The 180 Church Podcast with Dr. Sammy and Friends

Jesus Culture

When analyzing the framework of any organization, we examine that it’s mission and culture compose foundational elements for its reason to exist. There is a purpose to be and a work to be done in the world. As for the church, the thread that fundamentally ties the community of God together is centered in Christ - a culture defined by its identity in Jesus and its reflection onto one another through our relationship with him. It is through Christ we become the church built on his people, to encourage and grow with one another by reflection of the imago dei and conduct the work of the kingdom as God’s people who meet because of the good news.

The Long Term Value in Developing Spiritual Rhythms

Because film and television often portray good-looking people living romanticized lives, it is easy for us to create unrealistic expectations, even standards of near perfection, for ourselves and for others. The season of Lent gives us a chance to expose and reexamine these standards. After all, Jesus, as the Son of God, also dealt with expectations - including a challenge by the devil to demonstrate his very identity after having fasted in the wilderness. We can take inspiration from Jesus's response and develop similar spiritual rhythms. Whenever we struggle with expectations and feel that we cannot live up to them, we can, just like Jesus, recall that we all are first and foremost beloved by the Father.

From Fasting to Feasting (Reimagining Lent Part 2)

Too often, Lent becomes about what we fast and how well we fast. However, the true point of Lent is fasting for the sake of feasting on God's transformative power and the salvation which only He can provide. Whereas a focus on fasting leads to a preoccupation with incremental self-improvement and what is better for ourselves, a focus on feasting encourages us in our dependence on a Savior and our alignment with His mission. Regardless of what our particular defaults are, fasting is really about surrendering our self-will and self-reliance; it is a sacrifice of our own desires and capabilities to make space for God to bring visible and lasting change into our lives, all for the sake of others.

The Importance of Prayer in Community

Many of us regard prayer as a solitary act, and indeed, we need to spend time alone with God as Jesus did in scripture. Because we have so many defaults, flaws, and competing commitments that are in the way in our relationship with Christ, we need the power of communal prayer, especially during the Lenten season when the temptation to resort to our coping mechanisms is highest. It may be difficult for us to pray together when we don't share our needs. However, there's a growing strength in communal prayer that allows God to help in our times of need and to keep ourselves aligned with Christ.

Reimagining Lent: From Fasting Food to Fasting Our Defaults

Many of us resort to coping mechanisms that are perpetuated by culture to counter the pressures and grief of our day-to-day lives. Whether it is the bottle or other forms of self-medication, these default modes can offer short-term relief and get us through the day. However, they often fail us and develop into chronic problems themselves. With the Lenten season upon us, we have an opportunity to divert our default coping mechanisms to a true source of power and life change - the Father and his community in prayer.

Join us in person at AMC Theater (890 Broadway) 19th St. NYC Noon or online 12:10PM!

The Alarming Dangers of Spiritual Piety

What we see on the pulpit is often a spirituality of stardom and ostentatious faith, but when we examine the fine line between spiritual sincerity and spiritual piety, we reveal a pervasive danger of unintended consequences. Where a vibrant faith invites approval, applause, and respect, there is an incentive for those who seek these accolades. When we pursue spirituality without the power of the spirit, spiritual piety can get the best of us without proper checks and balances. But if we pay attention to Christ's warnings and model of servant leadership, perhaps we can move toward a leadership of competency and humility that mitigates narcissistic leadership.

Living In Uncertainty

Collectively, we consume high volumes of information in an effort to mitigate day-to-day uncertainties. However, uncertainty is indisputable - no amount of information allows us to know exactly what will happen tomorrow. The parable of the talents addresses our daily uncertainties by pointing to one paramount certainty, that Jesus Christ will one day redeem this broken world, and He will do so regardless of our participation in His kingdom and mission. In light of this certainty, the question is not whether God will restore this world, but whether we choose to trust in His promise, submit to His work, and take part in the story He is writing.

Reclaiming God’s Original Purpose For Prayer (Learning to Pray Again Series)

The question we raise this week in our series with prayer is: what is God’s initial purpose for prayer? When we pray to our Father, we often miss the imperative aspect of community - praying in fellowship with our spouse, family, and friends. After all, prayer and community is inseparable in the biblical lens. The invitation extended to us through Christ, as brothers and sisters, is a feast at the table of God and a fellowship that gives us a glimpse of heaven.

The Compounding Value of Short Prayers (Learning to Pray Again Series)

If we believe we earn our righteousness from God or that it's reserved for saints, prayer can seem inaccessible to us which can push us away from the discipline of prayer. This can imply prayer being a performative act, rather than a way for us to reconnect with God. Prayer doesn't need to be harder than it seems, and neither does creating a habit of it. Even if we can pray for a few moments at a time, we learn from scripture that even if our prayers are long or short, through Christ, God has already imputed his righteousness to us so that we may pray to Him with the confidence that He will listen to us.

Holding on to God’s Promises in Difficult Times

When we find ourselves bogged down by the chronic nature of our weariness and struggles, it becomes difficult to look forward to or even hold onto God's promises to us. But nothing is impossible with God, and He delivers on every one of His promises no matter the delay or the effort it takes to do so. In a world that celebrates instant gratification, sometimes we mistakenly believe that a promise delayed means a promise denied. In truth, Jesus's sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate proof that God will keep every and any promise He makes. For Jesus knowingly and willingly endured scorn, agony, betrayal, and abandonment, all for the sake of fulfilling God's greatest promise: to redeem, restore, and renew this broken world and His broken people.