Come to the Christmas Party

Dear Saints,

It’s Friday, what will you be doing tonight? I hope you are thinking, “I am going to Rick and Kathleen’s home for the Christmas Party and Fellowship.”

That’s right, it is tonight, so please come and invite a friend too. The party begins at 5:30pm.  Bring a potblessing dish and a grab-bag gift worth $10.00.  If you are going to be bringing a keiki or two, bring a gift of at least $5.00 for each keiki you bring as well.

For those who want to BBQ, bring your favorite meat to slap on the grill. Dress festive and wear the appropriate colors – Green, red and white or any of the three combinations.

If you cannot make it at 5:30pm, come whenever you can. This will be an awesome time of fellowship.

Here’s the address: 87-146 Kulahelela Place in Maile.

Map of Address

Merry Christmas and hope to see you tonight!

Much Blessings,

Pastor Rich

P.S. One more thing: Please bring one or two cans or any other non-perishable food item. We will be putting together a gift basket to help a needy family.

The Power of Christmas To Change Your Life

Dear Saints,

Just before they passed around the cranberry sauce at their Thanksgiving feasts, two moms - one from Villa Hills, KY, the other for the Butler County OH village of Seven Mill - bowed their heads.

They will give thanks for a rascally 12-year-old boy whose organs saved three lives and whose spirit inspired those two moms to take jobs helping others.

The Kentucky mom, Judy Schumacher, will remember Justin, her fun-loving, life-giving son. The Ohio mom, Jennifer Miller, will celebrate being alive after receiving his liver in 1992.

Both moms gave thanks that their 19-year quest recently came to a successful conclusion.

"This fills a hole in my life and in my heart," Judy said.

"With their generous gift," Jennifer said, "I have a husband, Marty. I have Brady, my 8-year-old angel baby. I have a family."

And she has a life.

In like manner, Jesus was born to give His life for others so that they too might have life. This coming Sunday, we are honored to come together and celebrate the gift of Jesus from the heart of the Father to all of us.

Here is what to look forward to:

REMEMBER: There is just one Service – 10:00am

Message title: “The Power of Christmas to Change Your Life” – from Matt. 1:21-2:4

Afterwards, stick around for a great Christmas luncheon to follow. 

Invite a guest or two and let’s all come together and celebrate the birth of Emmanuel.

Much Love,

Rich

In the Land of Plenty - Dec. 17-18

Aloha Saints,

We have an awesome weekend coming and we want you not to miss out on any of it. In addition to the Saturday's outreach at Kalaeloa Raceway Park, this is what is being planned for Sunday at New Hope West Oahu:

8:30 Service: Nolan will share the Word with us.

10:30 Service:  "What Happens When Your Love Grows Cold?" Rev. 2:1-7 (Pastor Rich)

We will also be blessed during the praise and worship time -- Brothers and Sisters in Christ will do the worship for both services. 

Also, don't forget, on Friday, Dec. 23rd, at 6:30pm, we got a Christmas Party for you and your family at Rick and Kathleen's home in Maile. Everyone is welcome to attend. Bring a potblessing dish (sign ups will be in church on Sunday) and a grab bag of $10 for adults and $5 for children. Rick is also going to fire up his brand new grill, so if you want some meat cooked or BBQ, bring it with you. 

I want to personally thank in advance all those who have chosen to help out at the Keike Christmas at the Tracks outreach on Saturday. Because of Jesus, using willing servers like yourselves, many keikis and their families will have a memorable Christmas this year! 

Thanks everyone!

See you this weekend!

Much Love,

Pastor Rich

Message Outline and Notes for November 27, 2011

Jesus Is On His Way

Rev. 1:7-8 / Nov. 27, 2011

10:30 Service

Five Truths Regarding Jesus’ Coming –

1. The Urgency of the Second Coming – 1:7a – “Behold, He is coming”

Why Must Christ Return?

1. The Promise of the Father requires that Jesus returns.

 4 He Who sits in the heavens laughs. The Lord makes fun of them. 5 Then He will speak to them in His anger and make them afraid, saying, 6 “But as for Me, I have set My King on Zion, My holy mountain.” 7 I will make known the words of the Lord. He said to Me, “You are My Son. Today I have become Your Father. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give the nations for you to own. The ends of the earth will belong to You. 9 You will break them using a piece of iron. And they will be broken in pieces like pots of clay” – Ps. 2:4-9

2. The Promise of Christ requires His own Return

 1 “Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me also. 2 There are many rooms in My Father’s house. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going away to make a place for you. 3After I go and make a place for you, I will come back and take you with Me. Then you may be where I am” – John 14:1-3

3. The Guarantee of the Holy Spirit requires that Jesus soon Returns -  “The Helper is the Holy Spirit. The Father will send Him in My place. He will teach you everything and help you remember everything I have told you”– John 14:26

2 Thess. 2:1-8a – 6You know the power that is keeping the man of sin back now. The man of sin will come only when his time is ready. 7 For the secret power of breaking the law is already at work in the world. But that secret power can only do so much until the One Who keeps back the man of sin is taken out of the way. 8 Then this man of sin will come. 

