CCF Sunday Messages

As the news of the raising of Lazarus from the dead spreads, many are coming to faith in Jesus--the religious leaders in Jerusalem are very concerned as people turning to Jesus will raise the eyebrows of the Romans and potentially cause them to lose their "position" and power! Unknown to himself, Caiphas ends up prophesying that Jesus's death will be "one man dying for the people", true not to his own purpose, but to God's purpose to bring salvation through that "one man's" death. In chapter 12 the scene switches to Bethany and the springtime, and Mary, with only a week before Passover anoints Jesus' body for burial (unbeknownst to her) with very costly oil--a true sign of her worship and adoration of Him.

Today Pastor Steve takes us through the amazing and powerful story of Lazarus being raised from the dead--his crowning miracle that proves that He truly is "the resurrection and the life"! Only through God's power can life be given and taken away, and in this miracle Jesus shows Himself to truly be God in human flesh.

Today Pastor Steve takes us through the amazing and powerful story of Lazarus being raised from the dead--his crowning miracle that proves that He truly is "the resurrection and the life"! Only through God's power can life be given and taken away, and in this miracle Jesus shows Himself to truly be God in human flesh.

In finishing up the few versus of John chapter 10 we see both sides of Christ's ministry on earth--the Jewish leaders are continuing to want to stone Him and kill Him as they realize the impact of His claims to be God's son, and yet others are realizing the truth of His words (and John who came before Him), and the chapter closes with, and "many believed in Him". The scene changes as we start chapter 11--Mary and Martha, close friends of Jesus, have a brother, Lazarus, who is sick and near death. Thinking Jesus will come immediately for His sick friend, they send word to Him, but instead He waits! Pastor Steve started the discussion about Lazarus talking about our expectations and how they can get in the way..we'll complete this story next week!

In finishing up the few versus of John chapter 10 we see both sides of Christ's ministry on earth--the Jewish leaders are continuing to want to stone Him and kill Him as they realize the impact of His claims to be God's son, and yet others are realizing the truth of His words (and John who came before Him), and the chapter closes with, and "many believed in Him". The scene changes as we start chapter 11--Mary and Martha, close friends of Jesus, have a brother, Lazarus, who is sick and near death. Thinking Jesus will come immediately for His sick friend, they send word to Him, but instead He waits! Pastor Steve started the discussion about Lazarus talking about our expectations and how they can get in the way..we'll complete this story next week!

Continuing our study in John chapter 10, at verse 22 we fast forward a few months to winter, and Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication--or Hannukah as we know it today. He is again talking with the Jewish leaders who want Him to plainly declare Himself as Messiah. Instead, he speaks again of sheep, and that if they were His sheep, they would know His voice. If you are one of Christ's then you hear Him and know Him, and follow Him, unlike those who don't know Him as their "good shepherd." And to be His sheep means that you are secure in Him, as He will lose none of those who are His! When he finishes, He declares that He and the Father are One, and we'll see next week that this incites the Jewish leaders to want to take violent action again.

Continuing our study in John chapter 10, at verse 22 we fast forward a few months to winter, and Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication--or Hannukah as we know it today. He is again talking with the Jewish leaders who want Him to plainly declare Himself as Messiah. Instead, he speaks again of sheep, and that if they were His sheep, they would know His voice. If you are one of Christ's then you hear Him and know Him, and follow Him, unlike those who don't know Him as their "good shepherd." And to be His sheep means that you are secure in Him, as He will lose none of those who are His! When he finishes, He declares that He and the Father are One, and we'll see next week that this incites the Jewish leaders to want to take violent action again.

One of our elders, Todd Giszack, continued our study in John by going through the first section of chapter 10 while Pastor Steve was away this Sunday. Listen in as Todd shares about Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who truly cares for His sheep.

One of our elders, Todd Giszack, continued our study in John by going through the first section of chapter 10 while Pastor Steve was away this Sunday. Listen in as Todd shares about Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who truly cares for His sheep.

Continuing our story of the man born blind, healed miraculously by Jesus, in John chapter 9, we see a continuing dialogue between the man who was formerly blind and the religious leaders. It is during these verses we see who is truly blind, as the religious leaders are offended that the uneducated, formerly blind beggar is "teaching" them about Jesus! In the end, the healed man is thrown out of the temple, but he is found by Jesus, who gives him a chance to understand that He truly is the Son of God! The man believes and worships, and his vision is clearer and better than those who thought they really knew God!