Ccr Sermons

 Revealed: The Miracles of Jesus Part 5: Walking on Water By Louie Marsh, 9-10-2023   1) God’s plan for my life includes HARDSHIPS.   “22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,” (Matthew 14:22–23, ESV)   “13“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13–14, ESV)   2) God KNOWS when I’m in trouble & responds at the right time.   “48And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them… (Mark 6:48a, ESV)   “24but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on t

Revealed: The Miracles of Jesus Pt. 4: Feeding Thousands By Louie Marsh, 9-3-2023   1) I need to SEIZE opportunities God gives me.   Matthew sets the stage for one of Jesus most amazing miracles this way:   “30The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”   So Jesus, like the good leader he was, wanted to take his handpicked men aside for a while to, as we would say today, “debrief them” on their mission trip experiences.   But as Mark shows us, things didn’t quite work out that way.     For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach the

Revealed the Miracles of Jesus Part 3: Calming the Storm By Louie Marsh, 8-27-2023   Last pic – don’t camp out in storms   1) God will LEAD ME into the heart of the storm.   “35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.  (Mark 4:35–38, ESV)   As always Andrew and Peter kept their eyes to the skies when they sailed. They had both seen storms come up seemingly out of nowhere. Storms that could, and often did, become killers with very little notice. So as sharp fishermen they scanned the horizon.    Mostly they looked toward what we call today the Golan Heights. That’s where the wind usually came from. Typically the winds would drive a line of low lying clouds before them. As the rain slashed down the winds would kick up the waves and batter any

Revealed the Miracles of Jesus Pt. 2: Long Distance Healing By Louie Marsh, 8-20-2023 4 pics of distance healing   1) Jesus loves REJECTS.   “5When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6“Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.”  (Matthew 8:5–7, ESV)   During the New Testament era, a Roman centurion was a professional military officer commanding a platoon of troops called a “century.” This could be anywhere from nearly one hundred to several hundred men. Each Roman legion was composed of nearly 5,000 men, divided into multiple cohorts, each cohort composed of multiple centuries. As a result, a legion could contain as many as sixty centurions. Their importance was based on seniority, with the senior centurion in a legion being in a position of great prestige. Some historians have compared the top-level centurions to medieval knights. Roman centurions represented the bridge between enlisted troops

Revealed: the Miracles of Jesus Part One: Water into Wine, John 2:1-11 By Louie Marsh, 8-13-2023   Last slide Jesus hand over jar.   1) A miracle is: something NATURALLY impossible.   Miracle   human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. – Dictionary.com   dunamis (δύναμις, 1411), “power, inherent ability,” is used of works of a supernatural origin and character, such as could not be produced by natural agents and means. It is translated “miracles” - W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 412.   2. semeion (σημει̂ον, 4592), “a sign, mark, token” (akin to semaino, “to give a sign”; sema, “a sign”), is used of “miracles” and wonders as signs of divine authority - W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 412.   2) God moves when I LEAST expect it.   “1On the

1st Peter, Living as Sojourners & Exiles Pt. 10: When to Stand & When to Flee By Louie Marsh, 8-6-2023   Last pic – fight or flight   1) Get myself RIGHT with God.   “6Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  (1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV)   2) I must have a CLEAR VIEW of my real enemy-Satan.   8Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour  (1 Peter 5:8, ESV).   ·       I must also be constantly VIGILANT.   “11so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” (2 Corinthians 2:11, ESV)   “15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15, ESV)   3) I must stand firm and FIGHT BACK.   9Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world

1st Peter, Living as Sojourners & Exiles Pt. 9: Serving God with Humility By Louie Marsh, 7-30-2023   1) If your gift is leading – LEAD.   “1So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight…(1 Peter 5:1–2a, ESV)   ·       Biblical leadership is all about CHARACTER.   “7Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7, ESV)   ·       Christ-like leadership is always marked by HUMILITY.   “30He must increase, but I must decrease.”” (John 3:30, ESV)   ·       Servant Leadership is BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP.   “26It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,” (Matthew 20:26, ESV)   ·       But SKILL has its place.   “29Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not

1st Peter Pt. 8: Judgement & the House of God By Louie Marsh, 7-23-2023   1) When I suffer for Christ, I should REJOICE!   “12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:12–14, ESV)   ·       It’s NORMAL for Christians to suffer.   ·       Tests are not punishment, but to help me see the TRUTH.   2) Am I a Christian? Do I BELONG TO CHRIST?   15But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (1 Peter 4:15–16, ESV)   “26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a grea

