Columbia Christian Fellowship

the breast of righteousness protects the believer from the deception of the enemy who wants to keep us in bondage to condemnation and intimidation due to a sin conciousness,  -many believers have more of a sin  consciousness than a Christ consciousness  

Truth counters deception -truth as a part of the Armor of God has a defensive and an offensive usage/value

Let's ask the Lord to make this a special time for our congregation Sunday morning

believers are exhorted to "stand their ground" against the devil and his schemes -we will explain what Paul meant by "stand your ground" and why it is so important  

Scripture support giving believer's assurance we have victory over our spiritual enemies in Christ -we fight from a position of victory..not defeat

: we do not fight against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces in heavenly realms -the intention is that we gain an awareness of the heavenly realm and the true nature of the battle

we do not fight against flesh and blood, human beings... -flesh and blood, human  beings are not the primary enemy...they are victims of the enemy who need to be set free -the primary purpose of spiritual warfare is that lost souls (human beings) come to Jesus and are set free from sin and Satan

:  Believers are instructed, admonished and commanded to take a stand against the schemes of the enemy/devil

Paul is about to launch into some teaching on what we call "spiritual warfare" -first thing he needs them to know, they must be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might...  

we will wrap up this passage, Ephesians 5:21-6:9, in which Paul addresses obedience and submission to earthly authority.  

He will be addressing the need for believers to be willing to fully comit to living for the Lord  

-children are to obey, respect, and honor their parents -parents are to lovingly nurture, instruct and correct their children : Ephesians 6:1-4  

we will address from Scripture the many misconceptions prevalent in our society regarding gender and marriage Ephesians 5:22-32

rather than pursue earthly highs...be filled with the Holy Spirit Ephesians 5:18-20

Scriptures admonishes us to remember all that God has done...and to forget all these things and focus on the present and future...how confusing??? :-)

a comparative look at the seasons of nature and how they relate to the  seasons of life...and...how to live for the Lord in each

Out of jealousy...King Herod tried to kill the baby Jesus and effectively "steal" Christmas from the world -thank God that He intervened and Herod (Satan) was ineffective/not successful -there is a principle in this account that we can apply to our lives today  

a look at seven biblical principles God has given to help His people find and know His will for us

: celebrating communion with the Lord and each other  

The will of God for His people is that His people live life in a spirit of thanksgiving...being thankful...giving thanks

The will of God for His people is that we should give generously... -there are tremendous biblical promises from God for compliance to His will in this area

rejoice always...at all times...for this is God's will for you -God's will relates to more than our vocation and location...it touches who we are...how we think...our attitudes and our mindset towards life and the circumstances of life

CCF Baptism Service

The will of God and prayer -we will explain the reason believers are to pray in accordance with God's will  

: the will of God and troubles in life -can we experience troubles (hardship, difficulties, trails, persecution, sorrow, etc. in life...even if we are in the will of God? -we explain the answer to that Sinday

: Romans 12:1-2 is the starting place for experiencing God's will in our lives...offer yourselves to the Lord...then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is...that good pleasing perfect will of God Application: opportunity to “offer/present” yourself to the Lord today...  

Obedience to the will of God is key to wise Christian living  

: believers who live wisely understand and live in the Will of God

: believers are to "make the most of every opportunity" God gives us for kingdom work

believers are to live lives that are wise in the sight of the Lord -lives brought  in line with the Word, Ways, and Will of God

a Scriptural look at the practice the church calls Communion  

: a look at what the Bible has to say about the many times/ways God"tests" His people and what exactly is the purpose  

the hearts of believers are to be filled with thanksgiving and gratitude... -believers should be the most grateful people on earth...but are we? -it should be reflected and expressed in our speech/talk/conversations...but is it?  

: Turn away from greed...guard against greed...there are consequences to greed...instead of greedy be content...instead of greed, give generously  

the next "don't" Paul mentions  sexual immorality and impurity.. -(not a topic I necessarily want to speak on, but it came up in the rotation) -sexual immorality and impurity..is unbecoming for followers of Christ  

: Paul exhorts the Ephesians believers to "live a life full of love" -we will explain and illustrate biblical love -how it is to operate in the church  

imitate God...be like Him...for we are His children -we are to be the splitting image of our Heavenly Father  

CCF Baptism Service -see attached order of service -notice there is a special Hope's Haven testimony after the offering prayer/before worship, 

in contrast to last weeks negative list of stuff to get rid of in our lives -this week...a list of positive stuff to embrace into our lives  

:  Paul lists further behaviors and practices that are unbecoming of a mature believer's life -Paul says get rid of them...they gotta go  

God is a Person...therefore God has emotions and feels emotional pain. Paul's admonishment to the Ephesians: don't hurt God's feelings  

another passage on the importance of words/speech/talk -we should always be positive...never negative -we should always be looking to "build others up"... never tear them down

stop stealing...start working...earn your keep...share with and give generously to others in need  

Anger is not sin...but anger can often lead into sin -believers are not to be easily or quickly angers...or to act out of anger

the simple message is "always tell the truth"...but I'm gonna make a 35 minute sermon out of it (grin)

There is a primary reason believers are to no longer live as unbelievers do... -unbelievers live in darkness...believers live in the light