Thoughts about Sunday's Message: 2025

Sunday, April 6, 2025

4-6-25 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

Saturday, April 5, 2025

I AM SECOND - Even Death on a Cross! - April 6, 2025

INTRODUCTION

Value others above yourselves

Not looking to your own interests

The same mindset of Christ Jesus - humility and servanthood

He let go of equality with God

Jesus made himself nothing becoming a servant in human likeness

“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

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I. A MAN

“The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.”

Martin Luther

A. In appearance as a man

1. No apparition

2. No illusion

3. No trick

JOHN'S WORDS ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ” Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:1-30‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

B. Born a man

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

Mary Ellen Ashcroft wrote in Christianity today in 1997.

“Perhaps we need to call December 25th the Celebration of the Incarnation, to greet each other with Incarnation greetings – instead of “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas” we could shout, “God chose flesh!” “God became one of us!”

“The Feast of the Incarnation is the time to dance to the descending scales of God’s throwing off omnipotence. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us – God closer than close. That’s what we could be celebrating. This is the Christmas story as it should be told. This naked God is the path to God.”

Mary Ellen Ashcroft, Christianity Today, 12-8-97.

C. God from the beginning

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

D. Fully man and fully God

1. Hypostatic union

a. 2 natures - divine, human

b. 1 substance - divine

II. A HUMBLE MAN

“That the Son of God became incarnate, took on human flesh, became one like us, and came so close to us in such a friendly way is a great story. But if the story stopped there, that is all that it would be: a great story! There is more to this story, though. It is that it has a messenger and a message. Without the messenger all we would have is a story and a story teller, but no message – and no sermon!”

Reflections from Martin Luther

A. Did not consider equality with God something to be held onto

B. He allowed Himself to be used by God

III. AN OBEDIENT MAN

A. He did not have to die

““If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ””

‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬

B. He allowed them to take His life.

““I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.””

‭‭ John‬ ‭10:14-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

IV. AN INNOCENT MAN

A. The cross was reserved for the worst of the worst

B. He was not the worst.

C. He was the best.

“But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.”

‭‭ 1 John‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

““He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.””

‭‭ 1 Peter‬ ‭2:22‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

‭‭ 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

CONCLUSION

In an article for Christian Standard magazine, preacher and college president Matt Proctor reflects on the Incarnation:

My 5-year-old, Carl, and my 3-year-old, Conrad, love it when I dress like them. After they put on jeans and a blue T-shirt, they'll come ask me to wear jeans and a blue T-shirt. When I do, they have a saying. They will survey me, survey themselves, and say, "Look, Dad—same, same." For my birthday, Carl bought me a North Carolina blue mesh shirt … because he has a North Carolina blue mesh shirt. We could be "same, same."

When I play living room football with my boys, Conrad will not let me play standing—so big and scary and towering above him. The theological term for this is "completely Other." Instead he insists I get on my knees. When I am down at eye-level, Conrad puts his hand on my shoulder and says, "There. See, Dad—same, same." They like it when I enter their world ….

This summer, I scraped my leg working on my house. When Conrad fell down and scraped his leg, he pointed at my scab, then showed me his and said, “Hey, Dad—same, same.”

Here's the point … God himself has felt what we feel. In the Incarnation, he chose not to stay "completely Other." He got down at eye-level, and in the Incarnation, God experienced what it's like to be tired and discouraged. He knows what it's like to hurt and bleed. On the cross, Jesus himself prayed a psalm of lament: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1).

In your pain, you may be tempted to say, "God, you have no idea what I'm going through. You have no idea how bad I'm hurting." But God can respond, "Yes, I do." He can point to your wounds and then to his own and say, "Look: same, same. Me too. I have entered your world, and I know how you feel. I have been there, I am with you now, I care, and I can help."

Found at http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=783

“It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.” In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:5-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

Jesus came to us as a man. A humble man. An obedient man. An innocent man.

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.

Sunday, March 30, 2025

3-30-25 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

Saturday, March 29, 2025

I AM SECOND - Nothing - March 30, 2025

INTRODUCTION

Value others above yourselves

Not looking to your own interests

The same mindset of Christ Jesus - humility and servanthood

He let go of equality with God

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭2:1-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I. JESUS MADE HIMSELF NOTHING

Kenosis - emptying

“From the Greek the word kenôsis (κένωσις) has passed into theological language, appearing here and there in the Fathers, frequently in modern treatises. Of recent years much has been said upon this great mystery in the direction of proving or suggesting that during “the days of His Flesh” (Hebrews 5:7)the Lord (practically) parted with His Deity; becoming the (Incarnate) Son of God only in His glorification after death. Such a view seems to contravene many plain testimonies of the Gospels, and most of all the pervading toneof the Gospels, as they present to us in the Lord Jesus on earth a Figure “meek and lowly” indeed, but always infinitely and mysteriously majestic; significantly dependent indeed on the Father, and on the Spirit, but always speaking to man in the manner of One able to deal sovereignly with all man’s needs.”

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

A. Jesus own action

1. Emptying

2. Made himself nothing

B. Nothing

1. No reputation

2. Empty

C. The humiliation

A woman took her husband to the doctor’s office. After his checkup, the doctor said, "Your husband is suffering from a very serious infection." The husband, who was hard of hearing said, "What did he say?"

