PEACE

Aloha Mai Kakou!

Peace was the topic of our sermon yesterday.  Out of John 16:33, Jesus wraps up a conversation with the discussion with his disciples talking about the coming (advent) of the Holy Spirit.  There were two main reality truths we received from this verse:

#1: Peace can only be experienced through what Jesus has told us.

#2:  Peace can only be experienced through what Jesus has done for us.

By the power of God’s Spirit if you affirm these truths would you prayerfully consider being an ambassador of peace in two specific ways.

FIRST:  Pray specifically for people aren’t experiencing peace this season.  Pray that the Lord would radically draw them near to Him.  Pray that the Spirit of God would regenerate those people just as Titus 3:10 says.

SECONDLY: Invite your family, friends, and those you come into contact this week to one of our Christmas Services.  Remember that we are not inviting them to event but to a relationship with the Lord Jesus.  Here are some reminders of our service details.

This Sunday, December 22 @ 9:15am and 11:00am
Sunday Christmas Services

We will have a small fellowship between services, bring a pupu dish.

Next Tuesday, December 24 @ 5:00pm,
Candle Light Service


New Location:
Christian Liberty Academy

16-675 Milo St.
Keaau, HI 96749
(Upper Campus)

If there is anyway we can serve you, please feel free to contact us at info@ohanachurch.com or 808-498-0297.


We must preach it to ourself, the gospel!

 

Aloha mai Kakou ‘Ohana!

If there is anything that we value at Ohana Church and that has been a consistent rhythm of our mission and vision for Hawaii and the world it has been the explicit Gospel of Jesus Christ.  There is no doubt that our ‘Ohana has been intensely exposed to the Gospel in the last 5 and a half years of our existence. From our mission statement, to our priorities, to our DNA, to our strategy, we have been blessed by God in how we faithfully communicate and live out the Gospel. HIs grace and mercy, and love has been ever so present in the life of our ‘Ohana.

One of the joys of being immersed in a Gospel preaching church is identifying that we never graduate from the message or application of the Gospel.  This message that articulates the birth, ministry, death, life, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus is the remedy for our depravity and sinful acts.  This verbal message resounds man’s deepest need for a radical life change that can only be experienced though a rightly view of the Gospel.  The Apostle Paul makes some huge claims about this Gospel message:
 

EPHESIANS 3:7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

ROMANS 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-2 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
 

This is the message that must fuel the Church today. Every topic we talk about within our gathering and outside of our gathering must be driven by the greatest message on Earth, which is that Jesus Christ SAVES! That’s why it’s the good news, because we are sinners in need of God’s marvelous grace.  The Gospel message teaches us this very reality.

You may say “Kahu. I’ve neglected this message.” Well, I’ll be honest to you, so have I.  I am ashamed to say it, but that is the beauty of the gospel, that it brings light into the darkness. May we repent of our sins today and embrace the sweetest most transforming message of all time, the Gospel!

Here are three simple action steps I want you to prayerfully consider and then respond to as the Spirit of God leads you to do so.

1. Pray – Ask the Lord if there is anything in your life that does not bring Him honor.  If he reveals that to you, ask for forgiveness and embrace his his tender loving care. Make prayer a property in your walk with the Lord.

2.  Read – Be a faithful reader and student of the word.  I encourage book studies.  Bouncing around in topical verses can lead you astray if there is not a proper understanding on how to study the word honestly.  Begin reading the gospel of John.

3. Share – Call/Text a member of our Ohana and share with them what the Lord is revealing to you when it comes to the gospel.  This may be a time to ask them to pray with you or to commit to sending encouraging verses or quotes to you on a weekly basis that amplify the Gospel in your own heart.  You are always welcome to text or call me as well. My direct cell phone line is 808-896-4164. If you have no one to share your heart with, we can connect you with a Ohana member.

Just a clear reminder, a genuine follower of Jesus is compelled to share and grow through gospel community.  This is a mark of a true believer in Christ.

4. Give – if there is anything that the gospel teaches us, it’s that we are to live generously.  John 3:16, the most popular verse of all illustrates that giving.  Adopt a family or individual this Christmas. Bless them with abundant blessings.  Most of all, when you bless them, remember to share the verbal message of Jesus.

May the Lord be gracious to you all this Christmas season as we focus our affection and attention on the reason for this season, the coming of Jesus wrapped and laid in a manager, our only Hope.

John MacArthur said that the three greatest words of Christmas is “God with us.” I find joy in that, may you do the same.
 
 
 
 

A hui hou, Kahu Zeke