Thursday night everyone is invited to McKnight Road for a Candlelight Service from 6-7pm to celebrate and remember the birth, death, and life of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Have a Merry Christmas!
12/23/09
11/19/09
King of Kings 3
We lose something in the translation of 'King.' I don't blame the translators, but I'm not sure we can understand the full meaning of the King given our system of government. The President is not a good correlation. His power is not final (that term limit thing has a tendency to get in the way). The Supreme Court doesn't relate because it's too balanced and fair (Doesn't it seem like every decision is 5-4?) And the legislative branch doesn't come close because it's too...democratic. No matter your personal politics, you have to admit the American system is a balance of powers spread out to many people. (This was the intention, no? Our American forefathers were afraid of becomming the government they ran from).
So we can't fully appreciate what it would be like to live under a king. Sure, we can read books and watch movies, but one thing we can't get is the feeling. That sense that a man could crush you, your family, your town on a whim. That he could tax unmercifully and there was no Court of Appeals. That understanding that he got what he wanted when he wanted it. A man that had unlimited power, yet could make decisions on bad information, people tricking him, and emotion. At the same time, a man who could take great care of the people when he did things the right way. Living in that system would stress me out!
Thankfully, the Kingdom of God strives to be a place of peace, not stress. Living under the kingship of Jesus Christ, you don't have to worry about a king whose opinion changes based on emotion. He is the same eternally. You don't have to worry about a king who will bury your family in debt -he will provide an easy way of life. Why is this king different from kings of the past? Along with being our king, he is also our High Priest:
Heb. 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -yet was without sin."
So we can't fully appreciate what it would be like to live under a king. Sure, we can read books and watch movies, but one thing we can't get is the feeling. That sense that a man could crush you, your family, your town on a whim. That he could tax unmercifully and there was no Court of Appeals. That understanding that he got what he wanted when he wanted it. A man that had unlimited power, yet could make decisions on bad information, people tricking him, and emotion. At the same time, a man who could take great care of the people when he did things the right way. Living in that system would stress me out!
Thankfully, the Kingdom of God strives to be a place of peace, not stress. Living under the kingship of Jesus Christ, you don't have to worry about a king whose opinion changes based on emotion. He is the same eternally. You don't have to worry about a king who will bury your family in debt -he will provide an easy way of life. Why is this king different from kings of the past? Along with being our king, he is also our High Priest:
Heb. 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -yet was without sin."
11/12/09
King of Kings 2
So many different titles for Jesus in Scripture -how can a man be the Lamb and King? The Alpha and Omega? How can he come wielding a sword and a balm?
Often the titles had to do with the situation Jesus was in.
When Nathanael was sitting under the tree he proclaimed Jesus to be a rabbi, the Son of God, and the King of Israel! (John 1) If I had just seen and heard what he did, maybe I would have the same excited, amazed reaction.
When the woman meets Jesus at the well she knows he is a Jew, a prophet, the Christ, and when the whole town believes they proclaim him to be the Savior of the world (John 4). The truth had just appeared before her and she was dumbfounded and awed by it.
Revelation 17-18 depicts a battle between good and evil. The adulteress beast is "drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus." She is on the warpath. This isn't the time for Jesus to be the Lamb -this is the time for warrior Jesus. John's angel-guide lets him in on a little secret: "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
Are you in a season of fighting? Does the battle with evil wear you out? Join us in celebration this Sunday at 10am to praise Jesus for being the King of Kings -the mighty warrior that triumphs over death!
Often the titles had to do with the situation Jesus was in.
When Nathanael was sitting under the tree he proclaimed Jesus to be a rabbi, the Son of God, and the King of Israel! (John 1) If I had just seen and heard what he did, maybe I would have the same excited, amazed reaction.
When the woman meets Jesus at the well she knows he is a Jew, a prophet, the Christ, and when the whole town believes they proclaim him to be the Savior of the world (John 4). The truth had just appeared before her and she was dumbfounded and awed by it.
Revelation 17-18 depicts a battle between good and evil. The adulteress beast is "drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus." She is on the warpath. This isn't the time for Jesus to be the Lamb -this is the time for warrior Jesus. John's angel-guide lets him in on a little secret: "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
Are you in a season of fighting? Does the battle with evil wear you out? Join us in celebration this Sunday at 10am to praise Jesus for being the King of Kings -the mighty warrior that triumphs over death!
11/5/09
King of Kings
This Thanksgiving season we are focusing on Jesus as the King of kings. To prepare our minds, I thought it would be a good idea to give some Biblical background of the phrase.
The Old Testament uses 'King of Kings' 3 times...
1. Ezra 7:12. It is the title King Artaxerxes gives himself when writing his letter to Ezra. It was first used by Assyrian kings because, as they were building their empire, they would take over small kingdoms and tribes. The Assyrian king would therefore be the leader among all other kings. Empires that followed the Assyrians liked the title, and the Babylonians and Persians (like Artaxerxes) kings used it as well.
2. Ezekiel 26:7. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is referred to by God as the king of kings in this prophecy against Tyre. Why would God call him this?
3. Daniel 2:37. The prophet Daniel calls Nebuchadnezzar the king of kings. He has been given dominion and power and might and glory (by God). God has placed mankind in his hands and the beasts of the field and the birds or the air.
The Old Testament uses 'King of Kings' 3 times...
