Friday, August 29, 2008
Join A Community Life Group Today At Cypress Church!
40 Days of CommUNITY begins with the Kick Off BBQ Picnic Lunch at Larwin Park on Sunday, Sep. 7, 2008 immediately following 2nd Service.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Invite Your Friends To The Harvest Crusade
Hi Cypress Church Family,
The Harvest Crusade will be returning to Anaheim August 15 - 17, 2008. Our Outreach Team will be working on ways to let the community know about this event. This is a great opportunity to reach out to people you know who may not have a personal relationship with Jesus. If you have input about the Crusade, would like to be a New Believer counselor or be involved with Harvest in any way please contact Bob Koehler (310) 508-7909 or Email: bobjeank@ca.rr.com
The Harvest Crusade will be returning to Anaheim August 15 - 17, 2008. Our Outreach Team will be working on ways to let the community know about this event. This is a great opportunity to reach out to people you know who may not have a personal relationship with Jesus. If you have input about the Crusade, would like to be a New Believer counselor or be involved with Harvest in any way please contact Bob Koehler (310) 508-7909 or Email: bobjeank@ca.rr.com
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Reaching Out To Our Community
Hi Cypress Church Family,
Your Outreach Team is looking for input on the best ways to reach out to our friends and neighbors in Cypress, Buena Park and vicinity.
Please take some time to look at the Cypress Church Events pages by clicking on the following link: http://cypress.church.events.googlepages.com/
If you are a member of any web based communities (Facebook, My Space, Squidoo, Topix, etc.) or have your own personal blog, please post this link.
We would appreciate your comments and suggestions. Any thoughts on new ways to spread the life changing message of Jesus will be carefully considered.
If you would like to be a part of the Outreach Team or serve at some Cypress Church activities, here are some of our needs:
1 - Staff for the Cypress Community Festival Booth on Saturday, July 26th and volunteers to help prepare materials for the booth on Thursday, 7/17 from 7 - 9 pm;
2 - People who enjoy writing and are familiar with the internet and computers to assist with publicity;
3 - Staff for a resources table at events on the following dates: 6/19, 6/27, 7/24, 9/27;
4 - A couple to co-Chair the next Valentine Dinner/Dance on 2/14/09.
For more information on any of these opportunities please contact Bob Koehler:
Email: bobjeank@ca.rr.com
Cell: (310) 508-7909
Your Outreach Team is looking for input on the best ways to reach out to our friends and neighbors in Cypress, Buena Park and vicinity.
Please take some time to look at the Cypress Church Events pages by clicking on the following link: http://cypress.church.events.googlepages.com/
If you are a member of any web based communities (Facebook, My Space, Squidoo, Topix, etc.) or have your own personal blog, please post this link.
We would appreciate your comments and suggestions. Any thoughts on new ways to spread the life changing message of Jesus will be carefully considered.
If you would like to be a part of the Outreach Team or serve at some Cypress Church activities, here are some of our needs:
1 - Staff for the Cypress Community Festival Booth on Saturday, July 26th and volunteers to help prepare materials for the booth on Thursday, 7/17 from 7 - 9 pm;
2 - People who enjoy writing and are familiar with the internet and computers to assist with publicity;
3 - Staff for a resources table at events on the following dates: 6/19, 6/27, 7/24, 9/27;
4 - A couple to co-Chair the next Valentine Dinner/Dance on 2/14/09.
For more information on any of these opportunities please contact Bob Koehler:
Email: bobjeank@ca.rr.com
Cell: (310) 508-7909
Your enemy is looking to devour you...
Here's the full length video mentioned in today's message. It's about 7-8 minutes long.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjibWWTevdA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjibWWTevdA&feature=related
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Challenging Passages in 1 Peter: Baptism
The challenges continue in this passage of 1 Peter, and this time it is of more practical concerns. This has to do with questions of baptism. The context jumps from spirits in prison (from the time of Noah) that Jesus has triumphed over to the deliverance of God’s people during that time – by ark or by baptism. Just like the last post, let’s work through the text.
