Community Bible Church: Recent Episodes
Community Bible Church
As we wrap up the book of Habakkuk we see the incredible culminating transformation of his perspective since his opening complaint and accusation. In his closing prayer/song, we're reminded of timeless truths about who God is. We also find a deeply challenging call to reflect on our attitude when we don't understand or like what we see around us.
In the second section of Habakkuk we find his response to God's first answer, as well as God's second answer. Habakkuk doesn't like God's first answer, and God reminds him (and all of us) to keep silent before Him. What does this mean? Why is this so important?
Join us as we start our new series in the letter of Habakkuk. This short book should inform our perspective in just about every area of our life. In this first message we examine the context of this letter and then study Habakkuk's first interaction with the Lord.
What hills are worth dying on within Christianity? Join us as we examine the most foundational of those topics.
Matthew 14:22-33 provides us with an incredible picture of the realities of following Jesus and living for His glory alone. Join us as we study this rich passage of Scripture.
Matthew 4:1-11 provides a highly insightful examination of temptation. Join us as we study this crucial passage.
If believers are judged on how they built on the foundation of Christ, how do we build on that foundation? We turn to Ephesians 2:19-22 to look at what it means to build on the foundation of Christ: building up His church, and building ourselves as His redeemed.
2 Timothy 4:8 (and many other verses) identifies Jesus as our Judge. This is a title the Church seems to struggle with remembering. Why should we make deliberate effort to keep this title of Christ in mind more often? How would that impact the daily life of believers? Join us as we study this title.
Hebrews 12:2 gives us an incredible title for Jesus. How does knowing Jesus is the "founder and perfecter of our faith" affect our theology? What's the difference between faith and belief? Join us as we study this title for Jesus.
In Jeremiah 23:5-6 we find a beautiful name of the Lord: Jehovah Tsidkenu. Unpacking this name reveals a multitude of reasons to praise God as we know Him better.
Psalm 62 begins with the powerful statement "For God alone my soul waits in silence;" what's that actually mean? What is the purpose of silence in the life of the believer? Join us as we dive into this beautiful question and why it matters.
Psalm 32 shows us the incredible beauty of the forgiveness that God is able to pour out upon us through Christ. Join us in celebrating that beauty through this Psalm!
Psalm 51 is a powerful lesson on repentance and the proper longing of our heart. Join us in studying this rich psalm.
Guest Speaker: Olau Thomassen. Join us as we study John 3:1-15 to compare when a human says "we know" to when the Triune God says "we know."
Psalm 34 is an absolutely timeless reminder of every believers' call to praise God, as well as a joyful reminder of the abundance of reasons all believers have to do so!
Psalm 48 provides several compelling exhortations for how one generation of the Church ought to interact with and impact another. Join us as we examine this psalm.
Psalm 15 provides incredible detail on what the life of a mature disciple of Christ looks like, someone who is following through on the commitment to Jesus' lordship. Join us as we study this beautiful psalm.
Psalm 7 gives us an incredible lesson on how Christians should respond when people treat them with hostility. Join us as we study these verses and reflect on humility, trust, patience, and ultimately God's righteousness.
We wrap up our series on Colossians by looking at 4:7-18. What simple but powerful lessons do we glean from Paul's final words to Colossae?
Colossians 4:2-6 gives us an incredible charge and lesson on how vital prayer is to evangelism. And once God opens a door, what should we say to the person? Join us as we study how simply these verses prepare us for evangelism.
Colossians 3:17 exhorts us to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus; in verses 3:18 - 4:1 we see details on what that looks like in the context of our personal and professional relationships. Join us as we study these verses and examine the incredible opportunities before us for witnessing.
In Colossians 3:15-17 we find a trilogy of commands for believers to submit to Christ in specific ways. Join us as we examine these 3, as well as the absolutely necessary heart posture for all believers in these areas.
In Colossians 3:12-14, Paul gives us a beautiful picture of what being counter-cultural actually looks like in the life of the church, and challenges us to apply it.
Colossians 1:28 talks about teaching AND warning people. In Colossians 3:5-11 we find the warning. The wrath of God is real and it is coming. So what fundamentals do people need to understand about His wrath, and for believers who are no longer under it, how should this essential truth impact our lives and actions?
Easter is a time of celebration because Jesus died, but didn't stay dead. If He would've stayed dead, everything falls apart. When He rose, however, some things did die. What are they and how should this cause believers to rejoice? Join us for Easter 2025.
In Colossians 3:1-4 we find the call to set our minds on the things above, but what are those things? How do we set our minds on them?
Judges 11 introduces us to a man named Jephthah, whose life offers timeless wisdom for how to speak and measure our words. More importantly, we see incredible truths about who God is in Jephthah's story. Join us as we examine this account.
Pastor Dawson presents a recap of his recent trip to the Dominican Republic and what God taught him through it.
In Colossians 2:9-15 we find the full umbrella of atonement described; a debt needed to be paid and our Savior condescended in His great love to take on the penalty and payment of that debt.
In Colossians 2 we find a macro-perspective on recognizing false teachers/teaching, as well as several micro-level identifiers. Join us as we examine these timeless warnings for the Church.
In Colossians 2:2 we find an absolutely incredible word in the original Greek that should deepen our understanding of, appreciation for, and zeal for the church. All of which must lead us in praise of God. Join us as we study Scripture.
It's easy to use "praise" and "worship" interchangeably but they're two very different words, and it's vital Christians understand them each and why this matters.
Colossians 1:24-29 answers an absolutely vital question for the Church: what's the point of ministry? Not only do these verses give a big picture answer, but they also provide very helpful details on how to carry ministry out, as well as provide wonderful encouragement for us as we pursue this.
Colossians 1:21-23 gives us a comprehensive picture of who believers were before salvation, what happens in our regeneration, and what we're promised as those saved. May these verses cause us to rejoice and praise Jesus for who He is and what He has done!
Colossians 1:15-20 provides one of the most incredible passages on who Jesus Christ is, as well as verses that clearly refute very problematic heresies. Join us as we study these verses and how they should impact our lives today.
So many people want to know what their purpose in life is. For believers, it's phrased as "what's God's will for my life?" Colossians 1:9-14 gives us an incredibly straight-forward answer, as well as 3 specific examples of what it looks like.
Colossians 1:5-8 gives us a rich picture of the simple, powerful nature of God's Word. Join us as we study these verses to see what message has born fruit, and continues to do so.
In Colossians 1:5 we find Paul commend the people for their faith and love, because of their hope. As the Church, do we fully understand hope and its impact on our lives? Join us as we examine the beautiful truth of hope.
Join us as we kick off a new series on Colossians! In this introductory message we look at the two primary themes of this letter, and get into the first four verses to see how those two themes intertwine right from the start.
Psalm 19:7-8 tells us that the Word of God is perfect, right, and pure. Join us for a deeper look into what each of those words mean and why we should cherish the Word of God!
In Psalm 90 we find an incredibly insightful presentation of who God is, who we are in contrast, and how that should subsequently order our approach to life. Join us for this deep dive into a rich psalm!
It's that time of year again: annual meeting. Join us for encouraging testimonies from people who followed God into something new this year as well as a reminder of the cultural goal we're seeking to establish!
In the concluding chapters of Exodus we see a phenomenal picture of a whole people group responding the Lord: willingly, joyfully, corporately and individually, wholeheartedly, and completely according to His commands. And in the last few verses of Exodus 40, we see the why: because God's glory is greater than all else. So what questions should we ask ourselves?
In Exodus 34:10-35 we see incredible lessons on the all-encompassing nature of sanctification, including its source. Join us as we open Scripture.
In Exodus 33:18-34:9 God declares His name to Moses, and in doing so, reveals astounding, encouraging, beautiful facts about who He is. There are so many false perceptions about who God is, so let us make sure we know the truth and can point people to the Lord as He truly is.
In the first half of our look at Exodus 32 (see sermon 11/3/24) we examined the first problem revealed in God's people: forgetfulness. In this second half of our examination, we study the second problem God identifies in His people: Stubbornness. And we also look at the beautiful encouragement found in the midst of the conviction: God deals with us according to His mercy, which never runs dry.
