New City Church podcast

We live in a world where everyone strives for peace. It's a word most often used during the Christmas season. As we look into the true meaning of peace considering the advent series, Pastor Joel Littlefield points us to Scripture where we are told of the birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.  

As we look at this subject of joy considering Advent, in light of the waiting and the anticipation they felt, we’re drawn to this reality found only in the Gospel, that just as hope was a possession for those who trusted the promise of God, so is Joy.

The season of advent is for remembering the hundreds of years that passed from the first promise God made to rescue his people from sin and judgement, till the arrival of Jesus, when all that was necessary for redemption was provided in the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of the Son of God.

Callie Littlefield shares her heart for the orphan as well as practical ways the Church can get involved. Then pastor Joel shares a message called "Once an Orphan, Now a Child of God" from Ephesians 1.

What should grace look like in a local church? 

True faith in Christ, the kind the Bible teaches, has no unnecessary yoke of burden, but rather brings cleansing of the heart, freedom and joy.

Opposition is a true test of one’s missional focus. As you will discover when you look at the story of Scripture, when God’s people advance, opposition rises. It's no different for the Christian today. Through faith in the Gospel we have strength to persevere. 

Our greatest enemy, sin, is defeated by the power of God displayed through humility.

In part 4 of this new series Pastor Joel takes a look at how Jesus served us, ultimately at the cross, and how we should serve one another. 

Guest speaker, Pastor Barry Murry, preaching a message in our "Like Jesus" series called, Give Like Jesus. As Christians we are to be givers. It's not about money, or any one thing. It's about our whole lives modeling the true Giver, Jesus Christ. We are to be, like Paul, and like Christ, poured out as a drink offering for the sake of the Gospel and for others. 

A new 5 part series called, Like Jesus. Are you like Jesus? You probably fall short like all of us do.  As we examine His perfect character in this study we're asking God to transform us to be more like Him. And we're believing the Gospel, that though we are imperfect and fall short, He gives us His righteousness through faith in what He did for us. 

In this message Pastor Eric preached on another evidence of the new birth (regeneration), the Christian's love for God with the whole being. 

The Justified sinner is on the way to glory, no longer guilty, but FREE, and at peace.

Many hear the word, missions, and are overwhelmed by thoughts of fear, unpreparedness and lack of confidence. Here in Acts 13, we’re getting to see another aspect of God’s mission and how He calls people like you and me to face opposition for the sake of the Gospel and the glory of God. If you’ve committed your life to following Jesus as Lord and Savior, if you're a disciple, then you ARE a missionary.

Pastor Eric takes the congregation through several passages of 1 John to show the importance of the Christian walking in obedience. 

People who criticize to tear down forget the essence of the Gospel altogether, that none of us deserve grace, all of us deserve hell, and yet, Christ died for us.

“Christian” leaders are swaying people to turn from orthodox truths about God to a largely make-believe picture of God, and in the process, abandon fundamental Christian doctrines like sin, substitutional atonement, and the existence of Hell. We must not be swayed. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

“Once you choose Christ, you must choose His people too. it’s a package deal. Choose the Father and the Son, and you have to choose the whole family – which you do through a local church.” -Leeman

The goal with this message is to convince all you from the Scriptures that because your faith is in Christ you are a valued member of Christ’s body, and absolutely necessary for the Kingdom.

What is dearest to each of us; more than money, more than relationships, more than education or health? It's our self. It is the sinful, willful self that stands in opposition to following and loving Jesus with all our hearts.  Jesus is telling us that to be his followers something has to die, because the very one we’re choosing to follow HAD to be rejected and die.  This is fundamentally different than the “Jesus will fix all your problems” gospel.

The only hope for motherhood, or anyone for that matter, is to find your identity and worth in the Father who loves you and gave His Son for you.  

We're addressing a series of lies that people often believe, whether within or outside of the Church. In part 1 we're looking at lies we believe about God. The lie is, "Jesus is not enough." The Bible teaches us that Jesus, the God-man, God in human flesh is THE preeminent one. He is THE Supreme glory and reason for our existence.He is enough.

Every time Jesus went out of His way to speak to those who the society deemed less and unworthy he was mirroring for us what the Gospel does in and through us. Who in your life right now would God say as He did to Peter, "Make haste and accompany them without hesitation?" Is there a neighbor you’ve never met or a family you’ve never had for dinner? For Peter this prejudice was a heart issue that only Jesus could cure. What is that place, or person, or family or nation that you see in such a way that it keeps you from them, that you may need to repent of right now?

Peter had witnessed the love, compassion, power and authority of Jesus. He had seen Him with broken people. He’s seen him go off and pray to the Father to receive strength. And Peter, only a man, but filled with the Spirit, is traveling all over Israel and visiting saints in every town. As he’s walking in faith God is opening doors to show His power in people’s lives.  

Believers multiplied. Peace multiplied. Joy in God multiplied because the disciples were telling the world that Jesus defeated sin and darkness at the cross and is the only way to God. Opposition will not stop. Life will not stop. But there is comfort for us in the Holy Spirit. Not ease. Comfort. Comfort that keeps us pressing for Kingdom growth in this dark world.  

In order to unite His people to himself sin and death had to be conquered, stood upon and crushed. His death absorbed the punishment we deserved, dealing with the penalty and power of sin, and His resurrection solidified His victory and his claims. Through faith in His death a man can be raised together and united with Him in new life.

