Questions will be posted on Sunday afternoon.

Romans 10:9-13
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The resurrection of Jesus calls for our confession.

Romans 10:9a, 10b
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord…
…it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

As resurrection was the ultimate validation of Jesus as Lord, our declaration of Jesus as Lord is evidence of our faith in Him.

“Confession here is the acknowledgment of one’s faith in Christ. The fact that Jesus is Lord (God and Savior) became clear when He arose from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection was proof that He was the divine Messiah, God’s Holy One (Ps.16:10-11). Belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ meant belief that Jesus is Lord.”
-Constable, Notes on Romans

Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

The resurrection of Jesus calls for our confidence.

Romans 10:9b-10a
…believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead…
For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God.

Biblical heart-belief goes beyond intellectual agreement. It is deep, personal trust that the resurrection of Jesus is not only a historical fact but also seriously relevant for your life.

Romans 10:11
As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
The resurrection of Jesus calls for our call.

Romans 10:12-13
12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Today (Good Friday) is the day we remember the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross – a moment of deep sorrow that reveals the depth of God’s love for the world. Through His suffering and sacrifice, we see that even in humanity’s darkest moment, God was working to bring forgiveness, redemption, and hope. 
 
Easter weekend at CFC is one of the most meaningful opportunities that we have all year to invite someone into the hope of the gospel. Many people who normally would not attend church are open to coming on Easter if someone simply asks. That means each of us has a chance to play a small but important role in helping someone experience the good news of Jesus. Think about the people in your life – friends, neighbors, coworkers, or family members – who may not have a church family. A simple invitation could be the step that God uses to draw them closer to Himself. 
 
Every year, we welcome hundreds of guests during our Easter services, and we want to create as much space as possible for those who are visiting. Because of that, our Saturday service is for those who are serving on Sunday, as well as for anyone who would be willing to attend on Saturday to help create room for the many guests who will join us on Easter Sunday.
 
CFC, we are excited and blessed to celebrate Easter with you! Let’s approach this weekend with expectation. Pray for the people you plan to invite, ask God to prepare their hearts, and then take the step to invite them. You never know how God might use a simple invitation to change someone’s story. We can’t wait to celebrate the resurrection together as a church family and with the many new faces who will join us this Easter.

Saturday 4:15PM
Sunday 8AM (Classic Venue), 9:15 & 10:45AM
Find out more HERE.

Stay up to date with what's happening at CFC by reading the eBulletin each week.

John 8:10-11
10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
11 “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Romans 8:1-4
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

When God is for us, every possible threat—accusation, condemnation, suffering, or separation—loses its ultimate power to the security of His victory.

Take every ____________ with bold confidence in the security of your right relationship with God.

Romans 8:31-32
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?

Romans 8:9-11
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Recall and affirm your secure position in a right relationship with God.

Romans 8:33-34
33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Romans 8:15-16
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

Expect to win your daily battle with sin.

Romans 8:35-37
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Romans 8:12-14
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Romans 8:17-19
17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. 18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.

Romans 8:38-39
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

One of the things that helps a church truly feel like family is simply knowing one another. It’s harder to care for one another, pray for one another, and welcome new faces when we might recognize faces but don’t know names. One way we have tried to help with that at CFC is through our online church directory. It helps us put names with faces and grow in connection as a church family. Our hope is that something as simple as this can help make a big church feel a little smaller.
 
The directory is for anyone who calls CFC their home church, not just those who are formal members. If you regularly attend and consider CFC your church family, we would love for you to be included. To help keep the directory private, access is only given to those who are part of it. Once you submit your information and photo, you’ll be able to view it, too.
 
If you haven’t already, we’d encourage you to take a minute to submit your information and picture. It does not need to be a professionally taken photo; a simple picture from your phone is perfectly fine. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s simply helping our church family recognize each other and grow more connected. The more names and faces we have in the directory, the more we strengthen our sense of community and make this big place feel more like home.
 
If you are already in the directory and would like to update your info, you can do it in the directory page yourself or provide updated information HERE. If you forgot your password, you can find instructions on how to access the directory to reset it HERE. You’ll need to use the same email address that we have in the directory now. If you have trouble, email Andi Miller for help.
 
If you want to join the directory for the first time, please add your info HERE.
 
We can't wait to see you in the directory and at services Sunday!

Freed from Sin Alive to God by Dale Beaver
Read Romans 5:20–7:25; Galatians 3; and Revelation 8:1.

