City Beautiful Church | New York City Tue, 26 May 2026 08:04:40 -0400 http://citybeautiful.nyc en-us © 2026 City Beautiful Church | New York City yes d16d7a0a-8f12-532f-a713-9f0bff6261c7 City Beautiful Church episodic false Everything we do at City Beautiful Church is because we believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Check out Sunday messages and teaching here. Thanks for listening! Find more info at citybeautiful.nyc.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) City Beautiful Church https://storage.buzzsprout.com/wrq1ypgkf7l4460qewtwbtc96tjs?.jpg City Beautiful Church | New York City http://citybeautiful.nyc 1 Peter | Part 6 - On Suffering...A God-Built Understanding (3v8-4v19) 1 Peter | Part 6 - On Suffering...A God-Built Understanding (3v8-4v19) The God who gives us "new birth into a living hope and into an eternal inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade"...is the exact same God who promises that you and I will suffer.  How can this be? And why are trials and suffering such foundational aspects of godly living as described in 1 Peter (and the rest of the Bible)?  To answer these questions of suffering, we have to let God build our understanding of it Himself.

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Peter 3:8-4:19

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]]> The God who gives us "new birth into a living hope and into an eternal inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade"...is the exact same God who promises that you and I will suffer.  How can this be? And why are trials and suffering such foundational aspects of godly living as described in 1 Peter (and the rest of the Bible)?  To answer these questions of suffering, we have to let God build our understanding of it Himself.

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Peter 3:8-4:19

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-19241176 Sun, 24 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400 2214 God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, Manhattan, full false 1st Peter | Part 5 - Living Upside Down 1st Peter | Part 5 - Living Upside Down The Bible teaches how to live while teaching us who we are. This is so crucial, because so much of living God's Kingdom ("living like God is in charge") looks so strange and "off" to the cultures of the world.  It's like living upside-down, and godly living will often seem to "lower" us as it exalts Jesus. But we are secure in Him, which means no circumstance can deter our love for Him.  Today we tackle several tense, potentially offensive and divisive circumstances in godly living including our submission to authority, enduring of injustice and our sacrifices in marriage.  We're way beyond religious slogans now...

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Peter 2:11-3:7

Simply Jesus by NT Wright

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]]> The Bible teaches how to live while teaching us who we are. This is so crucial, because so much of living God's Kingdom ("living like God is in charge") looks so strange and "off" to the cultures of the world.  It's like living upside-down, and godly living will often seem to "lower" us as it exalts Jesus. But we are secure in Him, which means no circumstance can deter our love for Him.  Today we tackle several tense, potentially offensive and divisive circumstances in godly living including our submission to authority, enduring of injustice and our sacrifices in marriage.  We're way beyond religious slogans now...

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Peter 2:11-3:7

Simply Jesus by NT Wright

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-19198355 Sun, 17 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400 2178 God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, Manhattan, full false 1st Peter | Part 4 - Living Stones: Chosen & Built 1st Peter | Part 4 - Living Stones: Chosen & Built It's understandable if we think that God's incredible work of mercy to us (through Jesus' death and resurrection) is a grand, individual gift.  But we'd be wrong if we stop there.  God's design for those who follow Jesus is much bigger than "a saved individual."  God is building something that shows His glory to all of creation...

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Peter 2:1-10

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]]> It's understandable if we think that God's incredible work of mercy to us (through Jesus' death and resurrection) is a grand, individual gift.  But we'd be wrong if we stop there.  God's design for those who follow Jesus is much bigger than "a saved individual."  God is building something that shows His glory to all of creation...

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Peter 2:1-10

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-19165179 Sun, 10 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400 1902 God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, Manhattan, full false 1st Peter | Part 3 - Empowered For Godly Living 1st Peter | Part 3 - Empowered For Godly Living The minute we think following Jesus is about a bunch of religious rule-keeping, He reminds us so clearly that...it's not.  But our lives will look like they have been redeemed.  Why?  Sincere love.  From God to us.  From us to others.  Godly living without godly loving is empty.  Jesus calls us to more.

