King Who?
Pastor Jim Kilby • September 6, 2023
Jesus' followers were quite dismayed at when He refused to take up arms and fight, choosing instead to be led to the slaughter. Always before, when a king decided to overthrow another kingdom, it was done with the sword. How unimaginable it must have seemed when they finally realized Jesus intended to be crucified on a Roman cross. He'd hinted of this death over and over again, but like people always do, they tended to hear what they wanted to hear. They clearly heard the "king" and the "kingdom" part, even arguing who would be "first" when it was established. What they failed to hear was that this foe was different than any adversary war had ever been waged against. To win this battle Jesus would have to defeat what was used to win every other war. Jesus would have to defeat death itself. The only way to accomplish this was to come back from the dead. This would require a huge sacrifice on God's part. Or, maybe we should say, a "perfect" sacrifice.
"'You are a king, then!' said Pilate. Jesus answered, 'You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.'" John 18:37
Pastor Jim Kilby
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I ran into a forty-something woman today who told me she believed she had found real truth in a local Christian church a few years ago, but just as she was investigating baptism and such she had to leave the church. When I asked why, she explained that her mother heard about her conversion and said she would "disown her" if she changed her religion. I thought only teenagers and college students were susceptible to this type of extortion, but I guess I was wrong. What's worse, when I told her that she needed to pursue the Truth (Jesus) at any cost, she quickly stopped me and told me that her mother had now passed away--as if to say, "Don't speak ill of the dead." Never being too worried about what dead people think about anything, I simply told her that if her mother was wrong, she's now crying out to God to send someone to tell her daughter the Truth! This Scripture was in my mind as I urged her to reinvestigate the Truth of Jesus! It's actually from the perspective of three dead people, and told by One who was raised from the dead! "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side [paradise, or heaven]. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them.' "'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 16:19-31) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Remember that guy that Jesus brought back from the dead after he'd been dead for days? His name was Lazarus and I'd bet he didn't come out of the cave with a bad attitude! Sometimes I wonder why so many Christians look like they've been sucking on a lemon all day. Maybe it's because they've forgotten how they felt the day Jesus brought them back from the dead. At any rate, joy should be the immediate and permanent attitude of anyone who's been dead and then finds new life in Christ. If you've not found joy in your heart lately, it's time to get on your knees and ask God to remind you of all He's done on your behalf. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
I think just about every Christian, and even most non-Christians, would agree that mercy is an absolutely necessary ingredient for us all to live together--especially as a community of believers. Sometimes though, I think we can take mercy too far and actually hurt people. Let me explain. The other day, I had a conversation with a man and his wife who recently had some serious problems with one of their older children. Their child had gotten into some serious debt, and the creditors were beginning to be very unhappy. The parents came up with the money in an effort to help their child... and I must admit, I might have done the same thing. Unfortunately, their child immediately repeated the error, but, this time to the tune of an even larger amount of money. Now what do the parents do? Mercy, in this instance, would be the wrong medicine. Accountability and responsibility were probably more likely to have a positive effect. To go one further, I understand that my real father had quite a drinking problem (although I never really knew him). His disease led to many other problems, like theft, fighting, etc. My God fearing grandmother--probably the kindest woman I've ever met--continually stood up for him and bailed him out of tough situations, and eventually jail. Just a few years after her death, he was found dead on the streets of Los Angeles. He was homeless and had drank himself to death at fifty eight. I believe in my heart that a little more tough-love could have led him to assume more responsibility for his actions when he was young and possibly changed the outcome of his life--and probably mine! The painful truth is, my grandmother's persistent use of mercy may have helped my father become ill-prepared for real life--because the truth is, real life can be merciless! "A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; for if you deliver him, you will have to do it again." Proverbs 19:19 (NKJV) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
When I was in college I had a professor tell me that the greatest thing I could learn there was how to learn more. He was essentially saying that the process of reading all those books and writing papers to exhaustion was more about teaching me the skills necessary to learn, and less about the things I was learning. To be honest, after being out of college for a decade or so, most of what I learned has been overcome by events. Although the basic foundations for my education were no doubt set in my earlier years, any really valuable knowledge I have has been learned in the last year or two. Unfortunately, a lot of people approach studying the Bible with a similar attitude. In doing so, they miss the whole point of the Bible. Anything God teaches us is ready for application in our lives and will never be updated or overcome by anything. God isn't teaching us how to learn, but teaching us so that we can honor Him and honor His Son--the Word! "When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord" Acts 13:48a Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
