Constance Free Church

We are challenged to examine our commitment to Christ in the face of adversity. The central story revolves around Jesus' teaching in John 6, particularly the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus' subsequent declaration as the 'bread of life.' This miracle serves as a backdrop for a deeper spiritual truth: Jesus offers not just physical sustenance, but eternal life. We're reminded that following Christ isn't always easy or popular. Just as many disciples turned away when Jesus' teachings became challenging, we too face moments where we must choose between worldly comfort and spiritual truth. The question 'Will you walk away from Jesus?' resonates throughout, urging us to consider what's truly at stake in our faith journey. Are we seeking Jesus for temporal benefits, or are we committed to Him as the source of eternal life? This message encourages us to stand firm in our faith, even when it's difficult, reminding us that Jesus alone has 'the words of eternal life.'

In this powerful message, we're challenged to examine the depth of our faith through Jesus' profound question: 'Who do you say I am?' This isn't just about intellectual assent, but about core convictions that shape our actions. We explore the concept of three types of convictions - public, private, and core - and how they manifest in our lives. The message emphasizes that true faith isn't just about what we say we believe, but how those beliefs transform our daily actions. Using the story of Peter's declaration and subsequent denial, we're reminded that even sincere beliefs can be shallow. The key is developing a faith that expresses itself through love, aligning our core convictions with God's kingdom rather than our own. This journey begins with a relationship with God, continues through learning from His Word, and involves ongoing trust - even when it's scary. Like a trapeze artist letting go and trusting the catcher, we're called to let go of anything that comes before God and trust Him completely.

In this powerful exploration of Jesus' first recorded question, we dive into the transformative power of a simple inquiry: 'What do you want?' This question, posed to Andrew and John in the Gospel of John, invites us to examine our own hearts and motivations in our pursuit of Christ. As we journey through this passage, we're challenged to move beyond superficial desires and truly seek to know Jesus intimately. The progression from being known by Jesus, to knowing Him deeply, and finally to making Him known to others mirrors our own spiritual growth. This message reminds us that encountering Jesus should never leave us unchanged. It calls us to reflect on what we truly want from our relationship with God and encourages us to invite others to 'come and see' the Messiah, just as Andrew did with his brother Peter. How might our lives change if we allowed Jesus to transform our wants and reshape our identities, as He did with Simon Peter?

In this powerful message, we're challenged to become 'Marked by Mercy' in our daily lives. The central theme revolves around God's defining attribute - His mercy - and how we're called to imitate it. We explore Exodus 34, where God describes Himself as 'compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.' This revelation invites us to reflect on how we can embody these qualities in our interactions with others. The parable of the Good Samaritan serves as a vivid illustration of mercy in action, reminding us that true neighborliness transcends social and cultural boundaries. As we contemplate this, we're encouraged to open our eyes to the needs around us, feel genuine empathy, and take action - even in small ways. The profound truth that emerges is that when we show mercy to 'the least of these,' we're actually serving Christ Himself. This perspective shift can transform our approach to compassion and service, making us more attuned to God's work in and through us.

In this powerful exploration of God's design for human relationships, we delve into the profound connection between marriage, sexuality, and our spiritual identity in Christ. The message centers on Romans 1, revealing how our rejection of God's glory in creation leads to a corruption of His design. We're challenged to find our true identity not in our sexuality or worldly pursuits, but in Christ alone. The parallels drawn between marriage and Christ's relationship with the church in Ephesians 5 offer a beautiful insight into God's ultimate plan for intimacy with Him. This message compels us to live according to God's design, recognizing that our earthly relationships are meant to reflect the gospel and our future union with Christ in eternity.

God's design for sexuality is a powerful reminder of His love and care for us. This message explores why God cares about sex, rooting it in His desire for our wholeness and connection. We're invited to align with God's design, which views sex as a gift meant for intimacy and procreation within marriage. The story of creation in Genesis sets the foundation, showing how we're made for connection - with God and each other. Interestingly, the message draws parallels between our longing for connection and the Trinity's eternal intimacy. As we navigate our culture's distorted views on sexuality, we're challenged to flee from sexual immorality and run towards Jesus. The apostle Paul's words to the Corinthians remind us that in Christ, we're no longer defined by our sexual mistakes. This truth kills shame and opens the door to healing and freedom. How might embracing God's design for sexuality transform our relationships and deepen our faith?

