Shows
Cedarcrest ChurchThe Joy of the Lord Have you ever wondered if God is really in a good mood, especially when life gets tough? Pastor Van walks us through this provocative question in his latest sermon, shining a light on Nehemiah 8, where the joy of the Lord becomes a powerful source of strength. In this compelling passage, after a long-awaited return to Jerusalem, the people are overwhelmed as they hear God’s Word read aloud, leading them to tears. Yet, Nehemiah urges them not to mourn but to rejoice, for joy is transformative in our spiritual journey. Pastor connects this message to our lives, encouraging us to...2025-07-2737 minCedarcrest ChurchTear the Roof Off 2025-07-2029 minCedarcrest ChurchDance Like David 2025-07-1331 min
Cedarcrest ChurchBaptism Have you ever paused to wonder why baptism is such a big deal? In this empowering message, Richard delves into the significance of baptism as a public declaration of faith, using Mark 1:9-11 as a foundation to reveal that even Jesus Himself participated in this sacred act. Richard clarifies that baptism is not just a tradition—it’s a critical step for anyone wishing to deepen their relationship with Christ, highlighting that it symbolizes a death to the old self and a resurrection into new life. Take this bold step as it strengthens your spiritual journey and is an act...2025-06-2930 minCedarcrest ChurchPlunder Hell to Populate Heaven Have you ever pondered what happens after this life? In his compelling sermon, Pastor Van dives deep into one of Christianity's most profound truths: the realities of Heaven and Hell. Drawing from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Pastor Van highlights that our choices in this life hold eternal significance—illustrating that being “good” does not guarantee a relationship with God, nor a place in Heaven. He passionately reminds us that true salvation only comes through Jesus, urging us to reflect on our own lives and those we love. 2025-06-2236 minCedarcrest ChurchHow Will They Know? In the sermon, Pastor Van discusses the significance of personal stories in sharing the gospel, asserting that everyone has a testimony that can influence others and draw them to faith. Pastor Van simplifies sharing the gospel into a structured approach, highlighting the four key components: God's love, human sin, Christ's sacrifice, and the invitation to relationship with God. He encourages attendees to prepare their own stories and be ready to share them, fostering connections that can lead others to find hope and salvation in Jesus. 2025-06-1539 minCedarcrest ChurchThe One Pastor Van emphasized the importance of reaching out to those who are lost and far from God. He encouraged the congregation to identify someone in their lives—referred to as "the one"—to invest in, intercede for, and ultimately invite to know Jesus. Using parables from Luke 15, Pastor Van highlighted how a party in Heaven happens when even one sinner repents, reminding everyone that the heart of God is seeking individuals rather than just groups. The call to action was to cultivate relationships outside the church community to share God's love and grace effectively, and to pray for the lost...2025-06-0835 minCedarcrest ChurchThe Harvest is Now Pastor Van launched a new sermon series focused on being neighbors and sharing the love of Jesus with others. The sermon highlighted the growing spiritual hunger among younger generations, particularly Gen Z, and called on the congregation to actively share their personal stories of faith with others. Lastly, Pastor Van reminded everyone that the time for revival is now, urging them to embrace their role in reaching out to their neighbors and inviting them to know Jesus. 2025-06-0141 min
Cedarcrest ChurchNext Gen Sunday 2025 2025-05-2528 min
Cedarcrest ChurchGraduation Sunday 2025 2025-05-1832 min
Cedarcrest ChurchMother's Day 2025 2025-05-1135 min
Cedarcrest ChurchSpiritual Gifts Richard Hopkins emphasizes that a genuine relationship with Jesus transforms us internally and externally, prompting us to live differently and serve others. He explains that understanding our spiritual gifts is crucial for contributing to the body of Christ, serving one another, and making a positive impact on those outside the church. Using the analogy of a body, he highlights the importance of every member working together to support and strengthen one another, ensuring no part is overlooked or sidelined. Ultimately, encouraging everyone to discover and use their unique gifts for God’s glory, inviting those who haven't yet accepted Ch...2025-05-0431 min
Cedarcrest ChurchYou Can Hear From God Pastor Van began by expressing gratitude for the congregation's presence and shared updates about the church's expansion and ministry growth, citing a scriptural foundation from Isaiah 54 about enlarging their community. He highlighted the recent successes during Easter weekend, including over 4,000 attendees and 401 individuals expressing a desire to start a relationship with Jesus, emphasizing the importance of prayer and seeking God both privately and publicly. The pastor encouraged the congregation to engage in spiritual disciplines, stretch their faith, and regularly attend gatherings and small groups to strengthen their relationship with God. 2025-04-2739 min
