CFLM Sermons

Whereas last session we looked at the specific warnings regarding apostasy (falling away), this week we want to focus on the profound assurances that you can “know” you are saved. This salvation is certain because it is a promise of God, and God is true to His word. Let’s discuss the certainty of salvation guaranteed to believers in the pages of Scripture.

God has, throughout the history of this world, been willing and eager to be with His people: In trials, in struggles, in pain, in death, and in confronting the unknown.

God will however not force that presence on those who reject it in word or in perpetual deeds. He has shown His desire and willingness to be with us and in us, and we must choose how to respond to that. This choice will determine our forever companionship. He offers unreserved compatibility from His side, will we be compatible with Him? Do you want to be with God? Is the presence of God something you embrace, or does it sound like a threat to your plans and priorities?

In this session, we will address some qualifications to this promise to be with us, some definitive assurances and warnings to believers that should collectively encourage our hearts and firm-up our resolve to stay on the path. This week we discuss the promise and conditions under which God is “with us.”

The scriptures are clear that dark spiritual powers do in fact exist. It’s not a mere metaphor, but a metaphysical reality. With that in mind, God has made promises to those who belong to Him regarding dealing with such powers. This week we will discuss putting those powers to-flight.

We have an obligation to be wise. God wants you to be more calculating, patient, careful, and cunning. He intends that you and I become experts in life, relationships, and strategy. God has promised wisdom (seemingly a supernatural/divine wisdom), to those who ask it of Him. If you think you are lacking in wisdom, or if perhaps others would say that of you, pay careful attention to what we’re discussing today. God promised wisdom, but only to those who ask.

The scriptures indicate that every human being (save one) in all of history, has made a certain trade. We decided to ignore God and wanted to become gods unto ourselves. We violated God’s regulation; we sold our birthright. In doing so, we became enslaved to sin. We were not the god-freed-to-sin, but we found ourselves to be in a certain bondage, and sin had become our god… our master. In this condition, none of us were capable of buying-our-way-out of that bondage. No amount of religious effort or good deeds can get us out of that death sentence. This is where the concept of redemption comes into play. God has made a promise of redemption to those willing to receive it. Restoration of ownership and value to helpless slaves. In this session we’ll discuss that promise and its implications.

In week one of our new series “Count On It,” we’ll be looking at God’s promise to be loving, and apply our new understanding of God’s attributes to this most central promise of God.

To be holy is to be set apart, like those dishes you set apart for special occasions. To be sovereign is to have the right to rule, like the right reserved for the host of holiday celebrations. Simple enough when applied to our day-to-day tasks, but how do we make sense of these attributes when they’re not on display through man, but through the Creator of heaven and earth? When God reveals His holiness to man, what is the purpose of such a grand revelation? When God exercises His sovereignty, what do we do with those nagging questions about evil and the will of man? What role, if any, do we play in all of this? According to the Scriptures far more than you may think. Join us this Sunday as we conclude our study of the attributes of God!

What is love? What is grace? How do we know? We Christians claim that God is loving and gifts generously, but why does He do it? Why care about people so undeserving of His affection? Well, because it’s who He is. This week we turn our attention to two more divine attributes, our God: gracious and loving.

Do you trust God? Do you have faith in Christ and assurance that His presence-and-attention are the most comfortable and predictable kind of companionship. Or do you still view Him as an angry and dangerous agency looking to squash you like a bug if you step out of line? This week we consider God’s character: Is He good, and just, and merciful? Let’s contemplate if the God of the universe is a “good dude.”

Where is God? What is heaven? How does that play into our lives on earth? What does “where He is” have to do with how He engages. This week we will further our understanding of the author of this program, by coming to understand God’s transcendent nature, His presence, and His faithfulness.