Is your Christmas season feeling more stressful than soulful? In this powerful Christmas message, Pastor Chris DeArman explores Philippians 2 to reveal a side of Jesus we often overlook: The Servant King. While the world competes for status and "selfish ambition," Jesus offers a different way to live that leads to true connection and community.

In this sermon, you'll discover three profound ways Jesus serves you right now:

He Sits With Us: Jesus isn't a distant God; He entered into our suffering and "emptied himself" to be with us in our mess.

He Saves Us: He bore the full weight of our sin on the cross so that our guilt is gone and our forgiveness is forever.

He Prays For Us: Right now, Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for you. You are not alone in your struggles.

"Selfish ambition kills connection, but counting others first creates community." Learn how to shift your perspective this holiday season and live in the light of Christ's service to us.

📖 Key Scriptures:

Philippians 2:1-11 (The Humility of Christ)
Matthew 1:21-23 (Emmanuel, God with us)
Romans 8:31-34 (Christ's intercession for us)

🕒 Chapter Timestamps:
0:00 - Welcome & Christmas Greetings
1:33 - Shout outs to Great Service
3:50 - Jesus: The Servant King
4:45 - How to Do Relationships (Philippians 2:1-4)
8:46 - The Danger of Selfish Ambition
13:40 - Centering Your Mind on Christ
16:04 - Way #1: He Sits With Us (The Ministry of Presence)
22:44 - Way #2: He Saves Us (Guilt is Gone)
26:55 - Way #3: He Offers Supplication (He is Praying for You)
32:45 - Live in Light of His Service

The Magi traveled a great distance and expense to offer Jesus gifts. But what do gold, frankincense, and myrrh truly signify, and why is Jesus worthy of our worship today?

In this Advent sermon, Dr. Roger Patterson of CityRise Bellaire walks through the story of the wise men in Matthew chapter two. He explains that each gift answers the question, "Who is this child and why is he worthy of my worship?".

Discover the profound spiritual significance of the Magi's offerings:

👑 Gold acknowledges Jesus as King: Gold has always been a symbol of royalty, and to worship Jesus is to submit to His leadership over your life, recognizing Him as a sovereign King.

🙏 Frankincense points to Jesus as High Priest: This expensive incense used in temple worship symbolizes Jesus' role as the mediator of a new covenant, who offered His own blood for eternal redemption.

✝️ Myrrh acknowledges Jesus as Savior: Used to prepare bodies for burial, myrrh reveals that Jesus was born to die, offering Himself as a sacrifice so that we might live, be saved, and have our consciences cleansed.

Worship is the opening of the heart and the opening of the hands—it is bowing the knee in submission and bringing our talents to Him. This Christmas season, be reminded that our greatest need was forgiveness, and so God sent a Savior.

Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:1-12 , Isaiah 60:1-6 , Hebrews 9:11-15 , 2 Corinthians 5:21 , Isaiah 53.

Join Pastor Chris DeArman from CityRise Church as he explores the profound meaning behind Jesus's humble arrival, challenging the idea that God keeps His distance. This sermon focuses on the core Big Idea of Christmas: God does not do long distance relationships.

👑 Key Takeaways from the Sermon
The Big Idea: God doesn't do long distance relationships; He draws near to us by sending His son to step into our world and stories.

The Humble King: Jesus, the promised King , laid aside the rights, status, and visible display of divine glory ("Mild He lays His glory by") to fully enter the human experience. He knows what it's like to be tired, hungry, and face temptation.

Three Contrasts of Humility: The sermon highlights three contrasts from Luke Chapter 2 to illustrate Jesus's humble coming:

Caesar's Charge vs. Jesus's Cry: Caesar's charge was for taxation and self-exaltation , while Jesus's coming was for salvation. When Caesar spoke, the world moved, but God was working behind the scenes to fulfill the prophecy that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem.

The Palace vs. The Manger: The palace symbolizes separation from people, while the manger symbolizes welcome for all people and Jesus stepping into our mess. The King through whom all things were created had no room in His own creation.

Rome vs. Heaven: Rome acted in power, but God acts in purpose. While Caesar thought he was in control, God was directing history to fulfill the prophecy from Micah 5:2-5 that the ruler would come from Bethlehem.

Final Message: God is in perfect control of everything. He came as a humble King to serve, meet needs, die, beat death, and bring us new, everlasting life.

Sermon Series: The King Has Come Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 Preacher: Chris DeArman Church: CityRise Church

Join Pastor Ben Hays of CityRise West U Baptist for the first message in our Advent series, The King Has Come! As our world faces widespread governmental instability and longs for peaceful and righteous governance, this sermon unpacks the powerful, ancient messianic prophecy from Isaiah 9. We live between the first and second advents of King Jesus. Discover the profound difference between the kings of this world and the promised King of Kings. The King is NOT: A military conqueror, a political operative, or an aristocratic figurehead. The King IS: The Light Bearing King who makes the darkness flee. The Wisdom Providing King who rules according to true wisdom. The Peace Making King and the Righteous, Just King who cares about justice for the weak. Though the world still waits for a true king, we have an enduring hope in the Promised King who shall reign forever and ever. Learn how to live in light of His coming this Advent season. Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7 Speaker: Ben Hays, West U Baptist Campus Pastor Church: CityRise West U Baptist

Join Student Pastor Tim Yeager as he explores the Book of Exodus, specifically chapters 15 and 16, to draw powerful lessons on navigating the "wilderness" of life. This sermon, part of the "Can I Still Experience God" series , addresses how we often lose perspective during times of adversity, just like the Israelites who quickly grumbled after witnessing God's miracles.

