War Room

Last Saturday night Debbie and I went to the movies excited to see the latest film from Alex and Stephen Kendricks “War Room”.  The Kendricks Brothers in the past have brought us “Facing the Giants, Fireproof and Courageous. War Room is a compelling drama with humor and heart that explores the power that prayer can have on marriages, parenting, careers, friendships, and every other area of our lives.

In the movie, Tony and Elizabeth Jordan have it all—great jobs, a beautiful daughter, and their dream house. But appearances can be deceiving. Tony and Elizabeth Jordan’s world is actually crumbling under the strain of a failing marriage. While Tony basks in his professional success and flirts with temptation, Elizabeth resigns herself to increasing bitterness. But their lives take an unexpected turn when Elizabeth meets her newest client, Miss Clara, and is challenged to establish a “war room” and a battle plan of prayer for her family.

At Celebration Community Church we are launching a new initiative from September 10^th through October 4^th and it is simple called "Pray". In our Sunday messages our teaching pastors will show us what the Bible has to say about experiencing a purposeful, powerful and personal relationship with Christ through prayer. We will also be setting up our own war room of sorts and inviting EVERYONE from C3 to sign up for ONE HOUR each week to come up to our secure prayer room behind the Worship Center where we will be praying 24 hours a day for 24 days.

Sign up in the lobby of C3 or call 785-625-LIVE to secure your best times. I encourage you to sign up early and get the times

I don’t know how long War Room will be playing in Hays so I urge you to see it soon and then begin your commitment to “Pray”. Know that I am praying for you.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

HOT FOR GOD

Today we will look at three strategies on how to stay on fire for God and not get lukewarm.

If I were to take a hot cup of coffee and think about how to keep it hot I may pour it in a thermos. That is like holding on to past spiritual experiences thinking they can sustain us today. It doesn’t work because even in that thermos it would eventually cool off.

Another strategy is to microwave it. Microwaves heat things up very quickly but they also cool off very quickly. We may go to a spiritual growth conference and get all fired up only to cool off soon after we get home.

The best strategy is to take that cup or pot of coffee and set it on a hot plate, plugged into a power source.  The heat from that power source is continually adding heat to that coffee.

That’s God’s strategy.  That’s the way He keeps us spiritually warm When we keep our life plugged in to Jesus Christ and his church, that’s where the heat comes from – my relationship with Him through his word, through listening to his spirit, through fellowshipping with his people, by serving him through serving others and by sharing the Good News he has given to us. That’s how we stay hot for him. It’s keeping myself plugged in to Him.  That’s where the spiritually powerful life comes from.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

THIS SUNDAY is a FIFTH SUNDAY!
Child Dedications at all services, Adult Baptisms

(At the Haines Pond. We leave from the church at 1pm. Lunch provided)

Bring a swimsuit and a towel
Email rsvp@celebratejesus.org or call 785-625-LIVE to sign up.
P.S. Bring a nonperishable grocery item for C3's food pantry.

How Do You Know If You’ve Become Lukewarm

Jesus says, lukewarmness when it comes to spirituality makes me sick to my stomach. The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful. The believers didn't take a stand for anything; indifference had led to idleness. By neglecting to do anything for Christ, the church had become hardened and self-satisfied, and it was destroying itself.

How do you know if you’re lukewarm? If you can look at your heart and commitment and say you used to have a more passionate love for God than you do right now.  You’ve COOLED.  That’s the definition of being what lukewarm is, a definition.

Maybe you have COMPROMISED. To become like the world around you will cause you to cool off. You become a room temperature Christian. That means that whatever climate you find yourself in, whether it’s at the office, out playing golf, you just take on the temperature of everything and everyone that’s around you. You are a thermometer instead of being a thermostat that regulates the temperature.

Maybe you just DON’T CARE.  Spiritual apathy has crept into your life. Your cup that started hot has cooled.  Often the question I have is, “How do I stay on fire?  How do I keep the spiritual temperature up in my life?”  Tomorrow we will look at three strategies on how to stay on fire for God.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

THIS SUNDAY is a FIFTH SUNDAY!
Child Dedications at all services, Adult Baptisms (at the Haines Pond. (We leave from the church at 1pm lunch provided)
Email rsvp@celebratejesus.org or call 785-625-LIVE to sign up.

P.S. Bring a nonperishable grocery item for C3's food pantry.