Exodus 32 presents a tragic story of what happens when God's people forget Him, but also presents beautiful reminders of His faithfulness in light of our faithlessness. Join us as we unpack this rich chapter of Scripture.
In Mark 8:1-26 we find a series of conversations Jesus has with His disciples, driven by several different interactions with the people around them. Join us as we look at the insights into what God wants for us revealed through these conversations.
Exodus 30 records God's instructions for the anointing oil for the people; what does this have to do with the Church today? Join us as we examine the Anointed One, Jesus Christ, and how believers are anointed with the Holy Spirit.
In this sermon, Pastor Dawson talks about believers sharing in persecution from the unbelieving world, sharing in the eternal victory of Christ, and sharing in the warning proclamation to the nations. Go forth in His victory!
Exodus 30 records God's instructions on the altar of incense for the people; what does this have to do with the Church today? Join us as we examine the Biblical call to and standards for prayer.
In Exodus 28 & 29 we find incredibly specific and intricate details about the priestly garments. What do these garments foreshadow eternally and how should this section of Exodus cause us to praise God? What other details do we see in these garments that serve as a reminder of our calling in the here and now?
In Exodus 26, we find God's detailed instructions for the construction of the tabernacle, specifically the exterior and interior fabric hangings. But the Hebrew word used for the exterior curtains is different than the word used for the interior fabric hanging separating the Most Holy Place. Why does this distinction matter so much? What do we learn from the specific word used for the veil?
In Exodus 25 God gives the Israelites instructions for building a table in the tabernacle for the Bread of the Presence. What is the bread and why is it so important? What did this bread represent for the people of Israel and what should it teach us today?
Join us this week as we study Exodus 25:1-22. Within these verses we find timeless truth on the nature of participating in supporting ministry, the preciseness of God's intentionality, and most beautifully, deep lessons on the role of mercy in how God leads us and how we must reflect His character to the world.
Exodus 24 presents fascinating insight into covenants and the role of God's people in ministering to those around them. It also wonderfully foreshadows Christ and the new covenant; join us as we examine this beautiful chapter of Scripture.
In Exodus 23 we find an incredible promise from God where He says if His people obey Him, He will fight for them and oppose their adversaries. How does this specifically foreshadow Jesus and the work He does on behalf of His Bride, the Church?
In Exodus chapters 21-23 we see the Lord give His people a series of commands regarding how they are to operate and function as a holy people, a just and true society different from the world around them. Join us as we consider the principles laid out by God and ask ourselves what is required of us today in pursuing this standard.
2 Samuel 12 gives us an incredible study of repentance. In order to fully understand this idea and practice, we must understand 3 things: the objective horror and depth of our sin, Who we sin against, and God is righteous to judge our sin. So how does this story of David teach us these things?
As we conclude and consider the entirety of the ten commandments, we can see how they answer several simple, timeless questions, but ones that always comes under attack. Is there absolute truth? Where does morality come from?
It's easy for us to read the last half of the commandments, identify where we stumble a little, but overall feel pretty proud of ourselves: I've never killed anyone, never stolen anything, I'm good. But these commandments go beyond the surface to get at our heart. First, how should these commandments cause us to praise God? Do we even think of that as a result of these? And second, if God is forbidding these actions towards others, what does He call us to instead?
As we continue our series in Exodus, we come to 20:12, the commandment to honor our parents. Why does this matter so much for God's people? What does this commandment teach us about the larger structure of our life?
In Exodus 20:4-7 we find the concluding commandments regarding idolatry, but with a new detail: idolatrous engagement with God- attributing images to Him and using His name in vain. What do these mean? How does the church struggle with imposing an image upon God today? Does it go deeper than not using His name as an exclamation?
In Exodus 20:3 we find the start of the 10 Commandments: we shall have no other gods before God. Do we fully understand what that means? And if we're called to have no other gods, no idols, how can I know if I'm holding to this? How does Scripture identify idols?
In Exodus 19:16-25 we see that the people of Israel tremble when the presence of God descends on the mountain. Why? Should believers tremble before God? What causes God to break out against people?
On Youth Takeover Sunday, we're pausing our current series on Exodus to hear a message from this past school year's youth series on Mark. In Mark 6:45-52 we see an incredible display of Jesus' deity, which raises the question do we respond to His deity the way the disciples do in this passage?
In Exodus 19, the people of Israel have made it to Mount Sinai, where Moses will soon receive the famous 10 Commandments. Before that though, we see that God gives Moses deeply beautiful words for the people, born from a reminder that He has brought them to Himself. Why is this small detail so significant? Because God has brought us to Himself what truths were the Israelites reminded of and do we see parallel in our lives today?
In Exodus 18 we find Moses receiving advice from Jethro, a great lesson in humility and the blessing of wise counsel. But what about the rest of the chapter? In this passage of Scripture we find incredible truths about testimony: what it is, how it impacts others, and what we should be seeking from our leaders.
In Exodus 17:8-16 we find an account of a battle between Israel and Amalek. Who is Amalek and is that just a simple detail? Why does Moses raise his hands during the battle? Join us as we examine these questions and more.
In Exodus 16 we see a stark dichotomy of unholy and holy abiding. What does it mean to grumble and what does it reveal about our decisions? Where has God designed for me to abide instead?
In Exodus 15 we find Moses lead the people in singing to the Lord after He delivers them from the Egyptians. How should this passage help shape our theology of worship through music? What essential truths about musical praise do we find in this song?
Join us as we use 1 Chronicles 29 to examine how the Bible describes welcoming a new, young leader.
In John 9:1-12 we find an incredible portrayal of the gospel narrative play out in one man's life. How does this miracle performed by Jesus illustrate the message of the Christian life?
In Exodus 15:22-27 we see the second instance of an unfortunate pattern throughout the Church's history: God's people grumbling about difficult situations. God makes it clear that He was testing His people, which raises the question, why does God test His people? When we face trying circumstances and are tested, what response should we be learning?
In Exodus 14 we find an incredible lesson on responding to direct opposition and problems as Christians. This chapter causes to reflect on multiple important questions: do I have a problematically selective memory when it comes to God's faithfulness? Where should I direct my focus when things get difficult? We also hear incredible testimony to address the question: does God still do miraculous things today?
Exodus 13:17-22 offers keen insight into the place of preparation in the Christian's life, sustained by trust in the Lord. In these details after the initial exodus from Egypt, but before crossing the sea, we also find valuable lessons on God's presence and provision.
Coming out of Exodus 12 where God redeems and saves His people, what do we see immediately follows in chapter 13? A command of consecration. So what is consecration? As a believer am I submitting to my consecration or resisting it? As part of our consecration, what can we do to help raise up the next generation of the Church?
In Exodus 12 we find the final judgment on Pharaoh and the Egyptians, as well as the introduction to Passover. The verses on judgment are a painful part of this chapter, but essential- what do we learn about God from them? And in the section on the Passover, how do we see this event perfected in Christ?
One of the ideas repeated throughout Exodus 7-11 is about Pharaoh's hard heart. What does the Bible mean when it talks about our heart and does this idea pop up anywhere else in Scripture? What warning signs do we see of a hard heart? How can we guard against hard heartedness in our own lives? Join us as we explore these questions.
Exodus 7-11 make it very clear that while a lie can imitate the truth, it eventually fails. In these chapters we this starkly presented as God, as the only true God, dismantles the lies of idolatry for the people of Egypt and Israel. When we consider this part of the story in Exodus, we must also ask ourselves, are there any idols in my own heart that need to be torn down?
This week we hear from a guest speaker, Bruce Rothacher, as he leads us through a deep examination of Philippians 1:6. Where does confidence come from and what robs us of confidence? How do we guard against abusing the idea of grace?
Exodus 6 gives us one of the saddest verses in the Bible as it talks about how God's people didn't listen because of their broken spirits. But it also gives us a beautiful foreshadowing of what Christ will do in His death & resurrection. So what does it mean when the Bible talks about redemption? And how should that mend our broken spirit?
