In this message, Ministers Mark Ashton & Mary Claire Tarcza walk through the final chapter of our Long Story Short series—exploring the return from exile through Zerubbabel, Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah, and pointing us toward the ultimate hope found in Jesus. This fast-paced overview traces 100 years of Israel’s restoration: rebuilding the temple, standing with courage “for such a time as this,” returning to God’s Word, and rebuilding a broken city and a broken people.
If you’ve ever felt discouraged, distracted, disappointed, or unsure of where you fit in God’s story, this message will anchor you in a bigger reality—God restores, God rebuilds, and God never stops working in the rubble of our lives. Discover how the themes of Mission over Mediocrity, Sacrifice over Silence, Devotion over Distraction, and Calling over Cushy shape a resilient faith that stands firm, even in seasons of ruin and rebuilding.
Whether you’re exploring Scripture for the first time or longing for a deeper spiritual foundation, this teaching will help you see the Old Testament with fresh clarity and point you to the only King who never fails—Jesus, the Cornerstone of every true restoration.
In this episode, we sit down with Brian Recker to talk about his story of leaving the world of fundamental Christianity.
Brian grew up deep in the culture of fundamentalism. He eventually became a full–time vocational pastor and gave his life to ministry. But over time… questions he wasn’t allowed to ask… pain he couldn’t ignore… and theological systems that could not stand up to honest scrutiny… led him down a long and winding journey of deconstruction.
In this conversation, Brian shares honestly about what led him to step away from vocational ministry, how his understanding of God and Scripture unraveled, and what it felt like to walk away from the only version of Christianity he had ever known.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the cast members and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the official position of Christ Community Church.
In this message, Minister Mark Ashton teaches what it means to live as exiles—people called by God to thrive in a world that isn’t their home. From the Babylonian captivity to modern culture, this sermon unpacks how to live faithfully in the midst of pressure, isolation, and moral decline. Drawing from Daniel’s courage, Jeremiah’s wisdom, and God’s promises in Jeremiah 29, Mark challenges us to build, plant, and seek the peace of the city—even when life feels far from where we hoped to be. Discover how God uses exile to refine His people, restore hope, and remind us that our true citizenship is in heaven.
In this message, Minister Jed Logue explores the dramatic rise and fall of Israel’s divided kingdom—tracing the story from 1 Kings 12 through 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, alongside the voices of the Old Testament prophets. What began as the height of Israel’s power under Solomon soon became a cautionary tale of idolatry, pride, and spiritual decline.
Through vivid storytelling, Jed unpacks how power struggles, false worship, and divided hearts led God’s people to exile—and what their story reveals about our own hearts today. Discover how to avoid spiritual drift, recognize modern idols, and reorient your walk with God before pride and distraction lead you astray.
Whether you’re navigating burnout, conflict, or a desire for deeper faith, this message reminds us that true strength is found in surrender, not control.
In this message, Minister Mark Ashton explores the rise and fall of Israel’s first kings—Saul, David, and Solomon—and how each story points to our ultimate need for a perfect King: Jesus. From Samuel’s courage to speak truth, to Saul’s disobedience, to David’s heart for God, and Solomon’s pursuit of wisdom, this era—known as the United Kingdom—reveals both the beauty and the brokenness of human leadership.
Through these stories, Minister Mark reminds us that power can corrupt, partial obedience still misses the mark, and only Jesus, the King who never fails, brings lasting peace, forgiveness, and life.
Join us as we look at how:
And discover how all of these kings point to Jesus—the King who will never fail, never forget, and never stop forgiving.
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In this message, Craig Walter explores the book of Judges—a story that mirrors the cycle we all know too well. Over and over again, the people of Israel are rescued by God, only to relax in comfort, rebel in sin, and eventually repent when life falls apart. Yet through every turn of that cycle, God’s mercy meets them right where they are.
This message challenges us to recognize that same pattern in our own lives. We forget, fall, and cry out—and still, God comes back for us. Discover how His faithfulness remains constant, even when we repeat the same mistakes.
If you’ve ever wondered how to break free from spiritual apathy, rekindle your faith, or find hope after failure, this message will remind you that God’s mercy is bigger than your rebellion.
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In this message, Minister Mark Ashton explores the story of Joshua—God’s appointed leader who stepped into the Promised Land with courage and faith. Through Joshua’s journey, we’re reminded that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s trusting God enough to move forward while afraid. Just like Joshua, each of us is called to take new territory for God’s kingdom in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Discover how obedience, faith, and trust in God’s promises lead to victory—and how your inheritance isn’t a trophy to keep but a trust to steward for the next generation.
