Brian Jones Sermons: Recent Episodes
Brian Jones
You don’t need a financial miracle. You need a better system.
The British cycling team went from losers to legends — not overnight, but 1% at a time. You can do the same in your finances. God’s plan isn’t complicated. It’s consistent.
This isn’t about guilt. It’s about freedom. Watch what happens when you finally put God first in your finances. 🙌 #FreedomInFinances #TheBlueprint
We’re restless for things that don’t matter… and asleep on the things that do. God didn’t design you for a life of meh. This message might just shake you awake.
God brings deliverance through people and circumstances we never would have chosen—but always for our good and His glory.
Ever feel like you’re stuck in a story you didn’t choose?
What if you could rewrite the worst chapters of your life so that they led to purpose, not just pain? This message will change how you see your suffering.
Ever feel like you’re stuck in a season that just won’t end? Like your life is on pause and nothing new is coming? This message is for anyone who feels like they’re in exile. There’s a way out — and it starts by lifting your eyes. 🙏
Ever feel like your best days are behind you?
That’s exactly what Israel thought… until God said, “I’m already doing something new.”
👀 The roadmap out of exile starts now.
🎥 Watch Part 1 of THE WAY OUT.
You’re not a bad person who needs fixing. You’re a dead person who needs resurrection. What if your life only looks alive—but your soul is still lifeless? Ephesians 2 has the answer.
Most people think Christianity is about becoming a good person. But the Bible says it’s about coming back from the dead.
🔥 What are you still holding onto that’s holding YOU back?
When the Ephesians saw real power, they burned everything that once defined them. Maybe it’s time you did too.
You’ve been given more than you think, and one day, you’ll be asked what you did with it. This message will shake you—in the best way.
Ever let your emotions write someone else’s story? You’re not alone. But gossip kills more than reputations—it kills unity, joy, and trust. Let’s rewrite the story. ✍️
The joy you’re looking for doesn’t come from changing your job, your location, or your followers. It comes from…
Feel like you’re sowing tears with no harvest in sight? Psalm 126 promises your joy is coming — maybe sooner than you think.
The most dangerous threat to Christian men today isn’t culture—it’s comfortable, effeminate Christianity. ➤ This message will call you up, not coddle you.
Why is it so hard to say how we really feel—to the people we love the most?
This message will wreck you (in the best way).
Your job isn’t to raise happy kids. Your job is to raise responsible adults. Here’s a biblical blueprint for how.
The tomb was sealed. The guards were posted. But Jesus walked out anyway. 💥 What happened next will change how you see Easter—forever.
Your past keeps chasing you because you’re still standing where it left you. Discipleship is how you leave it behind.
Feeling weighed down by your past? You're not alone. Discover how to break free from guilt and shame in this powerful message! 💥 #Freedom #Grace #NewBeginning
Ever wonder why God lets us suffer? Job did too. And when God finally showed up, the answer wasn’t what he expected. Find out why your pain might just be part of a greater story. #TrustGod #purposeinpain
To begin this message, our band covered Old Man by Neil Young because it speaks to the struggles we all face. Neil wrote this song after buying his ranch and reflecting on his relationship with the old caretaker—seeing both their differences and their shared longing for connection. It’s about bridging generational gaps and realizing that, no matter our age or story, we’re all looking for love and purpose.
In life’s hardest moments, this song reminds us that we’re not alone in our journey. We hope our version resonates with you—let us know how it speaks to your heart! 🎸💫
Bad friends. Worse advice. And a God who sees it all. Job’s story is wilder than you think. 👀 Watch the full message now!
Pain has a way of testing what we really believe about God. If He’s good, why does He let us suffer? If He’s loving, why does He feel distant? If He’s all-powerful, why doesn’t He fix this? Job asked the same questions. And the answer? It might not be what you expect. Let’s go deeper—listen to the message now.
Ever asked, “God, why?” Dive into Job’s story to uncover the truth behind suffering and discover a new perspective on pain.
