This weekend we began a new series, “City within the City” that may be one of the most powerful series we’ve done at Elevate so far. I believe that Elevate church is a church that is for the city, alongside other life-giving churches in the city of Monroe. And, in order to embrace that, there are a few qualities we must embody. To love our city to life, here are three things we must all do:

1. Healthy Spirituality
There is so much we could say about this. But as it pertains to being a city within the city, there’s one important aspect of healthy spirituality that should be addressed. Healthy spirituality is two-handed.
The first hand is a closed hand- the essential beliefs that are affirmed in the Bible. Included in this are issues like the trinity and that the Bible is inspired. These issues are clearly spelled out in the Scriptures. These are the things that we will stand for, regardless of if it’s popular or not.
The second hand is an open hand- the non-essential beliefs. In this hand are issues like music style, version of the Bible, and political alliances. Churches have split over issues like this. To favor only open-handed issues in our life or the life of a church we drain our spiritual vitality.

2. Have a Heart for your City
The Bible tells us clearly that Jesus had a heart for his city, in fact he wept for the spiritual condition of it. We can pray for our city, pray for our city leaders, even the ones we didn’t vote for or disagree with. Speak well of your city and love your city. We must take action by serving the poor and raise the quality of life of those less fortunate than us.

3. Work for the peace and prosperity of our city
Jeremiah 29.7 tells us to do this and be dedicated to this. Many of us love Jeremiah 29.11, which states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” But this verse is contingent on verse 7, which commands us to work for the peace and prosperity of our city. It must be part of who we are and bleed into everything we do.

In doing these three things we become an agent of God’s grace, a witness of God’s truth, and a terror to injustice.