S.U.M. It Up! 6-29-22

  

The Challenge for 6-26-22

"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.

Our 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.

Here is The Challenge for 6-26-22.

               1.  Have you suffered injustice?

               2.  What is your greatest frustration with injustice?

               3.  Who can you help who is suffering injustice

               4.  What have you learned from injustice?

               5.  Does your perspective need adjusted?

Journals and pens are available at Kenwood for anyone who wants them.  If you are unable to pick them up at the church, I can mail them to you.  Just contact me via email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org) or phone call (248 417-9218).

6-26-22 Kenwood Church Live Stream

MY HOPE IS IN YOU: The Heart Broken by Injustice 6-26-22

MY HOPE IS IN YOU: The Heart Broken by Injustice 6-26-22

INTRODUCTION

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?” This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

                              Psalm 73:1-28 NIV

I.  HINDSIGHT’S WISDOM

“Life must be lived forward.  Unfortunately it can only be understood backward.”

                         Anonymous

               A.  An Informed position

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.”

                              Psalm 73:1

               B.  The real problem

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.”

                              Psalm 73:2 NIV

“For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

                              Psalm 73:3 NIV

II.  LIFE’S INEQUITIES

               A.  The Danger of the Unknown

“They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.”

                              Psalm 73:4-9 NIV

               B.  The Arrogance of the Wicked

“They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?””

                              Psalm 73:11 NIV

               C.  Perspective, perspective, perspective

“This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.”

                              Psalms 73:12 NIV

III.  FRUSTRATION’S RESPONSE

"I never have frustrations. The reason is to wit: If at first I dont succeed, I quit"

                         Anonymous

It requires wisdom to understand wisdom; the music is nothing if the audience is deaf.

                         Anonymous

               A.  Vanity

“Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.”

                              Psalm 73:13 NIV

               B.  No hope

“All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.”

                              Psalm 73:14 NIV

               C.  Too honest

“If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.”

                              Psalm 73:15 NIV

               D.  Vexing

“When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply”

                              Psalm 73:16 NIV

IV.  WISDOM’S ANSWERS

“till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.”

                              Psalm 73:17 NIV

               A.  The End of the Wicked

“Then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.”

                              Psalm 73:17b-20 NIV

               B.  The Beginning of Wisdom

“When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.”

                              Psalm 73:21-22 NIV

               C.  The Instruction of God 

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.”

                              Psalms 73:23-24 NIV

V.  WHAT ASAPH LEARNED

               Principle #1: God is my resource.

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”

                              Psalm 73:25 NIV

               Principle #2: God is my strength.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

                              Psalm 73:26 NIV

               Principle #3: God is responsible for justice.

“Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.”

                              Psalm 73:27 NIV

“Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?””

                              Genesis 18:25 NIV

               Principle #4: I am responsible for my nearness to God.

“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

                              Psalm 73:28 NIV

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

                              James 4:8a NIV

VI.  THE DIFFERENCE PERSPECTIVE MAKES

When I think of perspective I am often reminded of a conversation between Nicholas Mokelke and his son in the summer he turned four. That spring, Mark had asked for a spot in the family garden to call his own. He turned the soil, broke the clumps, and planted his favorite vegetable--corn. Toward the middle of July, Mark was concerned that his corn was not growing fast enough. His dad tried to reassure him that the corn was doing just fine by quoting him the familiar benchmark used by farmers, "...knee-high by the fourth of July."

NIcholas’ lesson came with his retort: "My knees or yours?"

                              Nicholas Mokelke, Bits and Pieces, September 19, 1991, p. 2.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

                              Matthew 5:8 NIV

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?””

                              Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV

“All the Way My Savior Leads Me” by Fanny Crosby in 1875

All the way my Savior leads me;

  What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

  Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,

  Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate’er befall me,

  Jesus doeth all things well,

For I know, whate’er befall me,

  Jesus doeth all things well

CONCLUSION

Hindsight’s wisdom, frustration’s response, wisdom’s answer, what Asaph learned, the difference perspective makes.

CHALLENGE

What will you do with what you have just heard?  How will you respond to the Holy Spirit working within you?  The Challenge is intended to give us an opportunity to contemplate what God is calling us to do in our lives.  Consider these questions and write down your answers. 

               1.  Have you suffered injustice?

               2.  What is your greatest frustration with injustice?

               3.  Who can you help who is suffering injustice

               4.  What have you learned from injustice?

               5.  Does your perspective need adjusted?

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! 6-22-22

 

The Challenge for 6-19-22

 "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.

Our 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.

Here is The Challenge for 6-19-22.

