Celebration Bible Church Sermon Collection: Recent Episodes
Celebration Bible Church
Welcome to the sermon collection from Celebration Bible Church in Grandville, MI.
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For sermon archive (pre-April 2016) visit www.celebrationbible.blogspot.com
Nicodemus comes to Jesus with everything in nice little boxes, but leaves this encounter with a reminder that - no matter how much your know - you cannot manipulate or orchestrate your way to God.
The wilderness can sometimes be scary, but it is often used by God to see and shape the hearts of His people.
When Jesus was transfigured in the presence Peter, James and John, these disciples experienced the powerful and gentle multifaceted presence of God.
While it may sound like Jesus is adding more difficulty to the ancient Hebrew Law, as we listen closely we see that he's actually offering a type of freedom that can only come from stepping away from a 'checklist morality.'
Jesus calls his disciples to take on a righteousness that is greater than the religious experts of his day. Yet, by learning to take on his light and easy yoke, this high expectation becomes much less burdensome.
Jesus begins his great sermon with a statement of what it looks like to be blessed. How do his words compare to what we often hear from other sources?
John's account of Jesus' incarnation doesn't have shepherds or angels or O Holy Nights, but it does paint a picture of Jesus as someone profoundly different than anyone who had come before.
As we move in to a new year, Pastor Mitch challenges us to think about how we use our time and consider new habits that can draw us closer to God.
Sometimes reality falls short of our expectations, yet Joseph's experience in Matthew 2 reminds us that God is already at work in the messiness of our lives.
Christmas is a season of waiting, and Advent reminds us of how to wait well. James gives examples of a farmer and a prophet to paint a picture of what this looks like.
We begin Advent season by remembering that where we are matters because something happened and something will happens. Because what we are waiting for determines how we wait.
When our world starts to shake, the psalmist reminds us to be still (desist!) and know that He is God.
Paul ends his letter with a benediction ("good word") and leaves us with a blessing of peace, love, faith and grace. Which Word is God speaking to you today?
Prayer is a vital part of the role the church plays as God's people on earth. Are we willing to step out?
In his famous words about the Armor of God, Paul may be thinking less about protecting ourselves from individual temptation and more about the way the church community is called to embody God's way on the earth.
Paul's message to slaves and masters would have been subversive to his first-century audience, but also speaks powerfully to our modern world in which continuity and consistency are central to living faithful Christian lives.
As Paul focuses on what relationships look like in the church, he reminds his audience that the way young people and parents interact with one another is a crucial part of their faith.
Paul's words of marriage were as challenging in his first century context as they are today. The task then, as it is now, is to truly listen and engage and submit to the word of Scripture.
Music is not something we do to fill up space, but it is a way we can become a Spirit-filled community.
Paul calls the church "God's Holy People" - and if something is holy, it must be different. This passage sets a high bar, but one we are called to live in to through the grace of God.
A sermon on Ephesians 4:29-32 and an update on Grace Christian University from President Ken Kemper
Biblical Improv Theater: The Workers & The Vineyard (08.18.19) by Celebration Bible Church
As Paul moves into his "imperative" section of this letter, he begins with a focus on what it means to live together in the local church. By doing this, he reminds us of the central position the church should play in the lives of believers.
Before Paul tells the church how to live well, he reminds them of the non-repeatable event that enables them to live well.
What can bicycle race strategy teach us about the Bible's model of leadership in the local church?
Each believer has been gifted specifically by Christ to flourish in and contribute to His work in the Church.
The biblical teachings on unity are not just for those communities that are in turmoil. Ephesians calls all churches to be proactive in keeping the unity of the Spirit in order to guard against the danger of division. And you can do this with a cup of coffee.
Get reacquainted with the letter to the Ephesians as we explore what it looks like to live in a way that is worthy of the identity-shaping calling we have received (and it may not look like what you think it looks like!).
Scripture is our foundation for teaching, training, correcting and rebuking so that we can join God as he lead "always forward".
In Philippi, Paul confronted someone who seemed to have been supporting his work. However, Paul recognized the danger in the Gospel being co-opted by a very different cultural understanding. Are there ways we have been guilty of this? What steps can we take to make sure we are being driven by Truth?
