1. What is happening in “This City” = “This Generation”?
Jesus said:‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another,“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’Matthew 11:16-19
This Bible verse uses the example of children playing games. It shows that people in that time only gave negative responses to John and Jesus. They were never happy, never satisfied.
Today, this generation is still the same:
• People are spiritually blind. They do not believe in Jesus and reject God’s message and His salvation.
• They want to see miracles, but they do not believe or repent. They doubt instead.
• Their hearts are not satisfied. They feel unhappy with society, life, and relationships.
[Discussion 1]: Do we see the problems and needs of our city?
Long ago, there was a sinful city called Sodom. When Abraham heard that God was going to destroy it, he prayed with a humble heart. He asked God again and again to save the city if there were righteous people — from 45 down to just 10 people. God’s promise to Abraham was this: “Through you, all nations will be blessed.”
When I look at our city, I hear God say: “I care about this place. I care about the millions who live here.” Even if your city has only thousands or tens of thousands of people — God still cares!
God gave us His Son, Jesus. Because God stepped in first, we can now pray for our city and ask God to change it and its people! I believe every Christian in this city has a mission from God. May God use us to help others see Him through our lives.
2. A Changed and Growing Life
The Bible says: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!". ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 )
God calls us to live a new life through Jesus. Because of Jesus’ salvation, our actions and lives can be different — we can live in holiness and show God’s life in us.
“he saved us, ... through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3:5
“to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,” Ephesians 5:26
“we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4
Romans 12:2 said : “ not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, allowing them to discern God's good, acceptable, and perfect will. “
God gives us a new heart (new desires and loves) and a new spirit (so we can hear God, understand His will, and follow Him) (Ezekiel 36:26).
Our renewal is ongoing. We must grow in humility and obedience, showing Jesus’ glory in our lives. Romans 12:2 connects “renewal” and “transformation” — because renewal brings change. If there is no change, it means there is no true renewal.Just like a caterpillar becomes a butterfly — it goes through change (renewal) and becomes something new (transformation).
Spiritual growth starts with a hunger for God’s Word. When we truly want to know God, and listen to His truth every day, we receive wisdom, strength, and renewal.
We also need to keep praying. Prayer helps us stay close to God, understand His plans, and find our purpose in serving Him.
[Commitment] Let us decide to grow in our new life in Christ.
3. [The Church’s Mission] – What is the Church?
We are the Church!
The Church is not just a building. It is all of us — believers in Jesus — who come together to support each other, walk together, and grow spiritually. In the Church, we experience unity and love.
Let’s read Isaiah 52:7-8 together: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy.When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes."
Today, the Holy Spirit is calling the Church to speak to the city.
“They will see it with their own eyes” — this means we must see people and our city the way God sees them, and also believe God’s power can work and change hearts.
What can we do?
1. Care for and pray for our city.
2. Seek spiritual revival.
3. Share the Gospel!
[Light the Candle]
