Christ Church Evangelical Covenant christchurchec

Pastor Vann's sermon "First Things First" emphasizes how worry and anxiety have plagued humanity since ancient times, despite our desire for carefree living. Drawing from Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, he highlights the futility of worrying about material needs and stresses the importance of prioritizing a relationship with God. In today's fast-paced world, the anxieties we face can make it feel challenging to seek God's kingdom, but when we receive the righteousness of Christ and trusting in God's provision, we will find that our worries are met with divine care and love.

Pastor Vann delves into the unexpected challenges we face in life and how God empowers believers to overcome darkness. By examining the passage in Matthew 16:13-19, the sermon highlights Jesus' declaration that believers have the authority to bind and loose against the forces of hell. Emphasizing the personal nature of this spiritual battle, Pastor Vann Trapp urges the congregation to actively engage in God's counter-revolution and stand firm in their faith. The sermon concludes with a call to come together as the people of God to participate in this ongoing battle with confidence in God's ultimate victory.

Members of our leadership team share from Nehemiah 3, where there is an account of members of the nation of Israel coming together to repair the walls of Jerusalem that had been destroyed during the period of the Babylonian exile. Ordinary individuals, like you and me, came together to work toward the restoration of the city. We, too, have the opportunity to come together as God's people to use our resources and talents to participate in what God is doing today!

Pastor Vann's sermon on Pentecost emphasizes the Holy Spirit's empowering impact on the early Church, enabling them to spread the Gospel. He dispels misconceptions of God as angry, stressing His desire for a personal relationship with each individual. Vann draws parallels between creation and Pentecost, urging listeners to deepen their connection with God through prayer and thoughtful practices. The sermon ends with a call for the congregation to actively engage in God's work of love and compassion, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

"The Fullness" sermon discusses spiritual gifts as expressions of the Holy Spirit and God's grace within individuals, urging the congregation to discover and use their gifts in the church community for the fullness of Jesus. Pastor Vann emphasizes the importance of ongoing growth and refinement of these gifts, highlighting that they reflect the character of Jesus. The sermon concludes with the reminder that the church is called to be the fullness of Jesus who fills all things, quoting Ephesians 1:22-23.

Pastor Vann's sermon "Shorting Ourselves" explores spiritual gifts in the body of Christ, drawing parallels to DNA diversity. Using 1 Corinthians 12:14-25, he emphasizes the value of all members and their unique roles. He stresses the importance of recognizing and utilizing one's gifts for the unity of believers. By discussing spiritual gifts through a metaphor of the Old Testament tabernacle, he urges listeners to embrace their gifts and actively engage in the community for God's glory.