Updated: 11/7/2024
Sermon Prep
As you probably perceived from the picture, my wife and I’s life changed for the better forever. On February 12th, it was an early Monday morning before work. We were just getting started with the day and rolling out of bed. Within minutes of waking up, my wife took a pregnancy test and for the first time it was positive.
For context, we weren’t trying to have kids yet but also weren’t not trying either if you catch my drift. For several weeks now, Glory had been taking pregnancy tests to see if she was pregnant. She was understandably anxious since it would be our first and we didn’t even have a home. We were just living with her parents temporarily and of course she gets pregnant. Sometimes, God’s just funny that way in how he times things like this giant change in life for us.
Going back to that first Monday, we wanted to be super sure that this wasn’t a faulty test so I scrambled to Walgreens in my pajamas to buy a few more tests. When I got back, she immediately tested a second time and it was positive again. To be absolutely certain she even took one just a few days later too! It was undeniable. God had blessed us with a baby and we were incredibly excited.
The thought of becoming parents was something we also dreamed about and wanted, so to see it be a reality was surreal. With all that being said, we wanted to wait until after the week 12 appointment before telling people the great news. So in the meantime, we maneuvered a lot of awkward conversations trying not to spill the beans for a few weeks.
Outside of that gigantic life-change, this sermon prep was good. Wasn’t stressed trying to perfect it and actually it was a nice escape from the craziness of realizing I’m a dad now. Anyways, here’s the notes:
Sermon Notes
Opening Line
- I love watching Caleb Hammer and Dave Ramsey.
- Live like no one else, so that you can live and give like no one else.
Intro
- This financial principle applies to your faith.
Transition To Main Point
- Faith is an investment into life and eternity.
Main Point
- Financial wealth impacts today, yet a faith rich in good works is a treasure that impacts eternity.
- Let’s read about how faith in Jesus is truly life.
- 1 Timothy 6:11-16 | To Timothy
- Flee these things (1 Timothy 6:3-5, 9-10), then follow.
- Obtain conduct, compassion; character.
- Remain committed to the churches of Ephesus.
- Our God is above all and over all gods.
- See 1 Timothy 1:17.
- Flee these things (1 Timothy 6:3-5, 9-10), then follow.
- 1 Timothy 6:17-19 | To Riches
- Our hope is in the Messiah, not money.
- Haughty = arrogant; disdainful
- We as Americans are rich, so we need to:
- Do good.
- Be rich in good works.
- Be generous.
- Ready to share.
- What is truly life?
- To care, love, and provide for others just as God does the same for us.
- Our hope is in the Messiah, not money.
- 1 Timothy 6:20-21 | To End
- Paul entrusted Timothy with the Gospel.
- Discipleship is the investment deposit.
- Avoid lies and nonsense of these bad ideas.
- Paul is mocking the “knowledge” he’s heard.
- People will get thrown off course.
- Paul entrusted Timothy with the Gospel.
Why This Matters
- In the end, life is truly about relationships.
- Both Jesus and people.
- Read Matthew 25:14-30
- There’s 2 types of people: savers and investors.
- Will you save yourself out of fear or faithfully invest into people’s lives and impact eternity?
Final Thoughts
This was a run-of-the-mill sermon. Right in the middle I’d say quality-wise. Not terrible and not fantastic, but just a fine message.
I remember the audience interaction was super fun like when they finished my Dave Ramsey quote which was cool. For obvious reasons, I didn’t think too much about the reception afterwards. I was riding on cloud 9 filled with joy in February of 2024.
I’ll never forget how I felt the day we found out the news. Sharing this beautiful secret with my Glory was so special. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.
chris cribari blog 