Pastor Ken

Ken is Pastor of Sardis Baptist Church and is originally from Mobile, AL.

Fresh Encounters April 25, 2012

Apr 252012

Join us this evening for a worship based prayer experience. Tonight we will encounter God through an interactive meditation on Psalm 9:1-10. Then, we will respond to His Word as the Spirit applies its truths to our hearts. Our format is as follows:

Our Father who art in heaven…

REVELATION: Read Psalm 9:1-10 and discuss what is revealed about God. What do we learn about His attributes, and His ways?

Write down some reasons to praise, worship and adore God. Write down reasons to fear God.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done…

SUBMISSION: How am I like the enemies of God that David describes? Do I oppose God? How do I respond when I face opposition? Despair, or praise? What are some ways I can be more like David?

What phrases or verses can you pray back to God, submitting to His will, seeking what God wants for us? Write down some prayers for a deepening of God’s rule in your heart.

Give us our daily bread…forgive us as we forgive

REQUESTS: Trusting God to meet our needs, and fight our battles, we confess and pray for the needs of the congregation, church and community. Confess and repent of sin. Rest in forgiveness and grant it to others. Pray for God to sanctify you, and make you more like His Son.

Write down some needs you are reminded of. What needs do you have? What relationships are you struggling with? How can you confess that and ask God for help?

Lead us not into temptation…deliver us…

READINESS: Pray for strength against personal temptation and spiritual attacks as we serve God on mission. What struggles or temptations are you aware of?

Write down some prayers of protection from temptation, for God to keep you from situations, for victory over temptation, and for faith in His power.

Reverence: Who Is God? Close with a “doxology” moment.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory

REVERENCE: Conclude our prayer time with a declaration of praise unto our God, who reigns forever! What can you praise God for?

Pray for God to be glorified in your prayers, and in the answers to your prayers.

Below is a simple outline to help you prepare for tonight’s meditation:

Outline of Psalm 9

Main Idea: The Psalmist praised God because He is a refuge to the righteous and the judge of the wicked.
1. Four Declarations of Praise. (1-2)
2. Eight ways God judges the wicked. (3-6)

Defended the righteous; giving righteous judgment (4)
Rebuked the nations; made the wicked perish; blotted out their name (5)
In ruins; cities rooted out; memories of them fade (6)

3. Four ways God shows His is a throne of eternal justice (7-10)

Judges the world with uprightness; the world with righteousness (8)
A stronghold for the oppressed in times of trouble (9)
Will not forsake those who place their trust in Him. (10)

Study Questions And Notes On Chapter 9:1-10

What does the Psalmist do in vv. 1-2? Do you learn anything about how we should praise God?
What brings the Psalmist to this time of praise? (3-6)
Describe God’s judgment.
Describe God’s protection.
Contrast the future of God and His enemies. (5-7)
Application: What do you learn from this psalm that will help you become a person after God’s own heart?

2012 Graduation Celebration!

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Apr 192012

stock.xchng - Cap & Diploma (stock photo by marygober) [id 533027]

Sardis Baptist Church will be celebrating with our graduates and their families on Sunday May 20, 2012.

First, there will be a breakfast for the graduates and their families at 8:45 am in the Fellowship Hall. Then, there will be a time of recognition in our worship service where we will introduce our graduates, remember their lives through a video slideshow, and pray for them as they take the next steps into full adulthood.

We need your help to make this a special morning.

First, contact the church office and let us know your graduate will be in attendance.

Second, we are asking for 10-15 photos of each graduate chronicling their lives, their families, and their interests. Please include a graduation photo as well. Please place in an envelope, making sure to put your child’s initials on the backs of the pictures in pencil. (Digital files are welcomed and appreciated!) Also, furnish us with the title and artist of a Christian song that and inspires you and your senior.

Lastly, the morning of the breakfast, we ask that the seniors bring their cap and gown to wear during the church service.

Thank you for helping with this event!

- Sardis Baptist Student Ministry Council

Fresh Encounters April 18, 2012

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Apr 182012

Join us this evening for a worship based prayer experience. Tonight we will encounter God through an interactive meditation on Psalm 8. Then, we will respond to His Word as the Spirit applies its truths to our hearts. Our format is as follows:

Our Father who art in heaven…

REVELATION: Read Psalm 8 and discuss what is revealed about God. What do we learn about His attributes, and His ways?

