Sunday Night Attendance

Today, Sunday night services are in decline — in Churches of Christ and many other religious groups, according to news reports.

Recently the Christian Chronicle discussed this topic. To see what others are thinking follow this link.

Gospel Story Implications

Gospel Story Implications

A Cappella Singing

Resources for Singing & Places to buy music.
http://www.churchofchristmusic.com
Link

A cappella Singing
Link



https://www.youtube.com/acappellahymns

Why Did Christ Have To Die?

This time of year many think about the gospel. (Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ) I am so thankful for that, because that is the life altering event that should shape our perspective on life.

Why Did Christ Have To Die?

Our sins have separated us from God (Ezek. 18:20; Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 3:23), and the punishment for sin is death (Rom. 6:23).

In order for sins to be removed, blood had to be shed (Heb. 9:22). In the Old Testament instead of man dying, God allowed an animal to die (Heb. 10:4). Think of all the lambs slain from the days of Abel till Christ. On a normal Passover day in the first century over 250,000 lambs would be slain.

Picture the scene as John the Baptist sees Jesus walking toward him, and hear John say, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). How fitting that the Lamb of God be born in a stable (Luke 2:1-7)! It is interesting that His first visitors were shepherds (Luke 2:8-20).

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone." (Heb. 2:9).

For a more in-depth look at this topic, follow all of the links below:
Communion and the Lord's Supper
The Resurrection of Christ
Christ's Death
Crucifixion

Bookmarks

I will continue to add bookmarks or favorites to this blog post as I discover relevant ones. If you have any suggestions, feel free to send those to me and I will consider there relavance to this blog. If I feel they are as valuable as you, I will add them. Thanks!

Links, Bookmarks, etc. below
highlandcoc.podOmatic.com
highlandgospelmeetings.podOmatic.com
http://www.studyjesus.com/

Hoarders by David Duncan

Our Gospel Meeting speaker at Highland for 2011

One of his recent sermons.

Hoarders by David Duncan

Be telling others about the Gospel.

Kevin

1-23-11 Where to Get The Best Guidance - 1 John 4:1

SERMON NOTES

“Where To Get The Best Guidance”

1 John 4:1

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1

Who Is The Author of This Communication?
From myself?
From satan and those who yield to him?
From God?

God Communicates to Us In Different Ways:
God gave the Bible for instruction. 2 Timothy 3:16
God gave teachers of the Bible for instruction. Romans 10:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13
God is with us in life to teach us. Proverbs 20:30; Psalm 119:67, 71-72

How To Test A Teaching
Does it agree with the Bible? Luke 21:33
Does it make me more like Christ? Philippians 2:5
Do I sense God’s peace about it? 1 Corinthians 14:33

Blessings of Hearing God’s Voice
It assures me that I’m God’s. John 10:14, 16
It protects me from mistakes. Job 33:17-18
It is the secret to a productive life. John 15:5

As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”  Hebrews 3:15


Reflect On This Thought:
To be brought within the zone of God’s voice is to be profoundly altered.

1-16-11 How To Understand God's Word - Luke 8:4-15

“How To Understand God’s Words”

Luke 8:4-15

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17 (NIV)

How To Best Understand God's Words:
DEVELOP AN OPEN HEART

The hardened path = heart that is close.
James 1:21

DEDICATE TIME TO LISTEN

The shallow soil = heart that is superficial.

DELETE THE DIVERSIONS

The soil with weeds = heart that is preoccupied.

DO WHAT YOU KNOW HE SAYS
James 1:22

The good soil = heart that is willing.

Link to Quotes

10-17-10 Knowing The Lord

“Knowing The Lord”
2 Corinthians 5:11-15

The Nature of God
Romans 11:22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

The Motives of Christians

• Fear of the Lord (vv. 11-13)
• Love of the Lord (vv. 14-15)

The Role of Christ
Isaiah 53

The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose. --C. S. Lewis

10-10-10 Eddie Cloer will be Speaking on Missions - Here are my thoughts

THE WORLD WE LIVE IN

    If we could shrink the Earth's population to a village of 100 people, it would look like this: There would be 57 Asians, 21 Europeans, 14 North and South Americans and 8 Africans.
    * 70 would be nonwhite.
    * 70 would be non-Christian.
    * 50% of the wealth would be in the hands of 6 people.
    * All 6 people would be U.S. citizens.
    * 70 would be unable to read.
    * 50 would suffer malnutrition.
    * 80 would have substandard housing.
    * Only 1 would be college educated.

WHAT IT TAKES TO DO CHRIST’S MISSION

A person with Christ's mission needs:
the wisdom of an owl,
the tenacity of a bulldog,
the daring of a lion,
the patience of a donkey,
the versatility of a chameleon,
the vision of an eagle,
the melody of the nightingale,
the meekness of a lamb,
the tack of a politician,
the hide of a rhinoceros,
the disposition of an angel,
the resignation of an incurable,
the faithfulness of a prophet,
the tenderness of a shepherd,
the fervency of an evangelist,
the devotion of a mother,
the sacrifice of a martyr,
and the loyalty of an apostle.

