Podcasts about pastor marshall

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 22, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Hosea 3-4. These chapters use Hosea's personal story to reflect His covenant love and the coming restoration through Jesus, the true and faithful Israel. We explore how prophetic language — from Hosea to Isaiah to Paul — reveals that faith in Jesus grafts believers into the the people of God and asks are we living in steadfast love, or have we let compromise and comfort erode our loyalty to God?

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 15, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Hosea 1-2. These chapters explore the powerful imagery of Hosea, where God calls the prophet to live out a parable of His relationship with unfaithful Israel—portrayed through Hosea's marriage to Gomer and their children, each symbolizing the nation's spiritual state. Despite Israel's betrayal, God promises redemption, transforming those who were "not my people" into His beloved through a new covenant fulfilled in Jesus. This prophecy lives on today as the church—Christ's bride—carries the mission forward, seeking the lost and embodying God's mercy and faithfulness.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 8, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Amos 8-9. These chapters end the book of Amos with a sobering call to repentance and a warning: Israel, having rejected God's repeated invitations, is now ripe for judgment. God condemns Israel for their exploitation of the poor and obsession with profit over worship, showing that His lordship encompasses every aspect of life. Yet, even in judgment, Amos offers hope — a vision of restoration through Christ, inviting all nations to join God's people.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | June 1, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Amos 6-7. These chapters explore a sobering message from a prophet sent to shake Israel from its spiritual slumber. At the heart of Amos' warning is a timeless truth: God will ultimately give people what they truly desire—even if it leads to their ruin. Through a raw look at Israel's craving for comfort, status, and self-indulgence, we explore how unchecked pride and greed spiral out of control, and how God's justice is revealed not by arbitrary punishment, but by handing people over to their choices.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | May 25, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Amos 5. This chapter confronts a prosperous yet spiritually complacent people who honored God outwardly through festivals and traditions but lacked true devotion and righteousness. Instead of seeking God, Israel placed their hope in historical places, religious rituals, and created things—leaving them vulnerable to judgment and spiritual emptiness. God's invitation is clear and urgent: "Seek Me and live" — through genuine inner faith and outward justice that reflects a life surrendered to Him.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | May 18, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Amos 3-4. These chapters reveal God's judgment against Israel's hypocrisy—highlighting their injustice, abuse, and hollow religious rituals. Through cause-and-effect imagery, Amos shows that closeness to God brings not only privilege but also greater accountability; rebellion leads to societal collapse, and even sacred places are torn down when true worship is replaced with shallow performance. Despite dire warnings, God pleads through Amos for repentance, urging both ancient Israel and modern believers to awaken, seek revival, and live with integrity before God.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | May 11, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Amos 1-2. Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa, delivered God's message of judgment against nations that prioritized power over people, focusing on their cruelty, exploitation, and injustice. Each "roar" of judgment highlights the consequences of mistreating others, with God opposing human pride and valuing how we treat one another more than our worldly accomplishments.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | May 4, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Jonah 3-4. Although Jonah obeyed God's command to preach in Nineveh, his heart remained hardened. God's mercy on Nineveh contrasts sharply with Jonah's lack of mercy, challenging believers to reflect on their willingness to forgive and extend grace. Ultimately, the book ends by turning the focus toward the reader, urging us to examine our hearts and how we treat others, especially those outside the faith.

Season 4, Episode 1 | Pastor Chad launches his study of Galatians, with Pastor Marshall, by reflecting on the importance of Paul's defense of the true gospel and his divine authority as an apostle. They draw connections between this letter and earlier biblical texts, emphasizing the early church's struggle to integrate Gentile believers without imposing Jewish customs. Together, the pastors highlight the rich theological depth in Paul's greeting of “grace and peace,” underscoring that the Christian life—both in understanding and practice—must flow from God's grace, the finished work of Christ, and the peace we now have with God.

Pastor Marshall ochs | April 27, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Jonah 1-2. Jonah runs from God's command to preach to Nineveh, showing how inner rebellion creates outward turmoil. Even surrounded by praying pagans, Jonah refuses to pray until he hits rock bottom inside a fish—where he finally surrenders in prayer, leading to restoration and a second chance. The central theme is clear: no matter how far you run, the way back is always through honest, surrendered prayer.

Pastor Marshall ochs | April 13, 2025Palm Sunday marks Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where He rode in on a donkey to crowds celebrating Him as a warrior king — but He came not for battle, but to inspect His people, His “garden,” for spiritual fruit. Drawing from Isaiah 5 and Matthew 21, we see how Jesus, like the gardener in the parables, found His vineyard producing rotten fruit, symbolizing Israel's unfaithfulness. The people expected liberation from Rome, but Jesus instead confronted corruption in the temple, emphasizing that His mission was spiritual renewal, not political rebellion. Just as Jesus inspected Jerusalem then, He now enters our hearts — and we must ask what kind of fruit He will find there.

Pastor Marshall ochs | April 13, 2025Palm Sunday marks Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where He rode in on a donkey to crowds celebrating Him as a warrior king — but He came not for battle, but to inspect His people, His “garden,” for spiritual fruit. Drawing from Isaiah 5 and Matthew 21, we see how Jesus, like the gardener in the parables, found His vineyard producing rotten fruit, symbolizing Israel's unfaithfulness. The people expected liberation from Rome, but Jesus instead confronted corruption in the temple, emphasizing that His mission was spiritual renewal, not political rebellion. Just as Jesus inspected Jerusalem then, He now enters our hearts — and we must ask what kind of fruit He will find there.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | March 30, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Titus 3. This chapter emphasizes that Christians should live lives marked by visible kindness, good works, and respectful behavior in the public square, not to earn salvation, but as a response to God's grace. Believers are reminded to be gentle, obedient, and ready to serve others, because they too were once lost and only saved through God's mercy, not their own merit. Ultimately, our conduct—how we speak, act, and serve—should testify that God is good and his word is true, making even simple greetings an opportunity to reflect Christ.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | March 23, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Titus 2. This chapter emphasizes that a strong church requires healthy households where all members—older men, older women, young women, and young men—live in alignment with sound doctrine through their actions. Paul contrasts the behavior of unfit teachers in the Cretan church with the example Titus should set, teaching that faith and works go hand in hand, and genuine faith produces a distinct, godly life. The Christian life should be a testimony to the truth of the gospel, with one's actions matching their beliefs to give credibility to their words and strengthen the church's witness to the world.

