Kings and Prophets Part 1 Vol 4

Speaker: Pastor Brandon Pardekooper

Originally Recorded: 13 Mar 2016

Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 ESV

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?

1 Kings 11:41-43 ESV

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon? And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

1 Kings 2:1-4 ESV

When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, "I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'

1 Kings 3:3 ESV

Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.

1 Kings 3:5-9 ESV

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"

1 Kings 3:10-14 ESV

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."

Deuteronomy 17:14-17 ESV

1 Kings 10:26 ESV

Solomon's Violation of the Second Command

A Talent was 75lbs, or $94,725 today's gold prices 420 talents of gold ($40m) were given to Solomon from Ophir (I Kings 9:28) 666 talents of gold ($63m) in one year (I Kings 10:14) Some scholars estimate he brought in $1.1 billion a year “Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.” (I Kings 10:23)

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 ESV

Kings and Prophets Vol. 1 Part 3

Speaker: Rev Patrick Kelley

Originally Recorded 6 March 2016

1 Samuel 13:14 NIV

But now your kingdom will not endure; the lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the lord's command."

1 Samuel 16:21-23 NIV

David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him." Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

1 Samuel 17:26 NIV

David asked the men standing near him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

1 Samuel 17:37 NIV

The lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the lord be with you."

1 Samuel 18:7-14 NIV

As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice. Saul was afraid of David, because the lord was with David but had departed from Saul. So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. In everything he did he had great success, because the lord was with him.

1 Samuel 24:10 NIV

This day you have seen with your own eyes how the lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the lord's anointed.'

Thoughts/

David didn't live on the fence.

Key Verse

1 Samuel 16:13 NIV

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

Thoughts

David didn't accept the status quo

Everyone wants to be free.

We’re most free when we are abandoned to a spirit filled life.

Big Idea:

God is calling us into an unparalleled life of wonder and awe. We were made to stand out as the people of God.

Closing Thought:

A life lived “standing out” is a life that is unencumbered and filled with wonder and awe. It is an adventure that God is calling us into.

Steps to walk this out:

-Commit to All-In Because its Worth it! -Reframe your experience by reframing your thoughts -Understand it’s a process

-Oswald Chambers Quote

“If God allows you to be stripped of the exterior portions of your life, he means for you to cultivate the interior.”

Kings & Prophets Vol 1 Part 2

Speaker: Pastor Brandon Pardekooper

Originally Recorded 28 Feb 2016

Saul Looks Like a King

1 Samuel 9:1-2 ESV

There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.

Saul Prophecies

1 Samuel 10:5-7 ESV

After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you.

Saul is Coronated

1 Samuel 10:20-24 ESV

Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. So they inquired again of the Lord, "Is there a man still to come?" and the Lord said, "Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage." Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people." And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"

Saul Makes Excuses

1 Samuel 13:11-12 ESV

Samuel said, "What have you done?" And Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.' So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering."

God Provides Clear Direction

1 Samuel 15:2-3 ESV

Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'"

Saul Disobeys

1 Samuel 15:9 ESV

But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction.

Samuel Calls Saul Out

1 Samuel 15:17-19 ESV

And Samuel said, "Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission and said, 'Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.' Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?"

Saul's Walls Revealed

1 Samuel 15:21 ESV

But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal."

The Big Idea

When we don’t know who we are and we are filled with fear, we build up walls between us and God.

Closing Thought

God’s intention is to anoint us, empower us, use us, and allow us to be a part of advancing his kingdom. It is time to live in this reality.

Kings and Prophets Vol 1 Part 1

Speaker: Pastor Brandon Pardekooper

Originally Recorded 21 Feb 2016

Samuel Appoints His Sons...They Fail

1 Samuel 8:1-3 ESV

When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.

Elders Ask for a King

1 Samuel 8:4-5 ESV

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, "Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations."

The Request is a Rejection of God

1 Samuel 8:6-8 ESV

But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you.

Samuel Warns of the Cost

1 Samuel 8:9-18 ESV

Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them." So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking for a king from him. He said, "These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day."

The People's Intentions Revealed

1 Samuel 8:19-20 ESV

But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, "No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles."

God Chooses Love

1 Samuel 8:21-22 ESV

And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, "Obey their voice and make them a king." Samuel then said to the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city."

The Big Idea

God doesn't intend for us to fit in, he expects us to stand out for His name's sake.

