Below are the Easter Videos that I discussed on Easter Sunday. Kirk
1. Did Jesus actually die on the cross?
Thanks to leestrobel.com for this video. You can more info about Jesus at this site.
In Christ Alone,
Kirk Dice
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Points of Clarity
I just finished reading the bookk called THE ONE THING YOU NEED TO KNOW by Marcus Buckingham. He is a business writer that looks into how the best organizations and leaders acheive their goals.
He points out great organizations and leaders must have is clarity. The way to confidence is to be clear and vivid about the future. Clarity gives confidence. vagueness births anxiousness. He gives three questions that everyone organization to be clear on. I thought I would apply them to Celebration Church.
Question #1: Who do we serve?
This question gives our church focus. Who do we serve? Some say the church should serve the poor and the needy. After all, James says true religion is helping out the orphan and the widow. Others might say we serve those who are lost; those without a relationship with Jesus Christ. Didn't Jesus say we are to witness to the ends of the earth? I've heard people argue that we are to serve morality. The church is here to be a force of good on earth. I've even heard people say the church is serve each other.
None of these are the answer. We are here to serve God and his glory. The first thing we have to remember is the church is not about us. It's about God. It's about His glory. It's about briging people into his fame and not ours. In all our endeavors and decisions we must serve God.
How do we know is we are serving God? When we are obedient to Him. How do we know how to obey? By reading the Bible. It is God's word on how to serve.
Question #2: What is our core strength?
Our core strength is small groups. We believe that people grow into disciples by being part of a small community of believers. It is in a small group that realtionships are formed where we can spur each other on to serve God.
Churches can be strong in a lot of areas, and are. Some are strong in worship, evangelism, missions, or fellowship. All of these are good to have in a church. We have chosen small groups because our focus is on making disciples.
Question #3: What is our core score?
Our core score is keeping track of how many people are actively involved in a small group. Right now we have 7 small groups and our plan is to keep growing. Our vision is to raise up 10,000 disciples. If we average 10 people in each small group then our goal is to start and nourish 1000 small groups.
When Jesus set up the church he set it up as an institution that will serve God. It is in a small group where we are discipled that we learn how to serve God happily and effecively.
Hope this clarifies what Celebration is all about.
In Christ Alone,
Kirk
(I apologize about the typo's. I had to type this quickly today.)
He points out great organizations and leaders must have is clarity. The way to confidence is to be clear and vivid about the future. Clarity gives confidence. vagueness births anxiousness. He gives three questions that everyone organization to be clear on. I thought I would apply them to Celebration Church.
Question #1: Who do we serve?
This question gives our church focus. Who do we serve? Some say the church should serve the poor and the needy. After all, James says true religion is helping out the orphan and the widow. Others might say we serve those who are lost; those without a relationship with Jesus Christ. Didn't Jesus say we are to witness to the ends of the earth? I've heard people argue that we are to serve morality. The church is here to be a force of good on earth. I've even heard people say the church is serve each other.
None of these are the answer. We are here to serve God and his glory. The first thing we have to remember is the church is not about us. It's about God. It's about His glory. It's about briging people into his fame and not ours. In all our endeavors and decisions we must serve God.
How do we know is we are serving God? When we are obedient to Him. How do we know how to obey? By reading the Bible. It is God's word on how to serve.
Question #2: What is our core strength?
Our core strength is small groups. We believe that people grow into disciples by being part of a small community of believers. It is in a small group that realtionships are formed where we can spur each other on to serve God.
Churches can be strong in a lot of areas, and are. Some are strong in worship, evangelism, missions, or fellowship. All of these are good to have in a church. We have chosen small groups because our focus is on making disciples.
Question #3: What is our core score?
Our core score is keeping track of how many people are actively involved in a small group. Right now we have 7 small groups and our plan is to keep growing. Our vision is to raise up 10,000 disciples. If we average 10 people in each small group then our goal is to start and nourish 1000 small groups.
When Jesus set up the church he set it up as an institution that will serve God. It is in a small group where we are discipled that we learn how to serve God happily and effecively.
Hope this clarifies what Celebration is all about.
In Christ Alone,
Kirk
(I apologize about the typo's. I had to type this quickly today.)
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Kingdom of God
I've been preaching on the parables that Jesus gave in Matthew 13. In most of the parables Jesus begins by saying, "The kingdom of God is like..." All of these parables are here to explain how the kingdom of God is supposed to operate.
