These are the sermons from Christ Fellowship Miami. We are a church that exists to help you become a follower of Jesus. If you want to connect to our church, visit http://cfmiami.org/connect.
The Christ Fellowship Miami podcast is one of the most exceptional resources available to anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of God's Word. Whether you are a new Christian, in the intermediate phase of your faith journey, or a seasoned believer, this podcast offers something that resonates with individuals at every level. From start to finish, it is evident that the teachings provided here are an extension of God's teachings for all His children. Personally, I have felt incredibly blessed by the messages delivered through this podcast, and I genuinely hope that any Christian who attends will also experience the profound sense of being in God's house at Christ Fellowship Miami.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its foundation in biblical principles combined with practical application. The messages delivered by Pastor Rick Blackwood and other speakers are firmly rooted in scripture, providing a solid theological basis for each topic discussed. However, what sets this podcast apart is its ability to translate those principles into actionable steps for everyday life. After listening to an episode, I always feel equipped and empowered to live out my faith more intentionally and purposefully. It has truly transformed my understanding of how God's Word should impact my actions on a daily basis.
Another standout aspect of the Christ Fellowship Miami podcast is Pastor Rick Blackwood himself. He is undoubtedly one of the most gifted and inspiring pastors in Miami. His delivery style makes it easy for listeners to connect with his message and relate it to their own lives. His ability to communicate complex theological concepts in a way that is accessible and applicable is truly remarkable. Pastor Blackwood's authenticity shines through his words, making him relatable and trustworthy as a teacher of God's Word.
While it is challenging to find any significant faults with this podcast, one possible drawback may be its relatively limited range of topics covered. While there is immense value in diving deep into specific themes and passages from scripture, some listeners may desire a broader variety or exploration of different subjects within the realm of Christianity. However, this is a minor concern in the face of the podcast's exceptional quality and the depth of understanding it provides on the chosen topics.
In conclusion, The Christ Fellowship Miami podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to grow in their understanding of God's Word and its application in their lives. The combination of solid biblical teaching and practical insights make this podcast a standout among others in its category. Pastor Rick Blackwood's exceptional delivery style and relatability only add to its appeal. I highly recommend this podcast to all Christians, regardless of their level of faith, as it has the potential to truly transform lives and deepen one's relationship with God.
“You've got this. Just trust yourself.” Sounds empowering, right? But it's a lie wrapped in pride. The truth is, when we lean on our own strength and reject God's way, we set ourselves up for a fall. Pride always leads to destruction. In this next part of Rise and Fall, we'll look at the contrast between Saul and Jonathan—one ruled by pride, the other marked by humility.
“As long as you're happy, nothing else matters.” The world might often tell you this, but nothing could be further from the truth. Although we are saved by grace through faith and not as a result of works, God still calls us to be holy and obey His commands. What's in it for us? In our next part of Rise and Fall, we'll learn why obedience to God matters more than we may think, and why even partial disobedience can still cause us a whole lot of hurt.
What's the longest time you've ever waited for something? A few hours? Days? Years? It seems like the longer we wait, the more likely we are to get frustrated and impatient. Yet, there are dozens of examples in the Bible where God intentionally keeps His people in seasons of waiting. Why should we wait on God and how does it transform our hearts? Listen in as we learn how to wait on the Lord, even in times of immense pressure.
Moms make things look easy. Whether it's cooking your favorite meal, preparing the home for guests, or finding the perfect gift, mothers often make it their goal to make everyone feel welcomed and loved. But with the efforts to be perfect usually comes the feeling of burnout. God sees your hard work, Mom, and He has a unique encouragement for the ones who think they have to do it all.
We've all had moments when we felt like God had forgotten about us. What our own minds can forget, however, is that the heart of our relationship with God is His promises. What are these promises, and how can we guarantee that they're true? Listen in as we dive deeper into the story of King Saul and hear the encouragement that Samuel gives God's people.
“How do I know that I'm truly saved?” If you've ever asked this question before, you're not alone. We all encounter feelings of doubt when it comes to our salvation, so how should we deal with them? Listen in as we dive into the story of King Saul and learn why we can rest assured that we are God's children.
