Kenwood Heights Christian Church

During an Upward game you will always hear a coach or a referee reminding the players to guard their opponent while staying an arms length away. The reason for this is to help the offensive player develop skills instead of having the ball stolen away all of the time. This same principal applies to our lives as well. In this message we will look at the friendship between David and Jonathan found in scripture. We will discover how to help, encourage, and stand up for each other in our everyday lives. We will understand the value of deep friendships in life.

One of the key responsibilities of an Upward participant is understanding and practicing the Circle of Affirmation. Because of his/her influence, an Upward coach leads the way. With your influence for Christ, do you encourage or discourage?

The Bible plainly states that all of us will be assigned to one of two places-either Heaven or Hell. There is no middle ground. Choice, not chance, will determine your eternal destination. Who goes to Heaven may be one of the most misunderstood teachings in the Bible.

It is not God's desire that any person spend eternity in Hell. But in spite of His dire warnings, and the incredible love and grace found in His rescue plan, some will choose to spend an eternity apart from God.

Some people today question the justice of a place called Hell. In our pluralistic society, it seems too harsh a punishment for "believing the wrong thing." But regardless of what people think, Scripture remains firm in its teaching that just as there is a Heaven to be gained, there is also a Hell to be avoided.

Watch some of the Summer Olympic coverage and you're going to see some medal ceremonies-smiling victors with medals draped around their necks. Years of disciplined training and sacrifice paid off. Winning in God's world is not a drive to earn a reward, but learning to live victoriously with Jesus now and into eternity. Don't settle for lesser rewards.

Part of a winning attitude in life is forgetting the defeats, but remembering the lessons learned. Maturing involves neither allowing past failures to rob us of today's growth or resting on the accomplishments of yesterday's victories. A growth-hungry attitude is part of experiencing life with Jesus Christ.

Part of being a member of the Olympic team is the "Olympic experience." There's nothing like firsthand participation in something that the majority of us will only know through television coverage. Part of being on Christ's team is knowing that He fully experienced humanity with us and for us. It is only when we fully invest ourselves in following His example that we truly understand the victorious living He's called us to.

Different members talk about their experiences on short term mission trips. Listen and learn what type of trip God may be leading you to.

Some of you might say you have no trouble with this one. Your relationship with family members is rocky at best. But what about everyone else who dearly loves family members? What is Jesus saying about our relationships with others and their affect on the kingdom?

We make judgments every day-picking a head of lettuce, choosing a doctor, deciding when a car needs to be replaced, etc. Some of our judgments have little life significance; others can affect the direction of our lives for years to come. So what type of judging is harmful to the kingdom of Jesus Christ?

A stand alone sermon by Tom Peck when he filled in for Randy Beard when he was ill.

Can you hear the "Mission Impossible" theme in the background as you read this command from Jesus? Some seem to handle things in stride; others fret about everything. Eliminating this takes supernatural help and a daily commitment from us.

We all like money. In sufficient amounts, it pays the bills and helps us to live comfortably. But is money in the driver's seat of your life? Jesus tells us that the driver's seat in all of our lives is a "one-seater." Which one do you serve and which one is expected to serve you?

Many Americans have given their lives to protect the freedoms that make up the heritage of the United States of America. Their sacrifices still speak. For those of us in Christ, we have a strong heritage of faith that precedes the United States of America. Some of it is recorded for us in Hebrews 11. The faith of these individuals still speak.

Good vacations bring a refreshed life perspective that prepares us to return home. A safe return home is a blessing that winds up a vacation nicely. God brought His people safely home to the Promised Land. In the process, He was glorified and they began to enjoy their new home. Make the transition from vacation to home a positive one.

How well people get along on a vacation often determines how we feel about the whole thing. Sour attitudes or complaining can affect everyone's mood. If the children (or adults) quarrel, a vacation becomes a life stressor rather than a stress reliever. The journey of God's people from Egypt was incredibly stressful because they had little interest in getting along. Considering this issue needs to be in your vacation plans.

The majority of us would say we believe in the power of prayer, but know we don't pray enough and wish we knew how to pray more effectively. Prayer boils down to a choice between God's resources and our own resources. Which one is really most important to you

t is healthy and proper to take pride in your work, your appearance, your yard, and your family. God has placed within us the desire to strive for excellence in the areas that interest us. When do the motives within us become unhealthy and what do we do about it?

The average American has 30 conversations a day. We spend one-fifth of our lives talking. Three of the seven deadly sins and two of the Ten Commandments deal with our speech. The potential of our words for good or ill is enormous.