CEFC

How do we fight a temptation to sin? Every person is susceptible to temptation, even those who have enjoyed a close relationship with God. This passage in Numbers 25 teaches us:

1. You are never so blessed you can’t be tempted.

2. The tactics of the enemy are tricky.

3. Fear the Lord: God takes sin seriously.

4. Love the Lord: God loves you jealously!

In this passage, we see God's sovereignty over everyone, everything, everywhere. King Balak of Moab wants his hired prophet, Balaam, to curse the people of Israel. Instead of cursing them, Balaam questions how he can curse those whom God has not cursed and sees the Israelites as a unique and blessed people, set apart from other nations. When Balak questions why Balaam blessed his enemies instead of cursing them, Balaam responds that he can only speak the words that God puts in his mouth. In Romans 8:31, we read that if God is for us who can be against us. We are imperfect people; we are cursed by the sin of this world. But God still blesses those he loves. Join us at cefc.church.

Imagine if you were headed in a direction you thought was right but you kept encountering unexpected interruptions and obstacles. Would you get mad or curious? Would you turn to God or would you lash out in frustration? Our response to interruptions reveals our heart and makes it obvious whether we are intent on our own plans or whether we are open to God’s direction. In Numbers 22:22-35 Balaam, the prophet, is so fixated on his own desires that he remains oblivious to God’s direction, and it nearly costs him his life! Finally, God supernaturally speaks through a donkey to stop the prophet's madness. Join us at cefc.church.

Have you ever wanted something so badly you asked God for it again and again? What if you wanted something so badly you were willing to defy God's clear instructions? Numbers 22 introduces us to a very spiritual man who does something very foolish: he pursues his will instead of God’s will. Balaam stubbornly chases his own desires instead of following God’s instruction. 

This passage warns us of the blinding dangers of chasing our own will and points us to the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. In this message you will learn:

How Balaam's greed for wealth and prestige blinded him to God's will

How we often battle against what God wants for us

How to cultivate a heart that is surrendered to God's purposes in Christ Jesus

Serving God and others is part of a healthy Christian life. Peter writes to Christians about their God-given gift and he encourages us to use our gifts in service to others. God grows the church through the service of people who love him and want to demonstrate that love by using the gifts they are blessed with to bless others. We are blessed to be a blessing. Join us at cefc.church.

How do we build godly and loving relationships? 1 Peter 4:8,9 says, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” In this message, we will discover how to love deeply and sincerely. We will learn how to love in a way that covers over the sins of others, and we will find the key to showing hospitality even when our guest is a challenge! Most importantly, this passage will show us Christ’s love for us and how we can share that love with others.  

This Easter we consider the greatest event in human history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. But what does this resurrection of Christ mean for our lives today? The apostle Paul applies the death and resurrection of Christ to his life in Galatians 2:20 and this passage gives us three questions to ask ourselves:

1. Have you been crucified with Christ?

2. Does Christ live in you?

3. Do you live by faith?

In Mark 7:31-37, Jesus reveals his compassion and empathy for a man who was deaf and was unable to communicate with others. Jesus displays both his humanity and divinity by privately healing this man, not treating him as a spectacle for the crowd. The gentleness and power that Jesus shows us in this passage, reminds us that we worship a personal and powerful creator. Our proper response to this miracle is to worship God and show compassion to those struggling around us. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me,” (Matthew 25:40). Join us at cefc.church.

In this passage, Jesus sent Peter fishing to avoid offending temple tax collectors. Jesus often offended religious people, but at other times he was careful to cause no offense. How do we know when it is okay to offend and when we should sacrifice our rights and privileges to avoid offending someone? Jesus paid a temple tax that he was not required to pay because he did not want to create an unnecessary barrier to the Gospel. We are called to follow Jesus' example of laying down our rights to make it easier for people to accept Jesus. Join us at cefc.church.

Ten lepers asked for mercy and ten lepers received mercy; however, only one returned to give thanks to Jesus. Why is gratitude so rare? What would it look like to have an attitude of gratitude and a practice of gratitude? Luke 17:11-19 provides a lesson in gratitude. Learn why God requires us to give thanks and learn how gratitude brings us blessings. Join us as cefc.church.