Matt. 5:13 – “You are the salt of the earth.” It enhances flavor and it preserves.

Gen. 6:3 - Then the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years."

Gen. 19:22 – “Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there.”

“Separate yourselves from among this congregation , that I am consumed them instantly” – Num. 16:21

1 Cor. 7:14 - For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

Rev. 3:10 - Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

4. God’s program for the church demands Christ’s return –

5. Christ’s program for the unbelieving nations requires His soon return –

6. God’s program for Israel demands that Christ return – He has promised her salvation, peace, prosperity, security, and a kingdom (Deut. 4:30-31; Isa. 9:6-7; 11:11-12; 60:10-14).

7. Christ’s life on earth demands that He return.

8. The judgment of Satan demands Christ return –

9. The expectation of believers demand that Christ return – Titus 2:13

2. The Glory of the Second Coming – 1:7b – “Behold, He is coming with the clouds”

3. The Scope of the Second Coming – v. 7c: “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye shall see Him, even those who pieced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him”

4. The Response to the Second Coming – 1:7d – “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will mourn on account of him. Even so. Amen.”

5. The Certainty of the Second Coming – 1:8: "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

“I am Alpha and Omega” – Omniscience (God is all-knowing)

"who is and who was and who is to come” – Omnipresence (God is everywhere all at the same time)

“the Almighty” – Omnipotence (God is all-powerful)

Applications: Two words to remember and take with you:

1.     Alert – Be obedient and watchful

2.     Rest – Be confident and secure

Message Outlines for December 4, 2011

Journey Through the Bible

Lesson 2 – The Book of Genesis, Part 1

8:30 Service

Since Genesis deals with such things like the beginning of creation, mankind, animals and the Hebrew race, the name “Genesis” is given this book. It means, “beginning” or “origin.”  Very often the name of a book in the Bible will give you a clue of what the book is all about.  It is not the purpose of Genesis to tell us how or why God did what He did, but to show us who.

Outline of Genesis

1. The Beginning of Mankind (Chs. 1-11)

A.    The Creation (Chs. 1-2)

B.    The Fall of Man (Chs. 3-4)

C.    Noah and the Flood (Chs. 5-10)

D.   The Tower of Babel (Ch. 11)

2. The Beginnings of Israel (Chs. 12-50)

A.    The Life of Abraham (Chs. 12-25)

B.    The Life of Isaac (Chs. 21-35)

C.    The Life of Jacob (Chs. 25-49)

D.   The Life of Joseph (Chs. 30-50)

The Beginning of Mankind (Chs. 1-11)

A. The Creation (Chs. 1-2). 

·        The Creator. Genesis begins not with telling us how or why creation came about, the WHO. The name for God is “Elohim,” which means, “infinite strength.” In Ch. 2, we are first introduced to the word “LORD” which comes from the Hebrew word for Jehovah. The name “Elohim” is most often used when God is dealing with the physical universe. However, when God is dealing with His people or people in general, the word “Jehovah” (Yahweh) is most often used. 

Note: Read Gen. 6:22 and 7:1, 16 and note the two names used for God.

When dealt with animals, the name God (Elohim) is used, but when God shut Noah in the Ark, the name Jehovah was used).

·        The Seven Days of Creation. The Hebrew word for “day” in Genesis 1 is “Yom” and does not necessarily mean a 24 hour period. God could have created the world through a process that took millions of years, or He could have done so through 24 hours, six day process. Which was it? The word “day” used by itself can mean “age.” But when “Yom” is used with a numerical adjective such as, “one, two, three,” etc., it means 24 hours.

Note: God may have created a universe with the appearance of age. For example, when God created Adam and Eve, what were they at the time of creation? They had the appearance of age and maturity, but they were just created and therefore quite new or young.

       First Day – 1:3-5: ______________________________

       Second Day – 1:6-8: ____________________________

       Third Day – 1:9-13: _____________________________

       Fourth Day – 1:14-19: ___________________________

       Fifth Day – 1:20-23: _____________________________

       Sixth Day – 1:24-31: _____________________________

       Seventh Day – 2:2-3: _____________________________

B. The Fall of Man (Chs. 3-4)

·        The Temptation. God is not the author or sin. Temptation is the work of Satan (3:1-6).

·        The Sin. Eve yielded to the temptation of Satan, she involved Adam and the human race fell.

·        The Results. Immediately there was a lost of innocence and a sense of guilt. There was also a lost of desire for fellowship with God. Neither Adam nor Eve wanted to take the blame. But God held them accountable (3:17-19).