The story of Paul's encounter with Lydia is even more fascinating when we realize that he was never intending on being in Philippi on the day they met. How have you experience the way God seeks us out?
Peter had a shocking and unexpected experience while praying on a rooftop in Joppa. His desire to listen and his willingness to respond offers a model for all of us - in both the big and small things in our lives.
Paul loved his friends in Thessaloniki like a mother and by doing so, gives us a model to follow.
How did the disciples respond to the first Easter celebration and what can we learn from that?
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the religious, political and social anticipation was at a fever pitch, but soon the attitudes of the people changed. And, If we are honest, deep down we know it could have very easily been us.
Confession can sometimes be a loaded topic, but it's important for us to think seriously about the role it plays in the life of the Christian.
David's confidence in God's faithfulness even while his world was falling apart reminds us that God is not limited by our circumstances.
Jesus' temptation reminds us that faithfulness is determined not by how long we spend in the wilderness, but by how we respond to the silence.
Jesus and his disciples experienced a moment of unveiling on the mountaintop that prepared them for the journey that was ahead.
Are we willing to take on the difficult task of truly listening to Jesus' teaching on loving the people who don't love us?
Blessed are you who fight the good fight of faith, for despite the temporary struggles, yours is the life-giving presence of God.
Peter had seen Jesus' divine power, but it was not until his unexpected day of fishing that he truly began to understand. In that moment, Jesus called him to leave his home in order to help others understand as well. Listen in as Pastor Mitch shares and challenges us from Luke 5:1-11.
Jesus' audience in Nazareth goes from awe to anger during his first sermon. When the word of Scripture proclaimed in our churches, are we actually listening to hear?
Jesus' first sermon in Luke sets the tone for a ministry which values justice and human dignity. This same theme is picked up by the early church and should be a model for all who claim to be Jesus' followers.
In her interaction with Jesus during the wedding at Cana, Mary leaves us a compelling model of prayer that sees, acts and trusts.
John the Baptist famously pointed away from himself and towards Christ, but we can sometimes forget the human element of this story as he humbly rejected fame and glory order to serve.
Advent is a reminder that God's presences with us means we can live free and empowered.
Advent is a time to celebrate peace on earth, but it is also a reminder that the church will be called into account for the way we have built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ.
Advent is a season of waiting. How can we use this time to develop the virtue of Holy Patience?
We end our study of Ephesians 1-3 by exploring what it looks like for the church to answer the call to praise God.
As Paul prays, we are reminded that God is a worthy king because of his wisdom, power and accessibility
Paul describes himself as 'kneeling' before the Father in prayer for the Ephesians. What does this note on posture teach us about proper prayer?
Paul could be joyful in his suffering because he was driven by something bigger than personal, immediate comfort. What about us?
In Ephesians 3, Paul identifies one of purposes of the church is to be an exhibit which displays the priorities and plan of God. In what ways can we as individuals and communities step into this?
Paul knew that he had been called to something big, but at times felt underqualified, undeserving and vulnerable. What can we learn from his willingness to step forward in faith?
By looking at Paul's own journey from a strictly observant Jewish Pharisee to someone advocating Gentile equality, we are able to see the profound nature of the change he was entrusted with. As we look into the ways it changed his own reading of scripture, we can learn how we should approach this same sacred, inspired text.
Paul places himself in a long life of people who were on the forefront of change. While the nature of God is consistent throughout all of eternity, understanding these changes helps us to understand our place in history.
The idea of God's dwelling being with a people rather than in a place is at the heart of the Christian faith - and should change the way we understand the gathering and the scattering of believers.
Ethnic division was a very real part of Paul's world, but the gospel message cuts it to the core by declaring Jesus as the embodiment of peace.
In Paul's day, there were strong feelings about who was near to God and who was far from him. However, the message in Ephesians reminds us we are all on the same level when it comes to accessing God.
It's important to stop and listen to the melody of Grace that holds the whole thing together.
An important aspect of the Christian faith is the reality that we are all spiritual being. Paul reminds us that God has raised up the church to be in His presence in the present.
Paul fills in the picture of what it means to be "dead" in transgressions and sins to prove a point about the love, mercy and grace of God. Is this your model?
