THE CHALLENGE 2-27-22

 "The Challenge” has become a common part of my sermons over the past couple of years.  “The Challenge” is intended to help us think about the message of the week and then deciding to act.  Connecting “The Challenge” with journaling has become my attempt at fostering this internal dialogue (hearing then thinking then deciding then acting).  The purpose of “The Challenge” is that we all might act upon what we have heard by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Our challenges will fall heavily into the category of journaling.  When we write, we have to think then formulate words, then put it to paper.  This process helps us integrate our whole self.  We will also focus upon action.

Here is The Challenge for 2-27-22.

     1.       Where have you learned about living the Christian life?
2.       Where is the strangest place you have learned about the Christian life?
3.       Where have you observed someone else live the Christian life?
4.       Where can you intentionally observe a mature Christian living the Christian life?
5.       Where can you mentor like Jesus?

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

2-27-22 Kenwood Church Live Stream

MENTOR LIKE JESUS: The Context of Wherever 2-27-22

MENTOR LIKE JESUS: The Context of Wherever 2-27-22

INTRODUCTION

Mentoring is about content (curriculum), community (group environment), and context (what is it and why is it important)

In his book, “Imagine Your Life Without Fear” Max Lucado gives some significant insight when he says,

"Questions can make hermits out of us, driving us into hiding. Yet the cave has no answers. Christ distributes courage through community; he dissipates doubts through fellowship. He never deposits all knowledge in one person but distributes pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to many. When you interlock your understanding with mine, and we share our discoveries, when we mix, mingle, confess and pray, Christ speaks."

START WITH JUST ONE

Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators, tells the story of a 23 year old sailor that he spent time discipling. He spent many hours with this young man in the Word and the importance of being a witness for the Lord and leading other sailors to Jesus. 

A month later the sailor returned to Dawson: "I can't get any of these guys on the ship to get down to business." Dawson replied: "Listen, you ask God to give you one. You can't have two until you have one. Ask God to give you a man after your own heart." 

He began to pray. One day he came to Dawson and said "I think I've found him." The young man came to Dawson and eventually he received the Lord. Then as these two young men continued to grow, they also continued to spiritually reproduce. Eventually, 125 men from that very ship found the Savior. Men off that first battleship are in four continents of the world as missionaries today. 

What was the key? Prayer for ONE man -- just ONE.

I.  THE WHERE OF MENTORING

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

‭‭ John‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A.  Jesus initiated

He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. 

Mark 3:14, 15 NIV

B.  Taking it to the streets

“Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.””

‭‭ Luke‬ ‭10:23-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1.  Along the road

2.  In the garden

3.  At the well

4.  At Peter's house

5.  In the synagogue

6.  On the mountains

7.  On the water

8.  By the sea

KIRBY PUCKETT: DISCIPLE

Few have illustrated the process of imitating Jesus as an apprentice, a student, a disciple than Kirby Puckett, who was the centerfielder for 13 years for the Minnesota Twins baseball team. He had a career batting average of .318, made the All Star lineup ten years in a row, and won six golden gloves for defensive play. He was also a well known Christian. 

Dennis Martinez, pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, once crushed the left side of Kirby's face with a pitch. Martinez assumed that Kirby would hate him. But when he had recovered a bit, Kirby called Martinez "my good friend" and blamed himself for not getting out of the way of the fastball. He was an outstanding community leader for good causes, and expressed his faith naturally in words that matched his lifestyle. 

We cannot restrict our "discipleship" to special religious times isolated from the majority of our waking, working hours. If you dislike or even hate your job, a condition epidemic in our culture, the quickest way out of the job, or to joy in it, is to do it as Jesus would. This is the very heart of discipleship....[to] be an effective apprentice, student of Jesus then we must be doers of the word and not hearers only.

From a sermon by Clarence Eisberg, Casual Discipleship.... Not an Option, 6/24/2010

II.  THE STUFF OF LIFE

A.  Life encountered together

1.  At home

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.  Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV

a.  Family

b.  Spouse

c.  Children

2.  At work

3.  At play

4.  At church

5.  At life

B.  Lessons along the way

“After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.””

‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭17:24-27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CONCLUSION

MENTORING AS A CHURCH PRACTICE

"...In most churches, the congregation pays the pastor to preach, win the lost, and build up the saved—-while the church members function as cheerleaders (if they are enthusiastic) or spectators. The "converts" are won, baptized, and given the right hand of fellowship, then they join the other spectators. How much faster our churches would grow, and how much stronger and happier our church members would be, if each one were discipling another believer. The only way a local church can "be fruitful and multiply" (instead of growing by "additions") is with a systematic discipleship [approach] program. This is the responsibility of every believer, and not just a small group who have been 'called to go.'"

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c 1989). The Bible Exposition Commentary. "An exposition of  the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (Mt 28:16). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor  Books.

CHALLENGE

Our challenges will fall heavily into the category of journaling.  When we write, we have to think, then formulate words, then put it to paper.  This process helps us integrate our whole self.  We will also focus upon action.

1. Where have you learned about living the Christian life?

2. Where is the strangest place you have learned about the Christian life?

3. Where have you observed someone else live the Christian life?

4. Where can you intentionally observe a mature Christian living the Christian life? 

5. Where can you mentor like 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.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.  

S.U.M. It Up! 2-23-22

 

THE CHALLENGE 2-20-22

"The Challenge” has become a common part of my sermons over the past couple of years.  “The Challenge” is intended to help us think about the message of the week and then deciding to act.  Connecting “The Challenge” with journaling has become my attempt at fostering this internal dialogue (hearing then thinking then deciding then acting).  The purpose of “The Challenge” is that we all might act upon what we have heard by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Here is The Challenge for 2-20-22.

1. Have you ever learned something by watching?
2. What are you teaching by what you are doing?
3. Who is watching what you are doing?
4. Are you intentional about modeling your Christian life?
5. Who could you be intentionally teaching by doing?

Our challenges will fall heavily into the category of journaling.  When we write, we have to think then formulate words, then put it to paper.  This process helps us integrate our whole self.  We will also focus upon action.

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

2-20-22 Kenwood Church Live Stream

MENTOR LIKE JESUS: Teaching by Doing 2-20-22

MENTOR LIKE JESUS: Teaching by Doing 2-20-22

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The importance of really living the Christian life is illustrated in the life of the famous author Mark Twain. Church leaders were largely to blame for his becoming hostile to the Bible and the Christian faith. As he grew up, he knew elders and deacons who owned slaves and abused them. He heard men using foul language and saw them practice dishonesty during the week after speaking piously in church on Sunday. He listened to ministers use the Bible to justify slavery. Although he saw genuine love for the Lord Jesus in some people, including his mother and his wife, he was so disturbed by the bad teaching and poor example of church leaders, that he became bitter toward the things of God.

 

"We hear, we forget; we see, we remember; we do, we understand."  Chinese proverb

 

A teacher can teach what he could never do.  A coach usually coaches what he did long ago.  A mentor transfers life experience in the moment as mentor and mentee do life together, in real time.

 

I.  JESUS TAUGHT BY DOING

 

              A.  Prayer - greatest example

 

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’ ””

              Luke 11:1-4 NIV

 

              B.  Casting out demons

 

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. ” 

              Matthew 17:14-20 NIV

             

              C.  Acceptance

                            1.  Tax collectors and sinners

                            2.  Pharisee

                            3.  Women

                            4.  Samaritans (half-breeds)

                            5.  Sick

                            6.  Children

 

II.  MENTORING AS MODELING

 

              A.  Listening-concern

                            1.  Attendng-position and posture

                            2.  Content-exactly what is said with no interpretation

                            3.  Feeling-the emotion conveyed

                            4.  Meaning-a synthesis of content and feeling

              B.  On time and prepared-value

              C.  Serving-humility

 

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. 

              John 13:1-17 NIV

             

              D.  Dying-faith

 

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. 

              Luke 23:46 NIV

 

CONCLUSION

 

Paul- Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 

              1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV

 

THE 40 MARTYRS

 

"History knows them as the forty martyrs of Sebaste. They were soldiers in the famed Twelfth Legion of Rome’s imperial army, around A.D. 320. One day the captain informed his troops that Emperor Licinius had sent down an edict commanding all soldiers to offer a sacrifice to his pagan god. Forty of the soldiers were followers of Christ, and they refused. 'You can have our armor and even our bodies, but our hearts' allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ,' they said. 

