Cedar Avenue church of Christ

06/13/2026

Good morning! We will assemble tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. for Bible class and at 10:30 a.m. for worship service. We also will assemble at 6 p.m. for our evening service.

Here's a preview of tomorrow's study and sermons:

Bible Classes:
Adult class auditorium: Kingdom Leaders: A Man of Influence
Children's classes for all ages downstairs

A.M. Sermon: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
P.M. Sermon: The Work of an Evangelist Is ... (II Timothy 4:1-2)

If you're in the area, we would love for you to come and join us! Have a blessed day!

06/08/2026

WHO THEN IS GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?

The word “great” is found in scripture nearly 1,000 times. It’s used to describe God’s creation in Genesis, our reward in heaven, and the power of Christ and His apostles. The majority of the references are spiritual. However, we, as a culture, throw this word around so loosely that we’ve lost the true definition of the word — a great meal, a great movie, a great game. In the grand scheme of things, those things aren’t great. The only things that are truly great are from the hand of God.

The disciples pose a question to Jesus in Matthew 18:1: “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” There was a competition among His disciples. They were always fussing and fighting over who’d be the greatest. They tried to create a pecking order (Mark 9:33-37; Matthew 20:20-28). To them, it could have been who has the most talents? Who does Jesus approve of most? They could have been comparing their resumes and stacking them up against one another to see who would be at the top.

Jesus responds by calling for a child to stand in the midst of them (Matthew 18:2-5). First, Jesus says the disciples need to be converted. If you want to be important in the kingdom, then you are not going to be in the kingdom. Second, Jesus says they need to become like children. Jesus is teaching His disciples that they must lower the way they think about themselves.

But two chapters later, in Matthew 20, Jesus is presented with another request, this time from the mother of James and John. “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom” (v. 21). What mother doesn’t want the best for her children? She’s looking out for her boys. Jesus does not correct her thinking. Jesus does not tell her that she has this wrong. How, then, does He answer?

They are asking for greatness and exaltation in the kingdom. What they do not know is how this exaltation comes. The cup that Jesus is referring to is a cup of suffering (v. 22). Jesus is asking His disciples if they are able to go through what He will go through. Jesus had just clarified what His cup of suffering looks like (v. 18-19). Jesus says that to join Him in glory, you will have to drink the cup of suffering that He drinks. Listen to what these disciples say in v. 22b: “We are able.” In v. 23, Jesus tells them that this is exactly what is going to happen. “You will drink my cup.” The scriptures and history reveal that they did. Now notice the response of the other 10: “They were greatly displeased with the two brothers” (v. 24). This presents another teaching lesson about greatness in the kingdom.

In v. 25, Jesus describes how those in the world behave when given authority. They “lord it over them” and “exercise authority over them.” In other words, the world believes that the point of having authority is to be able to do what you want to do and tell others what to do. But look at v. 26a: “It shall not be so among you.” Jesus said that this is not to be the case among us. The disciple of Jesus does not care about being great among others. The disciple of Jesus does not want authority so that they can be in charge and tell others what to do.

What are we to do with our authority and abilities? Greatness is found in becoming a servant (v. 26b-27). What a counterintuitive teaching. Authority is given so that we can use that authority to serve others. No authority is given for self-promotion or self-elevation.

Jesus is the model servant (v. 28). Jesus has all authority and power. Jesus is worthy of all glory and exaltation. Yet, Jesus used all His authority and power and glory to serve, not be served. Aren’t we glad that Jesus was never selfish in the way He served us? Jesus saw our need and knew there was nothing we could do to save ourselves. But Jesus not only saw that need; that need moved Him into action and He met that need. In Jesus, we find the perfect servant.

Servanthood is about a mindset, a way of thinking (Philippians 2:3-8). It takes ahold of us on the inside and works its way out. It must start on the inside. That’s where servanthood begins. To be servants like Jesus, we must set our mind not on the task, but on the great things it will accomplish. That was on the heart of our Savior when He looked at the cross. Not at how ugly the task was, but what it would accomplish. His greatest act of service was to die, but for a purpose, so you and I could be rescued from our sins and be delivered.

06/06/2026

Good morning! We will assemble tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. for Bible class and at 10:30 a.m. for worship service. We also will assemble at 6 p.m. for our evening service.

Here's a preview of tomorrow's study and sermons:

Bible Classes:
Adult class auditorium: Kingdom Leaders: A Shepherd's Heart
Children's classes for all ages downstairs

A.M. Sermon: Who Then is Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? (Matthew 18:1-5)
P.M. Sermon: The Life of the Apostle Thomas (John 14:5-7)

If you're in the area, we would love for you to come and join us! Have a blessed day!

06/04/2026

Thank you to everyone that supported Family Bible Days 2026. From decorations, teachers, helpers, greeters and those that attended each night. We appreciate you! Come out and be with us Sunday as Bible classes continue at 9:30 am followed by worship at 10:30 am.

06/03/2026

The final day of the Treasure Hunt will focus on the surpassing value of knowing Jesus and finding SALVATION. Class begins at 7 PM. We hope you will join us! Visit www.CedarSower.com for more info.

