Next Gen
Invest in the Kingdom
January 1, 2023 | Reading the Map
January 1, 2023 • Pastor Ken Cline
It is the calling of all Christians to make disciples of all nations. We call this the Great Commission and it is found in Matthew 28:18-20. This call to make disciples was Jesus’ parting words to us before He ascended into Heaven—the very last thing He wanted us to remember as we moved forward in our faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. These words are vitally important because some people have never heard of Jesus and He is no longer here in a physical way to represent Himself. He has commissioned us to be His representatives. It is our job to tell the world about Jesus’ Good News. We should all be involved in this significant and monumental task by going to another nation, helping others to go, and living our lives in a way that invites those around us to “come and see” that God is good and wants good things for them. Jesus has done His good work for all people. It is our job now to do our part. We partner with Jesus in filling the earth with those who love Him and glorify Him by making disciples. Much has been done in the 2,000 years that Christianity has been a force on this earth, but there is much still to be done. We must constantly be learning God’s Word, praying for God’s will, giving to God’s mission, and going to all nations to share the Gospel. This is how we invest in the Kingdom to come.
January 15, 2023 | Faith Filled Courage
January 15, 2023 • Pastor Ken Cline
True faith gives way to courage; it’s a lack of faith if we have fear. Isaiah 43:2 tells us to fear not because God will be with us. Faith is to take God at His word (v.3), which is true courage. It requires both faith and courage to complete the Great Commission. When making disciples, you will experience fire and floods. Many people groups don’t have a witness. By fulfilling the Great Commission, we are rescuing people from destruction. How can we participate in the Great Commission? LEARN, PRAY, GIVE, AND GO. This is the calling for all Christians. What is your part? The enemy would like to get us distracted. We must all be salt and light. We must put the right seed in the next generation. Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” There must be a heart change. We must have faith filled courage. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “No one can come to the Father except through me.” If our family and friends don’t know Jesus, we must reach them. Our faith can’t just be “personal” and private. When sharing our faith, we will go through floods and fires. Endurance, however, comes through tests (Jas. 1:2-4; Rom. 8:35-39). Nothing can separate us from God and His love. God is not concerned about our “comfort zone.” Accept the word and walk in courage to teach this to the next generation! We need resilient faith! Here are some specific ways to increase our faith and pass it to our children. Be rooted in the Word of God (We have 9 classes this winter to choose from!) Stay connected to the local church (Heb. 10:23-25) Pray–this means spending time with God, not just our requests or praying for others Be secure in your identity in Christ (Eph. 1:3-5) God takes great pleasure in us! Be engaged in serving, giving, and sharing Challenges: Will you serve the next generation? There are many ways to serve at our church. Will you give towards the Great Commission? (Missions pledges) Will you tell others about Christ? Will you pass the test to share the testimony? (Eph. 3:20) Will you throw away all idols that are before God in your life? (Joshua 24:14-15)
January 22, 2023 | Send Out the Word
January 22, 2023 • Pastor Ken Cline
Isaiah 55: 1-12 This is the great invitation to come, hear, seek and take God’s word. It only makes sense if you know Jesus is the servant referred to in Isaiah 53 prophesied to die for our sins. Come: (vs 1) Come is mentioned 4 times shows the urgency for those who are spiritual thirsty. Jesus said if anyone is thirsty let him come (John 37:38) 2. Hear: (vs 3) Hear me so that your soul may live. 3. Seek & call on Him and be pardoned : (vs 6-9) God’s mercy and grace are available because of Jesus. God’s ways are not our ways. It’s a process of coming, listening, and submitting over and over. 4. God’s Word: (vs 10-11) His word is supernatural, bringing about creation (Genesis), healing, and causing us to be new creations. John 1:1-14 describes Jesus as the Word who was at the beginning with God and then incarnate, and still with God. 5. Senders: (vs. 12) We are to take God’s word out (John 20:21, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:13-15).