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What defines our existence and gives it meaning? In the climactic chapter of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul points us toward the one thing that surpasses all others – the gospel. Paul's emphasis on the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15 serves as a reminder of its centrality. Amidst discussions on various matters, Paul brings our attention back to the core of our faith – the gospel. He emphasizes that the gospel is not just one among many teachings but the foundation upon which our entire belief system stands. Without holding firmly to this gospel, all other pursuits become futile.
Paul's profound commitment to adapt to different cultural contexts in his mission to spread the Gospel is evident in his letter to the Corinthians. His words resonate through the ages, echoing a profound truth about the importance of contextualization in sharing the message of Christ. As we embark on this journey, we find ourselves at a crossroads where tradition meets innovation, where cultural forms intersect with biblical norms. In this blog post, we'll explore the essence of contextualization through Paul's teachings, real-world examples from Green City to the historical legacy of St. Patrick, and how it applies to each one of us today.
Drawing from the teachings of 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, we're reminded of the profound wisdom of the apostle Paul. In addressing the young and messy church in Corinth, Paul navigates the complexities of freedom and responsibility in the context of a pluralistic society. Paul's response is both radical and instructive. Despite his freedom in Christ, he willingly becomes a servant to all, adapting his approach to reach different groups – Jews, Gentiles, and the weak among them. His singular focus? To win as many as possible to the gospel of Jesus.
In today's fast-paced world, where online shopping and digital connections dominate, it's easy to forget a time when the window displays of a mall were our window to the world of consumerism. Yet, amidst the mannequins and storefronts, there was a subtle message being conveyed - a message of desire, of aspiration. These mannequins, though often unsettling in their headless forms, served a purpose: to showcase the glory of the designer's creations.
In our exploration through the book of 1 Corinthians, we confront two contentious topics: lawsuits and sexual immorality. These subjects aren't chosen for mere controversy but to unearth profound lessons on thriving within a flawed congregation. As we delve into Chapter 6, Paul's letter to the Corinthians unveils invaluable guidance on handling disputes within the church community.
This week, our journey through 1 Corinthians brings us to a topic that, while perhaps uncomfortable, is crucial for our faith community: sex and sexual immorality. It's not a subject chosen lightly or for sensationalism; rather, it's where our study has naturally led us.
In a world seemingly riddled with skepticism and a dwindling trust in institutions, it's clear that society is facing a crisis of confidence. A 2022 Gallup poll reflects this stark reality: only 31% of people hold a "great deal" of trust in the church or organized religion, while trust in other institutions like public schools, banks, and television news hovers at equally low percentages. In seeking answers, we turn to the ancient wisdom of the Bible, specifically the book of 1 Corinthians, where the Apostle Paul addresses similar challenges within the early Church.
1 Corinthians 3:1-15 is a passage that teaches us about building our lives to last. It's a passage that's especially relevant for our youth, but its message resonates with all of us. We all deeply long to make a lasting impact on this world and leave a legacy beyond our time on Earth. So, let's dive into the wisdom of this passage and explore how we can build lives that truly endure.
In the tapestry of faith, prayer is the thread that connects believers with the divine. Reaching one more person for Jesus is a lifelong journey that must be guided by prayer and reliance on God's wisdom, and marked by humility and love.
In the ancient city of Corinth, the Apostle Paul faced a challenge that resonates with today's Church—divisions based on leaders. The Church, once a unified body, began to splinter over preferences for different teachers. This phenomenon is not exclusive to the past; even today, churches face similar challenges, amplified by the influence of the internet. In this blog post, we explore Paul's response to such divisions and reflect on the timeless message of the cross.
Let's be honest—churches are messy. From scandals to personal struggles, the church, in all its imperfection, often surprises us with its flaws. This reality hit home for me during a leadership camp in Michigan with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. The president, a paragon of virtue, stepped down due to an affair. It shattered my preconceived notions, revealing the messy truth about the church.
In a world filled with uncertainties and complexities, one truth remains constant - God's love. Love, a concept often misunderstood, transcends the boundaries of human comprehension and is the very essence of our existence. As we delve into the profound message of John 3:16, we uncover the layers of God's love and its transformative power.
Finding peace seems like an elusive quest in a world of rising anxiety, where inflation erodes spending power and notifications demand constant attention. The pressure to meet performance, athletic, and fashion standards adds to the burden, making it challenging to navigate daily life without the crippling weight of stress.
