Sermons: Christ Community Church

The Glory of Jesus Christ, Part 3

Christ Community Church — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 17:04:34 -0700

Many Christians struggle with assurance of being forgiven. Perhaps they doubt that they are forgiven for every sin, or they are afraid they might stumble in the future and lose their forgiveness. The truth that we are forgiven comes from the work of our perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ. After his disciples saw his glory on the mountain, he told them that he "must suffer many things and be rejected". Why? Not only because that had been announced by the prophets, but also because Jesus is the only perfect sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 7:23-28 expands the reasons why Jesus' work as our high priest is sufficient for our salvation and for our ongoing relationship with him. Come to Jesus in faith, and never doubt that you have been forgiven by God!

The Glory of Jesus Christ, Part 2

Christ Community Church — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:51:08 -0700

Jesus revealed his glory on the mountain with Moses & Elijah, but in the end, all the disciples saw was Jesus alone. Jesus Christ fulfilled the 3 major roles in the Old Testament- and the transfiguration confirmed his glory- beyond that of any prophet. Listen as hear how Jesus as the true prophet of God speaks into our lives.

The Glory of Jesus Christ

Christ Community Church — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:41:25 -0700

God often gives us "mountain top" experiences where we see Him working and even can hear him speaking to us in our hearts. But often, we savor those mountain top experiences too much and cannot move forward. Jesus took his disciples up on the mountain to show them his glory, but on the way down, they still didn't understand his plan. When God shows us new facets of himself, we can see his glory and know that it is a moment that will reassure us in difficult times. We can't always stay on the mountain top, but we can remain assured that Christ travels with us through life's peaks and valleys. We see Christ's glory in his suffering, and often in our suffering as well.

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

Christ Community Church — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:41:03 -0700

When Jesus calls Christians to take up their cross and follow him, he is not talking about an accessory of clothing that looks nice around our neck. To take up our cross means to follow Jesus in his sufferings. We are called to identify ourselves with Christ in his execution, and to deny the very concept of self. It may cost us our earthly life and comforts, but the prize of Christ's presence is worth more than anything in this world.

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Christ Community Church — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:35:28 -0700

This week, we return to our study of the Gospel of Mark. This week's lesson looks at Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ, and highlights three ways in which our culture wants a savior of its own making, instead of the Savior portrayed in the Gospel.

Rewards for Living a Righteous Life

Christ Community Church — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:54:52 -0700

Chuck Vadnais, one of the church's elders, teaches this week from the Sermon on the Mount.

Working for Eternal Rewards

Christ Community Church — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:30:25 -0700

Jim Folk wraps up our study of work by examining the goal of our work. Is work intended to satisfy our wants, or to glorify God?

Christ Our Master

Christ Community Church — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:16:02 -0700

Most of us like to be noticed for our efforts. But do we serve wholeheartedly when our work may go unnoticed? Do we give our best when we know the boss is not watching? Realizing that we serve Christ first changes our attitude and outlook. He is our master, and no matter what our station in life, God has called us to work "unto the Lord" and not just for the praise of others.

Our Work as an Example to Others

Christ Community Church — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:42:36 -0700

Jim Folk continues his study of what the Bible teaches about work. This week he focuses on who we are called to work as an example to those around us.

When Work Seems Insignificant

Christ Community Church — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:28:58 -0700

Many of us try to get a degree of satisfaction out of our work that God never intended. Yes, God allows us to enjoy our work and enjoy the pleasures of life, but Solomon found out the hard way that working for the wrong reasons only leads to despair. Our ultimate Satisfaction needs to come from God alone.

Work - Good, Bad or Neutral?

Christ Community Church — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:04:04 -0700

All of us face the pressure of work, family, and church responsibilities. When one suffers, the other two usually suffer. To put it simply- we work because we have to and not because we want to. Did God create work in order to frustrate us? Or is work simply neutral- neither good nor bad? How should a Christian view work differently than a non-Christian? Is there inherent goodness in work? Listen to this message and find out.

The Household of God

Christ Community Church — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:42:40 -0700

What is the church? Is it a building, an organization, a social club, a therapy group? Or is it something only God can bring together by the power of His Spirit. The church is made up of God's people; not bricks & mortar. The Church is a building with Christ as the chief cornerstone- a living, growing building that expands by the Spirit of God working in the hearts of men and women.

