Sunday, May 30, 2021
Saturday, May 29, 2021
Video: 5-30-21 Kenwood Church “POTLUCK: When it’s Thanksgiving, I expect turkey.”
“POTLUCK: When it’s Thanksgiving, I expect turkey.” 5-30-21
As we worship together "from house to house," we are reminded of the reason we gather. We remember to remember.
WORSHIP
PRAYER
"POTLUCK: When it’s Thanksgiving, I expect turkey.” - 5-30-21
"POTLUCK: When it’s Thanksgiving, I expect turkey.” - 5-30-21
INTRODUCTION
I like to eat everything. On special occasions I do look forward to the special meal. On thanksgiving, I want turkey, cranberry sauce, dressing, gravy, and the whole works.
I. WE GATHER TOGETHER ON PURPOSE
"I am building a church," said a small boy, playing on the floor with a set of building blocks, "and we must be very quiet." His father, eager to encourage this unexpected reverence, asked, "And why are we quiet in the church?" "Because the people are asleep!" was the immediate response. We don’t gather to snooze. There is a reason we gather.
A. Churches gather together
“The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.”
Acts 5:12 NIV
B. Churches gather regularly
“In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it.”
1 Corinthians 11:18 NIV
II. WE GATHER TOGETHER TO TAKE THE LORD’S SUPPER
Jesus said, “This is the blood of the covenant which is poured out for you.” People use a lot of big words when they speak of Communion. Words like sacrament and Eucharist. Professors speak of transubstantiation and consubstantiation. But the most important words ever said about Communion are short words, two words of three letters, “for you.” Though we were not in the Upper Room, we are sure that they were meant for us as well as for the Twelve. Communion is for you-and you-and you. It is not just for some-the wealthy, the powerful, the learned, the ones who think themselves perfect. It is for us who are imperfect and poor and powerless and who have so much to learn. Whenever you come to Communion, remember those two little words, “for you.”
Bob Shannon
A. Example
“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.”
Acts 20:7 NIV
B. Components
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Matthew 26:26-28 NIV
C. Participation
“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”
1 Corinthians 10:16 NIV
D. Remembrance
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.””
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 NIV
E. Examination
“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.”
1 Corinthians 11:28 NIV
III. WE GATHER TO PROCLAIM THE LORD’S DEATH UNTIL HE RETURNS
“In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.
Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.”
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 NIV
A. Our proclamation
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
1 Corinthians 11:26 NIV
B. We proclaim. (It’s about the body)
“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.”
1 Corinthians 11:27-31 NIV
CONCLUSION
We gather on purpose to take the Lord’s Supper and proclaim his death until he returns.
It is a memorial of Christ's life and death.
It is a symbol of Christ's work.
It represents the union of all God's people; at the table of the Lord all human souls are on a level.
It represents the soul's constant dependence upon Christ for strength. Christ is the daily bread of life to the soul.
It represents the mystic union of Christ and his people; he lives in them and they in him.
The Lord's Supper is a special communion with Christ when, in a particular manner, he reveals himself to the believing heart.—Dr. Smith Baker
CHALLENGE
Invite others to gather with us. Ask other believers to celebrate the Lord’s Supper with you. Proclaim the Lord’s death for the whole world to hear.
INVITATION
It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word. 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. Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church. If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Sunday, May 23, 2021
Saturday, May 22, 2021
Video: 5-23-21 Kenwood Church “POTLUCK: We all eat better when we eat together.”
As we worship together "from house to house," we are reminded of the power of gathering. We are better together.
WORSHIP
PRAYER
“POTLUCK: We all eat better when we eat together.” 5-23-21
"POTLUCK: We all eat better when we eat together.” - 5-23-21
INTRODUCTION
Potlucks and Easter Sunrise service
Covid-19 has separated people for many reasons-isolation, politics, ideas of health, fear, Personal preference, etc. While we have been gathering in a parking lot for 11 months, we have continued to gather. We are excited about going back inside where we can more readily see those gathered together. I’m reminded how important our gathering is as I talk to you about your experience over the past 15 months.
Unity and support are important.
In the Cambridge, Minn., Star: "Isanti County Commissioner Tom Pagel has 100-percent support from his family, not 10 percent, as was stated in last week's article on Pagel's announcement to seek re-election."
Reader's Digest
I. WE GET THINGS WE DO NOT USUALLY GET WHEN WE ARE TOGETHER
“Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”
1 Corinthians 12:1-14 NIV
A. We are blessed by one another’s gifts.
B. We are one body made up of many parts.
II. WE CAN ALL GET WHAT WE NEED WHEN WE ARE TOGETHER
In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn't. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus.
