Kevin Rayner's blog for posting sermons, devotionals, and resources for "real life change" and living today. Since 1979 Sermons (or Class notes), audio, humor, etc. from many years of ministry in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and currently Edmond, OK.
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Sunday, December 01, 2019
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Living with Hope
Paul opens up his first letter to the church in Thessalonica with words of affection, thanking God for their "work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Daniel 3
Transformers versus Conformers
I am not suggesting a title for a new movie although it would probably make for an interesting story. When seeing this title, we should be thinking about what can be done for God as opposed to not upsetting the status quo. There will
probably be many times in your life that leaving things be would make your life so much easier and less stressful. However, our heavenly Father wants us to be “transformers” and not “conformers.”
After the people of Judah were carried away into Babylon, king Nebuchadnezzar gave order that some of those taken captive should be trained in the way of the Chaldeans (Daniel 1:3-4). Four of Judah were found to be especially well
favored; Daniel, Hananiah, Misheal, and Azariah. All was going well for these men until the king made a golden image (3:1) and ordered that all should stop and worship this image when they heard the many instruments playing (3:5). The penalty for not doing
so was being “cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” (3:6). Now of course none of us want to be burned to death but some might actually “conform” to this new law to keep that from happening. Some might, but not Daniel’s three companions. Their
faith “transformed” them into pillars of strength. They said that even if God did not deliver them, they “will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image” (3:18). These men were then cast into the furnace and God did deliver them (3:27). Because
of this, the king was “transformed” into one who held respect for God.
Later, Daniel also was put to the test also having opportunity to be a conformer. After being promoted during the reign of Darius in Babylon, the other officers became jealous and determined to find a way to get rid of Daniel (6:4-5).
Know of Daniel’s faithfulness to God, the other princes induced king Darius to make a law keeping anyone from petitioning a god or man for thirty days (6:7). Daniel could have easily become a conformer by praying to God in secret. But even with the knowledge
of the law that was created, Daniel “went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (6:10). Apparently conforming
to the status quo was not an option for Daniel. This led to him being cast into the lion’s den (6:16). And, like his fellows, Daniel was delivered from death (6:22).
Because of his faith in God, Daniel refused to “conform” to the ways of society. The king and his subjects were “transformed” into those who would “tremble and fear before the God of Daniel” (6:26). Even with a little faith
(Luke 17:6), we can become transformers instead of conformers.
In Christ, Steve Preston
Thursday, July 18, 2019
I am ... Unashamed
I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I've stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals!
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, live by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let go, or slow up until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops. And when He comes to get His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear.
-- Bob Moorehead
A young African missionary in Zimbabwe
This young missionary was murdered for his work and this writing was found in his papers. Apparently it was written just before he died. Interesting, huh?
See: Deut 6:5; 2 Chr 31:20-21; Romans 12:1-2; Phil 3:7-8; 1 Thess 5:23; Heb 12:1-2
========
Heartbeat --2 Corinthians 12:21 (NCV) I am afraid that when I come to you again, my God will make me ashamed before you. I may be saddened by many of those who have sinned because they have not changed their Ts or turned from their sexual sins and the shameful things they have done.
Quote -- "God uses those who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him." -- Hudson Taylor
Our Wonderful Weaknesses!
-- Brad Carman, Maryland Heights, MO
We "baby boomers" probably don't remember Jimmy Durante as much as those who produced the "baby boom." Besides being known for his humongous proboscis (big nose), he was one of the truly gifted entertainers of his generation. I was recently reminded of a wonderful story about him.
It seems that he was asked to perform as part of a variety show for a group of World War II veterans. He told them that his busy schedule would only permit him to do a very brief appearance. He would do one short monologue and then immediately have to leave for his next appointment. The director of the show was glad to have him for any amount of time so he happily agreed.
When Jimmy got into his performance, something interesting occurred. He completed his short monologue and received the usual robust round of applause. Then ... instead of leaving for his next appointment as was his plan, he stayed and performed some more. The applause grew louder and louder. He continued to stay and stay. Finally, after completely blowing his schedule, he took a final bow and left the stage.
Backstage, someone asked, "I thought you had to go after a few minutes. What happened?" Jimmy answered, "I did need to leave, but I can show you the reason I stayed. Look at the front row." There, seated together were two veterans, each of whom had lost an arm in defense of his country. One had lost his right arm and the other had lost his left. However, while sitting together they could clap and that is what they were doing as wildly as the rest. What a marvelous display of two men that were aware of their weaknesses but were not allowing that to keep them from enjoying a rich experience.