We may not live in a monarchy, but we all bow down to something. Whether it's our careers, relationships, our lifestyles, or even ourselves, there are “kings” all around us. What or who would you say is the king over your life? Listen in as we discover who the one true King is and why, one day, every knee will bow to Him.
It's often said that a person's last words can tell you a lot about who they truly were. As darkness fell over the land and the temple curtain tore in two, Jesus uttered His final words: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” The King over all of creation, dead and lifeless on a cursed tree. How could such a King give up His life so easily for people who hated Him so much? Join us as we explore the story of the crucified King and learn three crucial things Jesus did for us on the Cross.
Imagine you're running late to an important event and you miss your exit on the highway. Frustrating, right? In the same way, all of us have made wrong turns and messed up in big ways as we're journeying through life. The difference is, our sin costs much more than a few extra miles on a car. We invite you to listen in to the finale of The Last Judge as we discover the areas in our lives where we need to turn around and drive back to God.
Have you ever felt the anticipation of waiting for an important call? Maybe it's a callback after a job interview or an exciting update from a friend. Sometimes, it's an answer from God we're waiting on. How can we be sure we're genuinely hearing His voice and obeying His call? Listen in as we study one of the most famous verses in the Book of Samuel and learn from Samuel's response to a special call from God.
In Paul's second letter to Timothy, he likens Christians to vessels, “…set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” Before that, however, he warns us to cleanse ourselves from “dishonorable use.” Essentially, our purification allows us to serve God's Kingdom well—but what happens when our church leaders don't? How does God respond when the people we look up to fall into sin? Listen in as we explore the tragic story of Eli's sons, and how they set a poor example for God's people.
From the doctor's office to the grocery store to the attractions at theme parks, almost everywhere we go has lines. Waiting patiently is never fun, especially when it comes to the big questions in life: Where should I work? Who should I marry? Should I buy that house? In these seasons of waiting, it's easy to get frustrated with God and feel like He's forgotten about us—but waiting on Him is always worth it. Listen in as we hear the story of an incredible woman who waited on the Lord and was changed forever.
What does it mean to be led by God's Holy Spirit? Is it about having special gifts or talents? Is it about modifying our behavior to be more like Jesus? The story of Samson is a tragic display of someone who was once led by the Holy Spirit falling away from God. Listen in as we hear his story and see how we might make the same mistakes when we choose to rely on our emotions.
When you look at your life, what does it reflect? Do people see Jesus when they look at you? In our walks with the Lord, it can be easy to coast along and grow stagnant before we realize we're drifting far away from Him. Listen in as we continue our study in the Book of Judges and learn how knowing God's Word can save us from making costly mistakes.
Have you ever struggled with asking for help? Maybe you think you have it all handled and you're afraid of relinquishing control to other people. It can be easy to forget where our help comes from and think success comes solely from our work. Listen in as we learn the story of Gideon, a judge in Israel who experienced tremendous victory but ultimately fell to his own demise.
Have you ever felt distant from God? You know He's there and that He would never leave you, but you don't feel as close to Him as you once did. God hasn't forgotten about you, even in your times of distress. Listen in as we learn from the Book of Judges the aspects of life that create distance and mistrust in our relationship with God.
Whether you're a Millennial, a Baby Boomer or a part of Generation Z, you've likely found yourself comparing your life to the lifestyle of the generations before you. Maybe you've even blamed them for issues regarding politics, the economy or the environment. No matter what generation you're a part of, every single one has the same responsibility: to raise up the next generation for Christ. Listen in as we learn from the Book of Judges where Israel went wrong in this area and how we can avoid making the same mistakes.
Life is kind of like football—we are the players and God is the coach. When God makes a call for you to follow on the field, do you obey? In the Book of Judges, we see an example of the consequences that occur when God's people start to ignore His commands. Join us as we discover what we can learn from this story and how our obedience to God can drastically change our lives.
God hasn't just given you everything you have, He's entrusted you with it. Your possessions, finances and resources aren't just blessings—they're responsibilities God has given you so that you might steward them well. Join us as we learn what it means to be a good steward and how we can model that practically.
Did you know the word “Christian” comes from a Greek word that means “little Christ”? In fact, the Bible calls followers of Jesus His “ambassadors” and says we have been entrusted with a special mission. What is this mission and how can we accomplish it? We invite you to listen in as we learn what it means to be ambassadors for Christ and the high expectations God has for this role.
