Christ Community Church Helena, AL: Recent Episodes
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These are messages given at Christ Community Church, PCA in Helena, AL. Our website is www.cccbham.org
- God hears the cries of His people.
- God answers the cries of His people.
- God brings justice to His people.
- God waits, giving people an opportunity to repent.
- God controls Satan and his forces.
Guiding Truths: 1. Jesus will return to redeem, judge and make all things new. 2. The time of Jesus' return is unknown. 3. Our call is to labor and prepare.
Seals 1-4: Four horsemen (vv 1-8). Seal 5: The cry of the faithful (vv 9-11). Seal 6: The answer of the Almighty (vv 12-17)
A. REST in a sovereign God who is always on the throne B. WORSHIP God who is worthy to receive our glory
A. REPENT of our love for self B. REPENT of our self-sufficiency that sees no need for Christ C. RETURN to Jesus to get what is better
Background: the city and the church in Philadelphia 1. Jesus' description of himself to the church in Philadelphia (vs 7) 2. Christ affirms this church (vv. 8-10) 3. Christ challenges the 'synagogue of Satan' (vs. 9) 4. Jesus' call to the church (vs. 11) 5. Jesus' promises to the church (vs. 12)
Background: the city of Sardis, the church in Sardis Christ's self-description (vs 1) 1. The spiritual blindness of the church in Sardis (vs 1) 2. Christ's call to Sardis (vv 2-4) 3. The promise to Sardis (vv 4-6)
Encouragement from Scripture in anxious times PLUS specific ways to pray for our world, country, leadership and families during COVID-19 social distancing and pandemic. To listen LIVE, go to our Facebook page (facebook.com/cccbham) or visit cccbham.org/video.
Having an Enternal Perspective
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What is an Eternal Perspective?
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What does an Eternal Perspective look like with the 2020 elections?
MAIN TRUTH: Because God can be trusted to provide, choose obedient faith grateful for the provision of Jesus.
A. Because God can be trusted to provide…
B. Choose obedient faith…
C. Grateful for the provision of Jesus.
What truths are you to believe about God, Jesus, yourself or this world? What sins do you need to repent of or seek to avoid? What actions will you do to obey these truths?
GENESIS 9:1-18 How God Makes a Covenant
KEY TRUTH: 1. God speaks (1)
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Abram responds (2-3)
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God assures (4-5)
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Abram believes (6)
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God establishes a covenant (7-12, 17-18)
Conclusion
A. Recognize God’s view of His creation and human life.
B. Rejoice in God’s promises to save His people.
What truth do you need to BELIEVE about God, Jesus, yourself or this world? What sins do you need to REPENT of doing or seek to avoid? What actions will you do in RESPONSE to these truths?
GENESIS Shame and Redemption Genesis 3:6-13
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The entrance of shame and its consequences
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The pursuit of God and His grace
GENESIS The Leap Into Darkness Genesis 3:1-7
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Twisted words
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Painful consequences
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Redemptive plan
Conclusion
GENESIS Covenant of Works Genesis 2:15-17
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What is a covenant?
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What is the covenant of works?
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Is the covenant of works still in effect today?
Conclusion
MAIN IDEA: Because God calls us to rest from work, do what is good for you by resting.
Work fully and effectively and then Rest.
Rest from the “work” under the work.
Rest from all types of work.
Rest from the work by doing no work.
Rest in ways that bring spiritual and personal recovery and relational connection.
Rest in Jesus.
CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH Sunday + 2 - Serving
MAIN TRUTH: Since you have been sovereignly placed in this local church and given personal gifts and abilities in order to fulfill God’s purposes through the church, then serve in your church.
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Serve in your church because it brings glory to God.
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Serve in your church because it fulfills the “one another” calling of believers.
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Serve in your church because you have been gifted in order to serve.
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Serve in your church because we ALL are ministers.
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Serve in your church because Jesus gave us the example of servant.
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Serve in your local church because you will build friendships.
SUNDAY + 2 Engaging on Sundays Matthew 16:13-20 1. How valuable is the church to Jesus?
2. How valuable is the church to you?
Conclusion
A. Living with Heavenly Hope until we are finally home. B. Living Heavenly Reality when we are finally home.
Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
A. LOOK BACK to Grace that has brought you here.
B. LOOK FORWARD to Grace that will bring you home.
What do you need to believe about God, Jesus, yourself or this world? What sins do you need to repent of doing or seek to avoid? What actions will you do in obedience to these truths?