The Advent season is a time of reflection and anticipation, focusing on themes centered around the true meaning of the Christmas story. This week's theme is joy. We often hear the familiar carol, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come,” which echoes the desire for joy, a longing we feel especially during the holidays. However, in a society driven by the pursuit of success, the quest for joy often takes a back seat. This blog delves into Mark's sermon, exploring the concept of joy through the lens of John the Baptist and revealing how his life exemplifies a joy that transcends circumstances.
The prophetic book of Malachi, the last chapter in the Old Testament, echoes with promises and prophecies of hope for a people who had just emerged from seventy years of exile. This period of anticipation, marked by cycles of political upheaval and societal unrest, forms the backdrop of the Advent season—the expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
We stand at a unique moment in the history of our church. The walls of our building echo with 102 years of history, of trials and triumphs, and now they stand as a testament to our faithfulness. Debt-free and with a renovated sanctuary, we are not raising funds to pay for past expenses. Instead, we find ourselves at a crossroads, presented with a rare opportunity for radical generosity.
In the over 100-year history at Christ Community Church, God has done some amazing things through the decades. In the grand tapestry of history, we find ourselves standing on the shoulders of giants, asking, “What can we do today?” The next chapter for our vision is a riveting mission to reach people with the gospel. It echoes the age-old question posed by the apostles: How can we reach one more, and one more, and one more?
When we think about the early days of the Christian church, we often imagine a thriving, harmonious community, united in faith and purpose. While that’s true to some extent, it’s important to remember that the first churches faced incredibly challenging circumstances. In this blog post, we will explore the difficulties they encountered and how these challenges did not hinder the unstoppable advance of the gospel.
In Acts 13, we find ourselves in the vibrant and diverse church of Antioch. It’s a passage in the New Testament that often goes unnoticed, but it holds invaluable lessons about the nature of the early Christian Church and its mission. In this blog, we’ll delve into this scripture to uncover some vital insights that remain relevant for modern believers.
We are inviting you to embark on a new chapter at Christ Community Church called Reach One More. This vision has been part of CCC's DNA for over a century, but in the 2020s, we are giving it fresh expression. Today, October 22, we're launching a five-week period of self-reflection, recommitment to Jesus, and realignment of our lives and our church around his promises.
In our journey towards becoming unoffendable, we’ve already covered the importance of being slow to anger and avoiding sin in our anger. In this blog, we dive deep into the vital concept of forgiveness. When mastered alongside being slow to anger, forgiveness paves the way for us to achieve unoffendability.
Is it possible to live without anger? In a world where offense seems to be the norm, this question becomes increasingly relevant with the growing prevalence of outrage in our culture. It's time to explore what has fueled this phenomenon over the past decade.
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s astounding how many opportunities we encounter to be offended. Whether it’s the news that stirs our anger, disagreements with neighbors, frustrating traffic, or even seemingly trivial matters like self-checkouts, the potential for offense is ever-present. Making a small change to be unoffendable can drastically improve our lives and transform our relationships.
Did you know that God calls us to be priests? Every last one of us. This divine calling is not reserved for a select few but is a privilege extended to every believer. The Bible is replete with verses that emphasize this beautiful truth.
In Jeremiah 29, we find a powerful message from the Lord to the people carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. The message is clear: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the Shalom and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
In a world marked by turmoil, stress, and a relentless pursuit of personal satisfaction, finding genuine peace and flourishing can often seem like an elusive dream. We live in a society that emphasizes individual freedom, happiness, and self-expression above all else. But what if I told you that there is a path to true flourishing, one that transcends the superficial pursuits of our modern culture?
In a world where character is visible, where virtues and flaws are tangible, how would you present yourself? Character isn’t a static trait; it’s the sum of our actions, choices, and behaviors over time. Just as a skilled painter creates a masterpiece with each brushstroke, we craft our character with each decision.
CCC is thrilled to welcome our seventh cohort to the Church Residency program! The residency is a two-year program focused on combining practical experience with graduate-level education. This year we’re welcoming six residents working in four different ministry areas.
In a world brimming with challenges and complexities, it’s natural for us to seek a sense of purpose, peace, and wholeness. Fortunately, the age-old wisdom found in ancient texts offers insights that resonate deeply with our innate desire to flourish. The core concept of “Shalom,” rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, represents a state of peace and wholeness that only God can bring.
In a world filled with anxiety, economic uncertainties, and societal challenges, the concept of flourishing may seem distant. Rates of depression and anxiety are on the rise, educational outcomes are declining, and social issues like racism persist. Despite these daunting circumstances, there is a subset of people who are not only thriving but flourishing amidst the chaos.
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