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In this message, Minister Mark Ashton unpacks the themes of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy through four memorable words: Priests, Pilgrimage, Precepts, and Provision. These books reveal how God draws near to His people, provides atonement for sin, guides them through the wilderness, and resets their hearts for obedience.
From the sacrifices of Leviticus to the wandering journey of Numbers, to the renewed call of Deuteronomy, God shows His people how to live holy lives, trust His daily provision, and love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength.
If you’re in a “land between” season—waiting, longing, or unsure of what’s next—this message will encourage you to see God’s provision in the desert and His power to reset your life for what’s ahead.
In this message, Minister Mark Ashton explores the book of Exodus through four powerful themes: I Am, the Lamb, the Ten, and the Tent. From Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush, to the blood of the Passover lamb, to the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, and finally the Tabernacle where God’s presence dwelt among His people—every moment points us to Jesus. Discover how God delivers His people from slavery, reveals His holy standard, and dwells with them through His presence. This message will help you see the Old Testament with fresh eyes and understand how it connects to the life and mission of Jesus today.
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In this message, Minister Mark Ashton explores the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph in Genesis 12–50. These four patriarchs reveal God’s faithfulness to His promises despite human weakness, dysfunction, and failure. From Abraham’s faith to Isaac’s near-sacrifice, Jacob’s wrestling with God, and Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers, we see how God’s plan unfolds through ordinary people. Discover how their stories speak into your own life—whether you feel overlooked, wounded, or betrayed, God is still at work turning brokenness into blessing.
In this message, Minister Mark Ashton explores Genesis 1–11, walking through four defining words of the Bible’s opening chapters: Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, and Confusion. These foundational stories answer life’s biggest questions: Where did everything come from? Why is the world so broken? And what hope do we have in the middle of it all?
From the beauty of creation and humanity made in God’s image, to the tragedy of sin, the devastation of the flood, and the scattering at Babel, Genesis shows both the depth of humanity’s failure and the greater power of God’s grace. This message invites you to see the big picture of Scripture—how God’s story from the very beginning points us to His plan of redemption through Jesus.
If you’ve ever wondered about your purpose, struggled with the brokenness of the world, or longed to understand how the Bible fits together, this series will help you memorize, internalize, and live out God’s story.
In this message, Minister Alex Ehly teaches from 3 John, the shortest book in the New Testament, uncovering the powerful themes of faithfulness and hospitality. While modern communication is instant and disposable, John’s letter to Gaius reminds us that the gospel spreads through steady, faithful lives and open doors.
Discover why faithfulness matters more than flash, how hospitality is a holy act of discipleship, and why God calls us to live as a steady flame rather than a fading firework. This message will encourage you to live a life of deep integrity, radical welcome, and lasting faith.
Whether you struggle with comparison, pride, or the temptation to keep life closed off, 3 John invites us to live differently—faithful over flashy, hospitable over self-focused, steady over short-lived.
In this message, Minister Mark Ashton unpacks the short but urgent letter of 2 John, reminding us that truth isn’t trendy, it’s timeless. John calls believers to live in truth and love while guarding against deception and false teaching. Discover why truth and love cannot be separated, how to discern false teachers, and why authentic, face-to-face community is the only way to find complete joy.
John’s letter is like a voicemail from a spiritual father—fierce love, practical warnings, and timeless encouragement. As we walk through this passage, we’ll see how to hold fast to the essentials of faith, reject deception, and pursue real relationships that lead to lasting joy.
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In this message, Minister Mark Ashton unpacks 1 John 4 to answer one of the most common faith questions: How do you know if it’s the Holy Spirit speaking? Discover biblical tests for discerning God’s voice from false spirits, learn how to recognize deception in popular spiritual trends like manifesting, astrology, and self-centered “self-love” culture, and see why the Holy Spirit produces transformation—not just temporary “gains.”
Minister Mark also explores how to identify the Spirit of truth, spot false teaching about Jesus, overcome spiritual opposition, and keep your “Holy Spirit gauge” full. You’ll be challenged to love others deeply, live in God’s presence, and walk with confidence—without fear—knowing that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Whether you’re navigating confusing spiritual messages, wanting clarity on hearing God’s voice, or seeking practical ways to grow in love and discernment, this message offers biblical truth you can apply today.
