Tag: Chris Cribari Blog

Philippians: I Can’t Do All Things | 7-3-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 5/26/2023

Sermon Prep

Last time I mentioned that life was so busy leading up to my wedding that I had only journaled twice in-between sermons. Well since late-June of 2022 up until the day of this sermon, I journaled nothing. I was doing the final weeks of prep before my USS Nationals show on June 25th in New Hampshire and that last minute training ate up a good chunk of my time. Of course the upcoming wedding ate up the rest, so with the little time post-competition I penned this message.

My final placing was 2nd to last for that show. I beat one guy in the Open Men MW (198-) class and gave arguably my worst Strongman performance ever in competition zeroing 3 of the 5 events. It was quite the dud of a showing on my part and I wasn’t even in very good shape. I showed up weighing 13lbs underweight with an incredibly lackluster strength physique going into my toughest show ever and yet I loved it.

My then-fiancée, Glory, traveled and supported me there. Which made the competition more about enjoying the show than just trying to win it. This experience in retrospect I think had a strong effect on this message in that I truly can’t do all things. I can’t win everything I try and I can’t do everything on my own, but we’ll get to why in the notes section. Speaking of which, here were the notes for this sermon:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Tonight, we’ll be in Philippians 4:10-23.
  • What should be our mindset on giving/receiving?

Intro

  • Read Philippians 4:10-23.
  • Mom’s mental breakdown grieving Grandma Rachel.

Transition To Main Point

  • To express gratitude to God for us all supporting each other, while also carefully highlighting some important Christian aspects of giving and receiving.

Main Point

Six Themes on Gifting (4:10-20)

  • Gratitude (4:10) -> “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have received your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but had no opportunity.”
  • Contentment (4:11-13) -> “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
  • Partnership (4:14-16) -> “Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.”
  • Fruitfulness (4:17) -> “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.”
  • Worship (4:18) -> “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”
  • Faith (4:19-20) -> “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Goodbye For Now (4:21-23)

  • “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

Why It Matters

  • Gratitude + Contentment (materials needs)
  • Partnership + Fruitfulness (social needs)
  • Worship + Faith (spiritual needs)

Explain the 1st + 2nd Mountain Concept

“All their lives they’ve been taking economics classes or living in a culture that teaches that human beings pursue self-interest-money, power, fame. But suddenly they are not interested in what other people tell them to want… The world tells them to be a good consumer, but they want to be the one consumed-by a moral cause. The world tells them to want independence, but they want interdependence-to be enmeshed in a web of warm relationships. The world tells them to want individual freedom, but they want intimacy, responsibility, and commitment. The world wants them to climb the ladder and pursue success, but they want to be a person for others… They’ve gone from self-centered to other-centered.”

David Brooks, The Second Mountain
  • The Christian life is other-centered, not self-centered. We die to self to help someone else. It’s a giving mindset.
  • Give to your neighbors, the church, your community, and even people you hate.
  • I can’t do all things, therefore God gives. You can’t do all things, likewise God gives. In all things, be giving to others as God has given to you.

Final Thoughts

As you can tell, I was reading The Second Mountain by David Brooks during the summer of 2022 and started reading it in New Hampshire during USS Nationals. It had a big impact on me and especially this message I shared with Reunion Church. If there’s one thing you can extract from my life, I’m not afraid to leverage the culture for the sake of Christ.

Call it more of a Pauline approach to be culture-centered than say Peter who was incredibly church-centered. Both have their merits and all Christians take after either one or the other. I just prefer using the culture of my time to communicate Christ to all people. With that said, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/

Philippians: Know Jesus, Know Purpose | 6-12-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 2/19/2023

Sermon Prep

As per my last post, this was a tumultuous time of life changes and keeping up with it on paper was a struggle. At the end of May, my now wife and I were ramping up wedding prep, which was exciting and taxing on us all at once. Between this sermon and my last sermon, I only journaled twice. Didn’t make the time to slow down because these changes in life were happening so fast. Great and beautiful changes, but man what a whirlwind in time. Falling in love and less than 2 months from the wedding. With that, here’s the sermon I shared:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Tonight, we’ll be in Philippians 3:1-11
  • What should be our mindset on purpose?

Intro

  • Read Philippians 3:1-11
  • Fake bill sports vending at Coors Field

Transition To Main Point

  • To warn you about false gospels, remind you of how to know Jesus, and the benefits of purpose.

