CEFC sermons Soap Lake

Sunday's sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is 2 Corinthians 3:12-18. As we reflect on this passage together the encouragement is to remember the superiority of Jesus above all. Because of Jesus, we who belong to Him have much reason to rejoice. According to the gospel of the Lord Jesus we have access to the Father, full forgiveness of sin, and the promise of transformation. We pray this sermon encourages you to fix your eyes on the greatness of Jesus. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Titus 2:11-15 where we are reminded of the importance of gospel foundation. God’s grace in the gospel of Jesus is to set the tone for the life of every Christian. Yes, the gospel is God’s power to save but it is also God’s power to lead and transform our very lives. What we learn in our text is that God’s grace in the gospel gives a new direction that moves us toward godly living; God’s grace in the gospel also gives us hope for the future, and God grace in the gospel gives us purpose for how we live our lives. The reminder for us to stand upon the foundation of God’s grace in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for our redemption. We pray this sermon encourages us to remain strong in the faith and not waver. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Titus 2:9-10 where Paul continues his exhortation towards godly living. While Paul has discussed how both men and women should pursue godliness, he now transitions to slaves. While this can certainly be a difficult topic to address, it’s important for us as Christians to have an understanding of how the Bible deals with the institution of slavery. While at first glance our text may not seem applicable to the present day, when it is understood in light of submission to authority it has many areas of application. The encouragement in this sermon is to live in balance with gospel and honor the authority we find ourselves under. As we walk in godly behavior towards authority God will open doors for the gospel message to be proclaimed. We pray this sermon challenges you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Titus 2:1-8 which provides for us a contrast between false believing leading to false living (1:10-16) and right believing that leads to right living. Our text reminds us of the importance of the gospel not only to save, but also to fuel men and women of all ages to live in such a way that God is pleased. Godliness is something that we must pursue and fight for in the strength of God’s great might. As God, though Christ, has given us new hearts we now have a responsibility to strive for godly living which includes being intentional about passing this way of life onto others. This is God’s design for HIs people - gospel believing, godly living, and disciple making people. We pray this sermon brings you encouragement in your walk with the Lord. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Titus 1:10-16. In this section of Titus, Paul continues to remind Titus of the importance of godly leadership within the local church. One of the reasons godly leadership is so important is so that the church can be protected against false teachers. Rather than shying away from an uncomfortable confrontation, godly leaders along with all godly Christians, will confront any and every gospel prevision that raises its ugly head. Every distortion of the gospel must be boldly rebuked as the unity, truth, and purity of the church depends on it. If we are going to preserve the gospel for future generations then we must be diligent to notice and confront every aim to twist it. For we believe that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4). We pray this sermon encourages and challenges you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Titus 1:5-9 and in it we learn about the importance of godly leadership in the church. As Paul writes to Titus who is pastoring on the island of Crete his encouragement is that Titus would lead the effort of setting straight the things that crooked in the church. The first issue that needs to be dealt with is godly leadership. God’s design for His church begins with Jesus at the head and under His headship there should be godly, qualified leaders who are raising up godly followers. While on the surface this text may seem like it doesn’t apply to all we must remember that it most certainly does. Members of the church are called to affirm godly, qualified leaders and are also called to strive for the characteristics mentioned in our text. We pray this sermon will encourage and challenge you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. As we begin a new study in the book of Titus our text for this Sunday is Titus 1:1-4. In our Scripture we find Paul as the author of a letter he writes to a young pastor named Titus. While this letter has much encouragement for healthy church life and what godly leaders look like, it’s in the introduction where we find an important reminder of who we are as Christians and what our purpose is. Just as Paul calls himself a servant of God, we too must remember that we are not our own but have been bought with the precious blood of Christ. Our servanthood to God is to be joyful as we remember that by His grace we are secure in Him and adopted into His family. We pray this sermon encourages and strengthens you in your walk with Jesus. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday's sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Acts 3:1-26. In response to a very public and notable miracle, the Apostle Peter preaches his second sermon since the beginning of the church in Acts 2. While there are many things we could focus on from this sermon, for our time together our main reminder is that Jesus is the greatest gift of all. He is greater than gold, than physical pleasure or healing - He is by far the greatest gift to fallen humanity. Jesus came to serve His people, grant them His righteousness, and give them abundant life. We pray this sermon blesses and encourages you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is 1 Timothy 3:14-16 and in it Paul writes under the inspiration of the Spirit to young Timothy whom he has discipled. In these few verses Paul reveals the purpose of the gathering of believers in Jesus. As believers in Jesus live and regularly gather together we must remember that we belong God. We are His household. It’s not about us, but all about His glory. Also we must remember that we gather to be immersed in the truth and grow in God’s grace. Finally, we remember that we gather to proclaim and declare the gospel that we would live it in our every day lives. In a world full of all sorts of distraction and things that pull us away from God the prayer is that we will remember God’s design for His Church. May you be encouraged and blessed as you listen. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Ephesians 1:7-14 and in it we read of God’s glorious grace that is extended to those who belong to Him through faith in Christ. It’s hard for us to fathom, but the depths of God’s kindness and grace towards His children is far beyond our full comprehension. Not only has the Lord redeemed us from slavery to sin through the shed blood of Jesus, but He has also revealed to us the truth of the gospel and sealed us as His own with the Holy Spirit. Our prayer is that as we reflect on the wonder of His grace that we would be filled with gratitude and praise to our great God. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Malachi 4:4-6 and in it we find a call to live in light of the future coming of Jesus. Throughout the book of Malachi God has been exposing the sin of the people and calling them to repentance. In chapter 4 we find that there will be a great Day of the Lord where judgment will be handed out to the wicked and mercy extended to the righteous. In light of this future day, which we believe is the coming of Jesus to earth, there is a way we who belong to the Lord ought to live. To rightly live in view of Christ’s coming we should remember the Word, live the Word, and regularly look the future coming of the Word made flesh. We pray this sermon will encourage and bless you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Malachi 4:1-3 and in it we find God’s final warning to the people of Malachi’s day. Through the prophet Malachi God has declared His love for His people and corrected them in the midst of their wanderings and rebellion. As we dive into this final chapter we find God’s final warning - the Day of the Lord is coming. On this day there will be horrible judgement upon the wicked, but wonderful mercy for the righteous. For some it is a day of great terror, for others it will be a day of great rejoicing. As we ponder this great day, the hope is that we are in the camp of the righteous. The only way for anyone to be in this camp is to believe on the person and work of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin and new life. In Jesus we can have hope when God brings this great day. We pray this sermon will encourage and challenge you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Malachi 3:16-18 and in it we find God addressing those who have faithfully walked with Him. The days of Malachi aren’t too unlike our present day, where there are those don’t belong to the Lord living alongside those who do. As God addresses those who’ve been faithful to Him in our text we find three truths for God’s people. God’s people rightly fear God, they are heard by God as they cry out to Him, and they are those who are God’s treasured possession. The only way for us to belong to the Lord is by God’s grace through faith in the person and work of Christ. When one is adopted into the family of God there is the blessing of salvation, security, and sanctification. We pray this sermon blesses and encourages you in the Lord. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. This Sunday we take a break from the book of Malachi to take some time to reflect on Hebrews 12:1-2. In this text Christians are encouraged to press on in their walk with the Lord and endure. Just like an athlete must persevere in competition, so to believers in Jesus must persevere in this life. Jesus promised us in John 16:33 that hardship will come our way, so how can we be effective in enduring? The answer is that we must look to Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross in order to redeem and forgive guilty sinners like us! As we live out our Christian lives we must abide in Jesus to find joy, peace, and strength in all the ups and downs we face. We pray this sermon will bring you the encouragement you need to keep pressing on in Him. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Malachi 3:13-15 and in it we find the people of God entrenched in legalistic hearts and words that are harsh. Rather than repenting of their sin, the people accuse God of blessing the wicked and forgetting them. In their minds, they’ve followed the Lord only to not get the favor they were after. The reality though is that the people have completely missed the heart of God. Whatever obedience they had engaged in, in the past, was not because they loved God and wanted more of Him, but rather because they wanted the stuff God could give them. As we ponder this text we must come to the realization that too often our hearts fall into the trap of legalism. We don’t want God, we just want the stuff He can give. When we find this is our reality, the only remedy is to run to Jesus, who is our righteousness. The One who reconciles us to God and forgives our sin. Jesus is the only One who will bring to us true and lasting joy. We pray this sermon blesses those who hear. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Malachi 3:6-12 and in it we encounter God’s kindness extended to a people who have wandered and rebelled. Although God has blessed the people of Israel with much, their response has been to remain stingy and shortchange God on tithes and offerings. But even so, God still offers them forgiveness if only they will repent and obey. This same principle is true for you and I today. Although we have a tendency to wander from the Lord, His grace is only a turn of repentance away. Our prayer must be that God would open up our eyes to our failings, our false gods, and our arrogance that we might turn back to Him with a heart fully devoted to His glory alone. God’s grace should fuel our obedience and devotion. We pray this sermon will challenge you to walk rightly before the Lord. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this week is Malachi 2:17-3:5 and in it we find the people of Israel making accusations that God is unjust. In response to these complaints God promises to send the Messenger of the Covenant, who we know to be Jesus Christ. When Jesus comes He will vindicate God’s name through purification and judgment. As we ponder our text in light of it’s context and who we are, we should be those who are actively examining the condition of our hearts. Have we complained against our Creator? Have we accused the God of justice of being unjust? Have we walked in wickedness that deserves divine judgement? If after reflection we find that we are guilty in any one of these areas then we’ve come to understand what the Word of God declared long ago - that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). The good news is that when we find ourselves guilty there is the opportunity for full pardon. Jesus, the Messenger of the Covenant, came to live a perfect life and suffer and die on the cross in the place of guilty sinners, that those who believe would be fully forgiven and justified in His sight. We pray this sermon would encourage and challenge you to look to Jesus. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Malachi 2:10-16. In this passage of Scripture we find God exposing the sin of unfaithfulness beginning with the priests and extending to the people. The lesson we learn is that faithless leaders produce faithless followers. As we ponder the unfaithfulness of those addressed in Malachi 2, we must ask ourselves where have been unfaithful to the Lord. Have we been faithless to our brothers and sister in Christ by mistreating them? Have we been faithless to God’s clear commands? Have we been faithless in our marriage? Wherever we’ve found ourselves walking in unfaithfulness there is only one answer and it is not to just pull ourselves up by our boot straps and do better. The only answer to our unfaithfulness is the Faithful One, Jesus Christ. He is the one who took on flesh, lived in perfect righteousness, bore our sin, was dead, buried, and rose on the third day that through faith those who believe would be new creations in Him, totally forgiven of sin and growing in His likeness. We pray as you listen to this sermon that you’d be encouraged to look to Jesus, our only hope in life and death. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday's sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Malachi 2:1-9. At this point in Malachi God is making a clear case against the priests who have treated Him with dishonor and as insignificant. This heart condition in the priests is reflected in their actions, as they are guilty of leading the people astray. So in our text God is calling on the priests, along with the people, to take His Word to heart. To listen up and act in accordance with what He declares. Whether it be from a parent or a friend, we have all had experiences of not taking sound words to heart when we should. But what we have in Malachi today is more than just sound advice, instead it is the very words of the living God being spoken to His people. Just as the people of Malachi’s day were told to “listen up”, we too are being told to listen and obey. To hear the words of the living God and take what He says seriously. Of course we know that we will never do this perfectly, so when we find ourselves failing we have, not a human and imperfect high priest, but we have Jesus the Great High Priest to whom we can look to for help, strength, grace, and forgiveness. May we fix our eyes upon Him as we pursue godly living. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Malachi 1:6-14. Last week as we began our study in the book of Malachi, we were reminded that before God brings correction and discipline He reminds His people of His relentless love for them. This week as we press on in chapter 1, we now begin to read of the correction God brings to His people through the prophet Malachi. This first complaint God makes against the people really begins with the priests, the spiritual leaders of the day. Rather than treating God as supremely worthy, they are treating God in both actions and attitudes as worthless; like a chore to get done or an annoying burden to carry. God calls out this sin and declares that He alone is supremely worthy of the people’s best actions and attitudes. As we ponder this text, we must respond by evaluating our own hearts. How have we treated the God of the universe? Are we lazy in our service to Him? Are we annoyed at His commands? Are we apathetic in our worship? If we find ourselves sinning as the priests and people of Malachi’s day were sinning, the only answer is to run to Jesus. Only in Jesus can we truly offer up ourselves as living sacrifices that are pleasing unto the Lord. May we all be encouraged to behold the glory of Jesus and be transformed. We pray those who hear this sermon will be blessed in the Jesus. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text this week is Malachi 1:1-5. As we begin a new study in the Old Testament book of Malachi, we take some time to familiarize ourselves with some background and contextual information. Malachi is a book that is written around the time of Nehemiah after Israel has come back from Babylonian captivity. The people have once again forgotten God and have begun to live lives of corruption. Malachi is a prophet of God sent to expose the sins of the people and call them back. No matter where one dates the book of Malachi, the bottom line is that the people of God need to hear the Word of God, and the word that is brought to us through the prophet Malachi in these first few verse is that God relentlessly loves His people. Before God brings correction, He declares and reminds His people of His love. Today, we know God’s love has been ultimately demonstrated in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for our redemption. We pray that as you listen to this sermon, that you would be reminded of the love of God in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. This Sunday our text comes from Matthew 28:16-20. As we wrap up the gospel according to Matthew we are challenged to be disciples of Jesus who go out make more disciples of Jesus. While this command, known as the Great Commission, can be difficult and even uncomfortable at times we must realize that it is God’s plan for the advancement of the gospel throughout the world and among all people. Rather than make excuses about why we can’t obey this, true disciples of Jesus should be looking and praying for ways to obey. The hope as we ponder this familiar text is that we who believe will be encouraged to submit to the authority of Jesus while being comforted and strengthened by the never-ending presence of Jesus as we go and make disciples among all people. We pray those who hear this message will be blessed and encouraged in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday's sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Matthew 28:1-15. The hope as we reflect on the text before us is that we would be reminded that Jesus really did physically rise from the grave. The resurrection of Jesus isn't simply something that happened 2000 years ago, but still matters today. Jesus rose because He has all authority, deserves our worship, and conquered sin and death. We pray this sermon encourages you in your walk with the Lord. If you have any questions you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Matthew 27:57-66. Over the last several weeks we have been reflecting on the suffering of Jesus on the cross, and today our text records for us the result of His suffering which is death. While there have been many attempts by critics to explain away the resurrection of Jesus by dismissing His death, what we find in our text is a clear account of the fact that Jesus really did physically die. The death of Jesus is important for us to not skip over, in fact it is an essential gospel truth. Without the death of Jesus there is no forgiveness of sins, and therefore we are still slaves to sin. The encouragement for us today is to remember the grace of God extended to those who are His through the death of God who took on flesh. The death of Jesus is a reminder of the depths of God’s love for us in Christ - that He would be pleased to die for us while we were sinners. We pray this sermon blesses those who hear. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this week is Matthew 27:45-56. Over the past several weeks we have been moving through the sufferings of Jesus as He was tried, scourged, and crucified on a Roman cross. Although we’ve spent much time detailing the physical sufferings of Jesus, our text today highlights the spiritual sufferings of Jesus as He cried out from the cross quoting Psalm 22:1, “my God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”. As we dwell on the magnitude of this statement, along with Jesus yielding up His spirit, and the Temple veil being torn in two, the response should be nothing other than awe and wonder. Just as the Roman centurion who witnesses these things stood in awe and acknowledged that Jesus was in fact deity in the flesh - so too as we by God’s Spirit encounter these events our hearts should be overwhelmed with awe, gratitude, and wonder at the love of God in Christ Jesus for us who are HIs by faith. That we are no longer alienated but reconciled; we are no longer enemies but now have relationship; we are no longer condemned but securely justified by His grace. We pray this sermon will encourage you to look to Christ and behold His glory. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday's sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for Sunday is Matthew 27:32-44 and in it we read of the crucifixion of Jesus. It's at the crucifixion of Jesus that we see the gospel at work. As Jesus, God in the flesh, is killed we see on full display the sinful arrogance of man in the midst of God's saving mercy. The only hope for the problem of sin is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. May we reflect on and be encouraged as we dwell on the good news! We pray this sermon blesses those who hear. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Matthew 27:24-31 where we find Jesus being handed over to crucifixion. Even though Pilate seems reluctant, he still has Jesus scourged and delivered over to death where soldiers proceed to mock and beat Him. The reminder for us as we reflect on this text that everything Jesus endured, He endured it willingly and in the place of guilty sinners. Jesus wasn’t forced into dying on the cross, but rather willingly laid His life down for the sheep. This reminder ought to ignite in our hearts an overwhelming sense of gratitude. That God in the flesh would die in our place, for our sin, that we might have new hearts and eternal life is reason for great joy. May we be reminded that Jesus is our all sufficient savior. We pray this sermon encourages and challenges you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychuchsl.com.

