Claim OwnershipMidtown Presbyterian Church
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At Midtown Presbyterian Church, we value honest questions and genuine community, working alongside one another as we discover more about what it means to follow Jesus in the modern world, and in Phoenix. You are welcome here.
Listen to our teachings in this podcast to follow us, and be sure to join us Sunday mornings; visit thespringmidtown.org to learn more.
Listen to our teachings in this podcast to follow us, and be sure to join us Sunday mornings; visit thespringmidtown.org to learn more.
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In our journey through Ecclesiastes, we're confronted with the stark reality of life's challenges and the seeming futility of our pursuits. The teacher reminds us that without God, our efforts are merely 'chasing after the wind.' But amidst this sobering message, we find a powerful truth: we're not meant to face life alone. The passage emphasizes that 'two are better than one,' highlighting the importance of community in our faith walk. This echoes throughout Scripture, with the concept of 'one another' appearing over 75 times. As we reflect on this, let's consider how we can deepen our connections within our church family, supporting each other through life's trials. Are we truly living out the radically social nature of Christianity, or are we trying to navigate our faith in isolation?
Ecclesiastes | The Illusion of (Our) Control - Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 - Clint Leavitt by Midtown Presbyterian Church
In our exploration of Ecclesiastes 2, we confront the futility of pursuing happiness and pleasure for their own sake. The Teacher's experiment with wealth, power, and indulgence reveals a profound truth: nothing 'under the sun' can truly satisfy the human soul. This passage challenges us to examine our own pursuits and ask whether we're chasing after vapor. Are we, like the Teacher, trying to fill an eternal void with temporal pleasures? The message reminds us that our hearts are restless until they find rest in God. It's a call to shift our focus from fleeting earthly delights to the enduring love of our Creator. As we reflect on this, we're invited to receive life as a gift from God, finding meaning not in grand achievements, but in the simple, present moments that point us to His love. This perspective can transform how we approach our daily lives, work, and relationships, allowing us to live with gratitude and contentment in God's presence.
This week we begin a 9 week exploration of the book of Ecclesiastes as Tom Parker invites us to consider our mortality and the wisdom of humility. As we read Ecclesiastes 1, we're challenged to confront the brevity and cyclical nature of life. The scripture paints a stark picture of existence as 'hevel,' 'vanity,' 'smoke' - fleeting as a breath. Yet, far from being pessimistic, this wisdom literature invites us to embrace reality and find meaning within life's limitations. We're reminded that while generations come and go, the earth remains, highlighting our small place in the grand scheme. This perspective shift can be liberating, freeing us from the illusion of control and opening our hearts to God's eternal presence. As we grapple with life's repetitive nature - from daily chores to life's big questions - we're called to find joy in simple pleasures and trust in God's overarching plan, even when it's not immediately apparent. This message resonates deeply with our modern lives and our cultural moment, encouraging us to live humbly and purposefully in light of our mortality.
In this final exploration of the Tenth Commandment, we delve into the heart of human desire and its complex relationship with our faith. Gayle Parker challenges us to confront our tendency to covet, reminding us that while desire itself is a God-given gift, it can easily become misdirected. By examining the story of Eve in the Garden of Eden and King David's fall, we see how unchecked desire can lead to a cascade of sin. However, the message isn't about suppressing our longings, but rather redirecting them towards their true source - God Himself. We're encouraged to find contentment not in material possessions or others' circumstances, but in recognizing that God's desire is for us. This shift in perspective can transform our understanding of joy and fulfillment, leading us to a deeper, more satisfying relationship with our Creator.
In a world clouded by deception, we're called to be a community of truth-tellers. The ninth commandment, 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor,' isn't just about avoiding lies – it's about recognizing the profound power of our words. James 3 vividly illustrates how our tongue, though small, can steer our entire life like a rudder guides a ship. Our words have the potential to bless or curse, to heal or destroy. As followers of Christ, we're challenged to speak truth in love, balancing honesty with compassion. This requires humility, self-reflection, and a deep understanding of our own flaws. By setting up 'humility time' in prayer, making commitment cards, and running our speech through a truth and love grid, we can begin to tame our tongues. Ultimately, our ability to speak truth stems from finding our identity and security in Christ, freeing us from the need to deceive or impress others.