In Exodus 4 & 5 we see God's people respond with a burst of enthusiasm and praise for the Lord over the news of what He promises to do, but when it doesn't happen on their timing, the worship quickly turns to grumbling. If we're honest with ourselves, doesn't the Church seem to struggle with this still today? So what can we learn from this section of Scripture?
In Exodus 3:13 - 4:17 we see Moses' longer response to God's calling on his life. Despite reminders of who God is (and the incredible truths revealed in the name "I AM"), Moses' perspective is focused on what he perceives to be issues. God patiently addresses each one. So the question for us is straightforward: what excuses do I make to keep me back from pursuing holiness and obeying God? What does the Bible say about those excuses?
In Exodus 2:16 - 3:12 we see a powerful lesson on the essence of being called by God. First, do we properly understand the calling on our lives, or are we using that word incorrectly? And secondly, ultimately, our calling is not about our sufficiency or our ability, but about our willingness to follow the Lord. As a bonus, we also see a quick beautiful reminder about a name of God: El Roi; for a reminder on that name, watch our sermon from 10/15/23 https://discovercommunity.org/media/playlist/knowing-god-by-name/el-roi-god-of-seeing-god-who-sees-me
In Exodus 1 we find a powerful lesson on two different responses to the question that frequently plagues us with worry: "what if?" Our response to this question as believers should come from a place of holiness, but what does that look like? What other lessons about God's sovereignty do we learn from this first chapter?
In order to more fully understand and appreciate the book of Exodus, we want to make sure we understand its background and context. So this week we look at how Exodus fits into the Pentateuch or Torah (and how those 5 books set the tone for the whole Bible), what's immediately preceded the start of the book, and then at how the book breaks down into sections, and what themes to look for throughout Exodus.
Many of us have sung the line "here I raise my Ebenezer" in that famous hymn. But do we know what that means, because ebenezer certainly isn't a word commonly used today. Is it actually a Biblical term or just some old English word? We dive into the Old Testament to learn more about this idea.
This week we have the privilege of hearing from one of our missions partners: Raising Hope. At RAISING HOPE MINISTRIES we’re raising funds and supporting students from Haiti with the desire, motivation and skills to seek higher educational goals in order to live out their calling. We believe in taking action to assist these student that lack the financial resources necessary to succeed. Please join us by supporting our efforts to make a measurable difference in the lives of others by providing tuition and living assistance to qualified students.Learn more about this great ministry and how you can come alongside them here: https://www.raisinghopeministries.com/
In our annual meeting, as we consider the year the church just went through with all its delights and sometimes tiring moments, we revisit the cultural goal that drives our leadership.
In the final lines of 2 Corinthians we come across two beautiful reminders for believers of what the Church is meant to be. So when we consider our own relationship to fellow believers and to whatever local body we belong to, does our approach line up with Scripture? Join us as we examine what God calls His church to be.
As we approach the end of Paul's letter to the Corinthians, we see some very practical insight into how Christians engage with one another as the Church. There's a good chance most of us who interact with or belong to the Church have at one point asked themselves: "how do I fit in here? How do I relate to these people?" Let's see what the Bible says.
In 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 we see a wonderful portrait of the depth of Paul's emotions and desires for the church. So when we consider his life, how does it reflect the heart of Christ for His Bride?
In 2 Corinthians 11:16 - 12:10, Paul gives a great dissection of the problem of ego and what it does to the individual believer and to the church as a body. As we study this passage, we're left with a surprisingly simple question: do I think like a fool or like a person of holy wisdom?
In 2 Corinthians 11 we see Paul rebuke the people for their reaction to false teachers, that it's problematic they put up with them "readily." Is that just an admonition for that group of believers? What does the Bible say from start to finish about how God's people should react to false teachers?
We look at another name of God today that is found in Abraham's story: The Everlasting God. When we think of God being everlasting, it's hard to fathom the reality of that and how it relates to God's character and even His plans. So, how can we begin to understand the reality of God being everlasting, and more importantly, how can we allow that truth to transform our lives?
Isaiah 51:2 tells us to look to Abraham to learn from his example. So when we consider the summary of Abraham in Hebrews 11, what big picture lessons do we take away from his life?
In Genesis 16 we are introduced to a name of God that provides insight into a number of His attributes, El Roi. So how does knowing that God's name is "The God who sees/God who sees me" cause us to worship Him? How should this name impact our daily life? Join us as we explore this name of God.
(Due to technical difficulties, we do not have the opening of the message recorded; we apologize). This week we hear from one of our elders, as he unpacks the story of David encountering Saul in a cave, while Saul was pursuing him to kill him.
One of the most beautiful names God attributes to Himself is Yahweh Shalom: The God of Peace. Most of us know the importance of peace and long for peace. But do we understand the full scope of the peace offered by God? We might be surprised to know that God's peace looks a lot different than what the world knows as peace.
Scripture calls us to praise God according to His name, and this week we look at Elohim Chayim for a powerful reminder that God is the Living God. How should this name of God lead us to praise Him and strengthen us for our own lives?
In 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, verses discuss one of the most highly debated aspects of the Christian life: Spiritual warfare. What is it? How do we engage in it? Wait, aren't Christians supposed to be about turning the other cheek? So, how does that affect the idea of war? In this passage, we learn that Christians should not seek out conflict, but cannot be unwilling to confront falsehood, and we unpack what that looks like.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 we find the concluding thoughts on the lessons for giving that began in chapter 8. In these verses we see God lay out how giving is ultimately an act of trust in Him and worship of Him. So when we consider our own approach to giving, do we trust God as all sufficient and do we view what we have as a way to praise Him?
In 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 we see Paul highlight an integral component of the Christian life: follow through. He lays out the blessings of this and also addresses at least one of the consequences of neglecting it. As we read and study this passage we must ask ourselves: do I fully realize what I have promised God, and am I actively making good on it?
2 Corinthians 8:16-24 may seem to be a simple personal address, but on closer examination we find multiple lessons and truths for the Church. Do we believe God's Word is truly authoritative and sufficient for all things, including church structure, and if we claim to believe it, do we act on it? When the Bible talks about the glory of God, what does that mean? Do we allow God's glory to drive us and determine our lives, both individually and as the gathered body of Christ?
As we come to 2 Corinthians chapter 8, we see Paul lay out several vital spiritual principles on the topic of giving that really gives us insight into why this is an impact aspect of the Christian life and what it means to be devoted to Christ. As we look at the reasons for His encouragement to the Corinthian church, let us consider our context and maybe some areas where we stumble and need to grow on this topic.
In 2 Corinthians 7 we find an interesting contrast between two types of grief, and the blessings of one compared to the disastrous consequences of the other. We also look at understanding what true repentance is; and for believers, we consider Paul's challenge about where godly grief, repentance, and salvation should lead us to.
In 2 Corinthians 6 we come across a passage that tends to be one people find difficult to talk about. As we examine this part of Scripture, we ask and answer several questions: should we take these verses about unequal yoking at face value? Are there Biblical principles here that apply to all of us, even if we're single or married to a fellow believer?
As we continue in our series through the book of 2 Corinthians, we get to this fascinating passage about Paul's endurance through much hardship for the sake of the Corinthians, and his desire for them to understand the Salvation that is made available in the Gospel, how though the Gospel itself is offensive, we are to not add more obstacles to hinder the Gospel.
In 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 we see two big ideas: Christians are new creations, and ambassadors of reconciliation. This week we look at the second part of that. What does the Bible mean when it talks about reconciling? What are the traits of an ambassador and do we see evidence of them in our lives?
2 Corinthians 5:17 may be one of the most widely quoted verses for Christians "hey remember, you're a new creation!" But what does that mean? As we continue our series, we come to 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, where we find three truths about what it means to be a new creation in Christ.
What does the Scripture mean when it talks about the Holy Spirit sealing us for the day of redemption? The role of the Holy Spirit is often neglected in modern church doctrine, or it is misunderstood. Paul makes it clear that the Spirit does two important things in our lives as believers: He seals us, and He is the guarantee of our future inheritance.