Write down some reasons to praise, worship and adore God. Write down reasons to fear God.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done…

SUBMISSION: How am I like the enemies of God that David describes? Do I oppose God? How do I respond when I face opposition? Despair, or praise? What are some ways I can be more like David?

What phrases or verses can you pray back to God, submitting to His will, seeking what God wants for us? Write down some prayers for a deepening of God’s rule in your heart.

Give us our daily bread…forgive us as we forgive

Write down some needs you are reminded of. What needs do you have? What relationships are you struggling with? How can you confess that and ask God for help?

Lead us not into temptation…deliver us…

READINESS: Pray for strength against personal temptation and spiritual attacks as we serve God on mission. What struggles or temptations are you aware of?

Write down some prayers of protection from temptation, for God to keep you from situations, for victory over temptation, and for faith in His power.

Reverence: Who Is God? Close with a “doxology” moment.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory

REVERENCE: Conclude our prayer time with a declaration of praise unto our God, who reigns forever! What can you praise God for?

Pray for God to be glorified in your prayers, and in the answers to your prayers.

Below is a simple outline to help you prepare for tonight’s meditation:

Outline of Psalm 8

Main Idea: The name of YHWH is majestic, and His glory is evident throughout all the earth. (1a, 9)

1. His glory is evident in the beauty of creation and in the praise from the weakest and insignificant. (1b-2)
2. His glory is evident in how YHWH has blessed David, the King. (3-8)

David is amazed at YHWH’s loving care of him in relationship to the vastness and greatness of God’s universe. (3-4)
David is humbled by all the honor and responsibility that YHWH has given him, and all of YHWH’s creation that has been entrusted to Him. (5-8)

Fresh Encounters April 11, 2012

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Apr 112012

Join us this evening for a worship based prayer experience. Tonight we will encounter God through an interactive meditation on Psalm 7. Then, we will respond to His Word as the Spirit applies its truths to our hearts. Our format is as follows:

Our Father who art in heaven…

REVELATION: Read Psalm 7 and discuss what is revealed about God. What do we learn about His attributes, and His ways?

Write down some reasons to praise, worship and adore God. Write down reasons to fear God.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done…

SUBMISSION: How am I like the enemies of God that David describes? How do I delight in seeing others suffer? How do I respond to my own suffering? What are some ways I can be more like David?

What phrases or verses can you pray back to God, submitting to His will, seeking what God wants for us? Write down some prayers for a deepening of God’s rule in your heart.

Give us our daily bread…forgive us as we forgive

Write down some needs you are reminded of. What needs do you have? What relationships are you struggling with? How can you confess that and ask God for help?

Lead us not into temptation…deliver us…

READINESS: Pray for strength against personal temptation and spiritual attacks as we serve God on mission. What struggles or temptations are you aware of?

Write down some prayers of protection from temptation, for God to keep you from situations, for victory over temptation, and for faith in His power.

Reverence: Who Is God? Close with a “doxology” moment.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory

REVERENCE: Conclude our prayer time with a declaration of praise unto our God, who reigns forever! What can you praise God for?

Pray for God to be glorified in your prayers, and in the answers to your prayers.

Below is a simple outline to help you prepare for tonight’s meditation:

Outline of Psalm 7

I. Prayer for deliverance (1-2)

II. Prayer for discipline (3-5)

III. Prayer for God’s righteous judgment (6-9)

IV. Confidence in the ways of God (10-13)

V. Vanity of the ways of the unrepentant (14-16)

VI. A Response of Praise for Who God Is and What He Does (17)

Fresh Encounters April 4, 2012

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Apr 042012

Join us this evening for a worship based prayer experience. Tonight we will encounter God through an interactive meditation on Psalm 6. Then, we will respond to His Word as the Spirit applies its truths to our hearts. Our format is as follows:

Our Father who art in heaven…

REVELATION: Read Psalm 6 and discuss what is revealed about God. What do we learn about His attributes, and His ways?
Write down some reasons to praise, worship and adore God. Write down reasons to fear God.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done…

SUBMISSION: How am I like the enemies of God that David describes? How do I delight in seeing others suffer? How do I respond to my own suffering? What are some ways I can be more like David?
What phrases or verses can you pray back to God, submitting to His will, seeking what God wants for us? Write down some prayers for a deepening of God’s rule in your heart.

