At the Movies - The Lion King
Guest Speaker and Pastor Michael Bayne dived into The Lion King and 1 Samuel!
This past Sunday was our second installment of our At the Movies series! This past Gathering, Guest Speaker and Pastor Micheal Bayne brought to light The Lion King! If you were not able to make it to our Gathering this past Sunday, know that we missed you! Unfortunately, due to some copyright concerns, we will not be able to have recorded sermons for this series. Be sure to continue to check back in at Legacy City’s Blog going forward in this series!
The Lion King is a grand story of wonder, mistakes, betrayal, and overcoming difficult odds. It’s a story many of us know well, and it has so many scenes that have likely stuck with us long after seeing them!
Ps. Michael started his message off with such an impacting scene from The Lion King - Mufasa’s death! We can’t believe he broke our hearts so early, but the emotional fuel got us going right out of the gates! Simba idolized his father, and expected him to be around to help him come into maturity as he succeeded his father as Ruler of Pride Rock. So often in our lives when we are confronted with unexpected (and particularly painful) situations we can begin to doubt God’s path and plan for our lives. We stayed in 1 Samuel for most of the morning, and learned some very important lessons. 1 Sam. 16:1 tells us, “The LORD said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.’” Even though Simba could not see what his life would look like going forward, his adventure would ultimately lead him exactly where he needed to be! In our own lives, no matter what the circumstances, we know that God is always working ahead of our pain and problems with restoration and redemption.
1 Samuel 16 has a lot of different lessons that we can learn from; especially v6-7 and v11-13.
With the Lord having rejected Saul as Israel’s king (1 Sam. 15), Samuel was concerned for the people of Israel not having a king who sought after right relationship with the Lord. In 1 Sam. 16:6-7 we see Samuel believing ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him (Eliab) (v6); the Lord has other plans saying to Samuel in v7, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ Declaring to us that God longs for different things than what we long for. Our human hearts sometimes look for the wrong things in people, but God is always looking at the core of their hearts.
Ps. Michael concluded his message by hitting on 1 Sam. 16:11-13 encouraging us with two very critical points. No matter what position we find ourselves in, just like David who would not have expected what came about in his life, God goes with us into struggle as much as he rescues us from struggle! We are God’s people, and he is with us! It doesn’t matter where you are in your life or your walk with Christ, God is in the business of using broken people to accomplish His goals for His Kingdom! Just like David, sometimes the most unlikely candidate is God’s primary choice for the job!
SOME KEY TAKE-AWAYS
The Lion King - such an incredible classic, you should totally watch it (if you haven’t already!).
God is always working ahead of your pain and problem with restoration and redemption. (1 Sam. 16:1)
God longs for different things than you long for. (1 Sam. 16:6-7)
God goes with us into struggle as much as He rescues us from struggle. (1 Sam. 16:11-13)
God chooses and uses unlikely people to make a difference in this world.
Unfortunately, due to copyright concerns we will not be able to record audio sermons for this series - but if you would like to explore what sermons we do have recorded, visit here.
To keep up to date with Legacy City Church and everything that God is doing in our community, please follow us on social media:
Facebook: LegacyCityGWD
Instagram: LegacyCityGWD
Twitter: LegacyCityGWD
Join us next Sunday as we jump into our next installment of At the Movies! We are so excited to be back in this series - We’re saving you a seat, and know that You Are Loved!
At the Movies - Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Finding the unique value of our singular life here on Earth, as found in Jumanji!
This past Sunday was our opening week for our new series At the Movies! Throughout this series, we hope to draw out biblical ideas from popular movies that we all know and love; this past Gathering, Pastor Robbie focused on the newest version of Jumanji! If you were not able to make it to our Gathering this past Sunday, know that we missed you! Unfortunately, due to some copyright concerns, we will not be able to have recorded sermons for this series. Be sure to continue to check back in at Legacy City’s Blog going forward in this series!
For those of us who are not familiar with the plot of Jumanji, we see that ‘Four high school kids discover an old video game console and are drawn into the game's jungle setting, literally becoming the adult avatars they chose. What they discover is that you don't just play Jumanji - you must survive it. To beat the game and return to the real world, they'll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives…’ - isn’t that a crazy situation?! But what is very clear, is the focus on survival we see outright; the players in the story are now in a situation where their one life is in grave danger, not just in-game, but in real life! Ps. Robbie focused heavily on this, ‘The big idea today is ONE. You have one shot at this thing called life. I’m talking about making this one life that God has blessed you with something extraordinary.’
Looking at Ephesians 4:4-7 we see, ‘There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.’ Scripture reinforces this idea that we are born and we live a single life which we will either wield for God’s glory and honor or selfishly waste for our own desires! Ps. Robbie emphasizes this with ‘So if you just get one life, why wouldn’t you make it extraordinary, make it powerful, live on point with purpose? God has blessed you with today, one day, one life, you live one decision at a time, so be smart about your life.’
