “elect” we receive the inheritance through the sacrifice of Christ. Our citizenship is not in this world, it is in heaven. It is not easy, but joy comes in the morning! We are called to live holy lives in an unholy world to show the glory of Christ to the world. We are to live, in a way, as exiles, so when we experience the chaos of this world, and hardship, we are prepared to face it with faith and trust in Him. . Christs resurrection: Christ’s death burial and resurrection is a source of comfort. No one can rob our inheritance - because God is guarding it. Our future salvation and inheritance is kept by God. So we can be sure that Christ’s resurrection is a source of comfort for us during hard times. He is sovereign over all things! . Sanctification: The beauty of our sanctification is done by the Holy Spirit! So, we can take comfort in the Holy testing and trials we experience in this world. We can be certain that the trails are here not to break us, but to refine and purify us. This call to rejoice is because the Holy Spirit is working something within us to sharpen us for the Kingdom to come! When we trust God with our lives despite the pain, God is shaping us into the image of Christ, Jesus. The better we understand that, the easier for us to trust God to remove hardship from us. . Beneficiaries of Grace: the prophets made proclamations back in the day to show the grace that will be given to New Testament Christians. The Old Testament prophets prophesied that Christ would allow Himself to be crushed to pay for our sins. We can take heart - God calls us to be peculiar nation among everyone else. . Christ has supplied all that you need through His Grace and Mercy.

Sermon notes - 6/1/25 Luke: 9: 18-23 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sometimes we misjudge the very people who are standing in front of us. And sometimes who we misjudge will cost us everything. Jesus has 2 questions for His disciples in this section: 1) who do the crowds say that I am? And 2) who do you say who I am? For question 1: they say “some say you are John the Baptist, Elisha, or one of the prophets of old.” This list is not a bad list. These are holy and good men. An honorable list. But these people cannot live up to the truth of who Jesus is. And you cannot learn who Jesus is, by chasing His miracles and blessings. It requires committing to walking and apprenticeship to and with him. This question cannot be figured out by collecting data about Him. For question 2: Peter says “The Christ of God.” Christ means “the anointed one.” It is intended to indicate a coming king - the one with enough power to bring every other kingdom to its knees. And Christ Jesus responds telling them to "tell no one," because He is supposed to suffer, be rejected by leaders, and killed, and then raised up on the third day. Everyone would be bound to misinterpret what Jesus is supposed to be. He tells them that He must be rejected and killed… and He must be resurrected from the grave. Jesus would rise to overthrow the powers of darkness. But the people expected that He would rule a simple government. Jesus was here for something so much greater. The people were expecting a messiah to bow to us, to co-opt our agendas. And Jesus closes with telling His disciples - “anyone who wants to follow me, must give up everything, daily, and follow me.” Once we learned who the messiah is, we learn what it means to follow Him. We must suffer, love, welcome, endure, and in the end, we will overcome. Alignment with Jesus, is not to follow Him to success. But it means to follow Him through suffering, denying our passions, carrying a willingness to suffer - even to the point of our deaths. As you walk, the way you walk shows what you know about who Jesus really is. When we ignore the heart of Jesus, we miss the calling of Jesus. When we read the Bible and we find a part that we don’t like, we easily ignore it, rather than embracing who He is. We must embrace the messiah on His terms, rather than embracing Him on our terms. But take heart, when you trip and stumble, He will have mercy on you, and help you pick your cross back up again.

Sermon notes - 6/1/25 Luke: 9: 18-23 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sometimes we misjudge the very people who are standing in front of us. And sometimes who we misjudge will cost us everything. Jesus has 2 questions for His disciples in this section: 1) who do the crowds say that I am? And 2) who do you say who I am? For question 1: they say “some say you are John the Baptist, Elisha, or one of the prophets of old.” This list is not a bad list. These are holy and good men. An honorable list. But these people cannot live up to the truth of who Jesus is. And you cannot learn who Jesus is, by chasing His miracles and blessings. It requires committing to walking and apprenticeship to and with him. This question cannot be figured out by collecting data about Him. For question 2: Peter says “The Christ of God.” Christ means “the anointed one.” It is intended to indicate a coming king - the one with enough power to bring every other kingdom to its knees. And Christ Jesus responds telling them to "tell no one," because He is supposed to suffer, be rejected by leaders, and killed, and then raised up on the third day. Everyone would be bound to misinterpret what Jesus is supposed to be. He tells them that He must be rejected and killed… and He must be resurrected from the grave. Jesus would rise to overthrow the powers of darkness. But the people expected that He would rule a simple government. Jesus was here for something so much greater. The people were expecting a messiah to bow to us, to co-opt our agendas. And Jesus closes with telling His disciples - “anyone who wants to follow me, must give up everything, daily, and follow me.” Once we learned who the messiah is, we learn what it means to follow Him. We must suffer, love, welcome, endure, and in the end, we will overcome. Alignment with Jesus, is not to follow Him to success. But it means to follow Him through suffering, denying our passions, carrying a willingness to suffer - even to the point of our deaths. As you walk, the way you walk shows what you know about who Jesus really is. When we ignore the heart of Jesus, we miss the calling of Jesus. When we read the Bible and we find a part that we don’t like, we easily ignore it, rather than embracing who He is. We must embrace the messiah on His terms, rather than embracing Him on our terms. But take heart, when you trip and stumble, He will have mercy on you, and help you pick your cross back up again.

