5 Simple Steps: Frustration

Here are five simple steps for dealing with frustrations in your life.

Ask yourself, "Did I cause it?" The Bible says, "A man reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7b NIV). We are frustrated by many things in life because we bring them on ourselves.

Ask yourself, "What can I learn from it?" Romans 8:28 says, "In all things God works for the good of those who love him." There are many bad things in the world, but all things work together. God can even take the negative and turn it into a positive if we let him. Use irritation as an opportunity to become more like Christ.

Thank God in the situation. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Give thanks in all circumstances." You don't have to be thankful for a bad situation, but you can be thankful in a bad situation. Frustration may be a blessing in disguise.

Turn the frustration into a funny, humorous event. The Bible says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22). A sense of humor is God's antidote for anger and frustration.

Ask God to fill you with his love. Why? Because 1 Corinthians 13:5 says, "[Love] is not easily angered." Love is self-giving, not self-serving. We get irritated because we think everyone and everything has to revolve around us. Love concentrates on the other person.

Jesus faced constant frustrations, but he never got irritated. He always made time for people. We get so preoccupied with our own things that we forget that people are the priority in life.

***Thanks to Rick Warren for the insight!

Sermon Notes...When Pain Persists

When Pain Persists

2nd Corinthians 12:7b-10 (New Living Translation) "So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.⁸ Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Introduction: Pain plagues humanity in a variety of forms (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual). Two observations must be made: 1) That's life   2) Don't isolate yourself

Transition: Our text is a part of an interesting and possibly a confusing story. Paul is trying to explain (as best as his mind and mouth can) an experience either dreamed or had. He resolves that because of the experience, he received a persistent pain...

Exposition: When Pain Persists, consider the course of action that Paul took...

1...Consider the PURPOSE of the pain (verse 7)
God will allow (not cause) pain to persist in order to teach us humility. We have nothing to be proud about except being saved from our sins. Even in salvation, the we can't boast unless we're bragging on Jesus!

2...Consider PRAYING persistently about the pain (verses 8-9a)
Paul talks to the only person who can alter his condition. God responds to all three requests by simply saying that grace is all you need!

3...Consider being POSITIVE while in pain (verses 9b-10)
Your perspective matters. Don't allow persistent pain to make you pessimistic. This pain isn't your first rodeo and it won't be your last. So, fix your face and get your mind right and be confident in the fact that the great God lives within you and nothing in this world is a match for him!

Sermon Notes...God Is Able

Ephesians 3:20 (New Living Translation) "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

Introduction: Paul is tasked by God to carry the gospel to a group of people, who are not Jewish and are thought of as unloved by God. He proclaims the Good News, practices humility in his presentation and prays that they progress in God.

Transition: Romans 1:16 teaches us that the gospel saves, and it was given to the Jews first and also the Greeks. The declaration is that even though you may not be first, that God Is Able to bring Good News your way!...

Exposition: This text makes a trinity of affirmations, that deserve our attention...

1) God Is Able...That alone makes God worthy
Our worship is hinged on God's ability, not his action; his worth and not his work. If God doe's nothing at all, he's still worthy! So, our worship is a declaration that tells God "I know you"!

2) God Is Able...That absolutely makes God qualified
Sin is serious business, that requires a serious savior. So, stop giving God a hard time while he's working on you! Sin took down the smartest man: Solomon, and the sweetest man: David, and the strongest man: Samson, so don't think that it won't get you!

3) God Is Able...That amazingly makes God faithful
Since our thinking is finite, our requests are severely limited. So God hears our limited request and in his infinite wisdom, he overrides our ignorance and doe's exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask, or even think! Thank God that he doesn't just give me what I ask for, but he gives me so much more!

***Special shout out to Pastor Steve Wagers, for the insight on point 2 of the exposition.

Looking Foward

Good afternoon! As your pastor, it's my duty to care for you by ordering your spiritual life, in the teaching of God's word, covering you in prayer, keeping a progressive and holistic vision before you and by leading our faith community in the celebration of the sacraments (communion and baptism). I take those responsibilities extremely seriously and I'm working as strategically as I possibly can, to position us for stability. Like any good leader, I worry. You all have the joy of coming to worship without concern of what goes into making church work. However, church has business that must be addressed. That's why I'm writing to you today.

First, let me say that at this point, Grace Corner is in a great season of growth. We've been presented with the opportunity to embrace a Spanish speaking congregation, members who are working at opening a daycare center on our campus, house a progressive nonprofit community organization and open a short order kitchen on site. My point is, that opportunities are available for us to become a real community church, instead of a church in the community.

Second, church attendance matters! Your presence as a regular part of worship is what makes us close knit. A significant part of our church's DNA is fellowship. If you're frequently a no show, it gives us the impression that you don't want to be a part of this unique faith community. Come to church and make it not just a habit but a second home.

