Tag: Jesus

1 Timothy: Sincere Faith | 1-14-2024

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Updated: 11/6/2024

Sermon Prep

2024 started with a bang. I was a month into the latest job and done hopping around. Finally found the company I was supposed to be at longterm and I couldn’t have been happier. What made it even better is that it aligned with my career goals of shifting into a new department down the road too. In the end, it’s as if God had it all under control and I should’ve trusted him from the start.

My wife and I also decided to buckle down to buy a house by moving in with her parents to save money. A year on now and ready to buy, that was the wise decision. But I was hesitant to do so on my end because I had known people who had terrible living experiences with their in-laws. For us, it was way better than expected.

With the new year came a new sermon series at church as well. That meant going through 1 and 2 Timothy with an emphasis on the life and doctrine theme that our teaching pastor uncovered. Before I get into my thoughts about this series, here’s the notes and recorded sermon:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Have you ever confronted someone before?
    • Ok, what about a mentor you admired?

Intro

  • Confronting former mentor in 2016.
    • Heard rumors about him that bothered me.
    • Never been the same since that day.

Transition To Main Point

  • Charismatic leaders have a fickle faith, while leaders with character have a sincere faith.

Main Point

  • A sincere faith is fully dependent on God’s grace, not your granular greatness.
    • Let’s see what these two faiths look like.
  • 1 Timothy 1:1-2 | To Timothy
    • Ephesus adopted Hellenism and Stoicism for money.
    • Timothy was assigned and oversaw multiple, small churches in the Ephesus area.
  • 1 Timothy 1:3-7 | Strange Doctrine
    • Timothy wanted to leave Ephesus.
    • Charismatic leaders caused confusion.
      • Against eating meat and getting married.
    • They had lots of zeal, but lacked wisdom.
      • Zeal unchecked causes extremism (i.e. Answers in Genesis, cults, etc).
  • 1 Timothy 1:8-11 | Sinners Law
    • The law isn’t a gavel, but a mirror.
      • Revealing our true self and its imperfections.
    • No human is good or just before God.
  • 1 Timothy 1:12-17 | Foremost Sinner
    • Paul’s sin list is different and worse.
    • Calls himself the highest ranked sinner.
    • His response is to lower himself and lift God up.
      • Differentiates God from other gods.
  • 1 Timothy 1:18-20 | Entrusted Commission
    • Keep your sincere faith and avoid fickle faith.
    • Hymenaeus and Alexander taught strange doctrine.

Why This Matters

Final Thoughts

For quite obvious reasons, it pained me a little to share the intro story about my former mentor. To look up to someone and then find out not just that they’ve failed, but worse they don’t think they did anything wrong. Not an ounce of remorse and became puffed up when confronted by a former student who admired them.

As far as the message goes, I really enjoyed this one. I’m always down for preaching on a call for unity. How we the people of God can unite under the one, true triune God. The whole series at large I liked a lot and this message was probably my best of the few I taught in this season. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Simple Grace: Humility and Faith | 12-17-2023

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 11/5/2024

Sermon Prep

As I’ve written throughout my last several posts, I made 2023 more difficult than it needed to be for my family. For the last time and hopefully for awhile, I made my latest job change which writing this almost a year later is going great! This is where God wanted us the whole time and I just rushed the whole process.

In other aspects of life near the end of 2023, things were good there too just in time for the holiday season. The Simple Grace series at large was at its best this time around and we got to see both sides of the family for differing holidays as well. By the end of the year, everything worked out and thanks be to God alone for that result.

Since I was emotionally and spiritually in an awesome spot, this sermon tremendously benefitted from it. I also was excited to preach about one of my mentors, Mr. Freddy, who changed my life. Now here’s the notes I had for this message and the recording too:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Alright, who is the strongest person?
    • Now who is the smartest person here?
    • Last one: who is the most humble?

Intro

  • Mr. Freddy is one of the most humble.
    • Taught 3rd and 4th graders, plus was the Eaglecrest High School janitor.
    • Only taught about God’s plan vs my plan.

Transition To Main Point

  • Grace isn’t accessed by human achievements, but rather by the heart’s attitude to God.

