Sermon Outline

Focus: Kingdom Vision sees people the way God sees them. Compassion overrides
convenience and boundaries. If we want to live for the Kingdom, we have to
learn to see with Kingdom eyes.

I. Kingdom Eyes See the Person
        “When he saw him, he took pity on him.” (Luke 10:33)
        It is possible to see somebody without really seeing them.
        We have become incredibly efficient at sorting people into categories.
        Jesus never reduced people to labels. Jesus saw people.

II. Kingdom Compassion Crosses the Line
        “He went to him and bandaged his wounds…” (Luke 10:34)
        The Samaritan did not just see the man. He went to him.
        Kingdom compassion crosses cultural, political, and personal boundaries.

III. Kingdom People Change the Temperature
        “Blessed are the peacemakers…” (Matthew 5:9)
        The world knows how to raise the temperature.
        Jesus calls His people to be peacemakers.
        Peacemaking steps into tension carrying the presence of Jesus.
        Our ultimate allegiance is not to the elephant or the donkey. It is to the Lamb.

IV. Jesus crossed the road for us.
        Once we realize how much mercy we have received, it becomes much harder to decide
        who is unworthy of ours. “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)

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Sermon Outline

Focus: It is possible to keep doing the things of Jesus while
slowly losing our affection for Jesus. Before we step forward in
Kingdom mission, Jesus calls us to reset our hearts and return
to our first love.

I. Remember
       “Remember therefore from where you have fallen…” (Revelation 2:5)
       Look back and recognize what has changed.
       Don’t become so familiar with grace that you lose your wonder.
       You cannot return until you recognize that you have drifted.
       When did delight become duty?

II. Repent
       “Repent…” (Revelation 2:5)
       We can have right activity with the wrong heart.
       Christian mission goes deeper than altruism.
       The deepest motivation for Kingdom work must always be worship: Jesus is
       worthy.
       We can have activity without intimacy, service without surrender, and
       mission without communion.

III. Return
       “Do the works you did at first.” (Revelation 2:5)
       Return to the places where love for Jesus is cultivated.
       Open the Word. Pray. Worship. Confess. Abide.
       Kingdom fruit does not come from running harder; it comes from staying
       connected to the Vine. Activity flows from intimacy.
       “Remain in me… No branch can bear fruit by itself.” (John 15:4)

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In this episode of Kingdom Conversations, Pastor Robby Strock sits down with Pastor Jared to wrap up the sermon series Kingdom Relationships.

What does it really mean to live as Kingdom people in our everyday relationships? As followers of Jesus, our faith should shape more than what we believe—it should transform the way we treat our spouses, children, friends, church family, neighbors, and even those who disagree with us or have hurt us.

Pastor Jared and Pastor Robby revisit some of the major themes from the series, including peacemaking and reconciliation, marriage and self-giving love, families living on mission, Kingdom friendships, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Together, they explore what it looks like to allow the love and example of Jesus to change the way we relate to the people around us.

Pastor Jared also shares reflections from his recent time serving alongside the people of Sierra Leone.

Because Kingdom people don’t just believe differently—they relate differently.

Then, in Real Questions, Real Answers, Jared and Robby tackle a question from a parent: How do we explain what it means to “fear the Lord” to our children?

Join us as we discover how our relationships can become one of the clearest ways we show the world what the Kingdom of God looks like.

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Sermon Outline

Focus: The Church isn’t simply a place we attend—it’s a family to which we
belong. As God’s Kingdom family, we pursue Jesus together, care for one another,
and live on mission so the world can see the love of our King.

I. Kingdom families pursue Jesus together.
       “They devoted themselves...” (Acts 2:42)
       Jesus is what holds the family of God together.
       We pursue Christ through God’s Word, fellowship, the Lord’s Table, and prayer.
       Healthy churches aren’t built by people chasing church, but by people chasing Christ.

II. Kingdom families care for one another.
       “All the believers were together...” (Acts 2:44)
       The gospel turns strangers into brothers and sisters.
       Kingdom families carry burdens, meet needs, and make room for others.
       God didn’t save us to sit beside one another; He saved us to walk with one another.

III. Kingdom families live on mission together.
       “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)
       Our love for one another makes the gospel visible.
       The Church displays God’s Kingdom when imperfect people learn to love one another
       through grace.
       When the Church loves like Jesus, the world catches a glimpse of the King.

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Serving, Growing, and Seeing God at Work in Sierra Leone

In this episode of Kingdom Conversations, Pastor Robby Strock sits down with Tricia Talbott to reflect on Church of the Lakes’ recent global mission trip to Bo, Sierra Leone Africa.

Through our partnership with Helping Children Worldwide, the mission team served alongside local communities to support children and families, healthcare initiatives, and local leaders—all while building relationships and sharing the love of Jesus.

Tricia shares some of the moments that impacted her most, where she saw God at work, what surprised her about the experience, and how serving in Sierra Leone changed her understanding of faith, missions, and what it truly means to serve like Christ.