Worrying is like praying for what you don’t want. Let’s break that cycle. Discover how Elijah’s story can lead you from worry to worship—click to listen!
“I’ve had enough, Lord.” If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. But God isn’t done with you yet. Watch how Elijah found strength and meaning even in his darkest moment. #GodIsFaithful #Overcome
Is your faith built on truth or mixed with lies? Join us as we uncover the dangers of DIY Christianity and Elijah’s bold stand on Mount Carmel.🔥
Discover the secret to a meaningful, simple Christmas by finding true contentment in every circumstance.
Discover how shifting our priorities can lead to lasting financial freedom and a deeper purpose in life.
Feeling stuck in your finances? Discover the universal path to financial freedom and how God can help you through the 'Dip!’
Judgment Day, heaven, and everything in between. Got questions? We’ve got answers! Join us as we unpack what the Bible really says. 🙏🌍 #EndGame #TruthRevealed
Is the Anti-Christ already among us? Uncover the surprising truths from history and Scripture that most people overlook. Watch now to discover who the Anti-Christ really is and what it means for the future!
Are you ready for the day that will change everything? Discover what the Bible says about the end times and how to prepare. Watch “End Game: Time's Up” now!
One Christian friend who speaks truth into your life can change everything. Who's in your circle?
Trade your brokenness for grace! His grace is bigger than your mistakes! Your past! Anything!
Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse. Discover the liberating truths in James 1:19-21…
Can a rusted-out Datsun teach us about God's greatest blessings? Here’s the secret to contentment and blessing…
Give this a listen if you want to know how to give an answer to skeptics about why you believe in Jesus.
🔥 Break free from spiritual strongholds! Discover the power of burning bridges with the enemy and embracing God's transformative grace. #BreakFree #SpiritualFreedom
Feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges? Learn how to stand firm against the enemy and find freedom from strongholds. #FreedomInChrist #SpiritualWarfare
You and your loved ones are in a battle for your life, whether you believe it or not. Here’s how to fight back.
Unshackle your spirit and reclaim your life from the grasp of depression. #BreakTheChains
We live out of our core message of woundedness until we learn how to live out of our new identity in Christ. Here’s how.
Here’s what Jesus meant when he said, “Anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
Are you tired of surface-level relationships and ready to experience the authentic community that Jesus intended?
The poet Mary Oliver asked, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Anger is a symptom of a lack of contentment with where God has placed us. Whether living in Egypt or living in the desert, God can teach us to have hearts of gratitude and acceptance.
We stand at the brink of a major move of God here at CCV. How will you be a part of it?
God has placed an opportunity for a miracle at our footsteps! Will you pray how God can use you to make it happen?
Today we look at the 10 plagues of Egypt and how God’s judgement upon their deities demonstrates his power over the gods that wreck our own lives.
God uses our past struggles as the very things to help people far from Him find their way back. Here’s how…
Join us for a new teaching series on the Book of Exodus and find freedom from whatever is holding you back!
It’s that time of year when we are getting back into our routines. Let’s make sure one of them is getting back to soaking in God’s word on a regular basis!
Let’s be the church and care for our wounded and go after those who have gotten lost. Here’s why…
Calling all soon-to-be-wed and true love believers! ❤️ Here’s my talk about the 4 Musts Before Saying I Do in Marriage. Come prepared to laugh, learn, and leave with valuable insights that will set your marriage up for success. 🌟 #BeforeSayingIDo #MarriagePrep #HappilyEverAfterBeginsHere
The Bible tells us “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” – Proverbs 13:22. Here’s why that’s important.
Join me as we talk about how to have a deeper connection to God and truly live in the power of the Spirit.
Discover the inspiring story of Ruth, a woman of strength and courage who found favor in the eyes of God. Join us as we delve into her journey from gleaning in the fields to greatness in the eyes of God. #Ruth2 #WomanOfFaith #GodsFavor
Here’s my riveting interview with Dr. Jack Sara of Bethlehem Bible College about the plight of the Palestinian people under occupation in Israel. The introduction video is courtesy of OnePath Network (@OnePathNetwork).