Do You See What God is Doing?

Christ Community Church — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:07:16 -0700

Jesus calls us to a place of radical trust in him. Not just that he will provide bread, and provide for our daily needs, but he calls us to trust that he is the true bread from heaven. In the feeding of the 4,000, Jesus presents his compassion for the world, calls on us to recognize his authority, and to realize that his presence means more than our temporary needs or wants. Jesus compels us to trust him both for our eternal future and for our daily needs. What a shift in our thinking when we pray, "Give us today our daily bread."!

Breaking Down Walls

Christ Community Church — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:47:55 -0700

Jesus breaks all the religious conventions of his day. He goes into Gentile territory, where he meets a woman whose child is demon possessed. What claim would this unclean, foreign woman have on God's grace? She is like a dog waiting for crumbs at the table. She is a beggar, but she is a bold beggar. Jesus heals her daughter, signifying that his mission is to all people. May we all realize that because of Jesus, even though we are beggars we can come boldly to the throne of grace.

Is Cleanliness Next to Godliness?

Christ Community Church — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 14:14:57 -0700

The Pharisees had many rules about what was clean and unclean. Jesus made clear that it is the cleanliness of the heart that matters the most.

Evangelism Building Blocks

Christ Community Church — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:06:03 -0700

We often find it difficult to share our faith in Christ with others. But wouldn't it make you more bold to share if you knew that the Holy Spirit was preparing someone's heart to receive the message of Christ? From the story of Philip and the Ethiopian we see the Holy Spirit working behind the scenes, asking Philip to go to an unknown place, preparing him for an encounter with someone he did not yet know. Why not pray that the Lord would bring someone into your path who needs to know the gospel? Jut be faithful to speak when the Lord gives you the opportunity, because some things in life are too important not to share.

Take Comfort, It Is I

Christ Community Church — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:16:40 -0700

Jesus joined his disciples as they were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. As he did so, he demonstrated his knowledge, his power, his presence, and his purpose. Knowing these attributes of God help us as we face trials in our life.

Jesus - The Bread of Life

Christ Community Church — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:16:37 -0700

As Jesus fed the five thousand, he not allow demonstrated his power, he also showed his compassion for people.

The Tragedy of a Hardened Heart

Christ Community Church — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:16:32 -0700

How do we respond to guilt? Do we allow our hearts to be hardened, or do we allow God to work in our lives? Pastor Jim Folk uses the example of Herod to discuss how we should respond.

Rejection in an Unbelieving World

Christ Community Church — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:21:32 -0700

When Jesus returned to the region where he grew up, he faced rejection and questions from those who knew him. Looking at the model of Jesus, how should we face the rejection that is part of life in this world?

Christ, Our Powerful Healer

Christ Community Church — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:29:42 -0700

In Mark 5, Jesus is asked to heal the daughter of Jairus, a synogogue leader. On the way, a woman with a 12 year bleeding illness touches his garment and is healed. These two incidents teach us about the extent of Jesus's compassion and power.

In His Right Mind

Christ Community Church — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:12:32 -0700

In the second of three miracles demonstrating his power and deity, Jesus casts out a host of demons from a possessed man. As we see Jesus' power demonstrated, we also see ourselves in the reaction of the people in the Gerasenes: Are we afraid and simply want Jesus to leave us? Would we rather put up with a crazy man living outside town than have him made sane and live among us? Or perhaps we see ourselves as the demoniac- in need of deliverance from what torments us. Only Christ has the power to do what mankind is unable to do: deliver us from evil. The Cross is the ultimate demonstration of God rescuing men from the tyranny of the devil.

The Prodigal Sons

Christ Community Church — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:07:24 -0700

This week, Jed Keesling, a mathematics professor from the University of Florida and an elder at Creekside Community Church in Gainesville, teaches on the parable of the prodigal sons and how God wants us to avoid the mistakes of both of the sons in the story.

The Joy of Forgiveness

Christ Community Church — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:59:48 -0700

On a communion Sunday, we take a break from our study of the Gospel of Mark to look at God's forgiveness.

The Growing Kingdom

Christ Community Church — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:26:31 -0700

Jesus spoke in many parables. Several of these instructive stories are grouped together in Mark 4 to teach that God is at work in ways that are hidden. We can have confidence that God is working even though we do not understand the process and cannot see how things are being worked together by God.