In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, This is God’s deliverance of Noah and his family. It is a notation of God’s salvation, which leads to the salvation of Peter’s audience. From here it gets a little messy, at least for those of us who see salvation as a symbol of faith, not anything that “saves you.” The link between the ark and the water of baptism is obviously the water, but, more importantly, God saving His people. 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-- not the removal of dirt from the body This is noteworthy in the sense that the act of baptism does not save. It isn’t an issue of simply going under the water that matters. The next phrase is key from my perspective. but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. If you check the footnotes of your translation, some of them will have an alternate reading – that it is a response (NIV footnote) of a good conscience. The idea is that there has been a salvation experience and the fruit of a clean conscience is the public testimony of baptism. But even if it is a pledge, we commit to steps of obedience, including being baptized. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Paul emphasizes our death and resurrection with Jesus, but Peter links baptism with the triumph of Jesus at the resurrection. 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. Jesus wins.
This is a tough passage as well, but I think it is important to emphasize the big division between faith and baptism is our own making. In my view, the thought idea of an unbaptized Christian is as odd as an uncircumcised Jewish male. All of us should agree that salvation is by faith through grace (Eph. 2.8-9), but faith results in action and one of those actions is to be the testimony of baptism. We’re having one on June 8 – and a baptism class on 5/25. Get me your info if you’d like to get baptized that Sunday morning.
In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, This is God’s deliverance of Noah and his family. It is a notation of God’s salvation, which leads to the salvation of Peter’s audience. From here it gets a little messy, at least for those of us who see salvation as a symbol of faith, not anything that “saves you.” The link between the ark and the water of baptism is obviously the water, but, more importantly, God saving His people. 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-- not the removal of dirt from the body This is noteworthy in the sense that the act of baptism does not save. It isn’t an issue of simply going under the water that matters. The next phrase is key from my perspective. but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. If you check the footnotes of your translation, some of them will have an alternate reading – that it is a response (NIV footnote) of a good conscience. The idea is that there has been a salvation experience and the fruit of a clean conscience is the public testimony of baptism. But even if it is a pledge, we commit to steps of obedience, including being baptized. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Paul emphasizes our death and resurrection with Jesus, but Peter links baptism with the triumph of Jesus at the resurrection. 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. Jesus wins.
This is a tough passage as well, but I think it is important to emphasize the big division between faith and baptism is our own making. In my view, the thought idea of an unbaptized Christian is as odd as an uncircumcised Jewish male. All of us should agree that salvation is by faith through grace (Eph. 2.8-9), but faith results in action and one of those actions is to be the testimony of baptism. We’re having one on June 8 – and a baptism class on 5/25. Get me your info if you’d like to get baptized that Sunday morning.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Challenging Passages in 1 Peter: "Preaching to the Spirits in Prison"
Justin here. If you were there on Sunday and endured to the near end of the message I shared from 1 Peter 3.8-22, you’ll remember that I dodged one of the most difficult passages in the NT and just talked about the main point: We’re to follow Jesus’ example as One who does good despite opposition that does evil. But Peter goes into some things that we as evangelicals don’t too often get in to. I’ll comment as we work through the passage. The biblical text is in bold.
1 Peter 3.18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, The first half of this verse is clear, but the second half refers to the fact that Jesus died and rose again. The “made alive in the Spirit” doesn’t refer to a spiritual existence during His time in the tomb. Rather it is referring to His resurrection. This is important because everything to follow, given this statement of time, would be done after His resurrection, not during the three days prior to the resurrection. 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison This is where things get a little confusing. Some would say this is where Jesus is preaching in hell, giving them a second opportunity for repentance. More likely, when He “went,” it was the ascension and it should not be considered “preaching,” but something more like “proclaiming” a victory over the spirit world when He ascended to God’s right hand. The spirits in prison will be referred to in v. 20, but the “prison” is not hell, but “the upper regions of binding” where these fallen angels were being kept until judgment. 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. The spirits in prison likely refer to the fallen angels of Genesis 6.1-4.
