Saturday, August 29, 2020

VIDEO: 8-30-20 Sermon "WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Victory is Certain”

As we worship together "from house to house," we thank our God in heaven who watches over us every day.  We lift praises to Him for His boundless grace and never ending love.

If you cannot join us this Sunday, we invite you to sing along with the worship videos.  We encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for one another.  Watch my message WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Victory is Certain.  Respond to the invitation.  Enjoy the bonus video.

WORSHIP




COMMUNION

Read Romans‬ ‭12:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Father, as you blessed all of mankind through your death on the cross, you blessed those who persecuted you.  You died for them.  You blessed and did not curse.  We are awed by your example.  We are moved to bless those who persecute us.  Thank you for your example and your blessing.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for those who are still dealing with the effects of COVID-19.  Pray for those who have healed from the infection and are still suffering from the virus.

MESSAGE

“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.”
‭‭    1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:1-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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 ‭15:50-58‬ ‭NIV‬‬


CHALLENGE

Write four responses to “Because of the resurrection, I _________________ (i.e. have hope, get up each morning, trust God, live for Him).” Share these truths with one other person this week and explain why these responses are true.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word at Kenwood Church.  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.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I encourage you to speak with me via phone (248-476-8222) or an email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org).  I would be honored to speak with you about what God is doing in your life and try to connect you with a community of faith in your area.

Bonus Video



WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Victory is Certain (1 Corinthians 15:1-11 and 50-58) Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on August 30, 2020)

 

WE ARE THE CHURCH:

Where Victory is Certain (1 Corinthians 15:1-11 and 50-58) - August 30, 2020


INTRODUCTION

We are the church where victory is certain.

Well over three hundred verses are concerned with the subject of Jesus' resurrection in the New Testament. We are told that this event is a sign for unbelievers (Matthew 12:38-40); cf. John 20:24-29) as well as the answer for the believer's doubt (Luke 24:38-43). It serves as the guarantee that Jesus' teachings are true (Acts 2:22-24; 1 Corrinthians 15:12-20) and is the center of the gospel itself (Romans 4:24-25, 10:9; 1 Corrinthians 15:1-4). Further, the resurrection is the impetus for evangelism (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 10:39-43), the key indication of the believer's daily power to live the Christian life (Rom. 6:4-14, 8:9-11; Phil. 3:10) and the reason for the total commitment of our lives (Rom. 7:4; 1 Cor. 15:57-58). The resurrection even addresses the fear of death (John 11:25; 1 Cor. 15:54-58; cf. Hebrews 2:14-15) and is related to the second coming of Jesus (Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7). Lastly, this event is a model of the Christian's resurrection from the dead (Acts 4:2; 1 Cor. 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and provides a foretaste of heaven for the believer (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Peter 1:3-5). 
    Gary R. Habermas & J.P. Moreland, Immortality - The Other Side of Death, Thomas                                     Nelson Publishers, 1992, p. 245. For a popular treatment that addresses these and other aspects, see Gary R. Habermas, The Centrality of the Resurrection. 

“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.”
‭‭    1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:1-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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 ‭15:50-58‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I.  SAVED BY THE GOSPEL

    A. The power of the Gospel
    B. The truth of the Gospel
        1. Christ died for our sins
        2. He was buried.
        3. He rose on the third day.
        4. He appeared to many witnesses
            a. Cephas
            b. The Twelve
            c. More than 500 people at one time
                i. Most are still living
                ii. Some have fallen asleep
            d. James
            e. All the apostles
            f. Paul
                i. “Last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”
                ii. “For I am the least of the apostles” 
                iii. “Do not even deserve to be called an apostle” 
                iv. “Because I persecuted the church of God.”

