“Dragnet Theology”

 I’ve received a number of comments on yesterday’s message “Dragnet Theology” (November 22, 2009).

I think it really does sum up the philosophy of our church and is one of the reasons we have such love and warmth in our church and why we have seen the growth that we have – we truly practice “Dragnet Theology.” Several have asked me for the notes of my message so here is a brief synopsis.

The text is: Matthew 13:47-50 (NKJV)

• 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind,
• 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.
• 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just,
• 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Dragnet Theology Principle ONE: FMCOG – must be a place that has the broadest appeal.

•  Notice that a “dragnet” was used. Not a bass lure, not line and hook, not a lobster trap but a dragnet – something designed to reach the most regardless of the type of fish. The application is obvious, at the FMCOG the only distinction that separates people is that they are either disciples in the making or potential disciples. We will not embrace the things that society and culture uses to separate people into races, classes or any other category. We’re all just family through Jesus Christ.

Principle TWO: Everyone starts out in the same ocean

• Bottom line, we are all born sinners. God doesn’t grade on the curve. There’s not a first-class section that offers special perks for the sinners that are pretty good but need a little mercy; and there is not a second or third class section for the really bad sinners. We’re all in the same ocean and need the dragnet of God’s mercy and forgiveness to pull us out.

Principle THREE: The goal is to get as many as possible in the same boat

• That’s where we at the FMCOG fit in. God allows us to be “net-casters.” We’re not fishing with a line and lure for a narrow and selective group; we casting the net to reach as many as possible with the saving grace of the good news of Jesus Christ. Our ship is a “floating hospital” not a showcase or luxury liner. We must never be surprised when hurting people do hurtful things and lost people stumble as they make their way toward the light.

Principle FOUR: The ultimate goal is to get to the “shore”

• Our responsibility is to love and care for everyone God gives us. We wait until we get to the shore and let God decide which “fish” are the good fish and the bad fish. That’s God’s job, ours is to simply get as many as possible in the boat.

Blessings and favor upon you,

david l. kemp 

 

Love is worth the risk of grief

It’s hard to believe that so much time has elapsed since my last entry…almost a month!  It has been a busy few weeks.  Sonja and I have been in Dillard, Georgia for our annual retreat with the pastoral team.  We’ve been to San Francisco attending a Women’s Ministries and in between tried to stay afloat with all that goes on in our “regular” lives. 

As I think about the last few days, I am reminded of the words that Queen Elizabeth II spoke at a memorial service for British citizens that were killed in the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers.  She said, “Grief is the price of love.”   

This week we lost to Heaven a dear mother and grandmother of our church, Edna Walker.  She will be greatly missed by those of us who knew her.  Even through I rejoice in her home-going, the sense of loss that her family, church family and friends are experiencing is just another reminder of how true Queen Elizabeth’s words are.  

The reason we grieve is because we lost someone we loved.  Yet it is worth it, for the longer I live the more I have come to understand that it is not achievements and accumulations of wealth that bring true happiness and fulfillment; it is those relationships that will last for eternity.  Praise God, we do not grieve as those who have no hope, we shall see Edna again some day. 

And while we remain here on earth, God allows life to spring forth with new relationships.  It was one year ago today that Sonja and I learned that we were going to be grandparents.  Oh what a joy that has been!  And then this week we learned that Lee and Jennifer are with child again!  God willing, I am going to be a grandparent x2 this time next year!  I know that with each new addition to my family comes the potential for grief – for grief is the price of love.  But oh the joy that each new addition brings and that is worth any sadness that may one day come!  

As the years have gone by I’ve had to say a final “good bye” to my grandparents; but now I am one!  (New life!) 

I’ve had to say “good bye” to a sister, but who knows, maybe this time next year David Lee will have a baby sister! (New life!) 

One day it will come our turn for the curtains to close on our short part of this human drama called “life” and we will join those who have gone before us.  Let us live in such a way that our departure will be greatly mourned.  That will only occur if we live a life in which we loved greatly. 

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) 

With love and best wishes to all, 

david l. kemp

Just doing my job…

Good morning everyone!

This morning I read Psalm 134…

A Song of Ascents

 1 Behold, bless the LORD,
         All you servants of the LORD, 
         Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
 2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
         And bless the LORD.
         
 3 The LORD who made heaven and earth
         Bless you from Zion!

This psalm was written to the priest (full-time ministers) and it instructed them to praise the LORD at all times.  The dear people who worshipped at the House of God couldn’t be there all the time; but the priest had that privilege.  But with that privilege came a responsibility – they were to praise God at all times – even at night.  As they did that they kept the Presence of God present at all times and because God inhabits praise they could then bless the people even when they were not present (see verse 3).

That reminded me that that is also my privileged responsibility.  Even through full-time ministers do not live at the Temple like the priest did in ages past, I still am able to be at the House of God throughout the week. 

Today, I want to assure you that I have rededicated myself to the privileged task of keeping praise alive at the FMCOG Monday – Saturday as well as Sunday.  For above all I want God present with us so that from the FMCOG blessing can flow towards you.

So today, as I do my job…I bless you from Fort Mill Church of God…I am praying for you and I’m pulling for you; but more importantly…God is.

Be blessed,

dlkemp

Tribute to “Mama Durham”

I am sadden to report that my wife’s grandmother died yesterday.  She was 89, the last charter member of the Gap Hill Church, a faithful wife, a dedicated mother and a loving grand and great and great, great grandmother.  Bottom line, a Proverbs 31 woman and most importantly, a child of God through her long and lovingly relationship with Jesus Christ her savior.

