Cedar Hills Community Church - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

RESTORE GRITPastor Kent LandhuisNehemiah 4:1-18One of the great tests we face is how we handle trouble. OUTLINE1. Grit starts when trouble hits. • Ridicule (4:1-3, 11-12)• Resistance (7-9)2. Grit builds while fighting trouble. • Rely on God. (4-5)• Reinforce weaknesses. (12-13)• Refuse to quit. (14-18)3. Grit triumphs when we find our great work.• Our great work overcomes distractions. (6:3)• Our great work gets done. (6:15)• Our great work honors God, (6:16)ADDITIONAL TEXTSNehemiah 3 and 6SUPPORT CEDAR HILLShttp://www.cedarhillscr.org/give

RESTORING PRAYERNehemiah 1-21. Prayer - Just do it! “Doing it is better than not praying because you are self-conscious about not doing it enough or in the right way.”2. Why do we pray?We pray because WE NEED God.3. When do we pray?Nehemiah 2:41 Thessalonians 5:16-18.We pray without ceasing. 4. What is the purpose of prayer? Prayer aligns our will with His.Prayer invites God to act powerfully on our behalf5. How do we pray?a. Follow the A.C.T.S. prayer modelAdoration - Neh. 1:5Confession = Neh. 1:6-7Thanksgiving = Neh. 1:10.Supplication = Neh. 1:8-11b. Pray God’s Word back to Him

RENEWED VITALITYJanuary 3, 2021Pastor Kent LandhuisSCRIPTURE READINGEzra 1:1-4There was good reason in Old Testament times for God to call his people to renew their devotion to God. God’s people frequently forgot God and drifted in their devotion to him. This forgetfulness and drift has happened to every generation of believers and still happens today! We fail to appreciate God’s goodness, the depth of our spiritual laziness, and our indifference to the things that matter most. Begin 2021 with a celebration of God’s promises and find renewal and restoration of spiritual vitality.OUTLINE1. Fresh start characters who need vitality. - Three Persian Kings - Three Jewish Leaders - People of God ready for a fresh start. - Villains opposed to a fresh start.2. Fresh start themes that point toward vitality. - Rebuild livelihoods. - Refresh relationships. - Revive worship.3. Fresh start moments on the journey to vitality. - Return from exile. - Restore worship. - Renew promises. - Rebuild the city. - Repent and restart

REIMAGINED FUTUREPastor Kent LandhuisIsaiah 2:1-5KEY VERSEIsaiah 2:2 - "In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.OUTLINEWhat are we hoping for? The best is yet to come!1. The End is near.Isaiah 2:2Matthew 25:1-132. The End pulls us forward.Isaiah 2:3Mathew 25:14-303. The End completes everything.Isaiah 2:4Matthew 25:31-46ADDITIONAL PASSAGESMatthew 25:31-33 - “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left."Support the ministry of Cedar Hills:https://cedarhillscr.org/give/Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

REIMAGINE JESUSPastor Kent LandhuisChristmas Eve service at Cedar Hills Community Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.Support the ministry of Cedar Hills:https://cedarhillscr.org/give/WATCH LIVE Sundays 8:30am and 11amSupport the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

REIMAGINE LOVEPastor Kent LandhuisScripture reading: Isaiah 9:2-7KEY VERSESIsaiah 9:6-7For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.OUTLINEDiagnosis of the intimacy, commitment, and passion of God’s love.1. Initial diagnosis: Where is the love?2. Deeper diagnosis: This is a love child?3. Final diagnosis: God gave exactly the love we needed!4, Prognosis: Expect everything from God’s love!Additional passages:John 3:16Hebrews 4:14-16Luke 2:11-12SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give

REIMAGINE JOYSteve Poole1. Jesus is here to comfort ALL who mourn!2. Jesus is here to bring good news to the poor3. Jesus is here to heal the broken hearted!4. Jesus is here to free the oppressed!APPLICATION1. Want more joy?Meditate on Isaiah 61 this weekPray that God will use His words to grow more joy in your life.Invite God’s Spirit to increase your joy through encountering Him in His creationLet God use others to bring His joy in your life.Discover increased joy through increased worship2. Bring joy to othersOne of the best ways to experience more joy is to serve others and bring them joy. Look for simple opportunities this week to bless others. Encouraging notes, meals, surprise gifts, yard work, repairs. Look for how your gifts meet others’ needsCEDAR HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCHSupport our ministry: http://www.cedarhillscr.org/giveSupport the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