Main Point

  • Humility and faith are the relational realities of a heart saved by God’s grace.
  • Humility is the way to wisdom.
    • Proverbs 22:4
  • Faith is expectation and evidence.
    • Hebrews 11:1-2
  • God sees the heart.
    • 1 Samuel 16:6-7
  • Jesus is humility and faith perfected.
    • Philippians 2:1-11
      • Philippians 2:1-4 | Collective humility and faith
      • Philippians 2:6 | Not concerned about social status
      • Philippians 2:7 | Not concerned about self-will
      • Philippians 2:7 | Not concerned about self-importance
      • Philippians 2:8 | Not concerned about self-preservation
      • Philippians 2:9-11 | Because Jesus, God the Son, is gentle and lowly, he’s exalted and glorified by God the Father

Why This Matters

  • Humility and faith must be relational realities for you if you want God’s grace.
    • 1 Peter 5:5-7
  • True humility and real faith is seen in every relationship.
  • Empowered by the Holy Spirit himself, humble and faithful peopel lift up others towards God.
    • Galatians 2:20
  • What is your heart’s attitude to God?

Final Thoughts

Although love this sermon, I did make one glaring mistake. Near the end when I talked about Mr. Freddy’s whiteboard chart of God’s plan and your plan, I described it as a series of circles with an upward trajectory. He didn’t do that.

That’s actually what I believe a mapped out view of faith looks like in an upcoming book I’m (still) working on publishing one day and I misspoke. On the other hand, Mr. Freddy would just draw a bunch of jagged lines dramatically instead to show the adventure God has for us. Just wanted to clear that up off the top.

In my opinion, this is one of my best sermons. Everything just lined up perfectly here. Honestly immensely proud of how this one turned out. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Reunion Church

Simple Grace: The Law’s Message | 10-22-2023

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Updated: 11/4/2024

Sermon Prep

Life as always kept changing in 2023. My wife Glory sold her Dad’s car to make ends meet, but we enjoyed our new family car for if and when we have kids. Little did we know we would have a kid just over a year from this sermon, but we’ll get there.

At this point in life, we were celebrating others and their mountaintop moments. For instance, our friends Taylor and Emma who took this photo of us right before Taylor proposed to Emma in the mountains of Breckinridge. It was beautiful and an honor to be apart of their special moment.

This next new job was still incredibly stressful. Wasn’t hitting quota and wasn’t getting any commissions. I was applying for roles, but had no bites. It was just a tough year of dealing with the consequences of my impatience and pride. Instead of waiting for God’s timing, I rushed the process.

In regards to this message, it’s actually an adaptation of a chapter from Pastor Shawn Reinsel’s book, Simple Grace. Our church has made it a tradition to go through his book on Sundays at least once every other year, if not more often. It’s just one of those foundational teaching series for us.

For me when it comes to adapting a sermon versus an original message, I usually just prefer original messages produced by me. I don’t like being too reliant on just one person’s message. Adaptation can often feel like copying and not adding anything new to the conversation.

With Shawn’s book it’s actually great! I honestly don’t mind preaching from it at all and look forward to it when the series comes around again. With that, here’s the notes for this adapted sermon:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Watching Mean Streets at Colorado Film School.
    • Learn the rules of film, then break them.
  • Kobe Bryant studied referee book, then fouled and got away with it.

Intro

  • It’s the same for the law of God and his grace.

Transition To Main Point

  • You need to know the message of the law before you know the message of grace.

Main Point

  • The law’s message is perfect performance.
    • Be holy.
      • Leviticus 19:1-2
    • Be loving.
      • Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 6:5
    • Be perfect.
      • Matthew 5:48
  • The law is God’s standard of perfect obedience. It measures shortcomings, not success.
  • What is the law unable to do?
    • Makes nothing perfect.
      • Hebrews 7:18-19
    • Makes nothing justified.
      • Galatians 2:16
    • Makes nothing sanctified.
      • Galatians 3:2-3
  • The law damns you, but is unable to save you.
  • What is the law able to do?
    • Romans 3:19-20
      • Able to silence speech.
      • Able to cause guilt.
      • Able to understand sin.

Why This Matters

  • The law teaches that you are depraved and need to be saved.
    • Galatians 3:24
  • Only by humility and faith in Jesus can someone depraved like you be saved.
    • Ephesians 2:8-9

Final Thoughts

To mix things up and garner more audience participation, I intentionally planned 2 different stories to start my message. There were some kids in the front row and they chose the Kobe Bryant story, so I rolled with that one. I don’t think I’ve tried this again, but I do like to test new ways to communicate to our congregation and improve what we do.