Sermon 5/25/25 Notes: Luke 9: 1-9 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . In this text, Jesus calls the disciples to something big. Going out on their own, and doing as Jesus does - preaching and healing and casting out demons. From this text, we can see three things: Big calling Big distractions Big participation. Big Calling: This is no small errand. Jesus gives them the divine ability and the divine right to do these things. This is a huge transition from their daily life - walking with Jesus. God equips us before he employs us. In the mission details, he tells them to go on this road trip and bring nothing with them. No food, no money, no clothes - to rely only solely on God. For all who are called to Christ and called to live simply and contentedly. Shaking the dust off their feet were symbolically cast off the stress and anxiety of their inability to change the minds of some. We are all called to be disciple makers, but the harvest, whatever it is, belongs to God. Big Distractions: Reports of the activities of the 12 were big news, and Herod hears about it. He was perplexed - to be in doubt, unsure about what to say, think, or do. A man he had killed was reported to be brought to life! Of course he was confused. And he wanted to seek them out. The fear of opposition can be a big distraction. Herod’s attention was huge for the disciples, but do not let these pressures distract you from your mission. The thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy. But no matter who comes after you in your calling, we serve a bigger and infinite King. Big Participation: the disciples come back from their mission and tell Jesus eagerly all they did. Although they are excited, Jesus notices they are tired and in need of rest. The Lord of the Sabbath cares about your rest. He gives us seasons to rest, but we have to take them. But that doesn’t mean that your rest won't be interrupted for lost and the hungry. Just as we see here as thousands of people press in to see Jesus, He tells the disciples to give the 5000 people something to eat. But they didn’t have any money. But in this instance they bring Jesus all they have - 5 loaves and 2 fish. And Jesus uses what is impossibly small, for meet the needs of the impossibly large. We often wind up in the place where we have no more strength to go on, and it’s only Jesus who carries us and gives us strength. God is not looking for your ability, just your availability. Jesus is always able to meet the need of any emergency. And we should, like the disciples, follow Jesus’ odd instructions, to the letter. We are to live as a people who have been sent out. Trust that the lord will multiply our paltry offerings.

Sermon 5/25/25 Notes: Luke 9: 1-9 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . In this text, Jesus calls the disciples to something big. Going out on their own, and doing as Jesus does - preaching and healing and casting out demons. From this text, we can see three things: Big calling Big distractions Big participation. Big Calling: This is no small errand. Jesus gives them the divine ability and the divine right to do these things. This is a huge transition from their daily life - walking with Jesus. God equips us before he employs us. In the mission details, he tells them to go on this road trip and bring nothing with them. No food, no money, no clothes - to rely only solely on God. For all who are called to Christ and called to live simply and contentedly. Shaking the dust off their feet were symbolically cast off the stress and anxiety of their inability to change the minds of some. We are all called to be disciple makers, but the harvest, whatever it is, belongs to God. Big Distractions: Reports of the activities of the 12 were big news, and Herod hears about it. He was perplexed - to be in doubt, unsure about what to say, think, or do. A man he had killed was reported to be brought to life! Of course he was confused. And he wanted to seek them out. The fear of opposition can be a big distraction. Herod’s attention was huge for the disciples, but do not let these pressures distract you from your mission. The thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy. But no matter who comes after you in your calling, we serve a bigger and infinite King. Big Participation: the disciples come back from their mission and tell Jesus eagerly all they did. Although they are excited, Jesus notices they are tired and in need of rest. The Lord of the Sabbath cares about your rest. He gives us seasons to rest, but we have to take them. But that doesn’t mean that your rest won't be interrupted for lost and the hungry. Just as we see here as thousands of people press in to see Jesus, He tells the disciples to give the 5000 people something to eat. But they didn’t have any money. But in this instance they bring Jesus all they have - 5 loaves and 2 fish. And Jesus uses what is impossibly small, for meet the needs of the impossibly large. We often wind up in the place where we have no more strength to go on, and it’s only Jesus who carries us and gives us strength. God is not looking for your ability, just your availability. Jesus is always able to meet the need of any emergency. And we should, like the disciples, follow Jesus’ odd instructions, to the letter. We are to live as a people who have been sent out. Trust that the lord will multiply our paltry offerings.

