Sebree First Christian Church

Sebree First Christian Church Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Sebree First Christian Church, Religious Center, 76 State Route 370 E, Sebree, KY.

From the Pastor’s StudyTransformed “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to pre...
08/19/2026

From the Pastor’s Study
Transformed

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NRSVUE‬‬

We continue our look at the lectionary second reading. This week I’m only going over the first two verses because they are so rich by themselves.

Paul has an interesting writing style. Anytime you see a “therefore” look at the preceding verses because he’s alluding to a previous point. In the previous passages, Paul talks about Jew vs Gentile, God’s Chosen vs God’s Church. There was strife in the Church in Rome between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians. Paul lays out that both are children of God, “So therefore present….”

Something interesting in the next part is the phrase “living sacrifice”. The sacrificial system was well know to Jew & Gentile, and no reasonable person would think these ‘sacrifices’ were alive. But we are different. In lieu of our death we are to present ourselves as living sacrifices, putting self aside.

Here is the part of this passage that I love, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind..” Here is something we need to remember, both Paul’s original audience as well as us today; we don’t have to CHOOSE to be confirmed the this age (or the world in some translations). We don’t have to choose that, that is our default setting. That’s not the factory setting when we are born, but the longer we are here, the longer we conform to the world. The CHOICE, therefore, is to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

I struggled with that idea for a long time. I used to think it’s behavioral modification. Don’t do bad things, do good things instead. But that’s not it! It’s allowing Jesus to transform our hearts and our minds; our default setting becoming to discern God’s will in every situation. When Jesus transforms something, truly transforms it, it stays transformed. What then? We discern God’s will, we follow God’s will, and we put God’s will in action.

All this is not to say that we won’t still fall short as disciples, of course we will. But that should not be our default setting.

So this week, are you conformed to the world? Or have you allowed Jesus to transform your mind?

- Bro. Kevin

08/16/2026

Sermon Title: He Said What?!?
Lectionary Text: Matthew 15: 10-28

1: Inner Purity
2: Pursuing inclusive faith

Mercy“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member...
08/12/2026

Mercy

“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.….for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so also they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they also may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭1-2a & 29‬-‭32‬ ‭NRSVUE‬‬

We continue our look at the lectionary second reading. This week Paul jumps into a subject that I love, mercy.

Paul starts our passage tackling a topic that seems to be a theme throughout the ages of Christianity; who is in and who is out. So Paul is writing this letter to the church in Rome. These early churches were a mixture of both Jews and Gentiles. There was often an argument about if God’s Chosen People were still God’s Chosen People, or did the church take their place.

Paul clears up confusion on the matter. God’s Chosen People are still his! The church did not supplant this and at the end of the day, as a gentile follower of Christ, I don’t need to understand this. Now this does not apply to the current nation-state of Israel. As the people of God were scattered all over prior to the 1940’s.

In today’s church this idea rears its ugly head when we as Christians decide who is in and who is out. Usually this starts with, well they are like me so they’re in. Or that person is nothing like me they’re out. We look at other denominations and say because they don’t do X, Y, or Z; they aren’t “true Christian’s”. They don’t vote for the same political party or causes like I do. They don’t have the same skin color as me. They play worship music instead of the old hymns. They take communion every Sunday. Their pastor wears a robe, or heaven forbid their pastor wears a dress.

I look at all the stress and strife that Christians who focus so hard on who’s in and who’s out and shake my head. There’s something that I’m so grateful for, God’s mercy. I know myself well enough to know I didn’t deserve it, but he gives it anyway. Here’s the kicker, there’s plenty of God’s grace and mercy for everyone! So instead of worrying about who’s in and out; I focus on being the person that reflects God’s grace and mercy through my actions, while I share the Good News with them with my voice.

- Bro. Kevin

08/09/2026

Sermon Title: Get out of the boat!
Lectionary Text: Matthew 14: 22-33

1: The Storm
2: Risky Faith
3: Divine Rescue

Repentant Faith“Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these thing...
08/05/2026

Repentant Faith

“Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim), because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart, leading to righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, leading to salvation. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭5‬-‭15‬ ‭NRSVUE‬‬

The other day as I was perusing through my Facebook feed I got drawn into a debate on how most people who claim to be Christians aren’t because they just said a prayer and were baptized. The author specifically noted the story of Simon the Sorcerer.

To catch you up, Simon was a sorcerer in Samaria who the people watched do great things. They believed he had the power of a god. Phillip then arrived and was genuinely healing and performing signs. The people believed in Jesus and even Simon believed and was baptized. Problem was the Holy Spirit had not come upon them yet. Peter and John traveled there and laid their hands on them and they received the Spirit. Simon, showing his true colors asks to pay for them to give him the Spirit and the ability to give the Spirit to others. Peter rebukes him and pretty well says he has no part in Christ.

Now that we’re caught up. The argument was well Simon believed and was baptized but Peter says he wasn’t saved. People mistake Paul’s wording in the passage of Romans where it says if you believe and confess you are saved. That not exactly what that passage says. The Greek word “pisteuetai” here is better translated to believe with repentant faith.

The NRSV translates it to believe in your heart. Closer but the book of James tells us that the demons believe and tremble. Simon entered into false faith. He thought if he went through the motions he would have what every one else did and would be able to use it for his own ends. Peter saw through that and saw he hadn’t truly repented.

