Church guide

Whom do you serve: God, or money? You can't serve both. It's not which one do you serve MORE, but which ONE do you serve?

If you read the world's news, you read of the world's constant unrest. If you read the Good News, you read of how to find rest in Jesus. Are you part of the kingdom of unrest or the kingdom of rest? Which kingdom are you promoting? Are you an ambassador for Christ in your daily life, imploring the world to be at peace with God?

"Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great." -- Jesus (Luke 9:48) Jesus is the Great One (Lord of lords, King of kings), yet he became Least among us....even to the point of laying down his life. If you aspire to greatness (which you should!), then aspire to be *the least* -- follow in the steps of the Greatest -- love one another and lay down your life for others (1 John 3:16).

Remember the words of our Savior from Luke 9: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Self-denial is a *daily* responsibility, not a once and done thing. Keep Christ and the cross at the forefront of your life every single day. There is no life without him, so give him your all, and you'll find that he is all you need.

If you've repented, have you also asked the follow up question, "What then shall we do?" This week we'll be studying Luke 3 and honing in on this. "...Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

Life Chain Rally is today from 2-3pm. Christians across Peoria will be standing in united prayer against abortion. The chain is from 7405 N University to the Metro Centre. If you'd like to join the chain, arrive at 7405 N University at 2pm.

If you're reading this, then you're invited! Come to 204 W Armstrong Ave on Wednesday, 9/27/17 at 5:45pm for some grilled chicken! Bring a side or dessert or chips or a drink to share. Feel free to bring a friend. If you plan on coming, please send us a private message, or text Pastor Nate at 309-582-4839. See you there!

This morning, Pastor Nate with fellow brothers in the faith, shared the good news of salvation in Christ to those downtown Peoria. A man who had left the Church many years ago, following the ways of the world, turned at our call, repented of his waywardness, and said he wants to rejoin the fellowship of saints! Praise God! "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins" (James 5). If you want to join in this gospel ministry, send us a message, and we'll connect to share the faith with others!

Tonight we'll be studying Malachi: “Behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts." Are you one of the arrogant/evildoer/stubble who will be set ablaze or are you one who fears the Lord/has healing from the Lord/rejoices in the Lord over the wicked?

We've got some great news! - Church of the King is now partnered with Women's Pregnancy Center in Peoria! This is because we're not just generically "pro-life" - we're Pro "Abundant" Life. Those with unplanned pregnancies don't just need short term help - they need long term discipleship and community - which is what our ministry seeks to accomplish! If you want to be involved in this effort, send us a message!

We had an amazing night of Bible study in Haggai tonight! Prioritize the building of the Lord's house (seek *first* the kingdom of God). Prioritization of your own house leads to diminished rewards, but prioritization of God's house brings blessing (and all these things shall be added to you). Pay close attention to the details in your life, for God uses even the little things to draw your attention to serving him wholeheartedly. Be strong. Fear the Lord. Don't quench the stirring up of the Spirit. Do the work of the ministry.

Pure and humble speech is the characteristic of a unified people of God. Tonight we will be studying the prophecies of Zephaniah. He prophesied a time when the Lord "will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord..." The Lord says, "I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord...they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue." (from Zephaniah 3). So we ask you today, have you humbled yourself before the face of the Lord? Is your speech pure and humble before God and all people?

One of our themes we've reflected on throughout the year is this: Eschatology is ethical. We're not supposed to just learn about eschatological prophecies - we're supposed to live out the law of God, seeking out the lost, tangibly serving those in need, defending the oppressed, etc. The knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea as the people of God "let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24).

This Wednesday we'll begin a study on Old Testament prophets, beginning with Elijah. Check out this video on 1-2 Kings to get a taste!

Starting this Wednesday, 1/4/17, Nate Riese will be hosting a Bible study every Wednesday at the Riese's house (204 W Armstrong Ave, Peoria, IL). Feel free to come at 6:45pm and things will start shortly after (it'll last about an hour). If you plan on coming, please text or call him to let him know: 309-582-4839, or fb message us. It'll be an enriching time of prayer, singing, teaching, communion, and fellowship. We hope to see you there!

Among our Scripture readings from this coming Lord's Day is Malachi 4:1-6: 1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. 4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

Come join with hundreds of other Christians throughout Peoria at the annual Life Chain at 2:00pm this Sunday, 10/2/16. We will be meeting at the Women's Care Center parking lot (7319 N University St.). From there you will be handed a sign to hold while we form a chain down University Street. We hope to see you there!

This coming Lord's Day sermon: We Must be Brought to God (John 3:1-21)

COTK's (and the Riese's) first baby boy!

This Sunday (8/28/16) at 2:00pm Obadiah Riese will be baptized! Join with Nate and Kelli Riese in celebration of God's faithfulness! Please pray that Obadiah will grow in the Lord to be a good and faithful servant!