From time to time, I’m asked for a biblical perspective on the practice “breaking generational curses.” This can be a challenging issue, especially since Scripture identifies God –not Satan– as the author of these curses. John Piper offers interesting biblical insight on this question. You can read his concise answer on the Desiring God website.
Archive for March, 2009
What a joy it was to have C.J. Mahaney with us for our 20th anniversary this week! In his message, entitled “Deepening Our Delight”, we examined Jeremiah 9:23-24. We heard how we can deepen our joy through personal humiliation and God glorifying exaltation. In order to better apply this encouragement, let us consider these questions:
- Why is it so important that our joy be theologically informed?
- How is it that both adversity and prosperity are tests?
- How have you been personally tested by prosperity?
- What wisdom, riches, or strength are you sometimes tempted to boast in (either externally or in your heart)?
- How can you deal with boasting by intentionally lowering your estimation of yourself?
- In what ways does Jeremiah 9:24 point us to the gospel?
- How can we boast in the glories of Jeremiah 9:24?
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary as a church, may we be reminded of God’s faithfulness and His enduring lovingkindness, and may the glory all be to God.
This evening we had the wonderful privilege of reminiscing God’s faithfulness to us over the past 20 years. As we shared this evening over fellowship, dinner and dessert, we watched these two videos. They are filled with pictures, stories and memories recounting all God has done for us! If you were unable to make it, you can watch them here.
Part 1
Part 2
As we prepare for tomorrow evening’s 20th Anniversary celebration, here are a couple of quick reminders -
everything starts at 5:30
please bring a side dish and dessert to share
if you haven’t brought your picture for the timeline, please bring one with you!
Finally, to whet your appetite for our time together here is the video of Gene’s hair through the ages that we saw Sunday morning…
In this series of posts we interviewed members of KingsWay that have been attending since the church was planted in 1989.
In 1988, Bruce and Mercy Robertson felt a strong call to be a part of the church plant team. They came to 
Richmond for the first time during the fall of 1088 to meet some of the other church planting team members. Though the first few years of the church plant were difficult ones, they knew God has called them there which gave them great faith that there was grace for those times. Some memorable moments for the Robertsons include Emily braking her arm during one of the many potluck lunches, the services that were held at Gene and Liz’s house when they were first meeting and the kids running around the movie theaters after church.
Bruce and Mercy came to the church plant with three children. Daniel was 7, Emily was 5 and Philip was 3. Daniel was the same age as Heather Whitman, whose family was also a part of the church planting team. In October 2006, Daniel and Heather were married and now have a child of their own. To read Daniel and Heather’s story, click here.
In this series of posts we interviewed members of KingsWay that have been attending since the church was planted in 1989.
Written by Steve and Donna Whitman.
Our family, along with about 40 people from a small church in Keyser, WV, attended Celebration ’88 where we met Gene Emerson. Our experience at Celebration 
convinced us that we absolutely must be part of a People of Destiny church. (to become SGM). We’ve had the privilege of watching our children grow up in the church. We got to see our daughter enter into a relationship with and marry a young man who also grew up in the church, and now we delight in their cute little red-haired son, who is our grandson – unbelievable! [to read Daniel and Heather’s story, click here.] Before joining KingsWay, we felt like we were wandering. 
I remember that first Celebration. Looking at the folks in the SG churches was like peering through the window of a candy shop! We had only gotten a taste, but wanted more! Now, after 20 years, we are grateful for the foundation of truth we have received and for the deep relationships we have benefited from. The memory most dear to my heart, is when I was expecting Stephanie, after having suffered several miscarriages. My pregnancy was very risky, and I had to be on bed rest the majority of it. The church rallied. We NEVER had a need. My floors were mopped, meals were brought, and friends sat by my side, praying this child. When Stephanie was born, I remember folks saying, she (Stephanie) belongs to all of us!!! So many played a part in her safe arrival. That is the church.
Written by Marsha Dixon.
Bob and I came to Richmond with Gene and Liz from Franklin, W.Va. We were serving the church there with the Emersons when Gene felt led to come to Richmond and plant a church here. We came along! We have stayed at KWCC because be believe in the vision of Sovereign Grace Ministries. God is building His church…”the pillar and buttress of truth” and we wanted to give our lives to something that would count and last for eternity.
Over time the size has changed! We started out with 30 and now we are 700! Songs have changed in that they are more doctrinally sound and full of content! We used to sing wonderful worship choruses but the rich words of our songs now thrill the soul!! There is a focus on “grace” being extended to one another that has become more pronounced in the past years. There has always been a focus on sound, Biblical teaching, worship, childrens’ ministry, and fellowship. These things have not changed over the years.
I think the biggest change in our family over the years has been to see them “step up to the plate” in their love and service in the church. It’s their church now. They are using their gifts and talents to serve in various areas of church life. “One generation will tell another generation“….and we are seeing that happen in our family! What a joy!
One of my favorite memories was a Sunday morning meeting in Midlothian High School. The worship was particularly sweet that morning. There was a sense that you didn’t want it to end! And it didn’t! Gene stood up and said he wasn’t going to preach that morning because the Spirit was directing us to continue to worship in His presence! It was such a joy to see the Spirit interrupt our plans and “linger” in His presence. It kind of felt like a big care group going on and on…..so sweet and intimate was our time with the Lord that day.