Sermon 5/11/25 Notes: Luke 8: 40-56 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Desperation can make us do funny things. But Jesus’ response to desperation and desperate people is interesting. Here we see Jesus moved to act on behalf of two people. Jesus just left a land of people kicking him out, and was met by a crowd of people waiting for him to return. The people pressed around Him. There were so many people around Him, he was crowded. The first character in this account is Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue. He was a man of immanence and status and financial stability. And this man, immaculate as he is, falls at Jesus’ feet, asking Him to save his daughter. This is desperation. We often say we are tired of this or that, but are we tired enough to lay on our faces at Jesus’ feet? Are we tired enough to turn from the routine, and turn from our social status to Him? The Lord will meet all who cry out to the Lord in their distress. Jesus has a heart for those who are desperate for Him. In the midst of all this, there’s another who’s desperate. In the middle of all this, we see a woman who would have been ostracized socially, not wealthy, sick etc. She was the exact opposite in standing of Jairus. And her condition has driven her to see Jesus in this moment, just like Jairus. She willingly to press through a bunch of people to get to Jesus - she’s risking a lot. In her desperation, all that risk is worth just getting to Jesus. She came up behind Him and touched his garment and was immediately healed. Her concern wasn’t to be known, She wanted to touch Him, get her problems fixed, and get out of the crowd. But, Jesus doesn’t just seek healing, He’s interested in healing your void of fellowship with God - with Him. Jesus made time with this woman, called out to her, and spoke to her, DESPITE her uncleanliness. And we come back to Jairus, who just watched this woman healed, who had to feel so excited that he picked the right one! But, then he is just informed that his daughter just died. But God’s delays are not denials. He tells Jairus, “just believe and it shall be okay!” Waiting is obedience. Wait and believe when you are met with a period of delay. And when God moves, He moves. And Jairus’ daughter was only sleeping, and Jesus woke her. God has a power that is not like our power. He can come upon any situation, and breathe life into it.

Sermon 5/11/25 Notes: Luke 8: 40-56 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Desperation can make us do funny things. But Jesus’ response to desperation and desperate people is interesting. Here we see Jesus moved to act on behalf of two people. Jesus just left a land of people kicking him out, and was met by a crowd of people waiting for him to return. The people pressed around Him. There were so many people around Him, he was crowded. The first character in this account is Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue. He was a man of immanence and status and financial stability. And this man, immaculate as he is, falls at Jesus’ feet, asking Him to save his daughter. This is desperation. We often say we are tired of this or that, but are we tired enough to lay on our faces at Jesus’ feet? Are we tired enough to turn from the routine, and turn from our social status to Him? The Lord will meet all who cry out to the Lord in their distress. Jesus has a heart for those who are desperate for Him. In the midst of all this, there’s another who’s desperate. In the middle of all this, we see a woman who would have been ostracized socially, not wealthy, sick etc. She was the exact opposite in standing of Jairus. And her condition has driven her to see Jesus in this moment, just like Jairus. She willingly to press through a bunch of people to get to Jesus - she’s risking a lot. In her desperation, all that risk is worth just getting to Jesus. She came up behind Him and touched his garment and was immediately healed. Her concern wasn’t to be known, She wanted to touch Him, get her problems fixed, and get out of the crowd. But, Jesus doesn’t just seek healing, He’s interested in healing your void of fellowship with God - with Him. Jesus made time with this woman, called out to her, and spoke to her, DESPITE her uncleanliness. And we come back to Jairus, who just watched this woman healed, who had to feel so excited that he picked the right one! But, then he is just informed that his daughter just died. But God’s delays are not denials. He tells Jairus, “just believe and it shall be okay!” Waiting is obedience. Wait and believe when you are met with a period of delay. And when God moves, He moves. And Jairus’ daughter was only sleeping, and Jesus woke her. God has a power that is not like our power. He can come upon any situation, and breathe life into it.

Sermon 5/11/25 Notes: Geneis 16: 1-10 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . This is a story of 2 women and their journey toward motherhood. And a story of 2 women and 1 God. In this text, we can see some very imperfect people, and you can be encouraged in our own imperfection. Sarai is dealing with a lot of pain. Not only barrenness, but coupled with a promise of children from God. From the very throne of God there is a promise that seems unfulfilled. Infertility would have potentially resulted in failure of the marriage in that culture. Shame, and misery and pain. That could be one possible reason for Sarai’s decision to take over for God Will. So this isn’t that shocking, that she would make something so wild seeming to us. How often have you told God, “I know you told me not to, but do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this? When I choose my own path, I want you to bless it.” “Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.” He listened to the voice of his wife, instead of listening to the voice of God. So we know this is a bad choice. This moment is part of the fallen condition. Sarai is carving her own way and Abram is going along with it. A very similar phrasing and situation to the Garden. The lord shows up on Sarai’s behalf in Egypt. God was faithful. Yet, Sarai is still willing to give into the pain she’s experiencing, and she gives Hagar to Abram. And this creates chaos - as going outside of God’s will. When Hagar flees, she is no longer just a servant. When she meets the angel, she has a name. Even when we don’t know who each other are, God knows our name. Hagar might have been an Egyptian servant to them, but “Hagar” to God. But this angel tells Hagar to return to Sarai, and to reconciliation. The Lord is calling you to hard things. You have been called to hard things, because Jesus did hard things for you. Hagar is told that her child will be called “God Hears.” God hears our interest and prayers. So she actually gives God a name - The God of Seeing (the God who I see, and the God who sees me). This is an act of rejoicing from Hagar. Jesus sees you where you are. When you call on His name, you will not be ignored. In Christ, we have a God who we see, and who sees us.

