Christ Community Church (Johnson City, TN)

Fear Identified. Fear of Man.

Fear Redirected. Fear of the Lord.

Fear as in fear. (28b)

Fear as in “fear not.” (29-31)

Fear’s Results.

We finish up 2 Samuel today as we look at the Lord's anger, enticement, and plague, as well as David's sin, repentance, and offerings.

Pastor Jim Powell.

What? Suffering.

How? Sincerely.

Why? Sovereignty.

v 1-4 Authority

v 5-10 Commissioning

v 11-15 A Hard Reality

The intinerary of Jesus. 35

The compassion of Jesus. 36

The expectation of Jesus. 37-38

Our itinerary.

Our compassion.

Our expectation.

David's last words start this chapter out, followed by descriptions of his valiant men.

Two blind men. (27-31)

Faith declared (Son of David)

Silence demanded.

Celebration undeterred.

One mute man. (32-33)

Faith undeclared.

Silence delivered.

Celebration Undeterred.

One irrational, absurd denial. (34)

David's song of deliverance which echoes Hannah's prayer at the opening of 1 Samuel.

Desperation exposed....struggle and faith.

Jesus exposed...Savior and Resurrector.

Christ Community Church....exposed?

Exposures of raw desperation.

Exposure to Jesus the resurrection and the life.

The difference. 14

The dilemma. 14

The days. 15

The distinction. 16-17

The Person. (A testimonial. A man called Matthew.)

The Party. (An unlikely gathering of people.)

The Problem. (An expected question & critique.)

The Physician. (A necessary image of Jesus & his kingdom.)

The Point. (Go & learn what this means.)

A real need, a realer need.

A great authority, a greater authority.

An evil thought, an eviler heart.

A glorious raising, the GLORY-est raising.

A valid fear, a verified faith.

The Lord brings relief to the land through David regarding Saul and the Gibeonites (Joshua 9). Then we look at the bookends of David's fighting life: the Philistines and victory over their giants.

The disciples.

The two men.

The demons.

The city.

The herdsmen.

The Son of God.

The comparison.

The DESIRE to follow...

18-20 “I will follow.” But will you?

21-22 “I want to follow. But wait a sec.”

The DISCIPLES who follow…

23-25 What it means.

26-27 Who is this?

David's kingship is restored after another threat of division is headed off with the help of a wise woman.

Pastor - Jim Powell.

The outsider. A seismic faith. (8.5-13)

An insider. A small fever. (8.14-15)

The unknown. A sober fulfillment. (8.16-17)

Pastor - Jim Powell

"The Many, the One, the ONLY."

The MANY.  7.28-8.1

The ONE.  8.2

The ONLY.  8.3-4

Joab confronts David and David returns to the land.

Intern Pastor-Troy Cash

Foundational Instructions

Two "Followers" (V. 21-23)

Pastor Jim Powell.  

7.12 - So about the Law and the Prophets…

Then consider…

7.13-14 - The narrow hard way.

(or the wide-open easy road to destruction).

7.15-20 - The notable warning.

A quelled rebellion, and a weeping king.

Pastor Jim Powell.

The Repetitive Point. (7-8) 

The Repetitive Point. (7-8)

The Ridiculous Comparison. (9-11)

The Required Gospel.

The Residual Challenge.

The Lord's hand is present in both Absalom's and David's camps - to begin to bring about harm and destruction for Absalom and to provide protection and nourishment for David.

Pastor Jim Powell.

The Hypocritical Judgment of Condemnation. 1-5

The Holy Judgment of Discernment. 6

Pastor Jim Powell.

The command.

The reasons (for the command). 25b-29

The cause (for those in Jesus’ Kingdom). 30-32

O you of little faith... [as the Gentiles]

The antidote. 33

In part 1 of this 2-week course, we cover some necessary and biblical foundations: Anthropology, Justice.

Pastor Jim Powell.

We must treasure in our hearts only the eternal things of the kingdom of heaven, being devoted to only one King and Master (whom we serve/worship).

So... we must be wise about what we look at with our eyes, the window to our soul.

AJ Babel

Prayer

Not: For others
Not: To manipulate God 

Like this:

Fasting

Whose reward are you seeking? 

Whose eyes do you care about?

3 scenes here as David flees and as Absalom usurps the throne in Jerusalem. What do these highlight about our trust of God, our view of sin, and longing for Christ's rescue?

Pastor Jim Powell.

The warning. NO reward. (6.1)

The praise of others. (6.2) The praise of self. (6.3-4)

The promise. Reward. (6.4)

Pastor Jim Powell.

You have heard...

Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 

Leviticus 19.18

But I say...

Love your enemies.
Pray for those who persecute you.

Be totally dumfounded.
Be truly obedient.
Be theologically discerning.

Absalom's return and eventual reconciliation with David in the last chapter takes a different turn here as his conspiracy and desire for the throne come to the fore.

Pastor Jim Powell.

You have heard...

But I say....

1 Peter 2.19-24
1 Corinthians 6.1-11

Pastor Jim Powell.

The kingdom of heaven has come down to earth in Jesus... fulfilling ALL that the Prophets saw.

The ask.

Look down. 63.15-19

Come down. 64.1-7

Please look. 64.8-12

The answer.