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Our text for this Sunday is Matthew 27:11-23 and in it we come across the Roman trial of Jesus as He stands before Pilate. In this trial we are reminded that Jesus is the King, that He is the Truth, and that He is Righteous. The implications of these truths would demand that all people yield to Christ, yet we all struggle to different degrees in yielding as we should. If we are truly going to yeild Jesus then it will mean His is authority is the highest authority in our lives, when it comes to truth, there is no truth outside of Him or that does originate from Him, and He is the only one who is perfectly righteous and therefore the only one qualified to be our all sufficient Savior. The prayer as we reflect on this text is that the Lord would encourage and grow us to yield to Jesus more and more every day. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. As we turn to Matthew 27 we come across the fate of Judas as he responds to his sin of betraying the Son of God into the hands of those who were intent on murder. In reflecting on the story Judas we are reminded once again of the reality of sin. The Bible says in Romans 3:23 that we have “all sinned” therefore each one of us knows the lure and struggle of sin. The story Judas reminds us that sin is not a game, but leads to destruction (Romans 6:23) and because that is true each one of us will have to respond in some way to the sin that we’ve willingly engaged in. Like Judas, some will deal with sin in their own strength and reap the tragic consequences, while others will in desperation throw themselves onto the mercy of God in Jesus the Savior. The question for us is, what will be our response to the sin we’re guilty of? We pray this sermon encourages and challenges you in your walk with Jesus. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at - pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday's sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. As we continue on in the Gospel of Matthew we find Jesus on trial before the religious elites. This whole scene serves as a reminder to us that Jesus is in fact who he said he was. That he is God in the flesh, Israel's promised Messiah. The encouragement for us is to recognize and believe the claims of Christ and submit to his authority as Lord. And even when we stumble down the road of sanctification, we can trust that just as Jesus restored denying Peter, he is patient with us as well. We pray this sermon encourages and challenges you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. In our text today we find Jesus preparing for the cross in the Garden of Gethsemane and we are reminded once again of the importance of prayer. Often times when we think of the cross, we think of the physical torment that took place but forget about the cup of God’s wrath that was poured out on Jesus in place of guilty sinners. It is this act of becoming sin that we might be the righteousness of God that is causing such anguish for Jesus, and as Jesus is experiencing this distress He goes to His Heavenly Father in prayer. Among many other things, this becomes a lesson for us to regularly go before our Heavenly Father in prayer, and to press on into His will even when it’s difficult. We pray this sermon will encourage and challenge you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Today’s text is Matthew 26:26-35 and in it we see Jesus instituting the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. As Jesus eats the Passover meal with His disciples, He shows them that He is in fact the true Passover Lamb. That His body will be given to death, and HIs blood spilled for the forgiveness of sins. As we ponder the gospel of the Lord Jesus the simple reminder for us is that God loves those who are His through faith in Christ. His love is powerful and patient, for He has loved and died for us while we were sinners. The hope is that our hearts will be filled with gratitude and praise as we dwell on these gospel truths. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. In this sermon we open up God’s Word to Matthew 26:14-25 and encounter the actions of Judas as he works to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. The two main reminders that we walk away with from this text are: 1. The wickedness of Judas reminds us of our need to pursue righteousness; 2. God works even in the midst of evil human actions to accomplish His purposes. While the story of Jesus’ betrayal can be disturbing to read, we must remember that God was using the evil intentions and actions of Judas to accomplish His perfect plan of Jesus, who is God in the flesh, dying on the cross for the redemption of His sheep. What an amazing God who would love us this way! We pray this sermon encourages and challenges you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday's sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. In this sermon Nathan Dowd fills in for Pastor Derek and opens up Matthew's Gospel to chapter 26. In this section we encounter a surprising act of worship that helps us to remember the importance of the heart. More than outward acts, God is brought glory when worship flows from the inside out. It's this that is beautiful in the eyes of our Lord. We pray this sermon blesses those who hear. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. As we finish up this last section in Matthew’s gospel that records the public teaching ministry of Jesus, we find a reminder that those who belong to Christ by God’s grace through faith are those who care for and serve other Christ followers. As Jesus talks abbot the sheep who belong to Him and the goats who do not, the hope is that our lives are marked by the fruit of genuinely belonging to Him, because the consequences are eternal. We pray this sermon encourage and challenges you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday’s sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. After a break from the Gospel of Mathew for the month of December, we now step back into the last portion of Matthew to work through the final few chapters. As we dive into Matthew 25 this Sunday we spend time looking at the parable of the Talents in 25:14-30. As we reflect on God’s Word we are confronted with the question, “when Christ returns one day will we be found to be faithful servants who have labored for His Kingdom, or unfaithful servants who have only thought of ourselves?” The prayer is that we will be encouraged to humbly serve the Lord where and how He is asking us, for the advancement of His kingdom. May this sermon challenge us and move us to act on what God’s Word speaking to us. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday's sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. In this last Sunday of 2019 we spend some time focusing on why it is that every Sunday we gather together as the body of Christ. As we reflect on God's Word, we are reminded that our regular gathering takes place because God commands us to worship together as brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather our desire is to bring glory to God, grow in Christlikeness, and to remember the gospel each and every week. We pray this sermon encourages and challenges you in your walk with the Lord, and reminds you of the necessity of having a home church where you regular worship with a local body of believers. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday's sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. Over the month of December we've been reminded that Christmas is about Jesus, the Cross, and about the new life purchased for those who believe. All these things are the good news of the gospel! So because these things are good news, we who believe now have a responsibility from God to declare and proclaim. Just as it's in God's nature to speak, He has created us to speak, and He has commanded us who belong to Him to specifically speak and declare the gospel message. May you be encouraged as you listen to this sermon to boldly declare the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will hear. We pray this sermon encourages and challenges you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday's sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. As we continue to be reminded of what Christmas is truly about we spend some time looking at the new life that Jesus purchased for His own at the cross. Christmas is ultimately about Jesus, who came into this world for the purpose of dying for the redemption of His people. But it's not only for our eternal state that Jesus died; He also died that we might live radically transformed lives. These new lives should be growing to love God and love people more and more each day. We pray this sermon will encourage you to fight for the new life that belongs to you in Christ. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday's sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. As we continue our December Christmas series, we spend time reflecting on the centrality of the gospel. Paul reminds us in the Scriptures that the gospel is of first importance - and as we think about the Christmas season we know that if there is no cross, then there is no Christmas. Christmas is about the Messiah being born for the purpose of dying on the cross for the redemption of those who would belong to Him through faith. This Christmas may we remember the greatest gift - the cross of our Lord and the empty tomb! We pray this sermon encourages and challenges you in the faith. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday's sermon from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. For the month of December we will be taking a break from the gospel of Matthew in order to spend time reflecting on the importance of the Christmas season. In this first message of December we look into a famous Christmas passage to be reminded that it's ultimately all about Jesus. Not only are the Scriptures centered on Jesus, but our lives should be centered on Him as well. We pray this sermon will both challenge and encourage as the Holy Spirit leads. If you have any questions or comments you can contact us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com

Sunday's sermon from Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake, WA. As we continue in our redemption series, pastor Derek opens up the Word of God to Romans 9 to remind us that our redemption is based in nothing but God. Whether it be your family line, or your perceived good works, if you are redeemed by the blood of Jesus then that redemption is based in God and God alone. The prayer for us as the body of Christ is that God will work in our hearts and minds to accept what the Bible proclaims to be truly in regard to God alone being the basis of our redemption. If you have any questions or comments you can email us at pastor@communitychurchsl.com