CLCC Church Podcast

I Used to Think…But Now I Know: Leadership is Influence

July 04, 2021 22:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MB

The Big Idea of this study is if we really want to influence people, we need to help them see the good attributes that God has given them. In Love Does, Bob Goff states: “I used to think that words said about us describe us, but now I know they shape who we are.” Our world is full of people who suffer from self-doubt and insecurity. We’ve all seen how online no matter what your opinion people can be beat up and criticized just for stating their mind. We see Paul in his letter to Timothy e...

I Used to Think…But Now I Know: Participants Needed

June 27, 2021 20:00 - 23 minutes - 22.2 MB

The Big Idea of this study is that what we sometimes call “the life of faith” is really a life of action. True belief is not just a matter of our heads or hearts; it requires participation in the work of Jesus. In Love Does, Bob Goff states: “I used to think that being a believer was enough, but now I know that God wants participants,” I often put it this way: “I want to not only believe in Jesus, I want to act like I believe in what Jesus believed in…for even the devil believes in Jesus....

I Used to Think…But Now I Know: Shaped By Love

June 20, 2021 20:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MB

The Big Idea of this study is that the Lord uses our circumstances to shape us. We make choices with our renewed minds and trust the Lord with our choices. Like clay in his hands, he shapes us in the midst of our life events. “I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, now I know my circumstances shape me.” - Bob Goff in Love Does. I am not entirely sure what Bob meant by that, but it has prompted in me the question of how we find God’s will. Many believers tie themselves up...

I Used to Think…But Now I Know: Love Does

June 13, 2021 19:00 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MB

The Big Idea of this study is that love is more than thinking good thoughts about someone or something. It requires action. When we truly experience Jesus, we walk as he did. Bob Goff wrote a wonderful little book a few years ago that caught my attention called Love Does. Bob is a lawyer and follower of Jesus. He has started a nonprofit that helps children who are in prison in underdeveloped countries get a fair trial. This series is based on a number of quotes found in his book that reson...

Sayings of the Wise: Avoiding Dead Ends

June 06, 2021 19:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MB

Today we conclude our series in Proverbs with a look at Proverbs 24:19-22. This “Saying of the Wise”, challenges us to consider how we respond to evildoers in the world today. Have you ever looked at the world and thought evil doers are winning the day? We watch evil doers seemingly prosper and have success. How can that be? How should we respond to them? We’re told not to fret or be envious because they have no future. This begs another question though – why would we be angry or envio...

Sayings of the Wise: It Takes Wisdom to Build a Home

May 30, 2021 19:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MB

The Big Idea of this study is that wisdom bids us to build a home full of wisdom that requires understanding and knowledge, but there will be other competing voices calling out to us, don’t go there. In the book of Proverbs wisdom is often personified and depicted as a woman who builds a house. Lady wisdom calls to the youthful to come and enjoy the benefits of living a wise life. This image is set in contrast to another kind of woman, often a prostitute, who also calls out to come and en...

Sayings of the Wise: The Silent Epidemic

May 23, 2021 19:00 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MB

The Big Idea of this study is that wisdom demands that we be very cautious regarding consuming alcoholic beverages. When I lived in dorms at University I chose not to drink beer with my friends. When they asked why I would say: “If ten passenger jets fell from the sky every year and killed everyone on board, you would think twice before boarding a plane.” The abuse of alcohol has even more devastating effects. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol abuse is the number one ki...

The Sayings of the Wise: An Armload of Nothing

May 16, 2021 19:00 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MB

The Big Idea of this study is that our desires need to be kept in check by our will which needs to be in line with the will of Jesus. I believe Confucius had it right when he wrote: “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First by reflection, which is the noblest, second is by imitation, which is the easiest, and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Scripture encourages us to learn wisdom by the first two methods. Our proverb this week challenges us to be careful about what we desi...

Sayings of the Wise: An Armload of Nothing

May 16, 2021 19:00 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MB

The Big Idea of this study is that our desires need to be kept in check by our will which needs to be in line with the will of Jesus. I believe Confucius had it right when he wrote: “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First by reflection, which is the noblest, second is by imitation, which is the easiest, and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Scripture encourages us to learn wisdom by the first two methods. Our proverb this week challenges us to be careful about what we desi...

Practice Restraint

May 09, 2021 19:00 - 17 minutes - 16 MB

The Big Idea of this study is that riches will not buy happiness. It is better to be “rich toward God” and “rich in good deeds.” It seems like it is natural to think that money will solve our problems. And money does solve many problems. If you are very poor, more money will make a big difference in your well-being. But wealth does not solve the most important problems, even though it seems we think it will. Seeking riches can be a trap and lead to all kinds of problems. Our text this ...