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Peter 1:13-25

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]]> The minute we think following Jesus is about a bunch of religious rule-keeping, He reminds us so clearly that...it's not.  But our lives will look like they have been redeemed.  Why?  Sincere love.  From God to us.  From us to others.  Godly living without godly loving is empty.  Jesus calls us to more.

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Peter 1:13-25

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-19123988 Sun, 03 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400 1856 full false 1st Peter | Part 2 - Immediacy, Eternity & Mystery 1st Peter | Part 2 - Immediacy, Eternity & Mystery Part 2 of our series through the New Testament letter of 1 Peter...and before we dive into the heart of the letter's message, we get a further glimpse of three crucial foundations for the Jesus-follower.  All of them are initiated by God (for us), and understanding each has huge implications for living a godly life in a broken world.

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Peter 1:3-9

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]]> Part 2 of our series through the New Testament letter of 1 Peter...and before we dive into the heart of the letter's message, we get a further glimpse of three crucial foundations for the Jesus-follower.  All of them are initiated by God (for us), and understanding each has huge implications for living a godly life in a broken world.

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Peter 1:3-9

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-19086667 Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400 1994 God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, Manhattan, full false 1st Peter | Part 1 - The Writer & The Reader 1st Peter | Part 1 - The Writer & The Reader In this episode, we become letter-readers.  The majority of the New Testament consists of someone writing a letter to someone else, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  If we're serious about knowing what the Bible says about godliness and following Jesus...we need to learn to read a letter well.  What makes a letter? Only a few simple components.  The letter of 1 Peter has them all...

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Peter 1:1-2

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]]> In this episode, we become letter-readers.  The majority of the New Testament consists of someone writing a letter to someone else, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  If we're serious about knowing what the Bible says about godliness and following Jesus...we need to learn to read a letter well.  What makes a letter? Only a few simple components.  The letter of 1 Peter has them all...

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Peter 1:1-2

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-19049536 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400 2280 God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, Manhattan, full false Testimony Sunday + The Origin of Our Name Testimony Sunday + The Origin of Our Name In this episode, we celebrate two things. Firstly: some amazing testimonies of what God has done in the seasons of our church (and the past church families that have since merged into one, now).  Secondly, we celebrate the origin of the name of our church...and remind ourselves that we are a faith-filled people...calling out God's destiny for our city and the world.

Editor's note: This episode contains several testimonies from people in our church family, and we have left each unedited--including leaving in all pauses and spaces to preserve as much of the genuineness of the original sharer as possible.

Scriptures referenced:

Genesis 11:1-9

Revelation 21:1-4 & 21:22-27

Revelation 22:1-5

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]]> In this episode, we celebrate two things. Firstly: some amazing testimonies of what God has done in the seasons of our church (and the past church families that have since merged into one, now).  Secondly, we celebrate the origin of the name of our church...and remind ourselves that we are a faith-filled people...calling out God's destiny for our city and the world.

Editor's note: This episode contains several testimonies from people in our church family, and we have left each unedited--including leaving in all pauses and spaces to preserve as much of the genuineness of the original sharer as possible.

Scriptures referenced:

Genesis 11:1-9

Revelation 21:1-4 & 21:22-27

Revelation 22:1-5

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]]> City Beautiful Church Buzzsprout-19010863 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400 3308 God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, Manhattan, full false Not Just Any Shepherd...My Shepherd Not Just Any Shepherd...My Shepherd Jesus describes His relationship to us as that of a shepherd to His sheep.  But for us in a modern society today, we need to unpack that more to understand it fully--and when we do, we will see that God is always loving and intentional in how He describes us.

Resources:

Follow along: Psalm 23

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]]> Jesus describes His relationship to us as that of a shepherd to His sheep.  But for us in a modern society today, we need to unpack that more to understand it fully--and when we do, we will see that God is always loving and intentional in how He describes us.