Hot Coffee 3, Iced Coffee 2, Lukewarm Coffee 0

I love to drink coffee. I’ll pour down three cups every morning and then at least a couple more over the course of the day. I like drinking coffee hot in the morning. I like drinking iced coffee in the afternoon. But there is one temperature of coffee that I can hardly stomach, that is coffee that is lukewarm.

Jesus says very much the same thing when he talks to the church of Laodicea about their spiritual condition.  He says in the Book of Revelation.  “I know your deeds that you’re neither cold nor hot.  I wish that you were one or the other.  So because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold I'm about to spit you out of My mouth”.Rev. 3:14-16

Cold is when you are far apart from God and don’t even think about the things of God.

Hot is when you are passionate, on fire for Christ and his church.

It means you have a passion for his word. It means you have a passion for taking time to listen to His Spirit. It means you have a passion for enjoying being around his people. You are passionate about serving Him by serving others. You are passionate about sharing the good news that was given to you with others.  These are the things that reveal your spiritual temperature.

Then there’s lukewarm.  All you have to do to be lukewarm is just hang around and do nothing and the climate of the world will eventually cool you off.

How do you know if you’re lukewarm? We will speak to that issue tomorrow in this blog.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

What Makes Jesus Want To Puke?

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16

In this verse, Jesus says, “Lukewarmness makes me sick to my stomach.”  Literally in the Greek it says “It makes me want to vomit!”  That’s how serious God is.

The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful. The believers didn't take a stand for anything; indifference had led to idleness. By neglecting to do anything for Christ, the church had become hardened and self-satisfied, and it was destroying itself.

Christian author C.S. Lewis once said, “The only thing Christianity cannot be is moderately important.”  The casual Christian is a contradiction of terms.  You’re either passionate about loving God with all your heart or soul and mind and strength or you’re not.

There is nothing more disgusting than a halfhearted, nominal Christian who is self-sufficient. Don't settle for following God halfway. Let Christ fire up your faith and get you into the action.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

KIDFEST Bigger and Better than Ever!

Last Saturday over 900 people attended Celebration Community Church’s 15^th annual KIDFEST. KIDFEST is a free, fun filled day of carnival games with prizes, awesome music by C3’s worship team, a dunk tank, inflatable amusements, 5 different face painting stations, and Papa Pumpkin the balloon animal making clown. Dozens of volunteers from C3 served cotton candy, pop, popcorn, and hot dogs.  Debbie and I along with Craig Kisner and Connie Holloway served Over 500 Hot dogs in less than an hour and a half before running out.

Thank you to WAL-MART for providing the hotdogs and to Troy Thompson of Bimbo Bakeries for the buns. Freddy’s provided the frozen custard.

Celebration Community Church continues to partner with our friends at Hays Academy of Hair Design to offer free haircuts for kids through 5^th grade.

Thank you to The Melvin’s & Markleys and all the haircutters of Hays Academy of Hair Design who volunteer their time.  This year over 150 kids got their haircuts for free.

KIDFEST is an outreach of Celebration Community Church’s ”Go Fish” Children’s Ministry which meets on Sunday mornings at 10 and 11:30am. Go Fish Sunday morning programming features large group live music and multimedia worship along with small group Bible teaching.

Special thanks to DeLynn Rice, her GoFish Ministry team and all the C3 volunteers who helped make the day the tremendous outreach that it was.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

The Crown of Life

There are five heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers. The imperishable crown, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, and the crown of life.

 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10

The crown of life is for all believers, but is especially dear to those who endure sufferings, who bravely confront persecution for Jesus, even to the point of death. In Scripture the word “life” is often used to show a relationship that is right with God. It was Jesus who said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10.

Just as things such as air, food, and water are vital for our physical lives, Jesus provides us what is required for our spiritual lives. He is the One who provides “living water.” He is the “bread of life”. We know that our earthly lives will end. But we have the amazing promise that comes only to those who come to God through Jesus: “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life” 1 John 2:25.

James tells us that this “crown of life is for all those who love God”. James 1;12. The question then is how do we demonstrate our love for God? The apostle John answers this for us: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” 1 John 5:3

As His children we must keep His commandments, obeying Him, always remaining faithful. So, as we endure the inevitable trials, pains, heartaches, and tribulations—as long as we live—may we ever move forward, always “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” Hebrews 12:2 and receive the crown of life that awaits us.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Call 625-5483 for Saturday Haircut appointments.