The one problem and feedback I received here was that I read too many different passages of Scripture aloud. For the audience, it was extremely hard to track where I was and register what was being communicated. Also, I stayed too conservative and relied strictly on the book whereas on the next one I truly made that my own. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Luke: Closer Than a Brother | 9-10-2023

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Updated: 11/4/2024

Sermon Prep

Like I alluded to in the previous post, my fluctuating job changes put a lot of pressure on my wife Glory and I financially. We had to make budget cuts and figure things out because I quickly went from earning over 6 figures to then barely half that with this new role. The commission structure was set in such a way that I just couldn’t hit any of my numbers, along with the vast majority of the sales organization.

To make ends meet, we sold my brand new Honda Accord to get rid of car payments and bought a much more affordable car in cash. Also, cancelled my personal training with Nikki who is just the best. That was a tough pill to swallow because my training had never been better than with her directly coaching me for Strongman.

As far as this sermon goes, I did a lot of prep and research here because I was covering almost 80 verses which was a new high for me. Never had to cover so many dense verses up until this point. With that, here’s the notes and the recording:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Read Proverbs 18:24.
  • Who is closer than a brother to you?

Intro

  • Andrew and Daniel are closer than brothers.

Transition To Main Point

  • There are those closer than a brother and brothers who will never be close.

Main Point

  • Peter was closer than a brother to Jesus, but Judas was a traitor and kind of sus.
  • Luke 22:1-2 | Setting the Scene
    • Define the feast, Passover; Seder.
    • Lazarus was last straw; Caiaphas prophecy.
    • Feared the people ready for revolution.
  • Luke 22:3-6 | Operation Kill Jesus
    • Judas was demon-possessed because he wasn’t a believer and was outside God’s grace.
    • They wanted secrecy to avoid a revolt.
  • Luke 22:7-13 | Mission: Impossible – Passover
    • Seder prep usually took all day.
    • What’s missing here? -> Observing without family.
  • Luke 22:14-23 | Communion and Covenant
    • A meal with those close preceded communion.
    • Introduces the new covenant, while the kingdom of God is nearly here.
    • Judas snuck away before communion unsuspected.
  • Luke 22: 24-30 | Who is Greatest
    • The previous questioning leads to dispute.
    • Jesus washed their feet before meal.
    • The world uses people, but we serve people.
  • Luke 22:31-34 | Peter’s Denial Foretold
    • Did Satan want to possess Peter, not Jesus?
    • Peter believed he was steadfast and committed.
    • Jesus knew Peter was overconfident.
  • Luke 22:35-38 | Swords and Sandals
    • Jesus is referring to Isaiah 53:12.
    • The disciples thought Jesus would overthrow Rome.
  • Luke 22:39-46 | Temptation Before Trial
    • Small oil press surrounded by olive trees.
    • Desert temptation prepared Jesus for this night.
    • Disciples gave into temptation to give up hope.
  • Luke 22:47-53 | Betrayal and Arrest
    • The kiss was an act of greeting and honor.
    • Peter thought this was the violent overthrow.
  • Luke 22:54-62 | Peter Denies Jesus
    • Only Peter followed, while the others fled.
    • Peter was closer than a brother, yet denies it.
  • Luke 22:63-71 | Better Call Paul
    • By twilight, Jesus had friends and a sacred dinner.
    • By day Jesus was alone, betrayed, and broken.

Why This Matters

  • Sometimes those closest to us can hurt us the most.
  • Jesus expected Judas to betray him, yet Peter’s denial probably hurt more.
  • There’s a difference between a distant acquaintance and those closer than brothers.
  • That intimate level of belonging opens you up to the greatest helps and hurts to the soul.
  • Read John 15:12-13
    • Love is sacrificial.
    • Now go and love in spite of the cost.

Final Thoughts

I had a lot of passion going into this one. The topic of Peter and Jesus in general is endlessly fascinating. But I do think we as a team tried to rush our study in Luke and crammed too much material into the last final messages. There’s just too much to cover near the end of the book. Either way, I still really liked this message, but it was too long and just too much to follow. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Luke: Entering Eternity | 7-30-2023

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Updated: 11/3/2024

Sermon Prep

In-between this sermon and the last one, a lot of exciting things happened for my wife and I. For starters, we got to go camping with her cousin and see him as he flew in for a week to visit. Great way to disconnect and enjoy God’s sacred space.