Resources:

Follow along: Psalm 23

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]]> City Beautiful Church - Danny Rivera Buzzsprout-18938824 Sun, 29 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400 1783 God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, Manhattan, full false The Good Shepherd Part 2 - Life, Amen The Good Shepherd Part 2 - Life, Amen Jesus made it very clear that His ministry is miraculous (He overcomes all brokenness), scandalous (He offends our desire to make ourselves righteous) and for all of us (no one is disqualified from Him).  So what kind of life does Jesus offer to the one who will recognize Him for who He is?  Jesus answers that question using a comparison between Himself and the religious leaders of the day...and we'll see our own culture in His words.

Resources:

Follow along: John 10

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]]> Jesus made it very clear that His ministry is miraculous (He overcomes all brokenness), scandalous (He offends our desire to make ourselves righteous) and for all of us (no one is disqualified from Him).  So what kind of life does Jesus offer to the one who will recognize Him for who He is?  Jesus answers that question using a comparison between Himself and the religious leaders of the day...and we'll see our own culture in His words.

Resources:

Follow along: John 10

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-18895724 Sun, 22 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400 2196 God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, Manhattan, full false The Good Shepherd Part 1 - Light & Life The Good Shepherd Part 1 - Light & Life Lots of people talk about Jesus...but what does His ministry actually look like? If we can't answer that question, we can't follow Him closely.  Thankfully, Jesus doesn't leave it unanswered: He's completely clear about who He is and how He ministers.  In this 2-part sermon, we'll observe Jesus minister to someone in need, argue with those religious leders who don't think they have any need at all...and then explain His thought process in real time.

Resources:

Follow along: John 9

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]]> Lots of people talk about Jesus...but what does His ministry actually look like? If we can't answer that question, we can't follow Him closely.  Thankfully, Jesus doesn't leave it unanswered: He's completely clear about who He is and how He ministers.  In this 2-part sermon, we'll observe Jesus minister to someone in need, argue with those religious leders who don't think they have any need at all...and then explain His thought process in real time.

Resources:

Follow along: John 9

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-18858634 Sun, 15 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400 1893 God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, Manhattan, full false What Do We Do With Goodness of God? What Do We Do With Goodness of God? Have you ever found yourself at that place where you know that God is (and has been) good...but you need to trust Him for even more of His goodness?  What do we make of those times? When God has been good, but we ask Him to be good to us again, are we...in the wrong? Or has God designed His goodness in other way?

In our church family, we have found ourselves at this point with God. Two amazing churches have recently joined into one: Citadel Church and City Beautiful Church.  We'll be navigating all that comes with this change of season in the coming months, but one thing we know: God is good.  And we won't reach the bottom of His goodness.

Resources:

Follow along: Psalm 126

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]]> Have you ever found yourself at that place where you know that God is (and has been) good...but you need to trust Him for even more of His goodness?  What do we make of those times? When God has been good, but we ask Him to be good to us again, are we...in the wrong? Or has God designed His goodness in other way?

In our church family, we have found ourselves at this point with God. Two amazing churches have recently joined into one: Citadel Church and City Beautiful Church.  We'll be navigating all that comes with this change of season in the coming months, but one thing we know: God is good.  And we won't reach the bottom of His goodness.

Resources:

Follow along: Psalm 126

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-18824252 Sun, 08 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0400 1366 God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, Manhattan, full false God's Preferred Future (w/ Jesi Lusk) God's Preferred Future (w/ Jesi Lusk) God is never dull, never boring. He is sovereign, and He has plans.  He makes those plans known to us in the form of His promises...which serve as an invitation to us.  It's as if God is saying, "I have a preferred future for you.  Will you join me?"  Jesi Lusk takes us inside the unstoppable promises of God and illuminates our clear choice: will we agree with Him or not?

Resources:

Follow along: Numbers 13-14

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]]> God is never dull, never boring. He is sovereign, and He has plans.  He makes those plans known to us in the form of His promises...which serve as an invitation to us.  It's as if God is saying, "I have a preferred future for you.  Will you join me?"  Jesi Lusk takes us inside the unstoppable promises of God and illuminates our clear choice: will we agree with Him or not?