I remember my husband, Bob, telling me one month before we were married that he felt the Lord was directing us to help Gene and Liz build churches. Well….I like “comfortable” and I don’t like “risk.” I like “being at home” and I don’t like “new adventures!” So, to think that we were going to leave all that I “liked”, everything that made life “comfortable” for me was not what I wanted to hear as a new bride! But ,as I look back at the two churches we have been privileged to serve and start, I’m glad I followed the lead of my “visionary” husband. Church was primary….all else was secondary. His passion became my passion. What a joy to see this church growing and thriving! It was worth it all…to lay aside the comfortable for the eternal.
In this week’s message, entitled “The Elder Brother”, we examined Luke 15:25-32. It was the last of three messages on the parable of the prodigal son. We heard how sonship is not a reward but a gift. In order to better understand our sonship, let us consider these questions:
Are you…
1. Experiencing joy in your relationships with God and others?
2. More aware of your sins or the sins of others?
3. Comparing yourself with others?
4. Relating to others by their outward behavior?
5. Working hard to earn God’s grace?
6. Feeling like you never do enough?
7. Thinking you deserve God’s blessings?
8. Frustrated when you’ve done everything right, yet others experience blessings instead?
9. Explaining your Christian life with the words: “Because I…”?
Now for each of these questions, consider the difference that the gift of sonship makes. Let us all pray that the reality of our sonship would have its full affect in each of these areas.
In this series of posts we interviewed members of KingsWay that have been attending since the church was planted in 1989.
Daniel and Heather Robertson both grew up in KingsWay. Their families were a part of the original church plant. This is how Daniel 
describes one of their early interactions: “In 1989, at age 7, with the smell of heavily buttered popcorn wafting through the dimly lit, sticky floored movie theater, our fathers tuned their guitars, and discussed song transitions for that morning’s worship service. I sat in a squeaky, poorly padded movie theater seat next to a young girl who shared her pop-tart with me, well the pop-tart crust, that is. That young girl, Heather Whitman, whom I married on October 14, 2006 in the KingsWay auditorium, is now not only my wonderful wife, but the mother to our beautiful son.”
There have been so many changes in KingsWay over the past 20 years; this was Daniel’s view on what the 
biggest change in KingsWay has been over these 20 years. “A. well.. there were home 
groups, then cell groups, then small groups, then care groups, then community groups… Considering we started meeting in our living rooms and then a movie theater, then a school, then another school, I would have to say that our largest change has been the building.” Daniel said that the biggest change in his family was the fact that he now has over 500 brothers and sister!
This post is by Gene Emerson
As we prepare to celebrate two decades of God’s Faithfulness to us as a church, it’s good to reflect with gratitude on the essential role Sovereign Grace Ministries, our family of churches, has played in God’s work at KingsWay. It’s easy to take for granted all God has provided through the life-giving relationships we share.
Recently one of the pastors in a church we serve in the Philippines penned the following letter of encouragement. I hope it will serve to deepen your gratitude for Sovereign Grace as well as provide a wonderful window into God’s work through our family of churches in other nations.
Gene
Please allow me to express and share my meditation regarding Sovereign Grace’ Ministry for me…and with unceasing thanks.
Ten ways Sovereign Grace Ministries helped me become a better Pastor:
1. Clearly spelling out the Gospel in no uncertain terms permeating not only on the level of my mind but in the demonstration of obedience, modeling of life and visibility of transformation from within and without.
2. As an instrument in the sanctification of my walk that doesn’t condemn into paralysis but convicts my heart with powerful motivation to boast and rejoice in the Cross alone.
3. As an instrument into the floodgates of grace by nurturing humility grounded deeply in sound doctrine of man’s (my) depravity, issues of my heart and unmerited grace of God.
4. Disciples me in the family to begin the centrality of the gospel by becoming the husband and father God wants me to be by primarily ministering and modeling the gospel at home.
5. Helps me pursue the biblical role of male leadership at home and church reflecting the Trinitarian order of creation without demeaning female equality and value made in the image of God but instead upholding them in the right order.
6. Unceasing gratitude to God and pastors of Sovereign Grace who on a very close range incarnated visible humility, teaching, and kindness. For their insights and humble transparency that without flattery was contagious in our spirits.
7. Inspires me to love the local church, it’s leaders, members, goodness and the gospel. Watching Dave Harvey’s installation of Jared Mellinger as the new senior pastor and seeing the glimpse of Harvey’s many persistent years of service and love moved me into tears and inspiration to follow his example even in a small way as God enables me.
8. Instills a vision in my heart for my fellow pastors in our country to be inspired, be riveted, and driven by the gospel, encouraged by it, and be passionate about it. Though this is humbling and a great challenge yet it seems unquenchable even in a very small way be a servant to it’s advancement.
9. Points me to the Savior, for every drip of the blood shed, helps my eyes unmoved from it’s infinite sacrifice, and have the cross to be the starting point, continuing and ending of my life and service.
10. Helps me to study, study, study…all by grace, by the Holy Spirit who opens our eyes in unsearchable things of God making me ignorant, informed and in want for more knowledge.
Most of all, Sovereign Grace gives all the glory, honor and blessings to Christ alone, and the Father in heaven by the power Holy Spirit!
