Cedar Hills Community Church - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Abundance: An Abundance of SeeingPastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Every person we meet is made in the image of God.TEXT - Genesis 1:27OUTLINE1. Mankind was made in the image of God. - Genesis 1:26-31 - Genesis 2:7 - “God-breathed is warmly personal, with the face-to-face intimacy of a kiss and the significance that this was an act of giving as well as making; and self-giving at that.” Derek Kidner2. Everyone is made in the image of God. - Genesis 1:27 - ‘Since man has sinned, he is certainly not as fully like God as he was before… Though man is still in the image of God, in every aspect of life some parts of that image have been distorted or lost.” Wayne Grudem.  3. You are made in the image of God. - “Human beings need recognition as much as we need food and water. No crueler punishment can be devised than to not see someone, to render them unimportant or invisible.” ~ David Brooks - Genesis 16:13NEXT STEPS:  - Take a moment with each person you meet this week - to really see them. - With each person you see thi

ABUNDANCE: God's AbundancePastor Steve PooleTEXT: Genesis 3:10-24 1. God’s abundance on display in Genesis 1-3 a. Creation b. Relationship c. Provision d. Deliverance 2. THE BAD... Sin is real and has real consequences a. Sin is rejecting, ignoring, or disobeying God. b. Sin alienates us from God. c. Sin turns blessings into curses. d. Sin fractures human relationships. e. Sin leads to death. 3. THE GOOD... God sends a redeemer (Jesus) a. Romans 3:23-26 b. Romans 6:22-23 c. Ephesians 2:4-6NEXT STEPS1. Abide in God’s abundance 2. Forgive someone. 3. Look for a way you can bless someone with something they don’t deserve.4. Check out the New City Catechism. YOUTUBE----------------------ABUNDANT LOVE: A YEAR OF LIVING WITH OPEN HANDSWEEK 5: God is Protector.REFLECTIONGod is our protector. There are many instances in the Bible about God as our Hiding Place, our Shelter, our Fortress—one under whose wings we can take refuge. Taking refuge in God is not an act of weakness, but a countercultural act of co

Abundance: Is Forgiveness Scarce or Abundant? Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - We will not thrive with a scarcity mindset. TEXT - Genesis 3:1-131. Doubt - Did God really say? * Genesis 3:1 * Psalm 27:12. Disguise - They realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings. * Genesis 3:2-8 * Hebrews 4:133. Denial - She gave me the fruit. * Genesis 3:9-13 * Romans 8:1NEXT STEPS: 1. Celebrate that God has forgiven you.2. Extend forgiveness to someone who needs it - and don’t hold back.----------------------------------------------------ABUNDANT LOVE: A Year of Living with Open HandsWeek 4: God is Love. REFLECTIONGod is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. God calls us to live in His lavish love and then to share that lavish love with others. This kind of love is lived out with generosity that cannot be overlooked. When we know how much God loved us, we cannot help but love others. READINGSDay 1. Exodus 34:5-7Day 2. 1 Corinthians 13.Day 3. John 13:31-35Day 4. 1 Jo

Installing our new 2024 board of Elders and Deacons.

Abundance: Together is BetterPastor Kent Landhuis THEME - We enjoy God’s abundant provision in community. TEXT - Genesis 2:4-20OUTLINE1. God Makes Everything Good. * Genesis 1:28 * Genesis 1:31 * Genesis 2:42. It is Not Good to be Alone. * Genesis 2:7-8 * Genesis 2:15-18 * Genesis 2:21-253. God Invites us Together.  * Genesis 1:26-27 * Genesis 3:8 * Psalm 116NEXT STEPS:  * Take a walk with God. * Take a walk with another person.-----------------------------------------------------------------ABUNDANT LOVE: A Year of Living with Open HandsWEEK 3: God created us to bear His image.REFLECTIONWe are God’s children, made in his image and called to increasingly bear his likeness. We are called to reflect his light into a world of darkness and when we do this we bring God glory. When we reflect God’s nature, we become more fully alive to the purposes that God has for us. READINGSDay 1. Genesis 1:26-27Day 2. Genesis 5:1-2Day 3. Matthew 5:13-16Day 4. Romans 8:28-30Day 5. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 MEDITATIONWhat does it mea

ABUNDANCE: God’s Abundance in CreationPastor Steve PooleTEXT: Genesis 1:1-31, 2:1-3“And God saw that it was good.”GENESIS 11. God finds pleasure in His created world.2. God is glorified when we enjoy His creation. (Genesis 1:27-28)3. God created you on purpose for a purpose. (Psalms 8:1,3; 19:1-2, Romans 1:19-20)4. Creation testifies to the greatness of God.NEXT STEPS1. Spend some time this week experiencing God’s love by admiring the abundant beauty of His creation.2. Find deeper confidence, purpose and meaning in the wonderful truth of Genesis 1:27-28 - “in the image of God”.3. Reflect on the question, “How can I help others experience the abundance of God this week?”------------------------------------------------------ABUNDANT LOVE: A Year of Living with Open HandsWEEK 2: God owns everything.REFLECTIONAs creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, Godholds the rights to all of it. And if God owns the rights to everything -that includes us. Even when we had become slaves to sin, Godredeem