Resources:

Follow along: Numbers 13-14

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]]> City Beautiful Church - Jesi Lusk Buzzsprout-18500981 Sun, 11 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500 2327 promises, God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, M full false A Table to Remember (w/ David Phelps) A Table to Remember (w/ David Phelps) In today's episode, David Phelps takes us on journey through a story of Jesus that can unnerve us...we see Jesus passionately (even violently) defending the house of God, the Temple in Jerusalem.  What's going on here?  What is Jesus demonstrating?  Are we missing something?  And most importantly, is Jesus reseting something for the people who were watching Him (and for us)?

Resources:

Follow along: John 2:13-22

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]]> In today's episode, David Phelps takes us on journey through a story of Jesus that can unnerve us...we see Jesus passionately (even violently) defending the house of God, the Temple in Jerusalem.  What's going on here?  What is Jesus demonstrating?  Are we missing something?  And most importantly, is Jesus reseting something for the people who were watching Him (and for us)?

Resources:

Follow along: John 2:13-22

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]]> City Beautiful Church - David Phelps Buzzsprout-18251690 Sun, 23 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0500 2082 temple, God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, Man full false Our God Is Near to Us (And Hears Us) (w/ Merlin Mathew) Our God Is Near to Us (And Hears Us) (w/ Merlin Mathew) Can the God of the universe truly be all-powerful and fully compassionate? The Bible shows us that he is.  Next up in our series, "For the Bible Tells Me So," we visit the story of Hannah-- a woman crying out in desperation to see God move...not just in power, but in gentleness and goodness.  When God meets Hannah in her need, are His plans put off or delayed? No. It was His plan all along.

Editor's Note: In this episode, members of the audience read portions of the Scripture being studied.  

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Samuel 1 & 2

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]]> Can the God of the universe truly be all-powerful and fully compassionate? The Bible shows us that he is.  Next up in our series, "For the Bible Tells Me So," we visit the story of Hannah-- a woman crying out in desperation to see God move...not just in power, but in gentleness and goodness.  When God meets Hannah in her need, are His plans put off or delayed? No. It was His plan all along.

Editor's Note: In this episode, members of the audience read portions of the Scripture being studied.  

Resources:

Follow along: 1 Samuel 1 & 2

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]]> City Beautiful Church - Merlin Mathew Buzzsprout-18211505 Sun, 16 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0500 1591 sovereign, near, God hears, God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City B full false Bread & Wine: Our God is Miraculous (w/ Emily Phelps) Bread & Wine: Our God is Miraculous (w/ Emily Phelps) In our series, "For the Bible Tells Me So," we're exploring what the Bible reveals about the God of the universe-- the One True God.  In this episode, we see that God is not only powerful, He's compassionate.  Not only our capable provider, but our merciful Savior: Jesus.  He's way more than just a mighty miracle-worker...He invites us to know Him and to have full relationship with Him.

Resources:

Follow along: Matthew 14:13-21 & John 2:1-11

The Language of God by Francis Collins

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]]> In our series, "For the Bible Tells Me So," we're exploring what the Bible reveals about the God of the universe-- the One True God.  In this episode, we see that God is not only powerful, He's compassionate.  Not only our capable provider, but our merciful Savior: Jesus.  He's way more than just a mighty miracle-worker...He invites us to know Him and to have full relationship with Him.

Resources:

Follow along: Matthew 14:13-21 & John 2:1-11

The Language of God by Francis Collins

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]]> City Beautiful Church - Emily Phelps Buzzsprout-18166747 Sun, 09 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0500 2026 miracle, miraculous, God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautifu full false The Start of Deliverance - Part 2 The Start of Deliverance - Part 2 Because God is holy and perfect, fully without blemish or brokenness...He doesn't tolerate sin and evil.  That's why He introduces Himself in the Bible as Deliverer. Some deliverance is immediate, while other deliverance is coming in eternity. But one thing is certain: God has a blueprint for how He delivers the people whose faith is in Him.  In this episode, we see that blueprint take greater shape...an arc that leads to the person of Jesus Christ, who was called, "The Lamb of God."

