Pt. Dave Kenney
James 1:1-12 (MSG)
the very first book (surat) written by James, the brother of Jesus. Written specifically to people.
Endurance When You Need It
James, a servant/slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations; Greetings. James 1:1 (NIV)
No one wants to be a slave, cos there's no freedom, but he represent himself as slave, not Jesus' brother.
Cos slave:
It speaks of absolute obedience
It speaks of absolute humility
It speaks of absolute loyalty - you do whatever the Master told you.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
endurance = perseverance..
Testing and Trials Produce Endurance
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
True Liberation
Pt. Dave Kenney
Eph. 5:21-33
First
18 The Lord God said, "IT's not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
But for Adam no suitable helper is found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman',
for she was taken out of man."
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."
Genesis 2:18, 20b-24
It is not good for man to be alone. - only one time God said, "it's not good"
Woman complete man. - the help "me". The reason why God make woman is because man needed help.
A man's most important relationship is with his wife.
She's so closer to him, then they become one.
Man usually define themselves by what they do.
Priorities shifted once you get married.
Second.
Ephesians 5:21-23
In Christian marriage, both husband and wife submit to each other.
v.21 wife submit to the husband's leadership,
husband love and submit to put their wife's first.
Men and their behavior and priorities is the major subject of this passage.
Telling the husband on how to lead and how to love and respect their wife.
Thirdly.
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listenning to what He said. 40 B ut Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it willn ot be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42
(usually many uses this phrase to explain about the balance between worshiping God and serve other people)
The phrase "sat at someone's feet", in that day and culture, meant being their disciple.
Mary was being Jesus' disciple.
Jesus accepting Mary as His disciple, even He stopped Martha from separating Mary from Him. Jesus accept Mary equally.
Act 22:3 - Paul's story
If culture >< Bible , to go totally with the Bible!
Eph. 5:21-33
First
18 The Lord God said, "IT's not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
But for Adam no suitable helper is found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman',
for she was taken out of man."
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."
Genesis 2:18, 20b-24
It is not good for man to be alone. - only one time God said, "it's not good"
Woman complete man. - the help "me". The reason why God make woman is because man needed help.
A man's most important relationship is with his wife.
She's so closer to him, then they become one.
Man usually define themselves by what they do.
Priorities shifted once you get married.
Second.
Ephesians 5:21-23
In Christian marriage, both husband and wife submit to each other.
v.21 wife submit to the husband's leadership,
husband love and submit to put their wife's first.
Men and their behavior and priorities is the major subject of this passage.
Telling the husband on how to lead and how to love and respect their wife.
Thirdly.
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listenning to what He said. 40 B ut Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it willn ot be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42
(usually many uses this phrase to explain about the balance between worshiping God and serve other people)
The phrase "sat at someone's feet", in that day and culture, meant being their disciple.
Mary was being Jesus' disciple.
Jesus accepting Mary as His disciple, even He stopped Martha from separating Mary from Him. Jesus accept Mary equally.
Act 22:3 - Paul's story
If culture >< Bible , to go totally with the Bible!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Cross Roads in Life
Ian Hadfield
Ascension Day
Act 1:1-11
DEPARTING
1. What would it be like (physically)? v.1,3
You wouldn't want to missed it.
Imagine!
2. But he's gone. v.9
That's why we need to imagine how is it like.
3. How do you feel? When He disappear into the clouds..
4. It is for the best v.4-5, 8.
We wouldn't have any power if he didn't go to heaven. But with Jesus in us, we are His representatives.
The Holy Spirit came and stays! Cos Jesus' left.
I Thessalonians 4:15-18
Act 2:32-36
Ascension is when God, the Lord of universe hands over His power / authority to Jesus.
I Pet 3:22 - nothing happens out of His control.
We are on His side, side of victory.
We JUST need to want IT.
CROSS OVER
Act 9:1-7
Paul/Saul was in his intersection of life when he meet Jesus.
Where am I, in our cross roads experience?
He were on a cross road, then on to the cross.
Bible is a story full of cross roads:
Jacob vs the angel - hold on to God, don't let Him go, and claim your blessings.
Rev. 13:8
As you thought about it: We are already saved up front.
In the intersection, we need to decide, otherwise we will lost in the process.