In this message, Minister Mark Ashton explores 1 John 3 and the radical call to love one another—not just in words, but with our lives, actions, and truth. Through a humorous yet powerful metaphor comparing two very different dogs, Sugar and Dakota, he challenges us to examine how we reflect the love of God in everyday relationships.
John, now an elder apostle writing to all kinds of people, urges believers to embrace sacrificial love, avoid jealousy and hate like Cain, and live as people who belong to the truth. With three piercing questions—How do we know what love is? How do we know we belong to truth? How do we know God lives in us?—this message invites you to a deeper, Spirit-led life of obedience and transformation.
Whether you're feeling like the "good dog," the “challenging,” or somewhere in between, God's grace is enough. At CCC, everyone is welcome—from single moms to CEOs, from the faithful to the struggling. Because in Christ, we are all being changed from the inside out.
In this message, Minister Alex Ehly teaches from 1 John 2:18–3:10 and reminds us that we live in a world full of spiritual distractions—loud messages that pull us off course with flashy promises and counterfeit truth. But John doesn’t tell us to panic. He invites us to abide.
Through a powerful metaphor about road trip billboards and a deep dive into Scripture, Alex unpacks how abiding in Christ is the antidote to the spirit of the antichrist—a spirit still active today in false teachings, cultural distortions, and even well-meaning but misdirected faith.
This sermon isn’t just about avoiding deception. It’s about discovering who you really are: a beloved child of God. When you know who you are—and whose you are—you won’t be easily pulled off track.
In this message, Kelvin Walker teaches from 1 John 2:1–17 in a sermon titled “Let’s Have A Family Chat.” Through powerful stories and biblical insight, Kelvin reminds us what it truly means to belong to the family of God—not just on Sunday, but every day of the week.
Are you living a life that reflects the character of Christ? When people encounter you, do they see Jesus?
In a world filled with chaos, cultural confusion, and spiritual drift, we often lose sight of who we really are. That’s why we need a loving but honest family chat—to be reminded of:
This sermon challenges believers of all ages and backgrounds to reflect the family resemblance of Christ in their everyday lives. Don’t miss this timely encouragement to walk in obedience, love boldly, and realign your identity with the family of God.
📖 Key Text: 1 John 2:1–17
🙌 Main Verse: “I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father.” – 1 John 2:14a
In this message, Minister Jed Logue kicks off our new 8-week series, “123 John: A Light Read Through the Letters of John,” with a powerful teaching from 1 John 1:1–2:2.
Writing as the last living apostle, John calls the early church—and us today—to stop managing sin and start walking in the light. Jed unpacks John’s firsthand witness of Jesus, the danger of deception, and the deep joy found in confession, community, and Christ.
This message is a wake-up call to stop lying to ourselves, confess our sins, and walk in the light—because we have an Advocate: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
In this message, International Worker Carey shares a powerful update from her ministry in West Africa and explores the biblical story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. Through personal stories of medical missions, language learning, and community-building in a predominantly Muslim country, Carey reminds us that even the smallest offering—our “five loaves and two fish”—can be multiplied in the hands of Jesus.
You’ll hear how God is moving through Christian nursing schools, a palliative care ministry, and storytelling (orality) training across West Africa. Carey invites us to stop comparing and instead trust that our ordinary lives, when surrendered to Christ, can have eternal impact.
Watch this inspiring testimony of what God is doing through global missions—and be challenged to offer your life fully to Him, wherever you are.
🙏 Want to get involved in global missions?
🎓 Want to use your profession to share Christ?
🍞 Wondering how your “small” contribution could make a big Kingdom impact?
This message is for you.
What if the church looked like heaven?
In this message, Minister Mark Ashton explores God's heart for the nations, tracing a bold, biblical vision for a multiethnic church rooted in Acts 1:8 and realized through the story of A.B. Simpson—the founder of the Christian & Missionary Alliance—and the legacy of Christ Community Church. From welcoming Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s to planting thriving Nepali-Bhutanese and South Sudanese congregations today, CCC is living out the dream of reaching the world from Omaha.
You’ll hear compelling stories of courage, obedience, and Holy Spirit power—from the docks of 1880s New York to the hallways of CCC. This message challenges every follower of Jesus to move past comfort zones, embrace biblical hospitality (“philoxenia”), and become part of God's strategy to reach every tribe, tongue, and nation.
Whether you’re asking "What’s the role of the church in immigration?" or "Can I make a difference in God’s global mission?"—this message will inspire, equip, and provoke.
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