"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." - Rom 12:6-8

Dear CBC Family,

This weekend we will continue in our study of spiritual gifts by addressing the second place the gifts are found which is Romans 12. There are seven gifts listed here but remember that these lists are simply not exhaustive. One gift can be used in a number of ways just like tools can be.

It has been well said that: “Some people have the notion that following your spiritual gifts is spending the days and years of your life doing only those things which come naturally, easily, with no effort, discipline, or practice.” That simply is not true. The Apostle Paul said; “I worked harder than all of them yet it was not me, but Christ in me.” Sometimes the use of the gifts will require effort, sacrifice and endurance but, just like the gym, the efforts are well worth it.

Let’s gather together and learn to unpack and use our gifts.

This is a great study to bring a friend to that needs some truth in their life.

Blessings,

Pastor Scott

Hey Church Family,

This Sunday, we continue our series, Getting to Know the Spirit, by looking at a truth that changes everything: The Holy Spirit never travels empty-handed.

When you received, not accepted, Christ, the Spirit moved in, and He brought a treasure chest of supernatural gifts with Him. Whether it is a gift of bold faith, supernatural wisdom, teaching, or a quiet, powerful gift of mercy, you are not empty-handed. God has fully equipped you to play a vital role in His family. But a gift is only useful if it is unwrapped, given and used.

Right now, there are people all around us—in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and our grocery stores—who are trapped under the heavy rubble of loneliness, anxiety, and despair. God's plan to reach them is you. The spiritual gifts you carry are the tools meant to help dig people out of the wreckage of their lives and point and bring them to the hope in Jesus.

As you prepare to meet the Lord this weekend, take a moment to pause and ask the Holy Spirit two simple questions:

1.    "What gifts have You placed inside me?"

2.    "Who around me needs that gift today?"

Don't leave your neighbor under the rubble. Step out in boldness. Text that friend who is struggling. Pray for that impossible situation. Let the King fill you afresh and live His beautiful life through you.

I can't wait to see you this weekend as we continue getting to know the Spirit together! Bring a friend who needs the Truth.

Blessings,

Pastor Scott 

Dear CBC Family,

I am writing to share two important updates with you.

First, everyone is invited to attend Paul William's memorial service. We are looking for volunteers to help with the setup following next Sunday's service. Additionally, if you plan to attend the supper afterward, please sign up at the following link so we can finalize the food arrangements: (Register here)


Second, please note that we will not hold a service on Saturday, July 4th.We look forward to seeing you for our regular Sunday service at 10:00 AM.

Blessings,

Pastor Scott 

Dear CBC Family,

Easter is one of the most significant days on the church calendar — a time of celebration, renewal, and reflection. It’s also one of the best opportunities to extend a church invitation to new visitors. Many people want to invite their friends, coworkers, or neighbors to Easter services, but they often hesitate because they don’t know what to say or how to approach the conversation. To that end I want to give you a simple way to consider that task.

I find that a simple invitation is often the best approach. How about saying something like this: “Easter is a really special time for me, and I’d love to share it with you. I think you would really enjoy it so can I pick you up or save you a seat? Perhaps we could grab lunch after and discuss what we heard”? The world we live in is volatile and people are looking for some stability and hope. I believe the only place each of those is found is in Christ alone. If you care about these people then give them what they really need.

The Good Friday hour long service is a time for the believers to gather to remember what God has done for us. We will be looking at a study I called “The Justice of God’s Friday”. This is not the average Good Friday message. Easter Sunday will be a very special time with an unusual Easter message I called “Overcoming” I can’t exactly give much more than that as I am still prayerfully working through it. I will say I have never given a message like it.
Please join us in prayer for this weekend as well as the ongoing guidance and provision for the church. This year has been pretty tough financially as the war has increased costs for gas and food that depends on fuel to move it.  We have run in the red the last couple of months and we really need you all to stand with us. Thank you for investing in the truth of the Word of God. We appreciate and love you all.

To Him be the glory,

Pastor Scott

Psalm 12:1 “Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.”

Dear CBC Family,

A dear friend and mentor passed away on Monday night. It came as a painful shock and was not something I expected. I had known John for decades. He was a family fixture and someone I seriously admired. I went to school with his daughter from the 5th through the 7th grade. He was used by the Lord in incredible ways in my life and is one of the main reasons I ever went into ministry. He even came and spoke at the installation service when I was made the pastor of this church. I will miss him greatly. His departure leaves a big hole in so many ways. He was one of my “go to” men when difficulty came my way.