Wherever you are in your cross roads journey, Jesus will be with you. He has a plan for you. Even when all hope seems lost.
Jesus will step in the intersection.
Cross Road Journeys, make it with Jesus!
Let this be your cross over!
Ascension Day
Act 1:1-11
DEPARTING
1. What would it be like (physically)? v.1,3
You wouldn't want to missed it.
Imagine!
2. But he's gone. v.9
That's why we need to imagine how is it like.
3. How do you feel? When He disappear into the clouds..
Grief v.9
Disappointed v.9 - it's a normal response.
Curiosity v.6-9Excitement v.9-11
- what's heaven like?
- when will He come again?
- what difference that the Holy Spirit makes?
Nothing
- The Power is to use as a witness
- we are there as evidence.
4. It is for the best v.4-5, 8.
We wouldn't have any power if he didn't go to heaven. But with Jesus in us, we are His representatives.
The Holy Spirit came and stays! Cos Jesus' left.
I Thessalonians 4:15-18
Act 2:32-36
Ascension is when God, the Lord of universe hands over His power / authority to Jesus.
I Pet 3:22 - nothing happens out of His control.
We are on His side, side of victory.
We JUST need to want IT.
CROSS OVER
Act 9:1-7
Paul/Saul was in his intersection of life when he meet Jesus.
Where am I, in our cross roads experience?
"I'd rather failed in a course that ultimately succeed, then succeed in a course that will ultimately failed." - John Wesley.Even Jesus has a cross road experience.
He were on a cross road, then on to the cross.
Bible is a story full of cross roads:
Jacob vs the angel - hold on to God, don't let Him go, and claim your blessings.
Rev. 13:8
As you thought about it: We are already saved up front.
In the intersection, we need to decide, otherwise we will lost in the process.
Wherever you are in your cross roads journey, Jesus will be with you. He has a plan for you. Even when all hope seems lost.
Jesus will step in the intersection.
Cross Road Journeys, make it with Jesus!
Let this be your cross over!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Easter? I forgot!
Pt. Dave Kenney
Colossians 2:9-12
v.9
In Jesus, ALL of God is there.
Was Jesus all God?
Jesus Christ was fully God and fully men ALL the time.
v.10
How can we be a follower of Jesus if we are not Jew?
In Christ. We already received everything we need to be a follower of Him thru Jesus.
You can't make your life fully "spiritual".
Water baptism is a demonstration for outward expression of what Jesus had done.
Baptism is an act of obedience.
v.13-15
13. Jesus in the Cross did a complete work - forgive us.
In Christ we are still guilty but we won't carry all the punishment.
Jesus Christ is not a plus..plus..plus.. (like 20,000+++)
v.14
He canceled the unwritten code.
def. [Cancel]:
or Committed to what you have done (that's paying the punishment).
Hand written by the tertuduh.
Jesus take out all of this in at the Cross. He doesn't need to die over and over again.
Only ONCE and for all!
"Nailed it to the Cross" - this literally works for Him.
law? there's no longer a law.
v.15
We are public spectacular.
We shine the light thru out the world.
This isn't just about forgiveness, it's about changing.
Understand that,
Colossians 2:9-12
v.9
In Jesus, ALL of God is there.
Instinct, it's impossible?
Was Jesus all men?Was Jesus all God?
Jesus Christ was fully God and fully men ALL the time.
v.10
How can we be a follower of Jesus if we are not Jew?
In Christ. We already received everything we need to be a follower of Him thru Jesus.
You can't make your life fully "spiritual".
Water baptism is a demonstration for outward expression of what Jesus had done.
Baptism is an act of obedience.
v.13-15
13. Jesus in the Cross did a complete work - forgive us.
In Christ we are still guilty but we won't carry all the punishment.
Jesus Christ is not a plus..plus..plus.. (like 20,000+++)
v.14
He canceled the unwritten code.
def. [Cancel]:
To wiped outEither I.O.U
To wiped away
or Committed to what you have done (that's paying the punishment).
Hand written by the tertuduh.
Jesus take out all of this in at the Cross. He doesn't need to die over and over again.
Only ONCE and for all!
"Nailed it to the Cross" - this literally works for Him.
law? there's no longer a law.
v.15
We are public spectacular.