Main Point

For Your Sake (3:1)

  • “To write the same things” = He’s talked about this before. What things? The gospel.
  • “no trouble to me” = Not annoying.
  • “safe for you” = Better safe, then sorry.

Forsake False Gospels (3:2-6)

  • “the dogs… the evil doers… those who mutilate the flesh” = Judaizers believed Jesus was the Messiah, but still held onto Judaism.
  • “the circumcision” = True believers have confidence in Christ -> Galatians 6:15.
  • “worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus” = Action + attitude.
  • “no confidence in the flesh” = zero assurance in our own good works.
  • “have reason for confidence… I have more” = Has the most cultural credibility

Confidence In Flesh

  • “circumcised on the eight day” = Ritual
  • “people of Israel” = Ethnicity
  • “tribe of Benjamin” = Rank
  • “Hebrew of Hebrews” = Tradition
  • “a Pharisee” = Law-Abiding
  • “persecutor of the church” = Passion
  • “blameless” = Obedience

For God’s Glory (3:7-11)

  • “Whatever gain I had” = Benefits; respect
  • “counted as loss” = Meant nothing
  • “for the sake of Christ” = Our aim is his fame
  • “everything as loss” = Nothing compares
  • “knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” = Most fulfilling desire is met: purpose.

“Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for these desires exists”

C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
  • “count them as rubbish” = Literally BS
  • “righteousness of my own” = Works-based
  • “righteousness from God” = Way-based
  • “power of his resurrection” = Alive + everlasting
  • “any means possible” = Whatever it takes
  • “attain the resurrection” = Acquire life/purpose

Why It Matters

  • Purpose isn’t found in relevant labels, but rather in real love.
  • God’s acceptance and grace isn’t earned, but given. The gospel is the message of God’s grace.
  • There’s a lot of false gospels. The gospel is only found in Jesus alone.
  • Know it. Learn it. Study it. Live it.
  • The more you know Jesus, the more you’ll know your purpose here.
  • The more you find what’s true, the more the lies of life dissipate.
  • If you want to know your purpose, know Jesus.
  • Purpose is found in the person of Jesus.

Final Thoughts

This was knowing the season, a rushed writing process. Thinking up how to approach this message. Making time for it. As the next couple sermons approached, this was true too. Feedback I heard was I covered too much detail and overstuffed this sermon, which was fair admittedly. Not a standout sermon, but an okay one. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/

Gift From The Heart

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 2/19/2023

This was a poem I wrote as a gift to my father-in-law for Christmas 2022. For having written it within 2 hours before the celebration, it actually turned out great all things considered. Regardless, here’s the poem:

–

Kenny, this is my gift from the heart.

I honestly didn’t know where to start.

At first, I strongly considered making art.

But my shelf-building skills aren’t set apart.

–

So I thought about buying little knick-knacks.

Maybe a food or even super delicious snacks.

Could’ve gotten a trinket for your travel backpack.

Could’ve found a deck of cards to use for blackjack.

–

Then I narrowed it down to just a few things.

The first one was hard: learn Hebrew and sing!

But then I realized that’s yours, not my thing.

So I kept on thinking: what gift should I bring?

–

What if I get a dreidel? He would love it!

Oh it’s all out of stock, even if I 2-day ship it.

What about an antique bridge? That’s a nice kit!

Well the reviews are really bad, so not the best fit.

–

Finally I realized the only thing I could truly give.

To love your Glory as long as we both shall live.

I will love her with all that I am as a gift to you.

Of all the things for you, this is the best I can do.

–

Since I’ve known you, I’ve observed who you are.

In this family, you’re the night sky holding stars.

Being the one who helps when there’s hurt or scars.

You are one of the most godly and wise by far.

–

Thank you for allowing me to join this family.

In short, this is my gift from the heart for Kenny.

–

As you can tell from the poem itself, I literally had no idea what to give Kenny until the day of our Christmas celebration. I couldn’t have gotten it done in time without my wife Glory helping me fix some lines in the poem and handwriting it on paper to give to put in a card. An incredibly last-minute gift, but I think it turned out wonderful. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Free stock photos · Pexels

Philippians: How to Enlighten the World | 5-22-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 1/13/2023

Sermon Prep

The month of May in 2022 was madness. Truly, one of those jam-packed months where there’s always something to do and that has to be done right now. The only real break from it all was when Glory flew out with me to meet my family in Texas. Even then, it wasn’t really a break as she’s trying to present her best self and I’m struggling family time with her time as my wife-to-be. Regardless, here’s my notes:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • As we continue Philippians, turn to 2:12-18.
  • What should be our mindset with obedience?

