05.26.24 Cis Kennard

Good morning, my name is Cis Kennard I am an Elder here at First Baptist Church. So what does that mean? While it is appropriate for my age, it means something a lot different. And A lot more.

To me, being called upon to be an Elder is an honor and a responsibility.

It is an honor to represent First Baptist Church in the community and elsewhere.

It is a Responsibility, I take seriously. Seeking God’s wisdom prayerfully in regards to individual needs of those attending First Baptist Church,

to the spiritual wellbeing and health of the congregation of First Baptist Church and to upholding God’s direction and work in accordance with his word at First Baptist Church.

As many of you know Mike grew up here at First Baptist Church, he can tell you stories about the old church and the people who served many years here.

The story I like to tell is how Mike and I visited 32 churches seeking a church we were comfortable in as second marriage couple 40 years ago. The reason I love to tell the story is because while we were looking God knew exactly where we needed to be right here at Sunnyside First Baptist Church.

I am here this morning to share a message, not because I know anymore than any one here but a message from my heart, an illustration from which I find strength for my faith. I was not raised in church, I am not a Bible scholar in fact I still struggle some times with is that book in the old testament or new testament ? I love teaching Children church because often time the children teach me or the lesson requires I search into God’s word to prepare the lesson for class.

I have prayed over this message and ask that it be received with the love with which it was prepared.

I would like to tell you about a friend of mine.

I first met this friend when I was about 12 years old. It was not big deal but I never forgot them.

When I was 15 this friend helped me to have the courage to leave home. My mother was married to her fourth husband and it was not a good situation for me.

This friend helped me to find peace, in 2002 when the doctor’s office called and told me I had an appointment the next day at the Cancer Center at Swedish Hospital in Seattle.

And My friend provided for Mike and I in 2013 when we lost just about everything we had worked for in the last 30 years overnight.

I haven’t always been close to this friend, in fact you might say this friend had been more or less my 911 friend. The friend you call when no one else can help you.

Yes, My friend is GOD

When I was 15 I was isolated from my extended family and friends, it was my friend God who gave me the courage to act like I was going to school one day and instead I walk all day to get to the juvenile detention office in the next town. There I turned myself in, so I wouldn’t be considered a “run away” and could be assured I would not have to go home.

Isaiah 41:10 says Do not be afraid—-I am with you! I am your God—-let nothing terrify you! I will protect you and save you.

And God did just that. To this day am not sure how I knew how to get where I was going or how I came up with the plan, but what I did know I had to do something and God was with me.

It was then I went into foster care moved to a new city and started a new life with a new name “Cis”.

In 2002 in the middle of my very very busy life, running two businesses and responsible to and for a lot of people .

God gave me the peace I needed to face the unexpected and the unknown.

In Seattle at Swedish I met with two doctors and a specialist preparing me for surgery.

Only God could give me the peace I needed to take time out from my very crazy busy life for surgery and recovery. Guess what else God did while the doctors and specialist were certain I had cancer I had none.

1 Peter 5:7. Says Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.

John 14:27 speaks a little more specifically to me saying

Peace is what I leave you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.

Between Mike’s support and the doctor’s I made a full recovery.

In 2013 when Mike and I faced an immediate financial crisis that eliminated our monthly income of $20,000 a month we used to support our real estate portfolio. We were left to live on Mike’s social security of $1200 a month. While our portfolio crumpled we seriously could do nothing but count on God’s promise that he would provide.

Psalm 145:15 says

All living things look to you and you give them food when they need it.

We looked to God, questioning would we have food? Would we have a place to live? The furnace in our house went out at the same time and it was December.

While it took four long years to sell everything and pay all our debts. God made sure we had food.

Yes. God promised. Luke 12: 23-24 says it best

Life is much more important than food, and the body is much more important than clothes. Verse 24 Look at the crows, they don’t plant seeds or gather a harvest; they don’t have storage rooms or barns; God feeds them! You are worth much more than birds!

Life is more important, we no longer worry about our portfolio. We were able relocated to the property we owned free and clear here in Sunnyside, and as Mike always says because I remind him, we have more than enough oil and flour for our next loaf of bread. We love our life and thank God everyday.

