Today we will further develop Pastor Lyle's depiction of the churches (Greek: ekklesiai) of Jesus as earthly "mini-cities" that seek fully to integrate the life and character of the heavenly city of God, the New Jerusalem, within their rural and urban locations in holistic ways. Our question today is not so much what is the heavenly city of God but rather "who" is that city and what difference does that political identity make to how we live corporately in the city of Edmonton. On this Thanksgiving Sunday, we'll explore what it means to live lives of gratitude that extend the restoring invitation of Christ to the world. There is something odd going on in Rev 21:9-14: The bride, the wife of the Lamb (the people of God) is symbolically depicted as being a cube-shaped heavenly city, called the New Jerusalem, which has 12 gates, 12 foundations, and crystal clear walls that are 2200 km high. But this New Jerusalem is not just a depiction of the future people of God (chs. 21-22), but also of the present people of God during the first century (chs. 4-5). There are two circles around God's throne (ch. 4): the rainbow and the 24 elders. Each alludes to the New Jerusalem (chs. 21-22). A Rainbow is what you get when a bright light (God as light for the NJ; 21:23; 22:5) shines out through a prism (the walls of the NJ are crystal clear; 21:18). The 24 elders allude to the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of the Lamb (21:12-14) As the visible embodiment of the invisible New Jerusalem, how are you and how is McKernan collectively: ? Shining with the presence of God wherever you are in the city of Edmonton? ? Being a good ambassador (elder) of God's character in how you live within, and for, the city of Edmonton? ? Building authentic ekklesia community by facilitating the honest expression of opinions and values? ? Building abundant community by loving your neighbours outside of McKernan as much as you love yourselves within McKernan?

McKernan Baptist Church Podcast

Becoming A "Mini" New Jerusalem

This fall, we are exploring what the Bible says about who we are as God's people, focusing on the images of Kingdom of God, Family of God and Body of Christ. As God's people, we are an expression of God's Kingdom. This means we are ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). On this Thanksgiving Sunday, we'll explore what it means to live lives of gratitude that extend the restoring invitation of Christ to the world. As Christ's Ambassadors... We Live Out the Reality that We Are Restored to God (vs. 14-17) Paul was compelled by God to live out the implications of being given a whole new life. We live our gratitude to God as we walk continually deeper into the reconciled life God has given us. Where do you need God's restoring work in your life today? We Share with Those Around Us the Message that They Can Be Restored to God (vs. 18-21) Paul declared that we are all given the ministry of sharing the message of reconciliation. In 1 Cor. 15:1-11, Paul described the basic components of this good news: ? The Gospel is centred on the Person of Jesus...His life, death and resurrection.? The Gospel addresses the root issue of our sin. ? The Gospel offers a renewed vision of life. ? The Gospel must be received. Discussion/Reflection Questions ? What does it mean to you to be called an "ambassador" of Christ's Kingdom? ? In what ways does gratitude deepen as it moves from a "thank-you list" to a life lived intentionally in response to what Christ has done and continues to do in our lives? How would you describe a lifestyle of gratitude to God? ? While we are restored relationally to God, we are challenged to live out the reality of this in our daily lives. What does this mean to you? What is an area in your life that currently needs Christ's restoring touch? ? How would you define the Good News (Gospel) of Christ? Who do you know who needs to hear the truth of this Gospel?

Thanksgiving; Ambassadors of the Kingdom

This fall, we are exploring what the Bible says about who we are as God's people, focusing on the images of Kingdom of God, Family of God and Body of Christ. As God's people, we are an expression of God's Kingdom. This means we are fellow citizens (Eph. 2:19) under Jesus, our King. Today we'll explore some of the implications of our common citizenship in Christ's Kingdom. We Recognize our Profound Equality in Christ (Eph. 2:14-19) Paul declared that Christ has broken down the wall that divided Jew and Gentile, thus making them one new humanity that finds restored dignity and equality at the cross. We are challenged to more deeply understand, appreciate and value people who are from different racial and ethnic backgrounds than ourselves. We continually work out together what it means to follow the way of Christ (Eph. 2:19-22) As a community of people "built on the foundation of the prophets and apostles, with Jesus as our Cornerstone," we are to continually explore the Scriptures to determine what it means to follow Christ's timeless truth in our current world. " This need not be done in isolation, but hopefully in honest and respectful conversation committed to God's truth. We commit to the upside down nature of service over power. Jesus came as a Servant, not as one wielding power. He calls us to follow His way of service in the world. Discussion/Reflection Questions: What does it mean to you to be called a "fellow citizen" of Christ's Kingdom? ? How can you more intentionally seek to understand fellow believers from other cultures? " Is there a person from another ethnic background you can talk with to gain greater understanding? ? What are some questions you have regarding what it means to follow Christ faithfully in our current culture? How can you engage in honest communication with other believers in these conversations? How can we intentionally remain committed to the authority of King Jesus as we engage in these conversations? ? Where are you tempted to use and manipulate people toward your own ends rather than serve people toward Christ's ends?

