Kevin Rayner's ministry to God @ The Edmond Church of Christ - Edmond, OK

God specializes in making what seems like a setback into an advancement of His good purpose. As God repairs and redeems our stories, He advances the gospel.

Press On! "To Live is Christ"

May 25, 2025 @ Edmond Church of Christ

Philippians 1:18b-30

https://youtu.be/RkQxMtnj8fg

What is at the very core of your life, giving shape to your values, beliefs, thoughts and actions? Consider what it means to not just have Jesus influence your life but to define it.

Press On! "Humble Yourself"

June 1, 2025 @ Edmond Church of Christ

Philippians 2:1-11

https://youtu.be/B3zjIem34iM

Humility is a choice of posture and position we make. Jesus modeled true humility by willingly emptying himself of all entitlement and status as he served others.

Press On! "Shine Like Stars"

June 8, 2025 @ Edmond Church of Christ

Philippians 2:14-16

https://youtu.be/3CobzwgK_xA

God has always expected His people to live in contrast to the world. What does it look like when God's people "shine like stars" in this dark world?

Press On! "Found In Him"

June 15, 2025 @ Edmond Church of Christ

Philippians 3:7-10

https://youtu.be/cpVN444W2EY

When everything encourages us to make much of ourselves, God calls us to lose ourselves and to be found with an identity and purpose rooted in Jesus.

Press On! "Allegiance"

June 22, 2025 @ Edmond Church of Christ

Philippians 3:18-21

https://youtu.be/ay1L2lKAGBA

To whom or what are you most loyal? Our loyalties reveal our greatest allegiance. To be a citizen of heaven means to embrace the cross of Christ.

Press On! "Where's Your Mind?"

June 29, 2025 @ Edmond Church of Christ

Philippians 4:8-9

https://youtu.be/k-tZuXQF0fE

Anxious thoughts or admirable thoughts--where is your mind? When we dwell on godly things, the peace of God guards our hearts and minds.

Press On! "Secret of Contentment"

July 6, 2025 @ Edmond Church of Christ

Philippians 4:10-13

https://youtu.be/YHW0mDCXA7w

Living with nagging regrets and destructive resentments will make you miserable. Contentment provides peace even in less-than-ideal circumstances. You can learn the secret to contentment.

For more on the letter of Philippians, go to my comments and resources at

https://kevinskomment.blogspot.com/search/label/Philippians

Patrick Rayner and his family are excited about new role

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Edmond church hires campus minister

Patrick Rayner and his family are excited about a new role

God has been preparing Patrick Rayner for ministry his whole life.

Announced as the new campus minister for the Edmond Church of Christ on April 16, Patrick recognizes the many influences in his life, culminating in an opportunity to leave his secular work and enter full-time ministry.

“God has put so many people around us that have shaped us into who we are today, and surrounded us with a great team of other leaders who support the students,” Patrick said. “Seeing others lead us through their humble attitudes and care for others has shaped our view of ministry in an impactful way.”

Rayner’s exposure to ministry and missions begin when he was just a young child playing sports and sledding down the snow-covered hills of Rochester, MN, with his older brother, Dustin. Every day, these brothers watched their parents, Kevin and Katie, serve faithfully as church planters and missionaries.

Patrick learned, by their example, that effective ministry is rooted in meaningful relationships. He plans to continue the same approach in the Edmond campus ministry.

“God has given us the opportunity to see the campus ministry over a long period of time and to spend time with so many students along the way. We have gotten to see what helps different students grow and develop to take on the mission God has for them,” Patrick said. “We hope to make every student feel like they have a ‘home’ where they are loved and used for the glory of God.”

With ministry always close to his heart, Patrick followed Dustin to Oklahoma Christian and earned a dual degree in Accounting and Vocational Ministry. During his time at OC, Patrick spent six semesters and two summers working as an Edmond campus ministry intern, plus one summer as a youth intern at the MacArthur Park church in San Antonio.

While at OC, Patrick also met his wife, Daniella. As God continued to weave the threads of ministry and missions through his story, it is fitting the two met on a mission trip. Patrick recalls first meeting Daniella among a group of friends in San Antonio on the way back from the Mexico mission trip.

“Somehow, she doesn’t remember meeting me, which is something we always laugh about now,” he admitted. “We always talk about our marriage as a team, and it is a blessing to be married to her.”