·        The Promise of a Redeemer. Genesis 3:15 is the first reference in the Bible to the coming Messiah.

·        The Progression of Sin. In Chapter 4, we see anger, jealousy, hatred and finally murder.

___________killed__________(4:8). Sin leads to more sin)

C. Noah and the Flood (Chs. 5-10)  This section teaches us about the universal flood of mankind and the faith of Noah. It would be helpful to understand what happened in Noah’s day, if we are to understand when Christ is coming.

What will be the similarities between the days of Noah and the days preceding the coming of Jesus? (Matt. 24:37-39)

D. The Tower of Babel (Ch. 11)  After the Flood, God commanded the people to replenish the earth, but they had other plans. What did the people do? _____________________________________

____________________________________________________

In order to get the people to spread out over the earth as He first intended, God caused the people to speak in different languages.  The word “babel” means “confusion.”

Applications: Three Closing Thoughts -

1.  Since God created the world out of nothing, can I trust Him to give me a new beginning?

2.  Since Satan tempted man and he fell, can I submit to God and allow Him to empower me to overcome?

3.  Since God sent a universal flood to wipe out mankind, will I warn others that the Lord is a God of justice and the need to repent is most urgent?

The Work of Christ in His Church, Part 1

Rev. 1:9-16a

Dec. 4, 2011 / 10:30

Jesus wants His church to be encouraged and strengthened.

1.     He will reveal a vision of Himself and His present work among His people – Chs. 1-3

2.     He will judge the world that has so often persecuted Christians – Chs. 4-18

3.     He will usher in His own kingdom in which the church will rule and reign with Him forever – Chs. 19-22

V. 9 - I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 

v. 10 - On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

Ten Great Works of Christ in His Church

1. Christ Empowers His Church – vv. 12-13a, 20b:  I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man. . . and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

2. Christ Intercedes For His Church – 1:13b: And among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 

3. Christ Purifies His Church – 1:14-15a: The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace

Heb. 4:13: Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

4. Christ Speaks Authoritatively To His Church – 1:15b: His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 

 “This is My Beloved Son! Listen to Him!” (Matt. 17:5).

5. Christ Controls His Church – vv. 16a, 20a - In his right hand he held seven stars. . . The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches

Three Personal Questions

1.  When was the last time you had a Vision of Christ?

2.  When was the last time you heard the Voice of Christ?   

3.  When was the last time you passed on a personal Message from Christ to someone else?

"As I look ahead, far ahead, two to three years down the road, I do see God doing it, even though I may not know all of the details today. That’s what vision is. Vision is not a crystal ball or hearing audible voices. It is the belief in one’s heart that God is going to do something that is consistent with His Word and consistent with His will, and believing that what God is going to do will have an amazing impact on your life. Having vision is having the confident belief that the promises of God are going to be realized in the future of our church” -  Pastor Tony Miano

For Sunday, December 4, 2011

What’s going on in the Land of Plenty?

8:30 Service: Series: “Journey Through the Bible.” Lesson 2: Exploring Genesis.

10:30 Service: Series: “The Book of Revelation.” Message: “What Jesus Does For His Church?” Rev. 1:9-20

Lord’s Table: After both services will be a time of communion and reflecting on the body and blood of Jesus.

Announcements:
1. Dec. 25 Christmas Service – One Service only at 10:00am
2. January 1 – No Service
3. Dec. 17 – Christmas on the Beach Outreach at Campbell, from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Message Outlines for Nov. 20, 2011

From the 8:30 Service:

Thankfulness as a Way of Worship

Nov. 20, 2011 / 8:30

Luke 17:11ff - When a leper believed that he had indeed recovered from his disease and was well, he was to go the priest and there was to be a purification ceremony to assure that was in fact was the case.  Then he could recirculate among the people. And so Jesus said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, it says, they were cleansed.

They started out in an act of faith heading for the priests. Nothing had happened before they started in that direction, it started as they were going.

Ten got healed, one got saved. It's a wonderful story for the one, it's a tragedy for the other nine. It illustrates how ugly ingratitude is and how hard to understand how unthankful people could so quickly forget the very one who was the source of their cleansing.

Rom. 1:21 - It is right at the top of God's list of damning sins...ingratitude. It so characterizes fallen men, it certainly shouldn't characterize God's people. We can understand how nine lepers who didn't know God could be thankless. We can understand a world of thankless people. I cannot understand a thankless Christian when we understand what the Lord has done for each of us. Nor can God understand a thankless Christian.

