http://www.cherrycreekpres.org Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church Podcasts en Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church Podcasts Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church no Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church gwelker@cherrycreekpres.org ℗ & © 2008 Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church 720 In the Christian year, Pentecost Sunday is the day which remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). But more than that, it celebrates the work of the Spirit in our lives today. The Holy Spirit is not an “it” but a person of the Trinity. He draws us to Christ. He convicts us of sin. He persuades and enables us to believe. He unites us with Christ and mediates the presence of Jesus to us, bringing all the benefits of salvation to our souls. He gives gifts. He leads. He fills. He comforts. He brings forth spiritual fruit. And the Spirit always seems to throw the floodlight back onto Christ. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/something-more-important-than-just-plain-old-motherhood http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/something-more-important-that-just-plain-old-motherhood.mp3 Sun, 11 May 2008 17:25:00 CDT Dr. Don Sweeting In the Christian year, Pentecost Sunday is the day which remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). But more than that, it celebrates the work of the Spirit in our lives today. The Holy Spirit is not an “it” but a person of the Trinity. He ... mother's_day,pentecost,acts,lectionary 33:15 You shall be my witnesses ... to the ends of the earth." This Sunday, instead of a traditional sermon, we are taking the opportunity to have several members of our congregation share some of their experiences from the recent short-term mission trips to Juarez, Uganda and Congo. Those who participated in these trips have a strong sense of the privilege it was to represent all of us from CCPC. They also have a strong sense that, though they were given the opportunity to make a difference, it was perhaps as important that they were made different. We as a congregation can be very thankful that the Lord has called us to a life together ... a life of meaning, purpose and service. This morning, we celebrate God’s grace that unites us with God’s people worldwide! http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/2008-missionary-report Sun, 04 May 2008 12:15:20 CDT You shall be my witnesses ... to the ends of the earth." This Sunday, instead of a traditional sermon, we are taking the opportunity to have several members of our congregation share some of their experiences from the recent short-term mission ... congo,missions,uganda,juarez Guest Speaker Ken Sande is president of Peacemaker Ministries and author of The Peacemaker, which has been translated into ten languages. He is passionate about bringing the life-changing power of the gospel and the wisdom of God's peacemaking principles into the lives of Christians and their churches. His early experience in engineering and law fueled his desire to dedicate his life to biblical peacemaking, resulting in his decision 25 years ago to found Peacemaker Ministries. Ken has used biblical peacemaking principles to minister to parties in hundreds of conflict situations ranging from simple personal disputes to complex church, corporate, and legal conflicts. He has written numerous resources on conflict resolution and is in frequent demand as a conference speaker. His wife, Corlette, who has homeschooled their two teenagers, published a biblical peacemaking curriculum for children called The Young Peacemaker. The Sandes’ favorite family activity is hiking in the mountains near their home in Billings, Montana. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/buidling-a-culture-of-peace-in-your-church http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/building-a-culture-of-peace-in-your-church.mp3 Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:26:27 CDT Ken Sande Guest Speaker Ken Sande is president of Peacemaker Ministries and author of The Peacemaker, which has been translated into ten languages. He is passionate about bringing the life-changing power of the gospel and the wisdom of God's peacemaking ... peace,peacemaking,peacemakers 33:34 Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 Acts 7:55-60. This is in many ways the sequel to my previous message on Palm Sunday. That Sunday's sermon dealt with many of the personal realities of how we deal with suffering in relation to God. That's the "short view"...suffering on an individual scope. Today takes a huge step back from that. We will glance at the powerful story of the intersection of one martyr--Stephen--and one bystander--Saul. But we won't let the drama and excitement of this powerful account eclipse what Luke, as author, was intending to convey through this story's setting in the grand scheme of his two-volume story we call Luke-Acts. In fact, such a perspective on the story grants us a powerful lesson on the "long view" of suffering--looking at it from God's perspective rather than ours. The main thrust of today's message is that when we take the long view of suffering, we share in God's kingdom in some extraordinary ways. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/the-long-view-of-suffering-of-martyrs-and-bystanders http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/the-long-view-of-suffering-of-martyrs-and-bystanders.mp3 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:32:13 CDT Zac Hicks Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 Acts 7:55-60. This is in many ways the sequel to my previous message on Palm Sunday. That Sunday's sermon dealt with many of the personal realities of how we deal with suffering in ... stephen,martyr,suffering 28:28 Fourth Sunday of Easter Lectionary: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23:1-6, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 John 10:4 “When he (the shepherd) has brought out all his own (sheep), he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” Jesus also said of Himself in verses 11 and 14, “I am the Good Shepherd.” And so the question being asked in this morning’s message is, “Do you know His voice? ” As pointed as the question may be however, once we understand the context surrounding the story and look at it through the lens of Ezekiel 34, we discover in addition to Jesus declaring Himself to be the Good Shepherd, that there is a second question: “What kind of shepherd are you?” The Pharisees were supposed to be the shepherds of the flock and yet Jesus draws a comparison between good shepherds who “lay down their life for their friends” and bad shepherds (hired hands) that “abandon the sheep and run away” leaving them vulnerable to attack. It’s one thing to know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd which is very comforting to think about, but once we have acknowledged that, we have to probe a little deeper and ask ourselves, “When people look at me, do they see Jesus—the Good Shepherd? Do I care enough about those for whom Christ died, that I would be willing to lay down my life for them?” These are deep, penetrating, and convicting questions we must consider. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/do-you-know-his-voice http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/do-you-know-his-voice.mp3 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:50:27 CDT Bruce Finfrock Fourth Sunday of Easter Lectionary: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23:1-6, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 John 10:4 “When he (the shepherd) has brought out all his own (sheep), he goes on ahead of ... voice,sheep,shepherd 24:25 The account in Luke's Gospel of the two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection is one of the most intriguing in the New Testament. It gives us, in story form, very deep insight into how it is that we come to know the Lord's presence in our lives. Against the backdrop of God's first seeking us, it shows us how the Lord uses the rich interplay of emotions, Scripture, understanding and participation in a common meal with uncommon meaning to bring us into a life changing realization of God's grace in Christ. The two who met Him said to the others, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" As we open the Scriptures today it is with the prayer that the Lord will make our hearts burn as well and that the burning in our hearts will transform our lives. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/were-not-our-hearts-burning-within-us http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/were-not-our-hearts-burning-within-us.mp3 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:26:20 CDT Marty Martin The account in Luke's Gospel of the two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection is one of the most intriguing in the New Testament. It gives us, in story form, very deep insight into how it is that we come to know the ... sacrements,resurrection,dimension,mother 30:27 Our text this morning comes from the book of I Peter. To fully understand our passage we need to know about the context in which it was written. The apostle Peter wrote this letter to predominantly Gentile believers scattered throughout Asia Minor, which is present-day Turkey. It was most likely written during the early 60’s (as in 60AD, not the 1960’s), during the reign of the Roman Emperor, Nero. Nero was famous for his hatred and persecution of Christians. Under his reign believers suffered greatly for their commitment to Christ. Today we will explore what relevance a text written to those suffering believers could possibly have to us in 21st Century America. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/stepping-into-the-furnace-welcoming-the-refinement-of-our-faith http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/stepping-into-the-furnace-welcoming-the-refinement-of-our-faith.mp3 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 14:22:09 CDT Chris Piehl Our text this morning comes from the book of I Peter. To fully understand our passage we need to know about the context in which it was written. The apostle Peter wrote this letter to predominantly Gentile believers scattered throughout Asia Minor, ... refinement,fire,dross,faith 33:02 This Easter morning, both visually and in the message, our attention will be drawn to the cross that stands so prominently in our sanctuary. As a symbol, the cross is capable of evoking great passion, but it is the events behind the symbol that are capable of producing not only passion, but great change for good in each of our lives. As the Scriptures clearly teach, something happened in the crucifixion and resurrection, not only to Jesus, but to us as well. The practical value of the mystery of our union with Christ in His death and resurrection is hard to see for many. May God give us the grace today to see that in our union with Him, crucified and risen, our deepest needs and greatest hopes find their fulfillment. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/do-not-be-afraid-he-is-risen http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/do-not-be-afraid-he-is-risen.mp3 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 10:28:40 CDT Marty Martin This Easter morning, both visually and in the message, our attention will be drawn to the cross that stands so prominently in our sanctuary. As a symbol, the cross is capable of evoking great passion, but it is the events behind the symbol that are ... easter,symbols,crucifixion,resurrection,cross 31:24 If you’ve been around for Palm Sunday in the past, think back on those experiences. Recall the atmosphere of worship. Perhaps you were with a congregation that grabbed palm branches and waved them high during a jubilant hymn or song. Maybe you sang those famous words, sung on the very first Palm Sunday: “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” In most (if not all) our experiences of Palm Sunday, churches tended to pull out all the stops, coming in at 100% on the joy-meter. But there was a dark side to Palm Sunday, which we will explore today through the eyes of King David. Why dampen such a festive day? We’re willing to do it because the one person who saw and experienced the dark side of Palm Sunday was none other than Jesus Himself. Today, we’ll walk the Palm Sunday that Christ walked. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/the-dark-side-of-palm-sunday-lessons-from-a-worshipping-sufferer http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/the-dark-side-of-palm-sunday-lessons-from-a-worshipping-sufferer.mp3 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:41:16 CDT Zac Hicks If you’ve been around for Palm Sunday in the past, think back on those experiences. Recall the atmosphere of worship. Perhaps you were with a congregation that grabbed palm branches and waved them high during a jubilant hymn or song. Maybe you sang ... palm_sunday,worship,suffering 27:52 Hi, Welcome to Youth Sunday! We are thrilled that you are here. One of the movie characters of all time is Ebenezer Scrooge from the movie A Christmas Carol. He is great because of what he ultimately discovers about the joy of serving others. His entire life and reason for living is transformed the moment he chooses to stop being a vicious, mean-spirited boss and become a gracious man finding delight through serving others. It’s a great story! Ebenezer’s amazing change is like the change people experience when God’s Spirit transforms them. They move from selfish to servant. This change happens to those who allow God’s purpose of ministry to fill their lives and give them power to do what is unnatural-serving others rather than themselves. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/serve http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/serve.mp3 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 12:17:19 CDT Roger Kamstra Chris Piehl Hi, Welcome to Youth Sunday! We are thrilled that you are here. One of the movie characters of all time is Ebenezer Scrooge from the movie A Christmas Carol. He is great because of what he ultimately discovers about the joy of serving others. His ... serve 34:11 God opens doors http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/god-opens-doors-no-man-can-shut http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/god-opens-doors-no-man-can-shut.mp3 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 10:51:01 CST Eric Watt God opens doors god_opens_doors 19:02 The Lectionary texts for today speak about thirst for life. The people thirst for water in the wilderness. The Samaritan woman at the well meets the One who gives the water of eternal life. Paul speaks of God’s love being “poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” The Samaritan woman didn’t recognize her need for “Living Water”, instead we find a woman who is secluded to an island in her own life. Simon and Garfunkel in their song entitled “I am a Rock” express this idea well: “A fortress deep and mighty, that none may penetrate. I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain. It’s laughter and its loving that I disdain. I am a rock, I am an island...I have my books and my poetry to protect me; I am shielded in my armor, hiding in my room, safe within my womb. I touch no one and no one touches me. I am a rock, I am an island. And a rock feels no pain; and an island never cries.” http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/people-meet-your-stereotype-before-it-meets-you http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/people-meet-your-stereotype-before-they-meet-you.mp3 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:55:31 CST Roger Kamstra The Lectionary texts for today speak about thirst for life. The people thirst for water in the wilderness. The Samaritan woman at the well meets the One who gives the water of eternal life. Paul speaks of God’s love being “poured into our ... samaritan_woman,holy_spirit,eternal_life,stereotype 26:36 Today's gospel reading contains probably the best known verse in the Bible, John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." The mystery of eternal life, what it is and how we experience it, is the most profound of all mysteries. Nicodemus, then one of the most revered teachers of the Jewish people, approached Jesus and asked him to explain. Though Nicodemus was a theologian with a significant background in the study of the Scriptures, he was unprepared for the answer that Jesus gave. The Lord's answer to him is God's answer to us when we ask as well. We don't have to be theologians to receive the greatest gift of all. We just have to have open hearts and open minds! http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/born-of-the-spirit http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/born-of-the-spirit.mp3 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 11:09:26 CST Marty Martin Today's gospel reading contains probably the best known verse in the Bible, John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." The mystery of ... born_again,spirit,nicodemus,john_3 34:37 Today’s lectionary texts are fitting because they have to do with something common to all of us: temptation. Even the Apostle Paul confessed his struggle with temptation and sin when he said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it,” Romans 7:15-20. The Lenten season serves to remind us that we are mortal and that we are sinners in need of a Savior. There is good news in knowing that the great Apostle struggled with temptation just as we do. There is even better news in knowing that we “do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need,” Hebrews 4:15-16. We hope that this will be your experience as you worship with us today. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/temptation-getting-to-the-bottom-of-it-all http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/temptation-getting-to-the-bottom-of-it-all.mp3 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:47:43 CST Bruce Finfrock Today’s lectionary texts are fitting because they have to do with something common to all of us: temptation. Even the Apostle Paul confessed his struggle with temptation and sin when he said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to ... temptation,lent,weakness,struggle 21:03 The Biblical account of the Transfiguration is a fascinating one. In today's Gospel reading we will hear Matthew's description of this unusual event when Jesus' "face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." For many of us this is one more proof of the divinity of Christ and perhaps of symbolic value, but it is often hard to connect it with anything practical in our lives. The eastern Orthodox churches have always held this to be of central importance not only in the life of Jesus, but in the lives of believers down through the ages. They have seen this to be of major practical value and their insights are significant ones. As with so much of the Bible, this account is given not merely to inform us, but to transform us and it is in this transformation that we find the practical value of this beautiful passage. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/the-fire-at-mount-tabor http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/the-fire-at-mount-tabor.mp3 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:51:10 CST Marty Martin The Biblical account of the Transfiguration is a fascinating one. In today's Gospel reading we will hear Matthew's description of this unusual event when Jesus' "face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." For ... transfiguration,transformation 38:05 Leaders. We are obsessed with the question of leadership as we head into an election year. And yet, truth be told, the world of human leadership is poised to let us down. In four to eight years, we will feel about our new leaders the way we feel about our old leaders. In the midst of all the disappointment, Jesus calls us to “follow him.” Today in the Word, we will be thinking about his call in the context of our lives. It is a call that rings true in the church and the world. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/follow-the-leader http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/follow-the-leader.mp3 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:20:47 CST Dr. Don Sweeting Leaders. We are obsessed with the question of leadership as we head into an election year. And yet, truth be told, the world of human leadership is poised to let us down. In four to eight years, we will feel about our new leaders the way we feel ... leaders,follow,election 28:24 Today is Vision Sunday. We will be discussing our mission and vision as a church. Before Christ, what do we need to be, and what do we need to do? These questions inevitably drive us back to the great commission and the great commandment. Today in the Word; we will be helped by looking at the role of the early disciple Andrew and what he wanted to accomplish. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/st-andrews-bucket-list http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/st-andrews-bucket-list.mp3 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:25:59 CST Dr. Don Sweeting Today is Vision Sunday. We will be discussing our mission and vision as a church. Before Christ, what do we need to be, and what do we need to do? These questions inevitably drive us back to the great commission and the great commandment. Today in ... st._andrew,brought,great_commission,great_commandment 29:27 This morning in our worship we consider the baptism of Jesus and will explore the reasons behind His willingness to be baptized, particularly when there was no apparent need for it. If John’s baptism was for repentance and the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4), then why would the sinless lamb of God even ask to be baptized? In this mornings sermon we will look at the Purpose, the Picture, and the Power given to us through this historic event in the life of Jesus from Matthew’s account in chapter three, verses 13-17. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/following-jesus-to-the-rivers-edge http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/following-jesus-to-the-rivers-edge-1.mp3 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:15:59 CST Bruce Finfrock This morning in our worship we consider the baptism of Jesus and will explore the reasons behind His willingness to be baptized, particularly when there was no apparent need for it. If John’s baptism was for repentance and the forgiveness of sins ... baptism,jesus,john_the_baptist 19:03 What is it about the new year that brings out hopes and fears? We have great hope that our dreams will be realized, but we also have our fears. And to top it off, many begin the year by articulating and predicting their fears? How will you live in 2008, with confidence or with fear. Today in the Word Pastor Don will be speaking about the fear of the Lord. http://www.sermoncloud.com/CCPC/choosing-the-fear-of-the-lord http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1392/choosing-the-fear-of-the-lord.mp3 Sun, 06 Jan 2008 14:26:16 CST Dr. Don Sweeting What is it about the new year that brings out hopes and fears? We have great hope that our dreams will be realized, but we also have our fears. And to top it off, many begin the year by articulating and predicting their fears? How will you live in ... choosing,fear,lord,psalm_27 40:09