As a team, Patrick and Daniella have been involved in our campus ministry since 2013, serving as college adoption parents, retreat and mission trip sponsors, hosting Bible studies, and investing in the lives of students. In 2021, Patrick was named a deacon in the campus ministry.

The couple reflected on God preparing them for this role. “So much of our preparation started when we were students in the campus ministry,” they said. “Our time in college was transformational in many ways even beyond our faith, and we hope to pass that on to the current students.”

After announcing Edmond was looking for a campus minister, several people close to the campus ministry, including students, asked Patrick and Daniella if they had considered the possibility of a more formal role with our students.

While the dream had always lingered in their hearts, the possibility seemed unlikely. Patrick was working for a local land brokerage firm, and he and Daniella were happy to serve as volunteers in the ministry while raising their three children, Bella, Cooper, and Harrison.

But their love for students, passion for our campus ministry, hours of prayer, and hearts shaped by years of ministry and missions finally all converged with a decision to apply for the position and let God work it all out.

God worked it out.

He and Daniella’s devotion to God and to college students stood out to the search committee, shepherds, and staff.

“Patrick’s heart for our college students is clear when you see he and Daniella connect and gently encourage students towards Christ and His church,” said Edmond shepherd, Brad Buxton. “In an age of overwhelming messages, I have absolute confidence in the ability of the Rayner family to share the priceless teachings of Jesus and disciple our emerging adults.”

Patrick will begin in his new official role on May 1. He and the entire family are thrilled about the opportunity.

“Our entire family is so excited,” Patrick said. “None more so than Bella, who said, ‘I’m going to be dancing all the way to school tomorrow!’ when she found out.”

What excites Patrick in this role is having the time and opportunity to do what he saw modeled so long ago—minister through meaningful relationships.

“The students constantly inspire me with their hearts and their attitudes,” Patrick said. “Being around them more will be a huge blessing for us and our kids. More than anything, we are excited to see God work through the entire group and to see what we know He is capable of!”

I AM - In His Own Words

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 06 Mar 2022 16:00:00 +0000

I am the Light of the World

John 8:12-20

I an the Way, Truth and Life

John 14:1-14

I am the True Vine

John 15:1-17

I am the Good Shepherd & Gate

John 10:1-21

I am the Bread of Life

John 6:25-29

I am the Resurrection and the Life

John 11:17-44

New Day Study Series

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 08:00:00 +0000

New Day Series of Studies

First Church: Wholly Devoted

First Church: Actively Involved

First Church: Doing Life Together

First Church: Filled with Awe

First Church: Glad and Sincere Hearts

First Church: God at Work

Welcome to the Edmond Church of Christ

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Fri, 07 May 2021 15:44:00 +0000

Welcome...

Connection -- Information

Glad you are here and want to find out more about us. The Edmond Church of Christ is an active community of faith in Edmond, OK, made up of Christians who care for each other and want to serve God. Every Sunday, hundreds of men, women and children from various backgrounds come together to worship God and learn about the Bible. We also offer an online service for those who are unable to be here.

Our faith is not just practiced on Sundays. It is the foundation for every relationship and all the events of everyday life. We believe our faith should make a profound impact on our lives, including our relationships, jobs, resources, and decisions. We view the Bible as the inspired Word of God, and we strive to follow the teachings and principles of the New Testament.

Find more information on the web

http://edmondchurchofchrist.com

We also encourage you to download our app for your smart phone.

Who We Are...

The Edmond Church of Christ is an active family made up of Christians who care for each other. Every Sunday, hundreds of men, women and children from various backgrounds come together to learn about Jesus and worship God.

Time is spent in Bible classes where teachers explain the stories of the Bible to elementary students while adults apply Biblical principles to ever-changing lives. Little children sometimes learn to say “Jesus” for the first time in Bible class.

Christian faith is not left just for Sunday. It is the foundation for every relationship and all the events of everyday life. We believe our faith should make a profound impact on our lives, including our marriages, families, jobs, resources, and decisions.

We view the Bible as the inspired Word of God, and we strive to follow the teachings and principles of the New Testament.

What We Believe...

The purpose of the people making up the Edmond Church of Christ is simple: we want to honor God with lives wholly devoted to Him.