Sermon 5/11/25 Notes: Geneis 16: 1-10 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . This is a story of 2 women and their journey toward motherhood. And a story of 2 women and 1 God. In this text, we can see some very imperfect people, and you can be encouraged in our own imperfection. Sarai is dealing with a lot of pain. Not only barrenness, but coupled with a promise of children from God. From the very throne of God there is a promise that seems unfulfilled. Infertility would have potentially resulted in failure of the marriage in that culture. Shame, and misery and pain. That could be one possible reason for Sarai’s decision to take over for God Will. So this isn’t that shocking, that she would make something so wild seeming to us. How often have you told God, “I know you told me not to, but do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this? When I choose my own path, I want you to bless it.” “Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.” He listened to the voice of his wife, instead of listening to the voice of God. So we know this is a bad choice. This moment is part of the fallen condition. Sarai is carving her own way and Abram is going along with it. A very similar phrasing and situation to the Garden. The lord shows up on Sarai’s behalf in Egypt. God was faithful. Yet, Sarai is still willing to give into the pain she’s experiencing, and she gives Hagar to Abram. And this creates chaos - as going outside of God’s will. When Hagar flees, she is no longer just a servant. When she meets the angel, she has a name. Even when we don’t know who each other are, God knows our name. Hagar might have been an Egyptian servant to them, but “Hagar” to God. But this angel tells Hagar to return to Sarai, and to reconciliation. The Lord is calling you to hard things. You have been called to hard things, because Jesus did hard things for you. Hagar is told that her child will be called “God Hears.” God hears our interest and prayers. So she actually gives God a name - The God of Seeing (the God who I see, and the God who sees me). This is an act of rejoicing from Hagar. Jesus sees you where you are. When you call on His name, you will not be ignored. In Christ, we have a God who we see, and who sees us.

Sermon 5/4/25 Notes: Luke 8: 26-39 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The power of Christ and the Power of His word works miracles. This and the previous chapter are very much connected in how the power of Jesus Word builds families, and brings peace out of chaos, and now we get to see the power of His word delivering captives, and freedom. Underneath the demon infested man, was a son, a potential father… and for certain, an image bearer of God. It’s often that we don’t see the man, but rather we see the problem someone faces instead the person underneath. This man is naked and unclothed, uncontrollable, living in tombs and screaming and cutting himself. No matter how much he breaks physical chains placed on him, he is unable to break Satan’s chains upon him. He also socially ostracized - living among the dead and near pigs means he would be “ritually unclean” and thus ostracized from any and all community from people who could help him. But there IS hope for this man. When he saw Jesus, everything about him changes in an instant. The demons recognize Jesus and the power dynamic changes. The demons immediately send the man to the ground on his face, acknowledge his authority in desperation. They know Jesus has the power to torment them. The forces that torment you and your family… they know Jesus’s name and His title and His power. Make no mistake - Jesus already knows the demons name. He gets the demons to acknowledge “you can have demons with the force of Rome’s armies, but all Jesus’ needs is a word to destroy them.” Jesus’ power is insurmountable. The demons don’t even try to fight Him. This is the power of the One who walks with you, fights for you, who stands with you, who sets you free, if only you ask Him. When people saw the man, they were afraid, and seized with great fear. Fear can lead to reverence, but fear can also read to rejection. And we see that within the people of this city. When the pigs run off the cliff - that is a huge commercial disruption. Sometimes when Christ comes to your life, your life turns upside down, sometimes we hate that disruption more than the freedom that comes with Jesus. But the demon possessed man has his dignity restored and his mind is sound. He wants to draw closer to the one who saved Him.

