VIDEO: 5-31-20 Sermon "RADICAL FAITH: Faith sees beyond itself"

As we worship together "from house to house," we understand that this event is not about us.  It is not about me.  It is about Him.  It is about our Lord.  It is about God.  Our faith must see beyond ourselves.

As we gather together this Sunday in our own homes, we invite you to sing along with the worship videos.  We encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper in your home at 10:00am.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for our community.  Watch my message about Radical Faith.  Accept the challenge to see beyond yourself.  Respond to the invitation.  Watch the bonus video of one of my favorite songs.

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

Read 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV), "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.  He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit."  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Father, we thank you for our new life in the Spirit.  We are humbled that your Son gave his body up to death.  We are grateful for His suffering.  His sacrifice brought us to You.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for our community as we are feeling the pain of social unrest.  Pray for us as we love our neighbor.  Pray for us as we work to become agents of change in our communities.    

MESSAGE

“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones. By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:20-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CHALLENGE

Who do you need to bless? Have you blessed your children? Research in the Scripture what it means “to bless” someone. Bless someone this week.  Be a blessing to someone this week.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word at Kenwood Church.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I encourage you to speak with me via phone (248-476-8222) or an email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org).  I would be honored to speak with you about what God is doing in your life and try to connect you with a community of faith in your area.

Bonus Video

RADICAL FAITH: Faith sees beyond itself - Hebrews 11:20-23 Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on May 31, 2020)

RADICAL FAITH:Faith sees beyond itself (Hebrews 11:20-23 ) - May 31, 2020

INTRODUCTION

Radical Faith sees beyond the boundary of self. Faith allows us to find peace outside of self-satisfaction. Faith frees us.

“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones. By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:20-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I. FAITH BLESSES OTHERS

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” - Corrie ten Boom

A. Isaac blessed his sons

1. Jacob

2. Esau

B. Isaac looked to their future

II. FAITH LOOKS BEYOND OUR LIVES

“The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.” – Billy Graham

A. Jacob blessed each of Joseph’s sons (legacy)

B. Jacob worshiped as he leaned on his staff (legacy of faith)

C. Joseph extended hope to his children of the fulfillment of the promise (legacy of hope)

III. FAITH PROVIDES FOR THOSE WHO COME BEHIND US

A. Moses’ parents protected their son.

1. They hid him.

2. They saw he was no ordinary child.

3. They were not afraid of the king’s edict.

B. We must protect those who come behind us.

1. Act in their interest

2. Observe their uniqueness

3. Not give in to fear

Our faith should bless others, look beyond our own lives, and provide for those who come behind.

CHALLENGE

Who do you need to bless? Have you blessed your children? Research in the Scripture what it means “to bless” someone. Bless someone this week. Be a blessing to someone this week.

TROUBLESHOOTING for VIDEO: 5-24-20 Sermon

If the videos do not load on your mobile device (phone) when you click on 'VIDEO: 5-24-20 Sermon "RADICAL FAITH: Faith takes the test," scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "View Web Version."  Some phones are not loading the videos, but this solution should correct that.  It appears that computers and tablets are loading the content properly.

Thanks,

Todd

VIDEO: 5-24-20 Sermon "RADICAL FAITH: Faith takes the test"

As we worship together "from house to house," we make a statement that our God is worth the inconvenience.  Our God is more important than the disruption to our lives.  Our God is greater than a global pandemic.  Our God is worthy of our praise!

As we gather together this Sunday in our own homes, we invite you to sing along with the worship videos.  We encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper in your home at 10:00am.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for the lost.  Watch my message about Radical Faith.  Accept the challenge to take the test of faith.  Respond to the invitation.  Watch the bonus video of one of my favorite songs.

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

Read John 3:17 (NIV), " For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. "   Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Father, we delight in your mercy.  We remember that Jesus came into the world to save sinners.  We are grateful for his body and blood that were so graciously given for us.  Thank you for your salvation.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for our witness to a world that is lost and dying.  Pray that we shine a light that leads them to Jesus.  Pray for open and contrite hearts.  Pray for humility for God's children as we reach out to those who stand in the exact spot we stood once upon a time.  Pray that Prodigals might come home.

MESSAGE

“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:17-19‬ ‭NIV

CHALLENGE

Where is God testing you today in your faith? Write down 7 areas in your life that God is challenging your faith. Circle the 3 that are the biggest test. Put a rectangle around the one that is currently your greatest struggle. Acknowledge your struggle to God in prayer. Ask God to give you faith for the test. Share with another person your test in the faith. Ask that person to pray for you in that area and question you about it once per week for the next month. Withstand the test.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word at Kenwood Church.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I encourage you to speak with me via phone (248-476-8222) or an email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org).  I would be honored to speak with you about what God is doing in your life and try to connect you with a community of faith in your area.