REIMAGINE PEACEIsaiah 40:1-11KEY VERSEIsaiah 40:1 Comfort yes, comfort my people, says the Lord. OUTLINEIdentify the enemy. (Isaiah 40:1-11)Surrender and trust. (Isaiah 40:12-27)Live in Peace. (Isaiah 40:28-31)Additional passages: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace. Luke 2Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5Peace, be still! Mark 4Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives to you. Let not your hearts be troubled. John 14In Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. Ephesians 2Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

REIMAGINE HOPEIsaiah 64:1-9Reimagine hope by recognizing the brightest light of Christmas. We need this light to shine through the darkness.KEY VERSEPsalm 80:3 - Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us,that we may be saved.OUTLINEThe brightest light shines down from heaven. (Isaiah 64:1-2, Psalm 4:6)The brightest light shines God’s glory. (Isaiah 64:3-7, 2 Corinthians 4:6)The brightest light shines for all people. (Isaiah 64:8-9, Isaiah 42:6, Psalm 67:1, Psalm 80:3)ADDITIONAL PASSAGESIsaiah 9:2 - The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.Numbers 6:24-26 - “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’SUPPORT CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give

DISCOVER THE POWER OF GODLY RELATIONSHIPS1 Peter 3:1-22Sermon by Steve PooleDirector of Youth & Young AdultsCedar Hills Community Church.NEXT STEPS1. Ask some trusted friends/family: Do you see evidence of God in my life? Also, reflect on this personally.2. Memorize 1 Peter 3:8-9 chose one characteristic to grow in this week through prayer & intentionality.3. If applicable: sit down with your spouse and discuss how you are doing with humbly loving and serving each other4. If your spouse doesn’t believe: pray for them & love them will with your actions5. If you don’t FEEL like it, spend some time reflecting on God’s mercy and Jesus’ death and resurrection. This is the why behind all the whats we should do in this chapter!SUPPORT OUR MINISTRYwww.cedarhillscr.org/giveWATCH LIVESundays at 8:30am and 11amSupport the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

DISCOVER YOUR SERVE1 Peter 2:11- 25We reach a hostile world by living such good lives in our everyday, ordinary activities that people want to know about God. We serve others because Jesus served us with the hope that, even when we suffer in serving, others will come to faith.Additional passages: Isaiah 53 and Matthew 5:38-42OUTLINE1. We do good together.2. We do good every day.3. We do good to grow love.4. We do good to glorify God.CEDAR HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCHwww.cedarhillscr.orgSOCIALSFacebookTwitter Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

DISCOVER YOUR ETERNAL PERSPECTIVEScripture reading: 1 Peter 2:1-10Peter invites us to find the hope we need. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)1. Get your story straight. (1 Peter 2:1-3) Fat paycheck Comfy couch Giant thrill ride Resident alien2. Get your address right. (1 Peter 2:4-8) Isaiah 28:16-17 Luke 20:9-183. Get your faith established. (1 Peter 2:9-10) Baby Stone PriestNEXT STEPS1. Trust in Jesus to receive your new identity.2. Nourish your faith in connection with God and others. (Believing, Belonging, Behaving)3. Live into your new identity.CEDAR HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCHSupport our ministry: https://pushpay.com/pay/cedarhillscr/WWW.CEDARHILLSCR.ORG

DISCOVERING YOUR LIFE IN CHRIST1 Peter 1:13-251. God does not cheapen His grace by making it conditional on our actions.2. God does not cheapen His grace by compromising His standards.JUSTIFICATION“Justification refers to God’s declaration that someone is determined to be righteous in His sight. This justification is a one-time act whereby God declares a sinner like you and me to be not only not guilty but perfectly righteous before His high bar of justice.” Erik Raymond (The Gospel Coalition)SANCTIFICATION“Sanctification, on the other hand, is the continual process of being made more holy. It is the progressive conformity of the one who has been justified into the image of their Savior through the work of the Holy Spirit.” Erik Raymond (The Gospel Coalition)HEIDELBERG CATECHISMLord’s Day 32; Q&A 86Q: Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace through Christ without any merit of our own, why then should we do good works?A: Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, is also restoring us by his

Discover Your Inheritance.Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:1-12Theme: Peter invites us to find the hope we need."Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth 1. Join the treasure hunt.Matthew 13:441 Peter 1:10-122. Quit obsessing about trouble.Matthew 6:19-201 Peter 1:61 Peter 2:193. Embrace your inheritance.1 Peter 1:3-9Ephesians 1:13-18NEXT STEPS1. Trust in Jesus to receive your inheritance.2. Give thanks for your inheritance in Jesus.3. Don't worry, be happy.Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)