Welcome to our podcast! McKernan Baptist Church exists to become a community of fully devoted and developed followers of Jesus Christ that reaches our world with his transforming love and truth.
Peter, a simple fisherman from Galilee, heard two words from Jesus that would change his life: follow me. In responding to that call, he became part of an extraordinary movement and played a key role in the early church. But Peters story isnt one of a perfect disciple. Its the story of an imperfect follower just like us who responds to Jesus and learns to fulfil his calling. The arc of Peters life is a long one, but as we survey it, here is the question that will guide us this morning: What did Peter embrace that allowed him to fulfil his calling well? And Scripture reveals that... 1. Peter Embraced Jesus as his Source (Acts 1-4; Luke 5:1-11; Jn 21:15-19) Two implications for us: i. We fulfil our calling not out of fear - trying to measure up - but out of love ii. Forgiveness frees us to forgive ourselves and move forward 2. Peter Embraced Jesus as Lord (Mt 16:15-23; Acts 10:9-15, 34-35) Two implications for us: i. Jesus is not joining our journey we are stepping into His ii. Prayer is a great starting point where, with open hearts, we invite Him to shape us 3. Peter Embraced Jesus, Giver of the Spirit (Acts 1:3-8; Acts 2:32-33) Two implications for us: i. We need the Spirit to fulfil our calling we are not alone ii. We will have a Spirit-filled boldness Discussion Questions 1. How has Jesus as your source of grace empowered you through difficult times to fulfil your calling? Has there been a moment in your life, as a follower, when grace hit you anew? 2. Where in your life right now are you tempted to say, No way, Lord? What does it mean to you that Jesus is not joining our journey we are stepping into His'? 3. What might a Spirit-filled boldness look like in your circles? What could be holding you back from living that out? 4. Where do you sense God might be nudging you to move forward in your calling this summer? This year?
Today we are launching a new sermon series that will have us become far more acquainted with some ordinary people in the Acts of the Apostles who became key in an extraordinary movement.
Romans 6:4-11 ESV;1 Corinthians 15:20-22 ESV By faith, the weight of sin is gone when we die with Christ. By faith, the grave is beaten when we rise with Christ. By faith, our new life begins when we live with Christ.
Matthew 16:24-25; 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-40
The Barrier of Sin Romans 3:23 2 Corinthians 5:21 The Barrier of Fear Proverbs 29:25 John 14:27 The Barrier of Pride James 4:6 Proverbs 3:34
1. Getting to the wilderness We are driven by the Spirit into the wilderness by: A major life transition Trauma or personal crisis Moral struggle Si Smiths video shown in sermon, youtube.com/watch?v=O5bfxGNMY9c 2. In the wilderness, we encounter a deep lesson on authentic lament. Lament is a form of praise Lament guides us in tenderness with God Attachment Theories Secure Attachment Anxious-avoidant attachment Anxious ambivalent attachment 3. Victory in the Wilderness Discussion Questions 1. Share a time that you were in the wilderness. Were you led or driven? 2. How did your circumstances affect your relationship with God? 3. What is your experience with lament? 4. Read through a selection of laments from the Psalms (Psalm 3, 4, 13, 12, 22, 44, and Psalm 74). Use them for guidance to write your own personal lament. 5. What are your go-to verses to combat the devils attacks? 6. How do you see the devil affecting leaders? Devote time to pray for global leaders. 7. Why is todays story especially applicable to you?
Empowered: The Journey of Living in the Spirit Drink. Be Filled. Repeat. John 7:37-39 & Ephesians 5:15-20 How Do We Drink? Hebrews 10:22-25 We draw near to God with sincerity and with faith that He hears us. We get our hearts and bodies washed up regularly with confession and forgiveness. We hold on to hope in Gods faithfulness even when life looks hopeless. We thoughtfully encourage one another towards love and good deeds. We keep meeting together for prayer and the study of Gods Word. Philippians 4:8-9 Meditate and focus on things that are true, pure and right. Watch other mature believers and imitate the actions that reflect the life and heart of Jesus What Does It Mean To Be Filled? Ephesians 5:15-20 As wine influences a persons perception in many ways, live under the influence of Holy Spirit. Under the influence of Holy Spirit, we will receive the wisdom we need to address the tension and evil of our days. Under the influence of Holy Spirit, we will understand the will of God. UndertheinfluenceofHolySpirit,wewillbeledtoapplyScriptureandsongs with regularity in our lives. Have you ever sensed a nudging from Holy Spirit to do something, like calling a person out of the blue, or writing an encouraging note? Share your experience with a friend. Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt divine protection, peace, provision, or a boldness to do something unusual? Did you recognize that to be the work of Holy Spirit in your life? Is there a way that you want to draw closer to God in obedience and experience Holy Spirit more frequently in your life? Express your hearts desire in prayer to God.
Ephesians 1:13-14; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 8:9-11
We launch our new series entitled Empowered: The Journey of Living in the Spirit, with an Epiphany sermon. We will discover how the same Spirit that guided the Three Wise Men continues to guide us today to glorify the Lord Jesus.
Used politically, the term Father expresses the power of a leader to give life, sustain life, and guide the life of a nation into the future. Christ and his Kingdom is the fulfillment of the divine title Everlasting Father. Colossians 1:13-20 The foundational source of this Fatherhood and all its implications is based on the nature of God. God is love; 1 John 4:7-16. Questions for Reflection How would you rate yourself as an employee of the Kingdom? Do people encounter the peace, justice, and righteousness of Christ in you? What is one or two words you would use to describe your experience of God as father? Ask the Holy Spirit if he would like to communicate another aspect of the fatherhood of God in your life.
Arrogance and Anxiety are connected. If only or in spite of? Passive victims or mighty warriors? What is your role? What does God do?
