The Kennedys

The Kennedys
Stephen, Angel, Caoimhe &Taylor

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Sunday, December 22, 2013

The Wise Men - Sermon preached by Stephen Kennedy. 12/22/2013

The Wise Men
Matthew 2:1-12

I)                   They were wise because they were Watching for Jesus. Vs. 1-9
A)    Christ’s star fulfilled the Scriptures. Numbers 24:15-17 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
B)    Christ’s star provided the way to the Saviour. Vs. 9. John 12:35-36 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
C)    Christ’s star brought hope to a lost Society. Luke 2:10-12 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
II)                They were wise because they were Worshiping Jesus. Vs. 2, 10-11
A)    They worshiped Him with Gladness. Psalm 148
B)    They worshiped Him with Gifts. Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
III)             They were wise because they Walked with Jesus.  Vs. 12
A)    They were Sensitive to the Lord.

B)    They were Submissive to the Lord. Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Most Famous Star - Sermon preached by Stephen Kennedy on Dec. 15, 2013

Most Famous Star
Matthew 2:9-10

I)                   The Christmas Star shines of God’s Glory.
A)    God’s Glory is reflected in History. His Story
B)    God’s Glory is reflected in Harmony. Psalms 19:1. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
C)    God’s Glory is reflected in Hearts. Exodus 40:34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
D)    God’s Glory is reflected in Heaven. Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
II)                The Christmas Star shines as God’s Guidance.
A)    God’s Guidance gives Light. Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
B)    God’s Guidance gives Liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
C)    God’s Guidance gives Loyalty. Psalms 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
D)    God’s Guidance gives Love. Ps 23
III)             The Christmas Star shines as God’s Gift.
A)    God’s Gift is Unmerited. Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. God's love came to us when we did not deserve it, before we could ever possibly hope to earn it, and it opens up to us the possibility of new life. You don't have to bring flowers to God to win his love. God loved us before we deserved it. God's gift of love in Christ is Unmerited.
B)    God’s Gift is Unparalleled. The gift of salvation in Jesus Christ has no counterpart or equal in history. It is unparalleled.
1.       No other religion has a risen Saviour.
2.       No other religion has a perfect Lord.
3.      No other religion has a loving God who seeks man. In other religions the direction is always from man to God. The God of Christianity, on the other hand, is a God who seeks man.

C)    God’s Gift is Uncontainable2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. When a person is right with God and in touch with this unspeakable gift, he will not be able to be quiet about it.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

The Right Christmas - Sermon preached by Stephen Kennedy

The Right Christmas
Matthew 1:21

I asked the question last week; “What does Christmas mean to you?” To some people it means hard work. To some people Christmas means a visit home. To some, Christmas means bad memories. They talk about Christmas liquor, they connect whiskey with the blessed Name of the Saviour. But Christmas means everything to the real Christian. It means that God has given him the best Christmas gift that even God could give. Now, if we are to have a "right Christmas," certain things must be placed in that Christmas. Let us follow the Gospel story and see what a "Right Christmas" means.

I)                   The right Christmas means Christ is Worthy. Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. What deep descent—from the heights of glory to the depths of shame. Cradled in a cattle trough. Wrapped in swaddling clothes of poverty. No room for Him who made all rooms! No place for Him who made and knows all places!
A)    Make room for Him in your Hearts. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
B)    Make room for Him in your Heads. Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Always thinking of Jesus.
C)    Make room for Him in your Homes. Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.


II)                The right Christmas means Christ is Worshipped. Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
A)    Worship Him as King. Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Here we see the wise men coming to bring their gifts to Jesus. And what were the gifts? They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. Each gift was a gift of value. Are we giving ourselves? Are we giving our time and our talents and our money to Him. Here we see the wise men coming to bring their gifts to Jesus. And what were the gifts? They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. Each gift was a gift of value. Are we giving ourselves? Are we giving our time and our talents and our money to Him.
1.      Gold speaks of His Kingship.
2.      Frankincense speaks of His Godhead.
3.      Myrrh speaks of His Death.

III)             The right Christmas means Christ is Witnessed. Luke 2:15-17 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. The long night of waiting is over, the angel has brought the gladdest and sweetest message the world ever heard. In fact, the world has never been the same since then. But men are still in the darkness of sin.
A)    Tell others about His Grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
B)    Tell others about His Goodness. Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
C)    Tell others about His Gift. John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
IV)             The right Christmas means Christ is Wanting. Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
A)    He wants to be your Servant. Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
B)     He wants to be your Saviour. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.



