Cedar Hills Community Church - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

ADVENT 2021: Come in Innocent Wonder – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Mary is stirred to praise.TEXT - Luke 1:26-38OUTLINE1. Confrontation - “How can this be?” (Luke 1:34)Mary begins her an angelic encounter with questions.2. Humble Recognition - “I am the Lord’s servant.” (Luke 1:38). Mary moves from a place of questioning to obedience.Job 37:5Psalm 115:3Isaiah 55:83. Deeper Recognition - “My soul magnifies the Lord…” (Luke 1:46-55)Mary’s heart moves to praise!Her son will turn the world upside-down.NEXT STEPS How do you respond when you recognize God’s work?When have you had to move from ‘confrontation to humble recognition to deeper recognition’? SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give  Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

ADVENT 2021: Come in Obedience  – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Joseph obeyed. TEXT - Matthew 1:18-25OUTLINE1. Joseph’s worst nightmare: betrayed with no way out. Matthew 1:18-192. Joseph’s difficult calling: tough it out. Matthew 1:20-213. Joseph’s ultimate decision: God is with me.Matthew 1:22-25Isaiah 7:14NEXT STEPS How do you respond when you are mad at God?How can you narrow the gap between hearing God’s call and obeying it? SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give  Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

Bible Recap: Epistles: Letters about Jesus  – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - The churches received love letters to help them grow as followers of Jesus. TEXT - Romans 15:1-7OUTLINERecap: The Bible tells one story through five key literary types.  Narrative - History.Poetry - Passion.Prophecy - Warning and Encouragement.Gospel - Jesus.Epistles - Letters.1. Who received letters? The people we love.2. Why write letters? To show our love.3. What difference can a letter make?Living in love transforms us.NEXT STEPS Dig deeper at Bibleproject.com.Write a letter to someone you love.SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give  Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

Bible Recap: Gospel - the Jesus Story.  – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - The Gospels announce the good news that Jesus is the Savior. TEXT - Mark 1:1-11OUTLINERecap: The Bible tells one story through five key literary types.  Narrative - History.Poetry - Passion.Prophecy - Warning and Encouragement.Gospel - Jesus.Epistles - ?1. Eyewitness testimony about the one. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - John 1 & Luke 4.John the Baptist - John 1:29-30.Peter - Matthew 16:13-17The Centurion - Matthew 27:50-542. Miraculous signs of the one. Signs and belief - John 20:29-31Healing the man born blind - John 9Blindness and the one - Isaiah 35 & 423. True faith and the one.Is Jesus the one? Matthew 11:3-5Who do you say Jesus is?NEXT STEPS Answer the question: Is Jesus the one?Dig deeper at Bibleproject.com.Tell the gospel story: Tell the story of Jesus.Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

JESUS ON EVERY PAGE: Prophecy – Steve PooleTHEME - Biblical prophecy is a message from God.TEXT – Daniel 2:31-45OUTLINERecap: The Bible tells one story through five key literary types.  ·         Narrative - History.·         Poetry - Passion.·         Prophecy – Warning and Hope·         Gospel -?·         Epistles -? 1. Biblical Prophecy is about warning and hope. ·         Consequences for unfaithfulness (Hosea 4:12-13)·         Unjust with the poor/needy. (Hosea 12:7-8) 2. HOPE = God is faithful to demonstrate mercy and forgiveness even when His people are unfaithful·         God will protect a remnant and bring them through exile. (Jeremiah 23:3-6)·         The promise of a coming Messiah. (Ephesians 2:8-9)·         Jesus is our ultimate hope! 3. The Apocalypse·         Means "unveiling" - Type of biblical literature that emphasizes the lifting of the veil between heaven and earth and the revelation of God and his plan for the world.·         Nebuchadnezzer’s Dream (Daniel 2:31-45)·         The

Jesus on Every Page: Poetry - The passion of love  – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Biblical poetry describes the passion of loving God. TEXT - Psalm 1OUTLINERecap: The Bible tells one story through five key literary types.  Narrative - History.Poetry - Passion.Prophecy -?Gospel -?Epistles -?1. Poems deliver passion. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:32. Poems slow us down.These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Deuteronomy 6:63. Poems point toward Jesus.Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Him with every spiritual blessing. Ephesians 1:3NEXT STEPS Dig deeper at Bibleproject.comRead a poem. (and enjoy it!).SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give  Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

