Cedar Hills Community Church - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Grace & Truth: God Reigns Above All! Pastor Steve PooleTEXT - Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”GRACE - Jesus offers rest to all who come to Him.TRUTH - Jesus was unapologetically offensive.“And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” ~ Matt. 11:6TRUTH - Jesus is offensive because He doesn’t meet our expectations.For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” ~ Matthew 11:18-19 ESVNow then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? ~ Acts 15:10 NIVThe HEAVY yoke of Jesus? Matthew 5:17, 21-22, 27-

Grace & Truth: Truth and TrustPastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Temptations are always temptations to trust in something far less than what God offers.TEXT -  Luke 4:1-30 1. Who do you trust when called?• Luke 3:21-222. Who do you trust when tempted?• Luke 4:1-13• Deuteronomy 6 & 8 3. Who do you trust when challenged?• Luke 4:14-30 Next Step: When called.His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3Next Step: When tempted.No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13Next Step: When challengedFinally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11GO DEEPER: Truth MattersSee to it that no one takes you capti

Grace & Truth: Hearing the Word Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - God’s word establishes all things.TEXT - Nehemiah 8:1-121. God’s Word establishes reality,• Genesis 1:1-3• Nehemiah 8:1-62. God’s Word establishes truth.• Psalm 33:4• Proverbs 30:5• John 17:173. God’s Word establishes hope.• Nehemiah 8:7-12• 2 Timothy 3:16NEXT STEPS                          1. Read your Bible.2. Do what your Bible tells you.3. Rejoice! (Have a feast.)GO DEEPER What is “Sola Scriptura?” Sola scriptura is a Latin phrase meaning "by Scripture alone" and is a foundational principle of the Protestant Reformation. As Protestant Christians we believe that the Bible is the final, infallible authority for Christian faith, doctrine, and practice. The Bible, as the Word of God, is sufficient to guide believers in matters of faith, salvation, and life. Human traditions, creeds, and councils do not (and cannot) hold the same level of authority. Key Aspects of Sola Scriptura1. Final Authority: The Bible is considered the ultimate source of truth a

Grace & Truth: Prophetic SongsPastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Singing prophetic songs shapes our lives. TEXT - Zechariah 4:6 1. Hum a prophetic tune.Not by might.Not by power.But by my Spirit. 2. Sing prophetic lyrics.God will confront evil.God will restore goodness. 3. Dance a prophetic jig.God sees.God cares.God works. NEXT STEPS                          1. Speak the truth in love. (Grace and truth.)2. Be bold.  GO DEEPER: The Day of the LordMeditate on these prophetic passages. Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty… See, the day of the Lord is coming —a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger— to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. Isaiah 13:6, 9 For the day is near, the day of the Lord is near— a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. Ezekiel 30:3 Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. Joel 1:15 Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord! Why do you long for the day of

Grace & Truth: God Reigns Above All!Pastor Steve PooleTEXT - Daniel 4:28-37TRUTH - God’s sovereignty and kingdom > man’s sovereignty and kingdom“...for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,  and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;  …all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand…” Daniel 4:34-35GRACE - God paid the price that allows us citizenship in His eternal Kingdom through faith alone in Jesus.Daniel 7:13-14Mark 10:45GRACE - God’s kingdom is for people from ALL nations and languages.Daniel 4:1Daniel 7:14Revelation 7:9-10NEXT STEPS1. Join God’s kingdom by believing in Jesus.2. Be humbled by the example of Nebuchadnezzar and recognize that your “kingdom” is not for your glory, but God’s.3. Find hope and comfort in the truth that God’s kingdom will come and His Will will be done, even when life looks its darkest.GO DEEPERA Brief Guide to Apocalyptic Prop