His wife said, "He says you’re sick".

The doctor went on. "But there is hope. You just need to reduce his stress. Each morning, give him a healthy breakfast. Be pleasant, nice, and kind. For lunch and dinner make him his favorite meal. Don’t discuss your problems with him; it will only make his stress worse. Don’t yell at him or argue with him. And most importantly...just cater to your husband’s every whim. If you can do this for your husband for the next 6 months to a year, I think your husband will have a complete recovery."

The husband said, "What did he say?"

His wife said, "He says, you’re going to die".

It might be funny, but many of us would rather doing anything else than humbly serve.

II. JESUS TOOK THE VERY NATURE OF A SERVANT

J. B. Lightfoot’s brief note says nearly all that can be said with reverent certainty: “ ‘He divested Himself’ not of His Divine nature, for this was impossible, but of the glories, the prerogatives, of Deity. This He did by taking upon Him the form of a servant.”

“A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles Lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”

‭‭ Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭24‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A. “Slave-form”

1. Slave to God

2. Slave to men

B. Manifestation, not resemblance

“Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭25‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

C. Prophecy

““Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.””

‭‭ Isaiah‬ ‭42‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

III. JESUS WAS MADE IN HUMAN LIKENESS

A. Born

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”

‭‭ Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

B. Sameness

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

‭‭ Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

1. Not an apparition

2. Not an illusion

C. Nature

“For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,”

‭‭ Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

CONCLUSION

“Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.”

‭‭ 1 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”

‭‭ Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

God could empathize with us.

When visiting the Hawaiian Island many tourists will visit the island of Molokai. It has quiet charm, gentle breezes and a soft surf. Father Damien came to the island for a different reason. He came to help people die. He came there because leprosy came there first. No one knows how leprosy came to Hawaii but the first case recorded was about 1840.

While no one can trace the source of the disease the results are well known; disfigurement, pain, decay and panic. The government responded by depositing those with leprosy to a small part of the island surrounded on three sides by water and a tall mountain on the 4th. Colleen and I had the opportunity years ago to hike down the mountain to village.

The lepers lived there in shanties with limited food. Ships would drop off crates of food and hoped the sea would float the supplies to the land. The message was clear. You are not valuable anymore. But for Father Damian the message was different.

He wrote: “I want to sacrifice myself for the poor lepers.” He immersed himself in their world, hugging them, dressing their sores, burying their dead. His choir sang in rags and received communion with stumped hands. Because they mattered to God they mattered to him.

Somewhere along the way, through a touch of kindness or sharing of communion, the disease passed from member to Father Damian. He became a leper and on April 15, 1889 he died of the disease. Scientists now know the disease as “Hansen’s Disease” and have learned how to treat it. We no longer quarantine lepers to islands like Molokai.

Their lives were never the same once they contracted leprosy. When Father Damien brought the love and good news of Jesus, they were never the same again. They knew they had the gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

Clarence Eisberg, Sermon Central, August 4, 2022.

Jesus made himself nothing. Jesus took the very nature of a servant. Jesus was made in human likeness.

“Servanthood is an ‘acquired’ taste for many. How many of you enjoy coffee? Of those that do, how many of you enjoyed coffee as a small child? The taste for coffee came with a maturing of your palate. For many Christians, a heart of servanthood towards others does not come naturally, but with a ‘maturing’ of Christian character.”

Timothy O’Fallon, Sermon Central, June 27, 2004.

Rick Warren posed an interesting question, “When was the last time you emptied yourself for someone else’s benefit?”

INVITATION

Sunday, March 23, 2025

3-23-25 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

Saturday, March 22, 2025

I AM SECOND - Equality with God - March 23, 2025

INTRODUCTION

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

‭‭ Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Value others above yourselves

Not looking to your own interests

The same mindset of Christ Jesus - humility and servanthood

Tests of True Humility - this is "tricky"

1. Do you feel joy when others are honored?

2. Do you honestly and openly admit sin?

3. Do you seek truth from others regarding your weaknesses?

4. Do you accept criticism graciously?

5. Do you turn all worry, anxiety and concern over to the Lord?

6. Do you respond with humility when you have been replaced?

7. Do you pursue godliness in all that you do?

8. Do you feel you can answer yes to most of these questions?

If most of your answers are yes—take a look at yourself—you may have failed the test of True Humility!

Dr. Larry Petton, Sermon Central, December 8, 2020.

“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 yoc ur 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. CHRIST JESUS, BEING IN VERY NATURE GOD

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;”

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“Jesus was God spelling himself out in language humanity could understand.”

S.D. Gordon

A. Trinity

B. God’s son

C. His nature

II. CHRIST JESUS, EQUALITY WITH GOD

Rick Warren said: HUMILITY is not “thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A. Hierarchy

“I and the Father are one.” Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭10‬:‭30‬-‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

B. Sameness

“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

C. Quality

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,”

‭‭ Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

III. CHRIST JESUS, EQUALITY WITH GOD USED TO HIS OWN ADVANTAGE

A pastor was given an award for humility. A week later, the congregation took the award back because the pastor displayed it in his office!

