Cedar Hills Community Church - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

GRACE & TRUTH: Unjust Suffering and God’s MercyJan. 5, 2025Pastor Steve Poole  TEXT – Job 91. How did we get to Job?· Job likely lived between Noah and Abraham.· In a chronological reading of the Bible, this is in the middle of Genesis.· Job belongs to the poetic books.2. Who was Job?·  A farmer in the Middle East·  Successful and Wealthy·  Righteous3. Friend Logic: If God is good/just, then suffering is a punishment for sin.4. Job’s Argument: If God is all-powerful and we are not, then we have no grounds to judge and debate right and wrong, justice and suffering, with God.5. What can we take away?·  Our only hope is to appeal for God’s mercy and grace.·  The truth is that Jesus is the merciful Judge and the arbitrator for us.Growing in Grace & TruthIn 2025, we aspire to grow in grace and truth. To measure our growth, we will assess spiritual health and spiritual maturity.Spiritual maturity describes the stage of development.(For example: toddler, teenager, adult).Spiritual health measures well-being at every

Just a king… worrying. Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Most kings are tyrants, but Jesus is a different kind of king. TEXT - Matthew 2:31. Too much king brings worry.  Matthew 2:1-3Psalm 119:1342. Too much king brings trouble.Matthew 2:3-8Matthew 2:16-18Jeremiah 31:153. Too much king brings the unexpected.Matthew 2:9-15Hosea 11:1Isaiah 54:15NEXT STEPS1. Watch out for tyrant kings. 2. Welcome the newborn king.3. Read about the grace and truth of King Jesus in the Bible recap.GO DEEPER - Reflect on these lyrics:It came upon the midnight clear,That glorious song of old,From angels bending near the earthTo touch their harps of gold;"Peace on the earth, good will to menFrom heaven's all-gracious King" –The world in solemn stillness layTo hear the angels sing.Still through the cloven skies they comeWith peaceful wings unfurled,And still their heavenly music floatsO'er all the weary world;Above its sad and lowly plainsThey bend on hovering wing,And ever o'er its Babel-soundsThe blessed angels sing.But with the woes of

Unexpected Encounters: Just a Baby... CryingPastor Kent Landhuis

Just a shepherd… laughing.Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - The angel promised good news of great joy for all people.TEXT - Luke 2:101. Unexpected interruption.  Luke 2:8-9What is joy?2. Unexpected invitation.Luke 2:10-11Who needs joy?3. Unexpected sign.Luke 2:12-14Where do we find joy?4. Unexpected glory.Luke 2:15-20What happens when we find joy?NEXT STEPS1. Celebrate joy beyond circumstances.2. Translate joy to praise.3. Share joy with the joyless.GO DEEPER - I Heard the Bells on Christmas DayHenry Wadsworth Longfellow suffered greatly. His wife, Fannie, died when her dress caught fire. Henry tried to smother the flame with his own body, but it was too late. Two years later his 18-year-old son Charley left home and signed up to serve in Lincoln’s Union Army where he was severely wounded in battle. On Christmas day, 1863, Longfellow - a 57-year-old widowed father of six children - sought to capture in writing both his despair and his hope. He heard church bells that day and the singing of "peace on earth" (Luke 2:

Just a Ruler… CountingDecember 15, 2024Pastor Steve PooleTEXT – Luke 2:1-71. Jesus’ birth is historical--not mythical. * Luke 1:5 * Luke 3:1-22. Jesus’ kingdom is out-of-sync with the kingdom of man. * 2 Cor. 8:9 * Phil. 2:6-8 * Mark 10:43-453. Hope, peace, love and joy come from being in-sync with Jesus’ kingdom.“…we seek to be/remain out of sync with the world and in sync with Jesus.”NEXT STEPS1. Believe in Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas.2. Reflect on your Christmas plans and consider how they reinforce the “Christmas lie”.3. Reflect on these questions: * How are you too in-sync with the world right now? * How is God calling you to get better in-sync with His kingdom?GO DEEPERLuke 2:1-7 - "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of D