1. Ezra 7:12. It is the title King Artaxerxes gives himself when writing his letter to Ezra. It was first used by Assyrian kings because, as they were building their empire, they would take over small kingdoms and tribes. The Assyrian king would therefore be the leader among all other kings. Empires that followed the Assyrians liked the title, and the Babylonians and Persians (like Artaxerxes) kings used it as well.
2. Ezekiel 26:7. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is referred to by God as the king of kings in this prophecy against Tyre. Why would God call him this?
3. Daniel 2:37. The prophet Daniel calls Nebuchadnezzar the king of kings. He has been given dominion and power and might and glory (by God). God has placed mankind in his hands and the beasts of the field and the birds or the air.
- Was Jesus the first 'king of kings'?
- What did the title carry with it?
- How did the common person treat the king of kings (regardless of which empire it was)?
10/29/09
We Welcome You...
This Sunday has special significance at McKnight Road: we are praising God for the leaders he has called out among us! We welcome our new elder and new deacons and submit to them with humility, respect and joy.
The service for this Sunday has a few threads that I hope are evident:
1. The focus on family. As you look at your bulletin, notice all the songs that begin with WE. 2009 has been a year of reminding ourselves that we are a body in Christ.
2. The focus on joy. We rejoice at the leaders God has given us and thank him for providing. The world doesn't understand joy & submit working together, but in the body of Christ we model that it works.
3. The focus on Jesus. If we have great leaders, if we have great singing, if we have a "perfect" worship experience, but fail to center it around the Savior -we have nothing. Our leaders model Christ and help us mature to be more like him.
May the coming days bring you joy and peace as we prepare to celebrate the Lord together on his day!
The service for this Sunday has a few threads that I hope are evident:
1. The focus on family. As you look at your bulletin, notice all the songs that begin with WE. 2009 has been a year of reminding ourselves that we are a body in Christ.
2. The focus on joy. We rejoice at the leaders God has given us and thank him for providing. The world doesn't understand joy & submit working together, but in the body of Christ we model that it works.
3. The focus on Jesus. If we have great leaders, if we have great singing, if we have a "perfect" worship experience, but fail to center it around the Savior -we have nothing. Our leaders model Christ and help us mature to be more like him.
May the coming days bring you joy and peace as we prepare to celebrate the Lord together on his day!
9/10/09
Best Tune...
We all have songs near and dear to our hearts. Some say just the right thing (and often, at just the right time), some sound "right", some make us feel close to Jesus, and some remind us of a memory that was tucked away and when the song came out the memory ran to the front. Songs are special.
I'm going to be running a few different polls to get ideas for songs. And this time the question is...
WHAT SONG HAS THE BEST TUNE? (you think it's written just beautifully. It Can't be a Choral piece, but something a congregation sings)
My votes...
A. On Zion's Glorious Summit Stood (I love how it builds and then gets quiet for the chorus)
B. O Lord, Our Lord (when I lead this I love to watch people react. They smile, bounce and rock)
C. Master the Tempest is Raging (this song is written like you're in a storm and then Jesus proclaims, "Be still!"
I'm going to be running a few different polls to get ideas for songs. And this time the question is...
WHAT SONG HAS THE BEST TUNE? (you think it's written just beautifully. It Can't be a Choral piece, but something a congregation sings)
My votes...
A. On Zion's Glorious Summit Stood (I love how it builds and then gets quiet for the chorus)
B. O Lord, Our Lord (when I lead this I love to watch people react. They smile, bounce and rock)
C. Master the Tempest is Raging (this song is written like you're in a storm and then Jesus proclaims, "Be still!"
8/31/09
Wednesday Class starting again!
For those of you who love to sing at McK, here's another opportunity:
The Wednesday night singing class starts up in September and will meet in room 122. This is a time to learn new music and improve your singing ability led by our great teacher!
This is also the time when the Praise Team will be going over songs for the upcoming Sunday, but even if you never want to sing on the Praise Team, you're welcome to join this class. It's just a time to honor God with our talents!
---
A special thank you for yesterday's song service! 2 songs in particular: 'On Zion's Glorious Summit Stood' and 'Blessed be Your Name.' McK amazes me at the ability to read music! 'Zion' has that line that repeats, only the second time you're supposed to sing very quietly. It sounded like everyone in the room did it and it was magic. And then, right into 'holy, holy, holy'! It was beautiful -and I'm sure the angels in heaven didn't just listen, they joined in the chorus in praising Jehovah -the One that guides us as we march to Zion.
God's Blessings!
The Wednesday night singing class starts up in September and will meet in room 122. This is a time to learn new music and improve your singing ability led by our great teacher!
This is also the time when the Praise Team will be going over songs for the upcoming Sunday, but even if you never want to sing on the Praise Team, you're welcome to join this class. It's just a time to honor God with our talents!
---
A special thank you for yesterday's song service! 2 songs in particular: 'On Zion's Glorious Summit Stood' and 'Blessed be Your Name.' McK amazes me at the ability to read music! 'Zion' has that line that repeats, only the second time you're supposed to sing very quietly. It sounded like everyone in the room did it and it was magic. And then, right into 'holy, holy, holy'! It was beautiful -and I'm sure the angels in heaven didn't just listen, they joined in the chorus in praising Jehovah -the One that guides us as we march to Zion.
God's Blessings!
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