A Christian's Journey - A Study through The Pilgrim's Progress The City of Vanity Fair
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Danger and suffering awaits... in Vanity Fair?
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How can we escape the temptations of Vanity Fair?
Conclusion
- Know our enemy’s motivations and schemes.
a. He tempts us to DOUBT God.
b. He tempts us to LIVE LIFE without God.
c. He tempts us to believe there are things BETTER THAN God.
- Stand strong against Satan by believing and doing.
APPLICATION (1) List 1-2 sinful attitudes or actions that are common in your life.
(2) What do you need to BELIEVE to keep from them this week?
(3) What do you need to DO to keep from them this week?
- The church knows and speaks TRUTH as God revealed in His Word.
- The church is active in LOVE as Jesus taught and modeled.
TRUTH #1: You are free from sin’s punishment because God has forgiven you. Application: Lay hold of the reality that your sins are forgiven. TRUTH #2: You are free from performing for God because you have the righteousness of Jesus. Application: Start each day by resting in our righteousness in Jesus. TRUTH #3: You are free from doubting your salvation because you have God’s assurance. Application: Trust His word over your feelings and performance. 1. Look back to the cross to remember what Jesus accomplished for you. 2. Drink consistently on the promises of God.
MAIN IDEA: Because Christ will return and fully establish his kingdom, live knowing it will happen and ready for when it does happen. A. Believe that Christ will return. B. Be awake to the spiritual kingdom and be ready by living for it. (1) Be awake to the spiritual kingdom. (2) Be ready by living for it with eternal deeds and faithfulness. C. Be amazed at the grace that awaits us.
A. Because He lives...I can face today knowing He has made my life new. B. Because He lives...I can face tomorrow knowing He will make all things new. Quote from Tim Keller: "The resurrection of Christ means everything sad is going to come untrue, and it will somehow be greater for having once been broken and lost."
What are the predominant views concerning the Lord’s Supper? What is the relationship between the Jewish Passover and the Lord’s Supper? 1. LOOK BACK – Remember the death of Christ for you. 2. LOOK FORWARD – Remember that Christ will return. 3. LOOK IN – Confess your sins and accept his forgiveness. 4. LOOK AROUND – Reconcile with others.
1. Following Jesus requires forfeiting your trust in good works. 2. Following Jesus requires forfeiting your allegiance to anything else. 3. Following Jesus will provide the unsurpassed gift of life in Christ.
1. The cost of discipleship a. Count the cost so you’ll finish b. Count the cost so you’ll live 2. Hearing the gracious call
A. Pray believing God to be your wise and loving Father. B. Pray asking God to make much of himself in this world. C. Pray asking God to make his invisible kingdom visible. D. Pray asking God to provide what you need when you need it. E. Pray asking God to forgive you and show you who you need to forgive. F. Pray asking God to deliver you when tempted. Application: Pray the Lord's prayer each day this week.
"The main purpose of prayer is not to make life easier, nor to gain magical powers, but to know God. I need God more than anything I might get from God." -- Philip Yancey A. Pray believing God to be your wise and loving Father B. Pray asking God to make much of himself in this world C. Pray asking God to make his invisible kingdom visible Application: Pray with God's glory and agenda in mind
Introduction: Genesis 1 - 11 The Story Quiz: Genesis 12 - Jude 1. Why did God rescue the Israelites from Egypt with the 10 plagues? 2. Why did God allow David to defeat Goliath? 3. What was the purpose of the temple that Solomon built? 4. What lesson do we learn from Daniel and the lion’s den? 5. What is the second half of Psalm 46:10? 6. Psalm 67:1 says, “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us”…what comes next? The Conclusion: Revelation Are you a bucket or a pipe? Lunch Questions: Over the last year, what ways have you been a bucket? What adjustments can you make to be the pipe God intends for you to be?
Main Idea: Because the Father's love brings freedom from performance, respond to the Father's love as a son. 1) We will miss the joy of the Father's love when we slave for God. 2) Respond to the Father's love as a son.
Main idea: Because God showed us mercy when we were not like him, show mercy to those not like us. A. Remember that we are called to love others as God loved us. B. Respond by showing mercy to those not like us. C. Remember that we received mercy when we were not like God.