Just days before this message, I found out I got a new job and that really excited me. My wife Glory was a bit frustrated because I had only been at this last job 8 months, so switching again was emotionally exhausting for her. The constant flux of things really tested her and it’s honestly understandable because I was acting out of pride the majority of 2023 in regards to my career.

At first in January, I looked for the highest paying job at a company that made me look good. Then I left that job in August of 2023 because of bad leadership and wanting to do something different. Next at this newest company, I was only there 4 months because they had insane metrics that meant I couldn’t afford to pay rent for my family. If I had just been patient and trusted Jesus, it all would’ve worked out.

Instead, I hid my job hunting from 3 different companies and job-hopped around all of last year until I ended up eventually where I was supposed to be in the first place. Pride is amazing thing in that you feel so right in your mind in the moment, but upon reflection you see how wrong it was to do what you did. Because of this mess that was my career in 2023, this sermon lacked because of it.

I barely got the prep done on time because of my double-minded nature focused on other things. I think I finished the prep during worship and that’s not fair to our congregation and especially to God who allows me to teach in the first place. Here’s the notes I had for this sermon:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • What places mean something to you?

Intro

  • Every place you enter has meaning.
    • Movie theaters, Westminster; Reunion Coffee House

Transition To Main Point

  • Entering eternity with Jesus has meaning.
    • The physical place where your relationship with Jesus started or the state of life then.

Main Point

  • When you entered faith in Jesus matters.
  • Luke 18:15-17 | Be Child-Like
    • Touch them = Bless with laying hands on head and prayer.
    • Disciples scolded children and their parents.
    • Can only enter the kingdom as a child.
  • Luke 18:18-30 | The Rich Ruler
    • He assumed entering eternity was based on Jewish birthright and good works.
    • Jesus questions goodness, then the rich ruler’s motives.
    • You have to give all, in order to receive all.
  • Luke 18:31-34 | Jesus’ Death Foretold
    • Told this only to the twelve -> personal belonging.
    • Jerusalem = city of peace; God abides.
    • Disciples expected a conquerer, not crucifixion.
  • Luke 18:35-43 | Blind Beggar Healed
    • Jericho has multiple disputed meanings.
      • City of the moon.
      • Place of fragrance.
      • To travel or wander.
    • Blind beggar affirmed who Jesus was, not where he was from.
    • By humility and faith in Jesus, he was healed.
  • Luke 19:1-10 | Jesus and Zacchaeus
    • Everyone hated Zacchaeus in Jericho.
    • Zacchaeus did what the rich ruler couldn’t.
    • A home known for theft became known for gifts.

Why This Matters

  • God’s grace can change the meaning of a place.
    • Not just the place, but the people too.
  • When you enter into eternal relationship with Jesus, places change.

Final Thoughts

This sermon all things considered was fine. With the death of Avant that I mentioned last time, I think his passing still effected me here too. It’s sad when someone you admire goes, whether or not they’re a Christian. All death is sad. I know some Christians accept the view that a death should be a celebration of life, but I strongly disagree.

A death is a time of mourning and an acknowledgement that things are off in this world. Yes, death isn’t the end but on Earth we need to allow our souls to express every emotion. When we enter eternity, that’s when the celebration starts. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Luke: Humility and Faith | 7-16-2023

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 11/1/2024

Sermon Prep

The summer months of 2023 were defined by greats highs and lows for me. To start, at my job I began looking for new opportunities about mid-May. Gave it a chance at my role and realized I just couldn’t longterm deal with the leadership above me (i.e. 2 people specifically). By mid-July, I booked what would now be my second job change in 2023 and had the first initial recruiter meeting set for that Friday before I shared this message. It took 3 months to find a new role and yet this wouldn’t be the last of my job hunting in 2023, but we’ll get to that down the road.

As far as good things go, it was a fun season in the summer. We had a wedding that we got to attend, I placed 2nd at the Celtic Bison Strongman Show and I performed okay, along with us becoming a 2 car family too. During the summer, I was reading Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund which informed a lot of my thinking at this time. I think there’s hints of his work throughout the sermons I shared in this season.