Sayings of the Wise: Practice Restraint

May 09, 2021 19:00 - 17 minutes - 16 MB

The Big Idea of this study is that riches will not buy happiness. It is better to be “rich toward God” and “rich in good deeds.” It seems like it is natural to think that money will solve our problems. And money does solve many problems. If you are very poor, more money will make a big difference in your well-being. But wealth does not solve the most important problems, even though it seems we think it will. Seeking riches can be a trap and lead to all kinds of problems. Our text this ...

Sayings of the Wise: Wise Words in Our Hearts Bring Wise Answers to Our Lips

May 02, 2021 19:00 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MB

The Big Idea of this study is the importance of the Lord’s wisdom. It should be a lifelong goal to get wiser. Have you ever looked back on your past mistakes and wished you had been wiser? It sometimes seems that the only way to get wisdom is through mistakes. How often have you said: “I’ll never do that again!” But scripture tells us that wisdom comes from the Lord. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to ...

Jonah: Salvation Comes From The Lord

April 25, 2021 19:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MB

The Big Idea of this weekend’s message: Many of us have surrendered to God’s moral will for our lives, but many of us have never surrendered to how God wants to use us with the people we interact with each and every day. As we look at the story of Jonah, it’s more than the kid's story we might have read to our children. It is not just a story of someone who disobeyed and learned his lesson. It was someone who thought that his own death might be better than a whole city repenting and turning...

The Good and Beautiful Life: Our Place in God’s Family

April 18, 2021 19:00 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MB

The Big Idea of this study is that peacemakers demonstrate that they are brothers and sisters of Jesus. Our families of origin, for better or for worse, have a lot to do with our view of ourselves. Our nuclear family dynamic: conversations around the dinner table, on the way to school, and in front of the TV have a lasting impact. Those early impressions of who we are in the world and of our particular giftings and shortcomings tend to greatly influence our life’s trajectory. This is why t...

The Good and Beautiful Life: Blessed Are The Pure In Heart

April 11, 2021 19:00 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MB

The Big Idea of this study is God is more concerned with the interior reality of our hearts than the outward appearances of our lives. As we focus on Jesus’ definitions on “The Good Life” this week we see his emphasis on the internal life. We can all be tempted to put on appearances, if even for good reasons. We can be led to believe the good life consists of having a persona or image that is approved of by the people around us. We can even believe that God is impressed with the exterior ap...

No Ordinary Death, No Ordinary Resurrection, and No Ordinary Outcome

April 04, 2021 19:39 - 20 minutes - 19.3 MB

The Big Idea of this study is to think more deeply about the death and resurrection of Jesus. This was no ordinary death, no ordinary resurrection and no ordinary outcome. It is sometimes said of John’s Gospel that it is book in which elephants can swim and children wade. By that it means his writing is both for children and scholars. It is one of the first books we give new believers to read. It is also fitting material for serious study by mature believers. John is writing later that the...

Good & Beautiful Life: Intolerance and Resentment Will Eat Us Up

March 28, 2021 22:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MB

The Big Idea of this study is our need to be shown mercy and our need to be merciful. Like forgiveness it is one of the key characteristics of Kingdom of God living. As we approach Easter it is important to remember that there is more going on than meets the eye. We tend to focus on the details of the event and miss the big picture. This in fact is the greatest moment in history. It culminates God’s grand plan to redeem humankind from the dastardly effects of the Fall in early Genesis. This...

Good & Beautiful Life: Healthy Cravings

March 21, 2021 23:00 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MB

The Big Idea of this study is that when we hunger and thirst for righteousness we cooperate with God’s purposes in the world. He is at work making everything right. I used to think that living a righteous life was about what I didn’t do. The old saying: “I don’t drink or smoke or chew or hang around with girls who do” was the tongue in cheek slogan of my early years. Now I realize that righteousness is more about what I do and not what I don’t do. It is about cooperating with Jesus in his w...

Good & Beautiful Life: The Mourning and Meek

March 14, 2021 23:00 - 26 minutes - 25 MB

The Big Idea of this study is that those who mourn, as well as the meek, are blessed. Not because of their condition but because in spite of it they experience God’s grace. Who is really living the good life? Often our perspective is tainted as we compare ourselves to others from an outside point of view. Though people’s external circumstances may look ideal, they may not be experiencing the good life of God. On the other side of the coin, many people today they would never consider themsel...

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