Cedarcrest Church

Have you ever pondered what happens after this life? In his compelling sermon, Pastor Van dives deep into one of Christianity's most profound truths: the realities of Heaven and Hell. Drawing from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Pastor Van highlights that our choices in this life hold eternal significance—illustrating that being “good” does not guarantee a relationship with God, nor a place in Heaven. He passionately reminds us that true salvation only comes through Jesus, urging us to reflect on our own lives and those we love.

In the sermon, Pastor Van discusses the significance of personal stories in sharing the gospel, asserting that everyone has a testimony that can influence others and draw them to faith. Pastor Van simplifies sharing the gospel into a structured approach, highlighting the four key components: God's love, human sin, Christ's sacrifice, and the invitation to relationship with God. He encourages attendees to prepare their own stories and be ready to share them, fostering connections that can lead others to find hope and salvation in Jesus.

Pastor Van emphasized the importance of reaching out to those who are lost and far from God. He encouraged the congregation to identify someone in their lives—referred to as "the one"—to invest in, intercede for, and ultimately invite to know Jesus. Using parables from Luke 15, Pastor Van highlighted how a party in Heaven happens when even one sinner repents, reminding everyone that the heart of God is seeking individuals rather than just groups. The call to action was to cultivate relationships outside the church community to share God's love and grace effectively, and to pray for the lost around us.

Pastor Van launched a new sermon series focused on being neighbors and sharing the love of Jesus with others. The sermon highlighted the growing spiritual hunger among younger generations, particularly Gen Z, and called on the congregation to actively share their personal stories of faith with others. Lastly, Pastor Van reminded everyone that the time for revival is now, urging them to embrace their role in reaching out to their neighbors and inviting them to know Jesus.

Richard Hopkins emphasizes that a genuine relationship with Jesus transforms us internally and externally, prompting us to live differently and serve others. He explains that understanding our spiritual gifts is crucial for contributing to the body of Christ, serving one another, and making a positive impact on those outside the church. Using the analogy of a body, he highlights the importance of every member working together to support and strengthen one another, ensuring no part is overlooked or sidelined. Ultimately, encouraging everyone to discover and use their unique gifts for God's glory, inviting those who haven't yet accepted Christ to experience the transformative power of faith.

Pastor Van began by expressing gratitude for the congregation's presence and shared updates about the church's expansion and ministry growth, citing a scriptural foundation from Isaiah 54 about enlarging their community. He highlighted the recent successes during Easter weekend, including over 4,000 attendees and 401 individuals expressing a desire to start a relationship with Jesus, emphasizing the importance of prayer and seeking God both privately and publicly. The pastor encouraged the congregation to engage in spiritual disciplines, stretch their faith, and regularly attend gatherings and small groups to strengthen their relationship with God.

Pastor Van continues the sermon series "Letters to the Church," specifically addressing the church in Sardis, warning them against being spiritually asleep and unprepared for their encounter with God. Using personal anecdotes, he stresses the difference between mere religious activity and a genuine relationship with Jesus, urging attendees to ensure they are ready for the day they stand before God. Ultimately, Pastor Van calls for individuals to wake up to their faith, boldly acknowledge Jesus as Lord, and cultivate an authentic connection with Him.

Pastor Van addresses the sensitive topic of sexual immorality in his sermon, emphasizing the importance of adhering to God's design for sexuality within the context of marriage. He warns against the dangers of tolerance toward sinful behaviors, drawing parallels between the church in Thyatira and contemporary culture's acceptance of sexual immorality. He encourages believers to practice repentance and share their struggles with one another to find healing and freedom. Ultimately, he highlights that following God's ways brings blessing, authority, and fulfillment, while deviation leads to pain and spiritual consequences.

Part 3 of our sermon series focuses on the letter to the church in Pergamum, highlighting the dangers of cultural influences that lead to spiritual compromise, particularly regarding sexual immorality. Pastor Van emphasizes that everyone is building an "altar" in their lives based on what they prioritize, whether it be time, money, or activities, and calls for self-examination and repentance. Pastor Van warns against the allure of the culture that can pull believers away from God's teachings, stressing the importance of aligning one's life with Scripture for true fulfillment and blessing. Ultimately, he encourages the congregation to seek a deeper relationship with God, recognizing the hidden blessings and intimacy that come from faithfulness.

