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At CEFC, we want to live all of life for Christ whether we are at home or work, with our neighbors, or in our community. Our podcast is taken directly from our sermons where we help you to apply the scriptures to your life as you grow in your relationship with Christ, build one another up, and go out to serve. Visit us here to learn more: www.cefc.church.
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God works with imperfect people and grows them as they serve. Zechariah was an old priest who served God faithfully, even while he struggled with unanswered prayers. While Zechariah was serving, God showed up and grew Zechariah's faith through hardship. God is calling you to serve him now, even in your imperfection. God will grow you as you serve h…
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What do you boast in? Your success? Your status? Your religious performance? In Galatians 6, the Apostle Paul draws a hard line between two kinds of boasting: boasting in the flesh—what we do, how we appear, how others see us—and boasting in the cross of Jesus Christ. In this message, we unpack Paul’s passionate conclusion to the Galatians and disc…
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“Let Us Not Grow Weary.” Have you ever felt exhausted by doing the right thing? Serving. Giving. Helping. Restoring. Bearing the burdens of others. Maybe you’ve even found yourself on the sidelines—not because you stopped caring—but because you’re tired! “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Ga…
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Freedom can mean many different things to different people. In this message we learn about freedom in Christ and how it can impact our daily lives. In Galatians 5:1-15, Paul teaches us: *What we are free from *What we are free to *What danger is in us or anyone adding to the Gospel of Christ If you feel like you don’t measure up, or sin has a hold …
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What would you like to see changed about yourself? What would others like to see changed about you? What would God like to see changed about you? In the first part of Paul’s letter to the Galatian Christians, he addresses false teaching that threatened to lead them away from Christ. In the second part of the letter, he addresses bad behavior that n…
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Who do you long to see changed? A child, a friend, a spouse, a co-worker? What kind of change are you praying for? In Galatians 4:8–31, the apostle Paul demonstrates what it looks like to deeply desire spiritual transformation in others—not just behavior modification, but Christ formed in them. In this message, we explore how Paul begs for change—n…
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Who are you? Many of us answer that question by mentioning what we do or what we’ve accomplished. Others might respond by what others have done to them. In Galatians 4:1-7, Paul lifts our eyes to a different kind of answer one not built on our achievements or our failures, but on something much more profound. God has adopted us into His family, sen…
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In this message, we explore the relationship between God's promise to Abraham, the Law given to Moses, and the fulfillment found in Christ. Are Christians still bound by the rules and laws of the Old Testament? What purpose did the Law serve, and how does it point us to Jesus? You’ll discover: ✅ Why the Law never replaced the Promise ✅ How the Law …
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📌 Sermon Title: God’s Promise or Your Performance? 📖 Text: Galatians 3:1–14 Which road are you on — the road of law or the road of faith? In this message, we look at a spiritual fork in the road. Either we can pursue the blessings of God through faith or through law, through belief or through works, through the Spirit or through the flesh. The onl…
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📌 Who Is Your Father? 📖 John 8:31–47 In this revealing and deeply personal passage, Jesus engages in a brilliant confrontation with people who claimed to believe in Him. But belief, He shows, is not the same as discipleship—and not everyone who claims God as their Father belongs to His family. In this message we explore: The difference between a sl…
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📌 Sermon Title: Hypocrisy in the Church 📖 Text: Galatians 2:11–21 “Hypocrites are the worst”—and perhaps the worst hypocrites are hypocrites in the church. In Galatians 2:11–21, we confront one of the most shocking examples of hypocrisy in the early church: the Apostle Peter. Though Peter believed the gospel of grace, his actions told a different s…
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Watch Out for Spies! In Galatians 2:1–10, false brothers—spies pretending to be believers— try to turn Christian freedom into spiritual slavery. What’s at stake? The very heart of the Gospel. Paul refuses to yield. Not even for a moment. Why? Because salvation is through grace alone—not rules, not rituals, not religious performance. In this sermon,…
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Discover the life-changing truth that the Gospel isn't a human invention but comes directly from God through divine revelation. In this powerful sermon on Galatians 1:11-24, we explore how Paul's dramatic transformation from violent persecutor to passionate preacher proves the supernatural power of God's Gospel. 🔑 Key Takeaways: * Why the Gospel's …
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Forty and Fearless | Celebrating 40 Years of God’s Faithfulness at CEFC Join us as we celebrate 40 incredible years of God's goodness and faithfulness! This milestone isn't just a look back—it's also a time to look forward. Inspired by Caleb’s courage in Numbers 14, we’re not asking for comfort—we’re asking for a challenge. Like Caleb, in Joshua 14…
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Traitors like Benedict Arnold have a bad reputation for good reason. And yet, many Christians are in danger of deserting Jesus because they are led astray by troublemakers who distort the gospel of grace. Don’t be a traitor! Watch out for troublemakers who would lead you away from Jesus. This message exalts God’s amazing grace and warns us against …
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Paul wastes no time reminding believers in the churches of Galatia exactly what the Gospel really is and what it does for those who believe it. False teachers were leading people away from the Gospel so he is quick to address Gospel concepts right out the gate, setting the tone for this heated letter. A key point Paul reminds all believers about is…