As we continue through the book of 2nd Corinthians, Paul begins to explain the importance of having an eternal perspective. Pastor Sam goes into why this eternal perspective is still necessary for modern believers and what it means for our earthly roles.
As we continue in 2 Corinthians we come to a timeless truth about our eternal identity and how that should impact our behavior in our temporary earthly roles. Do we think of ourselves as servants and vessels? Why is that so important for us to know?
We often overcomplicate things in life, and our Christian walk is frequently no different in that regard. So what simple truths do we find in 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:11 about our eternal identity and role?
In 2 Corinthians 2 we are reminded of a painful reality: we will hurt others and be hurt by others. So when this inevitably happens, what's our plan? How will we respond? And do we understand what forgiveness is and isn't? Where does the capacity to forgive come from? Join us as we look at the answers God gives to these questions.
Let's be honest, we frequently just want easy, immediate answers without having to think too hard. But that's not always going to be the case in life. In 2 Corinthians 1:12-23 we see 4 questions we can ask in any situation to help us know how to proceed.
As we begin our new series on 2 Corinthians, we see a word used 10 times in 4 verses: comfort. Clearly this is an important concept! But has our modern use of that word kept us from truly understanding what the Bible means when it says God comforts us and we're meant to comfort one another?
In Exodus, God says His name is Jealous. But in our language today, we don't necessarily think of that as a positive thing. So what does God mean by this name, what should that remind us, and how can that encourage us?
As we continue our series on the psalms, when they mention God's Word, what is the psalmist actually talking about if the Bible as we know it wasn't around then? What do the psalms teach us about an often overlooked part of the Bible? And how does that ultimately point to Jesus?
The Psalms teach us some wonderful truths about the appropriate heart we should have when we pray. Are we tempted to forget His sovereignty? Have we lost our reverence for God? What does the psalmist mean when he asks God to count prayer as incense?
There are two popular images for Easter: the cross and the tomb. But should we look at either one and expect to see Jesus there? Or should we lift our eyes to look for Jesus elsewhere? When we look at the cross and the tomb, what do we see, and what should it remind us?
As we continue our series on Psalms, we come to a beautiful truth inherent to Christianity: the gift of hope. What do the psalms teach us about understanding what hope is and how to rest secure in it?
As we dive back into our series in the Psalms, we will now look at how the Psalms teach us about three essential attributes of God. Omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence belong to God alone, and serious problems arise when we forget this and try to pretend like we can be these things too.
Last week, Pastor Sam was in Juan Tomas, Dominican Republic with a team of nurses and doctors providing care for the people there. While there, God used the time to remind Pastor Sam of some beautiful truths that we often forget about in God's Word.
As we have been seeing through the weeks, the book of Psalms vividly displays the core doctrines of the Biblical narrative. Today, we are looking at another doctrine found in the Psalms that is so important to our Christian walk and how God actually changes us to reflect the image of His Son: Sanctification.
The Psalms is very comprehensive in its Theology and the way it communicates important doctrines to our faith that we see all throughout Scripture. Today, we will be talking about the doctrine of Salvation, what Psalms say about it, how they communicate it, and why it's important for us to study it through these beautiful songs and hymns.
As we come into the second half of our series on the book of PSALMS, we will begin to unpack how the book of Psalms shows us a comprehensive Theological perspective, giving us the grand narrative of the Bible in this 150-chapter poetry book. We start with the doctrine of sin and repentance, which is prominent and essential to the Christian faith, and core to the Gospel message. What exactly do the PSALMS teach us about sin? How do we understand true repentance?
As we approach the Psalms of Lament, how are we to understand these, and how do we practice this type of prayer?
If you've ever read a part of a psalm and thought those are some harsh words for other people, chances are you were reading an imprecatory psalm. Are imprecatory psalms just for the Old Testament? Should we use them today? If so, how? How do we guard against abusing these psalms? Join us as we answer these questions.
Gratitude is probably not an unfamiliar word for Christians. But do we understand the emphasis God places on it in our lives, how it is an integral, non-negotiable part of our calling to holiness? We also look at two essential components of a grateful heart.
As we continue looking at the psalms, this week we study Psalms of Knowledge, also known as Wisdom Psalms. How do we recognize this type? What do we need to understand about the role of knowledge in the Christian's life? How do we maintain proper perspective on knowledge? Join us as we answer these questions and more.
As we continue to set the foundation for studying the psalms, this week we look at Messianic psalms. How do we identify them? How do we understand them? What should Messianic psalms remind us?
We're so excited to start a new series on the Psalms! This is one of the most theologically comprehensive books of the Bible, yet we frequently avoid studying it because it's not as obvious how to approach a collection of poems and songs. So how do we study psalms?
This week we get to hear from a new missionary partner for our church: the Kerns, who will be planting churches among the indigenous people of Brazil.
Oftentimes when the New Year rolls around, we are very excited for a fresh start and a clean slate. Today, we look at how the New Year reminds us of the beautiful New Life we have received in Christ, and what that looks like in the life of the Believer.
We obviously spend a great deal of time talking about Jesus' life and His teachings, but let's not overlook the lessons from His arrival. In the details of where and how He was born, what do we learn about God? In the details of His name, what do we learn?
As we continue to examine a familiar group of people from the Christmas story, this week we come to Joseph. When we examine his part in this event, we come away with always relevant reminders about grace and humility, which ultimately appropriately points us to Jesus.
As we continue to examine a familiar group of people from the Christmas story, this week we come to Mary. And when we examine her life, we come away with invaluable lessons about responding to God.
If you're a part of CBC or have engaged with our church and curious to know a little more about our culture and what we're excited about, this is our annual meeting Sunday where we look back the year behind and forward to the year ahead of us! This also contains the first message in our December series "The Cast of Christmas."
We're beginning a new series in December where we look at the familiar people who make up the Christmas story to see what lessons we learn from them. This week we start with the shepherds and magi. What shared lesson do these vastly different groups of people teach us?And yes, we know you can't definitively say there were 3 magi, we just know there were 3 gifts, but it was a fun question to get the kids involved :)
As we wrap up our series on 2 Peter, we come to chapter 3 where Peter lays out for the church a proper perspective on Jesus' return. This week Pastor Mario helps us understand several key terms related to Jesus' return, as well as consider the implications for our lives. Do we as Christians live in such a way that reflects we do indeed believe He is coming back?
As we enter chapter 2 of 2 Peter, we are met with an uncomfortable passage about false teaching and teachers. Though painful, this is important for us to consider since just as in Peter's day there was rampant false teaching, so it is in our modern church culture. So, how do we identify false teaching? What are the marks of a false teacher?
This week we look at another wonderful name of God to see what it tells us about His heart for us and how we're meant to respond to Him. Every stage of life is busy and we have a tendency to exhaust ourselves; but is this how God intends His people to live?
In 2 Peter 1:12-21 we find fantastic lessons on calling one another to action as the Church (How does that begin? What kind of impact does it have?) and guarding against false teaching (Is there a foundational warning flag to look for? How do we evaluate teachers?). Join us for this studying of Scripture.
Is it possible for Christians to live unfruitful lives? If so, how do we walk in fruitfulness as we seek to be obedient to the command of Jesus to make disciples? As we look at our passage today in 2 Peter 1:5-11, we take an honest look at nominal Christianity and why Christ desires to do more through His people.
Is knowledge just about information, or is it something more? This foundational question kicks off a fascinating look at 3 words Peter uses in 2 Peter 1:5-7 for calling Christians to a higher standard.
In 2 Peter 1:5-7, Peter encourages the believers in his day—and us today—to supplement their faith with virtue. What does he mean by "supplement"? And why does he start with "virtue"? In recent years, we have made "belief" and "faith" synonymous, but is there a critical difference between the two that can actually help us understand why it's so important for Peter to communicate this to a group of believers who went from external threat (the persecution from Rome in 1 Peter) to internal threat (the rise of false teachers addressed in 2 Peter).