In the face of life's trials, we're reminded of the profound truth in Romans 8:28 - that God works all things for good. Through the story of Joseph, we see a powerful example of unwavering faith amidst adversity. Despite being sold into slavery by his own brothers and facing numerous setbacks, Joseph never lost sight of God's greater plan. His declaration in Genesis 50:20, 'You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good,' challenges us to trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem dire. This narrative invites us to shift our perspective, recognizing that our struggles may be part of a larger divine purpose. As we navigate our own trials, let's strive to maintain Joseph's steadfast faith, believing that God can transform even our darkest moments into opportunities for growth and blessing.

In this powerful exploration of women's role in Christianity, we're challenged to confront our preconceptions and cultural biases. The message takes us back to Genesis, revealing God's original design for both men and women as equal image-bearers, yet distinct in their roles. This foundational truth sets the stage for understanding how Jesus elevated women's status in a culture that often marginalized them. The story of the Samaritan woman at the well serves as a poignant example of Christ's countercultural approach, showing us how He valued, taught, and commissioned women in His ministry. As we reflect on this, we're called to examine our own attitudes and actions. Are we truly embodying Christ's example in how we treat and value women in our faith communities and beyond? This message invites us to return to God's original design, embracing the equal worth and unique contributions of both men and women in reflecting God's image to the world.

In our exploration of faith today, we delved into the profound reliability of the Bible. We discovered that this sacred text isn't just another ancient document, but a living testament backed by extensive historical and archaeological evidence. The sheer number of manuscripts, their early dating, and their remarkable consistency across time and geography all point to the Bible's authenticity. We were reminded that Jesus himself affirmed the scriptures, quoting them extensively and fulfilling prophecies. This isn't just academic knowledge – it's a call for us to approach the Bible with renewed confidence, knowing that as we read it, we're engaging with God's very words. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 beautifully illustrates how the scriptures can transform lives when we approach them with an open heart. As we reflect on this, let's consider: How might our lives change if we truly believed and lived out the words we read in the Bible every day?

In this powerful exploration of John 11, we dive deep into the story of Lazarus' resurrection and uncover profound truths about faith, loss, and God's glory. The central message revolves around Jesus' declaration: 'I am the resurrection and the life.' This passage challenges us to confront our understanding of God's timing and purpose in the face of suffering. We're reminded that even when circumstances seem hopeless, Jesus is always working, often in ways we can't comprehend. The story beautifully illustrates how our pain and loss can become vehicles for revealing God's glory and deepening our faith. As we witness Jesus' emotional response to death - his anger and his tears - we're comforted by His deep compassion for our human experience. This message encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and to believe that He can bring life out of any situation, no matter how dire it may seem.

In this powerful message, we're invited to explore the challenging topic of anxiety through a biblical lens. The focus is on Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26) and Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' (2 Corinthians 12). These passages reveal how even Jesus and Paul experienced overwhelming emotions and anxiety, teaching us that such feelings are part of the human experience. The key lesson is that we're not called to eliminate anxiety, but to bring it directly to God. We're encouraged to involve our community, our 'circle,' in our struggles, reminding us that faith isn't a solitary journey. Perhaps most powerfully, we're shown that our weaknesses and anxieties can be opportunities for God's power to be displayed in our lives. This message challenges us to reframe our anxious thoughts as chances to deepen our faith, lean more fully on God's plan, and connect more authentically with others. It's a call to trust not in perfect circumstances, but in a perfect God who understands our struggles intimately.

In our spiritual journey, we often struggle with the weight of sin and the challenge of genuine confession. This message delves into the transformative power of acknowledging our shortcomings before God. Drawing from 1 John 1:8-9, we're reminded that confessing our sins isn't just about admitting wrongdoing, but about experiencing God's faithful forgiveness and purification. The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 beautifully illustrates how true repentance leads to tangible change and restitution. As we explore the four steps of life-changing confession - acknowledgment, awareness, attitude, and making amends - we're invited to move beyond mere words to a deep, transformative experience of God's grace. This journey of confession isn't about self-punishment, but about growing in Christlikeness and experiencing the liberating power of living in God's forgiveness.

Today, our guest speaker is Dr. Nupanga Weanzana from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Dr. Weanzana is the President of the CECU, the African partner denomination to our EFCA denomination, and has also served as President of Bangui Evangelical School of Theology (BEST). He is an ordained Pastor, earned a PhD in Old Testament studies from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, and has made significant contributions to the Africa Bible Commentary, as well as writing several books.