Jesus started out his ministry by proclaiming, "The Kingdom of God is near!" Ever wonder what he meant by that?
Take the Jew of that day. Back in the day there were prophets who would proclaim the word of God. They were the advisors to the King. They helped determine military strategy. Sometimes they were unpopular becasue they would tell the people when they were turning thier backs on God. Some were celebrated and others were hated. In the end though, God spoke through these prophets.
A problem arose though. After Nehemiah built the wall of Jerusalem the prophets were no more and God in effect went silent. All the grand miracles that God had performed went silent. All the advice for military battles was gone.
This silence from God lasted 400 years. Imagine that. Our nation is only a little over 200 years old. For the people in Jesus day God had essentially quit speaking directly to them a long, long, long time ago. The prophecies, the incredible events, God intervening on thier behalf, was just a mere history lesson.
Then, out of the blue, this guy from Galilee, not even Jerusalem, starts proclaiming the kingdom of God is near. He goes around the countryside performing these incredible miracles. People start noticing that he fits the description the prophets of old talked about. Could it be God was moving again?
Not only that Jesus gets up in a synagoge one day, reads one of the scriptures about the Messiah, and says I'm what this prophet is talking about. For some people this was to good to be true. God has been silent for 400 years and all of a sudden this guy comes along and says God's back?
Some believed though. Some understood. Some placed their faith in him.
Then this Jesus died and all his claims with him. Has God realy spoken again?
Then Jesus rose from the dead and ushered in a new Kingdom of God. A kingdom that includes you!
So I have a question for you. How do you see the Kingdom of God in your life? Jesus didn't die to be silent.
Kirk
Jesus started out his ministry by proclaiming, "The Kingdom of God is near!" Ever wonder what he meant by that?
Take the Jew of that day. Back in the day there were prophets who would proclaim the word of God. They were the advisors to the King. They helped determine military strategy. Sometimes they were unpopular becasue they would tell the people when they were turning thier backs on God. Some were celebrated and others were hated. In the end though, God spoke through these prophets.
A problem arose though. After Nehemiah built the wall of Jerusalem the prophets were no more and God in effect went silent. All the grand miracles that God had performed went silent. All the advice for military battles was gone.
This silence from God lasted 400 years. Imagine that. Our nation is only a little over 200 years old. For the people in Jesus day God had essentially quit speaking directly to them a long, long, long time ago. The prophecies, the incredible events, God intervening on thier behalf, was just a mere history lesson.
Then, out of the blue, this guy from Galilee, not even Jerusalem, starts proclaiming the kingdom of God is near. He goes around the countryside performing these incredible miracles. People start noticing that he fits the description the prophets of old talked about. Could it be God was moving again?
Not only that Jesus gets up in a synagoge one day, reads one of the scriptures about the Messiah, and says I'm what this prophet is talking about. For some people this was to good to be true. God has been silent for 400 years and all of a sudden this guy comes along and says God's back?
Some believed though. Some understood. Some placed their faith in him.
Then this Jesus died and all his claims with him. Has God realy spoken again?
Then Jesus rose from the dead and ushered in a new Kingdom of God. A kingdom that includes you!
So I have a question for you. How do you see the Kingdom of God in your life? Jesus didn't die to be silent.
Kirk
Friday, February 15, 2008
To Good To Be True
Lisa and I had a great laugh on Valentine's Day. We are looking for a home but we have limited resources. So looking for a home takes patience and catching a break somewhere down the line.
The other night Lisa was looking at homes on the internet and she found a home on 3 acres for $30,000! Can you believe it! It was a nice home too.
Get this. The site said the average home in the area was $400,000! It was being sold at a -93% of the homes around it. Talk about your built in equity! This was too good to be true.
I decided to call the agent and I told him what the internet site said the price was. He said that was nice of them, but the actual price was $305,000! I told him if that was the actual cost I would buy it that night!
It was too good to be true.
Of course that got me to reflecting as I went to bed at night. Jesus said that I have some real estate waiting for me in heaven. He even went on to say I don't even have to pay for it. He already did with his blood. Plus, I know I have a home because he has placed a deposit called the Holy Spirit in my life. It's waiting for me. I thought that is to good to be true- but it is true!
Plus, this weekend is my Son's birthday. He's turning the double digits- 10! I just heard a comedian talk about birthdays. He says when you are a kind you'll say, "I'm 8 and a half" or "I'm 6 and 3/4's old!" You never hear a thirty year old say that, "I'm 36 and a 1/4!"