Join us as we kick off a series of talks on the Book of Ruth and one of the most defining character traits of God and people: faithfulness.
Jesus’ death was first and foremost God’s final judgment upon dead religious leaders and their religious system. That’s good news for us.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Psalm 129:2. “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.”
God has always been in the business of taking our pain and creating something beautiful out of it.
We’re beginning a new series on the Psalms of Ascent, as the great spiritual writer Parker Palmer put it, to “Listen to our life.”
Was Noah’s Ark, 969 Year Old Methusaleh, and The Nephilim (angel love children) real???
When God looks at us, he sees a “before” and “after” story in the making. Why enter 2023 stuck in “before?” Here’s how to walk in faith.
God wants you to bring your secrets into the light. We are only as sick as the secrets we keep.
Would you rather spend your life chasing stuff? Or Would you rather be genuinely happy?
Would you rather spend / waste your life glued to your screen? Or would you rather spend that 3 hours a day investing it in what really matters?
Everybody talks about being kind to other people, but could it be that the person you need to start being kind to is yourself?
In nationwide surveys this is overwhelmingly the number one question both non-Christians and believers have.
The Gospels are filled with stories of people who thought they wanted to follow Jesus until they actually met him and found out the requirements for entry…most walked away. Are you one of them?
Here's my teaching on work. How to love it. Change jobs. Keep jobs. Or start a side hustle - and Jesus' example.
If hell is real, don’t you think your non-Christian friends would want you to take a risk and tell them how to avoid it? Here’s why…
Margaret Mead famously said, “Fathers serve no function beyond what we see in animals.” Really? That’s stupid. Here are the 4 powerful things a Christian father provides…
Here’s my talk on the #1 most painful thing that can happen in a relationship, and how to overcome it, grow from it, and be stronger.
We are so used to seeing those around us sweep their relational problems under the rug that we accept this as normal. Being a disciple of Jesus means we commit to having no unresolved conflict in our relationships. Here’s how…
Most “Christians” will be surprised when they get to heaven and Jesus says “I Never Knew You.”
Billions of people celebrated Easter this past Sunday. For those who didn’t, here’s why the resurrection of Jesus matters.
If you have a sin for which you can’t forgive yourself, here’s how the Bible says you can stop beating yourself up and find joy again.
The Book of Revelation ends with a picture of heaven, and then an offer to join those going there to meet Jesus. Will you be one of them?
Everything you’ve heard about the Book of Revelation is wrong. The timelines. The predictions. All of it. The truth of the book is much simpler, and more terrifying.
The Book of Revelation says Judgement Day is happening right now. Fortunately, so is the day of salvation. Here’s what I mean…
There’s a war all around you to keep you from seeing what is happening in heaven right now. Here’s what’s happening and the war that’s afoot to keep you from seeing it.
If there was ever a time that disciples of Jesus needed to understand the last book of the Bible, it’s now. The Book of Revelation is not an esoteric book about vague future events like Nostradamus’s prophecies. It was a message of hope for suffering disciples of Jesus in the first century, and thankfully it remains a message of hope for us today. In this beautiful, but strange book, a simple message is found; one that’s eloquently summed by the great spiritual writer Frederick Buechner: “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.”
If you’re a Christian you are already partly “In” heaven. This week we talked about the central message of the Bible: the kingdom of God. What it means, and how it’s different from the understanding of most Christians.
Here’s my message about how Yahweh created other “gods” who in turn rebelled and how the Bible is God’s roadmap for how to avoid their lies.
Hope cannot be manufactured or hyped. It’s something the world cannot give birth or take away. Here’s why…
Here are three ways to reduce stress and stay connected to the life of Jesus every day and week.
Johnny Cash. Christians turned atheists. Your true breed. And why you should be like a tree.
The effect of marketing on our brains. Church hopping. Transactional relationships. And the call to pick up our crosses and stay within one church community for at least 20 years.
