Blog Archives

The Principles of a Godly Family

5/17/2020

The Principles of a Godly Family
Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Deuteronomy is a farewell address by Moses. In this book, Moses gathered the nation of Israel together for one last period of instruction. Moses knows that he is about to die, and he wishes to recap the blessings of God in their past and the commandments of God that will direct their future.

In the middle of this final “pep rally,” Moses takes time to address the family. Moses is wise enough to know that the family is the backbone of the nation. Moses recognizes that, “As the family goes, so goes the nation.”

It is within this address to the nation of Israel that we find great principles that should govern our families. We find three principles to help us have a godly family.

Having an overwhelming affection for God will help us have godly families. (4-5)
- We know that we have this affection when our heart seeks to please God above all else.
- We know that we have this affection when our mind seeks to think about God above all else.
- John 8:29, Gal. 1:10, 1 Thess. 4:1, Psalms 40:8, Phil. 4:8
Having an obedient acceptance of the Word of God will help us have godly families. (6)
1. Your obedience to God’s Word will be evidenced by your actions.
2. Your obedience to God’s Word will be evidenced by your words.
3. James 1:22, Matt. 12:34-35
Having an obvious atmosphere of godliness in our home will help us have godly families. (7-9)
1. Speak his Word everywhere and all the time
2. Talk about his goodness
3. Praise his name
4. Play godly music
5. Turn off the TV (monitor it when on)
6. Pray together
7. Speak kindly one to another
8. Display Scripture everywhere you can
9. Throw out bad influences

Announcements for Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Mark 12:31 Challenge
Drive-in Church Sunday at 9 AM
Tuesday and Thursday Devotions Online by 7PM
Tentative Re-entry – May 31 (worship only)
The monthly periodicals such as Journey and Home Life have arrived for June. If you would like a copy of any of the monthly literature or if you need Sunday School material, please let Carol Garner or I know.
Baptist Children’s Village Offering

I love you and I miss seeing you all. Lord willing, we are nearing the end of this trial. Lori and I are excited about this week! We can't wait to meet our son and bring him home! We are grateful for you, and we know that we couldn't have done this without your support and prayers. See you online, Tuesday!

Serving Christ by Serving You,

Pastor Scott

SCBC Phased Re-entry Plan

5/14/2020

Silver Creek Baptist Church
Phased Re-entry Plan

During the previous two months, we all have experienced events we thought we would never see in our lifetime, but God has been faithful. Despite the need to temporarily suspend our worship gatherings due to COVID-19, the mission of the church continued through the last two months. Our online and drive-in meetings have been successful; however, these methods are not sustainable. The church must gather together. At the same time, we must take certain precautions in how we begin to meet again. Below is a phased approach to re-entry which takes into consideration our need to gather together as well as the needs of everyone in our community.

This phased re-entry plan provides a graduated approach allowing for those who feel comfortable to participate in corporate worship and other ministries in an environment as safe as possible. One thing must be stressed: if you do not feel comfortable yet, you must do what is right for you and your family. That decision remains in your hands. For the first little while, if you are vulnerable or have a member of your family who is at high risk, please be safe. If you chose to attend any function, please take extra precautions to guard your wellbeing.

Some things will look a little different, especially in the beginning. Here are some examples:
During the first few services every other pew will be roped off and people will be asked to share a pew only with their family and/or to provide plenty of distance between seats. Please do not hang out in the lobby or other common areas before and after the services. Shaking hands and other physical contact will be discouraged for a while. Wearing masks will be encouraged for a while. Tithes and offerings will be collected at the end of the service at each exit of the sanctuary. Plenty of hand sanitizer will be available. Common surfaces will be cleaned after each service.

One thing we have learned with these circumstances remains: we must be flexible while constantly reevaluating and adjusting our plan. Therefore, this plan is not written in stone. Also, notice no dates have been included with the following exception. Tentatively, we will begin phase one on Sunday, May 31, 2020. We will continue with drive-in church until then.

Until we enter phase two, we will continue to post a couple of devotions per week via Facebook Live. Again, we don’t know exactly what the re-entry will look like, but we have a plan and we are going to start. Please be patient and join us in prayer as we seek God’s wisdom for these peculiar days. Please be assured of my prayers and love for each of you. I count serving you as pastor a great joy and special honor. Please let me know if you need anything.

The Grace of Suffering

5/12/2020

The Grace of Suffering
1 Peter 2:19-25

Have you ever heard someone claim, “No good deed goes unpunished”? Some people in the world, and even some Christians, hold the idea that if someone suffers for doing good, then why do good at all? Peter answered that question for us. Simply, God gives us special grace when we suffer for his sake. Peter gave us tips to remember during times of suffering for Christ and a good conscience toward God.