Scripture calls us to praise God according to His name, and this week we look at Jehovah Hesed for a powerful reminder of God's mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
God calls Christians to be holy as He is holy- so the question is, are we equipped for this? Tragically the answer to this question gets distorted by many clamoring for more, as if what God has given us is not enough. But in 2 Peter 1:3-4 we a clear concise answer to this important topic.
Sometimes it's easy to skip over the introduction lines in books of the Bible, thinking that the meat is in the main body of the letters. But in 2 Peter 1:1-2 we find several rich lessons on the nature of humility and the effects of grace and peace in the lives of believers.
In a world that feels increasingly hopeless and grievous, where do we find joy? This week we look at another of God's names and one of His titles, and learn how believers are able to face the circumstances of life without fear or giving up.
As we finish the book of 1 Peter, Peter reminds us of an essential fact about the Christian life: we are in a spiritual war. There is an enemy bent on overthrowing our faith, destroying our relationships, stealing our joy, and accusing the saints. How do we stand against an enemy like that? Are there times when we make others enemies when they are not? How does Peter encourage the early believers, and how might that encouragement help us to stand firm in the truth of God's Word?
Odds are good most Christians, or even churchgoers, have heard the term "elders" used in the Bible. But when we hear that term, do we fully understand who it's referring to, what they do, and how they relate to the church? In 1 Peter 5:1-5 we find help answering these questions.
In 1 Peter 4:12-19 Peter lays out several behaviors and mindsets for believers to pursue. We see how when these attitudes shape our lives, we arrive at a place of glorifying God. We also unpack exactly what that means, and wrap up with two practical applications for daily life.
In 1 Peter 4:7-11 Peter lays out some specific details for how the Church is meant to engage with one another. So as we consider these verses, we ask ourselves, am I loving the church in a way that stretches me?
As we continue to work through the book of 1 Peter, Peter now brings us to the practical implications of our victory in Christ. How are we as Christ-followers supposed to live according to Scripture that is different than those around us? What are the implications of a righteous lifestyle in a world that promotes self-pleasure and self-fulfillment? Peter helps us to realize that new is very much better for the Christian, and we must be diligent to walk in the new life we have received in Christ.
This past Sunday was our Youth Sunday! Dawson finishes our series through the book of Genesis by speaking about the beautiful reality that God wants to use us and equip us in our suffering. But how do we get to that place? What does God want from us in order to be used by him even in our darkest times?
As we continue to work through the book of 1 Peter, we now enter a beautiful reminder Peter gives to a struggling and persecuted church: Jesus died for the unrighteous. When we are going through hard times, it's easy to forget the wonderful fact, that while I was a sinner and a rebel, Christ the spotless one died for me and gave me His righteousness. What a victory Peter reminds us of in today's message.
For Christians, the Bible is our source of truth and standards. So when we are engaged in a defense of what we believe, we will frequently wind up citing a certain Bible passage. But what if someone doesn't take the Bible seriously as a reputable, reliable, historical document? This week we look at the 3 standard tests for determining the authenticity and accuracy of a document and examine how the Bible does in each test.
It's tempting for Christians to watch the world grow more disinterested in what we have to say, and perhaps even increasingly determined to stop us, and grow discouraged. But in 1 Peter 3:13-17, Peter calls the church to a different attitude, one that reflects a lesson Jesus taught Peter and the other disciples. So the question for believers today is: do we realize the incredible opportunity we have today?
The Bible is clear that Christians are going to find themselves in the midst of an unbelieving world that frequently is going to be hostile and antagonistic towards believers. So how are we meant to respond? In 1 Peter 3:9-12, Peter lays out 3 key behaviors that should mark how Christians engage with the world around us.
How do we live on mission for the Gospel? Many times when we think of "missionary work", we think of work done overseas by people who follow the call to leave everything behind and go to a different country. Though that is true and indeed very honorable, does that mean everyone else does different work from that of a missionary? When we look at Jesus' commands to take the Gospel to every nation, we actually see His command for every believer to be involved in mission work, whether they leave for a different country or stay where they are. We are all on mission as followers of Christ, but what does that look like?
As Christians we say we know that the church is made up of imperfect people; so how should that affect the ways we treat fellow believers? In 1 Peter 3:8, Peter lays out several attitudes necessary for Christians to have with one another. So as we study this verse, we must ask ourselves, does this describe how I approach my fellow Christians?
As we continue our series in 1 Peter, we come to 1 Peter 3:1-7. This passage can be taken out of context and abused, which is wrong. But it's also wrong to ignore it because sometimes it gets used incorrectly. So what does the Bible actually say about how husbands and wives are called to relate to one another? What can non-married people learn from this passage?
This week, we take a break from our series in 1 Peter to look at one of God's most common names: Elohim. We can learn much from what God calls Himself, and many times, they point to aspects of His character that help us know Him deeper.
As we unpack 1 Peter 2:11-25, we encounter a passage that might be difficult to apply. Peter starts to move to the topic of submission, and he starts with the call on Christians to submit to the governing authorities and every institution. What does this look like? And does this apply to our life all of the time, even when the authorities over us seem to oppose us? Peter gives us insight in this and graciously helps us understand this type of submission by focusing on the life of our Lord Jesus.
This week we look at 1 Peter 2:4-10 where God calls us a royal/holy priesthood. Do we understand what that means? Do we grasp the honor of that calling? Do we understand and take ownership of our responsibility as a priesthood?
In 1 Peter 2:1-4, we see that the key to the Christian life is coming to Christ; that word means "coming with the intent of staying there for fellowship," in essence, to abide in Jesus. This is a word we might be familiar with, but how do we know we're abiding in Jesus? In this week's message we answer that question and look at the impact of abiding in Christ.
As Christians, we've probably heard on multiple occasions that we are called to love the Church. But what does that mean? What kind of love are we called to? This week we look at 1 Peter 1:22-25 to answer that question.
In 1 Peter 1:17-21, Peter reminds believers to conduct themselves in fear. But the Bible also says perfect love casts out fear - so what is Peter referring to here? We answer this question and look at some practical Biblical examples of God-honoring fear in this week's message.
In 1 Peter 1:13-16, we see Peter give strong exhortation to the people about what mindset they needed to have to endure their trials. Do we consider the way we think day in and day out? Are we thinking rightly? What does that look like? This week we consider these questions and more.
Why does someone have to die? Why did Jesus have to be the one to die? Why was Jesus forced to die? Why would Jesus die for me? These are very real questions that people ask as they wrestle with the gospel. This Easter, we look at the answers to each of those questions, and how they build to present a beautiful revelation of God's love for us.
This week we study 1 Peter 1:10-12. In these few verses we first find a timeless reminder of the beauty and necessity of the Old Testament, which causes us to ask "do we engage with the full counsel of God?" We also find an important lesson about how God has structured His Church and designed us to operate in relation to one another, which leads to the second question, "if I know God's counsel, do I apply it?"
This week we look at 1 Peter 1:6-9, where Peter uses the stark and powerful metaphor of gold being refined by fire to describe the Christian life. We go verse by verse through this passage to examine how believers should respond to the fires of life, and what we can focus on when we're in the midst of them.
As we continue our series on 1 & 2 Peter, we come to 1 Peter 1:3-5, where we find some of the most hopeful, heartening verses and reminders for believers. We encourage you to become very familiar with these verses, so on our hard days which we all have, we can come back to God's truth and be uplifted by it.
As we launch our new series on 1 & 2 Peter we begin with the first two verses of 1 Peter. What important details do we find in verse 1 that help us understand the context of these letters? And in verse 2, we find answers to the common, painful question of "why is this happening to me?"
How are we to properly make sense of suffering? If we believe God is good and perfect, why would He allow bad and horrible things to happen to us and to those around us? These are all important questions that we may have asked at one point or another, and as we enter into our new series on the letters of 1 & 2 Peter, Pastor Mario gives us a theological framework for us on this main theme of the letters.
This week we get to hear and celebrate the testimony of one of our families. Listen and you'll hear how their story provides testimony to many of the themes we've looked at in our last several sermon series, as well as previews our upcoming series. It's incredible what God can do with people willing to give Him their lives!