Give us our daily bread…forgive us as we forgive

REQUESTS: Trusting God to meet our needs, we confess and pray for the needs of the congregation, church and community. Confess and repent of sin. Rest in forgiveness and grant it to others. Pray for God to sanctify you, and make you more like His Son.
Write down some needs you are reminded of. What needs do you have? What relationships are you struggling with? How can you confess that and ask God for help?

Lead us not into temptation…deliver us…

READINESS: Pray for strength against personal temptation and spiritual attacks as we serve God on mission. What struggles or temptations are you aware of?
Write down some prayers of protection from temptation, for God to keep you from situations, for victory over temptation, and for faith in His power.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory

REVERENCE: Conclude our prayer time with a declaration of praise unto our God, who reigns forever! What can you praise God for?
Pray for God to be glorified in your prayers, and in the answers to your prayers.

Below is a simple outline to help you prepare for tonight’s meditation:

David’s Appeals to YHWH (1-7)

In this section we see David bring 5 petitions, 5 complaints and 2 questions to the Lord.

David petitions YHWH for mercy. (1-2, 4)
David complains to YHWH about his plight. (2, 5, 6-7)
David questions God about his situation. (3, 5)

David’s Assurance in YHWH (8-10)

In this section we see David give a warning to those who are taking this time of David’s weakness as an opportunity to oppose him.

David warns his enemies to end their attacks because YHWH hears his prayer. (8-9)
David warns his enemies that when YHWH does act, THEY will be shamed. (10)

Fresh Encounters March 28, 2012

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Mar 282012

Join us this evening for a worship based prayer experience. Tonight we will encounter God through an interactive meditation on Psalm 5. Then, we will respond to His Word as the Spirit applies its truths to our hearts. Our format is as follows:

Our Father who art in heaven…

REVELATION: Read Psalm 5 and discuss what is revealed about God. What do we learn about His attributes, and His ways?
Write down some reasons to praise, worship and adore God.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done…

SUBMISSION: How am I like the enemies of God that David describes? How do I delight in evil, or how am I boastful, deceitful? Do I lie, or make flattery? What are some ways I can be more like David?
What phrases or verses can you pray back to God, submitting to His will, seeking what God wants for us? Write down some prayers for a deepening of God’s rule in your heart.

Give us our daily bread…forgive us as we forgive

REQUESTS: Trusting God to meet our needs, we confess and pray for the needs of the congregation, church and community. Confess and repent of sin. Rest in forgiveness and grant it to others. Pray for God to sanctify you, and make you more like His Son.
Write down some needs you are reminded of. What needs do you have? What relationships are you struggling with? How can you confess that and ask God for help?

Lead us not into temptation…deliver us…

READINESS: Pray for strength against personal temptation and spiritual attacks as we serve God on mission. What struggles or temptations are you aware of?
Write down some prayers of protection from temptation, for God to keep you from situations, for victory over temptation, and for faith in His power.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory

REVERENCE: Conclude our prayer time with a declaration of praise unto our God, who reigns forever! What can you praise God for?
Pray for God to be glorified in your prayers, and in the answers to your prayers.

Below is a simple outline to help you prepare for tonight’s meditation:

David Calls on YHWH to hear his prayer (1-2)
David faithfully prays to YHWH each morning because He is faithful to hear. (3)
David knows YHWH’s judgment on evildoers. (4-6)
David knows YHWH’s grace toward those who fear Him. (7-8)
David knows he will be protected against YHWH’s enemies. (9-10)
David prays for blessings on the righteous. (11-12)

Missions Giving Strong in 2011

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Dec 302011

Sardis Baptist Church took in a total of $190,928 in Offerings, designated and undesignated, in 2011. This amount includes Benevolence, Cemetery, Building, Youth and General Funds. During the same time period we distributed $33,076, or 17.30% of the total, to missions causes.