You can choose to face the sons of Anak now or live with regret for the rest of your life.
Anger is a symptom of a lack of contentment with where God has placed us. Whether living in Egypt or living in the desert, God can teach us to have hearts of gratitude and acceptance.
The early church knew they were significant because they had been given an important mission by Jesus to be his witnesses to everyone on the planet.
This may be the most important message you listen to in 2021. A continuation of our series in 1 John called “Believe This.”
Here’s our third message on 1 John where I talk about Jesus’ substitute atonement and what it means to us in our everyday lives.
We are constantly faced with the decision to take two different paths. Here’s why and the consequences of each.
Except for a new body, everything you are waiting to receive in heaven you already have available to you right now on earth! Here’s Brian’s first message from our new series in 1 John entitled Believe This.
Here’s our church’s conversation about racism unity in America and the church from this past Sunday.
If you’re interested in restarting your life, look no further than to the miraculous power of fasting.
Most Christians struggle with sharing the story of Jesus with non-Christian friends. In this talk on Colossians 4:2-6, Pastor Brian Jones teaches how to share your faith in a way that’s natural and helpful.
It’s so easy as Christians to lose our focus and veer off course. In this message on Colossians 1:24-29 Pastor Brian Jones of Christ’s Church of the Valley in Philadelphia challenges Christians to fight for their friends without Jesus.
The most fragile time for any disciple of Jesus is the season of life just BEFORE they reach spiritual maturity. Here are three major threats to new Christians (as described by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossians), what YOU can do to avoid these, and just as importantly how you can help others do the same.
What does Jesus’ resurrection mean? It means that all your past mistakes can be erased, that God is with you and for you, and that you can know for certain where you’re going to go when you die.
One of the hallmarks of the kingdom Jesus set out to build was for it to be an environment of grace. How many of us, as Jesus said, would rather point out the speck in someone else’s eye than deal with the plank in our own? Instead, we have the power to help others see that they are bigger than their struggles and failures, that they are loved by God no matter what.
Many people who follow Jesus take the first step, and maybe a second one, but then aren’t sure what to do next. Living as a disciple of Jesus is best accomplished alongside other like-minded people, and as a church, our goal is to help YOU do just this.
It’s pretty easy to love the people who love us back. But what about the people we can’t stand? Or the ones who have hurt us the most? Jesus gives us very clear instructions about what we ought to do in these circumstances, as we continue with week two of our series, “Unshakeable.”
Jesus came not to improve our lives in their current state, but rather to usher in an entirely new ‘kingdom’ – one where the people in power and who we think are worthy to be envied aren’t at all the ones who deserve acclaim. We talk about how the last will be first and the least will be called the greatest in week one of our series, “Unshakeable.”
One of the most tangible things a disciple of Jesus can do to love our neighbors better is begin to move away from behaviors that exploit the poor and exploit our natural resources. Here’s why this is so important, plus some steps you can take today in week two of our teaching series, “As Ourselves.”
For anyone who’s feeling burnt out, discouraged, or overwhelmed, this message is for you. What does it take to push through difficult times? And more importantly, why is it so important for the Christian to stay strong in their faith? Find out in week one of “Anywhere But Here.”
All of us long for and find comfort in the things we know and the things that have given us joy in the past. But there’s a similar longing for what’s to come. The people of Israel looked forward to the Messiah for generations. In the same way, don’t we all need of some hope as 2020 comes to a close? Thankfully, hope does arrive, in the form of a baby found in a manger, at the end of a long line of people who came before Him.
How wise are you in the way that you use your time? The truth is we are all finite creatures with finite amounts of time, and there are so many important things God wants us to do with our lives. If you’ve felt like you’ve wasted even a minute over the past 8 months, this message is for you.
Learning how to save affords us the financial freedom to do the things that God would want us to do with our money. We draw on the wisdom of Solomon from the book of Proverbs in week three of our teaching series “Better.”