Resources:

Follow along: Exodus 11 & 12

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]]> Because God is holy and perfect, fully without blemish or brokenness...He doesn't tolerate sin and evil.  That's why He introduces Himself in the Bible as Deliverer. Some deliverance is immediate, while other deliverance is coming in eternity. But one thing is certain: God has a blueprint for how He delivers the people whose faith is in Him.  In this episode, we see that blueprint take greater shape...an arc that leads to the person of Jesus Christ, who was called, "The Lamb of God."

Resources:

Follow along: Exodus 11 & 12

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-18083275 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 14:00:00 -0400 1996 God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship, Bible, City Beautiful, City Beautiful Church, Manhattan, full false The Start of Deliverance - Part 1 The Start of Deliverance - Part 1 God introduces Himself to people all throughout the Bible. In today's episode, we see God introduce Himself as a deliverer... to a man named Moses.  But God doesn't stop at declaring His power to deliver us from evil and sin...He commands us to participate. Moses asks God a question that all of us would-- and God answers clearly.

Resources:

Follow along: Exodus 3

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]]> God introduces Himself to people all throughout the Bible. In today's episode, we see God introduce Himself as a deliverer... to a man named Moses.  But God doesn't stop at declaring His power to deliver us from evil and sin...He commands us to participate. Moses asks God a question that all of us would-- and God answers clearly.

Resources:

Follow along: Exodus 3

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-18005136 Sun, 12 Oct 2025 14:00:00 -0400 2255 Moses, Exodus, deliverer, I am, For the Bible Tells Me So, God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Trinity, Holy Trinity, communion, Bible commentary, scripture, Biblical scripture, New York, New York City, NYC, East Harlem, NYC Church, charismatic, worship full false The Start of Sin (And Salvation) The Start of Sin (And Salvation) Sin is more than "wrong things we do..." It's a condition that we're in.  It's all due to our rejection of God's glory, righteousness and love.  In this episode, we see how sin started and how it permeates every one of our lives.

The good news? The moment sin existed, so did God's plan for salvation.  Even better news? No one  is disqualified from receiving it.

Resources: 

Follow along: Genesis 1-3

The Language of God by Francis Collins

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]]> Sin is more than "wrong things we do..." It's a condition that we're in.  It's all due to our rejection of God's glory, righteousness and love.  In this episode, we see how sin started and how it permeates every one of our lives.

The good news? The moment sin existed, so did God's plan for salvation.  Even better news? No one  is disqualified from receiving it.

Resources: 

Follow along: Genesis 1-3

The Language of God by Francis Collins

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-17846803 Sun, 14 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0400 2270 creation, sin, fall, Jesus, God, Holy Spirit, Genesis, salvation, science, Satan, Adam, Eve, Eden, Bible, universe full false Why I Believe the Bible (And Why That's Dangerous) Why I Believe the Bible (And Why That's Dangerous) Part 1 of our series, For the Bible Tells Me So, kicks off with a reminder that we're all believing something...whether we admit it or not.  But how do we arrive at those beliefs? And if we're considering the Bible...where do we go from there?

More resources:

Voddie Baucham, "Why I Choose to Believe the Bible"

Making Sense of God by Timothy Keller

The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

How to Read the Bible For All It's Worth by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stewart

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]]> Part 1 of our series, For the Bible Tells Me So, kicks off with a reminder that we're all believing something...whether we admit it or not.  But how do we arrive at those beliefs? And if we're considering the Bible...where do we go from there?

More resources:

Voddie Baucham, "Why I Choose to Believe the Bible"

Making Sense of God by Timothy Keller

The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

How to Read the Bible For All It's Worth by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stewart

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-17816163 Sun, 07 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0400 1966 Bible, Jesus, God, Holy Spirit, belief, faith, atheism, secularism, Old testament, New Testament, full false Giving Faith a Voice (w/ Craig Herbert) Giving Faith a Voice (w/ Craig Herbert) **Special Guests: Craig & Taryn Herbert from Citadel Church (Kew Gardens | Queens)**

Happy 4th Birthday, City Beautiful Church!

