Ccr Sermons

True Stories Pt. 1: The Prodigal God, Luke 15:11-24 By Louie Marsh, 8-11-2024   What is a Parable?   1.     a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson. 2.     a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like. 3.     Jesus did not invent parables, they were a common Rabbinic teaching tool and had been used for centuries.   Introduction: I believe that it's essential every once in a while to return to our foundations.  For the next two weeks we do so via a parable usually called the Prodigal Son.  In reality it's really the parable of the Prodigal God, since prodigal means extravagant, lavish and unrestrained.       The father is the central character of this parable.  He is our Father.  Who is the father?   The Father is God - the prodigal God.       This parable can have its intended impact on us only if we put ourselves into the shoes of both sons.  Today we look at the son who left,

Let Freedom Ring Pt. 11: Free To Carry the Cross By Louie Marsh, 8-4-2024   Show new sermon series logo on cue!   The Nigerian Voice: A husband walks home from church after a confession he made to the priest about his wife. He reaches home, calls out his wife and carries her in his arms.  The woman is surprised and asks:  Wife: Honey, did the priest tell u to be so romantic like this.Husband: No, he said I should come home and carry my cross.    Quotes:   “It is to the Cross that the Christian is challenged to follow his Master: no path of redemption can make a detour around it.”  ― Hans Urs von Balthasar,   Paul’s Proof - “11See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!” (Galatians 6:11, BSB)   Paul closes Galatians by focusing on the CROSS   “12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ…“14But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ

Let Freedom Ring Pt. 9: Free To Live in Community By Louie Marsh, 7-28-2024   1) The Underlying Principle of Community   I REAP what I SOW.   “7Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.” (Galatians 6:7, BSB)   o  This is NOT KARMA.   Karma is impersonal -Reaping & Sowing are overseen by an all Wise & knowing God.   Sowing to the flesh = DESTRUCTION   “8The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction…” (Galatians 6:8a, BSB)   Sowing to the Spirit = LIFE   “8…but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8b, BSB)   2)  Some Signs of a Free Christian Community RESTORATION   “1Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1, BSB)   Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help

Let Freedom Ring Pt. 8: Free To Live by the Spirit By Louie Marsh, 7-21-2024   ONE WEIRD WEEK!   1)  There’s only TWO ways to live   “16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, BSB)   Ø  By the HOLY SPIRIT   Ø  By my SINFUL NATURE (flesh)   Talk about what flesh is and isn’t.   I must choose between them CONSTANTLY.   “17For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:17–18, BSB)   We will live with this war as long as we live – no Louie Land ideal life of not being torn.   2) Results of following my sinful nature.   “19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as

Let Freedom Ring #7 Free To Be Free!, Galatians 5:1-15 By Louie Marsh, 7-29-2007   1)  Jesus set me free to BE FREE!   “1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, BSB)   Freedom has ETERNAL VALUE.   Why? What is that Value?   ·       You could say without it we can reach our full potential – true but not the real value ·       Because it makes me happy and that’s what life is all about. ·       Real Reason: We are make in God’s image, and are called to be like God, and God is Free!   The Two Components of Spiritual Freedom:   Free FROM   &  Free TO   3 Way this freedom works in my life   1) In my relationship with Jesus   Free From: SEEKING SECURITY which INVALIDATES Christ’s power in my life.   Free To: Live life TRUSTING God’s spirit alone.   “2Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3Again I testify to every man who gets hi

Let Freedom Ring Pt. 6: Born Free By Louie Marsh, 7-7-2025 Last slide – now I’m expensive   Allegory:   noun The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. A story, picture, or play employing such representation. John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and Herman Melville's Moby-Dick are allegories. A symbolic representation   Examples: “I shot the Rabbit of hope with my gun of despair!”   For instance, a crooked banker might symbolize greed, while the character of Mr. Legality in the allegory Pilgrim's Progress symbolizes a viewpoint that prioritizes the law over faith in Jesus Christ.   Changed into his likeness book.   “21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?” (Galatians 4:21, BSB)   1) The Historical Choice: two SONS.   “22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. (Galatians 4:22, BSB)   ·       Ismael – the son of a SLAV

Let Freedom Ring Part 5: Freedom in Knowing God By Louie Marsh 6-30-2024 Last slide – do something!   1) I can only KNOW God in Christ.   “8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.” (Galatians 4:8, BSB)   2) Knowing God is knowing I’m part of His KINGDOM.   “9But now that you know God, or rather are known by God…(Galatians 4:9a, BSB)   “17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth 19of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17–19, BSB)   Power = exosuia – power, right, authority.   3) Sin and legalism = SLAVERY.   …how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” (Galatians 4:9b, BSB)   ·       Legalism looks deep – but it rea

Let Freedom Ring Part 5: Free to Live by Grace By Louie Marsh, 6-23-2024   1)  Why did God give the Law?   ·       Because of my SIN.   “19Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. 20A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one. 21Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.” (Galatians 3:19–21, BSB)   ·       To lead me to CHRIST   “22But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. 23Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under

Let Freedom Ring Part 3: Free to Live By Faith By Louie Marsh, 6-16-2024   Believing the Gospel means two things:   1)  I must choose one of two ways to live.   “1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?” (Galatians 3:1–2, BSB)   ·       Law – PERFORMANCE for acceptance   ·       The Spirit – living by the SPIRIT’S power   Let’s explore this – choosing to walk by the Spirit is a lot like this - We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable.   2) If I choose to live by faith then…   ·       I need to learn to work in the SPIRIT.   “3Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh? 4Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing? 5Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice

Let Freedom Ring Part Two: Free to Follow God’s Call, Gal. 1:11-2:10 By Louie Marsh, 6-9-2024   Called: In 2014 the Selective Service System mistakenly sent notices to more than 14,000 Pennsylvania men born between 1893 and 1897, ordering them to register for the nation's military draft and warning that failure to do so is "punishable by a fine and imprisonment." The agency realized the error when it began receiving calls from bewildered relatives last week. Chuck Huey, 73, of Kingston, said he got a notice addressed to his late grandfather Bert Huey, a World War I veteran who was born in 1894 and died in 1995 at age 100. "I said, `Geez, what is this about?' It said he was subject to heavy fines and imprisonment if he didn't sign up for the draft board," he said. "We were just totally dumbfounded." God’s Call – farmer comes in excited, saw GPC in the sky, says to wife, God’s calling to preach the gospel, she says no it means go plow corn! 1) respond to GOD’S CALL – not man’s call!   “11For I cer

Let Freedom Ring Part One: Free to Serve Jesus, Gal. 1:1-10 By Louie Marsh, 6-2-2024   Intro – New Bible Trans – Map of Galatia,  To be free to serve Jesus I need to know 4 things:   1) Know  WHERE  my loyalties lie.   “1Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead— 2and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia:” (Galatians 1:1–2, BSB)   I serve GOD not MAN.   This gives me… AUTHORITY   1Paul, an Apostle, not from man or through men’s authority but directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father, the One who raised Him from among the corpses.  2And everyone with me, to the congregations in Galatia. Galatians 1:1-2 (LIV)   Not a translation or a paraphrase – but a Paralation! CONFIDENCE POWER PURPOSE   2) Know THE GOSPEL   “3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to wh

The Gospel of Mark 1-8 Part 8: Lose the Leaven! By Louie Marsh, 5-26-2024   Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.   The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are.  We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it.'   Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.   The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are No problem. You don't need a ticket.  I'm sure you bought one.'  

The Gospel of Mark 1-8 Part 7: Tradition! By Louie Marsh, 5-19-2024   Last Slide – defining tradition.   1) Jesus didn’t CARE for mindless tradition.   “1Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.)” (Mark 7:1–4, ESV)   ·       This was done to be RITUALLY clean, no germaphobes!   ·       Washing is just one of Jewish 1st Century traditions.   2) Traditions aren’t necessarily GOOD OR BAD.   “8You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” 9And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting t

The Gospel of Mark 1-8 Pt. 6: Being a Follower of Jesus By Louie Marsh, 5-12-2024   Last slide – become what they want followers to become.   1) If I want to advance I’ve got to RETREAT.   “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.” 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.” (Mark 6:30–32, ESV)   Divert daily, withdraw weekly, Abandon annually   2) When I have a chance to minister – I should  TAKE IT.   “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 them many things.” (Mark 6:33–34, ESV)   3) I must never trust in MYSELF.   “35And when it grew late, his disciples came to h

The Gospel of Mark 1-8 Part 5: It’s Never Too Late By Louie Marsh, 5-5-2024 Last Slide – God is never late   1) Above all else I must keep FOCUSED on Jesus.   “22Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.” (Mark 5:22–24, ESV)   ·       Never be afraid to PRAY about anything!   “6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6, ESV)   ·       Staying focused on Christ isn’t EASY.   “25And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27She had heard the reports about Jesus

The Gospel of Mark 1-8 Pt 3 – Helping the Hard Hearted By Louie Marsh, 4-21-2024   Last Slide – Elvis Quote   1) When I follow Jesus I should EXPECT opposition.   “1Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him.” (Mark 3:1–2, ESV)   The Battle between Jesus and the Religious Establishment has already begun.   ·       People should always be treated as souls who Christ DIED to save.   The man with the withered hand was             A pawn in a religious/political battle for the Pharisees and Herodians           A hurting human being, made in God’s image, who needed help to Jesus.   2) Jesus puts people FIRST.   “3And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.”” “4And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent.” (Mark 3:3-4, ESV)   Jesus puts the man front and center to force the issue, Jesus

The Gospel of Mark 1-8 Pt 2: Jesus’ Authority By Louie Marsh, 4-14-2024   1) Like Jesus I need to see every moment as a TEACHING moment.   “2And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. (Mark 2:2–4, ESV)   ·       This is what true friendship LOOKS LIKE.   In Galilee, the ancient village of Qatzrin has been excavated and reconstructed. Although it was populated centuries after Jesus' time, scholars believe that the buildings and artifacts discovered there represent the practices of the first century.   A typical Galilean home was built of basalt (a dark volcanic rock) and had either one or two stories. A stonemason (sometimes translated as a "carpenter") used a wooden scaffold as he care

The Gospel of Mark, 2024 A Gospel Centered Gospel By Louie Marsh, 4-7-2024   Last slide – understand the bad news   1) Mark’s Gospel isn’t a biography, it’s all about the GOSPEL.   “1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1, ESV)   ·       Mark says the Gospel is CENTERED on Jesus.   “8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,” (2 Timothy 2:8, NIV84)   ·       Mark unveils the identity of Jesus – the SON of God.   “9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”” (Mark 1:9–11, ESV)   2) John’s mission was to SOFTEN Israels heart.   “4John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mark 1:4, ESV)   ·       He