THE CHALLENGE for 1-30-22

  “The Challenge” has become a common part of my sermons over the past couple of years.  “The Challenge” is intended to help us think about the message of the week and then deciding to act.  Connecting “The Challenge” with journaling has become my attempt at fostering this internal dialogue (hearing then thinking then deciding then acting).  The purpose of “The Challenge” is that we all might act upon what we have heard by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

In this new year, my challenges will fall heavily into the category of journaling.  When we write, we have to think, then formulate words, then put it to paper.  This process helps us integrate our whole self (mind, body and spirit).  We will also focus upon action.

The Challenge for 1-30-22.

1. Who are you following?
2. Would you say you follow Jesus?
3. Whose example of Jesus do you follow?
4. Who follows you?
5. Who should you invite to follow you as you follow Jesus?

Journals and pens are available at Kenwood for anyone wants them.

1-30-22 Kenwood Church Live Stream

MENTOR LIKE JESUS: Starting Now, Ending Then 1-30-22

MENTOR LIKE JESUS:  Starting Now, Ending Then 1-30-22

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Life cycle- frog - egg, tadpole, froglet, adult frog

 

Starting Now, Ending Then

              Started with “Come follow me”

              Ended with “It is finished” or so they thought

 

Life cycle of a disciple

 

Mr. Kimball, a Sunday school teacher, in 1858 led a Boston shoe clerk to give his life to Christ. The clerk, Dwight L. Moody, became an evangelist and in England in 1879 awakened evangelistic zeal in the heart of Frederick B. Meyer, pastor of a small church. F.B. Meyer preaching on an American college campus, brought to Christ a student named J. Wilbur Chapman. Chapman, engaged in YMCA work, employed a former baseball player Billy Sunday, to do evangelistic work. And the list goes on.

 

I.  FOLLOW ME (Beginning)

 

              A.  Jesus

 

“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”

              John 2:1-11 NIV

 

              B.  Apostles

 

“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.”

              Mark 1:16-20 NIV

 

              C.  Disciples

 

“Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””

              John 20:24-29 NIV

 

II.  GO FORTH (Ending)

 

Parkinson’s Law, “The work expands so as to fill the available time for its completion.”

 

There is an end coming.

 

              A.  Jesus is leaving

 

“Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.””

              John 16:16-18 NIV

 

                            1.  Jesus' death

                            2.  Grief

 

              B.  Jesus is leaving again

 

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.””

              John 20:19-21 NIV

 

                            1.  Jesus' ascension

                            2.  Rejoicing

 

III.  FOLLOW HIM (Transition)

 

The end is the beginning

 

              A.  Great Commission

 

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

              Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

 

              B.  Follow him like I was shown to follow him

 

                            1.  Paul

 

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

              1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV

 

              2.  Peter

 

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!””

              John 21:15-19 NIV

 

CONCLUSION

 

The Life Cycle Library sat on my dresser for many years.  The life cycle of the church continues through a series of beginnings and endings.  Discipleship is that series.

 

“Jesus didn’t tell his friends, “Go into all the world and make Christians.” But he did tell them to go into the world and make disciples. In fact, the Bible uses the word disciple 269 times. As Dallas Willard writes, “The New Testament is a book about disciples, by disciples, and for disciples.”

 

Jesus’ Good News is that eternal life—life with God and for God, life under God’s care and life by God’s power—is available now. If you want that life, the logical step is to become a disciple—a student, an apprentice, a follower—of Jesus…Simply put, discipleship is the means by which we learn to live the life that Jesus offers. Christianity was never intended to produce Christians. Just disciples.”

                            John Ortberg, Eternity is Now In Session: A Radical Rediscovery of What Jesus Really Taught about Salvation,                                                     Eternity, and Getting to the Good Place (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndall Momentum, 2018, Kindle Electronic Version.

 

"The most significant contribution we make in life, is the passing of our faith to the next generation."

              —Unknown

 

CHALLENGE

 

In this new year, my challenges will fall heavily into the category of journaling.  When we write, we have to think, then formulate words, then put it to paper.  This process helps us integrate our whole self.  We will also focus upon action.

 

1. Who are you following?
2. Would you say you follow Jesus?
3. Whose example of Jesus do you follow?
4. Who follows you?
5. Who should you invite to follow you as you follow Jesus?

 

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, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.  

S.U.M. It Up! 1-26-22

  

01-23-22 Kenwood Church Live Stream

MENTOR LIKE JESUS: The Handpicked Group 1-23-22

 MENTOR LIKE JESUS: The Handpicked Group 1-23-22

Handpicked

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

‭‭ Luke‬ ‭6:12-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

G.K. Chesterton once said “If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly.”

To follow a rabbi…involved a literal kind of following, in which disciples often traveled with, lived with and imitated their rabbis, learning not only from what they said but from what they did—from their reactions to everyday life as well as from the manner in which they lived…. This approach to teaching is much more like a traditional apprenticeship than a modern classroom. Jesus still says to us today, “Follow me.” He never told us to gain a lot of knowledge about him, but rather, to be with him, to remain in him (see John 15), and then, to live as he would in our place—to do what he did.

Keri Wyatt Kent, “Deeply Loved,” Abington Press, Kindle Locations 4-11.

I.  PICKING POTENTIAL

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

Matthew 9:9-13 NIV

A.  Rejects

B.  Out of the box

C.  Potential

II.  PICKING OPENNESS

“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭1:35-42a‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A.  Willing to be led

B.  Willing to listen

C.  Willing to grow

III.  DEMANDING COMMITMENT

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭4:18-22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A.  Follow me

Getting out of the boat . . .   Your boat is whatever represents safety and security to you apart from God himself.  Your boat is whatever you are tempted to put your trust in, especially when life gets a little stormy.  Your boat is whatever keeps you so comfortable that you don’t want to give it up even if it’s keeping you from joining Jesus on the waves.  Your boat is whatever pulls you away from the high adventure of extreme discipleship.

