VIDEO: 11-8-20 Sermon "CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Self-control

 VIDEO: 11-8-20 Sermon "CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Self-control"

As we worship together "from house to house," we acknowledge our lack of self-control.  We ask you to empower us through your Spirit so that we might live self-controlled and righteous lives.

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: Self-control.  Respond to the invitation.  Enjoy the bonus video.

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

Read 1 John‬ ‭4:15‬ ‭NIV,‬‬ “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, “Father, we are humbled that you would live in us.  We proclaim Jesus as your Son.  As we take this bread and juice, we desire to live in you.  In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for the our state and others that are in the midst of a COVID-19 increase in cases.  Pray for repentance and the return of the wayward.

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

Demonstrate true self-control this week by testifying to someone about how you have been freed from something.  Share this freedom you have in order to encourage them to live a life of self-control by 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