In Luke 4, Jesus says that He came for the express purpose of proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God to all people. So if we're pursuing being more like Jesus, evangelism must be a part of our lives. We look at an easy one verse method to share an overview of the gospel with people, as well as several very practical conversational questions to open doors.
What does it mean to be disciplined in our giving? When we think about the topic of giving, many of us usually jump to money. But the Bible speaks of giving in a lot more ways than just money. What should the motives of our giving be and how do I give in a way that is generous and joyful without comparing myself to others?
This week we look at the discipline of worship. But in order to be able to answer the question about personal discipline, first we have to make sure we understand what Biblical worship really is. Is it singing songs or something more? We trace the concept of worship from Genesis through the New Testament to answer these questions.
God commands it. Jesus models it. Do we really understand it? In this message we look at what motivates serving and how we should be applying it in our lives.
This week we look at a common misconception for Christians: that being part of the church just means showing up on Sunday mornings. What is Biblical fellowship? What does it mean to be disciplined in pursuing it?
This week we look at one of the most profound honors and joys for Christians: the privilege of prayer. It's not just our privilege, it's also clearly our responsibility and calling. So what is prayer? How should we approach prayer? What are some practical ways we can discipline ourselves to grow in prayer?
This week we look at the question of being spiritually disciplined when it comes to our engagement with Scripture. Do we understand just what the Bible is and how foundational it's meant to be in our lives? What are some practical tips for growing in our study and use of it?
As we get set to begin a new series on spiritual disciplines, we examine a question that, if left unanswered, can upset our whole lives: what's my purpose in life? For Christians, God has answered that question. This new series will examine ways we can grow in pursuing that purpose.
What does it mean for Jesus to be Mighty God? As we wrap up this Christmas series, let's take a look at the significance of this statement in Isaiah 9:6, and how Jesus expresses the full extent of His Might as God. As we move into a new year, let us ponder the majesty of Jesus and what that means for our lives.
What does Isaiah mean when he prophesies that the coming Messiah will be named Wonderful Counselor? We use the word "wonderful" to describe so many things, but do we really understand what the Bible means when it says Jesus is wonderful? What does this mean for our lives? Join us as we study this name of Jesus.
The prophet Isaiah gives the coming Messiah, Jesus, four distinct names that have huge implications for our life. Pastor Mario unpacks what it means that Jesus would be Everlasting Father and what that means for us as we ponder Jesus this season. What is Isaiah communicating? How does this describe the nature of Jesus as God? What do we do from here knowing that this is has huge implications for our eternity?
Joshua 24 brings us to the conclusion of this incredibly challenging and encouraging book. Joshua meets with the people and asks them one massive question: will you choose God or not? Using this chapter, we look at that same question and seek to understand what it means to choose God.
Joshua 23 provides a stark presentation of the two options we all face: serve the true God, or serve false gods. There are very real consequences to who or what we choose to worship; in this message, we set out to answer a very practical question: how do we identify idols in our lives?
Joshua 22 provides such a wonderful, practical example of how to handle conflict. In this message we use the interactions between three groups of people to learn Biblical principles for engaging in potentially disruptive encounters.
In this message we look at Joshua 22 and examine a powerful story of division and unity. What should we divide over as Christians? What is discernment?
What does Joshua 21:41-45 teach us about God's faithfulness? In this message, Pastor Mario breaks down a few short verses to reveal a much larger lesson about who God is and how we are meant to know Him.
In this sermon we look at Caleb's life in Joshua 13 & 14. These chapters provide a great reminder of God's faithfulness and a powerful example of how we should live while waiting on the Lord.
We look at Joshua 9 to see the disastrous consequences when the people don't seek counsel from God before making a decision. But that phrase can be a little bit of insider lingo: "seek counsel from God." What does that mean? How do we do this?
In this message we examine Joshua 7 and find 3 case studies of how the people sinned against God. From each case, we come away with a question to ask ourselves. But the chapter doesn't end there. It also gives us a beautifully encouraging picture of how God responds to our sin.
In this sermon we look at how a verse in Joshua 5 foreshadows what Jesus' resurrection will do for all who believe in Him as Lord.
Joshua 5 provides us with such a rich picture of God's sovereignty in our lives. We consider how He is always at work, how He provides for us, and how we are meant to understand His leadership.
This week we hear from Bruce, one of our elders, as he leads us through one of Jesus' most famous parables.
Do we consider God's grace to be momentary or a perpetual reality for believers? Do we understand what Scripture means by the sufficiency of grace?
Joshua 3 & 4 provide excellent examples of the importance and nature of testimony within God's people. Using these chapters, we examine several aspects of who is meant to give testimony and to whom, and why we share testimony.
We look at the command issued in Joshua 3:5 and seek to understand what it means to be consecrated. This naturally leads to a conversation about the meaning of holiness and the call to be holy on our lives. Where does holiness begin? Are we holy? It's amazing how one verse leads to such a rich study.
In this message we look at Joshua 3:1-4 and review powerful reminders about God's faithfulness to lead us and how following God necessitates change. We also examine the significance of the people following the ark of the covenant, and how that points to Jesus.
This week we look at Joshua 1:10-18 and consider the structure God provides for a body of believers as well as the standards He expects of all of us within that body.
This week we look at the first half of Joshua Chapter 1, to examine a command God gives His people throughout the Bible. What does it mean to be Biblically strong? Where does this strength come from? What does it look like practically in our lives?
This week we start our new series on the book of Joshua. We identify the primary themes we will see throughout the book, and examine how two of them appear already within the first 10 verses.
This week we take a big picture look at the Old Testament, and examine how Jesus is the constant thread through every book of the Bible. As one listener said after the message, "woah. That was really cool."
This week we hear from a couple in our church how Jesus redeemed, restored, and transformed their marriage.
We look at the last parable Jesus told before entering Jerusalem for the final week of His life. We consider the task Jesus has given us and the examples of three servants, asking ourselves, when Jesus returns, which servant will He find us to be?
This week we look at Mark 10:32-45. We look at why Jesus' behavior astounded those with Him, and ask if our behavior makes sense to the world watching us. We also look at the two standards Jesus set for us in terms of how He calls us to serve.
James has been our associate pastor for several years, and he and Cassie are now following God as He calls them to step into a lead pastor position at a new church. Today we celebrate their ministry and impact.
This week we look at the parable of the prodigal son, but we equally consider the rebellious heart of the older brother. Each of the sons reveal truths about our own lives, and throughout it all, the father reveals the depth of God's heart for us.
Last week we looked at the word the New Testament uses in places for Jesus: Kyrios, The Lord of all. So in light of that, this week we consider what that makes us. We look at what Jesus described as the standard of essentials for being His disciples.
This week we address the question: what do New Testament writers mean when they refer to Jesus as Lord? In the Old Testament LORD/Lord is both a name of God and His title, so how are New Testament writers using it? Do we use "Lord" today without fully understanding all it entails?
As we search Jeremiah 7:1-10, we ask the question, are we approaching God and Church with honor and reverence?
This Easter as we celebrate Christ's resurrection we look at the cross and empty tomb and their significance.
This week we look at Jesus' encounter with Martha and Mary. We examine what Jesus meant when He said Martha was distracted, and we look at the ripple effects of what being distracted from Jesus does to our life. We also consider how He described Mary's behavior and ask ourselves if we're as deliberate in our own life?
This week we pause our series to look at how we want to define the culture of CBC. We'll examine what contributes to culture and then we'll discuss how we want to see our culture transform and grow.
This week we look at John 10 where Jesus declares Himself to be the Good Shepherd. We unpack what Jesus is declaring about Himself, what Jesus is declaring about His relationship with us, and finally, what this then means for us.
This week we consider how Jesus models submitting to God's timing and responding to persecution. What does the Bible say about being mistreated for our faith? Is it something that should surprise us or should we expect it? If it happens to us, how should we respond?
Jesus did not promise a life of luxury and comfort for his followers. This passage from Luke 9 shows us that three people likely decided the price was too great.
This week we look at what Jesus reminds us regarding confronting sin within the local church, specifically against those who have wronged us in their sin. We examine God's heart for those who stray from the flock and how that should influence our approach. We also remind ourselves of an essential truth that helps explain why Jesus calls us to a certain behavior.