Third, when you come to church, be a real contributor. We gather every Sunday, to fellowship and eat together. The preparation for that often rests on the shoulders of 4 people. THAT'S NOT FAIR. Four people can easily become tired, even when they enjoy what they're doing. It's too many of us for the weight of preparing for Sunday to rest on 4 people. It's evident that you like what's going on at Grace Corner, because you keep coming back. So I'm asking you to contribute to our Sunday experience. Here's how: bring something for Café Grace, contribute $5 a month toward it if cooking isn't your thing, help set up for it by coming at 10 a.m., help clean up after worship for 15 minutes, volunteer for our growing children's church 1 Sunday per month, spend an hour 1 day a week to make sure the building is ready for Sunday. A little help goes a long way!

Last, everyone learns about something good because someone told them about it. I know that our Sunday experience is different from other churches, but that's the point! We 're a good kind of different! We are reaching a generation of people that needs our help, with honesty and non-judgmental love. I'm convinced after much prayer, that this I our purpose and they're our ministry targets. Here's a Walkerism for you: TRANSFORMATION BEGINS WITH AN INVITATION!!! Let the atmosphere draw them, let God work on them and let the fellowship be so sticky, that they can't get away!

We're on our way toward greatness. It's only possible though, with your consistent support. Thank you for stepping up your giving!!! That's major point of celebration. We're not saving any money at the moment, but thank God, that we're paying our bills with relative ease. Don't quit giving!!! You're the reason that ministry is happening...we just can't do it without you!!!

Loving you toward abundant life, your proud pastor...
Antonie E. Walker

Sermon Notes...But God (Easter)

Subject... But God
Scripture... 1 Kings 17 (New Living Translation) Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” 2 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” 5 So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. 8 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 9 “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” 12 But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” 13 But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!” 15 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 16 There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.

17 Some time later the woman’s son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. 18 Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?” 19 But Elijah replied, “Give me your son.” And he took the child’s body from her arms, carried him up the stairs to the room where he was staying, and laid the body on his bed. 20 Then Elijah cried out to theLord, “O Lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?” 21 And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” 22 The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived! 23 Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “Your son is alive!” 24 Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you.”

Introduction:God is, was and will be in essence the same. Hebrews 13:8 says "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." However, his energies (resources, reservoirs and revenues) change frequently...

Transition: 1 Kings 17 demonstrates God's fluid energies more than any other biblical passage. It vividly displays that no matter the severity of the situation, a 'But God' can give you favor in a famine!

Exposition: Famine comes to us all and pushes our backs against the wall, But God...

Provides the needs of his children (verses 1-7)

Guides his children from hiding to a higher quality of living (verses 8-16)

Revives hope in his children's future (verses 17-24)

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Sermon Notes...I've Had Enough (Wealth)

Genesis 41 (New Translation) Read today's text here

Introduction: Money matters! Ecclesiastes 10:19 says "A party gives laughter, wine gives happiness, and money gives everything!" Money matters when you have it and it really matters when you don't.

Transition: If you keep doing the same thing, you'll keep getting the same results. So today, we've come making the declaration that I've Had Enough! Enough of struggling, enough of trying to make ends meet, enough of pay check to pay check living! We want to shift from not enough to more than enough!

Recap of Wednesday's Prayer Call (from this passage)...3 Do's
-Work: my acknowledgement that no one owes me anything
-Save: wisdom for beyond today
-Budget: if your outgo exceeds you income, it will soon be your downfall

Exposition: 4 Don'ts

1) Don't squander wise advice...verses 33-40
Information without application is of no use to your situation.

2) Don't abuse prosperity...verses 47-49
Walkerism: If money always burns a hole in your pocket, there'll never be any money in your pocket!

3) Don't underestimate famine...verses 53-55
Hard times come to every one, no matter your status. Brace yourself for the worst of the worst.

4) Don't break the piggy bank too soon...verses 55-57
A new outfit is not a necessity or an emergency!!! Real problems are coming and will be savings account worthy.

Sermon Notes for Kelly Scholorship Banquet (Dublin, GA)

Psalm 23:4 (New Living Translation) "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."
~Survival Training For The Valley

Introduction: John 16:33 admonishes us with the words of Jesus, "...Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Transition: This poetic pericope prepares us for life's valleys, with practical tips. The answers that we've been searching for are all found in the confines of the sacred canon.

Exposition: Let's extricate three facets for the sake of exegesis...

1) Be Consistent "Even when I walk through the darkest valley"

-Don't give up on yourself

-Don't be paralyzed by current context

2) Be Courageous "I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me"

-Maintain strong determination

-The company you keep matters to your morale

3) Be Confident "Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me"

-God guards us (defending)
-God guides us (delivering)