Love your Neighbor

"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ,Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. " -James 2:8-10

The second part of the Great Commandment is to love our neighbors. Over the past month in the Sacramento Church, we as a congregation went through a month of repentance. As a fellowship, we have sinned greatly in not loving our neighbors, not only nonbelievers, but within the Body of Christ.

One concept that I personally struggle with is giving my heart to people. Often using my past hurts and the mistakes I made affecting others around me as an excuse, I come off a man who just doesn't want to be around humanity. I often have to fight to allow the Spirit to work with me as i interact with people. Yet, sometimes my ego and my fears conquer me. I even go as far as judging people without really getting to know them based on age, status, and even intellect.

James the Elder in the above passage of Scripture warns us that if we do not love, we are lawbreakers. I personally do not want to continue to commit this sin; I want to move forward and learn how to love as Christ loved me. -CL

Filling the Void.

Note: This is from a Bible Talk at California State University, Sacramento on October 2, 2009:

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
-What would happens if you were given all the pleasures of the world?
-How would you feel ten years from now?

Mark 8:34-38
-What is the one thing you must give up to serve God?
-What does it really cost to gain everything from the world?

The void can only be filled by Jesus Christ, not materials!

Comment: Thank you ,John and Arlene Markowski of the Los Angeles church of Christ , for leading this thought-provoking discussion. These passages of Scripture is a reminder that, while God blesses us with our talents and gifts, the ultimate fulfillment comes from Him alone.

The Battle is God's, Not Ours!

Note: This is a sermon delivered to the Sacramento Church on September 13, 2009 by Don Splitt:

II Chronicles 20:1-30
-Why is the aspects of singing, praying, and worship important?
-Do you realize that you are in a spiritual battle on a daily basis?
-Are you alarmed by the sin (especially yours)?
-Do you inquire to the Lord (pray)? Fast? Sing?
-Do you seek help from Him?
James 1:1-3
-Do you consider trials a joy?
Matthew 18:15-17
-Do you confront sin or respond to hurt feelings or pet peeves?
-Are you honest in communication?
II Chronicles 20:12, 15-16
-Are you humble enough to allow God to help you?
-Are you willing to step up?
-What are you doing with your faith in Christ?
-Are you in the game or the sidelines?
Philippians 1:6
-Are you participating in the work of God?
-Are you really prepared and focused during worship?
II Chronicles 20:18-21
-Will you stand firm?
Zephaniah 3:17
-God rejoices over singing
Psalm 136:1ff.
-Why do we sing?
-Does it move you to draw near to God?
(Don used the example of singing over his two children, Alicia and Alek and its impact on their lives.)
II Chronicles 20:29-30
-The importance of fasting.
Acts 2;42-47
-God works if you obey Him.

Comment: Worship and drawing near to God is crucial for survival of this spiritual battle. The one thing I took from it is not allowing defeats and the lack of other people's responses to God to hinder my own walk with Him. I also have to realize that worship is not to be taken lightly and I have to come to church with respect and reverence for God. I pray that you read and remember this lesson to allow God to work in your life. -CL

The Enduring Kingdom

Note: This is a sermon from the Sunday Worship service at the conclusion of the ICMC on August 9, 2009; it was delivered by Tommy Thang, Richard Buckner, and Bruce Williams. These men minister to the Los Angeles church of Christ and serve the Campus Ministries at UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, and Cal State Fullerton, respectively.

I Chronicles 17:16-19
-Gratitude is an enduring attitude.
-Are you grateful?`
-What qualities in you you can help share the message of hope in Christ?
vv 20-22
-Realize as a believer that God is with you and you have to expect victory.
I Samuel 17:34-37
-Do you have the integrity to dig deep in my walk with God?
vv.23-24
-Expect victory!
Psalm 5:3
-If you want to be part of God's enduring Kingdom, I ought to expect more from your ministry(and your fellowship).
Exodus 33:17-18
-Do I want to see god's glory on your institution (or area)?
-Matthew 7:7-11
-Do you settle when God doesn't answer prayer right away? [Note: God always answers prayer, but in His timing, not ours.]

Practicals:
-Save more souls! Set a goal [Lord willing, the SMCC Campus Ministry will double from 12 to 25].
-Get trained in the Word!

