Kettering Church of Christ Podcast

Series: Steadfast & ImmovableService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenJesus is the answer for the problem of death. Not only did Jesus beat death, He made it possible for us to beat it too. Since this is true… be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. We need to meditate on this. Memorize it. As we do, we’ll be surprised at how we approach life with the right attitude. Today we will focus on the word steadfast from 1 Corinthians 15.58.Defining Steadfastness.15.58 - steadfast. “not subject to change or variation, especially in behavior.”Fixed in…

Series: Steadfast & ImmovableService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenFor from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, Mark 7.21b. Ideas have practical consequences. Hope and love do not originate from nothing. They grow out of ideas - views of reality - revealed in Scripture. Consider the line of thinking found in 1 Corinthians 15.51-57: Death will be defeated. 15.58 - Therefore … our hope, love, and faith are the result.Defining “Immovable.”15.58 - Immovable… “Not to be moved from place to place.”How this fits inside the Corinthian context.2.1-2 - what did Paul proclaim when he came to Corinth?Satan tries to…

Series: 21st Century Cultural BattlegroundService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenOur Ministry of ReconciliationHow can we respond to our changing culture? Of what do we need to remind ourselves? We are on a mission of sharing solutions. People need to know faith is the best alternative to the humanistic worldview. In an ever-changing world we must learn how to demonstrate the great beauty of faith. In Romans 12.1-2, Paul pleads with his readers to avoid the pressure to conform to the world and its culture. The challenge is … how does the church actually do this?What is Culture?What do you mean when you use the word?Bruce Ashford, Cultural Engagement for…

Series: Steadfast & ImmovableService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenWe’re living in a time when many people do not know how to work hard. Think about how this has led to a sense of entitlement … Some are even arrogant … asserting that those who are in manufacturing or farming aren’t very smart. The idea of abounding … might be a challenge more now than ever before. Today, we’ll learn what it means to abound in the work of the Lord.What It Means to Abound1 Corinthians 15.58 - always abounding in the work of the Lord…Always: “at all times.”Abounding: “abundant, plentiful, to exist in large quantities.”Philippians 1.9 - we…

Series: Steadfast & ImmovableService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenUnless the Lord returns first, the hour of death … is coming … for all of us. And then what? What after that? Has anyone conquered death? Is there any way to go into it and come out on the other side? If they have, did they make it possible for you and me to find that victory? The answer to those questions lies in Jesus, Revelation 1.18; John 14.19. For those who believe on Him, trust in Him, that same triumph belongs. This is the power behind 1 Corinthians 15.54-58.1 Corinthians 15.54 - Our TransformationComparisons: perishable - imperishable; mortality…

Series: Authentic FaithService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenLike the OriginalWho are we reflecting? Have you ever read 5.14-16 in connection with the rest of the sermon on the mount? These verses are a purpose statement and serve as a bridge between the beatitudes and the rest of the sermon, where Jesus tells us how to be light. This is authentic Christianity. If you want to see God’s intention for what the Christian life looks like … look no farther than Matthew 5-7. Will we participate in the process? If so, it will involve the greatest of commitment … the giving of everything … even our life.Matthew 10.24: …

Series: Authentic FaithService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenAs we discuss foundational elements that hold up our victorious faith, we need to examine the need for living with integrity. We’ve been told to, in everything, adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. You and I have a sphere of influence. By it, we will either lead others to Christ or we will turn them away. Today, as we focus on authentic faith, we’ll learn how we can build it as we go through life.Integrity is Developed with Small ThingsWhat are some fundamentals in spiritual and moral matters Gen X’ers may have taken for granted?The need for honesty:Psalm 15.1-2…

Series: Authentic FaithService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenHow do we respond victoriously to the assault on our faith? How do we maintain the proper perspective as we navigate the fog of war? During January we’re answering these questions with rock-solid certainty from the word of God. With what does it all begin? It begins with Authentic Faith. Today we’ll talk about effective discipleship.Discipleship 101Not all believers are disciples. The Scriptures demand much more than 5-step salvation.Don’t let the rut you’re in become your grave.What did Jesus say about discipleship?Luke 6.40 - a disciple is ___________________________________________ His teacher.Romans 8.29 - God is conforming us into the image of His…

Series: Sin is Always SinService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Cain AtkinsonAuthentic Faith: Real Faith in a Real GodThe previous monthly theme was called “Sin is Always Sin.” We identified the problem of sin and as a natural progression the solution, our need for God’s grace. As we head into January we will move into a discussion about “Authentic Faith.” In this lesson we will start where we ought in every discussion about authentic faith—real faith. The Real God. The Inescapable Reality of the One True GodExodus 3.14 I AM WHO I AM…and you can find MeThis reality that God exists is the beginning of an Authentic or Real Faith.Hebrews 11.1…

Series: Sin is Always SinService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenGod is the God of truth, Psalm 31.5. He is the ultimate reality. His instructions are right, Psalm 19.8. There is absolute certainty. This is being met with wholesale rejection today in society at large … and even with some within the church. Relativism is taking hold all across society, even though no one truly believes in it. No one can deny fixed truth exists, but some want to draw a line with spiritual and moral matters. Because the penalty is not so immediate, some believe I can do anything I want. This is nothing more than a lie. How…