 

"The emperor decided to make an example of the soldiers, so in the middle of winter he marched them onto a frozen lake and stripped them of their clothes. 'Renounce your God and you will be spared from death,' he told them. Not one man came forward. So he left them there, huddled together to contemplate his offer. Throughout the night the man stayed together, singing their song of victory: Forty Martyrs for Christ. When morning came, thirty-nine of the men had frozen to death. The one survivor finally relented and crawled to safety, recanting his confession of faith in order to live. The officer in charge that night had been so moved by the scene that during his watch he’d come to Jesus, so he broke rank and walked out onto the ice. Stripping his clothes he openly confessed his faith in Christ. The furious emperor demanded that he renounce Jesus, but he refused. When the ordeal was over, the Roman soldiers carried forty frozen men off of the ice." 

(Ref: Lahaye, Tim, Jerry B. Jenkins and Frank M. Martin ed., Embracing Eternity, Living Each Day With a Heart Toward Heaven: The Persecuted, Matthew 5:10- February 15. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.)

 

CHALLENGE

 

Our challenges will fall heavily into the category of journaling.  When we write, we have to think, then formulate words, then put it to paper.  This process helps us integrate our whole self.  We will also focus upon action.

 

1. Have you ever learned something by watching?
2. What are you teaching by what you are doing?
3. Who is watching what you are doing?
4. Are you intentional about modeling your Christian life?
5. Who could you be intentionally teaching by doing?

 

INVITATION

 

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.  

S.U.M. It Up! 9-16-22

 

The Challenge 2-13-22

"The Challenge” has become a common part of my sermons over the past couple of years.  “The Challenge” is intended to help us think about the message of the week and then deciding to act.  Connecting “The Challenge” with journaling has become my attempt at fostering this internal dialogue (hearing then thinking then deciding then acting).  The purpose of “The Challenge” is that we all might act upon what we have heard by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Here is The Challenge for 2-13-22.

Our challenges will fall heavily into the category of journaling.  When we write, we have to think, then formulate words, then put it to paper.  This process helps us integrate our whole self.  We will also focus upon action.

1.       Do you have regular times of prayer?

2.       Are you trying to live for God without praying for God’s will and strength?

3.       Do you listen as well as talk in prayer?

4.       Are you experiencing God’s love through prayer in such a way that it forms and shapes your will to match His?

5.       If you were unable to pray, how would your life change?

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

2-13-22 Kenwood Church Live Stream

MENTOR LIKE JESUS: Prayer as practice 2-13-22

MENTOR LIKE JESUS: Prayer as practice 2-13-22

INTRODUCTION

 

PRAYER JOURNAL ENTRY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

 

When George Washington was about 20 years old he wrote this in his prayer journal: "O most Glorious God, in Jesus Christ my merciful and loving father, I acknowledge and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on thee for pardon and forgiveness of sins, but so coldly and carelessly, that my prayers are become my sin and stand in need of pardon. I have heard thy holy word, but with such deadness of spirit that I have been an unprofitable and forgetful hearer, so that, O Lord, tho’ I have done thy work, yet it hath been so negligently that I may rather expect a curse than a blessing from thee." 

[George Washington’s Prayer Journal From William J. Johnson George Washington, the Christian (New York: The Abingdon Press, New York & Cincinnati, 1919), pp. 24-35. From a sermon by David Scudder, Prayer is Seeking Our Father, 9/11/2011]

 

““And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

              Matthew 6:5-8 NIV

 

I.  TEACH US HOW TO PRAY

 

              A.  Submission

 

“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ 

              Matthew 6:9-13 NIV

 

              B.  Humility

 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 

              1 Peter 5:6 NIV

 

              C.  Jesus' example of prayer

                           

              The night of his betrayal - John 17

              The garden prayer - Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46

              All night on a mountain - Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46

              In a desolate place - Luke 5:16; Mark 1:35

              Praying in solitude - Luke 9:18; Luke 11:1

                           