Sermon 5/4/25 Notes: Luke 8: 26-39 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The power of Christ and the Power of His word works miracles. This and the previous chapter are very much connected in how the power of Jesus Word builds families, and brings peace out of chaos, and now we get to see the power of His word delivering captives, and freedom. Underneath the demon infested man, was a son, a potential father… and for certain, an image bearer of God. It’s often that we don’t see the man, but rather we see the problem someone faces instead the person underneath. This man is naked and unclothed, uncontrollable, living in tombs and screaming and cutting himself. No matter how much he breaks physical chains placed on him, he is unable to break Satan’s chains upon him. He also socially ostracized - living among the dead and near pigs means he would be “ritually unclean” and thus ostracized from any and all community from people who could help him. But there IS hope for this man. When he saw Jesus, everything about him changes in an instant. The demons recognize Jesus and the power dynamic changes. The demons immediately send the man to the ground on his face, acknowledge his authority in desperation. They know Jesus has the power to torment them. The forces that torment you and your family… they know Jesus’s name and His title and His power. Make no mistake - Jesus already knows the demons name. He gets the demons to acknowledge “you can have demons with the force of Rome’s armies, but all Jesus’ needs is a word to destroy them.” Jesus’ power is insurmountable. The demons don’t even try to fight Him. This is the power of the One who walks with you, fights for you, who stands with you, who sets you free, if only you ask Him. When people saw the man, they were afraid, and seized with great fear. Fear can lead to reverence, but fear can also read to rejection. And we see that within the people of this city. When the pigs run off the cliff - that is a huge commercial disruption. Sometimes when Christ comes to your life, your life turns upside down, sometimes we hate that disruption more than the freedom that comes with Jesus. But the demon possessed man has his dignity restored and his mind is sound. He wants to draw closer to the one who saved Him.

Sermon Notes: 4/27/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke 8:19-25 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Jesus carries power in His words. When we receive it, we be changed. When nature hears this word, it listens. Our sanctification, salvation, and our joy in life, depends on how we hear the word of God. The word of God carries power to build a new family. The word of God carries power to build peace from chaos. Even when His earthly family comes to greet Him, he points out that those hearing His words and following them, are made into new family members. And simultaneously, Jesus’ response is not a devaluing of His earthly family, but an elevation of His heavenly family. This is an incredible invitation! The power to make everyone, all the way from enemies, into family. When we receive Jesus by faith, we receive adoption into an eternal family - adopted as sons and daughters with a brotherhood in Jesus Christ. Hearing, and doing what He tells us to. The power of God’s word also brings peace to chaos. While crossing the water, they forgot who was in the boat with them. They forgot exactly who can stop the storm that they are in. And Jesus is completely unbothered by the storm. But the same God who said ”let there be light,” and the same God who parted the Red Sea with a word of Salvation, is the same God in this moment who rebukes the storm in this instance. This is the same force at play, when He speaks into your life. The power to change everything about your life. Faith is remembering who is in the boat with you.

Sermon Notes: 4/27/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke 8:19-25 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Jesus carries power in His words. When we receive it, we be changed. When nature hears this word, it listens. Our sanctification, salvation, and our joy in life, depends on how we hear the word of God. The word of God carries power to build a new family. The word of God carries power to build peace from chaos. Even when His earthly family comes to greet Him, he points out that those hearing His words and following them, are made into new family members. And simultaneously, Jesus’ response is not a devaluing of His earthly family, but an elevation of His heavenly family. This is an incredible invitation! The power to make everyone, all the way from enemies, into family. When we receive Jesus by faith, we receive adoption into an eternal family - adopted as sons and daughters with a brotherhood in Jesus Christ. Hearing, and doing what He tells us to. The power of God’s word also brings peace to chaos. While crossing the water, they forgot who was in the boat with them. They forgot exactly who can stop the storm that they are in. And Jesus is completely unbothered by the storm. But the same God who said ”let there be light,” and the same God who parted the Red Sea with a word of Salvation, is the same God in this moment who rebukes the storm in this instance. This is the same force at play, when He speaks into your life. The power to change everything about your life. Faith is remembering who is in the boat with you.

Sermon Notes: 4/20/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford John 20:24-30 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sometimes, the thing we are waiting for only happens after we leave. In this verse, Thomas misses something - he was not with the other disciples when Jesus came back. Thomas missed the appearance of Christ to the other disciples. So when they tell Thomas that, all he knew was the horrific death of Jesus. He saw it all. So when the disciples show back up, proclaiming Jesus to be alive, Thomas is incredulous. He was disappointed. Thomas thought the movement was over, now that its leader was killed. Thomas is not alone. We are all with him. Thomas is wrestling with profound and deep disappointment. Thomas left everything when he saw Jesus preaching on a boat, silencing the winds and waves, and healings. He had no doubt that Jesus was the One… But Jesus died. He was disappointed because of the saw the Lord die, and Thomas’ future died with Him. And we suffer that grief all the time when we lose anything in this life. So, it’s not surprising that Thomas doubts in this moment. His hope has died. But in this moment, Thomas is restored. The doubter has doubts, but doubts have no chance against a resurrected savior. In His grace, Jesus shows up again and gives Thomas the chance to prove for himself that Christ had resurrected. Jesus meets Thomas where he is - in his doubt and despair - and shows him the truth. Jesus knows the source of your doubt, and comes to meet you right there. And Thomas calls Jesus “my Lord, and my God.” All the doubts that Thomas has are destroyed, as he proclaims Jesus as God. Lord means master. My God means Thomas is calling Jesus the Creator. Thomas trusts in the destiny that Jesus has laid out for him. If The Resurrection is real, then Christ is God. And if Christ is God, He has promised you salvation if you trust in Him.