I would like to highlight Dietrich today since it is his birthday. I rememebr when he was born of course. It's been exciting to have a boy in my home. Never a dull moment. I hope he knows how much I love him. How much I believe in him. I think of the special gift from God that he is. He's a great gift from heaven. He really is too good to be true.
Kirk
The other night Lisa was looking at homes on the internet and she found a home on 3 acres for $30,000! Can you believe it! It was a nice home too.
Get this. The site said the average home in the area was $400,000! It was being sold at a -93% of the homes around it. Talk about your built in equity! This was too good to be true.
I decided to call the agent and I told him what the internet site said the price was. He said that was nice of them, but the actual price was $305,000! I told him if that was the actual cost I would buy it that night!
It was too good to be true.
Of course that got me to reflecting as I went to bed at night. Jesus said that I have some real estate waiting for me in heaven. He even went on to say I don't even have to pay for it. He already did with his blood. Plus, I know I have a home because he has placed a deposit called the Holy Spirit in my life. It's waiting for me. I thought that is to good to be true- but it is true!
Plus, this weekend is my Son's birthday. He's turning the double digits- 10! I just heard a comedian talk about birthdays. He says when you are a kind you'll say, "I'm 8 and a half" or "I'm 6 and 3/4's old!" You never hear a thirty year old say that, "I'm 36 and a 1/4!"
I would like to highlight Dietrich today since it is his birthday. I rememebr when he was born of course. It's been exciting to have a boy in my home. Never a dull moment. I hope he knows how much I love him. How much I believe in him. I think of the special gift from God that he is. He's a great gift from heaven. He really is too good to be true.
Kirk
Friday, February 1, 2008
Lisa's Trip to the Surgery
Lisa had her wisdom teeth taken out today. As many of you know this is quite the experience. I was the "escort." That means I get to play nurse to Lisa for the rest of the day.
The most interesting part of the trip was on the way there. The doctor's office was just off Battlefield Blvd. down near the Chesapeake Hospital.
For whatever reason traffic started backing up when we got on I-64 just off I-664. According to the road sign flashing it was backed up all the way to the high rise bridge. We were just sitting on the road and we knew we were going to be late for Lisa's surgery. We called ahead to the doctor.
When we go to the route 13 (painstakingly slow) exit we decided to get off not sure how to reroute the traffic. A lot of these roads are still new to us. We quickly determined we needed some help so we called Don Handyside for instructions. Before he could determine where we were on 13 south we somehow looped around and we found ourselves right back where we started at the I-664 to I-64 exit. Traffic was backed up even further now!
From there Don figured out where we were and gave us OnStar guidance to get around the traffic. He told us make sure you are in this lane and make sure you are headed this direction. He did an excellent job. We arrived at our doctor's office not to far off from our scheduled time.
This little adventure led me to this little spiritual thought. When you get stuck in your life, call up God. He will be the OnStar for your life. He will make your paths straight!
In Christ Alone,
Kirk
The most interesting part of the trip was on the way there. The doctor's office was just off Battlefield Blvd. down near the Chesapeake Hospital.
For whatever reason traffic started backing up when we got on I-64 just off I-664. According to the road sign flashing it was backed up all the way to the high rise bridge. We were just sitting on the road and we knew we were going to be late for Lisa's surgery. We called ahead to the doctor.
When we go to the route 13 (painstakingly slow) exit we decided to get off not sure how to reroute the traffic. A lot of these roads are still new to us. We quickly determined we needed some help so we called Don Handyside for instructions. Before he could determine where we were on 13 south we somehow looped around and we found ourselves right back where we started at the I-664 to I-64 exit. Traffic was backed up even further now!
From there Don figured out where we were and gave us OnStar guidance to get around the traffic. He told us make sure you are in this lane and make sure you are headed this direction. He did an excellent job. We arrived at our doctor's office not to far off from our scheduled time.
This little adventure led me to this little spiritual thought. When you get stuck in your life, call up God. He will be the OnStar for your life. He will make your paths straight!
In Christ Alone,
Kirk
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tiger's Golf Lesson
If you follow professional golf at all, or sports in general, you may have heard about this story. A star host on the Golf Channel, Ms. Tilgham (sp?) said some very racist remarks in jest concerning Tiger Woods. Ms. Tilgham and Tiger are friends and according to Tiger, they discussed the issue, remain good friends, and are moving on.