We're clear that we belong to Jesus and our lives are now lived to follow Him...so now what? Every single thing changes...and we will look quite different from the rest of the world, the rest of our culture.  We're filled with His indescribable joy and our immeasurable devotion, and our faith in Jesus allows Him to lead our lives.

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]]> **Special Guests: Craig & Taryn Herbert from Citadel Church (Kew Gardens | Queens)**

Happy 4th Birthday, City Beautiful Church!

We're clear that we belong to Jesus and our lives are now lived to follow Him...so now what? Every single thing changes...and we will look quite different from the rest of the world, the rest of our culture.  We're filled with His indescribable joy and our immeasurable devotion, and our faith in Jesus allows Him to lead our lives.

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]]> City Beautiful Church feat. Craig Herbert Buzzsprout-17385088 Sun, 22 Jun 2025 14:00:00 -0400 2058 full false Daniel Part 7 - Tables to Come Daniel Part 7 - Tables to Come In the last episode of our study of Daniel, we see something as clearly as we ever have: God has a train of thought.  So why does the book of Daniel take such a shift-- from narrative story in chapters 1-6 to prophecy in chapters 7-12? The answer makes more sense than you may realize...

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]]> In the last episode of our study of Daniel, we see something as clearly as we ever have: God has a train of thought.  So why does the book of Daniel take such a shift-- from narrative story in chapters 1-6 to prophecy in chapters 7-12? The answer makes more sense than you may realize...

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-17344225 Sun, 15 Jun 2025 14:00:00 -0400 1816 full false Daniel Part 6 - Tables You'll Recognize Daniel Part 6 - Tables You'll Recognize By now in our Daniel series, we have our eye on certain things...like how God thinks.  And how our ways can be in harmony with Him or not.  Or in harmony with the world around us or not.   And what that can cost us.  In this familiar "Sunday School" story, we notice some familiar things...all while recognizing that reading the Bible is something anyone can do.  After all: God has a train of thought, and it's for everyone.

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]]> By now in our Daniel series, we have our eye on certain things...like how God thinks.  And how our ways can be in harmony with Him or not.  Or in harmony with the world around us or not.   And what that can cost us.  In this familiar "Sunday School" story, we notice some familiar things...all while recognizing that reading the Bible is something anyone can do.  After all: God has a train of thought, and it's for everyone.

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-17308825 Sun, 08 Jun 2025 14:00:00 -0400 2215 full false Daniel Part 5 - One Table Changes, Another Stays the Same Daniel Part 5 - One Table Changes, Another Stays the Same Different king, same Daniel.  This new king learns the same lesson his forefathers did-- about just who is ultimately sovereign, holy, merciful and good.  Failure to acknowledge God in all our ways leads to pride...and God will stop at nothing to get our attention.

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]]> Different king, same Daniel.  This new king learns the same lesson his forefathers did-- about just who is ultimately sovereign, holy, merciful and good.  Failure to acknowledge God in all our ways leads to pride...and God will stop at nothing to get our attention.

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-17228696 Sun, 25 May 2025 14:00:00 -0400 2163 full false Daniel Part 4 - The Only Sovereign Table Daniel Part 4 - The Only Sovereign Table Would you ever believe that the Bible has a whole chapter dedicated to the prideful heart of a pagan king...who conquered and exiled God's people? It does. Why? The answer lies in the fact that no one is disqualified from the love, pursuit, justice and mercy of God-- because only He has full sovereignty over everything.  Don't believe us? Take Nebuchadnezzar's word for it...

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]]> Would you ever believe that the Bible has a whole chapter dedicated to the prideful heart of a pagan king...who conquered and exiled God's people? It does. Why? The answer lies in the fact that no one is disqualified from the love, pursuit, justice and mercy of God-- because only He has full sovereignty over everything.  Don't believe us? Take Nebuchadnezzar's word for it...