Because YOU didn’t look. 65.1-16

Wait and see.  65.17-29

What I am looking for.  66.1-2

The kingdom of heaven has come down to earth in Jesus ... fulfilling ALL that you want to see.

The narrative focuses on David and Absalom's relationship during his 3 year banishment and 2 year "return."

Pastor Jim Powell.

Prophecy fulfilled:
What was the immediate fulfillment/point?

What was the ULTIMATE fulfillment/point? 

What is the present fulfillment/reality for us?

Pastor Jim Powell.

The wise, out of the world...

The wiser, back to the world...

Pastor Bill Leuzinger.

1. The Story of Jesus' birth

2. The Significance of Jesus' birth

3. The Sacredness of Jesus' birth

A dark and tragic chapter as sin, pain, and misery stand at the forefront in David's family.

Pastor Jim Powell.

The GENEOLOGY of Jesus, the Messiah

The GENESIS of the Kingdom.

The GLORY of his Arrival (Advent)

God sends Nathan to confront David about his sin, and David responds.

Pastor Jim Powell.

What you have heard: Swear truthfully.

What I say: Stop swearing.

Wait, what? Woah.

Pastor Jim Powell.

His Word on divorce, specifically.

The Word on divorce, wholistically.

The Word on marriage, redemptively.

The Word on marriage and divorce, personally.

Pastor Jim Powell.

YOU HAVE HEARD.

BUT I SAY.

IF... THEN... BECAUSE...

David sins greatly - Bathsheba, Uriah.

Pastor Jim Powell.

The reality of sinful anger in YOUR and MY heart must be addressed with repentant urgency with the Gospel of Christ that we might live in the Kingdom of Christ. Period.

You have heard...

But I say...

So do something... Passionately. Quickly.

In 2 Samuel 2 today, where a neighboring king unwisely provokes David as he shames some of his men. This chapter helpfully pictures our Savior & King's care, protection, and honor of us amidst our enemies and threats, which ought to lead us to comfort and courage.

Pastor Jim Powell.

What was/is the grid of AUTHORITY and STORY?

For our world, TODAY.

For them, THEN. 5.17

For JESUS. 5.18

For disciples of Jesus, NOW. 5.19-20

David shows kindness to Mephibosheth, a beautiful story picturing God's kindness and adoption of us in Christ!

AJ Babel

AJ Babel

Pastor Jim Powell.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Blessed NOW because of who has come and what is to come.

Pastor Jim and AJ here. In 2 Samuel 8, God gives David victory over multiple enemies, granting Israel peace & prosperity outside as well as justice internally. How does this point us toward Christ, the greater David?

Pastor Jim Powell.

We start with a theological tidbit on "systematic theology" before jumping into 2 Samuel 7. Special Guest today: Troy Cash, our other pastoral intern joins me (AJ).

Pastor Jim Powell.

What this means.

Why this matters.

What actually happened.

We start out with a tidbit on Biblical Theology before jumping into chapter 6 where David and Israel bring the ark of God into Jerusalem.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Surprising.

Simple.

Complicated.

Clear.

We start out talking about Exegetical Theology -- studying a particular text of Scripture, asking "What does this text teach?"

Then we jump to 2 Samuel 5 -- David is publicly anointed king over Israel.

Pastor Jim Powell.

3.1-3  The message.

3.4  The messenger.

3.5-6  The response.

3.7-12  The rest of the message.

Hear the melody… heed the message.

We started an intro bit on theology today that we'll carry through the next several weeks. Then we jumped into 2 Samuel 4.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Know the threat.

Know the Son.

K(now) worship.

Abner joins David's side and all seems to be moving toward a unified kingdom under David in fulfillment of God's promises. But then Joab steps on the scene.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Preservation. 13 [forever.]

Prayer. 14-15 [for anything.]

Protection. 16-17 [of one another]

Jim & AJ here again as we talk through 2 Samuel 2. David is anointed as king in Judah, but Ish-Bosheth (Saul's son) is king nearby. How does this passage point us to Christ? Listen in as we discuss.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

1-3. Sure knowledge.

4-5. Sure victory

6-13 Sure testimony.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Thomas Brooks. Precious Remedies against Satan’s Devices. 1652.

One of Satan’s devices to bring down the great and honourable “is to make it their business to seek themselves, to seek how to greaten themselves, to enrich themselves, to secure themselves... The second remedy against this device of Satan is to seriously consider that self-seeking doth exceedingly abase a man. It strips him of all his glory. Of a lord it makes a man become a servant of creatures. Self-seekers bow down to other creatures... Self-seeking will make a man say anything, do anything, and be anything, just to please the lusts of others, to get advantages upon others. [Which means...]Self-seekers are the basest of all persons. There is no service so base, so poor, so low, but they will bow to it.

Love Perfected. (4.7-16)

Self Redacted. (4.17-21)

AJ & Jim are back as we kick off our time in 2 Samuel.

AJ Babel

1, You Must Test

2-3, This is How

4, You: Overcomers from God

5, Them: From the World for the World

6, Us: God’s People Listen

Pastor Jim Powell.