Cedarcrest ChurchEaster 2025 2025-04-201h 01
Cedarcrest ChurchThe Real Jesus 2025-04-1325 min
Cedarcrest ChurchGod Has More 2025-04-0625 min
Cedarcrest ChurchWill You Open the Door? 2025-03-3038 minCedarcrest ChurchThe Sword and the Shovel 2025-03-2340 minCedarcrest ChurchIs Jesus the Lord of Your Life? Pastor Van continues the sermon series "Letters to the Church," specifically addressing the church in Sardis, warning them against being spiritually asleep and unprepared for their encounter with God. Using personal anecdotes, he stresses the difference between mere religious activity and a genuine relationship with Jesus, urging attendees to ensure they are ready for the day they stand before God. Ultimately, Pastor Van calls for individuals to wake up to their faith, boldly acknowledge Jesus as Lord, and cultivate an authentic connection with Him. 2025-03-1637 minCedarcrest ChurchPeople of Purity: Influence that Matters Pastor Van addresses the sensitive topic of sexual immorality in his sermon, emphasizing the importance of adhering to God's design for sexuality within the context of marriage. He warns against the dangers of tolerance toward sinful behaviors, drawing parallels between the church in Thyatira and contemporary culture's acceptance of sexual immorality. He encourages believers to practice repentance and share their struggles with one another to find healing and freedom. Ultimately, he highlights that following God's ways brings blessing, authority, and fulfillment, while deviation leads to pain and spiritual consequences. 2025-03-0943 minCedarcrest ChurchJesus Gives You a Nickname Part 3 of our sermon series focuses on the letter to the church in Pergamum, highlighting the dangers of cultural influences that lead to spiritual compromise, particularly regarding sexual immorality. Pastor Van emphasizes that everyone is building an "altar" in their lives based on what they prioritize, whether it be time, money, or activities, and calls for self-examination and repentance. Pastor Van warns against the allure of the culture that can pull believers away from God’s teachings, stressing the importance of aligning one's life with Scripture for true fulfillment and blessing. Ultimately, he encourages the congregation to seek a de...2025-03-0239 minCedarcrest ChurchThe Now and Not Yet In week 2 of our sermon series, Letters to the Church, Pastor Van focuses on Smyrna's message of encouragement amidst persecution. He emphasizes that while believers may face trials and hardships, just like the church in Smyrna, they are not alone, as Jesus understands their suffering and offers hope and strength through the Holy Spirit. Pastor Van urges the congregation to embrace their struggles as opportunities for growth, maturity, and deeper faith, while also encouraging them to pray for and support each other in times of need. He concludes with a call for prayer, reminding everyone that God walks with...2025-02-0938 minCedarcrest ChurchLove Your Neighbor In the first sermon of our new sermon series, Letters to the Church, Pastor Van focused on the message to the church in Ephesus from the book of Revelation chapter 2, highlighting their strong theology and perseverance but warning them about losing their first love—true love for God and others. Pastor Van emphasized that love is an action and must be expressed even towards difficult individuals, citing examples from church history where Christians demonstrated sacrificial love. He concluded by urging the congregation to be known for their love in the community, aligning with Jesus's command to love God and lo...2025-02-0236 min
Cedarcrest ChurchEmotional and Relational Margin Pastor Van emphasized the importance of having emotional and relational margin in our lives, especially in a world filled with distractions like social media and 24/7 news cycles. He highlighted that screens can drain our emotional capacity, making it difficult to handle life's challenges and impacting our mental health. Pastor Van encouraged the church to seek true rest and connection by turning to Jesus in prayer rather than relying on temporary fixes. As the church wraps up its series on margin, Pastor Van also urged everyone to engage in meaningful relationships within a supportive community to foster deeper connections and...2025-01-2636 minCedarcrest ChurchFinances Pastor Van talks about creating financial margin in life by focusing on three key principles: giving generously, working diligently, and living simply. He emphasizes that financial struggles are prevalent today and highlights that Jesus spoke more about money than any other topic, stressing the importance of managing it wisely. By giving generously first, individuals can experience blessings and positive returns from their efforts. Ultimately, Pastor encourages the congregation to submit their finances to God through prayer and practice these principles to achieve financial freedom and peace. 2025-01-1936 minCedarcrest ChurchTime Pastor Van Vandegriff kicked off the New Year with a sermon series focused on creating margin in our lives, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing time for what truly matters. He shared a personal anecdote about declining an enticing invitation to a Sugar Bowl game, highlighting the significance of making conscious decisions about how we spend our time. The pastor encouraged the congregation to identify their "big rocks," which he defined as essential aspects of life such as intimacy with God, relationships, occupations, calling work, and health, that must be prioritized to create space for unexpected opportunities. Ultimately, he urged...2025-01-0539 min