Unexpected Encounters: Just a girl… submitting. December 8, 2024Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Submission to God’s will brings peace.TEXT - Luke 1:381. Willing to accept an unexpected assignment.   * Skill vs. Will? * Luke 1:382. Willing to adjust to an unexpected vision. * Luke 1:26-37 * Isaiah 7:14 * Luke 4:16-22 * Isaiah 61:1-23. Willing to hope for an unexpected outcome. * Luke 1:46-55 * Isaiah 9:2-7 * Job 22:21 * Proverbs 3:5-6NEXT STEPS1. Where does our world need peace?2. Where do you personally need peace?3. Pray for peace.4. Wait for it!GO DEEPERPeace in Submission: God’s Will vs. My WillSubmission means saying “yes” to God. Job said, “Submit to God and be at peace with him.” (Job 22:21) What does submission look like?1. Humble Yourself Before God.Submission starts with humility. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Humility allows us to: * Let go of our need to control every detail. * Admit our dependence on God in all areas. * Accept correction and grow in go

Just a Priest…WaitingPastor Kent Landhuis  THEME - God works in unexpected ways.TEXT - Luke 1:5 1. Hope dies over time.  o  Luke 1:5-7o  Expectations:  o  No kids. o  No answered prayer o  No intervention from God 2. God never stops working.o Luke 1:8-25o Unexpected intervention o  An Angel o  A baby o  A Savior 3. Will hope be revived?o Luke 1:67-80o Just a priest… waiting NEXT STEPS1. Take your unmet expectations to God.2. Don’t give up hope. 3. Wait. GO DEEPER: When waiting…what do you do? When I wait, I check my watch - frequently. Waiting wears me out. What about you? When weary of waiting – we waver.When the wait is long, we are tempted to bail on God. Circumstances can cause our faith to waver when we try to stand firm on God’s promises.  When weary of waiting – we lose confidence.Wavering thoughts can turn to fear and fear robs us of confidence. Remember: God’s promises are true - and nothing ever changes that. When weary of waiting – we become self-focused.When weary, we begin to

EXILES: Hope-Filled PatienceNovember 24, 2024Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Exile doesn’t last forever!TEXT - 2 Peter 3:1-18KEY VERSE: "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who saved us through his own glory and excellence." 2 Peter 1:3 ESVTHREE SIGNS OF EXILE COMING TO AN END1. More tensions between truth and falsehood. * 2 Peter 3:1-4 * John 14:6 * 1 John 4:1-32. More struggles with remembering and forgetting. * 2 Peter 3:5-8 * Ecclesiastes 12:1 * Luke 24:6-73. More battles between patience and suffering. * 2 Peter 3:9-18 * 1 Peter 1:1-12 * Romans 12:12NEXT STEPS1. Be Hope-filled - the end is near.2. Be patient - Jesus will come again.3. Be engaged - love others boldly.THE HOLIDAYS AT CEDAR HILLShttps://cedarhillscr.org/holidays/

Exiles: Uncompromising TruthPastor Kent Landhuis  THEME - In exile we must be prepared for false teachers. TEXT - 2 Peter 2:1-22 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who saved us through his own glory and excellence. ~ 2 Peter 1:3 ESV Four warnings to avoid false teachers and false teaching:1. Beware of destructive messages. ·        2 Peter 2:1·        1 Timothy 1:3-4, 6:3-5·        1 John 1:22, 4:3·        2 John 1:7 2. Beware of deceptive methods.·        2 Peter 2:3·        Matthew 7:15-20·        James 1:14-16·        Deception leads to seduction, seduction leads to corruption, corruption leads to destruction. 3. Beware of depraved morals.·        2 Peter 2:10-14·        Judges 17:6, 21:25·        Self-centered, self-serving, and self-indulgence leads to self-destruction.4. Beware of degraded motives.·        2 Peter 2:3,14·        vs. 17 - “They are wells without water.” ·        vs. 18 - They offer “great swelling words of emptine