The message we should know. 3.11

The commandment restated. 3.23-24

Jim and I chat with our new Pastoral Intern today. It's a great chance for you to get to know Troy Cash.

Pastor Jim Powell.

THE POINT. (2.28-29; 3.9-10)

THE PICTURE. (3.1-3)

THE PROBLEM. (3.4-8)

BACK TO THE POINT. (3.9-10)

Pastor Jim Powell.

About your CONTEXT – critical.

About THEM.

About YOU.

Jim and AJ here as we reflect on and give updates about some of the more critical and impactful items from General Assembly.

Pastor Jim Powell.

If anyone loves the world, the love of Father is not in him.

DO NOT love the world.

DO the will of God.

Pastor Jim Powell.

What is new? 2.7-8

What does it look like? 2.9-10

What is true (in you). 2.11-14

Pastor Bill Leuzinger.

1. What do you think/say/do about God? (1:5)

2. What do you think/say/do about sin? (1:5-7)

3. What do you think/say/do about yourself? (1:7-2:1)

4. What do you think/say/do about Jesus? (2:1-2)

5. What do you think/say/do about God's commands? (2:3-6)

AJ Babel

We Saw Him.

We Proclaim it to You.

For You. For Us. 

Pastor Jim Powell.

Contrast.

Cost.

Caveat.

Communion.

Before we jump into 2 Samuel in a month, we wanted to openly chat about the preaching series in 1 Samuel. And the Charles Simeon Trust workshop Jim was an instructor at last week in Rhode Island.

Pastor Jim Powell.

A Deep Low. REJECTION.

A Divine Height. REVERSAL.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Captivity.

Mutiny.

Victory.

Disunity.

Saved by the Lord of HOSTS.

Pastor Jim Powell.

The Dilemma of Hiding.

The Grace of Exposure.

What if God had not...

We finish out our 2 Corinthians series today.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Silent situation. No Samuel (Word).

Serious problem. No Safety.

Seismic warning. No Salvation.

2 Corinthians 2:15: "I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls."

In this EQUIP seminar, two of our elders teach about addiction, especially seeking to bring Scripture's teaching to bear on this topic, in the format of a moderated panel. We also have a few testimonies given from our church members. Our evening closes with a time for Q&A.

In this seminar, we cover 3 areas:
1) What is addiction, biblically?

2) What does addiction do?

3) What are we to do about addiction?

Pastor Bill Leuzinger.

Weariness and Failure 27:1

"Successful" Deception 27:2-12

An Impossible Decision 28:1-2

A Hope That Will Hold Us

Pastor Jim Powell.

It is finished. For now.

It is finished. Forever.

26.20- “Let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord.”

26.23-24- “The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness... May my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.”

Pastor Jim Powell.

Life with (as) the fool.

Life that is (to the) FULL.

Peace (Shalom. Serving).

What is this boasting that Paul engages in? And how does boasting & weakness fit into the Christian life?

Pastor Jim Powell.

The reality of the wilderness... 

WANTING REAL _________________.

The randomness of disbelief... 

REACTIONARY to ________________.

The release of belief...

REFRESHING ___________________.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Leadership via intercession.

Preservation via communion.

Deliverance via “coincidential” providence.

Therefore...

Our church has recently taken some steps forward in evangelism - hear about at the beginning today. Then we jump into 2 Corinthians 11, where Paul expresses concern about the Corinthians being deceived by false apostles who are preaching another Jesus, another gospel.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Who Saul is. (An antichrist of wickedness.)

What David provides. (A ‘Type’ of protection.)

What the Lord does. (Accomplishes his merciful will.)

Pastor Jim Powell.

Perception. (Reflecting.)

5 Those who look to him are radiant... their faces never ashamed.

Protection. (Seeing.)

7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him.

Provision. (Seeking.)

10 The Young lions suffer want and hunger,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Perfection. (Trusting.)

17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears...
22 None of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

2 Corinthians 10

AJ Babel.

1-9, Empty Handed

10-15, Enemy Territory

22:1-5, Shelter & A Directive

Pastor Jim Powell.

Risk-awareness.   20.1-23

Righteous-anger.   20.24-34

Reality-activated.   20.35-42

        You have chosen the anointed to your own shame (for now, in this world).

        You have chosen the steadfast love of the Anointed (forever covering all shame).

Paul continues his words about the Corinthians giving - calling them to cheeful, willing giving. How does this challenge our hearts & practices? And how does this relate to God's graciousness toward us?

Pastor Jim Powell.

The Lord laughs.

Let us learn [to laugh].

Pastor Bill joins me today and discusses Biblical Counseling. Then we look at 2 Corinthians 8 and Paul's words about generosity, giving, and Christ's work.

Pastor Jim Powell.

1. The Anointed of God is NOT defined by his success or our response to Him.

2. We ARE defined by our response to the Lord’s Anointed.

No neutrality. Either love/loyalty or fear/anger.

3. The offense of the Gospel.

Paul returns to much of what he talked about in chapter 1 - God's comfort amidst affliction. And we also discuss godly grief as opposed to worldly grief.

Pastor Jim Powell.

The OLD/IMPOTENT story.

God helps ME fight MY battles.
Sin causes me to shrink my world down to the size of my world. – Paul Tripp

Either Christianity is a fraud, or I got a hold of the wrong end of the stick. - Oswald Chambers.

