Hello Friends! No electricity at KingsWay, so the Sunday morning meeting and the 6 pm ladies events are cancelled. Feels like a snow storm in August!
Archive for the 'By Gene' Category
On Sunday, Mickey preached a message from the book of Ephesians entitled, “All In!” He examined God’s vision for the church… that the church was conceived and formed by God in eternity past. God has always envisioned a people… called and purchased to demonstrate the gospel. The church has the profound privilege to represent the King… to be His body on the earth!
This call and privilege demand a personal commitment that is largely walked out in the mundane reality of everyday life. The miraculous work of God happens in day to day faithfulness… what one man called, “a long obedience in the same direction.” It’s usually the small things that demonstrate God’s power over time… sharing fellowship and care, growing and helping others, working through offenses to maintain unity, serving, giving sacrificially and witnessing when opportunities rise.
Here are some questions for application:
- How are your daily and weekly priorities informed by a love and commitment to the local church?
- How have you seen God’s power displayed in your day to day faithfulness?
- What good work has God prepared you for this week?
On Sunday, Mickey taught on Pastoral Care. His premise was that, as the Head of His Church, one way that Jesus leads His people is through delegated authority. (1 Thes. 5:12, 1 Tim. 5:17)
One example of God leading his people this way is found in Psalm 78:70-72. God called David from shepherding sheep to shepherd His people with skillful hands and upright heart. Likewise, God calls pastors to exercise skillful hands in leading, feeding, protecting and caring for His people; and an upright heart in leading as servants, leading with grace, and leading with affection.
Scripture also speaks clearly to those who follow - to obey and submit, to honor, to support financially and to be faithful members.
Here are a few questions for application:
On Sunday, Mickey preached on “The Surpassing Worth” from Philippians 3:2-14. In this passage, Paul declares that what’s really important in life is a life-changing encounter that sets one on a life-long quest.
There are many things of worth in life and many of them not sinful – college, career, marriage, children, grandchildren, sports, travel, music, friends, etc. But how do they compare to knowing Jesus? What is their RELATIVE importance? Their RELATIVE worth? Not that they are unimportant or unworthy or bad…but if you had to forego one or all of those things for knowing Christ would you do it?
Here’s some questions to ponder: Is Christ of surpassing worth in your life? Does your life reflect that? Do you find yourself questing or resting?
What is getting in the way of you knowing Christ? Is Jesus Himself what makes life worth living? Does your love Jesus far surpass your love for those things?
On Sunday, Gene talked about “The Joy of Gospel Partnership” from Philippians 1:1-6. In this passage, Paul conveys that Gospel partnership begins with joyful devotion to God, is expressed in grateful affection for one another, and results in a confident faith for the future. Here are some questions to help apply these truths:
- Paul refers to himself and Timothy as servants or, more literally, slaves. This same word is used to describe Jesus’ posture in Phil 2:7 with the command, “your attitude should be the same” (v 5). How do you think of your life? Do you serve as a slave of Christ or when it is convenient?
- Paul is addressing the church at Philippi along with elders and deacons, revealing the high value God places on the local church. Committed membership is both a responsibility and a privilege. Martyn Lloyd Jones calls church membership “the biggest honor which can come a man’s way in this world.” What is God calling you to do to reinforce the treasure of membership in your life?
- Verses; 5 & 6 contrast the responsibility of man (“your partnership”) and the commitment of God (“He who began…will bring it to completion.”) Paul expresses absolute certainty (“I am sure of this”) that God’s purposes are being and will be complete in our lives. It’s easy to be discouraged when we focus on our problems and imperfections…and that of others! But there’s nothing so encouraging as knowing that God’s plan will be accomplished regardless of our sins and shortcomings. (Read John 10:27-28 & Rom 8:38-39) Consider the quote below and reflect on how verse 6 transforms the way we process all of life.