In the midst of the suffering that we face, we are invited into deep community and real hope.
Welcome to McKernan Baptist Church! We are delighted that we have this opportunity to join together with you in heartfelt worship. We aspire to be people that fulfil our calling as sisters and brothers in the Family of God as we love God and love one another. We are not perfect here; but Jesus is. By His grace, we are His church. You are welcome here. I. The call to inherit the blessing, because the eyes and ears of the Lord are on the righteous (8-12). II. The call for a correct attitude toward suffering (13-22).
Peter teaches that loyalty to God should rule ones inner life despite ones outward circumstances. 1. Living together as the people of God means using our freedom for good. 2. Living together as the people of God means living a life shaped by the crucified Christ. 3. Living together as the people of God means honoring each other in marriage and close relationships.
1. Grace to be holy (1:13-21) By grace, 1:1-2 we have been chosen for covenantal affection by Gods foreknowledge. 1:3 we have been born again to a living hope 1:4 we have an inheritance that is perfect in every way 1:5 we are protected by God 1:6-7 we are being refined 1:8 we are swimming in faithful love 1:10-12 we are what the prophets and angels all point toward and are captivated by 2. Grace to love one another (1:22-2:3) 3. Grace for the world (1 Peter 2:4-12)
Encouragement is essentialnot only to lift us from moments of isolation but also to strengthen the bonds within our community and propel us forward in our shared journey of following Jesus. Drawing from our passage in Hebrews, well explore three simple yet powerful ways to encourage others through the invitations: Come with, Come in, and Come on!
Colossians 3:1-14 We dont rise to the level of our morals and virtues. We fall to the level of our beliefs which are reinforced by our perceived identity, our thought patterns, and our actions.
Group Discussion Questions 1. Make a list of what God accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 2. Make a list of our churchs ministries. How do they align with Gods quest of reconciliation? 3. Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. What do we learn about God? About ourselves? 4. What might need to shift in our posture and practice with one another so that we are living as people that are reconciled and reconciling? 5. Identify the one issue in your personal life, in your context, or in the world that is broken, and that Jesus is calling you to go with Him. What is your role in the next 10 min? 10 days? Ten months to humbly move toward the messiness?
1 Peter 4:7-11 NRSV Spiritual Gifts and Serving One Another
We each encounter challenges in life, even if were living for God. Sometimes its our fault, but sometimes life just happens. This message identifies three powerful lessons and four practices to successfully navigate lifes difficulties
Paul, as he wraps up his message, resounds a recurring theme in the Book of Philippians that the church be of one accord; 1: 27, 2: 1 4, which he also exemplifies in his relationship with Timothy; 1: 20. He reaches into time and echoes the message from Christs prayer for the Believers, that we may all be one, as Christ and God the Father are one! John 17: 20 23
We aspire to be people that fulfil our calling as sisters and brothers in the Family of God as we love God and love one another. We are not perfect here; but Jesus is. By His grace, we are His church. "There is no problem in human life that apprenticeship to Jesus cannot solve. ~ Dallas Willard
Paul encourages the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord and warns them against false teachers who put confidence in the flesh. He contrasts this with his own background and achievements, which he now considers worthless compared to knowing Christ. The surpassing value of knowing Jesus and gaining righteousness through faith in Him is what ultimately gives the believer a deeper joy. Paul is able to consider all of his works as rubbish because he has experienced something supremely greater.
Freedom in Christ that cries out against others with hate and division is not true freedom. Freedom that remains passive in a culture of hate and ignores that lives are being destroyed, is no freedom at all. We do have the freedom in Christ to use the weapons of prayer, kindness, and above all else, love.
As we continue our series through the book of Philippians, we come today to Pauls response to the question about his wellbeing. The believers in Philippi have sent a care package and a visitor to check in on Paul as they want to know how he is doing, knowing he has been in prison for a long time already.
Aligning our hearts to what has eternal value. (Luke 4:13-30)
Today, we begin a series of sermons through the book of Philippians. The book is actually a letter Paul wrote to the church in the city of Philippi and even though the letter was written from a place of imprisonment, a significant theme that emerges is joy.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Today, we see Jesus speak into a polarized situation with the question, Who appointed Me a judge or an arbiter between you?
John 2:1-11 Were looking at the questions of Jesus to help us discover the concerns that are on His heart. On this Mothers Day, well look at a question Jesus asked His mother, Woman, why do you involve me? (v. 4) In answering as He does, Jesus clarified that He was not about to change water into wine just to satisfy His mothers request. Rather, its purpose was to act as a sign (v. 11) pointing to His true identity and foreshadowing His true mission.
In John 1:37 Jesus asks the question, What do you want? When we consider that this is the Son of God talking to two ordinary people, it is quite unexpected and even remarkable.
Today, we are unpacking a passage about hosting the Lord. Simon, a Pharisee who knew the customs and expectations around hosting an honored guest, failed to fulfill his duties. But an unwelcomed woman steps in and lavishly provides, hosting Jesus with the expression of her hearts gratitude.
Today we will continue this years series, "Dwelling in Christ". Jesus consistently refers to His creation in His teaching. On this Earth Day weekend, Pastor Dan will give consideration to our role in creation care and how we align with Jesus when we allow others to know the Creator.
Mark 9:30-36; Luke 22:24-26 Were looking at the questions of Jesus to help us discover the concerns that are on His heart. In asking His disciples, What were you arguing about on the road? (Mk. 9:33), Jesus was exposing the way they looked for greatness in self-promotion. There are several places He addressed this issue and well explore His teaching using two categories...
Were looking at the questions of Jesus to help us discover the concerns that are on Jesus heart. The question, What is the Kingdom of God like?" is one Jesus often answered (Mark 4:30,33)
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