1. Pastor Dale opens the sermon mentioning "March Madness" and the popular brand Nike, which is the Greek word for "victory". He wears these "shoes of victory" not for basketball, but to symbolize the victory of the gospel. How does it change your daily perspective to realize that your "standing" before God is a gift you didn't buy, rather than something you earned through your own performance?
2. Read Romans 5:20-21. The sermon highlights the phrase "Grace rules." Where sin used to be the "master" that brought death, grace now reigns through Jesus Christ. In what areas of your life are you still living as if sin is the boss, rather than living under the rule of grace?
3. Read Romans 6:1-4. Paul uses a strong negation ("Of course not!") to answer the idea that we should keep sinning so God can show more grace. Pastor Dale explains that in baptism, we have "one foot in the grave" because we have died to our old selves. Why is it impossible to remain the same person once you have been "joined with Christ" in His death and resurrection?
4. Pastor Dale notes that Paul refers to believers not just as "Christians," but as those who are "in Christ." How does finding your primary identity "in Christ"—rather than in your career, relationship status, or successes—provide a sense of security that the world cannot offer?
5. Read Romans 6:15-18. This passage describes an "Exodus" from slavery to sin into a new "slavery" to righteous living. What does it look like practically to "wholeheartedly obey" God’s teaching this week, especially when your old "master" (sin) tries to call you back?
6. Read Romans 7:7-14. Pastor Dale clarifies that the Law is not sinful; it is "spiritual and good." Its job is to show us our sin—like a sign that tells us not to pick the neighbor's apples. How has God’s word recently acted as a mirror, showing you a "need for a Savior" that you might have otherwise ignored?
7. The Struggle of the "Tension." Read Romans 7:24-25. Paul cries out, "Oh, what a miserable person I am!" because he still struggles with a sinful nature even though he wants to obey God. Why is it actually a sign of spiritual life (rather than failure) that you feel an "honest tension" and a struggle against sin in your heart?
8. Trash-talking Sin. As an application for "March Madness," Pastor Dale suggests we should "trash talk" the sin in our lives by telling it: "This is not who I am anymore... you have no power here." What is one specific temptation you can "trash talk" this week by reminding yourself that you belong to Jesus?
9. The Role of the Deliverer. The sermon reminds us that Jesus is not just our "voice in the courtroom," but He is cheering us on and empowering us through the Holy Spirit. How does knowing that Jesus is "relentlessly" for you help you get back up after you stumble?
10. Close in Prayer: Thank God that you are no longer a slave to sin but are alive to Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you "exercise" the victory Christ won for you and to find peace in the middle of the struggle.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analogy for Understanding: Living in the tension of Romans 7 is like a soldier who has been officially liberated from a prisoner-of-war camp. Though the war is won and the "shoes of victory" are on his feet, he may still hear the distant shouts of his former captors or feel the habits of his old life. However, those voices no longer have legal authority over him. He is free to walk toward home, not because he is strong enough to escape on his own, but because a Deliverer has already broken the gates.

Romans 5:20-21
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Summary of Romans 6-7
Paul’s four “Of course not!” statements guard the gospel from misuse, but each unleashes the positive reality of our union with Christ—freeing us from sin’s power and calling us to live as those who are truly alive to God.

Romans 6:1
Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?

Romans 6:15a
Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning?

We do not continue in sin so that God can show us more grace.

Romans 6:1-4
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Romans 6:10-11
10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God.11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

God's grace frees us from slavery to sin.

Romans 6:15-18
15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

Romans 6:19
19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.

The Law is not sinful but good.

Romans 7:5
When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death.

Romans 7:7a
Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful?

Romans 7b-8
7b Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.” 8 But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power.

Romans 7:13-14
13 But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my death? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God’s good commands for its own evil purposes. 14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.

Romans 7:24-25
24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Please pray for our high school short-term trip!
 
Each Spring Break, CFC sends a team of high school students and leaders to serve in the community of La Cola in the Dominican Republic. Tomorrow, a group of 20 people will travel to work alongside our dear friends there once again – friends who, after 15 years of partnership, truly feel like family! They will spend the week serving the community and sharing the good news of Jesus. 
 
As they go, we invite our entire church family to join us in praying for them: 

• Pray that the Lord would give them humility, boldness, and love as they represent Christ and that many in La Cola would be encouraged and strengthened through their presence and the message of the gospel. 
• Pray for the team to grow closer to each other and to the Lord. 
• Pray for their safety and health. 
• Pray for the many logistics surrounding the trip. With airports being overwhelmed and backed up right now, we ask the Lord for smooth travel, safety, and patience for the team as they navigate flights and transportation. 
• Pray for unity among the students, wisdom for their leaders, and open hearts for those whom they will serve. 