I shall miss her

Please join with me in praying for Sonja and her family.

dlkemp

P.S. Today’s picture was taken May 16, 2009 at Jennifer’s shower in Greenville.  It shows four generations + one in the “oven” (David Lee).  Mama Durham is sitting in the middle.

Quotation of the day: “The death of an old person is like the loss of a library.” _African proverb

Good morning everyone!

My prayer for us today is that we will be “in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).  The bible says that there is no condemnation for those who are “in Christ Jesus.”  Being “in” something is a state of being.  It is not a vague etherial concept that you can’t get your hands around; no, being “in Christ Jesus” is a tangible, verifiable place/experience.  Oh! May His presence be real in our lives today!  I pray that we will be so desperate for Him that no sacrifice and no cost will be to high…just to sense His presence and favor in our lives.

As you face yet another day…stay focused…stay focused on what really matters…being in “in Christ Jesus.”

On a personal note, I ask you to please pray for my wife and her family.  Her grandmother (“Mama Durham”) is at the point of death.  She turned 89 yesterday.  She has lived a good life and is ready to meet her Maker.  I do not grieve for her…I grieve for those who will lose their mother and grandmother.

Blessings to each one who reads this…may God’s presence be with you.

david l. kemp

Quotation of the day: “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.  Live your life in such a way so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.”_Indian proverb  (dedicated to a woman who has lived that way…”Mama Durham.”)

Starting the week right…

Good morning everyone!

For my FMCOG family, I want to remind you of the theme of yesterday – “Worship.”  It is my prayer that you will make everything that you do today and this week an extravagant expression of your love and devotion to God.  As you make Him the fountain head of all your motivations and actions you will discover that his blessings and touch will be upon all you do – that changes everything.

Also, remember your “weapons” this week (taken from Pastor Glenn’s message):

1. The NAME (Jesus)
2. The Word (Bible)
3. Praise
4. Prayer (especially your “Prayer Language”)

Blessings to you all,

dlk

Quotation of the day: “If you pray for rain be prepared to deal with mud.” _ANON

Hello everyone! 

Please keep me in your prayers today as I spend much of the day – Lord willing – in my final preparations for Sunday.  For those of you that attend FMCOG, I want to have a word from God that will bring comfort and strength to you as you face another week.  I never take it lightly that I am charged with helping God’s dearly loved people as they live out the Christian faith in a world that does not embrace that faith.  I’m proud of you and make it my goal in life to help you along the journey.

Blessings,

dlk

P.S. Today’s picture was taking at last years Marriage Seminar that Sonja and I conduct.  Sign ups for this years event – “A Marriage that Makes Sense…Your Passport to Adventure and Romance” begin tommorrow.   It will be September 25-26; I hope that you will join us there.

QUOTATION of the DAY:  “The people who reach their potential, no matter what their profession or background, think in terms of improvement.  If you think you can ‘hold your ground’ and still make the success journey, you are mistaken.” _John C. Maxwell, The Success Journey

9/11 Good News!

Great new!  The steeple and Cross are up on our new Center for Discipleship.  I had the scary privilege to go up on the lift and put the Cross on.  That was about as close to God as I wanted to be!

I thought it was highly significant that on a day that we observe the tragedy of the destruction and collapse of the Twin Towers that our church is still lifting high the Cross and its life-saving message. 

With all the sorrow and sadness in our world that can give us hope!

Blessings,

dlkemp

 

Grace must be believed

This morning in my devotional and prayer time I came to understand a very important principle: “Grace must be believed.” 

I know that may sound so obvious that it is not worth repeating.  But think again.  How many times do you not “feel” forgiven?  Are you like me and have gone through times that it seemed that peace could not be found.  My faults, failures and fears screamed at me so loud that the gentle voice of my Savior was drowned out.  Peace was absent and anxiety was on the throne. 

What to do in times like that?  Believe!  Believe in the wonderful and freely given grace of God.

Psalm 119:39 says…

Turn away my reproach which I dread, for Your judgments are good.

 “Turn away” (‘abar) = pass by.  A good expression to understand its meaning is “Dodging a bullet”.

“Judgments” = (mish-pāht’ ) = God’s judgments are His learned opinion.  They are His last word on a subject.  It is like God said, “My judgment concerning (you/me) is this…” 

So the truth of the matter is:

      – no matter how you feel today

          – no matter what the circumstances of your life are like right now

               – through Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice

                      – you have been freely given mercy and grace.

                              – That’s God’s judgment (final word) on the matter.

                                    – Yes, sometimes grace has simply got to be believed.

In His grip,

dlkemp

Monday evening…

Hello everyone!

It’s been a fast-paced life lately.  I can’t believe I’ve let this many days go by without an entry, but here goes…

It’s Monday evening and all is well.  I was truly blessed with yesterday’s services – everything was great.  I especially enjoyed and was blessed by the Sounds of Praise new song – “He Made the Difference!” (A song with an attitude!), Pansy Blackwell’s communion song and then Cory Hefner blew me away with his song in the evening service.  Dr. Crick really, really blessed and challenged me in the evening service.  I have been thinking about his challenge for much of the day.   Sometimes we need someone to remind us of why we do what we do.  He did a good job of that last night.

Today has been a good day.  I worked all day on administrative matters and then met my son and daughter-in-law (and grandson!) for dinner.  Sonja volunteered at Vacation Bible School (God love her!).  Following dinner I stopped by the Fort Mill Complex and watched our men’s softball team play.  They did an outstanding job!  In addition to winning (always more fun), they played incredible defense (two double plays!) and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship.  I was never more proud of them.

Well that about sums up my day. 

The picture I’ve added tonight is my grand-nephew, Spencer Anderson.  To me his expression epitomizes happiness!

May you find sunshine, happiness and peace,

dlkemp