1 Thess. 5:18 - "In everything give thanks." And that's all we need to look at, obviously this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. In everything give thanks, God desires this. That little phrase at the end of verse 18 actually follows all three commands, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks," all three of those sum up God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

In the O.T. there were various offerings that the people were to bring to the priests to sacrifice- sin offering, burnt, trespass, etc..  One offering was called the Thank Offering, which was associated with the Peace Offering (Lev. 7:11-14).  This type of offering was to remind the people of their need to be thankful to God for all of His merciful and gracious provisions for their needs. Even today as a church since our Lord Himself ordained it, we have a ceremony as Christians we communion or the Lord's table or the Lord's supper and it combines both the elements of the sin offering in terms of its memorial character and elements of the thank offering into one. We remember Christ the sacrifice for our sins, and we offer up thanksgiving for all that Jesus’ sacrifice has accomplished for us. So when you come to the Lord's table you come to what is a table of thanks.

2 Tim. 3:1-2, 13 - And as I noted for you, thanklessness is a sin that characterizes the unregenerate, those who know not God.

And what Paul is saying there is that in the last days ingratitude will characterize people. Down in that same chapter in verse 13 he said that evil men will get worse and worse. The closer we get to the coming of Christ, the more wicked men become; the more wicked they become, the more thankless they are. Thus we are not surprised to see unsaved people going through life complaining, bitter, angry, thankless, without any gratitude, expecting everything good that comes their way and a lot more. The unregenerate man in our culture, in our time, views life as moving along a path of manipulation and luck combined.

1 Tim. 4:1-5 - We ought to be thanking God for every blessing, every small blessing, every small goodness, every large goodness, every little thing that God provides for us.

1 Cor. 14:13-17 - The early church made thanksgiving an actual part of their fellowship. Now the thing I want to point out here is it must have been a common part of worship when the people of the Corinthian assembly came together for public thanks. They were singing, they were praying and we do that, and they were saying thanks. Verse 17, "You are giving thanks well enough but when you do it in a way that people can't understand, the other person is not edified." So the point to draw there is that part of the church's celebration of worship involved a time of giving thanks.

We should be doing this in our prayers, in the songs we sing, and by the way we greet and communicate with others in the church.

Two levels of thanksgiving:

Level 1 – 1 Thess. 5:18 – In Everything give thanks

Level 2 – Eph. 5:18-20 – Giving thanks for everything

From the 10:30 Service

HOW TO TURN THANKSGIVING INTO THANKSLIVING

Nov. 20, 2011 / Psalm 107:21-22

Outline: On this Thanksgiving Sunday, I want to pass on to you

five spiritual sacrifices -- sacrifices that you can offer all this week and the rest of your life as unto the Lord. I'm going to call these the Sacrifices of Thanksgiving

1. Your Person - Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Notice the emphasis on being a living sacrifice as oppose to a dead one. A dead sacrifice is used once, but a living sacrifice can be used continually.

God puts Paul on his knees and through Paul, God tells us, “I urge or beg you by My mercies, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Me, this is your true and proper manner of worship.”

Imagine if you will, Jesus coming to you, getting on His knees before you (which is not hard to imagine since He had done that when He washed the disciples’ feet), and looking up into your face says, “I beg you. . .” Would you do it? And what is the basis of asking this? “The mercies of God.” 

Now, how are we to offer ourselves to God?

First – We must do so VOLUNTARILY. You see the word, “present” there in verse 1? That’s a word used of a person who joins an army voluntarily.  God loves when His people come to Him with hearts of Thanksgiving and worship Him voluntarily. If it is forced worship, then it does not mean much.

Second – Not only do we offer ourselves to God voluntarily, but also COMPLETELY.  Notice what is being offered to God – your body! Not members of your body – hands, feet, but the whole thing.

Note: Here is a passage I need for you to see – Psalm 118:27 - The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!

Did you know that when an animal was killed as a sacrifice, they would cut the meat and tie it to the altar? Why? Because fresh meat is slippery and if not tied down, it will slide off.

Have you ever made a commitment to the Lord and then tend to slide off the alter?  I mean, I've told the Lord, I have bowed and declared and said, "Lord, that's the last time I'll ever do that," or I've said, "Lord, from now on I'm going to do this everyday. God, you can count on me," and I just kind of slide off the alter. Do

you ever slide off the alter?  You see, we need to be bound to the alter if we're going to be a living sacrifice.

Here are two ways to keep you bound to the altar so as not to slide off:

1.    Devotion – Your love for Jesus

2.    Discipline – Your commitment to Jesus

2. Your Praise – Heb. 13:15: Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Now listen to this: This will amaze you – God would rather have your praise than your money. Your praise is of more value to God than whatever you put in the offering.  See Ps. 69:30-31: I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31This will please the LORD more than an ox
or a bull with horns and hoofs.

Do you know how much an ox was worth in this day? That

would be like saying,  "I'm going to give my car.  I 'm going to give my Cadillac.  I'm going to give my Mercedes."  An ox was extremely valuable. A man who had an ox was a wealthy man, but God says here that your praise, your psalm of thanksgiving will please the Lord more than your material gifts.