Cedarcrest ChurchJoy 2024-12-1535 minCedarcrest ChurchLove 2024-12-0836 minCedarcrest ChurchHope 2024-12-0137 min
Cedarcrest ChurchLocal Missions 2024-11-2430 minCedarcrest ChurchNational Missions 2024-11-1741 minCedarcrest ChurchGlobal Missions 2024-11-1042 min
Cedarcrest ChurchAccessing the Power 2024-11-0339 minCedarcrest ChurchThere is Power 2024-10-2738 minCedarcrest ChurchGenerosity in the Kingdom 2024-10-2035 minCedarcrest ChurchCulture of the Kingdom 2024-10-1345 minCedarcrest ChurchThe Foundation Week One of our new sermon series covers the importance of putting the Kingdom of God first over everything else in our lives. 2024-10-0634 min
Cedarcrest ChurchColossians Pt. 5 2024-09-2931 minCedarcrest ChurchColossians: Part 4 2024-09-2228 minCedarcrest ChurchColossians Pt. 3 2024-09-1536 minCedarcrest ChurchColossians Pt. 1 2024-09-0132 min
Cedarcrest ChurchRelational Healing Relational wholeness begins when we recognize that in any place we have been wrong, God wants to empower us to make it right. 2024-08-2539 minCedarcrest ChurchEmotional Healing 2024-08-1838 minCedarcrest ChurchPhysical Healing 2024-08-1139 minCedarcrest ChurchMental Health Pastor Van Vandegriff's sermon "Mental Health" from the "Made Whole" series offers insights on navigating mental health challenges. He highlights the prevalence of mental health disorders and the importance of seeking God's guidance rather than facing struggles alone. By referencing Elijah's journey from brokenness to wholeness, the sermon illustrates the path to healing. Pastor Van stresses the significance of physical well-being, seeking professional help, community support, and trusting in God's promises for finding wholeness and healing in mental health. 2024-08-0436 min
Cedarcrest ChurchHere I am, Lord 2024-07-2842 minCedarcrest ChurchThe Way Through Pain Learning from the biblical hero Hannah, we see how she dealt with emotional pain through seeking God's presence. Kelly shares the significance of bringing our pain before God, like Hannah did when facing deeply painful experiences. She highlights the importance of engaging our whole hearts with God and finding peace in His presence to transform our lives. 2024-07-2132 minCedarcrest ChurchFull of the Holy Spirit and Faith Richard Hopkins discusses aspiring to be like Barnabas, focusing on his generosity, risk-taking, and giving second chances. He emphasizes being filled with the Holy Spirit and faith as the foundation of Barnabas'scharacter. Barnabas' legacy was built on encouraging others, sacrificial giving, and believing in people's potential. By following Barnabas' example and embodying his traits, we can impact others positively and bear much fruit in our own lives. 2024-07-1432 minCedarcrest ChurchThe Presence of God 2024-06-3027 minCedarcrest ChurchThe One Who Jesus Loves Pastor Derek Ray's sermon "The One Who Jesus Loves" delves into the theme of identity, highlighting the disciple John's confident proclamation as the beloved disciple of Jesus. By examining key moments like the Last Supper and Jesus's post-resurrection appearances, Pastor Derek underscores the importance of finding true identity in Christ for comfort and assurance. The sermon encourages listeners to lean into Jesus through worship, the Word, and prayer, echoing John's intimate connection with Jesus as a source of strength. Ultimately, it emphasizes the transformative power of embracing our identity as beloved by Jesus to navigate life's challenges with confidence.2024-06-2332 min
Cedarcrest ChurchThe Lost Son 2024-06-1637 minCedarcrest ChurchThe Wine Skins In his sermon, Pastor Cody Harmon discusses the metaphor of new wine and old wineskins from Luke chapter 5. He emphasizes the need to let go of old ways of thinking and living in order to make space for God to work in our lives. Pastor Cody encourages listeners to seek guidance from Jesus and be open to new seasons with Him. Ultimately, he reassures that God is faithful and desires to bring about something better in their lives. 2024-06-0929 minCedarcrest ChurchThe Tax Collector The sermon emphasizes the importance of having God as our standard and comparing ourselves to Jesus, not others. Through the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector, it highlights the significance of humility, confession of sins, and seeking God's mercy. The pastor stresses that true humility comes from recognizing our need for God and not falling into self-righteousness. The sermon concludes with a call to seek God's mercy, confess sins, accept forgiveness, and strive for righteousness through Jesus. 2024-06-0230 minCedarcrest ChurchThe Good Samaritan The sermon highlights the significance of loving others and recognizing brokenness, using the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate this point. The speaker draws parallels between the lawyer's questioning in the Bible and personal struggles faced in life. Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate Good Samaritan, demonstrating compassion and salvation to humanity. Listeners are encouraged to show love to others as an expression of the love they've received from Jesus, with an emphasis on being a neighbor to those around them. 2024-05-2629 min