A. Trust Him for He rules over all things (vv 1-5) B. Trust Him for He understands our loneliness (vv 6-8) C. Choose joy and worship for He has saved us (vv 4, 20)
Let Us Adore Him for our Salvation. 1. He pursued us in order to save us. 2. He fulfilled His promise to us. 3. His mercy motivated Him to save us. Let Us Adorn Him with our Lives.
MAIN IDEA: Since love for Jesus is produced when we see our need for forgiveness, recognize how often you sin and that Jesus forgives the repentant sinner. --> Since love for Jesus is produced when we see our need for forgiveness…. --> Recognize how often you sin and that Jesus forgives the repentant sinner.
Since we can trust God with our finances, and He loves a cheerful giver.... Let's give generously, cheerfully, and sacrificially to the Lord and others.
Main idea: Because God can be trusted and you are his loved son or daughter, choose trust and obedience when you are tempted. A. Know HOW you will be tempted 1. with the thought, "You are living a good life. Don't be concerned with God's mission." 2. with the lie, "You can't trust God to give you what you desire." 3. with the lie, "You are not a loved son or daughter, so protect and provide for yourself." B. Know HOW you will RESIST temptation 1. I need help to see and resist temptation. 2. I can and will trust God with obedience for I am loved and in His purposes I am satisfied. 3. I have a Savior who loves me and suffered great temptation for me! APPLICATION: 1. SHOW me how I will be or am being tempted. 2. GIVE me faith to trust and obey you. 3. THANK YOU, Jesus, for earning for me all I need in God.
- What is a gospel?
- Why did Luke write this gospel?
- What was the significance of John's birth?
- Who's giving the invitation?
- Who's receiving the invitation?
- What's the invitation for? Conclusion
- Observing our culture
- God is the originator of hospitality
- Christians are the distributors of hospitality
- The command to walk by the Spirit (16)
- The battle between the flesh and the Spirit (17)
- Characteristics of a self-directed or Spirit-directed life (18-24, 26)
- How to "keep in step" with the Spirit (25) Conclusion
CONCERN: Turning away from the true gospel (grace) to a false gospel (law keeping) - Gal. 1:6 BELIEVE: We are justified by faith alone through the substitutionary work of Christ alone (Gal 2:16; Gal 3:10-11) BELIEVE: We have been set free in Christ, so walk in freedom as a beloved son (Gal 2:4; Gal 4:4) Example of slavery and freedom: Ishmael and Isaac (Gal 2:21-31) APPLICATION: Walk in grateful faith in your identity in Jesus rather than depend on religious effort What is the role of obedience and grace-fueled effort in the Christian life?
A brief look back at how we started and how far God's brought us! Excuse our poor audio quality; this was our first sermon recording in our new facility (2222 Hwy 52, Helena). We've yet to work out our recording kinks!
The Secret to the Christian Life = Walking in step with the Holy Spirit 1. Walk by the Spirit to fight sin (vv 16-17) 2. Be led by the Spirit to gain life (vv 18-21) Ways to Keep in Step with the Spirit (from Frank Barker): 1) abandon 2) appropriate 3) abide
Listen as Faith Promise supported missionary Brian Phillips shares about his family's experience serving in Brisbane, Australia.
Listen to an update from one of our Faith Promise supported missionaries, Stan Pawlowski. Stan and wife Jennifer (and kids Josiah and Abigail) are missionaries serving with Mission to the World (MTW). Formerly in East Asia, the Pawlowskis will soon be serving in New Zealand and the South Pacific islands.
Listen as David summarizes the key points of chapter 1, then explains how Paul encouraged the Galatian church to battle for the truth and purity of the gospel.
- The gospel and its counterfeits
- The use and power of a personal story: (a) my life before Christ, (b) how I realized my need for Christ, (c) how I received Christ, (d) my life since receiving Christ
- Conclusion
- Facts about Pentecost Meaning of the term, "ecclesia" Meaning of the term, "pentecost" Events in Acts 2:1-4 The "ribbon cutting" ceremony for the Church The role of the Holy Spirit (John 15:26; Matt 28)
- Expansion of the Church (Acts 1:8; Acts 4:13; and Acts 8:1,4)
Facts about the Ascension: 1. At the end of 40 days, Jesus visibly ascended from earth to heaven. 2. Jesus remains - now and forever - fully god and fully human, forever. 3. Jesus' return will be like his ascension - physical and visible. What's Jesus doing now? 1. Jesus is abiding with you by his spirit (John 15:26; Rom 8). 2. Christ is interceding for you (Heb 7:25). 3. He is preparing for you to join Him (John 14:1-3).