John 4:27-42,Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” I want you to imagine yourself walking down a hard-packed, weather-worn trail. An arid wilderness of dry, cracked earth all round you, the heat of the midday sun upon your skin. And a group of twelve Jewish men walking alongside you whose faces seem to all-too-closely match that of their surroundings — they too appear worn, vacant, and tired.You ask this group of 12 men where they've been traveling. They say they've been on a journey — one that had begun with a wedding up in Cana of Galilee — a most festive occasion, they say. From there, they'd traveled south to Jerusalem in Judea. After spending some time there, they'd begun their travel back up to Galilee, cutting through Samaria on their way.Earlier that day they'd left their Rabbi back at Jacob's well to rest while they headed into town to buy bread — much needed sustenance for the remaining miles in front of them. And now, with Jacob's well just a few hundred yards out in front of them, and their master's form seated beside that well now visible just off in the distance, they were growing more and more eager to, at last, sit down, eat their bread, and rest.And then, they fall quiet. You assume it's because they're so sapped of strength. But a few minutes later, you look up, and discover their silence is owing to another reason. Before them stands their Rabbi, and he is no longer alone. A woman from Samaria is there as well. In this morning's text, we're going to cover the second half of this unexpected scene involving Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Last week, Pastor Marshall preached through part one involving the private conversation between Jesus and this woman. Today, we're going to walk through part two, which will have us looking on at this scene mainly through the eyes of the disciples. Along the way, we're going to see two ways Jesus uses this moment to invite his disciples — they and us included — to become even more like him. Let's pray and ask the Lord for his help.So, part two of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. And we're looking for two ways Jesus uses this moment to invite us to become even more like him. Let's begin with the first one — Jesus invites us to see as he sees.See What Jesus SeesSo, verse 27, the 12 disciples return to the well to find not Jesus alone, but Jesus and the Samaritan woman. And we shouldn't think it incredible that they find the Samaritan woman there. They are, after all, in Samaria. And while its true, most of the townspeople would've gone earlier that morning to draw water from the well, it's not unthinkable that at least one woman, especially one so socially despised and rejected as her, should've chosen to come to the well midday. However, what is unthinkable, is the fact that Jesus had not immediately turned his back to this woman upon her arrival. Jesus had not sneered at her, jumped to his feet, and stomped off in disgust. Instead, Jesus began conversing with her. He, a Jewish man, had turned his gaze upon her — a sin-stained, Samaritan woman.And when his disciples see that, they're stunned. Verse 27:“Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman.”They marveled. They wondered. They began thinking to themselves, “This is not a part of the plan. This is not the point of our travels. We are in Samaria, not because we're wanting to linger here, much less engage the Samaritan people in conversation. We're here to get in, get rest, and get out. Samaria is just a sidewalk to us — an unfortunate sidewalk, an unseemly sidewalk — but a sidewalk, nonetheless. And we mean to step over it as quickly as possible.” Well, you could imagine the awkward tension of that moment. I mean, the disciples are just standing there. Jesus and the Samaritan woman have wrapped up their conversation, and the disciples enter in, and just stand there. Silent. Stunned. Looking on in dislike and disbelief.And the Samaritan woman notices. In fact, my guess is that she took one look at the twelve tense, standoffish disciples and thought, “My, how astonishingly different they are from their master.” She sets down her water jar, turns around, and hurries back into town.Pause for a moment… How do we account for the disparity of that one moment? How do we explain the stark difference between Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman which had been so full of love and consideration and the disciples' interaction with her which had been so cold and disinterested?I mean, think about it, their entrance made the woman want to leave. Made her want to turn away. She took their arrival as her signal to exit the scene.And for all they know, she's headed right back to a life of shame, isolation, and unrelenting soul-level thirst. And the disciples don't run after her. They don't say, “Wait, come back, stay here with Jesus. You don't need to leave. We want you to stay. We want you to linger before the one who can help you, save you, satisfy you. You've found Jesus, don't walk away from him.” No, they don't say any of that to this woman, because they don't care two cents about this woman. “She's gone,” they think, “and so are our troubles. Now, Jesus, its time to eat.”How do you explain the incredible gap between Jesus' love for the Samaritan woman, and his disciples complete and total lack thereof? Well, I believe Jesus explains it for us in verse 35. We're skipping over a few lines that we'll get back to in a moment, but for now, take a look at verse 35. It is here, I believe, that Jesus exposes the problem:“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest?' Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.”Notice all the sight-related language in that sentence…“Look”“Lift up your eyes”“See.”Think about it… What is Jesus trying to teach here? What is Jesus trying to show? It's this: the disciples have a problem with their vision. A problem with their sight. Though they have begun to follow him, it appears they have not yet begun to see like him. For them, all they saw in the Samaritan woman was a nobody. A nuisance. A being not worth their time, or effort, or attention. They failed to see her as Jesus saw her.And so, now with the entire town of Samaria approaching — note how verse 30 says, they (the people of Samaria) went out of town and were coming to him. So we've got the entire town of Samaria approaching. And Jesus takes that as an opportunity to correct his disciples' vision. Verse 35,“Look, lift up your eyes, see that the fields are white for harvest.”