Join us for an encouraging conversation about stepping outside our comfort zones, serving others, and allowing God to change us through the people we are called to serve.

At Church of the Lakes, our mission is Connecting all to Christ to become healthy in God and courageous in love.

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Sermon Outline

Focus: True friendship in the Kingdom is marked by loyalty and
sacrifice. We need Kingdom companions who share constancy,
transparency, and sympathy.

I) The funeral of a wealthy, brilliant but lonely old man
     Ortberg: “What distinguishes consistently happier people from less happy
          people is the presence of deep, joy-producing, life-changing,
          meaningful relationships.”
     Proverbs 18:1 “Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common
     good.” MSG

II) Kingdom friends remain with us in the peaks and valleys of life
     “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
     True friendship is marked by loyalty and encouragement as Christ loved us

III) Kingdom friends practice sacrificial love.
       “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
       (John 15:13)
       Jesus modeled the greatest friendship through the cross
       We become the kind of friends who help others follow Christ

IV) Qualities of Kingdom friends
       Constancy: Don’t walk away when life gets hard.
       Transparency: Allowing others to see into our lives
       Sympathy: C. S. Lewis “Friendship...is born at the moment when one man
       says to another ‘What! You too? I thought that no one but myself...’”

V) The aspen grove at Pando
     The world’s oldest and largest living thing
     Intertwined roots, ideal environment
     The power of deep relationships

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LifeWise Academy: Bringing Biblical Education into Jackson Local Schools | Kingdom Conversation

How can public school students receive Bible-based character education during the school day? In this episode of Kingdom Conversation, Pastor Robby Strock sits down with Bruce Jacobsen, Program Director for LifeWise Academy in Jackson Local, to discuss a unique ministry that is making a lasting impact on students, families, and our community.

LifeWise Academy utilizes Ohio's Released Time Religious Instruction law, allowing public school students—with their parents' permission—to leave campus during the school day for engaging, Bible-centered lessons before returning to class. Currently serving 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students in all four Jackson Local elementary schools, LifeWise is helping children grow in character, faith, and biblical understanding while partnering respectfully with local schools.

In this conversation, you'll discover:

• What LifeWise Academy is and the heart behind its mission.
• How Released Time Religious Instruction works within public schools.
• The positive impact LifeWise is having on students, families, and schools.
• The joys and challenges of leading this growing ministry.
• Ways churches, parents, and community members can support LifeWise through prayer, volunteering, and financial partnership.
• Bruce's vision and prayer for the future of LifeWise in our community.

If you've been curious about LifeWise Academy or are looking for ways to invest in the next generation, this episode will encourage and inspire you.

To learn more or get involved with LifeWise Academy in Jackson Local, email [email protected], and we'll be happy to connect you with Bruce and answer your questions.

Church of the Lakes exists to connect all to Christ, to become healthy in God, and courageous in love.

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Sermon Outline

Focus: Kingdom families are not defined merely by who lives
in the house, but by Who reigns over the house. The Kingdom
begins in the home before it spreads to the world.

I. Kingdom families begin with surrendered hearts.
      “Love the LORD your God with all your heart...” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
      You cannot pass on what you do not possess.
      Faith is often caught before it is taught.
      The greatest gift you can give your family is a genuine love for Jesus.

II. Kingdom families make disciples, not just memories.
      “Impress them on your children...” (Deuteronomy 6:7)
      The home is God’s first discipleship environment.
      Everyday moments become opportunities to point people to Christ.
      Our priorities preach louder than our words.

III. Kingdom families live on mission together.
      “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
      Serve together; Pray together; Love others together.
      Let your family become a witness to God’s Kingdom.

IV. This Week’s Challenge: Don’t just hear the King’s words. Live the King’s love.
      Pray together as a family each day this week.
      Find one opportunity to serve others together.
      Ask: “How can our home better reflect the love and reign of King Jesus?”

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Today's podcast highlights our Youth Mission Trip down to Henderson Settlement in Kentucky.  The mission trip provides our faith family the opportunity to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus. Henderson Settlement has focused on Christ-Centered Service to positively impact their region.

Join Pastor Tony Walsh and students as he explores how this mission trip impacted those who served and those who we were serving.

Have a question you'd like us to discuss on a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].

Join us as we continue our mission of Connecting all to Christ to become healthy in God and courageous in love.

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Kingdom marriages reflect the Gospel when we submit to one another and love
as Christ loves.

I. Submission Reflects Christ – Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
-Submission is mutual.
-Submission is not weakness.
-Submission creates harmony.
-Jesus modeled submission.
-Kingdom submission is loving service.

II. Sacrifice Reflects Christ – Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
-Love is self-sacrificial.
-Marriage trains us to love others.
-Christ-like love serves everyone.
-We all fall short.
-The cross is our hope.

III. Love that LASTS
L — Listen.
A — Apologize.
S — Support & Admire.
T — Touch Affectionately.

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