Sermon Notes...Penitentiary Philosophy

Scriptural Text...Genesis 25:27-34 (New Living Translation) As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. ²⁸ Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob. ²⁹ One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. ³⁰ Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”) ³¹ “All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” ³² “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?” ³³ But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob. ³⁴ Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.

Introduction: Prison is less of a place, and more of a mentality, a philosophy, a way of life. It has it's own language (void of help and hope) and it's own look (slave to struggling).

Transition: Esau and Jacob are twin brothers, who both in their own way possess a penitentiary philosophy. Esau works hard and doesn't pay attention to details. Jacob is a strategic thinker, who is always looking for an easy come-up.

Exposition: Let's pick your brain, and see if we can liberate your thinking...

1) You have a penitentiary philosophy when you're moment minded
-Age doesn't guarantee that you'll think critically.
-Esau wants to fill a legitimate void, but refuses to wait for a quality solution and makes a debilitating decision.

2) You're dealing with someone who has a penitentiary philosophy when they manipulate moments
-Jacob's character is trickery, but you wouldn't think of him conning his own brother. That was a dysfunctional decision.
-Immaturity will cause you to trample over people, to get what you want at their expense.

Conclusion: How do you get free from the penitentiary? Forgive!!! In Genesis 33, Esau and Jacob meet. Both were doing well apart from each other, but Jacob was blessed while burdened with guilt. Once forgiveness flowed, Jacob was free to build (verses 17/house and 20/altar).

*** Song credit to Erykah Badu: Listen to Erykah Badu sing Penitentiary Philosophy here ***

Sermon Notes...Molded By Moments

Scriptural Text...New Living Translation
Genesis 11:27-32 ²⁷ This is the account of Terah’s family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot. ²⁸ But Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, the land of his birth, while his father, Terah, was still living. ²⁹ Meanwhile, Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah. (Milcah and her sister Iscah were daughters of Nahor’s brother Haran.) ³⁰ But Sarai was unable to become pregnant and had no children. ³¹ One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai (his son Abram’s wife), and his grandson Lot (his son Haran’s child) and moved away from Ur of the Chaldeans. He was headed for the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there. ³² Terah lived for 205 years and died while still in Haran.

Genesis 12:1-9 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. ² I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. ³ I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” ⁴ So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. ⁵ He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran—and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, ⁶ Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites.
⁷ Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him. ⁸ After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and he worshiped the Lord. ⁹ Then Abram continued traveling south by stages toward the Negev.
Introduction: Our life experiences are responsible for shaping our attitudes and actions. Positive experiences shape our optimism and our will to be victorious. Negative experiences shape our faith and our decision to allow life to destroy us or develop us.

Transition: The story of our text is interesting, because everyone is relatively familiar with the end story of Abram, but not with the moments that molded him to be Abraham. Coincidently, most people know your glory but not your story!

Exposition: There are at least four movements of this passage, that allows us to know what moments matter the most in our lives...

1) Connections
Abram's father Terah, was ambitious but without steady focus. His name means wanderer; loiterer.

2) Challenges
After Terah's death, God approaches 75 year old Abram and tells him that he can be lifted if he leaves.

3) Covenants
Beware of relationships where you're chief of the sacrifices. God offers Abram a deal that he couldn't refuse.

4) Consecration
Our response to God's investment in us, should be total devoted diligence.

Sermon Notes...I Pledge Allegiance

Subject: I Pledge Allegiance...The Tug of War Between God and Country (A conversation spurred by the stance of Colin Kaepernick)

Introduction: There's an uncomfortable tension in the air, emotions are high and the stage for volatile eruptions is set. The hot but touchy topics of politics, the police, the economy, healthcare and race is the blame. Colin Kaepernick is lucky number seven for the San Francisco 49ers, but has become a household name because of his refusal to stand at games for the national anthem...

Overwhelming Observations: things about this story that leap out, that's noteworthy...

1) Right- America boasts of being the "home of the free" with a constitution whose First Amendment empowers him to sit when he pleases. This is simply a peaceful protest.

2) Reason- Civil rights has long been a historically tense issue. It's not a color problem but a human one. Inequality still exists and none are free until we all are! It's a  noble cause.

3) Responsibility- Influence and wealth should be used for good. At age 28, he's arrested the attention of the nation (positive and negative), for a cause that's greater than himself.

Transition: Humanity doesn't know how to balance well, because we're typically extremists. God is tugging on our heartstrings for our allegiance, but we continue to give it away to a world/system that continually let's us down. How doe's the scriptures bring this controversy to a calm?...

Exposition: Scriptural insight on why we should pledge our allegiance to God over country...

1) God is stronger...First Kings 18:1-40
In the face of fake politicians (Ahab and Jezebel), false prophets (450 of Baal; 400 of Asherah) and fickle people, God proved to be the true and living God!

2) God is smarter...Second Chronicles 1:7-12
Solomon requests wisdom from God. God grants his request by making Solomon the wisest man to ever walk the earth. How wise is the God that made Solomon wise (Isaiah 55:8-9).

3) God is deserving...Exodus 20:2
Prior to revealing the commandments of the covenant, God reminds Israel of why their allegiance is due to God alone, because it was God who delivered them!

Conclusion: God is tugging for your attention (prayer), allegiance (posture) and action (practice). Good Christians make good citizens!