Anonymous

“Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭14‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A. Advantage - human but above humanity

B. Advantage - keeping it about him

C. Advantage - holding onto

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.” “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭59‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

CONCLUSION

Bruce Ball said, “When I was a teenager, I remember telling my father that I wanted to be a successful businessman when I grew up. He asked me what type of business I wanted to work in, and I told him I didn't know, I just wanted to be a businessman. Looking back, I was seeing myself as somebody others would look up to. Not a good reason to do anything in life! So much for the detailed thinking of a teenage boy!

But I remember my father gave me two pieces of information, and both have proven themselves to be true and of great worth.

He said, "A great man is always willing to live in the shadows of his success," and then he followed that bit of wisdom up with, "The most difficult secret for a person to keep is the opinion he has of himself."”

Bruce Ball, Sermon Central, April 21, 2011.

Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

The true test of humility is whether you can say grace before eating crow.

Robert Orben

INVITATION

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

S.U.M. It Up! 3-19-25

Sunday, March 16, 2025

3-16-25 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

Sunday, March 9, 2025

3-9-25 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

Saturday, March 8, 2025

I AM SECOND - Not looking to your own interests - March 9, 2025

INTRODUCTION

I am second.

We must value others above ourself.

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭2:1-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.

I. Submission is a fundamental Christian practice.

“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.”

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

‭‭ Ephesians‬ ‭5:21-33‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

A. Submission defined by Merriam-Webster.com

submission noun

sub· mis· sion

səb-ˈmi-shən

1a: a legal agreement to submit to the decision of arbitrators

b: an act of submitting something (as for consideration or inspection)

also : something submitted (such as a manuscript)

2: the condition of being submissive, humble, or compliant

3: an act of submitting to the authority or control of another

B. Submission practiced.

Christin Ditchfield, in a recent issue of Focus on The Family magazine, writes that basically Mary took the news in stride.

“[She] didn’t demand a sign,” notes Ditchfield, “some sort of proof or additional confirmation. She voiced no complaint at the total disruption of her life. She knew now that things would not turn out the way she had planned at all.” She concludes, “But in her heart there was no resistance, no rebellion. Just a sweet, simple submission-surrender to the will of God.”

Christin Ditchfield, Focus on the Family Magazine.

C. Submission propagated.

II. Actions Speak Louder Than Words

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

‭‭ James‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”

‭‭ Titus‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Jill Briscoe talks about the difference between her family and her husband, Stuart's, family and what that brought to their own marriage. She says, "My father, a quiet, gentle man, considered himself head of his home: protector, defender, and provider. My mom was a sweet, Scottish-born Presbyterian. She believed in the sovereignty of God and her husband. My father adored my mother, put his considerable business assets into her name, and looked to her to raise the children. When my sister came of age, my father supported her when she became an excellent car mechanic and raced cars. Eventually she took her place at his side as partner in his successful car business.

"Stuart's family was strict, conservative evangelical. His father was an elder in a small local assembly of believers, and he took seriously his responsibility to rule the household well. He considered himself the authority in his family, while his wife, a bright, articulate, efficient lady, considered herself in subjection to her husband in everything, carrying those convictions to her dress, her hair style, and silence in the presence of men at the church.

"Newly converted at a college in Cambridge and having just been introduced to Stuart's family," Jill says, "I remember wondering greatly about this amazing mode of doing things. I sensed an unconscious frustration of unexplored desires and frustrated gifts in my mother-in-law. It was as if those gifts sat meekly inside her heart with eyes downcast and wearing a hat.

"In that moment as a new believer," Jill says, "I believe I stumbled on an important truth of what submission isn't. Submission isn't sitting down on the outside while you're standing up on the inside."

Jill Briscoe, "Hilarious Hupotasso," Preaching Today, Tape No.117. From a sermon by C. Philip Green, Grace at Home-Part I, 6/11/2011.

Submission is more about what we do than what we don’t do.

A. Submission is grounded in action

1. Husbands must love.

2. Wives must respect.

Several years ago, while ministering in Florida, I was about to speak in chapel for our Church’s preschool, and my wife was supposed to lead singing. But it was time to start and Deb was on the phone, and I became impatient. So, when I went out to the auditorium, our Preschool Director, asked me, "Where’s Deb?" And I said in front of her and several teachers, "This is no news flash, but she’s on the phone yakking her head off!"

You ever said something and as soon as it’s out, you wish you could take it back? Well, that was how I felt, especially when I turned around and there was Deb looking right behind me, giving me the look of, "How could you?" After chapel she asked me to step in one of the side rooms. She said, "I would really appreciate it if you never criticized me like that in public." You see, she submitted her idea...and I received her idea.

Timothy Smith, Sermon Central, May 3, 2008.

B. Vows are meaningless without corresponding actions.

There were two lines of husbands in heaven, one for the dominant husbands and one for the passive, submissive husbands. The submissive husband line extended almost out of sight. There was one man in the dominant husband line. He was small, timid, appeared anything but a dominant husband. When the angel inquired as to why he was in this line, he said, "My wife told me to stand here."