We go into the artist’s studio and find there unfinished pictures covering large canvases, and suggesting great designs, but which have been left, either because the genius was not competent to complete the work, or because paralysis laid the hand low in death; but as we go into God’s great workshop we find nothing that bears the mark of haste or insufficiency of power to finish, and we are sure that the work which His grace has begun, the arm of His strength will complete. (FB Meyer)
On Sunday, we began a series on the book of Philippians entitled, “Jesus Our Joy” with the reasons we are we studying this book:
- Philippians reflects the love Paul has for this church & the love your pastors have for you.
- Philippians points us to Jesus’ power & example to overcome trials of life with joy.
- Philippians provides a joyful reminder of the mission God has entrusted to us.
This letter is about our joy in Jesus. Lenski calls joy, “the music that runs through this epistle, the sunshine that spreads over all of it!” In these four chapters, Paul speaks of Joy 16 times and Jesus 50 times. That’s because Paul’s joy is found in Christ, and so is ours! While happiness is transient because it depends on circumstances of life, joy is a settled gift of God to those who believe the Gospel. It springs from the settled conviction that God sovereignly controls everything for our good and His glory. That’s why joy is “the flag that flies on the castle of the heart when the King is in residence.”
If like me and the Philippians, you are tempted to complain, if suffering frightens you, if you experience relational conflicts or a lack of contentedness, this letter is for you! I’m really looking forward to studying and applying it together in the months ahead. As we do, please take time to read it through in one sitting on a regular basis. It’s a letter from Paul to a beloved church, and by the work of the Holy Spirit, from the loving Savior to KingsWay.
Here are some questions to consider as we begin to apply these truths:
- Where do you look for joy? Are you more aware of joy or happiness? ]
- How are you experiencing joy in adversity? (We don’t rejoice because of difficulties, but because we experience God’s grace in them!)
- Paul’s example reveals that the Gospel advances in all circumstances. (see Phil 1:12-14) Mark Dever writes that “If you are not willing to work for God in imperfect situations, then you are not willing to work, because that is all we have in this life.” What “imperfect situations” in your life can you use to see the Gospel advance?
On Sunday, we resumed our study of the Gospel of Luke, considering Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem in Luke 19:28-40. We reflected on Jesus as a King with Perfect Knowledge, Who Presents Himself as the Messiah, and Who Evokes Worship.
- How does God’s perfect knowledge (omniscience) affect the way you walk before Him? Alarm or Comfort? Consider Peter’s response in Luke 5:8 and David’s reflections in Psalm 139.
- Zechariah’s messianic prophesy (9:9-10) calls for great rejoicing and loud shouting. Jesus declares that if his disciples are silent, “the very stones will cry out!” How does the design of the universe that Christ will be praised, affect the way we live every day?
As part of Sunday’s “send out” meeting for the Charlottesville church plant, Keith Breault preached about our call to “Go” from the Great Commission in Matthew 28. Keith reminded us that Jesus is the ruler and king of all creation, whether someone is a believer or not. As the sovereign Lord, even sickness & disease flee when Jesus speaks. So Jesus’ call to “Go!” represents both a command and a commission. We go under the deputized authority of the One Who has all authority!
- How does Jesus authority change the way you live?
- Keith said, “Going does mean changing zip codes. It means looking with eyes that recognize and respond to what God is doing.” How are you responding to His command to “Go”?
Sunday’s message was entitled “Practicing Forgiveness” from Ephesians 4:25-32. Gene shared that since we all inevitably will experience relational conflict, forgiveness is an absolutely necessary skill, and one in which we can follow our Savior’s example.
- What have you learned about forgiveness from the way God has forgiven you?
- How does Jesus describe our predisposition to forgive in Luke 17:3-5? Why does that require faith? What is your predisposition when offended?
- What are some ways individuals & churches can grow in forgiveness? (Overlooking personal offenses, having a forgiving spirit when approaching conflict, etc)
This past Sunday, Gary Thomas spoke from Micah 6:8 on “What You Need Most.” Here are some questions to help us respond to his message:
- How do you perceive your need for God’s mercy? How does He show you mercy on a daily basis?
- Gary said “We are called to ‘fall in love’ with God’s mercy. What does that mean in our relationship with God? With others?
- What opportunities do you have today to extend the mercy you’ve been given?