OH. We still have our trails, Mike had a heart attack, I lost my sister to ugly pancreatic cancer, our grandson Aiden was in a very tragic accident, while he survived some major injuries he has to deal with the fact that his passenger didn’t make it.

My friend God has been with us through it all and my personal relationship has gone from God being my 911 friend to being the friend I make sure I spend time with every morning.

I believe having a personal relationship with God it is a two way commitment. God being my 911 friend carried me through a lot but living everyday with God as a bestie is where I finds courage, peace, and hope.

Let’s talk about what it means to having a friendship; specifically a friendship, a personal relationship with God.

Maintaining a strong relationship with a friend any friend is a commitment. A commitment that takes time. A friendship with God, takes more than an hour on Sunday.

How about doing a daily devotion, making time for coffee with a friend to share your faith, or attending a Bible study? God gives us all the same amount of time. Maybe it is time to ask ourselves, how are we using our time to contribute to your relationship with God?

Maintaining a strong relationship with a friend requires ones willing-ness to do things for them.

Maybe they need you to pick something up at the store for them, feed their cat or water their plants. I am sure you wouldn’t think twice about doing things like that for a friend.

What about doing things for God?

There are so many things, big and small one can do to serve God right here at church. God needs help at church just like a friend needs help.

Have you thought about what could you do?

You wouldn’t go to a friend’s house for dinner and not offer to clear the table or help with dishes? This is God’s house, what can you offer to do?

Sometimes in a friendship relationship you are called upon to share your talent. I have a friend named Pat, I cut her hair she thinks I am talented and in return she teaches me things about cooking which is something I can always use. That is what friends do.

What talent, gift, or skills do you have that you could share here at the church? The church needs you to share your gifts. Your gift may not be as awesome as the worship team, but God gives us all gifts. If you don’t think you have a gift, ask a friend a true friend will share with you what they think your gift is, if that doesn’t work ask God.

Our God tells us what he expects of his friends in pretty exact terms

He even speaks of giving to the church financially. I know this is always a touchy subject but the reality is it takes money to turn the lights on, to maintain and repair the building and to have staff. God has been good to us here at FBC we don’t have outrageous expenses but we can’t have the luxury of these things without doing our part. I once heard giving to the church is not giving up something it is ones way to show gratitude for what they have received.

Scripture I need a scripture that refers to 10% $, 7 % time and all your talents

Besides all that he wants us to communicate with him, we are to carry everything to him in prayer, our sins, our grief, our trials and temptations. It is difficult to maintain a relationship with friends or God if you do not communicate. It takes two to have a conversation and/or a relationship. Are you talking or listening or doing either?

God wants us to meet together, this I say to those who think I don’t need to go to church to be a christian. We need each other and God knows that, he speaks to it in His word. We need to learn more about each other. Everyone has a story, some of us have lots of stories. We need to be there for each other. God wants us to love each other as he loves us. The more we love and show our love the better we can spread His love.

Hebrew 10:25 Let’s not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

My friend God is now much more than a 911 friend. We have a personal relationship that is the bases of my faith, very simply I can’t do life without Him.

That’s my story.

I pray that you know my friend, God. If you don’t we can talk, my number and the numbers for the other Elders are listed in the bulletin.

I pray you don’t just know Him, but you have a relationship with Him and will consider your investment in your relationship with Him more seriously. If you are not sure where to start, Pastor Jeff and the other Elders are here for you and of course everything we need to know is in His word.

I am Cis Kennard, I am a sinner, a friend of Jesus and proud to be an Elder at First Baptist Church.

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Discussion, Reflection Questions

1. What practical ways can we deepen our relationship with God.

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2. How can we trust God's provision and guidance, especially during challenging times?

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3. What does it mean to be a sacrificial giver?

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4. Why is sharing our talents and gifts with others significant?

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5. How can we identify and utilize our gifts for God's work?

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6. How do you build a solid personal relationship with Christ during trials?

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7. What lessons can we learn from a commitment to maintaining a solid relationship with God daily?

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8. How important are prayer and communication in our relationship with God and others?

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9. How can we apply the concept of serving God with our talents, gifts, and resources in our lives and the church community?