Confidence TransformedNovember 10, 2024Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Our fickle and feeble confidence can be transformed into firm and fixed confidence. TEXT - 2 Peter 1:12-21"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who saved us through his own glory and excellence." ~ 2 Peter 1:3 ESVTwo steps to transform confidence:1. Trust God’s Provision.* 2 Peter 1:12-18* Matthew 17:1-8* Isaiah 60:19* Revelation 21:232. Act in Faith.* 2 Peter 1:19-21* I John 1:1* Proverbs 4:18* Psalm 119:105NEXT STEPS1. Follow the light of God’s glory.2. Shine the light of God’s glory.GO DEEPERWhere do you need confidence?"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58Our goal is to be steadfast and immovable in our faith. This is not arrogance but quiet confidence and trust in God, trust in God’s Word, and trust in God’s promises. So

Living Well in ExileNovember 3, 2024Pastor Kent Landhuis  THEME - We have all the tools we need for life and godliness. TEXT - 2 Peter 1:1-11 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. ~ 2 Peter 1:3 1. The toolbox is a gift. * 2 Peter 1:1-4 * John 17:3 * Jeremiah 9:23-24 2. Tools in the toolbox are to be used. * 2 Peter 1:5-11 * Galatians 5:23-26 * John 15:1-15 * Romans 6:1-11 NEXT STEPS1. Remember God has given you everything you need.2. Take a step toward obedience and a more godly life. GO DEEPERJustification and SanctificationFor from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16 (ESV) While we live in exile, we still sin. How can we be made right with God, yet still fight sin? Justification describes our status before God. This is described as removing old dirty clothes and dressing up in new clothes. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Sanctification describes the process of growth. This

Exiles Know God > Worry, Suffering and FearPastor Steve Poole   TEXT - 1 Peter 5:6-116 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.  OUTLINE1. The exile lives faithfully because God is in control.2. The exile is humble and non-anxious.3. The exile is sober-minded and watchful.4. The exile resists the devil’s roar and stands firm in faith.

Purposeful Suffering (Pt. 2)Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - There are good reasons for our suffering.TEXT - 1 Peter 4:1-19Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. ~ 1 Peter 1:13OUTLINE: Some advice when suffering:1. Keep suffering’s transience in perspective. * 1 Peter 4:7-8 * 2 Corinthians 4:17 * Romans 8:18 * 1 Peter 5:102. Keep suffering’s goal in perspective. * 1 Peter 4:12-13 * 1 Peter 1:6-7 * James 1:2-4,123. Keep suffering’s companions in perspective. * 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 * Psalm 34:18 * Isaiah 43:2 * Psalm 23:4 * Daniel 3NEXT STEPS1. Meditate on the Biblical view of suffering.2. Remember - Jesus is Lord of all.GO DEEPER - Purposeful Suffering (Part 2)More verses for reflection to help you in times of suffering.Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly

EXILES: Purposeful Suffering (pt.1)Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - There are good reasons for our suffering.TEXT - 1 Peter 3:13-22"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming." - 1 Peter 1:13Are you ready to suffer?* 1 Peter 2:19-21* 1 Peter 3:9* 1 Peter 4:1What kind of suffering?* Matthew 27:46* 1 Peter 2:24* Romans 8:38-39What's the point of suffering?* Romans 8:28* James 1:2-4* 1 Peter 1:6* 2 Corinthians 4:7-8How will you receive suffering?* 1 Peter 4:12-13* 1 Peter 3:13-15* Romans 8:18NEXT STEPS1. Will suffering destroy hope or produce hope?2. What idols do you trust to help you avoid suffering? GO DEEPER - Purposeful SufferingReflect on these Bible verses to help you in times of suffering.Peter 5:10 - And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is near

EXILES: Once Upon a Time in ExilePastor Kent Landhuis THEME - We are called to transform relationships.TEXT - 1 Peter 3:1-12"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming." ~ 1 Peter 1:13OUTLINEAct. 1. Every relationship needs transformation. * Genesis 3:1-24 * Genesis 4:1-9 “Where is your brother?”Act 2. Relationships raise the question, “Am I your keeper?” * Genesis 4:9b “Am I my brother’s keeper?” * Matthew 5:38-45Act 3. The Gospel transforms relationships. * 1 Peter 3:8-12 * Luke 23:34. “Father, forgive them.”NEXT STEPS1. Protect your spouse.2. Practice kindness and courtesy.3. Seek the good of others. GO DEEPER: Rules for Loving our Enemies1. Show genuine respectShow your enemies the genuine respect that every human being deserves. Learn to think of them with compassion and not contempt.2. Put yourself in their shoesPutting yourself in your enemy's shoes is one of the most effective ways to show love for t