But for me looking back, there were 2 moments that defined these summer months: the Oregon vacation and the passing of Pastor Avant Ramsey. In fact, both things happened simultaneously in the first half of June. It truly was an emotional tension between one of the greatest vacations of my life and one of the saddest funerals I’ve ever attended thus far.

As far as that vacation in Oregon goes, it really was an amazing way to celebrate my birthday. It’s one of my favorite places ever right along the coast where the mountains meet the seashore. Glory and I loved it so much in fact, that we hope one day to live on the coast of Oregon. It was on the second day of that trip where I got the message from my friend Andrew that Pastor Avant Ramsey passed away.

I’m not going to claim that he was one of the mentors that made me a man like I have for others on here, but he did mean a lot to me and my family. Heck, our whole community loved Avant! He just was one of those guys that lived a good, godly life. A quiet giant and friendly leader at my family’s old church. I’ll always remember him as gentle and lowly. It’s with these various changes in life that I preached this message below:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Life with Jesus is humility, then faith.

Intro

  • John teaching me how to catch a football.
    • Problem (Humility) = Couldn’t catch football.
    • Bridge (Faith) = Trust John’s help.
    • Solution (Grace) = John teaches me.

Transition To Main Point

  • Responding to God’s grace requires humility, then faith. It’s the transformative 1-2 punch.

Main Point

  • The kingdom life is humility and faith.
  • Luke 17:1-4 | Temptation and Forgiveness
    • Gives warning to temptors, then command to victims of sin. This applies to both.
    • Matthew 18:1-6 shows children there too.
    • A Christian has child-like humility and faith.
      • Talking about children and Christians.
    • Only the humble can protect, correct, and forgive other sinners like themself.
  • Luke 17:5-6 | Increasing Our Faith
    • Add to our trust because we’re not able to be humble and obey you.
    • Mulberry Tree = wild, untamed flower that grows in arid and dry climates.
    • A little faith goes a long way to forgive.
  • Luke 17:7-10 | The Unworthy Servants
    • We are the unworthy servants. Not great.
    • There’s no reward for doing the bare minimum of what’s expected of you.
    • Our efforts and works of human holiness are nothing compared to our perfect God.
  • Luke 17:11-19 | Jesus Cleanses Lepers
    • Story of division and exile.
      • Physical, racial, regional; social exile.
    • The lepers were Jewish and Samaritan.
    • The 9 got mercy, but the 1 got grace.
    • He humbled himself and trusted Jesus.

Why This Matters

  • A life in the kingdom of God is defined by a consistent state of humility and faith in Jesus.
  • All Christians have a child-like heart to be gentle and lowly like Jesus.
    • Matthew 11:28-29 and Philippians 2:3-5

Final Thoughts

The analogy at the beginning was a little clunky. The final section about the 10 lepers was my favorite story to share, so I was more enthusiastic for that ending. Beyond that, the feedback I received was that it went really well and I personally thought the execution was excellent. I loved our series in Luke and this was one of those messages where that passion poured through into the prep and preaching.

To be obedient and teach God’s word doesn’t require passion to be faithful, but it certainly doesn’t hurt either. I think this message paints that picture clearly. Like every season there’s “a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance” (2) as King Solomon succinctly put it. It’s just that in some seasons like this one, the spectrum of emotions is a lot more evident. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://calvarychapelmagazine.org/articles/avant-testimony
  2. Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NRSVue)

Luke: Prayers and Power-Trips | 5-14-2023

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 10/30/2024

Sermon Prep

The long days at the office were starting to get to me in May of 2023. Lot of work at this tech start-up and honestly had a hard time managing my time well. My wife Glory and I snuck in date nights every once in a while, but not enough I think. What we did do well was Glory’s consistency in cooking, so that I could pack lunches for work and save money. It ebbed and flowed as far as how consistently we did this song and dance, but I remember in May we had it down.

The tension I felt at work made me cry a lot, which I honestly hadn’t done in the workplace in years. It was a spiritual tension and a conflict of personalities. I would call Glory on breaks and just vent how I felt about everything work-wise. I had so much anxiety and worry as I was crippled with fear, which is a terrible mindset to have when providing for your family. I should have lived by faith, not fear.