We are grateful for the long relationship God has given us with this community, and we trust Him to continue using these trips to teach us and serve them!  
 
Mark your calendar for April 12 at 6PM in Room 106 when the team will give a report about the trip and how God used it to shape their lives. These reports are always amazing, and we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to be blessed and to be a blessing by coming to support the team that night. 
 
We can't wait to worship with you Sunday!

We would love for our church family to join us for a special Maundy Thursday service on April 2 from 6:30–8PM in the chapel at CFC.
 
“Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “command” or “mandate.” This word is referring to the command Jesus gave His disciples during the Last Supper: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you” (John 13:34). On this evening, we remember the night (Maundy Thursday) before Christ’s crucifixion (Good Friday), when He served His disciples, instituted the Lord’s Supper, and called His followers to love one another as He has loved us.
 
We want to offer this time to you as a meaningful evening designed to help us prepare our hearts for Easter. Through worship, Scripture, and Communion, we will reflect on the sacrifice of Christ and the hope we have because of the cross. It will be an intentional time for us as a church family to remember what Jesus has done for us and to turn our hearts toward the resurrection that we celebrate on Easter Sunday.
 
This time of worship should not replace our time together on Easter weekend (see service times HERE), but it will help prepare us for our time together on Easter.

I.  Six Pillars of Our Security in Grace - Romans 5:1-11

Our Peace with God
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Colossians 1:21-22
21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

Our Position in Grace
Romans 5:2a
2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand,

Our Hope of Glory
Romans 5:2b- 5a
and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment.

Philippians 3:20-21
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Our Possession of Divine Love
Romans 5:5b-8
For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Our Certainty of Deliverance from Divine Wrath
Romans 5:9-10
9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.

Our Joy in the Lord
Romans 5:11
11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Psalm 43:4
4 There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy.
I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!

II. Adam’s Sin Reigns over all Mankind - Romans 5:12-14

1 Corinthians 15:22
22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.

Sin Entered the World through Adam
Romans 5:12a
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world.

Death Entered the World through Sin
Romans 5:12b
Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone,

Death Spread to all Mankind
Romans 5:12c-14
for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come.

III. Christ’s Grace Reigns over all Redeemed Mankind – Romans 5:15-21

Christ’s Grace was Effective
Romans 5:15
15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 1:10
10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. (Gospel)

Christ’s Grace was Extensive
Romans 5:16
16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.

2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Christ’s Grace was Essential
Romans 5:17-21
17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. 20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 4:7-8 (Psalm 32:1-2)
7 “Oh, what joy for those
   whose disobedience is forgiven,
   whose sins are put out of sight.
8 Yes, what joy for those
   whose record the LORD has cleared of sin.”

The heart of the gospel confronts the bad news of our condemnation and overcomes it with grace.

Romans 3:21-28
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. 27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

The heart of the gospel is central to eternal life, rooted in the good news about Jesus.
- A right relationship with God (21,22,24,25,26,28)
- The all-sufficient object of our faith (22,24,25,26)
- The ultimate satisfaction for what righteousness demands (23-26)
- The gracious provision of God in setting us free from the penalty of sin (24)

The heart of the gospel was proven by the heart of Abraham.

Romans 4:1-3
1 Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? 2 If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. 3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” (Genesis 15:6)

Romans 4:20-25
20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. 23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded 24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

Application & Response
- Have you trusted Jesus alone for this righteousness?
- Confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead—you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
- Rejoice in this grace. Trust God's word. Live according to it.

We are Better Together when we SERVE Together!
 
The Women of CFC have come to anticipate a Better Together event every Spring. These events are fun and meaningful; they bring our women together for fellowship and faith-building. At these events, we show each other the love of Jesus. 
 
This Spring, the Women of CFC will be spending the month of March showing our community at large the love of Jesus. We will spread out and SERVE Together! 
 
It’s simple! Women are asked to:

• choose your people or sign up to be placed in a group
• choose a Kindness Project from the list that is posted at onlineCFC.com/servetogether or come up with your own project
• send us pictures and videos of how it went

Some examples are gathering a group of friends to make a meal for the Ronald McDonald House, going to lunch and leaving a generous tip, or going shopping together to help fulfill our Isaiah 117 House commitment to keep the 12 month and 5T boys’ bins full.
 