The media didn't want to leave it at that. A golf magazine decided this was a provocative discussion to pursue and so they wrote an article about it, and on the cover of the magazine they placed a picture of a noose. This picture and the article sparked a great controversy. So much so that the editor who placed the noose on the cover is now reportedly looking for a new job. Ms. Tigham is being disciplined by the golf channel.
Many people have said that Tiger should take a stronger stand on this issue than what he has. He should speak up for his civil rights. Those who had gone before him have done so much just so he could have his current position of influence. That is true. Maybe he should use his influence to take a stronger stance than what he has. Tiger's stance is he cannot take up every cause in the world. He has already chosen which causes to get behind.
In all the fray and talk over this discussion is something I don't see from my "Generation X" eyes. I grew up in a generation where the Civil Rights movement is more of a textbook lesson than a reality I have experienced (I'm speaking of the 60's). One thing I see missing in the Civil Rights movement is forgiveness. Are not the leaders of the movement ministers of the grace of God? One thing I see Tiger demonstrating with Ms. Tilgham is forgiveness. He forgave her and now he is moving on. What is so wrong with that? Why hasn't anyone noticed this? Is our culture so far removed from the message of Jesus?
Now don't get me wrong, I know the Civil Rights movement was needed and is still needed in our country. You have to take action when people are not being treated as Christ values them. Every person in God's eyes is valuable and our culture should demonstrate that fact.
The question I have is this: When it is required to take a stand can we not also offer forgiveness? I'm not saying to be a push over and let people walk all over you. That is not forgiveness. That is stupidity. Forgiveness heals the relationship, it doesn't allow one person or group to dominate over another, or as the Bible says, "Lord it over them."
The Bible says forgive others as Christ has forgiven you. How did Christ forgave you? He gave up his rights on the cross so he could die for your sin. It heals the breach between you and God and that forgiveness we recieved from God is supposed to spill over to others in this world. Where is the forgiveness?
I believe that forgiveness is the most powerful force in the world. It is because of the forgiveness of Christ that we have the hope of heaven when all the races of the earth will live in harmony (RV 7:9). Didn't Jesus teach us to ask in his model prayer to have what is happening in heaven happen down here? (MT 6) In case you don't know he did!
Maybe Tiger, who unfortunatley is Bhuddist, unwittingly took a stand. He took a stand of forgiveness when he forgave Ms' Tilgham and "moved on."
I believe that is only through the power of forgiveness that Martin Luther King's dream will be achieved. Maybe that's the greatest golf lesson of all.
In Christ Alone,
Kirk
The media didn't want to leave it at that. A golf magazine decided this was a provocative discussion to pursue and so they wrote an article about it, and on the cover of the magazine they placed a picture of a noose. This picture and the article sparked a great controversy. So much so that the editor who placed the noose on the cover is now reportedly looking for a new job. Ms. Tigham is being disciplined by the golf channel.
Many people have said that Tiger should take a stronger stand on this issue than what he has. He should speak up for his civil rights. Those who had gone before him have done so much just so he could have his current position of influence. That is true. Maybe he should use his influence to take a stronger stance than what he has. Tiger's stance is he cannot take up every cause in the world. He has already chosen which causes to get behind.
In all the fray and talk over this discussion is something I don't see from my "Generation X" eyes. I grew up in a generation where the Civil Rights movement is more of a textbook lesson than a reality I have experienced (I'm speaking of the 60's). One thing I see missing in the Civil Rights movement is forgiveness. Are not the leaders of the movement ministers of the grace of God? One thing I see Tiger demonstrating with Ms. Tilgham is forgiveness. He forgave her and now he is moving on. What is so wrong with that? Why hasn't anyone noticed this? Is our culture so far removed from the message of Jesus?
Now don't get me wrong, I know the Civil Rights movement was needed and is still needed in our country. You have to take action when people are not being treated as Christ values them. Every person in God's eyes is valuable and our culture should demonstrate that fact.
The question I have is this: When it is required to take a stand can we not also offer forgiveness? I'm not saying to be a push over and let people walk all over you. That is not forgiveness. That is stupidity. Forgiveness heals the relationship, it doesn't allow one person or group to dominate over another, or as the Bible says, "Lord it over them."
The Bible says forgive others as Christ has forgiven you. How did Christ forgave you? He gave up his rights on the cross so he could die for your sin. It heals the breach between you and God and that forgiveness we recieved from God is supposed to spill over to others in this world. Where is the forgiveness?
