CCF Weekly Services Podcast

Paul the Apostle communicates the message of the entire Bible in less than 3 minutes. This wasn't because the words of scripture He didn't mention weren't worth talking about. His goal was the same that all of ours should be. The focus was on who Jesus was and how He proved it in history. He considered his audience and backed up every claim with reference to the Old Testament. And most importantly, he let the Word of God speak for itself regarding what to do in light of how history caught up with predictive prophecy.

1. Jesus was Jewish. If we want to know Him, we need to understand why.

2. God clarified how we'd recognize Him centuries before He arrived.

3. A relationship with God has to take place on His terms. It's through Jesus.

The judgment of Egypt was to bring both it and Israel a reality check. Egypt considered itself a god and would find out the hard way that wasn't true. Israel relied on Egypt like they ought to have with God and would see Egypt humbled to the point where God was the only real option they had left.

1. Egypt was judged by God as much for their idolatry as their treatment of Israel.

2. People who think they are gods will eventually have reality catch up with them.

3. We won't treat God as our only option until He's all we have left.

The ministry of Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark begins with a venture of faith. After hearing legitimately from God regarding where their first missionary journey would begin, we see what these things are all about. They aren't without opposition. They aren't impractical. And they are always done with an open Bible.

1. A Work of God in our lives requires God to already be a part it.

2. Simply Share God's Word Simply.

3. Opposition is as guaranteed as victory in any work of God.

The mind behind the king of Tyre is revealed to be the original entity that adopted the mindset that he was superior to God. There are no new mistakes. Only different people that fall for the same trap. Though these mistakes all share in the enemy's ultimate end, we don't have to share in it. If the devil approaches with his lies, answer them only with the truth of God's Word.

1. There is one God and you aren't Him.

2. There is a devil and he hates you.

3. There is one answer to the enemy, and it's with our advocate.

Saul and Barnabas are called by the Holy Spirit to a ministry that would literally reshape the world. What put them in a position to receive this calling from God is the same thing we're all told to do in church. They were available to do the menial tasks just as faithfully as those more noticed and celebrated. They were focusing on prayer and fasting in a biblical sense. And they were ready to obey as soon as what they were told was verified to be from the Lord.

1. Until God calls you to something new, be faithful with what He's already told you to do.

2. Church isn't about what we can get, but what God can give to those around us.

3. Fasting is replacing time spent in other activities with pursuit of God through His Word and Prayer.

Tyre is used as a cautionary tale for other nations in history that follow its example. Through the illustration of a perfectly constructed and beautifully designed ship, it came to nothing when an east wind blew it to pieces in a moment. The lesson is that poverty or wealth in Heaven is what will ultimately matter.

1. Someone who has everything but God will ultimately have nothing.

2. Wealth promises everything, especially what it can't deliver.

3. Use things and love people, not the other way around.

The accusation that there is a disparity between the God of the Old and New Testament is based on three false assumptions. First, that the description of violence in history implies a prescription for Christians to do the same. Second, that the kind of violence described in the Old Testament was unjust for God to prescribe. And third, that there is a change in God's nature from the Old to the New Testament from Wrath to Love.

1. Historical descriptions of violence only prove honest history.

2. Every time God ordered violence to take place, it always was preceded by centuries of warnings and opportunities to be spared.

3. The concepts of God's love described in the New Testament are based on quotations from the Old.

The early church demonstrates that there are no new problems when it comes to the issues people have in their relationship with God. Prayer isn't treating God like Santa Claus. Prayer isn't talking to God for its own sake. Prayer is the purposeful pursuit of fellowship with God in order to align our hearts and desires with His. He is going to do what He's going to do. Whether or not we share in the blessing of seeing that promise fulfilled is a choice we make through prayer.

1. The purpose of prayer is aligning your heart with God's.

2. If you need a miracle, you'll get one.

3. God always acts according to His Word.

Ezekiel's prophecies move from Israel to the nations surrounding her. As they celebrated the fact that God was judging His people, this ended up costing them more than it bought. The final judgments of Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia are announced. And in each of the reasons given for God judging them, we will learn how to avoid making the same mistakes.

1. Bitterness never accomplishes what it promises.

2. Anger has a purpose. It is when we misuse that purpose that harm happens.

3. Only God can love our enemies through us.