06/02/2026

Join us for day 2 of the Treasure Hunt as we seek the Kingdom of God. Registration begins at 6:45pm and classes start at 7:00pm. Hope to see you tonight!

06/01/2026

IS ANYONE ASKING YOU ABOUT YOUR HOPE?

We often look at I Peter 3:14-15 and talk about being prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in us. We talk about that from the perspective of how to teach the gospel. We talk about personal work, the plan of salvation, our commitment to Jesus Christ and our faith in Him, and why a person needs to be baptized. All of this is part of explaining the hope that is in us. Additionally, this passage suggests people will be asking me about the hope I have. So, are people asking you about the hope that is in you?

If you’re a Christian, you are to have hope: Hope = Desire + Confident Expectation. It’s not inconsequential or insignificant hope, like I hope my favorite NFL team wins on Sundays. It’s hope for a glorious future in heaven with God. “Living in hope” means we’ve been assured of a future inheritance that moth or rust cannot destroy; no thief can break in and steal.

However, let’s keep this statement in context: Peter was talking about Christians who were suffering for righteousness’ sake. We are instructed to live good lives, reflecting God’s glory, so that people will glorify God. But even if we do suffer for doing good, Peter reminds us that we must not be troubled by that. Do not let suffering for the sake of Christ cause us to stop. We must continue to honor Jesus as holy and teach others about the hope we have despite our suffering.

Peter has taught us something important. Suffering is not the time to avoid the world, but to engage the world. We may not be able to fix our suffering. But we can use our suffering for the glory of God. We can make our suffering purposeful. When we are suffering yet still do good and still have faith, we will be presented with opportunities to defend the hope we have. Being a Christian during good times does not teach the world much of anything. But if we continue our righteousness and service to Jesus in the face of devastating suffering, we then have opened doors for the world to consider Jesus.

Continuing on in I Peter 3:18-22, Jesus suffered, but not because of anything He had done wrong. He did not suffer because of His own sins. Jesus is righteous. He suffered because we are unrighteous. Jesus died on our behalf. He did it for us. The purpose of Jesus’ suffering was to bring us to God because sin separates us from God.

Noah was a preacher of righteousness (II Peter 2:5). He lived in a day when the thoughts of humanity were continually wicked. Only eight people were saved from God’s judgment. Noah went around preaching to people to repent of their sins and warned them that it was going to rain so much that the earth would be flooded.

Day after day, month after month, year after year, Noah and his family were building a large boat. Do you think Noah had a life of suffering? How much ridicule did Noah endure? Noah suffered as a preacher of righteousness. Though he suffered, he was delivered through the ark from the destruction of the earth by flooding. Noah was putting his hope in something completely different. He was putting his hope in a big huge boat. And he was telling everyone about it.

Do you think anyone asked Noah about his hope? Are people asking me about my hope? To the naked eye, does my hope look no different from theirs? What is the hope of the worldly? Here is the problem. Things will not always continue as they are.

We don’t know the length of time (II Peter 3:7). But we do know judgment is coming. Fire will consume this world. Our jobs will be destroyed. Our governments will crumble. Our retirement accounts will come to naught. Our clothes, homes, and cars will all count for nothing. Noah was putting his hope in a boat. What are we putting our hope in?

For Noah, showing his hope was easy. He was building a big boat in his backyard. How can we show our hope? It’s more than just being nice, moral people who go to church on Sundays. We are to be public Christians (I Peter 2:11-12). We are in the world, but not of the world. But know that we are to be the salt and light of the world — where the light of Christ shines so brightly in our lives that those in the world can’t miss it. Not just through our words, but also through our unspoken actions. If we live a life that Christ wants us to in open view, don’t be surprised when questions start coming about the hope that lies within you.

Are people asking us about our hope? How can we show the world that our hope is different from theirs?

06/01/2026

Day 1 of Family Bible Days will begin our Treasure Hunt at 7:00pm tonight. We are in search of WISDOM from the word of God. Registration begins at 6:45 PM. Hope to see you!
www.CedarSower.com

05/30/2026

Good morning! We will assemble tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. for Bible class and at 10:30 a.m. for worship service. We also will assemble at 6 p.m. for our evening service.

Here's a preview of tomorrow's study and sermons:

Bible Classes:
Adult class auditorium: Kingdom Leaders: Elders, Bishops, and Shepherds
Children's classes for all ages downstairs

A.M. Sermon: One of Our Greatest Challenges (Matthew 5:43-48)
P.M. Sermon: Is Anyone Asking You About Your Hope? (I Peter 3:14-15)

If you're in the area, we would love for you to come and join us! Have a blessed day!

05/28/2026

We are only a few days away from Family Bible Days 2026, June 1st-3rd at 7 PM. Are you joining the treasure hunt in God’s word? Come and bring a friend to see what you can discover. Classes for all ages available. For more information, visit: www.CedarSower.com

Start your summer break with a Treasure Hunt, June 1st - 3rd, at 7 PM. We will explore the word of God to find valuable truths that are more precious than anything found on earth. All ages welcome. Visit www.CedarSower.com for more information on Family Bible Days 2026.