When it comes to our finances, there’s nothing more transformational we can do than start to tithe. Here’s why tithing is so important, plus a challenge to anyone who might be skeptical if tithing actually “works” or not.
The book of Proverbs has endless wisdom for how to make our lives better. One of the easiest ways to distract us from the lives God wants us to live is to find ourselves in debt, and not know how to get out of it. But what if there was a way to fix this area of life?
Our natural reaction when faced with oppression and hardships is to rise up. To combat aggression with aggression. But what if there’s a better way, a way that would ultimately silence the aggressors, and draw the other party closer to God?
Followers of Jesus can have many motivations for the lives that they lead. At or near the top of that list should be the desire to be compassionate, to show he same selflessness that Jesus showed, above any other perspective we could possibly have.
When faced with tough times, most Christians have never trained themselves for how they’re going to respond. We’re encouraged to just that, in light of how fleeting our lives actually are, in week two of our series, “Fight To The Finish.”
Whatever trials you’re facing at the moment, our hardships can help to strengthen our faith.
Having authentic friendships with people who share their time and hearts are indispensable for making life work.
It’s been said that religion is people reaching up to God. Christianity is God reaching down to people. If we truly understood the love God has for us, it would radically transform everything about our lives.
What area of your life are you holding back from Jesus? There’s no part of us that should be off limits, nothing that Jesus can’t affect, and it’s with our one-and-only lives that Jesus wants to change the world.
The benefits of regularly meeting together with other Christians go beyond just the spiritual. Here’s “why” and “how” you should host a CCV Watch Party sometime in the next few weeks! All the info for CCV Watch Parties is available at ccvlive.com/watchparty
Throughout history, when faced with difficult circumstances, Jesus has always called His church to rise up and meet the moment - to lead the charge and usher in His Kingdom, on Earth as it is in Heaven. The reality of how things are and what we’re up against in 2020 is no different.
The prophet Elijah was the kind of person who stood up for what was right, even if it meant he was standing alone. Can the same be said of you?
It’s easy to recognize “idol worship” when it takes place in the Old Testament, in stories like the life of Elijah. The real question is, are we as attentive to the “idols” that we worship in place of God today?
If you’re tired, weary, or just want to escape, what’s the best course of action? Are these types of issues solved by “just trying harder to be happy?” Maybe taking a nice, long vacation? Or is there something bigger going on? Brian talks about the ‘antidote to exhaustion’ in this message titled, “I Wanna Be Sedated” (to borrow the line from the song by The Ramones).
The goal of Christianity has never been about following a set of rules. It’s about having what Dallas Willard called, ‘a conversational relationship with God.’ Here’s WHY this distinction is so important, especially if you’re a relatively new Christian, as we wrap up our teaching series, “Stop At Nothing.”
What stops you from authentically sharing your faith with others? Is it not knowing what to say? Is it embarrassment? Maybe it’s a genuine fear of what the other person might say back to you? If any of these reasons are barriers to having faith conversations with other people, here’s what the Apostle Paul would say you should do.
It’s easy to view hard times through the lens of the things they take away from us. Experienced ruined. Plans changed. Expectations shattered. But what if instead of viewing these times as all bad, you looked at the opportunities these seasons gave us to share the hope of Jesus with the people God puts in our paths?
The Apostle Paul knew that when times got tough, he could always count on the church in Philippi to pray for him and help him during his times of deepest need. Is there someone you are connected to now, someone you’re investing in spiritually, that ten years from now will be able to look back and thank God for your influence in their lives? If not, you’ve got work to do.
Jesus’ resurrection means that our sins can be forgiven, our present problems get smaller and smaller, and our future can be sure. The resurrection means we can have hope, both now and for eternity. That hope come through the sacrifice of Jesus, and is available to anyone who would seek and accept it. Do you believe that?
2 Corinthians 4:18 reminds us to, “…fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” When there’s nowhere else to turn, where do you put your focus? On yourself and what you can do and what you can control? Or do you fix your eyes and attention on the One who can actually save you, the One who promises to always be there when we call?
