Sunday Messages

We begin a new series in the book of Habakkuk called “How Long, O Lord?” Habakkuk faced some of the darkest days in Israel's history. In such wearisome times, he wrestled with questions you and I have likely asked as well. Why does God allow evil to endure? How long will God be distant or silent? Does God care or know my pain? Habakkuk is a story of a great exchange. Worry is transformed into worship. Fear turns to faith. Terror becomes trust. Anguish melts into adoration. Join us as Pastor Michael guides us in exploring what led Habakkuk to glorify God, even with hope, despite his circumstances remaining unchanged. Our prayer is that Habakkuk's experience can bring hope and purpose to the suffering you may be going through today.

What does Jesus desire for His people? As we get to the climactic end of Jesus' prayer to the Father, we get an intimate look at the heart cry of our Savior. This week, Pastor Eric will walk us through the final week of our Upper Room series, preaching from John 17:20-26. In this passage, Jesus prays for his future disciples, (that's us) that we would be one. He prays that the unity of the body of Christ would be a living reflection of the loving unity between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, that we would dwell in fellowship with God, and the ancient desire of God to dwell among his people would be realized through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Join us on Sunday, at 8:30 and 11:00 am, as we study God's Word together and discover the depths of His love for us.

Prayer is a central, and vitally important, part of our Christian life. It's our direct line to God, where we can pour out our hearts, and speak vulnerably without fear of judgment. So many times, throughout Scripture, Jesus leads by example, showing us what our prayer life should look like. In John 17:11-19, Jesus gives us a gift, a window into his own vulnerable conversations with God. Two weeks ago, Pastor Keith helped us to answer the question, "how can I move from knowing "about" Jesus' love, to actually experiencing it?" In John 13-16, we saw the incredible goal, grace, and guardianship of his love.This Sunday, as we head back to the Upper Room, we will see that the merciful love of Jesus included praying for us. How did Jesus pray for us, and what specifically did he say? Join us at 8:30 and 11:00 am, as we open the Word together, and discover the "Heart of our King."

As we share in One Bread, God is working to make us One Body. For us as believers, communion is a special time of remembrance: a time to reflect on the sacrifice of Christ. But do we, as disciples of Jesus, actively participate as he directs us to in 1 Corinthians 10:12-17? How should our participation in the Lord's Table shape us as disciples? On Sunday, Pastor Caleb will walk us through this passage of scripture, helping us to see, through the Apostle Paul, how participation in communion shapes our daily lives. Even though we are stepping out of our Upper Room series briefly, this passage provides a helpful echo of Christ's prayer for unity in John 17. We invite you to ponder these questions, and come ready to receive, reflect, and be formed together as the people of God. 

This week, we are inviting you into a moment; a moment in time where Jesus steps into the upper room, of John 13-16, with his disciples. Can you picture it? He sits down at the table across from them, almost as if it's a modern day 'table talk,' bringing comfort in their anxiety and fear, and preparing them for his departure. After offering a series of pledges and promises, his words culminate in a statement of triumph.  Pastor Michael ended with those words of triumph in his sermon last Sunday: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me, you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (16:33). With that climactic promise of ultimate victory, Jesus ends his talking to the disciples, and now, He talks to His Father. Jesus pours out his heart in prayer. Philipp Melanchthon once said, “there is no voice which has ever been heard, neither in heaven nor in earth, more exalted, more holy, more fruitful, more sublime than the prayer offered up by the Son of God to His Father…”  So, what did Jesus pray to the Father about? We'll explore this prayer together, this Sunday, at CBC.Jesus' prayer to His Father:- Reveals the Goal of Jesus' Love (1-5), “…Glorify your Son, so that the Son may glorify you…” (1)- Rejoices In the Grace of Jesus' Love (6–10), “…they were yours…you gave them to me…” (6)- Reassures Us of the Guardianship of Jesus' Love (v.11–12), “I guarded them and not one of them is lost…” (12)

True lasting peace can only be found through Jesus.- Through the Truth He Reveals (v. 23-25)- Through the Relationship He Restores (v. 26-28)- Through the Victory He Supplies (v. 29-33)

The “Movements” of Conversion- Resistance, (c/f 8:3; 9:1,2), “But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”- Intervention, (3-9), “…I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…” (5)- Submission (10-22), “…and immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God'” (20)

Three Sources of Hope in Struggle:- Jesus will Return - John 16:16-19- The Struggle is Temporary - John 16:20-22a- Everlasting Joy will be Yours - John 16:22The Big Idea: We Persevere with Hope because Jesus will return and He exchanges our struggle for everlasting Joy.

