CCW Podcast

Do you remember the hymn "Count Your Blessings?" There's a line that says, "Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings see what God has done." In Matthew 25, Jesus is telling us something vital: we have an entrustment. Everything we have is given to us by God. Do we look at ourselves as stewards or owners? A steward works for the day he will bring a return for his master’s goods. An owner believes his possessions are his to do with as he sees fit. All we have – our physical goods, our capabilities, and even our breath - are blessings that come from someone else. Join us this Sunday at 10 AM as we study "The Parable of the Talents."

Do you ever feel confused by your own actions? Have you ever done something that you didn't even think you'd ever do? Paul once said "the things that I want to do I don't, and the things I don't want to do, that I do."

In the gospels, Jesus shares a parable on the phases of the heart, entitled the Parable of the Sower. Jesus is the master farmer always spreading seed (His Word) on all kinds of soil (hearts): hard, rocky, thorny, and good. As we unpack the complexities of our hearts, we become aware of resentment, insecurity, fears, and failures and are able to resolve struggles and receive the precious seed of truth. This Sunday we will be studying the "Parable of the Sower."

I hope that summer affords you the opportunity to relax, relate, and recharge. In busy seasons we need time for slowing our pace and a chance to just be. I hope that as you enter the Church at Chelsea-Westover you are able to find that moment in worship and reflection of God and His Word. God loves us so much and is unrelenting in His pursuit. The Pharisees in Luke 15 could not understand how anyone could keep company with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus responds to them by teaching 3 parables. This Sunday we are looking at what has been called the pearl of all parables, in the story of The Prodigal Son. It is a beautiful picture and reminder of the unrelenting love God bestows on you and me.

We are jumping into a study this week on how to be a "can't help it Christian."

In Acts 4, threatened and told to stop sharing Jesus, the disciples had a very simple answer: "We can't stop!" They had seen and heard things that were impossible not to tell. When people hear and then experience Jesus's presence and power in their lives, they get "the can't help its." At CCW, we hope to be a church full of "can't help it Christians."

This Sunday we celebrate our Fathers and are so thankful for all you do. Join us as we wrap up our "Rooted" series with a message called "Wide in Christ".

Among the various relationships we have on this earth, there are several special ones discussed by Paul at the end of Colossians 3. Wives, husbands, children, parents, servants and masters. This week we will discuss the Biblical model of these relationships for those who have been raised with Christ, exploring topics like submission, love, obedience, and provocation. We will also look at a landmark “memory verse” from what might be a new and fresh perspective.

Our Christian identity means we should look, talk, think, and act differently. It’s all about what we choose to wear — and that has nothing to do with designer brands or fabric blends. Paul instructs the Colossians — and by extension, us — to put on the clothes of: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Take a moment to look and pray over that list. Does it describe you? As a parent, spouse, worker, or friend? Clothing is great imagery because we can easily understand that while we may not naturally be or feel some of these traits we can choose to, like clothes, put them on. As we get rooted deeper in Christ we become more and more clothed like Christ.

This is going to be a great Sunday! Paul moves from the problem of false teaching to an if/then solution. He says IF you are a christian THEN... If you are a Christian, then you can set your sights outside of this world. If You are a Christian, then you can trust in Christ who sits at God's right hand. If you are a Christian, then you can set your mind on the reality of heaven. If you are a Christian then you can shape your mind away from sinful desires. Freedom is found in a mentality rooted in Christ.

Have you ever wondered why you were born? Or wondered why God made you? Well if you have, you are not alone. Many of us if we are honest have had these questions and I am excited to let you in on the secret mystery of these questions! We were born for a reason, but to understand that reason we have to go back and learn about how we got here in the first place! The how, and why is found in and through God! He loved you so much that He only made one of you! Everything about you is uniquely you, and God made you for something special! He made you to glorify Him! He made you to bring glory to Him by showing Him off in every every of your life.

This Sunday is a very special day; it’s Mother’s Day and we are privileged to celebrate all the CCW moms that help make our church so special. The influence of a mother upon the lives of her children can hardly be measured. They know and absorb her example in countless ways. If you’re reading this, no doubt you have been impacted by a mother!

We will be looking this Mother’s Day at the story of Esther. Esther is an unlikely heroine - an orphaned, Jewish girl who becomes queen. She is faced with a weighty, frightful decision that will impact untold generations. The theme verse is Esther 4:14, "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Moms you were made for this moment right now and your investment into this generation is vital.