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Living Generously

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermons.

LIVING GENEROUSLY
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Society tends to be more generous during the holiday season. We often open our hearts to those around us in ways not typical throughout the year. We might sponsor families for Christmas gifts, purchase food items to offset costs or connect to one of the many local programs that assist those in need in a myriad of ways. It is truly beautiful to see the reach that believers can have when choosing to go beyond themselves.
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Living Generously is a sermon series geared towards wrestling with some of the central scriptures related to generosity found in our Biblical text. So often, series like this are offered in churches and are followed closely by some type of financial ask or campaign. Not this series. The series aims to discover what Scripture says about living a generous life and continuing to do so. One thing is certain: generosity, as well as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, are the outflow of a Spirit-led life (Galatians 5:22-23). New Testament authors anchor these practices in the faith community and how that community shows up in the world surrounding it.
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You are invited to join us as we tackle some of the most well-known stories of our faith while navigating through another holiday season that warms our hearts and offers many opportunities to be generous.

Habakkuk

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermons.

The book of Habakkuk is one of the Bible’s most interesting prophetic writings. Most oracles from prophets involve the prophet delivering God's message to people. Habakkuk is different in that it consists of the prophet talking to God on behalf of the people. Habakkuk’s complaint: Why does God allow injustice to go unpunished? God answers Habakkuk but the answer isn’t what Habakkuk expected. This answer starts a dialog in which God offers insight affirming that God not only cares about justice but assures that justice will prevail.
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We are starting this series on the eve of the 2024 presidential election. This study aims to reframe our focus from issues that often divide us to the ultimate issues of faith that should unite us. The lessons that Habakkuk learns in this writing are essential for believers to help navigate future difficulties by understanding that God is fully in control and that even though the day of calamity comes, a believer's trust can be placed in the Lord.

Freedom In Grace

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermons.

Every year at Community Life Church, we set aside at least two weeks to bring focus to our Recovery Ministry. Celebrate Recovery is an international recovery program that follows 12 steps linked to Biblical truth. We believe that every person is in recovery from life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits The ultimate goal of this series is to normalize recovery and connect people to Jesus. For each of the two weeks, Celebrate Recovery volunteers will participate in various aspects of the services. Rolls range from greeting, opening prayer, and welcome to sharing a testimony.
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We invite you to follow this service and pay special attention to the testimony. We pray that you will discover someone who recognized their brokenness and decided to take steps toward healing. If you would like to find out more information about Celebrate Recovery or to attend a meeting click here, or for questions, you can email Steve.

The Gospel According To Luke

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermons.

The Gospel According to Luke, is a wonderful reminder that God sees those that society often overlooks. Luke provides a unique perspective on Christ’s ministry as he brings the outcasts, the voiceless, and the forgotten to the forefront. As a medical doctor and historian, his writings capture not only specific details that anchor events in a timeline but also provide insight into cause and effect. 
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In this series, our plans and values will be challenged and possibly disrupted. Insiders will be forced to reconsider their place and evaluate the condition of their hearts, while outsiders will be given a welcome invitation to see their worth and potential in the eyes of a loving God. 
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We'd like to invite you to follow along as we consider the writings of this non-Jewish, non-disciple believer in Jesus and his invitation to know Christ. 

Under Construction

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermons.

Most of us believe that if the Apostle Paul were still alive today, he would send us a letter. The mere idea of considering what he would write causes us to take an honest assessment and consider making adjustments. The good news is that individually and corporately, we are all under construction.
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In this series, we will explore the life of the early church as described by Luke in Acts 2. The early church forged life around a spirit-led community that ultimately became the launching pad for changing the world. How are we similar, how are we different and what guidance does scripture offer to help us navigate the construction of life going forward?

Ephesians

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermons.

In his letter to the Ephesians Paul reminds the church that God chose Jews and Gentiles to be adopted into His family through Christ. Paul reminds those who believe to know the hope, the inheritance, and the power afforded to them as one unified body. But as one unified family, believers must live a life worthy of their calling as mature believers in healthy communities and healthy relationships.

Paul’s Missionary Journey

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermons.

Have you ever wondered how the Gospel Message survived for over 2000 years? The events surrounding the life of Jesus of Nazareth happened in a definitive time and place and yet, they didn’t stay there. Those who believed that Jesus was sent by God, carried the message to the ends of the world. The Apostle Paul was one such messenger and this series chronicles his journey.
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Starting in Antioch in Acts 13, we will journey with Paul as he makes Jesus known. For 8 weeks, we will learn Paul’s tactics, read about his opposition and meet the folks that joined their hearts to the cause. We will follow all 3 of the missionary journeys and close the series in Acts 21 when Paul is arrested and awaits his final transport to Rome.
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This series will hopefully cause us to consider our journey. What is God teaching us? What new places is God taking us? What role do we play in leading others and doing our part to make Jesus known?

Mother’s Day 2024 … Embracing Grace Beauty in Chaos

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermons.

Join us this Sunday for Mother’s Day and be inspired by our one-off message, “Embracing Grace: Beauty in Chaos.” Don’t just settle for the idea that God’s grace is sufficient – it is so much more than that! When we face challenges, God is all we need. He is our all-sufficient God, El-Shaddai, who is more than enough for us.
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Let God use your weaknesses and difficulties to make you strong. This message of hope will bring peace and beauty into the chaos you may be facing. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience God’s amazing grace.
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Join us in person at 8:30am, 10:00am, 11:30am or online at www.clc.life/messages. We look forward to seeing you and your family there!

The Wilderness

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermons.

We start a new series this week called, “The Wilderness” (Part 1).
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Throughout the history of our Biblical text, God uses the Wilderness as a place to refine and transform his people. The Wilderness is a desolate and uncultivated place full of sand and rocks. Something about this barren and inhospitable place allows God to teach his people to seek and trust. Seasons of rebellion are shaped by correction. Times of lack are countered with divine provision. And a loosely connected family is transformed into the People of God.
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Welcome to the Wilderness. In this series, we will follow the Israelites from their release as slaves of Egypt through the wilderness and ultimately study their sojourn into becoming the people of God. What lessons do they learn? How does God lead them? How does this journey help us understand our own time in the wilderness?

Forever Changed

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermons.

Have you ever stopped to consider the individual lives of our New Testament church founders? What were they walking through when they encountered Jesus? What life events troubled them and how did their Journey with Jesus transform the arc of their lives?

Forever Changed is a series that will explore the lives of 7 individuals found in the New Testament: Matthew, Nicodemus, Philip, the woman at the well, John, Peter and Mary Magdalene. We will wrestle with modern topics like church hurt, mental illness, deconstruction, the search for meaning and so much more. Our hope is to examine our own issues in light of the work that Jesus accomplished in the lives of our those in our Biblical text. We invite you to walk along with us as we experience lives that have been Forever Changed.