“I want you to see,” Jesus is saying, “These Samaritans are not nobodies. They're not unimportant to me, or unimportant to my father. They're not people I want you to dismiss, or ignore, or avoid. They're the harvest. They're the prize. They're the yield we're here to receive. The exact harvest I've led us here to find. The exact harvest I've led us here to reap. Samaria is not our sidewalk, it's our mission field. Do you see? Look, lift up your eyes, can you see them, can you see them, how I see them?”Cities Church, when we look out at the world, out at the multitude of non-Christians all around us, do we see what Jesus sees?When we see our neighbors hanging out in the backyard together, or our co-workers typing on their laptops in the office, or our classmates walking by us in the hallway, or our family members seated next to us at the dinner table — do we see them, do we see those people, the way Jesus sees them?What if Jesus we're to say of us, friends — you're missing the harvest. You're ignoring the harvest. It's ready, it's ripe, I've prepared it, I've brought you here to find it and reap it — do you see it? Do you see it? Or, do you see a wasteland? An empty field? A sidewalk? A bunch of people who are quite simply not worth your time? If so, then we need to repent, and pray and commit to daily praying, “Jesus, make us to see the way you see. Help us to recognize the harvest field that is the world all around us. Help us to envision, if he were standing right beside us at work, or in the neighborhood, or at the dinner table, how you would care for, and speak to, and invite to drink and be satisfied. Help us to see as you see.” The first way Jesus invites us through this text to become even more like him — He invites us to begin seeing as he sees. See with eyes focused upon the harvest. Now, the second way Jesus invites us to become more like him. For this, we'll back up in the story to verse 31.Be Satisfied as Jesus Is SatisfiedThese are the first words the disciples speak upon their return to the well, just as soon as the Samaritan woman has left them. Verse 31: “Rabbi, eat.”We've brought back the bread — let's eat.And Jesus' response to them takes them a bit off guard. Verse 32:“But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.'”You know, I said that to Amelia once. I had packed a lunch for work but then left it in the fridge — you guys ever do that? Well, my wife felt terrible about that because she assumed it meant me taking on a full days' work on an empty stomach. I got home later that day and she said, “I'm so sorry I wasn't able to run your lunch up to you.” And I said, “it's okay, I have food to eat that you do not know about.” And it was true, I did. I had like half a dozen frozen burritos in the staff fridge at my disposal. I was good to go.It's a bit of a funny story, but I share it with you because when Jesus says this to his disciples, “I have food to eat that you do not know about,” his disciples assume something along the lines of burritos in the fridge. Like, perhaps he had an extra loaf of bread he'd been carrying around. Perhaps a passerby gave him some food while we were away. Or maybe one of the other disciples had given him something to eat prior to heading out into town. That's why in verse 33 they begin asking one another: “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” I mean, if Jesus says he has food, then he must've gotten it from somewhere.But the truth is, Jesus had not gotten his fill of bread. In fact, he had not taken in any physical food whatsoever. His stomach was just as empty in that moment as those of his disciples. But his soul was full!See, he had found sustenance at that well. He had found heart-enlivening provision while conversing with the Samaritan woman. He had enjoyed a feast — one that had satisfied his soul far more than any four-course dinner ever could. But what was that feast if not food? Verse 34,“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”My food is the joy-giving recognition of God's smile upon me as I carry out his will in the world. My food is to receive real, necessary sustenance through obedience to him.For no, just as Jesus said to Satan in the wilderness after being tempted to turn a stone into a meal, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” He's not trying to be cute in that moment. Not trying to be clever. In fact, he's quoting there from Deuteronomy 8:3, not because he's trying to be cute, or clever, but because he believes it! God designed us, you see, to crave a certain satisfaction that comes only from him and living for him, and crave it far more than we crave our bread and water. And security and rest.Obedience to God, living for God, going out to gather the harvest for God is literally God-given food for the soul. Jesus had come upon one of his Father's beloved — a woman dying of soul-level thirst. A woman who'd been drinking her entire life from wells that held no water. And he showed her where true life is found. He showed her where her thirst could be quenched. He made her alive! He made her to see! He saved her! He changed her life's trajectory for eternity. And in that moment, it did not matter that his stomach was still empty. His heart was full. His soul was full. He was full and well-satisfied.Do you believe that if you were to engage in the good work of the harvest — the good work of going out into the world to win people to Christ — that tiring as it may be, challenging as it could be, it would actually produce in you a sort of joy and fullness no amount of feasting and rest and relaxation ever could? Do you believe that?If you don't believe me, then take a stroll up and down Grand Avenue this afternoon, and meet the hundreds of people who walk these streets as men and woman living entirely for themselves and entirely for their comfort. They're in the prime of life, and in the greatest of health, and have the fullest of wallets and the most comfortable lifestyles — and they're empty, bored, and lifeless.Afterwards, get on a plane, travel to the most poverty-stricken, war-torn most hellish places on earth and find Christian missionaries there who could've lived on Grand Avenue, and could've chosen a life of comfort, and who gave up all the money they had in order to become poor, and hungry, and friends to all the needy souls around them, and find them to be tired, a bit worn down, and yet radiating with joy!Friends, have you been starving your souls of the much-needed sustenance found by those who seek after God's harvest? Have you — in your hurry, in your self-focus — been skipping meal after meal of hearty, filling, joy-giving ministry to others? Have you been fasting from the experience of God's smile upon those who do the work he prepared for you to do?The disciples had bread in that moment, I doubt they felt full. The woman had left her water jar, I doubt she felt thirsty. Jesus says, I believe in reference to the Samaritan woman, verse 36: “Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.”Jesus saw those Samaritans, those fields ready for harvest, and, O, it made his heart to swell. The Samaritan woman led all her townspeople toward Jesus, and O, how it made her soul glad. See, joy is being had, my brothers and sisters, by those who have entered into the good work of the harvest. By those who are bringing others to Jesus to drink their fill of living water. Joy — soul-sustaining, heart-filling, spirit-enlivening joy is being had by those who are doing the will of him who sent us, which Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:“Go and make disciples.”Verse 36 