Ephesians 1 ends with Paul extolling the power of God which was displayed in the resurrection of Jesus while also reminding the people of God they are the "windows" to this power.
Paul ends his introduction to Ephesians with a word on Christian identity. What would change in your life if your primary badge of identity was your unity with Jesus?
The meeting point of God's will and human choice is difficult to think about, but scripture is clear that both need to be considered. This week, Pastor Mitch challenges us about the ways God's knowledge impact how we live our lives.
To open the book of Ephesians, Paul reminds us that God's control is bigger than we can even comprehend. How does this change the way you engage with that thing your are worried about on a Tuesday afternoon?
Once we fully understand sin, we can't help but appreciate the redemption that comes through Jesus.
Paul continues his introductory blessing by reminding his audience of God's active work of pulling a people towards himself.
Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians by showing his Jewish roots and offering a blessing to God for who he is and what he has done.
Paul introduces his letter to the Ephesians with a couple of titles, a couple of caveats and a desire for experience.
In this episode, Jim talks about singing. Why do we do it? When did people start singing in church? What is happening when we sing?
Pentecost happened in a place and time where the most people possible could hear and see what God was doing. As a result, it served as a reminder that He does not work in secret. He is not reserved for the super-spiritual elite. Instead, “he is not far from any one of us."
As part of our Youth Takeover Sunday, Pastor Mitch and Jessica Walker point to the big and small ways that Jesus changes the world.
John writes about the cross as the model and motivation for our love. Because of this, it's important to have a proper image of what did (and did not) happen in the crucifixion.
At the end of the first century, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the churches of Asia Minor. As their pastor, John writes to them to comfort and challenge. How do his words speak to you?
After a long break, the CBCHP is back! In this episode Jim talks a little bit about the book of 1 John by focusing on one of Pastor John's challenge to his people .
When he appears to his disciples, Jesus constantly reminds them that peace is the foundation of the Easter events. How can this truth impact your life and world?
The Easter story is fundamentally about resurrection to a new beginning rather a resuscitation to how things have been.
Understanding forgiveness requires an understanding of sin. Truly experiencing grace requires a recognition that we are not enough.
When Abraham was given a sign of God's covenant with him, he was reminded of who he was and who God had called him to be. This identity became the center of gravity for his people in generation to come. What is your identity and how does it impact the way you live?
As we begin to move towards Easter, we enter a season of preparation. As we focus on the suffering of cross, we are reminded that God's intent has been to move his people from a place of fear to a place of trust.
As the church year begins to move towards Easter, we talk about giving up in order to prepare ourselves for the resurrection.
The Transfiguration of Jesus provided a new lens to see life through - not only for Peter, James and John, but for all of us who have proclaimed him as Lord.
Proclamation, testimony and teaching from our second annual Proclamation of Faith Sunday.
When the crowds were looking for him, Jesus was away in prayer. His response to Peter's rebuke reminds us the importance of living with an understanding of who we are and what we were called to.
Early in his ministry, the uniqueness of Jesus is displayed in his authority - both in teaching and action. However, Jesus consistently uses this authority not for himself, but for the benefit of others. How can you respond to this model in your own life?
In this episode, Jim talks about the upcoming proclamation of faith Sunday and how you can be a part of it!
The call of the gospel is not to simply add new religious tasks to an already established life, but instead to completely realign our lives in light of the person, work and reality of Jesus.
Mark begins his gospel by making sure his audience is aware that Jesus is not like anyone else.
Fully appreciating the Christmas story requires a mixture of wonder and faith. How do you join Mary in asking "How can this be?"
Colors have been important to Christian worship for a long time. In Episode 4, we talk about why that is and what it has to do with Advent.
"Joy" is a word that is directly connected with Christmas, but does the biblical use of this word differ from the way it's used in culture? In other words, as Christians, what exactly is it that we talk about when we talk about joy?
The idea of God's glory dwelling among his people is a powerful hope throughout scripture, but takes on an even deeper meaning during the Advent season.
Advent season begins by reflecting on the hope of Christ. As Psalm 80 reminds us, this hope is best seen in the light of God being present among his people. How does the way we decorate our homes during this season speak to this beautiful truth?
