City Church Tulsa

Message from City University on November 7, 2024

In Week 2 of The Book of Genesis, Pastor Matt Nelson guided us through Genesis 2–5, highlighting themes foundational to understanding God’s character and humanity’s purpose. Moving from Genesis 1’s poetic creation account to the more narrative style of Genesis 2, Pastor Matt explored the significance of humanity’s unique creation in God’s image, the gift of Sabbath, and Eden as a place of divine communion. He emphasized Adam as a prototype for Israel, illustrating how obedience leads to life and disobedience results in exile and death—a theme mirrored in Israel’s own story. The class also covered the fall in Genesis 3, where humanity’s choice to disobey introduced sin’s unraveling effects, including shame, suffering, and separation from God. This discussion underscored Genesis as not just Israel's story, but as a powerful framework for understanding God’s covenant and humanity’s call to faithfulness.

Message from City University on November 7, 2024

In Week 2 of "Longing for More," Rachel explored how spiritual practices create space for transformation by the Holy Spirit, focusing particularly on prayer and contemplative prayer. Emphasizing that to experience the life of Jesus we must adopt His lifestyle—including practices like solitude, silence, and prayer—she discussed how these disciplines help us access God's power beyond our own efforts. Rachel highlighted the impact of consumer culture on our prayer lives, often reducing prayer to a transactional act, and encouraged shifting towards genuine communion with God—being with Him without agenda. By engaging in contemplative prayer, which involves intentional quiet time to be present with God, we open ourselves to His transformative love, becoming more like Jesus in the process.

"Using your current position for kingdom impact" - If you’re a marketplace leader, this class is just for you. You’ll learn how God wants to use you right now in your current role and be equipped to engage in faith conversations that will foster community and lead to transformation. This class will help you discover Gods vision for your workplace and provide you skills to lead, develop and care for your coworkers or the team you lead. God in the marketplace will challenge you and help you grow to be a better disciple maker at work.

In week one of The Book of Genesis, Pastor Matt Nelson guided us through the foundations of this powerful text, emphasizing its role in answering life’s biggest questions. We began by exploring Genesis as Israel’s story of identity, written to counter competing cultural narratives and to clarify who God is and who we are. Rather than seeing humanity as an afterthought or servant to distant gods, Genesis reveals a God who creates intentionally and relationally. Through open dialogue, Pastor Matt invited us to approach Genesis with curiosity and respect, seeing it as both a historical and spiritual foundation that invites us to understand God’s mission in the world and our place within it.

In this first week of Intentional Parenting, Families Pastor Michael Letney and Lindsay Nelson introduce foundational principles to help parents guide their families with purpose and grace. They emphasize that while there’s no perfect formula, building a strong family culture starts with establishing core values and priorities that shape daily decisions. Through lighthearted insights, they encourage parents to assess their current season, whether just "surviving" or moving toward "intentional," and to use practical tools like weekly check-ins to stay connected with their kids. This City University class is about creating a healthy, resilient family environment rooted in love, faith, and authenticity, equipping parents to navigate the journey together.

In this first session, Rachel invites us into her journey of spiritual formation, sharing her story of encountering God's presence from an early age and her discovery of spiritual disciplines as an adult. Exploring the life of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine, Rachel unpacks how Jesus lived in constant dependence on the Father and was empowered by the Holy Spirit. Together, we'll examine how the practices and presence that shaped Jesus' life can also transform our own. This week’s focus: understanding Jesus as our model for a life filled with presence and practical disciplines.

A Liturgy for Those Struggling in Secret Father, I confess that I’ve been struggling. With nowhere else to turn, I come to You. My wounds have festered deep within the dark— They’re veiled in shadows, covered by façades. Yahweh El Roi, You are the God who sees me. Only You know the missteps I have hidden. Only You see the sins I keep secret. Will You make a way where I see no way out? Compassionate and merciful Jesus, I know my shame was nailed upon the cross. Hold my hand as I step fully into light, And grant me courage to walk in Your ways. SAMSON - THE WEAKEST MAN IN THE WORLD Resurrection out of the Chains of Sexual Lust Judges 13:5 For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazrite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” Judges 16:1-31 One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. 2 The people of Gaza were told, “Samson is here!” So th

