Service: The Most Excellent Way

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Whoever wants to be great must be the servant of all.

TEXT - Mark 10:35-45

1. The “Drum Major Instinct” is real.

• Mark 10:35-37

• Philippians 2:3-4

2. Jesus models “the most excellent” way.

• Mark 10:42-44

• 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13

3. We demonstrate love by “laying down our life.”

• Mark 10:45

• John 15:12-13

• Romans 5:8

• Isaiah 53:5

NEXT STEP: Serve someone.

JOURNAL - Who will I serve?

REFLECTION - In April 1945, Staff Sergeant Henry "Red" Erwin flew 10 missions as a radio operator aboard a B-29 Superfortress in the Pacific. During low-level bombing missions, Erwin’s additional duty was to drop white phosphorus smoke bombs to mark targets for the trailing formation. On his 10th mission one of the bombs exploded prematurely, shot backward, and struck Erwin directly in the face. The chemical instantly blinded him and engulfed his body in flames.

White phosphorus burns at roughly 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit and cannot be easily extinguished as long as oxygen is present. The B-29 immediately filled with thick, blinding smoke that obscured the pilot's vision and sent the massive aircraft into a dive. Realizing the plane and everyone on board would perish if the bomb ignited the aircraft's ammunition, Erwin took action. He picked up the molten, burning canister with his bare hands. Blind and burning alive, he crawled forward through the narrow fuselage, holding the bomb tightly between his forearm and his torso.

He stumbled into the cockpit, located the co-pilot's window, and threw the bomb out. His 22 seconds of heroism saved the plane and 11 crew members. Erwin suffered critical injuries which he was not expected to survive. But he did. He spent 30 months in the hospital and underwent 41 surgeries, ultimately regaining his eyesight and the use of one arm.

“Greather love has no one than this.”

Be a Witness: Testimony

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The power of our testimony rests not on human cleverness, but on the transforming power of God.

TEXT - 2 Corinthians 2:1-5, Matthew 9:35-38

1. Know Jesus.

• 1 Corinthians 15:3

• Philippians 3:7-8

• Galatians 6:14

2. Embrace Weakness.

• John 9:25

• Mark 5:18-20

• Acts 1:8

3. Rest in God’s power.

• Zechariah 4:6

• Matthew 9:35-38

NEXT STEPS

1. Declutter your testimony.

2. Ditch the pressure.

3. Shift the burden.

Be a Witness: Good News

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - God calls us to give a testimony.

TEXT - 1 Peter 2:9-16

1. Testimony #1 - Good deeds.

• “Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary, use words.” Unknown

• 1 Peter 2:12,15

2. Testimony #2 - Good news.

• Luke 2:10-11

• Romans 1:16

• Mark 16:15

• 2 Corinthians 15:1-4

3. Testimony #3 - Good Jesus.

• 1 Peter 3:15

• Ephesians 6:15

• 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

NEXT STEPS

1. Describe what Jesus has done.

2. Describe what Jesus is doing.

3. This is your testimony. Share it.

Be a Witness: Hospitality

Pastor Steve Poole

SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:1-10

1. Hospitality was modeled by Jesus.

• Luke 19:1-10

• Luke 7:37

2. Hospitality isn’t hosting, it's loving others well.

• φιλοξενία - Philo - to love + Xenos - strangers (others)

• Romans 12:13

• 1 Peter 4:8-10

• Hebrews 13:1-2

3. Hospitality creates opportunities to share the gospel.

NEXT STEPS

1. Pray who God wants you to invite to share a meal with and practice hospitality. (unbelieving neighbor or coworker)

2. Invite them over and be hospitable

3. Make a plan to practice hospitality regularly.

JOURNAL PROMPT

What keeps me from practicing hospitality with my neighbors and coworkers?

Witness: Love - August 9, 2026

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - People not projects.

TEXT - Acts 1:8

Love every person.

2 Corinthians 5:14. The Love of Christ compels me.

Witness is an act of love.

Love every person at every threshold. (Mark 4:26-29)

Trust.

Curiosity.

Openness.

Seeking.

Follower.

Love every person, at every stage, over the long term.

Acts 1:8

Acts 28:24

NEXT STEPS

Journal and pray. Who is my low hanging fruit?

Love someone who does not yet follow Jesus.

Go deeper: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/player/video/900376?session=949542&position=0&drawer=study-guide

Can I get a Witness? - August 2, 2026

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses.”

TEXT - Acts 1:1-8

Be a clear witness.

Luke 1:1-4

Acts 1:1-3

1 John 1:1-3

Acts 4:20

Be a credible witness.

Acts 1:8

Matthew 5:13-16

Be a comfortable witness.

1 Peter 3:15

Isaiah 43:10

NEXT STEPS

Journal and pray. What would help me be a more comfortable witness?

Send your journal thoughts to Kent@cedarhillscr.org.

Invest in growing in your practice of witness for the next 5 weeks.

JOURNAL PROMPT

What would help me be more comfortable as a witness for Jesus?

REFLECTION

The woman in John 4 went to the local well to get water. When she arrived, she met Jesus. After her encounter with Jesus she becomes a witness. This is what happened: Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. (John 4:28-30)

A simple testimony can have a profound effect. When is the last time you shared what Jesus has done?

PRAYER

LORD, Thank you for saving me and calling me to belong to you. Please forgive me for the times I’ve failed to tell others about you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me boldness. Open my eyes to see the people around me, give me the words to say, and help me to speak with kindness and love. Let my life, my actions, and my words point others to Jesus. Use me to bring your light to a dark world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Better Together July 26, 2026

Pastor Kent Landhuis,

THEME - We love one another in practical everyday ways.

TEXT - John 15:12-13

1. Community is not an idea but a way of life.

a. 1 Corinthians 12:21-31

b. Acts 2:5, 7-9

c. Revelation 7:9-10

2. This way of life creates a better world for everyone.

a. John 15:5, 12-13

b. “Individualism leads to the degradation and destruction of people.” (The Social Fabric Project)

3. This better world comes by loving in practical ways.

a. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

NEXT STEPS:

Expand your flock.

JOURNAL PROMPT

Who in our community (Which body part?) are you most likely to exclude from your flock? How can you love them in a practical way?