MCC Podcast Miamisburg Christian Church

I have appreciated your response to talking about issues that give almost all, although it may be fair to say ALL of us, the ick.



This week we’re talking about money. And I know the reason for the ick. In part of Jesus’ most famous sermon, He told us that there is a tug of war going on in our hearts involving our stuff. Jesus is recognizing a strategy that our enemy uses against us. I want to remind you that the devil knows he doesn’t have to get us to follow him - he just has to get us to stop following Jesus especially in this area of our life.



So we’ll look at that and how to kick the ick. By the way, it’s simple, it's just not easy.



And I’m looking forward to having my friend, Kent Fillinger, with us this weekend. Kent is with CFR who is one of our ministry partners. He also happens to have been a student when I was a Student Pastor. He will share briefly about how CFR is benefiting churches across the country.

This weekend we will continue our Ick series where we’re talking about those things in our lives where when someone brings them up, in our minds we go, “Ick.”

I don’t want to talk about that.

Stop talking about that.



So we thought we’d talk about that. You’re welcome. This weekend I will be addressing the ick of politics.



I realize that the only thing that might be more icky than politics, is talking about politics in church. And what I’m going to share this weekend, I actually shared 4 years ago.



And so you know, this message is not intended for you to change your political party or your political views. It’s intended to help us think about something MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than who lives in the White House for the next 4 years.



And don’t hear what I’m not saying. I’m not saying that’s not important.

I’m not saying disengage from the privilege we have to vote.

I’m not saying your vote isn’t important.



Not at all.



And I will say this about voting, although this is not what I’ll be talking about this weekend. But It does seem obvious to say that your vote ought to reflect the principles of the Kingdom. As disciples of Jesus we are to reflect Kingdom values in all areas of our lives and should inform how we vote.



Jesus didn’t talk about voting because they didn’t get to vote. But what we see that Jesus didn’t say and did say IS intended to make all of us think about the way we respond to each other in such a volatile political climate. I’m looking forward to walking through this with you.

This Sunday we will be kicking off a new series called “Ick.” As our Teaching Team thought through this year and what topics we need to talk about that will most likely give many, or most, or at times all, people “the ick.” So for the next few weeks we’re going to talk about politics, money, and sex.

This Sunday we will begin by talking about “culture.” It will be interesting to see how you would define that word. However you define it, you certainly can’t escape it. The real question is who is doing the influencing? Does culture define social norms? How much power does culture have on public opinion, politics, even (and especially) the church?

Rich will walk us through a parable, as Jesus lays out a principle and a story in Acts to see that principle lived out!

The 2 biggest holidays of the year in the church are Christmas and Easter.Why is that? What is the draw?If you are a follower of Jesus these holidays celebrate where we get our identity. Christmas reminds us that God loves us so much that He sent His Son on a rescue mission to save us. And Easter reminds us that it cost Him His life. Both of them remind us of Who we belong to.Join us this week as we look at Philippians 2 to see how Easter is an annual reminder of the hope God gives you IF you will give yourself over to Him!

This Sunday I will be sharing about what happened on that first Palm Sunday (although they would not have called it that). The occasion was Passover Week, a time when thousands of Jews from all over Palestine made their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem.



This event was the remembrance of the story we read in the book of Exodus of the Jews leaving their slavery in Egypt for the promised land. And it was one of the Annual Feasts that all Jewish males were required to attend regardless of where they lived.



Now the usual population of Jerusalem was approximately 30,000 people. But each year at Passover, thousands of Jews would come to the city. The estimates of visitors range from 150,000 to 2-1/2 million.  



And in the midst of this crowd Jesus rides into town on a donkey. And the surprise is, you may find yourself in that crowd. I’m looking forward to sharing that.

This week John wraps up his letter to the early church by addressing a question that they had in the first century that many people still do today.

How can I be sure I will go to heaven?

It’s important that we get this because it is vital to our spiritual emotional well being. Disciples of Jesus can be sure of their eternal life.

John is wrapping up his letter with this 1 John 5:13-15 (NIV): I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Just how secure is our salvation? This topic seems to cause a lot of anxiety, especially for those in the church. This Sunday Mike will talk about why it does and what John says about how we can be sure.