Oswald Chambers wrote, “It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials. Through every cloud He brings our way, He wants us to unlearn something.” What’s the main thing that God is wanting you to “unlearn” in the midst of your current difficulties? And better yet, are you taking the necessary steps to unlearn those things and replace them with new habits and ideas?
Worry is nothing more than losing sight of the fact that God is in control. God never promised that everything would be perfect, but He did promise to always be with us. If worry is your default mode in times like these, this message is for you.
In times of trouble and uncertainty, where do you turn? Psalm 46 gives us the road map to follow, each and every time we are afraid.
Throughout his journeys, the apostle Paul faced opposition in every single place he went. But he kept going because he knew – even in a place like Corinth – when the power of God is at work, people respond to the gospel.
When you find yourself in a difficult spot, what’s your natural reaction? Do you shrink back, do you lash out, or do you…approach God in worship? We look at the example of how the Apostle Paul reacted in the face of hardship, and what that means for us in 2020, during week one of, “This Is How I Fight My Battles.”
A lot of marital heartbreak can be avoided if, before you say “I do,” you consider what the Bible says are four “musts” your future spouse ought to be. If you’re single or dating, and hoping to get married at some point (or if you know someone in this situation), this message is for you.
Anyone can build a great marriage. As those of us who are married know, that’s way easier said than done. For marriages that last, there’s ONE choice that couples make that makes all the difference. Not making this choice results in bitterness and in most cases, leads to divorce. I share that one thing in week two of our teaching series, “Love, Dates and Heartbreaks.”
Whether you’re in a romantic relationship, want to be in one, hope to be and are trying to figure things out, you know this to be true: relationships can be complicated. The ones that last, though, are the ones where the people in them practice not quitting.
How to uncover the real meaning of Christmas so we can approach this season the way Jesus would want us to.
To be the kind of parent God wants you to be - and that your children need you to be - requires you to learn to handle (and express) your anger the right way. I talk about what that looks like through the words of James in week two of our series, “Deal With It.”
When we get to the end of our lives, what will matter? Will the car we drove or the house we lived in or the things we bought for ourselves be what matters? Or will it only be the people that we reached for God’s Kingdom that will last for eternity? Jesus challenges us to use our resources and ‘make a splash’ with our lives as we conclude our series “Cannonball.”
What if...? What if we obeyed Jesus’ words and went “all in” to follow Him? What if we took a leap, gave sacrificially, and did the things we once did to reach people for God’s Kingdom? Here’s week three of our teaching series Cannonball.
When’s the last time you were truly excited about your faith and about being a part of Jesus’ church? Over the past 20 years, God has used the people of CCV to accomplish some incredible things – over 2500 people baptized, that many baptized in churches we’ve helped start around the world, homes built, lives restored. But what if the best was still to come?
The difference between the life we’re living and the life we’ve always wanted to is doing the right things over and over again. It’s replacing the wrong things with the right things, and (with God’s help) being consistent in those right things. Here’s week one from our teaching series, “That Thing You Keep Doing.”
One of the biggest barriers to faith is the absolute “certainty” many people have about there not being a God, Jesus not being real, the stories in the Bible being made up, etc. But what happens when you are introduced to a new insight, a new understanding, that changes the way you think? We examine what it looks like when those types of experiences occur in week two of, “The Case For Christ.”
There are lots of different viewpoints on who Jesus is. Some think he’s an outdated religious idea from a long-passed era. Others think of him as a strong-arm tactic to get people to do what they would otherwise not want to do. Maybe you think of him as a “grand fairy in the sky” who will give you stuff when you really need it or when your back is up against the wall. All of these ideas of who Jesus is are popular and widely held, but are just plain wrong. Looking for the real Jesus? It starts by examining what Jesus can actually do.
Here's Brian's message from August 25, 2019 - week two of our teaching series "Redemption Story."
What type of family did you grow up with? And how do you think that family shaped the person you are today? Here's Brian's message from Sunday, August 18, 2019 as part of our series, "Redemption Story."