To be ensured during suffering: Remember not to confuse suffering for the cause of Christ with suffering because of your own sin. Although God also gives grace and mercy in those sinful situations, the special grace about which Peter wrote comes only through suffering for Christ.

To endure through suffering: Remember, despite of our present suffering, better days are coming. Even if suffering ends in death, better days are coming. (Romans 8:17-18)

To enjoy in the midst of suffering: Remember the sweet fellowship in suffering. This fellowship should not to be confused with misery loves company. God gives a sweet grace in the midst of suffering for Christ: fellowship with Him and fellowship with other suffering believers. This fellowship is a true fellowship. (Philippians 3:8-10)

To engage others with the Gospel: Remember that no matter how much suffering we endure for the glory of God, our suffering will never match that of Christ’s suffering. Consider these comparisons:
- Jesus suffered through the rejection of the very people He came to save, and we’ve suffered the rejection of friends and loved ones.
- Jesus suffered through physical anguish, beatings, lashings, and the crucifixion. Many Christians have suffered physically, too. Peter was crucified upside down. Paul was stoned multiple times, whipped multiple times and endured physical suffering.
- Christ experienced one suffering that we will never experience, but because of this suffering, we can have fellowship with him. What kind of suffering did Jesus experience, which we don’t have to experience? He suffered the wrath of God as the sin of the world, your sin and my sin, was laid upon Him. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Praise God, we will never know that suffering as Christians. Plus, if you are lost, you do not have to know that suffering either. Jesus can save you from suffering the wrath of God due to sin. How? Turn to Jesus! Submit your life to him. He will forgive you and save you!

As Christians, we can fellowship with Him in our time of suffering, whatever it may be. We can rest assured that God is with us when we suffer for his sake. “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Prayer Requests
Revival
Magee Family (Daniel’s son, Toot, passed away.)
**Update** As of tomorrow, The Grove will have no active cases of COVID.
Re-opening
Lori, Levi, and me

Announcements
June Literature
Wednesday Youth Zoom
Feed My Sheep
Mark 12:31 Challenge

I love and miss you! I look forward to seeing you at Drive-in Church on Sunday! I am praying this current safer-at-home order will not last much longer, so we can start reopening our church. Please pray with me to that end!

Serving Him by Serving You,
Pastor Scott

Separation from the World

5/5/2020

Separation from the World
1 Peter 2:4-12

Jesus said that we are in the world, but not of the world. -John 17

Separated out of the Darkness (9-12, 15b)
- God has called us out to be special and sanctified. To be holy (1:14-16).
- Holy = set apart for a purpose
- 2 Corinthians 6:16-18
Separated in Unity (4-6)
- Unity for the sake of unity is not always a good thing. It is possible, and this day in time, common, to be united behind the wrong thing.
- The church is to be united, but a local assembly may even be united behind the wrong thing.
- Believers in general, and local bodies in particular, must unite:
  - Under the Banner of Christ (Living Stone, Cornerstone)
  - On the Bible and its doctrine
  - Frequently and Faithfully in the Local Assembly
- Lively stones should represent the Cornerstone
- These lively stones are joined together to make the house of God, the church, the bride of Christ (Ephesians 2:19-22)
- Although we are unified as a holy priesthood, this same priesthood speaks to the ability of each believer to go to God and to hear from God.
- We are separated in unity to work, to worship, and to win souls. The purpose of the church is to make disciples. This is a spiritual sacrifice that is acceptable to God.
Separated for Soul-winning (5, 7-8)
- If you do not live a lifestyle that is separated from worldly living, your witness and testimony will have no credibility.
- We must get past the worry and fear that we are going to offend someone with the Gospel.
  - If the world is not offended by the Gospel you share, you’re not sharing the true Gospel.
  - If you live a life pleasing to God, the world will hate you.

Let us be a people called out of the darkness of this world, living in the light of Jesus Christ and calling out to others still in darkness.

Prayer Requests
1.     Revival
2.     Residents and Employees at the Grove
3.     Reopening Strategizing
4.     Mike and Peggy Anderson
5.     Jack Terrell
6.     Jimmy Magee

Announcements
1.     Drive-in Church Sunday @ 9 AM
2.     Feed My Sheep (Thursdays)
3.     Mark 12:31 Challenge

I love and miss each of you! Please pray with me, asking God to send an awakening. Reach out to me if I can do anything for you!

Serving Christ by Serving You,

Pastor Scott

Pastor Scott Kennedy

The Principles of a Godly Family

SCBC Phased Re-entry Plan

The Grace of Suffering

Separation from the World

About Pastor Scott

Archives

Categories