Intro

  • Read Philippians 2:12-18
  • Working out salvation (high school, college).

Transition To Main Point

  • To encourage you to go from finding out salvation to working out salvation by God’s grace, so that you can shine bright in a dark world.

Main Point

Find Out vs Work Out: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Philippians 2:12-13
  • “as you have always obeyed” = consistent character and healthy growth
  • “work out your own salvation” = both individually and mutually. Universal, communal; personal faith.
  • Ephesians 4:14-16 + Colossians 2:4, 8
  • “with fear and trembling” = awe-based fear is an awareness of God’s holiness and our lack of it. Humility in the face of God’s holiness.
  • “God who works in you” = we can be obedient because God empowers us. The Holy Spirit himself guides us to obedience.
  • “for his good pleasure.” = our ultimate aim is to glorify God’s name.
  • God creates, we cultivate. He instructs, then invites. Physical order to spiritual order.

Imagers of God: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

Philippians 2:14-16
  • “all things without grumbling or disputing” = no exceptions, do everything without having an attitude and arguing
  • “blameless and innocent” = As imagers of God, your image and intent matters.
  • “children of God” = belonging, chosen; loved. That’s what defines us.
  • “without blemish” = unrepentant recurring sin
  • “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” = Psalm 1:1-2 + John 17:16-18
  • “shine as lights in the world” = Matthew 5:14-16
  • “holding fast to the word of life” = Bible
  • “may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” = Paul had disciplemaker in mind

Rejoice Over Sacrifice: “Even if I am poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”

Philippians 2:17-18
  • “drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith” = celebration/sacrifice in OT
  • “I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.” = Romans 12:15

Why It Matters

  • Faith is progressive, not passive. One milestone to the next by way of obedience to the way of Jesus.
  • The farther one goes in faith, the brighter they enlighten the world around them.
  • New believers = find out, mature believers = work out.
  • Don’t just observe, but obey too. Rise + shine.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, I think that busyness got the best of me here. This sermon turned out fine. It did its job, but I think it was my presentation that was lacking. That lack of energy effected this one. Then again, it’s just a sermon. The Holy Spirit can use tired, weak men like me to do incredible things. I’m just a chipped-up vessel meant to honor him and all he desires.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/

Philippians: A Prayer for the People | 4-10-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 1/12/2023

Sermon Prep

This was Reunion Church‘s real first foray into preaching through a book in the Bible. As this is our teaching pastor’s favorite epistle from Paul and a more inspiring book, it was the perfect book for us to start in Philippians. It was also our first-time basing our sermons around the outlines in a Bible commentary, which took a minute for me to be completely sold on it. I just had a hard time at first preaching a sermon I felt like someone else already did, but I got over it once this series got going.

What also stands out from this sermon timeframe in particular is I was just past one month of dating my now-wife Glory and man was I in love. I tried to look back and see if I journaled anything during this period of time, but found nothing. I was living in the moment and really didn’t make time to journal at all because I just had her on my mind all the time.

What’s also interesting was that I knew I wanted to marry her way early on into the relationship. So as Resurrection Sunday was fast approaching, which is the day I did propose I was just dying to ask her to marry me every moment we were together. I had a plan to propose at 3 months of dating on June 4th and started ring shopping, but yeah I couldn’t wait. I proposed with no ring and all the hope in the world that she would say yes, which of course she did.

But before any of that happened and before that life-changing day just one week later, I preached this sermon on a simple Sunday. Not knowing what was next or that my life would change forever in a week. We were just living and loving every moment together with the joy of the Lord. So on that simple Sunday, here’s what I shared:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • As we continue Philippians, turn to 1:9-11.
  • What should be our mindset long-term?

Intro

  • Pray Philippians 1:9-11 over Reunion Church.
  • Intercede = to go between the needs of others.
  • Story of [close friend] at court.