Now, I want to tell you that praise is no substitute for your

material gifts, but to show you that your praises to God blesses His heart so much more than what you possess. Why? Because when you put money in the offering, you do it once for the whole week. But praising God ought to be a way of life.

Now look at Heb. 13:15 again and notice this: “Let us CONTINUALLY offer up. . .

Remember this: You do not come to church to praise the Lord.  You bring your praise with you to church.

3. Your Prayer - Ps. 141:2 - Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

This verse says that our prayers to the Lord ought to be like two things: Incense and like an evening sacrifice. What does this mean?  “Incense” is perfume. At home, I use incense sticks, which are really perfume sticks. When I light them, the smoke gives off a sweet perfume smell that permeates the room, and when it does, the smell pleases me. So it is with your prayers. When you pray, God smells the perfume and sweetness of your prayers and it pleases Him.

What is meant by the evening offering?  Prayer is a sacrifice, right? Well, prayer isn’t something that should be done once a day and that’s it. It is something we should be doing throughout the day.  Ps. 55:16-17:  But I call to God, and the LORD will save me. 17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.

4. Your Possessions – Heb. 13:16 - Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

When we share with others our resources, that’s a pleasing sacrifice to God. When you open up your home for church gathering or bible study. . .when you bless someone financially. . when you share your clothes, food, or other material items, God is pleased with your sacrifice.  If you are serious in turning your Thanksgiving into Thanksliving, then show it by your giving.

One major issue that Christian struggle with is giving to God their first fruits, i.e. their best. This is how we usually give to the Lord – we get a paycheck, we then pay the bills. . .and whatever is left we take a percentage from that and put it in the offering. So what we are basically doing is tipping God.

But giving in the bible has to so with receiving from the Lord a paycheck, giving him what is His, and then using the rest for our needs. You see, we often think, “How much should I give?” When a better question to ask is, “How much should I keep?” We talk about seeking the kingdom of God first until it deal with money and then Matt. 6:33 is the furthest from our minds.

Prov. 3:9-10: Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Now, folks listen, we don't give to the church because the church needs it.  It's a sacrifice to God. Friend, if there were not a need in this world, and if we just took the money that was given on Sunday and burned it up, it would still be a blessing to give it because giving is an act of worship.

That's what they did with the Old Testament sacrifices, they

burned them up.  They weren't given to meet a need, they were given to God. It was put on an alter and it was consumed. It didn't serve any utilitarian purpose.  We give to God as a sacrifice of His goodness to us.

5. Your Purity – Ps. 51:16-17: For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

David, who wrote this Psalm had sinned. This is why he wrote in verse 1 - Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

Because David sinned, he had to get right with God. And no amount of religious activity will do it. What God wants to see is a heart that is truly repentant and broken before Him.

But do you know what led David back to God? It was not David’s badness, but God’s goodness.  He understood God to be gracious, merciful and compassionate.

This thanksgiving season, why not turn your Thanksgiving into Thanksliving – Offer to God your Person, Praise, Prayer, Possessions and Purity. These are the things that God is after. These are the things that really impress Him the most. 

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Dear Saints,

Study after study shows the beneficial effects of marriage and the self-inflicted harm that people experience when they ignore this evidence. Marriage is good for us in so many ways.

Yet the statistics also show our culture heading in the opposite direction. In 1970, 89 percent of all births were to married parents. Today, unfortunately, it is only 60 percent. In 1960, 72 percent of adults in America were married. Care to guess the number in 2008? Fifty percent. How did we get here, when it makes no logical sense?

Tim Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York and his wife, Kathy, have written a brilliant new book that explains why marriage is in such dire straits, and how to rescue it. Their book, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God.

The Kellers diagnose this cultural disconnect. It’s the natural fruit of the West’s slow redefinition of marriage: from an institution where duty and mutual sacrifice are expected for the good of children and the larger society to one in which the marital partners primarily ask, “What’s in it for me?” “In short,” Keller writes, “the Enlightenment privatized marriage, taking it out of the public sphere, and redefined its purpose as individual gratification, not any ‘broader good’ such as reflecting God’s nature, producing character, or raising children.”

As a consequence, this new understanding, which is supposed to be so liberating, he says, “actually puts a crushing burden of expectation on marriage and on spouses that more traditional understandings never did.”

Because marriage is now all about me, no one is ever good enough, so we hang back, afraid to commit, waiting for the non-existent perfectly “compatible” person—meaning he or she is well-adjusted, beautiful, and can help us find sexual and emotional fulfillment. Or we drop the person we married when someone “better” comes along.

If this is the enemies attack on marriage, and it’s seems to be working, you know he is attacking our ideas about church. Too many are coming to church for the reason so many view marriage – “it’s all about me!”