John Ortberg, “If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat (Grand  Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001).

B.  Those not worthy

“As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.””

‭‭ Luke‬ ‭9:57-62‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1.  Goodbye to family

2.  Bury the dead

C.  The New Standard

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

‭ ‭Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CONCLUSION

Many churches today remind me of a laboring crew trying to gather in a harvest while they sit in the tool shed. They go to the tool shed every Sunday and they study bigger and better methods of agriculture, sharpen their hoes, grease their tractors, and then get up and go home. Then they come back that night, study bigger and better methods of agriculture, sharpen their hoes, grease their tractors, and go home again.

They comeback Wednesday night, and again study bigger and better methods of agriculture, sharpen their hoes, grease their tractors, and get up and go home. They do this week in and week out, year in and year out, and nobody ever goes out into the fields to gather in the harvest.

Paul W. Powell, “The Complete Disciple: Thirteen Areas of Dynamic Discipleship.”

Jesus worked with handpicked groups.  He chose those with potential, openness, and commitment.  He expects us to pick disciples too, not just be prepared to make disciples.

CHALLENGE

In this new year, my challenges will fall heavily into the category of journaling.  When we write, we have to think, then formulate words, then put it to paper.  This process helps us integrate our whole self.  We will also focus upon action.

1. Have you ever been “handpicked?”
2. Who do you know that has “potential” for the Kingdom?
3. Who do you know that is “open” to the work of the Kingdom?
4. Who do you know that is “committed” to the Kingdom?
5. How would you describe your own potential, openness, and commitment to the Kingdom?

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, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.  

S.U.M. It Up! 1-19-22

 

The Challenge for 1-9-22 and 1-16-22

 “The Challenge” has become a common part of my sermons over the past couple of years.  “The Challenge” is intended to help us think about the message of the week and then deciding to act.  Connecting “The Challenge” with journaling has become my attempt at fostering this internal dialogue (hearing then thinking then deciding then acting).  The purpose of “The Challenge” is that we all might act upon what we have heard by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

In this new year, my challenges will fall heavily into the category of journaling.  When we write, we have to think, then formulate words, then put it to paper.  This process helps us integrate our whole self (mind, body and spirit).  We will also focus upon action.

The Challenge for 1-9-22.

        1.  Are you more selfish or selfless?
2.  Are you interested in the lives of others?
3.  Is Jesus your life?
4.  Are you willing to share Jesus with someone else?
5.  Will you pray that God will send you someone to mentor?

The Challenge for 1-16-22.

        1.  Are you part of any “group” (outside of church)?

2.  What is the group’s purpose?

3.  How do people become part of the group?

4.  What is the purpose of the church?

        5.  How do people become part of your church?

Journals and pens are available at Kenwood for anyone wants them.

MENTOR LIKE JESUS: The Secret Sauce 1-16-22

 MENTOR LIKE JESUS: The Secret Sauce 1-16-22

INTRODUCTION

A man was answering questions for a national poll. When asked for his church preference, he responded, "Red brick."

Source Unknown

Jesus' style of mentoring was “group-centric”

Groups, small and large

75% of Americans identify colleagues from their church as the most important group or network in their life. 

Foster Letter 3/25/08

Smaller select groups to spend most of his time with

“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”

Mark 3:13-19 NIV

"A part of me loved war. Now, please understand, I am a peaceful man, fond of children and animals. And I believe that war should have no place in the affairs of men. But, the comradeship our platoon experienced in that war provides a moving and enduring memory in me. A comrade in war is someone you can trust with anything because you regularly trust him with your life. In war, individual possessions and advantage count for nothing. The group, the unit, the platoon is everything. A part of me loved war." 

--William Broyles, Vietnam Veteran

I.  JESUS WORKED IN GROUPS

A.  He taught the crowds

“Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬

“While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:”

‭‭ Luke‬ ‭8:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬

“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

B.  He led the group to find the answer

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.””

‭ ‭Matthew‬ ‭16:13-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1.  Who do they say I am?

2.  What does this mean?

In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, on a football field, in an army, or in an office. If a man's associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bits & Pieces, September 15, 1994, p. 4

C.  The church is built upon groups

1.  Where two or more are gathered. . . .

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

II.  JESUS HAD A GROUP WITHIN A GROUP

A.  Peter, James and John

Tom Landry, former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys and one of the finest leaders professional sports has ever known, once said, "Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react."

Today In The Word, August,1989, p. 30.

B.  Special relationship

1. Raising Jairus' daughter

2. The Transfiguration

3. Questioning Jesus on the Mt. of Olives

4. Prayer in the Garden

C.  Significant figures

1.  James was the first martyred apostle

2.  Peter was the rock

3.  John was the discipled whom Jesus loved, cared for Mary, longest apostolic witness

III.  JESUS CALLED HIS GROUP TO LEAD GROUPS

Leadership is the discipline of deliberately exerting special influence within a group to move it towards goals of beneficial permanence that fulfills the group's real needs. 

Dr. John Haggai, Lead On!.

A.  Discipleship as group development

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

B.  Discipleship as multiplication

CHALLENGE

In this new year, my challenges will fall heavily into the category of journaling.  When we write, we have to think, then formulate words, then put it to paper.  This process helps us integrate our whole self.  We will also focus upon action.

1.  Are you part of any “group” (outside of church)?

2.  What is the group’s purpose?

3.  How do people become part of the group?

4.  What is the purpose of the church?

5.  How do people become part of your church?

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, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.