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Job 31-33

July 24, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden

"In Conclusion..." - Job 31-33 Chapter 31 is the conclusion of the lengthy discussion in an attempt to make sense out Job's suffering. Like a ping pong match they have exchanged shots with the three friends accusing Job of a variety of offenses that have brought God's harsh judgement. And then Job would defend his innocence and blame God for treating him unjustly. Where is this all going? Hang in there....we are coming to the conclusion. In fact, Ch 31 ends Job's closing statement in which he pronounces curses on himself....IF....he has done the things that were deserving of those curses. Ch 32 introduces Elihu. Eli Who? No, Elihu....a young and somewhat wordy man who has sat silently waiting for his shot at Job. The others have failed to answer the issues but Elihu -- whose wordy speech takes us six chapters to read -- thinks he can provide the wisdom that Job and the friends have been lacking. Can he? Regardless, we will hear from God in Ch 38. ..View and See.... Steve

Guests: Jim and Janice Larson of Intensive Care Ministries - Africa

July 21, 2024 • Jim and Janice Larson

Jim and Janice Larson of Intensive Care Ministries - Africa The main focus of our ministry is to equip local churches by teaching the pastors, elders, leaders and believers how to read and interpret the Bible properly. In addition, we teach pastors how to develop their own sermons and preach expositionally (verse by verse). We are working with Intensive Care Ministries (ICM) which pioneered the Inductive Bible Study (IBS) program that is being used here now. We focus on training the pastors so they can train their own people. We've raised up a staff of Tanzanians who teach the 4-day IBS seminars to the local people, wherever they may be (in cities, churches, bible schools, villages, and remote areas). In addition, we also have a Bible college with multiple campus locations across the country, and almost 30 Tanzanians who serve as instructors. There is a 2.5-year Bible diploma program with an emphasis on biblical preaching, and a 10-month Bible program to train church planters/evangelists in basic Bible knowledge as well as preaching skills. We also have a separate women's program that takes them through the entire Bible and provides them a certificate in Bible teaching. After spending many years training pastors and bishops from a variety of denominations in Tanzania, we were getting requests from Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia to bring training to these countries. Thankfully, the trained pastors from Tanzania want to be missionaries, so we are sending them across the borders to begin programs there and instruct their African brothers. We have active campuses in Liberia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Malawi now. The goal is to raise up leaders in each of these countries to reach their own people.

Job 27-30

July 17, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 27—30

"Where is Wisdom?" - Job 27-30 Wisdom. Winston Churchill said "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad." We have a lengthy section to tackle tonight. In the silence of Zophar, Job continues his speech [Ch 27]. And it seems that Ch 28 is an odd little chapter which many identify as more of an interlude. It serves to conclude the previous arguments and sets the stage for what is on the horizon. In a world full of technology, data, and entertainment, many suggest that there has been a real loss of wisdom! Would you agree? Wisdom is different than intelligence. Wisdom is more than what we know, it involves knowing what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. But where does wisdom come from? We know where to get gold and water and petroleum. But where do we get wisdom? This is what Job deal with in Ch 28. Even though you can probably guess the answer, you might want to see the wisdom behind it! If so.... ....View and See. Steve

Hebrews 10:26-39

July 14, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Hebrews 10:26–39

"What You Need Is...." - Heb 10:26-39 I am sure there are many words you could use to fill in that blank! I need.....a vacation, better living situation, my kids to just listen to me, better cashflow, more rain, etc. But as we study the next section in Hebrews 10, you will see what our author knows you need. This next section includes a passage that many would contend is among the most difficult and challenging in the NT. Not only that, this next section contains some pretty tough language. I am sure that it was not easy to hear for the people reading this letter. Have you ever had someone say hard things to you? How did you receive them? The passage starts with a tough warning, but ends on a note of encouragement. The author has confidence in his audience, that they will stick with Jesus and finish well. This section really sets the stage for chapters 11 and 12. And, if you want to know what our author thinks you need, then...... ....VIEW and SEE!!! Steve