II.  VICTORIOUS THROUGH CHRIST

    A. Temporary versus Eternal
        1. Flesh and blood versus the Kingdom of God
        2. Perishable versus imperishable
        3. The mystery
            a. A flash
                i. In the twinkling of an eye
                ii. The last trumpet
                iii. The dead will be raised imperishable
                iv. We will be changed
            b. The change

In one of his lighter moments, Benjamin Franklin penned his own epitaph. He didn't profess to be a born-again Christian, but it seems he must have been influenced by Paul's teaching of the resurrection of the body. Here's what he wrote: The Body of B. Franklin, Printer Like the Cover of an old Book Its contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Guilding, Lies here, Food for Worms, But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believ'd, Appear once more In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and amended by the Author.
    Source Unknown

“For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:53-57

    B. We will have the victory!

III.  THEREFORE . . . 

    A. Stand firm.
    B. Let nothing move you.
    C. Give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.
    D. Remember - Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Colin Chapman, in The Case for Christianity, quotes Ugandan bishop Festo Kivengere's account of the 1973 execution by firing squad of three men from his diocese: February 10 began as a sad day for us in Kabale. People were commanded to come to the stadium and witness the execution. Death permeated the atmosphere. A silent crowd of about three thousand was there to watch. I had permission from the authorities to speak to the men before they died, and two of my fellow ministers were with me. They brought the men in a truck and unloaded them. They were handcuffed and their feet were chained. The firing squad stood at attention. 

As we walked into the center of the stadium, I was wondering what to say. How do you give the gospel to doomed men who are probably seething with rage? We approached them from behind, and as they turned to look at us, what a sight! Their faces were all alight with an unmistakable glow and radiance. 

Before we could say anything, one of them burst out: "Bishop, thank you for coming! I wanted to tell you. The day I was arrested, in my prison cell, I asked the Lord Jesus to come into my heart. He came in and forgave me all my sins! Heaven is now open, and there is nothing between me and my God! Please tell my wife and children that I am going to be with Jesus. Ask them to accept him into their lives as I did."

The other two men told similar stories, excitedly raising their hands, which rattled their handcuffs. I felt that what I needed to do was to talk to the soldiers, not to the condemned. So I translated what the men had said into a language the soldiers understood. The military men were standing there with guns cocked and bewilderment on their faces. They were so dumbfounded that they forgot to put the hoods over the men's faces!

The three faced the firing squad standing close together. They looked toward the people and began to wave, handcuffs and all. The people waved back. Then shots were fired, and the three were with Jesus. We stood in front of them, our own hearts throbbing with joy, mingled with tears. It was a day never to be forgotten. Though dead, the men spoke loudly to all of Kigezi District and beyond, so that there was an upsurge of life in Christ, which challenges death and defeats it. The next Sunday, I was preaching to a huge crowd in the home town of one of the executed men. Again, the feel of death was over the congregation. But when I gave them the testimony of their man, and how he died, there erupted a great song of praise to Jesus! Many turned to the Lord there. 
    Ray Stamps

CHALLENGE

Write four responses to “Because of the resurrection, I _________________ (i.e. have hope, get up each morning, trust God, live for Him).” Share these truths with one other person this week and explain why these responses are true.

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. If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

VIDEO: 8-23-20 Sermon "WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Growth is Visible"

 As we worship together "from house to house," we gather as aliens and strangers in this world.  This world is not our home.  We are waiting for a better country.  We are looking toward a day when we will be with Him where He is.  We look forward to an eternity in heaven.

If you cannot join us this Sunday, we invite you to sing along with the worship videos.  We encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for one another.  Watch my message WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Growth is Visible.  Respond to the invitation.  Enjoy the bonus video.

WORSHIP





COMMUNION

Read Romans 15:3, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Father, we ask you to fill us with joy and peace as we celebrate the blood of the Lamb.  We ask for that hope that comes as a gift from you.  We trust in you because you are the God of hope.  Be with us today.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for our children and young adults as they prepare to go back to school.  Pray for the teachers and administrators as they watch over our kids.  Pray for safety and study.

