CCF Sunday Messages

This 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!  But in our own minds, our decision seems completely rational. Other people just don’t understand!  If you explain your behavior, however, then they can understand. Without an explanation it seems like a mystery!

Eight times in chapter 2 the word wisdom is mentioned.  You might substitute the word “opinion” or “decision” for wisdom. Now if we can’t understand each others thoughts or behavior without explanation, then how can we ever understand God’s thoughts? As it turns out, we can’t unless He reveals them to us.

How does this affect my ability to read the Bible and make good decisions, and trust the right people? Listen in as Pastor Steve unpacks these secrets revealed in 1 Corinthians chapter 2.

After opening up our new study in 1st Corinthians last week, we move onto the second half of the first chapter. Verses 18-31 tackle the issues of wisdom and foolishness.  Paul seems worried that in all of the attraction to fancy and sophisticated logic and philosophical arguing, the cross was being squeezed into the background and was barely visible!

Come and see how incredibly relevant this passage is today.  In a day when people will do and try and believe almost anything--except Jesus crucified--Paul's reasoning will resonate with us for sure.

In the end, we are left with only God to applaud. Wait until you see what Jesus provides that all the philosophy and psychology books in the world cannot give you. If you think you are a pretty wise guy or gal you will want to hear this truth shared through the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth.

After opening up our new study in 1st Corinthians last week, we move onto the second half of the first chapter. Verses 18-31 tackle the issues of wisdom and foolishness.  Paul seems worried that in all of the attraction to fancy and sophisticated logic and philosophical arguing, the cross was being squeezed into the background and was barely visible!

Come and see how incredibly relevant this passage is today.  In a day when people will do and try and believe almost anything--except Jesus crucified--Paul's reasoning will resonate with us for sure.

In the end, we are left with only God to applaud. Wait until you see what Jesus provides that all the philosophy and psychology books in the world cannot give you. If you think you are a pretty wise guy or gal you will want to hear this truth shared through the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth.

1 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 Corinth was a mess.  Paul writes to help straighten issues out for a church that exists in a twisted culture.

Not only does Paul address problems, but also confusions and questions they had.  Because of their questions, we have some amazing truths about resurrection (ch 15), marriage (ch 7), the Lord’s Supper (ch 11), and love (ch 13).

So how do things begin?  Listen in as Pastor Steve opens up this next letter from the Apostle Paul and make a determination to follow through the entire book together with us.

1 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 Corinth was a mess.  Paul writes to help straighten issues out for a church that exists in a twisted culture.

Not only does Paul address problems, but also confusions and questions they had.  Because of their questions, we have some amazing truths about resurrection (ch 15), marriage (ch 7), the Lord’s Supper (ch 11), and love (ch 13).

So how do things begin?  Listen in as Pastor Steve opens up this next letter from the Apostle Paul and make a determination to follow through the entire book together with us.

We are excited to finally put the final touches on the Romans masterpiece!  What a great book and amazing study it has been!

Like so many good preachers, Paul is struggling to close his sermon/letter. Just when it seems he has concluded, he opens up a new topic entirely!  Maybe it came to his mind, and without the “cut and paste” word processing options we have today, he has to tack it onto the end of his letter. But he wants to make sure it is included and it is really important.

Having greeted 27 individuals by name in the opening sections of this final chapter the next few verses do not include names, but the catch-all phrases “those” and “such people”.  Who are they? What have they done? What is the problem? For full details you can listen in to the message, but here's the short version:  Paul had a list of 27 names of people who were to be embraced, but now he will warn them about people to be avoided.  That’s right.. avoided!

After 27 names of people serving the Lord, there is now a nameless section of “those" serving themselves!

King Solomon had it right when he penned those famous words in Ecclesiastes 3, “there is a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing”.  Wisdom and success and longevity in our Christian lives is not just based on who and what we embrace, but who and what we AVOID!  Yes, the Spirit of God says there are people you should know exist and make sure you avoid them!  They are toxic, destructive, and used by Satan to trip you up. Listen in and find out how Satan gets crushed in our concluding message from Romans 16.

We are excited to finally put the final touches on the Romans masterpiece!  What a great book and amazing study it has been!

Like so many good preachers, Paul is struggling to close his sermon/letter. Just when it seems he has concluded, he opens up a new topic entirely!  Maybe it came to his mind, and without the “cut and paste” word processing options we have today, he has to tack it onto the end of his letter. But he wants to make sure it is included and it is really important.

Having greeted 27 individuals by name in the opening sections of this final chapter the next few verses do not include names, but the catch-all phrases “those” and “such people”.  Who are they? What have they done? What is the problem? For full details you can listen in to the message, but here's the short version:  Paul had a list of 27 names of people who were to be embraced, but now he will warn them about people to be avoided.  That’s right.. avoided!

After 27 names of people serving the Lord, there is now a nameless section of “those" serving themselves!

King Solomon had it right when he penned those famous words in Ecclesiastes 3, “there is a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing”.  Wisdom and success and longevity in our Christian lives is not just based on who and what we embrace, but who and what we AVOID!  Yes, the Spirit of God says there are people you should know exist and make sure you avoid them!  They are toxic, destructive, and used by Satan to trip you up. Listen in and find out how Satan gets crushed in our concluding message from Romans 16.

In Ephesians chapter four we are urged to "walk worthy of the calling" that clearly involved humility, unity, and love in the body of Christ. This sounds like a tall order, and compared to what Christ has done for us, we all feel very unworthy and unable to fulfill this calling!

In this message, one of our associate pastors, Dave Vollmer, walks us through key New Testament stories and passages that show the reality that is possible in living out a life of humility and love, serving and obeying God to be this trademark representation of a Christian--"by their love you will know them." Listen in as Pastor Dave shares some amazing biblical truths.

In Ephesians chapter four we are urged to "walk worthy of the calling" that clearly involved humility, unity, and love in the body of Christ. This sounds like a tall order, and compared to what Christ has done for us, we all feel very unworthy and unable to fulfill this calling!

In this message, one of our associate pastors, Dave Vollmer, walks us through key New Testament stories and passages that show the reality that is possible in living out a life of humility and love, serving and obeying God to be this trademark representation of a Christian--"by their love you will know them." Listen in as Pastor Dave shares some amazing biblical truths.

We 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 living space or prison space, with others he labored for Jesus.  Behind every name is a story about Paul’s Holy Spirit-led, gospel-spreading network!

So, as we start the home stretch we see that this final chapter of Romans is about getting and being connected!  One of the biggest complaints I hear is that people have a hard time “connecting”.  We will explore the idea as it relates to the internet and the giant Redwood trees.  They both have something to add to the very personal aspect of Romans 16.

Listen in as Pastor Steve opens up chapter 16 with Paul's greetings and final words to the church in Rome.