C. Lordship is meaningless without corresponding action.

When the early Christians declared their faith in baptism, they would shout out, “Jesus is Lord!” Baptism has always been a sign of submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. William Barker tells of a machinist at Ford Motor Company in Detroit many years ago who became a Christian and was baptized. Shortly after he got saved, the Holy Spirit convicted him of his need to make restitution for some car parts and tools he had stolen from the company before he had become a Christian. The next morning he brought everything back to his employer, explaining how he had just been baptized and wanted to make things right. His boss was dumbfounded so he sent a cable to Mr. Ford, who was out of the country, asking him how he should handle the situation. Mr. Ford sent an immediate reply: “Make a dam in the Detroit River, and baptize the entire city!”

Brian Bill, Sermon Central, “Taking the Plunge”, 10/25/2009.

III. Looking to the Interests of Others

“not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A. How familiar are you with the interests of others?

B. How can you actively “look” to the interests of others?

C. Whose interest can you impact this week?

A certain lady was celebrating her 85th birthday and was asked by a reporter what advice she would have for others. Here's what she said: "Stay busy helping others." Then she was asked what she did. Her answer: "I look after an old lady in our neighborhood."

Bruce Howell, Sermon Central, June 11, 2003.

Jesus did not come to be served but to serve.

CONCLUSION

Submission is a fundamental practice. Actions speak louder than words. We should be looking to the interests of others.

Seatbelts can be a hassle. Some people just don’t want to be bothered even when the law requires them to buckle up. According to the Associated Press, a New Zealander named Ivan Segedin took it to an extreme.

The police ticketed him 32 times over five years for failing to use his seat belt. Even though this was costing him big money, Segedin refused to buckle up. Finally, instead of obeying the law, the man decided to rely on deception. He made a fake seat belt that would hang over his shoulder and make it appear that he was wearing a seat belt when he was not.

His trick worked for a while. Then, he had a head-on collision. He was thrown forward onto the steering wheel and killed.

Discussing the accident, the coroner described the fake seat belt: "Though his car was fitted with seat belts, an extra belt with a long strap had been knotted above the seat belt on the driver’s side, providing a belt to simply sit over the driver’s shoulder."

Craig Brian Larson, "Fake seat belt to fool police causes death of New Zealand driver," The Associated Press, 2-22-08.

Fake submission is a dangerous practice. As we submit to others, our actions must correspond to that submission. Look out for the interests of others.

I am second.

INVITATION

Thursday, March 6, 2025

S.U.M. It Up! 3-6-25

Sunday, March 2, 2025

3-2-25 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

Saturday, March 1, 2025

I AM SECOND - Value Others Above Yourselves - March 2, 2025

INTRODUCTION

King Jesus

Everyone else

In 2008, a small group of people in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area met to discuss their mutual calling to share the hope of Jesus to their hometown. The conversation quickly moved to a bigger vision and key question: How to convey that hope to as many people as possible in the region through the use of media?

“I am second” movement was born.

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭2:1-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I have a here a $20 bill -- how much is it worth?

WHO WANTS IT?

What if I tear it?

What if I crumple it up?

What if I throw it on the floor and stomp on it?

Why?

Because it's still a $20 bill.

It has intrinsic value that makes it worth $20.

But WHY is it worth $20?

Is the paper?

Is the ink?

Are the pictures on it worth $20?

No.

It's worth $20 because somebody made it who had the authority to say it had that value.

You have been made in the image of God.

He has the authority to say you have value and worth.

No matter what's happened to you

No matter what you've done with your life

No matter how many bad decisions you've made

You are STILL created in the image of God.

I. VALUE OTHERS ABOVE YOURSELF

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,”

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A. Value others

David Neeleman, JetBlue Airways CEO, meets 95% of new employees on their first work day. From day one he demonstrates he values them. He also sets aside one day each week to travel on JetBlue flights, where he serves beverages and cleans planes. In '02, JetBlue wanted to hire 2,000 team members and received 130,000 applications!

Michael Stallard, Fired Up or Burned Out, Thomas Nelson, 2007.

‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭25‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

B. Above yourself

Plane/military helicopter crash on January 30, 2025 in Washington D.C. reminded me of the Air Florida flight that plummeted into the Potomac River on January 13, 1982, that killed 78 people. Five people survived. Arland Williams, Jr., the sixth survivor, helped the other 5 passengers grab life preservers from the paramedic helicopter. When they went back to get Williams, he was gone. He valued others above himself.

C. In humility

Dr. Harry Ironside was once convicted about his lack of humility. A friend recommended as a remedy, that he march through the streets of Chicago wearing a sandwich board, shouting the scripture verses on the board for all to hear. Dr. Ironside agreed to this venture and when he returned to his study and removed the board, he said "I’ll bet there’s not another man in town who would do that."

Donald Campbell, Daniel: Decoder of Dreams, p. 22.

J.O.Y. = Jesus, Others, and You.

II. DO NOTHING OUT OF SELFISH AMBITION OR VAIN CONCEIT

A. Nothing

B. Selfish ambition

“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

‭‭ James‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

C. Vain Conceit

“Conceit is the most incurable disease that is known to the human soul.”

