CCF Sunday Messages

While 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 teaching church, no missionary, no understanding of the true and living God, no word of God. Its hard to imagine!

The truth about Jesus is not just about where people spend eternity. It changes how they live now, how they think about family, children, God and themselves. If God’s word is for everyone, and whoever calls on the name of God will be saved, and God has chosen to use human messengers—like Paul himself—to take His message around the world, why don’t we see more people going?

As we discuss this topic, we will talk about people like Isaiah, Jonah, and a Samaritan woman—all whose lives God used to spread the knowledge of Himself. But maybe the most important lesson we will learn is from an unexpected source. What do four lepers in the book of 2 Kings have to do with our study? Listen in as Pastor Steve takes on this next section of Romans, continuing our study as Paul lays out his heart to the church in Rome.

While 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 teaching church, no missionary, no understanding of the true and living God, no word of God. Its hard to imagine!

The truth about Jesus is not just about where people spend eternity. It changes how they live now, how they think about family, children, God and themselves. If God’s word is for everyone, and whoever calls on the name of God will be saved, and God has chosen to use human messengers—like Paul himself—to take His message around the world, why don’t we see more people going?

As we discuss this topic, we will talk about people like Isaiah, Jonah, and a Samaritan woman—all whose lives God used to spread the knowledge of Himself. But maybe the most important lesson we will learn is from an unexpected source. What do four lepers in the book of 2 Kings have to do with our study? Listen in as Pastor Steve takes on this next section of Romans, continuing our study as Paul lays out his heart to the church in Rome.

After Christ was crucified on Friday, He was buried before sundown so the Jews could observe their sabbath, Saturday.  There is only one reference to any events that happened on Saturday, and it is a mention of the Pharisees going to Pilate to ask for a guard at the tomb.  Other than that, the Scriptures are silent.

But Holy Saturday yields to Resurrection Sunday!  It starts with women, including Mary Magdalene, coming to the tomb early to bring spices, and, well, you know the rest of the story!

Now, I think we all have no problem agreeing that Jesus rose from the dead 2000 years ago.  Instead of arguing the proof points of the resurrection this Easter I will simply refer you to the Book of Acts, chapter 1, where Luke the author of that book tells us that Jesus presented Himself ALIVE by many infallible proofs! 

So the question we deal with on this Easter, we know that Jesus is alive, but what about you? Are you alive?  Now of course you are biologically alive or you wouldn’t be reading this. But what impact does the resurrection of Jesus have on you? Yes, I know it means eternal life, and that is worth celebrating all by itself. But don’t tell me you are one of those Christians just killing time until heaven. If that is the case then you have missed a huge and vital aspect of the resurrection.

Listen in as we look at a passage from the Ephesians chapter 2 tomorrow and discuss life! You too can celebrate the resurrection and be made alive in Christ!

After Christ was crucified on Friday, He was buried before sundown so the Jews could observe their sabbath, Saturday.  There is only one reference to any events that happened on Saturday, and it is a mention of the Pharisees going to Pilate to ask for a guard at the tomb.  Other than that, the Scriptures are silent.

But Holy Saturday yields to Resurrection Sunday!  It starts with women, including Mary Magdalene, coming to the tomb early to bring spices, and, well, you know the rest of the story!

Now, I think we all have no problem agreeing that Jesus rose from the dead 2000 years ago.  Instead of arguing the proof points of the resurrection this Easter I will simply refer you to the Book of Acts, chapter 1, where Luke the author of that book tells us that Jesus presented Himself ALIVE by many infallible proofs! 

So the question we deal with on this Easter, we know that Jesus is alive, but what about you? Are you alive?  Now of course you are biologically alive or you wouldn’t be reading this. But what impact does the resurrection of Jesus have on you? Yes, I know it means eternal life, and that is worth celebrating all by itself. But don’t tell me you are one of those Christians just killing time until heaven. If that is the case then you have missed a huge and vital aspect of the resurrection.

Listen in as we look at a passage from the Ephesians chapter 2 tomorrow and discuss life! You too can celebrate the resurrection and be made alive in Christ!

In 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 who died for us. Listen in as Pastor Steve unpacks this short section of Romans chapter 10.

In 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 who died for us. Listen in as Pastor Steve unpacks this short section of Romans chapter 10.

As 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 complete and close relationship with Him as a gift to be received and not a right to be earned. Our relationship with Him is based on His mercy and sustained by His unconditional love. We come to him by trusting that He wants us to come and those that respond to His invitation are richly rewarded!

These truths that Paul shares through the end of chapter 9 and into chapter 10 are important, vital and life changing. Listen in as Pastor Steve shares these truths.

As 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 complete and close relationship with Him as a gift to be received and not a right to be earned. Our relationship with Him is based on His mercy and sustained by His unconditional love. We come to him by trusting that He wants us to come and those that respond to His invitation are richly rewarded!

These truths that Paul shares through the end of chapter 9 and into chapter 10 are important, vital and life changing. Listen in as Pastor Steve shares these truths.

Having 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 rejecting Moses and his own heritage.

The main theme of Romans chapter nine is God’s sovereignty; the big question that comes from this chapter is, “Does God create some people just to destroy them?” If some are chosen to be saved, does that (by association) mean that some are not chosen and won’t be saved?

If you have heard of “Calvinism” or “predestination” then this chapter is absolutely essential for your understanding! Listen in as Pastor Steve sets the context for this important section, gives us a look ahead to see where we are going, and then follows the steps to get there!

Having 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 rejecting Moses and his own heritage.

The main theme of Romans chapter nine is God’s sovereignty; the big question that comes from this chapter is, “Does God create some people just to destroy them?” If some are chosen to be saved, does that (by association) mean that some are not chosen and won’t be saved?

If you have heard of “Calvinism” or “predestination” then this chapter is absolutely essential for your understanding! Listen in as Pastor Steve sets the context for this important section, gives us a look ahead to see where we are going, and then follows the steps to get there!