Thankful for His Words
Part 11
November 22, 2020 • Pastor Ken Cline
Do Unto Others
November 15, 2020 • Pastor Ken Cline
Pastor Ken's sermon last Sunday, "Do Unto Others", struck a chord with me. The first half of Matthew chapter 7, which continues the Sermon on the Mount, focuses on our relationships with each other and the world. And in this chapter is one of the most misused verses in the Bible: "Judge not, that you be not judged..." God is not calling us to not judge and discern—we do need to be able to discern what is good and holy—but to be careful as the rest of the verse cautions, because we will be judged with the judgement that we pronounce. It has been aptly observed that by this point in the Sermon on the Mount, no one listening to Jesus's words seriously would feel like judging anyone else, anyway. With so much chaos, sin, and vitriol in the country today in the wake of the election and divisive rhetoric surrounding other crucial issues, it's easy to get sucked into going beyond judging what is good and holy and starting to judge people, to the neglect of observing my own interior life. There is enough work for me to remove the planks in my eye, that I am at no risk of becoming bored enough to need to find specks in my brothers' and sisters' eyes. So let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Giving Builds Faith
November 8, 2020 • Pastor Ken Cline
Pastor Ken’s sermon this week was on the spiritual tool of giving, given to us for the purpose of maturing us into spiritual adults. That’s right, the invitation to give is itself a gift. It keeps us grateful, keeps us humble, stretches our faith, and keeps our focus on what counts: God’s great generosity towards us in Jesus and beyond. Scripture says “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I think you can turn that around and say “Where you want your heart to be, there place your treasure.” Have you ever noticed how the things you value are the things which cost you, not those that are free? Can you agree the you’re more likely to finish an online course you paid for over one that was free? Or that you’re more likely to take away value from the retreat you paid for over the one that cost you nothing? Your heart follows your treasure. Generosity is not only an overflow of a grateful heart, but is itself a tool to keep us treasuring what is truly valuable. Where you want your heart to be, there place your treasure.
Developing a Taste for God
November 1, 2020 • Pastor Ken Cline
Do you remember when you were a kid and your parents always seemed to put those gross veggies on your dinner plate? Did you respond with, “Ew! I don’t like spinach!” or, “I am NOT eating that!” I’m sure we all did at some point. But then, over time, as we grew up, we starting trying those “gross” veggies and we found out that we actually kinda’ liked them. And after a little more time, we actually craved them sometimes! (Well, ok, maybe not spinach, still!) But that’s how it works. We try new foods; our body decides that it likes them – and the nutrients that come with them – and it will start to let us know when it needs those things. All in an effort to keep us healthy and strong. This same principle applies to our spiritual lives as well. When we’re young – spiritually, physically, or both – sometimes the things of God seem unappetizing to us. “Ew! I don’t like praying!” or, “I am NOT reading that!” But just like physical food, when we start to grow up and try more “spiritual food,” we find that we actually kinda’ like it. And as we grow some more, our spirit starts to crave it – and the benefits that come with it – and it will let us know when we need those things. All in an effort to keep our spirits healthy and strong. Neat how that works, isn’t it! In today’s message, Pastor Ken shows us how to get our fill of spiritual food. Through prayer, fasting, and spending time with God, we get spiritually nourished, and it prepares us for any testing and trials that may come our way. Spend some quiet time with the Lord. Have an intimate spiritual dinner with Him. He knows exactly how you like your food prepared – and it’s delicious.