Sermon Notes: 4/20/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford John 20:24-30 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sometimes, the thing we are waiting for only happens after we leave. In this verse, Thomas misses something - he was not with the other disciples when Jesus came back. Thomas missed the appearance of Christ to the other disciples. So when they tell Thomas that, all he knew was the horrific death of Jesus. He saw it all. So when the disciples show back up, proclaiming Jesus to be alive, Thomas is incredulous. He was disappointed. Thomas thought the movement was over, now that its leader was killed. Thomas is not alone. We are all with him. Thomas is wrestling with profound and deep disappointment. Thomas left everything when he saw Jesus preaching on a boat, silencing the winds and waves, and healings. He had no doubt that Jesus was the One… But Jesus died. He was disappointed because of the saw the Lord die, and Thomas’ future died with Him. And we suffer that grief all the time when we lose anything in this life. So, it’s not surprising that Thomas doubts in this moment. His hope has died. But in this moment, Thomas is restored. The doubter has doubts, but doubts have no chance against a resurrected savior. In His grace, Jesus shows up again and gives Thomas the chance to prove for himself that Christ had resurrected. Jesus meets Thomas where he is - in his doubt and despair - and shows him the truth. Jesus knows the source of your doubt, and comes to meet you right there. And Thomas calls Jesus “my Lord, and my God.” All the doubts that Thomas has are destroyed, as he proclaims Jesus as God. Lord means master. My God means Thomas is calling Jesus the Creator. Thomas trusts in the destiny that Jesus has laid out for him. If The Resurrection is real, then Christ is God. And if Christ is God, He has promised you salvation if you trust in Him.

Sermon Notes: 4/13/25 Pastor: Corey Deyamport Luke 8:4-15 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Jesus is asking each of us, can you hear me? Because not all hearts can hear clearly. Christ calls us to examine how we receive God’s word. This passage shows us three different things we're going to examine: Seed and Soil of the Heart. The ear that hears. The heart that obeys. In this parable, we have seed falling along different types of soil. Jesus reveals to the disciples that the seed is the word of God. The word of God can land on different types of hearts. The “path” is the hardened heart. A persons heart can be hardened by pride or indifference, and in that situation, the devil takes seed so it cannot sprout. The rocky ground is those who make a quick confession of faith, but when hardship comes, they fall away. The relationship with Christ isn’t there. Thorny ground is a distracted heart. The seed sprouts, but they mix self-interest and God. They are distracted by what the flesh demands. The Good Soil is a heart who not just hears the word, but retains the word. Not just an emotional response, BUT genuine commitment to the Lord. But ALL of us have a heart problem. None of us is righteous. All of us have all 4 soils within us. Left to ourselves, we would all distort God’s word. Is your passion for God being suffocated by business? Or Hardness? Regardless, Jesus extends an offer for you to lay your burdens upon Him. We can cling to Jesus and he will clear those thorns, and soften that soil. We may not be demon possessed like some, but we face the same enemy and need the same act of salvation from Christ. What happens after He saves you? We follow. Worship, to devotion, to practical service. When we respond to Jesus’s message, it is shined outwardly. And points those who see it back to Him.

Sermon Notes: 4/13/25 Pastor: Corey Deyamport Luke 8:4-15 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Jesus is asking each of us, can you hear me? Because not all hearts can hear clearly. Christ calls us to examine how we receive God’s word. This passage shows us three different things we're going to examine: Seed and Soil of the Heart. The ear that hears. The heart that obeys. In this parable, we have seed falling along different types of soil. Jesus reveals to the disciples that the seed is the word of God. The word of God can land on different types of hearts. The “path” is the hardened heart. A persons heart can be hardened by pride or indifference, and in that situation, the devil takes seed so it cannot sprout. The rocky ground is those who make a quick confession of faith, but when hardship comes, they fall away. The relationship with Christ isn’t there. Thorny ground is a distracted heart. The seed sprouts, but they mix self-interest and God. They are distracted by what the flesh demands. The Good Soil is a heart who not just hears the word, but retains the word. Not just an emotional response, BUT genuine commitment to the Lord. But ALL of us have a heart problem. None of us is righteous. All of us have all 4 soils within us. Left to ourselves, we would all distort God’s word. Is your passion for God being suffocated by business? Or Hardness? Regardless, Jesus extends an offer for you to lay your burdens upon Him. We can cling to Jesus and he will clear those thorns, and soften that soil. We may not be demon possessed like some, but we face the same enemy and need the same act of salvation from Christ. What happens after He saves you? We follow. Worship, to devotion, to practical service. When we respond to Jesus’s message, it is shined outwardly. And points those who see it back to Him.