This Sunday, we’re bent on keeping the focus where it belongs – “It’s all about Jesus!” Here’s what to expect:

8:30 Service: Gordean will be bringing the message.

10:30 Service: “Jesus Is On His Way,” Text: Revelation 1:7-8. The Book of Revelation’s theme is the second coming of Christ. We have started a series going through the Book of Revelation verse by verse. I want us to hear what the bible teaches about the soon coming of our Lord and how it ought to affect our lives.

Luncheon: Right after the 10:30 service, we will be blessed with a Post Thanksgiving luncheon. All are invited and bring a friend to the service and share the blessing.

Christmas at Campbell: This Year’s Christmas on the Beach (Dec. 17) will not be at the Waianae Boat Harbor but at the old Campbell raceway park. The times are the same – 10:00am to 3:00pm. We will be helping to host this mega event. West Oahu will be doing the MCing, setting up the sound system and assisting with the entertainment. All hands on deck for this awesome event. This is our mega outreach and one that we close the year off with. We partner with the Waianae Community Outreach and several other churches. Let’s join our hearts and hands by introducing the Jesus of Christmas to needy keikis and families.

Christmas and New Year’s: This year's Christmas falls on Sunday. We will have one service on Dec. 25 at 10:00am. New Year’s also falls on a Sunday, but we are going to cancel our Services and meet back on the following Sunday. Mark your calendars!

Serving and Learning Opportunities - Nov. 16

Sat. Nov. 19, from 9:00am to 12noon – New Hope West Oahu will be partnering with other churches along the West Oahu side to minister to and feed families in need. Where: Nanaikapono Protestant Church. The New Hope West Oahu praise and worship team will be performing at 10:30am. Everyone is invited to attend. We need servers, greeters, and people to pray for families, etc.

Sun. Nov. 20 – Thanksgiving Sunday Services
8:30 Message: “Flowing in Thankfulness” (There will also be time set aside to testify to others your gratefulness to the Lord for His many blessings!)
10:30 Message: “Going from Thanksgiving to Thanksliving”

Wed. Nov. 23, 6:30pm – West Oahu Men’s Movie Night at Rick Goslin’s home (cell – 224-7369). This will also be a Thanksgiving dinner, so bring a dish and a friend!

Sunday, Nov. 27 – Post Thanksgiving Church Luncheon after the 10:30 Service.

Domestic Violence Abuse Conference – Nov. 28-29. If you know of anyone who could benefit from attending a conference on Domestic Violence Abuse, please look into attending this conference. Norina Ledbetter is hosting this and it will be held at the Japanese Cultural Center and the price is so affordable. For more information, contact Norina at 265-3465. NHWO is partnering with Norina to put on this conference for pastors, church leaders and anyone who could benefit from it.

Message Outlines for Nov. 13, 2011

Back to the Basics

Nov. 13, 2011 / 8:30

What are some real essential elements of church growth?

1. A Strong Commitment to God's Word – Acts 2:40-42; 1 Thess. 1:6-9; Acts 6:7; 12:24; 16:5; 19:18-20; Rom. 16:25-27; Isa. 55:10-11; Mark 4:26-29;

Reflection:
How many days of this week, did you have your devotions?
How many times this week have you sown the seed of God’s Word into the hearts (soil) of others?
What is the level of your obedience to God?

2. A Strong Commitment to Prayer – When we read and apply God’s Word, we are sowing the seed; when we pray, we are adding water to it. Cf. Acts 1:4-5, 12-14; 6:4; 1 Tim. 2:1-8; 1 Sam. 4:9-10; 2 Sam. 10:9-12

Reflection:
If praying is equivalent to watering the seed (God’s Word), would the seed itself have the proper moisture to grow in your life?
Circle the one that best pertains to you: The amount of time I spend in prayer this week was:
• Less than one minute
• More than two minutes
• Ten minutes
• 20 minutes or more
Does the subject of your prayers include more or less of yourself?

3. A Commitment to Love One Another Unconditionally – Matt. 22:34-40; John 13:34-35

List four ways Christ has shown His love for you
1.
2.
3.
4.

Have you shown the same love to others? Cf. 1 John 3:14

Back To The Future – Rev. 1:1-6

Nov. 13, 2011 / 10:30

Isa. 8:19: When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20 Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

1. The Nature of the Book - Verse 1 – “The Revelation. . .” – “apocalypse” - “to reveal,” or “to make plain.”

2. The Central Theme – v. 1b – The Revelation “of Jesus Christ.”

3. Its Divine Source – The Revelation of Jesus Christ, “which God gave to Him. . .”

Phil. 2:9-11: 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In honor of the Son’s obedience, the Father rewarded His Son in four ways:
1. He Resurrected Him from the dead
2. He Ascended Him from the earth to heaven
3. He sent the Holy Spirit to continue His ministry and teachings
4. He gave Him an inheritance – the Book of Revelation

4. Its Human Recipients – v. 1d – The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him, “to show to His bond-servants”

Exod. 21:5-6: But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ 6 then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.

