Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 9/3/2022
Sermon Prep
In early March, I was flying on a kite. I just had my first date on the 4th with my future wife. I had been recently promoted at work. I’ve never felt more fit in the gym training for USS Nationals, which was a Strongman show in June. Nothing could be better.
That positivity and sense of peace really poured into everything I did. Especially here with this sermon. It was a less personal teaching and more knowledgeable about the discipleship process we do at Reunion Church. Not necessarily the most invigorating, pulse-pounding message yet one that’s needed to balance those ones out too.
I can’t recall the prep all that much given I was feeling so good. All I could think about was my girlfriend. So this prep felt like a breeze and went well. Anyways, here’s my notes from that message:
Sermon Notes
Opening
- Reunion Values -> the why behind the what
- Tonight, we’ll continue w/ Value 6.
Intro
- What is an excellent leader?
- Like who? Any examples?
- Cory teaching creative content role:
- He selected me based on potential
- He schooled me in his own process
- He sent me out to make it on my own
Transition To Main Point
- Jesus trains and sends out excellent leaders. To create legacy is to build leaders.
- His Leadership Process:
- Chose Peter (Luke 5:1-11)
- Chose the 12 (Luke 6:12-16)
- Sent the 12 (Luke 9:1-6)
- Sent the 70 (Luke 10:1-3)
“[Jesus] had started his ministry by exposing some curious converts to the nature of ministry. This was the four-month come and see period. It was followed by the ten-month come and follow me training period, when those curious converts became established disciples. The third phase of training, come and be with me, was a twenty-month segment when those established disciples were transformed into equipped laborers.“
Bill Hull, Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker (P. 198-199)
Main Point
- Like Jesus exemplified, we too must train and send out excellent leaders.
- Why? Because life with God is a shared experience, not selfish enlightenment.
- Jesus led his disciples, so that they could eventually lead their own.
- How? Be led by a personal teacher and then lead a teachable person. That’s it.
Why It Matters
- Jesus led personally and leads us to persons who need his care.
- He could do everything himself, but he invites us into the process (i.e. Adam, Moses; Jonah).
- Don’t just call for change, be the change.
Final Thoughts
For some reason, I remember more about the success of the small group that followed this sermon than the actual sermon. I loved learning under Hannah Morrison and how she navigates the small group setting. I hope she knows just how good she is at small groups and being a leader who can teach us.
As far as my preaching performance, it was good. Nothing extraordinary, yet that’s alright. Sometimes after the last one being deeply touching, the next doesn’t need to be that way.
We’re not here to play heartstrings, but submit to God’s word for us today. I’m just the translator in that process. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.
Footnotes
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