In Matthew 16, Jesus challenges us to embrace a radical form of discipleship. He calls us to 'take up our cross and follow Him,' a concept that feels foreign in our modern, self-focused culture. This teaching invites us to consider what it truly means to deny ourselves and follow Christ. It's not about losing our identity, but rather aligning our desires with God's will. We're reminded that the path of discipleship isn't always easy, but it leads to a life of profound meaning and purpose. As we reflect on this passage, we're encouraged to examine our lives and ask: Are we truly following Jesus, or are we expecting Him to follow us? Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. Our vision is to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did so that we may love all people in Jesus' name. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org

In this teaching, we explore the healing ministry of Jesus as depicted in Matthew chapters 8-10. We're reminded that Jesus' miracles weren't just displays of power, but signs pointing to the restoration of God's intended natural order. Each healing addressed human suffering and previewed the coming kingdom of God. The story of Lazarus' resurrection in John 11 beautifully illustrates Jesus' compassion and power over death. We're challenged to understand that while healing is biblical and part of the church's ministry, it's also complicated. Healing is a sign of the kingdom, not the substance - salvation is the true substance. This perspective helps us navigate the tension between faith for healing and the reality of suffering in our lives. Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. Our vision is to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did so that we may love all people in Jesus' name. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org

We explore Jesus’ challenging command to love our enemies, emphasizing that this radical love is a distinguishing mark of Christ’s followers. Dr Tammy Smith explained that loving enemies is not about feelings but about actions and attitudes, rooted in God’s grace and enabled by His Spirit. The message encourages us to break cultural norms by actively blessing those who hurt them and praying for those who persecute them, highlighting that this kind of love can only come through dependency on Christ. Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. Our vision is to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did so that we may love all people in Jesus' name. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org

In this powerful message, we explore the profound connection between spiritual baptism and spiritual battle. The core of this teaching revolves around Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3 and His subsequent temptation in Matthew 4. We're reminded that as we draw closer to God and experience His love, we must also be prepared for spiritual conflict. This pattern, exemplified by Jesus, teaches us that our greatest moments of spiritual affirmation are often followed by our toughest battles. We're encouraged to understand that facing trials doesn't mean we've done something wrong or that God has abandoned us. Instead, it's a natural part of our spiritual journey, just as it was for Jesus. This perspective shift can transform how we approach difficulties in our faith walk, seeing them as opportunities for growth rather than punishment. Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. Our vision is to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did so that we may love all people in Jesus' name. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org

We explore the profound significance of Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1, uncovering how God weaves redemption through flawed human stories. This passage, often overlooked, reveals God's willingness to work through broken people and situations. We see five women mentioned - Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary - each with complex, sometimes scandalous histories. Their inclusion reminds us that God's plan of salvation embraces all, regardless of past mistakes or circumstances. This genealogy connects Jesus to key promises in Scripture - the Abrahamic, Davidic, and Messianic - showing how He fulfills God's grand plan. We're challenged to see our own stories, however marred, as part of God's redemptive work, finding hope in a Savior who entered our messy world to bring salvation. Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. Our vision is to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did so that we may love all people in Jesus' name. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org