I believe that forgiveness is the most powerful force in the world. It is because of the forgiveness of Christ that we have the hope of heaven when all the races of the earth will live in harmony (RV 7:9). Didn't Jesus teach us to ask in his model prayer to have what is happening in heaven happen down here? (MT 6) In case you don't know he did!
Maybe Tiger, who unfortunatley is Bhuddist, unwittingly took a stand. He took a stand of forgiveness when he forgave Ms' Tilgham and "moved on."
I believe that is only through the power of forgiveness that Martin Luther King's dream will be achieved. Maybe that's the greatest golf lesson of all.
In Christ Alone,
Kirk
Friday, January 18, 2008
A Money Party
My son's birthday party is coming up in February. He's going to be hitting double digits, 10 years old. The days of him being a little guy are behind him now. He's going to start turning into a man from here on out, at first slowly, in the end all too quickly.
This year Dietrich wants to have a "money party" instead of a birthday party. He wants everyone to give him money. He's hoping to get enough money to buy a Wii or somehting else. At first I reacted negatively to his request. You don't go around demanding people give you money for your birthday. I told him that is rude. You gladly accept whatever anyone gives you. If it happens to be money all the better. If they ask you what to give you for your birthday you can tell him or her. But you don't go around demanding a money party as your birthday party.
As I have been preparing these messages I have considered Dietrich's thoughts concerning the church. I thought it could seem to some that when it comes to money, the church is all about having a "money party." Many people think that is what the church is all about. They think the church is being rude. They think the church is being demanding. They could wonder why the church should have the right to ask for money.
Because of that ideology out there many ministers are scared to talk about money. I had one minister share that he never talks about money. He was shocked when I told him that I spend an entire month talking about it. But I do. I do becasue Jesus had more to say about money then any other subject. If I am going to preach Jesus then I better preach about money.
When you examine what Jesus said about money he never encouraged people to come together and have "money" parties. What he emphasized was our money management needs to be in line with God's vision. It was simple as that. Part of that vision is giving because the character of God is generous by nature.
Last week I shared that for the sake of heaven, we need to be shrewd with our wealth on earth.
Talk about it. What do you think? Have you ever thought that how you spend your money now directly impacts what you will experience in heaven?
A lot of people think heaven will be a communist state with everyone being treated equally. I don't see that in the Bible. What I do see is everyone being treated individually, as God sees fit. Jesus said himself we will be rewarded in heaven according to our deeds. My deeds are different than yours. Therefore you will receive something different than me.
What do you think? How does your spending habits, maney management, affect heaven? How could your spending be any different? How would it impact your lifestyle?
In Christ Alone, Kirk
This year Dietrich wants to have a "money party" instead of a birthday party. He wants everyone to give him money. He's hoping to get enough money to buy a Wii or somehting else. At first I reacted negatively to his request. You don't go around demanding people give you money for your birthday. I told him that is rude. You gladly accept whatever anyone gives you. If it happens to be money all the better. If they ask you what to give you for your birthday you can tell him or her. But you don't go around demanding a money party as your birthday party.
As I have been preparing these messages I have considered Dietrich's thoughts concerning the church. I thought it could seem to some that when it comes to money, the church is all about having a "money party." Many people think that is what the church is all about. They think the church is being rude. They think the church is being demanding. They could wonder why the church should have the right to ask for money.
Because of that ideology out there many ministers are scared to talk about money. I had one minister share that he never talks about money. He was shocked when I told him that I spend an entire month talking about it. But I do. I do becasue Jesus had more to say about money then any other subject. If I am going to preach Jesus then I better preach about money.
When you examine what Jesus said about money he never encouraged people to come together and have "money" parties. What he emphasized was our money management needs to be in line with God's vision. It was simple as that. Part of that vision is giving because the character of God is generous by nature.
Last week I shared that for the sake of heaven, we need to be shrewd with our wealth on earth.
Talk about it. What do you think? Have you ever thought that how you spend your money now directly impacts what you will experience in heaven?
A lot of people think heaven will be a communist state with everyone being treated equally. I don't see that in the Bible. What I do see is everyone being treated individually, as God sees fit. Jesus said himself we will be rewarded in heaven according to our deeds. My deeds are different than yours. Therefore you will receive something different than me.
What do you think? How does your spending habits, maney management, affect heaven? How could your spending be any different? How would it impact your lifestyle?
In Christ Alone, Kirk
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