Capital City Christian Church | Podcast

Is it worth the risk to live life as if there were no God? Pascal's wager presents this question. Are you going to risk your eternity, betting against the reality of God? The stakes are so very high! We know that Jesus walked this earth. We know he lived a sinless life. We know he died on a cross for our sins. And we know that he was raised to life. Our entire lives, our futures, rest on these facts. It is time we start living as if this were undeniable. God offers you inexplicable forgiveness if you can attest to these truths. Are you sure you want to risk it?

Dr. Pattison speaks on succumbing to peer pressure. It's not just for kids, of course. All of us seem to want the approval of others, and crave it too much. This keeps us from following Jesus the way that we should. When we suffer in this life (and we will, don't doubt it), we should be suffering because we decided to go on the path He set out for us, not the one we end up on because we followed someone else. We need to live a life so much like Christ's, that the world takes notice.

There really is some truth in that adage: "All I ever needed to know I learned in kindergarten." Share. Play fair. Don't hit. Clean your mess. Say you're sorry. It is a life of taking responsibility for your actions and being a good example to others. Dr. Pattison begins his message in such a fashion, then allows us a look in to the first book that Peter wrote. The theme for the morning centers around 1 Peter 2:21: "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps."

A crucible is "a situation of severe trial, or in which different elements interact, leading to the creation of something new." It's a trial by fire. It's a testing. A purification process. Trials will come. They are inevitable. It's just the nature of life. But God tells us that we should be glad because of them. He is shaping us into being what He wants us to be. And we can have hope beyond our present circumstances.

The last of our Deny Self series. This last month we've looked at denying ourselves through Paul's eyes. He wrote a wonderful, joyous letter to a church in Philippi. It was chock full of hope and good will. He was ecstatic for what God was doing for them and for him. All that positivity poured out of him as he sat shackled to two guards while he was in prison. That's crazy! He didn't have to pursue happiness in a traditional way. God gave him all that he needed and he found in in pursuing Christ.

Paul had every right to boast in the good things he had done. He had quite the resume. However, when he compared it to the glory of knowing God, he said it was all worthless. Do you consider your relationship with Christ to be the best thing in your life? It can be challenging to look at your life and see that you've not really put Jesus first. You may have every desire to do so, but good stuff just gets in the way. You have a job. A family. Hobbies. "Me" time. And all of these things are good, they're just not Jesus. They are worthless compared to the best thing. Compared to Jesus.

Jesus was the greatest hero of all time. He was the only one who truly gave everything to help others. Philippians 2 says that he "emptied" himself. He was completely God, yet decided to empty himself of his "God-ness" so that he can do what he did for us. This seems impossible! Yet our God is in the habit of doing the impossible.

Let's face it: we struggle with self-denial. Our philosophy in this country is to get what's coming to you and hopefully it is more than the next guy. We don't deny ourselves much of anything. But God called us to live a different life. Christ taught us a better way to live. His example is one of true sacrifice and self-denial. What would our lives look like if we really began to think of others before we thought of ourselves?

We finish out our "Re:Connect" series this week. Throughout, we've asked our people to reconnect with God and his mission at this church. We want everyone who commits to this vision to worship, connect, grow and serve. Today, you'll hear from each of the ministers who lead those areas at CapCity: Steve Smith (worship), Vern Huber (connections), Mike Napier (growth) and Jon Sutphin (service). Their passion for God and his people drive them to lead with devoted hearts.

"We are on a mission from God." Our senior minister loves to quote this phrase. It's probably because we forget it so often! We are called to be worshippers. We need to connect with God and his people. When we do that, we will feel the prompting to carry out his mission to the world. We are called to love and serve others. We should look so different from the world that the rest of the world takes notice. That comes across when we radically sacrifice ourselves to help those who are in need.

You were not meant to go it alone. We aren't built to be loners. God created us for connection. And he was always meant to be smack dab in the middle of every relationship. We are told repeatedly to just DO for one another. Love one another, encourage one another, instruct one another, and so on. Here's the thing: we cannot fulfill these commands if we do not have these type of relationships. It is imperative that we seek out those connections, and not just for ourselves.

"Emmanuel." We usually restrict our use of that name around Christmas. The name means: "God with us." When our Father sent Jesus to this earth, he put a plan in motion: a plan to have a relationship with YOU. God has never been content with you knowing that he exists. He wants you to know him and for you to walk together. Re:Connect with him today.