We could use your help Sunday cleaning up our Hays Campus! If you're looking for a hands-on way to serve your church, this is it!

Wear long pants and bring gloves and a weed wacker. See you Sunday @1pm!

The Crown of Glory

Over the last three days we have looked at the imperishable crown, one that does not fade away and the crown of rejoicing, an eternity of bountiful blessings our gracious God has showered upon us, the crown of righteousness that we receive not because of our good deeds but because of what Christ has done for us. Today we will look at The Crown of Glory.

 “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4

Though Peter is addressing the elders, we must also remember that the crown will be awarded to all those who long for or love His appearing. Recall Stephen who, while being stoned to death as the church’s first martyr, was able to look into the heavens and see the glory of God. This word also means that the praise and honor we bestow to God alone is due Him because of who He is.  It also recognizes that believers are incredibly blessed to enter into the kingdom, into the very likeness of Christ Himself.

For as The Apostle Paul so eloquently put it, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” Romans 8:18

The Chief Shepherd that will be appearing is Jesus Christ who upon his second coming will judge all people and give rewards to his faithful followers. The "crown of glory," while metaphorical, pictures the glory believers will receive that is eternal and unchanging. What better motivation for our selfless service here on earth! What better motivation for our keeping the faith in the face of suffering and temptation!

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Call 625-LIVE for haircut appointments

The Crown of Righteousness

There are five heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers. The imperishable crown, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, and the crown of life.

Over the last two days we looked at the imperishable crown, one that does not fade away and the crown of rejoicing, an eternity of bountiful blessings our gracious God has showered upon us.

Today we look at The Crown of Righteousness found in 2 Timothy 4:8  “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

We inherit this crown through the righteousness of Christ which is what gives us a right to it, and without which it cannot be obtained. Because it is obtained and possessed in a righteous way, and not by force and deceit as earthly crowns sometimes are, it is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return.

Through our enduring the discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity.    This crown cannot be earned on our own and is not for those who depend upon their own sense of righteousness or of their own works. Such an attitude breeds only arrogance and pride, not a longing, a fervent desire to be with the Lord.  We receive the crown of righteousness only through a relationship with THE RIGHTEOUS ONE-Jesus Christ.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

The Crown of Rejoicing

There is a song we used to sing a lot at Celebration Community Church. It goes like this; ”We fall down, we lay our crowns, at the feet of Jesus”.

It comes from Revelation 4:10–11 and is part of the vision Jesus gave John. In this scene of heaven, we see that the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’”

There are five heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers. The imperishable crown, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, and the crown of life.

Yesterday we looked at the imperishable crown, one that does not fade away. Today we will look at The Crown of Rejoicing – “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” 1 Thessalonians 2:19  The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to “rejoice always in the Lord” for all the bountiful blessings our gracious God has showered upon us.

As Christians we have more in this life to rejoice about than anyone else. Luke tells us there is rejoicing even now in heaven, “ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” Luke 15:7.

The crown of rejoicing will be our reward where “God will wipe away every tear . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” Revelation 21:4.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle
 

An Imperishable Crown

In Jesus’s words to us through the church in Philadelphia (not Pennsylvania)
"I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown." Revelation 3:11

The "crown" talked about was the laurel wreath awarded to winners of athletic contests. Paul writes to Timothy, shortly before his death about it:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not to me only, but to all who have longed for His appearing" 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

The Greek word translated “crown” is stephanos (the source for the name Stephen the first martyr in the Christian church) and it means “a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally.” This word is used figuratively in the New Testament of the rewards of heaven God promises those who are faithful. Paul’s passage in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 best defines for us how these crowns are awarded.

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown”.

All things on this earth are subject to decay and will perish. Jesus urges us to not store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” Matthew 6:19. This is similar to what Paul was saying about that wreath of leaves that was soon to turn brittle and fall apart. But not so the heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward, “an imperishable crown” which is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, that is reserved in heaven for you."

Tomorrow we will look at another crown, a crown of rejoicing.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Three Things That Never Change Part 3

We are living in a world reeling from changes, the Bible tells us of three things that never change.

1. God’s love never changes.
2. God’s word never changes.
3. God’s Purpose for My Life Never Changes

Long before you were born, God planned you. And that plan has never changed. He created you for a purpose; actually five purposes. Want to know what they are?

You were Planned for God’s Pleasure — You are to discover the true meaning of worshiping and establishing an intimate relationship with God.