Without Christ you have no power over sin and temptation. As often as you fail to be intentional about fleeing from sin and being prepared for every temptation, that is how often the Devil will strike to deceive you and take your focus from Christ.

Whether we are the ones forgiving a wrong, or the ones in need of forgiveness today, the greater issue is that you and I have trespassed against God, and if not pardoned, owe God a greater debt than what we could ever owe to anyone.

In part three of "Teach us to Pray" we're looking at Jesus's words, "Give us this day our daily bread." To say “Give” is not to demand from God. It’s a humble request. Whether it’s for food or clothing or some other daily provision, we come at His mercy. And whether He gives or not, whether He gives when we ask for it or later than expected, He knows what we need before we ask.

In this new 5 part series from Matthew 6:5-14 called, "Teach us to Pray", we're taking a look at how Jesus taught His disciples to pray. In part one, As Children of a Holy God, we're reminded that as children of God through faith we can approach Him as a loving Father, without losing our reverence for His holiness.

Every conversion is miraculous because it is God who does the work of saving us. God's saving grace is always flowing on those whom He is drawing to Himself.

After Stephen's death, Saul continued to ravage the Church. During this time the church scattered and so did the gospel. Philip became the first to take the gospel to a non-Jewish people group. The city was transformed and joy increased as they believed the Word.

By the grace and power of God, Stephen, the Church's first martyr, stood boldly before his accusers, proclaimed Christ from the Old Testament, preached the Gospel with confidence, forgave his enemies and beheld the glory of Christ at the hour of his death. From this we learn, not so much to be like Stephen, but to trust in Christ who gives every believer the grace and power to do all He has called us to do in this life.

Good leadership and delegation in the local Church is necessary in order to overcome the challenges that arise from good growth.  We took a look at that subject this week in Acts chapter 6.

We continue our study through the book of Acts on Sundays. Consider the centrality of teaching in the life of the early Church.  If you’re in Christ - not a genius, not a prodigy, not only pastors and preachers – All of you who trust Jesus for salvation, find someone to teach the "words of this life."

There is no greater love than the Love of God. And there is no greater proof of that love than the Son of God, born into this world to live, suffer, die and rise again for sinners like you and me. Take a listen to this short sermon entitled, You Are Loved. It's a story about the love of God.

Malachi, the last prophet before John the Baptist, speaks to rebellious Israel of the coming Redeemer. Malachi 4:2  “For you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”  And then a 400 year period of silence.

We hope you are blessed by our advent series this Christmas season. Let's look, together, towards the promises, the hope, and the anticipation surrounding the birth of Christ.

We hope you are blessed by our advent series this Christmas season. Let's look, together, towards the promises, the hope, and the anticipation surrounding the birth of Christ.

People may not always be able to pinpoint that it’s Jesus you’ve been with, but may they recognize that your life, your words and power is not your own. When the opportunity comes, ask the Spirit for boldness to speak His name. God will use you, yes you, to transform lives for eternity.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is still the reason for our hope today. It is still the guarantee of a future and eternity with Christ. He restores our inner being from death to life through faith, but also promises an eternity with him in a world where all things will be restored!

Only God exists eternally glorious, holy, incomprehensibly beautiful, mighty and majestic; and none of His glory was given to him. God alone deserves our worship and our awe. All glory is due His name.

The once delivered Gospel of Jesus Christ was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, through the chosen witnesses of Christ, His apostles. Everything after that by way of teaching, counsels, church fathers, traditions and practices are to come under the authority and rule of Scripture in its entirety.

All major religions, ideas and philosophies claim a founder or prophet who says, 'I’ll show you how to get to “god”'. Only Jesus came from heaven claiming to be the very God who made everything. He didn’t just say, "let me help you find God". He said, “I came to seek and to save that which is lost.”

Pastor Barry Murry from Redemption Hill Community in Lewiston, Maine, shares from the Word for part 2 of our Five Solas series, the doctrine of justification through faith alone. Romans 5:1-11

500 years ago Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the castle church door in Wittenburg. From Luther and other prominent church reformers came a summary of biblical truths known today as the Five Solas of the Reformation. New City Church affirms these truths, including the doctrine of salvation by Grace Alone.

Being devoted to the breaking of bread was more than just keeping a tradition. It was devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ and a proclamation of His death till He comes. When we break bread together today, let it be with an honest examination of the heart through prayer, self-reflection and repentance.

The early Church was devoted to fellowship. They knew based on the Word of God what it was meant to be. Fellowship within the Church is first based upon our relationship with God through the reconciling work of the cross. Only when we embrace this will all other relationships within the Church flourish.

What are you devoted to today? Are those things helping you grow in Christ? Is there a sure foundation being laid so that you might endure the storms of life? This four part series is a focused look at Acts 2:42 and what the early disciples of Jesus devoted their whole lives to. The Apostles teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers. These are the four pillars of the Church.

God's redemptive purpose through His Church is to bring the message of the Gospel to every nation. He has given us His Spirit for this very purpose, that through His power we would be bold to speak the name of Jesus to everyone, even those who are different than we are. At the end of the day it's all about maximum effectiveness for Kingdom growth and a great harvest of souls from every tribe, nation and tongue.

What did Jesus mean when He said "You will do greater works than me"? Find out when you listen to part 3 of our series on the Holy Spirit: In The Church