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Forgotten in a prison but remembered by God—Joseph’s story is a powerful reminder that delays are not denials. When it seemed like nothing was happening, God was preparing everything. Come discover how God’s providence turns trials and tribulations into mercies in disguise! Join us at cefc.church.Jeff Lee
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Mary the Messenger | Easter Message from John 20:11–18 On Easter morning, Jesus had a message to send—and he chose Mary Magdalene as his first messenger. Not a religious leader. Not a public figure. A woman with a past. A woman transformed by Jesus. In this message, we explore: 📩 The urgency of God's message—like a warning on a highway, or life-sav…
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On this Good Friday, we consider the death of Christ and what that death means for our life today. Join us cefc.church.Trevor Steele
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How does Jesus respond to our disappointment and sorrow? If you were weeping, what would Jesus say? In John 20:11–18, we find Mary Magdalene weeping outside the empty tomb. It’s there, in her grief, that the risen Jesus meets her and asks two deeply personal questions: “Why are you weeping?” “Whom are you seeking?” These are not just questions for …
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In John 20:1-10, we read of a dark moment when confusion turned to faith, and an empty grave declared the greatest victory in history. In a world searching for hope, the resurrection of Jesus proves that death is not the end and that Jesus is the light in the darkness. What does the empty tomb mean for us today? Discover how this moment reshaped hi…
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Mary the Anointer approached the tomb, expecting to anoint the body of Jesus—but what she found changed everything. Mark 15:42–16:4 reveals a deep preoccupation with Christ’s lifeless body. Why? What does this tell us about the meaning of His death? This message explores the central event of Christ’s sacrifice through three powerful perspectives of…
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Mary the Witness Stand Out, Stand By, Stand On Mary Magdalene wasn’t just a follower of Jesus—she was a witness who stood out for her singular devotion to Him. In a world where identity is often tied to people, status, or achievements, Mary found her identity in Christ. She stood by Jesus at the cross when others fled, showing a faith that was bold…
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Join us for this message about Mary Magdalene, a true servant of Jesus. As seen in Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 16:1-2, Mary is one of the women who gave to minister to Jesus’ needs. After Jesus’ death, Mary was one who rose early to anoint His body with costly spices and showed sacrificial love even when hope seemed lost. Mary gave her whole self – time…
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Discover the transformative power of Jesus through the inspiring story of Mary Magdalene in this sermon on Luke 8:1-3. Once oppressed by seven demons, Mary was healed by Jesus’ compassion and authority, becoming a "tower of faith" and a model disciple. Learn how she followed Jesus wholeheartedly, giving her all—time, resources, and life—despite the…
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Do you need healing—emotional, physical, spiritual, or psychological? 💔 James 5:16-18 shows us the power of confession and prayer in bringing restoration. But what if you're afraid to confess? What if praying feels awkward or uncomfortable? True healing happens in community. When we confess our sins to one another and pray for one another, we step …
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This message tackles two questions: Do I love others enough to give correction? Do I love Jesus enough to receive correction? A good friend tells the truth even when the truth hurts. Proverbs 27:5-6 describes this type of truth telling as a faithful wound. When a friend wounds us with the truth, that wound can lead us to grow more like Christ. On t…
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We are not meant to walk alone! God designed friendships in Christ to be a source of mutual encouragement, strength, and spiritual growth. Paul longed to visit the believers in Rome—not just to encourage them, but to be encouraged by their faith as well (Romans 1:11-12). This message covers the following: ✨ How to cultivate friendships that build u…
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Friendships can become God’s force to shape and sharpen our spiritual lives. This message unpacks Proverbs 27:17 and Galatians 6:1-2, revealing how to approach others with gentle correction when they're caught in one of life's traps. Learn the delicate balance between necessary friction and damaging force in relationships, and see how Jesus modeled…
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Friendship That Sacrifices (1 Samuel 18:1-4; Philippians 2:5-8) | CEFC 2-2-25 In a world of quick likes, endless scrolling, and shallow connections, true friendship is becoming increasingly rare. But real friendship—the kind that changes lives—is costly. It requires sacrifice, vulnerability, and deep commitment. 📖 In 1 Samuel 18, Jonathan gives up …
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Are you the type of friend who encourages and strengthens others even when it puts you in a potentially difficult situation? In 1 Samuel 23:15-18, Jonathan, son of King Saul, secretly meets with David, Saul's successor, to encourage him spiritually and affirm his future kingship. Although David was being relentlessly threatened by King Saul, Jonath…
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Are you struggling with Friendship? Are you lonely and desiring a friend? Are the friendships you already have difficult and sometimes painful or unfulfilling? As we begin our new series “Friendship by Divine Design,” we are going to explore how Christ has modeled friendship for us and through a foundational friendship with Him, we’ll be able to sh…
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How will you finish your life? Will it be full of meaning, purpose, and faith—or will it slip away like sand in an hourglass? Starting well is important, but finishing well is critical. How can we finish well? How can we finish faithfully? Acts 28 describes final years of the apostle Paul’s ministry when his life is being “poured out like a drink o…
