CCF Weekly Services Podcast

Paul the Apostle experiences and endures persecution both inside and outside of the church. The God who saw him through those times of difficulty is the same that will see us through ours regardless of the direction it's coming from.1. God didn't promise us freedom from trouble, but His strength to endure times of trouble.2. God can defend you, or you can defend yourself. Not both.

Paul continues his journey to Jerusalem with multiple warnings along the way that he is going to be imprisoned there. Paul examines these words of prophecy with what God has also told him, and rightly concludes he would be given the strength to endure what he now knew to expect.1. God gave us brains and expects us to use them.2. If it's true, it ain't new. If it's new, it ain't tru

Solomon and the Shulamite's dating life continues with an exchange of compliments to things they enjoy. The more these realities of their love for each other are proactively expressed, the more their insecurities and anxieties are put in their proper place as well.1. Jesus knew what He was getting into when He saved us.2. Attraction should be towards someone's character as much as

Solomon's song begins with the woman expressing a physical attraction and desire for Solomon. She has issues and history, but seeks Godly counsel and pursues Solomon in such a way where both are able to experience and acknowledge the emotions that will naturally accompany attraction to each other. God isn't against these things. The challenge is balancing a desire to be with someon

Paul's last words to the elders of Ephesus are ones that summarize his ministry well. It is the same kind of ministry any Christian would want to rightly describe their lives.1. Humility isn't thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.2. Jesus is a wonderful boss to work for.3. Any hope less than Jesus' approval of our lives is not worth having.

Song of Solomon isn't the only song Solomon wrote, but it was by far the best. Though the content of it is extremely graphic, sexuality isn't evil or worldly by definition. God created sex. And when enjoyed His way, it can be a foreshadowing of Heaven itself.1. God is just as involved with our sex lives as any other part of our lives.2. Solomon's perspective on relationships came f

It is amazing how religion, or simply a moral life, does not help us get into heaven or combat our narcissisms. In the encounter of the wealthy, young, moral and Jesus, we see our own failures in what we think about Jesus. Is he just a good teacher? Is He really someone to listen to? Would I listen to him? Not only that, but we tend to think we are good people through and through,

The Conclusion of Esther reminds us of how to properly handle the blessings of God. If we take the time to remember the ways God has been good to us, the joy and thankfulness that follows will as much be a blessing to us as it will the lives of those around us.1. Take the time to remember how good God's been to you.2. Thankfulness happens when we recognize how good God's been to us

The Church of Troas was a model of an ideal gathering of believers in Jesus. The reasons they gathered and when had Jesus as the focus. The motivation to gather was to hear God’s Word. And the result was seeing God do incredible things.1. Jesus should be the reason we gather in His name.2. God’s Word should be the focus in any meaningful discussion of God.3. A desire to receive