Paul's final message to the Thessalonians is a reminder of the wholeness, holiness and faithfulness of God. In what way do these words speak to you?
In this episode of the CBCHP, Jim talks about the importance of beginning our weekly worship gathering with a call to worship. Listen in to find out a little be more about why we do what we do!
After comforting the Thessalonians, Paul reminds them (and us!) as Children of the Day, they have been called to live in a distinct way - regardless of any speculation or fear about the future.
When Paul answers the Thessalonians question about their friends who have passed away, he reminds them that even in death, God is in control and brokenness doesn't get the last word.
In the first episode of the CBCHP, Jim introduces the idea behind this podcast and gives a look ahead at what is in store.
When Paul sets out to defend himself and his message, he doesn't appeal to his authority but to his character. What can this teach us about the way our message is impacted by the way we live our lives?
In the middle of the first century, the testimony of the Thessalonian church went viral throughout the region where they lived. In this sermon, we look at what made this a story worth telling and what we can learn from them.
Though it may appear simple, Paul's opening line to the Christians in Thessalonica is a powerful statement of their - and our - new way of being.
As Isaiah 55 ends, the image of juniper replacing thorns is a window into a much larger picture of God's nature of restoration.
When God speaks, it is one thing to want to be a part of it, and another thing to be able to hear His word. How can we learn to listen and join in?
The hope of the Christian faith is a belief that God is both loving and in control. When we approach suffering from this perspective, it changes everything.
As Isaiah 55 progresses, we are reminded that there is both urgency and certainty in turning (for the first time) as well as returning to the Lord.
Paul reminds the Corinthians - and us - that the brokenness we see and experience is not the end of the story. How can we live in light of this hope?
The final scene of the Jospeh story leads us to ask three questions: Have you been forgiven? Do you live forgiven? Do you forgive?
As the Joseph story winds down, we are given a snapshot of the moment when Jacob met Pharaoh. Looking back on his life, Jacob sees a long line of trouble, tension and heartbreak, yet he still kept moving and as a result, is remembered as a hero of the faith.
When Joseph first reveals himself to his brothers, they are frightened because they know how this sort of thing has gone in the past. Joseph's response, however, catches them all off guard. What can we learn from this model of humility?
Joseph's brothers begin to have a change of heart when they feel the ramifications for their choices. In direct contrast to this, Paul encourages the formation of Christian character that is consistent regardless of circumstance.
In the early portion of his life, Joseph's story moves from great highs to profound lows. How he responds to this is a reminder of the power and formation of faith.
In Jesus' parable about the seed and the soil, we are reminded of the importance of understanding and practicing the gospel in our lives and communities.
After leaving Sinai, God makes himself known in an obvious way, but Joshua worries that this will affect his own position in the community. Do we ever misconstrue God being with us as God needing to make us happy?
When Peter writes to his early Christian audience he builds everything on the fact that Jesus is Lord. What does this mean in our lives, marriages, worship, work and everything else?
Peter calls his audience to crave the things that are natural for those who have new life in Christ, but what does this look like? How do our actions, patterns and habits cultivate a desire for "pure, spiritual milk"?
Peter writes that suffering is commendable to God. How can that be? What is the value of going through trials? What does the way we respond to these situations say about the God we claim to follow?
Because Peter was shaped by the Exodus narrative, he uses some of these same images to help the church understand who they are. Is this your story? Is this your identity? Is this your family?
Our response to Jesus' resurrection is faithfulness, but it can be hard to know we're being faithful to someone we've never seen. Because of this, we know we are being faithful when our commitment to Jesus cost us something.
On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the reality that through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus we are given a new, living way to the God of all creation.
The life and actions of Jesus are powerful on their own, but they become even more striking when they are placed against the background of the human patterns of self-service. Because of this, when Paul calls Christians to model their lives after Jesus, he is making a significant point.
To the Israelites, the depths were a place of fear, sorrow and worry. Psalm 130 reminds us that the depths are a reality for all people, but the People of God are to respond in a different way.
From its earliest days, the church in Epehsus understood what it meant to live in a way that embraced light and exposed darkness. When Paul wrote his letter to them several years later, he reminded them - and us - how important it is to embrace this part of Christian identity. What are the deeds of darkness surrounding your life? How can you choose light?
When Jesus is approached by one of the religious leaders of his day, he calls him to look beyond what he can see and by doing so, Jesus points towards the cure for death.
As we move into a season of preparing to celebrate the joy and life of Easter, we begin by remembering why it had to happen in the first place. Thankfully, this isn't the end of the story.
This week was all about sharing what God has been doing in the life of our community. After three members of our church family declared that Jesus was their Lord we looked at what happened to Jesus' friend Peter when he did something very similar. He quickly learned that there proclaiming and following Jesus are insperable.
Sometimes the things that are most important become so familiar that we can forget about them. The early Christians agree that loving our enemies as well as our neighbors is the foundation to following God but we sometimes need to refocus ourselves on this.
Jesus' sermon is all about refocusing his listeners' attention, so when he talks about divorce he's actually talking about something much more important than divorce.
John's disciples were doing something good, but then Jesus walked by...(the final minutes of this sermon were unintentionally not recorded!)
Beginning with his advent, the story of Jesus is drenched in God's humble love. This week we look to the actions of Joseph who joined in on serving rather than being served.
During Advent, we often think of the peace that God brings to the world but in the story of Simeon we see peace as a result of faith and hope as he chose to see the baby as a sign of what was to come. How can you relate?
We don't often associate "fear" the Advent season, but the biblical account of Jesus' birth is full of it. Yet it is in to this context that the good news of great joy is proclaimed. In what ways do we allow fear to dominate our world even today?
As we enter into the Advent season, we focus on the concept of longing by looking towards the community of Israel in exile to help us see the salvation that we still need.
After his sin with Bathsheba, David's family life begins to fall apart, but not as a result of too much involvement.
David's sin with Bathsheba was so horrible that it is easy to judge it from afar. However, when we peel back the layers we start to see what was behind his actions and in doing this, we may find ourselves in this story.
God never asked for a house, but promised David that He would build him one that would last forever. However, things don't work out as David would have expected.
There was a time when David's men risked their lives to get him water and then he...poured it out? Why would he do this and what does it teach us about faithfulness, logic and God?
What happens when we realize the things we thought were sources of power turn out to just be illusions? How does the story of David and Goliath impact our world today?
The Israelites lived with a confident expectation that God would bring them into a state of rest, and each week they put that hope on display. What can modern Christians learn from their practice of Sabbath as we seek to proclaim our own confident hope?
It can be easy to think of work as God's way of punishing humans. But when we go back to the beginning, we get a very different picture of why we work and how we can do it well.
Psalm 30 presents a very relatable thought - when life is good, we don't feel like we need God. How can we become people who don't live within the false divide of the spiritual and the physical?
The Psalms help us in our worship of God, but they also pull us and form us into becoming people who praise.
Psalm 137 has been called the "scandal of the Psalter" because of its shockingly unfiltered call for God to punish the people (and their children!) who mistreated the Israelites. How do we, as followers of Jesus engage with this inspired - yet shocking - piece of literature?
The tradition of lament reminds us that things don't always make sense. In this teaching we ask where God is when we find ourselves up to our noses in the unexpected, how our past shapes our future and what this all has to do with the cross.
In Pt. 1 of our Experience the Psalms series we look at the background of this collection of ancient songs and poems in a way that helps us see God's validation of our experience as humans.
As the book of Acts ends, the story of the the Body of Christ is just getting started. What role do you play?
When Paul reached Jerusalem, things starting going south very quickly. Yet, he always influenced the situation in a way that enabled him to promote the Gospel. This is our task as well - especially if you are a father!
How do we handle road blocks? Paul faced severe challenges as he followed God, but his response was shaped by a profound faith.
As Paul preaches the gospel to people outside of the Jewish community, he is confronted by those who think he is out of line. In what ways do we add barriers to the message of grace?
When Saul and Barnabas arrive on Cyprus, they meet two men who respond very differently to their message.
The early Jewish Christian community experienced a time of exciting growth but soon faced a profound crisis. How can we find ourselves in this story of confrontation and repentance?