Matt. 13:10-11, 13 - The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”

5. Its Prophetic Character – v. 1e: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, “the things which must shortly take place” -- “shortly” – “soon” and carries the idea of nearness.

2 Pet 3 - 3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

6. Its Supernatural Delivery – v. 1f: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; “and He sent and communicated it by His angel”

7. Its Human Author – vv. 1g-2: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

8. Its Promised Blessing – v. 3a: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy and heed the things which are written in it;

9. Its Compelling Urgency – v. 3b: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

10. Its Benediction – vv. 4-5a: John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

“Grace and Peace” – “Grace” gives power and His power is perfected in times of weakness. “Peace” – God is not at war with you.

• Father: “Him who is and who was and who is to come”
• Holy Spirit – “The seven Spirits who are before the throne.” Isa. 11:2: The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
• Jesus Himself.

11. Its Exalted Doxology – vv. 5b-6: To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— 6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1. He freed you from destructive bondages – “He released us from our sins”
2. He elevates you into a new status – “He made us to be a kingdom and priests to God”

“To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Nov. 13 - Sunday's Messages

Aloha Saints,

How's the traffic been for you? Do you need to have your spiritual batteries recharged? Then come on Sunday and get all pumped up and equipped with the Word. Here is what's happening:

8:30 Service: "Back to the Basic" - I will help us to see what we need to be doing as a people of God to help or church to grow without depending on gimmicks. This will be a helpful reminder of why God put each of us out in Nanakuli.

10:30 Service: "Back to the Future" - Rev. 1:1-6. We will begin our verse by verse study through the Book of Revelation. So many people are fascinated with the future that they will seek to know it through mediums, tarot cards, seeking the dead and horoscopes. But there is only one person who truly knows the future and that is God. The Lord has given to read a book that deals with the future. What is Revelation about? Surprisingly we are told in the first verse six verses. This message will help set the course for the entire study.

If you are coming outside of Nanakuli, expect some traffic delays on the freeway until you pass Ko'olina. But don't let something as small and insignificant such as traffic keep you from worshiping God among His people and serving Him with a heart of gladness. He is worthy of our very best. And serving Him is certainly worth the time and effort.

See you on Sunday!

96792 Men's BBQ for 2012

Here are the dates of the Men's BBQ for next year, men! Jot these down on your calendar.

January 27
April 27
July 27
October 26

Meetings to be held at the Nanaikapono Protestant Church, 89-235 Pua Ave, Nanakuki.

November 6, 2011 - Message Outlines

Journey Through the Bible – Introduction

November 6, 2011 / 8:30 Service

Here is how you can make this journey more meaningful to you:
1. Bring your bible at all times.
2. Buy a 3-ring binder (8 ½ x 11)
3. A teachable spirit

Lesson 1 – A Map of the Journey

Read 2 Timothy 2:15, and explain why a Christian should study the Bible: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________

A. The Origin and History of the Bible

Bible was written over a period of ___1500 years____
Amount of human authors: ___40__

Who is the one author (2 Pet. 1:21): ______________________
____________________________________________________

Number of translated languages: ____1100___
Number of copies told per year: ____30 million______

B. The Theme of the Bible: ___The Redemption of Mankind______________

What is the name of this Messiah (Matt. 1:1): _______________

C. The Divisions of the Bible

Two Main Sections: _____Old_Testament____and ___New Testament_______
“Testament” means, “____covenant or aggreement_____”

I. The Old Testament

1. The first five books of the OT is called the “____Pentateuch__,” which means a “five volume book.”

Genesis   Exodus   Leviticus Numbers and Deuteronomy

Whom did God inspire to write these books? (John 1:45 and 7:19).

2. The next twelve books are called the “__Historical___” books. These books show us how the Lord brought the chosen people (Israel) into the Promise Land and how the Law itself cannot save people. They deal with the continual rebellion of Israel as well as tell us the stories of great her great kings and leaders.

Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther

3. Next are the Books of _____Poetry___. These books record encouragement, comfort, wisdom, and song. These books are often referred to as “___Wisdom______ literature.” They are:

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

4. The next section are the ______Prophets_____. There are 17 books in this section, divided into two main parts – the “___Major___” and “___Minor___” prophets.

What does the word “prophet” mean? (cf. Exod. 7:1-2)

The Major Prophets are: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel (5)

The minor prophets are: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. (12)

This makes a total of ___39__ books in the OT, with four divisions --- Law, History, Wisdom and Prophets.