Key Takeaways from the Sermon:

Pastor Yeager outlines three principles for navigating moments of crisis, uncertainty, and adversity well:

Look Back on God's Past Faithfulness: In moments of trial, remember how God has shown up in your life, providing strength and perspective for the current challenge. Tim Yeager shares personal stories of God's faithfulness through a difficult marriage adjustment (the "salad meal") and a family crisis with his son Jonah.

Listen to God's Instruction: God's provision (like the water at Marah and the manna in the wilderness) often comes with instruction, which is for our good. Disobedience, such as collecting more than a day's portion of manna or gathering on the Sabbath, leads to failure. To obey God's "moral will" is to build your life on the rock.

Learn to Trust God's Provision: The wilderness is designed to mold God's people into those who will trust Him even in fear and uncertainty. Complaining about circumstances is a form of criticizing the Maker, showing contempt toward God.

Ultimately, Jesus is the ultimate provision. He is the "Bread of Life"—the true satisfaction that goes beyond temporary desires. We must choose to trust the ultimate Provider over trying to engineer our own protection and provision.

Scripture References: Exodus 15:22-26 Exodus 16:1-30 John 6:32-35 Matthew 7:24

Delivered by Tim Yeager, Student Pastor at CityRise (West U Baptist, Houston, TX).

Are you in the "messy middle" of a challenge, tempted to give up when things get tough?

Join Dr. Roger Patterson as he preaches from Exodus Chapter 14 on the essential nature of having a "Faith That Finishes."

Drawing on the story of the Israelites facing Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea, Dr. Patterson explores the crucial difference between the Voice of Fear and the Voice of Faith. Just as the Texas A&M football team mounted an improbable comeback after being down significantly at halftime, you can press ahead and see God's victory.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding Bondage: We are often tempted to return to "bondage" (old habits/addictions) because of its false comfort, but living free is always better.

The Voice of Fear (The Four C's): Learn to recognize the signs of fear in your life—when you are Caught by it, when your prayer is a quick Cry-out, when you Complain, and when you Contrast the past with the present.

The Voice of Faith (The Four Declarations): Be encouraged by Moses' command: Fear Not, Stand Firm, Look Up (see the salvation of the Lord), and Be Confident (the enemy is done).

The Voice of the Father: God challenges your thinking, encourages you to use what's in your hand (your identity, income, influence) , and commands you to Go Forward even when you don't see the way.

The Voice of Finishing Faith: The story moves from Thus (what God has done) to Then (the people's response of singing and exalting the Lord). Don't quit on your marriage, children, or mission—keep moving to experience God's ultimate victory.

Scriptures Covered: Exodus 7:1-5 , Exodus 12:35-36 , Exodus 13:18 , Exodus 13:21-22 , Exodus 14:1-17 , and Exodus 14:30-15:2.

Preached by Dr. Roger Patterson on November 16, 2025.

Are you struggling to reconcile God's sovereign plan with your personal choices?

In this powerful sermon, Dr. Roger Patterson addresses one of the most debated topics in theology: Predestination and Free Will. He explores the "unsearchable ways of God" by looking at three essential biblical concepts:

Predestination: God's eternal decision of what will ultimately come to pass.

Providence: God's ongoing direction of all things toward His purpose.

Personal Choice: Humanity's real ability to make moral choices and be accountable for them.

Dr. Patterson argues that the Bible does not present God's sovereignty and human freedom as enemies, but as "dance partners". Drawing from the account of Moses and Pharaoh in Exodus 5 and 6, he delves into the three-stage "process of the hardening of the heart", showing how Pharaoh's rejection was an intersection of divine sovereignty and his own will.

Learn how to live in the tension of these truths, understanding that God's plan will be fulfilled, yet your choices still matter.

Scripture Reference: Exodus 5-7

Key Takeaway: Your choices matter (your "rudder"), but God's will (the "current") ensures His plan will be fulfilled.

CityRise Church

Website: https://www.CityRise.org

Give: https://www.CityRise.org/give

Sermon Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jPEOZJyql58KprHpZZSMfx

Dive into Exodus Chapter 5 with Pastor Ben Hays (West U Baptist) to explore the four hard spiritual truths about obedience and opposition. Why does following God often lead to immediate resistance, and why does victory rarely come quickly?

Ben Hays unpacks the story of Moses and Pharaoh, showing us that things often get worse before God brings a magnificent comeback. Learn how God uses opposition to refine our faith, display His power, and set the stage for His ultimate glory. If you feel discouraged and second-guessing your calling, this message will equip you to persevere and "Don't Give Up!"

Sermon Notes & Key Truths:
1. Victory is rarely immediate.
2. Obedience often brings opposition.
3. Things often get worse before they get better.
4. Hardships often cause us to second-guess our calling.

Scripture References:
• Exodus 5 (Core Text)
• Exodus 4:30-31
• Ecclesiastes 3:1
• Isaiah 60:22
• Acts 1:7
• Matthew 12:30
• Philippians 3:10
• Galatians 6:9
• Philippians 1:6