The NEW/ALTERNATIVE story.

We are not fighting an enemy we hope to defeat.
We are plundering an enemy that God has already defeated.

Pastor Bill Leuzinger.

Pastor Jim Powell.

STOP. You have an identity and a purpose.

- As a descent/digression.
- As reversable/repentable. - As necessitating BETTER.

Pastor Jim teaches with exhortation through his sermon notes from this past Sunday.

Pastor Jim Powell.

The GLORY of the forgetLESSness of God.

The GLORY of the faithFULLness of God.

Pastor Jim Powell.

The Consequential Promise of an Unstable king.

The Continuing Promise of a Secure King.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Observe the story.

Observe the People.

Observe the Soldier.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Treacherous Circumstances.

Anxious Waiting.

“Justifiable” Disobedience.

Swift Condemnation.

Necessary Replacement.

What does it mean to "not be unequally yoked"? How are we to think about our partnership with others? And why?

We are pleased to be able to share this audio recording of our Christmas Concert with you!

Brevis Festum Navitatis Christi (a brief celebration of Christmas)

Arranged for an unexpectedly small ensemble

Christ Community Church thanks our talented musicians Hannah Campbell, Todd Markwalter, special guest Nate Morrow, Jeanette Ransom, Clinton Ross, and Tyler Shaw.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Pleading.

Prophesying.

Promising x2

Parting.

Pastor Jim Powell.

The Prophet/Priest’s pattern.

The Lord’s pattern.

The People’s pattern.

PAUSE the Pattern.

What a bold statement Paul starts with that we are "working together with Christ"? And how are we to endure as we face the many difficulties ministry and life bring?

Be strengthened in the Lord.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Mixed Review.

Miserable Reality.

Momentary Rescue.

A King whose kingdom of rescue remains FOREVER.

Chris Talley, Pastor of Lakeway Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Live in the kingdom of God in such a way that it provokes questions for which the gospel is the answer.
— Leslie Newbigin

Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.
― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

AJ Babel.

17-19, Trading in the God who saves...

20-24, ...for a king who hides.

25-27, But... The LORD is still in charge.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Saul, the Anointed one.

Jesus, the Anointed One.

Pastor Jim Powell

CONFLICT. Anticipating the COLLISION. (1-14)

CLIMAX. Understanding Saul’s CALLING. (15-17)

RESOLUTION. Observing the CONFUSION. (18-27)

GOSPEL. Appealing to/for the KING.

How do we rightly go about applying Scripture to our lives?

And as we jump into 2 Corinthians 5, Paul speaks of our bodies - earthly & heavenly - and calls us to be of good courage.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Wayward want: an earthly king

Warning words: an extracting king

What we want: an emptying King

Pastor Jim Powell.

Pastor Jim Powell.

A spiritual world and its handling of God.

A set-apart people and their handling of God.

A sensitive people in handling the living God.

We look at chapter 4 today as Paul talks about "not losing heart" as an apostle.

Pastor Jim Powell.

The heavy hand of the Lord is against the powerless gods of this world and their

people.

Humiliation. (1-5)

Helpless hysteria (6-12)

The heavy hand of the Lord... [that] mercifully holds his world and his people.

Are ministers of the gospel sufficient for the work of ministry & gospel proclamation? How are we to think about sufficiency in ministry?

And how does the idea and reality of glory help us to think about the Spirit's work within us?

Pastor Jim Powell.

A Serious Problem. 1-4

A Simple Solution. 5-9

A Seismic Backfire. 10-18

A Sober Application. 19-22

Pastor Jim Powell.

Rare Word (3.1-3)

Unrecognized Word (3.4-9)

Revealing Word (3.10-18)

Pervading Word (3.19-3.21)

Incarnate Word (4.1)

Pastor Bill joins Pastor Jim today as they discuss 2 Corinthians 2.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Glaring CONTRAST (2.11-26)

Identity CONFLICT (2.25, 27-29)

Divine CONSEQUENCE (2.30-34)

Glorious COMMITMENT (2.35-36)

Pastor Jim Powell.

PERSONAL EXALTATION- rejoicing (2.1)

PUBLIC DECLARATION – recognizing/taunting (2.2-3)

PROPHETIC UNDERSTANDING – reversing of EVERYTHING (2.4-8)

PANORAMIC CONFIDENCE- kingship (2.9-10)

We continue on in 2 Corinthians as Paul assures the church in Corinth that he is true to his word regarding his travel plans. How do Paul's words that so easily go back and forth from the practical to the deeply theological help us as we navigate the mundane and day-to-day? And what do we learn about Paul's heart and posture toward these believers?

Pastor Jim Powell.

The personal. The global.

Personal/family devotion and distress.

Cultural/global delusion and disaster.

Hints of hope/good news/gospel.

Paul identifies God as the "God of all comfort" at the outset of this letter to the Corinthians. What does it mean that God comforts us? How does this idea drive us to hope in God alone rather than in the many lesser avenues we tend to seek comfort?

AJ Babel.

Vindication & Restoration (7-9)

Blessing & Prosperity (10-17) 

James 5:7-11
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

AJ Babel.

