King’s Grant Online

Emphasize the Truth - 2 Corinthians 4:2

On July 18, Vince continued Ken’s summer teaching series on OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT, called, Beyond the Faint Heart, from 2 Corinthians 4:1-16… with a message called, Emphasize the Truth:

1. Paul’s Place
2. Preaching Problems
3. Paul’s Power

^{Vince discusses Paul's teaching on the Old Covenant and the New Covenant in 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, including the veil and fading glory.}

Realize What We Have Received - 2 Corinthians 4:1

On July 11, Ken began his new summer teaching series on OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT, called, Beyond the Faint Heart, from 2 Corinthians 4:1-16...

Realize What We Have Received

A Human Context:

1. Paul had opportunity for discouragement.
2. Paul experienced success in the face of discouragement.

Our Practical Application:

1. How can we not lose heart?
2. Why should we not lose heart?

5 Facts of Our Freedom in Christ - John 8:31-36

On July 4, Ken talked about 5 Facts of Our Freedom in Christ from 5 different passages in the New Testament. Let's view our country and patriotism from God's perspective when it comes to acceptable worship of our Lord and Savior.

Freedom that is Absolute - John 8:36 - “If the Son sets you free you will be free indeed”

Freedom in Knowing God Personally - 2 Corinthians 3:17 -  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom”

Freedom from the Bondage of Sin. - Galatians 5:1 -  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke slavery.”

Freedom of Belonging (Community) - Galatians 5:13-14 - “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’." 

Freedom to Enter God’s Presence - Ephesians 3:12 - “In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” 

Self-examination - Part 3 - Hebrews 12:1-2

On June 27, Pastor Ken concludes his mini-series on self-examination, focusing on Hebrews 12:1-2.

QUESTION #5 - Is Jesus the true orientation of your life, or have you reduced Him to only one expression of your life’s commitments?

Hebrews 12:2, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

1. Contextually – how do we fix our eyes? - Let's go back one verse for some context. Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”
2. Symbolically - “run with perseverance” – the narrative of an athlete
3. Practically - We keep our eyes fixed on the One who is our goal (no room for competing allegiances)

Questions Review:

• Q1 - Are you seeking God with all your heart?
• Q2 - Which best defines your life: striving to be like Christ or being in Christ? 
• Q3 - Are you spiritually hungry and thirsty, or are you easily satisfied with brief moments of religious involvement?  
• Q4 - Are you as privately committed to Jesus as much as it appears you are publicly.
• Q5 – Is Jesus the true orientation of your life, or have you reduced Him to only one expression of your life’s commitments?  

Summary question - Which perspective do you live by most: going to church or being the church?  

Self-examination - Part 2 - Matthew 5:6, Galatians 2:20

On June 20, pastor Ken delivered part 2 of the Self-examination Series called, 5 Questions for Self-Examination (5 questions we are afraid to ask ourselves.)

Review the first two questions from June 13...

Q1 – Are you seeking God with all your heart?

Q2 – Which best defines your life: striving to be like Christ, or being in Christ?

Question #3.

Q3 – Are you spiritually hungry and thirsty, or are you easily satisfied with brief moments of religious involvement? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

Question #4. 

Q4 – Are you as privately committed to Jesus as much as it appears you are publicly?  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

Self-examination - Part 1 - Psalm 105:1-4

On June 13, at our outdoor service, pastor Ken began a new mini-series on questions we must ask ourselves for proper self-examination. Today are questions 1 and 2 ...

Q1 - Do you truly seek God with all your heart? (Psalm 105:4) Repentance, turn from our wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14) Seeking God’s face. Recognizing our own sin. Worship, look to him. Let’s not just assume that we seek after God with all our heart. Three specific ways we are called to seek God:

a. With all our heart represents a single focus (Psalm 105:1), no competition of other affections in our life, seek God’s face is to seek his presence, left our first love (Revelation 2:4), our love of Jesus can fade and transform into works – busy serving Jesus without true affection,

b. With all your heart represents a covenant relationship (Psalm 105:2), “all of his wonderful works” among his people, all his faithfulness to us, constantly in his presence, not just in a 10-minute devotional time, checking off our task list,

c. With all your heart focuses on his name (Psalm 105:3), name represents his character and nature, drawn to him observing his greatness, manifested in the face of Christ, not seeking out of routine or participation, drawn to his beauty and majesty, seeking God alone (Thomas a’Kempis)

Q2 - Which best defines your life? Striving to be “like Christ” or “in Christ”? (2 Corinthians 5:17) We will never fully be like Christ until we’re with him. Our status – we are a new creation, right with God, brand new in Christ, not partially new, defined by status rather than striving. Seven facts of a life living in Christ…

1. New Creation – the purpose of the cross.
2. Our sin debt is cancelled – our brokenness caused by sin has been restored.
3. Christ’s righteousness has been substituted for our own failed attempts to be right with God.
4. Our faith… in the work of Christ. Faith placed in him, not a righteousness of our own.
5. Christ, through the Holy Spirit, is in us transforming us.
6. The lordship of Christ over our life – we live for him, our ultimate affection – living in response to him.
7. Our hearts surrendered to his love – that keeps us surrendering every day.

Five Ways Communion Impacts Our Lives - 1 Corinthians 11:17-28

On June 6, Pastor Ken talked about the Lord's Supper, from 1 Corinthians 11:17-28.

5 ways The Lord’s Supper Impacts our Lives.

1. Togetherness (v. 18, “when you come together”)
2. Thankfulness (v. 23, “The Lord Jesus, on the night that He took the bread, when He had given thanks, He broke the bread”)
3. Remembrance (v. 24, 25, “do this in remembrance of me”). 
4. Proclamation (v. 26, “you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes”). 
5. Self-examination (v. 28, “a man ought to examine himself”). 

Conversations - Christian Community - 1 John 1:3

On May 30, Pastor Ken's conversation was from John regarding Christian Community, from 1 John 1:3.

Conversations - with John …about Community - 1 John 1:3

Criteria for Community. We are a:

1. witnessing community. 
2. spiritual community. 
3. doctrinally sound community. 

Conversations - Personal Commitment - Romans 12:1-2

On May 23, Pastor Ken talked about a conversation with Paul that speaks to us today, regarding Personal Commitment, from Romans 12:1-2.

Perspectives to Refresh our Personal Commitment:

1. "Therefore” (the big picture).
2. “I urge you by the mercies of God” (the highest motivation).
3. “to present yourselves a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship” (the depth of service).

Conversations - Leveling Self-Importance - Luke 22:24-30

On May 16, Pastor Ken talked about the disciples desire for position in this message called, A Conversation about Greatness - Luke 22:24-30

3 distorted perspectives of self

1. precedence (Luke 22:24)
2. position (Luke 22:25)
3. preference (Luke 22:26-27)

3 blessings that keep you from the distortion

1. relationship (Luke 22:28)
2. covenant (Luke 22:29)
3. kingdom fulfillment (Luke 22:30)