We have distinct purpose in our lives as believers, you are not an accident or a mistake in the eyes of God - Scripture declares this! But often times it can be confusing with questions lingering like ‘What is God’s calling on my life?’; ‘What purpose does the Lord have for me going forward?’. We see this very clearly in Jumnaji also ‘In the movie, they were told that their goal was return a stolen gem stone to a jaguar shaped mountain in Jumanji, they had a vision for the end game, but didn’t exactly know what the journey was going to look like.’ God has a personalized vision for your life, and it all starts with a commission that Jesus himself gave to his disciples and applies to each and every one of us as believers, ‘Go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of Lord (Matthew 28:19-20)- can it be that simple? YES! Share the good news, disciple others.’ You’ve got one life to live - Scripture tells us we are to be empowered with purpose towards the forwarding of the Gospel to a lost and dying world! There are no resets or extra lives in this game of life, make your choice and work hard at progressing forward!
SOME KEY TAKE-AWAYS
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle - its an awesome movie, go check it out!
Your life is imbued with unique purpose (Ephesians 4:4-7).
Tapping into God’s unique purpose for your life begins and ends with your trust in Him with everything in your life (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Sometimes the path God has for you isn’t as specific as we would like it, but Jesus has already given us some very important steps that should be present in all of our lives (Matthew 28:19-20).
You don’t need a platform or an ‘important position’ to make an impact for the Gospel - we are called to be servants above all!
Unfortunately, due to copyright concerns we will not be able to record audio sermons for this series - but if you would like to explore what sermons we do have recorded, visit here.
To keep up to date with Legacy City Church and everything that God is doing in our community, please follow us on social media:
Facebook: LegacyCityGWD
Instagram: LegacyCityGWD
Twitter: LegacyCityGWD
Join us next Sunday as we jump into our next installment of At the Movies! We are so excited to be back in this series - We’re saving you a seat, and know that You Are Loved!
Summer Scripture Series - Once Useless, Now Useful
Pastor Robbie concludes Philemon and our Summer Scripture series!
We have now concluded our Summer Scripture Series, hopefully you enjoyed walking through Colossians and Philemon verse by verse! If you were not able to make it to our Gathering this past Sunday, know that we missed you! Don’t worry, you can still hear the full message here at Legacy City’s Podcast. Pastor Robbie concluded Philemon from verse 7 until the end and did he ever come prepared to preach this past Sunday – be sure to join us this upcoming Sunday for the beginning of our new series At The Movies!
The core of Philemon (v8-22), surrounds Paul addressing Philemon concerning a past runaway slave of his (Onesimus) that has come to know the Lord and has been attending to Paul’s needs. Ps. Robbie gave us an overview of what Paul was essentially saying, ‘So… Philemon, while you lounge around in your luxurious house, with servants… I, an old man, am here in prison for the gospel. I’ve led Onesimus to Christ, and he really feels a call toward ministry, and I could really use his help right now… but if you really want to take him back, I guess you can.’ The Gospel changes our motivations and the way that we address those around us, not through a position forcefulness or authority, but of humble love and adoration (v8-10). Paul could have used his influence and spiritual authority to demand that Onesimus stay with him – but he doesn’t, and respects Philemon’s position.
There has been some unfortunate history to surround Philemon, a history of oppression and slander against people that God created in his image. The record has been set straight, ‘In Christ, masters and servants become brothers and sisters. The ground is level at the foot of the cross church: one RACE: Human. One CLASS: Sinner. One HOPE: JESUS. One FUTURE: Resurrection. One FORTUNE: the Eternal Riches of Christ.’
Onesimus was no longer useless in his sinfulness, but useful in the body of Christ in service to an apostle and his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ! Martin Luther once wrote, “Even as Christ did for us with God the Father, thus Paul also does for Onesimus with Philemon.” Ps. Robbie stated, ‘We are Onesimus, the runaway slave, the rebellious one, the one who is no longer useful because of our sinfulness. But Christ says that we are useful, not because of anything we’ve done to deserve being taken back, but because of Christ’s own reputation!
SOME KEY TAKE-AWAYS
Passage: Philemon 1:8-22
The Gospel should radically change your life and the way you relate to others.
The Gospel produces gracious, self-sacrificial Love for others.
You are called to give value to brother and sisters in Christ and anyone else in your life!
You are Useful in Christ, don’t continue treating others as if they are Useless!
If this topic piques your interest or if you would enjoy listening to this sermon in more depth, please head over to Legacy City’s Podcast here.