- The Lamb-King is a Majestic King (9:6,7), “the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called Wonderful…of peace – no end!” (9:6)- The Lamb-King is a Merciful King (53:4-7), “…the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all…like a lamb that is led to the slaughter…he opened not his mouth” (53:6,7)

What does The Passover have to do with our celebration of Christmas?The Passover teaches us to Behold the Lamb of God.- We behold Jesus through incarnational activity. (v. 21-25) “You shall observe this rite for you and for your sons forever.”- We behold Jesus through expectant adoration. (v. 26-27) “And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.”

- The Call (1,2), “Out of my depths I cried to you…” (1,2)- The Crisis (3-4), “…If you, LORD, should mark iniquities, who should stand? But with you there is forgiveness…” (3,4)- The Comfort (5-7), “…I wait for the Lord…and in His word I hope…O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love…” (5,7)

- The Call (1,2), “Out of my depths I cried to you…” (1,2)- The Crisis (3-4), “…If you, LORD, should mark iniquities, who should stand? But with you there is forgiveness…” (3,4)- The Comfort (5-7), “…I wait for the Lord…and in His word I hope…O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love…” (5,7)

The Cost of Following Jesus is Great, the Reward for Following Jesus is Greater- Would you rather be loved by the world or belong to Jesus? (v. 18-20)- Would you rather be accepted by the world or known by God? (v. 21-25)- Would you rather have an extra hour in the world or an eternity with Jesus? (v. 15:26-16:4)

The Cost of Following Jesus is Great, the Reward for Following Jesus is Greater- Would you rather be loved by the world or belong to Jesus? (v. 18-20)- Would you rather be accepted by the world or known by God? (v. 21-25)- Would you rather have an extra hour in the world or an eternity with Jesus? (v. 15:26-16:4)

How does abiding in Christ reshape our relationships?- The Command to Love reshapes how we relate to one another. vs 12-13 "love one another as I have loved you"- The Call to Friendship reshapes how we relate to Christ. vs 14-15 "but I have called you friends"- The Choice of Grace reshapes how we relate to the world. vs 16-17 "You did not choose me, but I chose you"

How does abiding in Christ reshape our relationships?- The Command to Love reshapes how we relate to one another. vs 12-13 "love one another as I have loved you"- The Call to Friendship reshapes how we relate to Christ. vs 14-15 "but I have called you friends"- The Choice of Grace reshapes how we relate to the world. vs 16-17 "You did not choose me, but I chose you"

How do I know if I am spiritually alive?- Spiritual life is only found in Jesus – “apart from me you can do nothing”- Spiritual life is only possible through abiding – “abide in me”- Spiritual life is only seen through bearing God-glorifying fruit – “by this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit”

How do I know if I am spiritually alive?- Spiritual life is only found in Jesus – “apart from me you can do nothing”- Spiritual life is only possible through abiding – “abide in me”- Spiritual life is only seen through bearing God-glorifying fruit – “by this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit”

What difference does the Holy Spirit make to your life? His Encouraging Presence (14:17,26; others), “He will come, that is, the Spirit of Truth, who the world cannot receive because it cannot behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” (17)- His Indwelling Presence (7,18,21,23)- His Illuminating Power (26)His Extraordinary Gifts (27-31), “…my peace I give to you…” (27) - Peace (27)- Joy (28)- Faith (29)

What difference does the Holy Spirit make to your life? His Encouraging Presence (14:17,26; others), “He will come, that is, the Spirit of Truth, who the world cannot receive because it cannot behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” (17)- His Indwelling Presence (7,18,21,23)- His Illuminating Power (26)His Extraordinary Gifts (27-31), “…my peace I give to you…” (27) - Peace (27)- Joy (28)- Faith (29)

New Life is just the beginning:- New Life in Christ produces Love toward God and Love toward Others. vs. 1-3- New Life in Christ leads to Obedience to God. Vs. 2-3- New Life in Christ results in Victory over the World. Vs. 4-5Response:- Celebrate the new life we have and lean into this process of Growth and Obedience.- Help each other along this journey of growth.