The eighth commandment given to the people in Exodus: 'You shall not steal.’ In this week’s message, Clint shows us how the eighth commandment goes beyond simple theft, urging us to consider how we might be 'stealing' through wrong keeping - holding onto excess while others are in need. By examining Exodus 20:15 and Ephesians 4:28, we're invited to view our possessions as gifts from God meant for stewardship, not ownership. This perspective shift can radically transform our approach to generosity. As we contemplate Christ's ultimate act of generosity on the cross, we're encouraged to let His sacrificial love melt our hearts, freeing us from the grip of materialism and inspiring us to give freely. This message invites us to examine our hearts, our budgets, and our priorities, asking whether they truly reflect the generous spirit of Christ.
This week, we delve deep into the heart of desire and temptation as Daniel Barth explores the seventh commandment. The message goes beyond the surface-level understanding of 'do not commit adultery,' challenging us to examine the very roots of our desires. We're reminded that God's commandments are not mere restrictions, but guideposts for a fulfilling life. The story of adultery in Proverbs 7 vividly illustrates how unchecked desire can lead us astray. Yet, we're also offered hope through James' teachings, which reveal that our struggles with temptation are universal and deeply human. This message encourages us to seek true intimacy with God, recognizing that our deepest longings can only be fully satisfied in Him. As we navigate the complexities of human relationships and desires, we're called to pray fervently for the renewal of our minds, trusting in God's transformative power to align our hearts with His will.
This week we dive into the implications of the sixth commandment, 'You shall not murder.' Far from being a simple prohibition, this commandment reveals a profound principle: every human life is sacred. We're challenged to see beyond mere behavior modification and embrace a transformative journey of the heart. The story of Samson serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating how unchecked anger can lead to destructive consequences. Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5 further illuminate this, showing us that anger, left unchecked, can be as damaging as murder itself. We're called to examine our hearts, interrupt cycles of anger, and actively pursue reconciliation. This message invites us to view every human interaction as laced with eternal significance, treating each person we encounter as bearing the image of God. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to cultivate a posture of humility and actively seek to transform enemies into friends, mirroring Christ's example of absorbing violence and returning love.
This week, Clint Leavitt returns from paternity leave, bringing with him fascinating observations about the fifth commandment, 'Honor your father and mother.' He invites us to dive deep into the heart of family relationships and their profound impact on our spiritual lives. The message challenges us to see honor not as a mere greeting card sentiment, but as a transformative force that shapes individuals and entire societies. We're reminded that honoring our parents isn't just about obedience, but about recognizing their inherent value and allowing that recognition to guide our actions. This commandment, found in Exodus 20:12, is presented as a pathway to personal and societal flourishing. The parallels drawn between our earthly parents and our Heavenly Father are particularly striking, encouraging us to view our family relationships as a reflection of God's covenant love. As we grapple with the complexities of honoring imperfect parents, we're called to a higher understanding of grace, forgiveness, and the unconditional love that can heal even the deepest wounds.
The movie clip is from *The Hateful Eight* (2015), directed by Quentin Tarantino. Distributed by The Weinstein Company.
Song Credit: “Lift Me Up" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on October 28, 2022, by Westbury Road, Roc Nation, Def Jam, and Hollywood Records, as the lead single from the soundtrack album of the 2022 superhero film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The Third Commandment is easily misunderstood. It's not just about avoiding profanity; it's about how we carry God's name in the world. The Hebrew meaning of 'take' actually implies 'carry' or 'bear' - we are called to be God's representatives. This commandment challenges us to consider: Are we truly embodying God's character in our daily lives? The Israelites' story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the consequences of misrepresenting God. We're invited to reflect on how we might be using God's name in vain, not through our words, but through our actions and attitudes. This message urges us to align our lives with God's will, moving beyond mere religious activities to a genuine, transformative relationship with our Creator.
This week, Daniel Barth offers several fascinating observations about the second commandment in our series on the Ten Commandments. We're challenged to examine how we percieve, imagine, and relate to God. The core message reminds us that while we shouldn't worship other gods, we also shouldn't create false images of the one true God. This commandment, found in Exodus 20:4-6, warns against reducing God to our own preferences or imaginations. We're encouraged to see God as He truly reveals Himself, not as we wish Him to be. The sermon draws an interesting parallel between our relationships with others and our relationship with God, highlighting how misunderstanding or misrepresenting someone can lead to hurt and tension. This insight invites us to approach our faith with humility and openness, seeking to know God as He is, not as we imagine Him to be. As we reflect on this message, we're called to examine our own faith journey and consider whether we've created a 'grandfather in heaven' instead of embracing the true Father revealed in Scripture and through Jesus Christ.