His passing has bought up many happy memories of a kind man that spent endless hours answering my questions about the Bible early in my walk. I realize that each time a seasoned saint goes into eternity that the body of Christ suffers a great loss until another takes their place. It reminds me of David’s cry “help Lord for the godly man ceases. The faithful disappear among the sons of men.” That plea to God for strong men in Psalm 12 also resonates with my own heart. The universal church needs mature, biblically solid men to rise up in our day to lead the precious body of Christ to her glorious destiny. Men who are men and who are not afraid to stand alone and say what needs to be said. May the Lord raise up such men. John died on Monday the 16th thus he passed on “John 3:16.” I smiled when that thought entered my head.

I have enjoyed the two-week bunny trail into Ezekiel 38 &39, looking at the war in Iran, and principles of prophesy, but it is time to get back to the verse-by-verse study in chapter 4 of Galatians. I am still getting questions about eschatology so I am considering how to best address these things to get the most impact. Prophesy is not the “meat” of the word. As I said last Sunday, the writer to the Hebrews 6:1-3 calls the things pertaining to the end of all things (eternal judgment of the end and the resurrection) as “the elementary principles of Christ.” That means that these things are what people need to learn at the beginning and be solid in.

One question that comes up often is what do I personally believe. This question is usually asked to determine what “camp” I fall into. I am NOT a dispensationalist, or any other “ist”. The central belief of the dispensationalist is the erroneous idea that God still owes promises to “Israel,” whoever that is, and that He has two distinct peoples. That is biblically false and is bordering on blasphemous since Paul has told us time and time again that “there is no difference” between any people and that every person must come to the Father by Jesus alone. Jesus hated the Rabbinic Judaism of His day and had no patience for it. I am not a preterist, replacement theologian, covenantalist or any other modern term name. I take each doctrine individually and actually find that what the early church taught is pretty much what I would hold to thus I call myself and CBC a “Historic Christianity” Church.

As we approach Easter please be in prayer about who you know that needs Christ. Invite them on Good Friday at 5:30 PM or Easter Sunday at 10:00 AM and see what the Lord will do. As each of us do our part the Lord will build His church!

Blessings to all who love the Lord,

Pastor Scott

Matthew 16:4 “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.”

Dear CBC Family,

I am coming to you early this week as I wanted to make you aware that we will be having a very special message this weekend. Due to the unprecedented flood of questions I am receiving about the war in Iran, and whether it is prophetically significant, I decided that I must address this issue.

I have been a Christian for a very long time and have seen this kind of sensationalized nonsense often. All it does is destroy faith. If you remember the Russian invasion of Afghanistan on Christmas Eve in 1979 it was widely presented by pastors as the fulfillment of the Gog and Magog invasion of Israel. There were many claiming the end was near but nothing ever came of it. The same is true of the US fighting in Iraq, the Harrold Camping fiasco of predicting the end on May 21, 2011, or any of the hundreds of false predictions and interpretations given over the years. We are now being exposed to it again with false teachers telling us that what we are seeing in the world today is the fulfillment of Jeremiah 49:33-39 where God judges Elam (who is supposed to be modern day Iran). This is a gross twisting of scripture. The prophesy ends with hope: “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come,’ declares the Lord” (V39). What is this all about?

One of the ways in which Elam found grace and was restored is found in Acts chapter 2. On the Day of Pentecost, the apostles were speaking of “the wonders of God” (V11), and people from all over the Roman Empire heard the praise of God in their own languages: “Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia” all heard the gospel that day including the people from Elam. We need to learn to handle the word of God properly and understand that “apocalyptic language” is ALWAYS figurative and never literal.

Going back to Gog and Magog you can see in the text that Gog’s army is on horseback and carries swords and shields (Ez 38:15) so, again, this is an event long before mechanized armor covered vehicles and bombers. This is also a war against the Jews who were in covenant with God at that time. That covenant, we know has long ago passed away so hardly able to be a future event.

It isn’t just the prophetic end of things we need to be careful about but also the crazy conspiracy theories that plague the church. Every time I see a vapor trail off an airplane I am reminded of the many people who say a vapor trail is the government "seeding the clouds with poison to kill us off." Really? That is ridiculous. If they killed us off, who could they tax? ? The truth is these "smoke" trails, known as contrails (condensation trails), are caused when hot, humid jet engine exhaust mixes with extremely cold, high-altitude air. The water vapor instantly condenses and freezes into ice crystals, creating a visible, cloud-like trail. They are not harmful smoke, but temporary, man-made clouds.

Join us for a sane, biblical, in context understanding of what is taking place today. You will be glad you did. Bring a friend who is stuck in the circus of crazy end-times prophesy and see if they can find some stability from the truth of God’s word.

Blessings,

Pastor Scott

 1 Cor 13:11 “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." ESV

Dear CBC Family,

Somewhere and sometime all children pass from being kids to adults. The markers are different for each of us – sometimes it’s graduation, moving out, or getting married. I knew that I had become an adult when something significant happened in my relationship with my mom. She spent a huge amount of energy when I was a kid trying to get me to do dishes. One day I went to visit her, and she spent a huge amount of energy trying to stop me from doing dishes. I had become a guest in her home. That marker told me I had passed to adulthood.