Let us do these four things, let us make room for Jesus in our hearts and lives; let us bow down and worship Him; let us bring our gifts unto him; let us tell others the sweet old story of Jesus and His love.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

What is the Meaning of Christmas? - Sermon preached by Stephen Kennedy, Dec. 1, 2013

What is the meaning of Christmas?
Gal 4:4-5

I)                   It means Prophecy was fulfilled.
A)    Prophecy concerning Place of His birth. Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
B)    Prophecy concerning Purpose of His birth. Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
C)    Prophecy concerning Pedigree of His birth. Genesis 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
II)                It means a Prince was born.
A)    Heir to the throne of Israel. Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
B)    Heir to the throne of Heaven. Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
C)    Heir to the throne of my Heart. Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
III)             It means Peace has come.
A)    The Angels rejoiced at His coming. Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
B)    The Shepherds rejoiced at His coming. Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
C)    Simeon rejoiced at His coming. Luke 2:28-32 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
IV)             It means Provision was given.  
A)    He came to seek the sinner. Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
B)    He came to save from sin. Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
V)                It means a Path was made.
A)    A path was made by Christ’s Love. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
B)    A path was made by Christ’s Loyalty. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

C)    A path was made by Christ’s Life. Galatians 1:3-4 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Sunday, November 24, 2013

"Quit you like 'Men'." - Sermon preached by Stephen Kennedy, Sunday evening 24/11/2013

Quit you like “Men”.
1 Corinthians 16:13
The church suffers because of a lack of godly men. We need outstanding man to lead our churches, schools, and nation.

I)                   A real man Prays. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
A)    Pray with Pleading. Psalms 61:1-4  A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
B)    Pray with Patience. Psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
C)    Pray with Persistence. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
D)    Pray with Purpose. Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
E)     Pray with Promise. Psalms 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
II)                A real man is Plain. 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
A)    God gives Preservation to the simple. Psalms 116:6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
B)    God gives Perception to the simple. Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
III)             A real man is Persistent. Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. The word stayed means “fixed”.
A)    Fixed on God’s Love. 1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
B)    Fixed on God’s LoyaltyJohn 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
C)    Fixed on God’s Law. Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
IV)             A real man is Passionate. Matthew 25:34-36 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

A)    Compassion of the “Good Samaritan”. Luke 10:30

"Ye Which Are Spiritual" - Sermon preached by Stephen Kennedy Sunday Morning, 24/11/2013

Ye Which Are Spiritual
Gal. 6:1-6
Let a man embrace religion without Christ; let him get into the church without being born again; let him go into the baptismal waters without the Spirit of God in his heart, and it hastens him toward hell, because the shortest road to hell sometimes is through the church.

I)                   Ye which are spiritual have the Spirit’s Birth. Man cannot be or act spiritual until they have been born of the Spirit of God. John 3:5-7 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
II)                Ye which are spiritual believe the Spirit’s Book. The Spirit of God inspired the Bible so man cannot be a spiritual person and deny the Spiritual book. 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
III)             Ye which are spiritual obey the Spirit’s Beseeching. If God has ALL of you then He has ALL your possessions. He isn’t interested in your possessions, He is interested in possessing you! Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
IV)             Ye which are spiritual walk in the Spirit’s Behaviour. Man is to behave according to what controls him or rather I should say “who” controls him. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

V)                Ye which are spiritual experience the Spirit’s Blessings. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Rent for Calvary; Sermon preached by Stephen Kennedy on November 17, 2013

Rent for Calvary
Luke 23:33
Matthew 27:27-49
Robert Boyd wrote this about Crucifixion: “Victims condemned to the cross first underwent the hideous torture of the scourge, and this was immediately inflicted on Jesus. He was now seized by some soldiers nearby and, after being stripped to the waist, was bound in a stooping posture, His hands being tied behind His back to a post or a block of wood near the tribunal. The Jews had a law that no person should be given more than forty stripes save one when flogged, but the Romans had no such law, so they often scourged their victims until they bled to death. Jesus was beaten at the pleasure of the soldiers with knots of rope or plaited leather thongs which were armed at the ends with acorn-shaped drops of lead or small pointed bones. In many cases, not only was the back of the person being scourged cut open in all directions, but even the eyes, the face and the breast were torn open, and the teeth seldom knocked out. Under the fury of the countless stripes, the victims sometimes shrieked amid screams, conclusive leaps and distortions into a senseless heap; sometimes died on the spot; sometimes were taken away, and unrecognizable mass of bleeding flesh, to find deliverance in death from the inflammation and fever, sickness and shame.”
I)                   The rent garments speaks of the Animosity of Calvary. Matthew 27:27-28 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
A)    Rent garments of Sorrow. Job 1:20-21 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
B)    Rent garments of Sin. 1 Kings 21:23-27 And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat. But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
C)    Rent garments of Shame. Esther 4:1-2 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
II)                The rent flesh speaks of the Agony of Calvary. Matthew 27:29-30 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
A)    The agony of Persecution. Isaiah 53:7-9 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
B)    The agony of Punishment. Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
C)    The agony of Payment. Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
D)    The agony of Peace. Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
III)             The rent veil speaks of the Access of Calvary. Matthew 27:50-53 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
A)    Access to the Light. John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
B)    Access to the Living. Luke 20:38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: Romans 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

C)    Access to the Lord. Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,