Cedarcrest ChurchGraduation Sunday Join us for Pentecost Sunday as we honor graduates and learn about the power of the Holy Spirit 2024-05-1938 min
Cedarcrest ChurchMother's Day 24 2024-05-1242 min
Cedarcrest ChurchWhy is there suffering? 2024-05-0542 min
Cedarcrest ChurchMay 2024-05-0134 minCedarcrest ChurchWhat about other religions? 2024-04-2842 minCedarcrest ChurchCan We Trust the Bible? Pastor Van sermon titled "Can We Trust the Bible?" addresses doubts about the Bible's reliability and emphasizes its significance in our lives. He discusses the history of the Bible's creation, the risks people took to share it, and references non-believers acknowledging its power. Pastor Van highlights the trustworthiness of the Bible through biblical references and encourages listeners to base their lives on its teachings. The sermon underscores the importance of living out biblical principles, applying Scripture in daily life, and ultimately finding a deeper relationship with Jesus through the Word. 2024-04-2143 minCedarcrest ChurchIs Jesus the Only Way to Heaven? Richard Hopkins delves into the question of whether Jesus is the sole path to heaven, emphasizing its significance and providing biblical backing. He addresses potential doubts and discomfort around this belief while stressing the importance of sharing and understanding it. The sermon highlights believers' responsibility in spreading the gospel and explores the implications of not accepting Jesus as the exclusive means to heaven. In conclusion, listeners are urged to make a personal decision regarding their faith in Jesus as the sole avenue to eternal life. 2024-04-1431 minCedarcrest ChurchWhy Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? 2024-04-0732 min
Cedarcrest ChurchGood Friday 2024-03-291h 11
Cedarcrest ChurchPalm Sunday 2024-03-2438 min
Cedarcrest ChurchMess Around and Find Out 2024-03-1738 minCedarcrest ChurchThe Principle of the First Fruits 2024-03-1037 minCedarcrest ChurchMarch 2024-03-0652 minCedarcrest ChurchSinking Battleships Pastor Van's sermon "Sinking Battleships" in "The Way of Wisdom" series stresses the importance of not relying on our own wisdom but trusting in God's guidance. He discusses the folly of being wise in our own eyes, using personal anecdotes and biblical references to illustrate the contrast between following God's ways and our own desires. Emphasizing the benefits of seeking God's wisdom through prayer, Pastor Van urges the congregation to surrender to God, listen to His guidance, and avoid the pitfalls of being wise in our own eyes. The sermon ends with a call to obedience and trust in...2024-03-0337 minCedarcrest ChurchTrust in the Lord Pastor Richard Hopkins shares personal and biblical examples to emphasize the theme of trusting in the Lord, using Proverbs 3:5-6 as a key passage. He highlights the challenge of trusting in God over worldly desires and encourages a deeper understanding of God for complete trust. The sermon concludes with a call to action to identify obstacles hindering trust in God and prioritize seeking His kingdom. 2024-02-2527 minCedarcrest ChurchLove and Faithfulness 2024-02-1830 minCedarcrest ChurchGet Wisdom 2024-02-1135 min
Cedarcrest ChurchRally Cry The final installment of our sermon series walks us through the importance of getting a NOW word from God for our season of life. When the holes in your wall are found, you need a rally cry to bring you back to the things God is asking you to fight for. 2024-01-2833 minCedarcrest ChurchWoman of Noble Character What does the Word of God say about how we can win at home as women? What makes up a Woman of God? All this and more in week 3 of our Winning at Home series. 2024-01-2139 minCedarcrest ChurchBe a Man What does it mean to be a Man of God? 2024-01-1438 minCedarcrest ChurchAs For Me 2024-01-0736 minCedarcrest ChurchJanuary 2024-01-031h 34Cedarcrest ChurchDecember 2023-12-061h 32
unSeminary PodcastMoving from Maintenance to Movement in this Season with Van VandegriffWelcome back to the unSeminary podcast. This week we’re talking with Van Vandegriff, lead pastor at Cedarcrest Church in Acworth, Georgia. Van is talking with us today about dealing with COVID and helping people at the church to shift out of neutral and reengage with the mission of the church. Reengage with the mission. // […]2021-09-3025 min
Antioch ATX PodcastThrough The RoofThrough The Roof - Pastor Van Vandegriff2017-07-2531 min