We shine the light thru out the world.
This isn't just about forgiveness, it's about changing.
Understand that,
Next to Him, we have Nothing
Through Him, we have Everything
Sunday, March 9, 2008
It's Time To Grow Our Church
Pt. Dave Kenney
Matt 22:34-40
Matt 28:18-20
Acts 1:7-8
Love God
Love Others
Reach the World
AS A CHURCH
We are not a church that is trying to do everything for everyone. We are not a church that can meet everyone's needs, wants or desires!
We are what we believe what God calls us to do.
Love God
To know Him through learning the Bible and to express our love to HIm in our worship, prayer, and daily walk with Him. - do together as a church.
Love Others
To love all others as much as we love ourselves. This extends not just to our friends and relatives, but to everyone we encounter, no matter who they are and what their background.
- everyone is a neighbor.
Reach the World.
To reach out with God's love and God's Word to those who are beyond our immediate world. To go beyond our own communities in sharing the Good News.
Does this activity help us know and love God more?
Does this activity help us love and express our love to others?
Does this activity help us reach beyond ourselves and our own world to those who need Christ and His love?
AS INDIVIDUALS IN IES - goals in life and ministry
Love God
Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. Matt 22:37-38
Reading and studying the Bible, and applying it in their everyday life.
Worship God privately and in the church with fellow believers.
Love God by giving Him our time, talents, and resources.
Love Others.
And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matt 22:39-40
second in order, but not second in class, one can't stand without the other.
Everyone will be encourage to participate in a LIFE group.
We will help everyone find ways to express their love of Jesus to the people in their lives who don't know Him.
Reach The World.
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:19-20
Everyone in IES will find a place of ministry.
Each person in IES will support Outreach with their time, talents, and resources.
One Worship, One Small Group, One Ministry - everyone need to commit.
Matt 22:34-40
Matt 28:18-20
Acts 1:7-8
Love God
Love Others
Reach the World
AS A CHURCH
We are not a church that is trying to do everything for everyone. We are not a church that can meet everyone's needs, wants or desires!
We are what we believe what God calls us to do.
Love God
To know Him through learning the Bible and to express our love to HIm in our worship, prayer, and daily walk with Him. - do together as a church.
Love Others
To love all others as much as we love ourselves. This extends not just to our friends and relatives, but to everyone we encounter, no matter who they are and what their background.
- everyone is a neighbor.
Reach the World.
To reach out with God's love and God's Word to those who are beyond our immediate world. To go beyond our own communities in sharing the Good News.
Does this activity help us know and love God more?
Does this activity help us love and express our love to others?
Does this activity help us reach beyond ourselves and our own world to those who need Christ and His love?
AS INDIVIDUALS IN IES - goals in life and ministry
Love God
Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. Matt 22:37-38
Reading and studying the Bible, and applying it in their everyday life.
Worship God privately and in the church with fellow believers.
Love God by giving Him our time, talents, and resources.
Love Others.
And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matt 22:39-40
second in order, but not second in class, one can't stand without the other.
Everyone will be encourage to participate in a LIFE group.
We will help everyone find ways to express their love of Jesus to the people in their lives who don't know Him.
Reach The World.
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:19-20
Everyone in IES will find a place of ministry.
Each person in IES will support Outreach with their time, talents, and resources.
One Worship, One Small Group, One Ministry - everyone need to commit.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
It's Time To Grow Up in Christ
Pt. Dave Kenney
Ephesians 4:11-32
GROWING UP IS A PROCESS - to be mature like Jesus.
Many people are more satisfied at the point that they're not going to hell.
It doesn't go like that. You need to GROW!
IT INVOLVES:
WHAT MATURITY LOOKS LIKE
EXAMPLES FROM THE EPHESIAN CHURCH - how maturing happened, what maturity is practically.
Negative - Continual lust for more
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them doe to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
not just about sex, but it's more about we always want something MORE.
Negative - Deceitful desires
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires
Things that make us lie, so that we can appear more.
Act 5 - Ananias and Sapphira - we give some of the money, but we tell everyone we give all of it.
Negative - Steal
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Negative - Not Contribute
won't grow and will never go!
