Evangelical Community Church (ecc)

The context and continued relevance of Paul's words on homosexuality are a topic of much debate. This subject is not all that Paul is talking about here, however. In this message, Pastor Bob addresses homosexuality and helps us look at Paul's broader message.

We seem to be born with it--the notion of God’s existence. Perhaps this is why the Bible assumes or declares the existence of God rather than spilling ink to prove it, then continues to teach us how to respond to that reality. Certainly we could all use more knowledge of God but as for knowledge essential for accountability, we have enough. The challenge is love and obedience.

Josiah Leuenberger kicks off the new school year with a sermon entitled "Your Ultimate Goal".

Paul is in prison and the end of his life is near. In the midst of these circumstances he writes some powerful words: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” That is a remarkable perspective on life but not an easy one to embrace. Let’s consider together what it means to adopt that point of view and how it might transform our lives.

Paul's arrest in Jerusalem began a period of imprisonment that lasted about 5 years. What can we take from Paul's view of God in this situation to help us the next time we find our life in pieces?

This message explores several things that accompany the gospel when it comes to town (or into a person's life).

In Acts 18:1-17, a lot of people feel God's "frowning providence." They face suffering, sometimes for Christ's sake; other times they're just caught up in evil that is being perpetrated in general. But, in this chapter we see God's purposes ripening as he sovereignly works through their distress to build his kingdom.

"Strange Ideas," by Pastor John from Acts 17:22-32. Join us as we take a look at how Paul sought to communicate the gospel to a well-educated, biblically illiterate audience.

John Mangrum preaches from Acts 16:16-34. A continuation of the message series Follow Jesus into the World.

Theology is a quest for knowledge about God and a parallel inquiry concerning how to follow God. Theology is not boring ideas; it is life in action. Theology is developed in a community with real-life situations full of human conflict, passion, and conviction. This passage is an example of theology which is shaped in conflict, guided by the Spirit, and crafted in community. This is a story that continues to happen today.

Paul's story comes at us fast in the book of Acts--he’s miraculously converted on the road to Damascus in Chapter 9; two pages later he’s being sent by the Antioch church on his first missionary journey to take the gospel to the Gentiles. In this message, we'll reflect on God's work in forming Paul for his missionary calling and consider together how we might trust God in faith as we seek to serve His mission in our own lives.

The believers in the early church had seen numerous miracles performed following Jesus’ death. It seems that they shouldn’t have been surprised by another, but they were. Some suggest that this indicates a lack of faith, but is that the best interpretation of the story? Maybe they were surprised by the grace of God because they did not possess a sense of entitlement. Maybe to them, God’s grace was new every morning.

The church at Antioch was a sending church, sending Barnabas and Saul off to missionary work. After all, the church is not for itself; it's for the world. God uses this human, and also eternal, institution to accomplish his eternal purposes.

When we look back in hindsight at the promises of God in the Old Testament, we identify the mission of God in Jesus Christ. God’s mission of redemption was always for the whole world, but that wasn’t always obvious to everyone. This week we'll look at another development in the creative mission of God, which is frequently and dramatically played out in the Book of Acts.

We long to find meaning and significance in being part of something greater than ourselves. What if participating in the ordinary is something extraordinary?

The church of Jesus Christ cannot be stopped or destroyed; the more it is suppressed, the more it grows. This phenomenon has always baffled its enemies. Jesus put it this way, “The gates of hell will not prevail against it.” The apostle Paul said, “If God is for us who can be against us?” What an honor to be associated with the only human institution that is also eternal.

In the Book of Acts, the community of Jesus Christ started from nearly nothing and grew so fast that it seems the Apostles were always scrambling to keep up. Signs and wonders, organizational challenges and martyrdom – that’s a lot to handle. Whenever the Spirit of God is at work there is always action. The Apostles certainly could not have predicted these dramatic developments but with God’s help they were up to the task.

When the early followers of Jesus shared their faith it often produced persecution, but in spite of the circumstances their attitude was remarkable: "No matter what happens, we will trust you." This Sunday we look at Acts 4:23-31 to consider how their remarkable faith might be implemented in our lives.

ECC's founding pastor returned today to give the message on our 40th anniversary! He encouraged us to remember God’s faithfulness in the past and to embrace those memories that will enrich our future.

They were the same characters--the ones who didn’t understand, who deserted Jesus at the cross...but now things had changed. Though the disciples possessed the same faults and failures from the past, God decided to use them in a mighty way. Is it still true today that God can use us to accomplish his purposes, not because of us but in spite of us? I hope so, don’t you?