Understanding God’s Response

40:6-9, What is at stake?--> Power & justice in the face of evil.

40:10-14, God’s Challenge--> Are you God?

40:15-41:34, Show & Tell--> Exhibits A & B

Accepting God’s Response

42:1-2, God’s Sovereign Power & Justice--> Trust.

42:3, God’s Sovereign Knowledge--> Humility.

42:4-6, I now see you.--> And repent.

We're back after 2 months of a break from con[TEXT]ualize! Jim and AJ share where we're going next. First, in our sermon series which starts 9/5, we will be preaching through 1 Samuel - invite a friend! Then we share about this podcast; we'll be talking through Paul's 2nd letter to Corinth as a sort of follow-up from our 1 Corinthians preaching series that wrapped up earlier this year.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Creational DISPLAY. (38.4-35)

Creational DESIGN.  (38.36-39.30)

Creator’s DEMAND.  (40.1-2)

Job is DONE.  (40.3-5)

Jesus is DESCRIBED.

Pastor Bill Leuzinger.

Pastor Bill Leuzinger.

Introducing a new character: Elihu

This is the final of our 3 podcasts where Pastor Jim and AJ will talk through some key things about Christ Community Church. These episodes will be especially beneficial for anyone who is new, visiting, and/or considering membership with us. But it will also be beneficial to those who have been members with us for a short or long time!

In this 3nd episode, we cover Church Membership:

Why 'membership'? What vows do members take? And what does it look like at CCC to live out our membership vows through involvement, worship, relationship, service, and mission?

Pastor Jim Powell.

Covenant made (1-3) Challenge given (4-6)

Catalogue of life. (7-34) Challenge repeated (35-37)

Covenant attested (38-40) 

_______

The covenant.
“If you agree, sign here.”

5-12 The flesh.

13-15 Justice.

16-23 Mercy.

24-28 Pride/Possessions.

29-34 Anger/Fear of Man.

The indictment. “Write it down.”

Pastor Jim Powell.

1-11
Man: his life of Searching.

12-22
Job: his search for Wisdom.

23-28
God: his knowledge [and being] of Wisdom.

Pastor Jim Powell.

The simplistic beliefs of secular man.

The paradoxical faith of a suffering man.

The powerful gospel of a righteous man.

This is the 2nd of the 3 podcasts where Pastor Jim and AJ will talk through some key things about Christ Community Church. This will be especially beneficial for anyone who is new, visiting, and/or considering membership with us. But it will also be beneficial to those who have been members with us for a short or long time!

In this 2nd episode, we cover:

Key doctrines that we hold to and that hold us (about God, Scripture, Man, Salvation, the Church, and Covenant Theology) & Church Government (Presbyterianism, Elders & Deacons).

In the final episode we will cover: our pathway to membership and what membership looks like as it is lived out.

Pastor Jim & Pastor Bill join AJ as they share about last week's 2021 PCA General Assembly. 

Pastor Bill Leuzinger

1) A longing for justice

2) The sweet affirmation of a specific hope

3) A warning of judgement

Pastor Bill Leuzinger

1) Hope does not rest on the wisdom of man.

2) Hope longs to talk with God.

3) Hope longs for reconciliation with God.

This is the 1st of the 3 podcasts where Pastor Jim and AJ will talk through some key things about Christ Community Church. This will be especially beneficial for anyone who is new, visiting, and/or considering membership with us. But it will also be beneficial to those who have been members with us for a short or long time!

In this 1st episode, we cover:

In the upcoming episodes we will cover: doctrine & beliefs, polity & leadership, our pathway to membership, and what membership looks like as it is lived out.

Pastor Jim Powell.

CULL the Fear. 3.25-26

CURSE the Day. 3.1-10

QUESTION the Design. 3.11-24

I've got 2 special guests with me today, Meggie & Mitchell, who are 2 of the youth in our congregation. This week, the youth are leading VBS with 30 young kids at our church. Big thanks to the youth & volunteers for their service & teaching this week! And big thanks to Meggie & Mitchell for joining us today!

As we get into Acts 27... why does Luke give so much ink to a shipwreck? How does this passage display God's providence? His faithfulness to his promises? How does God use even this event in Paul's life as a testimony to Jesus before others?

Pastor Jim Powell

CYCLE 1

Satan invited and allowed to take from Job. 1.7-19 Satan takes. 1.13-19
Job worships God. 1.20-22

CYCLE 2

Satan invited and allowed to inflict Job. 2.1-6 Satan inflicts. 2.7-8
Job honors God. 2.9-10

4 phrases/realities for meditation:
1.7, 2.2 “From where have you come?” “From going to and fro on the earth”

1.8, 2.3 “Have you considered my servant, for there is none like him, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil?”

1.9, 24 “Does Job fear God for no reason?” (“Have you not put a hedge around him... blessing, possessions? ... All that a man has he will give for his life.”)

1.21, 2.10 “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” (“Shall we not receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”)

Paul is still arrested, still on trial, waiting, persevering, still preaching Christ!

How does Paul continue to respond to difficulty, accusations, and trials? What does he see? What is God up to?

AJ Babel

His Righteousness (1)

His Greatness (2-3)

His Sacrificial Concern (4-5)

Pastor Bill Leuzinger.