When I read this story, I thought about the apostle Paul. He too had weaknesses (thorn in the flesh) that kept him from doing all that he wanted to do. He prayed to the Lord three times that it might depart but God replied, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." When God said that, Paul responded;
Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
As we dream of the kind of church we want to be, I hope we can be a place that is unashamed of its weaknesses. I believe God can use this bunch of frail, flawed human beings in ways beyond our imagination when we accept that we can succeed by His power.
"Dear Father, Thank you for showing us your power through our wonderful weaknesses."
================
Shame, Shame, Shame...
There is probably something in each of our lives that we are ashamed of. Take a few moments now and share with some of your friends or family the things in your life that have caused you the most shame. No, wait! Just kidding, don't really do that. For most of us, the things that cause shame are things that we would prefer not to tell anyone.
Compare your feelings to those of the people talked about in the Old Testament of the Bible:
"Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush." Jeremiah 6:15
The sin in their lives had become so commonplace that they no longer even blushed when involved in sin. They were not ashamed of the sinfulness of their lives or of their society. They were much like our world today.
Romans 1:16 - "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..."
And into this world that is unashamed of their godlessness, Paul calls us to stand unashamed of the Gospel. While the world is seduced and destroyed by the power of sin, Paul reminds us that we overcome by the power of God. To a world that is lost and does not know who to trust, Paul offers Christ and Salvation to everyone who believes.
Are you ashamed today? Perhaps that's OK. Perhaps we could all do with a healthy does of shame for some of the things we allow in our lives. But remember, Christ has a better option. Something that we never have to be ashamed of. Something that provides power and confidence and security: the Good News of Jesus Christ.
By Ellis Bush, Jr.
ellisbush@compuserve.com
Modem Ministries www.modmin.com
==================
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals!
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, live by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let go, or slow up until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops. And when He comes to get His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear.
-- Bob Moorehead
A young African missionary in Zimbabwe
This young missionary was murdered for his work and this writing was found in his papers. Apparently it was written just before he died. Interesting, huh?
See: Deut 6:5; 2 Chr 31:20-21; Romans 12:1-2; Phil 3:7-8; 1 Thess 5:23; Heb 12:1-2
========
Heartbeat --2 Corinthians 12:21 (NCV) I am afraid that when I come to you again, my God will make me ashamed before you. I may be saddened by many of those who have sinned because they have not changed their Ts or turned from their sexual sins and the shameful things they have done.
Quote -- "God uses those who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him." -- Hudson Taylor
Our Wonderful Weaknesses!
-- Brad Carman, Maryland Heights, MO
We "baby boomers" probably don't remember Jimmy Durante as much as those who produced the "baby boom." Besides being known for his humongous proboscis (big nose), he was one of the truly gifted entertainers of his generation. I was recently reminded of a wonderful story about him.
It seems that he was asked to perform as part of a variety show for a group of World War II veterans. He told them that his busy schedule would only permit him to do a very brief appearance. He would do one short monologue and then immediately have to leave for his next appointment. The director of the show was glad to have him for any amount of time so he happily agreed.
When Jimmy got into his performance, something interesting occurred. He completed his short monologue and received the usual robust round of applause. Then ... instead of leaving for his next appointment as was his plan, he stayed and performed some more. The applause grew louder and louder. He continued to stay and stay. Finally, after completely blowing his schedule, he took a final bow and left the stage.
Backstage, someone asked, "I thought you had to go after a few minutes. What happened?" Jimmy answered, "I did need to leave, but I can show you the reason I stayed. Look at the front row." There, seated together were two veterans, each of whom had lost an arm in defense of his country. One had lost his right arm and the other had lost his left. However, while sitting together they could clap and that is what they were doing as wildly as the rest. What a marvelous display of two men that were aware of their weaknesses but were not allowing that to keep them from enjoying a rich experience.
When I read this story, I thought about the apostle Paul. He too had weaknesses (thorn in the flesh) that kept him from doing all that he wanted to do. He prayed to the Lord three times that it might depart but God replied, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." When God said that, Paul responded;
Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
As we dream of the kind of church we want to be, I hope we can be a place that is unashamed of its weaknesses. I believe God can use this bunch of frail, flawed human beings in ways beyond our imagination when we accept that we can succeed by His power.
"Dear Father, Thank you for showing us your power through our wonderful weaknesses."