Whether we are together in a worship service, at school or our jobs during the week or spending an evening with our families, we want to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

A brief description cannot adequately explain our convictions in detail, but there are some basic items that anchor us together:

We Believe in One God

We believe in the one God revealed in the Bible. We believe the one God is made up of the three beings known as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Bible is God’s Word

We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. We are confident God inspired the individuals that wrote each book of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

When we need direction in life, are confronted with temptation, or need a source to bring hope, we turn to the Bible. The Bible is our guide for everyday living. Our goal is to be Bible-based.

We are committed to the continual study of God’s Word, the Bible, to see how we can most closely give God the personal and collective worship He desires.

The Body of Christ

We believe the church is made up of God’s people on earth. Jesus is our head, and we are His body (Galatians 5:23). We do not seek to be a denomination, we merely want to be the body of our Savior.

Salvation

From our understanding of the New Testament, there are some important elements associated with salvation. Every element is rooted in scripture. These steps are actually a process in which a person grasps them both emotionally and intellectually.

The Lord says we must believe in the power and person of Jesus Christ (John 3:16). It is also necessary for us to repent, or change our way of living that is against Jesus (Acts 2:37-38).

Jesus has also asked us to be willing to confess to other people that we are His (Romans 10:9-10). God, through the New Testament, also directs us to be immersed, or baptized, into Christ (Romans 6:3-11). At that point we become part of Christ’s body (Galatians 3:26-27).

Just following the above steps certainly does not mean the Christian conversion is complete. Instead, a wonderful life in Jesus begins.

Christ Will Claim His Own

We look forward to the final day, when Jesus will claim His own for an eternal home with Him. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Jesus will return in the clouds and his followers will rise, meet Him in the sky, and ultimately be with Him forever.

Biblical Worship

Most people notice our worship is unique in two aspects: a) our singing is unaccompanied by musical instruments and, b) we take the Lord’s Supper every week.

We do not do these things uniquely just because we like them better in this manner. We do so because our study of Scripture has led us to believe this is the way we can best honor our Lord.

Our worship services are also filled with biblical teaching (sermons), congregational singing, prayer, communion, and giving. You are more than welcome to attend a worship service and/or Bible class with us!

Dear Prospective New Member,

First and foremost, we want to share in your joy regarding your interest in being part of the church family at the Edmond Church of Christ. Church membership is an important demonstration of your commitment to Jesus and His church and to this specific congregation and its mission and ministries.

The mission of the Edmond Church of Christ is to make disciples in our homes, neighborhoods, community and throughout the world (Matthew 28:18-20). So thank you for wanting to join us on that mission!

What Does It Mean To “place Membership”?

Good question. You won’t find a command to place membership in the Bible, but you will find examples of Christian men and women identifying themselves with a local group of believers and placing themselves under the oversight and care of shepherds (i.e., elders). The truth is, becoming a member of the Lord’s body, the Church (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31), is more about what God does for us rather than what we do. Acts 2:47 reminds us that the Lord adds to the Church those who are being saved. God adds us to the Church—the universal Body of believers—when we respond in faith through repentance, confession and baptism, and then we choose to place ourselves under the oversight of the shepherds of a particular local congregation (Hebrews 13:17).

Why Should I Become A Member?

Some may ask, “If God adds me to the Church, why should I place membership with a specific congregation?” Our shepherds take very seriously their responsibility to care for the “flock” at Edmond (1 Peter 5). To enable them to do this most effectively, the flock must be identified. As a convenient method, a list of membership is maintained. This list is not necessarily a list of those who are “saved,” but it is a list of those who have chosen to identify with this church family and place themselves under the care and oversight of our shepherds (Hebrews 13:17).

Membership at the Edmond Church of Christ also provides many opportunities for involvement, fellowship, service, plus mutual accountability and support are provided within the church family.

How Do I Become A Member?

If you are interested in becoming a member of this church family, you can (1) come forward during the invitation song after any sermon and express your desire, or (2) mention it to any shepherd or minister. After expressing your desire, you will be given a packet of information about this church family, including an information sheet and ministry involvement form. These forms should be filled out and returned as soon as possible.

Once your forms are submitted, one of our shepherds or ministers will contact you to welcome you. Afterwards, we will introduce you to the congregation with your picture on the screen during our announcements at the end of service and publish your photo in the church bulletin. Don’t worry, we will not make you stand in front of everyone or try to embarrass you.