The distributions are as follows:

Cooperative Program	$ 14,000.04	7.33%
Special Missions Offerings	$ 8,910.91	4.67%
Hephzibah Baptist Association	$ 4,650.00	2.44%
Mission Trips	$ 5,253.80	2.75%
Persecuted Church	$ 221.00	0.12%
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS	$ 33,035.75	17.30%

What this means is, for every $100 we received, we took $17.30 and either sent it out, or used it to go! As Pastor, I am very proud of our church and I believe God is pleased when we are good stewards of what He entrusts to us.

It is my hope and prayer that we do an even better job in 2012 of being “God’s money managers!”

His…yours,

Pastor Ken

Why A Parenting Class?

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Sep 142011

Many in our churches insist that we need to spend lots of time and energy on children’s ministry because they are our future. They want to expand ministries and programs to draw kids in and keep them coming. I love children’s ministries, and I think churches should teach kids the Bible. But the result of the way we’ve been doing it has been a lot of children showing up at churches, with comparatively little adult involvement. I am not sure if you’ve noticed this, but I have. Well-intended church ministries have become “drop-off” services, and parents have presumed that these ministries will provide their children all they need for their spiritual growth. Consequently, many parents have failed in parenting their children to love and worship God, the most important of all parental responsibilities. I’m not saying that these parents are bad parents, or that they don’t love their children, but simply that they are missing the boat when it comes to the most important aspects of parenting.

The sad truth is that Biblical parenting was lost, by and large, a few generations ago, but no one noticed. It was simply replaced by authoritarian, heavy-handed parenting that taught manners, and the value of threat and reward. It worked for a time. But, the results are in, it no longer works in a culture where rebellion against authority is celebrated in our music and in our movies. Look at the increasing number of unchurched, even among the formerly churched, and you’ll see what I mean. Young people are leaving the church in droves. Now that the flaw in that technique has been exposed, we don’t have any other ways of doing it. So, what do we do, and where do we go? The answer is simple: we must go to God’s Word.

Many will say, “God’s way is too hard;” or “God’s way will not work.” Sadly, and to our loss, these attitudes result in God’s way being left untried. Few people have taken the initiative to really understand their spiritual role in raising their children; few churches are helping.

This is where I want us to be different. I want our church to begin to create a community of believers that have returned to the roots of biblical parenting. We are working to create a community where the Gospel is known, understood and applied to raising our children. We want families who understand that good behavior is not the goal, but rather a by-product of biblical parenting. Biblical parenting has as its goal the instruction and guidance of a child’s heart to know, love and worship his Creator. It requires us to help our children to understand the source of their bad behavior, the sin nature within them; and to seek the only cure, inward change through believing the Gospel.

So, in a sense, children are our future. We want children to learn to trust in Jesus, not in themselves. We want children who depend on Christ’s righteousness, not their self-righteousness. But, parents are our now. We want parents who can help their children, not lay it off on the church. We want to shore up the foundations so that another generation is not lost to unbiblical parenting. And, since biblical parenting has been lost for generations, it will take entire churches submitting to God’s Word to recover it.

That is why a parenting class. That is why we are inviting all ages of adults, and why we are inviting every church in our community. God is good, and our children should worship Him. That is why a parenting class.

Summer Series: Lord, Teach Us to Pray

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Jun 212011

UPDATE: The entire sermon series can be found here.

On Sunday June 26th, we will continue our summer sermon series on prayer. This week we will hear from God’s Word on the importance of praise, adoration and thanksgiving in preparing our hearts for powerful, effective prayer.

When we neglect heartfelt praise and worship of God, our prayer life can become dry and stale. Ritual overtakes the relationship God desires for us. Come learn the theology of praise and worship, as well as learn some application to help you with cultivating a life of worship and praise, resulting in an effective prayer life.

Older Entries

Sardis Baptist Online

Pastor Ken

Fresh Encounters April 25, 2012

2012 Graduation Celebration!

Fresh Encounters April 18, 2012

Fresh Encounters April 11, 2012

Fresh Encounters April 4, 2012

Fresh Encounters March 28, 2012

Missions Giving Strong in 2011

Why A Parenting Class?

Summer Series: Lord, Teach Us to Pray

Back to Church Sunday!

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