Grace City Church

Jesus didn't simply save us for the future. He invites us to participate in His Kingdom now. Through intercession, healing, and miracles, we see a God who listens, restores, and intervenes. Join us as we conclude our series on the gifts of the Spirit by exploring what it means to live in the power of Jesus today.

This week on The Follow Up, we're going deeper on the two gifts Brian called “gifts that perceive” — discernment of spirits and the gift of faith. We talk through what it actually looks like when someone discerns something about a person or situation, and why the real question isn't what did you see but what do you do with it. We unpack the difference between genuine discernment and a critical spirit — why one serves the body and the other tears it down — and how love is the only thing that keeps these gifts from becoming weapons. Then we turn to faith: not saving faith, not the fruit of faithfulness, but the Spirit-given ability to look directly at impossibility and still hold to the promise. We wrestle with Hebrews 11:39 — the faith hall of fame for people who never received what was promised — and what that means for anyone staring down their own unanswered prayer.

What if you've been carrying a spiritual gift your whole life and never had a name for it?In this message, we explore two of the most underrated gifts of the Holy Spirit; the Gift of Discernment and the Gift of Faith. We break down the three domains of discernment (the Holy Spirit, the human spirit, and the demonic), what it looks like when discernment goes wrong, and why the church desperately needs people who can see clearly and act on what they see.We also unpack the Gift of Faith, not saving faith, but the Spirit-given capacity to look directly at impossibility and still hold to the promise. From Abraham to George Müller, we trace what this gift looks like in real life and why every church needs people who carry it.These two gifts are not opposites. Discernment without faith produces cynicism. Faith without discernment produces naïveté. Together, they produce exactly the kind of person the body of Christ needs right now.

In this episode of Grace City Church's The Follow Up, Yasmin and Brian unpack the questions, tensions, and misconceptions surrounding one of the most debated spiritual gifts in the New Testament. From personal prayer language to public expression, from skepticism to spiritual hunger, we explore how the church can avoid both denial and disorder while pursuing discernment, maturity, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.We talk about:* Why has this gift caused so much confusion and division?* Can tongues be emotional, learned, or even abused?* How do we pursue spiritual gifts without hype or pressure?* What does a healthy, Spirit-filled church actually look like?Whether you're curious, cautious, skeptical, or hungry for more of God, this conversation aims to bring theological clarity, pastoral wisdom, and practical insight to a topic many Christians have questions about.

In this message from our “Gifts of the Spirit” series, we explore the biblical teaching on tongues, interpretation, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church.We talk about:What tongues is — and what it is notActs 2 and the outpouring of the SpiritPaul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 12–14Public vs. private expressions of tonguesWhy spiritual gifts are meant to build up the churchCommon misunderstandings and abusesHow to pursue the gifts with humility, discernment, and love.

Some of the most misunderstood gifts in the church are the ones that feel the most supernatural — and for good reason. In this episode, we dig into the Power Gifts: where they come from, why some traditions have set them aside, and what it actually looks like to move in them today.We open by tracing a bit of history — how certain gifts became sidelined in the church and why that matters now. From there, we ground the conversation in Jesus himself, who modeled what it looks like to minister fully empowered by the Holy Spirit throughout his earthly life.Then we get into the questions people are actually asking: What's the difference between prophecy and a word of knowledge? If you sense something from God, what do you do with it? And how do we stay spiritually grounded when the supernatural is so often counterfeited in our culture?Whether you've experienced these gifts firsthand or you're still figuring out what to make of them, this conversation is for you — practical, biblical, and honest about the tension.

In this message, we explore what the Bible actually teaches about prophecy, spiritual gifts, and hearing from the Holy Spirit. Looking at passages from 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Acts 20-21, we unpack the difference between revelation, interpretation, and communication—and why healthy prophetic culture requires humility, accountability, discernment, and love.

This week Max and Yasmin talk about what happens when spiritual gifts stop competing and start complementing. They dive into leadership, pastoring, and evangelism from Sunday's sermon on the Word gifts.

Every follower of Jesus has been given something — a spiritual gift that the church desperately needs. In Part 2 of our series on Word gifts, we explore three of the most misunderstood gifts in the body of Christ: Leadership, Shepherding, and Evangelism. What does kingdom leadership actually look like? Who carries the shepherd's assignment? And why does evangelism make so many church people uncomfortable? This message is an invitation to stop sitting on the sidelines and step into what the Spirit has entrusted to you.

Yasmin and Brian sit down to discuss how most Christians say they want to be used by God, but many live like spectators instead of participants. In this episode, we unpack the disconnect between desire and action, and how a consumer mindset quietly shapes the church. We dive into stewarding spiritual gifts: especially teaching, encouragement, and apostolic calling, and the responsibility that comes with them. What does it look like to grow your gift, not just use it? How do you pursue transformation over content? And how do you actually ask God to move in and through your life? This is an invitation to step off the sidelines and into the life you were called to live.

