3-31-24 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

S.U.M. It Up! 3-27-24

   

3-24-24 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

Kingdom Treasure: Go Fish 3-24-24

Kingdom Treasure: Go Fish 3-24-24

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Week one we learned that the Kingdom is worth any price, and that no matter what we have to give up to live in relationship with Jesus, it is worth it. 

 

Week two we learned that God’s Kingdom starts small but grows to make a major impact in the world around us. 

 

Last week we discovered that when the Kingdom of God is planted in the hearts of faithful Christians, it takes root and produces a wonderful harvest in them and through them.

 

Today we are going to take a look at one more Kingdom treasure that helps us experience the full life of God. The imagery that Jesus uses in this passage is one that I love, because I love to fish.

 

FISHING ROD

 

Illustration: One of my favorite pastimes is to go fishing. My son loves to fish too.  When you go fishing, you go with one goal in mind: to catch as many fish as possible. I typically don’t care what kind of fish is taking my bait, just as long as I am catching something. Usually, the key to successful fishing is being in the right place at the right time. Making sure you are presenting something that fish want is important as well. That is the way to catch as many fish as possible.

 

I.  GOD WANTS US TO KNOW THAT HE IS A GOOD FISHERMAN

 

Jesus gives one more parable explaining what the Kingdom of God is like in the book of Matthew. There are multiple instances where Jesus is trying to give handles for people to get their hands around what God’s work in the world is like and how they can be a part of it. Once again, Jesus is speaking to a large group of people, and here is what He said.

 

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

        Matthew 13:47-50 NIV

 

           A.  God uses a net (not a rod).

         B.  God’s net can catch many fish (unlike a rod).

         C.  God’s net requires many workers (unlike a rod).

           1.  Teamwork

                    2.  Effort of many

 

NET

 

Illustration: So, a net looks like it is made up of one continuous piece of string that is woven together to make a tool that can catch fish. However, a net is actually many pieces of string or rope that are tied together to make a strong net for many fish.

 

Story: City Mission in metro Cleveland.  Suburban kids reaching out to inner city kids.  The early church was diverse.

 

II.  GOD WANTS US TO FISH LIKE SOMEONE’S LIFE DEPENDS ON IT

 

Fishing for a living v. Fishing for enjoyment

   1.  Vocation v. Hobby

  2.  Necessity v. Luxury

          3.  Need v. Want

 

Dr. Daniel B. Wallace has taught Greek and New Testament courses on a graduate school level since 1979. He wrote about this idea based on Matthew 4 “19 He said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people.” 20 They left their nets immediately and followed him.” “It’s strange how we read the Bible: we filter everything through our own worldview, our own culture, our own life-setting. Then, when we discover that our perspective is not that of the Bible’s, we resist the truth. This even happens over simple interpretive issues—such as Jesus’ analogy of fishing. Even though passages like Matthew 4:18-22 are plain enough, we still often have blinders on our eyes. Many a preacher has elaborated on the analogy along the lines of a fishing pole, reel, line, and hook.”

 

The church has forgotten how to fish with a net. We keep teaching evangelism in a way that looks like fishing with a rod and reel so you only catch one at a time. Dr. Daniel B. Wallace makes several points about net fishing and evangelism:

           • They are both labor intensive

           • Greater focus on the work than the skill

           • The need for persistence and dedication to the task (often in spite of minimal results)

           • The infinite value of the new “catch” (people)

 

           A.  God is patient.

 

”The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.“

           2 Peter 3:9 NIV

 

           B.  God is looking for fishers of men.

 

”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.“

        Matthew 4:18-20 NIV

 

           C.  God is calling us to work hard at our craft.

 

Rick Palmer writes:

 

While fishing in the dark in a very deep canyon can present very obvious problems it can produce some unexpected experiences as well.

 

It was a warm summer night about 2:00 AM, dark would be an understatement as the moon was nonexistent at least in the bottom of our canyon. Trout was the target in this midsize river. We were fishing in a pool below Rapids, at a bend in the River. Our bait of choice, grasshoppers With a small split shot weight about 10 inches up the line. A short cast upstream With a natural drift was producing very well. I decided to change it up a bit, Casting high and hard trying to reach the rapids around the bend, however my line kept peeling from my spinning reel. I closed the bail on the reel and my line pulled tight with my rod tip pointing up toward the night sky. It seems a bat swooped down and caught the grass hopper and was carrying it off.

 

You never know what you might catch when you go fishing.

 

III.  GOD WANTS US TO BE THE NET

 

“Come follow me.”

 

           A.  We are the net.

 

Mother Theresa - “Joy is a net of love in which you can catch souls.” 

 

           B.  We are to get our hands dirty.

           C.  We are the bait.

 

Illustration: There once was a young salesman who was disappointed about losing a big sale, and as he talked with his sales manager he lamented, "I guess it just proves you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." The manager replied, "Son, take my advice: Your job is not to make him drink. Your job is to make him thirsty." So it is with sharing our faith. Our lives should be so filled with Christ that they create a thirst for the Gospel. 