Series: Sin is Always SinService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenWhat do you think of when you hear the words “victorious faith?” What images come to your mind? It is such a wonderful thing to think about. Victory. Winning. Success. Conquering. Overcoming. That’s the goal and the idea behind our 2020 Vision plan. Developing a faith that is strong, steadfast, and immovable — just like Paul said, 1 Corinthians 15.58.Victory inside the New Testament ContextJohn 16.33 - Jesus: I have overcome the world. Jesus won. Defeated. Victorious.Romans 8.37-39 - more than conquerors.Revelation 12.10-11 - Conquered by the blood of the lamb and the word of His testimony.21.6b-7 - ultimate victory…

Series: Stewardship & ServiceService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenOf Your Own Have We Given YouOne of David’s greatest desires was to build a temple for the Lord, 1 Chronicles 28.2. God did not permit this and charged Solomon with the task. 1 Chronicles 29 contains the ceremony where David hands over the supplies he had gathered to build the temple. He challenged the leaders of Israel to give. After they do, David offers a prayer declaring all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours, …for all things come from you, and of your own have we given you, 29.11, 14. God is the Owner, We…

Series: Stewardship & ServiceService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew Allen

Series: Sin is Always SinService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenSin doesn’t change because culture changes, or because our friends do it. Sin doesn’t change because we struggle with it. Sin is always sin. On what basis can we make this claim? Answer: Proverbs 30.5-6: every word of God proves true. It is the standard of truth. The Biblical worldview is so vital to the continuance of our nation, culture, and families. We not only need to embrace and live it ourselves .... we need to have our passion about this drive us to pass it along to our kids and grandkids.Why Truth MattersMatthew 21.23-27 - Jesus takes truth seriously…

Series: Sin is Always SinService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenEmbrace Your FaithLast week we learned how God has identified you as a victor. An overcomer. A super-conqueror. Today, we move into the rest of our December sermon series … which is called “Sin is Always Sin.”  Today’s lesson is foundational. “Sin is always sin,” because of the objectivity of the Word of God, which serves as an unchanging standard applicable as long as time shall stand.How Satan WorksGenesis 3.1 - Create Uncertainty - Did God actually say….?3.2 - a true statement. See 2.16. But, 3.3a - notice where the primary focus is…3.3b - exaggeration: “neither shall you touch it,…

Series: What Will Your Legacy Be?Service: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenA life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance - but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters. As we’ve gone through 2019, we’ve done our best to equip you with the tools to lead a life that matters. We have described the process … showing what is necessary to get started … then devising a plan that incorporates Christianity into daily life. What does it take to build a life that matters? A life that takes God seriously? A life that is committed to building the type of spiritual legacy that will…

Series: Evangelism & Church GrowthService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenJohn 1:29-51 provides us with some interesting insights into the lives of some fascinating people (Jesus, John, Andrew, Peter, and Nathaniel). John the Baptist declared that Jesus is the Lamb of God. John and Andrew immediately began following Jesus. Andrew found his brother Peter. Philip found Nathanael. It all began with a personal invitation.Focus on Andrew:Andrew is referred to 12 times in Scripture, only once is he mentioned without any connection to Peter.From the moment he believed, Andrew began bringing other people to Christ.John 1:40-42. This is the thing that most characterized Andrew’s life.1:42a - He brought Peter to Jesus. Andrew was…

Series: What Will Your Legacy Be?Service: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenNumbering Our DaysNumbers 20 is characterized by three events: 1) The death of Miriam - Moses’ sister. 2) Moses’ sin of striking the rock - which results in God forbidding him to enter the promised land. 3) The death of Aaron - Moses’ brother. All of these events take place shortly before the death of Moses. This chapter could very well serve as the historical setting for Psalm 90. Of all of Moses’ writings, this psalm is the most personal.90.1-2 - The eternal greatness of God.God’s existence is from forever.God is our dwelling place / refuge. Connect to Psalm 71.3…

Series: Preparing to Face EternityService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenDuring October we’ve been concentrating on preparing for eternity and we’re contemplating the time when tomorrow begins without me. Every year over 56 million people die worldwide. It works out to 1.8 people per second. So we know it’s going to happen. Are we living like it? What does life look like if you’re dying? Today, we’re going to talk about the pursuit of excellence. Will we apply the truth of what we already know in an ever-increasing way?The Danger of ComplacencyComplacency destroys progress.Philippians 3.12 - No one has arrived spiritually.Hebrews 2.1, 3 - the Hebrew writer spoke about the…

Series: Preparing to Face EternityService: Sun AMType: SermonSpeaker: Matthew AllenResolve Interpersonal ConflictDuring October we’re concentrating on preparing for eternity and contemplating about the time when tomorrow begins without me. Hebrews 9.27 is an ever-present reality. When we live with a consciousness of it, it changes our perspective. Eternal things become the priority. So, what if you were told you were dying? Experts say that one of the first things on your mind would be the relationships with the people you love. Almost all of us have issues with family, friends, and others that need to be addressed. How do you fix them?Do the Right ThingTwo passages to consider:Romans 12.18…