Hebrews 10:19-25

July 7, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Hebrews 10:19–25

"What We Can Do" - Hebrews 10:19-25 With Hebrews 10:19 we turn an important corner in this letter. Your patience with the somewhat heavy theology will now pay off. The foundation has been laid in the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done. Now we build. If what our author has said is true [and it is], then there should be a response, right? Truth is not just for the sake of entertainment. And our author knows that when truth is believed, things change. People change. Relationships change. These verses are the "lettuce" verses. Huh? "Let us"....do three things. There are three practical applications of what we have been learning, and they are fabulous. With so many people angry, discouraged, and frustrated by what they can't do, we will discover three things we CAN do. I know these verse will make an impact in your life if you will let them. If you want to know the three things, then "lettuce"...... ....VIEW and SEE!!! Steve

Job 23-26

July 3, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 23—26

"A Helpful Perspective on Suffering" - Job 23-26 No one likes to suffer, but if we can see meaning and purpose in it, then it is a little easier to endure. You are well aware that we invite suffering and pain into our lives if and when we believe it is ultimately useful or even helpful. We also know that talk is cheap. It is easier to say something than to do something. It is easy to talk about what "we would do", but how do you know? Would you really respond better than that person if you were in the same situation? The only way to know is to actually be in that situation. It's called a test. Have you mastered the material? You say you have, but let's give you a test. Are you as strong as you say? Let's add some weight. Maybe, just maybe, you are actually stronger than you thought you were. And if not, then at least you know what you can be working on. The weight of Job's suffering is heavy, and he has figured out how to endure. It's a mental thing. Your mind will give out and give up long before your body does. In yet another high-water moment for Job, he reveals a very useful understanding of his situation. He has figured out a way to look at his life that is both useful and helpful when suffering doesn't make sense. If you want to know more, then... ....VIEW.....AND......SEE! Steve

Hebrews 10:1-18

June 30, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Hebrews 10:1–18

"Saying Goodbye to Religious Guilt" - Hebrews 10:1-18 We have spent weeks hammering away at some challenging topics - the priesthood, sacrifices, and the mysterious biblical figure, Melchizadek. This last section puts the final proverbial "nail" in the coffin of the former way of relating to God. If you have been going to church for any length of time, I imagine you have experienced the use of guilt to motivate you to change or to action. People's sinfulness is hung overhead with threats of broken fellowship with God. Well, the author of Hebrews makes some pretty radical claims that, if understood, would change the experience and expectation of church life. Could it be that we spend too much time focused on sin? If so, then what should we be focused on instead? And if we don't remind people of their sin and guilt, then how can they be motivated to live, and give, and serve? Oh, there is a better way. These spiritually powerful truths could change your whole perspective, and your worship, if you..... ....VIEW and SEE!!! Steve

"Come and Worship" Music Event

June 26, 2024 • CCF Choir

Wednesday June 26th, the CCF choir is going to be leading in a night of worship in lieu of our Wednesday night service. It will consist of music, prayer, and a time of sharing. This is not a concert but a time for you to come and worship! We hope you can make it!

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

June 19, 2024 • Pastor Dave Blaha • 2 Corinthians 6:14–18

"Have you ever been chafed?" - 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Have you ever been chafed? I'm not talking about someone chafing you by something they said or did, or didn't say or do. I'm referring to physically chafed! Yikes! Let it go very long and a person or animal can even bleed and infection can set in. In this teaching we will look at a well-known set of verses in 2 Corinthians chapter 6, and also delve in to see how they might relate to the theme of persecution that God has been leading us through over the past week. Want to see how?... Then View and See Pastor Dave