MESSAGE

“With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
‭‭ Acts‬ ‭2:40-41‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:46-47‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:28-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬


CHALLENGE

Write down 3 ways to make your faith visible. Choose one way this week to demonstrate to your “community” that you are a follower of Jesus.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word at Kenwood Church.  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.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I encourage you to speak with me via phone (248-476-8222) or an email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org).  I would be honored to speak with you about what God is doing in your life and try to connect you with a community of faith in your area.

Bonus Video


WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Growth is Visible (Acts 2, 4, and 9) Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on August 23, 2020)

 WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Growth is Visible (Acts 2:40-41, 46-47; 4:4, and 9:31) - August 23, 2020


INTRODUCTION

We are the church where growth is visible.

According to Barna Research Group, only 35% of Americans attend church weekly. This is further supported by a statistic from The Malphurs Group, that states 84% of churches are declining or plateauing.

“With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
‭‭ Acts‬ ‭2:40-41‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:46-47‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:28-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I. THE DECISION IS VISIBLE - (Acts 2)

The story is told about the baptism of King Aengus by St. Patrick in the middle of the fifth century. Sometime during the rite, St. Patrick leaned on his sharp-pointed staff and inadvertently stabbed the king's foot. After the baptism was over, St. Patrick looked down at all the blood, realized what he had done, and begged the king's forgiveness. Why did you suffer this pain in silence, the Saint wanted to know. The king replied, "I thought it was part of the ritual."
Source Unknown

    A. Baptism
        1. Response to accepting the message.
        2. Public visibility
    B. Community
        1. Met in temple courts
        2. Met in homes
        3. Enjoyed the favor of all the people
    C. Increase in numbers

II. THE FAITH IS VISIBLE - (Acts 4)

Britain's King George V was to give the opening address at a special disarmament conference, with the speech relayed by radio to the U.S. As the broadcast was about to begin, a cable broke in the New York radio station, and more than a million listeners were left without sound. A junior mechanic in the station, Harold Vivien, solved the problem by picking up both ends of the cable and allowing 250 volts of electricity to pass through him.  He was the living link that allowed the king's message to get through.
Warren Wiersbe, Prokope, July-August, 1988, p. 3

    A. Faith in light of fear
    B. Growth in the midst of persecution
        1. Belief
        2. Decisions in light of arrests
    C. Increase in numbers

III. THE CHANGE IS VISIBLE - (Acts 9)

    A. Peace
    B. Greater strength
    C. Increase in numbers
        1. Living in the fear of the Lord
        2. Encouraged by the Holy Spirit

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are read by more than a few, 
but the one that is most read and commented on is the gospel according to you.
You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day by the things that you do
and the words that you say, men read what you write, whether faithless or true, 
Say, what is the gospel according to you?
Do men read His truth and His love in your life, 
Or has yours been too full of malice and strife?
Does your life speak of evil, or does it ring true?
Say, what is the gospel according to you?
Arthur McPhee

CHALLENGE

Write down 3 ways to make your faith visible. Choose one way this week to demonstrate to your “community” that you are a follower of Jesus.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word. You may want to follow Jesus. You may want to proclaim your faith. You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things). Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.

Saturday, August 15, 2020

VIDEO: 8-16-20 Sermon "WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Encouragement is Happening"

 As we worship together "from house to house," we want to encourage and lift up one another.  We cherish the opportunities to help one another during this difficult time.  We pray for one another while we cannot see one another.  We join in worship together as we are united in our praise for our King.

If you cannot join us this Sunday, we invite you to sing along with the worship videos.  We encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for one another.  Watch my message WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Encouragement is Happening.  Respond to the invitation.  Enjoy the bonus video.

WORSHIP





COMMUNION

Read 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Father, we are grateful for your love.  We place all of our anxiety on you as we remember that you bore our sin and sorrows on the cross.  We can live life free of anxiety because of the work of your spirit in our life.  We are thankful for the realities that we do not fully understand.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for encouragement for those who find themselves confined due to COVID-19.  Pray for ways to be the encouragement someone else needs.

MESSAGE

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV



CHALLENGE

Write down the name of 2 people that you will encourage this week. Commend them to love and perform good deeds. Encourage them to meet with their brothers and sisters in Christ this week. Remind them that the finish line is in sight. 