Our world is self-focused and divided. We tend to think of the world as being “out there” while we are blessed, kept, chosen, and loved "in here." Each act of kindness right here in our community will visibly reveal the love of Jesus to our hurting world. Ladies, sign up today and let’s SERVE together!
 
As always, we hope to see you all this Sunday! 

Hey CFC! 
We wanted to take some time to remind you of a resource we have for you, our church family. The CFC for You! corner is exactly what it says: IT’S FOR YOU! This free resource area has materials on a long list of topics such as:

• Questions about being saved, Jesus's death, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible
• Raising children
• Hope, worry, and suffering in our lives
• Engaging with other religions and cultures
• And much, much more!

CFC for You! can help direct you to resources on most any topic related to the Bible, theology, faith, the Christian life, or other ideologies prevalent in today's world.  
 
If you're looking for digital resources in addition to the materials stocked at the CFC for You! corner, CLICK HERE. If we don't currently have something on the topic you're looking for, fill out the Resource Request Form HERE, and we'll locate the appropriate resources to help answer your questions. 
 
We also always have resources to help you go deeper into each of our sermon series, so stop by and get materials on the book of Romans for our current series!

Stop by the CFC for You! corner in the foyer (near CFC Kids' Check-In) when you are here for Sunday services. We'll have friendly volunteers who can help you find what you're looking for, and we'll also have a variety of resources you can take with you. We can't wait to be with you on Sunday! 

Study Questions for March 1, 2026
February 25th, 2026 by Dale Beaver
The Need for the Gospel
Read Romans 1:18–3:20 and Job 9:32-33.

1. Pastor Dale emphasizes that Romans is a historical document written in 57 AD from Corinth. Why is it important for our faith to be grounded in actual history rather than just viewing the Bible as a collection of "fables" or made-up stories?
2. Read Romans 1:18-19. The sermon notes mention that the "usual suspects" are often the obvious offenders. Why is it so easy for us to fixate on the "obvious" sins of others while ignoring the rebellion in our own hearts?
3. The Suppression of Truth. According to the text, God has made His invisible qualities clearly seen through creation, yet people "suppress the truth". In what ways do you see people today trying to explain away God to avoid being accountable to Him?
4. Pastor Dale’s "Coal Miner Theology": He defines needs as "the things that happen as a result of the trouble my wants get me into". How has your pursuit of your own "wants" created a desperate need for the gospel in your life recently?
5. The Judgment of Abandonment. Read Romans 1:24-25. Pastor Dale explains that God’s wrath is sometimes expressed by simply leaving us alone to do whatever our hearts desire. Why is "getting what we want" actually a form of judgment if it leads us away from God?
6. The Not-So-Obvious Offenders. Pastor Dale points out that the list of sins in Romans 1 includes things like gossip, pride, and disobeying parents alongside "obvious" sins. How does this list level the playing field between those who "look put together" and the "usual suspects"?
7. Read Romans 2:1-3. The text warns that when we judge others, we condemn ourselves because we do the same things at a heart level. How can we practice pastoral care for our own souls by looking at our own "heart-level" sins instead of judging those around us?
8. The Purpose of the Law. Read Romans 3:19-20. If no one can be made right with God by obeying the law, what is the actual purpose of God’s commands in the life of a believer?
9. Read Job 9:32-33. Job cried out for a mediator—someone who could bring a mortal human and a holy God together. How does Jesus perfectly fulfill this ancient longing by being the one who "robes us in righteousness" we didn't buy for ourselves?
10. Reflect and Respond: Pastor Dale notes that we don't "want" Christ naturally, but we "need" Him desperately. What is one specific area of your life this week where you need to stop "arguing with God" and instead surrender to the peace provided by Jesus, our Mediator?

Analogy for Understanding: Being "religious" without a heart change is like being a whitewashed tomb; it might look like a "nice ride" above ground (like a classic car), but underneath, it is still a place of death. True life only comes when the Mediator, Jesus, replaces our internal rebellion with His own righteousness.

The usual suspects are the obvious offenders. (1:18-32)

Romans 1:18-19
18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them.

Romans 1:24
So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.

Romans 1:32
They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

The usual suspects aren’t the only offenders. (2:1-3:9)

Romans 2:1
You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.

Romans 2:11-13
11 For God does not show favoritism. 12 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 13 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.

Romans 3:9
Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.