To keep up to date with Legacy City Church and everything that God is doing in our community, please follow us on social media:
Facebook: LegacyCityGWD
Instagram: LegacyCityGWD
Twitter: LegacyCityGWD
Join us next Sunday as we jump into our new series At the Movies! We are so excited to be able to bring this series back - We’re saving you a seat, and know that You Are Loved!
Summer Scripture Series - We're All One Big Kingdom Family
Pastor Brandon Henson brings Encouragements from the first 7 Verses of Philemon.
We’re now in the final stretch of our Summer Scripture Series – our good friend Pastor Brandon Henson spoke such an incredibly encouraging sermon this past week! We covered the first 7 verses of Philemon and there was so much to unpack! We were so glad to see you on Sunday, if you weren’t able to join us, be sure to catch the conclusion to Philemon this coming week when Pastor Robbie will be finishing up our series.
As Ps Brandon suggested during the gathering, there are probably far too few of us who have never taken the time to study one of the shortest books of the Bible – Philemon. This letter may only have 25 verses, but what we encountered this first week of our study was certainly full of rich and convicting qualities! Overall, ‘We’re all one, big, Kingdom Family’!
Paul’s letters overall serve distinct purposes in Scripture; they are intimate and personal letters to different churches that desire to enrich God’s Kingdom. But if we look at our world today, are our churches and communities joining together as a broad corporate Body, or are we more concerned with individual growth and status? What about our relationship with fellow believers in our own church communities – are we empowering our brothers and sisters in Christ as citizens of the Kingdom should?
The first 7 verses of Philemon serve an equally distinct purpose, with a unique and untypical Pauline introduction. Instead of qualifying his position, as an Apostle, he declares himself ‘a prisoner for Christ Jesus’ (ESV) – a position many of us here in the US are used to associating ourselves with Ps Brandon commented. Regardless, Paul is unashamed in his willingness to be in whatever position God places him, if it is for His Kingdom. Are you oriented towards a ‘Kingdom Mindset’? Are you working towards genuine fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ – building them up and ‘calling out the Gold in them’?
SOME KEY TAKE-AWAYS
Passage: Philemon 1:1-7
Remember, It’s All About the Kingdom! (v1-3)
See the Gold in Others (v4-5)
Desire what’s Best for Fellow Believers (v6)
Trust the Results of Love: Joy and Comfort (v7)
If this topic piques your interest, or you would enjoy listening to this sermon in more depth, please head over to Legacy City’s Podcast here.
To keep up to date with Legacy City Church and everything that God is doing in our community, please follow us on social media:
Facebook: LegacyCityGWD
Instagram: LegacyCityGWD
Twitter: LegacyCityGWD
Join us next Sunday as we finish our Summer Scripture Series. We’re saving you a seat, and know that You Are Loved!
Summer Scripture Series - With a Little Help from My Friends
Pastor Robbie returned to conclude the first book of our Summer Scripture Series by wrapping up Colossians.
This past Sunday was so awesome; thank you all for joining us in worship of the One True God. If you weren’t able to make it, we missed you so much! Don’t worry, though, we are saving you a seat for next week. Following up on our Guest Speaker and dear friend, Pastor Joshua Chiles from last week, Pastor Robbie returned to conclude the first book of our Summer Scripture Series by wrapping up Colossians.
Several people shared that they had never heard a message preached on the closing remarks of Paul’s letter, and certainly not the end of Colossians where Paul just names off some of the various people who assisted him in his ministry. As Ps Robbie said Sunday morning, ”As he wraps up the letter to the Colossians, Paul is giving us a group picture of his supporters during his Roman imprisonment. The list of names shows that the support of others is important in living out our faith.”
Paul included people from all walks of life on his ministry team – Jew and Gentile alike; from a doctor (Luke) to those who didn’t always have the best reputations in their community (Mark & Demas). Everybody in the Church is not meant to be the ‘up-front, in the spotlight’ type, but we are all meant to serve in the capacity in which God has called us. The passage highlights the people in Paul’s life and ministry that Paul himself valued and believed was glorifying Christ in whatever role they willingly found themselves!
SOME KEY TAKE-AWAYS
Passage: Colossians 4:7-18
There is greatness even in the smallest things done for Christ.
Momentary things done for Christ are eternal.
God is still in the life-changing business today.
If you are full of Christ, you will forgive like him.
If this topic piques your interest, or would enjoy listening to this sermon in more depth, please head over to Legacy City’s Podcast here.
To keep up to date with Legacy City Church and everything that God is doing in our community, please follow us on social media:
Facebook: LegacyCityGWD
Instagram: LegacyCityGWD
Twitter: LegacyCityGWD
Join us next Sunday as we begin our second book in our Summer Scripture Series, Philemon! We’re saving you a seat, and know that You Are Loved!
