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Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

Sunday's sermon - "Next steps"

Last Sunday's sermon was from Luke 2:7, titled, "No Room." Let's consider what are the "next steps" God will have us take in response to the Word we heard.

 

1. Parker J. Palmer describes "functional atheism" as "the unconscious, unexamined conviction that if anything decent is going to happen here, we are the ones who must make it happen – a conviction held even by people who talk a good game about God."  What are some indications in your life that you might be a "functional atheist?" In other words, in what areas of your life are you acting as though you don't need God because you can handle things yourself?

2. What would you do if, as the poem says, "Jesus came to your house?" Is there room for him?

3. Luke 2:7 should make us ask, who or what has such priority in our lives that when Jesus comes there is no room for him to enter?

4. Luke 2:7 should make us ask, who or what has taken up so much room that there is no room to allow Jesus to enter?

5. Luke 2:7 should make us ask, if we know that Jesus will give us love, joy, peace, hope, etc., why would we turn him away?

6. What questions/thoughts/convictions were raised in your mind after hearing this sermon or reading this passage? How is God speaking to you now?

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

A thought for the day (12.29.10)

"You have to walk in the light of the vision that has been given to you and not compare yourself with others or judge them." Oswald Chambers.

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

Sunday's sermon - Next steps

Greetings, all,

 

Last Sunday's sermon (December 19)was from Luke 1:67-69. Our theme for Advent has been "Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room" and our focus for this sermon was "Salvation."

 

Let's consider what are the "next steps" God would have us take in response to His Word.

 

1. What comes to your mind when you think of the words of the Christmas carol, "God and sinners reconciled?"

 

2. There is NOTHING wrong with being "silent" in worship (quiet, reflective, pensive); but there may be a problem with being "mute" - unable to speak of God's goodness. Can you testify of how good God has been in your life?

 

3. Salvation can be defined as "deliverance from trouble, release from difficulty or freedom from suffering." Where has God's actions in this way been evident in your life?

 

4. Salvation is also "the creation of conditions and an environment where God's people can worship without fear, an atmosphere of undisturbed, unhindered worship." Do you feel free to worship?

 

5. What questions/thoughts/convictions were raised in your mind after hearing this sermon or reading this passage? How is God speaking to you now.

 

Have a blessed Christmas, and remember that "Jesus is the reason for the season."

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

Next Steps

Greetings, all,

Last Sunday's sermon (December 12) was from Luke 1:46-48. Our theme for Advent is "Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room" and the focus was on "Adoration."

 

Let's consider what are the "next steps" God would have us take in response to His Word.

 

1. Some people commented to me (Pastor James) that they thought the man who made negative comments about the church and Methodists really got to me. Does it bother you when people speak ill of your church?

 

2. Do you think the "Holy Ghost has his way" at Memorial? Does the "Holy Ghost have his way" in your life?

 

3. How does your "spirit" (God-consciousness), "soul" (self-consciousness) and "body" (world-consciousness) respond to the call for adoration?

 

4. Where are you aware that God has "looked with favor on the low estate of his servant" (you)? In other words, are you aware that God is bigger than your circumstances?

 

5. What questions/thoughts/convictions were raised in your mind after hearing this sermon or reading this passage? How is God speaking to you now?

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

A Thought for the Day

When I read this, it "wrote on me," so I wanted to share.

 

"Repentance always brings a (person) to this point: I have sinned. The surest sign that God is at work is when a (person) says that and means it...The bedrock of Christianity is repentance. Strictly speaking, a (person) cannot repent when he (she) chooses; repentance is a gift of God. The old Puritan used to pray for 'the gift of tears.' If ever you cease to know the virtue of repentance, you are in darkness. Examine yourself and see if you have forgotten how to be sorry." Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest.

 

Pastor Kenneth Q. James
Psalm 119:33-34
"Let truth, the light of my heart, speak to me, and not my own darkness!"
Augustine, Confessions, Book XII, Chapter 11

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"Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart."
Psalm 119:33-34
Pastor Kenneth Q. James