 

CONCLUSION

 

God is a good fisherman.  God wants us to fish like someone’s life depends on it.  God wants us to the be the net.

 

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! 3-20-24

   

3-17-24 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

Kingdom Treasure: God Grows Things 3-17-24

Kingdom Treasure: God Grows Things 3-17-24

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The Kingdom of God is like buried treasure.

The Kingdom of God is like tiny yeast.

 

POTTED PLANT

 

Illustration: On stage with me today I have this plant. It is a pretty impressive plant, actually. Vibrant green leaves. It is hard to believe that this plant began as a small seed placed in the ground. Before it had roots, a stem, branches, leaves, and fruit, it was nothing more than a tiny seed. It takes a lot of time and patience to see this kind of growth take place. It takes the right kind of soil and conditions to become a mature plant.

 

The scripture we visit today has a lot to do with this plant that you see with me on stage. Our next Kingdom treasure is found in a parable, or story, that Jesus tells a group of people.

 

”He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”“

        Matthew 13:31-32 NIV

 

    A.  Mustard seed

                      1.  1-2 millimeters

                    2.  Could become a plant over 6 feet tall.

                     3.  Birds could perch on the branches.

 

I.  THE KINGDOM IS A SEED

 

There is actually another passage of scripture where Jesus tells another story about seeds of the Kingdom.

 

”Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”“

        Matthew 13:3-9 NIV

 

        A.  Seeds begin small.

 

Story: The first church I served, Northside Christian Church, started with 35 people.  It grew into a small church and remained small for about 10 years.  I was blessed to serve there while the church grew some more, about 600 people worshipped there each Lord’s Day by 1996.  Today they number well over 1000 on any given Sunday.  They are what they are today because of that seed of 35 people over 40 years ago.

 

         B.  Seeds have potential.

 

         C.  Seeds only reproduce what they are.

 

        D.  Seeds require the proper soil.

                      1.  The hard path is not the proper soil.

                      2.  The rocky places are not the proper soil.

                      3.  The thorns are not the proper soil.

                    4.  Good soil is the proper soil.

                                 a.  100 times yield

                                 b.  60 times yield

                                 c.  30 times yield

 

II.  THE SEED IS THE GOSPEL SOWN INTO PEOPLE’S HEARTS

 

”“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”“

        Matthew 13:18-23 NIV

 

BEAN

 

                      A.  The seed must be sown to grow.

                      B.  The soil must accept the seed to grow.

                    C.  Seeds grow where they can.

 

Story: The back of our yard was once a dog run under a bunch of pine trees.  Grass would not grow back there.  Many years ago we put about 6 inches of wood chips back there.  Now we have every type of weed that is looking for good soil growing there.  The wood decayed and created a rich soil that seeds readily grow in.

 

III.  IT’S NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE SEED; IT’S A PROBLEM WITH THE SOIL

 

           A.  The hard soil of the hard heart.

 

Story: Several years back, my dad developed a sore on his foot because he could not feel his feet.  He is 6 foot 8 inches tall and does not fit well into a hospital bed.  Because of his length, his feet rested on the foot board.  Due to his neuropathy, he could not feel the sore developing on his foot.  The lack of sensation kept him from perceiving the reality of his situation.

 

           B.  The rocky soil of the superficial heart.

 

Story: Paula and I have the remnants of a pool deck in our back yard.  The previous owners planted large shrubs on the back side of the deck.  Pavers and rocks were put around the shrubs to keep weeds from growing.  When we cut the shrubs down, we had to get all the pavers and rocks out of the area so we could put in a new garden.

 

           C.  The thorny soil of the distracted heart.

 

Story: We have wild black raspberries on our property.  I believe they are a remnant of berries on our land from before it was developed.  We have pulled them.  We have moved them.  We have given them away.  They are a problem because where they grow you cannot easily grow anything else.  They will stick you.  They will entangle you.  They will make you spend your time on them instead of what you really want to grow.  

 

           D.  The good soil of the receptive heart.

                1.  Healthy plants

                    2.  Good yield

                  3.  Future reproduction

 

Story: The majority of my grandfather’s time farming was spent making sure the soil was ready to receive the seed. It was spent making sure the ground was fertile. Each year he would take the tractor and plow and disc and pull it through the fields to break up the ground and turn it over to expose the fresh soil before they would plant.

 

CONCLUSION

 

As we close, I want you to reflect on two questions: First, what is the condition of the soil in your life? Second, are you ready to turn to Jesus and let Him do the necessary work in your life to help you position yourself in a place where the Gospel seed can grow?

 

The Kingdom is a seed.  The seed is the gospel sown into people’s lives.  When seeds do not grow, it is a problem of the soil, not the seed.