It may come as a surprise, but the Bible says that every single one of God's children has received a gift. But this gift isn't physical—it's even more special than you may think. What is this gift and how can we use it? Has everyone received the same gift or do we all have different ones? We invite you to listen in as we discover this gift's meaning and how God has commanded us to use it for His Kingdom.
The first month of 2025 is already flying by—how are your New Year's resolutions going? If they haven't been going the way you planned, there's a crucial ingredient you might be missing. We invite you to listen in as we continue to look at how we can grow more in our walks this year than the last and how being in a Small Group can change everything for us.
2025 has officially begun. Whether you have financial goals, career goals, relationship goals or health goals for this new year, we want you to add an even more important spiritual goal to your list—getting to know God better.
When you look back on the past year, what's the first word that comes to mind? Whether this year was a great one or a not-so-great one for you, don't just quickly leave this year in the past and impatiently wait for the new one. Listen to our exclusively online service as we discover how to end 2024 well and start 2025 right.
Life is full of challenges, especially in the Christmas season. For many of us, they can be even more overwhelming when we feel like we are all alone. The truth of Christmas is that no matter where we are or what we're going through, we are never alone when we have Jesus. Listen in as we celebrate Christmas Eve and discover what “Immanuel (God with us)” really means.
Did you know there are two types of grace that the people of God experience? The Book of John says in Jesus' “fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” What are these two graces and how do we receive them? Listen in as we celebrate Christmas and discover the incomparable grace of Jesus Christ.
In the Book of Isaiah, Jesus is called a “man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Part of Jesus' human nature is His ability to feel the same emotions we do. One key characteristic of Jesus described multiple times in the gospel accounts is “compassion.” How does Jesus' compassion differ from our own and what can we learn from the way He acted out his compassion? Listen in as we learn about this incomparable attribute of Christ and discover how we can mold ourselves to be more like Him.
It can't be touched, heard, smelled, or tasted—it can only be seen. Light has been an invaluable resource for all of time. “Let there be light” were the first words uttered by God in the Bible, and when He walked the Earth, He called Himself the “light of the world.” What is so special about this light? Listen in as we discover the incomparable light of Christ and learn what it means for us this Christmas season.
According to dictionaries, “redemption” means the action of saving or being saved from sin, error or evil. However, it could also mean the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt. What makes the Book of Ruth so special is that it points to both types of redemption—for Ruth's life and our own lives too. Listen in as we read the end of this incredible story.
In Psalm 37, there's a famous verse: “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” But the part that many people forget is the verse right after: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” We all want God to fulfill our desires, but sometimes they don't align with the path that God has for us. Join us as we continue to learn from Ruth how to trust God even when the plan He has is completely different from the one we imagined.
What does it mean to take “refuge” in God? After all, we cannot physically see or touch God, so how can we go to him for safety? The Book of Ruth details a short story about a pagan girl who finds true refuge in God. Join us as we learn how we can do the same and how it can radically transform our lives.
“If God is for me, why am I going through adversity?” It's the age-old question we have all found ourselves wondering. Where is God when we need Him the most, and why should we trust Him despite all of the trials we face? Listen in as we learn from a bittersweet story about how to respond when we encounter despairing times.
It's been the most hotly debated topic all year long—the 2024 presidential election. Whether it's regarding the economy, the border or amendments on the ballot, it's easy to feel anxious about the future of our country. Listen in as we dive into the truth about the election and how Christians should respond in the midst of chaos.
In the book of 1 Peter, God commands us to be “sober-minded.” What does that term really mean? Is it referring to the use of illicit substances or an overarching state of mind? What is God's view on using certain substances, and what are the common arguments in favor of them? We invite you to listen in as we seek clarity from God's Word and learn how Christians should respond to this topical debate.
In 2023 alone, researchers estimate there were 1,026,700 abortions in the United States. That means over a million babies were intentionally killed in the womb before they could even take their first breath. Although the Bible doesn't explicitly mention the word “abortion,” God still has plenty to say about life in the womb. Where should Christians place themselves on this national issue? Listen in as we tackle this heavy and heartbreaking topic straight from the truth God has laid out for us.