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word at Kenwood Church.  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.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I encourage you to speak with me via phone (248-476-8222) or an email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org).  I would be honored to speak with you about what God is doing in your life and try to connect you with a community of faith in your area.

Bonus Video


WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Encouragement is Happening (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on August 16, 2020)

 WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Encouragement is Happening (Hebrews 10:24-25) - August 16, 2020

 

INTRODUCTION

 

We are the church where encouragement is happening.

 

Edward Steichen, who eventually became one of the world's most renowned photographers, almost gave up on the day he shot his first pictures. At 16, young Steichen bought a camera and took 50 photos. Only one turned out -- a portrait of his sister at the piano. Edward's father thought that was a poor showing. But his mother insisted that the photograph of his sister was so beautiful that it more than compensated for 49 failures. Her encouragement convinced the youngster to stick with his new hobby. He stayed with it for the rest of his life, but it had been a close call. What tipped the scales? The vision to spot excellence in the midst of a lot of failure. 

Bits & Pieces, February 4, 1993, pp. 4-5

 

We need to be able to spot excellence in the midst of failure.

 

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

 

I.  SPURRING ONE ANOTHER ON

 

A. Spur - paroxysm - “stab”

1. Poke/prod/push

2. One another

B. To love

1. Love of God

2. Love of others

a. The church

b. The world

c. Our enemies

C. To good deeds

1. Works of righteous

2. Compassionate acts

 

II.  MEETING TOGETHER

 

Jean Nidetch, a 214 pound homemaker desperate to lose weight, went to the New York City Department of Health, where she was given a diet devised by Dr. Norman Jolliffe. Two months later, discouraged about the 50 plus pounds still to go, she invited six overweight friends home to share the diet and talk about how to stay on it. Today, 28 years later, one million members attend 250,000 Weight Watchers meetings in 24 countries every week. Why was Nidetch able to help people take control of their lives? To answer that, she tells a story. When she was a teen-ager, she used to cross a park where she saw mothers gossiping while the toddlers sat on their swings, with no one to push them. "I'd give them a push," says Nidetch. "And you know what happens when you push a kid on a swing? Pretty soon he's pumping, doing it himself. That's what my role in life is--I'm there to give others a push." 

Irene Sax in Newsday

 

A. A good habit

1. The norm of meeting together - synagogue

2. The struggle of meeting together

3. The reality of meeting together

 

B. A bad habit

1. The call of not meeting together

2. The struggle of not meeting together

3. The reality of not meeting together

 

III.  ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER

 

Everyone needs recognition for his accomplishments, but few people make the need known quite as clearly as the little boy who said to his father: "Let's play darts. I'll throw and you say 'Wonderful!'" 

Bits & Pieces, December 9, 1993, p. 24

 

A. To encourage parakalountes - “To call to one’s side” (original verb)

1. To address, speak (in general)

2. To admonish, to exhort (in specific)

B. “All the more as you see the Day approaching.”

1. The finish line

2. The end is near

 

CHALLENGE

 

Write down the name of 2 people that you will encourage this week. Commend them to love and perform good deeds. Encourage them to meet with their brothers and sisters in Christ this week. Remind them that the finish line is in sight. 

 

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. If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.

Saturday, August 8, 2020

VIDEO: 8-9-20 Sermon "WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Mentoring is Natural"

As we worship together "from house to house," we feel the pain of separation from our church family.  The familiarity of seeing the same people every week or so has been replaced by the unknown of when we might see one another again.  As we look toward the day when we will never be apart, we patiently wait for his appearing and long for his return.  

If you cannot join us this Sunday, we invite you to sing along with the worship videos.  We encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for one another.  Watch my message WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Mentoring is Natural.  Respond to the invitation.  Enjoy the bonus video.