Comment: What a way to end the ICMC! Withe the 2009-2010 school year underway, it now time for us, as the Body of Christ, to proclaim the gospel. The Campus Ministry is off to a good evangelistic start with a baptism and we will allow the Spirit to work with us to seek and save the lost.

It's a Small World After All!

Note: This is the third keynote address delivered at the ICMC on August 7, 2009 by Anthony Galang. Anthony and his wife, Saun, serve the Los Angeles church of Christ and oversee the Campus Ministry at UCLA. They also were anchors in the LA Church's news program, Kingdom News Network (now Disciples Today).

Genesis 2:18
-We are designed by God to be connected.
-Who are three people you are connected to?
-If we stay connected, we'll be protected.
Matthew 6:33
-Seek first His Kingdom
Hebrews 3:12-13
-Call others to take their faith higher!
Hebrews 10:24-25
-Do not forsake meeting together in worship.
-We are ultimately responsible for staying connected.
Exodus 17:8ff
-lift each others arms up!
Ephesians 6:1ff
Global connections takes effort.

Comment: This lesson took place before everyone went to Disneyland that afternoon (Hence the title "It's a Small World"). However, the point to this that, as the body of Christ,we must stay connected in order to grow in our walk with Him. -CEL

The World's Defiance

Note: This is the second keynote address from the ICMC delivered on August 7. 2009 by John Markowski. John and his wife, Arlene, serve the Los Angeles church of Christ and oversee the Campus Ministries of USC and California State University, Los Angeles.

Revelation 12:15
-Satan is out to attack us!
Psalm 58:3-5
-How do you view Satan-a sly, mischievous character in a red suit and a pitchfork or as a dangerous serpent?
Genesis 3:1ff (the Fall of Man)
-Satan is manipulative and a liar (see also John 8:44).
II Corinthians 11:3
-Have you been led astray by Satan's lies?
-Does worldliness creep into your life (James 4:4)?
-Do you want what the world wants (I Samuel 8:1-8)?
-Are you sucked into the worldliness of the "Christian" world (i.e., if Christianity what you do or being in Christ who you are)? (see Acts 11:26 and I John 2:6).
What about us?
-On average, young people spend 3518 hours on electronic media (TV, Internet, etc)?
-Are you willing to face your fears?
James 4:7, I Peter 5:9-Resist Satan and he will flee!
Numbers 23:9
-Are you, as a Christian, set apart (holy)?

Questions:
-Are you willing to change your view of Satan?
-What specific area in your life makes you vulnerable to Satan's attacks?
-What decisions you must make to remove evil (sin) out of your life?

Comment: After hearing John's address, I had to make the decision to repent of any bitterness and resentment I have in my life and to be part of the solution rather than complain about the problems I have with people. This flaw in my character stemmed from the ordeal and constant teasing from childhood, especially after I was burned in a fire. Now in my thirties, it is now time to stop bitterness and resentment from leading me to Satan's path of destruction. -CEL.

The Battle Lines Are Drawn!

Note: This is the first keynote address of the International Campus Ministry Conference held in Irvine, CA delivered by Mike Taliaferro on August 6, 2009. Mike is the Evangelist of the Mission Point Christian Church in San Antonio, TX and was a missionary in Brazil and South Africa.

I Samuel 17:1-7
-What battle lines have been drawn?
-Realized that there are at least 600 cities with 600,000+ inhabitants, many of whom haven't heard the gospel.
-Are you going to the battle? Are you dreaming big to reach people in these cities, towns, and colleges in these areas? (The aim is to target these large cities and colleges to facilitate church plantings.)
-Have a vision for the Campus Ministry and your church!
-I Timothy 4:11-12
-Do not let youth be an excuse to do God's work!
I Timothy 6:17-18
-To much is given, there is great responsibility.
-Do not get sucked into materialism and worldliness! Seize the opportunity to help spread Christ's message of redemption!
-Remember, evangelism is a privilege, not a duty. As followers of Christ, we are announcers (angels) of Christ.
-Are you proud to be Christ's ambassador? Would you like this opportunity.
-Continue to seek advice and training from other believers (Proverbs 15:22).
Hebrews 4:16
-Remember the God's grace and remain faithful to the end.

Comment: This was a starting point for me to have a vision to spread the gospel. I also realize that I have to take this direction to help build the Sacramento Church. There is a lot of potential for growth in the Campus Ministry and I must do my part to bring others to Christ. -C.E.L.