In the City for the City

Pastor Gregg Katz concludes Living Stones’ core values series by exploring what it means to be in the city for the city. Beginning with God’s call to the exiles in Jeremiah 29:4–10 to seek the welfare of Babylon, Gregg draws on 1 Timothy 2:1–7, Proverbs 11:9–12, Matthew 22:34–40, and Titus 3:1–3 to call Christians to pray for their leaders, speak with kindness, love their neighbors, and be ready for every good work. He offers practical ways to be present physically, culturally, and spiritually through local relationships, community involvement, generous service, prayer, and sharing the gospel. Although our citizenship is in heaven, the promise of God’s eternal city in Revelation 21:1–4 gives purpose to our life here: we seek the good of our city because we want its people to be in God’s city. The message closes with encouragement to keep doing good, serve through local ministries, and invite others to know Jesus.

00:00 Scripture Reading – Jeremiah 29:4–10

01:48 Introduction: In the City for the City

07:48 Seek the Welfare of Your City – Jeremiah 29:4–10

11:40 Pray for All People and Leaders – 1 Timothy 2:1–7

13:36 Speak Encouragement into Your City – Proverbs 11:9–12

15:37 Love God and Your Neighbor – Matthew 22:34–40

17:19 Be Ready for Every Good Work – Titus 3:1–3

22:05 Physically: Be Present and Invest in Your City

24:42 Culturally: Participate and Influence for Good

26:53 Spiritually: Pray and Share the Gospel

28:17 We Are Exiles: Our Citizenship Is in Heaven

30:08 We Want the People in Our City to Be in God’s City

30:46 Our Eternal Home – Revelation 21:1–4

34:00 Keep Doing Good: Your Neighbor Needs Your Service

36:12 Practical Next Steps: Serve Locally and Invite Others

38:57 Closing Prayer