WORSHIP






COMMUNION

Read Acts 4:12, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Father, we are grateful to know your Son- the One, the only name under heaven by which we must be saved.  We are thankful for the salvation that is found in Him.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for someone outside your family that is suffering during this time of turmoil.  Pray for someone in your family that is not dealing with our current circumstance.  Pray for light for yourself to know how to help them both.
MESSAGE

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬


CHALLENGE

List 3 people you could invest in spiritually. Circle the one you could develop a discipling relationship with in the near term. Let that person know you would like to help them become a follower of Jesus. Begin the discipline relationship.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word at Kenwood Church.  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.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I encourage you to speak with me via phone (248-476-8222) or an email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org).  I would be honored to speak with you about what God is doing in your life and try to connect you with a community of faith in your area.

Bonus Video


WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Mentoring is Natural (Matthew 28:18-20) Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on August 9, 2020)

WE ARE THE CHURCH: Where Mentoring is Natural (Matthew 28:18-20) - August 9, 2020


INTRODUCTION

We are the church where mentoring is natural.

Discipleship is the human part of God’s plan for us. It is relational like the incarnation.

“The Word became flesh--and then through theologians it became words again.” 
Karl Barth

Kierkagaard in "And I looked around and nobody was laughing" says this, "I went into church and sat on the velvet pew. I watched as the sun came shining through the stained glass windows. The minister dressed in a velvet robe opened the golden gilded Bible, marked it with a silk bookmark and said, "If any man will be my disciple, said Jesus, let him deny himself, take up his cross, sell what he has, give it to the poor, and follow me."

“We keep them how we win them.”

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I. THE CIRCLE OF DISCIPLESHIP

Disciple means follower.

A. The logic of discipling
1. The leader/follower model (not master/servant, teacher/student)
2. The circular logic of teaching following
B. The need for unbroken discipling
C. The beauty of interlocking circles
1. The strength of a chain
2. The continuity of a chain

II. THE CHALLENGE OF DISCIPLESHIP

“It is better to train ten people than to do the work of ten people. But it is harder.” 
Dwight L. Moody

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Because being a disciple involves a relationship with a person, we must believe in that person and spend time in fellowship with that person. Being a disciple is like being a professional athlete or a physicist. A person who admires professional athletes or physicists, but who never enters into a relationship of learning and emulation with one, is not a disciple. At most, such a person is a fan or an interested onlooker. Disciples observe, emulate and become like the one they are learning from and into whose image they are being conformed (Romans 8:29).”
Chris Scruggs

A. The call to a disciple - “follow my example”
B. The life of a disciple - “as I follow the example of Christ”
C. The roll of disciplemaker - a lead follower connection

III. THE CRISIS OF DISCIPLESHIP

2015 “The State of Discipleship” by the George Barna Group
  • Only 1% of church leaders say “today’s churches are doing very well at discipling new and young believers.” Few believe churches – their own or others –are excelling in this area.
  • Participation in discipleship activities (e.g. Sunday school, spiritual/mentoring group Bible study) is weak – as low as 20% in our churches.
  • The 2 most significant barriers to spiritual growth are the “busyness of life” and a lack of commitment to discipleship. Among a significant number of Christians there is simply no “drive to prioritize spiritual growth.”
  • A large number of Christians prefer to pursue spiritual growth on their own (this is of the 37% of those who say that it is important); an even larger number (41%) consider their spiritual life “entirely private.” This is a big problem when we consider the importance of relationships to transformational discipleship.
  • Among Christian adults, 35% are using only some sort of non-personal discipleship (podcasts or listening to music).
  • In order to create a healthy culture of discipleship, senior leadership must lead the way and a clear plan needs to be in place. In exemplary churches, discipleship is not a program or even a “ministry”; it is part of the church’s core identity.

A. Intent
B. Content
1. Go and make
2. Baptize and teach
C. Importent (IMPORTANT)

CHALLENGE

List 3 people you could invest in spiritually. Circle the one you could develop a discipling relationship with in the near term. Let that person know you would like to help them become a follower of Jesus. Begin the discipline relationship.

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. If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.