Cefc

Christmas celebrations don’t always live up to our expectations and the season seems to come and go so quickly. But here’s the good news, if we look behind all our yearly festivities to the reason we celebrate Christmas we find a message that never disappoints and a person that always exceeds the expectations of those who believe in him. John tells us why in the prologue to his Gospel about Jesus - John 1:1-18. Let’s explore it together.

Christmas may be that time of year when peace is the hardest gift to find. And yet, peace is the gift each of us want and need. Why is peace so elusive? Where can we find peace? Jesus is the Prince of Peace (as foretold in Isaiah 9:6) who offers us the gift of peace in himself. This Christmas we are finding peace in Jesus. Join us at cefc.church.#Christmas #Peace #FindingPeace #Jesus #GiftofPeace3 #PrinceofPeace #sermon

When the storms of life come blowing in to our lives, we may feel that God has either abandoned us or is torturing us. But what if God is using the storm to bring us to a place of where we willing choose to throw out of our lives those things that have been weighing us down spiritually? What if the storm is God’s prompting to cast out of our lives the loves and anxieties that have been keeping us from following Christ? Acts 27 gives us a great metaphor for understanding the storms of life and teaches us to respond to storms in a way that leads to abundant life.

Have you counted the cost of following Jesus? Is Jesus worth it? In Acts 26, Paul shares his testimony with King Herod Agrippa and challenges him to believe in the risen Christ. Agrippa listen’s to Paul’s testimony and calculates the cost of following Jesus and chooses. Two questions that we will encounter in this sermon are (1) What is the cost of following Jesus? (2) Do we gain more than we lose? Join us at cefc.church. #CountingTheCost #Change #LifeChange #ApostlePaul #SpiritualGrowth #Hope

What do I do when I don’t know what to do? In Acts 25, the Apostle Paul endures over two years in prison, facing uncertainty about his future. What should he do? This sermon explores two critical questions every Christian should ask when navigating life’s difficult and imprisoning moments:1. What do you want me to know?2. What do you want me to do?Scripture: Acts 25Find more at https://www.cefc.church/#FindingGodsWill #Guidance #ApostlePaul #SpiritualGrowth #HopeInChrist #PrayerfulLiving

Thanking God is more than just a good thing to do, it’s also good for us. It helps us grow a healthy faith relationship with God that enables us to overcome struggles in all areas of life: anxiety, idolatry, depression, suffering, and lethargy, to name just a few. Thankfulness is like a vitamin to the Christian life. God uses it to support the development of a faith and character that overcomes the challenges we face in a broken world. Little wonder Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. Let’s explore why and how we can do that in “all circumstances”. Join us at cefc.church.#Christianlife #Thankfulness #Gratitude #Faith #Overcomer

Felix was a clever man who moved up the social ladder from slave to freeman to governor of Judea. When the apostle Paul was brought before him, Felix’s mind and heart was engaged by Paul’s message of faith in Jesus, righteousness, self-control, and judgment. But Felix delayed any decision on Christ and faith until he ran out of time to make a decision. Have you been putting off making a decision that you know in your heart needs to be made? Don’t delay! If you wait too long, you may find that you lose the opportunity to make the most important decisions in your life.  For more information visit cefc.church. #church #sermon #cefc #delay #procrastination #Jesus #decision #apostlepaul #bookofacts

The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity, provoking responses that range from worship to anger. If the resurrection is true then the person and claims of Christ are true, while rejecting the resurrection means denying Christ’s divinity entirely. More than just a point of division, the resurrection empowers believers, offering profound courage and hope. The importance of the resurrection extends beyond theological debate—it impacts our daily lives. In moments when doubt creeps in, when loneliness overwhelms, or when shadow of self-doubt shakes your confidence, the resurrection assures you that Jesus stands by you and gives you strength. #ResurrectionMatters #HopeInChrist #FacingDiscouragement #sermon #StandByMe #Courage

When was the last time you shared your story of meeting Jesus? If you were to tell your story now, who would you tell—friend, family, or even an enemy? And what would you say? In this message, "Paul’s Powerful Testimony", we’ll walk through Acts 22 and see how Paul courageously shared his conversion story before a hostile audience. How did Paul tell his story? 1. He built a bridge. 2. He described his life before Christ. 3. He explained how he met Jesus. 4. He showed how the love of Jesus changed his life. Learn more at cefc.church#PaulConversion #FaithJourney #TransformedByChrist #BuildingBridges #Evangelism #BiblicalPreaching #ActsSermon #Testimony #SaulToPaul #SharingYourStory

When You Are Treated UnfairlyActs 21:17-40 Ever been falsely accused or misunderstood? The Apostle Paul faced exactly that in Jerusalem. Despite his good intentions and careful planning, he encountered intense opposition and unfair treatment. This powerful study of Acts 21:17-40 reveals timeless wisdom for responding to injustice with both grace and wisdom.Learn how to:Navigate unfair situations with Christ-like characterBalance being "gentle as doves" while "wise as serpents"Turn moments of opposition into opportunities for witnessFind peace when facing unfair treatmentPerfect for anyone struggling with:Workplace discriminationFalse accusationsFamily conflictsSocial rejectionReligious persecution Learn more at cefc.church#BibleStudy #Christianity #Faith #Persecution #BiblicalWisdom #ActsOfTheApostles#application #sermon #church #cefc