In week 2 of our sermon series, Letters to the Church, Pastor Van focuses on Smyrna's message of encouragement amidst persecution. He emphasizes that while believers may face trials and hardships, just like the church in Smyrna, they are not alone, as Jesus understands their suffering and offers hope and strength through the Holy Spirit. Pastor Van urges the congregation to embrace their struggles as opportunities for growth, maturity, and deeper faith, while also encouraging them to pray for and support each other in times of need. He concludes with a call for prayer, reminding everyone that God walks with them through their difficulties and that they should not face their challenges alone.

In the first sermon of our new sermon series, Letters to the Church, Pastor Van focused on the message to the church in Ephesus from the book of Revelation chapter 2, highlighting their strong theology and perseverance but warning them about losing their first love—true love for God and others. Pastor Van emphasized that love is an action and must be expressed even towards difficult individuals, citing examples from church history where Christians demonstrated sacrificial love. He concluded by urging the congregation to be known for their love in the community, aligning with Jesus's command to love God and love people.

Pastor Van emphasized the importance of having emotional and relational margin in our lives, especially in a world filled with distractions like social media and 24/7 news cycles. He highlighted that screens can drain our emotional capacity, making it difficult to handle life's challenges and impacting our mental health. Pastor Van encouraged the church to seek true rest and connection by turning to Jesus in prayer rather than relying on temporary fixes. As the church wraps up its series on margin, Pastor Van also urged everyone to engage in meaningful relationships within a supportive community to foster deeper connections and personal growth.

Pastor Van talks about creating financial margin in life by focusing on three key principles: giving generously, working diligently, and living simply. He emphasizes that financial struggles are prevalent today and highlights that Jesus spoke more about money than any other topic, stressing the importance of managing it wisely. By giving generously first, individuals can experience blessings and positive returns from their efforts. Ultimately, Pastor encourages the congregation to submit their finances to God through prayer and practice these principles to achieve financial freedom and peace.

Pastor Van Vandegriff kicked off the New Year with a sermon series focused on creating margin in our lives, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing time for what truly matters. He shared a personal anecdote about declining an enticing invitation to a Sugar Bowl game, highlighting the significance of making conscious decisions about how we spend our time. The pastor encouraged the congregation to identify their "big rocks," which he defined as essential aspects of life such as intimacy with God, relationships, occupations, calling work, and health, that must be prioritized to create space for unexpected opportunities. Ultimately, he urged everyone to be intentional about their time management to experience peace and fulfillment throughout the year.

Week One of our new sermon series covers the importance of putting the Kingdom of God first over everything else in our lives.

Relational wholeness begins when we recognize that in any place we have been wrong, God wants to empower us to make it right. 

Pastor Van Vandegriff's sermon "Mental Health" from the "Made Whole" series offers insights on navigating mental health challenges. He highlights the prevalence of mental health disorders and the importance of seeking God's guidance rather than facing struggles alone. By referencing Elijah's journey from brokenness to wholeness, the sermon illustrates the path to healing. Pastor Van stresses the significance of physical well-being, seeking professional help, community support, and trusting in God's promises for finding wholeness and healing in mental health.

Learning from the biblical hero Hannah, we see how she dealt with emotional pain through seeking God's presence. Kelly shares the significance of bringing our pain before God, like Hannah did when facing deeply painful experiences. She highlights the importance of engaging our whole hearts with God and finding peace in His presence to transform our lives.

Richard Hopkins discusses aspiring to be like Barnabas, focusing on his generosity, risk-taking, and giving second chances. He emphasizes being filled with the Holy Spirit and faith as the foundation of Barnabas'scharacter. Barnabas' legacy was built on encouraging others, sacrificial giving, and believing in people's potential. By following Barnabas' example and embodying his traits, we can impact others positively and bear much fruit in our own lives.

Pastor Derek Ray's sermon "The One Who Jesus Loves" delves into the theme of identity, highlighting the disciple John's confident proclamation as the beloved disciple of Jesus. By examining key moments like the Last Supper and Jesus's post-resurrection appearances, Pastor Derek underscores the importance of finding true identity in Christ for comfort and assurance. The sermon encourages listeners to lean into Jesus through worship, the Word, and prayer, echoing John's intimate connection with Jesus as a source of strength. Ultimately, it emphasizes the transformative power of embracing our identity as beloved by Jesus to navigate life's challenges with confidence.

In his sermon, Pastor Cody Harmon discusses the metaphor of new wine and old wineskins from Luke chapter 5. He emphasizes the need to let go of old ways of thinking and living in order to make space for God to work in our lives. Pastor Cody encourages listeners to seek guidance from Jesus and be open to new seasons with Him. Ultimately, he reassures that God is faithful and desires to bring about something better in their lives.

Join us for Pentecost Sunday as we honor graduates and learn about the power of the Holy Spirit