Anonymous

III. BE LIKE-MINDED

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A. Therefore

1. If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ

2. If any comfort from his love

3. If any common sharing in the Spirit

4. If any tenderness and compassion

“If . . . then”

B. Make my joy complete (Paul’s joy)

1. Be like-minded

President Coolidge delivered the following speech in Philadelphia on July 5, 1926, in celebration of the one-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

“The Declaration of Independence is the product of the spiritual insight of the people. If we are to maintain the great heritage which has been bequeathed to us, we must be like-minded as the fathers who created it. We must not sink into a pagan materialism. We must cultivate the reverence which they had for the things that are holy. We must follow the spiritual and moral leadership which they showed. We must keep replenished, that they may glow with a more compelling flame, the altar fires before which they worshiped.”

a. Have the same love

b. Be one in spirit

c. Be one in purpose

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”

‭‭ Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

CONCLUSION

Value others above yourself.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Be like-minded. ‬‬

Todd Beamer and the others on Flight 93 had a choice to make. Sit by and watch it happen, or take action. You all know what choice they made. After Todd had recited the 23rd Psalm and asked if the other guys were ready, they headed into action with the words, “Let’s roll!”¨

Jesus had the same choice to make. He saw that the world that He had created had been hijacked by sin and evil. He knew that the world was hurtling toward utter destruction. He could have sat by and watched it happen. But instead, He chose to act. He left heaven behind and was born as a little child.

Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.

Don Hawke, Sermon Central, September 10, 2002.

INVITATION

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

2-26-25 S.U.M. It Up!

Sunday, February 23, 2025

2-23-25 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

Thursday, February 20, 2025

FAITH EXPLORED: If you want to see God’s power, you have to be willing to step out. 2-23-25

INTRODUCTION

Welcome this morning Church. We are so excited you have joined us for worship today. We are in the final week of our sermon series called Faith Explored. We have been discovering passages throughout the Bible of individuals who exercised extraordinary faith. The first week we discovered that we often have to take the first step of faith in order to see God do amazing things within our lives. Two weeks ago, we were challenged to keep our eyes on Jesus when our faith wanes because of the wind and waves of life. Last week, we explored what it means to faithfully follow God where he leads—even when the path is unclear.

This week we will look at how our faith can stay strong even when it might cost us something. If we want to see God’s power in our lives, we must hold strong to our trust in him no matter what. When we believe strongly in something, we are willing to pay the cost to remain committed to it.

It is similar to making the decision to invest in a vacation timeshare. We knew that the decision we made in 2004 would have an impact on our finances going forward. We made the decision to buy knowing that we would have to say “no” to other wants. We would drive 17 year old cars so we could enjoy family vacations. We would remain in our current house and improve it rather than finding a new home. Our strong belief in our need to vacation with our family impacted our entire life. And we were committed to it. We still are.

The Old Testament gives us a story of three young men who faced immense challenges to their faith in God. It all began with a traumatic experience for the Hebrew people.

Somewhere between 600-585 BC, the Jewish people were attacked by the nation of Babylon. During that time, the Babylonians took the best and the brightest people and indoctrinated them into Babylonian culture. Archeological evidence suggests that 25 percent of Judah was displaced from Israel. Everything about their way of life was interrupted—from their diet to their worship. Everything was changed to fit their new context.

The Old Testament book of Daniel clearly describes how hard it was to be in exile. The king of Babylon was a man named Nebuchadnezzar. We read in Daniel chapter three how he was exerting his power over the Jewish exiles in captivity.

“King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.””

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Nebuchadnezzar raised a golden idol that is 60 cubits (90 feet) high and 6 cubits (9 feet) wide. The statue was massive. It was a spectacle, and the King made sure everyone attended the dedication. There was a clear command: when you hear the sound of the instruments, the flute, the lyre, the pipe, everyone must bow down and worship the golden idol. It was not just about religion; it was about allegiance to the king. It was about worship and dedication to someone other than the one true God: Yahweh. And if you did not obey, you would be thrown into a fiery furnace.

This story points to a very important fact.

I. We All Worship Something.

A. Humans worship.

The difficulty was that living in Babylon at the time there were many Jewish people who worshiped Yahweh and trusted him alone. They put their faith, hope, and trust in him exclusively. But they were being forced to worship someone else. Not only that, if they did not listen to the commands given, their lives would be at stake. It would cost them everything to remain faithful to God.

Though we in the church are not necessarily being forced to bow down and worship a massive golden idol, we are being tempted to bow down to other gods. We all have areas of our lives that receive our time, energy, attention, and affection. Wherever the majority of our lives are focused is a good indication of what we worship.

B. Culture pressures us to worship what it worships.

Within our culture there is pressure to bow down to the god of travel baseball, the god of the bank account, the god of social status, the god of relationships, the god of career, the god of Instagram and Facebook, and so much more. The expectation is the same. When these gods demand you bow, you bow. No questions asked. And you know what? We do! Because if we don’t, it will cost us our reputation, our positions, our friendships, and our comfort. In the end, one of the greatest idols we serve that keeps us from true faith is the god of certainty and control.

