Tag: Christianity

Ecclesiastes: Money is Meaningless | 10-30-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 2/19/2024

Sermon Prep

My Glory admiring God’s creation in Winter Park, CO.

As alluded to in the previous Ecclesiastes sermon reviews, work was beginning to get tense. To get away from both my work and other frustrations in life, my wife Glory and I went on an impromptu weekend trip to Winter Park, CO the weekend before I shared this sermon. That getaway was huge in resetting ourselves from the hurry of life.

What made the trip even better was how empty the town was because ski season hadn’t started yet, so it was fairly vacant the whole trip. Since the honeymoon it was our first getaway too, which also made it special for us. Overall, leaving the hustle of the everyday and just running off to the mountains is a fantastic way to care for your soul.

On this message, the actual prep I think was better with a clearer mind. Throughout this whole holiday season work was a major stressor, but there were times when it winded down a tad. This week of prep was one of them and that was very beneficial. With that, here’s the notes for this sermon:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Disney day with Glory (i.e. Princess and the Frog)
  • Tales of the Jedi was so dope
  • Tiana = waitress saving for restaurant
  • Prince Naveen = cut off from fortune
  • Get married and open restaurant
  • Money motivates a lot of our life.

Intro

  • Read Ecclesiastes 4:7-12, 5:10-6:12

Transition To Main Point

  • Money is meaningless without Jesus.

Main Point

  • Pursuing purpose in money is meaningless.
  • You’ll never have enough (Ecc. 5:10)
  • You’ll attract freeloaders (Ecc. 5:11)
  • You won’t sleep well (Ecc. 5:12)
  • You’ll hurt yourself (Ecc. 5:13)
  • You’ll never be totally secure (Ecc. 5:14)
  • You’ll leave it all behind (Ecc. 5:15-16)
  • You’ll be a miserable person (Ecc. 5:17)

Why It Matters

  • Meaningful relationships (Ecc. 4:7-12)
  • Friends (Ecc. 4:9-10)
  • Family (Ecc. 4:11)
  • Co-workers (Ecc. 4:12)
  • Contentment and joy in God’s gifts (Ecc. 5:18-6:9)
  • Knowing Jesus (Ecc. 6:10-12)
  • Money only has meaning when we invest in those things that have eternal significance.

Final Thoughts

Of the 5 sermons I did in this series on Ecclesiastes, this is my favorite. I think it went the best out of this batch. The structure is a bit odd, but pretty decent message that is conveyed well throughout. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. John Musker & Ron Clements. 2009. The Princess and the Frog. Walt Disney Productions.

Ecclesiastes: Justice and Politics is Meaningless | 10-16-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 2/3/2024

Sermon Prep

Similar to the previous sermon I shared, this was a season where it’s a more melancholy time compared to the mountaintop experience of the honeymoon high. Again, lots of great and good changes happened in this time too. We were apartment shopping and began getting ready to move, which was amazing! We were in the beginning stages of our marriage and that was wonderful as well. I was in a men’s morning small group with my father-in-law that I loved.

And yet the work environment was escalating. Around this time we had a meeting with a C-suite executive at my former company and that permanently muddied the waters of trust. It was one of those meetings that was supposed to reassure people they weren’t going to be let go in the New Year and yet afterwards everyone had the same thought: we’re being laid off next year.

What only added to the distrust was the mixed messaging we heard from those in higher-up meetings and what was told to us directly. Rarely was it the same thing we heard. This was a long month for me.

Now back to the sermon prep, I think all of the sermons from this series in particular feel surface-level. None of them I think were good messages and I think with hindsight I can now see why. For starters, I wasn’t invested and diligent enough to grasp these Scriptures fully. I was too invested in saving my skin in the final quarter of the year and overwhelmed by the pressures of the season to be faithful in this area.

The other reason is more forgivable and that would simply be a lack of life lived to exposit these critical passages in the Bible. How can your average 20-something American preach on the meaninglessness of life? I was barely 25 then and as I’m almost 27 now, I don’t know if I can properly express what one of the wisest men on Earth meant when he wrote these things.

Lastly, I’m a meditative teacher. I can’t pray, prep, and present a sermon within a small window of time. I’m not gifted like other preachers in that way. I have to dwell and remain with a passage of Scripture before I ever share it. Otherwise, I never get to the meat of the message. Speaking of meat, here’s the notes from this sermon:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • I love political ads. They’re so fun.
  • We live in an unjust society with a political system poisoned by the power-hungry.

Intro

  • Read Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3, 5:8-9

Transition To Main Point

  • Justice and politics is meaningless without Jesus.

Main Point

  • Justice is meaningless
  • Ecclesiastes 3:16-17
  • Life isn’t fair, but we know it should be fair.
  • We’re just like animals
  • Ecclesiastes 3:18-22
  • In the animal kingdom, the law of the land is reciprocity and revenge.
  • We want what’s just for me, not justice.
  • Politics is meaningless
  • Ecclesiastes 4:1-3, 5:8-9
  • We were made for the Garden of Eden, but live in the Garden of Gethsemane.
  • Broken order bleeds chaos.
  • Checks and balances enables oppression.