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Life often feels like a series of storms, but what happens when the storm is followed by the strike of a snake? In Acts 28, Paul survives a shipwreck only to face a venomous viper on the island of Malta. His response shows us how to trust God when it seems like the struggles and hardships in life keep coming. Through this message, discover five pow…
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Christmas celebrations don’t always live up to our expectations and the season seems to come and go so quickly. But here’s the good news, if we look behind all our yearly festivities to the reason we celebrate Christmas we find a message that never disappoints and a person that always exceeds the expectations of those who believe in him. John tells…
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Christmas may be that time of year when peace is the hardest gift to find. And yet, peace is the gift each of us want and need. Why is peace so elusive? Where can we find peace? Jesus is the Prince of Peace (as foretold in Isaiah 9:6) who offers us the gift of peace in himself. This Christmas we are finding peace in Jesus. Join us at cefc.church. #…
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When the storms of life come blowing in to our lives, we may feel that God has either abandoned us or is torturing us. But what if God is using the storm to bring us to a place of where we willing choose to throw out of our lives those things that have been weighing us down spiritually? What if the storm is God’s prompting to cast out of our lives …
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Have you counted the cost of following Jesus? Is Jesus worth it? In Acts 26, Paul shares his testimony with King Herod Agrippa and challenges him to believe in the risen Christ. Agrippa listen’s to Paul’s testimony and calculates the cost of following Jesus and chooses. Two questions that we will encounter in this sermon are (1) What is the cost of…
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What do I do when I don’t know what to do? In Acts 25, the Apostle Paul endures over two years in prison, facing uncertainty about his future. What should he do? This sermon explores two critical questions every Christian should ask when navigating life’s difficult and imprisoning moments: 1. What do you want me to know? 2. What do you want me to d…
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Thanking God is more than just a good thing to do, it’s also good for us. It helps us grow a healthy faith relationship with God that enables us to overcome struggles in all areas of life: anxiety, idolatry, depression, suffering, and lethargy, to name just a few. Thankfulness is like a vitamin to the Christian life. God uses it to support the deve…
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Felix was a clever man who moved up the social ladder from slave to freeman to governor of Judea. When the apostle Paul was brought before him, Felix’s mind and heart was engaged by Paul’s message of faith in Jesus, righteousness, self-control, and judgment. But Felix delayed any decision on Christ and faith until he ran out of time to make a decis…
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The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity, provoking responses that range from worship to anger. If the resurrection is true then the person and claims of Christ are true, while rejecting the resurrection means denying Christ’s divinity entirely. More than just a point of division, the resurrection empowers believers, offering profound co…
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When was the last time you shared your story of meeting Jesus? If you were to tell your story now, who would you tell—friend, family, or even an enemy? And what would you say? In this message, "Paul’s Powerful Testimony", we’ll walk through Acts 22 and see how Paul courageously shared his conversion story before a hostile audience. How did Paul tel…
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When You Are Treated Unfairly Acts 21:17-40 Ever been falsely accused or misunderstood? The Apostle Paul faced exactly that in Jerusalem. Despite his good intentions and careful planning, he encountered intense opposition and unfair treatment. This powerful study of Acts 21:17-40 reveals timeless wisdom for responding to injustice with both grace a…
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When is it right to ignore a warning? If you saw a sign that warned of shark-infested waters, would you dive in anyway? People who loved God and loved Paul warned him not to go to Jerusalem. In fact, they warned Paul that if he went to Jerusalem he would be bound and imprisoned. Paul went anyway. How did Paul know to go even though good people warn…
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Saying farewell is never easy, but Paul masterfully says goodbye to his friends, the Ephesian elders after 3 years of faithful ministry among them. Paul reminds the elders how he lived and led beside them for three years, and as he departs for Jerusalem, he calls them to lead as he did. The charge that Paul leaves them with is to serve the Lord, sh…
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Imagine a church service in a home late on a Sunday night. People have shared a good meal together, the room is warm and stuffy, and the apostle Paul is preaching late into the night. As Paul speaks on and on, a young man named Eutychus falls asleep in a window and plummets three stories to his death. But Paul went down and took the man in his arms…
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In this sermon titled "Battle of the Gods," we dive into the chaos that erupted in Acts 19:23-20:6 and examine it from two distinct angles: Why did the people riot, and why did God allow it? As the silversmiths of Ephesus felt their wealth and identity slipping away, their gods were threatened and they began to riot. What gods/idols do people fear …
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Where do you turn for power? Some people turn to books and podcasts that teach some helpful practices to improve life. But when those helpful tips and practices encounter the power of evil spirits, the results are disastrous. Thankfully, Christ is the person and the power that overcomes all other powers. But, as Acts 19:8-22 reveals, Christ cannot …
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The apostle Paul asked a question that immediately diagnosed the spiritual condition of 12 men. This question is of vital importance to each of us today. The question is this: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Paul assumed that his listeners could answer that question accurately and confidently. Can you answer that question confi…
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