Church of the City New York

Dr. Bryan Loritts teaches about Christ's exhortation and example of humility. As we look at Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount, "blessed are the poor in spirit," we see God's invitation to posture our hearts in humble acceptance of His grace and extend that grace unto others.

Pastor Jon teaches about three encouraging exhortations from Hebrews 10:19-25: the encouragement to draw near to God, the encouragement to remain faithful, and the encouragement to love and good deeds. As we spur each other on, God can release the full potential of what He wants to do through us and make us into a community of hope.

Pastor Jon teaches about the power of encouragement. In a culture of criticism, cynicism, and attack, the Church is called to build a counterculture of encouragement and speak life into people's hearts. In doing so, we live out the ministry of the Holy Trinity, who is the source of all encouragement and who can use our simple words to shape a life in powerful ways.

Pastor Suzy Silk teaches about what it looks like to continue on in hope and prayer through seasons of fruitlessness, instead of asking that they immediately end. Throughout the Bible, we see God's faithful ones crying out to Him in seasons of despair, remembering that God comes for His people and choosing to rejoice and be obedient. Like those before us, we can rest in the conclusion that God will strengthen us, transform us, and enable us to tread in the high places.

Pastor Jon Tyson teaches about sacrificially living for others. As the body of Christ, we can flip our current cultural narrative from "I win, you lose" to "I sacrifice, we win" and mimic Jesus by taking on the position of a humbled servant who gives from the heart. Regularly stewarding our resources and living in the way of the cross holds real power to change the world.

Guest pastor of Christ Church, Dr. David Ireland, preached about what it means to be more a multiethnic church, providing us with three coaching tips to bridge racial barriers based on how Paul coached Peter in Galatians 2:11-14: welcome confrontation, face the challenge and accept the coaching.

Pastor Jon Tyson teaches about intercessory prayer and the spiritual authority this kind of prayer gives us. Exemplifying the ultimate spiritual power in Jesus, God calls us to identify with the brokenness of the world, enter into an agony deeper than empathy, and move through the world with spiritual authority (Isaiah 53:12).

This past Sunday, Pastor David Bailey preached on the long history of racial injustice in America, and how our hearts may cry out in response with grief, anger, fear, and shame. God gave us the language to express these emotions through the Psalms, as a balm for our souls. Through the resurrection of Jesus, we have hope that God is doing the work of reconciliation and restoration in our time. Pastor David Bailey teaches on the long history of racial injustice in America, and how our hearts may cry out in response with grief, anger, fear, and shame. God gave us the language to express these emotions through the Psalms, as a balm for our souls. Through the resurrection of Jesus, we have hope that God is doing the work of reconciliation and restoration in our time.

Pastor Suzy teaches about the elements of prophetic lament in Scripture and what it means to weep with those who weep. Through the example of Jesus, God invites us to courageously enter into the pain of others and to bear the mark of lamenters (Ezekiel 9:4). We do this by looking closely at the sin in our hearts and communities, by learning our history of oppression, by listening to God's voice and asking Him what grieves His heart, and by lamenting in a way that produces lasting change.

Pastor Jon introduces a vision for our church this summer: learning to pray in this time of crisis with an eternal perspective. During this season, we have the opportunity to pray like we never have before, to cry out to God with urgency and fervence, knowing the end of all things is near. We've changed our plans and practices because of COVID-19. Teaching Text: 1 Peter 4:7 "The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray." This is the Word of the Lord."