CCF Weekly Services Podcast

John's vision of Heaven is not short of Old Testament references. With callbacks to Mount Sanai and Ezekiel, he doesn't leave it to the imagination who God is in the vision. The Cherubim and the Elders are also identifying this figure as God, but specifically the Father.

1. If something looks like God was described and is given credit for the things only God has done, they're God.
2. The creatures known as Cherubim are glorious creatures, but spend all of their time focused on God's glory.
3. Heaven is a place of constant worship, recognizing the only thing that could encapsulate our attention eternally.

The Thessalonian church had been dealing with false teachers and reached out to Paul for clarification on these things. Instead of just stating an outright yes or no, he equips them to think for themselves by reminding them of other truths they had heard from the Old Testament. Then reminds them that their love for the truth will win out the day. The enemy will be destroyed by Jesus’ arrival, and the enemy’s words likewise will fall into proper order when God’s word comes into the equation.

1. The only response to a lie is with the truth.
2. If you want God, you’ll have Him. If you don’t, He won’t force Himself upon you.
3. Grace and truth are two sides of the same coin regarding our relationship with God.

Revelation 4 is a major turning point for what is to take place during the last days. The door of heaven opens, signaling the gathering up of his Holy Saints to be brought before the throne of God. This absence of the church on earth will put into full motion the 7 year tribulation and the focus of God's dealings with humanity directly on the nation of Israel and the Jewish peoples.

Joshua was a textbook example of how to effectively see God do a new work in his life. He kept God's word close, His promises closer, and the people closest to him never stopped hearing about it. With a perspective of preparation, application, and discipleship concerning God's word, we will see the same good success Joshua saw.

1. Where we were yesterday is preparation for where we are today.
2. Application makes God's Revelation personal in our lives.
3. Ministry isn't a marathon. It's a relay race. It's only meaningful if we effectively hand it off to the next generation.

On the day we remember Christmas, a very special event took place. God physically entered this world as a baby. The first witnesses of this event were shepherds. Singled out by Angels, they were told exactly who was here and why He had come. It wasn't to destroy us, but to redeem us from destruction. It wasn't just to inspire good things, but show us just how good God is first-hand.

1. God has visited us personally.
2. God has redeemed us perfectly.
3. God has pursued us passionately.

The Church of Laodicea had many problems, but one solution. Everything they needed, they could receive freely from Jesus. The only thing that was lacking was their willingness to receive those things from Him and pursue Him.

1. You won't find something apart from Jesus that you can only receive from Him,
2. Correction is the greatest security we have in our relationship with God.
3. God has more to offer us than this world could possibly offer.