Bonus Video

RADICAL FAITH: Faith takes the test - Hebrews 11:17-19 Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on May 24, 2020)

RADICAL FAITH:Faith takes the test (Hebrews 11:17-19 ) - May 24, 2020

INTRODUCTION

Radical Faith sees testing as a part of the journey. A test does not mean our faith has failed; a test is only administered where faith can be found.

Faith passes the test.

“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:17-19‬ ‭NIV

I. FAITH TAKES THE TEST

“Faith is a choice to trust God even when the road ahead seems uncertain.” - Dave Willis

A. Faith acts.

B. Faith accepts the promise and the confusion.

II. FAITH TRUSTS THAT GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING

Mary Hollingsworth tells a story about the noted director of biblical epics, Cecil B. DeMille. When they began working on the movie Ben Hur, DeMille talked to Charlton Heston–the star of the movie–about the all-important chariot race at the end. He decided Heston should actually learn to drive the chariot himself, rather than just using a stunt double. Heston agreed to take chariot-driving lessons to make the movie as authentic as possible.

Learning to drive a chariot with horses four abreast, however, was no small matter. After extensive work and days of practice, Heston returned to the movie set and reported to DeMille.

“I think I can drive the chariot all right, Cecil,” said Heston, “but I’m not at all sure I can actually win the race.”

Smiling slightly, DeMille said, “Heston, you just stay in the race, and I’ll make sure you win.”

A. Abraham believed God would do what God does best, the miraculous.

B. Abraham believed God could raise the dead.

C. Abraham believed God.

III. FAITH IS CONNECTED TO GOD’S ULTIMATE PLAN

William Barclay wrote in his book The Mind of St. Paul, “The great value of the doctrine of the Second Coming is that it guarantees that history is going somewhere. We cannot tell how it will happen. We cannot take as literal truth the Jewish pictures of it which Paul used. We need not think of a physical coming of Christ in the clouds, or a physical trumpet blast. But what the doctrine of the Second Coming conserves is the tremendous fact that there is one divine, far-off event to which the whole creation is moving; there is a consummation; there is a final triumph of God.”

A. Even death is not final with God.

B. The perception of the permanence of death.

C. The victory of resurrection, the power of Easter.

D. The hope of the resurrection

“I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:50-57‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CHALLENGE

Where is God testing you today in your faith? Write down 7 areas in your life that God is challenging your faith. Circle the 3 that are the biggest test. Put a rectangle around the one that is currently your greatest struggle. Acknowledge your struggle to God in prayer. Ask God to give you faith for the test. Share with another person your test in the faith. Ask that person to pray for you in that area and question you about it once per week for the next month. Withstand the test.

TROUBLESHOOTING for VIDEO: 5-17-20 Sermon

If the videos do not load on your mobile device (phone) when you click on 'VIDEO: 5-17-20 Sermon "RADICAL FAITH: Faith looks to the future"', scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "View Web Version."  Some phones are not loading the videos, but this solution should correct that.  It appears that computers and tablets are loading the content properly.

Thanks,

Todd

VIDEO: 5-17-20 Sermon "RADICAL FAITH: Faith looks to the future"

As we worship together "from house to house," we enter worship with the knowledge that our world is not the way it should be.  We miss gathering together to worship our King.  We feel displaced and isolated.  We look beyond the day when we shall once again gather in our sanctuary built of brick and wood.  We look toward a day when we will be gathered together to worship the Lamb face to face.  We look forward to a day of worship in the future where we will all be assembled in the celebration of our Savior.  But until that day, we lift up praise wherever and however we can.

As we gather together this Sunday in our own homes, we invite you to sing along with the worship videos.  We encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper in your home at 10:00am.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for the lost.  Watch my message about Radical Faith.  Accept the challenge to demonstrate your faith in the God who holds our future in His hands.  Respond to the invitation.  Watch the bonus video of one of my favorite songs.

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

Read John 6:35, "Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."   Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Father, we long to never hunger or thirst.  We take this bread and cup as a reminder to us that Jesus has already satisfied every hunger and thirst.  We rely upon you for all that we need.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for wisdom as restrictions are relaxed.  Pray for self-control for those who would behave as if their freedom is the only issue.  Pray for civility and maturity.  Pray for our witness to a world that is always watching.  Pray for one another.

MESSAGE

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:13-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CHALLENGE

Do you look forward to being with God in heaven? Talk to one other person this week about your hope of going to heaven. Set aside 5 minutes per day for the next week to think about living in heaven with God. To develop longing in your faith, write down 4 things that you look forward to in heaven (not things you will be glad to be rid of from here). Meditate upon these items during your 5 minutes of thinking about living with God in heaven.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word at Kenwood Church.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I encourage you to speak with me via phone (248-476-8222) or an email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org).  I would be honored to speak with you about what God is doing in your life and try to connect you with a community of faith in your area.

Bonus Video