Sermon Notes: 4/6/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke 7:36-50 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The importance of the person coming to your home, often dictates the way the home is prepared. In these verses we have a Pharisee - a man who is an expert rule follower. The woman - who is such a sinner she has no name, no title, and her sin would be so great, that she’s aware of her own sin. And Christ, simply put, is God. And in this text, we see three things: The Christ who drawn near The Christ who cancels debt The Christ who we embrace by faith. The Pharisee is uncomfortable with the woman in his home, due to her sin. But Christ gives time to both of them. As the Pharisee invites Christ to his home, Christ invites the Pharisee to fellowship, because he is the Christ who draws near. He is the God who draws near to the self-righteous, but also the abject sinner. Christ calls them and all between. There is no lengths that he cannot cross to get to you, despite how far gone you feel like you are. The Pharisee was so focused on who Christ was with - the sinner - he missed exactly who Christ was. But her sight was fixed on Christ, attempting to get as humbly close to Him as possible. But even in our self-righteousness, Christ engages with us, as he does with Simon, with the story. Christ gives Simon, the Pharisee, an example he cannot ignore. The one who is forgiven more is the one who loves the most. The one who doesn’t understand their debt, cannot understand the depth of their need of forgiveness. When we don’t understand and our own need, our service to Jesus will waver. And here we see the woman, rushing to Jesus’ feet, wiping his feet with her tears and unbound hair (a symbol of humility). Faith was the act of washing Jesus’ feet. A woman was moved to act in favor of Jesus, despite the fact that she would not be welcome in the place where He was at. Faith says “I just gotta get to Jesus, despite everything around me.” Faith is also whatever that moves us to bring our best gift. When we truly understand our need, and how Jesus meets our needs, we give everything we have. Faith is also the weeping at the grace and the gratitude we have to just be in the presence of Jesus. And if we don’t understand our need, we won’t cry at our need. Faith fills us with gratitude, that we’ve been found by God. But faith also fills us with humility - the humility to unbind our hair, and wash the feet of Jesus with it. Simply put, the strength of our faith is reflected in the depth of our understanding of our need.

Sermon Notes: 4/6/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke 7:36-50 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . The importance of the person coming to your home, often dictates the way the home is prepared. In these verses we have a Pharisee - a man who is an expert rule follower. The woman - who is such a sinner she has no name, no title, and her sin would be so great, that she’s aware of her own sin. And Christ, simply put, is God. And in this text, we see three things: The Christ who drawn near The Christ who cancels debt The Christ who we embrace by faith. The Pharisee is uncomfortable with the woman in his home, due to her sin. But Christ gives time to both of them. As the Pharisee invites Christ to his home, Christ invites the Pharisee to fellowship, because he is the Christ who draws near. He is the God who draws near to the self-righteous, but also the abject sinner. Christ calls them and all between. There is no lengths that he cannot cross to get to you, despite how far gone you feel like you are. The Pharisee was so focused on who Christ was with - the sinner - he missed exactly who Christ was. But her sight was fixed on Christ, attempting to get as humbly close to Him as possible. But even in our self-righteousness, Christ engages with us, as he does with Simon, with the story. Christ gives Simon, the Pharisee, an example he cannot ignore. The one who is forgiven more is the one who loves the most. The one who doesn’t understand their debt, cannot understand the depth of their need of forgiveness. When we don’t understand and our own need, our service to Jesus will waver. And here we see the woman, rushing to Jesus’ feet, wiping his feet with her tears and unbound hair (a symbol of humility). Faith was the act of washing Jesus’ feet. A woman was moved to act in favor of Jesus, despite the fact that she would not be welcome in the place where He was at. Faith says “I just gotta get to Jesus, despite everything around me.” Faith is also whatever that moves us to bring our best gift. When we truly understand our need, and how Jesus meets our needs, we give everything we have. Faith is also the weeping at the grace and the gratitude we have to just be in the presence of Jesus. And if we don’t understand our need, we won’t cry at our need. Faith fills us with gratitude, that we’ve been found by God. But faith also fills us with humility - the humility to unbind our hair, and wash the feet of Jesus with it. Simply put, the strength of our faith is reflected in the depth of our understanding of our need.

This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org

This is the full collection of sermons preached at City Light Church in Vicksburg, MS. For more information on the church and its ministries, please visit citylightvicksburg.org