You were Formed for God’s Family — You are to explore the real meaning of fellowship by developing relationships with other believers to do life together.

You were Created to Become Like Christ — You are to grow in true discipleship by developing a Christ-like character by seeking God’s truth through His word and Spirit .

You were Shaped for Serving God — You are to get involved in ministry, discovering how God has uniquely formed you to serve him in your church as you and learn to think and act as Christ’s servant.

You were Made for a Mission — You are to recognize that God called you and gave you a story for a reason. You are to share this Good News with others in your sphere of influence while gaining a heart for reaching the whole world for Him.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Three Things That Never Change Part 2

We are living in a world reeling from changes, the Bible tells us of three things that never change.

1. God’s love never changes.
2. God’s word never changes

Isaiah 40:8 says “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of our God shall stand forever.” God’s word is timeless, enduring, eternal. It never withers; it’s always fresh. It doesn’t get stale. God’s word is never out of date. Jesus said it like this: “Heaven and earth will pass away but My word will never pass away.”.

God has established certain physical laws of the universe. Physics and chemistry and all kinds of science study these laws and discover how they operate. Like if you jump off a tall building, you’re going to fall. Any time you ignore God’s physical laws, then you don’t break the law, that law breaks you. If I were to jump off of a tall building, I don’t break the law of gravity; it breaks me.

In the same way, God has established some moral laws for this universe, some spiritual laws in this universe and God says these are the perimeters in which I intend human beings to live. When we ignore those moral laws, and spiritual laws, we don’t break them – they break us. Jesus said in Matthew 5:24 “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice, is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Jesus is saying if you want to have a stable home, you’ve got to build it on an unchanging foundation. You’ve got to build on a rock, the word of God.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Changes in Worship Schedule.

Starting THIS SUNDAY August 16^th people who attend C3 will have the option of gathering at one of five different services. You can come to the Worship Center at 8:30am and 10am for Celebration Services, a mixture of contemporary classics and hymns done in a modern way. At 10am and 11:30 you may choose to attend The EDGE, a next generation worship experience in our gym. An evening EDGE services is also offered at 6pm each Sunday.

Memorial Services for Pat Scheve will be held TODAY at C3 at 4pm with a meal to follow. If you would like to provide a salad, side dish or dessert contact alicia@celebratejesus.org or call 785 342 3682

Three Things That Never Change

The Bible says that there are three things that never, ever change.

1. GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES.

Malachi 3:6 God says “I, the Lord, do not change.”  When I was in seminary I learned a theological term for that called the immutability of God.  That means God has always been the same, He is the same, and He always will be the same.  Why does God never change?  Is it that He can’t?  Is it that He doesn’t want to?  Is it that He’s stuck in His ways?  Why does God never change? Because He’s perfect.  And because God’s perfect, He can’t get any better.

In Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”  That’s unchanging. You were created as an object of God’s love. You were made to be loved by God.  You want to know why you’re here on this earth?  The Bible says “God is love,” and God made you to love you.  You were created to be loved by God. Isn’t it great to experience God’s love never changing love for you.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Changes in Worship Schedule.

Starting THIS SUNDAY August 16^th people who attend C3 will have the option of gathering at one of five different services. You can come to the Worship Center at 8:30am and 10am for Celebration Services, a mixture of contemporary classics and hymns done in a modern way. At 10am and 11:30 you may choose to attend The EDGE, a next generation worship experience in our gym. An evening EDGE services is also offered at 6pm each Sunday.

Memorial Services for Pat Scheve will be held at C3 at 4pm on Thursday with a meal to follow. If you would like to provide a salad, side dish or dessert contact  alicia@celebratejesus.org or call 785 342 3682.

Visitation at Hays Memorial Chapel (Tonight) Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with a rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m.

Additional visitation at Celebration Community Church on Thursday from 3:00-4:00 p.m.

