Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church Sermons
Web Site: Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church
Total Sermons: 100
Total Amens: 3
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The Call to Courage: Paul's Arrest
Fear freezes. And, truth be told, our society seems to be getting more fearful. Courage is not the absence of fear but a proper handling of fear. As a pastor, what amazes me is all the different fearful situations our congregation faces week in and week out. How will we be different than everyone else? Do we have resources that enable us to live, not without fear, but in the face fo fear in Christ? Today in the Word we come to a section of Acts that focuses on Paul’s trials. We have said these are more than legal trials. As every defendant knows, a legal trial is also an internal and spiritual trial. Such trials call for courage. It is so easy in this age to turn away from the hard but right path and or to buckle in the face of fear. But Jesus calls his disciples to courage. I believe He calls the church to courage. He died to save us from sin and to turn us from freezing fears and cowardice to courage. This is wonderfully illustrated in the life of Paul in Acts 22 and 23. Let God speak to you through His Word and the sacrament this morning. And let this All Saints Sunday remind you of the many believers in the past who have lived with courage in Christ
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Reformation Sunday
Reformation Sunday commemorates one of the greatest revivals ever to sweep the church since Pentecost. We most often associate it with Martin Luther, the great German reformer who posted his 95 grievances with the church on October 31, 1517. But Luther was not alone. There were others who called the church back to the distinctives of Biblical Christianity. One of those individuals was John Calvin. Calvin has been called a lot of things - the father of Presbyterianism, the theologian of the reformation, and the father of modern education. He was actually a reformed pastor in Geneva, Switzerland who had an amazing influence for Christ on the church and the culture. This year is the 500th anniversary of Calvin’s birth. Today in the Word as we remember our own heritage, we will be looking at Calvin’s influence and legacy. Our worship service will be unique as well. We will attempt to reproduce a 16th century Genevan Liturgy - it will be different - so read the Order of Worship and try to imagine yourself in that time. If you would like to know more about Calvin, see Pastor Don’s July 9th blogs on Calvin at donsweeting.wordpress.com
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Saved from Religion
Courage is the inner strength to stand against the odds, and face difficulty for a higher cause. C.S. Lewis once said “courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” Today in the Word we focus on Paul’s trials. These are more than legal trials, they are also spiritual. In our current culture we tend to choose the path that is easy and expedient, rather than difficult and right one. Jesus died to save us from sin and to call us from cowardice to courage. This is wonderfully illustrated in the life of Paul in Acts 22 and 23.
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The War Over Generation Why?
Pastor Randy Cornejo and his wife, Laura, have been missionaries to at-risk and incarcerated youth in the Colorado area since 1987. He is an ordained minister and the President and Founder of Angel Spring Missions, a Colorado non-profit organization. He began as a youth pastor and became a senior pastor for several years. During this time, Pastor Cornejo ministered to at-risk teens incarcerated in the Division of Youth Corrections in Colorado. Angel Spring Missions was birthed to provide a mission that meets the extensive needs of the incarcerated youth in Colorado. In Matthew 25 we see that actions speak louder than words. Pastor Cornejo will share the miracles and heartbreaks of what is happening to this generation.
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The Cost of Discipleship: Pursuing Ease and Safety or Hard Obedience?
In Acts 21 we find Paul headed toward Jerusalem. He has a mission to finish, an offering to deliver and an assignment to fulfill - but there is trouble ahead. Like signs on a highway, the warning lights appear ahead of time. One road is hard, the other is easy. What should he do? Today in the Word we will look at different versions of the Christian life to discern which one rings true. In a sense, Paul’s dilemma is no different from Jesus’ dilemma which is no different from our dilemma.
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You’re In Charge - NOW WHAT? Paul and the Elders at Ephesus
What would you do if all of the sudden, you were in charge of the church? Many of us have complained about what the church is doing or isn’t doing. But what if you were at the helm. What would you do? Today in the Word we come to Acts 20. Near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, he meets the elders of Ephesus one last time and says that they are in charge. Now what?
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Mission to Ephesus: The Critique of All Temples
Acts 19.26 “he says man-made gods are no gods at all...There is danger...that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited.” Throughout history there has been a long succession of temple building. Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of many. Hollywood enjoys making adventure movies about some of them. As we follow Paul in his third missionary journey, he now arrives in Ephesus - a city dominated by the goddess Artemis and her influential temple. When Paul preached Jesus, he challenged the entire religious enterprise and people were personally affronted and angry. What we forget is that it is not just the ancient peoples who build temples - we do, too. Today in the Word we will consider how the gospel actually challenges all temples and how the powers of hell try to divert us from discovering freedom and life in the one true God.
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Mission to Corinth: I have many people in this city
As the gospel enters difficult places there is always a collision of values, and there is usually fruit. That was true in each strategic city Paul entered on his second missionary journey (Philippi, Athens, Corinth and Ephesus). Corinth was one of the most difficult places Paul had ever been. After a short time of ministry there he was overwhelmed and almost ready to give up. He had never encountered anything so difficult. Yet in the midst of his difficulty, God gave him encouragement to keep going, just as He does for us today.
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More than Survivors
As we look at our text this morning in Acts 17, what might we learn from the life of Paul back in the first century, in terms of sharing the Gospel, that might translate into the challenges we face today? Instead of Paul being overwhelmed with what he faced when he entered the city of Athens - a city not unlike what we have today (i.e. pluralistic in terms of differing philosophies and inclusive in the sense that there were many gods); Paul determined to be More than a Survivor by hoisting the sails of opportunity. How did he do that? What can this chapter teach us in terms of engaging a largely pagan culture? Are we willing to follow the example of Paul and look for connecting points with those outside of Christian faith? Are we willing to move beyond the anticipated disrespect and resistance in order to bear faithful witness? And are we willing to show the same kind of interest in what others value, as we expect others to show in what we value?
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It Began With a Dream: Macedonia
The jailer….rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He…asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus , and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16.30-31 Today we are having a combined worship service with mixed styles, lots of people and the desire to use every possible seat in our sanctuary. It will be pretty informal and celebratory. Our pastor will continue our walk through the Book of Acts. Our service of worship will end with some immersion baptisms with testimonies.
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