Grace & Truth: A new heart and spiritPastor Steve PooleTEXT: Ezekiel 36:22-36GRACE: God will save, restore, forgive, bless and establish His people.TRUTH: God restores and blesses His people to bring glory to His name.LEV & RUAKH“...Character, personality, will, mind are modern terms which all reflect something of the meaning of ‘heart’...” (Banwell)“...ruakh is used to talk about humans, it describes their breath and core qualities.” (Schlimm)GRACE: God offers a new heart and His Spirit to ALL who believe in Jesus.NEXT STEPS1. Believe in Jesus and receive a new lev and ruakh by God’s grace.2. Consider how God has changed your heart (lev) since your salvation and share a story of God’s faithfulness with someone.3. Continue reading Ezekiel, following this guide to interpret and apply God’s word to your lifeGO DEEPERA Brief Guide to Apocalyptic ProphecyBooks like Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation are filled with weird symbols and visions. The authors reveal divine truths through imagery that invites us to pay att

Grace & Truth: Don’t miss it!Pastor Kent LandhuisToday's message will mention this sermon audio from Tim Keller: "God Our Lover"THEME - Use Biblical prophecy to focus on what matters most. TEXT - Ezekiel 16 1. Ezekiel’s weird, misunderstood mission.Ezekiel 1. A vision of God.2. Ezekiel’s weird, disregarded visions.Act 1 - Ezekiel 16:1-14.Act 2 - Ezekiel 16:15-59.Act 3 - Ezekiel 16:60-63. 3. Ezekiel’s weird, overlooked message.Ezekiel 45-48.And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there. Ezekiel 48:35NEXT STEPS                    1. Embrace God’s passionate love.2. Enjoy apocalyptic prophecy.GO DEEPERA Brief Guide to Apocalyptic ProphecyBooks like Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation are filled with weird symbols and visions. The authors reveal divine truths through imagery that invites us to pay attention to several layers. Remember this:1. Focus on the historical context. The first layer is always the message the author wanted the immediate audience to grasp.2. Next study the symbols and im

Grace & Truth: It’s over… or is it?Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Surrender leads to freedom.TEXT - Jeremiah 521. What scares you?Jeremiah 52:1-11.Fear and the loss of control.2. How do you respond to fear? (Loss of control?)Jeremiah 52:12-30.Anxiety or surrender?3. How does surrender conquer fear?Jeremiah 52:31-34Fear or trust?Lamentations 3:22-23Lamentations 5:19-22 NEXT STEPS                          1. Surrender the need to control.2. Seek first God’s kingdom - and TRUST. 3. Relax. GO DEEPERTrust and Obey - By John H. Sammis (1887)When we walk with the Lord in the light of His WordWhat a glory He sheds on our way!While we do His good will, He abides with us stillAnd with all who will trust and obey.Trust and obey, for there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skiesBut His smile quickly drives it awayNot a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tearCan abide while we trust and obey.Oh, Trust and obey, for there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, but t

Grace & Truth: Listen to the Living GodPastor Steve PooleTEXT - Jeremiah 35:12-16TRUTH - Listening to God’s voice is difficult in such noisy world.GRACE - Hearing Jesus leads to new and eternal life!NEXT STEPS                                           1. Believe in Jesus Christ for new and eternal life.2. Reflect and discuss: What voices are you listening to instead of God?3. Reflect and discuss: How am I not obeying God right now?Jeremiah 35:12-16 (ESV)12 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:13 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the LORD.14 The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father’s command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me.15 I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, sayi

Grace & Truth: Complaint, Lament, & RepentancePastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - God is near, God is listening, and God cares.TEXT - Jeremiah 12:1-51. Why do the wicked prosper?Jeremiah 12:1-4Is God watching?2. Why do God’s people suffer?Jeremiah 15:5-21Does God care?3. Why me?Jeremiah 20:7-18Do I matter?4. God is near, God is listening, and God cares.Jeremiah 12:5ComplainLamentRepentNEXT STEPS                                           1. Evaluate your relationship with God.2. Be bold: Complain, lament, and repent.GO DEEPERGod sees, God cares, You matter.We long for control but, in reality, we control very little. (Almost nothing!) Trying to control life is exhausting.When life spins out of control, we want to know if God sees it, if God cares about it, and if God cares about us.2 Chronicles 16 is the last chapter about Asa, king of Judah. Sadly, though, this chapter stands in sharp contrast to chapters 14 and 15. Here we saw that God gave Asa “rest on every side” because of his dependence on the Lord. (God gave Asa