In Judaism, a boy transitions from adolescence to manhood shortly after his twelfth birthday. He became "a son of the law." In ancient Greece, individuals reached adulthood around eighteen, similar to other cultures, and were expected to take on full adult responsibilities. At this age, at the festival of the “Apaturia”, the child passed from the care of his father to the care of the state and was responsible to it.

Roman society was different. In Roman society, the father decided when a child would become an adult. Every year, on March 17, Romans held a festival called the “Liberalia”. At this feast, if the father believed his son was ready, he would officially adopt him as his recognized son and heir. He would receive new clothes, called “toga virilis”. After this ceremony, the son was considered to have come of age. He had new rights and new responsibilities. You can imagine the kids wondering as March 17 approached if this would be the year they would become adults.

Paul’s paints a word picture of our relationship with God using the concept of growing up – passing from a period of childhood to adulthood in the eyes of God in Galatians 4.

In verses 1-2 he says; “What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.”

The picture here is of a very small child who is heir of a big estate. As long as he’s a child he’s essentially no different from a slave in the eyes of the law. He can’t make decisions. He has no freedom. He’s subject to what his guardians and trustees say, until he reaches the age at which his father decides that he’s an adult.

Paul uses this as a picture of our condition before Christ; before Jesus came to save and redeem and adopt. He says, “And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world” (Galatians 4:3). Then Paul explains what God did to change this situation, in an absolutely amazing verse. “But when the right time came, God sent his Son born of a woman, born under the law.” (Galatians 4:4).

I love the NIV phrase, “when the right time came.” It’s as if God were like a father who saw March 17 coming and said, “It’s time. It’s time that my kids received their rights. It’s time that they received the full privileges of being my children.” This was the time that God sovereignly chose to act. God desires for us to experience the blessings of being His children with new rights and responsibilities. In order to receive and experience these incredible privileges a person must first have their spiritual March 17 when they pass from being under the restraints of law to freedom as a son. Each of us know people who may be religious but have no experience, joy or peace as a son.

We know as Christians the freedom as we begin to walk in the power and grace of our inheritance. We need to be moved by the Holy Spirit to bring others into that freedom. May each of us grow in that grace and experience unto the fulfilling of the Father’s eternal purpose in redeeming us. But, may we also seek to be used of Him this New Year in setting the captives free.

Join us this weekend as we continue to learn, unpack, and apply the privileges of being adopted by the Most High God.

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Scott

1 Thess 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Here is a transcript from George Washington on October 3, 1789. This declaration is really the foundation of Thanksgiving in this country.

“A Proclamation: Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their Joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."   Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be……….Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.”  

What I find striking here is Washington’s statement “a day of PUBLIC Thanksgiving.” We live in a time where men want to hide their faith in God for fear of how they may be seen by other men. Our first President did not care what anyone thought, but simply made a proclamation that all Americans have received a “corporate kindness” that every other nation simply does not have. The only appropriate response from any of us is a public expression of gratitude. That resonates with me today. We are so fortunate to live where we live.

God calls us to be thankful “in” all circumstances for this is His will for us in Christ. This does not mean we necessarily thank Him “for” the tragedy but we can thank Him for His promises IN the midst of the trial knowing that the promises are the means by which we will come through.

I want you all to know I am very thankful to be in a church body like ours. I am grateful for the people here who love God’s word and each other. There isn’t any other place I would rather be.

To that end, I wanted to remind you about our public Thanksgiving potluck gathering tomorrow morning at 10. We will have a devotional from Dr Lon and then celebrate our time together as a family and share a meal just as they did at the very beginning of Christianity.

May the Lord reveal to you not only WHY we do this but why we are ABLE to do this. Each answer will generate new reasons to express gratitude and fuel praise! Thank you, Lord, for Your mercies endure forever!

Grateful,

Pastor Scott

"The gospel alone gives my life true meaning. It is God’s plan not to rapture people away from earth to heaven someday but to populate the earth with the life of heaven. This gospel contains the opportunity and power to start over no matter what my circumstances have come my way.  The gospel will never fail God or me." - S.L.

Dear CBC Family,

We live in a crazy world and the only hope for it is for the gospel to advance. If this does not happen then the world will spiral down into complete chaos. The responsible party to prevent this spiral is the church. We are the only salt and light this planet has. This is not depressing news but actually very exciting news. I do believe that the days of “playing church” are quickly coming to an end.

