
Hosted by First Presbyterian Church Colorado Springs · EN

Sitting at the table for the Last Supper, the disciples start arguing about which one of them is greater. We long for power. We want to be in control. We want to know we have all it takes to overcome any obstacle without needing help. So, we seek physical power (gym) and vitality; we seek spiritual power (manifesting). Jesus turned power dynamics on their head. Ours is the only God who died on the cross to serve others. Jesus wants us to be free from the desire for power, and to find that freedom by trusting him enough to lay our lives down for one another. Speaker: Tim McConnell

Jesus often asked those he cured, “What do you want me to do for you?” It was important to have them express their desires and gain clarity over their true wants. The blind man wanted to see, but he also wanted to be seen. The most pressing need we all feel is to be seen, valued and loved. These may be three different but interconnected things. We want to be seen, so we run after instant fame (YouTube; Instagram). We want to be valued, so we strive desperately at work or in relationships (a ‘try hard’). We want to be loved; we put great value on our physical appearance. Jesus sees and delights, values and treasures, loves and knows. In Jesus we are fully known and fully loved. Speaker: John Goodale

The rich young ruler does not find peace. He is like the seed in the Parable that falls among weeds, cares and concerns of the world choke out his peace. We long for peace, both outer and inner peace. Outer peace desires push us to set up confidence in money for security. Inner peace pushes people to spiritual practices (yoga; meditation). Where is peace truly found? Even Peter expresses worry about provision. Jesus says, put your confidence in me. True peace, inner and outer, comes with submission and trust in God and his coming Kingdom. Speaker: Tim McConnell

We all have a longing for justice. We want to be treated fairly, and we want to see fairness and equal treatment for others. Where do we go with this longing for justice? Sometimes we go to social justice groups, protests, politics, and advocacy efforts to find our meaning and purpose. There is a place for advocacy, but it will not satisfy the thirst in your soul for things to be put right. Ultimately justice belongs to the Lord. He expressed his love and justice on the cross. Justice is found in Jesus. Speaker: Tim McConnell

What does it mean to be pure? For some, it sounds old-fashioned or even negative. But in Scripture, purity isn’t about rules or appearances—it’s about wholeness, integrity, and being made new from the inside out. In Mark 7:14–23, Jesus challenges the idea that external rituals can make us clean, pointing instead to the heart as the true source of impurity. Christ alone purifies and restores us, offering a freedom no ritual or self-effort can provide. Speaker: Greg Hartnett

This Psalm is a lament on how evil people seem get rewarded in this world while good people suffer. It sounds like if you do the right things, God will give you what you want! What it actually says is that when you love the Lord, when you take delight in God, God alters and adjusts the desires of your heart to match His. Then, when the desires of your heart are met, there is an overcoming and enduring joy (Proverbs 13:12). We all have desires. There are universal longings of the human spirit. When those desires go unmet, we tend to run toward alternative options that do not actually satisfy. How do you get what you want? The first step is submitting your very ‘wanting’ to Jesus. Speaker: Tim McConnell

The church is an embedded representation of the gospel. We are an outpost of the Kingdom making disciples, and as we stand up First Pres for the future, we are standing up an emblem of God’s own heart to seek and to save the lost of Colorado Springs. The gospel rings out from a strong, vital church. Our First Pres Forward campaign sets the stage for years of faithfulness to come. It is our full intent to stand as an enduring, embedded model of God’s love. Speaker: Tim McConnell

Finding your place is about taking on some commitments to serve. Where will your particular gifts make a difference here? When we serve together, we develop true friendships, sharing our lives together. Like loving parents, First Pres wants to help you figure out your gifts and where you can work to make a difference. We are on a mission to share God’s Word with a lost world. You can find a place to make a difference here. Speaker: Matt Holtzman

Just as the new believers in Thessalonica gave up their attachment to idols, we learn together how to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Finding your people is about committing to a second hour past Sunday worship. This could be a class, or a Life Group, or a Bible Study. It is hard to find your people if you only attend worship, and that sporadically. Church feels so different when you enter a medium or small group. We learn in lines but we grow in circles. Get into a circle of people. Speaker: Tim McConnell

Life in the church begins with new life in Christ. First we respond to the gospel and come to Jesus, then Jesus leads us into fellowship with one another in the church. In practical terms, we need to know how to be a part of church. We may need to imitate others. We want to help you find your healthy worship pattern, to pick a worship service to put on your calendar every week and stick to it. That will set up all the other priorities coming along behind. Speaker: Greg Hartnett