Hurricanes, earthquakes, record temperatures, rising sea levels—it seems like we are experiencing the Earth's “groans” more and more. Is humanity responsible for this? How should Christians respond to the idea of “climate change” and “environmental responsibility?” Listen in as we explore these controversial topics and learn where our true hope lies regarding the fate of our world.
Have you ever heard this argument before? “The word ‘homosexuality' never appears in the Bible, so it's not really a sin.” This claim, among many others, is a justification for why Christians should approve and even praise gay and lesbian relationships. So, what does the Bible actually say about homosexuality? Did God only talk about it in the Old Testament, or in the New Testament as well? What does God think about churches that display pride flags and welcome gay and lesbian people? Listen with us as we dive deeper into God's Word about this contentious topic.
They're some of the most hotly debated topics this election cycle—immigration and the border. What does the Bible say about these issues? Does God even mention the concept of borders and migrants? Listen in as we learn the special command God has for how His people treat “sojourners.”
One of the most famous Ten Commandments is, “You shall not murder.” For thousands of years in hundreds of civilizations, this law has stood in place as a vital part of a functioning society. If murder is such an egregious sin to God, what does He think about capital punishment and self-defense? Is it wrong for Christians to own deadly weapons? Listen in as we explore these topics and get clarity on what God really says about taking a life.
When God made humans, He made them perfectly. In His flawless design, God designated specific roles to men and specific roles to women. What are these roles? Should we still follow them even though our world is no longer perfect? Listen and learn more about the perfect plan God has for men and women, and how our society has distorted it completely.
God has a plan for our church, and we know He is faithful to bring it to completion. Join us for Vision Sunday as we look to the future and learn more about the vision God has given us for Christ Fellowship.
Words are powerful. It has been said the pen is mightier than the sword. Evil words have the power to bring countless troubles on our lives but the reverse is also true. Godly words have the power to bring life to us and those around us. Listen in to find out how to get rid of the evil speech from your life and replace it with godly speech.
We often hear the terms “God's will” and “God's plan” but what do they actually mean? How can we be sure that we're walking in God's will correctly? Listen in as we dive into the book of Proverbs and reveal the misconceptions surrounding the will of God.
It may surprise you, but God invented work. In fact, the first time we see an instance of work is back in Genesis when He created the heavens and the earth. Just a few verses later, God gives Adam work to do in the Garden of Eden. Why is work so important to God? Why does He care what we do at our desks from 9 to 5? Listen in as we find out from the book of Proverbs.
“Show me your friends and I'll show you your future.” How true would you consider that famous phrase? What does God say about the kind of friends His children should have? Listen in as we continue our study through the book of Proverbs and learn how to choose our circle wisely.
What does a “humble person” look like to you? Do they dress a certain way? Drive a certain car? Work a certain job? Some say that humility is exemplified in one's lifestyle, while others say that it's all about the heart. Listen in as we learn what the Bible defines as true humility and how pride is its number one enemy.
The book of Proverbs gives us advice about a variety of different topics. From how to manage your finances to disciplining your children, this book is filled with wisdom, but did you know it also gives us marriage advice? Listen in as we learn more about what this book says to husbands and wives—specifically about staying faithful in marriage.
Discipline isn't fun. Whether you're a parent, a boss or a teacher, giving out punishment can seem too harsh at times. When we're on the receiving end of discipline, we may not always take it well. What's the right response to discipline? Is discipline always necessary? Listen in as we continue our study through the book of Proverbs and discover how correction can actually be a blessing.
Who is the master of your soul? Jesus said that none of us can serve two masters, and when He said that, he was thinking specifically about money and Himself. We invite you to listen in as we learn from the book of Proverbs how to become masterful with money so that it does not master us.
What does it mean to “fear the Lord”? One of the most famous verses in the book of Proverbs says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” If God is good and merciful, why should we be afraid of Him? We invite you to listen in as we dive into this verse and learn what it truly means to fear God.
Joshua 24:15 says, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” You may be familiar with this popular home decor saying, but what does it actually mean? What's the real story behind this famous verse? We invite you to listen in as we finish our study through the book of Joshua and learn how to truly apply this verse to our lives.