The Church is supposed to be a family. We want to welcome you into our family time, not just when we gather together on Sundays, but every time we interact with another person. It's not enough to attend to church. We need to reach out to those who are in need and bring them into our family time. We don't want you to content to hang out in the foyer. And our intimacy with you shouldn't stop in the living room. We want to give you kitchen privileges!

We wrap up our WYBIGB series today. "When you believe in God, but...you don't trust him." Worry can paralyze us. We get too concerned about what might happen and we forget that God is in control. And we forget how much he really loves us. Don't be a worrier. Be a warrior!

You know what power we have if we have a relationship with Christ? Because of our belief in Him, we are given 24/7 access to the God of the universe. When Jesus walked this earth, he taught us how to pray. And yet, we don't do it, for a variety of reasons.

Finances. Such a touchy subject to bring up in most circumstances. Churches in particular are criticized for bringing up money. But Jesus was concerned about money. He didn't need it. He just knew that people tend to become fascinated with it, even to the point of pursuing it instead of God. Where you spend your money is a great litmus test on what you value. So, are you a giver? If not, what is holding you back. Doc Pattison, our preaching minister, has got a challenge for you, one that comes straight from God. Test and see what God does for you when you give everything to Him.

We've all been guilty of coming up with lines we shouldn't cross, then we cross them anyway. What if identifying the line wasn't really the point? Jesus taught about freedom from sin. He wants us to be from what all of that entails. Our worry, guilt and shame over such things can be debilitating. When Jesus spoke about lust in his sermon on the mount, he started a few phrases with: "You've heard it said..." Society, family, friends, religion, peers all give us a line we shouldn't cross. But Jesus says, "I want you to live free." It doesn't mean we go on sinning freely. It means we kill that desire within us because He has shown us a better way. It is up to you to decide to follow that way, or just keep living like you're living. The question is: how has that worked out for you in the past?

How's your heart? Is it full of joy? Peace? Love and mercy? Most of us can say we have some measure of love within us. We are certainly capable of it. But God calls us to love everybody. Everybody. Sounds impossible! It is, apart from Christ. He has called us to a higher standard. He wants us to not let anger rule over us. All too often, we let our "micro-aggressions" take over. And then, we just seem angry all the time. Also, it was Sunglasses Sunday. Which is kinda weird.

Jesus said we are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. If the people in our lives are truly in darkness, why aren't we doing everything in our power to bring them to the light? Join us as we continue our series: When You Believe in God, But...

Today's message comes from a famous sermon Jesus preached. He spoke about people who were blessed and happy. We focused today on a particular set of "happy" people: those who are pure in heart. Jesus said they were happy and blessed because they will get to see God. What an awesome reward! Most of us can admit that our hearts are far from pure. We need to align it with Jesus' heart so we get to see our Father.

We start a new series today. We call it "WYBIGB." When you believe in God, but... It's not enough to just believe that God exists. You have to acknowledge that you NEED him. And when you do, you are able to experience what life is truly about. Because God knows that you need him. When you acknowledge it, he is ready to help fill that need within you and change you into something extraordinary.

When you look at all the world has to offer, you may be tempted to go down many paths that lead away from the Lord. But when you've tested Jesus and followed after Him, there's no other way that is more appealing. Today, Doc Pattison speaks about an interaction that Jesus had with his disciples. Many of Jesus' followers were deserting Him, and when they did, he turned to His closest followers and asked the question: "Are you leaving me, as well?" They answered Him with a question of their own: "Where else would we go?" No other path leads to salvation. They knew it. And we want you to know it.

"Do you want to be well?" What kind of question is that? Doesn't every sick person want to be healed? The truth is, sometimes sick people get used to their circumstances. They have learned to cope with it, maybe even benefit from it, and struggle to think what their life might look like if they were completely well. Jesus asked this question of a man who'd been sick for decades. And he's asking us, as well. Do YOU want to be well?

Jesus interacted with all sorts of people. This week Doc Pattison discusses a conversation Jesus had with a Samaritan woman. She learned quickly that man was completely different from anyone she'd ever encountered. In her words: "he knew EVERYTHING about me." What a scary thought! But he also showed her true compassion and grace. She was able to find what she was looking for. Her Messiah, her Savior, was right in front of her. She had no problem answering the call to follow Him.

Nicodemus was given the opportunity to follow Jesus. Nicodemus met with him and heard about his message. And yet, chose to stay where he was comfortable. The challenge for each of us is to follow Jesus. The series that began today will focus on the stories of those who heard the message of Christ and made the decision to follow him.