This week we look at the topic of evangelism, by first defining what that even means. We also consider who is meant to be doing the work of evangelism and examine some practical approaches that Scripture lays out for us.
In Week 3 of the 40 Days, we consider one of the results of repenting from our lives of sin and turning to God: being filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to live in Christ Jesus. We will examine how the sanctified life does not depend on us for initiation, but we will also consider how this does not mean we have a passive role to play.
We look at the ancient paths in the OT about how to have an intimate relationship with God.
In Week 2 of the 40 Days, we look at the topic of repentance in response to the holiness of God. We consider how essential repentance is in turning towards holiness. We also use Revelation 1-3 to examine how Jesus spoke about repentance in the church.
As we begin the 40 Days of Prayer with our national Alliance family, we will preach through each week's topic, starting with the holiness of God. Using Isaiah 6, we examine how God's Holiness is displayed in His position, praise, and power. We also consider several responses to the holiness of God and ask ourselves if our lives appropriately declare God's perfect Holiness.
Jesus asks, "Who do you say that I am?" We must all answer that question at some point. Peter answers correctly and says, "You are the Messiah."
This week we look at how Jesus uses a conversation with the Pharisees to rebuke His apostles for forgetting the lessons they've learned from Him. We consider the importance of guarding what we expose ourselves to. Do our responses in life reflect a heart that's focused on things above, or preoccupied with lesser things?
Jesus has been working to bring the disciples to a point of recognizing him as truly the Son of God. We look at the final few events that led to this monumental moment.
This week we look at the feeding of the 5,000. The first half of the message looks at what we bring to God, and the second half examines how God uses brokenness for His glory. We look at parallels between Jesus providing for these crowds and the crucifixion. We conclude by considering what the Bible says about the place of brokenness in our lives.
This week we look at the parable of the sower. Some of the questions we will ask are: do we desire understanding, what do we learn from the sower, and what kind of soil are we?
This week we look at an interaction between Jesus, a Pharisee hosting Jesus for a meal, and a sinful woman. The woman and the Pharisee offer insights into two radically different approaches to Jesus, and we ask ourselves, which approach do we take? We also reflect on what happens when we come before Jesus with a repentant heart- the beautiful forgiveness and redemption that God offers.
This week we look at the twelve Jesus chose to be His apostles. When we look at their backgrounds, we see that Jesus teaches us how to relate to the culture around us and how to relate to one another as the Church.
This week we look at a very common word in the New Testament, disciple. It appears quite frequently when we're talking about Jesus' ministry, but do we understand what it means to be a disciple? We examine the four qualities that define a life of discipleship.
This week we look at a passage from Luke 5, where Jesus answers a question about spiritual disciplines. We define what a spiritual discipline is, we examine improper/proper motivations for them, and we consider the examples laid out in Scripture to ultimately ask ourselves if we're applying spiritual discipline to our lives?
This week we look at when Jesus calls Matthew to follow Him. As a tax collector, Matthew would have been the very last person the Jews considered worthy of being called by Jesus. In this story, we learn powerful lessons on repentance, humility, and redemption. What type of heart is Jesus looking for in people?
In the second half of our look at Jesus as Healer, we take the four lessons from the leper, and examine how they apply to when Jesus healed a paralyzed man in front of grumbling Pharisees. We continue to ask ourselves how we approach, understand, and then respond to Jesus as our Healer.
This week we look at a situation where Jesus heals a leper and all we can learn from this unnamed man's interaction with the Lord. This leper teaches us much about relating to and knowing Jesus as our Healer, including a proper focus, a proper attitude, and a proper understanding.
This week we look at how Jesus modeled the heart of evangelism for us. We consider three requirements for our lives if we are to be as focused on God's kingdom as Jesus was during His ministry.
1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most well-known chapters in the Bible. The chapter before we see Paul giving correction concerning gifts of the Spirit. Chapter 13 is a response to chapter 12. We see just how we are to love. One of those ways is to protect others. We should protect them from exposure, ridicule, and harm.
This week we look at when Jesus calls His first disciples. We examine Christ's message of repentance and call to discipleship. Peter frequently gets mentioned as a brash, impulsive example, but this week we look at how he models the appropriate response to the message and person of Jesus.
This week we look at Jesus' reception by His own hometown in Luke 4. We consider whether we try and place our own restrictions on how God acts. In this encounter Jesus declares that He fulfills Isaiah 61, so we also examine what that fulfillment means for us.
This week we examine a conversation between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, in which Jesus gives 5 claims of equality with God. We compare each claim to historical record and eyewitness accounts.
This week we look at Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well and the follow-up conversations it creates with His disciples and the whole town. In these three conversations, we see truths about God's grace, His kingdom work, and His tendency to use imperfect people for His glory.
This week we look at the second half of John 3, and consider the point of any ministry. It's far too easy to miss the point, so we want to carefully examine why we, as the Church, engage in ministry.
This week we look at Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, the first time He talks about salvation with someone. We consider the root cause behind an unwillingness to believe, take time to really understand the most famous verse in the Bible, and conclude by looking at one of the main results of salvation.
This week we look at when Jesus met for the first time several of those who would become His apostles. We consider three main takeaways from their conversations: Jesus should be sought after. Jesus should be shared. Jesus should transform us.
In Mark 9, we read of a father who is desperately searching for the healing of his son. He has tried every option he could. When he meets Jesus, he understandably has doubts because of all the failed prior attempts. We learn in this passage how Jesus responds to our doubts.
This week we study when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. We consider the three ways in which Christ was tempted, which the Bible tells us are the same respects in which we are tempted. Knowing attacks are coming enables us to better prepare to confront them.
This week we examine how Christians reply to the suffering and pain of this fallen world. We are living in a world full of anguish; what is our role within it? How should we react to the grief of this world?
This week we look at the incredible event of Christ being baptized, and the significance of each aspect of this amazing moment. We also consider what baptism represents for us today. Do we live in the reality of being crucified and raised to new life with Christ?
Sometime’s it’s tempting to move right from Jesus’ birth to baptism. But this week we slow down and take a look at His life in between. We learn about God’s intentionality as well as review some questions to ask ourselves about how we approach Christ.
As we launch a new series studying the life of Christ, we begin with His birth. In the account in Matthew we discover what it teaches us about God and His plan. And in the account in Luke we see how we are to respond to this good news.
This week we look at trust within our relationships with one another. We study how we’re called to act as the family of God. We look at the blessing of trusting each other and we consider the painful alternative.
This week we look at one of the purest examples of absolute trust in the Bible. We see there are two kinds of trust, one right and one wrong. So we must ask ourselves, what kind of trust does my life reveal?
This week we look at the truth of how God does new things, and expects the same of us. So we ask ourselves, are we so focused on the past that we're in danger of missing what He's doing in the present?
This week we look at two incredible truths: Jesus wants you to come to Him, and heaven cannot be earned, it must be humbly received.
we are looking at the magnitude of the glory of God. We must never forget just how holy and great He is.
This week we very briefly examine how a Christian should respond in times of difficulty and unexpected obstacles. How do we interact with our community when the world around is panicking?
In this last week studying Psalm 23, we look at David's final thought and conclusion: the legacy of a flock under proper care. We ask ourselves what follows us as sheep in the care of the Good Shepherd?
Do we realize how deeply the father cares for us? This week we look at how Christ has gone before us, prepared a place for us, how he provides for our protection, and how much God truly delights in us.
This week we study how to approach the valleys in our lives. We look at the promise that God is always with us, and the means God uses to strengthen us for getting through the valley.
This week we look at how God leads us, as well as a reminder that He leads us for His glory, that all this is by Him and through Him and for Him. And since that's true, we must respond with humility. That isn't always easy, but we examine several practical ways the Bible teaches us how to grow in humility.
After David's intro, we begin to study the specific details he lays out in the psalm. This week we study how a shepherd intentionally creates a pasture for his flock to not just survive, but to thrive in. We identify what that pasture is for us as followers of Christ; and we ask ourselves, are we allowing this world to distract us from staying where we are meant to be?