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-17191299 Sun, 18 May 2025 14:00:00 -0400 2407 full false Daniel Part 3 - A Table Set For Eternity Daniel Part 3 - A Table Set For Eternity By now, it's clear: more often than not, we humans set our ways against the ways of God.  But for followers of God, what does it mean to have so much assurance of His goodness, love and eternal salvation that we would give our lives for it.  Meet 3 men who were willing to do exactly that...and watch God show His glory.

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]]> By now, it's clear: more often than not, we humans set our ways against the ways of God.  But for followers of God, what does it mean to have so much assurance of His goodness, love and eternal salvation that we would give our lives for it.  Meet 3 men who were willing to do exactly that...and watch God show His glory.

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-17145430 Sun, 11 May 2025 14:00:00 -0400 1795 Jesus, Daniel, God, Holy Spirit, Bible, church, New York, Old Testament, New Testament full false Daniel Part 2 - The Tables Are Turned Daniel Part 2 - The Tables Are Turned We, like ancient people, can experience what it's like when our worldview fails...and all our tables seem to get turned on us.  How does the Bible teach us to respond? And what is the answer it gives to the deep human question, "Can God come near?"

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]]> We, like ancient people, can experience what it's like when our worldview fails...and all our tables seem to get turned on us.  How does the Bible teach us to respond? And what is the answer it gives to the deep human question, "Can God come near?"

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]]> https://citybeautiful.nyc/listen City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-17104536 Sun, 04 May 2025 14:00:00 -0400 2174 Jesus, Daniel, God, Holy Spirit, Bible, church, New York, Old Testament, New Testament full false Daniel Part 1 - The Table Is Set Daniel Part 1 - The Table Is Set Our series through the book of Daniel begins, and there's plenty of things to be excited for...and nervous about!  Can a 2500-year-old ancient narrative of exile, cunning, human brokenness and God's mercy and glory be relevant for us today? No doubt. The table is set...

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]]> Our series through the book of Daniel begins, and there's plenty of things to be excited for...and nervous about!  Can a 2500-year-old ancient narrative of exile, cunning, human brokenness and God's mercy and glory be relevant for us today? No doubt. The table is set...

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-17065824 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 14:00:00 -0400 2346 full false God, Give Us Increase God, Give Us Increase Does it feel strange or self-seeking to ask God for increase? Not if we know how increase works in His character and Kingdom. We can full-heartedly ask God to add to us...and He will do it in His ways.  What do we do when God brings increase? We go right back to intimacy with Him.

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]]> Does it feel strange or self-seeking to ask God for increase? Not if we know how increase works in His character and Kingdom. We can full-heartedly ask God to add to us...and He will do it in His ways.  What do we do when God brings increase? We go right back to intimacy with Him.

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-16562089 Sun, 02 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0500 2065 full false God, Give Us Impact God, Give Us Impact We know that God wants us to ask Him for certain things.  How do we know? Jesus teaches us. Next up: God, give us impact! As we ask Him to use us for His glory, we'll soon see that God's idea of impact is different ("higher"!) than ours...

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]]> We know that God wants us to ask Him for certain things.  How do we know? Jesus teaches us. Next up: God, give us impact! As we ask Him to use us for His glory, we'll soon see that God's idea of impact is different ("higher"!) than ours...

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-16519485 Sun, 26 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0500 2285 full false God, Give Us Intimacy God, Give Us Intimacy Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of God gives us what we should be asking God for. First up...intimacy with Him.  But that doesn't happen without God renewing certain things about us.  No one comes to Jesus and stays unchanged...

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]]> Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of God gives us what we should be asking God for. First up...intimacy with Him.  But that doesn't happen without God renewing certain things about us.  No one comes to Jesus and stays unchanged...

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-16477352 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0500 1872 full false What Do We Have the Right to Ask God For? What Do We Have the Right to Ask God For? New year, new you? Maybe so...But as followers of Jesus, what can we be sure we can ask God for? There's one place to find it: Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of God.