C. We must give God everything.

A young man was eager to grow in His Christian life. He found a piece of paper and made a list of all the things he would do for God. He wrote down the things he would give up, the places he would go to minister, and the areas of ministry he would enter. He was excited! He took his list to the church and put it on the altar. He thought he would feel joy, but instead he felt empty. So he went home and started adding to his list. He wrote down more things he would and wouldn’t do. He took the longer list and put it on the altar, but still he felt nothing. He went to a wise, old pastor, and told him the situation. The pastor said, “Take a blank sheet of paper. Sign your name at the bottom. Put that on the altar.” The young man did, and then peace came to his heart.

https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/give-yourself-to-god

One of the greatest ways we commit to an unshakable faith is by giving God a blank sheet of paper and signing our name as a way of telling him we will follow him no matter what. As we learned last week, that is what Abraham did when he left his home and decided to follow God without knowing the destination.

II. Faith In Its Simplest Form Is Trust.

A. We must trust God - alone.

The King made a decree that all would bow down when the music played and worship his massive idol. There were three men—Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego—who refused to bow down and worship the King’s idol. You know why? They knew the God they worshiped is greater than any man-made idol. The God they worshiped could not and would not be superseded by a mere gold statue. Their allegiance lay with God and God alone.

“But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.””

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

B. Our faith may cost us dearly.

King Nebuchadnezzar was furious. He demanded the three young men be thrown into the fiery furnace as a punishment for their refusal to bow down in worship. In reading this passage, you get a picture into the incredible faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Their response to the king was that they trusted that God was able to deliver them from the fire. The key to their statements was: even if God doesn’t save us, we will still never bow down to a false god!

C. We must pay the price.

We have made the statement throughout this entire series that if we want to see God’s power in our lives, we have to be willing to step out, lay it all on the line, display a radical faith, and be willing to count the cost of following God no matter what. Jesus actually spoke to this concept in the New Testament as well when he was expounding on what it means to be a true disciple.

“And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭22‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Jesus began by showing that he himself was willing to pay the cost of remaining faithful to the will and ways of God. He was rejected and ultimately killed for his commitment to the Kingdom of God. Because of this, we can expect to experience a similar cost in our lives. There are Christians all around the world who are in danger of losing their lives for their faith, and many do each day. In fact, right now there are more martyrs each year than during the early Church’s persecution. To Jesus, true faith means being willing to take up our cross daily to follow him. In fact, it is in losing our lives for his sake that we actually save our lives.

Author Joseph Stowell wrote in his book Through The Fire about missionary David Livingstone. “I think of David Livingstone, the pioneer missionary to Africa, who walked over 29,000 miles. His wife died early in their ministry and he faced stiff opposition from his Scottish brethren. He ministered half-blind. His kind of perseverance spurs me on. As I run, I remember the words in his diary: Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever me from any tie but the tie that binds me to Your service and to Your heart.”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego understood this New Testament concept in their Old Testament context and held the same heartbeat as Livingstone. The fiery furnace was heated seven times its normal level because of the king’s rage. They were thrown in. Their faith came at a cost.

D. When we step out in faith, Jesus is there with us.

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.””

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Three men went in, but there was a fourth in the fire. Most scholars agree this is what is called a theophany. It is a physical manifestation of God in the flesh. Some scholars believe the fourth person in the fire was a preincarnate Christ. God did not keep the three of them out of the fire because of their faith, but he did not let them go through it alone.

I have had the heartbreaking privilege of walking through trying times with church members. Sometimes it is the struggle to remain faithful when they want to give up. Sometimes it is when they have questions without answers. Sometimes it is through the loss of a loved one. Recently, a church held a funeral for a young mother. It was incredibly emotional and caused many in the family to question God. In the final moments of the graveside, the pastor walked over to put his hand on her elementary-aged son’s shoulder. When he did, the boy looked up at him and said, “I know. God already put his hand on my shoulder and told me everything was going to be OK.”

When we find the courage to lean on our faith during hard times, it is only because we can see that Jesus is there with us. I have had moments in my life when things were hard, and although I can’t explain it I have had the sense I was in the presence of God.

III. In Our Greatest Time Of Need, We Find We Are Not Alone.

A. You are not alone.

Demonstrated for us throughout the Scriptures is a God who is willing to go to great lengths to rescue His people. In fact, the name given to Jesus at his birth was Immanuel—God with us. There may be someone here this morning that needs to hear this: “You are not alone.” God is in the fire with you. He is not somewhere far off and removed. He is as close as your next breath.

What if our courage to hold onto our faith in this manner could have the same impact as those three Jewish boys? The end of the story tells us this…

“Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

B. Your faith may help others find their own faith.

The word Nebuchadnezzar used here is a specific word for God; he has not used it before. He said, “the most High God,” which is El Elyon. A king who spent an untold amount of wealth, power, and influence to demand everyone worship him and his golden statue declared that the God of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego is the God Most High.

Do you want to see the power of God in your life? The kind of power that can make a Babylonian king believe in God? Then you must step out in faith and stay true to God no matter what it costs.

CONCLUSION

We all worship something. Faith in its simplest form is trust. In our greatest time of need, we are not alone.

Sailors in the northern oceans have frequently observed icebergs traveling in one direction in spite of strong winds blowing in the opposite direction. The icebergs were moving against the winds, but how?

The explanation is that the icebergs, with eight-ninths of their bulk under the water surface, were caught in the grip of strong currents that moved them in a certain direction, no matter which way the winds raged.

