​There are events in history that transcend faith and Biblical knowledge. Even in popular culture, you can call someone "Judas" and they instantly know that you are calling them a traitor, a betrayer and a turncoat. This week, we will look at Luke's record of when Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss and how Jesus' reaction gives us both a new way to deal with betrayal in our own lives and how we can rejoice that Jesus died for traitors like us. 03112018_ccc.mp3File Size: 22945 kbFile Type [...]

​Prayer. Just the word conjures up images and feelings in every person, especially those who follow Christ. What is it? How does it work? Do I need to pray? This week, as we continue to look at the last week of Christ's life, we'll see how a pattern of prayer prepares us for the worst this life can throw at us. We hope you listen this week as we look at "The Suffering Prayer from Luke 22:39-46. 03042018_ccc.mp3File Size: 23671 kbFile Type: mp3Download File [...]

The theme of greatness is one that weaves its way through Scripture. And in all of it, there is a struggle between who will be called the greatest. It is a struggle that we revisit this Sunday. What is amazing to me is that they could even think of having this argument with Jesus in the room.This week we will look at the greatness of Jesus but more importantly, we'll consider how His greatness challenges us to look at things differently. 02252018_ccc.mp3File Size: 24533 kbFile Type: mp3Dow [...]

Just before the Christmas season last year, we began a trek through the last week of Jesus' life here on earth. This week, we pick that journey back up with a look at the last hours before the Crucifixion as we look forward to our own celebration of the Cross and the Resurrection. As you read the words from Luke, it's hard not to wonder where the Father was in all of this or if He was truly in charge. However, it is my hope over the next 10 sermons, we'll see not only a picture of a loving God b [...]

We are asked a lot of questions every day of our life. And, if we are honest, most of them don't have much significance. Whether or not we want cream in our coffee or fries with our burger won't matter in 100 years. But the past several weeks we have looked at several questions that God has asked us. And how we answer Him is of paramount importance.As we wrap up our time in Malachi, we know that  God has asked us to answer a lot of questions. But in all of this, our response is what is cruc [...]

I remember many years ago sitting in a Sunday School class and the normal teacher was sick. The group of adults looked around and said, "Does anyone have anything that God has laid on their hearts from their quiet time?" I stood up and said absolutely. I told everyone to open their Bibles to Malachi 3 and challenged them, as God had me, to see if they were stealing from God. They never asked me to teach Sunday School again!It's a hard question, to be sure. And it's the question that we will wres [...]

When we came home from our first trip to Korea, we were delayed in Chicago on the last leg of the journey. The delay plus the time change somehow made for a 30 hour or so day! At the end of that, once we were home and in bed, we were very weary!It's one thing to be weary. It's another thing altogether to be the source of this weariness. This week, we will look at Malachi's warning about how we can weary God and how we can live so we cause God to delight in us. 01282018_ccc.mp3File Size: 2516 [...]

Many years ago, I remember overhearing my co-worker in a very heated call. We worked in a call center and he was one of a couple of people that never raised his voice. On this occasion, however, I heard him say, "But you told me that if I applied for the promotion, it would be mine." Now, I don't know if his side of the story is true or not, but it was pretty clear from where he sat, he felt as though he was betrayed.Treachery is a horrible thing. It is even worse when the person who is affected [...]

This week we are delighted that Casey Danley will join us and share with us  "Greater Things Are Still To Come: Living With Kingdom Vision" from Acts 1:1-11 Pastor Danley served here from 1988—97 and currently serves as director of Rock River Retreat Center for the Central District. We are blessed to have Pastor Danley share with us!​ 01142018_ccc.mp3File Size: 31340 kbFile Type: mp3Download File [...]

One of my favorite jokes is about the man who's house is flooding. A police car, a boat and a helicopter all come to rescue him only to be told, "No, I have faith! God will provide!" Eventually, his house is completely flooded and he drowns. Upon meeting Jesus in heaven, he asks why didn't Jesus answer his cries for help to be told, "I did! I sent you a police car, a boat and a helicopter!". Too often, we ignore the signs that God sends to us. This was the case with Israel when God sent Mal [...]