Why It Matters

  • Without Jesus, chaos cannot be brought to order and wrongs cannot be made right.
  • With Jesus, we can make sense of justice and politics in our world.
  • Read Isaiah 55:6-9, 57:15b.

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts… I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the Spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

Isaiah 55:6-9, 57:15b (See also Psalm 103:11)
  • Today, Jesus is gentle and lowly to those who suffer in our broken world.
  • One day, Jesus will judge evil and the wicked as he commands chaos into order.

Final Thoughts

Given the current political climate and polarization in the world, a sermon like this just doesn’t cut it. Yes, there’s good stuff here and yet I wasn’t empathetic enough to those who have been harmed by systems that suppress them. I didn’t take the care again that these messages require.

This series isn’t my favorite that I’ve been apart of at Reunion Church, although I remember our Table Talks going great so there’s that. But even in my nitpicking, the message was shared and that’s what ultimately counts. Not my feelings but rather my faithfulness in sharing God’s word. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

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

Ecclesiastes: Your Dream is Meaningless | 10-2-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 1/20/2024

Sermon Prep

Often times people describe the honeymoon phase as carefree and pure bliss. A short period of time where everything is perfect and nothing can go wrong. I think that Glory and I first experienced this during our dating and engagement days. Then that phase ended just over a month after our honeymoon. Never felt anything quite like that time in my life and I will always treasure that time with my Glory.

Once that mountaintop experience ended reality set in not just of ourselves, but of life overall. Not that life has been downhill since then, but rather that my wife and I entered a new phase: lament. Around mid-September of 2022, life pivoted from joy to lament. Not just for us, but others very close to us too.

For us, I grappled with how to comfort my wife’s panic attacks that didn’t just happen daily, but multiple times per day. It was emotionally brutal. I failed to understand the extent of what it meant for her to mourn moving away from her childhood home and family to be with me in our new home. Here’s an excerpt I wrote in my journal about this season:

“At a loss on how to help. How to help. What to do. Just defeated. Pretty tired too. There’s been a lot of late nights like this one. I’m worn out. Body aches. Mind races. Just drained. I relate to today’s Psalm a lot [Psalm 88]. It describes what I can’t. I’m so tired. God, help us to rest in you.”

Beyond my wife understandably feeling homesick after the honeymoon phase, other things brought about this tough timeframe. Two women within the span of a week were raped in our community. Decades-long friendships ended between people we knew due to evil in-fighting and gossip. On top of that, my once steady job was beginning to crumble as layoff rumors swirled due to an acquisition. It quickly shifted from cherished days to chaotic ones seemingly out of nowhere.

It’s with this backdrop that our church began a new series in the book of Ecclesiastes. Starting a series on the meaninglessness of life was quite good timing on God’s part. Exploring the emptiness of the season during what should the happiest time of the year leading into fall and the holidays. With that all in mind, here’s the notes from my sermon:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • 1940s vs Disney+ Pinocchio.
  • Pinocchio is a retelling of the prodigal son.
  • Self-indulgence isn’t fulfilling; sacrifice is.

Intro

  • Read Ecclesiastes 2

Transition To Main Point

  • Pleasure, wisdom; work are meaningless without Jesus.

Main Point

  • Pleasure is meaningless (Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-11)
  • Wisdom is meaningless (Read Ecclesiastes 2:12-17)
  • Work is meaningless (Read Ecclesiastes 2:18-23)
  • Contentment is meaningful (Read Ecclesiastes 2:24-26)

Why It Matters

  • Nothing created can fulfill you.
  • Comforts can’t conform your heart to be like Christ, but the challenge of change will.
  • True joy is in jagged transformation.
  • There’s a purpose to life’s greatest pursuits.
  • That grand design is to enjoy the things of Earth with Jesus.
  • Life is pains and pleasures, but Jesus is our joy.
  • He makes the mess make sense.
  • Creation was intentionally untamed.
  • “We’re not made for Disney World” as Peter Kreeft put it, but rather for the Garden of Eden.
  • The adventure God has for us is this: he creates, we cultivate.
  • Your aim in life should be to embark on the adventure God has for you.
  • Now go and wander with the way-maker.

Final Thoughts

This one is a step above my last sermon for sure. I think with everything that was going on at the time, I leaned into the seriousness of it all a bit more in the delivery of the message. The ending wrap-up is messy and needed some refinement, but I remember the sharing of the sermon being good. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Ben Sharpsteen & Hamilton Luske. 1940. Pinocchio. Walt Disney Productions.

BLESS: Listen | 7-24-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 1/19/2024

Sermon Prep

Taught this one less then 2 weeks from my wedding day. Like the past few sermons from the summer of 2022, nothing mattered except my wonderful wife-to-be for me. Lost in the rush of young love and the hustle of planning our so close, yet so far wedding day.