We also had a lot of car troubles this month as my beloved 2021 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T was having battery troubles, which our friend Ben would fix a few times for us. Really debated selling the car because of the frustration I was having with it and the insane $526 a month car payment that was not worth it. It was a stupid, vanity buy when I got in November of 2021 and I should have never bought it in the first place.

Given it was Mother’s Day, the original intro I had just didn’t seem like a good fit for the audience and topic at hand. So I like usual made a last minute change during worship and improvised the intro to fit the holiday at hand. It was the right call and it actually worked great as bookends to my message. Either way, here’s the notes:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Work promotion interview story. Grandma Rachel and Grandma Sandra story.
    • Power-trips focus on externals, not essentials.

Intro

  • For Christians, we focus on essentials.
    • The world focuses on externals.
  • Prayer is one of the Christian Essentials.
    • Prayer is divine communication that informs your human situation.

Transition To Main Point

  • Life without prayer becomes a powertrip.

Main Point

  • Jesus chose prayer, while the Pharisees chose power.
  • Luke 11:1-13 | The Lord’s Prayer
    • Only time disciples asked Jesus to teach.
      • It should be called the disciples prayer.
    • No individual references.
      • True prayer is focused on God and others.
    • Normal traveling at night due to heat.
    • Verses 9-10 are a present-active-imperative.
      • A command that is constant and repetitive.
  • Luke 11:14-26 | Jesus and Beelzebul
    • Beelzebul = lord of flies; god of filth
      • Philistine god (2 Kings 1:2).
    • Answers them with logic and theology (Luke 11:19).
      • Strongman = Satan and stronger man = Jesus.
      • House = human body or house of Israel.
  • Luke 11:27-28 | To Be Blessed
    • Woman = heckler.
      • “Bless your mom and her boobs.”
    • Belief in God is greater than birthright.
  • Luke 11:29-32 | Sign of Jonah
    • 3 days in fish = crucifixion foreshadow.
    • Jesus is greater than the wonder of Jonah and the wisdom of Solomon.
  • Luke 11:33-36 | Light in You
    • This section ties directly to what’s next.
  • Luke 11:37-54 | Pharisees and Lawyers
    • They focused on externals, not essentials.
      • Jesus always challenges external expectations.
    • They favored regulation and reputation over relationships. Jesus chooses to relate.

Why This Matters

  • Prayer is internal, while power-trips are external.
    • Choose a life of prayer over power.

Final Thoughts

The “bless your mom and her boobs” line had a hilarious reaction from the congregation. It’s just such a weird verse in the Bible not going to lie, so I had fun with it. As for the rest, I think the last minute pivot to focus the sermon on motherhood and mothers in general was a brilliant idea from the Holy Spirit. To use that thematic framework to understand prayer was really good.

I like this one a lot. It’s not the greatest sermon by any means, but the impact afterwards in table talks was evident and thats what counts to me. Did the audience get it? Are they compelled to obey Jesus? To live according to his way and not their own way? These are the questions I hope are yes everytime I preach. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Reunion Church

Luke: Be the Kingdom | 4-23-2023

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 10/21/2024

Sermon Prep

The sand was beginning to shift at work in April 2023. I had a boss who I liked, but he was always just a temporary leader and the goal was to build out our team to have a more traditional manager at the forefront. Sometime after the new guy became our manager did things change at this job.

It takes a bit to see how someone leads, but this was more-so a personality divide that was there from the start. It was up until this point where I think I saw that I once again needed to change jobs, but couldn’t afford to change given I had just left another job back in December of 2022. So this was the first of many months where I just buckled down and made the most of it.

During this period, I was really into writing my long-gestating book on the Christian faith. You know, the one I’ve teased for years on this blog for several years and have never finished. That same unwritten book.

But at this time I found some new research from Benjamin J. Marcus who is a Fellow of the Freedom Forum and was a Special Advisor for The Religious Literacy Foundation. His religious contributions helped me to dive right back in and keep chipping away at this book. Maybe one day I’ll actually get to self publish it, but this period was a much-needed spark in the creative process.

Beyond that, teen discipleship was becoming very rewarding as the students began to have breakthroughs in their understanding of their faith and that meant the world to me. Also, a newer couple at church began to teach our church’s core team via the Leaders In Training sessions. It was redundant for me since I did this back in high school, so it was more rewarding watching new leaders learn from it.