Abundance: Union With ChristGary Sager 1. What is union with Christ? (Galatians 3:26-29)·        Vine and branches. John 15,·        Head with its body, Ephesians 1·        Temple and the cornerstone. 1 Peter 2·        Husband and a wife. Ephesians 5 2. Why is it important?·        We receive a new record.·        We get a new life. (Galatians 2:20)·        There’s a new freedom.·        We get a new family.·        A new future. 3. How do we live out this union?“When we obey God, out of a grateful joy, that comes from a deep awareness of our status as children of God . . . then the idols which control our lives can be disempowered and we’re free to live for Christ.” ~ Tim Keller “We are to count on or believe that we actually did die to the guilt and consequent dominion of sin…We are to believe that we truly have been set free. Not only are we to believe that we have died to sin; we also are to believe that we are alive unto God, united to the risen Christ and partakers of His divine nature. It is the belief

Word Made Flesh: Character DevelopmentPastor Kent Landhuis THEME - The character of Jesus developed to accomplish the purpose for which he came. TEXT - Matthew 2:1-18 1. Threatened. (Matthew 2:1-18) 2. Tempted. (Matthew 4:1-11)3. Tested. (Matthew 16:13-20)4. Trampled. (Matthew 26-27)5. Triumphed. (Matthew 28:1-10, Colossians 1:9-20, Philippians 2:6-11, John 1:14) NEXT STEPS·        Give thanks.·        Don’t lose heart -------------------------------------------2024 Theme: Abundant FaithA year of living with open hands. Do not forget to do good and to share with others. Hebrews 13:16a In the New Year, we will focus on the spiritual practice of giving. This kind of generosity involves so much more than simply giving money. All kinds of giving flow from gospel-transformed hearts touched by God’s lavish love. Radical, whole-life generosity flows from a grateful response to God’s generosity toward us - it is the overflow of Abundant Faith. Our goal is to grow generosity by growing an awareness of our dependence o

Christmas Eve at Cedar Hills Community Church

Word Made Flesh: Growing up JesusPastor Kent Landhuis  THEME - Jesus grew in stature and wisdom and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)TEXT - Luke 2:41-52 1. Do you focus more on the humanity or the divinity of Jesus?·        Isaiah 9:6·        Luke 2:41-42·        Luke 2:49-50 2. Do you recognize what Jesus accomplished? ·        Luke 2:40,52·        Luke 24:26-27·        Luke 2:46-47 3. Do you know how much God loves you?·        Isaiah 11:1-9·        Isaiah 53:4-6·        Isaiah 25:6-9·        Isaiah 54:10·        1 John 4:7-21 NEXT STEPS: Receive God’s Love.Love God.Love People.  1 John 4:7-217 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our si

Word Made Flesh: Water into WinePastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.TEXT - John 2:1-12OUTLINE1. We have no wine. * John 2:3 * Matthew 25:1 * Revelations 19:7 * Ephesians 5:25-262. Do whatever he says. * John 2:4-7 * Hebrews 9:22 * John 6:53-563. The best is yet to come. * John 2:8-10 * Isaiah 25:6-9 * Isaiah 55:1-3NEXT STEPS: 1. Admit your lack of wine.2. Do whatever the bridegroom says.3. Rejoice.A GREAT PODCAST:https://podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/lord-of-the-wine-1699279399/

Word Made Flesh: Life and DeathPastor Steve PooleTHEME - The flesh and blood Jesus deals with death.TEXT - John 11:17-441. Jesus doesn’t blame Lazarus or his sisters.“The flesh and blood Jesus doesn’t rebuke any of themourners for showing their grief over the death ofLazarus, and he could have!” ~Steve Poole2. Jesus doesn’t condemn their emotional response.“…the Son of God, having clothed himself with our flesh,of his own accord, clothed himself also with humanfeelings, so that he did not differ at all from his brethren,sin only excepted.” ~ John Calvin3. Jesus offers peace through truth.“I am that high and holy One who, by taking man’s natureupon Me, have ennobled his body, and made itsresurrection possible. I am the great First Cause andProcurer of man’s resurrection, the Conqueror of death,and the Saviour of the body. I am the great Spring andSource of all life, and whatever life any one has, eternal,spiritual, physical, is all owing to Me…” ~ J.C. Ryle4. Jesus offers peace through sharing in our tears.“W

