Pro Life
Honoring the Image
Jesus the Stranger
March 21, 2021 • Pastor Ken Cline
What does the Bible say about immigration? How should we, as Christians, treat immigrants and what should we advocate for? In the final part of Pastor Ken’s sermon series, Pro-Life: Honoring the Image, we learn the answers to these questions. The word “sojourner”, meaning immigrant, occurs in the Old Testament about 100 times! And almost every single time sojourner is used in terms of how we are to take care of them. Deuteronomy 10:17-18 tells us that God loves the sojourner and gives them food and clothing and he calls us to love the sojourner as well! Even more so, we see examples of immigration in some of the most well-known Biblical figures such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This sure makes it seem like immigration is important to God. We are called to treat all people with honor and respect as they are made in the image of God. There is no exception for immigrants. In fact, we should be especially attune to the hearts of sojourners because we are strangers too. At one time, we were all strangers to the gospel of Jesus and we are still strangers in this world, passing through until our true residency with Christ. Check out the full sermon to learn more about immigration in America and how you can love the sojourner as God does.
Diversity is a Gift from God
March 7, 2021 • Pastor Ken Cline
There’s an old children’s hymn that’s been sung by church kids for years. Maybe you’ve heard it. Maybe you’ve even sung it before. Some of the lyrics are: Jesus Loves the little children, All the children of the world. Red and yellow black and white, They are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world. This is such a great way to introduce Pastor Ken’s latest teaching from the “Honoring the Image” series. This week’s message is all about showing how God deliberately and perfectly created people – in His image – to be a glorious mix of ethnicities and races – male and female. We’re beautifully diverse and He loves us all just as we should love each other. Being different from one another is a good thing! Can you imagine how boring life would be if everyone on the planet was just a cookie cutter duplicate of each other? The same language, the same food, the same music. No, thanks. Variety really is the spice of life. God knew that when he created us, (especially the food part, mmm!) and his plans are perfect! Unfortunately, our world has taken their eyes off of and turned their hearts away from God’s perfect plan. Now, different equals derogatory in almost every area of our lives; politics, skin color, gender, and nationality to name a few. This flawed view has even crept its way into the Church. God help us! But we still have hope! Listen in as Pastor Ken shows us how Jesus harmonizes our diversity, how we are all one in Christ, and how we can look forward to the greatest celebration anyone has ever known as we join with all tongues, tribes, and nations with the One who ransomed us all! Amen!
Helping Freedom Flourish
February 28, 2021 • Pastor Ken Cline
The freedoms granted to the people of the United States of America are rooted in the rights God has given us as beings created in His image. As Americans, we have the freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness, including the right to make mistakes and suffer the consequences of them just as God gave us free will. In this fourth part of the Pro-Life series, Pastor Ken discusses freedom of religion and what that entails for the Christian. Too often the lines of church and state are blurred or crossed. It is important for believers to understand our civic duties as given by God and where we might need to take a stand against rulers and authorities when the law of man conflicts with the law of God. Pastor Ken also shares the responsibility Christians have to use both their religious and spiritual freedoms to be a blessing to others. We have been gifted with a government system that allows every person a voice and a vote regarding the things that matter to them. By speaking up for the protection of the helpless, justice of the oppressed, and safety for our brothers and sisters in persecution around the globe, the Church can influence those around us to do likewise. God has granted us many liberties. May we, like the Apostle Paul encouraged, use our freedoms not for selfish gain, but to serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:13)
Born and Unborn
February 21, 2021 • Pastor Ken Cline
What first comes to mind when you hear the term “Pro-Life?” For most of us, we probably think abortion. But have you considered that “Pro-Life” means so much more? In Pastor Ken’s current sermon series, we have been looking at the value of every human being. According to Psalm 8:4-5 the Lord has crowned each and every one of us with glory and honor. Being “Pro-Life” means believing this is true and then treating every life as it is crowned with glory and honor. When we, as Christians, only view the term “Pro-Life” as abortion, we are seen as hypocrites. Valuing the unborn is important, but we have to value the born just as much. This means offering more than just a political vote. It means offering resources, support, and compassion to non-profits, pregnancy resource centers, and foster care and adoption agencies to take care of our neighbor.