               1.  On a scale of 1-10, how stressed are you right now?

               2.  Is there anything you can do to relieve some of the stress?

               3.  Have you cried to God for help?

               4.  Are you committed to praise God in all situations?

               5.  How do you need to humble yourself before God?

Journals and pens are available at Kenwood for anyone who wants them.  If you are unable to pick them up at the church, I can mail them to you.  Just contact me via email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org) or phone call (248 417-9218).

6-19-22 Kenwood Church Live Stream

MY HOPE IS IN YOU: The Heart Broken by Stress 6-19-22

MY HOPE IS IN YOU: The Heart Broken by Stress 6-19-22

INTRODUCTION

Reality is the leading cause of stress among those in touch with it.

                              Lily Tomlin

Charlie Chaplin “Modern Times” - his last silent film (with added sound affects)

Chaplin's last 'silent' film, filled with sound effects, was made when everyone else was making talkies. Charlie turns against modern society, the machine age, (The use of sound in films ?) and progress. Firstly we see him frantically trying to keep up with a production line, tightening bolts. He is selected for an experiment with an automatic feeding machine, but various mishaps leads his boss to believe he has gone mad, and Charlie is sent to a mental hospital - When he gets out, he is mistaken for a communist while waving a red flag, sent to jail, foils a jailbreak, and is let out again. We follow Charlie through many more escapades before the film is out. 

                              Quote from Colin_Tinto<cst@imbd.com

Everyone is familiar with stress.  We experience it in varying forms and degrees every day. In small doses, stress can be beneficial to us. It is only when the stress becomes too great, affecting our physical or mental functioning, that it becomes a problem.

               www.emedicinehealth.com

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. Lord, the Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me. For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children; for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me. Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards. But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes. You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. But as for me, afflicted and in pain— may your salvation, God, protect me. I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live! The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.”

                              Psalms 69:1-36 NIV

I.  THE CAUSES OF STRESS

               A.  Life’s Instability

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.”

                              Psalms 69:1-2 NIV

               B.  Unmet Expectations

“I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.”

                              Psalms 69:3 NIV

               C.  Overwhelming Opposition

“Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.”

                              Psalms 69:4 NIV

               D.  Personal Failures

“You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you.”

                              Psalms 69:5 NIV

               E.  Public Shame

“Lord, the Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me. For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children; for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me. Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.”

                              Psalms 69:6-12 NIV

II.  A CRY FOR HELP

               A.  The Basis for His Cry

“But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.”

                              Psalms 69:13 NIV

“Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.”

                              Psalms 69:17 NIV

“My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.”

                              Psalms 31:15 NIV

               B.  The Nature of His Request

“Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.”

                              Psalms 69:14-15 NIV

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 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!””

                              Matthew 14:22-30 NIV

               C.  The Hope in His Heart

“Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes.”

                              Psalms 69:16-18 NIV

               D.  The Hatred of Men

“You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”

                              Psalms 69:19-21 NIV

III.  A CALL FOR JUDGMENT

“May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.”

                              Psalms 69:22-28 NIV

Imprecatory psalms - a cry for vengeance

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

                              Romans 8:26-27 NIV

“But as for me, afflicted and in pain— may your salvation, God, protect me.”

                              Psalms 69:29 NIV

IV.  A COMMITMENT TO PRAISE

“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live!”

                              Psalms 69:30-32 NIV

               A.  The Promise of Prayer

“The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them,”

                              Psalms 69:33-34 NIV

               B.  The Presence of God

“for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.”

                              Psalms 69:35-36 NIV

CONCLUSION

The causes of stress, a cry for help, a call for judgment, a commitment to praise

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

                              1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

“All Your Anxiety” by Edward H. Joy, 1920

1. Is there a heart o’erbound by sorrow?

Is there a life weighed down by care?

Come to the cross, each burden bearing;

All your anxiety—leave it there.

Refrain:

All your anxiety, all your care,

Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there,

Never a burden He cannot bear,

Never a friend like Jesus!

2. No other friend so swift to help you,

No other friend so quick to hear,

No other place to leave your burden,

No other one to hear your prayer.

3. Come then at once; delay no longer!

Heed His entreaty kind and sweet,

You need not fear a disappointment;

You shall find peace at the mercy seat.

Video – Peace (Official Lyric Video) – Bethel Music featuring We the Kingdom

CHALLENGE

What will you do with what you have just heard?  How will you respond to the Holy Spirit working within you?  The Challenge is intended to give us an opportunity to contemplate what God is calling us to do in our lives.  Consider these questions and write down your answers. 

               1.  On a scale of 1-10, how stressed are you right now?

               2.  Is there anything you can do to relieve some of the stress?

               3.  Have you cried to God for help?

               4.  Are you committed to praise God in all situations?

               5.  How do you need to humble yourself before God?

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.