Main Idea: Because Jesus was resurrected, our forever salvation is guaranteed. 1. Through the resurrection of Jesus, God's saving work of us is complete. 2. Through the resurrection of Jesus, God's restoration work is guaranteed!
- Disciples follow the ways of Jesus by surrendering their own path.
- Disciples display selfless love to others.
- Disciples make disciples of others. So, how do we become this type of disciple? 1) Remember the Jesus that we follow - wise, kind and divine. 2) Identify yourself primarily as a child of God and a follower of Jesus. 3) Remind yourself that following Jesus is greater than ruling the world.
A. Be aware that God rejoices in the repentant sinner but resists the self-righteous (Luke 7:36-50) B. Be active in showing compassion to the needy (Luke 10:25-37)
Main idea: Since Jesus came to replace our emptiness with undeserved abundance, let's thank him and speak often of the good news he brings. Good News: Jesus was sent by God to rescue us (Luke 4:18; Ps 23:6) Good News: Our bankruptcy is replaced with riches (Gal 2; 2 Cor 8:9) Good News: Our captivity is replaced with freedom (Rom 3:2; Eph 2) Good News: Our inability to see and savor God is replaced with an ability to see and savor God (Acts 26:18; 2 Cor 4:4) Good News: Our despair from a shattered life is replaced with the promise of Shalom (Luke 4:18)
- What was the purpose of Jesus' baptism?
- What was the purpose of Jesus' wilderness temptation? Conclusion
Truth 1: God favors you by saving you through the birth of Christ (Gal 4:4-5; Luke 2:25-32; Acts 4:12; and Luke 2:33-34). Application: Thank God often that he demonstrated his delight in saving you. Truth 2: The life of Jesus displayed he favored God his father (Luke 2:41-52). Application: Make decisions that grow your favor of God.
- Is this the Gospel era?
- What was John the Baptist's role in redemptive history? Conclusion
Worshipping with us today is one of our Faith Promise supported families, the Wheelers, who serve in Bundibugyo, Uganda. Rhett Wheeler shared a 15 min testimony (not included on audio) of God's work in Uganda. As a church family, we also spent time in prayer for this family. To read more about the Wheeler's work in Uganda, please visit https://serge.org/staff/id-51095/
Sermon outline: 1. Act #1 comes to a close 2. Act #2 is being prepared Conclusion
Consider: Is your desire to know and reveal God growing or stagnant? Main Truth: Since walking with God in his ways brings our deepest satisfaction and impact, let's always seek continual spiritual renewal.
Principles of Spiritual Renewal: 1. We ask the Lord to begin the work of renewal. Ezra 1:1-2; 1:5; 7:27-28; Nehemiah 2:8; and Ps. 51:10-12. 2. We recognize that suffering, sin and struggle are necessary for true renewal. Ezra 4:4-6; Nehemiah 4:7-8; Matt. 5:3,4,10-11; and Phil. 3:8. 3. We need Biblical heart repentance along with life change. Ezra 10:2-4 and Joel 2:12-13 4. We recognize renewal is created and sustained through the means of grace: gathered worship and community with other believers and seeking God in the Word and prayer. Ezra 3:3 and Ezra 7:10
Truth #1: God controls all things and provides what we need. (Dan. 1:1-2; 1:9; and 1:17) Application: Be faithful always through dependency on Him. Truth #2: God's kingdom is the true and lasting kingdom. (Dan. 2:44) Application: Be 'heart-resistant' to assimilation into a temporary culture. Truth #3: God keeps His promise to deliver us through Jesus. (Dan. 7:13-14; Matt. 24:30; and Matt. 26:64) Application: Be assured that suffering is temporary and will be reversed.
A. Recognize the undeserved gift of a new heart B. Believe that you have a new heart and live accordingly
- Grasping the divided kingdom
- The particular ministry of Elijah
- Recognizing God's work and our rescue
Our God rescues us by His sovereign rule, according to His perfect, wise plan, because of His steadfast love which chose us, and through the deliverance accomplished by Jesus.
- Recognize the idols we cling to and the consequences they bring.
- Recognize the call and the benefit to worship God alone.
- Rely on God's grace to replace our idols.