As far as this message prep, I didn’t expect much from this one. I was reoccupied with other things and to be honest this was prepped out of obligation rather than interest. It was just my turn to preach. On that glum note, here’s my sermon notes.

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • CFS acting class
    • To be an actor I had to behave, believe, and belong as an actor.

Intro

  • To be a Christian you have to behave, believe, and belong to Jesus.
    • To be is to become something new.
  • The 3B Framework by Ben J. Marcus.

Transition To Main Point

  • To become something new requires all of you.
    • To be the kingdom is the way of Jesus.

Main Point

  • Jesus invites the 12 to be the kingdom.
  • Luke 9:1-6 | The 12 Sent
    • The beginning of Jesus’ third tour.
    • First time the 12 are invited to come and be the kingdom of God.
    • Commanded to behave differently.
      • “Shake off the dust from your feet.”
        • Responsible for sharing gospel, but not for people’s reaction to it. Also, unclean land.
  • Luke 9:7-9 | Herod Antipas Perplexed
    • Divorced first wife and married his half brother’s wife in secret.
    • Intimidated by John the Baptist and his movement due to power struggle after Herod the Great’s death. Called out, so kills John.
    • Confused and needs confirmation that John’s dead.
  • Luke 9:10-17 | Feeding the 5,000
    • The 5,000 only counts men, so way more people.
    • Jesus challenges the 12’s belief in him.
    • Invites them to do the impossible, then does it.
  • Luke 9:18-20 | Peter Confesses Jesus
    • Jesus knew the rumors about him.
    • Peter knew clearly who Jesus was.
  • Luke 9:21-22 | The Crucifixion Foreshadowed
    • Jesus had to hide until time was right.
    • Continued to slowly tell the 12 what’s next.
  • Luke 9:23-27 | Carry Your Cross
    • Introduces the deepest level of belonging.
    • To be the kingdom requires humility and faith.

Why This Matters

  • Before the kingdom of God arrived, Jesus invited the 12 to be the kingdom.
    • To behave, believe, and belong to Jesus.
  • The kingdom of God isn’t a sacred space, but rather people empowered by God and his grace.
    • Now go and be the kingdom of God.

Final Thoughts

The sermon went better than I expected, but the small group at Table Talks was a little lackluster. It frustrates me when people are apathetic and disengaged, which that could be a reflection on my teaching than their interest. Either way, this one was ok but lacked application for the audience I think. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Reunion Church

Luke: By Faith, Not Function | 3-26-2023

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 10/17/2024

Sermon Prep

Before this message, we encountered new changes in life. My wife Glory had her last day at her job on the 9th, then we had a funeral just the next day for a student of that nonprofit named Daniel. Immediately after the funeral we went straight to a leader retreat for our church and heck before that weekend my Dad was in town to visit us Colorado Cribaris. Of all the weeks in March 2023, this one had the most going on right after my last message.

Given that back-to-back nature of events, I took more time on this sermon than the last one. Received the feedback from the last message and leaned more into the strengths of my style of teaching and what makes the Gospel of Luke incredible: details. So many intricate details that the other Gospels lack. With that, here’s my notes:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Shannon and First Priority. Strongman Origins.
    • Faith requires response.

Intro

  • Faith in Jesus requires your response.
    • Your inability to respond reveals your apathetic heart.

Transition To Main Point

  • An apathetic heart can’t take action and follow Jesus. It won’t respond.

Main Point

  • Luke 7:1-10 | The Centurion’s Servant
    • Sent Jewish elders and friends.
      • Never met Jesus; heard about him.
      • Powerful and respected local leader.
    • Jesus is swayed by faith, not function.
  • Luke 7:11-17 | A Widow’s Son
    • Nain = beauty; pleasantness.
      • Southwest of Capernaum; small hillside village.
    • Jesus is moved to compassion by faith, not function (i.e. 1 Kings 17).
      • The bearers and widow trusted Jesus.
  • Luke 7:18-35 | Disciples of John
    • John the Baptist and his disciples had faith that the Messiah would arrive.
      • Functionally, John was low status.
    • Prophecy fulfilled (see Luke 7:27).
      • Quoting Malachi 3:1-4.
    • Best verse (see Luke 7:32).
      • 32a = The Fisherman and his Flute.
        • Classical Greek children’s fable.
      • 32b = A dirge is a song of lament.
        • Reference to the funeral in Nain.
      • Pharisees dictated worship to God.
        • Their function was to ridicule the response of the faithful.
  • Luke 7:36-50 | A City Woman
    • Simon the Pharisee treated Jesus as an inferior teacher.
      • The city woman treated Jesus King and Savior.
    • Simon saw the function Jesus could serve to society, but the city woman saw that faith in Jesus could set her free. What he does vs who he is.
    • The functional view of Jesus is he was a great, moral teacher.
      • The faithful view of Jesus is he is Lord and Savior.