Baptisim at Legacy City
There is no statute of limitations on when one can get baptized, whether you came to trust in Jesus yesterday or two decades ago, the time is now.
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
To begin with, baptism is NOT salvation. Although we believe that baptism is not necessary to attain salvation, it is the natural overflow and result of such redemption. It is an outward representation of an inward decision to follow Christ; it is an expression of obedience to Scripture and God.
We practice baptism by immersion, so on a physical level, baptism is a follower of Jesus being submerged under water (for a mere split second) to identify with the death and burial of Jesus and raised out of the water to identify with His resurrection. Baptism is viewed as a celebration at Legacy City, so while being baptized, we welcome family and close friends to come and stand behind you to encourage and affirm the action.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT BAPTISM?
We believe that the command to be baptized can clearly be found in Scripture. For example, see the Great Commission as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Next, see Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, found in Acts 2.
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38
Later in Acts, Peter commands the Gentiles to be baptized, in addition to believing Jews.
47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. Acts 10:47-48
There are many more instances where baptism is discussed in Scripture, but for the sake of time we can leave it at these obvious commands to baptize and be baptized.
WHEN DO I GET BAPTIZED?
As soon as you come to know Jesus, or anytime thereafter. There is no statute of limitations on when one can get baptized, whether you came to trust in Jesus yesterday or two decades ago, the time is now. Believers in the New Testament were baptized the same day. As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he can be, and is encouraged to be baptized. We see an example of this in Acts 8:35-39.
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
WHO CAN BAPTIZE PEOPLE AT LEGACY CITY?
Scripture is oddly silent on the idea of who can baptize. Traditionally, some may lean on the idea that it must be an ordained male pastor that baptizes, and while Pastor Robbie does many of the baptisms at Legacy City, we do not hold to that as the only means of baptism as Scriptural. In fact, we see in Scripture that often Jesus was not doing the baptizing, his disciples were. (John 4:2)
We find that there are really only three requirements of one that can baptize others: a person must profess faith in Christ, have been previously baptized following conversion themselves, and be involved with a local church (not necessarily Legacy City). The Great Commission even commands all of us to go out and baptize. So with that being said, a person is welcome to be baptized by a pastor, an elder, a parent, a mentor - whoever meets those requirements can baptize, male or female, ordained or not.
Sign up for the next Baptism Sunday here. If you have other questions about baptism, please feel free to reach out to contact@legacycity.church.
Happy Six Months, Legacy City!
We are a little over a year into this church planting journey and right at 6 months since we launched Legacy City Church. God has absolutely amazed me with his grace and mercy over these last months!
We are a little over a year into this church planting journey and right at 6 months since we launched Legacy City Church. God has absolutely amazed me with his grace and mercy over these last months!
We have witnessed salvation of sinners, baptized new believers, dedicated children, seen prodigals return home, and have had skeptics turn to dedicated followers. Come on somebody, that's what it's all about!
God has poured out the love of Jesus on people across this community through our #forgreenwood initiative and has allowed us to partner with some amazing organizations to impact the city. We are so blessed to work alongside our strategic partners for the glory of God!
We have an incredible staff that truly loves God and his local church, a group of elders that prays for and serves this church and community selflessly, and vast prayer network that lifts us up and cares for us. The people that God has brought to be a part of this new faith community are so special; they have open minds about what "the church" could be and are willing to take a risk, be bold, and live out their faith.
Six months in, we have a growing ministry dedicated to elementary kids AND one dedicated to toddlers and babies; we have an exciting and vibrant collection of Missional Communities that meet across the Lakelands; we have budding Student and College focused ministries; God has blessed us with a band and production team that truly focus on leading this church in worship; and Outreach and city ministry is wrapped into each of those areas.
Legacy City has had other churches and leaders pour into the vision and direction with their prayers, their advice, their contributions, their encouragement. We have also, in turn, been able to pour into other churches and church plants even in our short 6 months. We have seen such an amazing example of the Body of Christ coming together for a Kingdom cause over these last months.
What began as a vision that God gave me and then confirmed in others has become a movement of God that brings me to tears if I stop and think about it too long. What was initially just 6 people praying in our bonus room has become an answer to prayer for so many that were lost, hurting, and seeking. What started with 19 people worshiping in my bonus room became 70+ people worshiping in a house together and has culminated with hundreds experiencing worship in a movie theater for the glory of God!
But here's the good news: The best is still to come! After all of that, and the hundreds of stories I could share in relation to those God-victories, the best is still to come. Here's to an incredible six months, Legacy City, and I cannot wait to see what God does in the next six!
“And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.”
YOU ARE LOVED!
Robbie Earle, lead pastor