Downtown Church: Memphis, Tn

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

Main idea: Jesus suffering on the cross is evidence that he is a present, loving, and sovereign King.  Main Application: So, in our times of suffering, look up at the cross of Jesus to find the strength and comfort needed to endure. I. Jesus carried a cross, and commands His followers to carry one too. (Present) “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26-27) II. The Cross proves that Jesus is the reigning King who you can trust. (Sovereign) “There are times when we are called to believe, not because of, but in spite of. To Follow Jesus is to take up a cross, and that means there may be moments when life’s circumstances contradict our claims as surely as they did for Jesus at Calvary.” III. The Cross lovingly invites us to bring all of our emotions (good and bad) to receive strength and hop

Today, the DTC staff recap the recently concluded "Sexual Wholeness" series, and discuss how Christians can engage with the world regarding sex and sexuality.

Today's Scripture: John 19:1-16 Jesus has been arrested “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… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (Jn 1:1-5, 14).”  Jesus was flogged “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Is 53:5).”  Jesus was mocked “…cursed is the ground because of you…thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you (Gen 3:17b,18a).”  Jesus was hit with clinched fists Jesus was questioned “He did not open his mouth (3).”  “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sh

Main Idea: Christ died for us in love so that we could love Him with our lives. #1 What makes Christ’s love so compelling?  For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died (2 Corinthians 5:14a) “because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died” (2 Corinthians 5:14b) #2 How does Christ's love compel us to live?  “and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised“ (2 Corinthians 5:15) Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26) “Jesus’s command to follow him is a command to align our loves and longings with his—to want what God wants, to desire wh

In this episode, Hilary Denny, Kelsie Ellison, Artez Henderson, Richard Rieves, and Adrianna Steele continue their discussion of why BHM is still relevant today. They also discuss their exposure to BHM, or lack thereof, growing up, tensions they feel celebrating in a multicultural church, and give resources on how to celebrate black history and culture year-round.

Make Room for What's Best (Isaiah 58:1-11) "If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord (Jesus) finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” C. S. Lewis, The weight of glory Main Idea: God wants you to let go of what’s good to receive what’s best.  So what do we need to change in our spiritual diet? I. Using religion to manipulate and control God. ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. (Isaiah 58:1-11) II. Selfish individualism: a love for self that prevents you f

A Much-Needed Sexual Revolution Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12 - 7:5 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) “ 'All things are lawful for me,” and “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food’ .” (1 Corinthians 6:12,13) “But not all things are helpful/profitable.” (1 Corinthians 6:12b) “What then, are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means.” (Romans 6:15) Main idea: Sex, though a source of great blessing, can also be a source of real harm, and only God can be trusted to define the path to flourishing.  I. Sexual wholeness and flourishing are rooted in believing God’s commands are meant for our good: He is for our bodies!  “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.” (1 Corinthians 6:13-14) (John 14:15-17a) “The body is not meant for sexual immorality."

In this episode, Hilary Denny, Kelsie Ellison, Artez Henderson, Richard Rieves, and Adrianna Steele tackle the question, "Is BHM still relevant in 2023?" They also discuss CRT and the impact of learning about black history on their lives.

Today's Scripture: Psalm 119:97-104 I. There is a Good God, who made me Good and has Good for me. II. Scripture calls us to sexual obedience through Chastity in Community

Hear from the Director of Community Care for Revoice, Art Pereira, who will share his own story, as well as provide the biblical/theological view of sexuality as it pertains to people who are LGBTQ.

Today's Scripture: Genesis 2:19-25 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast (cleave) to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:24-25) I. Achieving Sexual Wholeness demands we restore sex, and sexuality to its rightful place.  “Ask a man how he defines success in life, and chances are his answer will include variations on three themes: money, sex, and power. If a man has a job, a woman, and a skill that makes him stand out from the crowd, people consider him successful…But here Christian men face a conundrum: Jesus was poor (Matthew 8:20), unmarried (Matthew 19:12), and a servant (Matthew 20:28). If money, sex, and power are markers of manhood, even in a secondary sense, we must conclude that Jesus failed to be masculine in important ways. Such a conclusion is untenable, obviously. Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, the Son of God, the Second Adam, the Lord of heaven and earth. If our markers of m

In the midst of New Year's Resolutions, goals, and intentions, we want to invite you to make space for God. This week's episode is a throwback conversation we had with DC member and YoungLives Area Director, Danita Calhoun. In the final installment of the series, we talked about rhythms of rest and solitude and how our time with God informs our service to others. If you are looking for practical ways to incorporate rest and solitude into your life, this is the episode for you!

Today's Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14 Main idea: God has redeemed a people to serve their place/city by seeking it’s shalom that He might redeem the world.  “This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem.” (Jeremiah 29:2) I. God has placed you in this city at this time.  “These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.”  (Jeremiah 29:1) “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:” (Jeremiah 29:4) “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:7a) “I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations

In the midst of New Year's Resolutions, goals, and intentions, we want to invite you to make space for God. This week's episode is part 2 of a throwback conversation we had with DC member, Alison Bradsher. At the time of the recording, she had recently completed the Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction program at Moody Bible Institute. We delved deeper into spiritual disciplines and how we can incorporate them into our everyday lives. Part 3 coming soon!⁠

Restored by Family Today's Scripture Genesis 1:26-27, John 17:20-26 Main idea: God is creating a family that is radically diverse to showcase His glory and love to the world! “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Revelation 7:9) “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20) I. We are created for relationships. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock an

In the midst of New Year's Resolutions, goals, and intentions, we want to invite you to make space for God. This week's episode is a throwback conversation we had with DC member, Alison Bradsher. At the time of the recording, she had recently completed the Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction program at Moody Bible Institute. We delved into what spiritual disciplines are, and she even led us in meditation at the end! If you need some time to just step away from the busyness of life, this is the episode for you. Part II coming soon!

Main Idea: Downtown Church must be formed by the gospel of Jesus! Today's Scripture (Romans 1:16-17) I. Righteousness is our biggest need!  “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed.” (Romans 1:17a) “It is for freedom that Christ set us free!” (Galatians 5:1) II. The Gospel secures certain and immediate righteousness!  “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) a. It begins with desperation.  “None is righteous, no not one…All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10,23). b. It ends with faith in the sufficiency of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.  “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall sh