Sermon Notes: Ain't Too Proud to Beg

Title... Ain't Too Proud to Beg

Text... Romans 12:1 (New Living Translation) "And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind the will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."

Introduction: The Temptations we're an impeccably dressed, smooth voiced group of talented men, who knew that sometimes begging isn't a bad thing. The Temptations and the Apostle Paul, display the skills to sweet talk their way into progressive action.

Transition: Paul transitions abruptly from doctrinal faith affirmations, to chapter 12 with practical faith applications. The immediate implication is that this is an appeal to the Christian's close kinship; this is a family affair! Sadly, family won't always volunteer to do the right thing, and sometimes begging seems to work.

Exposition: Paul packs this single verse, with a significant plea, for the children of God to be devoted to and concerned about pleasing God by doing our absolute best...

This is too serious for us to make verbal vows today, and do nothing to improve. Reference Matthew 15:8-9 "‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’” 

     -Plead...God desires, deserves and demands our best. Mediocrity isn't an option, because Jesus was sacrificed so we can live! This plea isn't merely for our individual lives, but it's spiritual, including the church of Jesus Christ.

     -All...This word sounds exhaustive. The list of the Lord's love acts, is far too long for us to count!After all that the Lord has done for me, I'm going to do the best I can for him!

     -Done...God is a show me God! Reference Romans 5:8 "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

     -Sacrifice...Paul gives a parallel between the dead offering form (animal blood for atonement; fat gives adoration to God for the meat), and the living reality. Worship in it's true form is a lifestyle. Being good and doing good in daily life, pleases and glorifies God.

Conclusion: Colossians 3:23 "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."

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Sermon Notes: When Your Hustle Is A Hassle

Title... When Your Hustle Is A Hassle

Text... Exodus 18:13-27 *Follow link to the scripture*




Introduction: We are familiar with Moses as a hero, but in our vernacular he was a hustler. Work didn't intimidate him. Moses was a man's man, who had a hard time bringing his life into balance.

Transition: Single life gives you freedom to pour yourself into whatever you desire to, but when you are in a committed relationship, you have to make sure that your hustle doesn't become your hassle...

Exposition: Here are the signs you should beware of...

1) Your methods are antiquated
A Walkerism: "Struggle is a mentality. Change the way you think/act and better living is the result." If everything around you is growing and moving on, but you remain the same, demolition will be imminent.

2) You're everyone's first call
When you are everyone's crutch, there's no need for them to heal. You've effectively crippled them, by teaching them that you'll always be there to catch them when they fall.

3) You don't have time for yourself
Spending all of your time helping others is noble, but it's not wise (Reference Mark 14:7). It's important to your health and sanity, to learn how to say NO! Their problem doesn't have to be your priority.

Take-A-Way: Jethro's advice was critically constructive and lovingly shared, then he went back home. Stop trying to shove your advice down other people's throats!

Sermon Notes: Parts Unknown ~ Be Careful With Me

Title... Parts Unknown ~ Be Careful With Me (Anthony Bourdain, Cardi B & Psalm 55 collide)
Text... Psalm 55 

Three Primary Assertions:
1) Often life is hard and lonely... verses 1-3
2) Disappearing is an unhealthy thought... verses 4-8
3) There's deliverance for those in despair... verses 16-19, 22-23

Anthony Bourdain:
We all have Parts Unknown that even those closest to us, have no clue exist. Deep, dark and damaging parts, that cause us to be dysfunctional when left to ourselves. It's not always about being unhappy or being depressed; some people are just impulsive, tired and others feel like their out of options.

Cardi B:
Success is not a shield against being hurt and broken. Life is just as hard for the rich as it is for the poor. So Cardi makes lot of sense when she says:

I gave you everything, what's mine is yours

I want you to live your life of course

But I hope you get what you dyin' for

Be careful with me, do you know what you doin'?

Whose feelings that you hurtin' and bruisin'?

You gon' gain the whole world

But is it worth the girl that you're losin'?

Be careful with me

Yeah, it's not a threat, it's a warnin'

Be careful with me

Yeah, my heart is like a package with a fragile label on it

Be careful with me.

Psalm 55: Be honest with God, so God can help you. Don't bottle up your anger/aggression (verses 9-14), because some things need to be talked out. There's nothing wrong with having a pastor and a therapist! You need to pray and take your pills! Health begins with honesty, with yourself, with God and with other people.