Here’s my message from Sunday. Sometimes in life we make the right decisions. Other times, we need to look at the wrong decisions we’ve made and make them right.
One of my favorite children’s stories is Dr. Seuss’ 1940 classic, “Horton Hatches the Egg.” In there is the famous line that Horton repeats over and over: “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful one-hundred percent.” This level of faithfulness is displayed in the Old Testament narrative of Ruth. Ruth is a model for how we ought to view the relationships we have with the people we love. Even if you haven’t always been a model husband/wife/father/mother, etc., you’ll learn how to have what it takes in week two of our series, “Asking For A Friend.”
There’s a direct connection between what we allow to enter into our minds, and what goes on inside of us. Jesus says it this way in the Sermon on the Mount: “If your eye is bad, your whole body will be in the dark” (Matthew 6:23). Here’s what it looks like for you to rise up against depression in week two of our series, “Rise Up.”
1 John 2:6 tells us that, “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” I’ve always understood this verse to mean that Jesus’ followers must act (morally speaking) the way Jesus acted – loving the poor, evangelizing the lost. But what would it look like if every area of our lives was spent emulating how Jesus lived his life here on earth? I explain what I mean, and the implications for all of us, in this first message from our new series, “Rise Up.”
There’s one spiritual discipline that often goes overlooked, and yet might be the most powerful way to change your life, your outlook, and your current situation: fasting. Here’s why you should consider fasting, when and how you ought to do it, and what happens when we give something up in order to hear from God.
God has a dream for every single one of us. A lot of times we think it’s a certain destination. But what if it’s more about the journey? And what if the things you’ve experienced up to this point were all meant to lead you to exactly where you find yourself now? We look at the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis, and the way God works in all of our lives in week one of our series,” What is God’s Dream For My Life?”
After Jesus rose from the dead, he sent his followers out and the early church exploded with growth. There was ONE THING that could stop the spread of the gospel in its tracks – and it almost succeeded. We explore the Apostle John’s response to this challenge (and what it means to us today) in week one of our series, “Can’t Buy Me Love.”
In his gospel, Matthew captures what Jesus' followers experienced as they discovered that he HAD INDEED raised from the dead. My favorite part of this message? The response of a whole bunch of people who made the decision to follow Jesus and be baptized. What a way to end to an amazing Easter at CCV!
Everything Jesus endured in the final hours before his death – the torture, the mocking, and ultimately his crucifixion – demonstrates how great God’s love is for us. We walk through the specifics - the how and the why - in the final week of our sermon series, “Via Crucis” (The Way of the Cross).
Since the beginning of recorded history, whenever one country would conquer another, the new king would parade his army through the streets of the capital city in an awe-inspiring spectacle of power to announce “there’s a new king in charge now!” Jesus entered Jerusalem in his final week to shouts of “Hosanna! God save us!” But his mission was far greater than what anyone expected it to be.
In his book The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” At CCV we’ve been following Jesus’ journey in the Gospel of Matthew from Galilee to Golgotha. We’re calling this series “Via Crucis,” which is Latin for “The way of the cross.” In this week’s message we turn to Matthew chapter 16, the turning point in Jesus’ story. To get away from the crowds Jesus took his disciples to a pagan area called Caesarea Philippi, a long day’s walk north of Capernaum. What he revealed to his disciples about his identity, his mission, and our mission, will upend everything you’ve come to believe about what it means to follow Jesus.
The events that would lead to Jesus’ death started when the religious leaders of the day learned of his teachings about the Sabbath. Hear why this controversy was such a big deal to them, and what Jesus’ perspective on “following God’s laws” means to us today in week one of our series leading up to Easter, Via Crucis (Latin for “The Way of the Cross”).
God calls each of us to go on a hero’s journey. In week one of At The Movies, we look at the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and why listening to God’s call is one of the most important decisions we’ll ever make.