This week we look at the second half of David's opening line. Because Yahweh is our Shepherd and we are His, we lack nothing. We ask ourselves if our sense of satisfaction comes from our relationship with our Creator, or is dependent on external circumstances? We examine what a true spirit of gratitude looks like.
Do we realize what it means to belong to God's flock? As we start a new series on Psalm 23, we begin with establishing the proper foundation of understanding and appreciating the psalm as a whole. This week we look at the significance of the name of God David used, and the implications for us when we claim the Lord is our Shepherd.
The work of the church is great because the church is for the glory of God. We each have something to offer. So we must all choose if we will set ourselves apart for His name.
When we think about lives and all the hard seasons, we wonder if there is hope. Jesus provides hope for us. We learn about the story of Hannah from 1 Samuel and the hope God provided.
What does it mean that Jesus claimed the names of the current rulers of that time? We look at why Jesus is above all.
Christ is a tested, costly, sure foundation. Do you know the heart of Christ?
“therefore thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’” Isaiah 28:16
The book of Haggai is short but packs a punch. We focus on the first 15 verses of the book during this sermon. God's people had been released to go back home from Babylon. When they returned, they found the temple in ruins. They were very excited to rebuild, but soon, procrastination set in. The words "The time just isn't right" began to be used. What has God called you to do that you've responded with those same words?
Our guest speaker Cory Schnuerer shares the story of how David was selected as king. God's qualifications are often times different than our own.
So many times we read in the Bible about young people who have been used by God. Really age has never been a determining factor if God would use that person for his mission. In 2 Chronicles we read about King Josiah who became king at the age of 8. When he turned 16 he began to seek God. That action set him on a path that was pleasing to God through the rest of his life. Let God speak to you today through this story.
What is God's purpose for your life? James 4 gives us a little insight. God has created you with a purpose and has big things planned for you.
What can seem impossible to us is easy for God. The CMA Central District Superintendent Jeff Miller walks us through a great story from 2 Kings that shows just how true this is.
As pastor Dan delivers a final sermon he references the account of Moses passing on his mission to Joshua. The mission does not change even though the leadership transitions. God continues to guide us each and every step.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is what gives us hope as Christians. The cross is why Jesus came, but the empty tomb is what gives us hope. The most excellent story ever told.
Where do we go for wisdom? What can we learn from Abraham about unexpected journies? We take a look at Isaiah 51 to answer those questions.
How will the world know we are Christians? Is it by the way we dress, what version of the Bible we read, or what kind of neighborhood we live in? No. They will know we are His followers if we love one another.
Is Jesus really discussing the dress code or is there a deeper meaning? We look at this parable and what eternal significance it has.
This episode we just have a conversation with our friend Pete Morris. Pete has been attending our church since approximately January. Pete gives us some insight into what lead him to our church and to be involved in this community of people.
What does the Bible say about fear? How do we conquer fear? Is anxiety normal? During this message, we look at 1 Peter and see what the Bible says about dealing with fear. There is hope.
Over the past few weeks, a few "faces" of Christianity have claimed they no longer are of the same faith. In this episode, we discuss some statements by these people and also John Cooper's (Skillet) facebook response.
Matthew 21 gives us two sons with two different responses to their father's request. For some, we may mistake which son was the "better" son. We look into this story and why it matters to how we respond to God.
Recently Andrew Luck stated that his marriage was saved because of a shoulder injury. Luck stated “I’d put way too much of my self-worth directly into how I was performing on the football field,” Luck said. “And then I wasn’t on the football field and I felt quite empty. It was very unhealthy, first for me, second for the relationship with my now-wife, and my other relationships." So what can we learn from this? We look at a few verses about what God says is our identity and how we can live in the confidence that God can provide.
https://nypost.com/2019/08/02/andrew-lucks-shoulder-injury-saved-his-marriage/
The Starkey family is nearing the date that they will move to Haiti. We sit down with them for one final interview as they update us on what life has been like and what they are expecting in the coming weeks and months.
Fantasy football season is here. Let's use our imagination for a few minutes. What if the draft class was all the characters from the Bible? Who would be your top 5? James and Sam do give it their best shot at creating a championship-worthy team.
We are born with an idea of fairness. The problem? The way we work isn't how God works. Our God is a generous and loving God. Matthew 20:1-16 gives us some insight into God's Kingdom.
In today's podcast, we look at a recent Barna study on the topic of forgiveness among practicing Christians.
What was Jesus teaching with the parable of the net? We look at this parable from Matthew 13 and discuss the real meaning of this parable.
God's Word is real, relevant, and revelatory. This sermon is an introduction to an upcoming series titled "More Than Just a Story."
The authorities and teachers of that day never interacted with Christ out of humility. They approached Him hoping to get what they wanted so they could quickly be done with Him. It’s easy to ridicule the Pharisees for this attitude, but we have to ask ourselves some tough questions and answer honestly. Do we approach Christ with an agenda?
Matthew 13:1-23 The parable of the seed
What did Jesus really mean when speaking of the sower and the seed?
- The Precedent
- The Purpose
- The Practice
- The Promise
Matthew 12:1-14 New Living Translation (NLT) A Discussion about the Sabbath 12 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2 But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”
3 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. 5 And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? 6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! 7 But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’[a] 8 For the Son of Man[b] is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath 9 Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 10 where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)
11 And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. 12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”
13 Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! 14 Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.
Footnotes: 12:7 Hos 6:6 (Greek version). 12:8 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.
Matthew 7:24-25
Traits of a Healthy Home include: A Sure Foundation A Safe Place A Fun Place A Peaceful Place
How do you answer that question? What does church mean to you? We look at the Scriptures to examine what God defines the church as
Why baptism is important, why we do it at CBC, what is the purpose, these are all questions we seek to answer in this message from Matthew
Matthew 10:1-16
Jesus sends out the twelve apostles
I. God gives the Call II. God gives the Authority III. God gives the Instructions IV. God gives the Message
Matthew chapter 9 records the story of Jesus healing the sick, and calling his disciples. By the end of the chapter, Jesus gives us this important realization that "The Harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few".
The Mission of the Kingdom
Jesus reveals the kingdom through...
- Who He calls
- Who He came for
- Who He has compassion for
Matthew 7:12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."
What does the Bible have to say about what we call the golden rule? Matthew chapter 7 sheds some light on this topic. During this sermon, we will look at 4 things laid forth in scripture on this topic.
- The Precedence
- The Placement
- The Principle
- The Practice
Today, we urge you to do something for others that you would like done for yourself. This is a way we can practice Christ-likeness.
Guest Speaker Alex Banks shares some insight from one of Jesus' final days on earth. Follow along as we discover three things Jesus exchanged in the garden.
In our first episode, we discuss findings from the Barna research survey about what Non-Christians want from faith conversations. They are open to them, but are Christians open to them?
God's kingdom is 1. Available to ALL 2. Found by FEW 3. Is life changing 4. Is the only firm foundation
Judging. What does Jesus and the Bible have to say about judging? Should we, shouldn't we? What is the right and wrong way? Matthew 7 sheds some light on this topic.
This week we look at Matthew 6. We learn what Jesus and the Bible have to say about giving ( tithing ), praying, fasting.
In Matthew 5 we learn that Jesus' teachings affirm God's law and is the complete fulfillment of the law.
The theme of Matthew is the return of the King. Just like any other kingdom, there were laws. Every kingdom had an idea of what made a man great. As Jesus begins to teach, he is teaching them the laws of God's kingdom and they look nothing like what the world says is correct. God's kingdom is different.
We take a look at the person named John who was a miracle child, that fulfilled prophecy and was a single-minded preacher who spoke of the one who was to come, Jesus.
Matthew: Return of the King
Today we embark on a 3-4 month journey through the book of Matthew.
John 14:1-14
This passage is all about trust. Jesus has a lot to say to his disciples before he leaves them.
Jesus Says: I. Trust me II. It gets better III. I am THE way IV. Don't you know who I am? A. The Revelation B. The Reconciliation