II. The New Testament

1. The _Gospels_. These books are referred to as “__biographical__” books since they show us the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as His death, burial and resurrection. The Gospels are: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

2. _Historical_ – Acts. This book is a sequence or second volume of Luke’s Gospel and deals with the origin and growth of the church.

3. _Pauline_ Epistles – All these books are authored by Paul who wrote almost half of the NT. These 14 books (if also Hebrews is included) are divided into three sections: The _Church_ Epistles, The _Pastoral_ Epistles, and the _Personal_ Epistles.

The Church Epistles: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

The Pastoral Epistles: 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus

The Personal Epistles are: Philemon and Hebrews

4. The _General__ Epistles. Each book in this section carries the name of its author – James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude.

5. The _Prophetic_ Book – Revelation, also called the “apocalypse,” which means “to unveil.” This book was written by the John the apostle and is the last book in the NT.

There are:
4 Gospels
1 Historical Book
14 Pauline Epistles
7 General Epistles
1 Book of Prophecy

For a total of _27_ books in the New Testament.

Application: The Bible will keep you from __sin__, and sin will keep you from reading your __bible___. God wrote the Bible to reveal to you and me His love for us, His plan of redemption, His coming Kingdom, and how we can come to have a personal relationship with Him.

Christ's Commitment to His Church

Revelation 1 / Nov. 6, 2011 / 10:30 Service

In Revelation 1:1 – “The Revelation of Jesus Christ. . .” Can be translated “from” – making Jesus the ___source____; or “about,” making Jesus the ___subject_____.

How is Jesus Committed to His Church?

1. Jesus _Loves_His Church – 1:4-5: John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.

Eph. 5 - 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed (nourishes) and care (Cherishes) for their body, just as Christ does the church.

2. Jesus _Elevates__ Us – v. 6: To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

1 Cor. 6:9-11 - Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

You are a kingdom (___royalty____) and priests (___privilege__).

3. Jesus _Intercedes__for the Church – v. 12-13: I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.

Heb. 4:15: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. V. 16: Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews – 2:15-16: For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

4. Jesus is committed to _Discipline_ His Church – v. 14: The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.
Rev. 2:5: Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Rev. 3:19: Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

5. He _Comforts__ Her – verses 17-18 - When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

6. Jesus _Rewards__the Church – Chs. 2-3

2:7 - To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
2:11 - The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

2:17 - To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone (diamond) with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

2:26 - To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations; v. 28 – “I will give him the morning star.” 22:16 – “I am the bright and morning star”

3:5 - The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.

3:12 - The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.

3:21 - To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

7. He will _Glorify_ Her – Chs. 4-22

APEC Traffic This Coming Weekend

This coming weekend - Nov. 12-13

Security restrictions for the area around the J.W. Marriott Ihilani at Ko Olina begin at 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, and continues through 11 p.m. Sunday.
The worst time will be between 8:30-9:30 a.m. Sunday.

"All visitors and residents should anticipate roadway restrictions on H-1 Freeway westbound and Farrington Highway between Waikiki and Ko Olina," said DHS. "All are advised to use alternate routes during this time period."

The same restrictions on parking and pedestrian traffic that will be imposed on Waikiki apply to Ko Olina.

There will be detours for public transportation and special instructions for residents, guests and business owners and employees.

Church attendance may be somewhat affected by these closures. Those who live within the Waianae Coast should not be inconvenience. Those coming to church from outside of the Coast, passed Ko'olina will experience some restrictions. Nevertheless, let's keep the church's door's open. If there's no sacrifice in worshiping Christ, then the worship itself is not worth doing!

For November 6, 2011

For the 8:30 Service: Starting this Sunday, we will do a series called, "Journey Through the Bible." This series will take every book of the bible and highlight its important theme, content and lessons, as well as point out where it all fits into the section of the Bible. You can call this series a Bible Survey. It will be an awesome way to understand the basic theme and teachings of the whole Bible. Tell a friend and invite a family member. Notes will be handed and you should put the notes into a folder for future reference.

For the 10:30 Service: "The Apocalypse: A Study in the Book of Revelation" - Here we will begin a series through the entire book of Revelation, examining every verse and discussing its prophetic content as it relates to our day. This will be a fascinating study which will inform you on what are the latest signs of prophecy as well as equip you to live for Jesus more passionately.

After each of Sunday's services, we will fellowship around the Lord's Table.

So come early and on time for both services in order to enjoy the praise and worship and all that God has designed for you.

Don't forget: This Friday, the Katinas at the Farrington High School Auditorium, 7:00pm. Be there early at 6:00pm and the first 1000 people will receive a free hot dog. Also, the Katinas will be doing the worship at the Sat. Service at Farrington - 5pm and 7pm.

Man Up Rally - This Sat. at 9am at Farrington High School Auditorium. Continental breakfast will be served at 8:30am and a lunch will follow the rally!