But, missionaries are not born, they are and made by calling and discipleship.

Missionaries and messengers are made out of the ordinary run of individuals. The basic qualification is not intellectualism, but a yielded spirit, a devotion to the will of God, and a deep sense of call.


You think about that!
Kevin

10-3-10 Knowing Yourself

Knowing Yourself

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Checkup on personal knowledge: How is your ....

...Conviction (v. 1)


...Clothing (vv. 2-5)


...Confidence (vv. 6-8)


...Concern (vv. 9-10)



It is better to ask some of the questions than to know all of the answers. James Grover Thurber (1894–1961)

9-26-10 Having The Same Spirit of Faith

Having The Same Spirit of Faith

2 Corinthians 4:13-18

The Qualification of Ministry

The Quotation of Old Testament

The Qualities of “my” Faith
* I believe and so I speak
* I believe in Jesus
* I believe and grace extends more and more
* I bring glory to God
* I do not lose heart
* I am afflicted but preparing for eternal glory
* I focus on what is eternal

Ask yourself “What is God trying to do in my life of faith?”

9-19-10 Having This Treasure in Earthen Vessels

Having The Treasure in Earthen Vessels
2 Corinthians 4:7-12

God's Magnificent Ministry

Human Beings Have A Humble Role
* Qualifications
* Recognition
* Desperation
* Resignation

Jesus Manifestation in Life

The Call for Multiplication

8-15-10 Thanks For The Suffering

This Sunday I will begin a new series of lessons on the book of 2 Corinthians. Please read it and be looking at what Paul says about ministry and how you fit into the discipleship process.

Sermon Audio

Thanks For The Suffering

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (Click to read)

Reasons For Writing 2 Corinthians

Reflections of Ministry For God
What God means to believers. (1:3)
What God always does for those who want to grow. (1:4, 8-11)
What God does through servants. (1:4-7

Responses God Wants From You:
You might be prepared to comfort others.
You might not trust in yourself.
You might learn to give thanks in everything.


Note: As with each week, please share quotes, illustrations, stories, experience, etc that you feel is beneficial.

8-1-10 Passion for Christ 8-8-10 Second Part of Lesson

Here is this coming Sunday's outline. Send me any questions, illustrations, humor etc. you think I might use with it. Thanks! -- Kevin

Listen to this Song for mental preparation.
Holy Ground

Part 1 August 1, 2010

Part 2 August 8, 2010



“A great commitment to the greatest commandment and the great commission makes a great church.”

Great Compassion  - John 3:16

Great Commandment - Matthew 22:34-40 & 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Great Covenant – Jeremiah 31:31-34 & Hebrews 8, 9

Great Commission – Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-16 

Great Cause – Matthew 25:31-46 

Great Confession – Matthew 16:13-16

Great Church - Matthew 16:17-20

Great Christ  - 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

"Optimists are right. So are pessimists. It's up to you to choose which you will be." - Harvey Mackay

8-1-10 Pressure Decisions

How do you respond to pressure?

Introduction: Consider the arrest and trial of Jesus. Think about how people make life-changing decisions. Consider Matthew 26:57 -- 27:36

Matthew 26:57-68 – Religious leaders – show hatred / hypocrisy, lack of true spiritual leadership.


Matthew 26:69-75 – Peter lets the pressure get to him and he denied Jesus.

Matthew 27:1-10 – Judas hated himself, had godly sorry, but couldn’t deal with the guilt.

Matthew 27:11-16 – Pilate the governor let public opinion lead his indecision become a decision.

Matthew 27:27-36 – Pilate’s soldiers let the pressures of their boss lead to abuse of Jesus and gambled for clothes.

Matthew 27:17-26 –Barabbas represents you and me. Jesus took his pressure, sins, and situation and suffered for our sins. 1 Peter 2:21-25


Conclusion: Matthew 27:22 What will you do with Jesus?

7-25-10 Sermon = Can Every Member Be A Minister?

Link to songs and prayers Sunday.

Humor with lesson 

Here is the Audio recording.

Below is the outline.
“Every Member a Minister”

1 Peter 4:10

Every member of Christ’s church is...

Created for ministry. Ephesians 2:10

Consecrated as a minister. 1 Peter 2:9, 12

Charged to minister. 1 Peter 4:10

Cooperate in ministry. 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27

Crucial in ministry. 1 Corinthians 12:21-22

Compensated by ministry. Colossians3:23-24

Reflect On This Thought:

“Every member is a minister. Every member has kingdom power to destroy strongholds. Through us Jesus continues to immerses himself in the needs of the world .”

--Tim Keller

Make it a great day!

Kevin

Titus -3- My Purpose: Do Good 20100718

Titus -3- My Purpose: Do Good 20100718

Titus -2- My Purpose: Share without Being Obnoxious 20100711

Titus -2- My Purpose: Share without Being Obnoxious 20100711

Titus -1- My Purpose: Become Godly 20100627

Titus -1- My Purpose: Become Godly 20100627