The Parable of the Bags of Gold is one of the most well-known illustrations ever used by Jesus. There are two kids of disciples - ones that on judgment day Jesus will call, “wicked, lazy and worthless…” and ones that will hear the words, “well done, good and faithful servant.” Which one would you rather be?
This Sunday I talked about how sharing our faith can be challenging. There are some very real barriers that we face when we finally gain enough courage to share our story with someone. I look forward to seeing how God uses your story to create a GAME CHANGING moment in someone else’s life!
What a privilege it was to welcome Mary and Wallace Kamau (from Missions of Hope International) for Justice Day 2019. How incredible, that the school they started with 50 kids in 2000 has grown into a ministry that now serves over 18,000 children in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Well worth watching.
For most people, church is a building, or an event that you go to – “I’m going to church today.” In week two of our series Made For More, I lay out the case for church to be WAY more than either of those, and why this is crucial to becoming a better follower of Jesus.
This Sunday I talked about our new mission statement here at CCV, which is really YOUR personal mission statement for 2019 and beyond. I can’t wait to see how God is going to use you in this upcoming year!
All of us face difficult times. How we react to those difficulties ultimately shapes who we are. In week three of our series “Best Christmas Ever,” I explore three ways to combat depression, and how God can use our suffering for good.
Do you want this year’s Christmas to be the best one your family’s ever had? In week one of this series, I talk about the small changes your family can make to bring about huge transformation, and how following the wisdom found in Scripture is the secret to “success.” If the past few Christmases have fallen short of your expectations, this year can truly be the Best Christmas Ever.
Believe it or not, there's a passage in Scripture where Jesus gives real and solid investment advice. We dig into that and more in the third and final week of our series, "Classic."
Where does Jesus rank on your list of priorities? It’s easy to say he’s first. But how do we know that, and more importantly, show that? I talk about one of the most obvious ways to measure this in week two of our series, “Classic.”
There’s no magic formula or new fad that helps us deal with the REAL reason why so many of us are drowning in debt. I talk about the core issue when it comes to debt, and how Jesus shows us the way out, in week one of our series, “Classic.”
For centuries, people have debated back and forth whether women are allowed to teach and lead in the church. Here’s what the Bible does and DOES NOT really say in week two of, “Straight Outta Context.”
Does God ever give us more than we can handle? The answer found in Scripture may surprise you.
Here’s my message, the fourth and final installment from our series, “Right Sizing.” We can (and need to) allow God to right-size our schedules, commitments, and relationships. But if we don’t fix THIS and allow God to change this area of our lives too, we’re still missing the point.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, listen to how Jesus explains the solution to this problem, as we kick off of our teaching series, “Right Sizing.”
One of the main goals of parenting is to teach our children to take responsibility for their own lives. Thankfully, no matter how young or old your kids are, it’s never too late to start.
When’s the last time you prayed for protection from the evil one? Most of us don’t realize what we’re missing by neglecting this, or why it’s such a HUGE deal. In this message, I talk about how often you ought to pray these types of prayers, ways you can protect yourself from the devil’s schemes, and the true hierarchy in the battle of good vs. evil. Get ready for a fight.
In this week’s message I talk about dealing with irrational fears and the one thing all of us should actually be terrified of. If you’ve recently felt under attack, this message is specifically for you.
If I only had one opportunity to speak to every single person on the planet, here’s what I’d share…
Anyone will tell you that family comes first. But according to Jesus, those who put family before him actually jeopardize their family altogether. Here’s my sermon “Rejecting The Shadow Calling of Family.”
When nonbelievers hate their jobs it’s perfectly understandable. But when Christians hate their jobs it’s a sign that something’s seriously off spiritually. I talk about this and more in my message, “Rejecting The Shadow Calling Of Work.”
I believe our CCV family will look back twenty years from now and look at this series of messages and say, “This was the turning point. Both personally and as a church.” Here’s my message, “Welcome to the Revolution.” Be forewarned: I don’t pull any punches.
If we ignore our finances, even for a brief season, they can go sideways fast. Here’s a quick checkup to make sure you’re doing finances God’s way.