In the Christian life, no matter how strongly the winds of passing opinion blow in opposition, the believer who has a depth of living in the currents of God’s grace should move toward righteousness.

Mark Schaeufele, A Messiah Who Deals With Opposition, 6/10/2010.

INVITATION

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

S.U.M. It Up! 2-19-25

Sunday, February 16, 2025

02-16-25 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

Saturday, February 15, 2025

FAITH EXPLORED: If you want to see God’s power, you have to be willing to step out. 2-16-25

INTRODUCTION

Pic – GLCC snacks

We are in the middle of a sermon series called Faith Explored. We have been looking at different stories of faith in the Scriptures and asking what we can learn from them about placing our trust in God. The first week we discovered that we often have to take the first step in faith in order to see God do amazing things within our lives. Last week we were challenged to keep our eyes on Jesus when our faith wanes because of the wind and waves of life. This week we want to explore what it means to faithfully follow God when he leads us, even when the path is unclear.

A dad told this story about a backpacking trip with his sons.

“A few years ago, I took my boys backpacking in the mountains of North Carolina. It was one of their first backpacking trips, and I wanted to make sure they had a great experience. I went to great lengths to fit them with the right gear and chose a hike and campsite that would leave them wanting more. We traveled a few hours to the trailhead and set out for our destination. I had been to that location many times, so I kept the map in our bags, and we were on our way. Within minutes of hitting the trail, a dense fog rolled in and enveloped us. It was so thick that we could only see a few yards in front of us. I became nervous because, suddenly, I was unsure about the route we were supposed to take. My normal landmarks weren’t visible. I was uneasy about navigating the path on my own. We pulled out the map and compass and decided to let them guide us. It was difficult to trust those tools even though they are meant for that very application. I kept wanting to second guess them, but, sure enough, we eventually arrived safely at our campsite. Sometimes you have to put your faith in something more reliable than yourself in order to get where you want to go.”

Isn’t that just like life? Many of us have found ourselves in situations and circumstances outside of our control and were unsure of what to do next. It is in those times that we must rely on God as our map and compass to make it to the place he longs to take us. To do this requires faith. When we place our faith in him, we will see him do amazing things in and through us.

I. God Has A Plan For Your Life.

A. You have a purpose.

There is story after story within the Scriptures of God leading and guiding his people to new places and new tasks. It is always because God has an intention for those individual’s lives. God made them on purpose and for a purpose. The truth is that God has done the same with you. You were not created by accident. God made you with a plan in mind.

The beginning of the Bible tells the story of a world that was created good and perfect but was eventually marred by sin. All of creation spiraled out of control, and the author of the book, by chapter 11, wants the reader to ask the question: Will God do anything to make things right once again and restore his beloved creation? The answer to this question comes in chapter 12 through a man named Abram (later named Abraham).

“The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

God spoke to Abram about the plan he had for His life. God intended to use Abram and his family to bless the entire earth if Abram was willing to follow God’s lead. God was going to make Abram a great nation. He was going to make Abram’s name great. He was going to bless him. Why? For Abram’s sake alone? No. For the sake of a broken creation. So, no pressure, but he was being invited into a grand story that would change everything.

Should he choose to accept it.

B. Have you accepted your purpose?

Notice that the stakes are high. Abram would have to leave his country, his people, and his father’s household. It was going to cost him something. It wouldn't be easy. And on top of that, there was no expressed destination. Abram did not know where he was going. Here is why. It was because following God is an act of faith.

We don’t need to exercise trust if we know how the story ends. We don't need to have faith if we can do it on our own. For everyone who is here today: God has a plan for your life, but that plan may not be clear to you. Maybe you sense God wants you to accept a call into full-time ministry. Maybe God is leading you to serve your community in an amazing way. Maybe God is inviting you to make a literal move—a change of location. Maybe God wants you to take some kind of risk for him. Either way, it is highly likely that if you were to be obedient to God’s leading, you may be a blessing to someone or some place that you cannot see right now. One of my favorite missionaries who saw the value of obedience was named Adoniram Judson.

When Adoniram Judson graduated from seminary, he received a call from a fashionable church in Boston to become its assistant pastor. Everyone congratulated him. His mother and sister rejoiced that he could live at home with them and do his life work, but Judson shook his head. “My work is not here,” he said. “God is calling me beyond the seas. To stay here, even to serve God in his ministry, I feel would be only partial obedience, and I could not be happy in that.”

Although it cost him and was a great struggle, he left his mother and sister to follow the heavenly call. The churches that Judson started in Burma, now the country of Myanmar, have had 50,000 converts to Christianity. The influence of Judson’s consecrated life is felt around the world.

William J. McRae, The Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts.

Is God calling you to something new? Something scary? Something big? Something hard? Are you willing to answer the call, even if you are unsure of where it might lead?

II. God Is Always Speaking. Are You Listening?

A. God is always speaking.

Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background.

A sign on the receptionist’s counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office. The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area.

After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in. Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that they hadn’t heard any summons yet. They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified.

Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, "Gentlemen, thank you for coming, but the job has just been filled."

The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying, "Wait a minute, I don’t understand. He was the last to come in, and we never got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That’s not fair!"

