Restore Wounded Christians.

After a person sacrificially, and tirelessly gives their time, talent, and treasures, to building God's kingdom, and then get caught red handed in an ungodly transaction, we should we in the church do?  I am not talking about a crime, but something where they did not use discretion.  Where they fell into sin (you know sin, the thing we are all familiar with).

As you process this question consider several of your indiscretions, in which if you you got caught red handed, would also land you in serious trouble.

Yes, we need to hold each other accountable and not compromise our biblical values.  But what happens after we give the spiritual spanking?  

Before you give a punitive based response, let God give you His redemptive based response in Galatians 6:1-2:

 

"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.  2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ."

Christian's let us fulfill the law of Christ, which is AGAPE, as we deal with each other.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

How Do You Rate?

How do you rate regarding using the resources God has entrusted to your care?

In Matt.25, Jesus used a parable to discuss how we will be held accountable for the faithful or unfaithful use of our resources from God.

One person received five talents, one two, and the other one talent.

Talents are more than money, but invaluable entrustments for kingdom building (this could include money, spiritual gifts, and other resources you have to expand the kingdom).

"Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.

20 "The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' 

21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master... (Matt. 25:19-31).

Christians, use your resources to do good for Christ's sake each day (Eph. 2:10), and expect to hear Him say: well done good and faithful servant.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian Kennedy, Sr.

Mtzionontario.com

Our Walk and Our Talk.

Jesus warned us to watch out for spiritual leaders who teach one thing but practice something different. "Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses;

3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them"" (Matt. 23:1-3).

Christian's, when Jesus looks at our lives, let us be people He can count on to spread the message of God's love, to do good works, and live righteously before Him.

Let us be great ambassadors for Christ

(II Cor. 5:17-20).

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy

Reconnect People to Church.

In every local church, we have scattered sheep.  People stop attending church for numerous reasons. Yes many are sick, some work, and others play sports.  Those who work and play sports can attend home bible study groups, etc.  

Jesus gave a parable to encourage us to seek out, find, and restore those who are disconnected from church. "What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?

13 "If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.

14 "So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish" (Matt. 18:12-14).

Christians, ask God to direct you to a disconnected Christian and help them get reconnected in the church.  Oh yes, don't forget to rejoice when they are restored.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy

Point People to Jesus.

Surely you know someone who is discouraged, depressed, and if they have not already quit, they feel like quitting.

Tragedies, disappointments, feelings of abandonment, and betrayal are contributors.

The belief that somehow we must do good works, self-punish and penalize ourselves through asceticism and other forms of self-denial to gain righteousness, is wearing people down to a weary and dispirited condition.

Christians, faithfully point these and other people to Jesus.  Many people during Jesus' time felt the same way.  Listen to the invitation Jesus gave:

28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy

Do you have Bible based standards?

Do you do whatever feels good to you, or do you have established standards by which you live?

Jesus gave eight powerful standards in the beatitudes in Matt. 5:3-12:

1. Recognize your jacked up condition apart from God (v. 3).
2. Cry over your jacked up condition apart from God (v. 4).
3. Be meek vs. arrogant (v. 5).
4. Pursue what is right (v. 6).
5. Be merciful to others (v. 7).
6. Be morally pure before God (v. 8).
7. Seek a peaceful solution (v. 9).
8. Rejoice when people attack you for your Christlike life (vs. 10-13).

Christians, be Christlike and enjoy the promise of God's blessings.

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy

In 2017:

1. Set your expectations beyond the human realm (Jeremiah 33:3).
2. Be assured of your eternal connection to the body of Christ (Romans 12:4-5).
3. Keep prayer as your on-going connection to the power beyond yourself (Psalm 116:1-2).

God Bless,

Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.