Church of Christ at Asbury

This week I will be calling our congregation to a period of fasting for forty days. Now that I have your attention..... Below are three outlines which are almost verbatim copies of Mark Copeland's exegesis on the subject as found at executableoutlines.com (topical sermons). After review of this and biblical readings I have come to the understanding that such a spiritual activity may be engaged in service for God in the 21st century. Perhaps you may come to the same conclusion as me. Of course I am not of the persuasion to make this activity a 'test of fellowship' with anyone. We have an elder (45 yrs old) who is undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma. He is desperately needed for the continuation of the growth of the leadership here. The family within the past year has lost the Father, and the oldest Son both to heart attacks. I feel another loss would be more than they could bear. Please if you are of this persuasion (fasting) you put Jim Terry on your prayer list and us as...

The holidaze is over. Time to write 2005 and scratch through it several times on important papers till March. All is looking good for this newyear. Generally speaking my house is healthy, not too wealthy, and could be a little wiser so we have something to look forward to. Hope your year will be a great success for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. - Kirk Revitalizing Prayer Jn. 14:12-24 The short of it: 1. The joy to REQUEST 12 - 14. 2. The blessing to RECEIVE 16, 17. 3. The duty to RESPOND 15, 21a, 24. 4. The opportunity for God to REVEAL himself 20, 21b. 5. The pleasure of him taking up RESIDENCE within us 23. The long version: Revitalizing Prayer Jn. 14:12-24 Introduction A. Definition of Revitalize 1. Webster: To bring back after a decline. - Examp. Inner City Projects; Corporate Mergers; Marriage seminars. One may make a quick connect to the word REVIVAL. B. Could it be the case that we need to r...

Feas and naughty dogs to everyone. May your day be scratchy and bright and may you keep your nose out of the cold so it dosen't turn red. I do hope all my friends and family will have a safe and delightful holiday. However you celeberate it, please enjoy your family! Kirk The short of it: The Rise and Fall of Many Lk. 2:28-35 I. Intro: A. Many great things have been said concerning the birth of Christ. B. Text discusses some encouraging and disturbing information. C. Lesson will deal with the prophecy concerning the 'rising and falling of many.' II. There is a great need to choose sides. A. Joshuah said, B. Jesus said, C. Apostles said, III. Great rewards for those who choose wisely. IV. Those who fallen against the Christ. A. Religious leaders during the life of Christ B. False prophets C. Discontented brethren D. Evil rulers E. ...

Just a cold rain here in the Tennesse Valley. Snow and Ice is falling upon the mountains. Thankfully, our house is warm. Hope your week will be filled with great spiritual experiences. Show us the Father Basic Points: We may see the face of God by looking into the face of Jesus. 1. He is like that Door (10:9) – An inviting portal to find rest. 2. He is that pathway (14:6) – A pleasant well traveled road. 3. He is Bread (6:47) – Warm, tasteful, satisfying, the Great Provider. 4. He is that Shepherd on a hill (10:11) – Who is watching our every move, our protector. 5. He is the Light (8:12) – No monster hidden by the darkness. 6. He is the Vine (15:1) – One who desires direct contact with his creation. 7. He is the source of Life (11:25) – Our hope of a resurrection. Show Us The Father : full text Jn. 14:8, 9 Introduction: A. Let’s play fill in the blank for a few moments: 1. My favorite color is .................... I could eat ................... all day long. If I o...

It's been a great week so far. I am about ready for the holidays to be over. Hope you have a great week - Kirk Five words to discover the way to heaven: Short Outline: Jn. 14:2b, 3 "I go to prepare for you, and if I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also." 1. Go 2. Ready 3. Return 4. Recive 5. Reunion Full Text: The Way To Heaven Jn. 14:1-6 Introduction A. It was the hour of Darkness (13:30). 1. Judas had went out to barter for the capture of Jesus. - This brought sadness. 2. Peter gives his sacrificial “I will die for you “ speech, thinking that would change Jesus’ mind about leaving (13:37). Jesus responded by telling him that he would fail before daybreak. - This brought distress. 3. The anxiety of the disciples may be summed up like this, “If you are going to leave and Peter can’t hold up under pressure, what are we going to do?...

Its nice and crisp this morning - 28 degrees. We have had some snow on the mountains. Mt. Leconte received 8 inches last week. They are hinting snow fluries in the valley this weekend. In this lesson I took a different approach to the normal view of Jn. 13:34, 35 as I pondered on the phrase "As I have loved you." I tried to imagine how Jesus demonstrated his love for the twelve and tried to make application. Prehaps you can come up with some better ideas but here they are. I have given a brief outline then the full thoughts on the points I made following. Hope your Sunday will be a joy filled Son day. Kirk Quick outline: I. Introduction A. Christianity is based upon the principle of love. B. We know the commands, we talk a good talk; but what a challenge it is to commit ourselves to these earth changing ideals C. Today we will examine why we must love one another and note some ways Jesus demonstrated his love for his disciples and ways which we can mitate...

Here it is - make it a better one. Brrr.. its cold --- Yeah! Lk. 13:10-17 The text in Luke gives three reasons why there is hope for me. I. Jesus Notices And Cares About My Pain. That’s why there’s hope for me. II. Jesus Is Powerful Enough To Heal My Affliction. That’s why there’s hope for me. III. Jesus Will Explain That Satan, Not God, Is The Cause of All Misery We Encounter. Therefore, I can hope in God. Truth be told, there are probably many here this hour dealing with unresolved hurt. Pain in their lives over something that is still lingering to this very day. Maybe it is the loss of a loved one. Perhaps a broken relationship. Possibly a failure in the workplace, or a moral indiscretion in your life, or simply letting someone down. It could be you’ve recently received some bad news. Whatever be the case, one thing is certain—unless hurts are dealt with, they will haunt you for the rest of your life. When we let the hurt linger, we open the door to resentment—resentment toward othe...