The Challenge for 10-30-22

"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.

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.

 "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 10-30-22.

               1.  Does your mind move you to action?

               2.  Does your love move you to action?

               3.  What does unity of soul (spirit) look like?

               4.  What is our common purpose?

               5.  What action do you need to take right now?

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).

10-30-22 Kenwood Church Live Stream

UNITY IN JESUS: what unity looks like 10-30-22

UNITY IN JESUS: what unity looks like 10-30-22

 

Unity 

 

Jesus’ prayer

Jesus example for us

A theological reality

A practical difficulty

 

The late columnist Mike Royko writes about a conversation he had with Slats Grobnik, a man who sold Christmas trees.

 

Slats remembered one couple on the hunt for a Christmas tree.  The guy was skinny with a big Adam’s apple and small chin, and she was kind of pretty.  But both wore clothes from the bottom of the bin of the Salvation Army store.

 

After finding only trees that were too expensive, they found a Scotch pine that was okay on one side, but pretty bare on the other.  Then they picked up another tree that was not much better—full on one side, scraggly on the other.

 

She whispered something, and he asked if $3 would be okay.  Slats figured both trees would not be sold, so he agreed.

 

A few days later Slats was walking down the street and saw a beautiful tree in the couple’s apartment.  It was thick and well rounded.

 

He knocked on their door and they told him how they worked the two trees close together where the branches were thin.  Then they tied the trunks together.  The branches overlapped and formed a tree so thick you couldn’t see the wire.

 

Slats described it as "a tiny forest of its own."  "So that’s the secret," Slats asserts.  "You take two trees that aren’t perfect, that have flaws, that might even be homely, that maybe nobody else would want. If you put them together just right, you can come up with something really beautiful."

 

 [Beauty of Unity, Citation: Mike Royko, One More Time (University of Chicago Press, 1999), pp. 85-87; submitted by Dallas Roark, Emporia, Kansas, on Sermon Central]

 

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

                           Philippians 2:1-11 NIV

 

I.  UNITY OF MIND

 

           A.  Intellect

 

            B.  Visceral need to act

 

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

                              Romans 15:5-6 NIV

 

II.  UNITY OF LOVE

 

A limerick conveys a message very pertinent to all of us in the Lord’s Body. 

 

There once were two cats of Killkenny. Each thought there was one cat too many. They fought and they spit, they clawed and they bit, till instead of two cats there weren’t any! 

 

How many times have we seen the saga of the Killkenny cats played out in the Lord’s church with the same tragic results? An arrogant, self-righteous attitude is a shame upon our Prince of Peace who lived, died and rose again that we all might be One. To spit and fight, claw and bite, in our efforts to be “top cat” is only to invite our ultimate destruction.

                         Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 7, 2002 on Sermon Central.

 

               A.  Love and feelings

 

               B.  Love and action

 

 “If you love me, keep my commands.”

                              John 14:15 NIV

 

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.””

                              John 14:21 NIV

 

III.  UNITY OF SPIRIT

 

A.W. Tozer, in his book, The Pursuit of God, tells us how to gain greater unity.

 

"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.  Literally “the same soul”

 

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 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.”

                             Ephesians 4:3-6 NIV

 

               B.  We are all connected through the Spirit, Son, and Father

 

IV.  UNITY OF MIND (EXPANDED)

 

Have you heard the Story of the Doctor who comes to a split in the road on a Vermont back country lane? The road sign at the fork points both directions for the same town. Seeing a farmer beside the road he asked him, “does it matter which road I take to get to town?” The Farmer replies, “Not to me it don’t.”

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 25, 2002 on Sermon Central.

 

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

                              1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

 

A.  Thought

           B.  Purpose

 

CONCLUSION

 

Maybe you remember hearing a few years ago about the “The Three Tenors.” Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Jose Carreras, three of the world’s most renowned voices. They performed together at a concert in L.A.

 

In a press conference, one reporter tried to stir up a little competition between the three, maybe hoping to liven up his story.

 

Refusing to take the bait, Placido Domingo told him, "You have to put all of your concentration into opening your heart to the music. You can’t be rivals when you’re together making music."

                         Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 7, 2009 on Sermon Central.

 

Unity of mind, unity of love, unity of spirit, unity of purpose

 

The example of Jesus shows us that action is the greatest indication of unity.

 

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.  Does your mind move you to action?