EXILES: Humble SubmissionSteve PooleTEXT - 1 Peter 2:11-25 1. How do we walk the way of the exile? We submit to human authority (1 Peter 2:13-14).We do good (1 Peter 2:12, 15, 20).We endure suffering (1 Peter 2:20-21).2. Why do we walk the way of exiles?Jesus is our example (vs. 21).Jesus trusted God to be the just judge (vs. 23).Jesus redeemed us (vs. 24-25).Next Steps:1. Is there anywhere where you are not submitting to human authority where you should be?2. Is there anywhere where you are compromising instead of doing good in your work, community, family, church, neighbors...?3. If you are suffering today, be encouraged. Pray for those who are suffering for the cause of Christ. RECOMMENDED READING - If you wish to go deeper into the "Exiles" sermon series, we highly recommend Exiles by Preston Sprinkle. BUY ON AMAZON

EXILES: Conduct Among the GentilesGary SagerTEXT - 1 Peter 2:11-12 “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”1. Our Identity • 1 Peter 2:11a “I urge you as sojourners and exiles.” because of our identity as “sojourners and exiles.”• Philippians 3:202. Our Souls• 1 Peter 2:11b “abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”• James 1:14-15 (Sin leads to death)3. Our Witness• 1 Peter 2:12 - “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”• Keep our conduct honorable for the sake of our witness. • Despite our best efforts, some will accuse us of doing evil. • However, they will nevertheless see our good deeds.• Matthew 5

EXILES: Grace-infused HopePastor Kent Landhuis THEME - How to avoid ruin while living in exile.TEXT - 1 Peter 1:13-25Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. ~ 1 Peter 1:131. Don’t indulge evil desires. * 1 Peter 1:13-14 * So roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. 1 Peter 1:13-14 (MSG)2. Demonstrate holy living. * 1 Peter 1:15-21 * But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)3. Double down on truth. * 1 Peter 1:22-25 * Now that you’ve cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it. 1 Peter 1:22 (MSG)NEXT STEPS1. Confess Compromise.2. Confess Isolation.3.

High Expectations in Exile.Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Where is the hope?TEXT - 1 Peter 1:1-12OUTLINEWhere does your hope come from?1. We live in exile.a. God’s elect, scattered in exile. 1 Peter 1:1ab. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:112. We live with hope.a. We live with the hope of God’s great mercy.b. We live with the hope of inexpressible joy.c. We live with the hope of going home.d. Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 1 Peter 1:13NEXT STEPS1. Read 1 & 2 Peter.2. Claim your exile status.3. Be hopeful.GO DEEPERThe Politics of Church: Food for Thought…The church used to be politically subversive. Jesus and the apostles proclaimed a message that disrupted everyone regardless of political persuasion. Think about that…Seeing our true condition as exiles in a strange land will help us get our politics stra

Spiritual Warfare, Pt. 2Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Pray.TEXT - Ephesians 6:181. High-stakes prayer.* Non-stop.* All-inclusive.* Family-style* Press-on.2. Spirit-empowered prayer.* Open-eyed prayer.* Open-eyed pray-ers * 2 Kings 6 * Daniel 10 * Acts 123. Identity-driven prayer.LIES VS TRUTH* (The devil) does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44b) * But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. (John 16:13a)LIE: God is not always good.TRUTH: I am assured that all things work together for the good. (Rom. 8:28)LIE: God doesn’t care about you.TRUTH: I am God’s child. (John 1:12)LIE: You can’t trust God.TRUTH: I cannot be separated from the love of God. (Rom. 8:35-39)LIE: You are inadequate.TRUTH: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)LIE: You are alone.TRUTH: I am united with the Lord, and I am one in spirit with Him. (1