Baptism: When we are baptized in water, we reenact the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We willingly “die” to our sinful ways, are buried in the waters of baptism, and then are raised up out of the water to live a new life (Romans 6:3-4). We believe baptism should take place when a person of accountable age makes a personal decision to trust in Jesus, confess Jesus as Lord of their life, and repents by turning to God. If you would like to be a member of this church family but have not yet been baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins, we would welcome the opportunity to visit with you about it.

Bible Class: We highly encourage you to find a Bible class where you feel comfortable and connected. Assimilating into a class will expedite and enhance your ability to build friendships, get involved, and feel more integrated into the life of the church. Additionally, our shepherds use the Bible classes as a tool to care for more manageable sized groups, so you will want to get connected with a class as soon as possible.

We are excited about your interest in being part of the edmond church of christ family. We are far from perfect, but we enjoy a great sense of unity within our diversity, and we love to worship, serve, and fellowship together. If you have any questions about the church or this process, please feel free to contact any of the ministers or shepherds listed on the next page.

Some of Our Ministries

We offer countless ministries to serve. Here are a few ministries to highlight. If you would like to know more, please call 341-3353 or email Kent or Kevin

Children’s Ministry – The Children’s Ministry of the Edmond Church of Christ exists as a tool for families to help children grow in wisdom in stature and in favor with God and men.

Youth Ministry — The youth group strives daily to allow God to mold us into selfless Christians. We look only to God, for He gives us the strength and ability to serve Him and others. It is the goal of our youth ministry to take students to a higher level of faith, beyond the issues of teen life, and plant ourselves beside the cross of Christ daily.

Campus Ministry – Ministering to university students has been our priority for a long time. We understand how crucial the college years are in faith formation, and we want to do everything we can to help young men and women develop and sustain a faith that will launch them out into their futures. We want them to be a part of the Edmond Church family. Students from Oklahoma Christian University, the University of Central Oklahoma and other surrounding schools participate in this ministry.

Senior Adult Ministry – Life doesn't end at retirement and neither do opportunities to learn, grow, fellowship, and serve. An expanding senior adults ministry provides resources and opportunities for aging men and women to express their faith. Events such as day-trips to various points of interest across the state, volunteer days at In Search of the Lord's Way offices, game days with other generations, service projects and seminars. We enjoy fellowship while learning to deal with the unique challenges of aging.

In Search of the Lord's Way TV ministry – The Edmond Church of Christ has a long-standing relationship with the Search television ministry. We provide support in the form of financial resources, volunteers, access to facilities, and mutual encouragement.

The Kids' Place – We provide support & help for grieving children & their caregivers.

Sonshine School – Sonshine School began as a mother’s day out program, providing activities for children 12 months old through Kindergarten one day a week. In 1980, our program expanded into the summer months adding children through the 5th grade. In 1982, by expanding to two days a week, we were able to provide better service for the children. We changed the name to Sonshine School, reflecting our desire to offer more than a baby-sitting service.

Our Bible Class Groups

Our Bible classes, which meet weekly, provide wonderful opportunities for people of all ages to learn the Bible in a safe, encouraging environment of peers. In addition to Bible study, our classes serve as fellowship and ministry groups. Each class has its own personality, but all classes provide many fellowship, service and ministry opportunities. Many of the classes go on mission trips, do local service projects, enjoy holiday parties, cookouts, and other social events. Each class has an overseeing shepherd (elder) who gets to know and cares for class members in his shepherding group.

We are a very large church, but we try hard not to let people fall through the cracks. If you want to get plugged into the Edmond Church of Christ, the best way to do it is through one of our many Bible classes. Every Bible class is open to guests. If you need help finding a class that is right for you, don't hesitate to let us know. In fact, you can call 341-3353 or email Kent or Kevin.

We offer classes for all ages, including nursery, pre-school, elementary, middle school, high school, and college-aged students, plus the adult classes listed below.

Bible Class Directory

In addition to children's and youth Bible classes on Sundays and Wednesdays, we also offer the following adult Bible classes. These are listed to the below.

Sunday Morning - 9:30a.m.

First Floor Classes

AUDITORIUM CLASS: A class for all ages of adults featuring open discussions of Scripture with application to our lives. David King is the shepherd for this class.

PRIMETIME: (Fellowship 2) A class for empty-nesters in the prime of life who enjoy participation in and out of class; the group is known for 3-4 annual fish fries and gala year end party as well as fellowship in travel both near and far. The class is led by Dick Shough and Dale Lollar (shepherd).