My email to you today is to encourage you to take your position in the great cause of kingdom progression. There are millions of believers who have gone on before us faithfully advancing the kingdom in times of ease, and especially in times of difficulty. I feel a stirring to simply say to the church that it is now our turn to join them.

The place to start is ensuring that we know the biblical gospel which is taught throughout the New Testament but especially in the books of Romans and Galatians. It is not enough to simply comprehend it but to be mastered by it! The gospel is the “power of God unto salvation” and is the catalyst of everything God would do. This is why Paul said “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel”!

I am grateful that our church cares about truth, and especially getting the gospel right. My prayer is that the Lord will bless His truth unto the fulfillment of His promise to heal our land when we, the Christians, humble ourselves, pray, and turn from a love of culture, and things, back to Him with an undivided heart.

I have received a lot of feedback and questions on “The Jesus of the Bible” sermon so I will answer those questions, and give a few more examples, this weekend. The effect of truth on the life of people is really quite astounding. I have heard several testimonies of how God has changed the understanding of many by revealing who Jesus actually is. This “transforming of the mind” has given a level of stability and confidence that was previously unknown.

Join us as we have the Holy Spirit lead us into truth to strengthen us for the days ahead. May the Lord reap the fruit of His labor in our midst.

Blessings,

Pastor Scott

Proverbs 22:10, “Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.”

Dear CBC Family,

This week I had a very interesting interaction with a few folks from another church who asked me for some feedback concerning the issue of emotional abuse and whether that was an acceptable reason for separation.

This stemmed from a real-life situation where a woman was seeking help and was told by the elders that emotional and verbal abuses are not reasons for separation.

The following is my edited response. I pray that you find it informative and helpful should anyone you know find themselves in similar circumstances.

This type of behavior I have seen far too often over the years and it only seems to be increasing. Since abusive behaviors can polarize a congregation the most common way for churches to deal with it is to either ignore it completely or try to convince the one abused that they are overreacting and they should just “stick it out.” Sweeping things under the rug is intended to try and keep the church looking good in the eyes of the world.

Most pastors are woefully inadequate to treat, or even diagnose, emotional abuses. They refuse to acknowledge its reality or severity. Dealing with abuse isn’t taught in seminary so what generally happens is the poor women, who are victims, are sent off to other women in the church to talk to about these matters since “male pastors cannot counsel women.” This allows them to judge without even hearing a matter.

I found it quite surprising that John MacArthur would say that emotional, or mental, abuse is not a valid reason to separate. I have never heard him say that. If he did say that I think it would be a tragedy. I would expect better from him (again, IF he said such things). Many pastors will default to the position of whatever theologian they respect holds on any given subject. This allows them pass to say; MacArthur, or Sproul or _______ says……” and then hide behind someone else instead of dealing with it. Fortunately, this is not what God calls us to do. Our silence empowers the spiritual bully to continue their sinful actions.

In a 2011 study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, researchers found that our brain processes physical pain and intense social rejection in exactly the same way. The primary difference is that physical injuries usually heal. Wounds to one’s soul and spirit are longer lasting, deeper and more damaging.  

When I deal with abuse, regardless of what type, I generally deal with them all in the same way. What needs to be established in these situations is whether the abuse is authentic and what steps need to be taken to prevent its continuation. Not being involved in your specific situation, or knowing all the background, I will limit my comments to whether it is acceptable to separate from an abusive spouse. The short answer is YES, OF COURSE IT IS.

Why would we tell a person who is being emotionally abused that they must stay in their marriage? Is it because being beaten by words is not serious enough to justify a biblical separation? If this same person were being beaten by fists, most pastors would not only allow for biblical separation, they’d advise it.

The following scriptures give evidence to the damage done by abusive words.  “Reckless words pierce like a sword” (Proverbs 12:18) and “Who can bear a crushed spirit?” (Proverbs 18:14). When someone is stabbed with a sword, it leads to grave and often fatal injuries. The Bible says the impact of reckless words is like being stabbed and is just as injurious as physical abuse. Proverbs warns, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).

“With their words, the godless destroy their friends.” (Proverbs 11:9) Jesus likens reckless words to murder in Matthew 5.

I take the 1 Corinthians 7:15 “abandonment” text not only as a reason to separate but also to divorce. Yes, I realize the text says “unbeliever” but can we say one that one who habitually abuses another is really a brother in Christ? 1st John would simply say if a man claims to love God but hates others that “he deceives himself and the truth is not in him.”

What does it mean to say that a person abandons or deserts their spouse? Should we restrict this to the idea that they simply walk away or move out of the house? When they do walk out they are causing a breach in the marriage covenant. They are willfully refusing to honor, love, protect, and provide for their spouse.

Although the Bible doesn’t give explicitly clear definitions of what exactly constitutes abuse or desertion, I believe that “persistent and unrepentant abuse is itself a form or expression” of desertion because of the same type of “assault on the marriage covenant of one flesh.”