Jesus on Every PageHistory - God’s Special People – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Biblical narrative is history. The narrative tells us about God’s character and God’s plan for us. TEXT - Joshua 1:1-9OUTLINE1. The Bible uses hundreds of stories to tell one story.    * Narrative * Poetry * Prophecy * Gospel * Epistles2. The narrative portions of the Bible are history.  * God is the hero of the story. * These stories are true. * Stories tell what happened. * Stories are incomplete. * Stories are descriptive, not prescriptive.3. God keeps his promises.“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9NEXT STEPS 1. Dig deeper at Bibleproject.com2. Be encouraged - God is in control of history.Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

LIFE TOGETHER: Love Your Neighbor – Steve PooleTHEME – It is Not Good for Man to Be Alone (Genesis 2:18)TEXT – Luke 10:25-37OUTLINE1. Who is my neighbor?      ·         Notice the motives.·         Jesus extends the idea of ‘neighbor’ to uncomfortable places.  ·         “Go and do likewise…” Luke 10:37 2. Why do we love our neighbor? How about this scenario:·         What if Jesus is the Good Samaritan and we are the inn keeper?·         What if the injured person is an unbeliever? 3. Two major hurdles to the hospitality involved in loving our neighbor:·         We feel uncomfortable inviting people into our homes/lives because_________.·         We don’t feel confident in sharing our faith because___________ 4. Tools to make hospitality easier (from The Simplest Way to Change the World by Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements)·         The ‘ALWAYS rule’·         Make a plan – weekly, monthly, yearly·         Use your passions NEXT STEPS 1.    Practice GOSPEL this week so you are confident in communicating the G

LIFE TOGETHER: Witnesses – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - We witness about Jesus with Holy Spirit power.TEXT - Acts 1:1-11OUTLINEThree keys to moving forward as witnesses according to Acts 1:8.  1. Move forward with Holy Spirit power.      You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.Galatians 5:16-252. Move forward with Jesus focus. You will be my witnesses.Acts 4:10-12Acts 2:38-413. Move forward with people awareness.In Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.Acts 2:42-47John 2019-23NEXT STEPS Join a small group.Tell others about Jesus.Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

LIFE TOGETHER: Ambassadors of Reconciliation – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Broken relationships destroy life together.OUTLINE - Three steps toward life together in 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.Step 1: We are reconciled to God in Jesus.      * Colossians 1:21-23 * Romans 5:6-8Step 2: We are ambassadors of reconciliation. * 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 * Ephesians 2:1-9Step 3: We share the hope of life together. * Isaiah 11:6-7 * Isaiah 65:25NEXT STEPS 1. Join a small group.2. Tell your story.SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

LIFE TOGETHER: Telling Your Story (Acts 9:1-18)– Steve PooleTHEME – Stories are powerful.OUTLINE1 .Stories are Powerful! Acts 9:1-18“How has God changed my life?”  1 Peter 3:15Acts 26:6-72.  How do I share my stories of faith?Reflect - take time to look for God’s hand working in your lifePractice - write it out - just do it (small groups will share this week)Be focused Answer the question: “How has God changed my life?”Before God, Encounter God, After GodApply to context - abundant life - missing pieceAs you grow, so does your faith story3. ALL our stories of faith transformation are valuable and beautiful to God. Mark 5:19-20John 4:28-29 APPLICATIONDo you have a testimony/story? Write out your story. Share your story. SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLS www.cedarhillscr.org/give Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

LIFE TOGETHER: Hope Together1 Peter 3:14-16Pastor Kent LandhuisSupport the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

LIFE TOGETHER: Witnesses to The Story -  Luke 24:13-27 – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Our lives are part of God’s Story.OUTLINE1. We Are Witnesses.      Jesus said, “You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:482. We Witness to God’s Story.Creation - origin story. Who or what do you credit for who you are?Fall - brokenness. Why are things and people not the way they are supposed to be and who is to blame for it?Redemption - rescue. Who or what will rescue me and fix what is broken?Restoration - consummation. What will the world (your world) look like when all is as it should be?3. We Love to Tell The Story.“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8NEXT STEPS Join a small group.Tell your story.SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

LIFE TOGETHER in the FOREVER FAMILY -  1 John 4:7-8 – Pastor Alan CrandallOUTLINE1. We are saved in and through a spiritual family in which God is our father and Jesus is our older brother.Being “adopted” into God’s family underlines the unexpected, undeserved freeness of salvation.New birth is divine election, or being chosen by God.The Father’s love for us enables us to share that amazon glove with one another.2. All families experience hurt, squabbles and misunderstandings.Jesus prepares his disciples for this. Matthew 5:22-24; Matthew 7:1-5; 18:10-22Gifts of Gospel community are blocked whenever hurtful words and actions get wedged between us.What seems impossible to us is possible with God.3. A Community that embodies love.Not a gift just for us, but to share with the rest of God’s beloved creation. (Eph. 1:3-11)Abraham chosen to father a holy nation that would in turn bless all nations. (Gen. 12:1-3)Ephesians 2:12-194. Gospel community flows directly from what God has done and is doing for us. John 13:3