Sermon Notes: 3/23/25 Pastor: Corey Deyamport Luke 7: 18-35 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . In this text, we see a man struggling with his expectations. There are some times that Jesus’s action or inaction does not feel like what He’s promised. But make no mistake, Jesus is the One. He is control. And in this text, John’s expectation of Jesus was challenged when he was left in jail for probably months. Looking back, just a few verses ago, we see read that Jesus raised the dead. Sometimes when we see these stories we often ask if Jesus has the ability to raise the dead, why hasn’t He raised the dead in my life? So when John asks Jesus, “are you the one?” It is not unfounded. Now, John was not shaky in his belief. He was such a staunch supporter of Jesus but even he, when faced with jail time, even he finds himself questioning. So many people are experiencing freedom with Jesus, while John is sitting in jail. John’s doubt wasn’t unbelief. It was struggling with unfulfilled expectations. So when he asked Jesus, “are you Him?” Jesus’s answer was to heal many. He doesn’t just give John’s disciples words to bring back. He gives them examples and Jesus’ examples are actual prophecies said about the messiah. By pointing to these actions - Jesus is saying “yes.” It just doesn’t look like what you wanted. And Jesus gives us a word: “blessed are those that are not offended by me.” John’s expectations of Jesus were different. And Jesus tells him that those who don’t fall away, and those who trust, are blessed. Jesus does not rebuke or belittle him for his questions. Take heart! Even in our expectations and our doubts, Jesus still loves us and plans good for us. And even further, Jesus affirms and uplifts John in public. So we should not discount our role in God’s plan when we have doubts. Don’t forget your privilege in Christ. The power and Glory of the resurrection that lives in you. You serve a God who is big enough for your questions and to answer them gracefully. Yes there will be times when His Will won’t match our expectations. But His ways are higher and better. And He has involved us in His kingdom.

Sermon Notes: 3/23/25 Pastor: Corey Deyamport Luke 7: 18-35 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . In this text, we see a man struggling with his expectations. There are some times that Jesus’s action or inaction does not feel like what He’s promised. But make no mistake, Jesus is the One. He is control. And in this text, John’s expectation of Jesus was challenged when he was left in jail for probably months. Looking back, just a few verses ago, we see read that Jesus raised the dead. Sometimes when we see these stories we often ask if Jesus has the ability to raise the dead, why hasn’t He raised the dead in my life? So when John asks Jesus, “are you the one?” It is not unfounded. Now, John was not shaky in his belief. He was such a staunch supporter of Jesus but even he, when faced with jail time, even he finds himself questioning. So many people are experiencing freedom with Jesus, while John is sitting in jail. John’s doubt wasn’t unbelief. It was struggling with unfulfilled expectations. So when he asked Jesus, “are you Him?” Jesus’s answer was to heal many. He doesn’t just give John’s disciples words to bring back. He gives them examples and Jesus’ examples are actual prophecies said about the messiah. By pointing to these actions - Jesus is saying “yes.” It just doesn’t look like what you wanted. And Jesus gives us a word: “blessed are those that are not offended by me.” John’s expectations of Jesus were different. And Jesus tells him that those who don’t fall away, and those who trust, are blessed. Jesus does not rebuke or belittle him for his questions. Take heart! Even in our expectations and our doubts, Jesus still loves us and plans good for us. And even further, Jesus affirms and uplifts John in public. So we should not discount our role in God’s plan when we have doubts. Don’t forget your privilege in Christ. The power and Glory of the resurrection that lives in you. You serve a God who is big enough for your questions and to answer them gracefully. Yes there will be times when His Will won’t match our expectations. But His ways are higher and better. And He has involved us in His kingdom.

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: 3/9/25 Pastor: Brian Crawford Luke: 6: 46-49 . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . You truly follow, who you truly belong to. Your life is truly only as strong as your foundation. The flesh, the devil and the world does everything it can to distract us from these two points. We are constantly bombarded to take the edge off of what Jesus is saying. “Why do you call me Lord, when you don’t do what I tell you?” In this scripture, we have two different groups - there were people there who wanted to just be with Jesus. But there were also people who just wanted his power. But Jesus is calling us to follow and to submit. And he calls out the craziness of calling Him Master, while not actually following Him like a Master. What areas of your life have you acknowledged the Lord’s authority, but you refuse to submit to Him there. This is not just a statement of authority, but one of belonging. He’s not just Master because He has the power to do anything. But He's the Master because He has paid the price to be called that. Why do we obey when we are called to hard obedience? Because he has bought us with His life. We shouldn’t just call Him Lord, Lord, but we should submit to Him as Lord, Lord, because he paid for us. We are truly recognizing His authority, when we are completely committed to submitting to that authority. If our dogs can recognize our authority, we can certainly recognize the authority of the God of the universe who paid for us. And your life is truly only as strong as your foundation. When we listen to and follow the words of the Lord, we are building our stability in our lives and in Heaven. You cannot build the second story of a house before you build the first, and the foundation must come before that. You don’t build shallow, you build deep - and that’s what listening to the words of our Lord does. Listening to Jesus is a journey of depth. It absolutely can be work and hard, but it’s worth it. There’s two floods that are coming. The flood of this life - as this life throws pain and suffering and instability. That’s one reason why you dig. But the biggest flood is the flood of judgement - a flood of fire and judgement. And if you have only acknowledged Jesus as “Lord Lord” but you have not submitted, then you have not built your house on true solid foundation. And we risk being swept away in judgement. Now, are we saved by grace alone? YES. But grace never comes alone. If your life never shows any changes that come with submission to the Lord of the universe, then have you built your foundation deep enough to keep your house up when the flood comes? These false sands cannot hold your eternity. So instead, we must build our life on the rock of Jesus Christ.