The Ten Commandments | No Gods Before Me - Exodus 20:1-3 - Lisa McFarland by Midtown Presbyterian Church
This week, we take a break between sermon series’ to focus on the spiritual practice of fasting. Paige Vender and Bailey Gambill walk us through insights on their favorite F-word through their deep dive into biblical scholar Scot McKnight’s book “Fasting: The Ancient Practices.” In this podcast-style discussion, they open with an explaination of what spiritual discaplines looks like, bringing the conversation around to how and why people have used fasting historically. The practice becomes an act of worship, striping away our sense of independance, uncovering our deeply human need for a provider and savior. Paige and Bailey encourage us as followers of Jesus to "Fast around and find out."
This week, we wrap up our exploration of Exodus as we delve into the heart of God's character. As Moses ascends Mount Sinai to rewrite the covenant, God reveals Himself in five profound attributes: merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and faithful. These qualities paint a picture of a God who is deeply compassionate, yet just; patient, yet righteous. The story reminds us of the tension between God's mercy and justice, a theme that echoes throughout Scripture. As we reflect on these attributes, we're challenged to consider how they manifest in our own lives. Are we showing the same compassion, grace, and patience to others that God shows us? This passage invites us to trust in God's unwavering love and faithfulness, even when we falter. It's a call to embrace our role in God's grand narrative of redemption, knowing that His character remains constant through all of life's ups and downs.
This week, Luke Parker explores God's covenant with His people as we delve into Exodus chapters 19 and 20. The central message reminds us that God is a promise keeper, faithfully fulfilling His word throughout history. We see how God's covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai wasn't just about rules, but about relationship. This covenant foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who became both sides of the covenant - God and man. The imagery of Moses going up and down the mountain serves as a powerful metaphor for our role as 'priests' in the world, bridging the gap between God and others. We're challenged to consider: What promises has God made to us? How are we living as His 'treasured possession'? This message encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness, even when we fail, reminding us that our relationship with Him is not based on our performance, but on His unwavering love and commitment.
This week, Tom Parker invites us into the story of the Israelites in Exodus 17, where we see how God miraculously provides water from a rock in the desert. This narrative challenges us to examine our own reactions when faced with life's difficulties. Are we quick to complain and forget God's past faithfulness, or do we respond with trust and mature faith? The sermon encourages us to cultivate a 'holy memory' - remembering God's goodness in our lives, even amid challenging circumstances. It's a call to move beyond reactivity and develop emotional and spiritual maturity, recognizing that God's grace is abundant, even when we falter. As we reflect on our own 'thirsts' in life, we're reminded of Jesus' invitation to come to Him for living water, addressing both our physical and spiritual needs.
The story of Moses confronting Pharaoh isn't just ancient history - it's a mirror reflecting our own struggles with pride and hardheartedness. We see how God's invitations to change are met with resistance, not just by Pharaoh, but often in our own lives. The plagues aren't random acts of vengeance, but carefully orchestrated 'de-creation' events, showing the consequences of rejecting God's order. This narrative invites us to examine where we might be refusing God's call to center Him in our lives. Are we, like Pharaoh, hardening our hearts? The message reminds us that God's commands aren't arbitrary rules, but wisdom woven into the fabric of reality. When we reject them, we invite collapse into our lives. Yet, even in judgment, God's ultimate goal is salvation - for the oppressed and, remarkably, even for the oppressors. This story challenges us to see beyond our limited perspectives and recognize a God who is both just and merciful, inviting us into a life of true freedom and flourishing.
This week, Clint brings to the moment of Moses and his encounter with the burning bush. This pivotal moment in Exodus reveals how God breaks into our lives, shattering our paradigms and inviting us into a greater story. We're reminded that God's call isn't about our qualifications, but about His grace and purpose. Just as Moses struggled with insecurity and doubt, we too might question our worthiness. But God doesn't demand perfection; He offers His presence. The burning bush symbolizes how God uses the ordinary to reveal the extraordinary, challenging us to be attentive to His voice in our everyday lives. This message urges us to turn aside from our routines, to create space for God to speak, and to trust that He can use our 'staff' - our skills, experiences, and even our weaknesses - to participate in His work of redemption and justice in the world.
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