================
Shame, Shame, Shame...
There is probably something in each of our lives that we are ashamed of. Take a few moments now and share with some of your friends or family the things in your life that have caused you the most shame. No, wait! Just kidding, don't really do that. For most of us, the things that cause shame are things that we would prefer not to tell anyone.
Compare your feelings to those of the people talked about in the Old Testament of the Bible:
"Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush." Jeremiah 6:15
The sin in their lives had become so commonplace that they no longer even blushed when involved in sin. They were not ashamed of the sinfulness of their lives or of their society. They were much like our world today.
Romans 1:16 - "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..."
And into this world that is unashamed of their godlessness, Paul calls us to stand unashamed of the Gospel. While the world is seduced and destroyed by the power of sin, Paul reminds us that we overcome by the power of God. To a world that is lost and does not know who to trust, Paul offers Christ and Salvation to everyone who believes.
Are you ashamed today? Perhaps that's OK. Perhaps we could all do with a healthy does of shame for some of the things we allow in our lives. But remember, Christ has a better option. Something that we never have to be ashamed of. Something that provides power and confidence and security: the Good News of Jesus Christ.
By Ellis Bush, Jr.
ellisbush@compuserve.com
Modem Ministries www.modmin.com
==================
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
The Jesus You Want to Follow
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 1: He’s Looking For You (Luke 10:25-37)
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 2: Jesus as Fully Divine
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 3: Jesus as Fully Human
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 4: Jesus Glorified and In Charge (1 Peter 1:18-21)
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 5: What It Means to Say Jesus “Saves”
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 6: The Kingdom of God, Here and Still to Come
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 7: The Culmination of the Kingdom and the Second Coming of Jesus
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 8: Jesus Welcomes Sinners
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 9: Jesus and the Scriptures
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 10: Loving God
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 11: Loving Others
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 12: Come to the feast!
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 2: Jesus as Fully Divine
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 3: Jesus as Fully Human
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 4: Jesus Glorified and In Charge (1 Peter 1:18-21)
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 5: What It Means to Say Jesus “Saves”
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 6: The Kingdom of God, Here and Still to Come
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 7: The Culmination of the Kingdom and the Second Coming of Jesus
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 8: Jesus Welcomes Sinners
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 9: Jesus and the Scriptures
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 10: Loving God
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 11: Loving Others
The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 12: Come to the feast!
Sunday, May 26, 2019
One80 Series
One80
The conversion of Jews at Pentecost - Acts 2:29-41
#One80
On the Road (Ethiopian) - Acts 8:26-40
#One80
A Bright Light (Saul/Paul) Acts 9:1-19
#One80
Open Heart (Lydia) - Acts 16:11-15
#One80
Freedom (Jailor) - Acts 16:22-34
#One80
Do Not Be Silent (Crispus) - Acts 18:1-11
#One80
In His Name (The Ephesian 12) - Acts 19:1-12
The conversion of Jews at Pentecost - Acts 2:29-41
#One80
On the Road (Ethiopian) - Acts 8:26-40
#One80
A Bright Light (Saul/Paul) Acts 9:1-19
#One80
Open Heart (Lydia) - Acts 16:11-15
#One80
Freedom (Jailor) - Acts 16:22-34
#One80
#One80
In His Name (The Ephesian 12) - Acts 19:1-12
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Undeniable -- Sermon Series on the Life of the Apostle Peter
Fish for People - Luke 5:1-11
Out of the Boat - Matthew 14:22-36
To Whom Shall We Go?
The Great Confession -
To the Death - John 13:33-38
Facing the Fire (Peter's Trust & Transformation) --
Restored -
Lord of All - Acts 10:34-36 (Acts 10-11)
Sunday, February 03, 2019
Sunday, January 13, 2019
First Church - Study Series Looking at the Early Church
Wholly Devoted --
Actively Involved
Doing Life Together
Filled with Awe
Glad and Sincere Hearts
God at Work
First Church
Wholly Devoted
Acts 2:42-47
Actively Involved
Ephesians 4:7-16
Doing Life Together
Hebrews 10:19-25
Filled With Awe
2 Timothy 1:6-14
Glad & Sincere Hearts
1 Peter 1:3-9
God at Work
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Acts 2:42-47
Actively Involved
Ephesians 4:7-16
Doing Life Together
Hebrews 10:19-25
Filled With Awe
2 Timothy 1:6-14
Glad & Sincere Hearts
1 Peter 1:3-9
God at Work
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
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