states,“Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.” Will you, today, get in on that joy as well? Will you, today, begin tasting the spiritual food of carrying out the Father's will?First way Jesus invites us through this text to become even more like him — He invites us to begin seeing as he sees. Second way, he invites us to be satisfied as he is satisfied.Share Your storyNow, a word of application. Because many of you may be thinking: “I'm seeing it, I'm seeing my neighbors afresh, I'm seeing them with eyes of love and care rather than dismay and disinterest. And I'm wanting to be filled, I'm wanting to be satisfied by the kind of joy that comes from sowing and reaping of the harvest. But how do I do it? Where do I begin? What do I say?”And really, there is no one way to answer that question. In fact, I encourage you, following the commission, to ask a few people around you how they've sought to answer that question. But for now, there is at least one way we can answer it, from this text. Look with me back up at verse 28: The woman goes back into town and says to the people, verse 29,“Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”She gave them her personal testimony. She says, “Come, let me tell you what Jesus has done for me.” She didn't offer an intellectual defense for Christianity — though it wouldn't have been wrong for her to do so. Instead, she told her people what she knew. And that is that no one had ever treated her so kindly as this man. No one had ever spoken so directly to her as this man. No one had ever so known her faults, and yet loved her all the same, as this man. “Would you like to come with me to meet him for yourself? Would you like to come see for yourself if this be the Christ?”Brothers and sisters, in a world of fake-news, and phony salesmen, and people who are more concerned about what's on their phone than what's on the heart of the person in front of them, there is incredible power in the genuine, humble, love-driven sharing of personal testimonies.Did Jesus rescue you out of a pit of depression? Did Jesus cover the shame you felt was visible all over you? Did Jesus guide you by a wisdom far greater than your own? Did Jesus calm the mountains of anxiety that you'd been suffocating under? Did Jesus save you from a life dedicated to the hollow approval of man? Did Jesus heal the pain you experienced from growing up in a broken home?Did Jesus love you when you felt unlovable?Did Jesus care for you when you felt uncared for? Did Jesus protect you when you felt fearful? Did Jesus draw near to you when you felt all alone? Did Jesus free you from judgment, assure you of his love, lead you to the Father, provide for you an inheritance, build a room for you in heaven, promise you what no human being (no mom, no dad, no husband, no wife, no friend, no confidant) could ever promise you — that “He would never leave you nor forsake you?”Did Jesus save your life? Did Jesus satisfy your thirsty soul?If so, you should tell someone. If so, you should share that story with another. No, our testimonies don't always lead to others immediate salvation. That was the case for some upon first hearing of the Samaritan woman's testimony. Verse 39 says,“Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony.”Not all of them did though. Some remained skeptical. Some were not yet sold. But they were intrigued enough to travel to the well. Intrigued enough to go and check out Jesus for themselves. Intrigued enough to ask Jesus, verse 40, to stay in their town just a bit longer. And Jesus did. He, a Jewish man, expected to despise these Samaritans, gladly stayed two days later in their town, with the result that, verse 41:“And many more believed because of his word.”They said to the woman:“It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”And just as John the Baptist, I trust the woman was all-too-glad for her and her testimony to fade into the background as her townspeople met Christ firsthand.Picture it brothers and sisters: Your non-Christian neighbor, your non-Christian co-worker, your non-Christian family member coming to you, maybe months after you shared your testimony with them, saying, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” What joy would erupt within you? What soul-satisfying sustenance would you take in at such a moment. Cities Church, see as Jesus sees. Be satisfied as Jesus is satisfied. And go out into the harvest, with testimony ready upon your lips, and take joy in the work alongside the other sowers and reapers you meet there.The TableWell, what brings us to the table this morning is Jesus' sacrifice of his body in death upon a cross for our sins. Without this ransom which he paid there so that we who trust in him might be forgiven of our sin, we'd have no good news to share. No harvest to reap. No joy to take in. No future feast in heaven at Jesus' table to look forward to. Because that is what this table represents, it is for those who are presently trusting in Jesus. If this is you, please eat and drink with us. If this is not you, whether you have yet to receive Jesus and his life, death, and resurrection for you, or believe that you are presently living in disobedience and are in need of repentance, please allow the bread and the cup to pass by. The pastors will come, let us serve you.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | March 16, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Titus 1. This chapter stresses that church leaders must be morally upright, self-disciplined, and well-versed in scripture, contrasting good leaders with bad ones who promote myths or cultural deception. Ultimately, Paul urges Titus and the church to uphold purity in leadership and teaching, highlighting that the integrity of church leaders shapes the spiritual health of the community.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | March 9, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Timothy 4. This chapter urges Timothy to preach the Word with urgency, as Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. The chapter also highlights the personal aspects of discipleship, showing that failures can be redeemed and that Christ remains faithful through it all. Paul concludes with a message of forgiveness, confidence in Christ, and the reminder that God's grace and presence are with us, giving us strength in our daily lives.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | March 2, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Timothy 3. This chapter warns that in the "last days," sin and deception will increase, particularly within the church, leading to a "falling away" as people become lovers of themselves, money, and pleasure. He contrasts those enslaved to the enemy with those faithful to Christ, encouraging believers to embrace godly examples, continue learning, and grow in Scripture. Paul emphasizes the importance of God's Word for teaching, correcting, and training, as it equips believers for maturity in Christ. The man of God is complete and equipped for every good work as he commits to regular Bible reading, prayer, and application.