"Jesus replied, 'And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?'" Matthew 15:3 There's something about human nature that can make each of us do silly things at times. "Church folks" are no exception to that rule. I'm always stunned and amazed at our ability to burden Christ's sheep with "stuff" they must do (or not do) to be right with God. Clearly, there are commandments that Jesus and the early disciples passed on to us, but many of the things we "command" in churches today have no real Scriptural basis. For example, I once heard someone snottily remark, "You don't go to church on Wednesday night?" to another church member. Sure, getting together in God's house is an awesome thing to do... but is it something to look down on someone else for if they miss a night? Isn't "judging" also condemned by Christ? The way I see it, "human nature" can be easily translated "sin nature." Will we ever understand, that our Lord died to free us from the unyielding bonds of the Law? We are free... free to follow our Lord with all our hearts! "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts." Proverbs 18:8 "Hey, did you hear about...?" There's just something about gossip (intimate, private or sensational stores told about someone behind their back) that causes the sinful ear to want to lean in and listen. What's probably worse, is then the sinful mouth wants to share what it hears with another set of ears. The Christian must fight the urge to gossip at any level. Gossip has a way of destroying people and their reputations like little else. If "doing unto others as you would have them do unto you" (words of Jesus Himself) has any bearing in the world, it no doubt applies to gossip. Honestly, would you want gossip being spread about you behind your back? So, the next time someone says, "Hey, did you hear about....?" You might ask if it's gossip they're trying to share. If it is, tell them you won't be a party to it. If they think your a freak, tell them you're a Jesus freak! "A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends." Proverbs 16:28 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Throughout Scripture, God has had a problem with people who sit on the fence between serving Him and serving whatever else their eyes are on. While that may not seem like something that effects too many people, I believe it effects all of us from time-to-time at one level or another. What's interesting is that it also effects Christians. We say Jesus is our Lord, but then our eyes wonder here and there, often serving ourselves rather than our God. While the Old Testament is full of examples where people almost systematically invented gods they could serve instead of the real God, sometimes it seems like New Testament believers haven't gotten much more sophisticated. So the question remaining is this: Are you serving God, or someone or something else? "So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said, 'How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.'" 1 Kings 18:20-21 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
" Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, NIV) Dear Friends, There are seasons in life when the weight of this world feels especially heavy. Families face unexpected hardship, young people wrestle with anxiety and loneliness, and many quietly carry burdens no one else can see. Yet in every season, God remains faithful. His Word reminds us, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1). At Harvest Youth Ministries, we have the privilege of seeing that truth lived out every week. We meet individuals who feel forgotten, discouraged, or overwhelmed, and we watch as the Lord brings hope through simple acts of love, encouragement, prayer, and practical help. Time after time, God proves that no situation is beyond His reach and no life is beyond His restoration. Because of your faithful giving and prayers, out ministry continues through programs like Harvest Helps, where we work to identify and meet real needs for young people and families in our community and solve them immediately - usually within hours! Sometimes that means helping with food, transportation, clothing, household needs, or connecting someone to resources during a crisis. Other times it simply means listening, praying, and reminding someone they are not alone. Through Harvest House, Second Harvest Thrift Store, and our ongoing outreach efforts, doors are always opening for meaningful conversations and opportunities to share the love of Christ. Thank you for being a part of this mission. Your support is more than generosity - it is a lifeline to many who need hope. Please continue praying for those we serve, that each practical act of kindness would also point hearts toward the healing grace and saving love of Jesus Christ. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby
“The Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:17 Friends, Sometimes a fundraiser is just a fundraiser, and a thrift store is just a thrift store. Over 18 years ago, we set out with a simple plan—to support the ministry by selling donated items and generating income. Yet how often does God take what we see as support work and turn it into something far greater than we ever imagined? Recently, I was sharing with Aaron how this time of year often feels a little slower with Harvest Helps—fewer requests, fewer meetings, fewer immediate needs. He responded by pointing out how the thrift store has actually been a hotbed of spiritual activity over the past few weeks. It was a good reminder of just how much ministry happens there every single day. One of our employees recently strengthened our volunteer program, and we’ve welcomed several individuals through “return-to-work” programs. These are people recovering from job-related injuries who volunteer with us while still being paid by their employers until they’re ready to return to their regular roles. At first, we simply saw it as a practical blessing—extra help easing our workload—and we thanked God for it. But, in true God fashion, He wasn’t finished. What we initially saw as a logistical blessing has become something far greater. During their time at the store, these volunteers are consistently exposed to the gospel. We don’t hide the faith behind what we do—we’re open about the “why” of both the store and the ministry. Sometimes we can answer their questions directly and share the gospel clearly; other times, we simply look for ways to quietly love and serve them, demonstrating God’s love in action. Imagine showing up to work and finding people praising the Lord, confessing sin, and encouraging one another. This happened just last week. Imagine hearing about someone who had walked away from the faith now running back to Christ. Imagine being asked to pray with someone by the dumpster because they’ve heard, “those people love Jesus.” Ministry is all around us—and God is inviting us to join Him in it. CELEBRATIONS!!! Ms. C – Received household items after moving from a shelter into a new home with her kiddos! Mr. B – Received rent after being out of work due to health issues and hospitalization. Ms. L – Received groceries for herself and her six kiddos after losing her job. Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby
