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CCF Sunday Messages2 Corinthians 4:1-6 - AudioAfter a three week break, we are back in 2 Corinthians tomorrow, picking up in chapter 4, verses 1-6. We are getting into some real “meaty” stuff here in the next two chapters!
I don’t want your brain to overheat, so I will keep this simple and brief. Paul talks twice in the next section about “not losing heart” — 4:1 and 4:16. Evidently, this is really on his mind! It is easy to think that Paul is just a ministry machine or robot. He just goes and goes and never struggles with being discouraged. Did Paul ever feel like giving up on life or ministry...2019-07-2233 minCCF Sunday Messages1 Corinthians 16:12-24 - AudioHow many of you grew up with a mother who insisted upon you finishing everything on your plate before you left the table? I heard a story about a family where this was the case, and at least one of the kids would fall asleep at the table, determined not to finish the green beans! Maybe many of you can relate and have memories of such a dinner time dilemma!
You might be saying, “Steve, what does this have to do with the Mother’s Day scripture??” Well, after much prayer and consideration, I decided that in honor of Mother’s Day, w...2019-05-1236 minCCF Sunday MessagesEphesians 3:14-21 - AudioWho has church on a Saturday!? Well, when an impending snow storm is definitely going to make meeting on Sunday impossible, sometimes it makes sense to gather on Saturday! On January 12th, Pastor Steve and the leaders had a special service that turned out to be a great time of worshipping together and digging into God's Word!
Listen in as Pastor Steve steps out of 1st Corinthians for this special service and gives an important teaching from Ephesians chapter three.2019-01-1232 minCCF Sunday Messages1 Corinthians 10:14-33, 11:1 - AudioContinuing in 1st Corinthians chapter 10, Paul is now wrapping up a discussion about our favorite topic — food! This discussion began in chapter 8 and now, three whole chapters have been taken up with answering a question about food. The question seemed simple enough but a well-crafted answer was required, better than a simple “yes” or “no” answer. Paul has heaped reason upon reason for his advice, including warnings of danger and encouragement toward love and care for each other.
But now Paul adds a surprising final element to the discussion of enjoying meals at the idol’s temple. Before I tell you what tha...2019-01-0639 minCCF Sunday Messages1 Corinthians 7:25-40 - AudioAs the final installment in our "miniseries" on marriage, we complete 1st Corinthians chapter seven, with Paul's answers to the Corinthian's questions about marriage. Next week chapter eight picks up with a new question and a new topic.
The last section of this chapter has some difficulties. The difficulties exist because Paul is addressing some very specific questions they had and we don’t know the questions! It’s like Corinthian Jeopardy — we have the answers but have to guess at the questions.
Another challenge is that we don’t fully understand the context — what was happening in Corinth at the time...2018-11-1842 minCCF Sunday Messages1 Corinthians 6:12-20 - AudioHow do you view the body? Well, that's a weird question, isn't it? In the second half of 1st Corinthians chapter six, Paul has to deal with some challenging topics, and he wants the Corinthians to know it isn't just about the surface layer of actions (sexual immorality), but really has to do with the core issue of how we view our bodies. Are they for us or are they for the Lord?
As you might expect, Corinthian culture and norms are not that different from the world we are facing today in America. Views on morality have swung far...2018-10-2935 minCCF Sunday Messages1 Corinthians 5:1-13 - AudioThis week as we enter the fifth chapter of 1st Corinthians, Paul has a difficult topic to handle with the immature Corinthian church: discipline in the body. The issue is blatant and unrepentant sexual sin, and the response of the church has been to boast at their openness and grace to this troubling issue, that isn't even acceptable "among the Gentiles," Paul tells them.
Paul speaks with authority and conviction at the need to deal with this cancer--this leaven--within the body before it spreads everywhere and brings death and ruin. Listen in as Pastor Steve shares from this serious chapter...2018-10-1538 minCCF Sunday MessagesCommunion Sunday: Forgiveness - AudioThis week we will take a break from 1 Corinthians and step into Matthew’s gospel with a special look at the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in chapter 18. Unless you live under a rock, you are at least exposed to the news in some small form or another. You, as well as I, can see that we are living in a culture of divisiveness, polarization, guilt and punishment and judgement. The prevailing attitude of the day can be summed up in phrases we hear, like: "I have been hurt/offended/violated. Someone else is to blame. We are angry. We won’...2018-10-0738 minCCF Sunday Messages1 Corinthians 3:10-23 - AudioAs we approach the end of 1 Corinthians chapter 3, Paul brings a stern warning to church leadership: be careful about mixing in worldly wisdom with the Word of God to build or grow the church.
The mixing in and value placed on wisdom from the worldly experts is really affecting the life and health off the church in Corinth. They believed in Jesus, but when it came to understanding marriage, divorce, sexuality, conflict resolution, and life after death, they turned to the opinions of people! Supplementing the Word of God with the expert opinions and methods of the world kept them i...2018-09-1738 minCCF Sunday Messages1 Corinthians 3:1-9 - AudioContinuing our study in Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church, we turn our attention to 1 Corinthians 3.
You know, some chapters in the Bible are more complicated or more technically challenging than others. But some others are just plain and simple! Well, 1 Corinthians 3 is one of the latter: right there, easy to grasp, and challenging to boot!
So what is chapter three about?
What would you say if you met a 30-year old who drinks from a baby bottle and sleeps in a crib and wears diapers? That would be astounding wouldn’t it! It would be alarming and maybe troubli...2018-09-1039 minCCF Sunday Messages1 Corinthians 2:1-16 - AudioThis Sunday we return to 1 Corinthians, covering chapter 2; yes, you read that right, the whole chapter! Remembering back to chapter one, Paul has the mission to try and unite the people in the Corinthian church.
Have you ever uttered the words or thought the thought, “What were they thinking”? Sure you have! I bet you have watched the news and thought that! If you have teenagers you have said that. Maybe you have seen someone doing something you thought was absolutely ridiculous and stupid (by your estimation) and said that!
You know what? I bet someone has said that about you, too...2018-09-0339 minCCF Sunday Messages1 Corinthians 1:1-17 - Audio1 Corinthians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth, a major city in ancient southern Greece. As Pastor Steve opens this new study through the book of 1 Corinthians, he shares a little about the unique characteristics of this city — including the prominence of the temple of Aphrodite.
Why did Paul write this letter in the first place? What problems did the church face then and how do they compare to problems we have now?
If you ever had the starry-eyed concept that “the early church” was so perfect and had no problems…..please think again! The church in...2018-08-1243 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 16:1-16 - AudioWe are now entering the final chapter of our "Amazing Grace" study through the book of Romans! And don’t think Romans 16 is a “throw away” chapter! Yes its the end of the letter, but don’t give up now. In some ways this is one of my favorite chapters! In chapter 16, the “greeting chapter,” we are reminded that the letter Paul wrote was not to nameless and faceless people. We are reminded that ministry builds relationships and relationships build ministry! He mentions 27 people (including Phoebe in verse 1) by name and gives some details about his relationships with them! With some he shared livin...2018-07-2233 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 15:14-33 - AudioWe are getting so close to the end of this fantastic letter from the amazing Apostle Paul to the church in Rome! The contents have been about grace from beginning to end. As we enter the second half of chapter 15, we will see as the tone of the letter changes a bit. Paul speaks to them about some “odds and ends” as he draws this letter to a close. His argument made, Paul discusses some of his future travel plans with them. Not everyone has a “pioneer spirit”, but Paul certainly does! He will travel about 10,000 miles that we know of for the sa...2018-07-1537 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 15:1-13 - AudioWe return to Romans with Pastor Steve this Sunday after a couple weeks in the Psalms with some of our staff pastors! Maybe you remember, we have been discussing “Gray Matters”: those issues that are matters of opinion and tradition that can tend to separate and divide people. For the Jews and Gentiles in Rome it was matters of food regulations and days of worship. For us the list can continue to areas of clothing and entertainment, alcohol usage and even tattoos!
Romans 15 brings this issue to a close as Paul helps us to understand the relationship between the “strong” and the “we...2018-07-0839 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 13:8-14 - AudioWe continue is this very practical section of the book of Romans, as Paul shows how grace influences our relationships, even our relationship with governing authorities, from elected officials to sports referees! Having left us with a discussion about paying people what they are owed — including our taxes — we come again to more personal relationships.
Have you ever over-slept? You know the feeling: one too many snoozes of the alarm, falling back asleep and then waking up to see that you are late! Ok, now the stage is set. Your imagination is engaged and you are wondering what in the world thi...2018-06-0336 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 13:1-7 - AudioAs we open up Romans chapter 13 we have our chance to discuss politics and religion from God's word on the same morning! That should make for an interesting study!
As followers of Jesus in the first century and the 21st century we have discussed our relationship to God and to each other. What about our relationship to government? How does our thinking about government need to change? Whether you are a Jew living in ancient Rome or an African American living in Palmyra, human government has always been controversial, right? God has much to say to us about how we handle...2018-05-2734 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 12:9-21 - AudioThis section of Romans 12 is an extremely practical passage revealing God’s outline for relationships in His family and beyond. Through these verses we see what the church can be when our opinion of ourselves is lowered because our opinion of God is elevated: genuine love, family-like affection for each other, continuing in prayer, blessing those who curse us, and much more!
As we study verses 9-21 we will be having a necessary and frank discussion about relationships God-style! How are our relationships with each other transformed when God is at the center of our lives? How is the church transfo...2018-05-2039 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 12:3-8 - AudioAfter 11 chapters of the truth about God’s grace, last time we were together in Romans we saw the opening of chapter 12 getting very practical. In those opening verses of chapter 12, Paul challenges us to present our bodies to God! This is the beginning of long lasting and true transformation. This is when we begin to see God’s will working in and through our lives. This is when the changes become internal and not just external.
So, if I give my body (life) to God, what will he make me do? This is a scary thing, right? Verses 3-8 give...2018-05-1333 minCCF Sunday MessagesEphesians 5 - AudioWhile Pastor Steve is away this Sunday, one of our elders, Todd Giszack, continues the study through the book of Ephesians, covering chapter 5.2018-05-0743 minCCF Sunday MessagesEphesians 3 - AudioWhile Pastor Steve is away this week, Associate Pastor and Elder Dave Vollmer continues the study through the book of Ephesians titled "Every Spiritual Blessing." In this installment, Dave covers Ephesians chapter 32018-04-3047 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 12:1-2 - AudioContinuing our study in Romans, Paul, having finished the section in chapters 9-11 dealing with Israel, now turns his attention to the church, and so do we!
After eleven chapters spilling over with the discussion of, and argument for, being saved by grace and not religious performance, Paul will not neglect to bring it home to our practical lives! What we believe will always impact how we behave. These final chapters of Romans are intensely practical, and in chapter twelve Paul wastes no time getting to the heart of the matter within the life of the church: what do we me...2018-04-2235 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 10:14-21; 11:1-12 - AudioWhile Paul is specifically burdened for the salvation of his own people, the Jews, this section of Romans has broad application, even to us today! Romans 10:14-17 has lit the fire under the “missionary movement” of the church for centuries. However, at times the fire for missions has been burning hotter than others. What is the status of that fire in our time? How about in your heart? As we talk about Paul’s hope for the religious Jews to know and believe God’s unconditional love for them, we can imagine people all over the world who have no Bible te...2018-04-0938 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 10:5-13 - AudioIn many ways Christians over the centuries have been guilty of making salvation a complex matter. In this continuing study through Romans 9-11, as Paul speaks directly to his fellow countrymen, the Jews, to beg them to be reconciled to God, he breaks down salvation as simply as it possibly can be represented. Specifically, verse 9 states: "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." This simple truth is so important to understand, and more importantly, to internalize and believe on the one...2018-03-2632 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 9:25-33; 10:1-4 - AudioAs we continue studying Paul's concern for his Jewish countryman in Romans chapter 9 you might say, “I'm not a Jew, so who cares!?” Well, given that the mistake the Jews were making is one that people today can make it's important for us to listen in and understand.
Have you heard the saying, “So close, yet so far away?” That doesn’t just explain Israel’s predicament, but also many churchgoing people. After all, Israel, in their self-established traditions and formalities and religious routines, completely missed God! They had religion in their heads but God was absent from their hearts. God offers a...2018-03-1239 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 9:1-24 - AudioHaving reached the summit of God’s grace at the end of Romans chapter eight we concluded that "nothing can separate us from the love of God." Chapter nine moves us into the next section — comprising chapters 9-11— a section we're calling the "Synagogue of Israel." Now we will see how God’s grace includes His plan for Israel! Chapter nine is the first step along the path, looking at God’s dealings with the Jewish people. As he rejoices over being so secure in Christ, Paul remembers his Jewish friends and family that have rejected Jesus and blamed Paul for reject...2018-03-0439 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 8:27-39 - AudioWe bring Romans chapter 8 to a close this week with some concluding thoughts from Paul. Not only does this passage wrap up the chapter, but it ties up the entirety of the first eight chapters of Romans! This passage is as “dense” as they come! Dense? Yes! Packed with incredible, life changing truth on every line!
In a world where people are filled with internal pain and turmoil — meaninglessness, unfulfilled desires, fleeting glory, confused about purpose — most people have found relief from painful emotions by pursuing entertainment, recreation, drugs and alcohol, or relationships with people. This next section of Romans addresses the...2018-02-2535 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 8:18-26 - AudioPaul continues to lay out the amazing grace of God in Romans chapter 8; the grace by which His Spirit lives in us, changes us, and makes us a child of God. These are things that “rule keeping” can never do.
Two more things we learn in the next section: the Spirit gives us hope and the Spirit helps us pray. Both of these are in the context of hardships. Why doesn’t God protect His children from suffering? Why is the world so messed up? If God is good, why does He allow hardship and sickness and broken relationships and school...2018-02-1937 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 8:1-11 - AudioWe are now entering Romans 8, which is just a continuation of what the apostle Paul has been discussing in Chapter 7: we are in the “Power Plant” — where we discover the power source for living the Christian life! We know it is in not in our own power to live a life pleasing to God — that was the topic of chapter 7 that ends with Paul declaring what a wretched man he was! As the song states, it was amazing grace that saved a wretch like me.
So do you want to know how to live this new life pleasing to God? Listen i...2018-02-0540 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 7:7-25 - AudioThis next section in Romans chapter 7 is for every Christian that feels liken they are failing to be a "good Christian". Is your experience unique? Is there something wrong with you? You are coming to church and learning about God and agreeing with truth and trying really hard to do better. But you just keep falling back into old patterns and making the same mistakes. Paul’s experience is so familiar and highlights the "double nature" of people! Yes, God’s people. By the end of this section, Paul is forced to admit failure and cry out for help. He is t...2018-01-1541 minCCF Sunday MessagesChristmas Eve 2017: Isaiah 9 - AudioThis Christmas Eve, we will look at one of the most well-known passages regarding Jesus connected with Christmas. “For unto us a Child is born, and unto us a Son is given.” This familiar quote from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah is never quoted in the New Testament! Is that surprising?
How do we know it refers to Jesus? What was happening when Isaiah was preaching? What does it tell us about Jesus? Listen in as Pastor Steve unpacks Isaiah 9 as we discuss the Child that is born and the Son that is given!2017-12-2534 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 5:12-21 - AudioThe second half of Romans chapter five could be summed up as "Two men in a one act play." Paul uses the picture of "two Adams"; a first Adam, the Adam in the garden, bringing original sin into humanity, and then the "second Adam"--Jesus Christ--who provides a remedy for this sin. Listen in as Pastor Steve teaches through this important theological description of both our original sin, but also our justification through the death and resurrection of the "second Adam," our savior Jesus Christ.2017-12-0335 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 5:1-11 - AudioStarting chapter five of Romans, Paul has laid out the "case for faith"--that we are justified by faith alone in Jesus Christ, and because of that, he now lays out the beautiful story of grace in this first section of chapter five. Listen in as Pastor Steve unpacks this powerful and important section of scripture!2017-11-2634 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 4:12-25 - AudioAs Pastor Steve closes out chapter four in our study through the letter to the Romans, we get a close-up of the story of Abraham. Specifically, the promise to Abraham in Genesis predates the law, the Jewish nation, and anything else the Jews would want to depend on for righteousness. God's fulfillment of this promise is the perfect picture of our call to "walk by faith and not by sight" and that it is only through God's work and our faith in Him that we are saved! Listen in to this powerful message on God's gift to us and the...2017-11-1937 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 3:21-31 - AudioThe first three chapters of Romans have led us to this crescendo--there is no one righteous before God: not the religious person, not the atheist; no one! The reason Paul led us to that point is to reveal the beauty of the gospel: it is by faith in Jesus we are rescued from this divide between our sin and a holy God! And by nothing else and no one else can we be saved. Only this grace can save us. Listen in as Pastor Steve takes us through the end of Romans chapter three with this good news!2017-11-0639 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 2:1-11 - AudioAs we continue to sit in the courtroom of God, so to speak, in these first chapters of Romans, now God deals with those who pass judgement on others--the judgemental. God shows that only he is the righteous judge; that our judgement always fails because we do the very thing we judge others for! Listen in as Pastor Steve continues to teach through the letter to the Romans.2017-10-0227 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 1:18-32 - AudioOur second week in our new study of Romans, and Pastor Steve finishes out the first chapter as God lays out the case for his wrath, not because people sin and don't know better, but because they actually *do* know and understand, but instead, have traded God's truth for lies. Listen in to this powerful message of not only God's wrath, but also His grace that awaits those who turn to Him.2017-09-2543 minCCF Sunday MessagesRomans 1:1-17 - AudioThis week we began a new study as we closed out the book of Acts and started Paul's letter to the Romans! Pastor Steve has entitled this series "Amazing Grace" as Paul lays out in his letter the gospel of grace to the believers living in Rome. Listen in as Steve opens our study with some background, context, and history of this powerful letter to the church.2017-09-1736 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 28:11-31 - AudioIn this final message from our study through Acts, we are told of their final journey into Rome after the horrific storm and shipwreck, causing them to winter at Malta. There in Rome Paul is under house arrest with some freedom, and spends time with the believers there as well as talking to the Jewish contingent in Rome, witnessing to them. Listen in as Pastor Steve closes out this last message from the book of Acts!2017-09-1037 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 27:39-44; 28:1-10 - AudioContinuing in Acts 27, we are in the middle of the violent storm that Paul, as prisoner of the Roman empire, and his traveling companions are in the midst of. Picking up in verse 39, they realize they are approaching some landmass, and by morning they get stuck on a sandbar that begins to destroy the ship. True to God's promise, they are all saved and on the island of Malta, the locals show "unusual kindness" to the group as they end up sheltering there for winter. Listen in as Pastor Steve talks about how we as believers should be those who...2017-09-0340 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 27:1-38 - AudioAs Paul is now sent from Caesarea with Roman guards and companions to head towards Rome, it is late in the year and good sailing weather is quickly passing. The traveling group makes it as far as Crete, but the port of Fair Havens was not good for a winter's stay and against Paul's advice they attempt to continue on. They enter a huge storm that clearly endangers everyone's life, but Paul is given wisdom and encouragement from God that He will bring him safely to Rome. Paul takes charge and provides comfort as they prepare for the worst. Listen...2017-08-2741 minCCF Sunday MessagesCommunion Sunday: Deeper Still - AudioOn this Communion Sunday, and as a preface to the evening concert titled "Deeper Still", Pastor Steve walks through the vision given to Ezekiel of the life-giving river flowing from the temple and discusses the concept of going "deeper still" with God in our own lives.2017-08-0627 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 24:10-27 - AudioContinuing Paul's initial hearing in Caesarea before Felix in chapter 24, Paul defends himself, and clearly states his case for acquittal before Felix. Even though the charges are clearly erroneous, Felix has political pressures related to his relationship with the Jews and keeps Paul in chains for the time being. During this time, Paul has the opportunity to witness to Felix and his wife Drusilla, and meets with Felix regularly over a period of two years. At this time Felix is replaced with a successor. Listen in as Pastor Steve teaches through this section on Paul's defense and his witness about...2017-07-3043 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 23:12-35; 24:1-9 - AudioContinuing the story of Paul's fateful trip to Jerusalem in Acts 23, a murderous plot is uncovered by a young relative, who brings it to the commander and Paul, leading to a late night military escort to get Paul safely out of Rome, and to Caesarea, the seat of Roman military leadership. The governor, Felix, invites the Jewish leadership back in Jerusalem to bring their charges against Paul so he can hear them out. Listen in as Pastor Steve talks about "God-incidences" (versus coincidences) as we see God preserving Paul and using him as his saga continues.2017-07-2338 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 22:17-30; 23:1-11 - AudioWe pick up still in Acts chapter 22 as Paul continues to be allowed to address the large crowd from the edge of the temple, sharing his testimony as a way to combat the charges leveled against him (that we was anti-Jew, anti-law, and anti-temple). However, when he mentions that it was Jesus who sent him to the Gentiles, the crowd loses is again and the commander of the Roman regiment has to save Paul's life again from the crowd. Paul is then brought before the Sanhedrin as the commander wants to get to the bottom of why Paul is such...2017-07-1643 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 21:15-40; 22:1-16 - AudioAs we finish out Acts chapter 21 and into chapter 22, Paul is finishing his fateful journey into Jerusalem, immediately meeting with the church elders and leaders and describing his travels and the work of God in Asia and Europe. Given the tensions between Jew and Gentile, the leaders have a plan for Paul to reaffirm his Jewishness which leads to a major confrontation in the temple! Listen in as Pastor Steve teaches the beginning of a long section through Acts as we follow Paul's arrest, trials, testimonies and travel to Rome.2017-07-0945 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 21:1-14 - AudioIn Acts 21, Paul is finishing up his missionary journey, making several hops as he is determined to go towards Jerusalem, staying with believers along the way. He has already been warned about what awaits him in Jerusalem, but along the way even the people of the churches beg him not to go and more prophecies of what await him are given. But, undeterred, Paul is determined that the Spirit is guiding him there, even knowing what awaits. Pastor Steve talks through this passage about knowing God's will and the fact that His will is not always the easy path.2017-07-0239 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 20:17-38 - AudioClosing out Acts chapter 20, Pastor Steve teaches through Paul's tearful goodbye to the elders from the church plant at Ephesus on the beach at Miletus. Paul's final words are filled with encouragement, love, and also warnings about wolves that will come in to deceive and attack the sheep. Listen in as Steve asks and thinks through what we would say if we had one last chance to give a message to a group of Christian leaders and pastors.2017-06-2544 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 20:1-16 - AudioEntering chapter 20 we are now following Paul's travels on his third missionary journey, specifically picking up with the events after the uproar at Ephesus as Paul retraces his steps back through the churches that have been planted. We end up at an interesting story of a late night sermon that leaves a young man falling asleep and falling out of a third story window at midnight! Listen in as Pastor Steve covers this story as well as a parallel with spiritual "wakefulness" and slumber!2017-06-1937 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 19:21-41 - AudioAfter two quiet years of ministry in Ephesus, finally a disturbance occurs around Paul. We've seen this before: as Christ transforms a culture by the gospel, the "locals" get angry when it begins to impact their ability for profit. In this case the idol makers are losing business when people stop buying their silver shrines to Diana! Listen in as Steve talks more about the impact of culture and the role of the Christian to not be passive in our current cultural shift.2017-05-2832 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 18:18-28; 19:1-7 - AudioAs Paul concludes his second missionary journey and begins his third, we come across two stories recorded in Acts that reveal the difficulty of a church before the Bible. There were those who knew of John's teaching/baptism of repentance but hadn't full understood the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In the case of Apollos he was a powerful teacher and expositor of the Word, but thankfully was humble enough to be taught by Aquila and Priscilla. Even today, with the Bible easily accessible and so much teaching, there are Christians today who don't realize they are missing...2017-05-1446 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 17:16-34 - AudioEntering the last half of Acts chapter 17, Paul arrives in Athens, a city of great importance to Greek culture, architecture, learning, and religion. It is here that Paul goes to the marketplace and sees all the idols the Athenians worship and is urged within himself to share the gospel message to this heathen people. Pastor Steve uses this context to talk about the importance of bringing Jesus to the marketplace of today's ideas and how God wants to use us to share the message, understanding that some will reject it, but some will receive it and be transformed just like...2017-04-3042 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 17:1-14 - AudioContinuing our study in Acts, Pastor Steve continued into chapter 17, as Paul and his traveling companions continue their journey into Europe, specifically in ancient Macedonia. In the first part of this chapter he continues to reach out to the Jews and God-fearing Greeks through the local synagogue. In Thessalonica, there is a great response, followed by attacks and persecution again. Continuing on to Berea, Paul finds a group of receptive Jews who "search the scriptures" to see whether Paul's message is true. In both these instances, we see Paul use a conversational style, listening and interacting with the local people...2017-04-2342 minCCF Sunday MessagesEaster 2017 - AudioOn Easter Sunday, Pastor Steve took us to John 14, part of a long conversation that Jesus had with his disciples on the night of the Last Supper before he was betrayed in the garden. When we talk about resurrection, sometimes we only think of it in terms of our own resurrection after death. But Pastor Steve points out the expectation that we live a resurrected life *now* while we are still living. A picture of this life is also found in Psalm 1; the tree planted by streams of living water, flourishing and growing with the nourishment of the Word. Listen...2017-04-1736 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 16:16-40 - AudioWhat would you do if you were thrown into the inner prison in ancient Greece with your legs fastened painfully in the stocks? I think we can all agree that prayer and singing at midnight is probably not where we would end up! But, before we dismiss Paul and Silas as "super-Christians" we need to know that with God's spirit we can have that kind of response to difficulty and trials! Listen in as Pastor Steve takes us through the end of Acts 16 where things take a turn for the worse in Philippi, but God has a plan to save...2017-04-0945 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 16:1-15 - AudioAs we enter Acts 16, Paul is setting out on his second missionary journey, and due to his falling out with Barnabas, he is taking Silas with him this time. They meet Timothy a young believer at Lystra, who Paul also includes in their journey, and from the language, we believe Luke, the writer of Acts joins them as well. It is at this point that they seem to hit opposition to their plans and directions. Instead God seems to have a plan for them to go over to Greece and bring the gospel into the continent of Europe. Pastor Steve...2017-03-2642 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 15:22-41 - AudioIn the closing sections of Acts chapter 15 we see the final result of the Jerusalem council--drafting a letter that will share their decision with all the churches, and then Paul, Barnabas, and Silas return to Antioch bringing the good news as well as continuing to teach, exhort, and build up the body there. It's at this point that we see a relational conflict that divides Paul and Barnabas over the status of John Mark on their next journey. Listen in as Pastor Steve teaches through this section, finishing up Acts chapter 15.2017-03-1941 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 15:1-21 - AudioActs chapter 15 opens as Paul and Barnabas have returned to Antioch from their missionary journey, and now some Jews have come and started to teach that Gentile believers must be circumcised and fall under the law of Moses to be saved! Of course this flies in the face of what Paul and Peter have experienced in God pouring out his Spirit on Gentiles, and so a council is convened to deal with this rift and difficulty in the early church made up of Jews and Gentiles. Pastor Steve teaches a message of grace using this first big test of the...2017-03-1243 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 14:1-6 - AudioOn this communion Sunday, Pastor Steve took a shorter section of Acts as we entered chapter 14, teaching through the first few verses as Paul and his companions have moved on in their journey to the city of Iconium. In verse 2, the passage talks about the local Jews "poisoning the minds" of the people and Pastor Steve took time to make application to what might be poisoning our minds away from the truth of God's word in the present day.2017-02-0522 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 13:13-41 - AudioAs we are now following Paul's first missionary journey travels in Acts chapter 13 and beyond, he has left the island of Cyprus and arriving in the area of Pisidia, coming to the town of Pisidian Antioch. Paul goes to the Jewish synagogue and preaches a powerful message walking them through their nation's history, finishing with the story of Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament. Listen in as Pastor Steve teaches through this section of Acts 13.2017-01-2342 minCCF Sunday MessagesNew Year's Day 2017 - Philippians 3 - AudioThis day is a time to look back at 2016 and reflect on what the year was like for you. How was 2016? Tough? Painful? Tiring? Great? Full? Disappointing? How would you sum it up?
Its also a time to look ahead at 2017. What lies ahead? Are you hopeful? Fearful? Anxious?
Maybe you are aware that the month of January was named for the Roman god Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions and doors and gates and time. He was pictured with two faces, one looking forward and the other backwards.
In Phil 3, Paul gives some great practical advice on dealing...2017-01-0138 minCCF Sunday MessagesMissing "Peace": Christmas Eve 2016 - AudioOn this Christmas Eve, Pastor Steve wrapped up a three part series in Luke chapters 1 and 2, focusing on a few key details of the Christmas story. On this night, Pastor Steve talked about peace, and more importantly, why is our world missing a sense of peace when the angels clearly talked about "peace on earth" as part of the promise of Jesus's coming. Listen in as we explore why there is a missing "peace" and how Jesus can provide it personally for those who seek after Him.2016-12-2530 minCCF Sunday MessagesLuke 1:26-38 - AudioFor the last week leading up to Christmas Day, Pastor Steve took some time out of our study in Acts to walk through the Christmas story, beginning today with a look at the announcement from the angel Gabriel to Mary in the first chapter of Luke. The amazing part of this story is to consider the age of Mary (a young teen girl, most likely) and her response to the angel to this unlikely visit! Listen in as Pastor Steve talks about a "Christmas Wish"2016-12-1942 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 12:25; 13:1-12 - AudioJumping into Acts chapter 13, we see the first intentional missionary activity of the early church. As the leadership fasted and prayed, God led them to send out Paul & Barnabas to go start spreading the gospel beyond Antioch. John Mark went along as an assistant. This first section details their time crossing the island of Cyprus from end to end. Pastor Steve talked about the work of God guiding us as we consistently seek Him through prayer and fasting, as the overseers in Antioch did.2016-12-1141 minCCF Sunday MessagesMatthew 7:1-5 (Communion Sunday) - AudioFor communion Sunday, Pastor Steve is teaching a series about relationships in the context of our faith. Matthew chapter 7 gives us a humorous picture of the "speck" and the "log" to compare and contrast our quickness to judge others versus the way we see ourselves and our sins and mistakes. Pastor Steve exhorts us to use the same measuring stick for others as we measure ourselves with.2016-12-0426 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 11:27-30; 12:1-24 - AudioMoving from the last few verses of Acts chapter 11 into chapter 12, we encounter what is the first experience of government-led persecution of the church, as Herod Agrippa starts to take action against the leadership of the church. After killing James, he has Peter put in prison awaiting execution after the Passover. The response of the church is "fervent prayer" on behalf of Peter, the beloved apostle and leader of the early church, and miraculously God answers their prayers and frees Peter from prison the night before his execution. Pastor Steve challenges each of us in our commitment to prayer and...2016-11-2744 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 11:1-26 - AudioAs we start Acts chapter 11, Peter comes back to the Jewish-centric church in Jerusalem and has to explain (and overcome some criticism about) what has happened at Cornelius's house and why it is now clear that God has accepted the Gentiles into the church by pouring out his Spirit on them as they received the Word of God.
Listen in as Pastor Steve shares the truths we find in this chapter and applies this story to our own potential judgements and biases in the church today.2016-11-2045 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 10:1-23 - AudioPastor Steve continues our study through the book of Acts, where our attention turns to a Gentile, Cornelius, a "God-fearer" who is visited by an angel, starting the wheels in motion for the Gentiles to understand faith in Christ and receive the Holy Spirit. Meanwhile God has to provide a vision to the apostle Peter to help him understand that God is accepting the Gentiles as full participants in the church and receivers of the Spirit's power! Listen in as Pastor Steve unfolds this story in the first section of Acts 10.2016-11-0640 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 9:32-43 - AudioPastor Steve finishes up the short section of Acts chapter 9 that almost seems out of place between the story of Saul of Tarsus's conversion and Peter visiting the Gentile believers at Cornelius's house.2016-10-1034 minCCF Sunday MessagesMatthew 7:24-27 Communion Sunday - AudioCommunion Sunday, October 2th, 2016: We step out of our study in the book of Acts to look at the short parable of the wise and foolish builder from Matthew 7. Pastor Steve talks about the importance of taking action on the Word we are hearing, as our decisions will have a huge impact of the direction of our life when the storm comes.2016-10-0332 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 9:20-31 - AudioSaul's dramatic conversion sends shock-waves through the early church. He is almost immediately a powerful force for debating with the Jews, proving that Jesus is the Messiah, arguing directly from the scriptures in the synagogues! So much so, that the Jews craft a plot to kill Saul.He has to escape via basket, and as Pastor Steve notes, this is a humbling experience for the Pharisee leader Saul as he becomes the humble Apostle Paul. It also takes awhile for the church to accept this man that just a short time ago was a terror to the church, but godly...2016-09-1847 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 7:44-60; 8:1-4 - AudioThis week we finished the sermon that Stephen gave under the power of the Holy Spirit before the Sanhedrin. His sermon ended with some strong words of correction that could either be taken to heart, or cause resentment and anger. We quickly find out which way the religious leaders took it as they immediately were so filled with anger that they dragged him out of the city and stoned him, starting a season of intense persecution towards the young Jerusalem church. As Pastor Steve noted however, God had a plan in this as everywhere the christians went, they began to...2016-08-2244 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 6:8-15; 7:1-43 - AudioIn the middle of Acts chapter 6, we are introduced more fully to Stephen, one of the deacons chosen in the first part of the chapter who is clearly teaching by the power of God and His Spirit, and it is causing much frustration against the religious elite who can't win debates against him! They arrest him, falsely accuse him, and in front of the Sanhedrin he begins the longest recorded sermon in Acts, teaching them through the Old Testament the history of their own faith and God's ways, which in the end will anger them even more. This week Pastor...2016-08-1443 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 4:23-37; 5:1-11 - AudioThe early church response to their first significant persecution was not to run, but to go to God and pray for boldness to continue teaching in His name! Persecution also brings purity, and as the incredible love and sharing of the church bring about gifts of property and acts of sacrifice, a couple who decide to lie about their gift gets swift judgement from God directly as Peter confronts them. Listen in as Pastor Steve teaches from the final sections of Acts chapter four and the beginning of chapter five.2016-07-1750 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 4:1-22 - AudioAfter the healing and sermon by Peter in Acts chapter 3, the religious leaders and temple authorities are upset at the resurgence of the name of Jesus and the teaching that is being done in His name on the temple grounds. Given the healing has brought wonder and amazement to the crowds, they don't like the fact that the crowds are now listening intently to Peter and more are starting to believe the message and join the early church. To try and correct this they arrest Peter, John, and the lame man and try and threaten them away from speaking any...2016-07-1142 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 2:40-47 - AudioThe response to Peter's sermon in Acts chapter two is amazing! From the 120 disciples gathered on the day of Pentecost, now 3000 are added after just one sermon! So, what did they do? They began the early church practices of teaching, prayer, fellowship, and breaking bread together. Pastor Steve applies these principles to our church life today and calls us to be more intent on living out this loving fellowship that was such a draw in the early church.2016-06-2748 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 2:4-39 - AudioAs we enter the main section of Acts chapter 2, the day of Pentecost arrives along with the promised pouring out of the Holy Spirit. One of the outcomes is Peter's powerful sermon that cuts to the heart of the hearers. Listen in as Pastor Steve teaches through this section of chapter two as we continue our discovery of the Holy Spirit in Acts!2016-06-2051 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 1:12-26; 2:1-3 - AudioAfter Jesus ascends back to heaven, the 120 disciples return to Jerusalem as Jesus instructed them, where they begin to wait and pray "all in one accord." Pastor Steve took us through the rest of Acts chapter one and the first few verses of chapter two leading up to the event where they are all filled with the Spirit, finding application along the way for us from this early unified gathering of believers.2016-06-1352 minCCF Sunday MessagesActs 1:1-11 - AudioPastor Steve opens up our new study "Discovering the Holy Spirit in Acts", and takes us through an introduction and the first eleven verses of chapter one. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to the disciples and then ascends into Heaven opening the start of the early church age.2016-05-2947 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 16:9-20 - AudioWe have finally reached the end of our study through the gospel of Mark! Pastor Steve took a few detours in this last section of Mark 16 to cover important topics like textual criticism (as verses 9-20 are not in all of the earliest manuscripts) and baptismal regeneration (which cannot be taught from these verses), as we made our way through Jesus's commissioning of the disciples for ministry to "go and preach" throughout the world. Steve encouraged us to listen and heed the call of God wherever He would take us to preach and minister around the globe.2016-05-2351 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 15:42-47; 16:1-8 - AudioWe move from the finality of the end of chapter 15--where Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin, asks for Jesus's body as a final way to honor Him (as he was a secret disciple)--into chapter 16, the amazement of that Sunday morning with the stone rolled away and an empty tomb. It is the women who come early to also pay their respects to Jesus, not even knowing how they would deal with a sealed tomb, but they encounter an angel and are told the amazing news that his is "no longer here, he is alive!" Pastor...2016-05-0943 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 15:21-41 - AudioContinuing in Mark chapter 15, we finally have the end of the trials and Jesus is handed over to be crucified. Unable to carry his cross, Simon of Cyrene is conscripted to do so from the crowd as they make their way to Golgotha--the place of the skull. Pastor Steve details the prophetic events unfolded from Psalm 22 and the need for us to live the "crucified" life and accept the suffering that is ours as followers of Christ if we truly align ourselves with him.2016-05-0152 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 15:1-20 - AudioWe now enter chapter 15 in the gospel of Mark which continues the trial of Jesus, now being brought before Pilate and the Roman authorities, which the Jews need because their only hope for a death sentence is via the Romans. Pastor Steve brought us back to Isaiah 53 and the picture of the "suffering servant" that definitely points to Jesus as the fulfillment.2016-04-2545 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 14:53-72 - AudioThis week we finally finish up the 72-verse long chapter 14 of Mark's gospel! In this final section we move to the courtyard where the high priest and a partial Sanhedrin condemn Jesus in the middle of the night, breaking many of their own rules of order to do so. The focus turns to Peter, however, and his blatant and strong denial of even knowing Jesus as he watches the proceedings from a distance. Pastor Steve applied this picture of a serious fall to our own lives and had us consider the restoring grace of Jesus even when we fall in...2016-04-1750 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 14:27-31 - AudioOn this communion Sunday, Pastor Steve took a brief section of our continued study through the gospel of Mark, only looking at the few verses where Jesus predicts Peter's denial that night after the arrest. We, like Peter, can be overly confident in our strength and underestimate our lack of courage in the face of possible hardship. The good news is that Jesus already knew that he would return and be restored, just as we can when we are weak and stumble. We need to have the filling of the Holy Spirit and persist in "adding to our faith" so...2016-04-0332 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 13:14-37 - AudioPastor Steve finishes up Mark chapter 13 this week with Jesus's teaching on the tribulation and second coming via the prophecy from Daniel chapter 9. We took a detour to look back at this critical prophecy and its application to the current "church age" and how it relates to what we believe as the distinct events of the rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ. The most important application is that we are warned to "be ready" at any moment!2016-02-2853 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 13:1-13 - AudioEntering Mark chapter 13, Jesus's attention is drawn to the beauty of Herod's temple complex and He responds with a shocking prediction: "not one stone shall be left upon another" (v. 2). Of course this gets the disciple's attention and they want to know the "when" and the signs that would come before this. This section begins what is commonly termed the "Olivet discourse" and is an area of scripture with differing opinions and views of the meaning. Pastor Steve took us through the first section today, and we will continue looking at these end times prophecies as we continue through chapter 13.2016-02-2148 minCCF Sunday Messages1 John 4:7-11 - Valentine's Day 2016 - AudioPastor Steve steps out of our study in the gospel of Mark to talk about God's love (agape) from 1 John chapter 4. Real and unconditional love from God should overwhelm us when we really understand that "God is love" and our response should be to love one another with that same unconditional love.2016-02-1438 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 11:1-26 - AudioAs we enter the final week of Jesus's ministry before the cross, Mark chapter 11 opens with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. Jesus cleanses the temple in this passage (for the second time) and also curses a fig tree in an unusual story recorded here in Mark. Listen in as Pastor Steve teaches through the opening section of Mark chapter 11.2016-01-0345 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 10:32-52 - AudioPastor Steve finishes up Mark chapter 10 as we close out 2015--and we enter the final days of Jesus's life and ministry before he heads to the cross in roughly a week from the events unfolding at the end of Mark chapter 10.2015-12-2741 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 10:13-31 - AudioAs we continue through Mark chapter 10 we have the story of the disciples refusing the parents bringing children to be blessed followed by the story of the "rich, young ruler"--did you know these stories are not randomly placed but actually are related? Listen in as Pastor Steve covers this next section of Mark and we understand about the impediments to accepting God's gift and believing--something the little children were so ready to do!2015-12-1341 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 10:1-12 - AudioJesus tackles a difficult (and meant to be tricky) question regarding marriage and divorce in front of the religious leaders. The questions around divorce and marriage are still difficult today, and Pastor Steve showed both God's standard from Genesis (as Jesus did) as well as God's grace for our failings in this opening section from Mark 10.2015-11-2947 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 9:30-50 - AudioPastor Steve finishes up chapter 9 on the topic of greatness as we continue our walk through the gospel of Mark.2015-11-1549 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 9:14-29 - AudioContinuing in Mark chapter 9, we come to the story of the man whose son is possessed by a demon with severe seizures and destructive behavior as a result. The disciples are unable to cast out the demon, but Jesus in His compassion and power does heal the boy, as the father gives that great confession: "I believe. Help my unbelief!" Pastor Steve applied the readiness of Jesus through a life of prayer and fasting to our own need for a regular commitment to prayer and fasting to be filled with God's spirit and power for whatever challenges we will face.2015-11-0844 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 9:1-13 - AudioPastor Steve begins Mark chapter 9, which opens with the story of the transfiguration. What an interesting an awesome set of events for the trio of James, Peter, and John to experience in the presence of a glorified Jesus! Listen in to hear what this means for us and how we might apply the details of this event recorded by Mark to our own lives.2015-11-0245 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 8:22-33 - AudioIn this section of Mark chapter 8, we have a healing that seems not to be complete initially, and then we have Peter calling Jesus the Messiah and then Jesus seemingly calling Peter "Satan" a paragraph later? What is this all about and why are some of these details that seem confusing recorded here? Listen in as Pastor Steve gives us some thoughts on this next section in our study of Mark's gospel.2015-10-1943 minCCF Sunday MessagesMark 3:7-19 - AudioPastor Steve takes us through the middle section of Mark 3 where Jesus prays (all night, Luke tells us) before selecting the twelve disciples that will make up his inner circle. Steve gave us the backstory on the disciples we know more about from the rest of the New Testament and discussed why Jesus would choose *these twelve* men!2015-06-2942 minCCF Sunday MessagesJohn 4:43-54 - AudioContinuing our study through the gospel of John, today Pastor Steve finished chapter four with the story of the healing of the nobleman's son. For this communion Sunday, Pastor Steve focused on the aspect of our faith, and looked at Hebrews 11 as well leading into the communion time, praying in faith for those who have need!2013-09-0131 minCCF Sunday Messages1 Timothy 6:12-21 - AudioToday's message brings our study of 1 Timothy to a close as Pastor Steve finishes up chapter 6. Listen in as Steve rewinds and summarizes all the instruction Timothy has received from the Apostle Paul, finishing up with the encouragement to pursue all the good and godly traits and to resist and reject false teaching, argument, and the love of riches and wealth. Instead we are to do good and commit ourselves to the calling Christ Jesus has made on each of us.2013-01-2044 minCCF Sunday MessagesMatthew 19:13-26 - AudioSteve, along with Warren McIvor, cover the next section of Matthew chapter 19--Warren speaking about the importance of children and our work in Columbia, VA, followed by Steve covering the story of the "rich young ruler". The slideshow shared during the message is available on YouTube at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A91YWCxNQQ2012-03-1152 min