Shorter Catechism
Q. 98. What is Prayer? A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies.
Q. 99. What rule hath God given for our direction in Prayer? A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord’s Prayer.

Give us this day our daily bread

The Kingdom Priority of Contented Dependence

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors

The Kingdom Priority of Reconciliation with God and Each Other

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil 

The Kingdom Priority of Spiritual Growth

Pastor Jim Powell.

What is prayer?

What is God’s role?

How do we pray?

The Audience of God. The Omniscience of God.

Our Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your Name,

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...

Pastor Jim is back on here today as we look at Acts 24. Before discussing the text, we think about the "melodic line" of a book of Scripture - what is that? Why is it important? And how can I find the melodic line?

As we get into Acts 24, why is Paul accused of being a plague and the cause of all that is wrong in the world? And what does it look like for us to boldly hold to the resurrection of Christ while calmly engaging those God has placed in our lives?

Pastor Jim Powell.

The melody of the song: maturity in Jesus.

Maturing (for others). 1-12

Maturing (into Jesus). 13-14

Maturing (with others). 15-20

The last word. 21-24

One of our elders, Paul Gorman, joins AJ this week as we chat through Acts 23.

What does "calm boldness" & "bold calmness" look like as Paul is on trial and seeking to be murdered by others? How can we be "calmly bold" as well? What gives us this sense of "bold calmness"?

Pastor Jim Powell.

We have a special guest today - Elaine Devusser, a member at CCC who serves on our Covenant Children team, joins AJ today as we talk through Acts 22 and Paul's gospel proclamation to the Jews who just tried to kill him.

Is the gospel offensive? What does it mean for us to be offensive in proclaiming the gospel? And what enables us to the kind of calm & passionate & bold proclamation of Jesus like we see here from Paul?

Pastor Jim Powell.

In fact, Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. (20)

What does that even mean? First fruits. (20-28)

Suffering. (29-32)

Sin. (32b-34)

The Body. (35-39)

Pastor Jim Powell.

Central. (1-2)

Absolute. (3-11)

Implicational. (12-19)

Listen in with Pastor Jim & Pastor Bill as we discuss Acts 21 - Paul returns to Jerusalem, willingly takes a vow, and then is arrested.

Jim Powell.

Let all things be done decently and in order, for the building up of the church and for peace.

When you come together...

• WITHOUT confusing self-expression. (26-33)

• WITH awareness of the Source/authority of the Word. (36-40)

• WITH clear expectation. (39-40)

Ken Farmer, one of our ruling elders, joins AJ today as we dive into Acts 20.

What does a life of service & ministry look like? Why do we preach expositionally here? And why has God appointed elders in his Church?

Jim Powell.

Command. (1)
Pursue love and earnestly desire spiritual maturity for the building up of the church.

Context. (2-5)
What does it mean to prophesy?

What is speaking in tongues? Then/there. Here/now.

Appeal. (6-25)
Communicating intelligibly. (6-11, 16-17, 23)

Maturing wholly. (13-17, 19-20) Impacting outsiders. (16-17, 21-25)

Questions.
1. Do I pursue love and spiritual maturity for the building up of the church – by presence, word and deed?
2. Am I an infant in evil but maturing in my thinking and my desires? [Or, am I the opposite?]
3. Am I convicted about the telling AND hearing of God’s Word?

What happens when a group of Jewish exorcists seek to co-opt the name of Jesus? What does this reveal about Jesus? About us, who belong to Him?

And how does God use even the words of a demon-possessed man to bring about massive communal repentance in his Body?

Let us pray that the Lord would continue what we see here - that the "Word of the Lord would continue to increase and prevail mightily as God adds daily to our church, and the Church, those who are being saved and sanctified!"

Jim Powell.

Love. The ONLY thing. (1-3)

Love is... (4-7) 

Love NEVER ends. (8-13)

What do we do when we encounter a passage of Scripture that is difficult to understand? What kind of contexts do we pay attention to?

And how are we to understand the baptism of John in these passages?

Pastor Jim Powell.

Illustrated. (15-26)

We are different from one another and designed for one another.

We must care for one another.

Applied.  (27-31)

Now YOU are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.

God is absolutely sovereign in calling and designing us as his church, individually and collectively.

We have been saved TO something, not just from something.

Hal Bohlman, one of our Ruling Elders, joins me (AJ) today as we look at Acts 18 - Paul in Corinth.

How does a right realization of God's sovereignty help us when people we care about reject the gospel of Jesus? And how does this same realization help us see God mercifully, powerfully, providentially at work around us - even through nonbelievers?

Pastor Jim Powell.

The Reality. 4-7
God, who has perfect unity and diversity in himself,

has given a variety of gifts
and
the same power
to every one of his redeemed people

for the showing out of the same Spirit,
for the common good of his creation, and
for the unity and functioning of the body of Christ.

For whom? 1-3

Like what? 8-11

By what? 12-13

What does persuasion & reason have to do with preaching & evangelism?

How does Paul's provoking & preaching in Athens help us think about our call to daily proclaim Christ in the places God has us?

