Introducing our Pastoral Search Team to the church family, and walking through the process the church will follow as we officially begin our search for a new Lead Pastor as Wes steps down in March of next year.

The issue of slavery in the U.S. has always been a deep blemish on our country’s history. Further, some have actually used God’s Word to justify the enslavement of others made in the image of God. 

There were, and still are, a number of misconceptions out there regarding what Scripture actually says and how we should respond in this day and age to the injustices of the past. Find out just that in this sermon, “What the Bible Actually Says about Slavery."

The two topics that generated more queries than any other this summer were homosexuality and slavery. Both have held prominent places in the consciousness of our culture over the past year. 

While each is quite different from the other, the issues do in fact share some commonality. We will take two weeks to tackle some of the critical issues that are key to understanding the heart of God in these matters, and we will start with the message “What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality.”

"If we are to build up treasures in heaven and receive different crowns (righteousness, life, etc.), what are we going to do with these in heaven?? Do we lay them at Jesus' feet as soon as we get to heaven? Do we wait until the second coming??? If so, do they just sit on a shelf until we do??? Do people that have more treasures have a higher standing than others??"

A lot of questions on future rewards in heaven; but they must be understood in the context of future judgement. "The Judgement Seat of Christ."

The story of David and Goliath is without question the most universally recognized underdog story in history.  We know who the villain is that puts fear into the hearts of God’s people.  We also know who the unlikely character is who will face this terrifying enemy.  David while cloaked in virtue, courage, and loyalty offers no reasonable hope for victory for God's people.  The rise to action in this story in what would seem to be insurmountable odds makes for a great story.  The outcome for the Israelites is amazing.  David a true underdog is victorious.  He will live in history as a reminder that no one should ever be overlooked and anything is possible for anyone.  We tend to believe the same thing about this story.  However, is there a different “hope” that should bring inspiration from this account. “The Message from an Underdog: The David and Goliath Story.” 1 Samuel 17.

"Every time I read this passage, I don't quite get it. Genesis 4:1-7 - why was Cain's offering not considered good by the Lord--. If it was his heart, I understand that, but the passage doesn't say that. How does that apply to today and what kind of offerings may I be giving the are not good?" 

Discover what Cain's problem was, and how we can avoid it today in this message "The Callousness of Cain."

“One thing I’ve always wondered about is “what does Biblical JOY look like?” How does one remain joyful when life is tough?” 

This is the question we tackle this morning at CBF.

“In the beginning of the Bible, it is very clear that God wanted monogamous marriages but then polygamy is rampant in the Old Testament, even in God’s chosen—David, Solomon, etc. Why did it start, why did God allow it, and why do some cults still practice it?” Find out in this message, "The Problem of Polygamy."

Sermon Notes

“Who is the ‘Son of Man’—Jesus or Ezekiel?” 

“I am reading Ezekiel. When God addresses Ezekiel, he calls him ‘Son of Man.’ I thought that title was exclusively for Jesus. Can you comment on this?”   

Son of Man references:

Ezekiel 2:1 (NET) “He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet and I will speak with you.”

Daniel 8:17 (NLT) “As Gabriel approached the place where I was standing, I became so terrified that I fell with my face to the ground. “Son of man,” he said, “you must understand that the events you have seen in your vision relate to the time of the end.”

Matthew 12:40 (NLT) “For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.”

The Son of Man—a name that became a title.

Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV) “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.” 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

Mission Moment

Missionaries Joel and Sally Kaufmann and JJ Mburu sharing.

“Body, Soul and Spirit”

 “How and when is the soul of a man actually created? Has it always existed, or is there a specific point in time when it comes into existence? If so, when is that time? And is there a difference between the soul of a man, and the spirit of a man?” 

 Question: "How are human souls created?"

Traducianism: the view that a soul is generated by the physical parents along with the physical body.    Genesis 2:3, 7

Creationism: the view that God creates a new soul when a human being is conceived.   Ecclesiastes 12:7

Pre-existence: the view that God created all human souls at the same time, and “attaches” a soul to a human being at the moment of conception.

 Question: Is man a dichotomy or a trichotomy?

 Dichotomy: body and spirit

Trichotomy: body, soul and spirit

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Hebrews 4:12

“Body, Soul and Spirit”

“How and when is the soul of a man actually created? Has it always existed, or is there a specific point in time when it comes into existence? If so, when is that time? And is there a difference between the soul of a man, and the spirit of a man?” 

 Question: "How are human souls created?"

Traducianism: the view that a soul is generated by the physical parents along with the physical body.    Genesis 2:3, 7

  Creationism: the view that God creates a new soul when a human being is conceived.   Ecclesiastes 12:7

Pre-existence: the view that God created all human souls at the same time, and “attaches” a soul to a human being at the moment of conception.

 Question: Is man a dichotomy or a trichotomy?

 Dichotomy: body and spirit

Trichotomy: body, soul and spirit

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Hebrews 4:12

Being a dad today is a challenge. Our progressive culture pushes hard against the value a father brings to the family unit. Yet all of this doesn’t change the responsibilities which God places upon the role a dad has regarding his children. 

As the Apostle Paul answers an accusation made by his enemies against him about ministering to the church in Thessalonica “for the money,” he shares three ways how a godly father is to interact with his children—three ways that are just as vital to our own children today. Discover those three key characteristics we should employ as fathers this coming Sunday in the message “The Godly Way of a Dad.”

May 3, 2020

There are qualities of how we are to approach life as a Follower of Jesus that each of us should possess.  Qualities that should be evident even in times of stress or uncertainty—times like today.  In the past two weeks we have learned about having Peace in a Pandemic, and then Hope in a Pandemic as well.     But there is another quality the Bible speaks of—Joy.  Joy in a Pandemic.     Seriously though, isn’t this a “bridge too far?”  Well, God doesn’t think so;  in fact He commands it!  Listen to the message as we discover how we can find just that—Joy in a Pandemic!

April 26, 2020

Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker announced a few days ago that his “shelter in place” order has now been extended until June 1^st.  When this pandemic first struck us in early March, I was quietly hoping that our lives would be back to normal by Mother’s Day.  That’s not going to happen now.

Graduating seniors had hoped to enjoy their final semester of high school.   Prom and normal graduation plans have now evaporated.  The hope of getting back to work soon is being displaced by the growing concern of even having a job to go back to when this is all over. 

This pandemic has not only attacked our health, it has attacked our hope.  The news has been bleak, and our disappointment grows each day.  So what about hope?  Is it simply wishful thinking or is it something more substantial, something that can truly get us through difficult times like this?       

God’s Word has much to say on the topic, which we will explore in the message “Finding Hope in a Pandemic.”  Join us, and invite a friend to watch as well!

April 19, 2020

Our lives are vastly different from what they were just a month ago.  Schools are no longer in session.  Employees now work from home in many cases or wonder if they will still have a job to go back to in the future.  Store shelves don’t look the same—quantities may be limited on items we never thought about in the past.  Face masks.  Six feet.  Pandemic updates.  Things are vastly different from what they were just a month ago.
 
We are uneasy.   Many are worried, depressed, even fearful.  There is cause for this uneasiness—we have never encountered anything like this before.  The cracks of vulnerability in our formerly seamless American culture are growing by the day.  
 
So what happened to peace, to hope, to joy in all of this?  Are they likewise victims in this pandemic?  I don’t think so.  They are still here;  perhaps we are just looking in the wrong place.  For the next three Sundays, we are going to find peace, find hope, and even joy in the pandemic we face.