Christ Church
25th Anniversary Message
Locations & Times
Christ Church Fairgrove Campus
2416 Zion Church Rd, Hickory, NC 28602, USA
Saturday 11:00 PM
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Christ Church founding Pastor, Dana McKim, honestly admits that he did not want to come to Hickory, North Carolina. It didn’t fit his plan, his idea of what (and where!) he envisioned himself. Pastor Dana openly shares how he thought coming here was beneath him – not realizing God’s plan was bigger and better than he could have initially imagined. Now twenty-five years later Pastor Dana says he is amazed at the growth and impact Christ Church is making. “And to think I almost missed out on being a part of God’s plan!” Pastor Dana says, “I cannot imagine the extent to which God was offended when I wasn’t willing to come initially. And to think, I almost failed to accept the invitation.”
Much like the parable Jesus tells in Matthew 22:1-14, the Lord sends out an invitation to His Son’s wedding – a ‘great wedding feast’ – to which each of us have been invited. Will you RSVP or will you ignore the invitation, perhaps even mock it, and make your excuses? Maybe you have ‘better things’ to do. Perhaps God’s invitation does not fit into your schedule or deep down you think it’s beneath you. Your response reveals whether or not you are “worthy of the honor.” Jesus says: “For many are called but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14)
Read Matthew 22:1-14
This is one of many parables Jesus tells in order to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven. It seems Jesus continually offended the religious leaders as He spoke, taught, and healed. Jesus’ ministry and purpose didn’t fit their grid. Pastor Dana says when he and his core group started Christ Church twenty-five years ago, he had no idea the opposition he would face from other established churches.
1. Christ Church was started to reach “the least, the last, and the lost.” How does such a focus align with the king’s words in Matthew 22:8-10?
How does such a focus upset the establishment?
Although everyone is invited, the “good and bad alike”, we each must have on the proper wedding attire according to vv11-12. What are the ‘proper wedding clothes’? In Bible days, not only would the wedding hosts provide the venue, the food, and the entertainment, they would also provide proper wedding attire.
Since the ‘proper wedding attire’ is provided by the wedding host, what then, does this tell us about the proper wedding garment required– how and who has provided it and the fact that we must put it on? (see Romans 3:22-26)
We are called to ‘put on Christ’ like a new outfit that fits perfectly and looks good on us! Think about what it means to wear Christ – how does that look work for you? What will others see when an individual genuinely chooses to wear Christ from day-to-day? (see also Colossians 3:12-15)
As we choose to ‘put on Christ’ everyday, people around us will take notice. But know this, while there will be some who are attracted to The Christ that we wear, there will be others who are offended and repulsed by the look of Christ on us (as well, as the fragrance we emit, according to 2 Corinthians 2:14-17). LEGACY 2:10 is about wearing the wedding garment and helping others to wear the wedding garment. The invitation is for all—people along the roadside, on the outer edges of life, in pits of darkness and despair—all who do not yet know the extravagant grace of our coming King. Will they be ready? Are we getting the word out? Will you and I help them be ready? Hear the urgency in the apostle Paul’s words—
“… for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:11-14a).
Jesus said, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21).
2. What does Jesus mean when He speaks of those who ‘actually do the will of my Father in heaven?’
How do faith and good works go hand-in-hand? (see also Matthew 25:31-46 and James 2:14-26)
Jesus also says “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
3. How have you found Jesus’ words to be true for you personally – “the gateway to life being narrow and difficult”?
If you are like me, perhaps it is the personal relationship with the Lord (coupled with the reward in Heaven!) that helps you to press on for Christ amidst spiritual warfare, setbacks of the flesh, and outside opposition. How is LEGACY 2:10 causing you to re-evaluate your priorities?
Are you beginning to see more of the bigger picture of God’s eternal plan? In what ways are you determined to RSVP for this Heavenly banquet that has been prepared?
Jesus says,
“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let Him in the moment He arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for His return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, He Himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!”
(Luke 12:35-37)
Christ Church founding Pastor, Dana McKim, honestly admits that he did not want to come to Hickory, North Carolina. It didn’t fit his plan, his idea of what (and where!) he envisioned himself. Pastor Dana openly shares how he thought coming here was beneath him – not realizing God’s plan was bigger and better than he could have initially imagined. Now twenty-five years later Pastor Dana says he is amazed at the growth and impact Christ Church is making. “And to think I almost missed out on being a part of God’s plan!” Pastor Dana says, “I cannot imagine the extent to which God was offended when I wasn’t willing to come initially. And to think, I almost failed to accept the invitation.”
Much like the parable Jesus tells in Matthew 22:1-14, the Lord sends out an invitation to His Son’s wedding – a ‘great wedding feast’ – to which each of us have been invited. Will you RSVP or will you ignore the invitation, perhaps even mock it, and make your excuses? Maybe you have ‘better things’ to do. Perhaps God’s invitation does not fit into your schedule or deep down you think it’s beneath you. Your response reveals whether or not you are “worthy of the honor.” Jesus says: “For many are called but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14)
Read Matthew 22:1-14
This is one of many parables Jesus tells in order to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven. It seems Jesus continually offended the religious leaders as He spoke, taught, and healed. Jesus’ ministry and purpose didn’t fit their grid. Pastor Dana says when he and his core group started Christ Church twenty-five years ago, he had no idea the opposition he would face from other established churches.
1. Christ Church was started to reach “the least, the last, and the lost.” How does such a focus align with the king’s words in Matthew 22:8-10?
How does such a focus upset the establishment?
Although everyone is invited, the “good and bad alike”, we each must have on the proper wedding attire according to vv11-12. What are the ‘proper wedding clothes’? In Bible days, not only would the wedding hosts provide the venue, the food, and the entertainment, they would also provide proper wedding attire.
Since the ‘proper wedding attire’ is provided by the wedding host, what then, does this tell us about the proper wedding garment required– how and who has provided it and the fact that we must put it on? (see Romans 3:22-26)
We are called to ‘put on Christ’ like a new outfit that fits perfectly and looks good on us! Think about what it means to wear Christ – how does that look work for you? What will others see when an individual genuinely chooses to wear Christ from day-to-day? (see also Colossians 3:12-15)
As we choose to ‘put on Christ’ everyday, people around us will take notice. But know this, while there will be some who are attracted to The Christ that we wear, there will be others who are offended and repulsed by the look of Christ on us (as well, as the fragrance we emit, according to 2 Corinthians 2:14-17). LEGACY 2:10 is about wearing the wedding garment and helping others to wear the wedding garment. The invitation is for all—people along the roadside, on the outer edges of life, in pits of darkness and despair—all who do not yet know the extravagant grace of our coming King. Will they be ready? Are we getting the word out? Will you and I help them be ready? Hear the urgency in the apostle Paul’s words—
“… for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:11-14a).
Jesus said, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21).
2. What does Jesus mean when He speaks of those who ‘actually do the will of my Father in heaven?’
How do faith and good works go hand-in-hand? (see also Matthew 25:31-46 and James 2:14-26)
Jesus also says “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
3. How have you found Jesus’ words to be true for you personally – “the gateway to life being narrow and difficult”?
If you are like me, perhaps it is the personal relationship with the Lord (coupled with the reward in Heaven!) that helps you to press on for Christ amidst spiritual warfare, setbacks of the flesh, and outside opposition. How is LEGACY 2:10 causing you to re-evaluate your priorities?
Are you beginning to see more of the bigger picture of God’s eternal plan? In what ways are you determined to RSVP for this Heavenly banquet that has been prepared?
Jesus says,
“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let Him in the moment He arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for His return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, He Himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!”
(Luke 12:35-37)