John 3:16-21,16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. Okay, I've got really good news and really bad news — which do you want first?I'll explain the bad news first, but let me at least start with the good news just by reading verse 18. Here it is, verse 18: “Whoever believes in him [in Jesus] is not condemned,”“…but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”This is super straightforward. Everybody get that?Whoever believes in Jesus is not condemned (that's really good news!)Whoever does not believe in Jesus is condemned already (that's really bad news, for those who don't believe).And a keyword in both statements is the word “whoever” — that's whoever as in anybody …Whoever as in — it doesn't matter who you are or who your momma is; it doesn't matter where you're from or what you've done; it doesn't matter how you look or the place you live or what anybody else thinks about you — it doesn't even matter what you think about yourself — “whoever” is the broadest, most inclusive way to refer to humanity. Whoever means whoever — this is every human on this earth, it's any person you could ever think of, whoever is all of us all the same — and the apostle John says there's one thing that makes the main difference with the whoevers — it's: Do you believe in Jesus or not?John has written this book so that we would believe in Jesus, and he wastes no time putting the fork in the road here.Will you believe in Jesus and not be condemned? Or will you not believe in Jesus and be condemned?Those are the only options for us, and I hope that you hear this as both really good and really bad. It's really good if you believe (it's amazing — I want this to be all of us!) but it's really bad if you don't believe … or if you love those who don't believe (which I hope is also all of us). Cities Church, God is speaking to us today in his word, in the good news and the bad news, and that's my focus in this sermon. I just have two points, and you've already heard them. I'll say a few more things about each one, but before we move on, let's pray again:Father, right now, your Spirit is at work like the wind! He does what he wishes according to your will! And we ask: would you will that he give life this morning! Give life! Revive life! Make us to see reality at it is. In Jesus's name, amen. For the first point, there's more on the bad news, here it is:1. We're going down. Y'all ever been in a situation before when you realized: “Oh no, this is not good. I'm doomed.”? You could call it the “moment of reckoning” or a “mayday moment.” I've had more than one of these but the moment that stands out was one time when I was a kid when I accidentally hit my brother in the face with a shinguard and knocked his front tooth out. I wasn't worried about him — he's tough; I knew he'd be fine — I was worried about telling my dad. I felt doomed. If you know the feeling, it's like your ears get really hot and something gets stuck right here. It's not pleasant. There's a historical figure who knew all about these moments — it was a woman named Violet Jessop. Maybe you've heard her name before. Violet was a ship stewardess and nurse in the early 1900s who is famous for being a passenger on three different ships — the Olympic, the Titanic, and the Britannic. (You recognize that second ship — the Titanic struck an iceberg and Rose let Jack freeze to death.) But get this: the Olympic, in 1911, collided with another ship and in 1916 the Britannic hit a naval mine. All three ships turned into disasters and Violet Jessop survived each one, which means she lived through at least three real moments in her life when she would have heard the words, and realized, literally, “We're going down! … I'm in a situation that is doomed.” … She felt that three different times — isn't that crazy?I want you to know verses 18–20 are meant to give us a similar realization. Original SinThe truth is, the coming of Jesus has a dooming effect — now, that's not the purpose for why Jesus came (we'll get to more on that later, but verse 17 is clear: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world.”) Jesus didn't come with the purpose to condemn the world, but a result of his coming, and people not believing in him, is that it makes clear that people are condemned already. In other words, the reality of Jesus reveals the doom that already exists for everyone who does not trust him. Verse 36, the last verse of this chapter, says that for the one who does not believe in Jesus, “the wrath of God remains on him.”Deserving the wrath of God is something else that we all have in common — and it goes back to what's called original sin. We all face condemnation — we all face doom — because we all sin … because we choose to sin … because we inherited sinfulness. The first rebellion of our granddaddy Adam infects us as humans. It defiles us in all faculties and parts of the body and soul. None of us are just humans, we're broken humans. We are bent away from God. Our default thinking is that if we need to be saved, we can save ourselves. We are “by nature,” as Paul says in Ephesians 2:3, “children of wrath like the rest of mankind.” If we reject Jesus, the wrath of God remains on us because we start with that verdict. Verdict Exposed We all start with the verdict of condemnation because of our sin, but we don't know that until we're confronted with the gospel. That's what John is saying in verse 19,19 And this is the judgment [another word for judgment is “verdict” — this is it:] the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.See, people love the darkness but the darkness is all they know until the light comes — so, they don't actually know they love the darkness until the light comes and they hate the light; they want to avoid the light.Why? Because the light exposes them. The problem with this exposure is not that it makes these people look bad in front of others — we don't avoid the exposure because of what others might think — but we avoid the exposure because in the light we must face the verdict.The light shows things as they really are; which means the lovers of darkness can't be oblivious anymore to what the darkness means. The light is what makes everyone finally realize: “This whole thing is going down. … I'm in a situation that is doomed.”Why I'm Telling YouAnd let's be honest, if you like your situation, if you love the darkness, you don't want to hear this. So most times you stay away from places like this, or if you come, you plug your ears and stiffen your heart and you try to protect yourself from the fear of condemnation by pretending there's no such thing.If that's you, I'm so glad you're here, and the best thing that could happen right now is for the Holy Spirit to rush through here like a mighty wind and open your eyes. Because the bad news is that if you don't believe in Jesus, you are condemned.And I'm not telling you you're condemned because I'm trying to be a jerk — I'm telling you because there's a way out.This is the second point …2. Jesus was sent here on a rescue mission.This is verse 17. And you gotta see this. Everybody find verse 17. Verse 17, get ready to finish the sentence for me:“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be [saved] through him.”Now “saved” is an important word in this verse, but another important word is the word “send.”Track with me here: “God” here is referring to God the Father, and “Son” is referring to Jesus — and along with the Holy Spirit, we should think Trinity. This is God in himself from all eternity happy and satisfied — the Father loving the Son, the Son loving the Father, and the Holy Spirit as the bond of that love.And John tells us that God the Father sent Jesus his Son here, into this world. And God the Father did that because of his love, verse 16,“God so