Guest Speaker: Phillip Zhodiates

June 16, 2024 • Philip Zodhiates

Guest Spearker: Author, Philip Zodhiates Title: "Innocent: The Price One Man Paid for Doing What Is Right" On December 5th, 2018, an innocent man, who broke no laws, was incarcerated into a U.S. federal prison to begin a three-year prison sentence. His crime? As an act of compassion, he drove a distraught mother from Virginia to New York as she sought refuge for her young daughter whom she had learned was being sexually abused, and the courts refused to protect her daughter in the matter. After the drive, the mother and daughter disappeared, having left the country. Because the former partner was a lesbian and the mother was a former lesbian (now a converted Christian believer), the story received attention from the LGBTQ movement and was soon being portrayed as a hate crime against a homosexual. The FBI became involved and eventually tracked down Philip Zodhiates and a Mennonite pastor, both who were brought to trial and convicted of aiding and abetting an “international parental kidnapping” even though the mother and daughter had every right to leave the country according to the statute under which the men were convicted. During Philip’s 30-month incarceration, he wrote daily in a journal about life in prison. What began as a terrifying experience for this Christian husband, father, philanthropist, and businessman (the son of the well-known Hebrew/Greek Bible scholar, Spiros Zodhiates) became a journey of faith—not just for Philip but also for many of the inmates who met Philip and whose lives were changed forever. What could have been a collapse of faith for an innocent man—falsely accused of a crime he never committed and thrown into prison—turned into just the opposite for Philip. He had always cherished God’s Holy Word, but now it became his life line and the Holy Spirit his comfort and peace in a deeper way than ever before. Innocent not only tells the story of the injustice that took place in a country that has lost its moral foundation but is also a wake-up call that persecution may be right around the corner for those who are trying to do the right thing.

Hating your Family

June 12, 2024 • Pastor Dave Blaha • Luke 14:25–35, Matthew 10:34–39

Just over 80 years ago, men volunteered to embark on what General Eisenhower called the "Great Crusade." There is a famous photograph, taken on the evening of June 5 1944, of the general speaking with platoon leader Wallace Strobel, age 22, and platoon leader in the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. He was one of many thousands who would jump that night into occupied France ahead of the Normandy beach landings to take place the next morning. General Eisenhower finished his official order with the following: "Let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." What does this have to do with Matthew 10:34-39? The only way to know is to view this evening and find out! Dave

Hebrews 9:15-28

June 9, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Hebrews 9:15–28

"The Currency of Heaven" - Hebrews 9:15-28 If you have done any traveling overseas, you have had to ask the questions, "What currency is used there? and "Do I need to exchange any money?" If you want to do business in a foreign country, then you need the right currency. In Italy, the currency is the Euro dollar. Before we go, we have to exchange dollars for Euros. Why? Because I could not buy a cup of coffee with $100 US dollars because that is the wrong currency. Our US Dollars are absolutely useless - or valueless - in Europe. What is the currency of Heaven? What if someone wants to buy something from God? Does He do business in Euros or Yuan? Maybe He is into Bitcoin? I know....surely it's gold, right? If someone wanted to pay a debt to God, could I work off my debt? Could I exchange good deeds for freedom? Many people operate with this unfortunate expectation. But God is clear as to the currency of Heaven and what He is willing to accept for repayment of debt. It's not gold, or silver, or anything else we might see as precious or valuable. I guess the real question is, "What does God value? What does He accept as payment?" The Hebrews 9:15-28 text will give us the answer's to these questions....and more. If you want to know the exchange rate in Heaven, then you will need to..... ....VIEW and SEE Steve

The Prodigal Son

June 5, 2024 • Pastor Dave Blaha • Luke 15:11–32

Hebrews 9:1-14

June 2, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Hebrews 9:1–14

"Deep Cleaning" - Heb. 9:1-14 In our last message we talked about hoarding -- saving things that are outdated, broken, or useless. This week we will discuss deep cleaning. Fact. Things get dirty. Our houses, cars, clothes, teeth, bodies, streets, and dishes, and neighborhoods! So we buy products and roll up our sleeves and get to work. It feels good to get something clean, but how long does it stay clean? That is the frustrating thing about it all. Despite our effort, the things we clean just get dirty again. Cleanliness is a never ending battle. Hebrews 9 addresses the human need for cleanliness. In fact, I will argue that the greatest human need is not better schools or more technology or greener energy or better healthcare. It is deep cleaning. If you are scratching your head and wondering how Heb. 9 can help address cleanliness, and how in the world cleanliness can be the greatest human need, then my plan is working! I hope you are curious enough to come out or tune in to see how this all works together. In fact, tomorrow could be the most important sermon I will ever preach, so please pray for me. And then, call or text a friend, co worker, neighbor, or relative and invite them with you to...... ....VIEW and SEE Steve