Pastor Bill Leuzinger

Summary: Sinful pride is so pervasive and wicked that it has infiltrated and contaminated even the celebration of Jesus' sacrifice for sin.

Rebuke: v 17-22

Correction: v 23-30

Instruction in righteousness: v 31-34

Dustin Clark, one of our Elders, joins me (AJ) today as we talk through Acts 16 - the launch of the church in Philippi!

How are we to understand God's sovereignty in missions, evangelism, and salvation? What means does God use in bringing his people to himself?

Pastor Jim Powell.

Principle: God the Creator has eternal glory and order in his being, that must be reflected in image bearers redeemed for his glory.

IN WORSHIP: Prioritized. 4-6

IN CREATION: Revealed. 7-12

IN CULTURE: Exposed. 13-15

IN TOTO: Confirmed. 2, 16

IN REDEMPTION: Pursued.

We're back at it after a little break there.

What's the issue in Acts 15? How does God's Spirit guide the Church to handle this issue? Is structure & authority good or bad? Do you have to become "Jewish" in order to become a Christ-follower?

AJ Babel

                     Applied: What's the Issue? (25-30)

Pastor Jim Powell & Mark Hecht teach and discuss Jesus' millennial reign (Revelation 20:1-10), his kingdom, and our eschatology - and how these affect our lives today. The first portion is teaching from Pastor Jim as he gives the "lay of the land," followed by a dialogue where Mark and Jim discuss the practical import of these theological truths. Finally, we open it up to Q&A from folks in attendance.

Pastor Jim Powell.

“Yes, there is a LINE.”
(we cannot cross in our freedom in Jesus)

Run from pervasive idolatry.

Run to participatory worship.

Recognize: true warfare. 

Request: timely wisdom.

Jim Powell.

Let’s talk history.

Let history talk. 

Take heed, lest you fall. 

Take heart, God is faithful.

Pastor Jim Powell.

THE PRINCIPLE. 19-22

THE PURPOSE. 23

THE PERSUASION. 24-25

THE PERSONALIZATION. 26-27

How do we read and understand a particular narrative in Scripture? How does reading a story as a story help us understand what God is saying in the text?

Pastor Bill Leuzinger

Special episode today as we take a pause from our time in Acts. One of our 3 Pathways of Maturity is "Worldview Equipping". We chiefly focus on that at our monthly Friday night EQUIP seminars. Today, Jim and AJ share about the Spring 2020 slate that runs from February to May.

Consider these upcoming opportunities to be equipped in your faith & pick 1 or 2 to join in on!

Pastor Jim Powell

How critical is mission to the Church?

Why do people respond to God's Word in vastly different ways? And how are we to think about or care about people's reactions?

Pastor Jim Powell.

Impending Times.

Undivided Devotion.

Unbelievable Gospel.

Pastor Bill joins me (AJ) today as we talk through Acts 12.

How ought we, the Church, to react when circumstances look bleak? What does it look like to pray earnestly?

Pastor Jim Powell.

The Rule. (Yea, but...)

Condition-al CALLING.

UNCONDITIONAL calling.

The Challenge.

We're back at it after taking the last month off.

How does the vision of chapters 10-11 get applied in the nuts and bolts of life and ministry? What does "the grace of God" look like - in Antioch... in your life... in our church?

Pastor Jim Powell.

How does this concern YOU?

7.1-7
It is good to ABSTAIN.

7.8-16
It is good to REMAIN.

Pastor Jim Powell.

Christmas in Corinth: individual, communal story 

Culture Shock: Strong faith is for weak people.

Pastor Jim Powell.

What is faith?

“Faith consists simply in taking God at his Word and directing our lives accordingly.” (F.F. Bruce)

Explained.

Illustrated.

Waiting [with faith] on what?

Pastor Jim Powell.

What is JESUS waiting for?
What were THEY [before Christ] waiting for?

What are we NOT waiting for?

The Lord takes the gospel to Cornelius and the Gentiles through Peter. What is unclean? Who is common?

Pastor Jim Powell.

Imperative Expectation... (4.14-16)

Important Explanation... (5.1-10)

Pastor Jim Powell

Jesus has [already] arrived. (12.2-3)

Witnesses have [already] arrived. (12.1)

Your arrival with Him will come. Wait for it... (12.7-13)

The kingdom of God HAS [already] arrived...

AJ Babel

A Higher View

What does Saul's conversion have to do with being deceived?

How does understanding Saul's conversion help us better understand our own conversion, ministry to others, calling, and suffering?

Pastor Jim Powell.

9 Or do you not know
that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived
[at the unrighteous who will not] inherit the kingdom of God.

neither the sexually immoral,
nor idolaters,
nor adulterers,
nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves,

nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers.

11 And such were some of you.

But
you were washed,

you were sanctified, you were justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit

of our God. ESV

The gospel goes to Samaria.

What's up with the Samaritans receiving the Spirit after their belief & baptism here?

Pastor Steve Perkins

I. Why were children being brought to Jesus?

II. Why was Jesus Indignant?

III. What does it mean to receive the Kingdom like a child?

IV.  What does "he blessed them" mean?

How does Stephen's sermon help us understand God's presence, the temple, and Jesus? And how does that intersect believers today?

