Christ Community Church (formerly ECC)

We encounter thousands of random facts every day - things pop up on our phones, we read them in newspapers, we hear talking heads report them on TV. Most of these facts have little relevancy to our daily life. "The Lord is near" is not one of those irrelevant facts. It's a truth that sends ripples through our being and behaving - it inspires us to rejoice, calls for prayer, and so much more.

It is so easy to stay focused on things in this world--after all, we live here. But we are challenged by the Apostle Paul to keep our hearts and minds on things above. Let's try to understand how to apply this advice.

Sin is the ultimate slavery. We were made for freedom, not for slavery. In Jesus Christ we have been set free to live the life God designed for us.

It would be nice if our salvation/redemption made us perfect, but it is not that simple. However, even though we are not perfect we are also not condemned because Christ is perfect on our behalf.

Early in the Book of Acts the mission of the church became evident to all the apostles. It was a simple and profound mission. The church was and still is sent into the whole world. Let's think about how we at ECC embrace this sending mission.

A position of power and influence is not usually associated with humility. However, in the kingdom of God we are called to emulate Jesus' attitude of humility - that is living right-side up.

Warning: The love of money is dangerous to your health.

Not only is forgiveness difficult, it is complicated. Does forgiveness make us a victim? Is forgiveness incompatible with justice?

Forgiveness is not easy, especially when the offense is large. However, the alternative is worse - holding a grudge. When we make a deliberate and sometimes painful choice to forgive, there is a weight that is lifted from our hearts. Let's think about the nature of forgiveness.

Bottom line: we serve someone or something. So who is your master? And, what are the results of serving who you serve? Paul invites us to consider the options and to offer ourselves as slaves to God. We'll consider what this means and what the consequences of serving God or choosing to serve another truly are.

The Gospel is true - truth is a constant. However, your view of the truth might be different from someone else's. The way you view reality is a matter of perspective. The cross is foolishness if you do not believe, but it is wisdom if you do believe.

The search for meaning has always been part of the human condition. In our contemporary American culture we have more than ever before. Still, the longing for a deeply meaningful existence produces a quest that is perhaps more intense than ever. The ancient wisdom of Solomon might be able to help us.

The most meaningful kind of life begins NOT when we focus on "our story" but when we enter into a bigger story that begins with creation and continues today. Our story takes on deep meaning when we enter into God's story.

As Christians we are instructed by the Bible to be "in the world but not of the world." Let's be honest, living that way is not an easy balancing act. Sometimes it seems like up is down and down is up. So how do we live right side up?

Last Sunday we wrapped up our summer series, "Who Are You?" As newcomers flocked into town for the start of IU classes this week, Pastor Bob turned to the question, "Who are WE as the church at ECC?"

This week we bring our "Who are You?" series to a close, considering the truth that we've all been called into the "foreign service corps" and serve as ambassadors of the kingdom.

“Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.” This famous quote from Augustine is often used to remind us that all human beings are created for relationship with God. That is certainly true. However, a relationship with God on this earth is only the beginning. We were actually made for an eternal relationship. As Christians we believe that the journey to eternity is our ultimate de...

What if gratitude for God's grace reframed our view of the people and situations we encounter from day to day?

God is a relational, and he views us as his children. What does this mean for how we relate to him?

What images stir in your mind when you hear the word "saints"? A football team? Religious iconography? A jazz band playing, "Oh When the Saints"? This week we continue our month-long series, "Who Are You?" contemplating what it means to say that we are saints. It's both a key statement of who we are and lofty vision for who we're supposed to be.

As we continue to explore core aspects of our identity, two aspects readily emerge: we are sinners, and we are forgiven. That incredible forgiveness of sin comes from one source, as we see in Matthew 9:1-8. Let us, too, praise the one to whom such authority to forgive was given.

This message begins a new series, "Who Are You?" It's easy to forget who we are, so each week we will remind ourselves of a core aspect of our true identity. In this message, we'll contemplate what it means to be "Image Bearers," reading from Genesis 1:1-2:3. So much in our world is dehumanizing and attempts to strip us of our unique dignity and worth. We need to understand and affirm that all men...

Pastor Bob wraps up our message series with the image of the church as the Bride of Christ. We are really loved like that? What a thought! Let’s reflect on the meaning of that image and give thanks.

When the Apostle Peter was describing the church, he used the following images: living stones, a spiritual house, a chosen people, a royal priesthood. Today we consider this description and focus primarily on what it means for the church to be a royal priesthood.

Brandon York with Cru shares how the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:16-20 are motivating the work of God through campus ministry at IU.