Think of it this way, you hold your breath because someone tells you there is a poison in the air. After a time an expert in poisons comes by and gives the all clear, poison is gone. You believe them because you know they are an expert, but you don’t start breathing normally again and you die. Your belief did not turn into action, in Simon’s case repentance.

People argue what if any role human agency plays in salvation. The grace of salvation, no that is through Christ alone but salvation takes input from us as well. We have to accept (action) Christ’s invitation. We hate to repent (action) of our sins. We have to confess (action) that Jesus is Lord. If salvation doesn’t require any input from us then why isn’t salvation forced onto everyone?

It’s my prayer that everyone who reads this today is a Christian, one who repented of their sin and have been baptized in the name of Jesus. If you aren’t, come see us this Sunday at 10:45. You’ll hear the Gospel preached and will have an opportunity to start your journey with Jesus!

- Bro. Kevin

08/02/2026

Sermon Title: A Call to Love & Discipleship
Lectionary Text: Matthew 14: 13-21

1: Jesus’ Compassion
2: Earthly Kingdom vs Heavenly Kingdom
3: Miracles Can Happen

Separation “I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— I have great...
07/29/2026

Separation

“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own brothers and sisters, my own flesh and blood. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NRSVUE‬‬

This weeks second reading is a doozy! Remembering that Paul wrote this as a letter to a church, which was likely read aloud at a worship meeting; when they get to the “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart” that must have been a downer! Am I right?!?

I mean where’s the “nothing can separate us from the love of God” guy from the last chapter? Here’s the rub though, we have to remember that exact verse as we read this passage. I believe this is an instance where Chapters/Verse hinder our understanding of these verses.

Romans Chapters 9-11 are often used as a theological base for many different theological stances, which is not the intent or direction of this post. These verses in particular have been misused from everything from Christian Zionism on one side to Anti-Semitism on the other, again not the intention of this post.

What stands out to me is Paul’s emotion. Paul makes it clear that he would give up his own salvation for his fellow Jews to come to faith in Christ.

Anyone who has been at a single church for a long period of time can relate. We can all think back years ago to a specific person or family that no longer attends and we would give anything to get them back; and we are justified in wanting that!

Writer Martha Highsmith likens it to a family member who excused themselves from the table and never came back. We stare at the empty chair, or in this case pew, and we miss them. We might even resent the fact that they aren’t there. But 9: 1-5 can only be understood through 8: 38-39. Even when disciples separate ourselves from one another, nothing can separate us from the love of God!

As members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) we describe ourselves as The People of the Table. Our service is centered in the Lord’s Table, our emblem is a Chalice. Every week we gather around the Lord’s table and while we should never forget the empty seats, it is up to each and every disciple to pray for those who excused themselves, to connect with them, to love them as God loves us, and to remind them; there is always room at the table.

- Bro. Kevin

07/26/2026

Sermon Title: Understanding the Kingdom of God
Lectionary Text: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52.

1: Seeds
2: Yeast
3: Treasure

Since I wrapped up the men’s devotional and Jackie is taking a break from the women’s and the devotionals are missed; I’...
07/22/2026

Since I wrapped up the men’s devotional and Jackie is taking a break from the women’s and the devotionals are missed; I’ll start doing a weekly devotional based on the secondary reading of the upcoming weeks lectionary. Just look for “From the Pastor’s Study image.

Leaving it Behind:

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son but gave him up for all of us, how will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ who died, or rather, who was raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than victorious through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬-‭39‬ ‭NRSVUE‬‬

This passage from Romans is often used by Pastors at funerals, I’m sure I’ve actually used it in one of the few funerals I have done. Rightfully so because it says not even death can separate us from God’s love, meaning those in Christ.

You see life is all about leaving things behind. Jackie and I are quickly learning this lesson as we are rapidly approaching the empty nest phase of our lives. Think of it, when you graduate high school and turn 18; you leave your childhood behind and enter young adulthood. Around 25 years of age or so you leave behind young adulthood and enter adulthood. Barring a tragedy, a child will say goodbye to their parents as their parents leave them behind and enter eternity. Parents, like Jackie and I, will say goodbye to their children as they move off into their adult lives and leave us behind.

There’s a song called Fade In/Fade Out by the band Nothing More. Fair warning they’re not a Christian band but the song is very good and brings a tear to my eye when I think about my dad. It says,

“Just the other day I looked at my father
It was the first time I saw he'd grown old
Canyons through his skin and the rivers that made them
Carve the stories I was told

He said
"Son, I have watched you fade in
You will watch me fade out
I have watched you fade in
You will watch me fade out
When the grip leaves my hand
I know you won't let me down

Go and find your way
Leave me in your wake
Always push through the pain
And don't run away from change
Never settle
Make your mark
Hold your head up
Follow your heart
Follow your heart"

This is the nature of life. We always have to leave things behind or get left behind ourselves. And it stings! Life is hard. But Paul writes, that not even death itself can separate us from the love of God! I mean that is a true promise right there. That even when I die, God’s love is perfect. God’s love is constant. For the believer this should bring us so much comfort when times get hard.

All we have to do is commit to following Jesus and leaving behind our old life, our old self. Allow him to guide us in becoming a new creation in him. I pray that this message reminds you how much love God has for each and every one of us. Blessings!

- Bro. Kevin

Address

76 State Route 370 E
Sebree, KY
42455

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sebree First Christian Church posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category