We do not want Christ naturally, but we need Him desperately. (3:10-20)

Romans 3:19-20
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

Job 9:32-33
32 “God is not a mortal like me,
   so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.
33 If only there were a mediator between us,
   someone who could bring us together.

Rough Timeline of Paul’s Life
34 AD Saul/Paul Converted
48 AD First Missionary Journey
51 AD Second Missionary Journey
54 AD Third Missionary Journey
57 AD Paul Writes Romans in Corinth
57 AD Paul Arrested
60 AD Paul Arrives in Rome
67 AD Paul Executed

Romans 1:1-7 (NLT)
This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. 6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Receive Romans Personally

Heidelberg Catechism
Question 1: What is your only comfort in life and in death?

Answer: That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death— to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ

Romans 1:8-15 (NLT)
8 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. 9 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son. 10 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. 11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. 12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. 13 I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. 14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike.  15 So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.

Receive Romans Pastorally
 
Receive Romans Premise
 
Romans 1:16-17 (NLT)
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
 
 

Hey, CFC Family!
 
We have so much to be thankful for around here. God is at work, and we see His faithfulness clearly in this season at our church. We want you to know there are lots of ways for people of all ages to get connected here. 
 
One of the simplest ways to stay connected and engaged in what God is doing in and through our church is by regularly visiting our Events Page on the website (onlinecfc.com/events) or app. We place a high value on keeping this page accurate, clear, and up to date. When you see an opportunity listed, you can trust the details, the times, and the information provided. Our team works diligently to ensure it reflects what is happening in real time so that you can confidently plan, participate, and invite others. In our minds, this page is more than just a calendar - it’s a doorway into discipleship.
 
Whether you’re looking for ways to serve others, be served during a season of need, grow in your faith, connect in community, or take a next step spiritually, we strive to provide a wide range of opportunities to help you grow as a disciple of Christ.
 
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Our prayer is that this page helps you step into those good works. We have lots of opportunities that God may already be preparing for you to serve, grow, and be strengthened in your faith. We don’t want anyone to miss what God might use to encourage them, stretch them, or bless them. Make it a habit to check the Events Page. Let it be a tool that helps you stay in the loop and step into all the Lord has for you. In fact, we have the link to it in the eNews every week to make it easy for you to do so.
 
We’re grateful for each of you and excited about what God continues to do in our church family. If you aren’t connected to CFC outside of the worship services, please take that next step or reach out to a staff member to see what could be a great next step for you. As always, we can't wait to worship with you this Sunday!

The Song of Solomon is holy scripture, a love song abounding in metaphors and imagery. It depicts the romantic pursuit of a shepherdess by King Solomon and encompasses the joys and heartaches of wedded love. Poetically and prophetically, it illustrates God’s love for Israel and Christ’s love for his bride, the church.

1 Kings 4:32-33
32 He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. 33 He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, small creatures, and fish.

Song of Solomon 1:1-4; 16a
1 This is Solomon’s song of songs, more wonderful than any other.
Young Woman
2 Kiss me and kiss me again,
   for your love is sweeter than wine.
3 How pleasing is your fragrance;
   your name is like the spreading fragrance of scented oils.
   No wonder all the young women love you!
4 Take me with you; come, let’s run!
   The king has brought me into his bedroom.
16a You are so handsome, my love, pleasing beyond words!

It is the PREROGATIVE of love to assign beauty where it may and the PRIVILEGE of being loved to walk in its assignment. 

Song of Solomon 2:1-2
Young Woman
1 I am the spring crocus blooming on the Sharon Plain,
   the lily of the valley.
Young Man
2 Like a lily among thistles
   is my darling among young women.

It is from the POWER of love that the PAINS of relationships are addressed.

Genesis 3:17-19 (KJV)
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Micah 7:4-6
4 Even the best of them is like a brier;
   the most honest is as dangerous as a hedge of thorns.
But your judgment day is coming swiftly now.
   Your time of punishment is here, a time of confusion.
5 Don’t trust anyone—
   not your best friend or even your wife!
6 For the son despises his father.
   The daughter defies her mother.
The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law.
   Your enemies are right in your own household!

We cannot expect a thornless relationship but love endures, forgives and redeems.

Song of Solomon 2:2
Young Man
2 Like a lily among thistles
    is my darling among young women.

Ephesians 5:31-33
31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Matthew 27:29
29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!”