CARE TOGETHER -  1 Corinthians 12:12-27 – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Life Together requires authenticity and care.OUTLINE1. Recap: Life together requires love and presence. (John 13:34-35)      Life together requires kindness and respect. (Romans 12:10)      Life together requires hospitality and grace. (1 Peter 4:9-10)Love flows from the very essence of God. Because God is love, we are loved and we are the kind of people who love one another.Love  expressed practically  results in kindness and respect.This love is lived out in the day to day nitty gritty of life. 2. Life together requires authenticity and care. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)Everyone belongs to the body.Everyone plays a unique role in the body.Everyone celebrates or suffers together.NEXT STEPS Celebrate your belonging.Join a small group.Start caring for someone today.SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/giveSupport the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

SERVE TOGETHER -  1 Peter 4:7-11 – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Life Together requires kindness and respect. OUTLINE1. Recap: Life together requires love and presence. (John 13:34-35)      Life together requires kindness and respect. (Romans 12:10)Love flows from the very essence of God. Because God is love, we are loved and we are the kind of people who love one another.Love  expressed practically  results in kindness and respect.This love is lived out in the  day to day nitty gritty of life. 2. Life together requires hospitality and grace. (1 Peter 4:9-10)Hospitality and grace flow from our good gifts.Hospitality and grace cover a multitude of sins.Hospitality and grace result in multiplying God’s grace.NEXT STEPS Celebrate God’s love.Keep an open mind.Be a friend.Start today.No short-cuts. SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

SERVE TOGETHER -  Romans 12:9-10 – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Life Together requires kindness and respect. OUTLINE1. Recap: Life together requires love and presence. (John 13:34-35)Love flows from the very essence of God. Because God is love, we are loved and we are the kind of people who love one another.2. Life together requires kindness and respect. (Romans 12:10)Together is better but this is messy.Dealing with the mess requires practical expressions of kindness and respect. We loved you dearly - so dearly that we gave you not only the gospel of God, but also our very lives. 1 Thessalonians 2:8NEXT STEPSCelebrate God’s love.Keep an open mind.Be a friend.Start today. SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

GROW TOGETHER - John 13:34-35, Romans 12:10 – Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Life Together requires love and presence. OUTLINETwo requirements of life together:1. Life Together Requires Love. (John 13:34-35, “Love one another.”)God loves God - the trinity teaches us that life together requires love. (I John 4:8)God loves us - we learn to love from God’s love. (John 15:13)We love one another - our love for others is a response to God. (Matthew 22:36-40)2. Life Together Requires Presence. (Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in love.”)We don’t love at a distance.We don’t love in the abstract.We love real people, in real places, in real time.NEXT STEPSCelebrate the love that God has for you. Reflect on the question: Who is God calling me to love more deeply?Pray about connecting with others in a small group. SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

SONGS OF PRAISE - Psalm 134 – Pastor Kent Landhuis; THEME - Pilgrims overcome roadblocks to worship.OUTLINEWe face three roadblocks to worship:1. I am not good enough.Trouble and restlessness send us out to find peace. (Shalom)Everyone needs a blessing.God blesses us!Psalm 120.2.  I still have too far to go.The journey is long.Everyone is on the road. God blesses us on the road!Psalm 122-133.3. I don’t feel it.Feelings don’t run the show.Everyone has mixed feelings.God blesses us even when we don’t feel it.Psalm 134 and 150.  NEXT STEPSRead Psalm 134 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.Lift your hands in worship!SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/cedarhillscr)

SONGS OF COMMUNITY - Psalm 133 – Gary SagerTHEME -  Togetherness is where God will pour out blessing.OUTLINE1. Life Together (vs. 1) Togetherness is where God will pour out blessing. When families are left to their own devices, we fight. We cannot achieve unity; we must receive it.The book of Acts describes the early church and its remarkable unity. (Acts 2:42-47)2.  Blessing Running down (vs. 2)Life together is a gift based on the mercy of God.The oil running down on Aaron’s head, running down on his beard, and running down on his collar, is a picture of the blessing of God descending upon his people.The atoning sacrifices made by priests were a reminder of our sins and the need for God’s mercy. (Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9) The followers of Christ are holy and set apart for priestly service to the King of kings and Lord of Lords.By seeing each other as God's anointed one, our relationships are profoundly affected!3. Life-Giving Water (vs. 3a)Think of the new life that would burst forth, the fresh growth t