How does the story of Scripture - the story of Jesus - give us confidence?

Pastor Jim Powell

The [surface] problem.

The reason?!?

The [deeper] problem.

The gospel.

Pastor Jim Powell

A sad report.

A serious reality.

A swift response.

The grace of discipline and the salvation of the sinner.

The grace of discipline and the salvation of the church.

The grace of discipline and the salvation of the world.

The grace of discipline and the center of the gospel.

Special guest Pastor Bill Leuzinger joins Pastor Jim Powell today to discuss Acts 6.

Pastor Bill Leuzinger

1. The Problem is Pride

2. How Pride Grows

3. How Pride Dies

AJ Babel

God's Preparation (26-28)

God's Means (29-34)

What a Response! (36-40)

Special guest Michael Reneau, one of our Deacons, joins Pastor Jim Powell today to look at Acts 6:1-7.

What is the role of deacon all about? What does that look like at Christ Community Church? And how does that complement the office of elder in the work of the gospel?

AJ Babel

Why the fuss? (54-57)

What a way to die! (58-60)

What happens next (8:1-4)

What's the big deal about Ananias & Sapphira?

What does it mean - to you, personally & to us, corporately - that the Holy Spirit is a person?

Pastor Jim Powell

I don’t care what you think.

The gospel and fear of man.

I don’t care what I think.

The gospel and self-justification.

I care what the Lord thinks.

It is the Lord who judges me…

[from “uh oh” to “SURPRISE”]

Special guest Clinton Ross joins me (AJ) today as we talk about Acts 4.

Do you sense a need for persistence & boldness in speaking the message of Christ to others? What if we prayed for God to grant this?

Pastor Jim Powell

We finish up Acts 2 & get into Acts 3 today. How is repentance related to the work of God's Spirit & to blessing/refreshing/joy?

Pastor Jim Powell

What is the Wisdom of God?

1. The wisdom of God is not a wisdom of this age (or that age)? (v6,8)

2. The wisdom of God was decreed from God’s eternal glory, for our eternal glorification. (v7)

3. The wisdom of God has been revealed (v9-13)
in Christ, to those who love him, by his Spirit, with words.

What is the result? (v14-16) To the natural person...

To the spiritual (maturing) person... How do we respond?

Pastor Jim & AJ here.

We continue with Pentecost in Acts 2 today. What's up with preaching? What is preaching, and how vital is it in God's redemptive work? And what does the Holy Spirit have to do with all of this?

Pastor Jim Powell

The point.

The process.

Pastor Jim & AJ here.

We get into Acts 2 today. What does Pentecost have to do with 1 Corinthians 1 and divisions/unity in the Church?

Pastor Jim Powell

My appeal – your unity. 1.10

My report – your division. 1.11-16

My preaching – your salvation and power. 1.17-18

Ruling Elder Dustin Clark summarizes We Are All Philosophers, a book by John Frame that gives a Christian perspective on 7 key philosophical questions. Q&A/audience interaction is scattered throughout, some of which may be difficult to hear on the audio.

Pastor Jim & AJ here.

Acts 1 starts by speaking of this as Jesus' continued work through the Apostles and by His Spirit. Jesus is at work, His Spirit is present and at work in all those who look in hope to Jesus.

Pastor Jim Powell

The familiarity of the culture of Corinth.

The immaturity of the church at Corinth.

The reality of the church [in every place/age].

AJ Babel

Pity Party 1: Silent Stewing

Pity Party 2: Angry Screaming

The Wrong Pity Party

Jonah and You:

Can God be in charge?

Can God show mercy?

Why are you complaining? Why are you angry?

Have you forgotten?

What is God after?

Pastor Jim Powell

Jonah’s anger and the pattern of it.

Jonah’s anger and the God of the gospel.

Pastor Jim Powell

A Preacher Re-Commissioned

A People Reached

The God who Relents?

Clinton Ross compares the teaching of Islam with Christianity along the lines of 'the big 3 questions' as he spurs us on to love and minister to our Muslim neighbors.

*The audio feed cut out around the 12-minute mark. We have deleted that silent section.

July 26, 2020

Pastor Jim Powell

Jonah 3:1-4

July 19, 2020

Pastor Jim Powell

Jonah 1:17-2:10

July 12, 2020

Pastor Jim Powell

Jonah 1:7-16

AJ Babel begins our series in Jonah

June 28, 2020

Pastor Jim Powell

Galatians 2:11-14

June 21, 2020

Pastor Bill Leuzinger

Matthew 18:21-35

June 14, 2020

Pastor Jim Powell

Psalm 143

June 7, 2020

Pastor Jim Powell

Psalm 77

Pastor Jim Powell finishes our series in 1 Peter

May 24, 2020

AJ Babel

1 Peter 5:6-11

May 17, 2020

Pastor Jim Powell

1 Peter 5:1-5

May 10, 2020

Pastor Jim Powell

1 Peter 4:12-19

May 3, 2020

Pastor Jim Powell

1 Peter 4:7-11

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Pastor Bill Leuzinger

Pastor Jim Powell

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AJ Babel gives a historical and theological overview of the Old Testament.

Pastor Jim Powell opens our 1 Peter series by looking at the start of Peter's 2nd letter