               2.  Does your love move you to action?

               3.  What does unity of soul (spirit) look like?

               4.  What is our common purpose?

               5.  What action do you need to take right now?

 

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! 10-26-22

The Challenge for 10-23-22

"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.

 "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 10-23-22.

          1.  How do you know what we should agree upon?

               2.  Why does Paul connect agreement and what we say?

               3.  What causes division in the church?

               4.  How do we become perfectly united in mind and thought?

               5.  Are you currently involved in a quarrel with someone in the body of Christ?

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).

10-23-22 Kenwood Church Live Stream

UNITY IN JESUS: a practical difficulty 10-23-22

UNITY IN JESUS: a practical difficulty 10-23-22

 

Unity

 

Jesus example for us

 

We are all children of God.

We are all one.

We are heirs.

 

The truth has to be lived out in reality.  Too often Christianity is something we have only intermittent commitment to.

 

A little boy on a farm illustrated this concept of Christianity. One day the pastor came to visit and was sitting in the living room visiting with the boy’s mother. The preacher was seated in a corner chair, so the boy did not see him as he came running into the room with a rat by the tail.

 

The boy said, “Mama, I found this rat and I hit him with a board, and then I threw him against the barn, and then I kicked him, and then I stomped him…”

 

At that moment, the boy caught a glimpse of the preacher, so he turned to the preacher and continued, “and then, Pastor, the Lord called him home” 

 

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

                             1 Corinthians 1:10-13 NIV

 

I.  AGREEMENT

 

“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”

                             2 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV

 

               A.  With one another

                          1.  Brothers and sisters

                              2.  In Christ

               B.  In what you say

 

“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”

                             1 Timothy 4:13 NIV

                          1.  Doctrine

                              2.  The name of Jesus

 

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

                             2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV

 

II.  NO DIVISIONS

 

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment.

 

The next week, the man realized that he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight to Chicago. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (AND LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper,

 

"Please wake me at 5:00 AM."

 

The next morning the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and that he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife didn’t get him up when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said,

 

"It is 5:00 AM. Wake up"

 

               A.  NO divisions

 

“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.”

                             1 Corinthians 11:17-18 NIV

 

“But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”

                             1 Corinthians 12:24b-25 NIV

 

          B.  Perfectly united

 

Oneness

 

A three-year-old girl was listening intently to the children’s sermon one Sunday morning at her church. The minister explained that God wants everyone to get along and love each other.

 

“God wants us all to be one,” he said.

 

To which the little girl replied, “But I don’t want to be one. I want to be four!”...

 

              C.  United in mind and thought

 

III.  QUARRELS

 

In Winchester, Ohio there’s a church called the Bethlehem Church of Christ. It’s been in existence for over 150 years, and over the years different events have been recorded in their “history” book. One of their recent ministers was reading back over the different entries in this book when he ran across the following item from the year 1840:

 

“We had fighting right here at home. The Democrats and Republicans were so bitter against one another, it broke the church up.”

 

One eyewitness reported a fist fight over the issue: “Two of our best men fought to a finish. One wanted to know if the other had enough. He said he had, so he let him up.”

 

According to a survey conducted in 2004, preachers from across the nation were asked what topic they felt hadn’t been properly covered in their Bible college training and the top answer was:

 

Conflict management - 31%.

                              (From a sermon by Teddy Walker, The Spirit of Korah, 6/30/2010)

 

        A.  Following humans

       B.  “Following Christ”

 

How many different ways are there to eat an Oreo? Some of us simply start eating it, nibbling at it as if we had all the time in the world. Some of us will twist it apart and lick the filling out first. Some of us will get a glass of milk and hold the Oreo in there until it almost ready to fall apart, and at the last minute pull it out and eat the whole thing in one bite!

 

Does it really matter how we eat the Oreo? In the end, the Oreo is still being eaten!

 

               C.  Is Christ divided?

                              1.  We are the body of Christ

                              2.  We are united like He is united with His Father.

 

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.”

                              John 17:22-23a NIV

 

CONCLUSION

 

We need to be in agreement united in mind and thought.  We need to have no divisions.  We need to have no quarrels.

 

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.  How do you know what we should agree upon?

               2.  Why does Paul connect agreement and what we say?

               3.  What causes division in the church?

               4.  How do we become perfectly united in mind and thought?

               5.  Are you currently involved in a quarrel with someone in the body of 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, 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.