UPWARDS: (Fellowship 3) This lively class is for those in their 50s and 70s. Lyle Kelsey (shepherd) and Jeff Bennett direct this class.

IN-DEPTH BIBLE STUDY: (Fellowship 1) This smaller class is great for those looking for an in-depth study. They dig deeply into the Bible each week.

VIP - Voices in Praise: (Room 144, Quad 4) This large and dynamite group loves to sing, and is comprised of people from their 50s through 60s, featuring a variety of activities in service to the Lord. The class is organized by Larry Owsley, Glen Hammonds and Sylvan Gordon (shepherd).

SOWERS: (Room 141, Quad 1) This is an energetic and loving class that crosses the generations and who seek to be a light to the world. Doug Dye and Lloyd Kirk direct this class, along with Jack Lowry (shepherd) and Tom Breninger (shepherd).

TRANSFORMERS: (Room 143 , Quad 3) This class, comprised of parents with children of all ages, strives to be unified in Christ by building deeper relationships through Bible study, service, and fellowship. Blaine Allenbach is the shepherd for this class.

YMCA: Young Married Christian Adults (Room 142, Quad 2): Couples in the first 10-15 years of marriage who love God and each other. This class is led by David Burch, Mark Coleman and Mike Cain (shepherd).

UNIVERSITY: (Chapel) Evan Burkett, campus minister, leads this dynamic, service-oriented class for college students from area universities. Come for great singing and inspiring messages! Jack Lowry and Brad Buxton are the shepherds for the campus ministry.

Second Floor Classes

YOUNG FAMILIES: (Room 208) Come and enjoy the great discussion in this class for those with young to teen children. Kyle Mauck and Dustin Risley lead the class. Lendon Shotts (shepherd) Merritt Roberts (shepherd)

SOJOURNERS: (Room 210) A group of young adults with kids pursuing God through in-depth Bible study, service, and fellowship. Neil Ferguson, Caleb Dacus and Rick Owens lead the class. Richard Blankenship is the shepherd for this class.

PATHFINDERS: (Room 206) An exciting and growing class for young adults, single and married. This class is led by Alex Jones and Patrick Rayner. Dean is the shepherd for this class.

SEEKERS: (Room 204) A growing group of young singles and newly married couples beginning their professional careers. Class members Tracy Marshall and David Griffin help lead the class, and Jim Goodin is the shepherd for the class.

CATALYST: (Room 205) A new class for ages just out of college. Keck is the shepherd for this class.

Youth Wing (north side of the Activity Center/Gym):

HISPANIC CLASS: Group of men and women studying the Bible in Spanish, led by minister Tony Sepulveda.

EYG (EDMOND YOUTH GROUP): for middle (7th-8th) and high school students (9th-12th).

Something's Missing

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Ever feel like something is missing? Not your phone or your car keys—something more significant. If the past year has caused you to feel lonely, powerless, or without a plan or purpose, this sermon series might just help. Scripture tells us what life is all about and what might be missing in yours.

Click on the date & title to go to the YouTube Video

3/14/21 People
1 Corinthians 12:12-27

3/21/21 Purpose
Ephesians 1:3-14

3/28/21 Perspective
Colossians 3:1-17

4/4/21 Power
Ephesians 1:15-23

4/11/21 Peace
John 16:16-33

4/18/21 Plan
James 4:13-17; Proverbs 3:1-6

In The Light

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Sunday AM Sermon Series

IN THE LIGHT

Light Shining in Darkness

Light and darkness are epic themes used in storytelling. They are also important images used throughout scripture. As we look closely at these images, we can learn much about God, the world and ourselves, and discover how to live each day “in the light.”

2/16 Let There Be Light
Genesis 1:1-27

#IN THE LIGHT

2/23 When Darkness Falls

Genesis 3:1-24

3/1 Light for the Nations

Isaiah 49:1-7

3/8 Light of the World

John 1:1-18

3/15 Heaven’s Light

Revelation 21:22-22:5

3/22 Let Your Light Shine

Matthew 5:1-16

2020 Vision

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Leave Your Mark

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 22 Dec 2019 22:20:00 +0000

Perfect Love

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 01 Dec 2019 22:13:00 +0000

Gideon

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 21:21:00 +0000

Living with Hope

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 21:07:00 +0000

Paul opens up his first letter to the church in Thessalonica with words of affection, thanking God for their "work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

Core

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 04:07:00 +0000

Mind Control

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 04:01:00 +0000

Daniel 3

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 16:02:00 +0000

Transformers versus Conformers

I am not suggesting a title for a new movie although it would probably make for an interesting story. When seeing this title, we should be thinking about what can be done for God as opposed to not upsetting the status quo. There will probably be many times in your life that leaving things be would make your life so much easier and less stressful. However, our heavenly Father wants us to be “transformers” and not “conformers.”