Transition To Main Point

  • Paul’s Prayer is a trio: petition, purpose; praise.
  • Philippians 1:9, 1:10-11a, 1:11b

Main Point

To Petition: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment”

Philippians 1:9
  • Knowledge of God leads to limitless love.
  • Love is active, not static. Unending.
  • Love in action is informed + understanding.
  • Know what’s right, then know what’s best.

To Purpose: “so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ”

Philippians 1:10-11a
  • Test everything to find what’s better, then what’s best (1:10a).
  • Jesus’ return in the future defines how we prepare ourselves in the now (1:10b).
  • Jesus returning is a moment we joyfully anticipate (1:10c).
  • Since we’re right with God, we should live rightly (1:11a).

To Praise: “to the glory and praise of God.”

Philippians 1:11b
  • To honor God is our highest aim.
  • Our end goal is to extol God, which means to upwardly raise his name.

Why It Matters

  • Our mindset determines our measures for loving people. With the right loving mindset, methods + motives become clearly defined.
  • Intercede for the sake of others in your care. Pray for people you know to carry on in faith.
  • Change your perspective. How are you producing a right life? Is a good life just about you?
  • Your impact is etched into the fabric of eternity. In knowing the big picture, life isn’t puzzling.
  • Life is a collective pursuit. A mass migration towards meaning. Worship God in the joy of every earthly thing.
  • We’re united in life together no matter how you split us up.

Final Thoughts

As I look back at this message 9 months after the fact, it’s strange which things stand out to me. I remember really only the intro and outro, which I think resonated well with the audience. I sort of brought the house down in my close and open with a very personal story of interceding for a close friend who I’m omitting given it was a child-custody battle in court. It’s their business, not ours so I reserve that right to protect their privacy.

I think the layout of the structure was good from a verse-by-verse approach and I distinctly remember that I felt brilliant for my last few lines of my outro. I love when I can pack-a-punch verbally in saying something super short, but incredibly powerful. That level of word efficiency is what I aspire for in anything I write. With that said, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/

Reunion Values: We Want People to Belong Before They Believe | 3-13-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 9/3/2022

Sermon Prep

This of the 3 sermons I taught on Reunion Church‘s values, was the most difficult to pen. I really didn’t like that I couldn’t match theme and text. Meaning, I just couldn’t for some reason or another connect the two when the other sermons were so seamless. The pieces were present, but it still puzzled me.

Usually when a disconnect like that happens, it throws me off in the performance of preaching. If I don’t quite get it, neither will the audience. The orator has to understand first and I just didn’t give my self enough time. Preaching back-to-back weeks is tough, especially when you’re unsure of what the layout needs to look like. Either way, here’s the notes of what I ultimately shared:

Sermon Notes

Opening

  • Reunion Values -> the why behind the what
  • Tonight, we’ll end our series w/ Value 7

Intro

  • Where did you belong in high school?
  • Kyle Story
  1. Alone and sat by himself.
  2. Befriended him at lunch.
  3. Created belonging with his own group.
  4. Developed trust to share my faith.

Transition To Main Point

  • Like Kyle and I, Jesus created belonging before people believed.
  • Belonging changes hearts, belief cements the change.
  • Belonging is the group assurance that you can be your authentic self.

“From that city many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all things that I have done.” So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more believed because of his word; and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this one is indeed the savior of the world.”“

John 4:39-42

Main Point

  • Jesus invites us to belong before we believe.
  • Here at Reunion Church, we do the same.
  • We want all people to belong here, even before they believe in what we do here.

Why It Matters

  • A lot of church world is believe, then belong.
  • This is just putting the cart before the horse.

“Information and choice doesn’t transform a person. People transform based on where they find their identity.“

Jessie Cruickshank

Where you find your identity is where you belong. Where do you belong? Let’s pray.

Final Thoughts

I can be very critical of myself and my own work. In my heart, I know this isn’t the worst sermon in the world. It gets the job done. But I do obsess over how to craft the best message when I’m preparing and speaking.

When it’s not up to my high bar, I’m a little disappointed. Yet my performance isn’t why people tune in and hear the message in the first place. They need and desire God. I just need to step aside and allow that to happen. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/

Reunion Values: We Train and Send Out Excellent Leaders | 3-6-2022

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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:
  1. He selected me based on potential
  2. He schooled me in his own process
  3. 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:
  1. Chose Peter (Luke 5:1-11)
  2. Chose the 12 (Luke 6:12-16)
  3. Sent the 12 (Luke 9:1-6)
  4. 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

  1. https://www.pexels.com/

Reunion Values: We Befriend and Uplift Those the Rest of the World Has Given Up On | 1-30-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 9/3/2022

Sermon Prep

Re-reading old journal entries of mine during this month, I was going through a lot. I was tired and exhausted from the pace of life. My mind was bogged down and muddled.