Why This Matters

  • Faith requires response.
    • To come and follow Jesus requires a response by faith and not by function.
  • You’re not the function you provide to society, but rather defined by the faith you have in Jesus as king of your heart.
    • i.e. career, family, parenting; status.
  • Your identity isn’t found in your temporary function, but by your faith in Jesus.
    • Lifelong fulfillment = relationship with Jesus.

Final Thoughts

With the slump of the last message not being on par with the first couple in Luke, I stepped things up here and it worked. I think my identification of the theme was spot-on and there was a clear through-line within this sermon. Also, I had an incredibly last-minute pivot where instead of talking about my mentor Shannon, I decided during worship to talk about how I got into Strongman.

I spotted Austin, who was a local Strongman before service, so I pivoted to specifically reach him. I think this was his first time at church too before becoming a regular member, along with his family. Sometimes if I notice someone new and the Holy Spirit tells me to, I gladly scratch out any notes that are not relevant so that I might win some more souls. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Reunion Church

Luke: Come and See the Kingdom | 3-5-2023

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 10/16/2024

Sermon Prep

My Glory and I in our first apartment.

March of 2023 had a real groove to it. I was doing well in my new role at this health tech start-up. Hitting the gym consistently for the first time in a long time prepping for the Celtic Bison Strongman 2023 show on June 10th. Life had a rhythm that my wife Glory and and I just truly enjoyed.

Glory was feeling the call to leave her job and find something new at this point in time. She didn’t hate the family business, but just knew she needed to do something else. A week after this message she would leave her role at that job and keep job hunting looking for what to do next.

As far as the message is concerned, standard prep and plenty of time to prepare between sermons. The first few months of work were in the past, so I could focus on good prep here. Unlike the last 2 messages, this topic didn’t inspire me. It was just a sermon and it was my turn to teach our church. Anyways, here’s the notes:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Who’s a mentor that changed your life?
    • Dr. J and his teaching group; Shannon and First Priority
    • Good leaders call you to something new, but great leaders call you to what you’re destined to do.

Intro

  • Jesus isn’t just a great leader, but the greatest leader of all time.
    • He both invites us to come and see something new, but also to what we were destined to do.
    • In general, Jesus does both simultaneously.

Transition To Main Point

  • Jesus invites us to come and see the Kingdom, along with what we were destined to do within it.
    • Let’s see how in Luke 5:12-39.

Main Point

  • Luke 5:12-26 | The Poor in Health
    • Historical narrative, therefore this happened.
    • Compassion vs karma (sin -> health).
    • Magic (selfish ambition) vs miracles (spiritual transformation).
  • Luke 5:27-32 | The Poor in Status
    • Tax collector = MLM scheme.
    • Belonging embodies celebration.
    • Jesus will hangout with any and everyone.
  • Luke 5:33-39 | The Old Covenant vs The New Covenant
    • The Old Covenant is good.
    • The New Covenant is great.
    • The New Covenant is separate and supplements Old Covenant.

Why This Matters

  • Everyone enters faith in Jesus differently.
    • Belong, behave; believe.
    • However we enter faith in Jesus, he invites everyone to come and see the New Covenant we can have with him.
    • Not only that, but what we were destined to do in the Kingdom.
    • Now go and live in the Kingdom of grace.

Final Thoughts

This was a decent message, but did I hate when I went to join one of the Table Talk groups afterwards. During the message I had been talking about being “poor in spirit” and the audience heard “porn spirit,” which made for a pretty hilarious misunderstanding of the Gospel of Luke. I couldn’t live that down for while, but to be fair it was a pretty funny mixup! I think because of this reaction I put a lot more effort in what I would and not say on the next sermon. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. Reunion Church