1.  His custom was to find a place where he could pray alone; whether it was on a mountain or in a desolate place.

2.  He often prayed while it was dark either at night, through the night, or early in the morning.

                            3.  Prayer formed the foundation for his ministry.

                            4.  He prayed before making major decisions.

5.  His miraculous power and his glorious relationship with the Father are closely connected to times of prayer.

                            6.  Unity with the Father was both the source and content of his extended prayers.

 

II.  GIVING GOD THE CREDIT FOR ANSWERED PRAYER

 

Dr. Thomas M. Carter, an ex-convict, tells a thrilling story of his mother who constantly followed him with her prayers. On one occasion while he was in prison, she received a telegram stating that he was dead and asking what she wanted done with his body. Stunned by the news, she opened her Bible and laid the message beside it. "Oh, God," she said, "I have steadfastly believed that You are a rewarder of them who diligently seek You. I felt sure that I would live to see Tom saved and preaching the Gospel; and now this wire says he is dead. Lord, which is true, this telegram or Your promises to me?" When she rose from her knees, having won the victory, she sent this note to the prison: "You must be wrong. My boy is not dead!" There had been a mistake -- Tom Carter was alive! He was later converted and lived to preach!

 

            A.  Thankfulness

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

              Philippians 4:6, 7 NIV

 

              B.  Prayer Log or Prayer Journal

 

III.  LISTENING AS WELL AS TALKING

 

              A.  Listening

 

              Dr. Charles Stanley "How to Listen to God" sermon series/book 5 c's

                            1.   Consistent-Is the answer/instruction consistent with Scripture?

                            2.  Challenge-Will the answer challenge your faith?

                            3.  Conflict-Does the answer conflict with human wisdom?

                            4.  Clash-Does the direction clash with your fleshly nature?

                            5.  Courage-Will obeying God require courage?

 

              B.  Talking             

 

                            ACTS method 

                            Adoration

                            Confession

                            Thanksgiving

                            Supplication

 

CONCLUSION

 

IT ALL STARTED BY ONE MAN WANTING TO PRAY

 

In 1857 there was a 46 year old man named Jeremiah Lamphere who lived in New York City. Jeremiah loved the Lord tremendously, but he didn’t feel that he could do much for the Lord until he began to feel a burden for the lost and accepted an invitation from his church to be an inner city missionary. 

 

So in July of 1857 he started walking up and down the streets of New York passing out tracts and talking to people about Jesus, but he wasn’t having any success. Then God put it on his heart to try prayer. So he printed up a bunch of tracts, and he passed them out to anyone and everyone met. He invited anyone who wanted to come to the 3rd floor of the Old North Dutch Reform Church on Fulton St. in New York City from 12 to 1 on Wednesday to pray. He passed out hundreds and hundreds of fliers and put up posters everywhere he could. 

 

Wednesday came and at noon nobody showed up. So Jeremiah got on his knees and started praying. For 30 minutes he prayed by himself when finally five other people walked in. The next week 20 people came. The next week between 30 and 40 people came. They then decided to meet every day from 12:00 to 1:00 to pray for the city. 

 

Before long a few ministers started coming and they said, "We need to start this at our churches." Within six months there were over 5000 prayer groups meeting everyday in N.Y. Soon the word spread all over the country. Prayer meetings were started in Philadelphia, Detroit, and Washington D.C. In fact President Franklin Pierce started going almost every day to a noonday prayer meeting. By 1859 some 15,000 cities in America were having downtown prayer meetings everyday at noon, and thousands were brought to Christ. 

 

The great thing about this revival is that there is not a famous preacher associated with it. It was all started by one man wanting to pray. People have been seeking God, and seeking a relationship with God through Jesus Christ for centuries.

                            (From a sermon by Rich Anderson, Seeking The Face Of Jesus Christ, 2/18/2011)

 

CHALLENGE

 

Our challenges will fall heavily into the category of journaling.  When we write, we have to think, then formulate words, then put it to paper.  This process helps us integrate our whole self.  We will also focus upon action.

 

1.       Do you have regular times of prayer?

2.       Are you trying to live for God without praying for God’s will and strength?

3.       Do you listen as well as talk in prayer?

4.       Are you experiencing God’s love through prayer in such a way that it forms and shapes your will to match His?

5.       If you were unable to pray, how would your life change?

 

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.