Grace & Truth: Threat and ResponsePastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - We are finite, God is infinite.TEXT - 2 Chronicles 32:1-23. 1. “I can do it myself.” (Verses 1-8) a. Fight. b. Flight. c. Freeze. d. Faint. (Flop)2. TRUTH: “You can’t do it yourself.” (Verses 9-19) a. You are weak. b. Nobody can do it. c. The enemy is cruel, cunning, well-equipped, and determined. d. 2 Kings 19:15-193. GRACE: “I am weak, but God is strong.” (Verses 20-23) a. I am weak. b. Jesus did it. c. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles. (2 Chronicles 32:7-8a)NEXT STEPS1. Celebrate your weakness and God’s power in The Lord’s Supper.2. Celebrate your weakness and God’s power by praying, “God, I am threatened by _____ But you alone are God.”REFLECTBut he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for m

Grace & Truth: Isaiah 46Pastor Steve PooleTHEME – Is your god a burden?TRUTH - Worshipping anything but the one true God burdens us and leaves us in bondage.GRACE - God carries those whom he chooses to salvation and gives them His righteousness.NEXT STEPS1. Receive deliverance and salvation in the name of Jesus.2. Spend some time this week in prayer and reflection asking God to reveal any idols in your heart and root those out.3. Confess any idolatry in your life and embrace God’s truth and grace more deeply in that aspect of your life.ISAIAH 461 Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; their idols are on beasts and livestock; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts.2 They stoop; they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity.3 “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; 4 even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will be

Grace & Truth: An Object LessonPastor Kent LandhuisTHEM - God’s love and mercy are more powerful than sin.TEXT - Hosea 1-3. 1. The object lesson: adultery and restoration. (Hosea1-3) a. Hosea and Gomer i. Marriage. o Jezreel o Lo Ruhamah o Lo Ammi ii. Adultery iii. Restoration b. God and Israel. i. Covenant at Mt. Sinai (Marriage) ii. Idolatry = Adultery iii. Covenant Crisis o End the covenant? o Renew the Covenant?2. Accusations and warnings. (Hosea 4-14) a. Abandoning God. b. Hypocrisy in worship. i. Broken covenant ii. Social injustice. iii. Idols to Baal. c. Trusting political alliances. d. This is not new - lessons from history. i. Jacob’s lying treachery. (Genesis 27-28) ii. Israel’s wilderness rebellion. (Numbers 12-20) iii. Israel’s demand for a king. (1 Samuel 12 & 15) e. Consequences. i. Imminent defeat and exile. ii. Future restoration and hope.3. The character of God. a. Covenant promise. b. Promise of a king. c. Promise of a messiah. d. Promise of restoratio

Grace & Truth: Before and After Kent LandhuisTHEME - The old can (and will) be made new. TEXT - Isaiah 9:1-5. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." (v. 2)BEFORE: Obadiah 10 - Because of the violence against your brother, Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.AFTER: Obadiah 17a - But on Mount Zion will be deliverance.BEFORE: Amos 2:6 - This is what the Lord  says: “For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not relent."AFTER: Amos 9:11 - In that day I will restore its ruins – and will rebuild it as     it used to be.BEFORE: Isaiah 1:4 – Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.AFTER: Isaiah 1:16-18 - Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend

Grace & Truth: Prophets, Priests, and KingsPastor Kent Landhuis THEME - We want (need) a perfect prophet, priest, and king. TEXT - 2 Chronicles 25:2: “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.” 1. The disappointing legacy of the kings.A. The king's job description.·        Honor God.·        Maintain covenant faithfulness.·        Protect the people.B. Bad kings.·        Omri: But Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before him.” 1 Kings 16:25·        Ahab: “Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him.” 1 Kings 16:30C. Good kings.·        Saul: “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” 1 Samuel 15:11·        Amaziah: “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.” 2 Chronicles 25:2·        David: “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” Acts 13:222. The d

Grace & Truth: What About Evil? Kent LandhuisTHEME - God forgives the wicked but…TEXT - 1 Kings 211. What about evil? * 1 Kings 21:1-16 * Tune in next week.2. What about consequences? * 1 Kings 21:17-26 * The dogs will lick your blood.3. What about forgiveness? * 1 Kings 21:27-29 * Remorse and repentance - stay tuned. * "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." ~ 1 John 1:8-9NEXT STEPS1. Be patient when evil lurks.2. Trust God to redeem evil. (Romans 8:28)3. Repent and seek forgiveness.THE WORDRomans 8:1-2 NIV1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.Romans 8:18-21 NIV18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eag