I had a well-earned promotion coming up at work. The end of the fiscal year was within 30 days, so I had my best month-to-date in January. Producing 3x my average sales performance, which was astounding but grueling.

I was trying the dating scene going back-and-forth on the various apps trying to find connection. It didn’t really work. A couple conversations, but nothing beyond that. I was also mustering the courage to ask out my now wife on a date, but wasn’t ready yet.

Ministry was tiring too. We had survived the holidays and were moving into the slow season of church. My body ached too from training for USS Nationals, which is one of the biggest Strongman shows of the year. All-in-all, I was worn out.

I remember that David Margosian was almost too sick to teach the first value in our sermon series (2), so I began prep for it. I think he had a cold or something. At the last second, he said he was good to go and taught but I had already worked some things out. I took those ideas and scattered them throughout this message and other messages in the series.

Ideas like “Church isn’t just 4 walls per se, but is with those we walk with day-to-day.” or even the simpler “Jesus always went after the willing, not the worthy.” There were a lot of interesting, but untapped concepts from those notes. I especially liked this one:

“The Kingdom of God is a people, not a place… Artificial growth is committees, but organic growth is communities… Too many of us are focused on ministries and not the mission of Jesus. We would rather have a comfortable life, instead of a life that crafts godly character.“

That was all from that incomplete sermon and more, but that’s how it goes sometimes. Focusing on this though, I really enjoyed the prep because it was similar to our first value as a church. So I took those previous concepts and tweaked them for our second church value, which is the one I taught on this night (3). Here’s what I actually taught and my notes for this sermon:

Sermon Notes

Opening

  • Reunion Values -> the why behind what we do
  • Tonight, we’ll continue w/ Value 2

Intro

  • Therapy day is the one time a month I engage with my feelings because I’m a robot.
  • Therapy -> First Memories
  • Jack (One-ear, Transformers, etc.)

Transition To Main Point

  • Everyone is an outsider somewhere, but not when we’re with God.
  • For every group that excludes, God’s always including you.
  • No matter where you go, you will always be a child of God.

“We are children, perhaps, at the very moment when we know that it is as children that God loves us- not because we have deserved his love and not in spite of our undeserving; not because we try and not because we recognize the futility of our trying; but simply because he has chosen to love us. We are children because he is our father… before we loved him, he loved us.“

Frederick Buechner, The Magnificent Defeat (P. 135)

Matthew 9:36-38 (ESV) + Mark 10:13-16 [small groups]

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”“

Matthew 9:36-38

Main Point

  • 2nd Value = We befriend and uplift those the rest of the world has given up on.
  • Jesus befriends and uplifts outsiders that the world gave up. We dare to care for those outsiders.
  • Find the people that don’t belong anywhere and include them in your life somewhere.

Why It Matters

  • If Jesus in his greatest loving act brought you in when no one would, then the least you can do is befriend the lonely and uplift the unloved.
  • Jesus saw everyone and we need to see them too.

Transition Out

  • I’m thinking about a lot of friends who used to be alone, but I could go on-and-on about that.
  • Who can you befriend and uplift?
  • Find them and friend them.
  • This is what Jesus did and does.
  • Do likewise.

Final Thoughts

This was personal for me. I really believe in this value whether or not I’m apart of this local church. It means something. To be there for the destitute. The downtrodden. The outcast.

I think that conviction was conveyed in the delivery of this sermon. I recall the emotions I felt from the audience in the room. They had a visceral connection to the message I believe because of God’s great love for them. Shining through every letter of this sermon.

I hope they still know they’re loved. I know I need the reminder every now and again. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/
  2. https://youtu.be/H-wNCQScPws
  3. https://youtu.be/bdcNl6JfLEk

Don’t Find The One, Be The One

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 5/4/2022

I’ve never really had anything to add to the purity culture conversation until now. For the uninitiated, this was a Christian subculture movement in the late 1990s, which influenced how parents raised their kids in the 2000s to roughly the early 2010s. This was in response to a lot of cultural artifacts of that time: celebrity sex tapes, normalization of hook-up culture, online pornography, the AIDS epidemic, and even the internet boom of the 1990s.