loved the world that he sent [he gave] his only Son!”I want to make sure we get this right: Jesus did not come here so that God the Father would love us; but Jesus came here because God the Father loves us. John will say later, 1 John 3:1:“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”I can't improve what Pastor Marshall said last week, so I'll just say it again: We are loved by God. … By the triune God — the Father who chose us in love, the Son who came to save us in love, the Spirit who pours that love into our hearts. This is love, love, love. That is why the Father sent the Son. Amen. Now keeping hanging with me here:The word for “sending” in Latin is the the word “missio” — which is where we get our word mission. And there's range of meaning for how we use this word, but most of the time when we use the word “mission” we mean an important assignment or ambition. It's something that we aim to do, that we're sent to do. So I think it's appropriate to speak of Jesus as having a mission — his mission is what he was sent to do. What was that?Verse 17 says he was sent to [do what again?] … to save.And that's save as in rescue. That's save as in the ship is going down and we're all on it and we're all doomed … unless someone is sent to save us.What we find in these verses, very clearly, is that God the Father sent Jesus here on a rescue mission. Jesus came here to rescue us. Will you be rescued?Two Big OpportunitiesJesus was sent here on a rescue mission, and that leads to two big opportunities for us this morning … one opportunity is for those who are here and don't yet believe in Jesus and then the other opportunity is for those of us who are longstanding committed members of Cities Church. 1) To Those Who Don't Yet BelieveFirst, if you're here and you don't yet believe. The light shines this morning and the message is plain: If you don't believe in Jesus you are condemned, but if you believe in Jesus you are not condemned. If you trust in Jesus, he will save you, and he will do that right now.And look, I don't mean to ignore the complexities of our various circumstances. I know that we all come from different places, and that faith for some feels really hard. I understand that. I don't dismiss that. But I do want to emphasize the wonderful simplicity of the gospel as John puts it here. There's a lot more stuff you can think through and we can talk about, and I'd be happy to do that, but it is also biblical to cut to the chase, put Jesus in your face, and ask what you're gonna do with him.Your greatest need in all your life is to be saved, and Jesus came to save you. Will you be saved by him? Will you put your faith in him?This is what that looks like … you saying to him from the heart:Jesus, I'm a sinner who needs to be saved, And I know you came here to save me!You died on the cross and were raised from the dead,You are Lord and I trust you.Believe in Jesus and you will be saved. That's the first opportunity this morning.2) To the members of citiesHere's the second, and this one is for those of us who are part of Cities Church, the members of this church, if you're all-in here, this is for you …. We, as disciples of Jesus, we're on a rescue mission, too. Or really, the better way to say it is that Jesus continues his rescue mission and now he involves us — by his Spirit he works through us. Which means: the ministry of Jesus through us, our church's ministry, what we're about, most fundamentally, is a rescue mission. And man, it's so important that we get this. I've come to realize, for myself and for all our members, that we will give little effort to make more room in this church until we understand we're on a rescue mission. When I say “more room” I don't just mean physical space, but I mean first at the heart level, in our imagination.I've got this image. I'll tell you about it … it's a choice between two different ways of being for our next decade …The first way is that we're a nice cruise ship and we're just coasting along, and every now and then, when we're not on our phones, we might glance out over the deck and we see some stuff going on down in the water, but we don't really bother — just keep cruising. That's one way.The other way is that we're a life boat sent out because there's been a storm, and that stuff going on down in the water is people drowning, and so we're going out trying to get as many people in our boat as we possibly can. Church, see, we have a choice — Will we be a cruise ship with high walls, maybe throwing a rope down every now and then? Or will we be a life boat, going out in the storm, leaning over the edge, saying “Get in the boat! Be saved! Jesus is real! Trust him!”Cruise ship or life boat? Who do you want to be? And if it's not a life boat, then what are we telling ourselves to make us think that's okay?God, make us a life boat. Church, let's give our lives together to be a life boat.Father, we know that by your Spirit you are at work in our lives and in our church and we ask for more. Don't let us get in the way, but give us humble hearts and yielded spirits. Give us a deepening gratitude for what you've done in our past, and a growing passion for what you are yet to do, what you are able to do, what we believe you are pleased to do for your glory and our good. In Jesus's name, amen.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | February 23, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Timothy 2. This chapter uses metaphors to emphasize the importance of faithfulness, strength, and suffering in Christian living. Paul encourages Timothy to be strengthened by God's grace, participate in teaching, and share in suffering, offering metaphors like soldier, athlete, and farmer to highlight dedication, faithfulness, and longevity. Paul also emphasizes the metaphors of workmen, vessels, and servants to give believers a picture of what it looks like to follow Jesus.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | February 16, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Timothy 1. This chapter emphasizes the importance of remembering one's calling and the gift of the Holy Spirit to persevere in ministry, even through suffering. Paul encourages Timothy to fan into flame the Spirit within him, reminding him that the strength of love, power, and self-control will fuel faithful service. The letter calls believers, both older and younger, to gratitude, reflection, and encouraging one another in the walk of faith.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | February 9, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Timothy 6. This chapter addresses how Christians, particularly bondservants, should live with faithfulness in their roles, maintaining the reputation of God and promoting the gospel, despite their circumstances. He warns against the dangers of leaders who self-promote, sow discord, and exploit others for financial gain, advocating for contentment and godliness instead. Paul concludes by urging Timothy to guard the truth and avoid the pitfalls of false knowledge.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | February 2, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Timothy 5. This chapter focuses on healthy, respectful relationships within the church family, emphasizing honor, purity, and mutual encouragement. He outlines how widows should be cared for, distinguishing between true widows who are dedicated to God and younger women who may still desire to remarry, while also offering guidance on how to care for church leaders, urging fairness and patience in leadership decisions. Ultimately, Paul is advocating for a church that is a beautiful, attractive reflection of God's household, one that stands apart from the world through its care for widows, integrity in leadership, and purity in relationships.