1st Peter Living as Sojourners & Exiles Pt. 7: Get a Grip – Use My Gifts! By Louie Marsh, 7-16-2023   1) Let suffering show me the FUTILITY of sin.   “1Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.” (1 Peter 4:1–2, ESV)   “4“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! 5Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah” (Psalm 39:4–5, ESV)   2) Everyone will be held to ACCOUNT in the end.   “3For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery,

1st Peter – Living as Sojourners and Exiles Pt. 6: Suffering for Jesus By Louie Marsh, 7-9-2023     1) Serving Jesus means I BLESS those who curse me.   “8Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8–9, ESV)   “5“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5, ESV)   2) Serving Jesus means I WATCH my mouth & do good.   “10For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”” (1 Peter 3:10–12, ESV)   3) Serving Jesus means seeing BLESSING in suffering.   “13Now who is there to harm you

1st Peter – Living as Sojourners and Exiles Pt. 4: I Am a Servant By Louie Marsh, 6-25-2023       1) Submission is the CORE of the Christian life.   “13Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” (1 Peter 2:13–14, ESV)   The words “submit yourselves” are the translation of a Greek military term meaning “to arrange in military fashion under the command of a leader.” One could translate, “put yourselves in the attitude of submission to.” The exhortation is not merely to obey ordinances, but to create and maintain that attitude of heart which will always lead one to obey them. - Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 60–61.   “1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted

1st Peter – Living as Sojourners and Exiles Pt. 3: Find My True Calling By Louie Marsh, 6-18-2023 Last one diagram.   1) It’s time to grow UP   “1So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.  (1 Peter 2:1–3, ESV)   put away =  take off dirty clothes or cleanse yourself of defilements. Slander = back biting, defamer, we might say running someone down.   “21assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:21–24, ESV)   ·       Off with the BAD & on with the GOOD.   2) I really do need to come to JESUS.   4As you

1st Peter -Living as Sojourners & Exiles Part Two: Set Myself, 1 Peter 1: 13-25 By Louie Marsh, 6-11-2023   Last slide – success.   1) Set my HOPE.   “13Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)   “13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13, ESV)   2) Set my GOAL.    14As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  (1 Peter 1:14-16, ESV)   “1I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that

1st Peter – Living as Sojourners & Exiles Part 1: Reborn to Obey By Louie Marsh, 6-4-2023   Obedience quotes – last one less painful.   1) As a Christian I am part of the elect by the FOREKNOWLEDGE of God.   “1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” (1 Peter 1:1–2, ESV)   ·       Predestination is based on FOREKNOWLEDGE.   “4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,” (Ephesians 1:4–5, ESV)   ·       Why? So that I will OBEY God.   2) My hope LIVES because Jesus rose from the dead.   “3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jes

The Gospel of John 15-21 Part 7 – The Elephant in the Room By Louie Marsh, 5-29-2023   1) Jesus GOES THERE.   If you say there is an elephant in the room, you mean that there is an obvious problem or difficult situation that people do not want to talk about. -  The Cambridge Dictionary   “15When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? … (John 21:15a, ESV)   ·       He fully exposes Peter’s SINS.   “33Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”” (Matthew 26:33, ESV)   ·       Jesus does this because it’s what everyone NEEDS.   Jesus doesn’t leave elephants in the room, like most of us do and all of us wish, at times, that he would.   2) Jesus calls Peter to a HIGHER love.   “15…Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”” (John 21:15, ESV)   Jesus love is – agape. Used fo

The Gospel of John 15-21 Part 6: Seeing Isn’t Always Believing By Louie Marsh, 5-21-2023   Intro – last slide Jesus quote   1) My EMOTIONAL STATE impacts me more than I think.   “2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. (John 20:2–4, ESV)   2) EVIDENCE isn’t always conclusive.   5And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. (John 20:5-7, ESV)   3) I need more than sight, I need INSIGHT.   8Then the other disciple, who had re

The Gospel of John 15-21 Part 5: Love is the Fulfillment of Scripture By Louie Marsh, 5-14-2023   Last slide – Christ fulfilled the Law   1) Jesus clearly knew WHO was in charge.   “9He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”” (John 19:9–11, ESV)   ·       He REJECTED worldly claims of authority over him.   “49And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”” (Luke 2:49, ESV)   ·       He AFFIRMED that God is always & only in control.     ·       He SUBMITTED  himself to that authority regardless of the cost.   “8Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.