Closing Thought

Anchor yourself in the perspective God has of you, and be free to live in your true identity

State of the Union Pt. 3

Speaker: Rev Patrick Kelley

Originally Recorded 14 Feb 2016

Rob Ketterling Quote

"You can either change before you have to or because you have to.” The latter is always harder.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 MSG

https://www.bible.com/bible/msg/1Cor.12.12-27

YOU MATTER!

Every part is necessary and important. Diversity is vital as we complete each other.

Big Idea

The Church operates best when we all engage in the process.

UCLA coaching legend John Wooden Quote

”Individuals win trophies, but teams win championships.”

Where do we go from here?

Taking the First Steps in equipping yourself and for others Momentum (learning to lead yourself and others) Levels 1-3 Coaching (Becoming the discipler* that God has called you to be) Level 4

Closing Thought

Making other people important is the next step of you understanding your importance and your purpose.

State of the Union Pt. 2

Speaker: Rev. Patrick Kelley

Originally Recorded 7 Feb 2016

Acts 17:16-34 NIV

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean." (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead." When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.

Pt. 1

To engage culture we have to overcome our fears

Pt. 2

To engage culture we have to understand culture

Big Idea:

We have to simply care enough to go out of our way and be intentional and love people. - (It’s almost impossible to love people from afar)

Closing Thought:

As a church (Big C, Little C) have we forgotten our job is to reach people with the Good News?

State of the Union

Speaker: Rev. Patrick Kelley

Originally Recorded 31 Jan 2016

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NIV

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Pt. 1

Paul elevated the Gospel above His preferences.

Pt. 2

Paul did whatever it took

Pt. 3

Paul did it all to save some

Philippians 2:12 NIV

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Pt. 4

Paul understood that blessing follows this path

Big Idea:

We become all things to all men so that we might be able to effectively communicate with people the message of God’s love and reconciliation.

Closing Thought:

We do all the things we do because people coming to Christ is the only thing worth giving our lives for.

Meat and Potatoes Pt 4

Speaker: Rev Patrick Kelley

Originally Recorded 24 Jan 2016

Matthew 6:14-15 MSG

"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.

Acts 10:43 NIV

All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

1 John 1:9 NIV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Contradictory?

Jesus says that one must forgive if one wants forgiveness. Luke says that all one needs to do to receive forgiveness is just believe on Christ Paul says that we’re saved or one receives forgiveness by faith in Christ Jesus and His grace. John says simply If we confess our sins, God will forgive us and purify us.

Psalm 66:18 NIV

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened

1 Peter 3:7 NIV

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Matthew 22:37-40 NIV

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Using the Correct Lense

Everything we read in scripture needs to be viewed through the context of the Greatest Commandment and the Love of God for us.

Big Idea

Forgiveness is non-negotiable

C. S. Lewis Quote

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. -CS Lewis

Steps to Forgiveness

Change your mindset: (Romans 12:2) Come to Jesus: (Philippians 4:13) Assume the best in people Pray for those that you are needing to forge. (Matthew 5:44)

Closing Thought

Living in unforgiveness is like living in a building that should be condemned. It’s unsafe, unclean, unhealthy.

Hebrews 12:15 NIV

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Meat and Potatoes Pt. 3

Speaker: Rev. Patrick Kelley

Originally Recorded 17 Jan 2016

Matthew 6:19-34 NIV

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Thoughts

Worry and Trust are in Conflict

Thoughts

Our Trust can sometimes be found in things, others or ourselves.

Thoughts

Trusting God happens because you know God

Romans 10:17 NIV

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Philippians 4:8 NIV

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Big Idea

You can trust God because He loves you

Closing Thought

God will make something beautiful of your life, but He’s looking for your trust in him to do it

~C. S. Lewis

“Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.”

Meat & Potatoes Pt. 2

Speaker: Rev. Patrick Kelley

Originally Recorded 10 Jan 2016

Matthew 6:1-4 NIV

"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

The Expectations and the Heart

Jesus expects us to give. - Jesus expects us to give with a right heart.

What happens when we steward our lives for the Kingdom?

God is glorified, others are blessed, you are fulfilled.

-Winston Churchill

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.

Big Idea

When we give our lives, God is glorified, others are blessed, you are fulfilled.

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

Closing Question

How are you stewarding the gifts (Time, Talent & Treasures) that God has given you?