The District Church - Sunday Sermons

This week, we look at the practice of witnessing as John 9 is broken down into three parts: the message, the messenger, and the beauty of the news.

This week we look at the practice of the Sabbath, focusing on its establishment in Genesis 2, the observance of the Sabbath in a broken world in Exodus 31, and the restoration of rest through Jesus Christ.

During this time our focus is set on our fourth discipline of Solitude. Throughout Jesus' life we see him withdrawing into the wilderness, or to the mountains to be with the father. As we follow the life of Jesus we see it necessary to include solitude into our rhythm of life.

In our third week of spiritual disciplines, our focus is on fasting. We see Jesus not only teaching about fasting but also practicing it in His own life, demonstrating how fasting can be a tool to align our physical hunger with our spiritual hunger.

In our second week of spiritual disciplines, our focus is set upon Prayer. Throughout this sermon we see how Jesus not only teaches the importance of prayer but how it was a priority and practice in His life.

In our first week of spiritual disciplines, our focus is set upon Scripture. Throughout this sermon and teaching, we see how Jesus embodies the Scripture and how we are to treasure Him through the Word of God.

As we prepare to enter into 9 weeks of disciplines and practices, we are reminded that the result of our disciplines is to make us more like Jesus.

"John shows us the importance of fellowship with Jesus and extends to us the ability to be in fellowship with Him also through walking with Him."

Spiritual Practices and Disciplines set our focus and dependency on God…It is through these practices that we are find a new way to be with Jesus.

What is it that creates the cravings inside of you? Is it from God, and do we carry in us a deep craving for Christ? The point of our disciplines is to connect our craving with Christ so we begin our journey of spiritual formation by begging God for a great desire for Himself in us. We also must understand that it is God, by His Spirit, who gives us life and only the Spirit of God that can bring growth to our spirit.