Christ Community Church Podcast

To understand the deeper meaning behind Jesus’ feeding 5,000, as recounted by John in chapter 6, verses 1-15, we need to also read verses 25-40. The people come to him seeking more “signs,” but Jesus beckons them to look beyond the signs to the One behind them.

Pastor Derrick Shields teaches from John 5:16-47, with a look at four witnesses that testify to Jesus’ authenticity and authority.

Dr. John M. Perkins’ book “Let Justice Roll Down” planted the seed for what would become one of CCC’s core values, Unity in Diversity. Dr. Perkins himself spoke at CCC’s May 6-7 Converge 2:14 conference and returned the next day for this Sunday conversation with Pastors Keith Cowart and Derrick Shields.

Today we look at two healings. John is intentional in putting these two stories together – their contrasts reveal important truth and also, in each encounter, Jesus speaks something surprising, almost troubling – until we look more closely.

Continuing on last week’s teaching from John 4, Pastor Keith presents an in-depth look at verses 21-24, Jesus’ explanation of worship as something done both “in spirit and in truth.”

This week’s teaching is from John 4:3-42, the story of “the woman at the well,” to whom Jesus revealed Himself, the living water of heaven that quenches the longing thirst of the human soul.

In Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, the curious Pharisee who came to visit Him by night, we find the familiar words of John 3:16 and a challenge to each of us to know Him - some for the first time, others in a deeper way than ever before.

The resurrection story of Lazarus highlights the cosmic resurrection story of Jesus. In the Lazarus story, Jesus declares that He is the resurrection and the life (and his raising of Lazarus validates this claim); in the Easter resurrection story, He achieves and fulfills this eternal identity.

As we continue in The Gospel of John, today we examine Jesus’ first recorded miracle, at a wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11).

We continue our study of the Gospel of John with a look at John 1:35-51 and Jesus’ call of his first disciples, which affords us a great model for discipleship.

Continuing our study of the Gospel of John, we examine John “the Baptist.” While this John got his nickname because he baptized people, his true role was to “prepare the way of the Lord,” to bear witness to Jesus the Messiah. More accurately he could be known as John the Witness.

Of the four gospels, John’s is the most unique – he goes beyond what happened to delve more into the meaning of things Jesus said and did. Here Pastor Keith introduces a new series on John with a look at the first 14 verses, which serve as a prologue for the whole book.

Pastor Keith wraps up our “River of Life” review with this look at the fifth point LIVE. As “empowered witnesses in our world,” we are called to live out Jesus’ Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Pastor Derrick Shields teaches on Ezekiel 47:1-12, which includes our “River of Life” theme verse, “Where the river flows, everything will live” (v. 9).

The greatest pull on us toward institutionalization is that we would become passive consumers of spiritual provisions, coming to simply be fed and nurtured personally. Instead, God calls us to be actively engaged in the life and mission of His kingdom through joyful service and generous stewardship.

This week’s message focuses on the third point in our “River of Life,” Connect, with a look at the community of faith portrayed in Acts 2:42-47.

This week we look at the second point in our "River of Life" strategy, Grow. Here Pastor Keith calls us to a renewed commitment to discipleship.

We are beginning this new year by renewing our vision for the basics of who God has called us to be as a church. Today we focus on the first point in our “River of Life” strategy, worship.

As we begin a new year, the tendency is to think forward, but effective change begins with looking backward. This is the posture we want to begin with as a church – examining our past to see if we have shifted off course in any unhealthy ways.

In his last act as CCC's Administrative Pastor, Brad Wilcox shares his journey through full-time ministry and challenges us to be like the believer described in Jeremiah 17:7-8 - "the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him ... [who will] be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream."

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them ..." Pastor Keith discusses what it means to speak of God's glory.

This week Pastor of Leadership Development Kelli Wommack teaches from Luke 1:26-49. Here Mary is called "highly favored," and today, we who follow Christ likewise are favored. In light of that truth, what is God calling each of us to do?

Jesus came to show us what God the Father is like and how we are meant to live. In this abbreviated message (which followed a presentation of CCC’s 2016 budget), Pastor Keith speaks on the central truth, practice, mission and motive of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.

As we begin the Advent season, Pastor Derrick offers an insightful look into the story of Elizabeth, Zechariah and the birth of a son - a story that only God could have written.

The pastor concludes his inspiring sermon to his small, remote congregation by elaborating on his declaration at the end of chapter 12, “ … and so worship God with reverence and awe.” How do we practically do this? It goes well beyond Sunday services and much deeper than songs of praise.