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Positive - Speak Truthfully
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Positive - Speak Positively
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
build value, build of hope - not spiritual criticism.
Positive - Control your Emotion
26 "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Don't let emotions control your life.
Don't act as you will, instead act as you should!
Ephesians 4:11-32
GROWING UP IS A PROCESS - to be mature like Jesus.
Many people are more satisfied at the point that they're not going to hell.
It doesn't go like that. You need to GROW!
IT INVOLVES:
- Christian Leaders v.11, for different purpose, not just for the pastor/minister. We are all ministers.
- Works of Service - part of maturing
- Building unity in faith and the church - work together. When there's misunderstanding, work together. Clarity of the purpose.
- Learning about Jesus. Studying won't make you mature. But you won't be mature, if you're not learning. What's your purpose in learning about Jesus?
WHAT MATURITY LOOKS LIKE
- Not Childish - vs. Childlike
- Stable - be an actor (take action), not a reactor.
- Not Confused - blown here and there, be swing around.
- Speaking the truth in love - not enough about being honest, it goes deeper in building up others/people's life.
- Each doing our part - for His Kingdom.
EXAMPLES FROM THE EPHESIAN CHURCH - how maturing happened, what maturity is practically.
Negative - Continual lust for more
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them doe to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
not just about sex, but it's more about we always want something MORE.
Negative - Deceitful desires
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires
Things that make us lie, so that we can appear more.
Act 5 - Ananias and Sapphira - we give some of the money, but we tell everyone we give all of it.
Negative - Steal
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Negative - Not Contribute
won't grow and will never go!
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Positive - Speak Truthfully
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Positive - Speak Positively
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
build value, build of hope - not spiritual criticism.
Positive - Control your Emotion
26 "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Don't let emotions control your life.
Don't act as you will, instead act as you should!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Presentation Weekend
Rev. Dave Kenney
Luke 2:22-24, 39-40
Understanding the text and the background
Each firstborn son belonged for the Lord and an offering was given to buy him back.
The first offspring of every womb, both man and animal, that is offered to the Lord is yours. But you must redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals. Numbers 18:15 (NIV)
Life lesson: everything is under His hands/controls : conception, birth, life, and death.
Seemingly the reason for paying a redemption price for a firstborn son and unclean animals and the sacrifice of the first of clean animals was to provide a perpetual reminder that conception, birth, and life are gifts of God. (NIV Biblical Commentary)
First male child belongs to God, but can buy him back / redeem.
Buy : the idea of redeem, cause later Jesus will do it.
The sacrifice was a lamb, or doves, or pigeons, if the were poor.
Family of Jesus was a poor family. God doesn't care about the circumstances, everyone is the same.
Some important things from this passage:
Applications to our lives today
Luke 2:22-24, 39-40
Understanding the text and the background
Each firstborn son belonged for the Lord and an offering was given to buy him back.
The first offspring of every womb, both man and animal, that is offered to the Lord is yours. But you must redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals. Numbers 18:15 (NIV)
Life lesson: everything is under His hands/controls : conception, birth, life, and death.
Seemingly the reason for paying a redemption price for a firstborn son and unclean animals and the sacrifice of the first of clean animals was to provide a perpetual reminder that conception, birth, and life are gifts of God. (NIV Biblical Commentary)
First male child belongs to God, but can buy him back / redeem.
Buy : the idea of redeem, cause later Jesus will do it.
The sacrifice was a lamb, or doves, or pigeons, if the were poor.
Family of Jesus was a poor family. God doesn't care about the circumstances, everyone is the same.
Some important things from this passage:
- God's plan finds fulfillment through the obedience of His servants. God want to sent Jesus, but it depends of their (Mary and Joseph) obedience. And it all happened, just because Mary said, "Yes, Lord."
- God stepped into the progress of history and changed things forever by sending His Son into the world.
- Jesus was a "grace-gift" of God not only to all mankind, but also to His parents.
Applications to our lives today
- It is as we are obedient to Him by submitting to prayer, that our prayers are answered. God tells us to pray.
- We put ourselves in a place where God can minister to us. God can minister to us, when we pray together.
- We are honest about our need for God's help.
- God steps into the everyday events of Life and changes things. Just like He steps into history and change life.
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