February 2, 2025 Pastor Marshall Townsley - Enduring Faith 8:30AM

February 2, 2025 Pastor Marshall Townsley - Enduring Faith 10:30AM

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 26, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Timothy 4. This chapter covers the dangers facing God's household, particularly false teachings and the twisting of truth by demons. Paul stresses that protecting the church is everyone's responsibility, calling believers to "train for godliness" and live with intentionality, using spiritual practices to build strength and resilience. The key to safeguarding God's household is found in living out a godly life—teaching, setting an example, and devoting oneself to spiritual discipline—both for individual benefit and for the benefit of the community.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 19, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Timothy 3. This chapter outlines the leadership structure and expectations for God's household, emphasizing the importance of strong, godly leaders who model the truth through their actions. The church, as the pillar of truth, must have leaders who exemplify Christlike behavior to protect and guide the congregation, setting an example for others to follow in a world full of deception.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 12, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Timothy 2. This chapter emphasizes prayer for all people, including leaders, for peaceful conditions that support the gospel mission. Paul also provided guidance on roles in the church, highlighting modesty and self-control for women and reinforcing biblical household order with men leading as servant leaders. Women are not prohibited from using their gifts but should not usurp their husbands' role, aligning their lives with God's good household order.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 5, 2025In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Timothy 1. This letter introduces the theme of God's household order. Paul writes to Timothy, urging him to combat false teachings and cultural influence, and to focus on God's household order that produces love. The message emphasizes that living according to this order attracts the lost to the Gospel and spreads God's Kingdom throughout the world.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | December 22, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 25. This chapter concludes the tragic downfall of Judah. Despite Josiah's reforms, his sons returned to sin, and the nation's abandonment of Yahweh resulted in destruction, exile, and suffering. The story emphasizes that worldliness leads to spiritual decay, but, while Judah faced destruction, the hope of restoration remained in the seed of David. God preserved Jeconiah in Babylon and hope springs forth in Matthew 1 where the lineage of David is traced to Joseph and Mary, fulfilling God's promise of a king that would take away the sin of the world.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | December 15, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 23-24. These chapters focus on how King Josiah's reform brought radical changes, purging idolatry, sinful practices, and corrupt worship, reflecting the transformative power of God's Word. Despite Josiah's efforts, Manasseh's wickedness led to God's judgment through foreign nations, culminating in Babylon's siege of Jerusalem. The contrast of Josiah's reforms and the judgment of Judah encourage us to reflect on the parallels with Jesus' advent. The Advent of Jesus offers joy and life to those who obey and change, but sorrow and death to those who reject it, urging each person to choose how they will respond to His arrival.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | December 8, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 21-22. These chapters focus on the decline of Israel and Judah, including the reign of King Manasseh, whose sinful actions led to God's judgment. Despite the wickedness of his son Amnon, God's promise remained, and a new king, Josiah, brought a brief period of restoration through repentance, reform, and a return to God's Word. Josiah's reign highlights the importance of hearing and obeying God's Word, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of these principles in Jesus Christ. Jesus' Advent offers a far greater hope, bringing heart transformation, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the promise of a new covenant that brings salvation, adoption, and eternal restoration.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | November 24, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 19-20. These chapters focus on the power of prayer and the importance of maintaining humility before God. King Hezekiah, facing the threat of Assyria and a terminal illness, prays earnestly, appealing to God's power and sovereignty, and God responds by miraculously saving Judah and extending Hezekiah's life. These stories teach us to cultivate a robust prayer life, grounded in Scripture, as prayer connects us to the God who can change circumstances. However, they also serve as a warning not to become prideful in the blessings or answers to prayer, reminding us to acknowledge God's role in our success and to remain humble.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | November 17, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 17-19. Israel's persistent sin led to their exile, illustrating the consequences of unfaithfulness to God's covenant. This serves as a warning in Hebrews 12:25, encouraging Christians to remain faithful and avoid the world's temptations, as Israel's rebellion is a repeatable pattern. King Hezekiah, however, provides a contrast, showing a heart devoted to God and a powerful example of prayer. When faced with imminent danger from Assyria, his prayerful dependence on God highlights the greater invitation for believers to make prayer a daily priority, cultivating a deep, ongoing relationship with God.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | November 10, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 15-16. In the land of Israel and Judah, the people have turned away from God, allowing idolatry, violence, and sin to take root, leaving the land spiritually barren. Uzziah's reign starts well but ends as a warning about the dangers of pride, while Israel experiences decades of chaos with assassinations and political instability, reflecting the consequences of sin. In Judah, King Ahaz's extreme idolatry, including child sacrifice and the corruption of temple worship, demonstrates how unrepentant sin affects both individuals and the larger society, revealing the devastating impact of putting sin at the center of life.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | November 3, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 13-14. These chapters cover Israel's pattern of sin, judgment, and deliverance, under King Jehoahaz, whose cries for help were met with God's compassion despite ongoing disobedience. The life of Joash and Amaziah reveal a continued lack of true repentance and reliance on God, leading to further rebellion and the impending threat of exile. The theme of these chapters warns against complacency and emphasizes the importance of sincere devotion to God, urging readers to choose a relationship with Yahweh over the consequences of sin and spiritual apathy.