Grace & Truth: Proverbs 30Pastor Steve PooleTEXT – Proverbs 30:1-16 NLTTRUTH * The envious heart is never satisfied. * People who don’t earn what they have never learn its value.GRACE * Our righteousness doesn’t come from applying wisdom to our lives, but it comes from God through faith in Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:9NEXT STEPS1. Receive the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus.2. Contemplate Philippians 3 to more completely understand the radical value of God’s love, mercy and grace expressed in Jesus Christ.3. Ponder Proverbs 30 and invite the Holy Spirit to apply that wisdom to your life.THE WORDProverbs 30:1-16 (NLT)1 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh contain this message. I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God. 2 I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense. 3 I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.4 Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What

Grace & Truth: BlessingKent LandhuisTHEME - We Bless God.TEXT - Psalms 134, 146-1501. Bless your heart.* Bless when you don’t feel like blessing.2. Blessed by God to bless one another.* We are blessed to be a blessing.* Genesis 12:1-33.  Bless God.* Psalm 134* Psalms 100-101* Psalms 103-104* Psalms 146-150NEXT STEPS1. Praise God. (In a new way?)2. Bless your neighbors. (In an unexpected way?)3. Psalm 148GO DEEPER - Pray a prayer of praise using these Psalms:Psalm 1481 Praise the Lord.Praise the Lord from the heavens;    praise him in the heights above.2 Praise him, all his angels;    praise him, all his heavenly hosts.3 Praise him, sun and moon;    praise him, all you shining stars.4 Praise him, you highest heavens    and you waters above the skies.5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,    for at his command they were created,6 and he established them for ever and ever—   he issued a decree that will never pass away.7 Praise the Lord from the earth,    you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,8 lightning

Grace & Truth: A Strong Tower Kent LandhuisTHEME - God is trustworthy.TEXT - Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.NAMES OF GODAdonai – “Master Over All” (Deuteronomy 3:24)El Bethel – “The God of the House of God” (Genesis 35:7)El Elohe Yisrael – “The Mighty God of Israel” (Genesis 33:20)El Elyon – “The Most High God” (Daniel 3:26)El Emunah – “The Faithful God” (Deuteronomy 7:9)El Hakabodh – “The God of Glory” (Psalm 29:3)El Hayyay – “God of My Life” (Psalm 42:8)El Sali – “God, My Rock” (2 Samuel 22:47)El Shaddai – “Almighty God” (Genesis 17:1)El Simchath Gili – “God My Exceeding Joy” (Psalm 43:4)Elohe Tishuathi – “God of My Salvation” (Psalm 51:14)Elohe Tsadeki – “God of My Righteousness” (Psalm 4:1)Elohei Ma’uzzi – “God of My Strength” (2 Samuel 22:33)Elohenu Olam – “Our Everlasting God” (Psalm 48:14)Elohim – “The Strong, Creator God” (Genesis 1:1, 2)Elohim Chayim – “The Living God” (Joshua 3:10)Elohim Kedoshim – “Holy God” (Joshua 24:19)Elohim Mac

Grace & Truth: ChosenPeter Mutabazi  THEME - God uses us to show compassion and bring justice.TEXT - Psalm 72:12 - "For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help."1. We are the kind of people who love others.2. We are the kind of people who show compassion. 3. We are the kind of people who bring justice. NEXT STEP: Sign up to be chosen.CHOSENMy friend Curt went on a mission trip to Guatemala and met a 4-year-old named Glendi. She spoke Spanish, and he could not understand anything she said, but he felt called by God to reach out to her. God miraculously brought them together.Curt and Glendi chose to be in relationship with each other. They met each other again a year later, and again the next year, and the next - for years. Their connection grew over the years even though it has not always been easy. God has shaped both of them because God chose them to be in a relationship. (Glendi is now 18 and she had a baby this past February so now this God-chosen connection is impactin