"These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they're nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold."
"Which channel do you want?" asks Linus. Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can't you guys get organized like that?"
Charles Schultz
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:1-8 NIV
A. We need one another’s gifts.
B. We belong to one another.
III. WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER
Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers [meeting] together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become 'unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.
A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:4-16 NIV
A. We need one another to reach unity
1. Faith
2. Knowledge of the son of God
B. We need one another to become mature
1. Attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
2. No longer be infants
C. We need one another to “grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head , that is, Christ.”
CONCLUSION
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:10 NIV
CHALLENGE
Offer your gifts to someone in the body. Help the Body to become one. Start with one act of kindness to a brother or sister in Christ.
INVITATION
It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word. 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. Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church. If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Video: Kenwood Church 5-16-21 Elders Update
"Good
morning,
As
per our previous announcements, we believe that it is an appropriate time to
begin to work toward conducting worship services inside the building
again.
We
are targeting Sunday, June 13, 2021 to begin worshipping inside the building
again. This is a target date, and subject to change.
The
landscape for recommendations and guidelines is changing quickly. There are
many moving parts and we still have some decisions to finalize as the guidelines
of worshipping in the building.
We
will share more information about the service format and guidelines during the
week of May 30th.
In
addition to worshipping inside the building:
We
plan to continue to broadcast the service to the parking lot. We
will also continue to provide communion those in the parking
lot.
We
will also continue to post the service online.
Look
for additional information via email or regular mail if you do not receive
emails in the next couple of weeks.
Thank
you again for your continued prayers and support."
Monday, May 17, 2021
Saturday, May 15, 2021
Video: 5-16-21 Kenwood Church “CLINGING TO HOPE IN THE STORM: Even if our boat sinks and we go under, we’re still safe." - 5-6-21
As we worship together "from house to house," we are reminded of the safety found in Jesus. He is the harbor that will keep us safe.
WORSHIP
PRAYER
"CLINGING TO HOPE IN THE STORM: “Even if our boat sinks and we go under, we’re still safe."- 5-16-21
"CLINGING TO HOPE IN THE STORM: “Even if our boat sinks and we go under, we’re still safe."- 5-16-21
INTRODUCTION
Two stories one issue
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!””
Mark 4:37-41 NIV
“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
"Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.””
Matthew 14:23-33 NIV
"No storm is random, trivial, or without purpose."
A famous evangelist told the following incident:
"I have a friend who in a time of business recession lost his job, a sizable fortune, and his beautiful home. To add to his sorrow, his precious wife died; yet he tenaciously held to his faith -- the only thing he had left. One day when he was out walking in search of employment, he stopped to watch some men who were doing stonework on a large church. One of them was chiseling a triangular piece of rock. 'Where are you going to put that?' he asked. The workman said, 'Do you see that little opening up there near the spire? Well, I'm shaping this stone down here so that it will fit in up there.' Tears filled my friend's eyes as he walked away, for the Lord had spoken to him through that laborer whose words gave new meaning to his troubled situation."
Our Daily Bread
I. STORMS ARE FRIGHTENING
A. Storms cause distress.
B. Storms create fear.
C. Storms have negative outcomes.
“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”
1 Peter 1:6 NIV
II. STORMS CAN BE FATAL
A. Storms have real life consequences.
B. Storms can be life threatening.
C. Storms can be change your life.
1. You can suffer.
2. You can suffer loss.
3. You can suffer death.
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 10:28 NIV
III. STORMS ARE NOT FINAL
A. All storms end.
B. Even a fatal storm will subside.
C. There will come a day when storms will be no more.
“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 15:53-57 NIV
D. Jesus offers peace in our storms.
““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 NIV
If we consider the greatness and the glory of the life we shall have when we have risen from the dead, it would not be difficult at all for us to bear the concerns of this world. If I believe the Word, I shall on the Last Day, after the sentence has been pronounced, not only gladly have suffered ordinary temptations, insults, and imprisonment, but I shall also say: "O, that I did not throw myself under the feet of all the godless for the sake of the great glory which I now see revealed and which has come to me through the merit of Christ!"
Martin LutherM
CONCLUSION
Storms are not the issue. That is an illusion. Faith is.
Storms are frightening. Storms can be fatal. Storms are not final.
Jesus is our hope to cling to. No matter what storm you face, faith in Jesus is the solution.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.”
1 Peter 1:1-25 NIV
CHALLENGE
Who do you know that is in the midst of a storm? How can you help them weather the storm? How can you help them find the eternal safety of heaven? Will you be the one to introduce them to the One who can calm the storm?
INVITATION
It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word. 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. Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church. If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.