In short, Jesus was crucified because man chose to do evil, which was the purpose of His coming and the cause of His death, but God rose Him from the dead. The resurrection was a proclamation of Jesus’ victory over death and the evil spirits who are set against God.
If you want to study more on this, I encourage you to get hold of Scot McKnight’s NIV Application Commentary, which as three parallel views that are helpful in laying out the issues, or Wayne Grudem’s commentary on 1 Peter (Tyndale NT Commentaries) also has a brief, but clear appendix working through the issue. His conclusion is different from McKnight’s (whose view is basically what I’ve adopted), but certainly articulate and relevant. I have some more challenging commentaries as well if others would like to spend more time wrestling with this issue.
I think this post is long enough and takes care of the first set of challenging verses. I’ll finish the explanation of 1 Peter 3.20b-22 in a couple days and have it up on the site.
1 Peter 3.18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, The first half of this verse is clear, but the second half refers to the fact that Jesus died and rose again. The “made alive in the Spirit” doesn’t refer to a spiritual existence during His time in the tomb. Rather it is referring to His resurrection. This is important because everything to follow, given this statement of time, would be done after His resurrection, not during the three days prior to the resurrection. 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison This is where things get a little confusing. Some would say this is where Jesus is preaching in hell, giving them a second opportunity for repentance. More likely, when He “went,” it was the ascension and it should not be considered “preaching,” but something more like “proclaiming” a victory over the spirit world when He ascended to God’s right hand. The spirits in prison will be referred to in v. 20, but the “prison” is not hell, but “the upper regions of binding” where these fallen angels were being kept until judgment. 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. The spirits in prison likely refer to the fallen angels of Genesis 6.1-4.
In short, Jesus was crucified because man chose to do evil, which was the purpose of His coming and the cause of His death, but God rose Him from the dead. The resurrection was a proclamation of Jesus’ victory over death and the evil spirits who are set against God.
If you want to study more on this, I encourage you to get hold of Scot McKnight’s NIV Application Commentary, which as three parallel views that are helpful in laying out the issues, or Wayne Grudem’s commentary on 1 Peter (Tyndale NT Commentaries) also has a brief, but clear appendix working through the issue. His conclusion is different from McKnight’s (whose view is basically what I’ve adopted), but certainly articulate and relevant. I have some more challenging commentaries as well if others would like to spend more time wrestling with this issue.
I think this post is long enough and takes care of the first set of challenging verses. I’ll finish the explanation of 1 Peter 3.20b-22 in a couple days and have it up on the site.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Power Lab VBS at Cypress Church
Summer is just around the corner and Cypress Church has an exciting, fun and educational Vacation Bible School planned from 9:00 am until Noon beginning Monday, July 21 and ending Friday, July 25, 2008. The program for this year is called Power Lab.
At Power Lab VBS, kids from Buena Park, Cypress, Los Alamitos and the surrounding area will discover Jesus’ miraculous power through an exciting adventure. They will follow Jesus as he heals, helps, and gives power to people who need him. Power Lab is fizzing with fun for kids, teenagers, and adults.
Everyone involved in this VBS will explore God’s Word and never be the same again! They will experience amazing Bible adventures and they will take part in Daily Challenges that encourage them to apply Biblical truths to everyday life.
In addition to the daily VBS program, Children’s Ministry Director DeVonna Drey has planned an “All Family VBS Kick-Off and BBQ” on Sunday, July 20, 2008 from 12 Noon until 2:00 pm. There will also be a very special “VBS Closing Program” on Friday, July 25, 2008 beginning at 6:30 pm. The Cypress Church campus is located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View.
The registration fee for VBS is $15.00 per child. T-Shirts and CDs are optional and available at an additional cost. Advance sign-ups are being accepted at any time. For more information or to register your children you may call the Cypress Church office at (714) 952-3001.
Click on the "Z" button for more Cypress Church activities: 
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