LITURGY FOR THE MOMENT A liturgy for a politically divided nation 10.27.24 A liturgy for a politically divided nation Father, in the midst of this political season, we turn our eyes to you. Though hatred and discord seem to surround us, Help us to be instruments of your love and vessels of your grace. We declare our primary allegiance to you and your kingdom. and ask for your wisdom as we navigate these complex decisions. As we face agreement and disagreement with others, May we never cease to honor the image of God in every person.We are grateful for the privilege to vote and practice religious freedom, And yet we align ourselves with the countercultural way of Jesus. We renounce the intoxicating allure of power and its false promises. and choose the way of the cross and sacrificial love. Let your kingdom come and your will be done, On earth, and in our country, as it is in heaven. Matthew 5:1-12 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he b

LITURGY FOR THE MOMENT A liturgy for those longing for more in their marriage 10.20.24 Genesis 2:23-25 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. · God’s Design: Oneness · Effects of Sin: Division · Through the Spirit: Unity Emotional disconnection creates distance. Distance creates space for the Enemy to plant seeds. When a couple shares a deep, emotional connection? · Teammates not just roommates · There is so much more grace you give one another… · Your spiritual and sexual intimacy are intensified When a couple loses their emotional connection? ·

LITURGY FOR THE MOMENT A liturgy for those disillusioned with their faith 10.13.24 A Liturgy for those disillusioned with their faith We come with heavy hearts and broken dreams, Wrestling with our faith and struggling with uncertainty. We are weary, tired, and disillusioned, Wrapped in a dark night of the soul. Would you walk with us on our road to Emmaus? Would you meet us, O God, in our brokenness? Though our eyes are dimmed, our hearts still burn. Help us recognize you walking beside us. Disillusionment: a feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be. Luke 24:13-21 13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conver

8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, “Because hands were lifted u

THE UNSEEN Knowing your enemy 9-22-24 WORLD: systems and ideologies that are opposed to the ways of God FLESH: our sinful desires DEVIL: the dark emanating force of evil in the cosmos who’s aim is our destruction John 8:39-47 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because ther

THE UNSEEN Weapons & Strategies of Warfare 9.15.24 We cannot passively resist the Enemy and expect to walk in freedom and victory. Ephesians 2:1-7 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. The world is an organized system that is opposed to God 1 John 2:15-17 Do not

THE UNSEEN Deliverance 9-8-24 What is demon possession and does this really still happen today? "Possession is always positional and sometimes in presence." Jon Thompson Ephesians 2:1-5 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Can a Christian be demon possessed? Upstairs Theology - How God views you Downstairs Theology - How we try to work it out in everyday life. Ephesians 1:3-7 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in th

THE UNSEEN Identity & Authority 9.1.24 One of the enemy’s primary tactics in your life is for you to forget or fail to know your true identity in Christ. In the moment we take on a false identity, we immediately forfeit the victory and power that has been given to us. Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 10:17-19 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Where does our authority come from? · It comes from the finished work of Christ · It comes as we align ourselves with His will Acts 19:11-16 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handk

THE UNSEEN Signs & Wonders 8.25.24 Where you may find yourself this morning… 1. Belief 2. Skepticism 3. Denial or Hostile Skepticism Matthew 11:2-6 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Circumstances can often tempt us to doubt or question what we know to be true about God. We live in a world where we will witness both the miraculous and brokenness. Matthew 14:13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Life is a mixture of the miraculous, learning to live with pain, and understanding the way God shapes us and forms us t

THE UNSEEN Armor of God 8.18.24 Ephesians 6:13-18 (NLT) 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Your real enemy is UNSEEN, he’s hoping you don’t realize he’s even there. Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Put on every piece. Ephesi

THE UNSEEN Kingdoms in Conflict 8.11.24 There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. - C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters The two most common responses to spiritual warfare and the spiritual realm: 1. Obsessive preoccupation 2. Complacent indifference Reasons why Christians are tragically ignorant of and dangerously ill-prepared for spiritual warfare: 1. Ignorance of the Bible Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 2. Irrelevance of the Bible 3. Victory of the cross 4. The fear of imbalance Many Christians have become so accustomed to operating with no demonstrations of spiritual power that they are bothered by any demonstration of it.