Word Made Flesh: Resurrection and ReturnPastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Jesus' flesh and blood resurrection and return give us hope.TEXT - John 1:1,14; Acts 1:3-11OUTLINE - How important is flesh and blood?1. Celebrate flesh and blood Jesus. John 1:1,14 Incarnation: the in-fleshing of Jesus.Hebrews 2:17; 4:152. Touch flesh and blood Jesus.  - Luke 24:36-42 - John 20:24-29 - 1 Corinthians 15:1-83. Embrace flesh and blood Jesus. - Acts 1:3-11 - John 14:1-6 - 1 Corinthians 15:20-264. Eat Flesh and blood Jesus. - John 6:53-56 - Matthew 26:26-29 - 1 Corinthians 11:23-34NEXT STEPS: 1. Ask Jesus to come near.2. Put your hope in Jesus.HOW IMPORTANT IS FLESH AND BLOOD?Famous reflections on the incarnation:"Man's maker was made man that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother's breast; that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on its journey; that Truth might be accused of false witnesses, the Teacher be beaten with whips, the Foundation be suspended on wood; that Streng

The Out of Rhythm Life: IdolatryPastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Idols take us out of rhythm. The gospel keeps us in rhythmTEXT - Matthew 6:19-21OUTLINEA brief idolatry diagnostic:1. What do I worship?  * Matthew 6:21 - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." * What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.~ Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods.2. Is the thing I worship worthy of worship? * Isaiah 44:13-17 * Daniel 3:17 - "We want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." * Possible idols: comfort, freedom, independence, approval, affirmation, identity, control, power, success, influence3. How is God better? * John 2:13-19 * Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."NEXT STEPS: 1. Ask the diagnostic questions.2. Preach the gospel

The Out of Rhythm Life: FastingPastor Leah CarolanTHEME – Fasting is a powerful prayer we can use to realign our lives when we get out of rhythm.TEXT – 2 Chronicles 20:12Fasting in the Bible is:1. A regular scheduled spiritual practice2. For mourning, to show grief or great distress3. A sign of repentance4. To prepare for ministry5. To seek divine deliveranceReasons We Don’t Fast1. Fear2. Ignorance3. RebellionReasons We Should Fast1. Restore that ‘first love’ for the Lord.2. Reveal our spiritual condition.3. Revival/BreakthroughNEXT STEPS1. Try a one meal fast.2. Try a one day fast.3. Try a longer fast – maybe along the lines of a Daniel Fast!

We installed Steve Poole and Leah Carolan as pastors on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023

The Out of Rhythm Life: DechurchingPastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Without the church, we cannot grow in our faith. TEXT - Acts 2:37-47OUTLINEWhat shall we do?1. Repent and turn to Jesus.  * Acts 2:38 * Acts 2:22-24 * Acts 4:122. Embrace the community of Jesus. * Acts 2:41-47 * Hebrews 12:1-3 * Hebrews 10:253. Follow the Spirit’s leading. * Acts 2:1-13 * Acts 1:8 * Philippians 1:3-6NEXT STEPS: 1. Make corporate worship a priority.2. Make small group participation a priority.3. Pray for the health of the church.4. Read Prone to Dechurch

The Out of Rhythm Life: Freedom in JesusPastor Steve PooleText: John 8:30-47Two definitions of freedom:1. The absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.2. The right to do what you want to do whenever you want to do it.Freedom in Jesus:1. Real freedom means to follow the Jesus rhythm.2. Real freedom is experienced only by abiding in Jesus!Lies that throw us out of rhythm:1. We can find freedom in our own identify.2. We can find freedom by following the right rules.3. We can find freedom from needing God to save us by creating our own value.4. We can find freedom in following our heart to happiness.APPLICATION1. If you are not free through faith in Jesus, what are you waiting for, believe in Jesus today!2. If you are out of rhythm, abide in Jesus and His truth this week!SEVEN SPIRITUAL RHYTHMS TO KEEPDAILY DEVOTION (Acts 2:42, 46) Scripture is the very Word of God. Through it, He equips us with all we need to learn about Him and live a life pleasing to Him.PRAYER (Acts 2:42) One of the m

ROOTED: WorshipPastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Life in Jesus is rooted in worship. TEXT - Psalm 100 and Job 1OUTLINE1. Find the rhythm of worship. - Psalm 100- Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:172. Keep the rhythm of worship.- Job 1- Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. Job 1:21- My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9NEXT STEPS: 1. Rhythm is a repeated pattern of regular activity.2. Find a rhythm of personal and corporate worship.3. Keep a rhythm of personal and corporate worship.

ROOTED: Telling Your StoryPastor Kent Landhuis THEME - We have the best story to tell. TEXT - Psalm 107:1-9OUTLINE1. Classic Storytelling Structure  * Beginning - life happens. * Middle - trouble/despair. * End - rescue.2. Classic Christian Storytelling Structure * Psalm 107 - Give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.  * Ephesians 2 - “But God” Stories  - - * Life without Jesus. (need) - - * How Jesus came. (plea) - - * How Jesus sustains. (God’s response)3. Telling your “But God” Story. * Your life without Jesus. (need) * How Jesus came to you. (plea) * How Jesus sustains you. (God’s response)NEXT STEPS: 1. Cry out to God in your need.2. Give thanks to God for rescuing you.3. Tell your story.