October 3, 2021 - We Are Citizens Of God's Kingdom

As we continue to find ourselves in a long period of uncertainty, it is important for us to get our bearings again around what it means to be God's people moving forward, We will let the Biblical images of kingdom, family and body guide us this fall in this exploration of who we are as people who call ourselves Christians. As God's people, we are an expression of God's Kingdom. This means we follow King Jesus, who is a Truly Good King. Jesus, our King, Has Ushered in a Restored Way to Live Jesus began His ministry by calling people to live under the dominion of the renewed Kingdom He came to establish (Mk. 1:13-14, Mt. 4:17). He described the life in this Kingdom as possessing true justice, vision, and human freedom under the restored order of God. As God's people, we are followers of the good way of Jesus, our King. Jesus, our King, Has Provided Us Entrance into this Way Jesus' ministry on earth did much more than model and teach a way to live. He spoke of entrance to His Kingdom through recognition of our need (Mt. 5:3-6) and then died on a cross and rose again to provide forgiveness of our sin and restoration to the life He offers (Rev. 1:5b-6; Col. 2:13-15). Jesus has sacrificially provided the way for us to enter into restored life with Him, but we must respond by turning to Him in humble faith. Jesus, our King, Walks With Us in this Way. As Jesus ended His earthly ministry, He assured His followers that He would not leave them alone as an aloof, uninvolved King (Mt. 28:20), but would walk with them in the person of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16-18). As God's people, we are empowered to live by the active presence of God. Discussion/Reflection Questions ? What does it mean to you to when you hear, "Jesus is King?" ? As Christians, we are followers of the way of Christ. To be a Christian is a verb! What are the implications of this in everyday living? How does this challenge you today? ? By His life, death and resurrection, Jesus made possible entrance into His Kingdom. Why was this necessary? Have you entered the Kingdom of God by admitting your sin and turning to Christ (repentance) in humble belief? ? King Jesus has not left you alone, but has made His presence available to you in the Person of the Holy Spirit. What difference is this making in your life? How do you express your dependence on God's Spirit?

September 26, 2021 - We Follow A Good King

Team Preach Pastor Terry - Our Stories Pastor Dave - Sabbath Pastor Mike - Community Pastor Dan - Shalom

Team Preach

WHO ARE WE MOVING FORWARD? Having come through a year and a half of pandemic adjustments and cultural turbulence, this fall serves as a significant timeframe to "reset" our understanding of what it means to be God's people. In Prov. 3:5-6, we're reminded that the best way forward is found not in our own understanding, but in a return to God's truth. This fall, we will look at what the New Testament teaches about who we are as a church. We'll focus on three key images... The Church is an Outpost of the Kingdom of God...We Follow a New Way of Life Jesus summarizes His mission as bringing the Kingdom of God (Mk. 1:13-14). When Paul entered a city, He taught about the Kingdom of God (Acts 19:8-10) and established a church (Acts 20:17). The Greek term for "church" (ekklesia) was used of an assembly of citizens from the city who met to make decisions for the good of the city. The term thus implies that God's people are meant to bless the city by living, displaying and working to advance the good way of life provided under the authority of King Jesus. The Church is the Family of God...We are Part of a New Community When we place our faith in Christ, we are adopted as sons and daughters by God the Father, with other believers becoming our sisters and brothers. (John 1:12,13; Romans 8:15-17) This reality calls us to love one another with the love of Christ. (1 Thess. 4:9-10, John 13:34-35) The Church is the Body of Christ...We Have a New Mission We are described as the Body of Christ, attached to Christ the Head, each possessing a unique and important part in building up one another (Eph. 4:11-16) and in representing Christ in His mission to the world (John 20:21-22). Discussion/Reflection Questions Why is it important to think carefully about what is true as we move forward in this phase of the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic and other cultural issues? What does Proverbs 3:5-6 teach about having God direct our paths forward? When you think of the church as an outpost of God's Kingdom on earth, what comes to mind? How is this inspiring? How is it challenging? What are the implications of understanding the nature of the church as the family of God? As the Body of Christ, the church possesses many unique members. What do you sense as your role or place in the Body of Christ? What are you doing to intentionally draw life from Christ, the Head of the Church?

Church as Kingdom, Family, Body

Psalm 67 What's a person saying when they say that they are blessed? What does it mean to give or receive a blessing? What does the word 'grace' mean? Who gives the blessing in the Numbers passage? Who gives the blessing in Psalm 67? A couple of John Piper resources worth checking: 1. Let the Nations be Glad book 2. 'Look at the Book' online lab Three purposes of God's Blessing 1. That the way of salvation would be known v.2 2. That the world would worship the true God. 3. That God would be enjoyed! Three things about God: 1. He's Gracious - 2. He's Just - 3. He's Sovereign - So, if you ask, why am I blessed? The answer is always ______________________ How I can make the way of salvation to my world? 1. Testify 2. Give financially 3. Go! 4. Pray What does it matter if I get involved or not? Discussion Questions: 1. Where are you identifying with God's Blessings in your life? 2. How are you turning those blessings into someone else's life? 3. Which of the four ways of making 'the way of salvation into the world' will you move forward in by faith?

Blessed for What?

A Life of Faith: Where The Extraordinary is Ordinary

A Life of Faith

Let Me In (Revelations 3:14-22)

The youth takeover the service, and Pastor Dave shares.

Youth Takeover Sunday

Psalms: Beyond What Eyes See "Knowing God"

In the Psalms, we see God's people look beyond their earthly reality to find renewed perspective in God's True Reality. Today we'll see how Psalm 96 calls God's people to declare the Good News that the True God is on the Throne of the world. While we typically think of "sharing the good news" as a New Testament challenge, here we see it as a privilege extended to God's people long before the coming of Christ. What is revealed as the Good News? The True God reigns above all gods. (v. 4-5) This world is not random and chaotic. The True God reigns. Rival gods are mere idols. (v. 5) This world is in upheaval because its people are turning from the true God to gods that are no gods at all. (Mt. 9:36) The True God will bring about the restoration of the world and its people. (9-10) This restoration has been made possible through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 5:18-19) What is revealed as God's Heart? God wants all people to be restored to Him. (vs. 7-10) God offers this restoration, yet calls people to respond. God desires that His people become bearers of His Good News. (vs. 11-13) Through their transformed lives and involvement in His restoring work. Through their conversation. (vs. 2-3, 2 Cor. 5:20)

"GOOD NEWS" DOESN'T JUST START IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

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.

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McKernan Baptist Church Podcast

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