July 15-18 Noah's Ark Adventure VBS 2018

Edmonton, Kentucky

Gospel Meeting - Oct.27-29 (2017)

Edmonton, KY

Vacation Bible School 2017 - July 16-19

Edmonton, KY

Friends & Family Day - April 2nd

Edmonton, KY

8/21/16 Heaven: Experience It Today!

Have we missed something big about heaven?

     If we focus too much on heaven as a place for us to go in the future, then we might miss that heaven is special because it is full of God's presence. If we focus too much on heaven as a place for us to go in the future, then we might miss that God's presence can be found among us even today (we get a glimpse of heaven on earth).

     We sometimes get the idea that we will one day leave this cursed earth to go to the wonderful place called heaven. Notice some of the Scriptures we looked at within the last 2 weeks and what they focus on... Revelation 21:1-5, 10, 22-24; 2 Peter 3:10-13

I believe the key can be found the Lord's model prayer – Matthew 6:9-13

“your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (v.10)

Daniel2 – prophecy about God's kingdom spreading over EARTH! (see v.35 & v.44)

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:2, 4:17, 10:7)

Matthew 13 parables

- sower (3-9, 18-23): the entire parable takes place here on earth! (v.23)

- wheat & weeds (24-30, 37-43): “the field is the world...” (v.38)

- mustard seed (31-32): seed growth – takes place here on earth or in heaven?

- leaven/yeast (33): spread of the kingdom – does it happen on earth or in heaven?

- hidden treasure (44): Where was this treasure found? - heaven or earth?

- pearl of great price (45-46): Do we go to heaven before we find this pearl?

- dragnet (47-50): Where are the fish caught – on earth or in heaven?

    * Sometimes, when we focus the most on heaven is when we turn our attention to the earth! At least that's what ALL those parables indicate.

The Temple: God Among His People

John1:1, 14; 2:21; 14:17b

God was working in the early church

Acts 2:42-47

Acts 3:1-2, 19-22

Acts 4:13-14, 23-31, 32-37

Is God working among the church today? Is His presence here among us / within us?

If the answer is yes → why can't we enjoy this NOW & look forward to future

If the answer is no → what are we going to do to change it & what do we look forward to?

8/14/16 Heaven: Setting your mind on it!

Heaven: setting your mind on it...

What's Wrong With Us?

Why do we sin? (Why did Adam & Eve sin?)

1.) Not because it was within our hearts

2.) Not because creation was flawed

3.) It was because of temptation by serpent (our mind became corrupted through temptation)

What happened because of sin? (to Adam & Eve … and all of us)

1.) Innocent hearts were corrupted

2.) God's “very good” creation was cursed

3.) Pure minds were no longer focused on God

 

How do we fix this?

First: We must refocus our minds (this change is called repentance)

This is how to fix... Pure minds were no longer focused on God (#3)

Colossians3:1-4 The reverse of our downfall is seen in these verses. Our heart, life, and mind must be changed → it must start internally!

Peter3:10-14 Since everything will be destroyed (v.11) → what keeps us going forward is our hope!

Second: We must focus on the example of others

This is how to fix... God's “very good” creation was cursed (#2)

Hebrews11:8-10, 13-16 Abraham looked forward to / set his mind on the heavenly city. Other early followers of God looked forward to / set mind on heavenly country (v.16).

Then: We must focus on leaving an example of our own

This is how to fix... Innocent hearts were corrupted (#1)

Hebrews12:18, 22-24 , 25, 28-29 Are we leaving an example of faith that could be found among the examples in Hebrews chapter 11? These verses speak of our reality (v.18,22-24) Since these things are true... then let us be thankful and worship God in all we do v.28-29.

Conclusion: Now we know how to fix...

#1.) Innocent hearts were corrupted

#2.) God's “very good” creation was cursed

#3.) Pure minds were no longer focused on God

The question now is will you choose to fix these things in your own life?

07/31/16 He is Risen! Matthew 28

He is Risen! - Matthew 28:1-20

By Phillip Benshmuel (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Intro: We have looked at Jesus' teaching and His life for several weeks now. But THIS truth about Jesus changes everything!

Jesus has already died and been buried, then on the third day...

Matthew28:1-10

“... He is risen, just as he said.” v.6

This is the truth everyone wanted → but nobody expected it

this is connected to similar truth for us today – our hope of our own resurrection!

This is our journey → to follow Jesus in this life and trust Him to take us to the next life

“... afraid yet filled with joy...” v.8

When met with our own death → similar response

Matthew28:11-15

Those who are opposed... will be opposed

Some opposed Jesus, some opposed the early church, and some still oppose the church today. It never seemed to bother Jesus when peopl opposed Him because He knew the truth!

Matthew28:16-20

The Great Commission → our task today

- “make disciples” - a similar relationship is learning a trade from another

- “baptizing them” - washed clean through Jesus' blood

- “teaching them” - continue to follow Him for our entire lives!