It's easy to acknowledge Jesus as your Savior and Lord while in church. Jesus says that is not something you only do on a Sunday. He wants you to confess your allegiance to him daily.

"If I'd only known, I'd..." This phrase comes back to haunt us, doesn't it? Our senior minister, Doc Pattison, talks about this in regard to a passage in the book of Matthew. When Jesus tells this story, he speaks of a coming judgement when he will reward those who took care of HIM by caring for those in need: clothing the naked, giving a drink to the thirsty, and visiting the imprisoned. Punishment awaits for the ones who refuse to help. "But I would have helped if I'd known it was you, Jesus!" We love Jesus when we love on those who are in need.

Jesus should have a powerful effect on each of us. As we learn to walk with him, our hearts change. We start looking more like him. And we start sounding more like him. Taking up our cross and following him daily means what comes out of our mouth will glorify him.

So where does forgiveness come from and why does it matter? James Driver speaks in the first of our "Daily 247" series.

Was Jesus the Lord? A liar or a lunatic? We know he's good. But is he safe? Join us as we revisit these classic questions that plague us year after year.

Join us as we explore a thought-provoking question: what if, at any point in his ministry, Jesus had said, "I won't take up my cross?" And, as we explore our own thoughts, what happens when we say that we will not follow his example.

Join us for Part 3 of our Series: Take Up Your Cross. Today we talk about losing a life to find it.

What do you fear the most? An even better question: "what is more important to you than your fear?" Jesus wants us to fear ONLY God. We shouldn't concern ourselves with the things that could harm our body, knowing our attention and focus should be on the only one who can do anything about our soul.

Join us as Stephen Pattison discusses another facet of the phrase: "take up your cross?" When one is faced with suffering, he or she may respond with incredulity. "That's not what I signed up for, is it?"

Whoa! Let's not talk about mothers. Well, we did it. We don't REALLY want you to hate your mom. Jesus said in order to be his disciple you have to put Him first. In fact, in comparison with your love for Him, it should look like everything else is worthless. It should look like you hate your mom, dad, family, even yourself when you put it up against your love for God.

Jesus asked one of his followers, Peter, a question more than once. He said, "Do you love me more than THESE?" Join us this week as Vern Huber discusses what "THESE" could mean. Are you putting Jesus Christ first in your life?

We are continuing our "Will You?" series. Join Doc as he discusses Jesus and the rich young ruler. This pious man came to Jesus seeking his next steps. Jesus gave him a task that the man didn't feel he could accomplish. Sell all he had? Give it to the poor and follow? The price was just too steep.

We want to be followers of Jesus. Jesus tells us to prioritize Him above all. Get rid of the excuses. Put Jesus FIRST. Join Doc as he speaks about what it takes to follow Jesus - denying ourselves.

Dr. Stephen Pattison speaks about taking up your cross and following Jesus. He was a Messiah that defied the expectations of the people in his day. And following him may require something different that you might expect. Listen as Doc lays out a vision for our messages that will extend over the next four months.

This is the final message of the Practical Atheist series. Doc speaks on believing in God, but not really trusting him.

We are in the midst of a series called "Practical Atheist." Every week we explore what it means to "believe in God." If we believe in God, we should know Him, love Him, follow Him and trust Him. We don't want you to just know about Jesus. We want you to have a deep and meaningful relationship with the only One who can save us.

Join us for our second week in the Practical Atheist series. James Driver speaks about believing in God, but not really loving Him.

We are starting a new series today! It is called "Practical Atheists." What do you call a Christian who believes in God but doesn't really know Him? That's what we wrestle with today.

Join us for our Year in Review message. On this last Sunday in 2020, we take a look back at a very challenging year. We also spend time reflecting on the blessings that God has given us in that time.

Join us for the third week of our Christmas Unwrapped series. Doc Pattison asks us to "choose our peace." And then pass it on to others.

Join us for the second week of our Christmas Unwrapped series. Jon speaks on finding joy in a weary world.

Join us for the start of our Christmas Unwrapped Series. Jon Sutphin speaks on hope.

Join us for our final week of bigCHURCH. This week Doc speaks about our bigOPPORTUNITIES.

Our big Church is prone to a big DRIFT. Join us this week as we discuss how the early church tended to wander from their mission. We have a similar issue. We want to share the solution.

As Jesus followers, we've been given a mission. That mission is BIG. The target is the whole world. He died for everyone, so it is our responsibility to tell everyone.