There are unquestionably times when the church is expected and commanded to treat a believer as an unbeliever (i.e. at the end of the Matthew 18 process of church discipline which an unrepentant abuser should be on.)

What happens when a self-professing-believing husband will not respond to church discipline? What happens when he refuses to listen to the church after the ongoing abuse of his wife? “Let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector,” (Matthew 18:17). The abusive husband is choosing time and time again to renunciate his vows. How is that different from an unbeliever who decides to pick up his bags and leave his wife once and for all (1Corinthians 7:15)? When an unbeliever abandons their spouse, Paul says the believing spouse is “not enslaved.” That is simply a legal term saying they are not bound legally to the spouse any longer.

Ongoing verbal and emotional abuse are actually against the law, again, the Bible is clear: obey civil authorities (Romans 13:1-2). Most forms of abuse are crimes. God placed civil authorities over us for the protection and order of society, including the protection of a victim of marital abuse and the society of the family.

God has great distain for “mockers” and “abusers” and “slanders” and that is exactly what an abuser is. We are to separate from them. As a pastor, I have the responsibility to oversee the flock which he has purchased with His own blood. This certainly includes to protect them. We have an obligation to protect His sheep from all enemies, without and within.

In closing look how David suffered under the merciless verbal attacks of his close friend in Psalm 55. I thought of your friend and this text came to mind.  

“Listen to my prayer, O God.  Do not ignore my cry for help! 2 Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. 3 My enemies shout at me, making loud and wicked threats. They bring trouble on me and angrily hunt me down. 4 My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me. 5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking. 6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! 7 I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. 8 How quickly I would escape— far from this wild storm of hatred….. It is not an enemy who taunts me—  I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—  I could have hidden from them. 13 Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. 14 What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.”

Marriage was made to be a good gift to us and is not intended to be the chains that hold us trapped in a lifetime of traumatic interactions. God does not intend His children to be mistreated, abused, belittled or mocked.

Proverbs 22:10 says, “Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.” Clearly God’s desire is separation from the abusers both in His church and in the individuals that constitute it.”

This week we are back in Galatians 3. We have an incredible text before us.

Blessings,
Scott

2 Tim 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”


Dear CBC Family,
Just a quick email today to remind you about the “interlinear class” since many have asked about it. The class will give the basics on how to use the online interlinear bible. It will not get too technical but a good general overview to help you navigate, and use, one of the best Bible tools there are! Go to blueletterbible.org and play around with it.

The class will be Sunday right after church. 11:45-1:00 I think is sufficient to cover the basics. If you want to bring your laptop or tablet, feel free to do so. If you are coming register here. Please make sure to sign up, even if you already spoke to me, so I have enough food for everyone.

This weekend we will also be continuing in the book of Galatians chapter 3 as we see Paul’s way of tying the Spirit to the promises of Abraham. It is an incredible text. I am certain if Paul was preaching this today most places would chase him out as antisemitic.

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Scott

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.  Matthew 13:47 ESV

Dear CBC Family,

I was out for a few days last week at Mammoth Lakes. I spent three days fishing with my brother and, while part of the trip was for relaxation a bigger part was about spending time alone with God. Sometimes we get to the point where the pressures of life and the cares of this world make hearing His still small voice difficult so a change of venue is required.

I cannot begin to tell you of the outpouring of the Spirit of Grace and fellowship of His presence. I received clarity on several issues and was once again strengthened for the road ahead. To that end, the Lord revealed some very exciting things that pertain to our future but made equally clear that these will come from entering into the battle before us.

I want to encourage you to spend some serious time with the Lord this week as the enemy and his religious servants do not take a day off. The battle is tough but the victory is certain. As Walter Martin used to say “Are you willing to do for the truth what the cults do for a lie?”. God is making great advances in His kingdom so do not be dismayed or distracted from the lies of the enemy to the contrary.

I have received many questions as to how the current events of the day (war in Iran with Israel and US involvement) relate to prophesy. To that end, I will be discussing that this weekend. You may be completely surprised by the answer from scripture. What does this all mean? How is this pointing to the imminent return of Christ? I will be honest with you and point you to scripture so you are not misled and swept off into myth. The time we are in calls for truth and not fairy tales. Does God speak about our days? YES! Is it what we are often told? NO!

My heart is burdened that you might know the truth and be set free by it with confidence.

May you be encouraged by the massive grace of God in Christ!

Pastor Scott

Here is a pic of a fish I caught! He was too beautiful to eat so I let him go.