Looking back on these final days pre-marriage, my emotional and mental state was a flurry of mixed things. Highs and lows all at once. After nearly a month of not journaling, I wrote to God some of my thoughts after a panic-attack I had in my room that night. This was the Friday before this sermon:

“I feel so immensely alone tonight. I’m writing this after getting home late and breaking down in tears. I cried for over an hour. Something triggered me after the movie with Glory’s siblings. Just seeing the history and love there made me feel the way I do now. Lonely. Sad. Tired. All the changes that have stripped me of control. The absolute exhaustion of this phase in my life. The lack of order. The rapid-fire nature of this time provides me no time to breathe. To be still. To rest in the arms of God. I want to be held. I need it. A break. A true sabbath for my weary soul. I want to be proud of the work I do at my job again. Haven’t felt that in months. I want to be proud of my efforts in ministry. I’ve let a lot of people down there. Proud of my progress in the gym. Feeling useless and weak there. I don’t eat consistently or sleep consistently. It’s always too little. For someone who has so many good things happening, I still feel alone and isolated. Overwhelmed and afraid. I should be happy, but I’m sad. My mentality doesn’t match the mood. I wake up with anxiety. Always behind on something and running late. Not completing things. Ready for the chaos to end. I need Jesus. Hold me.”

If you’re curious, I write a bit dramatically like my Dad. Observing the world more like a stage play, while others view it as a series of projects to accomplish. Regardless, those emotions and thoughts were a grand summary of this season. Bad and good. Excited and exhausted. Anticipating what’s next and yet anxious of it too.

From doing last-minute prep for the wedding to helping spearhead the block party event our church ran for hundreds of people in the neighborhood, it was just a busy time for me. So much so that I think this sermon suffered for it. Not the worst yet not the best message I’ve given either. Anyways, here’s my notes for this one:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Tonight, we’ll continue our series BLESS.
  • Have you ever gone to someone for help, but they just weren’t listening?

Intro

  • Doctor not listening about my hernia.
  • The opposite of listening isn’t speaking, it’s waiting to speak.
  • We all have issues listening (i.e. music).
  • This is called Mondegreen moments.

Transition To Main Point

  • Everyone has a story. They just need someone to listen. When we listen to people’s story, we then can share Christ.
  • The gospel is an engaged gospel. People are engaged when they are heard.

Main Point

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

But Peter said,“I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him…But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.”

Acts 3:1-10, 4:4 (ESV)

Why It Matters

  • Two areas to listen: the places (4 P’s) and the person (4 H’s).
  • 4 H’s: History, Heart, Habits; Hurts
  • 4 P’s: Pain, Pennies, Power; Parties
  • Listen to people, ask the 4 H’s and analyze the 4 P’s.
  • People will only respond if they feel heard.

Final Thoughts

Half-baked is how I’d define this sermon. Not an outright disaster, but not my best. Then again, it’s just a bad day at the office. Every job and person with responsibility has them. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

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

A Hidden Life

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 5/28/2023

I wrote this poem last night after my wife and I finished watching the film A Hidden Life by Terrence Malick. Was obviously inspired by that, George Eliot’s famous quote (2), along with feelings I’ve had as of late about moving away from my current home in Colorado. With that, here’s the poem:

–

All I want is a hidden life.

A home among the wildlife.

With children and my lovely wife.

Free of the world’s own sin and strife.

–

Somewhere with oaks, redwoods, and willows.

In the mountains with rustling wind that billows.

A secluded solitude surrounded by all that grows.

Saturated by lakes and rivers where clearwater flows.

–

Populated with human souls, but not too many.

A quiet community that’s far away from the big city.

A rugged and serene terrain that’s both pretty and gritty.

Taken care of and tended to by a people gentle and lowly.

–

This is the life of my dreams.

A consistent desire and theme.

To be with the trees downstream.

Something similar to Eden it seems.

–

But I’m content with what God’s given to me.

Living for today and the tomorrow I cannot see.

Knowing that one day I’ll be as free as the open sea.

Whenever that may be, I know that Jesus is with thee.

–

If it wasn’t abundantly clear, I love and resonate with Terrence Malick as an artist. Him along with a variety of other filmmakers inspire me a lot with how I convey my ideas on the page. Using the communicative channel of story to share my thoughts. Also, cannot recommend his work enough.

In regards to myself, I’m battling my own calling and dreams. I’m called to be a bridge to differing groups of people. Not just the secular engaging with the sacred, but also the far off prodigal saints and those at the feet of Jesus. But I also have a desire to move elsewhere becoming a fulltime writer of fiction stories and non-fiction works. But contentment is the key when God’s answer isn’t no or yes, but wait. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Free stock photos · Pexels
  2. “..for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.” ― George Eliot, Middlemarch

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

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

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. To hear more thoughts on this one, check out the Reunion Church podcast episode where Andrew and I talk all about it. With that said, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

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