Study Questions for February 15, 2026

Roses and Thorns by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Song of Solomon 1:1-4, 16a; 2:1-2; Genesis 3:17-19; Micah 7:4-6; Ephesians 5:31-33; and Matthew 27:29.

1. In his notes, Pastor Dale explains that the Song of Solomon is a "love song abounding in metaphors and imagery" that depicts Christ’s love for His bride, the church. When you think about your daily walk with Jesus, do you view your connection to Him as a vibrant "love song" or more like a rigid set of rules?

2. Read Song of Solomon 1:2-4. The text uses sensory language like "sweeter than wine" and "fragrant scented oils" to describe love. In your personal experience, what are some of the "fragrances" or characteristics of God’s character that you find most pleasing or attractive?

3. The Prerogative of Love. The notes state: "It is the PREROGATIVE of love to assign beauty where it may and the PRIVILEGE of being loved to walk in its assignment". How does it change your self-image to know that Christ assigns beauty to you based on His love, rather than your performance or human appearance?

4. Read Genesis 3:17-19. Because of the fall, the ground produces "thorns and thistles". Pastor Dale notes that these thorns represent the "pains of relationships" and the brokenness we experience. Regardless of your relationship status, what are some of the "thorns" (conflicts, disappointments, or hurts) you face in your interactions with others?

5. Read Micah 7:4-6. Micah warns that even the most "honest" person can be dangerous as a "hedge of thorns" and cautions against putting ultimate trust in anyone. Why is it essential to make Jesus your primary source of security rather than looking to a friend, family member, or spouse to fill that role?

6. The Enduring Power of Love. The sermon emphasizes that while we cannot expect "thornless" relationships in this world, God's love endures, forgives, and redeems. How does knowing that Jesus loves you despite your own "thorns" empower you to show grace to difficult people in your life?

7. Read Ephesians 5:31-33. Paul describes the union between Christ and the church as a "great mystery". How does the reality that every believer is part of the "Bride of Christ" provide a sense of belonging that transcends your current human relationship status?

8. Read Matthew 27:29. To redeem humanity from the curse of the fall, soldiers wove "thorn branches into a crown" and placed it on Jesus' head. Discuss the significance of Jesus wearing the very symbol of our "pains" and "brokenness" so that we could be restored to God.

9. Reflect on the "Lily among thistles." In Song of Solomon 2:2, the young man describes his darling as a "lily among thistles". How can you, as a member of Christ's church, reflect His beauty and "fragrance" in an environment (work, home, or community) that feels full of "thorns"?

10. Close in Prayer: Thank Jesus for being the one who is "pleasing beyond words". Ask Him to help you find your ultimate identity in His love and to thank Him for wearing the crown of thorns to heal your brokenness.

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Analogy for Understanding: Relying on human relationships for ultimate satisfaction is like trying to find shade under a hedge of thorns; eventually, you will be pierced. However, Christ’s love is the "Lily of the Valley," offering a beauty and security that remains even when the "thorns" of this broken world are pressing in.

How does the power of the gospel bring true change in the most difficult urban environments? What can we, as a suburban church, learn from those who have spent decades in the heart of our nation's cities?
 
At CFC, we want to be a people who listen and learn from the broader Body of Christ—especially those we have known well through years of gospel partnership. We are hosting an informal gathering to hear from Glen Kleinknecht and Bryant Lee of Cru Inner City. Glen is our longest-standing Global Staff member (50 years!!). These leaders have extensive experience navigating the unique plight and complexities of inner-city ministry across the entire United States. CFC wants to make disciples of all people and begin learning and thinking about how this could help us serve others in our own city. 
Our goal for this evening is to consider:

• What we can learn from leaders who serve the poor in the heart of American cities.
• How suburban churches like CFC can faithfully come alongside inner-city churches for the sake of the gospel in our contemporary culture.

Please note: This is not a call to launch a new program or fundraise at CFC, but rather it is an invitation to be informed. You won't be put on the spot to serve or give. We want to hear their stories, understand their approach to kingdom building, and learn how their experiences can help grow our own hearts. We know that many of you may want to join us, and maybe this could help us serve others as we continue to find more ways to LOVE LOCAL. If for no other reason, we think you would love to hear and interact with these two incredible brothers in Christ.
 
We would love to see you this coming Wednesday at CFC! We will meet in the Gathering from 12:00-1:30PM.  If you plan to attend, please send your RSVP to Sean Radke at Sean.Radke@onlinecfc.com by Monday.  As always, we are excited to worship with you this Sunday!