Gal 3:7-9 ESV
“Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”
Dear CBC Family,

This weekend is our annual Taco Sunday. This is a favorite of many, especially with the salsa and guacamole contests. The party begins this Sunday, June 8th right after church. The church will provide the tacos. Please feel free to bring a side or desert if you are so inclined. If you want to enter the contest for either the guac or salsa then make sure you check in at the kitchen by 11:30. I'm making a special salsa batch this year myself. It is fermenting in the fridge right now. It has plenty of kick so I’ll label it as “hot”. I’m not entering the contest just sharing some salsa the way I like it. We need a good head count so please let us know if you are coming so we have enough food. Register online here! 

This weekend we will continue to have a biblical look at the Abrahamic Covenant. I think you will be extremely surprised when you see it without the “dispensational” twist. The goal is to get an understanding of God’s unilateral covenant with Himself so that chapter three of Galatians makes sense as we move into it.

The Abrahamic Covenant is often portrayed by saying “this is an unconditional covenant for Israel” but that is far from God's purpose here. Join us and bring a friend that might be interested in what is really taking place.

Blessings,

P. Scott

Gal 3:7-9 ESV
“Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”


Dear CBC Family,

I’m writing to just remind you of a couple of events that you might want to attend. The first is the family game night which is tonight (Friday, May 30th at 6:00 PM). This will be a great time for fellowshipping and fun for the entire family.

The second event is our annual Taco Sunday. This is a favorite of many with the salsa and guacamole contests. This will take place Sunday, June 8th right after church. The church will provide the tacos. Feel free to bring a side or desert. If you want to enter the contest for either the guac or salsa then make sure you check in at the kitchen by 11:30. I plan on making a salsa batch this year myself. I like spicy so I’ll label it as “hot”. I’m not entering the contest just sharing. Register online here! 

This weekend we will begin to have a biblical look at the Abrahamic Covenant. I think you will be extremely surprised when you see if without the “dispensational” twist. The goal is to get an understanding of God’s unilateral covenant with Himself which is why He passed through the cut beasts alone while Abraham slept. This is often portrayed by saying “this is an unconditional covenant for Israel” but that is far from what is taking place here. Join us and bring a friend that might be interested in what is really taking place.

Blessings,

pastor Scott (small P as Jesus is the real Pastor here)

Eph 1:16-17
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

Dear CBC Family,

Last night I attended the youth group. The topic of discussion was “the gospel”. I was greatly encouraged by the way the truth was presented as well as the discussions afterwards. I realized that we never outgrow our need to be reminded of the great truths of the gospel.

To that end, we will be starting Paul’s defense of the truth of justification by faith from Galatians. I pray you will begin to see the difference between Paul’s gospel and that of many today. The differences are not subtle but massive with eternal consequences. Come and let us reason together.

I’ll give a quick update on Erica who had her first round of the new chemo on Wednesday. She is resting and so far, no pancreatitis or other serious complications. The new regimen is fairly intense so prayers are always needed and appreciated. Cancer is a terrible disease.  

Blessings to all who love the Lord Jesus,

Pastor Scott

Dear CBC Family,

Today is Good Friday and yet with all the things of life that press so hard on each of us we often find ourselves letting our mind drift from what is most important. It is to that end which I am writing to you.

God dispenses grace primarily in His church. As we gather together to worship and pray, He meets us here and through the sacraments and His word we are strengthened and filled with hope.

At 5:30 today we will spend an hour remembering the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Let us not forsake our gathering on this most important day. Can we not “watch and pray with Him for an hour.” This is not meant to make anyone feel guilty it is meant to invite you the spring of the water of life to refresh your soul.

Remember there in no Saturday service tomorrow night but only one service on Sunday morning at 10. The message the Lord put on my heart is not a usual resurrection message at all. It is called “Why am I here” from the book of Isaiah. Many people who name the name of Christ seem to have all the right information but are lacking something that makes that information work. What is that? Join us and bring a friend and come and see God’s answer to why knowledge about Him is not what eternal life is all about. Knowing Him is an experience! Faith comes by hearing the word but knowing comes by seeing Him in experience. An Easter message that will change your life.

To Him alone be all glory, honor and praise.

Pastor Scott
 

Dear CBC Family,

This weekend please join us as we look at a very important topic about “desires”. Every human being wants to “belong” and “fit in”. This desire isn’t sinful in and of itself. It is God given to be fulfilled in a vibrant relationship with Him. When that isn’t taking place then human flesh twists that desire into something sinful. This desire left unchecked can fuel pride, arrogance, bitterness, depression and anger. How does one correct this situation? Join as we discuss from the book of Galatians; “The Duty of Delight.” You will not want to miss this weekend.

With Easter coming up please remember that we will have a Good Friday hour-long service for communion and prayer at 5:30 PM, no Saturday evening service that week, and a joyful celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday at 10:00 AM. Bring a friend who does not yet have a relationship with Christ and pray for them like their eternity hangs on it (because it does).