 

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! 3-13-24

   

3-10-24 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

KINGDOM TREASURE: A Little Can Be a Lot 3-10-24

KINGDOM TREASURE: A Little Can Be a Lot 3-10-24

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Last week, we discovered that the Kingdom of God is like a treasure that is buried in a field. When a man found it, he sold everything he had to have it. The Kingdom of God is worth any price, and it is a sacrifice we must make to experience a full life. Today we are discovering a new Kingdom treasure that reveals more of what God has for us.

 

Little things can make a big difference.

 

Story: In October 10, 1871, it had been a season of dryness. Little rain in sometime. The little buildings were small little WOODEN buildings. A little couple named Patrick and Catherine O’Leary lived in their little house. The little lady got up early that morning. She got a little match and she lit a little oil lamp. Later she went out to the little barn to milk their little Jersey cow. There was a little wind blowing that morning. She got a little hay and placed it in front of the little cow to milk. The cow got excited and knocked the little dim lamp over and the little fire from the little lamp caught the little hay of fire. Quickly the little fire ignited the little barn, the wind carried the fire to their little house. 

 

The fire burned from Oct. 8 to Oct 10 out of control. 17,000 buildings were destroyed, 300+ people died, 100,000 people were left homeless. The fire burned a four mile long and one mile wide area of Chicago. 

 

Finally a little rain came blowing in and the rain helped the firefighters in their effort. Looting and lawlessness broke out and martial law was declared and many companies of soldiers were called to duty to establish control again. Today the Chicago Fire Department has a training academy on the property where all the little things came together at once.

 

The truth is that just because something is small does not mean that it cannot make a big difference.

 

”He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”“

        Matthew 13:33 NIV

 

Jesus steps into the kitchen for this parable and compares the Kingdom of God to leaven or yeast that a baker uses in baking bread. In the story, a woman has 60 pounds of flour that she adds yeast to. Now, even with such a large amount of flour, the amount of yeast that would be added would be tiny in comparison. This is because yeast is a fermenting agent that is added to help the dough increase and grow. A small bit of yeast spreads throughout the dough. Too much and the dough won’t rise correctly. A little bit goes a long way.

 

Let us pray.

 

I.  A LITTLE OF GOD’S POWER CAN DO BIG THINGS

 

         A.  Small beginnings 

                  1.  Abram and his family

                      2.  A baby saves humanity

                      3.  12 apostles change the world

 

Story: Coca-cola is one product that has far outgrown its humble beginnings. In 1886, Pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton first introduced Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia. The pharmacist concocted a caramel-colored syrup in a three-legged brass kettle in his backyard. He first "distributed" Coca-Cola by carrying it in a jug down the street to Jacobs Pharmacy. Almost 140 years later, surveys show that 97% of the world has heard of Coca-Cola. 72% of the world has seen a can of Coca-Cola. 51% of the world has tasted a can of Coca-Cola. YOU KNOW WHY? All due to the fact that the Coca-Cola Company made a commitment years ago that every one on the planet would have a taste of their soft drink.

 

           B.  Big results

                      1.  God grows things

                      2.  God provides

 

”Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”“

           John 6:1-14 NIV

 

                                 a.  A boys lunch becomes a feast.

                        b.  Everyone was filled.

                               c.  There were baskets of leftovers.

 

II.  KINGDOM POWER MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

 

“With God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26b NIV

 

           A.  God can do anything.

                 1.  Change your life.

                    2.  Make you a difference maker.

                 3.  Change your world.

 

          B.  Faith makes all things possible.

 

“Everything is possible for one who believes.”

           Mark 9:23b NIV

 

                      1.  It is not our belief.

                      2.  It is our Father.

 

Story: There is a story told in the book Holy Sweat by Jim Hansel about trust between a father and son. One day, while a man and his son, Zac, were out in the country climbing around some cliffs, the man was caught off guard. He heard a voice from above him yell, "Hey Dad! Catch me!" He turned around to see Zac joyfully jumping off a rock straight at him. He had jumped and then yelled, "Hey Dad!" The father became an instant circus act, catching him in mid-air. They both fell to the ground without incident. For a moment after the man caught the boy, he could hardly talk.  

 

When he found his voice again, he gasped in exasperation: "Zac! Can you give me one good reason why you did that?" The boy responded with remarkable calmness: "Sure...because you're my Dad." His whole assurance was based on the fact that his father was trustworthy. He could live life to the hilt, because his father could be trusted.

 

III.  DON’T UNDERESTIMATE GOD

 

           A.  God can out do your imagination.

 

”Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.“

      Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

 

           B.  God can do more through you than you can imagine.

 

”Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.“

           1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

 

“There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less.”

           Kurt Hahn

 

                    1.  Stand firm.

                      2.  Let nothing move you.

                      3.  Give yourself fully to the work of the Lord.

                     4.  Trust that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

 

“Small kindnesses, small courtesies, small considerations, habitually practiced in our social intercourse, give a greater charm to the character than the display of great talent and accomplishments."

           M. A. Kelty

 

CONCLUSION

 

A little of God’s power can do big things.  Kingdom power makes all the difference.  Don’t underestimate 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.