CCW Podcast

Happy New Year! As we kick off 2020, we will begin by focusing on the cross and sharing communion together. We'll also take a look at lessons from the miracle of Lazarus' resurection that we can apply to the new year. Jesus told the people at the grave site of Lazarus to “loose him. And let him go" (John 11:43-44). In the same way, we need to let some things loose to work in our lives. God’s Word is greater than any thing that has bound, limited or enslaved you this past year. This new year let your spirit respond to God. Pray with the Psalmist, ”Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; indeed, I shall observe it with with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it ” (Psalm 119:34-35). When you pray such a prayer, your faith will grow, and the circumstances that seem impossible will be changed by God.

Christmas is almost here! What a special time of worship and giving we'll share as we focus on the manger and join the wise men in bringing our gifts to Jesus! Make a special effort to be with us this Christmas celebration Sunday!

You won't want to miss the message, A Gift Worth Giving. The writer of Hebrews 2 does a better job than any other New Testament writer in helping us to understand why God became flesh. We celebrate Christmas, because Jesus, God's Son, took on a human body and was born as a baby in Bethlehem. This passage of Scripture helps us to understand the humanity of Christ. and the fact that you and I, fallen mankind, needed a bridge or mediator between ourselves and a holy, righteous God. Jesus was appointed by God the Father to come into this world. This Sunday we will look at four reasons why God gave the greatest gift of Jesus to this world.

The shepherds heard first of Jesus’ birth. Have you every wondered why God chose shepherds to be the first recipients of the glorious news concerning Jesus’ birth? They were common people, no doubt put in charge of keeping the temple lambs. Yet heaven recognized their dedication and entrusted to them the news of God’s greater Lamb. Immediately they left everything to find Him. They were the first to receive that unspeakable gift on that first Christmas morning. This Sunday we will look at how they received that gift.

Now, folks, 2000 years ago, God came wrapped in an ordinary box. Yet Simeon saw him. You ask, ”How can you see the Christ child in an ordinary box? The answer is, you’ve got to be looking for Him! The good news of the Christmas season is that if you are looking for God today, you’re going to find Him. I never knew anybody that was looking for Christ who didn’t find Him. Simeon looked through the eyes of faith. There are two kinds of people and you can choose which one you want to be. One says, ”I’ve got to see it to believe it.” These people live by fact. But the other says, ”I’ve got to believe it to see it.” They live by faith. This Sunday we will look through Simeon's eyes to see how he received A Gift Worth Receiving.

Jesus said every act of kindness you show toward someone who’s hurting or in need you did it to him (Matthew 25:40). Wow! Maybe next time you’re too busy to show concern, that’ll make you stop and think. The story’s told of an angel visiting a wealthy man who happened to be on his deathbed. After the man listed all the things he’d like to take to heaven with him, the angel informed him, “You can only take what you have given away.” Don’t wait until the eve of your departure to give; experience the joy and reward of it now. “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their trouble.” So today, practice pure religion! Don’t miss Pastor’s Rick’s message this Sunday on a Marriage Made In Heaven.

Faith is a key doctrine in the Christian life. The sinner is saved by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) and the believer must walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) and whatever we do apart from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Faith is not some kind of nebulous feeling that we work up; faith is confidence that God’s Word is true and conviction that acting on the Word will bring His blessing. This Sunday, the last lesson from the School of Faith is How We Work By Faith from James 2:14-26.

Last Sunday, we began our short series, titled Lessons from the School of Faith. This week, we will watch as Abraham wars by faith. Abraham was a remarkable example of courage as well as faith. God made rare promises to Abraham and Abraham believed God, even against all odds. The marks of Abraham’s courageous faith as he faced the circumstances of war are the characteristics we need in our lives today. Believers are constantly facing the struggles of life and attempting great things for God. As we do, we need the same kind of courageous faith that Abraham had. Join us as we examine Genesis 14-15 in the War of Faith.

This Sunday we start our short series, titled Lessons from the School of Faith. In this School of Faith, Abraham will be the Dean. When we first believed in Jesus , at that initial point of salvation, we were enrolled in the School of Faith. Life itself is the class-room, and the Bible is our textbook. God has lessons for every season of life. In this four weeks together, we will learn from the life of Abraham about the Walk of Faith, the War of Faith, the Wait of Faith, and the Work of Faith. This Sunday, we begin with The Walk of Faith. Prepare your heart and mind by reading through Genesis 12-13.