Grace & Truth: The Best is Yet to Come
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME – Jesus brings hope through scandal.
TEXT – Mark 14:27-31
1. Embrace the scandal of Jesus.
- Mark 14:27 “All of you will fall away.”
- Mark 6:3 “And they took offense at him.”
- Matthew 15:12 “(They) were offended when they heard this.”
2. Embrace the scandal of our weakness.
- Mark 14:29 “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:23. “…a stumbling block to the Jews, foolishness to the Gentiles.”
3. Embrace the hope of this scandal.
- 1 Corinthians 1:24 “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
- Mark 14:28 “BUT after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
- Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…”
NEXT STEPS
- Embrace the truth: the best is yet to come!
Real people. Need Jesus.
2025 Congregational Bright Spots:
- Real people coming to faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
- Revival in our community and around the world.
- Reading the whole Bible. (The Bible Recap.)
- Intergenerational disciples making disciples.
- Real people stepping up to teach and lead small groups.
- Renewed commitment to hospitality that welcomes all.
- Men and women engaging in new Sunday classes.
- Real people engaged in reaching our community. (Thank you for loving and serving real people in need.)
- Growth in the Alliance of Reformed Churches. (ARC)
- Faithful giving that met (and exceeded) our needs.
- Fifty-two weeks of God-centered worship, gospel-centered preaching, and relational discipleship.
- Reaching 100’s of families weekly in need of food.
- Leaders who love the Lord and love the church.
- And more…
2026 Congregational Goals:
- Real people coming to faith in Jesus.
- Real people growing as disciples. (beyond Sunday)
- Reaching the next generation of disciples.
- New small groups and small group new leaders.
- Launching dinner church as a successful outreach.
- Real people engaged in spiritual disciplines/pathways. (Nine practices coming in January)
- Next generation mentored/discipled by adults. (more intergenerational connections with children and youth.)
- Successful “Building Our Future Fund.” (Parking Lot resurfacing in 2026.)
- Develop a strategic plan for the next season of our congregational impact.
- Strengthen ARC partnerships.
- And more… We know that God has plans for Cedar Hills Community Church. God is NOT done with us. The best days are ahead!