Purity Culture Defined

Now were there other factors during this period of time? Of course, but this helps set the stage for why the purity culture movement began and what was the root of parents’ fears. The introduction of the new always brings the reversion back to the old for some. This happens with everything.

In this case, it was the reversion back to old ideas about dating. Like arranged marriages by a church congregation or even the Christian concept of courtship. This time, it just had a new spin. That spin is what spun an entire generation into sexual shame.

Under immense pressure to balance the natural inclinations of adolescence with the fear-mongering led by thought leaders at the time, people were stuck in a state of never knowing if they handled their dating life right. Doubts on if they were even good enough to be with someone because they weren’t virgins or “pure” enough. It was a movement that had good intentions at first, but with awful execution ended in disastrous results.

When a movement is rooted in fear and not grace, it always ends poorly. The purity culture movement was rooted in the fears of its time, not in the grace of God. Given it was grounded in the former and not the latter, Christians recoiled from what they thought was God’s hate. Instead of emulating God’s love in their relationships and enjoying the grace that’s supposed to be found within them.

From side hugs and purity rings to parents having to meet each other to decide if this was a “good” relationship, it was the norm for a lot of kids at this time. Even the perversion of modesty to the point of being a tool to elicit the young to be ashamed of their own bodily desires was standard malpractice. Then again, these repulsive symptoms were more of a theological problem than anything. At least, that’s where I think it starts.

The Modern Myth Of The One

What bothered me the most about this whole thing was the prevalent concept of the one and how that framework warped everything going into this movement. Which then bled into our current relationship climate of the #MeToo era. How all modern dating is based on the lie of the one. A theological misconception that has ties to determinism, God’s sovereignty, and a blatant misunderstanding of what it means to become one in marriage.

How is this the root? Well, it starts with some believing that everything is determined by God. A sort of manifest destiny, but instead of land promised by God it’s people in this case. Those people are the one.

The person you were destined to marry no matter what. It’s this idea I believe laid dormant in the subconscious of Christians until the purity culture movement awakened this aged-out concept. A framework that gave rise to a lot of these conventions we mock now.

Then again, what does the Bible actually say about this? What is God’s design for relationships really? Put simply, the Bible doesn’t promote the one. Rather it does promote becoming the one for someone else. Let me explain.

Becoming The One vs. Finding The One

We could go in a lot of different directions, but for now I just want to zero in on the book of Ruth. Why? Well, it dispels this lie of the one quickly with a simple question. Who was the one for Ruth? Was it Mahlon or Boaz?

Her first husband Mahlon was married to her for 10 years, provided in the famine-infested land of Moab, and married Ruth when she was fairly young. Her second husband was Boaz, grafted her into the family of Jesus, and married Ruth when she was middle aged. The first husband gave away his health to provide, while the second gave away his wealth to provide.

The former was equivalent to a blue-collar worker if he worked in our time. The latter was a man of valor whose military service allowed him to benefit from the spoils of war. When you think about it, neither of them were the one but rather became the one she needed.

Mahlon became the one in that he sacrificed everything to care for Ruth. Boaz then became the one in that he shared everything to care for Ruth. Both men became the one over time.

A good, godly relationship isn’t about finding the one. It’s about becoming the one for the sake of someone else. That you love someone so much you change to become better for them and to them. Not to say you shouldn’t choose wisely who you end up with, but you’re not agreeing to a completed person. You’re agreeing to being there as they are made complete in Christ.

Like God commands, they fully committed themselves to Ruth. Loving sacrificially and being there. At the time, Mahlon was the best possible choice for Ruth and later on Boaz was the same. Of course it’s conjecture since we only know snippets of their life, but their character bleeds through the page. Where we progress, God perfects. Marriages thrive when God guides them. Grace is our guide, not fear. Becoming the one is a grace-guided process.

Although, this could be distorted into a work-mentality where you have to do all of these self-help hacks to appear to be better. That’s not what becoming the one means. Becoming the one isn’t about performance, but patience and persistence.