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | October 27, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 11-12. These chapters cover the biblical narrative of Athaliah's corruption and the preservation of the Davidic line through Jehosheba, emphasizing God's faithfulness in turmoil. Despite Athaliah's efforts to eradicate the seed of David, God works through ordinary individuals to fulfill His promises. The narrative warns against superficial reforms without true heart devotion to God, illustrating how Israel's reliance on outward change rather than covenant faithfulness leads to cycles of sin and chaos.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | October 20, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 9-10. God appoints Jehu to execute judgment on the house of Ahab, highlighting the consequences of sinful alliances between Judah and Israel. Jehu eliminates Baal worship and kills many people, including Jezebel and Ahaziah, but fails to address the ongoing sin of golden calf worship. The story serves as a reminder for believers to fully confront sin without going too far, emphasizing the importance of knowing and obeying God's Word in all aspects of life.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | October 6, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 5-6. These chapters alternate the contrasting themes of generosity and greed. The author's goal is to encourage reflection on these two themes and the fruit they produce. Yahweh is a miraculously generous God and His generosity is a character attribute His people should model on a daily basis.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | September 29, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 3-4. These chapters follow the ministry of Elisha at the national level and the local level. They reveal a God who shows great compassion on His people in the midst of a spiritual drought and pervasive wickedness. In addition, these chapters foreshadow the future ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus — a call to repentance and a compassion for the lost.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | September 22, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 1-2. These chapters cover the end of Elijah's ministry and the start of Elisha's ministry. Within this transition, we see God declare Himself as the rightful king over Israel and start to understand His plan for bringing redemption to the nation. Elisha replays the Joshua conquest of Canaan, but this time shows mercy over judgment and emphasizes the repercussions of breaking covenant with God. These chapters ask the question, who is the true and rightful king — in Israel, among the nations, and in our own hearts?

Pastor Marshall Ochs | September 15, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 21-22. These chapters bring the book of First Kings to a close with the ruin of Ahab. God has declared destruction for Ahab because of his wicked leadership and rebellion against God's Word. His character is contrasted with men like Elijah and Micaiah who are wholly devoted to the Lord. The theme that emerges from these chapters is weak men who ignore God's Word, and faithful men who are bound to God's Word. This contrast invites the reader to reflect on their personal character.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | September 8, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 19-20. These chapters cover the aftermath of Mt Carmel and the resistance from Jezebel. Elijah expected nationwide revival, but Ahab's wife stood in the way. These chapters reveal how Elijah dealt with this disappointment and how God comforts His people in sorrow. These chapters are a great source of encouragement for anyone struggling with discontentment.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | September 1, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 17-18. These chapters cover the early ministry of Elijah and the showdown between Yahweh and Baal. Whenever a nation turns to false gods and idol worship, the Lord faithfully raises up prophetic voices to call the people to repentance. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours and he prayed big prayers. God answered those prayers to call many to repentance. James 5 uses this story to remind believers of their responsibility to pray against the increasing worldliness and idolatry in our world today — that many would turn from their sin to the Lord.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | August 25, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 15-16. These chapters cover the downward spiral of sin in Judah and Israel. Each nation sins in their own unique way, but they are both accountable to God for rejecting His word. These chapters raise important questions on the long-term impacts of sin on a nation. If a people choose to follow the wisdom of the world, is life better?

Pastor Marshall Ochs | August 18, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 13-14. These chapters cover the final days of Jeroboam's reign in Israel and Rehoboam's reign in Judah. The story begins with a prophet from Judah speaking judgment on Israel, but ends with Judah participating in the same sins of Israel. The author emphasizes the importance of obeying the word of the Lord rather than the details of each nation's sin. Outright rebellion and subtle pride are both considered disobedience and result in disastrous consequences.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | August 11, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 11-12. These chapters cover the final days of Solomon's empire and the division of Israel. God raises up a replacement king and Israel splits into two nations — Judah and Israel. The primary theme of these chapters is the turning of Solomon's heart and the religious systems of Jeroboam that kept Israel from returning to the Lord.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | August 4, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 9-10. These chapters take an in-depth look at the character of Solomon. The chapters contrast the value system of God with the value system of Solomon. The Lord is concerned with Solomon's heart, but Solomon is concerned with building an empire. However, the Lord shows kindness to Solomon in continuing to invite Solomon to repent. The Lord appears to him numerous times and sends foreign envoys to proclaim the fame of God. These chapters remind us how generous God is with us today. He still pursues those who walk in foolishness and calls everyone to repentance.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | July 28, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 7-8. These chapters cover the construction and dedication of Solomon's temple. The narrative includes details about the temple furniture, but also the purpose of the temple. It was a place of prayer and a home for The Name of Yahweh. These two aspects have important implications when we consider the temple through a New Testament lens. The temple is no longer a building, Christians are the temple. Therefore, we must consider what kind of temple we have become.

Pastor Marshall Ochs | July 21, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 5-6. These chapters cover the construction of Solomon's Temple. The story begins with Solomon cutting a covenant with Hiram of Tyre to secure cedar from Lebanon and ends with 7 years of construction. In the middle of the story, the Lord visits Solomon with a subtle reminder of heart devotion. If Israel is devoted to the Lord, the temple will be a blessing. If Israel is devoted to the temple, it will become a snare.