New Life is just the beginning:- New Life in Christ produces Love toward God and Love toward Others. vs. 1-3- New Life in Christ leads to Obedience to God. Vs. 2-3- New Life in Christ results in Victory over the World. Vs. 4-5Response:- Celebrate the new life we have and lean into this process of Growth and Obedience.- Help each other along this journey of growth.

“What Does it Look Like to Love Jesus?”- The Experience of Trinitarian Love (15-23), “If you love me you will keep my commandments…I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever…” (15,16)- The Evidence of Trinitarian Love (18-24), “I will not leave you as orphans…if anyone loves me, he will keep my word…” (18,23)

“What Does it Look Like to Love Jesus?”- The Experience of Trinitarian Love (15-23), “If you love me you will keep my commandments…I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever…” (15,16)- The Evidence of Trinitarian Love (18-24), “I will not leave you as orphans…if anyone loves me, he will keep my word…” (18,23)

What Should We Do When Plans Change?- We Can Worship God (1-4), ‘…It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die…So Jacob took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to God…”- We Can Follow God (4b-7), “…Do not be afraid… I myself will go with you to Egypt…then Jacob set out from Beersheba…” (3,4,5)

What Should We Do When Plans Change?- We Can Worship God (1-4), ‘…It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die…So Jacob took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to God…”- We Can Follow God (4b-7), “…Do not be afraid… I myself will go with you to Egypt…then Jacob set out from Beersheba…” (3,4,5)

Turn to Jesus and the assurance only he can provide. - Assurance for the Confused (v. 1-7) - We know the end of the story, and it is with Jesus.- Assurance for the Doubting (v. 8-11) - Jesus is God, and the evidence is certain.- Assurance for the Weary (v. 12-14) - Jesus is working, and we will see his power.

Turn to Jesus and the assurance only he can provide. - Assurance for the Confused (v. 1-7) - We know the end of the story, and it is with Jesus.- Assurance for the Doubting (v. 8-11) - Jesus is God, and the evidence is certain.- Assurance for the Weary (v. 12-14) - Jesus is working, and we will see his power.

How will “they” know we are Christians? They will see…A New Renown (31-33), “…now is the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him…” (31) - They should see “trust” in suffering…A New Resolve (34-35), “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples…” (34,35) - They should see ‘'love” in conflict…A New Reality (36-38), “…Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” (36) - They should see “dependence” in pressure…

How will “they” know we are Christians? They will see…A New Renown (31-33), “…now is the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him…” (31) - They should see “trust” in suffering…A New Resolve (34-35), “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples…” (34,35) - They should see ‘'love” in conflict…A New Reality (36-38), “…Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” (36) - They should see “dependence” in pressure…

How do we respond when we encounter Jesus?- The Blessing of Following a Servant Hearted Master (v. 16-17)- The Trust Gained from Following a Sovereign Lord (v. 18-19)- The Unity Formed from Receiving Christ (v. 20)Main Point: Encountering the Great I Am causes us to live like Jesus lived. 

How do we respond when we encounter Jesus?- The Blessing of Following a Servant Hearted Master (v. 16-17)- The Trust Gained from Following a Sovereign Lord (v. 18-19)- The Unity Formed from Receiving Christ (v. 20)Main Point: Encountering the Great I Am causes us to live like Jesus lived. 

In the “Upper Room”, we see:- Social Posturing (13:1-5), “…Jesus knew that His hour had come…having loved His own…” (1)- Sinful Ego (13:6-11), “Lord, do you wash my feet?” (6)- Servant Leadership (13:12-17), “Do you understand what I have done for you?...you also ought to wash one another's feet…” (12,14)

In the “Upper Room”, we see:- Social Posturing (13:1-5), “…Jesus knew that His hour had come…having loved His own…” (1)- Sinful Ego (13:6-11), “Lord, do you wash my feet?” (6)- Servant Leadership (13:12-17), “Do you understand what I have done for you?...you also ought to wash one another's feet…” (12,14)

What does it mean to be a “new creation”?- The Basis of the New Creation, “…For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation…” (15)- The Behavior of the New Creation (14,15), “…As for all who walk by this rule…peace and mercy be upon them…” (16)- The Breadth of the New Creation (16), “…and upon the Israel of God…” (16)