Downtown Church: Memphis, Tn

Main Idea: Seek God! Because God is TROUBLE for your trouble and promises to meet your every need. 1. Seek God! Because seeking anything else is wasting your life. Vs. 19-24 2. Seek God! Because God is capable, caring, and concerned to meet your needs. Vs. 25-30 4 Reasons not to worry: Life is more than food and clothing Vs. 25 God takes care of the birds. Vs. 26 Worry doesn't do good but can harm. Vs. 27 God knows what you need. Vs. 32 3. Seek God! Because God is TROUBLE for your trouble. Vs. 31-34

“You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (14,16).” I. Kingdom praying is first about God, not us. "Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (9-10).” “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me (Jn 6:38).” “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done (Luke 22:42).” II. Kingdom praying is not about us, but God is. “Give us this day our daily bread…” “Forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors…For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (14-15).” "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (13)." III. Kingdom praying is centered upon God an

Main Idea: Christ warns his followers against living for the approval of people. Instead, he calls us to live from the approval of our Heavenly Father. #1 Living from The Father’s approval protects us against people pleasing. (v.1) “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 6:1) #2 Living from The Father’s approval makes us humbles givers. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. (Genesis 12:2) The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3) #3 Living from The Father’s approval reminds us that He alone meets all of our needs.

Main Idea: God calls and empowers us to love those who are impossible to love. 1. LOVE & PRAY for your enemies. V. 43-44 “Many have learned how to offer the other cheek but do not know how to love him by whom they were struck.” Augustine of Hippo Romans 5:10 “We too were enemies of God, but we were reconciled to God through the death of Jesus Christ.” 2. LOVE & PRAY for your enemies because this is what God’s children do. V. 45 3. LOVE & PRAY for your enemies because God has called you to a higher standard as his children V. 46-48

I. Jesus invites us into a story where our work has meaning and Jesus accomplishes what we can't. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet (Mat 1:22) And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet (Mat 2:15) Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled (Mat 2:17) So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets (Mat 2:23) to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah (Mat 4:14) II. Jesus brings us into His rest because He addresses the heart III. Jesus shows us how to pursue righteousness

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16) Main idea: God is glorified when we as His Church are being a blessing to the world I. Who has Jesus called His Church to be? vv.13-16 II. How does Jesus want His Church to live? vv.13-15 III. Why does Jesus want His Church to live like this? v.16

“He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem to Judea, and from beyond the Jordan." (Matthew 4:23-25) Main Idea: God blesses those who realize their great need for Him. God blesses NEEDY people. Main Application: So, BE needy and seek God’s grace in every area of your life. 1. Jesus is focused on who you are (BEcoming), not just what you are (DOing) “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by Grace, you have been saved - and raised us up with him and he seated us with him in the heavenly

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” (Matthew 4:17) “And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom.” (Matthew 4:23) The gospel of the kingdom is the good news that Jesus, the good King has arrived, and his kingdom rule is marked by healing, so leave all other kings and come under the rule of King Jesus. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Gen 3:15) “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen 12:2-3) “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16) “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) I. The Gospel of the kingdom is

1. Paul's Focus - Romans 15:23-24 2. Paul's Intentional Detour - Romans 15:25-29 3. Paul's Confidence - Romans15:30-33

Main Idea: Live a life and die a death that gives glory to God. 1. God has revealed enough of His glory for you to trust and worship Him—verse 25. "Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30 21:25 "There are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” 2. Christ's love frees us to give all glory to God —verses 18-19. 3. Glorify God by focusing on YOUR purpose and mission—verses 20-22. Hebrews 12:2 “Lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the author and perfecter our faith."

In this episode, the Downtown Church Staff share their raw thoughts about the joys and pains of living in the City of Memphis.

Big Idea: the redemptive work of Christ empowers us to build up the body of Christ. 1. Proclaiming the Love of God 2. Pastoring one another in the Love of God 3. Press into our Vulnerabilities

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God (Jn. 1:1).” Main Idea: John has recorded the works of Jesus, that we might have life in Jesus. Hope & Life have a name and that name is Jesus. I. Do you believe Jesus to be your hope, your Messiah? 1. Jesus, at the wedding feast in Cana, turns 230 gallons of water into the best wine. 2. Jesus heals the official’s son while being in a completely different town from the boy. 3. Jesus healed the man who had no use of his legs for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda. 4. Jesus feeds 5,000 men, and no telling how many women and children with 5 barley loaves and two fish and has 12 baskets full of leftovers. 5. Jesus appears to his disciples walking on the sea of Galilee. 6. He heals the man born blind. 7. Jesus raised Lazarus to life with the power of these words, “Lazarus, come out.” II. It is foolish to not believe Jesus as your Messiah. III. Are you experiencing the life of Jesus?

Main Idea: God is kind enough to meet us in our doubt and lead us into faith. 1. The Reality of Doubt: Doubt is normal and offensive. v.24-26 2. The Resolver of Doubt: Peace and Touch 26-27 John 14:1, Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. verse 27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither be afraid.” Romans 5:1 “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Isaiah 53 “he was pierced for our transgression, crushed for our iniquities, upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace. 3. The Response to Doubt: Believe 28-29

Main Idea: Our encouragement is to be found in Christ’s peace, promises, and purpose for our lives. #1 Our encouragement is to be found in the peace that Christ offers (vv.19-21) On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:19-21) #2 Our encouragement is to be found in the promises of Christ (vv.21b-22) Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:21-22) “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the H

Today's Scripture: John 20:1-18 The resurrection tells us: God has NOT left you, nor FORSAKEN you! You can give your life to Him for He IS true life! I. The resurrected Jesus overwhelms and dispels our unbelief. “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?.” (Psalm 13:1) “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one un

Main Idea: God uses painful moments to help us die to our temporary kingdoms so we may LIVE fully for His Kingdom. Today's Scripture (John 19:38-42) 1. The darkness of this world cannot & will not overcome the Light of God. In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 2. No matter what happens, Jesus is still king and his kingdom is coming. Verse 38, “After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body.” Matthew: Joseph was a rich man who was a disciple of Jesus. Mark: Joseph was a respected member of the council, who was looking for

Today's Scripture John 19:31-37 Main Idea: God accomplished His promise of our redemption in Christ so that we can anchor our lives in Him. Point #1 Christ accomplished our redemption in spite of our rebellious hearts towards Him. (v.31) 31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away (John 19:31) It is the Lord's Passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:12-13) Point #2 Christ accomplished our redemption undoubtedly (vv.32-34) So the soldiers

Today, the DTC staff continue to discuss how Christians can engage with the world regarding sex and sexuality.

Big Idea: As a community of believers transformed by Jesus’ accomplishment on the cross, we must be a Believing and Christ-loving community. 1. Not succumb to pretentiousness 2. Love on purpose 3. Confess our vulnerabilities