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Revelation 2:1-7 is Christ’s letter to the church in Ephesus. This letter covers the good and the bad. The good is that the church is patiently enduring and keeping their doctrine pure. The bad is that the church has abandoned its first love for Christ. Christ’s prescription to cure a cold heart is clear: 1. Remember, 2. Repent, 3. Return. In this message, we will explore and experience God’s steps to renewal. Join us at cefc.church.

We all face moments of discouragement, whether it's societal issues, economic frustrations, personal disappointments, or disillusionment with the church. In these times, we need the renewed vision of Jesus as we find in Revelation 1:9-20.In this message, we explore how the apostle John, exiled and persecuted, found comfort and strength through a powerful revelation of Christ. Despite his tribulations, John saw Jesus in His brilliance, a vision that transformed his perspective. In this profound imagery of Jesus in Revelation, we are reminded that He holds the keys to life and death and is always present among us. This sermon encourages us to worship and embrace Christ and find comfort in His powerful presence. Join us at cefc.church.

The book of Revelation is a beautiful book of prophecy, symbols, and truth about who Jesus is, and what’s to come. It paints for us a picture of the unseen realities that will be made visible in the days to come as we anticipate the return of Jesus. Revelation 1:1-8 unveils Jesus as the divine author, creator, redeemer, and restorer of life, and he calls us to read, hear, and keep what is written in his letter to us. Join us at cefc.church.

Numbers 25 presents us with a troubling passage: A priest kills two people with a spear and is commended by God! How do we reconcile a good and loving God with this Old Testament picture of God who rewards killing? And what do we learn from Phinehas the priest who carries out this execution?In this sermon, we'll explore the difficult themes in Numbers 25 around God's judgment, human sinfulness, sexual immorality, idolatry, and the zeal of Phinehas. While the account may seem jarring at first, we'll dive deeper to understand:*God's holiness and righteousness that requires punishment of sin*The severity of Israel's rebellion through pagan worship and sexual immorality*Phinehas' passionate zeal to stand for God's glory in the midst of blasphemy*How God rewarded and made a covenant of peace with PhinehasGod is not calling us to kill like Phinehas did. However, the New Testament tells us God does welcome and reward a zeal for Christ and for the ways of Christ. We'll discuss how to pursue this righteous zeal. Ultim

How do we fight a temptation to sin? Every person is susceptible to temptation, even those who have enjoyed a close relationship with God. This passage in Numbers 25 teaches us: 1. You are never so blessed you can’t be tempted. 2. The tactics of the enemy are tricky. 3. Fear the Lord: God takes sin seriously. 4. Love the Lord: God loves you jealously!

Imagine if you were headed in a direction you thought was right but you kept encountering unexpected interruptions and obstacles. Would you get mad or curious? Would you turn to God or would you lash out in frustration? Our response to interruptions reveals our heart and makes it obvious whether we are intent on our own plans or whether we are open to God’s direction. In Numbers 22:22-35 Balaam, the prophet, is so fixated on his own desires that he remains oblivious to God’s direction, and it nearly costs him his life! Finally, God supernaturally speaks through a donkey to stop the prophet's madness. Join us at cefc.church.

Have you ever wanted something so badly you asked God for it again and again? What if you wanted something so badly you were willing to defy God's clear instructions? Numbers 22 introduces us to a very spiritual man who does something very foolish: he pursues his will instead of God’s will. Balaam stubbornly chases his own desires instead of following God’s instruction.  This passage warns us of the blinding dangers of chasing our own will and points us to the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. In this message you will learn:How Balaam's greed for wealth and prestige blinded him to God's willHow we often battle against what God wants for usHow to cultivate a heart that is surrendered to God's purposes in Christ Jesus

Serving God and others is part of a healthy Christian life. Peter writes to Christians about their God-given gift and he encourages us to use our gifts in service to others. God grows the church through the service of people who love him and want to demonstrate that love by using the gifts they are blessed with to bless others. We are blessed to be a blessing. Join us at cefc.church.

How do we build godly and loving relationships? 1 Peter 4:8,9 says, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” In this message, we will discover how to love deeply and sincerely. We will learn how to love in a way that covers over the sins of others, and we will find the key to showing hospitality even when our guest is a challenge! Most importantly, this passage will show us Christ’s love for us and how we can share that love with others.  

This Easter we consider the greatest event in human history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. But what does this resurrection of Christ mean for our lives today? The apostle Paul applies the death and resurrection of Christ to his life in Galatians 2:20 and this passage gives us three questions to ask ourselves:1. Have you been crucified with Christ?2. Does Christ live in you?3. Do you live by faith?

In Mark 7:31-37, Jesus reveals his compassion and empathy for a man who was deaf and was unable to communicate with others. Jesus displays both his humanity and divinity by privately healing this man, not treating him as a spectacle for the crowd. The gentleness and power that Jesus shows us in this passage, reminds us that we worship a personal and powerful creator. Our proper response to this miracle is to worship God and show compassion to those struggling around us. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me,” (Matthew 25:40). Join us at cefc.church.

In this passage, Jesus sent Peter fishing to avoid offending temple tax collectors. Jesus often offended religious people, but at other times he was careful to cause no offense. How do we know when it is okay to offend and when we should sacrifice our rights and privileges to avoid offending someone? Jesus paid a temple tax that he was not required to pay because he did not want to create an unnecessary barrier to the Gospel. We are called to follow Jesus' example of laying down our rights to make it easier for people to accept Jesus. Join us at cefc.church. 

Ten lepers asked for mercy and ten lepers received mercy; however, only one returned to give thanks to Jesus. Why is gratitude so rare? What would it look like to have an attitude of gratitude and a practice of gratitude? Luke 17:11-19 provides a lesson in gratitude. Learn why God requires us to give thanks and learn how gratitude brings us blessings. Join us as cefc.church.

How do you get a miracle? What type of prayer does God answer? The Bible records at least one prayer that Jesus always answers: “Have mercy on me.” Or as this passage says, “Have mercy on us”. Notice how the ten lepers prayed in Luke 17:11-19: The lepers prayed humbly; they prayed expectantly; and they were ready to obey. When we pray like the lepers prayed and ask God for mercy, God always gives mercy because God is merciful! Join us at cefc.church.

Once again Jesus shows his compassion by miraculously feeding the crowd, but how many times do the disciples need to see something before they get it? How many times do we need to hear something before we understand who Jesus is and why we can trust him completely?

Matthew 9:18-26 records two healing touches. The first is Jesus touching a 12-year-old girl and raising her from the dead. The second is a woman who touches the fringe of Jesus' garment and is healed of bleeding that has plagued her for 12 years. Jesus responds by rewarding the faith of any person who comes to him. Be encouraged to come to Jesus today!

Matthew 9 teaches us about faith, friends and Jesus. Friends with faith brought a man to Jesus for forgiveness and healing. These friends teach us that faith is not a feeling; faith is belief in action. We also learn that Jesus has the power to forgive because Jesus is God. Do you have friends who have faith? Are you finding forgiveness and healing in Christ? Join us at cefc.church

Mark 5:1-20 shows us that evil spirits are real and they are intent on destruction. Beware of the evil’s destructive power, but trust in the delivering power of Christ. Jesus can rescue us from demonic power so that we can tell others how much the Lord has done for us, and how he has had mercy on us.