The more things change

The more things change

You have heard the expression, “The more things change, the more they stay the same”. In studying the churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation we can see that the problems they were going through are issues in the 21^st Century church as well. One thing that we can all be sure of is the only thing consistent in life, is change. Things are constantly changing but God made human beings to be very adaptable, very flexible to handle enormous amounts of change in our life. But when everything is flying off the wall, coming unglued, and the tornadoes of change are blowing through your life, you need to have something in your life that you could anchor yourself to. Over the next few days in this blog we will look at what the Bible says about the three things that never, ever change.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

SUMMER SCHEDULE ENDS THIS SUNDAY

With Fort Hays Students returning and in order to keep up with the continuing growth of Celebration Community Church, a fifth Sunday service is being added to the current roster. Starting THIS SUNDAY August 16^th people will have the option of gathering in the Worship Center at 8:30am and 10am for Celebration services with a mixture of contemporary classics and hymns done in a modern way. At 10am and 11:30 people may choose to attend The EDGE, a next generation worship experience in our gym. An evening EDGE services is also offered at 6pm each Sunday.

Wake Up!

In our Sunday message series we have been looking at what Jesus reveals to the Apostle John to tell the first century church as well as to us in the 21 century.

Jesus Says to us through the churches of:

Ephesus, the busy church: You have lost your first love.

Smyrna, the suffering church: I know your struggles and am always with you.

Pergamum, the confused church: The truth will set you free

Thyatira, the tolerant church: Don’t be misled by false teaching.

To the church at Sardis he wrote
^“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
² Wake up! " Revelation 3:1-2

The church was also told to wake up. Their wealth and comfort had lulled them to sleep. Their self-satisfaction caused them to die spiritually. Not only had they wandered from the apostles' teaching, but they were no longer growing in faith or evangelism. They lacked compassionate service to others and had no unity or love. Are you watchful and alert connecting to God through His word and Spirit each day? God has given to many of us places of responsibility to teach, lead, and serve. We are to use those positions to encourage those around us to be spiritually awake and morally prepared.

Wake up!

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

WELCOME MATT

I am so pleased to announce that Matt Dumler has joined the faculty of our church’s school, Victory Christian Academy. For the last nine years Matt has taught at Holy Family elementary in Hays and he continues to be a favorite to students as TMP’s Track and Cross Country teams.  Matt has BS degrees in Health and Human Performance and Secondary Education as well as Masters Degrees in Special Education and Theology.

Here is a letter of recommendation I wrote on behalf of Matt earlier this year when he was applying for another teaching position.

April 20, 2015

To Whom It May Concern,

I am pleased to be able to write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Matt Dumler.

I have known Matt for the last three and one half years as his pastor and in that time have grown to respect him as one of the finest men I know.

I have worked with Matt on projects at the church and have always been impressed with his positive attitude, emotional maturity, organizational skills, social acumen and compassionate love of the people he serves.  As of late I have had the opportunity to observe Matt in the teaching arena instructing men about Biblical principles in large and small group  gatherings . I have found him to have a great grasp of his subjects, an engaging style and a tremendous ability to communicate. Matt is always prompt, well prepared, and the most likeable person in the room.  Did I mention how smart he is?

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY recommend Matt for WHATEVER position he chooses to pursue knowing that he will make me and whatever organization is lucky enough to get him PROUD!

Respectfully,

Kyle Ermoian

Founding and Senior Pastor

I believe with all my heart EVERY word I wrote about Matt and all of us on the Board of VCA are thrilled to have him join our team.

At VCA Matt will focus on K-2^nd grade joining the others on this extraordinary teaching team of Kate Tillman (Pre-School) and Desty Cox (3^rd through 5^th grade) Matt and his wife Susan just celebrated their 10^th anniversary and are the parents of a boy and a girl Bryson and Braelyn.

Be sure to welcome Matt  (Welcome Matt…Hey that’s funny) the next time you see him at church. Please continue to support VCA with your prayers and financial support.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

The Significance of the Seven Festivals

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority." Acts 1:7

In Matthew 24:32-33  Jesus exclaims, "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that the end is near, right at the door"   

There are seven timely Jewish festivals or feasts outlined in the Bible. While they are mentioned throughout Scripture, we find instructions for all seven laid out in Leviticus 23. Leviticus 23:2 refers to the seven Jewish festivals, literally “appointed times,” also called “holy convocations.” These were days appointed and ordained by God to be kept to the honor of His name". These times of celebration are important not only to Israel, but also to the overall message of the Bible, because each one foreshadows or symbolizes an aspect of the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tonight at the study, "Are We Living In the End Times?” we will look at the seven Jewish festivals and even though we are not required to observe these feasts we will see their significance to us as they are fulfilled in the first and second coming of Jesus Christ.  

I hope to see you for worship at 6:30 pm and study at 7pm.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle  

Don’t be misled by false teaching

In Revelation Jesus says to the church at Thyatira , “I have this against you. That you tolerate the woman Jezebel.”