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]]> New year, new you? Maybe so...But as followers of Jesus, what can we be sure we can ask God for? There's one place to find it: Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of God.

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-16397427 Sun, 05 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0500 1576 full false Our Values: Love is the Difference Our Values: Love is the Difference The final episode in our Vision & Values series.  Jesus said we would be recognizable as "his" by one thing...and it's something the Gospel directly produces in us.

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]]> The final episode in our Vision & Values series.  Jesus said we would be recognizable as "his" by one thing...and it's something the Gospel directly produces in us.

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-16215297 Sun, 01 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0500 1585 full false Our Values: We Get In Order To Give Our Values: We Get In Order To Give Long before it touches our possessions, the Gospel touches our personhood.  Generosity is an "identity position" because of what Jesus has done for us... Sacrifice flows easily and anxiety turns to freedom after we understand His love.

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]]> Long before it touches our possessions, the Gospel touches our personhood.  Generosity is an "identity position" because of what Jesus has done for us... Sacrifice flows easily and anxiety turns to freedom after we understand His love.

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-16178069 Sun, 24 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0500 2404 full false Our Values - We Abide in God, We Move With God Our Values - We Abide in God, We Move With God The Gospel changes who we listen to, and Jesus gives us a compelling invitation: "Abide with me." Accepting His invitation changes everything about how we have a relationship God.

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]]> The Gospel changes who we listen to, and Jesus gives us a compelling invitation: "Abide with me." Accepting His invitation changes everything about how we have a relationship God.

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-16133855 Sun, 17 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0500 2842 full false Our Values: We Always Remember We Serve the God of the Impossible Our Values: We Always Remember We Serve the God of the Impossible The Gospel of Jesus fundamentally changes our relationship to power: what it means to run out of it...and what we do when we have it.  We serve the God of the impossible, and we fall at His feet.

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]]> The Gospel of Jesus fundamentally changes our relationship to power: what it means to run out of it...and what we do when we have it.  We serve the God of the impossible, and we fall at His feet.

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-16092900 Sun, 10 Nov 2024 14:00:00 -0500 2979 full false Our Values: We Invite Others to Join Us in Knowing Jesus Our Values: We Invite Others to Join Us in Knowing Jesus There's only one response when we believe God's radical love found in the Gospel of Jesus...overflowing in inviting others to experience that radical love as well!

(To view the clip referenced in this sermon, click here).

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]]> There's only one response when we believe God's radical love found in the Gospel of Jesus...overflowing in inviting others to experience that radical love as well!

(To view the clip referenced in this sermon, click here).

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-16053337 Sun, 27 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400 2355 full false Our Values: We Are With & For One Another Our Values: We Are With & For One Another God's radical love for us (the Gospel), given to us in Jesus, doesn't just spark our love for Him...it begets a radical unity amongst us as a church.  But unity doesn't just happen...what causes (and keeps) our unity?

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]]> God's radical love for us (the Gospel), given to us in Jesus, doesn't just spark our love for Him...it begets a radical unity amongst us as a church.  But unity doesn't just happen...what causes (and keeps) our unity?

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-16053111 Sun, 20 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400 2472 full false Our Values: All of Us for Jesus Our Values: All of Us for Jesus The Gospel is the message--the reality--of God's radical love for us.  His radical love for us births our radical love for Him.  And this Gospel dynamic changes everything.

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]]> The Gospel is the message--the reality--of God's radical love for us.  His radical love for us births our radical love for Him.  And this Gospel dynamic changes everything.

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-16053084 Sun, 13 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400 2175 full false Our Vision: All of Jesus for Everyone Our Vision: All of Jesus for Everyone The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most impactful and important message in history.  As a church, we need a vision statement -- a concept of who we are and how we will live -- that reflects the Gospel.

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]]> The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most impactful and important message in history.  As a church, we need a vision statement -- a concept of who we are and how we will live -- that reflects the Gospel.

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]]> City Beautiful Church - James Lusk Buzzsprout-16027583 Sun, 06 Oct 2024 14:00:00 -0400 2177 full false