Some gifts serve. Some demonstrate power. But some speak—and when they do, everything changes. In this talk, Pastor Brian breaks down the Word Gifts and how they help people understand truth, stay in the fight, and step into what God is calling them toward. If you've ever wondered how God might use your voice, this is for you.

Brian and David sit down to talk about the stewardship of the love gifts in the Church today.

In this episode of The Pray.Boston Podcast, Brian talks with Sam Gibson from Church of the City New York and pray.nyc. Sam has a history of building cultures of prayer in a variety of contexts, and carries a desire to create pathways to help people grow in prayer and intercession. Sam offers a picture of what he is witnessing in New York City, and shares a vision of what is possible when the altars of the heart, city, and region are rebuilt.

What categories of gifts exist? What are the love gifts? How do I know if I have them?

Yasmin and Brian talk about the importance of growing in both spiritual gifting and character, and the ways that God honors hunger.

Aaron teaches from 1 Corinthians 13 about the essential context for the Spiritual Gifts: Love. From Exodus descriptions of the ephod to identifying our superiority or inferiority complex, Aaron shows how we prepare for Spiritual Gifts by beginning with the love of Jesus.

Why are we hesitant to approach the Gifts of the Holy Spirit? What should we be cautious about when asking for the Spiritual Gifts?

Why did Jesus send the Holy Spirit instead of staying with the Church? What does Scripture say about the Holy Spirit's power and gifts?

David and Brian sit down to discuss the importance and implications of the resurrection of Jesus.

What does the historical evidence show about the resurrection of Jesus? If the resurrection is true, what does that mean for us?

Yasmin and Brian talk about Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and why we need to receive him rightly for who He actually is - as Savior and as King - rather than the version that fits what we want Him to be.

Pastor Brian teaches from Luke 19:28-48 and discusses the need for a response to who Jesus is. What does it mean to respond to Jesus as King and not just as a Savior? What does the crowd, pharisees and Jesus say about Jesus's Entry into Jerusalem?

The Parable of the Vineyard OwnerHow does the Severity of God show us His kindness? David teaches about this Parable of Jesus and how it reveals God's Justice, Discipline and Kindness.

Yasmin and Max sit down to dive deeper into Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. They explore the freedom found in receiving God's love rather than trying to earn it.

What does Jesus teach us through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector? What can we learn from the tax collector's posture in prayer?

Brian and David talk The Parables of the lost things in Luke 15, and how this teaching should prompt us to consider the love of God and respond in celebration and worship - even worship that is considered unreasonable.

What do the three “lost” parables teach us about God? What implications do have for our church? How does the image of a running father influence our worship?

Max and Brian sit down to discuss, why is control such a dominating factor within our lives and what can we do about it.

Why does controlling through ability and accumulation ultimately fail us? What do we receive when we give up control?

Why does confession feel so difficult when it actually brings life? What is the difference between legalism and consecration? How do we bear our cross daily in our modern lives?

Each of us must answer the question, “Who do we believe Jesus is?” Everything flows from that answer.

Why is confession and repentance so necessary? What does God warn against?

What does it look like to continue the healing ministry of Jesus? Why do we continue to ask? Is there a right way to approach healing prayers?

Does the healing ministry of Jesus continue through us? What does it look like to pray for healing?

What does it mean to be called by God? What can we learn from Jesus' call upon his disciples?

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? We take a look at Luke 5:1-11 to understand what it means to receive the love of Jesus, leave everything behind and follow him.

This episode continues our conversation around digital attention, discipleship, and the long-term formation happening beneath our habits. Rather than asking “Is technology good or bad?” we asked a deeper questions about spiritual formation: Who are we becoming?8 Reasons to Digitally Fast1. We want to set the pace2. We are not a product to be bought and sold3. We were made to create, not to consume4. Attention is our most precious stewardship5. Formation is always happening6. Love requires presence7. Limits are not punishment, they are protection8. We want to practice resistance in a culture of excessExample of a Family Digital Rule of Life:1. No phones in the bedroom2. No phones at the dinner table3. One shared screen-free night per week4. Screens are communal, not privateExample of an Individual Digital Rule of Life:1. Screen time is set for specific times2. No phone or computer past (8:00pm)3. No phone in the morning until after prayer and Bible time.4. No phone in the bathroom5. No email until (10:00am)6. No social media after (7:00pm)7. One intentional digital fasting day per weekMentioned Books:The Tech-Wise Family by Andy CrouchThe Digital Fast by Darren WhiteheadDigital Minimalism by Cal NewportThe Anxious Generation by Jonathan HeidtAmusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman

How is our technology forming us? How do we assess and address the addiction nature of technology? What does the Bible say about it?

Max and Brian sit down to discuss the baptism and wilderness temptation of Jesus. They discuss identity before activity, spiritual warfare following spirit baptism, and why we need the Word and Spirit.

Why did Jesus get baptized? What can we learn from Jesus's wilderness temptation?

Yasmin and Brian sit down to discuss how God uses wilderness seasons to form us before He entrusts us with influence.

What can we learn from John's life? In what ways are we to emulate his way of living?