In verses 20 and 21 we read “The woman Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess.” Look closely at “she calls herself”. She refers to herself as a prophetess – a female prophet. You can almost feel the tension that’s going on in this text. This woman is standing up before the church and saying, “I speak for God. I am a prophet. My words are God’s words.” But who’s doing the rebuking here? Jesus Christ, God’s Son. It’s Jesus Himself. She’s saying, “I speak for God,” and Jesus says, “No you don’t !” She says, “I have the word of God,” Jesus says “I am the word of God.” “She teaches and leads My bondservants astray so they commit acts of immorality in eating things sacrificed to idols.”

In the early years of the church, as Gentile converts began joining Jewish believers in local fellowships, an issue arose concerning the eating of meat. Greco-Roman society was saturated with idol worship, and it was common for meat sold in the marketplace to have been consecrated as a sacrifice to false gods prior to its sale. The Jews would have nothing to do with such meat, wary of “unclean” food-handling practices and believing that to partake of consecrated meat was to give approval to idol worship—kind of a “second-hand” idolatry. The Gentiles rejected the notion that such meat was tainted and held that they could eat meat sacrificed to idols without endorsing idolatry—they had not actually offered the sacrifice, after all. The matter was becoming a point of contention within the church so they decided to not do it. Yet here Jezebel was encouraging the church members to eating things sacrificed to idols as well as other acts that we will look at tomorrow.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

We celebrate the life and mourn the loss of Kathy Herman.
Visitation will be from 5pm-7pm on Thursday at Klines Funeral home.
A Mass will be held for her at St. Marys in Gorham on Friday at 10am.

I have this against you. That you tolerate the woman Jezebel.

In our Sunday message series we have been looking at what Jesus reveals to the Apostle John to tell the first century church as well as to us in the 21 century.

Jesus Says to us through the churches of:

Ephesus, the busy church: You have lost your first love.

Smyrna, the suffering church: I know your struggles and am always with you.

Pergamum, the confused church: The truth will set you free.

Thyatira, the tolerant church: Don’t be misled by false teaching.

In Revelation verse 20 Jesus says, “I have this against you. That you tolerate the woman Jezebel”.

What does it mean to tolerate something or someone? It means getting comfortable with things that should be uncomfortable. Some things should be uncomfortable. Bad relationships. Bad ethics. Bad morality. Bad theology. But if tolerated a little piece at a time you find it has a foothold on you.

In this church they were tolerating some bad teaching. It was coming from a woman who’s described as Jezebel. In the Old Testament there’s a wicked queen, Jezebel, who single handedly led the whole nation of Israel into the pagan practice of worshipping Baal. The insinuation here in Revelation is there was a woman in this church who was doing much the same thing as her wicked predecessor from previous generations.

Throughout this week we will look at how we can stand for the truth so we don’t fall for a lie.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Enroll Your Kids at Celebration Community Church’s School

VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT

TUESDAY AUGUST 4^TH

at 6:30PM

Come meet the teachers, hear about the curriculum and experience the love your pre-school through elementary student will experience at VCA.

For more information contact Desty Cox at 785 639 6303

Now is the Day of Salvation

Just this last week I visited with two different beautiful women who are at home under Hospice care preparing to pass over from this life to the next.  What if you were told that this week would be your last one on earth? How would you spend its fleeting hours? Whom would you insist on seeing? Would your behavior differ radically from what it usually is? Someone has wisely said, "You should treat every day as if it's your last one, because one of these days it will be"

There's no getting around it. Whether our earthly life ends by accident, illness, or old age,  one of these days will be our last. That's why we should guard so carefully the things we do and the words we say.

We ought to be tying up the loose ends of long-neglected matters by expressing our love and gratitude to others, by seeking reconciliation with an alienated friend, or by sharing the gospel with an acquaintance, neighbor, relative or co-worker.

Perhaps you've even been putting off accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior until some more convenient day. But that day may never come. Since your last day on earth can be so unexpected, heed the Apostle Paul's inspired words:

"Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Enroll Your Kids at Celebration Community Church’s School

VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

OPEN HOUSE

TUESDAY AUGUST 4^TH

at 6:30PM

Come meet the teachers, hear about the curriculum and experience the love your pre-school through elementary student will experience at VCA.

For more information contact Desty Cox at 785 639 6303