The employer said, "I’m sorry, but the last several minutes while you’ve been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse Code. ‘If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.’ None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his."

Autoillustrator.com, LISTEN.

B. Are you listening?

In order to live a life of faith like Abram did, we have to train ourselves to hear the voice of God. But what does he sound like? How do I know if he is speaking to me?

Throughout the Bible, God uses any means necessary to communicate to his people. He used a burning bush to speak to Moses about his plan to rescue his people. He used a donkey to speak to Absalom. One story of God speaking that I think gives us a way of hearing God’s voice is about a man named Elijah.

Elijah was an Old Testament prophet of God. He was used by God to do amazing things. At one point in his life, he had a showdown with a group of prophets of a false god named Baal. Elijah called down fire in a dramatic show of God’s power and the prophets were consumed by the blaze. Though he was a hero, he fled to the wilderness to escape the retribution of an evil queen named Jezebel. It is there, in the wilderness, that Elijah heard from God in a way that teaches us how to receive revelation from God and live with inspired faith.

“The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

It is interesting that it is not until after all the loud, grandiose, and flashy things have passed that God finally speaks and comforts Elijah with his words. But rather than them coming in the wind, earthquake, or fire, the words of God come in a still, quiet voice.

Writer Charles Swindoll once found himself with too many commitments in too few days. He got nervous and tense about it. "I was snapping at my wife and our children, choking down my food at mealtimes, and feeling irritated at those unexpected interruptions throughout the day," he recalled in his book Stress Fractures. "Before long, things around our home started reflecting the patter of my hurry-up style. It was becoming unbearable. I distinctly remember after supper one evening, the words of our younger daughter, Colleen. She wanted to tell me something important that had happened to her at school that day. She began hurriedly, 'Daddy, I wanna tell you somethin' and I'll tell you really fast.' Suddenly, realizing her frustration, I answered, 'Honey, you can tell me—and you don't have to tell me really fast. Say it slowly.’ I'll never forget her answer: 'Then listen slowly.’”

Charles Swindoll, Bits & Pieces, June 24, 1993, pp. 13-14)

Like Charles Swindoll, we live in a world that is always listening to the loudest and most demonstrative voice. We are consumed by it through television, internet, and social media. But what if we are so busy and overstimulated that we are missing the still small voice of God all around us? I believe that in order to have faith to follow we must retreat to places of silence and solitude and listen slowly in order to hear God’s leading. This may mean you have to clear your schedule. You may have to say “no” to things, even good things. You may have to make intentional space for prayer and contemplation. These ways of living are contrary to the American way of life. But to live the life of faith is to live with our ears attuned to the voice of God.

III. Be Willing To Go.

A. Willingness

Back to Abram. After God gave Abram instructions to leave and follow, even though the destination was undefined, it is worth noting that Abram did. He was obedient to God’s lead, and he became the father of the nation of Israel!

“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

B. Action

It is one thing to hear God’s plan, but it is another thing altogether to step out in faith and go where he leads. There are countless families who have been transformed because someone was willing to listen to and follow God. There are stories of whole communities that have been impacted by a single person who took God seriously when he called. The question is will you be willing to go where God leads?

I am reminded of the great missionary Hudson Taylor. He was a great man of faith who founded China Inland Mission. He was dedicated to integrating faith and risk. He said this: "Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith."

Deliberation is the work of many men. Action, of one alone.

Charles de Gaulle

Action should not be confused with haste.

Lee Iacocca

He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.

J. F. Clarke

Don't find fault. Find a remedy.

Henry Ford

The Complete Book of Wise Words and Quotes.

May we accept the invitation from God to risk for the sake of the Gospel. This morning we are going to listen intently to the still small voice of the Father and muster the courage and obedience to go wherever he leads. I invite you to pray this prayer with me.

CONCLUSION

Many years before Abraham Lincoln was elected president, he was a store-keeper in Salem, Illinois. Abe had a rifle displayed in his store that was one of the most beautiful rifles ever made. The barrel was made from the finest steel, the stock from the best walnut wood; and a world-famous gunsmith had assembled the gun. The price was extremely reasonable. Displayed next to this attractive gun was a rack of ordinary Kentucky squirrel rifles. These long-barrel rifles were made from ordinary gun steel, and plain wooden stocks. Yet, the price was higher.

A customer entered the store looking for a new rifle. He was impressed by the fine-looking gun, but was confused as to why it was priced much lower than the less attractive rifles. Abe explained that the good-looking rifle was for show, while the others were for shooting. The pioneer bought the Kentucky squirrel rifle.

A little while later, a rich farmer was decorating a room in his country mansion. He wanted to place a gun over the fireplace mantle with his big game trophies. Abe’s fancy gun was exactly what he needed. The fact that it would not shoot was irrelevant. The purpose of the gun had changed.

God has given each of us a purpose, too. We can choose to work for God’s glory and make disciples for Christ, or we can choose to be decorations in the church. What purpose are you serving in your relationship with Christ?

Don Holliday, The Scocaster - 10,000 Sermon Illustrations, September 27, 1998.

God has a plan for your life. God Is Always Speaking. Are You Listening? You must be willing to go.

INVITATION