The humble heart in asking God to better you so that you can be the best possible spouse in your marriage. An acknowledgement that your starting point is bad and only God can restore your soul to its best. The idea of the one is an attractive cultural myth, while becoming the one is simply self-actualizing into who God designed us to be in him. One is chasing after the winds of the world, yet the other is weathering the storms of a holy covenant and promise.

Final Thoughts

Having been in the most serious relationship of my life currently that’s heading towards marriage now, I just see this flaw so much more clearly. Our culture taught our brains to go after plastic-bound porn stars and the powerful with influence, instead of ordinary people that look and act just like us.

What makes the person you end up with special isn’t status or a lack of stretch marks, but the extraordinary fact that God made them and you get to be with them. Modernity has killed the mundane. Public image defines us more so than being imagers of God. We need to change that toxic perspective that has hurt a lot of people.

Don’t look for the perfect person because you’ll never find anyone close to that sinful standard. Rather, become someone who is by God’s sanctification transforming you into the one for someone in your life. Don’t find the one, be the one. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/

How To Sabbath | 1-2-2022

Posted in SermonsTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 3/22/2022

It’s peculiar how when I’m supposed to teach on a certain topic, the topic is more relevant for me than for anyone else. Like I need to teach this, so that I learn it even more. God tends to do that a lot.

Sermon Prep

Learn sabbath on my own? Maybe. Teach sabbath to someone else? Now I’m listening. That’s how this one went. Learning to sabbath as I was preparing and then taught this message.

But things were different this time. It had been almost 2 months since my last message, which bombed and I went with an older technique I learned way back in the day mixed with some of the new.

The style here was largely inspired by one of my mentors, Shannon Popp, who showed the power of listening. How what you say doesn’t nearly matter as much as what is said by others in a small group setting. I did that along with some other small group skills that I picked up on when I was running my high school’s First Priority essentially on my own.

Regardless, the format here is largely bordered by quotes from Scripture and less so by concepts found in Scripture. By singling in on a single idea for the night, the conversation we had discovered the truth mutually. Then again, I didn’t actually teach a “sermon” per se on this night.

Only a handful of regulars showed up and it wasn’t enough to justify the typical format of sermon, then small groups. We just jumped into an elongated time of small groups, which led to very thoughtful dialogue on the idea of sabbath.

This happened because nobody wants to go to church the weekend of New Year’s, so I planned accordingly. I figured it was a small crowd and appreciated the change in pace from the rush of the holidays. It was the sermon we needed for the season we found ourselves in together. With that in mind, here were my brief notes from that lowkey night:

Sermon Notes

Intro

  • Recap 2021
  • Pitch “Values” Series
  • Tonight, will be a one-off, topical discussion on sabbath.

Define Sabbath

  • In Hebrew, the word sabbath means to cease or to rest.
  • Originally, sabbath started when God finished creation and marveled at his handiwork.
  • Then, sabbath became a strictly enforced holiday that was observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
  • Nowadays, sabbath differs drastically depending on which Christians celebrate it. Here’s some Scriptures on why that is the case:

“Jesus said to them “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even of the Sabbath.””

Mark 2:27-28

“One person values one day over another, another values every day the same. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and the one who eats, does so with regard to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and the one who does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat, and he gives thanks to God.”

Romans 14:5-6

“Therefore, no one is to act as your judge in regard to food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon, or a sabbath day-things which are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”

Colossians 2:16-17
  • Read Hebrews 4:1-11 as a group.

Sabbath Takeaways

  • To sabbath means to remember collectively and to reflect individually on the power of God.
  • Our rest is rooted in the reality of God’s grace and the work that he has done.

Final Thoughts

This was a nice message and a good one in my mind. Had time to breathe and really sink our teeth into the meat of sabbath. I enjoyed it.

It’s funny. After I had already taught this message, I found my favorite longform explanation of sabbath in a book I was also reading at the time. My therapist recommended it and in there the author describes sabbath in such an excellent way. For instance, I loved this quote:

“The Sabbath was a solemn recognition that God had sovereign rights, a public act of appropriation wherein the believing community acknowledged that they owed their life and being to Another. As the memorial day of creation, the Sabbath meant a worship of adoration and thanksgiving for all God’s goodness, for all the Jews were and had. The rest from work was secondary.”

Brennan Manning, Abba’s Child (P. 60)

Like a lot of things, our greatest days are marked by a genuine gratitude for God’s goodness. As the days go on, so too do the platitudes of gratitude for our great God. With that Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/