Kendricks Creek Church Teachings with Stephen Hopkins

9-10-23

This week, we continue our journey in Acts considering what happens on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and what the fruit of that looks like in the community the Holy Spirit forms. The early church we read about in Acts was devoted to the Lord - the Apostle's Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking Bread together, Prayer, and Mission. We consider the key question for ourselves: what are we devoted to?

This week, we begin a journey through the book of Acts. As a church, we're reading a chapter a week with Pastor Steve offering a summary and survey of key points from the chapter. If you want to read along with us, we're just starting things off in Chapter 1 this week with a clear focus on what it means to live as a missional disciple.

What does it mean to be on mission with God? Who does he call his people to be? And what does this have to do with how the church lives and operates in the 21st century? This week, Pastor Steve shares a vision for how we can be the church today...offering radical hospitality to the world around us.

Do you trust God to be there for you, to provide for you, to walk with you through all the stuff of life? Under stress, are you calm and confident that God will come through and ensure an ultimately good outcome? This week, Pastor Steve explores Isaiah 7:1-9 as we are reminded, "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all."

Key texts: Exodus 2 & 3

Every change we undertake in life or project we pursue begins with vision. From personal growth to our relationships to our life with God, it all begins, and is sustained by, a clear and compelling vision. This week, Pastor Steve explores Isaiah 6 and what this passage tells us about Vision in our daily life. Looking at response, content, and context, we realize that God gives all of us a vision for life with Him.

Key Text: Isaiah 6:1-10

What do you do when you don't know what to do? When circumstances have rendered no good options or too many good options, how do you decide your next step? This week, Pastor Steve explores a specific story from the Old Testament about a King who faced this common dilemma. As a community, we invite you to make his prayer yours too: "We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

Key texts: 2 Chronicles 20:1-12

What exactly does it mean to be part of the "family of God"? When we are called children of God, how does that change our approach to daily living? This week, Pastor Steve explores the concept of family and how God made us as relational beings. Even more than that, God invites us into his family...a life changing dynamic that can reshape the way we look at each day.

Key texts: Matthew 12:46-50; John 14:2

Scholars James Mays said that Psalm 126 can be summarized like this: "Joy remembered and joy anticipated." This week, Pastor Steve explores the importance of regular reflection and gratitude for the spiritual life and how we hold that in tension with hard and dry seasons. Psalm 126 opens the door to find joy in the midst of struggles and suffering precisely because we learn how to live with joy in the midst of normal life.

Key texts: Psalm 126, James 1:17