Erica is having major surgery next Thursday morning at 10:00 AM. Please join us in prayer for a good outcome. I will send out an update that evening after all is settled. I am grateful for the prayers.

May the Lord bless and keep you all as we navigate these unusual days.

Pastor Scott

Gal 1:3-5 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Dear CBC Family,

I wanted to give a quick preview of this coming weekend’s activities. We will be starting our verse-by-verse study through the book of Galatians. It is an incredible book of deep truths that are very much under attack today. I hope you will be able to join us as we hit the ground running in chapter one. The goal of this book is “transformation” and not simply knowledge. If our hearts and attitudes are correct that will certainly be the result.

This weekend is the last weekend to sign up for our 50's diner potluck on Sunday, March 23. It should be a really great time. I think Dr Lon is coming as “Fonzie”! If you have  not already signed up, you can register online here.

Lastly, there is a meeting scheduled for anyone who is interested in being involved in the worship ministry. It is Sunday, March 30th following the Sunday morning service. If you can sing or play an instrument, I’d love to have you come out.

Blessings,

Scott
 

Dear CBC Family,

This email is coming early this week as I wanted to remind you of some important matters coming in the near future.

This Saturday night after church is our annual business meeting. It starts right after the Saturday service and will hopefully end in an hour or less. In order to expedite the meeting, please submit any questions you have to the board no later than Friday at noon. This will ensure that all the information necessary is available to your questions. The meeting is open to members and attenders.

Later this week you will be receiving your giving statements via email so keep your eye open for it. You may also ask for a hard copy by emailing info@sandiegocbc.org  We are so appreciative of your love and support in our goal of presenting people mature in Christ.

This weekend we continue in Ruth. Join us as we begin to wrap up this incredible book.


Blessings,

Pastor Scott
 

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift.” – 2 Corinthians 9:15

Dear CBC Family,

Next week is Christmas! Some holidays seem to come and go without much anticipation, or memory, but that has never been my experience with Christmas. Every year Christmas brings new insights into the Son of God who took on flesh and dwelt among us!

You will never really enjoy, or understand, Christmas until you can look into your heavenly Father’s face in wonder and awe after receiving His incredible gift. It is my prayer that this experience is not only yours this year but it will also come to the people you know who do not currently have a relationship with Jesus Christ. To that end why not invite them to come to our Christmas Eve service on the 24th at 5:00 PM? This service will be less than an hour from start to finish and is a fantastic way to expose your family and friends to the Jesus of the Bible.

I wanted to thank those of you who support the Lord’s work through our church. The only income we have comes from the faithful giving of those who value the word of God and what we are trying to accomplish. I am extremely grateful to be in a body of people who take Truth so seriously. May the Lord bless you for your faithfulness to Him. We appreciate you so much!

This weekend we will be in Ruth chapter 4 continuing to look at the amazing interactions of Ruth, Naomi, Boaz and the Sovereign God who has been working behind the scenes. I think you will be surprised at how things turn out. I love this little book!

“Unto us a Son is given” and may that Son be the light and joy of your Christmas both this year and always.

Blessings,

Pastor Scott

Dear CBC Family,

I would appreciate your prayers as my niece’s daughter is having major surgery right now. She has a heart defect, a one-inch hole, that has caused her entire body to be 1/3 the size of a normal child. She has had muscle removed from other places on her body to rebuild her damaged heart.  The doctors will attach a pacemaker to her diaphragm since her heart is so injured.  She has been in surgery since 4:00 AM. It’s now 1:00 PM and she is still being worked on.

Tonight, I am off to speak to a group of men and women who have been written off due to their addictions. It was either rehab or jail for most of them so please pray that the Lord’s Word will set the captive free. I feel compelled to go, especially after looking at the life of Boaz and the way he showed who his God was by the way he loved the outcast. I have a timely study for them from 1 Chronicles which I hope will be used to bring them to the feet of Jesus.

This weekend we will continue with Ruth and, based upon the feedback and questions I had about a side comment (the tower of the flock), we will explore the connection between Ruth, Boaz, Naomi, David and that piece of land. You will be amazed. Bring a friend who needs to see the amazing way the Bible is knit together. I would believe in God based upon this study alone!  

Please note that tomorrow we will have the power shut off to install the last piece of the solar equipment so we will not have phone service or internet for most of the day and evening. We will be generating our own power Thursday morning. Thank you, Jesus!

May the Lord be glorified and magnified in each of our lives this week as we reap in His harvest field.

Blessings to you little flock.

Scott

Acts 14:22 “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Dear CBC Family,

“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

During his first missionary journey, the apostle Paul spoke to those being converted, “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God’” (Acts 14:22).