Sermon Notes...Tales From The Hood (Part 2 of 3)

Scriptural Springboard...John 1:46a (New Living Translation) " “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

Subject...Something Good From The Hood (Player Hating)

Introduction: The hood is normally categorized by crime, corruption, drugs and prostitution. But many of us are products of the hood and we've got different stories to tell. It's a story of hope, hard work and people who never made it out of the hood but made sure that we did! What I'm suggesting today is boldly optimistic and is an aggressive truth, that something good can come from the hood! Bellevue, Unionville, Alphabet City, Pleasant Hill and Village Green! Philippians 1:6 says "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

Transition: Nazareth, Israel and Macon, Georgia have some similarities: small, economic struggles, religious strengths and they both are familiar with having a bad rap...

Overwhelming Observations: Things that leaped out of the text and wouldn't leave me alone...

1) Sometimes your motives doesn't match what comes out of your mouth
     -Player Haters aren't necessarily bad people they just don't process feelings before they speak

2) A friendship brought Nathanael to Jesus
     -"Come see" is the invitation and the implication is that Nathanael wasn't doing anything

3) Don't allow apprehension to keep your stuck in the shade, instead of living in the SON
     -Being cool is of no comparison to being warmed by the love and grace of God

4) The hood is an incubator for innovation
     -Don't allow where you are to limit who you can become

Sermon Notes...Tales From The Hood (Part 1 of 3)

Scriptural Springboard...Joshua 2:18 (New Living Translation) "When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house."

Subject...A Red Light District Rescue (Prostitution)

Introduction: Stories help us to connect with each other... The stories of this series will help connect us to God, with the understanding that the pain, problem or predicament you're plagued with is just a platform for God to display power over it.

Transition: The bible has some interesting characters who have some interesting chronicles. Prostitutes, pimps and player haters. Let's start with the story of Rahab the prostitute...

Exposition: Please pay attention to three aspects of this prostitute's life that she got extremely right...

1. Rahab didn't allow her history to control her destiny (verses 1-11)
    -She helped the spies by hiding them not having them.
    -Her profession didn't stand in the way of her prayers.

2. Rahab heard opportunity knocking and she opened the door (verses 12-14)
    -Help is only available for those that are hungry for it.
    -She made sure that she opened the door for a guest and not a visitor.

3. Rahab understood that salvation is meant to be shared (verses 14-21)
    -Your salvation must not be contained. Compel (by any means) them toward Jesus!
    -Who's in your house that needs to hear the helping word of the gospel? It's you they're waiting on!

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Sermon Notes...The Truth About Trouble

Text...John 16:33 (New Living Translation) " I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Introduction: Often, our disruption of peace because of problems, are due to our intentional actions. Following Jesus has consequences...
Out of all the places, people and predicaments that causes us trouble, Jesus reminds us that his word is what helps us find peace in him! When we're in trouble, it's not time to franticly run or to be frozen in fear, that the time to stand strong in faith, because peace is in Jesus and no place else!

Transition: Let's cause trouble some trouble, and pay it a visit in it's own context (where it is) and examine it's calling (what it doe's)...

Exposition: If we're to know the truth about trouble, it's necessary for us to listen in on this lesson that Jesus is teaching...

1) The Place of trouble... "Here on earth"
Be warned, that this planet is sinful soil and the atmosphere is polluted with evil. As long as you're here, trouble will be a good friend of yours.
Ephesians 6:12 "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
John 12: 31 "The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out."
John 14:30a "I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches."
 
2) The Promise of Trouble... "you will have"
Trouble is inevitable (you can't avoid it). No amount of strategic planning or good deeds, can keep trouble away from you. It's not even something that you have to look for, it finds you. All mortals have a contract with confusion... Job 1:6-12 One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. ⁷ “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan. Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” ⁸ Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” ⁹ Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. ¹⁰ You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! ¹¹ But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” ¹² “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.
3) The Problem of trouble... "many trials and sorrows"
A trial is a test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something. Don't give up on something that's not going to be over soon!
Sorrow is a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others. But you can defeat it! Philippians 4:13 says "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

Conclusion: Here's what Jesus had to say about the trouble that's been troubling us, "But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Hear this praise point, trouble doesn't last always, because it's already been defeated!

Sermon Notes...The Ministry of the Mirror

Introduction: Modern TV and magazines have fed our obsession with image. We are more concerned with what we portray as opposed to what we are.

Transition: God made us in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). The simple implication of that statement is that God intends for us to look and live like him.

The template for the creation of man was God's own self, by God's own hand. God looked in the mirror to find the pattern to make people, and found perfection!

Exposition: The function of the mirror is to...

1) Remind us of reality...Genesis 3 (READ HERE)
-We professionally lie to ourselves, but the mirror forces us to face the truth.
-The truth causes us to hide from the one who can restore the image that we've lost.

3) Ready us for the real world...James 1:22-23 ²² But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. ²³ For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. ²⁴ You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. ²⁵ But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
-There's an acceptable look for the house, then there's an outside look that's a different kind of acceptable. The problem has been, that some don't care that they bring the house look into the real world.
 -What the mirror exposes is a command to correct! ~A Walkerism

3) Recover the hidden image of God...2nd Corinthians 3:18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
-God's word is our mirror, that's sometimes harsh but it's always helpful to our recovery of God's purpose for our lives.
-Sometimes the mirror is our cheerleader (primes), but in most cases it's our coach (pushes).