VIDEO: 11-1-20 Sermon "CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Gentleness”

 VIDEO: 11-1-20 Sermon "CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Gentleness”

As we worship together "from house to house," we are in great need of power and gentleness.  We need Your power in our lives for holiness and righteousness.    We need Your power to accomplish Your mission in this world.  We need Your gentleness as to not add to the violence of this world.  We need Your gentleness to demonstrate the grace which power must know.

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 CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Gentleness.  Respond to the invitation.  Enjoy the bonus video.

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

Read Ephesians 2:19-22, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.  And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which Gods lives by his Spirit.”  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, “Father, we are grateful for the foundation of the apostles and prophets.  We rely upon the chief cornerstone, Jesus.  We are humbled that You would live within us by Your Holy Spirit.  Cleanse us and make us holy.  In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for nation this week.  We have an election Tuesday.  We have growing numbers of COVID-19 cases across our nation.  We have deep hatred and animosity among our people.  We need you.

MESSAGE

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. 

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:13-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CHALLENGE

Display gentleness by appropriately standing up for righteousness this week.  Help the weak and hurting.  Show the restrained power God has given you through the Holy Spirit.

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