Paul and Barnabas were on a missionary journey, which took them to Lystra. Some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came to Lystra and mobilized the crowd against them. The crowd stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city. They thought he was dead. But when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. He departed the following day with Barnabas to Derbe (Acts 14:19-20).

Despite what he suffered in Lystra, Paul went ahead to preach the gospel in Derbe, making many disciples. Not giving up, he and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. They strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Please take note of this scripture. That was the word of encouragement they gave to the disciples that they visited.

The physical attack Paul suffered at Lystra and the persecution earlier at Iconium did not discourage him and Barnabas from returning there later to preach. Rather than being discouraged, they encouraged the disciples in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to continue in the faith. They told them that they must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. Writing to Timothy, Paul mentioned the persecutions and afflictions, which happened to him at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. He said he endured the persecutions and out of them all, the Lord delivered him (2 Timothy 3:11).

Jesus also declared in John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

In his first epistle the apostle Peter encouraged his readers, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

God has ordained that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the mark that distinguishes the King’s vessels of honor. But even though tribulation is the path of God’s children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has walked it before them. They have His presence and sympathy to cheer them, His grace to support them, and His example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach “the kingdom,” it will more than make amends for the “many tribulations” through which they passed to enter it.

Perhaps, this week, you are in a trial. I am in a series of trials that is quickly becoming more than I can bear. It is 4:15 AM and I am wrestling with the Lord in prayer and am holding fast to His good word of promise Psalm 34:19 “Many are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from them all.” I am grateful it is Jesus who makes us righteous and thus guarantees the promise!

So, this very early morning I exhort you, my beloved family, with this word of truth: 2 Tim 3:12-14 “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed.”  Hold fast to the Word of God! 2 Tim 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

This week we are back in Ruth with the amazing invite from Boaz to Ruth to share a meal with him. I called the message “An Invitation to the Master’s Table.” You will be tremendously encouraged and stirred. We have a special worship guest on Saturday evening as well.

Please pray for my niece’s daughter Whixley who is having major heart surgery. She is an infant born with a major heart defect.

Blessings,

Pastor Scott

Col 2:16-17 “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

Dear CBC Family,

This weekend we are going to continue to look at the “feasts of God”. The study of the feasts is so important in order to understand why so many things, that seem odd to some people, are recoded for us in the New Testament.

We will look at the two other fall feasts which are the Day of Atonement and Trumpets. While many seem to try and use these to support their eschatology the truth is that they are about Jesus and not the end of the world.

It is very important to remember the things we covered last week so as to avoid confusion. The points to remember are:

• The feasts belong to God. He calls them “My Feasts”.
• There is no special, or secret, blessings in observing them today that isn’t already a reality in for someone in Christ.
• You don’t observe the feasts by observing the feasts. You observe the feasts by clinging to Christ.
• Neither Paul not Peter nor John kept the feasts after coming to Christ. Paul did go to Jerusalem during some of them but it wasn’t to observe them but rather to try and win the Jews to salvation. Paul says why he attended the feasts which wasn’t because he was Jewish. 1 Cor 9:19 “To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ.”
• Another very significant fact is the New Testament does not use the phrase “the God of Israel” at all. Paul instead says “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is because the Old Covenant is over and His children now include every nation, tribe and tongue.
• All distinctions between Jews and Gentiles are removed in Christ.

Join us as we look and see what Jesus has done for His own. The feasts, and all the Old Testament, are simply a shadow. The reality of everything is found in Christ. Perhaps the simplest way to avoid all confusion is to remember the words of Jesus: “the whole of the book is written of me.” This means we must take a Christo-centric (Jesus centered) hermeneutic (way to interpret scripture) not a Jewish one. This is the way the entire New Testament is written.

All who love the Lord Jesus as they are the true descendants promised to Abraham. Read Galatians 3 and establish these things in your soul.

Blessings,

Pastor Scott

James 1:22  “Do not merely listen to word, and so deceive yourself, do what it says”

Dear CBC Family,

The Lord has been doing some amazing things in the lives of the people who have been coming to our series on Ruth. It has been thrilling to watch. Who would have thought that such a small book could have such a huge impact.

This weekend we will continue in Ruth and look at Ruth and Naomi’s arrival at Bethlehem or the day of the barley harvest. The exact day predetermined by God for some very significant reasons. We will also be introduced to a new character, Boaz. We will learn some history, customs and most importantly we will see the invisible hand of God bringing everything to its appointed end.

The Word that is not applied is not learned so let’s come prepared and expectant to encounter the living God. Let’s come with the soil of our hearts prepared to receive His precious Word. The Holy Spirit will impart His truth and each of us must yield to Him in the application of the Truth. Only by receiving and yielding can we learn, and only a learner is a doer of the Word.

Praying for you all,

Pastor Scott