After the people of Judah were carried away into Babylon, king Nebuchadnezzar gave order that some of those taken captive should be trained in the way of the Chaldeans (Daniel 1:3-4). Four of Judah were found to be especially well favored; Daniel, Hananiah, Misheal, and Azariah. All was going well for these men until the king made a golden image (3:1) and ordered that all should stop and worship this image when they heard the many instruments playing (3:5). The penalty for not doing so was being “cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” (3:6). Now of course none of us want to be burned to death but some might actually “conform” to this new law to keep that from happening. Some might, but not Daniel’s three companions. Their faith “transformed” them into pillars of strength. They said that even if God did not deliver them, they “will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image” (3:18). These men were then cast into the furnace and God did deliver them (3:27). Because of this, the king was “transformed” into one who held respect for God.

Later, Daniel also was put to the test also having opportunity to be a conformer. After being promoted during the reign of Darius in Babylon, the other officers became jealous and determined to find a way to get rid of Daniel (6:4-5). Know of Daniel’s faithfulness to God, the other princes induced king Darius to make a law keeping anyone from petitioning a god or man for thirty days (6:7). Daniel could have easily become a conformer by praying to God in secret. But even with the knowledge of the law that was created, Daniel “went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (6:10). Apparently conforming to the status quo was not an option for Daniel. This led to him being cast into the lion’s den (6:16). And, like his fellows, Daniel was delivered from death (6:22).

Because of his faith in God, Daniel refused to “conform” to the ways of society. The king and his subjects were “transformed” into those who would “tremble and fear before the God of Daniel” (6:26). Even with a little faith (Luke 17:6), we can become transformers instead of conformers.

In Christ, Steve Preston

I am ... Unashamed

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 21:03:00 +0000

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I've stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals!

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, live by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let go, or slow up until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops. And when He comes to get His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear.

-- Bob Moorehead
A young African missionary in Zimbabwe
This young missionary was murdered for his work and this writing was found in his papers. Apparently it was written just before he died. Interesting, huh?

See: Deut 6:5; 2 Chr 31:20-21; Romans 12:1-2; Phil 3:7-8; 1 Thess 5:23; Heb 12:1-2

========
Heartbeat --2 Corinthians 12:21 (NCV) I am afraid that when I come to you again, my God will make me ashamed before you. I may be saddened by many of those who have sinned because they have not changed their Ts or turned from their sexual sins and the shameful things they have done.
Quote -- "God uses those who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him." -- Hudson Taylor

Our Wonderful Weaknesses!
-- Brad Carman, Maryland Heights, MO

We "baby boomers" probably don't remember Jimmy Durante as much as those who produced the "baby boom." Besides being known for his humongous proboscis (big nose), he was one of the truly gifted entertainers of his generation. I was recently reminded of a wonderful story about him.
It seems that he was asked to perform as part of a variety show for a group of World War II veterans. He told them that his busy schedule would only permit him to do a very brief appearance. He would do one short monologue and then immediately have to leave for his next appointment. The director of the show was glad to have him for any amount of time so he happily agreed.
When Jimmy got into his performance, something interesting occurred. He completed his short monologue and received the usual robust round of applause. Then ... instead of leaving for his next appointment as was his plan, he stayed and performed some more. The applause grew louder and louder. He continued to stay and stay. Finally, after completely blowing his schedule, he took a final bow and left the stage.
Backstage, someone asked, "I thought you had to go after a few minutes. What happened?" Jimmy answered, "I did need to leave, but I can show you the reason I stayed. Look at the front row." There, seated together were two veterans, each of whom had lost an arm in defense of his country. One had lost his right arm and the other had lost his left. However, while sitting together they could clap and that is what they were doing as wildly as the rest. What a marvelous display of two men that were aware of their weaknesses but were not allowing that to keep them from enjoying a rich experience.
When I read this story, I thought about the apostle Paul. He too had weaknesses (thorn in the flesh) that kept him from doing all that he wanted to do. He prayed to the Lord three times that it might depart but God replied, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." When God said that, Paul responded;

Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

As we dream of the kind of church we want to be, I hope we can be a place that is unashamed of its weaknesses. I believe God can use this bunch of frail, flawed human beings in ways beyond our imagination when we accept that we can succeed by His power.
"Dear Father, Thank you for showing us your power through our wonderful weaknesses."

