VIDEO: 8-30-20 Sermon "WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Victory is Certain”

As we worship together "from house to house," we thank our God in heaven who watches over us every day.  We lift praises to Him for His boundless grace and never ending love.

If you cannot join us this Sunday, we invite you to sing along with the worship videos.  We encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for one another.  Watch my message WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Victory is Certain.  Respond to the invitation.  Enjoy the bonus video.

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

Read Romans‬ ‭12:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Father, as you blessed all of mankind through your death on the cross, you blessed those who persecuted you.  You died for them.  You blessed and did not curse.  We are awed by your example.  We are moved to bless those who persecute us.  Thank you for your example and your blessing.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for those who are still dealing with the effects of COVID-19.  Pray for those who have healed from the infection and are still suffering from the virus.

MESSAGE

“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.”

‭‭    1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:1-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“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. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

‭‭    1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:50-58‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CHALLENGE

Write four responses to “Because of the resurrection, I _________________ (i.e. have hope, get up each morning, trust God, live for Him).” Share these truths with one other person this week and explain why these responses are true.

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