When is it right to ignore a warning? If you saw a sign that warned of shark-infested waters, would you dive in anyway? People who loved God and loved Paul warned him not to go to Jerusalem. In fact, they warned Paul that if he went to Jerusalem he would be bound and imprisoned. Paul went anyway. How did Paul know to go even though good people warned him not to go? Do you know how to hear from God? When you know God’s will, are you determined to do God’s will? In this passage we will be inspired to discover God’s will and do it, even when everyone warns against it. We will find power in Christ to do the will of God — for our good and His glory! Join us at cefc.church.#Jesus #FindingGodsWill #Discernment #Spirit #Bible #Sermon #Jesus #FindingGodsWill #Discernment #Spirit #Bible #Sermon

Saying farewell is never easy, but Paul masterfully says goodbye to his friends, the Ephesian elders after 3 years of faithful ministry among them. Paul reminds the elders how he lived and led beside them for three years, and as he departs for Jerusalem, he calls them to lead as he did. The charge that Paul leaves them with is to serve the Lord, share the gospel of grace, pay attention to their lives, and the lives of those in the church, and lastly, he calls them to give more than they receive. Leadership is self-sacrifice, but it is nothing more than what we have first received from Jesus Christ. Join us at cefc.church.

Imagine a church service in a home late on a Sunday night. People have shared a good meal together, the room is warm and stuffy, and the apostle Paul is preaching late into the night. As Paul speaks on and on, a young man named Eutychus falls asleep in a window and plummets three stories to his death. But Paul went down and took the man in his arms and his life came back to him. This extraordinary miracle sets the stage for us to explore 1. Passion, 2. Love, and 3. Power. Discover what gave Paul the passion to speak about Christ through the night. Encounter the love that led Paul to embrace the dead. Finally, experience the power of Christ that raises the dead! Join us cefc.church

In this sermon titled "Battle of the Gods," we dive into the chaos that erupted in Acts 19:23-20:6 and examine it from two distinct angles: Why did the people riot, and why did God allow it? As the silversmiths of Ephesus felt their wealth and identity slipping away, their gods were threatened and they began to riot. What gods/idols do people fear losing today? On the flip side, why would God allow Christians to be put into the deadly danger of a riot? What can we learn about relying on Christ in the face of danger and chaos? Join us to discover how we should respond when the gods of this world are shaken, and how prayer is our best response for blessing. cefc.church

Where do you turn for power? Some people turn to books and podcasts that teach some helpful practices to improve life. But when those helpful tips and practices encounter the power of evil spirits, the results are disastrous. Thankfully, Christ is the person and the power that overcomes all other powers. But, as Acts 19:8-22 reveals, Christ cannot be picked up and put down like a self-help book. Christ requires full surrender and bold obedience. When we clearly understand the power of Christ, we abandon old practices for a new life. Join us at cefc.church.

The apostle Paul asked a question that immediately diagnosed the spiritual condition of 12 men. This question is of vital importance to each of us today. The question is this: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Paul assumed that his listeners could answer that question accurately and confidently. Can you answer that question confidently? Do you know if you have received the Holy Spirit? How could you be sure one way or the other? This passage and this message will help us understand baptism, salvation, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Join us at cefc.church.

Are you gifted and growing? If you want a compelling picture of what it looks like to be gifted and growing spiritually, look at the life of Apollos in Acts 18:24-28. From Apollos we learn that you don’t need to know everything to do something. Instead, we can grow as we go! God will send people to instruct us and encourage us along the way. We must simply be ready to use the gifts God has given us and be open to the instruction God sends along the way. If you are gifted and growing, then God is likely to use you greatly. God used Apollos to greatly help others. God can do the same with you. Join us at cefc.church.

The apostle Paul gives us an inspiring picture of what it looks like to talk about Jesus everywhere we go. Paul spoke about Jesus at work, at the synagogue, in homes and wherever he had the opportunity. He reasoned and persuaded and taught. Some rejected and reviled Paul, but many believed and were baptized. Paul was afraid that people would attack him and harm him, but God reassured Paul saying, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you.” Discover how God gives us the same encouragement and challenge today. Join us at cefc.church.

Who wants to live forever? The Bible tells us that we were designed to live and dwell with God forever. The Tree of Life was a gift of God given to God’s people so they might enjoy an everlasting relationship with him in perfect harmony. But what happened to the Tree of Life that was placed in the Garden of Eden? Why don’t we have access to it now? Will we regain access to it? Reading Genesis 2-3 and Revelation 22 will reveal God's plan. There is light up ahead but sometimes it can be hard to see living in a dark world. In Christ, creation will be regained and paradise lost will be found. Join us at cefc.church.

People often wonder if God is impatient and violent toward people. In response to this question, Jesus told a story about a fig tree that did not bear fruit. Rather than cut down the unfruitful tree, time and care were given to the tree so that it might become fruitful. God takes that same response toward us. He gives us time and encouragement to be spiritually fruitful. However, Jesus gives a clear warning that God’s time and patience have an expiration date. How are we responding to God’s encouragement to be fruitful? Are we showing others the patience and encouragement that God has given us? This passage calls us to godly fruitfulness. Join us at cefc.church.