================
Shame, Shame, Shame...

There is probably something in each of our lives that we are ashamed of. Take a few moments now and share with some of your friends or family the things in your life that have caused you the most shame. No, wait! Just kidding, don't really do that. For most of us, the things that cause shame are things that we would prefer not to tell anyone.

Compare your feelings to those of the people talked about in the Old Testament of the Bible:

"Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush." Jeremiah 6:15

The sin in their lives had become so commonplace that they no longer even blushed when involved in sin. They were not ashamed of the sinfulness of their lives or of their society. They were much like our world today.

Romans 1:16 - "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..."

And into this world that is unashamed of their godlessness, Paul calls us to stand unashamed of the Gospel. While the world is seduced and destroyed by the power of sin, Paul reminds us that we overcome by the power of God. To a world that is lost and does not know who to trust, Paul offers Christ and Salvation to everyone who believes.

Are you ashamed today? Perhaps that's OK. Perhaps we could all do with a healthy does of shame for some of the things we allow in our lives. But remember, Christ has a better option. Something that we never have to be ashamed of. Something that provides power and confidence and security: the Good News of Jesus Christ.

By Ellis Bush, Jr.
ellisbush@compuserve.com
Modem Ministries www.modmin.com

==================

The Jesus You Want to Follow

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 17:40:00 +0000

The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 1: He’s Looking For You (Luke 10:25-37)

The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 2: Jesus as Fully Divine

The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 3: Jesus as Fully Human

The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 4: Jesus Glorified and In Charge (1 Peter 1:18-21)

The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 5: What It Means to Say Jesus “Saves”

The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 6: The Kingdom of God, Here and Still to Come

The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 7: The Culmination of the Kingdom and the Second Coming of Jesus

The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 8: Jesus Welcomes Sinners

The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 9: Jesus and the Scriptures

The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 10: Loving God

The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 11: Loving Others

The Jesus You Want to Follow: Part 12: Come to the feast!

One80 Series

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 26 May 2019 10:00:00 +0000

One80

The conversion of Jews at Pentecost - Acts 2:29-41

#One80

On the Road (Ethiopian) - Acts 8:26-40

#One80

A Bright Light (Saul/Paul) Acts 9:1-19

#One80

Open Heart (Lydia) - Acts 16:11-15

#One80

Freedom (Jailor) - Acts 16:22-34

#One80

Do Not Be Silent (Crispus) - Acts 18:1-11

#One80

In His Name (The Ephesian 12) - Acts 19:1-12

#One80

Dear Church - Revelation

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 04:23:00 +0000

Randy Roper - 25 Years Tribute

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 19:55:00 +0000

Undeniable -- Sermon Series on the Life of the Apostle Peter

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 20:09:00 +0000

Fish for People - Luke 5:1-11

Out of the Boat - Matthew 14:22-36

To Whom Shall We Go?

The Great Confession -

To the Death - John 13:33-38

Facing the Fire (Peter's Trust & Transformation) --

Restored -

Lord of All - Acts 10:34-36 (Acts 10-11)

Love Does -- Sermon Series

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 21:15:00 +0000

Sacrifices

Endures

Confronts

Forgives

Advocates

Love Prays

Restores

First Church - Study Series Looking at the Early Church

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 21:46:00 +0000

Wholly Devoted --

Actively Involved

Doing Life Together

Filled with Awe

Glad and Sincere Hearts

God at Work

First Church

otchurch@aol.com (Kevin Rayner) — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 17:33:00 +0000

Wholly Devoted
Acts 2:42-47

Actively Involved
Ephesians 4:7-16

Doing Life Together
Hebrews 10:19-25

Filled With Awe
2 Timothy 1:6-14

Glad & Sincere Hearts
1 Peter 1:3-9

God at Work
1 Corinthians 3:1-9